‘Our, contract is complete. I will see you soon again...’ a voice I never heard before announced.

I felt like an immense weight on me slowly dissipated. My muddled vision slowly cleared as something left my being. My arms, legs, and even jaw hurt from everything I had done. Though what was worse was the taste of iron in my mouth. A very familiar taste… blood.

Part of me knew what had happened and what I had done. This time differed from the last time I was fully possessed. After all, I had let it happen. So, there was no excuse this time. My memory was more intact too. No, everything I did was clear to me. Though the pictures that slowly rose in my mind caused me to feel sick.

I was in Alijah’s arms, snuggled up against his warm chest. His heartbeat was soothing to my soul, yet could not change what I had done. I wanted to puke. It would not be long before I did so. Though something else was worrying me more than all the people I had just slaughtered and partially devoured.

Alijah had seen everything I did. He knew what I was, or at least had an idea. While I had no clue how he would react after the initial shock of it all. However, my ears were quickly flooded with all the voices of the dead I had killed. It would consume me much like the day I murdered those other people.

I had no choice! Sorry, I had to save him!

“Rem?” Alijah called for me when I raised my hands to my ears to silence the voices.

It did not work, though. It never did. This time, though, it was unbearable. Too many ghosts were around, compared to the ones from the day I died. And I could not stop their comments from coming forward.

‘Killer.’

‘How dare you do this to me?’

‘You monster!’

‘Harbinger of death!’

‘Why would you kill him? He was just a child!’

I am sorry! I couldn’t let him die!

The ghosts bombarded me while I lost it. I mean, I always did, but this was the worst. I was guilty of all their deaths. There had been so many that I lost count of the hundredth person I killed on my way here.

I was helpless to stop it. The curse within me made me lose myself to that feeling. And it was addicting. Yet I… I was responsible.

“Shut up!” I yelled, digging my fingernails into my own ears.

If only I could rip them off and be deaf. Maybe I would not hear them anymore. But before I could…

“Rem, it is okay. Calm down,” Alijah tried to get me to get a grip by grabbing onto my face.

Tears rolled down my eyes because of how overwhelming the voices were. His voice was louder than the souls that surrounded us, though. But at the same time, the weakest.

“Please stop, I had no choice!” I cried.

Alijah sighed, letting me go, knowing that he could not help me as he was. He gazed at Loren, before standing up and heading towards her. Leaving me behind to deal with my demons for a bit, I felt like I was drowning in them.

“Shit,” Alijah cursed under his breath, kneeling.

The gurgles from the mauled half-elf filled the surrounding air. One would think he would have gotten his payback there, but he searched for keys to open his cuffs that were in her pocket. After being freed from his binds, he came back to me and cupped my cheeks in his hands. He wanted to help me more than get his vengeance.

“Rem… free me for a moment,” Alijah announced, kneeling next to me to be on my level.

My hands and feet were bleeding from all the running I had done to get here. A raider shot me with an Iris syringe, thinking it would stop me, but all it did was slow down my healing. Iris was an alternative wolfsbane that was deadlier to Lycans. My dead great-grandmother made it in her fit of revenge against the wolves.

Luckily... because of the effects of the soul cairn and the fact it was made with witchcraft, magic. I seemed to be immune to it somewhat. Though it made my healing slower than usual. Well, it was better than going rampant and dying. That was what happened to purebred Lycans.

“What?” I sobbed, unable to concentrate on him for too long.

The voices were drowning me like a raging ocean.

“Let me use the red moon for a couple of seconds. Please,” Alijah pleaded, to trace his thumb on my cheek.

I did not think too much about it. It hurt to even try to think. I wanted it to stop.

“Okay… do what you want,” I whispered.

Alijah smiled gently.

“Good girl,” the gentle wolf said, pulling me back into his embrace.

This time, though, his body glowed bright red. He cut me off from my magic, well, to a point. It was hard for him to suppress it fully, but it worked. The voices got muffled, allowing me to think clearer. I grabbed onto him tighter because of it. Unlike Vera, my sister, I had too much Lycan in my blood to stabilize my magic by myself.

I also had too much human to be a normal Lycan like my brothers. Dad had done this once before when I started seeing the orbs, but it only worked for when they were around me. The aura that canceled magic suppressed mine enough to give me ease for a couple of moments. The only visible ghosts were the ones in the perimeter of Alijah’s reach.

