Kissing danger
~
Accalia
~

Cadence hadn't come back yet and that stirred unease in the pit of Accalia's stomach.

Over the years, with hunting and killing werewolves, Accalia was always worried for Cadence. Always. No matter the hour of the day, the minute passing by and the phases of the moon, she was always fearful for her cousin.

It never went away.

It was a constant pull wedging between the ribs and chest, conjuring anxiety that couldn't subside.

It sat with Accalia even now as she ate her cereal with a rumbling tummy.

But she could understand Cadence's need to be around people like her — someone like Erisa Jaeger. Accalia grew up with the girl, but Cadence's connection was far more profound.

Downing the remaining milk in the bowl, Accalia made her way over to the sink to wash up when a collection of feet clambered down the hall.

"Good morning, Accalia,"

Turning around, she offered a kind smile to Gabriel who returned it, his eyes brightening.

There were duffel bags around him and Nina and Accalia could only guess it was because they were going back to their pack.

They had been here for a while, a lot longer than an Alpha should leave their pack to a Beta. Over time, pack members could grow restless without their Alpha. That would always be the greatest time for hunters to strike.

Nina wore a light pink trench coat and it dangled by her ankles. She emitted a roguish grace with her jaded eyes and mass of curly hair that bodied her brown face elegantly.

Accalia found her to be similar to Gabriel, both kind and wise.

The Luna didn't seem disgusted by Accalia's presence as a hunter, but more so, curious about it. Nina's bubbly and lighthearted nature was refreshing to Accalia.

Accalia tried to plaster a genuine smile without forcing it. "Are you leaving for your pack?"

Gabriel secured an arm around Nina's waist, pulling her into his side. "Yes, we didn't expect to be here for this long. We should get back."

Accalia nodded and snuck a glance at Lycus who stood behind the mated couple.

"It was lovely to meet you, Accalia," Gabriel claimed kindly.

Accalia doubted it, surely his kind nature didn't stretch that far regarding a hunter.

Nevertheless, Accalia smiled. "It was nice meeting you too, Gabriel. And you, Nina."

Nina smiled brightly and her eyes lit up like green jewels. "I hope to see you again!"

Accalia didn't think she would mind that.

Gabriel offered parting words to Lycus before they left and Accalia watched as their car peeled out of the driveway, weaving up a hill before disappearing over the tree line.

A pit of apprehension settled in the bottom of her stomach. Accalia was alone with Lycus.

"I wish you were as sweet to me as you are to my brother," a voice crooned from behind her and she whipped around, facing Lycus who looked like the epitome of hell. Sinful, waging of fire and scorn.

"Well," Accalia said slowly, measuring her words wisely, "Gabriel has been nice to me ever since I came here. You haven't been."

A growl grumbled in his chest and he stepped forward, a sharp look defining his features. "How would you feel if I told you I regret doing the things I did?"

The question lingered, causing Accalia's throat to close up and she crossed her arms. "Do you regret everything you've done?"

"Most things," Lycus answered.

"Going to have to do a lot better than that, Lycus," Accalia countered and went to walk past him.

His hand clasped her arm, keeping her in place beside him, not with his usual attentive and unrelenting grip, but a securing and gentle one.

"I regret keeping you locked in a cell, the car accident, nearly marking you and sleeping with that she-lycan. I regret putting you in harm's way with the Alphas and still having a target on your back. But know this, Accalia, I don't regret you being here. Whatever happens, I'll never regret that." Lycus confirmed, every word dripping with fervour and volume that could knock Accalia off her feet if wasn't her being held by him.

"I—"

"Come with me. I want to take you somewhere." Lycus tugged her along without warning and they headed for the back door.

"To my death?" Accalia found herself saying after finding her voice.

Lycus laughed, a genuine laugh and it turned Accalia's face red. "You won't die around me, Accalia, that's for sure."

She didn't know why, but for the first time followed him without question.

It was unsurprising how breathtaking Lycus's territory was. The trees stood tall and evergreen. The dirt they walked upon cracked with twigs and crunching with leaves. Nature was sublime, but it was only natural — most Alphas valued their territory. It was where they were most free. Alphas could let anything fall, empires, dynasties and other packs, but not their own. Not their territory.

"I relocated here over one hundred years ago," Lycus explained, his voice resounding throughout his lands.

"One hundred years ago? That's a long time," Accalia responded, looking off distantly to the
bushes.

"Lycans are eternal creatures, Accalia, but yes, I guess it is a long time."

Lycus had lived many days, many years with many more to come without a hint of fear of ageing with grey hairs and wrinkles. Whereas, Accalia would meet death as she became more fragile and easy to break.

"Do you know who killed your people on the night of the full moon?" Accalia had to ask.

They hadn't spoken since their previous exchange yesterday morning.

"I have theories," Lycus said curtly, his voice becoming detached with coldness.

"Any you care to share?" Accalia asked.

"I have a lot of enemies, Accalia, more than just hunters and other Alphas, but once I have concrete proof on who did this ..." Lycus trailed off as his voice grew darker and more animalistic, as though the human side of himself was fading and the lycan at the surface of his mind wanted to break out of the skin trapping him inside.

He bade a look to Accalia that sent shivers down her form in a chilling ripple. He didn't want to discuss this further and Accalia sealed her lips shut

Maybe this was a mistake, Accalia reasoned with herself, her following him. She wanted to turn on her heel and book it back to Lycus's home. But it was exactly that. Wherever she went, his name was written all over it. Even this dirt she walked upon, was his. She was in his domain, his orbit and her control here was limited.

Her anguish dispersed once the two came over a hill and it took Accalia's breath away.

