ANNABELLE'S POV
After my little encounter with Dominick, I was so startled by the turn of events and all these feelings I can’t explain that I left the scene as fast as I could. I don’t know what gets over me when I’m in his presence, everything he does affects me and it’s so overwhelming, it’s kind of like the crush I have on Jake, but it’s more intense. I’ve only seen the man twice. For goodness’ sake. What is wrong with me? Wait, how am I going to survive living with him in the same house? This is going to be crazy. I can feel it. Literally.
A run was just what I needed right now to clear my head. I did not even take the time to grab something warm to wear. The weather had changed so much from the afternoon warmth to something a little bit chilly, but it was too late to head back and pick up something warm, and I was not ready to face Dominik again.

I walked towards the tree line where I hoped I would find Oliver or some other guard on patrol who would be kind enough to let me leave the pack boarders for a run. I’m not really allowed to leave the pack because “I’m not strong enough to protect myself “, which is very true, but it doesn’t stop me from doing it any way. I really should at least ask someone to escort me or else one of these days I’ll see what they warn me about.
Oliver is a blonde, buff, good-looking guy who I befriended to let me get out of the pack without getting to ask for permission from my uncle. I see him most of the time when he’s on duty. He’s one of the warriors in our pack.
I walked towards him with a huge grin on my face, and he returned my smile, but not before shaking his head.
“Hey Oliver, can you let me leave for a bit?” I asked once I was in front of him
“You’ll get me killed one of these days.” He says with a glare on his face. I rolled my eyes at him playfully
“I’ll be careful, I promise” I said, with a hopeful look on my face.

“I want to say no, but you’re really persistent. You have one hour.” Oh, thank goodness, I thought I would have to beg him.
“One hour, Annabelle, don't forget. Brady will be on duty. Get here before he does.” I nodded and smiled in appreciation.
“Thank you! I owe you one.” I said.
“Yeah, sure.”

