Chapter Eight
1478 Words
"We have to stop meeting like this." Dylan smiled as he walked up to me.
I was floating in my bikini right next to the waterfall trying to relax but failing.
"Go away." I voiced quietly with my eyes closed.
"Blake, can we talk." His voice softened from his previous cocky tone as he spoke.
"What is there to talk about?" I finally sat up from my floating position to look at him.
His curly brown hair was sticking up in every direction as if he hadn't slept in days and bags underneath his large chocolate eyes but he still looked as good as he always did.
"We kissed." Dylan deadpanned, sitting on the edge of the water letting his feet dangle.
"And how does your mate feel about that?" I sneered but all I got from him was a look of utter confusion. "Noah said you found your mate so youre Alpha now." I reiterated.
"Oh." He laughed which only pissed me off more.
"When did you find her?"
"A couple months ago." Hearing his words made my blood boil.
"You took me to the ocean." I spoke angrily. "You took me to the ocean and you let me confide in you and you let me feel for you while you've had your mate this entire time."
"Blake." He started but I cut him off.
"You kissed me! You kissed me. Not the other way around. How does your mate feel about that?"
"Are you done?" He just looked at me and i didnt respond. "We aren't together. I found her but she didn't find me."
"I don't even know what that means." I huffed.
"It doesn't matter, what matters is that you're okay. After you healed me you were unconscious for two days, I don't have much experience with healers but I know that isnt normal."
"Why do you care so much?" I exasperatedly asked.
"God, you just don't get it do you. Why can't you let someone in? I want to be here for you but you're making it so hard." He huffed running his hand down his face.
"You wouldnt understand. I've been through more hell than you could ever imagine." I rolled my eyes, swimming to the edge of the water so I could leave.
"How come you don't feel it?" He whispered to me.
"What are you talking about?" I stopped in my tracks as I heard the vulnerability in his voice.
"You're so infuriating!" He yelled triggering something in me.
"Im infuriating? I'm infuriating?" I screamed back at him. "I'm not the one who goes around kissing girls when ive found my mate!"
"Will you drop it? And no, you're just the one running from her problems and anyone who could ever care about her! Why is it so damn hard for you to let someone love you?" His voice matched mine in volume and I'm sure the whole forest could hear us.
"Because everyone I love dies or leaves!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I swear I felt the ground shake.
His expression dropped as he just stayed silent. I knew Dylan wasn't expecting that and didn't know what to say but he kept asking so he got an answer.
"Blake, i'm not going anywhere." He walked closer to me and whispered.
I felt a lone tear slip down my cheek as he pulled me into his inviting embrace. The aroma of his cologne swarmed my senses and I was okay with it.
I let myself melt in his touch for a minute more before promptly pulling away much to Dylans surprise.
"Everyone says that." I wiped my eyes and held a confident stance putting my walls back up. "I don't need anyone but my family. Anyone else is just another opportunity to hurt me and i wont allow it."
I turned on my heel to make my exit but I felt his grasp on my arm causing me to spin around. Before I could register what was happening I felt lips on mine and immediately knew whos they were.
The same burning sensation I loved and missed returned but this time I didn't pull away. We stood there for what felt like an eternity in a soft gentle kiss.
"It's okay to hurt Blakely but I promise, i won't leave you." He whispered inches from my face.
"I've been through more than you know."
"I hope one day you feel comfortable enough to tell me. To tell me who hurt you, who left you. Everything. And i know that isn't going to happen today or anytime soon and i won't push but i hope one day it will." His words meant more to me than he could have ever imagined.
"One day."
We stood there a minute more before sitting at the edge of water with our feet dangling in. It was perfect.
***
"How could you say that?" I let out a loud unattractive chuckle at Dylan's story.
I had gotten dressed and we walked around the forest for hours before deciding to come back to my house.
"She asked for it!" He laughed in defense. "Why would i come to a skating rink if i didn't want to skate?"
"The arcade?"
He made a face of realization only causing me to laugh harder.
"Oh yeah." He mumbled under his breath as we walked through the front door.
Nobody was there, it was around noon so everyone was probably off doing their own thing.
"I am a mean cook." Dylan bragged as we made our way to the kitchen.
"Ooh Chef Dylan. It has a nice ring to it." I teased.
"You're laughing now but as soon as i make you something you'll be begging for me to be your personal chef."
I hopped up on the counter taking a bite out of an apple as he rummaged through our cabinets and refrigerator pulling out random things that most definitely don't go together.
"Uh, Dylan?" I quizzed.
"Yes?"
"Why did you pull out jellybeans and pepperonis?"
"Trust the process, young one." I was so confused by his choice of ingredients it took me a second to realize what he said.
"Hey!" I smacked his arm. "You're only 4 years older than me!"
"Yes but I'm way more mature." He drug out the word 'way' knowing it would get a reaction out of me.
"As if! You still watch Spongebob!"
"Dont hate on my spongebob!" We both laughed at his words.
I sat on the counter observing as he put numerous things that don't go together all in one pan making me slightly nauseous at the sight. Dylan continued to add spices and liquids to his heart's content. I was so fixated on his actions I almost didn't notice Olly enter the room and sit at the table to watch us but it was obvious Dylan didn't notice him at all.
"Okay taste." He held a wooden spoon close to my lips. I blew on the substance to cool it down before tasting it.
"Well?" He asked expectantly.
"It's awful." I fell over laughing since I knew it would be bad.
He smirk at me before holding another wooden spoon near my mouth. "That's because I poured salt in the bite."
I gave him a playful glare before tasting the real one and surprise overtook me as I loved it.
"How?" Was all that could come out of my mouth.
"I'm good like that." He grinned before coming near me, right before he was about to kiss me Oliver made a fake gagging sound.
"Gross." He mumbled shoving his way between us to get to the fridge.
"What's your problem Conri?" I gave him a dirty look.
"Nothing, just didn't realize you were giving it out to any guy who asked." He sneered and my heart broke. How could he say that to me?
Within seconds Dylan had moved near him and punched him square in the nose leaving a loud cracking sound in the air. Oliver fell to the ground clutching his face before muttering a string of profanities.
“You will not speak to her like that ever again.” Dylan’s voice and glare held a power I didn’t know he possessed making Oliver leave without another word.
"How were you ever with that guy?" Dylan looked repulsed.
"He was never like that before. Not with me. I went through a lot a few years ago and he was always there. He held me and told me it was going to be okay and when it eventually was okay i always thought it was because of him. Turns out I was wrong."
"How about we go to my house? I'm sure Dani would love some of this." He smiled as he gestured to the pot on the stove, any trace of his anger and assertion gone.
I didn't respond so we packed up and headed there in silence. It was okay though. It's like the silence with Dylan was a comfortable and understanding silence. I didn't feel like I needed to speak to keep us from being awkward. It was nice. We eventually got to his pack house and by that point my hand was grasped firmly in his but he dropped it as soon as he opened the door.
"Lilly?"
- Writer
