Page 23 of Whiteout

Her eyes widen at my touch, and she licks her lips nervously. "I... I do want you, Kris. God, I want you so much it scares me. But I can't just ignore what I saw." She swallows hard, her eyes darting away from mine. "Those photos... the things you did... I can't be with someone capable of that."

My arm tightens around her, a silent signal that she's not going anywhere. "It wasn't me, Ivy. It's my brother, Nick. The Huntsman." I take a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm. "I know I should've told you sooner, but I didn't want to scare you away. My family has a dark secret, and I wanted to protect you from it."

She stiffens in my arms, and I continue, determined to make her understand. "The Huntsman has always been a part of our family's history. It's a role that's passed down from generation to generation. Nick's the current Huntsman, and he's the one who did what you saw in those photos. But I'm not like him, Ivy. I would never hurt you."

"Your... brother?" She repeats, her voice shaking. "I don't understand. Why are you hiding this from me? And if he's the Huntsman, what does that make you?"

I pull her closer, "I'm the one who keeps the Huntsman in check. I'm the shadow behind the mask, making sure he never goes too far. And I would never let him near you, Ivy. You're mine, and I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

She turns her head, her eyes searching mine. "Why should I trust you? You lied to me about this, what else are you hiding?"

I brush a stray lock of hair from her face, my gaze intense. "Listen, I have a dark side. I can't deny that. I love the thrill of the hunt, the chase, I love the thrill of capturing my prey and making them mine. I love the scent of fear mixed with desire. But I would never truly hurt you, Ivy. That's where my brother and I are different."

As I speak, her body relaxes against mine, her breathing slows down. "No more secrets."

Leaning in, my lips hover just above hers. "I promise. From now on, you'll know every dark secret that's hidden in my mind."

She puts her hand on my chest stopping me from closing the distance between us. "If you want me to stay then Ineed you to show me."

"Show you?"

"Show me your dark side, I need to know I can handle the darkest parts of you. Show me what you like."

A smile slowly spreads across my lips. She has no idea she's serving my favorite meal to me on a silver platter. I'm going to savor every damn bite.

I lean in close to her ear, "Run."

Confusion flickers across her face, but then realization dawns, and she jumps into action. Grabbing her coat, she bolts out the front door, her boots crunching in the snow.

"That's it, run, little girl," I whisper, my eyes fixed on the door she just fled through. I take my time, strolling to my bedroom. There's no rush. Ivy has nowhere to go on this mountain that I won't find her.

From my dresser drawer, I select a favored whip, the leather soft and supple in my hand. I finger the braided strands, anticipating the bright pink marks it will soon leave on Ivy's delicate skin.

Stepping outside, I pause on the porch, taking in the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. My eyes follow Ivy's tracks, leading straight into the woods.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are."

Chapter 12

Ivy

My heart pounds in my chest as I sprint through the snow-covered woods, the cold air burning deep in my lungs with every inhale. I'm grateful I thought to grab my coat as I ran out the door, but the wind still cuts through me. I shouldn't be doing this. I should be running in the opposite direction and away from this mountain as fast as I can. But I'm not. I'm running through these woods excited and terrified at the same time.

I can't explain the connection I feel to him. Kris has this way of making me feel like I'm falling into a world I can't escape when I'm with him. I try to fight it, to resist, but I'm not sure I want to anymore. I know I should be cautious, but there's something wild and untamed about him. It's like I'm under some kind of spell, drawn to the danger that lurks beneath his surface.

I pump my arms harder as I race through the deep snow,my breath forming clouds in the freezing air. I know I have a good lead on Kris, but I want him to catch me. I want to find out what he'll do. I want him to show me the dark side of him that I know exists.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are," Kris calls from somewhere in the distance, his voice carrying through the stillness of the woods. My heart rate picks up, and I feel a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. I push myself faster, my feet sinking deep into the snow with each step.

I'm gasping for air, the cold nipping at my cheeks as I glance back over my shoulder. The woods stretch out endlessly, the trees looming over me. Each step becomes a struggle. I can feel the burn in my legs, but I push myself to keep running. The low branches of the trees scrape against my face, and I can't help but let out a cry of frustration.

Before I even realize what has happened, I'm falling. I stumble forward, my arms flailing as I try to catch myself. I tripped over something hidden beneath the snow. My ankle twists painfully, and I fall hard, the impact knocking the wind out of me.

I lie there for a moment, dazed and struggling to breathe. The snow is cold against my cheek, and I can taste blood in my mouth where I bit my tongue. I know Kris is getting closer every second I lay here.

I have to get up.

I push myself up onto my hands and knees. My ankle is killing me, and I can feel it swelling inside of my boot. I'm scared, truly scared, for the first time since I arrived in Hemlock Hollow.

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