Chapter 35 - The Ties that Bind

  Darkness.

  It stretched endlessly, pressing in from all sides. There was no sensation of movement, no breath of air, only the weight of nothingness. Athena drifted within it, a mere thought, untethered from her body, from her human half.

  Was this death?

  No.

  She still felt her bond with Nova. It was faint like it was just out of reach, but it was solid.

  It was then she realized that she wasn’t alone.

  A familiar, unshakable presence loomed nearby.

  Athena reached out with her mind, drawn in by it, feeling comforted in her confusion.

  Then, a faint glow flickered into existence, and from the darkness, he emerged.

  Fenrir.

  His form was massive, more shadow than anything. Hfis golden eyes burning like smoldering coals. He stood just beyond her reach, his presence as vast as the storm clouds before a downpour, silent, steady, unrelenting.

  He was watching her.

  Athena stilled, wary. Fenrir?

  His ears flicked, slow and deliberate. Mmm.

  Something about his presence sent a shiver through her. The weight of it was different this time. He was protective and on edge. She could tell he was concerned, and it caught her off guard.

  Nova... She tried to reach for her, but it was like grasping at mist. She was beyond her reach. She is still…

  Sleeping, Fenrir rumbled. Healing.

  Athena’s ears flattened. Then, she will be okay?

  Fenrir did not answer right away. Instead, he stepped forward, the glow of his presence flickering brighter as he neared. That is still to be determined.

  Athena blinked, realization dawning. Fenrir wasn’t just talking about Nova’s current state of slumber.

  And you, she said, narrowing her eyes. You have been waiting. Why?

  Fenrir’s lips curled slightly, the barest hint of teeth. You know why.

  Athena growled. I want to hear it.

  Fenrir tilted his head, unreadable. You have not been honest with the girl about you and I. You have deceived her.

  Athena growled, I have not lied to her!

  He snarled angrily. You have avoided me at every turn! Avoided who we are! Tell me that it is not so!

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  They had known of each other for a long time, yet they had never crossed paths in their past lives. No one had ever dared lay claim to her, had ever dared challenge her. Yet the moon had bound them. Their fates were intertwined and their paths destined to cross.

  Athena bit back, I do not belong to anyone. Your human may be bound to her but you are nothing to me!

  Fenrir snarled, his golden eyes flashing. Nonsense.

  She stilled, stiffening at his certainty. It unsettled her.

  His gaze flickered, something unreadable settling in his molten-gold eyes. You know you're mine.

  She did.

  The storm of rage on Kael’s behalf, the way the flames had consumed everything, how it had obeyed Nova’s anguish and burned through the world with nothing but destruction in its wake, was proof enough of their bond, but it was not what connected her and Fenrir. The way that Nova had nearly lost herself was unsettling.

  She was nearly consumed Athena said

  Fenrir’s head dipped. Yes.

  Athena turned away, staring into the endless void. You should have stopped her.

  Fenrir was silent for a moment before answering. I could not.

  Fenrir was not the type to admit he was incapable of anything. He was a force, raw power made flesh. For him to say he could not do something meant it was beyond anything he had ever encountered.

  What do you mean?

  Fenrir exhaled, deep and slow. She was beyond us.

  The words settled like a weight in her chest.

  For as long as wolves had existed, their purpose had been to guide, to protect. Even when their human halves did not listen, or did not heed their warnings, they were always there. A voice. A presence. A tether.

  However, at that moment when Nova had unraveled, she had not been able to stop Nova or reach out to her, and had been unable to take over. In those moments when her grief consumed her the fire had awakened and answered.

  Athena sighed, feeling like she was admitting defeat. Kael saved her.

  Fenrir chuckled, Of course he did.

  Athena argued, He should not have!

  Fenrir hesitated, Do you wish he hadn’t?

  She snapped, Of course not!

  Then why say it? Fenrir questioned.

  Athena huffed, Because it was foolish. He should have run. He should have left. He should have…

  Stayed, Fenrir finished for her.

  Athena froze.

  Fenrir’s presence brushing against hers. He would not leave her. Just as you would not leave me.

  Athena stiffened. That is different.

  Fenrir’s lips curled in amusement. Is it?

  Athena didn’t answer.

  Because she wasn’t sure it was.

  Athena sighed, attempting to change the subject. Will she wake soon?

  Fenrir’s grew quiet, as if studying her. She is close.

  Athena hesitated. Then, quieter, And when she does?

  Then we do not let her fall again, he said resolutely.

  Athena nodded. Agreed.

  The space around them shifted, the darkness beginning to pull away, unraveling like mist caught in the wind.

  Athena felt it then, the tether, the pull of wakefulness, the slow return to reality.

  She was being drawn back.

  Fenrir remained still, watching her go.

  Athena took a step toward the light, then hesitated, glancing back at him.

  Fenrir?

  He blinked, ears pricking forward.

  I don’t submit, Fenrir. Not to you. Not to fate. If you want me, you will prove it to me.

  Fenrir snarled, stepping closer, his golden eyes burning with certainty. You won’t have to wait long.

  And then, she was gone.