Chapter sixteen

When he had finished his story, Mohamed remained silent for a few minutes, hoping to see or hear Ndeye's reaction without success. His only card thus exhausted, he got up to leave, so saddened that he did not hear the bedroom door open and Ndeye comes out to stand in front of it.

_ I... Don't... You... Don't go! Don't leave me alone! she begged him, in tears.

_ ....., Mohamed was so surprised to see her holding him back that he was unable to say even one word.

_ I... You... Are you all right?

_ I... Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just stunned to hear you ask me to stay when only yesterday you didn't want to see me and called me a freak.

_ You... I want you to stay by my side. Don't give up on me.

_ Don't feel like you have to ask me that just because I've spoken my mind.

_ I... No. I'm not. I just... I want to be able to forget my past. I just... I want to be able to move on despite my countless injuries. I just want to be able to live again and know happiness by your side because I just realized that you were my soul mate, that half of me that I always wanted to meet and hoped would know my life story without ever pushing me away or hating me and even less judging me for it.

_ You can't know how happy I am to have heard those words cross your lips, my Luna. Just know that I am not the best of wolves, even though I am the supreme Alpha, nor am I the best of men, but I cannot promise you that I will never make a mistake or hurt you, but if there is one thing I can promise you, it is that I will always love you and do my best to make you happy.

_ That's good enough for me.

_ I also hope that one day you'll be able to forgive me for not being there for you sooner and stop me from going through this hell.

_ I... You have to forgive yourself. This... It's not your fault what happened to me.

_ I love you so much.

Mohamed, who had moved to stand in front of her without her realizing it, came and caressed her cheek as he said these words. Unfortunately, at the touch of his hand on her cheek, Ndeye gasped and pulled back slightly.

_ I... I... You, she stammered.

_ I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I'll try not to scare you again and go at your own pace, Mohamed apologized.

_ Thank you.

_ I know I just said I'd go at your pace, but right now I just want to take you there.

_ I... I don't get it.

_ I want to take you to a place that means a lot to me. It's where I used to go every time I felt your pain and wanted to be alone. A beautiful, soothing place.

_ I... I'll go there if that's what you're worried about.

_ That's not the problem. It's a bit far from the city where we're going and driving there won't be possible. Walking will delay us too much by making us late. The quickest way for us to get there is to go with you on my back.

_ You... You mean... you'll carry me?

_ No. I'm gonna turn into a wolf and lead us there with you on my back. That is if you'll let me.

_ I... You're... Your wolf isn't evil... I mean dangerous?

_ Not to you. Like me, he only wants to bring you happiness and protection.

_ But... I've never ridden a wolf... I've... I... I'm somehow scared...

_ I understand your concerns. You just have to hold on tight and you'll be fine.

_ I... (sighs) Okay. I'll go with you. I'll... (Sighs) Just let me get changed.

_ I'll wait for you downstairs. By the way, my wolf's name is Aras.

_ I'll try to remember that.

Ndeye went to change while Mohamed, who had gone downstairs, arranged with his betas that they would not have to meet any wolves on their way to avoid panicking Ndeye, and at the very least. Once this detail was settled, he transformed himself into a wolf while waiting for her, who soon came down. Seeing him nowhere else, expecting him to be in human form, she began to call him timidly by his first name before her voice became more confident. Still not getting a response, she called him by his wolf's name. Within a minute, a beautiful and imposing wolf with black fur came to her. He emanated so much power and authority that it was almost impossible to miss the fact that he was Aras. Ndeye hesitated to go towards him, a little defensively, and as if he understood this, he came to bow to her, as if to greet her with honors.

_ Nice to finally meet you, my Luna.

Surprised to hear a voice saying this in her head, Ndeye panicked and stepped back.

_ I... Don't be afraid, my Luna. It's me, Aras, the voice said.

_ I... You... I hear you... You... You're talking in my head. No... That's... That's impossible, said Ndeye, confused and even more panicked.

_ Yes, it is. It is possible. I can talk to you in my mind, which is logical since I'm a wolf, and that goes for every soulmate duo. One of the benefits of soul mates.

_ From... So everyone in the pack can hear us?

_ No, because this is not the pack bond.

_ Enough talk. We better get going. Later, I and Mohamed will help you learn all about wolves.

_Okay.

He then lowered himself to the ground allowing Ndeye to climb up, which she did timidly before he took the path. After a while of slowly moving forward until Ndeye had fully adapted, he began to run rather fast which allowed her to enjoy the scenery around them until they reached their destination a little over an hour later. Far too amazed by the beauty of the place, Ndeye was so moved that she began to cry, worrying Aras.

_ I... Sorry if you don't like the place. I will... I'll take you somewhere else if you want, but please don't blame Mohamed. It was more my idea than his.

_ I... It's not that... This place is just sublime, said Ndeye.