The room used to be a dungeon made of steel, and laced in depth with wolfs bane. It was used to keep humans that former alphas had agreed to be hospitable to, to protect them from savage wolves and rogues.
Alpha Axton could control himself, but he knew even Beta Scott wouldn't be able to. Natalia would be in danger if he leaves her there alone, because even if wolfs bane weakened them and they wouldn't get inside, just the thought of them coming at her would scare her.
To him, she was like a rosebud in it's most delicate stage, and protecting her was like protecting himself.
The sun rose steadily, and he sat there on his bed, feeling his energy renew. He always felt very good just after she manages to revive him, and he hoped he would be able to protect her tonight. He had to. As much as for her, and for himself.
The loud noises filtered through his ear, and he knew what was happening. Without bothering himself with a tunic to cover his upper body, he pulled himself out of bed and walked out of the room.
Natalia was standing in front of Beta Scott, her hands clenched into fists.
"Why would I go anywhere? I am waiting for Axton to recover. Who is going to help him, then?" She asked, her fingers digging into her palm.
"I am sorry, Miss. Alpha Axton himself has given the order to."
Her brows furrowed just as Alpha Axton walked to them.
"Let me."
Beta Scott nodded and handed him the keys, then walked away.
"You want to lock me up again, Axton? Why do you always do this?"
He shook his head and went closer. He was banking on the allure he knew she couldn't help but notice about him.
"Why would I want to lock you up? I am trying to protect you. But if you want, I can just stay with you in your room, and...I will still protect you anyway." He said, hoping she would agree to go.
"I don't want to go anywhere." She said, much to alpha Axton's disappointment. "I want to stay here. If you wanted to protect me, you could have just left me at home. With my dad. You wouldn't have brought me here."
He watched her, and then bit down on his lips. "Do you hate it here?"
She sniffed, and instead of answering, just leaned her head on his chest, her tears wetting his shoulder. "How could I hate it here when you are here?"
He nodded and then, ever so slowly, helped her back into her room. He sat her down, then closed the windows and the doors, and cast the room in a veil of darkness only slightly broken by two candlelight on each side of the bed.
It was more than enough for both of them, though.
She waited for him as he went around, dripping some liquid he had brought with him.
"What are you doing?"
"Fragrance, Natalia." It was wolfs bane, and his fingers were burning, but he found himself moving. He had to protect her, this one night. He had to keep her alive. He just wasn't sure if it was only for himself anymore.
He poured some water on his hands as he slightly leaned over the window, watching as the sun started to set. It would soon eclipse, and that was the moment he dreaded the most.
He closed the window back and she smiled at him as he came to her, then lay beside her. she didn't need invitation as she brought her head to the crook of his neck, as if she was always meant to be there.
Maybe she was.
Maybe she wasn't.
"I am sorry for lashing out at you earlier. I just got a little emotional." She said.
He only nodded, his heart thumping in his chest. All the other eclipses, he would lay down on his bed and listen to their savage howls at night, loving every snarl and every menacing growl. He loved the fight for power that they had between them, the fight for dominance as they howled uncontrollably. He loved every bit of it.
Tonight, this time, it was different.
He felt his heart beating wildly, and cold sweat covered his palm.
"Is something wrong?"
He turned to her. "Natalia."
"Yes?"
"Why are you so attracted to me?" He asked. "Don't you feel scared? What if I hurt you?"
She seemed to think about it for a while. "I don't really know why, Axton, but...when I look at you, I just..don't feel like you can hurt me. I don't feel like you can do anything like that to me. It is strange. I have met another werewolf once. He was scary, and I ran back home and never trudged that path again. But when I met you...I sat there holding your head and I just...did not want to let go."
He blinked. "Is that it?"
She smiled. "I know being able to transform...it's frightening. But I will not ever become scared of you. You have me."
He nodded as she lay back down, his mind wandering. Was this the mate bond they shared? Is that why he found himself softening every second he spent with her?
He stood up, and walked to the window. Some time has passed, and the moon was now up. He clenched his fits as he watched the moon, his heart beating wildly in his chest.
He wasn't comfortable with just leaving her here, but he also found her tears too hurtful.
He came back, and she was already fast asleep, her hand sprawled to where he had been.
It was perfect.
He carried her bridal style, and he pulled her hair into his arm so it didn't dangle downwards.
Slowly, he opened the door, and sneaked to the back where they kept his travel carriages. He had made up his mind. He wouldn't be able to stay with her in the room, but there was one place where she would be free...and safe...and with him.
He put her in and closed the door, and still, without a shirt or even considering one, in the bone chilling cold, he took the lead of the carriage.
He made sure to spray it with wolfsbane first, and he went to the front.
Just before they took a step however, the moon turned red, and he heard the very first howl.