Chapter 14

Finally! she could see him face to face. It was him! she was sure of it. She felt the same sensation as the one she felt in dreams. Her body was trembling as she started to sweat. His gaze was fixed in Melissa's like he was about to pounce at her.

"Melissa, this is my nephew Blaze". Flavio finally said, trying to break the sudden tension that had built up in the atmosphere. "Phewww, is suddenly really hot in her" Flavio continued. "Ah...I'll go ask Anastasia for a glass of Lemonade. Does anyone want anything?" He finished raising his voice, but he didn't have any response. Flavio could feel the awkwardness, and feeling defeat by the two youngsters silence, he shrugged his shoulders and went inside the house.

"Hello Veronikah" Blaze finally spoke, his voice was firm. It sounded a little rude for someone that she had just met. But it was warm and kind at the same time. His brown hair had a tint of orange and gold under the sunlight. His big steel silver eyes and his face features were strong, his jaw was defined end elongated. A blue t-shirt adjusted perfectly to his arms and chest muscles, his broad back made him seem, like he was actually twice his size, black shorts complimented his casual look as Melissa could see his legs muscles. He looked like a muscle builder contestant and his presence was a little too intimidating for Melissa.

"My name is not Veronikah, my name is Melissa". Melissa answered to his greeting, a delayed response after she took in his whole being with her eyes.

"Yes, I'm sorry for that", Blaze said while scratching his head like his uncle did. Making his biceps pop out with the movement, they looked like rocks.

"I apologize, I knew you as Veronikah. But I guess now I have to get used to your new name". Blaze said in an apologetic tone and Melissa could see glint of sadness in his eyes.

            Melissa was taken completely aback by this man actions, words his whole presence was totally different from Adel's. Even though he was pulling her to him with the same force. This guy was rougher and blunter mannered than Adel. Adel looked like a refine perfection, like a diamond; and Blaze was like a ball of fire, and she wanted to get burned by his flame.

            "Where are my manners? Would you like to come into the house and have something to drink?". She could see the sweat on his shirt. Like he just ran a mile before getting there. It was hot in there she noticed as she started to sweat as well.

"Would you like to walk with me instead?" he offered.

"Ok" she agreed.

"There's place between the bushes with shade, we can talk there". 

"Yes, of course". Melissa hesitated a bit before saying anything. She trusted Flavio and after the conversation with him she knew deep between herself that she could start trusting this man too. They walked towards the forest behind Melissa's house. They passed the blue flower garden and Melissa could see her parents' tombstones to her far right.

"You haven't changed a bit Ver... Melissa" said Blaze while looking forward.

"What does that mean? this is the first time you are talking with me as Melissa".

"Mrs. Anastasia did a great job founding you. You are the same as Veronikah. Your hair, your features, everything from the outside looks the same".

"I'm dying to know if you are the same on the inside" Blaze though about this and his wolf instincts were starting to kick in. He had wished all this time that he was waiting for her that she was the same woman that promised to come back and loved him. But he couldn't tell her just yet. She needed to trust him and get to know him a little bit more. That's why he came all the way. That's why he waited for so long.

"So, you said that I'm the same in the outside? Like… exactly my last reincarnation? Is that what you mean?" Melissa asked trying to think about how she used to look at the time.

"Yes, you complexion is the same, your hair is the same color, maybe a little longer now, your eyes are the same silver diamond color. What I'm dying to know is if you still are the same on the inside". He worded his thoughts.

            They kept walking towards the forest and stopped in a clearance with the tall trees and a lot of greenery around them. He gestured for her to sit down in a log poking out the grass floor. She did as he asked.

"OK, let's start" said Melissa looking at the tall, masculine figure in front of her.

"I know that you are Flavio's nephew and you said you know me from my past life. Everything is really confusing right now for me. Now I'm learning that I'm not me. But that I am at the same time. What's your story?" as always Melissa was really direct with her words.

"I really don't know how to start. I've met you when you were celebrating your 16 birthday. You were outside your home. Because everything was too much for you. I picked up a scent while hunting in the forest and I went following that smell. I saw you there, crying standing in front of a fountain at the back of the house. We talked for a while. I didn't know everything about you at the time, but we saw each other many times after that day. I always came to see you, and you always came to your window room, and we used to talk for a long time".

