Chapter 18

The road leading into the forest was the only thing she could make sense of as the sun was setting, but she didn’t turn back. Arthur vanished into the distance, streaking ahead with his speed, but she could follow the path his body had created as he barreled through the forest. Broken branches and large, muddy paw prints led her forward.

She soon heard Arthur's growling and the sound of claws tearing into a tree. Something thudded, skidded in the dirt, and thudded again. He roared as the tree creaked after a few strikes. It tilted and crashed to the ground as Daphne reached the clearing. Arthur stumbled, seemingly hurt. A shallow gash was on his shoulder, yet he threw himself at another tree with a growl of fury.

She gasped in horror then anger over took her as he threw himself again. She ran foward.

“Stop, Arthur!”

Arthur stopped, turning his head to look at her as she reached him and threw her arms around his neck, clutching tight in case he thought to run off or hurt himself again.

“… Daphne?”

“You shouldn't hurt yourself like that!”

He twisted a bit and stopped with a little huff. With a whirl of light, he shifted back to his human form and let her weight drag him to his knees. He wanted to pull her closer, but he stopped with his arms halfway around her.

He thought of the broken bowls and the way the goblet had shattered in his hand. She wasn’t ceramic, but he didn’t really know how fragile humans were. He didn’t want to hurt her.

“Daphne, why are you here?”

Daphne sniffled against him, “Look at the state you're in! If I hadn't caught up with you, would you have continued to hurt yourself, wouldn’t you?”

His heart ached with the want to hold her. Maybe he could be gentle, but he didn’t want to get any blood or dirt on her.

Daphne’s eyes burned as she thought of all the blood on him the day before.

“Is this what you did yesterday?”

“No,” he said, lowering his head and feeling his body relax the longer he breathed in her scent. “I… I went after two rogues yesterday.”

That was true, though what happened beyond that made him shudder as he tried to block it out.

Daphne’s arms tightened around him, “Why did you run from me?”

“I was afraid I would hurt you... I tried hard to control myself. But the fight... the bodies, the smell of blood excited me, and my instincts drove me to fight! I have no control even now.” He shuddered and nuzzled her. “I scare you, don’t I? Yesterday, I broke the bowls and the cup... I saw fear in your eyes... You're afraid of me...”

She couldn’t deny that but she stroked his hair.

“Arthur…” Daphne swallowed. “Is that why you slept outside?”

“I was afraid to sleep with you. I'm afraid I'll hurt you in my sleep. I’m still afraid.”

Daphne pulled back to look into his eyes, but he only saw fear and shame. The strength she’d feared had seemingly vanished in the face of his fear. How could someone so powerful be frozen in terror over hurting her? Her heart felt as though it was in a vice.

How could she be so foolish to be controlled by her fear all this time?

“Lucas said being close to our mate would make me more comfortable, but I can’t even think to be too near to you. I’d never… We’d never forgive ourselves or recover if we hurt you…”

Daphne felt disgusted with herself. She should have talked to him the day before and they could have avoided all of this. She shouldn’t be afraid of him when he was trying so hard to get better at controlling himself.

When he’d rather hurt himself than me...

“Oh, Arthur,” she sniffled. “I’m sorry, Arthur! I'm just a weak human. I have no control over my fear of werewolves. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Arthur shook his head, “It’s my fault for having no control… I don’t want you to be afraid of me, but I am trying.”

“I know,” she whispered, leaning into him. “Do you feel better now that I'm holding you?”

Arthur rumbled, nuzzling her and burying his nose against her neck.

“Yes,” he sighed. “I feel… much better.”

Daphne nodded, resolved to hold him for as long as it took for him to feel in control enough to return to their house.

“Who is Lucas?”

Arthur took a deep breath, “Lucas is my wolf...”

“Is he… like a different person or something?”

Arthur chuckled, “Sort of. It’s complicated to explain.”

“Do you talk to him?”

“Yeah,” Arthur sighed. “He really likes the way you smell too.”

Daphne huffed, “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Sorry.”

She was so warm and she smelled so good. He felt more in control now, more steady. He could be gentle. Carefully, he wrapped his arms around her, just enough to pull her closer. When she didn’t cry out in pain, he sighed in relief.

Lucas growled in content and Arthur couldn’t help but agree. He had never felt more at ease.

Soon, Daphne pulled back and Arthur winced at the blood and dirt that had gotten on her dress. It was just the blood and dirt that was on him from fighting, but it was still frustrating.

“I'm sorry I messed up your dress.”

Daphne laughed, “Come on, it's just a dress! If it makes you feel better to hold me, then you can hold me a little longer.”

Arthur smiled a bit and brought her back against him, sinking into the warm comfort of Daphne's scent. He turned his face so his nose was buried in her hair and his lips were just against her neck.

She smelled so good, so warm and inviting.

Mark her. Lucas said. Bite her.

Arthur frowned at Lucas’ urging. He didn’t want to hurt her. Lucas growled and pushed him, forcing the urge to bite and mark her to the forefront of Arthur’s mind until it was nearly overwhelming. He opened his mouth and closed it again with a click, restraining himself. She wasn’t a werewolf, and even if she had been a werewolf, it would still hurt. He didn't want her to feel pain at all, let alone because of him.

Lucas growled in his chest, pushing harder at Arthur’s control.

She’s our mate. Mark her!

Arthur shuddered as he drew tense trying to fight the urge. His breathing grew labored, and he clenched his jaw, turning his head from her neck. He wouldn’t risk making her fear him even more just to satisfy Lucas.

He could wait for as long as it took.

Daphne tensed in his arms, “What's wrong, Arthur? Is this not working?”

He took her by her shoulders and pushed her away from him. His arms shook as Lucas fought him.

Mark our mate, now!

“I’m sorry. I-I can’t—”

Daphne grabbed his wrists, “What are you trying to do? Are you going to hurt yourself again? I won’t allow it!”

Arthur shook his head, “No... You're too close to me. I want to mark you because you're my mate. I can’t resist the urge, so—”

Daphne frowned and tilted her head in confusion, “What do you mean by that?”

Arthur winced. He wasn’t sure exactly what it meant. It was just an instinct. Lucas was urging him to do it.

“Well… it’s… It’s a bite on your neck that leaves a mark that means you’re… mine. Lucas is--”

“A bite?”

Arthur nodded, his face burning with embarrassment. “It’s nothing. Really. I just… can’t be that close to you. He’ll calm down eventually.”

No, I won’t! Arthur winced at the rush of Lucas’ anger through him. He understood. He wanted to bond with Daphne, but he didn’t want to hurt her. She was just human. What if he accidentally killed her because he couldn’t control his strength?

Daphne watched Arthur seem to war with himself and was a little torn. She knew that many animals would leave their mark on their mate's body, but she wasn’t in love with Arthur, and she wasn’t entirely convinced of them being mates. She did like him a little, considering all the trials and tribulations they'd been through together, and he was her friend and comrade. Maybe more could come but that was the future

Still, at least for now, they had to rely on each other to live. She saw the struggle and pain in Arthur's eyes, and she wanted to help him. Would it be such a bad thing? If it helped Arthur keep in control, wouldn’t it be worth it?

She closed her eyes, “Well, as long as you don't tear my throat out... I'll allow you to bite me.”

Arthur snarled. Her eyes snapped open as he lunged at her. She screamed as his weight forced her to the ground and his teeth sunk into her neck.