Chapter 14

"Ailish? Honey, what happened? What's—"

He abruptly stopped when he saw the look on my face. I was staring dumbstruck at this beautiful man.

He had a stunning shade of bright green eyes and his dark brown hair was cut one inch short and was in a messy disarray on his head. He had a perfect California tan (I hope he didn't live in California) and he had an adorable dimple on his chin. He was always what I had imagined my prince charming to look like.

Oh my god. In my staring at this fascinating anonymous man, I forgot about Taylor.

I looked up into Taylor's eyes and saw that he was staring at the man with his jaw clenched tight.

"Ailish, did you just do what I think you did?"

I held back the tears as I whispered, "I did."

"So does this mean the wedding's off?" he asked in a hurt tone

I replied immediately, "God no! I'm just…uh…" I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know what I felt at the moment except for pure confusion

Taylor stared blankly at me for a minute before saying, "Go—go to him."

"What? Are you serious?" I tried to keep the happiness out of my question, seeing the expressionless look on Taylor's face

"Yeah. I gotta take you home soon so I'll wait in the car for thirty minutes. No longer…agreed?"

"Agreed." I kissed him on the cheek and walked toward the man before turning back and saying, "You know whatever happens I'll always love you."

"I'll always love you too," He smiled, but it didn't touch his eyes

I felt terrible for leaving Taylor like this; he looked so hurt when I walked

away. But, I just had to see who this man was. Surely Taylor would have to understand; I would always love him through thick or thin, for better or worse, in sickness or health—I laughed in my head, thinking about wedding vows.

Wow, even up close he was even more breathtaking.

"Hey, I'm Ailish," I said shyly, holding my hand out

He pointed at himself, "Ethan," he smiled and shook my hand

"So what are you doing out here at night alone?"

"Um, I could ask you the same question." He said smiling at me. Uh, I practically drooled at the sight of his sparkling white teeth

"I was actually with my boyfri—fiancé."

He raised an eyebrow, "Why did you ditch him to come talk to me?"

I blushed furiously, "I-I don't know. I was curious." Curious? Oh my god, could I be any more stupid?

He opened his mouth, as to say something, but obviously decided against it.

"You wanna take a walk?"

"Well, I'm already walking."

"You know what I mean."

"Won't your boyfriend—I mean fiancé be mad at me?" I thought I saw his jaw clench

"Naw, he's cool with it."

"He's cool with you walking with a perfect stranger, in the park, at night?" He raised an eyebrow again. He looked so cute when he did that—no. I cant think that way. I'll be married soon for crying out loud!

"No."

"Then why is he cool with it?"

"I don't know! Can we please just take a walk and not talk about my personal life? I mean, I barely know you."

"You're the one that wants to take a walk." I could tell he was stubborn.

"What's wrong with a walk?"

"Nothing."

"Okay then."

We walked for about two minutes in silence before he said, "So, uh, hold old are you?"

"Eighteen; you?"

"Twenty. But, um sorry if this offends you, but you really don't look eighteen."

I laughed, "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

His eyebrow furrowed and he scrunched his lips, "I'm not sure."

"Well, how old do I look?"

"Hm, maybe twenty-one or twenty-two."

"Interesting."

"So do you go to college or anything?"

"Naw, I'm too busy being a wol—" I coughed on purpose—I almost said wolf.

"Were you just gonna say a 'wolf'?"

"No." I lied.

"Yes, you were."

"Fine, I was. What's it to you?"

"I don't know. Why would you say that you're busy being a wolf?"

"That's the term that my friends and I use. We say we're wolves because we're so…" Think, think, think! "Strong. We work out a lot."

I hope that lie worked.

"Well, you are strong for a girl." He said jokingly.

I laughed, knowing I could pick him up, and throw him all the way to China, "Don't doubt me."

He rolled his eyes, "Sure, sure."

We walked in silence for a few minutes before Ethan said something totally unexpected, "Can I ask you something? And like you said, we're perfect strangers, but I still need to ask you this."

"Sure." I replied cautiously

"Why do I feel like I've known you for my entire life? From the first few things I've said to you I felt like I could open up and trust you."

I knew this was coming, but I decided not to tell him about me, yet. It was way too fast for me to tell him the story of my life. Besides, it was for his own good. "I'm not sure. But I'm a very open-minded person; you can tell me anything, you know."

"Yeah, I know that." Under his breath, of course not intending for me to hear, he said, "But I barely know her."

I sat down on a bench, and he sat beside me. His hand rested on his leg, and it looked almost as if it was twitching, to touch me.

I sighed, knowing I wanted so badly to touch him, just as much as I wanted Taylor. NO. No way, I cannot just forget Taylor. I love him with every part of my heart. Not every part. You know you love Ethan, too. Stupid annoying voice in my head.

Oh my god. Taylor. I completely forgot I had to get back to him. I took out my phone and looked at the time. Okay, thank goodness it had only been ten minutes; I needed more time to get to know Ethan.

"So, um, do you have a girlfriend?" What's wrong with me?! I just asked if has a girlfriend?! I was entirely stupid.

"Um, no. Why do you ask?" He smirked at me—knowing the reason behind the question.

"I, was just, uh, wondering."

He snickered then said, "Sounds like you're interested to me."

I slapped him on the arm, light enough to not hurt him, though.

"So you're getting married, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, "Sounds like you're interested to me." I said mocking him.

