KHUMAARI- The Nocturnal Beast, PART 11

KHUMAARI

The Nocturnal Beast

Part 11

Turning Point

For the darkest of night

No moon to spread calm n white

In the hearts of heart

Above all fears and qualms

Is his dare, his fun

A single chance to survive

And you have to RUN…!!

The sinister howl awakened Geet. With a bolt she sat upright pulling her keens to chest, wondering if the sound was real or a wail from deep inside her. The Small movement on her part reminded her of what had happened-done-to her. Between her thighs the place buzzed with raw ache, she wasn’t sure was because of her emotional scar of being violated or scrap of his nails when he, so brutally, had stuck his finger into her.

Geet pressed her legs tighter together in a delayed endeavor of self preservation.

Night was still alive n she wished she would have slept through it. Darkness scared her n she felt tremors of muted fright smack her. She was still where she was. On the island…. Alone, with him, and she was in his bed. He had apparently carried her to his room.

Still trapped.

And he was there.

She closed her eyes, tears sliding down her cheeks. The images were fresh in her mind. Her attempts to block them failed like meager flame of fire against a wild blow.

His face bared more to visibility n she pushed deeper into the corner of bed, hugging herself.

Unjustifiable n irrelevant as it might sound after his fiendish deed; it pained him to see her recoiling from his view. If she feared him before, she loathed him now with sheer force of panic. Maan could feel it, smell the pungent stench of fear, acidic that of unadulterated hate.

She was slipping away. He pushed her.

He had gone too far. Had ashamed her… to check the proof of her purity.

Yet it was way beyond his control.

You should have told me earlier. He spoke taking a step forward then stopping in his tracks catching her flinch back. His face hardened though his voice remained low, calm. Just a façade, she was too well aware of.

The royal mate has to be a virgin, especially when she is an outsider to the clan. It is to ensure her loyalty, her faithfulness to the pack members. Though his explanation was plain truth, clan wasn’t what he had been thinking about before attacking her. I couldn’t control. Something burned in his eyes that she had not seen or noticed ever before. When you mentioned of the engagement, I had to know. And if he’d had done something to you… I would have hunted him down.

Specks, darkest of red, burned around his coal-black pupils tainting the irises, so prominent in dark, so incredibly menacing. If anything she was more scared now.

Any earlier claim couldn’t subsist, if there was any. I would make sure that the one accountable for it has to suffer and is to be exterminated by my very own hands. You are my female n in order to make you mine entirely; I have to eliminate any competition-

I don’t want to hear. She screamed her words shaking n face contorted with fear n repulsion. The need to not look at him n also not to show how much petrified she was, made her hide her face. But could she hide herself? And what more did he wanted to prove? Just leave me alone.

Maan closed his eyes to even his rugged breath. To scare her more wasn’t his intension, yet he wanted to explain. A secretive corner of his heart wanted her to understand his reason for doing what he did, it was insane for him to expect so. She would never understand not because of her being a human but this time just because she was a girl n Maan knew-couldn’t regret-that he had wronged her.

Opening his eyes, he treaded forward without making any disturbing sound. Geet felt him before she saw him, the heat of his hand positioned on her shoulder. Bed’s headboard didn’t provide her space to cower away more than she already did. At least his eyes were now devoid of that monstrous anger and so was his hold gentler on her.

Before her he settled and she yearned for free air. He was suffocating her, with his huge presence, his intimidating gaze, with his feel and the daunting imagery of his actions before.

She hated herself for letting that happen, for a doomed point of time believing in him. This helplessness, she was responsible for it. Bravery was a quality she was always fond of and desired to possess it too. How could she ever aspire for independence when there was no courage in her? Both were allied to each other n to wish to gain something you should have the potential to earn it first. Was her father and brothers right? She failed them. She failed herself. The self loath that churned through her gut was sickening n as he moved closer; she couldn’t contain the wave of disgust twisting her insides.

It clenched his chest too, the swirling tornado of haphazard emotions flowing from her. Each emotion was immensely potent n there were so many that it was difficult to differentiate one from another. The pain he felt was almost physical.

