Silence. Nothing is said between us just stress and anxiety fills the space. She is on alert, constantly eyeing me from the corner of her eye before glancing out the window trying to determine our location. She seems lost.

I know exactly where we are, I have spent enough time out here I know the area like the back of my hand.

A small opening appears in the trees and I immediately turn down it. The road turns into a trail, narrow and hard to move through in this large truck. "Taking me deep into the forest?" She asks as we bounce through potholes and twig branches scrape the windows. "Yes. I know a place." This is the first we have spoken since leaving her uncle's house.

"Bet that's what little red riding hood was told too." She mutters under her breath.

"Are these the kind of jokes you will be making now?" Teasing her. She doesn't respond but she smirks slightly before looking out her window. If I can keep the topics light, make jokes, keep her happy, maybe this won't go so bad.

"You know when I said I wanted to talk about this I meant over dinner or a coffee, not in the middle of nowhere." She stirs the topic back.

"I thought this would be better. We will be alone, no disturbance, just us. I thought it would be better to show you as well, I want you to understand this fully. Trust me fully. Do you trust me, Sophia?" I don't know if I want to know her answer. She pauses for a moment before whispering "yes." At least I have ground to stand on with her now. "I use to come here when I was younger. It's far outside the pack lands, no one seems to know about it. It's nice to get away." Glancing over to her Sophia has her look forward but her ear turned towards me as she pushes the hair behind it, simply listening.

"I haven't been out here in about two years. I came out when my grandfather died and I haven't been back since." Speaking almost to myself. It was hard for me to take the loss. I stayed out here for two weeks before finally coming back. Everyone was worried about me when they couldn't find me or reach me but I refused to tell them of this place and I didn't come back in fear they would track me and find it. My safe haven.

Finally, the trail opens and a clearing comes into view. A small stable shack sits near the edge, its dark wood siding looks to be weathered and worn, it is tin roof reflects the moonlight off its thin surface, the small window looks dark and dirty. The old bench and chair around the fire all seem to have growth taking it over, saplings sprout out around and even on the seats, grass has filled most of the charred ground. Nature took over like no one was ever here or existed.

Getting out she doesn't take her bag, she just follows me through the door. The inside still looks sturdy with the replaced drywall I put in years ago. A stack of wood next to the miniature stove is untouched and the sink sits vacant except a few webs from spiders over the spout. Alongside it, the bed rests bare of any sheets, untouched, I wonder if there are still some tucked away in the small cupboard, opening the doors to it the musty air can be smelled and I see a few holes from where bugs have been munching on them. The same table and two chairs are set in the corner of the room. The open concept was perfect for just myself to hide in this place, now it seems so small and mistreated I wonder if I should come back and give it the TLC it deserves.

"Not what I was expecting. We aren't sleeping here are we?" She points to the small bed, it can hardly fit me on it we would have to be close. I don't mind the idea but I am sure at this moment she would. "I don't plan on it. Who knows where the night will lead." Winking at her she scoffs in return turning away rubbing her hands together before blowing on them. "Are you cold Sophia?" Asking her as I watch her trying to keep herself warm shifting her feet. Immediately I fill the stove and start a fire, it doesn't take much to heat the small room but I give her my jacket anyways. "Thank you." She whispers looking away with a blush dragging it over her arms and pulling it closer. Her eyes glance to mine locking in place, I can see the fire flicker in them, the lightning strikes as the waves roll into one another, the longer I gaze into them the deeper I sink in their depth.

I have to pull myself away from her. "What did you want to talk about? What do you want to know?" I have to start this conversation so I can keep my mind focused. Taking one of the chairs out for her to sit, she takes it and I sit in the chair adjacent to hers. Sophia continues rubbing her hands together in front of her on top of the table letting out a shaky breath. Taking her hands they are freezing cold. Encasing them between my own, I bring them up to blow hot air into them. She watches every movement, her eyes dilate and her breath hitches in her throat. Our eyes lock as I slowly continue, drag this out as long as I can before she thinks to take her hands back from me.

