Hunters, Hunted (Wolfblood Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Maddy

I haven't felt this warm in what feels like a couple of centuries, so I let myself sink into it before coming round. School can wait a while. Wait, no... Slowly the events of the last month filter back into my stupefied brain, which comes gradually to the conclusion that, with how warm I am, I've either made it to heaven or hell. For the moment I'm steering towards heaven but I decide that opening my eyes to confirm that might be wise.

            As I shift I realise how every single bone and muscle in my body feels as if it's been pounded by boulders. Ouch. I thought they removed pain in heaven. With great effort I force my eyes open - and see fire. More like hell.

            I shoot backwards and on to my feet, all pain suddenly forgotten in my fear. As I do so, a coat and jumper fly off of me. My yellow eyes follow them, whilst staying aware of the fire only a few metres away. I know those clothes. I'd know them anywhere. I scan the clearing, and come to rest on the only other living thing there.

            And now I'm sure I'm in heaven. Because Rhydian sits in front of me, back against a tree, hair all scuffed. His huge blue eyes are gazing at me blearily as if he's only just woken up. Tears prick my eyes. This isn't fair. If he's not real, it just isn't fair. But he looks real, unlike that apparition in the water, and most definitely alive, breathing.

            We stand, staring at each other, apparently in shock that the other is here for a few seconds before I croak out,

            "Rhydian?" My voice is raw and croaky from swallowing too much salt water, but it's enough to call him to me out of his trance. Real or not he is on his feet and striding towards me in one motion and I fall into his arms. He feels real. He smells real, that same warm scent of earth and pine needles and something else, something undefinable that is just Rhydian, filling my nostrils. We stand there, stock still, utterly silent, just accepting the other's presence. I can feel how my eyes are still wide with the shock of the last few minutes, but slowly they relax and close. With his solid presence against me again, and his scent engulfing me, and the soft thump, thump of his heart, it’s like that cavern is gradually beginning to fill itself back in. I rejoice in this feeling of completeness, allowing myself a moment without worrying about anyone else. Running over the countryside with Bryn I’d put aside most of my emotions, particularly ones about Rhydian, then not more than a few hours ago I was certain I’d said goodbye to him for good… I can’t even describe how much I’ve missed him.

            He pulls away slightly – it takes me by surprise and seems to tear at the hole in me again, but before I can resist he nuzzles my face, oh so gently. Then his lips find mine and tug at them, softly again. For a moment I can hardly tell whether we’re human or wolf, emotions so high that I’m almost unaware of anything but the points where his body is pressed to mine. He cups my cheek with his palm and crushes me against his chest with the other hand, but treats me lightly, like he’s scared that I’ll snap or vanish into mid-air. My arms wind upwards, around his neck, and my fingers find his hair. It’s not as short as when I last saw him so I can twist them into it. That makes him smile, I can feel the shape of it on my mouth, and then I’m being lifted off my feet as he whirls me round. He holds me there, a little above his head, and I gaze down into his pastel blue eyes, made bright by the cold starlight, smiles plastered across both our faces.

            It’s not long before he lowers me again, though, the smile fading to furrowed brows identical to Bryn’s. Forehead pressed to mine he whispers,

            “I thought you were going to die.” His eyes are just a little too bright now and I realise that it’s because there are tears there. Instinctively I reach up to stroke his cheek, wiping away a tear as it falls.

            “You didn’t think you’d get rid of me that easily, did you?” I tease, although it’s a little half-hearted because I’m aware I could quite easily be dead right now. He gives me a weak smile, eyes on the ground. I don’t know what to say to stop him crying, so I kiss him again. It’s warmer, richer, than the last, full of all the words we haven’t said while we’ve been apart. His teeth graze my bottom limp and it makes me shiver so deliciously that I almost think I might faint – but his arms are there to stop me falling, and his lips there to reassure me that he’ll never let me go again.

*****

Nawwww <3 I've never really written anything romantic before so what do you think of it? I'm sorry I haven't been the quickest to update but I'm desperately trying to work out what could specifically happen next and getting nowhere...ideas appreciated!!! Thanks again for reading xx