Rejecting Love

CHAPTER TEN:

Lucinda POV

"Hey," I croak as I open my eyes. "You...you came for me?" Looking at Dylan I see my best friend from childhood sitting next to me in the tree – our secret hiding place. We would spend endless nights hiding up in the trees, gazing at the stars, talking about anything and everything until we fell asleep. I miss my best friend and the old days of carefree nonsense.

But I can't stop this nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach. I should be overzealous that my mate came for me, but my heart skips a beat at the thought of bergamot, the tantalizing scent of Caiden. Even though I didn't want either of them to come...part of me wishes it were the Alpha here with me now. What is wrong with me?

"Don't think too much into it," Dylan says turning away from me, wiping his eyes. "I didn't volunteer, Caiden ordered me." At the sound of his name, butterflies flutter in my stomach and warmth rushes to my cheeks as I look away from him.

I chide myself, I shouldn't have thoughts of other males, and especially not when my mate is so near.

"What happened to us?" I whisper, staring straight into his eyes, he shrugs and looks away. "We were so close until your mother,"

"Stop! Okay," he snaps, "I told you, things change."

"They didn't have to. I would've been there for you, whatever it was you were going through. You didn't have to go through it alone," I say.

"Yes I did," he whispers.

"Dylan," I reach up and gently brush the back of my fingers down the side of his cheek. My fingertips feel a slight tingle rush through them.

"Don't," he says removing my hand and placing it back down at my side. "Can you walk?" I nod and wince as I try to move.

"How did you find me?" I ask as Dylan wraps his arm around me and helps me scoot down the tree.

"Gavin's an excellent tracker," he says with a sly grin. "But like most wolves he doesn't like heights," I hear a faint snicker as we reach the ground.

"Cinda!" I hear just before I'm engulfed into a bear hug. I let the comforting smell of leather and tobacco wash over me and I sigh in relief, taking comfort in the strong arms of a dear friend. I feel safe with these two here with me, though I know it won't be long before Felix discovers I'm gone.

"Gavin," I mumble, "uh...I can't breathe." I squeak out as I feel his chest rise with fits of laughter and he loosens his grip around me.

Stepping back he holds me at arm's length by my shoulders, his scrutinizing gaze examines my body.

"I'm fine, I'll heal," I say attempting a weak smile.

"Oh Cinda..." Gavin begins.

"Stop!" I say holding up my hand and deepening my voice, "I said I'm fine, leave it alone."

"We need a place to camp tonight, you'll walk better in the morning after some sleep." Dylan says clearing his throat.

My wolf blood provides the ability to heal quickly, but the damage that's been done by Felix -a very powerful Alpha- will take a few days to completely heal. Hopefully tonight I'll heal enough to walk comfortably, since I can't shift. Shifting during the healing process can really mess up your bone structure, so as a common rule, we stay human while we heal.

"I found the perfect place, it's not too far from here," Gavin says.

Gavin and Dylan help me hobble over to this little gem of a place. It's beautiful, a little opening tucked away in the earth on the underside of a hill. The side of the hill has eroded over time, but the roots from the large tree on top of the hill remain intact and create a secret dwelling underneath.