Breathe

*Wild eyes.* He possesses wild eyes when they kiss my flesh. No, I was not a want rather a pure need. Only I can melt the ice he holds, only I can sate his raw hunger, only I can quench his parched throat...his undying thirst.

His wolf lingers in the background tongue hanging out whilst he pants with thirst. Not for water. But

for me. He salivates drool dripping down his chin. He starves not for raw flesh. But for me. He wants to gobble me up in one bite.

The heat of their eyes burn my flesh and I slide my fingertips across my skin trying to cool it down. His seduction one cannot have power over, especially me. My mouth open I take deep breaths trying to calm my beating heart.

Sweat makes its slow burning path down my chest and his eyes follow its torturous movement downward. A cruel path for him for it taunts him. I am merely an artefact he can see and fantasize over but never to touch and have. His fingers itch and he clenches his palms into trembling fists. His control is slipping away, his title 'the master of control' stripped.

I am torturing Deimos. Every little action of mine seduces him the mate bond tying our ropes together as one trying to push one onto the other. A sick game of seduction it feels content playing. The stronger one shall stand the weak shall fall and put under its spell.

I continue with my training by Cronus's side. The females woo over the male carrying weights bare of his shirt. His muscled pecks that dance to his exertion. They drool over Cronus. He pays no attention to their looks focusing on his morning exercise. He has stayed with us for a few days as promised and I cannot be happier.

I pant at his side pushing my body to the brink for it has grown weak after birthing. It has become tired and I cannot afford it to be frail and fragile. I need to become stronger as I was before so I can protect my male and perhaps even protect myself when needed.

Whilst the females of my pack gape at Cronus the males who arrived with him turn their eyes to me. Some with curiosity and others with... want. Some of their eyes linger on my breasts whilst others on my lips.

I meet the eyes of one peculiar wolf for his gaze is the strongest of all one that hasn't wavered for even a second. Perhaps a warrior with his painted skin he stares without shame his want on open display for all to see. No fear that Deimos might be able to smell him. He only wants to meet with my eyes. He wishes to see if I feel the same for him.

I had been ignoring his gaze for Deimos's was what captured and bounded me. But this male has guts I can give him that. He is not afraid to show his hunger towards me. The feelings that I struck him with as soon as he stepped on my land.

Allowing an annoyed sigh to pass my lips I jump higher above the low height of the jump rope. The warrior's eyes immediately move to my chest and he licks his teeth. He likes it, the bounce of it. It crawls on its knees entrapping the warrior.

I do not understand, there is no male out there who does not fear Deimos, yet this male challenges his authority. Curiosity pools within me scanning his being swiftly I wonder how strong he is? Throwing the jump rope on the floor I grab the towel wiping my sweat dyed skin.

Is he perhaps stronger than Deimos? There is a possibility for this male is bigger than him. Warriors are trained differently, I wonder if he would win if he sparred with Deimos. He could, he might be able to.

Gulping down the water I look towards Cronus who keeps up with his training as if it does not tire him. His eyes are unfocused and empty perhaps he has a lot in his mind. I wonder what he is thinking about? Would he want to talk to me about it? He still hasn't found his mate it must be getting harder to carry the weight of his pack by himself.

"Cron-" I begin to call his name to acquire his attention.

A female's scream tears through the chatter and the wolves scatter startled as prey about to be killed. Cronus stops swiftly eyes quickly sweeping the area inspecting for a potential threat. I search with him trying to find the source. Fights are always bound to happen in a pack, misunderstandings and conflicts are an often cup of tea for us.

Frowning only to find nothing out of place, the sea of wolves forming a circle around the fight covers my view. I squint my eyes further trying to get a comprehensible picture. Wolves push at each other some quickly making way and my path clears.

I gasp to find a predictable situation yet one I hadn't expected. It was not a big deal for me to expect this. Deimos straddles the warrior his claws plunged into his throat tearing through flesh instilled deep. His claws are teasing the warrior's insides. A sign he could kill if he wished but is showing mercy.

Deimos's eyes are on fire and they burn up in flames. His teeth bared he snarls to the warrior. Alpha pheromones ooze out Deimos's pores to saturate the air and it chokes the warrior under him. A lower wolf cannot overpower the pheromones of an Alpha. Only submit.

"Look at my female, again. Thirst over her again. I will castrate you. Do you understand me?" Deimos roars, his wolf peeking from behind the curtain. Not intervening merely supporting.

