We stayed up for hours, talking through everything. I'd never had such an open, honest conversation with anyone. I felt as if I could say anything, express how I truly felt, without any fear of judgement or repercussions.

I learned about the pack, about how everything worked, about my role. Levi said there was no pressure on me whatsoever, but I couldn't help think about those 400 people, and how much more power they had than me. I was sure to make an idiot of myself, and they probably wouldn't even like me.

I kept my distance, not wanting to rush into things. I mean, yes this man was meant to be my soulmate, destiny and all that, but that didn't mean I wasn't freaking out at the mere thought of kissing him, let alone anything else my body was screaming at me to do.

Eventually I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up in a strange room to light streaming in through a huge window. I panicked for a moment, but then realised I was in a spare room and was still wearing my own clothes, so I must have just been carried here once I fell asleep.

My phone was dead so I had no idea what time it was. It was a beautiful day though, the skies were clear and the sun was shining all over the gardens. I laughed a little, unable to stop myself. I was feeling so happy, so light, so relieved.

I practically skipped down the stairs, wondering if anyone was home. Estelle was at the stove, cooking pancakes. She dropped the pan when she saw me, startled.

"Danielle," she breathed. "I was so worried about you. Look, I'm so sorry about everything, I hope you can forgive me."

I grinned at her, shaking my head. "Honestly, don't be. I understand how hard it was for you all."

She looked at me suspiciously. "But... wait, why are you even here?"

"Uh I came last night, to apologise to Levi for freaking out and I guess I fell asleep at some point." I smiled sheepishly, leaning against the counter. It took Estelle a second to process what I'd said, but her eyes lit up and she laughed happily.

"That explains so much, oh my god!" I laughed with her, and she abandoned her pancakes to come and hug me. "I was sure you were rejecting him, and that we'd never see you again."

I shook my head. "I didn't mean to begin a rejection process or whatever, I just freaked. To be honest, it all makes sense now and like, I'm not complaining." We laughed together, and Estelle squealed happily.

"Do you know how relieved I am? I feel like a thousand weights have been lifted off my shoulders," she exhaled, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Same, because at least now I know why everyone around here was acting crazy, and why I kept getting so sick."

She looked guilty. "I really am sorry."

"Thank you, but I'm not holding anything against you."

We chatted for awhile, and she had to throw out the pancake she was cooking as it started to burn. "You'll stay for breakfast, right?"

I nodded, then we were greeted by a half asleep Georgia.

"Morning," she yawned. She did a double take when she saw me. "You stayed!" She ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist.

I laughed. "Wow, I've never felt so welcome."

Georgia looked at Estelle. "Does this mean you know everything? And that you're staying?"

I nodded, smiling.

"Oh thank god," she exhaled comically, "I'm so bad at secrets. Do you find it weird, knowing?"

I shrugged. "At first, but it's pretty cool."

Georgia's eyes got even wider. "It's so cool. Wait till you see what I can do. I run so fast! Do you want to go outside and I can show you now?"

I opened my mouth, taken aback slightly. I guess that answered my question about kids' abilities.

"Georgia, don't overwhelm her," a deep voice called from the doorway. Levi walked in, carrying a stack of folders.

He smiled warmly, radiating affection towards me. I ducked my head, bashful, and smiled back.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me!" Estelle waved her spatula in the air. "I knew I felt something shift last night but this was the last thing I thought it would be."

Levi chuckled slightly and discarded the folders on the table. He walked over to where I was standing. I stumbled slightly, and he placed a hand on the small of my back.

"Morning," he said softly, not moving his hand. "Hi," I almost-whispered back, smiling, caught in the trance his eyes cast on me.

Estelle couldn't help but squeal. I shot her a look, but laughed anyway. My face was getting sore from smiling so much.

"Busy morning?" I asked Levi, nodding to all the folders. He exhaled and shook his head. "Insanely busy, especially when I have much better places to be."

I chuckled. "You should go work." My heart wasn't really in it though, and the suggestion was quite lacklustre.

He chuckled. "Despite that convincing suggestion, it can wait."

Estelle was teaching Georgia to flip pancakes, so I turned to focus on Levi. Feeling brave, I took his hand playfully. Of course his hand held mine perfectly, as if things couldn't get more sappy and cliche.

"What are you doing today?" He asked, tracing his thumb along the back of my hand. My breath caught in my throat - his skin was practically electric against my own.

"Uh, nothing. I don't think," I swallowed. He smirked at me slightly. "Well, would you like to go out with me?"

"Like a date?" My heart skipped a beat.

"Like a date," he smiled confidently. I wasn't used to him expressing so much emotion, usually it only came in glimpses, but this morning it was as if he was wide open. And happy. It made me happy to see that, and to think that I had some part in it.

I pretended to think about it. "I suppose I could do that."

"Great," he squeezed my hand and headed around the counter, grabbing four glasses.

"Hope you're all hungry," Estelle chirped, tossing a pancake onto the stacked plate that Georgia was holding.

"Are you staying for breakfast?" Georgia asked Levi, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"Sure am, kid. Hey, you need to show me that story you were talking about." He nudged his little sister playfully, and she karate chopped him back.

"Not yet, breakfast is ready!" Estelle called, running around the kitchen.

I smiled to myself, watching their little family. Estelle so easily fell into the role of the mother, and Levi of the protector, the provider. It was special to watch, but also solemn in a way, as I'd never get to meet their parents or see them as a proper family.

We ate slowly, teasing each other relentlessly. Everything felt unnervingly comfortable - I kept stopping and reminding myself that this was all very knew. But it just felt so normal, so right.

Estelle insisted on cleaning up as soon as she heard Levi and I were going out. "My closet is your closet," she insisted, shooing me away.

Levi wouldn't tell me where we were going, saying only to wear something casual and comfortable. I had a quick shower in the guest bathroom, then rummaged through Estelle's huge closet, borrowing a pair of jeans and a loose cotton t-shirt. I considered something a little nicer, but Levi had seen me at my literal worst, so I felt comfortable enough without a full face of makeup and skin tight clothes.

I barely had time to even get nervous, considering we were in the same house and all. Within thirty minutes of breakfast finishing, I was downstairs and ready. Estelle was fussing over my hair, trying to get me to take it out of the pony tail I'd scraped it into, when Levi made his appearance.

I blushed a little, shooing Estelle off me. His hair was damp still, he'd probably washed it in the shower. My face went a deeper red as I realised I was now thinking about him in the shower. Seriously Danielle, pull it together.

"Have fun! I'm so glad I can finally spend a day without worrying that Danielle is going to pass out or end up hospitalised," she teased, earning dry looks from each of us.

Levi led the way to his car, opened the door for me and slid into the driver's seat. That was when it became real, sitting in his car, enveloped in his scent.

What the hell was I doing? I swallowed nervously, my mouth going dry and heart rate rising.

Levi glanced over at me. "You okay?"

I nodded, then shook my head. "Just having a moment. I'll be okay in a second."

He let go of the steering wheel with one hand and reached over to brush my cheek gently. My eyes fluttered closed, and I took a deep breath, grabbing onto his hand like it was some kind of anchor. Finally I returned to normal, shaking my head slightly.

"If anything gets to be too much, just say the word. We are going at the pace you set, no arguments." He said, looking at me, determined.

"I guess it's just all so strange. I'm sorry I keep freaking out," I let out a small, nervous laugh.

He threw me a strong look. "Don't ever apologise for how you feel around me. You're handling this so well, believe me."

I smiled, leaning back into the seat. I could do this. I wanted to do this. To be with Levi. It was what my body had been screaming at me since the moment I laid eyes on him, and now everything was falling together.