"Well I was just honestly curious. By you asking the question if I had a…"

"Okay, okay I get it." I quickly cut him off.

We sat for a while in silence, but it wasn't an awkward kind of silence where you feel like you have to say anything to end the awkwardness. It was nice, relaxing even.

Ethan opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but immediately closed it. He seemed like the type of person that didn't like to open up much, but when he met me, I'm sure it changed him.

"What?"

"I can't tell you." His eyes teared up. My heart swelled with sadness at the sight of him unhappy.

"Why not?" My voice was whiney, which was unintended.

"Because, like we've discussed before, I barely know you."

"But you trust me." It wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"Then why not?"

"It's too personal."

"I understand." Being a werewolf was proof of that.

"So do you go to—"

"Um, no offense but your nose is bleeding. Here. I have some tissues in my purse."

I rummaged through my purse until I found my small package of 2 ply tissues.

"Here."

He grabbed them immediately and held his head back and blotted the blood.

After a few minutes, he was back to normal, and his nose had stopped bleeding.

He smiled sheepishly at me, "Sorry about that. Allergies."

"No problem; I have them too." Well, when I was human I used to anyway.

"I better be going."

"Same here."

I stood up and looked into his beautiful bright green eyes and felt myself drawn to him.

Suddenly I was in his arms, hugging him. I didn't know if I had hugged him first or he hugged me first, but the fact that I was in his arms was enough for me.

Thankfully, I wasn't taller than him; I was to Ethan's chin. My extreme height compared to other girls, was embarrassing to me—I felt masculine.

Ethan had a strong, well built body. He was really strong, even for a human. Not like Taylor, but he was still strong. He was so-o sexy.

No! Why am I thinking like this? I barely know him!

I barely recognized that we were still embracing each other, and I gently got

loose from him. I felt bad, because I desperately wanted to touch my lips to—okay, this is really getting out of hand. I most definitely can't let my fantasies go wild when I was in wolf form; I can't even imagine how hurt Taylor would be. Just thinking of his hurt made me want to cry.

"Um, nice meeting you Ethan."

"You too, Ailish."

I started following the pull that would take me to Taylor before I heard Ethan's voice cry, "Wait! Ailish!"

He ran and caught up with me, "Will I ever see you again?"

I wanted so desperately to say, 'Yes! I love you! Come with me!', but I kept my cool. "Probably."

I started to turn away before he said again, "Wait! Can I atleast have your number or something?"

"Naw, you won't need it. I'll find you."

I waved a goodbye, like a complete moron, and turned away to Taylor's car.

I could tell that Ethan was way confused from seeing the expression on his face as I left, but I could tell he trusted me. Hopefully.

For some reason, I didn't want to give him my number. Probably because I was afraid of him calling me and I wouldn't be there and Taylor would answer it for me. Taylor would most definitely tell him off and I would never talk to Ethan again—he would be too scared to confront me.

And what if he called my phone and my sister answered it (even though she was still on her honeymoon—I was talking about when she got back)? She would be all 'friendly' towards me because she would be wondering why I was dating (okay, I know I wasn't dating Ethan, but she would think I was) two guys. Olivia always has to know gossip—juicy or not.

I got in Taylor's car and sat in the passengers seat. Oh god. Here we go. I looked down at my feet, waiting for him to lecture me.

"So how was it?"

"Huh?" I had a dumfounded expression on my face. Why wasn't he mad at me?

"What?"

"Why aren't you mad at me?"

"Mad at you? Why would I be mad?"

"I don't know; because I was with another guy."

"Yeah, but you're happy." Taylor was way too good for me. He wasn't selfish at all. I sighed, how was I so lucky?

"How can you be so excepting? Aren't you gonna shake so badly that you turn and run out and rip him to shreds?" I cringed at the thought, but I had to know why Taylor wasn't mad at me—in the least.

"Well, I would absolutely enjoy doing that, but it would make you unhappy; and if something makes you unhappy, I'm unhappy."

"Oh, well thank you…?" I made it sound like a question.

He chuckled quietly, "Let's get you home; you look exhausted. Rough day, eh?"

I snorted, "Oh yeah. Being taken out for a beautiful dinner and being proposed to it really hard for me to take in."

He leaned over the seat and kissed me passionately. It seemed like every time we would kiss, it would gradually build up, becoming stronger and stronger. I could even feel the difference and intensity of our kiss today compared to yesterday. Our relationship was getting stronger.

He grinned widely at me then started the car.

I only realized I'd fallen asleep when I heard Taylor say, "Ailish, honey. Wake up."

I was too groggy to walk so opened my arms out and said sleepily, "Carry me."

"Ha ha. Alright."

I felt him lift me up and carry me into our small, but cozy house. I was only too happy that I was light enough for him to carry. It would be extremely embarrassing if he couldn't pick me up.

He set me down lightly in our bed and pried my fingers from his shirt.

He took his shirt off and pulled the covers over us.

I was so groggy, that his face was slightly blurry. I tried to focus in on him, but it barely helped.

He laughed, probably at seeing my concentrating expression. "Love you Ail."

"Love me, too."

I realized what I said, "I mean…"

"It's okay, I knew what you meant."

He tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear. And I wished for another body to be beside me also. No! I can't think that way—Taylor's my life now.

As I slowly drifted to sleep, I thought about how getting married to Taylor would be my happily ever after that I always wanted…and also the death of me.