69. Calla

69. Calla
I whirled around so quickly that I almost gave myself a whiplash.
"W-what is that supposed to mmh—" My breath caught in my throat again, unnerved by the sight of him. My eyes widened, as my gaze trailed upwards over his impossibly tall form. He was huge. Dark. Gigantic. And utterly terrifying. I dared look into his yellow eyes, and my pulse spiked as those tormenting memories came back to me full-force. The fear I felt; the horror, and the pain of that sharp claw digging into my flesh. My scar itched, but I did not dare touch it. I took a step back instead, as his closeness was making my blood freeze with abject dread. No. I couldn't handle it. This was too much. I let out a helpless little whimper, tortured by the panic that seized me. And then I turned back around, my arms wrapping around myself protectively as fast and audible wheezes of breath started to escape me. I trembled lightly, struggling to overcome this bout of irrational fear that gripped me.
"No, don't be afraid, my little one..." the beast said quietly, with that rough, scary voice of his. I heard him shuffle closer, and my eyelids screwed shut. My mind was screaming at me to run, get away from the hulking monster behind my back. I stayed put, forcing myself to remember who he was—the safety that he represented, despite his current form.
A hot gust of air caressed my shoulder. I shivered, unable to contain that tiny, hitching sigh that escaped me. And then, heat enveloped me, in the form of a furry and beastly body wrapped around my back. I gasped softly, my eyes opening wide.
"Don't be afraid of these claws, for they will never harm you..." I stared at those two monstrous hands as they slowly stretched before me, offering me a close and thorough view. I blinked, staring at them in awe. Fear. They were so big, with greyish-black skin covering them, and long, sharp-looking claws. He held them open before me—a silent invitation.
"You are a piece of me. I can smell my blood running through your veins," A harsh breath. Another hot and humid gust of air caressing my skin. I exhaled shakily, allowing my body to relax a little. I... I had to do this, I told myself as I continued to stare at those monstrous hands. I had to try. I couldn't live with this fear forever. He...wasn't going to hurt me. I could sense that. He was...just Athos. In his beast form. He was safe. Familiar.
My hands stretched out slowly. Tentatively. They were trembling before me. I breathed deeply, willing myself to calm. Gather my courage. I could do this. I had to. I thought about his human form. His sweet gentleness. I put my hands over his timidly, letting out a shaky breath of air. They were barely touching. But I could feel their heat, the instant calm that washed over me.
"I am forever yours, my Queen. Forever yours, to serve and protect," I shivered, letting myself sink further into his warm embrace. It felt...good. Safe. That little entity pushed forward out of its hiding, and I could visualize it stretching like a cat. The hulking beast behind me rumbled as if sensing that, those vibrations tickling my skin.
"Callanthea..." I could feel his snout nuzzling in my hair, his hot breath touching the column of my neck. The little entity purred in reply. He continued to scent me, and I relaxed further in between those arms, my fingers weaving between his. They were so much bigger, and thicker, his skin so rough to the touch. I didn't mind, and the little entity seemed even to love it. It made me think about how strong he was, and big. Perfectly capable of protecting us.
Something warm and wet touched the side of my neck in a slow, sensual motion, and I quickly realized that it was his tongue. I couldn't hold back that tiny mewl from escaping me, as my skin tingled so deliciously. The beast rumbled again. Another lick. I mewled again, unable to stop myself. It felt so good. He wrapped his arms around me, drawing me impossibly close.
"You smell so good, little one..." he purred, the sound of his dark and gravelly voice making the little entity squirm and whine. It awoke that desire within me, that burning want. I found myself breathing faster, my thighs clenching as a trickle of liquid heat pooled in my panties. I remembered that dream, that forbidden fantasy. The ghost of his touch, his whisper in my ear.
"Little flower..."
My eyelids fluttered open, though I couldn't remember when I had closed them. I hesitated for another moment, until the sound of his gentle, masculine voice registered in my mind. The feel of his smooth skin against my own. I spun around quickly. Golden eyes met my own, and we stared at each other for a few long and quiet moments.
I could see that fire that burned in his eyes, I could feel it. And it matched my own. I swallowed thickly, licking my lips as my gaze flickered to his. They looked so delectable. Inviting. His hand was wrapped around my waist, and I could feel it holding me just a little tighter.
His eyelids drooped. He was looking at me so dangerously, and my heart increased its pace, growing so incredibly excited at the idea of what could possibly happen.
"Please...tell me to step away," he uttered quietly, his voice sounding a little rough. Pained. I peered between his hooded eyes, biting back a moan as those fingers dug in my flesh, pressing me closer to him. I could feel his body now, the contours of his hard muscles moulding against my soft and fleshy curves.
"Tell me to stop, Calla..." he pleaded softly, even as his palm cupped my jawline, coaxing me to tilt my chin upwards, closer to his awaiting lips.
"Why?" I breathed, barely able to hold myself upright. His closeness was making my head spin. I was intoxicated with his scent and the feel of him. Even that little something inside of me was purring now with delight, eager to taste what he was about to offer.
"Because I'm not worthy of this, and you're..." he trailed off quietly, his body though continuing to contradict those words spilling out of his mouth as he only held me tighter, leaning closer, and closer. I knew what he was about to say. That I was his Luna. His Alpha's destined mate.
"B-but then why..." Why was I feeling like this? Why did it feel so right? Why couldn't I refrain from thinking about this all the time? Why did I want him so much? Why did his beast call me Callanthea, and...
"Why do I know your full name?" Those words spilled past my lips on their own accord.
His brows suddenly drew together, his burning gaze shifting from my lips back to my eyes.
"What?"
I peered between them, my cheeks warming and my legs trembling lightly from underneath me as I whispered meekly, "Athos Maximus Vane..."
He froze. His eyes widened, staring at me as if he were seeing me for the first time. He blinked. And then that hand was slipping at the nape of my neck, holding me tenderly. He leaned closer, his hooded eyes lowering back to my lips. He touched them softly with his. My toes curled at the incredible feeling.
A row of deafening bangs suddenly resounded through the forest, and I jolted in his embrace, letting a scream as we fell to the ground with him on top of me. He held me protectively as those bangs continued to sound, and I could hear those shots hitting metal and some nearby trees. Holy Goddess! Dima! I stared up at Athos with panic and fear in my eyes, meeting his concentrated gaze.
"W-what's...why is..." I struggled for words, and he shook his head lightly, signaling for me to remain silent. I did as instructed, and we lay there like that until the bangs finally ceased. We lay for another moment, and only now could I hear my harsh pants and wheezes. I trembled so hard, and my widened gaze met Athos' again, noticing that look in his eyes. He seemed worried. Angry, even.
Loud, thumping footsteps could be heard in the background. I stiffened, wrapping my arms around Athos' waist as he helped me back up to my feet. I had no idea what was going on, and I was so scared. I timidly peeked around us, my eyes widening as I saw males approaching. There were a lot of them, and they all seemed to be carrying weapons. Guns. I knew how dangerous they were, I've seen humans shoot each other with them in the movies. They were lethal, and I realized that we were in grave danger. We were ambushed. Surrounded from every corner.
Athos' chest rumbled with a growl against me, and I followed his line of sight. My lips parted with a frightened gasp, watching the human server approach us with confidence. It was the very same one who had poisoned Athos' drink. He was wearing an all-black uniform now, identical to those that the males surrounding us wore.
He stopped several steps away from us, raising his weapon and pointing it at us.
"Step away from the girl, creature. Or we will fill you up with so many bullets that you'll be vomiting silver in hell."