Through the River, and to the Cave

It wasn't too hard to dodge by others as the night went on and less and less citizens were about. Once they hit the forest, it was much easier to avoid being sighted since Metas knew a bunch of ways to navigate the woods.

At one point, they hid beneath a large root that had a hollowed-out area that appeared to have been dug and shaped over the years. They thought they had heard the footsteps of their own kind, but it ended up just being a fox. Both sighed out in relief as their predictions turned out to be false.

He led her well past the areas she had traveled to, and quite far from the mountain. Myranda wasn't even sure Harbinger would bother sending scouts out this far. It was dangerously close to the Vampire and Demonic tribe's territory. Going too far to the left or right would land them in trouble. Luckily, before they got to the visible change in the greenery of the forest, they stopped.

The Demonic tribe's territory looked dead in comparison to their own lush area. It was well known that they fed on the life-forces (or souls) of anything that was alive. To see the trees dead, grey soil and lack of grass in contrast to theirs and the Vampire's property which was filled with life was stark.

It sent shivers up her spine to even see such a sad state of nature. She had to look away to stop her stomach from churning. They stopped at the edge of a flowing river and Metas offered his free hand to her to keep her steady as they walked up-stream.

The rushing water was fast, and cold as it soaked her shoes and socks. Myranda would have been swept away had Metas' large body not acted as a support anchor as they walked towards a rapid waterfall.

"I'm sorry this is uncomfortable. It's the best way to mask our scent. I don't like to be near the entrance to my hideaway when I cross. It makes it too obvious," Metas spoke evenly, even though the bedrock was uneven and slippery.

"It's not uncomfortable, just cold" she replied with a smile. It was hard for her not to. She was free from her prison/home, she was with her mate, she had hope for a brighter future, and best of all - the man who she thought was too good to be true - was actually real.

"We'll be getting a little bit wetter, unfortunately. I really am sorry. Your things might get a little wet, even through its in a waterproofed hide," Metas said again, as though he were trying to ask for her forgiveness in advance.

"It's fine, Metas. If you have to do it, I can do it too. Don't worry about anything like things being uncomfortable or hard. It doesn't bother me to be out in the wilds like this," Myranda replied with a giggle and tightened her hand around his as they got closer and closer to the falls that concealed his little hovel.

She followed up her words playfully with, "and I don't mind getting wet as long as you're the one causing it."

The water was heavier than she thought it was going to be. Even with their blessed strength, Myranda would have been washed away had Metas not kept her at his side. It hurt her neck a little to push her head through the curtain of water - but it passed when the pressure was alleviated on the other side.

Her clothes were fully soaked, as was her hair - but she was still happier than she had ever been before. It was just a bonus that Metas' carved muscles could be seen thanks to his clothes sticking to his skin.

He was well cut, probably because he had spent the last decade or so out here in nature. Unlike many of their tribe, Metas hunted for his own food instead of relying on the resources of the kingdom. Having to feed himself, survive, and thrive out here had made him a very handsome man.

Myranda had to stop herself from reaching out to just swipe his flesh with the tips of her fingers, even though she didn't have to. After all, they were mates. It was common for newly paired couples to be affectionate right away, but for some reason, she was feeling very shy.

"I know it isn't much, but I hope you can at least feel safe here with me. Your brother and his mate know of its location, as does Lara and Gerald - so don't worry if they show up on my behalf for something," Metas spoke as he walked away from the splashing water and much more into the small cave.

It was very dark until Metas lit a few crystals in the very back. He must have had to keep it dark to hide his whereabouts. They were dim, and it took her eyes a minute to get used to the lower light, but once they did - it made the atmosphere feel..well...romantic...

She didn't like hearing Lara's name, and after a moment Myranda asked, "I don't have to be worried about Lara, do I?"

"Hah, no. Lara is my best friend - like a sister. Our relationship is a lot like yours and Jyriah's. She has no siblings, Gerald has no siblings, and I have no siblings - so we sort of took each other as our little family.

Myranda smiled and replied with relief, "oh...good. I was sort of worried. She's so beautiful, and her coat was so lovely. I've never seen a pure-white female wolf before,"

Metas chuckled and turned his attention to Myranda's beautiful face, and contrasting eyes. He loved them - one was the sun, and the other the moon in his mind. Since she was his whole world, it felt fitting.

He reached out and put his right hand to her chin and tilted it up just a bit so they could lock eyes fully. "She may be my chosen sister - but her beauty pales in comparison to yours, Myranda."

His words made her cheeks burn hot again, and just as before in her home, she silently begged him, 'kiss me, please..'. He obliged once more to her thoughts and leaned in to share a second kissing session with his mate.

Her heart skipped beats, and it felt like her breath was being taken away, even though she was breathing just fine. Her chest felt tight and her stomach pinched inward - in his arms everything felt right, but she was still so nervous. She returned his with her own, and again they seemed to be falling into the pattern of being unable to stop exchanging affection.

She started to shiver from both the cold, and from feeling a bit timid. He was much larger in size than she was even though their height was about equal.

"Are you cold?" he asked sweetly and moved a wet piece of hair from her face.

"A little..." she replied softly.

"If you let me hold you - I can keep you warm" he offered with a soft smile.

"I'm sure if you held me beneath you, I'd also get warm..." she suggested as she looked up to him deviously.

"You are asking for trouble, you know. You keep teasing me and you might regret it when you're pinned under my chest," Metas warned. With how much they had been teasing at one another, he was truly nearing the point where he wasn't going to be able to hold back anymore.

"I like trouble...and the only way to know if I'll regret my words, is if you show me. From here it seems like you're threatening me with a good time - a very good time," Myranda replied with hot words.

Her eyes were so hungry to see more than just the clothing that stuck to his every muscle, that her body betrayed her cool exterior as her nipples hardened as she pictured him above her, thrusting deeply inside of her.

"You promised you'd pay me back from earlier, though - remember?" Myranda asked slyly and slid over to him and put her hands to his wet clothing and attempted to remove the buttons one by one, but they were hard to undo with the fabric so wet and tight.

"I did..." Metas started and couldn't help but grin. He wanted to touch her so badly - and make her earlier fantasy into a reality. He wanted to keep cool, though. If he tore her shirt off now, it'd ruin the moment.

Yes, for someone like Myranda - a slow burn was necessary. He stopped with the word games and leaned in to kiss her tenderly after he moved in close to her, and slowly peeled off the garments that clung to her scarred and marred skin.

Her parents must have left those behind, but he would be sure to make her moan in pleasure for each time she had ever felt pain. Starting now...