The questions didn’t stop there. No, this black wolf was interested in everything about me.

“Are you an only child?” Alijah queried, using his hands to clear all the knots away from my matted hair.

The curiosity seemed harmless.

“No… I have three siblings.” I replied, trying to harden my heart before he suddenly dunked me in the water again without expecting it.

The moment I surfaced, I saw a smile planted on his face. There was a glimmer in his eyes that wasn’t present before.

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

“I don’t see any head injuries, and your hands seem to heal well. Do you regenerate as fast as me?” He asked as his wounds had already closed completely.

Is that what you were looking for? My poor heart, though.

I could barely keep up.

“I heal a bit faster than the average luma, but not as fast as a blood moon Lycan,” I answered.

He tugged me closer to the shore, shifting into his wolf form, which saved me from seeing his lovely parts. The sky was already darkening, meaning the moon was about to grace us with her presence.

“So, you guys are four?” He continued, shaking the water out of his fur as best he could.

I slowly followed behind, unable to do the same. Sadly, I would have to air dry. We had no towels or spare clothes to use to dry our bodies. At least the ghost voices were muffled, thanks to Alijah’s presence, making this the first night in a while that I could sleep in peace.

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

Soon, the chilly breeze made it hard for me to feel the warmth.

Should I start a fire? No… It’s getting too dark to look for the materials we need.

When we were attacked, it was almost a little past dawn, which meant the sun had barely risen before we were raided.

Now the sun is going down again on the following day. How long did I run to catch up to the hovercrafts?

Parts of my memories were still fuzzy, leaving me with nothing but aching joints to explain what had happened. Usually, it took Iris a couple of days to leave my body entirely, meaning I still had a couple of more days where my wounds would act more human than anything else.

“Ah… That was one heavy load to bear for your mom.” Alijah commented, triggering me to cackle.

“One that almost killed her.” I sighed, biting my lip.

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.

It seems all I do is take.

My body shivered as I tried to warm myself up by curling into a small ball. A soft hum came from the wolf behind me as I kept my glance at the flowing water before me.

“She almost died giving birth to you guys?” He asked, lying behind me.

The moment his fur touched my back, I turned to him to see his gaze towards the river rather than at me. However, the warmth that came from his body was too much to pull away from.

Did you notice I’m getting cold? No… I have to keep my hands to myself.

“Vera, Caden, and Aiden… are my siblings’ names.” I avoided that question.

I wasn’t ready for this wolf to know everything about me, especially how much deadlier I was if death gripped me. A soft sigh left him as his tail pushed me towards him. The heat from his body radiated through me the moment I entirely fell on him.

Why?! Why Alijah?! Please stop! I won't be able to hold these feelings back! I’m not strong enough!

“Are they lumas like you?” he continued, unaware of my peril.

My chest felt tighter than ever before as it felt like I’d lose my grip soon.

Please… be meaner.

I could push him to act that way, yet I craved this sweet pain.

Is it possible for me to have a little bit of your heart? Even if it is the tiniest piece ever? Can I… try?

“No… Caden and Aiden aren’t much different from Lycans, and Vera’s more like mom.” I answered.

“So… You’re the only Luma?” His questions wouldn’t stop soon.

“Yes, I’m the most unstable of the bunch and the one you’re stuck with,” I mumbled, holding my arms before grabbing his fluffy tail to cover myself.

That was the only moment when his gaze found its way towards me. Not that it mattered; he had already seen everything I had to offer.

Why do I even bother hiding?

This wolf 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. However, his tail didn’t move from where it was. No, he held it there, covering me from his gaze.

“That isn’t what I meant,” Alijah assured me.

I shrugged, shaking my head.

It's fine; everyone thinks that way about me.

“Rem! You’re nothing but a hazard to everyone around you!” Vera yelled at me when I suggested to go with them.

“She’s right, Rem. You’ll be too much of a liability.” Caden huffed, shifting his gaze away from me.

