For the next two weeks life went normal. I worked, came home and went to bed. I only heard from Eric once. He called to tell me he claimed me as his and the Queen had to accept. For now I was safe.

I woke up with a new lease on life. The pain from Bill was slowly starting to heal. Alcide had called a few days back asking me for a date. Was I really ready to date again? Alcide was a nice guy, and for the most part human. I had to focus to hear his thoughts. It could work. And what good will it do to sit and mope around pining over Bill. Life goes on.

I grabbed my phone and called Alcide.

"Hey Alcide." I greet

"Sookie. How are you?"

"Good. Life is settling down. Remember when you called a few days ago and asked me out?"

"Is this a yes Sookie?"

I blushed. "I would love to go out on a date with you." I tell him.

"Great are you off tonight?" he inquired.

"I am"

"Well how about dinner and a movie?"

"Sounds great." I tell him. It sounded so normal.

"Good I'll pick you up at seven. See ya later Sookie."

The rest of the day I float on a cloud. I got some sun time in and enjoyed the new book I'd been wanting to read. Around 530 I decide it's time to get ready. I jump in the shower washing and shaving everything. Once I get done and head to get dressed, my phone rings.

"Hello"

"Sookie"

I sigh."Hi Pam. What can I do for you?" I ask.

"Eric would like you to come to Fangtasia tonight and spend some time with him. You've been summoned."

"I can't tonight Pam."

"Why you do not work at the shifter's tonight?" she asked.

Fuckers are keeping tabs on me. I should have known.

"I'm not Pam, but I have plans."

"Well cancel them. Eric was adamant. He gave you two weeks alone."

Fucker. "Pam I have a date. I'm not going to cancel it."

"Sookie, what the fuck are you doing. Your Eric's. You can't date. Be logical."

"Pam I'm under his protection. I'm not HIS. It's time for me to move on."

She laughs" Your so amusing Sookie. May I ask who this big date is with?"

"Alcide" I tell her.

"Eric won't like this one bit."

"I don't care what he likes. We have a business arrangement."

"That's your final answer?" Pam questions.

"Yep"

"Don't say I did not warn you." And with that comment she hangs up.

Fucking vampires. Nothing happened though. Alcide picked me up and we had a lovely date. I really enjoyed his company. We even shared some kisses when he dropped me off. Barely able to contain my smile I go to unlock my door when I'm slammed up against it by one very angry 1000 year old vampire.

"What the fuck do you think your doing?" he seethed.

"Going to bed. Goodnight Eric" I go to push away and he just hisses.

"Invite me in" he growls.

"No"

He drops fang and growls again." Invite me fucking in NOW."

Knowing he's pissed I say "Come in Eric."

He pushes me in the house and down on the couch. He starts pacing the house running his fingers through his hair.

"What the fuck where you doing Sookie. Making out with another man. I will not allow it." He fumes.

"You won't allow it? What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You are mine. If you're going to be kissing anyone it will be me.!" he screams.

"Well I won't be kissing you." I retort.

"Then you won't be kissing anyone."

"Excuse me?"

"Sookie you are mine. I've claimed you as mine. In the supernatural community that means you're off limits to everyone. Alcide knows better."

"Alcide doesn't know."

"Of course he knows. He can smell my blood in you."

"Eric come on. I appreciate everything your doing for me, I really do. But honestly you cannot dictate who I date."

"Your mine Sookie. I can do as I like. As mine you are forbidden to kiss or fuck anyone but me."

I look at him startled. " You can't be serious."

He growls at me with his fangs down" I'm deadly serious."

What the hell I get up and put my finger in front of him" No. If I want to date Alcide, or anyone else for that matter. I will."

"Get your finger out of my face now before I break it off" he growls.

Realizing I might just be pushing my luck, I back away and sit back down. "Eric please don't be unreasonable, I just want to move on from Bill."

He sits down and retracts his fangs. "I realize that Sookie. I've given you time to mourn what he has done to you. I know your heart hurts, and I personally find it despicable that he took your virginity under false pretenses."

Huh." Eric if the Queen had ordered you to get me, don't tell me you would not have done everything Bill did."

