Fated Hearts(In Deep Editing)

Chapter Seven

Aubrey's POV

Over the next few weeks, Kane and I get closer than I ever imagined. Each day he would walk me to my door after work. For the first week he would come in and eat dinner with me. We talked about everything, our favorite things, our family. I told him how my parents both died in a car accident when I was ten, left to be raised in the foster system. He told me of his parents death also, mentioning his childhood with his grandfather. Especially the stunts he and his friends used to pull as adolescents. We laughed together and I found myself growing attached to my Bear.

It was the sixth week that he wouldn't come have dinner with me. He would walk me to my door, then leave with a gruff goodbye. It confused me, this change. Maybe he decided he didn't want me as his mate. My stomach drops at the thought.

I'm standing by the back door, having just finished my shift. No one was in the diner today so Lucy let me go early. I hesitate before pulling the door open to step into the snow. What if Kane isn't out there?

A warm front came through, so the snow is light. Barely reaching the tops of my boots. The sun shines in the early afternoon sun. And no Kane is in sight. Well, I guess it was only a matter of time. Of course I could be over reacting and he had something come up. I sigh turning towards the woods to the back of the diner. I saw a path through there last week when I took the trash out with Lucy and she  mentioned that she liked to take walks sometimes after work.

Pulling my scarf and cardigan closer to me, I set off down the worn path. Its beautiful and peaceful as I lightly crunch my footsteps in the snow. There's a bench ahead that sunlight is shining on. I wish I had a camera. Or my sketch book. Lately I've been drawing knae, the snowy landscape. I'm working on a portrait of Jon and Lucy arm in arm. I wanted to thank her for all her kindness. I trudge to it, wiping snow off of the seat. Once I'm satisfied that I won't get my butt entirely soaked by melted snow, I grab my hardcover copy of The Complete Works of Jane Austen.

Several chapters later I'm completely relaxed. The sun is warm and pleasant on my shoulders. This is officially my spot. I no sooner think this that I feel as if I am being watched. My heart speeds up as I pretend I don't notice. Glancing to my right, I freeze in terror. A massive gray wolf is standing in the snow mere feet from me. He doesn't look right, though. His fur is matted with a bald spot on his right shoulder.

What in the world is a wolf doing so close to town? Somethings not right. The only explanation to why it's here other than rabies, is it's a shifter. I quell my panic and hold absolutely still.

Everything in me wants to run, but Kane's words float through my mind. Never run from a wolf, angel. Its their instinct to chase down their prey; makes them more vicious when they catch you. Just scream and I'll find you.

Just scream. I slowly set my book aside. The wolf takes a step closer, head lowered and I let out a scream that could've shattered glass. The wolf runs at me knocking me down off the bench. Its jaws clamp over my arm, biting down harshly. I screamed out in pain this time, trying to kick it's hind legs. It snarls biting harder trying to drag me further into the woods.

I punched it's nose with my free hand, making it release me with a surprised yelp. "Get away from me!" I screamed at the beast, who is now showing me his teeth in a terrifying snarl. He takes one step closer until a deafening roar echoes around the woods. The wolf flattens his ears cowering.