Hope you all enjoy this chapter. It's longer than most but it's probably one of my favorite chapters so far

The freezing water was a shock to my body. My head briefly camec over the surface of the water. I saw Caleb change back into a human body, fully naked. It was so quick it seemed like a blink of an eye, but just as quick as he had shifted I had sunken beneath the surface of the icy water.

I thrashed around the water trying desperately to resurface, regretting my decision to drown myself. My lungs burned as I forced myself not to inhale the water. As I tired to catch my breath I found myself chocking on the choppy water.

Panicked I swung my arms around and kicked my legs hoping to gain some form of bouncy, there was no such luck. I watched as the soft yellow lights of the cabin slipped further and further away from top of the lake.

I was sinking.

As I slipped deeper into the lake my vision grew darker and more blurred. My mind was slowing down, my body grew heavier, I was sinking faster than before still gasping for oxygen. My body twitched and convulsed as it struggled in it's last moments of survival.

My eye lids shut as I slowly slipped into an abyss of darkness and icy cold waters.

Soon, however, there was noise overhead but I was too weak to look up, I could barely open my eyes.

I faintly felt an arm wrap just under my arms hoisting me up to the surface. My ears popped as the pressure decreased as we approach the top of the lake. I was still disoriented still unable to breathe.

Who ever had pulled me out of the water soon dragged me onto the cold sandy dirt on the edge of the lake. I could feel them hovering over me but I wasn't sure if they were talking or not, everything felt so distant to me. It was as if I could sense someone there but they felt like they were yards away.

Suddenly there was a stiff jolt of pressure right to my chest sending a spray of water right out of my mouth. I coughed up water and bile as I turned away from them to calm my now racing heart and gasping lungs. I groaned finally feeling the cold air on my trembling wet body and the nausea that was enveloping me more and more every second.

I flopped back to my back too nauseous to sit up let alone stand. I wanted to move myself inside where it was warm but I was rendered useless as my body was overwhelmed with pain and nausea.

Someone placed their hand over my chest feeling the rise and fall of my breathes. I swatted their arm away only for them to grab my wrist tightly stopping me midway.

"Stop." I vaguely heard Caleb's voice.

I groaned again as I tried to pull my arm away from his grasp but it only made the pain in my chest escalate causing me to hiss.

"You're hurt." I heard him say this time it was more clear. He sounded distraught as he slowly cradled me and stood up.

I tried to push from his chest but it was no use as another shock of pain sent me curling up in a ball.

I couldn't understand why I was in such pain. My wondering stopped once we entered the warm and cozy feeling of the cabin allowed my body to relax a bit more. At least I had stopped shivering so much. The cold wet clothes however cling to my body like paper mâché.

"Put me down." I murmured my lungs still burning.

Caleb didn't listen, he continued his pursuit up the stairs of the cabin, opening a door to an empty bedroom. Once inside the room he placed me down on my feet. My legs felt like jelly still numb from the cold.

He studied me for a second, as if I would fall over and break any second. It was only then that I realized he was still fully naked. Terrified realizing we were in a bed room and this man was wearing nothing but a his birthday suit I moved to the door. I hadn't gotten far though as he stepped in front of me.

"Get away from me." My voice broke defeated and drained. All I wanted was to go home. I wanted Aurora, I wanted Jozy, hell I wanted Taylor. Something that was normal not this fiasco of a horror story.

I couldn't hold myself up anymore allowing my legs to give out from under me. Caleb didn't try to catch me letting me fall to my knees in a crumbed mess.

I proceeded to cry, more so than I did earlier. I was weak I should have killed myself and I couldn't. Now I was at his total mercy and I wasn't ready to be tortured. I couldn't even begin to process what I had seen, I didn't want to. I didn't want to accept what I saw was really what I saw. I didn't want to admit that Caleb was this creature of the dark, something straight out of a book.

Caleb just stood there not saying a word as he watched me breakdown into a million pieces. My life was surely about to end in the most dramatic fashion in a world that was thought to be fantasy.

This is no fantasy. I reminded myself, this is real. This is very, all too real.

After what felt like an eternity I steadily calmed myself down from hyperventilating. I wasn't sure if I was truly calming down or if the adrenaline was wearing off and the pain was now at a height I couldn't do anything but clutch my wet clothes to my body. There was a pain in my ribs that was growing unbearable.

Caleb unexpectedly bent down to my level. He gently placed his index finger under my chin forcing me to look at him.