He pulled her into his arms; she went rigid but didn’t move away. She would have, if she was capable of. His wolf was fidgety, dying seeing her like that; it couldn’t rectify what was done but wanted to rid her of the agony, the hurt… the hurt he had caused her. But was it possible?

Perhaps!!

She wrapped a trembling arm around him, pushing her face into his chest, allowing the tears to fall free. He heaved a sigh of relief, his wolf jolting with hope. She is forgiving us. Forgiveness was for guilty and his crime. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Although, in that moment Maan forgot about his notion of no regrets for he readily lapped at her forgiveness. That was the same moment when the excruciating pain hit him hard on the head.

A second passed then another. Her bewildered eyes remained glued to him. Dragging her gaze away from him she looked at the broken vase in her hand, smeared with his blood. As if contaminated she threw it away and pushed herself off the bed, away from him. Yes, she would go away from him, where he would never be able to reach her.

Wet streak of crimson ran down his temple n he felt it with his fingers. Blood didn’t amaze him, her act of absolute foolishness did.

Monster. She yelled at him. I am not your mate. And if you thought I was going to spend my life or even a second happily with you then you are entirely wrong. No girl would ever want to be with you.

Maan extended his hand forward to grab her, his teeth gritted in half fury n half pain. She wished she had done enough damage to still this creature for some time. Seemingly, she wasn’t successful. At first, she thought her death was near; she could practically witness its haunted reflection on his face when he stood up but just as he was about to move frontward to pursue her, his step faltered n with an anguishing grunt he fell on floor. His eyes closed for good.

Did… did she kill him?

He deserved every bit of it. Wiping frantically at her face with nearly numb hands, she felt her heart thumping in her chest, trying to break out of her ribs. His blood seeped from the lesion-she had given him on the head-marring the clean floor. Never in her life had she killed even an ant n here…. Geet didn’t know what kind of a person she was anymore.

I wish you die here. I wish you never rise. You have no right to live. You are and would always stay a BEAST. You existence is dangerous to all.

With what Geet thought were her last words to him, she turned around. The growing emptiness inside of her had to be the upshot of the murder she had committed. She ignored it as that only and ran out of the room, the house and his life that no more was extant. For her.

WRONG…

GO BACK

Stumbling Geet clutched the fabric of his shirt over her chest. There was searing pain in there, inside her heart growing with every beat and flowing with her blood. It was crippling her. With her dried throat there was no sound to her cries. She was running now for so long. But her legs were giving up n every fiber in her body was cracking with tears of immeasurable agony.

All this was somewhere bearable. Not the voice in her head. The booming call stuck against her skull, cursing her as though she had done something terribly wrong. She hadn’t. It was prompting her to go back. She wouldn’t.

Leaping over the dead logs, she continued sprinting towards that freedom that’s didn’t exist. Stray bushes scarped against her, making the fragile skin bleed. Twigs n rocks jabbed into the sole of her feet and perhaps that too was bleeding by now. She didn’t know because the ground was wet n squishy from the rain before. Only thing she was aware of n recognized was darkness, inside n around her.

Geet couldn’t run from both.

It was so dark that she fell on ground more than once n crashed into tree trunks umpteen times. Her eyes couldn’t support her n so she couldn’t see the hurdles before her. She didn’t even see where she was heading, how her legs sunk deeper into sludge as she walked ahead and every next step became heavier than the previous. And Geet didn’t notice she couldn’t move any further until she was nearly waist deep into the swamp.

Groggily Maan rubbed at his eyes. The pain shot through even before his eyes could focus. Still something was waking him up, the hands of his instincts shaking n instigating him to pick the pieces of his consciousness. He was enraged n palpable anger pulsed radiating in the color of his eyes.

He could feel it, the healing process already started, skin stitching itself together cell by cell. Her scent present wasn’t strong enough to claim her presence around. His doubt proved right; she ran away. A mistake, he would make her regret, all her life. And this punishment would be worse than ever before.

