The moment Gauri's lips collided with Yagya, she found herself falling into an abyss of bliss and serenity. Her body went through multiple sensations and her lips tingled exuberantly, burning to be ameliorated and caressed more. The traffic in her mind came to a halt as peace weaseled the confusing streets of troubled thoughts. Her lungs felt full as if he was breathing the light of the cosmos along with the air inside her. She was born a long time ago, but for the first time, she felt like a butterfly coming out of a hard cocoon.

The thirst of her soul was vanquished and she felt lightheaded, ready to open her wings and fly away. Her body remained immobile, fearing any motion might bring this act to a halt. She has never sinned before, but today she wanted to cross the boundaries of her pride, bring this man closer, and make him listen to the throbbing in her mad heart, which was ready to burst.

When Yagya molded his thin lips with her full inexperienced ones, he knew he has deliberately fallen into the trap of a siren. He was aware of the consequences but still went forward, pushing his rational mind behind. The demons inside him silenced and he imagined the monster of the night, drooling and passing out at the back of his mind. The extreme emotions that the man experienced in this mere moment sent the lycan spirit into overdrive, making him fall into a void of fulfillment. This is what he wanted since the beginning.

The softness of her lips made him greedy, as he sucked more, wishing to extract the nectar that has packed them with sweetness. Both her upper and lower juicy lips were equal in size, delicate like rose petals.

The fire in his core came ablaze and his body started to burn in need.

His hands cupped her cheeks, to bring her closer if possible until their chests touched. He wanted to devour her. His hunger for her turned maddening, scaring even him. When her hands landed on his chest, he thought she'll push him back but the opposite happened, and she moaned into his mouth. An animalistic growl rippled from his chest and soon, his mind started to become foggy.

He jerked away with a speed that left her swaying back and forth.

"No, no, no..."

Yagya mumbled to himself in horror when the pheromones of lust clogging her pores reached his nostrils. His throat dried and more inhuman grunts vibrated in his chest.

"Yagya," Gauri whispered unsure, sensing she has somehow offended him. He showed her his palm, pleading her to stay back for the animal has come to the surface, salivating to lick her fire. The brutal desires didn't shock him. The chemical reactions in her body shook him.

"What's wrong?"

"You... you..."

When Gauri bit her swollen lips, he shuddered in outrage. His nails turned into claws and his jaw expanded to make way for bigger canines. The pulsing change beneath his flesh made her gasp and her knees trembled. He came to his knees and digs his fingers into the ground.

"I can't control this. You need to... you have to go." He grumbled in pain, hating himself for ruining the moment. Was it a crime to simply love her without wanting more?

Gauri ran to his aid and hugged him. Understanding his dilemma and sensing the nature of the beast, she kissed his knuckles before bringing his hand to her bare waist.

Trust shined in her eyes.

"If you are scared that you will end up hurting me, listen carefully. On the night of the full moon, when you weren't in your senses and the bloodthirsty wild held the reins, he was both hurt and furious, drooling and grumbling in hunger.

I was scared.

I stopped breathing at one glance at such a dangerous creature standing so close. I thought I would never wake up from this nightmare or see the sunrise. I was sure that soon my entrails would be hanging in his claws after he sinks his canines into my throat. But the opposite happened.

When he looked at me with a gaze so soft, I realized I wasn't the prey. When my image was reflected in those golden optics, which could see what lurks in the dark, I only saw devotion. A beast so magnificent, whose mere sight could send bravest hearts to early deaths, was oblivious to the culture and norms of humans. Then how come, when he watched me shivering in helplessness and mute in shock, raised his bloody arms to engulf me whole? His grip was gentle as if he was handling a glass doll capable of shattering any moment.

He went down on his knees and laid his head on my chest before closing his eyes. Like I was the home he seeks, where he found peace, where he dropped his guards and just breathed, carefree.

Animal instincts are raw and barbaric. Cruel and hurtful.

Then how come he was so calm as if he has a conscience similar to that of a ruthless king who has vowed to never love again, but keeps falling in love with the smallest things every day?

You see this side of you as unhinged, cursed, and malevolent. You believe there is a darkness inside of you- incurable and dense. That you don't deserve to be happy because of the second nature that makes you feel helpless. You are scared that someday your demons might win this battle and you'll lose against the evil running in your blood as ichor.

But know this.

