Asher's words hung in the air like a storm cloud and my heart raced, my mind a whirlwind. The Hunters. Humans who had wanted him and his family gone because of what they were. Werewolves. I struggled to take it on board, it tasted too heavy, was too surreal."For 'the Hunters,' what do you mean?" My voice was barely a whisper, and I was able to ask.His dark eyes found mine and I froze in their gaze. "They're humans that hunt us for centuries." We are monsters, Emilia, they think. The abominations that need to be wiped out."My breath caught. "So, you're in danger?"He nodded and his jaw tightened. "Always." His gaze went to the forest, his face sharp and alert. 'But I've been hiding for a long time.' Kept a low profile. It worked-until now."Fear wormed its way into my chest and I swallowed hard. "Then why tell me?" My voice cracked. "If it makes you more dangerous, why take the risk?"His towering form blocked the faint moonlight and he stepped closer. His words were spoken softer this time as he spoke around me like a warm blanket. "Because I trust you, Emilia. I don't know why, but I do. I am in no hurry to hide from you. Not anymore."His words gave me a little bit of warmth, pushing some fear away. I will never forget how he looked at me, like he was worth everything, worth risking everything for.
"Asher..." Just the right words wouldn't come.Before I could utter another word a sudden rustling in the trees stopped me. His head turned toward the sound as Asher tensed up. His voice low and commanding, he said "stay behind me."My heart beating so hard in my chest I then obeyed. The shadows moved then, and a figure appeared. I breathed relief when I saw Rowan, Asher's sister was the one standing."The problem is we have a problem," Rowan said, urgently, "Asher." The Hunters are close. Too close. "They'll be here by morning." I tracked them."What was so quick about how they found us?" Asher's hands were clenched at his sides and his voice was tight.Suspicion was clear in Rowan's eyes and she flicked her eyes to me. He said, "Perhaps because you've been distracted." Her sharp gaze locked onto mine, but she stepped closer. "And who's this?"Asher stepped in front of me, and I saw like a deer caught in headlights, but she wasn't watching me. He said firmly, "that's Emilia." "She's with me."Rowan eyed me up and down, clearly not impressed. "She's human, Asher. She's not in this mess. She'll slow us down."But Asher's voice came out, and everyone turned as I opened my mouth to defend myself. "She's not slowing us down. I'm protecting her, she's staying with us. That's final."Rowan exasperated sighed. "Fine. When this everyday for you turns into a bad day, don't say I didn't warn you."
Movement consumed the next few days. We left the town behind as we took the never to buy roads that avoided main roads. My feet hurt, my muscles screamed, and I was exhausted, exhausted like a coat on the line.His presence steadied me in ways I didn't understand - he stayed close. He was always on hand when I stumbled, caught me before I fell, his strong hands.One evening, when I tripped over a root he said, "Careful." He wrapped his arms around me and stood me up.I mumbled 'thanks' and the heat rose to my cheeks.He didn't let go right away. His hands were on my arms, his eyes looking into mine. He added softly, 'You're pushing yourself too hard.' "You need to rest."My head shook, and I didn't want to look like a burden. "I'm fine. Really."He looked at me and his brow furrowed. He crouched down in front of me without warning then. "Get on.""What?"He looked over his shoulder and said, "get on my back." "You've been limping for one hour now." Sure, I'm not letting you hurt yourself."I hesitated, but there was no room for argument in his eyes. He stood with ease, strong arms securing me in place, then brought me reluctantly onto his back.A small smile tugged his lips and he said, "See?" "Not so bad, right?"I laid my head against his shoulder with my cheeks burning. His scent surrounded me, of earth and warm, like after rain in the forest.My voice was barely audible but 'thank you' was all that came out of my mouth.His lips'd softened and he tilted his head just a smidge, cheek pressing against my temple. "Always."
One night, we stumbled across a small, abandoned cabin way the fuck out in the woods. It wasn't much: four walls and a roof, but it was a sanctuary to me.The flickering light of the fire, shadows on the walls, helped me take myself and Asher closer as we sat by the fire. His arm was laid over the back of the couch, comforting weight, sitting beside me."Do you regret it?" I asked suddenly.His brow wrinkled and he looked at me. "Regret what?"I said, quietly, 'Telling me.' "Bringing me into this."For a moment he was silent and his stead gaze. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear then, without warning. His fingers slowly slipped in, brushing my cheek."Never," he said softly.My heart stuttered. It was hard to breathe, as he looked at me with dark, kinked eyes, something I couldn't name."Asher..."The door burst open just before I could say anything else. The paper had crumpled a bit, and Rowan stormed in.Sitting on the ground, she handed the item to Asher saying, "They left this outside."His jaw tightening, he unfolded it and read the words aloud. "We know where you are. We're coming for you."Cold fear now filled the gap between us where there had been warmth.His voice firm, Asher pointed to the corner, 'We leave tonight.'With the cabin fading behind us, disappearing into the woodland shadows as we did, I couldn't forget his touch, the way he'd looked at me. He was the only one who could possibly make me feel the danger ... but I couldn't help but believe that I was exactly where I was supposed to be-by his side.