Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Once again back amongst the trees, Soren felt that she could finally breathe. The cabin whilst homey and comfortable was too much for her. Not when she had to share the space with James. He took up too much of the already small space, too much of the air she was trying and failing to breathe. His presence was everywhere and in everything, every aspect of the quaint home reminded her of him. Not to mention the smell of him that permeated every room.

It was all too overwhelming. Her heart felt like it was going to burst every time they were in proximity to each other, but even worse it felt like it might stop beating all together with every step she took further away from his embrace. It was like there was a string tethering her to him, calling at her to return and jump into his arms, where she knew she was safe and taken care of. She wouldn’t though, she couldn’t allow herself to give up all the control she had had over the past however many years amongst the wild.

She could tell he had questions for her. She could practically see the gears turning in his head and it was impossible not to notice the way his eyes lit up with curiosity as she spoke of her past. It was only natural for him to be curious, she supposed, she was after all a lone girl in the woods, speaking of talking trees and parental winds. She may not have lived amongst the humans long, but she knew her situation was not a common one. She knew she was one of a kind in almost every way.

It didn’t change the fact however, that she was reluctant to share every aspect of her life just yet. Just yet.

Because she knew it was only a matter of time before she spilled all of her many secrets. There was something about the way he made her feel, the comfort and sense of home that came with his presence, that would force the words out of her. She had already said more than she had planned earlier that day in the kitchen. In all actuality she had not planned on saying anything at all. Walking into the cabin after the peaceful night under the watchful eye of the moon, she had been hit with the savory scent of food – breakfast. It had taken her back to their time amidst the trees, when he was providing for her, caring for her, being there for her.

It was hard not to fall prey to the comforting atmosphere, it had been so long since she had watched someone make breakfast. It brought her back to memories of her parents dancing in the kitchen and it sent pangs of longing to her heart. She craved what her parents had had, the type of relationship that allowed them to be so head over heels in love for one another. However, she knew that was not what fate had in store for her, her solitary life was the one she had been meant to live.

He had broken her out of her thoughts when he placed the meal before her. A plate heaping with food that she struggled to identify. It smelled amazing, her nose hit with the aroma of warm and comforting foods that she was sure to enjoy. She could not begin to understand why he was doing this for her, why he was going out of his way to make sure she ate and slept and was safe. He once again broke her away from her endless musings with questions of his own. Unlike her, he was not afraid to voice his many queries and questions.

Answering the best she could, she could not help but get frustrated with his disbelief. Did he think she would lie? Did he think she was crazy? That she did not know her own mind? There was no logical explanation for the feelings of anger and betrayal that had filled her to the brim. She had stormed outside once more, going to the only place she knew could bring her peace and calm the brewing storm inside her.

Now, walking under the canopy of leaves, she knew she had overreacted. It was understandable for him to be curious, and even more so to doubt her connection with the nature around her. It was not something he was familiar with, although you’d think that a man who could turn into a wolf would not be so willing to discard her claim. She knew he had never come across someone like her, so it shouldn’t have bothered her that he had questions. The betrayal that had been growing in her stomach was unjustified, but she couldn’t help but feel like he was meant to believe her no matter what.

Their souls seemed to be tied together somehow, she could almost taste his worry on her tongue. She knew he was anxious leaving her alone to her own devices out in the woods where he could not keep a watchful eye on her, and she was thankful for the space he was allowing her to have. She could not help but wish for her wolf back, her wolf did not ask questions, he simply listened and trusted what she had to say. If only James could be the wolf all the time, that would be ideal for both of them.

Feeling the anxiety building rapidly within, anxiety that was not her own, she knew it was time to turn back. As much as she was wary of James and his form as a human man, she could not allow him to have a heart attack simply because he was a worrier. Trudging back towards where she had come from, she allowed the winds to direct her on the correct course, as she was prone to wander aimlessly and forget her way.

Cocking her head at the sound of branches breaking, she nocked the bow she had kept tucked over her shoulder. She would bring home some game for James, to show him that she could also provide for them, that she was not helpless. Following the tracks of whatever had made the noise, she peered around the trees to spot a rabbit, unaware of her deadly presence. Aiming at the furry creature, it did not know what hit it. In a blink it was on the ground, an arrow through its eye. One rabbit would not be enough for both her and James however, in his wolf form he had eaten a lot after all, so she forgot about her task of heading back and focused instead on hunting.

It was not more than an hour before she couldn’t bare the overwhelming feeling of worry as it had begun to interfere with her hunting. With only four rabbits to show for her promenade under the trees, she finally started on her way back to the cabin. Stepping out from the treeline she walked up the few steps to the front door and gently pushed it open, getting hit immediately with the smell of James, woodsy and masculine.

She could here commotion coming from the kitchen,

“She should be back by now, she’s been gone for five hours, Matt!” It was James, it seemed she hadn’t been wrong after all, he was beyond worried.

“I’ll send out the search party if that’s really what you want, but you and I both no she’s not going to like being dragged back here. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.” Matt’s voice was soothing, trying to tame the wild animal that resided just under the surface of James’ skin.

“I know she will but-”

His voice cut off when she closed her door, allowing it to make an audible “click” to alert them of her return. Footsteps rounded the corner at breakneck speed, arms wrapping around her before she could even register his closeness. His head buried itself into her neck, he was breathing heavily as if he had run a marathon, or more likely as if he was running low on control.

She didn’t dare move, not wanting to scare or upset him. Uncomfortable with his proximity but unwilling to move, she held her breath until he finally released her, backing up to look her up and down, checking her for injuries or any signs something was wrong. When he saw her uncomfortable look, his cheeks began to heat up, embarrassed he had invaded her space like that.

Matt however looked like the cat that ate the canary, amused at the pair of mates before him, still in the uncomfortable phase. He knew it would take some time before they would click, but when it happened, they’d fit together like no others could, like only mated pairs could understand.

“Sorry about that, I was just worried.” James’ hand came up to rub the back of his neck haphazardly.

“I know, it’s okay.” James’ mystery girl responded, taking a small step backwards towards the door, it seemed she felt outnumbered in James’ shoebox cabin.

Matt’s thoughts went running a mile a minute, she had known? Was it possible that she had felt James’ worry through the bond? Matt had never heard of a human feeling the bond that quickly. It took a lot of time to become adept at feeling each other’s emotions, but the human girl didn’t appear to be lying, it seemed somehow, she felt the bond and was using it unconsciously.

“Matt’s just here to ask you a couple questions, as Alpha of our pack he needs to evaluate all potential members, and everyone staying on the territory, is that okay?” James’ voice was softer than Matt had ever heard it. As if he didn’t want to scare his little mate away, but Matt knew there was nothing fragile about the short creature before them. She was just as untamed as the wolves that lived within them, just as wild, she would not have survived long if she hadn’t of been.

She nodded, glancing up at Matt with a distrusting expression, she didn’t trust him and that was okay, she didn’t have to, not yet at least. Not until she was an official member of the pack, until then she was James’ responsibility, James’ problem. Unknowingly, her body shrank towards James, creating more space between herself and the Alpha who’s presence made the room feel that much smaller.

“First things first,” Matt said, nodding towards her bloody hands and the small bodies suspended within, “what are those?”

As if she had forgotten about it completely, the girl looked down towards her clenched fist, noting the tails that were held tight within its fist. Looking up at James her arm extended straight out before her, holding the skinless rabbits towards him expectantly,

“Dinner.”