48

ARTEMISIA

I frowned as Emma giggled at whatever Adrina was saying.

Since when did Emma and Adrina become close?

Well, Emma was more social than I was but I had my share of friends I moved around with as well. So, I didn't mind not being that social.

However, it was weird seeing my little sister with the witch vibing as if they were old-time pals.

"It's so odd she's getting along with her." Julie grimaced, voicing out my thoughts.

I nodded. The fact that some days ago, they were almost at each other's throats was what made it stranger.

Anyone Emma made as an enemy on the first day, she never gets together with them, whether they changed or not.

They'd be her foe for life.

Even Adrina, the first time I had seen her at the reception, she didn't look like the person that was enthusiastic about keeping anyone as a friend. Or maybe she was not just interested in me.

She had immediately loathed me. But, I believe it was because of Sin.

As if she knew we were talking about her, Adrina nudged Emma, both swirled and their gazes locked on mine.

Adrina sneered and a wicked grin surfaced on Emma's face, making me shiver.

Averting her gaze, she wrinkled her nose, shrugging at what Adrina told her. Then, she glanced back at me.

They seemed up to no good.

I wanted to know whatever they had been discussing but I was sure I wouldn't get an answer.

"Well, who cares? I'm not surprised." Julie said, shrugging. "They are pretty much the same, I mean personality-wise."

It was true. Both had nasty attitudes and also, the thoughts of getting together with Sin. They didn't mind eliminating anyone who seemed like a threat to them.

Emma had once gotten in trouble in Lone Oaks High when she beat up a girl because the boy she liked didn't like her. Rather, he was into the other girl and he had called her a 'spoilt brat' which had made her furious.

However, she had escaped from the severe punishment that was meted out to anyone who broke the school rules of 'not fighting'. She had escaped from it because dad had used his status to make her go free.

I was certain if I was the one, they wouldn't do anything. Maybe the punishment might not be severe, I was going to face it and not evade it.

Now, no one was here to punish her if she did any wrong. Perhaps, that explains the smug expression on her face.

Emma blew me a kiss, then winked at me before following Adrina to only gawd knows where.

"I won't dwell too much on them." Julie nodded to their retreating form.

"Sooner or later, they were bound to be friends." She added.

I let out a sigh. I knew that would happen but I never knew it would be soon enough.

★★★

"We should come out often." I breathed out. I smiled whilst staring at the full moon.

Gripping the rein of the mare I was on, I glanced at Sin whilst waiting for him to do the same so we could race further into the woods.

Even though it was quite dark and chilling, I felt secure with him. We weren't on the same horse, yet I could feel his warmth enveloping me.

He looked gorgeous on the stallion, Midnight, he was on. It seemed like he was a natural-born racer. Maybe he was. I had watched him several times riding a horse and he had done so with ease.

My fingers clenched around the rein as it itched to caress his ruffled hair. The two tops and only buttons on his shirt were undone.

I licked my lips as my eyes caught smooth skin. How long had it been since we were intimate?

It was just a few days, yet it seemed like it was forever.

I would do anything to wrap my legs around his waist whilst having his…

Goodness!

Where had the thought come from?!

I blushed, shaking my head at my wayward thinking.

"Shhh…"

My eyes narrowed as I gaze at him. He brushed his hair out of his face and his eyes squinted.

He jumped down from the horse and walked slowly towards a small hut, I hadn't noticed until now.

"Sin…" I mumbled, earning a glare from him.

He tugged off the black blazer he was in and his eyes darkened as they strayed to the moon.

I shivered, doing the same.

I didn't know where we were, but I could guess what was going on.

As soon as Sin signalled for me to be quiet after sniffing the air, I was aware we were about to be attacked.

I didn't need to be a werewolf to sense that.

His body tensed as he moved towards the but stealthily. He stood at the entrance and I held my breath whilst waiting for what was to come next.

Grimacing, I shook my head. I shouldn't have suggested we came out tonight.

After our cancelled date, I thought fixing another one again would be better, so as to take his mind off things.

Even though this wasn't a date, I thought of it as one. However, it was about to be ruined.

"Can you be quiet? I can hear your freaking thoughts!"

"Stop reading my thoughts then." I glared at him. "I didn't ask you to."

"I can't even read your thoughts." He scoffed.

"But why do you know everything I keep saying?"

"You can ask me that later." He dismissed, with a wave of his hand. "Right now, we are in the middle of something."

I exhaled whilst locking my gaze with him. My chest was becoming tight and it was beating at a weird rate. I rubbed my clammy palms on the breech I donned, before taking in another deep breath.

"What?"

"Just do as I say if anything happens in the next ten seconds."

"That isn't even an answer to what I asked." I groaned, putting my hair back in the ponytail it was before Sin had ordered me to let it down.

"Artemisia…"

"Fine." I groaned. "Also, don't call me my full name. It sounds weird hearing it come from you."

Whether he heard me or not, he didn't respond. Rather, he darted into the hut.

"Sin!"

He had told me not to yell, I couldn't help it when he does things as reckless as this.

I held my breath and counted to three whilst waiting for him to rush out.

A lot of what if ran through my mind as I thought of what could be going on indoors. Perhaps, I should check out what was going on.

But, that would make him furious if he saw me.

After waiting for what seemed to be like an eternity, Sin darted out of the hurt. But, he looked beaten.

"You're bleeding!"

"Don't!" Sin exclaimed, halting me as I was about to climb down. He cleaned the blood dribbling down his nose with the back of his palm.

"I'm fine and get out of here!" He grunted.

"W-what is going on?"

"Do as I say!"

My eyes caught the movement of a wolf as it sprang out of the hut. I didn't wait to access it further like I often did, I clutched the rein of the mare trotting away.

Sin would be fine. I was sure of it. He was powerful enough to take down anyone. I had seen him fight with Jamie once and I heard stories about his prowess in battle as well.

I'd only be getting in his way if I remained there.