章 29: Chapter 29

UNEDITED-

Annabelle POV-

Well I guess that's it.. I travel in two days and meet a new pack that also think I'm sent from the Gods..

Leopold is basically trying to make me believe that too in a way. I don't know what to believe but I know that the 'Merciless Wolf King' needs to die.

He will never stop seeking power as long as he is alive.. Speaking with Leopold has put my mind more at ease once again.

I feel more sure about what I must do.. and it will be done by any means necessary.

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When we had entered Florence's hut after a brief introduction she moved a chair close to the window and sat me down.. I was still holding my jacket to my head.. she went to talk to Marcus a few feet away from me and then I got lost in my thoughts, until now..

"Let me see.." Florence's voice was slightly shakey..

She walked to me cautiously placing a hand on top of mine on the jacket that I held to my head..

Her hand is so warm.. she then slowly removed her hand looking down at all the blood that remained on it.. She sighed and winced with her back to Marcus.. making sure that he couldn't tell how concerned she really was.

And all I can think about is the sweet scent of strawberries..

"I'll be okay.." I said with a smile in hopes it would take away that worried expression from her face..

She ignored me turning to face Marcus before speaking.. "We'll be alright from here.." She attempted a smile.

"Very well" He said nodding to Florence before looking to me..

"Be safe Annabelle.. and please look where you are going next time" he chuckled.

I smiled back. "I will try".

As soon as Marcus left her whole demeanor had changed. Florence knelt infront of me placing one hand on my knee.. her icy blue eyes were fixed on mine as she spoke..

"Please.. let me see" she sighed..

I just nodded as best I could.. she's not going to let me leave otherwise. I could take this as an opportunity to tell her that I'm going to be away for two weeks but all of a sudden I feel nervous about it..

Florence stood back up walking behind me.. she gently placed her left hand on the side of my neck just under my ear to hold me still.. I closed my eyes at her touch, leaning into it slightly..

She put her right hand over mine tucking her thumb under my fingers as she pulled my hand and jacket away from my head..

I hissed as the air hit my open wound, I felt her grip on my hand and neck tighten quickly before she loosened up again.. "Are you alright?" I asked..

"Y..Yes I'm fine.." She replied still shakily..

"Well how is it looking Doc?"

"You have a minor fracture. It's a deep gash, but nothing a few stitches won't fix, the fracture should heal within a day or two" she said placing my hand and jacket back up to my head.. then she let go of me and went into another room. I heard some shuffling. Florence appeared soon after with a black leather bag.

"Come here.. I need you to lay down." she pointed to her bed..

"Florence.. I can't.. I don't want to get blood all over your bed" I also don't want to have to attempt the journey without any help...I'm still pretty dizzy but my pride won't allow me to ask her for help.

"I will change it when we're done.. just come here"... Fuck I have no choice but to try and make it on my own.. I looked away from Florence taking a deep breath to contain myself...

I braced myself with one hand on the arm rest of the chair as I rose from it unsteadily.. this will be a challenge.. I turned, taking a step around the chair moving my hand to the back of it.. my eyes were fixed on the floor. I took two stumbling steps, I thought I was about to meet the floor again..

She was at me in an instant holding me steady..

She wrapped her arm around my waist and I moved my left arm to go over her shoulder.

We walked over to her bed without another word..

I had hoped when she invited me to her bed it would be under different circumstances.

She made me lay on the bed face down so she could stitch up my head..then she dragged a chair over.

I heard her pouring something before she took the jacket off my head and spoke.. "This is going to hurt" she informed, not giving me a chance to respond..

"Fuck" I hissed as she pressed something against the back of my head.. it stung like she'd poured vinegar into my wound..

Florence used her other hand to rub my shoulder gently which made me forget about most of the pain.. after a few seconds she pulled it away.

"That's the first part over.." she hummed keeping her free hand on my shoulder a few extra seconds before removing it and picking something else up.

I heard a click... then I felt her breath on the back of my neck.. I felt her gently brush a few of my hairs away before starting the first stitch.. it was hurting but all I could think about was her breath on my neck.. I could feel some trickles of blood running down across my face but I didn't dare move to wipe it.

