Word Count: 1465

~Evoni

I have a feeling that what Rhenn has just told me is very grave and troubling indeed.

Yet I have no idea how.

I adjust to bear my weight on my uninjured leg. "Sorry, what does mated mean?"

That term was used in front of me before, but I never concerned myself with the meaning. Now, it appears to be the focal point of Rhenn's dramatic revelation.

"Oh right, Maric has told me that humans do not have mate bonds..." She gives her head a little shake, collecting her thoughts. "A mate bond is a sacred tether between two werewolves, gifted to them by the Moon Goddess."

I just stare at her, puzzled.

"She decides who will be mated. She waits until a sufficient connection is sort between the two before she allows for its physical manifestation." She talks like she is reciting a lesson from school, or a passage from a textbook. "That's the good part."

"The physical manifestation being...?"

She reaches out and grabs my arm, a dazed look about her. "You touch and you feel sparks. Your scents intertwine and you feel a deep connection that goes beyond words. One of devotion, of love."

I awkwardly wrestle from her grasp. What in the hell...

"So let me get this straight," I begin. "Your...Goddess, or whatever, forces two people together for the sake of...divine destiny?"

"No, no, you've got it all wrong," she exasperates. "There is no forcing to be had. She only bestows the bond when she is satisfied a pair has come together upon their own volition."

I raise a sceptical brow, ignoring a persistent cricket chirping in a bush to the side of me. "And this connection is a good thing?"

"Only the best thing." Rhenn loops her arm through mine, guiding me back on our way. "Every werewolf yearns for a mate bond. It is the truest form of love."

"So anyone who forms a connection will have this bond bestowed upon them?" I brush a branch out of the way before it can slap me across the face.

Rhenn giggles, shaking her head. "No silly. There is some destiny, some divine assortment. The Goddess, using her almighty discretion, determines who, amongst all, would be ideal mates. Those who are perfect for each other. They simply must find their way to each other on their own first."

This is such a bizarre concept to me, that it takes a few moments to process.

I remember reading about something like this on my textbook, but I gazed over it in pursuit of knowledge pertaining specifically to the fertility flower. This is something else entirely.

"So, you're saying I am Maric's mate?"

"We don't know, but everyone's in a spin about it." She takes the bundle of clothing I've been holding, laying it in her basket. "You're the first female human to step foot in this pack since we were ousted. A prophecy has never been proven untrue, and now, this one seems closer than ever to—"

"Rhenn, no," I admonish. "I'm not...that's not possible. I mean, is there a timeline on this prophecy?"

She hums softly under her breath as she thinks. "I guess not?"

"Then is it entirely possible that the prophecy doesn't pertain to Maric at all? Or me? Could it not be about another Alpha another century from now?" That has to be the case. I refuse to be part of what I don't believe in.

Even if my heart is pattering against my ribs awfully fast for something that I don't believe rings true.

Rhenn peers at me incredulously. "Awful strange coincidence, you being here, if not in fulfilment of the prophecy."

I shake my head, just as we finally emerge from the woods and to the river's edge.

I don't believe in prophecies, nor do I believe in mate bonds. Yet, even humans concede there is some truth to the Moon Goddess's influence over werewolves, and if they claim to feel this physical bond, then it must have a lick of truth to it.

But me and Maric as a couple? Hardly seems plausible...

"Please don't tell anyone I told you. I'll have my neck practically wrung for it." She shudders.

I immediately stoop to unlace my boots. "Don't worry. I'm taking this to my grave.

I'll make the fertility powder as quickly as possible, and I'll get out. Not once will I look over my shoulder and wonder about their prophecy again.

With my boots and socks off, I rise to look at the river.

It's more so a stream, if anything. It bends and curves through the trees, disappearing around the corner. It moves slowly, methodically, with an outcropping forming a small pool that must be where we bathe.

I hesitate with my thumbs hooked into my belt loops.

Rhenn undresses with no qualms. I'm learning werewolves aren't concerned with modesty, as she strips of her dress and kicks it to the side. Next, she peels off her under things next, baring herself to the world.

I look away, cheeks warming. Oh what the hell. I'm supposed to be bathing, after all.

Peeling off my pants, I toss the blood soaked things away. There is no salvaging those. Next goes my jacket and then my shirt.

All down my leg there is blood caked. It makes me shudder. At least my wound hasn't bled through the bandages which I'm about to tarnish in the water. Oh well.

A naked Rhenn approaches the grassy riverside with a bar of soap in her hand. She dips her toes below the glassy surface, a shiver rolling over her body.

She looks sheepishly over her shoulder. "It's chilly."

Its not exactly warm in this forest, but the river will have to do. There is no plumbing out here for a hot shower.

It takes a great effort to rid myself of my bra. My breasts immediately peak against the timid breeze, my arms going to wrap around myself before I pause. There is nothing to be insecure about out here.

Rhenn is too busy plunging herself into the river to mind me anyway.

I step out of my lacy black panties next, not even wanting to think about how many days I've spent in them. I toss them into the bushes, deciding they can't be salvaged either.

Sorry Rowan.

Rubbing my arms, I approach the riverside. One dip of my toe tells me Rhenn is right, the water is cold. Still, it's a more inviting prospect than continuing to stink.

Slowly I wade in, cursing and spluttering the entire time. Rhenn watches from a deeper depth, giggling to herself.

Once I'm submerged to my shoulders, I take the bar of soap from her and begin washing.

"You should move into my tent with me." She blows bubbles in the water, her eyes bright with mirth. "Unless you wish to stay longer in your mates tent."

I scowl at her as I lather my palms with soap, cleaning every inch of available skin. "Of course I don't."

She grins. "It's settled then." She sinks her head below the surface of the water.

I wash my hair next, my teeth chattering. I'm slowly acclimating to the waters chill, but not without sacrificing my minor extremities to numbness.

Suddenly, a rustling sounds from the bushes ahead. I stiffen, looking at Rhenn as she emerges from beneath the surface with a hungry breath.

"What do we do?" I whisper between gritted teeth, attention darting between her and the woods.

She shrugs, chewing on her lower lip. "Someone must be coming to bathe. Best to act natural."

I'm not sure how natural I'm supposed to act when I'm naked beneath clear water. Rhenn doesn't seem bothered in the slightest as she lays on her back atop the waters surface, baring her breasts and bush to the worlds eye.

I wade deeper into the river, my toes grazing the bottom. I hope the depths have dark enough water to conceal me.

A pair emerge from the woods suddenly, and to my absolute horror, one of them is Maric.

He's covered in blood, which would frighten me more had I not seen him in this state before. It clings to his bare abdomen and dark hair, splattered on his face.

He's in conversation with Oryn, his Beta, who is equally if not more drenched in the offending substance. They quieten when they see us.

Well fuck.

🩶••🩶

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I appreciate everyone who supports my work and continues to read my stories. I'm so grateful for you! Enjoy!

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