Chapter 23

UNEDITED-

Annabelle POV-

I woke up early as the sun was just rising, I soon found a note on the table by the entrance of my hut. She must have came in while I was sleeping...

I stayed awake for a long time, so how she chose the two hours I was actually sleeping to drop by, I do not know.

The note read "Meet me at the cliff edge 6 o'clock. Come as a human." That was abit blunt..

Guess I have to wait till six which is like twelve hours.. ugh. I sighed on reading the note and went about my day trying to occupy myself. Kya invited me to eat with her again. I tried to politely decline but to no avail. She's just so sweet and kind..And her food is to die for.. today she stewed some meat and made bread rolls..I'm really not doing it any justice.

Anyway 5 o'clock came around and I was growing nervous... What are we even going to say?

I forgot why I wanted to talk to her so badly.

I mean she looks part Lycan so that's something to ask about..

I decided to change before heading out.. The food I dropped down the front of my clothes probably doesn't scream appealing.. not that I'm trying to be appealing.. I think.. Damn. Okay maybe I am, maybe I just want to be her friend.. I can be good at making friends, I'm used to getting close to people, even if it's just to cause chaos between them.. well the castle is boring. And the people deserve it. I'm just not used to letting people close to me... she probably doesn't even want that. At dinner Kya had insisted on braiding some of my hair, admitting she'd always wanted a daughter she could do this with. When I got back to my hut to change I decided to throw the whole thing up into a messy bun.

Hair, plus wind, equals, medusa.

I can't believe I have to walk... I can clear this trail in seconds but instead I'm left walking.. it's about 40 minutes to walk.. 5 to run in wolf form. I decided to give myself 50 just incase...

After a few minutes I began jogging instead, let's see how far I make it before giving up...

Surprisingly I ran the whole distance, it was pretty tiring but it's not like I overexerted myself..

It looks like I'm early because she isn't here yet, It must have only taken me 15 minutes to run..

And now I have to sit here and wait another 35 minutes...

I paced around for awhile before deciding to take a seat at the cliffs edge.. the cool breeze brushed my face and cooled my nerves.. The sun was just getting ready to set.. it was beautiful, a sea of purples and blues, the forest melding together in the wind.

She's here, she's early.. I stood up from the cliffs edge, she hadn't come into view yet but that sweet aroma was undeniable. Even through the musk. I walked towards the scent a little into the forest.. then I was struck with those icy blue eyes as she rounded the corner.. She's 10ft away from me.. again.

I couldn't move, she seemed to be stuck in the same trance I was. She looked like she was questioning something in her mind before she began walking towards me.. I couldn't say or do anything..

She took my hand with both of hers, her touch was gentle and soft.. my nerves stood on end causing my reflexes to snap into action. I pulled my hand out of hers.

"What are you doing?" I exclaimed holding my own hand..

"If you wear this no one can track your scent" She said calmly. Innocently revealing a bracelet in her hands. Her voice is low and smooth..

"Okay.." I affirmed slowly giving her my wrist..

She gently fastened the woven red bracelet around my wrist, before just holding my wrist in her hand for a few seconds.

What is going on in her mind?.

The bracelet looks pretty chunky. I took my hand back examining the bracelet, tugging on it slightly.. It's very unusually, stretchy. I looked back up at her.. she was looking away off into the forest now..

Her reddish brown hair blew softly in the wind..

"Thank you Florence.." I said with a questioning tone.

She finally looked at me again, I don't know why I felt like I'd been waiting for her too.

She really is astonishingly beautiful.

"Have you been avoiding me?" I blurted out..

"No.." she paused "..I'm here now aren't I" she sighed looking away again.

"You keep answering 'no' to questions that are clearly 'yes'.." I couldn't help but say it sarcastically..

"And why are you asking questions that you already know the answers to?" She met my eyes looking slightly annoyed this time...

"Why is this so hard for you?" I asked growing impatient..

