The Crush

chapter 3

  Chapter 3: Pool

    My eyes flew open as my body jerked into a sitting posistion. I was trembling, and the room was dark, but soon I can see my surroundings. I'm on my grandfather's couch.

    "Grandpa," I called out. My voice trembling and I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I hear footsteps and the hallway light comes on, I froze my body locking up painfully. Then I saw my papa come into the light and I almost pass out with the feeling of relief that flooded through me.

    "Baby girl, what's wrong?"

    " I had a nightmare...Why am I here? How did I get here?" I cried sitting up on the couch as my grandpa sat down beside me, and pated my back lovingly.

    "Calm down, Paige. I don't know why you were here... When I came home from the store your car was in my driveway and your tracks were heading back into the woods. I followed them and I found you lying down on the ground with a friend watching over you." Papa smirks knowingly.

    "A freiend?" I question wearily.

    "Come see," Grandpa moves to the front door opening it up wide and flicking the porch light on, I immediately find My wolf sitting outside. At seeing me he springs to his feet and leans forward playfully, his tail wagging crazily. "He hasn't left. He even followed me when I had to carry you back home."

    I grimaced, "Gramps, I think, he thinks I'm his mate."

    "What if you are his mate?" Papa asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "He's a different species!" I exclaimed, but that doesn't change my grandfather's expression.

    "I think you should go see him. He did keep you safe and warm. You need a better coat... He's been waiting almost four hours in the cold for you."

    "Four hours," I whispered, looking back to where the wolf had been jumping around happily. Now, laying on his belly and inching forward. When I appear in the doorway again he sits up and barks accusingly at me. "Okay, I'm coming! Just keep it down," But he doesn't he continues to bark even as I pulled my coat, mittens and hat on. Then I grabbed Papa's flashlight. Kissing him on the cheek and practically running outside; "What do you want?"

    The wolf wasted no time running to my side and rubbing himself agaist me, before nudging the back of my knees, forcing me to step forward to keep from falling. His teeth carefully gripped the sleeve of my jacket and began leading me into the woods. I looked back at grandpa, hoping he'd say something, but he only shrugs and waves me on.

    I walked beside my wolf for what seemed like forever. I clutched my side as a sudden burning sensation over took me. The pain is so sharp that my knees give out. I fall to the ground. I couldn't breathe, which was odd because- not to sound conceated but- I was in great shape. I can run a mile easy. I know we hadn't walked a mile. Not yet.

    The wolf turned so he was in front of me nuzzling me under my jaw. I reached out and ran my fingers through the fur on his neck, I felt his body heat seeping through his winter coat and radiate into my glove. "I'm okay," I promised. Then I could have sworn on my life that he'd actually nodded at me.

    My wolf ran forward a little, then back to me; repeating the act only barking every time he got further away. He bumped his head gently against me, too. I pushed back the pain and forced myself to my feet. He seemed almost... desperate to get me out of here and somewhere else.

    "Okay, lead the way." I tried to laugh, but it sounded pathetic. We only walked a few more minutes untill we came to what looked like a really small den. "Uhm, I don't think we're both gonna fit in that." I told him, shining my flashlight on the animal-made home.

    My wolf huffed and tugged me closer to the hole. "Maybe, this is a good time to tell you that I'm clausterphobic." I speak to him like he can understand me. Just as I was about to scorn myself, my Papa's voice echoed in my head, 'What if you are his mate?'

    Well, would it be so terrible if I was? I mean, I'd always wanted a dog, but as I looked at him, I knew he wanted something, too. Something I couldn't ever give him. He wanted pups, like any other male wolf would want.

    My wolf growled out one of his throaty chuckles, nudging me again. "Fine, I'll try it, but if I can't handle it we'll have to find somewhere else, okay?" He barked, so I took that as a yes, and crawled into the small opening, with my wolf right behind me.

    I purposely blew air in through my noseand out through my mouth. Trying not to panic, even as I felt my heart begin to race. I clenched my eyes closed and my limbs locked up. My wolf nudged me.

    I realize that he's not behind me anymore- he's beside me. I opened my eyes to look around me and find that the 'little' hole, wasn't little, or even a hole. It was a cave and as I shined my high powered flashlight around. I find an underground pool, with

steam rising from it. I flashed the light into the pool. The water was astonishingly clear. There is no gunk, no algae, no crap. It's crystal clear, clean water reflects back at me. from the clear rock covered floor.

    "Oh my God... its beautiful. I said as I pulled my glove from my hand to dip my fingers into the steaming water. When I started to turn to my wolf I find he'd jumped into the warm pool and was dog paddling. I laughed freely and pulled my shirt up over my head and then sheaded my jeans before following my wolf into the water. It was like bath water.

    I pop my head above the surface and find my wolf pulling himself out of the pool. He shook the excess water from his coat and walked away into another part of the cave. I called for him several times and wondered breifly if he'd left me, but before I could freak out about him leaving me. I watch a man come from the cave my wolf had just disappeared to.

    The man wasn't wearing anything, but boxers and I felt my self shrink away. Realizing quickly that he was blocking the only exit. I was trapped. The man's gaze locked on mine and I see my wolfs eyes looking back at me. He raised his hands up gesturing to me that he wasn't going to hurt me. I saw his eyes light up with nervousness.

    "I'm not going to hurt you, Paige." He promised, but I continued backing up until I felt the far wall of the cave hit my back. I only had one thought though; Escape.