The Wolf Girl

Chapter 11

"Toryn" I breathed. His icy blue eyes pierced mine, holding a tortured sort of confidence. I had no doubt he'd heard our entire conversation. "It's not going to happen Lavine" he promised. He seemed so strong, so certain, standing there in the doorway that, even though I was still furious with him, butterflies filled my stomach. My skin tingled, craving his touch.

I swallowed down my pride. "Toryn I'm s-" He lifted a hand and shook his head. "Don't say it. I'm the one who should apologize." I blinked and caught Ren grinning out of the corner of my eye. Toryn must not try to make amends often. "We do need to talk though" Toryn continued and he did something I would never expect him to do. A week ago, I would have thought this was a trap, but his eyes were so grave and so honest that when he offered his hand, I took it without a second thought, twining my fingers with his.

He pulled me down the steps of the porch and into the forest beyond. We walked for a while, until we were out of sight and earshot. I kept my mind blocked from Igi and Milo's awareness, understanding that if Toryn was dragging me all the way out here to talk, then he wanted us to be alone. The silence was a comforting one, filling the air that surrouded us.

It felt like the warmth left my body when Toryn released my hand, coming to a standstill. "Ren didn't tell you everything" he admitted. "He just gave you a quick summery of everything that has happened over the years. There is still much you don't know and some of it you will find out for yourself...in time" he explained. "But for one thing...you should know since we are mates...its not going to be easy ignoring each other." I nodded in agreement.

He suddenly dropped his gaze from my face, and his hands tightened into fists. "I-I don't want to hate you" he told me hesitantly. "I know you can't possibly be responsible for my parents deaths...and that you have no ties with your family. I'm not sorry I kissed you" he vented the last part unwaveringly. "I want to know everything about you Lavine. I want to protect you from those monsters. What happened the other day...when you were hurt...it won't happen again. I won't allow it" he murmured darkly, his expression fierce, and vaguely I wondered if this is what a warrior looked like when they wen't to battle without any hope of victory.

I stood there, startled, resisting the urge to gape...my knees quaking. "Please say something" he begged, looking forlorn. I didn't know what to say, so ran forward, closing the few feet between us, and he caught me as I crashed into his arms. "Thank you" I murmured as he wrapped his arms around me and he chuckled. I rested my head on his chest, more content than I'd ever been in my life. I felt safe.  

"Lavine" he pressed, breaking the golden moment that had enveloped us. He pulled back slightly so he could look at me serenly. "I think our packs should merge. It'll be easier for Ren and I to protect you and Igi from the hunters when we are all together...don't you think?"

"Yes..." I said somewhat hesitant. I knew he could hear the lilt of reluctance in my voice. Instead of turning into the Alpha he was, and commanding me to join, he frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked gently. "It's...nothing" I sighed. Toryn stiffened. He had heard that sort of guilty note in my voice.

Milo. Igi no doubt would join Toryn's pack without a flinch. She'd want nothing more than to spend her days and nights at her mate's side. With the tension between Toryn and I fading, I'd also willingly join his pack...but Milo. Milo has always been the independent side of our small pack. He was a drifter, having joined and left our pack five times. Once he believed I was safe, or when I lied to him- let him believe I was safe to keep him out of danger, he would leave. It wasn't that he couldn't stand belonging to a pack. I think he cared about Igi and I more than enough, just...

I thought back to that day, the flowers in full bloom, their petals falling down on us like autum leaves. The sun was just rising behind the towering mountains. My hands in his. His sparkling green eyes probing, looking for a reaction in mine as he leaned down...his golden hair lifting in the gentle spring breeze. His lips pressed against mine, igniting a fire within me. It was such an intense feeling that it scared me. It scared me enough to make me pull away and never let him kiss me again.

If Toryn hadn't come along, I would have believed that Milo was my mate. We had a history that neither of us could seem to forget. As the months passed, he never kissed me again. He always held back is true emotions...what ever they were. And so he resumed his role of the supportive best friend. He was always there for me, lingering in the shadows wherever I was in danger. Sometimes I pictured him in the other room when he was miles away, in another country. We never spoke about our kiss. We rarely thought about it, and for this reason, Igi never knew. She never knew how much he had meant to me in those few seconds.

Looking into Toryn's perceptive eyes now, I knew that Milo would never join my mate's pack. "Lavine?" Toryn pressed, pulling me from my memories. I gave him a small reassuring smile that masked my sadness. It hadn't seemed like we'd been with Milo for very long...and he would leave again. I blinked rapidly, desperate to keep my eyes dry. I would try to convince him to stay regardless. Even if it was a wasted effort.

"Sure" I replied. "Igi and I will join your pack" I promised.  

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Yes, I should be punished. xD
It's been far too long since I last uploaded and I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting! Writer's block sucks. D:
However, THANK YOU for everyone who has voted, fanned, or commented. I'll try to take less time uploading next time xD

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