Ismena has passed out cold in his arms.
Wolfaraine held her sweaty form, and for a moment, he didn't move. She did it. She really did it.
But as his eyes scanned her body, he could not feel any victory. She was covered in bruises-he counted five bleeding scratches and lots of grab-marks that already turned deep shades of red. Her lips were bleeding too from where she'd bit down on them several times.
He let out several cusses in the ancient tongue as the guilt consumed him. Yes, his very courageous mate had somehow managed to do the unimaginable by taming his wildest side, but to what end?
She looks like she fought with a very angry lion and it hurt to see.
They were still locked together in a knot and would probably be for at least the next forty-five minutes. He could try to separate them, but he has no intention to do that because even though she is unconscious, he would rather cut off his own arm, shift to the mountain lion and feed it to the mountain lion than cause her more pain.
Also, he wanted to hold her in his arms. Badly.
"I've got you, honey." He whispered again, splattering kisses all over her back. Then he straightened and rose with her.
He settled on the bed with her body plastered in front of his, her back to him. He held her tight, unable to let go.
Even after the knot released and he gently separated his body from hers, he still held her wrapped tightly in his arms, until dawn.
In the days that followed, Ismena fell sick.
Harhan, the royal medicine man was in and out of her bedroom several times a day. When he wasn't there, Wolfaraine was. He took very good care of her.
The fact that the male she fell desperately in love with was spending every part of the day taking care of her and chartering for her needs was supposed to make her very happy. She would have been if it was a different circumstance. But, it wasn't.
He'd put away his every duty-every last one of them-to take care of her.
The next morning after her night with the cougar, it had taken one look at him to realize that he was ridden with guilt. Whenever she wanted to say anything about it, he would change the subject. It had taken a while for her to get him to listen and it happened on the fourth night.
They were lying side by side on the bed, discussing NAALC's latest project when she palmed his cheeks, forcing his eyes to meet hers. "I know you are feeling guilty." She'd accused softly.
"We are not going to have that conversation-"
"I was not killed. I am still very much alive, Wolfe. And I'm not going to apologize for not using those defenses because I get to be with you in your wildest form, even though you weren't the one in control, you were right there with us every step of the way."
"These..." she raised her arms for him to see, "...are my war-marks. I'm going to wear them proudly. Although, Harhan seemed determined to make them disappear," she grumbled in regret, "but whenever I remembered my first warrior marks, I will remember my first time with the King-Cougar with pride. Don't take that away from me, Wolfe. Don't feel guilty about what should be celebrated. It hurts me to see. We got through to the cougar, together, and it IS a victory."
"The cougar is a part of me and I felt every single thing the animal felt that night. The sheer happiness of conversing with Nalaila, the pleasure of claiming you as ours, and the rage. The deep anger." He'd exhaled shakily, "I came damn close to killing you, Ena."
"But you did not. That is what matters." She'd countered insistently.
"I made you sick."
"That one's not on you, my body just needed a time-out for a while. I don't know how it is for changelings but I'm human, honey. Our body gets sick once in a while. I've been in Naturiah for six months without getting any human illnesses because your body has shielded mine successfully from it. I would have been dead today if it wasn't for you. But here I am today, strong and nowhere near death. A little sickness is normal. Besides I'm perfectly okay now, I would already be out of this bed if it was up to me."
"Harhan placed you on bedrest for the next three days." He reminded her.
"And I'm being a good patient. Not to mention that you are here making sure I remain in bed. When you are not here, Sandra is doing the job and when Sandra is not, Eline is doing the job. I can barely breathe as it is." She'd given her one of her best smiles, "So as you can see, I am perfectly fine."
She knew she'd gotten to him when he'd pulled her into his arms and hugged her passionately. Then he'd whispered 'thank you' to her ears. They are two words he'd said countless times to her after that night.
"There is nothing to thank me for. If I am to relive that moment again, I would not do anything differently." She'd responded truthfully.
She'd felt a slight tremor through his big body. "By the gods, I don't know what to do with you." He'd stated gruffly against her neck, which made her smile grow bigger.
She didn't have any response for him, but she'd been happy that his guilt had been eliminated.
"How are you feeling? The cougar?" She asked then. They'd been so focused on her that she'd been unable to get him to take about himself.
He didn't answer at first.
"I feel...calmer." He'd imparted hesitantly as if searching for words, "Inside, it feels more peaceful. Calmer. Less burdensome. There has been no loud banging or head-clanging from the cougar since that night. I've never felt so...at peace before on the inside. Not for the past eighteen years. That is why I can't seem to thank you enough, Ena. You did this. Every single part of this, you did this."
The emotions that clouded his throat had clouded hers too. She'd blinked back happy tears as she hugged him back with all her heart.
"We did this. Together." She'd chimed in, in a hoarse voice.
"But, I'm not taking such chances ever again. The mountain lion has claimed you as our mate, but it is still very distrustful of you. As far as that distrust is still there, there will always be scratches whenever there's an encounter, and I'm not going to put you through that ever again."
Ismena hadn't bothered fighting him on that. Judging from the glint in his eyes, she'd known that he will put his foot down if she tried to do that. He might even use his alpha voice on her.
"Okay," she conceded, "Does it mean you still won't be sleeping together? I won't be able to hold you in my arms while we go to sleep?"
"I will hold you until you fall asleep." Then he would leave. That part he'd left unsaid, but she'd heard it perfectly.
A month after her sickness, it remained that way.
He will hold her in his arms until she falls asleep, then he will leave. He always makes sure that she is asleep, because she never notices his departure. She only wakes up in the morning alone in his bed.
Apart from that, these last few weeks have been blissful, eventful, to say the least. Wolfaraine was more relaxed than she has ever seen him, both with her and with his people.
The Head Sentinel of the elephant clan ambushed her one morning, three weeks ago, after a council meeting with all kinds of fruit, thanking her over and over again for 'making our Alpha King more mortal'. She remembered being unable to hold her laughter, but the Head Sentinel was very serious about the matter.
Four days later, Wolfe had taken her to the first council meeting and introduced her to every leading Alpha of Naturiah. They had treated her like a Queen-so polite and so respectful towards her.
She remembered being so happy and emotional that she teared up. Because that showed her just how much Wolfaraine was starting to accept her into his life.
That male does not talk much about his emotions, but his actions speak much more than his mouth ever could. She'd stayed through the meeting, through the discussions, and even contributed to it.
When she indicated that she had something to say, they'd given her a listening ear. They'd even put her opinion into consideration too. Ismena has never felt like she belonged more than she had at that moment.
She liked every council member there. Well, except one.
Not that she dislikes him or anything, but the male scares her. That's an understatement, the male terrifies her.
He is called Adanel. Werewolf Alpha and Head Sentinel.
The male does not talk much-hell, he barely said four words in the whole meeting. He didn't give her creepy looks or anything, but his eyes. They reminded her of Wolfariane's the first time she'd met him. Cold. Unfeeling.
He was polite and respectful towards her, but he was the only one amongst the council that did not smile at her. Ismena would bet her right hand that the male does not know how to smile.
Apart from Wolfaraine taking her to meet the council, she was also over the moon about her the improvement in their bedroom lives.
At first, after her night with the cougar, he refused to touch her because she was sick. All her attempts to seduce him were futile. Even Harhan's advice for him to take her to bed as it would help her healing, fell on deaf ears.
The male did not touch her again until a week ago after he'd taken her to the council meeting. She'd upped her game and seduced him.
It was basically one of the best nights of her life. That night and the nights ever since.
Ismena's eyes turned dreamy as her memories assailed her. He'd taken care of her, touching every part of her body until she was practically begging him to merge their body, and even then, he refused. He'd taken time to kiss every part of her, to arouse her to a mindless state before he'd penetrated her. Then he'd rocked her body and her world.
It was the first night he came inside her. It was everything she'd thought it would be, and more. She can still remember the ecstatic feeling of him spurting deep inside her, over and over again as his big body jerked atop hers, his groans like music to her ears.
He'd taken her all night and she'd been with him every step of the way. Well, except for the wee hours of the morning when she'd fallen into a death-sleep, but that was beside the point. The male has a way of leaving her sexually over-satisfied and exhausted in every sense of that word. But it was always so so worth it.
However, something strange-and heartbreaking-happened whenever he came inside her.
Her body starts hurting, afterward. A burning pain that develop in her pelvis, stinging like a motherfucker. It happens for a short time and then it stops. Usually thirty seconds to fifty seconds before it stops.
So she always grinds her teeth hard and takes it, making sure Wolfaraine does not notice such a thing was happening.
