C9 Chapter Nine: One Last Glance

After Claude and I made a moment, we decided to go to the woods with our wolf form. I agreed to make memories with him even though a part of me is yelling at me as to why I'm letting this.

We passed the borderlines then I mind-linked Storm I'm going with Claude. I don't know why I let him agreed on me with this. Because the wolf part of me wants to be with Claude before I say a painful goodbye to him. I would think of going far away from him sickens me now. I sighed.

Claude nudged me with his nose. I looked at him and found his massive wolf form. His red eyes were looking at me lovingly. At every end of the strands of his fur releasing gold dust which I found beautiful to my eyes. I nudged him, too using my nose. My wolf purred and so was Claude's wolf.

I transformed into my human form and I was now dressed up. I came to Claude on his wolf form and placed my hand on top of his head. He pushed his head more to my touch as if Claude wants me to pet him.

So I did and I giggled.

"Good boy," I said, smiling. I kissed the side of his face. He just nudged me as he liked what I did.

I was confused when the massive, beautiful wolf lied down. He looked at me and moved his head.

I chuckled, understanding him. "What? You want me to lie on your stomach? That's insane!"

Claude growled and he gave me his dangerous, beautiful pair of red eyes me. He once again moved and told me to lie on his stomach. Chuckling, I did and lied on his stomach when he laid in the grass bed. I sighed in contentment as I looked up to see the starry sky.

The soft breathing of Claude is like music to my ears. The fast beat of his heart gives a wonderful tune to me.

I fixed my position and hugged Claude's wolf form to feel his soft fur tickling in my skin. I gently grabbed his fur and closed my eyes as I inhaled his scent. The same scent I smelled when we were in the woods. It's very addictive and at the same time alluring to my senses.

"I wonder if I can sleep here, you like my soft pillow. What do you think?" I murmured.

He growled softly and agreed with me. I smiled and let myself drowns from the silence and with Claude as my pillow. The soft breathing of his is so cute.

Not long after my eyes are getting heavier of tiredness, I slowly closed my eyes and let sleep drowned me.

I was half-awake when I felt being lifted. I felt like my world is spinning. I snuggled closer to the person I was with not even opening my eyes to who I was with right now. But when I sniffed the scent, his familiar scent ranged through my nostrils.

"Claude..." I murmured, feeling the sleep wanted to drown me again.

I felt his lips on my hair. "Shh. Just sleep, love. You have to sleep." His soft, warming voice is like a lullaby to me. I nodded my head in response and clung to his neck. The last thing I heard before I slept again is Claude's voice murmuring in my ear, saying, "Good night, Rachelle."

I woke up with the good sleep I ever have, feeling my energy fully loaded into something. I went to the bathroom and quickly dressed up. Before I left my room, I glanced at my room I will surely miss this. Since childhood and 'till I grown-up, this is already my room.

I went downstairs and met Casey in the living room. My eyes widened because she is dragging my suitcases out.

I quickly ran to her. "Luna, you don't have to do this."

Casey looked at me and smiled sweetly. She shook her head. "No. I want to help. You guys are so paranoid. And besides, Storm had already known about what I was doing. Please? I want to help." She gave me her puppy eyes that anyone couldn't resist.

I sighed. "Fine. If that is your wish."

Casey patted my cheek lightly. "Go grab some breakfast. Storm is there. Have some final talk with him. He was a bit mad, you know."

"Mad? To whom?"

"To you." She giggled. "I am just joking. Not you. To my brother, Claude. You know, men," she winked before she left me.

My feet guided me to the dining room and there I saw those two idiots seriously talking to something. I cleared my throat so that I got their attention and I wouldn't hear their talks.

Storm's face lighted up when he saw me. "Rachelle!" he said, smiling. He stood up and opened his arms. I rolled my eyes. He is becoming the clingy brother I have.

"Storm!" I said and smiled widely not minding Claude's intense stares shot right through me. I ran to him and hugged him.

I was enveloped by a nice and warm hug coming from Storm. The same hug I always receive whenever he consoles me if he saw me crying. My forehead knitted when I heard Claude lowly growled under his chest. When I shot him a glare, he was holding the bread knife tightly and shot us a death glare from our position. I was confused about his action.

I averted my gaze and gave Storm a tight hug again before we pulled out.

Storm patted my head. "I will surely miss my sister here in my pack."

I smiled at his statement. "Likewise, brother."

"Have a seat and eat breakfast." He offered me a chair to sit in. I sat and faced the table.

Just when I was about to get my own breakfast. Claude stood up and took the plate of fried rice. He spun around and went to me as he served my food. His male scent filled my nostrils. I get addicted to it while my heart didn't stop beating knowing that he was so close to me. He sat right beside me and took a strip of bacon and placed it on my plate. He gave me a sunny-side-up egg and hotdog.

"Now eat," he said darkly.

