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Chapter 6

When Dallas Fletcher begins to envisage past dreams that have haunted her for the previous years, she panics and returns to a family that she had been with before. She had left the clan for a reason, but when she is emotionally devastated and alone, she joins them. Will they come to her aid? And now that she is finally old enough to understand, how will she react to the resurfacing secrets of her real family and her true identity?
She was there.

She was right in front of her...

The woman donned a white button-down shirt and a long luminescent yellow skirt. She was sitting on a small partition cross-legged. A deep mysterious aura seemed to surround her whereabouts as she smirked at Dallas.

Her gamine-like figure and sylphlike features were too deceivable. Dallas felt much lured by her. She felt as though the woman was positioning her in an unbreakable trance.

Dallas stepped back, and swallowed a mouthful of air. Somewhere deep down in her heart, a part whispered cynically to her, "She's not going to do anything... go near her."

But, as thoughtless as this may have sounded, Dallas stepped forward: a much longer step that she had taken earlier.

She was now able of setting eyes on the woman's face. A defined jawline, deep hazel eyes, and a set of full cherry pouted lips, clearly meant she was extremely attractive. Her beautifully flowing coffee hair accentuated her elegance. However, something about the glow around her made Dallas uneasy. She shifted her feet into a more comfortable position, and stared at the woman. How could someone so stunning feel so vindictive?

For some reason, Dallas had a strong feeling of recognition.

She tried to rummage through her brain to identify this enigmatic woman. But, the more she thought about it, the more powerless she felt.

These thoughts were disrupted by the woman. She lifted her thread-like finger and gestured for Dallas to come closer. There was no response from Dallas.

Her flawless eyebrows rose and she whispered, "Come here, Dallas."

Dallas gasped silently, and shook her head, slowly.

Her accent was somewhat Anglo-Saxon and her words seemed to embrace the natural velvetiness of her voice. Dallas could have sworn that she had seen those words drifting towards her.

"Don't be afraid, Dallas." She rose from the partition and moved with poise, with the grace of a prima ballerina. Her neon skirt swayed from side to side tracing the movement made by her hips. Dallas felt a bead of sweat trickling down her temple to her neck. She wiped it using her sleeve and staggered backwards.

The woman smiled, mercilessly, and picked up pace with every move she made.

"Dallas," she called out, trying to grab her hand, "you'll be safe with me..."

"No!" Dallas screamed and began running away from her.

The woman merely laughed, and Dallas winced, at the sound of the echoes her laughter had made. "You can run, Dallas. But, you can never hide," she began to say repeatedly.

Now, those words began to reverberate in her head. "You can run, Dallas, but you can't hide."

Dallas began to feel lightheaded. First, the ceiling seemed to be falling down on her and she collapsed on the floor. "Don't hurt me! Don't hurt me!" Was the only thing she managed to choke out before she passed out.

The whole world was a void she could never escape.
"Dallas! Dallas! Wake up, darling," Jared Lachlan cried out to her.

He shook her hard, and motioned to his wife to get him a glass of water.

Dallas opened her eyes, as they met a pair of sea blue ones. She knew who it was: one of her foster parents, Jared Lachlan, a high school History teacher in Olive Grove, a small town in the middle of nowhere in somewhere.

Another set of green ones locked into her own. Her foster mother, Susan Lachlan, another high school teacher who taught Literature.

One thing Dallas knew was that Jared and Susan didn't even look like her - Jared and Susan had blonde hair, while she had deep chocolate hair; they had blue and green eyes, while she had brown eyes - so strangers passing by could easily make out that they were her foster parents, only. This saddened her.

Dallas laid in Jared's arms for a nice five minutes and then struggled to stand up. "Sweetie, no, hold on," he retorted, gently lifting her up as she clung on to the peaked lapels of his suit. She wanted to ask him where he was off to. But, all she managed to choke out were puffs of hot air.

After a while, Dallas found herself in the heat of her quilt. She found Jared at the foot of her bed, tenderly rubbing her feet. "W-W-where are you going?" She stammered to ask him.

He arose and his silhouette towered above Dallas' petite figure.

"Dad, where're you going?" She repeated.

He cleared his throat and replied, his scarf muffling most of the noise, "We're going for dinner to the Crompton's place."

Dallas shrugged as Susan came into view at the doorway. "Is Mom going too?"

"Yes, darling. We'll be back in about an hour or so." He turned around to walked over to Susan, but halted and approached Dallas. "Oliver will be here in a few minutes, it'll be okay." He patted her forehead as she closed her eyes.

She opened them when the massaging stopped.

They were gone.

Jared and Susan picked up their coats and opened the front door.

"Are you sure she's going to be okay?" Susan asked Jared, bending her head down.

Jared gently lifted her chin and gave a small peck on the lips. Tracing the curve of her cheeks, he replied, "She's going to be fine." That did it to assure Susan; she was convinced and they stepped out of the house.

A small snap was heard from the bushes near the Lachlans' two-story house.

Susan turned around, but was interrupted by Jared's embraces. 'Foolish couple', a voice behind the bushes thought.

It was a man. The man emerged from behind the bushes, and removed his tinted shades. His piercing black eyes came into view and he put his glasses back on, when he heard footsteps on the concrete pavement.

That was a young boy. A young boy probably nineteen or twenty, he considered. He had side swept dirty blonde hair and attractive facial features. That was probably Oliver; he recollected the information he had. Parker had sent him here for an important job and he had to do it.

The boy stepped on the welcome mat, rubbed his feet and knocked on the door.

A few knocks and nobody opened it.

Somebody's fast asleep, thought the man, a smile forming at the ends of his lips.

A young girl with messiest hair opened the door and pulled him inside.

He beamed at the sight of the girl. "She looks just like her," he said, with a hint of reminiscence. The man slowly stood up and moved to the gray minivan nearby. He opened the door and stepped inside it. He removed his shades, placing them on the seat next to him. He looked at the small TV near the front of the dashboard and grinned.

He pressed a button and a crackle was heard.

The channel was altered and a room was now visible. It was the girl's room. "So, this is my Jeanette's room," he remarked, snapping his fingers.

He leaned against his seat and placed his legs on the steering wheel. He picked up a flavored slushy that was frozen and began to slurp from the straw.

He looked at the TV and back at the slushy.

Now all he had to do was wait.
What happens during the confrontation between the mystery man and Dallas? Or Jeanette? What?! Thank you for the views; please comment. The picture is of Dallas Fletcher.
Oliver hung his coat on a rack near the closet and dropped three textbooks almost the sizes of telephone directories on the couch, next to where Dallas was seated. He glanced at her as she yawned and rested her legs on the coffee table.

"You're okay?" He asked her, sitting down across from her.

Dallas rubbed her forehead. "Yeah, I'm fine thanks. It's just that..." She began to hesitate.

Even though Oliver was not related to her biologically, he made an outstanding brother. He was the only one she had talked to about her dreams. But that was a few months ago. Wasn't it?

This was not the first time the mysterious woman had paid her a visit. She had been having these dreams for a long time, and halfway, they had supposedly taken a hiatus. She hadn't dreamed about her or any other petrifying things for almost two months. But now why so sudden? Why now out of all the other days? When Dallas was finally making new friends after losing old ones, why did this have to happen?

She felt a little shake. It was Oliver; he gripped her shoulder gently and shook it. "Dallas? Dallas? Are you fine?" He asked her over and over again.

Feeling so vulnerable, she nestled up to Oliver. A wave of realization hit him as he maintained to remain poker-faced. Staring at the blank TV, he asked her, his voice shaky, "The dreams are back, aren't they?"

He felt a slight nod beside his chest. He exhaled slowly and looked at her when she parted from him. "Why do you think so?"

"I don't know. I went to sleep, and I dreamed about her..."

"Did she say anything?"

Dallas struggled. Ever since she had become conscious, she couldn't remember most parts of the dream. The only thing that had popped up was the woman and that Dallas was afraid of her. Nothing else. She figured out she had pieced out other information she remembered, but nothing crossed her mind.

She felt as if the more she wrestled her thoughts, the less the chances of remembering were.

But who could resist the urge to remember their dreams? But the better question was who wouldn't?

Oliver noticed her apprehension and said quickly, "Dal, it's okay. Rest for now."

After a second of contemplation, she stood up and picked up her cell phone. "Hey, where are you going?" He asked her observing her actions. Dallas shook her head, and replied, "I'm going to the library. I want to finish this book and keep my mind off of certain things."

She picked up her sweater from the table, and walked towards the door. "I'll be back in half an hour."

Oliver laughed and forced her to stop. He picked up the book she had been holding and held it up high for her to see. She sighed and hung her head. "I just want to clear my head."

He walked to her and handed her the book. "I saw a man outside; he kept looking here." Dallas raised an eyebrow as he continued, "Are you sure you want to go? I can leave you alone if you want." He flailed his arms in the air and Dallas punched him.

"It's not that, Oliver."

He pulled her into a tight hug and tousled her hair. "I need you back before Mom and Dad get back, okay?" She pulled away, and moved towards the door. "When is that by the way?"

Dallas straightened her halter neck and jeans, and replied, "They'll be back after two hours." She knew she had lied to Oliver but she couldn't help it. She knew she had to unclutter her mind and sort out things. If she did not, she knew she had to do something about it.

These dreams had already made her a hallmark for a freak show at her school, so she had nothing else to lose. She was named the freak of the school for life. She had nothing to lose...

Oliver followed her till the front door, and hugged her. "Please do me a favor and come back early," he pleaded, not letting go off her. Dallas released the bear hug, and smiled in an assuring way, "I'll be back before you know it." She opened the door and looked back at him again. "Watch out for that man, Dallas," he called out, gesturing at the barely visible minivan.

"Ignorance is bliss Oliver," she replied nodding; she stepped out of the house and walked away.

Dallas Fletcher had no idea as to what was ahead of her.
The flavored slushy began to melt away in his hands.

The man woke up with the startling sound of increasing footsteps. The ice of the slushy had melted along his hands and the cold sensation seemed to numb him. This seemed to be the only feeling he had sensed in a long time. At least Jeanette and I have something in common, he thought to himself. He looked at the source of the footsteps and carefully positioned himself further down his seat. After the footsteps grew louder and started to dwindle away, he ascended slightly and got a decent view of the person.

"Ah! It's milady Jeanette," he declared quite loudly.

He had instantaneously noticed that Dallas had glimpsed into the van and had walked past it quickly. He leered and changed the channel in the little TV. The number twenty appeared in digital form on the screen and when the man grinned and snapped his fingers, the number began counting down.

Nineteen, eighteen...

The man intertwined his fingers together, as anticipation flooded his thoughts. Seventeen, sixteen...
Dallas rushed through the pavement and into a little garden. This garden was beside a very old children's playground that was rarely used. Dallas often used this as a sanctuary to unveil her thoughts and seek mental asylum. She hadn't been here for about two months; but destiny had separate plans for her.

She pulled her hoodie tighter as the wind blew her brunette hair all over her face. "Stupid wind," she muttered to herself, and tucked a lock of it behind her ear. She grunted again and slowed down when she saw the familiar swings across her.

The to-and-fro motion of the swings seemed to do the trick to sort of alleviate the tension she always carried around, and brought a sense of solace and security. The rocking of the swings also conjured the only memory she had of her real parents as a small girl. Her real mother would rock her back and forth to prevent her from crying and for Dallas to fall asleep. The swings seemed like the only source of consolation at this point.

She traced the wooden engraving on one of the swings, and sat on it gently. She gave herself a push using her feet and soon the swing began to sway. Dallas smiled, and closed her eyes. She was so happy; for that moment, she had forgotten all about the reason she had come there in the first place, and the tantalizing woman in her dreams.

She felt so lightened as the swing began to sway faster as she reached the highest point. She waved her arms around following the wind's patterns. She opened her eyes and knew that all contentment had to come to an end.
Three, two, one...

An alarm went off and he tossed the empty cup. He threw on a baseball cap, and stepped out of the minivan. Checking to see if the coast was clear, he scurried with the agility of a predator and the intellect of its prey. This was his move, just as Parker had mentioned.

Parker seemed to know everything, the man pondered, but momentarily snapped out of it. He had to do what he was told, and then he could clarify some of his doubts.

Nobody was certain that she had the answers to their questions and the capability to pull off something as huge as the Plan. But in Parker's words it was "worth a shot".

With these skepticism dominating his mind, he walked; his jet black rubber boots clunking against the pavement. Sweat formed at the creases of his toes, and it reacted with the soles of his rubber boots. He knew he wouldn't be happy the next morning when he woke up finding swollen inflamed feet, but it was all worth it...

In a minute, the man stood near the huge arch which was the entrance to the garden. He hid behind a thicket and watched Dallas intently. From a reasonable distance, he had seen her swinging freely earlier. But now she seemed to be lost in deep thought.

She is at her weakest, noted the man; he fearlessly emerged from the thicket and sauntered nonchalantly towards Dallas, who now had her brunette head buried in her hands.

At a decent proximity, he leaned toward her and placed his hand on her shoulder.

Dallas jumped a few feet in the air, and stepped back. Her mouth agape in terror, and her hands in front of her as a form of self-defense. The man glanced at her hands, and cocked his head, "Really? That's what those people taught you!" He laughed and sat on a bench near the swings. The technique was to be presentable and friendly, then hit her with the tough ones.

Dallas gasped and realizing the letdown of her methods, managed to break out a slight chuckle. Suddenly something hit her. "You were the guy in the minivan, right?"

"Yup, but please call me Eli."

Dallas was shocked. She knew Eli. He was one of them.

Eli comprehended her surprise, and looked at her. He gently lowered his shades to allow her to take a glance into his eyes. They were blackish and had a slight hue of gray. She knew those eyes. In fact she knew those eyes a little too much.

Eli removed his sunglasses, and allowed her to take a good look at his face. He had improved his hair: before it was a very short (almost a crew cut) hairdo, but now he had transformed it into something much more deceiving. His blonde hair was now a little bit more chaotic, and so was he. However she was not too overwhelmed with his makeover; it had been a few years since she had seen him. And they were almost the same age - he was about a year older.

Dallas felt like bashing him; for all the things he had said to her back when she was clueless. He had tortured her - telling her atrocious stories of her real parents, and how they were not alive and how people had murdered them. But no, she didn't believe him.

He was one of them: a group of rich aristocrats that practically ruled a place on the furthest side of Olive Grove. Ashford.

She had been there, mingling with the rich aristocratic people. She knew all of them. Obviously through Eli, of course who was her classmate.

Eli had taken her to them, but Dallas had immensely regretted that.

They had made up horrid stories about her real parents and spread it to the whole of Ashford; they had made her believe that her real parents didn't want her; and they had tormented her. What they did not know was that the scars were still spanking fresh.

Dallas fought her tear glands, and cried out at him, "What are you doing here?"

Eli chuckled and crossed his arms. "Chill, Jeanette. I was just visiting and I had to see you."

"Listen Eli, I'm not Jeanette!"