Because it was strange, she decided to consult Harhan about it after the third night.
She'd told Harhan about the strange occurrence. He laid her out on the bed and examined her body.
Thinking about it now, her heart burned and her eyes stung. Ismena wished she never consulted him. It was better not to know.
"Would you like to have lunch now, Rahinna Queen?"
Mirian's familiar voice jerked her out of her own head. Ismena looked up from where she was seated behind her own desk in Wolfariane's study, to where the old woman was standing at the door.
"I'm so sorry for startling you," Mirian added, remorsefully.
Ismena shook her head, blinking hard to clear her stinging eyes. "No, it's alright. I don't want to have lunch now, I want to finish up here first." She waved her hands around, indicating the scattered papers she was working on.
"Alright. Whenever you are ready for lunch, just call me. I will have it ready for you."
"Thank you, Mirian."
"Anytime, Rahinna Queen."
Ismena didn't bother trying to correct the woman about the titles, because she has done it several times and it was not working. Everyone-both inside the tower and out of it-addressed her as the Rahinna Queen now. It always warms her heart.
After Mirian left, she got back to work. It didn't take long before her mind was distracted again. She remembered her conversation with Harhan.
"It's the King's sperm in your body without an egg to fertilize it that's causing you such pain, Rahinna Queen." the old male had said with sympathy, "A changeling's sperm is very strong, talk more of a male like the King. It's like a warzone with no opponent. With nothing to slay. It hurts because there is nothing to fertilize. You do not have a uterus, so you cannot get pregnant. That is the knowledge those stubborn swimmers do not have, but eventually they will get it. Soon it will stop hurting when they get the message. I am so sorry, Rahinna Queen."
Ismena had known she would never conceive, but hearing him confirm it after examining her body was like a knife in the heart. "So I can never get pregnant...? Ever...?"
The old male shook his head compassionately, "No. I am so sorry, Rahinna Queen. You have never menstruated as long as you can remember, correct?"
Ismena nodded. She'd known it was abnormal, but she'd never cared about it before. After all, until six months ago, she never thought she would ever entertain the thought of having children. She was always as healthy as a fox, so it never bothered her that she did not have periods like normal girls.
Of course, the mystery of 'Why?' was answered by her father right before he died. Turns out that your uterus being removed when you were eight can do that to you.
"It is literally impossible for you to get pregnant." Harhan had gone on saying, "But do not fret over it so much, my lady. I'm sure the Alpha King does not mind. He made it clear to me countless times that he does not want an offspring."
Inhaling deeply, Ismena forced her mind to the present. At least, she knows what the strange, short stabs of burning pain mean, even though the knowledge hurts.
Every time she makes love to the love of her life, she is reminded of the fact that she can never give him a child. It hurts. Badly.
Six months ago, she never would have thought about children but now, they are always on her mind. She craves to have them, even if It's just one. Her reality that she can never have a child is heartbreaking, to say the least.
"Ena?"
Her head snapped up to see Wolfaraine standing by the door. The sight of him helped soothe the ache in her heart. Forcing her worrisome thoughts deep inside where the sun doesn't shine, she smiled at him, "I did not know you were there," she confessed.
"I've been here for a short while. You were lost in thoughts. Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.
"Never better. I was just thinking about how beautiful these past few weeks have been. How was the training?" She inquired.
If he picked up on her sudden change of subject, he did not say. But he did answer her, "It went greatly. These young Alpha sentinels surprise me with their strength. I love their natural strength. It makes training them easier."
He walked further into the room and kissed her forehead, "Have you had lunch?"
"No," she closed her eyes, letting his scent surround her like a cloak. It was refreshing.
"Come on, let us go and have lunch together."
"Okay," Together, they walked out of the study.
THE HUMAN WORLD: NEW YORK CITY.
Cronus Doninee was tempted. And desperate.
He wanted the Alpha King gone and he wanted him gone for good. When the lab doctor had stopped calling him after their epic fail in the plan of capturing Wolfaraine months ago, he thought it was probably time for him to give up.
Maybe he should suck it up and allow Wolfaraine Throne to keep leading Naturiah. Maybe it was his fate to remain in this nonsense human world taking crumbs, instead of being the leader of his people like he was meant to be.
So he'd tried to suck it up. After all, anything was better than his identity as a traitor being revealed to his people and getting killed for it.
But it was just so damn hard. He hated every part of it.
