I am the Moon Spirit

If I told you I accept

"Danielle?" Claude's voice echoed around the trees. He sounded concerned, she could still remember. But her fear made it difficult for her to recognize if it was for her safety or for what she saw. Which is why she tried so hard to hide from him at the time. "Dani, it's not funny. Come back."

She could still remember the chilling breeze blowing through the forest that night. It was really cold; colder than any autumn night should be. Danielle was supposed to be sleeping at that time, but for some reason she felt restless and decided to go for a run.

Now, looking back at the events of that night, she still had a hard time believing what she saw; believing what she was. For a moment then she thought she might have been only dreaming. But there was the feeling of the blood dripping down her cheek from the open cut on her temple and the stinging sensation of her scratched up arms and legs to prove her wrong.

"Dani!" Claude's voice was getting agitated. And even if she was a bit scared of him at the time, she still hated that he was feeling upset. "Please, come back! I'll explain everything, just- Please... That was a big fall, I know you got hurt. Just come out."

It was funny how Claude was the only one capable of making her bend to his requests so easily. If he only feigned hurt or used his pleading eyes on her there was no way Danielle would be able to say no. And that night she learned why.

After she carefully crawled her way out from under a big old three's roots she looked up at him with a bit of hesitance. But Claude was quick in closing the distance between them. She could've sworn she saw his eyes gleam like sparkles for a second, but that too was gone before she could react.

The next thing she knew his strong arms were already wrapped around her in a tight protective hug and she could practically feel his heart hammering against her chest.

He's shaking, she noticed. And when he pulled back to look at her face she realized it was because he was crying.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." He said while rubbing the tears with the back of his hand before reaching towards her and tilting her face to the side to see how much damage she had taken from falling off a tree. Danielle's heart felt like it had literally been ripped in two when a sound like a whimper left her brother's lips and more tears fell from his eyes. "You scared me. When I realized it was you; when your body hit the ground, Dani... I thought you got hurt. But then you ran and I-"

Claude paused for a moment before holding her face. His hurt expression made her chest ache so much.

"Please don't run away from me like that again," Claude whispered and pressed his lips against hers. His eyes flickered like small flames once again, and this time she knew she wasn't just imagining it. "You're my destiny, Dani. If you left me I would be broken."

"But..." She whispered back, almost as if they were both telling each other secrets. "Claude...You can do magic."

It was funny how much stuff the huntress had been through only to end up in the same situation as before.

Well, this time it was a bit different. It even happened a bit differently. But it was still the same thing.

'No it's not,' the voice in her head said. 'The pull this time is much stronger.'

Shut up, she responded as she rubbed her fingers through her scalp. That gooey substance they called shampoo smelled nice, so Danielle wanted to make sure to get as much of it as possible.

She wasn't familiar with those things: hair products and bathing gels. But everything felt so refreshing on her skin. Everything smelled so nice and comforting. And above all else, Nash had been the one to give it all to her.

Danielle knew it was ridiculous how she was reacting to that guy. He was nothing more than a stranger. But that stupid fuzzy feeling she got inside her whenever he looked at her, or spoke her name was growing at an alarming speed.

She wanted to oppose him with all her strength when he asked her to wash the herbal oil on her skin off - it was her last line of defense after all. But the look in her eyes when she said no the first time and the sound he made when she said no the second time made sure there wasn't a third time.

Why am I not as bothered by this than I should be? Danielle's brows were furrowed as she stared hard at the white tiled bathroom wall. She couldn't see Nash, but in her heart she could feel he was staring right at the bathroom door as he waited for her. She could practically picture his eyes burning holes at the wooden surface of the only thing keeping them apart in that moment. Why do I feel like I won't be able to reject this bond?

'He's your other half. Why would you want to reject your other half?'

Claude was my other half, Danielle narrowed her eyes. I was his mate. I can't have another mate.

The voice didn't say anything.

Can I? Danielle felt so confused. She felt so conflicted.

It wasn't as if she didn't feel lonely. It wasn't as if she wasn't certain Nash was a very strong a capable partner. And most of it wasn't as if she wanted to reject him.

It was just she felt like she was betraying her first love.

