Mated

Eighteen

Omniscient  

It had been a couple of months since Ahsha was marked. During that time Malik and Ahsha's relationship flourished greatly, while her relationship with Ares had grown stagnant and almost nonexistent. She had no idea what she did that made him suddenly distance himself from her. She tried to not let it show that it affected her, but she was an overthinker.

Malik wasn't completely sure why Ares was avoiding Ahsha, but he knew it had to do with his new power. This second time around with Dominic's separation came a new surge of power and energy. Although it affected them both in different ways, Ares took on the majority of the power so it wouldn’t overwhelm Malik. Ares felt so much power that his emotions were up and down. Along with Dominic's power came his old desire for lust, control, and power. Ares already had a dark mind that he was able to keep at bay but now he found pieces of his old self starting to push through.

The only time he felt some semblance of peace was when he was around Ahsha. However, being around her did something to him that left him wanting to bury himself inside of her. He craved her in every way possible. For the first time in his life, he was scared that if he didn't get a handle on his new power, he would end up hurting Ahsha, so until he could, he would keep his distance from her.

While Ares battling his inner demon that had the supernatural community was buzzing with gossip about the energy that danced in the air. The community knew something was coming but no one knew what that thing was. With the growing energy circling around it had Malik and Ares on high alert. Malik now having full control of the family business he found himself away on business more leaving less time for him to be with his mate, so he made sure there were eyes on her at all times.

With their birthdays approaching Ahsha and Isaac found their bodies teeming with electricity. They hadn't realized that they were the ones pulling in such immense amounts of energy that was causing the supernatural community from around the world to be lit ablaze. Many could not only sense where the power was coming from, but they could smell it, and feel it swimming in the air. It was making the secret world antsy of what was to come. 

Ahsha

Malik had been out of town for just under 2 weeks and I was missing him like crazy. We had been officially mated for 4 months now and it was going well. Malik was so affectionate considering who and what he was. I knew he was probably going above and beyond to give me affection because Ares had cut me off and he felt bad. I sighed as I cleared my mind of Ares and Malik, while I searched for the book, I had been reading the last time I visited Ahmad's home. This had become a common occurrence over the past couple of months. I'd do my homework or just read some of the books that lined the huge family library.

During my last visit, I found a couple of journals from one of the Ahmad relatives and it was clear that whoever wrote this was struggling. I found the journal I was reading again, and I went to my favorite spot in the room and made myself comfortable. I opened the journal to pick up where I left off. I had only gotten through 3 pages when Emilia walked in calling my name. I looked up to see her and my mom smiling as they walked towards me.

I sighed knowing they were going to bother me about this party they were throwing for mine and Isa’s birthday. After Malik and I mated Emilia told me that we would have to make our formal introduction as a couple into the world and what better time than on my birthday. "Hi Emilia. Hi mama." I said. "We don't want to keep you. We just wanted to see if you had time to try on some dresses later this week?" My mama asked. "I—" I froze. "We narrowed it down to a couple of dresses for you," Emilia said. I nodded my head. "I guess I can do it tomorrow," I said. They both smiled.

"Perfect!" They said in unison. "We only have a few short weeks before the party," Emilia said. "Oh!! I'm so excited. My firstborns are turning 18 and they've both found their mates." My mama said as her eyes grew teary.

"Please don't start crying and get yourself worked up." I pleaded making her chuckle. "I'm just so proud to see how you two have grown up." She said kissing my forehead. "We have a few more things to set up but we'll see you tomorrow," Emilia said hugging me before she linked arms with my mom. I shook my head looking at them

"What did I get myself into," I mumbled opening my book again. "You should have known if both our mothers were involved it wasn't going to be a small deal." I looked up turning to see Malik leaning against the doorframe looking at me. I smiled as his eyes washed over me before he walked towards me. "When did you get back?" I asked wrapping my arms around his neck. "About a 1 hour ago." He said. I looked up at him as he kissed my lips repeatedly. "I missed you," Malik said cupping my face. I smiled. "I missed you too," I said gaining a loving smile from him.

I watched as his eyes shifted between black and green before they rest green. "I missed you too, Ares," I said watching as his eyes rested on black for a moment. Ares stared down at me gently caressing my cheek. "Aishtaqat lak jiddaan ya habibti." (I missed you too, my love.) I had no idea what he said but the fact that he was even speaking to me sent waves through my body. Ares smiled pressing his forehead against mine as he stared into my eyes. We stared at each other for a moment before he closed his eyes inhaling deeply. I watched as previously gentle eyes opened to show a cold stare and a dark look on his face. I went grab his face only for him to step away from me. He turned away from me only to look finally look back at me for Malik's sweet green eyes to be staring at me. "I'm sorry." He whispered kissing my cheek.

"Why won't he talk to me? Did I do something?" I asked. He shook his head. "No. He's just got a lot on his mind and when he gets like this he shuts down." Malik explained. "Has this happened before?" I asked. "Yes, we aren't the types to share our emotions if we can help it." He said. "When he's ready he'll be back." He added. "You ready to go?" Malik asked. "Go? Go where?" I asked. "Since it's still early I thought we could  grab lunch and spend the rest of the day together." He said kissing the back of my hand.  

