Chapter 12

She didn't run away, she didn't even show the least bit of fear.

Instead she rushed to my side and instantly put her arms around my furry neck.

"You're even more perfect than I had dreamed." She whispers out.

I rub my head softly against her cheek and she pats me on the head with a smile.

It wasn't just her normal every day fake smile, it was a real joyful smile.

At that moment it seemed that she had forgotten everything that had just happened with her dad and was so happy to know that I'm her protector.

I think I finally have her trust thanks to her dreams.

In all the excitement I had forgot to take my shorts off before I phased so that meant I would have to find clothes before I could phase back.

I motioned her to stay with my head and went off into the woods.

Luckily Jack and Henry were patrolling nearby and brought me a pair of shorts.

When I got back Grace was still in the same spot.

She still seemed to be on a high, knowing I'm a wolf.

"So now you know what I am." I say knocking her out of her trance.

She looks me up and down and begins to blush.

I guess it would've been polite of me to put on a shirt, but I was just trying to hurry back.

"If you ever want to talk about what happened tonight or if you need anything at all, I'm here for you." I assure her.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." She responds shyly.

"Well, I guess I'll see you at school? Or do you still want me to leave you alone?" I ask her.

"I don't want you to hurt me, I've been hurt enough." She says turning to walk back to her house.

"Wait…" I plead running up to her side and gently grabbing her arm.

"Look into my eyes. I promise you I'll never hurt you. I could never hurt you."

She looked up and our eyes locked onto each other.

The feelings I felt when I imprinted on her are all coming back again and I'm hoping she feels the same way.

"I'll be your friend and I'll try to trust you, but I'll warn you. My trust is very hard to gain and really easy to lose." She says taking her gaze off of me.

"All I'm asking for is a chance."

"Grace it's time to come in." Her mom yells from the backyard.

"Guess that means I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow."

I quietly crept back through my window and savored my last few hours of sleep before school.

"Where were you last night?" Liza says angrily tapping her foot by my locker.

"It was an emergency. I would've been there if I could."

"What happened?" Liza asks calming down a bit.

"I can't say, but it was an emergency. It's just not my business to tell."

"Whatever you say, I just actually believed you when you said you'd be there for me." She says disappointed.

"I am going to be there for you. How was last night?"

"I didn't sleep much. You seem to keep the nightmares away, but I didn't harm myself if that's what you're asking."

The bell rang and I realized I haven't even grabbed my books yet.

Liza walks down the hall without saying goodbye or anything.

When I open my locker I find a note in there.

It's from Grace.

I open it up and see it's filled with questions about me being a wolf.

I scan through it answering the questions the best I can telling her how our tribe can shape shift and what we protect people from.

I left out the part about imprinting, I'm waiting for the right time to tell her I imprinted on her, like maybe when we're more than friends.

I double checked to make sure that I wrote she couldn't tell anybody about the note and then slipped it into her locker.

I was exhausted so I slept through most of my classes.

After school I met up with Grace and offered to walk her home.

This time she actually agreed to it.

"So, you got my note?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Yes this stuff is incredible. It's like the stuff you hear in fairy tales. I want to hear even more about it." She says excitedly.

"Come on let's sit for a minute and I'll tell you." I say plopping down against a tree.

She eagerly sits beside me.

"What do you want to know?" I ask.

"How does it feel when you phase? Does it hurt?" She asks with concern.

I am about to answer when Liza comes walking up.

"Hey Liza."

"Hey baby!" She shouts and before I can even react she bends down and places her lips against mine.

"Maybe I should just leave you two alone." Grace says getting up to leave.

"No Grace, wait…