I spend the time in my bed as a lethargy sweeps me. Around me are my books, classic maths, applied algebra, and what not. I have also borrowed Tina’s books as I go through them in a mad rush. My notebooks are full now and I scribble on the margins, trying to fit in my calculations. How intricate they are, how beautiful and logical. Every step takes me to the next step without having to worry about consequences. I know the rules as the back of my hand. This is my game, my forte.

While the other game…I am still figuring it out.

Subtle rejections. How subtle do you have to be to get the message through? Does insulting your mate count? Does ignoring them, demeaning them count?

It must. He has done it all and it worked.

“Don’t tell anyone I saved you. I do not want to make a wrong impression.”

“She is barely a wolf. There is nothing special about her.”

“Damien must be thinking the same as we speak.”

I get up to get Grandpa out but stop short of touching my sketchbook. It’s full of Adam’s sketches from the rogue attack. I should just rip it and throw it away. No point hankering after a man who gives you no shit.

The night passes as I gaze out at the forest, remembering my wolf dream. It was a foreshadow, I understand it now. The beautiful silver wolf was Gabe, while the dark one was Adam. Damien had asked me which one I preferred. Well, it was not a question of what I preferred, it was about what the fate had in mind.

It takes me the night to settle my frazzled mind. Tears, I have avoided but heartbreak I cannot. It is not just the rejection, but the humiliation of it. The confirmation that I am not good enough for him, that being a quarter wolf does not mean you are the same as a full one. And being Rey Armstrong’s granddaughter may be enough to grant me asylum here, but I should not expect any more.

It’s because of my weak heart. That’s my worst enemy. Any potential I had as Rey Armstrong’s granddaughter is nullified by it. What lies beneath is a wretched heart. One that’s slowly dying. Whose days, hours, moments are numbered and are withering away as we speak.

Maybe that’s the answer the vampire was seeking, and not the pathetic one I gave.

“I am just plain, normal Diane Winters.”

I laugh, scream, seethe in anger. I rage my stupidity, at the injustice of it all. I wish I was not related to grandpa. I wish I was not in this wretched place. I wish I had never set my eyes on that ugly half-and-half face that the fate contrived to make my mate.

Morning comes as usual. It’s still dark but I do not care. With a dull ache in my heart and head, I get ready. Today I don’t need Gabe. I go on my run, through the hills, far beyond the path marked for me by Gabe. These boundaries are not mine; nothing can limit me. I will not wallow in the shadow of being a quarter wolf, neither do I need the first-wolf crutches to define me. I do not need magic; I do not need anything to make it special. I am good the way I am.

I run through the forest, my head buzzing with determination. My shoes scrunching on the undergrowth, dry twigs snapping in a frenzied rhythm. Ahead, in the East, is a hill beyond which I can see the sky turning orange. I rush, my heart thumping with warning but nothing can stop me. I do not care if I drop dead here, it will be worth it.

The sun peeps on the horizon as I stop at the hilltop. Around me is a foggy, dew-drenched forest. The scent of grass tingles me as I inhale to fill my lungs. My chest heaves with the effort, but the run has cleared my headache.

I stare as the orange ball slowly reveals itself. It reflects in my eyes as I drink its elixir. Who needs the blasted moon goddess when we have the blazing sun. Who needs the shady myths of mate bonds when life’s stark reality stares me in face.

I stand still as the warm glow envelopes me. Behind me, something moves.

I turn. A great big black wolf stands behind me, watching me with its green eyes. It’s the wolf from my dream. It’s Adam.

“You should not be here. This place is not safe.” His voice sounds in my head as he looks into my eyes.

I smile and relax. So this is the ‘bond’? He is using it to communicate with me? How incredible. If I had a scissor, I would have snapped it now, the blasted, wretched thing that gives him this power over me.

“Get lost Adam. I don’t need you here.”

“It is not safe. You need to leave.”

I roll my eyes. “Tell me something new Adam. I know at this moment the rogues are prowling the forest. I know they are still looking for Mrs Bates. And I know they will kidnap me if they think I can lead them to her. Anything else?”

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

He bristles, his shiny black-gold fur reflecting the orange sunrays.

“This is not a joke, Danny. You are sweaty, you have left your trail all over the forest. I need to take you home or…”

“Dream on, Beta.” I grind my teeth. Like hell I am going to let him take me anywhere…

A howl goes on in the forest, piercing the beautiful morning. It’s about a mile from here. The birds stop chirping. The breeze comes to a standstill. I turn and frown in that direction. A flock of swallows rises from the dense trees as if fleeing from some danger.

I frown. What in the name of…

Something cracks behind me and I turn again. My eyes widen to find the wolf gone. In its place, is Adam, standing tall, shoeless, and stark naked.

“What the…” I squeak in horror when he advances to me. I scrunch my eyes shut and flinch back but am too late, as he bends and hauls me on his shoulder.

“Adam! Stop. Let me down!!” I scream but to no avail.