'Claude is dead, Danielle.' The voice carried a tone of finality. 'Get over it. Move on.'

Easier said than done, she rolled her eyes and leaned back in the bathtub. The water was already cold, but the smell was still so good.

'He can help with that,' this time the voice sounded amused. 'If you let him.'

Wouldn't you like that? Deciding it was best to step out and just face the future werewolf king - and her mate - already, Danielle got up and wrapped herself in one of the fluffy towels Nash had placed there for her.

The huntress made sure to silence that annoying inner voice for now. She needed to have a clear mind if she wanted to get through the night without being mated to a wolf and marked as his so soon.

But no sooner she finished that thought all her resolve came crumpling down once she stepped out of the bathroom to a shirtless Nash.

Danielle wasn't sure if he was in the process of changing clothes, or if he did it on purpose to stir her. And in that moment it didn't even matter. She felt like a flame sparkled inside her core and found herself pressing her legs together as a soft, almost inaudible whimper left her lips once her eyes landed on his exposed upper half.

Nash's eyes flickered in her direction at the sound she made and his red alpha eyes glowed for a second. Just to let her know he was well aware of her presence - and needs.

"Hey," he managed to voice out after what could've been an hour of both just standing there and eyeing each other. His voice just above a whisper.

"H-hey," she said back. If the huntress had been in her normal state of mind she would've scolded herself for letting her voice waver so much. But right now it was only the both of them and that powerful pull. The pull that made her walk to him without even realizing her own body moving.

Nash didn't move. Somehow he was afraid she might get scared of him and just run off or go back to avoiding any type of contact with him. Even the simple thought of that happening made him hurt.

Specially now that he had memorized her natural scent.

It was so tempting. Warm and sensual, but comforting at the same time. It made him feel full; complete.

Of course, she also smelled of matcha and coconut. He guessed she had enjoyed her time with his toiletries.

"Did you enjoy your bath-" He went to ask, but she interrupted him just as she stopped in front of him.

"What will happen if I become your mate?" Danielle was almost proud her voice didn't waver this time, even if she felt like she would regret her next few moves a bit.

Nash took a few instants to reply. He got slightly distracted by the fact he could just reach out and touch his mate after so long looking for them. And she was beautiful. And also strong.

'And the only thing between us and her is that ridiculous piece of fabric,' his wolf pointed out while sounding a bit indignant.

Patience, Nash responded while also trying to convince himself and keep control of his urges.

"Won't you answer me?" Danielle pushed a bit impatient. It was taking everything she had for her to not jump the man right then and there.

Snapping out of his inner conversation, Nash replied. "You'll soon become queen by my side. Together we would look over all the werewolf kind and help keep everyone safe."

Danielle found herself smiling softly. "That's not what I asked."

"Then what is?"

"If I told you I accept to be your mate what would happen now?" Danielle found that the flame burning inside her got hotter when Nash growled lowly like he did when he heard her this time. The way his eyes became determined, like he had set a goal and would not give up on it, made her just want to kneel down at his feet. It was a urge that hurt her pride, but for some odd reason she knew she'd still do it if it was him.

"If you told me that..." Nash started. His voice was a bit unsteady now. Almost as if he was being restrained. "If you accepted this; us. I'd place my mark on you so all others know you belong to me. And I would devote the rest of my life to you. Happy that you chose to let me stay by your side as your partner, and wishing you'd do the same for me."

Danielle stood there for almost a full minute. Just staring into the man's eyes and looking for any hints of a lie. But there was nothing but honesty in there.

Nash's placid facial expression made the huntress feel more comfortable with the idea that he might take her tonight; that he might leave a scar on her skin to mingle their scent and let all other supernatural beings out there know she has been claimed. Even if that was from very far nothing like what she signed up for when she agreed on coming to visit the Lewis pack to chat.

Danielle didn't even know she would have a mate before. And after she lost Claude she thought she would be forced into a life of complete loneliness.

She didn't feel ready to be mated again any time soon. But now, standing just a few centimeters away from this man she couldn't bring herself to let this go.

She wanted this.

She needed this.

"You can put your mark on me," she told him in a slow whisper and let the towel that wrapped around her body fall to the ground.