It was strange.
Despite her confusing night, and her lack of sleep, or whatever the hell had occurred, She had never felt better.
In fact, she woke up refreshed and energized.
So much so, that her father narrowed his eyes at her and continued to stare for what felt like forever.
"What has occurred?" He had asked with a tone of worry, but thinking back on current events, Kagome decided that if nothing else, she would keep this secret.
Shrugging, she provided no answer to her father.
Instead; she allowed thoughts to fly by as she tried to make sense of all the information the stranger had provided her.
Following her father, she offered no complaints and asked no questions.
Begrudgingly, she decided that if he had not shared the information by now, she would get her answers from the Lunar prince—the next time she saw him.
Closing her eyes, she recalled his image to her memories.
Sighing quietly, she smiled to herself.
If nothing else, she felt safer in this territory than before. In the beginning, she had feared crossing over. After all, hadn't her entire village spoken of the savages known as Youkai and Mages? In fact, her bedtime stories had consisted of the dangers of such beings were.
But then she had met him.
Despite all the stories, he seemed nothing like what she had expected them to be.
Moving the sleeve of her Yukata, she turned her gaze down protectively to check on the status of her wound.
Yet, the wound that had been fresh last night, was now scarred over.
Blinking several times, she debated on how such a thing was possible.
"Father—" breaking the silence, she decided she would ask some questions for the time being. Without surprise, with the same actions as yesterday, he shushed her and stopped dead in their tracks.
Another request for information avoided.
Great.*
"We are being followed by wolves."
Such a statement quickly made any questions she may have had disappear.
"Wolves?!"
Briefly, she wondered if he spoke of Youkai or actual wolves. More importantly, she wondered if she or they should be worried.
Would they be like him?
Or different?
"Show yourself." Apparently, her father was not even the slightest bit alarmed if his bored and cold voice was any indication.
A noise in surrounding bushes to their right quickly resulted in over ten wolves of every color making their presence know.
Watching them in awe, she quickly came to the conclusion that the stories of fear really had been misplaced.
Sure, could these wolves probably rip her in half?
Yes.
But, the stories had never addressed the beauty and incredible power this side of the land held. Just when she let her guard down observing the quiet wolves, a body jumped from a neighboring tree.
To her complete and utter shock, her handsome stranger presented himself.
"Greetings. My name is Koga, the Lunar prince." Even as his familiar introduction was spoken, she couldn't help but stare at him in disbelief.
He was here?
Like, actually here?
Not in a dream?
Silently willing him to look her way, she wondered if his presence here was a coincidence.To her complete shock, he turned her way and tilted his head in acknowledgement.
However, unlike her, her father seemed to have far different emotions regarding the prince. In fact, his eyes narrowed as he observed the stranger and the entourage of wolves.
"Prince Koga, I do not believe we have been formally introduced. I am—"
Kagome raised a brow in confusion. Her father spoke as if they should have been acquaintances or were housed in the same social circles.
Just how many secrets had he kept from her?
Yet, the wolf prince surprised her even more with his response.
"I remember you. Head twilight mage for the House of the Moon." Hisakatas eyes widened in shock, but quickly narrowed once more as he followed the wolfs gaze—to his daughter.
Seeing no way to avoid introductions, Hisakata began.
"This is my daughter. Head Twilight Mage Priestess for the Circle of the moon."
He had expected a bow, or maybe a hello. Instead, the wolf whistled with an impressed look directed at his daughter, and then looking her dead in the eyes with mischief, he spoke
"Such a fancy title."
To Hisakatos shock, his daughter rolled her eyes and quietly snorted in what appeared to be...playfulness?
For a brief moment, he wondered if he had missed something.
Where did the familiarly between the two come from?
Clearing his throat, he halted such actions immediately and switched the topic to more important matters.
"We are heading to the house of Moon—"
But once more, the wolf interrupted him.
"As am I. As Lord of the Eastern Lands, we insist on escorting you and ensuring a safe journey."
Escort them?
Why? More importantly, how had he even known about them so early in the journey?
Without wanting to appear suspicious of such assistance, he nodded his thanks. Yet in the back of his head, he wondered what ulterior motives the Lunar prince had. After all, Lords had far more important things to do then assist travelers or even other members of the same social circles.
As luck would have it, such an answer all but fell on his lap.
For a brief moment, the wolf walked alongside them, and slowly inching further away from him and closer towards his daughter.
"So, is the travel for wedding plans? Or does the marriage alliance no longer stand since the House of moon was unable to provide their end of the deal?"
Rather quickly, Hiskato realized the wolf was well versed in who he was, and his stature. More surprisingly, he was searching for information.
Information on him--or his daughter?
Briefly, he smiled at the display of young infatuation coming from the wolf. Perhaps adjusting his daughter to this land would not be so difficult, if the spike in her scent was any indication.
