Chapter 22

UNEDITED-

Annabelle POV-

I woke up fully clothed stinking of alcohol. I'm pretty sure I'm still drunk. I groggily sat up stretching my arms out. The room is spinning... I need water..

I made a lousy attempt to get out of bed, my feet got wrapped in the blanket and.. Oop.. I landed face first in a heap on the floor.

Shit, I'm definitely still drunk.

I decided to lay there awhile..

Florence brought me home, it's a little strange that she knows where I'm staying. I recently got moved out from the hospital hut, maybe someone told her. They are all friendly but they also want to know everything about me, they offer me all kinds of things. One woman has started bringing me a plate of the food that she cooks for her family.

It's the sweetest. I really should remember her name. But anyway it's like some of the ones that know what I am think I'm like.. sent from the Gods or something, it's worse than when I was in line to be Queen.

I'd hoped the cold hard floor would sober me up. Last night starting playing in my mind again... I know it's her... she practically told me with her facial expression. What will I even say to her?. I don't even know if I want a mate... if that's even the case..

My whole life I knew my partner was going to be chosen for me, and then I was just happy to have found freedom away from that.

Why should I go back to having my mate chosen for me?... Maybe I just need to ask myself if she'd be someone I'd choose. I'm getting ahead of myself, I don't even know if that's it..

I decided nothing can be done from the floor so I either need to sober up.. or go to sleep.

No... I need to sober up and find Florence. At least I have a reason to speak to her, she did follow me through the woods after all. And then tucked me in like I'm a child when I got blind drunk, by accident might I add.

I feel a little embarrassed, but it was an accident so fuck it, she'll either understand or she won't..

No one told me that stuff was lethal...

I lifted myself off the floor, stumbling into the wash room. I used three jugs of water to fill the bath and hopped in. I need to get the smell of alcohol and smoke off me, and I look like I hopped out of a garbage can.

After bathing I threw on a burgundy long sleeve T-shirt, some black fitted trousers and my black leather lace up boots. I love being able to wear such practical clothing. I've heard some of the girls say they wish they could dress like Mav. I'm telling you, if you aren't used to that, it will crack your ribs. Or you might suffocate from lack of oxygen being inhaled into the tiny spaces left for your lungs to expand.

It's basically torture. Okay so maybe it's not 'that' bad.. but I feel pretty strongly about it... moving on..

I don't even know what Florence does, I don't know where she'll be.. I could ask Gigi or Marcus, but that's a bit sus.

I decided to take my chances on finding her myself.

I waited around all day, I ate lunch with Mav outside.

Later on Kya the woman who brings me food, saw me walking past a few times and invited me to eat with her family. She's a small plump lady with dark grey hair and olive skin, she looks pretty old but I think her bloodline is weaker so she's probably alot younger than Gigi. I had a nice time, eating with a real family.

Their son looks like a teenager, maybe 16. He was very polite and told me that he wants to be a blacksmith like his father Jax.

Jax is said to be very skilled, though I've never had the opportunity to see his work I'm sure it's as great as everyone says. He is not very tall but very muscular. He has a shiny bald head and a dark brown handlebar mustach with grey tints in it. I excused myself not long after eating, It was great but I really need to speak to Florence. This feeling is eating me and I have to confront it.

-----

The sun began to set and I decided I'd done enough for one day. I have alot more energy now so that is a plus. But I'm also still very much hungover. In other words I need to sleep.

-----

Florence POV-

Oh God Annabelle...what on earth compelled you to drink this much. I'd tried to occupy my mind, to try an stay far away from her and these conflicting feelings. Now I see her stumble and face plant right across from me...

It seems she is my problem once again.

I looked back towards the campfire and see Beatrix laughing with Mavelo who was tightly locked onto Sam's arm.

Why isn't she with them?..

I ran over to her, lifting her as quick as I could.

I threw her arm over my shoulder holding her wrist in my hand, while wrapping my other arm around her waist. She really doesn't look this heavy...

