The hunter

Meredith moved from the couch and approached him. She moved carefully, slowly, as she lifted her arm, her hand reaching for his face.

Atlas stilled, his entire body tensing, but he was too afraid to look into her eyes. He was afraid he would lose control as he felt her touch.

Meredith's hand cupped his jaw line gently and she lightly brushed her thumb over the plane of his

cheekbone.

"Look at me….Atlas….please." she said softly, gazing up into his sorrowful, blue eyes.

Pain, anger and love coursed through his veins as he finally gazed at her beautiful face, aching to wipe away her tears and pull her into his arms.

"I love you…. Only you." She smiled faintly at him.

Atlas looked away again, balling his hand into a fist.

A deep feral sound of agony rumbled from his

throat.

"It's going to hurt too much if I touch you now, and then have to say goodbye. I'm not certain I could bear it." He said, still refusing to look at her.