Her Fierce Protector

Chapter 20

FOR the next few days Amaru was trying his best to recover faster, instead of just resting inside their household, he decided to go outside to breathe fresh air and to exercise his body to gain the energy he lost.

His mother and Xerxes were very hands-on in taking good care of him. A lot of werewolves, especially she-wolves, were greeting him for the victory like usual. He was just ignoring them, the only thing that makes him happy after wars and battles he had been through is that he survived, but it hurts for him to see a lot of the pact warriors he used to train to fight, die on the battlefield, though he can never show that to anyone, he just mourns secretly. One of the teachings his father had taught him is to not show any emotions in front of the pact whether he is happy, sad, mourning, afraid, or whatever emotions are that.

The only characteristics he can show to them is that he is brave and strong, nothing else. Showing any emotion either good for him or not is like showing weakness according to his later father.

"How was your visit?" Amaru asked his friend, Xerxes, when he saw him coming his way. He was referring to the task he had given to him about checking if Ashera ever tried visiting the forest.

Xerxes shrugged, a sign that Ashera didn't visit, making Amaru feel at ease. It has been seven sunrises and six sunsets since the war happened.

"Did you water the plant Xerxes?" he asked, referring to the flower he is planning to give to Ashera.

"Yes, already done."

"Thank you," Amaru said, "I'm feeling better now, I wanna visit her later at night. I felt better after my shift yesterday," he said.

Last night was a full moon. That's why werewolves shifted making him gain the energy he needs, that's what he always feels whenever he shifts. Indeed, he is stronger in his wolf shape.

"I guess you should do that, Gamma. I'm sure Ashera has been waiting for you."

"I know," he said. Most of his wounds are almost done in the healing process except for those deep wounds.

WHEN the sun finally set, Amaru immediately prepared himself to leave the village and to meet Ashera. Of course, he cleaned his body first and put on some clean clothes. It was normal for all of them to leave the village. That's why it's not surprising when he told his mother that he will be gone for the next couple of moments.

"Are you sure you do not need company?" Xerxes asked.

"I can handle this. Just be with Mother," Amaru said, leaving the responsibility to Xerxes about his mother. Xerxes is very trustworthy, he always tells him as soon as he comes back if something happens.

Amaru immediately went to where he hides the flower that he planted for Ashera, tonight is the best night to give it to her.

Amaru knew the village where Ashera lives, of course, in his whole lifetime, he had explored a lot of places, he knew where to find the places he needed to go especially when he needed to be deployed in battles.

The village where Ashera lives has a lot of trees in the northern part, that's where he decided to stay as he waits for the people in the village to finally rest. He needs to be careful so that people will not see him. He is aware that some of the people in this village knew that they're the only mortals living on this mountain.

He patiently waited, he even hid the glowing flower so it would not draw too much attention.

From where he was hiding, he saw Ashera outside a small house, she was sitting in a small wooden chair, she was also alone. Ashera was the one he monitored since then making sure that he knew where to find her.

He felt the sudden pain in his chest as he watched her, she looked so sad. He knew how much Ashera loves the Alawin forest yet he forbade her to visit, though he was glad that she at least listened to him.

Moments later the people outside their houses started going inside their home. Amaru is just waiting for midnight to make sure that everyone will be in deep sleep.

ASHERA couldn't sleep, just like these past few nights, she is still worrying about Amaru, and she must also admit that he already missed that gray-eyed man.

She sighed and decided to come out of the house to breathe some fresh air. The cold breeze of the wind at midnight hugged her skin as soon as she opened the door of their house made of wood. She hugged herself when she suddenly felt cold but she still closed the door of the house and decided to sit on the small chair outside. Her parents and Zelda were already sleeping, probably tired of the whole day.

Ashera sighed as she was watching the stars in the sky, admiring the natural beauty in the view. She was at that point when she just strangely felt the urge to look at the north part of their village. Her eyes settled on the human figure, she curiously stared at it making sure that her eyes were not deceiving her.

She gasped when the silhouette moved, she even stood up when she found out that it was moving in her direction.

"Amaru!" she whispered when she realized it was him when the light from the torched brightened her sight as he was getting near to her.

