Fated Destiny:The Wolf, The Witch, The Demon

5. By Her Side

BY HER SIDE

Manuel

I am still holding Zara even though she has been in a deep sleep for over an hour. Her head rests on one of my arms as I keep the other wrapped around her shoulders. We used to sleep like this when we were kids. Sneaking into each other’s room and staying up late practicing our magic and planning our futures. Our families lived in the pack house back then so we were never too far from each other. I miss those days. I miss Zara. We have grown apart as the years have passed. Becoming teens and finding our own separate interests and paths in life has put a bit of a rift between us. Our impromptu sleepovers and random adventures together are in the past. Suddenly, she starts to move in my arms and turns her body so that her back presses against my chest. I move my free arm down to wrap around her waist and rest my face in her soft curls. Her hair always smells like mangos. It’s the scent of the conditioner she uses and I love it. I love her. I have always loved her. From the moment I was old enough to understand love, Zara has been the only female I’m willing to give my heart to. I know she thinks of me as being a bit of a playboy. Well, maybe more than a bit. I do flirt a lot with the girls at our high school…as well as every other unmated female in our pack. I’m just naturally a flirt and girls (and women) are just attracted to me. I’m like a female magnet. No matter what, I pull them in. It’s flattering and I do love the attention but I’d give it all up in a split second. I’d never entertain another flirt or advance from any female…for Zara. 

“Hmmm.” 

Zara hums peacefully in her sleep and snuggles closer to me. Her butt moves against the seat of my jeans and my semi hard-on jumps in reaction. Damn it. I pull away, putting distance between my body and hers without waking her up. Carefully, I remove my arm from under her head and replace it quickly with a pillow. Zara instantly balls up into a little knot and I pull a blanket up over her and plant a kiss on her forehead. Her light brown skin is the softest I’ve ever felt. Ever. My phone vibrates and I absentmindedly pull it out of my pocket and answer it.

“Hello.”

“Manuel! Did you find her?”

“Yes. She was right where you said she would be.”

“Good. Are you still with her now?”

“I am. She’s just gone to sleep. I’ll probably stick around for a while just until she gets settled. She seems comfortable with me being around.”

“Thank Goddess. My daughter is very strong-willed and stubborn. I know she’s capable of taking care of herself but I also know that there are those that would love to get their hands on her. Now that she is no longer within the pack borders it’s almost impossible for me and her mother to protect her like we used to. Please, just look out for her as long as she will allow you to. It’s a lot for me to ask of you but she won’t let anyone else near her right now and I don’t want to scare her further away.”

“It’s not a problem, Alpha Rahl. You know how much I care for your daughter. She’ll be fine. I promise.”

I can hear him sigh before speaking again.

“I do love her. She doesn’t think I do. She believes I hate her but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She’s my daughter. My only child. My baby girl…” Alpha Rahl’s voice trails off.

I feel bad for him. He and Zara have bumped heads since she learned the word ‘no’. The two of them are too much alike in all the most difficult ways. They have no idea how to love each other but the love is there. I know Alpha’s heart is broken. 

“I know Alpha. I’ll be in touch if anything major comes up. You and Luna Celestina raised her well. She’ll be okay. Can you let my parents know I’ll be here? I’ll call them tomorrow.”

“Yes. I’ll speak to your father. Goodnight Manuel and thank you.” 

The call disconnects and I set my phone down on the nightstand beside my bed. Zara is still fast asleep in the same position. I begin to undress and then slide under my covers facing her. The distance between our beds seems so far apart. I would much rather be right beside her with my arms still wrapped around her body and my face buried in her hair. It’s too risky though. My body reacts so easily to her when we’re close. I’m like a putty in her hands. She knew I would look for her. She knew I would find her. She knew I would stay by her side. That part of our friendship has never changed, no matter how old we get. I may not be her fated mate but I do feel that it was meant for me to be her protector and that’s what I’d dedicate my life to. Whether she accepted me as more than her friend or not.