Adam has been gone for two weeks. He still calls me when our schedules and the time difference allows and we talk as long as we can. When he can’t call, we’ll exchange three or four text messages. Apparently, the guys are ribbing him for being “smitten” with me. I’ve been getting flak from Alec, Mrs. Hill and some of my closer friends in the pack so I don’t feel too sorry for him.

The time that I had been spending with him has been devoted to training and surprisingly Christina Marleau. It’s only been two Saturdays, but she has them in full so that we can develop a friendship. Alec reported my mishap to Mr. Fuller. I was called into his office that night to set up more intensive training. Once I described the event to him, he told me to bring Adam in to visit with him as soon as possible. Apparently, I shouldn’t be having so strong a reaction to a human this early in the relationship. Consequently, he’s tripled the speed of my training. I’ve actually had to cut back on the number of hours I work because of it. Surprisingly, Mr. Fuller does the majority of my training himself. Even though Alec is more than capable, Mr. Fuller doesn’t want to leave room for error.

As my control has grown, so has my dominance, which is unusual in werewolves. At the change, most wolves have all the dominance they’re ever going to have. The fact that mine keeps growing makes Mr. Fuller uncomfortable. He hasn’t said as much, but I’ve been able to feel it. I try to make it plain that whatever level I reach, I will always submit to him. He’s done more for me than my old Alpha or my parents ever did and I don’t want to jeopardize that. This pack actually feels like home now and the thought of getting kicked out physically hurts.

“That’s enough for now Gracie.” I drop to the matted floor, relieved. Mr. Fuller chuckles. We’re in the pack training facility. Technically, it’s an underground extension of Mr. Fuller’s house. Most of the floor is covered in gym mats and one side of the room is devoted to an obstacle course. Through this insane training, our relationship dynamic has shifted. He’s more of an Alpha and father to me. I like that he has kiddish nickname for me. Whenever anyone shortens my name, it’s just “Grace.” Not once before I came here did anyone call me “Gracie.” I’ve always felt I had to be extra-grown up because “Grace” sounds like an adult. But when it’s just me and Mr. Fuller, I can pretend I’m six again. I still have to be an adult, but I know there’s someone else there to be the responsible one.

I like to think Mr. Fuller finds some kind of joy in our bond. He doesn’t have a mate or kids. He’s not old enough to be my father, and the whole pack could be considered his children, but that’s not the same. When we’re alone, he does treat me like a daughter or kid sister and I relish in it. I think I’m a new challenge for him. My interactions with the rest of the pack have shown me that they’re mostly independent. We’re a family, but none of the others seem to need the same amount of attention as I do from our Alpha. Alec thinks it’s because out of everyone in our pack, I’ve had the most traumatic change experience. The others were either born or changed by a loved one. So far, I’m the only one that was actually attacked. I don’t think Mr. Fuller really knew what to do with me when I got here. After our talk, things dramatically improved though.

“Gracie.” Mr. Fuller’s stern voice breaks into my thoughts.

“Sorry, sir.” I shrink down slightly.

He keeps talking, ignoring my response, “I want you to try shifting.”

I look at him startled. “Pardon?”

“You heard me.”

“Mr. Fuller, I don’t know that I’m ready for that.” He continues to look at me. This isn’t a choice. I have to do it. I haven’t since the full moon a few days after Adam left. I’m grateful that it occurred after his departure. I wouldn’t know how to explain my absence. “Yes, sir.” Sitting down, I try to clear my mind. Closing my eyes, I picture a forest with a snow covered floor. The trees are still a crisp pine green, contrasting the bright white snow blanketing the ground. Under the low hanging branches, passing between the trees, I picture four white legs trotting silently. I never try to picture the rest of the wolf. Just this soundless forward progression of four legs through the trees and snow. As my body relaxes, I carefully add more details of the wolf. The white of the legs fades into gray-brown fur. A flash of gray muzzle between gaps in the branches. Slowly, I turn this lone wolf trotting in the woods into a picture of my other half. Once I have the image firmly in my mind, I move to the next step of making that image a reality. I never quite understood how Mr. Fuller described bringing your wolf out so I try something different. I invite her out.

