Approaching the tree, my brain plays over and over again how stupid this is eating an apple. Despite all the drama going on with this love triangle, I still worry about Kiara dying in some battle because of the tree. He will have the answers. Reaching for an apple, I pick one from the tree. Once again, the little red apple smells so sweet.
"Welcome back, Zare," says the tree.
"I need answers," I get right to the point.
"About your love life?"
"Yes, who should I choose?"
"No one, you will die a lone wolf with no pack, but you'll be happy, wild, and free."
"Alone?"
The tree's face disappears, leaving me confused more than ever, I have no idea what to do.
Is being a lone wolf really what I want now? Chetan or Ajay, either man would be an exceptional choice for a mate. I love them both. I have no idea who I want at this point, not one bloody clue.
Racing to the cave, I decide to stay there for a night. I need a break, some space, and time to think. Reaching the shelter, I let out a big yawn. It has been a long crazy day. The cave is dark, but relaxing, and I am at ease here. Closing my eyes, sleep finally overtakes me.
"Zare wake up."
Ajay, here? Am I dreaming? Feeling his touch on my shoulder, I know it isn't the case.
Opening my eyes, I see his smiling face, and happiness fills my veins. I change into my human form.
"I knew I would find you here, baby," he says, lying down next to me.
"Does Chetan know you came?" I look around for him.
"No, he is fast asleep, as are all the others."
"Oh, okay, good."
"Look, I was thinking, I love you, and I can't go on not having you anymore, touching you, and feeling your skin against mine."
"What do we do about the others? I don't want to hurt Chetan."
"And now Aanya is emotionally invested."
Yeah, and her."
"Trust me, being with her is nothing compared to you."
"I love you, Ajay."
"I know, I love you, too."
"So, what do we do."
"We have a secret relationship, sneak off here in the cave every night while everyone is sleeping," he responds.
"Isn't that cheating?" I gasp.
"I don't care, it's the only way the pack will work, the way everyone can get what they want. I can't live without you, and neither can Chetan. No matter what, we won't tell the others."
"We will try it." I'm still not too sure about everything.
"Think of it like your wolf being with Chetan and Zare being with me."
"Then we are not cheating."
"My thoughts exactly!"
"I thought you didn't like sharing."
"I don't, but I am willing to do whatever I can to be with you in any way possible, and keep every member in the packs at bay."
"I understand." Maybe this is the only choice.
His lips brush against my neck. Reaching behind me, I placed it over his penis, rubbing it gently. He takes off my shirt and bra and starts rubbing my back and shoulders while he kisses my neck some more. I already want him so badly; his every touch makes me crave him more and more.
He unzips my pants, and easily slides his hand down them, and in between my legs with two fingers. He slips them into my vagina, moving them back and forth. My walls grow tight around his fingers, causing me to moan. He stops, pulls down my pants and underwear, and undoes his pants, sliding them off. Leaving me on my side, he enters me from behind. He thrusts
his dick in and out of my vagina slowly at first, and then quickly. Pleasure takes over my entire body as I moan Ajay's name.
When it's over, I comfortably fall asleep in Ajay's arms. The gentle touch of his lips on my neck and his breath upon my ear awaken me to the sight of his beautiful face.
"I must be getting by to camp, the others will wonder where I have been," he says.
"I wish you didn't have to go." "
"Me, too." He kisses me delicately. "Gvgeyu."
"I love you more."
"I somehow doubt that." He kisses me again. "Be back at the camp in the morning. Chetan is worried sick about you." He slips out of the cave.
Seriously can I do this? I love Ajay with all my heart. His touch drives me wild, his eyes see through me. Everything about him drives me insane, and then I have Chetan I am also in love with. It's like caffeine, my coffee without him; I get a headache. My heart can't function without him. I chose to be with Ajay because I want to, Chetan because my heart and soul are
programmed to love him, and I do. Closing my eyes again, I listen to the sounds of the night until sleep envelopes me.
"She's asleep."
A soft, yet cold, voice interrupts my slumber causing a shiver of fear to run down my spine. Should I open my eyes? Should I howl for the pack?
"Wake up, sleeping beauty," the voice coaxes.
I got this; just stand up and howl. My legs jump up quickly, lifting my neck. I got in three good howls before one of the creatures puts their hands over my mouth.
"Don't be scared, my sweet; I only want to drink your blood," says a male voice.
Looking around, I notice three males with ashen skin, black eyes, and deep red lips.
They're wearing vintage tuxedos with flat caps. The guy behind me has an old pocket watch. The difference between these guys and the zombies is they don't look dirty nor decayed. Rather like they stepped out of a time machine from the past.
"She looks so petrified, it's adorable," says one of the men.
"Let's not be rude, introduce yourself," pipe up another man.
"I am Ash," says the man behind me.
