Hello dear all, sorry for the wait, but had little time to write and it took me days to finally be able to find free time to complete it.

Well, I hope very much you'll enjoy it as it's rather long and intense and we will discover something new right at the beginning.. let me know what you think with your comments, thanks!!! I love to read them :-)

Dedicated to all of you and in particular to SmugDevil as I really like your "Timmy" and hope Timmy and Nathan will enjoy this story :-D

On the right an amazing banner Shifting2wolf made for me, thanks dear, love it!

Now, enjoy!

EXTERNAL POV: -SOMEWHERE UNKNOWN AND FAR AWAY-

The figure closed the eyes and deeply concentrated on the required task to be performed and the eyes fluttered heavily making the lids tremble as if the whole body was being sized by something else. And in a way it could be considered a different form of possessing another body or entity and that was actually what the task was about. There was a peculiar and rather powerful being, a lycan, to reach even if very distant and far away and try to slowly slip into his mind to manipulate some visions and thoughts, to mold the visions and voices in his ghostly nightmares in the intent to gradually bring his sanity to the verge of insanity. It was a dangerous practice and forbidden with all chances, but who knew about that? Only a few and they were not going to utter a word about it.

The practice was working in the required and expected way and when the intrusion found something else buried deep inside that strong and interesting subconscious, something to be used and exploited as they pleased, so the entire job became more fascinating, because there was a hidden and secret fragility that only played the perfect role in corroding that firm and anchored sanity and will. It was like rust little by little oxidizing a fine and shining metal and slowly tainting the surface bit after bit, making it rot and crumble to nothingness. That was the predestined fate of that lycan’s sanity and body.

It was an order received long ago, but couldn’t really perform efficiently until recently and the reason was a strong barrier and will and mental power, which were now being slightly indented by that fragility and yes, also by that subtle and thin and impalpable as mist fear. Yes, they detected a form of unexpected fear, but it was not so easy to use it and they were still working on that, because once they would be able to properly exploit it, well, it would be more an abuse of it rather than a use, and nothing would save that soul from his predestined fate.

At first the contacted figure was reluctant to perform such practice and job, because it was dangerous and it might attract undesired attention, and as well because the prey was young, very young and had already experienced a lot of sorrow and pain. So why go and torment such soul with further evil? But once they heard his nightmares, images and voices the target had of his own in lonely and dark nights, they could not refuse and they actually became passionate with their task, wanting to connect with those visions in order to create worse ones and in order to deliver the right imagines and words that would nail at the young heart in the perfect painful and sly way.

Yes, it was an interesting job and it did not matter the risk was high. The payment was rewarding and mostly, the subject was really fascinating and challenging.

So the closed eyes searched for more and connected with that mind again, but found something right now in complete control of it and when they tried to force it, a great and dangerous battle of force and will began and the figure felt great and piercing pain snaking their mind and coursing through the body; the connection had to be severed at once, for that unexpected presence was too strong and about to fry their brain and blood. With further struggle the connection broke and the figure was left breathing hard and clutching the head now throbbing in excruciating pain.

What had just happened? What was that?

Oh yes…very dangerous, but very challenging.

Now better to leave it and try to bond later on, but only after carefully testing whether that great and unknown presence was there or not. Another clash with such entity and they could consider themselves done and dead. The eyes flashed open revealing into the darkness of the small space only misty white globes completely empty of any sparkle of life. They were not eyes of a ghost, not eyes of a demon, not eyes of an evil spirit, so whose eyes were those pale globes?

“Why did you stop?” Another figure was standing silently in that dark small place and carefully observing the one performing the forbidden practice.

“Because something stopped me.” The voice reminded of a raspy and cold lament of corrupted souls now in search for a ray of warm light. Yes, it caused shivers down your spine and your hairs standing up, while your mind would warn you to immediately leave that place, but none of this happened to that other figure.

“What was it?” The second voice asked as the expression on the face revealing surprise.

“I do not know. I shall make another connection later, now I need to rest.”

“Very well. I shall let you rest, but remember what I said.”

