Sometimes I wished Almec wasn't so stubborn. I used to think that in a critical situation, he would have the sense to give in, or at least that it wouldn't take him as long as usual.

I was wrong.

Two long weeks passed since our last fight and Almec still didn't speak to me. Maybe he thought I would give in first like in the past, but I was ready to resist whatever was necessary.

It was the lonely nights that made me wonder if I had made the right decision or if I was causing us both pain for nothing. My wolf gave me strength in those moments, reminding me that, otherwise, Almec could meet a much worse fate.

The worst of all was that thanks to the mate bond I could feel his pain. Almec continued to act like the tough guy but he couldn't hide it from me. I was the only one who knew how much he was suffering and I couldn't come close to comfort him.

Every task became almost impossible to do when he was around, even if it was something as simple as helping Myra decorate the outside of her store for spring.

"He's been staring at you all morning," Myra told me, taping another paper flower against the stained glass window. "With that intensity I don't know how you're still standing."

"I got used to it after the first week." I looked at Almec out of the corner of my eye. "Besides, it kinda reminds me of when we first met."

Almec was in the plaza just across the street, arranging the last details for the hunting trip with some of the warriors.

He seemed distressed, almost jumping to attack at any loud sound. Not even the warriors approached him, every time Almec closed the distance they took a secret step back. The only ones who stayed by his side were Feinid and Geldra.

"You still not talking?" Myra asked me.

I nodded. "And I don't think we'll be doing it anytime soon. We only see each other outside the mansion at times like these."

"I'm starting to understand why you didn't want to give me the details of your fight. It must have been pretty messed up if you're still being like this. It's the first time I've seen them so far apart."

"I don't know if it was that bad." I climbed down the ladder after hanging some flower garlands. "It was the combination of all the arguments that left us in this state, the last fight only served to destroy our patience."

"Well, he obviously misses you or else he wouldn't be paying more attention to you than hunting plans," Myra said, patting my shoulder. "Why don't you go talk to him first?"

"Because I'm waiting for him to give me signs that this time he's really going to change." My gaze met Almec's and I looked quickly at the floor. "I'm tired of always perpetuating the same circle."

I wasn't lying when I said that I had already gotten used to Almec's looks, still, that didn't make it any easier. I could feel him begging me to come closer with his gaze. The way his expression softened when he found me made me want to run to him and forgive him instantly.

No, he needs to come to his senses, I told myself, returning my attention to the tea shop.

"Are you going to at least wish him luck on the hunting trip?" Myra asked me. "If you don't want to make it so obvious you can always go and wish luck to all the hunters. I'm pretty sure it's tradition for the luna to do that."

"That's not a bad idea," I muttered, setting the duct tape down on the small table. "Should I go now?"

"You totally should," Myra told me with a big smile. "I can see you miss him, at least this way you can wish him good luck without it being so awkward."

"I'm not sure if I can do it." I started picking my nails.

I needed a lot of strength to be close to Almec and not touch him. After such a long period apart, even my wolf began to falter.

How could I talk to him and not start crying, asking him to come back to me once and for all?

"Yes, you can," Myra insisted, grabbing me by the arm. "Let's go together and if you need to leave I can make an excuse."

"You're the best," I told her as she dragged me down the street.

As soon as I set foot in the square my hands started to shake. If it weren't for Myra not letting go of my arm, I would have tried to escape.

"You're going to be okay," she said, leading me toward the group of warriors.

Almec was the first to notice my presence, which did not surprise me considering that he had been following me all morning with his gaze.

He raised his hand towards me as if he were calling me, but he immediately lowered it again.

"Luna," one of the warriors greeted me, bowing his head. "What brings you here? Did you come to say hello to the husband before we leave? We can give you some privacy if you want."

Almec tensed at that moment, clenching his fists against the side of his body. His scent turned bitter, indicating that he got angry. It was a subtle change but for someone who spent as much time around him as I did it was easy to recognize.

"Show your luna some respect, Derrick," Geldra scolded him, patting Almec on the back.

"Sorry, it was just a joke." The warrior smiled at Geldra.

"Don't let it happen again," Almec told him, his expression was still calm but the tone of his voice made it sound like a threat.

Everyone stood still, looking from Almec to Derrick.

I felt bad for the poor young man who couldn't even look Almec in the eyes without shaking.

"We're here to wish everyone good luck on your trip," Myra said, saving Derrick.

Almec looked at me and tilted his head, almost as if he was looking for a hidden intention in my actions.

"He knows us so well," my wolf told me, happy to receive attention from her mate.

"Go ahead then." Almec slowly approached me with unsteady steps. "Having the blessing of the luna is an omen of good luck."

