A Mysterious She-wolf

Kavi's POV [Layla's POV]

I was admiring my handsome man narrating his childhood adventure with puffed up chest and great enthusiasm.

"..no one in our tribe was ready to cross that wooden log. But that bear cub was shouting for help from the other side. That's when I walked over that log. When I was almost halfway crossed, I idiotically looked down and realized the depth of the valley underneath me. My heart started beating so fast. But I wanted to help that cub. So I prayed to Sun and walked over the other side. That cub held onto me as soon as I picked him up. The boys were cheering when I rescued that cub. I felt so happy and proud that day. But the story didn't end of there. Because the mother bear came running towards us. You should have seen our reaction...”

He laughed beautifully at his recollected childhood memory and continued.

"...I slowly placed the cub down and everyone started running in different directions. Fortunately, that bear confused and left us picking her baby. My parents learn about my dangerous adventure and punished me. That's a different story.”

He looked at me staring with a smile and smiled back at me. I felt connected to him at the moment and all I wanted is to lean over him and kiss his full lips. The usual tensed up closeness of him turned comfortable and welcoming now.

"Will you miss me? I am surely going to miss your presence."

He muttered slowly with a small smile. Why he has to be so adorable?

But his words pierced my heart. He has no idea! I will surely miss him. I sighed and looked away. It's been already six days and he is returning to his place tomorrow. I had learnt about him a lot but didn't tell much about me. He knew I have some abilities like him and I could communicate with animals. He will ask about me often but I always insist about telling on right time.

His tribe worship Aadhavan as their Prime God. And Maayan was born with the blessing of Sun. I don't know how he will take the truth. I was clear about my feeling for him. No matter how wrong it was, I am undeniably in love with him. It would be a great blessing if he could become mine but he never gave any sign of interest except for some long stares

"Yes. I will miss you. But you will have your family and duties to look after. You will forget me eventually. I am not so important person in your life."

I said softly to him reminding myself tomorrow may end up as the last day for us being together. "No! I can never forget you. How can I forget such a beautiful... friend?"

His words portrayed his true feelings except for the last word. He seems confused about his feeling. I don't want to be just one of his friends; I want more from him and I want to give more to him. It upset me that he only thinks of me as his friend. His hands creased my eyebrows. I must have been frowning. His face displaying concern. I smiled at him assuringly but couldn't make my smile reach my eyes. The silence felt so heavy just like my heart. I don't want him to feel bad.

"Okay... Let's do something different today. Let's explore the lake. The underwater plants also have unique uses. You know to swim right because you have to get the plants?"

I teased him and stood up showing I am ready to go. He smiled but his eyes clearly conveyed that he understood my change in mood. Thankfully he didn't question me about it.

We walked to the lake and I sat on open rock. He gave his belonging to me and gracefully walked into the water. I ogled his toned muscles but my heart still lingering the way he easily categorised me as his friend. Inspite of being on the mountain, the lake was a little deep one. He paused when his hip was submerged and turned around to look at me but before our eyes could meet, I turned away pretending to be looking at the plant next to me. I don't want to lose focus. Just imagining his skin wet and sloppy makes my mind go crazy and lot of things I wanted to do to him deliciously flashes before me. I just want him so badly. Period

When I realised I hadn't listened to any dipping or swimming sound from his direction, I turned towards him and found him looking at me.

"What?"

I questioned him as I saw a hint of humour in his eyes.

"Join me."

It wasn't a request. He never requested me anything; always dictate me what to do. I love that quality in him as no one has ever dared to dictate me to do something. And if anyone other than him dared to order me, I will show them who I am.

"What if I say I don't want to spoil my dress?"

"You know that's a very unconvincing excuse. Don't play with me or I will make you regret.”

I don't know why his mood had changed so playfully but I like this side of him too. I just raised my eyebrow and poked my tongue out. He smiled and raised his hand upwards. The water raised in the air. I sat unfazed and watched him directing the water towards me with a big smile. My mind took control of the water before it could touch me. I watched his wide-eyed amused expression with a smile. He keeps on directing the water from the lake while it was whirling as a huge water ball above my head.

I waved my hand stopping him from controlling the water and sent the water ball to him. It hit him with a huge splash and he opened his eyes after wiping his face with a big grin; more gorgeously than I imagined.

