Broken Halves

Chapter Thirty-Nine

POV: Cole

"Come on." I smile down at her as she stares up at me with that adorable look of apprehension. Dani's arms are crossed and her bangs fall slightly down into her eyes hiding those green beauties from my sight. That has got to change. I make a mental note to as Lydia, the pack hair stylist, to pay a visit to the Alpha Suite.

"Cole." The whine in Dani's voice catches me off guard as my attention focuses on her once again. She has added a pout to her look of apprehension and I fight off a growl of approval from the sight of her delicious lips. Now is not the time to kiss, now is the time to convince Dani to let me take her on a walk in the woods.

Running a hand through my own longer than normal locks, I release a deep breath before trying a new approach. "Please trust me Dani. I know you avoid the forest, but it is my happy place. I know you respect that I love it but since I love it I want to share a part of it with you, the love of my life. I promise you you'll enjoy the destination, it is more than just a few trees and rocks." My heart aches painfully and I send a silent apology to the woods for insulting it just then.

Dani's defensive expression falls away as she takes a step closer to me and captures my lips for a quick peck. Sliding her hand down the left side of my face, she smiles up at me in such a way that sends my heart into a crazed frenzy in my chest. A smile appears on my own lips that mirror hers as she speaks softly to me. "I'll go." Her right hand continues to caress my left cheek causing me to raise my hand to gently grasp her wrist. Dani's smile widens as I pull her hand away from my face and softly kiss her palm before dropping our hands to our side and entangling them. She leans against me slightly causing a wave of gratitude to wash over me; thank the goddess this woman is mine.

"Let's go." I mummer quietly, breaking our peaceful tranquility as I gently tug her hand in the direction necessary to begin our adventure into the forest.

The walk isn't a short one, but it is well worth it as the intended destination is one that's beauty makes everything whole again. The spot has been my solace for as long as I've known its existence, and I am giddy with the joy that my spot will soon be shared with my other half, making it our spot.

Walking quietly with only the sound of the leaves in the wind, the crunch of our shoes, and the slight hum that is being emitted from Dani, my already beating heart soars with joy as I know we have almost approached the waterfall.

The waterfall is very well hidden, located in the thick of the forest about ten miles from the packhouse. To my knowledge, no other members of the pack are familiar with the area, but I am not certain on the subject.

The trees surrounding the waterfall, starting about a mile out, are very dense creating the illusion that it is not possible to pass through. I however, saw nothing as impossible as a teen and decided to stick out the adventure and see what treasures were hidden throughout my property.

Grandad told me I was foolish for wanting to know every inch of the land that encompassed my property. Nona only smiled and told me to never change. And so, at fifteen years old I took three months to backpack my way through every part of what the humans call the state of Montana. It was then that I discovered the waterfall, among many other wonders, that I am showing to Dani today.

"Are you sure this is the way Cole?" Dani's voice wavers slightly alerting me to her fear. In response I squeeze her hand with mine in an attempt to reassure her. She stops walking causing me to come to a halt beside her. Tightening her grip on my hand, Dani turns to face me as she stuffs her left hand in the pocket of her jean shorts.