CHAPTER THREE
1036 Words
I never thought Zade hated me enough not to want me to die.
Everything seemed to be happening in a blur. Me jumping, his wolf catching me, us falling into the water.
“Let go of me!” I slammed his chest as I struggled to pull away from him.
At the same time, I could feel this weird sensation of wanting to be closer to him and just wanting him to save me.
His paws gripped me harder as he struggled, pulling both of us out of the water.
He dropped me to the ground. I coughed loudly, trying to catch my breath while he patted me gently.
“Ariel, it'll be fine, calm down, okay.”
I clutched my stomach, knitting my brows in pain and confusion. Was this Zade or am I actually dead?
I turned, and I made a huge mistake. Kneeling completely naked was Zade in his human form. His eyes were the brightest brown I had ever seen, veins bulging like they wanted to slip out. He looked visibly concerned about me.
I couldn't breathe.
My eyes moved unconsciously down the beautiful golden skin of his chest, then to his torso, and then… ten or eleven inches of him.
I looked away immediately, but he gripped my chin, making me look at him.
“I love it when you look at me like that,” he growled.
I swallowed, feeling a tingle in my stomach. I shouldn't be feeling this, but some part of me—dormant and hollow—wanted to reach out to him and be shameless. Maybe to prove to Pascal I didn't care about him.
Zade’s thumb traced the bottom of my lips. “I freaking hate you so much, Ariel.”
“You shouldn't have saved me,” I whispered, moving closer to him.
He gripped the back of my head, slowly craning it as he sniffed my neck. “I can't afford to watch you die… I don't know what's gotten over me that makes me want you.”
He looked into my eyes, fierce and passionate. I almost believed he felt something about me.
“What about Cade—”
“Shhhh.” He kissed my neck softly. “Don't bring him up now.”
“Mhm.”
He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest, his eyes intently locked on mine as he slowly moved it down until I was gripping him. He released a low moan.
I didn't know what I was doing. It felt wrong and right at the same time. But I wanted to try. I wanted to forget everything, just tonight. So I did the impossible.
I kissed him. He didn't kiss me back at first, but when I tried to pull away he grabbed me, flipped me under him, and kissed me like a hungry lion.
The next moment was ecstasy. It was so unreal, so passionate. For the first time I slipped off, and all I could see was a world where I was actually happy.
Not mother's corpse.
Not the blood.
A life where everything was… right.
Noises woke me up. It was daybreak, and hovering over me were Cade, Natty, Dad, and people from school.
I sat up quickly, panicking for my clothes while Dad tried to stop them from taking pictures. My vision blurred with tears. Zade wasn't here.
“Ariel!” Dad shouted as I started towards the woods.
I folded my arms around my aching body, feeling disgusted with myself.
“Such a slut!” Natty shouted.
“Who has s*x at the river! Everyone would see this!”
I was crying—hard, choking tears. I walked faster and could feel Dad walking behind me. He didn't speak. I felt selfish and stupid.
Dad's car was parked by the corner. I got into the back seat. He drove in silence while I stared out the window.
Memories of Zade and I last night mocked me.
“Was it Pascal?” Dad asked.
I shook my head stiffly. He went silent for a beat.
He sighed. “Maybe I'd reconsider changing schools like you'd always wanted.”
My head snapped up.
“What?”
“We've been in Cleavewood for too long. Too many memories. I know being in this pack torments you, and I know what those kids do to you—”
“Your job.”
“I could find another one, sweetie.” He gave me a small smile. “Besides, those kids wouldn't let you breathe well after what happened today.”
I smiled despite myself.
When we got out of the car, I threw myself on him and hugged him tightly, crying at the same time.
“I'm sorry, Dad.”
“We all make mistakes. I'm not proud, but I know who you are. You wouldn't do it unless something happened.”
My heart shattered. I am so selfish. I wanted to kill myself, leaving him behind. I can't imagine what he'd do if he found out I was gone.
“I love you so much, Dad. More than you think.”
---
The signboard reading, “Goodbye to Cleavewood Pack,” passed behind us.
I felt a deep relief leave my heart. It had been two weeks since the incident with Zade.
Two weeks of being looked at like a freak by everyone because Natty made sure the whole pack saw the video.
I saw Zade once, through my bedroom window. He came to pick up his ex who lived opposite our house.
I watched him hold her hand and lead her to his car. He smiled like everything was fine, kissed her, and then looked up—but I looked away before he could see me.
I've learnt that not everyone was born to truly find love.
I had been foolish enough to believe I could be fortunate enough to be loved by anyone.
Two days later, after that day, I found out the impossible. I had a part of him growing inside me. I knew it was
coming, and I don't regret it.
I would protect my baby alone and make sure she knows her father has long been dead.
- Writer
