I'm The Alpha's Challenge

23

I stood, looking at myself in the mirror. It was one of the first times that I actually liked what I saw there, in that thing I hated so much. I never liked my appearance. Maybe it was me, or just because I really wasn't that pretty, but I was almost sure that it was the ugly and fat comments by my father and sister. I knew it was, but I just couldn't bring myself to call myself pretty. But there, in his clothes, I felt like I belonged, and I felt like I was remotely good-looking. I smiled at myself in the mirror, threw my hair up into a bun atop my head, and nervously took a hold of the doorknob.

I sighed before I opened it, not expecting what I saw. Josh was digging in his dresser again, stuffing the clothes that he had tossed out back into it and pulling out two shirts—which he did not have on. His bare back was turned towards me, and my breath caught in my throat as I watched him. I closed the door to the bathroom behind me just as he turned around.

I held a gasp in, biting my lip. He looked at me, smirking. "Wow. You look good in my shirt." He said, picking up a white t-shirt and putting it on. Once he finally put on a shirt, I was snapped back into reality. Red stained my cheeks as I averted my eyes. His dark skin and a simple white t-shirt were not compatible. Very much to my surprise, he put on another shirt over the white one.

"You can have the bed. I can sleep on the floor." He said as he reached for a pillow. "Unless you want me with you?" he glanced up hopefully.

My blush deepened, but I shook my head, climbing into the bed. Josh opened the other door and pulled out two blankets, laying one on the floor by the door and dropping the pillow onto it. He went over and shut the lights off, making me go on high alert. He sighed, slipping under the covers. "Well, goodnight, Danny." He said sleepily.

"Night." I agreed, staring at him as I did the same. I stared at his form, my chest swelling in an unknown feeling. I closed my eyes, bring his covers up closer to my chin and breathing in his scent.

"Joshywa?" a small, shaky voice asked as the door creaked open minutes later.

"Yes, picnic?" Josh answered lowly, probably thinking I was sleeping.

Little feet scampered in and I could hear her lying next to Josh under the covers. "Why you ain't in your bed?" Hanna asked in her childish voice.

"Well, sweetie, someone else is sleepin' in it."

"Is it a girl?" she asked excitedly.

Josh chuckled. "Yea," he replied.

"What's her name? Is she your girlyfriend?"

"I…I guess you could say that. Her name is Danny."

"Hi, Danny!" Hanna said louder. I couldn't help but smile and bring the covers up over my mouth to hide it.

Josh quickly shssed her. "Baby, she's sleeping."

"Oh… sorry, Danny!" I bit back laughter, but I couldn't help another smile.

Josh chuckled. "Picnic, why are you here? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I twied, but dere are monters under my bed! I twear!"

"Why didn't you go to Mommy's room?"

"She can't scare dem away, but I know you can."

"Okay, well, I think the monsters are tired, so they'll be there in the morning. They won't expect me then."

"Oh, no, they're not monsters, they're wolves."

There was silence for a moment. "Now, picnic, why would you think that?"