Hearts On Fire

The next day Azar’s home living room

Miranda: “The doctor didn't know what it was?”

Azar: “He has no idea. The only explanation is that she was so overwhelmed that her body just shut down but it's far from normal that she is out for this long.”

Thorne: “So the only thing we have to do is wait for her to wake up?”

Azar: “Looks like it. It s morning already. You two can take one of the rooms and sleep.”

Miranda: “I'm not going anywhere until Amaya wakes up.”

Azar: “I'll be next to her.”

Miranda: “That might be a problem. You've seen how she reacted to this whole mate thing. She's human and her whole life she thought she didn’t have one. She also told me she doesn't feel the mate bond. So for her you're just a stranger.”

Azar: “I'll just watch over her, don't worry.”

Thorne: “You can trust him, trust me.”

Miranda: “You don't get it. Bringing her here is already way too much. She'll kill me.”

Azar: “How did you two meet? Does she know about wolves because of you or…?”

Miranda: “We've known each other since we were born. Please don't ask me too much about it, it's not up to me to talk about it. It's her story to tell.”

Azar: “I have a bad feeling about this. Can you at least tell me what pack you're from.”

Miranda: “Umm…I…”

Azar: “Speak!!”

Thorne: “AZAR!! Don't yell at my mate.”

Azar: “I'm just trying to figure this out.”

Miranda: “The only thing I can tell you is that you need to be patient with her. Look, her childhood was far from easy. I'm the only wolf she trusts and allows to be around her.”

Thorne: “You need to get some sleep, you're exhausted and you were running for long.”

Miranda: “I am exhausted but what about Amaya?”

Thorne: “I told you you can trust Azar. He would never do anything to hurt her.”

Miranda: “You need to promise me one thing. Make sure to call me as soon as she wakes up. She's not herself when she wakes up.”

Azar: “What does that even mean?”

Miranda: “Not my place to tell, just do as I told you.”

Azar: “Okay. I'll go and check on her.”

Thorne: “Is it that bad that you can't even tell me?”

Miranda: “It is.”

Thorne: “She'll be fine.”

Miranda: “What's the name of this pack?”

Thorne: “The Crimson Fleur pack.”

Miranda: “Is Azar a hellhound?”

Thorne: “He's not.”

Miranda: “Anyone in his family?”

Thorne: “His mother is.”

In Miranda’s head: Amaya was right. Somehow we ended up on their territory.

Thorne: “No need to be scared Miranda. Aunt Azrael is nothing like all those tales about hellhounds. I promise you that. (Azar’s bedroom)”

In Azar’s head: Why aren't you waking up? Is this all my fault for how I reacted…? She hates wolves and she saw me in my worst state but she didn't seem to be scared of me. quite the opposite. What am I supposed to do now? I have this need to be close to her and Blaise is dying for it but that's not what she wants and I need to respect that. She's human. She doesn't feel the bond. I'm no one to her. When I carried her in my arms she was so tiny and fragile…like a feather. I know I was angry at her but it looks like there's so much more to the story that I can even imagine. And I don't even have a clue what all of this is about. How is it even possible that she's human and my mate? But this feeling never left me. That I need to cradle her in my arms. Counsel her. Protect her. Protect her with my own life…but from what? And how when she doesn't want me?

Azar: “I'll be back later, doll. (in the living room)”

Azrael: “Son!!”

Azar: “I didn't expect to see you guys here.”

Azrael: “We needed to make sure how everything is going.”

Fenrir: “Any news yet?”

Azar: “Nothing yet. She's still unconscious.”

Azrael: “Maybe meeting you triggered something.”

Azar: “Yeah, for sure it did. It triggered hatred.”

Fenrir: “Don't yell at your mother.”

Azar: “I'm sorry, mom. It's just…I'm losing my mind here.”

Azrael: “I know. So you're sure that she's human?”

Azar: “Yes.”

Fenrir: “Which pack is Throne’s mate from? And what are they doing on our territory?”

Azar: “I don't know. Miranda didn't wanna tell me anything. They're hiding something.”

Azrael: “They must be running away from someone.”

Azar: “I think so too.”

Fenrir: “But from who?”

Azrael: “Their pack…just like I was.”

Fenrir: “What's happening?!”

