The door flies open, and Selene storms in. Her expression shifts the moment she sees me–concern
quickly gives way to annoyance.
“What are you doing here?” she snaps. If you looked closely, you’d notice her fangs begin to emerge, even if she’s trying to keep them hidden.
I instinctively step back, not going to lie–she intimidates me.
“I should be asking you that,” I respond, lifting my chin to cover up how nervous I actually am.
“He’s my mate,” she hisses. For a second, I forget how I feel and let out a sharp laugh.
“Would’ve never guessed,” I mutter, rolling my eyes. She strides toward me, and I take a step back without thinking.
“I don’t know much about you,” she says, closing the distance, “but here’s some advice–stay away from my mate. I don’t play nice when people mess with what’s mine.” She corners me against the wall, and I curse myself for backing down so easily.
“Cat got your tongue?” she smirks. “Get out. Never come near him again. Do I make myself clear?”
I shift to the side, not yet exiting the room. Theron’s father had made sure I couldn’t leave–he’d used the alpha command to keep me here.
“Are you deaf?” she growls, practically vibrating with rage. She looks like she’s seconds away from shifting into something monstrous when Theron begins to stir.
“Babe,” she gasps, and I blink in disbelief at the sudden transformation. One moment, she’s a wild beast, the next, she’s all sweet smiles and gentle hands. “Are you okay? Let me help.” She fusses over him, adjusting his pillow and holding out a glass of water.
“What happened?” he asks, scanning the room in confusion.
“You blacked out,” she says, her voice trembling. “I was so scared…” I could swear she forced that tear
out.
I mutter under my breath, “He fainted, not died. Give it a break.” Unfortunately for me, both of them
hear it.
Theron’s eyes immediately find me. He steps in front of Selene protectively. “What are you doing here?” he growls. I almost roll my eyes again. For someone who just woke up from unconsciousness, he sure has a lot of energy to be angry.
“Clearly, I’m doing the job your ‘mate‘ failed at,” I shoot back without thinking. That hits a nerve. Selene lunges toward me, claws extended and hissing, but Theron grabs her and pulls her back just in time.
“You’re standing up for her? After what she just did?”
“She’s dangerous. They say she’s under suspicion for practicing magic.”
The expression of fear that flashes across her face gives me a twisted sense of satisfaction, though I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“I’ve said it before–I’m not guilty.” His gaze drifts off, vacant, just before someone arrives to escort me
704%
outside the room.
“Hey,” I mumble awkwardly to the guy who shows up, but he doesn’t acknowledge me.
“Right, cool.”
“Let’s get rid of her.” Hearing that from behind the door makes my blood freeze.
“Could you be any louder?” Theron’s voice cuts in, clearly annoyed.
“Oh, come on, I heard she doesn’t even have a wolf. She can’t hear us.”
‘Not unless you’re practically yelling, genius.‘ I roll my eyes again but keep my mouth shut.
“What’s the motive, then?” I turn to the guard, who’s still pretending I don’t even exist.
I look at the door, stunned. No way he just- I lift my hand to knock.
“I wouldn’t try that if I were you,” the guard warns, still avoiding my gaze. I move to stand in front of him, staring him down.
I freeze.
There’s something about him–he seems familiar, yet somehow not.
“Have we met before?” I ask, tilting my head, trying to figure it out.
“Should I know? Maybe we have,” he replies with a grin. I instinctively step back. That smile–it rings a bell, and yet I can’t quite place it.
“If it’s all the same to you, I’ve been told to take you back to the holding cell.” I stare at him like he’s speaking another language.
“Aren’t you just supposed to drag me off, whether I like it or not?” I let out a short laugh.
“Hmph.” He turns and starts walking.
“You’re not worried I might bolt? You realize I could escape pretty easily.” He doesn’t reply. Just keeps walking like I haven’t said a word.
I follow in silence, deciding not to waste my breath. Odds are, I’m heading back to a cell with no food
or water.
But something’s been bothering me. Back in that cell, I never felt hungry. Somehow, I stayed full–like I didn’t need to eat at all. It was strange. Almost like I was always nourished.
It was weird, sure, but I brushed it off. Maybe I was just constipated for a while or something.
He swings open the cell door. “Enjoy your stay,” he says, flashing that same soothing smile.
I know I’ve seen him before. I just can’t figure out where–and it’s driving me insane.
