“Okay, whatever you say. You’re the teacher.” I jump down over the side of the wall.
I look up to find the usual bright smile on her face. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“I get off work at the herbal shop around four, so I’ll message you when I can get out of the house and away from Fabian.”
“Yeah, that works. I love getting on that boys nerves, but I don’t want him ruining this. I need to figure this shit out, and if you’re the best person to help me then I’m thankful I’ve got you.” I look up and smile. “Thank-you for all your help, Phee.”
Her face goes red as she blushes, but she waves it off. “Oh it’s no problem, Angel. I don’t mind it at all.”
I nod my head. “Goodnight, Phee. See you tomorrow.”
“Sweet dreams.” She waves animatedly back and I can’t help but chuckle to myself as I walk back into the direction of the pack house.
****
As soon as I get back to the house, I head straight for the shower. I made sure to keep hidden from the guards that were on duty around the territory tonight, I don’t need questions about my whereabouts at this time of the night going back to my father.
After getting dressed, I open the door to my patio allowing the cool air into my bedroom. I turn the lights off and climb into my huge bed. Lying in the middle of the bed, I’m unable to fall asleep. I push and smack around the pillows until I’m fully surrounded by them. As I’m busy getting comfortable, I can’t help but notice the light from the bathroom switch on; a slit of light shining under the door. A few seconds later I hear the shower being turned on. I flop down and lay surrounded by my pillows.
I close my eyes and try calming myself to sleep, but it’s futile. Faith feels our mate close, she wants to be near him. I can feel her calling out to Gunner, Tyler’s wolf.
Seconds later I feel Tyler trying to gain entry into my head. He’s trying to see my thoughts and hear my secrets, but I’ve got that shit locked up so tight, no-one will be able to get in there unless I allow it.
I turn on my side away from the light coming in from the bathroom. Facing the other side of the room, I wrap my arms around a pillow and hold it tight as I focus on keeping Tyler out of my head.
Suddenly the door flies open and I turn to find Tyler standing there in boxer briefs. I can feel his anger from across the room as I watch him breathing heavily. The smell of his shower gel and shampoo fill my senses and his hair is neatly combed over as per the usual Tyler-perfection. I turn my head away from him and lay back in the position I was in before he barged in.
“Dammit, Angel. Look at me!” He shouts. I don’t even flinch. I’m getting used to his erratic behaviour these days.
I feel the blankets being pulled and all of a sudden all the covers are gone. “Let me in! Stop blocking me out of your head. Fucking let me in!”
I wriggle as close to the other side of the bed as possible and curl into a ball. It’s rather cold without those blankets on.
“I’m really not in the mood to argue with you right now,” I deadpan. Replaying the same words he used on me earlier. I don’t even bother turning to look at him.
I hear him let out a deep breath, then I hear his footsteps. I wait for him to shut the door behind him, but the footsteps are headed in my direction. I try to hide my fear as much as possible, but I’m pretty sure he can sense my fear no matter how hard I try to conceal it.
My hand squeezes the mattress when I spot him, out of the corner of my eye reaching the bottom of my bed. He walks slowly towards where I lay curled up, then bends down and looks into my eyes. I no longer see anger and disgust, only sadness reflects in his eyes.
His hands gently lifts and I watch it cautiously as he rests his big one on top of mine. My wolf is jumping with glee at the contact.
“I won’t hurt you,” he almost whispers, but I know it’s a lie. He told me that once before. But all he’s done to me since I got here is hurt me; I know not to trust his word anymore.
He lifts his head and looks at my body and how I sleep.
“Why all the pillows?”
He sounds confused, but I don’t answer. Tyler is clever, he knows the reason for the pillows surrounding me. He knows I only have them here so I don’t feel so alone in this big bed, he just wants to hear it from my lips. I won’t give him that.
When I don’t answer he says, “Fair enough. Let’s talk about earlier then. Your eyes changed again. Does that happen often?” I move to turn over, but his arms reach out and hold me in place.
“Tyler, let go.”
“Ah, she speaks,” he says, and a grin appears on his face. That smile… I haven’t seen that smile in so long. This man is so fucking beautiful and that smile can make me forget all the bad things he’s done and said to me. Just seeing that smile again reminds me of the person I know he can be, and stops me loathing the person he’s become.