4. Knight in Shining Armor
1106 Words
Eden's pov:
Once on the bed, I soon found myself crying, despite my earlier promise to Alpha Hunter.
I recalled how Clarissa and Sebastian had mocked me, and couldn't help but be overcome with sadness. I was sad, not just because I now knew I never stood a chance with Sebastian, but also because of Clarissa's words – which were playing in my ears on a loop.
If she really thought so low of me, why did she even bother hanging out with me?
Then, it hit me. I was the clingy friend. I was the one who always asked to hang out. I was the one who sought her validation often. All this time, she might have never thought of me as a friend.
I sat up in bed abruptly, in need of some fresh air, feeling as if the room became too stuffy for me. I grabbed a tissue from nearby and dried my tears, before venturing outside my room.
It was after midnight, and though the festivities had come to an end, some pack members still lingered outside, chilling.
No one paid me any mind. And that was exactly what I wanted. I didn't care to be seen, much less right then.
I wandered aimlessly, and my feet took me right to the lake.
I picked a few pebbles, and then sat cross-legged on the grass. Before long, I was throwing those pebbles into the lake, one by one.
"I miss you, mom," I breathed out softly even as tears fell down my cheeks.
I had no memory of my dad. He had passed when I was a newborn, in an attack on the pack, protecting his team as one of the elite warriors. Mom, however, loved me fiercely, and I never felt like I lacked anything. Sure, we weren't exactly well-off, but we had everything we might possibly need. I was 12 when she passed away. It was sudden, unexpected, and devastating.
I remembered coming back to our shared room in the pack house, happy to have scored well, ready to show her my report, but could not find her.
I didn't get to wonder long before Mrs Brown told me to follow her solemnly.
I did so, despite the questions that burned my lips, despite everything. And she led me straight to the pack's clinic, where I found mom laying on a bed, still warm, and yet lifeless.
The doctor explained that she had a heart attack, that they did everything they could... I believed them but that didn't stop me from breaking down, completely and utterly inconsolable.
Now, 6 years later, I still missed her dearly, and remembered her often.
My tears were heavy, streaking my cheeks, when I faintly heard someone approaching. I stiffened, silently willing them to go away, even as I sniffled.
To my surprise, the person did the exact opposite.
Hunter sat down next to me... and I tried to stop the heavy flow of tears, but to no avail.
He didn't speak but simply remained by my side until I calmed down, bit by bit.
"I am sorry," I let out in a hoarse tone of voice.
"Don't be," he retorted simply, a faint smile stretching his lips.
"I am done crying now," I heaved a sigh and turned to look at him, only to find his gaze already on me.
He nodded in acknowledgment of my statement.
"I should probably go," I let out after a moment, ready to beat it out of there.
"Stay."
I was taken aback to say the least, but I obliged him. The night was chilly but beautiful. The moon was new, and it was the beginning of a new cycle.
He didn't speak afterwards, not that I expected him to, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable by any stretch. Before long, however, I was tired and struggling to remain awake, yawning discreetly every now and then.
"Let's go back, little wolf," he soon said, as if noticing my struggle.
I nodded and stretched my sore muscles. He rose to his feet quickly, and then extended a hand for me to take. I felt unworthy of such kind attention. And yet, I couldn't find it in me to question it.
I simply took his hand, and he helped me up.
The walk back to the pack house was livelier, for he decided to talk to me, "I heard you scored A's in all your subjects."
"You heard right," I offered him a smile.
"I even heard you took swimming classes," he went on.
And while I wasn't sure where he was going with this, I played along, "Well, can't have you thinking I want to be a damsel in distress."
"You don't need saving, little wolf," he drawled. "But I would happily be your knight in shining armor."
I was dumbfounded for a moment there, before giggling good-humoredly, "Good joke, Alpha."
"What joke?" He stopped abruptly, and I felt compelled to turn to look at him.
"Surely, you're tripping me," I insisted. "I mean you're Hunter Black, and I am just..."
"And you're Eden Summers," he finished the sentence for me before I could.
I remained frozen in my spot for a moment there. It felt like I was being acknowledged for the first time ever.
"I don't need an answer right now," he said after a beat, and that had my eyes widen at once.
He couldn't be serious, could he? I just couldn't believe the words leaving his mouth.
"Are you okay, Hun... Alpha Hunter?"
"Hunter is fine," was all he said. "You don't need to be so formal with me."
"I feel like..." I didn't dare to voice out the rest of my thoughts. How was I supposed to tell him I felt like he might have hit his head or something?
"Am I being too hasty?" He asked, tilting his head to the side quizzically.
"I just can't wrap my head around this," I told him timidly, nodding.
"In time, you will."
His confident drawl as he started walking again, and I followed him, had me question many things – everything.
Was I even awake at this point?
And yet the sharp bite of the cold air had me feeling like this was no dream. I knew that many women would die to be in my place, even if it was just to end up as Hunter's plaything.
But then I recalled that, although many girls had always thrown themselves at him, he had never once shown any interest.
Why the sudden change of heart?
I didn't get to think long before he startled me again.
- Writer
