I don't own anything but I hope you enjoy anyway! Chapter Two!
For seven nights Strongbow and Moonshade wouldn't look at each other. Strongbow hunted every night and the pack had much uneaten meat for both themselves and the wolves. Moonshade had worked her leathers without saying a word to anyone. Both had grown thin and sleep had not come to either one the gave them the strength they needed. Strongbow was able to force food down his throat but Moonshade had long since stopped, for she would get sick afterward. They didn't see the others pain…or at least that is what Strongbow thought. Moonshade had given up on not looking at him. But all could see the emotions that hide behind her eyes. The love, the pain, but shocking of all was the look of sickness that she got when she looked at him. As if she to thought that him as her cubs father and lifemate would ruin her life. For even a wolfrider will say they are wrong. But before this most feel the sting of pride being taken.
Moonshade POV
"Please, for both of your health take each other." Treestump begged me. I looked at him to weak to care what else he said but my honor made me act as if I could run in the forest for hours without stopping. Every moment the pain got worse and blackness threatens to come, but didn't because that would be a release from this hell.
"I don't know what you are talking about?" I said as I sat on the tree branch brushing my hair.
"Moonshade, it's not like he said no." He continued and I turned to him, my face turned to stone.
"I said his soulname and he told me not to. Is that a no to you?" My voice of as tough of stone.
"Did you say it or send it?" He asked from his spot on the branch.
"What does that matter?" I asked turning away. I leaned against the tree, my energy quickly running out.
"Because saying it makes the bond." Bearclaw comes down to sit on the branch with us.
"Look at yourself Moonshade? I though you would be the smart one." He told me with sadness to his voice I never heard before. "It's not bad, it's great. Why don't you want that?" he continued.
"I do… he doesn't speak and only sends…but he's so..." I had to lean against the tree more as my eyes became too heavy I stopped to think of the best word but all that came was "mean." I spoke from my spot, Bearclaw jumped down form the tree and walked over to Strongbow.
Strongbow POV
"Look at her." Bearclaw takes my face and turned it to face the tree. I suck in a breath as I looked. Moonshade is thin and weak, nothing like the elf I had been picturing in my mind the last seven nights. I try to turn away but he holds my face as guilt comes over me, sorrow….pain that is worse then any wound I have known.
"Why do you not want her?" He asked me with pain in his eyes. "You cubs are smarter than this."
**She will be loyal to you even when you are wrong. Do you not want that?** he sends knowing I rather send then speak.
"She is so unlike me." I spoke roughly my voice coming back from days of being unused. My eyes still locked an her…had I done this to her?
Bearclaw lets go of his face and shouts out loud enough for the whole tribe to hear.
"You both are full of pride! Stubborn! It will be the death of you." I can't face it… my head drops. I'm causing her pain, but I can't help it I look at her once more. Her eyes are closed and she so fragile. I don't even know if she can hear what Bearclaw is shouting. But now when I look at her I see nothing I thought I would. I see pride and strength, I see Eyrn. I look at her and can't take my eyes away. I got up and started to walk over to her. But before I got to her she fell from her high branch on the tree. She hits the ground hard with a sick crack. I started to run when I saw her slip but yet I wasn't fast enough.
Rain run forward to her and laid her head in his lap.
He starts to see what is wrong and then picks her up bring her to her den. I follow the pull that I have ignored. I feel myself breathing hard and watched as Rain moved his hand over her. Bearclaw come to the entrance of the den.
"What is it?" He asks looking at Rain's hand as he moves over Moonshade's head and arms.
"She's weak. I can heal the head wound and her arm is broken from the fall. But that will take time for me to do as well. But without her eating she won't be able to heal as fast. It will take much time my chief." He starts to work after he has spoken.
An hour has passed when Rain has come out of the den. No one speaks as the time passes but at least the sun is starting to shine and they all start to head to their dens. Joyleaf goes to Moonshade's den thinking she should spend the day with her, but knowing nothing she does will help the poor elf laying in the furs.
