Oh For Mates Sake
Chapter 82

Clover

I shifted back to my human form and assessed the blood on my body. Most of it belonged to the witch but some was mine. My wounds were almost healed when the world around me began to warp. One moment I was above everyone, and the next I was back on the ground.

"Clover!" Sion said, jogging over towards me. He had shifted back from Anubis and his eyes were wandering over me making sure I was okay. I noticed Conner had a hold of Taylor. Looks like she gave up without a fight after Hazel went down. My eyes moved back to Sion. I had a lot of emotions bottled up inside of me, but right now wasn't the time.

I turned away from him and ran towards Logan and Odell. Demetri was kneeling next to both of them. His face was crestfallen as he looked up at me, he shook his head.

"I'm sorry Clover..." Demetri said and I skidded on my knees next to them. "They aren't going to make it." I felt Sion kneel next to me. He placed his hand on my back to offer me comfort, but it didn't.

Everything was wrong. We won. The battle was over, but I couldn't stand the pain of losing anyone else. I didn't feel like I deserved Sion's touch. I scooted away from him on my knees. I didn't dare look at him and kept my eyes focused on Odell and Logan. "Please... you two have to make it. I can't handle losing anyone else." I watched as their chests rose and fell with deep labored breaths. Their eyes were closed, and they remained unresponsive.

"Clover, I know it is painful but-" Sion began to say but I shook my head.

"No! I'm not accepting it." Why didn't I have more power? Why did I have to keep losing people I cared about? I don't know if I forced them to like me, but I did like them. Of course, Demetri and Odell were different. They both came to me without my influence. Maybe they were the only ones whose feelings were real.

My head swiveled sharply towards Demetri, my only living relative. He had been my guardian angel since before we even met, never expecting anything in return. He cared about me before he knew me. I didn't take advantage of him. I didn't force his feelings. I could feel rivers of tears pouring from my eyes as I realized what a true gift this was. I knew that Demetri's feelings were real and not something I manufactured.

I didn't want to let what Call Me Bree said affect me but there was truth in her words. If I manufactured these feelings, even if I didn't mean to, it was wrong. No matter how much I loved Sion, it was wrong if he didn't choose me on his own.

I was petrified of how the conversation would go. I was certain he wouldn't listen to anything I had to say, regurgitating all the words that would make me feel loved and protected - a false sense of security since my own emotions were in disarray. And with me carrying his child, this event became an even more tangled web of lies and deceit. I didn't know what was real, or how to determine what was true. I needed Sion's comfort, but I couldn't accept it right now.

I reached out and placed my hand on Odell's paw. She didn't even stir. It was as if she was in a coma while her remaining life drained from her body.

"What should we do with this one?" Conner said as he pulled Taylor with him.

"She is a member of the Sulfur pack. She is theirs to deal with. I am sure Joey would love to deal out her punishment." I heard Sion's voice from beside me. He was staying close but didn't try to touch me again.

"What is that?" I heard Conner's voice, and I looked up to follow his gaze. Two giant shadows cast down on us from the sky. Outlines of two monsters slowly came into view, making my lips part in shock. They were dragons!

An enormous red dragon landed on the ground and next to it a dragon with crystal scales and a white mane. I wasn't sure what to expect and was getting ready for a fight when Demetri's hand landed on my shoulder. "They are friends," he said calmly. I watched as the crystal dragon eyed Logan and Odell. Without a sound, she leapt into the sky and began to fly in a circle. The wind began to pick up until we were all inside of a cyclone. The pressure pulled at my insides, and I felt a hand grip around my waist. A second later, I was being crushed against Sion's strong chest. His heady scent filled my nostrils as his body's warmth encompassed me. I wanted to cling to him. I wanted so badly to forget everything that the witch had said. The wind began to slow down, and I pushed away from Sion. I glanced up at him to see his eyes darken. He didn't say a word. I expected to see confusion but instead I saw anger. I stared at him for a moment until I heard a noise behind me. "What? The fight is over?!" I heard Logan's voice. Both him and Odell had shifted and were sitting up.

"You two are okay!" I shouted and wrapped my arms around Odell. I felt stupid as I began to sob. My emotions flooded out of me, unable to hold them back. "Clover..." I felt Odell pat my back softly as my tears fell on her.

"Brian! You two came in the nick of time." I lifted up my head and watched as Demetri trotted over to two people. A man with dark brown hair and hazel eyes stood with his arm around a beautiful woman. She was stunning. She had pale ivory skin with shining silver hair. Her light gray eyes were mesmerizing and staring directly at me. "I haven't met this one yet...

"This is Bella... she is my mate. We were asked to come here with some others to pick up a wolf. Shiva specifically asked Bella to come along. You know how they work. Always pulling the strings." Brian squeezed the woman next to him.

"I lived with Shiva, so I understand her subtle hints and meanings. I knew I would need to help someone here. You will find that all of your wounds have been healed." The woman's voice was light and tranquil. I looked down at my own body and was surprised to see that she was right. Everything looked completely healed. Her eyes were still on me as she gave me a small smile. "You must be Clover, Stilts said we would find you in this direction. Our friend Ryker has taken your friend to Elysium. The queen will look him over. I have experience with removing curses, but your friend is in a fragile state. It would be best if the fairy queen did it."

I rose to my feet and wiped the dampness away from my eyes. I was a sheya and belonged to the fairy kingdom. I wondered if the fairy queen would be able to tell me about myself. Maybe she could tell me how I could tell if I was manipulating someone's emotions subconsciously.

"Can I come back with you?" I asked, and the man beside her chuckled.

