* * *
Christine
Eyes watching me.
I’d felt them just after twilight had settled in. Or I’d felt him.
Some would say Steven had resorted to stalking me.
I knew what he was doing. He’d been protecting me from afar.
For almost three hours I’d felt the heavy crackle of electricity and finally when I’d looked outside my back window, I’d witnessed glowing eyes.
Seeing them could terrify most people. The thought of having a wild animal staring at you through your window should scare people, but I was comforted. Even with the reporters hanging around out front, I’d dared open the back door, going out onto the deck.
I’d almost called for him, yet I hadn’t been ready to see him in his natural form. And the way I’d treated him, as if he was a horrible creature and not a human being had nearly destroyed me.
He’d remained. Right there. Doing nothing more than letting me know he’d never allow anything to happen to me.
Only this he couldn’t fix.
Mondays came way too often and too early. It felt especially early for me today. I’d been out the door before seven, thankful the reporters had finally given up sometime during the night. Ihadn’t left my house all day on Sunday, doing nothing more than sulking behind closed doors. Plus, writing a scathing email to my father about why I’d never see him again.
I’d tried to offer several crucial points regarding shifters and how important they’d become to society from articles I’d read. As if that would change his mind, but doing so had given me something to do.
Other than feeling sorry for myself.
And wishing I could turn back time.
Wishing that I hadn’t been so rude to Steven or that I’d told him the truth. But this was my cross to bear. Mine alone.
I was a big girl now and I’d fought for my independence. The last thing I planned on doing was allowing anyone to influence the decisions I made. That’s why I was all alone sitting in a cold, stark room filled with nothing but books and diplomas, my foot tapping on the floor as the fear edged into every part of me.
Every bone.
Every synapse.
Every blood cell.
Just like some evil creature was eating me alive from the inside out.
Maybe that’s what shifters did. My laugh echoed. I’d purchased a book on Kindle, a shifter book that had been around for years so it didn’t reflect the truths about their existence. Instead, the old myths were in place and boy, they were vicious but sexy beasts.
Then again, so was the man I’d confessed internally I was in love with.
Or had I?
The night was a beautiful blur and in truth, all I could remember was the extreme pleasure. Instead of being sore like I thought I’d be, I felt fantastic. There were no feelings of being lightheaded, no rapid thumping of my heart as there had been.
Well, when he’d fucked me that had been entirely different. Of course, my heart had hammered nearly out of my body, but that was different.
Anyway, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say being his mate looked fabulous on me. My skin was glowing. Or perhaps it was my imagination.
When the door opened, I put on a fake smile.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Christine. It’s been a crazy morning.” She had a file in her hand as she moved behind her desk, sitting down.
“That’s okay. I still have a little time before school starts.”
