510- Where Instincts Run Free
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
"I still don't know for sure what I intend to do in the future, but I've already put it as one of the possibilities—staying here." I went back to admiring the landscape and let out an exasperated sigh. "My father wanted this—I think that's why he called Edric that day, not only to save me, but to deliver me to a home, to a family, so I wouldn't be left alone and helpless."
Between the Eldorias or his brother, he chose what he thought would be best for me, recognizing where I would be able to adapt better.
"And William was right when he decided to call, Little Beast. The Merchants want you. If he hadn't asked for help, you might be in the hands of those bastards today."
I shook my head.
"I know," I agreed. "He was a clever man—that's why he managed to live so long escaping them. He built a family and kept them safe as long as he could." I felt my throat tighten. "I don't think much about how they died. I don't like to imagine how much they must have suffered—whether they killed my mother first, just to make him suffer, or if they did the opposite. I prefer to think that, now, they are at peace, finally resting, without needing to keep running."
Anton placed his hand on my shoulder and gave a light squeeze, trying to comfort me.
"Don't think about it—it'll only make you suffer more. Either way, we'll find and kill the others involved in their murder."
"I can't wait," I murmured.
I wanted to get it over with, put an end to it, and move on. My parents deserved rest, but first, they deserved vengeance. I wouldn't be able to move forward without knowing that everyone who had been present that day was dead.
I would find them. I had already found one—only the others remained.
"Come on, tell me a secret," he asked, trying to change the subject. "I've told some of mine."
I rolled my eyes.
"Those weren't secrets, and it was a bet we made that you lost."
"Just tell me something no one else knows, Thalyndra. How hard is it for you?" He snorted.
I stretched my legs and leaned back, planting my hands on the ground. I completely ignored the fact that I was naked. I wasn't embarrassed—he had already seen my entire body; it was nothing new to him, although he was looking at me with such hunger that his gaze was starting to arouse me.
"Fine." I gave in. "But I'm only doing this because you brought me the painting, so you deserve some treat."
He placed one hand over his heart.
"I deserve much more than a secret as a treat." I shot him a sideways glance.
"Really? Like what?" He pursed his lips, pondering.
"Like..." He ran his eyes over my naked body. "That delicious, hot pussy or that soft mouth around my cock... hmm... I have several possibilities."
I let out an exasperated breath.
"Focus on what really matters."
"What really matters?"
"The secret I'm going to tell you." I sighed, looking at him through my lashes.
He tilted his head to the side and chewed his cheeks.
"I don't know if I believe you—you know very well how to be cunning when you want to."
"Well, you should—I just want to tell you something, reveal it, actually, as thanks for the painting."
"With that, I'm waiting."
I remained silent for a few seconds, looking at the image reflected in the lake. I bit my lower lip and took a deep breath, gathering courage to reveal my secret.
"I always had the same dream. It was constant, present throughout my entire life. For a while, I couldn't quite identify what it was." I turned to him and faced him, admiring his blue eyes with the grayish circle around his pupils. "Until you appeared in my path and made me understand better."
"I don't know if I'm understanding," he commented, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.
"I lied when I said I had no memory of when I came to Eldoria as a child." I scratched the back of my neck and adjusted myself, sitting upright. "There is, indeed, one memory. I didn't know what it was until I saw you. Ever since we met, Anton, years ago, I never stopped dreaming about your eyes. They became a constant presence in my dreams."
He smiled, opening such a wide and perfect smile that a dimple appeared on his right cheek.
"Of all the memories from that day, your mind only kept mine?"
I nodded.
"It seems so," I revealed, shrugging, trying to dismiss the true magnitude of what that meant.
He moved closer and held my neck, pulling me toward him. He brushed his lips against mine.
"I'm happy and proud to hear that, Little Beast. That encounter wasn't something trivial—it was like a connection, that's why it kept the memory alive in your mind." He kissed me gently before continuing, changing the subject. "When my father sent me to find you, I didn't blink, I didn't hesitate—I knew the time had come to meet you again."
"Why?" I whispered.
"I think it was meant to happen. Just destiny."
"You... don't have any memories?"
"No," he said simply, looking away from mine.
I didn't know if I believed what he said, but I didn't want to delve too deeply into the matter. It wasn't worth going into that merit.
I opened my hand and showed him my palm, where the scar was. It was almost imperceptible.
"I also have this. My mother used to say it was a burn, from when I tried to grab fire."
He held my hand and planted a kiss on the scar, smiling.
"I used to love playing around bonfires and trying to grab the flames, but unfortunately, I don't have one like that."
"Unfortunately?" I raised an eyebrow.
"It's a vivid memory of the past, Little Beast. Carrying something like that would be symbolic."
I pulled my hand back.
"Yeah, maybe you're right," I murmured, letting the subject die. I analyzed that scar more often than I'd like to admit, trying to remember a little more about that day. He was right—it was a very clear memory of the past, something that had been marked on my skin and not just in my memories.
He moved away and stood up, extending his hand to me.
"Let's take another walk? I think your wolf enjoyed wandering around freely, walking through the forest." He arched an eyebrow. "That, or I'm going to fuck you. I'm holding back, a lot, without doing anything, being by your side completely naked." He lowered his eyes. "I just wanted to bury my face in your pussy right now."
I tensed, my body heating as if burning from the inside. I cleared my throat and stood up, holding his hand.
"We're here for the transformation, not to have sex."
"We could be here for both."
I placed my palm on his hard, warm chest and pushed him back, moving him away from me.
"Let's take another walk, Anton," I affirmed, looking at him with determination.
As much as I wanted the same thing he did, I wouldn't give in to my desires.
He inhaled, flaring his nostrils, smelling my arousal. Laughing loudly, he moved away, running a hand through his hair, and then shifted in a matter of seconds, right in front of me, once again becoming the huge, dangerous, fierce wolf that should frighten most people—everyone except me.