When he woke up, Alexander felt refreshed and energetic. And rested. He tried to sit up, but the weight on his chest stopped him. It was a cat. The cat. And now it was purring. Sensing movement, the cat jumped off Alexander and left towards the river. Without knowing why, Alexander felt the need to follow the cat, so he did. He headed towards the river, hoping that he would also be able to catch some fish, as he was famished.
He made his way to the river slowly, checking his surroundings and watching his every step. The trees were dense and tall, occasionally scratching Alexander's skin with some random branches. He would have enjoyed this walk in the forest very much, if his circumstances had been different. He had to gain his strength and think of a plan to regain his position.
While walking, Niata came to his mind. Niata and his sister. He wondered what happened to her. Was she safe? Was she dead? The thought made Alexander's heart shutter. He felt pain. He wanted to see her so badly. Before his death, his father had entrusted him with her safety- she was their most treasured person in the world, after the death of the queen. Alexander felt like a loser because he had failled in protecting the princess. And the country. And so, his thoughts went on and on, ramaging through his head and heart, until he finally reached the river.
He drank the cold water to his heart's desire and then, sank his face in it, to wash off the dirt. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of coldness that caressed his skin. He was preparing to retreat when, a familiar soft and delicate kiss made his lips quiver.
Intrigued and scared, at the same time, Alexander opened his eyes. The most intriguing mouth was lying in front of him: plump, inviting, and, oh, so soft. He felt bewitched. And in need of air. He took his head out of the water just to catch his breath and refill his lungs with oxygen and returned under the water, hoping that the girl would still be there. She was still there. Clearly waiting for him.
He looked at her, observing her every detail and curve: big grey eyes with green iridescence, plump mouth, tall forehead, straight nose and plump cheecks. Her face was unique. Never before had Alexander seen such a face. He found himself unable to describe her. He needed air. He went out, refilled his lungs with oxygen and returned. She was still there. Waiting. And waggling her tail.
"You are a mermaid!" said Alexander, dumbfounded.
"Yes, I am. I am Angelica. And you are?", asked the mermaid, with the most melodious voice in the world.
"In need of air", replied fhe man, before disappearing, just to come back again, after a minute or so.
"I am Alexander, the king of Niata."
Angelica looked at him closely, with a blank look: "And why does the king of Niata looks like a beggar?"
"Because his country was invaded and conquered", said Alexander, full of spite.
"So you are truly a beggar", stated Angelica, in a mocking manner.
Alexander wanted to say something to her, but felt like suffocating. He gave up and went out for air. His life was more important than hia pride. He he breathed in deeply and sank again. When he sank, he saw that Angelica wasn't there anymore. He looked around, trying to see her. But she was gone. Alexander drew his head out of fhe water. He felt disappointed. Did she leave because he wss a beggar now? Was that his new status? His new life? And what about Angelica? Will he ever see her again?
His inner wolf was restlessly roaming, unable to stay still and keep quiet. He missed his...
"MATE!!!!! , growled Hunter, acting like a raged dog. The word nailed Alexander to the ground, making him stop as he was about to turn around an leave the river. With a frightening howl, Hunter took over Alexander and, after some long and heartbreaking howles, he sniffed the air and started running towards the woods, knowing exactly where he was supposed to go. He could feel it in fhe air. The smell. The calling of his mate. Carried by Hunter in this desperate chase, Alexander's consciousness was trying to understand. But nothing made sense. His mate - a mermaid. That was... he didn't know what it was. A blessing? A curse? Something impossible? A werewolf and a mermaid???
Hunter increased his speed, as the newly familiar smell was begining to fade away. Short of breath, he finally reached a clearing in the forest. He stopped cautiously because he sensed the smell of humans. He did not want to scare them or provoke them to attack him. He hid behind a large tree and waited patiently. There was nobody there, except for a poor looking girl, who was cooking some fish at a small wood fire. Hunter smelled the air: it was definitely her, his mate, his destiny, the one he had been waiting for so long. Hunter took a chance and left his hiding place to approach the girl. The fish smelled awesome!
With great care and precaution, in order not to scare the girl, he approached her. When he came close the fire, Hunter stopped and waited to be noticed, hoping that he will not have to resume the chase. The stream of thoughts was interrupted by the appearance of a familiar figure: a gray cat, with large yellow eyes, was lying next to the girl, waggling its tail, from time to time.
There was no time left for other thoughts, because the girl turned around and said to Hunter:
"What took you so long? Beggar or prince you should still show some manners!", concluded Angelica, with a large smile on her face, stroking Hunter on the head.
Feeling her touch, Alexander tried to take over Hunter and come to his human form, but discovered that this was impossible. After many failed attempts, Alexander gave up.
"There is no point in trying again", said Angelica. "You are bound to remain in your wolf form until you and I are reunited again, but, by marriage this time. We are mates. "
Hearing these words, Hunter put his head on her lap, happily accepting her gentle strokes. His heart ached and so was hers.
In a soft voice, Angelica continued: " Once, our world were one, but something terrible happened and our people became strangers. I never found out what it was. But my people are unable to reach the surface of water and walk on earth, like I do. Only me, my brother and 10 of our best generals can walk the earth and mingle with people and live amongst them. My general is named Pluto. His mission was to find you. And now, your mission is to help me, and my people, should you choose to accept it. And only when my people will be free, will I be able to marry you. "
Hunter looked up, at Angelica's face. He looked puzzled.
"Yes, I know you have questions. That is why I am telling all these things. My underwater country needs its true general, my brother. He is lost, I do not know if he is even alive. He is the only one that can raise and command the army of 100.000 horsemen. Without him, we are doomed. He disappeared before I was born,so I have never known him. Your mission is to find him and remind him of who he is. My general will help you. Pluto was his best friend. He is the only one that can identify him. I only have one hour left on the surface of the earth before I must return into water." whispered Angelica.
"And if you don't?" Hunter's eyes seemed to ask.
"I die", answered Angelica, softly patting his head.
Alarmed by the possibility of Angelica losing her life, Hunter raised and started nudging Angelica with
his snout and pulling her clothes with his teeth, in order to make her get on his back.
Laughing like a child, Angelica got on the back of this large black dog. When Hunter was about to start running, Angelica screamed so loud, that it made his heart stop:
"Wait! Wait for my general! We have to take him with us! "
Hunter stopped, looking impatiently around, when, suddenly, a loud meow made him jump. He saw the gray cat. Again! Hunter looked at the girl in disbelief! His eyes were saying: " Do not tell me that this cat is your general!"
"Oh, yes, he is! He is my most trusted general. I entrusted him your safety, after all!", said Angelica, softly picking the cat up in her arms.
Hunter growled, showing his teeth, menacingly. That was unheard of: a cat has become his personal guard.
Once he felt Angelica's strong grip onto his fur, Hunter 's desperate race against the clock began: he had to take his beloved back to the river before the sunset. One look at the sun urged him to run faster and faster and faster. Never before had Hunter been forced to run with such a speed, nor had he ever felt that his heart would explode.
Growling and howling and running, not caring for the branches that scratched his snout and eyes or for the sharp edges of the stones that cut through his paws, Hunter felt he was running for his life. He knew he would never get a second chance, a second mate. That was why he was so determined to protect her: for she was very precious and dear to him.
Another look at the sun terrified him. With what felt like it would be his last breath and his last drop of energy, Hunter jumped over some bushes and then straight into the river, just when the sun had disappeared, hiding into the night.