ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)

Naked, legs intertwined, Zoey and Zaramanni stayed close to each other as they listened to the sounds that came with the settling night-time.

Zara had her eyes closed and her lips wore a huge smile while a terrific fluttering filled her stomach area because Zoey kept circling his fingers over the softness of her skin.

"Hmm..." Zoey broke the long silence with his deep voice that would definitely continue to delight Zara. "The goddess would be totally wrong if we end up not being mates."

Zaramanni wrapped one of her arms around his lower abdomen. She rested her head against his chest as she began to stroke his leg gently with hers.

Then, she asked, "What if that happens? What if we are not mates as we think?"

"Then we will write our own story. We will show the goddess what happens when she doesn't do her job right."

Zara chuckled softly. "That sounds rebellious."

Zoey pulled her closer to his warmth, their naked bodies still uncovered, and he continued, "I will mark you as mine so that no one dares come close to you. You are mine and mine only."

Zaramanni felt more fluttering within her, but she quickly masked the effect of his words. She refused to let it show on her face. "Mark me?" she asked, a small frown on her face. "Isn't that a bit too much?"

"Well... if it is necessary, I will have to do it. No one should get close to my woman. I will deal with such a person severely."

"Ohhh… You sound very scary," Zara responded but the chuckles that followed displaced the seriousness in her voice.

"Scary to others, sweet to you."

"What?" Zara released another small laugh. "Are you trying to make my heart dance a bit too much?"

"I will make your heart dance as long as I am alive."

Zaramanni let out a small gasp. Effortlessly, Zoey was spewing words that made her heart flutter. He said them almost easily and her heart wouldn't stop pounding.

But, when she placed her palm on his chest, she realized she wasn't the only one with a frenzied heart. The heavy pounding she felt in his heart the other day was still present.

Zoey snuggled the girl in his arms some more. It seemed he was highly reluctant to let her go. As he nuzzled his chin over the large mass of her roughened hair, he said, "Your hair is changing colours." Zara looked up at him, a look that was not decipherable etched on her face. Then, the Beta said, "So are your eyebrows. They are turning blue."

Zaramanni released an inaudible sound and quickly darted her eyes toward a corner far away. Then she began to run her hands through her hair and over her brows as though she was trying to cover them.

"What are you doing?"

"I- I know I look ridiculous. But I was born this way and-"

Zoey scrunched his lips and he took his fingers to his chin, directing her to look his way. "Why would you look ridiculous? It is a fascinating thing and you have a never-seen-before beauty." His eyes soon wore a frown. "But your appearance does make me want to ask questions though."

Zaramanni felt some sort of upliftment within her soul when she heard Zoey call her strange appearance a fascinating thing and a beauty. So, she had a smile plastered on her face when she asked, "What questions?"

Zoey took a deep breath and briefly glanced at the ceiling. His fingers resumed caressing her skin when he asked, "There is something about you I am yet to be aware of, right?"

"Huh?"

"I have my doubts and speculations. Within a few days, so many things have happened that make me question who you really are."

Zara quickly sat up, her right breast brushing his skin. She could feel her heart racing. Not because of what she felt toward Zoey, but for the fear of being discovered as a half-fairy.

As things were, she had connections to the very creatures that ruined his home, she could not begin to imagine how he would react to such news.

That was the very reason that kept her from telling him about her true identity.

Zoey smacked his lips and Zara failed to hold his gaze. She lowered her eyes instantly.

"I know that Alpha Darren and Lord Elias know something. They were suspicious when the Vampire Overlord tried to defend himself."

Zara frowned.

The Vampire Overlord? The Overlord the rogue vampires almost sold her to?

Zoey reached for her hair and after a gentle pat, he began to stroke the length of her hair. Then, he continued, "I suspect they know something about you that I do not know."

"Zoey, I…"

"I was quite hurt when it occurred to me that I am being kept in the dark. But one thing occurred to me." His fingers ceased raking her hair. "Protecting you is more important. I am not keen on finding out the things that are being kept from me. If I focus on such useless things, I might miss important things and you may fall into grave danger. And, I don't think I can live with myself if that happens."

