(Saiph)

(A surprise Chapter for @Riemc, @MissyDionne @Vanessa @Queen of the green @Miranda @Trimohini @Butteefiez @ClaraGonzalezand all other silent readers. Thanku for the support and love.)

There has always been something missing in my life. No matter how many women I fucked that emptiness never left me.

A part of it felt complete when I fell in Amaia’s feet, injured.

The meaning of the phrase, "Love at first sight" became profound for me when I gazed at her for the first time.

I didn’t expect her to care for me the way she did. She could have abandoned me, given me to someone else, but she held me, took me with her and showered me with so much love and affection that it became impossible for me to detach myself from her.

The gentleness she holds, the warmth she carries, the way she acts tough even when she is completely broken inside.

Her resilience and strength attract me, and yet I keep myself hidden from her, at least my true self.

I have watched her break down in pain from the betrayal of her mate bond. I did try consoling her as best as I could.

Her tears I have drunk, her cheeks and lips I have caressed with my beak.

Her soothing scent reminds me of Chrysanthemums. The flowers of winter are resilient against the harsh winds and cold weather.

Her warm and soft chest is the best place to sleep on. I cuddle there whenever she is broken or whenever I am at my lowest.

Always believing she is not meant for me but for others. I am just a pawn, a protector for her.

In front of her, I remain indifferent.

But the mate bond that burns in my chest daily has been so restless lately. Urging me to climb over her and claim her lips as mine.

Watching her in the arms of her other mates. The day she saved my life, protected me from those monsters. Everyone held her but me.

No longer do I want to hide myself from her.

As much as others want her, I crave her too.

But this prophecy, the five of us are given today cements this belief that she belongs to me as much as she belongs to others.

Tonight I have decided to reveal myself to her. To hold her at least once in my arms, if she would let me. I can’t keep hiding from her.

Returning to her room after our Blood Oath, I find it empty.

So I wait with a restless heart.

What if she won’t acknowledge me?

At the end of the day, I am just a lowly bodyguard to her mates.

She already has four of them. I had my doubts, but after today’s events, I am a thousand times sure that Alnilam is the mate who keeps bringing her pain.

The bond between them hasn’t settled; he can’t feel her as his mate, and she suffers.

That unsettles me, it hurts seeing her cry. She deserves the world, not tears.

The wait ends, and she enters the room. Again, she is crying, and I can’t hold myself back even for a second. Fluttering my wings, I lift my body from the bed and transform, coming to stand right in front of her.

Amaia gasps in shock, her hands clasp her mouth as she tries not to shriek at my sudden appearance.

Twins are right in the next room but they are heavy sleepers, especially after staying awake for more than 24 hours. So I am not worried even if she lets out a small scream.

Her shocked eyes stay on my face as her body pushes against the closed door. Taking a step closer, I end some of the distance between us.

"Amaia!" I try to call her name, softly. It comes out as a heavy grunt.

Damn! My vocal cords.

"...S—aiph!" She badly stammers my name, lowering her hands from her mouth. Her shoulders stoop so low. Redness crawls all over her face and ears.

Amaia’s eyes are almost about to fall out of her sockets.

"Yeah! I thought it was time we could properly meet. Since you are familiar with both of my personalities. I don’t want to hide any longer."

Her dazed eyes slowly slide down from my face to my torso and then even further, enlarging with every dip they take.

Her gaze stays on my cock for a few seconds before she lifts it and watches me.

"...I can see that," she finally says, taking a slow gulp. I am sure her heart is frenzied in her chest. A million thoughts must have been running through her mind.

Since I don’t possess a wolf, I don’t have heightened hearing but other indications are enough to show what the bodies are going through.

"Can you lock the door? I don’t want anyone to walk in. Wouldn’t be able to explain." I say, enjoying the traces of embarrassment on her face.

Amaia wears her emotions so openly and I know I will enjoy teasing her in the future, if there is a future for us.

"Can you put something on first?" She doesn’t move from against the door but she is also not intimidated by me, even though she appears so tiny due to our height difference.

Turning around, I grab the sheet from her mattress and wrap it around my torso, hiding my lower body from her.

She relaxes, turning towards the door, she locks it and then faces me. Embarrassment has been replaced by anger on her cute face and I wish to touch that tiny, cute nose of hers.

"Explain yourself," she demands, placing her hands on her slim waist. Her foot angrily taps the floor.

"Explain what?" I question, taking two steps forward and ending the distance between us. My forehead rests against the door while my eyes dip down to watch her. Amaia has to lift her head to return my gaze.

"Why are you posing like a bird and living with me? Why didn’t you tell me? Is it some kind of a sick joke or a bet?" She asks in one breath.

Will she slap me if I am to bend further down and place my nose in her hair? The desire to rest my lips in them has me insanely restless.

"I am not posing as a bird; I have a bird spirit, so I can transform into one. That’s one of my magical abilities. Sometimes I live with you because you let me. You guys brought me a house and then that cute bird feeder," I answer her first question with as much truth as possible. Her scowl widens.

"You never asked or guessed, so I didn’t think it was necessary to tell." That’s for her second question.

She opens her mouth in shock but doesn’t speak, letting me continue.

"I don’t like jokes or bets. They are for kids. Besides, I would never joke about something as serious as my feelings. I take them very seriously. And they are innumerable when it comes to you."

Extending my hand, I place it against her right cheek and hope that she won’t slap me.