Chapter Five: Counterproductive

The way this mysterious man’s enchanting voice filled my ears and rushed through the canals sent beautiful shivers to run down my spine, even in my pain-stricken mind, I couldn’t deny some odd magnetic pull that fired between us as he stood a few feet in front of me.

But if I thought the sound of his voice was intoxicating enough, the simple word he spoke caused my heart rate to pick up and heat to flush to my cheeks. I can’t deny how absolutely gorgeous this man was and the thought that he for some reason, wanted me, I couldn’t help but the bubbling feelings to ignite in my stomach.

The longer I kept his eye contact the more my logical brain which seemed to have taken a vacation since my accident screams at me to not be so stupid, why would such a man be interested in a person like me?! It’s clear from the way he stands and the magical place I had found myself in, I wasn’t looking at a fellow human being, but one of the creatures I loathed, a werewolf.

With this realisation in mind and the side I had chosen during that battle, it was obvious what was about to happen. This man who seems to hold some kind of title in this world was going to kill me, that thought should have terrified me but with everything that had occurred during these past twenty-four hours, I was completely numb, and my mind didn’t seem to want to fight anymore.

“If you’re here to kill me just do it, I don’t care anymore.” My defeated voice laced with the deepest of sadnesses I believe I had ever felt broke through the silence, my body seeming to shut down as I closed my eyes and placed my head against the old stone wall.

“And why would I do such a thing?” The man asked in the middle of my body preparing for the end, but when he did not go to attack but proceeded to ask me such a thing, I lift my head up a little and watch him.

“Because you’re a werewolf and I’m a human, it’s what your kind does.” I responded unsure if I had to explain his nature to him, I thought people with a title were supposed to be smart!

“I will agree that some individuals from my kind do have the capacity to act in such a vile manner but that does not mean I hold that same desire.” He stated placing his hands behind his back as he spoke, his huge structure continuing to tower above me as I lay curled up against the wall.

“If my sole intention was to simply kill you, why would I have taken the time and thought to bring you back to my palace and into the best hospital in the land. Would that not be counterproductive?” He continued to ask the questions which should have been in my own mind, but I was too filled with pain and grief that any logical thinking had been thrown out long ago.

“Why did you help me?” I asked watching as he proceeded to take slow and powerful steps towards me, the closer he became the faster my heart would race in my chest, his eyes not leaving me for a moment.

“You were injured, and I felt it was my obligation to ensure your safety.” Was all he stated as he arrived right in front of me, a gulp soon rushing down my throat as he stood so close I could have reached over and touched him, an action my body seemed to beg for.

“I’m from the opposite side, my friends and boyfrie-… people I deemed family were attacking you, an attack I agreed with, you held no obligation to help me. You have all the right in the world to kill me, why aren’t you?” I asked as though I was trying to make him change his mind, as he smiled a little crouching down, so he was at my level, his intoxicating smell threatening to lull me into some sort of trance the closer he came.

“In life, circumstances and situations can never be so cut and dry, there are many factors to consider when dealing with such a dangerous matter. I do not expect you to understand them in this moment but with time, I believe you will learn and appreciate why I have decided to take the steps I have.” He spoke with such a powerful voice holding such true emotion that I was more than shocked, my lip quivered as a cold chill ran through my body, even though it was boiling, it was as though my body could not regulate its own heat.

“Due to your injury, you have lost quite a substantial amount of blood, the doctors explained how you are at risk of going into hypovolemic shock, which is why I can see you are shivering.” He began to explain with worry on his expression as he watched me continue to shiver as though it was the middle of winter.

“I want to go home.” Was all I said pulling my legs closer to my chest in hopes of preserving more heat, but if this man is correct with his explanation, that may not help me.

“I do not believe you travelling anywhere in this condition would be a wise idea.” He pointed out with a sigh seeming to want to reach forward to touch me but balled his hand up and pulled it right back seeming to fight the urge.

“I am definitely not going back to that hospital.” I said point blank not wanting to beat around the bush, where a slight chuckle left his lips causing me to force a smile not to form onto my own lips hearing it.