Yet, the wolf had brought up a valid question.
Thinking on such things, to his surprise he provided an answer.
"Our protection still stands but not the marriage alliance. My daughter will marry whom she chooses. It's the least I can do."
He knew she was angry right now.
Or furious.
And confused.
But in time, he would explain everything to her.
Or he would explain what he could. Their kinds powers differed drastically between genders, and most importantly she was not only a mage but also a priestess.
Such a combination had never graced the lands.
For now, he would answer what he could.
Turning to the wolf, he eyed him for a reaction to his statement. And the reaction came in the form of a smirk and then a grin at such a respond.
To his surprise, his daughter scoffed at his words.
"How fortunate. Such a privilege for ones of royalty is not often seen." Shockingly, the tone of the wolf held sincerity.
Perhaps, he would not be such bad company after all.
The entire rest of the day both men had remained mute.
For hours, Kagome had wondered if their nightly interaction had actually happened.
Closing her eyes, she went over the details of the night,
From his demanding touches.
To his aggressive kisses.
And those fangs.
Shaking her head of such thoughts, she turned her eyes to the trail.
Stop it, Kagome. Think of something else.
But she couldn't.
No matter how she tried, he was there, right in front of her, reminding her of the events that had occurred.
"Kagome, is it?" His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
Glaring at him, she wondered if he had really forgotten.
"Yes?" She hoped he noticed the icy tone.
"So you're a mage huh? I wasn't aware of any Twilight Mages other than your father." He almost hummed the information nonchalantly.
What was he doing? Or more importantly, what was he asking?
"Who do you syphon off for recovery?" His question made no sense to her, but as she followed his gaze, she realized it wasn't truly meant for her.
Instead, he was staring at her father—coldly.
And just like that, the small group came to a halt.
Her father turned to him and for a moment, she wondered if he would answer.
"We have just arrived back in Youkai territory. Before, we were housed in the Land of the holy." For once, Kagome heard him speak the truth. Yet, she had no idea what this had to do with his question.
Neither did Koga, it seemed.
So, her father continued.
"Her mother was a powerful priestess, we would syphon off her to survive."
And just like that, Kagome felt sick.
Apparently, the feeling was mutual as it seemed that the Wolf prince also looked appalled and disgusted.
"How does a human survive that? One sickness and she would ensure her own demise. Youkai can share energy since we have an abundance, but even a priestess has their limits." His voice was shaky as he stole tiny glances at her with confusion written all over his face.
How does a human survive that?
And suddenly, everything made sense.
Why they had to leave.
Why she couldn't have them around.
Instantly, her word began to spin.
Trying to steady herself, she failed miserably.
Her father and her were no better than parasites.
To their own family.
To her mother.
With that thought, Kagome let the darkness engulf her. The last thing she remembered were all too familiar strong arms taking hold of her before her body nearly hit the ground.
Koga could count on one hand how many times he was proved wrong. Strangely enough, in the past day, it had happened multiple times.
Just like any other day, he had ended his day with ensuring his pack was protected, well fed and secure. With those thoughts, he had allowed himself some rest.
Only to them be lulled by the moon out of his own domain without being aware. It was after he was within the territory of his forest that he had regained consciousness.
By that time, it had been too late.
He had already smelled her.
Following the scent of moon flowers and magic, he was shocked to find himself in front of one of the most beautiful beings he had ever seen. Letting her scent surround him, he had spoken to her.
Her voice had been music to his ears.
Her shyness an adorable trait.
But her confusion regarding her identity had been nothing short of alarming.
Twilight Mages were most rare and they did not simply fall in ones laps.
Yet, it seemed that this one had.
Smelling her, he knew it had been her whom had searched for someone to match her power and lulled him here.
She needed someone whom could assist. Even now, her drained aura let him know her strength was drastically low.
How was such a thing possible?
How did she have no one to prevent this from happening?
Yet, as she spoke, he realized she truly was clueless.
Clueless about being drained.
Clueless on how she had called for him.
Clueless about the relationship that canines had with Twilight Mages.
If nothing else, they were one of the most ideal pairing for their kind. He had more than enough power to spare and she would need to be protected. At least until she realized who she was and how to control her power.
Perhaps, even then she would still need protection.
Thinking back to the rarity of such beings and the jealousy their power caused, he wondered how she had managed to be so alone in the world.
First, he was curious—about a great many things about her.
Yet, the curiosity turned to desire when their lips met and he showed her the quickest way for her kind to syphon.
But it wasn't until his beast lost control that he truly realized what had just happened.
His beast had left a claim for courting.
Apparently, the calling for aid had turned into something entirely different.
And with that thought, he had made it back to the den to ensure preparations were in order. He would be gone for a short duration. It had been what he had told his pack. And with such an announcement he had gusted off to track down the woman who smelled of moon flowers and magic with a grin on his face.