Whenever negative thoughts invaded me, I tried to push them away by indulging myself in Alijah. Once we were done eating, I helped brush his long hair before braiding it again. My heart stung when I used the same cloth he used to hold it together.
Part of me wanted to ask if Lilith had given it to him, but the answer scared me.
What would I do if she gave it to you? Can I make you throw it away or replace it? No… Stupid Rem.
It didn't concern me if he wanted to wear something to remember her. Even though the jealousy growing within me wanted it gone, I held back every comment that wished it disappeared. When I finished, I pulled away, only for him to catch me.
In one tug, I found myself on his lap.
"Where do you think you are going?" my wolf asked, holding me close.
"Ah… I-I was going to put the brush away," I answered, trying to hide the truth.
He picked up my hair in his hands before licking the back of my neck, triggering shivers down my spine.
"Why? Don't you want me to brush yours?" He huffed, grabbing onto one of my breasts.
His other hand held me in place so I couldn't run away. I had opened the gateway to endless teases when I said to him he could touch me however he wanted.
Not that I mind them.
"Y-You... want to d-do that?" I stuttered, trying to keep my cool.
Alijah smiled, nodding his head. "Why wouldn't I?" he tilted his head, grabbing the brush off my hands.
At least I'm glad you aren't asking to touch me anymore. Wait… didn't he usually tease without asking either? Great, now I don't know if you are serious or not.
"I don't know, thank you, though." I smiled as he shook his head.
"Just look at this mess." Alijah huffed, detangling my slightly mattered hair. "You need to take better care of it."
"I know! It's just second in my—ouch!" I growled as he shrugged.
"If you didn't let it tangle, you wouldn't feel that." He scolded as I felt nothing more like a child.
Come to think of it, how many times did you treat me like this when I was younger? You really are…
He probably thought I was some crazy bitch with everything I had told him, and I was one.
Nothing like how your sweet Lilith was. Argh, I have no chance to win your heart.
There, I sat silently, allowing him to brush my hair.
You know… You'd be a pretty good dad. Too bad Lilith isn't compatible with you, and I'm… probably infertile, so an oopsie would never happen. But… can I… imagine one?
Unable to help it, I reached toward my abdomen.
It still feels hot in there, but I know nothing will ever come of it.
Before I knew it, he tied my hair up with something.
"Hah... it works like the lady said it would," Alijah chuckled.
Huh?
When I touched my tied hair, it felt scrunchy, with what looked like a cloth flower.
What?
My eyes shifted towards the black wolf, who smiled in return.
A man who had killed many did a girl's hair like nothing. You really… This world made you into a killer; you weren't born one, were you, Alijah?
"Yep, perfect. It's a miracle how it survived that fight in my pocket. I saw it when I went to get your bag from the cave." He traced his hand on my cheek.
How can the cold Alijah warm my heart in ways I thought impossible? How will I ever… stop loving you?
When we were in the first town, he wouldn't talk to anyone unless they addressed themselves directly to him, but somehow, he bought something by himself—something that wasn't even for personal use. My heart was conquered long ago, but this made me feel ecstasy.
"It's a black scrunchy with a white gardenia on it. It's made from fabric, though. So, it can get dirty easily." He cleared his throat.
"Alijah…" I trailed off, feeling my heart filled with him.
"The lady was trying to sell it to me so hard, telling me how girls loved it, but I only cared if you would like it. It suits you. Pure, little Rem." Alijah said, his cheeks rosy, as an enormous smile rose on my lips.
This was a delight I thought I could never hold on to.
"I love it. I'll cherish it." I beamed, happily hugging him.
My love for him was eternal. There was no way I would ever hate him, even when he was tired of me. That was a hope I would have to let go of.
Every day, you suck me deeper into this love. I'm doomed.
My dreams were nothing compared to the real thing in front of me.
How will I ever let go of you if you keep doing things like this? Ah... yes, for your happiness. For that, I'll do anything. Even letting you go as it kills me.
"Ah... you don't have to go that far. It's just an accessory. Plus, your hair was impeding everything." Alijah shrugged, shifting his gaze towards the side.
Though his cheeks were pink, and his expression was adorable. My wolf was embarrassed, and I enjoyed that moment to the fullest.
"It's more than just that," I assured him.
He cocked his head again as I couldn't let go of the happiness that was surging within me. I grabbed the hand still on my cheek before fully leaning on it.
I never want to let go of this warmth. It's my escape. My love. My everything. You're my world.
"I love you, Alijah." I simpered, feeling happy with these moments.
I didn't know my expression, but he yanked me into a kiss that led to much more.
Hey Alijah, gardenias symbolize purity and gentleness. Did you know that when you picked one out for me? I doubt it.
If he had known the meaning of the flower, he would've probably picked something else. There wasn't a pure or gentle bone in my body. The only reason I knew the meaning of the flower was because of Vera's friends and their stupid gossip.
It was more of an elven tradition than for Lycans, though.
No, for us, wolves. All that mattered was the blood moon and its glorious powers.
