Chapter Eight: The Sanctuary Interview

She had not even noticed that he had walked back into the room. He wrapped the blanket around her and sat on the couch across from her. 

"How did you know?" Zoe asked.

Nikolai had changed into a plaid colored pajama bottoms and he put on a shirt with the words "No Halo" etched across the chest. 

Nikolai looked at her; she noticed his eyes were red again.

"They really don't teach priestesses that much, do they?" Nikolai asked. His tone was bitter.

"We learn the basics but not much about werewolves besides the medical and healing treatments," Zoe said shyly.

Nikolai sighed. 

"Mates can hear their significant others' thoughts. It is intensified when the mate is under stress or anxious. I heard your thoughts because you are my mate."

"You probably think that I am crazy," Zoe muttered. 

"No, I think you are someone that is hurting and irrational thoughts are normal when staring at the abyss waiting for answers. Especially when there is nothing or no one to answer back." 

Zoe tightened her grip on the blanket and took a deep breath. 

"Zoe, as Alpha, I have to know why you are seeking the state of asylum." 

"I…" Zoé did not know where to start.

"I have to due to protocol," Nikolai justified. 

"The coven banished me…" Zoe whispered. She knew that Nikolai would hear her. She felt if she said it aloud it would become something she had to face alone. 

"What do you mean they banished you? For what reasons?!" Nikolai said.

His voice got louder. Zoe looked at the Alpha glaring. 

"I was banished because the High Priestess and my mother said it was because we were mates. They said the Luna cannot be in the temple." Zoe felt the tears fell as she closed her eyes. 

A loud bang interrupted the quiet space. Zoe opened her eyes to see that Nikolai had smashed his fist into the wall. He had not been using his full strength because there was no dent or hole in the wall. 

He pushed his hands through his short curled locks. Zoe watched Nikolai square his shoulders and compose himself. 

"You cannot be serious? How did you know to come here?" Nikolai said. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed two mugs from his cabinet. 

"Elder Grace was in the meeting with the three of us. Before I left, she told me that I could seek sanctuary with the Alpha of the pact." Zoe said. She kept her head down, fearing that she would be kicked out.

He's going to make me leave too.

"Zoe, I am not going to throw you out," Nikolai said. His voice was strained. She turned around to see Nikolai holding on to the countertop, he was gripping the counter trying to channel his frustration. 

How dare they kick out his mate? She was the strongest being in the entire tribe. And they threw her out for being his destined partner. He could feel his wolf taking over, demanding retribution for their judgement. 

Tearing through the monastery will not change their minds about the situation. 

Nikolai thought to himself at the same time, calming his wolf. He was able to gain control as he grabbed the clear bottle he was looking for. He grabbed a jug from the counter and poured it into the white mug. He poured the liquid into the clear glass in the black mug. 

He walked back into the living room and handed the white mug to Zoe. He sat back in the couch and took a swig of from the black mug. He let the warmth from the fireplace and his drink ease his mind. 

He needed to be calm in front of his mate. She needed him and he needed to get the questions over before he let his temper and wolf get the better of him. 

"Do you have anyone else to seek shelter with in the coming days?" Nikolai said. 

Zoe scoffed at him. He raised his hand, signaling her to stop. "It's part of seeking sanctuary, Zoe. I have to ask for this as well as the elder council." 

"You have to tell them," Zoe said. She did not want anyone else to know she was banished.

"Unfortunately, with every new person that enters the village, I have to tell the council. It is different since you were born here, but I have to keep to habit and protocol." 

Zoe understood if it was just like when some would seek medical attention from the doctors in the tribe or in the temple. Anyone that was not apart from the temple had to—if there ailments allowed—had to discuss reason for coming. 

"Alpha Nik—

"Nikolai or Nik, with me if no one else is around. You are my mate and we treat each other as such." 

"I don't have anyone else, Nik. Everyone that I know is in the mountains," Zoe said. She tried not to shed any tears. 

The thundering storm outside interrupted their questioning only for a moment. Nikolai rose from his seat and peered out of the window. 

"The storm is getting worse. They said it would be like this for a few days. It's lucky you made it down the mountain before the storm turned worse." 

"I don't feel so lucky," Zoe said. "Are you going to kick me out after the storm ends?" 

Nikolai turned away from the window and walked over to Zoe. He squatted down in front of her and put his hand on her cheek. 

"No." 

"I thought sanctuary was only temporary," Zoe said.

"You are my mate Zoe. I am not going to throw you out in this storm nor am I going to abandon you." 

Nikolai stood up and sat back on the couch. He took another swig of his mug. Zoe had forgotten that she was still holding hers. She took a drink and would not recognize the taste.

"Its cider. I figured you never had anything stronger than this." He said, showing her his mug. "And the sweetness will help with everything. So, let's continue," Nikolai said. 

"Are you a threat to my people? Are you running from any crimes or issues created by you?" 

Zoe stopped her initial thought. And answered with respect.

"No, I am not a threat to the people of the village. I have been their protector—one of their protectors-since I was fifteen. I was almost elevated to the status of High Priestess when the previous steps down. I am running from an issue created by my lineage but not a crime," Zoe said as she took another sip. 

"Explain." Nikolai said.

"My mother and High Priestess Cylvia told me that my change was also the reason why I could not stay." She had not even noticed that he had walked back in the room. He wrapped the blanket around her and sat on the couch across from her. 

Zoe knew that her talk with the Apha was just getting started.