ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)

Her hand stretched, her feet feeling heavy and her brows knitting into a tight frown of concern, Zaramanni took a deep breath.

That deadly moment scared her greatly.

Clarissa’s feet were hardly stable on the window sill so, as she glanced at Zaramanni, the she-wolf had to hold onto the frame for support.

“Why are you stopping me?” Clarissa asked, her voice low and sober. “Why…” she then faced the sky ahead. “Why can’t you mind your business?”

“You don’t have to do this, Clarissa. You have to live,” Zaramanni responded softly as she took one cautionary step closer.

“Why?” Clarissa screamed when she faced Zaramanni again. Hair flowing with the wind, face reddened with tears, she screamed again, “Why?“Clarissa’s legs shook, she was still struggling to find her balance. “Why should I live? What is left for me? What meaning does my life have?”

“Clarissa, you-”

“My baby is dead! My entire family is dead because of the fucking fairy attack! My mate beats me every time he has the chance to...” Zaramanni’s forehead wore more crease as the woman sniffled. Clarissa’s quivering lips and jerking chest were enough proof that more tears were coming.

“He beat me... to the point that...” She dragged a long shaky breath. “... he killed my child. So why?” Her brows twitched and she looked Zara in the eyes. “Why should I live? Huh? Tell me!” she demanded.

“You have to fight to live Clarissa. You need to-”

Clarissa instantly burst into laughter.

It was a bitter one, this laughter of hers.

And, while Zaramanni watched the woman plunge more and more into her sorrow, she felt hot tears sting the sides of her eyes.

Nervously licking her lower lip, Zara managed to fight those tears. There was a need for her to stay focused on preventing Clarissa from taking a drastic step.

“I have to fight?” Clarissa’s voice, which was still thickened by her heavy sobs, asked. “Why? Wh-What do I have to fight for? Tell me, Zaramanni.”

“Your life. You have to fight for your life, Clarissa.”

The breeze that found Clarissa’s hair started to play with her gown. While the gown made flapping sounds, Clarissa ridiculed Zara’s response.

“What do you even know? You are a human who has always had it easy. You probably don’t know what it means to feel pain.

Do you know what’s worse? I have to keep entertaining those people who claim to sympathize with me. I have to keep a stupid smile on my face because I don’t want to appear weak. And, it is very terrible and overall unbearable because I can’t assess my wolf. I have it so hard. And… And… I am so tired.

So,” Clarissa’s head was held high and she looked down at Zaramanni as though she was filth, “don’t lecture me. Let me take my life. Let me have that at least!”

Zaramanni’s attempt to keep her tears at bay was so close to failing. She struggled to keep her gaze on Clarissa and her hands were almost forming tight fists.

There was something about that entire situation that stung her heart greatly.

Ignoring the she-wolf’s ignorant and fear-filled response, Zaramanni took a deep breath and said, “You are right.” She blinked the incoming tears away, she made sure to periodically release her shaky breaths. “I do not know what it feels like to lose a person dear to me. But...”

Zaramanni took one step closer and placed one of her hands on Clarissa’s shaky feet.

“... I know what it feels like to want to end it all.”

“Wh-what?” Clarissa whisper-asked.

“I know i-it...” Zara wasn’t sure whether the cold breeze was the reason for her shivering or if it was due to the memory of her dreaded past. “I once tried to take my life. No.” She managed a scoff which almost spilled out as a sob.

“I tried three times.” The nerves in her face felt tighter by the minute and her free hand ended up forming a fist.

“Wh... What did I do so wrong?”

Zara wished she could get a response to that question.

She looked up at Clarissa who could not stop her weeping which was occasionally punctuated by whimpering sounds.

Zara continued, “Is it my fault that I was born different? Is it my fault that everything about my skin, hair, and face is different? Why couldn’t they just accept me?” Zara’s tears began to blur her sight, so much so that she could hardly see Clarissa’s face.

“Why was I the freak? Why was I their plaything? Every day was hell for me. Every day I went home with a heavy heart.”

Suddenly, a cracking sound filled the room.

Zaramanni ignored it.

“Even when I stayed at home to escape their terrible sting, they still found a way to hurt me. They told me to die.” She laughed, her heavily watered eyes darting to and fro. “They wished me nothing but doom. And I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Zaramanni felt Clarissa’s warm feet twitch beneath her palm.

