Forbidden Mate: Awakening

~THEO’S POV~

As Sarah and I walked through the thick forest, our steps hastened by the second. The air grew thick with mystery and danger and an ominous presence hung over the ancient trees. Shadows danced among the twisted branches, whispering secrets that sent a chill through my bones. The forest was a labyrinth of towering trees, their gnarled roots snaking through the dark undergrowth.

We were aware that mysterious creatures lurked in the shadows with their eyes gleaming with untamed wildness and ready to pounce on us if we make the mistake of wanting to rest for a night. This was why we’d been awake and walking for four days straight.

Each step felt like a daring venture into the unknown, still, a vibrant curiosity drove me forward. This Forbidden Forest held secrets and I was determined to uncover them, but most importantly, we had to find the ring.

“Theo, your leg!” Sarah’s voice alerted me to a plant root on the ground, a step from where I was, which opened it’s mouth as if it wanted to swallow my leg and spit out my bones.

I roughly carried my dagger out and slit it’s head into two, making it let out a deafening squeal.

“It’s like everything in this forest is alive.” I grunted and Sarah dragged me away from it. With two more jumps, we were able to make it to the “dry land” and I also noticed we had been walking on a muddy terrain for quite a while.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“No thank you?” Sarah folded her arms and bent her hips sideways, pouting at me.

“Oh, thanks….”

She smiled to herself and pointed at the distance.

“Look, I can see some towers…”

The scorching sunlight didn’t allow me see it well so I had to cover my eyes with my hand till I saw a 10-feet tower, the shape of a man, standing far away from where we stood. “Woah…”

“It’s huge, right?”

“Looks like a sculpture of a god.”

“Maybe cus it is…” She looked at me with a cheeky expression and then continued walking. I looked at her for a while before following behind.

During this journey, it wasn’t strange Sarah and I were getting closer, not only to eachother but to our goal, and it made our bond stronger. I had never seen her in this light – well, she’s not been too open with me and I haven’t had the chance to properly talk to her ever since she came to the grove and then later moved in.

To be honest, I never noticed her. She just seemed to be so carefree and devoid of any worries and maturity. I’m not particularly attracted to girls like that.

But the Sarah I’d been traveling with now for the past four days…I never knew she could be sober and, not loud.

I looked at her and her eyes showed the same determination as mine. Her dedication to our mission made me even more encouraged. She did want this as much as I did, though I’d never asked her why.

“Look, Theo. There’s a cave nearby.” She said excitedly, “We can finally rest.” She bent, placed her hands on her knees and tried to catch a breath.

I examined the cave from afar but I didn’t feel it would be a wise decision to rest in a random cave. What if it was a trap?

“I don’t think it’s a good idea if we rest there, in a random cave in this kind of forest.” I said brashly.

She frowned at me, “Why? We’ve almost reached the entrance to the Wailing Woods…the cave doesn’t look too huge.”

“I don’t still think-”

“We’ve been walking for days, Theo. I can barely move again. If you’re not resting, then I am.” She stubbornly marched into the cave and I tried to call her back.

“Sarah! This is not a good idea!” I called out to her but she didn’t stop. I ran to meet her and held her hand, then turned her to meet my gaze, “This is not the place to be stubborn! We don’t know what lurks in the shadows or in that cave. We will get sleep when we reach our destination.” I peered into her eyes which were now shaking in anger.

She pushed me back, “You won’t tell me what to do! I’m not a warrior like you who’s been trained to go on days without food or sleep.”

“Then why did you want to come with me?”

“It’s none of your business…I came along because I wanted to.”

“But now you can’t handle the pressure?” I grimaced.

She winced, “Theo, I don’t wanna get angry with you. Just let me rest here for god sake.”

“I’m just looking out for you.” I said softly.

She looked at me, contemplating, “I don’t need you to look out for me…”

“Then why are we a team?”

“Who says we are?” She said and rolled her eyes.

I sighed and massaged my temple, “Look, we won’t make any progress if we keep arguing like this.” She looked aside, “Fine, just for tonight.”

She sharply turned to me and beamed with a smile, “I was going to stay anyway…really.” She smirked at me and entered the cave.

I glanced at her and shook my head before entering also.

