From Princess to Queen

Desire

Ava's POV

Strong, familiar arms wrap tightly around my waist and haul me off Bethany. I’m kicking and screaming to let me go so I can finish the b***h off. Grace comes to stand in front of me, and my eyes widen as I take in her bruised face.

“I’M GOING TO KILL HER!” I shout,

“Get her out of here. Someone call the nurse now.” I hear a coach say. As River carries me towards the exit, I look over to see Bethany’s motionless body lying on the floor.

Outside, a full storm is raging on, lightning streaking the dark clouded sky, heavy rain, and rough winds. I can’t see a thing. River carries me across the large green space to my tower. Once inside, he places me on my feet.

“Here, I grabbed your backpack on the way out. And Ava, what you did in there was crazy. You could have killed her!” he admonishes

Not appreciating his tone and annoyed at how soaking wet I now am I snap.

 “I wanted to kill her. You didn’t see what she did to Grace. I need to protect her, she hasn’t had it easy, you know?”

 I start walking towards the elevator.

 “I know, she told me about her parents.”

Swiping my key card on the reader, I turn to him surprised.

“Really? she trusted you enough to open up about what happened?” I ask.

“Yes. we actually get on really well we sometimes study together.” He replies.

Sighing, I whisper, “She’s like a sister to me, River. I won’t let her get hurt.” The elevator doors open, and I step out into my wide hallway I make my way to my room, when I realize River is still following me.

“Look thanks for walking me over but you can leave now”

I say while picking up a towel that is draped over my stall. I look over my shoulder, I can see he is still standing there looking as if he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

Deciding to be the one to break the awkward silence that is now happening.

“Is there anything else?”

I ask raising my eyebrow slightly I can feel myself getting annoyed just wanting him to spit it out already so I can get myself into a hot shower.

“Um…yes there is something I want to tell you but”

River is cut off at the sound of a loud explosion the screams that follow was a sound I never want to hear again.

I rush out from my room and into the elevator, the doors closing just before River could get in. Once out, I run towards the door and out into the open space, I can see the dark clouds of smoke coming from just inside the tree line I make my way there pushing through the crowds of students that have gathered outside.

I just pass through the tree line when I see the sign that reads professors accommodation and just beyond that is what remains of a professor’s cottage a fire still raging on, I can feel the heat on my skin from twenty feet away.

I can hear arguing, I quickly duck behind a tree, so I won’t be seen Cole steps out from the other side of the crumbling cottage with the head right behind him. You can tell they are shouting at each other by their body language arms flying around furrowed brows I just can’t make out what they are saying not over the fire and the distance between us.

I go to take a step closer when I am tackled to the floor a large hand covers my mouth. Tingles run across my skin where he is touching, and I know instantly that it’s River.

He is looking down at me with wide worried eyes placing his finger in front of his mouth, shushing me he slowly moves his large hand from my face.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

I ask making sure to keep my voice a low whisper.

“You were going to get caught I can’t lose you Ava, you have no idea what they would do. Hell, he is my brother, and I don’t even know what his into I just know his into some bad stuff” he replies.

Stunned I’m not sure how to answer him I hardly knew him yet a part of me felt as if I do… needing to have answers I ask.

“What do you mean you can’t lose me? you don’t know me River.” I hiss out.

His eyes immediately drop to the floor I can see his chest rise as he takes a breath then he brings his eyes to meet mine.

“You’re my mate Ava, you are the other half of me please tell me you feel the mate bond. Even though you’re not a wolf you must feel something right? I have been trying to give you space but it’s driving my wolf crazy not having you close.”

He asks with a pleading look on his face.

I am just frozen my mind spinning with what he has just told me. I knew there was something, but never did I think I would find my mate. And here of all places.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this I mean there is no denying River is extremely attractive. From the first moment I had laid eyes on him I felt the pull. My body wants to get lost in him, but I don’t need the distraction. I came here to find myself and finally be independent did I really want to go from my protective parents to a protective mate?

I would basically be back where I started…relying on someone else could I give myself to this manfully and be happy I wasn’t sure I could answer that now.

Slowly lifting my eyes to meet his blue orbs swallowing the saliva I had gathered in my mouth I prepared myself to give an answer not really sure myself on what the answer would be.

 “I feel it”

Relief washes over his face, and I could see his shoulders relax letting the tension from waiting for my answer bleed out as he takes a step towards me. Placing my hand up to stop him from getting any closer, I continue.

“But I’m not sure if I am ready to be with you like that. I haven’t had the time to find myself yet”

I feel sick to my stomach, but I have to be honest with him he deserves that much. I can’t be with him right now, I wasn’t sure I can let my guard down and give it my all.

“I understand what you are saying Ava, but… mates find themselves in each other you will never truly know who you are until you are with your mate trust me on this please…”

He begs but I’m not sure if I can trust him yet… for all I knew he could be saying all of this just to get me to mate with him, then I would be trapped in a mate bond.

No, I won’t be fooled I need to be sure about River, before jumping into this bond there must be no room for doubt. Even the tiniest amount would have me backing out completely.