Chapter 150: The Old Wolf’s Knowing

"Did you know about this?" Orion asked Noctis.

"Yes."

Orion wasn’t surprised that Noctis was aware. He kind of expected his wolf to be aware because there was very little that escaped Noctis.

"Why didn’t you say anything?" Orion asked him.

*You were busy.* Noctis replied calmly. *Busy being in the moment.*

Orion chuckled at that. "You liked that I was busy. You sighed like it was the best thing ever."

Noctis licked his paws then grinned at Orion. *But it was.*

Orion grinned too. "It really was. But...why is my mark different? It’s not supposed to be this big right?"

*Will you want to hear the answer?* Noctis asked him.

"Why would I be asking you if I did not want to hear the answer?" Orion asked him.

*Perhaps because it’s linked to the one woman you refuse to acknowledge?* Noctis asked him.

Orion knew who Noctis was speaking about.

"You do know that it’s not like I don’t acknowledge her..."

*You do know that whenever you lie, I’m affected too right?* Noctis asked him calmly.

Orion chuckled. "Fine. I don’t acknowledge her and I don’t believe that she’s actually really a goddess or whatever."

*But she is. And we both know you wouldn’t be alive if not for her intervention.* Noctis pointed out.

Orion was so adamant on not believing the moon goddess when it was obvious her work in his life and many other things. Even his mating mark was like the moon goddess had taken her time to paint it on him, making it feel alive, pulsing and different from many others.

Orion had a connection with the moon goddess but he refused to acknowledge it which was his problem.

"Let’s move on to something else. How did I not know when the mark appeared? I thought there was supposed to be something like a light or a voice or something?" He asked Noctis.

Noctis sighed like Orion was that annoying kid on the block that just refused to listen but still provided him an answer.

*There was a light. It consumed both of you.* Noctis told him.

"Really? Are you sure?" Orion asked him.

*I don’t lie, Orion. There was a light, it consumed me and also the both of you. Perhaps you didn’t notice because you were...*

"...occupied?" Orion asked him.

*Yes,* Noctis chuckled. *But also maybe because you refuse to believe that the one who guides our fates exist.*

"Again with the moon goddess." Orion groaned out.

*Yes, again with her.*

"Can we not talk about her?"

*We are speaking of a mating mark, how do you think we can avoid speaking about her?* Noctis asked him.

Orion sighed. "I just want to know one more thing, if I have this that means Sophia has it too right?"

*You sound very eager and excited to know the answer.*

"That’s because I am."

*And I’ll have to agree with our mate on this one, it seems you are dumb after all. Where was it recorded that a mating mark appeared only on one person? If course she’ll have the mark too.* Noctis replied rolling his eyes.

The fact that this old wolf has more sass and attitude than most people Orion knew still baffled him.

"You just said our mate." Orion said with a smile.

*We are one, Orion. Of course she’s ours.*

"I have one more question or maybe two..."

*Ask away, it’s not like I can ignore you regarding this issue.*

"Does this mean she’s gotten her wolf too? Like has she gotten it back?"

*We will have to meet with her to know.*

"Another question, why didn’t you react when we first met her. Isn’t there supposed to be a sign or something, people get to know who their mates are immediately they meet them right?" Orion asked him.

Noctis exhaled. *It’s different for everyone. What you speak of is an extremely rare case I’m not sure it even exists anymore.*

Orion was quiet as he mulled on the words. The only person he knew that spoke about knowing who their mates was from the moment they met was Caspian. Even his parents bond didn’t happen like that.

*Most times, there must be a physical interaction. There’s a connection, yes. You will feel drawn to the person, yes. For some others, the connection is immediate and it continues pulling them, pulsing between them once they are close to each other. It’s like the bond has taken place for those people but it hasn’t. It’s just the connection pulling them to each other. I rather like how the bonds occur now, you get the chance to explore each other and the bond isn’t immediate.*

"Orion, we have to go." Ronan called out to him.

Orion gave him a nod as they began their walk to the cemetery.

"We’ll end the discussion here but..."

*You have one more question.*

"Yes, it’s about you...were you ever mated before?" Orion asked him.

*Because I’m ancient?*

"Yes but also because I’m curious. You speak like you have been mated before." Orion told him.

Noctis laughed. *I’m mated already.* He told Orion, choosing not to answer his question directly.

Orion gave him an eye roll choosing nit to say anything more.

He and Ronan continued their walk toward the cemetery. Lanterns still strung along the path from the festival before. A few people were already gathered for the burial.

Orion searched but he couldn’t see Sophia in the midst of the little people gathered. He was not even sure she knew if the burial but he thought she’d be here because of how much she seemed affected the previous day when she said she’d seen Zena in a dream.

Maybe that was his fault because they didn’t really announce the burial to everyone. People knew of Zena but her main friends were Caspian and Madam Tyler. They had been best friends at one point, they still were even if Madam Tyler and Caspian argued occasionally. Caspian wiped a stray tear from his eyes, pretending like Zena’s death didn’t affect him.

The burial didn’t waste time, it was a short ceremony. One to ensure that Zena could meet with her family in the afterlife. Once the burial was done, Ronan and Orion moved to the gates..