The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (100 page)

“Wolf!” Elisa’s voice called out from across the room. They all turned to see her marching towards them, her face determined.

“What’d you do?” Logan whispered.

“Uh, I have no idea,” he replied, honestly.

“Looks like we’re getting a fight anyway,” Moose added, rubbing his hands together happily. Elisa reached them, stopping with her hands fisted on her hips. What was wrong with her? Wolf admired the spark in her eyes that was always there when she was worked up about something.

“What’s up?” Wolf asked, keeping his tone casual. Sometimes he just wanted to swoop this girl up and kiss her until she all but melted in his arms. Especially when she was this rigid.

“I need to talk to you. Outside. Alone,” she responded, pointing towards the garden doors. He met Aiden’s eye with a clear question, to which his friend simply shrugged. With a defeated sigh, he followed her outside. When she didn’t stop right away, he continued to follow her in silence until they were alone on a path somewhat deep within the maze-like garden, which Wolf had still yet to figure out. What was going on? Why was she bringing him out here? He thought back to their interaction with Markus, but he couldn’t recall doing anything particularly bad. Mind you, he thought truthfully, he rarely found anything wrong with what he did.

She finally stopped, so suddenly he almost walked right into her. She turned to face him, and he took a quick step back. Looking around, like the answer was hidden somewhere for him to spot, he looked back at her in confusion. “Did you kill someone or something, because I don’t really feel like burying anything right now?” he joked.

Elisa rolled her eyes. “No, I didn’t kill anyone, what a ridiculous thing to ask,” she replied, and that’s when he noticed it for the first time. She was nervous! Incredibly nervous, to the point where she could barely meet his eyes. Her anger was just her way of dealing with whatever it was she was worried about. He tried to gentle his tone, feeling bad for making fun of her.

“Alright, what’s going on then?”

“I uh – needed to talk to you about something,” she replied, playing with the skirts of her dress.

“Am I supposed to guess what that is, or are you just going to tell me?” he asked, crossing his arms in front of him. He was almost starting to enjoy her obvious discomfort.

“Just give me a minute! I need to think.” She started to pace, murmuring under her breath.

“Gods Elisa, just tell me! Whatever it is, it can’t be
that
bad,” he urged.

“Maybe I’ll just show you,” she said, softly, like she was speaking to herself.

“Show me? Show me what? You
did
kill someone, didn’t you?” He opened his mouth to continue, but instantly snapped it shut. The look she gave him was nothing he expected. Heat burned in her eyes, dominating whatever insecurities and nerves she had been feeling, and seared right through him. His mouth suddenly felt dry. “W-what’s going on?” he asked, his voice suddenly hoarse.
Keep it together man!
He scolded himself.

Elisa walked towards him, until she was right in front of him and he had to bend his neck just to look at her. She looked up at him, biting nervously on her lips. His eyes were stuck on those lips, remembering what they had felt like when he had kissed them only a day ago. That moment had played over in his head so many times since, it was a wonder he could even function properly. Elisa slowly draped her arms over his shoulders, one hand playing with his hair. He closed his eyes at the feeling of her slim fingers running through the strands.

“Elisa, what are you doing?”

“Showing you,” she replied, quietly. Before he even opened his eyes, he felt her stretch up, and then her lips touched his in a soft brush. It was a whisper of a kiss. Then again they were there, gliding over his mouth, teasing him with their warmth, before removing them again.

“Stop,” he said, hating himself for saying that word. She did, but stayed with her body pressed against his. “Why are you doing this, Elisa? Tell me, because if I kiss you again, I might not be able to walk away. It’s a fair warning.”

She smiled broadly at him. A smile that was so true, and so full of love that it made him want to squeeze her tightly in his arms, and never let her go. Instead, he forced himself to keep his hands by his thighs, warding off the temptation.

“I don’t want you to walk away this time,” she replied, as one of her hands cupped his cheek. Every instinct in his body told him to lean into her touch, but again he forced himself to remain motionless.

