Everything seemed to be covered in white mist. It was making me feel weak and unable to think straight. But my body was burning, itching and yearning for his touch. I didn't even realize that I had my hand stretched out for the man in front of me until he gently took my hand. I could only see, smell and feel his touch. He was the only one that mattered. Electricity shocked my body causing me to whine while craving more and more of his touch.

I didn't even realize that Sebastian already released me. In a matter of seconds, I was in the man's arms. Immediately, my pain in my back disappeared, and I felt peace for the first time in weeks. Nothing else mattered. I put my face in the crook of his neck and inhaled. God, he smelled so good and he was so warm to the touch. Feeling comfortable and safe, I started to drift into sleep. His smell was not only enveloping senses but also my body. Gradually, I relaxed, and I couldn’t keep fighting my eyelids anymore.

•••

I groaned and turned around until I hit something hard. When I thought it was the wall, it started to breathe. A wall was breathing? Confused, I slowly opened my eyes before being blinded by the sunlight. I put my hand on my eyes to protect them from the sun. When they adapted to the light, the first thing I saw was a naked chest. Why were Sebastian and I sharing the same beds? But the chest was too tanned and muscled to be Sebastian’s. So, I looked up and saw a man I had never seen before. Instead of panicking, I stayed calm since I felt like I always knew him. Plus, his smell was so familiar. He was definitely not a stranger. Then, I saw his wings and it was at this moment that I started to panic.

"Shit, Sebastian?!" I shouted as I jumped out of the bed.

I heard someone running, but I was concentrated to search for my bow. I froze when two arms went around my waist before pulling me into his chest. He started to sniffle my neck while mumbling something incomprehensible. Then, Sebastian burst in while slamming the door open.

"Keith, what's wrong?" he asked out of breath, and it seemed like he also just got out of bed. However, he seemed to relax when he saw us.

"Sebastian, w-who's that? And why an I-Ignis member is on our land?" I asked while trying to push the stranger away from me.

He coughed as if he was trying to get the man's attention. "To make it simple... He's your mate. Well, that's what you said yesterday," he grumbled while crossing his arms.

"M-my m-mate?? H-how?"

"Our smell my angel," the man finally said. "And don't you feel the pull between us? I can barely contain myself to not take you in my arms and go dance in the air.”

I thought about what the man said and it made sense. Back then, I saw two members of our hunting group discover that they were mates. They both literally courted each other with some acrobatics. So, maybe that was the reason why my back started to hurt yesterday since there was still one to two weeks before the end of the month. And even if I couldn't really remember what happened yesterday after talking to the little girl, I still remembered the smell of something incredibly delicious.

I turned around, so I could see my mate more clearly. I examined his features and I had to admit not only did he smell good, but he was also very handsome. He had dark short hair. His eyes were brown, but there were some sparks of red in them, almost like fire. Even when his wings were retracted, they looked powerful and intimidating. They were in a deep shade of red before degrading to a darker shade at the tip of his wings. In short, everything about him screamed masculinity and his look was giving him an aura of mystery.

"What's your name?" I shyly asked while playing with my fingers.

"Ryan Manson and what about you, my angel?" he asked confidently as my heart skipped a beat only at the mention of his name.

"Keith Vanburen," I answered shyly mesmerized by his eyes as he hummed. I heard the door close, but I didn't pay much attention to it. "Your eyes are beautiful," I commented out loud and when I realized what I said, I blushed.

"And you're perfect," he answered as he lifted my chin up with his fingers as I frowned at him.

I wasn't perfect. I lost my wings, and I was now only a mere human. Plus, I wasn't as good as the others while hunting or fighting. I already lost the only thing I was good at. I bet my mate wasn't happy with me. He was only being nice out of pity. He will reject me once he knows that I committed a crime. Not everyone knew that I took my dad’s punishment. So in their eyes, I was a criminal. They only saw me as someone that was bad enough to lose my wings. Not to forget that Ryan and I were enemies. Our clans couldn't support each other and if someone saw him in our territory who knew what could happen.

I could feel tears accumulating in my eyes, so I turned my head away while walking away from him. I started to pack my things in silence still trying to swallow my unshed tears. I had finally found my mate, but it wasn’t in the way I imagined it. He must be disappointed and disgusted. We can’t be together. This was all Daniel’s fault! The more I thought about it, the more I started to hate him. If he only didn't attack the King, I would at least be more suitable for Ryan. I wouldn’t need to be ashamed by my appearance.

I hate him.

I want to kill him.

I hate him.

I want to kill him.

I hate him.

I want to kill him.

I hate him.

I want to kill him.

My venomous thoughts were cut off when Ryan's took me into his arms again. Instinctively, I relaxed into his touch.

"Keith, calm down. I don't know what happened to you, but the fact that you don't have your wings don't bother me at all. You're still my beautiful and perfect little angel," he kissed my cheek. "And if you want to fly, I can always take you into my arms."

I blushed when I imagined myself in his arms while flying in the sky. I looked down hoping my hair was covering my face.

"H-how did you know what I was thinking?" I whispered.

"You were talking out loud and don't worry about what could happen between our two Kingdoms. If anything happens, I will take care of it, okay?" he explained while gently rubbing my back as I nodded. "Now, I suppose you were heading somewhere? Because your friend has been waiting outside for a while now."

As soon as he mentioned Sebastian, I went to the window and opened it. I saw my friend waiting near a tree. He seemed to be very bored, so I quickly packed the rest of my things before dashing out of the house. When I passed in front of the family that accommodated us, I thanked them before joining my friend. When I finally arrived, Ryan was already there. The two of them were talking... More like arguing about something.

"I'm sorry Sebastian... To have made you wait," I panted while trying to catch my breath.

"No problem so shall we go now?" he smiled at me as I nodded. "And it seems like Ryan will be following us," he mumbled the last part not pleased at all.

I wasn't expecting that at all. So I stood there looking at their back still confused by what my friend said. Ryan was going to join us? Even when he didn't know the reason for our travel nor the time, it would take?

"What are you waiting for? If you don't hurt, we will leave you behind," shouted my friend while waving at me.

Pushing my questions aside, I ran toward them. Maybe Ryan Manson was telling the truth. Maybe he wasn't displeased with me even if I did not have wings. Maybe he really accepted me as his mate.