"Actually, you have to come with us... so it works out that you want to. The queen wishes to see you." Brian said, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was hoping she would have some real answers and advice for me.

"I'm coming with her." Sion's voice struck like a thunderbolt, leaving no room to argue. His tone was razor sharp and electrifyingly cold. His dark gaze bore into me like a lance. There was a possessiveness that seemed to capture me. It was as if he knew I was putting up a barrier and he wasn't going to allow it. I felt my body shiver under his gaze. I longed to be in his arms but was denying myself his comfort.

"Is it okay for her to travel in her condition?" Logan asked, making Demetri and Odell look at me curiously.

"Condition?" Demetri arched his brow and studied my face.

I guess that was why Sion sent Logan and Conner to me during the battle. I looked at Sion, he continued to stare at me quietly. "We were going to wait to tell..." I mumbled as I thought about the child growing inside of me.

"Oh, my water donkeys... you are pregnant! And you let her fight?!" She gave Sion a lethal glare and snorted. "This is why we have to know everything, Demetri! We must be the brains." Odell shook her head in irritation and waved her hand in the air. "That's it. No more fights for you. You are on break." I smiled and nodded my head.

"I can assure you that she will be quite safe with us. And Elysium is the safest place on earth for her." Brian said as I felt Sion step closer to me. I could feel his energy swirling next to me. It was as if it had an invisible grip on me, making sure I didn't go anywhere. "Clover... are you alright?" I heard Demetri ask, and I looked up at his concerned face. I guess I was acting more tense. I was trying to process everything. I wanted to be selfish, but it wasn't right. I wanted to pretend everything was great now and enjoy my mate. I wanted to get excited over our new family and combined packs... but I couldn't. Sion and I might be mates but that didn't make it right. If I manipulated him, it was still wrong.

"Yeah... I'm okay." I gave him a faint smile that I knew didn't reach my eyes.

"When we get to Elysium, I am hitting the shrooms. I need a moment of good relaxation." Odell stretched her neck to the side as Demetri grunted. "Odell!"

"What? Like the fire lizard said we are safe in Elysium. This will be one of the last times I can really let go so I am going to." I watched as Demetri shifted to his human form and walked over to Brian. I don't know what he said but the dragon began to chuckle and nodded his head.

"I need to deliver this one to Joey." Conner said and I looked at Taylor. She was quiet and looked to be in shock. She was most likely terrified. She knew what was going to happen... we all knew. She would be executed.

"I'll stay with Conner, and we will rally the pack for your return. We have our pregnant Luna to introduce." Logan beamed at me happily which only made me feel nauseous. I wanted so badly for this to be my home. For this to be my life. I fought hard to get to this point. As badly as I wanted it, I couldn't just claim it. If I did manipulate Sion, what did this mean now? I was carrying his heir. However, Sion could still have his true mate out there and it wouldn't be fair of me to keep her from him. I wasn't that person. I loved Sion and wanted what was best for him.

"Are you coming?" I heard Odell say and looked up. I must have been spaced out in my own little world because I didn't even realize the two dragons shifted back into their beasts. "Girls on the white dragon!" She said, leaping onto her back. I heard Sion growl lowly behind me. He followed behind me quietly and I could feel his anger radiating off of him.

"Clover..." Before I could comprehend what was happening, his strong hands were already encircling my waist, spinning me to face him. His gaze pierced right through my soul, revealing a deep and possessive hunger that made my insides shiver in delight. I wanted this look to be real. I wanted him to really feel this way about me.

I watched as his eye color flickered from almost black back to hazel. His eyes then softened, and he leaned forward to rest his forehead against mine. The sparks and tingles ignited from my body. I did feel this before when I first discovered we were mates. If I manipulated the bond, would I still feel the sparks?

"It is a short flight. You'll see her when we get there." Odell snorted in agitation. A low growl reverberated from Sion's chest as his eyes studied mine. With an irritated sigh, he lightly pressed his lips against my forehead.

"I love you." He whispered against my skin, making my eyes water. When he looked down at me, I could see he looked shocked to see my tears.

"Let's get going." I leapt out of Sion's grasp, my feet already running before I'd taken more than two steps. I jumped onto the dragon's back with a powerful thud. "On your marks, get set, go!" My voice tore through the air and Bella responded with an energized roar that echoed in the air. She seemed to enjoy the idea of a race. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Sion take off on the red dragon and my gaze locked with his for an instant before he disappeared in the clouds. His eyes were fierce and unyielding, filled with a darkness that was ready to challenge me.

I turned around and tried to change my focus. I was flying in the air on a dragon's back. I should be thrilled and enjoying the moment. However, Sion was tugging in the back of my mind.

The dragon flew through the sky at an ungodly speed. It felt like no time at all, and we were already making our descent. As we got lower, we passed through something... I guessed it was some sort of barrier... but different. I could feel the energy in it. It had a will... it was alive.

Odell jumped off before Bella even landed. "The air in Elysium is always so clear and fresh," she said, inhaling loudly. I laughed and hopped off as well just as the red dragon landed. "The women are victorious." She boasted as Sion jumped down and marched straight towards me. His dark gaze was fixated on me and with lightning-like reflexes he grabbed ahold of me.

"We will be back... we need a moment." Sion growled and instantly the world changed. He had taken us to the spirit realm only it looked different here. It wasn't all dark. Here in Elysium, it was still bright and colorful. The scenery here was dazzlingly vibrant with colors that defied description - an explosion of hues and shades unlike anything I had ever seen before. I wanted to marvel at the way this realm looked but Sion grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Alright Clover... what is going on?!"