Eithan:

The after effects of the solstice moon was never pleasant. Eithan felt as if his body was being torn in half, as if the two different sides of him was fighting. The bloodthirsty side always lost in the end but as the inner battle raged, Eithan wanted to do nothing but sit and rest. But he had no time for that- he was sure Orion Montague wouldn't be sleeping. He and Yasmin would've already restarted their trek to Pamukkale. Eithan was still confused about why the three of them hadn't started off again, but of course it was because of Kodiak Montague. His wounds from protecting Nathaly had taken a toll on his human being and Nathaly had reiterated that they would not move a foot until Kodiak was healed. 

Of course everything depended on the Montague. 

Eithan scowled in disgust at the thought. It was a Montague trait,  discernable in each and every one of them. Everything had to be about the Montagues. Everything under the sun had to stop moving until the Montague was ready. At the heated thought Eithan's head flared up again, a silent warning. He cursed and sunk onto the rot-infested log. It bent beneath his weight. He made the mistake of glancing up at Nathaly, who was still leaning over Kodiak's peaceful form. She gingerly wiped the wounds she had stitched and disinfected earlier. The gentleness in her gaze was clearly written on her face. Eithan turned away again, not wanting to let the green envy grow once more. Eithan knew he was being petulant for wishing that maybe, just maybe, she could look at him like that. But was he? 

Eithan's traiterous mind flashed back to the night, the terror that snaked through him when he saw Nathaly lying on the ground, defenseless. Being with her for over a week, Eithan had learned that she wasn't a helpless dame. She could most certainly take care of herself, and she liked it no other way. So for her to be trembling on the forest floor, rage penetrated every cell of his being. It might've been the one time he and Kodiak agreed: that they were going to kill every single one of those bastards. Obviously, due to Kodiak's enhanced form, he sped away, leaving Eithan to try to desperately catch up. As a Capulet, he did have extra agility, strength, and speed but they were no match for Kodiak's sprint. In any race, the wolf would always prevail. Kodiak tore through each man, barely flinching as he was peppered with wounds. When Eithan managed to make it to the grove, there was two men standing. Kodiak was already done one so Eithan had attacked the other, who was towering over Nathaly. His blood tasted sweeter from victory. 

He shifted, and part of the log beneath him crumbled. Another one of his impossible fantasies  screened through his mind, playing out every meticulously planned scene.

"Oh, Eithan. Why must you scare me like that?" Nathaly's hand fluttered to her chest briefly. Eithan smirked as she wiped a speck of blood from under his brow. Her featherlight touch smarted against his skin.

"You know I wouldn't let them hurt you, Nathaly." 

"Yes but I am perfectly capable of defending myself," she replied hotly. 

He barked out a laugh. "I have no doubt, love. But there were too many." He looked around. "Where's Kodiak?" She waved her hand off in the distance. 

"Bathing somewhere, I believe. Not that I care."

Eithan hummed, lifting his arm to let his fingers rest at the nape of her neck. She shivered slightly. 

"I thought you women delight in seeing things like that," he teased.

"He doesn't hold a candle to you." She said in a low voice. He dipped down towards her, encircling his arms around her, and... 

Eithan sighed and pushed the fantasy out of his head. That was all it would ever be. A fantasy. No matter what he did, Nathaly only seemed to have eyes for Kodiak. Of course, that was just an assumption. But did he dare to hope?

You will never know until you try.

Eithan stiffened, glancing back at her again. There was no denying she was beautiful. Her hair was as brown as oak, her eyes sparkling like molten amber. But what he found he loved about her was her ferociousness, her passion. 

Love. 

Love was a difficult thing, Eithan had decided. It could be traitorous yet alluring at once. He knew with utmost sincerity that he loved Nathaly but he didn't dare to ask her what she felt. He feared that he would be crushed from her response. And Nathaly wasn't the type to be soft, gentle. She would state it bluntly, in his face.

You don't know that, Eithan. 

