A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Fiora (POV)
After everyone left the room I sat on the chair gazing outside the window and focused on establishing a telepathic link with the old man. "Hello, mic testing, mic testing can you hear me? I am Fiora."
"Yes, child," he replied, his tone tinged with mild irritation. "This isn't your typical mobile phone. Every time you connect, it's always 'hello, mic testing, mic testing.'"
I couldn't help but laugh out loud. His impatience was endearing, and I relished the opportunity to tease him. "Whatcha doing?" I asked in Isabella's tone from Phineas and Ferb.
"Just dealing with some paperwork," he responded, sounding a bit weary.
"What kind of paperwork?" I probed further.
"I run a small recycling enterprise, so it's just business administration," he explained.
"What materials do you recycle?" I asked, my curiosity now fully engaged.
"Plastic, old paper, and whatever other recyclable materials we can process," he replied.
"Hmm... what's the name of your company?" I inquired, leaning forward with interest.
"Greenpath Ecocycle," he stated.
"No way... you founded Greenpath Ecocycle?" I was genuinely astonished. Greenpath Ecocycle is a groundbreaking company that provides comprehensive waste management solutions, transforming waste into valuable resources. Our operations have ceased using virgin plastic, thanks to their innovations. It's one of the most rapidly expanding companies in the sustainability sector.
"Yes, I did," he said with a chuckle, clearly enjoying my surprise.
"I had no idea! Your company is revolutionizing waste management. It's incredible how much impact you've had on the environmental sustainability front," I said, my admiration grows.
"You know we're your biggest consumers," I said excitedly.
"Now I know," he replied, shrugging it off. "I have too many clients to keep track of."
"You're arrogant," I teased.
"No, I'm not. I just don't care who's big or small. I treat all my clients equally," he responded.
"You mean with a stern, dry, and occasionally humiliating tone?" I questioned, adding a hint of sarcasm.
"Also, pretty much yes," he replied, still engrossed in his paperwork.
"I highly doubt why people invest in you despite your rudeness," I said sceptically.
"Because I deliver results. Their capital isn't wasted on inefficiencies, plus they offload their waste and receive high-quality, recycled products well within their budget," he replied proudly.
I couldn't help but admire his confidence. His company, Greenpath Ecocycle, was a disruptor in the waste management industry, offering solutions that were both economically and environmentally sustainable. "Well, you do have a point," I admitted. "Your company is revolutionizing waste management. The results speak for themselves."
"Exactly," he said, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "That's why it works. People care about results, and we deliver them."
I continued, "Greenpath Ecocycle has been pivotal in implementing circular economy principles. By converting post-consumer waste into high-quality raw materials, you're not just reducing landfill, you're closing the loop."
"That's the notion," he said. "Our process involves advanced sorting technologies, chemical recycling, and state-of-the-art facilities for producing recycled polymers and fibres. It's all about efficiency and innovation."
"And your impact on reducing carbon footprints is remarkable," I added. "Your clients save on raw material costs and improve their sustainability metrics, which is crucial in today's market."
"Precisely," he said. "We provide a full spectrum of services, from waste collection and material recovery to product lifecycle assessments and sustainability consulting. It's a comprehensive approach."
As our conversation continued, I felt a deeper appreciation for his work. His straightforward approach, while sometimes gruff, was backed by undeniable effectiveness. Greenpath Ecocycle wasn't just a business; it was a pioneering force in sustainable development, transforming waste into valuable resources and setting new standards in the circular economy.
"Why did you initiate this connection?" he inquired, his tone neutral.
"Why can't I connect if something isn't bothering me?" I retorted, feeling a bit offended.
"Ninety per cent of the time, that's the scenario," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I pouted angrily and said, "Okay, if I'm bothersome, I won't connect anymore."
"When did I imply that? I said most of the time you connect, you're seeking answers to something, and I find it endearing. You're a curious individual, much like my daughter was. She was a curious little pup, always brimming with energy," he laughed bitterly, the sound tinged with sadness.
I fell silent, unsure whether to offer comfort or let the moment pass.
"Are you still there?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"Hmm... would you get upset if I asked you to share about your wife and daughter?" I ventured cautiously, aware of the emotional weight of my question.
The old man remained silent for a moment before he spoke. "It's hard not to get upset while talking about them," he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion.
"I understand. I won't push you," I said softly, respecting the depth of his feelings.
"Someday, I'm sure I'll learn about them," I said patiently, trying to convey understanding.
He sighed heavily before continuing, "Someday...I'm sure,... back to you, what's bothering you?"
I sighed and said "I had a dream, or was it a vision? I don't understand," waiting for his response.
"Elaborate," he said calmly, prompting me to narrate the entire scenario.
I recounted the details, and he listened patiently before speaking. "That's not a vision," he said calmly.
"Am I being haunted then?" I asked, feeling a sense of unease.
"Not exactly... it's similar to that, but I'm not certain if that's the case. It could be something else," he explained cautiously.
"What?" I asked impatiently, eager for clarity.
"My wife once told me that sometimes, for various reasons, ancestors try to connect with their descendants in a similar manner as yours. However, it's very energy-consuming, and only a few people can make that connection." he elaborated.
"I see... I'm not very familiar with this," I admitted, absorbing the information.
"You'll have to do some research on this," he suggested. Then, hesitating a bit, he asked, "By now, I assume you're aware of what Etherea is?"
"Hmm... But how did you become aware of it?" I asked, taken by surprise at his sudden confession.
"My wife was Etherean," he replied with a gruff laugh.
"So, you also knew who I was," I asked bitterly.
"Of course. You were running in the woods, along with the winds, and using fire to illuminate the forest. I'd be a fool not to recognize you," he said knowingly.
"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked, my voice tinged with hurt and confusion.
He sighed heavily before responding, his tone gruff yet tinged with a hint of regret, "Say what? How much did I know about you back then? And besides, you understand why Ethera keeps themselves hidden. I didn't think you were so naive not to understand why I couldn't speak of it earlier."
His words stung a little deeper than I expected. "I'm sorry," I said softly, realizing my accusation might have been unfair.
"Hmm..." he mused, his expression unreadable for a moment. "So, you're coming back?" His question hung in the air, laden with expectation and perhaps a touch of concern.
"Yes... I have no choice, I guess. I can't stay away from you for long," I said, trying to provoke a reaction from him, and it worked.
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"I'm busy. Connect with me when you're here and ask your mate to take care of you," he retorted before leaving.
"What mate? Who's the mate? Hello... hello?" I called out, but there was no response.
"He left, old sly fox," I muttered irritably, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement at his abrupt departure.
I turned to leave and grab something to eat, but I found Zachary standing there. His expression was inscrutable. Straightening my posture, I asked, "When did you arrive?" I lowered my gaze. Why am I lowering my gaze? I didn't do anything wrong. I can talk to whoever I want. He's not my boss.
"Who were you communicating with?" he asked, his voice unusually flat.
"The old man," I replied, feeling as though I had been caught red-handed.
"The Maverick leader," he said, his tone dripping with bitterness as he walked around my room, scrutinizing everything. I made a sound of agreement, sensing the tension thickening between us.
"What did you two talk about?" Zachary questioned again, his voice even more bitter than before. Why do I feel like I am being interrogated? What have I done wrong? I asked myself. Then I sternly reminded myself that I was free to do what I wanted. Boosting my confidence, I moved closer to him and stared directly into his eyes, ready to confront him. But all I could manage was, "The usual stuff," before I immediately lowered my gaze. Don't blame me; he looked intimidating, not my fault.
Zack closed the distance between us, lowering his head near my ear. He whispered, "What usual stuff?" His voice was still rough. Suddenly, my ears felt too sensitive to his voice; I could feel them heating up.
Zack moved even closer, his mouth brushing softly against my neck. I don't remember making any sound, but his amused expression told me that I did. Before this torture could continue, I decided to leave but was caught midway.
You won't be surprised if I tell you that I am now pinned against the wall. Zack's voice dropped to a whisper as he leaned closer, "My question wasn't answered."
I heard Theo's voice, and screamed, "Theoooooo... I missed you!" and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. But then I remembered something, and I pushed him away. "No, I didn't miss you at all. You're on your human side; you also have a hand in this."
The look of shock on his face was palpable as he tried to comprehend what I was saying. But my anger flared up. I turned to leave, but he swiftly pulled me back with strong hands. "Hello, pup," Theo said, his voice softer yet filled with a hint of emotion.
I struggled to escape his grip, but he was tall and used his height advantage against me. His hold tightened, making it impossible for me to break free.
I quickly grew weary, though I didn't know why—the day had only just begun. Theo sensed my exhaustion and effortlessly scooped me up in a bridal carry, his concern evident in his eyes. He gently laid me on the bed. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice now tender.