He walked towards me while my eyes were glued to his body without even trying to hide what I am doing. He stood towering me with his hands on hip. I smirked at him wondering what was going on his beautiful head. The matted hair and beard revealed how much sexy this man was. He sat on one knee and leaned towards me. My breath hitched on seeing his shining eyes. He stopped an inch before our lips could touch letting our breath mingle. I gulped when he slowly tucked a piece of hair behind my ear without breaking the eye contact. I was shouting in my head "Just kiss me already". But he picked me in his hand with a smirk. My hands circled his neck and I cherished the feel of his warmth despite his wet skin. I closed my eyes and laid my head on his chest. The wet hair on his skin tickled my cheeks and a smile adorned my lips. For the first time in my life, I felt the need for a companion. And I knew I could never feel the same way with any other person as I do with Maayan. I got the urge to cry. I never cried before; I never had any desire before and enjoyed my life as it is But it wasn't the same anymore. My soul desire for this man. My happiness wasn't independent like before. My heartache for this man. I just want this moment to last for eternity.

"Hey, I will take you back if you don't want to. Don't cry... please. "

His voice had a soothing tone. I opened my eyes and realised I was crying. I wiped my tear before it hit the water. It has the power to blossom into one of my favourite purple lotus and that would be too much for a human with some abilities.

"No. Take me with you where ever you are going.”

I said in a heavy tone intending to be with him forever. He looked into my eyes for a few seconds and nodded his head. He let go of my thighs holding my upper body to support my balance in the water. I relaxed when the coldness of water touched my skin. He didn't withdraw his hand around my hip even after knowing I had stood up on my feet.

We walked a few more steps together and started swimming. We swam for a few more seconds under the water and noticed him signalling to go to the surface of the water. He gasped for air and floated for a few seconds before diving in. We totally forgot the purpose of actually planning to go into the lake and played around in and out of the water chasing one other and splashing water on each other with our magic. I tricked him with a water ball from the front and hit him simultaneously from behind when he dodged the first. I laughed at him and swam quickly into the lake. But he caught me soon and created a huge water ball to make it fall on us. We laughed and held onto each other. When the laughter died down, I noticed his eyes had darkened and realised we were floating so close and his hands were holding the sides of my hip. Our body was immersed into the water from our neck.

He ran his eyes over my face. I licked my lips subconsciously at his heated gaze which caught his attention and his eyes now focused on my quivering lips. I squeezed his bicep and awaited painfully for him do something. My cheeks flushed with his burning examination. I stilled when he inched closer. His hot fruity breath hit my face and the next second his lips touched mine.

I wasn't in a sense to give attention to the roaring cloud above us. My long wait has come to an end now. My heart was filling with happiness and soul was floating in contentment. He took my lower lip in between his lips and sucked it softly. A moan escaped my throat and I cupped the back of his neck deepening the kiss. I wasn't a shy female. His one hand circled my waist and another one intertwined with my damp hair and moved me according to his desire. I kept my eyes closed and let my senses memorise the wonder happening to me. His lips and tongue slowly caressed me taking his time. I am enjoying each and every nano-second. The way he kissed me made me feel so alive and beautiful.

We pulled away. I reluctantly let his lips go as a sane part of mind warned me to let him breathe. He was breathing heavily. I smiled at him showing all my love for him in my eyes. But unfortunately, his ruby eyes weren't reflecting my emotions. His grip on my body loosened. A knot tied in my stomach and I let my hands loose. He looked at me with a frown before turning around swimming towards the bank of the lake. What was that I saw in his eyes?

I stayed at the same place trying to comprehend the event turning out here. My mind wants me to accept the situation but my heart didn't want to believe the truth. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I can't vanish even though that is what I highly wanted to do at this moment. I swam to the shore and saw him facing away from me with his muscles tensed up. I went and stood in front of him wanting him to say something... anything! He breathed out and looked at my eyes.

"There was a tradition in our tribe. They fix people's marriage immediately after the birth of every female.”

