Chapter 12- Gratitude part 2

" Anyways, you haven't touched him." Brianna noticed as Michael pulled his brows together.

" Is it necessary?" He questioned as Brianna swayed her head side to side.

" It helps, so the horse understand you, and you the horse." She insisted.

" If you suggest so." Michael reluctantly held out his hand as Brianna accidentally placed his over his. Feeling the sharp electric current that flowed to their nerve endings. Michael slightly jumped at her action never expecting her to be so direct. Brianna blamed her impulsiveness for the situation she was in now. His skin felt honey warm against her.

She had dug her own grave now she had to lie in it or lie to him, " Don't be so reluctant." She began as their hands petted the horse.

Michael gazed at her rather than the horse. Staring at her emotionless face, his heart felt like it would fly out of his chest yet she seemed so calmed. " Why? I can't tell if he likes me or not?" He slyly intertwined the between situations.

" It's about building a connection. Whatever you feel the horse will feel." She paused looking at him. " Once he feels like he can trust you-"

" That trust will never fade." He ended as they gazed at another. The pink that slightly crept on her cheeks, his dilated pupils gave away their true sentiments.Their fingers lingered on the horse, but this wasn't about Eilam. It was about the connection, they were building.

Lenore being the third wheel stood their just smiled proudly of what was unfolding. Was it her imagination was there something there? She cleared her throat as the two snapped out of their enchantment as they looked at her.

" I'm get going to the stands. The competition is about to being so, good luck the both of you." Lenore explained as Brianna nodded.

" See you in a bit, Lenore." Michael added as she threw her thumbs up walking backwards.

" Oh and I hope you win Brianna!" She announced as her voice echoed through the wooden stables as Brianna it her lip from laughing. Did she really just wish for her to win instead of her brother?

" What, a mysterious girl." Brianna thought as she turned back to Michael.

" I guess I have your sister's favor then." Brianna rubbed in his face a little just to show the support that wolves and vampires could get along.

Michael rolled his eyes. That was typically of Lenore. His litter sister was always so mischievous. Still he didn't get the fascination she had with her. Technically he should be more fascinated because she was his mate not that Lenore knew that but what was the big deal? " Lenore's always like that." He calmly responded as Brianna walked across back to Nala.

" Oh so you saying that I'm not going to win?" Brianna asked inquisitive as she perked her brow. Did he think she was going to be bested by him? That just because she was half his size, that meant half his strength? Because if he did, she would have to prove him wrong.

Michael swayed his head side to side. Internally debating how to answer that question. Either she was going to win or he was going to let he win. " I'm not saying that, I'm just saying you have competition."

Brianna raised her brow. Of course it was a competition. That was not her question. She wanted to know if he saw her as her equal. " Of course I do, but the fact I'm undefeated against all the components I've faced against means that you're my biggest competitor."

Michael face grew into a lopsided grin. Was she testing him? Or wondering just how strong he was compared to her. " Well, this is just a horseback competition so maybe you'll win, but if it was based off pure natural abilities. Now that's a different story." He said with a certain conviction.

Brianna scoffed as his ego pleasing statement as she began, " So you're saying you'll be able to outrun me in the field."

" Well it would be forest, but sure." He teased.

Brianna shook her head as she lifted herself up her horse, " Just because your sixty years older, doesn't mean that you're stronger ."

Michael sucked his teeth as he repeated her motions and mountain ed the horse. Both looking like equal competitors. " I didn't say it had to do anything about my age." He paused as they meet each other eyes. " Simply, let the best person win Brianna." He mentioned in a friendly fashion.

Walking towards the exit of the stables Brianna held the reigns of her horse. Of course he didn't give her the answer she expected. Maybe it was just a little game after all. " You're right. Let the best person win, Michael." She admitted as she turned to her side as he stood there. Proudly himself. She clucked as her horse moved forward and he stayed at her pace until they arrived at the field.

It was still dark almost misty outside. However the entire field was filled with her parents, their majesties in a separated booth and every guest that attended. The other competitor already stood in their position: Prince Ethan, Ambrose, Eli, Aurora, and others who stood there as they approached.

Walking up to Ambrose who grinned ear to ear greeted first, " Good Morning, my lady. You look quiet lovely this morning." He complimented genuinely as Brianna cheeks grew red as Michael squinted at their interaction

" Who gave him the right to be so close to her? And why is he being so informal?" Michael thought a wanting scowl growing on his face as he attempted to gain control of his emotions.

" Morning Ambrose, and thank you. You flatter me too much." Brianna responded attempting to brush off the praise as he shook his head.

In his eyes there was no other woman besides Brianna. Even if they weren't mates yet. Just one day. One. " Impossible. You are the most beautiful woman here." He insisted as Brianna wanted to hide herself. He was too open and too proud about it. True or not she didn't want to risk offend or upset anyone else.

Michael on the other hand just wanted to grabbed her closer to him, but stood back.

" So you're insisting she even more beautiful than her royal majesties." A familiar redhead approached with a curled lip. Michael internally groaned. Why? Why, at all times?

Ambrose ears grew red. He didn't mean to upset anyone. He was just trying to be courteous to his future bride, forgetting to remember overhearing ears were present. " Well..... I was.. just ... trying to-" He stuttered as Brianna was ready to jump to his defense until he was interrupted by another annoying presence.

