He Follows

Taking Back Things

I don't want to be here, but I also don't want to be anywhere else. I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If it was Ryder who spoke to me at school today, then he should be here in a minute. Despite him being an ass and probably the worst beloved ever he had always been punctual.

The path I'm taking to "our spot" is hidden off the main path of this national forest. But I now know why. We are close to a packhouse of mutts. Well werewolves. I still haven't ran into one but I also haven't been looking. I'm not very good about finding other supernaturals unless they are pointed out to me.

I hear a distant howl warning others of my presence as I walk down the small winding path. I know I'm near the boundary lines but I refuse to cross over even as a joke. Apparently werewolves and Vampires don't get along very well. Probably another good reason not to piss them off. I like my head where it is right now.

I stumble over the last part of the trail as I find myself in our opening. Tall green grass and a huge rock in the middle are the only things in the opening. No flowers or small trees, just a huge flat rock in the middle. Like it was put here on purpose to lay smd watch the sky at night to watch the constellations shift.

The woods that surround the spot I'm standing in are pitch black except for the opening I'm in. The moon shone brightly down on me as I stood almost in the middle with my hands stuffed into my hoodie pocket.

I shiver slightly when the wind picks up as I notice the noises coming from the trees. Owls are calling out and small creatures are rustling about trying to find a midnight snack.

In the hush of the opening, the woods fall silent and an eery feeling creep through the darkness, a relaxing calm washes over my body. I turn to meet the dark shadow that stands on the tree line.

I have no reason to fear as I see my beloved take small slow steps towards me. A weak smipe graces my face as he finally reaches me when I made no intention to meet him halfway.

"My love." He whispered, his voice broken and distant, but a small smile shown through.

"How are you?" I manage to whisper out.

His smile dropped from his lips as he stares at me, "I have been better. I spoke to my mother today. Her compulsion is strong but she knows everything and informed me of what I needed to know." His voice sounded stronger near the end.

"How did you get away from him tonight?" I asked the question that lingered at the forefront of my mind.

"Don't-" he started but I only raised my eyebrow in response.

"He's meeting my parents right now as we speak. My cousin, the one who is watching us right now-" we both turned and saw Grayson on the tree line. His cousin only nodded in greeting as I waved.

I knew Grayson would end up following me, but I didn't know if he would let Ryder near me, let alone let me meet him out in the middle of nowhere.

"I'm fighting this as hard as I can my love. Please believe me." His voice cracked.

Do I believe him? I feel his emotions as they crackle through my mind. His emotions aren't all over the place like I would expect them to be. They are sad, lonely, and scared.

"Are you reading my emotions?" He abruptly asked me and I nodded. He smirked. "Two gifts?" He asked again and I smiled.

"The screaming thing hasn't happened again but I know I can use it on dogs too." I chuckled, "It drives them insane."

He chuckled too as he wrapped me in his arms.

"Do you believe me?" He asked. Silence fell calmly around us as he brought me to his chest and he rubbed his hands up and down me.

"Yes, my love." I whispered breaking through the barrier that kept us apart. His body sagged in relief in my arms as he snuggled against me.

"I cannot wait to be by your side again for good." He whispered in to my hair as I smiled up at him.

I wanted to be with him. I had wanted to be with him for ao long but the realization of lwaving abruptly invaded my thoughts.

"Charlotte." Graysons thick accented voice cane from behind me. "Time to go little one."

I nodded in response without even breaking my gaze from Ryder. I felt like I needed to remember what he looked like. To stare at him as long as possible so I wouldn't forget. Why did I feel so uneasy about walking away from him this time?

Would this be the last time I ever saw him?

"I love you." I stated abruptly.

"I love you my sweet Charlie." He whispered back softly. His lips met mine softly as I curled my hands into his shirt. But as soon as the kiss started it was over.

"Little one. We need to leave now. I can only hold off the werewolves for so long." Graysons rang out. I nodded and raced back to my car as quickly as our inhuman speed would take us.

As soon as we got to the car I felt my entire being tense up. I gasped as 2 men stood by my car. Both of them dressed in basketballs shorts and barefoot.

"Alpha. Beta." Grayson greeted them both.

"You told us there would only be three of you fucking bloodsuckers out there." The one he called Alpha yelled out loudly. I jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Charlie?" A familiar voice rang out. I looked up to see the one he called Beta standing to the side.

"Charlie." He stated again, "We have Religion together."

"Frankie! Hey! Didn't know you were a werewolf." I said awkwardly. The Alpha raised his eyebrow at me.

"Hi. Sorry. I'm Charlie. I go to school with Frankie." I said to the Alpha as I stuck out my hand in greeting.

"You aren't afraid of me tiny one?" The Alpha belted out.

"No." I stated confidently.

"Axel." He stated still staring at my hand. Frankie nudged him amd the Alpha grumbled something as he took my hand and lightly shook it.

"Newborn?" He asked Grayson and he receieved a nod in respomse.

"There were only 3 of us. Me, Grayson, and my beloved, Ryder." I stated trying to turn the conversation back to the statement beforehand.

"There were 4. Who was the fourth?" Axel asked his eyes shifting into a gold color. I hear Grayson behind me shifting to stare in to the woods.

"Scott." Was the only word he muttered.

"Fuck." I groaned, "Where is Ryder?" I asked worriedly.

"He will be fine. We need to get you to safety." Grayson muttered, "Axel. I'm calling in my favor."

"Not now Grayson. I have much better things to do then babysit a newborn who can't control her urges." Axel complained.

"I will take responsibilty for her. We need to work on our first group Religion project anyway." Frankie said quickly.

Axel groaned and wiped his hand down his face.

"Fine. Charlie can stay. 24 hours Grayson, that's it." The Alpha muttered as Frankie gave me a high five.

I grinned, now I get to meet a whole group of werewolves.

I mean how bad can this go?