Zaira's POV
The very moment he put his hands on my hips, he froze and his face went pale.
"What's going on?" I asked, simultaneously noticing the dark shadow that lay over us. Suddenly, strong arms grabbed my waist and I shrieked in horror.
"Calm down, it's just me," Aramis ground out, picking me up and standing behind him. My body tingled and my heart was beating so hard in my chest I feared it would drown out the drums at the edge of the fire .
"Find another dance partner." Aramis bent over Cha'tima's body harshly and dangerously.
Cha'tima's eyes widened and he quickly pulled his hands from my body. Then he nodded and hurried away without saying goodbye to me.
I spun around and glared at him. "What was that?"
"He got horny with you, which isn't hard when you're wearing very little," he growled fiercely. "You'll change your clothes once we get to Reah."
"Please what?" I folded my arms. "It's none of your business what I wear."
Where did this sudden anger come from? She simmered in my body on high fire and my she-wolf growled as well.
"It's my business, damn it! No one puts their hands on your body." His voice darkened and I saw the green in his eyes darken.
"And since when do you control that?" I snapped, knowing that I was overreacting. Actually, I was surprised that it took him so long to drive Cha'tima away. Dominant werewolves were known for it, a lot being possessive, especially when the mate bond wasn't yet established.
He leaned over and bit my ear. "Zaira, stop it, what's this about? You have openly challenged me. I'm just reacting like any other dominant wolf challenged by her wolf."
My heart stopped and I gasped. I challenged him. He was right, I had actually challenged him. Me , an omega wolf! I suddenly realized how close we had become that I dared to do something like that.
His lips twisted into a mischievous grin. "And I have to say, I understand the appeal of chasing your wolf."
As much as I was captivated by that grin, I clenched my fists. There it was again, that word. His wolf. How dare he say such things to me if he didn't mean it?
"I'm not your wolf, you left me, so why should you care?" I pulled away from him and looked him straight in the eyes. It wasn't anger that was guiding me, at least not mainly. It was pain. I knew it was stupid to keep wishing that he would finally accept it. That he would accept me. He had only just apologized to me, why couldn't I just be content with that? Why did I still feel a knife in my chest?
Aramis raised his eyebrows in astonishment. "I thought you forgave me?"
I saw the sad sparkle in his eyes. I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration and anger. "Yes, yes I have that too."
"But you don't believe me that I won't hurt you anymore," he said, registered.
"I don't know what to believe anymore," I whispered, feeling a hidden part of my heart open. "You tell me you won't hurt me anymore, but at the same time you don't take me as your mate. "
"You see, our band-"
"It's not real, I know," I interrupted hastily, welcoming the anger. That was better than being vulnerable. "If our mate band isn't real and you don't want me, then I can't be yours . Then you have no right to tell me what to wear or who to dance with."
He pressed his lips together and said nothing. My heart stopped, only to beat in panic. No, what had I done! I wish I could take my words back. Catch them all and stuff them in my mouth so they never get to his ears. My chest was cramping and my throat was bone dry. Oh god I was so stupid! Why on earth had I given him an ultimatum ?! Now he would finally leave me. I had destroyed it, I had destroyed everything.
"Forget it! Forget what I said." I replied quickly, about to continue my plea, when he put a finger to my lips.
"Sh. You're right." He replied, tears welling up in my eyes. I shook my head frantically. "I have no right to you. Not if I don't accept our mate band. And I can't and never will. Not if it was created by Serdas to destroy the world."
"Please don't do this..." I begged. I bit my lip and tried to stop the trembling. I had never hated myself more than I did in that moment. I had ruined the most beautiful and precious thing in my life .
"But I can't possibly let you go either. You are different Zaira. You touch a part of me I thought I lost. I don't know what this is between us, but I'll find out." He gently wiped my tears from my cheeks.
"You mean you're not going?"
He looked me straight in the eyes. "No."
A sob escaped me. I slammed my small, trembling body into his and wrapped my arms around his waist. His body tensed instantly and he didn't move an inch. But his heartbeat was pounding as hard as mine.
"Fuck," he cursed, raising his arms and hugging me even tighter to his chest. I wanted to crawl into him and never come back.
"Shhh," soothing words in my ear as the sobs that shook my body grew weaker. I felt the feathery kiss Aramis placed on my head to my core.
I didn't know how long we stood there. closely entwined. I wanted to stay like this forever, but the drums broke my trance veil and I suddenly realized that we were in the middle of a dancing crowd of Gis.
"We should get out of here and sit down so we're not in the way," I said, trying not to pull away from the hug.
"How come? Let's Dance."
I jerked my head up in surprise.
"What is it?" Aramis asked, looking at me in amusement.
"You never dance." I stared at him in disbelief.
"I'll make an exception today," he replied, shrugging slightly.
I was too shocked to close my mouth.
"Or don't you want to dance with me?" He narrowed his eyes fiercely, but I saw the mischievous glint in them.
"Um, well..." I cocked my head. "I wouldn't mind Cha'tima-"
I screamed and shrieked. I writhed in front of his tickling hands and tried to get away from them, but in vain.
"Who would you like to dance with again?"
"Cha..."
" Grrr !" Aramis tickled me even more and I almost choked on laughter.
"Stop it!" I yelled between my laughter, trying to push his hands away from me.
"Then say it."
" You! I want to dance with you!" His hands went still and he turned me around to him.
"Always just me," he said harshly, kissing me.