Chapter 8

Emily's POV I giggled as the wind tossed my hair behind me as he raced through the trees. I gripped his coat, lowering my upper half to him. 'Thought you didn't like fast rides?' Bryson mind linked. His head twisted in a way slightly so that he could view me on top of him. I smiled at him sheepishly and mind-linked him. 'Sometimes fast can be more of a thrill' Bryson chuckled through the link and warned me to hold on tighter as he zoomed through the trees until they were but a blur in my vision. The cold wind felt great as it whipped against my cheeks and hair. And with Bryson's wolf under me warmed me enough not to care about the chill. After a good thirty minutes or more, he finally slowed down. The sound of the creek wasn't far ahead. When the creek finally came into view, I smiled. The babbling and burbling sound was now louder. This was Bryson and I's special place. We would come here all the time, just the two found us. It was a good distance away from Pack House and a little closer to the border. My eyes zoned in on the flowing water. A waterfall poured from a huge gash between the rocks. The water flickered like little diamonds on the surface because of the crescent moon. When it was daytime the water was turquoise blue, beautiful. Bryson walks out of the shadows of the trees, drawing us closer to the creek. When he stopped and bent his back legs, I knew he was telling me to get off. I did, sliding off of him slowly and watching my footing. My barefoot dug into wet mud and I smiled. I loved Earth. Everything earth. Knowing he was about to shift, I walked closer to the edge of the stream and stared into the sparkling water. I can hear the sound of his bones breaking and reforming as he shifts back into his human form. Sometimes I am glad I have yet to go through this process. Some say it hurts like a bitch to transform, especially your first time. But then you get used to the pain after a while. But it doesn't go away completely. "The water looks amazing." Bryson voiced. I nod, agreeing with him. " It's beautiful." "Yes. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen." He whispered lowly but I picked it up because of my advanced hearing. I can feel his eyes on me but I don't bother turning around knowing he was in the midst of putting on the khaki shorts. Seconds later I feel him behind me. "Hey Em?" He uttered getting closer until I could feel the heat of his body emanating off of him. "Yeah?" I murmured, gnawing on my lips nervously. Suddenly Bryson's strong arms wormed around me and lifted me in his arms. A small shocked scream pushed out of my mouth when he suddenly jumped into the water with his arms tight around me. The cold water wound around me as we both sank into the chilling water. I whipped my arms and legs around until I got to the surface and hauled in a huge gasp of air. With my silky wet strands sticking to my face, I raise my hand to move them off my face. A heart-melting chuckle burst out of Bryson's throat and I opened my eyes glaring into his eyes. I pushed his shoulder, snapping. "Bryson could you not have warned me before!?" He didn't shift much when I pushed him. He chuckles. "Then I wouldn't have heard you scream or caught you off guard." I rolled my eyes and threw water towards his face. He laughs closing his eyes. I smiled and looked at him. His wet hair clung to his forehead, looking inky black. His lashes are curled with water droplets and when he peeled his eyes open I held my breath. Those green swirls made my tummy knot and my heart skip a beat. I needed to distract myself from thinking the way I do now. Looking into his eyes I asked. "Could you not sleep because of Maya's words today?" The little light that shone in his eyes dimmed a bit and he pulled away from me a little. I instantly regret asking him that question. He looks up at the moonlight. "Yes. I can't get that mate situation out of my head. It didn't help that my mom is excited and keeps talking about it relentlessly." He sighs in admission. "Is the thought of getting your Luna to rattle you so badly?" I questioned, looking at him. "This will be good for you and the pack." His eyes flick down to mine, capturing me in a stare that had my heart racing. "As I've said earlier at school Em. I don't want to end up with someone I don't want. How can I love her when my heart chose someone else a long time ago?" He whispered, looking at me deeply. His heart belonged to someone... My heart broke and my mind raced with any possible girl who could've stolen his heart. Bryson was the hot topic amongst girls, whether it was human or our own kind. He was drop-dead gorgeous and was every girl's fantasy including mine. But even though he spoke with many girls, the conversations were always polite. Well, when I was present I suppose. Perhaps he had found himself someone when I was not around him. Which was rare, Bryson and I were stuck like glue. Still, even though my heart panged with jealousy I felt bad for him. His happiness always came first and it was gut wrenching that he was going through this alone. My lids drop as I stare at his lips." I'm sorry," I whispered. My eyes flickered back up to meet his. "I'm sorry that the Moon Goddess won't let you choose who you want to be your Luna." Bryson's eyes snapped down to my lips and they parted as he stared at them. "The thing is Em, I don't only want her, I need her. And I think I'll need her even when I'm staring into my mate's eyes." He admitted breathily. Suddenly he swam closer to me and I gasped when his arm wound around my waist and pulled me closer. I'm pressing to his chest, my hard nipples brushing against the wet shirt and obviously he could feel those peaks. My heart slammed against my chest. His eyes lowered to my lips and the air around us grew hot even though it was chilly out. "Don't you wish you could choose who you want too, Em?" He whispered his head lowering. His lips were closing in on the gap between my own and all I could do was breathe out my reply. "Yes." I could feel Bryson’s breath on my lips, his body pressed so close to mine that my heart was hammering in my chest. His lips were mere inches from mine when we suddenly heard a rustling in the bushes. My blood ran cold. Was someone here? I jerked away from him, my mind racing as reality hit me like a punch to the gut. My body screamed at me to move. Bryson was about to find out who his mate was. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. I could not be the bitch between him and his mate... "Bryson, we need to go," I whispered, swimming quickly toward the bank. My pulse thrummed in my ears, and my breath came in short, panicked gasps. Moon goddess, please don't make us be seen by others!