Chapter 8: Come With Me

*Bryson*

I stepped out of the lake, water running down my legs as the air chilled the skin beneath my soaked clothes.

Yet it was still not the most miserable thing about me.

Watching Ada being dragged away had left an empty spot in my chest that didn't feel right. I never would have imagined that after being with someone for a week I could feel so strongly, but there was something about Ada.

She was special.

I cursed out in frustration and began to pace the waters edge, ignoring the squishing of my shoes and the sticking of my clothes. In reality, it was easy not to think about them, because the only thing I could think about was the girl who had just been ripped from my arms.

Her dad hadn't even hesitated to attack me or to drag her away. What was happening in the Western Pack that the people had grown accustomed to attacking first and asking questions never?

And what was that Ada had said about getting answers? It was clear that her parents did not like my pack, but what was the reason for that? The Western Pack was starting to not look so innocent to me. Ada hadn't seemed to know any more than I did.

There was something there, I was sure of it. Yet, that still wasn't the main thing on my mind.

Ada's face flashed in my mind.

‘I will see you soon,’ I had told her, and I intended to keep that promise.

My wolf was finally calm inside of me as I made the decision to turn and head back to the village that Ada had brought me from. As soon as I started walking I could feel the tension leaving my body. It was as if every step closer to Ada made me feel more calm.

What was happening to me?

I was only to the treeline though when I realized another issue. It was still late morning. Not only was it bright as day, without a cloud in sight, but everyone in Ada's pack would be out and about right now. And with her father being aware of my presence now, it would be a little harder to sneak in to see her.

As much as I hated it, I realized I needed to wait until nightfall to make my move.

I found a hidden spot to undress and hang my wet clothes to dry as I waited for sunset.

Ada really was gorgeous. I had watched her closely over the past couple of days, and even her little habits were starting to grow on me.

I could always tell she was debating what to say when she would chew on her bottom lip, making me wish I could read her mind. Then, when she was applying my medicines she would always scrunch her forehead together so that it wrinkled in the cutest way. And despite the confidence and nonchalance she exudes, I could still see a faint blush in her cheeks whenever her skin touched mine.

And then there was this morning, and our almost kiss. I hadn't planned to kiss her, but yet I hadn't wanted to resist.

For someone who was usually so logical, being around Ada was a completely new adventure for me. And this morning had proven to me that Ada must have a crush on me as well. Our banter had always been good, but I couldn't deny that she had been leaning in to kiss me back.

As much as I liked that she felt something for me, it made me hesitate. We were two different people, from two different packs, who lived in two totally different areas. Being together would be unrealistic.

Not to mention the fact that she didn't even have a wolf. Without a wolf in our world, you were no better than a human, and barely stronger than them as well. If I ended up with Ada, what would my pack think…

I shook my head, unwilling to answer that question yet.

Maybe I should just leave. Her father had already ordered me to and it would be easier on her to leave now if I was going to leave at all, which we both knew I would. She might not know my real intentions or what I was planning, but Ada was clever enough to know that I was not the type to hide away in a small pack.

I couldn't leave now though. I told myself that it was because I needed to keep my word to her, but I wanted to see her just as much as I hoped she wanted to see me. Plus, I couldn't leave without her, she was the only one who understood my poisoning and had even an inkling of an idea on how to correct it.

Guilt flooded through me. It wasn't that I was using her for her healing powers, they were just an added bonus…right? If Ada could hear my thoughts now, would she hate me? Or would she understand what I meant?

While leaning against the tree, lost in thought, I must have drifted off to sleep. Dreams twirled and twisted around in my head with one main focus: Ada.

My eyes quickly found movement behind a small window. A smile spread widely across my face as I recognized the small body that was maneuvering her way out of the tight window.

It was dark enough in the trees that she wasn't able to see me when she looked around to make sure the coast was clear. She focused her attention back to the wall she was attempting to climb down.

About halfway to her, I noticed that she was about to miss a step. Fear seized my chest and I darted forward. I held my breath and watched in slow motion as she slipped.

With a thump, she landed safely in my arms, making my breath come back with a huge whoosh.

"You need to learn to be more careful," I teased in a low voice. Despite the fear I just felt, the joy at seeing her…and holding her again made me feel elated.

"Bryson!" Ada gasped, then she surprised me by throwing her arms around my neck and pulling herself closer to me.

My arms instinctually wrapped tighter around her.

"I didn't think you would come back," she whispered.

I kissed the side of her head. "I always keep my word."

We stayed like that for a moment more, and then suddenly Ada seemed to realize where we were and what was going on. She scrambled down, and I unwillingly released my hold on her to allow her to stand on her own. Her hand reached down and gripped mine as she turned and began to pull me away.

"We have to get you out of here. My father is furious. We can't let him find you in his territory or I don't know what he'll do," she explained in an urgent whisper. "He locked me up, so he won't expect me to be gone any time soon. That gives us just enough time--"

A growl escaped my chest, despite trying to squash it away.

"Locked you up?" I asked through my teeth.

"It's nothing really," she said, trying to pull me into walking again.

It was hard to get my feet moving again. Once more I was fighting my instinct to confront the man about his treatment of Ada.

He's her dad. He's her dad. He’s just trying to protect her..

I repeated the words in my head, which allowed me to slowly begin to follow her again. We encountered the half scorched garden, and Ada turned, giving it a wide berth as we walked around it.

We didn't need me getting weakened any further by weird drug interactions again.

The cottage was next, and we quickly passed that as well. Ada started to slow down as the buildings became fewer and fewer and the building she had escaped from was no longer visible.

"Where do you need me to see you off?" she asked. "Which way did you come from?"

I stopped, and Ada stumbled back as my unexpected stop tugged her hand. She wrinkled her brows in confusion.

"What?" I asked quietly.

"Which direction did you come from?" she repeated, confused by my question. "Do you not remember?"

"No, what do you mean you will see me off?" I asked.

"I already told you, you have to leave," Ada said, understanding. "My father--"

"So leave with me," I blurted out.

Then I stepped forward and grabbed her other hand in my own as well. She glanced down at our hands and then back up at me. The flush in her cheeks made my heart beat erratically, hardening my resolve.

"Come with me."

As we trudged along the narrow and overgrown trail, escaping from the looming mountains above, a sense of urgency filled the air. Rain pelted down relentlessly, soaking us to the bone as we hurried through the dense forest. But just as suddenly as it had begun, the rain ceased, leaving behind a hushed stillness.

In the eerie calm, a low growl pierced the silence, sending shivers down our spines. Our hearts raced as we exchanged worried glances, our imaginations running wild with fear. And then, emerging from the shadows, a formidable gray wolf stood before us, its eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

As we stood frozen in place, I instinctively tightened my grip on Ada's hand. "Ada, running doesn't seem like a good idea," I said with a forced smile, trying to maintain calm despite the fear coursing through me. Ada, clearly caught off guard by the situation, looked back at me, her eyes wide with apprehension. We exchanged silent messages with our eyes—running now might alert the creature to our presence.

We didn't move a muscle; we knew that any abrupt action could trigger a response, and the delicate balance between predator and prey hung in the air.

"Nice Wolfy, please don't eat us," we pleaded, our arms hanging at our sides as if any movement might trigger a reaction. The wolf regarded us with large, soulful brown eyes, and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze. Neither of us dared to make a move.