XVIII

„Luna!" Selene saw Troy enter the medical room where her and Maximus were. She saw the concern for her.

„I'm fine, Troy. Don't worry."

„I've failed you."

„Troy, you couldn't have known this would happen. It's not your fault. I chose to go in the forest. None of us expected this."

„I am in charge of your protection. I am supposed to make sure nothing happens to you!"

„Troy.." he left in a hurry.

„Let him go, moon. He feels like he failed you. After he'll cool down, he'll see there wasn't anything he could have done. Believe me, I was furious when I saw it was getting dark and you were not coming. I... blamed him for not going with you in the first place."

„Maximus! You know I wouldn't have accepted. I wanted to go alone."

„I know moon. I realized me convincing you to take him with you was futile anyway, you're too stubborn." She threw him a glare.

„It's not about that. I wanted to be alone for a while, in the forest. I missed it."

„I know love."

„Maximus, what happened to the challenge? Wasn't it today?"

„Don't mind that. I called the elders and asked for them to push it. Being the Alpha King comes with its perks."

„When is it now?"

„In 3 days." Her face fell.

„I'm sorry, it was all they could do. I tried to ask for more time, but they were reluctant to give you any more time in the first place."

„It's ok.. I'll heal."

Troy would not leave her side. It even annoyed Maximus to some extent, being difficult to convince him to leave her even with the king there. „Troy, I'm fine, really. Stop hovering over me like I'm a child. I appreciate it, but it's not necessary." He scrunched his eyes a little, but nodded his head anyway. Finally, they were alone.

„It feels like we haven't had a chance to be together in forever. I've missed you."

„I've missed you too." She let herself be showered with kisses, enjoying the feeling he gave her. She felt giddy.

„Maximus"

„Moon?"

She looked deep into his eyes. „I love you."

Before he could say anything, she leaned in for another kiss. He started kissing her along the neck, leaving a trace of sparks after every touch.

„I want to mark you, moon."

„What?" She stared at him, not expecting it.

„I want to put my mark on your neck, so everyone will know you are mine. My Luna, my Queen." He kept murmuring between kisses. „I don't care about the stupid challenge."

„Maximus.. you know it is a risk. I am very confident in my abilities, but there is a slight possibility of something wrong happening. You would loose your title."

He looked at her, straight face. „I don't care. I don't want anyone else. If it all goes wrong, I will give up my position."

„What? You can't do that! What about the pack?"

„Moon, you are everything to me. I don't want to live without you. I don't want to lead the Kingdom besides anyone else but you. You are, without doubt, the greatest blessing on Earth. You, Selene, are my Moon."

Selene recalled the feeling of being called „flower" by Soren. She would always smile at his nickname, knowing his perception of her was of purity, kindness, full of love. However, nothing could even come close to how she felt in that moment. Her eyes fixated on his, reading them, reading his soul. Maximus was like no other. But it wasn't his looks or his power, nor the bond the goddess made between them. It was his heart. His declaration, his words, were carved into her own heart.

„Mark me, my Sun."