Baron opened his eyes and looked over to see me sleeping peacefully next to him. The events from last night replayed in his mind as he sat up and stared at me. He placed his hand on my head and ran his fingers through my soft black hair. I nuzzled into his touch and opened my eyes, smiling at him. "Good morning," I mumbled as I rolled onto my side. Baron smiled and ruffled my hair. "Good morning. Sleep good?" He studied me as I stretched next to him, laying my head on his thigh. "Yeah. Don't remember what happened last night, though." Baron raised an eyebrow. "You don't remember?" I shook my head. "Last thing I remember was Summer grabbing a bottle and hitting me with it." Baron stared at me for awhile before speaking. "You don't remember telling Summer off or how you practically threw yourself on me when we got home?" I sat up and looked at Baron. "No. Did I really do all of that?" Baron nodded slowly as I placed my hands on my head. "I don't remember anything. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it." Baron pulled me into his arms. "It's okay. I had a feeling that you wasn't being yourself last night after Summer hit you. Don't worry. Nothing happened." Baron kissed my forehead softly and smiled. "Come on, let's go eat. Corey and Kelly are probably waiting for us." "Will we ever have a peaceful breakfast alone," I giggled. "Maybe one day," he laughed as we got out of bed and got dressed. I kept trying to dig through my mind to find the missing memory from last night to no avail. I sighed as I put on a long sleeved shirt and joggers before I walked out of the room with Baron following behind me. Baron looked at me as we walked to the kitchen. "Don't worry, baby. We'll figure out what's going on with you." I looked at Baron and smiled as we reached the kitchen where everyone was waiting. Corey and Jamie were arguing while Kelly sat back and laughed. Baron sighed as he sat next to Kelly. "What are they arguing about now?" Kelly chuckled before responding, "Who would win in a street fight: AJ or Chris? Corey says AJ and Jaime said Chris. I got bored waiting on you two so I decided to entertain myself." Baron rubbed his temples as I laughed. "Chris is the veteran so of course he would beat that scrawny youngster," Jamie said with confidence. "Sorry, old man, but us youngsters can actually move without help from a cane unlike you," Corey said with a smirk. "Who the hell are you calling old man?" Baron shook his head and groaned. "That's enough. It's way too early to listen to you two bicker like children." Corey and Jamie went silent and looked at Baron. "Sorry," they mumbled in unison. Jamie fixed everyone a plate so we could enjoy a nice breakfast together. "Now let me ask you something," Baron said in between bites, "Maria lost some time last night. She doesn't remember what happened after Summer hit her with that bottle." Corey chuckled and looked at me. "Man, last night you ripped Summer a new one. I swear, it looked like she wanted to cry. I have never seen someone tell her off like that before." I looked down in silence. "Not helping, Corey," Baron said, ruffling my hair. "Hm, maybe the blow to the head triggered something inside of her," Kelly suggested, "We still don't know all of her abilities so that might be a new one. Or maybe she's pure evil and doesn't want to show us that side." I chuckled softly as everyone looked at me. "What? It's funny. I'm an angel, I swear," I said with a smirk. "Anyone who brings Summer close to tears is an angel in my book," Kelly chuckled. "I had to stand up to the blonde bimbo, especially after she kicked Corey. I know that everyone wants to protect me, but I'm tough too," I said. Baron smiled and petted my head. "I understand that you want to be tough, but you don't have to. Everyone will watch over you now. No worries," he said. "Yeah. We got your back, girl, don't even worry," Kelly said, smiling. I nodded as I sipped on my coffee, frowning before setting the cup down. "Too strong," Jamie asked and I shook my head, "still trying to get used to your new taste buds?" I nodded and rested my head on the table. "Are you okay," Baron asked, putting his hand on my back. "Yeah. I'm fine," I sighed as I got up and left the kitchen, going into the living room and grabbed my coat. "Where are you going," Baron asked as he walked in. "Gonna go to work today. Can't laze around at home all day," I said as I pulled on my coat. "I'll take you," he said, walking up to me as I stood at the door. "I'm a big girl, baby. I can go to work by myself," I chuckled as he grabbed my hand. "I'm taking you. Don't need someone coming up to you or anything." I raised an eyebrow and shook him off. "I'm going by myself!" He glanced down at me and a low rumble came from him as his jaw clenched and he grabbed my arm, squeezing gently. "I'm taking you. End of discussion," he growled. I flashed an innocent smile and stared at him. "Okay, Baron. I'm sorry." He raised an eyebrow and let go of my arm. "Good. Let me grab my coat and get the keys and we can go." I nodded as he turned around and saw Kelly, Corey, and Jamie standing there. "Everything okay," Kelly asked looking at me. "Yeah. I'm going to take her to Carmella's store and will be right back," Baron answered as he pulled on his coat and walked to the table