Author's note : This does contain a lemon scene, and the story is M rated so I hope no one finds it offensive, but otherwise have fun reading and thankyou all for supporting me!

"I hope you don't intend to accept what Elliot said." He growled to her throatily, and she felt the vibrations of his throat rumble against her.

"I...I don't have a choice do I?" She replied with a sigh and she clutched his arms tightly. Not wanting them to let her go.

"That depends." He said and made a hmm noise as he gently licked the hair on her head. It was a just a little lick to show his tenderness. That was another aspect of him that she had learned to adore. Being alien...really wasn't a bad thing. "I think...that you should join the Cyniclons." He murmured.

"No." Zoey replied instinctively and stiffened slightly.

"Think about it. That way I don't have to destroy you, and we can still be together." He told her softly.

"Dren... you sound like you want to say something...go on." Zoey muttered, acknowledging that she'd been neglectful of his thoughts so far. He gave a low chuckle and she twisted round to look at his beautiful face.

"The only thing I want to say to you is that...I love you Zoey." He murmured the partial lie so sweetly. And she felt herself become powerless as he gazed at her with those alluring eyes.

"Mmmf!" Zoey exclaimed as Dren pushed his head towards hers, locking his lips with hers. Dren resisted the temptation of thrusting his tongue in her mouth, and he chose to scrape his fangs lovingly across her soft lips. "I...also came to tell you, that I have orders to destroy you." But still, that wasn't the whole truth.

"I...thought you'd say that." She muttered and rested her forehead against his, closing her eyes in peace. A long silence ensured as both of their minds fell into the same mindset. Their relationship, their friendship, would never work as long as Cyniclons and people around them interfered. But to remove these obstacles, would be to destroy their world as they both knew it, an option Zoey could never accept and he would suffer Deep Blue's punishment more than likely to end in his death.

"So...what are we going to do Zoey?" Dren asked her quietly after a while and pulled her body even closer to him. He could feel his heart sinking with disappointment and she made a mewling noise of distress.

"I don't know." She replied bleakly and he knew the truth in her words. There was nothing they could say...

"We could...destroy both groups of interfering parties." Dren suggested cheekily, nipping her ear gently. Zoey gave a laugh and slapped his shoulder playfully,

"You know Renee would be all over you before you could start shooting magic everywhere!"

"That's true, she scares me." Dren laughed and Zoey giggled happily as she nestled against him. By now the sky was turning a soft hazy orange melded with blue hues and the Cyniclon sighed softly as they relaxed together. "You know...you forgot to go to work." Zoey's hair stood on end as she bolted halfway to her feet, before Dren's arms caught her in the waist letting her fall back into him.

"Not a chance. Elliot isn't making you work anymore than you need to." He purred and she smiled warmly at him, "If I had my way I'd scratch his eyes out for saying such disgusting things to you."

"Only because you say even more disgusting things to me." She teased and he gave her a gentle lick on the cheek.

"Only because you like it." He replied promptly. "I need to return to my dimension now, do you need me to accompany you back home?" He asked her gently and she shook her head.

"My dad would never approve of you." She muttered with some embarrassment.

"No he wouldn't." The Cyniclon said wistfully, "Neither would he approve of all the things I'd do to you." He teased and Zoey squirmed a little.

"Stop saying things like that, we're in a public and-"

"So you're saying you'd prefer the atmosphere to be elsewhere in private?" Dren laughed and stood up taking her with him. She made an obstinate noise and he chuckled wrapping his arms around her. With a little use of his magic he transported them to her house, always keeping her close as his magic did not always approve of foreign objects in contact with him, which was partly why his destruction power was so powerful.

"Thank you anyway Dren." Zoey replied with a little laugh as she glanced at her windows of her house, fully aware that her parents could be peeking behind the curtains at her.

