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𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃

𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐩, 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞. At first it was her scent, which was alluring already, then came the subtle whimpers that left her mouth throughout the night. He didn't understand what was going on with her, but he wanted to make sure that she was okay when she woke. Felix knew that if something was wrong she would tell him now, especially after what happened at the bar.

The way she clung to his arms drove him mad with need, but he pushed the desire brewing in his chest away. Aurora did not want him and until she did he would stay away from any sort of sexual contact, despite his temptations. Every small nuzzle into his chest and arms made Felix wish that she was awake and not torturing him so. The brush of her fingertips against his shoulders sent warmth through him. Felix, cold to the touch, brought back to heat through his mate, who has a higher body temperature than the average human being.

Though a knock on the door sent Felix into protective mode, cuddling his mate close to his chest as she slept. In came his king, Caius to be specific. He hissed, knowing that he would try to take his mate away from him. Felix didn't want that. He wanted to stay for as long as it took for Aurora to wake up. It would be terrible for her to wake up alone in his eyes, especially after the events of last night. She needed comfort, someone to hold her as she slept. A kind of comfort that could only be provided from a mate. Caius couldn't just barge in here as Aurora slept and take away her protection! Felix thought it was an invasion of their privacy. She didn't smell right and now his boss was here, about to bug him about his job? Felix thought his most important job was to be with his mate, guarding others could come after.

"Last time I checked, you have a job to do," Caius snapped, not taking a second to look at Aurora as she laid happy on her mate's lap. Felix knew he had a job to do, but he wouldn't do it if it interfered with his mate's happiness. She needed him at almost all hours, no matter if she knew that or not. Wolves keep their companions with them, always, and all jobs will have to wait until Felix can take her somewhere, or at least know if she's okay. Caius however doesn't care about anything but jobs. His mate must be lonely up in the towers, away from her mate. The blonde king of the Volturi historically has no sympathy for his covenmates and their mately issues. Because if it doesn't happen to him he won't care. "So what are you doing in your room? Spending more time with the wolf who will never accept you? Get over yourself, stop being sappy, and get to the guard room for orders."

His words stung. Cold, calculated, he knows what he's doing. Caius knows how to get under people's skin, how to hurt them in ways they never thought possible. He's in no place to talk about Felix's bond, but he did. He always would, until the end of time. If it had to do with the coven, he found a way to make it about himself. Would Aurora never forgive him for the things his coven has done, because that's the only way he would manage to lose her forever. That hate would burrow deep inside until she exploded, and Felix couldn't bear to think of what that loathing would do to their bond. Shriveled up and always on the verge of death. It could very well kill them both. No, he wouldn't think of this right now. Caius was just trying to get to him because he hates him right now, for something he cannot control.

Sending a menacing look, Caius started again, "I mean, who would want a vampire when a wolf has their entire pack? Who would want someone who can't understand their species at all? You couldn't notice something wrong with your mate even if you tried. Written in your DNA, it tells you that you should hate her, want to tear her apart with those enhanced teeth my brother bestowed upon you five hundred years ago. You should have been seething with anger just as she had at the idea of your bond. It should repulse you, but I see that you are far too weak of a vampire and a man to see that. There is no world in which Children of the Moon and vampires can get along. Too much damage has been done and I will not allow any of my guards to slack because of an unworthy bond between our enemies' future leader."

Felix let blow after blow hit, for he knew that challenging his master would disturb his mate. "This is a betrayal that only I seem to understand. Many years ago we had vampires in this coven who wanted to make peace with those beasts, but they learned the hard way that wolves hold grudges and that vampires are stuck in stone. They're all dead, Felix, and will always be that way because of those hideous things you have sympathy for. Our people, my family, have died at their hands. Don't let her pollute your mind, she knows what she's doing when she makes you renounce us. She'll steal you away and make you the enemy faster than that wolf ten hundred years ago tried to pounce on me. She will bring nothing but war for us.

"Oh and don't even get me started on the smell of her. Even now she pollutes this entire castle with her stench. How you manage to find this girl attractive is beyond me. There is nothing that any vampire could find alluring on her. Eyes yellow and teeth sharpened. Danger for us all, Felix, and I'll not have you further risking us by taking too many days off. You've been a good guard for the past five hundred years, don't let that change because of a single wolf."

Caius' words cut deeper with each and every word against him and his mate. He wished that someone else had come in to tell him off. Even Jane couldn't hurt him this badly. She doesn't have power over his life or his job and status. Caius could figure out a way to get him and Aurora killed if he so pleased. There is no world in which Caius does not have sway over the decisions Marcus and Aro make, and even if they didn't let him kill Felix, he knew that the price of making him look like a fool would bring a fate worse than death. Caius, the angry king, is always ready to destroy someone's well-being through tactics not used by even the cruelest of kings.

At this moment Felix hated his job. If he could quit just to be with Aurora until she woke up he would, but Caius' glare told him that what he wants doesn't matter. Leaving her would hurt more than anything he'd ever done, but he would come back when his shift is over. Come back to the homeliness that his mate brings. That eternal comfort he got when she wrapped her arms around him and rubbed her nose against his collarbones. Even if Aurora doesn't know what she's doing as she sleeps soundly, it brings Felix closer than ever before to understanding the inner workings of his mate. She could be so calm, so gentle and loving if given the chance. Her scent is what he comes back to night after night, day after day, and today he would savor the sweet smell his mate gave off.

"Her scent is off," was his last ditch effort at getting to stay back with her for a few more hours. At least one hour to see if something is wrong with her. The sweet floral scent tempted him and intrigued him at the same time.

"Get out."

