Amelia's povTruth is Mom always warned me about guys like Raiden. Intimidating. Think they can get what they want. Too handsome for their own good. And just a hundred percent cocky.Stay far away from guys like that. Seventeen years I've done that. Seventeen years I have not failed to ignore guys like him. But with Raiden, something was different.It felt different and that scared me.I tried my best to reel in my composure and tugged at my arm once more. "Is that a threat?" I glared into his stunning eyes, trying to not make those pools draw me in once more.The grin that lit up his face made me clench down below. "That's a promise love."Love.I hated how the word sent a sharp shiver down my spine. I hated how the butterflies raging in my stomach flapped their wings more wildly. In general, I hated everything that single word from his mouth was doing to me."Get away from me," I gritted and tugged my hand out of his hold more roughly. "And stay away." He finally let me free, but hi
Amelia's povBy the time I got downstairs and made my way to the dining room, everyone including Raiden and Rayne was seated around the table, no doubt waiting for me.I gave a sheepish smile, taking a sit by my father who gestured for me to come over. "Sorry, were you all waiting long?"Emily beams. "No darling.""She had a detour because she ended up walking in on Raiden half naked." Rayne suddenly utters while picking up her fork and raising her shoulders into a shrug.I gaped. Raiden coughed. Dad looked at me in surprise and Emily and Bryson stared at me with both shock, before sending their daughter warning gazes."I-I kind of forgot the directions you gave and walked into the wrong room." I flushed, spreading my lips into a smile that I knew looked more like a cringe.Emily gave me a reassuring look that I needed because I could finally breathe again after the weight of having everyone's eyes on me. " It's okay darling, everyone makes mistakes."Rayne snorts amused. " And I'm su
Amelia's povI try to pretend that I am bored of his words, that they did not affect me in the slightest, and push him away, dusting off the imaginary dust on my clothes while glaring at him."You're getting a bit bold now huh." I harsh out.He shrugged. "Maybe it's cause I can't hold my want for you any longer spitfire."I narrowed my eyes and whipped around, walking away as I snorted over my shoulder. "What's the saying? The bad boys always want what they can't have. I should warn you, I'm not exactly a good girl.""I like myself a bad girl," he said way too close to me. " And you're a very very bad girl spitfire and I assure you I can handle you." He said amused which ticked me off."Well too bad I won't let you handle me because I won't give in. Might want to crawl back to your girl Dayna." I sneered over my shoulder and gasp when I felt long fingers wrap around my arm and tugged me around.Our chests pressed as I am pulled to him, the harshness of our breaths rowing through the a
Amelia's povHis mood change catches me off guard as I spin around to follow after him. He enters a red sports car and doesn't tell me to get in, but I do anyway because he offered me a ride.I had not secured my seat belt on when he sped off. I let out a shocked squeal like sound from my throat, looking at him in alarm as I finally put the seat belt on."What the hell is your problem?!" I yelled as he stepped on the accelerator. I gripped the seat belt, pressing my back against the seat as my heart pounded in my chest.Raiden doesn't answer me. Not a single word.This is what I had wanted right? For him to keep shut and leave me alone. Yet, why do I feel disappointed? I kind of miss the talkative Raiden, the one that gets me on my nerves. I do not enjoy the sudden quiet one who is clearly in a trapped corner in his mind.It doesn't feel like him. It feels like a stranger.The car sped through the streets, the tired screeching as he drifts while taking a corner. My heart accelerates a
Amelia's povIts yellow eyes locked onto mine, the growls cutting through the cold still night sharply. Panic surged into a knot in my stomach and my heart skipped many beats of fear as I backed up. Every little voice in my head pushed me to run but I find myself rooted where I stood helplessly as the wolf took a thundering step forward, shaking its fur. As I stared at the massive wolf in shocked silence I can't help but be confused by its mere size. I had never seen a wolf this huge before. Not that I had seen them up close but I would have never thought they'd be this huge. It snarls, warning me that it didn't come here to be friendly. As my heart rate spiked, I took a step back, willing my legs to listen and run. But what would that do? With this beast massive size and the power those legs looked like they had, I would never be able to outrun this thing. And I was not stupid to try. I looked around the empty street, praying someone would help or I could get at least a weapon to
