I know she isn't ready to mate and it takes everything in me to not take this further. I don't want our first time to be from a moment of sadness like this where she feels vulnerable.
After I have calmed down and have thoroughly enjoyed kissing Wilder I pull back. Surprised he didn't take this opportunity to go further but grateful that he didn't. "Thank you Wilder. For everything."
"No reason to thank me. I'm just loving my mate. You don't hurt those you love for your own benefit. Now get some rest. I can tell your exhausted after all that."
He was right. I had been crying for a long time and wanted nothing more than to sleep. I move to get under the blankets. He has to have one of the comfiest beds ever. Soft white sheets, with a thick grey and black comforter. I never thought a guy would have more than one pillow on their bed but he has two large and two smaller ones. I grab a smaller one to hold since Wilder doesn't seem to be coming to bed immediately and am quickly engulfed in sleep.
"Sunshine. Sunshine."
Only one person has called me sunshine. Mom. I can tell I am still asleep though. Why do I keep getting visits in my sleep?
"Mom. I'm sleeping. How are you in my dream?! Your human I thought?"
"Hey my Sunshine. Your right. I am human. Your dad taught me a few tricks a long time ago though. Its just very difficult for me to pull off and consumes a lot of energy."
"I am so glad your alive! Are you ok? What happened? What have they done to you?"
She looks like I remember. Wearing her favorite pair of jeans, a black tank with a plaid loose sweater over it. Her hair tied into her signature bun I always remember her wearing. That's not what she was wearing when she sent me to the forest though.
"I am for now. They want to know where I sent you but I wont tell them. These people are chasing you for your power. They think by capturing you they will be able to steal it from your and make themselves stronger. You cant let them capture you! Stay hidden. No matter what ok Sunshine?"
"I met dad." I see her visibly freeze and tears start to fall. She starts shaking while covering her mouth.
"How?"
"He said he put some of his power into me. Told me him and I are elementals. Told me how to become stronger. Said I needed to finish what he couldn't. That's not all….Mom, the wolves you sent me to, they weren't regular wolves-"
"I know. They are werewolves. Your dad had told me about them. That if anything should happen we should go to them for help as the leader was his friend and could be trusted."
"Yea. Well…"
"Cass what? Whats wrong?"
"His son, Wilder….is….apparently my mate. Or I am his."
I glance at her to see if she knows what that means. The extreme shock and happiness surprises me.
"Oh my goodness! This projection was worth it in so many ways! When is the ceremony?!"
"I'm sorry…WHAT?! Projection? Ceremony?"
"Projection is what your father called this technique I am using to talk to you. Ceremony to be his luna! Oh this is the best news! If your father really did tell you how to get stronger like him AND you are the mate of the future alpha you being safe is more and more likely!"
I can see the excitement in her face but I can also see her starting to look haggard. Her hair is a mess and her face is starting to have marks appear.
"Mom. Why are you looking different now?" When I ask this the happiness leaves her face.
"This technique is very tiring. My energy is starting to wane, so how I truly look at the moment is starting to come out. I didn't want you to see that. Cassidy. No matter what happens to me, whether I die or not, do not blame yourself. Putting my life in danger was something I was well aware I would be doing when I met your father and fell in love with him. Even more so when I wanted to have a child with him and was blessed with you. Being able to meet your father and have you….those have been the happiest moments of my life. I'm sorry that my sadness of having lost Mikhail meant I couldn't talk to you about him with you. When you were born I wanted to name you after my mother, as my mother did with me for her mother Elaina, but he said he needed to name you Cassidy after his friends wife. This technique can exhaust a person to the point of death. I may not be able to use it again. I have to leave you now before I get to that point. I love you Sunshine. Never forget that."
With that she was gone.