Ch. 10

'Sara! Guess what!' Rhydian practically skipped through the door of the cottage a lopsided grin plastered on his face 'Shannon is an actual genius she's getting you food and supplies!' He was met with an icy glare. 'Sara what are you doing? What's with all the mess? Are you going somewhere? You're not- ' The smile disolved from his features as realisation dawned on him.

'I'm sorry Rhydian I have to go' her voice was emotionless empty.

'No you don't we have it all sorted!'

She rounded on him growling 'No you don't and you never will! I'm leaving!'

'Sara, you're making a mistake'

'Goodbye Rhydian'

'No. I won't let you leave' his voice low and dangerous.

'Try and stop me' she flung a rucksack over her shoulder and headed towards the door. Rhydian growled, caught her wrist and stood in front of the door, bringing himself up to his full height. He wouldn't let her leave on such a stupid whim, she had only just arrived. She growled back at him, eyes burning yellow and tried to free herself from his grip. She struggled, he was much stronger than her. A smirk washed over Rhydians' face she was not going anywhere as long as he didn't let go of her. He walked her back to the kitchen. She was still struggling against his grip as he pushed her into a kitchen chair.

'Sara listen to me' he knelt down in front of her and took one of her hands in his engulfing them. They were cold and shaking 'boy, you're really not used to living life as a wild wolf' he smiled. Her gaze met his directly

'Of course I'm not I have no home, my family are probably dead and - ' she was trying to swallow her tears as reality hit her. Her head stooped down to conceal her face. 'I'm completely alone' she wailed 'I have nothing. I have nobody' tears coursed down her face. Rhydian could feel himself welling up she was the saddest most washed up person he had ever laid eyes on.

'You have us, you have me' he pulled her down into a bear hug crying with her.

'My mum and dad probably think I'm dead, I can never see them again. I don't know what to do with my life' she sobbed.

'Sshhh' Rhydian tried to comfort her. He stroked her hair gently. 'I'm here and I'm staying. And so is Shannon and Tom and even Yana. We will be your family. Don't ever think you are alone' their foreheads were touching eyes locked. 'I'm here' he whispered soothingly.

'You know I don't think it even really hit me, the changes that have happened until just now everything just came crashing down.'

The mint scent that always seemed to surround her unexpectedly filtered up to his nostrils creating the sweetest sharpest intoxicating smell. 'Can I-'

'Can you what?' She breathed. His eyes glanced down to her mouth. He leaned in and brushed his lips ever so gently over hers for a fleeting second. The chapped skin of her lips sent a shock straight through him. 'Rhydian please no. I-I can't.' she pulled back from him not releasing her grip on his arm.

'Why not? I thought you- sorry' his brow furrowed.

'I do, I think, but I just can't. Not yet. I just want to feel something I think, affection, anger anything I just need to know that I can after what's happened all I've felt is a cold numbness like ice inside of me. Please try to understand, they- they took everything from me! I was terrified, but I don't even feel that any more, just a paralyzing fear of having to look over my shoulder all the time.'

'And do you, you know feel anything?' a blush rising up his neck. Her cool hand calmed the red in his cheeks.

She smiled encouragingly at him, speaking quietly to not ruin the spell they both seemed to be under. She keept her palm flush with his face 'I'm not saying no but I've known you for less than a week Rhydian.'

'I know but I've never felt such an instant pull to anyone, especially not a Wolfblood' he breathed 'we understand each other'

'Well, you are only 17!' she laughed softly breaking the spell 'and what about the Maddie girl that used to live here?' she folded her arms and gave him a suggestive look.

'Maddie, she was a great friend but she's gone now forever most likely'

'Most likely? And you're already moving on to another girl? You dog!' She was laughing heartily. He gave her a shove to let her know she was of the hook entirely. Rhydian promised that he would see her later with Shannon, that she should hear their plan before she made her desicision.

Reluctantly she agreed.