where his keys were at. As soon as there was enough distance between us, I winked at Kelly before opening the door and ran out. "What the fuck," Baron said as the others started laughing. I jumped and took on the form of a raven as I heard Baron yell at me as I flew away from the house. Baron sighed and put his hand on his head as Jamie patted him. "You know, boss. I think I figured out the problem," he said, making Baron look at him, "she's a rebellious you in female form." Kelly and Corey burst into laughter as Baron glared at Jamie. "No wonder Mark told me good luck," he sighed. "Yeah. You definitely have your hands full with her now. Maybe having your blood flowing through her doesn't help," Kelly chuckled, "don't worry. Carmella hired me too so she will be fine." "Good. Do me a favor. Tell Car to keep her as busy as possible. I want to do something special for her,"Baron said as she changed forms and flew off. "Not fun being with such a wild and free spirit, isn't it," Corey teased. "Shut up. We have something to do. We have to go on a search," Baron said. "Such for what?" "Her stolen stuff. I have her scent so this should be easy. Jamie, watch the house for me. We will be back. Let's go, Corey." Jamie nodded as Baron and Corey took off.

I landed in front of the store and changed back into my human form before walking inside. "Carmella," I called out to her as I walked in. "Hey, girl. Ready to work," she said, smiling at me. Before I could reply, Kelly walked in and put an arm around me. "Ready for work," she said, pulling me along as we walked to the back. "Great. First, Maria, you're on model duty for the day. I designed some new clothes and need you to show them off. Kelly and I will take turns making any needed adjustments and take pictures for the website," Carmella said as she gathered up clothes and gave them to Kelly. I nodded as Kelly followed me to the dressing room and I pulled off my clothes. "First, this dress," Kelly said, passing me a black, back less dress with a deep V neck and a long split on the side. I slipped into it and straightened up before stepping out. "Wow," she said as I turned around, "that dress was so made for you. It shows off those tattoos nicely too, especially the dragon on your back. Come on, let's take pictures." I nodded as we walked to where Carmella had the camera and a backdrop set up. "You look fabulous, girl," Carmella said as she grabbed the camera, "I have some heels over there to go with that dress." I walked over to the pair of black heels and put them on before standing in front of the white screen as Kelly grabbed another camera to take pictures from a different angle. I smiled and posed as they began taking pictures. "I can't believe this is happening to me," I giggled as they set down their cameras, "one day, I'm just travelling the world and now I'm living with this incredible man and a great job. Life is so crazy." "Not to mention that you have incredible new friends who will always have your back," Carmella added and Kelly nodded, "Besides, you're a princess now. You get all of the benefits in the world." I raised an eyebrow as I took off my heels. "What are you talking about? I'm not a princess," I laughed off as I returned to the dressing room and changed into a red and blue body suit that hugged my curves nicely. I stepped out and walked back over to Kelly and Carmella who were giving each other strange looks. "What?" Carmella looked at Kelly who sighed. "Baron didn't tell you everything, which isn't anything new since he doesn't like to open up to people. He's actually the Prince of this village and since you're his soul mate..." My eyes widened as I looked at them. "I'm the princess of this village?" She nodded as I put on a pair of boots. "Well, not right now. You two will have to get married first before you can get the title, but still. You're a future princess and need to be protected, which is why he wanted to bring you here. I mean, you two haven't like sealed the deal, right?" I blushed and shook my head. "Even though you're half way bound to him, other Alphas will still try to come after you and even though your mind says Baron, your body can betray you." "Yeah, especially during the blood moon and heat cycles," Carmella said. "Blood moon," I asked as I fixed my hair. "That's the best... I mean worst night ever. The moon turns red and all of the Alphas will try to mate," Carmella chuckled. "They don't try. They will. They can't help it. Alphas want children and blood moon and our heart cycles are the only chance they have to impregnate us," Kelly said. "Wait! But everyone's been telling me how aggressive Baron is and how he's never smiled until I got here," I said feeling overwhelmed. "It's true. He's aggressive in nature so your sex life will be amazing," Carmella said bluntly. "Not helping," I chuckled as they began taking pictures. "Well look on the bright side. You will never be dissatisfied in bed so that's a plus. You might not be able to walk straight for a while, but that's fine," Kelly joked and I glared at her. "Anyways, less of that, let's get to work. We have a busy day today," Carmella said as we finally got down to business and finished with the photoshoot as quickly as possible before we opened and got really busy with a huge sale for the day.