Burnt orange and brown rocky cliffs were parted for a waterfall that gushed down serenely, emitting a sparkling mist and paving the way for the mass pool of water that reflected from the sun, radiating dots of twinkles to dance along the surface.

There were wooden steps leading downward, as though someone planted them there for that exact purpose to reach the tranquil beauty.

Accalia didn't acknowledge Lycus as she left his side and clambered down the steps, not removing her gaze from the place as she feared it could disappear if she looked away. She didn't know why she thought like this. For weeks to months, Accalia had seen only blood battles and ugliness.

She skipped the last step and her shoes dug into the damp dirt.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" A voice called behind her and she only gave a faint nod, still taking it in.

"I bet you've taken a lot of girls here, huh?" Accalia thought aloud.

Accalia's face fell suddenly, eyes sticking to the floor she was no longer grounded to as two strong arms hoisted her up. It wasn't a comforting gesture and it wasn't Lycus's intention as he stepped back and flung her into the air like she was a dancer readying to stick a graceful landing.

Into the water.

Accalia was no way where near the shallows and kept herself afloat amongst the depths.

Mouth falling open for air and from shock, Accalia wanted to kick herself. Wanted to kick him.

Nibbling her wet lip, Accalia turned away from Lycus and bathed in the pristine, cool water.

"Accalia!"

Her eyes travelled to the overflow of water ahead and the sun glittered down. Accalia took in a deep breath and submerged herself in the water.

Silence welcomed her. A dull nothingness. All she could hear was the thumping of her heart as everything stilled — just for a few seconds.

All she could see was sun rays spearing through and illuminating the pool of the river.

And all she felt was a dark, secure hold on her forearm and she was reeled out of the water as though her life was at stake.

A looming shadow hovered over her and blocked out the sun with its obscure darkness.

Obscene words flew from Lycus's mouth as he dragged Accalia out of the water but also scarce and feeble sorries that continued to repeat themselves.

"I'm sorry, Accalia—that was fucking stupid—"

Accalia's lip twitched and she erupted into laughter, flinging her head back as she dangled uselessly against him. "It was."

Lycus placed Accalia at the bank of the river and a growl rumbled in his chest. "I know that!"

Accalia laughed and turned to face him.

Lycus's body was matted in droplets of water, from head to toe, shirt and jeans soaked and he could only master a seething snarl at her.

"I'm never letting you out of my sight." Lycus declared.

Accalia's giggles subsided and a tremble ticked her lip. "Why, because I went swimming? You threw me in!"

"No," Lycus growled at her and shook his head. "Because I know nothing about you! I didn't know if you could swim or not, and I just threw you into it without a second thought. For all I know, you could be allergic to a certain food I have in the house or a flower that's within this forest. You're just a human."

Accalia blinked and got to her feet, shock spilling across her face.

"I am human, but I'm not breakable. Lycus, I'm fine." Accalia said softly and surely.

Lycus glared, thick brows pulling together as his amber eyes seemed to brighten like blazing comets as he took her in.

"In my world, you're breakable. Look at you," Lycus said whimsically, voice becoming distant and he reached out his finger, brushing it against her upper lip. "Your lip is nearly purple, you're shivering and you want to get warm. You're tired, you're worried about Cadence and you are breakable — because you're human, Accalia."

Accalia clenched her jaw and straightened up, the coldness of the wet clothes clinging onto her skin as she started to shiver.

"Then I must be a burden to you. Why won't you let me go?" Accalia's voice almost cracked, moving her head away from his hand and trying to shake off his lingering touch with all her might. It was just the mate bond. A wretched and cursed bond bestowed upon them for who knew why. Punishment? Torture?

"Because you're my mate, you're bound to me and I'm bound to you. I can't let you go," Lycus said simply.

"I hardly feel anything for you though," Accalia admitted and thought back to every contact they have had. It was always subtle, quick and fleeting. Hardly lasting and lingering.

But why did Lycus Fenris stamp her mind like a branding mark? Instilling an invisible mark that made her want to stick around but only ever leave him at arm's length?

"It's different for human mates and much different for a hunter. Both of us are going against our nature, we keep fighting our bond, but I can't just let you go, Accalia." Lycus said to her.

"But I want to go," Accalia ushered out, blinking slowly as she tried not to fall against him. She felt weaker as she said this, confessing something that wouldn't be accepted for a lycan and wouldn't be tolerated in the world of mates.

Silence overwhelmed the two of them but the over-pour of the waterfall broke it.

"Accalia, I'll make you a deal," Lycus announced.

"A deal?"

"I'll let you go once you're safe. My enemies are your enemies now. Lycans and werewolves want you dead for being mated to me, for what Cadence did to Melina and for when you hunted the Beta. My deal is: that you can leave freely when I know you are safe. Protecting you is the least I could do, let me do it." Lycus reasoned silvery, locking eyes onto hers and making sure she understood every word he mentioned as he wouldn't repeat it.

She could be free of him, free of his chains and binds. They would go their separate ways and act as if their bond never existed. No more arguments, battling of emotions and this tiresome cycle that entrapped them both.

It could end.

"You have a deal," Accalia said, thrusting out a hand for him to shake and have it set in stone.

Lycus shook his head and traced his eyes over her lips. "Just one kiss."

Accalia froze and swallowed. "Why?"

Lycus shrugged carelessly and said. "I want to taste my mate."

Accalia steered her gaze down, contemplating his motives and what could it entail afterwards. It didn't have to mean anything.

No strings attached.

Accalia looked back to Lycus, face waned with nervousness, but gave him a subtle nod,

Lycus didn't wait for her reaction and pulled her against him, encompassing her in his body heat and without thought, his lips met hers in a clash of silver and blood.

Of huntress and lycan.

~

Edited: 1/10/2024

They finally kissed.

— Caranyx.