He didn't need to explain everything to me in detail. He was already arranged to marry a woman by their parents’ choice and she is waiting for him back at his tribe. He shared so many details to me but never spoke about her even once. A huge lump of pain caught in my throat. He doesn't want to be with me. He already belongs to some other. I can't do this to two humans. I should have been in my limits! As I guessed, this must have been a test from destiny which I failed so miserably. Get the grip, Layla!

"I understand. I will take my leave now. I don't want you to feel embarrassed or guilty. I know you reacted in the heat of the moment. Forget it and go to... the woman waiting for you. Goodbye, Maayan."

I tried to speak normally and managed to keep a small smile on my face.

I feel embarrassed as the most beautiful moment in my life was a mistake committed by the person I love. How crude destiny is!

I turned to walk away but he caught my wrist. I closed my eyes being foreign to all these fucking feelings bombarding me. I opened my eyes and looked at him when he released my hand.

"I'm sorry, Layla. Will you please come tomorrow? I don't want to break our re... friendship like this. Please! I want to see you before leaving this place. I don't even know whether we can meet again.” The desperateness in his voice and his first request it is. I always answered the prayers of good- hearted people. He is my most favourite human after all! I can't deny him. I nodded my head with the same smile and started walking towards the forest desperately wanting to vanish from the surface of the earth. I ran after a few steps and teleported to space where the orbit was clear of any planets. I took my true form and blended with the darkness there. I felt so exhausted but with my wavering mind; but I can't focus to do meditation. I roamed around the solar system wanting to kill the time and to calm myself.

This shall too pass!

I got lost of my time and teleported back to earth by afternoon to fulfil the wish of the man whom I love. I hope he would be waiting for me. It will be for good even if he had already started his journey. I walked there with a calm and composed manner. But my heart started racing when my eyes met that enticing pair of rubies.

My lips flashed a smile as usual and he smiled back at me with a sigh of relief. He must have thought I wouldn't turn up. I notice he had cleaned the hut and removed the perishables away. He had the thought of the future to keep the place usable for passersby. And he seems all ready to go. "I didn't mean to make you wait, Maayan. I just lost the track of time."

I spoke trying to be casual but the air between us was thick with tension.

"It's okay. I am happy that you came to send off me. And this is for you."

He extended a roll of a thick layer of creamy cloth. I took it with a calm smile but my heart was beating with anticipation.

I opened the roll and my smile reached my eyes on seeing the talented artwork. It was a painting; painting of us sitting under the banyan tree. We are smiling so naturally in the canvas, unlike the fake smiles we were exchanging right now. That place is our favourite spot to take a break. He had captured every minuscule thing and painted it very realistic. The fruity scent revealed the source of colours on the canvas. A material part of our memory to cherish.

"It was very beautiful. Thank you."

This would always remain as my most precious gift from a human

He grinned big knowing I like his creation. We fell into silence and it was kind of getting uncomfortable. I looked at his face and found his eyes displaying an inner battle. Suddenly he pulled me to a tight hug and held me close to his body. I fisted my hand to stop myself from embracing him. His manly scent and the warmth of his skin rubbed over me leaving his trace on me. He never embraced me when I give him goodbye hugs every day. But now he wants to!

No, Layla! He doesn't belong to you!

He stepped back with a sad face and gave me a guilty smile on my impassiveness.

"Alright then. I should start before sunset. Then I can reach my tribe before tomorrow night. You are the most wonderful woman I ever met. But..."

He smiled trailing off the words he wanted to say. I kept my face calm and nodded at him. I wasn't planning to speak. I am afraid that I might speak something which would make both of us uncomfortable more than now. He got that and picked his small cloth bag and smiled at me before started walking towards the way leading to downwards. I looked around the place which gave me many wonderful memories and closed my eyes to teleport to my room. I wanted to give time to myself to get the grip over myself. I have my people and I should be back to my routine. A part of me know that was impossible. Still, I want to try. I have controlled my feelings in the past and I can do it now.

My senses suddenly got alerted and at the same time, Kathir's telepathy reached me.

'A coven of vampires were behaving so aggressive and now the coven were destroying everything in their way who were fastly moving towards the habitat of humans. I was trying to control them but they were getting out of control. I need your assistance, Goddess!"

The humans were not revealed about the existence of vampires as it might make them feel threatened. And that wasn't going to change anytime soon.

An entertaining mission!

[To be continued...]