Lycus's pov

*flashback*

"you do not deserve her!" He barked at me and I turned back to look at him, my fists were curled by my side. I was so close to punching the shit out of him.

"What did you just say to me?" I asked moving towards him with a glare, "I dare you to repeat that!" I growled.

"I said you do not deserve her, your highness!" He smirked at me and I rushed toward him in a flash, picked him up, and slammed him on the floor. I could hear his bones break but he groaned and healed himself a bit before staggering back up, "She deserves better!"

"And who is the better if I may ask?"

"Me."

Spyro was threatening to come out but I couldn't let him do it, it will be disastrous, he will kill him and Nyx wouldn't be happy that I killed her precious friend.

I picked him up and punched his face, his nose cracked at the impact of my fist and blood seeped out from his nostril, I knew he wouldn't dare fight back, "I dare you to claim my mate as yours one more time! Tell me you are better for her again!"

"You are an ass!" He growled weakly and I slammed him onto the nearby wall, I breathed furry and my anger was nearing its peak, "You are going to ruin her." He coughed.

"I would do no such thing!" My grip on him tightened, "Stop insinuating nonsense, you mutt!"

"I see the way she talks about you, she has hope that you would love her someday."

Love? Was I capable of that emotion again?

"And I fear that you are going to betray her and break her beyond repair because you have raised her hopes so much."

I gazed at him, "If I was going to do that I wouldn't bother trying to build a relationship with her in the first place."

"You are doing that cause you are just using her, using her to break the spell so you wouldn't be weak."

"That is not true." I gritted, "I care about her." This Andros guy was irritating me and I just wanted to snap his neck!

"And I care about her too." He said and my hold shifted to his neck choking him, "I care about her, that is why I do not want to see her hurt!" He gasped trying to free himself from my grasp.

"I won't hurt her," I said releasing him to fall to the ground. He clawed at his neck gasping for air, "I won't hurt her." I repeated before turning around to leave.

"I need you to give me your word." He said and I turned back to him, "I need you to promise me that this isn't temporary and you will never hurt her.

"Why would I give you my word Andros?" I rolled my eyes, "Why would I give my word to a low-life commoner like you, a former inmate of mine and someone who wants to take my mate?!"

"Because it is necessary and if you do not I will mark Nyx and make her mine!" He smirked and that statement earned him a couple of punches, "Just give me your fucking word!"

"Fine! I swear I won't ever hurt her and I promise that this isn't a false phase and I truly do care about her."

"Thank you." He nodded standing up, "I would hold you to it."

I didn't say anything I just nodded back at him……….

I broke my word. I broke her, the look on her face as she searched mine for answers tore me apart but I couldn't even look at her, I couldn't give her an explanation cause I had none. The only explanation I could give her was that I was scared and stupid. I was scared that history will repeat itself and I was stupid thinking that she would betray me but I couldn't shake the feeling off.

Laya wrapped her hand around my arm tearing my gaze from the direction Nyx had run off to, I so wanted to chase after her but I couldn't because of that same reason, fear or just me being stupid.

"You might want to finish up quickly, people are assembling for the ceremony, and we shall be late." She smiled at me. Her smile wasn't comforting like Nyx's smile. It didn't make my heart skip, it didn't make me want to smile back nor did it make my Insides jump, "I am so glad you finally chose me." She smirked, running her hand through her hair before running that same hand up my arm.

I shivered in disgust, her touch didn't make me melt like Nyx's, it didn't give me sparks nor did it make me want to lean in for more.

If you do not take that hand off us now, I will take over and claw at that bitch's face! Spyro growled and I immediately took her hand away. She frowned at the gesture but quickly replaced it with a flirty smile.

She leaned into me whispering, "And oh, I forgive you for humiliating me the other day, I am sure you can make up for it when you take me tonight." She winked and I winced.

I stood up from the seat, abandoning my half-eaten dinner, and bid them a see you all later before going up to my room.

___________

I laid on my bed, the image of Nyx's hurt features haunting me, the fact that I had broken my promises concerning her haunting me.

She must hate me, I sighed.

Oh no, she won't! Spyro bit back with sarcasm, She will be waiting to welcome you with open arms!

He lashed out at me.

what the hell is wrong with you? He asked and I didn't have an answer to that, You always ruin things, Nyx makes me happy, I love Hera already! I love them both dammit.

He loved them but did I? I knew I cared about them.

What the hell is your fucking problem Lycus?

I am scared, I finally answered him, I am scared that history will repeat itself and I will get hurt all over again.

