Protected

Wander

I lay faceup on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Farkle took Riley out for dinner, to distract her so she wouldn't think about Charlie. Lucas hadn't come home yet from the ceremony, and I was home alone.

My mind began to wander. To Lucas.

I wondered what would've happened if I had... rejected him. He Morphed to me, but it didn't work both ways. A Morphing didn't make their mate attracted to them. So, what would have happened if I rejected him?

It seemed like an subconscious thing. From the second I saw him out my window I was curious. And, when he got that call to go to the emergency meeting, and he didn't come back until late that night, I was consumed with worry. Why, though? Was I already in love with him?

But, I was so relieved when he came home safe, that I practically pulled him through the window and hugged him.

And, when I slept with him, even though I thought I wanted to go back home, I know now that I wouldn't have left, even if I was awake.

So, in the midst of all the confusion, Charlie's death and Riley finding out and the Pack Leader possibly showing up at three a.m. to kill me, I was sure of one thing.

I loved Lucas.

It happened, almost immediately, I was sure of it. I knew I loved him, because if I didn't, I would have bailed at the first sign of danger, at the first insecurity. I wasn't someone who took unneeded risks. Look out for number one.

Except, now Lucas shared the title of number one.

I loved him.

Irrationally: I probably shouldn't.

Irrevocably: There was no going back.

Unconditionally: Even though it was dangerous.

And those three things, that I loved him irrationally, irrevocably, and unconditionally.

I was sure that they were going to get me into a lot of trouble.