Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Zaira's POV

"We're fastest when I carry you on my back."

I looked at him skeptically. "Um, well I don't know. Wouldn't it be wiser if we changed?"

"Watch and learn," Aramis teased. He then kicked off his pants and I looked away, embarrassed. Aramis laughed. "Nothing you shouldn't see."

I heard him opening and closing the zipper. "Aramis what are you doing?"

There was a bark and I turned around. The black wolf held the backpack out to me. Without asking any questions, I grabbed it and slipped it onto my back.

Aramis nudged me with his nose and glared at me with his green wolf eyes. Then he turned his back to me.

"You want me to climb on your back?" I asked in disbelief. However, Aramis just barked in agreement and didn't move an inch.

"That's crazy," I muttered, but did as he asked. I clutched his neck fur and bent my legs. "Okay, let's see if this works then."

The wolf looked back for a moment, licked my face, and then ran. My giggles stopped instantly as I realized how fast he was. We would certainly get to Reah's before dawn if he kept up this pace.

I snuggled up close to him, laid my head on his fur and tried to fit my body to his so that he could move around without too much trouble.

"That's just great!" I exclaimed breathlessly and he howled in delight.

His paws drummed on the ground and he smoothly skirted all the trees and branches, always making sure I didn't get hurt. My heart leaped and I planted a small kiss on his neck. He growled.

I still couldn't believe he took me as his mate. His soul mate.

Finally!

Finally he saw that our bond was real and not a fake ruse by Serdas. We belonged together forever. The only thing standing in our way was the war. I hoped so much that it wouldn't come to that and that we'd get to Gaia and Luna early. Just the idea of what Serdas could do with such a large army. my fur bristled. I shook my head to get those images out of my mind.

Everything would be fine. We would heal the goddesses and then they would be all right. Exactly, that's how it would happen, it couldn't be any other way.

Aramis POV

Her body pressed against mine and her warmth flowed into my bones. Feelings, so many feelings swirled around me that I couldn't even begin to grasp. She did things to me that I had never felt before. Every time I looked at her, my heart would do crazy things and beat so fast I couldn't form a clear thought. it was crazy I was crazy, crazy about her.

She was my mate, my companion. She was everything I ever wanted. A wave of protectiveness and possessiveness swept through me at the thought of how small and fragile she was. She wasn't weak, oh no, she was the strongest person I knew and that knowledge made me burst with pride. But just one grip and her bones would snap. I bared my teeth. Nobody would come near her.

She is ours! , my wolf growled, and I could only agree with him.

Not long now and we would get to Reah. Once we were behind her wards, I was able to focus properly again, but until then, all my senses were focused on keeping Zaira safe.

Before they made any sound, I smelled them entering our environment. Their foul smell soaked the air that blew through the jungle. I bundled my inner strength into a big ball and then released it with force. A shock wave emanated from me and threw back all the demons. I heard her squeal and snarled a smile.

You won't get us that easily!

I could already see the glimmer of the protective spell surrounding Reah's territory and I increased my speed. Zaira pressed her body even tighter against me and we both penetrated the energetic wall.

I skilfully dodged all the traps that Reah had cleverly set up, jumped over the narrow rivers and stopped in front of her tree house.

"That was fantastic!" Zaira gushed, sliding off me. She stroked my fur and scratched my ears. "You purr!"

I barked and urged her to keep petting me. She smiled at me and I saw the deep emotion in her eyes. My heart skipped a beat.

"Aramis?" Reah gaped at us, her mouth wide open in wonder. "Is that really you?"

I shifted and spread my arms. "In person."

She gave a choked laugh and started to get down. Zaira hugged my pants to my chest and glared at me. "Put them on."

Oh how I loved it when she gave me orders. It was a sign of her confidence that she was dealing with a dominant werewolf like that. I gave a mischievous smile. "Ay ay Mrs."

Zaira narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. I raised an eyebrow at her behavior but pulled my pants on without resistance.

"I missed you so much!" Reah announced loudly and gave me a big hug. I hugged me back, laughing, and hugged her tightly. It had been over a thousand years since I last saw her.

"Same to you."

