"How much longer?" Natalia asked, looking out the small window. Axton pulled her back, knowing he had made more than a small mess outside.
"The wild animal, Natalia. I will make sure to...show you the places when it is safe."
He was surprised at himself. Just how much he didn't want to be a monster in front of her. Maybe because she was the only one who had his healing in her hands, but he didn't what to see that look of fear blanketed in disgust in her eyes too. He gave her a small smile as she stared into his eyes.
She was naive. She knew. But every time he looked at her like that, she wished she was a little less shy, like she sometimes tried to be.
He cleared his throat and moved away from her, and sat, his face turned away to face the blank carriage wall.
"Sometimes...you make me wonder."
"How so?"
"Well...there is an air of mystery around you. There is something about you that says I have not put all of the puzzles together yet."
His breath hitched in his throat as he thought of ways to get out of this one.
"It is probably my eyes." He said nervously, hoping she did not notice.
"Can I see?"
He turned to her, dreading the hand she was extending to him. Only now did he realize the space was a bit too small for both of them, and he wanted to get out, to breathe. For some reason, he felt like under a hypnosis, like she was seizing his breath with the way her lips curved up in a smile.
He wished she could stop smiling. It would make him feel less bad about the things he has done, and the things he knows he is going to do.
"Your eyes..they are beautiful." She said, her palm slowly grazing over his cheek, caressing.
He swallowed. It is because he is the only alpha. Every other wolf's eyes were a little more normal than his blood red ones.
"I am glad you like them."
"Not just them...the entire face. Your face. I like all of it."
He swallowed. Please stop.
"I do not get compliments like that a lot." If anything else, everyone else hated his face. Even though they have never seen it. Those who did, haven't lived long enough to describe it.
"Why so?"
"I like to be alone. It is comforting."
"That makes you even more interesting."
He wished she could just stop talking and move away, so he could breathe. He couldn't think, couldn't focus. She was way too close.
"I have never been so away from my father. Thought it would be unbearable, but maybe it is because of the person I am traveling with..." She trailed off, then moved away.
He could finally breathe, but her obvious attraction felt like a burden. Especially since he could feel the irresistible pull too. He knew it was the mate bond at work, the moon Goddess's design, but he wished he was not this vulnerable. He wished he didn't lose focus with her smile, and he wished he didn't wish his eyes could light up like hers some day.
Watching her made him want to resent the person he had made himself to be. The person he used to be so in love with.
"Why are you so quiet?" She suddenly asked, bringing his attention back to her.
"I just...feel a bit suffocated in here. Maybe we should open the windows."
"Your windows are open, Axton." She said with a small laugh.
So what was causing him to lose air like this? What was wrong with him?
"Oh." He said and turned away, putting his head out to feel the air on his face.
"Maybe I should open mine too." Natalia said, feeling a little disappointed by his reluctance to talk to her. She wanted to get closer to him, from the very first day she saw him lying in front of her home.
Now, he was taking her with him, but it seemed like he was restraining, like he was denying himself the idea of being with her.
She turned and pulled at the small window, but it would not budge. She pulled harder and harder, but something was keeping it stuck.
"Let me help you." Alpha Axton said suddenly, unintentionally leaned over her, and pulled at the small knob. Instead of opening, it came off, and Natalia turned. She burst into laughter, and her laughter made Axton crack a smile too.
"Come to think of it, I have never seen you smile." She said, her eyes traveling across his face to his lips.
"I guess." He said becoming aware of the proximity.
He looked away from her and pulled harder at the window, and this time it budged, and opened.
"It is open now." He said to her, but for some reason, none of them moved. It was like being star struck and awed by someone, so much that their magic entraps you and keeps you fixed on a spot you could leave, but you are not willing to.
She had a small shy smile and he started to pull away, but she held his shirt and pulled him closer, her smile still intact.
"Is there something you want?" He asked, hating just how loud the rapid beating of his heart had gotten.
"Yes, there is someone I want." She said, before pulling him closer as she leaned upward toward him, and took his lips in hers.
Maybe because she was shy and naive, but the kiss was not the rushed, desire driven kind, it was the type that kept Axton's breath hitched in his throat as he unconsciously put a hand behind her head to support her, his fingers lacing into her hair.
She let go of his shirt and wrapped her hand around his neck instead. He was free, but he didn't want to leave.
His eyes closed as he pulled her closer, finally taking the lead. Her lips against his was like a form of intoxication, and he was already addicted. With her, nothing took too long.
She broke the kiss, her breath unstable. He stayed close eyed for a while, not willing to look into her eyes anymore. He wasn't sure how she would look at him, and he didn't want to see it.
"Axton?"
He lowered his head as she called his name.
"Yes?"
"Look at me, will you?" She was just as uncertain, but the connection had been undeniable. The drive behind that kiss had been too fierce to overlook.
He slowly opened his eyes, and looked up at her. He knew what she would see in there. Fear. Fear of what the moon was binding him to.