A few weeks later, I'm running patrol with Ignis. We haven't had time alone together since the tournament.
The wind is light and the trees are thick. We make our way to the uncultivated land that Aqua eventually wants to become a farm. It's unusually dark as the moon reflects no light. The new moon.
*We should talk.* I suggest, hoping to have my best friend back.
Ignis nods but doesn't seem open to discussion.
*Yes, I am or I will be your mate. But right now, Rex and I are mates. I love him and he treats me well.*
Ignis can't look at me. I can sense his sadness.
*We have a child.* He tells me and I turn to look at him.
*At least one.* I can tell he's smiling sadly. *I was so depressed that you and Rex were together, I thought of taking my life. I ingested silver and woke up talking to the Moon Goddess. She saved me and showed me part of our future.*
I'm silent, processing everything he's told me.
*She looks like you with long dark hair but she has my purple eyes.* He nudges me with his snout and I turn my attention away from him.
*I can't talk about this. I've got to remain focused on what I need to do.* Praesul whimpers slightly and he nods.
Usually I let Ignis and Aqua run border patrol. Tonight, I wanted to find the person I've been looking for. We came up quickly and stopped when we hit the fog. I could hear someone breathing lightly. Blinking rapidly, I was confused to find the fog disappear and a boy standing before us. He was surprised to find us there in wolf form.
"Alpha." He bowed. "I was just-"
I turn back into a human. Ignis growls, hiding me behind one of his large paws. His touch is like a warm current. He relaxes as I absentmindedly rub his fur.
"You're air." I say smiling at him. "Tell me what your name is."
"Aether." He looks like he's been caught with his paw in a trap.
"It's nice to meet you Aether. I need you to shift and come back with us to the pack house. You are not in trouble." I smile at him reassuringly.
He exhales a sigh of relief. "Okay."
We all head back to the pack house in wolf form. Ignis runs in and brings us back clothing. I toss on the dress without undergarments. The boys just have shorts and shirts.
When we walk inside, Niveus is on the couch reading a book. She doesn't turn her head to acknowledge us.
"Hi Aether." Niveus says continuing to read.
"Wait, you knew it was Aether this whole time? I'm gonna ring your little..." I fight to compose myself.
"I didn't know it was him but I could sense something up with him. We're in the same math class."
I face palm.
"Yeah, hi Niveus." He looks at the ground and kicks at an imaginary dust bunny.
"You two come have a chat with me."
Ignis bows and leaves the house. I can't tell if he's running patrol or running to release his pain.
I let Niveus explain to Aether his purpose and how important it is for us to find all the elementals.
"Wow, that's pretty awesome!" He says once Niveus is finished.
"Right? So you're going to have to move into the pack house."
"What about my mom and sister?"
"Of course." I nod and mind link members to get three rooms prepared.
"Sweet! Can I go tell them now?" I nod.
"Niveus, go with him."
"Yes, Alpha." She smiles at me and I notice a pink tint to her cheeks.
They leave and I return to my room. Rex is asleep but stirs when I enter. I shower before joining him in bed. Still sleeping, he drapes an arm over my torso. I smile at how protective he is.
My mind wanders to how Ignis would act as my mate. I shake my head, trying to get the image of the little girl out. Our little girl.
Silent tears stream down my cheeks and I fall into a restless sleep.
In the morning Rex wakes me up with coffee in hand.
"What's the special occasion?"
"Well, this year the tournament is earlier than last year."
I nod, sipping the coffee. I slept horribly. "Go on."
"We need to go as a united front. Technically they can still only challenge us three times but they can choose who they challenge. We can always defer to a champion but there's no rule about one of us fighting for the other."
"Babe, while I'm loving all this strategy, I haven't finished my first cup of coffee yet." On cue my stomach grumbles.
"Okay, I'll bring up some breakfast and more coffee. Then can we talk tournament?" He grins wide like he's actually excited.
"Sure."
He ends up bringing chocolate chip pancakes and a whole carafe of coffee.
"You are the best!" I cheer as I dig into the pancakes. "Okay, so I hear where you're going with things, but we need to plan transport, pack members, and everything else."
"Good point," he agrees, "so let's plan everything now so it's a smooth transition."
"When's the tournament again?" I sip my coffee.
"Two weeks." I nearly spit my coffee out.
"Holy hell! You've been distracting me." I point a finger. Between Alpha duties and mate duties I had no idea it was so soon.
"I'm distracting?" He says, sliding the empty plate onto the nightstand.
Carefully he takes my nearly empty coffee mug and sets it alongside the food.
"There's only one thing I'm hungry for." He licks his bottom lips.
Abruptly a knock comes at the door.
"Enter." I say and push Rex playfully away.
"Alphas." Ignis bows, his jaw tight. "Patrols followed vampire scent along the eastern border. We think someone has been scoping out our new residence."
"Find them and bring them to me. Alive." Rex says. "That is all."
Dismissed, Ignis looks at me. Our eyes meet as Rex starts kissing my neck. The strap of my tank top slides down my shoulder. Reluctantly Ignis leaves, slamming the door behind him.