Thread: Purity of Blood and Denial of Heart (Raivh & Talin)

As clear as day, Athelu could remember every second since her and Adrik had escaped Greysons clutches. Theyd been drugged to the point of losing their memory, but the effects hadnt kicked in until after theyd torn out the throats of the men who were to be their murderers. It had been a year since then. And they had seen no sight of Kinsley. Not in his right mind, at least not entirely, Adrik had taken Athelu as a mate. She bore his scent because hed mated with her before, but not his mark. Not once in their bed had that man ever lost his wits enough to sink fang and claw into her skin, to fully claim her as his as their kind had for centuries. There was always something that stopped him a flicker in his eye that drew him out of his lust just long enough to distance himself before the bite. So far away from her , yet something deep in his gut seemed to sense that his fated partner wasnt in this village, wasnt the woman he took to bed night after night. And she had borne him no children, given him no heir. That was the most stressful of all, but had been fixed with the birth of a youngster she had taken under her wing, had claimed was his son. He realized immediately that the boy wasnt his, that the child didnt carry his scent, but when he questioned Athelu about it, angered at first, after they had talked, he accepted the boy as his son. She was barren, she told him, and he believed her. Wandering outside with Adrik, she froze when she caught way of a familiar scent, and a chill raced the length of her spine. In the course of a year, she hadnt smelled that woman, had only seen her face in Adriks eyes, his soul torn from hers and howling mournfully. It wasnt until her brother came racing toward her, shouting into her mind that her son had been found, and that a strange woman was the one that brought him, that Athelu began to fret. Her stomach plummeted with her heart, and she whipped her gaze to Adrik, urging the blind man to go back home. She would be back soon. Hesitant at first, the moment she glimpsed Jacksons young face, the female felt a part of her heart return to her. It pained her to have him pull away from her, to run back to Kinsley, but she didnt speak, not just yet. Her chest tightened when Jackson voiced his desire for the woman to stay, and Kinsley reiterated. Mind swirling, a hint of fear in her eyes, Athelu forced a kind smile onto her face. After all, Kinsley had brought her son to her, had returned Jackson. Then she began to speak of her home, of her loveAdrik. Athelus heart beat swiftly against her ribs, her throat thick with guilt and jealousy. Adrik didnt love her it had dawned on her many, many times, and no matter how many times he said it, she could tell the words held no truth. She stood there, silent, for a long moment before responding. Every bone in her body cried out that allowing Kinsley to stay would be the end of her relationship with Adrik, of their mating. Even if he didnt love her, she loved him. Yes. Unsure of where the agreement came from, what part of her spoke it strongly, Athelu smiled. Yes, you may stay. Youve given me great happiness by bringing my son to me. Stepping forward, she leaned down to brush her lips over Jacksons head, and then stood to wrap her arms in cordial welcome around Kinsley. Somehow, Adrik would have to be kept away from Kinsley, but Athelu knew that would be almost impossible. Adrik was the alpha of this pack, the leader he would scent Kinsley the moment she stepped into the village. And Athelu worried that if he recognized Kinsleys scent, he would recall the past, remember that she was his mate, that she was an alpha, and know that she bore his mark. Come with me and well see that you eat well tonight. You look thin, Kinsley, Athelu commented, taking the young womans hand and leading her toward home. It was a short trek, and once there the smell of cooked meats and vegetables met their noses. Athelu kept glancing toward her brother walking beside them. The male had his eyes on Kinsley, his nostrils flared and his brow furrowed. She is alpha, Athelu. Athelu swallowed hard. Of that I am aware, brother. Here, she is just a friend, an old friend. How did you know he was my son? Athelu asked, donning that same friendly smile as she released Kinsleys hand upon entering her brothers house. The scent of another males musk would be enough to cover up Adriks own. There was a young woman stirring a pot in his home, and the towering man walked over and placed a large hand on her shoulder, a soft smile on his face. She stood and returned his smile before exiting the house, telling him that the food was ready. Athelu received a bowl from her brother and filled it with stew, passing it to Kinsley. Her eyes flitted to the door, to her home across the way where Adrik and their son were.