The Howl of Claim | COMPLETED

XXXVIII | F r e y a R u t h

Intrépide ( F e a r l e s s )

"Let's go back." I nod and pull away from Darius. The moment I pull away from him, emptiness fills me.

Is this how every other female feels?

Ignoring the feeling, I look around, trying to find something to cover myself with. I find nothing, and a frown takes over my face. I look at Darius who is about to exit the water - naked.

"Umm, Darius. You have no clothes." My face turned red and I clench my teeth in embarrassment. It was also a way to make him notice that I did not have clothes either.

Moon goddess, please give this giant oaf some sense!

Darius just turn around to look at me, thankfully his lower half was still in the water, and spoke,

"I will shift-" he looked at me and my body once again which was still submerged in water, "-And then I will carry you. My arms are big enough to cover you completely."

Thank god I didn't have to say something about my nakedness myself or I would die out of embarrassment.

"Why can I not shift?" I tried shifting but failed, thus asking this question,

"Did you forget? Your shift isn't complete yet. You will only shift once we mate. You are no longer a wolf." I only look down at my hands.

Oh, how could I forget that! But . . .

No longer a wolf?

I feel Darius exit the water body and shift. Once I was sure he had shifted, I finally look up to see Darius waiting for me and I grew self-conscious.

A feeling that was foreign to me.

At times like this, I wish my mom would've taught me something or maybe I had a mated female friend.

"Close your eyes," Darius growl but did as I said anyways. Slowly and cautiously, my body exit the water body and into my mate's hairy arms. They come around me immediately and pull me up.

He was right, my body was completely covered.

It was comfortable too, it felt as if I was on soft grass - just naked.

Naked, against his body.

Aah!

...

It was a bright morning today, and I felt fresh and good. A feeling I last felt in my pack.

Climbing down the large bed, I walk into the large balcony to admire the pack in the early morning.

Beautiful, peace and quiet.

I wished I had felt this feeling before because I never had this tranquility. It felt great as the cold air tumbled around me and lifted my hair.

Taking all my thoughts and worries away with it.

Last night, Darius had left me in the room and went to his office - to work on security as he put it, but I knew it was more than that.

He was worried about something but he didn't share that with me.

That annoyed me.

What went on in that man's head!

Suddenly there is a knock on my door and I turn around to walk into the room and towards the door.

Pulling the door open, I come face to face with Marco.

"Marco?" When was the last time I saw him? Oh yeah, yesterday.

"Today, females will come for the fitting of your dress." Marco turned around and was about to leave - too quickly if I must say so myself - when I called him back,

"Marco!" He turned around robotically and said, "Yes?"

Ever since I had half shifted, there is tension between us, Marco has been a lot more respectful, distant and hasn't even tried to pick a fight with me.

He was not sick, right? I doubt he would suddenly stop talking to me like we used to even though I am not mated yet.

Guess it was time I revoked him.

I raised my fist and punched him straight in the stomach, causing him to cup his stomach and I had a grin plastered on my face.

"Oh come on, I didn't even punch that hard, stop acting like a baby."

Marco turned around furious but the moment he met my eyes, his anger simmered down and I gawked.

We started and when he said nothing, I spoke,

"Are you okay? Did I do something wrong? Why aren't you saying anything back?" I asked simultaneously while Marco looked down at his feet.

"You are my Queen now. I don't think it's suitable for me to annoy or tease you anymore."

Excuse me?!

"But I am not even marked yet! Or mated! I am yet to actually take the position, come on. Don't change your attitude with me just like that!"

He gave me no answer and I tilted my head.

"Don't make me feel like an outsider, my heart cannot take your behavior anymore. As if - as if -" I did not know what to say . . .

"If that's the case then I don't want to be a Queen anymore." Marco's eyes widened and he looked up at me.

"You can't do that."

"Watch me." I was about to walk away when Marco stopped me.

"Okay wait! I am sorry. I didn't know what to do. After you shifted, my beast had started respecting you alot more. We no longer want to annoy you and even if I do want to do something, he doesn't allow me to." I glare at Marco.

"My beast already recognizes you as his queen, even if I try to talk to you more than required, my beast's loyalty to the king makes me regret it."

I shook my head slowly.

"Okay, respecting me doesn't mean you can't make my mornings lively! And what if I order you to, will that make it easier?" Marco turned his face away.

When I got no response, I continued,

"I thought I had at least one person here who didn't only like me for the title I hold or would create some drama in my life but then this happens. I don't want people to change just because I am going to be a Queen! Don't fucking talk to me." I slam the door shut of my room and sit on my bed.

That should do it.

I smirked evilly. Would he be feeling bad now? Yes, and that's good. He should.

He felt guilty too easily.

I lay back on the bed and look up at the ceiling.

I was born to be a Queen - an Alpha Queen.

Right mom and dad? This is my place, this is where I am meant to be. Right?

I'll have to show everyone what I am capable of. What Freya Ruth is capable of. I just hope that those bitches who tried to capture me before wouldn't return.

But even if they did, it's not like I won't be able to retaliate.

I am finally ready to leave my past behind . . . But if those people do come back, maybe they would add some spice to my boring life and I would also be able to kill some wolves.

Man, what the fuck is wrong with me.

I am thinking such evil thoughts - but oh well. Definitely, something to do with my half shift.

I hope tonight goes well.

I was waiting to see Marco to come and say something but he didn't and the time went by just like that until the night neared.

Just as Marco had said, three slave werewolves females came and did my fitting. Even though I was really uncomfortable, I had to admire what they did. They had a gorgeous silver fabric and I instantly liked it.

They stuck needles here and there and it was a test of my patience, balance, and the amount of breath my lungs could hold in. At one point I wanted to punch one of the ladies.

I didn't even have this kind of treatment for my title ceremony.

Back in my pa-

Stop comparing! Or I will never move on.

I sighed and bore the torture.

I had to move on and not thinking about it was the only way, but what I didn't know - that I will not be ever able to leave all that behind.

The night came along sooner than expected and I was nervous. Klepto still hadn't returned and I was getting anxious by the second. I would've really liked her here with me.

But poor Klepto might be writhing in pain. I hope she is doing well.

Or maybe they had done the dirty already but Avalon is a high rank so that means they will have to wait till Klepto's second heat.

Speaking of the second heat, mine might be around the corner - will that mean that I will have to . . .

Of course you will have to! You are not a child Freya! You know exactly what will go down.

My cheeks turned red.

"Ouch!" I yelped as one of the ladies pulled on my hair, trying to unknot them. "Watch it!"

"Please forgive me, your highness."

The ladies have returned in the night with the dress ready and now were prepping me.

"All ready your highness." I nod and stand up.

Time to go and get accepted into this pack.

I can still run, right? Just kidding.

...

Umm... What do you think? Should she be reacting differently? Love you guys 💞

P R O Q U E E N