I grab my forearm between my index finger and thumb, pinching it hard.

"Ow."

Well that confirms it, I'm definitely not dreaming. I guess that means....

I actually just made out with Greyson. Holy crap! I didn't know he was even attracted to me in that kind of way.

He even said that his apology was a 'forever apology'. What does that even mean? Does he want to make out with me more? I'm so confused.

I turn the doorhandle and walk into my suite. The lights are on and a fresh warm aroma flows through the room. It kind of smells like ground beef. I peer toward the kitchen.

"Mom?" I call out.

"In my room Lucia!"

Huh, I wonder what she is up to? I cross through the family room and glance over into the kitchen. Pots and pans scatter the sink area, making it look even more cluttered than before. On the counter is a dish with what looks to be shepherd's pie. Well that's a new one for her. I wonder what the occasion is this time?

"Isn't it a bit late to be making dinner?" I ask heading to Mom's room.

To my surprise, she is sitting on her bed with Rina, holding a book in her hands. I peer closer and notice it's a photo album.

"Is that my childhood photo album?" I growl.

Ugh, she is a pain in the butt. She can't get over how 'cute' I was as a child. Honestly I wasn't special, most kids are cute. I don't know why she treasures those photos so much.

My mom laughs, "Yes, you look so adorable! Here, this is you holding your stuffed wolf! Don't you remember when the Luna gave it to you for your birthday?" She sighs and gently touches the photo with her fingers, "Wasn't she just the cutest?"

I sigh and slap my forehead with my palm, "Ugh, Mom enough of that please."

"But you're just so cute, how can I not show your only female friend?" She asks.

"Mom!" I screech embarrassed as my cheeks flame red.

She shoots her hands up in defense, "Sorry, sorry. It's true though."

"Ugh." I sigh.

Rina laughs, "You're my only female friend too Lucia, so you don't need to be embarrassed!"

I nervously twirl my hair with my fingers, "It's still rude for my Mom to bring up." I shoot daggers with my eyes in her direction.

Mom laughs and runs her fingers through her strawberry blonde hair, "Oh Lucia, you're too easy to tease." She claps her hands together and adds, "Well I made dinner and there is plenty for Rina to eat with us."

I smile happily, turning to Rina who seems slightly intimidated, "So how about it? Want to eat dinner with us?"

"Um..." She thinks for a moment, "S-sure."

We get into the kitchen. Mom passes out plates and utensils as I scoop dinner for everyone. As time passes, we talk about little insignificant things. Rina blends in easily with our conversations. Her shyness fading quickly as she gets comfortable.

"So Lucia, how is your man hunting going?" Mom asks casually, scooping some shepherd's pie into her mouth.

"Mom!" I shout, my face flushing bright red.

"Man hunting?" Rina asks cautiously.

Mom dabs her mouth before speaking, "Apparently Lucia has a crush on one of the guys in her squad. I bet he is real handsome."

I growl, "Not the time Mom! This is so embarrassing." I hind my face in my hands.

She laughs and stands up for a moment, "I will be right back, I forgot I needed to give Trinity some files on the Ichor pack that I finished earlier. You girls enjoy the rest of your meal, but don't forget to clean up after yourselves!"

She waves goodbye as she sweeps papers off the island and heads out the door. She slams it shut behind her, leaving me in silence with Rina. Of course she decides to leave after dropping a bomb like that.

"You like someone on the squad?" Rina asks me quietly.

Oh boy, I was going to tell her at some point, but certainly not now. Thanks mom for rushing this process....

"Y-yeah..." I sigh and look up.

"Oh, is it Leo...?" She suddenly asks.

"Leo? What? No way!" I say, almost offended. She gives me a curious almost taken back look so I decide to explain myself, "It's not that he isn't attractive, because he is! But I said it like that because it's actually Greyson that I like..."

I see happiness cross her eyes, "Oh that's Leo's friend right? The one you went to get out of the woods tonight?"

My heart pounds quickly in my chest, sending butterflies throughout my whole body as I recall my earlier encounter with Greyson, "Yup, that's the one."

"Leo was telling me all about him. He seems like a great guy. He helps Leo out with a lot of things. You know they have been friends since they were little, Leo really idolizes Grey-" As she continues to rant, she begins to look more and more excited. Huh.

