Angel Blackwood(16)

“Will it hurt like it did the first time?” I ask Faith.

“No honey, you may be a little stiff and it may be a little uncomfortable, but it most certainly won’t be like your first shift,” Faith says in a soft voice. I stand there naked behind the bush and try to even out my breathing to calm myself.

“You can do this sweetie. Just think about your wolf form.”

I do as she says and soon feel the tingling in my bones. I close my eyes as I hear my bones bend and break into position. Once I feel myself on all fours, I let out a deep breath.

“It gets better.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

“Why does it take so long? When I see others shift it’s quick, you don’t even get a chance to see them naked. By the time their clothes are shredded and have fallen to the ground they’ve already shifted into their wolf.” I walk my way around the bush and into the woods.

“You will be as quick as them too, my lovely. Now let’s go for that run,” she says with excitement.

I spend the next two hours running through the woods feeling free; I can tell Faith loves the freedom as well.

Sauntering back to my bag, I think back to my human self and feel my body shift. When I feel the breeze on my naked human body, I open my eyes to see I’m still alone behind the bush. I stretch my stiff muscles still fully enjoying the cool air against my skin. I don’t relish in the moment too long afraid someone will walk by, so I quickly put a bra and underwear on. I look over the bush to see if anyone has come down to the lake and when the coast is clear, I run toward the water with my duffle bag in tow.

I walk to the end of the dock, dropping my bag.

I look down at the water then look to where the sun is rising; it’s so quiet out here and the water is calling my name.

I don’t waste another minute second guessing myself, I just do it. I jump into the cold water with a squeal and resurface giggling. I float on my back, adjusting to the temperature of the water and look up to the clear blue sky.

Today is a going to be a good day! I smile trying to convince myself.

I lay there for a couple more minutes humming to myself and looking at the beautiful sky, making sure to keep all thoughts of the twins out of my head. I’m gonna take Nixon’s advice and I’m gonna live in the now… well… I’m gonna live in the now until my past catches up to me.

When I turn to swim back to the dock, I scream and manage to choke on a little water.

“What the hell, Tyler! How long have you been watching me?” I yell at him as I make my way to the little ladder near his legs.

“Since you jumped in,” he says flatly, not looking all that happy. I feel his eyes on my body as I pull myself out the water.

The tension between us is thick and awkward.

I walk past him towards my bag, wringing my long hair out. When I bend down to dig in my bag I hear a loud intake of breath followed by an angry snarl.

“Shit!” I whisper, quickly grabbing my hoodie and putting it on to cover the scars on my back; its long enough to cover my underwear too so I don’t bother wasting time putting shorts on. I pick up my shoes and throw the duffle over one shoulder. I turn and I’m immediately assaulted by Tyler’s delicious scent. He stands right in front of me with a compassionate look on his face. I can feel him trying to break the walls down to get into my head, but I won’t let him.

I shove past him, but he grabs me and pulls me to his chest. I really want to hold him tight and take in his scent. It’s so addictive, but I can’t allow myself to give in.

“I’m sorry, Angel,” he says, his voice low and husky. I didn’t expect that to come out of his mouth.

“Those scars…” He continues and my eyes flicker up to his face. I can feel his hurt and his pain as he tries to find the words. “…they haven’t healed… are… are they from the attack?”

I look away and start thinking about the waterfall back in Point Bright.

He grabs my jaw and forces me to look into his eyes. “Don’t do that! Don’t block me out, Angel. Let me in.”

His eyes. God… those beautiful eyes.

His words make me want to do just that, but I can’t; not now when all I can picture is him sitting on the porch swing cuddling up to Kate. Seeing Kate looking into his eyes, holding his body close to hers, her hands feeling him where my hands now rest against his chest.

I swallow the lump in my throat and look back down.

“Just let me in, tell me what happened!” He yells into my face, looks away and then shakes his head when I don’t respond. He lowers his hands to the base of my neck then to my shoulders, his grip firm. Softening his voice, he speaks with such tenderness and I realise that Tyler… the sweet Tyler I once knew is in there… somewhere.