An Unexpected Encounter

Emerald's POV

The soft, golden morning light streamed through the altitudinous, arched windows of the hallway, casting a warm, inviting gleam across the polished gravestone bottom.

I decided to take a gentle walk, a necessary exercise to stretch my muscles and ease the slight stiffness that came with my advancing gestation.

Lena, my ever-present wolf spirit, was a constant companion in my mind, her sportful badinage a welcome distraction

from the weight of my studies.

" Look at you, lurching like a little duckling," she teased, her voice echoing in my thoughts, a mischievous backbeat to her tone.

" Oh, hush," I riposted, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips despite myself." I am not lurching. I am simply discovering."

" Oh, yes, you are," she claimed, her internal horselaugh filling my mind, a warm, comforting presence." But it's relatively endearing, I must admit. A little, pregnant duckling."

I chortled the sound, light, and air in the quiet hallway, the moment of pleasantness amid my anxieties.

"You are incurable, Lena. You know that?"

" And you love it," she replied, her voice filled with sportful confidence, a hint of affection in her tone." It keeps you from dwelling on the caliginous stuff."

As I rounded a sharp corner, my thoughts were suddenly intruded by an unforeseen, jarring collision. I stumbled, my arms flailing for balance, and a shower of bright red apples scattered across the polished bottom, rolling in every direction.

" Oops," Lena muttered in my mind, a hint of recreation in her tone, though I tasted a

flicker of concern as well.

I looked up, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment, and set up myself face to face with a youthful man. He was very good-looking and had a charming boyish look, with dark, nearly black hair and piercing, violent eyes.

I could smell his wolf presence, strong and vibrant, a palpable energy that filled the space between us.

" I am so sorry," I stomach bending down to help him gather the apples, my voice a blend of reason and surprise.

" No worries," he replied, his voice warm and reassuring, a gentle smile softening the intensity of his aspect.

He knelt beside me, his hands snappily and efficiently gathering the scattered fruit." It was as much my fault as yours. I should have been watching where I was going."

As we collected the apples, I could not help but notice his eyes. They were a striking shade of dark brown, nearly black, and they sounded to hold a depth of understanding, a knowing aspect that made me slightly uncomfortable as if he could see right through me.

"I have not seen you around here," he said, taking the apples from me, his eyes moping my face. He looked down at my stomach, and his eyes widened slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features." You must be new to the pack. Or at least, new to this part of the pack lands."

" Yes," I replied, my voice reluctant, doubtful of how important to reveal." I do not belong then, exactly."

" Oh?" he said, his brow furrowed slightly, a hint of curiosity in his tone." And where do you belong, also?"

" It's a long story," I said, avoiding this aspect, my cheeks flushing again." I really should be going. I do not want to hold you up."

" stay," he said, his voice laced with curiosity, a gentle asseveration." I do not indeed know your name. And you've helped me pick up all these apples."

I was doubtful of what to say, cautious of revealing too much.

" I am Ryker," he said, extending his hand, his eyes filled with a friendly warmth." Caden's childhood friend."

" It's nice to meet you, Ryker," I said, taking his hand compactly, a transitory touch." But I really must go. I

have things to do.”

I turned to leave, but he caught my arm gently, his touch light but establishment." Please," he said, his voice

prayer, a hint of genuine interest in his tone." Just tell me your name. It's only polite."

" Emerald," I said, my voice slightly a tale, the name feeling foreign on my lips.

" Emerald," he repeated, his eyes moping on my face, a thoughtful expression on his aspect ." It's a beautiful name. It suits you."

I flushed, feeling flustered by his violent aspect, his words a strange blend of compliment and scrutiny." Thank you," I said, pulling my arm down, my voice pulsing slightly." But I really have to go. I am formally late."

I turned and hastened down the hallway, my heart pounding in my casket, a blend of embarrassment and apprehension.

Lena was silent for a moment, also she burst out laughing, her internal horselaugh echoing in my mind.

" Oh, Emerald," she said, her voice filled with recreation, a hint of teasing." You are so flustered. You look like a ripe tomato."

" I do not know why," I murmured, my cheeks still burning, my way quickening." He was just penetrable. And his eyes"

" He was interesting," Lena said, her voice teasing, a knowing tone." And relatively handsome, I might add. A definite enhancement over the usual pack curmudgeons."

" He is Caden's friend," I said, my voice laced with a hint of warning, a memorial of my precarious position."I should not be talking to him. It's too perilous."

" Oh, come on," Lena said, her voice dismissive, a sportful scarf." He is just a man. And he sounded relatively nice. A little forward, perhaps, but nice."

" He has piercing eyes," I said, trying to explain my discomfort, the feeling of being seen too deeply." Like he could see right through me."

" Piercing eyes?" Lena scarfed, her internal horselaugh returning." What is your reason? You are acting like a spooked rabbit."

" He looked right through me," I said, my voice low, a hint of fear in my tone." Like he could see everything, all my secrets, all my fears."

" Perhaps he could," Lena said, her voice thoughtful, a hint of soberness in her tone." He is a strong wolf, I can feel it. And he is easily intrigued by you. It's written all over his face."

" I do not see it," I said, my voice establishing a hint of despair." I just want to be left alone. I do not want

any further complications."

" Suit yourself," Lena said, her voice laced with a hint of abdication, though I tasted a moping curiosity." But you can not deny that he was relatively fascinating. And those eyes"

I sighed, shaking my head, my way leading me back towards my room." I do not have time for fascinating," I said, my voice sick, a hint of sadness." I just want to concentrate on my baby. I need to keep us safe."

" Well, you can not deny that it was an intriguing hassle," Lena said as I continued down the hall, her voice

echoing in my mind.

I didn't answer and just went back to my room, closing the door behind me. I just wanted to be alone, to escape the prying eyes and the unwanted attention.

My only concern was to protect my child.