Lover Of The Last

8. Fear Of The Cold

All the angels above the earth I prayed
Sent this message right into her head
There's certain things in life I cannot take
And I will wait

Arabelle's POV

The shoes I had on slipped off in our hasty exit, my bare feet now freezing as I was being dragged along; Riley's steady grip leading me along the side of the castle.

The stone began to turn into grass and I heard the gurgle of a nearby fountain, we had ran all the way to the palace garden.

Coming to a stop I pulled my hand out of his, rubbing my bare arms for warmth and attempting to pull up my gown, seeing as it had slipped down considerably.

Riley smirked at me and I scoffed, he was literally insane, I thought to myself. I knew that'd he be at the Royal Wake, it just never crossed my mind that he would pull me away from everyone again.

"I don't like out here." I whispered, watching him, unsure as to what to say and uncomfortable in the chilling wind. I wanted to be back at the party.

Riley had walked over to the fountain, but kept me insight out of the corner of his eye, a weird look on his perfect features.

"Yeah, I'd agree, they overdid themselves with this garden. It's quite tacky if you ask me." He responded, his fingers grazing the stone of fountain with small cherub-faced angels statues.

I let out a forced laugh, annoyed by his light-heartedness of our situation. He was keeping me so in the dark about everything, and just when I think he's taking me away to tell me more; it ends up being nothing.

"I'm getting the idea that you only steal me away when you're bored, you never have any intention on telling me anything do you?" I raised my voice.

Riley's head snapped away from the stupid fountain and he looked behind me, almost expecting people to come running at my loud words.

"Don't worry, no ones coming. You dragged me all the way out here." I threw up my hands in exasperation, ready to turn my back on him any second.

"I steal you away so I can have to myself." Riley finally spoke. "So that its just me and you again." A ghost of a smile pulled at his lips.

His eyes were just like the wolf's in the forest, and every time he looked at me or spoke of those moments; it would take me right back.

I still couldn't rap my mind around the fact that the beast and the man in front of me now are the same, but as I took in his expression of longing and admiration; I knew I was looking at nothing but the truth.

"But things are different, now you can't keep-" I started. But was cut off as I inhaled sharply; Riley moving with mind-blowing speed from the fountain to directly in front of me.

His hot breath pushed loose strands of hair away from my face, and I instantly felt more relaxed at his proximity; almost like having him too far away made me anxious.

"I can do what ever I want, Arabelle, you already know that." Riley whispered.

I'm never going to get over the sound of his deep voice, and the way it makes me feel.

"You can't murder-" The idea popped into my head. I was alone with a murderer in the dark, in a reveling dress with no one close by-

"I'd never hurt you though. Never. And I didn't kill those humans in cold blood, I had my reasons." He spoke, the last part of his sentence trailing off.

Those humans. The way he spoke of us, like we were a different kind. I guess we were, but I was just unnatural to hear it coming from his mouth.

"Tell me." I whispered. Our foreheads were now almost touching and I could only see his features because of our closeness and the blue-white glow of the moon.

Riley seemed to snap out of our little moment; steeping back, letting out a heavy sigh ,and running his hands over his face frustratingly.

I wanted to reach out and calm his nerves but I composed myself. Gosh he screwed with my emotions, I've never had these over powering feelings before he showed up.

"I- I can't." He let his arms fall to his sides in defeat, unreadable emotions crossing his face. I felt a pang of sorrow for him.

Looking down, I pulled my eyes away from him; my mind needing to sort things out without the distraction of his overbearing gaze.

"What are you waiting for exactly? Why stick around after you've done something so horrible?" I mumbled to myself really, desperately trying to figure out the man in front of me.

Twisted creatures don't stay around to be caught. Jayce's words echo in my reeling mind.

Riley's lips went into a tight line and he closed his eyes, probably thinking about whether or not he was going to say anything about his presence in the castle; or the kingdom for that matter.

"I've been here for you. I came here, to this kingdom, to the Trinivantin Palace, for you. Arabelle Fedore." Riley spoke with wariness; almost like he didn't know how'd I'd react.

