"You should rest now, Nikita," says Sierra while untying her hair from that thick holder. I nod and then sigh, knowing that I won't be able to sleep tonight, as well. They both know that I can't sleep but they do not ask me questions, giving me enough space so that I can deal with one thing at a time.

"Yes, you should. I will be leaving. Meet you all tomorrow," says Cayden while walking out of the house with a quick goodbye. I sense his presence in my mind till he goes out of my range. However, he doesn't return to his home. No, he went to the school where Fenris sometimes takes me, for some fighting lessons.

"He didn't go home?" I ask, unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice. Hearing my question, Fenris raises a brow at me and I wave towards the door, signalling about Cayden who just walked out of the house a minute ago.

"Oh, Cayden. He must have gone to visit Mila. He usually wishes her good night and then goes home," whispers Sierra, confusing me a bit.

"Who's Mila?" I ask, unable to let it go since I have already raised this topic.

"Oh, Mila is Cayden's, underage mate. She'll turn 17 in a few months now. But Cayden is not allowed to court her until she turns 18."

Hearing Sierra's reply, I become more confused. "Cayden has a mate?"

"Yes, Nikita. Everyone has. He found his mate in the dungeon where you were kept," whispers Fenris as if talking to a small child.

I gasp in surprise because I never knew if anyone else was found in the dungeon. I had thought that only I was kept there because of my lineage. To know that there were other innocent people being harmed by Xavier makes me sigh in relief that he is no longer alive and causing havoc on this planet.

"What happened to her?" I ask, unable to quite keep my mouth shut. Looks like I am becoming more talkative.

Fenris sighs at my question and then shakes his head. "She has not shared it with anyone," he says and then looks at me pointedly as if trying to hint that I have done the same thing.

I kept my time in Xavier's dungeon, a secret because of what he did to me. If Mila is also not comfortable sharing her time in the dungeon then does it mean that the girl was raped, like me?

Also taking in the fact that the girl is only 16 years old, 4 years younger than me, making her more fragile to handle this situation, and all the more vulnerable to this world.

I have a family with me but does she have a family as well?

Or is she alone?

Feeling a kinship towards the girl, I make a mental note to visit her some time tomorrow so that I can at least let her know that she's not alone. No one who was raped should feel like this. I might not be strong enough considering my lack of trust in anyone but still, I won't let anyone fall victim to the memories of their torture.

I have Fenris and Sierra along with Cayden and his mother who support me unconditionally. Somewhere I sense that Dominic cares about me as well and will be there if I ever ask for his help considering how he came to find me today and kissed my head.

That felt special somehow.

Shaking my head at the direction of my thoughts, I wave at Sierra and Fenris who then start walking towards their room upstairs while I turn around and march towards my room, feeling restless all of a sudden.

Opening the door to my room, I walk inside and close the door behind me. Walking into the bathroom, I quickly remove my dress and clean myself. Washing the wound on my hand, I am surprised to see that it's already healed.

How? Earlier when I had made a cut like this to sacrifice my blood, the cut had lasted for at least half a day before it healed. And today, it's not even an hour and it is already healed?

Or is someone responsible for healing it so fast?

I remember Dominic's wet tongue touching the bleeding side of my wound and suspect that it might be responsible for this. However, I am not so sure.

It just might be because I am healthier now because of which my wound healed faster.

Still, my mind is not ready to accept this as the reason. My health definitely is better but it cannot be the sole reason for my wound to heal in an hour.

Confused and highly curious to know the reason behind this, I dry myself and put on the robe that Cayden's mama had gifted me and walk out of the bathroom. Walking into the closet that Sierra had set up for me a few days ago, I sift through the clothes and find a pair of soft pants and a soft cotton shirt for the night.

I might be unable to sleep but I sure do dress up for the night and lay down on the soft bed. It helps me relax a bit. So, I do just that.

