Fray

I spend the whole next day practically running around the human den, trying to find a way in that is inconspicuous enough that it won't cause a flood of males to come barreling over to attack me. And it's not because of the reason that the female gave me, it's because I wouldn't want to hurt her by killing every male in the building to get to her.

It would be so easy, I was told by Torint before I left that humans are extremely delicate. They have a threat level 1. That means that I must be hyper careful around the precious females, but that I can use their fragile nature to my advantage if I'm challenged in a fight by one of their males.

Our power far exceeds a human's, most Rytarians boast about their threat level. It's a rank to many. A sign of their value. My threat level is 117, which is very high. The highest threat level among Rytarian kind belongs to Barre, a wild gladiator warrior that lives in solitude. I haven't seen him in years, but he still holds the record of a 154 threat level. He is lethal, and many stay far away from him.

Then, there is Soleil to think about. A threat level 1 is frighteningly small. I have no idea how to touch her, or approach her, since she is so very little and soft. I love to look at her, crave to hear the sound of her fascinating voice. Her body is so round and giving, her hair wavy and dark, her eyes so deep brown that I'm in danger of drowning in them.

Her name is odd, but I found myself repeating it over and over outloud to myself as soon as I knew it. The more I hear the name come out of my mouth, the more I love to say it.

But the more I see Soleil through that window, the more frustrated I become. I want to see her. Really see her. I want to feel her. Otherwise, I'm not sure she is real. She could be a dream. Her beauty is something that might only exist in dreams.

It's not a good thing, me becoming obsessed with this female. I want her. I want her so bad that I am willing to jeopardize the whole mission just to lay one finger on her. It's insane, but if it's crazy then why do I feel like it's so right?

I can't stop rounding the building and plotting what I am going to do. I know Soleil warned me, but my will is too strong to just leave her alone in there.

It's only now that I notice I'm being followed.

"What do you want, Locanas?" I wonder, glancing at him over my shoulder as I stop my pacing. He's right behind me, his arms folded over his chest as he narrows his harsh, blue eyes at me.

"I'm trying to figure out what our General is doing, but I can't figure out what it is since you gave us very clear orders to not invade the human den." He murmurs, flicking his gaze to the high gates imprisoning our prize. "It wouldn't make sense that you are appraising it as if you will raid it at any moment."

I turn my head away, trying to hide my expression. I'm not shocked that he is observant. Locanas has always been smart. I just thought no one would notice since the many other warriors here are content to wait around as they fantasize about having a female of their own.

"I'm just making sure that I know all sides of the den so that I am familiar with the layout. I don't plan on breaking in. Do not worry. I have a plan, and I am going to stand by it." It's only half a lie, I'm trying to stick to my plan, but I'm fighting the urge to go against it every second that I remember Soleil.

There's always a question in the back of my mind if this is fair to the others. I basically have a head start. Meeting Soleil wasn't in my plans, but it happened. I have a better chance at getting a mate than the other Rytarian males. I don't plan on letting go of her either. I want to pursue her properly, court her, plead with her to be my mate.

Afraid that my thoughts will somehow manifest on my face, I nod at Locanas as a signal that the conversation is over. He doesn't fight me, or question me further. So I take my leave. I turn, striding in the opposite direction. I find myself at the very edge of the woods, not too far from the human dwelling.

I watch silently from afar as I plot in the depths of my mind. The warriors on my team come and go from their tents, all of them looking towards the den with fascination. We've been here for almost 3 days, and a human has yet to leave the fortress. It's strange. They are so very determined to stay far away from us. There isn't a doubt in my mind that they are scared of us.

Even so, they should still at least try to face us. Are they not curious about our appearance at their den? Do these humans fear us so entirely that they will not even try to speak with us?

I recall when I spoke with Soleil last night. She said that the humans have no weapons. In my mind, a human is basically useless without a weapon to protect themselves, threat level 1 and all...

It would be so easy to sneak in and steal Soleil. I could just snatch her without a fight. It would be too quick and simple.