“I have felt nothing like this. So, I don’t know how much longer I can hold it at bay. Or if it will be effective in the end.” Alijah struggled to keep me stable.

In response, I held onto him, happy he was even trying to soothe me.

“Thank you.” I simpered.

What my wolf had done helped me to collect my thoughts enough to notice a weird breeze.

Oh… I’m… well… fuck.

My cheeks radiated heat while I tried to quell it. Though it was difficult to hide my emotions.

Alijah isn’t making a big deal about it, so why should I?

It would make everything awkward.

Very… troublesome.

“Stupid girl,” Alijah muttered, annoyed by my appreciation of his attempt to quell my instability, both emotional and physical.

Though, hearing the gargles from Loren, I could not help but gaze at her. I felt utterly disgusted by everything she had done to him. My magic had shown everything to me. This was thanks to my magical connection to the ghosts that surrounded us.

“Alijah, kill… her if you want to,” I mumbled, resting my forehead on his warm chest.

His arms were still around me while his tail curled around my waist, too. Placing his hand on the back of my head to secure me in place, he turned to face Loren, who was in distress. What I did to her made sure she would die slowly and painfully. I was not sure if that was the demon that had possessed my body or me.

Even then, I still wanted to rip into her for hurting Alijah. It was unforgivable.

“Eh… I think you did plenty.” Alijah shrugged, wanting to stay by me rather than to go exact his revenge.

Perhaps he was scared I would lose control and hurt him, too. The only way that would happen was if I lost myself completely in death’s grip.

“Alijah…” I mumbled his name.

His fingers trailed down my hair. He surely knew. Even so I...

“Hm?” He hummed lowly, not knowing why I was calling out to him.

This time, though, I would piss him off. I was not quite ready to give him free rein in his power. Especially since he knew about me. My tail slowly curled around his, causing him to gaze down towards it. I knew he would shove me away after what I said next.

“You can only use power on me and don’t kill anyone,” I ordered, correcting my previous slip.

He growled immediately after hearing that as the bond took effect.

“Oi… You little…” the grumpy wolf went to complain.

I interrupted him by pulling away from him, expecting a shove from him. His cheeks went slightly pink the moment he saw my bare body.

Does he react like this every time he sees me fully? Or is it because it’s unexpected?

I did not have time to think thoroughly. Sadly, my stomach could not hold its contents any longer.

“I feel sick,” I announced, dragging myself fully away to expel my stomach contents onto the floor next to us.

It almost looked like I had vomited blood out, but what was worse was the flesh that was in it as well.

Is that a finger? Oh... By the gods... I’m a savage.

Though, what was worse was I felt no guilt for their deaths. I could not feel a thing for them if I did not hear them. Their voices annoyed me because of how constant they were. Though I knew it was not good I had killed, but I could not feel sad about their deaths. I did not know if it was part of the curse or because of who I was.

Perhaps there was something wrong with me. Something I could not fix easily. Though maybe with the witch’s death, I would be free.

“Oi!” Alijah worried, placing his hand on my back.

My tail curled over my privates while he tried to find anything to cover me. Luckily, there was a piece of cloth nearby that he grabbed. Though I continued to puke until my stomach was empty. It left me gasping for air as the voices seemed to come and go.

“It is okay, Rem,” Alijah tried to comfort me.

The ghosts were silent or muffled whenever his hands were on me. After nothing else came out of me, my wolf slowly helped me up into his arms, since my battered feet could not handle my weight anymore.

All the adrenaline had vanished, and all that was left was the discomfort. He placed me on a chair that was near the cages. It seemed I had gotten into most of them, too. Alijah was not bothered by anything, though. No, he was used to this.

Covering myself better with the cloth he had given me, I tried not to think too much about what happened. After all, I had no choice. It was them or him, and I would not let him die. Some might see it as cruel, but I could only care for those who I knew. Family, friends, and him…

Though something other than pure affection drove me when it came to Alijah. It was like he was precious to me, in more ways than I could say. When he went to find some clothing for me, the ghosts returned, but a bit more tolerable than before. The wolf only took a few minutes to come back to me, but it felt like an eternity.

My body shuddered from exhaustion while my mind felt like it could shatter at any moment. Sadly, everything had left me unstable. I had already seen what happened through the ghosts’ eyes. But it angered me to see Alijah’s back full of blood, thanks to the whipping he had endured in the bitch’s hand. His face still had the streaks of blood too from her first assault on him.

