Chapter 46 New friend
Dandelion.
"If you run, he'll chase you. And trust me, you won't win."
I froze mid step, my heart leaping into my throat as the voice cut through the quiet garden.
I was taking a walk through the garden as usual when suddenly something jumped out right in front of me making my pulse to spike madly.
Slowly, I turned my head to see Tristan leaning against a stone archway about twenty feet away, arms crossed, watching me with mild amusement.
But that wasn't what had my pulse racing.
No, that honor belonged to the massive white wolf currently blocking my path, his piercing blue eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.
Willow.
"Oh God," I breathed, my hands trembling at my sides. "Tristan, please. Can you call him off?"
The wolf took another step closer, and I instinctively stepped back, my mind screaming at me to run even though every survival instinct I had, said that was a terrible idea.
"But he's not attacking you is he?," Tristan said, pushing off from the archway and walking toward us with unhurried steps. "He just wants to play."
"Play?" My voice came out higher than intended. "That thing could swallow me whole!"
Willow's tail wagged slightly, as if he understood and was offended by being called 'that thing.'
Tristan stopped beside the wolf and reached down to scratch behind his ears. Willow leaned into the touch, looking absolutely blissful, nothing like the terrifying predator I had convinced myself he was.
"Willow, sit," Tristan commanded.
The wolf immediately obeyed, his haunches dropping to the ground, though his tail continued wagging enthusiastically against the grass.
I let out a shaky breath, pressing a hand to my racing heart. "How do you do that?"
"He's well trained," Tristan said simply. "And like I said, he just wants to play. He likes you."
"Likes me?" I stared at the massive creature sitting patiently a few feet away. "We've barely interacted. The last time I saw him, I fell into a pool trying to escape."
"Exactly," Tristan replied with something that might have been a smirk. "You're interesting to him. Most people in this estate ignore Willow or avoid him out of fear. You ran from him, which probably made him think you were playing a game."
I glanced at the wolf again. His tongue was hanging out, his eyes bright and eager. He did look more playful than murderous now that I was actually looking at him properly.
"Come here," Tristan said, gesturing toward Willow. "Reach out your hand slowly. Let him sniff you."
"Are you insane?" I shook my head quickly. "I'm not putting my hand near those teeth."
Tristan's expression remained calm. " Willow won't bite you. Trust me."
I hesitated, glancing between Tristan's expectant face and Willow's bright blue eyes. The wolf looked almost hopeful, his tail still wagging gently.
Alexander wasn't here. And honestly, after everything that had happened, after being abandoned by my family and thrust into this strange contract marriage, I was tired of following rules that made no sense.
Slowly, very slowly, I extended my hand toward the wolf.
Willow's nose twitched, his nostrils flaring as he caught my scent. Then, before I could pull back, his rough pink tongue darted out and licked my palm.
I gasped, but not from fear this time. It tickled.
"See?" Tristan said. "Told you."
I just broke rule four, but I didn't care instead I took a step closer and gently touched the top of Willow's head. His fur was incredibly soft, like silk beneath my fingers. I ran my hand down his neck, and he made a sound that was almost like a purr.
"Oh my God," I breathed, a smile breaking across my face despite my racing heart. "He's not scary at all. He's actually kind of sweet."
I knelt down to his level and started scratching behind his ears the way Tristan had done. Willow practically melted, his eyes closing in contentment as his tail wagged harder.
"You're not bad after all," I murmured to the wolf, laughing softly when he rolled onto his back, exposing his belly for rubs. I obliged with a giggle, running my hands through his impossibly soft fur.
"You've been running from him for nothing," Tristan commented with a smirk. "And you even endangered yourself that first time, falling into the pool. Alexander was furious."
My hands stilled briefly on Willow's fur at the mention of Alexander.
That day had been mortifying. The CPR. The accidental kiss. Being forced into his bedroom. The awkwardness that still lingered between us.
I pushed the thoughts away and continued petting Willow, who seemed determined to soak up every bit of attention I was willing to give.
"Thank you," I said quietly, glancing up at Tristan. "For not telling Grandma Winifred about my scandal. You could have exposed me at any time, but you didn't."
Tristan was silent for a moment, studying me with those dark eyes that held secrets I couldn't quite read.
"You're not really married to Alexander, are you?" he asked suddenly.
My heart skipped a beat. I forced myself to keep petting Willow, to maintain my composure even as panic fluttered in my chest.
"Of course I'm married to him," I said, trying to sound confident. "We... I just have a bad past, that's all. Besides, why would you even ask that? Nicholas and Xavier were at our court wedding. They witnessed everything."
My voice wavered slightly on.
"of course,"Tristan nodded slowly, but his expression remained skeptical. He didn't believe me. I could see it clearly in his eyes.
But instead of pressing the issue, his demeanor shifted. The suspicion faded, replaced by something that looked almost like exhaustion and Sadness.
I straightened up from where I'd been crouched beside Willow, brushing grass from my dress.
"What's wrong?" I asked before I could stop myself. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders."
Tristan's eyebrows rose in surprise. "How did you notice?"
"It's pretty obvious," I said gently. "You look tired. And sad. Like something heavy is weighing you down."
He was quiet for a long moment, his gaze drifting to the darkening sky above us. The sun was setting, painting everything in shades of orange and purple.
"You wouldn't understand," he finally said. "It's something personal."
"Try me," I offered softly. "Sometimes talking to someone who's not involved helps."
Tristan shook his head. "It's complicated. Family stuff."
I thought about my own family drama. The betrayal. The pain. The way they'd discarded me like yesterday's trash when I needed them most.
"Whatever it is," I said, meeting his eyes, "you should choose whatever would make you sane and happy. I know it's easier said than done, trust me. I was once in a situation that took all the joy out of my life. I almost called it quits completely."
I thought of Glass Lake. Of the cold water and my plans of giving up.
"But I'm healing now," I continued. "And I chose to get through it bravely. Sometimes the hardest thing is just deciding to keep going, to stop living for other people's expectations and start living for yourself."
Tristan stared at me for a long moment, something unreadable flickering across his face. For the first time since I'd met him, he didn't look cold or indifferent. He looked almost vulnerable.
"Thank you," he said quietly, and I could hear genuine gratitude in his voice.
Then, without another word, he gave me a curt nod and turned to leave, disappearing down one of the garden paths.
I stood there watching him go, wondering what burdens Tristan Graham was carrying and whether he'd ever find the courage to put them down.
Willow nuzzled against my leg, drawing my attention back to him.
I smiled and scratched behind his ears one more time. "Looks like I made a friend today," I told him. "Even if your owner will probably be mad about it."
The wolf's tail wagged in response, and somehow, despite everything, I felt a little less alone in this massive, complicated estate.