INDIGO'S P.O.V.
I groaned as I slowly regained consciousness. My eyelids slowly let in the light causing the room around me to seem hazy. I stared at the fuzzy red numbers from my alarm clock, the numbers sharpening as my eyes focused. The memories of last night came flashing into view. I couldn't understand why Lily was out so late and at the lake. Or why she was talking in her sleep about someone hurting her. I felt my sanity dissipate the further I tried to understand.
~At least I messaged my professors last night letting them know I had a... family emergency. Educating myself about politics will just have to wait.~
I tossed over, my body heavy and sore from last night's run. I sat up in bed as I realized that I would not be able to get any more sleep. I rummaged through my dresser grabbing a fresh pair of clothes. Deciding on a plain black t-shirt and a pair of jeans before I took a shower. The water was soothing against my skin, allowing me to finally think straight. After I dried myself off and got dressed I went to my couch and started flipping through my streaming apps.
It felt like an eternity as I could not find a single movie or show that interested me. I found myself still thinking about Lily. It was like my mind was running in circles. I wanted so much to check up on her and make sure she was okay. I knew though that it wouldn't be a good idea, so I continued to stare at the t.v. screen.
-Can we go back to the lake?-
Shadow spoke softly as he emerged from the back of my mind. He walked sluggishly, his face drooped and his eyes partly closed.
~You look just as tired as me, boy. Why do you want to go back to the lake?~
-I miss her… I just want to smell her scent one more time. We won't be able to see her again until Monday and that is too long for me to wait.-
~Won't that just make you miss her more?~
-Maybe. But her scent won't be there forever and I just wanna relive that moment. Even if it is for a little bit.-
~You really miss her that much, huh?~
-You miss her too.-
~You got me there. Okay… we can go to the lake. Maybe the fresh air will help.~
-Thank you so much, Indigo!-
~Yeah, yeah calm down. I haven't even gotten off the couch yet.~
I stood up and found my shoes, leather jacket, and keys. I took a deep breath before I left my apartment. A few of my neighbors waved as I walked to my car. I drove to the closest trail leading to lake Northcaster, parking alongside some other cars in the dirt clearing. The air was cool and crisp with the smell of pine trees lingering in the air. I took my time as I walked down the dirt trail studying the surrounding vegetation and wildlife. I could hear birds chirping in the distance and deer rustling through bushes. It's moments like those that make me grateful for my heightened hearing. It was calming, hearing the forest come alive.
I heard the sound of laughter as I went further down the trail. The lake appeared in the distance as a small light that gradually became bigger. When I reached the clearing I was taken aback in awe. The sun hung above the crystal clear lake causing it to have a soft orange hue against the pool of blue. The sun felt warm against my skin and the draft of cool breeze flew through the air. I heard the sound of laughter again as I saw two small children across the lake playing in the shallow edge water. Their parents carefully watched them from behind. I tuned down my hearing as the noise became overwhelming.
~Thank the Moon Goddess she gave us the ability to turn down our heightened senses.~
Lily's soft scent wafted in the air around me which caused my wolf to purr in excitement. My muscles relaxed as I breathed the smell of lilies and honey in. The aroma began to get stronger causing my senses to become overwhelmed with the smell of her. I glanced over and found Lily running out of a trail. I could smell the sweat running down her skin as she frantically searched the area we were in last night.
~How? Why is she here? What are the chances that I run into her again?~
-Destiny is calling out to her and us.-
~What, Shadow?~
-Never mind, we should go talk to her.-
~You don't think it's too soon?~
-No… I think now is the right time.-
My body tensed as I inhaled her scent once more; inching closer to my mate. She bent over and grabbed a garment she found on the ground. I couldn't help but stare at her as she rose up. Her short-sleeved graphic tee and jeans hung tightly to her curves, her long ebony hair hung down in a cute frizzed mess. She stood there for a moment and studied what looked to be a muddied jacket. I recognized the jacket as what she wore last night. I still felt bad that Shadow and I pushed her into the lake.
I managed to stand right behind her, my stomach felt queasy as I nervously fiddled with my pants pockets. I took in her scent again, this time it was laced with her desire. For a moment I lost all sense of reality as lust began to take over my thoughts. I leaned in closer to her as I thought of tearing off that tight shirt of hers. Curiosity took control as I tried to imagine what she would look like naked on the ground below. I salivated at the thought as I wanted nothing more than to take her and make her mine… only mine. I snapped out of my erotic thoughts and cleared my throat.
"Hello, waterlily."
She turned and look up into my eyes. She grew tense as she hid her jacket behind her back.
"Hi… Indy."
~She called me by my nickname… awake. I love it.~
"Can we talk Lily? I feel like I owe you an apology for my behavior yesterday."
"Please… don't. You don't have to apologize. It's not like we're dating or anything."
"I know. But I still blew you off yesterday when you wanted to talk. I took out my anger on you. Dating or not… it is still something I feel bad for."
"I see… thank you."
"I would like to try to mend things between us. Can I take you somewhere? If not we can stay and sit here. Only if you want to talk though."
"I think that sitting here sounds like a good idea. I also owe you an apology... and a proper explanation."
"Okay…" I slowly sat down with my legs crossed on the rough ground. Lily followed suit, sitting right across from me. She placed her dirtied jacket on the ground as she nervously glanced back and forth between me and the jacket.
"Please don't ask."
"I won't, promise." I chuckled
"So… how do we start?"
"Why don't you let me go first, Lily? I have some things I would like to get off of my chest."
