Chapter 176

A few more weeks passed and in those weeks I let go. I let go of the guilt of Mark dying. It was not my fault. It was El-kor's fault and the bastard would pay.

When I'd been working and busy I had tried to start a few paintings but none of them turned out the way I wanted them to, so I'd given up on them. Now, I was fixing all of those paintings.

"Knock, knock." Raph said adorably as he came in.

"Hello, darling." I said from my seat as I carefully stroked in the detail for the rocks in my painting.

He leaned down and gave me a kiss which I received happily.

It lasted longer than five seconds and when he freed me from his velvet lips I was a little short of breath.

"So?" I asked once I'd regained a bit of my composure, "What is it?"

"Does it have to be something?" He asked playfully as he walked around the studio he'd given me.

I smirked, "Well, when you've been working twenty-four/seven and only now come down to see me, I think it's something."

He smiled and walked over to place his hands on either side of my chair, his nose touching mine.

"It's something." He said in a voice that always made my toes curl.

I smiled closing my eyes a bit, 'If it's what I think it is then I'll take it.' I thought dirtily.

He grinned and backed away stretching his hand out, "I have many unfulfilled promises to make up for."

I tilted my head with a smile, "What do you mean?"

"You'll see." He answered mysteriously.

I giggled and took his hand.

He made me wear a blindfold which I was not thrilled about but I trusted him, of course, and I knew he wouldn't do anything to hurt me. I just got really anxious when I couldn't see anything around me.

He held my hand and led me out of the house. My feet were faltering and he caught me with gentle hands.

I bit my lip as I fought the temptation to tear the blindfold right off.

My feet suddenly touched the familiar texture of forest floor. I stopped and looked up at where I presumed him to be.

"You're taking me into the forest?" I asked a little surprised.

I heard him laugh, "You're senses are sure Lycan."

My lips parted in a smile and I felt his lips touch mine. I couldn't see him, but I could feel him. My hands found his hair and I dug my fingers into it.

He held my shoulders and pushed me back, "Not there yet." I could hear the panting in his voice.

A smile tugged on my lips.

He led me carefully through the rugged terrain of British Columbian forests. I could smell the cedar and the spruces.

It was now May and the snow had mostly melted but it was still too cold to go outside without a winter coat, at least for me, Raph went out with just a short-sleeve shirt sometimes and gave me heart attacks.

I smiled at the memory.

"Alright love, you ready?" I heard him ask and I brought my attention to the present.

"More than ready." I said with a grin.

He chuckled and I felt the blindfold removed. I blinked my eyes as they adjusted to the sudden change. When they saw the scene in front of me my mouth dropped open and my eyes widened in amazement.

Raph stood behind me, his hands resting on my shoulders.

"Oh, Raph it's beautiful." I breathed. More beautiful than the Haven.

In front of us was the most splendid, romantic thing I'd ever witnessed; the ground in the clearing was all moss with tree roots popping up here and there. Through the middle ran a very, little creek, it went all the way through till it fell over the edge of the cliff. The cliff overlooked a short span of trees and then the lake appeared.

But the place wasn't the only romantic thing.

On the ground in front of us was a picnic blanket, a basket and a cooler, flowers which made me want to swoon and music playing.

I folded my lips together in joy and speechlessness.

"This, is my special place. I promised I'd take you but the opportunity never arose, till now." His fingers tapped on my shoulders and I turned around to kiss him.

He kissed me back with just as much love and while my hands were placed on his chest his were in my shirt, his cold hands in contact with my warm skin made me jump and I bit his lip in retaliation.

He merely growled back and teased my bottom lip. I squirmed against him and moved my body with his intimately; my knees going weak.

One of his hands move to the back of my head and he led me to the ground. I sighed happily as his fingers traced my mark causing delightful shivers to run through me.

His tongue entered my mouth and began to tease mine cruelly. He began to move away but I pulled him back down by his shoulders, my head wanted to continue to be lost in the euphoria.

He chuckled against my lips and I pouted.

Raising himself on his elbows he hovered over me, "This is not exactly why I brought you here." He said still chuckling.

I smirked, "Not exactly, yeah right." I said annoyed that he'd stopped.

Seeing my annoyance he gave me a kiss and I allowed myself to be sated.

"This, is why I brought you here, I want to have a picnic with you."

My heart fluttered and I looked up at him.

I pulled him down for a hug, "I love you."

"I love you too."