CHAPTER 114: A CABIN IN THE WOODS...

The door slammed behind her, but Emerald didn’t stop. She didn’t pause to think or even figure out where she was headed.

Her wolf had already surged forward, and the next moment, her body shifted. Fur burst through her skin, her feet transformed into paws, and she was off and running.

The forest rushed by in shades of green and brown as the cold wind whipped against her fur. She ran without a clear path, her paws hitting the ground hard, branches scratching her as she moved. All she felt was a mix of anger and heartbreak swirling inside her like a chaotic storm.

Then it started to rain. First, it was just a light drizzle, but then it turned into a heavy downpour.

Thunder rumbled above as the clouds grew darker, and rain soaked through her coat. The ground became slippery, with her paws splashing through muddy patches and puddles.

She didn’t really care until the lightning struck, lighting up the forest with a bright flash.

She froze, breathing heavily, her heart racing.

She looked around, blinking against the blur of rain, and realised... she had no idea where she was.

Everything looked unfamiliar.

The trees were thicker here, the air was colder. Viola started to feel restless and on edge in her mind as her thoughts began to race.

The panic clawed its way into her throat. She turned, trying to retrace her path, but the rain had already erased her scent trail.

Another crack of thunder made her flinch, and for the first time, Emerald felt fear creeping in.

Then she realised something... she was not alone.

Her instincts screamed it before her eyes confirmed it.

A shadow stood just beyond the tree line, still and silent, like a ghost hidden in the dark. Then, a low and familiar voice floated through the storm.

"Shift back."

Her breath caught.

Ares.

She blinked as the shadow moved closer. He walked toward her through the rain, his black coat fluttering behind him, looking calm and unfazed by the weather.

"I said shift back, Emerald."

She hesitated, feeling cold, drenched, and confused. Then she shifted, collapsing to her knees in the mud, skin bare and trembling as the rain poured down around her.

Without a word, Ares removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

She looked up at him. "I didn’t know where I was."

"You weren’t supposed to," he said simply. "You were running from something. Or someone."

"I didn’t mean to..."

"Just be quiet," Ares muttered, lifting her into his arms in bridal style. "Come on. There’s a place nearby."

He carried her through the trees in silence, his coat wrapped tight around her. She didn’t ask how he knew where they were going.

She didn’t need to.

In just a few minutes, they arrived at a cabin nestled against a hill, hidden by moss and dark stones. It looked old but sturdy, and it felt really secluded.

Ares pushed open the door and guided her inside.

—

The warmth hit her immediately. A fire sprang to life at his command, filling the room with the gentle scent of cedar. Emerald wrapped her coat tighter around herself, still shivering despite the increasing heat.

She looked around. The place was sparse but clean... soft rugs, sturdy furniture, and no windows.

"How do you know this place?" she asked finally.

Ares shrugged off his wet jacket and tossed it over a nearby chair. "I’ve lived longer than most. I’ve got cabins, hideouts, strongholds in every territory you can name."

She blinked. "Why would you need hideouts?"

He looked at her, silent.

"Right," she muttered. "Rhetorical."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "So. You done pretending yet?"

"Pretending what?"

"That the others matter."

Her jaw tightened.

"They’re weak," Ares continued. "Distracted. Unworthy of you. Adrien? Too soft. Lucien? Too prideful. Rick? Gone. And then Kieran..."

"I didn’t ask for this lecture," Emerald cut in.

"No, you asked for towels."

He pushed away from the wall and disappeared into a back room. A minute later, he returned with a thick towel and tossed it at her.

She caught it and began drying her hair and arms. The coat dropped slightly, revealing more skin than she’d intended.

Ares noticed.

"Turn around," she muttered. "You’re staring."

"I’ve seen you naked before," he said flatly. "Don’t act shy now."

"What??!"

"Correction. I’m inevitable."

Emerald rolled her eyes and pulled the towel tighter around herself. "Are you going to change or just drip water all over your furniture?"

Ares grinned, clearly unbothered. "Was that an invitation?"

"No," she snapped.

"Too bad."

He pulled his shirt over his head in one smooth motion, revealing a torso that looked like it had been sculpted by violence and shadow. His skin glistened with droplets, and his muscles flexed as he tossed the shirt aside and undid the top button of his pants.

Emerald turned around immediately, face burning. "Gods. Do you ever stop being dramatic?"

"I told you. I don’t play by anyone’s rules." His voice dropped to a near growl. "Not even yours."

Something shifted between them, and it felt different... thicker and hotter. The mate bond pulsed, and her wolf stirred.

She turned back slowly, intending to say something cutting, but the moment their eyes met, her words died in her throat.

His gaze pinned her. The look in his eyes was intense and focused, almost like he was hungry for something. She took a step back and bumped into the edge of the table behind her. Ares moved in closer, slowly and deliberately.

"Don’t," she warned, her voice softer than intended.

"I haven’t done anything."

"You’re thinking about it."

"I’m always thinking about it," he replied.

Her heart pounded.

The fire crackled louder in the silence.

"I shouldn’t be here," she whispered.

"But you are," Ares replied, stopping just in front of her. "You always come to me in the end."

"Because you’re always watching."

"And you like it."

She didn’t deny it.

His hand lifted, fingers brushing damp strands of hair from her face. The heat of his skin seared through her.

Her breath caught as his thumb trailed along her jawline.

Their wolves stirred again, restless and waiting for what was about to happen.

"Ares..." she said, barely audible.

"I’ve waited long enough," he murmured.

Then, his lips lightly brushed hers, just for a moment, igniting a spark between them.

She didn’t move... Neither did he.

For a moment, everything hovered until her wolf pushed forward, its claws dragging against her skin from the inside out, demanding more.

Emerald’s fingers grabbed the edge of his arm, pulling him closer. The towel slipped further down her back, forgotten.

His eyes darkened, and the next moment, they were already kissing.