This man doesn't know the meaning of space either. Yoa sniffed at the air around Nova then inhaled deeply at her neck.
"Woah! Excuse me!" Nova pressed at his chest then gasped as she wasn't holding onto anything and put her hands back on the bark underneath, grounding her.
Yoa didn't pay any attention as he inhaled at her hair, right behind her ear. Nova giggled at the featherlight, ticklish sensation, jolting and resting her cheek on her shoulder in response, halting his actions. Yoa's face was incredibly close to hers now, turning slightly, staring deeply into her eyes. It was bewildering, intense, she couldn't look away.
Guild panged in her chest after her stomach fluttered. Nova looked away, her mind flicking to Chad. She had no inkling about what happened to him. She'd barely had time to breathe and now she was dealing with this giant who lacked the idea of personal space and was quite possibly a murderous monster. Honestly, was she colour blind to red flags?
One man turned into a jerk, possible narcissist, and this one killed a man with his bare hands without any remorse for his actions. But yes heart beat rapidly for this man because he's strikingly handsome in a wild, untamed, rough way. You know who else are good looking—a lot of serial killers.
"You do not shift," Yoa stated, his voice rumbling, his breath ghosting along her skin.
Nova leaned away slightly, her hands resting behind her as she stared up at Yoa in confusion. "Shift?"
Yoa tilted his head, those thick brows tugging together as his eyes flicked between hers. "To change between man and beast…" He explained, staring at Nova questionably. This creature that smelt like no other before didn't appear to understand the simple term of shifting, yet, she spoke fluently.
Was she an Electa?
Nova shook her head. "I still don't quite understand any of this. How are you able to change into animals?"
Yoa's gaze roamed over her inquisitively. "How can you not?"
Nova parted her lips and shut them. It was more unheard of that people could 'shift' into beasts. "You were born like this?" At his answering single nod she added. "Like superheros…"
Yoa frowned. "Super… heroes?" He said it slowly, testing out the unfamiliar term.
Nova shook her head. She forgot he wouldn't understand what that meant. And how the hell was she still letting him hover over her like this?
"You are pale," Yoa stated the most basic of all statements, distracting her from the inner turmoil of having this man who'd killed, casually hovering over her.
"And you are not," Nova retorted simply. "Am I… the first… white person you have met?"
Yoa kept staring, his golden-red eyes roaming over her features, drinking them in before he nodded once. "Your… garments… are unlike any I've seen on this island…" He grabbed at the fabric of her skirt, lifting it, completely unconcerned about baring her legs to him.
Nova was about to kick his face but without looking her grabbed her leg, halting her action while still inspecting the material, sniffing it. Yoa wasn't paying attention to her body right now. His grip was firm but not painful or bruising as he let go of her skirt then set her foot down, only seeming to then realise what she'd tried to do and glowered at her.
Well excuse me, Mr! Before Nova could comment on his intimidating stare, Yoa spoke before her.
"You are not from this island…" His eyes subtly widened, but the calm, unreadable expression returned just as fast.
Nova shook her head. "I need to return to the resort then I'll be off this island, out of everyone's hair, I promise. I won't return," she vowed, her voice firm but tired, her eyes steady on his.
Yoa frowned. There was a slight pinch in his chest at her words. He scratched at it. Mosquitos were bothersome. "Resort?" He eyes her. This beautiful little thing was utterly weak and defenceless.
Whatever those weapons were hanging from her wrists weren't even sharp and were useless. The little critter was walking through jaguar territory and helped free him. Was she a little louca?
She would slow him down. He has responsibilities and being tied to that post for a few days would cause dire consequences for the rest of the island. He stared at the woman whose eyes were blue and deep, endless like the tropical sea, unlike any he'd ever seen.
This woman was also now his responsibility.
Nova sighed. "The resort is the place the locals keep attacking and-"
"I'll help you," Yoa interrupted. He had no idea what she was speaking of. It didn't matter. He was in her debt.