"What did we talked about?" ask Melissa while standing up from the log. He was so tall, and her neck started to hurt.

"We talked about a lot of things, you said that you weren't sure if you wanted to transform, you were scared. I kept visiting you until your 20th birthday. My uncle told me everything about you and I couldn't believe that our future was resting in your hands. But it was true. I think last time they were sure that you were about to become a vampire that's why he told me to get away from you, Anastasia took you somewhere far and after that I learn that you were dead".

"I wish I can remember anything". Said Melissa saddened. "I'm trying to build this puzzle in my mind. For now, I have your version, Anastasia's, Flavio's and…" Melissa stopped suddenly remember "…Adel's" and she continued.

"I'm assuming that you know Adelrick right?" Melissa asked innocently.

            Blaze's body tensed; like he didn't like the name he was hearing, his jaw clenched. Melissa could see the muscles on his face feathering as he squeezed his fists. The blue veins in his wrists looked like they were about to explode.

"Yeah, I know him. I wish I didn't, but I do. I met him shortly after you died. I couldn't believe he left his clan to defend you. I didn't like the fact that he was also trying to protect you, but then, my uncle told me everything. He explained to me how they had resolved to protect you in your next life. His life was already tied to Mrs. Anastasia and once a wolf finds it's mate they mate for life".

"I don't really like to fight. I'm more of a tactical guy, I'm like my father and like my uncle but if I have to kill someone for you, I will do it. I also decided to not be part of the wolf pack, they all want to kill you, everyone wants you dead. But I wanted to help, I wanted to avenge you. I wanted to protect you. My uncle explained to me everything that they were planning to do. To find you, to protect you. and to kill everyone that gets in the way but there was a catch.

            He said it was the three of us and one more and then was when I met that vampire. I didn't like the guy to be honest, and then I learned that he was also after your heart. That made me really angry, but you were always first. We decided to make a pact to protect you and defend you. We agreed on let you decide. I know you will pick me". He said the latter with a smirk while looking at Melissa's eyes. She could see and feel the hunger in his words and his gaze.

"I don't really know what makes you so sure of that. Maybe you were certain about the old me. I still don't know what I'm going to do. I have so much to think about, and I have to get my mind clear in order for me to make the right decision" said Melissa looking directly at his eyes.

"I know you love me Melissa, and I love you too. Deep within your heart there is a place for me, and I know I'm going to win you".

"You're talking like I'm a price, like I'm a piece of meat. I don't like to be cornered. I just want to find the best solution for all this mess. A mess that I didn't ask to be part of. It seems like it's only me the one that must fix it. I'm.... I'm just not strong enough to do it. I don't feel like I'm worth to do this. I hate it!". said Melissa, her eyes were watery, she was about to cry.

            Blaze took a step forward and hugged Melissa. His grasp was firm, and she felt cozy. 'He could touch me without asking for permission'. She thought about how pained Adel felt. He was not able to touch her without Melissa's consent. Blaze was really different from Adel.

            She could feel Blaze's embrace getting stronger and stronger, she felt like he was about to break her bones. He separated a little locking his eyes on Melissa's and grabbing her chin and making her looks directly into his silver eyes as he kissed her lips.

            Blaze was using too much force, and she didn't like it. She started to push him trying to get away from the situation. His eyes were closed, like he was enjoying this. His tongue was trying to make its way into Melissa's mouth, but she didn't let it. It was an unwelcomed kiss. He opened his eyes and saw Melissa's eyes full of tears. Surprised for his behavior she let her go.

            Melissa took a step back and with all her strength she slapped him, using her nails as well to finally scratch his face. Blaze was astounded by Melissa's reaction.

"Make this the last time you do something to me that I haven't asked you to do. You think you know me, but you don't. I don't like to be forced into anything. If you want to stay in my side. You better stopped reacting like an animal. I don't like it".

            Melissa was sure that his animal instincts were the ones who blame for this behavior, but this was no reason to force a kiss on her. She was upset and turned around starting walking towards the house.

"I'm sorry Melissa, I didn't have to force you to do anything. I won't do it again, I promise". Blaze said concerned about what he just did.

"You are unbelievable. I don't have time to be fooling around. I'm not your lover. I need to keep my head clear for what is to come".

"I know... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." blaze keep apologizing while walking behind her. He had blown up this encounter, in his mind he had played this moment at it had turned out to be completely different. 

