disclaimer: i don't own the dark guarians...blah.
this is my story and i love you for reading it! (:

Chapter 14:

I sat outside the Wolford Mansion, cold and with a knot in my stomach. I was pissed and, I thought, rightfully so. I had been stupid last night. I had overlooked important details, like that dream. Oh, did I say 'dream'? More like a fucking memory. I knew that now. And so help me god, Lucas would tell me the truth.

My morning had started out fine. I sprang out of bed when my alarm went off, hustled to the bathroom, and attempted to shower with this horrible bandage on. After several attempts and a few choice words, I had been able to finally manage washing my hair without soaping my neck.

My morning was still progressing, well, fine. I had some butterflies in my stomach, but who wouldn't? I was excited to spend time with Lucas. Well, I was an idiot. It was somewhere between attacking my hair with a wet comb, and fervishly brushing my teeth when an epiphany hit me.

What if it was a memory? The dream...too realistic. I had shoved it away from me last night the instant I had seen Lucas. But hell, my biological parents...

Lucas had said this wolf-gene, or whatever it was, was genetic. My parents had been shot by wolf hunters in the middle of the National Forest- where I was now. I knew, from the random files my adoption agency had managed to find, that I had been born and raised somewhere in a town near the National Forest. Well, why not this town? The pieces certainly did fit together. It would explain a lot, actually. Like why I felt so comfortable here. Was I feeling things from my repressed childhood? Why had I not thought of this last night? It was so frustrating.

The town itself didn't seem that famillar, but the trees did. They relaxed me. Maybe that's why I've always felt a connection to nature? Maybe it was my past...?

The forest calmed me now, as I sat on a small bench, looking for Lucas. I hoped he would be here soon. My fingers were starting to feel numb. In fact, my brain felt numb. Everything felt numb.

Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long. A few minutes later, Lucas sauntered down the path and slowed when he saw me waiting.

"Kayla!" He called out, "hey, are you ready?"

"Where are we going?"

"Into the woods. That's ok with you?" How could it not be? The woods were the only place I longed to be now.

"Mhm."

If Lucas was concerned about my lack of enthusiasm, he didn't show it. He simply offered me his hand, which I took, and led me into the dense forest. My pulse pounded through my hand into his. Again, Lucas didn't comment. Not that I expected him too.

I wasn't nervous. I was...apprehensive. He didn't scare me, at least, he hadn't scared me since that night. I felt strangely safe with Lucas, even as we climbed up a small hill, leaving behind all signs of civilization, if you could even account Wolford in that category.

We walked on in silence. How should I even begin asking him about my 'nightmare'? Did Lucas even know anything about my biological parents? He knew they were murdered here. What else could he know? What's he been keeping from me? Or maybe he doesn't know...?

My thoughts ran in a wheel. I didn't want to try (and fail) to block them from Lucas. This was the only time where him being able to hear my thoughts may actually turn tide in my favor. I still wasn't sure how to start this conversation.

Lucas gently squeezed my hand, "We're almost there."

"Almost where?"

Lucas didn't answer. He just continued to lead me deeper and deeper into the forest. A small stab of worry was nagging at the back of my mind. We had been walking for at least half an hour. I tried to push it away. I had no idea where I was, and I hoped beyond hope Lucas wouldn't get lost. The last thing I wanted to do was spend the rest of my life wandering around in a patch of woods.

Lucas sighed deeply, "You honestly think I would get us lost?"

"That's it!" I yelled. "I'm done! You can't keep doing that!" I wrenched myself away from Lucas's worried eyes and stumbled back a yard. "Just stop it..." I moaned.

"I'm sorry." Lucas looked ashamed. "I'm really, really trying."

"You said you would teach me how to block it." I reminded him. I hated he could read me as an open book.

"And I will. That's actually part of what I was going to do today."

"Oh." I replied, my voice small. I felt like shit again. He sighed again and ran his hand through his hair. I tried to ignore how his muscles bunched as he completed the movement.

Lucas muttered something and turned back to the forest.

"What did you say?" I asked.

Lucas's eyes narrowed, "I'm not good at this. This was supposed to be easy. Yeah, right."

"What was supposed to be easy?"

"This!" Lucas waved his hand over my body, "Us."

I didn't say anything. I just stood there, absorbing his confession. I was strangely comforted by it. Lucas wasn't perfect. He was having problems with this, too. It didn't help that we knew almost nothing about each other. I knew he was a wolf. He thought he knew I was. That was about it. I was hit with another epiphany. Two in one day, damn I was getting good.

