New Beginnings

Chapter Fifteen

Lo'ak was sitting on the floor of their marui near Laiena's sleeping area holding her gift.

Every year for their birthday they would stay up until midnight and exchange a gift to eachother.

They would be eachothers first gift of the day. They'd done it every year since they were four.

As he sat on the floor he hadn't realized how much time had gone by until the sunlight began to peak through the opening of the marui.

Laiena had missed the most important part of their birthday because she was out with Ao'nung.

He sighed and placed the gift he'd made her on her sleeping mat and walked out of the marui.

He was tired from being up all night and needed sleep but he didn't care. He didn't wanna be there when Laiena got home.

Not long after he left, Laiena made it back to their marui to find it surprisingly empty for being this early in the morning.

She walked over to her sleeping mat and saw the pouch Lo'ak had left her.

She picked it up and sat down, and Ao'nung sat beside her.

She stared at it for a minute before speaking.

"Every year for as long as me and Lo'ak could remember we would stay up until midnight and exchange a gift to eachother. Then, we'd open our gifts at the same time and talk about it. Then we'd go over how we wanted to spend our day."

She sighed and looked at Ao'nung. "But I missed it." She looked back down at the ground and shook her head.

"It's okay Lia, I'm sure he'll understand." Ao'nung said softly as he tried to reassure her.

She nodded and dug into her pouch, pulling out a little bag with something she'd made for Lo'ak.

She looked at Ao'nung and he smiled.
"Come, let's go do something fun."

Laiena nodded and followed Ao'nung.

"Well well well. We meet again." Kylìo said as he walked over to where they were.

"Kylìo can you just leave me alone?" Laiena asked as she moved to stand next to Ao'nung and he placed a hand protectively on her lower back.

"How could I ever leave you alone. You know, for the longest time I hated you." Kylìo said as he took a step towards them.

"Why? I never did anything to you." Laiena asked.
"I hated you, because I wanted you." He admitted and Ao'nung gave him a cold stare.

"Wanted you then, and want you now." He said as he stared at Ao'nung. "You loved my brother. I'm the closest thing to him you have left." His gaze then shifted back to Laiena.

She stood there looking at the ground not knowing what to say.

She hadn't even realized Kylìo was standing right in front of her just inches away.

"I can treat you better than this fish lipped freak."
He whispered in her ear causing her to flinch.

Ao'nung noticed this and pulled her away from him so that she was now standing behind him.

"Don't you dare speak to her like that." Ao'nung warned Kylìo. "I am the chiefs son, if you think for even a second you can come in here to my village and disrespect my family, and my mate. Then you're wrong."

Laiena's eyes shot up to Ao'nung has he referred to her as his mate. She smiled before looking back down.

Kylìo gave her a cold stare. "You mated with this freak?" He asked and Ao'nung looked at her praying she'd go along with it.

Laiena looked at Ao'nung before looking back at Kylìo and straightening her posture.

"Yes, we are mated before Ewya. It is done." She held her hand out and Ao'nung willingly took it.

Kylìo let out a scuff. "What would Txìho think of this?" He paused before giving them a smile. "What would your father.. think about this?"

"What would I think about what?" Jake asked as he, Tonowari, Neytiri, and Ronal walked over to them.

Laiena gave her dad a knowing glance signaling to Kylìo and he knew instantly something wasn't right.

Ao'nungs stiffened posture and his eyes cold and hard and the fact he had Laiena protectively stood behind him and she was quiter than usual.

"I was just thinking how much you'd like to know that these two, have mated." Kylìo said gesturing to Ao'nung and Laiena.

Neytiri and Jake both looked at Laiena and she mouthed to them play along. And they nodded.

"Of course we know, what kind of parents would we be for not?" Neytiri said as she went and stood next to her daughter, giving a quick glance to Ronal signaling to Ao'nung.

She nodded and walked over to her son.
"This two make an excellent pair." She said as she placed a hand on his cheek.

Tonowari looked at Jake with a confused expression and Jake nodded.

"The children are happy with their decision, and so we are happy for them." Jake said as he walked over to Ao'nung. "I'm glad I get to call you family. I know you'll protect my daughter."

Ao'nung nodded.
"With everything in me, I'll keep her safe."

Kylìo let out a chuckle. "You guys seriously allowed this? No, I'm sorry but Laiena belongs to me." He said as he grabbed Laiena by the hand which she quickly pulled away from him as Ao'nung stepped in front of her again.

"Touch my mate one more time, I dare you." Ao'nung spat in his face.

Kylìo put his hands up in defense and smiled. "Okay. You won. She's all yours." He said sarcastically.

"Good. Now leave." Ao'nung demanded.
Kylìo nodded and bent down near Laiena.
"I'll have you eventually."

She just stared at the ground not knowing what to say or do.

As he walked away suddenly all eyes were on her.

"Mate?" Tonowari asked looking at Ao'nung.
He shook his head. "No, we are not mated. That was the only way I could think to get him off her back."

Tonowari and Jake both smiled.
"I'm proud of you, boy." Jake said as he placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for protecting her."

Ao'nung nodded. "Of course. I love her, why wouldn't I keep her safe?"

Laiena smiled and hugged him tightly.
"Thank you so much, Nung." He smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"Of course, Lia."

Neytiri and Ronal both gave a silent nod of agreement.

They were both thinking the same thing.

He loved her.
She loved him.

Ronal and Neytiri had both never seen two young kids more in love before.

They both agreed on the same thing.

They both agreed that no matter what happened they would always accept the two's relationship, especially after Ao'nung had just proved himself to both of them that he was willing to do whatever it took to protect her.

And he meant that.

He was going to do everything in his power to keep her safe.

Even if it were life or death, her happiness and health came before his.

And he would never let anything, or anyone hurt her as long as he was there to protect her.
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