16

Hayden

I watched her since the moment she fell unconscious in my arms. Occasionally I would reach out and stroke the mark on her neck lovingly, relishing the fact I had branded her as mine. Tucked up in our new bed, she resembled an adorable angel snoozing quietly. Her hair tumbled over the pillows, filling me with the urge to tangle my fingers in it, but I didn't want to disturb her.

The whole day had been exhausting, going from Dawn sketching unwillingly, to me revealing myself as a werewolf; her finding out about the Prophecy and Indie; her reading the scroll from her necklace; me pressing her birthmark, sending her into the air screaming in pain, and finally marking her. And to think, all of this happened in the space of about five hours.

Outside, the sky was beginning to darken and I knew her parents would be worried. I stood up and paced the room, stopping at the window to distract my thoughts. Seeing Dawn in such a state earlier had broken me; I couldn't wipe the images of blood seeping from her nostrils and mouth out of my mind. Biting back a yell of frustration, I clung to the windowsill, accepting the the coolness of the air blowing into the room from the open window. I reached out and pulled it shut, though, hating the thought of Dawn getting cold.

"H-Hayden?" A heavenly voice whispered behind me. I spun around and rushed over to the bed, where Dawn was attempting to sit up.

Pushing her down, I whispered, "Shhhh, it's okay. Lie back down and rest, you need to get better."

"I need to get home," she countered, her gaze finding the dark sky outside the window. I moved in front of her her vision and distracting her from the time.

"You'll stay here tonight," I said firmly.

"But my paren-"

"It's okay, I'll take care of it," I assured her. She frowned up at me, but relented, realising how weak she was.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"This is your home now, with me. I'll call your parents and tell them the truth."

She blanched, "The truth?! What are you talking about?"

"Please, baby, don't worry about it," I cooed. She huffed but lay back down and closed her eyes.

I needed to speak with her parents anyway; their connection to the necklace couldn't go unnoticed. Dad had the same idea, and met me downstairs.

"She awake yet?" He asked.

"She was, but she's gone back to sleep," I replied.

"Good, she needs to rest. What happened earlier was not right, Denny, and I need to know why this is happening to her."

"I know, Dad, but the only explanation I can think of is that her family is involved with us somehow," I tried to explain. He seemed to understand what I meant and I sighed in relief. All I wanted to do was talk to Dawn's parents and go to sleep with my mate in my arms. I pulled Dawn's phone out of my pocket— I'd taken it from her while was sleeping. Unlocking the phone, I opened up Address Book and scrolled down to find her mum's phone number. Dad took the phone from me, and soon after I could her a dial tone.

"Hello, Dawn?" her mum answered.

"Hi, Mrs Lumley. It's Harvey here, Hayden and Ash's father," Dad said.

"Oh, hi, it's nice to talk to you again. Um, where's my daughter?"

"She's not feeling well, so I thought I should call you and let you know. Would you mind dropping by with your husband?"

"We're on our way," she said worriedly. Around ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. Racing to the front door straight away, I let Dawn's parents in and led them to the living room.

"Where's Dawn?" her dad questioned immediately, obviously not trusting us.

"She's upstairs, sleeping. Dawn is fine, but we need to talk to you," Dad walked in the room, answering Dawn's dad. "I'm Harvey, we've spoken on the phone." Dad offered his hand.

"Kate," Dawn's mum replied, shaking Dad's hand.

"Paul," her husband greeted gruffly, and shook Dad's hand also.

"Why do you need to speak to us?" Kate asked.

"Why don't we sit down?" Dad replied, and we all took a seat; Kate raised her eyebrow questioningly. Taking a deep breath, Dad started, "Do you mind telling us about your family history?"

Paul frowned, "Why would you want to know that?"

"I'm sorry to be so nosy, but has your family ever been involved with anything... Strange?" Dad reiterated.

"I don't understand how this has anything to do with my daughter's wellbeing," Paul said, clearly growing irritated.

"I...I think I know what you're talking about," Kate spoke up.

