Lycan's Mate (His Claim) Chapter 66

Fiona's POV

Darkness enveloped me in all directions, swallowing me whole like a creature of the night. My body trembled in fear as a cool breeze brushed against my bare skin, my hands rubbing fiercely against my arms to warm my body up, but it was of no use. The coldness remained as an unsettling feeling began to spread throughout my body from somewhere deep within my core. I breathed in a shaky breath, a piercing pain filling my chest with every cold breath that entered my lungs. Where the heck was I? I don't remember going anywhere after I heard that howl last night.

A wolf's howl.

I looked in all directions helplessly, darkness meeting my line of sight as I began to move forward. Wherever I was, I couldn't just stand here. I had to get moving. With every step I took, I could feel my feet collide with something rough and cold, the mere touch making me shiver every so often. I don't know for how long I had been walking until I heard it once more.

My body froze, but not from the cold that surrounded me in this dark abyss this time. I held in my breath, waiting for it to sound once more before it pierced through the darkness. The piercing sound vibrated through my body, making it hard to decipher where the source was coming from. It continued to howl through the night, it's tone changing every so often. At first, it was strong and powerful, the mere sound making me want to bow down in respect. But with every howl, it began to weaken, resembling that of a whimpering animal in pain or agony. As the sound reached my ears, my heart nearly broke for the animal. Without hesitation, I began to run, ignoring the cold pavement beneath my feet and rushing through the cold wind. It collided against my face, my skin stinging beneath its touch as it rushed through my thick hair. It waved in the wind behind me effortlessly as did the dress I was wearing. Wait a minute.

I stopped on my heels, my breathing coming out in heavy pants as I looked down. It was a short, white, silk dress that hugged my upper body before flowing endlessly beneath my waist. I was barefoot as well, that I noticed, but what surprised me the most was how pale white I appeared to be. It was a great contrast against the black scenery around me as well as my dark hair that now lied idly over my shoulders. I raised my hand slowly, staring at it with bewilderment as it pierced through the darkness. It seemed to disappear ever so slightly, my hand fading in and out of focus as I moved it around. This was seriously beginning to feel weird.

Suddenly, the sound of heavy breathing caught my attention as I looked up, my eyes widening at what I saw. In front of me stood a large, black wolf with its dark eyes staring directly at me. The intensity of its gaze nearly made my legs tremble and I felt the sudden urge to run towards it. Clenching and unclenching my fists, I fought the little voice that practically screamed inside my head to rush to it. My eyes traveled along the length of the beast, surprised to see that I was still able to see it amongst the never ending darkness. It breathed in heavily, its nostrils flaring before it took a hesitant step in my direction. The mere action made me catch my breath and freeze under its heavy gaze. It continued to make its way towards me before a familiar feeling began to make its way throughout my body. I tilted my head curiously before my eyes widened in recognition. I knew this animal. I know this wolf. Despite not seeing him in person for a long time, his dark eyes always haunted me in my dreams. I could feel my heartbeat quicken in pace as I took a step backward, my chest heaving up and down in a rapid motion.

"Marcus?" I asked, my voice echoing through the darkness between us. It sounded surprised yet relieved, the most emotion I have heard myself speak in a very long time.

As if wanting to confirm my question, it bowed its head before the sound of cracking bones filled the air. It was a sickening sound honestly, but one I had heard countless of times back home. I simply stood there, waiting, as the patches of black fur began to disappear, only to be replaced by smooth skin underneath. The only small amount of hair that remained was that of his head. As the wolf began to change into the form of a man, my mouth gaped open in shock, a small gasp escaping my lips.

He sat there, hunched over with his hands in front of him supporting his weight. His face was hidden from where I stood as he breathed in slowly, the muscles on his back flexing with every breath he took. He remained in that position for some time before his head looked upward to face me. He was still a couple of feet away, but I could instantly recognized his facial features without a doubt. He looked different, but still the same as I remembered him, if that is even possible. His face looked more defined as did his muscles. The face that still haunts me to this very day was that of a teenage boy, but the face that now stood before me was that of a man. His eyes remained closed though, his plump lips pressed shut in a thin line while his eyebrows were pulled together as if contemplating his next move. Then, he opened his eyes.