Her hair parted as she lifted her head to meet my gaze... her eyelids were heavy but I could still make out those piercing green eyes.. I was frozen again, what is she doing to me...

"..It's you.." She slurred before falling asleep completely. I don't even know why it's such a bad thing that she knows it was me. I mean the last thing she saw before she closed her eyes was my shocked face... I reacted like I did something wrong but I didn't do anything wrong.. hopefully she doesn't remember this part.

I basically dragged her to her hut which luckily wasn't far.. I'm guessing she was on her way there before she lost control of her body functions...I hope she learns her lesson.

I laid her into the bed. I unlaced her boots before removing them and tossing the blanket over her.

Then I sat down on the bed next to her, I can't explain anything I do around her, this is driving me crazy.

This is the first time I've seen her completely healed, with no black eyes or bruising, just some muck on her face from when she laid on the floor. She looks so innocent sleeping like this. I softly brushed a stray hair from her face with my finger. I used the sleeve of my jacket to gently brush the dirt from her cheek. "Good night Annabelle" I whispered before getting up to leave, I really need to stay away...

She is not my problem...

Annabelle POV

It has been three days since the campfire. I've spoken to Gigi a couple of times. Marcus has had me training too. I told them I can control it now, along with Mav and Bea who were thrilled to say the least. They came to see me after training one day while I was still in Lycan form. I saw the uneasy looks on their faces before they relaxed realising I actually am in control. It hurts to know they are still afraid of me but honestly... they have good reason to be.

I decided to go for another run into the mountains. It's late and I still can't sleep. Everytime I do I'm chasing the white wolf.. Florence..

She must be avoiding me.. I'm sure I saw her a few times before I got drunk, she never looked at me and was always going the other way. Now I haven't seen her at all.

It's actually starting to really get on my nerves.

I was high up in the mountains, my mind began to unwind as I let the smells and sounds of the forest wash away my problems, even if it's just for a moment.. I'm getting used to this.

My heart began to race faster as a familiar smell captured my attention. It's faint.. I know she masks her scent but I know I can smell it.. sweet strawberries.. I wasted no time following it.

I know this place.. it's where I see her before.

She's standing at the edge of the cliff where I had been.. She finally turned to face me and this time she has no where to run..

She looks different than the other wolves I've seen, her face is different. Her jaws are slightly bigger like mine, her fangs are longer than normal but not as large as mine which hang three inches below my chin. She has fingers but they are small. She looks abit like a Lycan but has the body and legs of a wolf. This is strange...

'What are you snowflake?' I pondered in my mind..

'Snowflake?' Came a reply..

Her ears went back and her posture changed, she looks confused. I was confused at first too before speaking with Leopold.

'You can hear me too?' I questioned already knowing the answer..

'No' she said firmly..

'No?' She can obviously hear me...

I walked closer to her still on all fours as not to make myself look any bigger. She looks really uncomfortable, like she's trying to find an escape. I was almost 10 feet away again and this time she has no where to go. I'll give her this space for now.. She tried to regain her composure standing up straight, I know she's not liking this but she keeps avoiding me.. apparently this is what it's going to take.

'I know you can hear me..I don't know it means-'

'just stop!'.. she cut me off abruptly.

I had so much to say, to ask her, but I couldn't say anything. I was stunned when she began to approach me. I just bowed my head like a little girl. Like my mother just told me to shut my mouth or something. My eyes darted away from her before meeting her icy gaze again. My heart was trying to jump out from my chest, she stopped right Infront of me. I watched her eyes travel across my body.

She's beautiful, but very demanding..

'Please can we talk?' I asked in a defeated tone.

'Okay..but not like this. I'll find you tomorrow okay?'

At least she agreed..now I have to wait another day before I have any answers. Another restless night here I come...

I stayed there still, watching her run past me and disappear into the darkness once again.

NOTES-

Honestly I'm proud of myself for making it this far. And if you did aswell, then I'm proud of you too.

Thank you for reading, I appreciate it more than you know.