Luckily, it seemed to have healed already. Alijah was vigilant when he was their prisoner, noting where they took our stuff. In his hands was my bag and his own, along with bandages for my hands and feet. Although we both had a pair of spare clothes, it would have been a waste to use them on our bloody bodies.

So, the cloth would have to do until we found a stream. My stomach was still sensitive, and I would have to walk out of here. Or so I thought. Much to my surprise, after tending to my wounds temporarily.

Alijah shifted in front of me, laying on his belly for me to climb onto him with no issues. His offer touched me, but we could not leave yet.

“Did you find a key?” I asked, gazing towards the prisoners that were trapped in the cages.

Well, the ones I had not torn into.

“What?” Alijah mumbled, confused.

We could not leave them like that. Even though I did not feel what I should for all the death I caused, I remembered Vera’s words for helping people. It was the right thing to do. I had to balance the scales.

“You know what I mean,” I growled.

Alijah huffed, not wanting to deal with them anymore. To him, they were better behind their bars or dead. Noticing he would not help, I struggled to my feet. Ignoring my pain, I walked past him. In response, he quickly shifted back into his humanoid form before grabbing onto my hand.

Suddenly, my wolf pulled me towards him. I lost my balance, only to be caught by him.

“What do you think you are doing? You don’t know these people. Or owe them anything.” Alijah held onto me.

I pushed myself away, only to wince as it stung my hands. Even though his skin was so soothing, I could not, did not, want to leave anyone behind.

“I can’t leave them there either.” I challenged him.

My wolf’s grip tightened, holding me to his chest.

“You don’t need to save everyone, Rem,” Alijah growled.

I sighed. That was never my intention.

“Stupid wolf, I never wanted to save everyone, just you. And I already killed most of them. The least I could do is free the survivors.” I stood my ground.

He grumbled, letting me go before walking towards a dead male luma’s body. There, he took out multiple keys from his pocket. There were only two cages that survived. One with a male Lycan and elf, and the other had two female elves.

Even though I stood away from them, they seemed terrified of me. A normal response to something like me. I never faced them when Alijah threw the key to the elf that had been friendly to him.

“Is that your wife?” The elf asked him, picking up the keys.

The elf’s words resonated within me as my heart stung. It seemed that lie was still persistent. A blissful wish that would never come true.

I... will never be the grump’s wife.

“Yep, she is my wife. And we are leaving.” Alijah announced, making my heart fluttered a bit.

Why did he agree? I’m… not...

After leaving the keys with the elf, Alijah turned back to me.

“Happy?” He huffed, not pleased about it.

In response, I smiled and nodded my head. However, before he could shift to make our getaway, the elf appeared to have found his freedom. How he picked the right key from all of those was beyond me.

“Wait!” the elf shouted at us.

I turned to face him, bewildered on why he was approaching us. Alijah was not too happy. He was keen on not talking to anyone anymore.

“Thank you, Rem, was it?” The elf said, throwing the keys to the Lycan beside him.

It was a brown-haired Lycan, and he seemed unhappy. For some reason, he was glaring at me full of hate, too.

“I did nothing deserving of thanks,” I answered, not wanting to face them.

The elf seemed to be too grateful. He had lost no one and gained his life. Yet… not everyone was like that.

“You saved us.” The friendly elf said.

But that was not the case for the Lycan who burst out of his cell and launched at me. Luckily, Alijah intercepted him by slamming the attacker into the ground in his wolf form. I had ordered him to protect me, but he was being rather aggressive this time. Maybe he wanted to kill someone after all.

“Fucking hybrid bitch killed my son! I allowed myself to be captured to rescue him! And she slaughtered him! Let me go!” The Lycan snarled.

It somewhat shocked me a bit. I had killed the children that stood in my way. Sadly, I could not control my lust for blood.

Was one of them his?

A foolish plan to get captured on purpose with no way out. Then again, parents were desperate to protect their children. Alijah pressed his paw on the wolf's throat. If he could only kill...

“Say one more thing and I’ll crush your windpipe.” Alijah threatened.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

It was an empty one, though. He could not actually kill anyone unless I allowed him to. Though his body gave off a red hue, alerting me that his emotions to protect me were affecting the bond. Something I could not allow. Even though it confused me a bit.

Why would he genuinely want to protect me? Has he not realize I’m a silver blood?

“Stop… Let’s go.” I ordered, not wanting to cause any more problems for anyone.

