Sour Souls The Morningstar Series Book 6
Sour Souls Chapter 40

I've been here for over a week. At this rate, I'm going to miss spending christmas with my mate. I just want out of this damn house.

After the dinner I had with the others, Darian took me on a tour of the house. It's extremely clear to me that Darian is the one in charge here. Something about him is off though. He's hiding something from me. I can see it in his eyes. He's afraid of me, but I don't understand why. While Darian took me on the tour, he explained the history of our people. Darian believes that we are the natural way. That we are what comes after death.

It was explained to me that our power comes from death its self. Darian told me that we take the energy of death, and use it. At first I didn't understand what that meant. Darian told me that when everyone dies they leave an imprint of energy. That's what we use. I don't believe him though. There was a reason Darian took me alone to explain all of that. He didn't want me to see the other's reactions. Darian was also a bit too excited to explain everything to me. That also raised a red flag in my brain. Something is off. If death leaves an imprint, how come Ares can't feel it? How come I've never heard of that before?

I know that I've never heard of Banchee's before either, but I surely would know about an energy like that. Not only that, but Darian's excitement is weird. They kept saying that they have been waiting for me, but why?

After my tour, I was taken to 'my room'. At least it wasn't that place in the basement. The moment I was left alone, I checked all windows. None of them opened. I can't even see out of them.

This place is strange. It's like we are in a whole different dimension. I wonder if that's what really is going on here.

The last four days have been the same. I wake up to Anna knocking on my door. She brings me down for breakfast. Thankfully they were able to give me clothes, and they have running water in this place.

After breakfast, I take turns training with the others. Darian is present for all of my training sessions, unless they are with Jace. Which I hate. Jace does not understand personal boundaries. No matter how much I brush him off, he just keeps flirting with me. I also do not understand why Darian has to be present for all of it. Or why he only leaves me alone with Jace. He must trust Jace more than the others. Which is odd. Jace seems so young, and carefree. Almost like the goofy kid of the bunch. I would think that Luca would be the right hand man, but I guess not.

And why doesn't Darian trust the others? They are his people afterall. It's very clear to me that hey all trust him.

Is Darian afraid that they will let something slip to me?

No, that's not it. Its something else. I can feel it in my bones.

After my training, I usually get to spend time with everyone else before going to bed. They're like a pack. It's kind of silly to watch. They all have a lot of love for each other.

It makes me sad that they all trust Darian so much. I like them all so much. Aside from Jace and Darian anyways. The rest of them aren't bad though.

Luca is kind of rough around the edges. He reminds me of my mate in that way. That might be why I like him so much. Luca also warmed up to me quickly. He doesn't talk much, but I catch him hovering over me almost always. In a protective way, that I appreicate more than he knows.

Uma is also a quiet one. I think she has a rough past. She speaks just as little as Luca. Uma walks me to my room every night with Luca as well. They both have a protective streak. At first I thought that it was just that Uma didn't trust me. Now I feel differently. Jack is the goofball of the group. He is nothing but a big flirt with no a serious bone in his body. Jack is all playfull all the time. He really brings light to this little group. Jack never fails to make any of us laugh.

Anna is the sweetest person here. She has a warmth about her. Almost in a motherly way. And she's an amazing cook. She is also in a relationship with Mei.

Honeslty, their relationship shocked me. I wasn't expecting it at all. Not because they are two women, but because they are completely opposite. In every way.

Mei is the most skeptical in the group. She's always watching me. Honestly, I'm thankful for it. It's better than having Darian or Jace keep an eye on me. Besides, it's only a matter of time before Mei grows to like me as well. Still, I see the love on their faces when they are together. I've seen those looks before. It's so familiar to me now. Especially after expirencing it for myself.

Which leads me to my biggest red flag.

If Jace told me that Banchee's don't have mates, then why are two of them mated to each other? Why did they lie to me about that? Why didn't Mei or Anna call them out on the lie? Do they not care about degrading the bond?

It's clear to anyone who has expierenced the mate bond, or even saw it enough, that Anna and Mei have that bond. I haven't seen any kind of marks yet, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Maybe if I didn't grow up in a pack I would have overlooked the relationship between the two, but that isn't the case.

Which lead me to wonder why they would think I wouldn't notice. They know that I am a wolf. That means they have to assume that I was raised in a pack. Yet, they had no worry about what I would see.

Do they know that I was locked in a dungeon for all those years? If they do, how did they replace out? How long have they really been keeping an eye on me? How much do they really know?

I'm trying to act normal while I'm here. Trying to fit in with them. It's a lot easier than I thought it would be. I hate to admit that, but these are my people as well. I just need to play it safe until I can get out of here. Then I can make it back to Ares.

Ares..

I miss him so much it hurts. Every night that I'm brought back to my room, I break down. He's all I think about. Being away from him for so long is having an affect on me. Which makes me feel even more like Banchee's have mates. I can't sleep, I barely eat. My life is meaningless without him.

Just like now. I'm laying in my bed silently crying. Thinking of what he's doing now. I hope he's okay. I wonder if he is enjoying the silence now.

Don't think like that. Honi scolded me.