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

𝐖𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐱 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐈 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝. Of course, the wretched week came. Four or five days of actual hell, and Felix isn't here. He... isn't here? Why isn't he here? My chest tightened at the thought that my mate couldn't be here for the start of my heat. Hadn't he noticed the change during the night, the slickening of the room and the quickening of my heart? The signs should have been obvious to any normal person. Even humans could notice the changes, however subtle to humanity's crappy senses.

Then it suddenly hit, harder than I'd expected: he left. He wasn't in the room. He stayed until I woke up before. Yesterday morning, when we'd drank the night prior. How could he not stay? Why would he leave me when he should have felt the changes occuring in my body? No other options but that he left me here alone, to suffer this heat alone. Only that I can't do this alone, not this time. This heat would be the end of me if he leaves. Does he not care that I'll die here in his room if he doesn't come back? I'll go crazy and then die!

A whimper escaped at the thought. After everything I've done, after how far I've come, only to be killed by a mate who doesn't care enough to stay with me until the morning. Whether it was the hormones or the situation, I knew I hated him. I hated him with everything I had. I would throw lava on him if I could just to save myself from this suffering. This is a fate worse than death. He's a fucking idiot who doesn't care at all, that's what he is. He better not dare show his face around me or I may show him exactly what angry wolves do to mates who wrong them in any way. I may not be able to kill you directly, but once any of my pack members find out about this they'll do the job for me and put me out of my misery.

Just like before, Felix had become the abomination that I learned to deal with. The horrible man who didn't have my best interest at heart. My heart longed for what I used to have, the man who held me as I slept, but I guessed that it was only a facade for everyone else. A front put up because we were in front of others. When push came to shove, he wouldn't be there for me, allowing me to die instead of completing the bond with the enemy species. Who was I kidding? We'd always be enemies. Written in our blood and in the countless slaughters on both sides. Even before genocide we hated one another, this had just made that loathing clear. Because even if Felix could see past my wolf, he would never see into her the same way a true wolf could. There's no way for him to connect, to love me the way I need him to.

Tears streamed down my face at the thought that this is the end for me. I didn't have the strength to move, or to eat. I couldn't grab my phone to send a message, and my mental link felt weak under the searing heat that coursed through my veins. Hot flashes flushed over my skin, stinging my eyes as tears poured out of me. My emotions begged me to move, to not die alone, but it was too late, my heat taking over. I was but a broken down wolf unable to contact anyone, leaving me forever alone. My thighs rubbed together painfully as I tried to throw myself off of the bed, to no avail.

Feelings of hate and love came together. I wanted him so badly, to have him to myself during my time of need. I'd planned to let him have me, to keep myself alive, but now that he's gone I don't know if I want to. Why am I so unsure about whether I want to live or die? It should be obvious, but the line feels so blurred now that I'm dying from the inside out. Fuck it hurts so badly. My entire body is on fire and there's only one thing that can satisfy me. Felix. He's the only one who could ever satisfy the desire brewing between my legs. I hate that he's not here, but I want him between my legs and taking me apart. It might be the hormones talking, but I just need him so badly.

The first wave came while I slept, but now as the second wave hit, I knew no peace. It hurdled through any calm I'd gained in my deep thoughts of dead and suffering. This was the true suffering. It coursed through my veins and I could hear my heartbeat as it dropped in my chest. A low but fluttering rhythm left me breathless and struggling to find room in my lungs to breathe. Moans slid from my mouth, though no pleasure could be found as the door to my room opened up. I screeched in pain and annoyance as I saw Alec on the other side of the door, plate of food in hand. I cried out, making him take another step towards me. It wouldn't be so horrifying if I wasn't in heat. Another growl left through my lips as I threw blankets over my face to cover up my blushed face.

I felt bad for Alec, who was only a child and likely didn't understand what was happening to me right now. Heats were no place for men, especially when a woman is missing her mate. Even if he held food that could fill my stomach, his presence did more harm than good. Those red eyes held fear as my own eyes turned a glowing yellow, my teeth protruding from my gums instinctually. Once he put down the plate of food on one of the many stands in the room, he turned tail, running away from my fury. If he had stayed any longer or had tried to make conversation there was no doubt in my mind that I would have tried to kill him. I would have killed him. Having men near me right now makes me want to vomit and throw myself off a roof.

My third wave felt so much worse than the second. This time I couldn't help the scream that rippled out of my body. I hoped that the vampires who came through these halls (even if they are few in number. Who would want to go down the hall with the true wolf lingering inside?) didn't take notice of my pain. I don't need vampires with skin perfect for biting in here. The best I can do right now is take a few bites out of my pillows. They'll need to be replaced when I'm dead. Maybe when Felix dies they'll turn this room into something nice. Lovely. He'll be dead as well. Just wonderful, screwing yourself over as well as me by leaving me here alone. I should storm out and throw you off a tower for such a thing. He fucking deserves death, but I don't want him to die. Even if he deserves it, he's my mate, and I'll always hold some level of care for that asshole.

A cold chill ran down my spine as I flipped back over onto my stomach. I had to curl up into the fetal position to cope. I couldn't think of food right now. Even when Alec, that poor vampire child, did his best to find me some nice food, food is the last thing I want right now. All I can do is look over at the wall and at the plate placed before me. Staring longingly, looking for something to do in my last days on this Earth. Call me dramatic, but I know my fate. This is the end for me and I'd be an idiot to think otherwise. Once vampires make up their minds they won't change, I've learned that many times over and it costs me every time. He isn't coming back. If he knows about my heat he won't be coming back. Felix will leave me and won't think twice about it. My heart will break and I'll die with Arcadia wondering why he said so much about wanting to get to know me before he left.

