CHRONICLES OF AADYA

Episode Thirty-three

ALISDAIR

I had earlier come by the room though, by that time, she hasn't wakened for the day and I knew I had to leave her to rest better. Although I wanted to see her and perhaps know how she was fairing, I wasn't certain if she was ready to allow me in.

As I pulled her into a hug, only did I wish for her to feel protected, feel safe, and not alone, but it was a hug so gentle that still give her the space to breathe; then there she leaned in further, the only sound in the entire house became her breathing, I took in her scent only to lets out a low rumbling growl and her body trembled to the sound. The thought of her body, just the whisper of my imagination, and I am incapacitated. There are no thoughts, no focus, only desire and the pain of waiting.

Through her lashes, her eyes lifted to me, seeking, and at that moment I took in the existence that she was my mate. One look on her face as my hand felt the flesh of her cheek and it was over. I felt the spark in her skin, hormones shutting down her higher brain as she submitted to my touch and the rise of my animal self surges. The force caused me to withdraw from her, she hissed and I groan silently "I will make you a warm bath. You're cold, my lady" I muttered and immediately flee from her presence, shutting the door behind me.

"Are you all right?" I hear Rudina, Callen's wife ask as I hurriedly past her, thrusting toward the rear exit until I could finally inhale the day's breath.

It was then that the voices in my head faded away and I could begin to hear my own intense breathing echoing. Deeply I exhale taking another step forward before the sun's ray was bizarrely launched at me at the very moment I rose my head aloft, causing me to attempt prying away from its raid before I faintly began hearing some footsteps coming from behind, Callens' it was.

"Ali, Ali are you, all right? You're aura--" His words came to a forced stop when he caught sight of me "Your eyes..." He whispered.

I looked away, containing myself "I'm all right" I turned to tell him though he seem to not take my response.

Narrowly he jerked his head "What happened, brother" I know he was troubled.

"I nearly lost control, Callen" I hissed "I need her to feel safe and protected, but a part of me longs for something else"

"Hey, hey..."

"Lately, when I inhale her scent, I can't seem to find the air to breathe... Like though-"

"The lady is your mate, brother" He sighed "You should already know this"

"How am I to explain such to her? She knows barely anything about us. Moreover, there are numerous fortes to resolve and now I can't bear to stay by her side without being pulled by this desire... I want her, brother... I want her as mine. Every inch of me desires her" I told him before running my fingers through my messy locks, pushing the frustration off my head. "I need you to understand. Please tell me you understand"

"I understand, brother. Even before you uttered" He tells me calmly placing a palm on my shoulder "You ought not to hold back until the end. If your thoughts are to reach the destination of this prophecy, you might fail to enjoy what you have. You need to enjoy the side trips... A lot, okay?" His eyes travel the area as he crosses his hand over his chest "Things that are more important than what you're hunting for could be right there by the side of the road for I tell you, not it is of only her scent had you drawn to her, but that you couldn't differentiate her emotions from yours, and so that caused you to be overwhelmed by the two emotions"

Silent took over at the last rhythm. I lift my head at the morning sun, bright though not hash.

"Come with me, there is something I ought to show you" Callen suddenly says, and took to his hills. His path was to the wood but I uttered no question nor did I show any form of wanting to. The stroll wasn't silent, Callen used the opportunity to get to know more about things that had transpired between me and the outside world, somehow he was more immersed on the night of my first kill.

Far from our home, we strolled, two hearts bonding in a conversation until we were close to our boundary.

"What am I looking at?" I stop to ask as we came forth before a cabin.

"We kill to survive, these humans kill for Name" Callen uttered touching the large wood pillar that supports a small cabin. He turns to me "You've killed, have you not, brother?" He was serious though his gaze was not fierce. Still, in some way, it seems not that he awaits an answer. He returned his gaze to the cabin "It was assembled after your departure for the sake of defending our dwelling. We wanted to be watchful for what is to come, I'm glad you returned before then"

He folded his hand over his chest, eyes training on the perpetuity of the terrain. "Something is coming, brother" He uttered calmly yet I could feel that intense pressure in him from the bond we share.

"We are one of the strongest creatures in the world, and yet we are subjected to a smaller territory. Though we do not complain, humans want everything, they want to control everything even though they are damaged, damaged beyond repair. They live without hope, they are the definition of a Curse. A curse that can be inflicted on any creature. They will stop at nothing just to fulfil their selfish desire"

Callen veered around to face me "We always knew a war would eventually take place between us and them. But this time, it seems to be close, I can feel it in my skin. Whatever happened between you and the human you killed didn't end there" He placed his hand on my right shoulder before tapping it gently. "Be prepared" He advised and began to walk away, leaving me to bear my own thoughts.

I stood silently alone, though I can't say I feel any guilt about my actions. Perhaps it is time we all truly face what is to come, or perhaps it is time we stop leaving in fear of humans.

I raise my gaze at the blazing midday dappled sun that shone relentlessly as it bathed the trees in warm light, creating mysterious shadows. Winds bustled through the branches of the trees, making the leaves howl in their symphony, displaying how intricate the clash between nature and weather can be.

By the time I returned to the house, I was told that Aadya had left with Rudina. Well, that seems like a good start.

I smile at the thought of what I had promised her and with that on my mind, I steer my way to the farmhouse where I took the yield of a perfect piece of Yew wood. I stir to the rear of the farmhouse where I started working on making her a bow.

Having achieved the size, and finishing off the surface before adding a backing to a region. Then, I tillered it to the epitome.

I am busy etching a form on the riser when I glimpse Father walking up to me.

“The young lad is one of a question kind,” He remarks from a near distance, settling his axe by the corner.

“Who?” I slightly raise my head to ask before bringing it back to the inscribe I was forming on the grip.

“The one you returned with” He moves close “The brother to the lass. What do you call him?” I don't think he meant that as a question because he soon let out “Gunnar” He remembers.

“Thankfully, I've been left off the hook,” I say not ripping off my gaze from my work. I sense him relax.

“Though he is very clever. Indeed”

“That, I deny not” I drop the blade and peeked up at him before bringing my gaze to pick a different blade. “You need me?”

“No. Not at all. You seem rather too absorbed by the carving you're making” He takes off his water pouch and begins to drink from it. With the way he squeezed his face, it was certain it wasn't water he had drank. “A bow. For who?”

“I had promised one a bow,” I say plainly without raising my head.

“You mean your mate?” He questions and I instantly raise my gaze at him.

Reluctantly I say “Yes” making reply “Yes, it is for my mate”

“Then make her something that remains intact. Something she would honour. Her feelings are of great account”