BLOOD LEGACIES
Chapter 478: I’m Here With You

Chapter 478: I’m Here With You

EMMA

~

It’s been a day since Dace suggested we stay a few more days. He assured me he would hunt for food and cook it. I love Dace but I’m not sure I’m ready to eat raw meat, I was thankful he said it would go through a normal cooking process.

But I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. I can’t exactly read his emotions and thoughts. They remained a block there and I knew it was only because of his unsettled mind and the way he would stare at a distance for an hour or so. It was terrifying seeing him like that, I would watch and at that moment it seemed like he was dead. The scariest moment of my life was pitched every second.

I want him to get better, and I don’t mind spending a year here if that’s the way. The solitude in the wild will help him and I’ll support him every step of the way.

But this?!

"Dace I can’t," I said, staring at the lake like it would eat me.

"Come on baby, don’t be scared"

I shook my head, backing away before facing Dace already stripping with a smirk on his lips. "There could be leeches in there!"

"No" he chuckled, stepping out of his jeans and leaving him in just his Calvin Klein boxers. "Should I take this off too? Maybe that will convince you more.

"Don’t blame me when something bites your dick off!"

He broke into a pearl of laughter, prompting a smile to my lips because this was the first time I’d seen him laugh this whole-heartedly, compared to staring at a distance like an empty shell. This was so much better, a fast relief of constantly worrying about his mental health.

"The only one who gets to bite it off is you" he coaxed.

I rolled my eyes, folding my arms against my chest. I watched with a pounding heartbeat as Dace dunked half of his body into the lake. I’ll admit it was quite a clear lake, it was all shiny under the sunlight and inviting, but I know the limit of my fears.

I could stand here watching my handsome mate, take a bath in the middle of nowhere like he was some fairy out of a fantasy boy, and drool all the way or I could join him. I shivered at the latter.

"Don’t you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you" I muttered making eye contact with him.

"Then when I tell you it’s okay, then it’s okay" he stretched his hand for me causing me to swallow a lump in my throat.

Slowly, I started peeling the layers of my clothing bit by bit. I was slower than a snail but Dace was patient with me. I wanted to run back to the cabin at the first thought of swimming in a lake, but seeing those light hazels of his—that transformed for me—I wanted to do this without question as long as he was with me.

I was finally in just my bra and panties which I had no intention of taking off, I needed some protection and to be even. Taking counted steps I got closer to the lake, my feet enjoyed the dirt far better than dipping it into this beautiful lake.

"Is it cold?"

"It’s a little warm," he replied.

I shook my head slowly, my body was already trembling like I could feel the coldness. "That’s not a good enough answer"

A smile found his lips. "Want me to warm it up more"

I only offered a nod, taking a foot in first, realizing it was finally warm to the temperature I needed. I got in fully and Dace yanked me to his arms instantly. I held onto him like he was the only lifeline available to me. My body was impossibly still and I was even afraid to breathe.

"We’re going lower now"

"Dace—"

He kissed my cheek gently down to my neck. I was so caught up that I didn’t realize we got more to the deeper part, I was covered up to my neck. Dace stroked my cheeks gently but I couldn’t feel his touch, just a vivid picture of the cold dark water, alone, scared, and lost.

"I-I-I can’t, it’s too cold" my teeth chattered, I knew it all in my head but it was too real to ignore, somehow the water was suddenly deeper, and my legs wobbly back and forth under the pressure, if I don’t steady myself I’ll sink and drown.

"Emma" his voice was soft and inviting but did nothing to calm me down.

"N-No, no, let me go!"

"Emma listen"

"Please I can’t, Let’s just take a shower in the cabin, not this I—"I could finish because I was hyperventilating. Dace placed his forehead on mine, I squeezed my eyes shut trying to get rid of the memory but it kept invading to no end.

"Open your eyes for me," he said in a soft calming voice, breaking the strings in my mind a bit, I was still fearful because if I opened my eyes now, I would see nothing but darkness, an empty bottomless pit and the darkness playing in frightening figures as I sink to no end. Hopefully, everything will faint away and I might find the peace I need.

"Open your eyes"

However I opened them, I didn’t see the darkness of bottomless cold dark water, I saw hazels instead pulling me and inviting warmth to my cold green eyes, the chill was gone, replaced with something more intimate. I’m still shaken and want to close my eyes at the first chance but I would miss these hazels staring back at me like I was the only breathing thing in the world. The only source of light to his entire world, to be looked upon like this felt very... uplifting.

"The cold..." he began softly, too soft for his nature and gentle like he held upon a piece of flower he was afraid to crush. It was all for me. The heartless Dark Alpha showed me a side I thought I would never see. "...isn’t real" he took my chin. "But I’m real"