Arianna…

It's been a few months since I came home. My parents were so happy to see me, they threw me a welcome home party. Marissa was there with my parents when we pulled into the station. I missed her so much. When I was settled in back home, she visited me and I told her everything that had happened. She held me as I cried on her shoulder.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. I just want to be with my family right now."

"Are you going to forgive him?"

"I think I already have, but I need time."

"Then let him sweat a bit. If he loves you, he'll wait."

"I guess he will."

Marissa tried to keep my mind off of things by taking me shopping and meeting up with old friends from school. That is one thing I truly miss. All I ever wanted was to be a doctor. I want to go back, but my heart is not there yet. When I am alone, my thoughts often drift to Hunter. I guess I should call him. I haven't since I arrived home, except for when I first arrived. I looked over at the clock. It's after 9pm, but maybe he's still awake. He gave me his cell phone number because the last time I called, it took me neatly a half an hour to get through to him through the main house line. After a deep breath, I dialed his number, and he answered after a few rings.

"Hello?"

"Hi...Hunter? It's Arianna."

"It's so good to hear from you. I miss you."

"I...miss you too."

"Do you?"

"I do."

"Arianna, I'm glad you called. Next week is the Winter Solstice celebration. There is a ball thrown for all of the Alphas from neighboring pacts. It's an elegant celebration, and I was wondering if you'd go as my date."

"Where is it?"

"It's held at a neutral location in South Dakota. It's a short flight from the pack house. I could get you on a train and we can go together. That is...if you would like to go?"

"It's next Saturday?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll go with you."

"Really?"

"Really."

"That's wonderful! I mean...I'm so happy you're coming. So...I'll make all of the arrangements. I'll call you as soon as I have everything settled."

"Okay. I guess I'll see you next week then."

"I can't wait. You have no idea how much I miss you."

"Hunter…"

"It's okay Arianna. You don't have to say anything. I'm going to prove to you that I can change. I'm going to make it up to you somehow."

I wasn't sure what to say. I wanted to say so many things, ask so many questions, but I wanted to do it in person.

"I guess we have a lot to discuss, but maybe in person."

"Anything you want. I'll see you soon."

"By Hunter."

Just one week to go.

Hunter…

Today is the day. Arianna is coming to see me and I can't wait to see her. Her train is delayed and I am feeling anxious standing here waiting for her to arrive. I finally hear on the overhead that her train has arrived and I start looking for her. After 10 minutes, she finally emerges from the crowd, pulling a large suitcase behind her. I don't hesitate to walk over to her. She finally sees me, and much to my surprise, she drops her suitcase and runs into my arms. I'm so taken back. I did not expect that, but it makes my heart soar. I have missed her so much. She left all of her clothes behind in the cabin she was living in, and that's where I have been staying these past months. Her scent was the only thing that helped me sleep at night. I know it's creepy, but I slept with one of her shirts on the pillow so I could have her scent with me as I fell asleep. It's not the same as this though. I scooped her up into my arms and held her close to me.

"It's so good to see you."

"I missed you so much Hunter."

"You have? I really thought you hated me now."

"I don't."

For the first time in a while, I felt at peace.

"Let's go. You must be hungry and tired from your long trip."

"You can probably put me down now."

I forgot I was holding her. She's at least a foot shorter than me, and I had to pick her up in my arms to hug her properly.

"I don't want to."

She giggled in my ear. Pure bliss. She's so cute. I can feel Aden's joy as well. He's very happy and excited. I reluctantly put her down, grabbed her suitcase with one hand, and her hand in my other one. She smiled at me and I led the way to the car. Once I got her and her suitcase inside, we headed back home. I glanced at her, and then noticed she had changed her hair back.

"I like your hair like this better."

"Oh...Marissa helped me with it."

"Marissa?"

"My best friend. We were roommates in college before…."

"Before I took you away?"

"Yes. We grew up together. She's like my sister."

"I just realized that I don't know much about you. Do you have any siblings?"

"No. I'm an only child. My mother is a nurse and my father is a doctor. They have a family practice together."

"That sounds nice."

"What about you?"

"No siblings. An only child just like you. As you know, both of my parents are dead now so...it's just me."

"Hunter...I was thinking….maybe...I could stay for a while. To get to know you, and maybe…"

My heart started thumping wildly in my chest. She wants to stay?

"You can stay forever Arianna."

She didn't say anything else. She reached over and took my hand in her little one, causing tingles to run up my arm. I squeezed her hand back. We shortly arrived at the pack house, and I pulled up to the main door. We both got out and I went around back to grab her suitcase. I started walking towards the door, thinking she was behind me.

"So...I had the room next to mine made up for you…"

I looked next to me and she wasn't there. When I looked behind me, she was still standing by the car.

"Arianna? You okay?"

She was fiddling with her hands and staring at the house. I went back to her and took her hand in mine.

"What's wrong?"

"I'm staying inside?"

"Yes...oh….Ari...I'm sorry. You never have to go back to that cabin. I want you to stay in the house with me."

"I guess I just assumed…."

"Would you prefer the…"

"No."

"Good. Let's get you settled in then."

This time she followed me. The house was quiet this time of the day, and our footsteps echoed throughout the house.

"Wow….it seems even bigger inside."

"A lot of people live here."

I led the way upstairs to her room, and opened the door for her. She looked around and smiled.

"It's so pretty. I love the colors."

I had the whole room redecorated for her. In light pastels and flowers everywhere. I wanted her to feel comfortable.

"You like it?"

"Very much."

"You left all of your clothes and stuff behind, so I had them all brought up here."

"Thank you."

"Are you hungry?"

"Starving."

"I'll have Maria bring us up some lunch."

"If you have work or something you don't have to stay."

"There's nothing that needs my attention more than you."

She smiled at me and that simple smile warmed my heart more than I ever thought possible. I called down to Maria and ordered us a large lunch. When it arrived, we sat out on the balcony of Arianna's room and ate. Arianna was smiling and laughing. Telling me all about her best friend Marissa and all the crazy stuff they went through growing up.

"What about you?"

"There's not much to tell. All politics and stuff."

"You were never a kid?"

"I was. At a young age I had to train as Alpha. Always training."

"Sounds harsh."

"It was...but what would you expect? So much pressure is put on the Alpha. Strong, fearless, and powerful."

"Well, you lived up to that for sure."

"Arianna...I can never apologize enough for how I treated you. Somehow...I hope to earn your trust again."

"You have already started."

"Are you feeling up for a walk?"

"I think so."