She doesn't even want to look at me, I can tell she's just doing it so I can't ask her why she isn't..

She took a small step back..

"You make me uncomfortable". well that stung..

I felt like I got punched in the throat..

"I think I just feel bad for you..." She almost fooled me with her confident tone, but I could sense her questioning her own words. Denial gets you nowhere, I know she has to feel this too. Over the course of this conversation I've grown increasingly attracted to her.. the more she pulls away the closer I want her to be.. even if her words sting.

"Why should you feel bad for me?.. you don't even know me" I don't want anyones pity, now I feel somewhat disrespected. She won't answer me... I rolled my eyes, let's try something else..

"Why did you follow me?" I asked.

"I was out for a run and.. and I could smell you a mile off" she lied to me.. I know she lied..

"Then you sounded hurt and so I came okay?"..

"I don't believe you" I said calmly while taking a step towards her.. standing right Infront of her again.

"I just wanted to make sure you were safe.." She admitted sounding sure..

"Can we please talk about the elephant in the room".. I just want to rip the bandaid off. Either she likes me... or she doesn't.. why do I want her to like me?. Maybe because I actually think she could be my mate. The longer I'm around her, the more I want to stay around her..

"What is an elephant?.. and we are outside.." she questioned. She looked at me so confused.. I couldn't help myself, I just burst out laughing.. I bent over holding my stomach.. I forgot this wasn't 'my earth'..

"They are large mammals from.. my world" I hesitated on that last part. Alot of people knew by now that I was a Lycan but only few knew I was from another world. I have no idea why I had to reveal this part of myself to her.. but I did.

She looked up at me, thankfully not feeling the need to step away again, yet. I got lost in her eyes, I saw her mouth move but I don't really care what she said.. she might actually be the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes on..

"Anna.." Hearing her say my name, I want to hear it again..

"Anna!" Maybe not like that..she almost shouted in my face this time..

"hmm..yes?" I asked trying to not annoy her further.

"I said, what is it like?" She sounded calmer, thank fuck for that, I really don't want to make her mad.

"The elephant?" I questioned.

"No.." she shook her head almost smirking. "-what is your world like?".

"Well.. I guess it's alot like this one" I said looking around.. "Can we sit?" I asked but didn't wait for an answer, I went and sat with my legs hanging over the cliff. She just stood there, I gestured for her to sit next to me.. I thought she might just walk away but she didn't. She soon joined me sitting a foot apart but at least she is still here...

"What are the people like?" She asked inquisitive, like a small child learning something for the first time...

"The same as they are here" I paused.. "Mostly cruel" I sighed. Although my father showed me kindness and Gerald too. Almost everybody else treat me like a burden. In my world only the man matters. The women cook and clean, and make children. Luckily being a princess I had the opportunity to learn combat skills and further my education. Well it's more because I had an amazing father. I also would have had to marry a complete stranger who only wanted me for my kingdom and my ovaries, but at least all that is gone now too..

"What was your life like?" She asked gazing up at me. This time I didn't want to meet her eyes, why did she have to ask me that? She could have asked anything..

"Why do you care?" Does she care? Maybe that was the wrong word to use, I corrected myself.

"You could have asked me anything.. why that?"

"I was just curious that's all.. you don't have to tell me if you don't want to" I could feel her eyes on me as she spoke..

I looked back at her..the sun is setting, the orange glow reflects so perfectly in her icy eyes.

I could get lost again but I refuse to this time..

"Well you asked a broad question.. can you be more specific?" I asked, I feel like she is relaxing a little.

I never see her with anyone so I don't think she speaks to many people... I've seen her be friendly before though so I know she can do it. Maybe it's just me.

"Fair enough.." she paused to think for a moment..

"What were your parents like?" Really with these questions.. I looked away, why did she have to ask that.. no one asked me that.. she could tell she had struck a nerve.

