I know time had passed me by however I had no idea the actual amount of time that left me. There was no clock to give me the hour. There was no sun light or moon light that was able to pass through the light resistant curtains. There was nothing but the darkness and mental note I had hung up in my head.

What the hell just happened?

I had risen from my slumber but the energy to rise from the bedding was not in me.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I allowed this to happen...again.

Am I that weak?

I had allowed this ruthless, obnoxious, yet sexual demonic creature to please me yet again.

Damn my weak control.

I tensed up when the warm breath of this maniac brushed against the skin of my shoulder, leaving behind risen chill bumps on my flesh. It was strangely comforting. I shifted slightly, questioning the hold of his arm around my waist. Testing my luck, I attempt to remove his arm without waking the beast from his deep slumber.

Escaping the prison of his tight grasp, I stood to feet, glancing over my shoulder to make sure he was still asleep. His eyes still shut; he shifted to his side, pulling the covers over his head.

I smiled. He was sort of...cute.

Clothes splattered around the room, it was almost impossible to see which actually belonged to me in the dark. My fingers slipped through the curtain, spreading the material just wide enough to allow a little light into room. Sun.

The morning glow creeped into the room, splattering rays of light onto the walls and the flooring. Just enough to light my way and keep enough darkness to keep him sound asleep.

Slipping my shorts on and tying up my hair, I was disappointed when I saw the shredded material of my blouse. Just my luck. I picked up my underwear. Peaking at the man that remained under the comforter, I stuffed the soft cotton into the pocket.

I need a shirt.

Tip toeing across the floor, I stumbled into Xavier's vast closet which seemed to be filled with clothing that I knew would not fit my small physique. Sighing lightly, I knew I would have to make do with what I was offered.

"Well this is going to have to work." I whispered in a hush voice as I frowned at the shapeless shirt that draped over my body.

As I made my way to the door, I could only hope that no one was in the halls. How could I explain it? I, the new girl, coming out of the Alpha's corridors with a large shirt and messy hair. The last thing I wanted to do was become another fish in his pond of girls who fell for his distracting charm and wicked attraction.

I touched the door knob, bracing myself for the eyes that may be lingering in the halls. With a turn of my wrist, ignoring the unquiet feeling in my gut, I tugged at the stable door just to notice it did not move. I pulled again. Again, nothing.

"My shirt looks good on you." His voice seemed to vibrate through my bones and up my spine, freezing me dead in my tracks.

I spun around to face him, forcing myself to looking into the eyes of this dangerous yet arousing man. He glared back with a look that I never saw before. A look that, for the first time, did not scream anger or disapproval for me being here.

His eyes shifted from my own and down toward the shirt that he owned. His eye brow raised, his attention fully taken by the hardened nipples that pushed at the white cotton t shirt. I crossed my arms and lowered my head, determined to hide my signs of weakness and the faint blush that kissed my cheeks.

"Where are you going?"

"My room." My voice nearly cracked under the abundance amount of pressure.

"Why?"

"Well, that is my room." My tone became a little sharper. "And that is where I would prefer to be."

Even though his room was fit for a group, large and spacious and furnished with the most lavishing and comfortable things, I still thought returning to my room was the right thing.

"I don't like that answer." She shook his head, disagreeing with me. His arm, broad and strong, slithered around my waist before he pulled me closer. Again, I tensed up, motionless as lips brushed against my forehead.

"I-I- I was going to shower and get cleaned up." The nervousness was obvious.

"Well." He raised his arm, his hand gesturing toward his personal bathroom. "There is one."

"And what am I going to do about clothes?" My head titled as I showed him the shredded shirt of mine.

"I will get them while you're in there."

This confrontation seemed to be getting me nowhere. It was obvious that it was either his way or...his way. Irritated, a growl rumbled from the back of my throat. In return, he unleashed a growl in return, his dominance and authority unleashing one that was much more intimidating then my own.

"Fine." Releasing a heavy sigh, I shoved passed him and walked into his awaiting bathroom.

I was pissed due to his need to control everything. However my inner monster found his dominance quite alluring. It was as if a part of me wanted, or needed to be controlled in a way...

Wrapped up in a plush dark colored towel, I emerged from the steamed filled shower and into the bedroom to see what was in store for me. He was standing by the window, his focus strictly taken by the outside world before he turned to face me.

"Took you long enough." He huffed.

"Sorry."

"Look, I have to leave for a moment. A meeting. It will not take me long." He stepped closer, thinning the gap between his lips and my own. I sucked in a breath, holding it in when his lips nipped at my cheek.

There is was again. Those sparks that soared through my veins and exploded throughout my entire body. Those sparks that were erupting, urging me to create another moment that we shared last night. He stepped back, allowing me to release the breath I held on to.

