The Hidden

A Cabin in the Woods

Dyann let Éric lead her to his car. He placed her 2 small bags in the trunk and held the door open for her. She sat with him in the back while two of his friends sat up front. She assumed the other guy must have his own car because he disappeared. Once they were settled in the car, Eric grabbed her hand again and entwined his fingers with hers. It felt so good that she did not object. She reasoned with Rose, ‘No we are not staying with this man forever, but I am 26 years old. I’ve never been with a man or even on a date. Maybe we should have a fling?  What could it hurt?’ Rose kept arguing and repeating herself, ‘Mates are forever. He is ours.’  Dyann guessed that inner wolves got horny too and kind of laughed to herself at the idea. The driver asked if they were heading to the main house and Eric old them no to go to cabin 1. He called the driver Matt. They began chatting easily as they drove and Dyann felt herself relax just listening to Eric’s voice. She felt safe, happy and warm. Honestly the ride ended too soon for her. Eric instructed the others to go on without him while he got Dyann settled and they entered a log house that could never, ever be considered a cabin in Idaho or Montana. It was beautiful with high ceilings and exposed logs, a large stone fireplace and every luxury you could imagine. The furniture was deep and looked comfy, the kitchen was state of the art. Eric gave her the tour of the 3 bed, 3 bath home and showed her a fully stocked kitchen and pantry. When she opened the refrigerator she was surprised to see fresh orange juice, strawberries, eggs, bacon and there was wheat bread on the counter. She looked at Eric curiously. “This is funny, this is everything I just ate at the diner.”

Eric blushes, “Well I made some arrangements while we were at the diner and had my bet..brother, go to the store.  These were the only things I knew you liked.”

“Well that was quick and thoughtful. Thank you.”

“You are very welcome. You have no idea how much I want to do thoughtful things for you.”

“Why?  You don’t know me.”

“Surely your wolf has told you? Didn’t you feel it when we held hands?  Those sparks are special Dyann. It was no accident that you showed up here. There are forces that move us toward our missing piece until we find them.”

“So you think I’m your destined other half?”

Eric paused. Is it too much too soon?  What the hell’s the use of holding back after waiting so many years? “Yes Dyann and I don’t just think, I know. It’s easier for me because I have known about mates my whole life. I have waited, looked, longed and kept myself umm pure for you. Specifically you.  You are my destined mate.”

Dyann stood silently and stared. Rose was doing laps. “Yes yes yes. Kiss mate.”  Dyann ignores her as usual. She cleared her throat, “ummm, I don’t know what to say I’m sorry. This is all very new to me and I don’t believe in destiny. I certainly don’t believe in love at first sight or mates either. You should also know that I have been kept away from people like you, I have been controlled and that will not happen to me again.”

“I do understand but the mate bond is not intended to control us. It is intended to complete us. It makes us our strongest self, the best version of us.”

She thought about that, “I remember the look my aunt and uncle got when they touched or the way my grandparents would interact and speak to each other. I can see their bond In those memories  now that I know what it is and I promise you, it did not make them the best versions of anything. Those people are monsters. I will not be like them.”

“Dyann I am not asking you to be like them but the mate bond did not make them monsters. Being werewolves did not make them monsters. There are bad werewolves just like there are bad people. It doesn’t make them all evil.”

She couldn’t argue with the reasoning. She knew he was right. She also knew she would not just give in to this. So much for her fling. “Well thank you for getting me settled. I appreciate your kindness. However, I will be continuing on my way tomorrow.”

He did not mean to react so aggressively but he growled “No”. It was more his wolf then him, he was right at the surface afraid of loosing the one they had searched for all these years. He softened it quickly, “Please.”  

Dyann stared, Eric continued, “Please give me a few days. You may not believe but we have been searching for you for years. Please give us a few days to show you what the bond is and to show you the love that comes with it. Please.”

Why was she hesitating?  This was crazy and she knew it. This isn’t real, but...but his eyes turned so sad when she said she was leaving and she could feel his pain in her own heart. Thinking  of leaving and never coming back made her stomach churn and made her skin cold. “One day. I will give you tomorrow. There is no guarantee that you will convince me to stay beyond that point, but I will give you one day.”

Eric was flooded with relief. He relaxed. His heart settled down. Titan relaxed. “Do you think I could stay with you for a while?  Maybe we could talk or watch tv?”

Dyann was reluctant to agree. She had gone to work, came home, had her life explode and ran away before bedtime over 16 hours ago. She wanted a shower and a nap. “If it’s ok, I’d like a few hours to myself. Maybe you can come back around 4 or 5?  I’ll make some dinner and we can talk then.”

Eric quickly agreed and impulsively kissed her check. “I’ll see you in a few hours then.”

He glanced back before he walked out the door. “Thank you Dyann.”