Another audible gasp escaped my lips as his dark eyes stared at me. The familiar feeling of butterflies erupting in my stomach drew me in closer. I subconsciously began to make my way towards him, my steps slow and cautious as I continued to stare into his familiar dark eyes. They were pitch black and I knew his wolf was in control, but every so often they would shift back into their original shade. The mere action made my heart clench for some reason, but I continued to make my way towards him nonetheless. When I was merely about two feet away, he broke eye contact, turning away as a pained expression overtook his angelic features.

A pained feeling spread across my chest as I stopped in front of him, my hand stretched out.

"Blake?" I asked again, my voice quivering.

He didn't move nor did he make a sound. Not even the sound of his heavy breathing reached my ears as I continued to stare down at him. Seconds passed before he took in a deep breath, his eyes closing and preventing me to see any sort of emotion within them.

"You ran away."

The sound of his voice brought a surge of happiness that I had not felt in a long time before his tone made my heart sink deep within my chest. My hand dropped from midair, falling silently at my side as I stared down at the ground.

I nodded, a heavy feeling forming deep within my chest.

"I know," I said quietly, my voice failing me as it quivered.

I didn't look up, but I could feel his dark eyes staring at me once more.

"Why?" He demanded, his voice faltering.

I flinched at his tone, a whimper escaping my throat. I felt his aura change in front of me before I responded.

"I wasn't meant to be with you. I didn't deserve you."

I heard him let out a heavy sigh before he stood up and took a step towards me. I fought the urge to look at his naked form, but I managed to keep my eyes locked on the ground. If there even was a ground because all I saw was darkness beneath my feet.

"But you're my mate." His voice sounded a lot closer than before and I jumped slightly as I felt his finger press against the bottom of my chin, urging me to look up at him. I ignored the sparks that ignited between us as I looked into his dark eyes, my knees nearly giving way as I stared into them.

"You were destined to be mine."

A tear escaped my left eye as I pulled away from his touch, shaking my head slowly.

"The goddess was wrong in making me your mate. I am not fit to be Luna of your pack nor am I worthy of being yours."

Silence erupted between us for several seconds before the urge to look up took the best of me and I was surprised to see what I saw. He no longer stood mere inches in front of me. Instead, he was now standing a couple of feet from where I stood, his back towards me. He took in deep breaths, his muscles tensed and flexing as they did so before. I wanted to reach out and calm him down, but my words and decision clarified that I was no longer meant to do that for him. Another female, preferably a werewolf, should be standing beside him as Luna. The mere thought, just like countless of times before, brought an aching feeling that instinctively made me press a hand against my chest to ease the pain with little success.

He turned his head towards me, his eyes never meeting mine as he said,

"If that is what you wish."

With that, he began to walk forward, his figure disappearing into the darkness. I stood there, simply staring before the instinct to run after him took over. I ran as fast as I could, hoping to whichever God was looking down on me that he would stay long enough for me to apologize. For him to know just how badly I regretted that decision and how I wished I could go back home. But my prayer didn't seem to be heard as I came to an abrupt halt. I continued to call out his name with the little amount of hope that still resided within me, only for it to diminish, leaving me numb and helpless amongst the darkness.

I allowed myself to fall down to the floor, or whatever it was, as the tears began to stream down my face. I didn't bother wiping them away as I tucked my legs beneath me, the only sound coming from the audible sobs that would escape my throat every so often. As I continued to sit there, I could feel myself slipping away. Not into a dreamless sleep or a permanent one, but rather from my physical being. It was as if my soul had escaped my body and I was now viewing a hollow shell weeping helplessly below me. There was no emotion as the tears streamed down the girl's face. Her pale face was emotionless as she stared down at the ground with blank eyes. The usual bright hazel green that resided in her irises were now a washed out brown, showing nothing within. Suddenly, as quick as I felt myself leave my body, my soul was sent back at an incredible speed, knocking me down to the ground. A gasp escaped my lips as my hands pressed down against the pavement, preventing any injury to occur. I reached up and wiped away the silent tears, watching them as they made their way down my hand and onto my palm.