"Kate?" Paul frowned. She looked at him and sighed, giving him a small smile and patting his hand.

"Is this about Dawn's necklace?" Kate asked. My eyes widened. She knew?

"Yes," Dad nodded. "What do you know about it?"

"It's a family heirloom— my family heirloom. It has gone through me, my mother, my grandmother, her mother, and so on." My dad nodded, encouraging her to continue. "I'm guessing that you're a Wolf Shifter family, correct?"

Both Dad and I's jaws dropped, but we nodded nonetheless.

"A long time ago, my ancestor was contacted by a spirit who foresaw a future event."

The Prophecy.

"My ancestor publicised this prophecy, but kept a second prophecy secret. She hid it in her necklace, knowing that one of her descendants would turn out to be the 'Catalyst'. When the women in the family turn eighteen, we pass on a copy of the second prophecy, as well as the necklace, in case something comes of it."

"Wait, I don't understand. The woman who Artemis spoke through was a Wolf Shifter. If she really was your ancestor, you would be a Wolf Shifter too," I pointed out.

Kate nodded, "I should be, but I'm not. What you don't know is that Artemis removed the Wolf Shifter abilities from my ancestor, leaving us human. However, she said that when the Catalyst emerged she would be able to access her rightful abilities— but only through her mate." It made sense.

"Hold on. Are you telling me that you're a werewolf or something?" Paul scoffed, facing his wife.

"Paul, I don't expect you to believe me. I'm not a Wolf Shifter, but Dawn will be when she finds her mate. Which," she glanced at me, "I think she already has."

"Mate? What the hell are you all taking about?" Paul asked.

"Your mate is your Wolf Shifter soulmate. I promise I'll explain everything at home, honey, but for now, we need to focus on Dawn," Kate said firmly. Paul nodded, dazed. "I assume you have marked her?"

"I did, earlier. Something was happening to her; she rose off the ground and she was..." I visibly cringed, "She was in so much pain. When she fell back down, she told me to mark her because if I didn't, she would die," I said, wincing at the memory.

"She was unlocking a path to her power. Her cells were changing readying her for becoming a Wolf Shifter which clearly put her through immense pain. I wish I could've been there with her, to help her..." She trailed off with a distressed expression, then pulled herself together. "That means you must've found the Reiki birthmark, so you know she is the Luna." So that was the name of the strange symbol on Dawn's ankle.

"Wait, you knew she would be this 'Catalyst'?" I asked angrily. If she had told someone— at least told Dawn — then we could have known what to do, how to deal with everything. And then being with Dawn might've been easier, might've come about faster.

She shook her head as though dismissing me. "I'm a mother, Hayden. It's not easy to make the right decision that will keep your child safe. I saw the birthmark and I panicked. I didn't know that Dawn was the Catalyst for sure; how was I to know that she would meet her mate so soon? It's why I pushed us to move here— it's the smallest village I know of. The fewer people, the less chance it is that she would find her mate."

I growled, "You would keep a Shifter from their mate?"

She glared at me. "I would do anything to keep my daughter safe. But it doesn't matter, does it? No matter what I did, she found you. Fate works in mysterious ways."

"Let's move on. We still have questions that need answering," Dad jumped in, using his Alpha tone. I sighed.

"Look, what I'm worried about is Shifting her. We can't just bite people, you know. It doesn't work like that," I stressed.

"I know. You'll have to fully mate to Shift her." I raised my eyebrows at Kate's answer.

"Whoa, slow down! If that's what I think it is, it's not going to happen. She's no where near ready for that— I mean, for goodness sake, she's only sixteen!" Paul exclaimed, jumping up.

"I know, honey, but it's for the best," Kate assured him, pulling at his hand. Hesitantly, he sat back down, but glared at me.

"You know the rules about marking, right?" I asked Kate.

"Yeah, I do. But..." She glanced at her husband.

"What?!" he demanded, growing agitated at our knowing expressions.

