Page 89 of Mating at Midnight: Book 1

“Ask her,” she replies, jerking her head towards Elder Nelah. “Every time I tried to get to you, something was blocking me.”

Elder Nelah smiles. “Nyah, you and Braxton had to go through this process without the help of your wolves. This is oneand only time we will be able to separate your wolves from the two of you.”

Before I can shoot off the endless number of questions I had, Ballian’s deep baritone voice fills the wigwam.

“Mate”

I glance at Skia. If it was possible to see a wolf smile without it coming off as displaying a full set with canines in a threatening manner, then that’s how I would describe Skia’s expression.

She nudges her head into my side before saying, “My mate is calling. I hope he doesn’t think of me going to his side; I won’t put these claws on him.” To show emphasis she lifts her left paw and sure enough there’s razor-like claws extended.

I understand that the Gods chose Ballian and Skia to be our destined wolves, but did they overlook the part where these two are like oil and water?

Ballian carefully watches his mate as she approaches him. The sound of Skia’s claws scraping the ground echoes around the room.

“There will be no need for those,” he tells her.

“That’s yet to be determined,” she says, going to his side.

The side of Ballian’s mouth arches, displaying his sharp teeth. I have no doubt Skia is capable of handling herself, but if she keeps poking the wolf, I think she’s going to get more than she bargained for. But then again, what do I know? Maybe this is the way destined wolves initially reacted to one another. Perhaps this is the way they figured out who’s the dominant one. If that’s the case, then we saw who’s the dominant one when it came to our ordeal in the conference room when Ballian had Skia skedaddling away. Also, from the way she went to him after he summoned her. Yeah, Ballian is the dominant Alpha wolf in their mating. I can see now that Skia’s little game of playing hard to get won’t last long.

Braxton comes to me with his hand out to help me up. “You good?” he asks, enfolding me in his arms.

“I am now,” I reply.

“That’s good to hear,” Elder Nelah says, stepping forward. “I can begin to tell you what the Gods have sent me to deliver to you.”

“Excuse me, Elder,” Bryant interjects, holding his hand up.

“Yes, Alpha,” Elder Nelah returns.

“Noah and I are a little confused. How is Ballian here? We all mourned his death after the first war.”

Daddy points to Ballian, adding, “The last memory I have of my friend was him clawing and biting his way through at least twenty or more of our enemies before they threw that wolfsbane laced netting over him, incapacitating him as the poison bled through his fur and onto his skin. When the battle was over, we sent him off with the highest regard to the Gods. Ballian wasn’t just one of our Army wolves, but a close friend. So, to see him here now...”

“Don’t get us wrong, we are beyond enlightened to see our old friend. We’re just confused as to how he has become my son’s destined wolf and is standing here amongst us.”

Elder Nelah once again softly smiles. “And you have every right to be. The Gods know all and see all. Despite the other wars we have been through with Fenrir and his followers, our true God Vidar, has shown grace upon Ballian because he forfeited his life for the Pack. In all essence we didn’t lose Ballian that day. Vidar knew one day the ultimate war between the Packs would come which is why he didn’t let Ballian’s flame of life extinguish.”

“But why my son?” Bryant questioned.

“Because together, Braxton and Ballian will lead our Packs to a great victory. Braxton was chosen the day he was conceived.”

“Is that how Skia was selected to be Nyah’s destined wolf?” Braxton asks.

The Elder cuts her eyes in my direction. “You didn’t tell him or your father?”

“Tell us what?” Braxton and daddy say in unison as I stare at the ground.

“It’s alright, child. Tell them,” Elder Nelah urges.

Glancing up, I look into Braxton’s curious eyes, then my daddy’s.

After taking a calming breath, I say, “The Gods didn’t pick Skia to be my destined wolf?”

“Then who did?” Braxton inquires as daddy slowly walks over to us. Once he’s close enough, I take his and Braxton’s hands in mine.

I clear my throat and begin to blink away the tears that are starting to fill my eyes.

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