Rain poured down, soaking everything on the ground and anything else that wasn't under cover. That included a man that walked down the road. He walked with his eyes to the ground and as if there wasn't any rain at all. Pulling his coat closer to him, he continued on his way. The only time he looked up was when he passed a sign and it made him stop in his tracks, "welcome to the town of New Haven." he said and then looked down the road and smiled when he could make out the outlines of houses. "home sweet home." He muttered to himself as he brushed water from him eyes. After shifting his backpack around on his back, he continued down the road. His eyes now alive as he looked around at all the houses. There was one with blue shutters, it use to belong to mrs. glitter, and then there was the house that had the nice lawn that belonged to mr and mrs west. They had use to let him play in there yard all the time. Signing a little bit, he stopped for a second and looked all around. "well Nathan, your back, your really back. But for how long?" he muttered to himself.

He had imagined coming back for so many years. For 9 long years he had thought that coming back would be amazing. To be able to see his parents, his friends and everyone, even her. But he knew none of it would come true. He couldn't talk to them, or let them see him. He was to be a shadow and that was it. He couldn't go back to being part of the human world, not after being changed. Heading into the park, he sat down in the gazebo and set his backpack down on the bench besides him. Every inch of him was soaked, his black shirt, his jeans and even his beat up old converse. Running a hand threw his brown hair, he leaned back in the gazebo and smirked, "home, can't believe it, actually home." he said softly.

Things had been so different for her after he disappeared. Harder, even. It was strange, hard, to adapt to a world without your best friend. But it was no matter, even though it had felt like her world stopped nine years ago, the rest of the world was going on without her…. Going on without him. Rhiannon was several things. She was outspoken and independent. She was… reclusive almost, socially anyhow. And though from time to time, she did socialize with people she worked with, and people she’d considered friends all those years ago, she still felt like she’d been alone. But that was the story of her life, it would seem.

Rhiannon was a beautiful woman now, standing at a good five feet and six inches. She had a slender, athletic form, not quite petite. Decent sized breasts fell into a slender waistline which molded into a toned abdomen; wide hips; and finally a pair of long, toned, and athletic legs. Short and layered platinum blonde hair fell over her face and shoulders almost messily, and mingled with the purple highlights she’d recently put in. A set of chocolate colored eyes watched the path ahead of her as the rain poured down around her. It was one of the worst days possible she could have picked to go to the park, or others might have thought so. Rhiannon, however, was always a fan of the rain. A fan of angry weather. She was relatively dark-skinned, but not so much to be considered anything other than Caucasian.

A large, black hoodie rested over her torso, and a pair of ripped jeans hung low on wide hips. They fell over a pair of relatively new converse, although they still looked a tad worse for wear. And why shouldn’t they? Rhi did a lot of walking. She was passing by the gazebo, and a man within it, when a large gust of wind forced her hood back and off of her head. “God D*mnit!” She cursed, trying to catch it before it fell, but initially failing to do so, revealing her features to the male. If she had taken moment to look at him, she may have recognized him. But now she was too busy fussing with her coat.

Watching the rain fall down from the gazebo, Nathan couldn't help but think back to the day he left. It had been the only thing he could of done, he wasn't safe to be near anyone. If he had he was sure that he would of killed someone by now and he never wanted that. Sure over the years he ahd gained some control but he was still a beast in the other form. It was a good thing it happened only happened a few times a month but during those nights anything could happen. Anything from destroying a house to destroying a family. NOthing was safe from him, not his family, not his friends, not even Rhiannon.

Before he could start thing about her he heard someone curse. Looking up, he found a girl in front of the gazebo and looked to be having a problem. He had to admit that she looked good, a nice pair of legs and great looking breasts. As he looked her over he finally caught a look at her face and he was stunned. He could never forget that face in a million years, he had shoved mud in that face when he was 7. Jumping to his feet he walked over to her and wasn't sure what to say, or if she would even recognize him. He had grown up, now being 6'2". He had muscle, a lot more then he could of dreamed of when he was little thanks of the bite yet his brown hair was still cut almost the same.

