Amber was about to return to the inn with Pom and his siblings when she felt her connection with James brighten in a way it hadn't in a few days. Smiling, she turned toward the inn and stretched out her senses. A gold and silver soul were escaping the others and hurrying toward the outer wall.

So, he's giving her what she wants. Took her long enough to ask.

Proud that Luna finally had the courage to share her feelings with James, she turned back to Pom. "I need you to stay in a safe location with your family tonight. Tomorrow, you will meet my master and help with the district."

Pom bowed his head. "Thank you, Amber. When we first met…"

Smiling, she waved him off. "I'm sorry for tricking you like that. But I really do need your help. We have a lot to clean up and people to save. You're going to become a face to remember."

"Is that good?"

Chuckling, she nodded. "It is. When I leave here, I'm going to need someone I can trust to be in charge. And with you being that person, I believe your family will be safe as well."

Turning to his sister, Pom smiled. "Let's get some sleep."

Turning away, Amber started walking back to the inn. She had much to plan for, and a future problem to debate. Mother claimed that something unstoppable was going to come for James. An event that would change him fundamentally. She needed to help him as much as possible, and she knew what she needed to do.

First, she needed to leave him and Luna alone for the night. If she was finally brave enough to talk with him and figure things out, then she would let her. He may be Amber's person, and she would love him, but that didn't mean they had to be lovers. She had been delaying specifically for this reason.

Amber would be the first to admit that she was proud of Luna. The Fenrir couldn't admit to herself that she wasn't scared of James but scared of losing him by falling behind. She should have known that he would never leave her.

Smiling to herself, she thought of what the future was going to hold after they left Running River. Amber had more cities to check and more armies to discover. It wasn't just Mender and Jamie that would be leaving the party after they were finished.

***

James filled the tub with steaming water as he watched Luna strip out of her clothes. The Fenrir was covered in blood still, and no amount of cleaning would recover the pants and shirt she threw to the side. With her back to him, she pulled off her underwear and glanced over her shoulder.

"You're staring," she teased before wiggling her hips.

"Vixen," he teased in return. "Hurry and get in the water."

Giggling, she bounced over to him and slipped into the tub. Moaning at the warm water, she started rubbing her arms, washing off the blood that she could.

Grabbing her tail, he ran his fingers through her soft fur, fluffing it in the water and rubbing as much of the blood out as he could. Her snow white fibers were practically stained red.

Pouring a liberal amount of shampoo into his palm, he held her tail out of the water and started scrubbing. Her happy moans melted his heart as he pampered her for the first time in days.

He was telling the truth when he said he had missed her. She broke up with him because she was scared of him, but she was finally talking. She was finally telling him everything.

"I brought blankets and pillows," she said softly. "If you are okay with cuddling me."

"I'd like nothing more than to share a bed with you." Dunking her tail under the water, he started rinsing the suds from her fur. "Are you sure you won't have a problem with me leveling up again?"

Smiling, she cupped his cheek. "I'm ready to ask myself that very question. But if anything, these last few days have made me realize one thing. I can't live without you. No matter how strong you get, I want to stay by your side…"

"And grow together," he added. "I'm not leaving you behind, Luna."

A few more tears trailed down her cheeks and she slapped his arm. "Stop making me cry."

Laughing, he started running his fingers through her hair. "Under you go."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Taking a deep breath, she dunked herself and helped him scrub her head a few times. Once she came back up, he started with the shampoo again. He was going to need an alchemist to make more for when they left.

"I should talk to Amber," she said after a moment.

"You should," he agreed. "But tomorrow, I have more work to do than I care to admit."

"We both do."

Rubbing her ears, he dunked her under the water again. Once he was sure her hair was clean and back to white, he stood up. "Soak for as long as you like, Luna."

"Almost done," she said right away. "Then I'm cleaning you. You really need it."

Chuckling, he gave in. The sun would be setting soon, and he needed to wash quickly so they could watch the stars, just like they used to.

***

It was the dead of night and Luna still couldn't sleep. A notification was waiting for her. One that didn't make sense after everything she knew.