She had screamed beast at him. He would show her what a beast was.

Animal that resided in him was furious, growling n slamming against the restraints of his self control. Without losing another second he ran outside on the wake of her lingering trail.

The ground was moist n so was the air. It rushed past him while he ran tracing her faint aroma. In the crashing wind n due to petrichor-smell of earth after rain-it was almost impossible to track her. There were no footsteps on the muddy ground. Yet he held onto the thin thread woven with a little of her unique aroma n a little with the voice of his instincts. 

Restlessness began pricking him n gradually was mixing with anger that surged potently 
initially.

No, I am not concerned about her safety. He told himself firmly. She hit him on the head for god’s sake n more than that she ran off. If it was just the injury he could have bear it but this wasn’t just that. That girl didn’t affect him n he refused to acknowledge that she had hurt him more than physically. But somewhere she had managed to not only injure his head but had also struck very close to his heart.

Her piercing scream cut through his thoughts n he stilled for moment then took off with double the speed.

Danger. She is in danger.

Geet didn’t even hear the thumping of his heavy steps when he saw her from far off.

Don’t come here. She shouted her voice an alarming wave of quivering words.

Maan halted just where the land started to go dangerous. Panting, he stood at the edge of the swamp on the partially solid land. This jungle was implanted in his head n her warning wasn’t needed by him to know where the threat lay. In a moment of spur their eyes met and the load of tension n terror in her hazels gripped at his heart, tight fingers clutching around the organ n squeezing it dry. It was worse than when she had hit him, worse than every pain he had ever felt.

He panicked. Although when she started thrashing around he pushed himself to gain control over himself.

Don’t move. His voice was small yet commanding not to scare her more but she didn’t hear him. In her frantic, fruitless attempts to come out of the mud she had buried herself till her chest. Before she was swallowed alive he had to do something. Thankfully she hadn’t gone far off into the swamp from the ground. I said don’t move.

This time she heard him. No one could ignore that roar. You would go deeper if you kept doing that. Listen, stay still. I will get you out. She was looking at him in a daze so Maan asked. You would have to wait here for me until I bring something to get you out. Can you do that?

She nodded. Maan was about to sprint back into the woods when she called his name n he turned around. I... don’t want to die.

YOU ARE NOT DYING. Each word was said with conviction. I won’t let you.

He took off leaving her to wait.

She wouldn’t die. He knew it. It was his entire fault. He should have been more careful. How scared she had been when he found her. We can’t look after our own mate.His wolf snarled in angry remorse. Maan gritted his teeth as his hands swashed the air beside his body while he ran.

Fear was building inside of him, dull white fear of losing her. He would die. Not because his life was tied to hers but because she wouldn’t be there with him to share it. For the first time in decades he felt a tear slide down his cheek. The drop felt so alien. Now only he knew what being a mate meant. He was incomplete without her.

Maan needed her just as much as she needed him at the moment.

Faster. He had to be faster.

He clenched his fist n called for his other half to take over. She was waiting n he wouldn’t waste time to reach her. His muscles flexed n the intense rush of adrenaline drove him into the stimulated pleasure of the change. A moment of blur n with a fierce growl, his speed on the ground increased five times, also the senses heightened incredibly. He was in more sink with the jungle now. Dodging whatever came into his way, jumping over every obstacle and tearing through the darkness, he rushed ahead.

It was more difficult to stay still n wait when she knew she was sinking. Her legs weren’t on 
any stable surface n were gripped by the gluey mud. It had risen above her chest n was rushing up her neck. Soon it would catch up with her nose blocking air supply.

But she wouldn’t die.

This swamp felt something like damp plaster, it constricted around her body like anaconda; crushing her like an anaconda only to swallow her later. Yet even with mud clasping around her chest, she believed him, trusted him with everything in her. He had said he would come. 
He had said he would save her. He had said she wouldn’t die. So it would happen.

How ironical. After leaving him to die she was depending on him to save her life.