Walking over to her he fought to say the right thing. Hello wouldn't cut it or anything close to that wouldn't. He couldn't even say hey, haven't seen you in a while, he would just sound like a ass if he did. Sighing he finally looked down, completely defeated right now, "do you need any help, Rhi?" he asked and knew that last part might get her attention. He always had called her Rhi when they were little, he hadn't been able to say her full name.

She hadn’t even allowed herself to amuse the idea of the other person in the Gazebo. It wasn’t as if some stranger was going to stop to help her anyhow. She struggled more with the coat as the wind blew it around, nearly blowing the jacket as a whole off of her shoulders. She turned her head, pushing the hair from her face as she grabbed the zipper to close it around herself. Once this was done, she sighed, feeling as though she had defeated the dreaded and evil fabric that was currently torturing her. After this bull, she was going to need a cigarette. In fact, she may need a few cigarettes.

And then she heard something that had caught her attention. There had only been one person in the world that had ever called her ‘Rhi’. Her body froze, and she stopped fussing with the coat before she let the chocolate eyes fall onto him. She recoiled, her entire body stiffening for a moment… trembling shortly after. Her eyes could almost be seen trembling. “N-Nate?” She questioned, letting her hands fall and letting her coat blow around whichever direction it wanted to. It was him. That face… She could never in a million years forget that face. She turned towards him, swallowing before she launched herself at him, locking her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug, she didn’t even care that he was sopping wet. To be honest, she was soaked to the bone herself, but that wasn’t even the point right now.

She held him tightly against her body, pressing her breasts into his chest and her head into his neckline. After a few moments, she stepped back and looked him over, letting her hands fall to her side. Now, a small silver ring could be seen on the right side of her lower lip. She was smiling big a wild. And she’d grown to be quite the beautiful woman, even in the face. “I can’t believe it’s you… You just…” Her expression fell a bit. “You just disappeared….” She stuffed her hands into the pockets of the hoodie and looked up at him, waiting for his response. Admittedly, she’d felt a little… betrayed… abandoned when he’d left.

Nathan waited what felt like hours once he spoke and watched her. She seemed to stand there and shake as she spoke his name. He knew it probably felt like seeing a ghost, something you hoped would happened but never thought it would. Nodding, he waited for her to either scream or yell or something. INstead he felt her wrap her arms around him and nearly knock him to the ground. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her close and wanted to stay like this forever. He had dreamed of being able to hold her close and talk to her like he use too. That as it though, it was all a dream. He couldn't be with her like how he had been, never.

When she pulled away he looked at her and couldn't help but think she looked beautiful. Yet her words brought the smile that had been on his face into a frown. Looking down at the ground he nodded, "I know i did but I had every reason too and I am sorry, I am so sorry......" he said as he looked at the ground still but slowly looked into her chocolate eyes with his stormy grey eyes. If he could he would tell her everything but he couldn't, she would just think he was crazy or worse, scream. "I wanted to come back, I really did but I couldn't. Now I can, it is safer...." he said as he searched for more words but knew none could really fix what he had done. He had left her and everyone without a good bye and had never called, never wrote, nothing. Already he was in a whole he doubt he could get out of.

Running a hand threw his hair, he then looked up at the sky. The rain was starting to let up and in the distance he could see the clouds breaking up already. Yet as he turned back to Rhi he couldn't help but wonder exactly what he could say. The words i am a werewolf weren't really something everyone wanted to hear or know about. He had found that out over the years of traveling. No one ever believed him and if they did they would always try to kill him. Looking at her again he smiled a little bit, "it is great to see you, it really is." he found himself saying and knew it was true. Besides his parents he had always worried about her and now after nine years this was amazing.

