Chapter 54 - ill-fated

Maybe Faun didn't have all terrible luck because as the aeroplane cut through the sky, he fell asleep once more.

It was well into the afternoon when Declan finally broke free of the constant calls that simply wouldn't stop.

His dad was smart enough to not bring up the topic of his mate, no doubt still wary that Declan would find a way to disappear again, even though they were currently in the air.

He immediately went straight to find Faun, ignoring his guards who were steadfastly avoiding his eyes.

He was careful to open the door gently, not wanting to spook Faun; it didn't matter much though because Faun was terrified enough of him.

Declan's sigh when he saw that Faun was fast asleep was so heavy that he sagged against the shut door for the briefest of moments.

He noticed with a sour taste in his mouth that the food he had brought was untouched. Even when Faun still thought he was human, when they first met, he had always eaten.

Declan made his way over quietly, settling down slowly on the bed. If Faun was awake, he would be scrambling away.

He gingerly lifted a hand to touch Faun's wild hair, breathing easier when he could touch him.

Things weren't supposed to end this way.

If he had been in the cottage when the werewolves showed up, he would have taken Faun and made a run for it.

They couldn't run forever though, the same way that this was the only way that things could have turned out.

He knew it deep down but he told himself that it was Faun, if he gave him enough time, maybe he would understand.

Declan carefully laid down beside Faun, their heads touching. His heart wrenched when Faun's tail wrapped around his arm.

He was truly a monster. The only villain here was him.

Faun would have been better off if he sent him off after he was all healed; he would just have to go back to hiding deep in the woods.

But no, he was a selfish dick, he was still a selfish dick.

Because he wasn't letting Faun go.

Declan turned his head to the side so that he could watch Faun sleep.

Faun would never have accepted what he was. It was a sad and sickening truth that hung threateningly above his head.

Faun would have found out eventually because Declan wasn't giving him up and his past constantly dodged his steps.

They were fated to be doomed from the start.

Declan didn't care about the genocide of hybrids but that was because he had never met a hybrid in person, all he knew were figures on screens.

He always thought it was a meaningless battle. Hybrids would never truly be wiped out unless werewolves went extinct as well.

Because werewolves would always fall in love with humans and then the cycle would repeat itself.

They were basically taking a knife and cutting off parts of themselves bit by bit.

He knew his father thought the same but it was tradition at this point, most people forgetting the reason why hybrids were forbidden to exist.

It all started in a world where there were surplus shifters, and they refused to integrate with humans, living apart from them.

If that were the case, then every werewolf living in the current times would be a criminal as well because they integrated with humans.

He didn't care enough before to put any energy into trying to stop it but now he had a reason to. He didn't care who got their feathers ruffled, he was going to make his mate legal.

Until then, he couldn't show any weakness because there were tons of people looking to capitalise on one little moment of weakness.

Declan buried his face in the curve of Faun's neck, unable to help the urge. His happiness had been shredded in the span of a couple hours, he deserved to show a little bit of weakness.

He was so peaceful and calm just laying there, he felt sleepy even but he knew he couldn't fall asleep, it would only worsen things.

Enveloped in a cloud of dusky blue violets, he let his eyes slip shut for a few precious seconds.

Now, he wished he had properly mated Faun but that would have revealed his secret and then Faun would not just be terrified of him but he would hate him too.

He still meant it though and he wished he could let Faun know that.

Things between them were going to get worse before it got better; and once again, for the umpteenth time in a span of hours, Declan wished they were back in the cottage where it was just them, the woods protecting them from the rest of the world.

Because technically Declan was harbouring a criminal; it didn't matter that he was the prince, rules wouldn't be bent for him.

People tended to turn a blind eye though if the hybrid wasn't treated as an equal. Declan's throat stung with each swallow, if Faun didn't hate him already, he soon would.

But he had to keep him safe; it was either that or Faun would be sent off to die.

Declan hadn't planned to fall asleep but he was a weak man, he shot upright at the sound of terror from Faun, scrambling backwards this time.

Faun didn't move but his fear was loud enough from where he laid, curled around himself; his stormy green eyes fixed on Declan like a deer staring at a car's headlights.

"Fuck." Declan gritted under his breath, cursing himself out for falling asleep.

The light in his eyes drained away, the further he got from the bed. "You should eat." He muttered in an empty voice, heading for the side table.

The plate of food would be cold and unfit to eat now. "I'll get you a fresh plate."

Faun just watched him unblinkingly, saying nothing.

Declan gave in to one last look and found Faun staring at him with a soft sadness, a hand clutching at the necklace he had given him.