Chapter 37: Nox
In all his years, his scenery has never changed. Endless darkness ahead of him. Endless darkness behind him. Each way he turned, darkness only greeted him. It was an old friend of his, that and silence. He had access to his vessel's memories, reliving them day in and day out, never any memories he could create his own. Ever since he was put into a soul of a child, what felt like a millennia ago, he only saw death and war. Each soul lost, and he would be brought back. The soul would be stronger than the last, but the soul never lasted long enough. His spirit was the strongest of them all. He was deemed the mightiest of beasts, a King among them. They all worshiped him and feared him.
Twenty six years ago, his spirit linked with a very young boy with black hair and red eyes. He was the first with this appearance that he came across. He had grown accustom to the gold, the silver and the generic. Crimson, almost blood like was a refreshing look for him. Though the child was young, he mastered his shifting easily and from there he ascended to his rightful place. The boy had a short fuse when it came to minor trivial ideals, something the beast thought he'd grow out of, but didn't. His parents, a Luna and an Alpha, barely stuck around throughout his life. His father would only treat him as the King, not his son. His mother's admiration for vanity replaced the love she should have for her own child. Even when she birthed a second son, one that had a minor adjustment to his mind, they tossed him aside without so much as another glance. But his vessel cherished the young child, gave him the love he truly needed since he didn't receive such love either.
Once the vessel turned eighteen, the beast hunted for his Mate. He looked at every face, scented every woman, but none drew him in. He felt it in his vessel to. The desperation. The need to find, but he wouldn't admit that. He fucked around for years, wasting his time on wenches that meant nothing to him. Though his vessel enjoyed the sex, his appetite for it insatiable... but that was the problem. It was insatiable. Almost out of control. He used sex to replace what he truly needed, thus wanting the sex more. The clock was ticking like a bomb as it narrowed in on his later years.
Then one day, fate greeted the beast with a wonderful fragrance, something common yet it was intoxicating. It was not the brunette She-Wolf he was about to fuck, but another had entered his territory, one the beast needed to see for himself. A beautiful blonde female, but she was not of Wolf blood. She was just a mere human. A human that the beast chose to soul-link with, but this human was nearly broken, and his vessel disliked broken toys. Still, the woman stayed with him in his home, and his vessel no longer took a lover to bed.
"Of all people, why her?" He remembered his vessel saying one evening in his office. The beast took a little glimpse past the walls of his vessel's mind. The man tossed back yet another caramel color drink, stinging his throat as it went down. He was frustrated, and he couldn't blame him. His Mate was a victim of rape and abuse of several categories and he wanted to kill the bastard that did it to her. He had the need to protect her.
After some time, Lily would come around, smiling little by little and immediately retreating back into her shell. It angered his vessel, but he wouldn't send her away still. Deep down he was growing fond of the human. She was feisty and caring. She was the perfect match for his vessel. Then she surprised the beast himself when she challenged him. No She-Wolf dared challenge him, yet she had bigger balls than all of them. Maybe that's why he wanted her so badly. Needing to be with her day in and day out.
The beast looked at all the memories Jayce had of him and Lily together, some good, some bad, and some ugly. She had grown so much since coming into their lives. Sure she had to adapt once he Marked her, but that wouldn't stop her from getting frightened when Jayce took the silver bullets. He could still hear her screaming, making his fur rise on his shoulders. That was the third time he shifted into his gifted form, and for a good cause this time.
Just when he thought their troubles were behind them, the mating ceremony was quickly arriving. As tradition went, the Luna needed the approval of the King's people along with the other Alphas. In this case, Lily would have the disadvantage as a human, but with his guidance, he wouldn't let her fail. His vessel on the other hand...
"Damn Archibald to Hell for bringing in these women." Jayce groaned as he hid away on the beach. His Wolf growled back in annoyance. His vessel wanted to fuck around again, even with his Mate waiting for him. Even with being a moment away from caving in to the pleasure that surrounded him, the beast would remind him of his duty to their Mate.
You don't deserve Lily.
Jayce flinched at his words, and it hurt him. Good. He needed to hurt. He needed to see that Lily was no ordinary Mate. He's Mated many over the years, always starting over from scratch each time, but Lily was the first to make this beast truly crave for someone.
"Wolf!" Her voice echoed in his darkness. He sighed at the sound, turning his crimson gaze on the blonde human that entered his domain. She looked as radiant as ever, even in her simple hoodie and jeans.
Lily, what do I owe the pleasure?
She smiled up at him, reaching her hand out. He nuzzled her palm with his nose, laying down in front of her.
"I actually have some questions.” She said as she sat across from him. He cocked his head at her.
I'll do my best to answer them.
She played with her fingers for a moment, taking a deep breath.
