Chapter 10

Lola's POV
We walked through the forest's ground inhaling its fresh earthy scent. The fine oak trees' leaves rustled as the wind whistled around its thick trunks. Rays of light penetrated in between them making the dimness surrounding us subside.
Our feet shuffled through the forest's ground, which was covered in fallen leaves and branches. I've never entered this part of the forest before, always lingering around its edges. But I definitely didn't expect it to be this fascinating. No wonder Jake always goes for runs, it was extremely quiet, the perfect place to clear a person's mind.
I raised my head to observe the path ahead of us, letting the light dance along my skin. Hopefully, the place he's taking me to won't take much longer. We've been walking for around twenty minutes and I was starting to get a little tired.
"We're almost there." He murmured looking back at me. Taking note of my heavy breathing, Jake smirked. I huffed in annoyance trailing behind him. Sorry to break it to you buddy, but not all of us are used to long walks.
I was taken by surprise when Jake abruptly stopped and being only a step behind him, I bumped into his rock hard back. Jeez, what is it made up of, steel?
"Sorry." I mumbled, my voice barely audible out of embarrassment. Feeling the heat rushing to my cheeks, I looked anywhere but him avoiding his gaze. He chuckled but said nothing, determined to continue down the path.
Whenever the leafy branches blocked our way, Jake pushed them aside allowing me to pass through. A gentleman, he is. My curiosity spiked up the moment I heard the sound of water flowing.
There's a waterfall here?
Due to the fact that Jake walked in front of me, I couldn't see anything ahead, especially since only trees surrounded us on either sides. As the soil got damper, the sound of the water flowing became clearer and clearer.
"We're here."
I gasped at the beauty in front of me. The white water cascaded down the rocky outcrops, and flowed in a series of several waterfalls to be poured into a blue river. It stood out in the amidst of the green of the forest, emitting the scent of moss and wild mint. I took a deep breath standing in awe, savoring the moment.
"Amazing isn't it?" I pried my eyes of the waterfall and stared into Jake's light green orbs. The color of the water reflected into his eyes, making them appear more of an ocean blue.
"It's just – wow." No words could describe its beauty. He chuckled taking a few step ahead, so his feet were just above the river.
"I found it a while ago and ever since, I started coming frequently. It was the first time I run deep into a territory not my own, especially your father's." I grinned knowingly. Our forests were well-known of being mysterious. Tales said that creatures lurked in the shadows of the night, but of course I didn't believe so.
"It's beautiful, takes my breath away every single time." His tone softened and his eyes were looking at me the whole time. I nodded my head in agreement but I felt like there was an underlying meaning to his words.
But it couldn't be, I quickly pushed that thought away. Though I wanted them to
Hearing Jake sigh, I turned so I was now facing him. He's acting strange and I knew that whatever was going inside his head is frustrating him.
"Jake, are you okay?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. Of course he wasn't, but I wanted to find out what's going on.
"I didn't tell anyone of this place because it felt special, to me at least. I brought you here because I wanted us to share this memory together." He took a deep breath, stepping closer to me until his face was inches above mine. I couldn't move, I didn't want to.
"You know I've been wanting to tell you this for a while, but something was stopping me. My wolf maybe, I don't know. But right now I'm sure I cannot hold it back." He nervously chuckled looking into my confused eyes.
"Lola," His warm hands cupped my face, "What I feel for you, it's more than what you can ever imagine. I can't bear the thought of you being around other men. Even if it meant nothing to you but it means something to me. I go insane, the animal inside of me goes insane. The small tug in my heart I feel whenever you smile, the emptiness when you're not around.
I am a man, a feared one in all kingdoms. But this man is ready to do anything for you." I couldn't describe the swirl of emotions coursing inside of me.
Contentment. Panic. Fear.
"Lola, I love you." He looked at me, the determination in his eyes revealing the certainty of his words, waiting for my answer.
Processing his words, I blankly stared at him. I wasn't ready for this. Sure, I always hoped for something to happen between us, but I never expected him to say those words. He loves me, he truly loves me. Any girl my place would've been ecstatic and jumped right into his arms.
