Aella

Silence follows as I slowly walk through the large house, the lack of people making it seem like the place was empty, but I know better. The last time it sounded like this place was empty, four werewolves appeared and blocked my escape. I know from my time in that hell that werewolves are fast and silent when they want to be, you could walk right by them twice and not know they're there.

I sigh.

Not that it matters, I still can't leave. The awful weather hasn't stopped at all, leaving my chances of escaping into the night close to nil, especially with the wolves patrolling this territory. I have to stay here, so I'm doing the only thing I can, staying away from the wolf that is my mate.

It's better this way, safer. Just me being here puts him in danger of being hurt, along with the pack. Anyone I get attached to will have that fate, so, as much as it hurts, I push him away. Avoid him like the plague, never speak to him if I can help it. I can't allow him to suffer for my mistakes...I can't let anyone else get hurt because of me.

However, it doesn't make the dull ache in my chest go away, it doesn't get rid of the tug I feel towards him whenever he's near, and it certainly doesn't stop my desire to hold him and feel his warmth around me--

I shake my head, I can't allow myself to fantasize either. It will only make it worse for the both of us, especially me. Even if it isn't for the fact that my presence brings him trouble...Apollo deserves better than me, so much better.

I know it's hurting him too, especially since he doesn't understand why I'm pushing him away. I hear him pace outside my door a lot, as if he wants to come in and see me. I've seen the longing and frustration in his eyes, as well as the fear and the hurt. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but the less he knows and is attached to me, the safer he is.

I frown as I reach another empty room, not a single person in sight. It can't be empty, can it?
I know what Apollo wrote, but it can't be completely vacant. Right?

Me and the other house members are out for an event. We will return in a few hours for dinner, so feel free to roam the house if you wish. I will return soon.

Apollo

I try not to relish in the relief that he will return, or dwell on the longing I feel in his absence. I can't get attached, it's too dangerous. Even if it's a losing battle I have to try to fight it, for his sake.

I find myself in the kitchen after a couple of more turns through the expansive home. The kitchen is huge, the biggest I've ever seen. Smooth black countertops sit on top of a large island and a row of white cabinets. Gray floors balance out the elegant looking room.

I run my fingertips gently across the top of the island, the extra long sleeves of the gray shirt I'm wearing covering the rest of my hands. I figured out that the shirts I was given belong to Apollo, the rest of the clothing belonging to another girl in the house or brand new. I suppose this was his way of being close, me wearing his shirts would have me constantly covered with his scent and ward of any males in the house who were unmated. I remembered these facts from the time I spent with captured werewolves, it was a way we passed time and kept sane.

A scent snaps me out of my thoughts, a scent that brings back memories from before my hell. I follow it to a large plastic container sitting next to stove, the cinnamon and sugar aroma making my mouth water. I hesitantly open the container and see exactly what I smelled. Snickerdoodles, my childhood favorite.

I stare at them in contemplation, my desire to taste them conflicting with the logic that they are not mine to eat. After a few minutes of mulling it over I grab one, and I can tell it's fresh from how warm it is.  I take a small bite and sigh in bliss, the taste bringing me a sense of familiarity. I eat the rest slowly as well as two more, I pick up a fourth one as I close the lid. The sound of footsteps catches my attention as I take a bite, turning around, I see a gray haired woman standing in the entrance.

Her tall, slender frame is strong, making her look young for her age. The near whiteness of her long braided hair is pronounced against her caramel skin tone, which is decorated with elegant tribal patterns.

For some odd reason, I feel comfortable in her presence. Like I can trust her.

"Hello child, I am Hera. You do not need to be wary of me."

I turn around completely to be able to fully observe her. I take another bite of the cookie.

"Hmm, you are a very observant one. I wonder what's made you so hesitant."

She continues, walking forward slowly. She tilts her head to the side, smiling softly. After she stands only a foot from me she stops, gazing at me with curiosity.

"I sense much power in you child, like nature itself is bottled inside you. You have quite the energy."

My eyes widen in surprise at the words that come out of her mouth. As I stand here stunned, she lifts a hand to my cheek, brushing it lightly. She freezes, her eyes glazing over in a stare I recognize. One that stares at invisible images that no one else can see. She remains as still as do I, her hand lingering over my cheek.

A Seer.

"You have faced such terrible circumstances, so much pain-none of which you deserved. No wonder you are so distant from everyone." She murmurs, her eyes returning to normal. She drops her hand and gives me a last look of empathy.

"I know it will take you a while to believe this, but you should know that you are no longer amongst the enemy. You are with those who now cherish you greatly, and would never think of harming you. Please, don't be afraid to trust us dear."

