" Just in time" said Alik, as she climbed into the car. Amelia just nodded as she shoved her duffel into the backseat via the space between the two front seats. " You know i never did ask where we were going" Amelia said smiling. " You'll see" he said smiling, all teeth. Alik had his hand resting on the center console in an upturned position that had to be extremely uncomfortable, probably hoping she would hold his hand, she didn't disappoint and soon placed her palm to his. They rode like that for hours after they got to the highway, contently holding hands over the center console. They didn't have to talk to feel comfortable around each other anymore, so the silence wasn't awkward.
"Don't you need a break?" Amelia asked him as they passed the third rest stop, surprised that he didn't seem tired at all. "Why," he asked her " Do you need something?". Alik should be dragging right now, begging for a break, thought Amelia as he quickly pulled into a gas station so they could more easily converse. " You know i really hate to be a such a bother about this, but where're we going?" Alik sighed, debating, " we're going to a cabin in the Appalachian mountains to stay with some of my family" he said finally.
"Oh" she wasn't sure why but this revelation surprised her, Appalachia... hmmmm she'd never been there, though it does explain his attractive accent. He smirked at her, having never taken his eyes from her face "Penny for your thoughts?". She hadn't looked at him since they pulled over but she could hear the sly smile in his voice and could easily imagine the look in his ever attentive green and blue colored eyes. "Right now I'm thinking, 'how can i be on a road trip with the most handsome person I've ever met" directly after saying this she drops her gaze to her lap but quickly changes her mind and peers at him through her lashes, her cheeks pink. His eyes widen in surprise at her remark, but instead of saying anything he just raises his hand and strokes her cheek gently with his long eloquent fingers. "I like it when you blush, the color suits you". At this her face reddened considerably more, and she breathily giggled. The sound of her giggle seemed to change something in him and he leaned forward ever so slightly inching his way to her, she in return raised both hands to either side of his head and pulled him to her. Placing his hands on her shoulders and putting their foreheads together he whispered almost silently "Are you sure about this?" In response she lifted her head and their lips met, the feeling that washed over her was similar to being electrocuted but in the most delightful way. Their kiss was slow at first, but soon had gained intensity and by the time he pulled away the only noise was the ragged and harsh breathing they both had instantly adopted. "You know, i do have to think clearly to drive..." said Alik mockingly scolding Amelia. His comment left Amelia blushing scarlet, as her cheeks were already flushed due to the unexpected intensity of their kiss.
As he pulled out of the gas station parking lot he oh-so-casually placed his hand , palm down, on her knee.
The car came to a stop in front of a slim path cut out of a wall of Pine, Oak, and Spruce trees. Alik looked at her and was surprised to find her eyes already on him, "We will have to walk the rest of the way" he said slowly, gauging her reaction. She slouched in her seat, relishing the walk and imagining an almost impassible landscape just beyond the brink of the forest. "Must we?" She asks smiling and winking while pretending to whine, reaching for the door handle.
They simultaneously climb out of the car and walk around to the front. At the path entrance Alik produced a flashlight seemingly from nowhere. Amelia immediately grabbed his hand and put them both into the front pocket of his Bad Wolves hoodie.
"The walk isn't very far but i would like to talk about a few things before we get there" Alik said, a bit nervously. "Okay, shoot" Amelia answered casually.
"Well... Umm....." he trailed off at a loss for words. "Will you be my boyfriend" Amelia squeezed the words out in a fast exhale. Stunned Alik stopped dead in his tracks, simultaneously stopping Amelia, she began worrying that she'd guessed wrong. "Are you sure you want that?" He asked, watching her intently. "W-well..." ,she stuttered, "I th-think so..." her sentence puttered to an uncertain end. "Why dont we wait until after this trip to decide that? But i will introduce you as my girlfriend so my family will leave you alone."he said still taken slightly aback at her question. Could she really like him? Would she still after he told her his secret? There were a million questions swirling around in Alik's head, so many in fact that he hadn't realized they were in the small clearing until a pack of snarling wolves had surrounded them. He cleared his head and, speaking to the packs collective mind, ordered them to stop. Being son of the old Alpha certainly had its perks, he thought snidely as the wolves strode into the woods. "What the hell was that about?!" yelled Amelia pointing an accusing finger toward him. "I told them to stop, i dont get why your so mad "Alik said raising his hands in both defense and exasperation. "Told them! Really! All you did was stand still! I was this close to getting eaten by a wolf!" She said raising her left hand and holding out her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. "Hhhh" sighed Alik impatiently waiting for her to stop. Just as he was about to say something she started screaming " they're PEOPLE! THE WOLVES ARE PEOPLE!" Before fainting into Aliks waiting arms.
"How much longer till she wakes up" an unfamiliar voice asks. Her eyelids flutter and slowly slide open, revealing the odd scene in front of her. Alik sitting by her side with his hands wrapped delicately around hers. As she woke up she looked around more and noticed she was inside.... somewhere. "Honey do you know where you are?" a close familiar voice asked, she looked up and saw him, standing there with an apologetic look on his face. "I'm in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of wolf people and my boyfriend" she said emphasizing the last word. "Are you hungry?" A sweet looking middle aged woman, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere, asked politely.
"I'm so tired" complained Amelia as they climbed the last stair to the top floor of the cabin. "Good thing we're going to bed then" Alik replied being slightly rude."What is your problem?!" Amelia asked angrily, smacking his shoulder, " Ever since i woke up you've done nothing but be RUDE" on the final word she shoved him hard into the wall. He just stood there with a blank look on his face, god she wanted to punch him! "See we're not even together and you already cant stand me!" He yelled pushing himself off the wall and launching at her. "EEEEeeeeeehhhhhh" Amelia squealed trying to twist away from him, and failing as his body collided with hers and held her there. "Let me up!" she giggled. "Not until you apologize for the shove that sent me into the wall." He said in a deep commanding voice.