24_ In the woods

The forest was alive with the soft rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets. It should have been peaceful, but my heart was anything but. I leaned against the thick trunk of an ancient oak tree, hidden in the dense shadows, as I heard his voice call out again.

“Katrina!”

Dylan’s voice echoed through the woods, strong yet laced with a note of worry that tugged at something deep inside me. I curled my knees to my chest, pressing my back harder against the tree as if it could swallow me whole and shield me from his words.

It had been two hours since I ran from the house, wanting to be far away.

“Katrina, I know you’re out here,” he called again, his tone softer this time. “I’m not angry with you. Please, come out.”

I squeezed my eyes shut. Guilt twisted my stomach, leaving a dull ache that no amount of deep breaths could soothe. He wasn’t angry? How could he not be? I had hurt him—not just with my push but with my actions, my inability to control the storm within me.

I couldn’t face him.

I stayed silent, my breath shallow and controlled, even as his footsteps crunched on the fallen leaves not too far from where I hid.

“Katrina,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “If you can hear me… Please, come home.”

The weight of his words pressed down on me, but I remained rooted in place, unmoving, even when the silence stretched between us and his footsteps retreated.

The night was colder than I expected. The ground was hard, the damp earth seeping through the thin layer of clothing I wore. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My wolf remained silent, curled up inside me as if sharing my shame.

I tried to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I saw Dylan’s face—his pained expression as I’d hurt him, the blood on his arm, and the way he had looked at me with more concern than anger.

When the first rays of sunlight filtered through the trees, I blinked awake, stiff and cold but unwilling to leave the woods.

The sound of Dylan’s voice reached me before I saw him.

“Katrina!”

I tensed, my fingers curling into the dirt. He was back.

“Katrina, please,” he said, his voice carrying through the forest. “I’m worried about you. I need to know you’re okay.”

He paused, and I could almost imagine him scanning the trees, looking for any sign of movement. I held my breath, my wolf urging me to respond, but my guilt kept me rooted to the spot.

“I brought something for you,” he continued after a moment. “If you’re listening… just come out and take it, okay?”

I heard the sound of something being set down on wood—likely a tree stump nearby. For a moment, my resolve wavered.

“I’ll come back later,” Dylan added, his voice quiet but firm. “But please… come home.”

His footsteps receded, and the forest fell silent once more.

When I was sure he was gone, I finally stepped out from my hiding place. My legs were stiff from staying in one position for so long, but I forced myself forward, following the faint scent of Dylan that lingered in the air.

Near a small clearing, I found the tree stump. Resting on it was a neatly wrapped container of food. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since the previous night.

The sight of it stirred a mix of emotions within me. Gratitude, guilt, and something else I couldn’t quite name. He had gone out of his way to bring me breakfast, despite everything I had done.

I sat down on the ground, staring at the container for a long moment before finally opening it. The smell of eggs and toast wafted up, and I couldn’t stop the tear that slid down my cheek as I took my first bite. It tasted like warmth, like home, like Dylan’s unwavering care.

\---

Hours passed, and I wandered aimlessly through the woods, torn between wanting to stay hidden and the deep yearning to go back to Dylan. I was lost in thought when his voice rang out again.

“Katrina!”

This time, his tone was firmer, more determined.

“I’m not leaving until you come out,” he declared, his voice steady and resolute.

My heart clenched. There was no escape from him now, no avoiding the confrontation I dreaded.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped out from behind the trees. Dylan’s eyes found mine immediately, and relief washed over his face. He crossed the clearing in a few long strides and pulled me into his arms without hesitation.

The warmth of his embrace stunned me. For a moment, I stood stiffly, unsure of how to respond, but then his familiar scent wrapped around me, calming my racing heart. Slowly, I let myself melt into him, resting my forehead against his chest.

“You had me worried sick,” he murmured, his voice soft but laced with emotion.

I didn’t respond, unable to find the words.

He pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face as he gently pushed my hair back. His eyes scanned my face, searching for something, and I felt myself growing self-conscious under his intense gaze.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

His thumb brushed against my cheek, wiping away a stray tear. “I know, Katrina. I know you didn’t mean it.”

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. How could he forgive me so easily?

“I was so worried about you,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“Why?” I asked, my voice barely audible. “You like someone else… so why do you care about me?”

Dylan’s brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. “What are you talking about?”

I hesitated, suddenly unsure if I should have said anything at all. “The day Claudia said she liked you… You told her you liked someone else. So why do you care about me?”

Understanding dawned on his face, but I shook my head quickly, cutting him off before he could respond.

"Katrina," he breathed.

“Forget it,” I muttered. “I shouldn’t have—”

Before I could finish, Dylan leaned down and kissed me.

For a moment, I froze, my mind struggling to catch up with what was happening. But as his lips moved against mine, soft and full of unspoken emotion, the world seemed to still.

The storm inside me quieted, replaced by a warmth that spread through my entire being. Tentatively, I kissed him back, letting myself get lost in the moment.

When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my skin.

“You’re the one I like, Katrina,” he said softly, his voice trembling with sincerity. “It’s always been you.”

His words hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless. For so long, I had convinced myself that I was just an obligation to him, something he had to take care of. But now…

I stared into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt, but all I saw was honesty.

“Dylan,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He smiled, a small, tender smile that made my heart ache in the best way. “I mean it. You’re everything to me.”

As I stood there in his arms, the weight of the past few days lifted slightly, replaced by a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could let myself believe in this—believe in him.