December's Breath

To Run or Not To Run

Amelia was in her room pacing trying to think of some way out. Should I run and hide or should I stay and accept my life, she thought to herself. In a moment of panic she started to pack her things. She didn’t want to be mated at least not right now. For Christ's sake she was only twenty. All she wanted was to be free but life wasn’t that easy. 

Amelia slid out into the hallway, luggage in hand. This is it, it’s now or never she said to herself. Then she felt the little hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Someone was watching her but she was too afraid to turn around to see who it was. She decided to run not knowing how far she would get. 

Parker:

He could feel how anxious she was, he knew she wasn’t ready for what was next. As soon as he stepped out of his room he saw her down the hall trying to sneak out. Parker watched her slowly slip out into the hall. She froze for a moment then bolted for the stairs. He let her go, she wouldn’t get very far. Her father Richard had told him last night that she wasn’t one to be tamed by force. Richard had said “You have to let her come to you, don’t try to force it” So he would wait for her to be ready and let her take as much time as she needed. 

Parker slowly made his way to the stairs, then down to the kitchen where Asher was waiting for him. “So I guess we’re brothers now, huh?” Asher said. “ Yea I guess we are,” Parker replied. He had never had any siblings and thought it would be nice to finally have a brother. Richard and Ophelia came in from the sun room, which was just off from the kitchen. “Good Morning” Parker said to them. “Good Morning” they replied in unison.  “I hope you slept well last night” Richard said with a slight smirk. 

After breakfast Ophelia asked Parker to join her in the garden for a walk. He was looking at all the beautiful flowers when Ophelia stopped and turned to face him. “She isn’t going to make things easy for you” she said. “I know” Parker replied with only a little sadness. “Amelia wants to be free and life her life on her own terms but she has responsibilities she has to fulfill” Ophelia said looking a little upset. “Are you ok Mrs. Valentine?” He asked. “Yes I’m fine” She replied. I walked her back to the house and then went to find Asher.

Asher: 

After breakfast Asher had gone upstairs to check on his sister. When he knocked he got no answer so he opened the door and saw her room in a slight disarray. Oh no she finally ran off he thought to himself. Father will not be pleased when he finds out but he did not want to be the one to give him the bad news. So he slowly closed the door and backed away. He had started to head down the hall when he heard his father call for him. s**t he’s going to ask me where she is he thought. Asher thought about running for only for a second. Maybe he wouldn’t ask where she was. Maybe he just wanted to talk about hunting. Or maybe he needed his help. 

He knocked on his father’s office door and then opened it slowly. “Did you need something father?” Asher asked. “Yes, I would like for you to escort Amelia and Parker back to his territory in two days time.” his father said looking directly at him. Asher looked away, not wanting to meet his eyes. “I will start the preparations immediately, father” he replied. Asher turned to leave then stopped and asked “is there anything else?” “No that will be all son” replied his father. 

Asher left and started down the hall. Parker stood at the top of the stairs waiting for him. “Asher there you are, have you seen Amelia?” Asher looked down not wanting to meet his gaze “she’s gone” was all he said. “What?!” Parker growled. He looked up to see Parker running down the stairs and out the front door. “s**t” he said to himself.

Parker

He couldn’t believe what Asher had just said to him. She’s gone, how can she be gone? Why would she leave? As soon as he walked out the front door he shifted. He caught her scent immediately and she hadn’t gotten far. He caught up to her quickly and shifted back to his human form startling her as he came out from the bushes completely naked. “Where are you going Amelia?” Parker asked her. Amelia averted her gaze “nowhere just out for a walk” she tried to say convincingly but failed. “Really? Then what are those bags for?” He asked her accusingly. “Oh these? They are for charity. I'm just dropping them off while I'm out for my walk.” She said shakily. “We’re in the middle of nowhere Amelia. You are not a very good liar.” Parker said while slowly walking towards her. 

Amelia

Amelia was frightened as Parker stalked towards her slowly. She felt herself stepping back, just as she was about to turn and run she backed into a large tree. Parker was just inches from her and he placed his muscular arms on either side of her. “Why are you running from me?” He asked with a little bit of hurt in his voice. She couldn’t look at him, what was she supposed to say? Sorry but I’m not ready for a mate. I need time to be me. How would he take that? Wouldn’t it hurt him for her to say those words aloud? She started again trying to be truthful without hurting him more “I’m sorry I just got scared.” Parker stared at her and took a deep breath “Scared of me?” he asked. “No not of you but the whole mate thing.” He sighed relieved that she wasn’t afraid of him “I’m a little scared too” he said. 

She felt a little better knowing that. Maybe he would be understanding of how she felt. Parker eased off giving her some space. He was visibly calmer now which was a good sign. She thought about telling how she really felt but her inner wolf told her it was a bad idea. Amelia looked at him seeing how handsome he was in the light coming down from the opening in the treetops.  His eyes were mesmerizing she was getting lost in them. She could smell him too and it was intoxicating. Wow what a smell it was like nothing she had ever smelt before.  She felt slightly aroused by it. Parker noticed her staring at him. “Do I have something on my face Amelia?” he asked with a smirk. “No, it's perfect” Amelia blurted out then blushed she couldn’t believe she had said that. She looked down embarrassed and remembered he was naked. She slowly brought her eyes back up to his face looking over every inch on the way up. “See something you like?” He said with a sly smile on his face. In that moment she wanted nothing more than to pounce on him and it took everything she had to hold herself back.

Why couldn’t he be less charming? Why did he have to be so good looking? She couldn’t stand this pull from the mate bond, even though it wasn’t complete it was still  strong. “Hand me your bags and i’ll escort you back to the house.” Parker said. Amelia handed them over, defeated. They walked back to the house in silence. Upon arriving back at the house they could see Asher nervously standing by the front door. “Amelia, what were you thinking? What would happen if mother and father found out?” He yelled at her in hushed tones. “I know Asher I’m sorry. I was just scared and didn’t know what else to do.” Amelia said with a small frown on her face. She didn’t mean to hurt him. Asher was always the level headed one and he was ready to take on any role he was given. After all he would be Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack one day. 

Amelia headed to the door and Asher grabbed her arm to stop her. He didn’t want to have to tell her but it was better she heard it from him. “Amelia I’m sorry to tell you that father has arranged for you to leave with Parker. He asked that I go with you to get you settled. You should start to pack. We leave in two days.” He hung his head low and walked into the house. She couldn’t move and she didn’t notice she wasn’t breathing until Parker shook her he was almost yelling at her. “Amelia breathe please just take a breath it will be ok I promise. I will talk to your father and tell him you are not yet ready to leave your home.” 

“No Parker, if father says I must go then I will go. I shouldn’t be surprised I’ve known this day was coming for a long time. I will get my things ready.” She said to him with a sad smile. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, it was not his fault she was leaving. It was the Moon Goddess and her fathers.  It was time to pack up everything she owned and she wasn’t sure she could do it.