“Did you really think you could escape me?” Damon hissed in my ear.
I stared helplessly at the wall behind him, avoiding eye contact while his hand pressed to the wall behind my head, and he leaned over me like an angry wall of protection.
“Well, I managed a couple years,” I said then, gazing up at him.
He just narrowed his eyes down at me. “You’re insufferable.”
I smiled. “I know.”
“Why are you here?” he said then, lowering his lashes.
“I thought it would be cool,” I said then.
“You thought a shooting would be a cool thing to witness.”
“Yes,” I said then, glancing down at my watch. “Well, look at the time. I really should be going!”
“Winter,” he warned.
I gazed up then. “What?”
“Why are you here?”
I just stared at him for a moment. “I thought it would be a cool thing to see. You know… shooting and all.”
“You’re such a liar,” he snapped then.
I glared. “What?”
“Judging by that bag that had scattered contents on the ground, and the fact that you specifically stated that you didn’t want to see me, tells me you were not expecting this to happen, were you?”
I just grumbled under my breath, looking away.
“You’ve been hiding from me,” he said then, “I don’t really appreciate that.”
“You have a packhouse and wolves to care of,” I said then, gazing up. “You only need to worry about me when I’m in danger, and I’m not. So can I go home to have my chicken noodle soup now?”
“We’re far from being done with this conversation,” he said in a low tone.
Great.
And now I was stuck in those horrid position with him pressed against me like a pancake.
But boy did he smell good.
I just avoided eye contact, knowing his own eyes were searing down at me with anger and frustration.
How did we get here?
Oh, yes… I remembered.
I was six years old when my father was killed, and Damon was my best friend at the time with only a year difference than me. We would play around in the snow and hung out with each other. That was… until the day my father died. I was so broken and scared… I thought someone was out to get me, and Damon came to me and sat next to me. He promised that he would protect me until they found the killer—with his life, nonetheless—and he cut his hand as well as mine, forming a blood pact.
So now he swore to protect me from any harm; no matter how far away he was when I was in danger.
I knew he was a werewolf from the very beginning, but my parents never knew. In fact, I would go into the woods outside my house and go on runs with him. And it was fun, but…
I moved away shortly after that… and lost all contact with him.
He never called, never texted.
Well… after we entered middle school, I was lonely without him.
I grew enraged and felt betrayed. When I called him, he never came, when I asked for him, he never came.
It only took a year or two before he started seeking me out, searching for me. I was so angry, though, I hid from him. I avoided danger so he wouldn’t show up out of nowhere. And now… this happened.
I managed without him, though. I got through middle school, and now I was halfway through high school, just starting my sophomore year.
My dad’s killer still wasn’t found.
And of course… this happened and now I was even more unamused. I didn’t want to hear his excuses. I wanted to stay mad at him.
“Winter, look at me,” he said then.
I gazed up at him, not feeling particularly happy. “What?”
“You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” he growled low.
“And you’re very close to me right now,” I said then.
He just leaned in closer. “You could’ve gotten hurt. Do you understand that?”
“That comment didn’t warrant you to get closer,” I said then.
“Winter,” he growled. “Answer me.”
I just remained silent.
He just leaned in closer, practically pressing his body to me. “Is this better?”
“You’re taunting me.”
“Indeed, I am.” He smirked then. “You going to throw a fit?”
“Yes, if that warrants you rolling around on the ground and covering your balls.”
He just smiled. “Is someone in a mood?”
“Get off me, Damon,” I said then, gazing up.
He just watched me for a moment. “Do you understand how upset I am?”
“No, but you’re about to lecture me.”
“It’s because you’re being an idiot,” he said then, growling still. “It’s one thing completely hiding from me. But because you like to disobey everything everyone says, you decided to go prancing about the streets like a tiny little princess. Even when you know very well that this is a horrible side of town.”
I gave him a look, knowing very well he was reading my mind and getting facts about how I snuck out without my mom’s permission.
“Mom told me not to go out! Oh, no!” he said then, gasping. “The bad side of town has all these horrific people, but I feel validated to go through it! Oh, no! Someone’s coming after me! I’m going to get killed and NOT MOVE A MUSCLE.”
I just arched a brow. “Are you done?”
“Are you going to acknowledge the fact that you’re going to get yourself killed?” he retorted. “And more of… did you really think you could escape me?”
“Yes,” I said honestly.
“You could’ve gotten yourself killed,” he said again, narrowing his eyes.
I gazed up at him then. “I know.”
He scoffed, staring down at me intently. “You ‘know’?” he echoed. “Then why the hell did you do it?”
“I don’t care about my safety,” I said then, watching him now.
“Winter, I swear to God—”
“But you do.” I smiled then. “Don’t you?”
He then looked down at me fully. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t you remember?” I said then, smirking as I raised my hand. “Our little agreement?”
I flashed him the long, thin scar on the palm of my hand, lashes lowering.
He watched it for a moment before he clenched his fists, hiding his own. “How could I forget?”
“You swore to protect me,” I stated then, lashes lowering. “So I don’t have to fear dying anymore. I have you.”
He looked at me fully now. “Then why are you avoiding me.”
“Because I’m mad at you.”
“Oh, poor baby.” He stuck his lip out before glaring at me. “How do you think I feel?”
I just glared back. “You ignored me for two years.”
“And you ignored me for three more after that,” he said then. “I don’t see how this is all my fault.”
I just made an impatient noise and looked away.
Damon just gazed down at me. “Look at that.” He smiled. “I found you now, isn’t that curious? It’s been too long.”
He just looked at me. “You’re so much taller, fuller… and your hair’s so wavy now.”
“And you’re an asshole now,” I said then, glaring at him.
“I have to rule a pack,” he said then, “it’s in my nature.”
“Why don’t you go back to them then?” I said, sighing. “They’re probably freaking out without their alpha.”
He was silent for too long.
“Winter.”
I gazed up. “What.”
He just stared at me before his lashes lowered. “How far away is your home?”
“Why would I disclose that information?” I said then.
He just arched a brow.
I sighed then. “A mile walk.”
“I see.” He just looked up at me. “It’s snowing, you’re wearing a thin jacket, and you were just encountered by a gun. Let’s just get you home and warm you up.’
“Oh, so you’re nice now?” I said then, looking back at him.
“Home,” he said then, lashes lowering as he said in his alpha voice, “now.”
I just shot up and marched back home, and I felt him follow behind me.
God that alpha tone was horrifying… He was too good at using it now.
“Is your mom home?” he said then.
“No, she’s at work.” My breath came out in clouds.
“I see.”
He was silent for a long moment. “Do you mind telling me which state we’re in?”
“Maine,” I said then, continuing to walk.
He whistled. “Not as far from home as I thought.”
“Uh–huh.” I held my arms around myself as the cold bit into my skin, and I began to shiver.
He then gazed down at me. “Do you want my jacket?”
“No.”
He then jogged up and draped it over my shoulders, making my cheeks glow slightly when he continued walking beside me.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
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