"Not a problem." And they met in a light brief kiss. A kiss that left her wanting more. She smiled warmly at him and he back at her, with a tight embrace and with reluctance, he transported away, leaving nothing but air in her arms.

"Is it done?"

"Hm?" The Cyniclon looked up and his brethren were staring at him with accusing eyes. "Well isn't it my dear members of our species come to mingle with me in my glorious presence." He purred loudly towards them. Sardon continued to waft his fan in peace, the expression on his face impassive whilst Tarb raised his hands slightly.

"Watch your tongue!" Tarb snarled. "We got a lashing today because Deep Blue discovered that the Mew Mew leader is still alive! We told you to get rid of her!"

"Oh?" Dren replied and cocked an eyebrow at him as he laid back in the air, suspending his body in mild defensive magic. He could sense the tension between them growing with each second as he slighted their concerns. The time for dodging the consequences was over.

"Yes." Sardon interrupted, his eyes turning into an even darker hue of colour as his rage built. "And unlike you..." He fired a slash of energy at Dren, which sliced over his hand, leaving a fresh bloody wound. With a yelp Dren shot to his feet, his tongue licking at the wound which had soon stemmed its flow of blood. "We do not have favouritism towards humans. Nor we do we find them "cute", "sexy" or do we have the need to protect them." Sardon finished dryly, his weapon still trained onto Dren who was currently crouched defensively towards the floor. "It's sick the way you look at those humans, don't you see how bizarre your attraction to her is? It's repulsive."

"Shut up! No one asked for your opinion!" With a hiss Dren replied, "Neither of you have the power to overcome me! And IF I choose to destroy Zoey, it will be at my own personal leisure!" Sardon narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"You are an absolute idiot!" The Cyniclon's voice had twisted to a deeper voice, full of power and masculinity. Inside he could feel his instincts clawing at him. Telling him to be aware, and what they didn't tell him his fear did. Sardon was furious. "Our mission will not suffer because of a love struck fool like you!" he thundered, the menacing aura of power creeping towards Dren.

"Don't think you can best me!" Dren roared, his characteristic amber eyes turning to black slits as he acknowledged this challenge. It was like his encounter with the gorilla in the zoo, this was no different. Just another mammal wishing to harm Zoey, and what he swore back then, what he told her before was all true. He'd never let anything harm her. She was his and his alone. To love and to hurt.

"And do you think you can take us both on?" Tarb shouted, his scrawny body bunched up with tension as he prepared to launch himself savagely at him.

"If I had to! I could destroy you both!" Dren roared and swept his hand in a large arc towards Tarb. A blast of energy rammed into the Cyniclon who was sent sprawling through the dimension severely injured. "Stupid Cyniclon." Dren muttered watching the adolescent form of Tarb crawl weakly to his feet.

"He may be, but I am different." Sardon commented flatly and Dren uttered a low hiss, flattening his ears. This older Cyniclon had proved to be dangerous, slicing through his defensive magic we little effort. "You see...Deep Blue became very concerned that you would attempt to over throw our little team here due to your tainted magic still inside you. And so he gave me direct orders to remove obstacles within our mission, namely you if you dared defy his orders. And do believe me Dren when I say, I can defeat you."

"So I'm a threat to be removed?" Dren replied sniffily. "You're all so pathetic to be wasting efforts on me."His enemy lashed out another energy wave which caused him to leap out of the way.

"Your insolent behaviour needs to be curbed." Sardon said dryly as the Cyniclon crouched defensively on a rock out of physical reach. "Do not think that because of your tainted blood keeping you in adult form has granted you greater privileges than I! It's only a matter of time!"

"Shut up! I am more powerful than you!" Dren roared arrogantly focusing both palms of his hands together on Sardon. They each ejected a concentrated beam of magic that struck Sardon's shield conjured from magic. The offensive green beams of energy split in all directions as they rebounded off him but still Dren kept up the attack.