"Your denial is not going to change the fact that your real name is Jeanette," he retorted pointing a fair finger at her.

Dallas sighed angrily and asked him, "How'd you know I was here?"

He smiled mockingly and tapped his head. "I followed my instincts." Eli bent his head, and wondered how to approach her. He gritted his teeth at the thought of the fact that Dallas had become more durable than she was a few years ago. But it wouldn't be hard, if she wanted to come to Ashford. Parker didn't mention anything like that. Who was he kidding; it was worth a shot.

"So how are you?"

Dallas smirked, "Why the sudden concern? Back when I came to Ashford, it seemed to die out," she stressed on 'die out'. This evidently referenced a fight Eli and Dallas had gotten into when Dallas had finally plucked up the courage to stand up to all those who had spread all those rumors. Dallas didn't know that Eli was in it too. When she had finally found out with the help of his sister, Verity - who happened to be one of those spreading the rumors - she was enraged and confronted Eli, who at that moment showed no signs of worry or concern.

This scared Dallas, and the only person who was in touch with her feelings was gone.

So with not many options left, she had returned to her "fake" family in Olive Grove. But the people back in Ashford must've been worse than Susan and Jared, right? Or wrong?

"I have always cared about you," Eli snapped back, his voice grim.

Dallas shook her head and asked without any preamble, "Why are you here Eli?" She wanted to get rid of him. But she knew she couldn't.

Eli grinned, "Ah... I know why you're here."

Suddenly, Dallas looked up at him, and they were braced in an intense stare. Eli was the first to break it and said standing up smirking, "The dreams are back, aren't they?" Danny gets saved by a weir girl who doesn't know anything about anything. What is she?
Danny Main was just your average teenage boy. Well, maybe a little less than average. Danny was considered a "Loser" at his school. And all because he knew more than half of what any of the popular kids would ever learn in their lives. Even though he was tortured daily by all the jocks and laughed at by the prettiest girls in the school, he had a huge crush Maylin Lock. She was a goddess in his eyes and he knew he had no chance if ever being with her. He was pretty sure she didn't even know he was alive, even though he sat behind her in Chemistry.

Maylin is a popular girl. A girl you don't talk to unless you are cool like her or if you have a death wish. Danny had neither. She has long wavy blond hair and easy blue eyes. Scary though. He had seen her angry at some freshman girl once and those eyes became icy cold daggers. She didn't say one word to the girl who bumped into her, she only stared. Somehow it was scarier than her yelling like a drama queen. But non the less, Danny was sure he was in love with her, even though he knew only her status and name.

Today, while Danny was walking home, his mind began to wonder into a foggy state. In that foggy world was Maylin. He thought of how it would feel to kiss her and to smell her. While in his daydream, he hadn't noticed the strange man, lurking behind him in the shadows.

Danny wasn't a weak kid. He could fight if he needed to but it was his courage that was a problem. If the man ever took the chance to do something to him, Danny would freeze with fear and mentally cry for his mommy.

Danny continued his walk, unaware of the danger. The midday sun was beating down on him, causing him to sweat and feel uncomfortable in his jacket. Wasn't there supposed to be a snowstorm? It was the middle of October and it's usually freezing around this time of year. Danny slowed his pace, as did his follower, and shrugged off his jacket. It was about a mile until he made it home so he decided to take a shortcut. This shortcut wasn't anything new. Danny had been down it quite a few times before and all without any trouble. It would take at least fifteen minutes off his walk and he could make it home faster.

He turned left, beginning down a slim ally. His pursuer grinned and quickly followed Danny. Danny was only walking deeper into trouble and he was completely unaware of it. Danny took two more turns down different alleys and his stalker started to put his plan into action. Danny smiled to himself as he thought of Maylin in a bathing suit. Just then, his follower sneaked up behind him, clamping a dirty hand over Danny's mouth. Danny felt something sharp and cool pressed against his throat. A knife, awesome.

Danny was in complete panic and to stunned to process what was happening.
"Hey there. I've been following you for sometime now, boy. How about you give me eveythin' ya got and we part ways like good ol' pals. Sound good, eh?" Whispered the old guy, sending horrid breath into Danny's nose. He nearly gagged but he managed not to. Danny nodded and shifted his back pack off to the ground. He pointed to it, trying to say that he had whatever the man wanted inside it.

"I want what's in your pockets, boy. I'm not stupid." The guy was becoming angry. This situation was not getting any better. Here he was, in an abandoned ally way with a crazy guy pointing a knife to his throat. Was this the end? Danny was panicking. He was gonna die right here and he still hasn't had his first kiss, let alone a girlfriend.

"Did you here me, boy? Empty your pockets. Now." Danny pulled the inside of his pockets out. They were empty. The mugger grunted and began chuckling.
"I see, your hidin' your money some place else, huh? Some place a little more...personal." The old man chuckled and tried to unbutton Danny's pants. Now what. He's and old crazy mugger and a sick pervert? This could only get better.

Danny twisted and fought hard but the knife only pressed against his throat harder. Pain shot through his neck and he knew he was done. This was the end of his miserable life. He felt blood trickle down his neck and silent tears began pouring from his eyes.

"Hey you! Old pervert guy! Leave him alone!" Danny felt a surge of relief. Someone was here to help. He opened his eyes. There was a girl standing on top of a dumpster about twenty feet away.
The old guy stopped trying to unbutton Danny and he glared at the girl.

"Go away little girl, this is grown folk business! Unless you want me to come over there. I suggest leavin'!" The old guy didn't seem worried about the girl. Danny wasn't surprised. The girl looked about his age but she seemed....childish. There was no more hope for him. This girl wouldn't be much help.

"I said leave him alone. Unless you wanna die where you stand." She was so calm and she even had a amused smile on her face. This chick is crazy if she thinks she can easily defeat him.
"Well, I guess I'm gonna have to deal with you then." The old removed the knife from Danny's neck. Danny thought he was being let go but then a sharp pain shot through his side and he dropped to the ground, yelling from the pain. The guy had stabbed him, only in an effort to keep him from running away or helping the girl.

"You run away, you die," warned the creeper. He then turned to the girl, the blood stained knife glinting from the sunlight. Danny writhed in pain on the ground. he was sure he would bleed to death before the guy had the chance to come back at him.

"Okay, old man. I wanna play a game. Are you up for it?" She smiled sweetly and jumped down from the dumpster. She was wearing strange clothes and her pixie cut black hair swayed from the breeze. The old guy laughed and stepped toward the girl.
"Why not? I'm gonna kill you in a second anyway."

The girl smiled. This time her smile seemed more evil than cute. Danny tried not to moved. The more he did, the faster he would bleed. He could only lay there and watch.

"Alright! Lets' play my favorite game! It's called Cut Throat. The rules are simple. The first person to cut their opponents throat wins! Are you ready to play?" Danny was shocked. This girl had a sweet and innocent looking exterior but she was dark and scary on the inside.

"What is wrong with you-" The old guy stopped talking. His eyes were wide with fear and when he tried to speak, he gurgled. Danny didn't know what was happening but the girl was grinning and watching with pure joy.

The guy staggered forward the looked at Danny. A thin line of blood appeared on hid neck and it began spewing out like and water faucet. Danny yelled as the guy fell forward, landing in a bloody heap right next to him. The knife laid limp in his hand and Danny scooted as far away from the dead guy as possible.

"Well that was easy. I haven't had anyone to play with for a long time but it was fun. Hey, are you okay? I saw that he was trying to moles-"
"Don't say that! Just back away from me!" Danny realized that the girl had slit the man's throat, but how? He never saw her move when the guy was talking. None of it made sense.

"I just wanna make sure you are okay. I see he hurt you with his knife. I can heal it for you." With that she began walking to Danny. He started scooting away from her but it was pointless. He was losing too much blood and he could feel it. His vision began blurring and he was light headed. The last thing he remembered was looking into the eyes of the strange girl, then he passed out.
~
"Are you waking up now? I've been waiting for ages! Maybe I should try that kiss thing. It works in all those fairy tales." Danny could hear the voice but he couldn't quite open his eyes yet. Where was he and what happened? He tried hard to remember then everything hit him like a tidal wave. He opened his eyes in pure fear. The first thing he saw were the closed eyes of the girl, and her puckered lips. Danny yelled and jumped from under her.

He was standing. Wait, he was standing! Danny looked at his side where he was stabbed. There was a blood stain on his shirt but the wound was gone.
"Yay! You're awake! I was wondering if maybe you were dead." The girl stood up next to him. Her sparkly violet eyes shining from the moonlight. Moonlight? Danny looked at the sky. Dark blue and full of stars. He had been passed out for at least six hours. Danny's eyes landed on the body laying on the ground. A pool of dried blood surrounded the body of the man that tried to kill him earlier. He was in shock, unable to function.

"Hey, are you okay?" This time the girl sounded concerned. her childish demeanor vanished, replaced by a more mature her.
"You killed him. You killed him and you didn't even move. You killed him" Danny couldn't say anything else. It was like his brain was wiped and all he knew were those few words. The girl put a hand on his shoulder.

"But if I didn't kill him, he would have killed you. You know what? I think we should go home and take a nice looong bath, with bubbles!" She returned to her kiddish state and began dragging Danny out of the ally way. She picked up his stuff along the way, putting it on her back like it was hers. Danny followed unwillingly and he kept thinking about the man. How she cut his throat without moving and how she could be so happy and cheerful eve though she killed him.

They were finally out on the sidewalk. Cars drove past with their headlights on. Danny leaned against the nearest building for support. He was finally coming back to himself.
"Okay, where is your house? Oh, and your name?" Was she serious? There was no way Danny was taking her to his house.
"Look, I don't know who you are-"
"I'm Kiki." she said cheerfully.
"Right, but I'm not taking you home. I don't know you and you killed that guy. I think you need to go see a shrink cuz you are crazy! Absolutely nuts!" She looked at him strangely.

Out of nowhere she began crying, just like a five year old would. She even plopped to the ground folding her arms and bawling her eyes out. This was definitely getting them strange looks from passer-by's. He knelt down next to her, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I-I'm sorry. Stop crying, please. I didn't mean it. I'll take you to my place but that's it. My name is Danny, by the way."

She stooped crying in an instant and smiled. Danny suddenly began to wonder if she was faking. She popped up and grabbed his hand.
"I like you Dan-Dan! Show the way!" She waited for him to start walking and he did, only to find out she would be skipping and singing merrily the entire way.
~
Danny turned onto the street he lived on and Kiki marveled at the building.
"You live here? It's so big and there are so many windows!" Danny was confused by what she said. She was acting like she had never seen an apartment before.
"Uh, well it's an apartment, so, there are lots of windows. You know, cuz there are a lot of rooms."
She nodded and followed him in the building. Danny never like elevators. He thought they were scary and he didn't want to risk getting stuck in one, especially if he had to go to school. He made a turn for the door but Kiki grabbed his arm, stooping him dead in his tracks. She was strong, scary strong.

"I wanna go in those magic door thingies!" Danny looked at her curiously. She really had no idea what any of this was. Maybe she's been locked in a basement all her life. Danny reluctantly walked over to the elevator doors and pushed the UP button.
Kiki squealed with excitement as the doors open "magically". She ran in and motioned for Danny to come. He did but not without cursing to himself. The doors slid shut and he was already feeling panicked. Id this elevator got stuck, he would be in it with Kiki, the psycho devil girl, for God knows how long.

Danny took a deep breath and push 4. Kiki giggled.
"It lights up! How cool!" Danny just leaned against the back wall and closed his eyes. Then he heard it. The constant clicking sound. He didn't want to see what she did because he knew it would only make him feel more upset. But he opened his eyes anyway.

Kiki was pushing every button for every floor over and over again. She was giggling while she did it too.
"What are you doing?! Stop!" Danny pushed from the wall and grabbed her hands. She immediately looked shamed and she bent her head. She was crying again but this time she was silently doing it. Danny sighed.
"I'm sorry, it's just...You can't push random buttons, okay? It's gonna take forever now." She nodded and sat crossed legged on the floor. Danny did the same and waited impatiently as the elevator went up and down the floors.

Finally, it stooped on the fifth floor and they exited the elevator, heading down the hall to is place. Danny lived alone. His parents (more like his dad) kicked him out when he refused to become a football player. His dad was a very athletic man who believed winning was everything. Danny, on the other hand, believed that book smarts were better than physical abilities. He is the top of his class and is on his way to becoming a doctor. His only other family is his Aunt Lena. She sends him money every month. She understands him and supports him more than his own parents do. With the combined money from his aunt and his job at the local book store, he manages to pay rent and afford food to survive on.

Danny pulls out his key to unlock the door. It jingles and Kiki giggles. he guesses that she finds the sound funny. he rolls his eyes and opens the door. Kiki bounds right in without a pause and jumps on the couch. Danny hears a door open behind him.

It's Mrs.Teegle, an old lady who talks to him occasionally.
"Hello Danny. I see you've got a friend. She seems nice." says Mrs. Teegle. Her big glasses magnifying her old and withered eyes. Danny nods and looks back at Kiki, who is picking up random things and surveying them.
"Uh, yeah. She's a friend of mine from school...We were gonna study for our Chemistry exam."
"Oh, I see. Danny, you know you don't have to lie. You're a teenage boy and she is a teenage girl. I know what happens when teens are put in a room together. Have fun and be safe." She winked and closed her door smiling. Danny stood horrified. Dis his old lady neighbor just suggest they were going to...? He shoved it from his mind and closed his door.

Kiki was umping on the couch. Danny dropped his stuff and buried his face in his hands. Why did this have to happen to him? Like his life wasn't bad enough. He walked over to the hyper Kiki.
"Uh, do you want something to drink? I have some Cola." she stopped jumping.
"Cola? What's that?" Danny wanted to curl in a ball and wake up from this nightmare. Who in the world doesn't know about Cola?
"It's soda." She cocked her head.
"Soda?"
"Okay that's it! Is this some kind of horrible joke? Are you doing this on purpose? OH wait, my dad put you up to this didn't he?" Danny was hysterical now.
"Is what a joke? All I asked is 'What's Cola'."
"Danny collapsed to the floor. He couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't take her anymore.
"What are you?" He asked, more desperate for a reasonable answer. Kiki hopped off the couch and she kneeled in front of Danny. A big smile crossed her face and she said the one thing that Danny hadn't expected.

"I'm a Fallen Angel, silly Dan-Dan."I could feel a scowl erupt on my face as I started to look for Shade. Where was Shade anyway? I looked down at my wrist watch impatiently and looked back up and there was Shade right in front of me.
I woke up in my bed chamber with golden rays of sunlight on my face. I gave a big yawn and stretched out like a cat on my bed, and mmm, that stretch felt good, like I popped all my joints and filled them with fizzy stuff. I pushed back my white, tie-dyed red comforter and looked around my room.

