16. Rule #16 Take A Chance

Rule #16: Take A Chance

Daniel

I must have slept the day away, because when I woke again, it was dark. But I felt like myself. I stood carefully and took it as a good sign when I didn't collapse. The house was quiet, I couldn't smell Rory so she must have been out. I made my way down the stairs of their house and found myself in the kitchen. Staring out into the backyard my thoughts took over. I was fucked. The Silvertooth pack wasn't going to back down. I'd have to join or… no. I wouldn't be part of a pack again. Not when they couldn't protect her. When I couldn't protect her. My heart ached when I thought of my sister and how her death could have been avoided if it wasn't for stupid and archaic pack laws.

I sniffed when the scent of peaches caught my attention. It was coming from outside. I made my way out into the yard and there she was, standing in the dark under the sprawling jacaranda tree. My bare feet sunk into the soft grass and I let out a deep breath, relishing in the feel of nature. It was a balmy summer night, not a breath of wind. The stars twinkled in the clear night sky.

I strolled over and stood beside her silently. Zoe didn't acknowledge me, just taking a deep pull of her vape, the smell of peaches surrounding us .

We stood in a comfortable silence for a while.

"Why are you out here alone?"

"Reasons," she echoed my words back to me.

Always so closed off, so guarded. I wanted to get under that tough veneer. I wanted to see who she was under all that anger. I just wanted to know her. Sometimes I saw glimpses of her when she thought she was safe.

"Dirty habit, that," I said softly.

"You're a werewolf, you'd know all about being dirty."

I barked a surprised laugh. This girl! God, she was something else.

"I'm happy to show you just how dirty I can be."

She glared at me, which made me laugh harder.

"Anyway, that'll probably kill you," I said.

"Yeah well, I'm probably going to die anyway."

"That'd be unfortunate."

She slid her gaze to me. "How are you feeling?"

I slid one hand into my pocket and rubbed my chest with the other. "Alive. Thanks to you."

"You're welcome," she said, a small smile pulling at her lips. My gaze darted to her mouth. She had the most beautiful smile. It lit up her entire face. Even this tiny glimpse of it. The way she smiled that day on the boat was burned into my memory

I knocked her shoulder with my arm, smiling. "Go on, admit it. You like me."

"What kind of monster would I be if I had left you dying on the street?" she deflected.

"Oh, come on," I needled. "This, at the very least, makes us friends."

She didn't say anything, just took another pull on her vape.

"I don't need any friends."

"Everyone needs friends. "

"Friends hurt you. They leave."

I swallowed, my heart thundering in my chest as my fingers brushed hers. Her fingers twitched, but she didn't pull away.

"I won't hurt you."

She looked at me full on then, and I was caught off guard by the pain there. She let her mask drop and behind it was a girl who was scared. She put on such a strong front. I had a sudden need to reach for her.

"You can't promise that. Everyone leaves me," she whispered.

"Then they didn't deserve you."

And just like that her walls came back up and her face shuttered. Zoe turned away from me, looking up into the night sky where a half moon shone brightly.

"Almost full moon. What will you do?"

Guess we were avoiding this subject then.

"I'm not joining their pack," I replied.

"Figured. But I meant about turning. Where will you run?"

I shrugged. Usually I could control my shifting, but on a full moon I had no choice. I had planned to spend the night in the forest, but it wasn't safe anymore.

"I'll make a plan."

She nodded. "Well, you have two weeks to figure it out."

I glanced at her again, taking her in under the cover of night. She was a natural born leader, an Alpha if I ever saw one. And fuck if that didn't call to something in me. The tight leash I had on my control seemed to slip around her. It was the only explanation I had for reaching out and running the back of my fingers down her neck. She turned to me with wide eyes and I didn't miss the shiver she failed to suppress. For a moment her guard was down again. It was just the two of us in the dark, under the purple blooming tree with only the crickets for company. I slid my fingers around the back of her neck, gripping her gently and tugging her toward me, giving her a moment to protest. But I wasn't a saint. I dipped my head and ran my nose along her cheek. The sunshine clung to her skin, and I kissed her softly below her ear, seeing just how far I could take this before she handed my ass to me. Her small hands landed on my chest and I could hear her heartbeat galloping as her fingers dug softly into my borrowed t-shirt. Her touch ignited me. I placed another soft kiss on her jaw and when she let out a soft whimper, I took her lips in mine. It was a soft kiss. A first kiss. But she responded and my heart burst with joy. My lips slanted over hers, moving at a slow pace and when I ran my tongue over the seam of her mouth, she opened for me. I threaded my fingers through her hair, angling her head so I could taste more of her. She tasted like fucking peaches and I was addicted. My other hand slid to her waist, pulling her into me, but the hands that were gripping my shirt flattened and she pushed me back as she broke the kiss. One of her hands flew to her lips and she gasped looking up at me.

"We shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry," she mumbled.

But I couldn't let her go just yet. I ran the back of my fingers over her cheek and she closed her eyes as if she was in pain.

"Nothing to be sorry about, Hurricane."

She took a step back from me and it was like she was opening a chasm between us.

"I think you should go," she said and I watched as she built those walls back up.

But I was a persistent motherfucker. And that certainly wouldn't be our last kiss.