Chapter 45: Hunting Expedition
Cercei’s POV
The car trip lasted approximately 30 minutes, taking us far away from the bustling city. As the urban landscape faded, buildings became scarce, and the sparse lights disappeared. Our surroundings transformed into a dense forest engulfed in darkness.
The entire ride was suffused with an uncomfortable silence, neither of us willing to utter a single word. Eventually, he pulled the car to the side of the road. I surveyed our surroundings, realising we were on a desolate path, rarely crossed by other vehicles. He unfastened his seatbelt and turned towards me while I kept my gaze fixed ahead, attempting to ignore his presence.
“Hey,” he murmured, gently clasping my hand, which rested on my lap. Reluctantly, I looked at him, witnessing a tender gleam in his eyes.
“There’s nothing for you to worry about, I promise. I apologise if I frightened you,” his voice was hushed, almost like a growl.
“Are Vienna’s men searching for me?” I asked him directly, catching him off guard. Why would she do such a thing? She was the one who insisted we leave, and now she desires our capture? What twisted game is she playing?
“I won’t allow them to find you,” he reassured me, his eyes conveying a sincerity I had never witnessed before. Our hands intertwined, and a swarm of delicate butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Could this be what they call overwhelming excitement?
“So, where are we?” I inquired, feeling a semblance of relief settling inside me. I glanced around, unable to shake the notion that he could easily be mistaken for a kidnapper if it were not for his gentlemanly demeanour.
He unbuckled my seatbelt, his face mere inches away from mine. I could feel his warm, minty breath against my skin as my eyes fixated on his lips.
“We are going hunting,” he said casually. My eyes widened, and my jaw nearly dropped in disbelief. What? He drove for half an hour, so we could launch on a hunting expedition? It was an incredibly considerate gesture that brought a smile to my face. I had mentioned my longing for hunting, and he had remembered.
Hunting was an essential activity for a wolf. It is from the hunt that we derive our strength, and the longer we go without it, the weaker we become. Furthermore, the absence of hunting can wreak havoc on one’s sanity.
“No way,” I laughed joyfully. I had missed the woods immensely. I always found a serene fulfilment in the heart of the forest, a shelter from everything I had left behind in that mansion. It was within those woods that our paths first crossed.
“Yes, we will,” he declared, stepping out of the car and graciously opening the door for me. He placed a hand on my waist and guided me as we walked into the forest.
Inhaling deeply, I let the crisp night air permeate every corner of my lungs. It had been far too long since I experienced such purity. Though I cherished the city, its polluted atmosphere offered no comparison to the untainted wilderness. Here, silence reigned, broken only by the gentle rustle of leaves and the moon’s soft glow, our lone source of light.NôvelDrama.Org content.
“Shall we?” Lucian extended his hand, and a wide grin spread across my face.
“What if someone sees us?” I questioned, a flicker of concern crossing my mind.
“They won’t,” he replied curtly, his words resonating with a sincere conviction. There was an undeniable essence about Lucian that compelled me to trust him implicitly. Every word that escaped his lips carried the significance of an oath, an earnest promise never to be broken. In his presence, I found comfort, an apparent certainty that I could trust him.
Together, we went deeper into the heart of the woods, our steps guided by the ethereal radiance of the full moon. And then, under its watchful gaze, our bodies underwent a shift. The bones inside me contorted and cracked, yet I experienced an overwhelming sense of fulfilment instead of pain. Once the transformation was complete, I gazed upon Lucian’s wolf form. He was the king of the north, renowned for his pristine white fur and eyes that burned crimson. The moon’s glow reflected on his fur, lending him a magical radiance. My senses sharpened, capturing his scent more intensely than ever before.
We ran through the forest’s depths, pouring our hearts out. Together, we pursued our prey, seized it, and devoured them. Never before had I felt such tranquillity. I had never truly belonged, but now the pieces aligned like a perfect puzzle. With Lucian by my side, everything was flawless.
We roamed the woods throughout the night, hunting and patiently awaiting the opportune moment. The experience overwhelmed me. I had always done hunting into the wild alone, but now, with him at my side, it felt inexplicably different.
Never did I anticipate enjoying someone’s company to this extent.
I observed him ravenously devouring a deer, his once pristine white fur now marred by splatters of crimson. His paws and mouth were stained red, his eyes gleaming like twin pools, so deep and mysterious that one might fear drowning in their depths.
We circled one another, our gazes locked, attempting to figure out why we fit together so seamlessly. It was like we were destined for each other, two souls intricately intertwined. I glimpsed a fervent passion and desire in his eyes, a fusion of dominance and submission. Lucian appeared willing to unleash chaos against the world if it meant protecting me.
The night unfolded, weaving drapes of memories I would forever hold inside my heart. It was a night of serenity that awakened something profound beyond my imagination.
Leaving that suffocating mansion behind, I had sought freedom, but what I discovered surpassed my wildest dreams. In this fresh start, I found not only freedom but also a sense of belonging. I found a family, true friends, and, most unexpectedly, him. It was more than I had ever wished or imagined, yet a flicker of fear tinged my emotions. I was afraid of becoming too reliant on him, of surrendering myself completely, for I had learned, through the trials of life, that good things rarely last. Sooner or later, life has a way of snatching away our happiness. I yearned to protect myself from that unavoidable anguish. Though I once despised Lucian, a strange fondness was taking root. Yes, I dare say I was growing fond of him. My heart pounded with anticipation, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I recognized these sensations for what they were said, an attraction. But even though it felt undeniably right, I knew deep down it could never be. He was an alpha of royal blood and a born leader. Meanwhile, I was once a slave who served and scrubbed floors for eighteen years and became a mere waitress after being banished.
Even creatures of the night might experience the same dread if they were in my shoes.