My Wild Beast
Chapter 51: Left Alone

Chapter 51: Left Alone

"Go." Nova urged in a hushed whisper, pressing her forehead to Yoa’s.

Air whooshed through her hair at his sudden movement. Just like that, he was gone. Nova stared at the empty spot he’d been in.

The sunlight still shone through the open space across from her, luminating the wooden decking, multicolours reflected across the floors and walls from little light catchers dangling freely besides wooden wind chimes. Without Yoa shielding her from the sun’s glare, she squinted then flopped back against the pillows with a loud sigh.

She stared up at the wooden beams and decking of the ceiling above, the branches of the original tree stretching out like limbs cradling the floor above. A small smile played on her lips as she ran her fingertips along them to the feel of Yoa’s phantom lips on hers. She felt unravelled entirely and blissed out.

The feeling slowly faded, though, as Nova was left by herself, casually lying there butt naked, entirely exposed to anyone who might walk in. Goosebumps rippled across her skin—she felt a little chilly without Yoa there to keep her warm. It had to be at least 30 degrees Celsius, but she missed his blazing heat.

Not only that. The warmth drained from Nova as worry formed between her brows. Slowly, she crawled off the heap of cushions she swore had been hardly used and scooped up her bra, thong and dress. Her thoughts remained transfixed on Yoa and their last moments together.

The haze of affection and her orgasm had popped now, replaced with anxiety and moved by Yoa’s selflessness. That was another reason why she liked him. Yoa was off galivanting to another part of the island to help others in need.

Although he might have done this more than a dozen times, Nova still couldn’t help but worry, chewing her bottom lip between her teeth. He was powerful. Aiyana claimed it as well. But what if there were loads of opponents like the ones they’d faced earlier with the Apatka—well, ’faced’ in the sense that they were threateningly served delicious stew by the chief.

Standing around doing nothing and worrying wasn’t going to do her any good. Nova dressed in her clothes, wondering if there might be any fabrics she could use for a makeshift dress or shorts and top. That was the distraction she needed, moving and doing something useful while her jungle man was out there fighting off who knew what!

Stop. Stop. You’re spiralling into nervous sweats again. Yoa will be fine.

Nova felt the fabric of her skirt between her thumb and fingers, looking at how worn and dirty it was again. Well, they had been making out in the lake and mud earlier... Nova’s cheeks warmed, and her body tingled from the memory. Her chest tightened as well. She could tell he was getting further and further away from her.

Jeez, was she already falling head over heels for him? Minus the damn heels because there was no way she was continuing to hike around in them. She couldn’t even remember where they went. The phone was long gone. Not that it mattered anymore.

One thing was certain though, she wanted to get out of this dress. Firstly, it needed another wash. It smelled of lake water, sweat, and dirt. How the hell did Yoa embrace her so much? His senses were much sharper than hers.

Nova’s nose wrinkled. Yep, she needed a new outfit. Things like that didn’t matter here. But there was something else that kept scratching at the back of her mind as she wore this garment.

This was the dress she wore for a date with Chad. Chad. Nova didn’t want to think about him or her life, especially right now, but now, left alone and looking down at this dress, her thoughts went there. Sadness also still clung to her like a mini raincloud, returning now because Yoa wasn’t here acting as her umbrella.

Nova wasn’t a dress designer or clothing designer of that sorts but she knew how to sew. Now she just needed to find something to use. Her gaze fell on the cushions. No. There were already other designs and patterns on them.

Again, her heart throbbed and almost burst at the thought of Yoa making these cushions and taking the time to make them look pretty. What else is on this floor? She started walking by the open space where a wall should be like the rest of this floor but stopped a few steps before the edge. There was netting and even hammocks dangling from branches.

It was obvious now that Yoa liked sprawling out on hammocks, branches, or anywhere else.

Nova turned and padded along the wooden decking, her feet then pressing on top of animal hides. This floor was definitely a living quarters of sorts. It was so warm and welcoming, homely even. The cushions seemed to be his only form of a bed and lounging area, but there were so many hammocks and other spots Nova knew he slept among the trees more.

The treehouse was merely a spot where he could leave his belongings in his human form. It was so high up in the trees, isolated from the rest of the jungle, even though it was in the midst of it, that nobody would dare try to get inside of it.

