ZARAMANNI (BOOK ONE)
PART TWO: CHAPTER SIXTEEN

As Zaramanni walked into her room, she asked herself a question she had never thought of.

For the first time, she wondered who her parents were.

No doubt, one of them was a fairy, the other a human.

But, while growing up with her granny, there was no mention of who her parents were. Nor were there pictures or proof in form of material things that could point out that her parents were ever around.

There was nothing that could indicate who they were either.

That thought failed to weigh her down. Zaramanni was quick to dismiss it since she wouldn’t be getting answers soon.

Zara was about to reach for her phone after shifting the ball of clothes on her bed aside when she felt a sudden tap on her shoulders, the touch making her greatly startled.

In the process of spinning her legs, her heart seemed to beat slower but she soon sighed with relief when she saw the person who had asked for her attention.

With a little frown on his manly face which was further detailed thanks to his sleek looking dark coloured hair which looked like it had just been cut, Zoey asked, “Were you scared?”

The tips of Zara’s thumb and index finger were glued together as her lips wore a small smile. “A little,” she said.

“Zaramanni,” Beta Zoey called her and he took a step closer.

She looked up into his eyes while his huge body emitted certain warmth in her direction, and she wondered if his eyes were always going to look emotionless.

Zaramanni was instantly catapulted out of her thoughts when he held her shoulders gently. A little gasp rolled out of her lips as well.

The contact the tips of his fingers had with her skin made her feel funny inside. It was almost as though something was being stirred inside her.

“A man’s touch should never scare you.” His voice called for her attention and she gave it to him. “A man’s touch is something you are meant to enjoy. It will fulfill all your desires and protect you no matter what.”

Almost like a recorded tape, Zara released another gasp when he placed his thumb beneath her chin and used that touch to tilt her head gently.

Then, slowly, with that soulless look still present, his thumb traveled upwards and proceeded to hover over her lips which twitched as his charming eyes landed on them.

At that point, Zaramanni could not help but recall Clarissa’s earlier words and she wondered if the man-wolf was about to show her how much he liked her.

But she was not ready for such a thing…

She didn’t even know the basis of kissing.

But, she always wished that her first kiss would not be the sloppy type. Zaramanni wanted an intense lip contact, the type that would make her head turn while her feet turns into jelly.

’Wait a minute,’ Zara caught herself instantly while she watched Zoey transport his gaze back to her eyes, ’why am I thinking about kissing him all of a sudden?’

“A man’s touch, Zaramanni, should never scare you. Take note of that, okay?”

Before she could reply, Zoey took a step back and began to take a look around the room. Zara’s eyes followed his movements but within her, she was still a mess.

When Beta Zoey stepped back, she immediately pictured the huge man slamming his lips against hers. She imagined how fluttering it would feel and that little image made her head turn.

“This room is bigger than I thought,” Zoey said as he backed Zaramanni who was yet to tear her eyes off him. “It is comfortable for you, right?”

“Mmm,” she replied absent-mindedly.

When Zoey turned and faced her with his hands pocketed, Zara quickly cautioned herself.

She kicked her mind, asking it to stop with the ridiculous thoughts and erotic images it was about to conjure.

“What’s on your mind?”

“N-nothing,” Zaramanni stuttered.

Immediately, as her eyes quickly darted past the saddening night-time view the open windows were displaying, her brows became slightly knitted as she could not help but wonder if he could read her mind.

“Really?” Zara did not miss the way the side of his lips tugged when he asked that simple question.

His eyes darkened more than usual, but not in a frightening way. More like in a seductive manner. With a little strain to his voice, he asked, “Then, why do you keep wondering what my lips would taste like?”

Zaramanni was caught off guard, she just had to release a puff of air filled with surprise before she covered her mouth with both hands. With slightly widened eyes and chaotic thoughts which were trying hard to conceal themselves, she watched Zoey approach her again.

Thanks to the existing darkness of the land, his approach had more purpose attached to it.

And, Zaramanni failed to move from where she stood.

No, she could not move.

Within the confusion her mind was creating appeared a tiny curiosity.

Zara wished to name it a research that would help her understand the sexual fantasies she had back on Earth whenever she was alone in her room.

But she knew it was more than research. It almost felt like desire. If it was right for her to call it such.

Zoey’s slow steps soon came to an end and he was standing tall in front of her, his eyes finally wearing a smile. Zara could tell that he was about to touch her, she just didn’t know where.

A little shuddering sigh escaped her lips as Zoey’s eyes and hands turned their attention to the mass of her hair.

She felt her tensed nerves relax when one of his tough hands slid over her scalp and proceeded to rake the length of her hair.

“Zaramanni…” His voice was raspy, it almost sounded like a tease. A delightful tease. The Beta swept her hair to the back and peered into her eyes once more. “You make me really curious, little human,” he said.

Zaramanni gulped. Her lids fluttering slowly, she returned his gaze.

There was just something about him…

Something that kept tossing her mind into a state of exciting jeopardy.

She was about to return his words because she felt the same way, but his huge palms cupped her jaws and his face moved an inch closer.

“You may be wondering how I can hear your thoughts,” Zoey uttered, his stirring gaze connecting with hers in ways she never knew existed.

