13

"Kayler, help me, please!" I begged internally, shouting and praying for him to hear me. And then something happened; I felt someone grab my arm and pull me to the surface.

I could finally breathe, coughing afterward. My vision was a bit distorted by the water.

"Carolina," Kayler said my name as he let himself fall beside me into the water. He hugged me immediately, then took my face in his hands and examined it. "Are you okay?" he asked. His tone was full of concern, and I couldn't help but feel my heart tighten seeing him like that.

"I... yes... he..." I didn't know if I should tell him that boy almost drowned me, but Kayler seemed to understand the situation. He looked behind me, where the boy was weakly trying to swim to the edge of the pool. Kayler tensed, guided me there as well, and we got out.

He looked angry.

"I'll be right back," he said, walking towards the boy trying to get out of the pool. Kayler pulled him out in no time and confronted him. "What do you think you were doing, idiot?" he spat.

I reacted and hurried to where they were. Some bystanders were already watching them.

"W-what are you talking about?" the boy questioned, showing confusion and fear.

"Don't play dumb. Didn't you realize you almost drowned her? This is going to cost you." He pushed the boy, who almost fell but didn't.

"Kayler!" I gasped.

"I-I don't understand," the poor boy replied.

Yes, we were already the center of attention, and I was getting cold. Before Kayler could get closer to him, I interposed myself between them to prevent him from doing anything.

"That's enough, please. Let him go," I pleaded. He didn't look at me. "Kayler," I insisted. This time he looked at me and seemed to soften. I took his hand and tried to pull him away. But the boy provoked him by whispering, "idiot."

Kayler shook me off and turned, punching the boy in the face. The bystanders gasped in shock, standing still as they watched Kayler pounce on the poor boy.

"Kayler, stop it!" I exclaimed, trying to get him to react, but he didn't. He kept hitting him. I couldn't bear it. I never liked fights or blood. I felt the air leave me, and suddenly the place seemed small. The bystanders were too close, suffocating me. "Kayler!" I tried once more, but it didn't work, so I turned and ran into the woods.

I ran as fast as I could until, suddenly, the music, the shouts, and Kayler's punches hitting the boy's face were no longer audible. I felt tears streaming down my face. My God! I've never been so sensitive, but this was too much. I missed my normal life before, but that would mean not knowing Kayler, so... I don't even know what I miss.

It was dark, so I didn't see a fallen tree branch and fell to my knees, my hands resting on the ground. My breathing was ragged, and when I tried to understand that I had run away, I calmed down a bit. In the woods, only the occasional owl could be heard. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up.

And now, how do I get back? I think I'm lost. I don't know how to get back to the party. I took a step back, trying to return the way I came, but a noise behind me made me freeze. They were like footsteps. Heavy and thick. Cautiously, I turned around slowly until I was face to face with that thing.

I swallowed hard, and my stomach contracted. It was... a huge black panther. It was in an attacking position, looking at me, licking its chops. I didn't move. I didn't even know if I could breathe, afraid it would hurt me.

Oh, God.

Shit, shit, what do I do now? I want to scream, call for help, but that would only make things worse. Maybe I should run or climb a tree and stay up there, but I think that thing would do the same. Or that's what I've seen in documentaries.

"Kayler," I managed to mutter very low, but that thing heard me as it growled and took steps towards me.

No, no, no. I have to run; I have to scream, do something. I took a step back, which was a huge mistake because the panther ran, and before it jumped, I screamed, screamed with all my might. When the panther leaped towards me, thinking it was the end, another larger animal pushed it. Both fell to the ground, fighting. It was a huge black wolf. It was my wolf. It was Kayler. I sighed in relief as he arrived in time.

Kayler and the panther were fighting, scratching, biting each other. Until Kayler bit its jugular, making it hard for the animal to breathe. I felt sorry for it, but I couldn't do anything when the panther stopped fighting and lay dead with its eyes open. I stood there, motionless, unable to move. It was too much for today. Kayler was panting, his fangs covered in blood. He looked at me, with a lot of resentment in his gaze, but it faded away. I just needed to sleep; I was very tired, and as if I needed it immediately, I closed my eyes and fell.

•

"Carolina, wake up," I heard his voice in the distance. "Wake up, we need to talk."

I smelled something strange in my nose, so I brushed it away with my hand but opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was Kayler's perfect face a few centimeters from mine. We were in the house, it seemed, but it was still night. I sat up on the couch. I noticed he was only wearing black pants. His hair was messy as always, and he seemed worried.

"Kayler," I brought a hand to my head. It hurt a bit. And then I remembered: I was almost drowned, the fight, the woods, the panther, Kayler fighting that animal. And finally, the fainting. "How did we get here?"

"I carried you," he replied. "That doesn't matter now. How do you feel? I couldn't see you well after..." He trailed off. And then anger took over me.

"How could you do that, Kayler?" I stood up and confronted him. He did the same. "He couldn't even defend himself."

"He could," he pointed to his scratched arm. "Besides, what would have happened if I hadn't arrived in time at the pool? That idiot would have drowned you! Damn it, I don't even want to think about it!" He ran his hands through his hair, pulling at it.

"But you didn't have to hit him!" I recalled.

"He insulted me. And no one insults me, you know that," he put his hands on his hips.

I sighed resignedly. It's the same Kayler as always, hitting for no reason, out of jealousy and irrelevant things. I don't even want to imagine how that boy turned out. The problems. What if he reports Kayler?

"What if that boy decides to go to the police?" I inquired.

"He won't," he replied confidently.

"How are you so sure?" I crossed my arms.

"I just know. I told you, you have to learn to trust me," he rubbed his temple. That gesture, that simple gesture made something stir inside me, as if... he implied that I... tired him. I couldn't help but feel sad at that moment.

"I want to, really." I whispered. "But you know how I am. I'm not used to being ordered around and having things hidden from me. I've always done what I want, and now, I don't know how to act."

I don't even know what I'm saying.

Kayler took a deep breath and approached me; he looked more tired. He put his hands on my face and kissed my forehead.

"I love you, Carolina," he said, looking into my eyes. I could see his pupils dilate when he said it. "That will never change, do you understand? Never. You are mine, and I am yours. Despite our fights, despite you driving me crazy and being so stubborn, we are destined to be together. With our flaws. We're going through difficult times, so we need to be more united than ever, okay?"

I felt relief knowing he would never stop loving me. He said it with such certainty that it was impossible not to believe him. I loved him too, and I couldn't see myself leaving him for someone else. Yes, we fought and drove each other crazy, but I think we'd get bored if we didn't. That's what defines us.

"Forgive me, you know how I am," I looked down. He laughed.

"I know," he whispered, lifting my face to kiss me.

I returned his kiss with the same passion I had given it. However, something important kept circling my mind; I had a feeling we were forgetting something. Something new for us. And then I remembered: the kitten! I pulled away from Kayler immediately and looked at him, terrified. He frowned, not understanding.

"Kayler, we forgot the cat," I said. He burst out laughing and pulled a cell phone from his back pocket.

"I'll tell Darren to bring it," he winked at me and then leaned in to give me another kiss.