Once My Mate, Always My Mate
Chapter 13- A New Life

Sabrina’s POV

"It is time for you and your vampire lover to return to earth and staythere. You are only permitted to visit for s short stay and then return toearth, where you are to stay for the rest of your very long life." I say tomy little sister, Josey.

"So, you called me into your office to kick me out? You could have saidthat at the breakfast table.” She says to me, walking away from me andto the door.

"I called you in here to warn you about your meddlesome boyfriend. Heis running on thin ice and at the moment, I don't have the patience forhim. You are responsible for his actions and will both pay the price if heever causes trouble again.” I warn Josey.

"I know, I know." She rushes me to finish.

"Josey, he will pay with his life and I will not bring him back. Not again,not ever.” I say, with my parents walking in just in time.

"It appears we have been summoned by the moon goddess." Fatherstorms in, visibly upset and sending daggers my way.

Josey takes the time to fly out of the room, closing the door to leaveme with the parents.

"Father, I only called for you. There was no need for you to bringmother with you. Like you said just now, you have been called in by themoon goddess, not as your daughter... so, this has to do with your rolein this realm. Mother can go." I say and mother turns around to leavebut father pulls her closer to him.

"Mother will stay.” He says firmly and I nod my head, no point fightinghim over this.

"Retire father. Give Anthony the opportunity to be an adult, it will alsoease things for me, so I can focus solely on earth and my people.” I say."Are you trying to say that I don't do my job?" He asks me, mothernudging him on the side.

"I am saying, as much as you did not get to enjoy your reign, with allthe hiding you and mother got up to, time waits for no man. I workbetter with Anthony anyway. Allow your children to do what they wereboth born to do, please. I have assumed my role as the moon goddess,finally, and I have reunited with my true mate. Anthony should be doingthe same right now." I say and mother seems to agree with me.

"Come on Hunter, you raised him for this. The time has come.” Mymom says.

"I had plans..." He tries to say but mother interrupts him.

"So do they. Let us take the time to work on us, get back to being usbefore all the bullshit we had to endure, and the time forced apart. Thekids are all here, alive and ready to lead their own lives. We are all here,just enjoy it, please.” My mother says and Hunter grunts but relents tomy mother's words.

They leave soon enough, leaving me to my work.

Between choosing mates for all the newly born pups... when the timecomes for them to form a bond and blessing my brother's kingdom. CJstill had so much land to conquer, crowds to win over and packs thatstill needed better rulers... The days flew by, with me diving head-firstinto my work and spending hours without break to prevent myself fromwalking out of this.

To avoid the big elephant sitting comfortably in my home. The truth is, Iwas working to create some space between Aiden and I...

Aiden tries to be the dutiful mate, bringing me lunch and sometimesdinner when I forget what time it is. We have not kissed since reuniting,have not even held hands or cuddled in the same bed we share everydamn night.

He tries, goddess bless his soul, but I feel that now is not the right timeto jump back to the way things were before he betrayed me.

"I brought you some lunch. Went hunting this morning with Anthonyand we got some good meat..." My smiling mate says as he smoothlywalks into my office, tray in hand as the fresh smell of blood hits mynose. Aiden was a go-getter, a man that never gives up, NO-MATTER-WHAT.

He places it gently on the table, kisses my cheek and walks his way tothe door.

"I have healed your mother and given her your old home back. This wasall done for you, which means her actions are your responsibility. Sheacts out of hand just one time... I promise you, I will end her. I will notbanish her to a place she hates but end her. I will also torment her inthe spirit world, never letting her replace peace.” I say but Aiden jumpsback around to scoop me up from my chair and spins me around.Ignoring my threats, just hearing that his mother is back at full health.His laughter fills the room and my body eases, for once after so long,feeling quite safe in his arms. The feeling of giddiness grows within meand the faint tingles actually spark some feeling, a familiar one in mygut and for the first time in a long time, I fail to ignore it.

Aiden will always hold a special place in my heart and I have beenworking hard, just like before to avoid any feelings, especially the warmand fuzzy kind to take space inside of me. Only this time, his action wasin no way a gesture to twist my arm or force me to love him for thatmoment, he was simply happy and pulled me in to share the joy withhim...

His good mood was infectious, seepng into me through our skin onskin contact. With him shirtless, as he is on a daily basis and with mewearing a knee length, spaghetti strap dress, the contact is whatsparked whatever was hiding within me, reigniting an old flame Ithought I put out so long ago.

My arms move by themselves and wrap themselves around his neckand I choose to believe it is out of fear. Fear from falling out of hisembrace and bum first to the floor.

The action does not go unnoticed by Aiden, stopping in his tracks tolook at me.

Without saying a word, his eyes searched mine for answers. As if askingme, are you sure? What are you doing? Why are you doing that?

I could read the confusion off of him easily and that was enough to endthe warmth that was building inside and he set me down, creatingsome space between us.

A cold breeze passing through us to remind us of the suddenseparation and my heart aches, only a little... not to much to set thewater works off but enough to have my mind racing.

"You can go and see her, she is probably waiting for you." I say,breaking the serious tension in this room.

Aiden smiles, accepting that little form of contact... I received his actionwell too, and for today, that was enough. He was content with it andwithout pushing for more, he leaves me alone, with my brain ready toattack me.

How do I even begin to be the girl he wants? The woman the worldneeds?

So much wanted from me and yes, I have accepted what is neededfrom me, but to actually go through with it, to give him children andbuild a life... That is a lot to ask of me, after everything... yet, here Istand, heart racing and in a good way, for Aiden...

For a minute, my feelings got the better of me and I could have actedon impulse, could've gone too far and opened a door that would betoo cruel to Aiden to close. All because I tell myself to wait... or am Ifighting a different battle?

Who is the real enemy here?

Was it Aiden, from his past atrocities that he inflicted on me or was Ithe enemy of progress? Am I the one that has brought this upon myselfand when life grants me another chance to start again, I make the samemistakes again?