CHAPTER EIGHT

“Where are we going?” I ask, as we zoom away from the warehouse on Kole’s motorcycle.

“It’s a surprise,” he says.

There’s a playful edge to his voice that I adore. Normally I’d be frightened to be on a motorcycle with a stranger, unaware of where we were going. It’s everything I was warned about while growing up.

There’s something different about him though. That has been clear since when we first met.

He’s not just any stranger. His soul knows my soul and I know I’m safe as long as we’re together.

“Everything about you has been a surprise,” I say.

“A good one I hope,” he replies.

“Amazing.”

It feels amazing to have my arms wrapped around him like this. It feels amazing to be with him, free to do anything we please.

All I want to do is be with him.

Last night was wonderful enough. We spent the night in the warehouse which he said would be safe, one of his hideaway places.

We curled up in blankets. I curled around his body.

I imagine today will be even better since we have the whole day ahead of us to explore.

It really doesn’t matter what we do though. I know that deep down. I don’t even have to dig deep down to be aware of it.

Because as long as I’m with him, I’ll be happy. I want to be anywhere I can be as long as it’s with him.

The drive takes us through the trees and towards what looks to be a special grove up ahead made of cheery trees with light pink buds on them.

“That’s incredible,” I say as we approach it.

I don’t understand how something like that even exists in this forest. I’ve never seen them anywhere else before.

As we get closer though, the grove begins to look even more like a fairytale with flowers growing all around it, a small pool of water nearby, and colorful rocks set about the area. The grass is soft and kept neat. A few statues rest among it.

“What is this place?” I ask as Kole stops by the grove. He parks his motorcycle.

“It’s a special place,” he says. “It used to be part of where my old pack lived. It was a garden that was maintained by everyone.

“Most of the area we used to live on is grown over now. But I’ve kept a small spot of it that I take care of in memory of them.

“I come back to visit it from time to time, even though I know it’s a bit dangerous. It’s during those times that I feel closest to them. It’s in those moments that I feel less alone.”

I take his hand as I sense he’s delving into a piece of himself that’s a bit more vulnerable and sensitive.

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I say. “What happened to your pack?”

“They were slaughtered by a pack of vengeful rouges,” Kole explains. “Though I think another pack has something to do with that as well. I think I know who was behind it.

“No one believes me though, so I’m not allowed to join any other pack. Nor would I want to. It would feel like that would be a betrayal to my old pack.

“That’s why I’m a rouge now. I have no one to belong to. No place to belong to. But I guess that’s not entirely true because I belong here. And I belong with you.”

“I belong with you too,” I say. Nothing has ever felt so right before.

Kole takes out the food and supplies he grabbed from his stash in the warehouse and sets up a picnic for us.

“Shall we dance before we eat?” Kole suggests.

“Dance?” I laugh.

“I guess I just want a chance to hold you closer,” Kole admits.

So, we dance to the tune of the birds under the pink buds of the trees and it is magic. This is fairytale stuff. This is the kind of thing I never thought I’d experience with anyone, especially not with a rouge.

“This is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before,” I admit.

“It is,” Kole agrees. “This bond between us… It’s magic. It’s special.”

It’s a lot.

I don’t tell him that, but it is. And I guess I’m a little scared to get so close to someone after everyone I loved was slaughtered.

Plus, I haven’t had much luck with forming connections since joining my new pack. Whenever anyone wants to get close to me, it seems like it’s always a trick that makes me feel worse. It’s always something I later regret. People use getting to know me as a way to humiliate me.

Kole doesn’t have a single reason to do any of these things, but I’m still a little nervous after everything.

“I’m hungry,” I say, which is true. I also just need some space.

“Well, let’s eat then,” he says with a smile.

We sit under the colorful leaves and share stories about what our packs used to be like.

“I had a bunch of younger siblings,” I say. “And one older sister. She and I were close. I miss her so much.”

“I’m so sorry you lost them,” he says. “I know how heartbreaking that is.”

“What about you?” I ask. “Did you have any siblings?”

“I was the youngest,” Kole says. “Which is a huge reason why I made it out alive. All my siblings wanted to protect me, so they did.

“I feel guilty about that sometimes. I tried to protect them too, but I failed. I feel bad that out of all of us, I’m the one who survived.”

“I’m sorry that happened to them and to you,” I say. “Though I’m glad you’re here with me now. I’m glad you survived.”

We move closer to each other. This bond, this pain, this intense chemistry pulls us closer. And I know a kiss would make things so much better.

Our lips hover near each other. But then, I pull away.

“I can’t,” I say.

He closes his eyes and nods.

He doesn’t press. He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t push me to do something I don’t want to do.

Though it is exactly what I want to do. I want to kiss him, hold him, tell him I love him.

I want him to be mine forever.

But after everything that’s happened, I just can’t be brave enough to allow him to get that close.