You are a spineless coward! He barked at me, I got nothing to say to you and I am tired of fighting you on this, let go of the past and move on! Nyx has her demons yet she trusted you and you used her! Now you are just going to mate with that vile skank! I fucking hate you Lycus, I hate that the moon goddess paired me with such an ass, you are a selfish bastard and I wish I was never paired with you!

His words hurt.

I should have been paired with an owl! That was his last statement before he cut off our connection. I hurt Nyx and I hurt my wolf too.

I stood up and walked to my closet to get ready for the mating ceremony.

I am selfish and cruel! I knew that but my actions were justifiable by the fear I felt or were they not?

What will happen to your mate after this? A small voice questioned me and I sighed. I didn't know what will happen to Nyx, I just wanted to get this over and done with.

__________

Xerxes purposefully brought the knife too deep when he needed my blood. He was mad as hell at my decision too, I wondered what my mother's and willow's reaction will be.

The crowd cheered and the elders nodded when he proved that he had collected my blood and then he sent me one last glare before moving to Laya who was standing before me with a wide smile on her face.

He collected her blood too and mixed it with mine in the silver bowl and then we joined our palms to connect the wounds, we were almost at the last stage of the process. As we proceeded to a different stage, the pack members will hoot with enthusiasm cheering us on.

A sharp pain tore through me that sent me reeling backward, "What is wrong Lycus?" Laya asked with worry in her eyes.

"Whatever is wrong, he deserves it!" Xerxes snapped harshly only low enough for me to hear, "Let us be over and done with this sacred union, I have things to do!" He snapped and I steadied myself back.

The elders and pack members hardly noticed our exchange. He took the bowl containing our blood, and said some incantations into it before raising it to invoke the moon goddess, "Blessed goddess." He started, "I beseech thee to bless this union." Thunder clapped dramatically as lightning flashed through the dark sky, "By your power, I seek to join these two."

I felt that same pain and this time I almost fell to the ground, everyone noticed, that the gasps came coupled with the angry roar of the heavens, it was evident that a storm was coming, was this nature rejecting my decision?

"Can you go over the rituals and be quick about this?!" Laya growled at Xerxes with panic lacing her voice.

"I am okay," I said stabilizing myself again. The wind had begun to blow now, cold chilling wind, the type that sent shivers down your spine, the type you know brought to doom.

"May this union be among the best." He continued and I could hear the lack of sincerity in his words, "Mother of all bestow upon them your blessings." Another thunder roared and then lighting flashed coupled with an instant heavy downpour.

It wasn't supposed to rain, it was almost winter.

And that was when I felt it, the feeling of a thousand thorns piercing your entire being, that feeling of your breath being restricted and it seems like your soul was being dragged from you.

There was commotion everywhere as I tried to compose myself and not yell out in agony. The rain poured and people began to run into the pack house forgetting about the ceremony.

"Can we do this quickly?!" Laya latched unto Xerxes, "Come on old man! I have waited so long for this day and nothing will stop me, not even the moon goddess's wrath."

"Leave me be woman!" Xerxes struggled with her and the bowl containing our blood fell to the ground spilling before me.

"Look what you have done!" She shrieked and I couldn't hear their altercation anymore, my pain was increasing, the rain got heavier and the skies roared.

I struggled to get off the stage, the pain tore through me again and I fell on the steps, only one thought came to my mind, Nyx.

Something was wrong.

I tried hard to overcome the pain as I sped into the pack house and straight to her room. The door was locked and I brought it down with a kick. I entered the room, I smelt blood.

Her daughter was awake crying for her mother as she sat on the floor.

I went straight to the bathroom door, my pain increased draining me, "Nyx, open up, please." I yelled pounding on the door, "If you do not open up, I will bring the fucking door down." There was no response. I ran backward and crashed into the door bringing it down and my heart stopped at what I saw.

She was in the bathroom, the water was crimson, and only her hair was visible. I ran to her side bringing her up, her skin was cold as ice and she was ghost white. Cuts littered her body, her chest didn't heave with breathing. She was limp in my arms.

"Nyx, Nyx." I tapped her chin in horror, "Open your eyes please…" I held her face shaking it trying to get a reaction.

"Mommy." Amara ran into the bathroom still teary-eyed, "Mommy." She called again.

"Love, please open your eyes and look at me." I licked my lips pleading as my pain increased, "Just say something."

There wasn't a reply, she didn't flinch. She was cold as ice and unmoving.

I swept her wet hair away from her face, peering down at her, the realization came as soon as the pain tore through me again.

I was too late.

She was gone.

And then the tears fell.

_________