Nova's eyes brightened. "Really?!" She leaned forward, her heart pounding rapidly in her chest, it was so loud, Yoa had to focus on the slower heartbeats of the nearest sloth trying and failing to sneak out of his line of sight.
"Did I stutter?" Yoa grunts, wondering why she would question his words if he stated he would help her.
Nova blushed. "N-no, but it's… the best thing that's happened since I entered this damned forest," she admitted.
Yoa arched a brow, finally leaning back. "Your standards must be low if I'm the best thing that's happened to you."
"That's true." Nova nodded, not even denying it then added quickly, "Please don't eat me."
Yoa scoffed. "I just agreed to help you." He sat down properly, one leg hanging loosely off the branch, completely at ease this high up. Nova was a little jealous at that and in awe of how he looked. If she could drawer, she would have painted him. Or she might have taken a photo for memory sake-
Nova's head whipped down to check on her phone. She'd left it in her lap. "Are we planning on moving anywhere else tonight?" Her muscles were screaming at the idea of moving right now even if it meant she might return quicker to the resort. Her body was utterly exhausted from the running and the adrenaline was now fading.
Yoa's gaze was fixated on their surroundings, his eyes glowing now like two golden moons, reflecting back into the darkness. Only the silver hue of the moon above provided enough lighting to see Yoa and a few trees closest to them.
"No. It is safe here."
Nova followed his gaze, and her lips parted as she watched more than a few sloths climbing and lowering further to the ground. Some even let go of their branch, watching Yoa with their smiley faces. They were so cute!
But to just drop from that height? It's almost like a predator was among them and they were fleeing… Nova's gaze fell on Yoa again. He looked hungry watching them. Right. He is a predator.
Nova didn't know how she forgot that little, key piece of information. His aura was so domineering, menacing and magnetic. She cleared her throat and started taking her phone apart. "Good because this needs to dry."
Yoa looked back at her and flicked his gaze down at the phone, picking up the main piece, holding it at such an odd angle between his thumb and forefinger. "What is this? You won't leave it alone." Gone was the hungry expression as his curious gaze flicks between the pieces of Nova's phone.
Nova didn't bother trying to tell him it was a smartphone. "When it works again it will help me locate my people," she explained as easily as possible.
"This little thing will help you?" He tilted his head, staring at it then put the end between his teeth, testing it.
"Hey! Woah woah! Don't do that!" Nova took it from him, or tried to, his grip and jaw strength were ridiculous. But he released it and chuckled.
"I don't understand how that will help." He shook his head, done talking now and lets himself flop to the side, falling off the branch and holds himself up by one hand, swinging and leaping up until he was behind Nova.
"What…? What are you…" Nova looked behind her, startled. "Show off," she muttered grumpily and hiding the tint of pink on her cheeks.
"Sleep now. We get up at first light." Yoa's arms wrapped around Nova from behind and lifted her like she was a teddy and tucked her into his body. She was frozen, still holding onto the parts of her phone.
"What… Do you think you are doing?" She asked in a squeak.
"Keeping you safe," he grunted, closing his eyes, completely at ease with this whole situation. Nova's back was pressed to his chest, her body curled up, tiny compared to his huge one.
"That involves cuddles because…"
"You'll fall from the tree in your sleep," he answered with a sigh, sounding almost exasperated at having to explain himself.
"You have an answer for everything," Nova muttered, putting her phone together and stuffing it between her breasts about to complain and move from him. But his arms were solid, like carved stones. She couldn't pry him off her. "Release me."
"Sleep," he ordered.
Nova scoffed. "Release me," she demanded.
"You want to return in one piece to this 'resort'… Go. To. Sleep. Little Mouse."
Nova's lips parted and shut like a fish out of water. Then she relented, realising it was impossible to argue or get out of his hold. He was also big and warm and her eyes were already starting to droop like her body was never going to protest in the first place.
There was something so comforting about him and it should scare her.