verb ~ pursue in order to catch or catch up with

I had chosen to shower, to rid myself of the nightmares and stress of the past few days. The hot water relaxed my shoulders but I still felt tense as I got myself dried and dressed into some new clothes. I sighed once I was in my favourite pair of leggings and jumper, clean from head to toe, I pulled the sleeves over my hands in comfort.

True to his word, Phoenix appeared not long after I sat back down in bed. He came in, a neutral smile on his face as he shut the door softly behind him. I watched him walk towards me silently, a black t-shirt and black slim-fitting jeans were today's attire. As relaxed as Phoenix has been in a while, clothing-wise.

"You okay, my love?" He wondered, sitting in front of me on the bed.

I inhaled a deep breath, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm not sure. I'm...confused."

"How so?" He frowned, cocking his head. "Your nightmare?"

I nodded. "It was another vision."

"Of what?" He asked, shifting closer to me to take my clothed covered hand.

I chuckled a little at the fact he was holding the cuffs of my top and looked up into his eyes. "I saw my mother again, as she died. But this time... everything was different. There was so much more to it."

He frowned. "Like what?"

"I can show you?" I wondered, hesitantly.

He nodded, eagerly. "If you think it will help me understand."

"There's a lot to unpack," I admitted, before connecting our minds.

I ran him through the scenes of the vision I had, my memory had imprinted every piece of it possible. He tensed and closed his eyes as the memory hit him. His hand squeezed mine as Gaia spoke, a flinch when the tree fell on my mother, and then a growl when Gaia disappeared through the portal. When it finished, he pulled away without a word, opening his eyes to look directly into mine.

"That is a lot different." He stated.

I smiled at him, finding humour in his bluntness. "It shows a lot. My Mother, for a start, spoke with Gaia and asked her to take care of us, but Gaia said she could not interfere with my life. That Fate would not be happy... When Raven visited me earlier, she spoke of Fate as though he was a God; that he controlled things and to go against his way could end up with serious repercussions."

Phoenix's lips pursed for a moment before he nodded. "Fate is rumoured to be a God, rather than an ideal. Many people believe in different Gods, all in control of their own thing."

"What do you believe?" I wondered.

He sighed. "I believe in the Moon Goddess, giving us our lives and our mates. And I believe in the God of death. Whatever is in the middle, I shall let lie."

I observed him in his nonchalant honestly, my eyes following every quirk of his eyebrow and lips, the crinkle of his nose as he finished his sentence. When he noticed I had not answered, his long-lashed eyes looked back to mine, confusion clear in the honey-coloured jewels.

"Nova?" He asked, a smirk slowly creeping on his face.

I blinked, shaking my head as I blushed. "Sorry, I just..."

"Staring at me like fresh meat?" He teased and laughed. "I asked you, what this had to do with your dream. What did Raven want?"

Our minds still open, images of her in our room flashed through the link as I recalled our conversation. "I don't know really... I had honestly thought Raven was good, that when Steven died she would be free from whatever past she has. She's with her Mum now and I thought she was happy..."

"But?" He wondered.

"But something is off... Everyone I am meeting, I am getting strange feelings from. I'm not sure what they are, or why my opinion or instinct on them is changing. First the Queen, now Raven? Then I had a vision again, but this time it was different... Was it a dream? If my memory was wiped of the conversation, why am I hearing it? Who am I in this vision? I have so many questions Phoenix." I sighed, my head falling to my knees.

He grumbled, moving on the bed to sit closer to me. His legs wrapped around my body as his hands wrapped around my back and pulled me into him. I lifted my head to snuggle in further, inhaling his cologne in deeply as he seemed to purr into my head. His lips softly kissed below my earlobe as I lay facing his neck. I sighed again, my hands tucked against his chest as his sounds calmed my worries.

"What do you want to do, Nova? I will help you any way you need me to." He spoke, his chest vibrating against my ear. "I can listen, I can write down your vision, I can calm you, I can try and get a time machine... Just tell me."

I laughed a little, kissing the underneath of his jaw. "Thank you... I think I need to visit my cousins. Maybe they can help with the visions. Or perhaps speak to Aila, when I mentioned my wolf and my vision before, she seemed to know what I was talking about."

"She did?"