“He is almost there, do not fear and do not hold doubts.” The figure fell silent and then spoke again, remembering something that caught their particular curiosity. “I felt something in that soul, or I should rather say I found something it might interest you.”

“What is it?” The other one asked with a hint of apprehension.

“I believe the subject has found his mate.”

“What?” There was a moment of heavy silence and tension. “That is not possible. Why you never told me before? When did he find his mate?”

“This I cannot tell you and as for the why, as you impertinently asked, I was not pay to find it whether he was mated or not and I cannot guarantee we are talking about a mate or simple love, but there is no mistaking in what I felt.”

“Shit.” The other being cursed under their breath and then regained composure back immediately, smirking in the dark. “Well, if it will be necessary, I will take matters in my hands and even kill.”

The empty ghostly eyes detected the fait and evilly satisfied smile on the face standing at the other side and then closed in search of the deserved and necessary rest.

-BACK IN MICHEL’S ROOM-

Elder Maiara and Elder Aucaman saw the despair and worry in the future young leader and they of course knew the reason. And another sentiment was wrapping the future young Alpha’s heart and that was deep regret. Kaan Demir felt responsible for what happened, even though he had no reasons for feeling in such way, but it was understandable. The unconscious lycan now lying on the bed with cold skin and cerulean lips was his mate and when Elder Maiara stretched further her mind, she discovered something that surpassed the bond of being mate. It was a form of deep love that she felt only other few times in her very long life, but something was clouding it and keeping it tied and that was the fact the two young lycans had not claimed each other.

The emotions in the room were too strong and clashing and only confused everything, making her feel restless and affecting Michel not in the right way. It was wise of her friend Aucaman to ask Kaan to leave the room for now, because the young lycan needed to sort his emotions and priorities out if he wished to stay beside his mate and help him, as only his help and presence would bring the young Malone back. Maiara had tried to slowly connect with Michel’s mind and lycan, but they were not responding and the coldness of his skin was not a good sight. When a lycan falls that cold means that the bond between the human part and lycan part had been temporary severed or that they had both reached a place almost impossible to detect and contact. She pressed further and so did Aucaman, for he was the stronger one in this practice, but none of them could feel Michel or his lycan.

No response of any sort; only a cold and motionless body.

But it was in that moment that they tasted the presence of that ancient and great entity and so they knew they had been right since the beginning. Something was awakening and decided to awake along with Michel and now the question for the tarots would be why Michel of all the souls? Yes, they felt something extraordinary in him, but it was not the simple and only reason and so more quests were thrown open and orphan of their answers on the table. Will the tarots and the Great Spirit grace them with a ray of light? Maiara and Aucaman held hope in such response and knew everything had a specific course and the fact Michel and Kaan were mates had not been by mere chance.

After the room finally dropped in the required calm and silence, they placed their palms on Michel’s temples and hands, as to form a stronger connection, but nothing sorted out from that and so they decided to stop and concentrate on that lingering thread of that ancient power still wrapped around the young lycan’s mind and soul; the sudden awakening is what threw Michel in that state of apparent coma, as he was not in coma, for he simply was not present here in this time, but as if lost or trapped somewhere cold and hidden they could not reach.

“We will need to guide this young soul, my friend.” Maiara spoke to Aucaman through their link.

“Yes, we will, but not now.” She nodded at those words and knew he was right. The young lycan needed to regain his energy before and then settle a certain pending situation. “Yes, you are wise and understanding as always. They both need to first resolve the matter at hand, because only then Michel will be ready.”

“But we will guard him.” She said and he nodded, because they both felt the need to keep the young and powerful lycan under their protective and watchful wings.

Elder Aucaman stood up and let her friend stay beside the motionless lycan, because her presence was a soothing balm for that trembling soul, for they felt a hidden and too powerful fear that threatened to grip his heart and rationality and as well a secret fragility due to that pending situation. Yes, they needed to first resolve that matter and it was imperative. The Elder walked to Martin Malone and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Do not worry, Martin. Your nephew is not broken and he is not in some coma. He is simply not here with us, but Michel is strong and so is his mate, and he is the only one that has the ability to reach for his lycan.” The warrior stared at Aucaman’s eyes for a long and silent moment and then nodded, sighing feeling so tired and suddenly old. “I understand your fears and worries, but have faith.”