Alijah hesitantly let go of the Lycan. If it were up to him, well, that wolf would have been dead. Instead of acting annoyed, he gazed at me, allowing me to climb on top of him. It seemed he was done with his cave and so was I. Wasting little time; we bolted out of there.

My hands struggled to hold on to his hair, making him run slower than he usually did. Thanks to this, it took longer to reach our destination. Eventually, we found our way out of the desert and into another forest by the afternoon of the following day. One that was near the border.

We only stopped when we found a river, where we could camp and wash off. I slowly got off him. Though there were no breathers for me. Especially, he came closer to the river’s edge and drank from it. I quickly stopped him, telling him to boil it first since it could have microbes.

But instead of listening to me, he grabbed hold of my arm in his mouth. It caused me to drop our bags by the edge of the river. Even though my healing had slowed down, my hands and feet were better than the night before. Gently, Alijah pulled me into the water as he shifted into his humanoid form.

Pulling me into his chest again, I struggled to keep the cloth on me while his hand traveled up my back.

It’s coming…

His hand stopped by my neck as he grabbed onto my hair that reached my mid-back. My heart stopped when he pulled it into the water. I let the grumpy wolf submerge me as blood from my hair ran downstream, along with what was stuck on my body.

That would not be enough to clean my hair, but it made it somewhat more visible and pinkish. Now that we were alone and away from everyone else, nothing held him back from wanting to drill me.

Not that I blamed him for wanting to know who the fuck he was stuck with. But I was terrified. Pulling me back up to the surface, I could not hold on to the cloth that washed away from my body.

My chest was so close to Alijah’s that it made me wonder if he felt anything other than disgust towards me. Letting go of my hair, he placed his hands on my face. His fingers wiped any residual blood that had stayed.

For a moment, I wondered what was going through his mind. His fingers traced my face, eyes, and ended on my hair. Though he pulled on it a bit rougher this time. It was almost as if he was fighting with something within himself.

“Who are you?” Alijah asked coldly, holding me close to him.

I used my arms to separate us slightly. Though he could feel my flesh against his. Not that I had the mind to enjoy this. No, I feared he hated me. I was sure of it. And it terrified me, yet I could not tear myself away from his embrace.

“I’m Rem.” I tried to be allusive in the hopes he would drop it, but he would not.

Instead, he trailed his hand down my hair. It was nothing like the wig I had on before. It was smooth and silky to his skin.

“Don’t play coy with me, Rem,” Alijah started, grabbing onto my hair again.

He tugged on it, causing my back to arch a bit. It made my chest touch onto his as a soft whine left my lips. A glorious moment, if it was any other time than this. His eyes were so cold to me. It sent shivers down my spine.

“Isn’t that good enough?!?” I tried to argue back.

He held me by my waist with his free hand while his head laid on my neck. His fiery breath that traced my neck made my heart flutter.

Please stop… don’t let him know. No… He will find out!

“No, I want to know who you really are.” He declared, biting gently onto my neck.

It sent shivers down my spine. I yelped in response to the feeling of his fangs gently pressing against my skin. The blood from his cheeks dripped down my shoulder as he licked where he bit.

Ah... He knows... He totally knows about my feelings! If he doesn’t then... I...

“I’m one of those silver blood you hate, happy?!?” I squealed, unable to resist his tease.

In response, he let go of my hair, triggering me to place my forehead on his chest. His grip on me was relentless. Even though my hands were still bandaged and slightly stung, I pressed them against his chest.

I could stop this if I wanted, but it would close his heart to me forever.

Something… I won’t allow happening.

I wanted to become his friend. No, I desired to be someone important in his life, and it did not matter what shape it took. Taking a deep breath, Alijah tried to be patient with me, but I was not making it easy. He was grateful I saved him, but he also wanted no more lies.

No more hidden truths.

“Not what I meant. I’ll ask again and if you don’t answer honestly, you’ll never achieve your dream of making me ‘love’ this world.” My wolf warned.

I froze in his arms upon hearing him say that. He was serious. The freezing tone of his voice made damn sure I knew he would not forgive me if I continued on this path.

“Who are you, Rem?” Alijah asked, again firmer this time.

I had no choice but to open and hope he would not hate me for what I was. But...

“The… I… I… am the girl who’ll do anything to save you!” I broke.

He let go of me, turning around away.

Ah…

My normal games would not work. It was not enough.

Rem… do it… Just do it. Before you lose him forever!

