Chapter 12: What Are You?

Chapter 12

"Where are you taking me?" I asked.

"To show you what I am. To tell you my secret."

"Which is?" I asked even though I could probably guess.

"You'll see. Just don't hate me." He said looking back at me with plea full eyes.

After walking a short distance, we were surrounded by trees and completely alone.

Then without warning, Thane started to strip. Full on removing his clothes piece by piece.

"Thane what the hell are you doing?!" I whisper shouted to him, afraid someone will find us and get the wrong impression.

He just gave me a cheeky grin and continued on with his weird actions. When he removed his shirt I couldn't help but drool a little over his eight pack abs. I was sure he's been putting in hours at the gym. However when he started removing his pants I looked down at the moss covered floor, letting my hair cascade over my face to cover the red tint of my cheeks.

"Emery for you to truly understand what I am you need to look at me." He called over.

I hesitantly obliged and lifted my head up while I averted my eyes to focus on his while trying not to look anywhere to the south region of his body.

"Show me." I said after he waited for me to be ready.

And as if in slow motion, I heard the sound of bones cracking as Thane bent on all four of his limbs. His hands and feet changed into the shape of legs of an animal while pitch black fur sprouted from his skin and dagger like claws came through his nails on his now animal like feet. This head transformed into a skull shape of a wolf as his entire human features reshaped into that of a wolf. He had wolf ears, a snout and round crimson blood red eyes which I instantly recognized.

Thane was the Beast.

I wanted to scream and cry, I wasn't sure which emotion was stronger at the moment.

Terrified was definitely my main emotion as I thought about it.

My soul was internally screaming and pushing me to run but my physical body just stood there in one spot without showing an ounce of emotion.

I looked at it...him, unsure what to do. Should I yell at him? Should I run away like the scared little girl I felt like I was on the inside? I felt exposed and vulnerable as if he was to rip my throat out, but I knew better, Thane would never hurt me.

Oh so he claimed.

But how does one feel seeing their greatest fear in front of them, staring directly into their eyes. A single tear escaped my eye unconsciously yet I didn't know why. It may be because I raised my expectations of Thane. I wanted him to be a normal guy with a reasonable explanation for this whole messed up scenario, yet here I am with him in front of me without him being actually in front of me.

The animal and the man that stood before me had me questioning life and existence, was anything not real? Were all the fairy tales true?

Most importantly did I still feel the same way about Thane knowing the truth?

He approached me slowly as if gauging my reaction before he scared me off. Somehow knowing who the beast actually is behind all the fur and scary eyes didn't have me as scared as I should have been.

But what was this monstrous creature before me? He was too big to be a dog or a wolf. He was the size of a lion...no he was definitely larger.

I was still a bit shaken up though, frozen on the spot, but as he came closer my brain suddenly connected to the realistic part of me and moved a step back.

The beast's facial expression resembled that of regret.

He went down onto his tummy and lay there bowing his head to me. I assumed it was a sign of him not going to hurt me as he whimpered. This creature had me under some sort of spell because the next thing I knew I walked to him and sat on the dirt.

I reached out my hand carefully, afraid that he will snap my hand right off but he shook his head in a nod for me to proceed and I placed my hand on his head.

His fur was amazingly soft and I couldn't help but be amazed at my current situation. How has the days changed into something I never expected to be apart off. The most creative part of me couldn't even have fathom this.

How was this even possible?

Thane lifted his head and moved my hand away with his head and then licked my hand with his tongue.

"You're really gross you know that." I said wiping off his germs on his fur.

Thane rose from his position on the ground as I got up and he trudged back to his clothes.

In a matter of seconds he shifted back into his human form, leaving me speechless once again at this magnificent and unexplainable creature.

His presence defied all laws of science and what everyone knew about our existence. I had no clue on where to begin figuring him out.

When he finished pulled on his clothing he turned to face me, a bit apprehensive. He looked a bit terrified as if I was going to run for the hills and full out reject him.

Instead I asked, "What are you?"

I stared at him waiting for a response as he fidgeted.

"I'm-" He began.

But I snapped. My mind woke up from it's trance like state and I felt the fright clawing at my insides.

"The BEAST!" I yelled at him. "How dare you! You sick, evil, maniacal creature like you. You shouldn't even exist. You're a spawn of the devil and I swear to god I will rid you from this earth!" I screamed some biblical words at him.

If I had holy water, he would probably be drenched in it by now.

Before I knew it Thane pushed me up against the nearest tree and held his face so close to mine I could feel his breathe as it fanned across my cheek.

"I'm not a god damn beast." He growled every word lowly. "And I definitely wasn't placed here by the devil." He snapped close to my ear.

I was intimidated by his presence and pressed further into the tree. "I'm sure you have no realistic excuse for shifting into an animal." I spat at him.

"That animal you just saw was me and I couldn't be prouder of my true self sweetheart." He announced proudly. "Do you want to know what I really am?" He whispered in a sinister tone in my ear.

Even though curiosity nipped at me to listen to him, I felt as though I couldn't hear a single word he was saying.

I felt as if I was a caged animal as it struck me that Thane, my biggest nightmare, stood directly in front of me. I could feel my heartbeat quickening and my blood rushing to my brain making me dizzy. My hands shook and my breathing became labored.

Was it time to face the truth of Thane's mystery?

"Get away from me." I panted out before my brain cells could've interpret what I was saying.

It suddenly felt as if it was no longer a kidnapped case but rather I was living a horrifying nightmare version of beauty and the beast. Except I was no beauty and he was more animalistic than the beast himself.

"Emery you saw what I am, don't you want an explanation? Don't you have questions?" He desperately asked me.

Realizing that he was standing directly in front of me, I quickly pushed at his chest and angrily rasped out, "What do you want me to say? Do you honestly expect me to just smile and accept the fact that my biggest nightmare is standing in front of me and telling me that everything is going to be okay? What more of an explanation can you have after the show you just displayed there? I honestly think that summed it up pretty well."

"So you know what I truly am?" He questioned as he watched me intently and expectantly.

"There's nothing true about you, your nothing more than a beast." I calmly said looking him directly in his hooded eyes.

He looked me with a deep anger, "This is who I am and if you can't accept that then what are waiting for? Reject me," he growled as the windows to his soul stirred up a storm.

At that point I couldn't deny that when he said the word 'reject' I felt a strange pain pulling at my heartstrings. I wanted to fall apart at my situation, but I did enough of that to last a lifetime.

Before I could comprehend this peculiar feeling in me, Thane suddenly and without warning transformed into the beast and ran off, leaving me to my solitude in the woods as shreds of his clothing fell around me. In a matter of seconds his heavy footsteps faded away and a piercing howl rung through the air.

I didn't know what to do. How to wrap my head around what just happened? How to accept the fact of Thane being the beast?

I felt as though the world was crumbling under my feet and with shaky steps I leaned against the tree behind me and my body fell at its trunk bringing me to the ground in a pile of confusion and utter insanity.

I tried going back to that night. The night I first met Thane.

From the moment we met in the woods on that horrific night I knew there was something that attracted me to Thane...but then again I knew that there was something odd about him.

First off all the fact that I never saw him before raised suspicion and I should've screamed 'stranger danger' because no one beside hunters of the beast went into the forest. Plus the fact that he was just wandering around in the woods alone at night brought me chills.

There was no doubt in my mind now that he was snooping around to find his victim.

The undeniable pull between us was something, but now I knew why. I was the one he had planned to take all long, that's why he said he will see me soon.

After the ritual I kept waiting for the beast to turn up at any second. Kind of living with paranoia that this enormous furry animal would pop out of the woods and then chew my head off. I also had an inkling of a feeling that Thane was somehow my knight in shining armor. The mysterious guy that just so happened to be my undercover protector who would've kept me safe.

Instead my knight died when he shifted into that creature. Now he was more like my sworn enemy. To think I've constantly been with the beast for the last three days baffled me. He was right in front of me this entire time.

Maybe I should've let Jake chip me with his tracking device. No. I shook that thought out of my head as soon as I thought of it. He was most definitely more evil than the Beast or Thane.

I starred in front of me at the open field where there were now strips of clothing left behind from Thane. I tried wrapping my head around what he was, what he is, but my brain felt as if it was on overdrive. The initial shock of what I saw no more than a half hour ago hadn't worn off and I felt like screaming.

How was it possible?

Most importantly how is it possible for me to still feel a pull towards him?

Even though I have only known him for three days, I feel as if I've known him all my life, and that scared me more than anything.

As I looked to the sky and contemplated my situation it struck me that I wasn't afraid of Thane, I was afraid of who he was. The furry animal he evolved into scared the crap out of me and not knowing its capabilities had me shaken.

But then I guess everyone was terrified of the inevitable.

I knew the human side of Thane was caring, protective and maybe a tad jealous at times but did I know the beast? Does Thane completely vanish when he transforms or does he regain control? Would he be more primal or retain his human aspects?

Maybe I should've given him a chance to explain everything.

Maybe I should strongly consider staying out here in the wilderness and either dying from hypothermia during the night or getting torn apart by a bear.

Both options still had the possibility of death because I had no idea what was going to happen if I approached Thane.

He seemed furious when he stormed off as the beast and I wasn't sure if I was ready. But if not now, then when? It wasn't like I knew how to return home on my own anyways.

Plus there was the fact that there was a ring sitting on my right hand as a constant reminder that I was Thane's future bride. In a sick, twisted way I felt proud of having the honor of wearing this ring.

But I had no idea of the repercussions for feeling that way.

Could I still accept my fate after learning of Thane? Could I accept becoming his wife? Would I turn like him?

For Christ sakes I was only 19!

Thane was 19 as well and I had no idea how he could accept his fate of just marrying a complete stranger.

Maybe there's a way out of this. Maybe if I tell him I hate him or tell him I can never accept him, he will let me go. After all yesterday he was dead set on me hating him after today. But I need answers before I do that.