I nodded against his chest; I knew those were my two options. I couldn't go around not knowing what was happening and why it was happening now. His fingers flexed against my back, moving to curl loose strands of damp hair from my plait as he awaited my answer.

"She seemed shocked, but we didn't get to talk long before the attack happened. Even Samson seemed shocked. Lycan's have the same name as their wolf, weirdly, so I want to know why...Wait, Pollux...his wolf is called Dion, do you think...?"

His eyes widened slightly and he hummed. "Possibly the same."

I chewed on my lip, thinking. "That vision... I feel like what Gaia said about speaking to the Moon Goddess must've been about gifting me her wolf. I just need to know." I explained before exhaling loudly.

He was silent, and I assumed he was thinking it over. I pulled out of his chest to look at his face, wondering what he was so quiet for. It was then I noticed his eyes foggy, and I realised he was mind-linking somebody. I waited patiently until he blinked, his pupils dilating as he looked at me.

"Sorry, Charlie..." He sighed. "I heard you though... I will speak to whoever you want to first, or you can, whichever you prefer."

Oh, this man.

I had never been given so many choices and so much freedom. Six months ago, I would've laughed at the fact a mate could be so considerate. I had grown up around so much negativity in that pack, despite my parents being wonderful they still had flaws. In other couples too, I saw how they worked as one, the men taking the lead. Alpha's especially, I had never witnessed one so willing to give the female so much free-roam. Phoenix truly was something else; to allow me to have my own time and space. It may sound silly to some, but it was something I never thought would happen.

To be my own person and not just a mate or Omega, or should I say, Luna.

I cupped his jaw in my hands and kissed him softly. "Thank you."

"What for?" He wonders, quirking his eyebrows.

Sat here in his embrace, his hands resting gently on my hips, I never felt so content.

"For letting me do this."

"I am not letting you, Nova." He smiled. "You do not need to ask permission for everything. You can make your own choices."

I smiled wearily. "I know, but sometimes I remember how I never had a choice, and I'm grateful for it."

He kissed me this time, speaking between his kisses. "Stop. Being. Cute."

I laughed, my hands still on his jaw, I pulled him back for a final kiss. "You're cute."

He growled. "Am not."

My eyebrow raised in surprise and I dropped my hands to his shoulders. "How old are you again?"

His growls grew louder, his arm wrapping around my waist to push me onto the bed. I laughed as I fell, his large form hovering over me as he peppered kisses all over my face. Once he was satisfied with annoying me, I smacked him lightly as he rolled away.

"So, six?" I teased as I stepped from the bed.

His eyes narrowed and just as he went to climb out of the bed I was already out the door.

You always run, mate.

I giggled, running down the stairs. I was getting the strange sense of déjà vu as I hurried down the many staircases and towards the kitchen. However, this time Charlie nor Sean were there to hide me from Phoenix as he came running after me. I ducked behind the counter, my hand over my mouth to stop the heavy laughs that wanted to escape. The thrill of being chased was addictive, it made my instincts come alive with excitement. Celimene loved it, and I found it fun to tease my mate.

You know, hiding in the same spot every time just makes it easier for me to catch you. His voice filtered through my mind.

I looked around both ends of the countertop but didn't see him. Taking the risk, I moved away and crawled to one side to try and see where he was. Realising too late, that I had a wolf's nose, he landed right before me, jumping down from the countertop. I squealed going to jump up and run away but he caught me before I could.

He growled, a deep pleasurable sound as his hands wrapped around my stomach and pulled me against him. I laughed, despite being caught and stopped trying to pull out of his arms.

"I win. Again." He huffed proudly. "My prize?"

I spun around in his arms, pushing against his chest to look at him better. "Prize?"

He nodded, Ares prominent in his actions. "I won the chase, I won the bait, where is my prize?"

I grinned, pecking him on the cheek. "How's that?"

He frowned, shaking his head. "I came first, I think I deserve a bigger prize than that."

I laughed, moving in to kiss him on the lips. At the last moment, when his eyes closed in preparation for his 'prize' I pushed out of his arms and bolted in the opposite direction. Adrenaline pumped through my body and I called upon Celimene as I ran towards the forest.

I was grinning, the wind flying past my body as I ran. I heard his growl of annoyance and it only fuelled me further. Wolves that were outside training barely glanced at me now; they had learned to understand the cat and mouse game I would often have Phoenix playing. I mean, he always won but the mouse can always try, right?