“I am Rem Silver Fang! Fenris’s daughter!” I yelled at Alijah, who spun around right away and smiled gently.

He had won one battle.

“Lilith’s?” He questioned who my mother was.

Of course, he would care about that.

“Yes…” I mumbled, trying to hold in the tears that dripped from my eyes.

He suddenly pulled me into the water with him, only to surface right after. Alijah washed the blood off his face. Soon he shook his head, trying to get the water out of his ears. Throughout the whole moment, I stared at him in disbelief.

He had pushed me a little deeper into the deep end of the river.

Did he do that because I’m crying?

“That explains… so much,” Alijah smirked, shaking his head again.

Why does he smile like that?

He bewildered me.

Why does he not hate me? I’m a silver blood… Why…

“How old are you, Rem?” Alijah asked.

I tilted my head, unable to understand him. He was not doing as I thought he would.

“Only three years younger than you… Twenty.” I mumbled, unable to believe he was talking to me normally.

“Three? I am much older than that little luma.” Alijah chuckled, glancing at me.

I must be dreaming.

Yes, that was the only explanation.

“Your body is twenty-three though.” I pointed out.

Alijah shook his head, unable to believe that number. But I was right. He had the same body that they locked him in with.

“Hah… Fine. So… why do you want to save me? Don’t your parents want to kill me?” Alijah said, taking off his pants and underwear, throwing them outside of the river.

I gazed at him in disbelief as my eyes twitched. Now we were both naked in the river’s waters. At least it was not crystal-clear. Though my heart was…

“B-because…” I stuttered to say, not wanting to tell him why.

This was one question I could not answer. Well, honestly, at least.

“Because?” He came closer while I gazed away from him and towards the river’s edge.

To get a glance at him would make my heart explode.

“I can’t tell you,” I mumbled.

He undid his braid, placing what he used to tie it on his wrist before he swam behind me. It was a weird cloth, but I could not focus on it. My eyes slowly followed him.

What is he planning?

I could not read him anymore. This was not the normal Alijah, I knew. No, he was playful.

“Why not?” Alijah questioned from behind me.

His hands suddenly found their way to my tail and hair.

“Because I can’t!” I yelped again from his sudden touch.

It was embarrassing since he was trying to help me get some of the blood off my hair. Unlike before, his hands were so tender. I had not brushed it in the entire time we had been traveling. So, it had some serious knots in it.

Not that I minded them, but Alijah seemed to. He always took good care of his hair.

“I thought it was because you wanted me to smile,” Alijah noted my answer from before.

He used his fingers to help my hair become smoother and cleaner.

“I do!” I agreed, trying to keep my emotions in check.

Is he testing me? Does he know what I feel? He has to. Otherwise, why would he be like this? Why is he not angry about what happened to him? Or is he, and this is payback?

Oh, how I wished I could read his mind. Everything would have been much simple.

“Then?” Alijah continued to press on, pulling on my hair gently to wet it more.

It would take over one wash to get everything off. Patience was something he excelled at, though.

“That is for me to know and for you to never find out!” I grumbled.

He suddenly pulled me to him, not liking that answer.

His… His… Oh god…

I felt like I was going to die where I was.

“Oi. Why?” Alijah growled, holding my arms on my chest.

My back was on his bust. I tried to not think much of what was going on down there for him. Though, I attempted to tug my waist away a bit because it probably would never respond to me.

Right?

If something like that happened, I would not… stop myself.

“Please…” I whispered, gazing at him lightly.

My heart broke because of his actions. Luckily, Alijah backed off a bit, glance towards the side. His cheeks were light pink. I did not know if it was the tone of my voice, but he was not going further than what I could handle.

“Fine, I’ll let you go this once. I can finally see that you have some cute brown streaks in your hair. Oh, they are even in your short tail. Adorable.” Alijah teased me.

This man did not know what fire he was playing with. It was taking everything in me from kissing him. I wanted to break right where I stood.

Don’t do it, Rem. Control yourself.

He felt nothing for me, at least not the way I felt about him. Memories of my dreams rushed through my mind while I tried to shove them down.

Ignoring my demeanor, Alijah continued, “So, how is your family?”

“Probably dying to find me,” I answered, trying so hard to not pounce on him.

I did not want to be like any other woman that affected his life negatively. I wanted to be more, but I could never be.

Why is he being like this?

My heart would not survive this onslaught of attacks.

