Chapter 133: Chapter 27

COLE

Lexi is in love with her new place. “Goddess, this is perfect.”

She’s settled in a small, one-room cabin that backs up into the woods. Ethan lives up the street, so she’s close to him, just as she requested.

She runs her hand over the granite countertops. “This is exactly what a kitchen should look like.”

“Mom had a hand in the finishing touches,” I inform her.

Emmett and Jason help me to quickly unload everything from the back of Emmett’s and my truck. The rest we can get later.

They both head out. Lexi runs her hands up my arms as she steps up closer to me. “I already love it here.”

“I’m glad. I was worried that you might’ve changed your mind,” I tell her. I sniff the skin of her neck.

She giggles and flinches her shoulder, so I back away. “Tell me more about this mate thing.”

I hold her hand, feeling the tingles creep into my skin. “Well, do you feel anything when we touch?”

Lexi nods. “I do. It feels warm and comforting. Sometimes it gives me chills.”

“It’s much more intense for me. It feels like my whole body is electrified.”

I run my finger down her jaw and she shudders. “I lose myself in your eyes and I forget about everything else. I’m pulled to you. It’s physically painful to be away from you.”

Lexi smiles softly. “I was going mad while you were gone. I had to force myself to walk away from you that day… I’m so sorry that I got so upset the way I did at the restaurant.”

I shush her. “It’s fine, Lexi. Speaking of, it’s still early enough for breakfast. Let’s go eat. I’m in dire need of some coffee.”

She softly chuckles as I lead her out the door.

Emmett and Josie are at Dorothy’s with Uncle Spencer and Aunt Glory, and Jason and Kenna. In a separate booth are Ian and Dara.

My eyes lock with hers and I don’t know what to do. “Who is your mom sitting with?”

Lexi grabs my attention and I break eye contact with Dara.

“That’s my Aunt Glory and Uncle Spencer,” I say as my eyes find their way back to Dara’s.

Ian turns around in his seat and eyes me up and down. For some reason, it really pisses me off and I glare at him, but manage to keep from growling.

“Excuse me, Ian. I must speak with Colton,” Dara says as she gets to her feet.

Ian watches her as she passes him. I know that originally my mom wanted to push them together, but I don’t know how close they’ve become in my absence.

I see Lexi look between us from the corner of my eye. I don’t know what Dara has planned, but I do know that she can be unpredictable at times.

“Wolfless,” she greets Lexi with little to no emotion.

“My name is Alexis, and you are…?”

“I am Dara. I assume Colton has yet to fill you in on our situation.”

“Dara.” I want to warn, but I also have a desire to hold her. “Not yet.”

The bond is working double time on me and I feel out of control. I understand why the Moon Goddess did this, but it is wrong on so many levels.

I hate that I’m being pulled in two directions at once, feeling things for two innocent women caught in this crappy set up. “May we continue this outside…”

I see Ian and several other eyes staring our way. “…away from prying eyes and ears?”

Lexi looks between us. I open the door and Dara steps out.

“You too, Lexi,” I offer, then lead her back out of the restaurant.

Dara is waiting on the tailgate of my truck. Her top hangs down showing off one of her smooth clear shoulders. Her hair is blowing softly in the breeze.

“Lexi, this is Dara, a Starlight Sister,” I tell her just as we reach the truck.

Lexi gasps and looks at Dara in wonder. She nods in respect. “I’m honored to meet you, Lady.”

Dara softly smiles. “Thank you, Alexis, but I am afraid you will not continue to believe our acquaintance to be an honor. Colton, I think it is time you fill her in as promised. The only way I can be sure you keep your word is to be present, since you find it necessary to procrastinate.”

I swallow, but she’s absolutely right. I promised and it’s not fair to either of them.

I take Lexi’s waist and sit her beside Dara so I can explain everything without her running off. “Lexi,” I begin, but don’t know what to say, how to break it to her.

“You and Dara…” Shit, how do I tell her without breaking her? She moved here because I asked her to. I try to start again. “The two of you… both…”

“Oh, for the love of the Goddess,” Dara cuts me off. “I am also Colton’s mate.”

I close my eyes with a grunt. I’m not at all surprised by Dara taking the initiative.

I open my eyes to find Lexi’s mouth slack as she looks between me and Dara. “Thank you, Dara. I was trying to get there,” I tell her, my voice seething with sarcasm.

“You were taking too long. You should have told her as soon as we made the discovery.” She stubbornly throws out with her arms crossed over her chest.

Lexi worries her lip and looks away, but I see the glistening on her cheek before she turns her head.

“Lexi. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.”

“I doubt you tried, Colton,” Dara says. “Alexis, I understand your feelings, however, there is more to our situation.”

Dara looks at me. “Perhaps you can tell her this part?”

Lexi wipes her face before turning back to hear the rest.

“I’m listening,” Lexi whispers, but her eyes are on the ground.

“I’m going to tell you everything. This may take some time and you will definitely have some questions. I will try to answer them after I get everything out.”

Dara swings her legs comfortably while Lexi grips the tailgate, still looking down.

“I was never supposed to exist. My mother was supposed to only have girls because she’s the Oracle. The next king will come from her line while the next Oracle will come from her twin sister, my Aunt Glory’s line. It’s something to do with their history or destiny… I can fill you in on that later. The Goddess created me for two reasons. The first is to be a mate for Dara. The Goddess saw how lonely she’s been and wanted to give her the chance of having a mate.”

Tears begin flowing from Lexi’s eyes. “Why did you bring me here, Cole?” she asks dejectedly.

“Lexi, I’m not finished. I’ll get there.”