"Everything. I want to know everything." She speaks low, her sound holds an undertone of lust to it. "Sure. Let's start with mates." Kissing the tips of her fingers her blush spreads over her neck and cheeks. She licks her lips and I'm ready to come undone. Maybe we should have gone for coffee in a public area.

"Tell me." She doesn't pull her hands away from mine when I lace my fingers into hers. The bond is working for me. I need to tread carefully with this subject, it could go in my favour or completely against me.

"Wolves mate for life, there is one person made just for us. The other half of our soul. The Goddess chooses mates and bonds their souls together forever." She is listening intently to me. "There is nothing in this world or in my Moon that will ever compare to you. I have looked for you for almost a decade." Rubbing my thumb along her skin, she still hasn't pulled away but her gaze has fallen on our entwined hands.

"Is that why you said I was your soul mate?" Her voice is timid.

"Because you are, yes. You are my soulmate, we just call them mates."

"Is that what this is? These feelings I have had since we met? Why I can't get you out of my head? Why I'm attracted to you?" Sophia's voice is becoming more distant, fragile. Unlike anything I have heard from her. Her heart hammers in her chest as she closes her eyes.

"Yes" whispering as low as I can, trying not to spook her.

"Is that the only reason you want me?" She can't look at me when she asks, a tear falls from her eye when I squeeze her hands. Releasing her hand to wipe away the shine another falls. Trying to get close she pushes away. "Sophia, it's not that simple."

"Then tell me how it is Cage." Her face looks angry but her eyes show her hurt. They don't shine with lightning when her sorrow is present; the storm lowers to rainy overcast.

"When we meet our mates we don't want anyone else. They are all we can see, all we can smell, taste, touch. Our senses awaken. Our soul awakens." Swallowing is getting more difficult. I don't know how else I can tell her this. Breathing in. Start at the beginning. "Yes, when I saw you that day in the wolf enclosure I wanted you because you are my mate. I signed up and volunteered to get close to you, to get to know you. Our pairing isn't normal. If you were a wolf we would have just come together and most likely have mated that day if not a few days later, we move quickly normally, but you aren't like us. Humans expect courting, getting to know each other, see if it'll work out. I wanted to respect you, give you that choice, get to know you and you me."

She looks to the woodstove while chewing the inside of her cheek. "That doesn't answer my question. Why do you want me?" She emphasizes the word want. "If mating a wolf is easier why waste your time with me, I get that you feel this whatever it is, but you could ignore it couldn't you? Doesn't that happen? That's why Kirsten wanted you isn't it?" Sophia rages low and slow, like the calm found in the eye of a tornado. Stepping out of that opening will result in chaos.

"Real spitfire aren't you?" I ask her instead of answering her insecurities. Her look is that of baffled, she was expecting me to defend myself, she recovers quickly. "Yes. I am." She narrows her eyes on me. Snatching her hand up and putting it to my lips again before she can take it back from me. "My Spitfire." Telling her while kissing her fingertips. "That's why I want you. I won't ramble or make a speech about the stars and the skies. I want you because of you, I am falling in love with who you are."

She swallows down and exhales slowly, licking her lips before asking her next question. "How does it work? Being a werewolf, I mean, are you in control? Are you like how the movies portray?" Her cheeks heat more as she hides her hands under the table away from my reach.

"Most times I have some control over him, he tends to not exactly listen. He can be an asshole like that." The wolf bites down on my bones to sting. Unashamed.

"Him? So it's not only you?" She is getting more confused the deeper she travels down the rabbit's hole. We have hardly even scratched the surface but I want to stick with the basics for now.

"No. He has his own thoughts and feelings. He can see and hear everything that happens while I am in human form and I can see and hear everything when in wolf form."

She rakes her teeth over her bottom lip. "What does he think of me?" She pauses for a moment, opening her mouth to slam it shut again. "He wants his mate, he loves you. Ask your other question, Sophia, ask everything. I will answer all of your questions." Reassuring her this is why we are here, it is okay to ask.

