SOMETHING ABOUT YOU
1647 Words
THALIA
Rael’s hand suddenly closed around my wrist.
“Hey-”
Before I could finish complaining, he suddenly tagged me to the side, pushing through thick bushes until the overgrowth covered us. My back brushed against the branches while Rael motioned me to stay low.
“We’re too close to their border,” he whispered. “Patrol’s coming.”
My breath hitched, not because of the warning, but because of how close he was. I was practically pressed on his chest while he was busy checking if the patrol had already passed.
I should have focused on the warning, on the patrol, on anything other than how close he was. But my senses, dulled for years, kept flickering awake at the worst possible moments.
Still, I couldn’t stop myself from leaning closer for comfort, something I shouldn’t be feeling for a stranger.
My heart thudded even more, entirely out of rhythm at the realization. That’s right… Even though he was the first werewolf I’ve talked to and made a connection with for years, we are still strangers to one another. I was only with him because I desperately needed to meet the boy he claimed as his.
“Your heart is beating too fast. Calm down, I’ve got you.” He whispered assurance in my ear, making me freeze up. Heat is reaching my face at record speed.
Damn it, Thalia. You need to focus! You still need to see your son.
Rael kept me close, still embracing me, and looked like he’d bolt off carrying me as soon as we got discovered.
A few tense seconds passed, and finally, his shoulders sagged in relief.
“They’re gone,” he informed.
I let out a sigh of relief, and wanted to back away, but stupidly slipped on the damp soil. With the awkward position, I found myself pitching backwards.
All I could do was close my eyes and wait for the fall, but instead, I felt Rael’s hand dart out again. He gripped my arm and pulled me upright, making me land on his arms once again.
Rael chuckled, amusement etching on his face. “You know, for someone who keeps insisting she can handle herself, you’re pretty damn clumsy. This is what? The third time today alone.”
Panic set in after his words. I immediately pulled away, freeing myself from his hold. “Sorry, okay? I’ve been stuck at work in the hospital most of the time. I haven’t walked in the woods for a while, let alone seen the sun.” I defended myself, yammering just because I was taken aback.
I should have been annoyed, but ended up laughing at the absurdity of the situation. “Fine, it’s silly. I’m a she-wolf who can’t even walk without slipping and tripping. Happy now?”
“Pretty contented, yeah.” He answered, still chuckling a bit.
“So you do know how to smile and laugh. I thought you were just gloomy and serious all the time.” I said, more to myself than him.
Rael raised a brow, still half-grinning. “Of course I know how to laugh, too. You know, if you’re a rogue and take everything seriously, you’ll lose your s**t. Trust me, I’ve been one since I could remember.”
My eyes widened, not expecting what he said. I didn’t get to ask him how he became a rogue since he’s an alpha. I initially thought he had lost his original pack somehow, but based on what he said, he’s been a rogue probably since he was born.
“Sorry…” I muttered, scratching the back of my head. This is what you get for blabbering!
“Why are you apologizing? It’s not like you said anything wrong.” He said as we got up from the bushes and continued circling the border. The straight path ahead would’ve taken us faster. Unfortunately, rogues don’t have that privilege.
After a moment, he suddenly halted on his steps.
“Why did we stop?” I asked, though I was already catching my breath. “Are we being followed?”
I looked around cautiously, but was surprised by what he said next.
“Because you look like you’re about to pass out. There’s a cave nearby here. Let’s rest there.”
I was supposed to protest and tell him I was okay, but he had already been leading me towards the cave, even taking the bag I was carrying. He put down our things and sat beside me.
“I’m sorry.” I apologized once again.
“For what this time?”
“For slowing you down,” I said, and couldn’t hide the guilt in my voice.
He shrugged, “You promised you’ll do us a favor once I’m reunited with my pack. Think of it as… an advance payment,” he finished with a small smirk, leaning back against the cold cave wall. “I can afford a few hours of rest if it means you won’t try to faceplant again.”
