Chapter 177

Dean

Dean wasn’t sure how long he had been walking but the coast seemed to be getting further and further away with every step. Before his fight with the other mates, he was sure the ocean was just over the next hill but he had been wrong. He could still smell and hear it, but he couldn’t seem to find it.

His own frustrated groan was so loud he almost missed the tiny voice in the back of his mind. “To return the years, face your fears.”

Dean huffed and continued to stomp. ‘Great, more magic!’ he thought. Magic seemed to be at the heart of his problems. It was the underlying thing that had kept him separate from his mate during those early days when bonding was so important. She had spent almost as much time away at training, as they had spent together.

Although he would never voice it, he wondered if the moon goddess would have even paired him with Stormy if he didn’t have the potential for lycan magic. He wanted to believe their relationship was solid, but he knew that it had been heavily influenced by the will of the divine. Even the mate bond itself was an enchantment.

Dean knew that he loved Stormy with all his heart, but he wasn’t sure she would feel the same way if they didn’t have the bond. He thought their love was unstoppable but after their fight earlier, she didn’t join him. He tried to tell himself it didn’t mean anything that she had stayed behind with the her other mates. Regardless of her reasons, Dean’s heart ached.

His need to try to hide the fact Stormy was a natural witch had been one of the things that had kept him away from his Pack. Being a wolf without his people had made him feel like he was giving up a huge part of the things that made him who he was. He was supposed to be the Crescent Pack Alpha but he hadn’t much more than seen them for what felt like months.

His acceptance of the multiple mate bond had caused some friction among the shifter community. The wolves believed that the moon goddess only gave a wolf, one mate. Many of his people considered their relationship an abomination. It made it hard to know how best to proceed at times.

Dean’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the waves. He picked up his pace eager to view the sea again. The trees broke and a sand dune higher than Dean’s head appeared. He was looking for a good place to cross when he heard footsteps behind him.

Dean turned around to see Stormy approaching him from behind. She had an unreadable expression. He rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her.

“I missed you. I know it’s only been a few hours but when we are apart, it feels like eternity.” Dean told her as he pulled her close.

Stormy slowly leaned back and looked at him. Her face looked pained but she didn’t say anything. Instead she just frowned.

“I know walking off earlier was a jerk move. I’m so sorry I acted that way. I won’t ever make that mistake again.” Dean promised.

He noticed that Stormy shifted uncomfortably. But she still said nothing. “I will be so glad when this quest is over. I just want to go home to our Pack. I can’t wait for you to finally get the chance to be my Luna.” He said hoping to reassure her.

Stormy stared at him like he had two heads. Dean thought maybe she was feeling a bit insecure. “I know you will make a great leader and an even better mother. He reached down and rubbed her belly. I can’t wait till we have our first pup.” Dean told her.

What makes you think I want to be a Luna or that I want children. You assume a lot. She signed with a look of surprise.

Dean felt Stormy had just slapped him. He couldn’t believe what she was saying. As Alpha and especially Alpha of Alpha’s his main job was to build a lasting legacy for his people. He needed an attentive wife and he needed heirs.

“I thought you wanted my children when you asked me to knot you?” Dean asked with a confused tone. Something didn’t feel right. This didn’t sound like his mate at all. He was sure she had said she wanted children and she had always been excited to visit the Pack.

Stormy held her hand up to him and looked furious. I can’t do this anymore. That’s what I came to tell you. I can’t be your mate. I don’t feel anything but the bond and it’s just not enough. She signed.

Dean with heartbroken. She had just said the one thing in the world that he feared the most. His head was spinning and his heart was about to pound out of his chest. All he could think was that he loved her, and he was not giving her up without a fight.

“Love, I can't lose you. I'll give up everything before I give you up. I will do whatever it takes to fix this between us. I love you. And it's not the mate bond, it's so much more than that. I will do whatever I have to do to be worthy of you.” Dean said as he tried not to cry. He couldn't imagine one second of his life without her. “Please just give me a chance. I know I can make you happy.”

Stormy shook her head and tried to walk away. Dean grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. “I'm not giving up, I'll never give up on you.” He whispered into her hair.

“You may proceed” he heard a voice that made him think of Stormy, whisper in his mind. She faded away and he suddenly found himself completely surrounded by a blinding white light and the feeling on complete nothingness.