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LYRIC
But a minute passed and Jaris didn’t attack me. No. He remained completely still. And overtime, I noticed he was getting calmer, the jerks not happening too often anymore.
I wet his back with my tears. It was difficult imagining what he must be going through. Gods, I really hoped I was helping.
I lost track of time. My tears slowed. His jerks completely stopped. Everything become so peaceful that darkness consumed me–a familiar kind of darkness I didn’t understand until I woke up in the morning.
Something had changed. My face wasn’t against Jaris‘ back anymore.
I opened my eyes and was stunned to see him facing me, his arms holding me to his chest.
I looked up at his face and there were his eyes, staring deeply at me. He was awake!
“Alpha!” I gasped and tried to sit up, but his hold on me was firm.
My brows furrowed. I tried to move away from him again, but he wouldn’t let me. He kept watching me with this calm expression like he enjoyed watching me struggle.
“I thought I told you I liked it when you called me by my name,” he spoke calmly.
A certain lightness filled my heart.
My Jaris was back! He wasn’t in torment anymore.
“A–Are you fine?” There was a small crack in my voice.
He simply gave a nod.
Oh, gods. I wanted to bury my face in his chest and cry.
I couldn’t believe I actually slept off.
Jaris released his hold on me, but his arms remained around me–my back specifically.
“Say it,” he spoke in hushed tones. “My name.”
My EYES gleamed in surprise. I didn’t know what was more heart–melting–the fact that he was asking me to call him by his name, or the fact that he wouldn’t stop staring right into my eyes, like he was worried I’d vanish if he looked away for one second.
“Jaris,” I whispered, my heart performing a waltz, swirling with excitement beneath my skin.
The hint of a smile flickered past his face as his hand came to my hair, playing with my strands. “I didn’t quite hear you. I think I heard Mavis or something.”
I laughed. “No, I said Jaris.”
“Hmm.” He raised his brows. “Much better.”
I finally sat up, but there was still some body contact between us.
I noticed Ericka in the room, sitting and watching us. The scowl on her face was hard to miss.
“But really, how’re you feeling?” I looked back at Jaris. He was all that mattered to me in that moment.
“I feel better.”
It worked, then. I was able to Siphon the pain away. But something told me it was only temporary.
“You must be hungry,” I hurried to my feet. “I’ll get you something to eat. Do you have anything in mind?”
He shook his head.
I was sure I’d be able to come up with something he’d like.
I got busy in the kitchen, deciding to make grits grizzly.. It was a good thing the house seemed to have everything in stock.
I wasn’t surprised when Ericka came in.
“How did you do it?” Her voice was clipped.
“Do what?” I didn’t look at her but focused on the vegetables I was dicing.
“Jaris fell asleep as soon as you cuddled him. That was strange. Very strange.”
I shrugged. “Aren’t you happy it happened?”
“Of course, I want him to be better. It’s the whole point of being here. But what happened…it didn’t seem natural.”
I kept mute.
“I’m talking to you! What did you do?”
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I stopped dicing and looked at her. “Look, I’m actually surprised by what happened. I mean, I was hurt by his suffering and
felt he needed someone to hold him. Looked like that was what he actually needed.”
“So, you’re telling me a simple cuddle did something potent herbs were unable to do?”
I shrugged as I resumed dicing. “You just said it yourself.”
Though, unsatisfied, she let me be. In less than an hour, I had his meal ready and served them on the dining.
“He can’t come to the table to eat, Lyric. You need to take it to him,” Ericka rolled her eyes like I was stupid.
“No. I want him to eat here.”
I ignored the confused look she passed to me and went over to meet Jaris who had been quietly watching the scene.
“Where are the keys to the chains?” I turned to Ericka.
“Lyric.” It was Jaris. “What’re you doing?”
“I–I wanted you to eat on the table.”
“He can’t do that,” Ericka intruded before Jaris could. “Those chains can’t come off, Lyric.”
“Why don’t you just trust me?” I kept my eyes on Jaris. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”
There was no way I could watch him feed this way like an animal. He deserved better than this.
Something about the way he held my stare simmered my heart, melting it like butter on a hot skillet. I could see it in his eyes–the willingness to trust me.
“Give her the keys.” Though his eyes remained on me, I knew he was talking to Ericka.
“Jaris, come on. This is a mistake-‘
“Don’t worry, Ericka. I’ll be fine.”
My heart burst with pride. He also wanted to do this for me.
Grudgingly, Ericka brought the keys to me.
“I’ll be outside,” she spat and walked out.
JARIS
I knew this was stupid.
The whole point of coming here was to keep me chained to ensure that no one got hurt. Yet, there was something about Lyric that made me feel so certain I could never hurt her.
When I realized she was here yesterday, I’d tried so hard to control my urges. And that moment when she cuddled me, it was the most peaceful I’d felt in years.
It brought an instant calm to my soul, tamed my beast and made me feel so safe around her.
It was still a mystery. How she took all the pain and torment away.
And now, I let her take my chains off ‘cause I was sure I’d be fine with her by my side.
My limbs complained loudly as soon as the chains came off. She came closer to help me up -like I needed it.
“I’m sure you’ll like this,” she said as she led me to the dining.
I didn’t think I’d have the appetite to eat before now, but knowing Lyric prepared this, I couldn’t think of anything better.
I sat quietly and started eating.
“Do you like it?” She studied
my
face for
my
reaction.
I simply gave a nod.
Despite how helpful she’d been, I still get sad that she was dragged into this.
“Thank you, Lyric,” I muttered a while later. “You didn’t have to be here.”
“I’m literally your mate.” She rolled her eyes. “What do you think my responsibility is?”
I laughed at the irony.
“It might just be a contract, Jaris, but it’s still my responsibility to care for you.”
I smiled as I looked at her. “You called my name. You remember.”
The tip of her nose turned pink. It always reminded me of Xylon whenever he giggled.
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