Oh For Mates Sake
Chapter 72

The sparks from his touch reached my core and there was a burning desire that was already growing. However, we both knew this wasn't going any farther than this moment. Reluctantly, our l!ps parted, and I instantly missed his contact and heat. Sion leaned his head against my forehead as our breaths beat against each other. "We don't know exactly how things will turn out. We hope for the best... and prepare for the worst." He began to say, and I stared into his warm hazel eyes.

"I have a job to do... we both do. I think it is important for each of us to trust in the other-"

"We are going to make it through this moment and then I'm going to love you like you deserve. Every day I will fill it with my love for you. Our child..." He rested his hand over my stomach. "Our children will live in a loving pack with parents they know love them more than anything." I listened as he let out a shaky breath. "I'm going to be honest... I don't want... it is hard letting you go to battle. Especially now that our son is growing inside of you. I'm going to keep you safe... I'll keep you both safe."

"Sion... don't take that on your shoulders. If something was to happen... that isn't on your shoulders. Because we are both strong, there might come a moment, we need to divide our strengths. I've never been part of a war... sure I have fought in fights, but I know this is different." I gripped his shirt as he moved his arms around me. "This moment is important for us. This has to happen in order for us to be whole. I know you are worried about me, and I am worried for you. Sion, don't be afraid to use your strength. I know you have united with yourself, but in case you have any fear of the darkness I want you to-" He smiled and shook his head.

"I don't. Not anymore, because I know that it is part of me. And even if I lose myself to it... I know that my queen can save me from it." His hot breath whispered across my cheek as his l!ps brushed my skin. "And if something happened to you, I wouldn't want to be saved from it."

"Except that even if something happens to me, I'll just be waiting for you in the spirit realm." I teased as I felt his sweet rumbling vibrations from his chest.

"You are my everything. No matter what happens I want you to know just how much I love you. We don't know exactly how things will go... and how it will end-" "Sion, you are not going to lose me-"

"We can't see the future. We don't know what our fate really means. If anything, we know that the god like to twist words and mess with our lives. There are things in this life that are out of our control." I looked into his serious eyes as his lips formed a thin line. "So - this is what I can control... it will always only and forever be you. If something happens... I will come for you. As long as there is some sort of life in this body, I will come for you. To hell with the consequences of the world. To hell with the deities... you are my only concern. You are my obsession." I stared at his eyes, and I lifted my hands to his face.

"I will come for you. As long as there is some sort of life in this body, I will come for you. To hell with the consequences." I watched as a small smile reached his l!ps. "You are my obsession. No matter how dark things are, remember I am coming for you. You are mine for eternity."

"Let's get married and use these words as our wedding vows." I giggled up at him and then noticed his serious expression. "Will you marry me?"

"Seriously?" I asked. I was mated to him, and I captured his soul. I don't think things can get more binan that. Marriage was something that humans did. It wasn't exactly a supernatural thing. Though some did it just for an outward expression. And others who hid among the humans di it to keep their identity a secret.

"I want to do something special for us. A wedding ceremony combined with the merging of our packs. A special alpha and luna ceremony combined. What do you think?" I watched as his eyes searched mine with a hint of vulnerability in them. As if I would say no. "I think that if we are going to do that, we need to end this war immediately before this stomach of mine starts to grow. I want to wear an amazing dress and be able to dance without having people do the limbo under my stomach." I watched as his grin widened and he flashed me his white smile.

"I want to focus on our baby. I want to announce it to our pack. I want to enjoy this. Every time I picture you heavy with our child... I want to enjoy this happiness." He leaned forward placing a light tingling kiss on my l!ps. He wrapped me against his chest, and I felt him sigh as he rested his cheek on my head.

"Sion?" I could tell something was still bothering him.

"This is your first war. Even if everything turns out perfect, and they rarely do, there will be casualties. Some wounds stay with us. My parents, my fallen pack members... they are emotional scars I will always bare. I never wanted you to have to carry this burden." "No one wants to carry a burden like that..." This was when reality really hit me. If we lost pack members this time, Sion would see their souls. Their deaths would be a prolonged emotional experience for him. I didn't have this ability unless Sion showed me their souls. It was through his connection last time that I saw the girl who was burned in the fire. This was going to be harder on Sion than anyone else because of who he was. "We will be there for each other. No matter what. We will get through it because we are not alone. Lean on me when you need to, and I will lean on you." I listened as he chuckled, and his lips brushed my hair.

"I am supposed to be preparing you and comforting you. You are worrying for me." I listened to his sweet voice and could tell he was smiling. "I love you, Clover."

