My eyes slowly open as they begin to slowly adjust to the lighting in the room. They dart to the ornately decorated window and its deep blue curtains, letting in a profuse amount of light. I stretch my legs and roll over to my left side, settling my gaze upon the distinct torso of a man standing in a doorway surrounded by even more light.

"What the," I sit up a little too quickly. "...hell...happened last night?" My thoughts begin to organize themselves as I look around the room before settling my eyes back to Tyler. He was standing with a towel wrapped around his waist in the doorway to his bathroom. His chest was impeccably carved wit muscles, a pleasing amount of hair over his heart and below his belly button. Water droplets pooled at appealing areas to the eye before falling lower to his towel.

His eyes caught mine as I finish roaming over his half naked body. "You remember yet?" he laughed.

I frown as my hand instinctively hold my forehead, "yes... it's starting to come back." I rub my head in pain, "ugh my head..."

"Oh, that," he laughed again. "It's probably something to do with that age old whiskey you had last night. Finished a healthy glass pretty quick... and I'm guessing you haven't had alcohol in while." He had walked to the edge of his bed, sitting down across from me.

"Ya think?" I pull my knees up to my chest in an attempt to stay further away from him. And I wasn't wearing pants. Omg.

I quickly pull the covers back over my bare legs to hide my body from him. He pretends like he doesn't notice and only smiles at me, "You don't have to hide from me ya know... I saw enough last night."

"You what?" I ask, horrified. He couldn't have seen that much... could he?

"Yeah, ok. You're right, I really didn't... I guess that was too soon anyways, huh? I'd prefer that not be the reason I see you like that," he said coolly as he waggled his eyebrows at me.

"Funny," I say unamused. "It is too soon, and you'll never see me like that anyways."

"What? Why not?" His arms were now crossed, even though he clearly was still lighthearted about our conversation, enjoying the turn it had taken.

I cock my head at him, "So you think just because you save me from something like that, you think you can do the same thing?" I present him with a feigned look, a mix of hurt and scared.

"Oh..." he frowns as he reaches for my hand. "Alexis, I would never do anything you didn't want me to."

He was serious. Well, I hadn't meant for him to actually believe me... somehow I already knew he wouldn't hurt me.

When I didn't say anything right away, he continued. "I'm sorry too, I may have crossed the line when I hugged you, but I just felt like you may have needed it. And you did hug me back..." he frowned, twisting his mouth, clearly unsure.

"I did thank you for it, Tyler. For all of it," I say to him, genuinely meaning it.

His tone had turned serious now too, "And I meant what I said too. That's never going to happen again."

"You know, you said something like that to me when we first met. Is that really how you still feel?"

He laughed, "Yes. Of course I still mean it. I only feel that way stronger now..."

I present a small smile, unsure of what to say to that. "Yeah well unless I get a new roommate, or a new room..." I sighed, shaking my head, "I don't even feel like going back there."

"Want me to sleep in the bed with you then next time?"

"Will there be a next time?" He was unbelievable.

He leans forward, his face a mere inches from mine as he places his hands on either side of my hips on the mattress. "There could be if you wanted one."

I recoil internally, did I want another night with him? I couldn't decide how I felt. Up until now, I had simply enjoyed the witty banter and occasional flirting of our, mostly meaningless, conversations. Hmm...

"What the hell," I announce to myself as well as him.

His smile was victorious, "Love your braveness, blondie," he winked at me, using a hand to rub my hair.

"So you think it's brave?" I couldn't help but ask as I fidgeted with my hands.

Adjusting his stance, he leaned to the side, now sitting precariously close beside me. "Course I do. I just hope it's not on impulse," he answered as his eyes faced forward. Oops.

"So, think you could give me some space or, ahem, privacy?"

"What, you shy now?" he teases me, hitting his shoulder against mine.

"Oh my god," I playfully push at his shoulders, both of us laughing. I feel his hands wrap around my waist and pull me closer to him. "We both know you aren't!" Somehow, our playful touching had made me shift to his lap. He was in a towel, and I was in my underwear; not ok.

