Chapter 19 COULDN\'T BE PERFECT DAUGHTER

I say running my hand through his matted, wavy hair with an obnoxious smile.

Despite his frown I continue to smile, hoping that the future that laid before us wouldn't be so bad.

We spend an hour wrapped in one another's warmth, healing the parts of us that screamed for one another when we weren't close.

He didn't run from my touch so much anymore; once he saw what I was doing he wouldn't jump back in alert. He was gentle too. His fingers traced my skin as if I were a rare treasure and his eyes held mind with overwhelming care.

He was nothing like a beast.

He was nothing like they described him to be, like I thought him to be.

He was curious not feral.

Gentle rather than boorish.

And he wasn't disfigured more so than he was beautifully scared. He wore his marks instead of being marked by them.

He was … so incredibly strong.