Chapter 29: STAY

Anna walked for over twenty minutes before she finally saw signs of her getting out of GreyThorn territory but then again there was no way she could know as all the trees looked the same and she could still see faint lights coming from the castle.

Ok.

She was lost.

She had no fucking clue where she was going and just kept reminding herself to keep going straight until she reached her destination.

Anna stopped for a breath, her beer still absentmindedly clutched in one hand and the piece of cake she took had already been eaten.

Wait…when did she eat it?

She could not remember.

Anna brought the cup close to her nose, the smell from the drink pushed her back a few inches.

Why would anyone want to drink something that smelled this way?

Anna was thirsty but she was beginning to reconsider if drinking from the cup Diane gave her was the best idea in that moment.

It was either that or the burning in her throat would intensify and she would end up being terribly tired before the real journey actually began.

Anna took a sip of the foul smelling liquid and gagged the second it touched her tongue.

“Ugh…” She spat. A few drops had already made it down her throat and into her stomach making the burn she felt even worse.

Anna looked at the cup like it was her arch nemesis before throwing it away. She’d rather die of thirst than take another sip from that drink.

Anna noticed a faint light coming from behind the trees, she inhaled deeply realizing that she might’ve actually come across civilization after walking for so long.

Anna took slow and cautious steps in the direction, the closer she got, the louder she heard the sound of rushing water.

A river?

There was no way there would be a river right in the middle of the woods on this part on the continent.

The sound of rushing water suddenly felt like it was next to her, there was a giant tree in front of her that blocked her view.

She went around it and sure enough, it was a river.

Strangely there were two lampstands that brightened up the path and a thick brown mat that was spread only a few steps away from the brink.

Someone was here!

Anna could smell their scent. Earthy, magnetic…familiar.

There was a low growl from inside the bushes, one that shook her to the core.

Her legs became shaky and her palms clammy as she took step back. Anna swallowed uncomfortably while trying to calm herself, panic wouldn’t get her anywhere in this scenario.

She just had to figure out what she was dealing with and then make a run for it if necessary.

Which she knew she would definitely do.

The shadowy figure looked big, an animal...One that might rip her to shreds the second it got caught up in her scent.

Glowing green eyes stared from inside the bushes and soon the rest of the figure stepped out into the light.

A black wolf came into view, his fur as black as the night that cloaked him with a slight sheen that came from the light’s reflection.

His paws were as big as her palms, he stood to be at least five feet tall. The biggest wolf Anna had ever set eyes on. Her legs turned to jelly and her heart caught in her throat.

How quickly could she run?

How quickly will she be caught?

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Anna bit her lip as she took another shaky step back, the wolf let out another low and dangerous growl, baring out it’s fangs and pinning her to the ground she stood.

What baffled her wasn’t the enormous size of the powerful looking werewolf but his eyes.

As green as the seas, glowing with darling emotions and looking like he was ready to pounce. It’s whole body tensed up and it's leg already in an attacking stance.

“K...Kane?” She stuttered.

The wolf growled again but then seemed to visibly relax.

It walked up to her with slow and calculated steps, Anna’s legs gave way and she fell to the floor.

Betrayers! She cursed silently as the wolf inched closer to her pathetic and maybe soon dead state.

The closer it got, the stronger the scent. Her mouth watered and her heart pounded harder in a different rhythm.

The wolf stopped right in front of her, their gazes on the same level…his fangs back in his mouth.

He leaned in and slowly pressed his soft furry forehead against hers.

Anna’s eyes closed immediately and she let out a soft gasp as waves and waves of sensations washed through her.

From electricity beneath her skin, to cool rushing water in her veins, then the heat that pooled in her lower belly.

Kane.

It was him.

He pulled back slightly and nuzzled her neck affectionately. It seemed like his wolf had less control on the mate’s bond than Kane himself.

Anna sighed into his touch, wishing she could shift as well just so they could both fully enjoy the moment.

With his soft fur still pressed against her skin, Anna heard a crack…then another.

A pained grunt that sounded both animalistic and human. Her body stiffened as she felt the fur against her skin slowly replaced by bare skin. Warm, soft…addictive.

His usual scent assailed her nostrils.

His bare thighs came in contact with her hand and her cheeks heated up.

He was naked.

She opened her eyes slowly to look at him while forcing her gaze to stay on his eyes and not go any lower.

“Anna,” His voice was tinged with an emotion that made her burn even more under his gaze and soft touch.

“I…” How was she going to explain this situation?

He reached for her or rather, behind her…Anna had though he was going to hit her so she flinched and moved back.

He stared down at her with a confused gaze, his lips thinned into a discontent frown.

“I won’t hurt you,” He said it in an accusatory manner and Anna couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed for overreacting.

Next thing she knew, there was a black shirt and joggers in his hand.

It was kept right behind her but she never noticed until the man reached for it.

He pulled the shirt down his head and stomach while still sitting so close to her, his green eyes never leaving hers.

He made an attempt to stand and Anna closed her eyes immediately. Her cheeks feeling like they would burn off at any second.

She felt the warmth of his body leave her side and the shuffle of his joggers gliding up his once bared skin.

She fought the dirty pictures that appeared in her head.

“You can open your eyes,” Anna heard him say.

He was just standing there, looking as regal as he usually did but still managed look as laid back as he did at his party.

“What brings you all the way to these parts of the woods?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Anna retorted.

That’s it, deviate the question from you.

“Its your birthday today,” She pointed out.

Kane shrugged and put his hands in his pocket.

“I have my own way of celebrating,” He said.

“Come,” He gave her a hand. She took it without hesitation as he lifted her up from the floor.

“Sit with me,”

Sit with him?

Anna eyed their environment. They were alone, no one could walk in on them at any given moment right.

The warmth of his palm was a welcome feeling as he led her to the mat close to the glowing river.

Beside the mat was a large bottle of alcohol that she didn’t notice before, Kane let go of Anna’s hand and reached for the bottle. Uncorking it and setting it down between them on the mat.

“Why are you here?”

He smiled. It was faint and didn’t reach his eyes but Anna could see it. Did he find her question funny?

“If it isn’t asking too much,” He said instead, “Stay here with me a while…”

Anna breathed in and was pretty sure she’d lost the ability to let out the breath she was now holding.

He wanted her to stay with him?

“I…ok,”

Damn it all!