---

---

---

---

I smile up at Nic, feeling confident and happy. Of course I could easily understand him here. Nature was a part of me. Even if Nic said nature was destructive and deadly, I would agree with him, because it was. Nature could turn easily. She could bend both ways. But he found peace in it just like I did, and that said something more for me.

Nic's arm slips around my waist easily, comfortably, like it was always meant to be there. My arms automatically wrap around his neck to keep him close. He bends to kiss me, and I don't have to put much effort into kissing him back.

Nature responds around us. I can hear the sounds of the water, the wind, and the birds more clearly. I can feel the sun dance along my exposed skin. I can feel the boards under our feet expand and shift, as if they are still alive. I become more connected to nature around us. The wind picks up, playing with my hair before it lifts Nic’s and slides down his back.

My fingers stretch out and I twirl the ends of Nic's hair with my fingers. The wind wraps around us again, holding us close before it dissipates and I pull back from the kiss to breathe.

---

---

I feel like I’m breathless when Cass pulls away and I blink a few times as I glance around. I raise a brow before I look back at Cass. “The wind…and everything… did you…?” I’m not sure how to phrase the question.

“Was that your magic?” I whisper instead.

---

---

---

---

I blush softly and tuck my hair back and nod. ”It came to me easily because of my emotions but I shifted the wind around us.” It was a fraction of my power, like lighting and blowing out candles, but it was exhilarating to use it in this way again.

---

---

I pick her up and spin us around, kissing her lightly before I set her back down on her feet. “That kiss was incredible. You’re absolutely incredible.” I grin widely before kissing her nose. I reach out to cup her cheek, my thumb running over the blush warming her cheeks.

My phone goes off and after a quick apology to Cass, I see it’s a text from my dad. I panic a little at first, worried something had happened again, but he’s just checking in. I let out a sigh of relief.“My dad says hi, by the way.”

---

---

---

---

I gasp, surprised by Nic's sudden showing of excitement but then I'm laughing as he spins us around. He sets me back down gently and cups my cheek, flushed from the wind and Nic's excitement.

His phone buzzes and he pulls back to look at the message. I watch his face shift from joy to panic and I move closer to him, worried. He relaxes quickly and I do the same when he tells me his dad says hi.

”Do you want to call him? Just to make sure he's okay?” I ask.

---

---

I smile and shake my head as I pull up the photo my dad just sent. It’s a picture of him with today’s newspaper with an analog clock. I hold my phone for Cass to see. “He knows I get worried so he’ll send me one of these every couple of hours.” I tell her with a small chuckle.

“Apparently Jane gave him the idea to do this so I don’t die young from a brain aneurysm worrying about him.” I don’t know how she was able to convince him, but I was definitely appreciative. “Besides, he’d ask to talk to you and I can’t have him steal you from me.” I wink before I grab Cass’ hand and start walking again.

---

---

---

---

I wasn’t able to find a t-shirt to steal from Caden still, but I find a sweater to steal. Not wanting to appear slobbish, I pair it with a skirt and some stockings. I steal a glance at my sleeping dragon and grin goofily before I sneak out o Caden’s room, careful not to wake him up.

I don’t expect to find Kiki at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. She’s asking me to pull a prank on someone and I grin wickedly, licking my lips as they curl up into a smile that could rival the Cheshire cat’s. “I think I have just the thing.”

---

---

---

---

I laugh from Nic's last statement. I nudge him with my shoulder as we walk, smirking up at him. "Worried about a little healthy competition?" I ask teasingly.

Nic's father looked happy enough in the photo but I was still worried about him and Nic. They were holding each other up right now, trying to move forward and trying to live. I just wished there was something more I could do for them. I scuffed the ground as we walked, feeling frustrated, but knowing this was a part of life that Nic and his father needed to go through.

---

---

---

---

Minding my own business, swimming laps in the pool until boss man wakes up.

---

---

I nudge her back as we walk before I just wrap my arm around her shoulders. “I’m not sure competing with my dad to date someone is ‘healthy’.” I look down at her.

“What’s going through your head?” I ask, noticing a change in body language. I send a quick text back to my dad to let him know all is well before asking how he and his friend are holding up.

