Lycan Castiel

Chapter 1

PRESENT

Sophia

“Where are you taking me?” A wide smile appeared on my lips as my other half, my mate, Eli, guided me through the woods with his hand covering my eyes.

“If I’d tell you. It wouldn’t be a surprise anymore.”

Today was our anniversary. It had been five years since I had found my mate at the age of eighteen. A charming alpha from the Hixon pack.

Even though I was merely an orphan with a low omega status and no wolf, he had accepted me as his mate and opened his heart to me.

By chance, I had become the Luna of the pack and, despite my lack of power, a well-respected member.

With Eli by my side, nothing could take me down. It was he who had wiped my tears when the pack doctor told me it would be difficult for me to conceive pups—and even then, he had been very patient with me.

There were rumors, and lots of them. I knew several gossiped it was due to my issue with my wolf, who refused to show herself—while others claimed Eli must’ve manipulated our unions because he didn’t want weak offsprings.

It didn’t affect me, though. I knew the truth, and that was enough for me.

“We’re here.” He carefully removed his hand from my eyes and wrapped his arms around my waist, letting his chin rest between the crook of my neck.

In front of me was a wooden table decorated with roses and candles. “Oh, Eli!” I gasped at the sight. “This is…way too much.”

Eli pressed his soft lips on my cheek. “Nothing will ever be too much for my Luna.” He spoke, moving his hand to intertwine it with mine. “Come on, babe.” He led me to the table and pulled out a chair.

“I feel a bit underdressed.” Pursing my lips, I looking down at my ripped jeans and sneakers. “You should’ve told me it was a date—date.”

“Don’t say that.” Eli showed his teeth. “You’re beautiful, and you know it.”

A flush appeared on my face. He knew I couldn’t take compliments very well. “Did you make all of this?” I changed the subject. “Looks delicious.”

“Yes—and they’re all your favorites.”

He could barely finish his sentence as tears began rolling down my cheeks. Not once in my life had anyone managed to make me feel this special, and Eli never missed the assignment.

All the love I had lacked at the orphanage he had given to me in those five years. Anniversaries, Valentine's day, Birthdays—all of it.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Eli grabbed my hand from across the table. I stared into those comfortable ice-blue eyes. “Is that a tear? Don’t cry, my love.”

“I just never thought I could ever experience a love like this, and I’m just so grateful.” My voice got stuck inside my throat. “Before I met you—I didn’t have a family.”

Eli rubbed my hand, shaking his head. He knew I didn’t like talking about my family who I had never met—and he hated seeing me like this.

“Let’s eat.” He eyed the food. “I can’t stand seeing you cry any longer.”

I shot him a charming smile, resting my chin on my hand. “I agree.”

~

We emptied every dish on the table and spoke about the smallest stupid things—but for some reason, I couldn’t help but think Eli seemed out of it. If only I could read his thoughts.

“Are you okay?” I wondered.

“Yes.”

Liar.

There was a time Eli and I told each other everything, but lately, he had been acting more and more suspicious.

It wasn’t something to fight over because I trusted him, and I knew he wanted to protect me from all evil.

Due to my weak powers, there were certain things beyond my control that he preferred discussing with his beta and best friend, Jake—and I respected that.

“Things have been so good lately.” I tried cheering him up. “Who knows, maybe the moon goddess will soon bless us with pups.”

My words didn’t get through to him as his eyes turned big and his breathing fastened. I recognized that look. That was the look of fear.

Everything happened so fast. The next second he had jumped up and brought his knees to the floor, screaming and holding his head.

“Eli!” I ran to his side and knelt beside him, completely hopeless.

“Jake!” He cried out, his face turning red. “No, Jake!”

“Eli, what’s wrong!”

Eli’s breath hitched. “H-he’s g-gone.”

“What do you mean he’s gone?” My voice trembled. “Is he d-dead?” I was confused, and I didn’t know what the hell was going on.

All I knew was that I was yanked from the floor by Eli, who carried a tight expression. “Sophia, we’re under attack.” He didn’t beat around the bush.

“Under attack?” I asked. “By who? I can’t smell anything—“

“I need you to listen to me. You need to go to the hideout—now!” I felt the firm grip of his hands on my shoulders, shaking me around. “We don’t have much time.”

“Eli, you’re scaring me!”

“Go to the hideout, lock yourself in the basement just as we’ve discussed in any case of danger and wait until I come and get you.” He instructed. “If I don’t come for you…”

“No, I’m not leaving you!” I yelled, looking around. He couldn’t just tell me Jake was gone, or whatever that was supposed to mean—and order me to go to the hideout without him. “Who’s attacking us?”

“Run,” Eli demanded. “Run and don’t look back.”

“Eli,” I whispered his name. “I’m sorry.” The only way for me to run was with my two legs. I was incapable of shifting and was only a burden—an unfit Luna who couldn’t even fight alongside the Alpha.

The love of my life pressed his forehead against mine and circled my cheeks with his hands as I let myself melt in his touch. “I’m not leaving you.”

“Sophia, in case you won’t see me anymore—“

“What are you talking about, and where are the others?” I panicked. “Why can’t I feel anything—“

“They’re dead!” He yelled out, breathing loudly. “He killed them all…they’re all dead!”

The pack was dead?

Impossible.

“W-who’s h-he?” My body shivered at the new information. You couldn’t possibly tell me one wolf single-handedly managed to kill off one of the most powerful packs.

“Do you trust me?” Eli’s voice was filled with guilt.

“Y-yes.”

“Then go and don’t question me. I’m not asking—it’s my request as your Alpha.” His tone sounded severe. There was nothing more I could add, as obeying Eli had been one of my main purposes.

“Sophia, I need you to know that I love you so much, and I’m so sorry about everything.” He pressed his lips against my forehead and pulled me into his embrace. “No matter what anyone tells you, you are my mate—and I love you so much.”

“Eli, what do you mean?”

“We have no time!”

Unaware of when I would ever see him again, I tightened my grip around him and took in his sweet scent. “I love you too.”

“Now go.”