So when The Facilities had reached out to him again, he was so tempted to spill his guts by telling the doctor the easiest way to get rid of Wolfaraine. But he'd held back.
It was the same reason why he never told them about it eighteen years ago. What if the plan fails and Wolfaraine returns? He will definitely know it was him.
The Sigillaria leaf is a secret that has been in their family for generations. Only the Throne Family and the Doninee Family know about it.
If it gets out, it's a dead giveaway to Wolfaraine that he, Cronus, was a traitor. And if the humans lose him again after capturing him, then Cronus is done for.
Also, humans are never to be trusted. What if they manage to get rid of Wolfaraine, but decide to go round the world hunting for more of the Sigillaria leaves with the hopes of wiping the entire Naturiah, his people? Who will he lead then?
Although the tree has been extinct for millions of years, it still does not assure him that everything about it has been wiped out from the world. So he'd kept his mouth shut.
But three weeks after The Facilities contacted him again, he was getting desperate with each passing day. The idea to tell them lived like a breathing thing inside his head.
He has the knowledge that can wipe Wolfaraine from existence, yet he never said a thing because he was so damn afraid.
That. Ends. Now.
He rose from the couch and strode to his bedroom. Moving past the king-sized bed, he walked to the shelf that stood tall in one part of the room and stopped in front of it. Reaching for the third compartment, he withdrew the very tiny bottle of precious liquid he'd dropped there two weeks ago.
That bottle contains the last of the Sigillaria leaves in their generation's possession. There were two bottles, but he'd used one to kill his father and he'd enjoyed doing so. He'd put it in his old man's food tiny drop by tiny drop until the male slumped and died one day. His people had thought he died of a natural cause.
He smiled, just thinking about the old fool.
Now, he would do something he should have done a long time ago, Cronus decided at last.
Toying with the bottle, he fished out the doctor's number and dialed it.
The doctor answered on the first ring. "Dr. Smith speaking."
"What If I tell you that I have something that can kill your Number 6? I know your people do not want him dead, so what if I told you that I have something that can incapacitate him enough to be easily captured?" He drawled.
Silence.
Then "I would ask why you have not given me such important information all this while."
"What if I told you that it's because I do not want to endanger my people? I do not trust your kind at all. In fact, I know that y'all hate everything about my kind and want to eliminate us all. I will really be foolish to tell you about our greatest weakness, don't you think?"
The other end of the line went silent again for a few seconds. "So, why are you telling me about it now?"
"Because I am more than desperate now." He stated, crisply, "Besides, I am not telling you about it. I will just give you the liquid. It's a concoction made from an ingredient that is the last of its kind in this whole, wide world. It's only enough to fill a long syringe."
Cronus smirked, toying with the bottle. "Inject him a bit and he is as weak as a baby, and easy to capture. Inject him half of it and he is very incapacitated...paralyzed for weeks. Inject him all of it and he is as dead as a dodo."
"Interesting. I would like to have this...liquid please." He could hear the excitement the doctor was trying to conceal.
"My condition is that you must make sure to kill him after all your...experiments so that he can never escape again. I will die if he does. With this liquid in your hand, he already knows that I am a traitor."
"I promise you, Cronus Doninee. We will kill him. He can only leave the Facility again in a bodybag if he is captured again."
"Which is the great question. How do we capture him? After all, you can only use the liquid when you see him."
"Do not worry about that. Remember that I told you that there's another of your kind working with us?"
Cronus remembered. "The Anaconda guy?" According to the doctor, the guy also wants Wolfaraine dead. Cronus has never met the guy, but he was sure that he would know him once he sees him.
"Yes. He has made plans to bring us Number 6's mate. He will kidnap her himself and bring her to us. According to him, once we have the woman, the man will come looking for her."
"You bet, he will." Excitement filled Cronus's system, "Can he really do it? Are you sure he can get her out of Naturiah without being noticed?"
"Yes, it took him a month to come up with it and this time around, it's foolproof. He developed the perfect plan. It will be set in motion soon. You can come over with the unnamed liquid you have, let us tell you all about it." The doctor rattled off an address to him.
A big smile dominated Cronus's face when he hung up the phone. He was not only going there with Sigillaria leaves, but he will also tell them that Wolfaraine has two changeling forms. That way they can prepare accordingly and never go for Wolfaraine unprepared again. This time around, they will win.
He can feel it in his bones.