Chapter 1
She stood at the entrance of the once cozy cobblestone home. In that moment, it was barely recognizable to her. It had been a long time since she had been here and the whole house felt cold and lonely. She was grateful in her absence, Émelie ensured all customers were happy and Cinder made the automatic payments necessary for the androids to keep coming to tend to the crops, but the house was not a home to anyone in months.
Scarlet stood a few meters from the entrance and sighed. Cobwebs hung from every corner and dust was visible on every countertop. A twinge of sadness pierced her heart. The last time she was here, she was doing everything in her power to find her Grand-mére and bring her back. Although Scarlet accepted her Grand-mére's passing, actually coming back to the place where she grew up with her- to the place where she had been kidnapped was another layer of pain she would have to overcome. Tears began to swell up and she took a deep inhale.
"Hey," Sensing her pain, Wolf came up from behind her and put his arm around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder.
He didn't have to say anything more. His touch made her feel stronger, as it always did.
"I was so angry," she started, placing her hand over his. "When I thought she was going to have me taken away…when I found out she had kept a huge secret from me," She let her body form into his "-but she made a huge sacrifice in order to protect humanity…and to protect me."
"And that did not go in vain," He said, kissing her neck "If she was here, she would be so proud."
'Proud? She'd probably scold me how I could be so careless to have left the house in such a mess and I doubt she would approve of my decision to invite my wolf-hybrid boyfriend to come live with me,' Her thoughts amused her. She held back from verbalizing her thoughts and chuckled instead. She turned around to face him, but she look at his chest as she spoke.
"It'll be difficult to transition back to living here- waking up early, doing chores, and dealing with her absence, but…" Her eyes slowly made their way to meet his "I know in time, I can get through this."
He smiled. "And plus, I can give you all the chores I never liked doing!" He put his hands on her waist and lifted her. Forgetting his strength (and height) she almost lost her breathe with that sudden lift.
That's his Scarlet. The young woman he had fallen in love with. No matter whatever pains she had endured, she stood strong and fearless for whatever unknown that may come.
"Welcome home," She whispered hugging him.
His eyes widened, fully realizing the weight of those words. Home? He hadn't been "home" since he was 12, before he was taken away to be manufactured for the queen's army. He had been fighting, running, and surviving ever since. Although he led a pack, he felt no sort of belongingness. This was a whole new beginning- one where he wouldn't be controlled, forced to fight, kill, or hurt anyone. He was free.
With a low voice, almost a whisper, he said "Thank you," and squeezed her tighter.