[i]Good, Gracie. Good.[/i] Mr. Fuller’s voice rings in my mind. I look up at him from my spot on the floor, confused. His image is different. My eyes feel farther apart…and I have a muzzle! Jumping to my feet, I spin in a circle trying to see all of me. Mr. Fuller out right laughs at me. I circle his legs excitedly.

[i]Alright, pup. Go play. I don’t want you trying to shift back just yet.[/i] He waves a hand toward the obstacle course. I tear off toward it, jubilant that I’ve finally managed to shift at will. I play for a few hours before finding a place to curl up and nap. Unfortunately, Mr. Fuller chooses that moment to make me shift. Instead of picture a wolf walking in the woods, I picture my human-self. My change takes a bit longer, but I manage it. He gives me some clothes to change into before telling me to come upstairs for dinner.

After dinner, I say a farewell and go to my Cobalt. The poor thing didn’t see much action while Adam was in town. He was not fond of my driving myself to meet him or Alec driving me for that matter. Now that he’s gone, I’m discovering just how much he insinuated himself into my life. Apparently, he and Alec had a talk before Adam first suggested we hang out to discuss my relationship with Alec. My Beta told me about it the day after Adam left. That’s when Alec blatantly told him that he had to be present when Adam and I hung out. On top of that, Adam took every opportunity possible to see me. If he called and I was going to the store, he offered to drive. If I was being lazy at home, he wanted to come be lazy with me. Thinking about it, Adam was borderline obsessive. And he still is. I don’t go a day without hearing from him.

Speaking of…my phone rings just as I’m putting my key in the lock of my apartment door.

“Hello?”

“Hey Gracelyn.” I let myself into my home, noting how tired Adam sounds.

“What time is it there?”

“Uh…midnight. The game went to ten rounds in the shootout.” I drop my things before dropping myself onto my couch.

“Go to bed Adam.”

He yawns, “I will. But I didn’t get to talk to you earlier. How was your day?” Knowing I won’t convince him to go to sleep, I answer his question. We talk for thirty minutes. By then, his speech is so punctuated with yawns that he’s barely talking.

“Adam, go to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“I’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Even better.” I smile moving myself into my bedroom.

“Gracelyn?”

“Hm?” I try to change clothes while keep my phone pressed to my ear.

“Can I pick you up on my way home tomorrow?”

I nearly dropped my phone. Well, I do drop it and I have to fumble to catch it before it hits the floor.

“Um..why?”

“You have the day off. I have the day off. And I’m tired as shit. I want to spend the day with you but I need sleep.”

I crack the knuckles on my right hand, thinking. I’m not sure if this is a good idea. Yes, I have better control over my wolf, but I haven’t been in any type of physical proximity to Adam during this process.

“Um…I have someone I want you to meet first. If that goes well, I’d love to come over.” Hopefully Mr. Fuller will be able to give me some advice once he meets Adam.

“Who is this someone?” Adam sounds fully awake and his dominance is spiking. My wolf starts to submit to him. I had hoped that with all my progress, my wolf wouldn’t feel the need to submit to a human.

“He’s like my mentor. An older brother, if you will. He wants to meet you.” Adam grunts. “Adam, I told you I wouldn’t date anyone else and I haven’t.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to like the fact that you’re close to another guy.”

“Have you always been this irrationally jealous?” I get in bed, pulling the covers up to my chin. “We’ve known each other for a month, Adam,” I point out the obvious, hoping it will bring him back to reality.

“I’m not irrationally jealous. I like you more than I expected and the thought of you with other men does not sit well with me. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other. I know what I want out of this relationship.”

I wasn’t expecting this conversation to escalate like this. Adam is showing all the signs of a male werewolf who is close to claiming his mate. Which I don’t understand because he’s human. I need to talk to another human-werewolf mate pair to see if this is normal.

