Hello guys, hope you're enjoying Sunrise, I know I'm enjoying writing it. I just wanted to add a link to my Pinterest. There's a board strictly for this story but you can also contact me there as it's quicker than on here. Enjoy this chapter! Just add before writerboy2003/ since this shit is being difficult.
writerboy2003/
December 1st, 2023 - Friday
"Why do I even need to come back to sell the house?" I whine as Liz hands me my Hot Pocket, eyeing the snow outside the car distastefully.
"Because, it's time to come back anyways. You selling the house is just an added bonus, Harper." Ryder retorts, red eyes glimmering in the light as we pull into the driveway of our rental home, my pout growing in size.
"But maybe I'm not ready to come back, maybe I just want to keep travellin' for the rest of my shitty life!" I exclaim loudly, brushing the black strands out of my eyes every few seconds since I haven't gotten my hair cut in awhile.
"You have to face your mate eventually, we only took you away so you could get better for him. It's time you get your happy ending, you big bag of dicks." Liz states, yellow eyes peering at me in the mirror as I begin to pout once more. Anni grabs my hand in a tight grip before getting out of the car, an unreadable expression on her usually cheerful face.
"Man, you guys know she hates when we mention my mate." I mutter, eyeing my girlfriend warily as I know how dangerous she is when pissed off.
"She knows you have one, that you guys aren't forever." I ignore Ryder as I slide out of the car, jogging inside to find Anni. I step into our room and wrap my arms around her waist, pressing a light kiss to the side of her neck.
"You know I love you Anni, don't listen to them." I murmur into her ear, spinning her around to kiss her gently on the lips.
"Harper, we knew when we started that we weren't forever. Maybe it's time I start looking for my mate," She mumbles, her stunning red eyes peering into my own with utter conviction.
"If that's what you want, I won't stop you beautiful, but give me a few days. I'll convince the Golden Trio that I'm not ready, and then we'll leave and we can be happy." I plead softly, holding Anni closer so she can understand that I want her, not some mate that doesn't need me. 'I didn't fall in love with him, I fell for her.'
"Okay, you have five days and then I'm gone." Annika acquiesced, a small smile hinting at the her lips as she steps back. "Go get the food, we need to eat, handsome." I salute and with one last kiss I head back downstairs, snagging the keys from Daniel's open hand.
The ride to the small ass supermarket is quick, my eyes drawn to the highschool as I pass. I head inside and start gathering stuff we can microwave, since neither Anni or I can cook anything past making toast. As I'm grabbing more Hot Pockets I smell something absolutely delectable, vanilla and chocolate chip cookies, a familiar cologne just beneath the surface. 'Oh my god, that smells so good.' Against my better wishes I follow the scent to another aisle, glancing around curiously when I bump into someone.
"My apologies, ma'am. I should've been paying more attention," I murmur, my entire body freezing when I meet a pair of beautiful amber eyes. 'Imprint.'
"It's fine, I was pretty distracted too." She replies, teeth digging into her lower lip as she regards me. "I'm Esme Cullen, it's nice to meet you." 'Fucking hell, another goddamn Cullen, as my Imprint?'
"Oh, uh, Harper Reynolds." I greet, not realizing that I used my real name until her eyes begin to widen.
"I can't believe you came back…" I run a hand through my hair nervously, not sure where this is going.
"I'll only be here for a few days, please, I'm not good for your family." I mutter tiredly, glancing around the store in case any other Vegan leeches are around.
"But your our mate, the one we've been looking for!" She whispers, a hopeful look in her eyes as if I'm suddenly going to change my mind. 'I wasn't good for him back then and I won't be good for them now.'
"I'll be gone soon and you two, since you smell like you're mated, will be just fine without me. I have to go, just try and forget me, okay?" I leave before she can reply, that familiar pit of anxiety filling me. 'I knew I shouldn't have come back to this hellhole.' I quickly pay for the food and slap down a hundred, not waiting for change before I'm out the door.
I set the bags down in the passenger seat before leaning my head on the steering wheel, wanting to scream. 'Of course I'm one of those unlucky bastards with two mates.' I take a deep breath before heading back to the house, ignoring the way Ryder and Liz stare at me. I set the shit down on the counter before just snapping, punching clean through a cabinet.
"Ay man, I gotta pay for that!" Ryder exclaims, a growl ripping its way from my throat before I can stop it.
"I'll reimburse you," I snarl angrily, storming out the back door and into the forest. I shift as I move, more in tune with my wolf side than my leech side nowadays. Even as a human I felt more wolf-like, not comfortable. 'Seems fitting that I don't feel comfortable like this either.' I keep sprinting, losing myself in the thud of my paws against the ground, letting the rational side of me go.
Eventually I stop to see where I'm at, though it all looks the same to me so I head back towards the house, the sun beginning to set. I hear sudden rustling to my right and then I'm being tackled to the ground, my instincts taking over despite hearing more people approaching. I figure out who's pinning me to the ground by the big ass arms, it has to be Emmett Cullen. I quit growling and let myself lay limp, hoping he gets the hint.
"Go ahead and shift back, Harper." Emmett mutters, letting me go but not stepping away or giving me room to escape. I feel my muscles relax and my bones start to reform as I shift back to my normal form, well, my least weird form. I smirk at each Cullen in turn as they stare at me, though I can't blamethem as I'm only in a my volleyball shorts. 'They weren't made for modesty.'
"How can I help you?" I ask quietly, running a hand through my hair as they just continue to study me, like I'm a sideshow attraction. All my scars, piercings, and tattoos are on display as I begin to fidget awkwardly. "Aight, what the hell do y'all want? I need to get back before my friends begin to worry."
"Where have you been?" The Doc questions softly, eyes locked on mine as I cross my arms over my chest self-consciously. 'After four years I'm still not a 100% about the faded scars.'
"Here, there, it's not important. I left for a reason, and I had a damn good one. In a few days I'll be gone and I won't come back here." I state simply, not in the mood to argue with them, not now at least.
"Alice, Edward, Emmett. Go back and tell the others we're okay, and do not come back this way." Carlisle commands, not giving the other leeches time to argue before he's turning back to face me. "And you, we're going to talk whether you like it or not." 'Goddamn I've always had a thing for dominant men.'
The happy couple waits until the others are out of earshot, both of them eyeing me closely as if I might run. I lean against a tree tiredly, the exhaustion I've been feeling for the past five years finally catching up to me. I can feel my world beginning to spin and spots begin to dance in my vision, everything going black just as I hear my someone say my name.
December 2nd, 2023 - Saturday
"I cannot believe that you passed out to avoid a conversation," I slowly open my eyes to see I'm in a room that isn't my own, oddly soothed by the creme colors. I sit up and glance around the room curiously, meeting the Doc's hazel eyes.
"We keep meeting like this," I mutter quietly, rubbing my face tiredly as my Imprints watch me curiously.
"Why did you pass out?" Esme inquires gently, her eyes holding that weird emotion, affection or some shit.
"I don't know, with my annoying condition I didn't think human illnesses affected me anymore." I state truthfully, brushing my hair from my eyes with an annoyed sigh, eager to get this shit cut off soon.
"Condition?" I smirk over at Esme as I slide my legs off the bed, surprised to find that I'm dressed in a pair of shorts and a tee. 'Guess my ass was just too distracting.'
"During my time away I was injured pretty bad, it was bad enough that a friend of mine risked killing my wolf to save me." I explain, doing my best to ignore the way their eyes darken almost simultaneously and what it's doing to me. "She bit me but it wasn't enough to kill my wolf, but enough to partially transform."
"Wait," Doc interrupts, though apologetically, "Like a hybrid? Half shifter, half vampire?" At my nod his eyes widen, sort of like the vampire version of Hermione Granger when she's reading. "Amazing, I knew a human/vampire hybrid was possible but I've never heard of someone like you."
"I'm one of a kind," I brag confidently, trying to keep myself calm the only way I know how. "Wait, what do you mean human/leech hybrid?"
"I think that's a story for a later time, for now we need to figure out what happens next. You can't live without us, and we won't live without you. So, how do we proceed Mr. Reynolds?" Esme smiles, the older woman making me want to be the subbiest sub in the world for them with those stupidly beautiful eyes and caring smile.
"I plan to leave in five days, with my girlfriend." I state, ignoring their oh-so-sexy growls though my dick definitely doesn't. 'Down boy.' "If you can convince me to stay before the fifth day is over then I will. If not, I'm gone and you two can get on with your life." I hold my hand out to Esme first as she is the lady in this relationship and she would come first, shaking her hand gently before doing the same with the Doc.
"How is this going to work, Harper?" Doc questions curiously, head tilted almost imperceptibly to the side as if he was a puppy. 'A really fuckin' cute puppy, maybe.'
