29

He looks away, his expression changing, making me wonder if deep down he’s depressed. There’s a nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach seeing his sadness, and all I want to do in that moment is reach out and hug him. But I don’t. I keep my distance, wondering about all those secrets hiding behind his eyes.
The only thing I feel is appropriate to do is reach out and take his hand in mine. I squeeze his fingers gently as he glances at me. His eyebrows draw together, and he looks vulnerable. I don’t understand how someone can look so strong but then not, and I know it’s not a look he shows to anyone.
So, what are we doing ? I ask, trying to change the subject. I don’t want to think right now.
I’m just waiting for a set of keys. Then we’re leaving.
Okay. I relax, taking another sip of champagne before placing the glass down onto a table.
Time to go, he says suddenly, standing and motioning for me to follow. He didn’t even touch his drink. We go to another room, seeing a guy wearing a black tux walking toward us.
Sorry for the delay, sir. He hands Colton a set of keys and nods his head, turning to leave.
Taking my hand, we don’t stay here, which I’m kind of glad for. We head outside, but not to his car. Where are we going exactly ?
It’s a surprise, he says. It’s walking distance, so we don’t need to take the car.
As we walk, I’m left with my thoughts, wondering once again what this means to him. Jenny is out of town and he just happens to appear after a week of not speaking to me ?
I don’t know whether to trust him or not. The way he makes me feel is crazy, but I don’t want to get hurt again.
You’re nervous ? He asks me then, bringing me out of my thoughts.
No, I say too quickly.
I can feel them, you know ? Your feelings.
What do you mean ?
I just know, he says, and I swallow. If he senses my nerves, then does he know how much I want him ?
What can werewolves do ? I ask suddenly.
My kind, or moonwalkers ?
What’s the difference ?
Oh, there’s a difference. Moonwalkers can only change when there’s a full moon, as I’m sure you’ve heard. It’s the popular version, he says with a hint of a smile. They find it harder to control their wolves after they’ve shifted but I’ve seen some being able to control themselves and lead normal lives. There are more moonwalkers than my kind. They’re different in appearance and don’t have folklore bullshit. I give him a look and he grins. For a long time, hunters used moonwalkers to hunt us down and still do to this day. Those who don’t control themselves are mere weapons. They’re vicious, and once changed, feed off human flesh. But their delicacy is us. Purebloods.
What about your kind ? I ask, having unwanted visions of a creature eating humans. I shake my head. It’s too scary to think about.
We’re born with the curse and can shift whenever we want, though with caution and never on a full moon, as even a hint of pure blood will bring on an attack from any wild moonwalker in the area. We’re trained from a young age how to control ourselves and the abilities we inherit. Family to us is important and we protect each other. He pauses. We’ve lost a lot of us over the years.
I don’t want him to take a trip down some painful memory lane, so I ask, Do you eat humans ?
He laughs, shaking his head. No. We have normal diets. Meatier, I guess.
That’s a relief. He smiles, and I smile back.
We’re here, he says then.
I hadn’t even realised we were walking along a lit up harbor. Boats and yachts parked next to each other, ranging from all different sizes, sway together in the shallow water. I come to a stop when he takes me over to a white boat that shines under the moonlight. Climbing up ladder, he steps onto the deck, turning to me and holding out his hand for me.
Are you coming ?
I nod, though I feel a little shaky as I move my legs. My stomach squirms when I grab his hand and attempt to climb the ladder in my heels, my legs like jelly as I step onto the deck.
Are you scared ? he asks suddenly, a look of worry on his face.
I shaky my head quickly. No.
He sighs. I feel your fear, Layla.
I forgot about that. It’s been seven years. I really need to get over this fear. Sounds ridiculously cliche, but I fell off a boat when I was about ten. My granddad knocked me in by accident and I got sucked under the boat by the current. I almost died, but Ray saved me.
Looking sympathetic, he places his hand on my shoulder. We can get off if you want. Go somewhere else ?
No, no. I shake my head again. I should get over it, it happened ages ago. I guess, I mean…I don’t know. Boats just scare me.
You won’t fall in, he says, my cheeks burning as he leans in closer. Just as I think he’s about to kiss me, he reaches behind me and pulls out an orange packet. A life jacket. Put it on.
I take it from him and bite down on my bottom lip as I work on taking it out of the packet, unable to believe I thought he was going to kiss me.
I nearly died, kiss me. Ugh. I’m an idiot.
After putting on the life jacket, I take a seat and buckle myself in as Colton unties the boat from the harbor.
It’s only a ten-minute journey, he says, taking a seat beside me and putting the key into the ignition by the steering wheel.
To where ? I ask, but my voice is drowned out by the roar of the engine, the boat starting to move.
It’s not as bad as I think it’s going to be once we get going. The water is calm and I’m pretty sure Colton isn’t going that fast for my benefit, which I’m thankful for.
It’s hard to see anything through the darkness, but as I look ahead, I see we we’re coming to a private beach. It looks secluded as he pulls up to a smaller dock that has a few other boats parked beside it.
I look around. What is this place ?
It’s a private resort. A spa, he says, turning off the engine and heading over to the ladder to tie the boat to the dock.
As he’s doing that, I take in my new surroundings. It’s calm here. Instead of the hectic noise from the city, the sound of waves crashing against the beach is all to be heard. It’s peaceful.
Coming ? Colton asks, and as I get up to climb down the ladder, Colton helps me, grabbing my waist and lifting me down onto the dock.
Blushing, I smile gratefully at him. Taking my hand in his, we make our way down a pathway through a set of trees. Sea salt carries with the wind and I breathe it in. I bet it’s nice here when the suns out. Warm.
After a few minutes of walking in silence, I suddenly hear music drift through the quietness. We finally break away from the trees and I see a large beach house with possibly three floors called The Dawson Inn.
It’s brightly lit and charming, a little waterfall leading down into a pool at the side. On the beach there’s an open party, a group of people enjoying themselves around a large camp fire and next to a bar serving exotic drinks. Dangling lights light up the rest of the place and it looks magical.
Are we allowed to be here ? I ask as Colton pulls me toward the party.
He scratches the side of his head. I own it.
I gape at him in shock. You… You own a private beach and a spa ?
He nods. It belonged to my parents. Dawson is my surname.
He puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into him. I try not to react, but even just touching me sparks something inside of me. Is there anything else you own ?
He looks at me for a moment. No. I think I’ve given you enough surprises.
I think so too.