Brave: Remade

Chapter 3

I couldn't remember much of what had happened as I slowly drifted into consciousness. My whole body ached as if I had been run over by a truck, and a terrible headache burned any deeper thoughts I had into nothingness. All I could focus on was the immense pain and nagging confusion.

It was then that I began to hear the soft hum of voices in the distance. Nothing really told me how far the people speaking were, but that wasn't the biggest of my worries.

Another sharp pain split my thoughts in half and I winced, letting out a soft groan of discomfort that I could barely hear. All I could focus on besides my pain were the voices that had begun to increase in volume. Slowly but surely, and with much focus, I began to make out the words being spoken.

"-And I'm sure of it! There's no mistaking what happened in the cafeteria," Came a voice I couldn't help but recognize. "She's one of us – or at least partially. There's obviously some other blood mixed in, but the evidence is right in front of us." I knew this voice to be Aren's. The sound of his voice drifting through the room calmed me and slightly eased my headache.

A sigh, meant to be small but unintentionally loud, escaped my lips, causing the room to fall silent. I strained my ears in hopes of catching any soft-spoken hints at what the conversation had been about, yet was met with nothing. Silently, I cursed myself for being too loud and allowing whoever was in the room to realize my conscious state.

The sound of footsteps started up, moving ever so slowly near me. Soon, I couldn't help from holding my breath as the echo from the stride of whoever was next to me stopped beside where I was laying.

The person cleared their throat before speaking, "I'm glad you're awake. How are you feeling, Brave?"

It was Aren. Letting out a smaller sigh than the one that had given me away, I opened my eyes and was met with Aren's breathtakingly icy blue eyes. I couldn't help but stare as I was entranced by his gaze, feeling his eyes connect with my own ice-blue eyes. A small hint of curiosity could be seen in his eyes before he turned away, seemingly embarrassed for a reason that was unknown to me.

Realizing that I had left him without an answer, I quickly spoke up, my scratchy voice catching me off guard, "I'm.....fine."

At this, he too let out a sigh, but out of relief rather than discomfort. I could see his expression soften and the tenseness in it dissolved. For a moment, I thought that perhaps I had imagined the conversation that took place not even a minute ago. However, that hope was shattered as I watched Aren stand up and turn around, nodding to the other people who stood near the door. At this, they left, leaving only Aren and I in the room. A small sliver of doubt cast a shadow over my mind.

"What were you all talking about?" I boldly questioned, having regained my voice.

Shock momentarily filled Aren's eyes before he shook his head, replying with a simple, "Nothing."

Upset at his blatant lie, I sat up and threw off the blanket that was covering me, swinging my legs over the bed in an attempt to leave. Unfortunately, before I could move an inch away from where we stood, Aren grabbed my arm and pushed me back against a wall, creating a barrier between me and the exit.

"What did you hear?" He asked, narrowing his eyes and staring directly into mine, as if searching for the slightest hint at what I was thinking.

Unable to hold myself back, I placed my hand on his chest and tried to push him away for me and dash for the exit. But, he was too strong, and ceased to move an inch from where he stood. My confidence slowly diminished and I glared at the floor, unable to hold his gaze.

Refusing to answer his question, I simply replied with my own, "What happened in the cafeteria? I only remember hitting my head, not falling down a flight of stairs." I paused, turning my glare to him. "Did you and your little pack do something to me?"

The shock in his expression returned, this time more profound. "How did you know about the pack? I'm warning you, Brave. You're walking on thin ice here. Tell me the truth."

My expression soon matched his at this question. "What the hell are you talking about? A pack?"

I couldn't help but wonder what weird voodoo Aren had gotten himself into that he would believe he was in a pack. Never had I meant it in a literal sense. Yet when I looked at him, under the surprise I could detect worry. Did he truly believe that he was part of something so ridiculous? If so, what was this pack he spoke of?

Aren's mouth dropped open, realizing that he had said too much and made what was probably a huge mistake.

"It's nothing! Forget I said anything." He hesitated, seeming as if he was going to step away from me, but it did not come. Instead, he gently moved a strand of hair out of my face, staring into my eyes intensely.

I couldn't help but become entranced by his eyes yet again, unable to look away. His blue eyes which seemed to be cold enough to freeze anyone through to their heart, was warm and full of an emotion I couldn't describe. It wasn't long before I noticed how much closer he had moved towards me, though I didn't find it uncomfortable. This felt right.

Before I could even consider protesting, his lips were on mine, soft yet patient. It was almost as if he was testing how it felt, slowly yet hungrily moving his lips with mine as I returned the kiss, unable to refuse. An intense desire lit inside of me as I involuntarily moved closer, wrapping my arms around his neck, deepening a kiss that I never expected to come. I couldn't stop myself – not that I wanted to.

Too soon, Aren pulled away, leaving a warm, tingly feeling on my lips. Without a word, he dashed out of the room, leaving me to lean against the wall for support and contemplate what had just happened.

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And that's all for today. I'm exhausted. 

I'll have another chapter up next week, unless I decide to write it sooner. I suppose it'll just depend on how I feel, but I promise that it'll be up by next week.

Thank you for reading! If you liked this chapter, feel free to click that adorable little star and possibly follow me if you're interested in any future stories written by me.