Shadow Shifter (On Hold)

Chapter 14

Kora's POV

I started to wonder who he was around the first time I saw him, but now for some reason I didn't care anymore. Maybe it was that I didn't really want to know. He always seemed mysterious and I knew there was a reason, and that reason was probably not the best one in the world.

I gave up. I stopped asking questions and just let whatever happened be what it was.

That probably wasn't the best decision either.

He took me completely off guard. I wasn't expecting him to speak to me when I stopped him at first, much less this. I couldn't breath, I could barely think enough to do anything.

Barely.

He crashed his lips to mine with so much force I stumbed back a little until his arm went around my waist to hold me in place, right against him.

I don't know why I didn't push him away, but I didn't kiss him back either. I just stood there like a stupid girl, not moving.

Finally, after a few long seconds, I felt my lips move against his having a mind of there own.

That was when he pulled away. His quick breaths came out rougly as he took a step back, watching my face. I decided it would just be best to wait and let him say something first since I didn't know what he was thinking.

"I'm sorry." He turned to walk away, leaving me in the dark as to what just happened.

"Wait." I said, but it didn't phase him in the least. He kept walking, his shoulders raising and lowering as he continued to breathe deeply. "Wait." I called out again with a little more force.

Finally he stopped, but didn't turn to look at me.

"Why did you do that?" I asked slowly, searching his face. He didnt answer, but he did turn to look at me. His eyes looked almost sad as he studied me, making me even more confused.

"I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." He whispered barely loud enough for me to hear him. He turned again, but my wolf pushed my feet forward to stop him. My hand caught his arm as I tried to stop him.

I needed him.

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Damon's POV

I watched out the window as she grabbed his arm, but stopped. He turned to look at her and I knew then that this wasn't good.

"They're mates." I whispered to myself as my wolf snarled out loud. I through open the front door and practically ran towards them, itching to shift into my wolf. I stormed towards them as the man's eyes found me. I could hear his growl from across the yard. Kora released his arm and turned to look at me with a scared look as she shook her head.

"Damon, please. Calm down." She pleaded, walking towards me. We met in the middle before the man came up behind her.

"You! You will stay away from my sister." I snarled. He only growled at me, looking me over to see if he could take me if we started throwing punches.

"That's going to be a problem." He growled, clenching his fists.

"I'm not asking. You're on my land and you'll do as I tell you."

"This isn't your land. The witches live here and they've allowed me to stay."

"I don't care." My alpha tone pushed through, making Kora flench.

"I don't take orders from you." He snarled. I almost heard an alpha tone in his voice, but he hid it well.

"Ok, let's just calm down. Both of you." She said getting between us and pushing us away from each other.

"I'm perfectly calm. It's him that has the problem." He said, taking a step back.

"That's enough." She said to him making me smirk. "Let's just talk about this before we make a big deal out of it."

"Kora, how is this not a big deal? He's-" I started before he cut me off.

"Shut up alpha." He snarled, knowing I was going to bring up that he was an alpha as well.

"This is a big deal, Kora. You can't just sluff this off. Pay attention. He could be a rogue. This isn't safe."

"Damon, you can't be the one freaking out, ok? Just let me handle this. I'm supposed to be the one to handle this. Just go home. I'll be there tonight." She sighed, looking up at me. I only shook my head, looking back at him.

"I'm not leaving you here with him."

"Damon, please." She pleaded. I paused, thinking over my next words carefully.

"I'll calm down, but I'm not going home without you." I said, looking away from the alpha and down at her softening my gaze. She just sighed, turning to look back at him.

After a long few minutes of just watching him she turned back to me, her expression set.

"Let me talk to him." She crossed her arms.

"Alone? No way." I shook my head, looking back at him.

"Damon, I'm not asking this time." She said, making me meet her gaze. She didn't budge this time, she held herself firm. I held her stiff gaze for a few seconds before I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

"5 minutes. Then I'm coming back."

"10 and you can watch from inside." She bargained with me. I thought about it, finally giving a small nod.

"But I'll just be inside if you need me." I said to her, sending him a look before I turned to go back inside the witches house.

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Stranger's POV

I kissed her.

I couldn't do this. Not to her. Not to me. I wasn't right for her. Fate had made a mistake. I would only get us killed and I couldn't let that happen. Not to my angel.

No, she's not my angel. She's not my anything. She's not even mine. I hadn't marked her.

'Yet.' My wolf said, making me curse him.

'No. I can't stay with her. You know what will happen if-'

"So," her voice tore me from my thoughts in a heart beat. "Are you going to tell me your name now?"

Name. What was my name again? I couldn't think straight as long as I heard her beautiful voice. Every thought was gone as soon as she spoke a word.

"Hello?" She snapped her fingers in front of my eyes.

Focus.

"No." I forced the word past my lips. I wanted to tell her my name so bad, but I knew I couldn't.

It's like naming a puppy and then finding out you can't keep it. The bond is formed from a name, then heartbreaking when you find out you have to let it go.

"Why not?" She asked, almost looking hurt.

'You did that to her. You hurt her.' My wolf scolded me, but I only shook my head, ignoring him.

"I'm sorry. I can't stay here. I'm not right for you. We can't be together... I- I can't be your mate. " I whispered, loosing all my strength in my voice.

I was trying to protect her, but I couldn't help but feel like I was causing her more pain than my enemies would cause her.

I turned to walk away, my feet burning. My heart ached as I took my first step away from her. I heard her gasp as she felt the sting in her heart.

I knew because I felt the same sting. It felt like my heart was breaking.