Snow hit my face as I ran through the woods, trying to catch that wonderful, comforting smell I associated with Liam. He wanted to go out for another run that morning except for that time he’d get a 30-minute head start and I’d have to find him within an hour. He mentioned that there would be a reward if I won but he never mentioned a punishment. I didn’t want to take the chance though so I was trying my best to find him. That and the fact that I wanted him to praise me.

I stopped for a moment and took a few deep breaths. When I did, my mind shifted focus from the odd game of hide and seek to the events that occurred 3 days ago. I didn’t want to think about them as I tended to overthink things, but it still irked me that what happened had gone unspoken. Even when I tried to ask Liam questions, he just redirected the conversation. It was getting really frustrating. He even stopped showing me affection and didn’t talk to me unless it was necessary. That was probably the only thing driving me to do my best in training. At first, I thought it was because I hadn’t been doing well, but he was always patient so I figured it must’ve had something to do with the incident. At first, I didn't think I would mind; but I soon found that I did.

I squeezed my eyes shut before opening them and trying to make myself focus on the task at hand. It had already been 20 minutes and I couldn’t believe that I still had no trace of him. I found footprints leading to a tree but didn't continue. I assumed he climbed the tree and hopped from one to the other since they were close. It was weird but impressive nonetheless. 

I took another pause to look around. A grin came to my face when I got a whiff of his aroma. It was slightly different in the sense that instead of flowers it smelled like clean laundry straight from the dryer. I started heading in the direction of the fragrance and picked up speed as I went.

Suddenly, I tripped on a tree root hidden underneath snow due to my absentmindedness. “Shit,” I whispered to myself. I wasn’t hurt or anything but the scent became stronger and I looked around in excitement before looking up. There, within the thick branches was Liam smirking down at me. “You found me,” he said beginning his climb down, “And with 25 minutes to spare.”

His feet touched the ground with a loud crunch. “I think you’ll enjoy what I have planned,” he beamed as he approached me. I stood up and brushed the snow off of my clothes. I waited expectantly, hoping he’d pet me or praise me more. Anything that showed he was proud but instead he began walking towards the lake. I followed him without question and saw what the “reward was” when we finally reached the lake. There was a sled out on the ice with fishing equipment.

“We’re going to ice fish and I’ll show you how to prepare an Irish fish chowder with what we catch.” The cooking part got me excited; however, I wasn't too keen on going out on the ice. “Is…is it ok if I stay here?” I asked. Liam turned to me in question. “I just… is the ice even thick enough?” I was more than concerned that I’d get on the ice and it’d break. “It’s fine if you stay here if you’re afraid,” he said. I nodded my head as he went onto the ice where he had previously placed his sled. I, on the other hand, sat under a tree and pressed my back against it. 

About an hour had passed. I watched Liam out on the lake, patiently waiting for a bite. He pushed his red hair out of his face and kept his eyes on the hole in the ice. The sun shone on his smooth skin which accentuated his sharp jaw line even more. Even when I caught myself staring and tried to stop, I couldn't seem to. I told myself that it was just because he was really handsome and there was nothing more to it.

At the same time, I wanted to ask him why he began treating me differently. I also wanted to know what the medicine was for and if he was even human. There were people who were both hybrid and human which made them only a quarter animal so sometimes there features didn’t show. Perhaps that was the case. If so then was I just a charity case? Did he feel bad that I was one of the few hybrids getting treated so badly? Maybe he sympathized with me but if that was the case then was he never trying to become close with me?

My worries grew and it soon began to feel like my stare would burn holes into his face. I placed my gaze on a random icicle that had fallen from a tree in hopes that it would stop myself from overthinking. Even after I did, it didn’t ease my mind and I realized the only way to do that would be to confront him and demand answers. Deep down I think I knew I had the answers but I wanted to hear the words come from his mouth. “Nickel!” I heard causing my head to whip up as I was slightly startled.