Arcadia did not resurface during my heat, allowing me to deal with it myself. I had to thank her for the privacy, even if we shared a single body. Our souls, while wrapped around together and connected, are separate. We are two different beings who have two minds and almost two bodies. While I normally like that, I need her now. I need her comfort, to tell me that everything will be okay even if it wont. I need her presence as I break down and die with her. She should be here with me as we die, as if my body dies she will as well. One in the same yet two different beings. Our deep need for each other... I wouldn't change it for the world.

I'll let death consume me. 

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

𝐎𝐡, 𝐢𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝑺𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒂. No phones were allowed, courtesy of the blonde bastard with a fake crown stationed on top of his head. Felix tried to fight back against the assignment, but neither Marcus or Aro were available to hear his pleas. He'd been left alone, with nobody able to defend him against the king who doesn't care about anyone but himself and his views on things. The mission went off without a hitch, but the entire time Felix felt like something was completely wrong. It started with an ache in his chest and turned into a burning headache that persisted throughout the course of the mission. He'd damn Caius for both of those things when he gets back and files a formal complaint.

When he came back with Demetri, Afton, and Lucio he didn't expect to be met with a frantic Alec. Of course the boy had been assigned by Felix to bring Aurora food three times a day (which Caius hated, but had to accept lest she starve in her room. It seemed that she wouldn't want to be around the humans or vampires after the events of the night before his departure,) but he didn't expect it to be a hassle. No, Aurora loved food and would accept it from Alec, who seems to have the best relationship with her (barring himself) out of the elite guard. Well things didn't seem to go as planned in the castle, with many guard members coming up to ask what was happening in his hallway. It wasn't his, he had to remind them once again.

Younger guards being frantic isn't uncommon. Newborns are hard to tame with flaring emotions, but from the way they described the situation Felix was sure something was up. Not only had Aurora not been eating for two whole days, which for a wolf would be nearing starvation at this point since their bodies burn up more calories than humans and vampires, but she had threw things at Alec when he came in and stirred up a fight with Jane when she came in after hearing her brother scream. From what he got from the guards who heard the conflict as it happened, things were thrown and Aurora almost killed Jane with a bite that almost was.

The conclusion made by other guards was that his mate was mighty upset about something and wasn't to be messed with under any circumstances. Alec became too frightened to enter her room after the first day, which Felix couldn't blame him for as he's seen Aurora be a terror. No food, little amounts of water, and isolation was what Aurora had picked for her next moment of unrest. Felix couldn't pinpoint what caused this amount of distress in his mate, but he knew that his mood was being affected by her anxiety. The bond connection made him worry far more than usual, checking things over in his mission seemingly thousands of times over before letting it go through.

Now that he could look back at it, he wished that he hadn't caved into his master's cruel mission. Siberia is a place that doesn't need two elite guards. A simple issue in terms of territory doesn't need two days either, but Caius informed him that he didn't want him back until today. Why had he allowed himself to cave into his power? If he could have told him no, stood his ground a little longer, he would have been able to prevent his mate from being so upset. Something inside of Felix knew that it was his absence that caused this unrest through their bond. Who wouldn't be upset if their mate had to leave suddenly? Although he didn't expect such an extreme reaction, he now knew that it was reasonable for a newly formed mating bond. They hadn't progressed far enough to be able to be that far away from each other, so why would Caius be so cruel to them?

Cowardice is not accepted within the guard. Felix knew that very well, and had seen the ramifications of that unwritten rule in their code. The kings expect strong guards able to power through any tough situation. Well, he and Caius' small argument (although it was quite one-sided in retrospect) would be considered a tough situation, yet Felix had chosen the easy way out, to give into a temptation. When he did it he expected that his mate would find the little note he had bargained with Caius to give her. The king knew he would be in big trouble with his brothers if he had not allowed that before Felix's departure. That tiny note couldn't be enough, but it had to be. Because it was all he could give in that moment, and he would have to apologize for that later, when this new situation was dealt with.

While he was tempted to find his phone to see if Aurora was alright, he remembered that he had left that device in the guard room, and that he didn't have time for such things. His mate needed him now and nothing could stop him from getting to her. He had long missed the smell of her hair and how she wrapped her arms around him, the faint flicker of her heartbeat and her sweet eyes as they looked up at him.

Walking into the hallway, he felt a distinctly abnormal presence looming around. The corridor didn't hold his or any vampire scent anyone, overtaken by a floral scent that felt utterly intoxicating to Felix's senses. It was everything he could imagine when it came to beauty, and it suddenly hit him that the poisonous smell was coming from his room.

His door had been locked at some point, as now he could barely pick the lock with a stray hairpin he'd found in the hallway. It was embarrassing, being locked out, and he didn't want to intrude on his mate and her anger, but something was incredibly wrong with Aurora and he couldn't allow her to suffer alone with whatever she's going through. After everything they'd been through and after all of their bond progression he wouldn't let her go, not now and not ever. He'd do anything to placate her anger and upset, no matter the cost. If it was the loss of her pack, he would bring her back to Washington for a visit. If it was something else entirely he would figure it out and bring back her happy smile and normal scent.

Those attuned senses almost made him forget about finding his mate in that room, but a deep and dark growl filled with hate cut off any thoughts of Aurora's scent. Now he could look, could truly see the damage that had been done in the room. Clothes were scattered about, with the last plate of food right where it had been left. Everything was a complete and utter mess, but that wasn't the worst of it. Blankets were thrown, vases broken, the bookshelf would have to be replaced. The note that he left was nowhere to be found, likely amidst the chaos in their room. No, the worst of it wasn't that forlorn paper, it was Aurora. Dangerous pink eyes stared back at him from a corner of the bed, the rest of her body covered by a single thin white sheet that almost seemed damp.