"Do not forget that Deep Blue owns your life! You are his and you must obey him!" Sardon snarled, sweating coating his brow as he struggled to maintain his shield. The younger Cyniclon was a powerful magic conjurer...but he lacked experience.

"I know that! But Zoey will not be harmed!" Dren snarled, his attention slipping for a second and that was all Sardon needed. His shield pierced between the two beams of attacking magic and blasted a weak shot straight at Dren's chest which sent him reeling away, with a small plume of smoke.

"Ah..." Dren clutched at his chest, where the shot had burned away his shirt and the surface of flesh. A few muttered words and the wound was healed, but the pain still lingered within him, not to mention his shirt was ruined... Sardon panted heavily, his chest heaving with effort. And by an unspoken mutual agreement, the fight was terminated. The elder Cyniclon's rage was spent and Dren had been humiliated by his lack of strength.

"We cannot best each other it seems through fighting, then I shall have to resort to authority." Sardon replied. Dren flicked his ear in annoyance, authority was one thing out of his control since Deep Blue had integrated it whereas within combat, there was always a chance of victory. He sheathed his weapon and Dren lowered his hands.

"I will give you one more week Dren. And if you have not succeeded by then, as your commander I will report this failure to Deep Blue and you will receive punishment as it is fit. Not to mention I'll have the permission to purge all that tainted blood from you."

"Pah!" The young Alien spat at him and the Cyniclon blinked once.

"I take it as a yes then."

"Deep Blue's words are absolute...there's nothing I can do to escape the destruction of Zoey by my own hands..." Dren thought to himself gloomily as he rested his chin on his knuckles as he sat hunched over the edge of a building. "I could always join that accursed Mew Mew team but then...what would be the point in my attempt to take over this planet? I'd only be out casted as a freak and ridiculed by that Elliot...leaving this planet is not an option, neither is ridding my world of Deep Blue...for once there isn't... a favourable answer.

Only ones that end in our separation. Perhaps two species truly cannot interbreed without conflict." He sighed deeply and lazily watched a couple stroll pass the building he was perched on, giggling in glee at each other with their hands held together tightly. If he and Zoey were ever to do that in public, there would be the government's military forces upon him in a flat second. Not that he would ever feel threatened by them.

"Humans are such a primitive race, they are far too young to understand the possibilities we could achieve together...and Cyniclons are plain pig ignorant." He hissed lowly in distaste as he thought of Sardon. "Still...no use crying over spilt milk...it's not as if that bastards going to apologize."

He had waited a few days within his own dimension, carefully honing certain attacks that would prove effective against Cyniclons specifically, and now he had ventured out into the dusk, where he was sure Zoey would be eagerly awaiting his visit.

"Ah...I'll see you tomorrow Mark!"

"Okay. Bye Zoey..." Mark muttered and lowered his head for a little kiss. Dren saw her flinch a little and nimbly ducked her head to the side so that he ended up hugging her awkwardly instead.

"I've gotta go now! Thank you for walking me home!" She laughed and detangled herself from him. She hurried into her house with a quick backwards wave at him which he returned with an albeit forlorn look on his face. She closed the door quickly before he could see any more of her troubled expression. After the door was safely shut and the face of Mark was blocked out, she let out a great sigh of relief. She let her work bag drop to the floor and soon followed it. She sank down to the floor and rested her head on her knee, and closed her eyes. The house was empty. Only the gentle tick, tick noise of the clocks reached her ears and she felt the familiar stir in her chest.

"I'm thinking too much again...why do I have to keep thinking about him? Mark can tell I'm distracted, and I just...cannot be bothered...explaining to him...that I..."

"Thinking about something kitty cat?" Dren asked her. She opened her eyes and was relieved to see his beautiful alien face staring down at her. He crouched down to her level and tilted her chin up to him.

