《Taming the Queen of Beasts》Chapter 33:Under the Weeping Tree - Part 1
Advertisement
AARYN
Aaryn let himself smile... until he caught Elreth's expression. He inhaled, trying desperately to scent what that meant—the emotions chased each other across her features too quickly for him to catch.
But one thing was certain. She wasn't happy.
"Alpha-male bullshit," she growled. "Dargyn, go home. I need to speak with Aaryn."
Gwyn gripped her hand then in an expression of support, and Aaryn's eyebrows popped up as Elreth turned and gave her hug. He'd thought Gwyn would never encourage Elreth towards him. And he'd been sure Elreth was kind of tired of Gwyn. But he couldn't fault her for the choice. Gwyn was loyal to a fault—and very steady under pressure.
She also had a tenacity that he wished was applied anywhere but himself.
"Goodnight," Elreth said to Gwyn as Dargyn slunk away to the staircase to leave through the market. "And thank you."
Gwyn nodded and gave a flat smile, then she looked at Aaryn, her eyes unreadable.
As soon as she turned away, Aaryn finally looked at Elreth, who stared back at him, her blue eyes large pools of confusion, anger, and fear.
Aaryn swallowed. "Can we… go?" he whispered.
She nodded and let him take her hand and lead her to the stairs behind him and out the door into the dark night before she yanked out of his grip, hissed, "I'll see you at the Tree," then leapt into beast form and ran.
Aaryn sighed, but it was for the best. She would be calmer if she'd had a chance to be alone. Tired as he was, he pushed into a jog on the trails so she wouldn't have to wait a long time for him.
And as he ran, he prayed.
*****
He'd barely parted the leaves and blossom curtain on the weeping tree to step underneath, barely caught sight of her pacing the dirt near the trunk, before she turned and launched herself at him.
Advertisement
"How could you? How COULD YOU?" she snarled, shoving his chest.
He caught her wrists, and held them, but only to keep her from harming him. He understood her anger—and her need vent it.
"Elreth—"
She pulled out of his grip. "You told me my whole life that I was destined for this! You applauded my dreams and encouraged them. You shared them! You said I was the one to bring the Anima to integration with the disformed—that was you, Aaryn! You said you shared my dreams. You said you'd be there to help!"
"I know, and I will, but—"
"You've said you wanted me dominant for years, and now I am, and you're going to abandon me?!"
"Of course not!"
"No!"
She snorted. "There is no one in my mind better than you to do this job, Aaryn. So why? Why would you embarrass me that way? Why would you undermine me like that?!"
"I did not intend to undermine you," he growled, his hands clenching at his sides. He had to stay calm. He had to—
"Is this about me mating with Dargyn? Is that how petty you've become?"
"WHAT?!" he snarled, his own fury breaking free. "You really believe I would—? I don't want to be your Cohort, Elreth. I don't want to be… restricted that way. Is that so hard to understand?"
She gaped. "This is… male pride? Are you serious? I thought you of all people—you're saying you don't want to be under the authority of a female?"
"Are you fucking serious, Elreth?"
"Yes, I'm serious! You left me there! In front of everyone! You humiliated me!" she shoved his chest again and he caught her wrists.
"What about me? What about what you were doing to me?" he snarled.
Advertisement
"What? HONORING YOU?" She threw her hands up so he'd let her go.
"You were putting me in a box, Elreth, and you know it," he hissed through his teeth.
"HOW? Why wouldn't you want to be in a position to influence the people—to show them what the disformed can do?"
"I didn't say I didn't want that, I said I don't want to be your Cohort," he snarled.
"You're not making sense!"
"Your Cohort, Elreth. Yours! Not anyone else's. I do not want to be YOUR Cohort!"
"Why not?"
"BECAUSE I WANT MORE FROM YOU!" His heart stuttered, then roared ahead, racing. He'd said it. He'd done it. She was finally going to have to face it…
But Elreth stopped, blinking. She wasn't afraid. She was confused. He could smell it.
She opened her mouth, but hesitated. "I don't… I don't understand," she said more quietly, her eyes scanning back and forth like she was searching for something. "What could I possibly give you that was more than that?"
Aaryn's mouth fell open.
Deep down, he'd always assumed she kind of did know about his feelings, but wanted to ignore them. That she chose denial because she didn't want him the way he wanted her. That she'd known what she was doing when she tried to appoint him as Cohort.
Was it possible she really was that oblivious?
"Elreth… please…" he said, his voice gentle and pleading. He met her startled gaze and just… let himself feel. Let himself wallow in the warmth and joy that spun in his chest every time she smiled. Let himself breathe her scent that was his favorite smell in the world—grass, the blue flowers that only bloomed in spring, and something that was just… her. He let himself feel his certainty that she was the one for him—and his pain that she couldn't see it.
He let it all wash over him until he was forced to suck in a breath to try to ease the ache that consumed him.