As each growing second increased the period of their shared gaze, Zara found herself having a racing heart, sweating palms, and a pulsing mind that kept wanting to feel his lips against hers.

“H-” Zaramanni swallowed hard to push away her inability to be audible. “How?”

Slow and provocative was his action as his darksome eyes traveled to her lips. “It is…” His voice was slow and provocative as well. “… a special gift from the goddess.”

Zara was aware she had already pointed out how strange her attraction toward the man was, but she just had to take note of it again.

“Oh,” Zara replied. Her voice sounded like someone else’s.

“It would be a great thing if my touch is the only ’man’s touch′ in your life,” Zoey quickly dropped that statement and the growing emotion inside her erupted. She just had to smile at his words as they made her feel mushy inside. “I am totally smitten by you, Zaramanni. And, I need you in my life.”

When Zoey took a step back, his withdrawal had an effect on Zara who instantly wanted to feel his heat once more. A small smile lifted the sides of Zoey’s lips as he said, “Remember my words, little human. I will be back.”

Watching him walk out of the room was accompanied by an insane fluttering in her heart. It felt like a thousand heartbeats made their way into her chest within a few seconds.

And, there was the smile on her lips as well. It was yet to disappear.

Neither was the image of her locking lips with the man.

When she became calmer, Zara placed a hand on her chest. Then, her sight darted toward the entrance again. With narrowed eyes, she watched the door as though Zoey was going to walk in again, rush towards her and kiss her fiercely.

Instantly, as if the universal powers were on her side, the door flung open. The first thing her sight landed on was a pair of masculine boots. Her heart picked race again as it seemed her thoughts were about to come to pass.

Then, she looked up as those legs began to trot toward her.

It was Sham, not Zoey.

Zaramanni’s arms stayed apart and mid-air when Sham swiftly hugged her to his chest once he was in front of her. As he began to stroke her hair, she wondered why her reaction was different when it came to his touch.

“I am so glad you are okay. I couldn’t stop thinking about you on my way back,” Sham said as he maintained the embrace.

It seemed a little ridiculous to Zaramanni. Sham was the one she was first attracted to. She found his physical features pleasing first.

But when it came to Zoey, who she had contact with only recently, just staring into his eyes made her wonder about the taste of his lips.

“You are okay, right?” Sham asked and Zaramanni nodded. He dissolved the hug, held her hands dearly, and looked into her eyes. “Have you met Lord Elias?”

“Yes. He seems interesting. Is the King back at the palace?” Zaramanni wondered if she would ever see King Darren since they’ll be many metres apart.

“Yes, he and the Luna should have reached the palace gates by now. I won’t be coming to the manor in a while, so I decided to excuse myself during the journey so that I could come here. And uh,” he sighed with satisfaction, “now that I have seen you, I am so much at peace.”

Zara smiled. “Thank you. I..”

”Zaramanni,” Clarissa’s peculiar and excited voice embraced the room, her eyes slightly perplexed by the door that was left open. “It is time to eat and-” She finally noticed Sham’s presence. “Gamma Sham, you are here.”

Sham turned fully to face her. “Did you just walk in here as if Zaramanni is a long-time friend of yours?”

“I-” Clarissa was unable to respond to Sham’s question which was uttered with a certain meanness Zara had never heard from him.

“She is the king’s guest, not your girlfriend. Your job is to take care of her properly. If you fail to do that…” Zaramanni who was behind Sham walked to his side, a small frown on her face. “… you will be punished. Is that clear?”

Clarissa had her head bowed as she nodded.

“You should-”

“Sham,” Zara gently called, her mind wondering if he was acting that way because he was tired. The past few days had been trying for everyone after all. “She is doing a great job. And, I don’t mind having her as a friend. So, don’t get angry at her.”

“Oh,” Sham sighed hard while he rubbed his temple. “I must be out of my mind.” He and Zaramanni locked eyes. “I am just so tired and frustrated. I am sure Clarissa will do a great job.” Zaramanni nodded understandably. “I have to get going. I will make sure to come back as soon as I can. Take care of yourself, okay?”

”I will,” Zara replied.

Soon, he rushed out of the room, leaving Zaramanni and Clarissa to steal glances at each other while maintaining small, awkward-looking smiles on their lips.

“He didn’t mean what he said.” Seconds later, Zara attempted to clear Sham’s mean words in case Clarissa was still hurt.

“Do you think so?” The woman scoffed. “ He was a great leader while the king was away, but he is a man with a loose tongue. He says mean and hurtful things without thinking twice.”

“Really?” That didn’t sound like the man who welcomed her to Zenrada.

“Honestly,” Clarissa walked and approached Zara, hooking their arms together, “I prefer working for Beta Zoey. He is a better he-wolf. He is considerate as well.”

At the mention of the man who made her heart stir seriously, Zara wore a dreamy smile on her face. And her imagination started to run wild.

Well, Clarissa’s voice killed all of that as she excitedly announced, “Our meal is ready. Let’s go and eat.”

Zara never joked with food. Even though she was new to the delicacies in Zenrada, she found herself leaning toward the delicious meals she had gotten to eat so far.

Zenrada might be a land of wolves that could turn vicious, but their human forms sure had great palates.

So, a humongous thought about a fine-looking man with darksome eyes failed to stop her from getting some food at that moment.