My enormous room was looking normal with its white walls splatter painted with red and my beautiful antique gold dresser that was my grandmothers sat there with jewelry, and perfume neatly arranged. No doubt that the maids arranged them, because normally when I'm done with using things there,it looks like a tornado hit it. My gold nightstand that matched the dresser, but not quite as old because it was mothers was sitting beside my bed stacked up with books, and a reading lamp. I looked out of my bay windows which are to the right of me, and saw the sun shining on my beautiful garden.

I sighed contentedly. Thankfully it has been a month since the war of the all seven kingdoms has ended in our realm, and everlasting peace should be on the horizon...or not. But the war started a couple of years ago with the first kingdom. I was only fifteen when the war happened and it was not beautiful time. The first kingdom which of course consisted of trolls and nothing, but trolls wanted more land from the seventh kingdom because the seventh kingdom is the smallest kingdom and also their neighbor (I live in the seventh kingdom). Well, of course my father, the king, said no. The trolls had already taken most of our land from a war that was way before my father's time or my grandmothers, but that's another matter to discuss.

The trolls were becoming greedy and they wouldn't stop badgering, and make offerings to my father. So one day the just got pissed, and I mean pissed. They badly wanted a piece of our land, and declared war on us. News, of war spread through each kingdom, and uprising and famine started to take over. People started taking each other's side. Families turning on each other, and people started losing their moral values. The war took a toll on people and it was large fine they paid.

At first, the rest of kingdoms stayed out of the war because it was only a dispute between us, the shape shifters, and the trolls. But we were losing because of how small our military was and how many people wouldn't come to war because they had families. This however appealed to the Lycans, those mutts! They think there's something alluring to a lost cause, if they can get something out of it! So they made a proposition to my father that they would assist us in the war but he must send one of his daughters, one of my sisters, to marry their youngest son because he couldn't find a wife. HA! I wouldn't dream anyone wanting to marry a lycan! I pity whichever of my sisters has to marry the poor fool.

And of course kingdom five or shall I say the blood suckers saw this as an opportunity to lessen the population of the lycans so they sided with the trolls. Vampires and lycans have a very, very bloody history together, one I'd rather not get into.

Then soon after others got involved, kingdom two the humans sided with us, kingdom six the witches, those hateful hags or a-holes for the males, sided with the trolls. Then, that left kingdom four, the children of the plant. The children of the plant are basically plants that walk talk and eat food, and look like humans, and they are extraordinarily beautiful. They are so beautiful that nothing could compare to them, but I still think in battle they are weak. Their vegetarian, and can make plants grow out of nowhere. They stayed neutral during the war and didn't pay attention to the bloody war and went on merrily making elixirs and potions for medicine to doodle around each kingdom.

Just thinking about it made me boil with rage and I shot out of my bed to my bathroom, and vigorously brushed my teeth. I brushed my teeth so hard that my gums started to bleed a bit. I spit out the foamy toothpaste that had stains of red in it, and rinsed my mouth. I stormed to my closet and grabbed a pair of black running shorts and a plain black shirt. I'm certainly not like my five other sisters who wear dresses constantly to please mother and father, and have men fawning over them.

I have three younger sisters Lenya who's ten and has boys all over her, Shanty who's thirteen, she's more conservative and Marina who's fifteen and soon to be wed. I know how shocking, I'm seventeen and my fifteen year old sister is going to be wed in three months. I'm quite happy for Marina, and as long as she's happy so am I. I always see how her eyes light up when Shane comes and visits her, and the good thing is that he's a noble too, so father will allow it. But in a way I'm jealous of her. I remember when she was Lenya's age and she many admirers who followed her everywhere and me I had no one to talk to but my best friend Orlie who was also smitten with my sister's charm and good looks. I've been jealous of that but I've learned to hide it well. Then my other two sisters Janic, who is 21 and has two children keeps harassing me to get married like mother, but lately they've stopped. That's strange, maybe they finally understand I'm destined to be alone...my other sister Ronya is 29 and had four children but she lets me be about the whole marriage thing.

My rage over the war started to dissipate as I started to think about my sister's wedding. I walked to my dresser and started brushing out my unruly, curly dark brown hair and put it up into a messy bun. I swiped some eyeliner and mascara around my dark brown eyes flecked with gold that was the only sign that I'm a shape shifter.

I went down our grand stairway to our soldier training rooms. When the war started and our soldiers had started to retreat more and more often, I took it upon myself to learn how to fight because if there was ever an invasion I want to be able to defend myself instead of a man fighting for me. When I first proposed this to mother she was against this. She said it was not ladies job to fight, it was to keep guest company, blah, blah, blah and I tuned out after that, but Father saw my logic and persuaded mother to let me train.

When I walked In, men were everywhere from all different age ranges from fifteen to as old as fifty or sixty, and the smell of sweat, and guy assaulted me and I almost gaged. They were polishing weapons, fighting in their shape shifter form, sparring, all over the place. None of them seemed to acknowledge me which was good because I don't like yo be disturbed and most of them thought combat training was never a woman's place, those sexist pigs, except for my trainer Shade. He was about twenty and agreed with that women should be allowed to train and do much more for their kingdoms. I looked around the room with its plain white walls and blue mats everywhere with men sparring in their shape shifter forms.

There are generally there different types of shape shifters, the clones, who can look like anyone they want to, The animalia, who shift into any animal of their choice, or the halfers, who can shift into anything human, or animal, sometime even plants, and I apparently am the first halfer in two hundred years. Yet, the treat me like a woman who can't do anything! I bet I could beat half of their sorry asses all they to First kingdom!

I could feel a scowl erupt on my face as I started to look for Shade. Where was Shade anyway? I looked down at my wrist watch impatiently and looked back up and there was Shade right in front of me. I glared at him. When I'm late it's like the whole world shifted position and an asteroid is going to come and kill us, but when he's late the world is still the same as it was yesterday.

"Well, well I see our little princess here is in a mighty fine mood," his voice was full of humor.
I just kept on glaring at him, and giving him the silent treatment. His blonde hair was pushed up in way that looked identically to Edward Cullen; his blue eyes had flecks of gold in it just like mine. He was about 6'4 and had a strong jaw line and broad shoulders with a straight nose.

He just smirked at me and said, "Well, we can sit here and glare at each other all day, which I would be happy to do, or we can start some warm up exercises."

I just nodded and we started going through our daily routine of stretches. I could feel my sore muscles starting to loosen during one of the stretches. It felt good like I was wound so tight and now I'm mellow and all flowy.

"Ok, in the past we have shifted you into many forms, but when you're being attacked you have to find the right form that will put you at an upper hand advantage. First attack me and see what I shift into."

I was about to clip him in his jaw, but he shifted into a leopard. I was about to shift into a lioness but then I heard my name being shouted throughout the room causing everyone to turn to look at the big burly man at the age of thirty-five wearing the royal guard outfit of a plain gray shirt with the royal seal on it and cream-colored cargo pants. We've modernized ourselves since the humans have started this techno revolution... well that what my father talks about and he always wants the latest gear for his army.

"KATSIN."

"Yes sir," I learned from this training that I needed to respect every soldier no matter what level of authority they have.

"Your father has requested your presence in the royal parlor and suggests you dress appropriately."

I groaned inwardly. Damn it! I have to wear a dress and this normally never happens unless there is big news, very big news...panic started to race through me. My mind we reeling at the possibility of such occasion I must wear a dress. My father is almost always happy with what I wear. I wouldn't have been surprised if mother had sent him and tell him that I need to wear a dress but father! I took a deep breath to ground myself. I could feel the gaze of all the men in there on me and I had to act calm and cool. Breathe Katsin it's going to be alright trust me.

"Kat, you ok?" Shade whispered at me.

I gave him a nod and looked back at the soldier I gave him a nod of thanks and he left. After the royal guard left I ran to straight to the weaponry room filled with guns and bow and arrows, night vision goggles, you name it we got it. I went straight to the very back of the room where there was secret passage way that connected to my room, the kitchen, my parent's room and a lot of other places that I haven't even explored yet.

I felt someone behind and me and turned around to have Shade right on my heels.

"Why are you following me?" I questioned him with suspicion

His eyes darted around the room before resting on me, "Well, since we don't have time to talk, I thought I follow you so can I can ask you something."

My eyes narrowed at him while he met my gaze perfectly. His face was innocent but there was an uncertainty in his eyes that only I could detect since I know him so well. I stared at him a bit more to see if something was wrong but he reveled nothing but that bit I told you before. I just nodded and let him follow me.

As I opened the door to the secret passage way that was dark, and the only light source was torch, I could fall Shade inch closer to me and I felt utterly on comfortable. I stopped straight in my tracks and didn't turn around to look at Shade, and then I felt him press closer to me so close that I could feel his eight pack against me.

I jumped with surprised and took a step forward and whirled around to face him so fast that it made me dizzy.

"What do you think you're doing?" I glared at him with steely eyes.

"I-I" he let out a big sigh and just gave me a pleading look.

"Spit it out Shade I have no time for games because I'm expected in the parlor, so just say it before turn my back on you and leave." I spit the words at him bit too harshly than I intended too.
The expression that registered on his face was hurt, and I instantly felt regret and guilt. I felt my face soften and gave Shade an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry shade, I truly am, it's just, I've been so high stung with my family and everything and I didn't mean to snap at you."
He gave me a one of those smiles that would melt any girl's heart including mine, and he moved right in front of me with his hands in the pockets of Nike sweatpants, and kept on walking without saying a word.

I frowned at him and just followed him until we reached my room. I opened the door that was the size of a Leprechaun, and stepped into my big walk-in closet only to find it stripped and bare of any clothing I ever owned.

What the hell! Where's all of my clothing? Confusion and fear washed through me and I stormed out of my closet only to find the maids packing my things into my Black suitcases. Realization hit me like punch to my stomach. Oh no, no, no this is not happening. My fear spiked up as all thoughts of packing and Shade left me and the only thing on my mind was to get to the parlor.

I practically flew down the grand stairway and took shortcut into the kitchen while almost ramming into one of the chefs carrying a rather large cake with chocolate icing, and took a left down one of the central hallways to find myself in front of the large doors of the parlor that was cream-colored with a Golden designs of swirls and flowers that took my breath away every time I saw it.

I was so ready to charge into the room screaming and shouting but that would only make my situation messier, so stood in front the door studying the beautiful pattern while trying to get my emotions under control. I felt myself calm a bit and took that as a sign that I was ready for what was behind those doors.

I gently opened the doors, and my gaze fell on the person that confirmed my fears. I felt my heart drop to my stomach and breathing quickened while tears started to form and slowly spill out. I was about to turn around and make a break for it, but two guards stood in front of me. One was the big burly guy that came to get me in the training room, and the other was a guard I've seen around. He had red hair and sea green eyes. He wasn't quite as tall as the first guy but he just as muscled. On a good day I would have found him attractive but right now I was ready to kick his a*s to get out of that room.

"Sweetheart, just sit down before you make situation any worse. Plus a fight would not be very proper at this moment." My mother's nasal voice rang out with authority.
I turned around and glared at her, and forced myself to take a seat.

I felt the Kings gaze on me, but I couldn't meet it so I just stared at beautiful coffee-colored table that put distance between me and my parents with King Luscious of the lycans and his son Prince Raffin. I couldn't look at either at them because I knew I would burst and yell obscenities and try to strangle them both.

I heard King Luscious laugh and echo through the room, "Quite the spirit you have my dear, and that's a fine quality you have. Most of the women have been trained to be so prim and proper and follow every command a man gives, but in you I see ruthlessness and a rebelliousness that I quite like, plus you would be perfect for my son."

A scowl erupted on my face and glared at him to show that he had no control over me, but the urge to rip him apart was still there but I tamed it quite well.

The king met my glare quite steadily and chuckled to himself. He looked about the age of forty with hair so dark that it was almost black with exception of a couple of silver stands. His hair was wavy and barely reached his shoulders, and on top his head sat a gold crown inlaid with onyx, and topaz jewels and engraved in it was the emblem of the lycans. His green eyes had a strange golden tint to it. His nose was straight and he had a strong jaw. He was dressed in the finest robes I have ever seen, even finer than my father's.

I felt a nudge against my thigh and looked back at my mother. She gave me look saying it's impolite to stare but I ignored her.

"So, is everything a done deal now?" Spoke a new voice. It was smooth and sexy and melodical. I whipped my head around to find Prince Raffin staring at me. He looked exactly like his father except his eyes were steelish gray color and it sort of mesmerized me. He was dressed in a more conservative way unlike his father. He had a pair of nice tailored black jeans, and a nice black button up shirt but it wasn't tucked in. His hair was messed up in way that looked cute, and that he just woke up from bed. He had a little rebellious air to him which made him interesting to me.

"Yes, yes it is. My daughter is to go with you today, and marry you in a month." My father spoke for me.

"WHAT THE HELL! YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ME, LIKE I'M NOT HERE! I'M NOT GOING TO MARRY EVER, EVER! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD FATHER! I'M NOT SOME ANIMAL TO BE TRADED FOR, and I HAVE A MIND OF MY OWN AND I REFUSE TO MARRY!" I pretty much snapped and was screaming in the room and everyone was staring at me surprised that I was capable of raising my voice so such a great volume.

My mother's expression was horrified that I just yelled in front of her precious guests.

"Sweetheart I know this is hard, it's hard for all of us and I'm trying to make as uncomplicated as possible, but it's quite impossible if you don't try to see we have no other choice. Please just hear us out." My father was on the verge of tears and I could tell this was hurting him and I was just making it more painful by being uncooperative.

Seeing my Father looking like that burned some of my anger away but not all of it, and I had to what I had to do.

"Daddy, I'm sorry but I can't. I'm sorry for what I'm going to do now but you have to understand from my point of view, too."

I didn't look to see anyone's reaction I went straight to the doors, and just as I anticipated the guards came after me. The first big burly guard came at me ready to tackle me to the ground but I moved out of his reach at the last second and he rammed into the red-head guard. The both ended up sprawled out on the ground, and I couldn't help laughing at them.

Soon more guards came after me but before they could reach me I opened the doors to the parlor and sprinted out in to the hallway hoping they won't catch me. I sprinted hard and as fast as I could down the never ending hallway of the palace. I could feel a whole fleet of guards on my heels and inching closer and closer with every second of time passing.
I sprinted hard and as fast as I could down the never ending hallway of the palace. I could feel a whole fleet of guards on my heels and inching closer and closer with every second of time passing. My breathing was ragged and hard. I could feel my legs starting to give away a bit but I kept pushing myself because I was so determined that the guards wouldn't catch me. Oh please let me not get caught! Oh, please!

I saw a couple of meters ahead of me the hallway splitting into three directions, left, right and straight ahead. I made a snappy decision and turn left, and as soon as I did I shifted into one of the guards I saw in the training room this morning named Ridwan.

I let my running slow down a bit so the rest of the guards chasing me could catch up. One of the guards that is named Shakeel who's Black, and is my best friend came up to me.

"Hey, Ridwan did you see which way the princess went?" His deep voice questioned me.

"Yeah I saw her take a right into one of the smaller hallways leading to the greenhouse. I asked her what was wrong but she just kept on running so I started running after her."

