Chapter 17:
The next day Duskfall Pack house
In Accalia’s head: It's safe to say me and Malik had a lot of explaining to do when we eventually arrived home. I started from the beginning, not sugar coating anything. I told them everything.
Accalia: “And that's the whole story.”
In Malik’s head: Three…
In Accalia’s head: Two…
In Malik’s head: One…
In Accalia’s head: There it is.
In Rose’s head: My babies.
In Kai’s head: Why wasn't I here? My super strength could've saved them both.
Accalia: “We're okay, I promise.”
Amara: “So let me get this straight…you got kidnapped, beaten, and then Malik saved you by killing a bunch of wolves with some creepy aura. Your hair is somehow now black. Then you escaped and fainted then was rescued by witches…AND NO ONE THOUGHT TO MINDLINK US?!”
Accalia: “In my defense…I can't exactly mindlink you guys yet. “
Malik: “That's not entirely true.”
Accalia: “What do you mean?”
Malik: “I heard you, Accalia…calling out to me. That's how I knew you needed my help.”
Accalia: “How is that possible?”
Rose: “Strange. But you two aren't exactly your average wolf couple are you?”
Accalia: “I guess not.”
Malik: “On a more serious note. Accalia, we need to talk.”
Accalia: “What is it?”
Malik: “Accalia, I nearly lost you and I'm not gonna lose you again. You need to be fully bonded to this pack. That way, you would be able to mindlink anyone. It would make me feel a lot more at ease.”
Accalia: “You’re right. But how?”
Kai: “That's an easy one. You either drink blood from a pack member or you and Malik complete the mating process.”
Malik: “Blood will be just fine.”
Accalia: “Yeah, I second that. But who’s?”
Kai: “I'll happily volun-”
Malik: “I dare you to finish that sentence.”
Accalia: “Was that really necessary?”
Malik: “Yes, yes it was.”
Rose: “Why don’t you bite Malik?”
Malik: “I don't think it's a good idea if Accalia bites me, for obvious reasons.”
Rose: “True. Amara?”
Amara: “Sure, I don't mind.”
Rose: “It's settled in. I'm gonna leave you kids to it.”
Amara: “I'm ready when you are.”
Accalia: “Okay. Now what?”
Amara: “Now, you bite me. Preferably the neck. ou get the most blood that way.”
In Accalia’s head: Psycho.
Amara: “Ready?”
Accalia: “Ready.”
In Malik’s head: I looked as Accalia pierced Amara’s bare flesh. After this Accalia would be bonded to our pack…so why do I feel anxious? Something about her new demeanour unsettled me. But what?
Accalia: “Are you okay?”
Amara: “Ouch.”
Accalia: “Sorry.”
Amara’s Mindlink: “It’s okay.”
Accalia: “It worked. I can hear you.”
Malik: “Perfect. You're bonded to each one of us. (Lakota walks away - Gunner’s living room)
Milena: “Dad, can I have a word with you in private?”
Gunner: “Excuse us, everyone. Daughter.”
Milena: “It's been over twenty four hours. Where's Accalia?!”
Gunner: “Remember who you're talking to, Milena.”
Milena: “Save it. You promised you would bring her back. So where is she?!”
Gunner: “She didn't wanna come back. She found her mate and is now living happily with his pack. Accalia’s gone.”
In Milena’s head: She found her mate?
Gunner: “I tried to warn you. Why can't you just let this go? You’ll thank me later!!”
Milena: “You better be careful dad or someone might think you're up to something.”
Laneya: “Elya, I've been waiting for ages. Are you ready yet?”
Elya: “You can't rush perfection. What do you think?”
Laneya: “You look amazing.”
Elya: “I can't wait to see what Axel thinks.”
Laneya: “You haven't heard?”
Elya: “Heard what?”
Laneya: “Alpha sent Axel away to a meeting with another pack. He'll be gone all week.”
Elya: “Oh well, I can wait. After all, when he comes back, I'll officially be the pack’s new luna.”
Laneya: “Mhm. (later that night)”
Malik’s Wolf: “Mate is coming.”
Accalia: “Malik. I just thought I never properly thanked you for saving me, did I?”
Malik: “What do you mean?”
Accalia: “I’ll show you.”
Malik: “Accalia, stop.”
Accalia: “What's wrong?”
Malik: “Believe me, I want to but right now is not the right time.”
Accalia: “Sorry. (in the kitchen)”
Malik: “Have either of you seen Accalia?”
Rose: “Not since this morning, why?”
Amara: “What did you do?”
Malik: “Nothing too bad. She basically started to kiss me and I sort of panicked and rejected her.”
Rose: “Malik, you and Accalia are still unmarked. Her giving herself to you would've been a huge deal for her. Put yourself in her shoes, it would've knocked Accalia’s confidence to feel rejected by her mate.”
Amara: “Go find her and make things right.”
In Malik’s head: We're such an idiot. (in the fields)
Malik’s Mindlink: “Accalia?”
Accalia: “Over here.”
Malik: “Mind if I join you?”
Accalia: “Sure.”
In Accalia’s head: We said nothing and simply admired one another. He really was beautiful. The light from the moon was shining down directly onto his face, illuminating every feature. His golden honey eyes were piercing straight into mine. Malik had a way of making me feel like his most precious gem.
Malik: “I'm sorry about earlier.”
Accalia: “So am I. I don't know what came over me. I just really wanted to be with you.”
Malik: “Trust me when I say that I really want to mark you too. It's just…Accalia, I haven't even met your wolf yet…I don't even know her name. It feels wrong to mark you when Noctis hasn't even met his mate.”
Accalia: “Sesi. My wolf’s name is Sesi and I haven't been able to shift into my wolf form for months. I guess until she shows up, we won't be able to mark each other?”
Malik’s Wolf: “Mate really wants to mark us.”
In Malik’s head: I know, Noctis.
Accalia: “I wanna be close to the one that I love.”
In Malik’s head: Did she just say…?! With that one word, my heart had never felt so full. Accalia love me?! I need it to feel her touch immediately. I leaned in and to my surprise, Accalia met me halfway. Her lips felt like home.
Malik: “Say it again, Accalia.”
Accalia: “Say what?”
Malik: “You know…”
In Accalia’s head: Of course I knew. The truth was, I caught myself off guard. Surprised at how effortlessly those words came out of my mouth. And that's when I knew and wanted to shout my feelings to the entire world.
Accalia: “I love you, Malik.”
Malik: “I love you too, my little wolf.”
In Malik’s head: Those three words are all it took. I was ready to make her mine.
Malik: “Do you trust me?”
Accalia: “With my life.”
Malik: “Then come with me. I have a place we can go.”
Accalia: “I would follow you anywhere, my love.”