“I do, Elder Aucaman, or else I would have already taken actions.” Martin Malone loved his nephew with all himself and he was his only family, just like Karl. They both were his only family and the only thing that would destroy the great warrior was something endangering their existence and life. Of course he would never separate his nephew from his mate, but if he felt danger coming from it… He sighed again and ran a hand in his hair, looking at Michel cold and still body. His other warm hand ran in his nephew’s curls and a faint smile formed on his lips. Yes, the Elder was right. “Thank you Aucaman and thank you Maiara, I know Michel will be fine in no time. I can feel it.” And that was not a lie.

The two Elders looked at him and nodded, because they shared the same feeling.

“He will need you soon enough, for I foresee great struggle in the future.”

Martin knew what she meant and of course he would always stay at Michel’s side.

“I know and he will always have me. When the time will come, and I damn hope he’ll sort his mind soon, I shall stand beside them and face whatever struggle and challenge will be thrown to them. I know those old and outdated rules, as I know the general position of the entire pack.” He snorted and no matter what, his politically correct attitudes and manners could not last long; it wasn’t his nature. He felt suffocating in them.

The Elders smiled and Aucaman chuckled; he had always liked the warrior’s straightforwardness and sense of honor.

“Alpha Demir will see in the matter, let us not worry now.” He said and Martin agreed.

He watched his nephew and then felt the need to take a run before his lycan would go crazy with worry. Yes, they both were protective of their family and it was natural for a warrior to have stronger and deeper sense of protection. He stood up and excused himself for a moment and right when he opened the door, he found Kaan outside the room. Yes, something was slowly changing inside of the future Alpha and Martin could read it in his eyes, but now he felt the necessity to make sure of something. He knew how deeply Michel suffered the lack of being claimed and the hidden relationship they had, and he knew how that was consuming him inside.

What he did not know was how deeply that had already consumed the young lycan inside.

“How is Michel?” Kaan asked with his voice clearly drenched in worry and what seemed guilt and regret.

“Like before.” Martin only replied, for he had no energy to add more, aside those words he felt essential to say. He had to make it clear, because he didn’t want to see Michel being taken away like the rest of his family, and anyway, not his beloved nephew. He knew they loved each other, but Kaan needed to sort some other things out. “Kaan, I do understand your position and Michel’s position and everything, but try to understand what he means for me. He is my only family, my only nephew, and I love him more than you’ll ever comprehend. Kaan, don’t take him away from me.”

The future leader did not understand the meaning behind those words and froze on the spot. What had the warrior meant saying that? He was not taking Michel away from him.

“What do you mean? I’m not taking him away from anyone or..”

“Not in that way, Kaan. Please, don’t do it. He’s my only family.” With those words he placed a hand on his shoulder and offered him a look worth thousand of words.

Then Martin Malone left and went for a wild run in the forest, where he knew the Beta was waiting for him.

Kaan stepped in the room and the moment he closed the door behind him, Elder Maiara stood up and waited for him to sit down. She asked no private questions, as there was no need, but simply rested her eyes on the young lycan.

“We will need to talk, young Demir.” Kaan simply nodded and then apprehensively his eyes moved to his mate and love. He knew what he had to do.

“Martin said nothing changed with Michel, but I am sure you know something else about him. Please Elder Maiara, tell me if you know.”

She travelled his figure and expression for a silent but deep moment and then exchanged a quick look with Aucaman, who nodded of almost an imperceptible degree. They had already discussed this before through their mind link. Nobody was ready to learn about Michel and this awakening presence, for they feared the reaction of some elements and the threat of something impossible to control that could drastically change everything, making a revolution of fates and destinies. But of course some had witnessed what happened and the Great Spirit made it so that Michel was among souls he could completely trust…and with his mate. They could not hide such reality to his mate, but at the same time not reveal the entirety of it.

