BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES

Chapter 13

He held both my wrists gently, and slowly removing my hands on my face. "You look beautiful when you blush."

I pouted. Not wanting to smile like a love sick fool idiot because of what he just said. It was a compliment, and it's from my mate.

After days of being silent, I heard a soft howl from Em. She's finally, yet slowly, getting back.

The fast beating of my heart didn't help too. The butterflies in my stomach worsen as he stared at me again, intently, like moving his gaze away would mean I'll disappear and he doesn't want that.

A loud sound of wave got my attention, I moved my gaze unto the sea and saw the sun finally setting.

"We should head back inside." I glanced at him.

He seemed to disagree but soon enough nodded his head and got up. He offered his hand to pull me up which I gladly accepted.

Standing, I expected him to let go of my hand but to my surprise, he held it even tighter and started walking towards the house which eventually made me follow him.

I stared down at our interwined hands. His warm and big hands on mine fits and feels so perfect.

So this is the feeling of holding your mate's hand. The sensation, the burning sparks, the comfortable feeling it gives.

I looked up at Ryker who's facing forward. I smiled to myself. I felt like crying because of happiness but controlled myself not to.

Even though he's only pretending and this 'holding hands' is just fake, it still brought me warmth into the deepest part of my heart.

I'm glad I got into June's hummer earlier this day. I got to feel things only my mate can make me feel.

THE NEXT MORNING, we decided to just chill out inside the house.

Watching movies side by side in the living room while eating foods that Ryker cooked for the two of us.

I must say, he really is a good cook.

"About your necklace..." I glanced at Ryker. Currently, we're in my room's balcony.

Two chairs sat opposite to each other yet faced in front and a center table is in between. We're having a snack together as we watch the sun setting. Ready to let the moon take over the night sky.

I gently touched the pendant of my necklace that he's pertaining.

"You said something about your grandmother." He finished and then gave me a questioning look.

I smiled and held the pendant up where I can see it enough. My head slightly bowed down. "My grandmother gave it to me. It's some kind of a gift but more like a reminder from my parents."

He stayed quiet for awhile. He must be weighing his next question.

I gave him a side glance and saw his contracted face and how his lips pressed into a thin line, trying so hard not to ask me questions that would probably make him sound like a jerk.

I giggled and glanced back on my necklace's pendant, played it on my fingers. "You can ask me anything. I won't mind."

"I know I might sound rude and I don't want to hurt you with my questions."

Aww. He does care.

Does he really?

First words said by Em after being quiet for days and it's a bullcrap. It's full of hope and love.

And I just need to remind myself not to indulge myself any further because for Ryker, this is just a play pretend.

Just that fact hurt me. What more can his petty questions hurt me? I'm used to it by now.

"Ask away." I shrugged and gave him the go signal.

He again placed his pointing finger together with his middle finger on his lips and brushed the buttom gently, thinking in the process.

He sighed. "Your parents died because of rogues, right?"

I stilled. Rogues.

That one word again. It manage to steal all my senses away. They are so cruel. Those black eyes staring back at me terrifies me, big time.

I can hear my father's breathing. His heavy breathing while fighting off those monsters. My mother's scream is echoing inside my ears. I can't make it stop. The tragic scenery started to play in front of me again.

"Those monsters." My hands formed a tight grip. I couldn't do anything back then.

"Hey, hey, Emma."

How can I call myself their daughter? What right do I have to be part of their family? I'm so weak. So useless.

"Emma. Emma. Emma!"

I gasped. I wasn't aware that my breathing became uneven, tears flowing from my eyes, sweat covers my body, my heart's beating faster than normal and that Ryker was calling me.

His hands gripping softly on my shoulders. His whole face was contracted in worry and his eyes held the same emotion as he look at me. So dearly.

How nice.

If I get to see him, being worried about me, I wouldn't mind having a panic attack every now and then.

He looked at me like he.... cares. Like he likes me. Romantically.

How nice.

"Hey, calm down. I'm here. I'm here. I'm here, Emma. You'll be okay. It's fine." His soothing and promising voice.

How nice.

I kept staring at him as his big hands gently wipe my tears away. The feeling of his warm hands on my face,  softly cupping it. I love it.

How nice.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore. The rogues can't touch you. As long as I'm here." His eyes staring intently at me. So passionate, I almost couldn't tell that he's pretending.

How nice.

"Emma. Hey, Emma." His deep, baritone voice that keeps on saying my name.

How nice.

I sniff an amount of fluid from my runny nose and managed to give him my famous bright smile.

I felt him stilled. He must be shock by my sudden smile after my panic attack.

"I'm not going to be afraid anymore." How I wish everything he said was true. That would be nice. 

Soon after, he gave me his warmest smile he could manage and nod his head. "We'll fight your monsters together." His hands went down to cupped my both hands.

I nodded. "Together."

We manage to go back on our seats but now, he's holding my one hand, softly gripping it, not wanting to let go. His warm hand on mine. I love it.

Watching the stars starting to show one by one, like spotlights being turned on one by one, they lit up the dark night sky.

"Ryker."

"Hmm?"

Glancing from the stars above and to him, "Can I ask you something about your.... family?"

He stopped. His hand that's holding mine went slightly cold. I thought he'd let me go but he gripped it even more, like it was his source of energy, of life.

He lowered down his head and started to stare at nothing. His biting his lower lip, contemplating if he'd tell it to me or not.

"I'm.... an illegitimate child."

My eyes widened. "Ha?"

His golden eyes met my shocked eyes. "My mother is not my father's mate. He cheated and I'm his greatest sin."

-BM