The Luna Within

Chapter Eight: Mates

***PERSEPHONE’S POV***

Everything is so dark. I open my eyes and look around and I am near a waterfall. This doesn't look anywhere near the Evergreen pack house. I haven't ventured much around the lands but I don't ever remember there being talk about a waterfall. But it's gorgeous!

I walk closer and I see a white wolf with purple and pink hues in her coat. She is the most gorgeous animal I have ever laid my eyes on. She puts Hercules to shame and I hate even saying that. She's laying down with her head in her paws. All of a sudden her head pops up and looks directly at me.

I feel this huge urge to walk towards her. My legs have a mind of their own. I am standing right in front of her but I am not scared.

"Hello beautiful, I am so happy to finally meet you." She says. I feel a familiarity about her.

"Not that I am not happy to meet you or anything. But who are you?"

She smiles a wolfey smile.

"I am your wolf, darling. My name is Athena. Mother Moon Goddess gave me such a beautiful human counterpart, inside and out. And she doesn't even know it."

"So I have a wolf as gorgeous as you!? With the name Athena, which is the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, civilization, and law and justice. What makes me so special to have been given a wolf so amazing? I am not deserving of you Athena." I say hanging my head.

"Oh my dear. This is exactly why you are so deserving. You don't seek power, or money. Your soul and heart are as pure as the Moon Goddess herself. And you don't take anything for granted. My love, the name Persephone means destroyer of death and bringer of light! You have a destiny of being the light in a lot of darkness. Your reign as Luna will be the greatest reign of the century. You will bring so many packs together and lead them to a new era of love, compassion and defense against the evils."

"Wait just a minute. You are saying I am going to be Luna? Of where??"

"That I can't answer because you will have to choose your own path." Athena says with a smile.

"Is Apollo my mate?" I ask nervously. It’s one of the things I am wondering about the most.

"When you wake up and make eye contact with him you will know if he is or is not! I like for those things to be a surprise!" She says with a cheeky smile!

"Okay, but I have been taking s**t from others my whole life, Athena. How am I supposed to lead or be the mother figure to others? I don't even know what that feels like myself!!!" At this point I am hyperventilating.

"Oh sweet girl, calm down. Mother Moon Goddess and myself will guide you and help you. You will learn everything you need to know about being a werewolf from Evergreen pack, and the current Luna is a very beautiful soul as well. Not as pure as yours but still very pure. She can teach you how to be a Luna in the Official format. But darling you already have everything within you to be the perfect Luna!"

I have finally calmed my breathing some. And we are just sitting in silence taking in all the information Athena gave me.

"Where are we at Athena?"

"Oh yea, that. Well I came to you 2 days early. Your birthday is the 20th. I came to you tonight, August 18th at midnight while you were confessing your feelings to Alpha cute." She giggles. And I know I am blushing so hard. "Well anyway, when I came to you I think I came on too fast and strong and I knocked you unconscious. Sorry."

"Wait so my birthday isn't the 22nd?? Why would anyone lie about my birthday?" I ask, now wondering how I didn’t know my own damn birthday.

"I don't think anyone lied about it, I just think that might've been the day you went to the orphanage first so that's the birthday they gave you."

"Athena, how do you know all of this? About Apollo and his nickname, the orphanage, the foster "homes"?"

"When I came to you darling, I received access to all your known memories. The ones you can't remember I am still trying to access, but hopefully I can get to them soon for you. For us." She says in a determined way.

"So on top of me not being human, and now a part of a pack with the cutie Alpha. I am also going to be Luna somewhere, I am destined to bring packs together and be the light in the darkness?"

" Correct. Okay, love, it is time to send you back. Apollo is losing his s**t out there. "She laughs. I feel like this is all too rushed.

"You aren't leaving me are you Athena?? I don't want to lose you! I feel like we just met? Why do I have to go already!?" I am panicking a little.

"Darling, I won't be going anywhere. We are together for life. When you die, I die. You will never be alone again!" She says reassuringly.

I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.

"Okay, send me back!" I laugh.

I closed my eyes and when I opened them again there was a white light that was causing this massive headache to pulsate. The white light is so bright, it takes a second for my eyes to adjust. All I could hear was the beeping of a machine and what sounded like deep breathing.. Where the hell am I?

I can feel a warmth in my chest like the first time I held Apollo's hand. But this time it is more intense. There is a fiery feeling spreading through my whole hand. When I finally get my eyes to adjust I look over to the side of the bed and Apollo is sitting there with his head down on the bed but he's holding my hand. I just know I am blushing so hard, my face feels like it could explode.

I reach my right hand over and run it through his soft, beautiful brown hair, at first he shivers a bit. The second time I do it, he jumps up!

"Perseph...."

When he locks eyes with me, there is an instant pull to him. He hasn't let my hand go and the small firecracker sparks that were there are now full blown explosions.

Athena is growling in my head "MINE!!!" I growl out!!

There's a deep rumble in Apollo's chest and he growls out "MY MATEE!!!" And in a second he is cradling me in his arms, with his nose in my neck, breathing into me so deep. Being in his arms is like my own slice of heaven. I never want to leave this spot.

