One week passes bye. I spend my days with Emily and Oliver, my evenings with the family, and my nights or even the whole night a Nixon's. Some days I visit his office, always kept in his office as the workers there, I learned, help keep their pack lands, finances, and basically run it like a city as Nixon overlooks and sees to treaties with other shifter packs.

Tomorrow morning is Christmas Day, where I sit around the tree with the family and open presents as another Christmas will pass bye. And then, this Saturday, I meet the group that will judge me like there's no tomorrow.
Adam's funeral was this past week on Tuesday, Taylor refusing to go as some of her friends age her odd looks. Buried in the cemetery, I watched from afar, wrapped in Nixon's arms as the cold only turned colder.

And here I am, staring up at the dark ceiling, the moonlight streaming in, the massive house silent, and an arm draped over my stomach giving me warmth as I lay wide awake through the night.

Reaching up a hand, I scratch my head and look to the side, Nixon's face buried in the pillow as his hair falls over his face. I lace my fingers through his locks, brushing them aside as another thin layer of snow falls. I'd helped him put up the only decoration in his house two days ago, a tall Christmas tree with modern glass ordainments and placed in the entrance. The tree gives me hope that one day this house may have a homy feel.

Shifting portion, I turn to face Nixon, just watching him as I can't sleep. A soft glow appears, my hands reaching forward to answer the call. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Lily asks, her voice soft as she yawns.

I groan, running a hand over my face as a I hear Nixon turn a bit in his sleep. "I told you this evening."

His eyes peel open to reveal me on the phone as I try to keep my voice down. As he sees that I'm talking with Taylor, he rolls his eyes, wrapping his arm tightly around me as he sits up, pulling me into his chest. "I'm with Emily. We went over this already-

"Okay, okay, Lily, I know. I just needed to know you were still there."

"What do you mean?" I question as Nixon runs ghost fingers across my collarbones. "Taylor?"

"You're just never home anymore, Lily, that's what I mean. I just needed to know you would pick up for me."

Guilt.

"I'll be back in the morning," I explain and only hear the line go down.

Nixon gives a soft groan, pulling me down upon him as he goes back to his pillow. "Don't worry," he whispers in my ear as I take in a deep breath and let it out. "Here."

Nixon gets out of the bed, my eyes glued to his back muscles as they're hidden under that white shirt. He heads into the closet, shutting the door softly behind him as I try and peek through the darkness to see what he's doing.

Fiddling with my thumbs, I wait for Nixon as I hear him shuffling through the room. As he comes back, I keep my eyes glued to his midnight blue pair, becoming darker every second. I've grown to know what that color means. And I know those chills aren't from the cold.

"Here."

"No, you've done so much for me already," I explain, seeing Nixon try and hand me a small and black box. "Nixon, you've done so much already."
I'm pushed back against the headboard, Nixon between my legs as the atmosphere tenses. "Lily, never reject a gift from me."

I don't even try to defy him as those eyes become icy blue.

The box opens to reveal a simple ring, dark sapphire gems embedded into a silver ring.

"You should have, Nixon, you really-

I'm shut up with a kiss as the ring slides onto my ring finger. "It's a promise, one that means I will never leave you or forget you. One that lets me know you are mine," he whispers against my neck, shivers running through my body as I feel him bite down on my neck.

I moan, tangling my fingers in those silky locks. Damn that mark and his amazing skill.

"Don't tell me...you didn't."
I push off of the couch and rush outside, and there, in the driveway, is a maroon Mini Copper with a massive white bow on the top.

I throw myself into my parent's arms, thanking them over and over as they just laugh. Amazing Christmas gift for sure.

The day goes bye quicker than expected as I'm soon laying next to Taylor on the couch, the two of us exhausted. Her feet are in my lap as we watch the old movie playing, a bowl of popcorn between us as the minutes tick bye. Our parents are washing the dishes from dinner as tomorrow approaches. And soon, I'll be meeting a pack of people who will all have very mixed opinions on me.

Later in the night, I take my car for a spin, going to Oliver's house as the usual group is there for some celebrating. That night we play games, chat, and just eat as another Christmas slips past, and soon, the New Year will arrive.

I'm left wondering about the pack house Nixon has spoken of. Emily told me it was a massive house in the woods, many rooms, each taken up by a warrior of the pack while those who did not go into service for their pack just live in the town or the suburbs of the city. Emily's father is the pack Doctor, using traditional methods to heal those, and occasionally, modern methods as well.

When the party begins to end, I stand up on the second floor of the house, looking out of the window, staring at the house I've come to love. It's dark as usual, looking abandoned as the snow leaves a layer around the beautiful design.

"You're infatuated."

Turning around, I see George there, those eyes staring at me. "What?"

"He's got you wrapped around his finger."

I stare at George, wondering why he's commenting on my situation like this. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I think I do, Lily."

My eyebrows furrow together as Oliver appears in the room, already knowing that there's a heated conversation right now. "Listen here, George, you have no clue what goes on, you don't know anything about it. It's a private matter."

He smirks. "Just because you're getting the Alpha laid-

"George!" Oliver snaps, pulling on his arm. "That's complete disrespect, what would happen in Alpha Maxwell found out? You wanna tell me that? He's rip off your head."

I have no doubt he would. I don't think Nixon could ever handle someone whose disrespected me with mercy, but upmost wrath.

"Why not tell Lily the truth."

"You're leading," Oliver hisses, trying to pull George out. What truth?

"She needs to know the truth, the-

George is knocked out in one swift punch to the head, falling onto Oliver as he hoists him up. "You may want to leave, Lily."

I nod, racing down as I grab my things. Hopping into my car, I race home, ignoring the speed limits as I pull into the driveway. Home. Looking up, it feels so weird to be here, yet right.
I head to the front door, expecting no welcome as I unlock it and enter. My mind drifts to Taylor, my parents, George, and so many others as I head to the room.

