A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Zachary (POV)
The swift progression of recent events has left me feeling quite overwhelmed. It was only yesterday morning when Fiora confided to Theo about her feelings for me, and we already had our intimate encounter last night—a closeness that remained non-sexual—I can sense a profound shift in our bond. I find myself becoming increasingly protective of her, yet at the same time, I'm burdened with worries. With each passing moment, our bond grows stronger, making it ever more challenging to control my desires. If only Fiora weren't currently on her period, I fear I might struggle to resist the urge to act on my feelings, although always mindful of her consent.
She's not exactly innocent either. Since yesterday, she's been flirting openly, and even this morning, her touch on my bare skin ignited a spark that shouldn't have been there. But it's not solely her fault—the bond affects both of us, stirring up emotions and desires that are hard to resist. I must admit, I find her advances more enticing than the traditional dynamic of men pursuing women. And the fact that I serve as her "fire cooler" only adds to the complexity of our relationship. I won't deny that I was tempted to take things further, like changing her clothes last night, but I managed to stop myself midway.
She may not realize it, but it's quite common in our community for mates to lose control or temper and end up damaging things. We all have our bad days, engage in ugly fights, and carry traumatic pasts—it's part of being alive. Typically, mates are prepared to handle any mishaps that arise from these situations. However, I wasn't prepared because I wasn't aware of the powers my mate would possess. Now that I understand, I know what kind of changes my house needs to ensure her comfort and safety.
Just as I was contemplating the changes needed in my house, I found myself engrossed in preparing half of the floor plan for the library. Meanwhile, Fiora was occupied with calculations for the other half. I couldn't help but steal a glance at her to see what she was up to, only to catch her in the act of adjusting her hair and checking herself in the mobile camera. Quickly averting my gaze back to my work, I focused on the task at hand.
As I heard her approaching, I sensed what she wanted to discuss—The Mating Rituals. I knew I couldn't simply explain it without demonstrating its essence to her. I could educate anyone else, but she is different; she is my mate. How could I look her in the eye and convey what it truly meant?
The mate bond wasn't just about physical intimacy—it was a lifelong connection between two souls. It was infinitely more profound and sensual than mere carnal relations. Consider it: the ability to experience not only your pleasure but also that of your partner, intensified ten times by the mate bond. It was addictive, consuming in its intensity. Once you've tasted such euphoria, going back to ordinary encounters with anyone else felt mundane and unsatisfying.
Moreover, the mate bond served as a potent deterrent against infidelity. The level of fulfilment attained within the bond was unmatched, rendering the thought of straying unthinkable. To satisfy such desires, one would have to relinquish oneself as a mere tool for the pleasure of the entire pack—a sacrifice few were willing to make.
I firmly declined her request, but she persisted in her cute voice, insisting that she needed help with a file unrelated to our current task. When I confronted her, she dropped the act and left in a huff, resembling an angry penguin. Despite her childish behaviour, it brought a smile to my face. A few minutes later, I overheard her muttering to herself, "Huh! I'm so smart," which piqued my curiosity. Sure enough, she soon stood up, confirming my suspicion.
"Fiora," I called out to her, noting her innocent demeanour.
"Yes, sir?" she responded, her tone sugary sweet.
"What's cooking?" I inquired, still focused on the intricate details of the library map.
"Just needed a moment to use the restroom," she replied smoothly, her lie delivered with practised ease.
I glanced her way, only for Theo to interject with a firm "Crystal," his voice leaving no room for dishonesty.
"Well, I happen to be on my period, so a restroom break is in order," she retorted defiantly.
With a resigned sigh, Theo directed her toward the restroom. "This way"
Observing her heading towards the washroom, I spoke to Theo, seeking his perspective. "Do you think she actually needed to use the washroom?"
"No, you think so?" he countered, clearly amused by the situation.
"Naah!" I replied, shaking my head.
"What do you think she wanted to do?" I pressed further, curious about Fiora's intentions.
"Who knows, but we definitely got paired with the most adorable troublemaker," Theo replied with a hint of affection in his voice, sounding like an enamoured puppy.
"True, I enjoy her mischief more than her morning demeanour," I admitted, recalling Fiora's earlier poised and aloof attitude.
"I hated it," Theo confessed, his tone echoing my sentiment.
"Hmm... me too," I agreed, sharing his sentiment about Fiora's earlier demeanour.
"To be precise, I desire her to feel at ease and unrestricted, without feeling beholden to anyone else's expectations. She should embrace her true feelings, rather than mask them behind a facade of propriety," I concluded, with Theo concurring.
"Let's wrap up this task and then we'll dive into planning the adjustments for Fiora's accommodations," Theo gently reminded us, refocusing our attention on the matter at hand.
After a few minutes passed without Fiora's return, a sense of worry crept over me. I stood up and made my way towards the washroom, but as I neared, the faint sound of pages turning caught my attention.
"No one should be here at this hour," I mused to myself, puzzled by the unexpected noise. With curiosity driving me, I approached cautiously, only to find Fiora engrossed in flipping through our rituals book. A smile tugged at my lips as I watched her blush, seeing her reaction to the book made me somewhat at ease.