            Melissa stopped suddenly. She turned around abruptly "are you the creeper than has been looking at my window every night?"

"I'm sorry" Blaze apologized again. "That's the only way I can look at you. That is the only way I feel I can protect you".

"Spying on my windows every night? Why don't you knock on the door and talk to me like a human being?"

"I'm not spying on you. I just check the perimeter, as you know you were attacked once". Melissa eyes widened. "Were you there?" she asked.

"We both were, but you only saw him. I was fighting outside, and when I finally got to you were unconscious. Also, to tell you the truth. Mrs. Anastasia doesn't like me that much. She's a vampire, I don't blame her. I'm an animal and that's that".

"I don't think that's the case," said Melissa sure of she was talking about. "She is with Flavio. I don't think having around another werewolf around will make any difference. More so if you are on my side".

"Yeah, I know" Blaze stopped like he didn't want to keep talking about the matter. "She knows that I like you, she's really overprotective".

"That sounds more like her", said Melissa "Anastasia is just a straightforward person, and she loves me like she was my mom".

"Also, Melissa please don't go yet. I came here to show you something. I don't want you to be scared. Promise that you will not fear me or hate me for my behavior and for what you are about to see. I want you to see me in my true form. Can I do it in front of you?"

"But it's almost midday," said Melissa with a confused expression. "Aren't you supposed to transform..." Melissa stopped to think. "I don't know when the moon is full?".

"Not really, that doesn't make a difference" said Blaze really proud. He seemed like a child who was showing off a new toy. "I will only ask that if you get scared not to run. If you run my wolf will chase you that is my instinct, and I really don't want to hurt you anymore". Blaze said still feeling ashamed of what he just did.

"Oh ok, I'll try my best" Melissa said taking a step back.

            He began to transform into a wolf, Melissa could see everything, how he was changing, it was a mix of fear and amusement. She could see all his changes. When he finished, he was almost tripling his human size. At that moment she thought about the handsome young man behind the beast. His eyes turned were a dark brown with a hint of silver gleaming under the sunlight. Melissa's was witnessing in awe; his wolf voice was impotently, exquisite, dangerous. 

            Melissa started walking towards him while he was trying to pull away from her. She grabbed his face and there was not a hint of fear in her eyes. "I'm not scared of you. I can see that you are pure of heart, but at the same time you are too full of yourself. You are strong and I can see that, you are trying to hide behind your strength. I want to know the real Blaze. Don't let the beast take over you. Thank you for being close to me. And please don't ask me to love you back. Don't ask for my heart. There's so much more behind everything that is happening, and I really don't want to hurt you.

            Maybe Veronikah promised you that she will love you for all eternity, but I can't do that. Melissa has a mission, and if you promise to be part of that mission, no strings attached you are more than welcome to stay at my side".

            These words were too much for him to hear, his wolf started whining, he was already hurt, and she knew this but there was nothing she could do. He's heart shrank to sizes after hearing what Melissa had to say. She was right, she had a mission but why couldn't she return the love that he had for her, the passion, the desire? He had waited for so long.

            At that moment he decided "I will wait…" but he was so sure that at the end she won't choose to be with him, and this feeling made his heart ache.

            Melissa couldn't think staying with anyone, she needed to find a better solution. Deciding for one another was not a viable solution for her. She didn't want to be the cause of it anyone's demise. Letting her hand fall from Blaze's wolf face she whispered. "Thank you, Blaze. Nice to meet you, see you soon". Turning around she walked towards the house. Leaving the wounded wolf behind her.

            She entered by the kitchen. Anastasia looked at Flavio with her demonic eyes. "He...didn't try something funny, did he?" Asked Flavio concerned.

            Melissa smirked grabbing glass to serve herself lemonade "You know you nephew too much don't you".

"Mel, I apologize for whatever it was that he did. Please forgive him, he is just a stupid boy. He doesn't know better".

"He should" said Anastasia in a judging tone.

"Don't worry you two" said Melissa "I don't have time for any of that". She finished drinking her lemonade, put the cup in the sink and when up to her room.

            Flavio and Anastasia look at each other exchanging concerned looks. "What is she thinking?" asked Flavio. 

"I don't know said Anastasia "But whatever it is, I'll be on her side".

"And I'll be in yours my love," said Flavio.