What's Beyond the Trees?

Chapter 15 I Wouldn't Do That

Raine's POV

I push myself back until I hit the tree that helped in bruising my face.. I use it as a crutch, holding me partly up since I'm still hunched over feeling the after math of being who I am, a living breathing target for anyone to use as they please.

It gets tiring having to deal with the actual idea of betrayal plus the irritating idi*t that is my hopeful heart, letting this betrayal happen, once again because all I want is a regular life to be happy. But that just can't seem to happen for me ever..

I'm just sitting here touching my head that's bleeding at my hairline, the more blood I see the madder I feel.. ugh.. I thought I had found someone I could maybe be a friend with besides my trusty bodyguard. But obviously that was too much to ask.. This is getting me thinking over all the amount of times this has actually happened in my life and it is infuriatingly exhausting.. It has happened so many times that my heart still hurts but not even remotely as bad as in the past.

When it comes to just the mere idea of betrayal my heart clenches but almost throws up another automatic barrier or protective layer around it, not wanting to let anyone in ever.. and at this point that doesn't sound like a bad plan.. because everytime I do allow someone to get close to me in my desperation for love, someone takes advantage and hurts it, that's sad.. I shouldn't have a scabbed-over scar on my heart, numbing the pain of how many betrayals I have endured to help out with the many more I will get.. But something has to help me deal with the painful reminder of who I am, how selfish everyone is in this world and how I will never have the happy life I yearn for.

The betrayers are just something else, they are blinded by only what they care about and what I can give them to gain what they want.. Either ignoring the fact, or not even caring remotely about, that I'm a living and breathing human being, it means nothing to them. Maybe that's how they can detach their consciousness from this situation to convince themselves that they actually have a decent reason to do something this horrific to someone they might call friend or don't even know.. Most these people who have done this to me are some I would like to say are friends.. but friends wouldn't do that to one another.

I feel the sorrow-contained tears, rimming my eyes to the brim and about ready to fall, at that thought alone. My arm is still wrapped around my stomach that clenches and aches as I take in a deep breath trying to ease the shooting pains that run rampant through every last inch of my body. I just gasp for air hoping that might make my churning stomach feel at least a tiny bit better.. But no matter how much air I get into my lungs it doesn't feel like enough, let alone satisfying or calming any part of me like I was hoping it would.

With the shifting of feet and squishing of the soaking wet mud under our weight, I can hear someone kneeling down right next to me.. I instinctively look up to see it's a worried looking Cole with a sparkle reflecting in his gorgeous eyes that only the stars can replicate. They pan back and forth across my face showing me there is so much he wants to say, that's at the tip of his tongue.. So I'll just wait to see where this goes.. it could be good, but could also be bad.

"Raine, goddess Raine, You should have stayed inside, That was stupid of you to go out alone..... I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be rude, but this isn't your first day of being a runaway princess.. ugh.. I knew I shouldn't have let you be by yourself, you're something no one can ignore.. uh.. I was just trying to be respectful of you because I thought you needed this and then look at what happened.. You don't deserve this torment, this isn't right that you even have to endure any of this.. gahh.. You better not do that again, you scared the hell into my heart.. I can't protect you when you run off.. Raine let me protect you." He lulls out in his deep soothing voice, surprisingly calming my nerves with his lecturing tone because of it being filled with so many kind words, protectiveness and how he wants to help me.

"You're right it was stupid.. I feel stupid.. I didn't think she was a threat at that point, because she tricked me.. But this is just what happens for being me.. Not the first person to betray me and won't be the last." I say almost nonchalantly as I spit out the little bit of blood in my mouth. I observe something next to me, it's him helping me again.. I suck in a sharp breath, before taking his arm he has extended to help me stand.

"I wouldn't betray you." He says to me, lifting me up as I put most of my weight on him, feeling so weak right now, but better the more time I take to breath.. I can't help but to keep staring up at him in our very close proximity.. The intensity in his eyes that's locked with mine like a trance, looks as if he is making sure I know this which is nice and comforting in a way.. But who can possibly fully take the word of someone they don't know, that they just met?

I want to take his word for everything, being the open-minded and trusting person I want to be, believe me I want to, and he seems like such a great man.. but the skittish part of me that has helped keep me alive all these years, is nagging in the back of my head and thinks I need to be weary of anyone and everyone because of all the betrayal I have recieved too many times.

