"Dad," I whispered, letting out a shaky breath of air. Thankfully, my heart started to slow down to a pace that I was comfortable with, it was no longer violently beating, no longer loud enough that I could hear it as though it was connected to a billion speakers. Even the bright lights seemed to dull down. "It's you."

I tried my hardest to hold in my tears of delight, relief sinking in.

He stood still, my dad slowly turning his head from side to side as he looked around. The hood still pulled over his head, it had loosened a bit, just enough to see the top of his light hair poking out. I noted that he was eyeing the corners the most, the ones he deemed 'the best hiding spots' when I was three and cheated at hide and go seek. After his examination, my dad's hand cautiously reached up to take hold of the frame, my weapon. I snuck in a peek at it to notice that it was occupying one of my elementary school pictures, back when I had straight-across bangs and tiny fake s'mores for earrings. All in all, very threatening. Watching my every move, he took it away, and I let him. "Emmy, do you see anyone else in the room? Is there someone in the house?" He questioned me carefully. Giving me this look, that 'you're cracked' look, it was easy to tell as a flicker of humour lit up his face and the edge of his lips tilted up. He was looking at me as though I had fifteen heads.

He thinks I'm crazy. Absolutely nuts.

Shaking my head, "No, Dad. I was just watching a scary movie, that's all." Before he could reply I hurled myself into his arms, the scent of lavender soap filling up my nostrils as I shoved my face into his chest. Holding back a cry of happiness, I wrapped my arms around him even tighter. Yes, he was oblivious most of the time, but he was my rock. And, I didn't care if he lived under one.

His arms went up to return my hug, his hand rubbing my back gently, soothingly. "Are you okay? That must have been a really scary movie. What was it, Over the Hedge?"

"Dad!" I sniffled, quiet laughter accompanying my words. His own hearty chuckle coming after mine. "That is not a scary movie."

"It's not my fault you were terrified of the bear."

"Everyone was terrified of the bear!"

"If they were a raccoon, sure."

"Quit bullying me," I said with a relaxed giggle. "You shouldn't make fun of your favourite daughter like this."

His hands moved to hold onto my arms, pushing me back a little in order to look at my face. Mom's twin, he always said. "You're my only daughter, Emmy. And, as much as I like this father-daughter bonding time, I have a job to get to."

My smile fell almost as fast as it came, "What? But, you never work at night."

"I know, but to make up for missing today I called in to take a night shift at the factory. I was just headed out there now." He nudged his chin towards the kitchen, "I left a note, but it seems like you don't need it now."

My heart dropped once again. Dread overcoming me at the thought of staying in the house alone. You've done it many times before, I reminded myself, but, everything is so different now. "Is there any way you can cancel? I mean, it's not like you need tonight, right? It's okay to skip a day. You can miss a day, it's just a day." My voice was frantic as I started to rush words out, talking without thinking. Pumping through my veins was nothing but pure fear, that and sadness or anger, both even. Whatever, I was a ball of emotions. "Please, don't leave me alone."

"Hey-" he patted my shaking arms in a reassuring matter and made me look him in the eyes, "-are you okay? Are you sure it was just a movie that's bothering you?"

"Yes. Of course. Right. Why am I even freaking out over a movie? It's fine. I'm fine." My arms dropped at my sides as I told him something that wasn't exactly the truth, glancing down at the floor once I felt liquid start to build up in my eyes. Faking a nervous laugh to fool him. "I hope you have a good night at work."

"Emm-" he was cut off by the sound of a car barmping out front. Three times the same harsh noise was sounded off. Once it stopped, my dad started, but he didn't continue, "Look, I really have to go. That's my ride and I can't keep them waiting any longer." He shrugged, "Carpooling."

"Okay," was all I had left to say. There was no use in begging, even if I wanted to. But I didn't know how that would play out, 'Dad, please don't go! Don't leave me alone in the house. There's this crazy werewolf-god after me and I don't know what he's going to do to me once he catches me again. Please, just stay home!' He would probably think I was even crazier than before. It wouldn't matter if he took me seriously. My dad was not freakishly strong, he didn't have an army of people backing him up, nor did he have the power to stand up to the social hierarchy of werewolves. His life and mine would come crashing down as soon as Morpheus announces 'Mate'. Especially if Dad stood in the way of Morpheus claiming what was destined to be his.

