Chapter 12

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My mother and Drake's father won't stop trying to contact us. My mom still thinks I need to live at home and Patrick still thinks we need to get married real soon. Apparently, it is Shifter law that shifters tend to marry at a young age. Drake assured me that the law was optional and that his father was using the law as an excuse for us to get married. I keep getting letters from my mother. I have about twenty letters so far from my mom. I stare at the envelope in my hands. It is addressed to me with a stamp of a house. I sigh as I open it up.

Dear Payton,

I know you are annoyed with me for asking you to come home over and over. But there is a reason for it. I want you to be safe, and trust me when I say that you are not safe where you are right now. I know you trust the people there, especially that boy who accompanied you to the house. Drake? Well, whatever his name is, he is lying to you. There are so many secrets in the Shifter world and you will hear stuff that you do not want to hear. Your father and I left that world to try an raise you to favor the normal world, where there will be no one and nothing to harm you. We only shifted for defense.
Ever since your visit, your brothers are wondering what their animal will be. Mario wants to be a hawk while Blake wants to be a shark. Back to the point. You are not safe where you are. I can tell you might be getting angry at me now for saying this stuff, but it's all true. I have to keep telling your brothers to stop talking about what animal they are, but they won't stop. It worries me, Payton. I just don't want you to be hurt by that Drake kid, even if he is your Match or not. Do not trust him or anyone else but me or Maddie.

Love,
Mom

I stare at the piece of paper. Was this true? Is the Shifter world a place of lies?

"Payt," a voice says suddenly, drawing me out of my thoughts, "you coming? We're going to watch Catching Fire," I look up to see Drake smiling at me. He is lying to you. The words my mom wrote cross through my head as I stare at him. I slowly nod as I fold up the letter and put it in my pocket.

"Yeah," I say with a breath and stand up. He smiles and waits for me before we walk back into the living room. Sammy and Kyle cuddle on the couch. They seem to accept the fact that Drake and I are together. Sammy smiles warmly at me and I return the smile, feeling awkward. Drake sits down on the couch and I settle in next to him. Sammy presses play on the remote and skips over the previews everyone ignores. Drake wraps his arm around my shoulder and intense a bit. I don't think he noticed this, since he is focused on the movie. I force myself to relax at his touch and try to enjoy the movie.

~

We finish the movie at six and we eat some supper. I take mine up to my room to try to avoid anyone else and to think. I unlock and open the door of my apartment, carrying a plate of pork and mashed potatoes. I set it down on the coffee table and walk over to my fridge. I open it and survey the contents. I grab a can of Mountain Dew and settle myself on the couch. I grab the remote and turn the tv on, scrolling through my recordings and find The Walking Dead folder. No new episodes. I sigh as I scroll through the episodes. I find the episode 'The Killer Within' from Season 3 and decide to watch it, preparing myself for the emotion in it.

Halfway into the episode a knock sounds on my door. I set down my now clean plate on the coffee table and say a 'come in,'. The door opens and shuts. I look behind me to see Drake walking towards me. I smile a small smile which he doesn't return. He sits down next to me and sighs.

"What's wrong, Payt?" He asks, looking over at me. I look away from him and debate telling him about the note. He walks over and sits next to me and studies my face. "Hey, what is it?" He asks, voice full of worry. I look over at him and sigh.

"I got another letter from my mom," I explain softly, pulling out the folded letter and handing it over to Drake, almost reluctantly. He takes is and unfolds it and begins to read. His worried expression goes to shock than confusion. He finishes the letter and sighs. So what my mom said is true? He smiles and laughs a bit before looking over at me.

"Shouldn't have come here, Payt," he says evilly and lunges at me.

~

I sit upright in bed and scream a bit. I look around and see that I am in my room. I am sweaty and breathing heavily. It was a nightmare. Drake isn't lying to me, my mom isn't trying to force me to come home. I am safe here. I smile in relief but that disappears when I hear someone entering my apartment. I watch the bedroom door, waiting for the person to enter. The door opens and Drake stands there, looking at me worriedly.

"You okay?" He asks, "I heard you scream," I nod and relax a bit.

"Nightmare," I say softly. He nods and waits for me to go back to sleep before leaving. I never hear the front door open.

A/N:
Short chapter Saturday. Sorry.

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