Something was very, very wrong.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝. My growling could not be tamed as Felix stared deeply into my neon pink eyes. The changes occurring to my body were not foreign, but my peak had never lasted this long. Often gone during the night or at least placated by the dawn, but now I was continually experiencing the pain and pleasure that came with the high, never to come down. This was hell, getting what you want but not what you need. My orgasms were short, almost cut off, and left me unsatisfied. I knew I'd soiled the sheets with my slick and pheromones.

Felix had been on my mind for two days. I both spited and longed for his touch for so long that having him here now felt almost overwhelming. The trickle of heat that flushed over my body as he took in my miserable state made me want to pounce, to make him give me what I needed to survive. I would be dead by the end of the day if I continued to peak. If this heat doesn't settle, my heart will give out from the adrenaline and overexertion. A canine-like growl fell through, as I knew the reason why I'd been put in this situation in the first place. He had left me here to die after... everything. My scent was off and yet he continued to leave. Either he hates me or is just a dumbass. I don't want a dumbass for a mate, but having him hate me feels even worse as my emotions run high.

I almost felt ruined. Now he's here with eyes a lustful coal, and I don't know if I could refuse him. I want to hate him so much, to hate what he's done to me, how he's taken me down and turned me to ruin, but I just can't. No, I could never hate Felix. Veter was right about that bit. I hate many things in life and have grown to hate many people over the years, but my loathing could never be directed at my mate. Not when he looks at me with so much care or when he lets me fall asleep on his lap. I can't hate the man who's too tall and who brings me food when I'm too lazy to come out of our room. Because even if I'm ruined I'm ruined for him.

He moved too fast for me to comprehend in my peak, arms now wrapping themselves around my unhappy self. I let out a small screech at the closeness, not ready to do anything with him yet. My heat was too strong to be able to enjoy anything he could do to me, and I still haven't forgiven his absence. I don't think he understood, trying to pull me onto his lap. Another screech finally prompted him to stop what he was doing and look down at me as I squirmed around.

"What's wrong?" He asked, voice low with lust but still filled with worry. "Aurora I am so, so sorry for leaving you alone, but I haven't got a clue what's going on and Alec said you tried to attack Jane while I was gone and while that isn't unlike you I am very much worried about you right now." Felix kissed the top of my head, the action filling my cheeks with blood and turning my cheeks a dark red. "You apparently haven't been eating anything Alec's been bringing either. Little wolf you must eat or you will die."

"You're stupid," was all I could manage as I tried to roll off of his lap, angry that his hands were gripping my hips. His touch sent burning heat to my core, making my head feel fuzzy.

Felix sent me a scowl and wrapped his arms around my entire body. "That is rude and unnecessary, little wolf. I simply need to know what is wrong with you so I am able to fix it and prove to be a useful mate to you. You are clearly suffering from some ailment that is unknown to me, and it makes you smell..." He trailed off for a second before continuing, "not yourself. No, not yourself at all. You didn't smell right that morning ━"

"You left me," I mumbled, still grabbing at blankets to find a way to squirm away from Felix's hold. He left me and should not be getting good treatment now that he's back. He left me alone for two days and only now wants to know what's wrong? If he cared at all he would have come home, forced the door open, and apologized for leaving me alone at all during my heat. "You're an ass and you're cruel, Felix Volturi, and there's nothing I would love more than to tie a venomous noose around your neck and hang you for my pack to see."

It was such a cruel thing to say to my mate, but I guess I'd said worse things to him before. Felix had broken my heart and deserved to know what that felt like. To have someone you're supposed to care about say something horrible out of anger, because of what you did. I would expect nothing less from him if I'd left him during his time of need. My heat tore me apart from the inside, is still tearing me apart as I try to get away from his appealing arms and cushioned lap. The peak, the cramps, the pain deep in my gut that either knocked me out or kept me up at night. I haven't gotten good sleep since this started and it's all his fault. I meant everything I said and I will always mean what I say in the moment. There's no denying that I can be cruel and rude and one of the worst people to be with, but I don't flip out over small things.

The pause that followed my remark was filled to the brink with unknown tension. Whether or not Felix now hated me or wanted to leave me alone again... I don't know. I never know when he gets quiet. A taste of my own medicine for falling to silence when he asks me questions, I suppose. Horrible. My chest tightened with every moment and movement he made. The only inkling to his mood was the hand that traced the side of my face. Then came his sigh.

"There are times where I don't understand why you decide to use the cruelest words when you are angry with me. Telling the difference between what you say and what you're actually trying to say has been the most difficult part of being with you so far." Felix shook his head and flipped me over, pulling me into his chest. "And while I wouldn't change you or the way you break me for anything in the world I think I need to know what happened while I was gone. I hope you know I don't understand why you're this upset. Being gone for periods of time can be hard for any mated couple, but going off the rails after two days is unknown for us vampires. If it has to do with your species I need you to tell me that so I can figure out a way to get Master Caius to not force me out of the bed in the morning to send me on a two day expedition into Siberia, where we are not allowed to bring our cell phones."

Little whines spilled from my mouth as he propped me up, running his large hands through my thick black hair. Felix placed a kiss to the top of my head. For the first time in two days I became settled, calm and able to feel something other than anger or the burning beneath my hips.

"You didn't know...?" I started to ask for the first time. I should have asked that firsthand, but my mind was too wrapped up in hating my heat and being alone for two days to care. Tears filled my eyes as I finished the most important question of all, "...About my heat?"

