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.

the owners here. She tucked a piece of her curly black hair behind her ear and gave me a

up?” she asked sympathetically.

start riding again,” I replied. She smiled and

You remember where everything is,” she said as she started

from her back. I slid off of her and grabbed her reigns as I tried to calm her down. She neighed and reared

a 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 looked intelligent; like it

There was a small bit of pain in its eyes. I peeked over its back and saw where Cali caught him in the back. He

you were 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

at me school,” I said with a slight smile. The

What the actual hell?!

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 trying to keep me hidden. I

Cali ran back

if he were telling me to stay put. I wasn’t scared of him. I rolled my eyes and stood up anyway. Keegan went back to growling at the incomer.

back so the wolf wouldn’t scare them,

pulled out his phone. I only sighed and crossed my arms.

did it immediately.

did you…” Rosa started. I reached over and scratched Keegan behind his ear. He tilted his head towards the sky and it

he saved me from getting a hoof to the head and dying. He’s just trying to protect me,” I explained. Brighton hopped off of his horse and