Fifty.

"So, I'm guessing you have questions, Colt." Maeve asked, as the two of them walked along the bay.

For once Colt had opted not to remove her foot wear, the bite in the cold air pulling her away from any such desires. The poor sun was doing it's best to remind the land it was spring, but the leftover chill from the storm was giving him a hard job. Either that or Colt just missed Calum and his natural warmth, with so many people around this morning she felt a bit cheated, they mated last night, this should be their time. Although, it was nice to see and properly chat to Maeve again.

"I do have questions, yes. So, so many questions," She smiled as she spoke, while nodding over enthusiastically, "Firstly though, I cannot believe you told me about your Nessie deal, and not about being Bloody Guinevere, or that she was the actual Lady in the Lake! I mean, come on. Do you realise just how cool that is?" Colt spoke, almost fan girling at her friend.

"Oh I'm sorry. I don't recall you actually ever asking me about my past," Maeve smiled back, her words dripping with sarcasm, as they strolled along the beach.

Maeve could see why Colt set up here, the scenery was stunning, and the smell of the salt in the air is enough to make sure even the worst of insomniacs got a good night's sleep.

"Yeah, because me not realising you were over forty-five, is a sin," Colt laughed out, "And, it's such a natural thing to bring up in conversation, *'Hey, did you know Merlin?'*"

Maeve smiled, laughing quietly to herself, "I suppose that is fair." She stated, "And yes, I did know him. He was a weedy little man, and the one who gave up my relationship with Lancelot to Arthur. He then got barbecued in Arthur's following tantrum; serves him fecking right, if you ask me." Maeve smirked.

"Quite so, your Majesty." Colt replied lighthearted, "So, with what you have said, are you also like the metaphorical Excalibur then?" She pressed, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Feck, no! That's what the arsehole tried calling his, *little Arthur* and it was little." Maeve corrected Colt, "But, he was determined to use it to claim me, and by doing so, assume glory and sovereignty of the world. Feckin' Arse!" Maeve laughed.

It had been so long since she had laughed about the absurdities of her past, it was pleasant to have a friend to share it with; one who didn't growl everytime he got unreasonably jealous.

"Anyway, enough of this," Maeve concluded this line of questioning, "Tell me seriously, what questions do you have, the ones you called for?"

"Okay, then since your past is now out of the firing line of my questioning," Colt smiled mischievously, "Tell me, what about your present?" Colt asked, feigning innocence. "So, Mae, what is going on between you and your *wolf shadow*?"

Maeve shook her head at Colt's attempt, eyeing her carefully from the side, as they walked. She was internally debating what to say, what to reveal, and what to keep hidden; afterall it wasn't just her story to tell.

"Well?" Colt prompted, deciding Maeve had been quiet for too long.

"Well, what?" Maeve smirked out, "You are a fecking cheeky mare, Colt Merrier, do you know that?"

"I'm aware, and I swear it's totally Calum's influence, but still," Colt responded giggling, "Tell me what's been happening? I'm dying to know." She said pulling her jacket tighter about herself.

"Alright, alright, I will tell you our story," Maeve spoke reverently, "But, as it's another story altogether, and not why I am here, I will be telling you it another time, Colt." She laughed out cruelly.

"Oh, Maeve!" Colt pouted, "Come on, please?"

"Don't beg, Girl, its unbecoming." Maeve chided, "Now, what are your real questions, while we have some privacy, and preferably before it begins to rain." Maeve redirected, looking upwards.

"Fine, fine, I'm sure you will tell me in your own time." Colt smiled, threading her arm through Maeve's companionably as they continued to walk along the shore line.

After a few more minutes, where Colt took some time to collect and order her thoughts she spoke, "My questions about my life all centre around Calum, really." Colt began. "When he came into my life, everything I thought I knew changed. Like I had been looking at a long corridor with one way out. One door, that I had bolted closed; then I turned around to discover another door behind me, creaking open in the wind before I could stop it. But, it wasn't Elijah standing there, it was Calum. Elijah's door was very much still firmly closed. Then, the more time Calum was there the closer I seemed to move to him; like a moth drawn to a flame, I just couldn't help myself."

Maeve found her grin growing, as Colt spoke, the young shifter was the first friend she had allowed herself to become attached to in over a millennia. It was not hard making friends, but losing them, or other loved ones, due to their mortality had become crushing, and too painful to keep reliving. She had grown to keeping a distance from everyone, living quietly and helping guide those when she could. Until, Colt Merrier came along, and captured her attention; then everything changed. She found herself caring for Colt despite herself, and now the hybrid herself, was well and truly under her skin, and Maeve even found herself developing an affection for the others she had met through Colt as well. She dreaded the day she would inevitably lose them, but her attachment was there none the less, and her life for the moment was inexplicably brighter for knowing them all.

"Well, ask me a question then, and I will answer if I can." Maeve offered sincerely.