I glanced at Storm who was amusingly glaring at us. When our eyes met, he flashed a smirk. He stood up from sitting. "I'll leave you two. Have some time to get along with each other," he said and left us here.

My heartbeat wildly, noticing Claude and I are here alone in the dining room. I looked at him. He was giving me his intense glare again.

"What are you looking at? It's as if I did something wrong," I said half-annoyed.

"Of course, you do. You were hugging him earlier!" He whined. His voice is dark causing me to have goosebumps on my spine.

"He's my brother," I stated and ate the food he prepared for me as memories of our last night playing inside my head.

"You two are not blood-related. I'm jealous, Rachelle."

I stopped myself to gasp from him being so honest. I bit my lower lip, looking at him. I observed his face. His hair was disheveled right this morning. And he looked so hot right now. "So? We treat each other like we are siblings. We always do this. Shut the hell up." I snorted and continued to eat.

"But..." I cut him off with my finger snapped right in his face. I don't want him to ruin my breakfast. He must shut up or else I will snap at him.

I munched my food before I swallowed. "Goodness! Graciousness! Stop that. Let's eat, will you?" I gave bread and shoved it to his mouth. He gladly ate it. I laughed at his cuteness. Claude smiled and took a strip of bacon and offered it to me. I opened my mouth to eat it. "Hmm!" Delicious! I would say.

"I'm going to miss you for sure, Rachelle." My heart stopped right from his words.

I averted my gaze and didn't know how to respond to his statement. I was overwhelmed, yes. This guy happens to be my mate. If it wasn't, I will surely punch his face. Something is fluttering my insides and I don't know why I am feeling this. I sighed and relaxed.

That's right, Rachelle. Relax.

"I still got no response from you? I thought we already have a deep connection?"

I glared back at him. "I'm not prepared for this thing. How many times do I have to tell you?" I have to calm my nerves. No way I could burst out from this talk again. "I thought you already understand me. If you don't, you can reject me anyway." A pang of pain spiked in my heart when I said that.

I don't know if I could bear Claude rejecting me. My wolf howled in disagreement with my statement. She didn't like what I said to our mate.

I saw how Claude's eyes crossed the pain expression. I was hurt by it. I didn't mean it. Something pushed me to say it.

"I'm sorry if I keep on pushing further. I know I had told you last night that I promised to understand. I'm sorry if I keep on assuming things," Claude said and walked away.

He left me here in the dining area and was stunned by his words. I blinked as I felt the tears coming. I hurt him again. I am hurt, too. I bit my lower lip.

'You're making this difficult for the two of us.'

I sighed from the mere whisper of my wolf. She was now bothered by my thoughts and what I said to our mate.

"I want to fully know about myself before I accept him."

'What if he can't wait for you anymore?'

"That would be my problem. I'm willing to accept my fate," I whispered. It hurts to say this. I know my wolf knows that I'm lying about this shit. But even so, she is still worried about me.

After I grabbed my breakfast, just in time, I've been calling up. The transportation that would lead me to the palace is there, waiting for me. I tried to look for Claude again to say goodbye to him. But I can't find him. Where is he? So this is it? I will not have a chance of saying goodbye but the last words I say earlier? How could you, Rachelle?!

I composed myself not to be affected by the absence of Claude before I leave. I should be more strong.

As I went to the front gate, Storm and Casey are already waiting for me. I saw them glistened tears as I chuckled going after them.

"Cry babies," I commented before they pulled me in a hug.

"Too bad I still have no chance to fight with you, Rachelle. But next time, okay?"

I nodded and smiled. "If Storm will allow me then so be it." Casey and I giggled. We clasped our hands and hugged each other again. I turned to Storm who was already frowning. "What?" I asked, chuckling. I knew he didn't like the idea from his wife.

"Take care of yourself. Don't do anything stupid." I shot him a glare. Of all people, why is he the one who said that?

"I'm not stupid!" I glared at Casey. "Look! He is calling me 'stupid'!" I blabbered.

Casey shot him a glare. "Storm!" she said with a warning.

"I'm not!" he said defensively. "I meant for her doings, not her." I rolled my eyes just because of that. Pathetic! Storm smiled. "I'm just joking, dear sister. Be strong!"

I smiled. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it."

I waved goodbye to all of the people in our pack. But as I waved, my eyes were looking for Claude. I couldn't see him. I sighed in sadness.

I opened the horse carriages and turned my head back to the people and also to Storm and Casey. I caught my breath when I saw Claude just beside Casey. He was looking at me intently with a serious look on his face.

I glared at his eyes and saw emotions crossed. I averted my gaze and continued hopping in as I gave Claude a last glance. I turned to the driver.

"Let's go," I commanded.

"Yes, commander." Then the engine started.

I glared to the side view mirror, seeing Claude standing far inches away from this vehicle. My heart stops when I saw him looking at the side view mirror. As soon as the vehicle went towards the road, I knew by then that I will never see him again. I don't know when.