" Well of course my cousin is quite a gem. She is a vampire after all." Ethan voiced as he flashed his pearl white fangs. "I wouldn't know about your taste but yes she is quite pleasing looking, unlike some people." He glared at the redhead who growled. Ready to pounce on one another.

" It's alright, everyone." Eli stepped in calming the situation down. " Everyone is entitled to their own opinions."

Brianna and Michael nodded. Thankfully for the only level headed individual coming to their rescue, succeed in stopping a fight.

" True, but some opinions are just right!" Ethan added on as he just had to have the last food making Aurora bark.

" Oh you bloodless undead...."

" What! Tell me! She-wolf."

" Hey! Stop that!" Brianna reprimanded with a forceful voice the both stop, Ethan against his will because out of his free will he would rambled on. Aurora forcefully shutting herself up as Michael frustratingly sighed, not wanting to be burdensome anymore. " This is just a competition that's suppose to be apart of my celebration if you two can't act like civilized adults than leave." She remarked looking at both of them as they headed different directions.

Brianna exhaled as she looked at the ground. Why did there always had to conflict? Could for once she smile and not be riddled with undermining trivial matters?

Ambrose feeling hopelessly guilty. It was her celebratory party and he just ruined it.He just wanted to say how beautiful she was. Was it a crime? " I'm sorry." He murmured as Brianna peered her head up.

" It's okay. Don't worry about it." She looked to as he noticed her happy vibrations were long gone. All he wanted to see her happy. To see her smile and laugh all the time. If he were by her side, he would always make her smile even on her worst days.

Michael who observed this also wanted to apologize. Feeling equally as guilty for not putting a stop to Aurora's action earlier, but he couldn't reprimanded a member of his tribe for a vampire. The words lingered on his lips wanting to escape.

The bell rang drawing attention from everyone.

" Good Morning, everyone.! Or such I say good dusk!" The announcer began as the crowd laughed. " Thank you! Thank you! Now her highness Princess Brianna and his highness Michael have arrived the game can begin! Now this is how the rules will follow Her Highness Princess Brianna will have a thirty second head start then Prince Michael will be able to ride. Everyone else would have to wait two minutes afterwards to begin. Before anyone starts to argue about it being unfair, remember the winner has to ride ten miles back and front and facing the terrain of the woods. It will be difficult for every opponent. Alright now that everyone is aware let's start the count down!"

5- The crowd chanted, the roar trembled the earth.

4- Brianna's horse Nala began pawing the floor.

3- Brianna grabbed the reins tighter

2- Breathing in and out. Calming her nerves`as all eyes watched.

1- Looking at her parents, and back to her course in front of her. Reminding herself the very reason she had to win.

Go!- The announcer yelled as Nala took off at an incredible force faster than any normal horse. The crowd murmured at the unexpected horsepower. Flashing as the metal of the horseshoe gave a terrifying booming sound as the wind flowed Brianna's hair as she soon disappeared off to the woods.

Michael watched as her shadow disappeared, but her scent was there. Drawing a direct trail to her. The seconds count down as the announcer screamed for his turned as he sped off. The force of the horse surprised him. Holding the reins harder attempting to balance him. He knew their were vampiric horses as Brianna had told them, but this power, this strength was different. Nothing he could have imagined. Every step the horse destroyed the ground imprinting itself. He halted stopping. But he wasn't focused on the horse rather the trail of Bri's scent that quickly fade.Not a sign where she went.

" Come on Michael. Catch up." Her voice echoed as he snapped his head in the direction his ears sensed her voice coming from. His heart pounded against his chest, his blood raced. Gripping his rein he commanded Eilam to ride forward. The sound of her voice saying his name was as if the angels descended singing his name.

The sweet scent that made his mind a blur. Lingered every close as the wind carried her with it. His body reacted with his mind thinking much. He didn't want to think. He just wanted to see her. To catch up with her. To be alone with her. Without others disturbing. Every stride inching every closer to the perfect moment until it was a reality.

She stood there on the brisk of horizon as the sun inched every closer. Pausing admiring the timeless beauty the sun was. " Thank you Michael." Brianna truthfully appreciated as she looked out to the sun. Eliam carefully trotted onward approaching right next to her as he looked at her, he just looked at her. " Thank you for your advice. Because of it I was able to re conciliate with my best friend." Brianna turned and looked at his golden face.

" I'm glad I was of service." He paused getting lost in her. " I hope I can help you with such matters in the future."

From her lips escape heartfelt smile, " I wish that, too." She turned Nila around. " I'll race you back." She proposed as he nodded, Brianna leaving him first as he followed quickly behind.

" Not fair!" He jokingly called out.

" It's a race! Ha-ha." Brianna replied. Her laughter filling up the forest grounds as the animals so joined. It was like the fragment of time where nature, and all the creatures of life, and themselves were bonded together in a moment of pure bliss.

The sun spread throughout the land making the gray scenery turn into its luscious green as the step of the horses crashing the fallen tree branches gave signal the winner was arriving. The crowd peeked tilting their heads to the beginning of the endless woods both expecting each their own winner. Within seconds, Brianna appeared with Michael alongside as they rode together to the finish line. As some followed behind.

" And for the first time ever ladies and gentleman it is a tie!" The announcer determined as the crowd went wild from howls and screams from audience. Brianna wore a broad smile which Michael reciprocated. Something they were both very grateful for.