It felt like an eternity but finally she leaned back speaking.. "There.. all done" she smiled nervously..

I sat up swinging my legs off the bed..

I was about to lean forward to hold my head, when I assume she thought I was about to get up.. she put her hand on my chest to stop me half way. "Stay.." She demanded.

I looked up into her eyes.. She looks just as worried as when I walked in..

"I wasn't getting up don't worry.." I smiled..putting my hand on hers for a few seconds before we both took our hands back.. she looked down at her hands in her lap.. she handed me a glass of water and I gulped down half the cup.

Placing the cup on the counter I spoke "Thank you Florence.." I said causing her to look back at me.. she smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of my words but didn't say anything.

After a few moments she got up and walked into her washroom, soon emerging with a bowl of water and a flannel cloth. She sat down infront of me on the chair again, refusing eye contact.

She sat still for a few seconds with the bowl on her lap before placing it on the floor in the little space that was between us. She dipped the rag in, lifting it out of the water she wrung it out.

"Can I?" She asked finally looking at me again gesturing to my bloodied hands..

"It's alright.. hand it over" I said plainly putting out my hand to receive it.. I want to let her help me wash it off.. but I don't want to get used to the way this feels, being close to her, setting myself up for a heartbreak.

Her expression went from relief to sadness as she gave in and passed the rag to me.. I felt like I had to give her some explanation.. I looked down and began wiping the blood off my hands as I spoke..

"I want to let myself be comfortable around you.. but I can't.." I took a breath cleaning between my fingers..as I continued "-I want you to trust me.." I looked up.. those beautiful eyes looking back.. I really could get used to this..

"I'm sorry" she whispered still looking at me with sad eyes..

I dropped the rag in the water when I'd got what I could off. "Please don't be sorry.. you can't help the way you feel.. I accept that.. which is why I can't let myself get comfortable around you.. I know your not ready for this" I looked away unable to look at her at my next sentence.. it hurts to say that I don't mind her not choosing me but.. "I will be around for a long time and so will you.. Maybe you can try your luck at finding some man wolf to keep you company until you come back to me. I don't blame you.. I wouldn't want to be with me either.." It's true.. with all the danger I'm now in.. I don't blame her for not wanting to stand by my side.. it still hurts alot though.. I feel alone.

I'm pretty sure I can make it back to my hut on my own.. I was about to thank her and excuse myself when I remembered something.. She looked like she was about to say something but I cut in..

"Hey what was Marcus talking about when he said 'last time'?" I emphasised the last part looking at her again curiously waiting for her answer..

"It was nothing" she almost whispered still unable to look at me..

"Can we just stop playing these games love?" I sighed putting my head in my hands.. I'm always honest with her.. I just want honesty in return.

I heard her take a few deep breaths before she began.."When you first came here, I was the one who stitched you up.."

"So what was he talking about?" I asked again as she still dodged my question..

"When you arrived Marcus asked if they should take you to Dom, and I couldn't stand the thought of.." she took another breath seemingly contemplating completing her sentence. "..of his hands on you."

I'm glad she did.. so she was protective of me from the start?.. that's good to know.. but I also feel like there is still alot she isn't telling me.. it's okay.. I can wait as long as she doesn't lie to me. She is becoming more comfortable around me I can feel it.

"I'm okay with you not telling me everything.. I'm thankful that you even gave me this much".. I chuckled lightly looking back at her.. my heart warmed when she smiled back.. I wish I didn't have to go right now but I need to have a proper wash.. I feel disgusting.. my hair is sticky and matted with blood.

"Thank you for your help Florence.. I am greatful to be in your company.. even if it's only when we meet like this." I sighed. I need to get home..

"Your welcome Annabelle" She said sincerely..

I love the smoothness of her voice when she's calm.. I'm glad she's calmed down now.. she was scaring me more than the hole in my head.

"I need to go wash the rest of this off.. you might not see me for a little while.." she looked at me questionably.. I may aswell tell her.. she will only ask Marcus or Gigi anyway.

