Chapter 4 Vulnerable

Within the quiet forest were only the sounds of leaves rustling a bit every now and then. As Mikhail was under the tree, his line of sight took itself far into the distance. Irises kept gentle as if breathing a white robe effect to gold under a particular sunlight that made Mikhail so intrigued.

A comfortable heavenly smell drew near, faint at the start, but most certainly it was there. A faint voice from behind, "Mikhail", was calling him softly

He didn't turn. "Susan. What are you doing here?"

She moved toward it, her boots clicking softly on the ground all around her. "I could ask you the same thing. You've been out here for Days."

Mikhail pushed himself off the tree and turned to face her, his features unreadable. "I have things to capture."

Susan crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "Since when do you think? I thought you just charged into fights and let instinct handle the rest. A faint smiled lingered on the corner of Mikhail's mouth. "Smart as always, I see," was his reply.

"And you're still as annoying, Susan shot back, though her voice lacked malice.

Mikhail the lifted one nostril and glared. Partly, because she was a little windblown and her eyes were shining brightly, exactly like the childhood she remembered them. Besides, she"s got longer hair. "What do you want, Susan? he asked, his voice softer now.

She had a moment of doubt, but came a step closer still. "I am interested in your well-being. The Mikhail I used to know was tough." Mikhail's expression darkened. "People change."

"Not this much," she countered. "You used to care, Mikhail. All about me, all about the pack, all about more than just fighting.

He looked away, his jaw tightening. "That was a long time ago."

Susan's voice softened. "You don't have to push everyone away, you know."

Mikhail scoffed, his golden gaze gleaming as he turned back to her. "Push them away? Or protect them? You wouldn't understand."

"Then make me understand, Susan said, her voice trembling slightly. Right now, all I can see is the one trying hard to show something that he has forgotten about what he is.

Mikhail stood and gazed at her, as he felt a sharp pang in his chest.

"Why do you care so much?" he asked, in a tone that was almost angry, with his eyes fixed on her. Susan, whose countenance had changed, blinked, she was so shocked by that question. "Why wouldn't I? You're my... you've always been important to me, Mikhail. Even when you were a pain in the butt."she finished.

A bitter laugh escaped him. "Important? Don't lie to yourself, Susan. You used to think I was weak. You made it clear every chance you got."

Susan flinched at the words. "That was when we were little kids, Mikhail. I didn't mean it like that. You know what I meant."

"Do I?" he shot back, his voice rising. Since, back then, all you could do was remind me how little I was. How much I didn't measure up."

"That's not fair," Susan said, her voice breaking. "I never thought you were small. I just... I didn't know how to deal with you.

"Deal with me?" Mikhail laughed bitterly. "That's what I was? A problem to deal with?"

"No!" Susan said quickly. "That's not what I meant."

Mikhail shook his head, his expression hardening. "It doesn't matter. None of it matters anymore. I've moved on."

"Have you?" Susan challenged, stepping closer. "Because it doesn't look like it. It looks like you're still fighting to prove something to the pack which you aren't even it.

Her words were still ringing in her ears as she noticed Mikhail with narrowed eyes and his fists closed in tight at his sides.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," he snapped, fighting off the pain.

"Then tell me," Susan pressed. "What is it, Mikhail? What are you so afraid of?"

Mikhail's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not afraid of anything, definitely not what you are thinking."

Yes, you are," Susan said, her voice calm despite the stress. "You're afraid of being vulnerable. Of letting anyone in. That's why you keep pushing me away."

He laughed bitterly. "Pushing you away? Susan, you don't belong here. This isn't your fight."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare say that to me? I've trained just as hard as you. I've bled for this pack, just like you. Don't act like you're the only one who cares or have sacrificed anything or anyone.

Mikhail's stare momentarily seemed to melt, but he immediately covered it. "You don't understand, Susan. You never will."

"Then make me understand," she said, her voice rising. "Tell me why you've closed me off and why you've buried yourself in this neverending cycle of fighting and bloodshed.

Mikhail paused with his jaw clenching. He averted his eyes for a second as he thought about what she had said and the force of it struck.

"I'm only good for this, that is why," he said morosely", with his voice breathing an echo.

Susan's breath hitched. "That's not true."

"Yes, it is," Mikhail said, his tone bitter. "I've tried to be something more, Susan. I have. Every time I try, however, it always fails. So I stopped trying. This is who I am now."

Susan walked towards him as she reached out and then her hand touched his arm. "You're more than this, Mikhail. I know you are."

Mikhail pulled away from her, his eyes hard. "You don't know absolutely anything."

Susan's hand dropped to her side and her heart strained at the space of distance between them.

"I can see that you're furious," she says softly. "But rest assured, you don't have to face it alone."

Mikhail fixed her with a glare, his golden eyes filled with rage and pain at once."You need to leave," he said, his voice icy, and stared at her without any falter at all.

Susan's eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me," he said, turning away. "Go back to the pack. This isn't your fight."

Her voice shook as she spoke. "You can't just push me away like this, Mikhail. I won't let you."

"Then you don't have a choice," he said, his tone final.

Susan clenched her fists, with her eyes filled with unseen tears. "Fine. But don't you think for a second that I'm giving up on you.

She turned and walked away.

Heʼs standing near the tree, his breath a long exhale as she walked into the forest. "I'm sorry," he let out slowly with the wind in a whisper that was barely audible. Even the leaves rustling couldn't muffle the overpowering silence.

All of a sudden, a low growl echoed through the trees. Mikhail's head snapped up, his senses keen to the slightest movement even.

The sound arose again, now the source was clearly closer, and Mikhail's claws naturally tucked back in.

At one point, the forest was completely still and then, a dark figure emerged.

Mikhail felt some way connected with the stranger. Every time that forest is invaded, I always end up getting even with someone,"

You've got some nerve coming in here. You'll have to face the consequences," he purred, his voice dripping with hatred.

The figure smirked. "Miss me, little brother?"