Marked by the Demon Wolf

MATE(22)

I had another dream.

In that dream, I was blind. Blind because no light penetrates in even though it feels like my eyes are open. I couldn't move my limbs either.

I could only lay there, feeling as a cool breeze blew over my skin. Goosebumps erupted on my skin. Not from the wind but from the presence of someone else with me, inhaling me like I was an exotic drug they can't quit.

They cupped my face so gently like they were afraid it'll shatter like porcelain glass upon pressure. Their hands brushed over my eyebrows, my cheeks, my nose and lips.

They leaned forward. And I can't help but think I know that scent by heart.

Softness presses against my temples. Their lips. Whoever it is plants kisses all over my temple.

Along with a broken, repeated whisper of "I am sorry."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

He repeats it so much that I nearly forgive him on the spot.

But I don't.

Because I knew who that voice and scent belonged to.

—--------

When I finally wake up, I subconsciously prepare myself for the assault of any light whatsoever. It doesn't come.

The room is dimly lit. I space out and stare at the familiar painting of stars on the ceiling.

"Holy s**t–" Sebastian stands up in shock. I take a look at him and look away.

He covers his mouth and stares at me like I am a newborn. "Sorry, I didn't know you were awake."

I raise an eyebrow. "Why were you sitting in the corner of my room like a creep?"

"Az—um, no, I wanted to look after you myself." He lies and flashes me a toothy grin.

I roll my eyes and proceed to climb off the bed.

"No, no, no." He rushes towards me, shaking his head like a rattle drum. "You shouldn't be standing yet–"

One look from me halts him in his tracks.

"I am serious, you shouldn't be standing up so soon. You could get dizzy, nauseous–"

"I am fine." I interrupt him flatly. To prove my point, I raise my arms. "I feel perfectly fine."

His mouth flops open and close like a gaping fish. He is about to say something again but I cut him off. "Your stalking job is done here, no?"

"Vionne–"

"You can go ahead and report to your Alpha that I am not dead yet."

His eyebrows crease. "I know it seemed like he–"

"Oh, trust me, I know exactly what it seemed like."

He sighs. "It's much more complicated than that, princess–"

"Don't—" I suck in a shaky breath. "Don't call me that. Don't pretend this isn't what it is."

It's his turn to c**k a brow. "And what is it?"

"Your little prey to predator game."

"You think if he wanted to kill you, he couldn't easily drive a claw right through your heart the first time you met?"

I wince at the imagery, run a hand through my mass of red hair.

"No." I say. "That would be too easy for his sadistic tastes. It would be too much fun to lure out and confuse your prey instead. Exciting to see them struggle for their life right under your puppet strings."

Sebastian's jaw goes slack.

"What's wrong?" I ask mockingly. "That hit too close to home?"

His laugh is breathless. "You won't believe anything I say anyway."

An uncomfortable pause.

"You must be starving."

"I am not." My traitorous stomach decides to make a tiny growl at that moment. I honestly don't know how I manage to keep a straight face.

The bastard smirks. "You are. See that over there? It's food. Do you still like food or do you hate it too now?"

I finally give into the urge flip him the f**k off.

"Whoa, hey!"

The meal is unexpectedly warm. "Did you just have this cooked?"

"Not exactly. Fae magic."

I nod in understanding then snort. "You guys seem to be the only werewolves on such good terms with the Faes."

He shrugs. "They are proud species, yes. We just give them what they want."

"Which is…? Wait, let me guess, young she-wolf sacrifices?"

He actually grins. "You are such a genius."

I huff and begin to dig in. A satisfied sigh nearly escapes my throat but I restrain myself on catching Sebastian watching me curiously. I clear my throat.

"So what do you actually trade with them?"

This time, he smiles. It's so warm that I have to avert my eyes. "I thought you hated my guts?"

The soup feels so soothing against my throat. "I hate him, there's a difference."

"But you don't hate me?" He asks almost excitedly, his dark eyes shining.

"Are you kidding? I still hate your guts."

He tips his head and laughs wildly like it's the best joke he has ever heard. "I knew I liked you."

I grimace. "Sorry, I don't have such feelings for you."

He clutches his chest dramatically and pretends to be pitiful. "Damn, am I getting rejected right now?"

"You know, I still haven't forgiven you for letting Belle beat me up."

His expression sours, becomes apologetic. "I guess I already paid for that."

"You…did?"

"Yeah. Your psycho got annoyed, forced my hand into a brawl and nearly killed me."

Realisation about who he is talking about washes over me. "He is not 'my' anything."

"Yeah, whatever. Belle had it worse anyway."

I pause from eating.

"She did?"

"Yeah, he almost succeeded in completely ripping out her throat and all that gruesome s**t. Any other person would have died." A shudder passes through him as he appears to remember it. No wonder she had this gashly pale complexion when I saw her.

No wonder she didn't join the contests like she promised.