“So, I decided to kill myself. After all, that’s what they wanted me to do. Why not? All I had to do was jump off a building. Or cut my wrist. I could have stabbed myself to death if I wanted to.

So yes, I wanted to kill myself. But each time I tried to end it, I became scared. I felt fear rush into my system whenever I looked down at the busy life from the building top or whenever I pressed the coldness of the knife’s blade to my skin.”

Zaramanni could feel the very emotions she felt when she tried those deadly things.

Her heart ached so much that her other hand had to clutch over her chest.

“I became scared, Clarissa. I wanted to live. Then I wondered why I needed to end my life because of some bastards. Why should I stop existing because some people said so? I always asked myself.”

Another shaky breath was released, and Zaramanni began to nod her head slowly. As hot tears rolled down her cheeks, she bit at the insides of her lips nervously.

“Why should I… ” Her incoming words suffered a hitch. They found no way to be uttered and Zaramanni’s knees felt weak as well.

The next second, while Zara tried to drag her mind out of the past, a warm touch rested against her cheeks.

The tears that messed up her face were wiped and she felt more warmth approach her.

Zaramanni looked up again.

Clarissa had assumed a squatting position.

With great concern in the she-wolf’s eyes, she continued to wipe the tears of the girl who continued to make soft moaning sounds that made the room sound like a place where sorrow came to mourn about its predicaments.

“I am sorry, Zaramanni,” Clarissa whispered as her fingers slid over her face. “I am so sorry.”

Zaramanni managed a nod.

As she tried to gather herself, her weeping noise still present, she stood straighter and asked the woman to get off the window sill.

Clarissa did as she asked.

Once they were both standing on the same level ground, Zaramanni held the woman’s hands.

“Clarissa...” A snort-like sound escaped the half-fairy. “I know you are in great pain right now. Honestly, the pain will be there for a long time, but you shouldn’t let go of the chance to heal from the pain no matter how gradual it is. You should not let go of the chance to be happy, to love again. So, please, don’t take your life. Please, live.”

“Zaramanni...” Clarissa cried, her arms pulling Zara in for a tight hug. “I am so sorry.”

“It is fine, Clarissa.” Zara sniffled. “You are okay.”

“I don’t want to die,” the woman continued as her increasing sobs made Zara’s tears continue.

“I know.” Zara’s voice was heavy. To escape the rising emotions within her, Zara patted the woman’s back affectionately. “You just needed someone to tell you to live.” More tears rolled down. ” And, I am glad I was the one.”

The two could not say anymore because their wailing suddenly picked up.

The sounds filled the room, the duo soothing each other in the best way. They depended on each other.

And, as Zara found peace in that chaotic transfer of sorrow, she hoped that Clarissa found peace too.

~

Barely hours after the heart-wrenching moment, a message was sent to Zaramanni.

Beta Zoey, the man-wolf whom her heart kept beating strongly for had arrived and was waiting for her so that he could fulfill his promise to take her for a walk.

Zaramanni had managed to let go of the tugging sadness that wrapped her earlier, so her heart was feeling more alive at that moment.

Besides, she had decided to let go of the past a long time ago, it would be useless for her to hold on to that momentary feeling of sadness.

As Zara got off her bed, her eyes caught the book that Lord Elias had told her to read.

“I’ll just read it later,” she admonished herself while securing her almost useless phone on top of the hardcover.

After sending a kiss in Clarissa’s way, Zara rushed to the bathroom area and walked toward the wardrobe.

After scanning the collection of exquisite wear, she settled for an oversized shirt which reminded her of the first intense and sensual encounter she had with Zoey.

Recalling that unexpected moment made her lips grow a smile.

But she quickly tucked that smile away and put on the shirt which delightfully doubled as a short gown.

Before she walked away from the wardrobe, Zaramanni wondered whether to finally try the set of panties Clarissa got for her.

She soon decided against it.

Walking about in such a bare manner made her feel free.

She decided to keep the undergarments for a more important use like when her period comes visiting.

Soon, she was putting on the only pair of shoes Clarissa was able to get for her.

It was similar to slip-on shoes but it was more comfortable than the ones she had back on Earth. And its uniquely embroidered design made it more beautiful.