There's a beast in everyone. And demons who don't let people sleep. A boundary that is set so the sane wouldn't tumble over the grey zone and fall into the insane dark. Some choose to ignore this, some remain mindful, but some simply love the risk. They feed these demons aware of the chaos in their fists. In times of hardship, weak minds lose this grip, but the strong ones hold tight.

Look into my eyes and see who you are.

Neither a King nor the beast, but a daring and mindful man who knows how to be both.

There's no such thing as second nature, as long as you are aware of who is in charge.

If the animal rules, then you aren't the man. If the man is wise, there's no animal, but immense power.

You think you don't know about the things that happen when you transform. I think you have just chosen to be mindful and remain ignorant because accepting the truth will make you see that, the man who went through pain before transformation and the one who wakes up covered in blood are the same. It is you. Only you. You are the sinner and the protector. You've your mother and me, but he has only you.

Just open your eyes and look through the window. You can control this because you are the only person in charge. Stop being ashamed of the spirit in you. Its only sin is being wild. Set it free for once and keep your eyes open. You will be surprised by what you see.

Because even in the beast, all I see is you. You've held me the same way he has."

She had no idea what was going through his mind or if her words were able to penetrate the thick fog of insanity riding his head. All Gauri cared about was the immense pain pulsing beneath his flesh.

His features started to relax. The voice of his wife soothing his inner battles. His muscles spasm back into their original position and his bones recovered from painful restraint. Panting heavily, he leans in her embrace and rests his head on her shoulder.

A gentle gust of winds blew around, carrying the aroma of night-blooming jasmines and tuberoses growing by the riverside.

"How can you? You won't be able to accept me if you came to know the things I've done." He whispered as she lazily caressed his back and massaged his scalp. Her chest heaved with a heavy exhale before she rests her cheek on his head and stared at the fireflies.

"Your hands are covered in blood."

Gauri supplies with sorrow without easing her grip. Yagya stiffens, feeling ashamed and scared. He wasn't ready to stand in a box and be judged for the things he had no control over.

"Yet I trust them.

It isn't about the sins you've committed in the past when you were alone, confused, and had nobody to confide in. This time, you've me. I am aware of the gravity of our actions. Together. Whatever wrong happens from this moment, I will be equally responsible for it. What kind of woman I'd be if I am unable to protect my man from himself?

Yagya, everything is about to change. Gods aren't cruel. Everybody deserves a chance at redemption. We can't change what happened, but we will die trying to not let it happen ever again. I'll take care of you, just like you take care of me.

Okay?"

"What if... what if I am not the man you think I am?" He said as he pulls back to look into her eyes which were shining with unshed tears. She chuckled lightly and playfully pulls his beard.

"I have seen all sides of you and here you are still doubting us. I know what nobody knows and I have seen all pain. Felt it in your coldness. And if there's still a side that has been left unexplored, then I'll help you in burying bodies the next time. No matter what you say, I refuse to break my promise.

Have faith in me like Birju."

Yagya frowned.

"Who's Birju?"

"My father's bull. One night he ventured into a neighbor's field and destroyed a small proportion of maize crops. Luckily, I was awake that night and quickly caught him. I dragged him to the river through his horn and bathed him in cold water to remove all the dirt. The poor lad wasn't ready to come home. He kept running away every time we took a turn. He knew if anybody came to know, he will be punished or worst- sold. I quickly tied him back to his resting place and shut the barn properly before anyone could notice. In the morning, chaos did come, and curses were thrown, but not on Birju. He was sincerely resting in the barn, all tied and clean.

Neighbors suspected wild cows in the woods."

An unexpected dazzling grin broke on Yagya's face, and he fell back on the soft ground. The coolness of grass felt good on his warm body.

"You are something. God must have been high when he made you."

Gauri pinched his shoulder, eliciting another amused chuckle before laying by his side.

"Stop teasing me."

"Why? It is so fun."

"Uhhh... Shut up."

And then his carefree laughter echoed in the beautiful sanctum. As they lay under the open sky and gazed at the star, a goofy smile playing on their lips, he realized something. He can never let this strange female go. Something about her makes his heart throb in fullness.

"Gauri..."

"Hmm..."

"I want to spend my nights gazing at stars with you by my side. I want the sound of your anklets and laughter piercing the stillness of my empty home. Fill it with your windstorm. Because it makes me happy."

Gauri wraps an arm around his waist and smiles.

"Promise you'll never run away from me."

"I'll never let you out of my sight, my beloved."

The single endearment on his tongue cleared the condition of his crux. She wasn't falling alone; he was already standing at the bottom to catch her.