“Explain yourself,” he ordered. It was taking every ounce of energy not to attack her right then. The heat of her body so close to his was making it harder to think properly, and she looked so damn beautiful it almost hurt him to look at her.

“I’ve broken off my engagement with Markus,” she answered. “He heard me saying some things, and we both decided it was best.”

“What things?”

She opened her mouth then closed it again. “What things, Elisa?” he pressed.

“He uh, he heard me talking to myself out loud, and I might have been saying how much I love you…” she answered, the last words coming out in a rush. She was biting her lip now, looking up at him nervously. Did she just say? Wolf felt like everything around him slowed down. He was holding his breath, as if he could freeze everything that was happening in that moment.

“Say it again,” he whispered, too afraid to move.

Elisa rolled her eyes, and huffed. “Wolf, don’t start rubbing it in, because I’m not –”

“Just,” he interrupted her, “say it again.” He had to hear it, had to make sure she actually said what he thought she did. He closed his eyes, waiting. He heard her sigh, before she spoke again.

“I love you.” He let out his breath in one big whoosh. A slow smile spread across his face, until he was grinning like a fool. Opening his eyes, he looked down at the girl he had been waiting his whole life for, and suddenly felt complete. He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her against him. She gasped, but he didn’t let her get any further before covering her mouth with his. She tensed for a second before melting into him, just like he had always dreamed of her doing. With another sigh, her mouth opened and he took advantage by slipping his tongue to meet hers. She clung to him like he was the most important person in the world. It made him feel like he could do anything at that moment. He was invincible.

She pulled back, her breathing coming out in quick gasps. “Don’t you have something to say in return?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. Her lips were already swollen, tempting him with their fullness.

“As if you don’t already know I’m in love with you too,” he teased, playing distractedly with her hair.

“I still want to hear you say it,” she replied, her tone firm. He wanted to laugh, loving that they were still arguing, even as they were professing their love for each other. Would life ever be dull with her?

“Fine,” he said, with false exasperation that had her smiling reluctantly. He took a step forward, as she took a step back. “I.” Step. “Love.” Step. “You.” Step. “With.” Step. “All.” Step. “My.” Step. “Heart.” Her back hit the large hedge that ran around the outside of the garden. She didn’t seem to mind the bush up against her bare skin. He moved even closer, pinning her with his hips. “And I’m never going to let you go,” he finished, bringing his face close to hers. “Happy now?”

She smiled, linking her hands behind his neck again. “Yes,” she answered.

* * *

Elisa looked up at Wolf and wondered why she had waited this long to admit to her feelings. How could she have been so stupid? Suddenly she was overwhelmed with emotion. She pulled his head down to hers and kissed him again, wanting to make up for all the time they had wasted.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, between kisses. He pulled back, looking at her tenderly.

“Why?” he asked, his voice worried.

“I just feel so stupid for denying us this for so long,” she answered, her voice cracking.

“Don’t,” he smiled. “This is the happiest moment of my life.”

“I was just so stubborn. I don’t know what was wrong with me.”

He chuckled. “Well, I think we were both guilty of that. I should be the one apologizing. When you came to me on the walls, I should have never turned you away. I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said, with a shake of his head. “I was stupid, but I’ll never make that mistake again.”

“No, I was stupid,” she countered. “I shouldn’t have run off and told Markus I would marry him. I don’t know how you can forgive me for that.”

“It doesn’t matter now. We’re together, and that’s what’s important.” She nodded in understanding. He kissed her again, slowly and deeply, making her head swim. When he pulled back she had to grip the front of his shirt to keep herself from falling. “Let’s go back and join our friends before I decide to just run away with you.” She laughed, and nodded her head again.

As they walked back towards the palace, Wolf reached out and grabbed her hand. As they walked like this, she marvelled at how wonderful it felt just to have her small hand in his. It was so strong and warm. Such a little gesture meant so much to her. Finally she was his and he was hers, and everything just felt – right.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked, remembering a question that had been plaguing her for months.

“Of course,” he said, looking down at her expectantly.

“How did you know it was me at the Spring Festival?”