"I'll stay with my friends but I'll be here every day, around six-ish. We can do whatever you like, though there are exceptions that can be discussed at a later date. I wish you luck, 'cause I'm one stubborn guy and I am determined to not ruin your life." I give the pair one last smirk before heading out the door, not really sure where I'm going but I needed out of the room.
Eventually I find the exit through guessing and hope, and maybe some scenting, glad that I didn't run into the other Cullens. I shift quickly and head home, knowing that the others are probably pissed. I stay under cover of the trees as I follow the road, slipping into our "land" and into the kitchen.
"Harper!" I shift back and am sad that my shorts and shirt weren't lucky enough to survive like my volleyball ones. I take the tank top that Anni offers with a small smile, leaning over to press a quick kiss to her lips, trying to ignore how wrong it feels.
"Are you okay, we thought you were just going for a run?" I sigh deeply and retell the whole story, leaving out the part about pitching a tent for my mates just because they growled at me. 'Yeah that was not important at the time.' When I'm done speaking they all just stare at me, though Anni has that sad look in her eyes, like she already knows what I'm going to decide.
When the younger wolf slips out of the room I just let my head fall to the table, figuring she probably wants space right now. I slam my head on the table to try and put myself out of fucking misery, but Ryder has other ideas. He holds the back of my hair lightly until I make the effort to look at the Golden Trio, all three of them watching me expectantly.
"So you have two mates as well?" Danny asks hesitantly, the younger boy eyeing me as I grab a bottle from the fridge. 'Just because I can't get smashed doesn't mean I don't like trying.' I sip on the Malibu for a few seconds, hoping for some affect but nothing.
"Yeah, Carlisle and Esme Cullen. They're both so sweet and fucking hot, how is my bisexual ass to resist two hot people?" I groan, running a hand through my hair as I berate myself for already falling for them.
"Well, you could be like us, happy. Or you can keep running because you're a dumbass, in the end it's your choice, Harper." Liz replies, sounding more like the teenager she appears as.
"I don't want them to think they want me, and find out later on that it's me and my fuckin' problems. I still have panic attacks, I refuse to face my problems, and I'm a major pain in the ass." I list, ticking each fault off on my fingers to sort of prove a point. "They don't know what they're getting, they're just drawn to me because of this stupid bond." I take another large gulp of rum, enjoying the taste more than the effect it's not giving me.
"Harper, they will come to love you and understand your problems, but you have to let them in." Ryder explains slowly, a sigh escaping my lips as I realize he's right, but then smirking as I know I won't change. "I bet you choose to stay, with your soulmates, like a good boy." I unconsciously shiver at the praise, glaring at the leeches across from me in annoyance. 'They know how to get me to listen.'
"Oh yeah, what if they don't want a sub? You and I both know I am the biggest bottom in the country, what if they need a Dom?" I add, raising a brow at the trio when they begin to laugh loudly. "What now?"
"Oh come on, do you really think that Carlisle Cullen needs a Dom? He is the Dom, sweetcheeks, and that beautiful mate of his is probably a Switch." I immediately growl at Danny, wincing when I realize what I'm doing.
"Fuck off," I mutter absently when they begin to laugh even louder, leaving the pricks behind and heading up to my temporary room. I find Anni sitting in the bay window, knees pulled up to her chest and mascara effectively ruined. "Hey baby," Said woman looks over at me, eyes puffy and tear tracks on her cheeks. 'Well fuck.'
"Go away Harper, please." She whispers, looking away from me as fresh tears begin to fall. I want to ignore her wishes and comfort her but with the way she said my name, I know she's better off alone. I head back downstairs and flop onto the couch, closing my eyes and mind immediately.
December 3rd, 2023 - Sunday
I'm up at five to take a quick shower before the trio come to bother me or Anni wakes up, if she even went to sleep. I take my time under the burning hot water, mind wandering to each scenario for today. The water eventually runs cold making me hop out with a squeak, swearing under my breath as I dry off.
I apply a bit of makeup to my scars just in case I shift, not wanting to take the chance that any Cullens know what top surgery scars look like. They may have had thoughts about why I preferred Harper to my birth name but I'd rather be the one to confirm it, in my own time and on my own terms.
I tie a pair of jeans and a long sleeve around my waist as I step out the back door, quickly shifting and running to the spot where the Cullens found me yesterday. I follow the Doc's scent back to a stunning house, deep in the forest and away from the pesky humans. Before I get closer I shift back and pull on my clothes, rolling up my sleeves to my elbows as I go to knock on the door.
