Shane
We sat in silence and I watched as the wheels churned in her head. She stared at me and I could read her like an open book. She was trying to figure out how to get me to change my mind, but I wasn’t, I wouldn’t. I wasn’t asking her. I already made up my mind. She was mine and as much as I would love to feel her quivering around me, I didn’t have to claim her for her to be mine. She was mine.
“That’s the second time I’ve heard those words today, but from you, they mean so much more. Your words are a comfort, a promise,” Adea murmured.
“Just knowing he’s tried to claim you, calls to a very dark place inside of me, Princess. I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got at the moment. No one else will touch you but me. Do you hear me? No one. You won’t so much as look at another man. I am it for you. I am all you need and I am all you will ever have. If you speak to another man I will kill him. I’ll kill any man who even looks at you. Ethan is on my list and he’ll get what’s coming to him. I will torture any man who so much as touches you. Your innocence is mine to claim, that blood is mine. When and how is up to me. Mine to take, mine to own, mine to taste.”
She swallows audibly and nods as tears stream down her face. I pull the reigns on the darkness threatening to take hold. It took everything in me to hold Maximus back. He’s wanted nothing more than to taste and take. The battle between me and the darkness continues and I’m thankful that today, I won. As sweet as Adea will be, there are things I need to do before I claim her as mine. I need to go home and claim my throne. She makes me want to do what I’ve sworn against. She makes me want to go home and take what’s rightfully mine. I haven’t thought of going back until now.
“Good.”
“What if he takes me before we can?” Adea asked.
“He won’t,” I growled. I plan to become who I was always meant to be. It’s time I face my past and be who I’m supposed to be. I just need to hold on until then.
Ethan? Ethan is no one.
“When he is here you will avoid him as much as possible. Do your best to limit your time with him. Do your best to keep your father pleased. When you are of age, you’ll be mine. I won’t let him take you. I won’t let him have you. It’s me and you, the two of us forever.”
“Forever,” she cried.
“Forever,” I confirmed.
“And when he comes for me?” Adea whispered.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make it so that doesn’t happen. I’ll take you away from here before then. I’m working on something… it just takes time. We’ll run away together. I won’t let him have you. We’ll be long gone before he comes for you. We’ll be safe and far, far away.”
“You promise?” Adea asked.
I promise, or I’ll die trying.
“I promise. I’d follow you anywhere, Adea. Will you wait for me?” I asked. That’s all I need, all I want.
Just wait for me.
“Yes, I’ll wait for you,” Adea said firmly. She said it without hesitation and the fire in her eyes told me she meant it. “I’ll wait however long you want me to wait, Shane.”
“No matter what, I’ll come for you. I’ll follow you to hell. I’d defy the Gods for you. I’ll save you,” I swear. It’s an oath. I release her hands and kiss her wrists. I lowered her hands and put them on the bed. I get off the bed and take a knee as she sits up.
“I, Shane of the Dark Moon pack, swear to follow you, Adea Biscoff of the Clear Mountain pack, for an eternity. I’ll fight for you, protect you, and never give up on you. You’re the air I breathe, the love I don’t deserve, and the future I can only hope for. Trust in me and I’ll always be here for you.”
Adea sighed through her tears. She leaned down and pressed her forehead and nose to mine, in agreement, in acceptance. I couldn’t hold back anymore. She tried to cover her face as her shoulders shook and a sob wracked her body. She shouldn’t hide from me. I grabbed her and pulled her into my arms as I climbed onto the bed. She curled up in my arms, safe from the world. I wrapped my arms around her waist and stared out at the window. The moon shone brightly above us. We sat in comfortable silence as we stared out at the peaceful quiet night.