"I have this feeling that you're about to cry..." He murmured sniffing her lightly. "Yep...I smell hormones running everywhere in you." His eyes met hers and her lip wobbled slightly. Once again he knew exactly how she felt, he really was staring into her soul. But she didn't mind this time...it might be a perverse act on his side, but she just didn't mind. It was comforting to have someone so close to her in this way, it felt as if he were her soul mate. The one being determined by fate to share her life to closely, to know her inside and out. "So...was it Mark again?" He asked her quietly.

"Mhmm." Zoey nodded and threw her arms around his neck. "Stay with me please." Dren's eyes widened slightly. It wasn't often her voice sounded so cracked with emotion or did she venture out to him seeking comfort of a different kind. Her fingers were wound tightly into his shirt and he gave a low chuckle. He dropped to his knees so she didn't have to reach that far and he nuzzled an arm with his nose.

"That's an interesting request of me." Dren muttered to her lowly. He was teasing with her now, wondering how much she desired of him.

"I-I know it's selfish of me...but I don't think I could deal with Mark. Having to explain everything to him, every little detail I have to tell him, it's so much hassle him always being so clueless about why I'm upset or why I'm busy thinking...But somehow, you just know. You know what I think about half the time." She muttered to him and rested her forehead against his as she closed her eyes.

"Hmm...It's only because of my higher senses." Dren purred and closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around her slim frame. She felt so fragile in his hands, so petite, so weak...Her inferiority to him made his protective surge of emotions twist even stronger. As long as it was within his power, she wouldn't be hurt, emotionally, or physically and his power was vast. If need be, he'd suspend her body and mind in his magic to shield her away from the world. But human minds were fragile, and hers could easily snap under such stress. "But even so Zoey...don't feel too bad for being human, I'll always be with you."

"But you can't can you?" Zoey muttered, her throat tightening as if Dren's hand had seized it forcefully.

"If you're talking about our inevitable separation in the very near future, then your statement is true. But if you think of my statement as a kind sentimental saying, then it is also true." Dren told her, his intelligence showing behind his eyes, "There's no way around it, so let's just...enjoy this moment." He hugged her even tighter and she pressed herself into his firm embrace. "Let's go upstairs."

Zoey could feel her heartbeat match his as he led her up the stairs and to her room. His hand so smooth and warm against him, his "claws" were not lengthened for battle but still long enough to be alien, and his mischievous smile could only tempt her even more as it slyly betrayed his intentions. He closed the door behind her and she turned to face him with a sheepish smile. There was no need to look seductive, there wasn't any need for sexy lingerie, all Dren really wanted was her exactly as she was. And it was a beautiful notion that he didn't want anything material in their world, but then again he wasn't from Earth.

"Come here." Dren murmured and she walked towards him. He took her over to the bed and they lay down together beneath the covers as if it were the most natural thing between them. It suddenly didn't matter to the Cyniclon whether or not they became intimate with each other now that they were so close, his desire was soothed by her mere comfort. All those threats from Sardon simply vanished. And they lay on their sides staring into each other's souls, baring their true selves to each other as they lay in each other's warmth. His hand was rested on her waist and her hands rested on his chest. Her cat like nature within her was crying out to him promiscuously but she didn't want to rush...no she was going to take her sweet, sweet time with her Alien lover.

"You've got those eyes again." Dren muttered with a little laugh and she looked at him in surprise.

"What eyes?" And he tapped her nose delicately with a finger so she blinked once.

"Those eyes." He murmured, "They're the eyes of a lusting woman, and the eyes of a cat who wants the cream." Zoey blushed a little at his mention of "lusting" and "cream". Those subtle hints of erotic behaviour were all she craved. His sly ways of manipulating her made her feel so vulnerable but she liked it. He was dominating and powerful and he could so easily over power her. But no, she was being treated so tenderly.

"Mmm...you look like your struggling to say something." Dren commented as he noticed the rush of blood to her face, not to mention her human heart pumping furiously in her chest. "Do tell me." His honeyed voice was laced with seduction and she uttered a little gasp as the emotion in her chest gave a great leap.

