Having her here in his arms like this is causing my to stir, him recognizing his mate after being so long from her. *Maaaaate.Mmiiiiinnne.* Stryder whispers. Her eyes kept changing from Green to blue showing her inner turmoil. She nods and relaxes a bit. "Okay, but you better explain." Lily said opening the door to her apartment.
"Alright." Max said letting go. She takes off her wrap and hangs it on one of the hooks next to her door than walks over to the living area and sits in one of the comfy chairs. He moves to sit in the chair opposite her taking his jacket off and laying it over the back. He sat down leaning back in the chair staring up at the ceiling trying to find the words.
"There's no words up there for you to say what you need to say to me," she says chuckling at him. Her laugh soothed his nerves calming him and Stryder. "I should have talked with you sooner. That's no excuse, but I didn't want to cause you more pain and hardship," Max said looking at her face trying to read her expression which is aloof at the moment.
"Do you remember a while ago when I went through my first shift?" He asked watching her expression change from shock to confusion as she tried to hold back tears. Max could take her angry or her rage but not this. "Why? Why did you run from me?" she asked in a whisper. "You didn't do anything wrong, but I knew at the time it would have been ten times harder for you to be accepted. Can you honestly say you could take the position that would demand so much of you?"
Lily consider his words trying to keep her temper in check. "So you weren't rejecting me?" she asked carefully watching his expression. "No, I wasn't rejecting you. I wanted to give you the time you needed, and it was hard too. I didn't want to take certain choices from you that needed to made by yourself. Having the pressure of such a high position, I knew you would do great, but I also knew you needed to grow up in some areas. I did as well considering a couple incidents that I could have handled better." She gave me a pointed look knowing which events he was speaking of.
*At least she's listening,* Max thought waiting for her to say something. She stares at him for a moment then gives a small smile saying, "So what now? I mean, I know there's a whole mating process and the ascension ceremony. I remember when you were instated as crown prince. Are we expected to tell everyone immediately or can we take things at our own pace?"
Somedays thinking of her was the only way I found myself getting through the days when I needed her most. I'm sure she felt those days too because the bond between true mates can be a strong connection and I know there was a time or two in the past it was overpowering.
It was time for us to finally claim our mate and explain why we haven't said anything sooner. "We don't have to say anything right away, but I do wish to mark you as my potential mate. I've wanted you ever since I seen you sitting next to that waterfall. You looked like the Goddess her self and every fiber of my being was pulling me to you. Even when we were little there was always something telling me to protect you to keep you safe," I said looking at her. Stars shining in her eyes and a loving smile across her face, "Of course I will. I've never wanted anything more in my life," she said crawling out of her chair and straddling him. She leans into kiss his lips lovingly, cupping is face moving her hands to cup that gorgeous head of hair.
Max didn't deserve her, but here she is wrapped in his arms kissing his lips like he's the one she needs most. Kissing her felt like he was in paradise and simply couldn't get enough of those full, soft lips keeping him in paradise. An electrifying, tingling feeling is running through my arm that is holding her hand something he's hasn't felt before. Like it's tying the two of us together just by touching each other. Max had yet to initiate the potential mark, but this felt like more. Looking over at her and she is looking at their hands too," You feeling this too?" "Yes I am, is this part of the marking process you mentioned?" she asks trying to keep her voice calm.
All the sudden a ribbon of blue light comes out of their hands that starts wrapping itself around their wrists in an infinity link. *What is happening?* Max though looking over at Lily. Her eyes are glowing blue while she stared in a trance like state at the intricate link around their wrists and just as fast as they appeared the ribbons sank to become part of them. The glow disappearing as Lily sways Max catching her than laying her down on the bed. She slowly slips into an exhausted sleep so he slip her shoes off pulling the covers over her. He took his shirt off and lay on top of the covers next to Lily. She curls in close as he lays an arm over her pulling her close.
*What just happened? Who are you Lily??* Max contemplated before falling asleep holding his mate. Unknown to him a shadow figure moved by the window moving back to it's master's call ready to tell all it's secrets.