His body stilled, tense and unwilling to move as I nuzzled my head into his chest. My heart bloomed at his response. Words were unneeded between us, I knew. He didn't know. He didn't leave me on purpose. Accidents surely happen for vampires and it happened for us. Just a stupid order from an asshole king that drove us apart for a few days, a decision that left me crippled with painful brimming lust. "I was unaware that wolves went through... heats," Felix whispered into my hair. "Of course they ━ of course you do. Why else would you refuse food when it could kill you?" My mate lifted me up, making me whine and squirm. Sweet blackened eyes stared back into my lustful pink ones. "My sweet little wolf. I am so sorry. If I had known that you were in heat I would have forced my king out of the room to take care of you. We were not taught about the intricacies of wolves and how they interact with their mates, just simple social structure. What do you need from me? I'll give you everything you need no matter what it is. If you need me to make sure you eat I will. Damn my job, little wolf, I'm all yours while you're in heat."

"Am I not always yours?" He frowned and kissed my hairline.

"I am always yours, but I will not always be around at all hours of the day to take care of you. We should be able to make sure that we get sent out on any multiple day missions together to avoid issues though." He paused for a second to kiss my head again. "Do you track yours or...?"

"Unreliable now that I'm with you," I mumble, my hips starting to roll up in response to my body realizing that my mate is here. Felix groaned at the movements and attempted to stop me with his hands firmly resting on my tired hips. I wanted to stop, to stop moving so much, but the craving of my body was becoming too much. Soon I would be in another round of lust and would need his body more than ever. Once the bond is completed I'll have some relief, but now I just feel insatiable. "Felix there's something I should tell you..."

"What?" He almost snapped, making my heart drop. My mate soon realized what he'd done and rubbed my hips apologetically. What was supposed to be a small apology turned into another wave of heat flooding my core. Now it was obvious. I felt myself drip with slick and need, squirming to find some relief. His hands felt so good on my legs and my body, holding and giving me affection. Felix's breath hitched. "Is this a heat thing? Because I'm your mate?"

"Now that I'm in heat and have met you prior to this heat... Well, I won't be able to stop." Tears brimmed my eyes as I spoke, terrified of what his reaction would be. On one hand I didn't want to force him into anything he didn't want to do, but on the other we would both be dead if we didn't act on my heat. I hated myself for putting my mate into this situation. My dumb body and its wolfish reactions to mating! "The reason why its been so bad without you gone is because ━" A breathy moan stopped me before I could continue, "━ I won't stop peaking until you claim me as yours. I think you can put two and two together and figure out what claiming means."

I couldn't tell if the look on his face was worry or disgust, but I didn't like either. His eyes were still black with lust but they hinted at the alluring red underneath, primal and wanting what I could give. But these were just our instincts and what our bodies wanted us to do. What if we went this far and we continue to fight? How much worse will a full mating bond be when we can barely stand to have a long conversation without one of us getting offended or hurt? We're together as mates, but are we together as people? Attraction and fate can only bring two people destined to be enemies so far, and this heat has put a dent in whatever respect I can garner from Felix.

"Have intercourse." Why do you have to be so old school about the word, Felix? I thought to myself. He must have noticed the annoyed look on my face. "Have sex. Either word doesn't make this any more comfortable for either of us. We haven't discussed completing our bond at all ━"

"It's either we complete the bond, Felix, or we both die a painful death as I am sure you will hate to watch me die right before your eyes from a bodily caused adrenaline heart attack. It won't stop and it hurts." He looked away from my pained face as tears started to pour down my cheeks from the emotional stress. Felix doesn't want me, of course. I claimed I didn't want him, but I need him and that will make me be with him, even just for a small time. Even if its just my heat and no other time, that would be enough for me because I won't be dead and leaving everything I love behind. "Felix I'm nineteen years old. I don't want to die."

My mate brushed away some hair that blurred my vision before pulling me in closer, bringing our lips together for the first time. My heart both fluttered and dropped as my eyes closed. Cold but comforting, solid and pressed against me sweetly. My hands wrapped around his neck, deepening our kiss. His heart and mind reached out to me, the lines between us two and our bond so blurred. We didn't stop, not when he still had apologizing to do. Two days worth of it could be exchanged in his sweet kisses. I'd take whatever he had to offer me at any time if I could get this close to him again.

The heat of the moment soon became too much, my hips slowly grinding down onto Felix's hap as he dominated my lips. Sweet moans escaped from parted lips as we both lost ourselves to instinct. Neither of us have a clue what we're doing, but we want to be with each other, do things we've never done before. Tender heat flushed over my body, sending us both into a flurry of movements that consisted of slow grinding and soft touches. I smiled into our kisses as he pulled me down onto the bed, letting my back rest against the soft, unattended mattress. His groan as my hands wandered to his clothed chest made me break us apart, finally able to gaze back into his black eyes, see the look on his face as he pushed me down.

"I want you," he whispered to me, hand resting against my cheek. "I want you so badly. I want every last bit of you. Anything that you have, I want it." His possessive tone, so much different from what I was used to seeing from him. He tied me down, rocked me and kissed me with so much care... so much so that I wouldn't expect such words to come from him. "Your scent is driving me crazy, sweet wolf. I want you."

"Do you want me or my scent?" I asked anxiously, worried that he didn't really want me. Mates love each other before and they're not supposed to ride off of hormones and instincts. I'm not in love with Felix, how could I be? We've known each other for a week and a half and even then we've been fighting separated almost the whole time. Then came my fear, that he would love my scent like any mate and not love me, the person the scent is attached to. No kisses, no matter how sensual. "You don't want me. I'm just in heat and that's what's making us both go crazy. You didn't wish to sleep with me before."

Felix hissed. "Bold of you to assume I didn't want you before your taunting scent and monthly heat became known to me," he whispered right up against my ear. "You were a temptress to me before and you will be after. No matter your heat or scent. My beautifully perfect mate... Everything you do tempts me, pulls me into you, makes me long for your touch. This heat has just proven that. It is not the sole cause of my desire for you, little wolf, and never will be. I will lust for you during your heat and after. The only difference is that you urgently need me now, meaning that my body will bend to your will as you need me."