Azar: “Something's wrong with Amaya!!”

Azrael: “How can he feel it like that? It's like they're already mated and marked.”

Fenrir: “You know he could feel her even before he met her.”

Azrael: “Maybe it's because she's human.”

Fenrir: “What do you mean?”

Azrael: “Mates have the urge to protect each other at all costs. We live together, we die together. Her being human makes her more vulnerable which could mean Azar feels the stronger urge to guard her and shield her.”

Fenrir: “That actually does make sense.”

Azrael: “But I'm afraid how she'll react to all of this.”

Fenrir: “I know.”

Azrael: “But look how strong their bond is already. At least from Azar’s side. There's no way she doesn't feel that pull.”

Fenrir: “Maybe she does. Maybe she's just suppressing it.”

Azrael: “He needs to find out her past and where she's from.”

In Azar’s head: While I was talking to my parents, suddenly I felt like I was suffocating and this excruciating pain. I knew it was Amaya but when I entered the room she was just laying there in the same position as the last time I checked up on her. Where is this feeling coming from? Her dreams? I don't understand but I couldn't help myself. When I entered the room, I felt the need to hold her. To my surprise as I pulled her closer to me she seemed more relaxed. Her breathing more even. The electricity coursed through my body when I touched her. Then…I started to see her dreams. (flashback in the cell)

Amaya’s Brother: “Slept well?”

Amaya: “Please don't hurt me.”

Amaya’s Brother: “Your disgrace. You get only what you deserve.”

Amaya: “Why do you hate me? You're my brother.”

Amaya’s Brother: “You're nothing but shame to this family. Miserable human”

Amaya: “It's not my fault I was born this way.”

Amaya’s Brother: “Everything is your fault.”

Amaya: “Why don't you just kill me already?!”

Amaya’s Brother: “It's a lot more fun to torture you.”

Amaya: “I've done nothing to you.”

Amaya’s Brother: “I see you decided to be a rebel again.”

Amaya: “Fuck you. (present time)”

In Azar’s head: What the hell was that?!

Amaya: “KILL ME!!”

Azar: “Amaya wake up!! Doll, wake up!! I'm not gonna hurt you.”

Amaya: “What are you doing here?!”

Azar: “You were unwell.”

Amaya: “What did you do to me?!”

Azar: “Nothing. Please relax.”

Amaya: “Where did you take me?! Get away from me!! Don't you dare come closer to me.”

Azar: “I promise you that I'm not gonna hurt you.”

Amaya: “I don't trust you.”

Azar: “I understand why you're acting like this, I saw your memory. I saw your brother. I'll protect you, I promise.”

Amaya: “Did my brother send you for me?!”

Azar: “No!!”

Amaya: “How do you know about him then?!”

Azar: “What I saw was a memory of yours. The one where you're reliving a nightmare.”

Amaya: “Stop talking shit. That's not possible.”

Azar: “You need to trust me.”

Amaya: “No!! I'm getting out of here. You didn't have the right to bring me here.”

Azar: “You’re sick, I was worried.”

Amaya: “Fuck you!!”

Azar: “Please, just tell me everything. Your parents and brother are wolves, right?”

Amaya: “Don't mention them!!”

Azar: “They've hurt you. Did he make that scar on you? Tell me their names!! They can't hurt you anymore, I'm here now, you're safe. Miranda is here too. You're not alone. Just listen to me, doll. You fainted and you were out for hours. We don't know what's wrong. You're not a captive here. I'm not gonna hold you against your own will. but please, stay. At least until you feel better. Your body is weak, I can feel it. I'll go and call Miranda and leave the two of you alone. I'm not gonna come close to you again. If you want, I'll leave. All I want is for you to be okay.”

Amaya: “I do feel weird. Could you stay with me?”

Azar: “Of course I will. Whatever you want.”

Amaya: “How am I this exhausted if you say I was sleeping for so long?”

Azar: “I have no clue.”

Amaya: “Maybe you can sit next to me until I fall asleep?”

Azar: “Of course I will, are you sure you're okay?”

Amaya: “To be honest, I don't know. I have no idea what's going on.”

Azar: “Go and lay down. I'll be right next to you.”

Amaya: “Okay, thank you.”