Eithan pursed his lips and after a moment of indecision, stalked to where she was attending to Kodiak. With every step, he formulated a plan in his mind. Yes, this was the right time to get close to her. Kodiak sleeping, she was still shocked by the fight that happened last time. Eithan would be her knight, swooping in to offer comfort while Kodiak slept soundly. He would wake up and hardly know a thing. Eithan ducked behind his tent and peeked his head out, his replenished hopes crumbling when he saw Kodiak, who was now awake. Nathaly was murmuring to him in low voices, adjusting the pillow beneath him. Her silk-like tresses fell over her shoulder in a thick curtain of sienna brown. He cursed again. Determined to hear what they were saying, Eithan picked his way smoothly through the campground, maneuvering to the closest possible position. When he could hear their voices, he smiled bitterly. At least he could hear their exchange and figure out once and for all, if she had feelings for him. Eithan crawled forwards a bit more, a small twig snapping beneath his boot. He cringed and froze. Kodiak, although drowsy from his wounds, cocked his head in Eithan's direction. 

"Did you hear something?" From her rigid position, Eithan could tell Nathaly had heard it too. Her knife flashed from her wrist.

"You must teach me to do that," Kodiak muttered with a small smile. Nathaly's golden eyes sweeped the clearing intensely. When she finally relented, turning back to Kodiak, Eithan exhaled and tilted forwards. 

"How are you feeling, Kodiak?" She brushed her hands over his many injuries. 

"You should call me Kodi. Everyone else does." Nathaly gave him an exasperated look.

"Answer the question."

"I'm breathing, am I not?" Nathaly's lips curved into a crescent smile, beautiful and pure. 

"Alright, Kodi," she taunted, putting emphasis on his nickname. "If you are desperate to be so informal, then you may call me Nat. Only my brother does, occasionally." 

"Nat. Hmm, I quite like it." With a grunt, Kodiak attempted to sit up. Nathaly's smile dropped off her face and she lay him back down.

"You are not getting up." At the sound of his protests, Nathaly held a hand up, shaking her head sharply. "I will not have you ripping the stitches out. I don't want you to be in more pain."

"You have a mission and I swore on my blood and bone that I would make sure you succeed. And we are most definitely not going to succeed if I'm stuck here on bed rest. You won't get anywhere with Eithan." Eithan's lips tugged down in a frown. He was fully confident in his abilities to support Nathaly in her mission but another more prudent question struck his mind: what did Kodiak mean by swearing on blood and bone? The only thing you could swear on was an Oath. Eithan's heart sank to his boots. If Kodiak had taken a blood Oath for Nathaly... he didn't even want to finish the rest of the statement. Acrid stomach acid soured his mouth. 

"Don't be too hard on him, Kodi," she chided. Eithan's head shot up so fast that it almost hit the stake above his head. Was she defending him?

"It's not his fault he was forced to come with me. The Capulets must not have had any better options." Eithan wilted, forcing the urge to yell at both of them. They had sent Eithan because Yasmin was his sister, not because they wanted someone to represent the Capulet clan. All his hope withered in his chest but he forced himself to keep listening.

Kodiak snorted his approval and Nathaly sat back on her heels.

"This conversation is over, Kodiak. You are resting. I will not allow you to continue until you are healed to the extent I am content with."

He exhaled. "Why, Nat? By staying here, it's not helping you. You were the one to tell me how much this mission meant for your dream. Please don't let these pesky wounds hold you back from achieving it," he pleaded with her. Nathaly dropped her head so Eithan couldn't see the expression on her face. 

"I can't lose you too, Kodiak," she said softly, voice breaking. The raw pain in her voice almost caused Eithan to stumble. The emotion and desire and grief in her voice struck him hard. What had happened to her? And when had they talked about it? Eithan's mind became sluggish with the multitude of questions, that would be forever unanswered. Kodiak's expression was one of rare tenderness as he held her hand in his. The sight of their hands together made Eithan's stomach turn. 

"Where is this coming from, Nat?" He prodded gently. "Is it because of your parents?" 

"No, not just that. This is something else. I'm not sure what it is but all I know is that I won't be able to live with myself if you die due to my mishaps. I couldn't bear it," she whispered, shaking her head vigorously. 

He covered their hands with his other one. "I'm not going anywhere. I swore, remember? I've suffered much more than a few arrow wounds. Trust me." He turned himself and rested his head near her folded legs. After a silent moment, he lifted his head and put in on her legs.

"Is this alright?" His voice was hushed, barely a whisper.

"Yes," she replied, equally as intense. He sighed and let his eyes flutter close as she sifted her hands through his black curls. Eithan didn't know how long he had been watching them, but all he knew was that he needed to know whether she loved Kodiak or not now.  He didn't know how much longer he could go on without knowing, just pondering her answer for hours and hours. With grim decision, he retreated. Next time they were alone, he would confront her. If not, he didn't know what would happen to him.