It felt good. To be hugged by him again. Although, his skin was warm, almost unreasonably so. She thought nothing of it and stood stationary as he spoke to her, and the weather seemed to lighten up overhead. It was still a bit windy, but she was relieved to say that most of the nasty had passed. Maybe the gust of wind she’d suffered was an act of fate. Rhiannon never really believed much in fate, although now she couldn’t deny that at least something was watching over her. Or maybe it was more like something was watching over him. As he apologized, her expression fell more, and she found herself chewing on her bottom lip. She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t okay. That she didn’t forgive him for abandoning her, leaving her with nothing. And that she couldn’t understand why he just… left. Especially after being so hurt… But there was one phrase that caught her attention: “….Now I can, it is safer…”

Her brows turned inward as he’d said this. What was safer? Was the fact that he was attacked by a wolf here what drove him away? Well then, she hated to be the one to burst his bubble, but there were still wolves everywhere around here. And more now then there had ever been before. And they were much larger. But, she kept her mouth shut, for fear that her words would chase him off, yet again. She retracted one of her hands from her pockets and rubbed her arm before shedding the stopping wet coat completely. Underneath it was a tight fitting tank top, one that was low cut and hugged each and every feature. It was emblazoned with an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ quote: We‘re all mad here, matched with the demented eyes and grinning mouth of the Cheshire Cat.

She parted her lips now to speak, having gotten over her current fit of confusion. “I hope so… It’s great to see you too… I’m glad you’re home…” She looked around the area before turning back to him and offering him a shrug. What could she really say? He’d been gone for nine years. Did they part ways here and never see each other again? No, she wasn’t okay with that. She could already tell, even with these few minutes of speaking, that he was still the exact same Nathan that she had known and loved. The same Nathan she had grown up with. That Nathan would have never run away, though… Not without you, Rhi… her mind echoed that thought, louder than any thought she’d ever had in the passed few years, and it caused her to rub her face and turn away from him for a moment.

“Um, listen. My apartment’s not far from here. Our parents moved off after you disappeared, a good piece away from New Haven…” But I came back… She’d left the last bit out. The only reason she’d come back was because this was the only place she’d ever felt at home. This was the place she’d grown up with him, and that wasn’t something she was so eager to let go of. “We can go sit there. Get out of this weather… I’d like to change out of these wet clothes anyway…” She said, looking down at herself.

Nathan watched as she stripped out of her coat and made sure not to stare. Sure she looked amazing but she was his childhood friend and deserved not to be stares at. He then looked at her face when heard her start to talk and frowned slightly. She probably thought he was here to stay but even he wasn't sure if he was going too. If he managed to make sure that no one got hurt because of him then sure he would. Yet so far he hadn't stayed at a town for more then a few months. Hopefully that would be enough time to get to stay here and be with Rhi. But if he ended up waking up one morning to hear of a attack he would leave right away, he couldn't risk hurting the people he cared about.

He stood up straighter when he heard her offer to head to her apartment and nodded, "sure, that sounds good with me." he said and made sure to hide his disappointment that his parents weren't here. The thought of seeing his parents for the first time in 9 years was amazing but he knew it would shock them. He wasn't sure if he was up to seeing them just yet. If or when he did he was sure that his mother would crush him in a hug and never let him go and his dad would yell at him for leaving. But none of them would understand and hopefully they never would. No one should ever go through what he had. No one deserved to have there humanity ripped from them and be turned into a monster.

He then smiled at her, "isn't it sad, I actually don't really remember the last time that I stayed in a house or slept in a bed." he said softly and wondered why he had just said that. Sure it was true but a very sad thing. He was actually sure that he could count how many times in the past 9 years that he had actually slept in a bed on two hands. It was too dangerous to stay in a house and might cause more problems then a bed was worth. Looking at her he smiled, "lead the way." he said and hoped that she didn't think too much about it.

