Winter Swan

Silje was surprised by her own answer. She hadn't realized that she wanted to go see the fjord this much. Kail looked at her curiously and Silje explained, "I guess I always wanted to see the glacier in the fjord. I have lived in Norway all my life, yet I have never left Oslo once. Whenever people talked about fjord glacier, I wondered if I will ever get to see one for myself."

To her honest answer, Kail didn't say anything for a moment. He turned around to look at the museum displays and suddenly, he caressed her black hair. In his husky voice, Kail whispered, "Then let's go there. There is no place this Viking can't take you."

She didn't know why, but Silje felt glad.

After they left the museum, they walked the street silently. When they got to Kail's car, he asked her, "Tell me if there are any other places you want to visit right now."

"No, that was it. I really liked the museum. Thanks to you, I had a fun time."

As she smiled, Kail smiled faintly too.

Strangely, Silje didn't feel uncomfortable around him. They were enemies until recently, but now she felt calm when she was with Kail. She didn't feel awkward even when silence fell between them. Silje felt like she could just stare at him forever.

It was the strangest thing and she couldn't understand why she felt this way. They hadn't been together for long, so why did she feel so comfortable around him?

"…"

Sometimes they just stared at each other, and sometimes they grinned at each other. Silje blushed from time to time, and her heart often beat loudly.

This was very strange.

This happiness… This attraction…

She accepted him now, and Silje wondered if this really was meant to be. Perhaps it started the very first moment they saw each other.

Kail gestured to her, "Get in, Silje. We're going now."

When she sat down in the car, he took her hand quietly. She was so used to his touch now that it felt perfectly normal. The warmth from his large hand was lovely. It warmed her heart and she didn't want to let it go. Silje was afraid that she might ruin this peaceful feeling with words, so she kept quiet.

It was clear that they were getting closer to each other. Feeling content, Silje leaned back and closed her eyes.

The serene feeling continued as they sat in a restaurant.

"Eat."

His voice and speech were dry, but the way he looked at her was tender.

When Silje started to eat her sandwich, Kail watched her happily. In the restaurant, Mozart was playing. It was the same piece Silje listened to on the radio.

After dinner, they got back into Kail's car. As he drove, Silje watched him.

It was the most romantic day of her life. In the dark night in Kail's car, Silje felt like she was watching a lovely movie. The snow-covered scene outside was the same as always, but for some reason, Silje found it to be different than usual.

It looked beautiful.

Silje looked down at her watch. It was almost 9 o'clock at night.

The car rolled into her driveway quietly and she said to Kail, "I'll see you later. I should get going. I'm probably already in trouble because it's so late."

"With your adoptive parents?"

Suddenly, Kail took out his cellphone from his coat pocket and handed it to her.

"Use this for now. I will call this phone, so answer when I do."

When Silje saw the blue cell phone, she hurriedly replied, "But Kail, that's your phone."

Kail frowned in annoyance.

"What is mine is yours."

When Silje didn't say anything, he continued coldly, "Then what should we do? You don't have a cell phone and all the stores are probably closed by now. Even if I get my personal assistant to get a phone for you right now, he will have to wait till tomorrow morning when the stores open. You can either take this phone or stay in my car with me till the morning. I actually wouldn't mind the latter."

"Kail…"

"Just take it, will you? How else will I contact you? Should I send you a letter?"

Kail grinned at her and Silje couldn't say anything.

He was right. Moreover, Silje didn't want Kail to come to her house again in the middle of the night. The risk of her adoptive parents and the neighbor finding out was too great.

She knew Kail would come again and scream out her name just to be spiteful.

"Fine. I will take it."

When Silje took his phone, he finally looked happy.

"Perfect. Now, you should go inside. I will call you."

Kail also handed her the charger and Silje took it without a word.

After looking at him for a few minutes, Silje slowly said, "Kail, I thought about this and I think you have become a roller coaster in my frustrating life. You make me feel tense because I just don't know what you are going to do next."

It was snowing and Silje told him her honest feelings. Perhaps it was because her wrist was throbbing again. Whatever the reason was, she couldn't stop herself. Silje confessed to him.

"To be honest… When I first saw you at school, I did know that you were just like me. I didn't tell you, but it's true. I admit it now. You were the lonely alpha and when I saw your eyes, it felt like I was looking into my own. So, I guess I admit it all. You win, Kail."

Silje breathed out desperately and hugged herself. In a barely audible voice, Silje whispered, "… So hold me. Hold me tight and give me your warmth so I can forget about my miserable life… Protect me so I don't get hurt again. Be with me so I don't get lonely. Make me feel alive. These are the words I thought I could never say out loud, but here I am giving you myself. I guess… I guess maybe I really do want this…"

Before she could finish her rant, Kail kissed her roughly.

Silje closed her eyes and held him. His skin, breath, and scent took her breath away. His stubble scratched her sensitive cheeks.

Kail continued to kiss her aggressively. His hands moved to the inside of her coat and grabbed her breasts. He craved her like a desperate animal.

"… Ahh… it… it hurts, Kail."

When Silje moaned, Kail panted as he turned around. His voice was hoarse when he said to her, "You should go in."

"… Alright. Bye."

Silje turned around without looking back as she got out of the car and walked into her house.

Kail remained in the seat. While watching her leave, he laughed quietly.

"So you thought I was like an alpha wolf… Haha. I like it."

He started the car and drove away at full speed.

It was a beautiful quiet night with everything covered in cold white snow.