And he saw the second his meaning entered her mind, and confusion gave way to shock.
And he prayed.
Advertisement
- In Serial13 Chapters
A Beautiful Catastrophe
“Do you have regrets in life? As for me, of course I do. Lots of them in fact—my short life span, wasted youth, unfulfilled potential, and worse, no love life. If you’re given a chance to live once more, will you take it? You bet I will! And this time… I’ll make sure to do all the things I want! Live my dreams and fulfill my potential! This time… I’ll make sure to be happy—and maybe, fall in love too.” - Senara Lee Synopsis: “You are the author of your life. It is your choice to either fill it with joy or tragedy.” A dying woman reminisces on her short life and comes to regret not doing the things she likes—always sacrificing her own happiness for her family. On her deathbed, she whispers her wishes to a friend. “If only I could go back in time… I’ll make sure to live my life for my sake and not somebody else’s.” Little did she know that her impossible wish would come true with the help of a mysterious woman. And in her second chance at life, she meets a certain problematic person… “Kaiden Ma.” Both the goal and envy of many men around the world, this young and handsome genius, who is also the heir to “Red Dragon Holdings”, has a little problem. One—he is way too grumpy; and two—he is mysophobic. With his family pushing him in a relationship, the problem escalated. For how can he possibly be in a relationship if he can’t even touch anyone? Due to this, he is forced to look for a suitable “pretend” partner. “Senara Lee. I’d like to offer you a deal.” “Hm? A deal? What deal?” “I need a fake girlfriend and you’re the only one who’s trustworthy enough to assume the position. Be my girlfriend for a year and I’ll make one of your books into a movie.” “For real?! You bet I’m in! Anything for my babies!” (babies—she’s referring to her books, yes, she calls them her babies). And so, their hilarious and catastrophic game begins… Well, at least until the “Guardians of Fate” comes in. ============ FOLLOW ME and add me to your FAVOURITES if you like the story and leave me a review! ~ Update Schedule: 1 chapter daily ~ ============ FOLLOW ME ON: Facebook Page: Macy_Bae Instagram: author_macy_bae Youtube: Macy_Bae Spotify: Macy Bae Commissioned Cover done by @cyuuri21 You can follow here on Instagram by searching her username
8 186 - In Serial20 Chapters
PAINTER'S MODEL
[✉] Yandere male x Female reader ✒ A short book that contains the story of a female model who has been assigned to be a subject for a famous artist's painting.___➢ This story rightfully belongs to @WITTYC4MELLI4. The artworks included in this book do not belong to me, it goes to their rightful owners or artists. This story may also contain sensitive topics, thus readers must beware. Also, beware for shitty writing.
8 204 - In Serial9 Chapters
Erind x Deen Alternate Reality Spin-Off of REND
Main Story: REND Due to popular demand of readers of REND, I'm writing a non-canon spin-off to pair Erind Hartwell, the main character, and Amber Deen Leska, (probably) the most popular side character of the story. I separated this from the main story because a romantic type of relationship between these two is not possible there. It'll be mostly light-hearted, slow progression of Erind and Deen's relationship, will mostly be fluffy interaction with maybe some adult scenes here and there.
8 215 - In Serial9 Chapters
Big Brother
Amber Marley was a normal 16 year old girl. Until her mother remarries, and she meets her new big brother, Luke.Things get a little more complicated in her life....°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°
8 86 - In Serial15 Chapters
Lust || Miraculous Ladybug
In Collège Françoise Dupont, Adrien Agreste is known to be the highschool's bad boy. He has a pretty face, but so handsome that every living soul with a preference has to take a double take when passing him, almost everywhere. Obviously, with this kind of power, he used this to his advantage and pretends to care for those who are so head-over-heals for him. After a new student arrives, Adrien finds something out. Not everyone is attracted to a pretty face. Maybe the reason why he fools everyone is maybe he wanted to get them back. Or he was just... scared. And never wanted to love anyone, ever again.
8 77 - In Serial57 Chapters
Don't Make Me Fall For You [SUGA Fanfiction]
"I didn't ask you to fall for me, President Min."He took one look at her and he knew she was a perfect kind of trouble not to mess with. A kind heart with a bad attitude.Y/n, a toxic lover, only seeking for love. What she want was only to get back to his first love and take vengeance on him for shattering her heart. Just a confidential contract with President Min was enough for the two bitter souls to start a new but will y/n's shattered heart ever be cure?Yoongi was already warned not to fall for her but will his fragile heart listen to him?BTS Suga X Reader________#Achievements/Awards2nd Place in #THE WINTER FANFIC AWARD2nd Place in #Crystal Snow Awards 20213rd Place in #Butter Awards 20213rd Place in #Sliver Rose Awards 20213rd Place in #Smooth Like Butter Awards 2021Highest Rankings #1 in sugaxreader#1 in minyoongixreader#1 in seoulkorea#1 in bangtanstories
8 84