Serendipity

Never Known Heartbreak

"I can't stay here. I need to go." I told him directly.

His face flashed from sorrow to frustration. He opened his mouth, probably about to try and convince me to stay, just like many others had in the past. They had all failed to keep me around. So would he. I didn't care about whatever this mate thing was.

"I'm leaving." I said as I walked towards the door. 

Much to my surprise he didn't follow. Maybe this was a man who would just accept my refusal. I didn't bother to look back as I made my way out of the house. Once I was outside a paused. For some reason I had a tight feeling in my chest. I forced myself past the feeling as I took a step forwards. Then another. Soon enough I found myself running away.

"Kaitlyn." I heard my name a whisper in the wind. 

Deep down my entire body was begging me to return to him. What fucked up magic was this? I stopped and fell to my knees. The pain caught up to me. My heart ached. I began to cry. What was wrong with me? I waited for a few minutes regaining control. Then I stood up and tried walking further away. I couldn't keep going when the pain overwhelmed me. I turned around and started walking back. Would he be angry with me if I returned to him?

"Kaitlyn." I heard his deep voice rumble.

I looked up and there he was. Standing in front of me with a pained look on his face. There was a silence that lingered between us for a minute or two.

"So you understand now. We're meant to be together. That pain? It will fade once we complete the mating bond, until then I recommend you stay close." He said with no emotion.

I was shaking. I couldn't help myself as tears brimmed in my eyes. I had never been a sentimental person but the past few days had taken a toll on me. I was helpless. Now roped into some fantasy world tied down to a man who could turn into a fucking wolf. I had never been close to a person yet this mate thing was going to force me to change. I couldn't run away, it hurt too bad and who knows what effect it would have on me other than causing my heart to potentially explode out of my chest. Kingston Briar. The first to ever catch me, the first to trap me. I looked up into his eyes, they were void of all emotion. A tear fell from my eye sliding down my cheek.

"Don't cry." He muttered still refusing to show any emotion.

I turned my face away. Ashamed I wiped my tears. When I turned back he abruptly pulled me into his arms. He shushed me attempting to comfort me as he ran his fingers through my hair. My entire body stiffened.

"Shhhh. I promise it will be okay." He soothed.

I melted giving in to his warm touch. I hid my face in his chest pushing myself closer. He let out a soft gasp at my sudden move to get closer. I had to say something. Had to apologize. I only now came to realize how sweet he had been being to me as I repetitively ran and gave him trouble. Sniffling I pushed myself back from him and looked up into his piercing gaze.

"I'm sorry. I-I..." I stuttered and his eyes softened. 

"Hey. Kaitlyn. It's okay." He said reassuringly.

I stifled a small laugh. Half relieved and half surprised. He tilted his head questioningly.

"Just. You're a stranger I met a day ago. While I was stealing from you. I feel so close to you and I've never been like this with anyone. It's all insane. Plus the crazy wolf thing..." I rambled and he chuckled.

"My wolfs name is Diadus." He said softly.

"Diadus." I said the name stepping back as his eyes darkened and he let out a growl.

"There is much for you to learn, little one." He spoke in a deep tone.

I shook my head in disbelief. Everything still feels unreal. I closed my eyes. Maybe I would still wake up from whatever weird dream this was. That's when his strong arms wrapped around me. I didn't fight the feeling that his touch brought upon me. He felt warm, safe, he felt right. 

"We'll have to take things slow." I murmured.

He tensed slightly then moved away from me. His warm touch disappeared. I ached slightly in his absence. He frowned as he saw the pain in my eyes. He wanted to close the gap again but also wanted to respect my wishes.

"I can try to explain why. If you want. Overall though...I'm just broken? I'm not made for this type of thing." I muttered gesturing between us.

"You're not broken." He snapped.

"How would you know?" I asked shaking my head.

"You're my mate. That means you're perfect. Just the way you are." He said gently making me smile softly.

"You don't know anything about me. I'm just a stranger." I said looking away.

"Then tell me who you are Katlyn. Show me." He replied.

I nodded. I would tell him everything. It's the least I could do in order to protect us both. He was now trapped with me and my past as much as I was trapped by him.

"Can we go somewhere else? Sit down to talk?" I asked and he quickly nodded.

He reached to take my hand in his but I pulled away and he dropped his hand. I followed him awkwardly as he led us back to his house. Once inside he brought us to the kitchen. I sat on a stool as he rummaged through the fridge.

"I'll make us something to eat while you tell me your story." He said with a kind smile.

"Oh okay." I nodded in agreement as I noticed my hunger.

I swallowed nervously wondering where to start. I then paused and looked up at him. He seemed genuinely concerned by my silence. I sighed and bit my lower lip. He let out a growl.

"What?" I mumbled confused as he gave me a weird look.

"You bite your lip when you overthink." He muttered and I rolled my eyes.

"Trust me. Overthinking isn't always bad." I said laughing as he raised his eyebrows.

There was a pause of silence before he spoke.

"Okay fine. You should continue with your story then." He said turning to start chopping something.

"Right. I guess I'll give it to you short and sweet." I said with a huff.

"My parents died and that is where my memories begin. I was on my own from then on and I ended up finding myself in the hands of some not so great people. Thieves who taught me everything I needed to know about stealing. I was used by them for heists and I gained plenty of experience-" I was cut off when he hummed.

"Right. That explains your impressive career choice if they had you hooked from a young age." He nodded understandingly.

"Yeah. I was trapped. Until I figured out how to run from them. Since then I've built a name for myself. Queen of shadows. I'm the best of the best. All because I don't stay in one place or get attached. My whole existence is based off my loneliness. I never built relationships, had friends, or lovers, let alone true family-" I stopped as he grabbed my hand softly.

"You're scared because you've only ever been alone." He murmured sadly.

"Yes." I said my voice wavering.

"You don't have to worry about anything ever again. I'll protect you. Show you love. I'll help you heal. I promise. Okay Kaitlyn?" He said making me shatter.

I began to cry apologizing for my tears. He moved to my side and hugged me softly. He shushed me telling me it was okay. Then he pilled away with a goofy smile.

"Let finding me be your new beginning." He muttered.

"All I can do is try-" I began to say but he interrupted.

"Try is all I ask." He said softly as he pressed a kiss to my forehead.