Aisling had become lucid after the bath, thankfully joined by a partially dressed Fenrir who brought her a cup of hot herbal porridge and some salty biscuits to warm and nourish her. Sitting beside her on the bed, he watched over her as she reluctantly sipped at the unappealing concoction.
"Please drink it all, love. It will help you feel better," he coaxed gently, his concern evident in his eyes. "When I found you in the snow, you were turning blue."
As she obediently drank, Fenrir couldn't help but ask, "By the way, do you know how you ended up there?"
Aisling paused, furrowing her brow as she tried to recall the events of the previous night. Then, as memories resurfaced, she recounted the sudden drowsiness, the ambush from behind, and the subsequent darkness that enveloped her.
Listening intently, Fenrir's expression darkened with anger. Who would dare harm his beloved? His Luna, his second chance in life?
Fenrir's expression darkened with a fierce resolve as Aisling recounted the events of her ambush. His grip on the cup tightened, his knuckles pale against the ceramic. "By the Unseen Creator of the moon and earth," he swore, his voice a low growl of determination, "those who dare lay a hand on you will face the full wrath of my vengeance. No one threatens my Luna and escapes unscathed."
Aisling watched him with a mixture of gratitude and concern. She reached out to touch his arm, feeling the tension radiating from his muscles. "Fenrir, okay, you can do as you like but please be careful," she urged softly. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."
Fenrir turned to her, his eyes softening as he took in her worried expression. "I promise you love, you have me now and I won't let anyone harm you, Aisling," he assured her, his voice gentle. "Anyway, that's enough for now, you need to rest and regain your strength."
With that, he helped her finish the porridge and settled her back into bed, tucking the blankets around her securely. As she drifted off to sleep, Fenrir remained by her side. Determination flashed in his eyes as he silently vowed to hunt down those responsible for Aisling's ordeal and exact merciless revenge.
As Aisling rested, Fenrir busied himself with tidying up the cabin. Once he had everything in order, he stepped outside into the serene sunlight, leaving behind the fierce snowstorm that raged beyond the portal. Standing a few meters away was Aerendir, an elder elf.
"Fenrir, may I have a word?" Aerendir spoke with a calm yet firm tone.
Fenrir nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course, but I can't venture far. I must tend to my patient," he replied.
Aerendir understood and gestured for them to move out of listening range before addressing Fenrir. "You realize you've broken the rules by bringing another werewolf here, don't you? This ring portal was entrusted to you alone for times of dire need, and you've violated that trust by bringing someone else into this sanctuary."
Fenrir's expression grew solemn as he absorbed Aerendir's words. "I apologize, Aerendir. I had no other choice. But please understand, the person inside there is not just anyone. She is my Luna, my second chance at life and love. After losing my entire pack, I thought I would be condemned to solitude forever, until I met her."
Upon hearing Fenrir's declaration, Aerendir was taken aback. "Are you sure, Fenrir?" he asked incredulously.
Fenrir's gaze remained steady as he affirmed, "Yes, I am. She's a widowed Alpha Luna, and her late mate, Aiden, entrusted me with her care. But meeting her changed everything. It's no longer a duty to him that I'm fulfilling. In fact, I not only want her as my mate, but I also want to marry her officially."
"Marry her?" Aerendir exclaimed, clearly surprised. "That's a significant commitment. Have you thought it through? Does she know your intentions?"
Fenrir shook his head. "No, not yet. First, I have to chase her and make her mine. The rest will follow."
The elf was momentarily speechless, but then he reached into his robes and produced a vial of enchanted elixir. "Here, give this to her. It will heal her immediately. The blizzard still rages outside the portal, so please, be our guests for now. Once she's recovered, let her visit the palace. The others will be delighted to see her. I'll also send over a change of clothes for the two of you. As you know, there are rules here that must be adhered to."
Fenrir nodded solemnly, and together they made their way back to the cabin. Upon their return, Fenrir found Aisling awake but visibly unwell, coughing weakly. "My love," he exclaimed, rushing to her side and patting her back gently to ease her discomfort.
"Where were you?" Aisling asked vulnerably, her voice filled with concern.
Fenrir's heart ached at the sight of her distress. "Sorry, love. I had to attend to someone," he replied softly, his eyes reflecting his regret for leaving her side.
Aisling nodded, still coughing. "Where are we? My mind link isn't working. I can't reach out to the pack," she added, her brows furrowed in confusion.
Instead of answering immediately, Fenrir reached into his pocket and retrieved the vial of elixir. With a gentle insistence, he urged her to drink it before explaining. Aisling hesitated at first, disliking medicine, but Fenrir's persistent encouragement persuaded her to comply. As she tasted the elixir, she was taken aback by its delightful flavor, far surpassing anything she had ever experienced. "By the Unseen's grace, what is this?" she murmured softly, her curiosity piqued.
Fenrir's smile was warm as he watched her reaction. "Is it tasty?" he inquired, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Aisling nodded eagerly, her expression conveying her newfound appreciation for the elixir's flavor. "Here, let me taste," Fenrir suggested, leaning in for a kiss before she could protest. The elixir, already working its magic to heal her, intensified the sensation as their lips met, igniting a fire within her that she had never felt before. Fenrir's kiss was passionate and demanding, leaving her breathless and yearning for more.
Before she knew it, Aisling found herself lying back on the bed with Fenrir's powerful frame hovering over her, his hands exploring her body with a possessive tenderness. The intensity of their connection left her stunned; never had she experienced such overwhelming desire, such consuming passion. As Fenrir's touch ignited a blaze of longing within her, she surrendered to the intoxicating pull of their shared desire, losing herself in the depths of his embrace.
With a groan of restraint, Fenrir reluctantly stepped away from the bed, his chest heaving with the effort to control the primal urges that threatened to consume him. He moved to the window, the cool breeze brushing against his skin as he ran a hand through his hair, attempting to quell the overwhelming desire coursing through his veins. It was a struggle to rein in his need for Aisling, to resist the magnetic pull drawing him to her.
Meanwhile, Aisling also took a moment to compose herself, her mind reeling from the intensity of their encounter. She couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration that lingered, a stark contrast to the familiarity she had felt with Aiden. Sensing her turmoil, her wolf stirred within her, its voice resonating with unwavering certainty. "Of course, it's different," her wolf scoffed, its tone laced with conviction. "Fenrir is our true mate, chosen by the Unseen, creator of the moon and all there is. Our connection to him runs deeper than anything we've ever known."
Aisling's breath caught in her throat as she absorbed her wolf's words. Despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within her, she found solace in the unwavering bond she shared with Fenrir, a connection forged by destiny itself. With a newfound sense of clarity, she turned her gaze to Fenrir, her heart swelling with a profound sense of belonging.