Kicking and thrashing does not help as he races down the hill. Dangling upside down from his shoulder I get a nice view of his naked butt. That makes me go limp.

His broad shoulders hold me easily as his hand grabs my waist to support me. We race through the forest back home. It had taken me about two hours to reach here. He takes about three minutes to reach back to the camp.

Luckily, he avoids the main gate and enters via a side entrance near the willow grove. The only person to see us is Will from the sawmill. In the blur of motion all I see is his face cracking an amused grin when we move away already. In the next couple of seconds, we are entering the house.

“Adam! Danny! What in the name of goddess are you doing…?”

This is Phyllis as Adam plonks me down and huffs a growl. Next to her is a puzzled looking John. I flame from the root of my hair to the tips of my toes. My eyes quickly scan the area, and to my utter horror, I spot the entire family staring at us.

I stagger away a couple of feet, but the damage is done.

“Holy tits of the goddess! What have you been up to brother?” Jeff asks with a wolfish grin as his mother scowls at him.

“Rogues in the woods. Need to get going.” Adam says and zooms off again.

*****

“I knew there was something going on between you and Adam,” Tina wriggles her eyebrows taking a bite out of her toast. We are at the breakfast table and are joined by the entire family, minus Adam. Olly too is here. Her face has a smug look as if I am caught red-handed doing something scandalous. Which I am, as I realize to my utter shame.

“There is nothing. I was on a morning run and met him there. He was in the wolf form and there was a commotion in the jungle. The next I knew he was carrying me, running away from there.”

“If you say so.” Tina chuckles, making my heart sink.

Next to her, Tamara watches me quietly, playing with her food. I cannot gauge her reaction. From my experience, I had expected a sneer or at least a snide remark, but she stays quiet.

Jeff and Billy look elated.

“Quite a sly one you are, Danny,” Jeff drawls with a smirk. “All this time I thought it was Gabe, but you had your eyes set on Adam. How clever.”

Beside him, Billy elbows him to make him behave, but Jeff wants to have none of it.

“Tell me, how long has this been going?”

“It’s not that! I told you it was a chance meeting. I have nothing to do with Adam!” I answer mortified.

At the head of the table John looks on, slowly chewing his food. His calm face gives nothing away. Phyllis too mirrors his expression, which puzzles me. I had expected at least some comment from either of them, but so far they have said nothing. A couple of times they exchange subtle glances but have not uttered a word.

Next to Phyllis is Gabe, and I do not want to describe his expression. His smooth features are set in a hard mask. His green eyes are glassy with suppressed anger.

I wait to catch his eyes, but he does not look my way. Sighing, I chew my lips. Why is that I am always in such tricky situations?

I pick at my food as time stretches on. There are more chuckles from Tina and more remarks from Jeff. Billy watches me with silent expression as does Tamara. Finally John leaves and everyone gets up as if on cue.

‘Don’t bother to come to the field today.’ Jeff advises as he leaves.

‘Don’t pay him attention. And I think you and Adam is a great idea.’ Billy gives a thumb-up as he follows Jeff out.

‘Can we please do Algebra today?’ This is Tina and I promise her to do it in the afternoon.

Phyllis too lingers for a moment before strolling to me.

“If there is anything you need to talk, Danny, I am here.”

I try to hide my surprise. “Urmm… thank you Phyllis but it’s not what it seems…”

“Please Danny. I insist. I know you have only seen my stern side, but I have a heart too. And I need to know what’s going on in my children’s life.”

“Of course.” I say in a low voice as she too leaves. Her offer is welcome but there is nothing to share, certainly not the humiliation her son has caused me. I could not in my waking dreams tell her that Adam rejected me.

Well, maybe it’s apparent. A little voice tells me. They are wolves and can smell it on you.

I sit there clutching my head when Olly strolls to me.

“I must say I am impressed, Danny. I never knew you had it you. First Gabe and now Adam. Wish you’d teach me the trick.”

“Olly, please. there’s nothing like that…”

She leaves without letting me finish. I watch her back dumbly, not understanding what to do.

“Being honest helps in such situations.”

“I am being honest.” I snap without thinking. It’s Tamara by the way. Looks like it’s her turn to have a go at me. My irritation flares.

“There’s nothing going on between me and your brother. I repeat - nothing whatsoever! And there isn’t anything likely. I am just a stupid quarter wolf and he a great Beta of this pack. Why would he even look at me I do not know. So you need stop all this nonsense. I just don’t understand why you all need to rub it in…”

I stop in my tracks. Tamara is looking at me with a strange expression. Her dark eyes are filled with pity, an expression I never associated with her.

“That’s why I said you need to talk, Danny. It’s not like you can open up to Mother. None of us can. I am your only hope.”

“You would be the last person I’d come to if I have to talk.” I declare adamantly, my fists clenched.

She raises a brow. “From where I see, Danny, I am the only person you can talk to. And certainly, the only person you can rely on to lend a sympathetic ear. So don’t be bratty and come along.”

I stare at her with hunched shoulders. What has my life come to, I just cannot fathom.

***** *****