"My sweet prey," Theo's mischievous voice chimed in, echoing my thoughts.
"Should we let this delicious prey escape, or savour the moment a bit longer?" I added, sharing in Theo's amusement.
"Is that even a question?" we both grinned, our minds in perfect sync as we reached the same conclusion.
Silently, I positioned myself behind her to catch a glimpse of what she was reading, only to find her hurriedly turning the pages detailing mating rituals, purposefully skimming over certain sections. With a playful impulse, I gently caged her between my arms, getting close to her while narrowing the distance between us. "Weren't you supposed to be in the washroom?" I whispered into her ear, my voice laced with a seductive tone.
She froze beneath me, her body warming under my touch, and a smile naturally found its way onto my face. With gentle amusement, I lightly brushed my lips against her neck, enjoying her reaction as her hair stood on end and a soft hiss escaped her lips. She closed the book and returned it to the shelves, then turned to face me, her cheeks flushed with a deep crimson that spread to her ears. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her, maintaining a playful grin.
"Do you also have a predestined mate?" she asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of concern, jealousy, and shyness. Her expression was a puzzle, revealing a myriad of emotions that I couldn't quite decipher.
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"I do. Why?" I answered her question with a hint of curiosity.
"Oh... um, we should get back to work," she responded, her expression clouded with a touch of sadness as she gently extricated herself from my embrace and returned to her seat.
"What happened? Does she not like the idea of mates, or does she find it horrifying?" Theo asked, sharing in my confusion.
"Maybe she's horrified by how our ancestors treated their companions. Does she think we're going to do the same?" I mused aloud, considering the implications.
"Is she scared?" Theo suggested, offering another possibility.
"Maybe," I conceded, my thoughts still swirling with uncertainty as I resumed my place at the table.
I observed Fiora with a growing sense of unease as she remained completely absorbed in her work, her expression devoid of any emotion as she dedicated herself entirely to her tasks. "That's why I hesitated to tell her the truth. I had a feeling she wouldn't react well," Theo confided, his voice betraying his emotions.
"Take it easy, Theo. We'll talk to her later," I offered reassurance, though his demeanour remained sombre for the rest of the day.
Fiora maintained a composed facade throughout the hours that followed, her professional demeanour unwavering. Now, I couldn't shake off the gnawing worry that she had no interest in delving into the subject of mating.
The journey back home was marked by a heavy silence, tension palpable in the air as we navigated the unspoken turmoil between us.
As Fiora prepared to exit the car, she suddenly halted midway and turned towards me, her eyes reflecting sadness as she spoke, "I'm sorry if I overstepped any boundaries. I wasn't aware that you already have someone in your life."
"Wait, what? Who has who?" I asked, utterly perplexed by her statement.
"You have a mate or will meet her in the future. Have you met her already?" she inquired with genuine curiosity.
"So, she thinks I have another girl in my life who's destined to be my mate?" Theo chimed in, suddenly amused by the misunderstanding.
"I think so. That would explain her reaction; she believes she's interfering with my future mate," I explained with a mischievous grin. "Oh, this is going to be entertaining," Theo and I exchanged knowing thoughts, both of us eager to play along with Fiora's confusion.
"I haven't met her yet, but until then, I'm a free bird and can do as I please," I added, maintaining my playful and seductive demeanour.
Fiora's irritation and anger flared up at my response. "How could you? Shouldn't you be waiting for her?" she questioned, her tone heated.
"Why should I? She might be fooling around too. Besides, there's no guarantee that I'll even meet her. I can't wait for someone whose existence I'm not even sure of," I countered, enjoying her directed anger.
"What if she shows up while you're with someone else?" Fiora's anger subsided, replaced by curiosity and innocence in her doe-like eyes.
"Hmm... let me think. If that were to happen, I suppose I'll keep both," I replied, restraining myself from revealing the truth, as Fiora narrowed her eyes at me.
"You're a philanderer," she accused before stomping off angrily, slamming the car door shut as she made her way into the house, her demeanour resembling that of an angry penguin.
Theo and I burst into laughter. "Oh, this is going to be too much fun," I exclaimed between chuckles, already relishing the entertaining twists and turns that lay ahead
As we gathered for dinner, Fiora seemed distant, barely acknowledging my presence. Sensing the tension, my parents waited until she left the room before approaching me.
"Zaco, what's going on?" my mother asked, her tone a mix of concern and slight annoyance.
"Son, is everything alright between you two?" my father added, his worry evident in his voice.
"No need to worry, Mom, Dad. It's nothing serious," I assured them with a chuckle. "Just a harmless prank I'm pulling on Fiora."
They exchanged a glance, then smiled at me. "Ah, I see," my father nodded, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. "Good to see you're relaxed," he added before leaving, followed by my mother who planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.
I went to Fiora's room and rapped lightly on the door. "Hello, Serenade..." I greeted, but my words were met with the abrupt sound of the door slamming shut in my face.