Amelia's pov" Wait up!" Foster's strained voice yelled behind me as he close the door and runs up to catch up with me. He gives me a sheepish smile. " I can't have you walk into the wolves den alone. Not with all of them here."I nod, smiling a bit as I don't bother to knock and opened the door. Instantly I am hit with the scent of alcohol and something else I couldn't put my finger on. The music is louder too and the teenagers around seem so out of it that they don't notice our presence. Which was good." Should we spread out?" Foster suggested as he looked around the room nervously. Spreading out would make us find Pickett faster. " Yes." Foster and I split up and I scan the area. I'm to stay downstairs while he searches for her upstairs.The scene around me is nothing but a blur of neon lights, staggering teenagers who laughed way too loud and pounding music that makes me regret not bringing something to block my poor eardrums.I moved deeper into the house, keeping my eyes traine
Amelia's povI am paralyzed. Completely fucking paralyzed as I watch her body sink into the water down below. The air had left my lungs and my heart, I wasn't sure where it had gone actually.The sound of the impact alone was terrifying. The quietness around as Pickett's body plunge into the water made my blood boil. None had done anything to help her or stop Dayna.My body finally kicked into action and I sprint toward the pool, my heart pounding as I noticed Pickett had not emerged out of the water yet or try to."Oh look, Miss super hero to the rescue!" I can hear Dayna's shrill voice sharply through the air and I ignore her.Every step felt like it took forever until I get there, my heart hammering so loud I can't seem to hear anything else. I dove right in without a second thought, my legs kicking to reach the bottom where I could see her arms flailing around to breach the surface.As the cold water wrapped around me, the world under water turned into nothing but silent chaos. My
Amelia's pov"Where were you?" I asked Foster as I settle beside Pickett in the backseat. She wanted me there with her, scared of being alone. I held her tight as she trembles and sniffles."Those bastards locked me in the bathroom when I saw Pickett." He ground out, the tension in his voice telling me that he was very upset." I told you to call me right away if you found her Foster." I sighed, rubbing my hand down Pickett's arm to warm her up."I couldn't, they took my phone and didn't give it back." He slammed his hand on his horn and it blared, making a very wild Pickett jump. I grab her, reminding her that she was out of the water and was okay."I'll get the phone back tomorrow, let's get Pickett home." I whispered. Foster nodded and started the car and Pickett clung to me like I was her lifeline. I couldn't help but be filled with rage as I remember what happened.Dayna was a bitch but I hadn't thought she'd go this low. Something could have gone terribly wrong tonight. And Raid
Raiden's povWhat had I ever seen in Dayna? Why did I ever give her the time of day? Why did it take me this long to realize she was a complete monster?My wolf shook through the restraints of my mind, simmering with rage. I could no longer hold back and stand up, startling Amelia when I heard her soft unexpected gasp. My fists clench at my sides, my claws digging into my palm, trying to stop myself from shifting there and then.With my vision sharpening, I knew I was losing the battle to restrain my wolf. I turn around sharply, of course confusing Amelia, but I had to do it in case I revealed too much way too soon." Raiden?" her soft, confused, questioning tone filter behind me where I had left her. I could not respond, frightened that my tone had shifted to that of my wild nature.' Is Pickett okay?' I question, my blood running cold knowing that the only reason she was targeted was because I took interest...more than just interest in Amelia.' She's shaken up, currently in the med
Raiden's povMy wolf felt it. I felt it. Something about this girl and how she made me feel was different. A good different. And as I stare into her piercing eyes, I register that she is no ordinary human, at least not to me. 'Raiden!' Damon's voice pierces through the mind link, pulling me out of my thoughts that were fueled with only Amelia. My wolf growls at the interruption, more irritated that our attention was cut from Amelia. I reluctantly pull my gaze away from the beauty in front of me, knowing that watching her alone would move me from reality, and judging by the sharpness of Damon's tone......I needed to be in reality now. ' What is it Damon?' I try to keep the irritation of being interrupted out of my voice, especially knowing he wouldn't interrupt if there wasn't an issue. ' Your psycho ex did something man,' his tone comes out shaken as though he couldn't believe something happened. My blood runs cold. Dayna. What had the bitch done this time?' What had she done!?