---

---

---

---

“Where’s Avery now?” I ask Kiki as we brainstorm.

“I think he’s in the pool.” I nod and tell her to distract him while I steal all the towels. She goes to change into a swimsuit while I rub my hands mischievously together. It’d been awhile since I last pranked someone and I was wiggling in excitement.

When she comes back out, I tilt my head, noting how the yellow suit complimented her and how long her legs looked. I grin widely. “Let’s go!” I prance towards the back door.

---

---

---

---

I don’t know if this will work since Avery and I aren’t on the best of terms, but even if he hates me, he can appreciate a nice body, right? Nero stays hidden in the house while I head outside to the pool.

I go to sit on the edge and let my legs dip into the pool so that he can see someone else had joined him. “We keep running into each other.” I say once I get his attention. From the corner of my eye, I can stop a little demon crouching by where the towels are.

---

---

---

---

I hold onto Nic's hand that's draped over my shoulder and wrap my arm around his waist, well, more his hips, as we walk. I'm starting to smile when he asks me what's wrong. I open my mouth to say nothing and switch topics, but I know I shouldn't. I close my mouth and worry my bottom lip, trying to figure out how to word this without drawing the focus of my worries onto me.

"I'm glad you and your dad have each other. It seems like the two of you really get along and are close. I guess, I just wish you didn't have to worry about each other so much."

---

---

---

---

I finish another lap and pop up on the edge. I hear the little fox's voice and turn my head to look at her. I roll my eyes and wipe the water from my face. "Contrary to popular belief, it's not that big of a house."

---

---

My ears warm a little when she wraps her arms Using the arm around her shoulders, I pull her closer in a sort of side hug as we walk. “I think it’s because we’re the only family left for each other. Both of my grandparents died while my parents were still in China before they moved to Canada. I know they made friends through some Chinese church up there or something, but then we moved to Chicago.” I’m rambling at this point as I try to remember more details.

“I don’t know why they didn’t try to find another place like that here though.” I turn my head so I can kiss the top of Cass’ again. “I’d be worried about my dad even if my mom had died of natural causes is what I’m trying to say I guess.” I smile sheepishly as the trail leads us back through the trees.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I give him a flat look but then I see Nero in the distance miming something. I flush when I realize they’re making a sexual hand gesture. I roll my eyes, hoping Avery will take it as a response to him.

“It’s not small either.” I tell him, once again admiring his large muscles. I unconsciously lick my lips while staring.

---

---

---

---

I can sense us getting closer to the parking lot again, and although I am excited to go to the art and history museum, I enjoyed walking with Nic. Being in nature was my happy place and it seemed to be Nic's as well. Maybe we could make going for hikes or trail walks a regular thing.

I listen to Nic talk, not thinking he was rambling at all but explaining. I was the Queen of rambling, so I knew what a true ramble was. I smile a little when he says he'd worry regardless of the situation.

"Worrying causes you to age faster. You'll be older than me before you know it," I tease him.

---

---

---

---

Kimiko's eye roll is hard to miss but neither is her obvious staring. This is something I was used to as well. I was smaller in height but I was well defined everywhere else. Some of it was from being a werewolf, but a lot of it was because of working out and needing to get out built-up energy. There was a reason why people who didn't know about werewolves thought we were roid heads and gym junkies.

"Is there something I can help you with, Kimiko or are you just here for the view?"

---

---

I move my hip to hit hers. “Yeah, but I won’t look old until I’m like 100. It’ll be this godly body and then poof little Chinese man bent over a cane.” I joke back, but in the back of my mind I’m realizing I’ll eventually age and die while Cass will stay the same. I push the thought out of my head. It’s not something I need to think about on the second date… we haven’t even established our relationship yet.

“Alright, do we need to get you another drink to walk around with at the museum?” I ask as we approach the car. I’m able to open her door for her this time and I grin.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Ears warm, I scoff at him. “If only the view didn’t come with your mouth.”. I retort. I mean, his body is a masterpiece, but I really can’t stand his attitude towards me sometimes. I see Nero run back into the house, a tall tower of towels in their arms that threatens to fall over any minute.