"What's your favorite color?"

Lucas looked bewildered for a second, then his face lit up, giving me a genuine smile. "Blue. Yours?"

I smiled back, "Green."

Lucas gingerly offered me his hand again, asking, "Favorite ice cream flavor?"

I took his hand without hesitation, loving the feel of his warm skin, his callouses, his strength. "Pistachio. And you?"

And so it continued. I wrinkled my nose when Lucas sheepishly told me his favorite ice cream flavor was mint. I hated mint. Lucas bit back a laugh when I admitted me fear of spiders. They were disgusting creatures. His fear was heights. I also learned a lot about Lucas's past; how his childhood had been growing up with shifters. Lucas explained, while I laughed uncontrollably, that he didn't realize people lived without the ability to shift until he was six. I saw a different version of Devlin, born from Lucas's memories. I saw him, not as a power hungry beast, but as a kind older brother, looking out for Lucas-protecting him. I knew they were painful for him to think about, and my heart swelled that he found me worthy enough to share his turmoil with. Lucas asked me about school and I relinquished stories about Taylor. I smiled as I retold our tale of my seventh grade birthday sleepover. Lucas actually had to stop me when I unwillingly told him about 'coffee grind girl' because he was laughing so much. But, I wasn't embarrassed. With anyone else, I would have been. With Lucas, I could be myself. And he could be himself.

"So, you were seventeen when you first shifted?" I asked when it was my turn to question.

"No, males go through the shift at eighteen. Only girls have their first shift at seventeen."

My brow furrowed, "Why?"

"The Elders think it has something to do with maturity; how girls mature faster then guys."

"Hmm..." It made sense. "Did it hurt?"

Lucas slowed down his long strides. "It was excruciating." He said quietly.

I sucked in a deep breath. Excruciating? Shit, that didn't sound good. "Will mine hurt?" I had to know, even though I suspected his answer.

What Lucas said though, caught me off guard. "Not if you trust me."

"What-"

"We're here." Lucas cut me off.

I looked around. Where exactly was here? It just looked like forest. Lucas lead me so I was walking in front of him. "Right through those trees." He whispered.

I walked forward, trying to ignore Lucas's body heat radiating off him in waves, warming my back. I pushed through the overgrown brush, and stumbled out the other side.

I gasped. In front of me stood a huge, beautiful waterfall. I had never seen anything like it. It stood at least twenty feet high, the waves thrashing around a huge, serene pond of sorts. A small batch of lilypads formed around the edges. It looked...perfect.

"I had no idea this was here!"

"Want to swim?"

"Swim?" I asked incredulously, "isn't it a little cold?"

"Nope." Lucas replied, popping the 'p'. "Trust me." He added with a wink, and whipped off his shirt.

I felt myself shiver, and not from the chill. Lucas looked...gorgeous. His strong chest was amplified by the sunlight radiating off of him. His abs contracted as he bent down, removing his shoes.

As much as I was enjoying looking at him, I was a little anxious. "I-uh, didn't exactly bring my bathing suit."

Lucas looked up, surprised. "Neither did I."

Crap! Lucas wanted me to...skinny dip with him? Uhhh...

I let out a squeak, and whipped myself back around when Lucas went for his pants. Relax! I screamed at myself. God, I wish I had more experience with boys...I was almost seventeen, never had a boyfriend, never been kissed. I was in way over my head. Relax! I yelled at myself, It's Lucas!

I heard a definite splash and turned back around, deeming it safe. All I could see of Lucas was his broad shoulders and face. I actually did relax this time. I could do this.

"Turn around!" I called out.

Lucas obeyed my order, and even submerged himself into the water.

Quicker than I thought possible, I stripped bare and launched myself into the water. The mental anguish I had prepared myself for, namely me being frozen to death in a pond, never occurred. The water around me was surprisingly warm. It felt amazing.

I resurfaced, coming face to face with Lucas a few feet away. I glanced down, my second moment of panic gone when the water wasn't see through. I wasn't ready to view that Lucas yet.

"How is the water so warm?"

"It's an underground spring. The waterfall sends in cold water, but the hot spring water evens it out, making this warm water." He explained.

I really don't know what overcame me, maybe I simply couldn't help myself. But, I leaned towards Lucas, tilted my head ever so slightly... and splashed him full in the face. I lurched myself away, laughing hysterically at his expression. He swiped the water off his face, then ducked under the surface, his body torpedoing towards me. I shrieked out when I felt Lucas's hand on my foot, pulling me under the surface.