Laying down on the bed after switching off all the lights, I look outside the window which I had purposely kept uncovered by the curtains. It helps me relax as I watch the trees and the snow. Sometimes even the moon peeks in through the branches of the tree as if trying to tell me that it's there, always looking down at me even if it stays hidden sometimes.

But lately, I feel that someone else is also watching me the way the Moon Goddess watches over me. The feeling of being watched was not there for a few days but today I felt it again and I am almost sure that Dominic is behind it but then I wouldn't ask anyone about it.

If it turns out that Dominic is not behind it then, I might unnecessarily scare Fenris and Dominic both.

Letting out a huge sigh, I start feeling a bit uncomfortable so I shift on the bed a little. The pins in my hair hurt so I sit up on the bed and start removing the pins from my hair. Slowly, I remove all of the pins and let my hair loose behind my back.

Twisting myself a bit, I turn to the side and see that my hair almost sits in my lap due to its length.

Why is my hair so long?

It doesn't look bad but it looks so unnatural. No female in this pack has such long hair and the uniqueness of my hair, that is its colour and its length make me feel different.

Even if Fenris keeps trying for a lifetime to make me feel like I am a member of the Crimson Shadow Pack, I will never be a part of this pack. Somewhere inside, I know that I won't fit in here. People here have accepted me; some even pity me and some are even a bit guarded because of my witch nature and quiet personality.

But the bottom line is that I will never be one of them.

While I am having a pity party for myself, a soft brush against my mind alerts me. Gasping silently, I sit up straighter in the bed and look around myself. I put up my barrier and focus on the feel of the person who's trying to get my attention.

Getting out of the bed when I realize that it's Dominic who's trying to brush past my mind, I go toward the window and look out, trying to find him in the trees somewhere.

But there's no one outside.

Confused about Dominic's presence, I spread out around myself and examine if it's really Dominic or if someone's trying to fool me. Especially considering Nora and her son's unsuccessful visit, I am more alert towards my surrounding.

A slight noise of the branch tapping has me looking upward and I spot someone sitting on the branch of the huge pine tree. He's so well hidden that I can't even make out his face. Only his shirt is visible that too because it is white in colour and the tree is unable to camouflage it.

Narrowing my eyes, I try to see his face but am unable to recognise the person, so, I am alert enough to defend myself and then open my window a bit. The cold breeze makes me shiver a bit but I do not let my focus waver from the person.

My eyes widen a bit when the person moves extremely fast and then lands in front of me. I am still resisting the urge to move back from the window in fear when he looks up.

Recognizing that it's Dominic, I narrow my eyes and softly close my window so that he doesn't make any move to enter. If at all he goes to move the window or tap on it, Fenris will know and then I don't want the two of them fighting just because Dominic wanted to talk to me.

I sense that he has something to say that's why he came all the way, risking his friendship with Fenris and that too so late in the night.

I raise my chin, asking him without opening my mouth the reason behind his untimely visit. He shakes his head and then points his finger at me and then moves the finger beside him. I quickly understand what he means so I shake my head.

Dominic's eyes narrow a bit and then he huffs a bit before looking up. He's staring at the upstairs' window, I presume. Now, fearing that Fenris might wake up because of Dominic's presence so close to his house, I quickly make up my mind and teleport beside him.

When I open my eyes after teleporting and feeling the cold breeze around me, I find Dominic staring at me with a victorious expression. Quickly looking up, I find that the window is tightly closed with the curtains covering it. It's clearly a sign that Fenris wanted complete privacy for the night.

I sigh loudly, knowing that I was fooled by Dominic and then turn my head to look at Dominic who's smirking at me.

"What?" I whisper softly, not wanting to alert anyone. Even if Fenris doesn't want to hear anyone or let anyone hear him, he has a good sense of smell. I am worried that he might see me with Dominic and then again for no reason argue with him.

I understand that Fenris is worried for me but there's something different about Dominic. I do not feel threatened by his presence even when I should be. He's a vampire after all.

