"I don't give a shit about what happened," I growled at Lucas. Malcom had stormed out of the room and Lucas was trying to explain what happened.

"Just listen Nicole. He pushed you, I understand that he crossed a line that he shouldn't have. You remember that?" He asks me. I roll my eyes and groan.

"Of course I remember that. He pushed and pushed then he kissed me," I said getting frustrated again.

"You don't remember what happened in between. You went into panic you weren't responsive. He kissed you to help control your breathing," he said getting frustrated at me.

"Like I said. I don't give a damn about the reason. I'm tired and tomorrow I don't have anything to do tomorrow so then try to convince me that what he did was logical," I said. With that he left.

I choke out a cry and wipe my tears as they fall down my face. What fucked up apology is that? I turn off the lights and lay in the darkness for awhile until I eventually fell into a deep sleep.

———

I was in my room. The room that my mom and dad made for me for me to live in as a child. The familiar flowers that were painted on didn't have a single scratch on them.

I look to my bed and see my mom and me but now how I look now. I was a child. Maybe about 5 years old.

She held an old children's book that she used to read to me every night. The white bed frame that didn't have a chip in the paint.

"Mom?" I called out. She kept reading to mini me and smiles at her as she closed the book. Her mouth moved but I couldn't hear her and she couldn't hear me.

I saw a little flame start of from the corner of the room. I tried to say a spell but my magic didn't work.

I watch as the flame engulfs my room and my mom and little me burn into ashes. I scream as everything I had saw burned until there was nothing left.

I stood in the darkness and then I saw a figure shed light into the dark. As she came into view, it was me.

"How does it feel Nicolette?" She asks me as she walks up in front of me. "To know that you could have had more memories like that if you didn't run." My heart dropped as a new scene popped up beside us.

I was older in this memory. We had just moved out of our pack into the woods. My dad grabbed me and threw me into the lake but I pull him in with my magic.

"You could have had more days like this if you weren't a coward." She said. My mom laughed as she jumped in.

"Nicolette."

"Nicolette."

———

I gasp as I sit up in my bed. Tears flow from my face as my chest starts to heave up and down. I look up and see Malcom and I growl.

"Are you okay?" He asks. I nod and hold my hand out.

"Yes ju-just stay away," I choke out. I take deep breaths and clench onto the comforter. I close my eyes and focus on not shaking. I slowly open my eyes to the smell of burning.

I look over and follow the trail of smoke to the wall next to me.

'Coward,

I burned it into the wall while I was sleeping. I choke out a sob and put out the fire. I throw the blanket off of me and run out of the balcony door and onto the ground.

I heard the footsteps of Malcom chasing after me but I had already shifted and run before he stopped me.

I didn't stop running until I felt I was fat enough. I shifted back and found clothes. I could sense the presence of other shifters around.

I walk through some buildings and see a group of children. They played on the playground and in sandboxes. Young wolves were always the cutest. I see other people from the buildings and see them talking while the children play.

'Daycare'

This was a daycare for them. For the parents who don't have time to raise their children in the evenings or mornings so they send them here.

The were dressed from head to toe in warm clothing. Why dress like it with no weather to be warm for.

"Sol-in," I whisper. A burst of clouds appeared above them. I smile as snow fall downs. They playground was filled with laughter and squeals as I watch the two she-wolves marvel at the snow.

"Using you powers in public I see," an unknown voice says from behind me. I let out a string of curses and turn around.

The man behind me looked like Malcom but wasn't. Certain features of this man were different and his eyes were a brilliant blue that popped out.

"Who are you?" I question him. He puts his heart over his chest as if he were offended I didn't know who he was.

"I guess my brother doesn't talk about me," he chuckles. His voice was so deep and he holds his hand out. "I'm Darius. Don't worry. Lucas told me about you and your weird crosses between the three."

"You're Malcom's brother," I wasn't a question but more of a statement. I've heard stories about him but not as many as Malcom.

"I'm the flesh," he smiles. Him and Malcom were worlds apart in personality. I grip his hand and shake it. "Are you a kid person?" I glance back at the children playing in the snow and shrug.

"I like them even though I'm not around them a lot," I said. He nods listening and watches as he listens to the kid's laughing.

"You know the Daycare needs more volunteers. I think they'd like you," he said. I shake my head and lean on the side of one of the buildings.

"I'm only here for about two weeks and a half," I told him.

"I thought you were supposed to stay here for a month," he asks. I mentally count how many days I've been here.

"I've been here for a week and two days," I said.

"Huh," he nods taking that in. "At least consider it. The kids love new people. These are the regulars. The guard's children. So many hours training while their wives work that they can't take care of them. The only times they're not here are on the weekends."

"Do you like children?" I ask him. He shrugs and walks past me and walks into the small field. I follow behind him closely but stay in the shadows.

"Darius," the children squeal as they run to him. He laughs and picks them up in his arms. They all cling to him like a moth to a light. I take a deep breath and step out of the shadows and walk next to Darius.

"Prince Darius what a surprise," one of the ladies says. He smiles but then she looks at me. "Is this your mate?" I choke on my spit and cough a little.

"Oh no she's just my friend," he said denying it. The kids look up at me and wave. I smile and wave back.

"I'm sorry for the accusation I made," she apologizes to me. I shake my head and smile.

"It's okay," I simply said. The kids peeled themselves off of Darius and went back to playing in the snow.

"The snow came randomly today. I didn't think we were supposed to have any but the children live it so I guess it's a good thing," she said talking to Darius.

"The snow is a wonderful thing just make sure to keep the kids warm. Wouldn't want them catching a cold," he said. "I would love to talk more but my friend and I have things to do today." She thanks Darius for stopping by and leads me back to the forest.

"Okay I think what Lucas told me is that you're not supposed to be outside because of something in the forest. So I'm going to take you back to Malcom's place," he said. I didn't want to face him. I didn't was too see the word I burned into the wall. "Lucas' rules so no getting out of this."

I groan as he starts walking back to Malcom's house. I dread facing him. I was pissed about last night and didn't know how long I could talk to him without blowing up on him.

———