“Michel is not in some coma, as I explained to his uncle, but he certainly needs a special friend like you, Kaan Demir. Your presence will help him. Do please stay here and do what the instinct tells you. For the rest, we can say something great and powerful is in this young lycan and he will need faithful and strong support. Are you ready for that, future Alpha of the Purple Halo pack?”

Kaan squared his shoulders and tipped his chin up, his purple eyes flashing of impressive burning and primal pride and firmness. He connected with his lycan and now they were one but in human form.

“I would not leave this room and his side anyway and Elder Maiara, Elder Aucaman: WE are ready.” His voice resonated of the strength and power of his lycan too and the two members of the Councils smiled.

Yes, Kaan Demir was slowly maturing in what would be an incredible leader and Alpha.

MICHEL POV

It was cold and misty and I did not know where I was. The only thing I was aware of was my complete and scary loneliness, for there was no doubt of it. My lycan was not here with me and no matter how much and desperately my voice and heart and mind called for him…no reply came from my desperation and calls. I believe it was raining as my tired and cold body felt so icy and wet, reminding me of slippery and dark water where it was impossible to distinguish the bed of the river or lake.

It was scary and I was scared.

Where was I? What place was this one? Maybe my mind had been here already, for it didn’t seem very unfamiliar, but I had no memory. My eyes looked around in fear and desolation, trying to find some familiar point or to hear a familiar voice. But nothing, absolutely nothing but deep and freezing cold and silence.

Was it real silence?      

I think a voice was trying to speak and call me, but I refused for some unknown reason to listen to it and stuck my hands over my ears.

Go away! Let me go, let me free!

My feet moved and wandered more around the place, a dark and foggy forest that was not in our territory and I sure never visited with Kaan. Oui…Kaan. Where was my love, my mate?

“You don’t need him and you know it. So listen to me, Michel, and come to me. Let go of him, because you know he will hurt you, he will eventually kill you. He doesn’t love you…he doesn’t want you..”

“No…ce n'est pas vrai. Ce n'est pas possible.” I whispered, my voice being almost suffocated by mist suddenly wrapping around my ankles and legs, like slimy and shivering fingers making me retreat in dread, for I was afraid it would swallow me completely. It slowly crawled up my legs and my strength was being sucked away from it, my body turning colder like my blood, and my eyes widened at the sight of it. “Please, don’t…let me go..” It was crawling up and up until its slimy and cold fingers reached my throat and slipped inside my mouth.

I was almost suffocating and my mind was about to shatter in millions of shreds, just like my heart. Where was Kaan? I needed Kaan! I needed my mate and my love! Why I never told him so? Why I never told him I loved him first? Kaan…Kaan, please…

“Kaan..please..” It was a faint and pathetic murmur, and nothing more; he would never heard me and he probably would never look for me.

“That is right my Michel, he doesn’t want you and why to suffer for someone like him? Come to me, Michel. He doesn’t love you.”

“That is correct, son.”

I dropped on my knees and on my palms, almost at my last drop of force and strength, about to collapse and let my body drift away, forgotten and alone. When I looked ahead of me I saw a figure walking to me and when I realized it was my father, I tried to scream, but no sound came out of my mouth, as that cold mist was grasping my throat.

“That is right, son. You will kill him too and he cannot love someone like you, right? I don’t love you, Michel, because you took my family away from me.”

He stood there pale and cerulean like a ghost, dried blood over his mouth and his skin, his eyes empty and dark, filled with hate and revulsion. That could not be my father; it could not be true, for I killed nobody.

“Father..” I tried to say, but the mist wrapped around my throat stronger and I fell flat on the ground, my body violently trembling for the fear and desperation…why he said that? I …I…that wasn’t true. It was a lie, because I loved my family.

“No Michel, you never loved us. You killed all of us.” My eyes widened in shock when they met the same ghostly and cold figure of my mother, with the same eyes, the same expression.

“Mom..”

“You killed us, son. Why?”

“Noo..” I tried to say. “No..”

Kaan, please..please..please I need you Kaan..please..