“But… I… I can…” I trailed off as Aiden grabbed onto my shoulders.

“No, Rem. You have to stay. We need to be in our A-game for this. We can’t be worrying about you, too.” He huffed, leaving my sight to sink onto the floor.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Ah… I’m just…

“It’s fine, Alijah. I’m used to it, and it’s not a lie. You already witness what happens if I shift into my wolf. I’m nothing more than a liability.” I bit my lip, shaking my head.

“Huh? You seemed plenty powerful when saving me. Out of control, but powerful, nothing a little bit of training can’t help polish.” He breathed.

What? No…

I closed my eyes, feeling the sting in my chest get worse.

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

“Oh, I know I’m powerful. I’m the most dangerous of the quad, yet I can’t 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.

“Oi, I’ll try not to be a damsel in distress again. Though hard to do with the tight leash you have on me.” He sassed back.

“L-Leash?!” I blurted out, only to sink into his fur more.

Why’s everything backfiring today?

“W-Well! I’m not removing it!” I growled back.

He smirked, tugging my hair with his snout. “I know, but you could let me defend myself. It’d be better than having to find me again.”

Yeah… if you could’ve defended yourself then…

Pictures of his whipping came into mind, prompting me to wince.

None of that would’ve happened.

“Fine… only if someone wants to hurt you. Only then can you use your power but not kill them.” I relented, prompting Alijah to lick my cheek.

My heart… My poor heart!

“Good girl.” He praised, breaking something within me.

That simple gesture made me want much more than he was willing to give me.

Come on, Rem, you know various women raped him over and over. Of course, your body wouldn’t have a splinter reaction.

The one who had all the looks from our quad was Vera.

“I’m not…” I trailed off, triggering him to tilt his head.

This was too complex—more challenging than I thought. I wanted my emotions to die, not to flourish.

What am I going to do if…

“Because of all the people you killed?” Alijah asked, laying his snout on my lap.

No…

“Because I’m selfish,” I stated, burying my face in his fur, trying to keep the tears away.

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

I wanted him all to myself, like in my dreams. It was taking everything in me not to jump him.

Maybe this is one, and I still haven’t found you in that vast desert. I want to kiss you like we always do in my fantasy world. No… I can’t. This isn’t… The one you love isn’t me.

“Rem? What’s the matter?” The black wolf worried, noticing the change in me.

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

I love you, that’s the problem!

There was no denying it anymore. I was hopelessly in love with a madman who would never love me.

Why aren’t you acting like one? Is it because I saved you? Oh… back with Loren, you…

Alijah had told that bitch that I probably was the only person crazy enough to come after him.

Is that why? Because I came for you? Who would be crazy enough not to go for you? You’re worth the world, Alijah, at least to me. To me… You’re everything.

“Nothing, 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 freeze.

“How do you know that?” He asked.

Oh, right… You…

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

“Ah… And how did you shift?” He continued to dig.

I jerked myself off his fur, pouting again. “Hey! You’re changing the subject.” I growled, shaking my head.”

He chuckled, triggering me to frown.

You’re just…

“Look, I don’t know how I did it. All I knew was that I needed to find you.

That was all that mattered.” I sighed.

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

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

“To answer you, the half-elf reminded me of someone I knew long ago,” He added soon after.

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

He shook his head, shrugging. “Mori, one of many who made my life unbearable.”

The wolf’s gaze was stuck on the river as his voice was devoid of emotions. However, all I could see was how he was opening to me. Even though I shouldn’t have been excited about the subject we were about to dive into, I was.

It took all the tears away. To the point, I didn’t even care how bare I was when I hauled away from his tail.

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

“I don’t know if I want to…” He trailed off, wincing.

Oh… No… I…

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

When my fingers touched his fur, he lifted his head, nuzzling it to my face. He was so soft.

“It’s fine. I pushed you. Now you push me.” Alijah sighed.