“We’re still getting to know each other though.” I run a hand through my curls. “This has the feel of a conversation a couple has after they’ve been together for a year.”

“Well I am getting old,” he tries to decrease the tension with a laugh, but it isn’t that full laugh of his that I’m used to. “Maybe I’m just speeding up the process.”

Even though I know he’s forcing himself to keep things light, I go with it. “Well slow your roll, old man. I’ve still got a lot of years left in me.” This time, he laughs in earnest and I smile. “Okay, seriously. It would mean a lot to me if you met him, Adam.”

He sighs, still not pleased with this. “Fine. I should be in around 8 am. I’ll pick you up at 9, okay?”

“Sounds wonderful.” I let my guard down a bit, allowing him to hear how much I honestly look forward to seeing him.

“Goodnight, Gracelyn.” He tone is much softer now and the yawning has returned. Glad that he is once again relaxed, I wish him a good night and hang up. Tomorrow is going to be interesting.

As promised, Adam is at my house by 9 am. He looks nearly dead on his feet. I offer to drive and he gives me one of the most incredulous and offended looks I have ever received. Before I make a move to grab my purse, Adam pulls me into his arms, holding me tightly. My wolf hums at the sensation of being in his embrace. I knew I missed the feel of his body, but I didn’t think I missed it this much. Relaxing against him, I inhale as deeply as possible. Under the smell of plane, I can pick out that hint of ice mixed in with his body wash. He smells like a waterfall and I love it. One of his hands sneaks into my hair, rubbing my scalp at the base of my hairline. We stand that way for a solid ten minutes; just enjoying the feel of the other’s body.

“My nap is going to feel so fucking good with you next to me, Gracelyn.” His voice is quiet and slightly husky. That familiar tightening feeling in my lower abdomen hits me. He had this effect on me while he was gone, but it wasn’t as strong.

I smile at the thought that he wants me to nap with him. “Come on. The sooner you meet my friend, the sooner you can trap me in your bed with you,” I say flirtatiously. His grip on my tightens momentarily, before he releases me and takes my hand. I like the fact that my body still reacts to him and the little things he does.

“Don’t tease me Gracelyn.”

“You tease me all the time.” I grab my purse, pulling him out of my apartment. I use my free hand to shut and lock my door before going to the elevator. Adam pushes the button, making sure I stay tucked into his side.

We don’t talk much on the way to Mr. Fuller’s. It’s just me giving him directions. But I suppose neither of us need to fill the silence. I think we’re moving into that stage in our relationship where we can just enjoy each other’s company.

Once we arrive, I wait for him to help me out of his Navigator. “I’m asking you to behave, Adam. Mr. Fuller is family to me.” He waves off my comment, checking out the house. I would think it’s impressive if I hadn’t spent so much time here over the last two weeks. The house is a three story brick home with Gothic columns along the front. Not wanting to waste time, I drag Adam up the walkway.

I knock twice, stepping back into Adam’s side to wait for someone to answer the door. A few people from the pack live and work here. It keeps people employed and sheltered while providing Mr. Fuller with trustworthy tenants. One of the girls I don’t know that well, Melanie, answers. She used to be above me in dominance and was not happy when I passed her.

“Hello Melanie. Is Mr. Fuller in?” She ignores me, keeping her eyes on Adam. I let it go, curious to see what he’ll do. Melanie is my polar opposite—white, five-foot-nine, straight blonde hair, gray eyes—and she’s a model. She fits the stereotype for a hockey players’ girlfriend.

She offers her hand to Adam, “Hi. I’m Melanie. And who might you be?” She gives him those stupid bedroom eyes.

Adam looks at me. “…Is this chick for real?” I have to outright laugh at that. That’s the first time I heard him refer to a woman as anything slightly derogatory and he just shut her down big time. Melanie growls and I let my dominance flare. Whatever she was going to do ends in an instant.