Strongbow POV
"Strongbow?' I hear a soft voice call from behind me. I couldn't turn. Joyleaf and the others have tried to help and I didn't take anything they said about the joys of lifemates. And now mine is hurt because of me. The guilt is as bad as the pain of having to watch her.
"Go to your den pup." She says coming behind me and I feel her hand come to my shoulder.
**No.** I sent still not moving **You go to your lifemate Joyleaf, I will stay here with mine.**
"You do not need to be lifemates, just to have a cub." She said as she sat next to me.
I took in a shape breath and felt an even worse pain come to me; I moved my head only a little so I may glance at her from the corner of my eye.
**Why would you say that?** my send was like a whisper.
"It is the truth. I do not know of it happening but I know it must have in the past." She said looking at Moonshade. "It seems as though neither of you care for the other, it may work?"
**No!** the force behind it made her jump.
"Strongbow." She put her hand up to her heart. "Don't you want her to be happy? That's the least you can do!"
**I will be her lifemate! I will have cubs with her! I will protect her! And she can not stop me now!** I said with more force coming with each word I spoke. But the truth made me feel better. The pain let up a little and I looked at her and saw the elf maiden I should have from the start.
"Fine. You can stay." Joyleaf got up slowly and walked out of the room.
I sat there and looked at Moonshade. Why didn't I see it before? I would want my cubs to look like her, they will be skilled. It would be nice, to have her by my side.
I woke with a start, the feeling of eyes on me. I jerked from my spot against the wall and grabbed my knife looking at the doorway. But there was no one there. Questioningly I turned to look at the half awake Moonshade. A sigh of relief washed through me as I looked into her eyes.
She opened her mouth and the words that came out stung.
"Why are you here?" She asked her voice dry and harsh.
"Eyrn-" But as that name came from my mouth her eyes widened with shock.
"You may speak mine but I may not speak your?" She asked closing her eyes her face turning a light shade of pink.
"Say it." I said, placing my face but only an inch from hers. When she opened her eyes she gasped at my closeness.
Her mouth opened but no words came out. My face fell.
"Please, Eyrn say it."
"Wyl." and with that a flood of emotions I couldn't dream of but most of all love. This love wasn't what I feel toward a pack member but different.
"Lifemate?" I asked feeling as if my happiness was to more.
"Lifemate." and just like that my joy grew more.
She smiled a beautiful smile and I couldn't help the one that came to my face. I pushed away the space that was between us as I kissed her.
That evening when the pack members came to see how Moonshade was they were shocked to see both her and Strongbow lying fast asleep under her furs, both missing their clothing.
Bearclaw smiled at Joyleaf **they are lifemates, I know it**
**How?** Joyleaf asked looking at her mate with a raised eyebrow.
Moonshade POV
"Strongbow? Moonshade?" Bearclaw's strong voice came into my ears…but that's not a dream I thought as it all came back, the fact that someone was standing in the doorway to my den, the fact that there was someone under my furs with me, the warmth that came to me when I thought of who. I opened my eyes to see Bearclaw standing over us with a tiny smile on his face.
"Any news you with to share with everyone?" He asked making his voice gain volume so that everyone could hear. I felt the blush come into my cheeks and turned to see Strongbow looking over at me. That same smile playing across his lips.
"We are lifemates!" Strongbows deep voice came from his. I could see Bearclaw turn around and look at Joyleaf who had a shocked face.
**You do not need to be more than a parent to his cub-**she sends me.
**Yes, but you know that wouldn't have worked. He will be a good lifemate** I sent to her with all the love I could. She cared for me and I couldn't be angry at her wishing me to be happy. I looked to Strongbow.
**Eyrn** he sent me with a smile on his lips.
**Wyl** I sent back with just the tiniest of smiles playing on my lips.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it! Please review and tell me what you think?
I know my English skills is horrible but I hope you can look pass it.
Kristine