Ryker's eyes locked onto Talia's.
For an instant.
A fleeting glance.
A mistake.
Talia's face was exposed.
Moonlight danced across her features.
Revealing a scar.
Ryker's gaze froze.
Stunned.
Talia's reaction was instantaneous.
She crouched.
Hands flying to cover her face.
Fleeing.
"Wait!" Ryker cried.
Regret etched on his face.
He hadn't meant to intrude.
Talia vanished into darkness.
Leaving Ryker bewildered.
The wildflower lay forgotten.
Crushed beneath his feet.
Ryker stood there.
Unmoving.
Unthinking.
The image of Talia's scar.
Seared into his mind.
Why had she hidden it?
What pain lay behind?
Ryker's heart ached.
For the mysterious woman.
For the secrets she kept.
For the trust broken.
...
Talia fled to her secluded cottage, nestled deep within the woods.
She slammed the door.
Locked it.
And crumpled to the floor.
Tears streamed down her face.
Her scar, exposed.
Her secret, revealed.
Ryker's stunned expression.
Haunted her.
She imagined his revulsion.
His disgust.
His hatred.
Talia's heart shattered.
Into a million pieces.
For two days, she avoided the lake.
Afraid to face Ryker.
Afraid of rejection.
Afraid of losing the one person.
Who had touched her soul.
Her cottage became a prison.
A refuge from the world.
Talia's tears dried.
But the ache remained.
A hollow sense of loss.
For the connection they shared.
For the friendship that could have been.
On the third day.
Talia's resolve crumbled.
She needed to know.
Had Ryker told others?
Did they whisper about her scar?
About her shame?
Talia stepped out of her cottage.
Into the unknown.
Talia sat at their spot, her heart heavy with doubt.
Would Ryker come?
Or had she scared him away?
The sun dipped, casting long shadows.
Talia prepared to leave.
But then, a familiar scent wafted through the air.
Intoxicating.
Ryker's unique aroma.
Before she could react, strong arms enveloped her from behind.
Talia's heart jumped.
Her pulse raced.
Ryker's warm breath caressed her ear.
"Missed you," he whispered.
Talia tried to pull away.
But Ryker's hold was gentle yet firm.
He brushed her hair back.
To get a clearer view of her face.
Talia's hands flew up.
Resisting.
"Let me see you," Ryker whispered.
His fingers traced her scar.
Talia trembled.
Expecting revulsion.
Disgust.
Instead, Ryker's smile lit up the darkness.
"Beautiful," he breathed.
"You're so beautiful, Talia."
Her scar, once a symbol of shame.
Now radiant under Ryker's gaze.
"Wonderful," he whispered.
"This scar makes you more stunning."
Talia's defenses crumbled.
No one had ever made her feel.
So seen.
So cherished.
Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.
Ryker's lips grazed her ear.
"I'm sorry for startling you."
"For seeing your scar without permission."
"But I'm not sorry for seeing you."
Talia's heart swelled.
In this moment.
She felt truly beautiful.
As Talia's words spilled forth, the shadows around them seemed to deepen, as if the very darkness itself was drawn to the pain and vulnerability etched on her face.
"My father," she whispered, the sound barely audible over the rustling leaves. "He attacked me."
Ryker's arms tightened around her, a gentle bulwark against the memories that threatened to consume her. Talia's eyes dropped, and her voice cracked as she continued.
"But Adhya, my loyal wolf, she was injured when a rogue attacked me. That's when we met," she added, her gaze drifting up to Ryker's.
Their eyes locked in a silent understanding, the connection between them crackling like a live spark. Ryker's expression softened, his features etched with compassion.
As Talia spoke, Adhya stirred within her, the wolf's presence unfolding like a waking dawn. Talia's breath hitched, her control slipping as the memories resurfaced.
A scream built inside her, a primal cry that echoed through the forest. But it was Ryker's voice that broke the silence.
"Talia, no!" he cried out, his eyes flashing with a wolf-like intensity.
In that instant, their gazes met, and the world around them melted away. The only sound was the pounding of their hearts, beating in perfect synchrony.
"Mate," they whispered in unison, the word hanging in the air like a promise.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Talia's world tilted, Ryker's face blurring into a warm, golden light. Adhya's howl echoed through her mind, a triumphant cry that merged with Ryker's gentle whisper.
"I'm here," he promised, his arms enveloping Talia. "Forever."
As Ryker's warmth seeped into her soul, Talia's heart swelled, and Adhya's growl softened, the wolf's presence calming like a soothed storm.