CLAWS WIDE OPEN

CHAPTER SIX- No Goodbyes

Staring at him was like gazing into the face of death itself. Though I had no idea what that looked like but with the blood on him , the gore around us this could be a close second.

But this wasn't the face of death, It was the face of a man who just seconds ago had declared me his mate.

Now i stood frozen, counting the seconds until he'd laugh and say it was all a joke. But nothing about this man suggested humor. If this was true, and werewolf novels were anything to go by, then beign his mate ment I was well and truly f****d.

I opened my mouth to speak , but my tongue felt heavy, like it was made of Cement. I swallowed hard and tried again.

" This...this can't be happening right?" I nodded convincing myself .He looked at me like I'd lost my mind " It's just a dream, another one of my crazy vivid dreams. I haven't been taking my meds, and..."

He scoffs " Best believe this is real Alright " he lifts his hand and i watch as his fingernails turn into razor- sharp claws.

Transfixed, I watch as he gently drags his claw down my cheek and neck slowly. His touch surprisingly soft.

"Does this feel real ?" he whispers. His claw lingering on my collar bone. My parents' distant calls break the moment. He presses his hand to my lips, silencing me.

" Time's up. What's your decision?" he urges.

"I need to talk to my parents about it" I beg

"You can't," he insists "if you're coming with me it has to be right now."

"Ok, let me at least say goodbye to them then," i protested.

"No you can't do that either," he said firmly.

" What?! You can't expect me to just disappear into the night with a stranger? What would my parents think?"

He shrugged. "It doesn't matter . They won't remember." At my confused expression he said " Someone will be here soon to take care of them, erase their memories of this night. They'll remember only what you want them to."

"You're going to mess with their heads?" I asked, horrified.

"For their own safety," he replied. "Would you rather they live in fear, wondering what happened to you, or remember a peaceful night and know you're safe on a trip?"

I hesitated, tears welling up in my eyes.

It's better this way," he said softly." No goodbyes Abigail "

As my mom's voice called out my name, close now But the darkness concealed us in the corner where we stood.

A tear escaped, and I caught one last glimpse of her. This it, i have to leave my life behind, for them.

"Fine," I whispered.

He nodded, swept me up in his arms, and we vanished into the night.

* * * * *

Lucas's POV

I pulled out my phone, the light shinning on my face. As I waited for an answer, I began to remove the most glaring evidence of the night's work - my bloodstained shirt.

"Is it done?" I asked my voice low and urgent. The words barley above a growl.

"Yes Alpha" the voice on the other end replied," the voice on the other end replied, "only made the necessary adjustments."

I nodded, though he couldn't see me. My eyes scanned the darkness. Searching for any sign of movement.

I ripped off my bloody shirt, revealing the scars etched into my skin. The moonlight danced across my torso, casting an eerie glow. I used the torn shirt to wipe away the blood from my face.

"And the men?" I pressed.

"Already here, moving in from across the street as we speak," he replied.

I grabbed a fresh shirt from the trunk and slipped it on, the fabric cool against my skin.

"Alright, good work." I ended the call, the phone's click echoing in the silence. I exhaled slowly.

A glance in the review mirror revealed a reflection more presentable. The fresh shirt and cleaned face might help reduce the fear in her eyes when she looked at me.

I refused to acknowledge the sting of her fearful glances, the way her eyes would widen when she looked at me, as if she saw a monster .

I opened the car door, and the heady scent of my mate enveloped me – citrus and vanilla, a sweet and tangy blend that sent my wolf into a frenzy. My heart rate quickened as I breathed in deeply, letting the Citrus and vanilla fragrance fill my lungs, as tried to calm the beast within.

Getting in, I let my eyes adjust to the dim interior. The scent was intoxicating, making my wolf desperate to take control. I felt his strong desires, his need to make her ours, to show everyone she belonged to us.

If it were up to him, she'd already be mine, bent over and claimed in the most primal way possible. The thought sent a jolt of desire through me, and i felt myself harden instantly.

I took another deep breath, fighting for control. Not yet. If circumstances were different I'd happily let my wolf claim her i an instant. But our current situation was complicated, dangerous .

I had to keep my wolf in check, at least until the time was right. I masked my reaction, hiding my desire behind a neutral expression .