Amelia's povHis hand was warm, the feeling alone sending jolts of electricity through the veins in my arms until my entire body could feel his touch. His thumb starts to trace little circles on my skin, and I am instantly aware of how much bigger his hands are compared to mine.I swallowed once more. Hating him seemed to be more tortuous for me than it was for him. A shaky breath left my lips as I stare deep into his soul.There's a flash of something in his gaze, a flash of something wild and unknown. But it's quick to leave, quick to hide away from me to understand such a strange emotion.I gulped, my eyes shifting away from the pools that somehow undressed me and left me completely naked and bare. " It's not like I had a choice...." I drawled while trying to keep the vulnerability he seem to push out of me, away from my tone.My eyes on their own, slide down his straight nose to those lips I like to feel sliding across mine. " It seemed as though you'd hunt me down if I did,"A sw
Amelia's povI narrowed my eyes on him while trying to fight off the warm flush creeping up my neck by his words. " You don't get to boss me around," I huffed. Despite my words, I find myself settling on the red and white checkered blanket. I crossed my legs beneath me, thankful when a gust of cool wind brush against my flamed cheeks. I had a feeling my face was red from being teased every second by him. Raiden's lips curved into a grin that made the already wild butterflies in my stomach flutter more savagely. He settles on the blanket, stretching out beside me and angling his body toward me as he propped himself on his elbow. He stares at me intently. " I'm in your head again," he commented with a curved smile. I rolled my eyes and attempted to conceal the fact that he was absolutely right. " You wish," I scowled. Raiden doesn't say a word, only stares at me deeply. I feel instantly bare under his gaze, and with the way his eyes held mine, like he could see right through me...ho
Amelia's povRaiden's smile grew more as he gently pulled me out of the car, his hand strong and warm, clutching me like he was scared I'd let go. The feeling of him holding my hand, just my hand sent more tingles racing through me. My feet sink into the grass, the blades brushing against my ankles. The place felt like it was untouched, like an unrevealed world tucked away from everything else. It felt magical. And as he holds my hand tight while moving to the back to pull out the basket, I can't help but feel like he had brought me here to see a side of him I had never seen before. And perhaps, that was the side I needed to see. Perhaps, that was the side that was the real him. He clasp me like I was his lifeline as he started for the lake, me right by his side. I can't help but steal a glance at him. Trying to build my walls back up seems almost impossible now. Not when I am seeing this side of him. " This doesn't change anything you know," I murmur, my eyes drawing to our inter
Amelia's pov The excitement started to build as we moved deeper into the forest. I am not sure if it was the thrill of the unknown or just the thrill of being alone with Raiden himself, but something was making my heart race and my stomach fill with butterflies. I chewed on my lower lip, wondering if I would ever be able to control myself around him. " Are we there yet?" I cleared my throat, putting some bite into my tone to seem as though I was not looking forward to this date. Raiden glances over at me with that very same infuriating smirk that made my belly do knots. "Someone seems excited," he points out with a glint of happiness in his eyes. I rolled mine and remained quiet. " We're almost there baby," he commented after a little pause. " I know it's a long way but only the best for you. It will be worth it." My heart races faster, the bundle of nerves and excitement making my mind foggy. The way he said 'baby' got under my skin....in a good way. It was intimate and I hate
Amelia's povRaiden's grin widened and I knew he could see right through my lying excuse. " Right baby, let's go with that lie," smirking while he shifts the car back into gear. My ego would not make me stay quiet or let him be right so with a glare I snapped. " It's not a lie!" His chuckles move loud and deep in the confines of the vehicle as he pull away from the curb. " Sure baby," he was clearly amused by my defensiveness. " Keep telling yourself that." I glared at him, feeling my cheeks hot with burning frustration. His cockiness and playfulness were irritating and I hated that he could see right through me. Hiding my true self from Raiden was impossible. He already knew. " I don't know how you manage to be so annoying all the time," I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest and turning away from him so he'd not see the burn of red on my cheeks. Even though I was sure he had already seen it. Raiden didn't reply and I had a feeling he just didn't want to poke the bear also kno
Amelia's povNo, I couldn't fall for him. I wouldn't. My breath catches in my throat and I press my forehead against the glass, hoping that the coolness can somehow stop the heat running through my body. However, it didn't and this time I actually am not surprised. Raiden's mere presence was too overwhelming. I hated him, I should hate him, my mind tells me I should but my heart, it thrums louder the more I think about him......." You're glaring out that window pretty hard," Raiden suddenly joked. " What are you thinking so hard about in that pretty head spitfire?" I bit into the softness of my tongue until it pained as I riled in my emotions, well tried to. I pull back, pressing my back against the seat while my eyes return to the front, dead set on making sure I look nonchalant as possible. " Just trying to figure out a way to jump out of the vehicle and not having to see your face again," I mutter sarcastically. Raiden snorted. " Something tells me you would rather see my fac
Amelia's pov My breath catches in my throat, my cheeks reddening more hot. But it's not the heat of embarrassment that I had hoped for. It's the heat of need, desperate tickling need. Which is all the more frustrating. My pulse is racing and no matter how much I try to deny the feeling he invokes in me, my body betrays me and shows me the truth. " You're annoying," I mutter under my breath in a strained voice. Annoyingly tempting. I gripped the seatbelt around me tighter, my nails scrapping against the material. Would this ground me and make me resist him? No, impossible. I don't think anything would help me in this predicament. Raiden's husky laughter vibrates through the air, the tone setting me on fire. I bit into my lip, pressing my thighs together tighter. He knew what he was doing to me. He knew that he had the control. And I hated it. Despise it. I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat returning the second I felt his eyes on me. I looked out the window, my fingers trembl