As I reached the treeline, I hastily pulled off my jumper and leggings, glancing over my shoulder to see Phoenix leaving the packhouse. His amber eyes were solid on me, and despite the distance, I could see the way they darkened to his wolf. Oh boy, Celimene, good luck.

She growled in excitement as I willed her shift forwards. Once I landed on all fours, my quick shift to my advantage, my legs bunched, and I flew. Celimene took the reins, darting all over the forest to confuse our scent. My mind was blocked off from him, yet I could feel how he tried to find out my location, getting frustrated with the mixture of clues I left behind.

I don't know how long Celimene had run for but she eventually settled on a nearby waterfall. She carefully walked around its edge before taking the plunge and diving beneath it. It was only a small one, gentle enough to not knock her down whilst swimming. She resurfaced on the other side, the small rock clearing cliché enough to fit only me on. She shook out her fur before laying herself down and cleaning her legs and paws.

She was alert as she waited, waited for the huffing of breath or the cracking of twigs. I could sense Phoenix nearby, the bond telling me that he had grown closer. He was being stealthy, silent in his steps and calming his heartrate. Instinct made Celimene focus on the right, her ears twitching with every sound. I wasn't sure what she was listening to when she began to growl.

It wasn't threatening, a mere gentle warning. I had been so confused until my mate's huge form splashed into the small pool beneath us. Celimene huffed, becoming drenched with water once more. Ares was splashing about in the water, going to great lengths to soak Cel's fur. I laughed, finding it hilarious that this giant black wolf was paddling like a dog to impress his mate.

Celimene huffed, agitated at my teasing. Before I could react, she retracted the shift and I soon found myself propelling forwards as she released the mental reins. I took hold of them instinctively and realised all too late that I had shifted and was now sitting butt nude on a rock. And it just so happens that Ares had climbed out of the pool to launch himself through the waterfall, subsequentially soaking me from head to toe.

I screamed as I was pelted with the freezing water, my arms hung loosely by my side as I began to shiver. Oh Celimene, it was on girl.

She huffed, That is what you get for laughing at me. Not nice being the wet one is it?

I grumbled at her stubbornness and wiped the water from my eyes. Ares' large head popped up through the water and I assumed he was about to jump on me when his eyes widened in surprise and he stopped his climb out of the water. He cocked his head, scanning my body in confusion so I let him into my mind.

Mate?

"Hey, Ares," I grumbled.

You will get cold like that. He growled, eying my bare chest.

"Tell that to Celimene." I huffed, crossing my arms.

Want Phoenix? He asked.

I looked into his dark eyes, his large snout and teeth weirdly grinning at me. I shook my head, knowing Phoenix had long since lost his control to Ares.

"No, it's okay." I smiled, reaching out to him.

He leaned his large head into my hand as I tentatively scratched his muzzle. His large tongue came out to lick at my wrist before travelling the length of my arm. I shuddered, pulling it back to wrap around my waist which caused him to frown.

What's wrong? He wondered.

"Just cold." I smiled softly. "It's okay."

Cel... Come on, I'm sorry for laughing. I pouted.

Fine, She groaned. But only because you are a weak human.

I gasped at her, crossing my arms. Meanie.

She barked a laugh. Come on then, before you freeze again.

I grumbled but willed her forwards and happily landed on all fours. I saw the way Ares' eyes lit up at her appearance, his tongue coming out to clean at her face and snout. She grumbled at him but accepted the affection. He moved further down her neck and just as she was getting comfortable, he hauled her into the water by the scruff. She gasped, inhaling water before she shot up.

Ares barked, a wolfy grin on his face. Now you're even.

She snarled at him but he didn't care as he swam through the water to stand on the grassed edge. Celimene followed, shaking out her fur once she was on dry land. Knowing she was going to give him a hell of a chase, I slipped from the mind to allow myself to watch the puppies play.

•••

Hello Monday hello new week how we all doin

Question of the Day:
Did we like the wolf moments? Who's your favourite wolf counterpart? I'm a sucker for Charlie's wolf (the ball scene)

wc: 2703

Finding Luna © 2021 XDeafening_SilenceX on W a t t p a d