"Do you like Leo?" I suddenly cut her off and ask.

She freezes, "Like him? Me? Oh I don't know..." she thinks for a moment then adds, "Well... I mean he is really sweet and we had this instant connection that I just don't understand. Like, when we touched, sparks flew throughout my whole body. All I wanted to do was stay with him all night and be by his side..." She sighs and looks down, "It's a creepy feeling, I know. So I left and came here to wait for you."

"That's not creepy!" I shout, making Rina almost jump out of her seat in shock. I laugh, "Sorry, that was sudden. But I don't think it is creepy at all. Actually that's how I feel with Greyson. I always think about him and when we touch the exact same thing happens!"

"Really?" She asks wide eyed and hopeful.

"Really!" I say excitedly.

This is amazing. I thought what I was feeling was strange. So this has to be what it is like to have a crush on someone.

"You know, it is reassuring to hear that these feelings aren't unusual or creepy." Rina says, tucking her short black hair behind her ear. "The only thing is, I know Leo would never feel this way about me. Especially if he were to ever find out about my power."

I can hear the sadness seeping from her voice. It pains me to see her depressed like this. I have to reassure her that anything can happen. Especially since she is so cute, there is no way Leo wouldn't like her due to her ability.

"I think you're wrong." I state plainly, "Honestly I don't think Leo is the shallow type. He seems like someone who would accept you, every part of you."

She looks up, her face no more hopeful then before, "Lucia, you don't understand. Every person I have known, besides you and the Alpha, have left me due to my ability. It's a curse. No one could love someone like me."

I frown, "Never talk like that Rina! Anyone who has left you is a dumb ass. I mean, I know we haven't been friends long, but I can already tell the type of person you are. You are sweet, genuine and cute. I haven't known Leo long either, but for some reason, I feel like I have known him and Greyson my whole life. They aren't the kind of people who judge so suddenly. Unlike most of this pack, they are different. They have a certain innocence to them that makes them less weary of things."

"That doesn't mean they won't freak out when they find out I'm a brain washer."

True. It even freaked me out a bit when I found out earlier. It's not something you should despise a person for though. It's not as if she asked for this ability. She doesn't want to hurt people and I can see that.

"Rina, when have you ever used your power to harm someone?" I ask.

She looks up at me strangely, unsure of what I mean, "Never. Well I never did anything intentionally to hurt anyone."

"Exactly." I state, "if I was able to sense that in you, I know for a fact Leo and Greyson will be able to too."

A sad expression is still plastered on her face, but I can tell she is processing this new information. If I were in her shoes, I know how uneasy I would be. It is going to take her a while to understand that people won't always run from her.

"Thank you for the encouraging words. I guess I can see him and me being friends... But..." She pauses and sighs deeply, struggling to get out her words.

"But what?" I ask sympathetically.

"It's selfish of me... but I can't help but want to be more than friends with him." She looks up at me worriedly, "Please don't tell him Lucia. I know he won't like me in that way, and I don't want to embarrass myself."

"I would never tell him that. That is something between the two of you. But if you want my advice, I would say that you should at least give it a try with Leo. I think you will be surprised with what happens."

Thinking back to my make out session with Greyson. I was completely throw off about that. I just assumed he would look at me like one of the guys, just like everyone else has always done. When he initiated that kiss, I was astounded.

"I know how it will end Lucia. He will run away with fear in his eyes. No one wants to date a freak like me."

I frown and shout, "No friend of mine will think of herself as a freak." She jumps up, surprised by my loud voice in this small area. "You are a beautiful person with an amazing talent. Don't think of yourself as a freak, because you aren't."

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair frustratedly. Was that too harsh?

Looking into Rina's eyes, I see tears lingering. Oh shit. I just made a girl cry.

"I'm so sorr-"

"No," she cuts me off, "don't apologize. I needed that...." She looks up at me, determined, "I want to become strong. Like you Lucia. Not physically but mentally. Once I am confident enough in myself, I will try harder with Leo."

I smile brightly, "Wonderful!" I clap my hands together, "The best way to do that, is to join my squad!"

Wide-eyed, she starts to shake her head.

"There is no way. I would never last on your squad."

I smirk, "Yes you would, and under my watch you will thrive."