The Candles Will Protect You

Chapter 7

I didn't have a clock, but I was pretty sure it's been more than thirty minutes since he had left and I couldn't help but feel a little worried.

I did think about the things he said, though.

The actual thought of werewolves just started to sink in, and it made me feel a bit scared, but Ares said I had no reason to be, that he would protect me and stuff. Was he actually serious about that?

Okay, he said that he was serious, but I still couldn't help but overthink everything.

I never had a boyfriend before, so I was a little scared of this mate thing, too. What if as he gets to know me he decides that he doesn't want me anymore?

But wait, he said that we will be together whether I like it or not, so he couldn't just ditch me, right?

Oh my god! My parents! Did they notice that I was gone? It was past midnight, so they were probably asleep.

For some reason, I seemed to be more worried about Ares than my parents or Drake. What was taking him so long? Did he get hurt?

As I was walking around the room, I heard the door open.

I immediately rushed there, embracing him in a hug.

"Are you okay? What took you so long?" I asked.

He seemed a little taken aback, but after a few seconds, he hugged me back so tight that I was barely able to breathe.

"I'm alright. More than alright now, actually."

I was so busy making sure he was okay that I didn't even realize he was shirtless. And sweaty, but the shirtless part was more surprising.

"Why don't you have a shirt on?" I leaned back, looking up into his eyes.

"Rhea, I was running, you should be glad that I even have some clothes on," he smiled down at me.

"And you were running with only some shorts on? You could get a cold, or worse!"

He chuckled, shaking his head.

"I was running in my wolf form and as surprising as it is, wolves don't wear clothes, so when I turn back I don't just magically have a full outfit on me."

"Why aren't you naked then?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Because we are prepared for situations like this, and we have some clothes hidden in some parts of the forest."

"Oh, that makes sense," I nodded.

"But even if I was running like this, I still wouldn't get a cold. Werewolves aren't like humans, we are much stronger in every way, but thanks for worrying, I appreciate it," he winked.

I looked down at the floor, feeling my cheeks getting warmer. He pressed a kiss on top of my head, which made my situation worse.

He chuckled, taking his arms off of me slowly.

"I will go take a quick shower, okay?"

I just nodded, then he disappeared behind a door, which I guess was another bathroom.

I sat down on the bed, waiting for him to finish.

After like five minutes he came out with only a towel covering him, his hair slightly wet with a few longer strands hanging in his eyes.

I was staring at him in complete silence, while a small smirk appeared on his lips.

"You can go if you want to," he said, and I furrowed my eyebrows.