Please be mean to me, Alijah. Please, I can’t stop myself from wanting you.

This was torture. I wanted to stop breathing if it would stop the pain that was swelling within my chest.

Please… tell me how everything was my fault. That I put you in danger. That I am a mistake you never wanted to cross.

Hated silver blood was all I could ever be to him.

Right?

“Are you an only child?” Alijah queried further, wanting to know everything he had missed.

The curiosity seemed harmless.

“No… I have three siblings.” I replied, trying to harden my heart.

Alijah suddenly dunked me in the water once again without me expecting it. The moment I surfaced, he had a smile planted on his face. I was changing in his eyes.

Why? Because of what I am? No, it can’t be…

“I don’t see any head injuries. And your hands seem to be well. Do you heal fast like me?” Alijah asked the moment I resurfaced.

Is that what he is looking for? My poor heart, though…

I could barely keep up.

“I heal a bit faster than the average luma,” I answered.

He pulled me closer to the shore, shifting into his wolf form. Though it saved me from seeing his lovely parts. The sky was already darkening.

“You are four?” He continued to query, shaking the water out of his fur as best he could.

I slowly followed behind, not being able to do the same. I would have to air dry too, though. We had no towels or spare cloths to use. At least the ghost voices were muffled, thanks to Alijah’s presence.

Even though he could not fully suppress them, he radiated his energy surrounding us. This made it easier for me. I never expected him to keep it up.

“Yes, we are a quad,” I replied, sitting down by the river’s edge, curling myself up.

It was almost dusk. The chilly breeze would make it hard for me to feel any warmth. But starting a fire would take time, and we did not have the supplies for one. Back when we were attacked, it was almost a little past dawn. The sun had barely come out. Now the sun was going down again on the following day.

How long did I run to catch up to the hover crafts? I could not tell, but my joints still ached a day later. I knew it was night by the time we left the cave, though. My hands and feet also seemed to be better, although some blisters were still present.

“Ah… That was one heavy load to bear.” Alijah commented on my mother’s pregnancy.

I chuckled, remembering what I did the day I was born.

“One that almost killed her.” I sighed.

I knew full well that giving life to me caused my mother to lose a part of her. Although she always said she never regretted saving me. I felt guilty for what I took from her. It seemed all I did was seize things.

“She almost died giving birth to you guys?” Alijah asked, wanting to know more, laying behind me.

The moment his fur touched my back, I turned to him. His face gazed towards the river rather than on me.

Did he notice I’m getting cold?

I had to keep my hands to myself.

“Vera, Caden, and Aiden… are my sibling’s names.” I avoided that question, not wanting him to know too much about me.

Especially about my deaths. Noting that I did not want to continue that way, Alijah allowed himself to be guided by me as his tail pushed me towards him. The warmth from his body radiated through me.

Why… Why Alijah… Please stop. I won't be able to hold these feelings back.

“Are they lumas like you?” Alijah asked, unaware of my peril.

It hurt so much.

Be meaner.

I could push him to be, yet I craved for this pain. I wanted a part in his heart, even if it was the smallest ever.

“No… Caden and Aiden are not much different from Lycans. Vera is more like mom.” I answered for him to continue his query.

“So… You are the only luma?” His questions would not stop soon, it seemed.

Not that I minded answering anymore. No, what was killing me was how close he was to me.

“Yes, I am the most unstable of the bunch and the one you are stuck with.” I pointed out.

He gazed at me while I used his tail to cover myself somewhat. Not that it mattered. He already knew everything.

Why do I even bother?

He would never see me like I wished either way. Slowly, I let go of my useless attempt to make it seem like I had something to offer him. Though his tail did not move from where it was. No, he held it there.

“That is not what I meant,” Alijah assured me.

I shrugged. Everyone thought that way about me.

‘Useless, Rem,’ Vera called me that various times.

Caden and Aiden both thought I held them back, too. It was all I was good for, but fuck it. If being annoying was going to save my family and Alijah, then I would continue to be.

“It’s what everyone says. I am used to it and it’s not a lie.” I simpered.

Alijah disagreed, much to my surprise.

“You seemed plenty powerful when saving me,” Alijah said.

I closed my eyes.

Why not agree with me? Alijah… I gave you the perfect opportunity to bury me. Please… Stop… my heart can’t take it.

It was exhausting for me. This was not how I planned for anything to go.