"Dawn has to move in with me immediately," I told him, wincing. His expression transformed from angry to livid.

"My daughter is staying at home, away from you! She is not living with you, nor is she having sex with you, got that?!" Paul screeched. Kate tried to calm him down, but he wasn't having it. He stormed out of the house, leaving Kate to apologise to us and stride after him. Dad and I exchanged looks, but to be honest I wasn't surprised. It was a lot to take in.

I yawned, needing sleep. Although we had things to talk about, Dad let me head to bed and I was grateful. It had been a long day.

In Dawn and I's bedroom, I stripped down to my boxers and clambered into bed beside my angel that was peacefully sleeping, wrapped up in blankets. My hands reached forwards and pulled Dawn to my chest, smiling when she snuggled closer to me and burying my nose in her sweet-smelling hair.

I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face, even when sleep enveloped me.

Dawn

When my eyes opened, I found myself draped over a strong body. Wiggling, I managed to turn around so that I could face my captor. My gaze met a pair of hazel eyes that danced with curiosity and amusement.

"Why are you awake?" I asked, groggily.

"Because I was watching you."

I lazily grabbed his face. "Weirdo," I muttered.

He clasped my hand and nuzzled his cheek against it, "I like it when you hold me..." I blushed when I realised that my other hand was clinging to his bare chest. I tried to move, but he stopped me and pulled me closer, squishing my face against his abs. Pushing my head up, I leaned my chin on his chest and gazed up at him.

"Um, what is that?" I noticed something pressing against my hip and it was annoying me. Lifting up the covers, I ignored Hayden's protests and blushed when I saw the tent his boxers were making.

"Sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks on fire. Oddly, I didn't care; I just laughed it off.

"What were you dreaming about last night?" I giggled.

"Uh, um, n-nothing, I just, um..." He ran his hand through his hair, looking embarrassed.

I pouted, "Oh come on, you can tell me."

"..."

"I won't judge."

"...Well, um, you...and...me... We were at this waterfall in the forest, and, um, you wanted to go swimming. So you, uh, undressed, and, well... I did too, and we uh, you know..."

"In the water?" I questioned, muffling my laughter.

"Actually, we didn't get as far as swimming." Patting his chest, I chuckled.

"Aww, is wittle Hayden embawassed about his first sexy dweam?" I teased. He growled and rolled us over, pushing his weight off of me so he didn't crush me as he lay on top of my body.

"Who said it was my first?"

"I meant your first one with me in it."

"Again, who said it was my first?" My cheeks grew hot as I gasped quietly, Hayden's eyes blazing.

"Do I want to know how many?"

"Probably not...could be six, possibly more."

"Hayden!" I squealed, embarrassed. He chuckled and leaned his weight on me a little more, his bare skin sending sparks of electricity through me.

"Don't act all innocent, Dawn. I know you have them too."

I stuck my nose in the air, "Not true at all. I am a lady."

"Oh really? What about last night?" My eyes grew wide and a fire burned under my skin.

"W-What do you mean?" He leaned down beside me ear, his breath fanning over my mark.

"I heard you calling my name," he whispered.

"You heard wrong," I stated firmly.

"Was I good?" he breathed. Lost in the moment, his proximity sending spirals of foggy lust steaming up my mind, I gave up pretending that I didn't dream of him.

"I don't know, I have no one to compare you to," I teased, breathing heavily. His eyes darkened, and he growled, sliding his hand down my stomach.

"From your reaction in your sleep," his fingers traced over my hip, "I sounded good."

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Don't tease me, Dawn," he warned. "I won't be able to control myself."

I swallowed. "You have a date today," I said, swiftly changing the topic of conversation.

"Do we?" he said distractedly, with his fingers still running over the skin under my baggy top.

"Not we— you. With Caitlyn." The thought of them together made me feel ill. His hand froze, and his eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, shit. I'm calling her— I have to cancel." I felt bad for my best friend, but I couldn't bring myself to let her go out with Hayden. Reaching over to the bedside table, he picked up his phone and dialled a number, then dropped it on the bed between us with the call on speakerphone.