A soft hum left me as I caressed his cheek softly, smiling.

Don’t you care? Or am I being led? Hey, if this a lie… if this is a play, please… let me live it for a little while.

Unable to hold off, I hugged his neck when he let me get closer to him.

This is nice.

“That woman took my last hope of being normal,” Alijah answered.

I patted his fur as it left my fingers tingly.

“Sounds like a lovely person,” I huffed, wishing nothing more than to strangle her for hurting him.

“Lovely indeed, she took men into my prison cell to do as they wished with me. She even gave me a fucking drug to make me more susceptible to her or anyone’s influence after I bit someone’s tongue off.” He shivered, prompting me to wince.

Ah… I shouldn’t have approached that topic. You’re a dumbass, Rem!

Noticing my demeanor, Alijah sighed, nuzzling his nose against my cheek.

“Eh, I should of bit his dick off. Sadly, they never gave me that opportunity.” He breathed, “It was a long time ago. It’s okay.”

“No, Alijah… It isn’t okay!” I broke, sobbing right where I was.

My wolf went through much more than I ever thought, much more than the elders cared to record.

Why did no one protect you? Why were you abandoned? That is… You deserved better than what you got! If only… I… I was born back then!

My reaction caused Alijah to tilt his ears back as I hugged him too tightly.

“Mori’s dead, Rem. There isn’t any need to cry over it. I killed her the night of the red moon, and I enjoyed ripping into her. Although, I wish I would’ve seen her suffer more.” He reassured me as I couldn’t hold myself together.

No! Never again will anyone harm you! Not mom, not dad… Not anyone! I’ll make damn sure of it, even if it hurts me in the end. Even if it adds to how much I’ll end up loving you. I’ll…

Surprisingly, the wolf allowed me to stick to him.

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

The black wolf pulled away from me, not knowing what to do with me, but he would try. Instead of walking away, he sat before me as my tears streaked down.

“Rem… Please don’t cry.” Alijah licked my cheek, leaving it warm.

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

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

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

I shook my head, unable to stop the emotions from flowing out of me.

“Rem, you did something I never thought would happen to me. You saved me today without reason, and I don’t care who died because of it. Now you’re crying for me. Why, Rem?” He questioned as I hugged him tighter.

I love you so much. That’s why… I want to yell it to you, but… But… Surely, you’ll find it weird and annoying. We just met, but to me… I have known you for much longer.

“I’ll always come to you, Alijah. That I swear.” I promised, burying my face in him.

“You’re… You’re the first person to tell me that, Rem,” His voice cracked as I snuggled into his chest, reveling in this victory.

Ah… At least I took one of your first.

His fur was so comfortable that I giggled, almost like I had gotten drunk out of my emotions.

Will you be angry if I sleep on you? Ah… I don’t care.

“Everyone else’s a loser then!” I growled, gripping him tighter.

A soft chuckle left Alijah, “I guess so.”

“You know… After shifting, I only wanted to find you, and now I have you. My hands and feet still hurt, but I’m so happy that the pain doesn’t matter anymore.” I mumbled, feeling my eyes grow heavy.

“Oi, you shouldn’t fall asleep naked, stupid Rem, you’ll get sick.” Alijah huffed.

However, I was bare on him no longer mattered to me. All I wanted was to sleep with him and enjoy 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’m so sleepy, and your fur is so comfy. No wonder Mom loves it when Dad shifts on chilly nights. I’m so jealous of them.” I simpered, closing my eyes.

Their love was something to strive for, and I knew that was a bittersweet end for me.

That’s right, this… this love…

“Oi…” Alijah tried to complain.

“You’re better than Dad, though. Yes, much better and warmer.” I complimented, catching him off guard.

“What? Rem? What do you mean by that?” Alijah asked as I hummed, slowly losing between reality and dream.

Ah… this has to be a dream. So, it must be okay. I can tell you everything. I…

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

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

But... would I?