The wind travelled through the gaps of the trees, igniting the bold feelings of yearning and longing within them to move freely beneath the looming sky—to walk amongst the vast greenery, to smile warmly at each passerby, and to converse with other sedentary beings.

It was a feeling that often resided in me, and had partly dissolved upon meeting Morpheus. The many mornings and afternoons spent in Amanda's cafe, the best neighbourhood retreat, with Viviana, Max, and Johnny could only satisfy the lonesome so much. You could say that I shared that same wish with the trees, but lacked the means to do so.

In the short time that I had known him, and not of him, I had quickly realized that he was not brought to me as a curse. He was a blessing in disguise, albeit with sharp teeth and a possessive personality. Morpheus reminded me that living does not always equal surviving and that it is okay to want more. There were close to thousands of other euphonies frolicking among the forest, similar to both the wistful song of the trees and the longing in my heart. A collection of rocks were begging to roam. A bunch of wildflowers were eager to expand. A family of fungus were greedy to multiply. However, the loudest, most fulfilling, salient call was the celebratory roar of the wolves.

I craved to join them, even before.

This melody was different compared to the silent screams of the forest. There were various hollers of victory, consisting of several booming voices that simultaneously rejoiced in the sweet, sweet taste of achievement and triumph, but among them were also low, melancholic whimpers of loss. Despite the anomalous clamour, there was a certain familiarity that was emerging from it. And, for just a second, I was back in my childhood bedroom, clutching an admired picture of my mother and listening to the moon cry out for me to praise the awakening of her son. Though there was loss, there was gain, as well.

Thankfully, on that night, the moon was on my side for yet a second time. The first was unappreciated.

My nerves settled down to match the sound of Morpheus' beating heart, following the slowing rhythm. And, although he was holding me in his arms without a single fuss, I could tell that he was struggling with the mate bond burning between us. It was not decelerating, nor was it fading. It was, however, growing. Yes, I am a human, but he is so much more than just a werewolf. There was no doubt in my mind that he was suffering the very same weakness that I was, especially with my body wholly dependent on his. In that moment, to be strikingly honest, I was welcoming the idea of losing myself to the bond completely.

As if sensing that I needed a break to be somewhat independent, Morpheus shifted to sit on the ground, interrupting my ponder. The heels of my feet planted themselves into the rich soil and the abrupt change in texture sent a jolt up my body, but it calmed my wild nerves. My legs were still wrapped tightly around his waist, but my rear was now propped up to rest on his lap. And, my hands had latched themselves onto his shoulders as a result of the new position. I pulled away from the amenable crook of his neck and faced him. The proximity was daunting as we bumped noses.

I sniffled as I looked at him—noting the way that blood had been smeared across his face and how there were only dried remnants of a fight left. The edges of his green eyes creased as he smiled up at me. Morpheus appeared perfectly fine, but I couldn't help it as I continued to frantically search his body with my own eyes. The ache of my ear was gone, now replaced with worry for someone else's pain.

How did he get here? How did he know? How?

"Morpheus!" I gasped, "What happened? Are you hurt? Did you-"

The white of his teeth shined next to the golden tan of his skin, bewitching me with the rosy tint of his lips and the perseverance coating his features. "You're funny, my beautiful mate," he chuckled.

His hands started to wander the premises of my back, memorizing each and every curve that I had to offer, while I began patting down his solid arms. I can't believe I didn't notice the state of him sooner, I thought, how ridiculous of me. "I'm being serious! You're covered in blood, you're-"

"-Alright," Morpheus cut me off, "I'm alright." He leaned in to sneak a kiss, leaving a trail of flutters in his wake as he smooched the skin of my cheek. A blush surely transformed my image as I felt his lips explore my jaw, nose, and the map of my forehand. There was not a spot left untouched.

"Mor-" a pair of puckered lips smacked into my own.

"You must have hit your head-" his breath fanned my parted lips as he pulled away, "-to believe that something already so close to death could hurt me. Those unsightly, useless beings are nothing special. And, if you are my prize, then not even a full-fledged god could win against me."

I clamped my mouth shut as a hum of delight slipped through. The kiss replayed in my memory as I watched his tongue lick his teeth, savouring the tang. Morpheus tasted compelling, like citric acid—and, I had loved sour candy for as long as I could remember. A slight tingle ran across my lips.

My fingers curled into his tangled hair, tugging the thick strands closer before smashing his plump lips back to mine. Morpheus breathed life into me as he captured my mouth in a passionate, toe-curling, soul kiss.

At each and every heavy pant for air, I basked in guilty glimpses of his well-defined face through hooded peeks. Morpheus was sloppy, hungry, and inexperienced—but, so was I. The rawness of our tongues meeting felt perfect to me, despite the immaturity. And, with that, there was a rising sensation of heat building up from the pit of my stomach, which only deepened as Morpheus gripped the sides of my face with a greed for more

A hiss bit at my tongue as he accidentally caressed the wound of my left ear with his hand. The injury, and it's fury, could be temporarily forgotten, but they could not permanently disappear. My thighs clenched the bones of his hips as Morpheus jumped up, removing his mouth, and growling in guilt. I gulped down the sudden gust of fresh air, sucking back the mingled spit and breathing in the strong scent of pine.

Morpheus pecked my lips once again, claiming yet another one of my kisses as his own. He spoke with a low rasp as he strained his neck to find the hidden path that I had only taken just minutes ago, "You almost made me forget, my mate, but I am sure that Kovina is thankful for the advantage of a head start."

The sound of her name sent a shiver up my spine.

I gripped his broad shoulders as he took a step towards the nearby building, and I wondered if he could smell the light trail of my blood droplets. The revengeful twitch of his nose told me that he could. Unknowingly, I had marked the path.

My body jolted as he moved.

"Wait!" I stared at him with skepticism, "You're taking me with you? I thought it was safe out here. Your pack is practically having a party. That must mean something good! Leave me with Max, or Johnny, or even Leo. I swear that I could even hear-"

"Stop this," Morpheus shook his head in disbelief. "Why would I leave you behind? Our pack is with us, surrounding the land, but you belong next to me."

The initial thought in my mind was hesitant to become real, but I turned it into words anyway. "Isn't this, like, you know, taking me right into the danger? You're practically handing me back."

"No." Morpheus sighed in frustration, but he still rubbed his large hand across my shuddering back warmly, "Emery, you will stay beside me."

I felt something start to rise from the bottom of my throat. My head and chest both began pounding."But-"

"No," he said. "I want you with me. I need you with me. And, the bond reassures me of this, that you share the same desire as I do. You are more brave than you realize, but I know. I know that you can do it. I know that you can face her. I know that you are not your fear."

Morpheus was fearless, and he had deemed me to be the same.

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