"I-I want to touch you." Zoey mumbled and shut her eyes tightly. Dren flicked his ears in amusement, and a grin spread across his face. Oh how delicious it'd be to have this little Mew Mew writhing in pain and pleasure as he slowly entered her.

"Well...go ahead." He replied coolly though he felt a rush of pleasure that this human was so naive when it came to these situations. "Look at me..." And Zoey snapped her eyes up to his face, he was wearing a smile as he took her hands and gently guided them to his torso where they slowly began to roam.

He gave an inward chuckle as she traced his muscles in fascination. Just how different he was astounded him as it did her. Her masculine frame was larger and much heavier than she. His skin was pale but warm to touch, and occasionally she could have swore that a flicker of green ran beneath his skin. He smelt masculine and his musk became even stronger the lower her hands went down his body. His entire body was hairless and smooth...he was beautiful. And now her fingers traced the button on his jeans, wondering if she'd dare make that step. Her heart was pounding in her chest so loudly that she could hear it herself, and she knew that he could hear it even louder than she.

"I used to wonder if we are so different inside as we are out." Dren said slowly and his hand joined hers down at his crotch. He slowly began to undo his fly and button whilst Zoey kept her eyes trained on his face, feeling her cheeks flush from anticipation where as his expression stayed cool. "And I think I've come to the conclusion, that we are different but we're the same. Exactly as you once said." She was speechless as he planted a kiss on her lips. His heart maintained a steady rhythm as he explored her tenderly, it'd be troublesome for his pride if she realized how wild she drove him.

"If you don't speak Zoey then I've no choice but to force my cock into your pussy."

"WHAT?" She exclaimed bolting upright and sending the covers flying off them, but by now Dren was giggling furiously.

"I knew saying lewd things would set you off." He laughed and wiped away a few tears of laughter.

"What a way to kill the mood..." She sighed and slumped down to the bed beside him. She was close to touching him...so close.

"You're telling me you want to be in the mood Zoey?" Dren purred and he moved so that he was positioned behind her before leaning down over her back to whisper in her ear.

"I didn't say anything of the sort." She replied huffily.

"Then is it okay for me to tell you how much I want to run my tongue all over your sweet virgin pussy?" He purred and she felt a jolt in her lower region, and her knickers began slightly damp. With only, his rather filthy, words and body heat he was turning her on.

"You...want to lick me out?" She asked him with a shaky breath.

"I do indeed kitty cat." He muttered lowly with a growl. "But first...I'm going to touch you." She turned her head to his slightly, probably to object, and he captured her mouth in his larger one whilst slipping in his tongue to touch hers. Her innocent words and tentative behaviour was threatening to ruin the scene and that was perhaps one of the last thing he wanted to happen. His slim but large hands slid up her shirt and pushed under the bra where his fingers caressed her small breasts and pinched ever so slightly on her nipples. His claws scraped across the delicate skin and she drew her knees up slightly and arched her back to him. His body responded to her movement and his other hand snaked down to her jeans where he deftly cut through the fabric

His hand was gradually getting soaked as he gently plunged a finger into her womanhood. It was warm and tight but he was ever so careful to sheathe his claws, it wouldn't be much fun ripping her from the inside out. "If I don't do this now...then tomorrow, I won't have the chance to."

She made a muffled cry as he touched her in sacred places but it was a cry in pleasure. His fingers were working magic on her body and the bulge in his pants was growing hotter with each second as she responded eagerly to his fingers. Her body may be young but she was old enough to be touched by a male. Be it a man or a Cyniclon.

By now her lips were a swollen red and saliva dripped down from the corners where their mouths failed to clamp together tightly whilst their tongues writhed against each other. He parted from her lips and the hand under her bra sliced open her shirt with ease, through the bra also before wiping the excess saliva off his mouth. It was a scene that was so erotic that his fangs showed and his talons were elongated in his excitement where he'd failed to sheathe them. Instinctively she pulled the torn clothing off her till she lay on the bed clad in only her knickers. Her cheeks were a red flush and she felt more excitement than embarrassment but she still wanted to explore this new world he had opened for her. Dren had barely threw off his clothes before Zoey wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, pulling his body on top of hers clumsily.

The thin fabric of his boxers failed to hide his male counterpart as he pressed into her with a low growl. Zoey felt a little sigh of relief as she extended a hand down to his crotch and tentatively groped. There was only one penis and his ball sack...no scary alien tentacles thank god. "You can squeeze harder than that kitty cat." Dren purred into her ears and he made a rasping noise as she reached into his boxers and gave the erect member a gentle tug. It was warm, firm and thick to feel. There was a spot of wetness at the tip which betrayed his eagerness. She gave a little smile and began making faster movements though a bit jerkily through inexperience.

He sheathed the length of his claws slightly as one of his hands slipped back down her panties to resume its seductive torture, his other hand had its claws embedded deep into the pillow, threatening to tear it's stuffing out. "Does it feel good?" Zoey asked quietly feeling slightly embarrassed when Dren turned his eyes onto her. His face was flushed red slightly and he gave her a fanged smile, the fangs more prominent than usual and his eyes were a soft amber with black slits for pupils. "Why must we be separated so soon? My heart hurts to think about it."

"Damn right it does. Although, will you do us both the pleasure and let me in you?" He asked her sweetly and licked her neck. She gave a little gasp at the touch and nodded. He slid off her knickers and his nostrils smelt the scent of her womanhood. It smelt tangy and sour and his tongue would have craved to lap up the lubrication her body gave but right now...something else wanted to touch her there. He pulled down his boxers, or rather slashed through the band of them seeing as climbing out of it would only take up a few seconds of his precious life span.

Zoey abandoned her rhythmic motions and wrapped her arms around his neck, as he took hold of his engorged member. She took a quick glance at it and she hadn't ever imagined his male parts to be so human looking. Her eyes snapped up to him as he positioned himself against her. A few moments later she could feel something hot and intrusive push its way into her. It was an incredible sensation with a mixture of pain. She could no sooner stop herself from gasping than Dren could stop himself thrusting his way into her with a little growl of pleasure.

He could smell blood as he broke through a thin membrane inside her, she was emanating so many rich sounds and scents to him that he felt an information overload. The wet noises as he made love to her, to the thumping of her heart and smell of her arousal would be made into very dear memories. He increased his thrusting as he sensed his own urgency, it was a selfish desire but humans were easily pleased. And this human was definitely pleased.

Unconsciously Zoey had lifted her legs to clamp around his slim frame and allowed for deeper penetration. And because she had, her lubrication was leaving a little wet patch on the bed when Dren hadn't melded with her body. She could feel herself tightening around him and she watched through lidded eyes as his Cyniclon expression became even more Alien. His fangs were elongated to where they protruded visibly and his amber eyes were now a deeper brown. There was something so erotic and taboo about it, the way that they were joined together as one, human and Cyniclon, that made her love for him increase.

"My adoration for you kitty cat...is so strong, that it hurts. It hurts even more now that our time is coming to a close."

"I love you ." Dren breathed out to her,

"I love you more..." Zoey muttered,

"Not as much as I do." He snapped cheekily.

His hands gripped her shoulders as his pace increased drastically, their bodies slapped together roughly and she knew there'd be bruising tomorrow. That tension had built up inside her begged to be released. Not to mention the way his claws had drawn blood from her arms, she was pinned well and truly beneath him as he fucked her. "Argh!" Dren grunted, gnashing his fangs together and Zoey gave a little gasp as she felt hot liquid invade her, his hand slipped down and he sheathed his claws slightly. His hand began rubbing at swollen nub at the top and she felt fear rise up before an intense release of pleasure that was almost involuntarily. He felt her squirm and cry out beneath him as his hardened member began to soften. He felt drained and slowly pulled out of their sticky joining.

