"Seraphina," it goes again. Stepping on the embankment, I sat waiting for whatever damn animal, person, being, Witch, or supernatural that wanted to talk to me to come forth. I was tired of listening for the damn voices.

"Bitch, are you paying attention!?" The yell hit me so hard ,that my head flew back, hitting the leaves behind me. "I'm trying to be all spiritual and shit, and you won't answer me back. It's annoying, now you listen here you crying, little pussy. You will have babies one day. I was hoping to surprise you, but you are throwing the temper tantrum of the century over here. You can't have babies with anyone but your mates, alright?"

"Eva?" my voice quivered.

"No, your fairy fucking godmother, of course, it's Eva, you twat!"

"Poop," I sighed.

"Now listen, I wanted it to be a surprise, but you can only get pregnant by your mates, alright? And only during your heat. Like your actual heat, okay? Now that you know stop being so dramatic and get your ass up. You got a Fox to beat up, and on top of it all, Soren is going to need some help. You ran right past him, and his mate is about to suck his dick right in the middle of the damn courtyard."

"He was?" I rubbed the tears from my cheek. "Yes, get back there now; your mates are PMSing you aren't where you are supposed to be, and you are missing one hell of a show!"

Chapter Fifty-Three

Soren

Idabbedabitof blood from my neck and brow, smiling at my good friend Lonato. Lonato was a formidable character to read at times. His outward appearance can give anyone the hebbie jebbies, but he was a trustworthy guy, however.

Lonato was also closed off in the mate department. Not once growing up did he mention his desire to find a mate; his parents weren't the happiest of mates initially, and maybe that was why. His mother and a human fell in love, not a mate bond love, one that grew over time. Of course, the human didn't understand what a mate bond was or understood its power. Once his mother found her mate, she knew she had to leave the human, but her heart still felt guilty for the human she turned away. His mother kept a picture of him, and thought of him often since his heart was so broken over losing his Werewolf lover.

Lonato thought she should have gotten rid of the picture, but once he found it at the bottom of her dresser drawer; his mother was too kind and guilt-ridden. Lonato's mother moved on once the human had died; he lived a loveless life until he hit the ripe age of eighty. All that time, Lonato's mother thought it was her fault, but it was only the human who decided he could not love another.

Things are better now with his parents; Lonato was born after he died. His parents reside in Bergarian; Lonato decided to live out his days in the Earth realm at just ten years old when they needed a head warrior; he applied, showed his strength, and was thoroughly trained until he came of age. Not only that, Lonato looks like the disingenuous people that lived here. He never looked at another woman, especially human; that was probably why he was so mean to Zoey when she first confessed a crush on him so long ago.

"So, you and Zoey, huh?" I wiggled my eyebrows, elbowing his ribs. The fierce tone he always showed could easily break when in my presence alone, but when others were around, not so much. He was supposed to be the trainer, a Gamma who oversees fighting, defense, and offense. However, this pack was small, and Alpha Big Claw preferred not to have a title over Lonato's head. Lonato wasn't one for titles anyway.

"How long have you known?" I pried, still bumping into his shoulder as we walked.

"You did that on purpose," he spat.

"Brother, whatever do you mean?" I faked innocence, a slight pout baring on my lip. "Why would I play such a game with you?" Lonato smacked his lips together, stopping, putting his index finger into my chest.

"You knew, you knew that Zoey was my mate. How did you figure it out? I've stayed away from her for three years since I've known, and then one day everyone is out to get me, pushing my Wolf to where I cannot control him!?" Lonato's huffs and growls reverberated in his chest, warriors passing by glanced only to continue with their patrols, pointing at several spots in the forest.

"It wasn't me that noticed," I raised my hands up. "Seraphina took notice; why she could see it, I do not know. She's still all new to this," I shrugged my shoulders, continuing off into the middle of the courtyard. Lonato shook his head, both hands rubbed his temples.

"What I want to know is, why has it taken you this long to claim her? She hasn't dated anyone except Trey, who was recent, and we all knew that wasn't going to last. She was the only one that didn't know he wasn't into her. On top of that, you rejected her years ago! Could you not go back and eat a bit of crow and beg for her back?"

Lonato sighed, a growl left his lips. "I was embarrassed, alright," he crossed his bare chest with his hairy arms. "I liked her then, but she announced it like it was the most obvious thing. She smiled and was all giddy while the rest of the humans snickered and laughed. I didn't need something like that happening to her like when my mom dated that one human."

Oh. Well, that makes sense.

"You got stage fright then? Couldn't go back and beg her back? Get on her knees and say, 'oh, I love you, Zoey! I made a mistake'!" I used my high-pitched voice, making kissy faces at Lonato.

"Wank off," Lonato let down his arms. While we went westward of the packhouse, a small group of cloaked figures came through the forest. "Oh, hell," Lonato shifted into his Wolf before I could comprehend what was happening. Lightening pierced before my feet, causing me to stumble back.

Alpha Big Claw was there instantly, standing in front of me, covering other young warriors that were still left at the packhouse. It wasn't long until the small band of cloaked figures was surrounded by the Royal Warrior Pack and several from the Red Wolves.

The black-cloaked figure in the front had long chestnut-colored hair with highlights of light purples. My eyes couldn't stay off her or him while their delicate fingers began to tickle the hem of their cloak covering their face. A stiff breeze blew past, and the light smell of jasmine in spring sprung to my nose. Lonato growled as the bowed head began to lift the hood. My Wolf immediately pushed Lonato away, causing a disruption with Alpha Big Claw to look behind us. The warning growl meant for me had me bare my neck, yet another lightning bolt flew from the sky to the ground right in front of my Alpha.

My heart skipped, my palms sweaty; it reminded me of when I found out that Liz was my mate. She took one look at me and scoffed. My looks did not appease her; my status did not make her run to me for comfort. She thought of me as nothing but a meaningless pack member. I could fight; I was strong, but not the title she wanted. A Luna, a head warrior like Lonato, or even a rich Wolf that could make their own Earth realm pack if they wanted.

I was nothing to her. Nothing until something better came along.

The ground rolled again; the trees shook the remaining dead leaves from the trees. The earth convulsed, pebbles moving towards the center of the three unknown cloaked individuals. Whoever I was mated to, would they think the same thing as Liz?

My eyes dared to look up, to find the sweet smell of jasmine where it originated. The cloak hood was now pulled back; the beautiful purples highlighted her blue eyes as she stared back at me. She was a Sorceress, a coven leader. The two Sorcerers flanking her sides were nothing but offense and defensive magic welders. She wasn't just any Sorceress; she was Cyrene.