As he waited for her to go the wind shifted and instantly his body stiffened. There was a sent, something that humans would miss but not him. Stopping himself from growling he searched around, feeling eyes on him, the eyes of another. That was never a good thing and he felt his hands close into fists. When he didn't find anything he tried to make himself calm down but he knew he would be on edge for a while now.

((hey what kind of werewolf are you okay with? twilight werewolf? traditional werewolf? or anything like that))

She started walking with him, and her frowned seemed to deepen when he mentioned that he couldn’t remember the last time he’d stayed in a bed. Of course, Rhi immediately assumed that Nathan had just been bumming around. Sleeping on benches, on the ground. That displeased her, rather greatly. She frowned for a moment before shrugged softly. “Well, that’s what happens when you run away from home at nine years old, Nathan. What were you even thinking? That was the… dumbest thing you could have ever done.” She grumbled, tucking her hair behind her ear as they walked. And she was right. They had searched for her, hunted and hunted and hunted, and still hadn’t found, not even a trace of her best friend. And now he was so back, and just so casual about everything.

She didn’t say anything until he had stopped at a particular gust of wind. Her brows furrowed and she turned to look at him, and the expression on his face made her worry. He looked… worried about something, like he had seen or heard something dangerous. She turned around and began to search the area around them for anything that may have caused that reaction, but when she found nothing, she turned her attention back to him. “Nate? Are you alright…?” She questioned, moving towards him.

((Sorry it's short. I'm fine with any kind of Lycanthrope. owo;))

Nathan followed her down the street and smirked as he listened to her. He knew that this would probably be a toned down version of what his parents might say to him if they ever saw him. Yet before the could answer her the wind had come and he felt the hair on his neck stand up. He felt his nails dig into his palms a bit before he heard her speak to him. Snapping out of it he looked at her and gave her a shaky smile, "fine, just fine. But can we get to your apartment quickly, I think another storm is on it's way." he said as he tried to cover up what had happened. Gently taking her hand, he started to head down the street as quickly as he could. He didn't want to stay there, another wolf meant a lot of trouble for a new comer like him.

Remember her other question he smirked, "no, the dumbest thing I could of ever done was stay here. it was too dangerous for me to stay and so far it seems it still might be but more other reasons. And I wasn't 9, I was 12." he said as he continued to walk and stayed on high alert. The last thing he wanted was to run into another wolf. "and I was thinking for everyones safety. If I had stayed you all would of been hurt in more ways then one, i couldn't live with that." Just the thought of him hurting anyone of there parents or her made him sick.

Just as they were about to get off that block someone stepped out in front of them and Nathan stopped in his tracks. There eyes locked and you could see a small battle going on between them. The man in front of them started to move forward and Nathan stiffed and his grip on Rhi's hand tightened. Slightly pushing her behind him, the man stopped in front of them. "trying to protect red riding hood from the big bad wolf?" he asked and Nathan glared before growling, "back off, she is mine." and the man just laughed, something that made every hair on Nathan stand up. "by the smell of it she isn't anyones, free for the taking." he said and licked his lips in a animal like manner. Nathan growled again and when the man caught the look in Nathan's eyes he took a few steps back. "fine, little pup, she is yours." he said and Nathan then started down the street again with Rhi with him, her hand still in his. He wasn't going to let go till they were inside her apartment, "which way to your apartment?" he asked.

Her brows furrowed, and she jerked her hand away from him. “No! You listen to me you selfish bastard.” She turned towards him obviously upset and to begin a rather heftly lecture before a man stepped around the corner. At this point, Nathan wasn’t even looking at her, and she turned to look at the man. He looked like a predator. Had the eyes of… someone who was hunting something a killer. Admittedly, it appealed to her more rebellious nature, but she was also still rather upset with Nathan, and that was currently clouding her judgment.

