Escaping from the wolf

H-how? I stammered. He's breaking up with me.

His expression gave me nothing. He had managed perfectly to show no gesture or anything that would reveal what he was feeling. Whether he felt relief or was just like me.

Why did he want to break up with me? Did I do something wrong? And at that moment, I heard my dad's voice in my head: boys don't take you seriously. You're so simple. I clenched my hands and took a deep breath to calm down. Apolo was my first boyfriend, and I thought that when someone broke up with me, I would be devastated.

Yes, deep down it hurts because I still care about him.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

Don't beg him, a voice in my head said. Maybe the same one that told me that a couple of nights ago in a bar. And I think Thomas was right; I won't beg. If Apolo wants to break up with me, I'm not going to beg him; despite everything, I have my pride.

I crossed my arms and lifted my chin.

"It's okay, Apolo. If you don't want to be with me anymore, I accept it."

I could see how he frowned, unable to believe my reaction. I guess he thought I would break down in tears or run out of the room. For that moment, I felt proud of myself.

"Aren't you... angry?" he questioned.

I shook my head, with a lump in my throat. If I said anything, I might not be able to hold on any longer and break down completely.

He nodded, understanding.

"Goodbye, Anne." He walked past me without looking back.

With him no longer in front of me, I let my arms fall. I squeezed my eyes tightly, forcing myself to forget this terrible moment. Honestly, I never thought he and I would break up because he had said I was his soulmate. The person destined for him. How could that change? Did he lie to me?

Something he wasn't telling me... In fact, he wasn't telling me anything.

I snapped back to reality: the sound of the ball being hit by the girls, the murmurs of the others, the shoes squeaking against the floor.

I turned around, only to find Thomas staring at me, his jaw clenched tightly. He was stiff. Something told me he had heard everything, and instead of being happy, why was he angry?

I noticed Apolo was lost in thought at the other end.

"Ball!" I heard Carolina shout.

I was slow to react.

Pain. That's what I felt when the ball hit my neck at full speed, making me lose my balance and fall to the ground.

Damn. Total embarrassment.

All the girls rushed to me.

"Anne, are you okay?" Carolina asked, kneeling beside me.

My neck, damn, it hurts.

I clumsily got up.

I saw Thomas running toward me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his face genuinely concerned.

I raised my hand and placed it on my neck.

Great, a bandaged hand and now I think they'll put a neck brace on me.

"I'm sore but fine," I murmured.

Thomas and Carolina helped me up, and all the other students looked at me with questioning eyes. The only ones who didn't come near were Kara and her friends, who now had their hands on their hips, laughing. It was Kara.

And it wasn't an accident.

"Who was it, Carolina?" I asked.

She looked at me, frowning.

"Anne," Thomas warned.

I ignored him.

"Kara threw the ball," she replied.

I looked for Apolo, but he was gone. He didn't even come to see how I was.

Thanks for worrying about me, Apolo. You're a good ex-boyfriend.

"Come on, let's go to the nurse's office to get something for the pain," Thomas suggested.

I shot a glare at Kara and the others. I felt so angry, sad, and helpless that I didn't know what to do... In the end, I listened to Thomas for my own good.

I headed to the nurse's office with Thomas. The nurse put some ice on my neck and gave me a painkiller. After leaving the nurse's office, Thomas took me to the back of the school where there was a forest. I didn't quite understand what he wanted to show me.

"Thomas, seriously, I need to get back to class," I complained again.

I hate breaking my word. I mean, is it so hard to avoid a guy? In the end, I always end up with Thomas. No matter what I do, he's always there. No matter how much I try to escape.

He gave me a warning look.

"Anne, I just want us to take a walk," he said.

I bit my lower lip as I crossed my arms and looked at the forest. Snowflakes were falling; maybe it will snow tomorrow.

I sighed and gave in.

"Okay."

He smiled triumphantly and took off his backpack.

"Can you carry this?" he asked, handing it to me. I frowned immediately. "I need you to carry it. I always bring clothes for when I turn back into a human."

"Ah..." I understood.