Cronus's warrior bares his fangs and this further irks Deimos. This warrior has a death wish. The females around me cough and choke holding their throats. Some with tears in their eyes are pushed to kneel for Deimos's pheromones is growing powerful. His rage swipes the area by storm. A thundering storm that flashes from within his eyes and he unleashes its power.

Deimos thrusts his hand into the warrior's mouth twisting the fang that was bared to him. He twists it whilst the warrior barks and gags in torment yet his hands though free are bound to the floor. His entire body is sewn to the ground and he is tied. That is what Deimos's pheromones can do, it makes you immobile. I knew he had this power yet I never saw him use it. He did not wish for any wolf to go through this. It is quite fearful to be the sole aim of its spell.

The warrior's nails dig into the muddy ground as he tries to bear the pain inflicted on him. He looks as though he is about to pass out and so are the wolves gathered except Cronus and me. Deimos's gushing pheromones envelopes us in a cloud of utmost submission. Wolves knees grow week and they fall to the ground head bowed whimpering and whining. The elders struggle to breathe as his wrath is set free.

Deimos plucks the fang from the warrior's mouth with ease the veins that protruded with the pressure he instilled on his arm now easing falling back into place.

"Bare your fangs at me again, I will extract the other one left." Deimos warns the warrior who chokes on his blood pooling into his mouth from the torn upper gum.

"I hope he does not kill him. He is one of my best warriors." Cronus whispers from my side hands folded across his chest whilst he watches the scene unfolding in front of him. He knew. Cronus knew the warrior's gaze upon me but he didn't act for it wasn't his place to do so.

"How did I not see this male when I stayed in your pack?" I question.

"He is not from my pack. He is from another. I required a new warrior so that pack gave him to me to be trained. He is firm and solid but not strong enough I guess." Cronus shakes his head in disapproval of the warrior who is lying in a pool of his blood gushing from his neck and mouth.

"I see." I reply.

"If he is left to bleed like that my warrior will die. Well, I cannot fight with Deimos over this for his punishment is justified. This is why he is merciful for if I were in Deimos's place I would have killed him in one stroke. No warnings would have been given." Cronus says.

"He is not merciful." I scoff looking back to the bleeding warrior. They seem to be having a conversation, Deimos and him. Deimos slaps the warrior's cheek over and over trying to wake him up for his eyes are rolling back into his head and is slowly passing out.

"He is. Compared to how his father was and how he trained him, Deimos is very merciful." Cronus mutters bitterly swallowing harshly as if reminiscing on memories he isn't quite fond of.

Deimos raises from the bleeding warrior and makes a wolf call for the healer. The warrior has lost his senses and lies as if he were truly dead. The fire in Deimos hasn't calmed as he makes a straight unwavering path of heat towards me.

He tells me with his eyes. What's coming I won't be able to stop it. What's coming I won't be able to escape. I am bound under the spell he has cast with his blazing emeralds.

Shivers run down my spine as the ground beneath trembles and shakes under his wrath. Wolves make way for him as he walks with a purpose. A purpose I will soon be aware of.

Cronus straightens next to me his head held high whilst he welcomes Deimos's presence.

"I hope my punishment to your warrior does not cost us any misunderstandings, brother." Deimos utters, to Cronus but his eyes. His eyes meet only mine not taking it away. I have his entire attention.

"No, brother. I understand. You might want to speak with your female. I shall tend to my warrior, I will make sure to punish him from my side." Cronus utters jogging to where the healer checks up on the limp male giving us space which I do not need.

Before I could make a move, his hand flies to grasp my hip bringing him to his chest in one quick pull. I stand still surprised by the sparks that evoke from being touched after a short but feels like...a long time. Once I regain my senses the blurry haze dying my claws extract swiftly puncturing his chest trying to create distance.

"Get your hands off me, Deimos." I snarl. Taking deep breaths to control the fury that wishes to surge. Yet he stands still unlike before unmoving. He was quick to listen to my angered words but not today. Not today.

His fangs elongate it pokes into his mark on the side of my neck. He has lost all reason and merely wishes to sink his fangs into me to claim me as his for all to see once again.

"Don't you dare." I spit grinding my teeth together. "I will make you bleed." A warning.

"You already do so, my female. Every single day. From when I open my eyes in early mornings when we speak during middays to my dreams you haunt in the cold nights."