After work, we went out to eat late into the evening. I tried to contact Baron during the work day telepathically, but I couldn't reach him. Loneliness began to fill me and I longed for him as I stared at my food. "Earth to Maria," Kelly said, poking me. "Huh? What," I said, shaking my head. "Are you okay?" I smiled and nodded. "Yeah. Just thinking about today. It was really fun. I've never modeled before in my life." "Well, you're a natural, girl," Carmella giggled. "Thanks. This job is way better than my old one. So glad that I don't have to go back to that job," I said, drinking my drink. "What about your old life? Won't you miss that," Kelly asked. I set down my glass and sighed. "Honestly? No. I'm actually glad to be here. I don't have any friends in Texas. My parents have passed so I have no one. It's just me," I said. "Wow. Baron doesn't have anyone either," Kelly said which made me raise my eyebrow, "Baron is an only child and his parents were killed years ago. Mark and Michelle raised him and since they didn't have any children who would do it, Mark made Baron Prince of this village." "Really? So he had it rough, huh," I asked in between bites. "Yeah. I met him in college and we became friends. Then a few years later, he went to get a tattoo and that's how he met Corey and they've been friends ever since. He was Corey's best man at our wedding," Kelly chuckled. I sighed, smiling at the thought of Baron in a suit at a wedding. My mind soon wondered to us standing at the alter, filled with love for one another as we commit to each other. "I bet right now she's thinking about their wedding day," Carmella whispered to Kelly. "Big time," Kelly agreed. "Shut up." They laughed at me as we finished up our dinner. Kelly and I said our goodbyes to Carmella before we changed into birds and flew home. "You're getting better at shape shifting," she said as we changed back once we landed. "Thanks. It's starting to become second nature to me," I said as I opened the door and we walked inside. Jamie walked in, smiling at us. "Welcome back. Had a great first day," he asked. "Yeah. I modeled some new clothes that we will sell soon and it was a very busy day, but I got to meet people," I said as I took off my coat. "Where's our other halves at," Kelly asked. "They went out earlier today and haven't returned yet so you might want to spend the night here," Jamie said, looking at Kelly, "Boss doesn't want Maria alone." I rolled my eyes and sighed. "I can take care of myself." Jamie patted my shoulder. "We know, but the boss wants to just keep you safe. I'm leaving for the day and will be back in the morning." I nodded and walked him to the door. "Thanks for everything, Jamie. See you tomorrow." "Good night, ladies," he waved before walking out the door. "Well, guess I'm staying here tonight. I'll take my usual room. Sometimes we get too drunk to go home so we crash here. I have clothes still here. Corey too," she giggled as we went upstairs. "What are those two up to? I've been trying to reach Baron all day and he hasn't contacted me once," I said, sadness in my eyes. "He'll be back. That's just the loneliness of not having him near you. He'll smothered you when he returns. Just try to get some sleep." She gave me a hug before going into the guest bedroom, "you know how to reach me if you need me. Goodnight." She shut the door and I walked into Baron's room and shut the door. I smiled when I saw a wolf laying in bed. "Thanks for keeping me company," I said, petting it then walked into the shower. I took a shower and got dressed for bed, putting on one of his shirts before climbing into bed. I petted the wolf again as I tried to sleep. The bed shifted as the wolf moved closer to me and rubbed its nose against my cheek. I petted it lazily and rolled over when it started licking my face. The wolf kept nudging me and I pushed it away gently. "I don't want to play," I mumbled as it kept nudging me. "Stop. Get off the bed." I felt the wolf jump off of the bed and sighed as I finally tried to get some sleep. The bed dipped again and my body felt heavy. I felt something rub against my face and I reached up to feel something soft and fuzzy. I sighed, thinking it was the wolf and pushed back gently. "I said that I don't want to play." "Aw. You don't want to play with me?" My eyes snapped open and I saw Bray Wyatt hovering over me. Before I could open my mouth to scream, he covered my mouth with his hand, smirking with me as I started to feel my energy slowly drain. "Relax, darling. You will be sleeping soon enough," he chuckled as my vision blurred and I soon drifted to sleep. "I'll take good care of you" was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness.