Worry
The next month was sheer bliss. I spent most of my time with Seth. He met me in the mornings; we walked to school, had a few lessons together and we sat together at lunch. Then he'd meet me at the gates and offer to carry my bags home. When he wasn't on patrol he would stay for dinner and then most nights he'd creep into my room and spend the night with me. My mum was still oblivious to that fact. My mum and Seth got on very well. Seth thought things would be easier if we told my mum about everything, so she knew why Seth and I couldn't be away from each other but I thought it's best to wait a while. She wasn't used to me having a boyfriend and letting her ease into this was probably the best idea.
That morning, exactly one month after me and Seth started going out, he knocked on my door much louder than usual. I opened it and jumped back in shock. Seth had three, faded, red lines across the middle of his beautiful face. He looked upset but angry as well. I knew the cuts had been worse before they had healed. I stepped forward and put my hand on his face, tracing the three lines. He turned his head to fit into my palm and closed his eyes. "Are you okay?" I only just about managed to speak the words without revealing the tears starting to well up behind my eyes. He smiled as he sniffed the hand I had placed on his face. He stepped into my living room and pulled me into his arms. I rested my head just below his chest. He was warm as always and the heat calmed me down. He stroked my hair trying to soothe me. "It was an accident. Paul and I were arguing and he phased too close to me. You've seen Emily; this is just much less worse." I hadn't realised that I'd stopped breathing until Seth had put his hot hands on each side of my face. I took a deep breath, trying to control the lump in my throat. I had seen Emily's scars and knew why they were there. The story was she was mauled by a bear, but Seth had told me the story one of the nights he had stayed. I never thought that could happen to my protector. "Do. Not. Worry." He stared into my eyes and leaned forward to kiss my head. "I'm fine. Stuff like this is very rare with the pack, usually we're very controlled." Usually, I thought. If Seth had just been a few inches closer… I shook my head trying to erase the horrible thoughts from my brain. One tear escaped my eyes and made its way down my cheek. Seth caught it with his finger before it hit my lip. "Baby, I'm okay. Look at me. I'm still here; these lines will go within a week." I nodded and hid my face in case more tears decided to escape. He held me for a little bit and stepped back. "Come on, we have school." I was heading for my room to get my bag when there was a small breeze and Seth was standing by the door. He had my bag in one hand, his in another and my house keys hanging off his finger. His lips turned up into a smile as he winked at me. I couldn't help but giggle. I stepped forward, took the keys and leaned up to kiss his warm lips.
Throughout school my mood was fragile. When Seth was near he was able to keep me happy and free from my worries. In the lessons without him the worry started to creep over me. I couldn't help but think what he had said earlier. Usually we're very controlled. Usually wasn't a strong enough word for me. I wasn't just worried for Seth. Jacob was my best friend, almost like my brother. I loved Emily dearly too. What if something went wrong again? What if this time Emily was too close and she lost more than a few lines of skin? I wasn't really paying attention in art as the scenarios flew through my head. Doli tapped my shoulder to make sure I was okay. I wasn't aware of the red rims around my eyes. I nodded. "Just feeling low, that's all." She smiled sympathetically at me and continued to draw the array of flowers on our desk. I just needed Seth by my side.
Seth stayed for dinner, like most of the time, and left around 7pm. He whispered to me he'd be at my window when he could. I smiled and kissed him. He held the kiss a little longer than my mum was used too and she coughed in the background. I turned around and blushed, then pushed Seth out the door with a smile. That night I tried to wait up for Seth but I was so tired I ended up dropping off around 9. At first I wasn't sure if I was awake or not. I was standing in the middle of my room in broad daylight looking in the mirror. I had red, faded lines all across my body. That was when I knew I was dreaming. I turned around to see Seth, in wolf form. He had his arms by his sides, he was breathing deeply with anger in his wide, black eyes. He came toward me and raised a paw. I woke with a jump. A sheet of sweat had formed on my forehead and I could feel the tears racing down my face. My mind was trying to tell me why I was worrying so much. I was worried for me. Suddenly, I heard a light tap on my window and saw Seth smiling. His smile faded as he took in the way I looked. I leaned forward and opened my window. Seth was in within the second and was cradling me in his arms, soothing me with quiet shushes. "What happened?" I tried to calm my sobs so I could speak. It took a few minutes but I was soon stable enough to answer him. "I-I was in h-here… and you were h-here. But my face w-was… like E-Emily's." I stopped because talking about it reminded me of it, and being reminded made me cry even more. His hand stroked my face and he continued to cradle me. "I will never hurt you Ana. I promise you." He pulled my face up to look at him and I could see the sadness in his eyes. My dream had probably upset him. I wasn't sure if he was upset because I was, or because I had thought he could ever do something like that to me. I nodded quickly. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was comforting and warm. It made me relax instantly and I threw my arms around his neck and pulled my self up to him. He parted my lips and his sweet breath blew into my mouth. Even though it was warm, it made me shiver. I turned round to face him, kneeling up, and pulled my self closer. He wrapped his arms around my waist. This kind of kissing usually went on for a while.