"C-can I see?" She is nervous to ask but I know she wants to, she loves animals, wolves are her favourite. The wolf perks up. He has been holding himself back during this, waiting and listening in. Chuckling, "yes," the wolf yips and tries to rumble out a low growl of approval. He wants to see her again, one on one. It's hard to contain his excitement. Her eyes widen at the sound. "I'm sorry. He is really happy, I don't mean to sound threatening." Apologizing to her for him. He doesn't apologize, he does it again.

She looks away from me. "I spend enough time around wolves Cage, I know what sounds they make." She pauses, "and why." She looks back with a stern look.

"If he humps me I am out of here." She points a finger in my face and I can't hold back my laughter. It takes a moment to regain my composure.

"He won't I promise." She gives me another stern look. Getting up and opening the door I take off my shirt before unbuttoning my pants and Sophia's hands fly up to cover her eyes from watching me "What are you doing?" I can hear the fluster in her voice.

"I don't want to shred my clothes, I didn't pack extra clothing like someone else here. I don't have an extra pair in the truck right now." She keeps her hands up but lingering eyes peek through every now and then. My smile grows and I have to laugh at her. "You can watch if you want to sweetheart, I don't mind."

"I do. You are such a perv Hotshot." I can see the small smile on her lips through the gap in her hand even with her head turned away from me.

Stepping out the door the wolf doesn't wait to be let loose. He throws my mind back as he pushes forward taking full control. I get slightly concerned he might actually try and hump her now.

He stays outside whimpering for her to come and Sophia slowly lowers her hands, taking deep breaths in and out before looking out the door. She stands with a gasp and covers her mouth, my wolf lowers his head with his ears back and his tail low, almost tucked under his belly. Lowering her hand Sophia slowly approaches us. "Wow," she whispers under her breath. Her hand comes up slowly with a shake to it. We let her come to us, the wolf licks at her fingers and she gives a breathy laugh out before stroking the side of his muzzle. He whimpers loud and long while rubbing his head into her hand, Sophia brings her other hand up to scratch behind his ear and he thumps his tail loud on the ground. "Hello again." She tells him, looking him in the eyes before rubbing her hand over his nose, across his muzzle and over the top of his head. The moment her hand reaches his back his tongue slides out between his teeth to lick at her face. His tail continues to pound the ground under it as he tries to climb into her arms. Her laugh is loud and she can hardly say "stop" between her giggles. Rubbing his head into her neck trying to put his scent on her, Sophia wraps her arms around him holding him to her. She caresses the top of his head with hers before giving him a few kisses telling him he is good.

They stay like this and I give them their moment. He deserves this. He has had to hold back and behave this whole time while I got to enjoy her.

The temperatures drop the later it gets, I can hear Sophia's breath coming out slow before a slight chatter of teeth. She is getting cold again, we have to get her back inside. He stands on his four legs and tugs at the jacket sleeve for her to follow, she stands and allows him to drag her back inside. The wolf whines for her when I push to come forth; we have to finish talking. As much as I wish he could have more time this needs to be done before we can get to that.

She rubs between his ears before kissing his nose. He reluctantly walks out the door, the shift is quick, the air is becoming even too cold for me out. The temperatures have dropped incredibly low from the past few days, looking around I can see bits of white falling in the slivers of light. Snow.

Dressing quickly and shutting the door slow I turn to see her sitting on the bed, the jacket is hanging over the chairs back and she has put more wood on the fire. "It's snowing." Telling her.

"I saw that." She informs me.

"Do you want to leave?" I don't want to go but I have to ask her what she wants. She is in control here.

She shakes her head, "we aren't done talkin yet. Sit." She looks to the space next to her and I slowly make my way over before sitting down.

"Ask." It's low toned. Taking her hands in mine again to warm them up.

"Where do we go from here? What now Cage?" She watches me before looking into my eyes.

"What do you want Sophia? Do you want this? This is life, it's not try now and leave later. You are it for me if you leave, I won't have another. I don't want to guilt you, I just want you to understand this isn't a fling or something you can change later. Once we mate, once I mark you as mine, there is no going back." I need to stress to her what this means. I don't want her to have regrets later if she changes her mind.