She turns and slowly walks out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with my scattered thoughts.

Apollo

"What do you mean Hera?"

I stare at her in surprise, trying to figure out exactly what she just told me.

"Your mate, she's very damaged. She has seen and been through much, it's left her wary of the people around her. And hesitant about letting people get close."

"What has she gone through?" I ask, my mind flickering through possibilities, none of them pleasant.

"I'm not certain of what, all I know is that it was painful. Physically and mentally. It will take time to earn her trust."

I fall back into my chair, my wolf and I both growling at the idea of our mate being hurt, and not being there to stop it.

"She reminds me of the Betas mate."

I look up to her in surprise.

"How?"

She rises from her seat, a distant look in her eyes.

"She too has the eyes of a weary solider."

I roll over in my bed as the conversation from earlier repeats over and over in my head. Thinking about what Hera said, I can see it now. She's right, my mates eyes are just like those of Coran's mate, Justin.

Justin himself is a former Marine, and was honorably discharged from service after he lost his arm. Coran met him after he came home and they've been together ever since. I remember the first time I met him, the look in his eyes was one I've only seen in that of older wolves. One that looked like they had lost everyone they cared about. A soldier who has grown tired of the war.

That look isn't there now, at least not all the time. But seeing it in the eyes of my mate worries me greatly, making me wonder what caused it in the first place.

I roll over again, unable to get comfortable. To be honest, I haven't been able to sleep well since my mate came here. Normally, werewolves consider their bedroom their private territory, sharing land is one thing, but anyone who tried to step inside a werewolf's bedroom without permission would be asking for trouble. Anyone but our mates that is.

It's why I'm not sleeping normally, her presence would automatically fix that, but at this point in time the most I can hope for would be just having her scent in here.

I groan and get out of bed, pulling a pair of pajama bottoms over my boxers. If I can't sleep, I will have to settle for something else. Opening my door, I stare longingly at hers before I go to walk by it. However, the fresh trail of her scent outside her room piques my curiosity. Following her sweet aroma I find myself in the living room, staring at her silhouette that's outlined in the large window seat.

She seems to be staring out at the night, watching the snow fall. One of my long sleeve shirts hangs loosely on her body, its length almost hiding the shorts she is wearing. I have to admit that she looks good in my shirts.

I shake myself of that thought, concentrating on getting close to her without attracting her attention. I make my footsteps soft and slow as I approach her, making sure to avoid the furniture.

I stop when there is only three feet between us, leaning quietly against the wall beside me. I just watch her for a few minutes, taking in her beauty. The same questions I've had since the day I met her swirling in my thoughts.

"I know you're there."

I jump at her soft voice, she hasn't even moved since I came in here. I continue to stare at her in silence, hoping that she would say more than that. After she doesn't say anything, I decide to move closer.

To my surprise, she doesn't protest or even move away when I sit down next to her in the window. Her eyes remain focused on the view outside the glass, as if she's looking for something else. As much as I enjoy the fact that I'm this close to her, my desire to know more about her flares up again.

"You can't sleep either?"

A soft sigh leaves her lips.

"Something like that."

Something in the way she said it concerns me a little.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"You want to help me?"

"Of course I do."

She turns to face me, her blue eyes lingering on my bare chest for a moment. I can't help but smirk a little at the attention, it lets me know that she feels the pull as well.

"If you knew the truth about me, you wouldn't say that."

I shake my head and daringly place a hand on hers, enjoying the sparks that I haven't felt in two weeks.

"I'd still do anything for you, and I would like to know at least two things about you."

"Anything, you say?"

"I'd give you whatever your heart desires."

A sadness flickers across her face.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"I can keep that promise."

She shakes her head this time.

"What I desire nobody can give."

"I could."

"Not even you could bring back the dead."

My wolf whines inside my head, and I can barely mute the one from my own throat. We stay in silence for a moment, neither of us speaking.

"So...those two things you wanted to know?"

I pull my thoughts together.

"I suppose the ones that I've been wondering the most."

"Well?"

"Why do you keep your distance from me?"

She looks back at the window again, before slowly pulling her hand from mine.

"Lets just say that the less you know about me, the safer you'll be."

She stands and starts to walk away, and in desperation I grasp for anything that could keep her here for just a little longer.

"Can I at least know one more thing?"

She stops and turns to me, a questioning look on her face.

"What's your name?"

Conflict wars in her expression, until she sighs in defeat.

"It's Aella."

She whispers, turning back towards the stairs and disappearing.

"Aella." I murmur under my breath, the name having a beautiful ring to it. I turn my gaze back towards the window as I remember Hera's words. It may take some time to earn her trust, but I can be patient.

Anything for her.