Reyna rolled on the makeshift bedding for the umpteenth time that night. The sleep evaded her. A few feet away, Aluxious lay on the cold stone floor of the cave. He refused to even take the animal fur she offered. Another two days had passed and they were stuck in the same place due to a severe storm. Her frustration mounted. Being holed up in a godforsaken place with a beast that barely talked wasn't how she imagined this winter. Staring into the nothingness of the dark while they waited for the storm to pass, she was bored to death. She tried to strike a conversation a few times and failed. What was her mistake? She couldn't fathom. It was he who initiated the kiss. And it was just a kiss. As a passionate and toe-curling experience it has been. She rolled to her side, giving him her back. I can be stubborn too. As days passed her task only got harder. Reyna suppressed a frustrated sob. Breaking down in front of him was the last thing she wanted. Silent tear

Reyna and Aluxious trekked through the slopes of the mountain. The darkness and constant change in weather messed with her senses and send them in the wrong direction thrice. But she was able to find her way through the night again. It felt like they were trekking forever. After holing up for days or probably weeks, Aluxious insisted they keep moving before nature forced them to take cover. They had left the cave as soon as the weather cleared. Hunger gnawed at her stomach. They’ll soon have to find something to eat, which was a challenge given the weather. The animals went into hibernation during these months or hid in a deep hole to hide from the predators that roamed the lands only in winter. Exhaustion slowed her. Aluxious fell beside her, matching her pace. She could tell the Lycan king was hungry too. Luckily, she knew where some critters chose to hide. “A few miles north there is a dwelling place where you can find food,” she said, panting for breath.

Aluxious bit back the pain as he punched the rock. The silence of the surrounding was in contrast to the rage in his mind. Pain shot through his knuckles and the rock had splintered his bones. But that didn't stop him from taking out his anger on the god forbidden rock. The beast within was silent and Aluxious couldn't forgive them both. Because despite the blame he put on his beast, he was equally guilty. He kissed her first. And his human side was in control when it happened. As the fog lifted, he clearly remembered drinking her blood the first time. His human side was in control then. Aluxious had no explanation. He only saw her as a means to his escape then. Goddess, what have I done? Freya would never forgive him. As for Reyna, he knew she didn't deserve his anger either. All the young vampiress did, was to show him a bit of kindness that he did not deserve. Even now, he knew she was watching from a distance. He sensed her conflict. Alux

Aluxious rolled the broken arrowhead between his thumb and index finger. His brows almost touched with a permanent frown on his face. He sniffed the poisoned tip that now contained his dried blood. It was the pattern of the handmade arrowhead that drew his attention. That design so intricate, it stroke a sense of nostalgia. He couldn’t put his finger on that particular memory. He had seen it before. The elegant petals of the flower he didn’t know the name of stood out like an emblem. He spun the arrowhead again and leaned against the tree he was perched on. In the distance, Reyna rolled on the animal fur spread on the snow bed. Her body tremored slightly. She curled further, hugging her knees to her chest. Her emotions were in turmoil when she wasn’t asleep. Did I take her choice away? Aluxious ground his jaws. Stubborn female. She thought only about him, but not her. Even now he could feel her hunger gnawing at her insides.  She refus

The heaviness in her heart grew as Selene drew closer. Aluxious strode to the border, his excitement washed over their mate bond.When they approached the border Aluxious howled, his beast surfacing for a moment. Reyna watched as the man and the beast ran in the circle as he howled. He stood at the edge of the cliff and rose to his full height. The howl ripped out of his chest this time was a call to his kith and kin. The joy radiated off of him. She was sure his people would have heard his call.It's time. Sorrow settled in her heart. Unfortunately for her, their journey must end here. When he turned to face her, she pasted a smile on her face. With a happy nod, he began the trek down.Tears filled her eyes as she watched his back. Don't look back. Don't look back. Don't--He turned. Reyna's back stiffened as his brows knotted. "Why are you just standing there?" Aluxious cocked his head to the side. "We can reach the town before the sun goes down."