As I exit Greene River Hillside Rehab, I'm reminded that I am leaving my fragile mother in the hands of total strangers. Guilt anchors onto my withering soul as I push myself to put one foot in front of the other; forcing myself to accept what has been done and move on. Today has been exhausting to say the least. This morning was so quiet, like no one knew what to say. I had a million things to say, but nothing would've changed our circumstances.

No matter how much I detest leaving my mom with strangers, I remind myself this is for the best. For years she has thrown herself into booze and men, landing herself in an alcoholic sinkhole. Too many times I have had to pick up empty Jack Daniel bottles, or watch as many 'Uncle Ricky's' slump their way out of the front door; cloaked in the stench of drunken shame.

A heavy sigh falls out of my lungs as I finally reach my Tahoe. All I want is to be comforted by my favorite weighted blanket, while in my bed, watching reruns of old t.v. shows to soothe my anxiety. As I open my driver side door, Christian approaches me.

"Will you be home tonight?" Christian asks as he leans against my Tahoe; his hands stuffed in his grey, neatly pressed trouser pockets. His smooth black hair is slicked back and unphased by the afternoon's rustling wind around us. Cool curiosity fills his voice as he tries to push the facade that he cares about my well being. It's amazing how much arrogance one man can produce just by existing.

"First off, it's my house. Not yours. Second, what I do on my own time is my business and my business alone. So I will ask you kindly to stay out of it." My tone is harsh, but I didn't care.

An annoyed, plastic smile tightens his soft lips. He clicks his tongue as he asks, "Will you be home tonight?"

"Why are you so concerned if I will be home?" I furrow my blonde brows at him and fold my petite arms over my large chest.

"I'm concerned for your safety. It appears your little friend, Kenzie, keeps repulsive company around her place. I would hate to see you get hurt by the hands of a devil." Softly, he grasps a small strand of my blonde hair and tucks it behind my ear; while his flat tone is laced in a patronizing aura.

"He is not a devil! I will go where I want with who I want! I am twenty-one years old. I am not a child!" Anger courses through my veins as a thunderous growl rumbles out of me. The nerve of this sack of shit!

"Of course, but you're a very beautiful girl. I would hate to see something happen to you." Christian reaches his hand out once more, using two fingers to gently stroke my cheek. I shudder in disgust under his touch. I push his hand away from me with a scowl embedded on my face. He appears taken aback by my rejection, but quickly recovers.

Suddenly, his fingers wrap tightly around my small wrist as he pulls me into his broad chest. I struggle to fight his powerful grip as I feel the warmth from his body press against my own. His swarthy brown eyes narrow into mine with demonic intent.

"If you ever strike me again," His voice lowers as pure anger seethes off of him, "there will be severe consequences for you, Princess."

Fear hardens a lump in the back of my throat. I can hardly breathe as I gaze into his cold, rigid eyes. He allowed his inner demon to show itself once more to me. His true form. My heart beat races faster and faster. My dry lips tremble. I've got to get away from him.

Somehow, I manage to jerk my arm out of his grasp, jump in my Tahoe and lock the doors. I scramble to put my keys into the ignition, back out of the parking space, and speed out of the parking lot. I take in one last glance into my rearview mirror and see the devil glaring at my vehicle as I drive away.

I jerk the wheel left, not bothering to look both ways on the road, and speed off. The tires' squealing shrill echoes loudly through the streets as I skid onto the main highway. Immediately, I began to drive to the only place I feel safe anymore: McKenzie's.

Lost in a tornado of thoughts, I arrive at her tall apartment building sooner than expected. I find a parking spot close to the entrance and shift my car into park. Images of the dramatic encounter with Christian and his goons flood my overwhelmed memory. As I sit in my parked truck, my eyes wander to the spot where Ryder transformed from human to beast. Waves of anger tossed violently in his ice blue eyes. His fur swayed gracefully in the morning wind, yet stood firm in alert as danger leered in front of him. His wolf is beautiful. Powerful. Deadly.

I wonder why he kept it a secret? He couldn't have told McKenzie because she would have told me about it the minute I brought up the wolf in Luigi's. For such a small, yet voluminous, body, she sure does have a big mouth. But, stranger things have occurred in this twisted world. Ryder turning into a raging beast for example.

The thought of the wolf at Luigi's still haunts me like the intoxicating remnants of a sweet dream. I crave to be in his presence again. A blanket of contentment wraps securely around me when I'm with him. The very thought of this man sends shivers down my spine.

When I close my eyes, I think of him. His handsome, strong face dances in my mind often. I feel closer to him when I close my eyes and go to sleep. At least there I can control what happens. I can dance on water in his mighty embrace and no one would say a thing. An audible sigh lingers past my lips as I acknowledge the fact that I may never see him again.

I sluggishly push my car door open, grab my keys from the ignition, before I make my way up long stairs. Once I make it to apartment 22, I raise my fist to knock, but before I have a chance to, the big grey door opens wide and reveals the tall, muscular Ryder. His ice blue eyes widen with a wave of relief as he reaches his arms out and pulls me into a strong, warm embrace. He buries his face into the small of my neck as he holds me close to him.

