ELIAS'S
Something always happened to me when I was near Zola. At this point, my actions were becoming uncontrollable. This primal feeling inside of me pushes itself forward, overcoming any rational thoughts I tried to have while around her. Just being in the general vicinity brought forward a wild side of me that I couldn't explain. These last few weeks the need has been stronger. The best way to explain it was that it felt like a magnetic force drawing me in. They say that's what a mate bond feels like, but wouldn't it have started when she turned of age? Not now. Not years later. Right?
A bright light randomly lit the room, gathering my attention. I followed it from the ceiling directly to its source, my phone. I looked at the screen, a text message displayed on the notification bar with Shanti's name attached. She was another thing. Sometimes I can't get enough of her, I crave her. Then other times I don't have a feeling in the world for her other than being her King. Shanti and I were a hard topic to explain. It was supposed to be temporary and fun. But by keeping her around like I am, I will be forced to take her as my mate. What was it with these two women, and why do they randomly drive me wild? The strange thing about it was, I never wanted them at the same time. It was either I craved Shanti or I desired Zola. Which leads me to believe that I was the problem. I sighed before picking up my phone and clicking the message.
Shanti: We need to talk.
Me: About anything in particular?
Shanti: Don't play dumb, Eli. You and I both know what I walked in on.
I never made her a promise that she would be my Luna Queen, but my actions showed not only her but also everyone else that she most likely would be. I only wanted a distraction so that the Elders would get off my back. But now I see that I did much more than that. I publicly displayed a possible chosen mate and then publicly humiliated her at the mating ball. My actions spoke numbers. I knew that. But I couldn't help myself at the time. It was fucked up, I know. I also knew that my actions would have consequences and one small part of those consequences was staring back at me.
My phone vibrated again, bringing me back to the problem at hand. Shanti.
Shanti: Listen, I don't blame you for what's been happening. It's just your pattern.
Me: My pattern?
Shanti: Meet me tomorrow at 8 PM. We have a lot to discuss.
Me: What are you even talking about?
I sat there as I watched the delivered turn to read before the three bubbles popped up below to let me know she was replying, only to disappear as fast as they had appeared. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Patience was normally a strong suit of mine but for some reason, at this moment, it wasn't. The more that the time ticked on, the more I became impatient. Something which led me to sending another text.
Me: What the hell are you talking about, Shanti!?
Delivered.
Read.
Bubbles.
Shanti: If you need me tonight, just say so, Daddy.
A small thrill coursed through my body from her response. I closed my eyes to try and visualize what it would look like if she were here saying those words to my face. But all I could see was Zola looking back at me. Which confused the fuck out of me. I let out a sigh before sending my response.
Me: Tomorrow, 8 PM. Meet me at our restaurant. We will talk then.
Delivered.
Read.
Bubbles.
Shanti: I'll wear your favorite dress.
Fuck. What was I going to do? I stared at my phone a little while longer, contemplating if I should respond. I pulled up the messages again and sent the text.
Me: I need to see you, now. Meet me at our spot in 10 minutes.
Delivered.
Read.
Bubbles.
I quickly locked my phone and tossed it on the bed, not wanting to read the response. If they come, they come. If they don't, they don't. I quickly left the room, needing to clear my mind and my phone was only a distraction.
I started stripping out my clothes before I even hit the back door. If I was going to be out again, then I might as well get another run out of it. Apparently, the one I took earlier just wasn't enough.
I could feel the pain as each bone broke. It was a pain that I embraced wholeheartedly. Aslan's paws hit the ground with a thud, making the ground quake beneath our feet. The feel of the wind on my fur. The sounds of crickets in the distance matching the sounds of crunching twigs and leaves beneath the little critters' feet. Everything was heightened while in wolf form. Which made almost everything much more enjoyable.
I took off in a sprint into the woods. Leaping over the fallen trees. The dirt beneath my feet flew into the air. I made a few laps before turning to head to the spot where I was meeting someone. As I neared the pond, I sniffed the air, but to my dismay, the scent of who I was supposed to be meeting was not in the air. All I smelt was the outdoors. I shifted back to my human form before slowly walking down the pier that we had built together. Once I was at the edge, I sat down. I was still nude, not caring to get dressed. My ass slightly stung from the cold dock as I sat down. I dipped my feet into the cool water, letting out a shaky breath. I sat in silence looking across the pond. The moon was set perfectly enough to shimmer against the water. I closed my eyes to live in my memories again.
FLASHBACK
"I can't believe that!"
"What?"
"I'm all muddy and gross!"
"Well, then jump into the pond, ding-dong."
"You know I can't swim, Eli!"
"I know, but I was thinking, maybe let me teach you?"
"I need to start slowly, dip my toes in and get a feel first."
"How about we build our own little dock."
"Can we call it a pier?"
I looked over at her beautiful face and the funny thing was, she was dead serious.
"Then a pier it is, peach."
END OF FLASHBACK
I let out another sigh, knowing exactly what I had to do, but hated that I had to do it. I looked across the pond again. The wind picked up at that exact moment I inhaled. Her scent filled my nostrils, which instantly calmed the beast within. I let out another shaky breath before addressing her.
"Thank you for coming, peach."
I was happy she decided to come, but I hated it too. I was excited to see her, to be near her. But I was also regretting what I was about to have to tell her.
"Why are you calling me that again, Elias?"
I stood up to face her. The moon illuminating on her face graciously.
"You've always been my peach."
"You're naked."
I looked down, and my cock was hanging freely between my legs.
"I didn't think you would come." Was all I could manage to reply.
"I told you to give me 30 minutes. Now what is so important that you chose here of all places? Which happened to also be in the middle of the dark woods, I might add."
"These woods are the safest woods you'll ever travel in."
"Stop stalling, Elias. What is it?"
"We have to talk, Zo."
Stress, pain, and anxiety were all that was coursing through my body as I stared down at the most beautiful woman to have ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on.Yet at the same time, all I could think about was kissing her just one more time. To have the pleasure of her lips pressed against mine one last time before completely breaking her heart for the final time.
Coming to terms with having to stick to my obligations was an easy choice. The obvious choice. A choice I made long before Zola and my relationship grew. So, why did it feel like this choice was tearing my soul in half?