"Your order is ready," the man preparing their food called from the truck and Jaguar lowered his head and sighed. Removing his hands he walked back to the truck while Aselia finally exhaled with relief.

Jaguar brought the food and Aselia gladly accepted.

"Thank you."

Placing her frappe on the bike she began to ravish the burger with delight. Her eyes danced with excitement at having delicious food. He chuckled at her reaction and leaned against the bike as well before taking a sip of black soda in his hands.

"Can I ask you something?" he casually inquired.

"Mhm," Aselia replied between mouthfuls. Inside of her cheeks bulged with food.

"You don’t like being touched, do you? Why?" he stared straight ahead so she could answer without any reluctance. Aselia stopped eating and wondered about that.

"Maybe because I don’t want anyone to see me as vulnerable," she placed the burger back in the cardboard box and took a sip of her frappe.

"Understandable, but you can’t have love if you won’t let someone in," he turned towards her. And an awkward silence followed his words as both of them gazed into each other’s eyes for a while. Feeling utterly out of place Aselia averted her gaze and straightened up so she wouldn’t have to look at him. Every time he tried to get close to her, pangs of pain descended in her heart as if she was about to commit some unforgivable sin.

"It’s ok to feel. Being a hunter doesn’t mean you have to keep your heart closed," he sighed and nervously combed his hair with his fingers.

"I know, sorry I am not good at this stuff," Aselia could sense he was disappointed and agitated with her reaction when he tried to get closer to her earlier on. She almost flinched when he had leaned in earlier but caught herself just in time.

"No need to apologize. I have a lot of patience," he took another sip of his drink and smirked.

Aselia quietly finished her food and drink after that and he didn’t disturb her. Once they were done he asked:

"Would you like to sit under a tree for a while and enjoy the night sky?" he pointed to the tree at the far end which had a small green patch all around it.

"Sure," Jaguar led her to the tree and both settled down under it. He lifted his head to look at the heavens where millions of stars and planets stared back down at them.

"You know there are other habitable planets out there besides us with intelligent life on them. There are icy giant planets and some are just like Altair," he told her with his eyes fixed towards the sky.

"Yes, I have read about them and it fascinates me what other creatures might live on other planets and if they will ever visit us."

"Hopefully, only peaceful ones," Jaguar added with a snort making Aselia laugh as she answered:

"Yeah, we can’t have more enemies, vampires are enough," he nodded and both sat quietly observing the inky sky with its diamond-adorned celestial objects.

"Have your leg and arm healed fully from the accident?" he had been asking her daily but just wanted to make sure.

"Yes, I am a quick healer."

"That’s good," he still didn’t know she was an elf and she was apprehensive to tell him. Both sat quietly for a while.

"So tell me about your family?" Aselia finally broke the silence between them.

"Well, other than my parents I have a twin sister. She is one person I would do anything for in this world," he confided in her with a forlorn look passing on his chiselled face.

"Oh! Nice to hear you have a great relationship with your sister. I always wanted a sibling and I am glad to have one now in the form of Yurian," she crossed her arms against her bent legs and placed her chin on them.

"Yes, Black Hawk cares deeply for you and so does his family. But I must confess, his mother is a tad scary," he rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile appearing on his face.

"Lol, Esma is a sweetheart but she is very protective of Yuri and me," Aselia didn’t explain the reason.

"She is a momma bear for sure," they both laughed and their conversation began to flow.

"So how does it feel being a Werejaguar? As far as I have read they are quite rare," Aselia inquired turning her head toward him.

"I certainly feel special that’s for sure and it’s fun to transform and run wild at times. It also helps me escape the realities of life and let loose. Blow off steam you know," Aselia vehemently nodded at his answer and stated:

"I can imagine how fun it must be."

"It is liberating as well. Would you like to ride on me again," he offered turning to face her, his hands resting on either side of him. Aselia blushed crimson, remembering how he had carried her the last time.

"Ahm, I think I would walk on my feet," her answer amused him and a naughty smile spread on his face. Aselia stood up and said:

"We should head back now, it’s late. We have work tomorrow," Jaguar stood up too and before Aselia could walk away toward his bike, he grabbed her by the arm and pinned her against the tree. Her heart jumped in her throat.

Trapping her with his arms and body, the back side of his right hand brushed her cheek and she felt all the blood rushing to their, dyeing both sides of her face red.

"Can I kiss you before we go?" he softly murmured, his desired-filled eyes fluttering so close to her cherry lips. Every instinct in her body told Aselia to push him away but she knew she would hurt him deeply. She agreed to this she wanted to experience something new and yet she didn’t want his lips on her.

Jaguar saw her not attempting to escape his grasp and took her silence as yes for he thought she was feeling shy. Without waiting any further he leaned in and claimed her lips. They were softer than he had imagined and he found himself closing his eyes and getting lost in the feel of them.

Revulsion shot through her heart and spread like poison in her whole body and instead of kissing him back she pushed him away and shouted:

"Don’t."

Jaguar instantly stepped back, a pang of hurt passed over his face and Aselia regretted her action, but the damage was done.

They awkwardly gaped at each other. Unaware that a fox-like creature hidden under the foliage watched and heard everything that had transpired between them.