Amelia caught him staring at the ground vacantly, eyes narrowed to slits, and mind floating somewhere else. At her question, he snapped out of his reverie, and lifted his head, lean fingers running through his hair.
Casting one last dark look her way, he continued ahead languidly, grabbed his jacket, and slid into it, zipping it close. Marco kept his head down. He simply ignored her growing perplexity and strode to the front door.
“Where are you going? Marco!” Amelia jerked him around and caught him, pursing his lips.
“I can’t,” he sighed, voice breaking, “I can’t tell you.”
Amelia’s brows knitted in confusion. This was utterly ridiculous. Incredibly furious at his perpetual silence and strange replies, she pressed her face into his face, teeth ground, “If you’re going after the wolves, Marco, then I’m coming with you too.”
“No!” He lifted his head, expression tired. “Amelia, you don’t understand. These wolves – they’re dangerous.”
"How do you know, exactly?" Amelia looked at him in disbelief.
A shadow passed Marco’s face, but Amelia’s features remained unflinching.
Marco’s feet buckled under him. He sank to the floor, head bent low, and leaning against the front door. His shiny black hair fell forward, covering his slick forehead. Amelia waited, hands still on her hips, and throat dry with the argument.
In only a few moments, the atmosphere around the room had transformed. A grim feeling had slipped beneath their bones, tangled their minds, and slit their once passionate hearts into a million pieces.
Suddenly, Marco was more than just a man she’d spent a lovely night with. Amelia could sense his soul coursing through her limbs, meandering past her heart, and gripping her mind. She could hear his pulse beating, the unsteady lub-dubs intertwining with hers. He was within her.
“I am Marco William Farkas. First-born of the great leader and ‘Mage’ of the wolf community, Louis George Farkas. I am the leader of the wolves of the Wakerlin Woods. I scour the counties at night, hunting the evil-doers, those building schemes to rise against Wakerlin, the royal county, and my home, consequently disturbing the Natural Order.
For over a year now, my county has been at peace. However, lately, there have been frequent uprisings. And just a few minutes ago, I spoke to my general who informed about these teil werewolves coming out in open revolt against our kingdom. Right now, my homeland needs me.
It is a journey that I must make alone, for I cannot fathom any danger or harm coming your way. Forgive me, Amelia. But this is only for the best.
“I love you.”
Marco had just talked to her by telepathy. He’d been in her mind. Amelia shuddered at the thought – how long had he been reading her thoughts? Was it one more of his unusual powers?
His voice was still fresh in her mind. His words, still unbelievable.
He was a prince and a werewolf. Though different than the others. He was their leader. Amelia was finding it very hard to digest. She glanced at him and still caught his head drooping down. She tried linking back to him; this time, it was her that reached out to his mind. She didn’t know whether it worked that way. She simply closed her eyes, focusing on his voice. On his words. The beautiful image of his lips hovering in her mind. And then it clicked.
“Marco,” she whispered. “You won’t get hurt, right?”
His voice came back, shocked. “How - how did you slip in my mind?”
“I don’t know.”
A silence stretched between them.
“No,” he said finally, amusement tugging his voice, “It has proved to be fairly difficult up till now.” There was another pause.
“Marco?” Amelia’s voice was a gentle hush, lost far away.
“Hmm?”
“I love you too.”
Marco’s head jerked up, and Amelia caught two tiny tear droplets trickle down his face.
***
She rushed by his side and sat beside him. He released his anguish physically. She placed the palm of her hand across his cheek and kissed him softly. He did not respond immediately, still feeling the weakness of his scattered emotions. But he could not refrain from her. He kissed her back, his passion and love for Amelia, evident in his kiss.
Her mouth opened, welcoming his tongue inside of her as she traced her finger across his jaw. His eyes fixed on her mouth as his hands found the soft skin underneath her shirt and began strolling as she climbed on top of him, placing her pelvis around his sweats.