"I love you, Sion." We stood there for a quiet moment just holding each other. I listened to the calm soft sounds of the woods. The birds were singing, the tree frogs were chirping, and the wind rustled the leaves lightly. This really was the last calm before the storm. When we pulled away from each other my body shuddered. Maybe from the chill in the air? Or just from the lack of contact. Sion kissed my forehead and then leaned down and lightly placed a feathery kiss on his mark.

"We need to catch up to the others." I nodded my head, and we began to walk in the direction of the Chance pack. We didn't speak much. Our fingers and hearts were intertwined. Everything that needed to be said had been. A weight should have been lifted off of my shoulders, but instead, I felt the pressure building on my shoulders. I know that whatever, happens, I will be okay. Sion was here for me, and I was for him. We would both come for each other. This wasn't what was bothering me.

My stomach churned and sharp pains ripped across my chest. Something was wrong but I stayed quiet and tried not to flinch. Dread was filling my insides and I wanted to scream. Why? I don't know. Something was wrong. Sheena paced in my mind and was also agitated. Maybe we were just nervous about our role in the war? No... it was something deeper. Something that I was terrified to examine further, yet had no choice.

Sion looked down at me and I felt his fingers gently squeeze mine. I tried to offer him a smile but the look on my face was more of terror. I couldn't hide my eyes from him. Something was wrong... something terrible. Sion's eyes were no longer full of warmth. It seemed like he was upset as well.

My mouth felt dry. Each step seemed to suck the air out of my lungs. I could see our pack just ahead of us as Sion and I rushed to the front. I watched as Sion glanced over at Sam and I did as well. Sam didn't seem to be feeling whatever it was we were. "We are close," Sion muttered quietly as he scanned the forest in front of us. "The old oak should be just over that ridge." I glanced in front of me and the air brought a familiar scent with it. I could smell the Sulfur pack... yet it was the other scent that had me tense. The familiar pungent smell of blood stung my nose. I noticed the warrior's demeanor around us suddenly change. They were all on high alert. All of their faces became intense. Noses were in the air and silence blanketed all of us.

As we reached the top of the ridge, we stopped, and looked down at the old oak below us. Sam moved in front of all of us, as he held out an arm, telling us to stop. My eyes scoured the forest below until a familiar face stepped forward. Then more bodies moved into view.

It was Alpha Scott and many of the Sulfur pack members. But something felt wrong. I noticed some wolves had a green-controlling glow while others had a different light. Alpha Scott also had this different light. I pursed my lips and searched over the wolves. Where were Denny, Jude, and Joey? Where was Joey's mate Stacey and where was Kai? I felt my heart racing as I tried to locate them.

"It is good to see you again, Clover." Alpha Scott said with a fake smile plastered over his face. I listened as Sion quietly growled as he took a small step forward. His eyes were fixated on Alpha Scott.

"What is going on here?" Sam's voice cracked through the valley as his authority boomed. "Your malcontent is thick. What do you think you can accomplish here? And for what purpose?" I blinked at what Sam said and then stared at Alpha Scott. Was it true? Was he here to oppose us? It didn't make sense. None of it did.

Alpha Scott stood with his arms behind his back and his chest puffed out. A quirky smile was on his lips as he stared up at us. "We are... going through some changes. I'd like to speak with Clover-"

"No." Sion snapped out his growling answer as his fingers squeezed into me. He didn't give anyone a chance to respond even cutting off Sam. I could feel the fury radiating off of Sion's body. Black wisps of energy began to swim around him as Alpha Scott scoffed loudly.

"You couldn't protect your parents... what makes you think you can protect Clover?" I heard a foreign voice come from Alpha Scott. His voice was rising, and a cruel smirk rested on his l!ps. "Clover... you were supposed to be a good girl and stay at the Chance pack. Now look what you have done?" He clicked his tongue, and I felt my stomach churn.

"Where is Denny? Where-" I stopped as Alpha Scott chuckled shaking his head.

"Don't worry. Denny and his officers are safe. I had to lock them up, but I'll deal with them later. However... unfortunately... I couldn't extend this courtesy." Who was this man? Was this the Alpha Scott I always knew? Was this always him or was he being controlled now? I didn't know but the evil smile that he held had a lump form in my throat. Oh gods... where was Kai? I watched as he lifted his hand out and something fell from the oak tree.

A red wolf was suspended from a high branch by a rope, dangling side to side from being dropped. Its back paws were bound painfully tight together, the rope slicing through its fur and flesh. Blood dripped from its muzzle as his body hung limply, pointing towards the ground. Blood pooled between its fangs and dripped onto the ground like ruby tears.

My heart clenched as my eyes filled with tears and my body shook with fury. I wanted to scream out in pain, but my words were blocked by my rage. Finally, a strangled cry reached my throat as I screamed out his name in despair.

"Kai!"