When I look up to him he is looking at me with worry, admiration and love in his eyes.

Love? He can't love me yet right? I have a strong feeling of love towards him but that worries me a little. Can this be love?

***APOLLO’S POV***

It's been about 4 hours since Persephone collapsed. The pack doctor thinks she must have a powerful wolf that came too quickly or too strong and it knocked her out. Which almost happened to me when I got Hercules.

I haven't left the hospital the whole time she's been here. I don't want her to wake up and be alone. I can't even bring myself to think of anything to try and make her feel better.

Her machine is beeping like crazy and she's hyperventilating.

"Doc!!!! Get in here now!!!"

Doctor Andres rushes into the room. He checks her vitals. And her heart rate starts to calm down now.

"It appears she was either having an overwhelming dream or a difficult talk with her wolf. Either way she is fine."

What the fu.ck???

"Fine???? Does this fu.cking look fine to you Doc???!!!! There is no part of her being unconscious in this hospital bed, fine!!!!!" I roared. I am livid and Hercules is pissed too.

"Apollo, I know you are worried about her, but blasting your aura isn't helping anyone. Especially you. She will need you to be level headed when she wakes up, and she WILL wake up Apollo. That I am sure of."

I know he's right but I am still upset she is unconscious and to me it is not fine. AT ALL.

Her heart rate goes up again but not near as bad this time. She finally levels out. I have not let go of her hand the whole time she has been in here. I lay my head on the bed, I can feel the exhaustion creeping in on me but I refuse to sleep a wink until she's at least talks to me first.

I pray to the Moon Goddess that she wakes up and she's okay. I pray that she is my mate. She's the only person I have ever felt anything towards and I am so desperately wanting to be the only person for her.

I feel something in my hair but I think it is just a fly, it makes me shiver a little.

A minute later, it feels like fingers running through my head and it makes me melt at the touch.

I shoot up and look at Persephone. Holy sh*t, she's awake. “Perseph…..”

I lock eyes with her and there it is. She's....

"MINEEE!!" She growls!! Oh fu.ck, that was hot. My di.ck is fully hard at this point.

"MY MATE!!!!" Rumbles from my chest and Hercules is on cloud nine right now. Before I even realize what is happening, I have her scooped in my arms and I have my nose in her neck inhaling her peaches and crème scent so damn deeply. She is reacting in a good way and snuggling into my chest!! Ughh it doesn't get any better than this.

"Persephone, we're..."

"Shhh, I know Apollo. We're mates! That means you are all mine!" She smiles shyly with a blush.

"Wait, you want to be mine? You don't want to reject me??" I ask her quickly.

"Reject you?" She says as she quirks her head to the side.

"Oh yeah, I don't think I explained rejection. Sometimes when werewolves find their mates they reject each other. Or just one party rejects the other party. Usually it's because the other doesn't feel their mate is worthy of them. Or not pretty enough or wealthy enough. Or even for the title. It's sad but it happens. Mostly for greed. There are times when you reject your mate because they are evil. But that is rare. If you wanted to reject me though, you could. I really hope you don't but it is your choice." I kind of vomited that out.

I held my breath for what seemed like forever.

She sighed and looked at me.

"Apollo, I am a brand new werewolf and I am terrified of being Luna. Apparently, I am a destined blessed wolf that will have a few abilities and I am supposed to have this crazy legacy I am supposed to build. But even with all of that Apollo, why would I throw away yet another gift I have been given? Sure you're a little bit of a douche with a HUGE, ummm, ego, but I want you to be my big ego'd douche, Alpha Cute." She giggles for a second at her joke, but then she sighs and drops her head.

"But you could seriously have anyone you want in this world! And you have had your pickings I am sure. Why would you settle for me? So the real question here is. Do you want to reject me, Apollo?" She says the last part looking on the ground.

I am floored. She thinks she is unworthy of me? Of me?? I was the di.ckhead who thought of her as only a breeding machine. And now I have been blessed with this girl and she feels undeserving of me??? I grab her chin to make her look at me.

" Persephone, I have been praying since the day we met, two days ago, you would be mine, in one way or another.. And here you are. I was blessed by the Moon Goddess with a gorgeous, smart, funny, strong willed and compassionate mate. Who looks out for others and cares what others are going through even though you have been dealt a pretty shitty hand your whole life. I would be honored if you would be, not only my mate but my girlfriend. I want you to be mine and mine alone. If you'll have me." She reaches up and wipes away the tears that I didn't know were falling.

" Don't worry Alpha Cute, I won't tell anyone the small she-wolf made you cry."

"Not a chance baby girl, I am screaming it from the rooftops!"

She grabs both cheeks in her soft and small hands and crashes her lips into mine and I am overwhelmed with fire, love, completeness and joy in this kiss. Wait, love? I love her? She moans as I slide my tongue into her mouth to deepen it. But I keep my arms wrapped around her. I want to cherish this moment. Yeah, it’s true. I love her.

