Denali
I knew the frustration he was feeling all to well. The pain and anger that could just drive you....crazy. The sadness and the loss, all those emotions thrown together were a deadly combination. When I ran, all I wanted to do was to kill my brother, but I knew I couldn't. Right now all Astaroth wanted was to kill his mother's killer, to expel all the emotions that were drowning him out on someone. I understood him, even without this imprint bond I understood him.

I trusted Astaroth with my life. Maybe he wasn't the smartest, or didn't always think things through and to see their consequences, but I knew one thing for sure about him: he would never let anyone hurt me. I think watching his father helpless to help his mate, his imprint, gave Astaroth even more motivation to keep me safe. I couldn't be more grateful for him, my demon soul. Honestly, he meant the world to me, even if I didn't mean as much to him, even if I was an imperfection. I guess....maybe I did love him, maybe what started out as a simple imprint bond had turned into something more for me.

He stiffened at my words, completely frozen as I moved towards him. I didn't know how he would receive me, in these moments, but I would not turn my back on him now, nor would I ever. He was difficult, but he was mine. His burdens were to be my burdens, I would have it no other way. Because I never had anyone there for me as I experienced these pains, so I wouldn't let Astaroth go through the same thing. No, nobody deserved to go through that, especially not Astaroth.

"I would.. have been there for you." he somehow manages to say, taking a step closer, into me. When I touched him, embraced him, he practically melts into it. I could almost feel all the weight on his shoulders, feel some of what I would take from him because I wanted to, because I needed to. "I know, I know you would have, and that you will," I say, nothing but honesty in my voice. He would never fail me, he would always be my strong demon. Even now in this moment of weakness for him, this moment of vulnerability, he was still strong.

"She's... gone. Somebody took her. You're here but she's gone. What do I do?" he says, and his words hurt my heart so. He stared at me, with those deep red eyes filled with loss. I could also see in them his desire to kill, kill whoever did this to Lillith. I couldn't stop him from taking revenge, but maybe I could be there, so he doesn't make a mistake he'll regret. "We can find whoever did this, I can help you track them down, I whisper, closing my eyes and gently resting my head into him, to calm him.

5 years/ Chained to Astaroth/ Love is complicated/ Iromar