I push the thought away as the sun sets past the horizon, and the others head off to their nests to sleep as the night begins. Though my body wants rest after a day of being on my feet for countless hours, and my mind racing endlessly, my heart begs for something else. I have to see her again. I can only dream that she will be there again.

Once I'm sure that the coast is clear, I slip away. Locanas is nowhere to be seen, and I'm positive I'm the only one that's awake. There are no lights from inside the tents, no evidence of life on the other side of the gate in the human den.

Now is my chance.

I waste no time. I'm quick, quicker than I've been in a long time. I've never really been this excited, so I blame my speed on that. I'm over the fence and at the window in no time.

She's not here. I sigh. Not yet, she's not here yet, I have to remind myself. I waited for her last night, and she appeared. It will happen again. I know it will. It has to, because I don't know what I'm going to do if it doesn't.

I wait, and I wait. Time seems to pass extremely slow as I stand in the warm night air. The stars shine overhead, only reminding me of her. That's what brought us together. If Soleil hadn't come here to look at the stars, we wouldn't have met. It's a troubling thought. I silently thank the burning balls of gas forged by the Gods. They brought us together.

My ears tingle when she approaches, hearing her light footsteps. She's here. Again. It's only the third time that I've seen her, but I feel like I've known her forever. I also have the desire for more. I want to see her all day, not just these stolen moments in the dark.

"My sweet female." I murmur in amazement. Even if she can't comprehend a word out of my mouth, she looks way up at me and she smiles.

"Hi, Fray." She says my name with a lilt. I love the sound of it when she's the one saying it.

"Soleil." I rumble in acknowledgment. My voice is reverent to pay respect to her. She's a female. A majestic creature that represents everything good and pure in the universe.

Her face brightens. Her gaze locking on me like I'm somehow important. If she thinks that I'm worthy, I will try everyday to be that for her.

Being here with her only fuels my desire to break in and make her mine. But I don't make it obvious like last time. My female is smart, she picked up on the fact that I was observing the building with interest. I feel as if she has to understand my desire to get to her. I'm here, aren't I? Is that not a sign enough for my already growing devotion to her.

She sighs, and I flick my eyes up in a second to see her beautiful, rounded face. Soleil looks sad. I frown. No one so special should be so full of sorrow. She is too young to have such a burden.

"What saddens you, little thing? Why are you troubled?" I wonder out loud, putting my hand on the hard glass and wishing more than anything that I could shatter the barrier just so I could touch her face.

She won't look at me, not even after my questions. Soleil simply stares at her feet. I look down to see that her feet are bare, no covering protecting them. I smile a bit at that. Her feet and toes are so small. It is adorable.

Finally, she shifts, and now she is brave enough to speak.

"I want this, I really do. But I don't think it can happen. I don't know if we'll be able to see each other. There's no way. If I get caught trying to escape.... I don't want you to get hurt. I couldn't take that risk." She explains, and I find myself becoming more frantic.

I want to explain. I want to tell her that I'm in no danger from her kind.

"You don't understand. I am powerful, I have nothing to fear from your males. Let them try. I will best every one of them. You will see." I tell her, but she doesn't look appeased by my words. Of course not. She can't decipher what I'm saying, not even a bit.

"Please. Do not leave. I'll do anything." I beg, going down onto one knee to put myself at a lower level to become more approachable.

I end up on her level, a little taller than her still. She's startled, taking a slight step back in alarm. She twists her hands in her nightgown. Her wavy hair is wild, as if she just crawled out of her nest after a nap.

She's so breathtaking. I can't look away, and so I try to make my feelings show through my expression.

After what seems to be an eternity, Soleil comes back to the window, closer than she was before. I can see the air coming in and out of her delicate rib cage, the pulse at her neck thumping with her blood as it flows through her veins. It's a humbling reminder that she's alive. She's real. She's right here.

"I'll keep coming here to see you, but I can't promise you anything more. I think it's just too dangerous. I don't want to put you in danger." Poor Soleil sounds so scared, so helpless. I can't help but smile.

Little does she know that I'm in no danger here. I'm not worried about my safety at all, the only thing I'm frightened of is the thought that I might not see her again. And that the next time I do, I won't be able to let go.