He was right, I had no clue what to say or do. His grey eyes watched me longingly and I stared back.

"Mates. Werewolf Mates, I've read about them before, stories of humans and beasts. You think I'm your Mate-" I responded, saying the first thing popped into my cluttered head.

"No. It's much different, Arabelle. you have to listen to me, trust me, all those stories you and William read are just fragments of what's really out there." Riley strode towards me again.

Our breaths were now mixing in the cold air. His eyes looked tired and his hair was messy, but he still looked undoubtedly perfect.

He saw my face fall slightly. "We aren't Mates. Mates were long ago, before my kind began to die out. Now it's different, more strong." Riley shook his head. "You wouldn't understand"

Without my consent, my hand lifted up and traced his cheek, feeling the slight stubble that had grown; raven black just like his wolf's coat. I trusted him. I believed him.

He looked at me with another wary expression as I lifted my other hand to his face, never breaking away from his watchful gaze.

"I know you feel it. It's something you can't have with anyone else; It makes being with anyone else seem inferior to what you feel being with me." Riley whispered, his breath coming out in white puffs.

I nodded slowly, not trusting my voice. This was all so crazy, everything happening was supposed to be unreal insanity; but yet here he was, a werewolf, and here I was listening to him tell me about how I feel.

Loud shouts snapped me out of my thoughts, and panic exploded in my nerves. I looked down the side of the castle and noticed a group of knight's; masquerade masks gone and swords in hilts by their sides.

Riley cursed under his breath. "I knew they'd coming looking for you. Young lady goes missing from the party, guard knocked out. I'd be surprised if they didn't send out a search party." He commented.

"Oh no - no, Riley. What am I going to tell them?" I whisper-shouted, watching the knights bicker to one another, searching. Was Will with them?

"Lie." He whispered to me. His chest against my back and lips grazing the spot right below my ear, I shivered and spun around to say something-

But he had vanished. The ugly fountain and neatly trimmed bushes the only thing meeting my eyes when I turned.

I let out an frustrated noise and squinted into the shrubs nearby, inky black darkness hiding almost everything from view.

Turning around, I saw the group of knights split up. Two of them coming this way.

I swore to myself, this night couldn't get any more infuriating. The idea of knocking out these guards crossed my mind, but I pushed it away; now wanting to leave the garden seeing as Riley had left.

A low growl sounded to my right; near the large dark bushes and a smile grazed my lips, despite my circumstances. He was still here.

The guards spotted me and I prepared myself for lying and acting my way to safety; really hoping I didn't look too suspicious. This is going to be hard-

"What the bloody hell, are you a fool?" The middle-aged, blonde yelled. His companion had the same look of disbelief. It sort of almost made me laugh, I did look pretty crazy.

"What's so funny? You know everyone is running around thinking you're in trouble." He spat.

The bushes shuffled a little bit and I felt myself grow more relaxed at the fact that Riley was near, his presence always bringing a blanket of invisible security.

"Nothing. I think someone put something in my drink, I'm quite disoriented and just really, want to get back to the castle." I fake slurred.

I imagined a smirk grazing Riley's perfect face at my quick thinking. Wow, I can't stop my thoughts from drifting to him for the life of me.

"I'm going back to tell the others to call of the search." The other, very buff-looking guard snapped.

I guessed he had a short temper, he was pissed.

The blonde guard nodded and mumbled something about getting me back safely, watching his friend leave and then turning to me.

I almost gasped at the change of expression on his face. He was angry but now he looked; devious. A sly smirk grazing his features and I backed away, now officially creeped out.

The blonde's brown eyes looked uninviting and they were racking my body in an uncomfortable way; his gaze settling on my chest. I felt violated and was about to react-

"You are most beautiful, I couldn't help but notice. What do you say you and me stay out here a little while longer..." He trailed off and began to advance towards me.

Riley. Riley. Riley. His name was chanting in my head. I prayed he didn't leave me, he couldn't have. The guard looked strong and well-built and I knew I couldn't hurt him like I did the other.

"Don't even think about running." He chuckled lowly.

