Chapter 12

Damian felt hot, searing pain as he patrolled his territory's border. It was so sudden and powerful that he fell to the ground. Shadow within him, howled and howled until his ears began to ring. The pain was more than his first shift and only one thing comes to mind.

She is mating with another male.

He prepares to feel the connection between them break completely, which can only happen if she is marked by the other male…

But it never happened. The pain finally subsided and became some small prickles of pain. He slowly stands up, feeling his legs start to slowly give out. He whimpers and he hears shadow whine in his head.

Why? Why must you forsake me even more, moon goddess.

Damian slowly starts to walk again. He closes his eyes and sees a vision. A vision of Lucia in another man's embrace. Thing is, he recognized the man. Damian let's out a menacing growl. He takes off past the border into no man's land.

I know where you are Lucia and I will catch you.

Damian slinks around the brush that bordered the cabin. He watched and waited. Night has fallen and if someone were to look closely, they could see his eyes. A noise was heard. The front door opened, revealing the young male whom Damian saw embrace Lucia. He catches a snarl in his throat as to not give away his position. The male turns back towards the house, gestures for someone to exit. The person does and Damian's eyes widen. It was Lucia! The two of the turn to the leave of the west side of the clearing and the male shifts, Lucia climbs onto his back, and they take off. Damian follows close behind but enough to not give himself away.

They finally halt and Lucia climbs off his back. Damian shrinks back into the trees and watches the male shift back and Lucia begin to run her hand up and down his torso. They share a kiss, one filled with passion and Damian can feel the pain begin to arise again. He jumps out of the trees and roars, making the two turn to him and Lucia gasps. His eyes were wild and filled with anger. He was foaming from the mouth and began to slowly step towards artemis. Lucia steps in front and pushes artemis behind her. Damian shifts back.

"So, this is the male that you decided to bond with. Nothing much compared to me. Why put yourself with a runt when you should be queen?"

Lucia looked at him questionably.

"What do you mean?"

Damian growls.

"I mean, I felt everything. You two fucking, I felt! The endless pain and agony, I fucking felt!"

"I don't want you. I don't want to be a wolf and I certainly don't want the man that turned me into a monster."

"And yet you fuck a monster. I should have known. Humans are whores. And my mate is no different."

Artemis stands in front of Lucia.

"Don't call her that!"

Damian laughs.

"So, the pup wants to show some claws. Well bring it on."

Damian shifts and snarls while slowly approaching the two. Artemis was going to shift when Lucia pushes him back and shifts herself. She roars at Damian. He looks at her in shock.

Her pelt. But that's impossible.

Lucia jumps onto Damian's back, sinking her claws into his shoulders. He howls in pain and tries to buck her off. Her claws rip from his flesh and she lands on the hard ground.

Damn it, that hurt!

"How are you so strong already?!"

"She has been training with my father and I and she exceeds all expectations," Artemis replies.

Lucia roars and Damian pounces on her. They roll, claws slashing, teeth biting, and yet Lucia wouldn't deliver a killing blow. In fact, many times Damian gave her opportunity to kill him because why would he want to live when the mate that was gifted to him by the moon goddess hated him, mated with another male, and is currently fighting him. Lucia wanted to, but she didn't. She couldn't. No matter what strength she had, she couldn't bring herself to slice open Damian's neck to put him out of his misery.

Finally, hours have passed and even Artemis has grown bored. He sat cross legged a couple of feet from the fighting couple when they finally separated. Beaten and battered, the both. So much that even Damian, the king of werewolves, was having trouble standing. Lucia is panting when she slowly starts to collapse. Artemis rushes to her to catch her when Damian growls. Damian begins to walk towards her heaving form when a howl was heard. Artemis looked in the direction of the howl and finally spoke.

"That's my father, Damian, so I suggest you run while you can."

Damian growls. He refuses to run without Lucia, but even his wolf was begging him to run.

There will be another time to rescue her, but we can't do it by ourselves. We must go.

Damian looks down at Lucia, seeing that she has passed out. He huffs, turns around, and runs toward the castle.