Taming the Beast

(Caroline’s POV)

I ignored Keegan for almost a week. I caved and talked to him at the volleyball game, but only a few words. Keegan screwed up, and I was already screwed because of it. The problem with letting go of Keegan was that I had to let go of everything that came with him. And I wish I could say that I hate him, but I don’t. I don’t think I could ever hate him.

Monday rolled around slowly. Per tradition, I didn’t talk to anyone until lunch. I didn’t even talk at lunch. I always got lost in my thoughts and ended up staying quiet anyway. Keegan and the guys didn’t sit with us anymore. I was kind of relieved for it. I didn’t know how well my self-control would hold up with Keegan so close to me. I was barely surviving my Forensics class. I felt Keegan’s eyes on my back. He was always watching me. Even the guys were sulking around. I really missed them. Lunch was awkward and uncomfortable. I was all to glad to get out of the cafeteria and into my Forensics class. Well, I was glad until I remembered who I sat next to, and saw what we were doing today.

Today, we were watching a Crime 360 video. They were supposed to help us practice what to look for in a crime scene. Mr. Norman turned off the lights and my heartbeat doubled as I felt Keegan’s presence even more.

“Caroline,” he whispered. I stayed quiet and kept my eyes on the projector screen. “Please talk to me. I can’t take this anymore; I miss you. There’s something I need to tell you,” he said softly. I tried to ignore the way my heart fluttered at his words. I shushed him without taking my eyes off the screen. From across the lunchroom, I would look at him, but up close like this made me want to melt, so I avoided looking at him from close distances. I shook my head, eyes trained on the “educational” video. Half of the class was asleep already.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my thigh near my knee. It immediately set my core on fire. Tingles and electricity ran up my leg as I gasped softly. Why did I decide to wear shorts today? With Keegan’s hand on my thigh, I couldn’t think straight. My lips parted slightly as a sharp breath escaped me. He started rubbing light circles into my leg and tracing patterns I couldn’t keep up with. Electricity followed his touch, leaving ghost whispers of where he’s been. My breathing picked up as he inched further up my leg. I wanted to stop him but at the same time, I didn’t. The final straw was when he squeezed the inside of my thigh near the hem of my shorts. My eyes closed briefly as I moaned. It wasn’t a quiet one either.

My eyes shot open and I slapped a hand over my mouth as eyes started looking back to find the source of the noise. Keegan took his hand away as he smirked. He knew he got me. I only glared at him as I jumped out of my seat and rushed out the door, taking the bathroom pass with me. I let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall as soon as I got out. I leaned over, setting my hands against my knees as I waited for my breathing to slow down. When it finally did, I ran a hand over my face and through my hair. What the hell just happened in there? That’s it, I’m going home early. I went back into the classroom, replacing the bathroom pass and grabbing my stuff. I gave Mr. Norman the lame excuse of me not feeling well before I was out of there.

“You didn’t even let me explain,” I heard a familiar voice say from behind me. I rolled my eyes and started walking faster.

“That was a week ago. I’ve been avoiding you since then. I was hoping you would get the hint by now,” I yelled over my shoulder. I jumped in my car and sped off. I wasn’t ready to go home yet. I pulled onto own of the many country roads (this was Texas after all) and drove to my favorite stables. Because of everything that happened, I hadn’t ridden much lately, but I used to go all the time when my parents were still alive. The stable hands and owners all knew me and let me ride whenever I wanted. I parked my car and grabbed my riding boots out of the backseat. It took some digging through Preston’s toys and car seat, but I finally found them. I pulled them on and walked into the barn.

“Caroline!” I heard from in front of me. I looked and saw a woman’s head peaking over the wall of a stall. She exited the stall before she came and hugged me gently. I smiled.

I greeted her. Rosa was one of the owners here. She tucked a piece of her curly black

holding up?” she

start riding again,” I replied. She smiled and pulled off

You remember where everything is,” she said as she

the trail, Cali started freaking out. I tried to calm her down, but it wasn’t working from her back. I slid off of her and grabbed her reigns as I tried to calm her down. She neighed and reared up. Her hoof was coming straight towards my face, and I knew it. I was so shocked that I couldn’t move. My life flashed before my eyes and I realized that no

hoof connect with the animal and it whimpered and buckled slightly as it stood over my body on all fours. It was only then that I realized that the thing that protected me was a wolf. Its pointed nose was only inches from mine as it breathed. I froze. Its eyes were a warm amber with flecks of gold and black… kind of like Keegan’s eyes. It

was a small bit of pain in its eyes. I peeked over its back and saw where Cali caught him in the back. He whimpered a little as he laid

the one who spooked my horse in the first place,” I said with a small scowl. As if the beast understood me, his body shook with a deep noise that sounded like chuckling. Its eyes opened and it looked like he was smiling at me. I took this opportunity to look over the wolf. It was huge. I don’t think wolves are even allowed to get this big by nature. The spot on his back where Cali kicked him was healing faster than I ever thought possible. It was hard to see through the thick black fur, but if I looked close enough, I close see the skin shifting. My eyes widened in shock. The wolf sighed and closed its eyes again, resting its head on its paws. He wasn’t scared of me, and I wasn’t scared of him. In fact, I was slightly drawn to him, which

Keegan because you remind me of this guy at me school,” I said with a slight smile. The

What the actual hell?!

sat like that for a long moment until Keegan’s ears pricked up. His head shot up and he arched his body around me as if he were

I guess Cali ran back to the

he were telling me to stay put. I wasn’t scared of him. I rolled my eyes and stood up

voice full of fear. They kept their horses back so the wolf wouldn’t scare them, but they didn’t dare get off. Keegan was still growling, bearing his

I only

wolf stopped growling and looked at me. “Sit down and shut up,” I said. He did it immediately. His ears dropped as he looked at me with a soft look, almost as if he were saying sorry.

started. I reached over and scratched Keegan behind his ear. He tilted

the head and dying. He’s just trying to protect me,” I explained. Brighton hopped off of his