Unbound Affection

Chapter 4

Viola placed her hand on the ground, the wet soil tickling her skin. She closed her eyes and focused on the noise around her. Every sound of movement in the woods was as clear as its proximity. She calmed her mind, drew in a large amount of air, and muted all other noises but that specific sound. She felt the vibration from the ground, the four legs and claws getting in contact with the ground.

Many people had gone missing in the woods, and a few bodies had been found, scratched and bitten. It had been speculated that the wolves were the culprit—just a few, or maybe more.

Her brows knitted and her eyes opened when she heard what seemed to be a human breathing. She shot up and turned around and squinted at the sight in front of her while he was looking everywhere but at her.

What is he doing here? she wondered.

“Hey.” He waved as if they had been friends and were on good terms. A crooked smile formed on his lips. “I was just . . .” He sat, crossed his legs, and dusted his hands. “Just walking around,” he lied.

Viola stared at him with raised brows. Wasn’t he the one who intimidated me earlier this morning, and now he was like, waving at me? And with a smile?

He stood. “It’s nice to walk in the woods before it gets dark,” he explained, knowing he did not believe his initial reasoning—her expression said it all. He licked his lips and took a step forward. “I was just . . .”

“Walking around,” she completed his sentence.

Didn’t he tell me that just a few seconds ago?

“Yes. Yes.” He clasped his hands and nodded with a faint smile.

“I never asked you anything.” Viola shrugged. She rubbed her hands on her shirt, shooting him a suspicious glance.

Why is he everywhere? she thought.

“Yeah.” He nodded again. “You didn’t ask anything,” he uttered low and tilted his head in embarrassment. “Anyways, why are you here?” He looked at her. “Don’t you know that no one is allowed to be in the woods at night?” He looked up at the grey sky, which would darken sooner. He shifted his gaze back to her.

She strutted forward and stopped a little away from him, ignoring his question and his presence. Her brows then creased when she heard the footsteps of the sharp-clawed creature. She turned around, feeling its presence from afar. Her heart raced as its ragged breathing reached her ears. She grabbed Allen’s hand and dragged him behind the trunk, where he had stood earlier. It was large enough to hide them both.

In a flash, Allen grabbed her arm as soon as she let go, and they exchanged spots. Her back collided with the hard trunk and a low gasp escaped her. She looked up at the tall figure in front of her. His hands were above her shoulders on the trunk. He leaned closer, his body just an inch away from her. The overwhelming smell of alcohol hit her nostrils, making her feel nauseous. She lowered her gaze and then looked up again, but his intense eyes never left her, causing her heart to beat even faster.

Her skin began to heat up, and she wondered whether her body reacted out of fear or because of the proximity between them.

He moved even lower and growled low, “What are you do—”

She placed her index finger on his lips, making his brows rise and his eyes widen. She slid her finger down the very next second and took a step back to move a bit far from him. Her eyes darted to the left and right, her senses at work as the hungry creature was drawing closer, howling. Allen’s eyes bulged at the sound, and he peered to the right.

“My goodness!” he exclaimed, his voice coming out low as he stared at the furry creature crossing a little farther away from them. “That’s too huge,” he said almost to himself.

Too huge? Viola repeated in her head. Aren’t wolves enormous creatures? Hadn’t he seen one before? They live in the woods, right?

“Haven’t you seen one before?” Viola asked, looking at his side features. She examined him, from his Caesar haircut to his Adam’s apple.

“I have, but not that big.” He looked at her, and she averted her gaze.

Wasn’t it strange? The guy who had ruined her first day in school was standing in front of her, acting like they were friends.

Do people change soon?

He lowered his head, and she didn’t dare to look up. She let out a breath she did not know she had been holding, her stiff shoulders relaxed on their own. He lowered again so that if it were noon, she would be completely in his shade. She looked up immediately when she felt him lowering himself more, their noses a hair’s breadth. Her eyes met his, and the dark orbs that had been venomous earlier were now different. Viola felt like she was looking at a different person, not the Allen she had met in school.

What’s wrong with him? What’s with that look? Does he have amnesia or something? Has he forgotten he bullied me in school today, in the morning and afternoon? Wasn’t he the one who addressed me as a poor fish?

This person seems totally different.

His lips twitched as he noticed her nervousness. Viola stayed still as if the little distance between them would vanish if she decided to step forward. The sound of the footsteps faded, and she blinked to ease her eyes as they stung from having been opened for a while. She licked her dry lips as her eyes settled on his neck. Her hesitant hands moved up to his torso, and his gaze followed the movement. She pushed him, and he stepped back purposefully, as her strength was not enough to budge him. She gave him a sideways glance, but before she could walk away, he grabbed her and pulled her back to the trunk. Her bun loosened at the sudden force, and the silky waves fell over her shoulders. He towered over her, the little brightness from the street light from afar covering her like she was in a dark hole.

“What are you doing?” she squalled.

“It’s still there,” he whispered and leaned closer.

Ignoring him, she gripped his shoulders and pushed him. He let out a low sigh and grasped her arms, and before she could react, he pinned them above her head. He lowered her head, studying her.

“It’s gone.” He loosened his grip the very next second, as he knew she was aware of the creature’s movement even without looking at it.

She could feel its presence.

Allen stepped back with a satisfied smile. Viola stared at him with arched brows, curious at his strange behaviour. She slid her arms down slowly but hissed as her skin scraped against the rough surface of the trunk. Her gaze moved to her hand and then back at him in a flash. Allen raised his brows and took another step back. He didn’t notice as she quickly wrapped her palm over her wrist and took another glance at him.

But blood drained from her face when she noticed him staring at her hand. His brows creased and his eyes darkened. His lips parted to speak, but he didn’t. She dropped her gaze, to her hand. A little blood had stained her long sleeve, and she was afraid he would see the colour of her blood—black.

Allen shrugged and took a step forward. “You are . . .”

She looked at him, her heart beating faster in fear. He saw it!