Rejected Mate and Following Fate - Awakening Book
Chapter 121: Varro's Visit

“If you are satisfied with the terms of the treaty then there's no need to delay in signing it. I camehere with the support of my coven, and this will put an end to two decades of unrest.” My father sitsback in his chair across the table and smiles somewhat eerily. I think it's meant to translate to warmand kind but with his eternally stiff and frosty aura, it's not.

“Finally, we get to know what peace is. Something I barely remember in my lifetime.” Colton lays thepen on top of it and slides the document to me. I don't need to read it if he has and approved, so Iquickly scrawl my name on the bottom and slide it towards Varro. It seems such a minor act for sucha huge outcome. My feelings seem somewhat understated considering this is such a huge thing andI guess it hasn't sunk in yet.

“Now all the formalities are out of the way. I was hoping on some time to get to know mydaughter.” Varro shifts forward slightly, that pointy tooth smile that makes me uneasy and eyeballsme directly. The mood of our topic changing, and he seems instantly softer.

“What did you have planned exactly?” I ask somewhat warily.

“A walk around your grounds?”

“Just the two of us, or...?"

Colton's gaze lands pointedly on the side of my face and the instant change in his stable moodsparks through my body like an electric volt. He perks up and the intense “hell no’ hissed in myinternal mate link makes me jump visibly so that I cough to try and cover it. Colton is still a firmbeliever that Varro has a long way to go before he can begin to think about us trusting him. Beingleft alone with him is not going to happen anytime soon, even if I feel no threat coming from him.Colton still has many reservations about vampires.

“I don't think your mate is all that enamored with that idea. Maybe a stroll, with him and his guardswandering a little behind us. So we can talk, without the presence of others.”

“Four feet...” Colton breaks in without hesitation

“Ten at a minimum is a little more realistic" Varro smoothly fires back. Stubborn and unfazed.“Five!” A snarl this time as Colton’s temper rises at the haggling. When it comes to me, he doesn'tlike to be undermined.

"How about we just see what feels natural and if I need you closer, I can easily wave or link. I trulydo not see how a few feet makes a difference given you can jump that in the blink of an eye.” I pointout sternly, giving my mate that “please back off’ eyebrow raise. He never knows how to tone downthe overly aggressive borderline controlling tone when he gets all protective. I don't want thissomewhat peaceful meeting to turn sour. We need to show a modicum of trust here.

“Fine, but only you, Varro. None of your shadow men you left standing in the hall are to accompanyyou. And I follow with my second in command and the two Luna guards who follow her at all times.”I inwardly sigh knowing there's not a chance of negotiating with him as he thumbs my way with thatglowering frown going on. He's been ten times worse since my pregnancy bump started to show alittle in the last few days. I'm growing fast now life has calmed down and I can spend my days eatingand resting to my heart's content while my pack restore two homes for the later splitting up of thepack.

Lychens don't carry their young for the same term as humans and we birth our pups after half ayear. That means I just hit the phase where I will expand like crazy and experience the biggestchanges to my body. It's important that in this time I step back, take it easy and prepare for what'scoming.

“Dear boy, I appreciate your love and need to guard your mate, but I am her biological father andstarted wars in the name of her and her mother. If anyone is going to hurt her, it's not going to beme.” He raises his brow quizzically.

"He does have a point.” I try to soothe Colton’s way and meet only a cold glare as he locks on myface. That no nonsense, I won't relent, look.

“If you have no ill intentions then what's the issue with us following at a reasonable distance?”

“I second that.” Meadow's voice waves our way from the far corner of the room where she had beensilently standing all this time as guard and observer. I know she had been itching to say somethingbut held her tongue as long as she could. I cast her a “please don't’ grimace and she frowns straightback at me with a shrug.

“Can you both have a little faith in me, my judgement, abilities, and the sincerity of my father'speace treaty. He came all this way and kept true to his word about bringing no more than hisimmediate escorts. He brought the treaty and we have had nothing but peace and tranquility forthe past weeks. I am sure a walk unaccompanied is just fine.” I stand up and brush down my loosefitted dress, making a point that as Luna I should still have say. Making it clear they won't bestopping me. They have both been cotton wool wrapping me ever since we returned here after thatfateful night of turning Juan over to Varro and it's a little frustrating at times.

“Lor...” Colton starts again but I cut him off.

“I'm not asking, I'm telling.” I grind it out, that superior no nonsense tone of standing up to Coltonand he looks instantly wounded. His expression crumbles a little. The puppy eyes and reversion toyoung boy almost breaks my stubborn down and that pang in my chest that I have hurt my boy'sfeelings.

