Forbidden by Fate

Liam’s POV

I find myself to quite literally be on the outside looking in, as I watch the silver wolf disappear under the cover of darkness. She doesn’t even bother to glance back, and I get the distinct impression that Emersyn’s wolf is not impressed with me. I almost envy Emersyn for allowing her wolf to take so much control, but I also find myself in a predicament that I am unsure how to navigate.

I am left staring into a gaping abyss that spans a distance that I am certain I am not willing to risk falling into depths. I am reckless, but not a fool. My wolf grumbles from within, wounded that I don’t trust him enough to chance both of our lives. I ignore him. While Emersyn allows her wolf to lead her, I must always remain in control. My father taught me from a young age that while our wolf is powerful, it should never have full control.

So, I do understand better than most how stubborn your wolf can be. But I also know that your wolf feeds on what your human emotions are feeling, and that is what concerns me. I try to tell myself that I am over thinking it, but I am becoming blatantly aware that Emersyn is more complex than I had hoped for.

While most girls longed to become a Luna of a pack, she didn’t seem to be intrigued by the notion. She was hiding something, and I got the feeling that it wasn’t just from me. In fact, I wasn’t sure that she actually realized it herself yet. However, her wolf was certainly sure of one thing. She was not interested in me. Which meant one thing, I had a lot of work to do to convince Emersyn that I am worthy.

My mother’s words ring true, “Women are special kinds of creatures. You must learn to speak our language if you want to truly capture our hearts.”

And I was determined to have Emersyn. I needed her more than she could imagine. I needed this union to work. It had to. I had a responsibility to my people, and I was willing to fight to make her realize that I was serious.

The crunch of the leaves on the other side of the ravine pull me from my thoughts as I see a group of wolves approaching through the brush. I recognize her gorgeous blue eyes instantly and relief washes over me as I realize she hasn’t left me to my own devices. I glance at the other two wolves that are by her side and immediately realize that she has brought the firing squad with her. My two favorite hosts, Maverick and Callum.

I can’t speak through their pack link, but I can imagine the amount of shit talking the two of them are sharing on my behalf. I am going to hear about this later, I grumble to myself. Emersyn’s blue eyes are full of apology as she nods her head to my left. I direct my attention the direction she nods. In the distance, I can see the glint of the moon on the jagged rocks that protrude from the inside of the ravine, almost forming a makeshift bridge to cross.

I nod my head in understanding and break into a run towards my saving grace. My wolf is angry. I have humiliated him. I make a mental note to myself to try and make amends when I can, but I know that he is going to make this harder than necessary. He is as stubborn as a mule, but I must remain in control. It is my duty as alpha heir.

I make it to the natural crossing with ease, but I would be a liar if I denied that I wasn’t looking forward to making the trek across the ravine. I may be a large man, but there is something terrifying to me about falling to my death. I almost laugh internally as my wolf growls at me in warning.

“Calm down, old friend. I won’t embarrass you further!” I say to him in my mind.

He doesn’t reply with words, but I feel his satisfaction wash over me as I take a deep breath before allowing my paws to settle on the rocks that are separating me from certain death. I count to three in my head before nearly running across the makeshift bridge. I have never been more grateful for the feel of the mud seeping through the creases in my paws as my feet graze the land.

Emersyn and the others stand side by side, as if they are watching a live comedy act unfold before them. I can see the amusement clearly dancing in each of their eyes as they watch me walk like a new calf. Maverick’s wolf snorts invoking Callum to nearly fall over howling with laughter. My legs quiver without my permission and I can feel my wolf’s anger growing once more. Stupid heights. This is not how I envisioned this night going.

I hear a deep growl of warning and it takes me a moment to realize that Emersyn is defending me. Both of the boys cease their shenanigans, and I get the distinct impression that neither of them want to mess with Emersyn or her wolf. Maybe there is some hope after all, I think to myself.

Maverick’s ears perk as he hears a howl in the distance signaling that the run is coming to an end, and I have never been more thankful. They seem to be having a conversation through their link as I wait, looking like a stray dog that they have taken pity on. Maverick takes a step towards me looking me in the eyes almost as if warning me before he and Callum turn to run towards the pack.

Emersyn’s silver wolf stands waiting patiently for me to begin the journey back. I wish that I could speak to her more than anything in this moment, but I remind myself that we will have time for that. For now, the silence between us is almost needed. I need time to get my thoughts together, to understand who she is better.

I want her to realize that I don’t just want her, I need her. I must have a Luna for my pack and unfortunately time is of the essence. But as my mind wanders, I am left questioning whether she is willing to make the sacrifice that it requires.

Can’t she sense that I am trying? Or is there something that I have missed?

As we approach the clearing in the forest that began this adventure, I feel a pang of relief. I can’t wait to get some rest and try again tomorrow. But as I start to shift to my human form I hear the swoosh of Emersyn shifting behind me.

I turn to see her magnificent body shimmering in the moon’s light, swallowing hard, before my eyes land on her face. She looks worried and something tells me that I am not going to like what happens next.

She half smiles as she says, “So I did a thing. I kind of feel bad for it now, but what’s done is done. I may have got even for my dollhouse.”

I instantly realized that my night was just getting better and better. I picked up my pace going towards where I left my clothing. Nothing.

I sighed to myself before allowing myself to shift into my human form.

“I guess I deserved that,” I say with a hint of annoyance. “Where are they?”

Her blue eyes look down as she mumbles, “In the pond you got the worms from.”

I don’t know what possesses me, but I erupt in laughter. “I underestimated you.”

She smiles with a sly grin, “Most people do.”

She leans down, allowing me to truly appreciate all of her assets, grabbing her shawl. Her cheeks flush a bright red as she offers it to me. “Maybe you could use this to get into the packhouse?”

I laugh as I look at the see through fabric, “Nah, I’ll take my punishment like a man, bare assed and hands free. No sense in backing down now!”

Emersyn burst into laughter as she watched me turn walking towards the pack house.

“Wait for me,” she says as she quickly slides into her dress and picks up her shoes. “I don’t want to miss this.”

And she was right, she didn’t want to miss this because I was a lot of things but not shy. If I was going to have to do this in front of an entire pack, I was going to do it with confidence and style. I was going to make this girl realize that I wasn’t just a guy afraid of heights but rather a man with a plan. And my plan was to make her realize that I was full of surprises.