Crael sat on a tree stump watching the wolves train. He didn't understand the fascination some of the gods had with these creatures living in the earth's realm. As far as he good tell they had some intelligence but did not put it to good use. They would rather live primitively than work on bettering their lives. Every day at the same time this group of werewolves practice fighting against one another so they would be prepared for battle. Everyone capable was trained. Once their training ended for the morning, they would go about the duties they were assigned to contribute to the pack. Some had outside businesses that brought in money for the pack. They lived as one big family taking care of each other. What was the big deal in that? If you had to depend on each other to survive then what happened if everyone was no longer there? From what he had gathered from the other wolves who had no pack, you lost your compassion and your heart hardened against any kind of soft emotion. Crael had heard those wolves referred to as rogues. They were mean, dirty, and would kill their mother for food.
Shaking his head, the angel still did not understand why Zeus loved these creatures so much. The goddesses loved them the most and ensured their kind continued. The twins worked tirelessly sometimes matching wolf to human and then mate to mate. He had heard that they just knew what two went together and made it so. Crael wondered if that was something that could be done with angels. He was a young angel and would have to decide soon if he wanted to continue to help the boss and make the fall. That would mean giving up his wings for good. He still wasn't sure if that was something he wanted to do. Although he has been antagonizing the wolf known as Alpha Lorn he did not dislike those of this realm like he pretended to. He did not feel one way or another. He was simply curious about them and why some of the gods were ready to go to war to protect this realm.
The wolves had finished their training and were now going about their chores. Crael snorted at the word chores. He thought they were like children. Maybe that is what this realm is. It is full of the children created by the gods and now they need to be protected against godly forces that do not like their existence. Smiling Crael felt he had just solved a puzzle. He looked up to see if the proverbial light bulb was above his head. Laughing to himself when it was not. He thought that he was done playing this game with the boss and was going to keep his wings. He didn't think his fall from grace would be as lucky as Lucifer's was. Lucifer had carved out a new existence for himself and was happy playing with inhabitants of the earthly realm. Crael knew he could not live so primitively. Besides if the gods win the war he does not want to be in Lucifer's world for an eternity of punishments invented by another fallen one. Nope, that life was not for him.
The alpha wolf was walking toward him when he looked up. The man approached cautiously, "What are you doing here again today, angel?"
For the first time since meeting the wolf, Crael did not treat him as dirt. He simply said, "Watching your pack like usual. I want to know why you all are so stuck on helping one another and providing for all."
Lorn approached slowly, he did not trust the angel but he was not acting like he hated him today for some reason. Sitting next to him but keeping a distance between them he inquired, "What is it you want to know?"
"Why can you not just live on your own without turning into a rogue?" The angel wanted him to explain.
"Well, the moon goddesses have made us part wolf. The wolf is a pack animal. The animal's instinct is strong even when we are in our human form. We crave closeness and touch. It is one of the reasons some of the unmated males stay in the packhouse all of their lives. The closeness of the other wolves helps to keep their animal calm."
"You don't always find your mate?" The angel asked surprised.
Lorn shrugged his shoulders, "The moon goddess does her best but sometimes our mates die or we just never meet for one reason or another. Sometimes another male wolf who has lost hope will take another's mate as their chosen. "
"What happens if their fated mate comes along," The angel wanted to know. He was truly interested now in how this mate thing worked.
"Once the chosen mate is marked it breaks the original fated mate bond and it cannot be restored. The wolf will be mated to the one that did the marking forever." The Alpha educated him.
The angel protested, "That is not fair."
"Sometimes when a wolf has lived several lifetimes without a mate he loses hope and feels there is no other choice. Usually, the chosen mates are two who have never met their fated mates or the mate died." Lorn looked to see if Crael was understanding the explanation. He went on, "When one of the marked couples dies the other usually follows. Sometimes if the one left behind can hang on, they can be given a chance to live normally as a chosen mate."