"Hey," Caitlyn answered amorously, making my stomach flip possessively. Wow. I'm so protective!

"Um, hi Caitlyn. I'm really sorry but I have to cancel our date today," Hayden said. An idea suddenly formed in my mind.

"Oh, why?" she whined. Taking advantage of the moment, I climbed on top of Hayden and straddled him, suppressing laughter as I watched his eyes almost pop out of his skull in surprise.

"Uh, um, I'm sick," he lied. I trailed my fingers down his chest and stopped at the waistband of his boxers, lifting the elastic and letting it snap back to his skin gently.

"Oh no, you poor thing. Do you want me to come over and nurse you?" Caitlyn asked hopefully. Hayden's irises were pitch black as I leaned forward and softly kissed his neck, grazing my teeth on his earlobe.

"Uh, no, that's really sweet, but um," he grasped my hips and leaned his head back, "I think I'm contagious, and I wouldn't want to make you sick."

"I'll take that risk," my best friend flirted. Giggling to myself, I kissed along Hayden's jaw as I ran my my hand down the firm skin of his stomach. I felt his chest rumble as a quiet groan escaped his throat.

"I really," he slowly slid his hands up and down my torso, "wouldn't want you to, um, get ill because of me."

"I don't mind."

I shifted backwards and placed my knees between Hayden's legs, sitting back on my heels. Leaning forwards, I ran my lips down his muscly stomach, keeping eye contact with him. His mouth opened in a silent moan,as his fingers tangled in my hair.

"Hayden? Are you there?" Abruptly, I pushed myself off of him and lay back beside him, keeping some distance. He gaped at me with burning eyes, wanting more.

"Uh, yeah, I'm here Caitlyn- I'm really sick so I'm going to go, okay? I'll see you tomorrow, bye," Hayden said, staring at me.

"Oh, alright then. I hope you feel bet-" he ended the call and swiped the phone back to the table, before rolling on top of me and pressing my arms down.

"You naughty little girl," he scolded.

I giggled, "I couldn't resist." His lips pressed against my new mark, sending jolts of pleasure riding through my body.

A knock echoed through the room, making Hayden leap off of me as the door opened.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Jackie asked me, concerned.

"Much, much better, thank you," I replied, only just remembering what had happened yesterday.

"Oh, that's great. Would you two like me to bring up some breakfast?" Jackie said.

"Yes please, Mum," Hayden piped in, and Jackie disappeared from the room. I turned to my mate, grinning. He grinned back.

"I need a cold shower. Want to join me?" Hayden waggled his eyebrows. Laughing, I pushed him and got out of bed.

"Sorry, but I prefer hot water," I said, and ran into the bathroom. Locking the door, I started the shower and chuckled when I heard Hayden groan from the bedroom.

>>

After both of us showered and dressed, Jackie brought a big tray up to our room; it was piled high with toast, eggs, sausages, and bacon. We thanked her and dug in, starving. Afterwards, we curled up on the love seat and I played with my hair nervously.

"I need to go home eventually," I said.

"Don't worry about it, we talked to your parents last night."

"What?" I asked, surprised. Hayden then explained to me everything that had happened, leaving me in a stunned silence. I couldn't believe that Mum had been so secretive. Deciding to call her, I grabbed my phone and dialled her number.

"Dawn?"

"Hi, Mum."

"How are you, sweetheart?"

"I feel much better today."

"That's great. When do you feel like coming home?"

"Um, well, I thought that I should stay here all day, since Dad is angry and everything..."

"I understand. I'm taking him out to dinner tonight to explain everything to him, so if you come back at eight you won't have to face him."

"Oh, thanks Mum. I was so worried!"

"Yeah, I think he just needs some time to calm down. Take today to rest, darling, and get used to the whole Wolf Shifter thing. I'll speak to you later tonight, okay?"

"Okay, I love you."

"I love you too. Bye bye." I put down the phone, and breathed a sigh of relief.