But I am not scared and I want to make friends with people on my own. I have my family now and I want to make some new friends as well. I have decided to befriend that girl, Cayden's mate, Mila but if Dominic is extending a hand to know me better and be a friend to me then I do not want to reject that.

Looking at Fenris and Dominic's friendship, I am sure that Dominic would be a good friend to me and would never let me down.

That's the only reason why I take hold of Dominic's hand without uttering any other word and teleport away from here. Not able to recall any other place, I visualize the river Luna and find myself standing on the bank of the frozen river where it is freezing and I am standing in just a single layer of clothing.

"So, you couldn't think of any other place?" asks Dominic while entwining his fingers with me, taking advantage of the situation. Frowning at our intermingled hands, I stop shivering when the cold breeze stops brushing past my body. I try to pull my hand away from his but he doesn't let me go. Instead, he tightens his hold on mine and then gives it a small squeeze making me feel all squeezy inside.

"Dominic..." I whisper, not able to form a complete sentence anymore. I am taking in Dominic's touch and the sparks that it brings to my body.

"What, Nikita?" he asks while continuing to smirk at me.

I am totally confused now. I thought he wanted to say something, that's why he had called me but looking at this side of Dominic, I assume that he is in a playful mood at the moment.

"Why call me out of my house?" I ask, completely forgetting about my hand still entwined with Dominic's. He sighs at my question and then lets go of my hand which makes me shiver once again.

It is really weird that when I was holding onto his cold hand, I was feeling warm and now that he's has left my hand, I am feeling cold.

"You can't sleep at night," he says and I am more confused now. Did he call me just to inform me of this?

"I already know that," I whisper while holding in my urge to roll my eyes.

But this time he rolls his eyes and that action irritates me. My temper slips and I let out a quick stream of fire on his shoes. He quickly moves out of my way and then holds his hand up in surrender while letting out a laugh.

"My fire witch, I am sorry to offend you but my purpose of this visit is different," he says and then chuckles while burying his shows in the snow. We both watch as steam rolls off from the shoe where I had burnt it.

"What is it?" I ask with a sense of urgency in my mind.

"Have to go somewhere?" he asks with a brow raised and that smirk ever-present now. He must have sensed my emotions. My barrier is falling apart. Taking in a deep breath, I put up my barrier once again and push Dominic's aura out of it, hoping that he gets the hint and backs off.

My mind is an ocean of secrets. Some that are painful to me and some that will be a shock to them.

Anyway, it will be disastrous. So, keeping them a secret is the only option that I have at this moment.

"No where. I just don't want Fenris to think that I am sneaking out of his home," I whisper, realizing how stupid my own words sound to me. I know that Fenris will never say or object to any of this. In fact, he would go and hold Dominic's collar for coming to meet me when I am alone.

I have come to know how protective a werewolf can be for his loved ones. Sierra takes the brunt of Fenris's protectiveness but I have seen that surge in him with me as well. However, the instances are less because I do not myself venture out into the woods for a fun time.

"He will hold me responsible not you. So, do not worry and you know I promised you that I will never hurt you," he whispers the latter words softly while his eyes take a very fierce expression. He means it, I know and that feeling of knowing that he won't break his promise is like a revelation.

I trust Dominic.

The realization shocks me and I try very hard to control my emotions from slipping on my face. Showing anyone your emotions is a very tricky thing. It can give complete control to the person in front of you.

He can use it to flatter himself or he can use it to ruin you.

Sighing a bit, I whisper, "okay. Why did you call me out of my room?"

He sighs in return and then runs his hand through his hair before looking down at me. He takes a step closer to me and then slowly takes hold of my hand. I resist a bit but he doesn't use any force yet with enough strength that he won't let go of my hand. And I do not know why I let him keep a hold of my hand.

It is really weird that what I feel around Dominic is so different from what I have ever felt till now. These emotions that run past my mind are different. I have never had felt this warmth inside my body or this urge inside me before.

