Loved by My Archenemy

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Yara

‘I shouldn't be here,’ I muttered trying to look away from his addictive gaze. The warmth of his soft wide palms still cupping my left flushed cheek. ‘You shouldn't be where?’ his deep rich voice caused my body to quiver. ‘Uhmm... I uhmm’ I suffered to talk. My body holding on so much to his palm. I cleared my throat trying to show strength. ‘The desert, I'm not to come here I said finally. My eyes close shut. Clenching on to his scent; A dash of woody spiced dark aromatic tobacco and dark vanilla. Oh, dear!. He felt closer, his breath hot and cool at the same time. The warmth he positioned on my right ear ‘So now you live on the account of what Baba says?’ he whispered, gripping me by the waist and causing my silky flowy red dress to fall out of place, revealing my fair shy shoulder. ‘No!’ I gasped, I can't help but shiver like a lonely woman in the cold, I have never been so close to any man, why does this feel okay. Why do I feel so close to a man I don't know? I didn't mind the warmth of the sand in my legs ‘Aren’t you the strong Alpha queen who's about to rule your land?’ with every word he uttered, I lost control of my own body. What is this throbbing feeling I'm getting? My lower lip starts to form its way between my teeth. My gaze met his, the sunset causing him to glow, ‘answer me yara’ he commanded, what is this Christian grey madness. His hands traveled my thin body. My eyes are ceasing to function, Shaking to stay open. ‘Yes... Yes, I am’ I moaned. His lips turned to a curve, he is enjoying this sweet torture.

*Alarm rings* the siren! Not what I needed. I struggled to ignore the obvious noise that came from my nightstand, my eyes still shut. I am trying to savor this magic I feel. Who invented the alarm clock? I groaned and pulled my hand towards the stand in an attempt to stop The siren. A sudden crash on my white marble tiles caused an abrupt awakening. I found myself seating with my eyes wide open and my hand on my chest, still bemused by my dream. What was that? I had dropped my now half broken Pyramid alarm clock when I tried to shut off the noise. Urghhh! What a way to start my Saturday. Laid there for another ten minutes poking at my phone okay fine, one hour.

*i********:: you got a comment from @zaricarsson: OMG! papa’s booza!. I miss you girl! I can't wait to see you #birthdayturnup!

Oh, zari! zari is the last piece of our squad. Life of the party! She had to move to the states after she had lost her mother, her father couldn't handle staying with the pack, he denounced himself as a pack member and moved with his children to start a whole new life. But he was happy to allow Zari to keep her friends, he felt Zari and her siblings could one day come back to the pack and me who they want. It has been 10 years and our long-distance friendship didn't stop thriving. Well, we try to keep up with communication. We had planned for her to join us to celebrate my 18th. Wait!!! My 18th! It's in a week! I felt my eyes light up. I quickly tapped on My screen to reply;

*Can’t wait to have the squad together again tapped on emojis; *party hats, confetti, purple heart* and sent!

The excitement of seeing Zari again wrapped me up like a large comfortable blanket. Literally. I folded myself back in my white duvet and turned my eyes to face the beautiful bright morning sun. My thoughts lingered back on my dream. His touch felt so real, his scent so close. I don't understand why I am so drawn to him. Could he be? ... NO! Absolutely NOT. How could he? The whole week he has been annoying. First! It was acting like he didn't know me. And then totally ignoring me!. I don't want him! ‘Lies’ no Athena I really do not want him. I struggled out of the duvet and made my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I can't think about him now! He's so self-absorbing! And rude! Nobody wants a rude pompous man!. I banged the bathroom door a little harder than usual. Arghhh he gets under my skin! Who lets him in the school anyway? Now I'm pacing up and down the bathroom Angry at myself for thinking I like him! I can’t deal with this right now, it’s Saturday I should be able to just breathe and enjoy my weekend.

But can I? It's been four days but I haven't been able to stop thinking about my conversation with Baba and Ammi. No, it's not what you're thinking. It went pretty well actually. After the little pep talk with Athena, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Talk.

I wasn't sure how to, even when I stepped out of my car. I could feel the tensed-up atmosphere from outside. And welcoming me in were my worried parents. It was as though they stayed right where I left them that morning, By the door, still worried sick. “Oh, my baby” Ammi said cupping me up in the warmest embrace. It was as though all I needed to let out that cry I was suppressing were my mother’s arms. I held on to her so tight like my life depended on it. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off on you like that” I whimpered, still holding on to dear life, Ammi. Baba came in the hug, his eyes teary he had on a soft smile. After a long minute of hugging my parents and crying, Baba decided we talk in the drawing-room.

There I was, seated between the two people I thought I could say anything and everything to, but this time, my words are failing me, “uhmm” I began, their hands pressed at mine and their eyes hopefully. I opened my mouth to talk, but I couldn't find the right words. “I, I just don't want the council thinking I am incapable of handling the pack’s affairs. I was born into the strongest family in the middle east. I don't want anyone thinking I am not strong enough to handle the burden that came with being a Makhthum.” I paused, my eyes met my parents, but I couldn't tell what they were thinking, I couldn't pick a clue. I clenched tighter to their hands and continue. “It's okay if you both think Baba talking to them is what I need. But I'll let you know again that I’d rather fight this battle myself, my name was mentioned at the council. I should be able to answer”. I couldn't catch more words, I looked back at my parents hoping they save me from saying more stupid things I think I know. “Yara,” Baba smiled ok is the smile a camouflage for the disregard what's about to come? “Your mother and I have spoken about it, and we have come to a conclusion” I felt my stomach grumble, and I feel a sweat coming in. There was a long dramatic pause. My parents were looking straight at each other smiling. Can they save me from this torturing suspense and just spill? You have every other day to remember you're in love parents!. “If you want to stand in front of the council and speak your truth, then that you will do. We support you”. I felt a slight relief coming up from my spines. Wow! “We love you Yara, and you're right. We need to see that you're a grown woman, we need to start listening to you. Oh, mother luna, I can't explain the excitement that erupted in me, I gave them a quick firm hug, sprinted up, and jumped out of excitement. “Thank you.” I blurted out with so much excitement. “But...” Baba interrupted, “you will not storm out at your mother and I like that” he finished, I smiled at them. And wrapped them both in my arms again and whispered “never again”.

Four days later, and I still haven't heard from Baba, when do I stand in front of the council? “Good morning pups” I heard Baba say as I sat myself down at the table to have brunch outside in the garden. It's a tradition we do on Saturdays. The Makhthum family brunch. “More like noon,” Ammi said rolling her eyes playfully at Baba, she looks beautiful as always with her long hair flowing behind her and her white flowy dress. “What happened, baby? You didn't come down for breakfast, are you okay?” she said kissing my forehead as she gave me a little hug. “I’m fine Ammi” I replied caressing her soft arms Ammi made her way to sit next to Baba who was seated at the front of the table. Asad Malik made me lose my appetite for great food. How dear he show up in my dream again like that. “I’ve got news!” Baba revealed. My hands went sweaty. My eyes widened and looking over at Baba hoping so much that it is a good news. “You will talk to the council at the next meeting. Next week.” “ next week?” I repeated as if I needed another confirmation. It's my birthday next week. “Yes, at your ball, don't worry, it won't clash with the shifting ceremony” Baba announced, as though he knew exactly what I was thinking about. I gave him a graceful smile. Nothing else can go better than a shifting ceremony. The ability to mark the beginning of my path. A better word, paths. Now nothing can come in the way of getting my perfect weekend. I'm meeting the girls and Zev at the drift MAX later today. I can't wait to blow off some steam with more steam!.