So I pull myself off of his lap and step off the bed. I was not wearing pants and I knew he was watching me, but for some reason, I was OK with that. Once my pants are on, I turn around to see that he was completely dressed.

"Not fair," I accidentally quietly voice my thoughts.

A coy smirk slides on to his face as he cocks his head to the side and walks over to me. "What was that?"

"As if you can't hear me," I scoff.

"Well maybe I'm being nice by playing dumb," he leans closer to me. "We don't have to play nice though, if that's what you want," he whispers suggestively into my ear.

Automatically, I press my hands on to his chest to push him away. Unfortunately, this seems to backfire as he leans even closer, his arms now enveloping me in his masculine embrace. Wow, this felt good.

I ease into his sturdy hold, relishing the feeling. Something brings me back to reality though as I remember I was initially pushing away from him. Mistakenly, I look up into his eyes and for the countless time since I met him, I lose myself in them. He was somehow luring me, pulling me unfathomably closer to him. His eyes pull away from mine, releasing me from their invisible hold, only to look at my lips. I knew what was happening yet I choose to do nothing to stop it.

My senses become heightened, increasingly aware of his hands grasping my waist, pulling me against him; his breaths becoming heavier, huskier; his musk scent surrounding and nipping at my waning inhibitions. All reservations aside, he presses his lips forcefully against my own, as my mind races to play catch up. His hard body was stone against my feminine lithe figure, morphing into his as if we were becoming one. Our lips had quickly adjusted to one another's as we began to move rhythmically. His hand presses against my lower back, holding me steadily against him. I slowly lean away from his lips, halting our sudden romantic moment, unsure of why I even let it happen.

"Tyler," I was speaking to the ground. "I think I should go..." I found myself saying as I looked up.

His eyes were glimmering, alight with victory and pride. "You sure you need to go now? You don't have to rush out..." he says softly, squeezing my hips lightly.

"I-I just," I couldn't find my words. Backing away from him, his hands loosen their grasp on me, releasing me. "I think I need to go anyways, the others are probably already training by now... and I can't lose focus..." God, I didn't even know what I was saying.

"Lose focus?" he repeats my words with spite. "Since when were you so focused on training here? You're only focused on getting out."

His sudden release of me felt cold. I seethe, screaming passionately, "Aren't they the same thing?" I shake my head at him, the aftershock of our kiss finally settling in. "I can't believe you, I'm leaving." I stride to the door, picking my jacket up on the way. Before slamming the door, "Goodbye Tyler," I say indifferently.

~*~

I couldn't believe this was even happening. Twenty four hours ago, I had woken up and gone through my day alone, blissfully unaware of Tyler and any feelings I might have. Now, I find myself unable to keep my thoughts away from him. From our kiss, from the way things had ended this morning, and from whatever that was last night.

It had been so hard this morning to leave. He had blown up at me out of nowhere, and for what? I was only shy after the kiss, I hadn't even known what I was really saying... and he threw it in my face.

"Um, hello? Alexis," Chase had been laughing at my mental absence all morning.

"Oh sorry Chase," I force myself to snap out of it. "What were you saying?"

"That you need to focus," he chuckles as I linger over his ironic choice of words. "Okay, seriously. Grab your choice of gun and fire."

"Just like that?" I ask, incredulous. For the longest time, they had been reserved about my firing a gun. They didn't trust my instincts elsewhere, so they were slowly introducing me. Up until now apparently.

"Just try it."

I ponder over the selection of guns beside us. Uneducated in the craftsmanship of the various kinds in front of me, I opt for a smaller one. Taking my stance on the line, I steady my legs as I ready myself. Without thinking any longer, I fire once, then a second time. And before I know it, I'm finishing off all the rounds. They all hit the target, on the second inner ring except one.

"Wow!" Chase held up a hand in high five, "What did you do differently this time?"

"Differently?" In my head, I was actually imagining the target as Tyler's head. His frustratingly cute head that wouldn't leave my subconscious alone.