Shakeel just nodded and gave the guards a signal with his fingers to follow him to the greenhouse. Wow they didn't notice I wasn't wearing the royal guard outfit, just because I can shift into someone doesn't mean my clothes change too, well except when I change into an animal that's a whole other story. I started to slow my pace so that all the guards would pass me. As soon as they passed meI took a right and went into Lenya's (my littlest sister) room praying she wouldn't be in there. I slowly creaked the door open and what do' ya know my praying paid off.

Thank you, thank you god for not letting my sister be in here, thank you! I went straight to her bathroom because that's where the door to secret passage way was.

I quickly opened the Leprechaun size door still looking like Ridwan, and went into the dark musty passage way. I grabbed the torch that was right in front of me and started running in light jog to the right.

I have to find the back gates to the palace fast if I want to get out because it's about time they figure out I'm not even in the greenhouse, so they'll probably check my room, or the front gates, and possibly the back gates too...I don't think they know that I know about the back gates...oh, well. If they do check the back gates I'll just shift into a bird and fly seeing as half of them are the cloning types of shifters.

I took a left then shortly after another right...I think this is the back gate. If I'm wrong I'm absolutely going to get caught because they've probably checked every square inch of the palace by now, except for down here.

BANG! I hear a door open and loud shuffling feet...that only means one thing...

Damn it! They're searching the passage ways and they're not too far behind me either. S**t I'm going to get caught I know I'm going to get caught and then get grilled for this. S**t, s**t, s**t. I'm so dead.

I pick up my pace and tried to make foot falls softer. I start to see a small light at the end of the hallway and the faint sound of birds chirping comes in my line of hearing.

What is this? I've never seen this no matter how many times I've been down here. Whatever it is, it look like a promising escape, and I'm goin for it.

As I get near it, I can smell fresh-cut grass, with freesias, lilacs, and roses. I know these smells. They're the smell of my garden right outside my room. YES!!! VICTORY ! I MIGHT ACTUALLY BE FREE!!

I hear the pounding of feet 100 feet behind me. S**t, they're close and they can hear and see me. I hear their feet picking up pace at the sight of me.

S**t another complication my sweet escape has bars like a jail cell and I can't get out to the open air so I can shift into a bird and fly. Damn it!

Think Katsin! Think! What should I do? I don't know and I hear their footsteps becoming dangerously closer. Times running out Katsin and you no freaking plan! You're so dead!

"KATSIN STOP! IF YOU LEAVE YOU'LL BE CHARGED WITH TREASON AND IF FOUND YOU'LL SENTENCED TO DEATH, PLEASE STOP!" I hear Shade's voice desperately calling out to me from the mass of guards that are charging at me.

I don't know what to do! I'm pretty sure they'll find me but I feel there's a small chance that I can make it through this. I can feel it and taste it, and it's so tempting. I make my final decision and I decide to run away from this hell hole.

I give a small simile and yell back "I RATHER COMMIT A CRIME THAN BE IN THIS HELL HOLE!"

Then the light bulb went on in head. I instantly Shifted into a rat (eww I know but sometimes doing dirty things is worth freedom) and slipped through the bars easily, leaving behind the screams of Shade desperately telling me to come back.

Why does he give a s**t? Most of the guards hate me for the fact that I get to be trained and they think it's not a woman's place! Those Sexist b******s. But this is shade here, and he believes in the same things I do...

I scurry off in my rat form into a nearby bush and start making my way through the thick green bushiness that covers most of my vision.

By some freaking miracle I make it out of my garden and to the front gate...The cheesy thing is, that there aren't any guards at the gate. Hmmm may be they all became so fixated on catching me that they forgot to keep the gates guarded. Oh, well better to my advantage.

I shift back into myself and start walking towards the gates seeing that the coast is clear.

Then a voice spoke that i wasn't expecting at all making me jump 20 feet in the air. "You know I've never seen anyone shift in my whole entire life and I've wanted to see someone do it, so I guess today is my lucky day"

Prince Raffin was leaning against a giant oak tree watching me intently with his mesmerizing gray eyes.

My eyes widened when I saw him, and started searching with my eyes to see if anyone else was there too.

Reading my body language he answered my question for me" Don't worry it's just me here. My father's inside laughing his head off that a small girl like you could out smart highly trained guards while your mother is screaming at your father for letting you train with them in the first place"

I saw a hint of amusement in his features. I gave him a small smile. Then bowed to him while saying in the primmest most proper voice, "My dear Prince Raffin, I'm quite pleased that you enjoyed the show but I must leave in hurry, and if you could please send my sincerest regrets to my family."

With that I was about to shift into a bird until big strong arms came around me and a warm body was pressed against me. Then a deep sexy voice was whispering in my right ear, "Not so fast Princess Katsin, I'm afraid I have to detain you here for both of our sakes."

I felt his hot breath tickle down my neck and send shivers up my spine. I gave out an uncomfortable small laugh, and turned my head so my lips were just centimeters away from his , and said " Prince Raffin you are being too bold, what makes you think you can keep me here."

I tried to make my voice as sexy and seductive as possible, and it was working. I felt his heartbeat quicken against my back, and his breathing became shallower. I smiled at myself. Who would have know that little Katsin could ever make a man go weak in his knee's. I knew I didn't!

I took this as an opportunity and elbowed him in his gut, but before I could shift, my legs got swept from under me letting me land on my back getting the wind knocked out of me. I quickly recovered, and sprang up by doing one of those ninja moves where they rock back on their arms, and use it to spring back up. Then I gave a swift round house kick to his chest which knocked him on the ground. And this is where I made my mistake. I pounced on him Like a lioness on her pray, but then he quickly overpowered me shifted me to the bottom so he was on top.

He's too strong and I can't move maybe if I shift in to a cat I can claw his face off...but he's too pretty to do that to...oh, well. I was about to shift but he said something that stopped me in my tracks.

"Katsin, just hear my out a moment and don't shift into a cat please, just listen." his voice was pleading

I just stared at him blankly and stopped struggling against him. How the hell did he now I was going to shift into a cat. What the f*ck!

"I know because I can read minds...only some lycans can read minds and I happen to be that select few just like you're the first halfer in 200 years. I now that because you father told us when we were waiting for you to arrive in parlor."

I just kept on staring at him dumbfounded.

"Well, at least you're not trying to get free so I'll use this opportunity to talk to you. Number one if you leave you'll be sentenced with treason, and you'll get caught, which is chance I know you'll be willing to take. Number two, if you don't stay my father will surely see this as an act of war, and there will be another bloody war just after the one we just had, and my father will decimate your kingdom. I'm sure it that he will because this time he won't so merciful to your kingdom. Are you really going to be that reckless and let your people die just like that because you don't want to marry me? If you truly want to be a great leader and not be the selfish person you are being now you must stay, and show you people who you are here for them and that you are willing to sacrifice for them because that what come with the responsibilities of a leader."

We laid there for a few minutes while his words sunk in, and they hit home. Deep down I knew he was right but I didn't want to believe it at all. S**t I hate decision-making I've never been good at it. I remember this one time mother asked which plate I liked better and I couldn't chose cause they both so were beautiful.

I gave out a defeated sigh and let my body sag with tiredness. I know I have duty to fulfill and leaving here was not the way to do it. I looked Raffin in the eyes and I could see he understood my decision, and at that moment I realized at what a close proximity we are at. He noticed it too, and didn't do anything to put more space between us. I could feel every muscle in his body against me and his eyes were so pretty and such strange color that I couldn't do anything but stare. They were this gray color but it wasn't a dreary kind of gray. It was one full of life and fire and it amazed me. Sometimes they would change to a cold hard steely gray, and then they would change to a storm cloud type of gray.

He chuckled and got off of me and stood with his hand stretched out to help me get up. I scowled. Damn it, he read my thoughts! Now he knows I think his eyes are pretty. I could feel heat rise to my cheeks because of embarrassment. I just glared at him which caused his chuckle turned into a laugh which made me scowl and glare at him harder.

Then a Sly smile started to creep across my face as I took his hand to get up. With my mind I screamed, "GET THE HELL OUT OF MIND!"

He looked like someone took a tazer and tazed really bad and he fell to the ground with a shock. I started outright roaring with laughter at his face. HAHAHAHA he looked so high. His eyes were so big he looked like a deer caught in head lights. Just the thought of that lead me laugh even harder.

The loudness of my laughter led the whole platoon of guards to the front gate which instantly sobered up my mood and caused Prince Raffin to stand up straight next to me.

Some of the guards' faces were red with effort, some glared at me angry at my childish behavior, others just stared blankly at me but most of them had red faces and angry eyes.

I gave them the best apologetic look I could give.

"I'm sorry I had you guys running after me, it wasn't fair and just. So I deeply apologize for my childish behavior and let's just forget this day ever happened!"

I gave them a bright smile to lighten up the mood but they kept glaring at me which made my smile falter a bit.

"Ok...well I gave it shot so...yep! Turns I'm gonna stay, and go with prince Raffin to his kingdom...Yep I'm going to go to my room now..." I said uncomfortably.

I started to move toward the Grand entrance of the Palace awkwardly and as I moved I could feel the intense glare of 100 men boring a whole in my back all they up the steps. Whew! Finally I'm inside. That was awkward out there...well I apologized but they didn't take it well and it's not my fault! Ok...maybe it mostly is...

I started tip toeing my way up the stairway to my room. I knew mom was mad at me and if she found me, I would be charred to dust. Best to hurry up! I started picking up my pace and trust me these stairs aren't your average house stairs. These stairs are like climbing to the top of Mayan Temple type of stairs.

"KAAAATTTSIIINNN!" My mother horrible nasal voice rang out with so much fury that it could have melted Antarctica.

I flinched and stopped straight in my tracks, and didn't turn around to face her. S**t, s**t, s**t! I'm caught! Ok, ok calm down...put your poker face on and no matter how much she yells at you keep your cool and you'll be out of there in no time!

"CAN'T YOU TURN AROUND AND FACE YOUR MOTHER!" She practically screamed at me.

I took a deep breath and slowly rocked back on my heels and faced her. I surveyed my mom. Her face was strawberry red with anger and her perfect updo was starting to fall apart a bit. Her black eyes with golden flecks were glaring at me wildly and her perfect Jade green gown was ruffled like she was running after me...maybe she was...hmmm.

"What the hell were you thinking katsin! You can't just run off merrily on your own terms! We could have discussed this like civilized people, but nooo, you just had to run off! Do you know what type of impression does that made on the king when you ran off! He was practically hysterical with laughter that our soldiers are so pathetic that they can't even catch a little girl like you! I knew this was a bad idea! You're always disobeying us and never like your sisters! Can't you for once do what you told and not have an opinion about it and make tantrums!!" she was breathing so hard after her rant. It was like she ran fifty miles without a break.

What she just said got my blood going, and I swear I was about to spit fire at her. Who was she to call these my tantrums! What the hell! I absolutely hate this woman! She is officially not my mother! Does she know how easily I could break her neck and it wouldn't bother me! Oh god if it were legal I know I would do it, and I would sleep like a baby at night

...Whoa... Katsin, calm down this is not you. I know mom can be a pain in the a*s but I've never wanted to kill her...what's wrong with me!? Calm down, Calm Down! I took a few deep breaths and shook my head to get those thoughts out. Something is wrong with me.

"WELL DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY FOR YOURSELF!!?"
I gave her a small smile, and made sure my anger was in check before speaking, "Actually yes, yes I do. Number one, those guards who chased me are the same ones who taught me all of their skills, so they should know by now how I operate in combat, but since they couldn't figure out what I was doing, I think the King has a right to think their pathetic! Number two, you want to know why I'm not like my sisters. They are little robot clones, that do every little precious thing that mommy, and daddy ask of them. I bet if you told one of them to kill me they would because they want to be precious little angels! You don't get it, it's like a competition to them. Whoever scores the most points with mommy and daddy win the grand prize of the kingdom, and I absolutely refuse to become one of those life sucking robots that they are! Number two, you should have told me earlier about shipping me off to werewolf heaven, like, maybe, AT LEAST TWO WEEKS AGO! So I could have at least coped with it. Instead of being like, oh, hey Katsin, I forgot to mention today is the day where you go live with werewolves and marry their prince and have babies! How great is that!"

No it was my turn to glare at her. I could see guilt starting to seep into her, and her anger was starting to fade away. She kept on trying to make her face passive but with each attempt she kept on failing miserably.

What kind of parents are they! They don't tell their children anything but at the last minute and then dump it on them like it's nothing! My anger started to boil, and it was reaching the temperature of scorching hot.

My looked at me, and in that moment I saw guilt, despair, sorrow, and pain. I could tell she was speech less and didn't know what to say at all.

I was so wrapped up in our wonderful conversation that I didn't know we had an audience. My father, King Luscious, Raffin, all of my robot sisters glaring at me, and bunch of maids and the guards from my hunting party were there watching us with wide, curious, and shocked eyes.

Instantly eyes locked on with Raffin. He eyes were shocked...and impressed. Why is he impressed...I just had fight and he's freaking impressed. His eyes grew amused, and I narrowed my eyes at him. Damn his mind reading. When I get my hands on you Raffin, your a*s will be gone.

I turned around and stormed off to my room. He just nodded and that sad look came back to his face and looked away from me gazing out of the window. I was about to try to cheer him up, Doc Terri came back with all the supplies to clean me up.
I stomped furiously down the Mile long hallways not caring or knowing where I was going. I could feel my hair falling out of my once messy bun, and my clothes were a bit muddy with my roll around with Raffin. My eyes darted wildly around daring the occasional maid or guard passing my path to say a word to me, but they hurried off like little mice at the sight of my expression. My body was shaking with rage and I was about ready to punch anyone or anything in my way.

How dare my mother blame, all of this crap on me! I'm not the one who freaking asked for this! I bet they're sending me away because I don't like to do everything they want me too! I hate her! And Raffin had to take me out of running away! I wish I just flew off when i had the chance! I hate you Raffin where ever the hell you are!

I screamed out in frustration and started punching the wall furiously. I felt warm liquid instantly rush from my hands and searing pain started to alert me but that didn't stop the range of punches I gave the wall. I kept punching and punching no matter how unbearable the pain was until arms came around me and pulling me from my trance.

My voice came out weak and tired, "Let go of me now."

"Well, I would but I'm afraid that you'll punch the wall again, and that's not what a princess does."

That smooth voice I would no anywhere was Shades. I let his words wrap around me like blanket on child, comforting me, and soothing me. I felt the tension in my body seep away and felt myself lean into Shades warm comforting chest. The reality of what was going on and what I did gradually reached my brain.

"Shade, how could have this happened. How could they have done this to me? They are my parents for craps sake and the want me gone."

He voice was soft and sad, "You knew this was coming and unavoidable and I also know you weren't expecting them to send you, but... it was obvious. You're the right age for the prince. But let's not talk about it now. We first need to get your hands cleaned."

