Chapter 4 Freedom

A pair of strong, powerful hands reach beneath me, pushing me back into my upright posture. They felt warm, delivering shocks across my body. I am aware of his presence.

"Please believe me," he removes his hands from my back, coldness now flowing to the formerly warm region where his touch had been.

"I... I.." I whispered, disconcerted by his close closeness, yet trembling from the lack of his enormous, toasty warm hands. He seems to feel it, reaching in and taking my right hand, heat spreading like wildfire throughout my body.

Nervousness takes me over and I jerk my tiny fingers away. His eyes widen in astonishment as I stuff them in my pockets. "You don't want me to touch you?" he said suspiciously, "You don't trust me?"

Yes, I want you to touch me. Yes, I trust you. Although I have no idea why.

"I don't know you. Why would I?" I carelessly toss at him. He blinks once, almost from surprise rather than annoyance. Bafflement is carved into his face as if he is truly bewildered by the concept that I don't.

I began to become irritated with myself. Why do I have to be so bitter?

"Okay, I'll wait then," he grins weakly. Other than his somewhat decreased smile, he appears unfazed, nevertheless, remaining virtually as lively as before.

Is this person really real?

"Well, you might as well give up now then or else you'll be waiting forever," I glance away, letting the angry words escape my lips.

"Don't worry; I am prepared to wait forever. I have all the time in the world," he replies gently, his words shocking me.

Of course. How can I forget? He isn't even a person.

"I guess you forget that I will die in around seventy-five years. I don't have forever," I mutter, my voice caught up by his keen ears. Silence spreads between us as the seconds tick past. I feel uneasy, trying to gaze everywhere but at him.

He chuckles again, a sound that starts to melt my heart. "I think you underestimate me, Isla."

Whoa. Wait a second.

"How do you know my name?" I passionately demand. He winks at me in response, holding my school ID before my eyes. Narrowing my gaze, I extend out my hand towards him. "Give it back."

"Should I?" He teases, inciting my rage. I hurl myself at him, and he smiles maliciously. "Oh, well this is getting interesting."

It just takes a few seconds of forcefully clutching at thin air before I understand I am not going to obtain my ID back by force. He is moving his arms so swiftly that it's hard to even touch him. Rolling my eyes in resignation, I lean back and slump against the sofa.

"Are you ever planning on giving it back?"

"Sure. Someday. I'm fond of this photo of you." He looks at it again, and my memory jumps back to the moment when that image was shot. It was roughly six months ago, and also the day when I misplaced my glasses yet again, leaving me half blind and unable to even tie my shoes, let alone comb my hair. I had even worn my shirt inside out. It was dreadful.

I now know he genuinely has been making fun of me.

I say nothing, my gaze returning to him. I instinctively focus on how the sunshine seems to catch on his azure hair and shimmer, making his whole head look like it is strewn with stardust. He doesn't wait for me to speak.

"But anyway... I doubt it will take you long to fall in love with me."

"How come, wolf-boy?" I gaze at him, shocked by his pompousness and how honest he seems while speaking such words.

"My charm is so overwhelming." He tosses his hair and flashes me a bright, dazzling smile. I am almost dazzled by its beauty. "How could you not?"

"How could I, you arrogant brat?!" I retort bitingly, "I prefer a trait in men that you don't possess-humility."

And a brain, of course.

"I was kidding," he defends himself, "come on Isla, you know that! I'm not like any boy you have met before. I will give anything, even my life, for you. I realize it's a crazy remark to make, but I honestly feel that way. Every werewolf feels like way towards his or her partner. You may trust me-"

"What was that you just said?" I ask dangerously, stopping his rage. I can't believe my hearing, my eyes narrowing. He did not just state that...

"You're... my mate," he says tentatively, hesitating slightly before he adds, "If you weren't my mate, I would have murdered you in the forest. I'm typically not too friendly to trespassers that stumble our way." After a short stretch of astonished stillness, he grabs my hands and squeezes them. "I'm all yours," he murmurs, peering deeply into my eyes with an incomprehensible intensity.

I giggle at the way he discusses it so nonchalantly. He informs me that I'm his "mate", linked to him for life (or afterlife), and he wants me to just take it in. To promptly obey his request?

I can feel the severity and dread in his lovely green eyes, silently pleading with me to comprehend.

I'm amazed the most by the fact that he expects me to take him seriously. Or maybe he doesn't. Maybe he just wants the gratification of having me fall for his crafty manipulations. I have to admit, he is a wonderful liar.

Anger overwhelms me, and my heartbeat increases. Why don't I get a choice on whether to be his mate? Is he so superior that he can't offer me the chance to be free?

"Uh, well, um..." I inch towards the door, edging to the escape that will release me from this nightmare. My crimson hair falls onto my face, my hands trembling. Liam smiles as the phone begins to ring, forcing my stomach to uncomfortably flip flop.

"Excuse me while I take this call," he replies hastily, disappearing from my sight. I hear the pounding of footsteps, then nothing. I breathe with relief. The coast is clear.

Oh lovely phone, you are my lifesaver.

I run towards to door, flinging it open, and rush out into the considerably lightened rainfall. The soft mist drips on my nose, bouncing around my toes as I skid over the muddy earth, my bare feet stained brown. My red hair is free and curly, flying as a blast of chilly wind blows it far behind me. I carry my flats in my hands, stretching my tongue out carelessly to capture a drop of the water that falls from the sky.

Freedom is at hand.