Barely Breathing

Thud!

I grinned at the fallen tree in front of me. Trading a whole night for training instead of my supposed beauty sleep wasn't so bad after all.

I laid down on the smooth grass and spread my arms and legs. Loving the softness of grass at my fingertips. I was panting and sweaty from spending the whole night training hard; punching and kicking trees, knocking down some, and hunting deer or rabbits in wolf form.

It's a new moon tonight and the sky looks magical with an endless row of little twinkling stars scattered and dominated its entirety. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. I raised my hand, dreaming to touch it.

Sounds of bugs, wind rushing to the east, occasional owls, and other noises coming from creatures of the night create a harmonious almost peaceful rhythm like a lullaby. Calming it was. It brought me peace.

I wonder if I would still be able to do this after the Mate Hunt. Just laying here, under the stars, forgetting everything else for a moment. Smart to say I would get my answers tomorrow.

The Annual Mate Hunt will be held tomorrow much to my dismay. The day after tomorrow is my 18th birthday too. Each year, everyone gathers to participate in the said event to look for their chosen. I, almost eighteen, need to go.

My thoughts were interrupted as I felt someone watching me, it was so dark, yet even my wolf can sense it. That familiar weird feeling washed over me and I knew instantly it was him. Well, who else would it be?

"What do you want?" Irritation laced in my voice; my face gave it all away.

"Someone’s in a bad mood huh?" I heard him say. He stood near my head so I was seeing him in reverse.

A familiar set of sea-blue eyes stared down at me with a playful glint. His hooded eyes blend perfectly with his thick straight brows. His short dark hair got that messy look but suits him just right. His sharp jawline accentuates more his masculine features. He got that sharp nose that makes him more gorgeous than he is already.

All in all, he's hot, not that I would admit it to him. Never.

Xyrus made that satisfied grin and sat down Indian to sit facing my head. He bent down and whispered in my ear making sure he touched it with his lips.

"Like what you see?"

hopes up Xyrus. I was just trying to see why girls like you that much because honestly, I don't see anything special.” I smirked to annoy him more but it seems he's not losing his confidence any moment as his

- now were finally gone with formalities princess.” But he wasn’t angry, if more, he

doing here?” I blew a breath

so much?” I slowly opened my eyes and met his. I couldn’t find the right words to say. True to it, I don’t hate him. I’m just scared of what he’s showing me.

hunt without being claimed, will you

together. But he didn’t

my thoughts in my next words. “I

to change that?” His lips stopped closely above my lips, if I so much as move an inch, I dare not to think what might happen. I stared wide-eyed, my heart doing some somersault at his

accidentally hurt me. When I fight, he was always there, watching. Not just that but he always demands me to fight with him instead. That part, I do find advantageous because he is the most skilled and best opponent, one could encounter. Probably the reason

face away but he caught my wrist easily, holding each beside

dislike of him tripled a thousand times. All I want to do is to rip his lips off of his face if he even so slightly thought of actually

I am enjoying our current position... you know, you and me under the stars above."

kind of freaking out. My breath became shallow. I’m deafened by the loud

"Xyrus I’m warning you!"

"Of what?"

"MOVE."

"Make me."

going to

sideways to prevent the worst just as I pulled back my knee to hit him on

"Ouch!"

two hands, unable to move. That hurts a lot! Lucky me it didn't bleed just

fun of me! That

echoed through the