His voice lost some of its sadness in the end, and brightened a bit. I turned around and looked Shade right in the eyes while his arms were still wrapped around. To be honest I've never heard or seen shade sad, ever. I've seen him angry, happy, content, and everything but sad. It tore me apart to see the person who truly understood me sad.

Without giving myself permission my bloody hands which were throbbing with intense pain and were probably fractured reached up and cupped shades face softly. He eyes widened a bit with surprise and I smiled at him warmly.

"Why are you sad?" I sounded like a little girl trying to cheer up an adult.

"Because you're leaving me." His voice was soft too, and much, much sadder than before.

I let out a deep sigh looked down at our bodies pressed against each other. I felt heartbreaking, and awful. Why did it have to be like this? Why?

"It's not my choice I'm leaving and it never will be," I let out a small laugh and felt tear streak down my face.

Shades Finger came and tipped my face so my eyes met his. His finger softly wiped away the tear that fell and slowly his finger traced my jaw and I could feel the heat that radiated off his finger. He then made his way up to my lips and slowly tracing the outline my top lip then my bottom lip a couple of times, then to my nose. When he reached my eyes I closed them so he could trace them easily. I felt his finger run over my eyelashes and eyelids so softly that I had strain myself to feel it.

"Come on, let's take you to the infirmary your hands are looking pretty bad and they must hurt like crazy."

I sighed and opened my eyes again, and just nodded. Ugh my hands are hurting like crazy. I took my hands off his face studied them carefully. They were starting to get swollen and bursed up, my arms and clothes were blood stained. My hands hurt so much, I felt like someone was slowly driving a knife through each of my fingers and my palms.

He put his hand gently on the small of my back and stated leading me to the infirmary which was on the first floor near the training room. If you think about it does make sense to keep the infirmary near the training room for soldiers who got hurt while sparring.

"Ahhh. My hands hurt soo bad. Damn it. Why did I have to be idiot enough to punch the wall." I complained.

He chuckled, "If you didn't have such a hot temper and thought things through before you did them may be we wouldn't be having this issue."

"Ouch, that was offensive, WHAT? I am not hot-tempered! I think I'm perfectly reasonable, and do things rationally." Ok maybe the last part wasn't true but this is my pride we are talking about here.

He gave me a sardonic look like I was a complete crazy person, "Yeah, and punching the wall was such a rational Idea. It was so brilliant that your hands are pretty much bloody pulp."

I glared at him while we were rounding the corner to the infirmary. "You know if my hands weren't hurt pretty bad, I would knock your lights out by now." I love shade to death and he's a really great guy that I honestly don't deserve but he has those moments where I just want to shove his head into the wall and this right now is one of those moments.

He gave me an amused look and snorted. I just huffed at him while he opened the door to the infirmary for me. I walked in to the sterile white room, well not room more like a hospital type of place but not quite as big. The walls, the bed spreads, the machine everything was white and it hurt my eyes to keep them in one place for too long. There were curtains to separate beds from each other for privacy. There some windows here and there looking out to one of the many gardens at the castle. I heard some heart monitors beeping behind a couple of closed curtains.

I guess some people got hurt today or later before...I hope during my daring escapade...

"Hello, Doctor Terri are you here?" I called out to my favorite Doctor, Terri. She's the best doc around, and everyone likes her cause she's so kind and nice.

"Oh, Katsin I didn't realize you entered." She said while she pulled back a curtain showing her auburn hair put in a pony tail with her bangs hanging out in her face, and her hazel eyes behind a pair of rectangular red glasses. She was wearing her normal pink scrubs with a black stethoscope around her neck. In the bed next to her was a maid with gauze wrapped round her arm like she got a burned. Oh, yeah me a Doc Terri are on casual terms so she doesn't really need to use the title "princess" cause I told her not too.

Instantly Doc Terri's gaze went straight to my hands, and she gave out a groan while grimacing at me.
"Katsin what did you do to your hands?" she asked me mildly.

I gave her a sheepish look, "I errm, I punched a wall...multiple times..." my voice squeaked at the end of the sentence.

She sighed deeply and got off her chair and walked towards me. She held out her hands for me to place them in so she could examine them. She poked and prodded them gently and it didn't hurt at all except for the pain that was already coursing through me.

She gave me a disapproving look and dragged to sit on one of the many empty white beds while she went to get rubbing Alcohol, and bandages for me. I sat down and grimaced. So, I'm going to leave today to go to werewolf heaven with two pretty jacked up hands. Yaay, my life sucks! I mostly did this to myself but I just don't get how my parents can be so aloof towards this whole situation. They could at least been like I'm sorry-

"What are you thinking about?" shade interrupted my train of thought.

I frowned at him, "Everything, it's like my brain is analyzing everything at the same time."

He just nodded and that sad look came back to his face and looked away from me gazing out the window. I was about to try to cheer him up Doc Terri came back with all the supplies to clean me up.

"Katsin I don't want to know why punched the wall but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with your temper. In fact every time you're in here you're hurt because of your temper. I remember you got mad at shade for something and tackled him to the ground during practice and dislocated your shoulder. You need to learn how to control your temper."

"I most definitely do not! I think I'm perfectly fine!!!!"

Doc Terri and Shade, at the same time looked at me like I was rabid beast and snorted at me. I glared at both of them furiously. I most definitely do not have temper at all!! I think I'm perfectly fine!
Doc Terri started gently washing away the dried blood that crusted on my hands and arms. I watched her as she cleaned and examined my arms and hands more closely. Her finger was light a fluttery not causing any pain extra pain while her hazel eyes were scrutinizing every little cut and gash. She shook her head and gave me a disapproving look. Which I will admit stung because Doc was one of the people who I looked up too and actually one of the few people who I liked me and liked me back, and I respected.

She sighed and stood up, "We need to x-ray your hand now before they heal wrongly."

"Heal wrongly? I just thought it'd be fractured or something..." I trailed off.

"Well from my examination I think it's a bit more than fractured but I won't know for sure till I X- ray it." Her frown deepened as she said this, "also you parents won't be too pleased with the fact you injured yourself, and that this will be a setback because I'm certainly not letting you leave until your hands are perfectly fine."

When she said this my inside warmed with pleasure and thoughts of my hands in pure pain vanished. Yes!! The time my hands heal I can come up with a good thought out plan to get rid of Werewolf prince. HA, who would have known hurting yourself can get good things out of it at times...but the drawback is that Shape shifters heal scary fast (when I say scary fast I mean scary fast) and by Docs prediction of how bad my hands are I say at least a week or two to the most for healing time.

Within that week or two I could turn this place upside-down and all around. I can't wait to begin!I slammed open the door to my room and just ran to bed without brushing my hair or even thinking about changing, and I cried my eyes out until I felt sweet unconsciousness come and take me away. That night I dreamed of me beating the hell out of Raffin, and I could feel a smile on me as I slept.The room was completely dark except for that rectangle thing that lights up and put your x-ray on it and you can look at it. I was staring at the two pictures of my hands and wondering what the hell I was looking at. I was completely lost, all I saw was bones that shaped a hand and little crack then these really big ones that look like they shouldn't be there. Doc Terri just stood there staring at the x-rays so hard that it looked like she was willing the cracks to heal back up.

I cleared my throat before I spoke, "So, what's the verdict Doc?"
She sighed and looked me straight in the eyes, "Well it looks like you have some small fractures around your knuckles and they work their way deeper into your hand, which makes that big break right here," she pointed to giant black jagged line that went through both of my hands, "By the way they are looking right now, I think you'll heal in one to two weeks tops, but what I'm most worried about is your mental health Katsin."

Her face showed genuine concern and sincerity that it baffled me. Why my mental health? Does she think I'm freaking crazy because I think I'm perfectly fine. Am I crazy? Wait, do crazy people question if their crazy? ARG my heads hurting from all of this crazy talk and the pain in my hands isn't helping either.

"Look right now I don't have time to question my sanity, all I want is to get my hand fixed and some morphine in my system to stop the pain and leave, ok!" My words were a bit harsh, and cold. I instantly regretted them, when the expression of hurt registered on her face.

She just nodded and turned the lights on and turned off the box thing with the x-rays on it.

"I'm sorry, it's just lots of thing have happened today and all I want to do is just sit and not really do anything."

"It's fine. I know you've been under a lot of stress just come and visit me one day during this week. Ok."

I smiled at her and nodded. She went and opened one of the many white cabinets and took out some bandages and started wrapping my hands gently. She wrapped each hand at least three times before being satisfied with it. Then she walked over to a different cabinet and pulled out two Advil's, and handed them to me to swallow. I swallowed them and I felt like I had lump in my throat.

I instantly went over to the sterile silver sink and stuck my head under the faucet, and turned the handle up so water could come out and I drank it. I took a couple of sips then turned the water off. I know it's not lady like and if the woman whom I once called mother saw me doing this she would tear me to shreds. I stood straight up when I was done, and looked at shade and Doc and they both were staring at me.

"What?" I asked puzzled.
Shade shook his head exasperated, "You're the most un-lady like princess I have ever met."

"Well, who made you princess police cause no one told me about it."

I smirked at him, and he just grinned back and slinked his arm around my shoulder and we walked out of the infirmary but of course I said thank you to Doc Terri before leaving. I may be impulsive and rebellious and un-lady like but I still have the right mind to say thank you.

Right before we could open the door and leave she called out to us, "Wait," and we stopped and turned around to face her. I looked at her expectantly.

"You know I have to tell your parents about what happened, right."

"Yeah, and I'm probably going to get hell for it but what else worse could happen." I chuckled darkly while she eyed me worriedly.

She just nodded solemnly, and went back to working with the maid I saw earlier.

I turned back around and left with Shad's arm still over my shoulder. I could feel his warmth that radiated off his side and his arm around my shoulder. It was comforting to have Shade with me for support. It felt nice.

We stopped walking out of nowhere which puzzled me a lot. I turned and looked at him and gave him a confused look.

He just smiled slyly at me, "Now your hands are somewhat fixed what would you like to do Princess."

I gave him dry look, "Why do keep calling me Princess, it annoys the carp out of me, and I told you to not keep doing it!"

He grew amused which annoyed me. Was today national Piss Katsin off day cause I swear my parents made it holiday without my knowledge.

"Because it annoys you, and you look cute when you get annoyed."
I glared at him which made it more enjoyable for him. I huffed at him then just stomped off. I'm tired of dealing with other people's crap and having to play their games.

"Aww, Katsin don't be like that. You know I'm just playing with you." Shade yelled at me pleadingly from a few yards behind.

If I could, I would have given him the finger easily to show my annoyance with him but the fact, my hands are pretty much wrapped up in gauze doesn't help. So, I just kept on walking away, and took a left into my favorite hallway that would eventually lead me to my room. I could hear footsteps following me and I was expecting it to be Shade coming after me, so I just ignored the steps, and started studying the hallway.

This hallway was one of my favorite ones out of all them. It was almost calming like the way the architects that made it 500 years ago wanted it to calm a mad rampage of elephants. I slowed my pace and looked at the light blue walls. They were so light that they looked ivory but when you look closer it's actually a soft blue. The ceiling was so high that it looked like it could have reached the stars and it was so wide that I could have fit twenty Hummers in it. The floors were this beautiful pure white marble, but not so white like the infirmary where it hurt my eyes. The walls were decorated with striking gold swirls that stuck out like it was carved out of wood then glued to the walls, and I stopped and traced the pattern of one of the swirls and vigilantly studied it. I saw how the light played on the gold making it shimmer brilliantly against the ivory-blue, and the texture of the smooth cool wood calmed me down considerably.

This hallway always made me feel at peace. I know it's silly to have your secret place be hallway where people walk through it every day, but whenever things go south this hallway is always a good place to sort out my thoughts and to think things thoroughly.

"You're right, this place is soothing." I stood still and shocked not expecting to have Prince Raffin right behind me. Instantly my soothing calmness was gone and was replaced with annoyance.
Why is it that when I have one moment to myself it gets messed up by someone.

I slowly and deliberately turned around and faced him with a scowl. I felt my hand clench and my body tensed up again. A bit of pain shot through me, and I flinched a bit but the Advil did a great job covering up most of the pain.

"How long have you been here." I asked through clenched teeth.

He just kept studying me like I was the most fascinating specimen in the whole world. His gaze was really unnerving. I felt like all of my secrets, hopes and dreams were spilling out to him, and I wanted to leave but I couldn't. It was like a mouse hypnotized by cobras stare (I'm the mouse).

I saw him smile slightly. Damn it he heard that thought. Why now? Why can't he bother me later because I would be much happier to deal with him later.

That small smile left his face and an expression of hurt crossed his face briefly then it left so fast like lightning that it confused me, "Do I really annoy you that much?" His voice was monotone.

I groaned, no, no I can't deal with this now. "I don't know, really. Look I know this has been a long day and I'm not leaving cause Doc wants my hands to be brand new when I leave, so if you came to fetch me you can forget it." I raised my hands so he could see them in their pretty wrapping. The part about the fetching was mean cause well you know he's werewolf so I guess he's part dog...yeah it was bitchy thing to do but what the hell I don't give a damn.

His face stayed nonchalant and studied me carefully before speaking, "I didn't come to fetch you as you put it but I came to see how you were doing because you looked really pissed before, and If you don't mind I might as well get to know you since I guess you're going to be my wife."

I cringed at the word wife. I guess I could see his point, but this isn't part of my master plan to get rid of him...what the hell I guess it couldn't hurt.

I nodded at him and sat down on the cold marble ground while my back rested against the walls. I patted my left hand against the ground for him to come to sit next to me.

He smiled and sauntered over and sat down so gracefully that it took my breath away and I couldn't help but stare at him. His smile grew as he heard my thoughts. Damn it! His mind reading is getting on my last Damn nerve.

"What do you want to know about me," I snapped at him.

"Why do you hate me?" His voice was quite.

I turned myself so I fully faced him. I studied him for several minutes while he was just staring at his hands. His pure black hair was messy from today's events also his clothes were crinkled too, and He had some mud stains on them. I looked at his tanned hands and face which led me to believe that he was outside a lot. To be honest he was hot. His perfect straight nose with a strong jaw went well together with his heavy-set eyebrows and cool gray eyes.

I inhaled deeply, and spoke in the sincerest voice I could muster, "Raffin, I don't hate you. It's just hard to leave, and go to some foreign land with a whole different race. I don't hate you at all , I actually think if I got to know you better that I might actually like you." Which I is true but I don't want to marry yet even if I still had a month just to get to know him at his kingdom.

We sat there in silence while he let the words set in. My mind started wander around the fact that why in the first place he didn't have a wife yet. He looked well in shape and was extremely good-looking I bet he had girls left and right falling all over him drooling like crazy. Heck if I were I werewolf I would water falling spite out of my mouth for him... eeeewww that sounds gross but it would be true. I laughed imagining myself salivating at the mouth for him and instantly felt his gaze on me. I turned and faced him again and I watched the expression on his face. He looked amused, sad, curious, and with a whole lot more I couldn't place.

"What?"

"Nothing it's just that your thoughts are so interesting and I can't help but listen."

