Chapter 5 5

Taylor's POV

I do not stop running. I can feel my legs giving out. I have refused to transform. Because if I did and anyone saw me, there is no telling what my dad would do with them to bury the secret.

I don't want anyone being killed in my name again. Not when the conscience of my mother still lives with me. The image of my mate dances in my head.

It refuses to leave. No matter how many times I tried to forget about him, all I could see was his handsome face staring at me. His beautiful ember eyes, or the way his lips moved when he asked me not to run. Something about the way he talked to me in the bathroom gave me goosebumps.

I can hear the repetition of his words inside my head right now. Like an echo. Over and over again. My wolf, on the other hand, is excited. Something I fail to understand properly.

"Give him a chance," those words do not remedy the situation. Of all the people, I would expect my wolf to be the first contender against this whole idea... "Chances are what got us here in the first place." I remember how it happened.

Every single day after my father assaulted me, my wolf would convince me that giving him a chance and not saying anything will breed the opportunity for change. Had we not done that a thousand times? " He may be kind, Taylor.

Not everyone is like...'''

"Like dad?'' saying that brought tears to my eyes. Finally, I found myself on the riverbank. At least the territory that was close to home would help me unwind all these troubles and have peace of mind.

"You don't understand this, Hazel. If we let another man into our life, all he's going to do is hurt us, just like Father does.''

"You are not sure about that. I can feel it inside me, Taylor. He is our mate, and he wants to protect and cherish us.'' Silence fell between us. I shut my eyes and bring my head between my knees.

Sitting on the Dirty Ground, I let my mind wander back to when I first saw him. He had been standing across the school gates.

Conversing with that friend of his who he is always with. I knew him the moment I saw him. His name is Ryan. And he is the future Alpha of black knight pack. The moment I entered the walls of Jefferson high, I could tell that none of the other students knew his identity.

From the way he conducted himself, It was obvious to me that he did not want anyone to know. But I remained invisible, as I usually am. Making sure that no one notices me besides the necessary. I made sure that my grades were above average.

Because if they were perfect, then it would only bring attention towards me. I did everything I needed to do so that I could go unnoticed. And that has worked for the last four years. But today, the tables have turned. The discovery that Ryan is my mate, has left me stupefied.

"Why did we not know before?' "I don't know." The question is also what I'm asking myself. Why had I not known that Ryan was my mate four years ago when I saw him? Something must have changed. I can only assume that our souls have connected because this is the full moon season.

Else, we will have gone by all our lives without ever knowing each other. And I would be perfectly okay with that.

Now I need to devise a plan to make sure that he doesn't find me ever again. I'm going to change my classes. Reorganizing my schedule is possible. Take myself out of the classes that he attends and try to understand his schedule so that I can make mine opposite to his.

"Just because he will be an alpha doesn't mean he will be like your father.' Finally, the words pierce my heart. My wolf knew me perfectly. And she knows the things we have gone through. For some reason, however, she remains the positive Part of Me.

The optimistic side. She will always see the good in everything, no matter how bad and horrible it is. No matter its appearance. I find this a weakness. Because with everything that we have gone through, She should be more vigilant and skeptical.

"He doesn't have to be like Father, he could be worse.'' Silence Falls between us again. I let my mind replace the image that we had of him with that of a monster. At Least, I would try not to feel anything for him.

But the connection was still going to remain. I still wanted him to embrace me. I still yearned for his touch. I still want him to kiss me. To hug me. To make me feel loved and cared for. But I am afraid of vulnerability. He made me weak in his presence. He made me feel defenseless.

Exactly how weak my father makes me feel. I'm not going to let another man have the liberty of taking over my life like that. Reminding me that I can't defend myself. I will not give another man the power to break me apart.

To shatter my heart into pieces and leave it at the doorstep. My father has done enough. He has caused enough damage, and yet, it won't stop.

How can I allow myself to bring in yet another man that would only amplify the torture? Ryan is meant to be the alpha of the biggest pack in all the east, that means he's going to be powerful. Powerful people can do whatever they want.

Even if that means anything fun at the expense of their mate. I will not allow myself to be the subject of such torture and animosity.

Not in the hands of the man supposed to take care of me and protect me. The moon goddess made a mistake. But I was going to rectify it. I was going to stay away from him.