Time to face the no longer playful, gentle Thane, but rather the harsh one I hadn't had the chance of encountering before.

Now I'm going to have to be the bigger person and approach Thane because he seemed to be done with my stubbornness and getting me to listen.

I guess I should work on my timeliness for not listening.

So with a warrior like spirit and courage, shooting through my veins, I got off the ground with a sudden adrenaline and marched my way back to Thane's house.

Luckily he knew my lack of coordination so we didn't trail far off into the woods.

Spotting the house, I stopped and inhaled and exhaled as I tried to get rid of most of my anxiety.

It's now or never. Do or most likely die.

As I approached the front door I clearly and loudly heard Thane's booming voice, angered, tensed and livid. He was shouting orders to god knows which poor soul. And it's my entire fault.

With my heart beating rapidly, my head spinning and my hands shaking, I timidly and cautiously opened the door.

Bailey was standing just on the other side of the door and as I entered she turned and gave me a pitiful look as if she knew my situation.

'In his office,' she mouthed and pointed the way as she silently told me where he was.

"Thank you," I silently answered.

As I stood outside his door I hear him growling and shouting, "How could you have let this happen! Ensure the perimeter is secured at all times! And NEVER let this happen again!"

I wondered what he was going on about but knowing I wouldn't figure it out, I gently knocked on his door.

The other side of the door went dead silent and I knew he heard me.

Suddenly the door flew open and a distressed Lucas and another guy I presumed was Beau, Thane's trainer and best fight, walked out eyeing me cautiously with some relief.

When they were gone I looked up into the office and saw him staring lost at me. He had an enraged, indignant, sullen look.

Boy was he pissed.

As his eyes fell on me, it visibly softened but held a distressed, tormented melancholy look and he seemed distant.

Trying to find my voice I opened my mouth but no words came out. I cleared my throat and tried again, "C-c-can I come in?" I softly said.

Not knowing how in the world he heard me, he gestured with his head for me to enter.

With shaky steps I walked in and shut the door. "Lock it," He tensely said from behind me.

Unwillingly following his instructions I locked the door, turned around and approached his desk.

I looked at him waiting for him to speak but he remained silent in his seat.

He waited expectantly for me to say something but I couldn't get the words out of my mouth.

"What can I do for you Emery?" he roughly asked.

"I want an explanation. I want to hear you out," I slowly answered as my gaze shifted away from him.

He got up from his office chair and walked towards me. I couldn't help but take a step back and the hurt in his eyes was visible.

"Come." He ordered as he led me to the leather sofa in the corner of his office.

Hesitantly I took a seat next to him and looked him in the eye as I listed my questions in my brain.

"Well what do you want to know?" He impatiently asked. "Or do you just want to know how to properly reject me?"

I looked at him confusedly, "Reject you?" I asked bewildered.

His stare hardened and turned cold, "So do you want to reject me?" He asked icily.

"What?! No! No," I rushed out, "that's not what I want to do. I don't even know what you mean by rejecting you." I hurriedly answered.

"You aren't rejecting me?" Confusion and relief both flooded his expression.

"No I'm not." I shake my head and suddenly the aching feeling inside of me disappeared.

He seemed as if he couldn't even process what was happening and in turn remained silent.

"I'm ready Thane. I want the truth. The whole truth and don't sugar coat it. I need to know that what I just saw out there wasn't a figment of my imagination." I said earnestly.

"What do you want to know Emery?" He asked cautiously.

"You said you were the alpha." I pointed out.

"Yeah, as I told you, I am the leader of the pack." He said unsure of where I was going with this.

"What is the pack Thane?" I asked quietly.

He hesitated, "The pack is my friends and family. They are all what I just showed you outside. None of them would hurt you however."

"How do you know that for sure?" I raised my eyebrows in question.

"Because you're their Luna and they would never dare to hurt you." He said with conviction.

"What's a Luna?"

"The person who serves beside the Alpha. The other leader of the pack and my equal." He said with pride.

I tried to wrap my head around everything that he was saying but I knew to fully understand the logistics and beast lingo, I had to know what he was.

"What are you?" I finally managed to ask as I looked him into his eyes.

He was taken aback from the question but surprise didn't cross his face as he knew the question was bound to come up. He rose from the couch and stood his ground as he cleared his throat.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He uttered.

"Don't give me that crap Thane, I just saw you shift into that animal. So try me." I said exasperated.

"Point taken." He said prolonging my wait.

"Just tell me!" I shouted impatiently.

"I'm a werewolf." He whispered but I'm sure I heard him correctly.

I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or scream.

I may even be going insane.

A werewolf? I sure didn't see that one coming.

A/N

A werewolf? What the heck? Who knew, am I right? :D

So what did you guys think? Was Emery's reaction expected? Did you think she shouldn't have shouted at Thane?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Also I wanted to thank each and every one of you that's been reading and commenting! You all just make my day with your sweet comments <3

Song: Novo Amor - Anchor (Ed Tullett Remix)

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

If you liked the chapter then please consider:

Voting + Commenting

Read on Wolfies, 🐺

-Shania. 🐾