He knows this side of me too well. The “I've had enough and want to decide for myself’. He stillhasn't ever gotten used to the fact he is not the “be all and end all’ in my world at all times. Isometimes have a mind of my own.

“It's just...” Meadow starts and I snap around to glare at it, cutting her off instantly. She shouldknow better than to take sides in any conversation between me and my mate.

“I'm pregnant, not a child. I can still make decisions for myself as Luna. I can still throw a vampirefifty feet across a room with the flick of my wrist if needs be. I doubt Varro here is going to doanything worthy of testing my abilities.” It's curt, to the point and making it obvious I am losingpatience.

“Fine. You stay where we can see you on the security camera's and I still follow your path at adistance.”

"Whatever..." I sigh, knowing he will never relent but this is good enough.

“Shall we?” Varro seems amused with this entire interaction and not at all offended or displeasedgiven we are outwardly questioning his motives. He doesn't hesitate in getting up and heading forthe end of the table, reaching out his arm in a gentlemanly manner and offering it to me. Rathergrandly and I wonder if it's to annoy my mate while putting him in his place. He's old fashioned forsure but I guess being centuries old or more will do that.

I move swiftly, aware of the tense stares and poised aggressive stance of my unamused mate andbest friend and ignore their reservations. I feel odd about linking my arm through his, aware mymate doesn't like it one bit, but this is my biological dad. It's no different to him holding onto Sierra.It's such a strangely intimate act for someone who is a stranger to me, yet the physical contactseems instantly familiar. I cant explain it, but the second my limb entwines with his, I suddenlyexperience calm, quiet, like going home and I'm back in the years of holding my mother's hand asthough it was only yesterday. It gives me an odd sense of painful emotion and brings tears to myeyes that this relative stranger can conjure up this intense awareness that we are bonded by blood.We walk on, aware of the following Lychans and I try and put them out of mind as we make our wayto the hall and out into the open space of a beautifully sunny day. It seems like everything weendured these past months is in another time and place. An almost forgotten memory. Surroundedby calm tranquil beauty of this forest dwelling manor and the peaceful joy of a bright day, filled withbirds and the rustle of trees. It seems like a far-off dream, and I don't think back then I could everimagine taking a stroll with the high lord of vampires.

“I know this is awkward and it will take time for you to feel at ease with me, but I cannot get overhow much this feels like Marina is here with me in spirit. I feel like I already know you. You look alike,yet don't. There's something of her about you, in the best way. She would be proud of the womanyou have become, Alora. Proud of what you have achieved among these Lychans.”

His words catch me off guard as we make our way towards the tree line at a leisurely pace. Tuggingat my heart and yet further putting me at ease in his presence. He's a complex person and as I walkin time, almost perfectly matched, I wonder how many layers there are to these creatures I used toonly think of as murderous blood suckers.

“My memories of her are slowly fading away and I can barely recall her face anymore. I forget whather voice sounds like. It feels like it's been longer than ten years since she was last by my side, and Imiss her still.”

I'm close. If you need me then I'm here.

Colton’s mind link distracts me momentarily, and I automatically glance behind me to see thelurking figure of my mate keeping his distance but not losing sight of us. Further back are the twoLuna's guard and Meadow. I smile without thought at how much he still loves and protects mefiercely and catch Varro focusing on my face.

“You picked someone that your mother would approve of. He's headstrong, a little cocky, andinfuriatingly bossy, but he loves you and would die for you. I can see that about him. He puts youabove everything else. A true born Alpha.” He nods the obvious compliment Colton’s way and getsa narrowed amber glare right back.

"He's the other half of my soul, even when he’s being this feral, although I didn't pick him. The fatesdid. I should thank them for their good judgement.” I point out with a cutesy smile, being funny,and turn back towards our destination. Relaxing in the company of this strange man. Thisunplanned conversation is I guess how one gets to know someone and build something. Lettingwords flow naturally and picking at topics that come at us without force. I don't feel guarded at all."Ah, your Fates. Destiny...whatever you want to call it. I believe that the choosing and imprinting isnot an outside force, but comes from within when two of your kind are ready to be together. Ibelieve all creatures have a hand in their own path and are steered by biology of nature. *

“You're saying I subconsciously chose him?” I laugh at that interpretation of what our kind does andhas done for centuries. I doubt I had any part in what happened the night of my Awakeningceremony.

