She Came From the Shadows (James and Tera: book 2)

12

The moon was half full. There was a slight breeze out tonight, and the sounds of the leaves hitting each other with it filled the surrounding area of the front porch of Tera's house.

Charles and I stood for a moment in silence. I was still trying to comprehend what Charles had just asked me. "Stay over?" I repeated.

He nodded. "I can arrange for it to happen." He offered. "I can talk to your parents about it, let them know that I'll be there to keep watch."

I shook my head, not in denial but in lack of understanding. "Why do I need to stay?"

He let out an exhale of air. "There are things that you don't understand, and sometimes things we do not understand either. By your presence being known, not by just Tera but by her wolf, the healing process will go much smoother. We heal more rapidly than regular humans, but even better with our mates around."

This was all so strange. It didn't make any sense to me; rapid healing, mates, healing when around your mates? It was crazy. This entire supernatural world is so confusing. I sometimes wonder why I involve myself with it, but then again, I'm dating a werewolf girl, so I kind of have to deal with it.

I had never stayed at another female's house. I'd slept over at Sage's house every once in a while, and that was the closest to staying with a girl as I could imagine. I've gotten my nails painted black and hair done before to prove it.

He noticed my inner struggles and walked over to put a hand on my shoulder. He cracked a smirk that resembled Tera so much. "If a father asks you to stay with his daughter, it only proves you're a good man." He lost his smirk and then sort of shrugged his shoulders. "Or if you knocked her up and he's threatening you with your life."

I smiled a bit from that one. He smiled in fulfillment. He patted my shoulder. "I leave it to you, though. It's your call."

He walked back into the house and left me on the porch. I thought momentarily about it. I did want her to be better. My heart, my mind, everything was telling me to do it, to help her recover. But... I was afraid. Afraid of how it would look, how it would feel.

I looked out at the darkened streets of my hometown. The streetlights were on, illuminating the empty streets and sidewalk. I looked over to my car, thinking of just going home and letting Tera regain her strength on her own. I made my way into the yard, got in the driver's seat, and backed out.

I made my way down the street and turned the corner. Tera didn't live too far away from me. Only a few minutes walk, and basically not even a minute drive. I pulled into my driveway and parked in Zane's (my older brother) old spot.

I headed inside and took my shoes off at the door. Mom didn't like when trailing dirt into the house. The house was dark. There weren't many lights on, only the kitchen light and the living room lamp. I walked into the living room to see my dad sitting in the recliner reading a book, and my mom was laying on the couch watching something on the TV.

I took a deep breath and walked in. Mom was the first to notice me come in. "How was the party?" She asked, not very interested considering her eyes were glued to the TV.

"It was interesting." I responded. Wasn't a lie, because it WAS pretty interesting.

"That's nice." She replied.

"Did you drink at all?" My dad has asked.

"No sir." I told him. That was the only lie I had told. I had a few sips of a drink back at the party.

He snickered. "You and Zane are both sissies compared to me. When I was your age I was Hell on wheels."

Mom looked over at him, rolled her eyes, and turned her head back towards the TV. "By the time you were his age, you were begging at my knees for me to give you another chance."