"Okay" Seemed to be the only word that could leave my lips.

He pulled away and walked out the room without another word to me...

Escaping his room has now become the ultimate challenge for me, especially when I have no business being here.

I looked at my clothes. My face grew sour once I took another glance at the disturbing clothes that Xavier had picked out for me. An overlarge graphic shirt with a pair of jeans that made sure it did not enhance a curve on my body.

That son of a bitch. It was either women fashion was not his thing or his objective was to ruin me for the day.

Without much choice, I put on the clothing before I fixed up my hair. I needed something to at least looking flattering on me. Clothes completely awful and tangled unmanageable hair, I opted to just give up the charade and make my escape.

I opened the door. I looked around. Just as I hoped, the halls were asleep, free of any wondering residents or guest. I slipped out of the room with thoughts still heavy on my shoulder. What if someone sees me? I kept my head low and eyes hidden behind some stray hairs.

Is this what the walk of shame feels like?

As I entered my room, the feeling of success overwhelmed me. With a house full, it was astonishing knowing that I made it unseen by any. I walked over to my closet, my mind full of doubts as I pulled out my own clothing for the day. How could I do this....again?

Temptation had become a burden. Or was it more than the simple urge? Whatever it was, it was putting me in a seat that I wished I was not in. Switching out of clothing and into something a little more insinuating, I decided that I needed to go about my day as if nothing changed. It was nothing new. He does it all the time.

I checked my phone for missed calls or messages. As I suspected, there were a few who seemed to miss me more than any.

Brittany: where the hell are you?

Kevin: hey?

Eric: Hey? Long time no talk. I miss ya punk.

Brittany: hey , you better not be dead!

If Brittany found out what I have done, I mind as well be. I replied, my fingers tingling as I sent out my messages to give them the okay that I was indeed still breathing. After the last message went out, I laid back; my head hit the pillow before I gazed up at the ceiling.

Then there was the smile. The cheeky ear to ear grin that I could not stop myself from making when I thought of him. I'm going to regret this. My conscious told me otherwise.

Then there were the memories of last night. As the butterflies fluttered in my stomach, I could only replay his words in my head. You belong to me. Those spellbinding words that only left me flustered.

I'm playing the fool again....

I fished for my wallet, my mind strictly lost in a mix of emotions. Brittany talked, her lips moving in sync with unknown words that expelled from her mouth. She conversed with Angela, who I assumed was held up in her story until I looked at her.

"Amira?" I looked into the eyes that put me in the center of attention.

"Huh?" I had to snap back into reality.

"Where were you last night?" Brittany finally questioned me after spending ten minutes in my room.

"Oh I-I stepped out for a minute." It seemed to be the only thing I could say as I thought of the perfect yet believable story to offer.

"With who?" She questioned once again, placing me in the hot seat for the second time.

"Look mom, I needed some air last night. Do you mind?"

"Hell yeah I do." She placed her hands on her petite hips as her pink lips narrowed. "I need to know if you are missing or not."

Even though her voice screamed playfulness, I knew she was not fond of my disappearance. Just as any friend, she worried for the safety of one of her girls. It was impossible to tell her I was still in the house in someone else's room.

I shook my head before I looked to Angela, wondering if she felt the same as Brittany. By the look on her face, I could see there were a lot of things she felt. For one, she seemed observant. As her eyes roamed across my body, I could feel my limbs tense up. What was she looking for? Her nostrils flared as she took in a quick whiff of the air around her.

What the hell is she doing?

Her gaze remand on me, even after I sought to look away repeatedly. She was not breaking and I could tell by the strange grin that stretched across her face that she knew something more than Brittany did.

"Any who, we are going to the mall later. Will you be ready?" Brittany insisted.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

I could not stand to even look into Angela's eyes as they took leave of my room. Maybe I'm going crazy? What could she possibly know? I cleared my mind, struggling to put myself at ease despite my over worked imagination. I'm going crazy...

"The next time you want to pull a disappearing act, let us know. Leave a note or something." Brittany rambled on about a subject I had hoped we put to rest earlier this day.

"Okay okay. Now can we shop?"

"Okay." She gave me a look of warning. A look that I saw too many times from my mother.

"I will let you know, okay?"

"Yeah, you better." Her stern look was breaking, slowly being torn apart by my frowning lips and innocent eyes before a smile broke through her barrier.

"Now, go try these dresses on." I shoved two gowns into her hands before I pushed her into the fitting room.

Now that she was off of my case, I could go back to an afternoon of shopping and a clear filled peace of mind. Or so I assumed.

