Klepto POV

I'm trapped in a fog. I'm not choking or struggling, it's a nice feeling actually. The sensation is close to what I would guess sleeping in a cloud is like.

Soft, easy, safe.

Three words I don't use often.

There is no hurt here, no worry or fear. My body seems to be levitating in peace. I haven't ever discovered something like this, and now that I have it, I don't want it to ever end.

I can't remember what happened, but I somehow know I am gravely injured and my body shut down to heal itself.

At first I think I'm going to die, but as time passes gently, I realize there is no light. Everyone says there's supposed to be light when you're dying, a light that you follow on to the next world.

The light that leads you to the Moon Goddess.

But there is no light. Just a never ending darkness that takes up everything and anything. The abyss makes me itty bitty, an insignificant mite of dust. For once, feeling like nothing isn't so bad.

Maybe this is death, maybe I am in fact dead as a doornail. If this is what comes after life, I'm not complaining.

I can live with this... I mean die with this.

The comfort I feel is immense, incredible indescribable... all the i words.

There is no telling time where I am, but I know it's a while before I start to feel again.

It's like a gradual decline of euphoria, and I can hear murmurings around me. It sounds like I'm trapped in the ocean, under the current, and someone is trying to communicate from the shore.

Time passes some more, and the sounds get suddenly louder. The noises come and go as they please, and I wish more than anything I could scream out for them to cease.

My perfect bubble of relaxation is thinning out slowly but surely, until it finally pops.

The first thing I hear is an endless beeping that grates on my last nerve. Then, awhile later, I pick up on someone talking, and I can actually understand what they're saying.

"shouldn't be here! out of here!"

The voices cut in and out unevenly, I grow frustrated that I can't understand. I calm myself and focus as hard as I can, trying to concentrate on what goes on around me as I slumber.

"I kicked her out for a reason! You can't just bring her back in here and save her life."

That voice fills me with despair, I want to thrash away from it. It must belong to a demon trying to drag me down to hell. It's a shame I can't move a single muscle.

An unhappy sound fills the area with rough vibrations of power.

"She saved my life."

The angry voice should make me shudder in fear, but the warmth invading my body multiples ten fold until I'm surrounded by a blanket of sweet fuzz.

I know now that it has to be an angel fighting for me.

"I don't care! That was her choice, she should pay for it. We don't need to waste expensive medical care on a no good thief." The owner of the terrible voice lets out an exasperated sigh, then they continue, "She's not worth it. A single ounce of morphine has more value than she does."

A outraged roar answers, and I know my angel is furious.

"She has more bravery and strength in her pinky finger than you hold in your whole body. I'd love to see what you would do when challenged by a pack of rogues."

There is a tense silence, the only sound is the beeping that's on a continuous stream in the background.

I try to open my eyes to see what's going on, but fail miserably. I am just a mind trapped in a dormant body waiting on the edge of my seat to hear more.

"It doesn't matter what you think of her, Green, she's not going anywhere and you won't get within two feet of her." A large, calloused hand wraps around mine, and it's as if a flood gate of tingles is let loose as they climb up my arm.

"She is my mate." Gasps, nothing but gasps all around, "I will do anything, and I do mean anything, to ensure her safety and happiness. If I find out that you've done something to make her upset, I will not hesitate to put an end to you."

The declaration is met with more quiet, and I can literally feel the many pairs of eyes on me. The sudden shift makes me self conscious.

"How can she be your mate? She's nothing." A snarky tone and harsh words to match, the demon sounds like my Mother.

"The only one here who's nothing is you. You call yourself a parent when all you've done is show how full of hate you are. I hope you rot in hell for how you've raised your children. The only good you've done is bring Klepto into this world."

Wow, talk about a burn. I hope and pray the angel at my side has a camera and takes a snapshot of what the demon looks like in this moment, because it has to be priceless.

Things turn from there, there are less people in the room after a while and I begin to relax. The angel squeezes my hand in his, and I know I will forever savor the connection of our skin.

"You deserve her you know. She's been through a lot, and I can't say that I'm proud of myself, I've never put my foot down to how she was treated. I should've done more." That voice is familiar, but I can't quite place it in my hazy state.

"Yeah, you should've." That angel of mine replies.

The mystery voice sighs.

"I did it to protect her you know. I know it might not make much sense, but her mother is relentless. She is my mate, and I love her, but her heart is filled with anger. If I showed any affection to Klepto, she would take it out on someone. Klepto, Tressa, anyone close enough to land a fist on."

Another sigh and then a drawn out silence.

"I know you'll treat her well. I couldn't have picked a better mate for my little girl. You'll live a happy life together."

The angel lets out a dark laugh, and the sound makes me sad. I wish I could sit up and comfort him, but I'm frozen to the spot.

"No. We won't. She will not accept me, I guarantee it." He says, his voice almost non

existent, brimming with sorrow.

"And how do you know that?" The voice asks the angel.

"Because I'm a worthless ass who wasn't there when she needed me the most. I don't deserve to be in the same room as her."

"I think your problem is that you assume you know everything." The grip on my hand gets a fraction tighter, "You don't know what she feels or what she wants. For once, why don't you just ask her? Apologize, be kind, and if she doesn't forgive you, then she's made her decision. But don't give up because you think you know she won't want you."

The advice seems to silence the angel completely. I thought he'd left until I remember he holds my hand in his, and I'm filled with relief.

I hear a door shut so softly I almost miss it, and I strain to listen as my angel gets closer.

He smooths my hair under his large hand, and I feel him press a warm kiss to my brow, his husky breath fanning my skin makes goosebumps pop up all over the place.

"I have a lot to learn, it would seem." He whispers, "I hope your father is right, dear Moon Goddess, I hope he's right."

❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀ ✿ ❀

If you're reading this, I love you 3,000:)