Lorn decided that was enough of an explanation for today about mates. If the angel wanted to know more he would tell him about second-chance mates some other time. They sat quietly for some time and Lorn finally stood up. He turned to walk back down to the training fields when the angel spoke again. "You know my boss will not let this world survive if you all fall."
"I know angel and that is why we will not lose. This world and what we have is too important to us." Lorn retaliated.
Spreding his wings, preparing to leave Crael wondered out loud, "Why is it important?"
Lorn looked towards the sky and yelled, "Ask the gods and titans who spend so much of their time here."
As Alpha Lorn walked back to the field he watched the light show as more angels were falling from grace. Where was Lucifer? Could he not put a stop to all of them choosing to fall?"
So many have fallen already. How many were left in the heavens or gods realm to take the leap? Then he wondered where is everyone else. He has heard from no one in a few days now. Lorn was getting worried that something had happened to them. He tried calling Alpha Mark last night and got someone telling him he was acting Alpha Bob. That Mark was away on important alpha business. Who the hell was Bob? Lorn decided he would try to call Alpha Nathan of Snow Moon later tonight. As he walked across the training field he spotted the angel in the area of his sister's resting spot with his mother. His mother was laughing with the angel and looked radiant again.
Lorn saw his father heading toward his mom and the angel so he went that way too. He did not want the angel to upset his mother and was not sure what the angel was doing there with his mother. His father got there first and he heard him bellow,"You there, what are you doing there with my mate?"
Lorn mother turned her glowing smile onto his father stopping him in his tracks, "Cade hun, this is the angel Crael. Go ahead darlin show them your pretty wings."
Crael spread his wings and bowed to his dad, "I meant your mate no harm. I was about to leave after visiting with your son and I heard your mate crying tears of heartbreak. I stopped to ask her why she was so sad."
Lorn watched as his mom pet the angel's wings and he leaned into her hand, "This sweet man angel listened to me pour my heart out about my sweet Lorna and then said he could help me visit with her if I liked."
Lorn and his father shared a glance at each other and his father asked, "How did he say you could visit with her?"
"Oh, it is not what you are thinking. I don't have to die or anything to see her. Go ahead sugar tell them or show them whichever you think is best." his mother said to the angel.
Crael shuddered and said, "Ma'am, I am not made of sugar."
To which his mother cracked up and swatted him on the arm, "Oh you silly, sugar is an endearment not what I think you are made of."
"Well, in that case, you may call me sugar." Lorn chuckled at that. This Crael was trying to be a gentleman with his mother.
Suddenly a sweet voice that Lorn never thought to hear again said, "Lorn and Papa, I am alright. I have already assured Mama. She will be okay now. Crael will let me come visit from time to time to help Mama keep strong."
Cade whispered, "How?"
Lorna grinned, "I have been made a lower angel and the best part is my wolf is still with me. Mr. Zeus was impressed I did not lose her. He said I must be special and belong with the angels. Crael is my mentor."
Lorn said incredulously, "That is why you chose us to spy on for your boss?"
"Yes, I wanted to see why this angel child would not stop rambling about her family and how hurt her mama must be. She was worried that her Mama would try to follow her and she wanted you all to know she was okay and happy." Crael told them. He then added, "I needed help deciding which side I should take."
Their mother did not hesitate she stood on her tiptoes and kissed the angel's cheek, "My sweet boy, you are a good angel. You just got a little confused. I know you have broken rules for me and I adore you for it. Maybe my girl is something more to you."
Lorna said laughing, "Oh Mama, always trying to marry me off even when I am dead. I love you mama, papa, and Lorn, but I have to go now. I don't want Crael to get in trouble with Mr Zeus. I will see you again." She hugged each of them and was gone.
Crael gave one last instruction, "Wolf when the time comes I will fight with you. I think it is time I admit your mother is right and your sister is the other half of my heavenly soul."
Then he was gone.