Nathan lay next to Katia, watching her sleep and thinking about the last week. She had not come back from near death the same. She and Selene had come back less emotionally damaged. They still had physical and emotional trauma, but it was different. Katia no longer acted like a spoiled child testing her new boundaries. Nathan did not know how to explain it except to describe it as a puzzle piece was shoved in the wrong place and someone had removed it, putting it where it belonged. Shaking his head, Nathan grimaced at himself; he was no doctor or anything; he was just another male wolf trying to figure out how not to ruin this new start with his mate. He had noticed that Lucifer did not come out of the incident the same way. Something had happened with the three souls intertwined during that time. Nathan still had no hard feelings for Lucifer, he loved both girls equally and would do anything for them. He and Lucifer had nothing but time while Lucifer held on to their souls, and Nathna spent that time learning about his mate's life in the god realm and in this realm. What it had been like for the three of them to be who and what they were. How devastating it was each time one of the girls returned to this realm for the life they had been granted, and it was ended so violently. Lucifer had explained to him that he did not know if it had something to do with him being an angel or the fact that he was close to the twins, but he felt every excruciating thing that was done to them during those attempts. He withheld that information from the girls until their souls connected and he could hide it no more.
Thinking more about what Lucifer had told him, Nathan wondered if Uranus had something to do with Lucifer's connection to the twins and his falling out with Zeus. Deciding it was something to mention to the prince of the underworld when they next spoke, he returned his attention to his sleeping mate. He was learning that the twins did not know much of this world. They were just very educated about their beloved werewolves and the environment they lived in. For instance, they knew vampires and fairies existed; they had just never met one. The look of pure delight on Katia's face, when she discovered a vampire was part of her pack, was worth every moment of joy she experienced. However, the look of horror she gave him when she heard his name was Bob was priceless. Nathan chuckled as he thought poor Bob better watch it, or his mate would have him changing his name to something ancient and sexy, as she put it. Nathan finally understood that although Katia and Selene had lived for a long time as gods, they were still considered young for their kind. He had also figured out that they were not as worldly as the other gods because they had spent most of their lives in the god realm or here trying to live as werewolves.
Katia murmured something and rolled onto her side. Nathan smiled. She was probably dreaming of ways to help the children beat them again today. Suddenly, her eyes popped open, and she said, "No, mate, I was dreaming that, for some reason, our three packs were put into a deep sleep, and when we awoke, we were different."
Smiling, Nathan caressed her face and teased, "Hanging out in my mind spying?"
As she sat up in front of him, she giggled, "I don't need to spy; you openly broadcast your every thought to me now. Sometimes I shut you out so I can hear my own thoughts."
"Sorry love, I want you to know my every thought, where you are concerned, so I do not frighten you again," he admitted. "Tell me about this dream. How were we different when we awoke?"
Shrugging, Katia yawned, "I'm not sure; we were wolves still but different. It was just a dream. I was not frightened or anything, just curious and saddened when I awoke."
When she yawned again, Nathan reached for her and pulled her into his lap. He moved until he was leaning against the headboard, with Katia leaning back against him. He leaned down to inhale her sweet scent, which was only for him. She was relaxed against him, rubbing her thumbs back and forth on his arms. That sat like that for quite a while. Nathan thought she had fallen asleep when he heard her sweet, whispery voice, "Nathan, I am sorry for the way I behaved and for not taking your feelings for my safety seriously."
"Shh, baby, it is over. You have no reason to apologize. You were messed up and I did not understand the extent of the damage you were trying to heal within yourself. I didn't even understand that your sister was dealing with her own trauma but trying to be as normal as she could." he confessed as he planted little kisses along the top of her head.
"I heard that Dalia and you fought, and she kicked your as-." Nathan leaned around and planted a kiss on the side of her mouth before she could finish her sentence.
"I am sure that you heard that story from my sister, as she bragged to you about it. Honestly, though, she and I have had several physical altercations when we cannot resolve our differences. This time was different; I had never seen Dalia so angry and determined to tear me apart. I did deserve it thougth, Zeus blood affecting me or not, I should have conducted myself as the Alpha that I am not as an over indulged child who was not getting what he wanted." Nathan assured her.
Katia giggled once more and he loved the sound of her doing so. Her soft, whispery laugh was his favorite sound in the world. She told him how it was not just Dalia, "Dalia did tell me about it but so did every other person we know, including your godly relatives. They all seem to have found it quite hilarious"
"Nathan, do you think Selene and I will ever be normal? It is not normal how we can not be without each other, and we cannot expect you and Lorn to live in the same house just to satisfy this need. We have to be near each other and to be near our mates." She worried her bottom lip as she spoke her fear that somehow he would become upset if they could not be what she considered normal.
"Sweetheart, do not worry about it. We'll figure it out. It is okay for you and your sister to need one another so desperately. You are twins, and you have been through so much together. You need each other, along with your wolves and your mates, to be whole. Lorn and I will be fine no matter what the solution is," he emphasized.
Another yawn and she snuggled back into him more. "Close your eyes and sleep, baby; we have a lot to decide today. I think we are about to start a new way of life for many wolves and other supes alike."
"Nathan, if you wish to make love, I will not protest. It is your right as my mate." His heart almost broke at those words. She was offering to perform her mately duties as he thought them after everything that had happened.
As he settled them more comfortably in the bed, he promised, "We will resume that part of our bond when the time is right. We will know when that time is. For now, let's just enjoy holding and kissing each other."
She turned slightly to look at him and said, "Maybe even a little making out like teenagers?"
He grinned at her and said, "Anytime you want, but right now, we need to sleep so our minds are sharp tomorrow."
"I wonder if Selene and Lorn are okay. Her dreams are quiet tonight. Evelynn gave her tea to help her sleep without nightmares," she informed him.
"Maybe I should ask Evelynn for some of that tea for you." He responded.
'I do not need any tea. I am fine." she huffed.
"Un huh, you just like talking my ear off all night. It has nothing to do with you trying to put sleep off for as long as possible to keep from having a nightmare." Nathan teased.
" I am closing my eyes and going to sleep right now. Abracadabra!" she immediately pretended to sleep along with an unlady-like snore.
Shaking his head, he muttered, "What is a mate to do but put up with the loud, ugly snoring of his sweet little mate while she gets her beauty sleep."
Taking offense to what he had just said, Katia smacked his arm that was wrapped around her and stated, "I do not have an ugly, loud snore. I have a very lady-like snore."
Holding the laughter threatening to spill forth, he retorted, "Lady-like? You obviously have never heard your snoring."
"Nathan, you apologize right now. You know I do not snore." She huffed at him.
Still holding his laughter back, he responded, "I did not say you snored; it is more like a lumberjack sawing logs."
"Whaat? It is not. I do not snore. Mate, you apologize for saying such a horrid thing to me, or I will smack your pokey stick in the morning." She threatens. Aza perked up at this and gave her approval then returned to her slumbers.
Nathan gave a shudder of laughter and stated, "I wholeheartedly apologize, mate. Please do not abuse my pocket of morning sunshine."
Giggling they finally fell into a deep and restful sleep.