At the sudden realisation, I began to fall again.

The ground disappeared from beneath me but I didn't scream, knowing I wasn't in the real world. I knew I would land somewhere else, but my heart was aching and my lungs were burning from the fear I felt for the little girl; for me.

I fell to the ground gently, my back caressing the grass. I felt my breathing even out, my heart beginning to race as I fell into peaceful bliss. I could feel the ground beneath me, my body tingling as though it had been numb.

The white noise began again in my ears, the high-pitched ringing making me wince. It slowly faded to a faint hum, before I realised the hum was turning into voices.

The faint smell of smoke began to fill my nose, a metallic taste rose on my tongue. Hands were on me, warm against my skin. One hand, in particular, was combing through my hair, sending pleasurable shock waves through my body.

I focused on the sensation, their fingers travelling through my scalp. The comforting tingles made my hairs stand on end and goosebumps cover my skin. Voices grew louder and I shook my head, wanting to stay in this moment of peace.

"Nova?"

Whispers grew louder, and I groaned when I felt myself start to wake.

"Nova?"

That voice, I knew that voice well. It sounded so close, so familiar. I inhaled deeply, forcing my eyes to blink open. I was blinded by darkness and overwhelmed by the smell of smoke. But something nearby was calling to me.

I searched through the darkness hoping to land on something in this new dream. I saw the Moon, bright and full tonight as she shone through the treetops. It was beautiful, lighting up the darkness with ease.

"She's awake!" Someone shouted and I blinked to focus on a head.

I frowned, trying to understand what I was looking at. It was a crazed mess of dark hair and an ear. They were looking behind me, behind my head.

I inhaled sharply when they turned, the first thing I saw in focus was his eyes. Burning amber and dazzling hazel shone through the darkness and a smile of relief coated his features.

I didn't mind this dream; it had Phoenix in it.

His lips parted and I felt him lift me into his embrace. I inhaled deeply, taking in the comforting scent of his skin. He smelt tarnished with blood and I looked down from where I was to see the scar from the bullet on his chest.

I frowned, knowing that this had to be a recent dream for Phoenix to have been shot. He pulled me out of his chest and cupped my head in his hands. I gazed up at him in wonder, every speck of dirt and skin was almost glowing in the moonlight.

"Nova." He breathed, pressing his forehead against mine.

I was starting to feel uneasy, the sheer emotions I was feeling were confusing me. I felt relief, joy, fear, sadness and pain. I couldn't pinpoint the cause of them and so I focused on myself. I felt Cel begin to rise, waking up from a slumber.

She shook out her fur. 'Nova...are you okay?'

I'm dreaming so of course I am.

'This... isn't a dream Nova. You and Phoenix marked each other and your body shut down. I don't know how we are awake right now, but this is real.' She mumbled.

I frowned, pulling my head away from Phoenix's to look over his shoulder. Sure enough, the trees were still burning but had calmed to a gentle smoke. Gaia was back and stood nearby, waving her hands in the air around them.

Warriors stood in a group muttering to themselves and glancing over at us. Directly behind Phoenix were Imani and Pollux. She was wrapping a bandage around his wrist and he sat watching me intensely. I could hear Leo and Sean behind me, calling my name in relief.

I focused my eyes back on my mate, to see he had pulled away and was gazing at me in wonder. I turned into the emotions again, seeking them out. I found a bond, a new startling comfort in my mind. It was buzzing with energy, wishing to be noticed.

The mate bond. I was feeling Phoenix's emotions.

"Hey," He breathed. "Are you with me?"

I blinked and slowly nodded my head.

He sighed in relief, pulling me close again to press a kiss on my temple. His hand moved to the back of my neck, the other clutching around my shoulders. I was confused, utterly confused.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

I licked my lips, my throat feeling sore. "Strange."

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through my chest. "You nearly fell into a coma... Pollux... Pollux forced you to drink his blood. He tore his damn wrist open."

I leaned away and stared at my brother with wide eyes. He did what?

Phoenix chuckled, this thumb stroking my jaw. It suddenly dawned on me that Cel was right; this wasn't a dream. I was fine and Phoenix was right in front of me.

"You're alive," I mumbled.

He smiled and shook his head. "Because you decided to take advantage of me."

I frowned and opened my mouth to argue but he interrupted.

"I'm joking Nova. I'm glad you're okay. Thank you for saving my life, my mate." He smiled.

I blushed, dropping my gaze to my lap. "I had to."

Pollux suddenly approached, rubbing the fresh bandage on his wrist. I pulled away from Phoenix to try and stand to my feet. My legs felt like jelly and Phoenix had to steady me as my head span.

I was handed to my brother and I embraced him with all I had. "Thank you."

He chuckled, rubbing my back. "What else was I meant to do? Leave you to fall into a coma whilst dying Phoenix sucked your energy dry?"

