Fated is overrated

Lola

POV

I am feeling so extremely peaceful, as I am slowly waking up from my slumber. I think this is one of the best sleeps I have had in a long time, and that is saying something since I could easily be mistaken for a bear in hibernation most of the times. The most soothing, yet exhilarating scent is surrounding me, and I can't help but sigh contently and wrap myself in my blankets some more. Just a few more minutes, the snooze button is my best friend.

Wait - I didn't hear an alarm, did I? Did I oversleep? Well f*ck it if I did. If anyone needs me they'll link me. Suddenly, I hear a soft voice speaking "Lola?", and my eyes snap open instantly.

Who the hell is in my bed? As my brain is starting to work again after my deep sleep, the events after the meeting come flooding back to me like a tidal wave.

There was the meeting, which I thought went relatively OK, until we got alarmed of the small army at our gates. I went into battle and fought thousands of vampires and some dragons, until Zeke and Zane teleported into the dome. And then, Lucian speared Zeke with his tail, leaving a gaping hole in his chest.

ZEKE GOT HURT! My heart starts to beat erratically when realization hits, and I start throwing off the covers frantically in a rush to get up. "Lola calm down please" I hear a soothing voice, and my head snaps in the direction where the sound is coming from, to find Zane looking at me with teary eyes. "Zane.."

I breathe out. "Where is Zeke?!" I ask immediately, but my stomach drops at his grim expression.

He glances behind me briefly, and that is when I sense another presence in the room. Turning my head, I feel my heart sink at the sight of Zeke. If it weren't for the machines indicating he is alive, I wouldn't think he was.

I feel the tears hitting my cheeks and the sobs leaving my throat, as I stare at him in horror. He is in this state because of me, because he wanted to protect me. Even when we were at odds together and although I have never given him any indication I would accept him as my mate, he risked his life for me. Zane hugs me and I bury my face in his chest, while he is rubbing circles across my back soothingly.

We sit like this for some time, until I calm down slightly. "What do the doctors say?" I ask softly, dreading the answer I'll be getting. Although we weren't together and I was having a hard time trusting him, I realized Liberty was right.

I need to let him explain himself to me whenever we get into a fight, rather than shutting myself out. But I might not get the chance to do so anymore. And although we were fighting and I was never really with him, I have to admit a part of me really does care for him a lot. Zane swallows hard, before replying "they say his chances are slim. Vital organs were hit and his Lycan will have trouble healing all of that on his own..".

My heart starts beating erratically and I zone out momentarily, lost in thoughts. 'We can't lose him Lola!' Liberty whimpers in my mind, and even Justice is whimpering. I can't seem to find the words to reply back to any of them, though. I can't seem to find any words at all. It can't be over before it even started. I think... I think I was finally ready to take a chance and work through my trust issues.

There must be something we can do. 'Lib, can you help his Lycan heal?' 'I can only do so much Lola, he isn't even responding to me at all' she replies, still whimpering. I look over to Zane, who has tears streaming down his face as well. I cup his face with my hands and use my thumbs to wipe away his tears, before asking "what else did they say?

Is there anything we can do for him?". I can sense he is hesitant to reply, so they must have said something. Does he need organs or something? What is he so reluctant to say?

He turns his head sideways, but I gently shift his head back to face me. I look deep into his teary eyes, urging him to speak up. If there is anything we can do for him, we should. If he needs my blood or an organ I can live without, I will give it to him. Zane closes his eyes and sighs, as if mentally prepping himself for what he is about to say.

"The doctor told me being marked by his fated mate might be his only chance...." he rushes out with his eyes still closed, as if fearing my reaction. I was expecting him to say he will needs an organ or blood or something, I definitely wasn't expecting this. Marking someone is a big deal, which explains why Zane was so hesitant to speak up. We have barely had any time to get to know each other at all, as our history hasn't exactly been flawless up until this point.

I haven't even been on a real date with them, and I haven't even spent some alone time with Zeke. We never actually got to know one another yet, and marking someone will tie them to you for the rest of your life.

'The moon goddess chose them for us for a reason. I'm sure you would love them, if you actually got to know them a little' Liberty pleads with me. Zane brings me back from my reverie when he speaks up again "I didn't want to tell you, because I don't want you to feel pressured into marking him. Marking someone is a huge deal, and should only be done when someone wants to.

Nobody will hold it against you if you don't, Lola. It would have been our own karma for treating you so poorly". I chuckle humorlessly "bad karma means hitting your foot against the table every day for the rest of your life, not dying because you tried to protect the girl you have wronged 2 years ago". I sigh.

"Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you trying to alleviate the pressure I'm feeling. Just... Please don't make it sound like it would be his own fault if he..." I gulp, unable to finish my sentence.

I glance at his guilt ridden face, making sure my expression is gentle. "I'm sorry.. I just don't want you to feel pressurized. If you would choose to mark anyone, it should be because you want to". In any other situation I would have snorted to myself. Because anyone who knows me, should know I don't do anything I don't want to. Which begs the question - do I want to mark him?