She looked obviously surprised to see me.
She gazed weakly into my eyes for a moment, then just relaxed into my embrace, “I’m sorry for the trouble.” She muttered quietly.
“You don’t have to apologize, this wouldn’t have happened if I had just followed you.” I replied, my jaw tightening.
Kain didn’t interfere, watching us from a distance as I carried her back into my quarters.
At least he wasn’t completely insane to try and take her from me, I’d have actually lost it with him.
I wasn’t really known for having a bad temper or being reckless like him, I could be patient when needed, but even my patience had limits.
I’d never once lost my cool for any reason, until now.
As I walked through the hallway with her in my arms, I noticed she seemed to have fallen asleep.
I slowed down, not wanting to wake her with the sound of my footsteps.
Noctis chuckled teasingly, I don’t remember you being such a gentleman.
“Does that bother you?” I shot back in my head.
For once you can be honest with yourself, you want to ruin her don’t you?
I can feel it.
You crave that scent of hers, I mean…
you’ve been keeping the handkerchief she left behind in your room that night, and you’ve been..
“Shut up.
You talk too much.” I snapped, not wanting him to go further, afraid she might somehow hear him even though I knew she couldn’t.
I was a weird one, well…I didn’t know that until I couldn’t control the urge to constantly keep sniffing her handkerchief whenever I had the chance.
Her scent was just…
intoxicating.
I should have returned it, I originally planned to, but changed my mind after she denied having memory of our intimacy.
Inside my room, I lay her gently on the bed, my gaze lingering several seconds on her.
Her hair clung to her cheeks and sweaty forehead, so I reached to gently tuck them behind her ears.
She was…
effortlessly breathtaking, and her scent, fuck!
Without realizing, I leaned lower, sniffing her hair, then her neck.
My muscles tensed, hunger clawing through…my cock hardening.
Noctis was equally just as obsessed as I was.
He growled quietly in my head.
Unless you plan on breaking the promise you made to her, you better move away.
I sighed, pulling back reluctantly.
“She might actually be the end of me.
I can’t get over her.” I said, pulling my shirt off as I headed for the bathroom.
A cold shower might be the only thing that could calm me down right now.
Now that your bond with her no longer counts, what’s your plan?
“She’s still my mate, at least that hasn’t changed.
I just have to make her accept me, after that, marking her again wouldn’t be a problem.” I turned on the shower, cold water running down my shoulder.
My muscles tensed on impact, but slowly released themselves as I got used to the sensation.
You must have noticed, she….has the Mark too.
Noctis said quietly.
“Of rebirth right?” Yes.
Noctis confirmed…
I also had it so I knew what it was as soon as I saw the Mark.
It appeared faintly on her forehead the moment I marked her, then disappeared again.
I was curious to know what she had gone through to be granted rebirth, and why fate thought it amusing to tie her to me like this.
The water kept pouring down my back, my mind reeling with thoughts.
Rebirth wasn’t given freely.
It wasn’t mercy.
It was punishment dressed up as a second chance.
Whatever had killed her once had been brutal enough for the world to decide she deserved to return.
I stayed under the water longer than necessary, until the edge dulled and my breathing evened out.
I just couldn’t get the thought out of my head, on what could have ended her life previously.
That explains why she wanted protection.
I finally turned the shower off and wrapped a towel around my waist, the first thing I did was reach out with my senses, trying to confirm if she was still asleep.
And she was.
I stepped back into the room quietly.
She hadn’t moved much, just curled slightly on her side, her brows drawn together like even sleep couldn’t give her peace.
The sheets were twisted around her legs, her breathing shallow but steady.
I sensed someone approaching, and quickly got dressed before heading for the door.
It was Alric.
He knew I’d sense his presence so he didn’t bother to knock.
“You need something?” I asked.
“The Alpha sent me to call for you.
The princess of the Banewolf pack has just arrived.
He requested that you be there to welcome her.” Alric reported, his expression stern..
sometimes I wondered why he never smiled, always holding that same cold nonchalant expression.
I had already been told she would arrive today, it was already evening which meant she would definitely sleep over.
“Let’s go.” I said, already walking past him.
The receiving hall was already prepared when we arrived.
My father stood at the front, several elders beside him.
The woman standing across from them could only be the Banewolf princess.
But I instantly noticed something was off with her.
Instead of black hair, she had silver hair, her skin looked pale.
Their bloodlines were known for dark features, heavy shadows in their gaze.
She had neither.
Her eyes were lowered, lashes trembling slightly as if she were bracing herself for something unpleasant.
Beside her stood a tall brooding wolf, a crest embedded on the visible part of his chest, his long black hair covering the what looked like a tatoo on his arm.
“Louiseon.” My father called.
“Come.” “This is my son you’ll be wedded to.” My father introduced, gesturing towards me.
“I am Prince Louiseon of the Nightfang pack,” I said formally, inclining my head.
“You’re welcome here.” She finally raised her head to look up at me, and almost like i’d performed some sort of spell, her expression tranfomed…her previously tensed and nervous look slowly turning into a quiet smile.
“Hi, i am Seris of Banewolf, thank you for having me.”