Free Jewel of Darkness by Quinn Loftis Page B

uncertainty of whether or not she was his true mate, he was quickly becoming less and less sufferable.
    “Did you know that worrying does absolutely nothing to change the circumstances that cause the worry?”
    Nick turned at the sound of her voice and bowed his head. “Great Luna,” he said dropping to one knee. He was immediately reminded of the day he’d watched Kara plead with the goddess to let her take Jewel’s place, and it only deepened the ache inside of him.
    “What troubles you, child of mine?” she asked him. Nick could hear the genuine concern in her voice and he was humbled by it.
    “I am worried about Kara,” he didn’t elaborate on who Kara was. The Great Luna, after all, was well aware of all of her children — the gypsy healers were no exception. “I’m confused about her as well.”
    “You care for her.”
    “She’s only sixteen,” he said quickly.
    “Seventeen, actually. She had a birthday, but told no one.” The goddess sounded intrigued by Kara’s actions.
    Nick’s head rose slightly but he waited until she told him to look at her. “Why? Why would she not tell anyone?”
    “Kara’s life has been a challenging one. There has never been a single birthday celebration in her life, not one. To her, it’s just another day.”
    The Great Luna watched him intently. He wondered what she saw. “What am I to her?” Nick finally asked. He didn’t know if the goddess would tell him anything but he had to at least ask.
    Her eyes softened as she walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You are whatever she needs you to be. Be it friend, protector, confidante. She will need you, Nickolas, Beta of the Canadian pack. In the days to come as darkness grows, she will need you.”
    “Is she mine? Is she my true mate?” Nick had stood up before he even realized what he was doing as he asked the question that had been driving him crazy.
    “When the time comes, yes, she will be yours.”
    Nick’s head fell forward, his chin nearly touching his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his jaw at her declaration. He hadn’t wanted to hope, hadn’t wanted to give thought to the possibility of Kara being his mate, but now he had absolute confirmation.
    “Why have I felt drawn to her if she isn’t of age? There aren’t supposed to be mating signs until the females are eighteen, right?” he asked as he raised his head to once again look at his creator.
    “Circumstances often change necessities. It is necessary that the healers be protected. Who better to protect them than their true mates? I know your heart, child. I know you would never dishonor her. I trust you with one who has not yet come of age. She’s close, and in many ways, because of her experiences, she is more mature than many adults. I also know that Kara has been alone for a very long time, and it’s time for healing to begin ― not only in her but in all of my healers. Help her heal, Nickolas. Help her become the healer she is meant to be, and she in turn will help you become the wolf I intend you to be.” With that command, she was gone.
    Her words absorbed into him and the mission the Great Luna set before him burrowed deep into his marrow and became his purpose. He would protect her, he would listen to her, laugh with her, bear her sorrow, and ― if it came down to it ― he would die for her: Kara, seventeen, orphan, gypsy healer, and his true mate.

    K ale sat on the bed in the upstairs room that held the scent of the one who belonged to him. It was all he had of her, just her scent. But that small detail was imbedded in his mind, and he would be able to recognize her anywhere simply by her scent. But he wanted to know more. He wanted to know what color her hair was, her eyes, and her aura. Kale wanted to know what her laugh sounded like and what her skin felt like. He wanted to know everything about her. The growing ache inside of him was beginning to fester like a thorn buried deep in his paw. Their