Not wasting a second more, she walked out of her room and followed the uniformed guard who had come for her.

Her insides churning with excitement, her feet advanced toward a part of the manor she was yet to familiarize herself with.

Just like the side she resided in, the other part of the manor had a lonely air to it.

Though the lighted lamps that decorated the corridors gave it some life, it felt empty regardless.

Soon, after descending some stairs, the guard that was leading her pushed a huge door open and it led to a breathtaking scenery.

Never before had Zara seen so much greenery concentrated in an area.

The carpet grasses looked beautiful because their colour shined despite the lack of natural light in the kingdom.

Ahead were vast trees which arranged themselves in a way that gave the open space an aesthetic feel.

And, the flowers...

Zara’s face softened as she walked over the short grass and noticed the many colourful flowers which looked strange yet appealing.

Before she could reach for one of the flowers, she felt a masculine hand hold hers.

“There you are,” Zoey greeted, a small smile on his lips. But after a quick scan of her face, he wore a frown. Quickly, the Beta held both sides of her face and stared deeply into her eyes “Zaramanni?”

His action flustered her greatly, she had to take a minute to compose herself. “Hmm?” she managed to respond.

“Did you cry?”

’How does he know that?′ she asked herself.

She immediately recalled his special ability and she blocked that thought.

But he seemed to have heard her. “Your eyes...” His deep, mystical eyes connected with hers some more. “They are electrifyingly blue as always, but there’s this silver line in them I can’t ignore. Did something happen?”

His fingers began to caress the skin behind her ears.

“No.” Zara found his gentle yet seemingly unintended touch satisfying.

“Are you certain?” Zara nodded. After a second, he gave a sharp nod and changed the topic. “There’s something I want you to see.”

“What is that?”

A gentle pull of her hand answered her question. After a few dashes past the trimmed bushes that were decorated with flowers, they ended up at the foot of a river.

Beyond that river were the trees Zara was earlier staring at.

The water body had a special feel to it because it sparkled under the gloominess of the sky.

And, the more Zaramanni stared at it, the calmer she felt.

Zoey hugged her from behind and planted his chin on her head.

Their proximity made Zara smile.

Because of that simple move, she felt satisfied.

“This river is the best thing about this manor,” he said. “I feel peaceful each time I stare at it.”

“Is it filled with magic?” Zara asked while she initiated a slow dance. Zoey’s body replied to her invitation and they started to create rhythmic friction that only seemed to make their want for each other grow.

“Who knows?” His voice was grumpy yet sexy- sexy enough to make Zara aware of his manhood that was pressed against her lower back. “I want you to enjoy the peace I feel each time I look at this river.”

“I can feel the peace already.” Zara wrapped her hands around his.

“Hmm,” the man let out a small moan and that stirred something within Zara. “Why can’t I stop thinking about touching you?”

“I... I can’t stop thinking about you touching me either,” Zara replied with a low voice.

“Is that right?” Zoey’s voice teased her. “Then... It should be okay for me to do this...” His right hand worked its way to her shirt. The first three buttons were undone and Zara felt the night’s breeze blow against her bare breasts.

Then, a small gasp followed when Zoey cupped both her right breast and her almost throbbing vagina.

“That sound you make...” Zoey murmured against her ear and Zara leaned into his chest some more. “... it fucking turns me on.”

“Ohh,” that shivered response left her lips as a moan as his thumbs feathered over her nipple and clit.

“It makes me want more of you.”

Hungrily, from behind, Zoey shifted the collar of her shirt and exposed her right breast. He found a way to rub his wet tongue over the growing tautness of her nipple.

At the same time, his cupped hold on her vulva began to slowly travel in an up and down movement, causing her hips to dance sensually.

Beta Zoey clearly had no intention to stop.

His free hand pulled at the nipple of her other breast.

Zara let out another moan, her hands sought support and she planted them on both sides of his neck as he reminded her about a man’s touch.

Rather, as he reminded her about *his* touch.

His masculine hand kept rubbing her pussy folds, his touch occasionally brushed her clit and Zaramanni kept experiencing exciting jolts that made her want more

And Zara was about to get more when a voice, with a hint of danger in its tone, calmly said, “What a sight. What an unexpected sight.”