Chapter 17: Leaving Mikalya’s P.O.V The first rays of the sun woke me up from a deep slumber, causing me to groan out in irritation. I tried to shift into a better position without opening my eyes, but found that my bed had turned into granite. The cool morning air felt good on my skin. After enduring the heat of the desert for so long, I was glad to be back in the mountains where I could once again enjoy the cold weather and ditch those god-awful skirts for good. But why was there sunlight inside my room? I brought my hand up to cover my eyes and discovered there was something grainy on them that were irritating my skin. Snapping my eyes open, I finally realized what was going on. I wasn’t back in the Himalayan mountains…I was sleeping in the desert sand with Abhay next to me. The small blanket that had been thrown over our bodies wasn’t enough to keep the cold away and Abhay’s curled up body beside me was proof enough that the temperature had dropped considerably this early in
Chapter 18: A Stolen MomentAbhay’s P.O.VI got to the hotel where Mikalya was staying, earlier than expected because I wanted her to see me as someone who was serious and intentional about our relationship, and not some player who just wanted to be with her for her beauty alone.Already, I could feel my heart rate spiking up with every minute that passed which just told me that she was close by. I couldn’t explain it, but there was this special connection I felt with Mikalya that I hadn't felt with anyone in my entire life.And just then…I heard it…the sound of her footsteps as she descended the stairs down to the lobby.My hands instinctively went to my camera that I had strapped to my neck just in case. And now, I knew that it was the best choice I ever made.How was it that every colour she wore made her look even more gorgeous?Yesterday afternoon, it had been blue. Then last night, it had been black. And now, she was wearing a red ghagra-choli with a white dupatta and I felt lik
Chapter 19: Stuck in TimeMikalya’s P.O.VI got out of the car and looked at the ruins closely. The truth was that I didn’t even know what to make of it. It was a national monument so to speak but still, standing in its presence was a thrilling experience, one I couldn't even put to words.“Wow,” I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.I had to give it to Abhay, he had gone above everything I had ever imagined and. Even I never realized that a place like this had existed in the middle of the desert. The structure was in ruins, but still, I could feel the rich cultural history just by standing in front of the collapsed remains of what was once a magnificent castle.Abhay came around, coming to stand beside me as he took my hands in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. And for the first time, I didn’t want to remove my hands from his.Usually, I never liked having someone hold my hand or act lovey-dovey with me. I never could stand acts of PDA. But with Abhay…I wanted to do certain th
Chapter 20: Possessive of YouMikalya’s P.O.V“Wow, this place is bigger than I expected it to be.” I looked around in wonder.My words echoed through the ruins and I suddenly had a thought that I most definitely didn’t want to share with Abhay.Since this place was used by young lovers to ‘frolic’ was the echo one of the main reasons they came here? So they could listen to their moans echo through the ruins as they made sweet love in the shadows of this palace.But despite the naughty thought, I was enjoying the place very much. The tall ornate pillars suggested that this was carved from a single stone, and the designs, or whatever was left of it, was made by skillful hands that loved their craft.The sun filtered in through the numerous cracks on the ceiling and the huge chunks that had collapsed a long time ago. Despite the dangerous appearance to the place, it still looked sturdy and peaceful.We walked in deeper and deeper, looking at all the places that once held relics and deco
Chapter 21: A Wolf DreamMikalya’s P.O.V“Thank you…for the picnic…and the photoshoot.” I gave him a tight smile, withdrawing my hand from his.He noticed the sudden change in my demeanor, but he didn’t comment on it. But now, we had both finished dinner and that bottle of palm wine that he had managed to get his hands on.But since the sun had already set and the sky had gotten dark enough that it wasn’t safe to travel back to the town, in case we got lost on the way…there was no other way than to stay the night here, by the ruins of this ancient palace.Oddly enough, it wasn’t scary at all. It was calm and peaceful, with the silence momentarily interrupted by the chirping of the crickets and other nocturnal animals.“The food was really delicious.” I commented, unable to find a better topic. “This restaurant was a good choice.”“Wasn’t it?” His grin finally returned. “I went there for lunch this afternoon and really liked it! I knew you would love it too, since you like spicy food.
Chapter 22: An Unexpected UnionMikalya’s P.O.VOur lips moved in sync, a perfect harmony that spoke to the depths of my heart. My wolf sighed in contentment, basking in the scent of my mate.Abhay was shy at first, kissing me hesitantly, but as the seconds ticked by, he grew bolder, nature taking over to guide him through his primal urges.He broke the kiss to trail soft, wet kisses down my neck, moving aside the blouse to reveal my shoulders where he kissed me tenderly. He then moved back enough to look into my eyes, as if seeking permission to move forward.Smiling, I took off the dupatta, placing it to the side before I reached to my back, untying the strings of my blouse, but not all the way through. I wanted him to do the rest. When I smirked up at him to continue where I had left off, I saw him swallow nervously, but there was no denying the desire in his eyes.I turned slightly, pulling my hair over one shoulder as I bared my back to him. And then I felt his fingers moving up
Chapter 23: Behind these Icy EyesMikalya’s P.O.VThe sound of wings resettling into feathery bodies woke me up from my sleep.I opened my eyes to the faint light of dawn that was seeping in through the fabric of the tent. It took me a while to realize that it was Abhay’s warmth that surrounded me in a cocoon and not a blanket.Any other time, my instincts would’ve been to get as far away from him as possible. I didn’t make connections, didn’t know how to keep them. This might in fact be the first time I’ve ever spent the night in a man’s arms. But the wolf recognized its mate. It felt sated and happy lying in its mate’s arms for the first time in a century, even though I knew I couldn’t stay.Once again, my mind got distracted by the sound of ruffling feathers. Cautiously, I rose from the makeshift bed, careful not to wake Abhay and pulled up the zipper from one side of the tent, enough to take a peek outside.Falcons. About a hundred of them. And they were surrounding the dunes arou
Chapter 24: Twist of FateAbhay’s P.O.VI watched in horror as Mikalya, the woman I had adored, the woman I had spent the best night of my life with…now turned into a beautiful white wolf whose fur glitter silver in the morning sunlight.I couldn’t even believe my eyes, couldn’t believe that a human could suddenly…change…into a creature…a wolf!I felt a numbing sensation take over me as I watched the other girl, Ruksaar, also change into a dark brown wolf as they jumped into the middle of the falcon flock and a fierce battle of survival began among the two groups.“No… please,” I whimpered, unable to believe that any of this was even real.I watched astonished as a falcon tried to get too close to the white wolf and it caught the bird’s neck in its jaws. A sickening crunch of a sound later…she dropped the bird onto the ground, bloody and lifeless.I felt a sense of complete helplessness take over me as I watched the battle continue. Blood splattered everywhere and the cried of the fal