"Thank you." Colt replied in kind. "I guess, first off I dont understand how it is possible that I have two true mates? How can you have two other halves? That would make you all a third, and that math just doesn't add up."

"Ha!" Maeve barked a laugh out, making Colt jump slightly, "Come on, you're smarter than that!" She stated, looking at a bewildered Colt, "Really?" She double checked quickly, "Okay then. You are the product of two fused individuals, Colt. Each of those females would have had a mate. As a result, you get both. It's a technicality so to speak, no need to worry about the mathematics of it all."

"But, I am one person, Maeve!" Colt objected, trying not to be offended, though she wasn't even sure what exactly was hitting that nerve.

"Now you are, yes. But you are also a fusion of two beings and two souls, the wolf and the wildcat, and it wouldn't have been fair of the gods to have stripped one mate of their other half, when technically both still existed, now would it?" Maeve tried to explain another way.

"But, Maeve, you offered to do exactly that." Colt expressed, confused yet again.

"True. But, I am neither a god, nor did I make the decision for you. It would have been your choice. Whether you want one, the other, or even both of them. It's your choice." Maeve clarified, with a wink.

"Both? That's a joke right?" Colt asked, distracted by such a ludicrous thought.

Maeve simply smirked, raising her eyebrow suggestively, "It could have its benefits, you shouldn't dismiss the idea so quickly. Two lovers at once can be a somewhat thrilling experience you know." Maeve winked.

"Ew! Maeve, no!" Colt shuddered, "And, apart from anything else, do you really think a territorial wildcat, or an alpha wolf would share?" Colt scoffed at the thought. "Besides, I don't actually want to be with Elijah. I just don't trust him anymore." Colt responded honestly.

"I understand Girl, and like I said, it's entirely your choice." Marve conceded to Colt's response easily. "Though, I will add, trust is fragile, and once it is broken it is very difficult to repair. But, it isn't necessarily impossible. Sometimes people can surprise you."

"Maybe. But I think, I have had enough surprises for a lifetime." Colt shrugged, before adding "It doesn't matter anyway, because I want Calum, and I could never betray him like that, and make no mistake; it would be a betrayal." Colt said solemnly, "Which, actually leads on to my next question."

"Alright," Maeve smiled, "What's that then?"

Taking a deep breath, Colt asked "How come Elijah is alright?" Before quickly adding, "Don't get me wrong, I'm relieved. I just don't understand how any of it is possible?"

"Well, why wouldn't he be?"Maeve asked, missing Colt's point.

"Because I had sex with, Calum, last night? That whole betrayal of the mate bond, that put me in hospital when I first shifted? Hell, I only had to kiss Felix, and Elijah, was hospitalized." Colt interjected.

"Do you really think one mate bond would supersede another?" Maeve asked in astonishment, "Colt, the mate bond is a magical thing, it is sacred and is a precious and tangible connection to your soul mate. As you well know." She explained with reverence.

Colt nodded in acknowledgement of Maeve's words, silently waiting for her to continue.

"So, when you mated and felt the bond with Calum appear, did Elijah's vanish?" Maeve asked.

"No." Colt stated, as they stopped walking.

"Did it weaken, or change in any way?" Maeve asked her next question with a look that showed, she already knew the answer.

"No, it didn't. But, that's the other odd thing. Our bond formed before we marked one another. How is that possible?" Colt asked changing the subject.

Maeve, turned to face Colt, "Really now?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Really." Colt nodded in affirmation, unsure what to make of Maeve's expression.

"Well now. That is rare," said Maeve, her expression completely unreadable.

Colt shook her head, with a frustrated smile, "Maeve, that isn't actually an answer, you know that right?"

"Sorry, sorry." Maeve laughed at herself, before going on to explain, "All true mates have the power to do this in honesty, Colt, it's about building a connection. Most couples, fuelled by lust and hormones, jump to the sex, and the biting part straight away, which is why this isn't as well known about. In layman's terms, you are both true mates, but you took the long road to the tangible bond. From what I have seen, these bonds between pairs are the strongest, even I couldn't untether you now. It is permanent and completely unyeilding. Not that you would want me to anyway, of course." Maeve smiled, before sighing in contentment, "I'm so very happy for you, Colt, you deserve this and more."

"Thank you," Colt smiled shyly, feeling self conscious at Maeve's tone.

"And as for your other question, which seems wholly unimportant, to me now at least. Calum and your intimacy is a loophole of sorts. You can't betray Elijah with Calum, because that bond deserves as much honour and respect as the original. Maybe even more I would say now."

*Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, Six year old son brought a nasty cold home from school and gave it to two year old daughter, as well as myself... sharing is caring apparently.🙈🤣. Mr River, is progressing nicely and so far has managed to avoid said cold, thankfully. We are so very thankful for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and it has answered some of your thoughts and questions. B x.*