The Unwanted Mate: The Bond

Chaper 21:

Hannah POV:
I sit curled up with my back against the fallen tree and my head between my knees. Everything went wrong. I made it a few minutes into the forest but not far enough. He caught up to me and now he is taking off his clothes. I know what that means. I know what is to come now. My heart is beating like never before and I feel like I am slowly suffocating due to the lack of air in my lungs.

The sound of bones breaking almost fade at the ringing in my ears. But the touch of something cold and wet against my arm makes me lift my head. Before me is a large wolf. My wolf! He came! I screamed out a few moments ago hoping he would here me, but I didn't dare to hope that he would actually show up.

Without thinking I jump to my feet and wrap my arms around his neck, bury my face in his fur and then inhale. My lungs scream with gratitude at the oxygen that now fills them as I inhale and exhale over and over again. I feel my breath getting steadier and my heart slowing down. I run my hands through his fur and relax as the soft fur tickles the palm of my hand. His head is pressed against my back almost as if he is hugging me.

But wait? What happened to Marc? The bones I heard breaking before - did he kill him? I let go of the wolf and take a few steps back examining my surroundings. Marc is nowhere to be seen but his clothes are piled up on the ground. I look at the wolf and suddenly his eyes look familiar. The loving and comforting eyes. I look back at the pile of clothing and the back at the wolf over and over again. The wolf lowers his head almost like he is trying to make his big frame seem less intimidating. Like he is trying to make me feel comfortable. I stare into his eyes and then I realize who he is. My wolf. My protector. It's him. It's Marc. He is the wolf.

"You. All this time it was you? I.. I don't understand.. Why.. How.." I can't seem to form a proper sentence as my mind is going crazy with the new information. Was it a trick to keep me here? Another way to pretend to be my friend?

I try to take another step backwards but my back is pressed against the tree. A tear fall down my cheek as the confusion and betrayal fills my body.

He steps back and once again bones are breaking and limbs are twisted. I cover my eyes as I begin to see bare skin. After a short while he says "I'm sorry I didn't say anything earlier. I tried in the car on the way. Hannah I promise you that you are safe with me. I won't touch you I promise" his voice sounds sincere but I don't know if I can trust him.

I remove my hands but keep my gaze locked on the ground in front of him as tears continue to fall from my eyes.

"Hannah please look at me" he pleads and reluctantly I does as he ask. His eyes are warm and has a hint of concern.

"Why did you run? What happened? If it was Jack I promise he won't touch you ever again. I won't let him"

"I.. I want to go home" I say in a shaky voice.

"Why? Why now? And why run? You begged me not to kill you. Why did you think I would kill you?"

I don't know what to say to him. I still don't trust him or believe that I am safe with him. "I don't know" I lie. Not a very convincing lie but it is all I can come up with at the moment. He looks at me for a while but then he says "Why don't we go back to the car and then drive to my house. Then we can talk about getting you home in the morning. I promise that if you want to leave then you are free to go"

I don't believe him but I also don't have any other choices right now. My feet are bleeding and hurt so much. I shake my head yes and take a slow step forwards.

"You're bleeding. You can't walk back. So either I can carry you or I shift and you sit on my back. What do you prefer?"

I widen my eyes in disbelief. Is he serious? He shows no sign that it was a joke. "I can walk" I say trying to sound convincing as the pain of my ripped up feet pulses through me.

"Let me see then" he says and look at my feet. I do as he ask, turning my back to him and lifting up my right leg so that my heel is touching my but. The cut it pretty bad and the flesh is visible.

"You're not walking" he says "so human style or wolf style? I don't care which one but under no circumstances are you walking"

"I can walk it's.."

"If you don't choose I will choose for you. Either way you're not walking" he cuts me off.

Fear and relief mixes in my body. The fear of being close to him is battling the pure relief of not having to walk.

"Wolf" I say in a low voice not looking him in the eyes.

"Okay. I'm going to undress again and shift. Once I'm shifted you'll climb up my back and hold on, okay? I can understand you just fine in wolf form so just tell me if I'm going to fast"

I nod and cover my eyes as he begins to remove his clothes. I can't help but peak out between my fingers catching a glimpse of his tan muscular upper body. I quickly close my fingers as he lifts his head and looks my way. I hear the shift and then I feel his soft fur brush against my arm telling me it's okay to remove my hands. He lies down on the ground before me making it easier for me to get up on his back. I hold on to him with my hands and legs afraid to fall down. He pick up his clothes with his mouth and begins to walk. After a short while he picks up the pace to a slow run making me hold on even thought. I feel his muscles work as he moves gracefully through the forest.

After few minutes we are back at the parking lot and the music from the pack house is blasting at full volume. There are several people outside, some of them look at us and others don't even look up from their phones.

As we reach the car he bends down and I get off his back. He drops his clothes on the ground so I turn around allowing him to shift and get dressed.

"You don't have to do that you know. Being naked is a part of who we are" Marc says behind me the amusement in his voice clear. I feel the blood rush to my cheeks at the thought of him naked and I quickly distract myself by thinking about the pain I feel in my feet.

"Hannah! Girl are you okay? I was so worried!" Nelly says as she runs down the stairs a few feet from us. She stops and look at both Marc and me before settling on me. "You're hurt! What happened?"

"Nel maybe not now. I'm taking Hannah home to treat her wounds. We'll talk tomorrow" Marc says and opens the passenger door. "What? You better call me first thing in the morning! She yells out as I enter the car and he shuts the door carefully. He says something to Nelly as he walks around the car to the driver's seat. I don't know what he said but her eyes meet mine and suddenly they are full of something I can't understand. Sorrow? Hurt? Petty?

Marc opens the door and enters the car. The sound of the engine breaking the silence. I feel his gaze but I don't take my eyes off the road as he pulls out of the parking lot.