Nisha was shocked but was quickly overwhelmed by anger and pushed Maddox away. She stood up, then went back into the cage and closed it. Maddox was baffled by Nisha's reaction to his confession, he then stood up and walked towards the cage.
“Come out, Nisha!” He said.
Nisha ignored him and turned around, then he bent down to pull her out, but she turned her face to him and growled at him with her fangs out and her eyes changed to blue. Maddox was shocked but left her and went back to bed in deep thoughts.
..................
Sunshine Clan's Territory
The next day, Caleb decided to go on a stroll around the neighborhood, remembering the memories he had with Nisha and Josephine.
… Flashback….
Nisha ran steps ahead of he and Josephine then called out to him.
“Caleb! Watch me as I give you a stunning somersault.” Nisha said at the top of her voice.
He and Josephine had laughed when Nisha fell on the first flip.
…back to reality…
Caleb strolled down the path they frequently passed, and he smiled as he remembered each memory. He kept on walking to their secret hideout, there was a rock beside the river. That's where they sat on because it was big enough to accommodate 5 people, they sat there to relax, stare at the river or converse freely and happily.
It had been a while since he visited their secret hideout and was free today to do so. Shocked, Caleb saw a mermaid who had a big gray tail. She looked so beautiful and irresistible.
Mermaids were never believed to have existed, so Caleb was shocked. Even if mermaids were to be real, he wondered if they lived in rivers, which were not as deep and safe as the sea. The mermaid noticed a presence and jumped into the river.
“Wait! If you can hear me, I won't harm you.” Caleb said.
The mermaid brought her head up and looked at Caleb with intriguing eyes.
“You can come out, I can't harm you.” Caleb assured.
The mermaid swam out, and her tail changed into legs, she walked towards Caleb and smiled at him.
“ You won't hurt me?” She asked with a big smile on her face.
“Yes, I won't hurt you.” Caleb affirmed.
“I always knew humans still had one part of their heart that doesn't derive pleasure in hurting mermaids. But you seem like you're a different human, your energy is different.” She said.
“I'm a werewolf.” Caleb confirmed.
“Oh! A werewolf.” She said, looking a bit disappointed.
“Humans shouldn't be trusted just like that! When they see you, they'll exploit you and use you for their selfish interest. If it was a human who called you out and assured that he or she won't harm you like I said, do not believe them. Swim as fast as you can!” Caleb advised.
“Wow, so much advice even when I'm a stranger to you. Thank you! I'll take note of that, I've always wanted to be friends with a human, and that's why I was happy to come out of hiding when you said you won't harm me.” She said.
“Oh! Well, I can be your friend, if you don't mind.” Caleb said.
“Sure, why not! I'm Isabelle.” She introduced herself.
“I'm Caleb.” He replied.
They started conversing and clicking well, and Isabelle began to show him some of her skills. She controlled the water to rise above an average human's length, which it did. Caleb was intrigued and pleaded for more.
Isabelle made a water ball out of her hands, and it became so big that it hovered over them.
“Are you ready for the water to drop on you?” Isabelle said, excited to show her skills.
“Wait! I have to prepare myself for this big ball of water. “ Caleb chuckled.
Then he signalled that he was ready, and the water heavily dropped on them both. Caleb was soaked and they both started laughing heartily.
“So, I have to go now, Isabelle. It was really nice having fun with you.” Caleb said.
“I had fun with you too, I never thought it would be this fun. But why do you have to leave now?" Isabelle asked.
“I'm a prince in my kingdom, and I can't be gone for too long.” Caleb said.
“Alright then. Until we meet again.” Isabelle waved goodbye to him and swam into the river.
....................
Maddox calls Vivian out, and they sat in the sitting room, eating fruit salad.
“Been a long while, we sat like this and talked. I'm beginning to feel the good old times.” Vivian said as she was enjoying the fruit salad.
“Yeah, I've just been so busy.” Maddox said.
“Yeah, since you captured her. She isn't seeming like a slave to me anymore, feels like you give her privileges now.” Vivian said with contempt.
Maddox ignored her, as he didn't have a reply for that.
“Looks like someone's pouting.” Maddox smiled.
“I'm totally not. I'm just stating the facts.” Vivian said.
“So, what have you been doing to keep yourself busy and entertained since then?” Maddox said as he put a pineapple and grape in his mouth.
Vivian choked on her fruits and coughed, she drank water to make her feel better.
“Drink enough water and take it easy, Vivian.” Maddox said.
“Thanks.” Vivian said.
“We could have a hangout this weekend, just the three of us. What do you think?” Maddox asked.
“Uhm…. Yes, I'll love that. We'll reminisce about the past and laugh heartily. It's been a while, so things must turn out perfect.” Vivian said.
“Of course. It would surely be a perfect one, since you and Roland have always been a vibe.” Maddox said.
“Of course!” Vivian laughed lightly.
Vivian stood up and moved closer to him, she sat on his lap and was about to kiss him when he stopped her.
“No Vivian, not this. I think I need to clear something now.” Maddox said.
Vivian stood up from his lap and sat beside him.
“What's that?” She asked.
“Our intimacy is over, I don't want anything such as sex or kisses to happen between us anymore.” Maddox said.
Vivian's heart skipped a beat. She had been seeing signs of Maddox withdrawing from her, but she never knew he would cut off their sexual intimacy. Even if he would, she never thought it would be so soon.
“But I thought we were going to be mates.” Vivian said.
“Mates? Of course not! We're just friends, Vivian. How far have you taken this!” Maddox was shocked to hear this coming from Vivian. He always sensed love from Vivian, but never knew it was this serious.
..................
Nisha had gone to hunt with Rogan and this time, they were with bow, arrows, and darts with a darting board.
“So, it seems we're doing much more today.” Nisha said.
“Yes, you're correct. We're going to hunt down animals with a bow and arrow and before that, we'll test our dart skills.” Rogan said.
“Sounds exciting.” Nisha said, with a big smile on her face.
“Yes, it is. Have you thrown darts before?” Rogan asked.
“No! I have never, and I'm excited to try it out today.” Nisha said with excitement.
“Okay! You might not get good at it right now, only as time goes on, but watch the master as he does it!” Rogan said.
Rogan held eight darts with him and threw the first one which failed to hit the bull's eye, he felt shame and gave an uneasy smile to Nisha who was watching him.
Rogan kept trying until he exhausted the eight darts then he chuckled loudly and weirdly.
“I guess I'm not in the mood for it today.” He said.
“Alright, I'll try.” Nisha said.
Nisha threw the first dart, and it fell off, Rogan laughed and felt confident. Nisha then took a deep breath and threw the 2nd dart, which hit the bull's eye. She was happy and jumped up, then she tried the 3rd one, and it hit the bull's eye too.
She got so excited and threw the rest at the same time, and they all hit the bull's eye.
“But you said you've never thrown a dart before” Rogan protested.
“I guess I just have gifted hands” Nisha smiled.
They proceeded to hunt and caught a big game and went home. Maddox immediately took her hand and went out of the house, he told her they were going to Grace's garden.
Nisha followed and in an hour, they got to the garden. Nisha was stunned at the beauty of the garden and the graceful aura that filled the air, she loved the sound of the rushing stream near the garden and enjoyed the sounds the birds made.
Nisha and Maddox sat to enjoy the peace the garden brought, then grace who saw them from afar approached them. Nisha exchanged greetings with her, and they sat before her.
“It's lovely how fate brings two people together.” Grace smiled.
“What do you mean, grace?” Maddox asked respectfully.
“You both are fated to be mates.” Grace said with a big smile on her face.