49

SIN

Damned, nightcrawlers!

'Nightcrawlers' were the term used for nocturnal supernatural creatures. Especially the werewolves since they shifted only at the full moon and could only be seen when it was dark.

They seldom moved by the day in their wolf form.

The vampires too were in that category. Without a spell to protect them from the ray of the sun, they wouldn't be able to move out.

There were many others as well.

A twig snapped and my thoughts shifted back to what was before me.

Artemisia's scent still lingered in the air even though it was faint. It was a reminder that she was here.

Why did I ever agree to be out with her?

I knew something was off the moment we entered the woods. Even before then, the air had been chillier and the moon was weirdly brighter than normal.

I should have talked her out of it but I guessed I couldn't resist the way she stared at me whilst pleading. I found it adorable. The way her almond turquoise blue eyes enlarged and how she pushed her lips forward whilst pleading was quite fascinating.

I should have overlooked all of that whilst thinking of the possible danger she might be in.

I had let my feelings do the thinking. She was in a danger I didn't think I could get her out of.

Because of my freaking feelings, she was going to be an appetising meal!

I doubted the mare she was on could gallop as fast as I wanted. Although she knew the basics of horse riding and she had said she rode very well back at home, a werewolf could still catch up with her no matter the speed she was on.

"It's weird to see you deep in thoughts." A cool voice said.

"What do you want, Nico?"

Nico titled his head and his lips curved in a crooked smile. A smile I didn't think I'd ever stop seeing. I sure as hell knew what it meant.

"Oh, you sure do know what I want." He chuckled.

"I fucking don't!" I gritted my teeth. "I'm not interested in the mind game you are trying to play with me."

Nico tugged me by my shirt and flung me across the woods. He growled and came at me, his paw lifted, ready to punch me. But, I dodged the blow, head butting him.

"Not bad." Nico grinned, cracking his knuckles. "You are still good at dodging my blows."

"Whatever, I'm done here."

"Oh, you are not."

He moved to grip me again, but I was quick to know what he was doing. I smacked his hand away, glaring at him.

"Perhaps, if you hadn't interrupted me, I wouldn't have stopped you and your lovely human friend from enjoying the beautiful view of the night."

"She isn't my friend." I scowled. "She's my f**king wife and leaves her out of this. Besides, you are in my domain, so it's my responsibility as a leader to keep it safe."

"Your wife?" Nico's eyes twinkled.

The urge to protect Artemisia surged through me immediately. I wanted to be out of this woods because I didn't like the look of curiosity that was flashing in Nico's baby blue eyes.

I wondered where Artemisia had gotten to. The thoughts of other creatures and his minions going after her frighten me.

It was the first time I had felt the emotion of fear. No, maybe not.

But, this was more appalling than the thoughts of me dying and leaving her to Laurent.

"She is such a beautiful thingy. I'd never seen someone as gorgeous as her before. It's a shame she left before I could get to know her."

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"Well," Nico shrugged his broad shoulders after a while. "I was hunting and I perceived a new fragrance. I wanted to see what it was. Rather, I glimpsed her before entering the hurt, then you interrupted."

"Now that you've seen, she's off-limits."

"Of course, she is." Nico chuckled. "But she needs to say so herself."

I was aware the conversation was a never-ending one. Immediately it started, I already knew it was about Artemisia and how to get her.

Why did she make everyone feel that way?

What was so special about her?

She was a freaking human and a lot of gorgeous beings were there for others to choose from. Still, they wanted her, Laurent and Nico.

I wondered if I'd add more to the list as time went on!

'I believe what you noticed was special about her was the same they saw.' Ager spoke up.

"That is absurd." I gritted my teeth.

Yeah, I believe she was a special human. I didn't even know what made her special yet. But then, she was my mate and I marked her already.

It was odd that people still wanted her! Or maybe I was the weird one.

'Of course, you are.' Ager mumbled. 'Whether married or not, it doesn't make women less desirable. Your mate has a strong appealing scent, it's no surprise they want a taste of what you've had.'

"I'd kill any man that laid a hand on her."

"You know if I want her, I can get her.", Nico spoke up.

I had forgotten I was conversing with him because of Ager- my wolf.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I would if I wanted to and you my friend, can't stop me." He grinned.

Nico just had the annoying personality of Laurent. The former had been a friend of mine for a long while.

He was an Alpha werewolf, a Casanova and well, a single dad.

Even though we were from different packs, we kept in touch sometimes. Yet, he was always as annoying as this each time I saw him.

Normally, whenever I suspected danger, I wouldn't dash into an opening.

But having perceived his scent, I had done so. Even though it was still dangerous due to how I had entered, I wanted to get it over with.

"You didn't tell me the reason you are here."

"That's right!" He exclaimed, brushing his hand into his brown hair that seemed black as the moon shone on it. "I am glad I met with you too."

I tilted my brows, gazing at him.

"There's a situation happening at Manny."

Manny was a town in Merene. A large industrial town.

"What is wrong?"

"I need your help." He grimaced, balling his hands into a fist.

The change in the mood was startling. A while ago, he had been trying to rile me. Now he seemed upset about something.

Despite how annoying Nico was, he was most times a cheerful person. He seldom gets mad.

"I got a sign a few days back on my door and I noticed some disappearance of my pack members as well. I know they often walked out of the pack on their own, but it didn't seem like it."

"What sign?" I asked slowly, dreading what he would say.

I groaned as soon as Nico finished. It was the same freaking mark on my door before I arrived at Merene with Artemisia.

I thought they were after only me. It had seemed absurd and I had totally forgotten about it and the reason I came to Merene.

What exactly do they want?

The more I thought about it, the more my head pounded due to a headache.

"Would it be okay if I come over with some representative next week? I mean we could discuss better and not in the woods."

Nico glanced around, a sneer formed on his face before he gazed back at me.

"Of course, you're welcome to my home anytime," I mumbled, then added to lighten the mood. "Don't try flirting with my wife, I'd have your brown hide and turn it into a foot mat for her."

Nico chuckled despite himself. "Don't worry. I consider you a brother. I wouldn't flirt with your mate."

I believe he wouldn't. He was one of the few men I trusted around my properties. Even when with Adrina, Nico hadn't even batted a lash whenever she was near.

It was a surprise he was even interested in Artemisia. Nevertheless, I was glad it was just a mere interest and nothing more.

Also, I was happy only Nico was in the woods because he wasn't much of a threat.