Chapter 11 : Memories

Maya

With a sharp intake of breath, she continued to run as far away from the poisonous gas as possible, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and any possible pursuit. Maya had no intention of being captured, interrogated, and then killed. She knew she was strong, stronger than ever, but there was no way she could defend herself against someone she really did not want to meet.

The poisonous black fog had no negative effect on her other than blocking her vision, making it difficult to see where she was going, but she wasn't too worried. Before she had to leave Karen, she had always known which way to turn if she had to leave the battlefield and escape the clutches of Xavier, Alpha of the Westwood Pack. Trying to stay in the right direction, her thoughts kept drifting back to Karen and her soft lips.

She didn't understand why she felt such a strong attraction to the girl who was supposed to be her enemy. Even if she accepted her feelings, she knew that Nathan, Xavier's enemy who was also powerful despite being a rogue, would see such a relationship as a betrayal punishable by death. Besides, didn't Maya owe him her life? For saving her and giving her the strength she didn't have to survive? Even to the point of helping her take revenge on the she-wolf who had tried to kill her?

Then the thought of her smile interrupted her thoughts. Again!

But it was a smile that was both attractive and beautiful. It seemed not only to adorn the girl's pink lips, but also to shine brightly in her eyes, making Maya believe that the expression was meant only for her.

Then she remembered the scent of red roses in bloom, the feel of her thighs wrapped around her waist as they ran through the woods together, the strange way her clothes were so revealing, then when she had to change into hers, as if she claimed them as a mated couple, or at least intentionally, especially when Karen was enveloped in her scent.

Maya refused to acknowledge the impossibility of a same-sex couple, especially since they were werewolves. Though few and mostly hidden from the attention of human society, there were many werewolf mates of the same sex. Under penalty of prosecution and possible death, such married werewolf mates kept their relationship a secret.

She couldn't help but feel that this was unfair. She had never been attracted to males. There was always another she-wolf that caught her attention. Not that she would be able to show her interest every time another she-wolf caught her eye. She had to be absolutely or relatively sure that her attention would be returned and not shunned. It is dangerous to make the wrong decision and have everyone know her secret if things go badly.

Her mind inadvertently went back in time, to a time when she thought she had found the true mate of her dreams who would honor her by becoming her mate. Memories of Karen turned into memories of a beautiful and charming she-wolf.

—Flashback—

She had been wandering aimlessly through the forest. She had no other plan than to go to a nearby lake and take a refreshing swim. The sun had risen and she knew that in the clearing where the lake was, the sun would be warm on her naked body as she felt the flowing water caress her skin.

She did not feel the dark aura around her with thoughts of chaos and destruction. Besides, if anyone dared to attack her while she was swimming, she would send them to hell for disturbing her morning.

She could smell the water and the flowers that surrounded the clearing in bright colors and smiled in anticipation of feeling the cold liquid running down her skin as she got closer.

She was almost at the edge of the forest when she heard it. Chanting.

How could she not feel the aura of someone coming from the lake? Her lake. Although she had to admit that the presence of the other person was faint, as if she could hide her aura. It was not easy. Maya had thought of leaving and coming back another time to swim, not wanting the unknown visitor to be a man and ruin her day.

She believed that most men were rude creatures who did not know how to treat women. She was in a peaceful mood and did not want the day to end with her hitting a man over the head for his stupidity.

She turned to leave, but at that moment another musical note reached her ears, and it was not a male voice. It was the melodious high tenor voice of a woman. It lulled her. Seduced. Tempted.

For it was truly a beautiful voice.

Unbeknownst to her, she moved forward until a clearing filled with colorful flowers came into view, leading to a small, clear lake. Stopping just outside the tree line, Maya's searching eyes fell upon an astonishing sight.

A tall woman, naked as a statue of a Greek goddess. Her back was turned to her, her long wet golden hair reaching to the top of her small but round ass. Her skin was the color of parchment, but looked smooth as the water ran down her hair, her ass, and her long, shapely legs.

Then the woman turned and offered her profile for viewing, and Maya felt heat rush to her face as she caught a glimpse of her perky left breast, topped with a dark pink nipple. Lower still, she noticed the flat stomach and muscular body of the other.

She blinked and quickly looked away, wondering why she was staring like an idiot when she knew she could be caught at any moment.

While she was berating herself, she didn't notice that the beautiful voice had stopped singing. Her head snapped up to meet the amber eyes.

She was caught, feeling extremely embarrassed and a little worried. What if this charming woman realized her true interest and dared to betray her?

Maya's mind could not imagine killing such a beautiful creature, but she saw no other alternative. But when she looked into those eyes, she knew that she could not be the cause of the shadow of death over them forever, no matter what the cost.

"Why are you looking at me?" the woman asked.

She tried not to stare at the other naked figure as she turned to face her.

"I am surprised at your presence here. I wish I could swim alone in this cool water," she said, trying to make her gaze seem completely inappropriate. Her hoarse voice did not help her deception! She just hoped that the beautiful woman would not notice.

"Who are you?" she asked, hoping to distract her.

All she had to do was tilt her head so that her golden hair fell across her right breast! She thought frantically, trying not to react to the tantalizing sight. Damn it! She noticed that the tip of the hair was almost touching the golden curls between her thighs.

"I'm Alicia," she replied to her, smiling in a way that indicated that she knew what her true interests were and that she didn't mind.

Maya's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her gaze as various possibilities flashed through the woman's mind.