She felt him pushing her behind him. She’s mine… She heard Nathan growl. His? When the fuck did this happen? She watched the two of them converse back and forth and her head was practically whirling at this point. Red riding hood from the Big Bad Wolf? What did any of this mean? Nathan seemed to understand the male, almost like he’d known him before hand. And, before she could ask any questions about any of the dialogue, he was dragging her down the sidewalk. She stumbled after him before jerking her hand away from him. “Stop! Fucking… Stop, Nathan! What the Hell is going on? Who was that guy? What was he talking about…?!” She questioned angrily. If he made motion to grab her again, she stepped back from him and shook her head furiously.

“No! No! You are not doing this to me again! You’re not going to leave me in the dark this time!” She was stressed and she could already feel a migraine forming in the back of her mind. “I’m yours?! You don’t own me. And what did he mean by I don’t smell like it? What is going on, Nathan? You tell me, and you tell me now!” She cried, her fingers were curling in and out of firsts, frustrated with him entirely. “Don’t play games with me anymore, Nathan. What is happening here? What’s happened to you?!” She wasn’t moving not another inch until he told her what was going on. And she wasn’t going to let him grab, touch, hug, or drag her anywhere until she started to understand what all of this meant. Nothing she’d heard, nothing he’d said in the last ten minutes had made any sense.

Nathan had hoped that she would just go along with it and question it when they got to her apartment. But he knew her and when she pulled her hand away from him he knew it was coming. Standing there and listening to her he frowned and rubbed his eyes and he tried to think of something to say, anything that could possibly sound like a better truth then I am a werewolf. Yet every sentence, ones about drugs, mobs and anything like that seemed worse and worse or didn't possibly work. Running a hand threw his hair he looked at her. She was rooted to that spot like a tree and he knew if he wanted too he could pick her up and carry her. Even if she kicked or screamed or anything it wouldn't matter. Hardly anything hurt him anymore. Taking a breath he looked at her in the eyes, "what is happening is something more dangerous then you could ever imagine." he said softly.

He was going to give her a truth, but she wasn't going to like it. Pointing down the way to where the guy had been he looked at her, "that man was going to attack you, rape you and make you his own. If you had been on your own right now you would either be withering in pain for the next five days like I had been or dead. If I hadn't said you were mine he would of done that. All because you don't have the sent of a mate on you or a mark of being mated." he said as he let his hand drop and look at her. NOw that he was talking he seemed different, older. "This isn't a game, I am doing everything in my power to make sure that your safe from them. They won't show any kindness to you just like they did with me and you saw the result of that. I don't want that to happen to you." he said softy as he looked down at the ground knowing this probably still didn't cover everything.

Finally, looking at her again he frowned, "it isn't safe here to talk much longer." he said as he started to look around and could already hear and smell more coming. Sure they were far off for now but it wasn't safe. Turning back to her he held out a hand, "I am not going to grab you, touch you or do anything to you without your permission this time. But I can promise you this, I will explain everything and I will protect you. All you have to do is take my hand and lead the way. Once back at your apartment I will tell you anything you want to know but it isn't safe here.... I don't want you hurt." he said and that last part was soft. So soft that you weren't sure if he said it or not but it was there.

She still didn’t understand. All of this talk about mates and claiming. Marking and mated. She remained rooted, even after he’d held his hand out to her. Why did these people suddenly want to hurt her? What had she done? Was it… because of him? That seemed to be the case, but this being said, who was to say that they wouldn’t come after her eventually? Even without him having been there? She swallowed and her gaze darted to his hand. Her lips parted as she let out a loud exhale and finally, after several moments of deliberating and thinking of reasons why she shouldn’t take his hand, she reached out and grasped it. She looked back at him. She was scared, and she wanted answers, but the last thing she wanted was for that guy to come back, not now that she knew what his intentions had been.

She turned on her heel and began to make her way to the apartment. It wasn’t a terribly nice apartment complex, but it was definitely enough. The furniture looked decent enough, as well as it should, Rhiannon’s parents were well off, and so she was wealthy by association. She shut the door behind them and locked it, pressing her back into it before looking back at him. She exhaled. “What is all of this talk about mating? Being mated?” She questioned. “Why do they want me…?” She asked, moving away from the door, begrudgingly and settling down on the couch. Her hands rested in her lap and she waited for him to explain what was going while every thought in the world whirled around in her head. That man wanted to… rape her? Kill her? And there were more who would want to cause harm to her?

She was overwhelmed. In fact, that was an understatement. In under an hour, Rhiannon had become more overwhelmed and worried than she had been in her entire lifetime. Well, almost. She’d been slightly more worried when he had disappeared, but this was an entirely different kind of worry. She looked down into her hands before looking back up at him. “They… you’re not human anymore… are you…?” She questioned softly. Rhiannon had theories about other races existing, although she’d never seen any kind of proof. Not any she could make any sense of.

Fear rolled around in Nathan as he watched Rhi and hoped that she would take his hand. If she didn't he would have to follow her home and seem to be a crazed stalker. But he had too if she didn't, now that the wolves actually saw her as something more they might come after her. He was just about to let his hand fall when he felt her take it and his hear jumped with excitement. That meant she didn't want him to leave just yet, it meant he could stay for a little while longer.

Following her to her apartment, he calmed down once they were inside. It was as if a huge weight had come off his shoulders now that he didn't have to look over his shoulder ever five seconds. Looking at her he frowned and went to talk but found she wouldn't understand, not until he told her. Running a hand threw his hair, he wished that things could be different. Now he wished he had just passed threw the town and hadn't gone to her in the park. Yet now that he was back with someone who truly knew him he didn't want to leave her, she was like family and he had missed that for the past 9 years.

When he heard her he smirked and slowly sank down into the couch. Burin his face into his hands he shook his head, "I am the farthest thing from human." he muttered softly before slowly looking at her. "for the past nine years i haven't been and it is all because of that wolf." he said before standing up and starting to pace back and forth as he though. How could he explain this to her without her freaking out? Stopping in front of her, he looked down at her, "It is better that I start from the beginning." he said before sitting down on the coffee table in front of her. "you know that wolf that attacked me, well he wasn't completely a wolf. Infact he was a werewolf, a very lonely werewolf. So he attacked me and gave me this." he said as he rolled up his shirt a bit and on his stomach was a bite scare. "if you know about werewolves then you know what it means, it is why I had to leave, I am dangerous." he said as he rolled down his shirt and then looked at her, "I know it is hard to believe but it is true."

Rhiannon could only watch in horror as he displayed to her what she was sure her heart already knew. He wasn’t human anymore. He was a Werewolf. A Lycanthrope. She didn’t know what to say, or how to react. She only allowed chocolate eyes to lock onto his features, looking for anything that might tell her that he wasn’t being truthful. That this was all some kind of mean joke that he was playing on her in celebration of his return… But she saw nothing of the like on his features, and this only worried her more.

This meant that the only reason these other werewolves were even interested in her was because he was with her. The new guy in town had seemingly picked out a girl, and because he’d picked her out, knew her, had some kind of connection with her, they wanted to hurt her. She exhaled, swallowing again and standing up and pacing around in front of the couch. The sight of the scar had already set in her mind. Set that he was telling the truth. He was… a Werewolf. She wasn’t brave enough to ask what this meant for her. She wasn’t going to make him leave. She didn’t want him to, she wanted him to be there. But… she couldn’t defend herself against wolves. And if he left… she had a feeling that she’d be doomed.

She turned her attention back to him and chewed on her lower lip for a moment before finally sitting down in a chair nearby. “Nathan… I, I’m scared…” Now, that was a hard enough thing for Rhi to admit, seeing as she’d always been heardstrong, and yet here she was.

Nathan watched as she got up and paced. He knew that the scar on him was a shock but it was the best way to make sure that she fully understood that he wasn't playing. For a second he was sure that she was going to leave the room and each time she moved closer to the door he feared it. Watching her he then decided to say something but all that came out was, "I am sorry, I never wanted to put you in harms way." He then looked down at the ground and couldn't take watching her pace anymore. It made him feel like she was debating on running out of there and screaming for help. If it came to that he would just leave and hopefully that meant the others would leave her alone.

He then heard her sit down and he turned to her. Never in a thousand years would he think to hear those kind of words come from her. But in seconds he was next to her and he slowly placed a hand on hers. Looking into her eyes, he squeezed her hand gently, "I know, I know exactly how scared you are, I was when I figured out all this too. But you have me and I won't leave you." he said to her softly as he tried to calm her down, "I will protect you and be your shadow, no one will get close to you without my knowing, that is a promise." he said as he looked into her eyes. He would keep that promise till the day that he died. She was important to him and nothing would destroy or harm what was important to him.

Squeezing her hand again, he looked into her eyes, "I am sorry for dragging you into this. If I had known that any other wolves were close I would of left you alone. But I wanted to see you and since I caused this, I will do everything in my power to make it right and keep you safe." he said.

He didn’t understand, he didn’t know. Being a Lycanthrope was one thing, changing so young had to be scary, yes. But this was an entirely different kind of fear. This wasn’t the type of fear one got from being bitten and knowing things were coming. At least then you would be able to handle them. This was like a mouse being trapped in a room with a cat, waiting for it’s inevitable takedown. Her fingers twitched in his grasp and she looked at him, worriedly. He kept apologizing for things, promising things, swearing to protect her. And where that made her feel, perhaps a small amount better, the problem at hand was still this: they were going to come for her. And if they came in numbers… what would she do then? Would she have to watch him die before she died? No, she wouldn’t stand for that.

“No, no, listen, Nathan. I’m glad you came, and I’m glad you said ‘Hello’ to me when you recognized me… But… maybe you should just go… Just wipe any thought of me… of this town from your mind and go…” It took everything in her power not to say: After all, you’ve already done it once before, shouldn’t be too much harder this time. However, she didn’t. She could see the genuine care in his eyes, and that had stopped her. She parted her lips to continue. “If something happens to you… I don’t know what I’ll do… I can’t be the reason you die, Nathan…” It figured, that of all the things she should have been worried about, his well being seemed to be taking priority. That was how Rhiannon always had been. Everyone before herself.

She took her hand from him and set it on his forearm, comfortingly before she stood up to begin her pacing anew. How long would it be before they followed his scent here? Could they even do that? What if they knew her by name? What then, would they come to her work looking for her? She couldn’t go back to work, then… She couldn’t leave this apartment… it was too dangerous.

Nathan listened to her but each word she said made his heart break, break into even smaller pieces then the day that he had left. He hardly knew what to say as he listened to her and felt her take his hand from hers. Looking down at his hands he felt like everything that had given him the will to live these past 9 years just go away. The thought of being able to see her and be close to her had driven him to be here today. But her saying to just leave her here and forget about her, like she was nothing was just too much.

Looking down at the ground he slowly started to shake his head. "I am sorry Rhi, but I can't do that. I can't just forget, I never forgot in the first place. Each day I have lived in this hell, knowing I become a monster. I even thought about letting a werewolf hunter find me to let this whole thing be over with. The only think that made me get here today is the thought of coming home and being close to you. You, your why I am here today and here I am, getting you into this, not exactly how I wanted to repay you." he said and then looked up at her. He walked over and stood in her way of pacing so that she had no choice but to look at him in the eyes. "that is why I am going to protect you to make up for running from you and bringing you into this." he said as he looked at her. He wanted to make up for so much more, but right now keeping her safe was the only thing.

He then looked towards the door and growled, "they are close, I better go make sure they don't get any closer." he said as he walked towards the door. As he opened it and was about to leave, he looked back over at Rhi, "I am much tougher then I look, so I promise not to die on you." he then started to head out of there.