“I’ll just go for a swim another time.” I say as I start to pull my legs out of the water.

---

---

---

---

I laugh and hit Nic's hip back so we have to do this weird little one foot in front of the other's walk that I've seen teenagers do on TV. We get to the SUV and Nic opens the door for me, celebrating his silent victory. I laugh again when he asks if I need a drink.

"No, I'm okay. But we will have to get another on the way back to Chicago," I say seriously. I step up onto the running board and manage to lean over just enough to kiss Nic's cheek in thanks before I sit down.

---

---

---

---

I chuckle and let go of the wall to float on my back. "The view is better when I use my mouth," I say cheekily. I stop in the middle of the pool and tread water for a moment, watching Kimiko getting out. Yellow really is her colour.

"Swimming is good for training," I inform her. "If you're serious about actually training."

---

---

I can’t help but beam up at her when she kisses my cheek, totally and completely happy. “I think that’s feasible.” I wink before closing her door gently and going around to get into the driver’s seat and behind the wheel. I pull up directions to the museum before I put my arm around Cass’ seat to reverse and leave the parking lot.

“So, do you have a favorite art medium or style?” I ask Cass as I place my hand on her thigh again, a little higher than before.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I stop after getting one leg out and stare at Avery, momentarily forgetting that I was only out here to distract him. “Are you trying to say you don’t think I’m serious about it?” I ask with a frown. Sure, I’m flippant and can drop things if I’m bored or think it’s useless, but training is the one consistency I have back in Europe. Besides, this man hardly knew me enough to make an assumption like that.

“What do you see me as?” I ask, putting my other leg back in the pool to watch him with narrowed eyes, this time it’s not to stare at his muscles. Maybe he thought I was some air head socialite. The dumb dogs’ words from last night repeat in my head about being a slut and I clench my jaw, refusing to even acknowledge that, but a small voice whispers that maybe Avery just saw me as some whore too.

---

---

---

---

I actively make sure I'm not staring at Nic when he reverses, instead I check my phone to see if there are any messages from Caden. I slip my phone away just as Nic rests his hand on my leg. I don't think he is aware, but I certainly am of the hand placement. I let it go though, feeling comfortable with him, despite the electrified feeling coursing through my body.

"Hmm, I like all art but if I had to chose it would be sculptures. I like the details some of the artists can put into the work. It almost feels like they captured the person themselves in the stone or wood," I say. I look over at Nic. [olor=#DB7093]"How about you?"[/color]

---

---

---

---

I stop swimming and lean against the far end of the pool. I've struck a nerve, that much is obvious. "I see you as young," I say seriously. "But you're also closed off and that makes me nervous. You obviously care about your charges, the ones under your family's protection or wouldn't be here, but you also seem annoyed by it. I don't know if that's a reality or if it's a mask. I don't know if you are here to use Caden or if you genuinely care about him. I don't know you, so I don't believe anything you say until I see it." I say point blank. "My trust and friendship is earned, not given freely." My eyes flash yellow, my wolf in agreement with me.

---

---

I ponder her question for a minute or so. “Well, I’m no connoisseur of art, but I think I would choose oil paintings. The brush strokes and techniques vary between each artist and the emotion you can feel just by looking at it seems…” I struggle to find the right word for it. “Enchanting? I don’t know,” I chuckle at my inability to find the right word. “My mom and my grandmother used to oil paint - I never saw my grandma actually paint but I’ve seen some of her paintings and have a couple at my place. My mom would take me with her on a hike so she could paint the view. When I got older, she started making me carry all the supplies.” I laugh at the memory before I turn my head to give a warm smile to Cass.

“Do you think you like sculptures because they’re typically made of the earth? Like wood and stone is from nature, like your magic.”

---

---

---

---

---

---

“I don’t need your trust or your friendship.” I say as I bristle, my own eyes shifting in anger. “Isn’t Caden your alpha or whatever? Shouldn’t his trust in me be enough?” I swivel on my butt to pull both legs out of the water as I roll my eyes and stand. I brush off my butt in case there dirt on it, but I keep my glare on Avery.

I stretch my neck to crack it, feeling tension in me grow. “Also, I don’t think it’s fair for you to not trust people because they’re ‘closed off’.” I say with air quotes. “Who would want to share anything about themselves around the brick wall that is your personality?”

