148. His Departure

THEONWe hadn’t slept that night. Even after sex, we couldn’t sleep, not with the fact that I would be gone in the morning…

My heart felt heavy as I picked up my coat, and my small bag was ready. She stood there dressed in one of my shirts with a corset around her waist, paired with simple grey pants. Her heart was thundering as she watched me. It fucking hurt…

She had bidden Charlene, Hunter, and Zoe goodbye just an hour ago, and now it was time for me to leave. I knew she didn’t want me to go; I had seen the tears she shed when she thought I was asleep in the early hours of the morning, the front she put on to be strong… and I fucking wished I could be here, but until I felt like I had done enough to be worthy of her, I would never be at ease. Yet, once again, because of me, she was hurting.

"Hey… if you want, cry," I said quietly, pulling her into my arms and tightening my hold. Fuck, I was going to miss her. A soft, heart-breaking whimper escaped her as she bunched my shirt into her fists.

"I… I don’t want to make it harder for you, but do you have to go?" She whispered, looking up at me with those beautiful iridescent eyes of hers. Fuck, if only you knew how much I didn’t want to…"I'm not a good person Yileyna, not the type of Alpha you need by your side right now. I’ve committed so many crimes. I need to do this, but know that this is fucking hard for me. Fuck, I wish I could get rid of these thoughts and just stay here because you know the only place I want to be is with you, or in you," I whispered, looking down at her as I cupped the side of her face with one hand. "But I also want to be the man you fucking deserve."

"You saying that already shows you are that man," she whispered.

Fuck, beautiful, don’t make this harder…I kissed her lips deeply, knowing that it was going to hurt… so fucking much. To be deprived of her… to be away from her… waking up alone… sleeping without her…

"When I return, I'm never leaving you again," I vowed before I claimed her lips in another deep, passionate kiss.

She kissed me back like there was no tomorrow, tears streaming down her cheeks. The pain was fucking unbearable. The intense sparks of the bond danced between us, swirling around us like a storm. She was my world.

When she needed air, I slowly pulled away, not wanting to ever let go. I threaded my fingers into her hair, our noses brushing against each other's.

"I will always write and look forward to hearing what you have been up to around here," I said quietly. She nodded, hugging me tightly.

"I will miss you, Theon… so much... I love you." Her emotions were intense, and I could hear them in her voice.

"I’ll fucking miss you too, little storm. You will definitely be the only thing on my mind day in and day out… it will be my incentive to return as soon as my work is done." I pressed my lips against her forehead, inhaling her scent. Fuck I hated the fact that we would be apart…

She said nothing, clinging to me, and I held her as if she would fucking break if I squeezed too hard. Our hearts were racing, and even when I slowly led the way to the door of the cabin, it was hard, like I was having to drag my feet. She held onto me tightly as she walked me to the edge of the city, her heart beating fast as soft rain fell from the skies. It wasn’t so cold anymore, and I knew the rain was her doing. Each step was difficult to take knowing I would be saying goodbye very soon.

I was fucking right… to be away from her was the worst fucking punishment. I was also punishing her with my punishment.

"May the gods be with you," she whispered when we stopped at the open gates to the city.

"And with you," I replied quietly.

I looked her over slowly, wanting to burn this image of her into my mind. My beautiful little storm... from her gorgeous blond hair that fell to her hips, her voluptuous breasts, narrow waist, and curvy hips. Those dainty hands and those plump lips…

"Wait for me, beautiful."

She nodded, unable to speak for a few moments as she gripped my wrists, and I cupped her face, kissing her once more. Many were gathered, and although they kept their distance, their eyes were on us, but I didn’t care…

“The Alpha’s leaving.” The whispers had begun spreading, and I knew before noon everyone would know.

"I will. I will always be waiting," she whimpered, her voice breaking as I ran my thumb over her lips.

"Be strong."

She was fucking strong, I didn’t need to tell her that.

I kissed her one final time before I slowly forced myself away from her. She tried to smile, her lips quivering as Raiden walked over with the reins of a stallion in his hands. We exchanged looks and I said nothing out loud.

Take care of her. I will,Thea was watching me, too. She looked upset but was trying to keep strong, and I gave her a tight hug.

"Take care of yourself." She nodded.

"You too, Theon. Don’t take too long. We are all waiting for you to return."

"I will try not to," I said, ruffling her hair.

"You will be missed," Raiden said quietly.

I couldn’t reply as I stared at the woman I loved. She was staring back at me, trying to be strong… she really was so fucking brave.

"I love you, little storm… take care of yourself."

She nodded, and I cupped her face one final time, kissing her so deeply that I hoped she never forgot it before I pulled away and mounted my horse. I couldn’t look back, her pain through the bond crushing me as I urged the horse into a gallop.

I love you more than life itself,Same, you have taken my sunrise and my sunset… return to me soon, my love.I will. I will, little storm.I kept the link open, our emotions mixing into one but neither of us could speak any longer as I nudged my horse to go faster. The sound of his hooves hitting the dirt and the wind rushing through my ears were all I could hear.

I never expected so much from life, but she had given me a taste of what I may have. I opened my heart to her, a heart I never knew I had, one that she forced me to reveal to her. I learned to feel and love; all of that was because of her. Although I hurt her countless times, she still loved me through it all. I was so focused on revenge that I was blinded to everything, and I committed crimes that I would never be able to forgive myself for, above all, her parents' death. Yet she found it within her to forgive me.

Theoden was dead, and the truth was unveiled. Now all that was left was for me to do what I could for this kingdom and for my queen, and then... then I would return to her, marry her, and spend the rest of my fucking life with her.

Wait for me, little storm, because I will be back.