"Grace! I feel so awful. I didn't know if you were okay or not. I'm so sorry!" Remorse fills his deep, muffled voice.

"It's okay. I'm alive, aren't I?" I chuckle, making light of the dark situation we found ourselves in just yesterday. He pulls away slightly, staring deep into my eyes.

"I should've decapitated them while I had the chance." A dark growl rumbled from his chest as his eyes turned cold with wicked intent. His words could cut through an iceberg. I shift onto my hip--uncomfortable now--and take a small step backwards.

"Listen, I know you're a wolf and all, but can you, like, not decapitate anyone?" A nervous, breathy laugh vaporizes past my lips. Because of his very well, pythonic physique, I suspected some wolf genetics; solely because humans are not naturally that bulky, unless steroids are incorporated into their diet.

He exhales through his nose, a smirk curving the edges of his perfect lips. "Don't be afraid of me, Grace... I won't hurt you."

"Did I say I was afraid of you?" I scoff playfully.

"It's evident." Ryder says, an abundance of confidence brimming in his serious voice. "The way you sit back on your hips, just enough in case you need to run. The hesitant glare dancing in your eyes. Your aura changed from comfortable to on guard in one second flat. I smell the fear you're trying to hide, Grace."

"Damn," I breathe, amazed and slightly speechless from his steel words. "Am I that transparent?"

Ryder tilts his head back with a breathy laugh, "Any human that comes into contact with a wolf is usually like that."

"Does Kenz know?" I ask quietly. His wide eyes lower as he gently shakes his head. I exhale a faint sigh as I'm overcome with a variety of mixed emotions. I'm glad he didn't tell her, but I also do not appreciate lying to the one person who is always so blunt and honest to me. I suppose it's not lying if you "withhold" the truth... right?

Kenzie pokes her head around Ryder's large frame; a sympathetic frown creasing her perfect skin. Ryder clears his throat, then backs away from me, allowing Kenzie her turn to comfort me. She immediately wraps her warm, loving arms around my neck as she pulls me into a soothing embrace. I hear her small voice whisper into my ear, "How are you doing sweetie?"

"I'm alright." I admit, holding her tightly against me. I feel her hand tenderly massage the center of my back, drawing small, circular motions, as she comforts me in the best way she knows how.

A soft smile of appreciation lifts the corners of my lips. As we break apart, she begins to chatter on and on about all the things that we could do to get my mind off of the draining events of today. I paint a small smile onto my lips while her eyes lit up with excitement as Kenzie recites a list of movies she had set aside for us. She ushers me into their apartment, brimming with lively excitement.

While Kenzie and Ryder argued over movies, I couldn't help but chuckle. I needed this time with them after today. For the rest of the day, the three of us cuddled together on the comfy couch, threw on a few good horror movies, and then chowed down on the remainder of Kenzie's inventory of secret--not-so-secret--snacks.

"Okay!" Exclaims Kenzie, "That's enough demonic entities for me. Come on Ry, let Grace get some sleep."

Kenzie pops off the couch with ease. Meanwhile, Ryder firmly grasps the plush arm rest, inhales, then slowly pushes himself off the couch. Groans of misery exhale roughly out of his nose as he struggles to lift himself. Kenzie and I both giggle to ourselves as the mighty macho man squealed like a baby.

"Y'all sound like hyena's." He snarls as he--finally--stands on his feet to leave.

"But did we ask for your opinion?" Kenzie folds her arms over her broad chest, a cocky laugh cooing past her lips.

"It's not our fault you pushed yourself too much at the gym today. You brought it on yourself." An amused grin slips on my face as I take pleasure in seeing Ryder squint in pain. He rotates his taught arms in circles with a phony laugh.

"Ha. Ha. Ha." He frowns.

Kenzie begins to walk down the small hallway in their two bedroom apartment, a small laugh huffing out of her chest as she calls out, "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!" Ryder and I shout back. I briefly glance at the colossal wolf standing on the other side of the small, wooden framed glass coffee table. Exhaustion peaks in his light eyes.

"Hey, Ry?" I call, my voice soft and tender.

He rubs his massive hands over his face as he responds; his voice muffled, "Yeah?"

My face turns red, but I manage to simply state, "I don't think I ever truly thanked you for trying to protect me yesterday..."

"I didn't do anything, Grace. You and I both know that." Ryder's throaty voice lowered as he spoke. I shake my head, denying his statement.

"Regardless, Ry. You stood up for me. Other than McKenzie and myself, no one stands up for me. My Mom is pretty much useless while my Dad is six feet under. I just... You know--thank you." A humble--yet nervous--smile gently curves the corners of my mouth as the words spill out of me.

"I'll always be here for you, Niamh." His sweet gaze fixates on me. What did he just call me? I thought, processing the foreign language.

"Niamh?" I question, "What does that mean?"

Ryder takes a large stride towards the entrance of the hallway before turning towards me once more. His perfect lips curve into a smirk. "It would be too easy if I just gave you all the answers.

A/N

2021 has been--wow. Ten days into it and honestly, I'd rather replay 2020. Let me know what you thought about this chapter in the comments! 

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