It’s Just Nature

Chapter 7 - Now or Never

All my senses were heightened, my survival skills had kicked in. My goal was to reach the kitchen and grab one of the knives to protect myself. I lowered every sound I made, my eyes focused on trying to spot a figure in the darkness. I tried to locate the intruder from their enriching scent but failed in attempt. Standing perfectly still at the countertop, I carefully pulled a knife out of the wooden block. I turned to my other senses, my ears pricked up, trying to hear any sound.

There was nothing but silence for several minutes until a pair of faint footsteps echoed through the air. I spied around before noticing a wisp of a shady figure around the corner. They know I’m here. Crouching down behind the island table, I patiently waited for their next move. Another few silent minutes passed before more faint footsteps suggested they were near the island table. It was now or never.

In a flash I pushed the intruder to the wall and held the knife only a fraction of an inch away from their neck. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” I interrogated, lacing each word with venom.

“You know who I am, and I’m here too see you,” a familiar deep voice answered.

I suddenly tensed and became frozen on the spot, creating a opportunity for this familiar intruder to push me off. Words struggled to form in my mouth as I tried to comprehend the situation. My first instinct was to switch on the light, then I would know for sure this intruder was who they said they were. I mentally braced myself for the truth, as I reached around aimlessly in the dark for the light switch. It wouldn’t make sense, why? Light filled the room and illuminated the figure before me, a wave of shock overcame me.

What stood before me was the same honey coloured eyes and muscled physique that I had seen merely hours ago. “Ethan,” was all I managed to say.

He looked down at me, his honey coloured eyes filled me with warmth. Ethan shivered at the mention of his name, before he smiled at me, displaying his pearly white teeth. We stood like that for a solid minute until a hasty thought appeared in my head. Where’s Serena? His mate?

“Where’s my sister?”I quickly questioned, worry rapidly filling me.

He stared at the floor, ashamed. “She’s fine, resting well in my pack house.”

Those words sent me into a relief but turned into a slight confusion. “If she’s fine, then why are you here for me?”

“I don’t know why.. I just ... can’t stay away from you” he explained. In a instant he grabbed my waiat and pulled me towards him. His contact generated a wave of warmth over my body. Ethan stared intently into my eyes before leaning in. Our lips connected and I could feel a expolsion of fireworks pulsing around us. This was an surreal feeling.

I was kissing my sister’s mate. The thought made me pull away instantly, ending the amazing experience. The guilt piled up and caused a sudden lift of my hand.

“Why did you do that?” Ethan snapped, holding his stinging cheek.

“Why are you kissing me when you should be with my sister!” I countered.

He looked away guiltily at the mention of my sister. My eyes started tearing up, knowing that I couldn’t have him even though I craved him. Tears streaked down my cheeks without my control, splashing on the ground. I turned away but it was too late, he had already seen them. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Ethan pulled me into a hug and we stood there thinking about everything leading up to that moment. I felt warm in his embrace, but it also felt artificial, it was probably due to the fact that I was filled with guilt.

“I’m sorry I slapped you,” I apologised, breaking the silence. “I just felt guilty.”

He held me tighter. “I deserved it, I was just overcome with want,” he responded.

I pulled out of his warm embrace. “Can we never discuss what happened? I know Serena and she would be absolutely broken if she found out. She has been impatiently waiting for her mate since the day she turned sixteen.” I pleaded, slightly enforcing the words. “And you have to promise that this doesn’t happen ever again.”

Ethan gazed at me, a sigh of rejected desire escaped his lips. “I promise.”