"You don't have to tell me.." She tried reassuring me.. but I think I kind of want to tell her, maybe I'm ready to talk to someone about it...

I didn't expect our conversation to go in this direction but I don't even care at this point.. I'm just happy that she's here talking to me..

"It's alright" I looked at her again sending her a quick smile to let her know I'm not about to breakdown before looking down and fiddling with the bracelet she gave me..

"My Father was a great man" It's weird to talk about him in past tense, I paused before continuing..

"He did everything he could to bring peace to our lands". I smiled at that.. Even though I don't know what's going on there right now, I know that what my father has done will remain solid.

He made the council for a reason.. most kingdoms followed suit and became better for it. Though they were still led by greedy fat men he did the best with what he had.. and he set a great example. I can only hope to be half the person he was..

"What about you?" I questioned skipping my mother hoping she doesn't ask..

She looked away "I don't really remember them.. Gigi and Marcus raised me" She said like she was indifferent.

"Gigi seems like a lovely lady.." I said looking off into the trees once more.. the view really is astounding.

"Seems?" she asked... "Why seems?"..

"I think she wants to sacrifice me.." I answered calmly. She laughed for a few seconds before silently scolding herself, it was the cutest laugh I've ever heard, not the girliest but I really want to hear it again.

She sent me a sharp glare before speaking..

"Why would she sacrifice you?.. You are practically a living legend.." she said as though she didn't like it.

"I don't mean literally, I mean. She hasn't actually said anything yet, but I see what's happening.. She wants me to be the face of whatever 'rebellion' is going on...and I don't know what to do" I sighed.

"I know.." She said with a hint of sadness. She knows? I'm thinking that she knows alot more than she is going to tell me.. She looked at me surprised like she didn't know she was going to say that..

"What do you think I should do?" I don't know why I asked.. maybe because right now she's the only person I can ask. Bea is so close to Marcus that I'm pretty sure she would agree with him and Gigi, and Mav probably wouldn't have the first idea on what to do. I need to stop kidding myself. I asked because I really care about what she thinks.

"Why do you care what I think?" she asked.

"Why do we keep answering questions with more questions?" She chuckled a few seconds and I couldn't help but smile.. She didn't scold herself this time.

"Okay fine...I think you should do whatever you think is right" She said looking into my eyes again making sure I got it.. got what?

"How am I supposed to know what that is when I can't even figure this out?" I am a little frustrated now..

"Figure what out?" She asked seemingly confused.

"This." I said gesturing back and forth between us. I don't know if I could be her friend anymore.. being her friend wouldn't be enough.. She frowned before looking down into her lap. I'm guessing she's not going to be any help figuring this out.

"Can I ask you a real question?" Time to get to the bottom of it once and for all...

"Sure" She sighed obviously knowing she's not going to like it..

I paused "Do you care about me?".. bam I did it..

She looked out into the sky, then her lap and then me.

"No.. I don't" She said it straight faced.. I know she wasn't sure of her words but they still cut threw me like a hot knife. Maybe she really doesn't care, if she is my mate then she could still reject me..

I can't just sit here..

I couldn't say another word, I'm done with this conversation, even if she doesn't mean what she's saying it's still hurting. Maybe I should have just left her alone in the first place...

I got up and began walking away..

"Where are you going?" She asked sounding hurt and surprised..

I turned back to her "I'm going back" Then I continued on into the forest leaving her still sitting there.. why should I stay after she said she doesn't care about me.. I've spoken to her once and already I can't wait till the next time.

I've never felt like this for anyone..

They say some connections are instant but clearly not for her... well I know she feels something but she doesn't know what it is.. This is going to be a shit show..

NOTES-

Hello peeps...Thank you for reading my story.

I'm very greatful if you made it this far :D

WARNING- This story may become soppy, obviously there will be a main story plot but still, expect alot of scenes that are more on the intimate side if you get my drift...Annabelle is Promiscuous.