IN THE HANDS OF THE CAPTIVE

SYMLA COULDN'T stay still. She kept on walking inside the cave. From the day Amado left her, she was restless. It's been four days since the last time she saw him. She was worried. She kept on thinking about him. That was the first time he left her that long and she's not used to it. What happened to him? Is he okay?

Symla took a deep breath and exhale. Again, she peek out of the cave and waited for Amado. Darkness were all over and she only heard noises of insects. Symla sit again and wished for Amado's safety. She couldn't understand herself. They had been together for a while but she acted that way. She looks forward to his promises and relies on his words.

Symla never trusted anyone that easily. Ah, maybe because Amado saved her many times, her heart automatically relies on him. Though Symla knew his reasons, she still feels strange towards him.

Does he captured my heart too?

Symla massages her temple because of that thought. Again, she stood and walk the path leading to the entrance of the cave when she heard something. Her heart beats so fast and she was so shocked when a white wounded wolf came in. The wounded wolf was biting a black container. Despite of his wounds, he manages to carry it.

Symla feared it but in the end, tried to calm. She knew it was Amado. Based on his appearance, he was weak. His power and energy were drained. He growl when he finally saw her. Symla find the courage to get close to him.

"A-amado…" she whispered and he slowly lay on the ground. He was whining in pain.

Symla's heart broke for Amado. Her eyes watered. It seems his clan attacked him. Her hands are trembling, she tried to touch him. The moment she touch his face, she cried. Right there and then, she realized she didn't want to see him that way. "D-don't worry. This time, I'll take good care of you." She promised.

She moved fast. She immediately lit a light by rubbing the stones. She expected that no one could noticed them because they were inside the cave. After that, Symla checked Amado's status. She swallowed when she saw his injuries. There were three silvers embedded on his side and arm.

Symla removed her cape and use it as protection on her hand. "I'll remove these silvers. Please, tolerate the pain." She said while gently touching his head.

Amado moaned. She took it as a sign that he agreed. Symla prepared herself. Somehow, she has knowledge of medicine because she trained too. At first, she had difficulty on pulling the silver. It was deep. It may ripped his flesh if she didn't pull it carefully. She tried over and over cautiously until she made it. The wolf howl in pain. He was very weak and that's all he could do.

"Shh…" Symla tried to calm Amado and gently rubbed his head and body. She was hoping that her touch could ease his pain. When he calmed down, she tried to remove the other silvers embedded on his body. Hearing his moans broke her heart but she just remained focus. It's more important to cure Amado so he can transform.

After that, she immediately went out to look for herbs. She knew that Amado has the ability to heal but she wanted to help him. When she found some herbs, she return and treated his wounds. When she was done, she noticed that his breathing improved. Symla sighed in relief.

"Get some rest, Amado." She whispered and lean his head on her lap. She gently caress his head. Amado closed his eyes. Symla just watched over him. She was also alert in every noise she heard. She has to watch over Amado. Just like when Amado took good care of her, this time, Symla will do it for him.

And while Symla watched over Amado, her heart melts for him. She's not accustomed seeing him in such terrible condition. After a few days, she still didn't leave. Despite all—she was just a mere captive and he has a plans on killing her—she couldn't stand and leave him. Her willingness to stay with him weighs more until he heal.

***

Symla silently peered out of the cave to make sure they are safe. When she found out nothing strange, she entered again and looked Amado's condition. Amado was still asleep. It's been three days since Amado came back and Symla didn't have any complains. As of today, Amado transformed into human but still unconscious. It seems he was still recovering from the damages he'd been through.

She gently caress his forehead and fixed the cape covering his nakedness. She sighed and controlled the temptation. It was really hard for Symla to ignore his naked glory. The man was so beautiful. She couldn't help herself but to admire him more.

Symla shook her head, trying to erase that thought and decided to sit in the opening of the cave. It's better to just sit there so she wouldn't be tempted to look at Amado. She couldn't understand herself. She has all the chances to escape but there she was, patiently taking good care of Amado.

She sighed again and disturbed when she heard some noise. She automatically glance at Amado and she was relieved when he open his eyes. Symla stood immediately and went to see Amado.

"How are—oh!"

Symla immediately turned around when Amado rose and the cape covering him fell! She saw his nakedness again! Her heart beats like so damn crazy. If she could only hold her heart and make it stop beating like that, she will. Oh, it makes her hard to breathe!

She was shaking, she tried to explain still. "Y-Your clothes are ready next to you. I-I can't dress you up because… because…"

"Because you want to see my nakedness?"

She blushed. Symla turned around to face him but instantly turned her back again. The man was holding his waist and acting like he didn't go through the pain. He seemed okay now. And he has the guts now flirting with her! That was one of the things she admire in him: despite of what he'd been through, he can still smile. She admired Amado the way he perceived things simply.

"That's not true!" she was denying it. "I just thought the clothes would only get in the way every time I treat you so I didn't put you some." She explained. That was true too. She was afraid she might hurt him trying to put some clothes on him. In the end, she decided to cover him a cape.

Amado burst out laughing. Symla secretly moan until she sighed. Hearing him laugh made her feel at ease. It was only proof that he was really okay. It's been so long since the last time she heard him laugh like that. She must admit, she missed it. She suddenly felt a strange feeling again. It was weird, it was driving her crazy. She sighed again.

"I'm dressed." He said.

She was relieved. Slowly, she turned around and face Amado. There were obvious pain on his face but still, he was smiling at her. Her heart melted because of that smile, because of his eyes sparkling in delight. He was not teasing her. He was just simply showing his beautiful smile on her.

