Xeros RomanovMy blood pounded in my ears, each pulse stronger than the last as I tore through the trees, their towering forms blurring into shadowy figures as I raced past. Only one thought blazed in my mind, louder than the wind rushing through my fur, louder than the sound of my paws tearing into the earth.Cassie.The moment I caught the scent of Moonstone’s territory, Nox howled in triumph inside me, his joy mirroring my own. Five days. Five excruciating, endless days without her. If half a day felt like an eternity, then these past five days had been nothing short of hell. I had gotten used to her, seeing her and reveling in her scent, and now a few days without her felt empty.As the palace gates appeared ahead, shimmering under the moonlight, I pushed harder. My muscles screamed in protest, but I ignored the burn, my focus singular. Nox urged me on, desperate to close the distance. His impatience and mine were intertwined, like fate and destiny.I bounded through the gates wit
Xeros Romanov"Xeros."I hummed drowsily, totally entranced by the euphoria running through my veins. She patted me softly, pushing at my chest to get my attention, but I didn’t answer—couldn't answer. I had missed this so much that I needed a few more minutes to ground myself, to pull myself back into reality. I had to literally pry myself away from her to take a shower and have dinner, and the moment I was done, I couldn’t help it—I pulled her straight into my arms again."X... Xeros," she whispered again, pushing at my chest with more insistence. With a sigh, I let her go reluctantly, taking a few steps back to look at her. Her face was flushed, and her fingers toyed with the hem of her shirt as always. "My legs hurt."My eyes widened at her words, and I glanced down at her thighs. She had been standing to hug me for the past ten minutes; of course, her legs would hurt. She was still weak and hadn’t fully regained her strength. "I’m sorry, angel. I must have been crazy. Does it hur
Cassiopeia NyxLuna queen?I lay in bed, the blanket wrapped protectively around my frame as I fiddled with the fabric. I wasn't one to draw attention to myself. Instead, I would find ways to remove myself from the human eye, from scrutiny and criticism. Still, this was something I had to do.I inhaled deeply, mustering the courage. “Xeros…” I whispered, barely audible, but I knew he’d hear.The room was pitch black, but I could hear him, almost see him turn around to look at me, the sheets rustling on his side of the bed, the far side of the bed. Away from me.“Yes, angel?” His voice was soft, gentle, as if he feared startling me."I… I think I’m ready to meet the pack." The words tumbled out quickly, as if they were planning to retract back into my throat if I didn't say them quickly.There was a brief silence, one that I could feel in the tension of his body. “Angel… are you sure?” His question was careful, but not doubting, as if he needed to know I truly understood what I was as
Xeros RomanovGoverning werewolf packs and hunting rogues took a lot more time than one would expect. The Alphas didn't give me a hard time, but the rogues did. I had no strength to question the ones in the dungeon; all they did was froth at the mouth and snarl at me. I wasn't in the mood to kill anything out of anger. Anakin was exhausted with the paperwork, and so was I. Anakin almost clawed my eyes out in frustration at how many times I had spaced out, thinking of Cassie.He ended up telling me to go; I wasn't any help when I was missing my mate. Happily, I hurried back to my room. It didn’t take me seconds before I had reached the room. Immediately, my eyes scanned across the space as I pushed the door open.Cassie's small form huddled at the far end of the bed. I could tell without looking twice that she wasn't asleep. I stifled a laugh as I closed the door behind me. She flinched softly as my knee dipped into the bed.What was she playing at?I decided to humor her and let her pr
Cassioepia Nyx.It worked.I couldn't believe i had done it. With so much ease at that.Hera snorted, shaking her snout sarcastically."Like you could have done it without my help, i told Nox to help you".I rolled my eyes softly as i towelled my hair, the droplets of water cascading to the floor like icy beads. My reflection stared back at me from the bathroom mirror. I looked different. My cheeks were no longer sunken in and though my collarbone still jutted out, it wasn't as pointed as before. Meeting Xeros was the best thing that had ever happened to me.An unsupressable smile adorned my face as i thought of him, my movements with the towel slowly coming to a stop. I couldn't remember when i had smiled so naturally, it came to without a second thought. My father forbade me from ever smiling. I looked exactly like my mother whenever i smiled and because of that,smiling would earn me weeks worth of beatings.I turned away from the mirror before stepping out of the bathroom. Not a s
