I don't know how long Alexander held me or I him. I just knew that I felt safe in his arms. At least he'd stop talking about taking my blood and having me swear allegiance to him. Had that been just an excuse to stick around or had he actually meant that. Even though I would never tell him, I was glad he was here but I knew that it couldn't last. I lifted my head from his shoulder.

"What are you going to do about the arrest warrant?" I asked him. "If - if Mic-"

"Don't worry about that," Alexander said interrupting. "I'll have someone look into it."

"It's not that easy."

Alexander placed his hand on my head. "Rin, don't worry about it. I'll have this handled. The Royal family has been through worse scandals than this one."

"This is the first time there is a warrant out for your arrest," I reminded him. "Has your father said anything? Surely he must have."

Alexander didn't meet my eyes. "He isn't involved. The only words I got were 'you handle it' and that's what I plan to do."

I stomach tightened. I remembered being happy that the Prince wouldn't hide behind his father anymore but now, a pit of dread formed in my stomach. It would seem the King was serious about not protecting his son anymore. What had I done?

Feeling weak, I pressed my forehead against his shoulder. If I asked how he was going to handle it, he'd tell me not to worry about it.

"Th-then what's the plan?" I asked. "I know I have no proof of M-Micah's involvement but I really think he's involved."

Alexander patted my head. "Rin, you don't have to do anything. Let me handle it. Just go to school like you normally do. Keep a low profile."

"You make it sound so easy," I grumbled.

Even if I wanted to say anything else, Alexander would just wave it away. How could he think that I wouldn't worry? If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened. I had to fix this somehow. If only Alexander would take it seriously.

"It's getting late," Alexander suddenly said. "Get some rest."

Now that he mentioned it, I was feeling tired. I stifled a yawn. "Alright," I said, "what about you though?"

"What do you mean?" he asked. "I don't need to sleep."

"No, are you going to leave?"

Alexander looked down at me with a smirk. "Do you want me to stay?"

I leaned back feeling my cheeks warmed. Why did it always have to be like this? "N-no," I stammered out, "but if you want to stay, I'm not going to stop you."

The grin was back. "So kitten or no?"

I pushed him away. "Do what you want."

Grumbling, I crawled into bed and wrapped myself up like a burrito. He wasn't going to crawl underneath the cover with me. That would show him. Soft laughter filled the room. Something soft snuggled up beside my head.

Hey, let me in.

"Go away."

Is that what you want?

I bit my lip. "Do what you want," I grumbled again.

I'm trying but you don't let me.

My heart lurched. He sure had a way with words. Sighing, I raised some of the covers and Alexander squeezed through. The small ball of white fur snuggled up next to me.

Now, was that hard?

I didn't say anything. Instead, I grabbed one of his ears and rubbed it between my fingers. I had to give it to him, he had really nice fur. Alexander turned on his back, exposing his belly. I guess that was an invitation. Before he could say anything, I scratched his belly. He . . . started purring.

Shaking my head, I scooped him up closer to me. I knew he didn't want to worry me but even so, I had to help him. His dad wasn't going to do anything and it didn't look like Alexander had many options.

Don't look so worried. It'll turn out alright.

Feeling my eyes burn, I nodded. "Yeah." I hope so.

#

The next few days passed as if they were a blur. I went to school like normal. Alexander didn't show up. There weren't any more notes in my locker or in my room. However, despite what Alexander had said, he was still a fugitive.

The police had even come by my house and told us to report if we saw Alexander. Mr. Keys even called and told us not to hide Alexander or help him. It wouldn't do us any good if we were involved. I was sure they were tracking our movements and watching the house. That was probably why Alexander hadn't come to visit.

That weekend, my parents and I sat down to dinner unable to find anything to talk about. It was as if we were all thinking the same thing. My parents had repeatedly told me to report Alexander if he came near me. I said I would and yet they could probably tell that I was lying.

"I hope this ends soon," my mom suddenly said. "The Royal family is making this difficult for everyone. They haven't said anything and everyone is on edge. I almost don't like going to work."

"It's going to take some time," Dad responded. "Let's not think like that. This is just one incident -"

"It's just that if someone mentions so much as the Royal family or that Prince, they'll bite you."

"It's not him!" I blurted out.

Surprised, my parents looked at me. I swallowed thickly. It wasn't supposed to come out like that.

"What are you talking about Rin?" my mom asked.

It was now or never. I couldn't let them think Alexander was all that bad. He had changed, at least somewhat. They had to know this was none of his doing.

"It's not him," I repeated. "Ale- the Prince didn't do anything."

"Oh honey," Dad said, "don't tell me you're one of his fans too. Those kids-"

"He didn't attack those people," I continued. "He's being framed."

My parents shared a glance.

"Rin," my dad began.

"Micah is framing him," I told him. "He - he contacted me through letters. He, he is behind all of this."

For a moment, neither one of them spoke. My heart raged against my chest painfully. I knew they were going to be mad. I should have told them as soon as it happened but, I hadn't been able to.

"I - I should have told you," I stammered out, "but I couldn't. And then all of this happened." I shook my head as my vision blurred. "I can't let you guys blame Alexander when it's not his fault."

I stared down at the table unable to meet their eyes. My mom was suddenly beside me, her arms around me.

"Rin, how could you not say anything?" she asked. "We need to know these things."

I couldn't bring myself to say anything. There was nothing to say. I didn't have an excuse. 

"Micah is behind this," I forced out. "There has to be a way to save Alexander. I - I don't know what to do. I don't even have proof and -"

"Who's Alexander?" Dad asked.

I swallowed thickly. "Th-the Prince," I stammered out. "That's his name. At least, I think it is."

Dad rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You know this how?"

"He told me. But that's not the point."

"We'll talk to  his handlers," Mom said. "They need to know that he's breached the restraining order." Tiredly, she sighed. "I'd hope we could settle this since we were good friends with his parents. Alisha and Simon - " She trailed off. "They'll need to know too."

"I'll give Simon a call," Dad said. "I hope their number is still the same."

I watched Dad walk out of the kitchen. Mom held on to me and rubbed my back.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys before," I whispered. "I -I just thought he'd stop if I ignored him and -"

"Shh, it's okay Rin," Mom said. "It's okay. We are going to take care of this. I will protect my little girl."

I nodded and hugged her tighter.

"It's going to be okay," Mom repeated.

And yet even as she did, I couldn't help but think if it would be enough to save Alexander.