Oh For Mates Sake
Chapter 53

My body tensed and started to react as the tiger bared its fangs near Demetri's throat.

"Easy." Sion said, holding my shoulder.

Look at Demetri." I could see Demetri didn't look upset. He wasn't even struggling. Actually... a strange smirk was playing on his l!ps.

"Guess someone is in trouble." Odell snickered as she leaned against a tree casually.

"Alright, Nadine, you've made your point. This means you missed me, right?" Demetri said, lifting his hand up to the tiger. She swatted at him and backed away. She shifted into a beautiful dark-haired woman with beautiful hazelnut skin.

"Shut up, as*s!" The woman shook her head and flung her hand in my direction. "You aren't doing your job. She was in danger. You said she would be safe under your watch. You said-"

"A lot has happened. That is why we are here.

We are going to the Nova pack-"

"Whatever, don't talk to me." The woman hissed as Demetri got back up and inched closer to her.

"Don't be like that." I listened as Demetri cooed to the woman, gingerly resting his hand on her arm.

She j*rked away from him and turned her ferocious glare upon him.

"We will talk later!" She snapped and then marched in our direction. I watched her l!ps part in shock as she looked at me. "Oh my... what in the world-"

"A salador" Stilts said, and I watched her lips tighten. "It never touched them, just seared them with its heat from being too close."

"That must hurt, huh?" She frowned, squatting lower near me. Sion growled as his eyes flickered.

Don't be a ridiculous male. I'm obviously not here to hurt her... she is my Luna." I had a lot I wanted to talk to her about. She was a member of the Nova pack. My mind was racing with a million questions that didn't surface. Instead, I watched her quietly as she shook her head and let out a heavy sigh. "What the hell was a salador doing here? We need to get her to a healer... the other lady too. We have one in our pack."

"A healer?" Joey asked, arching one of his brows.

"The Nova pack isn't like most packs," Nadine said smugly as she rose to her feet. I watched as Demetri tried to reach out to her again and she turned her head to look at him sharply. "Don't!"

"Lovers quarrels are the best." Odell snickered.

"Ex-lovers!" Nadine growled.

"Naaadiiine." Demetri said with a small pout.

"Will you stop?! This is about Clover and the other miss. Focus." Nadine looked at me. "You two need to be carried."

"I have to return to the Diamond pack." Jamie said, looking at Gia. "They will be expecting us.

"About that.. why were you at the Sulfur pack?"

I asked. I knew Joey was dying to know this too.

"After the meeting, there was the fire." Jamie said and I nodded my head. "The Diamond pack has a lot of experience with magical creatures around the world. Our Beta Sam was certain it was caused by a demon. After hearing everything from Sam, the princess ordered that the pack be investigated in secret."

"And?" Joey asked, raising his brow.

"And the princess will hear my report directly,"

Jamie smirked at him.

"Well, go back to the Diamond pack. We will take the woman with us. She is in no condition to travel that far." Nadine said, looking at Gia.

"I am not leaving Gia-"

"Of course, you can. Gia, is it? You aren't afraid to come with us, right?" Nadine asked as Gia let out an airy laugh.

"What is this fear word you speak of?"

I forced a smile through her pain as she glanced up at Jamie. I could see the reluctance in his eyes as he slowly shook his head. "Jamie, our parents will be worried. You can get there faster without me. Besides, I am in no position to travel. This hurts like hell."

I watched as Jamie slowly nodded his head."

Airight, Gia. I'll come right back for you. Please.. take care of her." He turned and looked my way. I could see he didn't know who to trust.

"Don't worry, we will take care of her," Sion answered, meeting with Jamie's eyes.

"Do you need me to give you directions"

Nadine started but Jamie shook his head.

"That isn't necessary. No matter how secretive you are. the Diamond pack is aware of the Nova pack." Jamie grinned and placed his hand on Gia's head. "Stay out of trouble."

"What? No fun?" Gia teased. "What are you waiting for? You want me to cry and say don't leave me alone?" Her l!ps curled up as Jamie laughed.

"Alright.." Jamie straightened up and then shifted. He sprinted away, without looking back. I think he was the one who had the harder time leaving.

