He was my best friend. We didn't keep secrets from each other. We've only been friends. I've had the occasional boyfriend and he has had his own relationships, too. I just didn't see this coming. His arm was around her waist his lips in her hair. I was alone. The others stood near. It was their entire fault. I could tell that they were forcing him to be with her and ignore me. He loved me…well like a sister, but he would always pay attention to me even in his best relationships. We were like family.

I wouldn't give up on him. I snuck out and waited outside of his house and waited for him to come out. I planned to rush at him and scream and demand an explanation. Then he came out and I lost all of my courage.

He ran into the woods and I followed. I knew that he knew that I was there, because as he ran soundlessly almost floating over the brush I stumbled and grabbed branches for balances. I must have sounded like a freight train crashing. However, he didn't turn around as I figured he would.

Then it thundered and the noise of pounding rain covered me. I was shielded from little rain under the tree canopies. Then he stopped in the clearing. I ran into him and stumbled. His arm shot out with amazing speed and steadied me. My fingertips barely touched the soil. He yanked me to my feet and nearly ripped my arm out of its socket. I groaned. He mumbled an apology under his breath.

"What are you doing here AJ?"

He still used my childhood nickname when everyone else called me Abby. I looked around and tried to think of an explanation that didn't make me sound like a stalker or just pathetic. The rain continued to pour.

I did the stupidest thing. I jumped at him and hugged him. My head was on his chest and I cried. He lifted his arms up and seemed unsure. I smiled as finally hugged me back. "Get out of here," he commanded. I pulled away confused. He wiped my tears off my face and then forced me away. I cried harder.

"Dare?" I spoke softly his nickname. He hated his first name but I thought it was beautiful. Darius.

"Just go."

I ran off until I thought he couldn't see me. I then ran in a circle so that I could once again see him. He punched a tree and it left a dent. He cracked a rock while kicking it. Then he shouted. I screamed. He transformed into a bear, no a wolf. A giant wolf stood in the clearing in place of Dare. My Dare, what was happening to you? The beast turned its head towards me.

Its fur stood on end and then it flattened. Strong legs propelled it to where I was. My feet were unsteady and my knees buckled and I fell. In a flash Darius stood before me. He was naked. I closed my eyes as he pulled on his shorts.

He crouched beside me. I screamed, but his quick hand covered my mouth. I used my feet to push me backwards. I tried to pull away.

"AJ stop." He grabbed my shoulders. I couldn't speak my voice had fled. "It's still me. I promise."