Chapter 23

Adam.

Adam treaded water as he stared at the place where Ella disappeared. His wolf growled within him, seeing their Mate leave.

He was so close!

His heart sank a little, but he knew he couldn’t give up. He got back into the rowboat and rowed back to shore. Adam tried his best to dry his remaining clothes and his upper body before climbing into his car and driving home.

Too frustrated to go to bed, Adam tore off his wet clothes and took a shower. Usually, the steamy water would provide comfort and relaxation for him, but today, it did nothing. He quickly washed the lake water off himself with soap, dispersing the smell of seaweed and fish. He stepped out and dried himself with his towel, dropping it to the floor as he finished. He walked to his room and grabbed some clean clothes. His wolf was restless and begged to follow their Mate’s scent into the woods, but Adam pushed the urge aside.

Chasing her now would help nothing.

Adam grabbed a soda from the fridge and plopped down on the couch, grabbing the remote control with his other hand as he sat. The television turned on with a low hum most humans couldn’t hear, but Adam’s keen senses could detect every time. It normally didn’t bother him, and actually tended to soothe him, but today it picked at his nerves. He flipped through channels, trying to find something to distract his racing mind. But after searching through all the possibilities twice, Adam gave up, throwing the remote down in frustration.

He stood up, taking the unopened can with him. As he paced through his house, he opened the can and drank, but the soda didn’t provide any comfort or relaxation either. It turned his stomach, so he set it down on the kitchen counter, leaving it behind as he walked from room to room, trying to find something to calm his wolf.

Adam growled, irritated. He clenched his jaw before starting toward the back door. He flung it open and it slammed into the wall, almost punching through to create a hole. Only one thing would settle his wolf.

Tearing off his fresh clothes, he stomped out into the night air. His wolf greedily took over, and he was off as soon as his front paws hit the grass. He ran mindlessly, tearing through the forest floor. He nipped and growled at anything that dared to come near. Adam let out a loud howl intended for his Mate. He knew they were meant to be together, and Adam was going to let Ella know. He hadn’t expected a reply, but soon after his howl died off, Adam heard a response. Immediately, his wolf turned toward the sound. His heart leaped, knowing it was Ella.

He stopped himself from running straight to her. But he smiled, knowing that Ella had heard him and returned his affection. He had a real chance after all!

Finally satisfied, Adam returned to his house. He scooped up his clothes, but only bothered to put his boxers on. He took a swig of the soda on the counter in passing before heading to his room, then flopped onto his bed with a goofy grin.

Tomorrow was a new day, and he fully intended to take advantage of it.

* * *

Ella.

She wasn’t sure how she felt, but she knew she needed to get away. She'd run off into the night, leaving Adam behind in the water. Not wanting to go home quite yet, Ella padded along, exploring the section of forest surrounding the beautiful lake. It was unfamiliar territory for her. Ella let her mind wander as she traversed the wooded area.

Tonight was like no other. Adam really went all out.

Adam’s extravagant date had made such an impression on Ella. She was surprised that she was even considering seeing him again.

What about Cassius?

They hadn’t technically said that they were being exclusive, but Ella felt like they were close enough that it felt a little wrong going out with Adam while she was seeing Cassius. Ella was too distracted by her thoughts to notice the deer bounding straight for her. It knocked her down to the ground as it ran wildly passed. Ella’s side erupted in pain as the deer’s body ran into hers.

What was it running from? It hardly stumbled after hitting her. Something must have really spooked it.

She slowly got up, assessing the damage inflicted by the panicked animal. She would definitely have bruises in the morning. Ella sniffed the air, trying to detect what could have frightened the deer so badly. She could smell nothing other than the surrounding plants.

Ella thought about heading in the direction the deer had come, but decided against it. She wasn’t in the fighting mood. It was better to avoid any danger and just head home. Ella turned toward the direction of her father’s house when she heard a howl rip through the night.

Birds fluttered into the starry sky as the howl startled them. Ella instinctively knew that the noise came from Adam. She knew she had hurt him by running away, but in the moment, she hadn’t known what else to do. Once the howl ended, Ella lifted her head in reply. She wanted him to know that it wasn’t his fault, that he still had a chance.

Ella smiled as she headed back to the house where her children were sound asleep. She would figure out the whole Adam-Cassius thing tomorrow. For now, she just wanted to remember tonight as she lay in the comfort of her bed.