I laughed with him, glancing at my mate beside me. My head lay against Pollux's shoulder, his hair tickling my forehead. Phoenix smiled softly at me, standing tense like he was waiting for me to fall.

Pollux pulled me away from him and I stood awkwardly as people began to stare at me. Sean and Leo came up behind me to pull me into a double hug and I chuckled. When they pulled away, I hesitated at the awkward intensity of the situation. We were still in the forest with no advancement on saving the women.

"I...I'm gonna sound crazy but...I had a dream... a memory." I began.

Phoenix's eyebrows furrowed. "A memory?"

I nodded and noticed Gaia tense as she tended to the fires. "I saw how my parents died. I saw how my mother died, and how my pack was attacked. I saw..."

I felt myself tear up and Phoenix took a hesitant step forwards. I allowed him and the other three into my mind to see the images I had seen as I spoke.

"I saw the rogues, they killed my parents and pack. My mother ran, but she was killed and I fell away... I saw Gaia come with Raven, and take Pollux through a portal... I saw m-myself burn and fall into the river. I saw it all." I cried.

Pollux returned to hugging me again, my tears soaking his bare shoulder. I felt the warmth of the twin bond soothe me, his touch as comforting as Phoenix's. It was strange that I remembered all of this but it was from another's point of view. That's why it was even more strange. If it was a memory- I would see it from my view surely? So why was I like another person? Why did Raven see me?

I felt my tears slow once Pollux calmed me down, and I turned my attention back to Gaia. She had paused, her back tense as she overheard the conversation. I remembered something she said and pulled away from my brother.

"Gaia... you told my mother something... you said... you said they had a witch," I stated.

Her back stayed tense for a moment before it sagged in defeat. She turned to face us with sad eyes, glancing between me and Pollux.

"I did." She sighed. "It is something I didn't think would come up."

"These rogues..." I gestured to the flames. "Are they the same ones that killed my parents?"

Pollux tensed beside me as we awaited her answer, but she merely nodded with a frown.

"They had a with back then? Who? How? Raven was just a girl..." I stammered.

"I am sorry but I have lied to you." She sighed. "My sister was a witch, a witch of a darker magic. She wanted power as much as the rogues did so she rounded them up and brainwashed them."

"Where is she now?" Phoenix growled.

"Dead."

A loud silence fell upon us before Gaia sighed again.

"My daughter Raven... killed her. We were trying to find her, to help her...but they ambushed us... Raven was always stronger than me and she managed to defeat her." She explained. "But she was weak after and they captured her after she forced me through a portal. I believe she is paying her debts to them, the same ones my sister pledged to them. I don't know what they hold against her but I know that my life is one of them."

I frowned, losing my anger. "I'm sorry Gaia."

She smiled and shrugged. "It's okay dear, Raven did what she wanted to. She knew she would have to be the one to kill her. She was my sister and I was too close. She took the risks... I can see the future but she can block me just as well."

We fell into silence, processing the information. Phoenix was deep in thought and I couldn't help but notice the harsh bite mark I left on the bottom of his neck. It was healed already and my teeth left smooth pale lines against his tan skin.

A surge of pride ran through me as I stared at it, knowing I had marked him and brought him to good health sat well with me and Cel. We did it without anyone else's help; just us.

And now this strong, smart and handsome man was mine and everyone would know since we would now smell of each other. Marks are magical; the bite we create when we mark can change a person's being. We became one under the Moon Goddess' fate, and now we shared life. He was mine and I was his.

I sighed in contentment, remembering how Pollux helped bring us back in return; so I owed a lot to my brother.

"So what are we going to do now?" Leo wondered.

We glanced among ourselves, mainly at Phoenix who happened to be staring at me. I knew what we needed to do, despite the crazy situation we are in. They knew that we knew where they were, and they would no doubt take their chance to escape.

"We try again. We've taken down half of their numbers, we just need to get inside." I stated.

Phoenix smirked and nodded, and the warrior wolves surrounding us yipped in agreement.

"So...plan?"

•••

Hi everyone.

Early update in thanks for you supporting me via the last author note.

In regards to my copyright infringements

Thank you all so much for helping me with this! It is not just me who's been target but to make profit out of my hard work makes me so upset and angry!

There are apps our than wattpad who are advertising my book online and on Facebook under a false name, author name and book cover, promoting it everywhere as a "best seller" and earning money for chapters. I was not aware of this until Today 8/8/21.

They are thieves and disgust me and I hope they are reading this.

If you are reading this anywhere other than WATT PAD XDEAFENING_SILENXEX

then it is being stolen! I work exclusively with watt-pad !

Please Let me know!

Anyway, I Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Everyone's okay yaaaayyy

How much a weirdo are you- how many pillows do u sleep with? Hahaha I have 6 oops

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