Tears poured out of her eyes as she recollected how she had injured him. If her life remained intact for her to see the sun next morning, she would ask for forgiveness. 

Before reaching the place a part of him was scared that she wouldn’t be there but he heaved a sigh of relief on finding her, still stuck yet alive. Tying the rope-that he had brought-around the tree trunk, he pulled at the length of it to check the strength of knot for security. 

Satisfied he turned to her with the other open end of the rope in his hand. I will throw this rope n you have to catch it, okay?

Yes. She nodded.

Will you be able to tie it around your waist?

No. I don’t… think I can do that. She said in shrilly, pathetic voice. Somehow Geet had managed to keep her hands out but they were heavy with mud sticking to them and she was scared that they would be trapped too if she plunged them in mud to tie the rope around her waist.

No problem. Can you tie it over your chest under the hands?

This situation didn’t seem something that could be referred to as ‘no problem’ but overlooking that Geet nodded. Catching the rope wasn’t tough with his on-the-spot fling. And with heavy, shaking hands she managed to tie a weak knot circling the rope over her chest. 

Maan, apparently, knew about the doubtful strength of the knot she had fixed so for additional safety, he asked her to hold on to the rope tightly while he pulled her out. She did as told.

For a man, he had enormous power. He dug his heels in the ground n pulled at the rope with unimaginable force. Slowly she began to come out while he took steps back. It felt like ages since they kept doing that. Geet started to lose the remaining stamina n her grip on the rope started to fail. Just when she thought it was easier to let go n leave altogether, with a massive final jerk n a large grunt he pulled her over. She fell out on the ground before him while he too fell back. Geet coughed as some mud had went inside her mouth when he had yanked her out so harshly.

What came next surprised her in the biggest way possible. She hadn’t even sat up when he pulled her into his arms that wound around her strongly. This wasn’t uncomfortable at all though. She took in the free breath not feeling trapped with him for the first time.

His wolf howled in pleasure with the safe arrival of its mate into the cocoon of protection. Maan had never felt like this ever. It was something new. Akin to the feeling when he had first seen her but this time there were no doubts, no remorse or holding back. She was his mate n she had already made her way into his heart. Just because she was destined to be with him, wasn’t the reason he wanted to be with her. Because she affected him in deeper sense was what he realized n wanted to feel from now onwards every day. This feeling of losing her had shaken him to the core n only now he understood how much he needed her.

Earlier it was just on the name of being mates that they connected or so he thought but now he knew that she wasn’t only physical satisfaction or another of his ownership. She was the other half of his soul, his perfect mate. And, this wasn’t a decision of far off stars but his very own heart.

Raising her head from the shelter of his chest where she had been crying, she traced the dried blood that marred the side of his face with her dirty fingers. I am sorry.

Forget all that. You are safe is all that matters. He whispered in his lustrous, deep voice filled with emotions for a change, pulling her back into another embrace.

Geet shifted in her place, the feel of lush, comfy car seat alien to her. Turning her head she looked at the man sitting beside her n instinctively a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

In his spunky goggles n perfectly gelled hairs, Maan looked no less than the billionaire heir that he was. He had even gotten a convertible sports car to go with that look. The Porsche they were riding in currently was brand new, sleek and red in color. It was obviously imported n hence damn expensive. But then money wasn’t something of a concern for him. 

She was so sure of that fact because actually a private chopper had come to pick them up from the island.

After them reaching back at the cottage, Maan had been surprisingly different. Or she just had attained a new perspective of looking at him. He spoke less as always but wasn’t downright rude or something, didn’t even mention again about hitting him and her failed attempt at escaping which she was thankful for.

Before the arrival of chopper Maan had provided her with a T shirt which was loose and trousers which were again loose yet they were sufficient. To go before strangers in just a shirt wasn’t her usual self n the trousers told her that Maan wouldn’t ever favor that too.