Xeros Romanov She tensed in my arms, her entire body freezing over in shock, our lips pressed against each others. She didn't seem to realize what she had awoken in me, The feeling of her lips against my cheek had sent Nox into a frenzy, his gripping desire to claim rising to the surface. My hand reached out to cup her face before finally moving against her lips. My entire body thrummed with desire as her soft and warm lips clashed with mine, a thousand sensations bursting in the air around us.My grip around her waist tightened possessively as i moved my lips. Everything she did, her feeble attempt to keep up with my intense pace, the way she grabbed the front of my shirt only intensified my desire and i couldn't help the deafening growl that escaped my throat. Every nerve in my body responded to her. She pulled me closer, her arms wrapping around my neck as if i was the only anchor grounding her to reality. The moment her lips moved against mine sent a jolt through me, an electri
Cassiopeia Nyx "You look beautiful, Luna"I glanced at Rori, her long hair ruffled all over face as she smiled, the warmth exuding from her fought against the chills developing in my spine. My coronation day.Luna Queen.I ran my fingers over the soft fabric of the ceremonial robe that had been prepared for me. a deep green with intricate brown stitching and embroidery, at the sleeves and bottom of the robes, there was a small forest carefully embroidered. A gentle knock at the door startled me, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Martha, her face lit with a proud smile as she entered the room.She cooed, as she stepped closer to me."You look so beautiful dear". Her smile was uplifting, like physically uplifting. She fretted over how i was still thin but not in a condescending way, in a way that spoke of volumes of concern.Rori greeted her softly and they began to converse about me, and how to sneak more proteins into my food, totally ignoring the fact that i was standing
Cassiopeia Nyx"Do you, Cassiopeia Nyx," the elder began, turning to grab an ancient-looking dagger from the side table at the podium, "accept the role of Luna Queen, not only to this pack but to all shifters and werekind? Do you accept to be bound to this identity forever and to never be free from your responsibilities as the Luna Queen?"The elder’s eyes darkened at my silence as I stared at him, wondering why he was saying it like that. His posture and words carried an edge, as if he wanted me to fail, to feel scared. It seemed like he could see my fears and apprehension despite my facade.Xeros squeezed my hand softly, and my eyes flashed to his, settling in the comfort and reassurance in his gaze. I could almost hear his voice in my head."Don't let him scare you. I'm with you."I glanced back at the elder, whose gaze looked almost triumphant, before taking a deep breath. The murmurs in the crowd had stilled as if they were all waiting for me to speak, to make my decision."Go on
Cassiopeia Nyx"Who could be so daring to attempt an attack on the king's private quarters" Elder Yousef asked, his dark face marred with worry lines, Whispers floated all through the large space of the meeting room. They looked apprehensive, this was the first time someone had brazenly attempted an attack on the king's private quarters.Xeros and i remained quiet as we watched them mull over the information we just shared, there was nothing more to say, Xeros was unconcerned but i seemed to drift towards the worried questions the elders seemed to throw at one another.Who could it be? What made them so fearless? Could it be an uprising?The more they spoke the more my anxiety levels spiked. Xeros's grip around my wrist was firm and comforting but he was distracted, his calloused thumb circled around the soft skin of my wrist. I didn't know what exactly had consumed his thoughts. His eyes were focused on me but they were dazed."Xeros" i whispered, shifting in my seat beside him. He b
Xeros RomanovI slipped through the door with pristine agility only to be met with Cassie’s terrified gaze. She stood right before me, her eyes widened in shock before morphing into relief. Her grip around the candle stick was fierce, as if she’d been ready to fight off whatever threat she imagined might follow me in here.A sigh left me as I took in her stance, her anxiety, and the hint of fear in her gaze. My eyes swept over her form, checking for any sign of injury even though I knew without doubt she’d been safe here. Finally, my gaze settled on the candle stick, and despite the situation, a flicker of amusement surfaced.“You were going to come after me?” I asked, my voice soft but edged with amusement.Cassie nodded, her expression shifting as she let out a breath she’d been holding. “I… you were taking so long, so I thought… something had happened to you.”Without hesitation, I crossed the room in a few quick strides, reaching out to gently ease the candle stick from her hands.