The rest of those present nodded, moving out of the way so Almec could get to me.

I clenched my fist against my pants to contain the desire to cross the rest of the distance between us running. He stood next to me, almost stealing my breath.

"Well, were you going to tell us something?" Almec looked down at me, pressing his body against mine.

I held my breath as I felt his touch, that simple rose was the only touch I received from Almec for two weeks and my weak body begged me for more.

"I just wanted to wish you good luck on your journey. May the Moon Goddess protect you and show you the right path," I said, looking at each of them except Almec. "Thank you for doing this job for the pack and do me the favor of returning my husband to me in one piece."

"He protects us more than we protect him," one of the warriors answered. "But we will do the best we can."

"Thank you." I looked up after feeling Almec's hand brushing mine.

"You're underestimating my abilities, I'm the strongest here," he said, almost smiling. "Besides, I will always come back to you."

My heart jumped. Not everything was lost, regardless of the circumstances, the bond between Almec and I remained firm and that made me want to fight for us even more.

But wanting the best for Almec meant doing everything possible so he didn't give up on himself. No matter how much it cost me I was going to get Almec to give his lycan a chance.

"It's time to go," Almec announced. "Any last questions about the plan?"

None of them had anything to ask. The time to leave had arrived.

Hunting trips were almost a routine for warriors, especially for Almec. Still, I was worried that something could happen to him.

"He said he's coming back to us." My wolf tried to calm me down.

I know, I have to trust him.

It's not that I thought Almec was weak, what worried me was his mental state and the fact that any strong emotion was enough to wake the lycan.

"Be careful," I told Almec after he took his first steps away from me.

He turned around, giving me a smile for the first time in a long time.

"I already told you I'm coming back." He sounded harsh but his gaze was soft. "Have a little faith in me."

***

"I'll be leaving now, don't stay up too much longer," Demian told me, patting my head. "He's not going to come back any faster because you're sitting on the stairs waiting for him."

"I know."

I really knew it but it didn't change anything. Even if I went to bed I wouldn't be able to sleep thinking that Almec hadn't arrived yet.

"He's going to be fine, sometimes hunting trips can last all night." Demian walked through the main entrance and closed the door behind him.

I closed my eyes for a moment, rubbing my forehead. Tiredness almost managed to drag me to the room I shared with Faustina, but my concern for Almec was even greater.

The door opened again. I didn't open my eyes thinking that it was Demian who had forgotten something.

"Why are you still awake?"

Almec's voice surprised me, making me open my eyes and snap immediately.

"I was waiting for you," I replied, fighting my desire to jump into his arms.

"Well, here I am. Go to sleep." Almec walked past me, bumping my shoulder as he climbed the first step.

"Something happened?" I asked him.

Even though we were not in the best moment of our relationship, Almec was never rude to me. I could expect him to ignore me but his attitude at that moment was something else.

"And what does it matter to you? The last two weeks you didn't even talk to me, you don't need to worry now."

"So something happened." I followed him, keeping the distance between us. "Otherwise you wouldn't be so angry."

"Nothing happened, stop asking!" Almec quickened his steps. "Go now and stop bothering me."

"Then why were you so late?"

"Because sometimes animals don't want to be hunted and it takes longer to catch them."

His condescending tone only increased my anger.

"Stop running like a coward!" I yelled at him, reaching out to grab him but Almec ran away.

"You stop chasing me! Go to your sister's room and leave me alone like you already did for two weeks."

His outburst paralyzed me for a few seconds, long enough for Almec to run and get away from me.

As soon as I reacted, I followed his scent to our room.

Sounds of things breaking came from inside, followed by a howl.

"The lycan is here," my wolf told me, alerting me before I opened the door.

We have to help him.

Luckily for me, Almec hadn't placed the keys and I was able to open the door without problems.

With careful steps, I entered the room. My gaze did not move from the lycan who had one of my dresses in his hands.

I expected him to tear the dress in half, however, he pressed his nose against the fabric and let out another howl.

"He's crying," my wolf told me.

The giant, scary Lycan was crying, clinging to my dress instead of going into a fit of rage like I expected.

I looked around him and that's when I realized that the noise I had heard was him breaking the closet door to get to my clothes.

"Sweetheart, it's okay, I'm here," I said, getting the Lycan's attention.

He dropped the dress and ran towards me. Without warning he picked me up with one of his hands and put me against his chest.

"Everything is fine, calm down," I said, caressing his fur. "I won't go anywhere."

The lycan let out another cry, clinging to me tighter, but not enough to hurt me.

We were right, I told my wolf. He is not a monster.