Chapter 7: Don't be Afraid

HIM

Her fearful gaze haunted him, but her closed eyes prevented him from glimpsing the light. Ares held her in his arms, yet he missed the green that illuminated him.

She was human, incapable of feeling the connection, therefore, he believed she would never love him, but he knew he was doomed from their first exchange of glances.

— Stop, Alpha! — Deanera's voice was superb, accustomed to being obeyed.

It seemed like a joke.

The hairs on Ares's neck bristled, the hands holding the female elongated, claws replaced nails. Part of the human's clothing was torn, revealing a small portion of her thigh. Less than three centimeters of exposed skin were enough to make his blood pulse with ardor throughout his body. Teeth expanded, the taste of mating toxin dripping down his throat.

What more would be needed to brake his control? For the beast to take the human female right there, in front of everyone?

He closed his eyes, focusing on the human's heartbeats, reinforcing the internal chains that imprisoned the third form.

It was not the time, nor the place.

He diverted his attention to the greedy hostess. She was irritated, accustomed to having her desires immediately satisfied, she was willing to demand the attention she believed she deserved from the Alpha.

Ares growled loudly, the teeth he showed were for war, facing the Elf who dared to give him orders. She took three steps back with her hand on her chest, retreating by the survival instinct.

Ares was not just anyone she could seduce and manipulate, he was an Alpha, The Cursed Alpha, killer of his own parents, usurper of his pack's throne.

She took a deep breath to calm herself, in a last attempt to convince him.

— The torches have been lit, a banquet is being prepared with our best wine. By council law, copulation with humans must be completed in my presence, to ensure there is no deception in their acquisition.

Beta Alaor, fearing that Ares would lose control of his beast and exterminate an entire Elf village, spoke:

— By the law of the great Goddess, a Luna must be taken before the pack, in its territory, for ratification of the bond with the females. Will the council of elders be more important than the Goddess herself?

She mentally searched for a counter-argument, but the Beta was right. The Goddess was above the elders.

— Deanera, allow me to pay you what we owe, with a substantial sum to cover any displeasure. Alpha Ares only wants to take his female home.

Outside the mansion, wolves carried heavy chests, filled with gold, precious stones, pearls, and spices. It was advice from the Oracle that they should carry enough payment for the Elves in the caravan.

Deanera's eyes gleamed at such a generous display of financial power, although, for Ares, all that material was worth little compared to what he carried in his arms.

Material goods he had in abundance and could always acquire more.

Ares entered the carriage, feeling uncomfortable. Closed and small places brought back memories he wished to erase from his mind. He, like the werewolves who accompanied him, had traveled in wolf form, the carriage being used only to transport material goods.

The beautiful and powerful horses recognized the Alpha and neighed contentedly upon seeing him return.

The reason Ares decided to sit in the carriage was the female he held in his arms. His beast could not conceive the idea of being away from her, because even he believed she wasn't worthy of a soulmate.

The Caravan entered the territory and several pack members looked on with curiosity, but without much interest. Humans were inferior, weak, useless harmful beings, and everyone's wish was that no wolf's mate would be found among them.

Knowing the prejudice of his people, which he himself shared, Ares ordered his men to clear the way so that he could enter his tent with his female without anyone knowing. He would keep the human a secret for some time, while he sought a way to communicate to the pack without creating more commotion than necessary.

Before laying her on the bed, he ordered one of the servants to change all her clothes, it was as if he feared contaminating her with something that had touched his own body. He placed her on the bed carefully, and his hand remained in the air, tempted to remove the cloth covering her face.

She moved, and he stepped back, waiting for her to awaken at a certain distance. Her proximity was dangerous, it was difficult to control his nature with her scent spread throughout the environment.

The human awoke, and his heart stopped beating for a second when her green eyes met his. She sat up quickly, touched her neck and shoulder, startled, and her sweet perfume mingled with fear. Her voice was melodious, entering his ears and permeating his entire being. His beast watched her attentively, admiring the creature that unleashed new emotions, which he believed himself incapable of feeling.

She stood up, slowly, stopped in front of him, who was unable to understand what she was saying.

Ares closed his eyes in an attempt to keep his nature chained, seeking reason above feelings.

"Don't be afraid of me, female!" He said, softening his voice as much as he could, even knowing that she couldn't understand.