"I said yes to Marcus.. in two days we leave for another pack. They will join the rebellion once they.." I paused still unable to get my head around it "-see me".

"Why did you accept?" She asked curiously..

"I want to help these people"... I stated firmly..

"..'These' people.. not 'My' people?.."

"They are not my people Florence.." I don't have 'people'.. even when I was going to be a queen I never had people.. they wanted a king, no matter how hard I tried I could never live up to their expectations..

I'm done with trying to make people proud.. I have one goal right now and that is to kill the king. I don't need people relying on me.

Besides, I'm not even 18 yet and they want me to lead them into war?..

"If they are willing to die for you does that not make them your people?".. this reminded me of my conversation with Leopold... I found myself reciting his words..

"They are not dying for me.. they are dying for what they believe in.. this is for freedom Florence.. not for me" I realised I sounded alot more hurt than I meant to let on, its always hard to hide my emotions from her..

"I know.. I'm sorry" she sounded genuine.. "You are right.. I know you'll do what needs to be done." she smiled at me.. I couldn't help myself but smile back..

"I really must go.. Thank you again Florence.. Besides the blood and stitches, I've actually enjoyed our time together.." I was about to get up when she stopped me with her hand on my chest again.. is she trying to stop my fucking heart because I swear it might work..

"Wait.. if I let you walk out like that everyone will be staring at you" she said calmly retracting her hand.

"Like what?" I asked confusedly.

"With blood smeared all over your face" she laughed, I love hearing her laugh, it doesn't happen often.

She pulled the flannel from the water wringing it out

"Come here" she spoke calmly..

I just did as she said.. leaning forward.

All this closeness is making me giddy.. I shuffled closer to the edge of the bed as she moved further forward on her chair.. we were right Infront of each other now.. face to face..

She hesitated a few moments before lifting the rag to my face, gently brushing at my cheek.. the cool water helped with how hot I had become at her touch..

I just watch her intently as she cleaned my face.. she used her free hand to tuck some stray hairs behind my ear before continuing cleaning the blood that some how ended up on my chin..

I watched her eyes dart from my chin to my lips.. back to my chin.. lips, then chin again.. she is so interested.. She looked up into my eyes and my heart stopped.. she looked at my lips again and back to my eyes.. why is she fighting this?..

I'll give her something to think about.. I'm going away for two weeks anyway.. if she's mad.. she has time to cool off.. I lifted my hand, gently placing it on her face.. before I could fully think I pulled her into me softly pressing my lips against hers.. I didn't realise how much I had been longing for this moment..

I felt relief when instead of pulling away she placed one hand on my neck and the other on my arm.. she kissed me back delicately once more before pulling away from the kiss still holding me..

"I need you to be safe" she said with genuine concern in her voice.. she also sounded slightly out of breath.. shit I am too after that.. I've never had such a strong desire for anyone in my entire life..

"I will try, but you know with the various bounties out on me I can't promise anything.." I laughed but her expression showed that she didn't think it was very funny. She dropped her hand from my face placing it on my shoulder instead..

"I'm serious.." She looks sad now.. I don't want her to be sad but this is the cold hard truth..

"I've already accepted this.. you know what it means right?" I asked but she didn't reply.. so I answered "It means that I will be leading these people into a war.. people will die on both sides and I can't promise you that I won't be one of them.".. I sat back further on the bed taking her hands in mine on her lap, still looking in her eyes as I spoke.. "This is probably one of the things your afraid of huh?" it wasn't a question.. and anyway her expression answered it..

She looked away from me before speaking

"I don't want to loose you too" she admitted.. I can't blame her for wanting to protect herself. I do it too.

"I know, and I don't want to die.. I wish I could have just been able to choose my own path for once.. but as always fate has other plans for me and I don't have a say in it. If I don't do this people will continue to suffer and die.. you know this.. you've seen it yourself.." I need her to at least try to understand.. she looks hurt.. her eyes are glassy like she's holding back tears.. I didn't know she cared this much.. "Do you blame me?" was all I could ask.. I'm not even sure specifically what I was asking.. maybe just about the whole situation..

