Page 83 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

“Yes, his name is Ballian. The Gods chose him for me. Ballian never wanted to hurt you or Skia. He only reacted that way because of Skia.”

“What the Hell is that supposed to mean?”Skia growls.

I frown. “What did he mean by that?”

“What he meant was, since the day you and Skia merged and you let her take over, she is wild with bloodlust.”

“That can’t be true. I did what I did to protect us,”Skia shrieks.“Megan and Fonda threatened us and our mate. Me ending their lives is what I was supposed to do.”

I jump in my seat as an unknown voice says,“Yes, that might be the case but once you and Skia had that first taste of blood in your mouth, you were ready for the next, which was Fonda and her cousin.”

“Braxton,” I whisper, confused.

“Nyah, the voice you hear is Ballian’s. I don’t know how this is happening, but nothing surprises me anymore as our bond grows.”

Tilting my head to the side, I ask, “So, if I can hear him, did you hear Skia earlier when you asked if I was talking to her?”

Braxton nods. “I did, but I didn’t want to alarm you. You were already looking worried.”

“I knew something felt different,”Skia quips.“And to you, Ballian, what I did you would do the same for Braxton. So, it wasn’t because of bloodlust but to protect my Alpha.”

“That’s not how the God’s saw it otherwise I wouldn’t be here now,” Ballian scoffs.

“This is all too much,” I say, releasing Braxton’s hand to rub my temples from having both of their voices in my head. “We need answers and the best person to get them from is Elder Nelah. We have to go see her.”

Braxton reaches for my hand as I stand.

“But why not go to our father’s instead of Elder Nelah? Surely your father had to go through the same thing with your mother...” he paused, then rose, “We know my father never had that type of connection with my mother.”

Placing my hand over his chest, I tell Braxton, “He probably did with your brother’s mother since she was his destined mate. My daddy never told Kenia or I the level of connection he had with our momma but since they were Ancients, it was probablythe same. Hell, remember we just found out he and your daddy could talk through their wolves.”

“True,” Braxton returns.

“The reason why I say we need to talk to Elder Nelah is because whenever Kenia or I ask daddy about the closeness he and our momma had, it always seemed to bring sadness about him. We finally came to terms that it was because he lost his mate, the love of his life, too soon. So, we just brought up the happier times that the four of us spent together. That always perked him up.”

Braxton covers my hand with his. “While I never want to be in his position, I empathize with your father. I would be the same way if I lost you. No, actually I’d probably go feral, killing everyone I thought took you away from me.”

I couldn’t hide my smile. I should be appalled by Braxton declaring to take lives in my honor, but instead I felt the opposite.

“Now wouldn’t that consider him as having bloodlust?”Skia chimes in.

“No, that would be him vindicating his mate,”Ballian replies before Braxton, or I can.

“But I bet you will love the taste of blood from our enemies as you killed them,”Skia argues.

Braxton rolls his eyes.“Ballian go,”he orders.

“Yes, Braxton,”Ballian says before his presence vanishes.

Following Braxton, I tell Skia,“Skia, you can go as well. I’ll call for you once we’re with Elder Nelah.”

“Okay, Nyah but just call my name if you need me before then,”Skia declares, fading away.

“We’re going to have to do something about those two,” Braxton chuckles. “Ballian recognizes her as his mate and would protect her at all costs. Why are they coming at each other like this, I don’t know.”

“I don’t know either because she sees him as her mate too but one thing we have to get them on board with is they will not disrespect each other and they’re going to have to learn how to get along.”

“I agree. Go get your stuff and I’ll call Levi to get the car ready. We’ll meet with the department heads before we leave to give our directives for the next few days.”

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