Pertrified.

"Wow." She said breathlessly. Darla stared at the beautiful woman before her then jerked her head to face Daryn "Sh_she i_is your mother?" He only nodded smiling though it didn't reach his eyes. Daryn was tense. Was she going to leave him now. The thought felt stupid so he pushed it aside...but the fear was still there.

After waiting for a minute only to see his mate switch stares between him and his mother, he began to wonder if she was feeling alright. Was it that overwhelming?

"Darla," he called for her reaching a hand to her. The woman made a ninety degree spin to him surprised that he called for her but one look at his mate was enough to know how overwhelmed she was. Her eyes were a tad too wide and unfocused. She looked pertrified.

He stifled the growl that had started vibrating in his chest at the lost expression on her face and circled an arm around her waist and brought her closer to himself reassuring her. It seemed to work because, not long after she settled and her eyes gained focus and her heart wasn't beating like she was close to having a heart attack.

Darla returned her eyes on the beautiful woman wearing a simple white tunic and genuflected giving the goddess the respect she deserved not only as a deity she was but also the fact that she was her mate's mother. "Greetings gracious jewel of the night".

Selene was pleasantly suprised. Maybe her son's mate was not that hopeless afterall. "Rise my dear." Darla got back on her feet smiling now confident than before. She glanced at her mate and saw him smile. Encouraging her. She could feel his happiness and encouragement through there bond. It gave her all the courage she needed.

"We finally meet. I must say my son has complemented you alot...and so have i Darla. Your unconditional love for him has melted my heart." Her voice flowed like the slow soothing melodies of the night. Darla couldn't help but feel at peace.

"Thank you gracious mother" her cheeks pinked at the praises she was receiving from the goddess she glanced at Daryn again and saw a calm smile on his face though his eyes reflected the ripples underneath. Something was wrong.

Selene sighed then walked closer to them. She looked at her son who was giving her silent warning glares then returned her eyes to the mortal woman. "You see, my son here has a task. A duty he must heed to and the time that he is supposed to settle it began from the moment he...evolved yesterday. So he needs to be leaving anytime now"

"I am aware of his duties mother and i agree he must fulfill them so i will come with to assist him on his tasks"

"You don't get it girl. If you follow him to the tournaments you will die and not only will my son suffer at the lose of his mate, he could die wanting to protect you more than his life or just simply put himself on the same path as death because he may happen to loose you in battle"

Darla prepared to argue. She had won the previous arguments with Daryn afterall. Though she doubted the possibility with his mother. She did not understand why everyone took her for a weak mundane. A property that needed to be looked after or a delicate item that needs to be protected.

As if she read her thoughts, Selene said "You are not weak or powerless my dear." She placed a hand on her shoulder. "Neither are you a mundane but there are fights you can not win" she paused as she remembered a life's lesson then added "....there are battles we cannot fight".

Darla resigned. She gave a tight nod. Selene smiled and glanced at Daryn then stepped back.

"You are better to us alive here than dead in the tournament" Selene said as she began to fade the moon light dancing around her figure.