Would you like to accept pregnancy: Y/N

For now, she said no. What that meant for her future and why it never appeared before was up in the air. All she knew was that something changed in her, and she knew she would never leave him again.

Epilogue

Zulitrix Zepher stopped her march as she looked over her shoulder to the north. Everest stopped with her, a small whimper escaping her small body.

"He actually did it," Trix stated.

"Did what?" Everest asked. "All I felt was a shift in my bond with him. It's strange."

Chuckling, Trix started walking again, her children following her every step. Delving into her thoughts, she wondered just what all changed about her prediction. Luna was never meant to be his soulmate. Amber was. Yet, that is not what happened. The Fenrir found it within herself to accept her fears and grow. A piece of the puzzle that shouldn't have been possible.

How much are you going to change the future, James Matson?

Closing her eyes, Trix delved into the river of fate. The strands that once clung to her master were tattered and torn. The future where he lost everything was no more, and yet the few remaining strands were pulling him toward a new future. One that made Trix open her eyes and gasp.

What she had seen, she would have nightmares from. A future that needed to change. One that James needed to change before it was too late.

***

Familial Bonds

Luna Rys: Soulmate

Amber L'hito: Confidant, Protector, Flirt, Tease

Jamie Riclan: Sister, Enchanter Heart, Rival

Brandon Riclan (Mender): Brother, Soul Healer

Linda Silvertree: Sister, Crafting Heart

Everest: Dragon Daughter, Kind Soul

Shadow Paw the Stalker: Companion, Leader of Arms

Strong Beak: Companion, Flock Leader, Confidant

James read over his list of bonds for the first time since figuring out his skill. He never would have guessed that Mender's real name was Brandon. But the most surprising part was Luna. The one he thought was his Soulmate was supposed to be Amber, and yet she wasn't, not any longer at least. What changed? And how much of it did he change himself?

He also really needed to question who Shadow Paw and Strong Beak were. Everest made sense, but who the hell were the other two? And why did he feel a connection with Grace and yet nothing is shown?

***

"Running River has fallen."

Waving his hand over the enchanted orb, James's old elder ground his teeth. It would seem that a god has risen once again. It is time I head to the Underworld for a few old acquaintances.

Dusting off his robes, the elder turned to the south. It would be a long journey to the rent, but only a few of the Underworld natives had the power to stop James now. It was likely that an army was already gathering around the man. One that would ruin all of their plans.

Character Sheets

Name: James Matson

Soul Strength: 9.00361

Soul Skills

Soul Siphon

Soul Strike

Soul Blade

Soul Vault

Soul Senses

Soul Puppet

Soul Control

Familial Bonds

Soul Crafting: Level 7/10

Soul Water: Level 7/10

Skills

Regeneration: Level 10/10

Antihistamine: Level 3/10

Pain Resistance: Level 10/10

Heat Resistance: Level 10/10

Poison Resistance: Level 5/10

Rot Resistance: Level 10/10

Corruption Resistance: Level 6/10

Corrosion Resistance: Level 8/10

Acid Resistance: Level 5/10

Piercing Resistance: Level 6/10

Slashing Resistance: Level 5/10

Concussive Resistance: Level 4/10

Soul Resistance: Level 3/10

Improvised Weapons: Level 3/10

Crude Tanning: Level 6/10

Crude Leatherwork: Level 6/10

Crude Armor Crafting: Level 6/10

Tanning: Level 1/10

Enchanting: Level 3/10

***

Name: Luna Rys

Soul Strength: 7.483

Soul Skills

Soul Siphon

Soul Rend

Soul Form

Soul Senses

Soul Wind: Level 6/10

Soul Bond: James Matson: Soulmate

Skills

Regeneration: Level 10/10

Pain Resistance: Level 10/10

Heat Resistance: Level 10/10

Poison Resistance: Level 4/10

Rot Resistance: Level 10/10

Corruption Resistance: Level 4/10

Corrosion Resistance: Level 7/10

Acid Resistance: Level 5/10

Piercing Resistance: Level 4/10

Slashing Resistance: Level 4/10

Concussive Resistance: Level 3/10

Mercantile: Level 5/10

Haggling: Level 4/10

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.