“He will not come. He doesn’t love you and you don’t need him. Come with me, Michel, come with me.”

I tried to shake my head, for I refused to listen to that voice that was lying to me. Kaan loved me, I knew it, even if.. maybe the voice was right. Maybe he did not want me and I was an annoyance and bother for him. Why would someone as perfect as Kaan wish to be mated with someone like me?

“Yes, Michel. That is a correct question, yes.”

“Yes son…why?”

“Why you killed us?”

“Why you killed us?” It was my brother and then again my mother and my father and then that voice again and I think everything in me was about to shatter.

I wanted to disappear, I wanted to be forgotten and left alone, I wanted to go in pieces and forget about..

“Michel!” Everything in me stopped at the sound of that voice. A voice I loved and knew too well..it was.. “Misha, come back to me, I need you.”

“Kaan..” I managed to whisper, my fingers nailing the wet and dirty ground trying to crawl away from there, trying to shut those voices out of my mind. “Kaan..”

“Michel..Misha baby, please come back to me.. I love you.”

“Kaan..”

“Misha, come back to me love and everything will be..”

I couldn’t hear the rest of his words, because suddenly something else stirred inside of me and had my blood suddenly burn and for a moment I felt my lycan, but then it was gone again. What was it? What was happening to me?

“Don’t listen to those words, Michel. They are just plain lies and you know it, because he doesn’t love you.” That voice hissed again in my mind and I went to answer, but what came out of my mouth was not my own voice.

“Speak no more and leave at once. Now.”

The voice struggled more and I felt pain, shattering and excruciating pain in my mind and body as if someone was trying to pierce it with burning needles and I tried to scream, but I could not emit a sound.

“I said leave at once.” A voice coming from me said and my body stood up and commanded to the ghosts of my parents in front of me. “Be gone. Now.”

And everything collapsed in complete and deep darkness.

No more sounds or voices.

Nothing, aside the heavy darkness.

KAAN POV

Days had passed since that afternoon and Michel was not getting better; to say it all, he wasn’t changing at all. He just lay on the bed looking breathtaking as always, but really cold and with almost blue lips, his lycan nowhere to be found, and I had no idea how I didn’t turn insane or berserk yet. I think it had to do with what those two weird Elders told me and with having Martin around and mostly because I knew that getting berserk or out of mind wouldn’t have done anything of useful. It would have once again proved the royal asshole I was and I had no intention of being such blockhead any longer.

“That’s right, dickhead. Stop being the pathetic asshole you are and become a real badass lycan. I sure don’t want a wanker with me.”

“Shut the fuck up, will ya, dickhead number one?” I growled at him and he growled at me, but then we shook our heads and lay right beside our Michel, whispering his name, my lycan calling for his lycan, me touching his perfect but pale skin, my fingers running into his curls.

“I want my mate and love back.” I said to myself, stroking his hair.

We haven’t let anyone else in the room aside Martin, Karl and those two Elders. I didn’t want anyone around my Michel and it was already hard to share him with someone else and what his uncle told me kept going in circles into my mind without understanding what he meant. Yeah, I was damn jealous and of course possessive, but I didn’t want to take him away from anyone…I would never do that. What the hell he meant? And why he kept eyeing me with that face? Argh, damn if I knew or understood.

The only thing I knew was that I wanted Michel back and I wanted to understand what had happened, because it wasn’t clear yet according to those Elders, but shit, they sure were keeping some particulars quiet. I had talked to those two and they explained something, but not everything and I sensed there was much more behind what happened to my mate, but at the moment I was only concerned about his waking up. They said I was the only that could bring him back and damn it, I knew it and there was nothing that could tear me away from his side. That bloodsucker had been smart enough to avoid crossing the threshold of this house and that helped my temper; Trey, Stefan and that crazy chick of Ling wanted to see my love, but I don’t know, my lycan and I felt impossible to let someone else in the room; we felt the necessity to guard our mate from everything and shield him from further emotions.

My eyes travelled his face and another sigh and muffled growl of exasperation left my mouth. Why hadn’t he woken up yet? Would he be ok once he was going to be back? I had so many questions thundering my head.

