I finished curling Mums hair and stood back. She looked lovely, the simple green dress was not to casual but not to formal either. She had on black tights and black heels and went into the wardrobe to get out her white and black polka dot scarf.

"I really don't know about leaving you tonight" she hesitantly went down stairs, the argument we've been having since getting home about to start up again.

"It'll be fine. Don't worry ok? You look lovely" I smiled encouragingly and thankfully her excitement of going out tonight was able to outweigh the worry she had towards me. At seven on the dot Philip Fournier stood on our doorstep, dressed in a suit jacket, collared cotton shirt and jeans. I handed Mum her black trench and then they were gone. I went and curled up on the sofa besides James, my mind elsewhere as I thought back to this afternoon. What had spooked Eric? 'Parker' came the voice; I bit my lip frowning, as I knew it would probably be true. I shivered, an uneasy feeling filling me.

"What's wrong?" James asked, sensing my mood. I flicked the TV off, leaving the room in darkness now. I held my finger up to my lips "sssh" I whispered. He nodded, and I got up cautiously. Silence. "Upstairs" I mumbled and lead James up to his room.

Thankfully his curtains were already drawn. Looking at his face I could tell he was scared. I gave him a hug, "I want you sit up here in the corner and be quiet until I come back" I said softly to him. He nodded and went and sat on the single sofa chair set up as a reading corner, grabbing one of the few teddies he still had to keep with him. For some reason I didn't want him to be on the bed, if someone was around and a threat, it would be the first place they would look for him. I wasn't sure where that thought came from and as quietly as I could manage closed his door. I stood on top of the staircase closing my eyes. 'Ok wolfie, why am I freaking out' I thought, my ears straining to hear anything out of the ordinary. Silence. I waited for a few more minutes and blaming my over active imagination was about to back to James's room when I heard the steady thuds of footsteps coming towards the house. 'Oh shit' I thought, a warm feeling of reassurance came from within and I knew my wolf would help me out. This was something I could get used to. I crept down the stairs, more agile than I think I had ever been in my life. Keeping to the shadows, I had never been more thankful of the black sweatpants and hoodie I had on helping to disguise me in the dark.

I pressed myself against the kitchen cupboard, like I had the night before when I had been eavesdropping on Mum and Margaret. Carefully looking out the kitchen window Parkers black and grey wolf was coming. I thought of the cloak she had put on the house, would it stop him from finding me like it had with William? He was at the house now, coming around to the front door. I crouched low near the hallway so I couldn't be seen from the kitchen, eyes wide I stared at the door as if that alone would stop him from coming in. In the curtain covered glass panel of the wooden door the silhouette of Parker as a man appeared, his knocks soon echoing through the house. I held my breath, hoping he wouldn't hear the hammering of my heart instead. He stopped and disappeared from the door, listening to his human steps he seemed to be checking out the lounge window and then the kitchen before coming and knocking again.

"Beth? Are you home??" He called, a hint of frustration in his tone. The second I considered opening the door, my body refused to listen, 'No!' the voice scolded. Gulping I stayed low, fearful of what would happen next. Would he leave?

He had changed to his wolf again, his breathing coming in heavy pants, his steps lighter as he moved around the house, obviously looking for a way in. From the base of the front door the sound of sniffing was heard, the wolfs nose pressed against the doorframe. Minutes later he was a man again,

"Beth, are you there darling? I think you are hiding from me," he sounded more amused now, as if this was a game. In a way it was. He started to pound on the door now, just when I think it was about to come off its hinges Margaret appeared.

"He won't be able to enter. Just keep quiet," she whispered silently into my ear. I nodded, for once thankful to see her. She disappeared soon after though and I was alone once more.

"Little girl, Little girl.... Let me come in" he sung. I shivered at his words; 'he can't get in' I told myself over and over but not finding much comfort. "Don't make me huff and puff and blow your house down" he teased. Could werewolves do that? The three little pigs came to mind, a house of straw and a house of wood had been destroyed by the wolf but not the one of bricks. This was wood. And what is close to bricks - stone. Williams castle came to mind and suddenly I knew I had to get there. But how?