"No of course not.. you are a good person Annabelle. I'm sorry that this is where life has lead you." I can tell she feels sorry for me.. I hate that..

"I'm not.. in my old life I never had the choice to make a difference. I was locked away in a castle condemned there for life..." I took a breath then I continued "And if I die for this...then at least I'll know that I tried to be better.. to do better.." I said as proudly as I could trying to be sure of my own words.

"This is not your war Anna!.. you don't have to do this" She pleaded becoming slightly more emotional, besides I thought she would want this, she might be having second thoughts. I don't think I've ever seen this much genuine emotion come out of her.. Before she said it was my choice, maybe she thought I would choose to stay out of it.

"It is now.." I sighed.. I've already agreed to the first part.. I can only agree to the rest.. I need to kill the king, he is gunning for me anyway..."He will never stop Florence.. he is looking for me right now and he will never stop.." I sighed remembering how helpless I felt in those chains.. I can only imagine what it would feel like to be tortured.. alone in a cold dark cell. I get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it. I got lost thinking about it not realising I had looked away..

She snapped me from my thoughts when she stood up walking over to her table to pour her own cup of water.. I looked into my cup realising I had finished it and suddenly felt thirsty again.

I got up.. she watched me carefully for a few seconds before realising I can actually walk now.

I stood next to her pouring my own cup before looking down to her standing next to me..

"I know you feel that you need to do this.. if you weren't my mate I'd be greatful for it-" she inhaled sharply realising she said more than she had intented to.. the inhale was so slight but I heard it..

"I really am sorry that your in this position.. I know I'm not what you were expecting.. and this, is alot to take in. I'm not going to pressure you.. I just hope that with time.." I moved in closer to her, placing my hand gently on her cheek, our faces are inches apart now "..-you will come to see me the way I see you.."

"How do you see me?" she asked as almost a whisper.. I dropped my hand from her face before I replied.

"I see you as someone I would kill for.." I said without a thought.. still looking at her..there is so much more I could say but this one jumped forward first..

"You would kill for me?" she asked unable to mask the surprised tone of her voice. Why is she surprised. I've just accepted an invite to a war for a whole load of people I don't even know.. this is someone I really care about..

"I would do, anything for you.." she knows it's true.

"And if I told you to walk away?" she sounds curious..

"From what? the fight.. or you?" I asked..

"The fight?"

"I might... but it will catch up to me eventually.. and you too.. what if they find out about you, and they send catchers to come for you?..I wouldn't be able to live with myself".. She could probably hear the disdain in my voice as she wrapped an arm around my waist, I instinctively put my arm around her shoulder.. we were almost hugging but still able to look at each other..

"And if I told you to walk away from me?" she asked looking up into my eyes, I saw hope in hers for the first time..

"As much as it would hurt, I would do my best to stay away from you.." basically like we have been doing.. "Is that what you want?" I asked before I could think about it.. I don't want her to answer this before she's really thought about it.. I need to get out of here.. "I'm sorry.. you don't have to answer that.. just.." I said nervously, separating from her before continuing

"-I'm sorry about the mess.." that's the last thing I said before leaving.. what an idiot.. I'm usually so good at this.

I could have said something else but that was the first thing that had popped into my head. I tend to do that often. I need to leave her to make this decision properly.. and I need to sort myself out for the trip.. I forgot how long the travel time is.. I'll find out tomorrow..

I made my way back to my hut pretty quickly.. a bonus to living close by Florence..

I ran myself a bath and washed myself off, being cautious of my new stitches as I did.

This should be healed before my trip. I dried myself off, threw on a long shirt and jumped straight into bed. It's still daylight but all this blood loss has got me drained. Turns out the head bleeds alot.

I still can't believe I kissed Florence.. and she kissed me back.. I did not see that coming today but I do hope that I have sweet dreams about it.. could be awhile before she opens up to me again.. or she might never.. let's not think about that.. sweet dreams Anna.. sweet dreams.

NOTES-

This is extra long.. It just ended up being that way.. not alot happened. I usually do a next chapter when I feel like something else is happening so that's why some are long and some are short. Also it depends on me. Nevertheless I hope you enjoyed.