Aila and Lo'ak had once again fallen asleep together out of their huts. Once they woke up they both had to leave each others sides because they had duties to fulfill.

Eclipse had started to fall and all of the Metkayian clan and the Sullys were at a celebration, nobody knew what it was for but they were soon to find out. Only Aila and her parents knew. Not even her siblings knew.

Aila and Lo'ak were sitting at a table with Rotxo, Kiri, Neteyam, Tuk, and Tsireya. Aonung was with his family, he didn't want to be around Lo'ak and Aila after what happened the other day.

Lo'ak had his hand on Aila's thigh, under the table enough so nobody could see unless they were inspecting them.

Lo'ak leaned over to Aila's ear and started to whisper something, "You look beautiful tonight."

Aila started to blush. Aila had changed her necklace to one that had a small pearl on it, she had on a leaf top with small pearls on it to match her necklace and her hair was in two braids rather than her hair being placed on her shoulders.

Lo'ak stifled a laugh and looked around the table, everyone was looking at the two.

"What's up with you two?" Rotxo asked.

Lo'ak backed away from Aila and looked down, embarrassed.

"None of your business." He stated, looking up at Rotxo with a smirk.

"Come on bro. Tell us." Rotxo said.

Lo'ak looked at Aila and let her talk.

"Nothing. It's nothing." Aila stated.

Lo'ak was slightly hurt by this but he understood why she said it. It was forbidden and she didn't want anyone going around telling someone.

Tonowani stood up, "Can everyone come outside, we have an announcement!" He stated.

Everyone got up out of the seats and started piling through the exit.

Aila and Lo'ak came to a log that was in the back of the circle of logs and sat down, beside each other, with their friend group beside them.

Tonowani stood on a podium that was slightly higher than the ground, "we have an announcement!" He stated.

Aila's heart began to beat rapidly. She knew this was what she had been dreading all day. She didn't know how Lo'ak was going to react but she hoped she wouldn't lose him, even though she knew she probably would.

Tonowani cleared his throat, "Niri'te please join me." As Niri'te stood on the podium, Tonowani grasped his shoulder, "Niri'te, the son of Nix'te and Leyra. We are happy to announce that Niri'te and my oldest daughter, Aila are to be mated!"

The crowd started cheering as Aila's heart dropped.

Aila looked in Lo'ak's direction. She saw the hurt in his eyes.

"Lo'ak, I-" she was cut off as Lo'ak got up and ran.

Aila reached for him, "Lo'ak! Wait." She screamed after him.

"Daughter come up and join us." Tonowani said as he reached out his hand.

Aila looked up at her father as a tear fell down her face.

Sadness was laced all over her face but when she saw her father smile at her it quickly turned to anger. As the tears started to stream down her face she gazed into her fathers eyes, hard.

Aila shook her head negatively and was about to start running when someone grabbed her arm, her father.

"Where do you think your going?" Tonowani stated.

Aila looked up at her father with pure hatred. She bared her teeth and hissed at him, freeing herself from his grasp.

She started to run in the direction that Lo'ak had ran. She heard her fathers voice in the distance, calling her name to come back.

She was only focused on one thing, finding Lo'ak.

She was looking around aimlessly, running for her life when she crashed into something. At first she thought it was a tree but then it came down with her.

She groaned as she landed. She felt arms wrapped around her, warm, comforting arms.

She opened her eyes and raised her head, placing her hands on the ground.

She looked below her and saw a familiar face, the one she had been looking for, Lo'ak.

Aila saw the hurt in Lo'ak's face. She furrowed her brows as she looked at him.

"Lo'ak I'm sorry." Aila blurted out.

"Aila, why didn't you tell me" Lo'ak questioned.

"Because I was scared, I didn't want to lose you. And I only found out yesterday and that's why I was so upset but I was too scared to tell you. I'm sorry."

"Do you want him?"

Aila was taken back by this, why would he think that? She thought. "Lo'ak" aila started to breath rapidly.

"Lo'ak, I love you!" Aila blurted out.

Lo'ak was shocked. He gasped but his body took over, he grabbed Aila's face and smashed his lips against hers. Their lips moving perfectly in sync. It was like they were made for each other, from how Lo'ak's hand fit perfectly around Aila's cheek and how Lo'ak's arms fit perfectly around Aila.

They broke away from the kiss, both breathing rather hard.

Lo'ak moved a piece of hair out of Aila's face and cupped her cheek, gazing into her eyes.

"Aila, I love you to. I have ever since the day I meet you. For the past 8 months I have been suppressing my feelings but I can't anymore. I can't imagine my life with anyone else. I love you so much, Aila."

"Lo'ak I tried to fight my parents about it but they wouldn't listen. I don't know what to do."

"I have an idea"

"What, whatever it is I'll do it."

"Mate with me." Lo'ak stated.

"What"

"Aila, if we mate then you won't have to be forced to mate with anyone else." Lo'ak said as he sat up.

Aila sat up and stared at Lo'ak, unsure of what to do. She didn't want to mate with Niri'te but also she was scared of what her parents might think if she were to mate with someone that wasn't from their clan.

"Lo'ak, I'm scared. What will my parents think." Aila stated.

Lo'ak grabbed Aila's hands and squeezed them tightly, "Aila, what do you want?"

Aila gazed into Lo'ak's eyes, she wanted him. Nobody else. Just him.

"I want...I want you" Aila stated.

"Then come with me." Lo'ak said as he pulled her up and started to run deeper into the roots.

They ran far enough into the roots where nobody could see them. Eclipse had almost completely fallen and the roots started to show their bioluminescence.

Lo'ak started to get down on his knees, Aila following him.

Lo'ak cupped Aila's cheek, "are you sure you want this?"

"Yes Lo'ak I'm sure. I don't want anyone else."

Lo'ak grabbed his braid and Aila did the same. They held them close as their queues connected. Every emotion ran through their bodies. They were one and they felt each others love for one another.

Aila cupped Lo'ak's face and gently kissed him. He kissed her back as their lips moved in sync once again. Aila let Lo'ak's hands roam freely around her body as her hands moved through his hair.

"I love you," Lo'ak mumbled in between a few kisses.

Aila pulled away as they both gasped for air. Aila's face was flushed, slightly embarrassed but mainly out of breath.

Lo'ak stifled a laugh as he pulled Aila towards the ground, her landing on top of him.

Aila rested her head on Lo'ak's chest and let out a exasperated breath.

Lo'ak was playing with Aila's hair while she nuzzled her head further up Lo'ak's chest and under his chin.

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1281 words
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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲-
I've grown so attached to this book but I only have a couple more chapters to write before it ends and it pains me. I hope y'all are enjoying this and that you will support the way I end this book.

Comments and Votes are appreciated<