Whispers of the Moon (Completed)

Chapter 6: The Pursuit

Lucian stood there, frozen, watching as Fawn disappeared into the thick forest. The cool breeze ruffled his hair, but he barely registered the sensation. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of regret settling heavily in his gut. He had thought he could talk to her, that maybe he could explain, but now it was too late.

What have I done?

Fawn's words echoed in his mind, the pain in her voice ringing in his ears. It had been a mistake-everything. Rejecting her had been the biggest mistake of his life, and now she was gone. He had never imagined it would come to this, that she would actually leave the pack. The bond between them, even weakened, was still there, and it pulled at him, demanding that he go after her.

Without thinking, Lucian shifted into his wolf form, his powerful black wolf shaking off the tension in his muscles. His wolf was restless, desperate to find Fawn, to protect her. They had both been in pain since the rejection, though Lucian had buried his feelings beneath the surface. Now, there was no denying the truth.

His wolf let out a low growl, a sign of his agitation. He couldn't let her leave. Not like this.

Lucian's paws hit the ground with force as he ran, weaving through the dense trees, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any sign of Fawn. The scent of pine and damp earth filled his nostrils, but underneath it all was Fawn's scent-light and fresh, like rain on a summer day. He followed it without hesitation, his wolf driving him forward.

The further he ran, the more the pack's boundary faded behind him, replaced by the untamed wilderness of the rogue lands. Lucian's wolf howled in his mind, urging him to move faster. He pushed himself harder, his powerful legs carrying him over uneven terrain as he tracked Fawn's scent.

It wasn't long before he caught up with her.

Lucian slowed as he spotted Fawn in the distance, her white wolf moving gracefully through the trees, her fur glowing in the moonlight like a beacon. She was beautiful-so beautiful it made his chest ache. He wanted to call out to her, but he didn't know what to say. His wolf wanted to run to her, to nuzzle her and beg for forgiveness, but Lucian held back.

I can't just barge into her life after everything I've done.

But as he watched her from a distance, something shifted. Fawn slowed, her steps faltering as she came to a stop by a small stream. Her body was tense, her head low, and Lucian could feel the exhaustion radiating off her.

She's not okay, Lucian realized with a sinking feeling. The bond, though strained, hummed between them, a reminder that they were still connected. He could feel her pain, her despair, like a dull ache in his own chest. She was suffering, just as much as he was.

Lucian shifted back into his human form, his breathing heavy as he stood a few feet away, watching Fawn. He wanted to run to her, but he didn't want to scare her away.

"Fawn..." His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Fawn's wolf stiffened, her ears twitching.

Lucian's heart clenched as Fawn's white wolf turned toward him, her heterochromatic eyes-one blue and one green-locking onto his. For a moment, neither of them moved. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on the clearing, but the air between them was thick with tension.

Fawn's wolf hesitated, her body rigid as if ready to bolt at any moment. Lucian felt the distance between them more than ever, a chasm created by his own hands. The bond, though frayed, still tugged at him. It whispered to him that Fawn was his, that she belonged by his side. But he knew better now. He couldn't just rely on the bond. He had to earn her trust back-and that seemed almost impossible.