Anastasia's P.O.V.-
We were trying to pant as quietly as possible during those first few terrifying minutes. Realizing we ran into a dead end- literally- we hid in the closest place we could find: a bathroom. "Damn, where'd they go….?" My eyes winced shut at the sound of the security guard's footsteps echoing through the room. We hid in a stall where I leaned up against Christian; he kept both his hands on the stall's walls. Even now, I took the opportunity to peer at him from the corner of my eyes. He's not taking the advantage of the situation and touching me. He's trying not to touch me, without my consent….
We both sighed in relief when he finally, finally left. My hand rose up to my chest. "D-do…. do you think it's safe to leave now?" I asked Christian. He responded by shutting his eyes and turning his head down softly. "Anastasia…. I'm so sorry." "W-what… what are you sorry about? You didn't do anything wrong. They were just being speciest; don't worry about what they think," heck, I only worried on account of what they may do to him. I could care less about those jerks….
When the polar bear didn't return after a few minutes, we thought it safe to get the hell outta there. We walked all the way to another train station, where we grabbed the train home. We… didn't hold hands this time. But I'll admit…. holding Christian's hand isn't something I'd mind doing again. It was the strangest thing, but his hand felt so natural in mine- like they were moulded for each other.
Christian's P.O.V.-
The scene at the train station was a real wakeup call. I can't let myself forget, even though I've imprinted on Anastasia and she's my mate, we're still two different species. And while I'll do everything in my power to clear a path for us going forward…. My eyes lowered a tad. It won't be easy….
"I hate the way they treat carnivores like you. You'd never hurt a fly- you don't deserve any of that," she announced with such assuredness. I felt my heart starting to sink as my chest contrasted. I hate it when she says that…. It's true, I never will hurt her again, but she just trusts me so much. She has real faith in me- my mate believes in me. And yet… My eyes rolled over to her from their corners.
No…. Hiding it from her any longer would be wrong. I want this relationship to be built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect- not lies and secrets. Anastasia trusts me; I owe it to her to be honest. I wanted to tell her back in the first train station, but we got interrupted before I could say anything. Now…. now is the perfect chance. I have to tell her about that night. I have to tell her…. it was me. Now is the time, I repeated told myself. Now is the time for me to…
Without my brain's go-ahead my lips parted. "Actually….." But before I could continue, she broke off my sentence. "Erm, you know… to be honest, I haven't… uh, there's something I have to tell you, Christian. I wasn't going to tell anyone until after I graduated, but…. I trust you. You see, I know… what it's like to be afraid…. of carnivores." My stomach immediately rushed up into the back of my throat; I couldn't react but stare at her with the largest of eyes. W-what…. what is happening? What is she saying? I don't…. No, this wasn't the plan! Cut her off! Don't let her finish; you need to be truthful about this! Stop, please!
"That night, before you and I met, I was… attacked by a carnivore." Dear god. "It was dark out, so I couldn't see who it was. But… i-it happened at school. I think it may have been the same guy that killed Tom, but I can't prove it." Dear god, why is this happening? My inner demonic voice started to rise up from the deep recesses of my soul again. Why do you still deny who you really are? You are a wolf, and wolves hunt lambs. No! This isn't happening! She's my mate! I can't ever lay a finger on her again! Never again! My hands began to quiver as she raised up her arm.
"I…. I'm sorry, Christian; I lied to you. I didn't fall and hurt my arm; he… scratched it. But he didn't bite me! I was fine, I swear! It was just my arm….." Her arm; her soft, tender arm. Doesn't that frustrate you? Aren't you sad, never being truly satisfied? Stop it! I'm not you! I'll never be you! You're a monster, and I'll never let you touch my mate! My hands unconsciously balled up into painfully tight fists; I could feel my claws digging into my skin. The warm sensation of blood on my hands soon followed. Don't touch her… Don't touch her! I can't… I can't even look at her! Look at yourself; try as you might, you cannot escape who you are. You can't run away from yourself. This side of you will grow hungrier and hungrier. Stop! Just stop it!
Every fibre of me winced at the feeling of Anastasia's soft hand now resting up against my arm. S-she's… touching me! This angel is caressing me! "Christian? Oh no! Don't worry! I'm alright; don't let what I've said bother you. If it makes you feel any better, I haven't seen him since then. I bet he's not on campus anymore. And no, I'm not afraid of you." No…. no…. Her smile deepened as her thumb lightly ran over my skin. "Quite the opposite. I feel safe whenever you're nearby." Anastasia…. Anastasia! I have to stop this demon inside of me! I have to push him down as far and deep as I can. I won't let him have her! I could hear sinister chuckling inside me. The sound of my beast-mode… You are overjoyed from the bottom of your heart, to finally have the perfect prey here in your arms.
"Shut up!"
I had shouted from the top of my lungs, a hundred and ten percent done with his nonsense. But when I blinked, finally regaining complete control of my mind, I gazed over to see a stunned and mildly horrified Anastasia. Her hand was entirely retracted away from me now. She blinked a few times dumbfounded. "C-Christian?" Oh sweet lord, what have I done?
"N-No, Anastasia! I wasn't talking to you!" My hands raced up to flash in front of me. Bad move. Her eyes grew gigantic at the sight of my bloody palms. "Christian, you're bleeding!" She gasped. "U-uh, no! It's fine; don't worry about that!" And behind my back they went. Anastasia watched me for a moment like she was unsure what was going on; I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she ogled me.
"Are you alright, Christian? Gasp! Oh! Did what I say upset you?! And right after you were accused of trying to abduct me…. I'm sorry, my timing was so bad." "No! No, no; you didn't do anything wrong, I swear it! It's just…. ah…." Damn, what do I tell her now? How do we go forward from here? I obviously can't tell her it was me now. If I did…. I'm not sure how she'd react. I got to do everything I can to keep her happy, safe, and close. Until that time when I can tell her, I'll have to be careful.
I practically had to force myself to look calmer on the outside; the inside was going to be a mess for a while. She perked up when my eyes softened onto hers. "I'm sorry, Anastasia. I really… wasn't talking to you just now. I was…. thinking; I guess I was telling my mind to "shut up"." "Hmmmmmm, I know that must have been hard for you to hear. Does this have something to do with Tom?" Tom? "Uh, I guess you could say that." Her smile reappeared as she stepped closer to me; her body language was all relaxed and content again.
"I'm sorry, Christian. Two herbivore attacks on campus; that can't be easy to hear, even for an apex predator. It was ill-timed on my part; I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you…. to let you know why I acted afraid that first day we met, at least at the beginning. It wasn't you- it was never you. Please, just know that I trust you. I…. I don't mind holding your hand," she uttered while blushing. All I could do was stare at the masterpiece in front of me. She is a masterpiece, from the top of her head all the way down to her feet. And I can still see her halo….
"Anastasia." "Yes, Christian?" She perked up a bit happily. I took in a deep, stilling breath. "I wanted to say…. thanks for today." "Oh! You don't have to thank me, Christian! If anything, I should be thanking you. Thank you for escorting me home; I get a little nervous traveling alone after dark." I'll bet. Still…. I didn't want to leave her side just yet; not just yet. I can't believe I've finally found my mate… and it's turned out to be the most complicated situation in the world. But one look at her and it all comes rushing back to me. Anastasia, please…. You don't know it's me, but when you do, promise me you won't run away. Promise that you'll never run from me. I'll be content with that, if you promise. But until then…
Can I walk in the sun with you, for just a bit longer?