“H-How did you get here?” I asked as soon as I realized what was happening.
Before Claude could answer me, he cupped my face and immediately crashed his lips into mine. My eyes widened at that unexpected action from him before he broke our kiss. His expression softened upon seeing my surprised one.
“I have missed you, Rachelle… I was so worried when you were abducted…” His voice croaked.
“Your Majesties, we must get to the infirmary now.” It was Doctor McKenzie.
I turned to him. “But I do have chains. I cannot simply walk properly-” I almost shrieked when I felt being scooped by the familiar touch only to find Claude who was so near to me right now that was raging my heart so wild.
“I shall bring this,” Doctor McKenzie said while he was bringing the metal boulder which wasn’t heavy enough for us since we were werewolves. “Be quiet for now, Luna Queen Rachellian. If Magnius finds out that you haven’t gone there to the conference room, he will alert everyone,” he said as soon as we arrived at another room.
I nodded before Claude carefully placed me down on the bed. I purred under his touch and looked at him, worried.
“I… I cannot smell your scent, Claude. Did I… break our mate bond?” I asked in a nervous tone.
Claude shook his head. “No, love,” he said softly as he caressed my cheek. Then he showed the bangle he had on his wrist. “This… I asked the divine priest to make an incantation to hide my scent from you. I am afraid that your wolf might alert you immediately as soon as you smelled my scent, love.”
My eyes widened a little at his explanation. He did that? I blinked.
“I thought I broke our mate bond again…” I finally spoke in relief before Doctor McKenzie approached us holding a metal wire. He was the one who unlocked the chains I had on my wrists and ankles before I murmured thanks to him. Then I turned at Claude who was watching me intently. “I… I happened to be the first offspring of the… Moon Goddess, Claude…” I licked my lips. “I… am a spirit goddess and my deity title is Goddess of Mate Bond,” I said finally.
I wanted to tell him this news. I had no idea how he would react to this but he must know who I really was.
“Doctor McKenzie already told me, love.” I gasped softly before I turned at Doctor McKenzie who was taking something from his cabinet before I laid my eyes on Claude again. “If you are surprised, I am, too.”
“Please take this, Your Majesty.” I looked up when Doctor McKenzie bestowed me with a vial that had clear liquid in it. “It is an antidote. Have no fret.”
Sighing, I took it and immediately drank it. “Why are you helping me and… Claude?” I asked after I made sure that I was healing from the vial I took. I turned at Claude. “What does he want in exchange for helping us?” I intertwined my hands with him and looked at him intently.
Claude brought my hand and left a kiss on the back of it. “He wants this war to be finished as soon as possible, Rachelle.”
“Your father is uncontrollable,” Doctor McKenzie said as he knelt before me. “I know that I am going to die as soon as I help Alpha King Claudian. But it is going to be worth it if this war shall be over. I am already sick of seeing people dying before my eyes, my demigoddess. If the Moon Goddess is listening, please tell Her that this war shall be over now.”
I gasped upon remembering my mother and the warning She told me. I immediately told them about my dream and my mother’s warning. That alarmed Doctor McKenzie as he gazed at Claude.
“You must go now. If the Moon Goddess pays to heed a warning, you must listen to it. Quickly!” He immediately pushed the cabinet and showed us a hole that would fit an adult person. “This will direct you to the Serene Shallows.” He was talking about the lake that they considered an escape route. “Make haste before Magnius and his people realize what I have done.”
Claude and I exchanged glances before we both nodded. Together, we entered that hole to escape after Doctor McKenzie bestowed us a lamp.
‘Claude, what happened to Cloudy?’ I asked through mind link.
‘Cloudy is fine, Rachelle. Lady Isabel is the one who is taking care of our son.’
‘Lady Isabel?’ I halted and somehow that name felt familiar.
Claude stared at me. ‘She is Cornelius’ acquaintance. Cornelius said that you already know her since he told you about who saved him back then.’
I gasped, smiling. ‘Her?’ He nodded. ‘Our son is alright, right? He is safe, right?’
Claude nodded and caressed my cheek. “Yes, love. Our son is safe,” he whispered before he drew closer to my face.
I suddenly felt intoxicated when his breath was fanning over my face. I didn’t hesitate to land my lips on his as soon as I felt my body was on fire already. I felt him putting down something before he made me lean to the wall.
“Claude… Not here…” I said as he started leaving me such kisses.
“No… I don’t think I can wait, Rachelle…” he stated before he held my face. “Do not be selfish again. I know you have missed me, my beloved goddess,” he said huskily.
My wolf and I purred at what he addressed us. It was making us squirm all of a sudden. I didn’t hesitate to wrap my arms around his neck as Claude held my waist so tight.
For days, I had been missing his intoxicating scent, his touch, and his caress. Then, suddenly, it reminded me of what I did to protect Claude.
I broke our kiss which made Claude have a perplexed expression. I held his face and heaved out a sigh. “Love, what I did back then… I did it to protect you…” Then I told him about the agreement between his mother and my mother before. That I was a sacrificial lamb, as what my father’s words uttered, for this.
I was born to be his protector and that… there was a chance that Claude was going to die. The Moon Goddess already informed Luna Queen Beatrice about his fate which was why I was born and was destined to be Claude’s mate.
So, instead, that relinquished everything and I was going to die in his stead.
As soon as I finished speaking, his face darkened. I could tell that he wasn’t happy about their agreement.
I was expecting that he would bark at it but instead, he hugged me so tight like he never wanted to let me go. “This is absurd… My mother is so overprotective of me… How can I not notice that shall really be her agreement with the Moon Goddess?” He sighed and broke our hug. “I am not going to allow you to die, Rachelle. I promised to myself that once I save you, we will take care of Cloudy and we will complete our family.” He cupped my face. “Promise me. Promise me that you are not going to risk your life for me, Rachelle. I don’t care if you are the daughter of Magnius Lothim. Just… Promise me that we will be going home together, Rachelle. Alright?”
I got teary-eyed at his words. I sniffed and nodded before his forehead was placed on top of my forehead. “Yes, Claude… I promise,” I said honestly before I cupped his face as well.
“Let’s go now, love.” We separated from each other and smiled. “I have many stories to tell you.” He gently gripped my hand.
“Hmm.” I also gripped his hand, indicating that I wouldn’t let go of him again.
I knew that we haven’t talked about everything but for now, we must think of escaping before we would end the madness of my father.
Just as we were near the exit, Claude and I exchanged glances when we both noticed the silence of the surrounding. I knew we just heard the loud chirping noises of the crickets but right now, it was pure silence.
He blew the lamp so we could feel more of our surroundings as well as we could be to see what was happening from outside.
‘Did you come here alone?’ I asked as we both leaned to the exit, roaming our eyes around.
‘Yes,’ Claude answered before we glanced at each other and nodded when we realized the coast was clear.
My eyes widened at his answer. He came alone? With no reinforcements? Was he kidding me?
Claude smiled at my reaction and opened his palm. ‘We must go now, love.’
Hesitant, I accepted his hand and nodded. Although I was still unsure about our surroundings and the place was eerie, I put my trust in my mate and my husband.
But as soon as we stepped outside, I felt goosebumps raised behind me and immediately turned around as soon as I heard something coming. I immediately shielded him to protect him as my eyes widened when I felt an arrow pierce my back.
“Rachelle! No!” Claude suddenly caught me in his arms before his eyes widened. My jaw dropped when I came to see him kneeling on the ground and saw that he was coughing blood.
When I checked his back, I gasped when I saw multiple arrows also pierced his back. At that moment, I screamed in horror.
“CLAUDE!”