Chapter 2: Chapter 2

"Can you still make it?" he asked, and I nodded in response. I didn't say anything as we strolled through the woods, trying to find something that would help us in our situation. I peeked down at Bobby, who was sleeping between my arms. He was even snoring a little, really enjoying his sleep. I chuckled a little but winced all of a sudden when I felt my feet were getting numb from walking.

The truck earlier broke down, and we had no other option but to walk and find a place where we could sleep for a while. Ethan, who had held my hand, glanced at me when he saw I was suffering from something.

"You told me you still can, but you're breaking apart Natasha." there was a hint of worry in his voice, stopping me from moving forward. I heaved a deep sigh and then smiled at him, motioning to him that everything would be okay. Even though part of me wants to lay down and rest.

But we can't stop, it's almost midnight, and we can't sleep in the middle of the woods. I know it's pretty diabolic to think how we ended up here. Unfortunately, after the truck broke down, we left it alone on the road, and we decided to walk down the highway. After our current issue with the truck driver who went ballistic, I know the driver survived the fall, and he's out there telling his story of how he met us.

It's not a shocker to find out we're already the most wanted criminals in the whole city, probably this country. We can't stop and ask for help from someone, especially if we look literally like this and are beaten up. Ethan decided to go inside the woods again and look for shelter. I don't know why he is so confident about finding a shelter here, just like how we found Nato and his granddaughters.

"I can still walk, Ethan. I don't want you to carry me again. You helped me too much. Let me take care of myself." I scolded him since I knew he wouldn't hesitate to carry me in his arms. Ethan has suffered too much from saving me.

He stared at me for many minutes until he sighed in defeat but didn't let go of my arm. He patted Bobby on the head, and we continued on our stroll. No one said a word while we were walking. I will miss the road trip we enjoyed. It was our second day, and we were almost close to another city to look for when it went out of fuel, and the engine died. Now, before night falls, we have to find something to sleep at.

"I'm sorry, Natasha."

I stopped overthinking and then looked at Ethan, looking with shame in his eyes on the ground. I raised both my brow, waiting for him to continue.

"I used to be rich and all, but now I felt like a beggar asking for hope to get us out of this mess I made." he closed his eyes, then gritted his jaw in shame. I felt his hands tighten around my hand, not wanting to let go.

"I'm so sorry for giving you this kind of life, Natasha. Once I find a cure and am back to my normal self, I will make up everything for you without shifting anymore to my wolf form. I will give you a better house, a better life, children, everything you ever dreamed of. I will work hard for our family and crawl you and me together out of this nightmare-"

He hadn't finished his speech when I laughed. He stopped mid-air and then glanced at me, brows were furrowed in a straight line. He looked like he wanted to throw his arms in exasperation.

"You're so silly." I pinched his cheek and then wiped some dirt off of his face. Ethan didn't say anything as I explained why I was laughing.

"I'm already out of my nightmare." I smiled at him. My lips were reaching the corners of my eyes. Ethan didn't understand it since he frowned.

"What do you mean? Ain't you call this a hell? Poverty? We looked like trash, Natasha. This isn't what I wanted for you-"

I stopped him from ranting when I finally crashed my lips on his, getting my revenge. Ethan stood still on his spot, completely frozen and not knowing what to react or do. I heard Bobby barking, wanting to push us away from each other. I listened to him and took a step back, looking at his face that reddened in embarrassment.

"C-could you ah, do it again?" he hoped, but I just rolled my eyes and continued walking. I took his hand and then pulled him closer to my spot.

"You know, Ethan, my life would be dull and lifeless without you. I'm probably just waiting for a miracle to happen every day. That was my life before when I hadn't met your brother. Don't give me that look, I thought he was the man of my life, and everything was perfect the way it is, but I was glad you replaced him."

Stupefaction replaced the fury in his eyes after I said these words.

"All I'm saying is don't think cruel to yourself, Ethan, because I accepted you for who you were when I learned you're a killer and a beast. I would rather have adventures, life-thrilling moments with you than continue doing my not so important life without you."

I pinched his nose and then made a baby sound to tease him. He argued and yelled, but he laughed with me. We skimmed down at Bobby, who barked and then wagged his tail at us. Ethan patted his head and then played with his nose. I couldn't help but stare at him differently.

This wasn't the life I was asking for, but it was the life that fulfilled who I was. Now that I have finally found my source of bliss, I just hope that the gods above wouldn't take him away from me.

We continued to walk, holding each other's arms and not saying a word. I could feel Ethan's radiating smile that was glowing. He may not notice, but he completely changed. I didn't force him, but he chose this lifestyle just to be with me.

We walked for hours, still finding a shelter to sleep, when Bobby suddenly struggled in my hands. We both stopped just to see Bobby trying to escape. Ethan took a step in front of me, trying to calm Bobby down.

"What's wrong?" he asked, then peeked at me, wanting to ask if I did something. I shake my head and then shrug since I don't know what got into Bobby.

I screamed when Bobby suddenly jumped out of my arms and ran away, barking. We followed him quickly where he was going. Ethan suddenly shifted to his wolf form and then tried to catch him since Bobby was quick when he ran.

"Wait!" I tried to catch up with them, but my legs gave up on me. I panted, then leaned my body on a tree. I winced when I felt a sudden strike of pain in my back. Oh god, it hurts to move now.

"Ethan!" I called for his name, trying to wander my eyes where they went. Suddenly, panic rose when  I couldn't see them where they were. I forced myself to stand up straight and then followed the path in front of me.

"Ethan! Bobby!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, breathing in and out, easing my heart's discomfort. I cursed under my breath. Where are they?

I lost them, and now I don't know where they are. The woods are too big to find them. I stopped, sensing their voices and presence in which direction they went. I wanted to blame myself for stopping in my tracks since I'm too flimsy to move.

"Natasha!"

I jerked when I heard Ethan's voice. He's close! I followed his voice where he was calling me. I looked up when the sun finally set down once again, making it difficult for me to see clearly in the dark. I panted and yelled for his name.

"Ethan! I'm here!" I waved my hand in case he saw me. I pushed myself to run, punching the branches away that were blocking me, when I stumbled on something on the ground, causing me to fall on my face.

"Natasha!"

I heard footsteps coming closer my way, then a pair of hands helped me stand up. I coughed, then wiped off the dirt on my shirt. Ethan quickly enveloped his arms around my body, allowing me to stand in balance. His hands were on my waist.

"Are you okay?" he asked, and I nodded. I looked at him and noticed he was back in his average body.

"Where's Bobby?" I looked around, trying to look for him when he held my hand and then guided me towards where he came from.

"Let me show you something," he whispered. I knitted my brows in confusion in why he didn't answer my question. However, I let him scope me closer to his side.

I watched our steps so that I couldn't drop again this time. Ethan was being careful until we ceased. I slowly lifted up my eyes, and I was lost for breath when I saw what was in front of us.

I glimpsed at Bobby in front, barking and wagging his tail. Then, he looked at us, motioning his nose toward the mansion right before us. The place looked abandoned, but it was enormous. I gulped the lump in my throat and then glanced at Ethan, who stepped forward, not even scared to step inside.

"Ethan, what if there are ghosts there?" I stopped him by his hands.

He laughed, then offered his hand. I glanced down at it, not knowing what to feel. Should I take it?

"Do not be afraid, my love. I'm here with you."