4. A touch more

(ELYN)

I ran through the tall trees, trying to see who it was, but there was no one. The forest was quiet, empty, still. Even the birds were quiet, like somehow they were afraid to make a sound. What the hell was it. 

I looked around once again, making sure no one was here. No one really was. But my heart was still thundering from the scare. 

Wiping my brows, I walked out. 

I was reaching the edge of the forest when a wolf leaped out of the thick canopy of trees. I yelped a little at the unexpected intrusion, my heart thundering in panic, and he stilled when he saw me. And then I looked at him, and it wasn't fear anymore. My heartbeat was loud and excited when I saw the magnificent creature.

He was a mix of black and white, and he was massive and the most beautiful wolf I had ever seen. I had seen a lot of wolves in my life and never been so entranced by one.

I took a step towards him and his eyes met mine and I gasped.

One dark blue and one golden eye blinked up at me and the wolf softly growled.

"Oh, you are as growly as him!" I whispered under my breath and his eyes perked up as he curiously watched me. It was as if an invisible force pulled me. I couldn't stop myself from moving towards him, though. The pull was stronger, wild.

What is wrong with me?

I looked at him and it looked like he was smiling at me... as if he could understand me.

"But you are not as grouchy as him, huh? I mean, he is... fuck, he is a jerk. Does he even know how to smile? He is the one who kidnapped me, and now he keeps pestering me about leaving. OK, well, he smiles with Azalea, but he is always growling at me and I don't like it one bit." I knew I was babbling, but I couldn't stop the words from coming out of my mouth. The wolf shook his massive head, and his eyes gleamed in amusement. "I know you are laughing at me right now. How the hell do I know that? What is your name?"

The wolf howled as if he was answering my questions and then he turned around, and I could feel the wind shifting. I knew he was going to run into the forest.

"Wait, don't go yet," I blurted out, and the wolf skidded to a stop.

He growled softly, this time in warning, when I took a step towards him. I didn't know why or what I was doing, but something in me wanted company, and I just didn't want to go back yet to the pack house, or be alone.

I knew the wolf was a part of Ares, but something about him calmed me.

I raised my hands and shook my head, showing him I wasn't trying anything funny.

"I won't bite, wolf," I said. "You are so massive. What do you suppose I am going to do to you? You can take me out with a single swipe of your monstrous paws."

He grunted and looked up at me, his eyes wary and astute as he stalked my every movement.

His eyes were bewildered, but there was no hostility in his eyes. He was no threat, and I trusted him fully. His other side, though, not so much. 

I sat down, almost touching the wolf, but not really touching. I knew the wolf and man shared a conscience when they shifted back and forth. My grandpa told me everything about what would happen when someone shifted. So I knew whatever I said to the wolf would be heard by the man, but I didn't care.

I was so tired and everything about my life was finally catching up with me.

When I thought of Liam, I felt the same sadness that I had always felt. Reyna and him. It was like a piece of nail stuck under my heart. 

I had always known loving Liam came with a promised heartbreak, but... I was stupid and brainless. I couldn't do anything about it now.

The wolf mewled softly, as if he understood my sadness. Could he? He pressed his head on my shoulder and it was so damn comforting. I just wanted to sit right here for the rest of the night.

Without another thought, I raked my fingers through his satin fur, and my heart thundered. He was so damn soft. The wolf shuddered as soon as my fingers pressed against his warm skin and he purred.

Like a damn kitten.

It was strange. I hated wolves, wolves hated me. They had always been assholes to me . Even Liam's wolf was not that fond of me.

In all of my biggest fantasies or my imaginations, this was something I wouldn't even have thought was possible, but here I was with a wolf, petting him.

I stroked the length of his furry body, and he howled, his voice reflecting his pleasure. His eyes were half closed as he gazed at me, and I could see he was enjoying my touch. Strangely enough, I was too.

Everything around us was quiet, peaceful. I took in a deep, calming breath.

"You are alright," I whispered. "Thank you for staying with me."

The wolf leaned closer to me and sniffed and then licked my neck, and my eyes widened as pleasure twisted inside me.

What the fuck was this?

Before I could do or say anything, he moved away and stood up, shaking his head as he did. I could see the struggle between the wolf and the man. The wolf grunted and growled.

"I know," I said to him and then my words died on my lips when I realized he was shifting. I knew I should turn away, but I couldn't.

I stared, mesmerized, as the wolf shifted. I could see the bones forming and reforming into weird shapes, and I hoped it wouldn't hurt so much. 

My pulse skidded, and my stomach tumbled when I saw the naked man standing in front of me. I knew Ares was built, but damn. I licked my lips. He had a tattoo of a wolf on his shoulder, and it was so damn beautiful and his hands were so strong.

My throat was filled with sand and my body was lit with fire as I looked down his chest, down the soft, tempting trail of hair leading to the-

Don't humiliate yourself, I said to myself as I closed my eyes, even though everything in me burned to just take a peek at him.

I heard the shuffle of clothes. I couldn't stop myself. The need to just look was too much to control.

Fuck it! I thought to myself as I opened my eyes and he was looking down at me, fully dressed. 

His lips lifted slightly in derision, and I knew he was mocking me.

"Oh, you look disappointed!" he said in a voice that made my toes curl. His eyes were goading, and I knew he was enjoying this. This was his payback for all that I had done!

I huffed and tried to stand up, but my legs fell asleep, and I felt prickling sensations everywhere. I sat back down with a grunt.

He pushed a hand forward. I put my hand in his and he pulled me up in a single tug. His hand was warm and hard, and I wanted those hands on me. 

Shit. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away.

It must be because of the adrenaline rush after meeting the man from the darkness, and then meeting the wolf. Nothing else.

I didn't like him. Not one bit.

He tried to kidnap my sister, for Goddess' sake. Reyna wasn't here only because his men were fools. I realized my hand was still in his and we were standing too close. If I took another step, I could easily taste his delectable looking lips. And they looked delectable. He touched me softly, his eyes dark against the evening. 

I didn't know what I wanted right now, but everything in me screamed, More!

My legs trembled.

"You- what the hell are you?" he whispered as he gripped my shoulders. I felt hypnotized by his eyes, but the look in them.

I swallowed, and his eyes flicked to my lips.

I bit my lips, and he groaned.

"I am your every dirty dream..." I moaned out and his eyes widened. Mine did, too.

He pressed a finger to my lips. My hands went around his back on their own accord.

I didn't know what I was doing.

At the back of my mind was a strange voice, warning me against this insanity.

I knew it was insane.

But looking into his eyes made every thought in my head disappear.

"You have such a beautiful lips, and I wanted to have a bite of it!" His voice was a deep growl, and it made my stomach clench with need. My pussy was overworking.

I knew I was in love with Liam, but this man... he was made of the sultry dreams and sinful fantasies, and-

He could help me get Liam out of my head.

I knew I would never fall for him.

It would simply be physical.

"You want a taste?" I blurted out and then bit my lips. 

His eyes widened and then he nodded. 

"I want to, but..."

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