A hitch formed in the back of my throat as his hands trailed down my body. Males were known to be enamored during their mate's heat, but I didn't realize just how much our scent affected them. My much taller mate's hands wrapped dutifully around my me as to say I'm here for you and I want you. Words didn't need to be spoken for me to know he lost control of himself. His hard member pressed against my panties. Pants couldn't be worn with the searing heat running like a damn leaking pipe, so he pressed right against me, slickened even with his pants in the way. Every time I moved I felt him, as painful as it was to have him under me. I wanted him so badly. Rubbing and grinding can only give so much pleasure to my groin, not nearly enough to reach satisfaction.

"What would it take to satiate you?" He grumbled. Every moan that slipped past made him harder and made me shift to gain more friction. After one particularly loud moan Felix pushed me down onto the bed, burying his head into my neck, sucking on the sensitive flesh under my jaw. My mate peppered kisses down my smooth flesh, leaving marks all over as he made his way down. He pressed me into the mattress, not letting me move as he gave my needy body affection. Not before long he found himself looking at my light tank top, which is the only article of clothing on me besides my panties. Looking up into my eyes, he asks, "Please?"

The only answer I could give being a loud moan and a slight nod he took his chance, tearing through the thin fabric holding back what he wanted to see. I blushed a deep red as my mate's eyes became fixated on my moderately sized breasts. I'm no where near large, but I'm not a board. Mid-way between an A and a B cup for my bra. That didn't seem to matter to Felix though, who stared and stared at my breasts. I could tell that he wanted to touch them but stopped himself.

My eyes shifted to his untamed black locks that fell down from the top of his head, perfectly positioned and wonderful. Only in one of my drunken hazes could I have previously recognized his true beauty, how his body fit in all the right places. His usual wear wasn't too formal or casual, but had elegance. In his room he now wore a plain shirt that seemed to feel out of touch with the time, as if manufactured during the mid Victorian era. While his pants were abnormally tight, I could see the expensive belt still. It must have had some metal in it... gold? It shimmered like gold but how could he wear something so heavy around his waist without it pulling down his pants? His clothes must have been a lot of money, far more than I could afford with my allowance or babysitting gigs. My shirt, which now laid torn in a corner, only cost a couple bucks from a thrift store. How he managed to be so elegant in every situation baffles me.

"You can, you know," I consented, looking away from his needy eyes. Felix's face was not what I needed now that I was the only one barely clothed. Why did he get to wear so much while my breasts are exposed? I feel so bare next to him and his fancy shirts and golden belts. Like a common lady being seduced by a noble aristocrat, or a prince. While my breathing started to falter I felt his hands finally meet my breasts. They were curious, exploring the curves of my body, but still gentle and sweet. Neither of us are experienced in this department, and his curiosity in terms of my exposed breasts proved that. "Felix ━" I moaned out, "Please... touch me more."

Teeth gritting down, Felix did as I asked, his hands adjusting to meet my needs. Pre-release pooled, slickening the sides of my legs. I felt my heart increase as another wave hit. My hips sprung up, unable to hold back any longer as Felix's hands made his way down my sides. His fingers brushed against my underwear, which had been soiled for hours with increasing slick and need. I clamped a hand over my mouth as a single finger of his touched my clothed core. I wanted to scream out, to moan my heart out, but I also didn't want to alert everyone outside to my situation. If Felix knew I had been in a terrible mood the rest of the guard must have taken notice, or at least been told when I nearly bit Jane's head off for daring to venture into my sweet, tormented lair.

When my mate's hands started to sensually pull my panties off I was sure I'd reached heaven. No longer constricted by fabric, I let more moans slip through my puffy lips, head falling back onto a rogue pillow. Long and slender fingers found their way to my thighs. I could feel the slick being brushed off by Felix, who chuckled at my moaning state. This isn't funny! I wanted to scream at him, but had already been rendered non-verbal and coy by his sweet affections to my smooth legs.

Greeted by wetness and gasps, Felix sunk one of his fingers into my silken heat. For the first time I felt relief, a cold pleasure rising in my chest. It came so fast and fell away quickly, leaving me desperate and upset by the loss of the comfort amidst my heat. My entire body remained highly sensitive, every motion of Felix's hand feeling twice, if not thrice, as sensitive as what it usually would be if we had taken each other three days ago. I heard Felix's soft panting as his finger slipped all the way inside, enticing coy whines of euphoria from my lips as he let out another cooling chuckle

"Oh my ━ Felix!" I cried out, bucking my hips up as he began to move his finger inside. Heavy pants, my only way of breathing, came through the heated exchange. It was his way of taking care of me, I know, but it was too slow and not enough. Just with one, however, I felt like I was on the edge of something wonderful, a high unlike any I'd experienced through my grinding and masturbation during my heats. "Please, pleaaase." My drawn out moans continued, egging on Felix, who smirked.

"At this rate, sweet wolf, you'll alert the entire castle. Not that I'd mind that." My heart skipped a beat, but I didn't realize his dark chuckle after the comment would mean another finger slipping between my folds and into my core. Cries of tormenting pleasure lingered in the lust-centered room, pulled from the depths of my instincts and put into being by this dark fantasy come to life. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Felix over me, pleasing me before himself during my heat, taking care of me in such a sweet way. His longing eyes and needy hands wanted more. More me, more contact, more lust, and more friction, but he held off, only giving into my wanton moans and pleas for everything I've ever wanted.

