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Chapter 7

Alina

The rhythm of Darius' breathing and the gentle undulations of his spine as he runs keep me alert throughout our journey; without them, I might have succumbed to sleep like a pup on his back. The warmth of the male Lycan's body and his comforting scent grant me a sense of tranquility I've never known before.

However, there's also the damn fact about his fur, which continues to tickle me. I try not to think about it, or I'll end up squeezing his waist with my legs again.

The trees blur around me as we pass by, but knowing that I'm in the Dark Forest again after so many years awakens old memories I thought I had lost.

Even with my eyes focused on the path ahead, my mind takes me somewhere amidst the ancient trunks, where a humble cabin housed a couple of Lycans and their little daughter, who couldn't stray too far from the property because the risks of getting lost during her solitary playtime were enormous.

We stop a few times so that Darius can rest his legs, and both of us can eat. Thanks to the Lunar Mother, he lets me wear his pants, but I need to fold the fabric, so it's not too long. I also change my own bandage. The wound is less painful, and now I understand how it happened. Once my bones rearranged when I returned to human shape, I don't have fractures but rather an ugly puncture in the flesh.

The deer meat runs out quickly because Darius needs more food than I do, as I'm just being carried on his back. Now he's gnawing on the deer's ribs while I sit on a fallen log, enjoying the strips of meat he cut for me with his claws.

Once I finish eating, I look at the male Lycan and try to find traces of his human shape in his lupine body.

Aside from his black fur and yellow eyes, if I ignore Darius' scent (which is quite difficult, I've noticed during the time we've spent together), it's somewhat challenging to recognize him in that hybrid creature between man and wolf. Although both of his shapes carry the same image of power and magnificence, Darius' wolf-shape is so much bigger and stronger that I can't fathom the idea that I'm to blame for the wound on his arm.

"What are you staring at, little girl?" He asks, and I realize I've been staring at him for too long. "I won't gnaw on your legs, if that's what you're thinking."

My cheeks grow warm. I still haven't gotten used to how Darius' voice becomes deeper and more resonant while he's in his wolf-shape. It's as if the words come from the center of his chest, and not from his vocal cords.

"I was just... thinking about your arm," I reply. "You've been running for hours, and you're still carrying me on your back. Isn't that bad for the wound?"

Darius has very expressive eyes, so I can see signs of surprise on his lupine face.

"I'm resilient to pain. It's quite a nasty wound, but it's nothing major." Darius drops the deer's ribs and glances at his bandaged arm, which he had to rewrap with a new bandage because the previous one tore apart when he changed shape. "By the way, I must congratulate you on that."

I must have made a funny face because Darius lets out a soft chuckle that makes his shoulders shake. I would never associate that reaction with a creature of his size.

"I'm the Lycan King of Norden because my father was killed in a coup. His brother led a rebellion, but I took back the kingdom when I ripped my uncle's guts out and banished all his sympathizers from my territory." Darius explains, and I feel my stomach churn. "It was a tough fight, but he couldn't harm me, despite being more experienced. Since then, I haven't lost a single fight."

"And you still haven't lost... You knocked me out."

"Yeah, but at what cost?" The corners of Darius' lupine mouth lift, forming an insane smile as his yellow eyes become completely fixated on me. I never imagined that wolves could smile like that, look at someone like that. To be honest, I don't think they can. "It was the first time someone managed to truly hurt me, little girl. It will leave a beautiful scar. I'll cherish it dearly."

Darius continues to stare at me with that toothy smile. The air around us seems to grow heavier, as if the forest wants to convey a message of danger, even though nothing indicates that we are under threat.

"Well... I'm sorry nonetheless." I lower my head. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't want to hurt anyone... ever."

When the air’s weight lifts, Darius responds, "I know you didn't mean to, little girl. The secluded life they forced you to live in Agares is the true culprit for your... um... problem. So stop thinking that you're cursed. That's what they put in your head." He pauses. "There's still something very strange about this story... Did you get to know Ulric?"

I let out a sigh. I slide off the log and hug my knees. "I rarely went to the kingdom's center since the Goddess' Oracle provided everything I needed. But sometimes we had brief conversations during those encounters, and I remember her saying that King Ulric hardly leaves his palace. But I saw him... once."

From my eye’s corner, I see Darius slowly approaching me. He comes on all fours, with his head low and tense shoulders.

"And is that a good or bad memory?" He asks in a low tone.

"... A bad memory."

Darius studies me for several seconds.

"Then you don't need to tell me about it right now."

I feel relieved. "Thank you..."

I don't want to think about that kingdom anymore, nor my Bonding Ceremony, or anything related to the place and the people I left behind.

Darius lies down with his head resting on his crossed arms and continues to look at me. "The thing is, since no one ever helped you with your wolf-shape, you're susceptible to being carried away by strong emotions and the instincts that arise when the full moon is in the sky."

He's so close that I feel tempted to let my hands glide through his head’s black fur, but I restrain myself and focus on killing some curiosity.

"Are there many... werewolves in Norden?"

"Yes. They roam freely there because nothing is stopping them from being who they are."

"And do they... have the same problem as me?"

Darius shakes his head from side to side in a kinda cute way. "Some less than others, but it's nothing that can't be resolved with proper training."

My heart starts pounding harder as a thought explodes in my mind. "So... there's a solution for me?"

Darius's expressive yellow eyes seem to reflect my excitement. "Yes, there is. It's just a matter of dedicating yourself to training."

"And how is that done?"

"The werewolf must learn to find balance with their wolf-side, alternating between human and wolf-shape under the supervision of one or more Lycans and undergoing tests. There's no secret. It's something that can even be done at home."

"But what about the risks of accidents?"

"They're minimal."

"Not when it comes to me..." I lean my head against the trunk behind me. "I think I'm a lost cause. I can't even shift at my will."

Darius snorts and raises his large head.

"You can't? Have you ever tried doing it?"

"Of course I have." I close my eyes. "It never happens."

I didn't see the moment Darius approached with his snout. When I realize it and open my eyes, his warm breath is already heating my face, his black nose just inches away from mine.

I open my eyes, and my heart races.

"Have you really tried?" he asks. "Or are you afraid to try?"

Seeing him so close freezes my stomach. I know Darius won't harm me (if he wanted to, he would have done it so long ago), but the madness in his eyes is so intense


"I..." The words simply won't come out.

"Try it now, little girl." Darius surprises me with this crazy suggestion. "Try showing me your wolf-shape again."

"D-Darius, I can't..."

His eyes seem to search my soul for the hungry beast within me. The scent of blood in his mouth only adds to the distressing nature of this situation. And the strange part is... I like it?

"You're afraid," he concludes the obvious, and I can't refute it. Darius doesn't back away. "Very well. I've just made a decision."

"S-should I be worried? You make some impulsive decisions..."

"Maybe..." Darius smiles again, running his tongue over his sharp white fangs. "I've decided that I want to train you, little girl, and I'm going to give you your first test right now."

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