Hearts On Fire
Chapter 8:

The next morning in Azar’s room

In Amaya’s head: I woke up after I don't know how much time. I felt different. I couldn't put my finger on it but something was strange…then it hit me. This time I didn't have nightmares. All the memories of my past haunting me every single night didn't come this time. For the first time in my life is it because of him? Because I met him? Of course it's because of him. I never believed in coincidences. This is all too much for it just to be a coincidence. I realized that I had those emotions inside of me becoming stronger each second. Looks like I was fighting them but I have to be fair. Since the day I was born I didn't feel calm, secure and protected. With him…he looked at me like I was his whole world and I…fuck. I have no idea. Something’s pulling me towards him. Is it possible I feel the mate bond even though I'm human? I need answers and of course like always, my trust issues got the better of me and I acted like a total lunatic. Will I apologize? No. It looked like I broke his heart by not trusting him. There was worry and sadness in his eyes. I could tell his intentions were genuine. When he made the promise, I somehow already knew he's never going to break it. Why can't I relax? Is it my past or something else? (in the living room)

Fenrir: “Tell me what it is.”

Azar: “Something really strange happened and I don't know how to explain it.”

Fenrir: “Like what?”

Azar: “A few hours ago I felt something was wrong with Amaya. When I checked on her, she was still sleeping. I rushed to the bed to hold her, I just couldn't stop myself. There was this awful pain, she was the one in pain yet she just laid there like nothing was happening. I held her in my arms. At first everything was normal but then all of a sudden…I don't even know. I saw something.”

Fenrir: “What did you see?”

Azar: “I saw what she was dreaming of but it felt real. It was more than just a nightmare. It was like a memory that she was reliving in her dream.”

Fenrir: “A memory?!”

Azar: “I'm sure of it. I saw her in a white shirt, covered in blood as well as her pants. Her face was covered in bruises. There was this man, he was the one hurting her, her own brother. She yelled at him to kill her already and stop with the torture. I saw him starting to beat her.”

Fenrir: “Shit…calm down, please. Do you remember anything else from the dream?”

Azar: “No. I know it was really cold. It was like some cell or something. There were bars and she was already hurt a lot. Her shirt…it was stained with dried blood but there was also fresh blood pouring down her nose and lip. I can actually smell it.”

Fenrir: “You inherited a lot of your mother's gifts. Hellhounds can have visions and premonitions. I never heard anything about looking into someone's past and memories.”

Azar: “I have no idea what's going on.”

Fenrir: “When you ran out to see your mate, your mother came up with a pretty good theory. She thinks you feel the bond even stronger because your mate is human and she's in danger and needs protection. She also thinks she's running from her own family. Looks like she's right. You say you saw her brother?”

Azar: “Yes. Her own brother was torturing her.”

Fenrir: “Was it because she's human?”

Azar: “Yes!! He called her a disgrace for their family.”

Fenrir: “So they’re all wolves except her?”

Azar: “Yes. Is that even possible?”

Fenrir: “Since I met Azrael, I learned that everything is possible in this world. All those things I never even imagined all come to life. Do you maybe recognize her brother? We have pack meetings. I'm the alpha of all alpha’s. We know of all other packs.”

Azar: “No, I've never seen him in my life before.”

Fenrir: “That's extremely strange.”

Azar: “I don't know who he is but he'll be dead as soon as I replace him.”

Fenrir: “Did you tell her what you've seen?”

Azar: “I did. I got it all right and she was afraid that maybe her brother sent me to get her back. So she really is on the run.”

Fenrir: “How is she reacting with you being around her now?”

Azar: “I'm not sure but I think we're making progress. She did punch me again though.”

Fenrir: “Well, I don't expect anything less from your mate.”

Azar: “I think she's starting to feel more secure around me now. I just wanna protect her, that's all. And I think she's starting to trust me.”

Fenrir: “That's amazing, be patient. We still have so many unanswered questions and her being human…give her time.”

Azar: “I know. I'll give her all the time in the world. Even if she doesn't want me as a mate, it'll be enough for me to know that she's safe and sound.”

Fenrir: “You’re doing great.”

Azar: “I'm trying my best but Blaise isn’t helping. He wants to mark her already.”

Fenrir: “No, no, no, no. You can't scare her. It's obvious she spent her life in fear from wolves. The last thing she needs is Blaise acting up.”

Azar: “You know how he is.”

Fenrir: “You both are like that. You have the wolf that reflects your temperament.”

Azar: “True.”

Fenrir: “But you're my son, you'll do good.”

