Home

I stare at him with my mouth hanging open. He reaches his hand to my face and closes my mouth.

"A thank you would be nice." he grins at the dumbstruck look on my face.

"I can go home?" I say.

"Of course. Pack some things for tonight and I will help you get everything else tomorrow. You also will be reenrolling to school, online but you can catch back up. And no more chores." Without thinking I throw my arms around him and hug him. He puts his arms around me and holds me tightly. He smells like the forest, musky and like evergreen. I quickly pull away, bright red in the face.

"Okay, I'll be quick!" I quickly start packing.

*Xavier's POV*

I catch a glimpse of her red face as she lets go of me. I can't help but grin. I've always been attracted to Haley. She used to be super outgoing and funny. She loved pranks and would try new ones on me all the time. It wasn't until today when I turned 18 though, that I realized I didn't love Lacy. When I saw Lacy holding Haley so Maya could hurt her... I almost lost it. As soon as I had looked at Haley my wolf had said one word. Mine. She won't know for 2 more days, but hopefully she'll be as happy as I am. I had always hoped she would be my mate. We had been best friends growing up. Until the day the Black Flame Pack attacked and murdered our families. Beta Adam, my father and Haley's father, Samuel, had been best friends. I think the Beta blamed Samuel for not being able to save the Alpha. My mother was killed and my father just stopped fighting. It wasn't Samuel's fault. If only my father had kept fighting, even just for me, they would be alive. He was the strongest Alpha of any pack. But when his Luna fell, he gave up. And ever since my mate, my beautiful mate, has been abused. As long as I'm alive it will never happen again.

*Haley's POV*

Once I've finished packing a bag I go outside to find Xavier by the door.

"Ready to go?" he asks. I nod quickly and we start walking in the direction of my family home.

"Beta Adam didn't let anyone go inside so the house should still be in the condition it was before..." he trails off and looks down at his feet. I hope he doesn't blame me for his parents death. My family was supposed to protect his. And they did, but I was so scared. I hid with him under his bed, hoping no one would find us. We didn't come out until Beta Adam found us and dragged me away from Xavier. When we reach my home, I slowly walk up the porchsteps and stare at the red front door. I had always loved being "the girl behind the red door". I was a completely different person now though. Xavier pulls out a key and hands it to me.

"This belongs to you." he says.

"T-thank you." I say, voice trembling. I slowly unlock the door and turn the doorknob. As I open the door memories start flooding in. My mother baking cookies, swatting my brothers hands away from stealing the dough. My father reading the Sunday newspaper, saving the comics for Levi. Oliver and Ray playing video games, yelling at each other, while Levi sits quietly doodling in his sketchbook. I flinch slightly as I feel Xavier brush his thumb on my cheek and realize I have tears streaming down my face.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I say as I quickly wipe my face.

"No worries." he says with a smile.

I walk forward into the house and stare. Everything looks exactly the same as it did that day. The day my world was turned upside down. I walk through my home and find Levi's sketchbook still on the table. He had thrown it down as we raced to our Alpha's home, trying to reach them before the enemy. My father's paper is on the floor, wrinkled. Oliver's basketball is still where he left it. Ray's dirty football jersey is still thrown on the couch. And there are still baking pans out where mom was going to make a cake for my 15th birthday. That's right in 2 days it will be 3 years since they died. Great birthday present right? As I walk through the house I come to the stairs and start going up. Xavier follows me as I go into my bedroom. My beds not made. My mom always got mad because I would forget to make it, but what's the point? I was always going to get back in that night. Except that day. Maybe I should've taken the time to do what she wanted.

I sit on the bed and look over at Xavier.

"Thank you so much for this. I'm beat and could use some sleep. C-could I ask a favor?" I ask timidly.

"Anything, just ask away."

"Could you maybe.. stay until I fall asleep?" I keep my eyes focused on his shoes, waiting for him to reject me.

"Absolutely. Let's get you some clean sheets on your bed first. I'll get something for me to put on the floor to sleep on. I'll stay for tonight if that's okay?" he looks at me sheepishly. I nod at him as my face turns red.

After we find clean sheets and blankets, we get settled in. I look at Xavier's peaceful face as moonlight spills across it. I feel my eyes getting heavier and finally fall into a deep sleep.