“I want you back, baby.” I murmured on his lips. They were so cold…

“We want them back, too.” My lycan whined in my head and yeah, I could tell he was getting desperate, but somehow understood we needed to stay rooted. “You bet I know that, prick.”

I ignored him and took Misha’s hand in mine, rubbing his knuckles and kissing the tips of his fingers.

“Please Michel, come back to me. I need you...we need you. I cannot stay without you Michel, you have to come back to me, to us, because this prick here is getting on my nerves so much you have no idea and apparently you are the only one able to leash him.” I sighed and pushed myself up, resting my arms on my knees. “What the fuck am I saying? I’m such an asshole.” I turned to Michel and took his hand in mine. “Michel you need to come to me because I love you, I love you so much you have no idea..and not only because you’re my mate. I fell in love with you; do you understand what I mean? Misha baby, come back to me. I’m incomplete without you. Michel, you hear me? Talk to me..”

The door opened suddenly with force and my head jerked up in annoyance, a threatening growl leaving my mouth while I shot up in a defensive stance, ready to tear anyone in damn pieces. I sort of relaxed when I saw it was my father, but after he spoke, my blood rushed to my head in a nanosecond and as consequence my fangs and claws elongated and I growled viciously. Even the prick inside of me went on his defensive stance and growled with me.

“Kaan, it’s been four days already. You must come back now. We need to talk.”

“Go away; I’m not going back, not until he wakes up.”

“Kaan.” He said and I damn knew that tone and pressure and shit, it was so strong and crushing. “I said, let’s go back and talk. Then you can come back to this house, if Martin is fine with that, of course.”

“What the fuck?” I snarled and when he went to move toward the bed I jumped in front of him and saw red.

I wanted nobody around my mate.

We wanted nobody around our mate.

“Get the fuck out of here.” I growled and my father growled back and saw how his eyes gleamed and Martin and I bowed our heads at the aura he released, but then my blood and lycan went crazy and at his following words we lost it.

“Kaan, I require an explanation and answer on why you skipped your duties for four days and now you will come back with me son. It is an order and end of this discussion. You are disturbing Martin and Michel.”

“What?” I growled and lost it, my skin tingling and bursting into fur, my bones cracking and deforming while I turned into my lycan form, my clothes slashing in pieces; I growled out of mind and my dad widened his eyes in striking surprise.

“Kaan. Turn back immediately.” He ordered, but in this form I was stronger and so was my will and power.

Dad didn’t change and instead of leaving the room he challenged me by walking to me and I snarled more; but then his eyes planted on me and spoke with very calm tone.

“Son, I understand you, but you need to come back. For a while.” I growled more, as nobody was taking me away from Michel. Nobody was taking my mate from us. No-fucking-body. He was ours. “Nobody wants to take him away, listen to me. This is not good for him and you know it. You need to calm down a moment and give your head and lycan some rest. This is an order, Kaan.”

The power of his authority and the aura almost crushed me down and I growled more, hating to feel in that way, but he was stronger because of his position as Alpha and then Martin stopped in front of me.

“Please Kaan, your father is right. Think of Michel; in this state you can’t do anything for him.” His words pierced us and then my father took another step.

“Kaan, change back to your human form at once and follow me.”

I almost had a rough and dangerous fight with my father last day; well, shit, to be precise, right now I was having a damn discussion with him and my lycan and I were growing impatient. We just wanted to be with our mate, but my dad forced me back to our house to discuss a matter.

“You already know what you need to know, now let me go to Michel.” I almost growled, feeling my claws about to extend.

“Kaan.” He simply said with his calm but commanding tone, which at the moment sorted no effect to me. “Answer my question.”

“Not now. And now, I’ll fucking go.”

“What are you afraid of?” I knew he was trying to provoke me and it fucking irritated me.

