Chapter 5 5

JAXON

I woke before the sun with my heart already racing and my shirt stuck to my back with sweat, before my eyes could snap open and my mind could catch up, every part of me was awake.

The pull was there quiet but heavy like a hand around my chest. I closed my eyes hoping she gets out of my head, but I saw her again, not her face but the way the world shifted when she breathed.

How did I even know that?

I dragged a hand down my face and stood up, appreciating the coldness of the floor, anything to cut through the heat.

I did not go to class that morning., I could not sit still with her echo in my head knowing she was going to be a few chairs beside mine. I ran instead.

Pounded the track until my legs shook and my lungs burned,I was punishing myself on purpose, hoping the thoughts of her gefs too tormented to remain in my mind.

But the scent followed me through every turn, though soft and sweet, it was wrong. I growled under my breath and pushed harder, my wolf wanted out, and I wanted to run to her.

I forced it down with sheer will, I would not lose control.

Not for anyone.

By midday, when I was sure classes were over, I took a stroll round campus, but the atmosphere felt different, too different, like everyone was holding their breath. Then I felt her again, her scent too strong.

I followed it without thinking, past the library and down the steps to the old garden behind the arts building.

It was quiet there, always too quiet

There she stood near the fountain, hands wrapped around herself like she was cold even though the sun was warm.

I stopped short.

The sight of her hit me harder than any blow. She looked smaller than I remembered, fragile too. Her eyes lifted and met mine, at that moment time stuttered, and my wolf rose and pressed against my skin.

She flinched just a little like she felt it too, the air thickened around us.

My mouth opened but no sound came out.

She spoke first.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

The question hit hard because I did not have an answer that would not ruin us both.

I swallowed and stepped back. “You should not be here”, I said quietly. The words sounded wrong even to me. Her brows knitted together.

“You shouldn't be saying this, you met me here."

The scent flared again sweet and sharp., I took another step back fighting every instinct to move closer.

“You need to stay away from me” I said.

She laughed once short and confused."You do not get to tell me that, or what to do."

Her words hit something raw inside me, and my hands curled at my sides. "If you stay close to me you will get hurt” The truth slipped out before I could stop it.

Her eyes softened and that somehow hurt more.

“I am already hurt” she said quietly. "Besides I'm not that close to you."

The air between us shook.

She was not running from me, she was running from something else, something I couldn't place my hand around.

A noise sounded behind us, footsteps. My head snapped up. Instinct took over.

I moved before thinking, stepping in front of her, the man who emerged from the path smelled wrong, like a lot was running through his eyes.

My wolf snarled inside my chest, and the man stopped walking when he saw me, his gaze flickering between her and back to me.

“Sorry” he muttered and turned away too fast.

I did not miss the way his hand shook, like I had just ruined something he had planned out. When he was gone I let out a breath I did not know I was holding.

She gave me a questioning gaze, “What was that for?” she asked and I hesitated, then shook my head.

“Nothing” I lied again.

She studied me for a long moment.

Then she nodded slowly like she understood something I did not.

“I need to go” she said. “I should really not have come here”

She turned away and my chest ached with the need to stop her, but I didn't not, I just let her walk past me.

Her shoulder brushed mine and electricity shot through my body. She stiffened and then kept going.

I stood there long after she was gone, my hands were shaking. The garden felt empty without her. I pressed a hand to my chest trying to steady my heart.

But clearly that was of no use.

Something had changed between us, the bond was awake now and it was hungry.

I left the garden with my jaw tight.

No matter how far I went she would be there. I understood then that this was not chance or desire, it was something older and more cruel and no matter how much I tried, I would not know how to fight it.

That night I stood at my window and watched the dark move. The wind carried her scent again soft and aching. I closed my eyes and let it wash over me just once.

My wolf howled low in my chest, and I did not try to stop it because somewhere in the dark I was sure that she was listening.

And even if I pretended otherwise I knew the truth now, I would find her again, very soon .

And when I did, everything would change. There would be no running from it. Not for her, or me... The bond would speak louder than words can. And when they does, I would not be able to pretend anymore.

The story had started the moment I breathed her in, and now it was moving too fast to stop. I could only follow where it led and hope that I would survive what came next.

Because deep down I already knew. This was not a love story. It was a warning, something more toxic than it appeared, and I was walking straight into it with my eyes open.

The night answered me with silence, but somewhere far away I felt her heart beat once in answer.

And I knew we were already bound whether we wanted it or not.

The future had shifted.

And nothing would be the same again.

Not after her.

Not after me.

Not after today.

I closed my eyes and let the dark take me for now, knowing it would not be kind when it returned....