She breaks the kiss so she can breathe and smiles at me but is blushing extremely hard.

"I-I'm sorry. " She smiles.

"No need to apologize, my love. I am ALL yours and you can kiss me anytime you want." She giggles.

"I mean that was my first kiss... Ever. I am sorry I am not more experienced like you're used to."

"Always thinking of others. I am glad you aren't experienced, that means I get all your firsts! And I get to teach you!" I growl out that last part.

She smiles brightly. And I think I am falling in love every single second.

I mindlink the doctor to come in and he checks her vitals. He says everything is fine and that she can leave in the morning after he checks on her one last time and then he leaves.

Once he is gone, I look at her.

"I want you to fully accept me with the titles, my love. It'll strengthen the mate bond. If you want to. " She smiles brightly and nods. I explain to her, her new title and how to word it and then I lead.

"I, Apollo Devereux, Future Alpha of Evergreen Pack, accept you, Persephone Daniels, Future Luna of Evergreen Pack, as my mate and girlfriend." I smile a cheesy smile.

She pecks my nose.

"I, Persephone Daniels, Future Luna of Evergreen Pack, accept you, Apollo Devereux, Future Alpha of Evergreen pack as my mate and my boyfriend." She is looking at me with so much love. I can feel the bond strengthen between us.

"Now that we have accepted each other. I need to ask you for something, Apollo. Since this is a lifetime type of thing."

"Of course baby girl. Anything."

She breathes in deeply.

“Promise to never leave me. To believe in me and support me. To know that I will never leave you, or do anything to harm you. And to trust in my decisions. Your patience with me and the love you have shown just in the 2 days I have been around you has been more than I’m used to. I don’t want this to end with rejection or heartache..” She sighs. “I didn’t know it was love before, but I feel my love for you growing every second I am near you.”

"Your love for me?" I say with basically hearts in my eyes. She swats my chest.

"I promise all of that and more. I will help you become a better version of yourself just how you are helping me. I promise to keep that beautiful smile on your face and to always let you know that I have your back for life, no matter what."

She smiles and kisses my lips briefly. She pecks my nose, both eyes and my forehead three times and both cheeks before returning to my lips. I, the future Alpha, former douchebag playboy, having butterflies because of face pecks from my small, gorgeous mate.

" I know this is a little forward Babe, and you can say no if you want to.."

"Yes you can share the bed with me, Apollo. But just make sure you don't quit cuddling me.And don't you dare snore. I might kick you out of the bed." She laughs.

"Baby, how did you know that was what I was going to ask you?"

"You didn't say that out loud!?" She looks at me confused. I shake my head no. She breathes deeply and looks a bit panicked but quickly recovers.

"It must be one of my blessed wolf abilities then. Athena said they would be showing up more often now. But she didn't say the number of abilities I'd have, but that one makes two. Hmmff. I'll try not to read your mind. I'm sorry my love." She just called me her love. I am swooning right now.

"Wait, two? What's the other one?"

"I don't know what it is called but it has to do with the garden yesterday." She laughs.

I nod. Then she freezes and looks at me. Oh no, now I am worried. Did she hear my thoughts about how I was thinking when we first met? Is she going to reject me?

"Apollo, we have a meeting today with an Alpha of another pack. I can miss it cause I'm just your assistant. But you have to be there."

"Already acting like a Luna." I laugh.

"Mom and dad came to the room after you collapsed and dad made a call to Alpha Miles. He explained what happened and that he could either give it a day and I'll be able to attend or he could have the meeting with my dad if he needed to get back. But the girl I am falling in love with collapsed. And when she woke up I found out she was my mate. He will understand completely." I tell her.

"You're falling in love with me? Why?" She says.

"You are the most perfect being I've ever been around Pers! Inside and definitely out. I have been feeling like this ever since the moment we met. I was ready to take you as a chosen mate. " She looks dumbfounded.

"That was only basically three days, Apollo. How can you know the feeling you're feeling will last? How do you know you won't stop feeling that way?"

"Darling, nothing in this world could make how I feel for you go away. And three days is plenty for werewolves. Especially when it comes to their mate." I said as I smirked at her.

"Now, scoot over, I need a nap. " She laughs at me.

"I'm still not happy about you skipping out on Alpha duties because of me."

"Ssshhhh now little bird. It's not skipping out, delegating or postponing are better terms. Now, let's sleep. I have questions about your wolf and I want to meet her. Plus there's other things we have to discuss tomorrow."

"Nothing bad?"

"Nothing bad baby. Goodnight my love!" I say as I kiss her forehead.

"Goodnight Alpha Cute!" She yawns out.

Tomorrow I have to explain mating and marking. And I want to introduce her as my mate and meet her wolf. Lots to be done.

But today went good, then crazy, then scary, to the greatest day ever!

This is not how I expected having a mate to go. I was so ready to throw that down the drain… I am still unsure and sort of scared of this hold she has on me… But I trust in her, and the Moon Goddess’ plan..

I hope tomorrow is even better. With her by my side, I will look forward to all my days now.