"Hello? Are you awake?" A loud banging on my door wakes me up, "Hello?! I'm not waiting all day!"
My eyes heavily open and only spring awake when I see the clock is a little after nine. Jumping out of my bed, I shove on my shoes and grab my jacket and photo bag, rushing to the door to open it. "I'm sorry," I say for being late and bumping into his stone wall chest, "Sorry," I say again, fixing the messy hair out of my face. Matthew doesn't say anything. Instead, he just grunts and moves to the stairs. I follow behind him. Marcy is at the bottom of the steps with a picnic basket in her hands and gives it to Matthew, who reluctantly takes it. "Have fun, you two," Marcy coos. "Whatever," Matthew mumbles in a barely audible whisper. Marcy gives me a smile while I run behind Matthew to keep up with his pace. "Can you slow down a bit?" I yell out to him.Matthew doesn't say anything, he just stops in his tracks, not even bothering to look back. Coming up beside him, he sneers at me, almost as if he's annoyed by my mere presence."You know you can just lie to your mom and say you took me out to the forest while you go sit at a bar and drink." I stare him down, "Maybe a drink might take away some of the assholeness you're exuding. Now go away before you scare all the animals."Brushing past him, I continue into the woods, making a mental note of where I am so I don't get lost trying to find my way out. Not wanting to look back to see if he's still there, I take out my camera and start snapping pictures.After taking a few test shots, I look through my photos and determine if I should fix any of the settings as the lighting shifts around the tree's canopy."Those are nice," Matthew says softly, scaring me out of my skin."Shit-fuck. I thought you left. How the hell did you sneak up on me?" I ask while recomposing myself."This is my forest. I can get around without crumpling a leaf." He puffs out his chest like he's proud of himself."Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else?" I look down at my camera to avoid his gaze."I can't leave you out here alone. Ma would literally kill me if she ever found out. Plus, I have lunch." Matthew lifts the picnic basket into my view."Yeah, well, I don't need you around here if you're going to be a douchebag all day.""I thought I was an asshole," He replies, smiling as he leans down into my view so I have to look up at him. His whole attitude seems to have changed, nearly giving me whiplash from his mood swings."Where did the old you go? Or is this just a clever ploy to get me to trust you so you can take me deep into the forest and leave me to die?" I say, taking a step back from him so he's not so close.Mathew doesn't say anything, and from the way he cocks his eyebrow with the biggest dumbfounded look on his face, I can tell he's trying to figure out what to say."Anyone in there?" I tease, using my hand to close his mouth."Funny." He says curtly, "Let's call this a favor in exchange for a favor." He leans against the tree, looking like any of the models I wish I could've photographed in college."Favor?" I ask, taking a knee to find the right angle to shoot him in. I manage to get a couple of pictures of him until he notices what I am doing. Matthew reaches for my camera, but I manage to swipe it away before he can touch it."Whatever, you can use those to think of me," Matthew says, leaning against the tree as if he's trying to intentionally pose. It's like he's turned on this suave, sexy persona he could have.
"I won't ask again." I smile at him.
"I'll tell you in a bit after you get a few more shots in."It's such a shame that his body is wasted on a man who is such a pain to deal with.
"Okay..." I continue snapping photos.For the next amazing minutes, it felt like we were the only two people on the planet. The original Adam and Eve. My stomach makes an audible growl, causing him to laugh at me."Why don't we take a break and eat?" Matthew picks up the picnic basket and takes out the blanket inside, laying it out on the ground.
Starting to unpack the basket, I give him a side glance when I pull out roses and wine alongside a nice meat and cheese board as well as strawberries.
"Ummm?" Is the only sound I can make as I shake the wine and roses at him.
"Jeez." He runs his hands through his hair, "I really should have checked it before we came out. I'm pretty sure this is my Ma's way of playing matchmaker." He shrugs his shoulders, and his cheeks are starting to turn red.
Matthew takes the wine and opens it, pouring us each a glass. This is way more romantic than I expected, and his douchebaggery seems to subside after he takes a drink. I take a sip of the red wine while picking up a piece of meat and cheese.
"What makes you think your mom is playing matchmaker?" I say, eating one of the strawberries.
"This set-up. Do you really think I'd pack this? If it were me, I'd just put in sandwiches and maybe even a six-pack," He laughs at himself, taking another drink.
"I'm definitely a catch, you'd be lucky to have me," I tease, taking the bottle and pouring myself another glass. He extends his arm with his empty glass so I can also pour him another.