"Riley!" I screamed. The blonde's face twisted in confusion and he froze for a second. That's all it took.

It happened in a course of about ten seconds, the bushes ripping apart and a giant black blur launching out of them.

My eyes struggled to watch as the figure of a wolf landed on the guard, bring him down onto the cobblestone with a loud thud. I cringed at the obvious sound of bones breaking.

An animalistic growl sounded throughout the thin air and I turned away just as I saw Riley, his paws on the man's shoulders, rear back with bared teeth; going in for the kill.

The guard's muffled screams died and all I heard was low breaths, the presence of death settling on the once peaceful garden.

Looking to the ground, I saw a small river of dark blood travel through the cracks in the cobblestone. The thick liquid reflecting the moonlight as it seeped through the rocks.

I felt the gentlest of nudges on my back and turned slowly; knowing what I would see when I looked over my shoulder.

The wolf that slipped into my dreams at night and appeared in my mind everytime I closed my eyes during the day.

His black coat and dark eyes making him look dangerous yet intriguing.

It took a moment to establish that this was Riley.

The same guy who was just standing and touching me with caloused fingertips moments ago, was now a wolf standing on all fours in front of me.

Riley was at eye level with me, and I marveled at how large the animal in front of me was. I also felt a pang of happiness, I'd thought I'd never see him like this again.

Feeling grateful, sad and overwhelmed all in one; I threw my arms around him and clutched at the thick fur.

A slight smile grazed my face when I realzied my arms were finally able to go all the way around his neck; when before my child sized arms only went halfway.

Riley's head leaned into my back and he made a low purring sound in his chest, making me smile more.

He had saved me from that disgusting guard and he hadn't left me.

I didn't know how to describe it but I felt panicked and lonely after I thought he had gone. Hugging him tighter I hoped no one else would come looking for me.

After who knows how long, we broke apart and his ears pricked up, listening. I loved watching his wolf, his sharp eyes, wet nose, giangantic paws and inky coat.

Those beady grey eyes looked to me again and I could almost tell he was smiling at my prying eyes.

"They'll come back for me." I whispered.

I knew the second guard who left would call off the search only to find out he had to start it back up again after finding his companion's mauled body.

Riley growled and began to walk the opposite way the guards came, he moved almost like a ghost; a black figure only visible by the pale moon.

He turned his head, looking and telling me to follow. How I knew what he wanted, I didn't know, but I walked quickly to catch up beside him.

Another entrance showed up, one that I had never noticed.

Riley nudged at the slightly ajar door with his muzzle and it opened. He stalked inside slowly and I stayed right behind him.

We ended up in a deserted hallway, creepy paintings and burnt out torches lining the marble walls.

Riley's claws clicked on the hard stone as he walked quickly ahead, checking around corners with caution.

"Where are we going?" I whispered.

I immediately shook my head at my foolishness, he wasn't able to respond. He just kept walking, checking that I was following every now and then.

We made it to another hallway, one with lit torches and more doors.

He stopped at one of them and shoved in open with his strong shoulder. I gasped.

It was the door leading up to the west tower. The one he had taken me too after the murder all those nights ago.

Riley's wolf had already began to ascend the stairs, and I looked back down the hallway one last time. Double checking for followers.

A quiet noise sounded and I looked up, Riley's eyes baring into mine; pleading with me to follow once more.

I took a breath, closing the door and following him up the cold stone steps.

The distant crashing of waves were heard coming from the West Sea, a calming yet dangerous noise.

My bare feet were frozen by the time I made it too the top step, but a smile grew on my face as I looked up.

Riley was back to his human form, black pants hanging low on his hips and the smooth bare skin of his chest visible by the light of the moon.

I ran to him. Hugging him closing for the second time tonight.

My feet lifted slightly off the ground and I pressed myself against him; eliminating all the space between us.

His eyes swept me into his arms. I'm not sure if it was love or fear of the cold that would come without him.

A/N

Vote and Comment for next update! Thanks for reading and check out my other story 'The Clear Choice'. (Werewolf/Romance)

Multimedia: Delta Spirit - Yamaha + one of the covers I designed for this book (: