Chapter 27

Edward pov

I returned to Old Oak River daily after that encounter, but each time I left feeling disappointed the green-eyed angel was not there. Something told me to keep going back. My gut pulled me back daily to the river and so I did. Almost two weeks since meeting Anastasia and I was losing hope I would ever see her again. The weather was cooling as the peak of summer was over. Deflated, I headed over to the river once more. I don't know how long I can keep getting my hopes up only to be dashed when she's not there. Maybe she didn't feel the connection? Considering my options left me feeling more defeated - I could just go forget I ever met Anastasia, cut my losses and move on; on the other hand, what if she showed up today? I can't keep doing this, it's driving me insane, I can't even make decisions without wondering how I can make it work in my favour to check in here. My legs were restless as I mulled it over. What was I hoping to achieve anyway? Really. Taking one last look at the calm surroundings, feeling anything but - I decided to leave. Spotting some true blue flowers, I went and grabbed a few, to leave at the spot we met, a last goodbye. The flowers had long stems and a handful of identical, powder blue flowers on each. At a jog, I leap the flowing river, laying the flowers tenderly on the ground. With my back turned, a snapping of twigs puts me on high alert as I quickly turn toward some nearby trees growling defensively. I am certain someone is there. Unfortunately, the breeze is not on my team today as it passes past me into the trees. As a result, I cannot pick up the scent with ease. Slowly I start to shift, my claws the first things to transform, followed by my fangs - it is agonizing to shift gradually, but I don't for a second want to leave myself unguarded as I shift. Hands shoot out waving a white flag from behind the tree, exposing the prowler. As she steps out she lets out a sigh, giving me a small smile. "Anastasia?" still half shifted, I growl out confused. "Sorry. I didn't mean for you to see me, I just..." she trailed off staring at me. Her blonde curly hair fell down to her hips and her eyes were even more vivid as the sun hit them. An angel. She has to be... "Am I safe to come out?"

What does she mean by safe? I would never hurt her. My pride took a small beating because of this. What kind of man does she take me for? I growled at this comment and she took a few steps back. Realisation, smacks into me as if hit by a huge wave, I was still holding a defensive stance and half wolfed. Reversing the shift, I pulled back and adjusted my stance. " My apologies, you caught me off guard. "She still looked unsure of me before asking once more "Am I safe to come out?" She stared deep into my soul and my legs felt weak. "I would never hurt you." I meant it with everything in me. "What about him?" she nodded behind me. Knowing I had come out here alone, I turned to see who was behind me. At a distance, I couldn't quite work out who it was until his scent came to me in the breeze. Rob. He's my best friend, although I don't know why he is here. "Take a hike, we'll talk later." I mind-linked him, and as quickly as always he responded, his gruff voice entered my mind sounding exactly as if would be we speaking out loud, "You good?" with confirmation I was, he turned and left surely up to no good. I didn't have to take my eyes off Anastasia to tell her he was gone, her body relaxed and his scent weakened in the air. "You're safe with me." She beamed a genuine smile at me as she skipped toward me. I was sure she was coming in for a kiss, my heart was fluttering like a schoolboy's. I readied myself, preparing for this moment. She was close enough that I could feel her body heat, and my mouth was dry with anticipation. Then she crouched down to collect the flowers from the ground. I rolled my eyes at my own stupidity, thinking an angel could ever want a mere man. "Are they for me?" she sounded nervous as she asked. "Yes, they're called Don't forget me's, or something."

"Forget me not's." She advised bringing them close to her chest, adding "They're my favourite." I celebrated internally, one point to me. "I don't understand. Why did you come back looking for me?" Her lip trembled slightly as she asked tremulously.

"Honestly, I don't know." There's something about you and if you would be willing I want to spend more time with you." She stares at me, taking her time to consider this.

"My pack... They wouldn't be happy I'm here. If they ever found out..."

"What could they do?" I scoffed. I already knew they were a small pack, they wouldn't stand a chance against us.

"They're dangerous, it would put you in danger." She was concerned I could see, but I wasn't, not in the slightest.

"All the more thrilling, wouldn't you agree" I teased.

She smirked but let me know she was serious. Of course she was. Soon, I relented and we agreed to spend time together. We walked the furthest to the border we could. More often than not, we were in no man's land. The problem there is you were never quite sure it was safe.

Once we met at Deadmans Valley, it was much further than we would usually travel but it seemed like a good idea. In the valley and on either side of you there was a solid stone wall higher than you could see. Ana's hair hung down, her natural curls bouncing and strategically placed plaits made it look amazing. She wore simple denim dungarees with a white t-shirt underneath and, as always, she walked around barefooted. She told me it helped her feel the world's vibrations and better access her gifts. The way she walked through the valley with confidence, pulling me along hand in hand. Man, the way she looked when she turned back to look at me, giggling and smiling - she melted me. She was in the middle of telling me another story that you could see brought her great joy. The story was nothing special. In fact, I can't remember it, but the way she looked then will be etched on my mind for all time.

Mid-sentence she stops dead in her tracks, her smile drops and the colour drained from her face. "We have to go." I look around there was nobody anywhere nearby, and still, she was panicking. "Don't worry, look we're alone." No, you don't understand, we need to go..." She started pulling my hand back the way we came, "Ana, we're fi..." She didn't allow me to even finish the word before she snapped at me "NOW!" Her face was filled with terror and though I have no idea why she needed me to listen. So I did. We started to head back the way we came, Ana silently trying to speed me up, all the while looking back the way we had come. The end of the valley was at least another 45 minutes walk. "It's too late..." She whispered, looking around, scouring the rock face desperately. "Quick!" she began to climb, half shifting to use her claws for support while climbing the uneven rock face. Rocks tumbled with every misstep as she pulled me close into a narrow crack we had hidden. Confusion was the first thing on my mind, as I had no idea what got her so worried, my body felt like small electric currents were traveling up and down as we stood together touching and I could feel the rise and fall of her chest against mine as she breathed erratically. "What's going on?" I needed to know what got her so upset "Shhh." She said sharply. The air got cold and dark as though someone had stolen the sun. Anastasia held her breath as her body shook. Peering out into the valley, a large black shadow covered the ground, creeping over every spot. I hugged her closely while watching this strange shadow, to try and warm her back up. We stood like this for a long time. As I looked at Ana her eyes were closed and she still was still shaking, she was scared. Slowly and softly she began to breathe again, she opened up her big beautiful eyes to look at me. I could stare at her all day. The ground began to tremble as the sun returned. "Are you ok?" She just stared at me, her eyes filled with unspilled tears and she bit her lip, "I will never let anything happen to you." She pushed her body close into mine and she reached up with her tiptoes, helping to bridge the gap I started to move in closer to meet her halfway, and I could feel her breath on my neck as we got closer to one another. As we did, an almighty crack thundered through the valley causing the floor to fall out from under our feet...