While he carried on his three little pig rendition I climbed up the stairs and went back into James room, finding him frozen in the corner. Seeing me he ran over and wrapped his arms around my waist. I cradled his head gently. "You're being so brave" I whispered to him. It was miles to Williams place and even if we got to the car Parker could easily follow and get us then. As much as it hurt, I knew I couldn't go. Not with James to consider too. I untangled myself from James's grasp and went to the wall beside the window. Before I could look out a series of howls filled the night and relief poured over me. Help was coming. Margaret appeared in the room, frowning as I was used to do her doing now. She waved her hands over James's door and started mumbling something. The second she was finished a loud crack was heard down stairs followed the crunching of glass as his boots walked over the door. Parker had got in.

"Why Little Red Riding Hood, what a weak witch you have," he taunted further. James buried his head against my stomach, silent sobs of fear shaking his small form. This was it. He was coming. I heard him leap into the lounge, a growl heard as he found it empty. His steps went into the kitchen and then down the hall to the guest room and bathroom. Finally the creaks of the steps gave away his location. He walked past James's room, hearing the click I knew he was in Mums room.

"This room is to old, though perhaps Mummy would appreciate a visitor when she returns" he yelled, hoping from some sign of a reaction. He took a few steps to my room.

"This room is to cold, but it smells so interesting" losing my eyes I listened to his steps. He checked

"Maybe you prefer me to wait in your bed" he called seductively, and involuntarily I shuddered at the thought of being in bed with him. Minutes ticked by and I was beginning to think he was serious. Margaret waved her hand over the wall, a hole forming so we could see into my room.

It was slightly blurry, like a reflection in the water and true to his word he had laid on my bed. In his hands he had the book of Red Riding Hood. He flicked through the pages bored, and I hoped it was still blank so he wouldn't be able to see anything. He threw it back down and leaned down onto my pillow, breathing in deeply. When this was over, I was buying new bedding. He opened his eyes then, looking straight at me. Our eyes met and a smirk appeared on his face. He closed his eyes again and Margaret closed the window. "He couldn't see us could he?" I mouthed at her, shaken by how he had looked into my eyes and saw inside me. She shook her head; the howls were heard again but much closer this time. With the distraction James and I both jumped, a squeal escaping as he was suddenly at James door.

"Now this one seems just right" he pounded and pounded on it but the door didn't budge. Margaret stood strong behind it, mumbling the same unidentifiable words over and over until finally it stopped and I knew he had left. She looked over to us and nodded, disappearing. Down stairs I heard footsteps and hushed voices. Opening the door Parkers scent still lingered but I instantly knew Eric's and opened the door completely. Frightened James clung to my side and I went down the kitchen where Eric and Fred seemed to be looking for something. Or in this case, someone.

"Eric" I called from the hall, before I could blink he was in front of me, pulling me into a hug.

"We came as soon as we could, the bastard had set fires at Andreas to distract us before we knew where he had gone" I felt cold.

"Andreas?" He nodded. "Her car was set alight and Derricks too. They're all ok though, and insurance will cover the cost" Fred watched us silently, seeming to judge his brother and mine interactions. Relieved they were ok a squeeze on my leg reminded me of James.

"James, this is my friend Eric and his brother Fred" I said it gently and crouched down beside him. He looked at each guy warily before nodding, accepting them.

"Thank you for coming" They both smiled and Fred soon left us to fix the door. I didn't ask he managed to make it look like new, including the glass panel but he did.

 "We're going to keep patrol ok? You're safe now," Eric said comfortingly. I gave him a quick hug, Fred was already waiting outside and I don't think he'd let me hug him even if I tried. 

I slept with James again, he was to shaken up to be alone and honestly so was I. Around eleven my phone woke me up, a message from Mum saying she wouldn't be home tonight made me almost relieved. I didn't need her here worrying. Getting comfortable again I let sleep take me.