Cassiopeia Nyx The room was quiet. The kind of quiet that made even the slightest sound amplified. i was curled into Xeros’s chest, my face pressed into his bare skin and his arms wrapped tightly around me. Normally, nothing brought me as much comfort as this,but as much as I tried to relax into his embrace, sleep danced just out of reach, like a strip tease, no matter how hard I tried to reach out for it, it eluded me.Something felt… wrong.My skin prickled, the hair on my body standing on edge. A strange sensation crawled its way up my spine, making the air in the room feel heavier, pressing down on me. It was just my mind playing tricks on me, maybe it was because tonight had been emotionally exhausting. But the feeling wouldn’t leave; it only grew more intense, like invisible eyes watching from somewhere in the shadows.I shifted in Xeros’s arms, careful not to wake him. His breathing deepened, but even in sleep, his arm tightened slightly around my waist, as if some part of him
Cassiopiea Nyx"It's me, Demetria." "What is she doing here?" Hera growled, her anger pushing through.Demetria nervously poked her head through the door, her dark hair cascading around her shoulders as she spotted me. Her eyes widened when she noticed who was at the door, and she took a few steps back in surprise." uhhh, good evening, your majesty," she bowed in apprehension.Xeros scowled, his eyes flashing red before he sighed, turing around to glance at me.I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to act around her. "The queen is very tired after having a long day. She doesn't want to see anyone," Xeros gritted, ignoring her greetings. Demetria nodded in understanding, but i couldn't help but notice that her shoulders drooped in dissapoinment, and her eyes grew clowdy. I hated this part of me, the one that just couldn't ignore."I'll come back some other time," She mumbled before bowing to Xeros and then to me."Goodnight Alpha, Goodnight Luna."She turned around to leave,
Cassiopeia Nyx My knees wobbled as Xeros led me back to the room. I could barely keep up, my body slumped against his as we walked. I had tried so hard to hold on during dinner, I tried not to cower away, I forced the food down my throat. The only thing helping me was Xeros, his grip around my hand grounded me, like he was sending surges of confidence through my skin. The problem wasn't the pack members or the food or the role itself, I was the problem. I just couldn't detach myself from the anxiety hovering around me.These past few days, I realized that whenever I was anxious , I seemed to close up my mental barriers. I shut Hera out. I couldn't help it, I didn't realize I was blocking her out until a few moments ago, when I wondered why she had been silent for so long. That was the same thing that was happening to me, the anxiety that I had pushed at bay, the uncertainty swirling around me—everything threatened to hold me down,to choke me. We finally reached the door and the
Xeros RomanovThis was the last step and the most difficult of all for Cassie. The first dinner. More like an introduction.The smell of spice, roasted meat and gravy wafted throughout the air as we made way towards the dinning hall. The pack members strictly adhered to rules i had set regarding Cassie but now that she was the Luna, i couldn't give them any excuse as to why they couldn't meet their Luna without tarnishing her image. Cassie’s hand shook softly in my grasp as we pushed through the doors and stepped into the dinning area, i knew she was doing her best to keep her head upright and her gaze levelled. I could tell she wanted nothing more than to cower behind me, hide away from their expectant gazes. Tonight would be our first real appearance together, a chance for Cassie to show herself to the pack, to become part of the world I’d grown up in. They all stood up as we approached, i spotted Anakin at the far end of the room, a small smile on his face. “Don't be scared,”
Cassiopeia Nyx"Do you, Cassiopeia Nyx," the elder began, turning to grab an ancient-looking dagger from the side table at the podium, "accept the role of Luna Queen, not only to this pack but to all shifters and werekind? Do you accept to be bound to this identity forever and to never be free from your responsibilities as the Luna Queen?"The elder’s eyes darkened at my silence as I stared at him, wondering why he was saying it like that. His posture and words carried an edge, as if he wanted me to fail, to feel scared. It seemed like he could see my fears and apprehension despite my facade.Xeros squeezed my hand softly, and my eyes flashed to his, settling in the comfort and reassurance in his gaze. I could almost hear his voice in my head."Don't let him scare you. I'm with you."I glanced back at the elder, whose gaze looked almost triumphant, before taking a deep breath. The murmurs in the crowd had stilled as if they were all waiting for me to speak, to make my decision."Go on
Cassiopeia Nyx "You look beautiful, Luna"I glanced at Rori, her long hair ruffled all over face as she smiled, the warmth exuding from her fought against the chills developing in my spine. My coronation day.Luna Queen.I ran my fingers over the soft fabric of the ceremonial robe that had been prepared for me. a deep green with intricate brown stitching and embroidery, at the sleeves and bottom of the robes, there was a small forest carefully embroidered. A gentle knock at the door startled me, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see Martha, her face lit with a proud smile as she entered the room.She cooed, as she stepped closer to me."You look so beautiful dear". Her smile was uplifting, like physically uplifting. She fretted over how i was still thin but not in a condescending way, in a way that spoke of volumes of concern.Rori greeted her softly and they began to converse about me, and how to sneak more proteins into my food, totally ignoring the fact that i was standing
Xeros Romanov She tensed in my arms, her entire body freezing over in shock, our lips pressed against each others. She didn't seem to realize what she had awoken in me, The feeling of her lips against my cheek had sent Nox into a frenzy, his gripping desire to claim rising to the surface. My hand reached out to cup her face before finally moving against her lips. My entire body thrummed with desire as her soft and warm lips clashed with mine, a thousand sensations bursting in the air around us.My grip around her waist tightened possessively as i moved my lips. Everything she did, her feeble attempt to keep up with my intense pace, the way she grabbed the front of my shirt only intensified my desire and i couldn't help the deafening growl that escaped my throat. Every nerve in my body responded to her. She pulled me closer, her arms wrapping around my neck as if i was the only anchor grounding her to reality. The moment her lips moved against mine sent a jolt through me, an electri