Finding Destiny

Artemis

Kai’s POV

“I’m sorry,” my mate, my Destiny, whispers just as she turns and runs from me.

My feet are stuck to the ground, while my brain is yelling - no, screaming - for me to go after her. How could I be blessed with a mate that I can’t actually be with? As soon as Reese introduced Destiny as a pack oracle, my perfect world came crashing down. Fate can be a cruel bastard, that’s for sure.

“It’s her, isn’t it? Destiny is your mate,” Reese, still standing beside me, says quiet enough so others don’t hear. I manage to shake my head once in confirmation.

“Then what the hell are you doing? Go after her!” She practically shoves me in the direction that Destiny ran and that’s all the helped I needed to get my feet on the same page as my brain. My feet fly beneath me as I begin my search for my mate. Where the hell would she have gone? I catch myself being pulled to the back doors leading outside, which are wide open. She had to have gone outside. Where else would a wolf go to get away? Her scent is on the wind as soon as I step foot onto the back porch, making it easier to follow.

After a ten minute search and following her scent, I find myself in a clearing encased in moonlight. A small stream runs right through the opening. Making my way closer to the stream, I see a massive mound of white fur. If I didn’t know any better, I would think I was about to walk up to an alpha wolf, but I do know better. The wolf’s fur is pure white and shimmers in the moonlight - there is no mistaking this wolf for what she is - an oracle..my oracle mate. Her ears perk up and she turns her head, giving me my first glimpse at her magnificent wolf counterpart. As if her beautiful coat wasn’t marvelous enough, her eyes glow an electric blue. As with all oracle wolves, a crescent moon is branded in the thick fur between her eyes and on the tops of each paw, telling other wolves what and who they are.

“I..I couldn’t let you go. I’ve searched for you for far too long to just let you walk away so easily,” I tell her, which I realize is probably pointless because she’s in wolf form - how the hell is she supposed to respond to me? But before I feel any more stupid..

Forgive her, mate. She’s tried to prepare herself for this moment, but I sensed she felt too weak to maintain control of her response to the bond. I am Artemis.

The words echo in my head and I feel like I’m on an acid trip or something. Did I just hear..? No way - it isn’t possible. We aren’t even bonded yet.. I shake my head, as if trying to shake out the voice in my head playing tricks on me, but not before I hear..

Yes, you’re hearing me. We are blessed by the moon goddess in more ways than one. She’s blessed us with the gift of communicating in wolf form with any species when the time calls for it. You are our mate - just as your are the strongest of your kind, we are the strongest of our kind.

“How do I fix this? I can assume Destiny is somewhere in there - what do I do? I know the rules - oracles are never allowed to mate unless they choose to give up their gift. I can’t ask that of her, but I can’t let her go.”

Her wolf, Artemis, c***s her head to the side studying me. She begins inching closer to me and I stand completely still, allowing her to do whatever it is she’s doing. Once she’s within a few feet of me, I kneel down so I can be closer to eye level with her. Gently, I hold my hand out and allow her to sniff me before getting any closer. She takes her time, but once she realizes she can trust me, she steps forward and brings her forehead down to rest against mine.

Be patient with her, Kai DeVerou. The moon goddess has many things in store for you. There are many parts to your journey that will be difficult, but patience will always be the key for you.

“Can she..does she know you’re speaking with me?”

Destiny is in a sleep-like state right now. She’s only ever been like this one other time in her life, but I won’t tell her secrets. She will share herself in time.

Artemis backs away, but only enough to drop down on her belly and lay at my feet. Sitting down completely, I make myself as comfortable as I can and wait it out for Destiny to return to me. I don’t know how long it will take - I don’t care how long - I’ll be here when she returns to me. I’ll always be here for my mate.

Destiny’s POV

Birds are chirping around me and I’m engulfed in the delicious smell of bergamot and citrus. What a cruel, cruel joke. The last thing I remember is running - literally - running away with my tail between my legs as I escaped my mate and whatever f****d up fate the moon goddess had planned for me. Once I made it out of sight, I stripped out of my gorgeous gown and let Artemis take control. I hope I didn’t ruin the gown on accident - Kiara will kill me.

Not opening my eyes because I’m half afraid to see the damage and because it makes everything real, I stretch my limbs and feel cold prickly grass beneath me and what’s that on my cheek? Did I fall asleep in a freaking bush? And what is..? Then my body catches up with my mind and I feel the warm, comforting weight of an arm draped over my waist. Who..? I slowly open my eyes and I catch a glimpse of striking red hair out of the corner of my eye. I squeeze my eyes shut faster than lightning striking and try to think about what to do - how to get out of this.

Scrambled bits and pieces come back to me from the night before, but not from my perspective. No, I remember glimpses of Artemis and my mate in a clearing. I’m remembering from when Artemis was in control. What did she do? More importantly, what did she say?

Calm down, Desi. This is how things were supposed to be. Artemis’ voice rings through my thoughts.

Excuse me? What do you mean by supposed to be? You’ve known something all along and didn’t tell me? How am I supposed to face my mate when he clearly knows I can’t accept the bond? What did you do, Artemis?

Before she has the chance to answer, the arm draped over me, my mate’s arm, squeezes and pulls me tighter against that broad chest of his. Engulfed in his warmth and delicious scent, I instantly relax..but not for long. I feel my body tense up again as I try to think of a way to quietly get out of his grip so I can run away again - which I’m apparently super good at now.

“Stop overthinking this, Destiny. I can feel you tensed up. I’m not going anywhere, so you may as well get used to this,” my mate says against my ear. What was his name again? Luna Reese said it right before I got out of there.

Kai. Kai DeVerou, the leader of the Waverly Coven. He’s only the most powerful witch on this side of the country. No big deal or anything. But not shocking, right? We’re a force to be reckoned with - it was obvious our mate had to be just as powerful. Artemis chimes in again, thankfully with helpful information.

“Listen, Kai..” I begin and sit up, gently pushing his arm away, only for him to throw it around my waist again. That’s when I realize I’m completely naked. Fan-freaking-tastic. I quickly squeeze my legs together and cover my bare breasts with my arms, which doesn’t do anything because I was blessed with breasts aplenty. Kai sits up with me and tenderly takes my chin in his hand, turning me to face him.

“I want you to listen first. I’ve searched for you for too long. I won’t let you go so easily. You don’t want to complete the mating bond? Fine by me. All I want is you by my side. Can we start there?” Kai says, never breaking eye contact once and I swear my heart leapt into my throat.

Don’t ruin this. You deserve this more than anyone. Artemis says.

Artemis, what if I slip up and mark him? I won’t lose you. I won’t give you up.

Just try. That’s all I’m asking. She says and I know I can’t deny her this - she craves our mate just as much as I do.

“I think..I like the sound of that,” I tell my mate. And for the first time since our terrible first meeting, I feel myself genuinely smile.