"Someone was still in the house. All....night...long." Without turning to make the appropriate eye contact, I continued shuffling through the dress racks.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

"I went out for a quick run. Nothing special." I kept my confidence in my lie.

"Oh come on Amira, you're practically smothered in my brother's scent."

"Sshh."

I tugged her deeper into the store and away from Brittany's dressing room. The last thing I needed right now was another lecture about my actions. Actually, I would get more than a lecture. I would get a few grimace looks and some negative feedback.

"Honestly? With me? Alpha blood is swimming through my veins. You know that scent you probably thought you washed away and covered in perfume? That scent that most could not catch on to? I can smell it and I must say I'm surprised. Why did you not tell me?"

What the fuck did she expect me to say to her? Come up to her and bring to her attention that I was engaged in some crazy things with her brother. By the look on her face, she expected a story behind the scent. I expected my stomach to drop just like I hoped this conversation did.

"I just...didn't want anyone to know." I admitted as I glanced over at the still occupied stalls.

"Well, I guess I'm not the only one with a secret huh?"...

As we rode home, it was evident that I was tense. With my secret no longer a personal secret, I felt the need to hide under my blanket. Walking into the house, it felt as though everyone knew. Even though no one even took a second glance at me, it just felt like I was in the middle.

"So what can we do to help?" Warriors and our leaders stood in the kitchen, their focus strictly set on business alone.

Then there it was his voice. Powerful. Masculine. Full of authority that most would instantly fear. I on the other hand found it quite alluring in a way. I had to calm myself.

"Well at the time, the most we can do is assist with training. Combat focus. Skill tactics. Help them learn what we know as fighters."

"What is going on?" Angela made our presence known when she requested some information for the reason there was a personal meeting in the kitchen.

"Hunters. They have been found around the White Mountain area. Even though no attacks have been made, they still sought some allies just in case." Xavier assured. Shifty eyes bounced back and forth from Angela and Brittany until they landed on my own. I felt the temperature rise again as I tugged at the material of my dress.

He frowned, his gaze simply taken by the outfit I switched into after he took leave. Unable to accept his glare, I looked down, avoiding all eye contact with him. I could not let anyone notice this.

"The Alpha and the others in command will be coming in a few days' time. Training will commence soon for their sake and ours." Xavier ripped his eyes away from mine before he refocused on the group in front of him.

"That should be fun." Angela rolled her eyes. Her face screamed distaste for the upcoming party.

I guess they will not receive the welcome wagon from her.

"It has to be done." By Xavier's heavy sigh, I knew he was not fond of the guest as well.

"When will they be here?"

"In two or three days."

The thought of more people roaming the house put me at a standstill.

The meeting at its end, Xavier dismissed everyone, sending them to do their daily duties for the time. Finding the discussion over, I decided to follow everyone out. However, Xavier thought otherwise. A strengthen grip on my forearm, he tugged me back into the kitchen, watching as everyone left before his attention turned on me.

"I don't think that is what I picked out." He quickly turned his attention to my skater dress. I was instantly hit with this weird feeling. It was as if his approval was a need.

I quickly snapped back into reality.

"Well those clothes you wanted me to wear were horrible in my eyes."

"Those clothes were picked for a reason." His once gleaming grin had now narrowed.

"Why? To look like a clown in them?"

"No. It's to keep you more unnoticed."

All of a sudden he cares about others noticing me? I knew what we did last night would have a great impact on us but I did not know things would seem like this. Where is he getting at? He was showing his possessive tendencies. As most would find it bothering, I found it quite...arousing.

"Look." I placed my hand on his chest to push back, determined to increase the gap between him and I as I ignored the desire to rub him down as my skin made contact with his. "I don't think we should be so...obvious."

"Obvious? What do you mean?"

"The way we stare at each other. People will catch on to that. And not to mention your scent is practically blanketing me."

"Hmm since you find it as a damn problem, what is your plan then?" I could tell he was growing frustrated by the conversation.

"Um...I don't know. Sort of cut down on the touching maybe."

"So you want me to stop touching you?"

"No! Yes. No!..um I'm not sure."

"Make up your damn mind." He cut in.

"Maybe we could keep the touching and conversations in the confinement of your room or mine."

"The only time I even have time to myself in my room is during the late hours. You want me to wait until then?"

It was getting hard to explain. By the look on his face, I could tell he didn't even want me to explain it. He did not fancy my idea. I sort of didn't fancy it either however maybe it was best that we keep this under the radar. Whatever this is.

"Yes?" I had my doubts.

"Fine." He held his hands up in defeat. "I...wont..touch..you."

With those last words he left the kitchen without even a second glance at me. I frowned. Did I really make the best decision?