"So which unmated male is going to carry me?

I need someone it is okay to l**t after." Gia said, making me choke on air.

I'll be your huckleberry." A broad grin was spread over Conner's face as he gently lifted Gia up.

Her face winced in pain, but she didn't make a sound.

I guess you are tasty enough," Gia said with a crooked smile. She was doing her best to ignore the pain. It seemed we had a lot in common and I really liked her.

"Too bad you are injured," Conner said, winking down at her.

"Oh? And why is that?" I heard Gia ask, as Sion delicately picked me up. Even as gentle as he was being, it still hurt like hell.

"You seem like someone who likes to have a good time and I could use a good d**k sneeze."

I began coughing as I looked over at Conner mortified. To my surprise Gia seemed to like it. She laughed, wincing slightly from the pain. "Wow that is so flattering. Thank you for thinking of using my V****a as your d**k's tissue. I am sure this gets you all the girls back home. Though, when you are fishing for a real woman, you may want to try something else." Conner chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind when find a real woman."

"Yeah, well, if you don't view me as a woman, you should probably quit staring at my t!ts."

Oh my gosh... Gia was like this crazy mixture of a woman. Confident, full of sass, and not afraid to say just about anything. I was embarrassed for her, but at the same time, I really liked her confidence.

She reminded me of Odell, just more.. s*xual.

"So... would a woman like yourself like it if a man plays motorboat between your two pillows?"

Gia began to giggle, and her voice cut out with a stiff sound. "Don't make me laugh." She said with a tense smile. I looked at Conner and could see his eyes soften. He held her more into his ch3st and looked down at her.

"Lean your head on me and try to rest." He said in a low tenor tone. His voice was tender and calming.

"So, you are a lycan? Just like our prince and princess?" Gia asked, looking up at Conner and I felt Sion's arms tense slightly.

"We are due a conversation with your prince and princess. Maybe after everything calms down again." Sion answered as he slowly followed Nadine. Sion was trying to walk as smooth as possible. It didn't seem to matter though. The r!ppling pain was tearing through me. I was trying to keep a brave face though. I didn't want him to worry.

I looked up into his eyes, that were already looking at me. His eyes were flickering with different colors, showing his emotions were all over the place. He was trying to act calm but inside there was a storm brewing. I placed my hand on his ch3st and decided to step out of character. I would do something off the wall to steady his emotions.

What's bothering you, Sion? Are you wanting your own d**k sneeze? He stopped walking and looked down at me. He blinked a few times and the warm hazel color returned. His l!ps curled up and he began to laugh.

Once you are well, my queen. Sion leaned his head down and kissed my forehead. Thank you.

He smiled down at me, not needing to say anything else. I could feel the curious stares on us, but Sion began to walk again like nothing happened. Only keeping a faint smile on his l!ps.

"Soooooo Demetri.. do you want to talk to us about..." Logan asked making a cat claw with his hand and slashing it in the air. "Meow! Ssssssk.

"Yeah, I can hear you" Nadine huffed from the front. "There isn't anything to tell. He is my ex."

"You don't mean that Deeny," Demetri said with a hurt tone.

"She sounds like she means it to me." Odell chirped, clearly enjoying the drama. She turned and looked at me with a wide grin. "These two are always like this. It is better than a soap opera." "So glad we can be your entertainment."

Demetri scoffed while I watched him trot up beside Nadine.

"Don't be mad."I heard Demetri say while brushing his shoulder against hers. "I've been keeping her safe."

"How did that happen to her back then?!"

Nadine growled elbowing him away.

"She fell into a hole, a mine air shaft. I got back to her as fast as I could."

"Not good enough, Demetri. You should have wedged your a*s in that hole after her. That's my luna you are slacking on protecting! And you are being a pitiful beta to her."

I wondered if I should say something on his benefit. It looked like this wasn't a real fight, though. Maybe it was how they worked their s**** tension for later?I could see Demetri move beside her again and this time she didn't push him away.

He whispered something to her so quietly that the supernatural ears couldn't hear.

I was curious how Sion was after I fell into the air shaft. Last time I vanished from his side he turned into a slasher.