My mouth hung in surprise, “I wasn’t that bad.”
Rael gave me a look, grinning as if waiting for me to admit it myself. I frowned, but also murmured, “Fine. I guess I really needed that rest.”
He chuckled warmly, “Relax, we’ve been closing to my pack’s trail already, anyway. Besides, being a rogue means surviving with whatever we get. If that includes slowing down a bit so you don’t collapse, then that’s what we’re doing. You’re probably hungry too. I’ll gather wood and find us something to eat.”
“You really don’t mind?”
Rael shrugged again, eyes drifting toward the cave entrance as if keeping watch even while resting. “If I minded, I’d have left your ass back there. But I didn’t, didn’t I?” He said with a teasing tone, but his expression grew softer once his gaze landed back on me. “There’s something about you that I couldn’t explain, but I don’t think it’s something bad… or maybe your stubbornness has simply moved me.”
I cleared my throat and quickly avoided his gaze. “Th-thank you… I guess.”
He got up from his seat, “You’re doing fine, Thalia. Just breathe.”
--
I placed my hands near the bonfire he just created, finally feeling warmth after walking around in the cold.
“Mind turning away?” Rael suddenly asked, already removing his shirt.
I quickly realized what he was trying to do and promptly did as he requested. It didn’t take long, and he finally walked beside me in his wolf form. Rael’s wolf stood beside the fire, careful not to catch in flames with his massive form.
His fur is a deep shade of ash-dark brown with streaks of white brushing along his neck. His wolf is definitely majestic, objectively one of the most beautiful wolves I’ve seen.
It stirred something in me. It’s not like I haven’t seen someone’s wolf form before, but it had been years since I’d seen one this close.
My chest tightened in a familiar ache. Nel’s longing. Her desire to run beside another wolf again. But not all the feelings were hers, and that’s the problem.
“Are you okay, Thalia?”
I heard his voice in my mind through mind link, another first time in three years. I gave a slight nod even though I was still a little out of it. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
”I’ll hunt for food, but I won’t be long. Stay inside the cave and don’t wander off, okay?”
I quickly nodded, “Thank you, Rael. Please be careful.” I said, genuinely wishing he met no danger outside.
He let out a soft huff, as if reassuring me, before leaping out of the cave, quickly disappearing from my hind sight.
I placed a hand on my chest, trying to make sense of the emotions that had been spiraling in my heart since earlier. The longing I felt, yes, that was Nel. But what about the rest? The constant panic I feel whenever we’re close, the warmth that I couldn’t stop yearning for when he touches me, that wasn’t Nel. That was just me.
I sat closer to the fire, pulling my knees to my chest as the cave felt quieter around me. It was warm, but it didn’t feel the same when he was around.
“Get a grip, Thalia,” I whispered to myself.
I placed my chin on my knees, forcing myself to calm down. Thinking about my feelings for Rael wouldn’t solve anything. I have bigger problems, real, life-altering problems.
Like the fact that I didn’t even know if my wolf would ever be strong enough to let me shift again. I could hear her after years of silence, but that doesn’t mean I’m already fixed. If my son is really alive, I’d need strength to protect him.
They said no wolf could resist the pull of the moon once it reached its peak, but the moment Nel completely caved in, even the full moon couldn’t force her out.
The first year of withdrawals from not being able to shift was already bad-
Wait, the full moon…
I shot up from the ground. I scrambled to my feet so fast I nearly tripped again just to check outside. I gasped as soon as I saw the moon in the sky, hitting me with another wave of fear.
Just at the same time, I saw Rael approach the cave, carrying a freshly killed prey in his mouth. His wolf eyes widened the moment he saw me outside.
“Thalia!” his voice echoed in my mind, “I told you not to wander off! What are you doing out here? I-”
“Rael,” I interrupted in sheer panic. “We have a problem.”
- Writer
