Chapter Two

I woke early the next morning like I normally do. I rolled over to look at the alarm beside Ethan but was surprised to see him awake looking at me. He raised an eyebrow as I blushed. We had ended up pretty close through the night and now lay with me snuggled into him. I didn`t know what to say or do so we lay like that for a long while before I couldn`t resist the urge to yawn any longer. As I did a big yawn/ stretch move I saw a smile cross his lips." We should get up and ready to head out. We have a long way to go. And we need to get some rest tonight for the ball tomorrow."

My eyes widened, "Ball? What ball?"

He chuckled and said, "The ball to congratulate me on getting a woman in my life."

I blushed again as he smiled and got up tossing my bag toward me. "I`ll let you use the restroom first."

I took the bag and walked to the bathroom quickly changing into a nice blue blouse with a pair of black jeans. I was glad to see that it was all my size. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. Then I put my hair into a half up and half down style. I stepped out and saw Ethan already dressed and waiting. When he saw me he smiled and walked past me to the bathroom. I sat on the bed thinking about my options. Would it hurt to get to like him? Maybe even love him? Or would it be safer for me to detach myself? I glanced at the door feeling nervous at the thought of me being with him forever. But I quickly decided to at least give him a fair chance.

So when he stepped out of the bathroom I attempted to make small talk. "So what`s the palace like?"

He chuckled clearly catching on. "Well it`s rather big. I let the maid`s, cooks, and my butler have the east wing while I have the west. The lobby is where I have the balls. There`s a big kitchen where we hardly ever eat. It`s too big for just us. Then in the backyard is where we grow our own food as in lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and even bell peppers. Then behind there is the barn where my horses go."

"H-h-horses?" I stuttered out.

He blinked with a complete look of confusion on his face. "Yes horses."

I squealed and jumped up and into his arm. I hugged him hard as I could and said, "I love horses. Can we ride as soon as we get there? Please, please, please?"

He just looked at me like I was crazy then smiling and saying, "Yes. Of course we can. You`ll have to pick your mare and then your gear."

He smiled at his little unintended rhyme. I smiled thinking about the beautiful mare I would get. Too bad I could only dream until we got there. Ethan slowly put me down and then held me in a hug. When he released me he got started getting our stuff together and gathering it into the car. I went and sat in the passenger seat. Just like yesterday I stared out the window watching our surroundings pass by. Until I started to see the houses disappear from sight and be replaced by wide open acres. I glanced over at Ethan to see him smiling while watching the land pass by. "Welcome home my princess."

I blushed at the title but stared open at the big house in the distance maybe 50 miles away." Home?"

It seemed foreign and strange but yet fun and adventurous at the same time. I watched the house come closer until finally we were driving down the long driveway. He drove halfway around the circular driveway and stopped at the front door. HE was out and had opened my door before a man had come outside to welcome us. He was tall and had a big white bun of hair. He spoke formally which made me think he was older. "Hello Sir. I hope your drive wasn`t too long and that Ms. Rayne was to your liking sir?"

I cleared my throat and that`s when the old man looked down at me standing right beside him. His eyes widened and Ethan laughed saying, "This one is a little more willing than the other`s Radford. And actually I think we shall go for a ride." He looked down at me and asked, "What do you think? Venture the house or ride the horses?"

Smiling I replied, "Do you even have to ask anymore?"

Chuckling he picked me up and suddenly we were moving so fast that I had to close my eyes to keep from getting sick. But once he stopped and I saw the barn I tried to run to it but fell flat on my face. Ethan picked me up gently and said, "I`m sorry my dear. I forgot that you`re not quite accustomed to that."

I nodded and he waited a minute before putting me down. When he did I realized that I could stand up without feeling dizzy. I followed him into the stables where he stopped and gestured with his hand toward the horses. "Pick whichever you prefer."

I wandered down the aisle looking at all the mares before settling on a beautiful light brown mare with dark brown socks and white on her nose. I stood there staring until Ethan came up behind me, his hands brushing against mine. My mind went blank and I leaned back into him sighing. He stiffened which had me take a big step forward closer to the mare.

We both watched each other for a minute before Ethan said, "You should get your tack. There`s a bunch in the room to the right of the entrance."

I nodded and went on my search. I found a beautiful dark brown western saddle and a regular set of reins. I grabbed a normal dark brown saddle cover and went to saddle up my mare. It only took me five minutes to get her saddled and lead her outside. Ethan sat on his horse waiting for me when I came out. I got onto my horse and tested her reining and sensitivity. After another five minutes Ethan and me rode off and around all his land. "How many acres of land do you have?"

He cocked his head to the side, "About a thousand or so acres. We won`t ride all of it today. There`s not enough daylight out and it`s not safe at night."

"Why`s it not safe at night?"

He looked sad as he said, "The werewolves and faeries hate us. Not because of the camps but because of the way we live. Rather than try to see how I live they just think I'm like all the other`s. But I sincerely try not to be like the others. I want someone to love me."

He looked at me with this intense gaze that burned my insides. I looked away blushing. Damn him for making me fall for him. Suddenly it was dark outside. My horse halted neighing a bit. She was uncomfortable. I looked at Ethan who`s horse did the same. He looked around then at me, "We should go back to the house."

I nodded and turned my horse around to face a man. Ethan got in front of my horse and asked, "Why have you come here?"

The guy gave a menacing smile and said, "Well to kill you and your girl of course."

He turned into a wolf and lunged at me. I fell to the ground and felt my head get fuzzy but before I knew it the wolf was off me and human again. He yelled out, "STOP!"

Everyone stopped fighting as the guy looked to his companions and said, "She`s human."

Ethan pushed through and came up to me picking my limp figure up. He curled me to his chest and said, "Yes she is and I want it to stay that way."

The guy looked confused as he said, "But most turn their girls right away. So why not you?"

I wanted to know the answer to that too. Why didn`t he change me already? I heard Ethan`s voice go low but figured they could still hear it as he said, "I love her and don`t want that life for her yet. I want her to experience it before it`s taken away."

The leader looked at Ethan and his expression changed by what was on his face. "You truly do love her?" I felt Ethan nod. "Then we shall leave you alone. Protect her for she saved your life tonight."

I watched the naked man leave with his buddies. I don`t remember what else happened but I woke in a room. When I sat up my head hurt and throbbed. A pair of hands lightly pushed me back down. I opened my eyes to see Ethan. He looked tired and sad. I smiled reassuringly but he sighed, "You gave us quite a scare. I thought you were dead."

I gave a light smile and ran my hand against Ethan`s. "After what you said last night how could I leave you."

He blushed, I mean honestly blushed, and said, "Oh you heard that. I`m sorry. I didn`t want to put such a big load on you when you`ve only been here for a complete day."

I sat up too fast making me dizzy and I fell to my right luckily landing on Ethan and asked, "What day is it?"

"It is March 4th."

"What time is it?"

"Relax Ana. You weren`t out that long. It`s only 4:30."