"Well, whatever it was, keep doing it! Seriously, that was really good Alexis. See, you are getting better."

"Thanks," I say. "It normally takes a lot for you to be impressed..." I point out.

"Well, not so much with you," he said as he took my hand and the gun I held to reload it.

"Hey!" I jump at the loud voice behind us. "Chase, you're needed elsewhere. You can't forget your own training."

Chase leaves awkwardly, jumping at the sudden authority yelling at him. "Tyler," I say without turning around, recognizing his voice. I turn around brazenly, eyeing him suggestively, full of contempt as I ready my rifle, "You'd be proud to learn I hit the target today. And wanna know how? I aimed for your head."

He snorted, "Well then you wouldn't have hit the target, honey." He leaned forward, teasing me with his allusive expression.

"You'd be surprised what the imagination can do..." I say, the sarcasm even thicker than before in my voice.

"And whatever that is, wouldn't do me justice."

I slam my foot on the ground indignantly, "I wasn't imagining it for looks you jackass!"

He clenched his jaw, holding his hands up as he stepped towards me, "hey hey, calm down, ok?" he spoke softly as he took the gun from my grasp.

Being this close to him again was unsettling, "What do you want, Tyler?" The sexual tension between us was palpable.

He sighed, "I came to apologize, but..."

"Oh," I didn't know what else to say.

"Look, I know we can't talk out here, but just... if you would come back to see me again tonight?"

I couldn't help but snort in response, "what, see you and leave?" I cock my head at him, still displaying obvious signs of resentfulness, "We both know you want me to spend the night again."

He shook his head in defeat, "Fine. Yes, would you stay with me tonight? I can't leave things the way they were this morning. But I'm not continuing this conversation until tonight."

"Fine," I agreed we needed privacy. And boy, he was going to get an earful tonight.

He let out a deep breath, his dark blue eyes tentative with worry. I said nothing else as I watched him walk away. Then I tried, comically, to focus on my training.

Dinner rolled around, and Chase was soon asking me about what happened with Tyler earlier. I had forgotten he may have still been in earshot. "What do you mean what happened? He yelled at me for holding my gun wrong."

"Is that all? You seemed upset."

"Well yeah, I got upset when he told me I was wrong even though I'd hit the target," I continued to lie.

He nodded his head in silence. I looked around at the group of us, noticing the dark mood that had sustained since last night. I look back down at my plate, realizing I'd now have to go see Tyler, and I grew nervous. Immediately, I looked up to where Tyler sat, and watched him in his element. His laughter from his conversation with his comrades reached his eyes and he looked genuinely happy.

I left the dining hall early to head to the showers and took my time to get ready. And to think. I didn't know if I liked him or not, but I do know how much it hurt when he acted so cold this morning. So I left the bathroom with the resolution that I didn't not like him but I didn't definitely like him either, whatever that meant.

The door swung open before I even put a hand up to knock. "Hey come on in," Tyler stepped aside to let me in. I didn't gush over his room like last time and instead swung to face him.

"So," I take a deep breath, "let's talk... Why did you yell at me so much this morning?"

"I didn't even yell at you!" his voice rising with each word.

"Right. And you aren't either now, huh?"

"No. I don't want to fight. You were the one that stormed out. I-I don't want," he stops, sighs and runs a hand through his hair, exasperated. "Let's just start over, okay?"

"Ok," I say, though still reserved.

"Look, I guess I was honestly upset you were leaving so fast," he says as a deeper frown mars his features. "Did the kiss even affect you, at all?"

"Affect me? Are you kidding me?" I ask, wondering where that question even came from. "That kiss left me... it made me lose my words. I don't even really know what I said after." And I couldn't even control what I was saying now, apparently.

His frown lessened only slightly at my admission, "but you were the one that pulled away from me. I was the one that kissed you, I mean it seemed like..." he trailed off.

