Azara Origins

Chapter 11: Changes

Azara woke up the following morning smelling seared backstraps, eggs, and pancakes.

Azara swung herself off her bed and walked towards the main cabin. She stepped into the big room, and to her surprise, saw Jasper in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" Azara questioned.

"I'm cooking, ma'am," Jasper replied.

Azara strode over to where he was. "May I?"

He nodded, and Azara pierced an egg with a fork and ate it. Jasper watched.

"It's... a little salty," she admitted.

Jasper smiled. "Care to show me how it's done?"

"Gladly."

Time Skip

Rex, Drake, and Dusty walked in and froze, seeing Azara behind Jasper, teaching him how to cook.

Dusty made a disgusted noise.

"Something in your throat?" Azara asked, eyes narrowed.

"Uh... What's for breakfast?" Rex asked hurriedly.

"Backstraps. Eggs. And pancakes," Azara replied, laying plates on the table, glaring at Dusty. Jasper sat down next to her.

The group ate in silence for a while, except for Jasper.

"It's wrong," Dusty stated. "We protect people, and vampires kill them."

"Your point?" Azara growled.

"My point is that, if he..." Dusty gestured towards Jasper. "... Steps out of line and attacks somebody, he's fair game." With that Dusty stood and walked off.

Silence.

"It's alright, Azara," Drake said.

"Yeah. He's just being Dusty," Rex agreed.

Several long moments passed.

"So... What do we do now?" Rex asked.

"We give them some time," Drake said, pulling Rex out of the room.

Time Skip

Azara raced through the woods. She could see light ahead and was aiming to cut him off at the clearing. The thick grass provided good traction under her paws.

She leapt out and collided with Jasper while turning into her human form. She grinned down at him.

"I win," she said triumphantly.

He just rolled his eyes and kissed her gently.

"Um... Am I interrupting something?" Drake asked, innocently stepping out of the thick grass.

She helped Jasper up. "No," Azara said.

"Good... I'll just..." Drake said, walking backwards into the lush green grass.

"Good idea," Azara said, nodding.

After Drake had vanished into the thicket, Azara turned and tackled Jasper.

Time Skip

Azara and Jasper walked along a creek a little way from the cabins to the ledge. They sat on the cliff as the sun set in front of them. Azara leaned against Jasper, who had one arm around her.

They sat in silence for several minutes. Jasper reached his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a small, black leather box. Azara studied him for several long moments.

"What's that?" Azara asked.

"Open it and see," Jasper suggested.

Azara gave him a look, but slowly opened the box. In the box, sat a black metal wolf with ruby eyes on a strong braided chain. She smiled. "Do I have to put it on myself?" she invited playfully.

Jasper swept her hair back and placed the necklace on her neck.

She kissed him softly. "It's beautiful."

After a while, Jasper heard Azara's breathing deepen. Her eyes were closed, as she twitched restlessly in her sleep.

Jasper tilted his head, and Azara relaxed, her breathing softening. He smiled to himself as he watched her sleep.

Time Skip

Jasper opened the door to the main cabin and let Azara walk in first. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Where. Were. You?" Dusty said, with Rex and Drake at his side. Drake and Rex looked worried while Dusty looked mad.

"Out," Azara growled.

"Out!" Dusty exploded. "We searched the whole area and found no trace of you or him! Do you know what would have happened if you got attacked by a group of newborns... or him!"

"Jasper..." Azara said in a deadly calm voice. "Can you calm me down?"

Jasper nodded hesitantly, and she took a deep breath.

"If we were attacked by a group of newborns, we would handle it." With that, Azara walked away.