Chapter 11: After.

Who did this guy actually think he was? I wasn't some fragile, porcelain doll, which I'm sure he was hoping for. Nor was my opinion malleable, not after the shit-show I like to refer to as my life. Sure, there was a bruise on my shoulder, but that didn't mean anything so long as I remained in.. my human form. It was beyond strange to think I had anything but a human body. Regardless, until I've transformed, I'm just an ordinary person, and there was no such thing as 'mates for the season' in the real world, else there wouldn't be such thing as cheating on partners.

My phone buzzed in my bag, and I was soon to fetch and check the message.

Tiff: I'm craving some ice-cream right now, a whole tub, in fact. Let's binge some anime.

This woman... was going to be the death of me. I couldn't believe I was about to risk transforming a second time just for a tub of ice-cream to watch a genre I don't even enjoy half as much as her. Well, suppose I owed her this much, afterall, I'd been ignoring her and the others for a while now, after the whole wolf thing.

Fine, then, only because I want some time to calm down after that misogynistic ass thought he could manipulate a woman into doing whatever he wants. It's truly embarrassing. He and Becky do deserve eachother, at least, that's what I'd like to think but some reason, that really gets me riled. The mere thought of her ever getting to touch him would be pure Hell for me. It could only be because of this mark that I feel so protective, surely.

After I'd finally bought the ice-cream, chocolate, simple and plain, I found myself making my way to the forest from before. It felt far too comforting, and yet eerie at the same time. I didn't know how I could feel like the place I found my sister as my safe place, but it did feel like home, moreso than the apartment. A shiver coursed through my body, causing me to walk at a faster pace in hopes of warming up, only to notice that there were a group of stoners sat upon a logs, set in a circle around a fire that was within a metal can. For some reason, I felt the need to protect this place, to get these people out of here, to keep the forest sacred.

Abruptly, I dashed forth and was about to grip one of the men by the head as I did before, hoping to transform admist, but no, of course. It could never be when I wanted to, instead I was grasped and floored, as if the group had only just started their cycle, else he wouldn't have been so responsive. Aggressive, though, as his hands dug into my shoulders, causing the pain from the bite-mark to ache and I let out a whimper, turning my head away from the stench he exuded.

I felt one of his hands lower and grasp one side of my chest above the fabric of my thin shirt, squeezing hard and resulting in a wince, I began to kick out of pure fear.

No, no, no.. not again, not this again. I didn't want this. This wasn't about to happen, surely? Surely, I was just dreaming, this was just a nightmare that would pass, so just let it-

There was a rush of cold against my skin as my shirt was torn apart, revealing my brassiere to this revolting person- no, animal. Even that would be too kind. This thing was a monster, a danger to all women, and he shouldn't-

Maybe this was deserved, again, for all the pain and suffering I'd caused people. The deaths that have resulted from my own fault.

I felt tears well up, letting a strangled cry escape from my lips as his hands would slide under the fabric-

And the weight was lifted. He had been thrown off of me, and I was picked up by someone. That familiar woodsy smell.. it resembled comfort. That was the home, the place I want to be, in the arms of the only person who showed interest beyond sexually.

I was placed back down soon after, back against the tree, as he was soon to return to the assaulter. From the screams and yells that were heard, I could only assume that he'd severely injured, or even murdered, those people. I wasn't sure if all of them deserved the same treatment, but that one singular man..

"..I deserved it.." I whispered quietly, the chills still coursing over my skin from the open shirt and off-centered bra.

"What nonsensical thoughts are you spouting now, Emilie?" He knelt down infront of me, the one that had protected me. The one that had marked me, made me his. Was it such a bad thing?

"How did you find me?" Was the reflexive question I had to ask, as he fixed up my clothing, replacing the buttons and closing the shirt up once again.

"If I told you, would you be a little happier that you're marked, afterall?" He tilted his head as his hands placed either side of my legs, knees having raised against my chest.

"..so it's like a tracker, then.. I can't even get a bit of privacy.." I mumbled, knowing how ungrateful it sounded, and yet I couldn't help but feel violated by him too, especially considering I'd never asked to become this man's plaything. I still didn't understand why me, why he'd choose to mark me, yet it did make sense.. I was probably one of the only other wolves he'd met.

"Would you rather that, or have been raped?" He didn't even bother putting it lightly. The mere thought made me want to cry, to scream, to lash out...

"I don't want to go home." I said in response, knowing how suggestive it sounded, I didn't care anymore. This person was the one who'd kept me safe, who'd continue to keep me safe, I just knew it. I knew that this whole marking thing wasn't something done to someone you didn't want to care about. He wanted to care, though, maybe that meant this was a new thing to him to.. to feel the need to protect and love someone. It didn't feel like he was the kind of person capable, but with a bit of help, maybe I could open up that stony heart of his, and likewise for making my heart a little warmer.

He looked a little surprised to say the least, though didn't object, simply stood and offered a hand to me, which I gratefully took. "Let's go home, then. My home, your home, our home for this season."

'For this season'... meaning this'd be over by the end, and I had to get my fill quickly, of this infatuation that he had to offer me. I could also try to learn a thing or two about transforming whilst with him, so it wasn't all bad. I just felt dread for the end.

"For tonight. We'll see about the rest." I mumbled quietly, a small smile forming on my face, and earning a raise of a brow from him.

"Very well, then." He didn't let go of my hand, his vice-like-grip promising safety, security and protection. Trust. Love. Support. He'd be here for now, maybe even forever, because...

"Wolves, they... become life-long partners, don't they?" This feeling of abandonment within my heart, it couldn't handle the thought. I had to say something sooner rather than later.

"Wolves, perhaps, but we are people as well. Boredom is prominent, and is often the reason for looking to other partners for more experience. I can't promise you a life with me, I can't even promise these few months will always be pleasant, but I can promise to try and show you the love and care you will need to be able to live your life to the fullest, and to find a new partner." His words were the ones I'd dreaded most.

"So, this is just a bit of fun for you?" I couldn't wrap my head around it. He just admitted that loyalty wasn't 100% certain. My hand pulled out of his, causing me to stumble from the abruptness, and his willingness to let go. I couldn't help but start to tear up. "You can promise me false hope, love and care for these next few months, but you can't promise me anything after. You can't promise to be with me, and to not abandon me. Am I supposed to be happy and accepting of that, to just let you go after the time we may spend together? In that case, rather than falling in love and having to fall out of it again within mere moments, maybe I would rather to have privacy from you."

There was no bemusement, in fact, he looked completely blank, as if he couldn't understand how a woman could deny such an attractive man as himself. Trust me, it was difficult to deny possibly the most handsome man I'd ever seen, but I wasn't about to lose a quarter of a year to a man, waste my time, whilst knowing it'd be futile.

"I'm sorry." I whispered at noticing he didn't respond, and simply turned his head aside, a muscle ticking in his jaw. He was irritated? He had no right, not after what he'd just told me.

I found myself turning and stumbling away, the flooring uneven and roots everywhere, often almost tripping.

"And if I could try and fulfill that wish of your's?" He called after me, remaining stood where he was when I left, a little ways away now.

"Then, consider me your's."

He looked exasperated, a hand having raised to wipe down his face, clearly not liking the idea of having to actually do what a woman wants for once, to get his own way. I didn't even know fully if he would try, but at thinking he might, that was enough for me.

"Let's go home, then." He finally responded, extending a hand out to me as he began to walk away, forcing me to catch up and grab it.

This was enough for me.