Word Count: 2863

~Evoni

I step into the tent, my mind heavy.

Collapsing down onto my makeshift fur bed, I stretch my limbs out, massaging my temples with my fingertips. Frustration gnaws at the edges of my mind, my body coiled with the tense feeling.

Nothing is going well. I've been tirelessly working on the fertility powder, and I'm having no luck.

The biggest issue comes from the ingredients, and the fact that we don't know where to locate them, and the ones we are aware of, are far away. As far as I am aware, there are no alternatives to these ingredients either.

I'm not going to be leaving here any time soon.

I feel Rhenn's eyes on me from where she lies in the bed next to mine. I'm surprised she is still awake.

"Evoni...it's late," she murmurs, concern lacing her words.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." I turn on my side to face her.

I've barely seen her recently. I've been spending every spare moment at Billie's work station, studying books and natural ingredients tirelessly. I've even been eating my meals there, and sometimes I even manage to fall asleep at the bench, waking to dawn light and aching limbs.

"It's okay. How did it go?" She asks softly.

"We're no closer. I know that much." I sigh, dejected.

Maric's pack members are waiting for this be done, but not more so than me. The moment I leave, I'll be free from this prophecy hanging over me.

I know everyone is thinking about it. I feel them watching me, wondering if I'll be the human paired with their Alpha. I know it bothers most, and excites a few, including Rhenn.

She brings it up almost every other day.

"You'll get there," she assures me. "Now get some sleep."

I roll onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. "I'm not tired."

While I feel exhaustion addling my limbs, my mind feels alert and wired. It is a grim feeling that I cannot shake, no matter how much I want to.

"It's the middle of the night. How can you not be tired?" Rhenn stifles a yawn.

"I have a lot in my mind."

She goes quiet for a moment. She's been picking her words carefully around me since Rowan broke up with me, not wanting to upset me. I haven't wanted to talk about it, anyway, finding it easier to focus on my work than him.

At least I haven't had to worry about him leaving his tent. It seems he's resigned himself to remain there for the next few months.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Rhenn asks tentatively.

I shrug, even though I know she's can't see me. "There's really not much to talk about."

"Want to talk about Rowan?"

I swallow thickly, clenching my jaw. I haven't cried since that day, and I don't intend to cry over him again. My intention is to focus solely on getting this powder completed.

"There is nothing to say. He broke up with me," I say blandly.

She adjusts the heavy fur blanket draped over her. "He's not very smart, is he?"

"Maybe he was right to do it." I sigh, my chest feeling heavy. "My heart hasn't been in it for a while, either."

She falls silent for a moment, and I already know what she's going to say before it comes out of her mouth.

"This is starting to feel an awful lot like to prophecy is proving true." There's a pleasant lilt to her voice. She wants me to stay here, even if it means being mated to her Alpha. Even if it makes no sense for a human to stick around.

"Don't say that..." I groan, stuffing my hands over my face.

She sits up a little. "Have you spoken to the Alpha recently?"

I exhale through my nose, shaking my head. Maric has attempted to speak to me in the past few days, but I've been so focused on my work, I've barely mumbled more than a few words to him.

Knowing about the prophecy has made me avoidant of him, even unconciously. I find myself wanting to avoid letting it come true.

I am being ridiculous. Archie is right—there is no way to he is my mate.

"Not since I told him I hate my life," I tell her.

"He returned from a visit to the fourth settlement this evening. I'm sure he wants to see you." The teasing edge to her tone makes my eyes narrow.

"Why?"

"You're important. I'm sure he wants to make sure you're alright." She yawns again, drowsiness making her words slur.

I rub my face. I love Rhenn, but I can't sit in this stuffy tent a moment longer when there is no hope of me getting any sleep.

I pull myself from bed. "I'm going for a walk."

"Wait, where?" She sits up, her golden hair barely visible in the dark. Dark that I've gotten so much more used to out here, and am starting to really enjoy.

"To the river. I need to wash my face an clear my head." The cool water will distract my thoughts, even for a moment.

"I have bowls in here for face washing," Rhenn points out desperately. "Evoni, it's midnight! It's not safe to roam around in the dark, you could get lost!"

"I know the way well enough by now," I assure her, slipping from the tent.

Weaving down the well-worn paths, I let the moons supple light guide me. The moon will be completely full tomorrow night, when the festival will begin that I'm not invited to.