”Enjoy your swim. I don’t think I enjoy the wet dog smell enough to stay out here.” He doesn’t actually smell like a dog, in fact I usually smell mint when I’m around him, but that’s not the point. I walk back towards the house, aiming to go back to my room or Caden’s library.

---

---

---

---

I can’t help but stare at Nic while he talks about art and what it means to him. I usually ask others questions to avoid answering any myself, but with Nic, I genuinely want to know more. I’m glad I agreed to go out with him today.

He looks at me and smiles. I quickly look away from him, embarrassed to be caught staring. His question makes me pause. ”Oh, that might be a factor. That may be why it feels more real to me.”

---

---

---

---

I woke up a couple of hours later to an empty room. I don’t mind, though, and stretch out before I toss the blankets back. I get dressed in something simple for now, knowing I’ll have to dress and go into town today, but not right now.

I grab my notes from last night and go through what I wrote down while I walk downstairs. I glance up to see Nero wandering around with a mountain of towels. I look at them sideways, blinking a few times before voices catch my attention. I turn to see Kimiko getting out of the pool in a huff.

I snort when Kiki calls Avery a wet dog. She storms into the house, and I grab her shoulders gently. ”Kiki,” I greet. ”Not having fun?”

---

---

---

---

I frown as Kimiko goes off, quickly losing her patience. I don’t know why she thinks I should automatically be friendly to her or nice to everyone. People, including our own kind, aren't very nice. Did she just completely forget that from last night? I roll my eyes when she storms off. I wave her off, not caring at this point and return to my swim.

---

---

I gently squeeze her thigh, turning my attention back to the road. “You could also just like it without there being a hidden reason.” I assure her.

“Sometimes the level of detail one puts in those, especially the human ones that are life-size ones, is absolutely incredible.” I say.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I blink in surprise when Caden stops me before I look up at him in embarrassment, hating that he caught me losing my cool. “Your driver’s just an asshole.” I say with a flat tone. Biting my lip, I feel my face and ears burn with shame. Mostly, I just can’t figure out why I let him get under my skin so easily. I’d understand if I was some random who showed up, but I’m close with Caden - shouldn’t I receive more benefit of the doubt?

“I just need a moment to go calm down.”

I see a pile of towels in my peripheral vision and hear it ask, “Does this mean the prank’s over? Do I need to put the towels back?” Nero sounds almost sad that the prank might be called off.

---

---

---

---

I smile, glancing down at Nic’s hand before I look back out the window again. ”I know... Sometimes it is what it is.” Like us, I thought to myself. I wrap my arm around Nic’s arm, leaning against it slightly, and smile. I watch the world go by as we drive to the museum, content to stay quiet.

Once we arrive at the museum, I shift excitedly, eager to go inside.

---

---

---

---

I release Kiki, looking at her closely. She doesn’t normally let people get under her skin so easily. She’s never carried what others' opinions of her were. Well, she did care when it came to people she cared about or was close with, like me. She would often ask for my advice.

Nero wanders over, and I stare at the talking tower of towels. [color=#006400][i]”Nein, mein kleiner Kobold[i]. Go hide the towels in my office. Avery never goes in there,”[/color] I encourage. I look back at Kimiko and wait until Nero leaves.

”Do you want to have a drink with me? We haven’t had much time to talk, you and I.”

---

---

A stupid grin spreads on my face as Cass holds my arm. Just when I’m certain she can’t be more adorable, she manages it. Then her cute little wiggle when we finally get to the museum kills me - I bury my face in the steering, trying to hide the blush and goofy grin from Cass before she saw it. “She’s too cute.” I mumble to myself.

---

---

---

---

---

---

I swear I hear the pile of towels go, “Nyeheheheheh.” as it runs away, somehow defying the laws of gravity and physics. I watch Nero disappear before I turn back to look back up at Caden.

“Fine.” I mumble. I felt more like the annoying kid sister Caden has to deal with now rather than the grown 62-year-old-woman that I am. “Let me grab a shirt or something first.” I start heading towards my room. ”Which room are we meeting in?”