"Ok Cole.. sure.." I try to be nice to him, patting his hand that's on mine still, before I look away from his intense gaze. I notice he lets go of my arm and hand actually making me sad because he was helping me feel as good as I could at this point.. But he takes this open moment, just to take my shoulders into his huge hands and tight grip, making sure I'm really paying attention.

"No Raine, I'm not just saying this, I really mean it.. You can trust me, I would never hurt you." He states to me with a desperation apparent on his features, as if his life depends on me knowing this. I nod at him saying. "Ok... Cole I believe you, I swear.. I know it sounds like I'm just telling you what you want to hear, but I swear since the moment I came into contact with you, even as a bear, I have never felt any threat from you.. I swear I believe you will never want to hurt me.. but that doesn't mean you won't hurt me. So that is to be determined." I try to explain as best as I can to him without hurting his feelings.

I know he means well, but lots of bad things are done with the best intentions, so it's hard for me to believe he would never hurt me ever.. I'm just realistic.. But since we won't have much time together after today anyways, I bet that he might actually be right and not hurt me in the period of time we are around each other.. so technically he would be right.

I feel his hand drift from my shoulder and to the back of my neck and head. Almost cradling it in his one hand, but holding me in place, so even if I wanted to tear away my gaze, I couldn't.. I feel the warmth of his huge body pressed into mine, only separated by our layers of clothing but nothing else, no space between us.. With his breath fanning over the top of my lips as they inch closer slowly until they seperate to say softly. "Just stay with me and I will protect you Raine.. Always."

I feel as if his gorgeous silver eyes have taken the air I just got into my lungs, right back out at that statement alone. I think about this, just wishing this could be true, but we both know it can't, no matter what he makes me feel by his empathetic tone tied in with his sweet words.

I just match his deep stare as I reply just as softly. "I can't be with you all the time no matter how much I might like that idea.. I'm sure your family and shebear wouldn't like that.. but it doesn't matter anyways if I want to or not..You don't deserve to run around with me, with an extra target on your back.. it's not fair to you.. I have to run and get away from here, before more find out about me.. and you need to do the same, finding your brother and shebear, that you can have a wonderful fulfilling life with.. along with your wolf family.. it sounds perfect and I bet all worth the hassle of all this.." I try to say reassuring to him, no matter how sad I feel about those words.

"You don't understand Raine.. I.." He starts as we are interrupted by Orion. "I don't see anyone else around the surrounding area, but I can hear people in the distance.. so we need to go... now." I nod at that, looking up to see that Cole hasn't taken his eyes from me, looking like he wants to say so much more. His worry is what's catching my eye the most. I reach up gently touching over his arm as I whisper. "Don't worry about me.. I'll be ok.. you will be ok the farther you get from me.. and you can forget all about me and my list full of issues when you get the life you always wanted with her.. it will be great." I send him a small smile that doesn't meet my eyes as I turn away from him and walking towards Orion.

"Is everything alright with you two? That looked intense.. sexy but intense.. So.. Are you ok?" Orion asks me as I walk past him and up the hill. "Yeah everything will be fine.. eventually.. let's go before I really get hurt by getting attached." I say as I hear the guys following right behind.

"Ok.. well.. We need to get towards the north entrance." Orion states to me as I roll my eyes and spat back as I stoo just to turn around. "It's the hardest way out because of the climb." I explain just in case he doesn't remember that part. "I know and only some can do it, which means we don't have to deal with a lot of people if we take it.. maybe just a couple.. but if we take the easy way out, then we will probably have to deal with a lot more problems then climbing this complicated obstacle." He spats right back, making me cringe at the thought. I click my tongue as I state. "Fine I just haven't done a climb like that without gear before."

"We will be fine pricess let's go before someone else finds us.. I heard voices sounding like they came from home base area, so let's get going. They all might be in on this with Dawn. But either way our safety is compromised here.. We need to go.. unless you and your Romeo want to continue whatever intense conversation you were having over there?" He says curiously to me as I glance at him then Cole who is looking all around at our surroundings. "Maybe later.. but right now we need to get out of here in one piece. Before anything else can be discussed." I say to him as I quickly turn back around and heading right back up that mountain side and to our new target point of destination.