His hands around me tighten for he is savouring the feeling of me in his arms. Of the unique warmth, I provide him with. Something he has desperately missed. Something he has yearned. He paints me in the blood of the warrior he punished. I sigh in disbelief looking at my newly washed white shirt coated with blood. It will be hard to rinse it out.

"I am stronger." He mutters beneath his breath bringing my attention back to him.

"What?" I question frowning as to where this is coming from for I do not understand.

"I will be stronger than any male who dares to look at you and imagine disgusting things. Despite your hate towards me for my sins, you are my moon blessed and I am yours. I will kill any and every male that feasts on your flesh." He answers the question I had asked myself when I met the warrior's gaze.

"You have no right. No right to be jealous or come at me this way." I grit out.

"You may hate me, Lumina. I shall accept it for the burden I carry is mine alone. But when you question and lose your faith in my like that I'd rather die." He whispers.

He shifts closer snuggling his face into my neck. I struggle to tear through his iron grip on me but the more I move the more he tightens his hold leaving me no way to escape.

"Just for a moment. Just for a moment let me be at home. Let me calm myself and my wolf for I do not wish to do something I might regret. Jealousy burns and I need to kill it. I implore you to allow me this. Let me have this second of peace." He begs his words dying within the nape of my neck. His words meant only for me to hear.

So I stand still awkwardly my hands at my sides, spine leaning backwards as he presses himself to me like a pup who wants nothing but love and attention.

Pressing his nose deeper into my neck he inhales deeply. "You smell like him. Our male. You carry his scent." He smiles a painful smile fighting his wolf for control. It has been long since Deimos set his wolf free always keeping him caged so that he wouldn't get to me. So that he wouldn't bombard my space and leave me uncomfortable.

With a slow deep breath, eyes closed he quickly strips himself away from my flesh. Looking away from me he says, "Forgive me, my female. For holding you when my touch disgusts you." He says barely a whisper as if it pains him even to utter these words.

With a curt nod towards me of respect, he walks ahead without giving the warrior in need of healing another glance disappearing into the trees. My eyes linger on the path he took and into the darkness he surrendered to. My soul mourns him but my mind claps its hands. A war I fight every day within myself. A war he fights on his own as well. We are both fighting.

I peer down at my watch and my eyes broaden. I am late! I am so late! I begin to run my body pumped up with adrenaline to reach the house. I shouldn't have been so engrossed with activities. Glancing at the watch I pound my feet harsher into the earth so it would give me sturdy push forward.

Heart beating mind calm I reach the wood house in a matter of minutes. The door is open wide and Elriam rocks a wailing Kal. She looks uncomfortable often wincing to his high pitched shrieks. Elriam takes care of Kal in the mornings when I head out to train and I am usually back in time to feed him but today I wasn't due to the incident.

"I am sorry. He is a bit hard to handle is he not?" I question Elriam with a chuckle as she passes him gently into my arms.

"No, Alpha. It is quite all right. He must be starving." She utters her eyes gentle lips smiling when she peers down at him. She has grown attached to him and he to her for they meet every morning. He recognizes her scent now.

Sitting down upon the chair I quickly reveal my right breast to his open wailing mouth. He is busy with his hunger tantrum to see that the source stands right in front of him. "Kal." I sigh pushing my nipple into his mouth so he can feel its presence.

He pushes his face away tears streaming down his face hands balled into fists loud sobs leaving his lips. "He is upset with you." Elriam chuckles shaking her head whilst striding to the stove to boil some tea.

"Indeed he is. Come, my male." I say gently bringing his head once more to my nipple. My breast hurts with the weight of filled milk. This time he calms and immediately begins to suck eyes fluttering close his chest enveloped by soft hiccups. This is my fault, I should have gotten here on time.

Leaning back spreading my legs I watch as he fills his stomach. "What kind of tea are you making?" I question addressing my beta.

"Lavender Lullaby." She replies pouring the boiling water through a drainer over a cup.

"Sounds lovely." I whisper.

"It is made with rose petals mixed with chamomile, lavender, and other herbs. It will help calm and soothe you." Elriam says whilst she wipes down the counter with a drenched cloth her back turned to me. She hums a soft tune whilst placing the cup on a small tray.

"Don't you look like a proper mate? Say Elriam, would you like to be mine?" I question my playfulness peeking out waiting for her answer with a sly smile on my lips.

An immediate reaction is what I acquire to my words, her cheeks a bright red as she gives me my tea and scurries away like a wild hare.

