An Old Friend.
Selene~
Everyone changed into their wolves, their fur gleaming under the pale moonlight. Several glowing yet predatory gazes observed the whole surrounding. Their growl ignited something primal in me— a fierce urge to fight. I could hear Zara growling in my mind. She, too, wanted to become part of the chaos, but it was not the time.
"Not yet." I pushed back the urge and I diverted my attention to the man who was now— a Lycan. He was bigger, stronger. His aura radiated power and strength. The moonlight caught the sheen of his obsidian fur, and his sharp claws sparkled menacingly. Power radiated from him in waves, leaving no doubt of his dominance among all of them.
Damon came forward on his horse, "Luna, you don't have to worry." I nodded at him but the anticipation remained in me. My mind continuously alarmed me about the upcoming chaos.
A wolf appeared from the dark. His orbs were golden and had light brown fur. Something in me told me he was somewhat familiar. His eyes roamed around and stopped when his gaze met with mine. The anger was evident in his eyes. What did I do? I wanted to ask when he again growled. Damien and others stepped ahead ready to pounce on him and tear through his flesh.
They communicated through the mind links. The wolf's gaze turned back to me. Not only him but Damien also stared at me. What happened? I asked.
He says that he knew you. Damien stated. My brows drew together in confusion. After thinking for a moment, I gazed back at him, He somewhat feels familiar, but I am not sure. I replied truthfully. Damien again communicated with him. My gaze was fixed on them, and that wolf turned back into his human form. As my gaze fell on him, my heart skipped a beat. "Max." A whisper escaped.
His lips curled into a disdainful smile. My chest constricted recalling the past.
"You dared to come near my wife! Soldiers get him. Bring me his head and cut his rest into pieces." Lucian's voice rang in my ear.
"You are alive." It felt like a dream. My eyes burned as my mind recalled the memories we shared. He was like my brother. After Lucian, I trusted Max the most. I was still in a daze when a thought struck me.
"How? They brought your head.." My voice didn't have enough courage to say words. That smile disappeared from his face, "They didn't find me," Max interrupted coldly. "So they used someone else."
The revelation left me with mixed feelings. I was happy that he was alive but also felt guilt. Because of me, he had to leave his pack and his family and live like a rogue.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "I wanted to help you… but I couldn't."
His expression didn't waver, his eyes were cold and distant. He didn't believe me—of course, he would not believe a word I said.
Till now, Damien, too, has restored to his human form. He stared at me waiting for an explanation. Closing my eyes for a brief moment, I took a deep breath. I did not have the courage to share Lucian's real face, so, I missed some parts and gave him a vague summary.
"Max was innocent, and because of me, he suffered." I completed my explanation. I lowered my gaze not wanting to see the accusation in their eyes. Damien took a brief moment before he faced Max, "If she is telling the truth, then there is no danger." Max remained quiet, his jaw gritted. "We shall move now." Damien announced when finally Max spoke, "I will let you all go," his eyes roamed over every one of them, but when they met with mine, he finished, " Not her." The air started to thicken.
Damien's stature went rigid. Everyone stepped ahead, growling, ready to lunge upon him. Damien maintained his calm and asked, "Why is that?"
"Every person who related to Sileverthorn and Lucian cannot pass alive through this wood." His words sent chills through my bone, "Not until, we all are alive." He spread his hands and several gleaming eyes appeared surrounding us.
Damein's gaze was still on Max. I could feel his breath racing with each second. A deadly spark lit in his crimson eyes. No, I cannot let it happen. I have to stop them. My breath started to get uneven when my gaze fell on Damon. An idea struck my mind, and I communicated through a mind link.
Damon, you have to stop this fight. I stated.
Damon diverted his gaze to me with confusion.
I cannot do that, Luna. Alpha would not like it. His reply increased my anticipation. My hands started to get sweaty.
Please, Damon. Max is just angry. If you could calm him down, everyone could be saved from an unwanted fight. I urged him giving him a valid reason.
Damon thought for a moment before, his lips curled into a smirk. After glancing at me, he got down and asked Max, "Are you sure that you will not let anyone go who is related to Lucian and his pack?"
Max did not waver and replied, "Yes." His voice filled with rage and hatred.
Damien's expression did not change, and he stood calm in his position. Damon, on the other hand, had a twisted smile on his face, "Then I am disheartened to share the news that she no longer belonged to Silverthorn pack."
Shock flashed on his face before his eyes narrowed at him. "Do you take me for a fool? She is the wife of Lucian, the Alpha of the pack."
"She was.." Damien's thunderous voice pierced through the air. "Now, she belongs to me.
My breath got caught for a moment. The surroundings start to faze. The weight of his words sank into me. I turned to look at Damien, my heart racing. He wasn't just trying to protect me—he was claiming me.
Max gaze stopped at me, and through mind link, I started to explain everything from being offered to maintain the treaty to being wedded to Damien. As I finished explaining, it felt as if something heavy got off my chest. I could breathe now. Max, on the other hand, processed everything and said, "I don't know if I should be happy about your misery or grieving that you went through all of it alone."
Tears welled up in my eyes. Max knew to what extent Lucian could go, and now, seeing him in front of me, I could not control my emotions. I got off the horse and ran towards him. He, too, opened his arms and took me in his embrace. "I am..sorry, Max." I choked at the words, as the lump formed in my throat.
It felt like the weight of everything I had put him through was crushing me down. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and it made my chest ache. I swallowed hard, my voice still shaking as I continued, "I never meant for any of this to happen."
"I know," His voice was softened, "So, stop crying now." I pulled from him and wiped off the tears with a small smile forming on my face. Suddenly, someone grabbed me by my arm and dragged me, making me step away from Max. I hissed in pain and glanced; I froze at my position. Damien was now standing between me and Max. His tall frame hid Max from my sight. "Stay back." Damien's low and threatening voice vibrated through the environment, shaking me to my core.
For a moment, Max took a step back. Another white wolf jumped beside Max and growled at Damien. Damien eyes sharpened at the wolf when she shifted into a human. Her hair was silver, mirroring the fur of her wolf, and her violet eyes glowed with intensity. She stood poised, ready to pounce at Damien at any moment. "Back off!" Her warning cut through the thick atmosphere like a dagger.
Before the situation worsened, Damon came in support and stated, "I think, we must move forward to reach Silvernight before the full moon." Something clicked in Damien because the next second, he stepped back, not before making me stand beside him. "Da..Damien." I tried to catch his attention. He glanced in my direction when I voiced out my thoughts, "Can they..come with us?"
Something flashed through his eyes when, in the blink of an eye, he effortlessly picked me on his shoulder and made me sit back on the horse. I almost hit my face with the saddle when he also got on the horse.
"Let's move," he announced, his voice steeled with authority.
"Stop!" I hurriedly held his hand when Damien's face darkened. His intense gaze fell on me making it impossible to look at him.
Lowering my gaze, I said, "Because of me he had to suffer. I know I am in no place to ask for anything; still, I request you to take him under your wing."
He did not say anything and diverted his attention to Damon. A few tense moments passed, as they communicated silently. When the conversation ended, I stared at him with utter hope. Please, please, please. I kept ranting in my mind when he stated, "Yes." I exhaled in relief, only for Damon to interrupt with a smirk. "But we have a condition."