Amelia Lovecraft

"Trust me it's gonna be fun." Kayden spoke through the phone as I sat down for my lunch break.

"What is it exactly?" I asked again. He has been asking me to go out with him tonight after work.

"It's a surprise Mia." He spoke.

"Fine..." I dragged.

"Great so I'll pick you up at six from the hospital."

"Kayden, I have my car at the hospital, I could drive to the location."

"Err, no! I wanna take you there myself. How about we come back again to get your car after the da-"

"Date?" I blurted out in a jolt.

"Day?" Kayden chuckled.

"Sure!" I laughed at him.

~~~~~

My shift had ended. I began wrapping things up. I retouched my lipstick waiting for Kayden to call. As if on cue my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Mia, I'm parked behind the little pup's ward. I'll meet you there."

"Kayden you should've parked at the front."

"No, I can't have that bodyguard of yours following us to where I'm taking you... it's very personal to me." Something the way he said that seemed strange, but I've gone out with Kayden a few times now so I let my odd feelings aside.

"Umm, okay?" I answered unsurely.

"Great hurry up!" He hung up.

I walked through the back entrance, making small talk to the nurses on duty.

Kayden stood in front of his polished sports car, wearing a grey sweater and jeans. He grinned as I approached him. Surprisingly he grabbed my handbag in one hand and held my back with the other taking me to the passenger's seat. He let go of me to open the door and placed my bag near my feet. I tried not to blush at his chivalrous act.

"Comfortable?" He asked as I settled in.

"Yes." I smiled.

He nodded before returning to his seat and driving off to our destination.

"Why is this place very personal to you?" I asked Kayden, who seemed deep in thought.

"It just is, I've spent time as a kid with my family there and then my lonely days there too." He made a turn towards the forests, away from the city. "And finally I felt like you could share my secret spot as well."

I nodded at his words. It began to get dark as the sunset. We were now into the forest depths, where there was only a single path like a trail for just one vehicle to move. Kayden turned off his car once we came to the end of the trail.

"We're going to have to walk a bit, if that's okay with you?" He asked.

"Yeah no problem." I sighed, looking out at the forest.

The sounds of owls hooting and the stream running were heard, as I stepped out of the car.

"Leave your bag behind Mia, it's not necessary in there. Come on!" Kayden gestured me to follow him.

"He seems suspicious..." I spoke to Heera.

"I'm not liking his energy either." She replied completely awake.

"Maybe it's a sentimental place?" I questioned.

"Perhaps, don't worry! I've got you Mia."

A flicker of light was visible through the thick trees. "We're almost here." Kayden held my hand as I had to jump over a log.

Pushing away a few branches, he brought to the centre of the forest. Surrounded by the pine trees, was two wooden chairs, a bonfire and a small table with some wine in an ice bucket along with some snacks packed and kept. Finally my troubled thoughts were put at ease.

"You did this Kayden?" I looked at the simple yet beautiful setting.

"Yeah, I thought since you had a long day, you might wanna relax."

"This is nice." I said, sitting back on one of the chairs there.

"Glad you like it." He said unwrapping the food.

Inhaling the air, I was welcomed by the pine trees. They smelt refreshing and reminded me of Lincoln. Once again my thoughts were about him. What was he doing now? Did he miss me?

"Do you miss him?" Heera wagged her tail.

I bit my lip unwilling to answer her.

"Would you like some more?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Kayden stood there offering me some wine.

"That's enough. Thank you Lincoln!" I accepted the drink.

He froze on the spot with raised eyebrows.

"Hey?" I tapped on his arm. That seemed to have broken his trance, he chuckled dryly shaking his head.

"What's wrong?" I asked again.

"You called me Lincoln." He shrugged before going to grab his drink.

"Kayden!" I rubbed my temples, "I'm sorry. I was just..." I tried to explain.

"Thinking of him?" He finished with a knowing smile.

Kayden was quick to switch the topic and talk about how he used to spend his childhood here with his parents. How they used to sit on these chairs, watching little Kayden play in the streaming waters. I couldn't help but smile at his fond memories.

"Come, let me take you to the stream." He stood up and I followed. Walking up to the water, it looked like the scenery was a painting. The moon shone brightly, reflecting on the flowing water, making it shimmer.