I pouted and turned my head away, trying to feign anger. Instead of apologizing, he leaned in and softly nibbled on my neck, eliciting a sound from me that might have been unpleasant for anyone else but seemed to amuse him. Truthfully, I was enjoying it too.
I had to gently push him away, his eyes a blend of deep sea blue tinged with dark, spilt gold. He looked at me and seemed to realize something, his eyes shifting back to their usual arctic blue hue. Immediately, he moved to leave, but I caught him halfway and pulled him towards me, unintentionally placing him just above my lips, and I wasted the opportunity to kiss him 'Grrreat'
"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned by his uncharacteristic behaviour. He nodded silently and straightened up. I raised an empty glass, filled it with water from the atmosphere, and handed it to him.
His eyes shifted to a golden-green hue, signalling Zack was now in control. Concerned, I needed answers. "Where's Theo?" I demanded of Zack.
"He's here; he just doesn't want to take over," Zack replied calmly.
"Why?" I pressed, my tone edged with aggression.
"I don't know," Zack responded evenly.
"Tell him to come out," I insisted firmly.
"He refused," Zack informed me.
"Fine, then we'll do it my way," I declared with determination. I focused intensely on reaching Theo and shouted through our mind link, "Theo!"
Zack winced and covered his ears, while Theo immediately took over. He stared at me incredulously. "What was that for?" he asked, clearly taken aback.
I playfully tackled him onto the bed, asserting, "Don't you dare think of leaving or refusing me..."
He grinned mischievously, clearly entertained by my antics, confidence sparkling in his eyes. "And what if I do?" he challenged, his tone teasing.
Straightening myself, I declared, "Then I'll cry." But as soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it. What?... What was I supposed to say? I wasn't aware of his vulnerabilities, and honestly, you're underestimating the power of my tears. If I start crying, it could definitely have a deafening effect, akin to Shinzo from Ninja Hattori.
He looked at me, his amusement bubbling over into laughter. I frowned, feeling a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "I'm serious," I insisted, my tone sharpened by irritation.
"And I'm seriously terrified," he quipped between chuckles, his laughter infectious.
As his amusement settled, I cautiously inquired, "Are you alright?" His demeanour tensed momentarily, prompting me to quickly add, "It's okay if you prefer to keep things to yourself."
"It's nothing like that. I was simply pondering how to broach the subject without it becoming awkward," he spoke with politeness, his tone tinged with shyness. Curiosity piqued, I couldn't help but wonder if it was something exclusive to men that made him hesitant.
"I'm eager to learn more about your world, but if it's not something you're ready to share, that's perfectly okay," I reassured him, hoping to alleviate any discomfort he might be feeling.
"Okay, then I won't pry," he said, leaving me hanging, but I didn't press further. "Just share with me; it won't harm you," I urged gently, hoping to ease any discomfort.
"It won't harm me, but you might find it embarrassing," he replied with a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
"Why would it be embarrassing? I haven't done anything wrong," I said, feeling a tinge of concern creeping in.
"You did," he said cryptically, his grin widening.
"What?" I asked, feeling perplexed and intrigued.
"You didn't tell me what you talked about," he stated matter-of-factly. I was surprised he was still fixated on that topic. I pursed my lips slightly, scrutinizing my forehead contemplating his words I questioned, "What do you think an old man and a young woman would discuss?"
"You're interpreting it the wrong way," he said in a soothing tone, trying to calm the situation. "He's a Maverick; they don't connect with outsiders just for casual conversation," he elaborated, but I cut him off, my irritation showing.
"It's because you don't respect them as a pack," I interjected sharply.
"They're not like rogues, forced out against their will. They chose to leave. I get that. But you need to understand they're deeply scarred emotionally. Triggers for them are unpredictable. They're like ticking time bombs, and when provoked, we can't predict how far they'll go to find peace," he argued, his voice tinged with concern.
"But they need love too," I countered firmly. "It's not about giving them a free pass, but understanding their need for compassion and connection."
"Not at the cost of innocent lives," he replied somberly. "And they're cautious for a reason. They don't initiate contact easily, cause they know If they somehow get triggered they won't be able to stop and we respect them for this but we've to be cautious as well"
"I understand, but my old man is a sweet person. Despite his destructive tendencies, there's something about him that I find endearing," I confided to him with a touch of sadness. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before responding.