“I also have to agree with you, the hospital does not seem to have the appropriate security to keep you there, which is why I am asking you to allow me to escort you to one of the many bedrooms in my palace where you can be safe until you have fully regained your strength.” He smiled over to me, a smile that took my breath away and allowed little butterflies to break out of their cocoons and take flight in my stomach.

“I don’t need to be looked after or babied, I’m okay.” I said shaking my head not wanting him, a werewolf who I must continue to state that I hate, to try and swoop into my rescue.

But when I went to move to show him, I would be fine to return home, the frustrating pain in my shoulder sends a ripple through my system leading me to cry out a little and place my head onto the wall.

“I do not doubt for a moment your capabilities to look after yourself but as you sit here before me, it is clear you are still injured and yes, I agree taking you back to the hospital may be the opposite of what you need but if you continue to blatantly disregard your own health, it is most certainly where you will return. So, as I have previously asked, allow me to help you to a room in the palace.” This man insisted seeming to grow a little frustrated himself that I was refusing to allow him to help me even though it’s clear I’m in desperate need.

“I don’t understand why you’re so eager to help me, it’s clear you have some high status living in a place such as this, what would helping some unimportant human girl who clearly showcased to you she does not like your kind going to prove?” I asked more than hesitant to agree with my past experiences with them as I slowly lowered my legs to look at him properly.

“You are correct, I do hold a significant status within the werewolf community but that does not mean I am doing such a thing to gain any recognition or praise. As I have explained, this situation is beyond complex and with time, you will begin to understand more but until that point, it is vital that you trust me.” He repeated growing increasingly agitated when I didn’t fall into his arms and gracefully accepted the help.

“You’re a werewolf, I will never trust you with what you people put me through.” I stated coldly staring right at him where it was shock but also, a hint of interest looked back at me once I spoke those words.

“But I have to agree that travelling home with my injury probably wouldn’t be in my best interests, I will accept the help but don’t think I’m happy about it.” I said at first with a sigh hating the fact I was actually, agreeing to allow this creature to help me, but if I wanted to get back home, I didn’t have much choice.

“I can manage.” I groan a little as he reached his hand forward to help me stand, but when that same shockwave of pain rippled through my shoulder, I couldn’t help the shout of pain that rumbled from my lips.

“Are you sure?” He asked catching me before I fell back to the floor, but as soon as his hands were placed on my waist to prevent me from falling to the ground, millions of tiny spark like flashes rippled from his hand and through my entire body, but not in a painful way, but filled me with nothing but pleasure.

“What is that?” I asked staring down at his hand with shock and a little fear before back at his face, his holding a hint of a smile as though whatever I felt was conformation to him.

“Will you allow me to carry you to the bedroom, the rocks which make up my forecourt appear to have already bruised your feet, we do not need you injuring yourself further?” He asked as I’m placed to stand onto those bruised feet where I was forced to grip his shoulder, the dizziness from before soon making a reappearance.

Even though accepting to stay here until I was better was torture enough, the way my feet arched, and my head spun was proof that I needed help and rest if I was going to make it out the other end.

“Even a warrior knows when to lower his sword to rest.” The man whose name was still unclear to me whispered, the whisper even more intoxicating than his usual voice that soon lulled me deeper into his spell.

Seeing what he said was true, I send him a defeated nod whilst lifting up my good arm, my other with my shoulder stayed glued to my chest as moving it only proved difficult. Smiling, he walks over and soon picks me up into his arms whilst my good arm wrapped around his neck to keep me in place.

With the sudden closeness and his hands on my body, it was as though I could relax into him, any sadness, fear or pain that was engulfing me not moments before washed away now his arms were around me. I was soon carried out of my hiding place and into the forecourt I had ran through, all eyes from the people around who had seemingly frozen burnt holes into me.

But I didn’t care, my eyes remained on my rescuers beautiful face as he happily, climbed the steps leading into the palace with me dangling from his arms. I didn’t know if it was due to the blood loss that he’d explained to me or the fact my body was fully relaxing, the task to keep my eyes open became the hardest of them all, while my head unintentionally, fell to rest on his muscular chest.

I couldn’t have known that day, but I had just agreed never to return home again.