I can't help it. I told her.

Mate misses us. I know it. She said.

What if he doesn't? What if he doesn't care all that much? I asked my wolf.

Honi whined.

No, our mate wants us. We are his life.. the other half of his soul.. She said doubtfully.

Ares did just fine before us. He told us that he never wanted to meet his mate before. I said.

But mate said that he loves us, that life is complete with us, that he would do anything for us. She argued.

He also said we would never be alone again. I said.

Then I whimpered out loud.

What am I even doing? I'm doubting the bond now? Hasn't Ares shown me that he wants me?

I tried to remember all of the good times I had with Ares. The hotel room that first night. The waterfall. When I killed Lauren. After the pub that night. All of the little things in between.

There was so much bad mixed in with all of that though. I know Ares isn't evil the way that Darian thinks he is. Ares is a good person. He's just.. complicated.

Will I ever see him again? What if Darian never lets me out of here? What if by the time I get out, Ares has moved on, and completely forgotten about me?

I have to hold onto the good memories. At least I have those. They will always be precious to me. Even if that's all I will ever have, because..

I fell in love with Ares Morningstar. Deeply. It's not just the mate bond that we share. I fell in love with him as a person. I love all of his grumpiness. The way that he cares more about everyone around him, more than himself. How he does everything his sister and mother ask him to at the drop of a hat.

I especially love the way he is with me. I get to see sides of him that no one else does. Ares is rough, but playful. I love seeing him smile, and I love making him mad.

And I miss him more than anything.

I miss him saying Emilia, all angry like. I miss his intense deep blue eyes. I miss his lips, his breath, his smokey scent. I miss him so much I feel like I might die.

I should have let him mark me. I should have marked him. I shouldn't have been so scared to be with him. I wish I could go back, and change it. I would never leave his side if I could go back.

I'm not sure if I'll ever even know if Ares feels the same way. Do I consume his thoughts? Is he going out of his mind trying to replace me? Does his chest feel hollow, and painful withouth me? Honi whimpered in my head.

I buried my face into my pillow as my sobs grew louder. I don't know how much more I can take. I hate keep being away from my mate. It hurts so much. So deep inside of me.

This pain is worse than anything I've ever been through. Worse than any t*****e. It's undescribable. It's like I can't even breathe most of the time. Like Ares is what keeps air in lungs, and blood pumping through my heart. And without him.. I am nothing. Honi whimpered again.

It's going to be okay Emi. She said.

I want to believe that. I replied.

Our mate will not stop until he replaces us. Honi said confidently.

I wish I could barrow some of her confidence. The longer I stay away from Ares, the worse I feel. There is a loneliness inside of me. One worse than I have felt my entire life. I need Ares back. I need him.

A knock to my door startled me. Reluctantly I got up. Before I answered it I wiped my eyes. Then I took a deep breath, and opened the door enough to see who's on the other side.

It's Jace. Figures. Honi growled in my head. She hates Jace with a burning passion.

"Hey." He said, plastering a huge smile on his face.

I gave him a small smile in return, that Honi scolded me for. I don't like playing nice either, but I have to. I want to know why Jace is pursuing me so hard. He's more than pushy. "Hi." I replied.

"Uh, I couldn't sleep, so I thought maybe you'd be awake." He said.

"Well, I am, but I was just about to fall asleep. Just takes me a while in a new place." I said.

It's a lie. Honestly, I'm afraid to sleep. Just like I was in the dungeon. The only sleep I get, is in the middle of the day when I am around Luca or Uma. Being around them is the only time I feel safe. And if they walk away, Honi wakes me up. It's like she keeps watch over me while I sleep, but I'm still too afraid to sleep alone.

"Oh, guess I should let you get to sleep then." Jace said.

I gave him a nod. I went to shut my door, but Jace put his foot in the way stopping it. Alarm bells started to go off in my head.

"Ya know, I hear that it's easier to sleep in a new place if someone sleeps with you." He said.

Honi growled.

"Uhm, I don't think that is a good idea." I said shyly.

"It might help you sleep better if I'm here though." He said.

"Jace, I have a mate." I said softly.

"He isn't here though." Jace replied.

"Yeah, because he can't replace me, and none of you like him. Even though you don't know him." I grumbled out.

I really just can't help myself, can I?

"He is evil." Jace stated.

"People probably say the same about us." I countered.

Jace scoffed.

"How can you defend him? He's a Morningstar." He said.

"He's my mate." I stated sternly.

Jace gave me a sad look. He reached through the door, and grabbed my hand. I tried not to cringe at the contact.

"You have a choice though. Chose me instead." Jace said.

"Excuse me?" I asked.

It's not like Jace has been inconspicuous about his interest in me. I've known since day one that he wants to be more than friends. I've been trying to brush it all off though. This is the first time he's been so upfront.

"Chose me instead of him." Jace repeated.

Honi growled louder in my head, and I know it shows through my eyes.

"I can treat you better than him. I won't ever scold you, yell at you. I will give you all of the love you could ever dream of. Show you everything that you want. Never keep you in the dark about things you want to know. I can love you better than he ever could. I won't ever boss you around. You will have nothing but freedom with me. Don't you want that?" Jace rambled.