She broke our embrace and looked at me in surprise. She shook her head and I knew what she was wondering. We were kids when I last smiled, let alone laughed. "I know." I said simply and shrugged.

Reah smiled at me and I realized I forgot to introduce Zaira.

"Reah, this is Zaira," I said, pointing at her. Zaira smiled at Reah, but it didn't reach her eyes. Something was fishy, but I couldn't interpret it.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Reah." Reah offered her hand and Zaira hesitantly shook it.

"I think so too." Zaira said and then quickly pulled her hand back.

Reah frowned and her gaze jerked briefly questioningly to me. What was the matter with Zaira? It wasn't like her, she was always extremely kind, so kind that I almost wished she wouldn't give away her love so generously and take more care of herself.

I cleared my throat. "We need to talk to you about some things."

Reah nodded. "I thought so. I heard the news about the army. Come up, it's better to talk inside."

She turned and used the branches to swing herself up onto her tree house.

"Come on Vinea , I'll carry you up," I hungered for her touch. My insides craved for her scent, her silky skin that felt so good against mine. Just the thought of it made my sex hard .damn .

"I don't need your help, thanks." She snapped and stalked ahead. Holla, what was that just now?

I stopped her by her arm.

"Let go of me!" she hissed, trying to pull away.

My eyebrows drew together. "Hey, hey, what's that about?"

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Her face was twisted in anger and her hands clenched into small fists. She had no idea how much this sight turned me on. My veins filled with fire and I wanted to take her every now and then so that she was finally marked as mine. "You tell me! You ignore me for weeks, but as soon as the first woman throws her arms around you, you're hooked on her!"

I shook my head in bewilderment, women! How did they always come up with such ideas?! "How come-" I started and then I saw it, reflected in her big purple eyes. Yes, shoot again, she was jealous! I grinned. "You're jealous!"

"I'm not!" she hissed through clenched teeth.

"Oh yes, and how!", I pulled her even closer to me and wanted to kiss that sweet mouth when she turned away at the last moment and I only caught her cheeks. Tenderly I put my fingers on her chin and turned her head to me. As gently as I could I said, "Hey, look at me."

Her gaze met mine and I saw the uncertainty in it. It was like someone rammed a knife into my heart. It was good when she was angry, then she had enough courage to sit back down and raise her voice. I never wanted to read fear on her face again, it almost killed me the first time. But I could - no, I wouldn't let her doubt herself. So I cleared up all the ambiguities. "There's nothing going on between me and Reah. She's just an old friend I haven't seen in centuries. I swear to you, she doesn't interest me. The only thing I care about is you.", rough and honest. Still, Zaira doubted, biting her lip and looking away. The knife in my chest twisted and stabbed deeper. It was not her fault, of course she didn't believe me. I brought this on myself after all, 'cause I damn itIdiot realized too late what was right in front of me. "You're funny, smart, beautiful and so damn strong, how could I ever even look at anyone else the way I look at you? I belong to you Zaira, no one else."

Tears shimmered in her eyes and I groaned in agony. "Shit baby, I'm sorry!"

"No one has ever said such nice things about me," she said through tears and I cursed. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her, wanting to banish all her sorrows and those who had hurt her, tear to pieces, including me.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise. I'll show you how much you mean to me."

She snuggled up to me and buried her head in my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and whispered soothing words in her ear. I never wanted to make her cry again.

"Are you coming or what?" Reah called, her black dreadlocks dangling as she leaned over the railing.

I sighed and reluctantly pulled out of the hug.

"Up you go." I turned my back to Zaira and crouched on the ground so she could mount easily. Her legs wrapped around my waist and her small but palpable breasts pressed against my back. My jaw twitched and I stifled a growl.

Just don't lose your temper now.

My claws slipped out of my fingertips and I climbed up the large willow. Reah's gaze lingered for a few more seconds on the picture we took and then disappeared into the house with a mysterious smile.

Zaira's grip loosened and she slid off my back. Then she grabbed my hand and smiled shyly at me. My body filled with a warmth that only came in Zaira's presence. Then we walked together through the curtain of leaves that was supposed to serve as a door.