Endless Abyss.

Selene~

"Will they be able to accept our condition?" Damon glanced at Max and the girl, who was still alert. The girl's expression was stern, and she observed every motion.

"What are they?" Max walked ahead. I was happy that he was at least thinking about it. Damon cracked his fingers and looked into his eyes. " If you wish to join us, then you have to take our Alpha Damien Blackthorn as your Alpha too."

Max's expression remained the same, but the girl beside her scoffed. "We take orders from no one." She sneered, taking a step ahead. Damon did not flinch. He raised one eyebrow, "I wouldn't be so stupid if I were in your place."

His tone was calm, mirroring his facial expression.

"Lyla," Max called her out. Lyla's jaws ticked. She stepped back and stood beside Max leaving Damon with his lips curved in a smirk.

"Your decision will decide yours and," His eyes roamed around looking at other wolves hiding in the woods, "Their fate too. So, choose wisely."

I was a little taken aback by Damon's words. He knew how to bend the situation in his favor. I cannot deny that he is good at what he does.

I focused on Max, "Max, please think carefully," I requested, "Let me have a chance to repent." His features softened igniting a light of hope.

"You know, Selene. I can never say no to you."

"But.." Lyla again tried to interrupt but Max's gaze made her shut her mouth. Taking a deep breath, he announced, "I, Maximus Woods, on behalf of my subordinates, accept your condition.

I left my breath which I unknowingly held for so long. "I accept Damien Blackthorn as our Alpha but..." He stopped leaving the tension hanging in the air. Damon's eyes narrowed, "But what?" He asked his voice containing a hint of warning in it.

Max took one step ahead, "But in return, I want the assurance that our people will be treated equally." His golden orbs bored into Damon's crimson one. "If any injustice is done to any of us, we will leave the pack that instant." His voice was low yet firm enough to tell he wasn't joking around.

Damon's smile widened, "Well, I take it as a yes."

Max didn't respond when Lyla jumped in, "We can't go like this," She retorted, "We need some time to gather our belongings." Damon clasping his hands turned to us, "The demand is indeed valid, Alpha." I diverted my gaze to the man sitting behind me. His face was void of any emotion. I looked into his eyes searching for the answers which I failed miserably.

I lowered my gaze thinking nothing could be done when his voice fell in my ears. "We will wait till dawn."

I felt something that I didn't feel in these years, something which calmed my senses. Peace. I start to doubt if all the rumors are true about him. He was a big and scary man yet he did not act cruel in any way up until now.

"As our Alpha announced, you all have time till dawn." Damon's voice broke my trance. Max nodded in agreement, "Fair. You all can stay at our place and from there we can continue the journey." He offered the help that Damon took after consulting with Damien.

____________

The night was quiet and still, having no sign of the moon, only the soft glow of starlight. Making the world feel both vast and peaceful. The cool air carried the faint rustle of leaves, and the silence was soothing.

We reached Max's place. It can rarely be called a home.

Several makeshift tents, pieced together from old, torn fabric, dotted the barren hillside. Children peeked out from within, their wide eyes filled with curiosity as they observed us.

Their mothers, cautious and protective, stood in front of them like shields, their gazes wary and unyielding.

While Max, Damon, and Damien were having their discussions, I walked a few steps away from them. Max and his subordinates made their dwelling on a deserted hill. Getting near to the edge I sat down. The depth of the mountain was covered by misty clouds making it look like an endless abyss.

I sat there still, closing my eyes and feeling the cool breeze. Darkness spread around me.

You are mine, doll.

His voice rang in my head. "No.." I whispered.

You can't run from me.

I will always be around you. Watching you.

"No...please...No, stop." I again whispered trying to stop it. I knew it was my dream yet I couldn't stop myself. His hands on me, his eyes filled with lust and desire.

His laugh when he again did those things..No, I have to do something. I have to get it out of my head.

"Selene." A voice heard from far away. "Selene." The voice again rang in my head. "SELENE!" I jerked away. My eyes snapped open, and turned to see him. "Da..Damien." My voice quivered still feeling those emotions.

He did not reply instead his gaze was still on me. "What happened?"

I asked trying to act normal. He again remained quiet and sat beside me. Though he was a few inches away from me, his tall frame somewhat intimidated me. I glanced at him from the corner of my eyes trying to figure out what he was thinking.

"You are staring at me." His deep voice made me jump. "I...I didn't." I tried to hide my fluster. Why do I have to be such an embarrassment? What will he be thinking? Will he take it as my interest in him? No, I can't get close to him not until...I forget those nightmares.

"You can look at me." My eyes widened and I jerked my head in his direction. "Pardon me?" I asked to confirm if I heard the right thing. His face had his usual calm expression. "Didn't you hear the first time?" His reply had an accusing tone making me again flustered. "I didn't mean to..I mean heard you...but I.." I closed my eyes scolding myself. If I could I would have jumped down the cliff that instant. Drawing a sharp breath, I apologized, "I am sorry. I am...I am just tired."

"Come here," He lifted his one hand. I blinked taking my time to process his words. I knew I was his wife now and following him is all I can do. Especially, after he agreed to my request to take Max and his people under him.

I moved still maintaining the distance when his action made my breath hitched. He pulled me in his arms, keeping my head on his shoulder.

"What..what are you doing?" I stuttered. He stared at me like I was some stupid kid. "Sleep." My body froze as his words fell into my ear. Is he really the same barbarian everyone feared? I questioned myself.

"Close your eyes." His tone became demanding making my whole body shudder with his dominance. I did what he asked.

Time passed and my exhaustion started to hit me. My body was now a limp and my mind went numb. Darkness again surrounded me but this time, I did not fear. A rhythmic sound lingered around me. My mind focused on the sound. His heartbeat. I kept listening to it until my mind went numb and I fell in a pit of slumber.

_________

Damien~

We arrived at the place of my wedded wife's new friend. The first time when I saw her, all drenched in blood. Her soft blue eyes widened staring at me. The moment our eyes met, something stirred in me.

 My wolf had claimed her with a single growl. "Mine." There had been no negotiation, no hesitation. She was mine to protect, mine to control, and mine to own.

Damon's voice snapped me back to the present. "Damien," he called again, clearly annoyed.

"What?" I replied curtly. "She is alone." He signaled towards Selene. She sat slightly apart from others, near the cliff. Her back to me as the cool night breeze tousled her blonde hair.

"Go to her," Damon stated firmly.

"Why?" I asked blatantly not getting his reason to do so.

He stared at me as if I grew horns on my head, "She is your wife. Talk to her..or at least sit with her." His voice carried a hint of irritation, clearly annoyed by my question.

"I don't see the reason to talk or sit with her," I replied, my words cold and unbothered. His expression darkened, "We want her, and you know it."

"That's why I agreed to marry her instead of cutting that mutt's head and owning his pack." I retorted, irritation lacing my voice at his persistence.

"Yes," he countered, his tone unwavering, "and if she truly is the one, we'll need her help. But that will only happen if she trusts us… trusts you."

I sighed the weight of old memories pressing heavily on my chest. After a long, thoughtful pause, I nodded reluctantly before turning and walking toward her.

Her small figure silhouetted against the vast darkness of the valley below. For a moment, I stayed back, watching her. Something felt off. Her shoulders moved up and down in a frantic rhythm, making it clear her breaths were shallow and uneven.

"Selene," I called softly. She didn't respond. I again called her yet her head was still down, but I could hear her faint whispers. A quiet pleading.

"Selene," I said again, louder. Her body stiffened, and she jerked her head toward me. The fear in her eyes were raw as if something was bothering her.

"Da... Damien," she stammered, her voice trembling.