my eyes with a small groan, my nose scrunched up slightly, as I gaze around in confusion, and rub at my eyes... Trying to determine where I am. I realize I'm in Niko's room, well, I suppose it's room, back in human form, with my black color on, one of Niko's button-ups, a pair of red lace panties, and my thigh-high black socks...

What happ... Oh right! Yesterday, when I woke up from my nap on the Infirmary floor, I spent the whole day with Niko! And Robyn, and Lukah, and Finn, and the rest of the brothers, and Calder, and Allistar!

As I look around, my eyes finally adjusting to the dimness of the large space, I realize Lukah is tucked cozily into the over-stuffed sofa in the corner of the room, a blanket draped over him, while Finn sleeps beside him, sitting up with Lukah's feet on his lap, and Robyn is cuddled into my chest... My head once tucked into his neck.

"Stop fidgeting Ravyn... You make it very hard to sleep..." Robyn suddenly mumbles from beside me, nuzzling his face further into my shoulder, as I stop my small fidgets, and sigh softly. Ever since I woke up yesterday, I can't get them off my back! Robyn, Lukah, and Niko are excused, I mean come on! But the other seven brothers, not to mention Calder and Allistar, who are a freaking couple by the way, think they can't leave my side for a second!

Thankfully, and this is why I love him, Niko only allowed Robyn and Lukah, and Finn but that's only because he comes with Lukah, into the room with me at all times of the day... I mean, don't get me wrong! I adore Robyn and the rest of them, but I do need some time to myself!

I snake my way out of Robyn and Niko's tight grasp, replacing me with two of my body pillows that I to sleep with every Night, and slide off the warm bed. I stumble into the Loo, splash some cold water on my face, quickly use the toilet, wash my hands, brush my teeth, and then slip out with a yawn.

I quietly pull open the door, just enough so I can fit through, and slide out into the cold, dimly lit Corridor. I rub at my eyes again, giving another series of yawns, before I shake off my previous exhaustion, and head downstairs. If they catch me wandering around on my own, I will be Punished for this... But...... Oh well! I'll be fine! I'm sure...

" Shit, Goddess, Fuck!" I curse loudly, as I trip over my own tail, and tumble down the rest of the stairs. I feel like I've done this before... I really do... I land on my back at the very bottom, a groan escaping my lips, as I pull myself into a sitting position, and rub at my head.

I hear footsteps rapidly approaching me, but I know that if they find me, I will be sent straight back to my room, so, like the very logical person that I am, I pull myself onto my feet, wobbling a little bit due to how clumsy and naturally unsteady I am, and dash off in the opposite direction.

I run and run, running until my chest burns with each breath and my legs feel like they are about to give out from under me, as I hear sharp curses from behind me, which fuels me with adrenaline all over again, and then the sound of footsteps pound behind me.

I continue to run, weaving down Corridors, through large rooms that I'm too distracted to actually look at and admire, and past very confused and frightened Maids and Servants. I turn my head back to see a very, very, pissed off Vampire running after me, his eyes blazing crimson, and, of fucking course, while I'm distracted, I don't realize a giant Guard, which Niko had increased around the Manor for mine and Robyn's safety, had stepped in front of my path, until I run straight into him, and fall back with a yelp.

" Dammit!" I curse softly, as my bum hits the floor, and I give a small cry. I quickly recover, and pull myself to my feet. I attempt, key word here people, key word, to get past the burly, very muscular Guard, but....... Niko quickly catches up right as I'm crouched down to hopefully jump past him or over him or something, and snakes his arm 'round my thin waist.

" Stop struggling..." Niko hisses into my ear, earning a small huff from me, as he spins me around in his grasp, and looks at me sternly. I flatten my ears, giving an aggravated scoff, as he grasps my chin in his hand tightly, and glares at me.

" Why would you run?! You need to stay in my sight at all times!" He seethes, making me growl lowly at him, as I push him away, my eyes narrowed, and turn around with my arms crossed over my chest.