“I’m afraid of nothing.” I growled showing my canines and he showed his in response, but then he emitted a strong but soothing aura and we both calmed down. I sighed and took a deep breath. Of course he was right to demand for answers and it was surprising he didn’t react in any strange way after obviously understanding Michel was my mate; he didn’t care my mate was a male and I couldn’t understand why, but well, haven’t admitted it yet.

“Son, you need to have more faith in your father.”

“I know and I do have it, believe me.”

“Then why..?”

I sighed again and ran a hand in my hair, telling the prick in my head to calm down and stop the pacing around that was about to turn me insane, and in all answer he bared his fangs to me and ordered to move my ass to get back to Michel and his lycan. What a pain in the ass he was. I closed my eyes a moment and decided to tell my father the decision I have matured in these past days. Now that I see it in this way, dad had been right in taking me home for a day, because it helped me in opening my eyes and I had finally understood what Martin meant.

“When Michel will wake up, I’ll tell you everything, but not now. I want to have him with me and I want him to listen to every word. Can you live with that for now?”

He scrutinized me with serious and deep eyes and they had me almost gulp down for their intensity and because I damn knew what my words could mean and what I was risking, but I had understood something else in these days. It was the meaning behind Michel’s words when he said not to claim him for that reason. Now I clearly saw it and realized how right he was. I felt in the same way and couldn’t wait to be claimed by him. Dad assessed me for longer moments and I held his stare without letting his aura affect me and my lycan stood proud and with his ears up; another long moment passed and he finally nodded and I am not sure whether a thin smile was on his face or not.

“Very well son, I shall wait. That is fair, but remember my words well, Kaan. You are going to be leader and Alpha and so you will have heavy responsibilities on your shoulders. So far the pack hasn’t noticed anything, but be ready.”

“I’m aware of that, dad, and I am not afraid.”

This time he really smiled and placed a hand on my arm, squeezing it hard and I almost felt his power flowing into me. Damn, he sure was a really powerful lycan.

“Well said son, you are a Demir. Now, go. I shall make a visit later, but first I need to go talk to the Council.” I simply nodded and avoided questions, for there was no need for them. Of course Justin Dillon was trying to work under the radar, but he could wait and kiss my ass.

“Ok and dad, thanks.” He smiled again and then I left the house to reach my mate’s side, the prick in my head howling and snarling impatient to be with him.

Michel hadn’t woken up yet and still looked pale and still and it was about to tear my sanity in shreds. I was so worried he wasn’t going to come back to me and so was his uncle, looking more and more tense and pale. But Elder Maiara was right and so was that other weird Elder. When Martin opened the door he looked rather tired and then led me silently to Misha’s room, but before he left, to give me some privacy, I stopped him.

“Martin, I need to tell you something.”

His eyes immediately sparkled of some new interest and life and his figure immediately straightened up at once.

“What is it?” I could tell he had half guessed my intent, but he said nothing.

“I am not going to take Michel away from you, I understood what you meant. I know I’ve been a royal asshole and behaved like a selfish prick, but things will change, I promise you. I will claim Misha and not because I’m damn jealous or whatever the other useless crap, but because I want everyone to know he is my mate and their future leader, and because I love him. I want to do it for him, but only when he’ll wake up. He would hate me for ruining such important occasion for my crappy temper.”

He didn’t utter a word for a moment and then he smiled like something had been lifted from his soul; his face relaxed after days of pale and clenched expressions and his hand went on my shoulder.

“Thank you, Kaan.” Were his only words, but his face was what had me feel something that resonated inside of me and of my lycan. It was so strong and overwhelming that it was like feeling new power coursing into my veins. He probably saw that and so he smirked in that usual smug way and winked. “You feel it, right?” I simply nodded. “Michel waits for you. I have to go and help in training some new guards and unfortunately I cannot skip my duties. You are lucky so far nobody noticed anything.”

“I know, but I think Trey helped me with that.”

“He’s a good friend and he’ll be a great Beta.” Yeah, that was right. That bastard was going to be the best second in command I could ever ask for. “Well, see you later.”

I crossed the threshold of the bedroom and something agitated inside of me in seeing my mate still lying on that bed like almost a week ago. But then something caught my attention and it was his face, now looking as if struggling for something and that had never happened before. I rushed to the side of his bed and my lycan alerted immediately, just like me.