Dara pulls a handkerchief from her pocket and hands it to Lexi.

I give her a soft smile and a nod of gratitude.

“Lexi. Dara isn’t a wolf. She would have to give up her immortality and gain a wolf to be my mate. As of right now, that is impossible. This is where you come in.

“When you were nine, your wolf was repressed. Because of that, the Goddess paired me with you because my wolf is the only one strong enough to wake her. I didn’t have an actual mate until then. Your wolf is my mate. Your original mate was paired with another wolf.”

Lexi knits her brows as she tries to understand everything I’ve explained so far.

“You were created for the Starlight Sister, but she can’t be your mate without a wolf?”

“That is correct, Alexis. I have not yet given up my immortality. I do not have a wolf,” Dara explains, and my heart hurts for her situation.

I know how lonely she is.

“The Goddess gave me the choice of my mate. I have to choose either you or Dara. If I choose you, your wolf will awaken, but if I choose Dara, your wolf will be given to her and you will continue a human existence.”

“If I want to stay human, I can?”

I close my eyes from the pain of the near rejection I feel.

I swallow down the discomfort. I know this has to hurt her as well, if not more.

“If that is what you want, yes.”

Lexi turns to face Dara.

“What will happen to you, Goddess? Will you continue to be a Goddess if he chooses me?”

“Possibly. Remember, Alexis, I have lived many millennia. I can tolerate more if you wish to be the wolf you were born to be.

“My sister found a mate on her own. She was in love enough to give up her immortality. It is possible that I could as well, given more time and the right circumstances. I have all the time there is. I am in no rush.”

I have never seen Dara put on such a brave face.

It’s the job of the Starlight Sisters to watch over and protect us, but this is self-sacrifice on her part.

She’s playing down the impact my decision will have.

“I wouldn’t take away your choice, Lexi. If you wish to be human…”

Oh Goddess, it hurts to say.

“… I would of course let you.”

“But I wouldn’t be with you…” Lexi barely whispers.

“No. You couldn’t be,” I answer.

“Wait.” She looks between me and Dara again. “The things I feel with you, that’s just the mate thing, right? I don’t really have a choice, but to want to be with you.”

“That is not so.” Dara answers before I say anything. “Your wolf is not affecting your emotions as it should. It might be subtly guiding you to Colton, however, your feelings about him are mostly yours. I am the same way.”

Lexi looks to me. “What about you? Is it just the mate thing that makes you want to be with me?”

“Both of us. He is pulled toward both of us. I am not certain how my mother made it possible...” Dara says, then gets quiet as she thinks everything over.

“My wolf is connected to the wolf in you, Lexi. But I’m attracted to both of you for who you are as strong, intelligent women.”

“I just found out about this world and now I have to decide if I want to be a part of it. The Lady and I both have to decide if we want to be with you. Then we just have to sit back and wait while you decide which of us you like more? I’m not sure how I feel about all of this. How long will this take?”

“Dara is suitable,” Dara offers to Lexi.

I rub my hand on the back of my neck. “I’m not sure. I was hoping to get to know you both better.”

“Is that why I’m here? So you can date us both at the same time?”

“No, Goddess, no. I brought you here because you’re a wolf and wolves belong in a pack. That was originally what I had intended when I went looking for you. I didn’t know you would be my mate.”

“You knew, you just doubted what you knew,” Dara corrects me. “I told you that your mate would be difficult to find but you found her, then realized I am also your mate.”

“Wait, what?” Lexi pinches the bridge of her nose. She then looks toward Dara. “You told him I was his mate and he didn’t believe you?”

“No. Colton was feeling despondent and was losing hope that he had a mate. He was right in thinking he was not supposed to exist. My mother told me that Colton would soon find his mate; however, it would be difficult to find her. I was not aware that I was his mate at that time also.”

“When did the two of you make that discovery?” Lexi asks as she looks between us.

“After the restaurant when you broke up with me. Dara helped us put out the fire in California. I was overwhelmed by her scent and nearly lost myself. She and I had a few moments alone prior to that time and the attraction was there, but I didn’t realize what it was.”

“I did not either. I had to speak with my mother to confirm his behavior toward me. My sister also put it into perspective.”

Lexi swallows but has nothing to say, so I move on to the rest of our situation.

“Lexi. I told you the Moon Goddess created me for a second purpose.”

She only nods.

“I’m not sure you’ll be comfortable with the rest, Lexi.”

She cocks her brow, so I continue.

“I’m what’s called the destroyer. I find corrupted souls and send them back to the Moon Goddess.”

Lexi’s brows are in her hairline and her mouth has dropped open again.

“I have a duty to the Moon Goddess to fulfill her design for me. Dara has a job to do while still a Starlight Sister. I told you before that I would be traveling, but Dara will accompany me on some of my trips.”

Lexi slips down off of the tailgate, holding her elbows.

“I’m going to start unpacking.”

I move to pull my keys from my pocket, but she puts her hand up.

“I know the way. I need time to think.”

She looks to Dara then back to me.

“Thank you for telling me everything. Dara, it is still an honor to meet you. I have always respected the Starlight Sisters.”

Lexi looks at me for a mere moment then doesn’t say goodbye as she turns to walk back to her new place. I watch her disappear.

“Aw hell. I’m fucked, aren’t I?” I say to myself.

“Not really.” Dara hops down from the truck.

“You’re leaving me too?” I ask her as she heads back into the diner.

She turns around but continues walking backward.

“Nope. I’m going to finish my milkshake. I just hope it’s not too melted by now.”

She turns back around.

I chuckle as she disappears inside the diner.