“I believe destined mates started as one being, a long time ago, before nature split us apart forwhatever reason. That there is something inside of you that craves and searches for it until the twoare ready to be united. Vampires believe in kindreds, or twin flames; it's a similar idea. We don'timprint but we can replace the other half to our soul, although it's very rare. We call it Sacrorum, whichmeans coming together as one. I wanted your mother to be that for me, but she sadly never was.Her destined one was a Lychan, despite her bloodline.”

The sadness in his voice and the still evident pain of losing my mother in love and life makes meinstantly somber. Until this moment I truly never believed vampires could really love the way we do,but it's written all over him and I feel sorry that my mother left him in that way. My empathy kickingup for what if eel was true devotion on his side of things.

“Have you never found another after her? Do you have a mate back where you are from now?" Iquery, intrigued by the differences yet similarities between our species. Wanting so badly for theanswer to be yes as I feed from the loneliness of his soul and pick up on subtle hints that he trulycraves what I have with Colton. I want him not to still be tortured by her absence. It makes me lookat him in a whole other light and suddenly understand why he raged wars with the loss of his loveand child.

“I have lovers, but never have I found the other half to my soul. Not all vampires are blessed to everreplace them, yet we are physical creatures and will pass the time with many playthings instead ofyearning for it.” He smirks, the hints of that sadness wiping away instantly and are pushed behind adark wall away from plain sight. Something I guess he has perfected all these years. Hiding away histrue feelings.

I hold onto the fragments though, in my heart, and swallow them down to nurture in a place wherereal affection may be able to grow for this bizarre creature. He seemed human for a moment andthe glimpses of a heart capable of true feeling give me hope that one day I will love him as a father."Maybe your other half isn't a Vampire, or a Lychan. Maybe she’s something else and onlygeography has kept you apart.” I try for comfort and get a strange smile thrown my way

“It's not really my priority anymore. I have two grandchildren coming my way, a daughter to get toknow, and a throne to slide into. My future is going to be busy and fulfilling as we work into a timeof peace between our two kinds. Finally. We have a lot of ground to cover.” He pats my hand that'stucked into his elbow and leads the way slowly, watching the ground for debris that might trip meand guiding me around small rocks carefully.

“Surely you can have all that and a person to love?” I nudge him, brave with the way ourconversation has turned warm and almost intimate, and I marvel at how quickly I am at ease withhim. As though somehow the bond in our DNA is a potent magic that is breaking down the barriersquicker than I could have imagined. This conversation is deeper than I expected to have the firsttime we were alone.

“I'm going to have three demanding women to spoil in my life soon enough. I don't need anymoreto split my attentions.” He looks up towards the sky at the bright sun and my brain grabs at hiscalculation with inquisitiveness.

“Three?” I query.

"Hmmmm..... yes, you, and my granddaughters!” He absentmindedly responds and reaches out tobrush away low hanging branches that are in line of where I am walking. Oblivious to my startledexpression. I am too shocked to pay attention to how attentive and considerate he is being.

"Wait, what? How do you know they are girls?” I stop abruptly, tugging his arm so he’s forced tobring his attention back to me and gawp at him, with a hammering heart pounding in my ribcage. Imean, I had slight gut feelings about what I was carrying but if he knows for certain, then I don’tknow how to feel. How could he know? Can vampires tell?

“Well, the witch told me of course..... Two very precious little girls who will have something of aninteresting future. Dawn of something bigger than us.” He winks and then lightly pats my abdomenin a paternal way, his face breaking with a genuine smile.

I can’t formulate words as it sinks down that if it came from Leyanne then possibility it's certain. ThatI just had it confirmed that I will be a mother to two daughters.

“I'm having girls!” I utter mostly to myself and then break into a heartfelt smile as the feeling ofwarmth overtakes me. The knowledge that I might have what I did with my own mother, but induplicate. Suddenly filled to bursting with this effervescent joy that springs up from deep down."Yes, it seems the future of our combined worlds lies in the hands of femmes.... I wonder if they willalso be white wolves?” His words stop me in my gleeful grinning as though being splashed with icywater and the smile slips form my face. His words hitting me in the heart like a stabbing spike.

A strange feeling comes over me as the prophecy that ended my mother's life swirls around mybrain and Leyanne's words of long ago come at me. That I was never the prophesized wolf. Neitherwas my mother.

My purpose was to use love to nurture a change. I wasn't the warrior, and neither was she.

I feel sick with the knowledge that maybe the white femme of the legend has yet to be born, andthat by love, she meant my birthing the first tribrids of our time. The possibility that one of thesesinnocent babes has yet to meet a destiny that was written long before my mother was born

I cover my belly with dread at what I don't know the future holds and the vast possibility of thingsto come that might need a prophecy fulfilment.00