“So, I felt uncomfortable back then, and it became something more usual, you know? Him being sort of nice, and then being really weird, even sometimes I got the feeling that he was possessive,” she said, her eyes looking far away even while, from time to time, she continued eating another spoonful of soup.

“That’s quite a story,” Eron said, but more focused on that last part. “Possessive? With you? What do you mean?”

“Well, yeah, kind of territorial. I dismiss it as if it's a joke, when it comes from him, getting closer and telling weird things as if I was an object that belongs to him, and even more when it comes from others around me. And I hear people say things like ‘oh, don’t get too close to her, you know Mad Max will get madder,’ or something like that but I find it very uncomfortable, to be honest.”

She finished the last of the soup in her bowl and was now completely full, while enjoying the company... Diwa was even happier because it was still early and she was out in the forest, a place that she liked so much.

Eron continued to intently look at her, still making a big effort to hide how upset he was with the mad one of the lumber camp since he did know about THAT sawmill booth. But then, there was something that he needed to know...

“Miss Diwana, please forgive the question, but… were you ever interested in him?” The Charmer finally asked, and for a reason he didn’t want to accept. 

It pained him to ask it, but even more so was to wait for her answer. It was something he really didn’t want to hear, but in the end, he had to know. 

“Oh,” she blushed again, still surprised that her face could continue to keep changing colors. “Well, I was. I sort of still am, but DEFINITELY not in a romantic way. He started weird, as I was telling you, even when my husband was alive. Mason just laughed and told me to ignore him. He said it was not worth the trouble, and so I did. I tried to be courteous, even friendly, but I think he keeps misunderstanding, or saying things with double meaning that I, for the life of me, can never understand,” she admitted, more and more willing to tell Eron things she hadn’t been able to tell anybody else, even regarding a simple matter like this one.

“Max is interesting, can talk deeply about certain topics but he would never accept an opinion different from his, you know? And that is in everything! I’ve been trying to discuss a few paranormal topics with him once or twice, and he blatantly… refuses…” 

At this point, Di noticed that she’d gone too far with opening up to her charming companion, and now, hopefully, he would not laugh at her… or worse….

“That’s all very interesting... As a matter of fact, I find it even more interesting than my opinions about Max,” Eron responded, smiling widely. “Please, Miss Diwana, tell me about those paranormal topics. I have to admit that I’m a fan… Please, do tell me what you believe, what you think, even if you’ve seen anything like that. I promise, I won't laugh. I won’t even interrupt.” 

The young woman looked a bit unsure at this well-built man whose eyes were eagerly shining. Even Eron's body language was now showing her his full attention.

“Wow,” she thought, “this is a positive surprise… I wonder… Mr. Eron, you’re indeed so full of surprises.”

“I’d love to… I will… but possibly another time, if you don’t mind. I find that a much longer and deeper topic, and I believe I went around your last question…” Di said with a small smile, most interested in leaving this clear to Eron, “So, yeah, I was in no way interested in him as a man, ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY as a friend, but he wasn’t much of a friend to me. When I needed a friend the most, he would just vanish or stay quiet. When I was at my best, he would then show up and act weird again. So yes, I tried to understand him, but I honestly don’t need that kind of 'friend' in my life. For now, I just laugh it off. Well, that was until what happened today...”

Diwana was now cutely frowning then pouting, ending her statement with a very energetic and passionate tone. Eron couldn’t still stop smiling, even if he tried to, as he watched her facial expressions change. 

“Then, do you mind me asking, what do you like in a man? What would a guy need to have to be worthy of being yours?” he half whispered in that charming, seductive way that made many ladies before lay their hearts at his feet. 

But this time, he was the one laying his heart at her feet, even ready to be her wolf rug in front of a chimney on a cold winter night. 

“I… I… what?” she nervously giggled, trying to compose herself. 

Maybe she imagined the tone, or the small sparkle in his eyes when he said it. Maybe she was dreaming again...

Diwa secretly pinched her forearm to make sure it was not a dream, just as Eron, who was still intently looking at her, as he did before when he saw her almost running towards him that morning. And just like him, she jumped slightly as a response to the pain.

“I… is that a serious question, Eron? Why would you like to know that?”

He was surprised at the question.

“Well, I am a very curious guy… and… I haven’t met many ladies like you, Miss Di,” he said distractedly, looking at his feet, and not noticing that she smiled a bit more when he called her in that closer way. “I know what girls like to hear and see, but a proper lady just like you, I’ve never… uh… I’m sorry, am I bothering you with the question? Please feel free not to answer if you're not comfortable with it." 

Eron looked back at her eyes, feeling himself getting flustered yet again. He hardly breathed as he waited for her to reply.

“Well, it's not usual that I’m asked that. I’m just surprised, not uncomfortable… and I like… gentlemen. Respectful, caring men… uh… usually tanned, and with brown hair… I like lighter colors of eyes; I find them sweet and fasci… nating… uh but that’s enough of me… " she hurriedly changed the topic.  "Actually, you know what? Let’s go to my house. Yes...we can do that right now...” 

Diwa's invitation was given animatedly, without her noticing at first, “I mean… you need to see what you’re getting before you decide to take it, right?” 

Her thoughts: “What the hell am I saying now? That last phrase sounds so... bad. Ugh!”

Eron was surprised at what he heard, to say the least, and was completely sure that she was either joking or not even noticing how his slightly twisted and hungry mind was taking all she said…

“I mean the ROOM!” she exclaimed, now with a higher, nervous pitch than she expected. “Ahem… the room that you will rent… we have a few… available, and… you can choose, so… we can go… there... now and you can… choose which… room you would like to have.”

His thoughts: At this rate, Miss Diwana, I only want your room… with you in it! Damn, Eron, this will be really HARD to go through… but be nice, you heard her, right? A gentleman… be the gentleman you’ve been only with your twinny. Good boy, you can do it! 

On that motivational note, he stood up, took the bowl in her hand, then offered his own hand to pull her up from her seat. She accepted by putting her dainty fingers on his long ones. Then she found herself on her feet, facing him.

“I want nothing more but to see that, Miss Di... that... I mean, the house… cause the wolf… yeah, I need to… move from here soon, so… I… follow you now?”

“Yes, please, come with me… I mean, let’s go...” she replied, now scolding herself… “Oh for goodness’ sake, Diwana... How can a conversation go so wrong? He surely noticed all those hungry phrases you let out! He will take back the offer to rent at your place if you continue talking like that!”

Meanwhile, Eron was also having a similar convo in his head...

"Daaaamn, you and your big mouth, man! At the rate you're going, she'll be more weirded out with you than she ever was with Max. Get a grip, will you?"

Her soft shy voice broke into his thoughts. "Uhhh, Eron?"

He looked down at her, since the top of her head reached just about his shoulders. "Yes, Miss Diwana..."

"You can let go of my hand now..."

Silence... But just a short one this time.

"OH! I'm sorry..." Eron said with a sheepish smile, while suddenly releasing her fingers.

Well, after a longer and slightly awkward silence, they started talking again. They were laughing and joking about more innocent and light topics, as if they have known each other for several lives already. As he fixed up his camp, and she led him to the path going to her home.

Mates…