A few moments alter, we both surfaced, Lucas- looking like a wet god. Me- sputtering water everywhere. We were only a foot apart. A foot that gradually got closer as Lucas slowly moved forward. His eyes searched mine, almost asking for permission. I stayed still, treading water, completely out of my element.

Lucas cupped my cheek in his palm. "Kayla," he sighed. I stopped breathing. Following what I could only call instinct, I reached my hand out and grabbed Lucas's shoulder. This allowed me to stop treading water, and bring myself closer. His warm skin seared my hand. I wanted him to kiss me. I needed him to kiss me.

Lucas leaned closer, his lips a fraction of an inch away from mine. I closed my eyes and felt Lucas press his warm lips to mine for a brief moment, then retreating to look into my eyes. Oh. My. God. Lucas had kissed me.

"You smile when your being kissed?" He asked quizzically.

I blushed at what he had said. There is no way I'm telling him that was my first kiss! It had been wonderful. My heart was still beating uncontrollably, and I wanted nothing more then for Lucas to kiss me again.

Lucas's eyes widened marginally, and he leaned back down to my lips. When I felt him get closer, I closed my eyes, this time though, I angled my face up to meet his. His lips touched mine, firmer then before, less hesitant, and I fell into bliss. There was nothing else I could do but feel. My mouth molded to his, under the pressure, and lips entrapped my bottom one, slowly sucking it into his mouth. I inadvertently gasped at this new contact, and opened my mouth further. One of his arms encircled my back, holding me closer to him, but still maintaining a safe distance away from our...well, naked bodies.

I sighed against his mouth, and Lucas retreated, resting his forehead against mine. I felt a thrill go down my spine when I heard his deep breathing, matching mine. He was just as effected by this as I was. He had been just as lost in these sensations as I had been. I wanted to whoop with joy.

"Kayla." He whispered, then sighed. "We should get out, I can smell a storm."

I blinked. "You can smell...?" Weird.

He nodded his head against mine. "You ok?"

"Uh-huh."

"Ok." Lucas swam a few feet away, before calling over his shoulder, "stay here, ok? I'm going to get some towels."

Towels? Where the hell would he get towels from? We hadn't brought any... I closed my eyes as Lucas jerked himself out of the water, but now before I caught a glimpse of a tattoo on his shoulder. It was almost like a birthmark, the colors a perfect blend for his tan skin. It looked Celtic. That's strange...I hadn't pegged Lucas as a tattoo kind of guy.

"Here, Kayla." I snapped my eyes back open and saw a fully dressed Lucas standing off to the side. "I'll leave this towel here, and I'll take your clothes inside." Inside? "Just come around back behind the waterfall. There's a path." Lucas scooped up my clothes and this time I watched him go. Sure enough, he climbed up a small ledge and disappeared completely behind the waterfall.

Huh, who knew this was here? I ran out of the water, grabbed the towel, and climbed up the ledge, which was easier then it first appeared. The path lead me behind the waterfall, just like Lucas said it was. I fleetingly wondered why it was here in the first place, but quickly shoved it aside when I entered the dark room. The very dark room.

"Lucas?" I called out, horribly aware that I was wearing a towel and shivering. It hadn't been that cold initially, but now I was freezing.

"Here."

I jumped, and gave a breathless gasp, slamming a hand to my chest, trying to still my heart, which was beating like a trapped bird. "God!"

Lucas just chuckled, "Here, I have some clothes. They'll be huge on you."

I could tell that Lucas was holding something out for me. The question was: Where was it. "I can't see anything." I confessed.

"Oh, damn! I'm sorry." Almost instantly, a small light filled the space. It was coming from a lantern Lucas placed on a chest.

"What is this place?"

"It's one of our hideouts."

"Hideouts? Why?"

I took the clothes from Lucas and walked a little ways over to the other side of the room. I was glad when Lucas turned pointedly away. They were huge sweatpants, I realized. They hung off my body like sheets.

"The hideouts aren't really hideouts, more like secret dens where we store clothes, food, blankets. They're all over the forest."

"Oh. Why clothes, though?"

Lucas grinned at me, and spoke fast, "When we shift, our clothes don't magically reappear. We have to take them off, and being wolves, we can't exactly carry them around everywhere."

"Oh." I said stupidly. Duh.

A huge bang of thunder echoed throughout the forest, making me feel a twinge of unease. The rain started almost instantly after, coming down in straight sheets, drenching everything I could still see in a matter of seconds.

"I told you I could smell a storm."

I said nothing, just continued to watch the rain coming down. How would we get back now?