Zaramanni's lips wore a sad pout and her eyes fell with great sorrow. "Zoey..." She grabbed his hands. "I don't wish to keep things from you. I really don't. But, I have to keep my lips shut about some things for a while. I cannot afford to divulge things so easily or else things could get ugly for me."

Zoey took advantage of her hold, pulled her by the waist, and soon, she was straddling him. With care in his eyes, he made his nose gently touch hers when he said, "But you are not in danger. You are fine, right?"

Zaramanni felt some churning within her as she glued her forehead against his.

"I am. I will be."

"Good." Quickly, he planted a small kiss on her lips. Then, he left one on her nose. Before he could complete the one he intended to leave on her right cheek, Zara asked him a question.

"Why is the Vampire Overlord here?"

"Beats me," he murmured in response and he pulled her even closer. "He is under close watch in the manor, so I doubt he will cause much trouble."

"He is right here in the manor?"

Zara didn't know why she felt slight fear creep up her spine at the mention of the Overlord.

Perhaps, the crazy incident she had with the rogue vampires still had an effect on her.

Zoey who had his palms intensely caressing the breadth of her back noticed her frown.

"Is something the matter, Zaramanni? Is there something I should know about the Overlord?"

"No." She shook her head. "Hearing that title just irks me greatly."

"He won't get to harm you. And, if he tries to, I will not respect his position. I will severely punish him."

Zaramanni wore a huge smile at Zoey's proclamation and she wrapped her hands around his neck area.

"I am glad I have you, Zoey. You make my stay in this place very easy. You make me feel happy and loved."

Zoey began to comb her hair with his fingers. "Do you feel okay?"

"Huh?" Zara was confused.

"That was your first time. Do you feel okay down there?" He glanced at her genital area.

"Oh. I think I do. I don't feel anything yet."

"Oh, really? Are you certain? Can you get down and walk for me?"

Zara scoffed, a shy smile creeping its way to her lips.

"What is this? A fashion show without clothes?"

"Are you shy now? I have seen all of you, Zaramanni. And you have seen all of me." Zoey's voice teased her greatly.

As she scoffed again, she decided to prove him wrong. She was certain she felt nothing. During their intimacy, he was gentle with her and hardly caused her pain.

So, she got off the bed.

"Ah!" She let out a small cry. A slight sore pain between her legs weakened her.

Zoey quickly jumped out of the bed and scooped her into his arms. His eyes bulged with concern, he eagerly asked, "Is the pain too much? Should I get a guardian to check it?"

"What for?" Zara chuckled, resting her head against his shoulder. "It's just a small ache. It will go away soon."

Zoey stared at her with seriousness written all over his face.

"We should get you to your room. Where are your clothes?"

"Have you forgotten how you tore my clothes?"

"Did I?"

Zara laughed at the look of uncertainty on Zoey's face.

"I will have to wear another one of your shirts," Zara said.

"I won't object to that. You always look gorgeous in my shirts."

"Why? What is this, Zoey?" Zara threw her head back as she laughed. "Why do you keep trying to make my heart flutter?"

Zoey gently dropped her on the bed. "Who else will make your heart flutter if not me?"

Zara was aware of how cringe his words were yet they made her feel extremely good. As she stared into his eyes, she bit into her lips to hide her excitement.

Zoey hovered close to her for a while, so Zara suspected she would get another kiss. In anticipation, she closed her eyes and waited. But, she soon felt the loss of his warmth and she opened her eyes.

"So cute," Zoey murmured while he walked towards his numerous arraignments of clothes that were at the right corner of the room.

"This should be illegal," Zara muttered to herself when her heart fluttered even more.

She failed to contain her excitement so much that she began to swing her legs like a child waiting for that lollipop he was promised.

It seemed Beta Zoey was the best thing to happen to her.

No, he was indeed the best thing to happen to her.