"He acts like that yet you guys still stay with him?"

"Uh, would you believe me if I said he has never done that before? Back in the days, the three of us would be very generous with our pleasure partners. But now, he is all like…" he pauses to mimic an exaggerated gruff voice which I suppose is to be Azrakel's voice. "Touch a hair a wisp of hair on 'er and I'll have ya head on platter!

"Besides, the relationship between the three of us is way too complicated."

Takes me back to the time he presented me with an actual arm on a platter.

I shiver involuntarily. "That's…comforting to hear?"

"I'd be swooning if I were you." He says, taking a small box off the side of my bed.

"You would do no such thing if you were me." I shoot him a dark look as he hands me the box. "What's this?"

"This is a box." He answers matter of factly.

"Yes, I know it's a box." I hiss irritably. "What is in it?"

He spreads his palms. "How would I know? No one can open it but you. You earned it."

My expression turns grim. "Yeah, with my life." I left a piece of me on that platform and I will never get it back.

"Yes, with your life. You should be proud. You are a survivor."

I shake my head. "But I don't want to be a survivor. I just want to be a person, why is that so hard?"

"s**t, are you getting emotional right now? Can I give you my very broad shoulders to lean on?"

I sniff and flip him off again. He laughs but it's not quite a laugh.

I try to open the box in my hand but it doesn't bulge. "What the hell?" I mutter. "It looked pretty straightforward to open though…"

There are no complicated mechanisms to it, no word puzzles to solve unlocking it. It is simply what it looks like—an open and closed box. Yet, it doesn't open.

"Let me try–" Sebastian volunteers but stops himself the moment he sees me smash my fist down on the box like a savage. Still, the box is practically unaffected, staring back at me like it's gloating.

"Damn. Were you always this violent?"

I flash him a grin. "Only when I need to be." He carefully plucks the box from my hands and inspects it.

"Hm…strange." He says, rubbing his beardless chin. "Can you trust me to try and discover why this isn't opening?"

I ponder on it for a while.

I really should have learnt my lesson by now but my instincts are telling me he is nowhere near the villain I am so guarded against.

"Sure." I say and resume eating. And till I am done, none of us say as much as a single word.

"Would you—would you want to go outside for, like, a walk?"

My eyes narrow in suspicion. "Why?"

"What do you mean why? I just thought you'd want to see the final night of the festival, that's all."

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at all curious.

"It's usually magnificent." He adds some more pressure.

—------

Aaand I am out when I should have deadpanned and refused him.

Outside is nothing I've ever seen before.

The sky looks like a beautiful red canopy has been draped over everyone. Like a mother shielding her children. Everywhere is bustling, stalls are set up everywhere. Food stalls, fruits, snacks, accessories, colourful clothes, incense, birth control potions….you name it.

Two children bustle past me, their excited laughter ringing out like bells. I openly gape like I've never seen pups in public before. I am not sure I have.

"Is it…is it safe for them to just run about this?"

Sebastian snorts. "Of course, it is. We are not child-eating savages, you know?"

"You aren't?"

I am rewarded with a glare from him.

"That red haired beauty!" Someone calls and I spin around. "Wanna see my magic tricks?" He winks.

I look at him from top to bottom, he is just a normal Gamma ranked wolf , how could he possibly have any 'magic' to show me?

"Go find someone else to scam!" Sebastian quickly pushes me from his side.

At one side, a dark-haired woman raises a bottle of liquor to her mouth, followed by a lit torch. Then she sprays it out in a mist, and it seems like she is breathing fire from her mouth. There are more children around her; they jump and clap at the performance.

I turn from the view with a bittersweet smile.

Sebastian grips my shoulders, not tight enough to be called a grip but a grip nonetheless. He bends to inspect my face. "Eh? Why does it look like you are about to cry again?"

I curse and raise a leg to kick him in the balls. He yelps and grabs my leg. "Please, please not there, I haven't even found my mate yet."

I flash him a smile of pure malice. "Just one kick. I promise not to destroy it. Completely."

He yelps some more, laughing. "Wait, wait! You are the legendary winner of the contest, if I let you kick me now, my bloodline won't be able to continue. At least not through me."

Before I know it, his unserious laugh infects me and I am laughing too. "Just one, don't be a baby."

"Ugh, don't—"

Then he freezes. Comically, actually freezes.

"Are…are you okay?" I frown. "I'll kneel in the balls if you don't say anything."

His eyes start to glow golden. He is staring, stunned at something behind me. I turn but it's Celeste standing there, eyes glowing as well.

"Hot damn." He says, nearly breathlessly. "Are you real?"

Wait—oh. Ohh.

A sincere grin spreads on my face. "Well, congratulations, Seb, it looks like you've indeed found your mate–"

Before I can continue my rare good natured speech, these two have already locked each other in one passionate kiss.

Okay, ew.