He smiled his knowing, cocky smile that for once didn’t immediately irritate her. Had it ever really bothered her, or had she always found it this handsome and just fought it? She realized there were probably a lot of things about him she had convinced herself she didn’t like that were probably completely untrue.

“Elisa, I would know you no matter what you wore. I’ve watched you so closely for so long, every inch of you is burned into my memory.” Her cheeks felt like they were on fire, and she knew she was wearing the stupidest grin. He laughed, squeezing her hand. Neither of them said another word as they walked, simply enjoying the fact that they were together.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Aiden stood talking with Moose and Logan when Lily came running up excitedly. She was literally jumping up and down.

“Where’s the fire?” Moose asked dryly.

“I just found out they’re having a light show out in the gardens!” she replied, ignoring him, and directing her answer towards Aiden.

“What’s a light show?” he asked, wondering why it made her so happy.

“They shoot them in the sky, and they make different colours and patterns,” she replied, looking at him like he was stupid.

“Oh, you mean fireworks,” he said. “Why are you so excited?”

“I’ve never seen them! We’ve only heard of such things, and now I’ll get to see it for myself!” Aiden couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. He hadn’t felt that excited about fireworks since he was a small child. Logan suddenly knocked him in the stomach with his elbow, and he gasped. “Ow, what was that for?” he looked over, rubbing his belly.

Logan simply pointed, eyebrows raised. Aiden looked over to where he indicated, and felt his eyebrows peak too. Coming through the garden doors were Wolf and Elisa, and they were holding hands! Smiling! Lily started to squeal and jump again, running over to meet their friends. She hugged Elisa. Aiden couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he understood immediately what must have happened.

Wolf walked up to them, a satisfied grin on his face. It was the first time Aiden had seen him
truly
relaxed. As Aiden looked at him, he realized that there was always something off about Wolf. There had always been this sense of sadness about him, but now it was gone. Of course it was Logan who finally broke the silence.

“It’s about damn time!” he said, annoyed, even though he was also grinning like a fool. Wolf shrugged his shoulders. Elisa walked up, and Wolf instantly grabbed her hand again. “You two about drove me nuts,” Logan said, this time talking to Elisa. She laughed, but it was Wolf who replied.

“We about drove each other nuts, so stop complaining,” he said, rolling his eyes at Logan.

“Congrats, brother,” Moose said, slapping him on the back. “I knew you weren’t a complete screw-up.”

“Thanks,” Wolf muttered, shoving Moose playfully with his free hand.

“Let’s go watch the light show now!” Lily said, hopping up and down again.

“Okay, okay little bunny, calm down,” Moose said.

They all walked out together. Aiden held Lily’s hand, feeding off of some of her excitement. When they got outside, he breathed in the fresh air, smelling the salt on the wind. It was amazing in the south. He wondered how long they’d actually be able to stay there. He’d like to have a better look at the city and just enjoy the relaxed atmosphere in Nysa.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Lily asked, as if she were reading his thoughts. Aiden nodded, looking at the expansive garden in front of him. There were so many people about, and yet it didn’t detract from the grandeur of it all. It reminded him of the gardens he had seen in pictures of Versailles, but even larger.

“You think they’ll let us stay here for a bit?” he asked, taking it all in.

“I hope so,” she replied, wrapping her arm around his waist.

“Me too.”

Elisa stopped beside him, Wolf just behind her talking to Logan. Aiden turned to look at her.

“Don’t say it, I know,” she said, sighing.

He raised both his eyebrows. “Say what?” he asked, biting back his laughter. “I wasn’t going to say anything mean.”

“I can see the words ‘I told you so’ in your eyes right now. I know we were both stupid and stubborn, so you don’t need to rub it in.” He was laughing by the time she was finished.

“I was just going to say that I’m glad you two are finally together. You both look really happy. But if you want to call yourself names, by all means go ahead.” She bumped him with her shoulder.

“Shut up.” They laughed.

“Elisa.” Both of their heads turned at the same time to see Turk walking up. He was scowling.

“Yes, daddy?” she asked, her voice squeaking.