I let out a long sigh, completely bored. I’ve learned my lesson from the last time I was locked in here. Yelling and banging doesn’t help. All it does is annoy the others, leave you hoarse, and drain your
energy.
I glance out the window, noticing the full moon shining brightly. From afar, the joyful howls of wolves echo through the night. I struggle to hold back my tears, trying to push the memories away.
10:41
6.82%
FLASHBACK TO WHEN THERON TURNED 14
“Cut it out!” I laugh, gently shoving him as his snout nudges me forward. “Rylan!” I shriek in surprise when he tosses me onto his back. Somehow, laughter bubbles out of me. It feels like I’m weightless as he carries me effortlessly.
We race through the forest, trees blurring past us as I cling to his back. Without warning, he tosses me into the chilly pond, diving in after me and transforming back into his human form.
“Stay away from me!” I protest, half–laughing, half–annoyed, as I try to wriggle free from his arms. “You’re not wearing anything!”
“Then I guess you better start getting used to it,” he murmurs, playfully biting my ear. I laugh again, letting him pull me back under the water, only for us to resurface moments later for air.
“You’re stunning,” he whispers as he brushes wet strands of hair away from my face. “I’d be completely lost without you.” His gaze is deep, and I can see the honesty in his eyes.
“Is that so?” I tease, still a bit shy when it comes to these kinds of conversations dating long.
– we hadn’t been
“Every single day, I ask the moon goddess to make you mine,” he says, and my heart skips a beat. “I dream of the day we’ll fully bond, and your wolf awakens. We’ll run together across the pack lands.”
“Theron-”
“I mean it, Aurelia,” he interrupts, saying my name like it’s the most precious word he knows. I don’t say anything else. Instead, I melt into his arms. He feels like everything I’ve ever wanted.
We stay like that, holding one another, until the cold starts to seep into my skin. “Should we go inside?” he asks. I nod.
Just as we step out of the pond, the moon unveils its full brilliance above us.
“I’ve got something to show you,” he says, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “I just perfected my howl – this one’s for you.”
He lifts his head toward the sky and lets out a howl. It’s full of joy and warmth. When he finishes, he turns to me. “Well? What did you think? You’re the first to hear it since I got it just right.” I smile, remembering how he once said he wanted the person he admired most to be the first to hear it. Back then, I thought he meant his parents. I never imagined it would be me.
“Theron, it’s… it’s perfect.” The look on his face tells me that hearing that meant everything to him.
“Thank you,” he says softly, wrapping me in a hug before shifting back into his wolf form and carrying us back to the pack, where the others are gathered around a fire, enjoying a barbecue after their run.
“I brought this for you,” he says, pressing a plate into my hands. “I figured you were too reserved to grab what you actually needed.” I feel my cheeks flush as I look down at the ribs piled on the plate.
“Thanks,” I mumble, feeling a bit awkward.
“Don’t mention it. If I don’t look after the person I love, who else will?” My face grows even warmer.
“I’m serious, Aurelia. I’ll always be here for you–even with the smallest things. That’s how deeply I care about you.” I draw in a long breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
10.11
6.95%
FLASHBACK END
I swipe away every tear that slips down my face, silently berating myself for letting that ridiculous. memory surface.
I don’t love him anymore. I repeat it again and again, hoping the truth finally takes root.
“I hate this.”
As if the day hadn’t already been cruel enough, the door bursts open, making me stagger back in shock. Theron storms in, eyes wild with emotion.
I instinctively retreat, trying to create distance between us as he steadily approaches.
“You’re not going anywhere, do you hear me?”
Fear creeps in, and I stare at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Even if you manage to remove the mark, I’ll just keep putting it back. Again and again.”
His voice is deeper now, the color in his eyes shifts–it’s not Theron anymore. It’s Rylan.
“You need to calm down,” I say, my voice trembling. I’ve already backed into the wall, no escape left, and the door is now shut tight behind him. I’m trapped with a wolf on the verge of snapping.
“You are not leaving me. Why would you even think of leaving? Don’t you love me?” My breath catches as he slams his fist into the wall beside my head, the force punching a hole through the plaster.
“R–Rylan, let’s talk this out, please.” Of the two, Rylan is usually the one more in touch with his feelings -maybe because he’s the more primal side–but that’s how it’s always been.
He steps closer, and I notice his eyes glowing red. He’s losing control.
10:11