--  

We spent the next hour or so walking around the streets of Dubai. It was obvious the power and influence Malik held as people on the streets bowed their heads and moved out of his way. "How can you just walk around with all these people just staring at you?" I asked feeling uneasy from all the looks. They couldn’t really see me due to the security that surrounded us. "I guess I've grown used to it. I've experienced the stares my entire life." He said. "And the bodyguards?" I asked looking back at Aaron and Khalil. "I usually don't need them, but I wanted to make sure you safe." He said looking down at me with a shy smile.

"I’ve never been safer," I said sarcastically as he kissed my forehead. "Boss?" Aaron called. Malik and I turned to see him holding his phone to his ear. Malik sighed. "Just a moment, habitata." I nodded my head. "I'll just go look at some jewelry." I gestured to the shop a few feet away. He smiled nodding his head before turning to Khalil. No words were spoken before Khalil walked over to me.

"So are you coming to my birthday party that's not a birthday party?" I asked Khalil getting a chuckle out of him. "I am." He said as I looked a few rings. "As a guest or on duty?" I asked. "I'm always on the job." He said. I sighed. "You and Aaron gotta relax," I said shaking my head. He laughed again. "Whose, to say we don't find our job relaxing?" He mused. I looked at him narrowing my eyes. "It's like talking to Isa's smart ass," I said gaining a full-blown laugh from him which made me smile. "I'm back. Sorry about that. No more interruptions." Malik said.

"What's so funny?" he asked. "Nothing but clearly Khalil and Isa have been hanging out too much," I said poking Khalil in the ribs. Malik chuckled shaking his head. "So, where to next?" I asked. "You hungry?" He asked. "Yes," I said. "I know a quiet restaurant we can go to get away from all the stares," Malik said. He laced our fingers together before we walked out to his car. He opened my door allowing me to get in before he joined me on the driver's side.

We pulled up to a secluded area where there weren't very many people around. "Ahsha?" Malik said standing next to my now open door. He grabbed my hand helping me out before leading the way. “Akhw al'umi.” (Uncle) Malik called. "Malik." A darker-skinned man called coming from the back. I watched intrigued as the man and Malik embraced each other. "Uncle this is my girlfriend, Ahsha," Malik said proudly. I looked at him surprised but decided not to question it. He had only called me his mate but hearing how proud he was to call me his girlfriend had butterflies dancing in my stomach. "Hi," I said with a small wave trying to hide my shyness. "Hello Ahsha, I'm Hamid. You two here to eat?" Hamid said smiling.  

"Yes, can we get my special?" Malik asked. Hamid smiled nodding his head. "One special coming up. Your booth is available." He added before he headed to the kitchen. Malik led us to the back over to a secluded area. As we sat, I looked around the restaurant before I turned to see Malik looking at me. "What?" I asked feeling my face heat up. "Nothing." He said shaking his head with a smirk gracing his face. "What's that?" he asked pointing to the journal that was sticking out of my bag. "Oh, I found a couple of journals in your parent's library. I guess I forgot to put it back before we left" I said passing him the one I was currently reading. He looked at the cover and I watched as his eyes glowed a bright vibrant green. He looked up at me with an expression I had never seen before.

"Malik?" I said reaching for his hand. "How many of these have you read?" He asked with bits of Ares seeping through. "Only one," I said. "Why? What's wrong?" I asked. "These are Dominic's journals." He said. I looked at him surprised. "Here you two go," Hamid said as he brought two huge trays of different foods. "This is Samboosa." He said pointing to these little triangles. "This is Luqaimat. Which is like dumplings." He said pointing to what looked like doughnut holes. "This is machboos, which is rice mixed with a bunch of seasoning and chicken." I looked at the rice and smelled so good. "Thank you, Hamid. Everything looks and smells so good." I said looking at him with a smile. He smiled. "Thank you, Ahsha. You two eat up and enjoy." He said before leaving us to eat.

I turned to look at Malik to see him looking at the journal again. "Malik I'm sorry. I didn't know they were Dominic's." I said not wanting this to ruin the mood. He looked up at me cupping my face. "No, it's fine. I've just been trying not to think about Dominic since everything happened." He said. I looked at him as he looked down. Malik never really talked about Dominic since everything happened. I knew he didn't like to bring it up from the way he always got uncomfortable. "I know Dominic and I weren't super close, but I miss him," I said which made him look at me. "So, I can't imagine how it must feel for you or Ares. And as we've gotten closer, I've watched you. I see how you avoid all topics that lead to Dominic. I know you three had your issues, but if either of you wants to talk about him you can with me." I said.

"If you can't talk about it with anybody else you can with me. I mean isn't that the point of having a mate and girlfriend." I said as I grabbed a samboosa. "Ooo that's really good," I said before I heard laughter coming from Malik. "You are by far the funniest person I've ever encountered in my life." He said kissing my temple. I couldn't help but smile. He took a couple of bites of food before he spoke again. "I miss Dominic too." He said. I looked up at him giving him a sympathetic smile before kissing his cheek. "That's okay. You should embrace those feelings, not stuff them down because they will come out one way or another." I said. He nodded his head. "When I'm ready to talk you'll be there?" He asked. "Of course." I smiled.