The Beasts Curse

Nineteen

Nineteen

I awoke in his bed. I knew immediately that he was in the room. Only a few feet from me. He was sleeping. His even breathing creating a calm atmosphere within the still room. I lay there looking at the ceiling. I had returned to my human form. I didn't even remeber the shift back. It must have been while I slept. I tried to keep myself from shifting, I knew that the smallest movement and Knight would be awake and at my side instantly. I had to let him sleep. Who knew how long he had been waching me, keeping an eye on me. For once I had to be the one to make sure he was alright. And he wouldn't be if he didn't get proper rest.

I let my eyes wander over to him. He looked so peaceful. So young and carefree. I wanted to wrap my arms around him. Sit in his lap and cuddle into his warmth. I could feel the other half of me agree. This was our mate. He had chosen us, and we in turn would willingly choose him.

In fact we already had, he just didn't know it yet.

I closed my eyes again. Slowly taking into account my body. It's aches and pains. The throb of my heartbeat that was in rythem with the one in the room with me. I took in a slow deep breath, feeling the clean air fill my lungs. The window was open. The smell of freshly cut grass and laundered clothing wafted in.

Opening my eyes I saw Knight watching me from his chair. I didn't recall hearing his slow breathing become faster, nor did I remeber his heartbeat quicking as he woke. I gave him a small smile, the muscles in my face aching.

"Hey." I said softly.

"Hi." He replied quitly, his voice husky from sleep. I yearned to reach out and run my fingers through his fine hair and over the stubble that seemed to have grown while I was out.

"How are you feeling?" He didn't move from his chair. I could see in is eyes how he wished to come to my side.

I coughed. "Y'know I've been a whole lot better. It feels like my muscles are burning, like coals after a fire has died down." I looked away from him down to my body laying under layers of blankets.

"Are you sure? No headache, or pain other than the dull ache?" He had gotten up from his chair and seemed hesitant about coming to my side.

I reached my arms out to him, as I used to do as a child when I whished to be picked up. Only now I wished to be held. Ever so slowly he came to the bed. As I wrapped my arms around his neck I could feel his arms wrapping around my waist, squeezing me ever so gently to him.

"I'm so sorry." I whispered. I held him tighter to me Never wanting to let him go. "There's so much I didn't know, so much that you don't know. And... and I feel like there's just not enough time." I felt a tear escape the corner of my eye.

"What ever could you possibly mean, Renee?" He tried to pull away to look at my face, but I only clung to him more.

"I love you." I whispered. He bacame rigid in my arms. I regretted saying those fatal three words the moment they left my mouth.

Though he claimed we were mates, and I knew our histroy, our past, what if his feelings were lust and want? What if they were there because I constantly refused him and he only wanted what wasn't currently his.

"What did you say?" His voice sounded breathless, as if it took everything in him to say those words.

"I-I just... you heard me." I said, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to block the blooming pain in my chest.

"Renee..." He pulled away from me and the pain in my chest sharpened.

This was it, I finally knew the truth, after all of his chasing, he finally got a piece of what he wanted. I shouldn't have said anything.

Stop it! You did the right thing for all of us. Not just you, not just for me, but for him. He needs us. And you need him. But, you have to remember that you've been resisting him for a month now, and for mated wolves that's pretty impressive. How is he supposed to believe that you love him? Out of nowhere?

"Are you sure? You've been through a traumatic event, you aren't just saying this because of the shock?" He was sitting on the edge of the bed. Disbelief written all over his face.

I slowly got onto my knees beside him. As the blanket slid from around me I could feel the cool air hit my exposed body. I placed both hands on the sides of his face and stared into his eyes.

"I love you, Knight. And I know we haven't known each other very long, but recent events have revealed certain things to me that have made me realize how truly incredibl you are. You don't even know half of the things I do, and that may seem crazy, but you'll understand. Normal people, ordinary human beings would call me foolish for expressing love so early in the game. But, I do. And if you don't love me right now... th-then you'll learn to." I wrapped my arms around his neck and breathed in his scent.

"You'll learn to accept my flaws, and my warring thoughts. Come to love my quirks and habits. And I promise to do the same. We have a history, and a future together. And I want to spend every little moment of the rest of forever with you."