I had closed my eyes to scared to see him. I thought if I looked at him again I would have to accept what I saw as truth.

He didn't say a word however. I could feel his eyes scanning over every inch of my face and body. I felt like I was under a microscope with how intent I felt his gaze.

"What are you?" I whispered, unsure if he was even able to hear my question. I gradually opened my eyes connecting with his glowing blue orbs that were staring deep into my own brown ones.

"I am exactly what you think I am." His mundane tone set fire to any possibility that what I saw was fantasy.

"I don't understand." I muttered tears still trailing down my face as I wanted nothing more than this endless nightmare to end.

Caleb stood up reminding me again how very naked he was. He moved to one of the duffle bags on the end of the bed pulling on a pair of gym shorts. He quickly pulled a bed throw blanket and wrapped it around my shaking body.

"Take a shower it will help with the shaking and pain." He advised helping me up from the floor.

"No." I uttered wincing as I stood up. Caleb shifted his fingers under the blanket pressed gently to my ribs. I hissed moving away from his touch, feeling tender around my ribs.

"You need it." Was all he said his tone still monotone.

I was still tearing up shaking my head to hurt to even talk anymore.

"Eve, please listen to me." Caleb's voice changed drastically sounding calm and reassuring. "I know you are afraid," A chocking sob escaped my lips as he spoke the truth. "but I can't tell you enough that I am not, and will not ever hurt you." He paused pulling the blanket tighter around my body. My head was down looking over the hard wood floor as I let the tear drops fall to my feet. I was beyond petrified. "This is all really difficult to explain." He continued softly, trying to get me to stop crying but it was no use, I was a paralyzed wreck.

Caleb growled, growing frustrated at my ill attempt at really listening to what he was saying.

"I-I'm sorry." Caleb's voice was feebly, just loud enough I could hear him.

I looked up as he turned away from me grabbing his duffle bag and closing the door behind him. I stood still staring at the closed door listening to the commotion just outside the door. I heard endless growls and snarling. I could have sworn I heard scratching and the same bone snapping sound I heard just minutes ago.

And then.... silence.

Utter and complete silence. Not a single floor board creaked nor was there any voice to be heard. Just the same chilling breeze that made the branch by the window tap against the glass.

I'm not sure how long I stood there for after he had left but I slowly found my way to the bathroom. I hadn't wanted to leave the room but not hearing a single noise and the sheer amount of coldness I was feeling made my body beg for a hot shower.

Hastily I moved to the bathroom securing myself inside by making sure to lock it.

Turning the water on to heat up I agonizingly took off the wet clothing, let them fall in a soaking heap on the floor. The room was building up with steam as I finally took a look at my reflection. My long black hair was plastered to my face, my curls an utter mess of tangles and knots, and my eyes puffy and sore from crying. I looked like I had just gotten dumped in the rain on my sixteenth birthday.

I groaned as I tried to pull my hair back dropping my arms when I flexed. The pain was severe enough that I couldn't raise my arms or take in a big breath. I was beginning to think Caleb broke a rib when trying to save me.

I mentally paused feeling odd as I listened to my last thought.

He did save me. Why?

I got into the shower finally feeling collected and a little safer. Caleb was gone for the time being and I was relieved. I honestly didn't think I could take anymore chaos at the moment. My world had been flipped upside down.

Pumping some body wash into my hand I started to rub it into my body but I froze when an unexpected howl was heard in the distant. My stomach twist with discomfort knowing all to well who created that howl.

I hurried my shower along lathering conditioner in my thirsty curls that need much love.

I was able to get out of the shower and change into a pair of black leggings and sweatshirt before Caleb returned. I had remained in the bedroom for sometime longer after the shower but as time when on and my stomach growled louder I realized I hadn't eaten anything.

Caleb hadn't returned so I thought now would be my best chance to grab something to eat and hide away in the bedroom.

My bare feet padded against the wood stairs as I cautiously made my way down. As I did so I noticed deep grooves in the wood walls. There were four deep claw marks. I found myself both terrified and fascinated as I ran my four fingers in the same gashes. My much smaller hand struggled to spread as wide giving me better perspective of how much larger this man was comparably to me.

I gulped dropping my hand to my side making my way to the bottom floor. The back door was wide open letting cold bursts of wind to enter the cabin. Walked to the door briefly gazing outside before closing it shut.

