The Morning After

All the elders except Charles,bid farewell. They decided that there was nothing else they could talk about or do as long as their leaders were still in beast form. Charles who seemed to be their senior, instructed them to come back the following day as they still had a lot to discuss.

Jennifer and Melissa,who had been left in the back yard,walked towards the gazebo. They had decided to observe the pair from a distance.

It was almost midnight when they saw the lions approach the site which had been prepared with the offerings. The lions took interest in one of the basket and Jennifer recognized it. It was the one with meat. And they started eating it! Raw!

Jennifer cringed her face and looked at Melissa,"she is even eating raw meat? Is she still human?"

"Well yes and no,in her beast form, Mariana will do things as a beast but when she turns back,it would be hard to even picture her as a lion because she will be back to herself." Melissa replied.

These two stayed there till the lions changed back to their human form.

****

Mariana had never felt so tired and energized, at the same,in her entire life. It was strange because when she accepted her beast form,it actually felt nice. She was free. All her worries gone. It was just her and the lion by her side,Negus or is it Branden. She wasn't clear on who to address.

After their run through the woods,they found the baskets of food at the foot of the sacred tree. Negus chose the basket of meat and Nigist joined him. Mariana exclaimed,"wait! That meat is raw,are you really going to eat that!?"

"Of course,why? Is it revolting? You haven't tasted it yet. Nigist will surely like it." Branden told her.

"Oh God...hear we go.." Mariana said .

Nigist took a bite after Negus,she chewed then swallowed. Mariana received the shock of her life because she thought she won't be able to taste it,it was.. surprisingly good. How was that even possible!

They both ate to their fill,and after they were done, they walked towards the house. Irene and Ivet, being the loyal servants they were,opened the back door for the two. And as if their mind was in sinc,both of them climbed the stairs and headed to Mariana's room.

It was almost dawn but the sun hadn't risen yet." It's time to change back." Branden said.

"And how do I do that?" Mariana asked.

"Just will it,and your body will do the rest."

Branden told her.

Mariana closed her eyes,so to speak,and imagined herself in her human form. And just like that she was back to herself....naked!

"Aaaahh!" Mariana screamed out,only to raise her head and see the naked form of a beautiful human.

"Aaaahh!" She screamed again.

"Keep it down please my queen,I have sensitive ears." Branden said,with a mischievous smile on his face.

Mariana tried to cover up using her hands,and turn away so that she doesn't see the nakedness of this man Infront of her. But it was like he actually wanted to be looked at because in the next minute he was standing Infront of her,not doing anything to cover up.

"Are you shy my queen? It's just me,I don't mind you looking at me. After all,it's only you who can."

Mariana did not want to look,but somehow her eyes had a mind of their own. She looked at him and the first thing that she saw was definitely not his eyes. It was his member..hanging gracefully in all it's glory.

This was too much for her to handle...so she shut her eyes and called out to the servants,

"Ivet, Irene are you there?"

Branden chuckled softly and walked towards the bed. There were two robes neatly folded on top of it. He grabbed one and put it on,then he walked towards Mariana who still had her eyes closed.

He put the robe on her shoulder and said,"how can I put this on you with your hands folded around your chest? Unless you want us to stay this way."

Mariana opened one eye and sighed after seeing Branden had already covered up. She unfolded her arms one at a time putting on the robe.

Mariana moved away from him feeling uncomfortable at their closeness. Branden stood in place, still staring at her. He had not seen her well enough yesterday as he found her in the middle of transformation.

"You are so beautiful Mariana. If I had known you were this beautiful,I would have come to get you long time ago. Branden said.

Mariana felt her heart beat go wild.'what is this feeling ' she thought.

"It's your heart telling me what you feel without you saying anything" Branden said making Mariana look at him with surprise written all over her face.

"Can you read my thoughts? Mariana asked.

"Our minds are linked, I can hear what you think and feel even from far away. You can lock me out,but since you haven't trained yet it will be hard to hide anything from me." Branden answered with a smirk smile on his face.

"That's so not fair! How did you learn how to do it? Wait where did you come from,and how were you able to do what you did yesterday? I was feeling like my entire body was exploding and you told me to let go and It was better. Mariana bombarded him with questions.

I know you have so many questions and I will answer all of them. Just know that we are connected by something much more stronger than just being shape shifters. I want to explain things to you slowly so that you understand. If I told you some of the things about us while we are standing here,like this,you would think I want to take advantage of you.

Mariana couldn't agree more. "I'll go take a shower,I might not be the one who was running but for some reason I feel sweaty." Mariana said walking towards the side door connected to the bathroom.

"Would you like me to join you? I kinda feel dirty as well." Branden said a wide grin painting his lips

"Mariana's heart skipped a bit then she remembered what Branden had said about their bond. She immediately acted as though that had no effect on her and said,"your mind is dirtier than your body! Go find someplace else to clean yourself!" She walked in the bathroom and locked the door.

She leaned on it and sighed heavily then unknowingly she thought 'you just met the guy Mariana,get a grip

"I heard that!" Branden said.

"Ugh! I thought you had left already!"

"Not yet love."