My annoyance shot up two notches. Why does he have to listen? Its bad enough I have to marry him which, I will change soon, but still. I glared at him but his expression stayed calm, and complacent. I swear I was glaring at him so hard that I was expecting lasers to shoot out of my eyeballs and melt which would have been preferably enjoyable.

"You still didn't answer my question?" I asked him hotly

"And which one would that be?" His voice grew amused once again. God I wanted to hit him so bad!

"Why don't you have a wife yet? I'm pretty sure there were bunches of women crawling all over you back home?"

He turned away , and looked at the wall studying its magnificent features while I stared at him expectantly, waiting for his answer. It seemed like hours before he spoke but it was only for a few minutes. He blew out a deep breath and looked me straight in eyes and spoke softly.

"Yes, you're right women, girls everywhere, all over me and I did have fun with them. I enjoyed their company but none of them got me. They didn't understand me at all," he paused seeming to be choosing his word wisely, "They didn't have the same interests as me, heck half of them didn't like me for me just for my looks, and because I was prince, and that annoyed me."

Wow. Who would have known the Almighty Prince Raffin could be so deep.

Well, like I said before that I might like once I get to know you, and look what we're doing now, getting to know each other. To be honest you're not that bad but you mind reading is really, really annoying." I told him trying to cheer up his depressing mood up because it was sort of weighing down on me too.

His face scrunched up in a frown while he was trying to think about how to respond to what I said.

I stared at him for a while and his frowned deepened forming to lines between his eyebrows. Even though I was annoyed at him, extremely annoyed, I just had this weird natural urge to smooth the wrinkles out. I reached up without even knowing and started to rub in-between his eyebrows. He stared at me amazed at my gesture, and I quickly withdrew my hand and placed it my lap. I looked away from him and stared down into my lap avoiding his questioning gaze.

What the hell was I thinking? Maybe Doc Terri is right there's something wrong with my brain. I don't just reach up touch people, especially princes! What was I thinking? I'm not supposed to be doing this; I'm supposed to be running away.

"No, no you're not. Don't go please. I know this is hard on both of us but please just hang in there. I told you before even if you run away or weasel your way out of this which I know you have plan, by the way, my father will see it as an act of war. Trust me for once just trust someone and not be so hot-headed," his hand reached out and gently turned my head so I looked directly at him. He gave me a meaningful look saying he wasn't lying and he was only trying to help. To my surprise I trusted him, and I didn't angry over that hotheaded comment about me. I don't know but I trusted him and to be honest, with just a day of knowing him I trusted him with my life.

I nodded solemnly and I suddenly felt tired like there was a hundred pounds weighing down on me. My eyes felt droopy and irritated and I rubbed them gently with one of my gauze covered hands.

Raffin stared at my hand for a bit, and looked at me then back down at my hand, and shook his head like he already knew what happened. I didn't really have the energy to get mad so I just sat there wishing I was five and I could have my Daddy come and tuck me in bed, and read stories to me and kiss me goodnight...hmmm those good old days where there weren't any arranged marriages in my future.

I felt Raffin shift next to me and I instantly felt my nostalgic mood slip away. He stood in front of me looking imperiously tall. To be honest he looked like a knight ready for battle and he was amazing. I couldn't stop staring at him wide-eyed. He smirked at me giving me the sign that he knew what I was thinking. I just sighed at him. He extended his hand out for me to take but I ignored it and got up to my own feet.

I just grumbled something about how damn annoying he could get, and didn't look at him to gauge his reaction. I started robotically walking to my room taking easy turns here and there. We finally ended up in front of my room's giant cream-colored double doors embellished with silver flowers crawling up the doors like vines twisting and turning making it hard to trace one vine specifically. I was bout to open the doors to enter but I instantly felt a hand on arm stopping me. I turned around found myself a few centimeters away from Raffin's face. His face stayed there for a few seconds trying to determine my reaction. Seeming satisfied he went and kissed me.

He freaking kissed me without my permission! I was about to slap him away but something inside of me told me not too and to just go with the flow. His lips felt warm and soft against mine. He smelled good and intoxicating like the forest but with a hint of colon. His arms wrapped around me and I felt safe and warm. To be honest I didn't feel like leaving, and all feelings of irritation for him went away. I melted into him but he pulled reluctantly. It was just a small short kiss but to me it lasted a lifetime.

He smiled at me triumphantly and just walked away, leaving me in daze. I felt high like this weird happy confused unwanted type of high. I even forgot where I was. I was about to turn the other way Raffin went, but there was someone standing there watching me with an unreadable expression. And guess who it was!!!! Ding, ding, ding, if you guessed shade you're the new lucky winner of a brand new pink Ferrari! I felt the guilt and bile rise up in me and I was about to reach out to him to try to explain but he shook his head and just walked off.

So this is why Raffin kissed me! He knew Shade was thereby his mind Reading so he kissed me! UGH I feel like such an idiot! That's it next time I see that a*s I'm gonna knock his teeth out and I don't give a s**t if my hand are gonna get worse. I slammed open the door to my room and just ran to bed without brushing my hair or even thinking about changing, and I cried my eyes out until I felt sweet unconsciousness come and take me away. That night I dreamed of me beating the hell out of Raffin, and I could feel a smile on me as I slept. BAM! The sound of a door slamming woke me up from my wonderful dream of beating the s**t of Raffin, to the cold, bitterness of the morning.

I groaned and rolled groggily to the right side of the king-sized bed and somehow landed in heap on the floor.

"Ahhh." I groaned out in pain.

I heard the sound of my door being opened and looked to find the blurry image of one of my few companions, Orlie standing in the doorway. I rubbed my eyes a few times to clear up my sight.

"Well, well look who woke up on the wrong side of the bed, or should I say floor." Orlie's deep teasing voice irritating me.

I glared up at him. Orlie is not really the tallest guy on planet but he's not the shortest. His dishwater brown hung in waves over his melted brown eyes with hints of gold in them which showed he was shape shifter. He was wearing a deep blue button down shirt that was loose and looked surprisingly good on him with few buttons open and pair of slacks.

He sighed while leaning against the door frame, "I heard a loud bang coming from your room so naturally I came to check it out to make sure you didn't murder anyone and try to hide the body."

I glared at him harder my voice was firm but not harsh, "Orlie you know I'm not a morning person. Plus with all the gossip around this place you probably know what happened yesterday, and know that I'm close to committing a third degree murder...and what are you doing here? Aren't you on a trip doing diplomacy stuff with the blood suckers...?"

He smirked at me and walked over and helped me up. He wordlessly took me to the bathroom turned on my shower, walked out and closed the door ... I shook my head at the bizarre behavior of my friend and turned and looked in the steamy mirror.

Holy S**t! I look like crap. My dark hair was in tangles and snarls so fierce that Rapunzel couldn't brush it out herself. My eyes were red and bloodshot, and my cheeks were blotchy from all the crying I did last night. My clothes we rumpled and I smelled a bit like sweat...EWW!

I gave out an involuntary shudder at my appearance and quickly stripped down to my birthday suit and jumped in the shower.

The warm pulsating water instantly hit my back soothing down my tense muscles. I was about to run fingers through my hair but thought better of it remembering my injured hands. I looked down and studied my hands looking at them in now soaking wet gauze. I slowly, unwrapped them. My hands were healing very nicely and at a quicker rate than I thought. They had this pinkish color to them, like a baby's new skin. Most of the minor cuts were gone but the big gashes looked a heck of a lot smaller than before. I slowly tried out my hands bending them and turning them but there was little to no pain.

I frowned...this is not going to work out. My hands will be done healing in bout two more days... But Doc said 1 to 2 weeks... There is something really wrong here. Plus not enough time to formulate my plan.

Alright Katsin, no need to freak just take a quick shower and hurry over to Docs and she can give you an answer. I quickly tried to brush out the snarls with my fingers and shampooed and conditioned.

I quickly stepped out of the warmth of the shower into the gut-wrenching coldness of my bathroom. I ran to the bathroom closet soaking wet and grabbed towel and wrapped myself in it, and burst into my room anxious to change to see Doc.

Well, one complication I forgot about was that Orlie is still in my room.

I ran out to find Orlie lying on my bed. He turned his head and looked at me and his eyes grew wide when he saw I was only in a towel, and nothing else.

"YOU, OUT!" I pretty much barked at him while I pointed to the door.

He quickly scrambled off my bed and out into the hallway closing the door behind him. I let out a sigh of relief, and changed into a pair of comfy dark blue skinny jeans and my favorite Johnny Deep shirt (again the humans live in their own world of Tech and stuff and we pretty much live like them) I walked out into the hallway and found Orlie leaning against the wall with a flushed face.

I gave him an apologetic look, "Sorry for yelling at you like that..."

He looked down at me and blushed, but smiled warmly at me, "No problemo, I'm used to it anyway."

I smirked, "Of course you are, and with all those girls swarming around you I don't even know how you get time in for me."

Orlie rolled his eyes, "Well none of the girls can live up to your sarcastic charm, and charisma."

I grinned at Orlie and patted his back, "Of course they can't, of course they can't."

I started to make my way down to the infirmary with Orlie as my shadow. I opened the big white doors only to find the one person whom my feelings of malice and abhorrence for them could not be put into words was sitting on one of the white beds staring straight me with Doc Terri swooning at his feet.

My face scrunched up into a grimace and I went sat down on one of the beds at the far end of the infirmary not wanting to be near him. I had half the mind to go kick his a*s right now but stopped myself because this wasn't the time or place.I felt a heavy hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Orlie looking at me anxiously.

I frowned at him, "What's wrong?"

He shook his while his eyes discreetly darted to the idiot mutt who was sitting eight beds down while doc was staring at him incompetently. I felt anger flare up in me. Why the hell does he need to seduce every freaking woman in this place? I know he's probably listening to my thoughts but what the hell! Can't he at least show some decency while he's here? I huffed out impatiently while I looked at the wall and glared at it fiercely for what seemed like forever heard coughing and looked up to find the one Doctor that always pushes my wrong buttons, and make me want to hit him so hard that I could knock the shape shifter right out of him.

"Well, well, well, lookie here, its wonder woman herself," Doctor Evensfield snidely remarked.

I gave him an even look despite the raging annoyance that flared even more in me.

"That's Princess to you, Doctor Evensfield," I told him in a formal tone.

He just snorted and walked off, and while he walked away I gave him the bird straight up! UGH, I hate him. He can be such an a*s. I heard a chuckle off to the distance and turned my head to the sound only to find Raffin looking straight at me with an amused expression. I stared at him, and he stared right back. It was like the epic of all epic staring contests. Out of the corner of, I saw something move next to him, and I shifted my attention to it.

It was Doc Terri walking toward me with a cherry red face, and eyes cast down in chagrin. AS soon as she reached me, she picked up hands without making eye contact, and started to exam them expertly. She looked up at me eyes wide with shock, and surprise, all the embarrassment left her beautiful features. I felt a knot from in my stomach. Oh my lord is it really that bad. I mean my hands look really on their way to being fine but when she gives me a look like that it's got to be bad.

My voice raised an octave because I was freaking out, "What, what's wrong?"

She gave me a reassuring look but the surprise never really left, "Nothing's wrong, but your hand are healing at rapid rate. I think you'll be able to leave tomorrow."

I felt myself tense up, and my heart dropped to my stomach. My body felt numb, and cold. How, h-how could have happened? Yesterday my hands were really bad but they're just fine today. This doesn't make any sense at all! What the... I need to get out of here I need to breathe. I need my garden.

I abruptly jumped off the bed surprising doc, and Orlie whose been silent the whole time, and started to sprint like there was no tomorrow. I heard my name being called but I didn't turn around to find out who was saying it. I just ran, and ran.

I burst into one of the guest rooms not sure if the king or Raffin was staying in it, and ran to the closet opening the hidden door to the secret passageway. I burst into the poorly lit hallways that smelt of dust and mildew. I shifted and I could feel my bones contracting to my desired form, changing and reshaping themselves, and the ironic part of It is that it didn't hurt at all except for the first time, when I was five I accidentally shifted into an animal, then to my father, then back to me. It sort of freaked my parents out especially my mom.

I shifted into a regular black house cat, but still kept up my pace from when I was human. I used my senses to lead me to newly discovered jailed entrance to my garden. I easily slipped through the bars, and slowed down to a walk. I don't feel like shifting back to myself so I just walked as cat through my garden, and found a spot near my favorite oak tree.

I sat down and laid my head on my paws watching the butterflies roam by, and flowers swaying in to slight breeze. I could feel the war sun on my back soothing my tense muscles, and the aroma the flowers were giving off, was intoxicating. I sighed contently and closed my eyes, and just breathed.

This is finally my time to think. Hmmm, I'm leaving tomorrow to leave for werewolf heaven, and I haven't even made up a plan to get out...well I actually did, it was to get Shade to agree to marry me, and live semi-happily ever after... that not gonna happen cause he's so mad at me. I instantly felt tired, tired of fight, and plotting, I just want to relax. I'm just going to go and let the chips fall in their place. Yup, that sounds like a sound plan, but the fact, my hate for Raffin is ever-increasing is not helping...arg this is too complicated...

"You're making it more complicated than it really is."

I snapped my eyes open and stared at Raffin leaning against the tree looking at me thoughtfully.

"You know you're the strangest cat I've ever seen with dark brown eyes with golden flecks... it's kind of unsettling yet unique in way," his smooth deep voice was thoughtful.

Why is he here anyway? Does he not get the point of personal space?

His face grew amused," You look you needed someone to talk to after you ran out of the infirmary. You left doc, and your friend back there pretty confused, plus you left the secret door open in my room."

Well I don't need someone to talk to, now if you don't mind leaving...wait a minute how did you get in here when there were bars on the entrance to this place?

He smiled secretively; it wasn't a cute flirty one, it was one of those sexy ones that made any girl wanna go over there and do anything to get it out of him.

I got tired of him reading my thoughts, and decided to shape back into myself so I could speak. I felt my muscles extend and shape themselves back to normal. Soon I was sitting there back to my full self staring right back at Raffin.

He's shown with wonder and awe that it caught me off guard.

"You know that's the second time I've seen you do that, and it's just as amazing as the first time."

I snorted,"Raffin cut with the crap please, what do you really want."

He voice was smooth and composed, "To talk to you."

"You want to talk. WOW, after what did to me last night I don't think so," my voice was outraged.

"Katsin, you have to believe me on this one I didn't know he was there. Please believe me," he smooth voice, his gray eyes pleaded with me to believe him.

I scrutinized him closely. His perfect face was so honest, and everything about him was pleading. I could feel my walls break which rarely ever happened, and it surprised me again. I gave out a sigh and leaned my head against my tree.

"Fine, I believe you."

He smiled one of those brilliant smiles that lit up his face and my hearts skip a beat. Ugh, no this is not supposed to happen, I'm not supposed to like him no no!

My voice became muffled because I buried my face in my hands," Why didn't marry a nice werewolf girl?"

