Captured by the Alpha King

19: Onyx

My heart pounded as I raced through the thick forest, branches whipping against my face, my breath ragged. Rowan, where are you?

Each second without her was agony. I had to find her. I couldn't lose her, not after everything we'd been through. She was my heart, my everything. I could feel her anguish, her pain. It wasn't her fault! She was sleeping and then... everything burst into flames. I hardly got her out in time before the house crumbled. She woke up the minute she got outside and then just... ran. I've been trying to track her ever since, but damn that girl can run.

The trees began to thin ahead. A rocky cliff jutted upwards, shrouded in shadows. But there, a flicker of light within a crevice—the entrance of a cave.

I slowed, senses heightened. There, a faint scent of jasmine and sandalwood amidst the damp earthiness of the cave. My heart nearly burst from my chest. Rowan.

I crept toward the entrance, boots crunching on leaves and stones. "Rowan?" My voice echoed through the cave. No response. But I could feel her presence, like a moth sensing the flame that would consume it.

Using my wolfs vision, I stepped into the cave. The walls narrowed around me as I descended into the inky depths.

And there, huddled in the shadows—a flash of teeth and pale skin.

"Rowan!" I rushed to her side, dropping to my knees. Her eyes blinked open, haunted and hollow. I took her hands in mine, refusing to flinch at their icy grip.

"I thought I'd lost you," I whispered, brushing a tangled lock of hair from her cheek.

Her lips parted. "You found me."

"I will always find you." I pulled her into my arms, surrounding her with my warmth. She trembled against me, a delicate leaf clinging to its branch amidst a raging storm.

But I would keep her safe. I would shield her from the darkness that sought to consume her. She was mine, and I would never let her go. No matter what.

"I love you," I breathed, my lips grazing her ear. "Stay with me."

A soft sigh escaped her. "I love you too."

The walls of the cave seemed to recede around us as I held her close, our hearts and souls intertwining deeper than any physical embrace. She was my light, my everything.

I stroked her hair, murmuring softly. "You must eat. When did you last have food or water?"

Rowan shook her head. "I don't know. I couldn't—" Her breath hitched. "After what happened, I just ran. I didn't know where else to go."

"Hush, my love." I cradled her cheek, gazing into her eyes. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you."

Reaching into my pack, I withdrew a flask of water and some dried fruit and nuts. "Here. Please, have some."

Rowan stared at the offerings. Then her eyes flickered up to meet mine again, brimming with tears. "You came for me."

"Always." I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Now eat. You need your strength."

Her fingers closed around the flask. She took a small sip of water, then a nibble of fruit. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, gently massaging her shoulders as she ate.

When she finished, I drew her close again. "Rest now. I'll watch over you."

Exhaustion etched deep lines into her pale face, but she shook her head. "Don't leave me."

"Never." I stretched out on the cave floor, pulling her down to nestle against my chest. She curled into me with a contented sigh, her breathing slowing as she drifted off to sleep in my arms.

I lay there in the dark, listening to the soft rhythm of Rowan's breaths, the beat of her heart against mine. In that moment, I would have gladly stayed there forever to keep her safe. To shield her from a world that could never understand. My heart broke as I saw the worry lines etched into her forehead. She was so pure. So good. This must be eating her up inside.

I brushed a stray lock of hair behind Rowan's ear, fingertips lingering against her soft skin. Her eyes were still shadowed with fear, but the lines of tension had eased from her face as she slept.

Being with her again calmed the raging storm inside me. The thought of losing her had nearly driven me to madness. Now here she was, wrapped safely in my arms once more.

Rowan stirred, nuzzling closer with a sleepy sigh. I stroked her hair, a tender warmth blossoming in my chest. "Hush, my little bird," I whispered. "All is well now."

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting mine. For a moment we simply looked at one another, a fragile hope glimmering between us. Then her hand curled around the back of my neck, pulling me down into a kiss that was sweet longing and unspoken promise.

When we parted, her lips curved into a smile. "You came for me," she repeated softly.

"Always," I vowed, covering her hand with mine. "You are my heart, Rowan. We will face every darkness together. You've helped me start facing mine, and we will face yours too. Whether that means we become one with the darkness, or whether we fight it. I'm yours as you are mine."

My words were a pledge, sealing the bond between our souls. Rowan's eyes shone with tears as she gazed up at me. "Promise you won't leave me."

