Regretted Rejection : Wrath of the Moon

After spending time with the were panther group, the family of three - Maya, Xavier and Sam, went roaming in the forest some more.

Sam was running in the forest at his full speed while Maya and Xavier were following him at a normal pace. The simple act of running as a pack made Maya's wolf calm and happy. She reminisced about the days when she used to run in a pack in her childhood. Maya could see traces of herself in Sam's innocence and his nature.

Maya's wolf had started seeing Sam as her own child instead of her nephew. She also knew that Sam carried in his blood a potential to be a true Alpha. She made a decision to hone his skills and his nature to become that of a leader.

Xavier was following Maya's wolf as she trotted after Sam. Her tail kept brushing against his nose. Xavier was enjoying her scent and her touch. His wolf pushed for control of the body from Xavier and in a moment of weakness Xavier allowed the wolf to reign over him. His wolf pushed ahead and started walking shoulder to shoulder with Maya. He lightly jostled and guided her onto a different path and gave a mental command to Sam to follow them.

Maya was amused by Xavier's insistence on guiding the path and allowed him to lead her. They unexpectedly stepped into a small clearing in the forest. In the middle of the clearing were countless small lights just flying around. Sam and Maya were both awestruck by the thousands of fireflies buzzing around the clearing. It seemed very dream like and Sam dashed in middle of the clearing to chase fireflies. Maya sat on her haunches to observe the beautiful vista. Xavier's wolf sat beside her, his tail swishing around to engulf her body and then flicking back again and again. Maya turned to look in Xavier's eyes and realised that Xavier's wolf was the one in charge. Instinct told her to give over the control to her wolf and she followed that feeling. Maya's wolf leaned against Xavier's body and sniffed his scent deeply. Both of them could feel small sparks in the touch they shared. Xavier's tongue brushed against Maya's face and licked her lovingly.

Perhaps it was at that moment that Maya realised that even her wolf required a mate by her side. Even though her wolf was all powerful, she truly craved the gentleness and the love that a mate bond could bring in her life. She realised that her inability to find trust in their relationship was not only hurting Xavier and his wolf but also was affecting her own wolf badly.

'A werewolf is a strange creature; it's a wolf and a human mind staying in one body. Then are the wolf and human different or are they the same?’ Maya questioned herself. As if reflecting on herself she realised that this strain of their relationship has reached the point where she has to make a decision to move forward or to step back and away.

Calmly she lifted herself and trotted towards the bushes. Changing back into her human self, she wore the long t-shirt she had carried tied to her leg. Although a little wet from the river, it was enough to keep her modesty. Sensing her need to talk, Xavier to changed in his human form and wore a pair of track pants. Maya was lounging on the ground with her arms supporting her and staring at Sam's antics. A smile garced her beautiful face and it was at that moment Xavier fell a little more in love with her.

"Maya" he called out softly breaking her trance.

Turning towards him, she beckoned him closer and patted the ground beside her. When Xavier sat besides her, she leaned her head against his shoulder. Xavier went still as a statue. Admitted that it was the most innocent form of intimacy but it was the first ever gesture from Maya's end.

"It hurts.” she whispered, "It hurts not being able to trust our own mate. It hurts not being courageous enough to take next step. It hurts not being able to be a part of a pack. But most of all, it hurts to see the pain of an unfulfilled mate bond in your eyes. It hurts most not being able to give Sam a stable family. It hurts, Xavier." Pain laced her voice and though it wasn't spoken loudly, Xavier felt the impact of those words in his very bones.

Hope had blossomed unbidden in Xavier's heart at her action and it further grew by her words. He desperately wanted to ask her if she was finally allowing him in her life. He wanted to hug her in his arms and kiss her so very badly. But he retained a bit of control and spoke softly, "Take your time to heal. I am here. Besides you. Whenever you need me."

"When a mate bond is completed, we are able to hear each other's thoughts...” Maya spoke just as softly as him.

"Yes." Xavier replied not understanding where this was going.

"If we complete the mate bond, then I will be able to hear your unfiltered thoughts.” Maya said. "Yes." Xavier was still confused. He felt that she was asking for him to complete the mate bond but for that they would be required to make love. And Xavier knew that because of her trauma Maya wouldn't be able to cope with love making part of mating process.

"To complete a mate bond we just need to bite each other on the joint of neck and shoulder. It is enough to complete the mating process. There's no need to have sex.” Maya said

"First of all, mating process doesn't involve having sex, it involves making love. And second, we can skip that part but if we really do skip it then we would be in great deal of pain till the bond forms completely.” Xavier said soberly.

"I know... It will be painful, I know. But I don't see any other way to learn how to trust you again. I am sorry Xavier. I know it isn't what you would want but I don't know how I can...” Maya's voice broke as tears escaped her eyes.

Brushing away her tears with his thumbs, he cradled Maya's face in his palms carefully. "I love you Maya. You have no idea how much. I want to give you the whole world. Please... Don't apologize for something that isn't your fault. It was my mistake, I shouldn't have abandoned you when you needed me. It is my punishment to bear.” He said, sadness tinting his voice.

"Please Xavier I want to heal. I want to feel happiness again. I don't want to be broken anymore.” Maya whimpered softly.

Xavier took a look at Sam, he was busy sniffing the clearing curiously. He issued a mental command to Sam to not leave the clearing without informing him. Sam looked at them and nodded slightly. He loomed at Maya's teary eyes and gave in to her demand. He pulled down the neck line of the t- shirt and bit her on the collar bone.

Immediately Maya felt a deep burning in her heart. It was as if her heart wanted to reject the new bond that her soul was forming with Xavier. Xavier then bared his shoulder to Maya and Maya bit him emphatically to give away some of her pain. A pain started in Xavier's neck and spread to his heart. It felt like the heart was burning on an open flame.

Soon their breathing became ragged and Maya collapsed in his arms. Xavier hugged Maya tightly and fell on his back. It took a couple of minutes for the pain to become bearable.

"Xavier" Maya called out tentatively in her mind.

"Yes, Maya?" she heard Xavier replying in her mind.

"I can hear you." Maya said excitedly in her mind. She felt a chuckle rumble through his chest.