What was happening to me? My mind took control, leaving no room for my heart to have a say. You will get hurt, my mind told me. But my heart screamed to give him a chance, give us a chance.
"Jake, I – I don't know what to say." I swallowed the lump in my throat, my voice shaking. It suddenly became hard to breath, like something was closing up on me. Those weren't the words he yearned to hear, the hurt in his eyes said it all. I bit my lip suppressing the tears that threatened to drop.
"We – we can't Jake. It won't work out." I stammered looking away from him. The sound of the waterfall long forgotten and all I could hear was my heart thumping like it was about to burst.
But I knew I had to do so. I knew there was a not a single chance of us working out together. He's a werewolf, he has a mate.
His grip on me tightened but not from anger. He held me like he never wanted to let go, fearing that I would slip from his arms and act differently.
I wanted to cry seeing him struggling from the inside. I wanted to tell him how sorry I was.
"Look at me love," The softness of his tone never faltered as he raised my chin to let my gaze meet his.
"Because you're a werewolf, Jake! I will be a temporary substitute till your mate comes." My chest heaved up and down, struck by the harsh reality. Mates are sacred to werewolves. The love that mates have for each other is unlike all beings.
The love Jake has for me is nothing compared to the love he will have for his mate.
"Lola –"
"No Jake. You love me but you'll love your mate more. You'll continue your life normally, but I'm the one who's going to be left heartbroken. Someday, you will find her and throw me away like I was nothing." My lips quivered as I chocked the words out.
Nothing. An uncontrollable sob tore from my throat. I placing a hand on my mouth to muffle them but it was of no use. I was throwing the future I wanted with Jake away and it pained greatly. But it was for the best, I reminded myself.
We couldn't be together, it wasn't destined. If I told him that I love him as well, I would be deceiving no one but myself. A false hope.
"I know what I want Lola. With or without a mate, I want you. Don't you understand, my heart beats for you. Only you." He tugged my hand pulling it until it rested on his heart. I felt its heavy thuds beneath my trembling hand.
"Please Jake, don't make things harder for me. We can't – my feelings are at stake here. I can't lose you." His vivid green orbs stared into my dull violet ones. I sniffled as he gently wiped my tears away. He didn't say anything for a moment and I felt the tears well up again.
"I won't pressure you into anything." He swallowed mustering a disappointed smile.
"All I ask from you is to think this over. Believe in us." I whimpered.
He should be mad. No not mad, infuriated. But here he was, calm and understanding.
"Let's get back. We don't want a search party to come after us." He joked, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
I love you too. I wanted to scream and let him know how much he means to me. I wanted to hug him and feel his arms wrap around me like I was the only girl in the world.
But I already made my choice.
The way back to the castle took forever, especially with its silence. Jake warned me a couple of times to be careful with my steps so I wouldn't trip but other than that, none of us spoke.
Believe in us. Jake's words rang through my ears.
Stepping out of the path we came from, the familiar garden came into view. I was surprised to see Mia sitting there, her eyes glued on her phone. But as she heard us approaching, a sly smirk played on her lips.
It's too complicated, I convinced myself.
Gosh, not now Mia.
"What took you so long?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. I shook my head in a stern no, pleading her with my eyes not to say anything else. Sensing the tension between Jake and I, Mia raised her eyebrows, confusion coating her features.
She didn't say anything else, which I was thankful for. But I knew I had to explain to her everything later.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. I kept myself locked inside my room, staring outside the window onto the forest. Jake's words kept repeating themselves inside my head and the guilt inside of me grew more and more.
Too lost in my thoughts, I didn't notice the dark figure standing at the edge of the forest. What the – I glanced at the same spot again but there was nothing, Today's happenings must've wrecked my sanity to an extent that I'm starting to imagine things.
Sighing, I closed the curtained and decided it was best to sleep. Maybe I'll stop thinking about today. But I couldn't. The ache in my heart reminded me of the rejection I made him feel.
And the worst part of all, I regretted every single second of it.