Azar: “I really hope so. Where’s mom?”

Fenrir: “She went to bring clothes to your mate.”

Azar: “WHAT?!”

Fenrir: “Tell me about it. I couldn't stop her, she was dying to meet her.”

Azar: “I don't know how Amaya will react to that. Dad, we just talked about this. She doesn't trust wolves. imagine her seeing a hellhound.”

Fenrir: “Tell that to your mother.”

Azar: “Shit, you’re all crazy.”

Fenrir: “How would we create you like that if we weren't? (Azar’s room)”

Azrael: “Hi, I’m Azrael.”

Amaya: “A fucking Hellhound!!”

Azrael: “That's right, dear but I promise you don't have to be scared of me. I’m Azar’s mother. I’d never do you any harm. Plus I'm completely in control of all of my powers.”

Amaya: “Oh yeah? Since when? Since your last killing spree twenty one years ago?”

Azrael: “What are you talking about?”

Amaya: “You know damn well what I'm talking about. Whole packs were slaughtered.”

Azrael: “Who told you that?”

Amaya: “Doesn't matter.”

Azrael: “It does actually matter. Do you know the whole story behind it? As someone clearly taught you wrong.”

Amaya: “I don't.”

Azrael: “It's true we slaughtered a few packs but I was only because they were after me and my mate, Fenrir. I was pregnant with Azar at the time yet they took me, held me captive and tortured me for months.”

Amaya: “I'm sorry.”

Azrael: “They were monsters. They cared about nothing but power. They wanted to take it from me and the position of alpha of all alphas from my mate. I'm sorry, I didn't wanna scare you. It's just, I get overwhelmed every time I talk about it. It's something I wish I could forget but it's impossible.”

Amaya: “Did you kill all of them?”

Azrael: “All that were there and wanted to take part in killing us. Why do you seem so interested in that?”

Amaya: “No reason, I heard a lot of stories about it. I just wish you killed every single one of them. They all deserved to die.”

In Azrael’s head: Why is she saying it like that?

Azrael: “Either way, Azar won't be pleased with me being here. Not to mention telling you about all of this. I came by to see if you were okay and to bring you some clothes.”

Amaya: “Thank you. I'm sorry for my behavior earlier.”

Azrael: “There's nothing to be sorry about. I can tell by looking at you that you've been through a lot. You remind me of myself when I was younger. I didn't trust anyone, really.”

Amaya: “Did meeting your mate change that for you?”

Azrael: “Not really. At least not at first. He was an ass when I met him. (both laugh)”

Amaya: “I don't know how it's possible to have a mate, I'm human.”

Azrael: “I really don't know but Azar is sure of it. There are a lot of things you don't know yet but he feels your bond.”

Amaya: “He's not a hellhound like you?”

Azrael: “No but as you can tell he has a lot of my powers.”

Amaya: “Can you see someone's memories?”

Azrael: “Memories? No, why?”

Amaya: “Last night Azar saw what I was dreaming of. I had a nightmare and he could see a fragment of my childhood.”

Azrael: “I've never heard of such a thing. What did he see?”

Amaya: “Some really bad things.”

Azrael: “You two certainly have an undeniable bond. You can trust him. He would do anything for you and you can open up to him whenever you're ready. You’ll feel better after sharing your pain with someone and there's no one better for that than Azar. I'll leave. Go shower, relax a bit. I hope you make the right decision. (on the balcony)”

In Azar’s head: I can't believe my mate went through all of that…the worst thing about it is she endured the torture for years. What I've seen is only one piece of it and it makes me sick to my stomach. She’s so tiny and fragile like a porcelain doll. I wish she’d open up to me. Tell me their names. I'll kill every single one of them who dared to hurt her like that. For now I need to control my temper. I don't want her to be afraid of me…to think I'm a monster. I need her to trust me. I need her to see that I'll protect her no matter what even if it costs me my own life. (in the bathroom)

In Amaya’s head: I know him only for a day yet I have this feeling like I’ve known him my whole life. I guess I feel the bond most certainly not as strong as he does but something is pulling me towards him. Telling me I need to be around him. His presence calms me down. He already makes me feel safe. Besides Mir, he's probably the only person I can trust and I was so unfair towards him. I let the demons for my past haunt me. I need to get rid of them. I need to start living like the past doesn't exist and it looks like he's the only person that can help me. Not to mention he's the hottest creature I've ever laid my eyes on. Those muscles, abs…that tattoo…that scar on his face…his glowing red eyes. Lord have mercy on me. Stop with the dirty thoughts. I'm gonna give Azar a chance.