14

They either died by the Lycan sword or joined the Lycan crusade. Over the last four years his pack grew stronger, and so did the Loup Garoux. Amaruq was a proud leader. He would never retreat or give in to their elitist demands. So he did the next best thing, he pretended to want to set up a truce, and once they landed on the island, he murdered their alpha and his men.

It had been a bold move, but it had paid off, or so he had thought. That was until a few days ago, Urica informed him of Beowulf's death. He had thought she was over exaggerating or jesting with him, but when he followed her to the stables, his smell and senses picked it up, and he was able to see for himself. The smell of lilies and Wolf musk were strong.

He thought perhaps his senses were crossed from earlier and decided not to inform anyone.

Not until he had more proof. He had also saw the marks on Beowulf's neck. They matched an animal's similar to a wolf. He had smelled the wolf musk the strongest on Beowulf, while the scent of lilies lightly clung in the air. The lilies couldn't be the poor orphan girl who lived in the stables.

She had died that night at well. They said there was only three survivors; the cook, Madam Bouvier, who immediately fleed town, and a young blonde girl who died the very next day of consumption. Even though it was a horrendous fire with more than 20 lives lost, no one seemed the least moved by it. They seemed grateful to Amaruq. In the people's eye he was the next leader of Canis Island. He just had to hold them off.

His men had trained for this. He would have a beautiful queen, Luna by his side. While he reigned. He loved her madly. Everything he did. He did it in dedication to her.

He recalled the time after they had been intimate.They laid in her all white canopy bed naked, sweaty, and satisfied. She told him about what happened to her. How her landlord had taken advantage of a woman like her and her. All alone with no family, or children.

His blood boiled for her. After leaving her company he had his now dead beta Beowulf find her past landlord. Four hours later, Beowulf led amaruq to the center of the woods there. He saw her landlord with a swollen right eye. It was already turning an ugly purple.

His lip was split. His mouth was gagged, and his wrist bound by ropes behind his back. He looked terrified. Amaruq could smell his fear and that made him want to scare him even more. It was delicious.

The man preyed on weak, innocent things. Who knows how many times he had done it and gotten away with it. Now he was one. They all howled in delight at terrorizing the man. The torture was so great that Amaruq didn't want his precious Luna to miss out on it. She deserved to see his eyes as the light left them when he died.

It had not been an easy or cheap feat to get her out of Bouviers. Leaving the brothel was forbidden unless the girl was getting married and the groom had paid an astronomical bride price. Bouviers girls did not come cheap. That night he waited in the parlor for her. She had entered with Bouvier on her heels.

Her brown hair was wavy like a mermaids. She wore all white with a satin and red cape their outfit. Bringing out her warm undertone. She looks beautiful to him, but he kept that to himself. He handed Bouvier the money.

She counted it once she was done. She spoke. "Have her back by sunrise. Luna, do as you're told while in this gentleman's company."

Luna stance was submissive. She looked down at her hands.

"Yes, ma'am." She quietly answered.

Then the madam left. Amaruq took Luna by the hand and led her outside to a carriage his men had acquired. Beowulf opened the carriage door. They both got in. He closed it behind them, then took his place at the driver's seat, and they were off.

Amaruq was hard. Some would even say borderline sadistic. He never allowed Luna to see that side of him. Luna affected him differently. He wanted to do better for her.

He wanted to be better for her. She looked at him with eyes gleaming with pride and he wasn't sure he deserved it. All he knew at this moment was he wanted her to trust Him and to be his completely. He could smell her fear increasing, the longer they drove on. He watched her as she stared out of the window.

"I told you the last time we were together, you have nothing to fear from me." She turned and looked at him then.

A nervous smile on her lips. He smiled at her in the dimly lit carriage. "I have a surprise for you." He could tell by the furrowing of her eyebrows that her curiosity had been piqued. "We are almost there." He patted her hand.

She didn't move it away. Once they got there, Luna was confused. Her client had paid a substantial amount of money for her to spend the entire night with him and he didn't take her to his place. He took her to the heart of the forest.

She didn't move it away. Once they got there, Luna was confused as to why they were here. Her client had paid a substantial amount of money for her to spend the entire night with him and he didn't take her to his place. He took her to the heart of the forest. What was his deal? She wondered to herself.

He made no sense at times to her. Beowulf once again, opened the carriage door for them. Amaruq stepped out first. He stretched his hand out and assisted Luna out of the carriage. Her red, satin slippers stood out on the earthen canvas of foliage that was the forest floor.

She noticed there was a trail lined with lit, tall, torches. She held her cape closed to ward off the nights chill. Where were they going? She wondered. Her question was answered when a few moments later the lit trail opened up and she saw him.

Her old landlord. Even though he looked badly beaten and was tied up she still felt fear. She stopped dead in her tracks and refused to go any further. She jumped when she felt Amaru's hand on the small of her back. This was not what she thought he had in mind for the night.

"Amaruq, what is this?" She asked, bewildered.

Once more, he could smell her fear. It smelled exquisite to him. It excited him. He hugged her from behind. He saw the goose bumps on her flesh.

"I told you the last time we were together that I protect what's mine."

She turned her head to the side and looked at him.

"You are mine. I will do anything for you."

Luna thought he was insane. How could he get away with this? Her old landlord had high connections on this island. It was one of the reasons why he was never prosecuted for his abuses. Luna was scared.

What if they blamed this on her? She couldn't handle the public shaming. Last time it had almost drove her mad. Or maybe it had. After all, she was standing here in the woods with a madman and the very man who had made her life a living hell on the island.

"This is my gift to you, my Luna." He pulled out a gold dagger with a wolf head carved out of its handle.

The eyes were made of diamonds, and winked in the firelight as he lifted it up, stepping from behind her, and walking over to the man. He stopped once he was a few inches in front of him. He made sure to hold her gaze the entire time, intensifying the scenario. She knew what he was about to do. It frightened and excited her. He let his hand go.

She yelled, "Stop!"

He did, missing the blubbering man's neck with only an inch to spare.

"What?" He asked. He was concerned.

Luna didn't know what to say. Was fate playing a cruel game with her or was it allowing her the opportunity to right the wrongs that had befell her since moving here? She saw her abuser sniffling like a weak, low life. She looked back at Amaruq.

"Isn't this what you want?" He asked her, confused.

True, they had discussed this in bed, but she hadn't expected him to do this. It was more than she had ever had anyone do for her. She was oddly flattered by his passion for her. With him as her patron she wouldn't have to worry about being thrown out again. She should be thanking him for being so thoughtful, she told herself, then walked over kissed him deep.