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Chapter 7

Isabelle

The sun was up now, and it was about 10 in the morning. It was cold enough that the meat I had wasn’t going to go bad, and for that I was thankful, but I was lost, wondering why my phone wasn’t getting a signal today. It had been working great for the longest time, but now it started to act up. I grunted. I began to smell smoke from a campfire, and my curiosity got the better of me. It was a risk, how was I to know who was there, but I was hoping that it was someone who wouldn’t mind helping a fellow traveler.

Something was off. The hair on the back of my neck stood up a little. This place belonged to that large wolf. Glitter said nothing, but she did a small dance. I was not as sure.

He had a little campsite of his own, but it was incredibly organized. He had a large log for a seating area with food roasting already. He wasn’t there, but if the fire was going, he had to be close. I decided that now since I found it, I should probably set up away from him so he could have space. Maybe he wouldn’t mind a fellow camper?

I must have missed a step, or lost a part to my tent because of course it wouldn’t pop up like it was supposed to. It was a nice 3-person tent, but it looked deflated. I fought the damn thing until someone’s large, clawed hands popped it for me. I mumbled ‘thank you’ only to hear an amused, deep sigh.

“…Do you mind if I camp over here?” I smile sweetly.

“.. Lady Moon…” He pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out a small growl. It wasn’t a ‘no’.

“Thanks.” I smiled, but he didn’t return it. He narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips, watching me unroll my sleeping bag and pull the meat I had out the garbage bag…. If it wasn’t for it being cold, it would have gone bad... I pulled out the solar charger and my phone next and turned on the little lamp mom gave me for light.

“You know absolutely nothing about the wild, do you princess?” He interrogated with a grin.

“Do not call me a princess!” I growl at him, looking into his red eyes.

He laughs at me. “No survival skills, human technology, new gear you obviously didn’t win in combat. You. Are. A. Princess.” He chuckled, I frowned.

“Then teach me!” I demand, stomping my foot. He raised an eyebrow.

“I will not be easy on you.” He said with a confident growl.

“I don’t care.” I snarl back. His red eyes sparkled like a kid in a candy store.

“Call me Bryson.” He said with a mischievous smirk, tossing a log into the fire.

“I’m Isabelle.” I said, staring him in the eyes. They flashed black with his wolf .

He got up and undid both tents and showed me how to pop them. This took a while, and his rabbits were ready and the venison I caught was fully roasted. We shared the meat together in silence, and he sat on the far side of the log. he ate a pretty large amount, but I didn’t expect anything less. He stared at the fire, and I inched my way closer to him. He didn’t seem like he was paying attention. It was cold, but the fire was warm, and the sky seemed to be filled with birds. I stopped when I was within arms reach of him, but he didn’t move.

I examined his face since he was so entranced with whatever he was thinking about. He was a warrior, covered in scars. His chiseled face and strong jaw complimented the powerful, intense gaze he held. His crimson eyes danced with the light of the flames, and I had to fight myself not to get lost in them. I shook it off and now that I was closer, I tried sniffing his scent. He smelled only of power, rage… and forest? I couldn’t make out anything else from his scent since he seemed to know how to hide it well. How could he be so angry smelling? I wonder is that why his eyes are the way they are…? I was going to ask, but I needed to get his attention first.

I reached to poke him but, he tensed up like someone was about to stab him. I could only guess I offended him, because he went to his tent and zipped it closed before I could ask him anything.

The sun was setting, and I took this time to call mom to let her know I was ok. I had one bar of signal, so while it was working, I may as well use it. I told her that I was fine, and left out everything, she didn’t need to know about yesterday, and I wasn’t sure if I had found my mate. If he was, I was definitely taking him home. He was skilled in combat, that much was for sure.

I turned in myself after that and in the morning, he was dressed in some ripped jeans, hiking boots, and a black t-shirt. You could see the outline of his muscles through the shirt, and I stared. He did a loud throat clear, aware of my ogling, but he was staring too! He looked me up and down, since I had changed in my tent. I wore some dark blue jeans and a yellow long sleeve shirt.

“You might need to change your shirt, it’s too bright,” He mentioned mumbling his words. “…just in case we hunt while we move camp.” He said a little louder. I blushed, and went inside, changing into a dark green shirt, but this one had a deep V, and I was contemplating on not wearing it, but I could kind of see the silhouette of him collapsing his tent and putting it all into a backpack. He was done in all of 10 minutes, and he actually helped me pack my bag.

We walked in silence. Well, he walked… I practically jogged behind him, even though he had all our gear. He heard me and looked back. He slowed his pace without saying anything. None of that weight on his shoulder bothered him at all, it was almost as if he were happy, but I couldn’t really tell with the steeled face he held.

“Why are you looking at me?” He asks bluntly all of a sudden.

“I like your face.” I blurt, and mentally facepalm. He let the smallest smile crease his lips…. And he kept silently walking, while I tried hiding my blush.

“Why are you out here, you could be leading a pack?” I ask to change the subject.

“No one wants a Beast.” He looked at my confused face and sighed. “I am Bryson the Beast, one born under the red moon. It is a blessing and a curse, I’m as strong as an ancient blooded wolf, yet I am an outcast because of what I am.” I walked there next to him surprised.

“Where are we going?” I ask to change the subject again. I could tell this was a sore spot for him.

“We’re crossing a small stream and camping by a waterfall tonight so we can shower.” He said factually. “If you want to leave the nomad life, BlackMoon is west on the other side, about a week’s walk. He stated

I shook my head and kept on going. I didn’t get why he seemed to keep telling me to leave, yet he was alone. That had to get lonely, as most wolves need a pack to stay sane. He didn’t have a mark, but surely someone this powerful should have a mate at his side and a pup or two…

Why did this thought make me jealous, I had no idea… but it did. There was no way he could be my mate, I would have known by now, but why was my wolf not saying anything? From what I had always heard, the wolf always knew. I scrunched my eyebrows unknowingly, until I heard a soft chuckle.

“You look like you don’t like water.” He said with a stone face, but obvious amusement in his voice.

He pointed, and I could almost see it, and start to hear the small pitter patter of the stream and the falls. The trees of the forest lost the last of their leaves in the small chilly gusts, but thankfully, as a wolf, I didn’t feel the approaching winter’s bite.

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