I walk until I can feel the heat of the centre fire. It remains lit at all times, guiding all wolves back to their home. It's where most come to socialise, especially in the evening, but now, the space is empty, aside from two figures.

I recognise Maric and not the other one. They talk casually, clearly friendly with each other.

Slipping away before he can see me, I dart into the forest, finding the familiar path that leads to the river. I only need to be there for a moment.

The sound of rushing water leads me through the trees, helping me navigate in the dark. I probably should have grabbed a torch on my way out.

Mercifully, there is no trouble finding the river. It appears before me, it's waters obsidian in the dark.

I sink down to a crouch at the water's dipping my fingers into its shallows.

The bite of cold siezes my fingertips. It's a satisfying feel, as I splash water onto my face, my body coming alive.

Rowan is a distant thought as I sink down into sitting position, crossing my legs in front of me as I stare out at the water.

Peace. For a moment, all I feel is peace.

It is quickly ruined.

I don't hear his footsteps. Only his voice.

"Why are you out so late?"

I flinch, my heart leaping into my throat. I swiftly look up at Maric's figure as he looms over me, standing at me side.

"Oh Jesus, you scared me." I breathe out in an effort to calm myself.

He frowns. "Who is Jesus."

"Never mind." That is far too complicated a conversation for a night like this. "Could you have stepped on a twig or something to let me know something was coming? For a hulking man you are awfully wraith like."

He smiles softly, the expression almost not visible were it not for the moonlight he is drenched in. It softens the dark of his hair, bathing his skin and clothing in silver.

"I apologise," he murmurs. "It's not safe out here this late."

"I wanted to wash my face." I gesture at the river, the surface roiling and turning from the current below.

"You couldn't have done that in Rhenn's tent, in the morning?"

I sigh raggedly. "It's been a long day, okay. I want to be alone."

He doesn't retreat. He just stands there silently for a moment, the sounds of the river lapping at the grassy shore being all that accompanies us.

Then, he seats himself next to me with the grace of a male who is half his size.

We haven't been alone like this since he first encountered me. We've been in his tent alone, but there was always another soul nearby.

Oddly, I don't feel afraid. I even feel content, even a warning prickles up the back of my neck.

"I hear you're not having luck with the fertility potion," he says after a while.

I swallow, grateful he hasn't launched into talking about Rowan right away.

"Powder, and no. There are ingredients I've never heard of missing, that I have no idea how to get because I have no idea what they are." I reach out to touch the rivers' edge with my fingertips, wondering if I should plunge in an let it carry me out to see.

If Maric feels any frustration about it, he doesn't show it. He's a stoic, sturdy male.

"I will take you to town again if you need me to."

"Look how well that turned out last time," I grumble. "At least Cherry seems at home here."

She wanders around, weaving in and out of strangers legs with no problem. She's made this forest her home, even if I can't.

Maric smiles softly at the thought of my cat, who spends far too much time around his tent. I swear he's bribing her with hunks of meat or something.

But as soon as his smile arrives, it slips.

"I am sorry about Rowan."

"Why? He was a dick," I mutter, flicking water off my flickers.

"He hurt you." His voice is low and soothing, but edged with something else.

I glance at him, fully taking him in.

For a male who swears he will kill me if he has to, he is inexplicably gentle with me at times. I'm sure he is with many others, being that he is a born leader, but I can't help but feel...

I give my head a hard shake. I can't allow myself to think so favourably of him.

Clearing my throat, I ignore the richness of his dark eyes and the chiselled line of his jaw ."Yeah well, it comes with the territory."

He angles his head, dark strands of hair brushing against his brow. "You're allowed to be sad about it."

"I know." I swallow past a lump in my throat.

"You were in love."

"I guess so."

He sighs in a great, exasperated sort of way. It makes me look at him, noting the tension riddled in his own body. He carries it well, but it is there, lurking beneath the surface of his skin.

"I cannot imagine it," he whispers.

I straighten. "What? Being in love?"

"It's never been something I have allowed. As Alpha, I have responsibilities to engage with someone that I could reasonably see being my mate. It would be unfair to pull along someone when the ultimate pursuit is the mate bond," he tells me solemnly.

That is a sad outlook, yet I understand it. His duty goes beyond his own wants and desires.

It's centred entirely with his people.

"What happened to your parents?" I ask.

"My mother died in childbirth with me, as is often the case out here." A muscle in his jaw flexes. "My father was killed me a rogue."

"A what?"

