Heart Of The Storm

-Chapter 4- Mystical Meeting-

Aella

Silence follows as I slowly walk through the large house, the lack of people making it seem like the place was empty, but I know better. The last time it sounded like this place was empty, four werewolves appeared and blocked my escape. I know from my time in that hell that werewolves are fast and silent when they want to be, you could walk right by them twice and not know they're there.

I sigh.

Not that it matters, I still can't leave. The awful weather hasn't stopped at all, leaving my chances of escaping into the night close to nil, especially with the wolves patrolling this territory. I have to stay here, so I'm doing the only thing I can, staying away from the wolf that is my mate.

It's better this way, safer. Just me being here puts him in danger of being hurt, along with the pack. Anyone I get attached to will have that fate, so, as much as it hurts, I push him away. Avoid him like the plague, never speak to him if I can help it. I can't allow him to suffer for my mistakes...I can't let anyone else get hurt because of me.

However, it doesn't make the dull ache in my chest go away, it doesn't get rid of the tug I feel towards him whenever he's near, and it certainly doesn't stop my desire to hold him and feel his warmth around me--

I shake my head, I can't allow myself to fantasize either. It will only make it worse for the both of us, especially me. Even if it isn't for the fact that my presence brings him trouble...Apollo deserves better than me, so much better.

I know it's hurting him too, especially since he doesn't understand why I'm pushing him away. I hear him pace outside my door a lot, as if he wants to come in and see me. I've seen the longing and frustration in his eyes, as well as the fear and the hurt. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but the less he knows and is attached to me, the safer he is.

I frown as I reach another empty room, not a single person in sight. It can't be empty, can it?
I know what Apollo wrote, but it can't be completely vacant. Right?

Me and the other house members are out for an event. We will return in a few hours for dinner, so feel free to roam the house if you wish. I will return soon.

Apollo

I try not to relish in the relief that he will return, or dwell on the longing I feel in his absence. I can't get attached, it's too dangerous. Even if it's a losing battle I have to try to fight it, for his sake.

I find myself in the kitchen after a couple of more turns through the expansive home. The kitchen is huge, the biggest I've ever seen. Smooth black countertops sit on top of a large island and a row of white cabinets. Gray floors balance out the elegant looking room.

I run my fingertips gently across the top of the island, the extra long sleeves of the gray shirt I'm wearing covering the rest of my hands. I figured out that the shirts I was given belong to Apollo, the rest of the clothing belonging to another girl in the house or brand new. I suppose this was his way of being close, me wearing his shirts would have me constantly covered with his scent and ward of any males in the house who were unmated. I remembered these facts from the time I spent with captured werewolves, it was a way we passed time and kept sane.

A scent snaps me out of my thoughts, a scent that brings back memories from before my hell. I follow it to a large plastic container sitting next to stove, the cinnamon and sugar aroma making my mouth water. I hesitantly open the container and see exactly what I smelled. Snickerdoodles, my childhood favorite.

I stare at them in contemplation, my desire to taste them conflicting with the logic that they are not mine to eat. After a few minutes of mulling it over I grab one, and I can tell it's fresh from how warm it is.  I take a small bite and sigh in bliss, the taste bringing me a sense of familiarity. I eat the rest slowly as well as two more, I pick up a fourth one as I close the lid. The sound of footsteps catches my attention as I take a bite, turning around, I see a gray haired woman standing in the entrance.