"Sure, sounds good."
"I was hurt." I let out a deep sigh, caught up in my own words. " I was hurt by what you said to me on Tuesday. I know that this might sound crazy, but… I really like you. And I really thought you liked me too. I felt played with and it made me angry, so I decided that I wanted to hurt you as you did me."
"Is that why that woman was being so touchy-feely with you?"
"Yeah, I don't know why but I thought going on a date with her would make me feel better. And when I saw you were getting mad I played along and treated you like shit."
"Did it make you feel better?"
"No. I ended up taking her home before we even ordered dinner."
"That bad, huh?" she grinned
"No… she just wasn't the one I wanted to be on a date with."
"Let me guess… you wanted me, right?"'
"I thought I made that pretty obvious."
She sighed and peered her eyes towards the ground. She placed her hands on her lap and started picking off the dirt that was on her jeans.
"Is the idea of going on a date with me really that bad?"
"No!" Her silver eyes bolted back up at me. She tilted her head slightly with a sad look on her face. " That's not it at all."
"Then what's wrong?"
She peered back down to her lap and picked at her jeans more aggressively.
"The reason I said what I did, was because I'm not ready for anything intimate. Six months ago I had to seek help from a women's shelter. I was stuck in an abusive relationship that lasted for about three years. They were able to help me discreetly prepare everything to leave safely and get a restraining order. Three months ago I was able to gain enough money to move up here, and I moved into Una's place. Living with him was a nightmare and I could only escape through my college class and my writing. Though even at school he always made it a point to interfere and control me. I couldn't talk to anyone other than him, and if another guy even got close he would throw a fit. Let's just say that security knew him by name."
"I'm sorry, Lily. If I knew I would never have said what I did. Fuck, you were in pain and all I did was be a total asshole to you."
"No, Indy, you don't have to apologize. You were right, I did play with you and you have every right to be mad. I should have just been honest with you instead of lying."
"You lied? About what?"
Lily's body tensed as color rushed to her cheeks. She scooted away from me ever so slightly as I heard her heart quicken.
"About never wanting to be in a relationship with you."
"So… you do like me?" I grinned; Shadow howling in the back of my mind. I leaned in toward her as she continued to shy away from me.
"Maybe… I don't know. Everything is just so strange and is moving so fast. The last time I fell for someone so fast I ended up in a place I never want to be again."
~Did… did she just say she fell for me? Like she fell in love with me?~
"Waterlily…" I tried to hold my composure as I reached out for her hand. My heart raced in excitement as she let me caress her knuckles. Her eyes pierced right into mine. My heart dropped as I saw tears begin to form. "Can I give you a hug?"
"I would love that." She smiled softly. I held out my arms as she inched closer and wrapped hers around my neck. As soon as she sat on my lap she buried her head in my chest. I gulped as I slowly placed my hands around her waist. My chest pulsed to the beat of my heart as I laid my head on top of hers.
"Lily, I want you to know that I would never hurt you like that. I would rather die before I would even think of hurting you in that way. And I'm sorry if I ever pushed you to have an intimate relationship with me."
"You never pushed me to do anything, Indy. You have always been so considerate, never touching me unless I'm ok with it and leaving when I ask you to."
"I'm glad. So… what do you want to do Lily?"
"I… I don't know. I like being around you, but the idea of being in a relationship scares me."
"We can take things slow. We don't have to do anything you are not ready for."
"Even if it meant we were just friends?"
"Yes… even if it means we are just friends. But if that is what you want then you should probably get off of me. I certain friends don't hug like this."
"But it feels so nice." She chuckled as she tightened her hold around my neck and leaned in closer into our embrace.
"No matter what, Lily, I will always respect your boundaries. The last thing I want to do is push you away."
She lifted her head and gazed into my eyes. Her eyes her so soft and warm as she gave me a loving smile. My body shivered as her hand stroked my neck and cupped my cheek.
"You really are nothing like him."
She leaned in closer and placed her lips on mine. She started kissing me softly until her kisses gradually got deeper and harder. Her hands ran through my hair as she sucked on my bottom lip. I tightened my grip around her, guiding my hand up her back. The taste of her lips made the whole world melt away around us.
~Wait this isn't right.~
I pulled away from her, causing both me and my wolf to whine. Lily looked at me confused and hurt as if I told her I didn't want her.
"Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong, Indy?"
"No. I just want to make sure you ok with this. You were just talking about being friends and everything moving too fast. Are you certain this is what you want?"
"Yes, I changed my mind." She spoke sensually as her lips traced my neck.
"Lily…"
She interrupted me with another kiss. I became harder with each kiss we shared, throbbing for attention. Lily noticed this and began to slowly grind against my cock. I let out a low moan as a wave of pleasure caused me to quiver. The jeans felt tight and painful as my dick wanted to escape its confinement. For a moment I lost control and grabbed both of her hands and pinned her to the ground. I panted as I was on my knees, above her pinned body, her arms held high above her head.
"Lily… If you continue to do this I don't think I'll be able to control myself."
"What if I don't want you to?"
"Lily… there is nothing more I want to do right now than to fuck you. But I also don't want you to regret it. So I'm gonna ask you one more time… are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Indy." She raised her knee and began to gently circle my tip. I dug my nails into the ground as my cock pulsed with ecstasy. "I have gone for far too long not being in control of my own life. I'm not gonna let him control my life anymore, fuck him. For once I'm going to do something I want, and that's you."