The promise

Her tummy growls, and her face turns red.

Noah laughed. "Would you like something to eat? I made some bird soup when you are still sleeping."

"Bird soup? Isn't he a bird beast?" Thought to herself.

She hesitated and then answered, "If that's okay, I will have some. Thank you." And she smiles at him.

"Come inside my hut and sit down on the table. I will bring your food in a minute."

"Thank you."

After finishing the food Noah gave her. She stood up and was supposed to pick up the bowl and clean it, but Noah was fast and took it from her.

"Let me do it. It is a man's duty."

She shyly sat down again, "Oh, thank you, Noah."

"By the way, you haven't told me your name yet. If it's not too much to ask."

"I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you, my name is Ren."

"What a beautiful name. Do you know that it means Lotus?"

"I didn't know about that. I didn't even meet my parents. I grew up in a foster home, you see."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine, I am over it by now. Besides, I already got a mate and a son. I have my own family now, and that is enough for me."

"That is nice. I am happy to know that."

"Thank you."

They both got silent. Maybe thinking of something to say or shy of what to say.

"Uhmm, if it's not a hassle for you, is it okay if you could bring me back to the top of the mountain where my mate and friends are? I'm pretty sure they are worried sick about me."

Noah looked sad again and then replied, "Would you like to look around at the cave and have a tour of the place with me before you go? I know you would love it, and it's a shame for you not to see. I promise to bring you back as soon as you see the place."

She hesitated at first, but then, looking at Noah looking all sad, she couldn't but help to agree. "Okay then, no problem." She then smiled at him.

Noah turns from sad to very excited in an instant. "Okay, let me show you around."

They walk and walk, and all Ren can see are the breathtaking scenery of the cave.

He can clearly see that Ren is enjoying the place. His been looking at her all the time that they are together. He can't help but wonder if this beautiful and little thing would love to stay there and be with him.

Ren, who is so mesmerized by the view, noticed that Noah is looking at her. She felt shy and got conscious. "Why does he have to keep looking at my face? Is it dirty or something?" She thought to herself.

Noah laughed, noticing her reaction. "I'm sorry if I made you self-conscious. It's just that you really are so pretty, and I can't help myself but look at you."

She felt more shy hearing those words from him.

Noah is so caring at her, and being a gentleman as he is, he makes sure to hold her hand every time she stumbles or goes up places high for her.

Ren felt safe being with Noah. She looks at him and thinks that this guy is so nice and so handsome.

She took those thoughts back and remembered her husband, who must have been terribly worried about her now. "Thank you for giving me a tour of your place. It's so amazing here. But I really have to go back to my mate now."

"Oh, okay. I see. I understand." Those are the only words that come out of him, looking disappointed.

Ren, who's naive, can't really understand why Noah is acting so sad right now and is desperately trying to make Noah smile.

"I really owe you. You save my life. If I can do something for you in the future, anything, you can look for me in the Green Valley where the Tiger Beast village is. My mate is the chief there, you can find me really easily." She thought maybe Noah is so lonely that he doesn't want to be left alone.

Noah smiled hearing those words from her. "Is that a promise?"

"Yes, of course. Why would I lie to you."

He holds both her hand high, "You will do anything for me in the future? Did I hear it correctly?"

Ren smiled, "Yes, anything."

"Okay, that's a deal then. Let me bring you back right away." He is smiling from ears to ears.

Ren, who doesn't even have any idea what she gotten herself into, smiled back at him, excited to see Mar and her son Ezra.