"Never." I kissed the inside of her wrist, pulse fluttering under my lips. "You are my eternity, Rowan. Where you go, I follow. We were meant to walk this path side by side."

She exhaled a trembling breath, the last of her fear and sorrow melting away. I could see the peace returning to her, filling the empty places left inside. My heart swelled with joy and relief.

"In this life and the next, you will never be alone," I vowed. "We will face every darkness together, and when there are no more shadows, we will bask in the flames of the sun."

Rowan smiled, tangling her fingers in my hair to pull me down for another kiss. This one was slow and deep. Rowan pulled back, eyes searching mine. "Onyx, what if more people know about me? What if they come for me because of what I am?"

Her words struck a chord of fear. I knew there were sinister forces that would stop at nothing to possess Rowan's gift. But I would not let them have her.

"You are not alone, and you never will be." I grasped her hands, threading our fingers together. "Your gift is yours alone, and I will do whatever it takes to protect it. Anyone who threatens you will face my wrath."

"I'm afraid," she whispered. "I don't want this power. I never asked for any of this."

"I know." I brushed a tear from her cheek. "But you were given this gift for a reason. Together, we will uncover the truth of it. I will teach you control and restraint, and how to wield your power as a weapon if needed. You will never need to feel afraid or helpless again."

Rowan searched my eyes, looking for any trace of doubt or deception. But she would find none. I meant every word. Her gift was as much a part of her as the air she breathed, and I loved every facet of her, dark and light. She was my eternity, my everything, and I would slay any demon that dared try to take that away from me.

"Do you trust me?" I asked softly.

She nodded. "With my life. My heart. My soul."

"Then trust that I will keep you safe." I pulled her into my arms again, her warmth seeping into my bones. "You are my heart, Rowan. Your protection and happiness are all that matter to me now. Always and forever."

Rowan melted against me with a sigh, the last of her fear and doubt finally chased away by my love. She was mine, and I was hers. She pulled back to gaze up at me, her emerald eyes shining with love and desire. I traced the soft curve of her cheek, my touch reverent. How was it possible to feel so deeply for another? To want nothing more than their happiness and safety? I felt like a different person, than that one at the bar. The one who used women. Now... all I could think about was destroying anyone who would ever dare to hurt my little bird. How far I've come.

Rowan's lips parted as my thumb brushed over them, her quickened breath fanning my wrist. I couldn't stop myself from claiming her mouth, the kiss slow and deep and full of promise. She tasted of forever, of solace and sanctuary, and I let myself drown in her essence.

Our clothes fell away as we sank to the cave floor, the chill of the stone barely registering through the heat of our passion. I worshipped every inch of her, my hands and lips tracing a path over silken skin as her soft cries of pleasure echoed off the walls.

When at last I slid home, it was as if we became one being. Two souls, two hearts, two minds - all fused into a single entity. Rowan arched against me with a cry, her nails scoring down my back as I moved within her.

It was ecstasy and agony, heaven and hell, and I never wanted it to end. I wanted to remain here forever, joined with her in this place between worlds where nothing else existed but our love.

Rowan shattered around me, her inner walls clenching and rippling in release. I held on until she floated back to me, keeping her anchored as wave after wave of bliss crashed over us.

When my own climax came, it was with her name on my lips and my love flowing into her heart and soul. And in that moment, I knew. This is who I was always meant to be.

We lay together in the afterglow, limbs entangled and hearts pounding as one. Rowan traced lazy circles on my chest as she rested her head over my heart, the steady beat seeming to calm her troubled mind.

"You were right," she whispered. "The darkness cannot touch us as long as we have this."

I pressed a kiss to her hair, my arms tightening around her. "As long as we have each other, no power in this world or the next can defeat us. You are my light, Rowan, my reason for fighting. And I will do whatever it takes to keep that light shining."

Rowan tilted her head up, her lips curving into a soft smile. "My brave, dark warrior. Always protecting me."

"Always," I vowed, claiming her lips in a searing kiss.

The chill of the cave faded into the background as our passion reignited, a flame to ward off the shadows. We moved together unhurried this time, savoring each caress and whisper.

When at last we drifted off to sleep, our hearts and souls were full. The darkness could not touch us here in our sanctuary, in the circle of each other's arms. I slept soundly, until daybreak came and she was gone.