"Careful with the rocky pebbles Mia, they could be covered in moss." Kayden held his hand out for me to take, which I did.

Looking up, I admired the sky tonight. "You're so beautiful." He whispered.

"Hmm?" I looked at Kayden to see him staring right at me.

"You're gorgeous Mia, and those eyes." He shook his head as if holding back on his words. It began getting uncomfortable under his stare.

"They make me wanna kiss you." He tugged my hand.

"Kayden!" I warned, pulling my hand out of his grasp.

"Fuck." He slapped the back of head, walking away from me. "I shouldn't have done that." He muttered to himself.

"Yes, but it's too soon." He mumbled again. He was talking to himself. My heart began to pound again. What have I got myself into? Heera was prancing now, ready to take charge.

"Let me go talk to her first." Kayden kept whispering. A dreadful feeling crawled upon me.

He was talking to his wolf.

What do I do?

"Let me out!" Heera growled.

"Wait." I pushed her back, if he sees my wolf, there's a high chance he'll shift too.

Breathe Mia. His mumbling stopped, only his shoulders were moving now. Guessing he had calmed down I spoke.

"Kayden it's late. We have to.."

"Stay!" He turned to me, his head tilted to the side. As if assessing my actions. What caught my attention was his eyes, which weren't ocean blue anymore. His pupils were pitch black. "Right there." He continued in a rough screechy voice, turning around. His back to me now. Kayden and his wolf were having a disagreement by the looks of it.

The last thing I wanted was to face his crazy wolf. I couldn't let Heera out now. The only option I had was to hide or run. Quietly I stepped away from the stream and walked towards the trees. Still facing him, I walked backwards. Being amongst the trees, I could hide from him at least till his wolf had calmed down.

Oh goddess what I have gotten myself into?

Little by little I had come past the chairs and bonfire. Suddenly I tripped on a rock that was behind me. Fuck! I landed on the ground.

Kayden snapped his head to me, his wolf still on the surface. He noticed how I had moved from my previous place. The next second he barred his teeth at me. "I TOLD YOU TO STAY THERE!" He snarled sinisterly, that didn't even sound anything like his human self. He approached me, ripping his shirt with his hands. His canines out and his claws emerging. "Just one bite, it's all it takes." His devilish voice spoke.

Kayden let his wolf out, he began to shift.

I can't run or hide anymore. I let Heera control me. She growled warning him to back off. It was of no use since his wolf was already on his fours. A brown feral looking wolf. His claws gripping the grass beneath him, lowering himself almost ready to pounce, if I made a move.

It was too late because Heera began to shift. Her silvery grey fur stood up. Her ears peaked up to be aware of the surroundings as she barred her teeth at the wild wolf in front of her. She growled and barked at the monster before her. Sensing that there was nothing suspicious surrounding her, she made one step back and this had given Kayden's wolf the green signal to strike at her. He sprung towards her, pulling her down by the neck. Soon both the wolves began to toss down to the stream. The brown wolf landed on top of her. He snarled, looking down at her throat. This wolf was looking to kill her right now. As his jaw widened, Heera clawed his right eye. He pushed himself away from her by a few feet, howling in agony.

She had to make a run before he recovers from the attack. Heera looked into the woods, she knew which direction to take. Making no second thought, she sprinted through the trees. Unfortunately Kayden's wolf followed, his face bled immensely, while only having the guidance of one eye. He still didn't give up. The wolf made a leap towards Heera, scratching her shoulder deeply. She didn't have time to cry out in pain, since he pinned her to the ground with his paw on her jaw. His body above hers, she used the opportunity to claw his chest and when he loosened his hold on her. She bit his very paw that held her down. Heera stood up with a bleeding shoulder. While Kayden's wolf looked gorier, his face covered in blood and his paw wounded but still stood ready for the next attack. He was indeed a mad wolf. Shaking his brown fur, blood spluttered in all directions. Heera's shoulder began to throb which meant the wolf couldn't move too quickly. She had to think of other ways to outsmart this sick wolf.