"Sweet, sweet wolf," he cooed at me, taking out his fingers. I whined and nearly kicked him in anger, the loss of contact driving me mad with desire and desperation. "Don't worry, sweet one, I'll give you what you want." Without his fingers, I doubted that. He sent me a loving look before kissing the inside of my thigh while looking me in the eye as he did so. "I'll take you when I'm done showing you that I'm sorry."

"I'll forgive you when you fuck me, Felix," I snarl, lust dripping off the edge of my tongue. He gulped, but didn't do what I wanted. Instead, he continued to tease me, testing the waters of my body. They lingered too long on certain areas. I felt exposed, completely naked while my mate tasted around my legs, kissing slick and sweat away as he grazed. A wild animal doesn't do what an owner wants, I realized, and this was no different. While he is mine, I am also his, and I can't make him speed up. My heat rose and fell, blush trailing my body as it did so. My only savior was his left hand, which finally came to notice my clitoris, swollen and begging for action. "Oh please touch me right there."

I swelled with arousal as he finally touched me directly, his thumb rubbing circles around my clit. My hips bucked and I was no longer able to control the volume of my moans. He only stopped to reach his hand lower to collect my slick on his fingers, enhancing the heat that poured out of my body in waves. A near scream of a moan left my lips as my climax started to build. I always became so sensitive during my heat, and now, as I started to peak once more, it came to fruition. A feral growl spilled out as Felix pushed my hips down, unable to thrust up and meet the nearly overstimulating euphoria his thumb gave me.

Shuddering yet cooling heat flooded my body as I came. I went almost silent as tears of joy fell down my cheeks, hips tired but still wanting, falling down to the bed and staying there, unable to close my legs around my mate any longer. I huffed happily at the release, my heat lessening to a degree, finally able to sing a song of relief as my teasing mate gave me what I desperately needed.

Felix smirked between my legs, admiring his handiwork. I growled at his smugness as he kissed my legs. "That was quite the display, little wolf."

"Shut the fuck up," I snapped, making him laugh out loud. "Let me enjoy this in peace."

He hummed, running his large hands down my hips and to my toes, taking in a large breath as he took in my scent. The same scent that brought him to me now turned him on, his straining cock still pressed against his usually tidy pants. Now his hair seemed disheveled, erratic in areas and depressed in others. Once a coordinated man but now overcome with desire and senseless lust. I gulped at his eyes, which remained a bloodied coal color the entire time he pleasured me. Now as I waited for my next wave they were an endless abyss of twilight, dampened from the handsome red I'd grown accustomed to. During my 'time of the month' I'd have black instead of red in all aspects of him, not that I'm complaining.

A dangerously sharp pulse ran down my spine, with slick following. Blush rose to my cheeks at the idea I'd recovered so fast, became so lustful and wonton in a matter of minutes after my last release. While I'd usually shrug it off and power through my heat alone, now I had Felix to contend with, who needed and wanted me just as much as I needed and wanted him, our lust binding us together as one. He'd performed for me, now it was my time to perform for him. But I've never done this to anyone, never really watched anything in terms of sexual actions, barring the few times I've walked in on my family members, and I don't want to think of what I saw then right now with my mate. 

"Aurora ━" He sputtered out, a bit confused as I got up. I gave him an awkward smile as I pushed him down onto the bed. "What are you doing ━?"

"I ━ let me do this for you Felix I swear to God just lay down and shush." He gulped but nodded, starting to take off his large belt. I had to pull down his pants and trousers, the bulge almost getting in the way. I felt him shudder as open air hit his member. Now it was my time to gulp, seeing his large cock standing attentive, ready to see me. "You're ━"

"You don't have to do that if you don't want to, Aurora," Felix tried to dissuade me.

"Do you not want me to ━?"

"It's not that, Aurora ━ It's just that ━ I ━"

"Felix," I groaned, shaking my head as my mate tried to look away from my head near his crotch. "After what you just heard out of me there isn't anything to worry about. I won't suck you off if you don't want me to, but I don't want this to be a one-sided thing between us..." I admitted. "...And even if you're much bigger than I first imagined you'd be I'm sure I can make it work."

To make it easier for him to handle, I pumped him with my hand first. My mate let out a deep groan, his hips rolling up to meet the increasing friction. The scent rolling off of me must have affected him because precum was already leaking from the tip. Either that or he was just turned on, but I like to think that I had something to do with it. With groans and grumbles flowing from him like music to my ears, I stopped, just as he had with me. Felix made a feral noise of discontentment, hands gripping the only loose sheet still remaining on the bed. And this is what payback and payment tastes like, I thought to myself as I watched my mate groan out for more pleasure.

Not stopping for long just as he hadn't with me, I found a comfortable position, able to sit while not knotting my legs together as painfully as they had been before. Then came the tip as I slipped him into my mouth. Lord was he huge, both in length and girth. I could see why he'd been so worried about me taking him inside me like this. The popping sound as I took him further enticed him to weave his fingers into my pitch black hair. I moan around him at the pressure being placed at the back of my head, gaining the courage to finally take him further.

More groans and moans came from both of us as I felt his cock move further than I thought. Then I realized my mate was pushing my head forward, on accident I supposed, too wrapped up in the actions to notice the few tears beginning to form in my eyes, replacing the dried tears from my previous climax. As soon as he reached the back of my throat I gagged, pulling back a bit, only to almost be stopped by Felix's hold on my hair. I glared at him for a moment, to which he stopped and gave me some room to move and practice on his large member. Engrossed in him, I stopped for a moment to move my tongue around his tip, which made him let loose a infernal hiss hidden in the back of his throat.

"Fuck," He hissed. "Mmmmm ━ Shit! Oh my fucking shit," he swore.

