SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Seventeen
Tim’s Pov:
Fog kissed my ankles as I walked through the vaguely familiar lands. Before me stood a young woman with blond hair and silver eyes, with just a hint of blue in them. Excited murmurs filled the cool night air. To my left stood Gerald, who smiled excitedly at me.
“You ready, Tim?” the young woman beamed. “Ready?” I asked. I was at a complete loss about what was going on. She stepped forward before taking a deep breath. Her eyes shone a brilliant silver as the wind swirled around her. Whoever this was, she was the current High Priestess of the Moon.
With a snap of her fingers, a loud crack reverberated around us, shaking the ground. The night sky was alive with energy. Every hair on my body stood on end, causing me to shudder.
Was it possible this girl was stronger than Amethyst? Instantly, my heart ached as the realization set in. If the woman was the current High Priestess, that could only mean Amethyst most likely passed from this world to the next.
Silver threads appeared around us before they quickly bloomed into cracks as they shattered the night sky. Only to reveal hidden pack lands which appeared as if they were in a vicious ongoing battle. Many of the buildings were in tatters.
“We can’t leave it like this now, can we?” the young woman winked. Before I could blink, the structures glimmered as if they were new.
“Not a terrible place for Elias and Seraphina to settle down, eh?” the young woman laughed, excitement shining in her eyes. I glanced around, trying to place where we were and what’s going on.
“Tim? What’s up with you?” she asked, studying my features. She gave the impression that she could read my soul just like the Girl. “His old age is finally catching up to him. Isn’t that so, Uncle Timmy?” a young wolf joked, slapping me on my shoulder before wrapping his arm around me.
“Children, we need to talk to Timothy,” the Girl barked. “Of course, Grandma,” the young wolf winked at the Girl before walking off with the Priestess. To my surprise, she smiled, shaking her head.
“Cocky little shit, just like his father,” she laughed, motioning for me to walk with her. “This has been a long time coming, my child,” mother started. “I want to add an Elder. One which is not of my blood children,” she smiled.
Mother waved her hand before a star fell from the sky, its light growing as it came crashing towards us. My heart leaped to my throat. The light was blinding as it hovered before me. From its light, a silhouette appeared.
“Amethyst,” I whispered. The light diminished, revealing her full form. With tears brimming in her eyes, she nodded, rushing into my arms. “I’ve missed you so much, Timothy,” she whispered. Overcome with joy, I held her tightly.
As I studied the Goddesses, a smile stretched across their faces. I swear the Girl had a stray tear in her eye. “As we were saying Timothy, we want to add an Elder that is not my blood. But this is impossible as our people accept the current number of Elders. One of my children must give up their position to do so...” she whispered.
“Which means our time here in this life is done,” I answered. Now I understood why Amethyst was here. “None of my brothers are willing to leave, as we will never be with our mates,” I sighed, glancing at the Goddesses. Their eyes watched me greedily. “Because the stars are your domain, I can move between both worlds if needed. And in the stars, I can give Thyst the life I couldn’t here,” I whispered, kissing Amethyst’s temple.
“Smart boy,” the Girl grinned as we made our way back to the rest. “Today, this moment, we change course once again,” the Goddesses spoke as one as I returned to my place. “Never have we allowed one that was not born from us to rule with us. Justus, for all your loyalty and dedication, we grant you this,” they continued.
The world around me slipped away, leaving only my beloved Thyst before me. From the moment I laid eyes on her all those years ago, I knew she was something special. Smiling, she extended her hand to me. Not wanting to waste another moment in this life without her, I took it. As I pulled her into an embrace, a lightness claimed me almost as if I was walking on air. “We are finally as one, forever and for always,” she smiled before pressing her soft lips to mine.
Suddenly I awoke, gasping for air, trying to figure out where I was. Covered in sweat and still breathing hard, someone’s fingers snapped, lighting the candles in my room. Amethyst walked closer to me, giving me a surprised glance.
“I figured you would have been up, Alpha,” she teased. Relieved, I flopped back on to my bed, allowing my lungs and heart to return to normal. Everything was so vivid. Her eyes locked on me questionably.
“Looks like you may have gone for a wander, Timothy. Are you well?” She demanded; her voice was rough. “No Thyst,” I reply dryly.
Over 170 years have passed since the last battle of the Amazons. And we’ve lived a quiet and peaceful life on the isle since then. The Elders rarely ventured to the outside world; as for the witches, they left even less than us.
“What is it?” I asked coldly, sensing her eyes still trying to read me. I’ve tried to keep her at arm’s length since she turned 18, which has been a complicated task thanks to her being my Beta. Everyone liked to joke if she didn’t soon find her mate. I needed to claim her.
But none here realized how much it hurt me with every breath I took not to take her as mine. I studied her stunning face. Even now, she didn’t appear a day over 25. Her eyes met mine as she tossed me some clothes. “Do you know what today is?” she whispered, sitting next to me on my bed.
“Today is a busy day, that’s what today is. As the Amazon’s are breaking back into male and female tribes for starters. Then, I believe the Goddesses want to hold another tournament to find our newest Gamma,” I answered, getting up.
She cast her eyes down, a glimpse of hurt flashed across her face. My guilt threatened to swallow me because I understood what she meant, only I didn’t want this argument yet again.
“I mean, today I turn 175,” she whispered, smoothing out my bedding, refusing to look at me. “I understood what you meant, Amethyst, and we’ve had this talk before. Your mate is out there. Be patient,” I stated. As much as I loved her, I was not her fated. I couldn’t give her all she desired.
Her eyes flash to mine, the silver in them shining slightly brighter. “I am 175. When is it you think I will meet him?” she snapped. “Because I am tired of waiting,” she hissed, jumping off my bed as the temperature in my room plummeted.
“Amethyst,” I started. “No Timothy, you will hear me out. I do not want my fated mate, I want you,” she hissed, her face inches from mine. My heart raced.
Of course, Amethyst picked up on this and smiled at me. To my amusement, I caught her glancing towards my lips. The seductive glint in her eyes threatened to break down the last of my willpower. I was nothing more than a moth drawn to a flame. Amethyst was that flame, and she knew it.
“Tell me you no longer feel the same way about me, and I will leave this alone. And I will wait for the mate who may never come,” she breathed. Her eyes met mine, her worry creasing her every feature. Unable to look away, I held her gaze.
All I could do was pray for a way to answer her question and keep my will intact. It was her turn for her heart to hammer in her chest so loudly I heard it. Defeated, I dropped my gaze from hers. Gently, I played with a lock of her hair. “You know I can’t,” I whispered.
She let out a long sigh of relief. “Nor can I give you what you want in this life,” I reminded her. “And what is that?” she scoffed.
“To be a mother. Amethyst, I have watched you for a long time now. I know your heart... After my mate and last child died, I eventually lost track of their offspring. I asked the Goddesses to grant me mercy. That mercy was not to watch another person I love pass into the next world while I remained here,” I explained, placing my forehead to hers.
“As long as I have you, I will need for nothing more,” she whimpered. Her emotions were getting the best of us both. “Mark me,” she urged, pulling her hair back, exposing her neck to me. I swallowed hard. Every ounce of resolve I possessed was slipping away. In this moment, I could picture her so clearly, bearing my mark.