Raul's POV

"Who's there?"I whispered again into the silence, my voice barely audible. "Who's shooting these arrows?" I asked again but the forest remained mute, the only sound was the deafening hush of nothingness.

I sniffed the air, my nostrils flaring like a wild animal, but all I could detect was the damp earth and leaves. No hint of sweat, no tang of metal, no trace of an intruder. All scents were masked.

It was as if the arrows materialized out of thin air. Whoever was doing this, was very clever.

Was it Gonzalo? I thought but shoved it away quickly, the last time I could remember, his wolf senses had not been so powerful.

"This is impossible," I muttered, figuring out there was no one around, but still I knew my instincts were never wrong. I had not been dreaming when I dodged the last arrow which landed a few inches away from my right foot.

My wolf senses were never wrong neither were my physical senses.

Hours tick by like grains of sand in an hourglass, each one weighing heavier than the last as I waited for the intruder to show up. My eyes grew heavy, my muscles were already screaming for relief, but I refused to budge. After some hours of waiting, I reluctantly admitted defeat since there were no traces of anyone.

I trudge back to my hut, the darkness of the forest swallowing me whole once more and the warm cottage giving me a peaceful comfort to rest my tired lips.

I found Natasha still sleeping, and took my position close to her gently trying to avoid making a sound in order not to wake her up, which I doubted because she was in deep slumber.

I lied facing her, observing every one of her facial features, then I brought my face closer. Our noses were almost touching, I reached for her forehead and planted a soft, tender kiss on her warm and smooth skin that shone in the moonlight.

I felt a surge of protectiveness wash over me, a fierce determination to keep her safe from the dangers that lurk in the shadows.

'Natasha, my love,' I whispered, my voice barely audible. 'I promise to teach you the ways of our kind. You will learn to harness your power, to control the beast within. You will be strong, fierce, and unafraid. And I will be by your side, always, to guide and protect you.'

Her eyelids fluttered, but she didn't stir, lost in the depths of her dreams. I smile, my heart swelling with love and devotion. I will keep her safe, no matter the cost. I will be her shield, her refuge, her home.

***

I woke up the next morning to the sound of someone's muffled growls and snarls, a voice husky with restrained fury. It's a sound I've never heard before, like a cry of frustration and then I listened closely, recognizing it as Natasha's voice.

My curiosity piqued and my heart raced as I threw off the fur blanket and rushed outside, following the sound to the edge of the clearing.

That's when I saw her, her body tensed and quivering, her eyes blazing with a feral intensity. Her fingers are claw-like, digging into the earth, and her face... Her face is contorting, her features shifting, her skin itching to unleash the beast within.

My breath catches in my throat as I realize she's on the cusp of transformation, her werewolf instincts bursting to the surface. I've never seen anyone embrace their inner wolf with such ferocity, such unbridled passion and such frustration . It's both captivating and intimidating, like witnessing a storm unfold.

I approached her cautiously, not wanting to stop the transformation process as my eyes were fixed on the spectacle before me. Her body began to shift, her limbs lengthening, her senses heightening. I could feel the energy coursing through her, a primal power that's both beautiful and terrifying.

Just as Natasha's body was about to surrender to the wolf's embrace, her muscles now tensed and ready to unleash the transformation, she suddenly snapped out of it in milliseconds. Her body trembled immediately, her eyes flashed with anger, and her face contorts in a mix of frustration and despair.

The tension was palpable as she struggled to regain control, her breath coming in ragged gasps. And then, in a heart-wrenching moment, her defenses crumble, and she bursts into tears. The sobs wracked her body, her shoulders shaking and her face buried in her hands. I left out a silent sigh, feeling disappointed.

But that was surely not the right time to allow my emotions to take control over me, so I quickly rushed to her side, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"Natasha, it's okay," I whispered, trying to soothe her pain."I keep reminding you it's a gradual process, you're strong, and I'm here for you." I held her so close that I could feel her tears soak into my shirt, her body trembling against mine.

She didn't listen and continued, I had to stroke her hair, her back and all parts of her I could reach, trying to calm the storm within her. Slowly, her sobs subside, replaced by ragged breaths and sniffles. I handed her a cloth to wipe her tears, and she looked up at me, her eyes red-rimmed, her face vulnerable.

"I'm so sorry, Raul,"she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I feel so lost, so broken.My heart ached for her, and I pulled her close, holding her tight, trying to mend the cracks in her soul which I knew was quite impossible.

I held her chin bringing her face close to mine to kiss her forehead," Look you almost transformed, I'm pretty sure you will surely do it the next time you try."

She pushed me away and screamed," Almost, nearly…just a little effort! Why can't I just transform without having to stress myself. You can't keep on protecting me ." As she ends her complaint, Natasha breaks down into tears again.

I stared at her confused by her words, " What are you saying, Natasha? You know I would do everything in my power to protect you. Whether you are ready or not, I will always protect you."

" I know and I don't want that." She stopped sobbing, trying to dry her tears before continuing," I need to save my father, Zev is looking for me everywhere. What if your cousin, Gonalzalo, tells him about me because of the price?" She asked and I had no time to think.

" Are you scared, little flower?"

We heard someone ask and I turned to meet Gonalzalo's gaze. He appeared more evil than ever, I couldn't help but he had not returned back.

His gaze lingered on us for a moment , neither of us said a word. We just stared at him until my attention was drawn to the arrow clutched in his hand.

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with questions.

"Gonzalo, a word," I called out, my voice low and even. He approached me, his eyes wary, as if sensing the tension in the air. We walked away, not too far from where Natasha was but I was sure it was out of earshot.

"What's with the arrow? Where did you get it from?"I asked, my gaze fixed on the shaft.

Gonzalo hesitated, his eyes darting to Natasha before returning to me.

"I found it on my way here,"he explained, his voice cautious. 'I didn't see anyone around, but...I think you should be prepared, Raul. Whoever is shooting these arrows can't mask their scent forever. They'll come for you, for Natasha."'

His words hang in the air like a warning, a reminder that our peaceful existence is fragile, threatened by forces we can't fully comprehend. I nod, my mind racing with strategies and countermeasures. Gonzalo's eyes linger on me, as if searching for traces of what I was thinking off but I don't think he found any, he nods and turns to leave, heading to meet Natasha who looked at us in a puzzled manner.

I had not explained what happened the previous night. I couldn't tell her, I felt we were watched and sooner or later everyone would find out I was hiding her.I didn't want Gonzalo to tell her either, as he walked towards her my heart raced in anticipation fearing for the worse.