Invictus

I followed my mother into her private study. When the door closed behind me, she turned around. Her eyes blazing as she waved me over silently to sit in the chair in front of her. Instantly, I felt like I was a child again and I got myself in trouble. I walked over and plopped down on the chair, crossing my arms.

"Invictus, you know I love you." She started. "But you are really stupid, child."

"She doesn't listen at all, mama. She is always getting into trouble. I worry for her safety." I growled.

"As you should!" My mother exclaimed. "But you don't get to give her the cold shoulder. What you are doing right now, will push her further away from you."

"She should und-"

"No, you listen here, Invictus. You listen very carefully to me." My mother grounded out. Her temper was slowly peeking out. I clamped my mouth shut as I listened.

"Any mate that is alive relishes in the attention of their mates, regardless of race. Any mate implores the thought of having to fulfill their mate's desires. Your mate is a newborn. She came from a race that didn't have a clue that we existed. If she knew, do you think she would be this difficult? We don't get to choose our mate. Moon Goddess created her for you for a reason. She is yours. You are to take care of her and her every need, and right now my son, you are lacking." She said.

"Mama, I don't have the time. The threat that we have coming for her, the threat that we have right now, everything it is too dangerous." I started.

"Our lives are always on the line, regardless if you are human, werewolf, vampire, or lycan. We will never avoid the one fate we all will meet one day. Death." My mother responded. Something inside of me flipped on like a switch.

"I can't handle the thought of losing her."

"None of us can." She spoke honestly. "If I ever lost your father, I would die. He is my love, my life, and my heart. Without him, my heart will refuse to beat."

I nodded in understanding because I know that feeling all too well.

She moved closer to me and went down on her knees as she cupped my cheeks to look up at her. "I gave birth to you. I know you want her. I know you need her and I know she is everything to you. If she wasn't, you would have left home for her but you need to take care of her. Make sure she understands what we are; understand she is going to need help and guidance. She is going to need your patience. If you can't give her that, you will lose her."

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of losing her completely. I couldn't imagine a life without her. I knew my mother was right. I needed to be patient.

I chuckled a little. "I guess I got some making up to do."

My mother smiled then. Her eyes lit up. "You have a lot of making up to do."

"I think I know where to start too." I smirked.

She nodded her approval. "Remember, Invictus, in this world, where there is love, there is hate, where there is war, there is peace, and where there is fear, there is courage. You won't be able to avoid any of it. It will come at you like a strong wave but you have to be brave."

Her words echoed in my mind as I hurried down the hallway in search for her. I found her in her bedroom reading a book. When she saw me in her doorway, she lifted up her book higher.

"Go away." She muttered.

"Little moon, we need to talk." I said.

"I have nothing to say to you." She replied and flipped a page of her book.

I moved to sit down on the side of her bed as I put two fingers on the book and pushed it down. She huffed and snapped her book shut to look at me. She has really changed since I have been gone and when I saw her it was like a breath of fresh air. It was like she lifted a transparent black veil from my eyes and I can see her clearly.

Her hair has grown a lot and I found I loved her hair long. The red tints in her eyes have disappeared. Her body has toned down and she has grown a few inches. She was stunningly beautiful before her transformation but now she was even more breathtaking. I can feel a squeeze in my chest as I looked at her. She was looking at me impatiently.

"Invictus, if you have nothing to say, I would like to go back to reading." She attempted in lifting back up her book. I moved to stop it.

"I-"I stopped. Where do I start?

She made a motion with her hand for me to continue but when I didn't she huffed and attempt to turn away from me. I moved quickly to stop her head from turning with my hand on her cheek. She turned back to look at me. Our bond strengthening as I touched her. I missed her with my every breath. Every single second she was not with me. Those six weeks were torture.

"I'm sorry, little moon. I am sorry for being an idiot. I am sorry for not being here for you. I should've been here to help you transition. Instead, I was off fighting of a force that I can't see. "

She blinked but turned back to listen to me. I sighed and moved closer to her. "I wish I can say I will never do it again but I can't. I will make mistakes. You are mine. My soulmate. The one and only for me. I don't know how to handle this. This is just as new to me as you becoming a lycan is new to you."

I moved one hand to cup her other cheek as I brought myself closer to her. "There are so many emotions stirring inside of me. I am happy, glad, and excited to have you as mine-never think otherwise but I am also very scared. I am scared of losing you. I am scared of going back to my old life where there was no meaning. You are everything to me. I will die fighting for you. I will take a bullet for you. I will trade my life for yours. You are that important to me."

"Then why didn't you come see me right away after you came back?" She asked quietly.

"I did but Elena stopped me in the hallway."

"I don't like her." She spoke bitterly.

"I think she doesn't like you too but know that I only have eyes for you. Her looks can't compare to your beauty. You beat her by a million." I said. "I feel nothing for her but with you I feel all kinds of things. You make me feel alive."

She pouted slightly. "But you left me to deal with my emotions."

I kissed her pout away with a peck on the lips. The softness of her lips still lingering on mine as I pulled back.

"I know and I am a bad mate for doing that to you. I sometimes forget how vulnerable you are and at the same time how strong you are. You confuse me and stir so many emotions inside of me. I hope you can forgive me for not being there. "I begged.

I stood up and then moved my hands to grab her hand. I pulled on her hand. "Come with me."

She eyed me warily. "Where are you taking me?"

"Just come with me."

"Not until you tell me."

"Deidre." I said impatiently.

"Fine but if you take me somewhere that I will not like, I swear, Invictus, I will make sure to hurt you badly." She huffed and threw off her covers as she scooted off her bed.

"I promise not to take you anywhere that will make you upset." I said grinning.

We went down a narrow passageway that I knew will lead out to the back. We walked down a few staircase until we got to the back door of the palace. As I led her outside to the coop I had built when we returned I could hear her softly gasp. She let go of my hand and hurried up the small grass hill barefoot as she peeked inside the window.

"My family." She whispered.

"I told you, I will take care of them." I said.

She turned towards me as she wrapped an arm around my waist, burying her face in my chest. "Thank you."