“Something is strange, Kaan.”

“I know…can you feel his lycan?”

“Almost.”

My hand grabbed Michel’s, while the other went on his forehead. His skin was cold, but he was sweating. My heart and blood began to thunder inside of me and at first I felt fear about to engulf me, fear something else would happen to him, but then I kicked it away and concentrated on him.

“Michel, can you hear me? Baby, I’m right here with you. Misha, I’m here and I want you back to me. You have to come back, we want you, we need you.”

“Yes Michel, this wanker and I need you and your lycan.” My lycan was almost in tune with me and then something had me shudder, because he felt something. “His lycan, Kaan. His lycan is trying to connect with me..”

My eyes widened and my heart was probably about to crash my ribcage. If his lycan was trying to connect with mine it meant, according to what those Elders explained me, that my mate was struggling whatever had put him there.

“Misha baby, I’m here. Please feel me, hear me, talk to me, come back to me. Misha come to me, I love you…” Something hit me. My language, I should probably use my native language. “Michel, seni seviyorum. Sana ihtiyacim var (I need you). Things will change, I promise you and this time for the right reason.” I tightened the grip on his hand. “Michel, wake up, because I want to claim you and not because I’m a jealous and possessive dickhead, but because I love you and because I want and need to complete the mating. They have to know you are mine and I am yours. Baby, you hear me?” It took me time, but I finally realized what he meant that day, when he got mad at me for my impulsive words. If I were to claim him it had to be for the right reason and not for something that selfish and idiotic, and of course my mate and love was right. He was always right. “Michel, I understood you were right and I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore. It was wrong of me and damn selfish. Will you forgive me?”

Nothing changed and I couldn’t feel his lycan, but mine kept calling for him and it was clear he felt something. What was happening to Michel right now? His body sort of tensed and so did his lips, drawing a painful clenched line. What was going on inside of him?

“Kaan.” I froze on the spot and my lycan sprang up at once. It was his voice, so distant, so feeble and shaking…but it was his voice, as if he had heard us. And then again. “Kaan..”

“Michel, what is happening? Baby please, fight it for me, please. Bana geri don (come back to me). Seni seviyorum. Michel..Misha baby, please come back to me.. I love you.” My voice was almost commanding, I knew it, but it was because I felt something inside my love, a presence, and I had to fight to get my mate back.

“Kaan..” I could almost feel him and so I went to grab his other hand.

“Misha, come back to me love and everything will be different. I will claim you and you will claim me and anyone with a problem can go fuck off.”

“I can feel his lycan and he’s fighting to reach Michel. They have been separated.”

“Kaan..” Again his voice sounded panicked and it pained me. What the hell was going on? What the fuck had gotten inside of him?

“Michel.” I called again with thundering voice, almost one with my lycan. No! Fuck! I could not feel him anymore, why? “Bana geri don!” I waited, but no answer came and I so my hands shook his. “Michel!”

Nothing. His body went back to complete stillness and his face held no longer that struggling expression.

Where the hell had he gone?

I bent over him and touched his forehead mine and placed my lips on his. I closed my eyes and don’t know, but since before I felt a stronger and deeper connection with my mate, something different growing and coursing in me. He felt cold and when I concentrated harder it was as if getting in touch with his sleeping conscious. My eyes jerked open at once when my lycan growled in my mind. We felt impenetrable and deep darkness, and another presence surrounding our mate.

What the fuck was that? Whatever the hell it was, it better stay away from my mate.

“Our mate.” Corrected me my lycan, growling in burning protectiveness.

He was right. Our mate.

Author's chit-chat:

So what are your thoughts about this chapter? What about the external POV at the very beginning, any ideas? Who do you think those two figures are?

Kaan has finally changed and realized his mistakes and his selfishness. It was about time, right? What do you think of his reaction and words? Were you expecting it or not?

Well let's see if our Michel will finally wake up or not, if Kaan will be able to bring him back. I'll update soon.

Until next time xox