"Back so soon?"

<><>

"It's beautiful," I remark as Nixon wraps his arms around me, the cold breeze causing shivers to run up and down my spine. We stand outside, in the city, before a tree in the center that others also converse around. On the third floor of a building, we're avoiding the crowd as its all silent up here.
His chin rests on my shoulder as we look at the view together. I didn't tell him about George, not wanting to make this moment turn bitter. It's tough to hide something like that from Nixon, how I was called just an easy lay for him.

"How many people will I be meeting?"

He holds me closer. "Around two hundred, a decent size." I nod, already hating that number as I think about doing something stupid before them.
"You'll be fine."

"Will I?" I mutter, walking to the other side of the balcony as Nixon puts his hands in the pockets of his coat. "It's not my fault so many call me a slut, is it?! Nixon, they think I'm just some whore who got knocked up and now you feel guilty."

I take back saying those words as he tenses, his eyes darkening as he takes in those words. I don't move, I don't want to seem like I'm about to leave nor go forward in fear of his temper once rising. "I swear, Lily, is anyone ever says that and I hear them, they will be dead. I'll find out who those people are."

I know not to oppose him. I know not to say no and say that they don't know the whole story. Why don't I say those things? It's because I don't want to watch him give me the cold shoulder or a stare that makes me want to cover away.

In five minutes Nixon is back to looking at the scenery as I'm left just watching him. I'm used to figuring everyone out, wanting to know who they are and what they will do after I've been around them enough. But Nixon Maxwell, I still haven't figured out completely. I don't know if I ever will.
The rest of the night is a blur as we spend the time in the city, returning only to his penthouse as he gets a fire going and just watches me.

I don't move from his stare as I sit on the couch, my face blank, and aware of the mood of the home.

Not a single sound but the crackling of fire.

I think about the first time we me, how I was grabbing junk food and this man just chuckled and we had a decent conversation, one that made me want to know this mystery man even more. And now, as I feel his eyes on me as I've lied and committed sins just for him, I only wonder where my life has headed. I only wonder where it could go.

"Do you think about your past often?"

I look up as Nixon takes a sip of his alcohol, is Adam's apple bobbing as my body feels heated.

"What about it?" I ask, watching as he takes a step towards the fire, the flames reflected in those eyes.

"The actions that made you the person you are today. If you ever regretted something, but it gave you something you always wanted."

"I don't think I have," I reply, crossing my arms. "You?"

He spares a shy smile. "Many," he answers, taking a swing of the drink. "I think back on many things that I did, things that caused me to close off the world around me. Isolate myself as you say."

I scoff. "You don't even have lights on, Nixon, you're like that old man that no one knows even lives in the house."

He chuckles, a sound that makes me want to jump over the fire and land in his arms. "What things do you regret?"
Those eyes meet mine.

He shakes his head, as if contemplating to tell me. He opens his mouth.
He shuts his mouth, those eyes briefly meeting mine. "Things that gave me power and control."

I don't ask anymore questions related to the subject.

By three in the morning I'm laying on the couch, just staring at the fire that still runs. Nixon left twenty minutes ago, sleeping, saying for me to follow him when I'm done out here. I'm not done those. The thoughts about what he said still occupy my mind.

What did he mean? Did he kill? Manipulate? Deceive? A part of me says I'm not far off at all.

Getting up, I head towards the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water as I stare out upon the city line.

Lights everywhere as the snow still falls. Just watching this makes me feel content. Just staying in the silence allows me to feel content. Allowing questions to engulf me makes me feel safe.

Questions that relate to what will happen in the end with us? With this kind of relationship that I love yet always feel guilty of. I guess only time will reveal.

The silk slides against my body like water, feeling like heaven as the sleeves catch my shoulders and I examine the woman before me. Navy. Knee-length. Modest front. Dip in back.

Navy.

Midnight blue.

A reflection of his eyes.

A reflection of those orbs that entice me into submission so much.

Hands land on my shoulder as I feel him behind me. A strand of hair is tucked behind my ear, lips against my neck. He's proud today. He's trusting me to hold myself to his standards today.

"You're ready."

"Am I? God, Nixon, my hands are shaking."

His hands envelop mine, Nixon stepping before me as he looks deep into my eyes. "I trust you. I believe you can. So, since I do, you must too."
I nod.

We hop into the car, Nixon staring it up as my nerves sky rocket. My palms become sweaty as Nixon stares ahead, the ride filled with silence. Turn after turn we exit the town, going down a dirt road where the thick trees cover my fat vision. The forest is green out here, the trees thick and tall, the leaves sheltering any sign of any home out here.

As we approach one turn off, a massive gate lies ahead, and behind it, I see the massive modern castle home, three stories high and built to house many more than I thought. Many cars like the road to the circular driveway ahead, making a clear path to the double doors.

"You will be fine. Just smile."
I nod.

The gate opens and as we enter, my eyes widen. In the grass meadows are many people or massive wolves, fighting as people watch or help teach. "The warriors in training, there are about a bit over one hundred warriors all together and more are flocking in. When a I told you two hundred, that was the number of people within the pack house who train to fight. There around about another two hundred who live in the town and city."

"That's big," I comment, seeing the people training stop as our car passes them by.

"Many of the warriors begin their training as young as six, and by the time you're thirteen and committed to the job, you live close bye as you train."

He parks the car, thousands of things running through my brain as I see the double doors open to the massive house. Reaching across to my seat, Nixon lands a soft kiss upon my lips, my nerves instantly going away as a part of me become excited beyond belief. "Let's go."

Nodding, I watch him open the door, people bowing their heads, and as he opens my door, I only feel my hear skip a beat.

"Let's do this."