The Beast's Virgin Claim

The dark bags beneath his eyes, the myriad of fresh scars that spread all over his upper body as well as his untamed grown beard that showed a lack of maintenance narrated to me everything I needed to know about what he had undergone in my absence.

He did not care for himself he was focused on finding me and bringing me home and that sent a strike of regret and discomfort straight to my hammering heart. Phobos's scent that I had longed for curled around my flesh like rose vines a sweet smell it held indeed that hooked me to it but its thorns cut into my frail skin and made me bleed.

"This is the first time in ten months Král is sleeping so soundly." Awan expertly signed to me with his fingers from the side garnering my attention. Tadeas was fast asleep in the seat beside him cocooned in several woolly blankets, he was safe. He was being protected even though there was only family in the jet.

"Did he not sleep well?"

"He only rested for a few hours in a day. Drakho and I had to guard him most of the time. His beast was going berserk and was frequently in control, Král did not know what he was doing the terror he was instilling. We had to drug or chain him countless times too. Our pack is too terrified of him now Královna."

"What happened?"

"We do not know yet but it was the same situation like the one we faced after Alpha's parents died. His beast took over and ruled us in his place. We barely encountered Alpha Phobos." I swallowed to alleviate the intense burning sensation at the rear of my throat and peered down at his palm that held onto mine for dear life.

I skimmed my thumb over his white knuckles and his grip on my hand instantly eased as though he felt I was nearby and could relax. He was too weakened I noticed that too for he was unable to wake up even to my touch. Phobos never had been the deep sleeper he was always on high alert and awakened to even the smallest of variations in sound, touch or smell.

"Do you blame me for what I did?" Awan shook his head in denial with a mild smile plastered across his face.

"Not at all. Though I do not much about what transpired that made you leave I do know that there is always a reasonable cause for every action. And you are not the type to abandon anything, especially Král just like that. Anyone can see how much you love him, Luna."

I smiled. Not a cheerful or a pleased one but an excruciatingly sombre smile that had made Awan visibly upset. I wondered if Phobos could determine in my blues what Awan did or if he rather doubted it as I betrayed him.

When I leaned back against his warm uncovered chest that rose and fell with a slowness to each of his deep breaths I distractedly traced my fingertips against his tattoo that shone so brightly to me at that moment. I remembered how I had been over the moon with joy for how loving and thoughtful he had been when he inked himself with symbols that portrayed my essence to him.

I missed our closeness so much that touching him that way felt like I had finally gotten the serenity I was seeking for. I could not stay away from Phobos anymore I knew that for no matter his sins or mine I could never run from him once more as the separation was pure agony I was unwilling to go through again. At that moment I understood something, I could not blame him for his uncaring words.

My emotions raged and were set on fire to his abrupt appearance and finding out the truth of my decision that way must have hurt him in an imaginable manner even though he would never admit it and would allow his fury to devour him whole. Phobos had never been the emotional kind he often chose dominance and anger to demonstrate his control on others and at certain times even on me.

I knew that there was a chance that he would continue to allow that maddening feeling to rile him up, that there was a possibility that he would hurt me. But I was prepared in a way, I would console his storm if it meant that he would return to me unscathed. I needed Phobos not just for my sake but for Tadeas's too.

My lips ached with a need as I scanned those plump moist ripe lips of his and in order to soothe the fierce throbbing I kissed his mark whilst I permitted the tip of my tongue to taste his flesh.

Phobos sprang up from his slumber his hand striking out to snatch my wrist arresting any of my further movements whilst he gazed down at me with question as a deep frown rested amid his brows. His blues were a raging fire and he pinned me down with his oceanic gaze whilst I sacrificed myself to the emotionlessness in them. I swallowed nervously as his orbs bore into mine demanding answers.

"I...wished to kiss you," I spoke confidently there was no use for me to disguise my needs from him for after all his presence was not a fleeting dream anymore but my reality.

"For what?" His voice was low and husky the sound I adored to hear just after he woke up.

"Because I wanted to," I whispered with sincerity and his eyes widened imperceptibly but I still noticed it. He looked away from me as his jaw tensed and his hands balled in tremoring fists as though he was attempting to reign in his bitterness to my truth. Everything I seemed to do or say just handed him one emotion. Raw anger. "I wish to talk with you. A proper talk between just the two of us."