There has always been something about nature that calms my nerves. On rainy days, strolls or picnics on warm afternoon days, or runs in the dense forest. In fact, it's what lies beyond the boarders that call out to me. I can’t help it, I don’t even think twice, not even about the dangerous creatures that could be lurking in there waiting to attack and devour me. I didn’t stop myself as I run in the direction of the beautiful sunset that seemed to be calling out to me.
Everything came to an immediate pulse at the sight of what was in front of me. I was standing right at the edge of a cliff overlooking a beautiful lake and the sunset was in its prime, a big smile was plastered on my face as I took in the view and tried to engrave it to my memory. I took out my phone from my back pocket and snapped a few pictures. Just as I was about to take videos, someone’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
.
" It's too dangerous for you to be here." My whole body tenses, as I turned around to face my possible killer. Once I do, I am greeted with a set of forest green eyes that are sending glares in my direction. I kept staring at his beautiful green eyes, then my eyes traveled down to the rest of his body, my eyes went back to his face when I heard his voice.
"You need to leave now" he commanded. He isn’t telling me nicely or asking me to do it. He's ordering me to do it. I clenched my fists and glared at him. Who does he think he is to order me around? I’m not any of his subjects, neither am I his slave. He has no right to do that.
"Leave? And who are you exactly, to be ordering me around?" I snapped at him. He lets out a humorless laugh.
"Sweetheart, don’t test me and just do exactly what I’ve told you" he says in a voice that sends chills down my spine. I shouldn’t provoke him. I know that, but that doesn’t stop me from giving him a piece of my mind.
"And what are you going to do, Jake? I came here on my own, so I will leave when I feel like it and guess what! I don’t feel like going." he takes a few steps in my direction, runs his hands through his hair.
" I don't think you understand. Listen here sweetheart. You can't be here at this time. Has no one told you? Lucas didn't tell you, did he?" He says, walking towards me, only stopping when a few inches are left between us. My heartbeat increases as I look into his beautiful green eyes that seem to be staring right into my soul, they make butterflies erupt in my stomach. His woodsy scent makes me drossy. His eyes search my face for a few seconds, and since I'm curious, I asked.
" Tell me what?" I managed to get the words out of my mouth even though my mind was kind of occupied by other things.
" I’ll tell you if you listen to me and go back home" he says with a smirk on his face and I just rolled my eyes.
Jake offered to take me home. In fact, going on my own was not an option. But before he left, he told me we were going to meet at my place for the project.
***
I quickly rushed to the bathroom, to prepare myself before Jake came over. I ate my evening snack 30 minutes ago, when I just got back from my run, I had also passed through Lucas' office to check up on him, and let him know I'd be having Jake over for a few hours.
I wore comfortable shorts, a baggy tee and tied my hair in a messy bun. I put my laptop, pens, pencils, a ruler, an eraser, plane papers and my phone on my bed. I heard the doorbell ring and I rushed down the hall.
I opened it and Jake was standing there with a smirk on his face.
"Hello sweetheart" he greeted, with a smile. I smiled back and opened the door wide enough for him to enter.
"Hey Jake"
"Don't I get a kiss, hmm" he asked in a flirtatious tone.
"In your dreams" I said playfully, and he just chuckled. We enter the house and I lead him to my room where we would be doing our project.
"We will be doing the project from my bedroom," I told him while leading him there. When we reached my bedroom door, I open the door, enter and waited for him to follow me in and, opening and looking back, I saw him assessing the room. After a few minutes, he enters without saying anything and makes himself comfortable on my bed.
" Give me a minute "I said, while walking towards the door.
"Take your time. '' I heard him shout after me and I just smiled. I went to the fridge and got two sodas in case we got dehydrated in the middle of the way. I went back to my room and found him lying down on my bed typing away on his phone, looking so comfortable that someone would think this was his room. I set the items on my study tablet.
"Can we start now?” I asked him, and he rose up to sit uprightly.
“Sure sweetheart”, he puts his phone down and gives me all his attention.
“For today, we will only brainstorm on what we are going to be discussing and will start dealing with the real work tomorrow. Are you okay with that? If you're not, we can come up with something else. "
"No, this is fine "after a few minutes of brainstorming. I realized that Jake is actually a very smart guy. We come up with great ideas together, and I think we make a great team. We took a few breaks, of course, joked around a little while we ate. Once we were done brainstorming, I suggested we watch a movie just after asking whether he was busy or not.
When we were halfway through our movie, I heard a persistent knock on my bedroom door. Jake looked at the door, then at me. I reluctantly left the comfort of my bed and went to check who was at the door. When I opened the door, Dominick was standing there in his full glory with a glare on his face.
He walked in with angry footsteps. I don't remember telling him to come in, I followed behind him like a lost puppy. I didn't even have the courage to ask him what he was doing in there or what he was looking for. His eyes landed on Jake, who only lifted his eyes for a second before his attention was back on his phone, and he gave him a harsh glare. If looks could kill him, he would be six feet under right now.
"The Alpha wants to see you" he let out in a flat tone, and Jake got up and picked up his things. I helped him a bit and escorted him to the door.
While leaving my room, I noticed Dominick clenching his fists and glaring at Jake. I just ignored him.
"Hey, what is he doing here at this hour?" Jake asked me.
"Ummh- he kind of lives here now". Thinking about Dominick leaving here is weird. Saying it out loud is even more weird.
" Don't I get a hug" he asked in a playful tone. Why not? I asked myself. I opened my arms and wrapped them around his neck while he wrapped his around my waist. He was so warm and smelled so nice. We stay in each other’s embrace for a bit longer and only let go when we hear a loud growl coming from my house. I said my goodbye and went back inside where the storm was brewing.
When I went back inside the house, I stopped in my tracks once I saw that Dominick was no longer in my room but in the lounge now and was pacing around like a mad man, when he heard footsteps. He turned his head and dark soul-less orbs were staring back at me, he was taking small deadly steps in my direction, and I was freaking out.
What's going on? What do I do? Is he going to kill me?
Come on Anna, we learned about how to calm a wolf who has lost control in wolf history class, but I wasn't paying attention because I didn't think it would be necessary any time soon.
I searched my head looking for answers and didn't find any. I decided to show him that I was at his mercy and just bowed my head in submission.
I felt his presence just right next to me. I felt like crying. What should I do? My heartbeat skyrocketed once I felt long warm firm fingers around my neck. He made sure the hold on my neck wasn't too tight, it was a warning. He was showing me how much power he has against my tiny form and how easy it would be to squash my neck. He made me look him in the eyes.
He dropped his head and placed it in the crook of my neck, then sniffed and let out a small growl, he lifted his head and asked with venom dripping from his lips.
"Well, well, well, someone's in trouble. Yes, princess?