The Hybrid

8: Beck

Being around Willow is odd.

I want to deny her, act as if she doesn't exist and I do. But it hurts to be this way toward her, not in a way that is unbearable or that would stop me from doing so, but in a way that is unfamiliar and all-around displeasing. It's been less than 24 hours since she's dropped out of the sky and already she's making an impact on me. Somewhere around the time that I nearly made her cry at breakfast this morning, I realized that she probably wasn't lying. We are connected, mated, whatever you want to call it.

I thought it would be funny to trick her, make her think that I actually cared just to get what I wanted, but it wasn't. In fact, just the sight of her shiny eyes after I did it made me feel sick to my stomach. No one has made me feel guilt like that in years, maybe not ever. Only she was capable and within less than a day of knowing her. Only a magical bond could be the answer for such a bizarre occurrence.

I played it off well, though. To her, she probably thinks that I do think it was funny. Perhaps it is for the best that she grows to dislike me. Maybe then the connection will fade or at least I won't feel so bad for ignoring her as much as I possibly can.

Although, I can see that becoming difficult as well. Ignoring her while staying in the castle with her was not going to be an easy task. Especially when she's floating around smelling and looking as good as she does.

She truly is a goddess amongst men.

I can't seem to keep my eyes off of her as we follow her along the trees surrounding the C.K. Currently we are following her along as she does her best to locate the special tree she's only seen once so that Christie can close the portal within it.

Olivia and my brother are trailing behind us all, catching up on life since we haven't seen Olivia in months. Christie is talking my ear off about things I couldn't care enough about to actively listen to. All that seems to matter is the woman in front of us. She slowly moves, letting her arm drift through the bushes and against trees as she searches and sniffes for the right one.

Her movements are careful and cautious. Her thick curly brown hair blows in the wind and I catch a glimpse of the side of her face. Her brown skin glows, her brown eyes turning to pure honey as they catch the sunlight, her plump pink lips pursed as she focuses on her task.

Without even trying she's breathtaking. Although I do not intend to become anything more than acquainted with Willow, it makes me happy to know that the mate being forced upon me is at least a beauty not to be compared with others. If I'm gonna be stuck with her for the next couple of months, the bright side of it all is that she's, at least pretty. No other woman could even begin to compete with Willow. She is easily the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on.

It's truly a shame we're mates. If we weren't, I'd have had her in my bed screaming my name by now. Hell, if I wasn't so worried she'd get too attached after the fact, I'd probably still do it even as her mate.

"Are we any closer, Willow?"

My brother's question pulls me from my thoughts. I have no idea how long we've been searching. Obviously, it's been quite some time since my brother, who possesses all the patience in the world, is asking if we're any closer.

Willow turns to us completely, giving me a full view of her face. I find it difficult to look at her head-on for too long. She's so pretty, it almost pains me to look at her.

Ugh, what is she doing to me?

"I think so. If my tracking is correct, we should be coming up on the tree pretty soon."

My brother nods and smiles softly at her, which oddly enough makes me want to punch him in the face.

She turns around again, continuing to walk and feel the wildlife around us.