The man in front of her, pulled the dark cape on his head down to reveal his silver hair packed neatly in a bun.
Her eyes widened as they trailed lower to see his face, and her breath hitched at the sight of him.
His face was bare, and the blood-red mask he usually wore was nowhere to be found
Elora had often imagined what her husband might look like under his mask. She would always picture an old terrifying ugly monster-like man, or someone with a gory face that needed to be hidden from plain sight.
The fact that he had silver hair didn't usually help with her horrid imagination but only fueled it further.
But the man standing in front of her was no old man, nor was he a monster.
No.
He was devastatingly handsome, his grey eyes gleamed in the darkness, his jaw taut and his silver hair was hidden under a cloak.
His skin was pale and glowy.
Underneath the dark cloak, her eyes roamed the visible outline of his very broad chest, and long veiny hands that held the glinting sword.
He looked…devilishly beautiful and oozed an overwhelming charm that made her want to throw herself in his arms.
She had threatened her own husband with a weapon.
Scratch that , she had pointed her feeble bow and arrow on the infamous ruler of wolves.
The arrow she'd once trained at his head shook in her hand.
Of course, she should have realized it was him when she'd seen those blazing eyes of his.
Her eyes rose back to his, and the reality of the situation dawned on her like a cruel trick.
She had threatened her own husband with a weapon.
She'd pointed a weapon at the demon wolf king who could end her life with a snap of his fingers.
Elora, you've done it this time. The first time you met, you spoke to him rudely, now you dare point your stupid arrows at him! You deserve whatever is coming to you.
The urge to roll on the floor and beg for his forgiveness was strong, what sort of predicament was this?
Her lips twitched wanting to apologize but she couldn't find her voice
Azazeal drew in a long, slow, dangerous breath.
And of course …
The first time his wife is seeing his face , she pointed an arrow at him.
Was he that unpleasant to look at?
If he weren't so agitated, he could've laughed.
Throughout his trip, and his way back home, he'd spent his time planning a second chance to meet his new wife and give her a better impression of him other than the cold king at the wedding ceremony, but instead, he spooked her to the extent that she'd pointed her arrow at him.
Fate has never had mercy on his cursed soul.
He can finally kiss the chance of winning her heart goodbye.
He could feel his wolf's rising agitation, he needed to know if she was okay or if she'd been injured during her earlier struggles, the image of her falling to the ground earlier made his wolf growl, if she was injured or bruised from all her falls and struggles he would never forgive himself.
His eyes roamed around her body searching for any wound, but he fought the urge to move closer to her again, she didn't seem to be comfortable around him, and that was putting it lightly.
She was undoubtedly very scared of him.
He couldn't possibly try to hold her hands and check if she was okay like he desperately wanted to.
She would flinch away from him, and his heart wouldn't be able to bear that treatment.
Worst of all, he might lose control of Anax and shift to his wolf form just to ensure she was protected and safe.
But he was very sure his wife wouldn't appreciate that, she might faint at the sight of Anax.
" W-we should probably leave for the castle now."
Casteel hesitantly spoke and Azazeal merely nodded.
He knew Elora must be tired and shaky from all that earlier screaming and adrenaline.
" Come midnight. " he called out to the horse and it was obedient this time.
"Let's go home" . He whispers, his hand reaching over to pat midnight's fur gently. Subtly commending the horse for protecting his mate when it had sensed her in danger .
Even when the horse recognized Azazeal, it didn't back down and kept herout of harm's way.
I have to ask the stable boy to reward him with lots of apples. He nodded to himself before he turned to face her.
Azazeal turned towards his wife once again.
He was nervous… but rightfully so.
His mate was in front of him, her beautiful, tiny, ethereal self was in front of someone like him.
He had to restrain his aura and conduct himself in a way that made her feel secure and safe.
Scaring her was the last thing he wanted to do tonight, but it was too late to stop that.
All he could do now was subtly earn her trust.
His jaws clenched and unclenched as he summoned his courage and held out his hand.
" Come, I'll help you up "
Elora stared at the hand in front of her and a small frown quickly marred her face.
Is this it? The final act of being cordial with me until we get to the castle and he orders for me to be beheaded. I should really apologize now, I'm just starting to enjoy my new life, and I deserve a longer time on earth this time around.
Her lips pulled into a pout and the conflicted expression on her face grew by the second.
Should I take his hands and follow them back to the castle and accept my deadly punishment, or turn around and flee from here, I won't make it far from here in these small legs of mine before I get caught by these two inhumane, super fast, scent-tracking werewolves but at least I'd die trying.
The adorable confused frown on her face almost made Azazeal smile… Almost.
He could already imagine the ridiculous thoughts running through her head.
Do I scare her that much? His heart clenched at the thought, he needed to assure her that she was safe with him no matter what.
He would never hurt a strand of her hair
His eyes darkened as he made his decision and gently took her hand from her side instead.
Elora jolted from her thoughts when she felt the large hand hold hers.
The hand was strong and calloused but was surprisingly warm as he led her to midnight.
" Are you okay Elora " he says , his gentle voice contradicting the cold blank look on his face.
A look of surprise crosses her face at his concern.
She manages a nod , her heart racing from how his voice washed over her .
She still wasn't looking up at him , afraid of what she might find there.
" Y— yes " she stuttered although she could feel her hand throb painfully from where she fell while she was struggling.
He nods gently pulling her in his arms and swiftly placing her on the horse before she could even blink.
Her eyes widened further when his hands lightly skimmed her waist as he effortlessly helped her onto the horse like she weighed nothing.
What in the goddess's name is that strength?
He released her from his hold and the places his hands had been earlier, shamelessly mourned the loss of his warmth.
Okay, what's wrong with you tonight Elora?, and what in the world are those tingling feelings that course through my veins from when our hands touch? is it a werewolf thing? But Casteel's hand doesn't feel that way when he trains with me.
Her eyes went back to her hand and she fought the urge to bring it up to her face and inspect it in front of Azazeal, instead, she held on to the horse's rein tightly.