Lara had finally returned home, and luckily before sunup. She and Ajax came through a side corridor from a private courtyard their tier had access to.
They stopped just outside the entrance to the 'high lofts', and took a seat on the ledge of a large fountain that flowed magically with crystal clear water.
"Here, let me fix your hair" Ajax said softly and pulled small pieces of leaves, twigs, and chunks of dirt from her pearly strands and smiled when he saw her lips curve up.
"Thank you, Ajax. I love you, and I appreciate your support. I'm so scared. I don't want my parents to get hurt. They are ambitious, sure - but they've always been supportive of me..." Lara said with trembling lips. She detested crying, but as long as her mate was with her, it felt rather good to let out her sadness and fear.
"I love you, too my sweet Snow. Don't be scared - we're together, and I will never let anything happen to you. Just as I know you'd never let anything happen to me," he answered with strength she could hold onto.
"I want to accept you as soon as we're finished with this. If you'd consider me, of course" Lara said with a sniffle and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"Consider you? Lara, you're the only one for me. I've been in love with you since we were children. I've always prayed that you and I would be paired. You're strong, brave, beautiful, elegant - all the things a perfect mate is to me" Ajax chuckled a little as he spoke, amused she would think that he had eyes for anyone else.
"I've had a crush on you since primary school - haha. You're the only one I've ever felt comfortable with. I know my parents want someone higher up than us...but I know if I explain it and really just tell them how I feel, they'll support our union" Lara replied happily, and cleared more tears from her eyes and face.
"What if they don't?" he challenged her playfully.
"Then we sneak to the moon pool and marry anyway. I need to be with you, and only you. It's stupid they force unions on non-mates. I'm not going to let them do it to me, or anyone else ever again," Lara answered with valor.
"My thoughts exactly, Snow" he replied and kissed her lips. "Go in before me. I'll wait and then come in from the rounds I didn't do."
"See you tonight?" Lara asked with shining eyes of blue that sparkled only for him.
"Absolutely. If I'm not here, then its not by my choice" he answered and stole one more kiss.
Lara waved goodbye and gave him one more longing look before she went inside without him. Emptiness filled her as soon as the door disconnected them. 'I can't wait until we finally become a pack'.
Even if she hated her fate - she did love where she lived. The Lofts were the most beautiful spaces anyone outside of royalty could live. All of their houses opened out onto a shared balcony that overlooked the castle, courtyard, and the grand space where special events were held.
It was said the design was based off of some old human structures, but Lara couldn't remember what the word for it was. Apartment, maybe? No - that didn't sound right. It didn't matter. The humans were dead, and who cared about their old architecture anyway?
She made her way to the door that was just next to the private yard's entrance, and opened it easily (no one locked their doors up here, as no one needed to steal anything, and those who did need to, couldn't make it up this far).
"Lara, thank the Goddess. You were gone all night - where were you?" her mother asked the moment she closed the door. She sounded scared and sad more than she did angry, and that was a good sign.
"Mama, I'm sorry... I ...well..." Lara was trying to think up a lie, but she wasn't able to do it quick enough. Luckily, her mom made one up for her that she could live with.
"You were with Ajax again, weren't you?" her mother scolded and pushed the same white hair that Lara possessed out of her eyes and pushed it behind her ear as she walked towards her daughter.
"I mean - we're mates, mom...and Metas is taken, so why can't I just be with the one who is paired with me?" Lara asked with a frown.
"I understand, but you can't just not come home - and lately, I've been thinking about what you've said, and you're right. I just have to convince your father of the same thing. He and I were so fortunate to be mates on the same level - just like you. For him to deny what we have seems cruel. Now is not the time for that talk, though. You're going to be late for your assignment, and let me tell you - if you don't make it in time, your father will be more than furious. He fought tooth and claw to get you to be the Luna's personal attendant. Clean yourself up, and go before you give him a reason to tell you no to your request."
"Okay, okay - I'm going" she returned to her mother with a little bit of snark.
She was a young adult, and she was very mature -- but Lara was still someone's daughter, and even the most loving of daughters gave their mother's a bit of sass now and then.
********
"Thank you for coming," Syrana said weakly as Lara helped her up from the bed. It had only been a few hours, but since her discovery - and the fact Silas didn't come to bed, she had only declined further.
"My Lady, are you alright?" Lara asked as Syrana came to her feet, and yet still held onto her forearm.
"Y-" she started, but shook her head and let tears fall from her eyes silently. "N-No."
"What can I do to help? I know who you are - and I am quite loyal to your sister and Metas. It's why I didn't call you Luna, I apologize," Lara whispered the latter half of her words into Syrana's ear.
"Ah-" Syrana gasped and hugged the beautiful female into her arms. "Yes, please - please I need you to take my daughter to my brother's house as soon as you can. She and I are not safe, and Syri is more important to me than anything," she said desperately.
"Okay, okay - hey calm down. It's alright. Tell me everything," Lara said and helped Syrana to a chair so that it was easier to assist in changing her clothes that were still soiled from her journey last night.
"S-S-" she stuttered and then fell into a disheveled mess. "Un...unfaithful.." she managed to utter out in agony.
"Who? Silas?" Lara confirmed quietly.
"Mmm..mmhm.." the strong wolf who had been nothing but a solid rock for so many years had finally become nothing but a pile of pebbles.
"Oh, that bastard" Lara growled. "Don't you worry, Lady Syrana - I'm here to help you. Metas and Myranda sent me specifically to help you find Veltar - and now, I'm going to save your kid first. I know where Jyriah lives. The story is that you're going to ask me to take Syri away for the day to play with her uncle, and then I will return when she is safe. First, though - let me get you bathed and into some clean clothes. Hang in here with me, Syrana. I believe in the Moon Goddess - have faith, and she will reward you. I believe Veltar is alive. You should, too. It will help you fight."
Syrana nodded but said nothing.
Lara understood her silence. She could only imagine all the things Syrana was thinking. It broke her heart to just think about Ajax being unfaithful - to actually have him do it would push her into such a sick state, too.