Zoey played with the ends of her hair as she stared up at the ceiling. It had been a few hours since she was carried back to the house and left there.

Rackety bangs came from the front of the house as they repaired the door. Linda suggested we move into another house as this one was old and would take many repairs. Zoey declined her offer. She felt more comfortable in this little one than in someone else's. She also got the feeling that Jaxson would disapprove.

Zoey's door creaked open, and her eyes snapped to see Jaxson coming into the room. She gasped and scrambled to the back of her bed, putting distance between them. Seeing Jaxson's face reminded her of how he almost killed her.He put his hands up, signaling he meant no harm.

"I'm so sorry, Zoey. I never meant to hurt you."

Jaxson came closer, but she stuck her hand up, jolting at his movement. Her body quivered, and she was on the verge of tears.

"P-please don't! I-I need you to stay away until I know you are s-safe."

He let out a deep breath. "That's going to be hard. I was ordered to be with you every second of the day."

Zoey's eyes flickered over every inch of her face examining for any signs of danger.

"W-will you attack me again?"

"I hope not. I know what it feels like when I start to lose control, so if it happens, I can warn you."

Zoey nodded, feeling slightly better.

"Can you at least leave me alone for tonight? I want to be alone."

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything."

Zoey laid back in the bed and pulled the covers over her. Her tears finally left her eyes, and she wept into her pillow.