Gritting her teeth, she finally answers my question. “Mr. Fuller is in his office.” She storms off to another part of the house and I roll my eyes. She’s a drama queen.

“Who was that and why doesn’t she like you?”

I bring Adam into the house, closing the door behind us. “Her name is Melanie and I’m better at something than she is which she can’t stand.” My answer is vague, but telling him the truth might ruin everything. Adam kisses my temple in response and I take an indulgent minute to press against him. I’m glad I’ve gained better self-control. Last time his lips touched my body, my wolf nearly exploded out of me. This time she merely expresses her joy to me. We’re learning to work together.

“Gracelyn.” I look up to the second floor. Mr. Fuller is leaning against the railing watching us. He’s in his trademark dark wash jeans, biker boots and leather jacket.

Adam tenses, “That… is your mentor?” His grip on me tightens and his dominance floods out of him.

“Yes. That’s Mr. Fuller.” I have to tread lightly. I’m not sure what’s causing this reaction from him. Yes, my Alpha is attractive, but so is Alec and he doesn’t get this territorial around him. “Adam, come on.” I try to lead him up the stairs, knowing Mr. Fuller won’t come down to us, but I can’t move him without using strength a normal woman my size wouldn’t have. “Please. You said you do this for me.”

“You’ve been spending time with him, Gracelyn.” Adam looks at me, his eyes that same piercing blue they were on our date at The Grill.

“I have. But there is absolutely nothing romantic between me and Mr. Fuller.” I look him in the eyes, “I promise you that.”

He keeps eye contact for a full minute before relenting. I smile brightly at him before turning toward the steps. To my surprise, Mr. Fuller has come halfway down the staircase. He never gives up position like that. Ever. I crack the knuckles in my free hand, leading Adam over to him.

“Mr. Fuller, this is Adam. Adam, my mentor, Mr. Fuller.”

My Alpha extends his hand to Adam politely. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Burish. You’ve captured the attention of my little Gracie quite fully.”

“Gracie?” Adam’s voice is tight.

“It’s just a nickname Mr. Burish. Why don’t you two join me in my office?”

I did not expect Mr. Fuller to make things so difficult. It’s a struggle getting Adam into his office; the whole way he keeps muttering about Mr. Fuller calling me “Gracie” and maintains an extremely tight grip on me. Whatever happens during this sit down with my Alpha, I am going to have an extremely pissed off Adam Burish to deal with.

Once in his office, I wait for Mr. Fuller to sit before directing Adam into a seat. I turn to take the seat next to him, but he pulls me into his lap.

Mr. Fuller notices, but doesn’t comment, which I am beyond grateful for. “May I call you Adam?” Adam nods stiffly. “Adam, I wanted to meet you after Gracelyn told me about your…date prior to your leaving for work.” Why couldn’t he ease into the subject? “You were quite adamant about procuring a specific state of affairs concerning your relationship, were you not?”

“Yes. But I don’t see how that’s any of your fucking business.”

“Adam!” Mr. Fuller holds up a hand cutting me off.

This doesn’t sit well with Adam. “I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but don’t you dare silence Gracelyn like that again. This is not the fucking 1950s and she sure as hell isn’t your housewife.” At this point, I’m certain the only thing stopping Adam from getting in Mr. Fuller’s face is the fact that I’m on his lap. In all the time I’ve known of him and the short time I’ve known him, I have never seen him this wound up. And I’ve watched some ridiculously intense games of his.

“Adam, I’m not going to let your attitude ruin our first time meeting because I know you are unaware of the complexities of my relationship with Gracelyn. But I can assure you, you have no reason to feel threatened by me. Gracie is my….daughter of sorts.” I almost smile at his words. I want to by my wolf reminds me of the irate man sitting under me. Adam grunts. I lean back into him, hoping more body contact will calm him down. It doesn’t.

“Your “relationship” shouldn’t have any kind of complexity to it.”

Mr. Fuller’s eyebrows shoot up. “Adam, I wanted to meet you because you became very important to Gracelyn in a short period of time. Do you agree that you two barely know each other?”

“I know what I need to about her.”

“I’m sure you feel that way. However, that does not negate the fact that you two have not spent enough time together as to elicit this kind of response from you for any reason. Forgive me, but I have to ask if you’ve ever hit a woman.”

I gasp, trying to convince myself that he did not just ask that. Adam’s demeanor snaps from irate to mortally offended and I know Mr. Fuller did indeed just ask that question.

“You think I hit Gracelyn?! Not that I have to defend myself to you, but I have not once touched her in a way she did not welcome. Furthermore, only a sick fuck would ever raise a hand to a woman.” Adam’s hold transforms from territorial to protective—his arms are no longer vices around my waist, but sheltering me from Mr. Fuller’s accusation.

Mr. Fuller folds his hands, watching Adam. He’s measuring something, but I don’t know what. He’s also planning. I’ve spent enough time with him to be able to recognize that look.

“Adam, I need to speak to Gracelyn in private.”

“No.”

I glance at Mr. Fuller for permission before speaking, “Adam, please step outside.” I take a risk in kissing his cheek before gently removing his arms from around me. Once standing, I look at him with a smile. “Five minutes. You need to get your irrational jealously under control.”

He grits his teeth. “I’m not irrationally jealous.”

“Then you should have no problem trusting me to be alone with my mentor for five minutes.” I keep eye contact with him. I know he doesn’t want to give in, but he nods once before getting up. He brushes his fingers over my cheek lightly before glaring at Mr. Fuller.

“Five minutes.” I walk him to the door, closing it behind him.

“Gracie, how did you find that man?” Mr. Fuller’s voice is full of amusement.

I collapse in a chair. “I didn’t, sir. He found me. In Denny’s.”

He nods contemplatively. “You have to tell him. Today.”

Shocked, I sit up. “Pardon?”

“Gracelyn, he’s all but verbally claimed you. If another pack member saw how he was acting, they’d think you two would have been mated for years and that you’re pregnant. He deserves to know before he gets anymore attached or accidentally mates the two of you.”

I crack my knuckles nervously. I was hoping to have a few more months before I would need to tell him. But I should have known after those first two weeks that this wouldn’t progress at the human relationship speed.

“You may do it now if you like. So that I can help protect you from his reaction.”

“Thank you, Alpha.” I am way too scared to do this on my own. I use the rest of our five minutes to prepare myself for what I’m about to do.

“Time’s up!” Adam pounds the door twice before coming in. I stand up, facing him. “Can we go now?”

“Adam, sit, please.” He fixes me with those blazing eyes of his, but sits. He reaches for me but I shake my head.

“Gracelyn?” I hate how scared he sounds.

“I have to tell you something. It’s an enormous factor in my life and basically half of me that I’ve kept hidden from you. But you need to know about it now, before either of us gets more invested in what we have.”

He glances at Mr. Fuller, “Gracelyn, there’s only one thing that could make end what we have.” The look he gave my Alpha lets me know he thinks I’m about to tell him I’ve been dating both of them. Which couldn’t be farther from the truth.

“I hope you still feel that way after I tell you this.”

“Just tell me Gracelyn.” I pop my knuckles, deciding seeing is better than hearing. Carefully, I draw up the picture of a wolf walking in the snow in my mind. Going through the same process as last night, I bring on my change. I have never been more grateful for the lack of mess during my change than I am in this moment.

Adam jumps back as I stand before him in my wolf form. I sit back on my haunches, waiting.

“….Gracelyn?” I offer him my paw, unsure of how to convey that it is in fact me.

“That’s her, Adam. She’s a werewolf, one of my pack.”

“Your pack? What the hell kind of cult is this?”

“We’re not a cult. We’re werewolves. Call it…a genetic mutation. But this is the truth. Gracie is a werewolf.” I feel my Alpha lending me energy to shift back faster and I do so. Adam quickly offers me his jacket when he sees that I’m naked. I wrap myself in it, inhaling the scent deeply.

“…Is that why you always sniff me?”

I blush, avoiding eye contact. Mr. Fuller is amused by this information. “Partially. Every time I’ve seen you, you still have a hint of the smell of ice on you and that’s one of my favorite smells. And you just smell good.”

“I need to think.” He leaves the room silently. Defeated, I drop to my knees. Mr. Fuller pulls a chair next to me, sitting in it. He digs his fingers into my curls, massaging the crown of my head. I whimper, holding back tears.

“Gracie, he’ll come around.”

“Yeah.” I can’t keep the dejection out of my voice. We sit in silence for nearly an hour before I hear the sound of Adam’s footsteps coming up the stairs. I don’t move and neither does Mr. Fuller.

A knock sounds on the door, “Gracelyn?”

“Yes?” I refuse to get my hopes up. Adam peeks around the door, eyes narrowing at the sight of Mr. Fuller playing with my hair.

“We need to go. I need sleep.” That gave me no insight whatsoever. I can tell he’s still territorial, but that might be residual. I nod, starting to get up.

“Let me get you some clothes, Gracelyn.”

“Thank you, sir.” Adam leans against the wall, watching me, as Mr. Fuller calls for Melanie. When she brings the clothes to me, she throws them at me. I roll my eyes, maneuvering the clothes on beneath Adam’s jacket. Once I’m dressed, I follow Adam out to his Navigator. I try to hide my surprise when he opens the door for me. I smile weakly at him when I’m situated. He barely returns my smile as he closes the door and rounds the car, getting behind the wheel.

The drive is silent. Ten minutes into the ride, I realize that we’re not going back to my apartment. Is he still taking me to his place? My question is answered when he parks in the driveway of an unfamiliar house. It’s beautiful. Only one story, the stucco house is an off white color with stark white trim. Four windows line the front of the house. I reach for the door handle, eager to see the rest of the house.

“Gracelyn Lenora, take your hand off that handle right now.” Startled, I remove my hand, looking at Adam. His inhuman dominance is back full force. I watch him as he gets out and comes around to open my door. I slide down when he opens my door, but he catches me around my hips. I hold onto his shoulders, looking down at him.

“Adam…” He slowly lets me down, but he ensures that every part of our bodies that can feasibly touch does as I reach the ground. His hands stay on my hips and I leave mine on his shoulders. “Are we going to go in? Or did you just drive me here to humiliate me further?"

“Gracelyn, I would never seek to humiliate you.” He smiles that gut-wrenching smile before leading me up the walkway. After he lets us in, he takes me straight to his bedroom. Pretty much all I see is beige carpets and fall colored walls. Inside his room, he leaves me at the door to dig through his dresser. He tosses me an oversize shirt and some shorts, pointing out the en suite bathroom. I go in, changing my clothes. Sparing a glance at the door, I decide to snoop through the things he has on the counter. A razor, unscented foaming hand soap, a hand towel, and a bottle of unscented shave gel. His green toothbrush is haphazardly thrown into a beaten metal cup next to the sink, alongside a tube of Colgate. I’m curious as to where he keeps his hair supplies. Any man with Prince Charming hair has hair supplies.

Finding nothing of interest, I exit the bathroom. Adam is already under the covers. He pulls back the blankets to the left of him, motioning for me to join him. Shyly, I climb into the bed with him. I would say we’re moving too fast, but I think that argument got thrown out the window when I shifted in front of him not even two hours ago.

Adam pulls me into his side, bringing the blankets up around us.

“Gracelyn, you’re explaining this whole werewolf thing to me once we wake up.” One of his hands as already found its way into my curls.

“Can you answer me one question first?”

“Sure.”

“Are you afraid of me?”

He’s quiet for a few minutes. Worried, I start to move away from him but he stops me. “I’m not afraid of your being a werewolf. I’m afraid of you breaking my heart.”