I was lying on a bed, eyes closed, curled on my side. There was no sound.

Just the feeling of fingers through my hair, combing it gently up onto the pillow. Over and over again. The feeling, soothing, making me sink further into the mattress.

I love the feeling of it, making me all relaxed and calm.

A soft moan of content leaves me, embarrassed I tuck my head a little further into my arm. He just chuckles softly in response. I love the sound of his voice; it calls to me always.

With a short inhale I'm awake. It happened again, a dream about him. They're happening more often now. Almost every night. Never anything else, never anyone else, I always dream about him.

I never see much of him though, it used to frustrate me but now I've accepted it. My perfect stranger. He always knows what I want without me asking, always knows what I like without having to check, perfect.

And I wonder why I'm single.

With my perfect stranger in my dreams, who could compare?

And the day begins again.

Getting up from the lumpy bed, I went through today's list of to-dos.

I was leaving this motel today, thank goodness too, the bed was uncomfortable, and the walls were too thin. It was time to get back on the road.

Looking at the map on my phone, I picked my next destination. Some small, random, town where the local motel is used to travellers spending a night or two before moving on. Somewhere where they were used to this and wouldn't comment or remember me.

Running was second nature now, I had hoped I could find somewhere soon to settle down, but every time I got close, it was too scary. My own mind was my worst enemy and isn't that terrifying.

*Niklaus*

I saw her again last night.

Dragging my fingers through her hair, she settled further into my side and sighed. She was completely relaxed against me, that doesn't happen, it shouldn't happen. I am a monster, a psychopath, a killer without remorse, and she continues to curl up, half asleep into my arms. Trusting me completely. I shouldn't have this, but I want it, I need it. Holding her here calms me, makes me feel complete.

I need her. I need her here, with me.

I've sketched her every time I wake up from these dreams.

It's a frustrating circle, I dream over and over of her, everything from those beautiful moments of peace holding her like last night, to simply being an observer, watching a smaller version of her reading a book on a pink and purple bed spread.

I know she has dark hair, it's soft, I like tangling my fingers in it and she likes me playing with her hair. I held her in my arms, and my wolf is peaceful, beyond anything I have ever felt before. I know her scent is intoxicating, that I could live of it, but I can't remember the scent. It's the only thing I can't recall. And it drives me crazy.

Elijah knows, of course he knows, he doesn't know everything, but he's seen me drawing her enough. He thinks I'm dreaming of my mate, that my dreams are leading me to her.

A mate? Me? I don't know if I can believe that.

There were trees everywhere, the sun was out beating harshly, and a light breeze flicked her hair slightly.

A perfect day.

She walked ahead, holding my hand and leading me winding through trees. She looked back, smiling at me. This was a perfect day for her. I knew she was having fun, giggling away, thinking it funny that I didn't know where we were going.

Catching her by surprise, I wrapped my arms around her.

"So, love, at what point will I be aloud to know where we're going?"

Laughing, "Oh no, today's my day, that was the deal. I get to pick what we do today."

She slipped out of my arms and kept leading me through the forest. This right here was perfect; I was surprised by how content I felt. Being around her, not even in control, and yet I was perfectly okay with it.

Suddenly we came out to an opening, a small lake and plant life thriving in this area. The smile on her face told me everything I needed to know. She loved it.

"What do you think? It's pretty here, right?"

"Perfect"