Lucas heaved his way over to the chest, putting the lantern on the floor, and pulled out two sleeping blankets.

"We're staying here?" I questioned.

"Not unless you want to get soaked." Lucas teased

I laughed under my breath, not sure what to do. Lucas was still fiddling with the sleeping blankets, pulling one apart and laying it on the floor, then spreading out the other on top of it.

He must have felt my strong examination, and explained, "I thought we could lay together. Share body heat?"

Lucas propped himself down under the one blanket, and scooted over to the edge. The empty space was clearly meant for me.

"I've never slept with anyone before." I blurted out. Oh god, why the fuck did I say that?

Lucas steady eyes leveled with mine. "Neither have I."

I blushed, feeling my face turn the color of my hair. "I didn't mean it like that."

Lucas sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It was quickly becoming one of my favorite Lucas-mannerisms. "Kayla, I'm not going to attack you."

"I know!" I said indignantly. I rolled my eyes and carefully walked over to him. I stopped at the edge of the makeshift bed. Great, I thought sarcastically, now what? With a firm nod, mostly for my benefit, I flopped myself down next to him, and laid rigid on my back, making sure not to touch him. Lucas wasn't as stiff. I felt his body relax as he lowered the blanket over both of us. The chill I felt began to subside and I exhaled loudly.

I groped for something, anything to say. It was too quiet...too intimate without the talking. "What's your tattoo mean?" I asked after a few more desperate seconds.

"It's uh- it's Celtic." Lucas seemed hesitant.

"I thought so." I said slowly, "but what's it mean?"

Lucas turned his body towards mine; I could feel his eyes searching me. I stared at the ceiling, blushing slightly. "Every male shifter gets one after they meet their mate."

And to think this had been intimate before...

Lucas continued, "It's a name."

"Who's name?" I had to know.

Lucas gave me a look that stated I was an idiot. "Who's do you think?"

Shit. "Oh." Don't freak out, don't freak out. "When did you get it?" I whispered.

"After I met you during the summer."

"What!" I exclaimed loudly. "You got a tattoo of my name permanently etched into your skin and you didn't even talk to me?"

"It wasn't the right time, Kayla. You were with you parents. I thought Lindsey would be able to convince you to come here over the school year. When you didn't come back, I had to go to you. Either way, I wasn't going to abandon you to deal with the change on your own."

I swallowed, loudly. "I'm glad you came." It was true, too. I felt such strong things toward him.

"Good." He replied.

I thought back to my other questions, desperate to change the topic, "Remember my nightmare?" I asked.

"Yeah, I do."

"It was about my biological parents." I shuddered as I remembered the vivid details. "The night they were murdered." I whispered.

"They lived here."

I rolled over to face Lucas, hanging onto his every word he continued to speak, "They were friends with parents. They didn't live in Wolford, though. They lived in a static town closer to the school. They wanted you to grow up as normal as possible. I think-" Lucas cut off, for a moment, then began again, "I think they were going to show you their wolves the night the hunters shot them." I felt tears streaming down my face. "My parents know more about it then I do. But, I do know you were taken by the hunters. My parents told me the Elders tried to track you down, but you were just gone. Nobody knew what to do." Lucas voice turned grave, "It was the first time anything like that had ever happened."

The tears didn't stop and I sniffled, trying not to embarrass myself too much. Lucas wound both his arms around me, pulling me flush against him. I rested my head in the crook of his arm, and pressed my face against his chest, tears coming in earnest.

Lucas's chest vibrated as he spoke again, "When I first saw you...I had no idea how protective I felt over you. I'll do anything for you, Kayla. I should have spoken to you," His voice turned joking and thoughtful, "I guess it was kind of creepy having me stare at you all summer, then?"

My light laugh was smothered against his chest. I was too touched for words. Lucas was...he was just everything. He was everything to me. I felt him press a small kiss on the side of my temple. I tried to hide a yawn.

"Sleep, Kayla. It's ok, just sleep."

"But I thought you were going to teach me how to block my thoughts?" My voice came out muffled because my face was still pressed against his chest.

"Sssh, I'll teach you in the morning." I was warm in his arms. I just nodded my consent against him, and snuggled closer. His arms tightened against me in response.

I felt another pass of his lips, this time closer to my jaw, and I sighed. The last thing I remembered was Lucas stroking my back, tracing light patterns against the worn shirt, before I drifted off to sleep in his arms.

tell me whatcha think? and do you have any opinions on me doing a story on brittany with a twist? (after im done with this)
xx