" I'm not just some object you can keep hidden away and locked up all the time! Shifters need to be outside daily, and we need to have some time alone! I don't want to be locked inside all the time..." I growl, ending with a small whisper, as my shoulders slump, and I wrap my arms around myself tightly.

" Come on... I'm sorry I've been keeping you inside all day... We can go out after you have some food and get dressed." Niko sighs softly, making me perk up in less than a minute, as I whirl around, and throw myself at him with a happy squeal.

He chuckles softly, wrapping his arms around my waist, as I smash my lips against his greedily, and tangle my hands into his thick hair. He kisses me back, nibbling on my bottom lip gently, which earns a soft moan from me, as he plunges his tongue into my mouth, and then pulls back.

" C'mon..." He pants softly, making me nod eagerly, as I grab his hand, and tug him into the Kitchen... Excited that I finally get to go outside... Somewhere I haven't been in three weeks.

After a delicious meal of raw chicken and a slice of Chocolate Cake made by Jazz, Niko quickly gets me dressed in a pair of black skinny jeans that hug my tiny legs nicely, a thick white jumper with a Panda on the front, a black beanie, white combat boots, and a black scarf, before he takes me out of the Wardrobe, and, after I place a gentle kiss on Robyn's cheek, then down into the front Garden.

He places me down in the thick snow, eliciting a happy squeal from me, as I sit in the 'frog position', ignoring the cold that soaks through my legs, and dab my hands into the white powder. I look back, craning my neck up, and smile at Niko... My eyes squeezed shut, as I scrunch up my nose, and give a giggle.

" You should giggle like that more often Precious... It sounds so Angelic when you do." Niko purrs, making my already flushed cheeks turn even redder, as I open one eye, and look up at him shyly through my thick black lashes.

He sits down on the first step of the porch, places his elbows on his knees, folds his hands together, and rests his chin on the folded digits, as he watches me fondly, but keeps his focus mainly on our surroundings in case someone tries to sneak attack us.

' RAVYN?! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!' I jump, my eyes springing open and going wide with shock and surprise, as Robyn suddenly decides to scream at me through our link, and I nearly have an accident from how much he scared me.

' Goddess Robyn! I'm fine! Niko took me out into the front Garden! And you scared the absolutely Hell out of me!' I snap to him in response, my heart going a mile a minute, as he responds with a 'sorry', and then blocks off our link.

" Are you okay Ravyn?!" Niko is instantly on his feet, eyes going everywhere, as I look up at him with a very dramatic eye-roll, and wave off his worry. Once he's sure there is absolutely no danger around, he sits back down, but makes sure to stay alert, as I turn away from him, and continue to play around in the snow.

I pull myself up on my feet, give a happy squeal, and front-flip forward. Mid-flip, I shift into my Fox, and land on my paws in the thick snow that comes up to my chest. As I bow my head to lick at my chest fur, I realize, with utter shock, that I am snow white now... With a bit of black on my paws and a stripe of black down my back and tail.

" Hm... You've taken your Winter coat! You look absolutely gorgeous my Darling." Niko purrs from behind me, making me spin around with my white, black stripped tail wagging wildly behind me, as I give a happy yip, and bound around in the snow... Not feeling even a bit cold thanks to my thick fur.

I roll around in the snow, my tongue hanging out from the side of my mouth, as I roll about, and give a happy 'laugh'. A little while later, after I've played and played and played, letting out all of my pent-up energy, I hear the sound of swishing air above me, and, as I look up with confusion, Niko puts himself over me in an instant... Blocking me from seeing what is above us.

" Take him inside." Niko growls softly, confusing me for a moment, before I feel teeth grab my scruff, and I'm pulled up into the air. I look around, trying to understand what's happening, but I am carried inside before I can see anything, and the doors close all too soon.

Finn, who is holding me, places me down on the Foyer floor, but, just as I rear up on my haunches to race to the front windows, he blocks my path with one of his massive paws, and I slump over it with a small whimper. He rolls me over, so I'm laying on my belly on the floor, and places his paw over my back... Preventing me from moving very much. What the heck is happening?! Who... Who's out there?!