I rummaged through the cabinets for anything to eat. Everything you had to cook and I knew I didn't have time for that if I wanted to steer clear of Caleb. Finally finding chips and a few cookies in the pantry and quickly grabbed them along with a bottom of water from the fridge.

The clock in the bed room now read 11:35P.M. Caleb still hadn't returned and I was grateful.

I had made myself full with the family size bag of chips and a few cookies. Thank god I didn't have bad cholesterol I thought looking at the empty bag of chips.

Turning the lamp off I stood in complete darkness my ribs still aching from earlier. I should really get them checked out but I highly doubt Caleb was going to let me leave. He was extraordinarily possessive over me and I couldn't comprehend why. It wasn't like I was his girlfriend or wife. I was nobody to him but a random girl that stumbled into the VIP section of a strip club.

I hastily peeked out the window taking in once more the beauty of the place. What I wasn't ready for was the dash of golden blonde that jumped over the deck banister. The grace and agility of that beast was more intriguing than anything I had seen before. Yet, I wasn't about to familiarize myself with its company.

Caleb transformed into a human and I looked away making sure not to accidentally drift my eyes lower than I wanted them to go.

Hearing the door creak open and shut I slipped into bed, balling the covers around my body. I listened as the foot steps crept up to the second floor. My heart pounded relentlessly against my rib cage causing the throbbing pain to intensify once more. I pursed my lips together to keep from whimpering I didn't want to give him a reason to come in.

A part of me though now was contradicting my fearful thoughts. The same part of me that pointed out that he did save me. My mind was a cluster fuck of fear, curiosity, uncertainty and indulgence. And they were all clouding my judgement.

Biting my lip I tugged the bed covers closer to myself as Caleb entered the bedroom wearing only a pair of sweat pants. He looked dejected with his dark hair messy and his face longing for something that wasn't there.

I could only imagine he was longing for my trust that just wasn't there.

Once the door closed I finally got the daring confidence to speak up.

"I..." I began, the confidence I just briefly had fading rapidly. Spit it out Eve or you won't ever. "I want answers."

Caleb's once dejected attitude was replaced by eagerness at my sudden willingness to talk. He took a step forward but I had to stop him before he got to comfortable.

"Don't come any closer." I warned raise my hand from the blanket to stop him. His eyes grew wide and he raise both his hands as he took a step back. "You can sit on the chair over there." I told him pointing my finger to the desk chair in the room.

He slowly moved to sit on the chair. I could tell he was trying not to make any sudden movements as if I was a doe in the woods he wasn't trying to scare off.

"What do you want to know first?" He said resting his elbows on his knees leaning forward. His fingers falling just in front of his mouth.

"You tell me. I'm new to this world obviously." I bluntly stated.

"Okay... well, for starters I am what humans call a werewolf. Technically the term is Lycanthrope, but werewolf is the same thing." He stopped talking giving me time to soak up ever word he said.

"How come you can turn with no moon? The moon wasn't out tonight." I pointed out glancing at the window just to double check. Nope, no moon.

Caleb chuckled lightly finding my lack of knowledge of his kind amusing.

"That's something humans came up with. We can shift anytime and anywhere." He explained. I was astonished at just how oblivious I was to this world of fantasy. It's not fantasy Evelyn, this is for real, get that straight.

"Why kidnap me.. and show me all this?" I begged the difficult question wanting nothing more than the answer.

Caleb became uncomfortable and I could tell he was straining to come up with his answer.

"To protect you." His blatant manner left no room for anything else to be read into his words. It was exactly what it was.

I was more confused than I had been before. I didn't need protection. I was a 21 year old college student I wasn't the presidents daughter. I was no one of importance.

"From what? I don't even know you." I told him trying to figure out any possible reason for his need to look over me.

"Werewolves have bonds between each other for hierarchy, just the same as the animal does." He started to disclose but it seemed like he was finding the topic difficult to breakdown the specifics for me. "We don't just create bonds, sometimes bonds are just spontaneous created and we have no control over it. It happens once for every Were at different times in each ones life. This bond is called the mate bond it's stronger than the hierarchy bonds of a pack. This one is life long and an intimate bond."

Caleb had been staring off into the end of the bed but as he finished saying intimate he looked up to me. The pit of my stomach dropped more puzzled then I had been earlier.

As I tried to comprehend my eyes grew wide with complete disbelief. Was he insinuating what I thought he was?

"You are my mate.... we are soulmates."