Free Wandering Off the Path by Willa Edwards

fighting the desire to lash out at him. Her implied ignorance in his words suffocated her. She hated how he treated her. She was an adult, capable of making her own choices, even if that choice was to be alone with Wolf.
    She nodded. There was no point in trying to deny it when the evidence was right now staring him in the face. “And I don’t care.”
    As if in response, Wolf took a step closer. His possessive energy surrounded her. Hunter’s eyes flared, searching her gaze. She feared what he might find in her eyes. Would he instantly know all they’d done? Could he see the claim Wolf held over her? Even if he did, she had no idea how to renounce it. Nor did she want to. Wolf owned a part of her, the piece she’d given him, freely and without regret.
    “But… I…” Hunter stammered, “We… I thought…” He looked down, flushed, and her heart twisted.
    She couldn’t deny the truth within her, not anymore, but she had no wish to hurt Hunter. If only there were something she could do to ease his pain, she’d be more than happy to. But she couldn’t think of any way to do so. She wouldn’t surrender her own happiness for his. She couldn’t.
    “What’s he doing here, Abigail?” Hunter’s voice lashed out at her. He shifted his weight towards her, the floorboards squeaking beneath him.
    “That’s none of your concern. I wish for him to be here. That’s all that matters.”
    Hunter’s eyes narrowed on her, his hands forming two fists by his sides. She wouldn’t have believed herself capable of such a bold statement, yet today she could think of no other way to respond.
    “As you can see,” Abigail continued, ignoring the pained expression on Hunter’s boyish face, “I’m fine. There’s no need for you to stay.”
    His eyes widened further. His jaw clenched. “You cannot expect me to leave you here”—he swallowed—“with him.”
    “This is my home. I’ll be safe here.”
    Hunter moved a step closer. His mouth opened as if he were about to argue with her, though she saw no point.
    Behind her she heard Wolf’s feet shift across the floorboards. His possession reached out to her through the empty space, calling her to step back. She held in place, not ready to concede to either man who commanded her submission.
    She stood still, hoping the two men would follow her lead and abandon the standoff. She didn’t know what she’d do if they came to blows. Her small form would be inadequate to stop the two testosterone-filled men if they wished to harm each other.
    Hunter relaxed his stance, imploring her to listen. “Abigail.”
    She tensed in anticipation. She remained silent, allowing him to say his piece so he could leave the cabin knowing he’d fulfilled his purpose as protector.
    “I’ve known you all your life. You’ve always been a smart girl. You know better than this.”
    She drew back from his condescension. He didn’t know what kind of girl she was. She hadn’t truly known herself until today. Only Wolf could claim such knowledge. Only he saw deep inside her, to the truth.
    “You don’t know anything about me,” she sneered as Hunter’s eyes once more glazed with anger. “All you ever saw was what you wanted to see.”
    His face contorted. His brows creased and his lips pursed. His hands were clenched tight at his sides. She’d never seen Hunter look so furious before. But unlike when the same fury filled Wolf’s eyes, her heart didn’t pound faster or knees shake. Instead it created a returning angry flame within her, equal to that lighting Hunter’s sapphire depths. “And he sees something different?” Hunter extended his arm, pointing towards Wolf.
    “Yes, he does.” Her statement was simple, yet it felt so much more substantial. It was the true difference between them. Wolf had seen the real her, the woman who was hidden even from herself. Unlike Hunter, he’d never wanted to make her into something different, into the person he wanted. He appreciated her for who