Nightfall

Chapter 14🌙

I don't think I can carry on...

The doubt has set in...

The fear has set in...

What will happen?

I've never had anyone before apart from Elijah, and he is gone. He is gone and is never coming back. Harsh truth...but still the truth.

I have to pick up the pieces and move on, no matter how painful it is to move forward, away from this.

I can't stay here with these people...I can't get attached. This isn't a permanent thing, I had a plan. It's only going to hurt more when I eventually have to leave. Demetrius is still a threat, and I am in danger.

It really was nice...not having to worry and just enjoy life. But reality has set in...

Ares is my mate, and I have started to care about him and his friends. They have shown me the more enjoyable side of life, where I am not alone. I cannot risk their safety. Ares can reject me as his mate and choose another.

I'll just disappear into the darkness.

My family has ruined my life, but I won't let them ruin Ares. I won't let them ruin him, the same way they ruined me and Elijah.

I have to leave. Follow my original plan.

So here I am now, looking out of the window. The moon is barely there and casts an pale gloom over everything. It has been weeks since I've arrived here.

And now it's time to leave...

I have to get rid of this bracelet, it's keeping me here within the range of the pack house. It is also shielding my location from Demetrius. When I break the connection I have to run...far away and quickly. I can't lead Demetrius here.

It's almost midnight, and everyone has gone to bed. No one will be here to stop me.

I ready myself and go downstairs. I wait by the door so I can escape quicker. I have to break the bracelet and it's going to take a lot of power. Alexia is a very strong, very smart witch. But I am stronger... I am the Beta of my pack and a member of the royal family. I should be able to do this. When the bracelet is gone Ares will feel my disconnection.

I have to be quick and diligent. I gather my strength and channel the element fire. The tips of my hair have turned white, I can feel the energy buzzing in my hands. I hover my hand over the bracelet and release the energy. It's draining me but it's working, the bracelet is snapping.

The bracelet snaps and I am free. I open the door and start running. I shift into my wolf and take off in a sprint. Ares will soon follow and I have to be very far when that happens.

I am almost to the edge of the perimeter when I sense Ares. He is awake and near by. I have to keep running. I run all throughout the forest, dodging trees and bushes. There are rocks and sticks everywhere but I don't let that slow me down.

Ares is behind me and is running as fast as I am. He is catching up to me and if I slow down even a bit, he will catch me. I never wanted this, but I am perfectly okay with being alone.

Being forgotten...

I push my body to keep moving...

Ares is trailing right behind me...I'm afraid he'll catch me.

I leap over a small boulder and run down a path. I run for a while almost reaching that same river from before. The river Styx.

I run, but I am knocked into the air. I land on my back and roll further into a tree.

So close...

Ares stands before me holding eye contact, demanding I submit. But I raise to my feet and don't back down. He slowly walks forward raising his chin. It's getting extremely difficult to keep defying him but I can't crumble.

If I crumble, then all the walls, all defenses go with me. I'll be emotionally vulnerable, and I can't be that weak. I won't be the girl.

My body is losing this silent battle and I want to submit. I'm trying my best, but my body isn't responding.

I lower my head and tilt my neck to the side, in submission.

I caved and now I have to face the consequences.

He stalks up to me and tilts his head. He wants me to shift back, but I don't want to face him.

I can't...

He growls and demands it.

He takes me to a closet just near the pack house and walks me in.

I fall into the shadows and shift back into my human form. I am exposed and naked. I am not ashamed of myself, not ashamed of my body, but I don't want him to see me this vulnerable so I curl up.

Shielding myself away from him and only now realize there are tears running down my face.

Ares falls into the shadows and shifts back as well. He raises to his feet and now it's just us, waiting for the other to make a move. Ares walks out and returns with a blanket, and he passes it to me. He is wearing shorts, but remains shirtless.

He speaks to me quietly but with power.

"Why did you run?" A simple question but has a complicated answer. How am I supposed to explain myself, tell him I was leaving because my fear overpowered my courage and I am a coward.

Too afraid to be happy, to care about people.

My fears and doubts are demons, and they laugh at the girl they haunt.

"I am scared" I whisper, silently hoping the darkness will swallow me up. Its silent fir a while.

"You aren't alone Scarlett. You don't have to do this alone." He says, slowly walking to me, but the shadows cover him. I can only hear is voice. He sounds upset...almost distraught.

"You don't have to run..." he is closer now. His presence is comforting.

"Stop running away from me..." he stands in front of me but I don't look up. Afraid of the emotion I will see on his face.

He holds my hand in his and pulls me up. I raise my head and stare into his eyes. Raw emotions are swirling, almost like a storm. His eyes are more blue than grey.

"Let go of the fear...the doubt. Trust that I will keep you away from harm." He says, and raises his hand to my cheek and holds it.

"Give in to me..." he whispers and leans in.

His lips connect to mine.

The world falls away and it's just the two of us. His lips massage mine and I kiss back. Completley lost. The kiss is sensual and slow, his lips massage mine and they are so soft.

He holds my face and I rest my hands on his chest. He tilts my head and deepens the kiss. I open my mouth slightly and his tongue brushes against mine.

We are both so vulnerable in this moment and I pour all of my emotions into the kiss. I allow myself to let go and trust him. The bond between us is growing stronger.

I believe his words. I am not alone and we will work through this together.

I have fallen...

Now all I can do is hope Ares is there to catch me.