The Lycan Within

c. twenty nine

Morning came and my body was immediately warmed up by the large mass of muscle tightly wrapped around me. I smiled, turning in his grasp to see his ocean eyes wide open, and he offered me a small smile, although I didn't fail to notice the bags under his eyes.

"How did you sleep?" I asked, raising a finger to his jaw, to be met by the slowly growing stubble on his face.

"I didn't." he says simply, without remorse. I looked at him for a moment before sighing.

"Sebastian, you need sleep." I said, running my thumb against his jaw and smiling softly. His own calloused hands came to rest on my cheek and he ran his thumb gently against my cheekbones.

"Lycan's don't need to sleep, I couldn't endulge in such a luxury after almost losing you. I was making sure you were safe."

I sighed and nodded, deciding that it wasn't worth arguing. I slowly sat up in bed, with Sebastian following suit and immediately turned beside him, fiddling with the nightstand beside him, until he pulled out a sleek black box. He handed it to me, his gaze trained intensely on me. I looked at him quizzically and he only nodded towards it, and so I pulled off the lid. I took a deep breath, as a wave of confusion came over me as I peered into the box, as the two twin daggers glinted in the light.

"Why are you giving me this?" I asked him.

"I don't want to let you out of my sight, but if ever I'm not there, you're more than capable of doing so. But even for me, fighting a lycan in my human form proves to be a challenge," he says, sighing, closing his eyes as he brought a hand to his temples. A few moments passed 32

"If ever you feel in danger, Celeste, I want you to waste no time in killing them." He says, his eyes piercing into my own even further with each word.

"But, what if?"

"Ask questions later, Celeste," he says, and takes my hand in both of his own, his gaze softening.

"Promise me you will, Celeste?" he asks, and I stare into his eyes for a long moment. The desperation and the pleading in his eyes, I simply nodded, and took a blade into each hand, wrapping my hands around the hilt, and with a gentle smile, Sebastian adjusted my fingers.

"As much as I'd love to stay here and cherish you all day long, we need to visit one of my hotels, the ball is in two days and some alpha's have started arriving." He said as he swung his long legs over the edge of the bed. "I hope you don't mind," he says, looking down, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck.

"I bought a dress for you," he says, and I giggle gently, offering him a bright smile.

"That's perfect. I'm not used to buying bright colours for myself anyways," I said, and he laughed, flashing his pearly whites.

"Meet me downstairs when you're ready, luna," he said, a soft smile on his face as his gaze lingered, before he turned towards the walk in wardrobe and disappeared amidst the clothes. The smile on my face disappeared as I looked down once more at the two cold blades in my hands for a long moment, and it is only when I hear Sebastian shuffling around in the wardrobe, do I get out of bed and head towards the shower.

*

Walking into the living room, I was hyperaware of the cold metalpressing against my shin, concealed in my boot. I offered a smile to everyone, who returned the gesture.

"I wish we had more time for you to rest," came Irene's voice, a pitying smile on her face and I simply shook my head.

"There will be time to rest when whoever wants me dead isn't a problem anymore," I sighed, moving over to Sebastian who instantly wrapped an arm around my waist although he busily tapped away at his phone.