Saving Kinsley
Paradoxical

Kinsley's P.O.V

After the much needed, relaxing dip in the bath I got dressed and moved to my room.

Crawling into my bed, under the covers I closed my eyes and let the darkness carry me into it's abyss.

Tossing and turning, I threw the confining fabric from my body. With a groan "God's why is it so damn hot." I spoke to myself, getting up to grab a glass of water.

Walking with my eyes half closed was bound for disaster. As soon as the thought crossed my mind I slammed my toe into the corner of the wall as I was passing, letting out a string of curses.

Reaching down to rub the poor injured toe, I noticed my feet and hands were completely covered in dirt. "What the hell, Damn it ember!" I cursed out.

This has been happening frequently, Ember would force a shift while I slept. Hijacking my body without my knowing. At first I thought I was sleep walking for a while. Living this close to humans made it harder to shift out in the open freely, so I had to restrain my wolf.

'Ember you can't keep doing this. What if someone saw us? Then what?' I said with a huff. Ember had nothing to say to that, instead she was giving me the cold shoulder.

Washing my hands a knock came at my front door.

"Kinsley it's me, Calum. I uh.. Heard you yelling. Everything okay?"

"All good Calum, just stubbed my toe." I said as I opened the door.

"Okay, well I'm two doors down if you need anything." Calum said through a yawn.

Wait.

How did he hear me that far away? There's no way in hell he could hear me that well, unless he's a shifter too.

"Calum. Is there something you need to tell me." I spoke, with a demand in my voice. Calum stopped dead in his tracks and turned to me with wide awake eyes.

"I.. I can explain." He stuttered out.

"Yeah explain why I can't scent you. Let's start there." I growled out. Ember was pushing towards the surface at the possible threat. I could feel my skin ruffling as the fur begged to be let out.

"It's an elixir we take. It disguises our scents." He threw his hands up in a non threatening way. Stalking closer I could feel Ember seconds away from ripping through "WE?" My voice came out as a growl as I pushed air through my nose.

"This place.. It's like a sanctuary. We all are hiding or running from something. Most of us lost our pack, we use the elixir to hide us from the Rogue wolves."

I watched his eyes, Listened for the beat of his heart to give away any lies. His pulse remained steady, as he held eye contact with me.

"At first it was just Tate and I. Along with the humans of this town. After a while, more and more wolves started to show up. Rogue wolves had attacked and destroyed the packs they had belonged too." Calum spoke, ending the last part with a pained sigh.

Running my hand down my face I let out a long sigh "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just on edge. I haven't been around other wolves in years. Lets not even get started on how long it's been since I last shifted."

Calum nodded his head. "Well it's safe here, just see Tate tomorrow for the elixir okay? Then you can shift when you want."

"Umm. Yeah, about that." Damnit Ember.

"Please tell me you haven't shifted since you've arrived." I could hear the need of affirmation in his voice.

"Well, I didn't willingly shift if that makes it any better?" I slowly shrugged, truly feeling bad.

"Goddess save us." Calum rubbed his hand stressfully down his face.

"Come on, we need to see Tate." Calum said, quickly spinning around and walking away.

Following after Calum, "Wait here, I'll drive."

Leaning against the side of his apartment, I watched a tall figure pass by. The shadows hid the mass well, as the figure passed by a chill ran down my spine.

I don't like this. Turning around to face the apartment door, I quickly rapped my knuckles against the metal. "I just need a minute." Calum's voice called out. I could hear light mumbles as he shuffled things around.

The all to familiar scent of pine trees and rain swarmed my senses, Instantly sending a wave of longing through my system.

I could feel the warmth of his body as he stood at my back, his nose brushed along my neck as he inhaled my scent. "It really is you." His silky voice pulled a whimper from my chest.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pinch at the back of my neck. My vision began to dot as everything swayed before me. "Cal-" I tried to call out his name, but everything went black.

My eyes fluttered open and I quickly slammed them shut again with a groan. Opening for another try, every object in view was a blur. Blinking, I tried to clear my vision as I tried to recall what happened.

Silk sheets were the first thing to come into view. Running my hands along the surface, I don't have silk sheets. Suddenly the last moments before I blacked out hit me like a truck.

Dakota.

Goddess.

I let out a growl "Why am I here!" I shouted.

A figure moved in the corner of the room, sitting up in the chair. I could see who it is.

"You belong here, Mate." Dakota smiled at me.

Snarling "You rejected me, Dakota. And I accepted your rejection."

"Yet here we are. Still mates. Don't you feel the pull?" I knew he wasn't asking. I could hear Ember whimper, confusion clouded us. How could we still be mates? No.

"I- NO. That isn't possible." I growled out. I don't know what kind of sick game he was playing but I won't stay around to replace out. Throwing the covers off I got out of the bed, Dakota was quick to be in front of me. Just inches away.