°°°°°°°°

I already made a campfire and we sat on opposite rocks. I then helped made a bed to sleep on which she went to lay on. I stared at her. I would never know what goes on in her head. She turned to the other side and our eyes met. I quickly faced the fire. I glanced at her again and she was still looking.

So, I asked, “Can’t sleep?”

“How could you tell?” She said sarcastically and got up then walked to sit opposite me, my eyes still on her. I noticed she felt cold so I offered her my blanket and jacket to keep warm.

She smiled softly, “Gentleman enough?”

I rolled my eyes and smiled back.

“Thank you.”

I nodded. She continued staring into the fire whilst I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

She noticed and met my eyes, “Why have you been staring at me like that?”

“Like how?”

“Like now?…”

I shook my head slightly and smiled to myself, “Well, I didn’t realise how beautiful you looked until…”

Then I stopped when I saw her facial expression change.

“No, I don’t meant it that way. Well, I do but…” as I tried to find the right words to say, I gesticulated with my hands, “… not the way you’re thinking. I mean I do mean it but not really, but-”

She started giggling, “It’s alright, Theo.”

I sighed in embarrassment, “I hope you understand me?”

“I do.” She nodded and smiled back at me.

I really hadn’t noticed how beautiful her facial features were. Her blonde hair, her dreamy blue eyes and how it sparkled as she looked into the fire…she was a very pretty girl.

“I’m scared…” She finally said without looking away from the fire.

“What?”

“I’m scared, Theo…” She then faced me.

“Of what?”

Her lips formed a line, “About everything you can possibly think about now. The war, finding the ring, my friends…my future…what’s it all gonna come to? It’s so uncertain.” She rubbed her arms for warmth.

I adjusted in my seat, not really knowing how to answer her, “I don’t really know much about my parents, you know. The only memory I have about my childhood is being in the grove. It’s all I’ve known. Watching it crumble right before my eyes…” my voice broke a little and she noticed, “I can’t describe the feeling. But I know, I won’t sit and let those vampires destroy what I’ve know all my life. I won’t let fear get the best of me. Not now, not ever.”

“You’re not much of a soothing talker are you?” She said, teasing me, and I shook my head in response.

For some reason she walked over to me and sat beside me, on the same rock. The heat I felt between us only grew more intense. I kept on throwing little stones to the fire and she kept on warming herself. The silence between us was calming but carried anticipation.

I knew she could feel it and I felt she knew what she was doing when she began shifting closer to me, not saying anything, but saying just one thing with her body movements.

I stopped what I was doing for a second and she did too.

When she turned to me, “Theo…,” something else took over me and I caught her lips mine. My throat went dry as I felt her softness in my mouth. My hands pulled her face closer to me and I felt her hands trying to grapple the clothing on my chest.

Then she carefully pushed me back, her lips swollen and her face hot and red, “Theo…” she sounded flabbergasted and I immediately felt like punching myself.

I had misunderstood her advances. “I’m…I’m sorry, I thought…I’m sorry.” I bent and looked away. That ended awkwardly.

She breathed out again before standing up and going to rest on the bed, again.

How could I have been so foolish? What did I think I was doing? I threw another rock farther into the bushes and swore under my breath. Now she’d think I’m a pervert and not feel comfortable around me. Great.

She turned on her bed, obviously unable to sleep – why would she? She’d think I’d pounce on her any second now. She continued to turn till she finally sat up and looked squarely at me, desire and hunger in her eyes.

I didn’t try to decipher what she was trying to tell me this time, so I just stared back at her. She stood up and walked back to sit beside me.

I wanted to say something so I turned to face her and she was the one who took my lips into hers this time. She held my face with her hands and pressed her lips into mine, as if letting out all the steam she had building in her body. I pulled her waist closer to me and ran my hand up her back making her moan into my mouth.

She then pulled away again and said, “Sorry.” Standing up, our bodies still raw from what just happened, she went back to sleep.

I steadied my breathing and stared down at her. Sooner than later, she fell back asleep. When I started to believe I was understanding her, she just had to throw me off like that. I had no words. I touched my lips, the moistness from our kiss still making my head swoon. Why did she make me feel this way? It was so confusing – and also very distracting.

I had to focus on what we came for. I led her on to this. I kissed her first. I decided to apologize to her first thing in the morning so it won’t get in the way again. I didn’t want things to be suddenly awkward between us.

Besides, I’m just getting to start to know her.

Yet, she really tasted so good.