“Oh, I know I’m powerful, Alijah. I’m the most dangerous of the bunch. Yet I cannot control it. So… Please don’t get abducted anymore.” I sighed, trying to salvage my emotions.

The last thing I said, though, caused Alijah to growl somewhat.

Yes, a trigger.

“I’ll try to not be a damsel in distress again. Though hard to do with the bond.” Alijah sassed back.

I pouted somewhat, only to sink into his fur even more. I really did not affect him, and it hurt.

Why is everything backfiring today?

“I’m not removing it,” I growled back.

He smirked and pulled my hair with his snout. His tail was still on my body, covering most of it.

“I know. But you could let me defend myself a bit.” Alijah pointed out, liking the fact he had driven me to a corner.

Though it was true… If he could use his powers to defend himself, then none of this would have happened. Pictures of his whipping came into mind, which was unacceptable. It could not happen again.

“Okay… only if your life is in danger or someone wants to hurt you. Only then you can use your power, but not kill them.” I relented.

It caused Alijah to smile and lick my cheek.

My heart… My poor heart.

“Okay fine, good girl.” Alijah praised, breaking something within me.

This affection was not meant for me.

Come on, Rem, you know various women raped him over and over. Of course, your body would not have a splinter of reaction.

My breasts were not special, nor anything else in my body. The one who had all the looks was Vera.

“I’m not…” I whispered, releasing a gigantic sigh.

In response, he tilted his head, confused. This was too hard. It was tougher than I thought. I wanted my emotions to die, not to flourish.

“Because of all the people you killed?” Alijah asked, noting my demeanor.

It had nothing to do with that.

“Because I am a selfish person,” I stated, burying my face in his fur, trying not to cry.

Stop it, Rem… Stop it! Why are my feelings getting stronger?

I wanted him all to myself, like in my dreams.

Maybe this is one, and I still haven’t found him in that vast desert.

“Rem? What is the matter?” Alijah worried.

I tried not to sob, but my feelings were overflowing.

I love him.

There was no denying it anymore. I was hopelessly in love with a madman.

Why is he not acting like one? Is it because I saved him? Ah… he had said something like that when Loren was with him.

The closer I got to him… the clearer the ghost visions became. He had told that bitch that I probably was the only person crazy enough to come after him.

Is that why? Because I came for him? Who would have been crazy enough to not come for you? You... are worth the world, Alijah.'

“I guess today was a lot… Enough about me. What about you? Why did you let Loren tease you like that?” I asked, trying to deflect him away from me.

My question caused him to seem surprised. After all, how would I know what happened there?

“How do you know that?” He asked puzzled by my words.

In his eyes, I was not there. In fact, I was very far away yet I heard their conversation.

“The orbs you saw around you, were ghosts that led me to you. My power is weirder than my mother’s or sister’s.” I answered, knowing I walked into that one myself.

My magic was unpredictable, though. I did not know I could do that until I tried it.

“Ah… And how did you shift?” Alijah continued to dig for information about me.

I pulled myself off his fur and pouted again. It was enough about me. I wanted to know about him.

“You are changing the subject, but I don’t really know how I did it. All I knew is I needed to find you, Alijah.” I frowned, answering him either way.

He chuckled after being caught. I had detected him trying to change our dialog, but he was also overly curious about me too.

“I see,” Alijah noted, laying his head on the ground.

For a moment I thought he would end it there, but...

“The half-elf reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago,” he added soon after.

“Who?” I asked, finally leading the questions.

He shook his head a bit.

“Mori, one of many who made my life unbearable.” He answered, gazing towards the river.

He was really opening up to me. Even though I should not have been excited, I was. It took all the tears away. To the point, I did not even care how bare I was when I pulled away from his tail.

“What did she do?” I asked, not thinking twice about what it could do to Alijah’s heart.

“I don’t know if I want to…” Alijah trailed off, somewhat saddened by her memory.

I realized what I had done. I had overstepped.

Shit…

“Sorry… I didn’t mean to bring terrible memories.” I reached out to his cheek.

The moment my fingers touched his fur, he lifted his head and nuzzled it to my face. He was so soft.

“It’s fine I pushed you, now you push me.” Alijah began.

I caressed his cheek softly, smiling.

Does he not care what I am? Or am I being led?

I did not know anymore. I hugged his neck while he let me somewhat get closer to him. This was nice…

“She took the last bit of hope I had of ever being normal,” Alijah added to his previous statement.

I patted his fur. It left my fingers tingly.