Jaxson's heart pinched as he smelt her salty tears. He could hear how heartbroken she was in her cries.

~~~~

As Jaxson had said, they did spend every waking minute together. It took Zoey a bit of time to trust that he wouldn't shift and attack her again.

Zoey feared he would soon as Jaxson tried to sneak out a few times to let his beast out, but he was always caught and yelled at. They told him that he should take Zoey with him if he really needed to go. They both knew she wasn't ready for that.

Zoey flipped a page in her book and glanced up at Jaxson. He was making breakfast for them and had his back turned to her. Zoey couldn't help but let her eyes run over the muscles in his shirtless back. She couldn't deny how attractive this man was, and the more she spent with him, the more she thought that.

Jaxson abruptly turned around, asking her how she liked her eggs. She quickly shifted her eyes, hoping he didn't see her. Pink spread from her cheeks to her ears.

Jaxson later set down two steaming plates of eggs and bacon.

The only thing they heard was forks clinking against the plates and chewing.

Most of their conversations were pretty basic, like what are your hobbies? What's your favorite food? Etc. Zoey felt he never wanted to have a conversation further than that. That he was afraid to get to know the real her. Zoey, on the other hand, was ready for something more.

"So, what's the deal with your uncle?"

Jaxson lifted an eyes brow and gave her a look that said, "do we really need to do this in the morning." But Zoey didn't care.

She nodded, urging him to go on.

"My uncle Marcus," Jaxson spat as if the name left a bad taste in his mouth. "He was the one who prepared me to find you."

"Marcus took over as my guardian when my father passed. He was a kind man when I was younger and raised me well, but when it was time to start training me, he changed. He talked to me less like a nephew or a son and more like a pawn in his plan."

"What happened to your mother?"

"She... well, I don't know. When I was about two, she disappeared. Some say the women took control of her while others say she couldn't handle the pack, aka my mark, so she left."

Jaxson's voice quivered on his last word. He thought he had let go of his hold on his mother, but it was still there.

"I'm sorry. It must have been hard growing up without them."

Jaxson nodded slowly and swallowed.

"What about your parents?"

"My parents are good people... at times. They get caught up with the world and forget they have a daughter at home waiting for them. I spent most of my childhood alone when my brother Adam moved out."

"I guess that's something we have in common. Loneliness."

Zoey nodded, glancing up into the shadows. She stared intensely at them, almost making out eyes within them. She tore her eyes away quickly, pink spreading across her cheeks.

"I mean, I wasn't always alone. I had a few friends here and there. Did you?"

"Not really. Most people would avoid me as I had the mark. To them, I seemed above them instead of an equal. Half of the pack doesn't want the curse to end. The only ones who do are the ones who lost someone to it. The children in the pack don't fully understand why it needs to be broken, and they see it as I'm taking their toy."

Zoey's heart ached as she learned of this. She couldn't imagine what it is like to have no mother and father and no friends to comfort you.

"The only one I really had was my brother."

"I didn't know you have a brother."

"He's- I don't want to talk about him."Jaxson lowered his head, looking at the plate of eggs on his plate.

Zoey placed her hand on his arm, brushing lightly on his skin. A soft, compassionate smile tugged at her lips.

Jaxsons gaze drifted to her leg and frowned. Zoey knew he felt bad about what he did to her. He wouldn't even let her walk for a few days. He offered to carry her places but she still was afraid of him. It seemed mostly healed now, leaving only a scab. She could at least walk now.

Jaxson lifted his head. "Do you want to go do something fun?"

She glanced at him and blinked.

"Sure."

Jaxson had guided her out into the woods. Deep into the woods. On their trek through the forest, Zoey noticed the trees seemed thicker before they got to the village.

"I used to sneak away a lot when I was younger."

He finally spoke up. "I got lost one time and wandered for hours."

They stepped through a clump of trees, and Zoey's jaw dropped."I found this."

Zoey's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the moonlight reflecting off the glistening water. The lake was beautiful. It was clear and refreshing, giving her the urge to take a dive.

"Follow me."

They went back into the forest, walking towards the other side of the lake. Zoey looked back to the lake any chance she got, wanting to drink up the view.

Jaxson stopped at a small cliff about ten feet from the water. He sat, letting his feet dangle off the edge. Zoey sat next to him, keeping her feet on land. They watched as deer came to drink from the rejuvenating waters.

"How often do you come here?"

"Whenever I can. I spend more time here than in the village."

"I'm sorry."

Zoey suddenly blurted. Guilt had bit at her heart for the last few days.

"Why are you sorry? It's not your fault."

"I know, but I feel guilty. I am a part in breaking the curse. You needed to find me. So I feel half responsible."

"You have no reason to feel guilty. If anyone should be feeling guilty, it's that witch that cursed us."

She nodded slightly. Wanting to believe it herself.

"We'll find a way to break the curse. We're close. I can feel it."

Jaxson suddenly stood up from the ground.

"Okay, enough of that. Let's do something entertaining."

He pulled off his shirt and shoes, placing them on a rock.

"What are you doing?"

Zoey asked after adverting her eyes.

"Have you ever been cliff jumping?"

"Yes, one time with you, remember?"

He chuckled, the memory playing in his mind.

"Oh yes, how could I forget."

A sly smirk danced on his lips. "It's like that but more fun."

Zoey glanced down the cliff at the waters below, and an uneasy feeling filled her stomach. She had never been good with heights.

"What is up with you and making me jump off cliffs?"

"Come on, Zoey, live a little."

He teased while shrugging off his shorts, leaving him in his boxers.

"I don't if-" she went to say but stopped as Jaxson dashed past her and leaped straight off the cliff. Zoey's eyes widened in concern as he hit the water. Her heart lept into her throat as she watched the water waiting for him to come back up. She shouted his name as the bubbles from his jump faded, and there was still no sign of him.

She kicked off her shoes, getting ready to jump in after him. Zoey leaned back over to yell for him again, but her eyes caught his head sticking out of the water, an amused grin on his face.

"So you do care about me?"

He shouted the words he did the last time Zoey had lost him.

She rolled her eyes, a flush creeping up into her cheeks.

"You're going to wish you drowned by the time I get down there!"

"You mean if you get down here!"

Zoey pulled off her shirt, leaving her in a sports bra and leggings. That was all she would take off.

Determination warmed her veins, but she lost it once she looked at how far the cliff was. She stepped away quickly, worried the invisible pull would yank her down into the dark water.

"Come on, Zoey. You can't be afraid forever!"

She glared, wanting to shout that she could. But she knew Jaxson was right.

With one last deep breath, she leaped off the cliff.

Her stomach dropped as she fell down. Water engulfed her, soaking into her clothes as she hit the surface. Her nose burned as water snuck up it. Zoey kicked her feet, pushing her to the top. She broke the surface, taking a deep breath. Her heart was pounding from the adrenaline.

"There you go! That was great!"

A beaming simile crossed Zoey's lips as she looked up to the cliff. The cliff appeared smaller down here than it did up there.

Zoey couldn't believe she actually did. She would have never done anything like that if Jaxson wasn't here.

"Follow me."Jaxson swam towards the shore, where it was more shallow. Once Zoey's feet were able to touch, she attacked.

She stuck her foot behind his, pulling his arm and pushing his other shoulder, dunking him underwater. A move her brother had shown her a couple summers ago.

He lifted his head from the water and wiped his eyes.

"Do you really want to try me, Zoey?"

She splashed his face giving him her answer.

Jaxson instantly attacked her, pulling both of them back underwater. The two laughed as they fought and played for hours under the moonlight.

Zoey found herself lying in a foot of water under Jaxson as the sky turned dark blue. He ran his hands over her sides tickling her.

"Okay, I give! I give!"

Jaxson chuckled; his eyes gazed into her eyes which glittered with joy. He allowed his eyes to travel over her face before resting on her beautiful smile. More specifically, her lips.

Jaxson felt the hunger once again in the pit of his gut. Without pushing it away or stopping it from what it wanted. He gave in to it.

Zoey's eyes widened as Jaxson pressed his lips to hers.

Thanks for reading!!