Swindled ~Book Three~

Chapter 3

The freezing water hits me like a brick, my movements in the water slow as the river seems to flow quicker. My paws thrash at the water trying to stay afloat; my efforts are rewarded with my whole body going under. Gasping for breath my lungs are filled with the unforgiving frigid water, my head comes up again and I blink and cough up water. I was ashamed of myself, for me this was a pathetic way to die. I could already see my grave stone "here lies Aglaia Goldstein, Mate, Daughter, and a wonderful hybrid that died because she couldn't swim... “I growled at the thought.

I soon noticed my wolf was in utter shock, she wouldn't let me shift back. I tried calling her to distract her but to no avail she was in too deep. The water pulled me under again throwing me around my rag doll. I tried to grab onto the rocks on the floor below me but they gave in and was lost in the water again.

With my head in the air my pants came fast, I desperately searched for something to grab onto. I spotted a boulder that was coming into me; quickly I grabbed hold of it with my claws and tried to stay there. But the river wouldn't have it; my claws started slipping because of the wet smooth yet rough surface.

While bobbing throughout the water a log bumped into my head. Going under water and back up I somehow managed to get onto the log. I attempted to balance, the moss helped with my attempts.

My ears perked up at the sound of paws -other than mine- pounding into the rough ground. My head snapped to where the wolf was, I could tell by the size if it that it was a guy. His black fur seemed to gleam in the sunlight as he raced down the edge of the river. His eyes were set on a fallen tree just ahead of me; it was covering both edges of the river... like a bridge in a way.

Before I knew it he was on the tree in the middle, where I was headed. He lowered himself on the tree and just as I was going under the tree he grabbed the skin of my neck with his canines and pulled me up. We both lay on the tree panting, without saying a word. He was watching me and I could feel it, the wind blew by and I shuddered. I got up and walked away from him before he could say anything.

He caught up with me and huffed. "A wolf that can't swim... I never thought I'd see the day..." His voice bounced off the trees.

I turned around to face him and shook off the water that rolled off my fur. "I didn't need you; I could have figured it out on my own." I growled.

When he stood straighter his chest puffed out, I noticed the little specks of white that hid in his coat. "You know you should be thanking me."

I ignored the cold sensation that washed over me when the wind blew. I blew out an annoyed breath, "Thank you so much for saving my life, you're my hero..." I said with thick sarcasm laced through every word.

I could tell he wasn't happy with my reply but he shook it off. He stretched. "How'd you end up in the water if you can't swim?" he lay on the floor watching me.

I watched him for the slightest second, and then I decided to lay with him. "We weren't watching where we were going." I grumbled.

He huffed. "Well couldn't you have just shifted?" He said like it was just that easy.

I wanted to snap at him, but I didn't. "In my case no, it's not that easy." I didn't feel like sharing stories right now. I picked myself up and walked throughout the forest again, he was following me but I didn't care.

After a while of wandering I stumbled upon a very big meadow filled with flowers... and a lake. The dream flashed through my mind, leaving me breathless... This couldn't be the same place, could it?

The sun shined down on the meadow from behind a cloud. It was almost as if it were glowing itself; I could hear that wolf breathing beside me. Before I could say anything he playfully tugged at my ear and ran off; I growled at him and chased after him. In the end all the chasing and the hiding left us lying in a heap on the floor.

We soon learned each other’s names after quite a bit of yawning; I lie on the floor with Dax beside me and look up at the sky.

The last thing I saw before closing my eyes to take a nap was the sun setting...

**

A leveled heartbeat filled my ears and I quickly blinked allowing myself to get accustom to my surroundings. It was completely dark outside other than the twinkling stars that filled the night sky. I whipped my head around noticing I was still in the meadow, the scent of flowers and grass filled my nose.

When I sighed, I noticed someone shift beneath me; the slightest sound coming out of him. I looked down at a very defined chest, I watched as his chest rose and fell. A little feeling of calmness filled me, and then suddenly it turned to panic. I lifted up my hand from his chest to see that it was no longer a paw... meaning I had shifted back, fully naked...lying on a still sleeping Dax. If it was even Dax, but I could tell by his scent that it was.

He stirred, blinking those lovely green eyes at me. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding when he cracked a sly grin at me. I bit my lower lip and slowly rose, thankfully my long hair flowed into place when I did.

His face turned red, almost as if he'd been sunburned. I kept myself under control, I didn't freak out or anything and I kept myself from looking any lower than I should. But obviously he didn't care about his modesty, after I got off of him. He stood up and walked back to the outline of the forest then winked at me.

Dax came back in some pants and handed me an oversized navy shirt. I slid it on and pulled my hair out of the shirt and stood up, it came to my knees. I sighed and thought about how late it was but I knew no one was waiting up for me.

Dax took a step towards me and put my hand in his. "It's late, I'll walk you back." I unconsciously squeezed his hand and he smiled, then we started walking back.

The walk back to the pack house was quiet but I didn't mind. When we got back I couldn't help but notice the menacing looks the pack gave us. I sighed sadly; I knew it was too good to be true. Some guy walked up to us and put his hand on Dax's chest stopping him from going further.

He let go of my hand and clenched his fists. Dax didn't say anything but the other guy did. "You're not welcome here Dax, or did we not make that clear." He cracked his knuckles.

Dax narrowed his eyes at the man and pushed his hand off of his chest. "Calm down would you; I was just walking her back." He spared me a glance.

The guy gave me a once over. "What'd you do sleep with him?" He asked quite frankly, not caring about the people watching.

Dax smacked him across the head and kept his composer. "No you idiot, we went for a run and she needed clothing so don't be so foolish." An obvious look of annoyance hung over his face.

He growled at Dax. "I'm really tired of you Dax; you don't belong here anymore so get out."

Okay, now he was starting to piss me off, but I couldn't help but pick up on what he said... what did he mean he didn't belong here anymore?

Dax rolled his eyes. "I know, don't get you panties in a twist." He gave me a quick hug and told me he'd see me soon. Then winked and walked back into the forest, too bad I couldn't hide the smile that snuck up on me.

The guy looked to me and frowned. "The Luna wants you, but you might want to put on some clothes first..." without another word he walked off. 

Next thing I know, I'm being pulled back into the mansion and into someone's room. I watch curiously as the girl looks through her closet. The scent of cinnamon clogged my nose and right then I knew it was the girl from this morning. "Hey-" I said but she cuts me off.

She tosses me some clothing and pushes me towards her bathroom. "Hurry up, the Luna hates tardiness and don't worry about the clothes. You can keep them I have a bunch more."

I got dressed and walk out of her bathroom and she led me to the Luna. When I sat down in the chair I noticed her face was serious... well this won't go well...

She looked to me. "We need to talk." she looked at the people in her office, "Alone." They left and I had a bad feeling...

This defiantly won't end well....

______

Well guys I'm not sure if that was long or not because i wrote it on my phone. But i hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please comment and vote. c: