My Alpha's Mark

71 Why?

Kacie

As we walked into the lobby, I couldn’t help but fidget and sneak glances at him. He made love to me in the shower but when we got dressed we did so in silence. He didn’t speak a word to me and I feel like he’s been avoiding my gaze since we got downstairs.

He opened the door for me and my heart squeezed. Even when we were… awkward or arguing he still did these small things for me. I walked past him and outside into the sunlight.

The warmth could be felt on my clothes and it warmed my skin. The breeze tossed my hair behind me and smelled of grass and pine. I was tempted to take off running but Viktor’s hand closed around mine.

He stood beside me looking like a God, black shorts and a black t-shirt molded to his body. His hair was wet and water beaded on his forehead.

“I heard your conversation with Jake this morning,” he said.

I swallowed.

“Is there a reason why you told him and not me? When we saw it at practice, I was definitely surprised,” he said.

I took a deep breath and inhaled. “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you. I don’t even know what happened at practice but he filled me in. He asked so… I told him.”

His hand squeezed mine but we kept walking.

“I can understand the conversation about practice. What I don’t understand is you telling him about what happened in the woods while you were gone. You’ve been back for weeks and haven’t talked to me, Kacie,” Viktor said. “You told him about what happened.”

“I wanted to tell you. Deep down I did but honestly when I thought about telling you, I couldn’t. I was ashamed,” I admitted.

The woods grew closer and I followed him. Athena and I both itched for the grass below our feet and the trees above us. I needed the serenity of the woods.

After a moment of pause, he turned to me. His obsidian eyes locked on mine and he searched my gaze for something.

“Did you think I would judge you?” He asked when he finally spoke.

I shook my head.

“I don’t think you would judge me. No, I was worried… I was scared of the expression you’d have on your face when you found out. I was worried you would see me differently. I was ashamed, Viktor. What I did out there… scared me,” I said.

“I was worried about burning you or those I’m sworn to protect,” I continued. “I don’t know what I’d do if I hurt you or anyone else. It doesn’t stop at me being able to call the flames, Viktor. I wish I knew more about why I can do what I can do or how this was happening. I’ve never heard of anyone who can do the things I can.”

“Let me handle that,” Viktor said as we stepped into the woods. “I’ll dig into it. There are some elders down south I can reach out to. If there were other wolves with this power, they would know,” he said as he pressed a kiss to my cheek.

“And if they don’t?” I asked.

“Then… we will have to reach out to the witches,” he said quietly.

My breath caught in my throat as I thought of the only witch I know. Could we reach out to her? Would it be worth it? How badly do I want to know about myself? Wouldn’t she have said something to me if she knew?

I shook my head. We didn’t really get along long enough to ask her if she knew about my powers. I trust Viktor and if it comes to reaching out to Clara or the other witches, I would do that.

Viktor stopped and turned to face me. “Why did you tell Jake?” He asked.

“The secret was getting heavier and it was affecting me. My shoulders felt heavy and it was becoming a burden. If I’d been in control of it maybe I could have been more helpful during the attack.”

I sigh.

“The fear of what might happen if I lose control has stopped me from calling on the flames and has stopped me from doing my duty as Luna,” I said.

“Why did I tell Jake?” I asked. “I told him because I needed to tell someone and it came up like word vomit when he asked. It just happened that way.”

“Could I not have been the person to have helped you?” He asked, and my heart tore a little bit at the look in his eyes.

“It doesn’t mean anything,” I told him.

“I saw the way he was looking at you… is there something I should be worrying about?” He asked carefully.

“Goddess no!” I say in shock. “It was early in the morning and he was drawn to me. he was caught off guard, it’s not his fault he’s drawn to me. You know what being Luna can do to the others,” I laugh nervously. “I only see you. Were you… doubting me?” I asked.

A smile pulled at his lips.

“I’ll admit I thought something was going on… and I didn’t know what to do about it,” he said.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” I asked. “You just stayed still and didn’t say anything to us.”

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him. “I was trying to figure out what I was going to do if my mate wanted a taste of my Beta,” he murmured in a low voice. His breath on my neck sent shivers down my back.

I turned around and snaked my arms around his neck, “If that’s what you were thinking, I’m surprised you didn’t try to fight him,” I teased. “Beta Jake is the furthest thing from my mind. It’s you and only you, Viktor.”

My mate woke up to me confiding in his Beta and even though he thought I might be lusting over his friend he didn’t go ape shit crazy on me. And now it’s my turn to laugh.

“I’m glad you find me funny,” he chuckles.

“I love you, my big bad wolf,” I breathe and I lean into him and crash my lips against his.