The morning turned into the afternoon, and the couple had done very little sleeping until a few hours ago. It was nearly past the high-sun (noon) when Myranda started to stir against Metas' bare, warm chest.
At first, the activities they had enjoyed before finally falling asleep made her feel a little embarrassed. Then, she got a whiff of his scent and that faded away in an instant. Myranda was slowly starting to understand the importance of being with your match - and she was just about done fighting it.
Instead of sitting up, or pushing away from him - she pushed herself into him closer. His response thrilled her when he curled his arms around her in his sleep and smiled when she settled into the crux of his arm and chest.
'Mmm...love you..so much..' he muttered out hazily. Metas was absolutely not awake, but that didn't make his words less true.
Myranda wasn't able to return his words yet. They were not a string of words she used often, or even heard often. It was rare when she and her siblings would even say 'I love you' - so being able to say it - let alone admit it to Metas felt impossible right now.
Even if she had shared the last few hours having 'fun' with him, she still felt hesitant to say three words that she was starting to admit she felt.
Instead of reply with words, she kissed his chest tenderly and ran her hand over to his, and tucked it underneath his large palm so that his covered hers entirely. Myranda was actually happy - and it scared her a little. What if she lost Metas like Syrana had Veltar?
Her thoughts turned rapidly as she watched his sleeping face. For someone with so many responsibilities on his shoulders, he looked so peaceful. It made her smile to see one so strong and hardened look so sweet and innocent in his slumber.
Eyes still heavy, she let them close and took in a deep breath against his skin, snuggled herself back in place, and then allowed herself to drift right back into sleep.
******
*Ahem* Myranda heard in her sleep. *A-A-A-HEM!* the sound pinged louder in her brain.
"Hmm?" she groaned and opened one eye to see her brother standing over her with his hands on his hips.
"You gonna get up - oooor?" Jyriah started, but stopped to let a grin spread widely across his face as he beheld the fact her shoulders were bare beneath the blanket Metas had left her wrapped in.
Her eyes popped open and she pulled the blanket towards her chest in reflex to seeing her brother standing above her.
"Wh-what in the actual fuck are you doing!?" she asked in shock and backed away from him. Her shock turned into anger rather quickly.
"I came to talk to Metas, but I don't see him around. Just your lazy bones..and..a uhh....is that a marking bite?" Jyriah asked slyly as he tried to contain a laugh.
"Wh-that's not your business - what the hell is wrong with you!?" she insisted heatedly, but covered her neck up with her hand anyway.
"You have two of them," he lied, and laughed when she covered the other half of her neck with her other hand.
"I'm kidding, but the fact you thought so makes me suspicious," he teased and raised his eyebrows twice.
"Stop it, you asshat. Get out of here," Myranda complained and actually sounded hurt and offended - not something she often showed to her brother's taunts.
"Okay, okay - sorry. I couldn't help it - you're my baby sister, and Syrana is no fun."
"She's plenty fun - now get out and wait for Metas outside so I can dress myself, please" she shot back at him venomously.
"Fine, fine - my apologies, Luna" he meant it with a little bit of respect, but his brotherly laughter covered it up as he dodged a pillow thrown at him.
"I'm going, yeesh" he complained and helped himself out of the cave and disappeared through the water.
She was intensely embarrassed. Who wanted to be awoken by their sibling after sharing a night with their mate? In her mind, she wanted to tell Metas and have him chastise her eldest sibling, but instead she tucked this little endeavor away for another day. Revenge was always best served cold and unexpectedly. Metas' calculating nature was starting to 'infect' her - and she liked that a lot.
What everyone had said was true - when you bonded with your partner, it was like your personalities seeped into the other for both sides. Myranda wondered if Metas would have a far more playful side to him if her qualities transformed into him.
She dressed quickly, for she didn't pack much - a loose shirt, and some well-fit pants that she could use to walk through the brush should she not want to be in her canine form. With her arms crossed, she waited for either Jyriah or Metas to enter. Myranda didn't much appreciate being woken up in the fashion her brother had chosen.
It was only a few minutes until her mate returned, with Jyriah and Joss en-tow. Her eyes sparkled immediately upon seeing Metas' handsome face and a smile inched up her cheeks.
"Hello, beautiful. I was hoping to wake you up to food, but I see you spoiled that surprise," he said with a jest to his tone.
Myranda was about to correct him, but Jyriah put his hands up and shook his head back and forth. Unbeknownst to her, Metas had just complimented him for not picking on his baby sister just outside the cave, and the last thing he needed was to have a 'good boy' rescinded.
Myranda darted her eyes to Jyriah, but kept her mouth shut. There would be time to repay his transgressions.
"Thank you, Metas. I didn't realize I was as hungry as I am until you mentioned food. I'll eat anything you brought back," she said sweetly - for the keys to Myranda's heart were pretty painting supplies and food.
"I ran into Joss and Jyriah while I was out there, and Joss helped me catch a few extra fish. Do you mind if they stay for dinner? It's nearly evening - and I am sorry we have to sleep in the daytime, but night has always been the best cover for my endeavors" he said as he walked towards her with a weathered wicker basket filled with some still-flopping fish.
"I told you - anything you have to storm, I will do too. Being awake at night is the least of my concerns. No more of that, okay? We're in this together now," she replied with honest words.
"Aww," Joss let out in reaction to such a sweet sight.
"Before we eat, though - we need to talk. I've heard some nasty rumors going about since last night, and you might want to hear about it" Jyriah offered with a frown.
"Very well. Tell us, and I'll prepare the fire gem as you do so. Myranda, would you look into that box near my desk? I have plates in there to use - just because we live in the woods and are apart of nature doesn't mean we can't enjoy dirt-free food," Metas mused out.
He did seem much more jovial than he had before. Maybe she was seeping into his personality, too - which only comforted her more than they were meant to be.