Just then, the two wolves heard a wrathful howl, this made the birds that nestled into the trees fly away.

Before the two could contemplate on what was happening, an enormous black wolf sprung at the brown wolf, from behind Heera.

Kai.

Heera collapsed on the closest tree as the two wolves charged at each other. The brown wolf tried to scratch and pounce at Kai but it was of no use since he darted swiftly. Both the male wolves stepped back before lunging at each other once again, this time standing on their hind legs as they tried clawing and pushing one another. Barks and growls echoed in the forest. I tried telling Heera to shift back, since Lincoln was here but she refused to do so. Probably thinking that I might still be in danger. I could feel her energy draining out.

Heera howled as Kai got closer to the bonfire. As if it triggered something in him, Kai turned the opposite direction, throwing Kayden's wolf into the flames.

The wolf cried out in pain, before trying to climb out of the flames. Kai pressed his paw on the brown wolf's jaw just like what he did to Heera, but he did it on the flames over the coal.

That was it. Heera whimpered in pain as I shifted back. Kai stood in front of the almost dead wolf. Staring down at it in absolute hatred.

My shoulder throbbed as I completely shifted back to myself. My hair was damp, I felt a gash on my jaw. It going to take a while to heal. Pulling my knees to my chest, I hugged my naked body as I watched Kai near the fire. He still didn't look at me, most probably watching till Kayden's wolf took his last breath.

It felt like my eyes were blurring, I laid my head on the tree. My chest heaving, I closed my eyes for a few seconds.

I hissed as I felt something rub my shoulder. A gasp left my lips to see Kai licking my wounded shoulder. His earlier livid eyes, now looked hurt. His snout pushed my cheek softly, and he continued licking my shoulder. After a while he huffed blowing my hair right to my face. Was it his way of showing me that he was upset with me? Since I had come here alone, trusting Kayden.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, petting his cheek. He felt so soft for such a big wolf. He only huffed again, licking my jaw. "That tickles." I let out a soft smile. He gave me a low growl that followed with a bark, something like a command. So I stayed where I was, watching Kai go into the forest.

He came back with some clothes, dropping them on floor he picked a white T-shirt. He came close to me and placed the material on my head. I put it on me. Kai watched quietly until I dressed.

Once I was done, he let out a loud howl. As if to signal something or someone. He stepped back and began to shift into human form. Oh goddess I was to face Lincoln. How would he react to my recklessness?

My eyes dropped to my feet as I hugged my knees tighter. My mate stood right in front of me completely bare. I heard him zipping up his pants, but there was no other noise from him. Feeling his gaze on me I looked up to see Lincoln already looking down at me. At my bleeding shoulder to be specific. It had already left a stain on the white shirt.

Hearing footsteps our way, Lincoln approached me. I weakly stood up and he picked me up into his arms. The comfort his embrace gave me was heavenly.

"Is she okay?" Matt came through the trees with three other guards.

"No!" Lincoln spoke. "Throw the mutt's ashes away and clean this up. See you at my office in the morning." He ordered before walking away with me in his arms.

I curled up into his arms, resting my head on his bare chest. Feeling his hold on me tighten, I relaxed knowing he wasn't too angry at me.

He walked through the forest, placing his head over mine sometimes. The both of us, haven't spoken a word to each other. I don't think I had it in me to break the silence. In fact the way he held me, I could just fall asleep.

From the noises of rustling leaves, his feet finally stomped on gravel which meant we were on the path now.

"What do we do with the car?" A familiar voice spoke to Lincoln. Tyler.

"Destroy it! Everything the Foster's owned is gonna be destroyed by tomorrow." Lincoln spoke.

I lifted my head from his chest to look at him. "Lincoln?" I whispered, my voice was strained.

He looked down at me with soft eyes, "Mia?"

"My bag is in his car... I need it."

"Sure, we'll get it. Close your eyes and relax baby." I just did what he had asked. My injured shoulder definitely weighed me down.

As soon as I shut my eyes, the tiredness took over and I fell asleep in Lincoln's arms.

Maybe I was dreaming because I felt him kiss my forehead.

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