(Amaia)

His confession and words are a torrent of liquid fire, scalding me from the inside out, leaving me breathless and charred. For a few seconds, I can’t breathe and just stare at him.

The pain of losing your mate is no joke. I only went through rejection and a curse and it hurts like a bitch–here he lost his mate.

It makes sense now. The brutal agony he carries, the pain his voice holds, and the soulful, melancholic music he plays.

The reason he decided to sleep with Rahria. He must only be trying to decrease the torment his heart went through.

Everything about him becomes clear to me and I wonder if that is what he saw when the Chittering trapped him in that nightmare.

Anguish shadows his gorgeous eyes as he stares at me, waiting for me to speak.

The bond stretches between us like this bridge today and both of us stand on the far ends of it, waiting for the other to cross it.

Quietly I leave the bed and step towards him. Silence and a strange, new, uncharted constellation of emotions bursts between us.

I halt near his legs and reach out with my arms, not touching him, just testing the waters, if he wishes to come to me.

His vulnerability flashes through his golden orbs and he slowly moves, his arms go around my waist. Mintaka places his forehead on my belly and closes his eyes.

The connection makes sparks erupt and spread through the entirety of my skin.

My fingers instantly wade through his soft strands that spread across his back.

"I can’t imagine what you went through," I painfully whisper to him. "But you are no longer alone. I am here for you, if you want to share your pain, in any way you wish."

His fingers press into my back as if holding onto me for his sanity. Closing his eyes, he doesn’t speak, just stays still for a while.

His head finally tilts, and his gaze lifts towards me. "I have been drowning, Amaia. But the moment you held and consoled me, there has been this peace...I just want to feel more of it."

My heart blooms like a rose garden. Mintaka is finally opening up to me.

"I know Alnitak likes you a lot and both of you might be mates. I am not going to make the same mistake I did with Kacir but at the same time, I want to connect with my wolf. So, is it possible for us to spend more time together? Whenever possible?" He requests and I wholeheartedly smile at him.

"Yes, that will make me more than happy. You are important to me, Mintaka. As important as Alnitak is."

His gaze warms at my words and gold inks black. A slow gasp leaves me at the mesmerising sight.

Is that his other half?

"...are you....like Alnitak?" I ask in broken words, too thrilled watching the ever-swirling of smoke in honey.

Instantly Mintaka lets me go and backs away, abruptly getting up from his chair.

He puts distance between us, leaning against the opposite wall, leaving me with this hollow feeling. His features mould into pained ones, he struggles to control the monster within him.

"It’s alright, Min...you can let him out," I say softly but horror flashes on his face.

"No, I am sorry... I can’t." With that, he throws an apologetic look my way and rushes out of the room as if he would suffocate if he spent another minute in my presence.

I stand there, empty-handed, staring at the chair where he had sat and hugged me. The soft tingles from his touch still linger on my skin like the petrichor after the rain. But like a vessel, I feel empty. I thought I was finally going to make progress with him.

It seems like he is terrified of his incubus form. Maybe something happened which puts him at unease.

"Amaia, you should be sitting." Larissa enters the room and diverts my attention. She is holding a container with pomegranate-shaded red liquid in it and carries it on a small tray.

"Come sit and drink this." With a sigh, I return to the bed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

She extends the container towards me and I take it. Bringing it near my nose, I take a whiff and it has a herbal smell.

With small sips, I begin to drink while Larissa picks up a cotton swab and dips it in antiseptic.

"Raise your neck so I can clean your wound and put a bandage on it."

I obey. Her serene emerald eyes are a shade darker than mine, but mesmerising nonetheless; they hold a certain charm. Her oval face adds to her beauty.

"It’s not my place to ask, but do you like this vampire?" She meekly questions which sounds more like her curiosity. The cotton swab feels wet against my skin.

"I do," I answer with a heavy heart.

"I understand, Amaia. Love can make you do dangerous things." A blush creeps up on her cheeks as if she is speaking from experience. She dumps the used swab in the tray and picks up the small bandage.

"But, take care of your health too. The Orion brothers, all three of them care for you. That makes you extra special."

She is not wrong and I do wonder how special they will treat me if all of them figure out that I am their mate.

"Will do, Larissa. Please don’t tell anyone about this."

She places the bandage on my neck and lifts her eyes to watch me.

"I never spill anyone’s secrets and being a medical practitioner, I take that very seriously. You have nothing to worry about."

I offer her a warm smile. She is one of the nicest people I have met in Orion.

"Nice flower by the way. You like red roses?" I deliberately ask, eyeing the rose in the vase which lies on the shelf.

Her head turns and more redness covers her face and ears. A shyness coats her voice.

"Something like that."