It was one of the nights when Flora was being tortured and Damien was having his own troubles. They did not know this, but they both were special. Unknown to both, their souls were united and could clearly feel the emotions and feelings of each other ever since birth. Each night, after knowing about mates, he will pray for the safety of her mate and the love which he got.
Damien was four years older than Flora. When he was playing with his parents and newborn baby, he felt sudden happiness and power surging through him. He shifted for the first time but instead of being tired, he was jumping and running. He may not know, but 'he' knew that his mate was born.
Their bond, their power, was strong. According to the prophecy, they were going to change the whole supernatural world. The witches, demons, and every council member started to plan their deaths.
Unfortunately, Damien was saved in the attack which happened when he was 8 years old. That night he prayed. For the first time in those eight years, he missed praying for his mate and rather prayed for his happiness in the afterlife for their family. That young eight-year boy, who has always heard and learned about good things from the council, was heartbroken seeing their no interest in his situation.
Unknown to him, his mate lost her mother the next day when he lost his whole family. She was chained, cursed, and for the first time, slapped. That moment 'he' made his presence known.
Damien did not know why but he could feel someone else present in his life. He felt pain in his heart. He felt a new power in his body. And then, 'he' came.
It was the body of Damien but Damien was not the one in control. It took him a lot of time to get in harmony with him. Every cut, every pain, every whip mark, every drop of blood, every stab gave great agony and anger to 'him'. Damien did not know how and why, but he could feel his anger, his sadness. But, instead of questioning it, he felt it to be completely reasonable and supportive.
With each passing day, 'he' became more and more aggressive. He killed the ones who killed his parents. He made sure they all die mercilessly and one day, it all stopped. Damien could feel his wolf but not 'him'. He felt 'him' there but it appeared as if he was sleeping.
No one knew except the moon goddess. And although her heart ached she knew it was not in her hands anymore. Nothing was predicted anymore and nothing was under her control. She could only wait and watch.
*** *** *** ***
It was another night. Flora does know how long, but it has been a long time since she has been wearing the collar. It hurt her. It burns her. She does not know why, but she can not even touch it and it is constantly going deeper and deeper in her throat.
Suddenly she heard the clacking of the keys. She knew that her tormentor came in. He was going to again torture her. She knew a new set of pain was waiting for her but she can not help but expect him to at least take the collar away.
"Slept well?"
"..."
"Can't talk? Oh, *fake gasp* what happened? Does your throat hurt? Is the collar too much? Should I take it out?"
Flora tries to talk but she can not talk. Maybe it was because she was weak and had no more energy or maybe it was something else.
Rather than waiting he unlocks her collar and tries to pry it open. He had a frown on his face and anger seeping through his vein. He had every thought of letting it remain on her neck but soon that frown turned into something sadistic.
"Huh, well, I guess I do not need to do anything to you. Do you want to know why? You. Are. Going. To. die."
With that, he tears the collar along with a huge part of her flesh.
Flora was hurt. She just lost a big part of her neck. She could not scream anymore but she could feel the pain. Her body was tired yet her burn could not let her sleep.
Seeing her withering in pain made her tormentor laugh. He laughed and taunted her. How she was withering in pain. How she can not scream.
Her body wanted to heal itself which she stopped. Her healing felt more pain than the reason for her wound. Finally, the withering came to an end. She could see that her tormentor left her alone to die. She was all alone with her aching heart. She could feel herself slipping away. She could feel her eyes closing. Once again she surrendered to darkness with hope for it to be the last time and final for this lifetime.
Flora suddenly jumps up feeling warmth and softness instead of hard surface and coldness. She finds herself wearing a long white dress instead of her torn ragged ones. She looks around and she finds beautiful scenery in front. She was resting on a soft bed and she finds a beautiful waterfall covered with river weed on one side and cherry blossom on another.
"I see you woke up my dear... I am sorry, I did not mean to startle you."
"I-It's alright... What is this place? Where am I?"
"This place? It is the spirit realm... Wanna see something?"
"What is it?"
"That. Is a wolf soul. He can feel her mate hurting and that is why he is so hurting."
"Mate?"
"Soulmate. They are the other halves of a wolf soul. Someone who is made for just you. They are to love you with all their flaws."
" Do I have a mate too?"
"Yes. You have a soulmate too. And you know what? He loves you very much."
"I am not pretty and I am bad. I do not think my mate will love me."
" Hmm... Alright. If that is what you believe. I will not question it."
"Why is he not stopping?"
"His mate is dying and that hurts him very much. Do you know, ever since he was a baby he always wished for his mate to be happy. He never asked for anything except happiness for his mate."
"Can you do something?"
"I am sorry my dear... But he hates me at this moment. I wish I could help, but the only person who can help him is his mate."
"Her mate should fight and live for him."
"Should she now?"
"Yes."
"Then are you trying to say that you are going to live for your mate?"
"What?"
"He is your mate, dear."
"He is?"
"Yes."
"But-but... He is, so strong and lovely... I do not deserve him... But, he is hurt. I do not want him to be hurt. What can I do?"
"I can tell him to sleep until you both are together."
"Sleep?"
"Yes. But only if you go to him on your 18th birthday. If he does not find his mate, i.e.; you. He will get to another level of rage. What is happening right now will happen at that time too, but it will much more strong... Do you want me to put him to sleep?"
"Yes. I want him to live. I want to be happy. Please."
"Think again. What you felt a few minutes ago is nothing to what you will go through in the future. You will live, I will help you in running away when the time comes, but are you sure you are willing to live and survive? You can die and rest here."
"... My mate has not seen me but yet he is so much hurt. I-I will survive."
"I do not think it-"
"I will survive. Please. Help him."
"Your willpower is strong. I will remember you. I will put him to sleep, but if you die, this will happen."
"Thank you."
That woman was the moon goddess. According to her plan, Flora was to die and Damien was to live a few more years alone. Although her original decision was to find a way for both of them to be together, the current situation was not working properly.
Now seeing the strong determination in her and hurt of another she knew nothing could be planned now. 'She' will not come until she is required to and Flora will be hurt more and more in coming years.
Now, she had no choice but to put 'him' to sleep until he sees her and comes forward to protect her.
That moment was removed from Flora's mind. She was not supposed to have any thoughts. She should live her life the way she was surviving in the past.
Now seeing both mates curled and sleeping made her feel at ease. A small smile appeared on her face which was soon removed. No move was made to kill the two because she was supposedly dead. Without any track. But now that she was here, and now the difficulty level will arise.