Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter: 22. A plan of intimacy..

Amara found herself restless in the days following the Moonlit Festival. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions—joy, excitement, but also a gnawing nervousness that she couldn't quite shake. The confession of love between her and Darius had opened the door to a new chapter in their relationship, one she was ready to embrace. She wanted to be with him fully, to give herself to him in every sense. The mere thought of it sent a shiver of anticipation through her, but it also left her with a lot of uncertainty.

She had never truly been with someone in that way—at least, not in a way that felt right, safe, and consensual. Her experience with Killian had left scars, both seen and unseen, and the fear of being vulnerable, of getting hurt again, lingered at the edges of her mind. She knew Darius was different; he had shown her nothing but patience and kindness, always letting her set the pace. But now, she wanted to show him how much she loved him, how much she trusted him. The problem was, she didn’t know how to express those feelings in action.

As the idea of becoming intimate with Darius grew stronger in her mind, she knew she needed advice—someone who could guide her and help her navigate her fears. There was only one person she could think of who might understand and provide the kind of support she needed.

Maya.

Amara found herself wandering around the packhouse the next afternoon, searching for her friend. She felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment at the mere thought of what she was about to ask. How do you even start a conversation like this? She wasn’t used to discussing such personal things, especially not matters as intimate as this.

When she finally spotted Maya in the garden, tending to the herbs she often used in her cooking, Amara took a deep breath, gathering her courage. Maya was humming softly to herself, her hands busy with the plants, and she looked up with a bright smile when she saw Amara approaching.

“Hey, Amara!” she greeted, wiping her hands on her apron. “What brings you out here? You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”

Amara’s face heated up, and she glanced around nervously to make sure no one else was within earshot. “Um, yeah… I wanted to talk to you about something,” she mumbled, her voice barely audible. “Something… kind of personal.”

Maya’s eyes widened with curiosity, and she motioned for Amara to sit on the small bench nearby. “Of course! You can talk to me about anything, you know that,” she said encouragingly. “What’s going on?”

Amara sat down, her fingers twisting anxiously in her lap. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she avoided Maya’s gaze, her heart pounding. She had no idea how to bring this up. “Well… it’s about Darius,” she began hesitantly, her voice shaky. “I… I think I’m ready to… you know… be with him. In that way.”

Maya’s eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and excitement. “Oh!” she exclaimed, her smile growing wider. “That’s wonderful, Amara! I’m so happy for you. You’ve come such a long way.”

Amara’s blush deepened, and she looked down, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and anticipation. “Yeah, but… I don’t really know what I’m doing,” she admitted. “I’ve never… I mean, I’ve never had a good experience with this kind of thing. And I don’t want to mess it up. I want it to be special, but I’m scared that I might panic again, like last time.”

Maya’s expression softened with understanding, and she reached out to gently squeeze Amara’s hand. “It’s completely normal to feel nervous,” she said kindly. “Especially after what you’ve been through. The most important thing is that you’re ready and that you feel safe with Darius. I know he’ll be patient with you—he always is.”

Amara nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. “I know he will,” she said softly. “But I want to do something special for him, to show him how much I love him and trust him. I just… I don’t know how to lead into it, how to let him know that I’m ready.”

Maya smiled, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “Well, you’ve come to the right person,” she said with a wink. “How about creating a romantic setting? That can be a great way to show him how you feel without having to say it outright.”

Amara looked up, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

Maya’s smile grew as she explained, “There’s a beautiful spot near the lake on the meadow. It’s secluded, quiet, and perfect for a moonlit dinner. You could set up a small table with some candles, maybe some blankets and pillows to make it cozy. Bring some of his favorite foods, and perhaps a little wine to help you both relax. The setting alone would tell him how much you care, and it would give you both a chance to talk and just be close.”

Amara’s eyes widened as she imagined the scene—a private dinner under the stars, just her and Darius, surrounded by the beauty of nature. It sounded perfect. “That… that sounds amazing,” she said softly, her heart fluttering with excitement. “I think he’d love that.”

Maya nodded, clearly pleased with Amara’s reaction. “I’m sure he will. And it’ll help you both feel more at ease. Just remember, there’s no rush. Let things happen naturally. If the moment feels right, you’ll know.”

Amara bit her lip, feeling a little more confident but still uncertain about how to handle the intimate part. “But what about… when we get close?” she asked hesitantly. “Last time, I got scared, and I don’t want that to happen again. I want to be able to… to go through with it.”

Maya’s expression turned more serious, her voice gentle and understanding. “It’s okay to feel nervous, Amara. The most important thing is to communicate with Darius. Let him know how you’re feeling, and don’t be afraid to set the pace. Start with little things—gentle touches, soft kisses. Let yourself feel the connection. Focus on being in the moment with him, rather than worrying about what comes next.”

Amara nodded, trying to absorb her friend’s advice. “So, take it slow… and be honest with him,” she repeated, more to herself than to Maya.

“Exactly,” Maya said, squeezing her hand again. “And if at any point you start to feel overwhelmed, just tell him. Darius will understand, and he’ll be there for you. The most important thing is that you feel safe and comfortable. And remember, intimacy isn’t just about the act—it’s about the trust and love between you two.”

Amara felt a wave of relief wash over her, her tension easing as she listened to Maya’s words. “Thank you, Maya,” she said quietly, her voice filled with gratitude. “I really needed this. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Maya grinned, her eyes sparkling. “You’d do just fine, but I’m always here to help,” she said with a playful wink. “Now, go on. Start planning your romantic evening. And remember—just be yourself. That’s all Darius needs.”

Feeling lighter and more determined, Amara hugged Maya tightly, feeling a surge of gratitude for her friend’s support and encouragement. She had a plan now—a way to express her love for Darius and show him that she was ready to take the next step. She was still nervous, but she was also excited—excited to share this special moment with the man she loved.

For the rest of the day, Amara busied herself with preparations for the moonlight dinner. She wanted everything to be perfect, from the setting to the food. She gathered blankets and pillows to create a comfortable space by the lake, choosing soft, inviting fabrics that would make it feel cozy and intimate. She also borrowed a small, round table from the packhouse and draped it with a simple white cloth, setting it up under the shade of a large oak tree near the water’s edge.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the meadow, Amara carefully arranged candles around the table and along the shoreline, their soft flickering light creating a romantic ambiance. She packed a basket with some of Darius’s favorite foods—roasted chicken, fresh bread, cheese, and a selection of fruits, along with a bottle of wine she had found in the pack’s storage.

The meadow by the lake was a beautiful spot. The grass was dotted with wildflowers, and the calm water reflected the colors of the sky, creating a serene and enchanting atmosphere. Amara couldn’t have imagined a more perfect place for their special evening.

As she took a step back to admire her work, she felt a flutter of nervous excitement in her chest. She wanted everything to be just right for Darius. She wanted to show him how much she loved him and how ready she was to move forward, to build something real and lasting with him.

When everything was finally set, she took a deep breath and made her way back to the packhouse to find Darius. Her heart pounded with anticipation, but she also felt a sense of peace—a sense that she was finally ready to embrace her future, free from the shadows of her past.

Tonight, she would take that step. She would let him know that she was ready to be his, completely and unreservedly. She only hoped he would feel the same.