Downpour

It rained that night. Not a light rain, either - but a torrential downpour.

Metas found that it matched his mood perfectly, and embraced the wind and thunder.

Myranda had never seen rain like this before. She'd spent her entire life in the bottom rungs of the mountain where they were lucky to get to see the sun once a month or so - so this kind of violent torrent was terrifying to her.

She did her best to keep it together, but she trembled despite her continued pleas to her body to stop its shaking.

"Are you cold?" Metas asked affectionately as he tightened his arms around her.

"No, I'm just not used to this kind of weather. It's a little startling when you've never experienced it before. I know what rain is, but this is not what I pictured" she admitted with embarrassment ringing in her voice.

"Ah, well - I will make sure to save you from any errant drops," he teased a little and leaned in to kiss her playfully, which she wholly obliged in.

Myranda laughed with soft delight as he pulled her into his chest and rolled onto his back to where she was resting on top of him.

He was getting lost in her eyes, and smiled as her expression softened.

"It is I who should be asking you if you are okay, my Alpha. I know my parents were not the best, and I felt more relief than sadness when they died, but I did feel some sort of despair," Myranda replied and reached out to move his rough black hair from his face.

"I'm alright, I promise. I've been without parents for a very long time, my Luna. A very, very long time..." he let his voice trail off and he let out a heavy sigh.

Myranda could tell that Metas was stuffing his feelings away, because she did the same thing, too - and as they grew closer, she could also feel it in her chest. As she did earlier in the day, she descended her head to his chest and gave it a soft kiss.

Metas smiled and closed his eyes. Her company in itself was comforting - but now she was showing him her vulnerable, soft side and that was a bonus he hadn't expected. It seemed that as soon as they had time to be together, the magic of being fated mates started to work on both of them.

Myranda didn't want to leave his side, and somehow Metas knew that she had finally believed in his soul's authenticity and value. Even if he had loved his parents dearly, the fact that his mate was there to support him was the best medicine one could ever ask for - and he would still feel peaceful as long as she was present.

A large crack of lightning raced across the sky, and lit up the sparkling water that hid the entrance to their hiding place. A loud boom of thunder then followed immediately afterwards, and it caused Myranda to let out a tiny squeak from her throat.

Metas chuckled and pulled her tighter to his toned muscles. "I didn't like it at first either, but you get used to it. Soon it will put you to sleep like a lullaby."

"You fall asleep to this?" she asked.

"Yes, often. My first week out here a few hundred year ago or so... I've honestly lost track. Once my parents made it clear that Silas was their choice for the future, I gave up at first. I was going to exile myself and just live my life out here quietly - but then I met you," he answered and smiled at her rouged cheeks.

"That's, actually funny, because I was resigned to the same thing. I was going to just live a quiet life in the bakery forever. Ruffle no feathers, make no waves - just exist and hope to make close relationships with my sibling's kids. It was the perfect plan, and then I met you," she replied and kept her gaze on him lovingly.

"Thank you, for trusting me. I think our fates are much better now, don't you?" he reflected out loud.

"Yes, it is. Scary, but much better" she agreed.

"I'm scared, too...but excited," he echoed and once more ran his hand into the black strands on the right side of her head. Her 'moon' eye that sat in the void of the night sky that was her hair looked so perfect. It was now to the point where he didn't like matching eyes anymore - they weren't as beautiful, exotic, or alluring as his Luna's.

"I won't leave your side - death can try, but I'll cling to life if you're here," she answered gently and propped herself up on her hands that she had to place on the ground beside his broad chest. Using the strength in her arms, she pushed her lips towards his and kissed him softly and reassuringly.

"I promise the same to you, my sweet love. As long as you are here, my heart will beat" he returned and lifted his head up to return her kiss.

"What are you going to do about Jyriah tomorrow?" she asked, completely off topic as the thought rolled behind her eyes.

"Ah, well...I was hoping you could distract him in the woods for a while while I talk to Joss, Ajax, Lara, and Gerald. It will be early evening when they arrive. I'm going to have Lara show them the secret path to the side exit in the upper tunnels. They should be able to make it through just fine as long as Gerald and Lara are there to escort them. Going in and out of the front won't be an option anymore, it would look too suspicious," Metas stopped talking as the realization that Silas was probably sleeping in the castle already crossed his mind. It upset him deeply to have lost to the weakling so soon - but now he'd return the favor in two weeks.

"Metas - I understand..." Myranda said without him having to convey his thoughts. She could feel his anger and resentment burning hot in his chest, which prompted her to kiss his pectorals again. "We're going to get it back."

"Yes...but...I..." he stopped and let out a growl of frustration.

"I know," she said, and continued to run her hands through his hair now that she was propped up on her elbows, her breasts pressing into his chest as he lay there with his arms still around her waist.

His eyes squeezed shut as though he were trying to stop himself from sobbing - but for some reason, the usual tears that felt like weakness, actually relieved him and didn't make him feel shame. Even though he was now crying in front of his Luna - he felt safe and still, so strong.

"It's okay, Metas. We'll get it back. We'll get it all back...and make everyone happy again," she cooed and ran her thumbs to his tears before they streamed into his ears. As a professional crier, she knew that a flood of tears on one's back could easily become flooded ear canals. It wasn't much - but she wanted to help him as much as she could when she felt so powerless.

"You're the strongest of us all. When you defeat Silas it will be all worth it - as his knees hit the cold stone, you can smile with delight as you bestow upon him all the suffering and embarrassment he's served you for your entire life. We'll make him pay for each and every tear," she coached on softly, as she directed his tears into his hair over and over.

Goddess, even the way he cried made him handsome, and only filled her with more respect for him. For him to be so vulnerable in front of her sealed the deal in her mind that they were meant for each other. She wouldn't say it now, for it was the wrong time and certainly the wrong place, but silently she vowed that she would marry him and stay by his side no matter how difficult the path ahead seemed.

It was hard to cry for the things you had already lost. It was even harder to try to not cry over terrible parents finally leaving this realm. Even if their parents had been cruel - both of them understood that in some fashion, they were still their original pack.

It was natural, it was confusing, and just as she had resented giving her own parents a drop of sadness - so did Metas. Who wanted to cry for those who had been so cruel? It made no sense.

Without anything to say due to their growing bond, the silence between them was soothing rather than awkward as they held one another through the downpour of rain and tears.