“Sounds like a lovely person…” I commented, not knowing a thing of what Mori had done to him.

In response, he chuckled a bit at my ignorance. He knew I did not know what he meant by that. My innocence was clear to him. Though what he said next would make me regret ever saying that. I really was a stupid luma.

“Lovely indeed. She took men into my prison cell to do as they wished with me. Even gave me a fucking drug to make me more susceptible to her or anyone’s influence. That was after I bit someone’s tongue off.” Alijah quickly shut me up.

I regretted ever commenting on it.

I fucked up hard. Good job… Rem… You are a dumbass. Learn to think before you speak!

Or at least I thought. Noticing my demeanor, Alijah tried to salvage the situation. He did not mean to make me feel bad.

“Eh, I should of bit his dick off.” Alijah chuckled, trying to make me feel better about what I had said.

He did not feel hurt over it, but I did.

“Alijah…” I sobbed, feeling like an asshole.

My wolf had gone through much more than I ever thought. Much more than the elders cared to record. It hurt.

Why did no one protect him? Why was he abandoned?

If this was how he really was, then… Then he deserved better! My reaction caused Alijah to tilt his ears back. I hugged him too tightly.

“She is dead, Rem. I killed her the night of the red moon. She was in the room with me when it came up. And I enjoyed ripping into her. Although, I wish I would have seen her suffer more.” Alijah reassured me.

I could not hold myself together.

Never again… would anyone harm him. Not mom, not dad… Not anyone. I will make damn sure of it. Even if it hurts me in the end. Even if it adds to how much I will end up loving him.

Surprisingly, the wolf allowed me to stick to him.

“Alijah… I’m so sorry for everything you went through. I was born too late. And for that, I’m so sorry!” I sobbed.

He pulled away from me, not knowing what to do with me, but he would try. Instead of walking away, he sat in front of me as tears dripped down.

“Rem…” Alijah called out, licking my cheeks.

I kept crying.

I’m such an idiot. Why did I say that?

Instead of keeping his distance, he forced his head onto my chest. I instinctively hugged him in response.

“You know what’s funny though?” He pulled me onto the ground with him, dragging me back into his warm fur.

“You did something I never thought would happen to me. You saved me today with no reason to do so. And I don’t give a damn about who died because of it. And now you are crying for me. Why, Rem?” Alijah confessed.

I hugged him tighter.

I love you so much. That is why… I want to yell it for you, but… But… Surely, you will find it weird. We just met, but to me… I have known you for much longer. Or at least it feels like it.

“I will always come to you, Alijah. That I swear.” I promised.

Alijah seemed surprised yet again by my answer.

“You are the first person to tell me that, Rem,” He noted.

I snuggled myself into his chest, reveling in this victory. At least I took one of his first. Two first, actually. His fur was so soft and comfortable. I cackled a bit. It almost felt like I had gotten drunk out of my emotions.

Will he be angry if I sleep on him?

“Everyone else is a loser then!” I growled, not wanting to let go of him.

He continued to chuckle, having no intentions of backing away this moment.

“I guess so.” Alijah shrugged.

It caused me to giggle happily. His attempt to cheer me up was successful.

“You know… All I wanted after shifting was to find you and now that I have… My hands and feet still hurt, and I feel so sleepy, but I am so happy too.” I said, snuggling to him.

I was delighted at this moment.

I wish it will last forever.

“You should not fall asleep naked, stupid Rem.” Alijah huffed, not wanting me to get sick over not clothing myself.

But it did not matter to me anymore. All I wanted was to sleep with him and his warmth.

Who cares if I get sick because of it? Or if I don’t wake up anymore.

This would be a good place to die.

“But I am so sleepy, and your fur is so comfy and warm. No wonder mom loves it when dad shifts in chilly nights.” I simpered, closing my eyes.

Alijah was not very pleased by my comment. Probably because I mentioned dad.

“Oi…” He tried to complain, but it was about something else entirely.

“You are better than dad though… Much better.” I complimented, catching him off guard.

It was almost as if a jolt of lightning had struck him, and it made me happy.

“Rem?” Alijah called out for me.

I hummed a bit, losing myself in between reality and dream. This had to be a dream… So, it had to be okay. I could tell him everything. I…

“Alijah… I love…” I mumbled, falling into one sweet dream.

One where I slept with the wolf that owned my heart and soul. I wished to remain in his sweet embrace.

But... would I?