"Morning Harper!" Emmett greets excitedly as he opens the door, the large man moving to the side to let me in. I stick my hands into my pockets awkwardly as he leads me to the living room, Emmett's wife and Mr. Whitlock watching something on TV. They both turn to look at me, the latter smiling slightly while Mrs. McCarty just seems cautious.
"Esme's in the kitchen," Whitlock calls out, nodding to an open doorway behind him. I walk into the beautifully done kitchen to see my Imprint grabbing things from cabinets and setting them on the island. I lean against the doorway with my arms crossed over my chest until she turns around, knowing she can smell that I'm here.
"I'm baking cookies for the hospital, care to help?" Esme questions, a smile hinting at her lips as she peers over at me.
"I don't think you want me anywhere near your food, I tend to set things on fire." I retort with a grin, moving to sit at the island across from her. "Danny banned me from the kitchen after I broke the second microwave," She raises a brow at me as I rest my head in my hands, still smiling like an idiot as I'm enveloped in her warm scent.
"Okay, how many piercings do you have?" I rub my thumb across the smooth metal with a soft smile, reaching up to brush my hair back.
"Two in my lips, four in my right ear, three in my left, and one in my mouth." I reply simply, turning my head to show her each ear. "The lip ones are called Snake Bites, the three hoops in my ears are Helices and the stud is the standard lobe. The bar is an Industrial, the hoop on the inside is a Daith, and the one on the outside is a Tragus." I explain softly, pointing out each one helpfully.
"Why did you get them, you didn't even have the standard one when you were here." She states, amber eyes watching me as she mixes ingredients, offering me the spoon with a smirk when she's done.
"To disappear, people saw me as the feminine boy with bright green hair. Thankfully I always had my arms covered and no one saw my tattoos, so when I washed the dye out and Liz pierced me up, I looked completely different." I lick the batter off the spoon happily, grinning up at her as her eyes begin to darken. 'I'm such a dick.'
"Who were you hiding from?" Esme asks gently, but I feel she may already know the answer.
"Everyone, I wasn't ready to be a mate with one person let alone two. I wasn't ready to be a person." I murmur, glancing away from her caring eyes. "I had to fix myself before I could have someone depend on me, it took about three years and meeting Annika for me to get to where I am today." 'It took a long time to stop flinching, and even longer to feel okay in my body.'
I watch as she puts the cookies in the oven, the woman spinning around to match my position and leaning in close. She's a few inches taller than me so I'm staring up into her eyes, though they're drawn to her lips after a second. 'They look soft, and she probably tastes like cookies.'
"Are you done disappearing?" I smirk a bit and lean back, running a hand through my hair thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure yet," I mutter honestly, slipping my hands into my pockets as I realize something. "Where's the Doc?" Esme smiles as she wipes the batter off her hands, my imprint coming around the island to join me.
"Carlisle's at the hospital, his shift ends at noon." She replies smoothly, beckoning for me to follow as she leaves the kitchen. We're about to head up the stairs when there's a knock on the door, Esme freezing as neither of us expected guests. I scent the air quickly and then swear, realizing the scents immediately. I yank the door open to reveal the Golden Trio wearing matching smirks, each one annoying me more and more.
"What the hell are you three doing here?" I question lowly, making sure they cannot see my Imprint. 'God knows I don't need them giving me shit just yet.'
"You left your bag in your room, Annika threw it on the couch so I figured we'd bring it to you since we're going away for a few days." Liz explains simply, handing me the messenger bag. "Annika's staying here so, uh, have fun with that Harper. Don't set the house on fire, we'll be back in five days so try not to make her cry the whole time."
"Where are you going?" I watch them share a look and then shake my head, "Nevermind, I don't want to know. Stay safe, make sure you hunt before you go and if you're around other people keep the noise down."
"Bye Harper," Danny calls out as they head back to their car, "Use protection!" I roll my eyes as my face begins to heat up, turning back to Esme awkwardly as I shut the door. I ignore her knowing smirk and instead adjust my bag on my shoulder, glancing around the living room.
"Where are the others?" I follow her upstairs and finally hear the piano, figuring that Mr. Masen is playing.
"Well Edward is playing, Rose is in the garage, Bella and Renesmee are shopping with Alice, Jacob is out running, and I believe Jasper and Emmett are hunting." I hum thoughtfully as I listen to Bronze Age play, peeking into the room as we pass. "I need to talk with a client Harper, I'll be back in a few minutes."