"A werewolf who left their pack, for whatever reason," he explains. "Usually they were violent and were forcibly removed, as is what happened in the case of my father and his killer. He ousted him for hurting a female, and he returned for revenge."

I shiver. That is dark indeed.

"Are their rogues in this forest?"

He nods. "Oh yes, dangerous ones. Ones I've removed myself for violent tendencies."

My eyes widen, sweeping to take in the endless oblivion of the forest around us. Do they lurk nearby? Are they watching us right now?

No, that isn't possible. Maric and his uncannily keen senses would have picked up on any danger by now. That must be why I feel so safe in his presence.

"Do you worry they'll come for you?" I ask tentatively.

He shrugs. "I can look after myself."

That tells me all I need to know. The rogues are a real threat, and Maric's life is in danger. Yet, he is still so focused on getting this fertility powder for his people, even allowing humans to dwell within his pack to get it done.

"So, you've decided you are not allowed to love beyond your mate bond," I bring up again, unable to chase away my burning curiosity.

His eyes glitter as they look at me, sensing my interest. "That's correct."

"So what, you're a virgin?" I say bluntly, unable to help myself.

He cants his head, amused. "What makes you say that?"

"Well...you said you don't engage with people who aren't your mate." I pick at a blade of grass, tearing it in two in an effort to keep my hands busy.

He laughs softly under his breath, the sound making my stomach flutter.

"I don't pursue a loving and meaningful connection with them, but I've fucked before. Plenty of times," he says, so casually, like he is remarking upon the weather.

My cheeks flush. "Oh."

I can't help but envision it. The strength of his body, his unyielding attentiveness. I know he would be an incredible lover, even if I won't ever allow myself to find out.

A furrow forms between his brows. "There is a lot...in me. Energy, strength, it needs somewhere to go sometimes."

I swallow, my face burning. Why did I bring this up? Did I forget that werewolves are the antithesis of prude?

"Good to know," I mumble.

Amusement dances in his eyes as he looks at me, inspecting my face. I know he can see the red it has turned, noting the subtlety of my embarrassment.

"Now that Rowan is no longer your lover, where will you turn next?" His voice has thickened. It's deep and sultry.

"To my vibrator, and my imagination," I state. It will keep me out of the most amount of trouble.

"No males of my pack attract you?"

It feels like a loaded question, where every answer is wrong.

"You told me not to get involved with males of your pack." I remind him. "Something about large cocks..."

He smirks. "You would be pleasantly surprised at the amount of males who would volunteer to pleasure you without anything in return."

His words steal the breath from my lungs. This conversation has lurked right into dangerous territory, yet the self-indulgent part of me wants to delve deeper.

"Are you volunteering?" I'm not able to look at him as I say it, my heart racing.

"I would, if you asked," he murmurs.

I blink, glancing at him in surprise. He's smiling at me.

"You would?"

He nods. "I cater to your every whim here."

My eyes roll. I don't think he is actually making a serious offer to pleasure me. He wants the prophecy to come true even less than me.

But what if were serious? What if I asked him to? Would he say yes, or kindly turn me down in an effort to preserve my feelings?

The thought makes me press my thighs together. I can't even consider it.

"Whatever. Human hater," I grumble, hiking my knees up to my chest.

"I don't hate Archie." He rests his hand down in the grass near mine. "I don't hate you."

I stare at him, a little surprised. I haven't been here long and his feelings have already softened toward me. It does not bode well for the prophecy, but it does give me hope that he will truly let me go when the time comes to it.

"I wouldn't blame you if you did." My fingers inch closer to his, the grass soft beneath my palm.

His lips tease upward. "Sort out this fertility powder, and I'll even start to like you."

My brows rise.

"Hey, you called it a fertility powder," I marvel. "You really think I can do this."

"I know you can," he says sturdily, holding my gaze.

Warmth blooms in my chest, because he means it. He isn't trying to manipulate me in order to have the powder completed. He truly believes in my ability.

"This might be the first time someone has ever had faith in me," I admit gravelly.

He rises back to his feet with an ease of movement that makes me jealous.

He holds his hand out to me. "Come on, let me walk you back to your tent."

💚••💚

If you want more, this story is available 10 chapters ahead on Inkit at all times! Just search for Midika Crane (Sophie) and you'll find this work under the stories tab.

I appreciate everyone who supports my work and continues to read my stories. I'm so grateful for you! Enjoy!

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