"Wow, are you really mad at me for leaving you, what too quickly?" I threw my hands up, giving a 'duh' look. "We both know that whatever this is," I motioned between us, "is stupid. And it doesn't even make sense. And I..." I began to shake my head turning towards the door, "I don't even know why I'm still here now."

"Alexis," I heard Tyler say as I began reaching for the handle. He caught me off guard, effectively stopping me from leaving when his hands snaked around my waist. I was spun around by his hands to face him and was met by a passionate, wild look in his eyes.

Before I knew it, I was pressed up against him as his lips crashed onto my own. This time much more passionately. The door behind me encased me against him as we once again move our lips together until his force mine open. His tongue explored my mouth as a hand cupped my butt. A moan escaped his lips as I too lost myself, splaying my hands over his wide chest.

It ended too quickly though as he pulled away. His expression was warm, passionate and hungry.

"Mmm, stay please, Alex," my name danced across his lips.

I opened my eyes, "And where will you sleep?"

His eyes studied mine as if searching for an answer, "Well I'm going to be bold and say in my own bed."

I laughed, "Ok," as I looked at him shyly.

"Ok?" he eyed me curiously before resolving, "Ok then."

The days somehow morphed into nights with Tyler as I found myself becoming more and more fond of him. At first, sleeping in the same bed with him was weird but after a week and a half of not having to wake up to an obnoxious alarm, I figured I slept better anyways. Amidst the morose atmosphere that hovered over campus, I had found a reason to be happy, or happier. Because of this distraction, my friends barely even noticed my changed mood.

But somehow, someone else had discovered the presence of a new prisoner and was spreading the news. The same prisoner I had discovered when I followed Tyler almost two weeks ago.

"So you think it's actually true?" I feign ignorance.

"I think it's a total exaggeration..." Tammy says.

"I wonder how someone would have even found out." Bridget ponders.

"Well either way, it doesn't affect us," states Chase.

"How so?" Tammy asks him.

"Because they're never going to let him go nor are they ever going to let anyone see him, so what's it matter?"

"Um, maybe because he's a werewolf?" Tammy questions Chase's reasoning.

"Hold on," I interrupt, "how do we even know for sure that it's a werewolf?"

"Because that's all a part of the rumor..." Bridget points out.

"But c'mon, it could just be some guy, with, I don't know, valuable information..."

"I don't think they would keep a guy like that, no matter how much he knew, in chains," Bridget says.

"And how do you know they even have him in chains?" I continue to play devil's advocate.

"Because..." Bridget realizes she was losing the argument as she trails off.

"I'm just saying, those rumors could be from anyone. We just don't know," somehow my doubt had ceased dinner conversation as we all ate our meal in silence. Of course, I knew there was a prisoner, and I guess I knew he was strong, since so many guards were there to bring him in. But how could I know that was different from anyone else here? The morning runs were timed to bring in new prisoners without the trainees knowing. So, technically, any guy could be brought in with heavy chains and surrounded by 10 guards, right?

I excuse myself early, as I had been doing ever since I knew Tyler would be waiting. Leaving the dining hall silently out the side door, I take a different turn to the showers, passing the storage rooms. They had told us nothing of importance was inside them but I knew valuables were kept inside their padlocked doors. Most likely some kind of stash of weapons and chains.

"And what are we to tell the guards, Leroy?" a harsh whisper stops me in my tracks.

"We tell them what we told the kids here. A lie," a second voice responds to the first timidly, whom I assumed to be Leroy.

"That won't do and you know it. The guards are not as gullible as the kids were. They'll be more... suspicious," I begin to recognize the voice...

"Yes but we can make it work all the same. If the guards were to find out, this facility would be ruined and you know it," they had responded with more tenacity this time.

A brief pause then, "Fine... But we still need to come up with some kind of cover anyways. I feel even Tyler is beginning to doubt me..."

I had finally pinned the voice, causing my heart to drop at the realization, Cecil. I had to get away, fast. Turning quickly on my heels, I bolt down the hall trying my hardest to be quiet and fast at the same time.