"I would not"

"Oh really?" I snark.

"Granted I would have accepted the assignment. But don't ever assume I would have had you beaten up, Tricked you into falling in love with me, taken your virginity only to turn around and almost kill you. NO I would not have. Once I got to know you I would have told you and done everything to keep you away from the Queen. Like I am now."

I realize he's not lying. I honestly don't think he would have. Eric has had plenty of chances to turn me over, yet he has not, and he keeps protecting me.

"Sookie, I find myself in uncharted territory here. In my thousand years, I have never allowed myself to care for anyone but Godric or Pam. Now I find I care for you as well."

Eric cares about me. Shit. This is not my life. "Do you care for me Sookie? I think you do."

This is the last thing I need. I will not get involved in another relationship with a vampire. Especially not a manwhore like Eric Northman.

"It does not matter. I won't be in another relationship with a vampire. And you don't care about anyone but yourself and Pam. You're only helping me so you can get something out of this."

I look back over to Eric and see his face go from disappointment to anger in a millisecond.

"Believe what you want. I'm helping you stay free and alive when it would be easier for me to hand you over. Piss me off, and I will. I had hoped after some time to mourn Bill you would be open to pursuing a relationship with me. In anticipation of that, and since the night you became mine I have refrained from fucking others and only drinking bagged blood. You have made it abundantly clear you do not wish a relationship with me, so I will go back to doing what I want. I will draw up a contract with regard to terms. I believe we have said everything that needs to be said Miss Stackhouse."

And with that Eric walked out of my life.

What did I do. If I'm not wrong , and I don't think I was, Eric wanted to be with me. He was being faithful as well. I know he did not lie about that. I think now the only time he did lie to me was that night in Russell's mansion when he said he cared nothing for me. I was still so hurt over Bill, I just managed to hurt Eric. I cried myself to sleep.

The next day a contract arrived from Fangtasia Other than all the other legal crap it basically said I was Eric's Possession. His telepath. He stipulated that I was to read minds in Fangstasia once a week and would be paid 1000.00 for each night. Also that if a need arises I would be available on call and in that instant be paid 2000.00. If the Queen required my services I would also be paid the same, and Pam would accompany me. Very fair. I signed it immediately and popped it in the mail.

I waited two days to read the letter Eric sent along with it.

Ms. Stackhouse,

I'm sure you will find the details of this contract to be fair. Please sign and return to me immediately. On the nights you're at Fangstasia, I will not be there. Your contact will be Pam. I have no desire to ever see your face again and deal with your nonsense. Since I am a man of my word, I will still protect you from the Queen.

With regard to your personal relationships you are free to fuck whomever you choose. You are my telepath, nothing more.

I allowed myself to care for a human when my better sense told me not to. Be assured I will never be making that mistake again.

Eric Northman.

I had really hurt Eric. I never thought someone like him would be capable of caring, but he did. Maybe I should have spoken to him instead of lashing out. Told him I needed time. I realize that maybe I cared for Eric way more than I thought.

After work that night Pam was waiting for me. I let her in and offered her True Blood.

"You are really a stupid breather you know that." She snarks.

"Excuse me?" I ask.

"Eric cared for you. He was so happy at the prospect of being in a relationship with you. The night you where suppose to come to Fangstasia, he had made plans to take you to dinner."

"Pam I know I fucked up."

"You did. I of course did not agree with his infatuation with you. But it made him happier than I'd ever seen him. When you saved him. I thought you where different. You have hurt him deeply."

"I know Pam. Maybe if I called him?" I asked

"No. He will not accept the call. He has instructed you of his wishes. Sookie when Eric gives his trust, it is a big thing. You had it. And you betrayed him. You will never get it back. I'm frankly surprised he agreed to still protect you from Sophie Anne, but Eric is a man of his word."

"I know that now."

"Too little too late I suppose. Anyhow I'm your point of contact. You will alternate Fridays and Saturdays at Fangstasia."

We talked a bit more and Pam left. The very next day I called Alcide and told him I was not ready to date yet. It seems my heart needed to mourn two vampires.