CHAPTER 004
1561 Words
CHAPTER 004
Edward Blackthorne was stopped by the realization of his position with Isabella Hartwell. His body tightened, and his arms were still clinging tightly round her waist. All his instincts said he ought to have drawn away, or bidden her rise, or taken her off his knees. But he stood still, and so did she.
His chest was leaning lightly against her back, and her head was drawn so far around that her cheek lay pressed against his shoulder. Her hair was rubbing against his lips with a distant whiff of strawberry. His chest swelled and sank slowly and deliberately with the effort it required not to move.
There was a silence between them, only interrupted by her breathing. He heard it die away so lower and more gradual till he was certain that she slept.
A sigh escaped him. "I ought to take you back to the dormitory," he said to himself.
Her drowsy voice was rubbing on his shoulder. “How far is it?”
"Thirty or forty minutes," he replied to himself.
I do not believe that I can wait that long. I want to sleep. And the doors are closed at this time of day. The mistress will question me excessively in case I call.
“You are with me. She will not question it. And in addition, you moved tonight, he thought to himself.
I do not desire anybody to know that I moved.
Your wolf shall be smelled by them.
“Then I should call my mother.”
Tomorrow they are to be here at the ceremony. "Things better said face-blanket," Edward returned, throwing back his head against the tree. He had palms in the dirt, and he had to resist the temptation of touching her one more time.
She gave no reply. As he looked down, Isabella had fallen asleep.
It was no wonder that females should fall after their first shift, but Isabella had run over three hours with his wolf, Zero. That itself was an achievement. However, this was no typical wolf of any kind: Isabella was an alpha female.
And just sixteen, Zero grumbled in Edward.
The wolf was impatient and discontent at not being able to connect with the wolf of Isabella. He continued to shout at Edward, and nothing could be done.
Edward changed her in his arms and made her fit herself in a more comfortable way. Hunger tore his stomach, and he was reminded that the last time he ate was at noon, but he did not pay heed to it. He would not wake her. Instead, he sat up and did not say a word, but threw back his head against the tree, and his eyes became heavy.
Sleep overspread him—then a low voice cut the mist.
“Eddie…”
His eyes flew open. This startled him, and Isabella dropped off his knee, rolling into the grass in laughter.
"Cursed be it," he leaped and could not get her.
She held her stomach and laughed hysterically.
Instead, it deceived his eyes as they glanced down her bare thighs to where the shirt had crept up. He felt the heat rush within him, and he raised his eyes up to look at her face.
Look at her face, look at her face, he told himself.
He frowned and caught her by the arm, lifting her too fast to her feet. He had a rough grip, and it made her flinch.
Careful! Careful! She jerked her arm free. I forgot how sour you are in the morning.
"You startled me," he, McMurphy, said as he pulled a hand through his hair. “We should head home.”
“I cannot. It is midnight.”
The packhouse is within ten minutes of this place.
“Fine. I will shift back.”
“Zero can carry you. It will be faster.”
She muttered something to herself. “Grumpy old man.”
Edward ignored her. He got out of his shorts, laid them up, and threw them into the bushes.
“Eyes up, Bella. Not on me,” he said flatly.
You have dimples on your ass. Her giggles flowed out over the night.
"I have heard," he answered without any gesture, cowering down.
“By whom? A girlfriend? Or girlfriends? "Teased," she lisped.
He gave no reply. His body instead moved gently into the form of his wolf.
Edward had never had a girlfriend. He had never wanted one. He would wait until the one of the Goddesses that it took, however long it took.
Zero got down on his knees so that Isabella could mount him.
Naturally you will not, she said. “ Mr. Alpha is too gentlemanly to discuss his women.
He fancied that she was rolling her eyes as she mounted his back.
You may tell me, replied the lady, whether you wish. “I keep secrets. I suppose I might even tell you what girls like. I could help you.”
Her legs were round his neck, her cheek against his fur.
Same old Isabella, always on the move, always filling in.Despite himself, Edward smiled. Zero stretched his legs, then bolted forward into a swift run.
What made her think a sixteen-year-old knew enough about love to advise him?
As if reading his thoughts, she called over the wind, “I am smarter than my age. Do not forget that.”
And she was right. She was.
The forest blurred past until the packhouse rose into view.
“You did not just walk in naked, with Bella nearly naked beside you!”
Austin, Edward’s cousin, stood in the doorway, his voice booming with amusement.
Edward smacked him across the back of the head. Both men laughed, though Edward’s jaw was tight.
Austin would become Gamma tomorrow night, standing at Edward’s side when he took his oath as Alpha.
“Why are you still awake?” Edward asked, glancing at the wall clock. The hands pointed to two in the morning.
“I just got home.” Austin winked at Isabella.
“You have a ceremony tomorrow, and you still went out?” Isabella scolded, arms folding across her chest.
“I will be responsible starting tomorrow. Tonight I celebrated. Same as you did. So you are no better.” Austin smirked, but his eyes narrowed as he studied the pair. “So… did you two cross the line?”
“Shut up. I am not like you. I do not sleep with every girl who crosses my path,” Edward snapped, grabbing Isabella’s hand and steering her toward the stairs.
“Besides, I do not wear skirts,” Isabella quipped, laughing.
Austin’s chuckle followed them down the hall. “She just turned sixteen, Eddie! Uncle Aeon will kill you.”
Her laughter rang in Edward’s ears as their hands remained linked.
Through the mindlink, Edward’s warning shot was sharp as steel. She shifted tonight. She does not want anyone to know yet. If you spread rumors, I will cut you down where you stand.
“That is disgusting. But wait—she shifted? At sixteen? She is an Alpha!”
“Everyone already knows that,” Edward snapped back.
“I know. I just wanted to say it. Anyway, I am off to bed. But remember, she is sixteen. If you even think of—”
“Enough. Sleep,” Edward growled, severing the link.
They descended into the basement. Isabella looked around curiously. “What are we doing here?”
Edward pulled out a pair of Tweety Bird pajamas from his sister Catherine’s belongings. “Wear this. You will sleep better than in that shirt.”
“Seriously? Catherine still wears this? We just bought nicer ones last week.”
“This will do. I am not digging through her wardrobe.”
“Fine. But turn around while I change.”
“No. I will wait outside.” He grabbed sweatpants and stepped out without another word.
When she emerged, Edward handed her a toothbrush and toothpaste.
“Am I sleeping in your room?” she asked.
He shook his head. “If we oversleep, it will not look good.”
“I used to sleep in your room.”
“When you were seven and I was ten. Not now.” His tone hardened. “The last thing I want is to be killed before I even find my mate.”
She giggled. “You are no fun. I was joking. I can stay with Catherine.”
“She locks her door. You will take the guest room. Safer than risking her wrath.”
They both laughed. It had been years since they shared an evening like this. It felt natural, as though nothing had changed.
“Come on, kitten. Do you want food first? My stomach is starving.”
“Of course food! That is not even a question. I am famished.”
“Then food it is.”
“Race you to the kitchen, rockstar!” she shouted, darting ahead.
Edward shook his head, laughter spilling from him as he chased after her. He already knew he would let her win—just like always.
But as her laughter echoed down the hallway, one thought gnawed at him.
Was he already crossing a line he could never step back from?
Would this night change everything between them forever?
- Writer