"Heh, heh...looks like I wasn't able to give you a socially obligated warning for ejaculation." He muttered coyly and she gave a little laugh.

Zoey panted heavily and resigned to curl up in his arms after exchanging a few kisses. His senses were dulled now but the semen dripping out from her had a heavy scent and their bodies had a sheen of sweat, and their lower bodies were wet with liquids. "Dren?"

"Mmm?" He purred and closed his eyes as he sniffed lovingly at her hair.

"I'm so sore..." She groaned feeling the pain of her hips and lower region.

"I'm sorry...it'll go away soon. Or would you want me to use magic to dull it?" He suggested raising his hand where green sparks were already gathering.

"No thank you...but will I end up having an Alien baby?" She asked him tentatively and ran a finger towards her crotch where they were instantly coated in with her lubrication and his semen.

"If I were a human you would have a baby. But because I'm a Cyniclon, a similar species, we're able to interbreed in theory."

"Is that a yes then?" Zoey asked him nervously.

"It's actually a no...Cyniclons are a supreme race so anything biological we out compete. In this case my sperm contain far more chromosomes than possible to form life. So you've got no worries." He told her with a large yawn, his fangs had now receded to their normal size she noticed. At the same time she noticed blood seeping from wounds on her shoulders.

"I appear to be bleeding..." She muttered and sat up. There were several thing gashes of where his claws had broken the surface of her skin, but if he could have tore off her shoulders if he really wanted to.

"Here, I'll heal it up. You won't have a mark on you afterwards." Dren lazily raised a hand to her but she shook her head.

"No thank you. When we go back to our own groups, I wanna keep this to remember you by."

"It's not as if I'm dying and you want some thin scars as a memento." He laughed hollowly and looked at her fondly. "Although truth be told...I don't have enough time left."

"Well, I'm going to get cleaned up!" She said cheerily and gave him a peck on the cheek before leaving presumably for a quick shower. Dren sat up slowly and with a little wave of his hand cleaned up any mess he'd caused on the bed. Another quick flick of magic and their clothes were fixed and he was fully dressed again. He had to be quick, he'd delayed for too long...Sardon and Tarb would give him a hard time if he was any later.

"Well, I'm feeling all fresh and clean!" Zoey laughed coming back in a while later with a towel wrapped around her wet hair and some loose pyjamas she'd grabbed before. Dren stood up and watched her closely. He wanted to see everything he adored about her. "Are you alright?" She asked him sensing his tense disposition and unwavering gaze.

"I do love you Zoey." He stated feeling emotion well up in his stomach.

"Aww I do too..." She giggled and reached out to him with open arms. How could he resist such a sweet expression on a pitiful mammal? If he couldn't do it now, he'd never be able to.

Time seemed to stand still as he looked at her with different intentions. He was suddenly so aware of their difference and the impossibility of them ever co-existing peacefully, their views, upbringings and duties to others, all conflicted.

"Stop." She heard the low growl in his throat and froze instinctively. Something had changed between them.

"What's wrong?" She asked quietly and looked at his face. He turned away slightly and let his hair hide his expression. He could feel shame running through his body now.

"I love you. It's all I can say, I love you." He raised the palm of his hand to her and she saw a familiar green orb of magic form.

"I don't understand Dren, what are you doing?" She asked him fearfully. She could see his expression...his heart was fracturing and tears fell openly from a face of anguish. She tensed a little and moved towards him, but the orb of power grew even larger.

"Dren you're scaring me – what's happened?" She asked him tentatively,

"I'm sorry. But it's because I love you so much. I love you." The last three words echoed into her ears as the green orb of magic blasted into her forehead. And she felt nothing, she could see nothing.

"I had to do it." His words rung hollow in her ears.