"I already told you my story, and it wasn't my idea to marry you, it was my father's... in fact he specifically asked for you," my head snapped at the mention of this," I asked him not do this, but he said I've had my chance and this is what is going to happen..."

I stared at him in silence trying to process this. I couldn't imagine why I would be desirable. I'm not lady like or good a picking out curtains and stuff like that...

"But... why?" my voice was small like a little girls.

"I don't know, I don't know." He whispered back.

By now I just realized that we've been scooting closer to each other and our faces were very, very close to each other. I stared into his gray eyes. Today they were they color of storm clouds, but beautiful and brilliant that it knocked the breath out of me.

The next thing I knew he's kissed me the second time and I don't know if I should slap him or should I keep on going with it... his lips are soft and warm. His arms were wrapping around me warm, and strong that I couldn't help but melt in them. I started to get into the kiss only to hear someone clear their throat. I instantly pulled away realizing what I exactly done. I looked up to have shade staring down at both of us with an unreadable expression, and I could feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Awww s**t! Shade was standing over us with a hard expression that I've only seen during training sessions with him, and this look is not one you want to see. I could feel Raffin's arms still tangled around me, and I quickly unwrapped myself and stood up.

Shade was still staring at Raffin like he was about ready to murder him, and Raffin was staring at me, and I was about ready to pull out my hair. Damn it he did it again. He freaking kissed me in front of shade and I kissed back! What the hell was I thinking! This isn't supposed to be happening, I'm not supposed to be liking him or kissing him or even talking to him. I looked back to down at Raffin almost positive that he knew my train of thought and the panic was sure to be on my face.

I then looked at shade to see he was still glaring murderously Raffin... Ugh I think I'm going to be sick.

"I got to go," I could barely make out those words because I could feel the bile rise in my throat.

I sprinted hard to Gardens entrance and jumped over the gate not even bothering to open it. I could feel Raffin's penetrating gaze on my back as I kept running towards the side door of my room. I burst in there and made a beeline to my bathroom not even bothering to take note that my room was empty of my belongings. I made it to the toilet and started vomiting but the funny thing was that nothing came out. I felt like my stomach, and intestines were ready to come out, and when I felt like I was done another round of imaginary vomit would rampage through me shaking my body.

The next thing I knew someone was holding my hair back, and I had collapsed on the toilet. my breathing was heavy and my brow was filled up with sweat. I could feel my stomach starting to settle, and I turned around to find who was holding my hair back, and it was extremely shocking find my ten-year old sister Lenya looking down at me pityingly.

"You saw all of that didn't you?' I whispered to her.

"Yes, yes I did."

I just nodded while she went and got a towel started to wipe the sweat away from my face, and then took w wet cloth to cool me down. I stared at her not sure why she was being nice to me. My sisters and I never really get a long. Only on some occasional times we have those strange hallmark moments.

"Wh-why are you being so nice to me." I stuttered at her.

"I thought about what you said to mom about us being robots and not having minds of our own...and your right." I gave her a bewildered look, "You know there's been so many things that I've wanted to do with you like train with you, but I knew mother would absolutely go wild...so I never said anything. I just want to start living my own life."

I just nodded because I was at loss of words. I stared at my beautiful ten-year old sister with straight black hair like my mother down to her waist and hazel eyes like my great-grandmother. She just smiled at me and helped me get up. I walked into my room, and saw everything was striped bare. My perfume's gone, the clothes that were on the floor gone, everything was gone and packed away.

I stared at my room with my mouth gaping open, and tears were springing in my eyes. No, no, no I can't be leaving this soon, not this soon. I felt my sister grab my hand reassuringly, and I looked down at her.

"Did you eat anything," she asked.

I shook my head and she lead me down a widening path to the kitchen. I could instantly smell sweet cakes being baked and chicken being roasted. The seasonings were overloading to my senses and it made my mouth water and my stomach growl uncontrollably.

Chef Dede was there waiting for us with two plates with mashed potatoes and some vegetables, and a giant steaming pile of roast beef that almost made a waterfall of spit come raining out of my mouth...that's how hungry I was.

I raced over to the table, and sat down and started to dig in not caring who was watching in disgust at my eating. In the background I could hear Chef Dede and Lenya, my sister speaking.

"Poor thing she hasn't had a thing to eat all day...also the news of her leaving around nightfall must be disturbing to her." Chef Dede's soprano voice rang out.

My sister hushed her before eating afraid that I might hear.

"You shouldn't say these things out loud she might hear. Already today she's been vomiting up nothing and that's the least of it."

I could hear chef Dede suck in breath and walk away. my sister slowly walked toward me and sat down, and started eating with me. So I'm leaving tonight...wow so soon. I at least thought they-

"What do you wanna do now?" sister asked. her plate was clean of food and it looked like she was ready to do anything. I was finished too, and ready to leave but I was surprised that she finished fast.

I smiled at her. I knew exactly what we should do. "How bout I teach you some fighting basics!" my smile grew wider as I said this.

She grinned at me and nodded eagerly.

"Alright go change and out your hair up and I'll meet you down there." I ordered her.

She gave me a sheepish look," Ummm. I don't have any exercising clothes.."

"Hmm, ok follow me I think I kept some in my locker in the training room."

We took a shortcut through the kitchen to the training room. We went straight to the locker room. I walked to my locker and put in the combination. It clicked open and I started rummage through there until I found two sets of training outfits. I threw one at Lenya, and I stared to change into the pair I had.

When we were finished changing I looked at Lenya and the clothes were extremely oversized on her that I couldn't help but laugh.

She gave me a bewildered look, "What?"

"My clothes are so big on you that you look like your being sucked in." I giggled at her.

She just shook her head walked out, and I followed her.

No one was in the training room today...that's strange they might be getting ready for when I leave or keeping guard in case decide to make a break for it. Haha.

I walked Lenya over to the biggest mat in the room and started to do some simple warm ups and stretches. Then I moved on to simple cat stances, and round house kicks.

"No, you're doing it wrong. you have to extend your leg completely, and out. Here extend you leg out", she lifted up her leg and I lifted it into the correct position," Good, now I want you to hold for ten seconds without me holding you...ready, set, go! one, two, three, four, five six, seven,eight, nine, ten."

She let her leg drop heavily. She was panting from all the work we did, and how many time I made her go through the motions.

We kept on doing this who know how long until that same royal guard from the day before came in and in a loud booming voice spoke, "Princess Katsin it's time for you to leave."My heart dropped to my stomach when I heard his voice. I could feel my throat choke up and my stomach ready to throw up again. Lenya grabbed my hand started to slowly walk toward him but my feet wouldn't move. It was like someone took a cannon ball and wrapped it around my legs so I couldn't move. The royal guard gave me an impatient and look and started to tap his feet annoyingly... It made me want jam my hand up his nose.

"Are you coming or do want me to drag you out," he told me exasperatedly.

I smiled politely ready to follow through with my hand jamming his nose. Alright katsin right foot toward slowly good. Now left foot forward slowly good. Slowly I made my way over to him with Lenya by my side. I followed him out of the training room without bothering to change and straight to the stairway to the entrance of the castle, the Werewolf king was there with Raffin, my whole family and shade who looks really upset.

I frowned at shade expression. I really need to talk with him but that's never going to happen ever again thanks to my father who made a deal with the king of the dogs! Hah I bet Raffin just heard that I hope he freaking did cause I don't want anything to do with him but how can that happen I get married to him! I don't freaking k ow may e I can make the marriage miserable... Hmm sounds like a good idea... I grinned involuntarily at the thought.

My mother can toward me with an expression of displeasure which I call her constipated face. She uses it when I don't do things right.

"How the hell am I supposed to present you to the Lycan kingdom if you won't even dress up! And look what have you done to Lenya!" Her horrible nasal voice rang out.

Lenya spoke up before I could even think of what to say. "Mother, Katsin had nothing to with this at all you should quit being so hard on her all the time! If katsin did anything at all it was that she made me realize that I should do what I want to do and take a stand, so with saying that I'm going to learn to fight whether you like it or not!"

I grinned at my little sister and she grinned back. Lenya maybe ten and don't know a lot of things but when she wants something she will stand up for it no matter who it is she's standing up to.

My mother was absolutely speechless her mouth was gaping open, well actually all of my sisters were in shock but my dad looked surprisingly calm...

My dad walked toward me and embraced with a hug that haven't felt since I was a little girl.... Oh no, no, this is not happening right now. It's time for the good byes and I don't think I can handle this.My father's embrace made me feel like a little girl again...I remember when I was six and I had a horrible dream about a dragon that came, and killed everyone in my family but saved my dad for last. The dragon made me watch him eat my dad...haha now that I think about it that dream wasn't really that scary. I remember running to my parents room crying so hard that my father scooped me into his arms and held me all night.

He let go of me and held me at arm's length with tears shining in his eyes. I could feel myself tear up but I bit my cheek to keep them from spilling out.

"Promise you visit me, promise." my father's voice shook at the end.

I just nodded knowing my voice would do the same. He let go of me and tried to smile but it ended up looking like grimace...for a moment I studied my father with his warm brown eyes that I have and his light brown hair that mixed with my mother's black hair to make my hair color. I saw sadness in his eyes because I knew I was his favorite daughter and he knew I knew.

Then I turned to Lenya only to find her running toward me full speed, and she slammed into me hard making me stumble a few steps but I held on to her tightly.

"How am I going to learn to fight if your gone." she pretty much mumbled into my chest.

I stroked her hair, "Don't worry, I'm leaving you with someone really special who I think is the best fighter in the world."

I looked up at Shade and he was looking at me with that same sadness from the day before.

"Take care of her will you, and teach her all I know even more than I know, promise me."

"I promise." he whispered

I smiled and looked down at lenya who was still holding on to me for her dear life. I've just started getting close to my little sister , but I feel like we've been this close since we were little. I gently pried her off me. She looked up at me with tears already streaming down her face, and I wiped them off with my fingers.

"Don't cry I promise to come and visit and when you get really good at fighting maybe I can still kick your butt." I smiled slightly.

I could see some hope come in her eyes at seeing me sometime soon," I don't think so, im gonna kick you butt so hard that Doc Terri is gonna need to wrap it up just like what happened to your hands."

I chuckled slightly at the image of my sister beating me up ,"We'll see."

My mother walked toward me well more like strutting towards me and yanked my sister behind her. she glared at me fiercely, and shrieked at me very loudly, "Look what you have done to your sister brainwashing her into you! it's bad enough there's one of you I don't need Lenya running around like she has no manners!"

I just stared at my mom and shook my head to tired to even scream at her. I stepped around her to make my way towards Shade. when I reached him he instantly enveloped me into a hug and I wrapped my arms around him too.

I whispered in his ear so no one could hear,"Shade I need you to set up secret lessons or something or help Lenya battle it out with my mother and try to get my dad to help...im pretty sure he'll understand, also come visit me with Lenya and my father and we can do lessons there too."

I let go of him and he nodded curtly. The sadness was still in his eyes, and this time I new there was nothing I could do to take it away. I could feel him slip a piece of paper into my hand and gave me one of those don't open it now looks and I nodded to show my understanding.

Next person who I turned to was Orlie except his hand were raised and he had an urgent look in his eyes," Not yet Kat, I'm coming with you on diplomacy stuff for your pops."

I nodded blankly not even trying to understand what was the meaning behind those words.

I turned to my robot sisters and just gave them a wave walked away to the giant 20ft tall doors and opened them only to be greeted with a cool light breeze, and I stepped into the night not even looking back.

Sitting just 5ft in front of me was a really long hummer limo. Hmph so the werewolves like to roll in style...who knew a dog had taste!

I turned around to have Prince Raffin coming behind me and his father after him with all the maids and butlers bringing out our luggage.

I opened the door to the hummer and slid in. The smell of leather and rubber was prominent telling me it's brand new. Then seats were mid-night black and carpet was a strange gold color. Towards the front was 50 inch flat screen TV. I saw mini fridge right in front of me and a bowl of fruit on top of it.

I heard the door reopen and found Raffin coming in with his father following him and sitting across from me.

He smiled a toothy smile at me with his big crown on his head and all his fancy clothes.

"My family is going to love you."was all he said to me.

I narrowed my eyes at him and didn't say a word. He just chuckled at me. I could feel the car starting to move and my eyes felt droopy from all today's fun events from kissing to vomiting to my mother yelling.

So this is it, I'm leaving home and I'm never going to get to come back. No no no I should have star-

And that's when I fell asleep in sweet oblivious sleep...

Next thing I know someone's shaking my arm and I open my eyes groggily to find Raffin looking down at me, "We're home."

Those words he said was like ice-cold water being thrown on me and my eyes grew wide and I knew there was no turning back.I quickly pushed Raffin off me and hurriedly made my way of the limo. There standing before me was one of the most magnificent structures I have ever seen. The castle was made with black and gray bricks making it give off a sinister vibe. The roof was inlaid intricately with gold That it was hard to peel my eyes off it because if the patterns of swirls and sometimes pictures of were made of wolves in battle but it was hard to find them. The windows everywhere concealed with what looked like silver silk curtain. My eyes swept over the windows but came back to one window whose curtains were a blooded and shadowy figure stood there but left as soon as it came. I blinked a couple of times in surprise.

Hmmm so someone was watching my grand entrance from above. Hmmm seems like we got a creeper on the lose!

Raffin quickly grabbed my hand and rushed me inside. I gave him a bewildered and all I could read from his face was nervousness... Was he nervous bout me meeting his parents... Well he freaking should be!!

As soon as he pushed me through the large cherry colored doors. As soon I tripped in there I was wrapped up in a hug by a small petite girl whose wild dark curly hair kept on getting In my face. I was too shocked to wrap my arms around her... Who is this girl and why the hell is she hugging me!?

For what seemed like forever the girl held on to me then finally she let go and held me at arm's length. She had crystal clear blue eyes that were so big that she that doe look about her. To be honest she was extremely beautiful.

"Finally I get to meet you! The lucky lady whose gonna marry my brother and she going to be my sister!!!" she pretty much rushed put that I could barely understand it.

All I got was lucky lady marry brother and my sister and I swear I almost choked but I tried to hide it but I didn't do a good job... The hyper girl stared at me earnestly.

"Are you ok?" She asked me with genuine concern. Poor girl she's so nice and thinks so highly of everyone.

I just nodded while I coughed into my arm. Soon more people started to come and introduce themselves. Soon people were surrounding me and hugging me and some even went far enough to kiss my cheek which I almost slapped them off but I remembered that I have to stay civilized and not to go slapping people when they something I don't like what they do or say or I'll probably get charged for assault... well that's what shade told me every time I slapped him when he made joke about me and sometimes my body parts but that's just how close me and shade are.

Soon so many people surrounded me that I couldn't keep track of what their names are and how they were related to Raffin or someone in the family. I got dizzy from seeing so many people who I was bout ready to fall over until someone's voice spoke up above everyone else.

"Leave the poor girl alone! She's only gotten here today and all of you are already making her dizzy with introductions." the voice that spoke was feminine but she spoke with authority and gentleness.