After another moment of passion, my hair and Alijah's were ruined again as we lay bare on the ground, surrounded by stars in the sky. There was nothing warmer than being in each other's arms. We dipped in the lake that night before returning to each other's embrace.
His present had become a bracelet while we fucked. That was our last memory in the bioluminescent lake before we took our leave, even though it was sad to say goodbye to the beauty right before us.
There were many more wondrous places to visit on our journey. Plus, taking another day there would've put us dangerously close to being found by Aiden and Caden.
Those two are surely not far behind us.
Thankfully, Alijah's speed had placed us days away from them. The elven nation was also big enough to hide us for years if no one saw us or got our scent. That alone was hard to track, thanks to the windy winds that Azear was known for.
It wasn't long before we found ourselves in the next village, where I bought another costume to hide from all the wanted papers spread around every town. Luckily, it was Alijah's picture that my mother had drawn, allowing me to sneak primarily undetected.
My family didn't want people to know that their daughter was missing. If they caught me, they would surely try to ransom me to the highest bidder. Even so, I had to do something about my hair, which was easily remedied by buying a new wig and clothes and accessories for us to wear.
The people at the shop looked at me like I was crazy, but luckily, no one called the authorities since I ultimately paid for the stuff.
How did I get all this money? Easy... I kind of stole it from the safe from the manor when everyone left me behind to go on their hunt for Alijah, but in my defense, they wouldn't allow me to work. So I had no choice!
I wanted to go on this journey, and nothing in this world was free. Plus, it wasn't like it mattered.
Aside from the vampires in Night City, the Silver Fang family was the most powerful in the world, so my chunk of cash didn't affect them. After buying everything I needed, I scurried to where I had left my wolf near the village's edge.
Like always, he was keeping to himself, watching people pass. Once he noticed me, we headed to the nearest inn before buying a room. I always had to talk while the grump stood beside me, trying not to attract much attention.
Luckily, being as free-spirited as always, ocean elves didn't care to look at him closely. After finally making it to the rented room, our night of passion started in the bathroom before finishing in bed.
I had slept on Alijah for three days straight, so the bed felt comfortable but not as warm as his. It didn't matter; his heat transferred to me through our skin.
But if I could, I would make you my permanent bed. Unlike me, you slept on the ground, so the bed must be a blessing.
However, the affectionate wolf didn't let go of me the entire night. Giggles left me the whole time we were together, as the affection left me euphoric. Ultimately, it didn't matter if I was camping in the woods or an inn; I slept surrounded by his warmth.
The next morning, we spent the day eating at different places.
Or, as Alijah liked to say, I was stuffing him with random things—foods he had never eaten or experienced before.
We spent months traveling to different places and each night in each other's arms. It felt like we were on a honeymoon trip around the world, and at one point, I forgot why I was doing this. His affection had drowned my senses.
I mewled under Alijah every night, expressing how much I loved him. The air around him became lighter each day, making me forget how dangerous he was, though I never let go of his leash.
Somewhere in the moments of happiness, I kept that up.
However, my wolf never asked me to hurt anyone else during the months that we traveled. We had decided not to spend much time in Azear because of how hot it would be to stay. So, we left the nation the day after our passionate night in the inn.
Of course, we avoided airships like the plague, but with Alijah's speed, they were not needed. Another thing to prevent was big cities if we wanted to avoid Cerberus. This meant we were in rural areas rather than densely populated ones.
From a forest full of crystal butterflies and caves full of wonder in Niamoor to the raging lava rivers and volcanos in Zent, Niamoor was the Nature elven continent that housed one of the prettiest forests I had ever seen.
Butterflies, fairies, and even translucent dears made up their flora, reminding me I had never seen a fairy be so angry. Even the stupid videos from forums never showed them like this. They were like glowing little fireflies that sparked off magic whenever anyone got too close.
Their shimmer was long-lasting and came in an array of colors. At times, it felt like I was seeing rainbows flying around. Sadly, they didn't speak our language. In fact, they didn't speak at all. We had stumbled upon them by mistake when we exited the forest.
It was a small flock of them, though they weren't happy to see us. Usually, intruders weren't suitable for their flowers; without them, they couldn't have lived. This was the main reason they could only be found in elven lands.
Every other race was too destructive for them to live in peace, and the flowers were the way they birthed others. Their diminutive nature caused Alijah to keep away from them, too. It was enjoyable to see him skittish around them.
Truthfully, though, he thought they were too beautiful to mess with. The flowers in Niamoor also had varieties I had never seen. Most of them glowed through the night, making it seem like we were walking among the stars.
Unlike the ocean elves we met, the elves that made their home there were kind people. I never expected them to be so welcoming, but they also seemed in tune with the surrounding ecosystems. It was also excellent to see them grow vegetables with their magic even when they weren't in season.
Let me tell you, the food there was also excellent! Hah, if only you three were here to experience this with us. Caden, Aiden, and Vera… I miss you, but I'm not willing to give up this freedom or my beloved wolf just yet.
Just a bit longer... Then I'll come home...