In chopper she had been deliriously anxious. Of course she had been on airplane but that was relatively safer n there were quite a number of people taking the same risk as her which served as an assurance. But still being phobic to heights, she was always appalled to air transport n had never even thought about being whisked in a helicopter which was small, open n supposedly highly insecure. Geet would have thrown up n attacked the pilot in her rampant fear resulting into all of their deaths if not for Maan. When he hoisted her up on his lap n pushed her face into his chest with his hands sliding into her shirt, she forgot everything. His heated palm n fingers sprawled on her back going up n down making her breath go wayward.

He didn’t stop just there n brushed his cheek rough with stubble against hers. With a boldness that she had not known was in her, she placed her full lips on the straight column of his throat n his growl reverberating through his chest had provided her huge satisfaction.

Don’t do that, it plants all kind of dirty thoughts in my mind. Indeed, the ride was more fun for him than he had thought.

She had blushed, coming out of her momentarily bravado n tried to push at him. He didn’t let her do that n kept her enclosed in his arms. Making out subtly yet passionately they had reached their destination subsequent to that they went to an airport where dumbstruck she stared at the private jet.

There dressed in black suits were around 20 men waiting for them to arrive. At that instant she truly discovered the power n richness of his family. Few men followed them dutifully as they boarded the plane. The jet crew greeted them once they were inside the jet which was luxurious with a small bar-no shocker-a sitting room with comfortable loungers n plush carpet n a tiny bedroom with attached bathroom.

Who other girl you have brought on this plane? Geet enquired suspiciously on finding female clothing in bedroom closet.

Are you jealous? He questioned her with his usual wolfish smirk that made her heart miss a beat.

I AM NOT JEALOUS. Her retort wasn’t convincing n she blamed it on the blonde airhostesses that were cat walking before him in micro miniskirts. Of course she felt uncomfortable but not jealous. Please!!

To her relief n his well being-because seriously she was considering about strangling him-he didn’t poke her more on that matter. This plane is not only used by me but other family members too. As for the clothes, I had asked for them. Because clearly you didn’t want to move across the country to my home town in my clothes.

She had her ‘OH’ moment n her face reddened.

Back into the bedroom she was both ecstatic n embarrassed to find undergarment of every size there for her. The feeling of them was heaven n she felt complete after a long time. 

Never before she had realized the importance of mere bra n panties. Over them she wore a pair of jeans n T-shirt, of her own size. Geet relished in the feeling of full clothing over her body.

Human mind was a complex mass of greedy wants. Once one got fulfilled it came up with another. As she gazed at the bed, her tired body gave up n she collapsed on the soft mattresses with the idea of just a quick snap. She woke up after hours when he shook awake her sleeping body. We have reached the last airport n now its car drive from here. He told pulling her up, his demeanor unusually excited.

And then his lips were pressed onto hers. His talented tongue entered the moist cave of her mouth. She wrapped her hands around his neck though before her feeling him fully he broke off. We will be home soon.

At the airport another man in black suit greeted them n handed Maan the keys of his sports car.

They set off from there in the fancy ride where Maan had preferred for the roof to be folded back for he couldn’t bear her enticing smell in the small space without ravishing her as he so gentlemanly had declared.

Apart from all that, something had definitely changed between them. Yet Geet was bothered. As they proceeded towards his hometown she didn’t know how she felt. A new place n was she really choosing a new life… with him?

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Author's Note:

A turning point in their complex relation. This part was really difficult to type jumping from one point of view to another n I just hope it came out well. I had tried to give it as much touch of reality as I could keeping the supernatural essence alive in the most logical way. If you guys find anything indigestible or awkward tell me through comment or u can pm.

I have been delighted to receive all the appreciation that u all are giving me for this story. It makes me really happy ‘cause as I keep chanting always I put a lot of effort in this one, right from conceptualization to language while typing the parts. So when u guys praise it I feel on top of the world. So many new readers are joining in, welcome to all of them… N thnx to all those who pressed like n commented, especially those who left big, elaborate comments also those who spammed the threads. I love u from the bottom of my heart… muaaaaah.

Please keeps motivating me in the same way, I really need it

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