Smiling softly, he grabbed his set of house keys that were hung on the key rack. I backed up as I watched him head for the door, his hand twisting the knob. It felt achingly slow and the nervous flutter in my stomach grew with each passing second. Just as he was about to leave he spoke up, "Emery, I'll be back in the morning. If you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to call me. Okay?"

"Okay," I avoided eye contact as I stared at the wall next to him like it was actually interesting.

"Good night, Emmy." The door closed with a click and I immediately locked it, making sure to turn the deadbolt.

The sniffling didn't stop there, it continued until I was a tear stricken mess. These were not happy tears. Using my sleeve as a tissue, I dragged it across my warmed cheeks and obviously reddened nose. A headache began forming, a sure sign of distress, but I ignored it along with the other pain that had started in my heart.

The trudge back to my room was long. The steps felt like they took hours, as if I was on a journey up some huge mountain. My body seemed to fall back every time I moved as I grew tired and uneasy. All I want to do is sleep. Just a good night's sleep. Is that too much to ask for?

I contemplated on calling Viviana, maybe she could spend the night? What about Johnny? Oh, my poor Johnny. It was all my fault. The last memory of him was not a good one. Emery! My god, woman! Don't think about him as though he's dead! I mentally scolded myself. Soon, we would be back to our regular sleepovers, and he would be in the best shape as he could possibly be in.

Then, it struck me. I didn't find my phone. I groaned, "Great, just great."

Of course, I was already at the top of the stairs. Twirling around on my heels, I took the steps back down to the first floor. My gut lurched as an echoing knock sounded against the front door. A knock that sent me spiraling.

My heart tightened in my chest. No. No. No.

My hand grabbed the handle to the stairs, and the other planted itself into the wall. Quickly, my eyes landed on the entrance to the kitchen where the nearest home phone was plugged in and currently charging.

Just as I took another hesitant step, the knock came again. It was heavy against the door, aggressive as a fist was pounded into the only thing separating me from them. Could I make it? I asked myself. Who could I call? Max? Viv? 911? What would they say to me when I tell them it's my supposed mate? Max and Viv might understand, but the authorities? Would they think I'm overreacting and tell me to call when something worse happens?

What if it's not Morpheus?

Once again, they slammed their fists into the door. Two hands were violently shoved into the hard object. The impact left me falling backwards as I jolted my body back in surprise. The sensitive spot on my ankles hitting the hard wood steps, tipping me over until I landed on my butt with a stinging pain. Stumbling and falling over myself as I tried getting up as fast as I could.

This time, there was no knock. The house shook as whoever was outside threw their body at the door. But, it wasn't enough force to knock it off it's hinges. It was, however, enough to send me running and screaming for my room. My legs came to a screeching halt as soon as I stepped inside my bedroom, slamming and locking the door before I did the same to my opened window.

Choking back another sob, I searched the room quickly for a hiding spot. My closet was stuffed and left little room for me to put my body. The space under my bed was good, but was it really good? All I had was those two options. Neither were very promising. My body shut off as my back slid down the wall, and I placed both of my hands over my mouth. Hot, salty tears rolled down my face.

There was no more slamming. The house stayed completely still and silent except for the lengthy intakes of breath that I was taking.

The wind howled outside my house, the window didn't need to be open for me to hear it, tree branches hit against the glass. The sound of the trees rustling followed, but it wasn't the same beat. No, it was much faster and growing louder as though it was moving up. It finally clicked once I heard the loud smash and saw the shattered glass flying around the room, scattering over my floor.

My bloodshot eyes flicked up towards the man towering above me, blood dripping from the side of his cheeks and arms. Scratches were lightly placed over his skin. His chest heaved up and down, a string of low growls escaping his throat as he peered back at me with eyes of obsidian.

Morpheus.