Broken

c o w g i r l

My desire for revenge was there but I was tired, so tired. There were too many people around, I wanted out, to be alone and away from it all. My parents were really gone, there was no hope, no chance for a mistake – they were gone. Not letting my mind linger on that, I focused on revenge.

Weston scooped up my hand as he whispered in my ear, "Come take a walk with me?"

Not looking into his eyes, I nodded, and followed behind him. We walked out of the little hospital and deeper into the forest. He was watching me with cautious eyes.

"Talk to me?"

"About?"

"Anything, everything, nothing, I don't care just never stop talking."

"I've never been good at the talking."

"I know, me either but we need to talk if we want this to really work for the long run."

I frowned, trying to focus on revenge. "We don't have time for us right now, those humans are out there, hurting our kind and I won't rest until they are all dead."

Stopping he looked me over as he searched for the right words. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his wolf. "Revenge can wait."

Anger filled me. "Can wait? Do you not understand what they did to me! To my family!" I shook my head at him, ripping my hand free. "How could you say that?"

His eyes went black. "Believe me Tianna, I want their blood spilled more than anyone out there for what they did to you but I've seen what a thirst for revenge can do to a person and I won't let that be us."

This stopped me, I never thought about it like that before. "But..."

"They will die a slow and painful death; I promise you that but today is our day." Running a trembling hand through his hair, his eyes pinched shut. "I thought I lost you forever."

Wolf or no wolf, I hated seeing him in pain. I'd give him anything to make him happy again. Scooping up his hand, I rested my head on his chest. "I hate to see you sad."

"I'm not sad." He shook his head. "You're alive, I couldn't be happier."

Blushing, I shook my head. "Now you're just being a sweet talker."

He grew serious. "Love me, hate me, whatever you need from me, it's yours. As long as you're alive and living, I'll be happy. Okay?"

"Okay." I looked him over. "But you know I don't hate you right?"

His shoulders slumped in relief. "I do now."

"I understand why you did what you did, I don't like it but I understand and forgive you so let's forget about it, it never happened."

He fell speechless as he looked at me in complete and utter disbelief. "You'd do that? Give me a clean slate?"

"Well not totally clean."

"What..."

"I'm never going to be able to forget the way you kiss me."

He fought a smile, a light blush on his cheeks. Giggling, I skipped deeper into the forest. I knew where we were, the lake was just up ahead. With Weston hot on my heels, I sprinted to the edge of the lake in excitement.

"I love this place."

Catching up to me, he smiled. "I noticed."

The water was perfect today and the warm summer day was calling to me. "Let's go for a swim?"