She swallows slow and I mimic her movements when the tip of her tongue darts out to slightly moisten her lips my tongue copies the action. "I don't know what I want Cage." Her eyes flutter closed, "I want you, I do. I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't. I'm trying to give you the chance to talk to me." Sophia's eyes open once more, concern swirls with lust. "I don't know what to do." She pulls away from me to sit back against the wall.

My hands hang in front of me empty, I am lost on what to tell her. I want to beg her to choose me, be with me. Tell her how loved she will be, the things we will do, the family we could have, but she has to choose this for herself. My heart feels like it's being pulled from my chest.

"How does marking work, what does that mean?" Her voice is low and cautious. My eyes remain downcast to my hands. I can't look at her without pain and need pulling me to beg at her feet.

"When mates mark each other their canines elongate and they sink them near the crook of the neck." Rubbing my hand over the empty spot before pulling it away holding my hands in front of me.

"Does it hurt?" Sophia asks. Stealing a quick glance at her she is looking down while holding the spot I would mark her. If she would let me.

"I personally don't know, I have never been marked. That's for life, it is for my mate to do."

"I can't mark you." Her gaze penetrates my soul when our eyes meet.

"I know." Telling her softly.

"Does it bother you?" Her eyes soften and her insecurities shine through.

"No, it doesn't." Conviction roams through my words. Whether she can mark me or not I still want her. I will always want her.

Clearing my throat "It will most likely hurt, yes, but I am told it quickly changes." I lick my lips anticipating her next question. "To what?" She asks exactly how I wanted her to, low, seductive. Sophia knows exactly what I will say she just wants to hear me say it.

Moving up the bed coming face to face with her, running my fingers up her arm and over her shoulder, lingering on my spot before continuing up her neck to caress her cheek. "Pleasure," I whisper to the corner of her lips before placing a chaste kiss.

Turning her head Sophia slams her lips against mine, her hand slides up my chest to settle over my heart and fisting the material in her hand, pulling me closer. My hand grips into her hair giving a slight tug, forcing a gasp to escape and I plunge my tongue between her parted lips. She moans softly and I swallow it down. Pulling away to take in air I lay her down beneath me on the bed kissing her jawline down to her neck. She moans when I scrape my teeth over my spot. Kissing and sucking her soft skin she digs her fingers into my shoulder, her other hand comes up to my hair to pull me closer turning her head slightly so I can get better access as she bares her neck to me. She is panting hard. I can smell our arousal swirling to mix into one and my wolf is pushing to come through. I feel my canines growing. He wants what's his but she hasn't given me an answer yet.

"Sophia" my voice is deep, raspy. I'm trying so hard to hold myself back for her but I can't hold on for much longer.

The clouds clear from her vision. "We should stop." She pants.

"I need to leave." Getting up quickly to head for the door, I'm teetering on the edge. My vision is blurring. She sits up abruptly. "Where are you going?" Her voice of seduction is gone, her insecurities take back over control. Going back to her I don't want to frighten her, I know my teeth protrude past my lips and eyes blackout the browns and greens, but I don't want her to feel I'm abandoning her here either. Kneeling down between her legs Sophia intake of breath is sharp, her eyes go from mine to my teeth. Understanding crosses over her. "I will be back I am just going outside for a moment, I'm not going anywhere."

Outside the air is cold but my body heat is enough to keep me warm, almost too warm. I have to cool off. Running off I keep the cabin in sight and in hearing distance, nothing will get in there without me knowing it. I have to do several laps around my invisible perimeter to burn this energy off.

The wolf's paws sink into the delicate white that has fallen in the short time. We will need to leave if we don't plan to stay, given the current situation that may be best.

Returning she is sitting back at the small table. "We need to leave, the snow is getting thick." She looks up to me with a nod. Getting to her feet we get in my truck to follow the same small trail back out. The air cracks and sizzles between us, we can't stop stealing glances at each other from the corner of our eyes.

"We still have more to talk about. I have a lot to think about." She says it out loud but it's more to herself than to me.