Learning New Things

For the first time in a long time, Mariana slept in her mother's room. After they spent hours talking she fell asleep,she didn't even get up to have her evening meal. When she woke up the next day,she was alone in bed. She lazily woke up and started stretching. Then some voices distracted her and she sat up in bed to listen.

"She seems okay,she slept the whole night peacefully. I know she wants to go back to school but do you think it's wise after what she just went through?" Mariana discerned this sound to be her mother's. How is that possible,she could clearly hear what her mother was saying and yet she wasn't close.

Then she heard her grandmother,"she needs to learn how to leave amongst humans. We cannot just isolate her from the rest of the world. She will have to learn to control her abilities and the only way to do that ,is to live a normal life as much as possible."

Mariana then heard footsteps and she could tell it was her mother walking around the kitchen.' Wow this is insane,I wonder what that insufferable king is doing.' She extended her senses to a certain room and heard "are you missing me this early morning. It's so nice of you to think of me now love."

Mariana almost jumped off the bed in shame. She cleared her throat and asked,"how is it possible for me to hear you and yet we are separated by so many walls."

"You are a supernatural love,all you senses are heightened. You can smell what is being cooked,you can hear people's conversations regardless of distance and if I were to touch you...let's leave that for later so you will understand what am saying." Branden said.

'Oh god!' so now it's not just my mind if I am speaking no matter the distance he can hear me.'

"And it feels so good to hear your voice. Would you like to join me for breakfast?" Branden asked a hint of amusement in his voice.

"O..Okay." Mariana's answer was short ,she then went back to her room to freshen up and change her clothes.

As she was going downstairs a thought struck her mind,Lisa! She had wanted to call her yesterday but the conversation with her mom grew intense and she forgot. She got her phone from her back pocket and dialled Lisa's number..it went straight to voicemail. 'today is Tuesday,she must be in school. I'll just text her,let her know am okay.'

She was so engrossed typing her text that she did not realize she was about to miss a step. Suddenly her body was caught by a firm grip before it hit the ground. Mariana lifted her head up to look at her saviour only to land her gaze on a beautifully sculpted chest. It was Branden,he was wearing a v-neck t-shirt making his chest visible. My did he have a gorgeous body!

"Thank you." Mariana meekly said trying to free herself from his hands. The save turned to a sort of embrace and she was confused at what it was making her feel. The two were now standing face to face staring at each other's eyes. Mariana didn't know how long they were like that coz in the next moment Branden was leaning forward.

Mariana froze as if anticipating something only for Branden to turn to her ear and whisper "watch where you are going love,I wouldn't want you to hurt your pretty face." Then he released her from his hold and stepped back. Mariana was left frozen in place. What was that?she had never felt that before. It was like her entire body was being controlled by the guy Infront of her.

"Are you ok? Branden asked which brought Mariana back from her reverie.

"Ahuh! Sorry I was just texting and...thanks for that." Mariana said ,she then looked at her phone and pressed send not minding if she had typed all that she wanted.

The two walked together towards the kitchen where Melissa and Jennifer were talking.

"Good morning mom, good morning grandma?" Mariana said and gave her mom a hug. Branden who had been left standing at a small distance just bid the two women good morning. He then asked,"can I request for my breakfast to be served in the gazebo. Mariana will also be joining me."

Melissa nodded and called to Irene. Branden did not wait for them to take the food out. He extended his hand and asked Mariana to walk with him. Surprisingly she took his hand and before leaving she smiled at her mother. Jennifer wanted to stop them,it felt like someone was taking her baby away. But she stopped herself and just smiled back.

As soon as Mariana stepped out of the door she turned to Branden and asked,"is this normal behavior,will I always be like this with you?"

"I very much hope so Mariana." Branden answered,but the way he said those words was like he truly meant it.

They got to the gazebo and Mariana asked again,"You should know,I have never been good at socializing and this is so new to me. I only have one friend called Lisa . The other people I am close to are my grandma and my mom,that's pretty much the extent of my circle.

This whole being a leader thing will be hard for me as well as getting used to you...and the...bond you talked of ." Branden listened to her without interrupting. He looked into her eyes and saw the sincerity in them.

"It's ok Mariana,I understand how you feel. If the same happened to me and I was not prepared,I would be freaking out. You are braver than most and am proud of you."

When Branden said that Mariana had a warm feeling in her chest and she smiled...was she blushing as well?

"I am going back to school,I don't know what is expected of me as a 'queen' but I hope you will teach me and be patient. She said making air quotes on the word queen.

"Mariana you are a queen,there is no doubt about that and it would be alot easier if you accepted that. You don't have to worry about me,I have made arrangements to stay in the city so that I can be around to teach you as much as I can. Also I have no plans of letting you out of my sight. You are my mate and I should be there to protect you at all times."

As Branden said these words his eyes were on Mariana's. He was so close she could almost feel his minty breadth on her skin. It was hard to deny, it felt so natural how they were interacting.

"What does it mean to be a mate?" She asked.

"Well according to what I was told,to be someone's mate is like being someone's soul mate. A bond is created between mates that connects them deeper than ordinary couples.

A mate bond is meant to strengthen not just the feelings towards each other ,it is meant to increase strength. When we are mated I will be able to locate you no matter where you are. Even if you were to cross the oceans,I would be able to find you."

"So we haven't formed a bond yet?" Mariana asked.

"Right now the beasts inside us know we are mated but we have not yet sealed the bond. It's ....a little complicated..." Branden explained.

"How?" Mariana asked.

"I will tell you about it some other time,for now you need to know about yourself."

Irene and Ivet excused themselves so they could bring in the food. They had a pot of coffee,meat and some snacks,after they placed them on the table they curtsied and left.

Branden noticed how Mariana was eyeing the food and said,"You should have realized by now that you have more appetite than before. You body requires more energy so food will be essential. Your sense of smell is also heightened,if I asked you to name the ingredients in this snacks you would."

Mariana closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. 'Ginger,nutmeg and vanilla ' her grandmother's special cookies. She opened her eyes and looked at branded , excitement in her eyes. "How is it possible?"

"As I told you,your senses are heightened. You can hear clearly,see better even in the dark,your reflexes will also be quicker. Your sense of touch.."as Branden said that he trailed his hand along Mariana's arm and she felt goosebumps. An electric feeling run up her spine. 'This is too much' she thought.

"Let's eat ok."

Mariana and Branden spent the better part of that day talking,asking questions and answering them. He told her about her lioness side and what to expect,like how getting angry is dangerous if she doesn't learn how to control it.

That evening they went back to the city, Branden was picked up by someone who did not let Mariana see his face. Mariana went with her mother. She was determined to go to school,she had already missed two days. She was also missing Lisa.