Chapter Eighty Two: Willingly Falling On My Path To You

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As Gabriel and Harvey advanced towards me, I took a deliberate step forward, my hands outstretched, palms open in a gesture of invitation and trust.

Without hesitation, they each took one of my hands, pressing gentle, reverent kisses to the inside of my palms-a silent acknowledgment of the gravity of the moment.

Gabriel's voice, tinged with a raw hint of vulnerability, broke the silence. "Is this what you want?" His eyes searched mine, seeking affirmation, understanding the magnitude of this step for me.

Both he and Harvey were acutely aware that this level of intimacy, embracing multiple partners, was a novel concept in my life-a stark departure from the customs of my world, contrasting sharply with the polyandrous norms of their planet.

Their kisses trailed up my arms, soft and questioning, not just seeking, but offering comfort and an escape, should I wish it.

Harvey's voice, gentle and earnest, intertwined with Gabriel's. "Tell us if you're not ready. There's no need to rush this."

Their words and actions wove together a tapestry of care, respect, and patience, acknowledging the crossroads of worlds and hearts we stood at, and offering me the space and support to choose my path freely.

A shiver coursed through me as I spoke, my voice barely above a whisper. "You tell me-what is 'baby gurl' conveying to you?" I knew they were acutely aware and could smell my arousal, an unspoken language of desire and uncertainty mingling in the air.

Gabriel's response was gentle, yet profound. "I scent what 'baby gurl' is communicating, and then he moved his lips to my forehead.

"but where are you here..." He said so softly.

His kiss on my forehead was not just a gesture of affection but an inquiry into my innermost thoughts, seeking the alignment of heart and mind.

He continued, his hand resting tenderly against the side of my head, his words flowing directly into my consciousness as he kissed my temple.

"You've faced so much since arriving here, adapting and reshaping yourself in countless ways-a feat of immense strength. I, we, are willing to wait....." he said.

The embrace from him and Harvey that followed enveloped me in a cocoon of warmth and understanding.

Tears welled in my eyes, a tangible reflection of the emotional turmoil within. In the quiet sanctuary of his embrace, a realization dawned on me, profound and transformative.

The path I had walked had led me to deeply appreciate and like him, to accept him as my mate, and to recognize the expansion of my life into uncharted territories of adaptation and acceptance.

It was more than just a transition; it was a profound evolution. My openness to this new life from the onset did not trivialize the gravity of the change, especially when it involved sharing not just my body but the intricacies of my relationship with Harvey-my first and only love in both this life and the one before.

This intimacy, this sharing of one's deepest self, was not a commodity to be given lightly.

It was a sacred exchange, visible in the way I cherished Harvey, an embodiment of love's truest form.

On this path I had navigated, the one that led me to embrace additional mates and foster a fondness that teetered on the edge of acceptance, something profound shifted.

Gabriel's words, spoken with such sincerity and understanding, didn't just resonate-they transformed. In that instant, the strong like I harbored for Gabriel cascaded into love.

It wasn't gradual; it was a sudden, profound plunge into the depths of emotion, and I found myself willingly falling in love...

Before my words could form, Gabriel's actions spoke volumes. He lifted me effortlessly, cradling me close, his head nestled against my chest as he ascended the stairs to our room, Harvey's silent presence a comforting shadow behind us.

Once in the sanctity of our room, Gabriel gently set me down on the bed. Then, kneeling before me, he returned his head to its refuge against my chest, holding my hand as if it were the most precious treasure.

"I speak not just for you," he confessed, his voice a soft murmur of vulnerability, "but for myself too."

His hand moved, resting delicately over my heart, near the mate mark Harvey had etched into my being.

"I wish to be here...," he whispered, his desire clear, his need recognized.

His words, so simple yet so charged with emotion, sent a tremor through my very core. My heart, touched by his earnest plea, seemed to quiver in response.

Tears, unbidden, cascaded down my cheeks, each one a testament to the overwhelming tide of emotions within.

Harvey, ever attentive, gently brushed away the tears, his touch a silent vow of comfort and solidarity in this intricate tapestry of love and life we were weaving together.

Gabriel's gaze remained steadfastly downcast, his voice steady yet laden with the weight of his confession.

"There's a certain look, one that speaks volumes, that appears in your eyes when you're truly in love. It's like gazing upon the entire world, and I see that look every time your eyes meet Harvey's. That's how you behold him, how you cherish him."

He paused, his grip on my hand tightening slightly, a physical anchor for the emotional depths he was about to navigate.

"I'm keenly aware of the affection you have for me, and while it warms my heart, I must confess, I am in love with you...

I yearn for the day when your eyes reflect that same boundless world for me, when I can see in your gaze that I, too, am your world...

It might sound trivial, and I don't expect the same love you have for him-just a love uniquely ours."

His voice wavered, a testament to the rawness of his emotions. "You've set a precedent of abundance in love, I am so spoiled by you, making it impossible for me to settle for less...

It might seem foolish; any male would be content to have a partner, regardless of the depth of affection.

But with you, everything feels different. Now that I'm here, now that I have you, I crave that profound connection. I long for you to fall in love with me too..."

A tremble ran through his words, a subtle yet unmistakable sign of his vulnerability.

"So, if you're not ready to offer that depth of emotion, let's wait. This is my selfish plea..."

With that, he embraced me tighter, his head buried in my chest, seeking refuge from the storm of emotions his confession had unleashed.

Gently, I placed a hand on his shoulder, my fingers tenderly caressing his head. I could feel the tension radiating from him, his body bracing for my response.

"Look up at me, my babe," I urged, my voice barely more than a whisper, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.

Reluctantly, hesitantly, Gabriel released his hold and lifted his gaze to meet mine. A tumult of emotions played across his face-anxiety, anticipation, and a profound understanding.

Our eyes locked, a silent communion in the space between us.

"Tell me," I implored softly, "what do you see?"

The question seemed to send a tremor through him. Tears welled in his eyes, magnifying the depth of his emotions.

And then, in a whisper laden with awe and disbelief, he uttered, "The World..."

Author Note:

That's enough for me today. I'm going to cry in my bed now...

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