"I'm further along than I expected.” She said. He rested his head on his paws as he listened to her talk. His eyes settled on her belly where a pup lay in waiting. His tail started to wag slowly.
That's not a question.
Lily giggled, "Right. Doctor Marshall said that the baby already has a Wolf spirit. Is that even possible?" She asked. His ears twitched when she mentioned that to him.
I've been alive for a very long time,, and never has an unborn received their Wolf spirit.
Lily frowned, only getting more confused. Her hands rested on her belly.
"Should I be scared?" She asked with a slight tremor in her voice. He leaned forward, resting his head on her lap. She ran her fingers through his fur, scratching behind his ear gently. No one could soothe the beast like she could.
I am here for you. Always.
She smiled, leaning down and kissed his head. He growled softly, shutting his eyes. He was finally happy...
"I've noticed that She-Wolves that are mothers can sense someone's pregnancy. Is it really just an extra sense that they have?" She asked him, the Wolf inclined his head thoughtfully.
For someone that has not born a child, that's something I do not have an answer for.
Lily pursed her lips, dropping her gaze.
"Well, how is it that Jayce hasn't sensed it? Since he's the King, he should be able to tell, right?" She asked.
Normally yes, but you did say that you wanted to surprise him. So, I used my own presence to hide the little one's.
Lily smiled up at him, looking appreciative.
"By the way, do you have a name?" She asked him. His eyes opened, peering up at her. He turned onto his belly, her fingers combing through still.
I am King. Wolf. Beast. I've been called a monster on numerous occasions.
"But no name? None of your... past selves ever had a name given to them?"
It was not deemed necessary. I am just a spirit after all.
That made Lily frown again, her eyes looking over his body. He felt fire in his veins as she caressed his chest affectionately. The electric shocks jolting all of his nerves to life. No woman has ever made him feel this way.
"Can I name you?" She asked him. He rolled back over, leveling with her face. He inclined his head thoughtfully, and she copied him.
What would you name me?
Lily tapped her chin as she thought it over. She reached out, patting his head gently.
"What about... Nox?" She asked him. He licked her face. She laughed, scratching under his chin. "1 should be getting back soon.” She said, but she lingered for awhile.
Something else troubles you.
She smiled weakly at him, looking around the darkness.
"He had me bite him this morning. I thought maybe it was some kink he liked... but the bite didn't heal all the way." She looked at him, "Has that ever happened?” Nox glanced at the Mark on her neck, even now it pulsed with his glow. He shut his eyes, feeling the bite Mark she placed on him earlier.
His wounds should have healed it closed, no Mark would be left behind. Yet your Mark still lingers. Perhaps...
He leaned in, inhaling her scent deeply. She smelled like a human. Pure. No Wolf lingered in her soul.
"Perhaps what?" She asked him. His eyes flashed open, looking into her green eyes.
Perhaps it is your bond with one another that you were able to Mark him.
He rose up, circling her before plopping back down behind her, curling up slightly. He laid his head down, his tail meeting his nose. Lily leaned against his side, letting out a sigh. Her hand continued to rub her belly in slow circles. He sensed the small beating heart that wasn't her own. Nox felt his heart swell up with pride. As a male Wolf, this was one of the most important parts of their lives. "Do you think everything will be okay after the ceremony?” She asked suddenly. He sensed the worry in her voice. He nudged her with his muzzle gently. She started to stroke his cheek.
Does something else trouble you?
Lily bit her lip. She fell back into his black fur, gazing up into the darkness of his home.
"Maybe it's just the nausea coming back to me that makes me feel sick, but I just... something feels off.” She laid on her side, playing with his fur, "Will this actually be my happily ever after, or will my story never end?" She asked him. Tears exposed at the ends of her eyes. He whimpered softly to her. In all of my life, I have never truly experienced what you call a “happily ever after". I always return here, in this void. Always starting over. I'm stuck in a constant cycle that has no means to an end. I do know though that your story will have a happy ending.
Lily looked at him, the tears spilling over. She buried her face in his fur, unable to control her tears again.
"That's not fair.” Her words surprised him, "You deserve a happy ending to. Even if you still have to start over, you always have to get to the end first.” She cried. Nox watched his Mate for a long moment, letting her words sink into his mind.
Then perhaps this is my happy ending.
He nudged her with his nose and she finally looked at him. He licked her cheeks to wipe away the tears. She grabbed his head, holding him close as she sniffled.
"Lily!" His vessel's voice called out into the darkness. She looked around as his voice echoed through the dark.
"I guess I'll talk to you later." She wiped her nose with her sleeve. She reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugged him. Nox froze up. This was the first time he ever received an embrace from someone. He pressed his head against hers gently before she let him go. She kissed his nose before closing her eyes. Then she was gone.
Nox looked around, her scent still lingering around him. He huffed as he drank in her scent, shutting his eyes. For once in a very long time, he slept.