"You can hug me if you want." He was grinning now. Her eyes rolled and he chuckled. He was really teasing her now.

"You're fine and cocky again." She snapped and folded her arms. She used that chance to hide her feelings towards him.

He laughed and approached her. Amado watch every Symla's movement that made her feel uneasy. When she couldn't bear it, she snapped at him. "What happened? You came back wounded." She asked eagerly.

"I just ran away, Symla," he said. His eyes soften. There was a bit sadness in it. "I have a promise to you and I will keep it. I have one word."

She stared at Amado. Her heart leaped as he gently rubbed her cheek. He told her everything what happened and she covered her mouth in surprise. Her heart broke again for Amado. It looks like he and his father has finally cut ties. However, what she heard Amado's ideology changed her perception on him. In one corner of her heart she was thrilled and amazed. In spite of all, he was still positive and believes that the war will end.

Right there, and then, she realized she met an unselfish wolf. His plans was not solely for his own gain but for everyone. For Amado, wrath will only lead every one to unending battle. It makes a lot of sense. His plans will not only benefit the present condition of both clans but also for the next generation.

And she understands now why he came back wounded. His father did not accept what he said and that's what he gets. She felt sad for him. Her heart broke again for Amado.

"I know you're going to laugh at me too—"

"No!" she shouted and hold his hand. She gently squeezed it. She wanted to make him feel that she was there and she understood him. Amado stared at her and her heart leaped. She was swallowed. "I'm not laughing at you, Amado. No... I can't believe that's your plan but I'm glad to hear that there is a wolf who has different view about this war."

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I got you involved." he apologized. "Don't worry. As long as you are with me, I will make sure bad nothing bad will happen to you."

She looked at him. Did he mean that he would never kill her? He smiled and gently pinched her chin when he saw her confusion. "You're safe when I'm with you, Symla. I will never allow a beautiful woman like you be hurt by anyone."

"A-Amado!" she exclaimed. She was still ashamed to hear such a word from him. Her heart was tickling. "Does this mean ... you won't kill me?" she wanted to be so sure. She needed to because in addition to his plan, she knows she was still a dangerous vampire in his clan.

"No. But it's best not to go back to your clan first. You will be safer when I'm with you." he says, and he looks seriously. "There is a traitor in your clan, Symla. The name is Drigo. Don't you wonder how we found out about you? The king is paying someone to watch you…"

She was so shocked to say the least. She thought it over about this Drigo but she couldn't recall or remember a vampire who has that name. She looked at him puzzled. It hurts her to know that they were losing their race and there this traitor who's ready to betray them in just small amount of gold. "I-I don't know any vampire who named Drigo, Amado ..."

Amado thought it over and took a deep breath. "He looks like he used different name. You shouldn't go back to your clan. We need to be sure first."

"But what about my parents?" she asked worriedly. She needed to know about that too.

He thought it over. "In my opinion, you really are their target.They will look for you. There are many vampires on the plains and the will attack them before they attack your village. But for your own peace of mind, I will make a way for them to know that."

He smiled at her and she was grateful. Amado trusted her and told about his plans so she would trust him too. She knew what he was talking about and there she took it all in stride: they were attacked because someone said where she was. They were very cautious about traveling, but in the end, wolves found her.

"What are we going to do now?" she asked.

"I have to go to Mt. Banahaw and look for the shaman who lived there. I hope she can help us."

Symla nodded. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. She smiled as he gazed at her. She was amazed to see him marveled at her action. "What's the problem?" she asked.

"You look so beautiful when you smile, Symla. What the heck ..." he said and looked at her more. His eyes were filled with wonder and she suddenly lost her composure. She didn't expect Amado would make it a big deal. She didn't expect that her smile would affect Amado that way. All of a sudden, she felt there were butterfiles in her stomach.

"Oh, you—"

"I'm telling you the truth," he interrupted as she spoke and took a deep breath. "Do you have any idea how much I want to see your smile? I've been waiting for so long. So promise me, now that you know all my plans, maybe you should smile at me often."

She scoffed, trying to act her uneasiness. He gently laugh. "One scoffed, one kiss."

"Amado!" She exclaimed in shock. Why does it sound so natural to hear those words from him? It was natural to Amado to say he'll kiss her? And why is it that there's a tingling sensation inside her stomach? Every time he flirt with her, it felt natural?

He laughed. "I'll do that…" he said softly and touch her lips using his thumb. What he did sends a thousand tingling feeling inside. Burning passion ran through her veins. Her heart didn't know how to react. It was beating like crazy again. He grinned. It seemed he noticed her feelings. She bites her lower lip, trying to relieve the electricity that flows in her body. "You don't know what's going on inside my brain everytime I see you biting your lips… or even just watching your lips moves…"

"Amado!" she complained, couldn't stand the tension between them. She was palpitating. It was hard for her to control her own emotions. The more she defies her heart, the more it becomes ridiculous. And she, too, lose her focus and will just found herself staring at his lovely red lips.

Ah... how many nights did she remember his kisses? How many times did she thought about responding to his kisses? Those memories ran inside her mind until she shook her head. Perhaps she could not control herself this time, she will end up making the first move and kiss him. Damn his charm and this sexual tension between them. It was really driving her crazy! "Stop. Let's put our plans first. Stop fooling around."

He laughed. "All right. Let's stop here. Perhaps you lose control and end up making the first move and kiss me." he teased.

Fortunately, he left her and could no longer see how she flushed. She was so guilty, she was just ashamed of herself. She gently caress her hair, trying to calm herself down. Ah ... that guy really. Amado was really driving her insane.