Carvings of what looked like some sort of jungle spirits and feline deities decorate the beams as she passes. There was a necklace of sorts hanging from a hook, it was made up of feathers and bones. Dried herbs and crushed flowers lingered in the air but his scent overpowered it all. Coconut. Spice and that hint of earthiness that was just him. It was impossible to ignore and it settled on her like a second skin.

Any thoughts about her dress subsided as her curiosity kept taking her around Yoa’s home.

Nova passed chests and another area that could be considered a kitchen and dining area. Knives lined the walls, a chopping block left to the side, pots and pans, an area where a fire can be safely created without setting alight the entire treehouse, and cushions scattered around to sit and eat. A glassless window had been created for this spot to bring more light and views of the trees in this area of the second tier.

This part of the treehouse was even more enchanting. There were alcoves like roots of mini trees branching out and onto the ground, and some of them have animal hides and cushions in for lounging by. Others had luminescent blue symbols, language of the ancients travelling up the inside of the alcove in a singular line.

Another one had smoothly carved stairs leading up to a small balcony that overlooked this floor and then led outside. Nova ascended the steps, her hand gliding along the banister that had carved patterns in. On the balcony was a small firepit, bricks were used around it and forming a small fireplace with a chimney bursting from the thatched roof.

Turning around, she couldn’t stop her feet from moving and exploring, curious to see Yoa’s life in this magnificent place. He’d built this. She marvelled at the craftsmanship and all the little structures that just made the home work similar to a modern one, minus electricity. Hanging baskets full of bioluminescent plants thrummed and glowed faintly already, even during the day.

The wind swept across her face, blasting her hair back as she could feel how high she was. Nova was too awestruck to care at the moment though. She scanned the treehouse, the balcony with netting below it ran around most of this floor, revealing bridges and vines connecting to two smaller treehouses.

She wondered if they were homes for-

"There you are little snack!"

Nova spun around at the joyous voice of Atia. His arms were spread out, showing just how lean he was, a grin wide on his face, lighting up his features. Peeking out behind him was Aiyana, whose arms were crossed, and she looked like she didn’t want to be there.

"Oh... Hey..." Nova breathed out, her cheeks heating, sounding more nervous than anything. Her hair was still messy, and Yoa’s smell was probably all over her. It shouldn’t embarrass her, though. They’d seen them kissing on the jungle floors below, so they must have known what the pair would get up to.

Why were they here? The question slipped into her expression before she could stop it.

"Well, don’t you look thrilled to see us," came Aiyana’s snappy response.

Atia pouted, but he lumbered towards her and rested a giant outstretched arm on her shoulders. It weighed her down, and she felt even weaker, especially right now in front of Aiyana, who’d called her over an hour ago about how she was too weak to be Yoa’s mate.

"I didn’t expect to see you so soon," Nova murmured, glancing between them before her eyes rested on Aiyana. "I didn’t expect to see you at all."

Aiyana arched her brow at Nova’s comment. "Cute." She brushed past them. "Yoa asked us to babysit you, so here we are. Yay..." The sarcasm trailed off as if Aiyana couldn’t be bothered to continue with the attitude or possibly waste her time speaking to Nova.

"Aww no, don’t say it like that, Yana," Atia tsked playfully then looked down at Nova. "I’d stay and protect you even if he didn’t ask us."

Nova rolled her eyes, growing used to his lighthearted attitude. She could see why Yoa was such close friends with him even if her wild beast was rather stoic, mysterious, a guarded wall in front of others, there was also a cheekiness to Yoa that he let loose around her. Aiyana... She couldn’t really figure that one out yet.

There was no hatred or dislike for the girl, nor did Nova sense there was some form of jealousy towards her for being with Yoa. She just had to see what her deal was, how this little trio worked and if Nova might fit in with them.

Aiyana glared over her shoulder at them, mostly at Atia.

New distraction from worrying about Yoa: Try and befriend Aiyana.

Success rate: Unsure. 50%?

Aiyana’s hair flicked back as she hopped onto a branch that stretched beyond the safety netting meant to protect her from falling. She glanced over her shoulder at Nova in challenge, fully aware of how Nova’s heart raced just from watching her climb there.

It was more than likely going to be less than fifty per cent. She needed all the luck she could get!

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