2; HEALING OLD WOUNDS

Mariana and Alberto

“Mariana, please don’t fall asleep. If you do, you might never wake up again.” Alberto was carrying her on his back, securing her with one arm as he tried to run through a deserted alley, but his injuries hindered him, and he was weakening from the blood loss.

“Love, I know, but if I stay awake, I’ll turn into one of those beasts. I don’t have many options, and my eyelids feel so heavy. When I close them, I feel a tickle run through my body, inviting me to sleep.”

“Hold on, my moon, stay strong. We’ll soon reach my father’s doctor.”

“Alberto, my beloved Alpha, please leave me here. We won’t get far. You can’t run fast carrying me on your back. It’s better if you go and save yourself. You must be badly injured. Those jaguars bit you in several places. I can smell your blood, and I’m just a human... Well, for now.”

“That’s not going to happen, my adored mate. I won’t abandon you again. I’ve sworn to always protect you, no matter if I lose my life doing it.”

“That 'Mate' thing always reminds me of when we first met. I didn’t understand what you meant, especially the part about me being your moon and the way you kept smelling me. It was very confusing.”

“Please remember everything. I don’t want you to fall asleep.”

“Love, my beautiful wolf, you know I’m not good at telling stories. Please, I want you to tell me. I love how you describe everything from your animal perspective.”

“Alright, Mariana, just promise me you’ll pay attention so you don’t fall asleep. I remember that day I was heading to the club to play polo, and right there, I saw Cacique Chancó attacking our employees, trying to take over our routes. He only had two bodyguards, and his bizarre personality stood out like a new rich guy, with that stench of burnt plants clinging to him. I didn’t waste the opportunity and attacked him.

His bodyguards fought back, emptied their guns with no effect, and then they were forced to shift into jaguars. They gave me a good fight, which allowed their boss to escape.

After staining the club's grass with those overgrown cats’ pelts, I followed the foul smell of the cacique down the main avenue. I caught up with him on the river bridge, about ten blocks away. I bit him with all my strength, tasting him like a rabbit. He clawed my back, breaking a few ribs, and I let him go from the pain, giving him a chance to jump into the water and escape.

His scent got lost in the water. I searched downstream until I spotted him in the distance. He was running, transformed into a jaguar. I chased him and was about to catch him again when the wind brought me a sweet aroma. It made every hair on my body stand on end and filled me with warmth that rushed through me, making my heart race. I couldn’t help but change my path, letting the Cacique go to follow that trail that led me to a parking lot. I saw a woman from behind trying to open a car. Furthermore, I could tell she was trying to open it with a wire, which was odd. Did you lose your key?”

“No, love, the truth is I was broke, and when I passed by, I saw a suitcase full of jewels inside that car, so I was trying to open it. I was terrified when you silently appeared. I almost fainted. Likewise, I thought the police had arrived. I even imagined myself in jail.”

“When I startled you, your feminine scent mixed with your fear, and that made me even more agitated. I remember grabbing you by the shoulders, sniffing your neck, trying to figure out which clan you belonged to, and...”

“And you were disappointed to discover that I was just a human.”

“Yes, love, it was frustrating. I found out your nature, but don’t take it the wrong way. I had always assumed I’d imprint on an Alpha she-wolf from another clan, just like my father and grandfather did.”

“I remember you squeezed me. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. You were holding me so tight, sniffing me, licking my ears. Then you exhaled steam that blew my hair back and said, 'GR, it can’t be, you’re just a human.' You filled me with fear. I almost fainted.”

“Yes, love, I felt like my world was collapsing. I didn’t know it was possible for a Mate to be human.”

“Alberto, that’s what you said when you spun me around so roughly, putting us face to face, and I could see your handsome face, those eyes, and that goatee totally struck me. And you were naked, with that body, those well-toned muscles. It made me blush. For a moment, my mind flew to some steamy scenes, until you growled, saying, 'You must be a witch who’s enchanting me.' That’s when I thought you were crazy, though I didn’t rule out the idea you might take advantage of me. But then you threw me against the car, and I managed to see when you punched it and broke the door. That was incredible.”

“I remember that. Your amazement didn’t stop you from running and grabbing the bag from the car. I thought it was yours, and you were fleeing in terror. You didn’t realize I followed you all the way to your pack.”

“I lived with my mother and brothers, not in a pack. I thought I saw a huge dog following me, but I figured it was just my nerves. I convinced myself it was all a lie, probably due to stress or something in the air. Though things turned out well, I sold those jewels, bought groceries for my family, paid the rent for our place, and I felt like I had met a handsome man.”

“I suppose you mean me, because the guy who bought the jewels was too old for you. I tracked you for days, feeling like I couldn’t tear myself away from your presence. I was also curious to know what you really were, and when I discovered you were just a normal person, it shook my existence. Likewise, I couldn’t fathom it, especially since my father was making arrangements to betroth me to the daughter of an Italian Alpha.”

“She must be a very beautiful she-wolf, like the Mona Lisa.”

“She’s very beautiful, but don’t get jealous. She doesn’t compare to you. Speaking of jealousy, I had never felt such a feeling until I saw you with that boyfriend of yours, Miguel. It felt like my head was about to explode. It was as if every pore in my body was releasing steam, like a pressure cooker. I had to fight the urge to devour him, especially when I saw him with another girl near your place. I despised him so much. Furthermore, I couldn’t understand how a guy with such a beautiful girlfriend would cheat with women who couldn’t even compare to you.”

“It’s kind of funny now that I think about it.”

“Mariana, my moon, what’s funny?”

“That you followed me everywhere and the people I hung out with, plus the fact that everyone in the neighborhood knew Miguel was cheating on me, and I was the last to find out. I was so naive. I suspect you had something to do with that.”

“Mariana, love, my Mate, please don’t fall asleep. We’re almost there.”

“I thought 'Mate' was a herbal tea or a chess move, but don’t change the subject. I demand you tell me if you had anything to do with me finding out about Miguel’s infidelity and his disappearance.”