I took the backpack and put it on. Thomas stepped back a little without taking his amused eyes off me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"When I transform, you'll get on my back, okay?" he explained.

Is he going to transform here?

"Someone might see you," I murmured.

His shoulders relaxed.

"No one comes to this part."

I relaxed my shoulders too and didn't protest further. He stood still, looking at a specific point, while smoke started to rise from his body. Then he gave a little jump and landed on all fours. His clothes were in tatters on the ground. I still haven't gotten used to that.

Thomas was a dark brown wolf, almost black. Even his size was nearly the same as mine. His strong legs gave the impression of a sturdy wolf, almost like an Alpha. "Get on," he said mentally.

I nodded hesitantly and walked toward him, trembling. How am I supposed to get on if he's so huge? And, as if reading my thoughts, Thomas crouched down.

I sighed and placed my leg on the other side so he could help me get on properly. Once ready, I grabbed onto his fur. Not too tightly.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready."

I held on tightly as Thomas began to run. My hair started to whip around as the wind hit my face.

As we entered the forest: we left the trees, flowers, and everything behind. Thomas was super fast. The snowflakes began to cover the forest in even more white. It looked so beautiful. In that moment, I forgot everything and let myself be carried away by the moment.

Maybe this was what I needed: to feel good, free.

Thomas began to slow down, arriving at a small lake, with a sort of waterfall.

I got off.

"I need you to put the backpack behind that bush," he said. "Unless..."

He began to say seductively.

"I understand," I interrupted immediately. "I'll put it there."

I walked to the large bush and placed the backpack behind it. Thomas walked beside me, and I even felt like he was laughing, but you can't see an animal laugh, can you?

I turned my back to him while he changed. I heard rustling leaves and then felt him come up behind me. I turned around to see him without a shirt. He was holding the shirt in his hand.

His abdomen. So flat. I could see the V shape forming and disappearing into his pants.

Wow, I think I blushed.

He looked at me seductively, smiling to the side. I recognized that gesture; it's used to charm.

"Do you smile to melt hearts?" I asked.

He smiled even more.

"No, little Anne," he came closer, "I smile to melt your heart."

I swallowed hard.

"So..." I looked around. "What is this place?"

He put on his shirt, and I thanked God. We started walking to the edge of the small lake. The water was crystal clear. And there were some small fireflies flying around. At night, it must look magical. I smiled, imagining the scene.

"My refuge, so to speak," he replied.

I didn't look at him. I just sat on the grass. Thomas did the same.

"Why did you bring me here, Thomas?" I asked, finally looking at him.

His gaze was on the lake, giving me only his profile. Even in profile, he looked so-sorry, God, for saying this-seductive.

"Until now, it's the second most beautiful thing in the world," he looked at me. I felt a flutter in my heart and I bet I blushed. "I like to come here to think."

The second most beautiful thing in the world? Then what's the first?

"It's... nice," I said, turning my gaze back to the lake. "It's peaceful, magical. A special place to come read a good book."

I shouldn't have said that last part. He'll think I'm boring. Maybe he had other things in mind for this place, but reading? Seriously, I'm so awkward.

"I know," he admitted.

I looked at him immediately.

"You read?" I asked.

"Only when the title is interesting."

He looked at me expectantly, and I think that "title" was just a hint.

I cleared my throat.

And now I remember he might have heard my conversation with Apolo. Embarrassment began to overwhelm me. Thomas has seen me in my most embarrassing situations, and yet he's still here. With me. Why?

"Did you... hear what happened today? When Apolo broke up with me?" I wanted to know, lowering my gaze to the grass.

"Let's not talk about that, little Anne," his voice was calm but carried a hint of warning.

I nodded. I didn't want to remember that unpleasant moment either.

"Where are you from?" I asked, even I didn't know where that question came from.

He tensed.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"No, it's fine," he interrupted. "I'm from Canada."

Wow.

"And what are you doing here?"

"Let's say I came in search of something," he replied. It felt like a hint.

I raised my eyebrows slightly, and my gaze moved from him to behind him. Apolo, as a wolf, was there, watching us, and he didn't look happy. Anyone would say he was determined to start a fight.