Chapter 5

Magnus's footsteps echoed through the dining hall as he strode out, feeling the searing heat of Cathy's gaze trailing over his back. His wolf clawed at the edges of his control, urging him to turn around and claim his mate right then and there, to spread her legs on the table and shove his cock balls deep until she screamed his name. It took every ounce of willpower to keep walking, his steps faltering with each passing second. Jesus. What was wrong with him?

"Forgive me, Cathy," he whispered under his breath, his heart clenching at the scent of her disappointment and sadness that lingered in the air. She couldn't understand why he was pushing her away, but it was for her own protection. As a human, she was fragile, unaware of the dangers that came with being tied to an Alpha werewolf. Or maybe he was just making excuses.

As he entered the main hall, pack members bowed their heads, their eyes filled with a mix of respect and awe. A group of females huddled together, their pheromones thick with desire as they eyed him hungrily. In the past, Demetrius would have reveled in the attention, basking in the power of his allure. But now, the scent of their arousal only turned his stomach, fueling his anger. Wrong. All wrong.

"Enough," he growled, his voice reverberating through the hall. The females cowered, their heads lowered in submission. He stalked past them, his mind consumed with thoughts of Cathy. Her vibrant spirit, her curious brown eyes, the way her laughter filled the room like sunshine breaking through clouds. She was everything he never knew he needed, and yet, he had to keep her at arm's length. Didn't he?

Magnus's fists clenched at his sides as he fought the urge to punch the wall, to release the frustration building within him. Demetrius snarled in his mind, demanding to be let out, to claim what was rightfully theirs. But Magnus held firm, reminding himself of the promise he'd made long ago—to protect his pack, to be the leader they needed, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness. Even if it meant dying inside.

As he stepped out into the cool late morning air, Magnus tilted his head back, letting the sunlight wash over him. He could feel the ancient magic thrumming through his veins, the spirit guide mark on his skin pulsing with energy. It was a reminder of his duty, of the legacy he carried as Alpha of the Lunar Haven Pack. A burden he'd carried for so long, sometimes he forgot what it felt like to want something for himself.

"Forgive me, Cathy," he whispered once more, his words carried away on the breeze. "One day, you'll understand." With a heavy heart, Magnus turned towards the forest, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, even if it meant bearing the weight of his loneliness for eternity. Or at least until it killed him.

Magnus strode deeper into the forest, his footsteps heavy against the soft earth. The trees seemed to whisper their secrets as he passed, their branches reaching out as if to offer comfort. But there was no solace to be found, not when his heart felt like it was being ripped in two. Dramatic, maybe. But accurate.

'You're a fool,' Demetrius growled, his voice echoing through Magnus's mind. 'She's our mate, our future. How can you walk away from that?'

'I'm doing this to protect her,' Magnus argued, his jaw clenched tight. 'She's human, Demetrius. She doesn't understand our world, the dangers that come with it.'

'Then teach her!' Demetrius roared, his anger threatening to split his mind in two. "Claim her, mark her as ours. She'll learn, just as we did."

Magnus shook his head, his resolve wavering. 'I can't do that to her. She deserves better than this life, better than me.' Though maybe he was just scared. Maybe he was the coward here.

Demetrius's fury exploded then, a tsunami of raw emotion that threatened to drown Magnus in its intensity. With a snarl that shook the very ground beneath their feet, Demetrius seized control, forcing Magnus to the back of their shared consciousness.

In an instant, the world shifted. Colors became more vivid, scents sharper, sounds more distinct. Magnus watched helplessly as Demetrius threw back his head and howled, a sound of pure anguish that echoed through the forest, silencing all in its wake.

And then they were running, Demetrius's powerful legs carrying them deeper into the wilderness. The further they went, the more Magnus felt the pain of separation from Cathy, like a physical ache that grew with every step. But Demetrius ignored it, his focus solely on the hunt, on the need to protect what was theirs. What might be theirs. What should be theirs.

As they neared the borders of their territory, a new scent caught the beast's attention—the acrid stench of a rogue werewolf. With a growl that rumbled deep in his chest, Demetrius changed course, his paws tearing up the earth as he gave chase. Finally. Something he could actually fight.