The awakening

Chapter 2

AMARA

The past always finds a way to catch up, especially when you never really escaped it.

At his words, my heart dropped.

And just like that, it all came back. The memory.

The pain.

The look on his face the last time we saw each other.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. My voice had gone dry.

I remembered everything.

Flashback*

It all started with Marek.

We met in the human world during our high school days. He walked into class after being transferred and I just… knew. I knew he was mine. We locked eye's, and he even went as far as smiling at me.

“Ravenna,” I whispered to her that night, “I think I’m in love.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re always in love.”

“No,” I said, smiling to myself. “This one’s different.”

Before we could say jack and Jill, we started hanging out. We went for late night movies, coffee dates, and walks. He told me I was funny and I told him he was mine.

He laughed but the surprise was evident on his face. “I think I already am.”

And just like that, he was my boyfriend.

But that didn’t last. Our love did not last long. It was not because of him but because of Ravenna.

I don't know if she grew jealous and just wanted to be a devil to our love but one night she sat up and looked me straight in the eye. “Break up with Marek,”

“What?” I frowned slightly , and then burst into a fit of laughter. “Why would I do that?” I asked in between laughter.

“He’s not good for you.”

“That’s not true.”

She leaned close, her eyes cold. “You don’t know what I know. You’ll thank me later. Just do what I say”

I shook my head, stubbornly, not wanting to believe her. “I love him.”

“You’ll love Malakia more,” she said with a sly smile.

I blinked. And then an horrified expression wash over my face. “Kaine? Marek’s best friend? Are you out of your mind, Ravenna?”

“They were never meant to be best friends,” she said. “You just don’t see the bigger picture yet.”

“I’m not doing that to Marek,” I said, glaring hard at her. “I’m not hurting him.”

Ravenna grabbed my wrist. “Then I’ll make you.” she threatened.

I pulled back, staring her down. “What do you mean?”

She leaned in again. “You either hurt Marek, or I’ll hurt Mom. You know what I can do. Don’t test me.”

My eyes grew watering. “You’re insane. You don't mean this right?”

“And you’re weak,” she spat out. “Now pick a side.”

I couldn’t sleep that night. I tried to talk to Marek, but I couldn’t. What could I say? “My sister threatened me, so I’m going to ruin your life”? Sounds so stupid and foolish right? He won't even believe me? Will he think I am joking or trying to play him?

I tried to disappear. I tried to hide away from my sister at school, and bury myself in work after school. But Malakai found me instead.

He grabbed my hands and looked at me. “If you’re going to do this, let’s do it right.”

I blinked. “You’re okay with this? Betraying your best friend?”

He shrugged, like what he shared with Marek didn't mean a thing to him. “I always wanted to beat him at something.”

So we planned it. It would just be a kiss. One kiss and it will just be enough to break Marek’s heart.

He was going to message Marek calling his attention at a place we would choose. We stood under the tree that fateful day, and we knew he was coming. Malakai leaned close. I hated every second of it to be honest but as soon as Marek appeared I let him kiss me.

Marek stood frozen, his eyes were wide with pain. It took me all my whole not to run and go crazy at his feet, spilling all the secrets. I had to stay put remembering my mother was in line and I can't bear to hurt her.

“What the hell?” Marek’s voice finally came out cracked.

“Marek...” I started.

“You…” He shook his head. “You lied to me.”

“I didn’t mean to...” I could not help but try to explain to him

He turned to Malakai. “You too?”

“It’s just a kiss, brother,” Malakai smirked.

“We’re not brothers,” Marek snapped.

I tried to touch him. “Please. Let me explain...”

He backed away. “Don’t. Just don’t.”

He turned and walked away. My heart shattered for the first time that night.

End of flashback.

Now, here we were again. Me, him, the woods. But nothing felt the same.

He stood now, his chest rising and falling fast. “You remember now?” he asked.

I nodded slowly. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“Bullshit.”

“It was Ravenna,” I started. “She made me do it. She threatened....”

“You always blame her,” he cut in angrily.

“Because it’s true!”

He took a step closer and I stepped back.

But he moved faster, and in one motion, he pinned me to the tree.

I gasped. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer, instead he leaned in, his nose brushed my neck.

He sniffed. He was sniffing me like dogs do.

“What...Marek?” I tried to push him, but his hands held me firm.

“You smell different,” he muttered in a sleepy voice

I froze. What the heck is he saying? “What?”

“Something’s off,” he said. “What are you?”

“I’m still me,” I whispered, frightened by this other side of him than what he was saying.

“No,” he shook his head in disagreement. “You’re not. You’re something else now. Are you bait? Or a spy? Did they send you?”

“What are you talking about?” I frowned, already getting pissed off.

“Are you working for them?” he hissed. “Trying to lure me out?”

“No!” I shouted. “I don’t know what you are talking about!”

His hand loosened a bit and in that instant, our eyes locked.

Different emotions passed between us.

Anger.

Pain.

Desire

I didn’t know who moved first. Maybe him. Maybe me. But the space between us got swallowed up.

His mouth crashed into mine. I kissed him back.

I forgot everything.

I forgot his hate.

I forgot my guilt.

I forgot the woods.

I forgot the cold.

We didn’t stop.

We couldn’t.

There, under the trees, we became fire and fury.

Rage and need.

Marek tried to stand up again, but I pulled him back. The impact sent me crashing finally on the ground, my back resting on it while Stefan’s chest pressed against mine.

I could hear the sound of my heart, a rhythm matching how my body trembled.

I could still feel my heart throb for him anytime I was close to him. Marek had refused to say anything, and I am hoping he does not. I do still love him despite what I did. And I know he still loves me even though he still feels heartbroken and pained.

For some reason, I felt the urge to stay like this...maybe for just some minutes...but I didn’t want to push back. I just hoped to stay here, maybe even closer.

Perhaps Marek was feeling the same. His eyes measured mine in a way I couldn’t comprehend, like he was holding himself back from tossing me beneath him.

I raised my head, slowly brushing his lips and expecting him to pull back, but instead, his hand supported my back, kissing me hungrily.

His lips were hot and hungry against mine. I didn’t expect him to kiss me back, but once he did, it was like something wild snapped inside both of us.

His hand slid around my waist, pulling me close until our bodies touched. I felt his chest rise and fall against mine, his breath heavy, just like mine.

“You still feel the pull towards us?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer with words. He crushed his lips to mine again, harder this time. His hands roamed my hips, my thighs, then under my dress. I gasped when his fingers brushed over me, teasing me until my legs trembled.

“Tell me to stop,” he growled, his voice rough against my neck.

I didn’t. Instead, I reached for him, unbuckling his pants with shaking hands. He pushed into me in one hard, slow thrust, and I moaned loud, clutching his shoulders.

It was fast. Desperate. Like we’d been starving for this. Like we wanted it just the moment we both set eyes on each other.

Our bodies moved like they knew each other already like we were made to fit. His pace got rougher, and I couldn’t stop the sounds leaving my lips.

Pleasure hit hard and fast, ripping through me like a storm. He followed with a deep groan, collapsing on top of me, breathless and sweating.

When it was over, he stepped back. I pulled my clothes together, my heart racing. What have I done?

He didn’t look at me.

“Stay out of my territory,” he said, voice low. “Next time I won’t be so merciful.”

“Marek...”

“Don’t,” he growled. And with that he turned and walked away.

I watched him disappear into the trees.

Then it hit me. Hard. Something inside me twisted. Like a rope pulling tight. Like a thread was cut off. Like a part of me was missing

My breath came in short gasps, I was finding it difficult to breathe. The ground trembled under me.

And then I screamed.

Magic burst from inside of me and the light shot into the sky.

Trees to my right and left cracked, branches flew.

My body dropped to the ground.

My knees gave way.

My vision went black at the edges.

I clutched my head. “What is happening to me?” I cried.

And then all of a sudden I heard howls, they were not wild ones, they were like voices calling my name.

“Amara…”

“Amara…”

“Amara…”