"I shall not reply to that." She says heading back into the kitchen making sure to disappear from my view so I cannot see her to tease again. A loud laugh booms from my chest.

Peering down at my male who has now begun to resume his morning activities, his belly full and eyes shut in deep slumber. The spell of satisfaction.

"Lumina?" A soft knock at the door has our attention. His scent pools in through the walls.

"Elriam it is Cronus, can you let him in for me? I shall go put Kal in his crib." I say whilst heading into the room. The curtains in here are always closed for light wakes my male up, he adores the dark just like his father. Switching on the small fan on the other side of the room to which he sleeps better for the sound is like a lullaby I shut the door halfway on my way out so I can hear him when he awakens.

Walking back into the living room has me find Cronus leaning on the counter indulged in a whispered conversation with Elriam who merely makes another cup of tea for him. From an outsiders view if Elriam were a normal wolf she would not have been able to outrun Cronus's charm. The way he speaks, the way he smiles, the way his eyes gaze at you. It may be of a friendly nature but one can be tricked into being seduced.

*"Look at me. Look at me! Why can't you look at me instead of him? Why is he the only one in your eyes? Why is he the only male you see?"

"I am saying I want you. Look at me properly, see through my eyes. See through my pain. See my heart. Won't you have me? Won't you be mine?"*

The words he uttered that night of the ball is still engraved within the depths of my mind. Cronus and I never truly talked about it, never really acknowledged it had happened merely swept the incident under the rug. Even when I had gone to stay in his pack we never confronted it. But I...I wish to. As dear friends, it is a must. I want to know his truth.

Clearing my throat I call his name gently in greeting, "Cronus."

His eyes turn to me swiftly and a soft smile lights upon his face. "Luna." He greets. I had invited him for breakfast today.

"How is your warrior doing?" I question whilst tugging on a chair for him to sit on.

"I do not know, I haven't gone to check up on him after the healer took him away on a stretcher." He snorts as if he finds it funny. A big solid warrior taken on a stretcher is amusing to him.

"Right." I reply whilst nodding my head. If not with his warrior, where was he?

"Alpha. I must leave now to tend to some matters. Call me when you are in need of me." Elriam places Cronus's tea in front of him whilst giving a gentle smile. He gives her a curt nod of thanks lifting the cup to his nose for a sniff.

"Of course. Thank you for today, Elriam." I thank her as she heads out of the house shutting the main door behind her.

Sipping on my tea savouring the taste as it slides down my throat. "Cronus, you must try the te-"

"I talked to Deimos." Cronus says breaking through my words. I swallow harshly whilst sudden cold silence consumes the room, only the sound of the clock ticking plays in the background. Tension is quick to surround us and bring forth uncomfortableness.

"Is that so?" I ask continuing to sip my tea without peering up at him my eyes glued to the lines of the wood upon the table hands gripping the handle of the cup tightly, it has a tremble to it.

"It must be hard for you." He says. "To forgive him for his choice."

"I don't think I ever can. I had told him before you know? That if he did something to hurt me we wouldn't be able to recover from it."

"I understand." He whispers hugging the cup with his palms warming up his flesh as he gazes down into its liquid mass.

"Did you know of this tradition?" I question.

"Not in depth but I knew how the traditions were valued here. When we were pups and I would come to visit him he would be kneeling at one of the corners in the castle until he could say the factors and meanings of a tradition byheart." He says.

I look up at him eager to know further for I truly have no idea. "Really?"

"Yes. Alpha Ares was a good male, a good father too but he was strict with his sons. He began to train them from a very young age. Deimos was quite playful as a pup unlike his serious brother so Deimos got more attention from his father and it wasn't the good sort. He needed to become a true leader." Cronus explains.

"I didn't know that. He barely spoke about his past." I sigh.

"I don't think he likes to for not all memories are good ones. It was drilled into him, Luna. For every mistake, he would get a punishment. He had to be perfect to be accepted as the next heir of this pack. Somethings cannot be broken out of, somethings he has no choice as an Alpha. You must understand this."

"I do understand." I glare up at him.

"Do you? Truly?" He finally meets my eyes. It's as if he does not believe my words of truth. I do understand but at the same time I...I don't.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." I mutter swiftly changing the topic wishing to discuss what I truly want to know.

He looks at me silently for a few seconds perhaps thinking whether to let go of this conversation or not. "Go ahead." He gives me a curt nod of acceptance.