She didn't notice her movement in too much happiness and excitement, the next thing she knew, she found herself being wrapped in his arms, he was even carrying her because she jumped and hugged him as tight as she could, her legs wrapped to his hips.

He felt Amaru walking back to the dark, she didn't mind his movement. She started sobbing, that's just when she realized how much she missed him. It felt like an eternity as she was waiting for his cue these past few days.

Amaru was caressing her back, planting soft kisses on her hair.

"I missed you so much," she whispered emotionally.

Ashera didn't hear Amaru speak, but she felt him tightening his hug for her.

"Do you mind going to the forest with me tonight?" Amaru asked in his deep baritone.

Ashera didn't have to think twice, she agreed immediately. She wants to be with him tonight to at least cover those days that they didn't meet.

Amaru put her down and let her go. Ashera felt his hand touching her face making her close her eyes and savor the most amazing feeling of it.

"Let's go," she heard Amaru said and held her hand, "I have something to give to you, but that'll be later after we visit the forest."

Ashera nodded and didn't care about what he was talking about, the only thing that was pasted in her mind is that Amaru is here with her. At last, after many days of waiting, Amaru is here with her already.

They started walking to the Alawin forest, they were not in a hurry and she really enjoyed the moment as they walked. She felt the very soothing feeling inside her chest even in the simple stunt.

"I'm sorry," Amaru started speaking while they were on their way to the forest, "I wasn't able to show up to you and I had to make sure of your safety. That's why I wanted you to stop visiting the forest in the meantime.

Ashera immediately understands, with that short explanation, she understands, for the first time in her life she didn't question something even though these past few days she was really having a hard time stopping herself not to visit her beloved forest, that also made her weak and felt bored.

"I'll just make it up to you tonight, Ashera," he said.

"Do whatever you want, Amaru," Ashera said. Amaru smiled at her, though because of the darkness, she barely saw his face. She was even wondering how Amaru could walk in the darkness confidently like the place is not in total darkness. She just trusts him as she was walking behind him while they're holding each other's hands.

Because of the darkness, she didn't even know when they entered the forest. They stopped in a place she didn't know which part, she was even clueless if they're already inside the forest or not.

"A-Amaru," she called for the guy, she can only see his silhouette. She saw him turned to her.

"Hmm?"

"Where are we?" Ashera asked starting to get curious.

"We're in the forest."

Ashera sighed and regretted that she didn't bring a torch to light their path, what's the point of going somewhere else when she barely sees the place.

She felt Amaru moved, the next thing she felt was his presence on her back as he gently wrapped his arm around her body, he was hugging her from the back.

"I should have brought a torch so I can see the place, Amaru, the light coming from the moon is not enough, tonight is not a full moon," she said.

She felt Amaru's breath hitting the bare skin on her neck making her stop what she is about to say.

"There is beauty that we can only see in total darkness, Ashera," Amaru whispered in her ear sending her goosebumps.

He tightened his hug on her body and Ashera put her arms on his arms that were in front of her. She leaned her back against his muscled chest and felt the soothing feeling of being with him.

She has no idea what's with Amaru that made her like him and felt attached, it was unexplainable, very fast, but it felt so good.

She felt his heartbeat on his chest and Ashera was entertained hearing it but she was suddenly distracted when she saw dots blinking, light that was like stars in the night sky twinkling, From one, gradually multiply, fireflies.

"Wow!" Ashera gasped in total awe, it was her first time seeing a lot of fireflies, "A-Amaru…"

"I told you," Amaru said and let out a chuckle.

"Amaru…" she called once again, couldn't find a word to describe how amazing the view was.

"I love you so much, Ashera," he whispered. Her heart skipped a beat after hearing that, it was very unexpected. She turned to him, she instantly felt his palms caressing her cheeks.

"Amaru—"

"I want you… to be mine… please be mine, Ashera…" he said emotionally tugging her heart along with his, "Please, allow me to kiss your lips…"

Amaru didn't have to wait for the permission, Ashera wrapped her arms around his neck and touched Amaru's lips with her lips. She felt him stilled for a while, she felt him slightly smile during the kiss, she wrapped his hands pulling her closer to him as he started to move his lips gently making Ashera feel his growing feelings for her, full of respect and love, and also yes, making them… official.