Please help me get published by voting for my contest entry, Of Sirens and Beasts!

That's right! I've entered the Once Upon Now contest. The top 25 most voted on entered stories this week will move on to the second round where ten of them will be chosen to be published in a book you all can find in stores! The story I entered is called Of Sirens and Beasts and for the purposes of the contest only votes on the FIRST part (chapter) count, but if you also want to vote for the rest of the chapters, well all votes help it to reach more readers! I don't even know how to explain how grateful I would be to each and every one of you.

Voting is only open from now until next Tuesday. I'm so nervous, guys!

Eliza returns with Rory on her tail. Though thank goodness she doesn't actually have a tail. If so, I may need to have another conversation with Xavier.

Dinner is awkward. No one speaks much, and the moment Xavier and Rory are finished they leave to go for a run.

I help Eliza clean up the kitchen and table. As she's setting the last plate in the dishwasher she says, "I'm going to sit outside if you want to join me..."

I shut the refrigerator. "Maybe. I kind of need some time to think to myself."

She purses her lips. "Today probably has been exhausting for you. I'll give you your introvert time." She walks out of the kitchen, and I hear the front door close.

I'm getting out of here. Not today. Not even tomorrow. I don't know when. I'm not escaping by running; I've read about too many of those doomed to fail from the start escape plans in books.

I'm going to use the US Postal Service.

I begin opening and closing doors in the house, searching for Xavier's office. I locate it on the fourth try and find it unlocked. I was expecting it to be locked, but why would he need to lock it anyway when this is his house and only he and Eliza live here? Well now I live here but he's only expecting me to try running or calling someone--not send a letter. He told me during dinner that the only phone in this house is his cellphone which he will keep on him.

Inside there are random stacks of paper on the floor, and his desk is covered in pens and more paper. The cleanest spot is an area in front of the computer designated for the mouse.

I scan over the clutter on his desk for mail. Bingo. I pick an envelope up and set it to the side; now I have the address. Next I open and close the desk's drawers looking for fresh envelopes. I find two and grab a sheet of paper from the printer.

Xavier told Eliza the pack will die if she leaves. That is a load of baloney right there. I've never read a single werewolf book with that plot. And sure, those are based on myths and this is real life, but I thought werewolves were myths in the first place. Also in regular wolf packs, the wolves don't die if their alpha female leaves or dies. They may dissolve, but that won't be due to Eliza's death.

So the chance that he made this all up for her to stay freaks me out. If he really wants her then he should have dated her properly and not kidnapped her. No one would say that kidnapping leads to a healthy relationship. I'm sorry, but it doesn't.

And I'll be damned before I let my best friend get trapped in one of those.

I choose a random pen and put it to the paper.

I'm okay. We aren't hurt. But you may need the marines.

Vague but it serves its purpose. I copy the address I found on the used envelope and fold the letter in three parts, inserting it into the envelope. I write out my address.

Stamps.

Where would he keep stamps?

I end up finding them in a cabinet against the wall two minutes later. His office may be a mess, but he has everything.

Tucking the letter in my shorts and covering it with my shirt, I take a deep breath. I'm ready.

I step outside and onto the patio. Eliza is curled up on a swing. She seems so content like she doesn't care about the pain she's causing her family.

"So what?" The words just come out of me. "You aren't going to college? You're just going to stay here forever?"

"I guess so. I can't leave or else the pack will die."

"And you really believe that?"

"Yes."

"So you're going to throw away all that we planned--your dream of going into medicine--all for what a guy said who you met a few weeks ago?" I trample down the steps. If I stay any longer we'll only get in a deeper argument.

"Where are you going?" she asks.

"A walk."

"Really? With wolves patrolling?"

"Yes."

She rubs her face. "If anyone comes up to you, tell them you have my permission."

I'm her senior and I have to have her consent to go for a walk. Something similar to jealousy twinges inside me, and I walk down the dirt driveway. I need to calm down. Today has been long.

I keep glancing at the trees, wondering if there is a wolf lurking in the shadows and brush. I let out a deep breath of frustration.

Ever since I met Eliza I've been there for her. She's like a sister to me, and who is going to let their sister hook up with the guy who kidnapped her? No one. That's who. She's acting like a love sick puppy. I get that he's her mate, and they're the best people for each other (somehow), but she said herself there's not a magical connection that creates love for them.

I brush the hair out of my face. He kidnapped her and by staying, she's romanticizing the act.

To my right bushes rustle, and a wolf leaps in front of me. I'm not one to swear but at this moment the worst of this genre of word pop up in my thoughts.

He or she snarls at me. The wolf circles around me. Ahh...definitely a he.

"I'm just walking. Eliza gave me permission."

He howls and I jump.

Bones crack and fur vanishes to reveal a very naked teenage boy. He crosses his arms over his chest--not the part he needs to be covering up. "Alpha is on his way."

Not sure if I should be intimidated by him, annoyed he called Homeschool Alpha, scared that said alpha will find the letter, or fangirl that a werewolf just said alpha. This is my current state of mind. It's a mess.

A gray wolf runs up to us and shifts into a naked Xavier. You know, I get the feeling Eliza wouldn't appreciate this. I raise my eyes to the sky.

"What are you doing out here, Addy?" he asks.

"Walking. Eliza said I could."

"Are you trying to run away?"

"If I was, would I tell you?"

He huffs and I'm reminded of the story with the three little pigs. "Fair point. But step off of the territory and you won't get far."

"Understood. Now can I be left alone? If I don't get any time to myself I get rather emotional. You know, like crying for no apparent reason, moping around? You'll be stuck in a house with me and my hormones." The sunset is very lovely tonight--no where near as embarrassing to look at as some people are.

"Fine," Xavier says. "Come on, Fin."

Bones crack and two wolves dart into the woods.

I take a deep breath and try to relax before I continue walking. The truth is I have no idea where the territory ends and where the mailboxes are, but I've got to try. For my family and Eliza's.

I come to the end of the driveway and find no mailbox. The road veers to the right and I follow it. After maybe a quarter of a mile I find a cluster of mailboxes.

I glance around. How many wolves are watching me? Would Xavier waste anyone's time with me?

I drop the letter in a mailbox that already has its flag up. There. Now it's out of my hands and only in God's. 

Please help me get published by voting for my contest entry, Of Sirens and Beasts!

That's right! I've entered the Once Upon Now contest. The top 25 most voted on entered stories this week will move on to the second round where ten of them will be chosen to be published in a book you all can find in stores! The story I entered is called Of Sirens and Beasts and for the purposes of the contest only votes on the FIRST part (chapter) count, but if you also want to vote for the rest of the chapters, well all votes help it to reach more readers! I don't even know how to explain how grateful I would be to each and every one of you.

Voting is only open from now until next Tuesday. I'm so nervous, guys!