The crowd around me dispersed making a path for a petite women who resembled the short doe eyed hyper girl who greeted me first, except with warm brown eyes. The woman was wearing a plain silk silver gown that was so beautiful that my mother's best gown couldn't match up to it. Her hair fell straight down past her shoulders, and a smile played on her lips

"Sorry for that, it's just that my whole family was eager to see you since the beginning of the war and all the interesting stories your father and my husband has told us about you only made us want to meet you in person."her voice was calm soothing but there was an edge in there while she was checking out my outfit of, a pair of shorts, and simple shirt from training with Lenya.

I just nodded not really feeling like to talk. Hmmm I wonder what's my dad told them... haha I already know what the king told them about me! my daring escape that got ruined by their idiot son.

Soon a boy about the age of ten showed up next to the queen with expensive looking clothes on him. He had blonde hair and brown eyes like the queen... by which I'm guessing is his mother, but I couldn't' get what was his father had blonde hair and his mother had brown why did he have blonder hair... maybe the queen had an affair with another guy... hmm if that's the case this family is messed up but I doubt that's the case.

The queen stroked the boy's head affectionately which confirmed the being son part of my theory,"This here is my son Dante and I'm queen Enderella, but you call me mom, and of course the girl who met you in the beginning is my daughter Selena and of course you have met my husband and Raffin already... so this is my family."

I just smiled and spoke with my politest voice, "Well, it was pleasure to meet you all."

And that's all I gave which pleased them from the warm smiles people were giving, and some of them gave me rude glares because my clothing didn't show the respect of being in the grace of the almighty king and queen, to be honest I didn't give a rats a*s about it. I dress how I want to dress and I'm not going to let anyone dictate that!!

Then the hyper girl who I learned is Selena came and grabbed my hand my hand started ushering me to a hallway to the right,"Let me show you, your room!! I begged mommy and daddy to have your room next to mine, and of course Raffin is across the hall in case you ever need him."

I snorted at the comment bout needing Raffin and thankfully Selena didn't notice. we has finally stopped in front of my room the doors were just plain gold but it was at type of gold that could dazzle the most rabid of creatures. I couldn't tear my eyes off the color...well until Selena opened the doors to my room and my room blew me away. The walls were a light gold that was complementary to the doors and beautiful painting of flowers and landscapes that looked like a real a picture. My dresser and nightstand was cream-colored and engraved with vines and flowers crawling up the side. The floor was a cool sparky white granite and my bed was the best of all. It's coverings were black with sequins sowed in it making an abstract picture plus it was twice the size of my old my bed.

I stared at my room amazed at how beautiful it was,"Is this all mine?"

"Of course it is silly! I'll just leave you to your room cause you look a bit tired." and with that she left a disappeared to who knows where.

I grinned and ran and jumped on my new bed like a five-year old and stuffed my face into the comforter smelling the freshness of it.

"I'm glad you like your new room."That deep seductive voice that I would know anywhere was Raffins.

I flipped over and looked at him while he just smiled and walked over and put a piece of small piece of paper on the bed next to me and it was the paper Shade gave to me before I left...why did he have it?

"You dropped when you got out of the limo, "was all he said and he kissed my forehead and walked out of room. Katsin is now living with her werewolf husband to be, while trying to figure out why her "fiance's" father wants with her. This is a pic of Orlie!
What the hell! How did he have the note Shade gave me? I looked down at the small little piece of paper laying folded up next me. I stared at the piece of paper wondering if I should really open it...

My gut told me not to open it but as usual I never listen to it and opened up the note. On it written in scribbles that Shade calls writing said:

Katsin, there's so much to tell you that I've tried to tell you, but never happened. I'll start with the most important... The King is planning something big and I've heard it includes you but I don't exactly know what it is, though I'm working on it. Also, no more beating around the bush about it... I love you. That's all there is to it I love you.

I could feel my eyes tear up and my breathing quicken just because of this small stupid significant note. My mind was reeling at what I read. How could I have not known this! Soon I was already up running with tears making my vision blurry trying to find Orlie to explain this to me... now that I think of it. Orlie wasn't even in the limo with me when I left... oh no, what if he didn't come and lied to me. I need someone in the forsaken place! I need someone to keep sane!

I ran with no purpose, winding around corridors each on looking the same with dreary gray walls with paintings here and there, of old people. There was no diversity or color. Each hall looked the same like the people who made the palace were deeply depressed; it made me want to cry harder.

I ran until I ran into someone with my face buried into his chest. This someone smelt familiar and warm like an old friend and I knew exactly who I ran into, "Who is there watching where you're going or you're going to trample someone down, you're lucky I'm big and strong." Orlie's familiar teasing voice soothed something in me.

I looked up at him with my tear streaked face and gave him the note. He gave me a confused look and wiped some of my tears away gently before taking it and reading it. He looked down at the note for a few seconds before swearing under his breath.

Now it was my turn to give him a confused look. He sighed and started to explain, "I told him not to tell you like this... I actually told him to tell you long ago but he always thought you would blow him off. I told him you wouldn't but he didn't believe me, but the part about the king wanting you is why I'm here... your father actually sent me to keep you safe, but the king thinks I'm going to see you marry off and not run off. Don't worry Kat I'll figure something it out."

I stared at with my mouth gaping open like a fish. then I started to remember that day when I first learned of my arranged marriage. He came with me through the passage way and he looked like he wanted to tell me something but I talked over him... oh Gosh no! That was the day he tried to tell me but as usual I acted like an a*s and didn't give him a chance! I felt guilt course through me like poison. I could feel my face constrict into a grimace.

"Orlie, I was such an a*s... I didn't let him talk and he never told me and now I know, I need to talk to him before things get bad. How cou -?" I was cut off by Orlie sticking his hand on my mouth and dragging me into an open door of one the rooms.I was completely blind and oblivious in the pitch black room. I tried feeling my way around, except I ran into something hard and swore out loud.

"Shhh." Orlie pretty much hissed at me.

"Don't tell me shh! I don't even know why you dragged in me in here!"

I soon started felt a hand clamp down on my mouth and drag me through me a smaller doorway. I Started struggling furiously not wanting to be dragged to places.

"Will you quit! I'm saving your life here!" This wasn't the voice I was expecting it much deeper and smoother... it was Raffin.

I instantly stopped in shock and just stood there rigid, "What the hell is going on? Where's Orlie and why are you here?"

"Can't explain but we need to go NOW." His voice was urgent and pleading

I tried to make out where I was but it was too dark to see... it was like someone took a blanket and wrapped it around my head so many times that couldn't see.

I felt Raffin get impatient with and started dragging me again and this time not so gently... it was like we were running out of time and a bomb was going to explode any minute if we didn't leave.

I don't know what got into but I just let him drag me like a rag doll... For some odd reason a part of me, a small part of me said just go with him and it all be all right.

Soon a small light at the end of this tunnel thing was there and I could feel relief that I'm not going to be blind anymore. We reached the end of the tunnel where the light was and standing there was Shade, and my little sister Lenya. I could feel myself grin. I could feel myself grin wide. Lenya started running at me full speed as fast as her little legs could take her. I ran towards her as fast as I could, breaking away from Raffin's grip,

We hugged each other friendly even though I just arrived at the castle, I missed her like crazy. We instantly started laughing in relief that we got to see each other.

"Sorry to break this up but we have to go like I said before NOW." Raffin looked like he was on the verge of exploding.

"Raffin, will you please tell me what's going on before you die or something." I tole exasperated.

"Not we need to go please. Just let's get her out of here." He mostly was talking to Shade but kept looking at me like I was in some type of Danger.

I looked at Shade with worried eyes. "Ok, that's it, I'm not going anywhere until one of you tells me what's going on..."

Raffin and Shade exchanged looks before looking at me.

I looked at shade pleadingly, staring into his golden blue eyes.Going somewhere." Was all the first lycan who seemed like the leader said. His voice was deep and scratchy. It was unnatural. I smiled sweetly I always wondered what it would be like to fight a Lycan. I grabbed Lenya and shoved her gently into the passage way so she was out of sight. I laughed quietly, " Oh, It's on like Donkey Kong dog." And that's when all hell broke loose...
"Please Kats not now... we really need to leave." Shade's voice was unnaturally pleading that it twisted something inside of me.

I nodded and started walking with them, but soon after I heard a door swing open and angry voices shouting through the corridor. Instantly all at once I heard guns firing off and us running to who knows where.

Raffin was in the lead because I assume that he knew these passage ways by the sharp turns he took. Shade was at my back shielding me and Lenya from the bullets. Confusion was coursing through me. Why would the king send his army on me and Raffin aren't we the next heir to the Lycan throne...Why would Raffin in the first place try running away...I thought that was my thing and not his...

"Shade what is going on. I don't understand!" I had to yell through all the shouting and guns going off.

"Why do you always ask questions at the worst possible times!"

"Well, it's a freaking off day that someone isn't shooting at us for no reason!" Was all I could scream at him with as much bitter sarcasm as I could muster.

I didn't get a reply which meant, one he has no answer or two he has no answer. We took a sharp turn into a pitch black room. Raffin quickly but quietly closed the heavy oak door. We all stayed quiet listening for the guards behind us to pass by. It took a while but we eventually heard the pounding of their heavy footsteps pass by. That's when I decided to look for a light switch which I successfully did.

I looked around the room to see if everyone was there, only to find Lenya curled up in a corner with her arms wrapped around her knees. Her face was pale white and her lips took a purple tint because she was in shock. I rushed over to her forgetting all my questions and the people who trying to kill us. I instantly scooped her up into my arms and whispered comforting things to her but all she did was stay as stiff as stone in my arms. Waves of panic and fear shot through me. I don't know what to do this is not right. Why did Lenya have to come, she would have been ten times safer home than with me.

I looked at both Raffin and Shade with accusing eyes, "Why the hell did you guys have to bring her! You know she's not used to this stuff like I am! Damn it!" My voice was a whisper but the resentment was as clear as daylight in it.

"I tried Kat, I tried so hard to keep her at home but she wouldn't listen. I even went as far as locking her in her room but she somehow made it out and became a stowaway in the car. She said she wouldn't leave you. She said that whatever happened, she could take it..." Shades' voice trailed off into a whisper, and he wouldn't meet my eyes which was very out of character for him.

I turned me angry gaze on Raffin now. "What is the meaning of this! I haven't even been here for Two minutes and I'm already being abducted by you to who knows where! And each freaking time I ask what the hell is going, you manage to evade my question!"

"Katsin calm down. If you're going to keep scream at me then we'll get caught." His voice was soothing but there was an undertone of urgency in it. I ignored and just kept glaring at him until he spoke again, "Ok, well remember when I came to your room and dropped off that note that slipped out of your hand."

Now it was Shades turned to glare at me, I just hugged Lenya more and whispered more comforting things to her while not meeting his eyes...well my bad...how was I supposed to know that Little note would profess his undying love for me...

Raffin cleared his throat to break the awkward atmosphere... I have a feeling he read the note...That Son of a...well no I actually like his mom...That a*s!

"Well When I left, I heard my father talk about a strange ancient ritual to an elder of our council that was written by our ancestors. I heard him say that when a halfer is born, which is you since you can shift into anything you want, he or she is wed to a lycan, In this case me, their child would be the most powerful to ever live. And the person who drains that child of their blood will the supreme ruler and can never be defeated until the next halfer is born...I called Shade to come help me cause well he was the only person I knew, I could trust since you trusted him, but I think you're getting where this conversation is going..." Raffins voice was full of disgust and rage when he was telling me this.

I sat there for minute just staring at him letting my brain digest the words in my head. I felt Lenya shift in my arms and the color was returning slowly to her checks.

"Ugh...is there any water in here." Her voice was hoarse and scratchy.
I looked around the room desperately trying to forget what he said because I honestly don't want to be in this mess anymore.

Raffin instantly came by with a glass of water which I don't know where he got since I didn't see a faucet. She drank the water like it was the first time in centuries.

"Are you ok...you were kind of in shock for a minute." I asked her.

She nodded her head started to stand up and taking a few shaky steps. I almost reached out to get her to sit back down again but she waved her dismissively, "I just need to walk it off." Her voice was more natural now and I just nodded.

I looked back at Shade and Raffin and they both were studying like I was ready to break down any minute which led my face to scrunch into a grimace.

"I get what you're saying but why would your dad want us dead...if we errr...uhh well have to make a baby for the ritual to work." The words came out awkward and choppy and I could feel my blush of embarrassment rise to my cheeks while saying this.

He smiled with amusement but it quickly turned to confusion, "I honestly don't know...but I know we have to leave fast before they find the car Shade had brought for us to escape with."

I frowned at him...well this makes no sense now....But he does have a point about leaving. I looked over at Lenya.

"Hey you ok to get going?" I asked her gently.

"Yea...I think we should go cause I have feeling if we stay we won't exactly make it out in one piece."

I nodded and got up wiping the dust of my shorts. I looked up at shade who was glaring at Raffin now and Raffin was glaring back at him. They both looked like they were ready to rip each other apart, and I knew that look on shade it was that "if you don't back off I will shift and rip your head off" look.

I instantly stepped between them both, "Whoa boys now, now we have to make it out alive here and killing each other is not going to make that any easier."

I looked at both of them sternly and placed a hand on each chest trying to push each other apart. Shade looked down at me with a mixed expression but finally let out a breath and stepped back. I looked at Raffin who was still glaring at him but finally deflated himself.

"She's right...I willing to put our differences aside for now...but next you try shuffling through my head I swear you'll be fighting with three paws got that, Lycan." Shade put his hand out in a gesture of truce which considering his last comment wasn't really comforting.

Raffin looked at his hand and hesitated but grabbed it anyway, "Well next time you want to know certain thoughts about my would be wife keep it to yourself."

Shade looked disgusted and turned around and swung the door open, "After you my majesty." His voice was patronizing...this is a side of Shade I've never seen... never in all my years of fighting or teasing him has he ever been this bitter. I stared at Shade, both confused and disappointed... What is his problem?

Raffin just walked out without giving a second thought. Then Shade looked at me then at Lenya expectantly, while waving his hand for us to get out. I grabbed Lenya's hand went back into the darkly lit passageway. Raffin kept turning and twisting until we reached the end. I could listen the sound of the crickets and see the light of the stars and the moon. We finally made it outside and in front of us was a black Cadillac Escalade. But that didn't matter because there were three Lycans in front of us, Lycan form standing imperiously at least two or three feet taller than us...and they looked exactly like those werewolves from the movies the humans watch. They growled deeply and menacing...like a dog who got rabies.

"Going somewhere." Was all the first Lycan who seemed like the leader said. His voice was deep and scratchy. It was unnatural.

I smiled sweetly. I always wondered what it would be like to fight a Lycan. I grabbed Lenya and shoved her gently into the passageway so she was out of sight.

I laughed quietly, "Oh, it's on like Donkey Kong dog."

And that's when all hell broke loose...

Author's Note

ignore grammar problems. dedication goes to those that have helped me either with my book covers or posters. Thanks