"Oh really?" Matthew eyes me up and down, sending goosebumps running down my spine.
Brushing him off, I pull out my camera and take a few shots while we're sitting down. I try to capture the gorgeous view when the wind shifts in. The chill sends shivers all throughout me, making my teeth start to chatter. Matthew notices and stands up, putting his jacket over my shoulders. He glances down, reviewing the pictures I shot.
"Wow. I guess you really are a photographer." Matthew bumps my arm with his elbow.
"Dick." I shove him back."Now I'm a dick? I guess that's better than douchebag." Matthew teases. Preparing to punch him in the face, he raises his hands in the air, conceding."Since it's already late. Tomorrow I'll really show you around, and in exchange, I want you to take a family portrait of me, ma, and the kids".Family portraits? Yeah, right, there's a reason I don't do family photos. I choose to take pictures of the outdoors because families are unbearable to deal with. How am I supposed to picture a happy family if I don't even know what one looks like?"I'm not sure..." I say standing, suddenly, the idea of getting lost in the forest doesn't seem too bad. Trying to find the words to turn him down, he starts walking toward me until my back is pressed up against a tree."What if I say please?" Matthew lifts his arm above my head, bringing his face close to mine. His breath brushes past my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I push him off me, causing him to laugh. Fixing my hair knocked out of place, I keep my head down and pretend I'm looking at the pictures."I'll do it for Marcy, but not you""Fine by me, but eventually, you'll do anything for me." He says with swagger, standing tall as the trees around us.
"You're so annoying." I push him away, "Let's head back now then, I can take the photos of you all once we're back."
We head back out of the forest and back to the inn, where his mom and his kids are waiting outside. Matthew waves over to them, and his kids come running over with his daughter leaping into his arms. I walk over to his mom and join her, sitting down on the rocking chair beside hers.
"How was the view out there?" Marcy asks.
"It was lovely, and the picnic was ...unexpected."
Marcy laughs, covering her face as if she's the one embarrassed by it, "It's been a long time since Matty has been around a woman, I thought I'd give him some encouragement. Plus, you're so gorgeous and I couldn't just let you pass him by."
"I did tell him I was a catch," I laugh with her.
"What brought you both back so soon?"
"He asked me to take a family portrait of all of you together," I say.
Marcy jumps out of her seat, "Really?"
"Yes."
"Kids lets get ready," Marcy yells out in their direction.
Marcy and Matthew took two hours to get the kids ready. While they did that, I organized the living room and had the fireplace ready for a photo shoot. I'm still against the idea, but seeing Marcy smile when I told her what Matthew asked for made it hard to stay mad.The kids came down first, both dressed in their Sunday's finest. Marcy followed behind them in a simple purple dress and wearing the same house slippers she had on earlier."Can you shoot from the waist up?" Marcy asks, fixing her hair in the mirror that's located in the hallway.The two kids begin arguing over something random, which has Marcy yelling at them to settle down. Marcy calls out for Matthew but he doesn't respond."Do you mind getting him dear?" Marcy says, looking at me with tired eyes.I simply nod and keep my head down as I go up the stairs. I arrive at his door and knock, but when there is still no answer, I gently turn the handle and peek my way inside. The room is empty, but a light is shining behind on
Matthew's hand trails up my thighs, making my legs part to give him better access. His fingers slip into my already wet folds before he pushes them inside me, causing me to let out a moan. His lips kiss mine almost as a reminder not to be too loud and wake the others, then moves to my neck, then down to my breast. My hand reaches down to feel his cock, which is already ready for me. Even after a few drinks, Matthew didn't have any problem keeping up with me, something I hadn't experienced in a very long time. The idea of him inside me has me pulling him on top of me as I'm no longer able to wait.Matthew lets out a low chuckle and positions himself between me, then presses his thick member inside me. He pushes himself as far as he can go inside me, my body reacts instantly, wanting to clasp down on him to never let him go. Almost as if instincts kick in, I flip us over so he's now on his back, and I'm on top. My hands reach down and are placed on the headboard to give me leverage wh
Dinner time came and went. I grabbed my plate of food and came back to my room, as I was still upset with Matthew. Marcy could sense the tension, while the kids were none the wiser. I continued reviewing the journals, hoping something new would pop out of me, but I had no luck, making me even more frustrated.I slam them shut and pace back and forth, trying to think of a way to get back out there on my own without the asshole tour guide. How can he sleep with me one day and be an ass the next? I scoff."Now he's starting to remind me of Jackson." I search the room, hoping I might find something that will help me get back out there. As I rummage around the dressers and closet, I manage to find a flashlight, a few batteries, and a thick jacket. I walk over to the window, open it, and contemplate jumping out. During my internal debate a knock on the door stops me.I set the jacket and flashlight on the chair, then go to answer the door to see Matthew standing behind it. "What do you wa