"I am Ace," says the one on the side of me.
"I am AB," says the vampire ahead of me. He smiles, revealing sharp fangs. "Let go so this sweet snack can speak."
Ash drops his hand from my mouth, but kept the other wrapped around my waist.
"You're vampires!" I exclaim
They all three laugh, showing their sharp teeth.
"You're such a smart girl," remarks AB rubbing my cheek with his hand, his touch feels ice
cold. like, an ice cube being run over my cheek.
"I am thirsty." Ace grabbing his throat.
"Let's quit playing with our drink and enjoy it," declares AB.
"Every girl we come across, I let you two talk me into drinking her blood. Let's keep this one for other pleasures." Ash flashes me a grin.
"The only pleasure I want to satisfy is this thirst," yells Ace.
"Me, too," agrees AB. "
"Such a beautiful girl, it's a shame you're going to die," Ash taunts me.
What is taking the pack so long? I have to howl again. I let out the louden how I can, I am in panic mode. My palms are covered in sweat and my heart is pounding so hard, I'm sure vampires all around the world can hear it.
"Why is she doing that?" asks Ash.
"She must be in pain," Ace remarks.
"Are you calling someone for help?" asks AB.
"Maybe I am, maybe I am not," I snap.
"Well, that's not an answer." Ace laughs.
"Welp digs in, boys," says AB with a devilish smirk.
"Get the hell away from her!" Ajay bolts into the cave.
"Hell? No way I am going there. That's a horrible place. I once followed a demon there, and it was no tea party," AB scoffs.
Chetan is hot on Ajay's heels, already in his wolf form, foaming at the mouth. His sharp teeth are showing, and growls escape his mouth.
"Oh look, they are doggies." Ash rolls his eyes.
"Not dogs, your idiot, werewolves!" AB cries in terror.
AB is clearly their leader and Ash the brain of the clan.
"Get away from her immediately," orders Chetan.
All the members of the packs burst into the cave.
"There are too many wolves to fight!" AB starts backing away.
"What the bloody hell is wrong with that wolf?; Ace points to Riya.
"She is part zombie," I reply.
"Oh, Satan, how I hate those brain-eaters," exclaims AB.
"So if I just bite our little friend here, we can make a new creation?" asks Ash.
With no other warning than that, I feel teeth on my neck. It is sharp, painful, and it burns causing start screaming. It is like someone set my insides on fire. The room is blurry, and my senses become more vigorous, every smell making itself known. I can smell the river water miles away, and I can hear the mermaids talking, which is even further away.
Putting my hands on my heart, I no longer feel it beating. The thing bothering me most is a burning in my throat, this irresistible thirst. I pass out, or something, because everything went dark.
When I regain all consciousness, I am in Chetan's arms with the wolves gathered around me. We were back at the camp.
"Where are the vampires?" I ask, weakly.
"Not here. Ajay made a deal with them; they won't attack our packs if we don't fight them and stop them from feeding on other creatures, Chetan says.
"That's horrible, they are going to hurt other creatures."
"We have no choice; there are many monsters, creatures, and beasts living in Sandy Shores."
Ajay clears his throat. "Our Ancestors weren't completely honest to us. We live in an enchanted forest, and many mythical creatures live here all wanting to be the dominant species."
"Why are we just now seeing them?" I object.
"One of the leaders before our time got greedy using a magical spell that put the creatures to sleep and hiding them from sight. Now the spell is wearing off, slowly creature by creature," he responds.
"Sandy Shores was created for mythical creatures to live in peace, and now we are at war for the title of lead species."
"If we all live on Sandy Shores, why are zombies waking up everywhere?"
"Zombies wake up where they are buried and make their way to Sandy Shores."
"The vampires told you all this?"
"Yes, AB and the vampires are friends."
Trying to stand up, I feel the horrible burning my throat. Oh God, it wasn't just a
hallucination. "I am a vampire."
"Yes, but it is not all bad, you have heightened senses and super speed." Dev gives me a thumbs up.
"Yea, and I am super thirsty," I growl.
"Good vampire wolf." Dev hides behind Ajay.
"Drink this," Chetan says, handing me a cup with red stuff in it.
"This is not blood?" I arch an eyebrow.
"Dude, it's cool; Chetan found a rabbit and drained its blood," says Dev.
"A rabbit?" The other eyebrow arches, too.
Dev," Chetan hisses.
"I told you she would prefer something bigger like a bear," Dev speaks.
Ajay chuckles. "Sorry," he says once he catches my dirty look.
"It will take away the burn. Just drink it, baby," Chetan says.
"Fine." The burning in my throat instantly goes away after drinking the blood.
My ears will have to get used to all the sounds. Every step an animal takes and the bee miles away buzzing collecting pollen, I hear so clearly.