ss outside of my windows tells me it's far too early to function. I hardly got enough sleep considering the emotio

s. This time he as

covers up to my shoulders. After a minute of silence, the door slowly opens

he says, "we

d my

you're

ifts. "What? Did

teps then trail back out the door as he

ings I have in the room, feeling like a nuisance, a disappointment. I don't know what t

wouldn't get very far, but I suppose I had to try anyway. I

here the first night. I wait patiently until he looks to me. His eyes wash over me as he speaks, and for once I feel like he sees something differ

he sees me. I know that's e

open front door. Dav

close behind him as he exits the house. We come upo

s way-with your

ses the door. The familiar man is in the drivers seat. He glances back to David and with another nod, the engine starts. I don't bother looking over the town one last time as we drive through

s lip as he thinks. My eyes run over his large bicep and trail down the side of his body. I hold my breath and bring my eyes back to my knees. If I made things easy, maybe he

nery, driver, David, my lap, and repeat. Eventually, I bring my bag onto my lap and sift through for my phone. I see a message from my mother w

David. He's taken t

ay softly, mindf

es me. He nods and cont

shift my body to face him. "

ys, "

uldn't hav

ouldn't

face forward. "I'm t

yes find his. "What are you t

derstanding? I mean, I told yo

ou'll soon find out

't trust

I d

ll, I don't tru

you apologize for climbing out the window in the middle of the night in an

be better to talk than sit in silence, b

and when he does, his gaze lifts and he ask

under my skin churns and shrinks into nothing. My lips part and close. Would I have? In the mom

us, and I would take it into the city. I would have gotten on a plane to wherever was available, but those are onl

s me. "So that's

t. It cou

look up at his handsome face. We could be inseparable. I could be utter

y face grows hot. "You're rig

room, my tears could release and run free. But home grows farther and farther away, and

ed, alone, in

tcases and two boxes are along the wall where a portrait of a delicate, w

The steps wrap around the walls as an antique-looking chandelier hangs down. I travel down the staircase, running my fingertips along the handrail, wond

hen is lined with tall, dark green cabinets and centered around a counter island with a white countertop that shines as if chunks of gems are emb

de. I unlock them and step through, examining my surroundings f

breath of

front of me, yet no one is

? How long wa

un

ee you've found your way around," he says, "I'm Jeremy. The Alpha has assigned me to be your personal aid as yo

you know where D

nt. "It's hard to say, but I would gue

e w

lls-or means of self-defense for those who are not so interested in spa

ds but nothing crazy. Peo

e who have recently had their first shift. The A

eet. "Why? Is it

ion. Not many come looking for trouble," Jeremy explains. "I know this may be overwhelming. F

ad back inside. "So can you show me to the

evening if you are a

t. I just don't know what I

can make you something to eat. She is here in the mornings and the evenings. The rest of your day is open for you to do as you please; tomorrow

but I never paid attention when he spoke about news or conflicts. You should know th

He's aware that you are not prepared-who could be? I'm here to help yo

you'll have your wo

and asks, "So

ound? All I've seen

I ca