Looking for Wildflowers

Chapter 18

The two began walking to the tree line.

“Now, just follow me. I'll show you my favorite spot.”

Riley took off into the woods, followed closely by Taylor who was still trying to get used to having four legs instead of two. They ran past what felt like thousands of trees and eventually ended up at a large lake. It was so large, they couldn't see the other side as there were small islands of trees scattered in it.

“I love coming here and thinking. I usually come here as Skoll, my wolf. There's just something about crawling up on this big rock and taking a nap that seems to always clear my head.”

Taylor looked to her right and saw a large flat rock going off into the lake, almost reaching the middle.

“That rock?” Taylor asked as she took a few steps toward it.

“Yeah.”

“It looks nice, can I go?”

“Of course. Come on, I'll lead. Just be careful, it can get slippery.”

The two started walking out onto the rock. It started out rather large and then slowly faded into the lake.

Once they reached the end, Taylor noticed how waves would form and splash her with water. She started to panic but calmed down once she realized she was barely even cold and she was still on the rock.

Riley turned around a few times and lay down, looking up at Taylor who looked confused and panicked but also happy.

“This place is nice, Riley. We should come here as humans.”

“Yeah, we'll make it a date. Just let me pick what you wear.” Taylor knew he was smirking, even though Skoll hadn't moved a muscle. “Now come lay down and relax a bit.”

Taylor walked out next to Riley and turned around a few times before curling up in a ball.

“Riley was right, this is nice.” Taylor thought.

“Thank you.” Riley smiled telepathically, reminding Taylor he could still hear her thoughts.

Once he saw Taylor had gotten comfortable, he got up and snuggled around her, the water just barely avoiding them. It wasn't long before he noticed Taylor had fallen asleep, causing him to lay his head down on her neck.

He knew she was overwhelmed and terrified, but Riley prayed that she would come around. This life was much better than a human’s and he felt confident she would realize that once she relaxed more into it.

Riley and Taylor walked the riverside, taking in the natural beauty that surrounded them.

“Riley,”

“Yeah?”

“What if...what if I'm not good here?”

“What do you mean?” They stopped walking and Riley turned to lok at her, her head and ears hung low as she stayed back a few feet.

“I mean, what if I'm not good as a werewolf?”

“It's pretty hard to be a bad werewolf unless you're just an asshole or something.”

“No,” Taylor was clearly getting frusterated as she just sat down. “I just don't think I'm meant for this kind of life.”

“You don't like it?”

“It's not that, it's just not... I'm not meant to be a werewolf, especially a Luna.”

“What are you saying?” Riley took a few steps toward her, afraid of the answer.

“I don't know. I guess I should just stay back at your house until I get used to things. Despite how I may feel, this is my new reality.”

Taylor started walking into the woods, heading back to the camp. Riley hurried to catch up.

“Taylor, wait!” Riley caught up and walked next to Taylor. “Don't just shut yourself away. I know it's overwhelming right now, but-“

“No, you don't.” Taylor suddenly seemed emotional and upset. “You have no idea what it's like. You grew up like this, you grew up as a werewolf. I didn't. I'm supposed to be a human not a werewolf.” She picked up her pace, causing Riley to try and stand in front of her.

“Riley, leave me alone.” She sounded desperate, like she was about to completely fall apart. “You don't understand. You never have and never will. That's just how it is.”

“Taylor, please. I know I don't understand but I can't lose you.”

“You're not losing anything.” She spat. “That's the problem. You still have your pack and family and your normal life. The only difference is my presence.”

Riley waited as they both stood and stared at each other.

“I, however, have lost everything. So please, just let me go back to your house and try to calm down.” She pushed past him and ran back to camp, going straight to their house and changing back to human. Quickly, she put her clothes back on and ran to the bedroom, knowing Riley wasn't far behind her.

The bedroom was simple, it had a small wooden dresser, a queen-sized bed, and a large dog bed in the corner, most likely for when Riley wanted to stay wolf. There wasn’t really a place to hide, and Taylor could feel her emotions rushing through her.

Shaking, she walked over to the bed and forced herself under the covers, burying her face in between the pillows and finally letting the emotions take over.

When Riley walked in, he noticed Taylor laying face-down on his pillows, sobbing.

“Taylor,” he took a step toward the bed, closing the door behind him. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

Taylor ignored his presence and continued sobbing, having lost all control over her emotions. Riley couldn’t handle just standing there while the woman he loved cried herself to sleep because of him.

“Taylor, I’m sorry.” he sat on the edge of the bed and reached out with a shaky hand, and placed it on her back, trying to bring her any bit of comfort. “I really am. I thought you’d like being here with me. I was being selfish, I’m sorry.” Riley had to fight back tears of his own.

“I do like being here with you. It’s just a lot and my life will never be the same.” She managed to say in between sobs. “I want to be with you, Riley. This isn’t your fault, I told you to do it.”

“Come here,” Riley sighed as he propped himself against the headboard, bringing Taylor in and placing her head on his chest, laying her legs over his. "I know this is hard. But don't worry, I'll be with you through it all. I’m almost certain that once you get used to it, you’ll love it here. What if I introduce you to a few people? Try and make a few friends and I’m sure that’ll help you feel better.”

Taylor sighed as she thought over Riley's words.

"I guess a few friends would be nice, but it's not like I'm good in social situations."

"That's okay, you'll find people you get along with."

"Just do me a favor, please?"

"Anything you want, wildflower."

"Stay with me. I don't want to be alone."