Chapter 5 Acceptance

Amber

As I witnessed the transformation in Jackson's expression, from shock to a dawning realisation, my heart remained heavy with the weight of his discovery. His apology reverberated in the air, yet it couldn't erase the shock and hurt I felt. "Amber, I'm so sorry," his voice carried away by the waves, heavy with genuine regret. "I didn't intend to keep this away from you. Please understand, it's something I've struggled to reveal to anyone because humans see us as monsters that should be ostracised from the normal world." His words struck me, but my pain still throbbed within. I grappled with the mixture of emotions; hurt, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of betrayal. "But how?" I managed to whisper, my voice quivering. "All this time, how could you hide something so significant from me?" He attempted to explain, his voice a blend of desperation and earnestness. "I never meant to deceive you or betray your trust. This secret, it's a part of me that I've guarded fiercely, out of fear for others' safety and my own." The turmoil in his eyes mirrored the conflict raging within me. I wanted to believe his explanation, yet the hurt remained raw. "I thought I knew you," I murmured, my voice filled with a mix of disbelief and sorrow. "I trusted you." His attempts to reach out were met with my involuntary recoil, a physical manifestation of the emotional barrier I had built. His touch, once comforting, now felt like a reminder of the chasm between us. "I need time," I finally managed to voice, my words trembling with emotion. "I need to process this." The sincerity in his eyes tugged at my heart, but the breach of trust lingered, leaving me grappling with conflicting emotions. "I want you to know that I care about you deeply, and I never wanted this revelation to come out in such a painful way. Please believe me when I say that my intentions were never to hurt you." Jackson's expression reflected the sincerity of his words, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I understand if you need time. I'll respect your decision, Amber. I just hope you can see past this mistake and understand why I didn't reveal this part of me sooner." **** It's been a week since I confronted Jackson, the revelation of his identity as a werewolf haunting my thoughts every single day. The pain of betrayal still lingered, but amid the hurt, an undeniable ache for his presence tugged at my heart. I was hurt but I missed him. As the days passed, the tug of longing grew stronger, a persistent ache that refused to fade. Unable to resist the pull any longer, I found myself drawn to the place where I knew I might find Jackson; the quiet spot near the sea where we often sought solace together. The air crackled with tension as I spotted him in the distance, his figure a familiar yet distant silhouette against the setting sun. Emotions churned within me as I approached, uncertainty mingling with the remnants of hurt that still lingered. "Amber," Jackson's voice broke the silence, the weight of remorse evident in his tone. "I didn't expect to see you here." I hesitated for a moment, struggling with the conflicting emotions that swirled within. "I missed you," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. The vulnerability in his eyes mirrored my own turmoil. "I've missed you too," he confessed, his gaze shifting as if searching for the right words. "I've given you space, respecting your need for time to process everything." His acknowledgment of my feelings softened my resolve. "I want to understand," I began tentatively, the hurt still raw but the yearning for clarity stronger. "I need to know why you kept this from me." Jackson took a deep breath, his expression reflective. "I feared rejection, not just from you but from everyone. It's a part of me I've hidden for so long, and I thought revealing it might endanger those I care about." He paused before continuing. "Our kind, werewolves, is considered dangerous. "Society views us with fear and suspicion. I didn't want you to be caught in the crossfire or to have your life disrupted because of who I am." His words reverberated with the struggle he faced, a conflict between protecting himself and the desire to be honest with those closest to him. The honesty in his confession began to thaw the icy barrier I had erected. "I felt betrayed," I admitted, the pain seeping into my words. "But I can't deny that a part of me still cares for you." Silence settled between us, heavy with unspoken emotions and the weight of our shared history. "I never meant to hurt you," Jackson finally spoke, his voice filled with regret. "I understand if things can't go back to the way they were, but I hope we can find a way to move forward, to rebuild the trust I've shattered." His sincerity touched something within me. "I want to try," I replied softly. He enveloped me in a gentle embrace, his warmth offering a fleeting sense of solace amidst the whirlwind of emotions. In our intimate moment, thoughts of the uncertain future loomed large in my mind; I had fallen for someone with a secret that held immense weight. As he withdrew slightly, a flicker of curiosity gleamed in his eyes, interrupting the serene moment. "Not to spoil the moment, but how did you find out who I was?" Jackson's voice broke through the silence. Caught off guard by his sudden question, I found myself at a loss for words, staring at him, struggling with the choice of what to reveal.