~

Zoey could not walk Zaramanni to her room because of an emergency message he got.

So, she had to keep her own company while her feet lazily led her to her room.

And, surprisingly, she could hardly feel the ache she felt earlier. So, contrary to the Beta's fear, she was fine and the little trek to her room did not hurt.

As Zara pushed the door to her room open, her eyes met that of Clarissa's, and the woman who was busy taking care of her hospital bed quickly stood upright and placed her hands on her waist.

"Where did you go to? Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

"Calm down, mother," Zara replied with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "I did not go somewhere unknown."

As Zara walked into the room, Clarissa's eyes followed her.

"Did you go to Beta Zoey's?" Clarissa suddenly asked. Zara stopped walking. "Judging by how careful your steps are, I would like to guess that you both finally made love."

"What?"

Clarissa snickered. "Don't act coy, Zara. I was once in your shoes. You even have that glow that comes with experiencing one's first time."

"Well..."

"You two are mates, aren't you?" The excitement in the she-wolf's voice was already growing.

"Well, we haven't…"

"I knew it!" Clarissa almost screamed with joy as she rushed toward Zaramanni. Grabbing her hands, she said, "I am so happy for you, Zaramanni. Beta Zoey is someone who will love you with all that he has. He is that kind of person."

"He is?"

Zara knew that much anyway. Judging by Zoey's words and declarations, she could decipher that much.

"Yes. Many female wolves wish to be mated with him because it is common knowledge that when he loves and cares about something, he does it with all his might. That's why this manor hasn't fallen apart. That's why Crown-Blood Pack didn't easily fall prey to the fairies' attack. Yes, they did get to us eventually, but the fight was long and Beta Zoey fought hard for us."

"Wow."

"You are really lucky, Zaramanni. And I am so happy for you."

Zaramanni watched the woman's eyes after she uttered those words. Something told Zara that Clarissa didn't feel entirely happy.

Perhaps it was just Zaramanni being paranoid. But, she could sense it.

"Thank you, Clarissa. I won't take Zoey's love for granted."

"That's good." Clarissa soon released her hands. "You should get some sleep."

"Actually, I need to see Lord Elias."

"This late? Do you have a class?"

"We didn't exactly have one last time, so I wish to speak to him about some questions I have."

"Oh. I will be going to sleep soon. Don't be late, okay?" Clarissa punctuated her statement with a gentle pat on Zaramanni's head.

"Okay," Zara replied quietly and walked out of the room.

She had barely walked a few steps when she realized she was walking barefoot again. And the floor was more likely to turn chilly, and that would cause her to search for warmth.

Zara was about to consider going back to grab some socks when she decided to risk it and reach Lord Elias as fast as she could.

While she raced gently past corridors on her tipped toes, she hugged Zoey's thick shirt around her to keep her warm.

She was almost taking a turn toward the corridor that would eventually lead to the library when she bumped into someone.

"Oh, I am so…" Her remaining words found no means of finding utterance when her gaze fell upon the tall individual in front of her.

"You must be Zaramanni."

His voice caused her more chill than the cold tiles.

Zaramanni was readying her feet to take a few steps back and find another route when she noticed his fangs.

As she stared at those protruding fangs, she recalled that dreadful night with the rogue vampires.

And, Zaramanni instantly turned on her defensive mode.

"Wh-what do you want?" she asked, trying to mask the fear she felt.

"I am Overlord Zamar, ruler of Skullis."

"So?" Zara replied quite brazenly.

"I have to speak to you."

"Why?" Zara took more backward steps, his overall presence scaring her some more.

As though searching to see if there were extra ears around them, the vampire glanced behind him, a concerned look on his face which was handsome in a way Zara wished she could not acknowledge.

Zara was about to take advantage of his movement and run but the Overlord swiftly faced her again.

"Wh-what do you have to say? I- I need to go."

"Zaramanni, I have to warn you."

"What?"

"The people that wish you dead are closer than you think," his eerie voice warned and Zaramanni halted her scuffling steps.