Chapter 8

• CHAPTER EIGHT
• GAGE’S POV
• “It's me Elder Astrid…Gage!” I shouted to his hearing as he loomed from the darkness.
• The dim light of the moon reflected against his dark cloak, showering on his strong features. Wolves had a funny way of aging slowly and he was one of the elders that resided near the academy since the very day it was built.
• He knew so much about the four wolven packs and pack history he was titled the name, ‘The Wise and All knowing’ by the Goddess herself. If we were to find anything on this multiple mate thing, he was our best bet.
• “Gage my boy! What are you sneaking around these sides for?” He greeted in a light tone, notably hiding his excitement.
• Despite the dark errieness about him he had a rather sweet spot, specially for me that is. He claimed I always reminded him of his younger days and frankly, the only thing we had in common was our silver eyes.
• “Training’s been taking a bit too much of my time these days. I might as well resign,” I said with a grin and he let out a hearty chuckle.
• “I doubt Lady Brooke would fancy that idea,” looking over my shoulder, he took note of the red ball of hair standing closely behind me.
• “I see you've noticed my friend here, Indigo Larkspur. We need your help.”
• Astrid's piercing gaze lingered on her so intently, even I felt the tension. It was certain he had already picked up on something.
• “An odd child,” he murmured with his voice barely audible, “Very odd.”
• “Well then,” he turned around gesturing for us to follow him,“this way… ”
• We trailed behind him, the silence broken only by the rustling of leaves beneath our feet. The trees seemed to close in around us, their branches tangling above like a canopy.
• “I'm certain he's the odd one here,” Indigo finally whispered to my hearing and it took quite a lot out of me not to end up laughing.
• “I did warn you, he's no harm though. We'll get to the bottom of this thing with you, me, Lariq and Valtor.”
• “Where is he taking us though?”
• “His home…probably.” It stinged to sound unsure.
• “Probably? You haven't been there before?”
• “Not exactly.”
• I could sense her alarm, that, and her forehead was knitted into an outstanding knot. My hand found its way to hers and I felt something almost like electricity surge through them.
• I knew I wasn't the only one who felt it, she looked up into my eyes and something in hers shone. The strong urge to just drag her into a hug and take her right then and there was almost drowning.
• “We're here,” Astrid sounded, drawing me from my thoughts. A clearing emerged, revealing a secluded cottage nestled among the trunks. Smoke drifted lazily from the chimney, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and baking bread.
• We looked around the cottage and it was a rather cozy and humble setting, a fire going on in the living room, freshly baked pastries covered up on the counter, not a speck of dust in sight.
• “This is where you actually live Astrid?” I mouthed still taking in the satisfying simplicity of the whole thing.
• “Yes, but, this isn't our final stop.” He unlocked a bolted door by the far end of the cottage. Drawing close, it revealed a set of steps. “Down we go.”
• Indigo and I shared a curious look before descending down the stairs. What seemed like a chamber came into view, a huge oak desk just at the middle overtaken by what seemed like spell books, potions of different kinds and sizes stacked up in one corner and even more out of place objects circling around.
• “This is your office I suppose?”
• “More or less. I like to take it as a…creative workspace. Now, what exactly am I to help you and your friend with?”
• “The thing is…” I started, throwing Indigo a brief glance. “I'm her mate.”
• “I don't see what's —”
• “And so are two other wolven.” I said cutting Astrid off leaving him with a baffled look.
• “What?” He resounded and from his tone, he had never come across something of such. “Gage, how is that possible? Are you certain?”
• I released a breath, stretching a hand over Indigo's small shoulder drawing her in close. “I can feel it, I can feel the attraction, my wolf yearns for her and it's becoming stronger by the passing minute.”
• “Gage I don't know…”
• “Elder Astrid, I have never been more sure of anything else in my entire life.”
• Astrid stood silently, going over to the oak table, mumbling words to himself. Anticipation and curiosity all mixed into his expression as he feverishly searched through the piles of books.
• “Found it!” He blurted out, turning the pages of a black book with sacred inscriptions, stopping dramatically at a page to read its contents.
• “Fascinating…fascinating indeed. Who are the other mates?”
• “Alpha Valtor of Westside pack and Alpha Lyriq of the East side pack.” Indigo replied herself and Astrid with a smile, pointed his gaze at me.
• “And Alpha Gage of the Northside pack…all Alphas. This is even beyond what I could have ever thought.”
• “Does that mean you know something? Anything about what's going on?” Indigo inclined, following Astrid's pace as he strode forward and back until he halted.
• “Are you certain they are both very attracted to you by the mate bond?”
• “As far as I know I'm very much attracted to them…all three of them.” The last part was more of a whisper but my sharp sense of hearing caught on to it.
• She's…attracted to me? My wolf growled from the depths of my belly and I had to control the heat I was protruding.
• “Um…elder Astrid. I think you're missing the most important factor here if you are able to figure out something.” She muttered after a while of contemplating.
• “What's that,” he asked with an arched eyebrow.”
• “I'm wolf less.”