The Howl of Claim | COMPLETED

XXIII | F r e y a R u t h

Imelda ( W a r r i o r )

They say the moon is a mysterious thing with its mysterious ways. The way it hides its faces after every fourteen days is oddly amusing.

Watching the moon spreads an invisible layer of calm all over me - not caring that there is a beast breathing down my neck.

I did not care that I was caught - not in the least, I just watched the moon in my wolf form sitting by the lake.

We had a chase, Darius followed me but never actually tried to catch me, he was having fun - I was too but the moment I got a glance of the lake, it reminded me of the way back home. Of my old pack where I grew up.

Where I had spent the most valuable moment of my life with family and friends.

So I stopped running and just sat at the edge of the lake with my wolf head on my paws and watched the moon that had risen in the sky.

So bright yet so much darkness around it.

Moon also gives me the feeling of loneliness, don't know why but whenever I watch the moon alone, it scares me. It tells me that I too am so alone.

Just like the moon.

Even though the moon is usually surrounded by stars, but today, it was alone.

But at the moment, when only a few feet away Darius stood in his majestic beast, watching me, I didn't feel alone.

He knew I needed space and he gave me. I liked it.

Our size difference was evident so it wasn't hard to notice him.

He was as big as the tree while I hardly came to his legs and just by that, it showed how powerful he was, how much power he held in the palm of his hands.

He could crush me if he wanted.

I could feel his scrutinizing gaze burning on my back and it felt sort of uncomfortable even though my horny wolf loved how his eyes assessed us.

I didn't, so I got up and I felt the big giant behind me go stiff.

What was he thinking?

I slightly turned my head towards him to see him standing in the shadows with his golden eyes watching me intently and that caused a shiver to run along the spine of my wolf.

Ah, the pleasurable shiver.

I looked back in front of me and walked in the shimmering water of the lake. The cold water immediately licks my furs and I sigh in content.

So soothing.

The second I was hidden behind the curtains of water, I shifted in my human self, allowing my porcelain skin to get caressed by the silk of water.

My short hair was now wet and covered my forehead, some even got in my eye but I didn't bother with them.

The water continued to hold me prisoner and I too was willingly captured in it until I felt hands go around my waist. I stiffened on the skin to skin contact.

I didn't even realize when he got in.

"What are you thinking?" His husky voice asked and I closed my eyes shut. I wanted to run for the hills, away from him but at the same time, I wanted to welcome his embrace.

Just for tonight, maybe.

I didn't know what to do either so I stood still.

He turned me around and I allowed him to. Maybe this is the best time to talk to him about what I want.

"Hmm?" He tilted his head as his hold eyes gazed into mine. He was asking for an answer to his previous question.

His fingertips slowly moved across my forehead, removing my damp ginger hair from my eyes.

Man, even the height difference in human form was pretty good between us.

I was too unattentive to answer, my all attention was on the hands that touched my waist.

Skin to skin.

My heart started to drum against my chest, the way he looked at me started fireworks in my body.

I have been touched like this before but only when fighting, not like him. No, not with the feeling of adoration that shined in his eyes.

"I was just thinking of what would be happening back in the pack, without me."

I turn my head to the side so I could avoid his gaze.

"Don't worry, they are happy. Your Gamma is taking great care of them." I sighed. They are happy without me. While I am here being sad that I could not be with them, they are enjoying themselves.

I am surprised that he wasn't annoyed with me bringing my pack again and again.

"Darius . . ." I whispered while looking back at him. Right now, this moment was so intimate that I thought I was going to pass out given the close proximity of our body and the setting - the moon, the forest, and the lake - it would be a dream destination to make love.

"Yeah?" He whispered back huskily when I didn't continue my sentence.

The air gushed past us and I shivered involuntarily, Darius immediately pulled us close and my eyes widened.

Um . . .

Thank God my body was covered in the water or his assessing gaze would've made me faint.

My attention was so focused on his face that I did not notice how ripped his body was, his chest, and everything else that was visible.

"I - I want to go back," I gulped due to our bodies almost touching as the water swayed us back and forth but continued before he could get the wrong meaning, "I will ask my pack members if they want me there if they won't - I'll come back with you and will never ask you to take me back."

I blink.

"And if they do want me back, I'll stay there," Darius growled, but I shook my hand placing my hand on his chest. He noticed and I did too.

"I'll take you there but I won't promise to leave you there if they do want you back. Also, your Gamma will do a great job if you do appoint him as their next leader." I sigh.

Yes, Gamma would do a brilliant job but I think I would not be able to give my position that I have dreamt about since I was young.

"Let's think about this tomorrow." Surprisingly this was me who said it. Darius only nodded and I turned my head to the side, trying to minimize the awkwardness.

The awkwardness only I felt.

"You know what I am thinking?" He asked and I turned my head back towards him. What was he thinking? What did the guys think about?

"Cheese?" He threw his head back and burst out in laughter while my mouth was agape.

Stupid stupid Freya! Why would he be thinking of cheese in this situation? Shouldn't have believed my Gamma and Beta.

He stopped laughing and then looked at me, softly shaking his head, a small smile gracing his lips. So beautiful.

He bit his lip and looked at my lips.

"I am thinking about kissing you right now." I stiffened. Immediately I tried to pull away but he wouldn't let me.

"Let me go, Darius!"

"No!" He pulled me back into him and this time we touched! His body touched mine, his body with mine and I was already a puddle.

We touched!

In one flick motion, he had attached his lips with mine and I was unable to fight him so I simply give in. Just this once for my and my wolf's sanity.

Even I knew that was a lie.

His lips caressed mine and I savored the moment. I savored his lips. This kiss was passionate, soft, and loving. Not driven by anger or dominance or possessiveness.

It was pure adoration.

I kissed back with all I had and when we finally parted, I could not meet his gaze or he would see the lust I had for him hidden behind my orbs.

I could not let him see that he was growing into me. That he had already pulled me into his cave and there was no going out.

To eliminate the awkwardness, I finally asked.

"Why do you never say my name?"

"I was waiting for you to ask that." His fingers pulled my face towards him by the chin and my wide eyes met him once again.

If I look into his eyes for any longer, I will actually pass out.

"My love, I won't call your name until my name is attached to yours." As cringe as it sounded, it was not. It actually made me annoyed.

So what? Was he never going to call my name if I decide to never be with him? What if I am lost, will he call me 'love, where are you' or 'mate, where are you?'

That's just stupid.

My face turned to one of those filled with annoyance and I pushed on his chest and he let me.

I swam back to the ground but stopped when a growl resounded.

"You are naked." He growled and I sighed. Right. Possessive alpha was back.

I shifted into my wolf and climbed back on the land. Shaking my furs, I trotted back to place from where I can from, knowing very well that the beast was following me.

He got my back.

...

Hello Wolfies♥️

I actually like this chapter. Darius is babe. What do you all think? Love you all by the way.

P R O Q U E E N