Chapter 4

~Two Months Later~

It's been two months since the day we met, and my wolf has come to enjoy our new friend's presence just as much as I have.

Keith is a breath of fresh air in my dark world. He doesn't see the dirty, broken person I am. He sees a friend, something I've never had but always wanted.

His visits are random, and that's to be expected of a teenage boy still under his parents' roof, balancing school and werewolf training. 

I've grown so accustomed to Keith's presence and his earthy scent that I don't even wake if he sneaks into my cave while I'm sleeping. He curls up against me in the pile of fluffy blankets he gave me shortly after we met, just like he does today.

When my eyes finally flutter open, I feel his arms wrapped around me and his warmth against my back. I turn in his arms to face him, and find his dark gray eyes already on me. His eyes sweep over my face with a softness that makes my heart race, and then his hand reaches up to rest gently against my cheek. I smile softly, close my eyes, and nuzzle his hand. A deep, soothing warmth fills my chest, and my stomach flutters.

I can't begin to explain how amazing it feels when he touches me. His touch is everything I always prayed for. Everything I always dreamed of during the worst nights of my life, but thought I'd never experience. His touch is warm, soft, and impossibly gentle, so different from the harsh, violent touch I am so used to.

I open my eyes, and my eyebrows knit together when I notice he is nervous. I reach up and lightly touch his face to encourage him to speak. He relaxes a little under my hand and exhales a breath before he speaks.

“My parents know about you.”

My throat immediately constricts. My hand jerks away from his face like his skin is acid. I see pain flash in his eyes at my reaction, but I can't help it. Fear takes hold of me, and I begin to spiral.

An adult knows about me! 

They're going to come for me, and they'll hurt me. 

I'm not ready for pain and abuse. I'm just learning how to use my voice. I'm just learning how to speak and put words together. I just got comfortable with my new friend. I'm not ready to lose him. I'm not ready to be thrown into a dark, cold room. I'm not ready to be treated like an object again. I'm not ready to be afraid to wake up each day.

I gasp for air, fingers clawing at my throat, trying to remove the invisible vice that is choking me.

“Shhh… It's okay. Relax. Breathe. I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you. Just breathe.” Keith says softly, pulling me into his arms, tucking my head under his chin, and running his fingers through my hair.

Slowly, his scent and warm embrace calm me, and my breaths come easier. He holds me until I stop crying and my breathing returns to normal. Then, he pulls back and takes my face into his hands.

“You don't have to be afraid,” He says softly. “It's my parents. They're nice, and they're concerned about you being out here alone. Especially with winter just around the corner. 

This cave keeps you dry from the rain, but it won't do much to keep you warm when the temperatures drop below freezing. Not to mention it's only going to get harder and harder to find food.”

His thumb caresses my cheek as he holds my face. He looks down, pauses, then meets my eyes again and continues.

“They would like to take you to the orphanage. The orphanage is one of the safest places in our pack. No one would dare hurt you there. Think of it like the humans' church. It's considered sacred. 

You would have a bed, three meals a day, a roof over your head, and warmth. You may even make new friends.”

I immediately shake my head. I don't need anyone else but Keith! “I-I don't w-want new f-friends! I w-want you!”

A tender smile spreads across his face, and he pulls me closer, then rubs his nose against mine, and my heart beats faster. I close my eyes and focus on our closeness. I love when he holds me so close like this. I love when almost every inch of his body touches mine.

His nose flares as he takes a breath in. “You've been drinking the tea,” He says quietly, and I nod against him. 

“I can tell. You don't smell like a submissive Delta 3 anymore. It's masking your scent. That means it's safe for you to go into the pack now. I want you to go to the orphanage. Please!... I can't bear the thought of you living out here in the winter.” 

His eyes plead with me just as desperately as his words, and I find it impossible to say no.

I let out a shaky, surrendering breath, and close my eyes as I swallow hard, then nod. “O-okay,” I whisper.

Keith releases a heavy breath of relief as he rests his forehead against mine again.

“Thank you!” He whispers, then steals the air from my lungs when his chin tilts toward me, and he presses his lips to mine for the very first time. 

It catches me off guard. I wasn't expecting it, even though I have been wanting to feel his lips against mine for quite some time now.

My breath catches in my throat, and for a brief moment I freeze. Then, I realize he's kissing me. It's my first kiss, and with the boy I've been falling for.

My eyes flutter closed, and my fingers curl into the fabric of his shirt. His lips are warm and soft against mine, and they begin to move. I melt against him and try to mimic his movements.

His tongue grazes the seams of my lips, and my tongue darts out to greet him. The moment our tongues touched, I thought I died and went to heaven. His velvety tongue wraps around mine, licking and exploring my mouth with confidence, like he knows what he's doing, and he's been waiting a long time to do it. I don't know what I'm doing, but I follow my instincts and his movements. My tongue dances with his, and when his lips close, mine do too. When his lips open again, mine quickly follow, and I breathe a breath of relief when his tongue wraps around mine again.

I feel light as a feather as he kisses me. The kiss is everything I dreamed of. Soft, tender, and magical. My feelings for him grow in an instant, and I realize I'll never love another. 

The kiss ends with him sucking my bottom lip into his mouth once more, then he presses our foreheads together, and our rapid, ragged breaths fan each other's faces. 

He smiles as he trails his fingers along my face, and a surge of giddiness floods me. I feel so loved. My heart feels so full, so full that it feels like it might burst.

“That was the best birthday present ever! Thank you.”

My eyes widen, and I gasp as I pull back to look at him in shock. “I-it's your b-birthday?” 

He laughs at my shocked expression and nods. “Yes. I turned 15 at 1:23 this morning. My mom always reminds me that I kept her up all night the day I came into this world.” He says with a smile and a roll of his eyes. 

Guilt floods me. 

I have nothing to give him! 

I look down, my chest aching. I couldn't give the boy I love anything for his birthday. 

“What's wrong?” He asks, his fingers wrapping around my chin to lift my face until our eyes meet.

“I-I…I d-don’t have a-anything to g-give you.” 

He sighs, then smiles softly at me as he rests his hand against my cheek again. 

“You already gave me the best gift anyone could give me. You gave me you, your friendship, your heart, and my first kiss. I couldn't ask for anything more. Nothing can top that!” 

A smile spreads across my face like a wildfire. Not only was I his first kiss, but he also said I am the best thing anyone could give him. My heart is definitely going to explode at this rate. 

He smiles against my lips when I kiss him again, and I wonder how I ever lived without feeling his lips on mine.