"About that night when you confessed your feelings to me." I am quick to strike him. His actions stop and he looks taken back. Surprised how I came for him suddenly. He wasn't expecting it. Then he frowns as if thinking why this sword was drawn now.

"That...that was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened, I was wrong."

"What?" I ask. I need him to explain further than to admit his fault.

"I had never formed the close bond I have with you with any other female other than Theia. You caught me off guard. Our friendship caught me off guard. You eased my loneliness and in return, I eased yours. But my feelings weren't true, I confused myself. And I must thank you for rejecting my advances for if I had found my female she would have suffered. I don't think I can handle that. Deimos would have suffered and our bond shattered. We all would have descended into hell. Rather a pit of burning flames. But you saved us all. You are a good female, Lumina." His words sink into me and I take time to digest it.

"How do you know we would have suffered?" I lick my lips uneasily, the truth pouring into the light.

"Because I see your misery, Lumina. Only the actions of a mate can give you such sorrow."

His words. They sting deep in my heart. The emotions I kept hidden wishes to pour out to him. I want to complain to him, I want to act spoilt with him. I want to break down the shield I have on so he can see the cracks upon my heart and the disaster Deimos's choice has created.

Lowering my head palms clutching my skirt I allow a soft sob to leave my lips. My hair acts as a curtain covering my insecurities from his eyes. Sinking my teeth into my lower quivering lip, I wheeze out a gut-wrenching wail.

His palms immediately reach forward cupping my face gently. His eyes sadden whilst he regards me, thumbs wiping my stranded tears below my eyes softly. "Hush now there is no need to cry. Do you trust me, Lumina?"

My eyes shut I show him the pain of my soul. I show him my inner conflict I endure with each birth of a day. "Look at me. Look at me, Lumina." His voice is soft as feather tingling my skin. It encourages me to be strong.

I open my blurry eyes to regard him. "Do you?" He inquires.

"Y-Yes." I reply with no hesitation. I do with everything within me.

"Then trust that all shall be well. Trust that this can be healed with time. I know Deimos he will stop at nothing to become yours again for Kal and you are his universe."

"You don't understand, what he did...I- Oh goddess what he did Cronus!" I sob harder shaking my head in disapproval of his words. I cannot forgive him, never.

"Hush. It will be all right. Come here." He pulls me into his chest my sobs blocked by his now drenched shirt. His palm gently pats my back whilst he sways us side to side. Comfort is what he provides me, something I truly wanted.

We stay like that for a while with me indulging in his warm comforting presence and him making sure my pain has eased a little. He truly was my present from the moon for he had the power to cure my misery with just a few words and touches.

A sudden bang on the door has both of us flinch and startle. I frown quickly wiping away my tears with the heels of my palms. Getting up swiftly the chair screeching backwards I make my way to the door.

Pulling it open has me find a pacing Deimos his hands clasped behind his back. He looks tired and dishevelled rather shabby.

"What is it?" Is he here to see Kal? Or perhaps confront me of being alone with Cronus in the house? Maybe it is to confront me about my thoughts of the warrior?

"I am not here to confront you about anything goddamnit!" He spits and I frown further. What is wrong with him? Why has he become so stressed suddenly? Did something happen?

"Cronus is a male you keep close to your heart and I wouldn't stop your friendship." He says.

"Then what is it?" I ask watching him as he paces back and forth. I shut the main door behind me for I do not want Cronus to witness our conflicts.

"I thought about it over and over again during the past nights, the words you said that made me want to leap off a bridge. It drove me crazy. Learn to, you said. To live without you, to survive without you."

"Yes." I reaffirm the words I spoke to him.

"I thought about whether to say this to you or not." He mutters. He is agitated, he is unwell. This sparks concern in me. My words have caused his mental sickness.

"Deimos?" I call out his name taking a step closer to him. Something within me demands to console him, to hold the pieces of him falling apart.

"But I am no weak male who cannot face his female. I will speak the truth!" He roars his emotions that overflow from within him.

"Deimos, calm down." I take another step forward my palm held up facing him as a sign for him to rest his mind. We can talk when he is undisturbed.

"How do you expect me to do so? How do you expect me to live without you when-" He grits his teeth soul bare to me as he clenches his jaw shut. He is thinking again, whether or not to confess his truth.

"Deimos. I...I-" I get closer to him unknowingly. What am I even trying to say?

"When you are the air I *breathe*." He finishes.