How the hell does he know that Ares always scoled me? Yelled at me? That he bossed me around, and kept me in the dark about things? How does Jace know I crave freedom?

Something here is extra fishy. They never like it when I bring up Ares, so I never talk about my mate. Jace just confirmed that they have been watching me for a long time. Much longer than they are letting on.

Why did they wait so long to take me then? It's obvious that they knew I was locked in that dungeon. Could they not get passed the pack warriors? Then they couldn't get past Ares? What are they playing at?

"I don't think that is a good idea right now Jace." I said as I shook my hand out of his.

Jace's jaw tensed. A look of anger clouded his light blue eyes. I've not seen Jace mad yet. It's setting off warning bells in my head.

Before I could look more into it, Jace shook his head, and gave me a small smile.

"Sorry. I don't mean to be pushy. I just.. really like you Emi. I think you are such an amazing girl, and I hate seeing you pine after someone who doesn't even care about you." Jace said.

I looked away from his eyes at his words. That was kind of harsh.

"I'm just saying Emi. I would never let you slip through my fingers. I would never stop looking for you if you were taken from me." He said.

"How do you know Ares isn't looking for me?" I asked.

The question slipped past my lips before I could stop it. Jace gave me a pity filled look. He shook his head before meeting my eyes again.

"Look, Darian would kill me for telling you this, but... We have been keeping tabs on your mate. To make sure that he doesn't replace us. I might have been lying when I said this place was so powerful that a Morningstar couldn't reach it." Jace said with a small laugh. "Truth is.. Ares gave up looking for you after two days. Before I even let you out of that room downstairs. Once they couldn't replace any way to track you.. he gave up. Apparently, he's right back to his old ways." Jace said. "Old... ways?" I asked.

I feel numb. Why am I letting his words get to me? They shouldn't be getting to me. Why do I feel this way?

Jace nodded.

"Darian and I have seen that he has been with a few other women. They only reason you don't feel pains is because of this place. That's why you never felt distance pains either." He told me.

Seen? How could they have seen? They are almost always with me. When they aren't, they aren't gone long enough to keep tabs on my mate. It's not like Banchee's can teleport.

I can't let Jace know what he let slip out though.

"Oh.." I said sadly. "That's.. Well.. Are you sure?" I asked.

Shit, what am I supposed to say? Ares would never do that to me. Right?

Right. Honi said. Mate would never. If he wanted someone else, he would not care so much about us.

Honi is right. If Ares didn't care he wouldn't scold me, or yell, or boss me around. Ares does all of that out of love. If he didn't care, he would be as pushy as Jace.

Ares would have fucked me, and treated me like garbage from day one. He wouldn't of slaughtered all of those wolves for me. Ares wouldn't of taken me on dates. Or be helping me get my GED. Ares does care about me. More than anyone else has my entire life. Ares is probably losing his mind right now. He's probably struggling even worse than I am with our distance. I have to get back to him. No matter what.

"Unfortunately, I am sure. That Morningstar boy doesn't care about you Emi. I'm sorry." Jace said.

Boy? Ares? A boy? Okay Jace.

Honi chuckled in my head.

"Oh.." I said sadly.

I averted my eyes from Jace. Maybe if I pretend to be super sad, he'll give me some space. That is just wishful thinking.

"Let me stay with you tonight. You shouldn't be alone with how sad you are." Jace offered.

Great. Just great. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

Tell him no. Honi said.

"It's okay, I'm used to being alone." I told him.

Jace pushed my bedroom door open more, and waltzed right in.

"Not anymore Em. I'm here now." He said.

I watched Jace walk through the room, and sit on my bed. I didn't notice before that he's shirtless with just a pair of pajama pants on. Jace doesn't hold a candle to my mate. Ares is way hotter shirtless. Agreed. Honi said.

"Come on, let me comfort you tonight." Jace offered as he made himself comfortable in my bed.

My face flamed. He wants to sleep in the same bed together? Is he insane?

Should I risk it? Won't it seem suspicious if I tell him no? After all of that especially?

I sighed.

Reluctanly, I walked over to my bed. Maybe it won't be so bad. As long as we don't touch, it should be fine right?

I slid into my bed under the covers. Then I rolled onto my side, with my back to Jace. My heart is beating so fast.

Just when I thought things would be fine, Jace slung one of his arms around me. Panic coursed through me, and my heart rate spiked more. Oh no, this is not a good idea at all.

"Good night beautiful." Jace said and then kissed my cheek.

Honi gagged in my head.

This is not good. Not good at all. This is bad. Worse than bad.

Mate is going to be furious. Honi said.

Ares is going to be more than furious. I said panicked.

He's going to smell another male all over you. Honi said.

You're making this worse. I told her.

Honi shrugged. Good. You can't fall for their tricks.

Oh trust me. I won't. I said.

Honi shook her head at me, but didn't reply after that. I tried to relax, but I can't. All I can hope is that Jace doesn't notice how tense I am.

Another thing that is for certian, I will not be getting sleep again tonight.