Jackson POVFour Days AgoLeave! How could she fucking leave?! I've wasted these last few years kissing up to that bitch, waiting for her to become that damn wolf, and she just leaves! As if I would have stayed with her this whole time if I didn't expect to get something out of it."Damn it!" I yell.I pick up the bottle I took out of the fridge just before she left and throw it against the wall. My rage doesn't end there. I rip apart the couch, throwing the pieces all around the living room, then pick up the TV and slam it down on the ground. "Fuck!" I scream with my fist raging in the air."Hello?" a woman's voice calls from behind the front door, "I'm trying to work over here," she continues, annoyed as she bangs on the door.Perfect, I can go for a snack.I open the door, and the blonde, busted woman drops the bitchy attitude and changes her whole demeanor to something more seductive. A typical move for any human that comes across me. Humans are unable to resist the aura I exude,
Freya POV My body aches from Jackson dropping me on the floor. I panic, unsure what to do. In my condition, there's no way I can fight him off, and I need to get to the kids to make sure they're safe. I notice the camera on the floor and reach over to grab it and quickly turn it on. Jackson always hated me using it when he was around because he said he hated the way the flash bothered his eyes. Before it can turn on, Jackson lifts me back up by the throat. I clutch onto the camera, holding it for dear life and counting in my head the seconds it takes for it to turn on. My body starts to go limp. I look down at the camera and notice the red light, which lets me know it's ready to go. With every last bit of energy I can muster, I lift the camera, putting it directly in his face, and take a picture of him. The flash caused Jackson to release me and scream in pain as he uses his hands to cover his eyes. As quickly as I can, I run upstairs and shout for the kids and search for them un
Cole POV "We've been contacted by a small group of survivors seeking asylum," Derek remarks, standing up from his seat at the round table. "How many are we expecting?" Alyssa asks, taking a drink from her wine glass. I placed them both together and gave them a seat on the council because of their yin-yang personalities. Derek is a strong fighter and an expert warrior in battle; he's also the most strategic in bringing back survivors alive. Alyssa is more of the nurturing type and has a very gentle touch that helps with dealing with survivors who just made the dangerous trek here. While they both despise each other, it doesn't stop them from working well together—in more ways than one. They don't think I know about their affair, but it's obvious, at least to me, it is. "They started with ten, but now they are down to six," Derek says in a more somber tone. He knows the loss all too well from making the journey himself once before. "We can't keep taking in every stray pack that c
Freya POV "I don't think I caught your name," Justin turns to me. When I don't say anything, he continues, "So what is it?" "Freya. It's Freya," I say. Justin has been showing me around the town on our way to meet this Alpha person, and I'm amazed at how it reminds me of the stories grandpa used to tell me. The area kind of reminds me of the Wild West, but only if the Wild West was brought into the new age and had internet and running water. There was a small shopping center, but all the lights were off except for the ones out in the storefronts. The hospital is next to a police/fire station that looks to be up and running. We keep walking and pass the park that leads into a neighborhood. We continue straight, and a big house that looks more like a mansion appears. All the lights were on inside, and this place seemed to be the most active thing in the whole area. I'd think that they are throwing a party inside, as I see so many people coming and going with smiles on their faces.
Freya POV How can one random stranger make me feel so whole? He stood a few inches above six feet and was built like a tank. His hair was charcoal black, and his eyes were a striking grey. His whole body lured me in and had a soothing effect on me, but it couldn't calm my mind. I still wasn't entirely sure what was happening because suddenly, all I could do was think about Matthew and the others. This man somewhat reminded me of him, which only brought back the painful memory of watching him burn. The more he asked questions, the more I spiraled out of control, and the more I felt I was floating out of my body until it just stopped altogether. My dreams weren't any better. I could hear the screams of Luke and Juliana and the sound of Marcy's bones breaking. The flashbacks of seeing Matthew's body in the fire forces me awake. I sit up and wipe the sweat off my forehead. My hands touch the soft sheets, and my eyes search the room, making me realize I don't know where I am or how I