I pull my sketchbook out and sketch the outline of Edward, making sure I have a good mental picture. I fill in some of the smaller details while I'm here, not even noticing that my Imprint had appeared beside me. I jump when rests her hand on my bicep, not having expected her to be back so soon.
"Care to join me in the study?" I nod and follow her down the hall to a well lit office, Esme taking a seat at the desk while I take the couch. I pull out my colored pencils and finish the drawing of Mr. Masen while Esme works, letting myself get comfortable with her.
"Why do you like to draw?" I glance up at the sudden question, raising a brow at Esme as I stop coloring in the picture.
"I didn't start school until I was seven, my parents wanted to travel to all 50 states. I think I skipped a grade or two but I'm not sure, I blocked out my childhood. My parents divorced when I was eight so my third grade year I think, and thankfully I stayed with my mother." I state darkly, remembering how I came home to see my father leave, glad that the bastard was gone. "I had preferred neglectful to abusive any day, though sometimes I wish I had normal parents, a normal life."
"Your father was always like that?" Esme asks gently, though I can hear the underlying tone of disgust. 'He disgusts me too.'
"As far as I remember, he just hit my mother until I was about six, then he started in on me. When I was taken from my mother in New York and given to him, he waited three weeks before enrolling me in school." I close my eyes as memories from the weeks come flashing back, the familiar anger and self-loathing bubbling up within me at the fact that I let him do this to me.
"Why did he wait so long?"
"He broke me in, house trained me. I cooked, cleaned, and took my beatings like a good boy. I let him beat me because I thought it was my fault their marriage failed, that I was why he drank so much." I take a deep breath as I talk about my past for the first time in years, doing my best to keep the anger/self-loathing/anxiety mixture at bay. "I let him turn me into a subservient, submissive, dog basically. I knew all the tricks," I look over at Esme again and then look away just as quickly, not able to handle the horrified expression on her face.
"Back to the actual question, sorry. I didn't have friends, family, or anyone at first. I met this girl and we became close, she gave me a sketchbook and told me to draw her. It turned out terrible but I figured out that I loved to draw, it helped." I explain, brushing my hair away from my eyes before going back to drawing.
Esme is quiet for a little while, though I can feel her eyes on me as I finish the drawing and sign my name. I set the book to the side and take deep breath, letting my head fall back against the couch. When I open my eyes again I note a familiar painting hanging on the wall across from me.
"Where did you get my fish painting?" I question curiously, glancing over at Esme but she's still just staring at me. I can see her hands clenched into fists atop the desk, her eyes practically black except for a slim ring around her iris. "Esme?" She snaps out of it when I say her name, although her eyes are still filled with hints of anger.
"I'm sorry Harper, what did you ask?"
"Where did you get my fish painting? I only painted one copy, at least in black and white." 'Granted I only painted it again because Ryder liked it.'
"Oh, Emmett bought it when he saw it at an auction that Alice dragged him to. He pointed to the initials at the bottom and then showed us a picture of the original, the art project from his class." Esme smiles fondly, the black slowly receding from her eyes to reveal the amber once again. "Why did you start selling your art?"
"Well, I didn't want to be a burden on Liz anymore so I did the one thing I'm good at. I drew." I confess quietly, peering out the window at the snow that had begun to fall, the ground and trees already thoroughly covered. "Ryder and Liz have connections all around the world so finding an art dealer wasn't hard, it was selling it. You guys were my first real sale then since that painting was the first one I decided to sale."
"It's beautiful, it goes very well with the office." I go to say something when I hear the door open and then shut, turning my head a bit when someone begins walking up the stairs. The door to the study opens and in steps the Doc, a small smile on his face as he greets his wife with a kiss.
"Afternoon Harper," I nod awkwardly and go back to looking out the window, unsure of what to say. "If you want, Emmett's invited you to play video games in the screening room." I take the escape route with a smile of my own and pack up my stuff, unsure if I can handle both of my mates at once.
I follow Emmett's scent through the house and knock on the door, the large man-child opening the door with a grin. He motions me in and then shuts the door back, plopping down on the upper level of the black couch. The room is all black with light blue lights up at the ceiling that give the room a very nice aesthetic, everything neat and in its place.
