Chapter 8: Awakening Bonds
Korran lay beside Yue Lixue, captivated by the sight of her sleeping form. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the way her hair cascaded over the pillow like a waterfall of moonlight—it was a vision that stole his breath. As he allowed himself to study her, he noticed something unusual peeking through the delicate curves of her body.
A faint beastmark, barely discernible against her skin, wound its way up the length of her side. It was the lightest shade of baby blue, reminiscent of a winter sky, and bore the insignia of a snow leopard. Korran's heart raced at the sight, but his brow furrowed in confusion. The mark lacked the vibrant intensity of a full beastmark, showing no stars or badges of strength, and it held no elemental border that usually accompanied such symbols. It was so faint that it could easily have been missed altogether.
He studied it closely, wondering at first if it was a matemark from a previous mate. After all, Yue Lixue hailed from the Snow Leopard tribe, and it would not be surprising for her to carry a mark from a mate connection. Female's always had multiple mates at Yue Lixue's age, but as he examined it further, he sensed it was something different—remnants of a bond that seemed weaker, almost ghostly, as if it had faded over time.
Korran's heart sank at the thought. Could this faint mark signify a lower-level mate, someone who had failed to protect her? He felt a surge of anger and protectiveness rise within him at the idea that someone had left her vulnerable, unguarded. The realisation that she had faced challenges before their encounter only fueled his determination to stand by her side.
He leaned closer, brushing a gentle finger along the edge of the beastmark, a silent vow forming in his heart. No matter what had happened before, he would ensure that Yue Lixue would never feel weak or unprotected again. She was his now, and he would guard her fiercely, allowing no one to threaten the bond they had forged. She clearly didn't feel anything for this beast as it's mark was so faint. His own matemark was faint because the bond was new, but it was not as faint as this snow leopard mark.
What Korran didn't know and failed to consider was that this was actually Lixue's beastmark. A mark she didn't even know that she had.
He stayed awake the rest that night deep in thought, watching the first light of dawn break through the window, casting a warm golden hue over the room. Korran stirred awake, the remnants of the night's passion still lingering in the air. As he blinked against the morning light, his gaze fell on Yue Lixue, who lay beside him, her chest rising and falling gently in a peaceful slumber.
His heart swelled as he recalled the intensity of their connection, the way they had surrendered to their desires. But then, his eyes caught the faint matemark on her shoulder blade, identical to his own beastmark. A rush of exhilaration coursed through him; it was a sign of their union, a bond that would deepen their connection in ways he had only dreamed of.
Yet, as he traced the outline of the matemark with his fingertips, a nagging thought began to surface. Something had felt off the night before—an unsettling sense that the medicine they had consumed had altered their perceptions. It had heightened their emotions and hastened their actions. While the thought of that didn't thrill him, the elation of knowing Lixue was now his mate overshadowed his concerns. They had forged a bond that felt incredibly real, despite the circumstances that had led them there.
Korran carefully studied Lixue's serene face, a mixture of joy and apprehension swirling within him. This was more than just a physical connection; it was a melding of souls, a promise of loyalty and love. He wondered how Yue Lixue would react upon waking to find it, to understand the significance of what they had shared.
As he lost himself in thought, Korran couldn't help but smile. The sun was rising on a new day, not just for him but for both of them. He could sense that their lives were about to change forever.
Yue Lixue stirred, a soft smile gracing her lips as her eyes fluttered open. She turned to Korran, her expression shifting from sleepiness to surprise as she noticed the look on his face. "What's got you smiling like that?" she teased, propping herself up on one elbow. The previous night hadn't yet flooded back to her, still in between sleep and being awake.
"Just thinking about how beautiful you are," he replied, his voice low and affectionate as he brushed a strand of her strawberry bonde hair behind Yue Lixue's ears. He took this moment so savour her pale skin and large blue ocean eyes. "...and how incredible last night was."
Yue Lixue's cheeks flushed as she began to remember last night. How intimate they had gotten and their shared thoughts and physically shared moments. "It was… unforgettable," she said, a shy smile creeping onto her lips. She moved away from him, out of his embrace and noticed that she felt a little better and a headache didn't greet her this morning either, "but I feel different this morning. I can't explain it. Is it just me?" Lixue blushed, the pink dusking clear on her face, which only made her look more adorable to Korran, as she wondered if it was the afterglow some people said they got after being intimate with a partner.
As she moved away from him and pulled a corner of the fur bedding to conceal her naked form from him, he worried.
Korran then hesitated, unsure how to approach the topic of the matemark and make her aware. It wasn't normal to mate in an altered state like the medicine had caused, and so he wasn't sure how his mate would react. "You're not imagining things," he finally said, his voice steady. "You have a matemark now, just like mine." He gestured toward her shoulder, where the faint symbol glimmered in the morning light, though she would need a mirror to see it—something that didn't exist in the beastworld world.
Her eyes widened as she turned to look, her fingers brushing against the area where the mark was hidden. "What does this mean?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and awe.
With all the questions she had already asked, Korran thought he had heard everything from her. This took him by surprise greatly, "Did your tribe and family teach you nothing?!" He then considered it could be from the memory loss Yue Lixue had mentioned. Perhaps her memory loss had made her forget so much that she forgot her mate! That made sense and to Korran.
However, he now became worried that if her forgetting was not healed that Lixue might one day forget him.
Yue Lixue was such a beautiful looking female, but she seemed to know so little and even acted very strangely - like not eating meat. Shaking her head to suggest, "no" and he thought understood.
"It means we're bonded," Korran explained, his heart racing. "You accepted me as one of your mates last night. This mark signifies that connection. We're tied together now, more me being tied to you, in ways that go beyond physical."
Lixue stared at him, her expression shifting from confusion to understanding. "I didn't understand... I didn't know that's what would happen," she said softly. What she meant but didn't say is that she wouldn't have followed through and lt it happened. Meeting his gaze. "I think I felt it, Korran. The moment the bond connected and was made, after that... everything just felt more... I felt everything. It was like a part of me was awakened."
Korran reached out, cupping her face in his hand and brushing her cheek with his thumb. "It's a powerful bond. Your matemark with me is very faint for now. It'll grow darker, more detailed, and more prominent as we grow stronger and as feelings grow as mates. As we navigate our lives together. You're not just my mate, Lixue; I'm bound to you and will follow you anywhere and help give you anything you need. I'll face whatever comes your way and never let any harm come to you again."
A wave of emotion washed over Yue Lixue as she absorbed his words. "I... would like that," she declared, her voice steady, her words surprised even herself. "I want you to be by my side, Korran."
They shared a moment of silence, the weight of their unspoken promises hanging in the air. Korran leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, solidifying the bond, which they had just begun to explore, the tiniest bit more.
As they began to stir, Korran felt a sense of urgency to protect Yue Lixue, not just from the world outside but from any challenges that lay ahead. He knew they would have to face the scrutiny of their families, the expectations placed upon them, and the looming threats that could emerge from any of the panther tribes enemies.
"Let's get ready," Korran suggested, pulling away reluctantly. "We should talk to my father about this, about us being mated and your memory loss. He'll want to know what's happened and might have some guidance."
Yue Lixue nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "It was lovely of your family to invite me for a meal before, and if your dad as the village leader can help where the Shaman couldn't, I'll take any help offered."
As they dressed and prepared for the day, the air was thick with anticipation. Yue Lixue couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something significant, that their union would not only change their lives, more hers, but also the fate of their village.
Yet, the thought of the medicine lingered in the back of his mind. He would have to investigate what had been given to them to ensure their bond was rooted in clarity and not confusion.
After a quick breakfast of some sour fruits, they set out into the village to look for the village leader.