Chapter 73

(Maya POV)

“Focus Maya! Listen to the sound of your heart, the rhythm it makes. Breath deep and listen.” Thomas stood close to me, his hand gently pressing against the middle of my back and stomach to hold me in a straight position.

We had been training the last few days like this. Thomas and I standing at the edge of the lake and him giving me instructions on keeping my emotions steady when trying to tap into my powers. My three other boys hadn’t shifted in a while, so now that they had begun to trust Thomas, they liked to go on runs while we trained. Well, they still were skeptical of him, but I pushed them to go. They needed that time, in their wolf form to run and feel free. I for some reason trusted that Thomas was not here to hurt me, so being without the boy’s protection didn’t seem so scary.

Also, I kind of preferred training with Thomas alone, it was like our special time together. I could ask him questions about the Fae world and listen to all his amazing stories, the Fae world sounded so magical.

“Maya? Are listening?” He asks suddenly, but not in an angry way.

He was looking down at me with a gentle smile on his face.

“Sorry. I spaced out a little there.” I say with an embarrassed laugh.

“It’s ok, do you want to take a break?” He asks.

I nod and he let’s go of me and we take a seat on the soft grass. I brushed my hands against the grass, picking at it gently. It was beautiful here, and peaceful. I didn’t have to worry about hurting anyone, or people giving me judgmental or strange looks. Having all my boys with me was a big plus as well! I loved having them around, feeling how much, they worried and cared for me felt so nice. After learning about my past and how much I didn’t know about my own family I felt adrift. I felt lost, but these boys helped me feel grounded. I needed them, and they were always there.

They made me feel wanted and safe, which is something I desperately needed after everything that has been happening. Us coming together has been a whirlwind, but somehow, we were fitting together pretty well. Thomas stayed in my room, since there wasn’t a room available for him. More than that though, he had this ability to relax me and I needed that right now. I had begun to have incidences where my powers would flare up if I had an intense dream, and he was able to calm me, so I didn’t destroy the whole house without realizing.

The other boys were not happy about Thomas spending most nights with me until one night I had shook the whole house by shifting the ground beneath it. I was having an intense dream of my father and his army marching toward our little cabin and fire breaking out all around us. Most of my dreams went like this…my father finding me and trying to kill us all the moment our eyes meet and me being defenseless against him.

“Maya?” I turned to Thomas and he gave me a concerned look.

“Sorry, I guess I have a lot on my mind.” I say brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

It fell over my face once again, but this time Thomas swept it behind my ear and let his fingers linger against my ear. His fingers trailed down to my neck and down my arm. His touch seemed to calm me instantly, and I loved it. I felt like he had been sent to me for a reason, and I was glad.

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks me softly.

I let out a sigh, closing my eyes and just focusing on the feeling of his gentle touches. These touches had all we had done between us so far, and we both seemed fine with that for now. Where my other boys needed certain urges cared for because of their wolves, Thomas didn’t need such things. A mere touch between us had so much power and connected us in such a strong way that it was enough for us, at least for now. I actually did not get any strong urges from him, and I guessed it was a Fae thing.

My boys had a more primal drive that need satiating, but not Thomas. A simple touch was enough for him, and I admit I wondered if that was all we would share. I was attracted to him of course, but I wasn’t really sure what his feeling were toward me. He was sweet and kind and gentle, but he wasn’t very expressive with his thoughts about us. I knew he felt a sense of responsibility to me but was that all? I hated not knowing where I stood with people, because then I felt I had to try hard to impress them. So far, I was sure he was not at all impressed. I was a mess, and that was putting it nicely.

Today I guess I was feeling bold and decided to just ask him.

“Thomas?” I say turning my body, so we were sitting cross legged face to face.

“Hmm?” He replies looking me in the eyes, like he always does.

“Are you really ok staying here with me? You must have had a good life back in the Fae world. I mean you don’t have to stay here with me, right? Not like the other three who can’t be apart from me for too long.” I say sheepishly.

His eyebrows furrow together as if he is confused by what I am saying.

“Are you asking if I want to leave you?” He asks me.

I give a simple nod. “I mean once my training is finished, your job is done. You can go home, can’t you?”

Again, he looks as if he doesn’t understand what I am asking.

“Technically you are correct, I can return home and neither of us would suffer any serious effects. But do you want me to leave?” he asks tilting his head slightly to look at me better.

“It’s not that…” I could seem to find the right words to express what I was feeling.

I wanted him to stay, but I wanted him to want that too. I didn’t want anyone to be with me because they felt an obligation to.

“I am not sure what you are asking Maya.” He says.

I sigh and close my eyes for a moment.

“I don’t want you to feel you need to stay here out of obligation to me. Once my training is over, I would understand if you wanted to return to the Fae world. I am not sure how this bond works between Fae; it does not seem as intense of an attachment like the bond between wolves. Its more subtle, and I guess it's hard for me to interpret what you are wanting or feeling.” I say quickly.

His eyes soften as it seems to dawn on him what I am trying to say.

“You are wondering how I feel about you? Is that it?” He asks with a smile.

“I guess, yeah.” I reply feeling the heat of embarrassment travel up the back of my neck.

“I admit after these couple of days being her with you, I have been unsure about this place. If I belonged here with my soulmate and three wolves.” He stops for a moment and looks around us.

The pause lasts long enough that I feel my heart slowly hurting thinking he feels like he doesn’t belong her with me. I dropped my head and tried my best to keep myself from crying.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I would fall for someone this fast. I had imagined when I met the girl I would fall in love with, there would be a lot of time needed to have such an intense feeling. Yet, I felt it as soon as we touched. I knew from that moment that I never wanted to leave your side again. I wanted to be here with you, to help you, yes, but just being around you is such an amazing feeling. It’s like a warm fire constantly burning inside my chest, keeping me warm and happy. So, my answer is no, I wouldn’t return to the Fae world not unless you were with me.” He says simple turning back to me.

I must have looked comical, because my eye had grown so wide as I heard his words. A stray tear fell down my cheek and he gave me a gentle smile before moving toward me and brushing it away.

“I love you Maya, and I have the moment we met. I won’t leave you, and more than that I will be sure to show you every single day from now on. I will never let you doubt my love for you ever again.” And with that said he leans forward and gently kisses me.

I was speechless.