Liam held up what I believed to be a trout and had a toothy grin on his face. I smiled in return as he began packing up. When he returned to the bank I was able to get a closer look at the fish, still flopping around in the bucket he held. “I caught a rainbow trout for lunch,” he said proudly. “That’s great,” I said, his smile becoming contagious. “Um, I wanted to talk to you about something,” I began, figuring that that time I was for sure going to make him acknowledge my questions.

“Of course, but when we get home though if you don’t mind.” He immediately grabbed his sled with the equipment and started his way back home. I followed in silence until we got to the warm cabin. Liam took off his coat and snow pants leaving him in his jeans and turtleneck. I did the same and waited until he went to sit on the couch to speak with him. “Liam, I really need to talk to you,” I said nearing him. He stood up when I approached him. “Kitten I am so sorry I just remembered I didn’t read over that essay you wrote earlier today. I should go do that but I promise we can talk after that.” As soon as he tried to walk away I grabbed his arm. 

“No! I’ve been wanting to talk to you for days now and you always come up with some bullshit excuse!” I said fiercly. Liam turned around and pushed me onto the couch. He placed his arms on either side of me with one knee knelt beside my leg on the cushion. The rest of his weight was placed onto his other leg. “Two things. Don’t cuss at me and don’t grab me like that.” I shakily nodded my head at his sudden change in voice. It was more stern than usual and his usual kind eyes appeared cold. 

As quickly as he seemed to change, he let out a breath along with the tension in his face and returned to normal. “What did you want to ask me?” I was almost too nervous to speak but the words simply spilled out my mouth. “Why have you been avoiding me?” I questioned. He looked confused by the question. “What do you mean? I haven’t been avoiding you.” I swallowed knowing that what I really wanted to say was going to sound odd. “I… I mean you’re normally really touchy and...and you’ve stopped being that way. You also don’t talk to me much unless you have to.” I felt as though I was being smothered by him though he wasn't that close to me. Despite how awkward I felt, I tried to remain calm. 

I avoided eye contact with him and made sure not to show my emotions on my face. That went well until I felt his hand come to my head and gently yet firmly pet my head. “I figured you didn’t like me doing this.” I heart thumped in my chest to the point where I was sure he could hear it. “I’m sorry if my actions made you feel that way,” he stated, “Was that all you wanted to ask?”

“You didn’t answer the question?” I said annoyed. Liam grinned and placed his hand back next to me on the back of the couch. “There was no reason. I thought you didn’t like it when I touched you and to make you feel more comfortable I stopped trying to get close to you.”

“Tch! You’re lying! You’re a hybrid aren’t you!” I shouted in anger. Why did he have to lie to me? There was no reason, I wasn’t going to get mad. Why couldn't he just trust me? Even though we had just met I trusted him, but... maybe I shouldn't have. “The medicine is to control your pheromones; because people who are quarter hybrid can’t typically control them well. Right?” Liam stood up and stuffed his hands in his pockets with a sigh. The action also allowed me to take a deep breath. “Yeah, my mom was a hybrid. Part grey wolf.” I refused to look him in the eyes.

“So you took me in as your charity case because we’re seen as burdens,” I whispered. “You are not a charity case,” he said sternly. All of the questions I asked myself earlier returned, earning me a sick feeling in my stomach. “I’m going to my room now,” I said standing up. “I thought you wanted me to know more about you so we could be closer. I’m not mad you’re part hybrid I’m mad that you lied.” With that, I ran to my room and shut the door; forgetting our plans to prepare lunch. I mentally scolded myself for getting too comfortable with him. Especially someone who was supposed to “train” me. To do what? Be in the military or some shit?

I sighed and sat on the bed. Instead, I lied on the bed and did the only thing I could that didn’t involve harming myself; I went to sleep. 

Thanks for reading! Please like, subscribe, comment, share, and join the discord! I might change my schedule to updating 2-3 times a month on Sundays meaning that my chapters will hopefully be longer or would you guys prefer I post every Sunday with shorter chapters. Let me know in the comments, please! Also check out SuperM's 100 mv 👀