Chapter 18: Mark Education
Amelie
I get up to my room and sit on the bed. I just stare at the box for a while. I work up the nerve to open it. I find the key attached to the ribbon bookmarker connected to the book's spine. I turn the key and open the box. There it is, the tools of the horrible ritual I would have to perform. There is a small wooden bowl; It's already stained red for years of countless others who felt the same as me. This was the only way out. There are two small daggers. One is steel, and the other is silver.
"We need to see what the book says." Inari does not even want to look at the knife. I am curious about this book my father gave to me. It's old with a leather cover and binding. I open the front cover and see the title page; it's handwritten, The complete research on Marks by Raphael Bois de Frene year 1795.
"That name sounds familiar like I should know it." I stared at the
Chapter 19: The Last Run Amelie The day has finally arrived—my own personal doomsday. Today I will go into the mountains at night and complete the ritual. I feel like I just want to run away but, there is nowhere to run to. Tate's Mate Mark is on me; I cannot run out of my skin. "We are going to be OK. We will get through this. I'll still be here." Inari is acting brave, but I can feel she is just as scared as I am. I was sealing my wolf spirit. She was a part of me attached to my soul. She did not deserve this. "Hey, how about we spend the afternoon shifted and in the woods? Dad's guards will have to deal." I can feel Inari perk up a bit. This would be the last time she gets to run free. "That would be nice, thanks." Her voice was so soft I could barely hear her. I mind link dad, "It's our last chance to shift. So, your guards will have to keep up." "I understand, kiddo;
Chapter 20: The After Amelie After I finish getting dressed, I slowly clean up the cave floor. I had knocked over the bowl of blood when I passed out along with a candle. I blow out all the candles except one. I put the bowl and daggers back in the box. I'll clean them when I get home. I leave the candles. I'll have to come back for them later. The wax is still hot. I put everything back in my bag and stagger to get out of the cave. Right as I am getting to the cave entries, I see the two guards. I must have taken too long. "I'm here. I'm fine." I trip and fall to my knees. One of the guards picks me up, puts my arm around his neck, and helps me walk. "You know I hate to admit this, but it might be easier to carry me. I'm quite a bit shorter than you, and I don't think you want to walk back crouched like that." I give him my best smile, but I know it's filled with pain. "M
Chapter 21: Alive Again Amelie I gasp, and my eyes shoot open! I breathe heavily as I look around the room. I'm in the infirmary again. No one is here this time. "Why do I keep waking up here, damn it!" I say aloud. I try to get up, but I have cords and tubs stuck to me and in me. "How long was I out for? Yeah, that tube has to come out." I was referring to the catheter coming from under my gown. The only thing I can think to do is mind-link, Dad. "Dad, can you get a nurse to come to unplug me? I think I'm charged up now." My sarcasm let him know I was OK. "Amelie! You're awake! I'll have someone right there. We are coming up to see you too. Don't try running off now." He chuckles at the end. "I'm still plugged in. I can't really run around yet." I chuckle back. He ends the mind link, and a minute later, a nurse and the Doctor come in. The Doctor looks at all the m
Chapter 22: Confusing Feelings Amelie It's been four months since I woke up from a coma. Life has its own new normal. I don't wear anything with a wide collar anymore. I felt like I was being choked at first, but now I feel naked if I am not covered. I have resumed my jewelry smithing again. I started an online business, and it's expanded my clientele. I have a lot of humans requesting silver. I tell them that silver just doesn't speak to me as platinum does. It gets them off my cases. Inari and I have been practicing our enhancements. It wasn't as easy as before, but we can still do it, and we are getting stronger. We can even increase our strength a little now. It will be spring soon, and I have started the seedlings for planting in a makeshift plastic greenhouse. I go out to the greenhouse out to check on the seedlings. Then, for the first time ever, I decided to try and grow Red Roses from hips. It w
Chapter 23: Violets Gideon "Alright, I'll be back in a month. I'll still be following up on cases daily and expect reports as usual if anything happens with the girls' mind-link me immediately no matter the time.” I use my Alpha aura as I leave my last command to Tyson and Marcus. “Are we clear?" "Clear as mud." Tyson can be a bit of a smartass. Marcus rolls his eyes, "yes, Alpha, the twins are in good hands, and so is the pack." Marcus was a bit more serious. I take a deep breath. "Please have Shay and Jorden face time me with the girls every night. I'll let you both know when I arrive." I was known as a cutthroat and brutal Alpha, but when it came to my daughters, I was a sucker. I get into the driver's seat of the SUV. I am bringing two of my elite team with me to assist in James' training. It's about a 4-hour drive so we should arrive midafternoon. For
Chapter 24: Figuring it all out Amelie "What just happened," I ask Inari. I am completely in a panic. I can feel Inari's excitement. We are not going through the same emotions right now. "We have been blessed with a second chance, mate. I didn't think it would be possible. The moon goddess must have wanted to correct what happened. We have a new mate! Go back in. Go back in." I try to calm down when I see dad and Celeste coming down the back stairs. "I'm OK. Just in shock. I'm fine." I try to reassure them. Celeste rubs my back, "is it true? Is Gideon Alois your second chance, mate?" I can hear a mix of happy excitement and nervousness in her question. "Yes, there is no denying what that was. It was the mate pull and sent. I didn't know it could be that strong." I am still trying the calm down and catch my breath. "How do you feel about that, kiddo?" Dad is more concerned. A lot has happ
Chapter 25: Feeding Mate Gideon We walk back hand in hand. It feels so natural, and, wow, she is beyond beautiful. Every time I look into her eyes, my heart races. I can see a storm coming. I know once we get comfortable, I'll see those flashes of topaz like lightning. She is kind, caring, and nurturing, and I see how her siblings regard her. "Thank you, goddess, for hearing my call." I put my hand in my jacket pocket as we walk back, oh the violets. Do I give them to her? I peek at them, and they are smashed. I don't want the first gift I give her to be smashed floors. So, I try to stuff them back in before Amelie notices, but I'm too late. "What's that you're messing with?" She stops and looks over. I close my eyes and drop my head. I pull out the bundle of smashed violets, "Um, on the way here, we stopped at a gas station, and a woman was selling little bundles of violets. I felt for her, so I
Chapter 26: I Will Claim All Your Marks Amelie Gideon walks away, and I drop to the floor, trying to hide for a moment. "Well, things are going smoothly." Inari's emotions are at an all-time high as she cannot wait to spend more time with our mate. "You think so. I kind of feel like it was a disaster. What was that word vomit from me! And what was that confession about! So, I guess he had a crush on me and watched me walk around naked and dreamed about it. That last part should bother me. Why doesn't it bother me!" Inari is in a blissful state. "Because he is our mate. He should dream about you." I let out a deep breath and looked up. On the edge of the counter, I see the bundle of violets. A smile takes over my face. I stand up, pick up the bundle and lean forward on the counter, smelling the smashed violets. "You know he got these for me but was too embarrassed to admit it and even tried to hide them