Taking a deep breath, I press on. Leaves crush and branches snap beneath my feet as I run between trees.

Gritting my teeth together, I use my anger to keep going. I cannot believe my parents sent me away. That they'd give up on me, just like that.

What kinds of parents do that? Send their child away just because she's been having a hard time lately. Just because she's been struggling, and might have caused some problems.

"What are you doing here?"

I jump back, gasping for air even more than I already was.

"This is private property."

I straighten up, looking over at the guy stand before me.

His short, black hair looks stylishly ruffled, and his clean-shaved face makes him look younger. Taking him fully in I bite my bottom lip.

His strong jawline, piercing grey eyes and a body made of nothing else but lean muscles definitely don't exactly hurt the drop-dead-sexy front. Neither does the snug, grey, vest top, dark boots, black jeans and black leather jacket.

Cocking my head to the side, I purse my lips.

"I didn't see any sign," I say, pointing my thumb behind me.

He stays perfectly still only a few feet away from me, his facial expression impassive,

"Beside-"

"Private property," he repeats, his tone perfectly calm. "I suggest you turn around, and leave."

"You live there?" I ask, pointing towards an almost burnt down house.

"Yes."

I frown. "Really?"

Looking back at the house, I see several shattered windows. Planks are hanging down, on the verge of falling any time soon. A large chunk on the left side in missing, and it has no room.

You can tell it used to be a great mansion, but now it looks nothing more than a burnt, long forgotten house. The house has great potential, though. It could easily be built up again, if someone would just bother. Clearly this guy didn't.

"Do you have electricity in there?" I ask, squinting my eyes. "Water?"

He approaches slowly, but I'm too lost on my little train of thought.

How can someone live like that? How does he even shower?

It's not until he's standing a few feet away from me that I notice him.

I look down at his feet, my eyes slowly trailing up his posture before meeting his fierce eyes. I see a flicker of gold in them, which immediately triggers my curiosity. Funny, as that was exactly what had gotten me here.

I part my lips to speak, but he beats me to it, "You're clearly out on a run."

I roll my eyes.

Gee, what made realise that? I mentally ask him. Was it my ponytail? The sneakers? Maybe me gym clothes?

"So I recommend you start to run. Fast."

There is a warning in his words, and I narrow my eyes as I study his. There is something eerily calm about him, at the same time as he radiates chaos.

Putting one foot in front of the other my pace quickens and I run away.

I turn and look behind me to catch one last glimpse of him and frown as I realise he's disappeared. Completely.

I can't seem to put him out of my mind, and he haunts me all the way back to my new home. I open the door and jog up the stairs, needing a shower so badly.

Rummaging through my closet I find a t-shirt and pull it on, before stepping out into the hall. I only have to walk two doors down to reach my destination, and I knock on the door.

Clumsily, Stiles opens the door and gives me a confused look.

"What's up?" he asks, trying to be polite in his own, personal way.

"I need to see some of this town, and thought maybe you would want to come have a coffee with me?"

I smack my lips together nervously. I've only met Stiles at family dinners, and never spent more than a couple of hours with him. The thought of living with him is slightly weird, but so far he's been nothing but kind and easy going. Thank God for that.

"Dressed like that?" he asks, nodding towards my body, which is only covered in knickers and a size-too-large t-shirt.

"I'll change first," I confirm, giving him a small smile.

"Give me ten minutes?"

"Sure," he nods and I walk back to my room. I hear him close his door and a few muffled voices, but ignore it. He might just be talking to his mate on the computer. I think his name was Scott … something.

Entering my own room, I pull on a pair of black jeans and switch the t-shirt for a oversized, knitted burgundy jumper.

I grab my leather bag that's lying on the floor I throw my wallet, keys and phone inside it.

Pulling on a pair of simple, white ankle socks, I go to meet Stiles downstairs. I decided on no make up as I'm too lazy to bother.

I slip my feet into a pair of black boots and close the door behind me as I get into my car.

"I thought we could take me Jeep?" says Stiles, and I turn my head, giving him a proper are-you-kidding-me? look.

"Okay, you just be like that, but it's actually a good car!" he protests, getting into my light yellow bubble.

I have to ask Stiles for directions, but luckily he's more than happy to help.

It takes no more than ten minutes, which I'm thankful for. It means it's in walking distance, and I won't have to throw away money on gas.

I order myself a latte and Stiles orders a black coffee. I arch my eyebrows his way. "Black?"

"What? I like black," he answers defensively. I smirk.

After getting our coffee's we sit down opposite each other and I take a sip.

I chew on my bottom lip as I relive my run, and lean forward a bit.

"Hey, Stiles?"

He glances up me, his face sceptical. "Yeah?"

"Do you know of a burnt house in the middle of the woods?"

Stiles looks surprised, but nods. "It belongs to the Hale family."

"Hale?" I ask, turning the name over in my head.

Stiles nods, "why?"

"When I was out running I met this guy. He pretty much kicked me out of his 'private property'."

Stiles' eyes widen as I speak, confusing me even further.

"What?" I ask, my brows furrowing.

"Hu- nothing!" he blurts, and I narrow my eyes at him. "Really, nothing. Nada."

Sighing, I decide against interrogating him and take a different turn.

"Do you know any of the Hale's?"

Stiles shift uncomfortably in his seat, answering my question immediately.

"I know of one."

I arch an eyebrow. "Elaborate."

I take another sip of my latte and my eyes flicker around the shop, widening as the fall on the man entering.

"What?" asks Stiles, seeing my surprised expression. He turns around in his seat, and I hear him mutter, "oh, come on!"

The guy turns towards us, but he doesn't seem to notice me. Just Stiles.

Oh yeah, Stiles definitely knows him.

"We need to talk," he says coldly, and Stiles gapes at him. "I'm a bit busy, thanks."

The guy's eyes flicker to me – finally – and I see surprise flash in his eyes.

"Derek, this is Sophia. My cousin," Stiles says. "Sophia, this is Derek Hale."

"We met," says Derek curtly, looking back to Stiles.

I wrinkle my nose, cocking my head slightly as I watch them.

Stiles opens his mouth to say something, but apparently he's scared of Derek because his eyes suddenly widen and his lips turn in a thin line.

Then he turns to me and I drag me eyes off Derek to meet his gaze.

"Will you be all right?" he asks, and I shrug. "It's not like I'll be lost or anything."

Stiles flashes me a quick smile before getting up, walking towards the entrance.

He walks out, and I watch them both with curiosity. Just as Derek is about to exit, his gaze locks with mine and I think I see a flash of curiosity in his eyes as well, but it's gone too soon and as he leaves, I'm left to wonder if I just imagined it.