Undeterred by her initial reaction, I persisted, knocking again and again. "Don't forget, Fiora, I'm still your superior. I can..." I began to assert, but she cut me off as she opened the door, a sarcastic smirk playing on her lips. "What... fire me?"
Before she could shut me out once more, I seized the opportunity, slipping past her and into her room with a trick. "No, I just wanted to talk," I explained,
"I'm tired. Can we talk later?" she replied wearily.
"Fine, I'll share the room with you," I said with a mischievous grin, hoping to lighten the mood.
"What? Why?" she asked, annoyance evident in her tone.
"You shared mine and I didn't object," I pouted playfully, attempting to evoke a smile from her.
"That was a special case," she retorted, folding her arms defensively.
"You destroyed my bed," I teased, trying to ease the tension.
"I apologise for that, and I can pay you if you want. Besides, you have a bed here," she said, her guilt evident in her posture.
"Who wants your money? I want to be here with you," I replied, maintaining my playful demeanour as I removed the blanket and settled myself.
"What are you doing, Sir?" she asked in a low, guilty tone.
"Settling myself. I'm not leaving, don't even think about it. And I won't let you leave either," I insisted, still playful.
"You're taking advantage of my situation, aren't you?" she said softly, her tone filled with sadness now.
"Then burn me to ashes," I said, the hurt and frustration evident in my voice. She didn't respond, leaving the air heavy with unresolved emotions.
"Fiora, you can't let me walk all over you, even if I've helped you. Your dignity matters more. What if I ask you to sleep with me in return for the help I've provided?" I said, my tone serious and direct, hoping she grasped the significance of my words.
"It's easy for you to say, I have longed to fit somewhere, anywhere, and I just don't want to be alone and left out," she replied with a hint of vulnerability, her eyes pleading for understanding.
"Pixie Pearl, being alone gives you power to control, power to choose, It's not a sign of weakness rather It's choosing good over evil, I don't know how long it'll take, but I can bet my tail on it—you'll find the best companions of your life if you learn to be enough, alone," I replied firmly, injecting a touch of humour to ease the tension. It seemed to have the desired effect, as a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
She gazed at me with gratitude, but her expression shifted to mischief, and she closed the gap between us. Theo muttered, "Too close, too close, too close..."
Her fingernails traced lightly across my torso in a tantalizing manner. I couldn't deny the thrill, though I knew things could quickly escalate. Theo and I both felt a bit dazed by her provocative gestures.
With a slow grip on my shirt, she pulled me towards her abruptly, our faces inches apart. Excitement coursed through me, mixed with surprise. She stepped back, and I found myself following, captivated by her kaleidoscopic eyes.
Stopping near the wall by the door, I instinctively placed my hands against it, closing the gap even further. We were now mere centimetres apart, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her enticing lips.
As the door swung open, I braced myself, but before I could react, I found myself pushed out into the hallway. "Zachary Theo Crystal, I don't want you in my room. Go back to your own room," her tone was firm as she closed the door firmly behind me. I stood there, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
"Fiora, that's unfair," I protested from the other side of the door.
"Didn't you say I have to be alone to find the best companion?" she replied, her voice tinged with amusement. I could hear her quiet laughter through the door, and it brought a smile to my face.
"Fiiioraa..." I playfully called out.
"The grand white wolf accompanied by a whimsical human counterpart, leave," she retorted, her words teasing but firm. Despite the situation, her playful banter brought a grin to my face.
"Goodnight, lovebug," Theo's voice floated, and I faintly heard Fiora's response, "Goodnight, Ardorembra." The term, meaning the person who has a passionate embrace, made me smile, capturing the warmth of the moment
I returned to my room, still sporting a foolish grin from my recent encounter with Fiora. I got ready and hopped into the shower, the memory of our interaction still vivid in my mind. Amidst the soothing cascade of water, it dawned on me that I had neglected to inform her of our mate bond. A mental note was made, and I vowed to address it first thing in the morning.
Emerging from the shower and flopping onto my stomach in my pyjamas, I was roused from the brink of sleep by the insistent ringing of my phone. It was Ziwa.
"Hello," I answered groggily, still half-asleep.
"Alpha, Ziwa's missing. I found her phone on the boundaries, and we can't pick up her scent," Ethan's voice sounded strained with worry.
"Since when?" I snapped to full alertness.
"Since this morning," Ethan replied tersely.
"Search for her extensively and contact the prophesy clan. I'm heading back," I instructed firmly. With a sense of urgency, I hastily packed up my belongings. As I swung open the door to leave, I was met with the sight of Fiora standing behind it. Her eyes, once filled with joy, now mirrored concern as she absorbed the news. "Ziwa is missing," I announced before she could voice her curiosity.
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A/N
Word count:- 2900
Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well
Here, is the 21st chapter of my book
I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead
I think it's evident to all of you that whenever Theo and Zack converse, it's within the confines of their minds
Ok
Thank you
Love you
bye:)
Until next time
Happy reading 💐
Date:- 20/04/2024