Page 10 of Destined to the Lycan (The Shadow Realms #3)
“My blood and all my bodily fluids contain a low concentration of the demon wolf’s venom. It is the weakest in my urine and saliva, meaning that neither could cause harm to anyone exposed to them. But frequent exposure to any of my other fluids would result in death.”
“Hmmm… I can see why that would worry people, but unless you’re planning on bleeding or sweating all over them, their fear seems a little excessive,” Amara mused aloud.
The way I shifted uneasily didn’t go unnoticed. My Twin Flame immediately gave me an intense gaze as she waited for me to continue.
“Over the years, they had in fact gradually relaxed around me until I hit puberty. From that moment forward, I became negatively affected by the full moon. I kind of… become rabid until sunrise.”
My chest constricted, and I swallowed hard when Amara slightly recoiled, a shocked expression descending over her features.
Although she didn’t display the horror such a confession usually triggered in others, my words clearly struck her hard.
I just couldn’t interpret what emotions were coursing through her.
But a lifetime of rejection made me fear hers came from a similar place.
“The full moon?” she echoed, her wheels spinning. “I wonder if that’s why the Weaver told me to wait until after the full moon to come. What happens to you then? What do you do?”
That also hit a nerve. Had the Weaver foreseen that no one else but me would consider taking her on that mission? Had she specifically requested Amara delay her arrival until it was safe to be around me?
“Nothing,” I replied forcefully. “I have many safe places that I lock myself in until the sun rises. While enraged, I’m too mindless to unlock the door of my cage.
And as a second safety measure, there is a magic circle surrounding each of them that will not let me out until my mind is at peace again.
So no one has to worry about me ever causing harm during that night. ”
My heart soared when her shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly with relief.
“That’s good then. It sounds like you have it all under control.” She hesitated, licked her lips nervously before carefully asking the question I expected. “Have there ever been incidents?”
I shook my head. “Never, not even the first time it happened. There are sufficient signs that the change is upon me hours prior, which allows me to go into a safe place first. Anyway, the pack would have taken me out a long time ago if my rage ever harmed anyone.”
The glowing smile she bestowed upon me had me melting from the inside out.
“Then that’s all good enough for me. The question is whether you consent to be my guide. I’m not above begging. I desperately need your help,” she said, her eyes flicking between mine.
I heaved a sigh.
“Every fiber of my being is shouting for me to shut down such an insane request. Logic demands I say no,” I replied gently.
“But?” she insisted with a voice filled with hope.
I hesitated and gave her an assessing look.
“Can you even make it there? Ranael dwells in a plateau beyond the Dark Woods. It is a hard road, and we can only ride so far before we have to set out on foot. This involves a long and difficult climb. No flying mounts will take us there. With your current health, you might not be able to handle it. The weather can be very temperamental in these areas. And sometimes, we may not even find a cave to shelter in.”
“I will keep going even if I have to crawl,” she stated with determination.
“I’m dying, Remus. The Weaver said I must reach the Cursed Wolf at least one week before the full moon.
Whatever it takes, even if I have to set off on my own, I will get there.
I refuse to just sit idly while my life is fading away. ”
Her words made me frown. “Why one week before the full moon?”
“Until now, I wondered about that. I believe she always meant for you to be my guide. Which explains why she wanted me to come after the full moon, and why we must complete the mission at least a week prior to the next one. Ranael must bite me twice, the second bite a few days after the first one.”
“Leaving us with a couple more days for me to take you back to safety before locking myself up,” I whispered with sudden understanding.
She nodded firmly while holding my gaze unwaveringly. “Yes. This cannot be a coincidence. The Weaver always meant for it to be you.”
I didn’t know how I felt about that. A part of me rejoiced. Surely, this was another sign from Fate. But what if I failed her?
“Very well,” I conceded at last. “But I will need a bit of time to prepare. We shall leave the day after tomorrow.”
“Thank you!” Amara exclaimed.
In her enthusiasm, she unconsciously reached for my right hand and clasped it between both of hers. The fire in my blood—which had cooled during our conversation—flared again, setting my skin ablaze. I swallowed hard and gently squeezed her hand back in a reassuring fashion.
In that instant, I knew that nothing and no one would stop me from helping her achieve her goal. We would get her the cure she needed, even at the cost of my own life.