"What happened after... I fell in the hole." I asked quietly looking up at Sion.

"Well lover boy was ready to go dark side and kill everyone again. Luckily for us the Seekers showed up and they received his wrath." Logan chuckled. "We ended up getting divided up as the Seekers split up. Which is why we were a little bit later than everyone else." "You should have seen him." Odell snorted."

He tried to fit down the hole at first. I mean, I couldn't even fit down there. How did muscles think he was going to fit?"

"At least HE tried.." I heard Nadine scoff, glaring at Demetri.

"In the future, you should just hand cuff her to you. It can be a multi-purpose tool. It will keep you two from getting separated and later it can be used for your stimulating pleasures." Conner said and I watched as Sion tilted his head while looking at me. "It's not a bad idea." Sion murmured quietly.

His eyes were concentrating on my face. There was a softness there that was just for me.

I leaned my head against Sion, closing my eyes, and breathing in his scent. It might seem like something small, but it helped soothe me. I was in so much pain that I couldn't even be excited to see the Nova pack. My back felt like millions of wasps were stinging me as I was lashed with a hot iron rod. I knew I had to keep it hidden though. I didn't want Sion to be more concerned than he already was. I felt his nose brush in my hair, his l!ps feathered the top of my head.

I'm so sorry I wasn't there to protect you.

Sion's voice entered my mind, and I opened my eyes to look at him. I knew he was beating himself over this. He had a wounded look in his eyes as if he had caused me pain.

If Conner had fallen in the mine and ended up injured, would you be apologizing to him? Or would you be making fun of him for falling into a hole? That is different-

No, it isn't. We aren't going to do this to each other, Sion. We are not going to live our lives blaming ourselves when the other gets hurt. You died Sion. You died because you left your pack for me. That is way worse than the wound on my back. Do you want me to-

You were right beside me. I should have held onto you. I should have-

You should be treating me like you would the others. If Logan fell, if Kai fell you should be treating me like that. You wouldn't be blaming yourself. Especially if they were just wounded. I'm hurt, not dead. In fact, I can walk- I tried to move out of his arms, but his fingers locked around me.

He growled slightly and I snapped my defiant gaze up at him.

I brought you to my pack to give you a better life. I wanted you to see what it was like to be part of a pack. To be my family. Instead, you had to run away from my pack. You have been in constant danger.

J***t I looked into his hazel eyes that were focused on me. I have found my family with you. I have you. I've bonded with your officers. I found my own officers. I can't think of a more epic bonding experience. Once we have the Chance pack back everything will be perfect. Everything has happened the way it was supposed to. Even your death.. has made you stronger. It has made us stronger.

Sion... we aren't normal humans. We don't live suburban neighborhood full of regular people.

You don't have a 9 to 5 job. That isn't our life. We are fighters. We have both killed before. I'm going to fight. I'm going to get hurt sometimes. You can't blame yourself when it happens, but you can be there to take care of me.

I'm sorry, Clover. I don't want to be that guy. I don't mean to. After. since I have changed, I feel even more protective and possessive over you. I think-I think it is because I need you on a level that probably isn't healthy, My very sanity is attached to your well-being. I know that isn't healthy but that is just how it is now. Maybe you had the right idea It's too late running away from me the first time.

For you now. You are mine. This dark protective, possessive love is your responsibillity now.

Well, save the dark stuff for the bedroom.

I listened as he chuckled lightly. I know that he has been struggling with his darkness. Something happened when he became Anubis, and it enhanced the battle he already had. He now could control himself better when I was by his side. I think to a certain extent, this was how it was for all mates. It was just more extreme for Sion.

I love all of you, Sion. Even the darkness that you fear, but you don't have to worry about that when I am with you. I'll protect you, Sion... even from yourself.

His feet slowly shuffled to a stop as he stared at me. Then slowly he dipped his head down, tenderly taking my lips with his own. I felt the sparks and the sweet heat of his l!ps. It was like his touch was medicine to my soul. No one else existed there were no problems in the world... it was just us. If only it could really be like this.

"Welcome to the Nova pack.."I heard Nadine's voice awaken me from the magical cloud I was on with Sion. "Luna, meet your pack."