21

"Do you want to come with me?" Kessler asked, taking me by surprise. "To my house."

I was surprised that he asked me that because I've only been to his house once, and it was when he had his party that my father ended.

"Oh, really? Well, I would like to," I responded, a bit nervous. I've met Kessler's mother, but what about his father? Will he get angry if I ask?

"Come on," he took my hand, and we both walked towards his house. I don't know any of his friends, I rarely see Kessler with anyone other than two guys he sometimes walks with, but that's it. Besides Riley, of course. We entered his house. It had white walls, a set of sofas, a big television. There was a door leading to the kitchen and stairs to the second floor. It was very nice and tidy.

"Do you live alone?" I wanted to know, admiring the pictures hanging on the wall.

"Yes."

"But, has it always been like this? I suppose you used to live with your parents before."

Silence.

"With my mother... but since she became mayor, I preferred to live on my own," he admitted, leaning against the wall and looking at the floor. He seemed lost in thought. I thought maybe he didn't have a good time with his mother and her position.

"I understand," I approached him. "What about your father?" I dared to ask, hoping he wouldn't get angry.

"My father... he lives far away, in the forest."

I furrowed my brow.

"In the forest?"

"That's right, Eva. It's a long story that maybe I'll tell you someday. When you're ready," he finally looked at me.

"Ready for what?"

"Eva, there are many things you don't know about me," he whispered. "And maybe when you find out, you won't want to be with me."

I hesitated.

"I don't understand. Is it that bad?" I got nervous. I don't want to think that Kessler has some dark past he's not proud of or that would be very bad for me. He made me doubt because I'm slowly falling in love with him, and I'm terrified that he'll break my heart.

"I don't know how you're going to take this," he says.

"Kessler, it's better if you tell me things straight up and now that we still have time, I don't want any surprises when I can't separate myself from you anymore," I pleaded, my heart beating faster.

"Eva... it's... they're very complex things."

I was about to say something, but a howl made me fall silent. It sounded very close.

"They're here," I whispered to myself. Every time I hear a howl, it gives me goosebumps, I'm terrified to think that those wolves are out there. Right now, I want to be at home... but I'm with Kessler and I feel safe. I remembered my dad and his friends, those wolves killed them.

"Who?"

"The wolves. Didn't you hear their howl?" I looked at Kessler. I don't think he's deaf.

"I told you they're common wolves."

I laughed.

"Common. I've seen them several times, and let me tell you, they're anything but common. They're big, strong, and they know how to act. They're intelligent. Kessler, I feel... I hate them, I wish they were all hunted down," after saying that, Kessler grabbed my arms and slammed me against the wall, taking me completely by surprise.

"Don't ever say something stupid like that again, Evangeline," he snapped. His eyes were darker than usual, which surprised me and scared me a lot. Plus, he was gripping me very tightly. It hurt.

"Let me go," I tried to break free. "You're a savage, Kessler Walton, just like those wolves out there."

He let go of me.

"Eva... forgive me. I just got carried away," now his eyes had returned to their natural color, and it seemed like he didn't know what he had just done.

"Never mind, Kessler, I'm going home," I turned around and took two steps forward, but Kessler grabbed my arms, stopping me. This time his touch was gentle.

"Don't leave, please," he pleaded. "I just wanted to show you my house and a part of me," he admitted. I looked at him, he seemed remorseful. Sometimes Kessler confuses me so much, his mood swings. Sometimes I feel like I don't know him at all, and that scares me because I'm with a completely unknown person. It hurts to know that.

I nodded.

"Okay."

"Please forgive me," he approached and caressed my cheek. "Come, I'll show you my room," he smiled, and we both went upstairs. There were symbols on the wall that I couldn't recognize, one of them caught my attention, it looked like a knot or an eight, I don't know. We walked down the hallway until we reached his room: the walls were navy blue, a large bed, a big television, furniture, books, clothes. Everything was normal. He had some paintings of landscapes, mostly forests, waterfalls, and lakes. It seemed like the kind of room for someone as strange as Kessler Walton, and what I liked the most was that it smelled like Kessler.

"It's beautiful."

The window faced my room.

"It's your style," I added.

Kessler chuckled softly.

"It's just a room," he put his arm around my waist. "Soon it might be yours," he whispered, kissing my neck. "If one day you decide to live with me."

I pulled away and looked at him.

"What are you saying? I'm barely turning sixteen."

"So what? You're mine, and I'm yours, that doesn't change, Eva"

"Kessler, do you realize what you're asking of me? I'm a teenager and I don't know you that well. You just told me that you have secrets that I might not like... I don't see the point of living with you then.”

“Eve. Don't make me regret telling you that. You are mine and that is not in discussion, even if you don't want it, you will always come back to me.”

“You talk like I can't live without you," I frowned. Too arrogant I would say.

“Well, you can't, not anymore" he kissed me, it was a sensual kiss, he inserted his tongue, bit my lower lip and caressed my buttocks. "Just like I can't live without you anymore." Kessler laid me on the bed and put his hand under my panties.