When I looked up for the first time I saw how desperate he truly was. His hair splayed around messily, free hand clutching part of the bed, and his eyes. Oh, his eyes, hopelessly fixated on the scene below, on me as I took him into my mouth. I almost smiled, the look of him filling me with a new confidence I hadn't had before. Trying once more, I went further, almost to my throat. Felix let out a sweet whine as he tried to stop his hand from reaching for my hair to push me down further onto him. Lord I couldn't fit all of him inside me even if I tried. I wouldn't be able to breathe, but this was enough to send him into a flurry of pleasure. This is all he needs to get to this point, spreading his legs for me like he was the one in heat.

Knowing he wouldn't be able to stop himself if I kept at it much longer, I pulled off of him. Felix gave me a deathly glare, the ruin of it all leaving him wanting more of me. I smirked, kissing the base of his cock, before coming up to meet his lips in a chaste kiss that he accepted.

That kiss escalated quickly, with Felix flipping me over onto my back once more, pinning my arms down onto the bed. He shifted for a second, taking his expensive shirt off to reveal toned muscles and a six pack. I wriggled in his grasp as he pushed his head into my neck, sucking hard on my soft flesh. Murmurs of I want you and My little wolf were said right against my ears, which turned bright red in response. This time he didn't move down to my breasts, but skillfully pressed his hands to my waist, propping me up to the right angle. With our height he was still above me, able to meet my gaze as he positioned himself.

"Aurora." His voice snapped me into reality. "I... Do you want me like this, to have me fully and to complete the bond. Not just to survive, but to have me as a part of your life for the rest of eternity?"

If this were any other situation, I would say he proposed in some way. A proposal to stay and to learn to love him more than I could ever love another, to lust every month and to work together for all time. No more whining about the bond, or complaining about our natures. Just being together, and not because the fates thought us a good couple to stir up societal norms. My heart swelled with delight and I could feel my wolfish side flutter with excitement. Normal wolves ask if they accept their mating bond and that is how they do things, but this felt wholesome, perfect for Felix, who sometimes doesn't know what to do with me as a vampire.

"Yes, Felix, I accept our bond and our oath," I recited, just as I learned as a pup. He smiled and ran his hand down my cheek, finger brushing against my lips.

With a slow start, he began to thrust himself inside. I cried out in shock at the stretch, thanking my heat for the first time in my life. Without it this would have been distinctly painful, but all potential pain was numbed by mouth watering pleasure that swelled in my chest. As I began to peak for the last time all I could feel was euphoria flooding my body and spreading around my groin, filled with the bond that was beginning to complete, so perfect and colorful yet somewhat dulling and... Oh it throbbed within my chest. A whisper of a moan left Felix as he bottomed out, filling me to the brink.

The bond was unlike anything I've felt before. Not unlike the bond between the pack and its members, but for the love of all that is holy I can feel him. He's right here, but its like he's one and the same, with me inside my head. I could tell Felix felt the same, was feeling the same spur of emotions that flooded through my mind as he thrusted for the second time. Care, mate, lust. Want, need, him. Everything blended together in a mess of feelings and minds as he began to plow into me, picking up speed every few moments as my heat peaked.

This time it never settled, continuing to assault me as Felix lifted my hips up to make me his. I screamed in pleasure, not caring what or who could hear me as we completed our bond. I writhed in pleasure, moaning to my hearts content as all worries faded away. With no care in the world or any idea there could be anything beyond our room in the castle, Felix groaned and took himself into me, hissing swears in a foreign tongue. His eyes locked with mine, black on pink, vampire on wolf. 

"Rora," he growled, a shortened version of my name becoming a chant on his tongue. "Rora, you feel so good ━"

Almost overcome with emotion as so much became shared through the bond, I felt a small nudge at the back of my mind as I looked away. Look at me, it said. It was Felix, but I don't think he realized he was talking to me, or that I could hear the thought. Please look at me, he thought again as he sped up. Please just look at me for a minute. Let me see your beautiful face, Aurora.

My eyes burned with tears as I obliged, turning my face to look at him and his beauty. His hair remained a mess as he started to thrust rapidly, jolting the bed every which way. At one point I was sure that the bed would break from the pressure, but I hoped they had high quality beds that wouldn't break from vampire on true wolf mating. During my heats I would need this bed, and having reliability would be useful. Still, I didn't need to worry about the bed when I gazed into his loving black eyes. He rolled himself into me as he poured his love into every thrust, every move of his hips and arms as they held me close.

Unlike before I didn't see it coming. My climax came suddenly, with such force that I came with a breathless cry, legs stopping and eyes watering. In that moment I didn't know anything, barely felt anything but Felix's presence and sweet, euphoric pleasure. A small smile creeped up onto my lips and I could have sworn I laughed. Felix growled. I knew he was close, his cock starting to twitch inside of me as he continued his strong thrusts. My heat moved with him, now being dominated by him even when I'd already finished.

Only through the bond did I feel him climax, his orgasm rushing over him in waves. he didn't bother to remove himself from my heat as he half-collapsed on top of me. My eyes were hazing with my completion and my wonderful heat starting to leave. By morning it would be gone, already lasting too long with two days of peaking.

I went in and out of consciousness, only knocked into my senses by Felix, who wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to his chest. My heart swelled again, letting his sweet embrace take me down into sleep.

When I woke, he would be there.

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So when I thought my next chapter after last chapter would be a simple 6,600 words, I was very, very wrong. Guess how many words this chapter racked up? 10,000! Yes, this chapter is over 10k words and I am dying inside. I was on call with my friends for the time writing the smut parts going "why is this so long" and "how the fuck is it this long Felix get on with it."

Well, they got on with it, and now I must go to sleep because I've been working on this for hours on end.

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