Nightfall

Chapter 11🌙

Archery continues for an hour...Klaus, Elias and Ares helping others with their techniques. It's round the afternoon so people start going inside for food and a break. I start walking when I see a young boy, probably nine years old, trying to shoot his arrow at the target.

He misses and gets frustrated. He tries again, but misses completely. He looks so upset...so I walk up to him.

"Hey, let me help you with that." I say softly and he turns around and looks embarrassed. If this kid is embarrassed then I am going to be awkward, so I quickly grab an arrow and move towards him.

I hand him the arrow and tell him to take his stance. "When you shoot the arrow you should hold your breath and when you exhale let go of the arrow. That always works for me..." I instruct him and stand back.

He looks determined to get this so he puts on a serious face. When he is concentrated a slight frown takes over his face...and it's the funniest thing ever. I keep it together, offer my silent support and he takes up his stance.

He does what I told him and it slightly missed the centre, but his shot has improved a lot more that before. He jumps for joy...completely satisfied with the result.

"Thank you so so so much...it almost hit the middle."he tackles me in a hug and I barely stay standing.

"Your welcome...what's your name?" I ask the young boy." Lucas...what's your name?" he looks at me curiously. "My name is Scarlett. It's nice to meet you." I tell him and he smiles up at me.

"Nice to meet you too." He says, but a group of younger kids stand by the house and call him." I got to go now...bye!" He runs away and I am left staring at his retreating figure.

"That was kind of you..." a voice speaks from under one of the trees. Ares has an amused grin as he watches me. I take in his figure. His built arms and broad shoulders. He is tall...and has a beautiful face.

He is the most attractive person I have ever seen. But maybe that's because of the mate bond...but whatever. I'm certainly not complaining.

He watches me watch him. My face burns because he has just caught me checking him out, but then I focus on his eyes and they stare at me the same way. His eyes are more blue than grey...something I've noticed happens when his wolf is at the surface.

He walks up to me and stands right in front of me. "We should walk back to the pack house..." I say looking down.

Crap

I broke the eye contact...

"Yeah, come on." He turns and starts walking, but pauses when he sees I'm not there.

I start walking and now we're next to each other. "Thank you..." he looks at me. "For what?" I ask, genuinely curious." For helping out with that pup. He looked like he was going to give up...but you stepped in and helped him, so thank you. "

"Oh yeah...your welcome" I smile.

We reach the pack house and go to the kitchen for lunch. When I sit down in my usual seat I am surprised to see Ares sit down with me. He usually sits at the head of the table. The group notices but they don't say anything...carrying on with the conversation.

"Yeah, Elias got beat up...it was the funniest thing ever." Aaron laughs along with some other pack members. "I won that fight." He argues back while grinning.

"Barely..." I mumble. That gets the packs attention and they burst out into another fit of laughter.

"You wanna go again?" He challenges with a smirk. "Play nice, Elias" Sophie giggles.

"Whipped..." Aaron mumbles but Sophie hears. "Sorry what? Kristen." Sophie calls out and Aaron's smile turns to slight panic. "Aaron, you want to repeat that?" Kristen asks raising her brow.

"Nothing, angel." He mumbles quickly grabbing a sandwich to occupy his mouth while avoiding eye contact with his mate. Sophie and Kristen smile in victory.

***

Lunch is over and everyone goes to their rooms to rest after a long day of training.

I decide to take a nap...since I got zero sleep last night.

~~~

I seem to be lost in a forest. The moon shining bright acting like a torch guiding me home. Except I don't know which way home is. I walk and hear Elijah's voice in the distance.

"Elijah!" I call out but he doesn't reply. I continue walking and see Elijah standing a couple feet away from me. I start moving towards him but he seems to be getting further with each step I take."Elijah come back..." he doesn't hear me.

I run deeper into the forest and just keep running trying to find him. There is blood on my hands. So much blood. I stop running and crouch down near a lake and begin washing the red from my hands.

It won't come off. I've been washing for five full minutes. I start crying...it won't leave me.

"Scarlett..." I turn to the voice and my eyes clash with my father's. "You did this!" He says, walking closer to me.

"It's your fault Scarlett!"

"You took him away from us..."

"He is gone because of you!"

I start bawling my eyes out.

"I'm sorry...I didn't want this." I scream

"Scarlett..."

~~~

Scarlett...

I'm shaken awake. I jump up and distance myself from the person. "Scarlett, are you ok? You were having a nightmare and wouldn't wake up..." Ares stands next to my bed. I immediately calm down when my eyes meet Ares.

He walks to me and pulls me into a hug. I find it so comforting, so safe. He is warm and holds me tight to his body. He leads me to my bathroom and I'm met with my reflection. My face is red and covered in tears.

I go to blow my nose and Ares grabs a wash cloth and runs it under warm water. He hands it to me and I wipe the remains of my nightmare. We walk back into my room and, I notice that it's dark. I've been asleep for a couple hours.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Ares asks quietly. I shake my head.

"Are you going to be alright?" He asks.
I don't answer, instead looking down at the floor. I don't want to be left alone with my thoughts.

He moves towards me slowly and leads me to my bed. He sits down and pulls me into his arms. I hesitantly rest my head on his shoulder and he holds me. No double meaning, no overthinking. He cradles me against his chest... he does this only to comfort me.

" You're safe Scarlett... you're okay."he says gently

"Go back to sleep."

And I find myself completely calmed down.

Slowly shutting my eyes...