I take a seat behind Emmett as I don't want to turn my back to him, despite the fact that I may be able to take him. He hands me a controller and gives me a quick lesson in how to do everything before starting the round. It seems to be an FPS like the old Call of Duty games so at least I know the goal, and how to play.
"How the fuck did you do that?" I chuckle as he restarts the match having lost majorly, reaching down to pat his shoulder sympathetically.
"I lived with two very competitive males, not including myself, so I had to learn. With my memory it didn't take too long, not as long as it took Ryder to teach Danny." I shrug absently, throwing a knife at Emmett with a triumphant 'aha' and a smirk.
Thankfully Emmett doesn't talk while we're playing, way more interested in swearing loudly. After awhile Carlisle sticks his head in and tells me there's food if I'm hungry, though I'd rather devour him if I'm honest. 'Goddamn blond Adonis.' I leave Emmett and head back to the kitchen where Esme is already sitting, a plate next to her.
"So Harper, where have you been the past five years?" Carlisle inquires as I take a seat, hazel eyes watching me as I eat slowly, moaning at the taste of real food. 'Better than anything I can make in the microwave.'
"A lot of places, I stayed and healed with my friends for about three months before running off on my own. I lived in my wolf form for just under a year before returning to my friends, though they had gained a new member when I found them again." I start simply, running a hand through my hair out of habit. "I heal quicker in wolf form and it helped my mind heal most of all, I eventually stopped flinching anytime someone touched me or jumping at loud noises. I wanted to be the real me if I ever came back to you, but I didn't know who the real me was after living a lie for so long."
"So you did plan to come back?" Esme asks hesitant, the hope evident in her eyes as I swallow another bite of chicken.
"Eventually, I just wanted to be healed beforehand. Granted, it took five years for me to get to this, what I'd call 90%, so I don't know when I would've been back." I mutter, thinking back to my year spent as a wolf. 'Everything was so much simpler then.'
"Why do you think you're only at 90%?" I glance up at Carlisle and smirk, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from saying something rude.
"I still can't communicate that well, and I don't really understand people caring about me either. It's just hard for me, though sexual intimacy has always been simple. I can detach myself from the situation and just let it happen, I don't need to be aware." I see Carlisle's jaw clench subtly at my confession, a flicker of anger clear in his eyes as he regards me for a second. 'It's easier to talk to them than I thought.'
"What else is hard for you, such as triggers?" I swallow nervously as a pit of anxiety begins to settle in my gut, though I tell myself I'm safe here.
"I can't sit with my back to people, I still can't see someone take off a belt. Learned that one the hard way," I mumble the last part to myself, though I know they heard it. "I'm not good with crowds just yet, but my panics are becoming less frequent. I haven't had one in a few months so I'm taking it as a good sign."
"How long have you had anxiety attacks?" 'Since I've had anxiety.'
"Since I was like, nine maybe? Granted I didn't know what it was at the time, I just knew it felt terrible." I admit quietly, pushing away the plate despite half of the food left untouched. "Sorry, I haven't been able to eat much since being turned." I smile apologetically as I get up to wash the plate, feeling kind of bad that she thought she needed to feed me.
"So do you need to eat human food?" Carlisle asks thoughtfully, the wheels already turning in his head.
"No, I don't. I can, but I usually don't unless I'm with humans to keep up appearances. I do need to hunt at least once every two weeks, more if I don't eat a lot." I take a second to listen to the noise outside the kitchen, trying to figure out how many people can hear me. "I'm just glad human blood doesn't attract me, it's always been animal blood for me."
"So you don't feel the need to feed from humans, at all?"
"No I do, it's just blocked out by my wolf side that is programmed to kill le-vampires." I correct quickly, popping my knuckles out of habit. "If I haven't shifted in awhile I get more drawn to it though I never go more than a few days without shifting. I've pretty much shifted everyday for the past three months, I feel more comfortable in wolf form." I check glance down at my watch and surprised to see that it's almost five. 'Time passes by quickly when you're talking about your problems.'
"I gotta go, but I'll see you tomorrow, I promise." I state quickly, smiling at the pair before heading out the door, not giving them the chance to keep me here. I head out the door and into the woods, stripping out of my clothes before shifting and taking them into my mouth.
I run back to the house quicker than ever, barely remembering to shift back before going inside. I toss my clothes into the laundry room as I pass by, jogging up the steps as Anni's cedar and sap scent fills my nose. I nudge open the door with a smile, expecting to see her sitting in the window like last night but the room is empty save for a piece of paper on the floor.