Then why do I feel it with him?

Dominic distracts me from my thoughts when he leans toward me a bit, causing me to move back but then he places his other hand on my back and then pulls me closer.

Now, we have been in this position before. I am unable to pull away from his gaze as he spreads his fingers on my back and then continues to hold me like that, in the same position, making my front plaster on his body.

"I wanted to talk to you. I know that you have suffered at the hands of Xavier. I can listen if you want to let it out," he offers while looking into my eyes. Those blood-red eyes are so close to me that for the first time I realize that they look like a normal pair of eyes. The only difference is that his iris is red in colour which is a rare thing, even in vampires.

"I... me..."

"It is okay, Nikita. You do not have to tell me now. You know that I will never hurt you so remember that whenever you feel that you need to speak with someone, I hope you come to me," he whispers while leaning closer and then whispering in my ears.

His warm breath on my ear sends a huge shiver to run through my body and I know that he can feel it because of the way I am draped over his cold one.

Through all this haze, his words manage to penetrate the sane part of my brain and I let them wash over me. I have realized for the first time how perceptive Dominic is. From time to time he makes you realize how old he is.

That reminds me.

"How old are you?"

The question slips from my mouth before I even know what I am going to say. I realize it only when Dominic raises his brow while pushing his face a little farther so that he can have a clear look at my face.

He raises a brow and his lips widen in a very naughty smirk while a lot of playfulness oozes out of his body. I sense that he is trying to overpower some other emotion of his but I push that curiosity out of my mind and focus on the question that I asked.

Resisting the urge to close my eyes and hide because of embarrassment, I continue to peer up at him while he looks like he controlling his urge to laugh at me.

Oh Lord! Will I always be such a disaster in social skills?

"I will turn 91 sometime in the beginning of spring," he whispers while looking at me and I can't help the gasp that escapes from my mouth.

"WHAT?"

"Woah that's the first time I have heard you shout," he says while refusing to let me go and by this time I am full-fledged pushing at his shoulders.

It's not out of fear but more out of shock, I realize but still continue fidgeting in his arms.

"For Lord's sake, stop with the fidgeting, Nikita," he growls in my ears before squeezing me tight enough that my breath hitches. I am still breathing deeply when he lets me go, making me wonder if I am opening up to Dominic faster than I believed I could.

"I am sorry," I whisper realizing how stupid I must have sounded to him, screaming in shock about his age.

"That's okay. Now you know one of my secrets so you know that my offer of listening to you, still stands," he whispers.

"What do you mean by secret?" I ask while realizing that even if we are not embracing each other, my hand is still covered by his, and he is squeezing it at this very moment.

"Even Fenris doesn't know about my age. In fact, none of the wolves knows about my age. Nora does and I highly doubt if any of her kids know about my age," he whispers and then shrugs while raising the hand holding mine, automatically raising my hand as well.

He is looking at me when he pulls my hand closer to his eyes, while I am frowning at him, not really sure about his intentions. Yet, my fear doesn't surface.

I really don't understand how I am not afraid of Dominic. Yet, all my other thoughts vanish when he brings my hand close to his face and then while staring into my eyes with an intensity that excites me, he leans a bit to turn my hand, making my palms face upward.

Holding onto my hand like that, he then presses a soft kiss in the centre of my palm while continuing to stare at me.

"Now you know one of my secrets and with this kiss, I seal my promise that whenever you call me, I will come."

~~~~

Soooo, is Dominic doing the right thing?

Is Nikita too easily trusting Dominic or she is right to trust her instincts?

Would you like Fenris to interfere? Or do you think he is turning a blind eye towards Dominic's ever-present being?? 

Let me know, guys. I am really confused about the pace of this book. Maybe I am somewhere near facing a writers' block!

It might be due to my frustrating job or maybe due to my unstable emotions... So, help me, readers, please. 

Thank you very much for reading!!!

Happy New Year to all my readers over the globe!!