As I settled into the driver's seat, discreetly shifting to ease the tension,my gaze fell on the rearview mirror, where I caught a glimpse of my reflection. My eyes gleamed silver in the darkness, revealing my wolf's growing strength.

Thankfully my mate doesn't notice my struggles. Too caught up in her own thoughts .

I forced a calm I didn't feel, starting the engine with a steady hand. Be side me, Abigail's petite frame sagged. Her delicate features etched with exhaustion.

"Fill me in?" She asked her voice hoarse from crying.

Our eyes met, and I felt a pang in my heart. She looked worn out. Her eyes were swollen from crying. I desperately wanted to hold her, comfort her.

Instead, i tightened my grip on the steering wheel, fighting the urge. "Just ensuring they get things get cleaned up" I replied. Knowing what she asked.

"What do they remember?" she whispered.

I began driving. Engine purring to life. "Nothing about tonight. Just that you're safe, on a secret getaway."

The car fell silent, except for her soft swallow.

I don't tell her about the measures I'd taken to protect her loved ones – the watchers I'd planted in her parents' neighborhood, because of this deep need within me to protect everything she cares about.

" When you said ' they ' who were you referring to?" Her voice low and curious

"A group of specially trained shape – shifters that live among humans and help keep our world concealed". I explained.

"So they are just werewolves? " she asked

I smiled wryly. "No, many supernatural beings exist , not all stories myths " The city lights blurred together as i drove

" Vampires? Witches?" Her voice trembled. A mixture of fascination and fear.

"Yes, those leeches unfortunately are real. I'm not fond of them." My distaste for vampires ran deep, their very existence was a poison.

" No way... and mermaids? They are real too?" She asked her eyes widening.

" They are called sirens," I glanced at her , my expression sobering. "And they no are not as lovely as humans make them out to be" My words hung in the air, a warning.

She falls silent at this. Her gaze drifted out the, lost in thought. I keep driving. The silence hung between us like a challenge.

" How long does it take to get to this place?" She asks finally.

"The Otherworld," I replied, my voice low and controlled, hiding my inner struggles.

As I glanced at her, my heart twisted with conflicting desires. My wolf stirred, protesting the distance I sought to maintain.

"So, I'm your mate?" she asked, her voice laced with trepidation.

I nodded, a curt movement, suppressing the pang of longing.

"What does that mean?" she pressed, her eyes searching.

"It means you're the other half of me. My completion," I explained, simplifying the complex relationship.

"And you say I'm a hunter?" Abigail's voice trembled. " That means there is bad blood between werewolves and hunters, doesn't it? what does that mean for me?" she asked, her voice hesitant.

I forced myself to respond, each word a razor-sharp confession. "It would have meant a lifetogether, but our kinds have been sworn enemies for millennia. Hunters have slaughtered my people , we've retaliated in kind."

My voice dropped to a whisper. " So I have no desire to act on this bond."

The lie burned within me. I did desire her, fiercely. I longed for her with every fiber of my being. But I wouldn't surrender to it. Not with her life at stake.

My gaze drifted away, hiding the pain. "I'll protect and provide for you, as is my duty.You'll want for nothing." I paused the final words tearing from my lips " But that's all."

The words felt like a betrayal, a denial of the connection between us. My wolf protested.

"I'll keep my distance," I continued, my voice cold, detached. "Which would no doubt please you". I added the sarcasm biting.

Her eyes flinched, and I felt a pang of regret.

"Y-yes," she stammered, "but I'd rather the devil I know."

I turned the car around, checking my watch, my movements mechanical.

"You don't want this devil, love," I said my voice low and husky locking eyes with her, my gaze burning with unspoken emotions.

"We are here" I announce.

I see the confusion in her eyes at the obvious nothing. For a moment, our eyes held, the air thick with tension.

Suddenly, I shifted into reverse, speeding backward.Abigail's eyes closed tight, her grip on the seatbelt whitening her knuckles.

We zoomed backward through the empty bridge, steel beams blurring.Tires screeched, the world around us a blur. As we reached the bridge's midpoint, the car shook.

The rearview mirror showed a swirling black vortex.We burst through the portal, leaving the human world behind. Tires squealed, protesting the impossible turn.

Gravity shifted, and Abigail's eyes snapped open.

Her gasp was drowned out by rushing wind, creaking metal, and the portal's hum.

We entered a realm bathed in eerie twilight.

"Welcome to the other world," I said, my voice low.