"Alright, but promise me you'll let me know whenever you plan to see him... deal?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern. I nodded eagerly, meeting his gaze with determination. "Deal," I affirmed.
Zack hugged me gently, but soon after, he began nibbling on my earlobes. When I pulled away, his eyes had turned into a deep shade of blue with a streak of gold. "What is that?" I asked, puzzled.
He lay back wearily, wrapping his arms around me. "I'm going through something like periods... Don't worry, it'll pass soon," he explained with a hint of exhaustion. "I hope so," he added quietly.
I wanted to inquire further, but sensing his fatigue, I decided to let it go.
"When are we leaving?" I asked after a while.
"In about two weeks. I have a project with your parents here," he answered, still laying on me.
"Does it hurt?" I asked, concerned about his condition.
"What?" He looked at me, puzzled.
"Your period-like thing," I clarified, worried he might need extra care.
He laughed heartily, like a wise old sage, and said, "No, I'm in heat. That's why my body is reacting this way. It's urging me to... make love," he explained before laying back on me.
"But you're a man. How could you be in heat?" I asked, utterly confused.
"Yes, technically, I shouldn't be..." He trailed off, leaving his sentence incomplete.
"So, why?" I pressed further.
He remained silent for a moment, then laughed again. "It's complicated," he finally said.
"Did you find your mate? Is she the reason for this?" I asked, feeling a pang in my heart.
He looked at me lovingly, cupped my face, and kissed me on the forehead. The gesture was tender, but it only heightened my desire to comfort him, to ease his discomfort in any way I could. Without even thinking, my body went into autopilot mode. I placed one hand on his chest and the other on his cheek, leaning in to peck him on the lips.
"Do you want me to stop?" I asked, not fully realizing the weight of my question.
He shook his head, eyes filled with a mixture of emotions I couldn't quite decipher. "No," he whispered, his voice rough with need.
That affirmation was all I needed. I pressed my lips to him, gently capturing his lower lip between mine. It was the first time I had ever initiated a kiss, and the electric thrill that coursed through me was intoxicating. Our tongues intertwined, exploring each other with a slow, deliberate passion. A low, primal growl emanated from his chest as he pushed me back, the intensity of his movements increasing. But who cared? I relished every moment of it.
One of his hands slid under my shirt, his touch warm and firm against my skin, sending waves of ecstasy radiating through my body. My nails dug into his chest, leaving small crescents in their wake, while my other hand tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. The heat between us was palpable, an irresistible force drawing us together.
His lips moved hungrily against mine, each kiss deeper and more fervent than the last. I could feel his breath hot and ragged against my skin as he trailed kisses down my neck, eliciting soft moans from me. My body responded instinctively to his touch, arching towards him, craving more.
His hands roamed freely, exploring the curves of my body with a possessive urgency. Every touch, every caress, sent shivers of pleasure through me, igniting a fire that consumed us both. My senses were overwhelmed by him—the scent of his cologne, the taste of his lips, the feel of his body pressed against mine.
In that moment, nothing else mattered. The world outside ceased to exist as we lost ourselves in each other, the intensity of our connection eclipsing everything else. It was raw, it was passionate, and it was utterly undeniable.
I was so lost in the moment that I didn't realise that my hair was literally on fire before I could burn anything. Zachary quickly pulled me out of the bed in a bridal style. The sudden movement shocked me, which thankfully extinguished the flames. I looked up at Zack, his eyes a mesmerizing blend of golden green and arctic blue hues, indicating that both Theo and Zack were in control.
They were smiling at me, a mix of amusement and concern on their faces. Embarrassed, I stammered, "What? It's not my fault this time," before averting my gaze.
Zack chuckled softly, "I know, Fiora. We just need to be more careful."
Theo's voice joined in, "You're a bit more... volatile when you're excited." "And maybe a cold shower wouldn't hurt." He added,
Both of them continued to smile foolishly at me and shared a silent laugh. I felt my cheeks heat up, turning various shades of red. Quickly, I extricated myself from Zack's grasp and hurried out of the room to cool down, needing some space away from him.
As Zack and Theo fussed over me, I realized how much I cherished these moments with them, even if they came with a bit of chaos. The connection we shared was unique, intense, and filled with an undeniable passion that kept us all on our toes.
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A/N
Word count:- 3300
Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well
Here, is the 30th chapter of my book
I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead
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Thank you
Love you
bye:)
Until next time
Happy reading 💐
Date:- 17/06/2024