Beyond The Horizon

-Present Day-

The sun's gleaming rays filtered into Lucian's bedchamber, gently rousing him from his slumber. As he stretched out and sat up in bed, his eyes caught a glimpse of Visenya lying next to him in a deep sleep. Reluctantly, he left the comfort of the bed, picking up his undershorts from where they lay on the ground. Yet, his gaze couldn't help but be drawn back to his slumbering mate. There was something different about her in that moment. Or perhaps, it was him who felt different.

As his eyes wandered over her nakedness, memories of the previous night flooded his mind. He noticed the smeared blood between her legs and realized that she hadn't lied about her virginity. She had saved herself all these years, and the realization struck him deep in the pit of his stomach. Like Visenya, Lucian had saved himself as well. While he may have dallied with a few slaves when he was younger, he had never been inside a woman before.

Visenya was not just any woman; she was his complement, his divine match, his fated mate. She embodied perfection in every essence of the word. Designed to be the missing piece to his puzzle, a piece that fit him flawlessly. He had never intended to hurt her or be as rough as he had been, but something primal took over the moment he decided he had to have her, losing all control the second their bodies linked. Perhaps, if he hadn't suppressed his desires for so long, he wouldn't have behaved like a complete animal.

He wasn't sure how long he had stood there, silently watching her sleep, his mind replaying the haunting echoes of her cries. Did he truly want her to suffer? If that were the case, then why did her cries continue to haunt his entangled heart? Finally, her eyes blinked open, searching the room as she tried to orient herself. Their gazes met, and an eerie tension filled the air, unsettling them both.

"You're late for your hunt," was all he managed to utter, his voice strained with unspoken emotions.

Visenya shot up, a sharp gasp escaping her lips as a wave of pain surged through her body. Lucian couldn't help but notice, but he quickly averted his gaze, feigning ignorance. She gingerly slid her legs off the side of the bed, lowering her feet to the cool ground.

However, as she attempted to rise, a searing pain struck her between her legs, causing her knees to buckle, and she crashed to the floor with a resounding thud. Lucian stood there frozen and uncomfortable, watching her every move, unsure of what to do or say as she struggled to regain her footing.

Visenya managed to pull herself up, her trembling hands searching for some semblance of dignity amidst the shredded clothing that was left scattered across the floor. She knew she had no other choice but to make the humiliating walk back to her room in the nude.

Clutching the tattered remnants of her garments, she attempted to preserve her modesty as best she could, and with a determined stride, she made a beeline for the exit. Lucian seemed to appear out of nowhere just as she reached the door, and without uttering a single word, he handed her one of his button-up shirts.

Confused by his sudden hospitality, she hesitantly took the shirt from him, hoping he wasn't expecting any thanks in return. Slipping into the oversized dress shirt, she hastily fled from his chambers, as if the walls were caving in and she had to escape for her life.

Upon reaching the sanctuary of her own room, Visenya hurriedly drew herself a shallow bath, seeking solace in the soothing embrace of the hot water. As the warmth enveloped her aching body, she couldn't help but relish in the comfort it provided, a brief respite from her weary soul.

"Visenya..." Delilah's voice pierced through the tranquility of the moment, yanking Visenya back to reality.

"No..." Visenya cut her off, her voice trembling with pain. "I don't want to talk about it... please."

Delilah let out a small whimper, her heart hurting for her Lycan who was trying so hard to keep from falling apart. Visenya had avoided it as much as she could, but eventually, she couldn't help but examine her body. Bruises in the shape of handprints covered her wrists, thighs, hips, and breasts. Not to mention the bite marks that Lucian left on her shoulders and nipples. Each drop of water that grazed those tender wounds sent a searing pang through her.

"I will heal you, Visenya. I'll heal it all," Delilah vowed, her voice filled with unwavering care and devotion.

Visenya felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude, knowing that once she shifted, she would no longer bear the physical marks as a reminder of last night. She hurriedly stepped out of the bath, dressing herself as quickly as her body would allow.

The sooner she shifted, the better, and she wanted nothing more than to get away from that palace, even if it was just for a brief moment. Reaching the stables, she quickly undressed without hesitation and took her wolf form. As the transformation began, a sense of relief washed over her, soothing her body and healing the wounds inflicted upon her.

She darted off, thankful to put some distance between her and the madman that enslaved her. All she could do was run... run as far as her paws could take her until she reached the edge of a cliff. As she sat there, trying to look beyond the horizon, she wondered how long it would take her to reach that point where the land meets the sky.

“Say the word, Visenya. I'll take you as far as my legs can carry us,” Delilah vowed.

“It's no use, Delilah. Don't you understand? There is no escaping him,” Visenya replied, her voice filled with despair.

“I know... perhaps we should get on with the hunt, lest we anger him,” Delilah urged.

“Alright...” Visenya reluctantly agreed. “But first, there is something I need to find, and I'll need your nose to sniff it out.”

“What is it?” Delilah inquired with curiosity.

“Emberberry.” Visenya revealed.

“Emberberry?! Absolutely not!” Delilah protested vehemently.

“Delilah, please!” Visenya pleaded desperately.

Delilah sighed, feeling a mix of concern and frustration. “Ugh... Fine! The Moon Goddess is going to curse us for this!”

"Oh please, like she hasn't cursed us already?" Visenya scoffed, her tone dripping with indignation.

“Easy,” Delilah scolded gently. “No need for blasphemy.”

If Visenya could roll her own eyes, she would have. She hurried along on her journey to find the desired bush. It didn't take long before Delilah led her to an entire field of them, filled with an abundance of those bright, enticing red berries. Visenya reverted back to her natural form and eagerly plucked several berries from a bush, stuffing them all into her mouth.

“Not so many, Visenya! Those berries are highly toxic!” Delilah cautioned.

"I'm a Lycan, so I need to eat more than a human woman would in order for them to work," Visenya explained.

"You do know that they don't prevent pregnancy, right?" Delilah informed. "They only flush the fertilized egg after it's been conceived."

"I don't care!" Visenya snapped. "I am not having that monster's little demon babies!"

Visenya swiftly filled the small bag that hung from her neck with emberberries. With a firm tie, she secured the bag shut. Then, she transformed back into her wolf form and resolutely continued her hunt.
———

Meanwhile, Lucian sat restlessly at his desk, his gaze fixed on the window, waiting for Visenya's return. Time seemed to drag on, stretching his patience thinner by the second. Frustration welled up inside him, causing his fingers to tap anxiously on the desk, faster and faster... until he decided that he had waited long enough.

He barged out of his bedchamber like a man on a mission, and as soon as his feet touched the ground outside the castle walls, he shifted into his dragon form, soaring into the sky in relentless pursuit of his unruly slave.