A Stranger in the Night
Chapter 16

My apartment felt so empty now. I didn't realise the difference in being away for 2 days would do to me. I placed the bag down on my bed that Alex packed for me and slowly made my way over to my armchair. I picked up the book that Alex had gotten me, sat down and tried to read. But I couldn't, I was so distracted. I missed him. I reached for the phone in my pocket. I had messaged him earlier but hadn't heard back. Disappointed and feeling alone, I put the book back down and grabbed some chocolate from the fridge, before laying in bed. His coat was still here from the last time he was here. I pulled it up to my nose, hoping to breath in his scent again, when a loud knock at the door scared me.

I jumped up and moved to the peep-hole. It was Jess. Something was wrong. I swung the door open and she staggered in, almost collapsing in my arms. I shut and locked the door as I could before moving her to my bed. She was bloodied and bruised, like she had just taken a serious beating. "What the hell happened to you? Are you ok?". Jess' breath was shallow and she was faint. "I don't.....know.....I was walking to the Cafe to pick up some dinner.....when all of a sudden, I was pounced on from behind. There were 4 of them.....I tried to fight them off....but couldn't.... One even bit me! All of a sudden this big dog appeared out of nowhere....and chased them off.....this man must have seen something happening and came to help.....the dog ran off when he did.....". My heart began to race. How the hell did this happen. She looked like death. I put a blanket over her as she began to shiver and raced to get her a cool drink of water. I contemplated calling Alex but there's nothing he could do now. Do I call an ambulance? Nah, she would kill me when she woke up. I came back into there room, she was laying there, resting on my bed. The shivering had stopped now but she still didn't look good. I laid down beside her, pulling Alex's cream coat over me. "Can I do anything?". She shook her head gently. "I just want to rest. Will you stay with me?". I rubbed the side of her arm with my hand. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere.".

The morning sun broke through my curtains, omitting just some small rays through that were enough to light up the room. Jess was still fast asleep and I was not going to wake her any time soon. I hopped up and had a quick shower. I kept the door part open just incase I could hear her stir or hear her if she needed help. I quickly jumped out and got dressed. Just throwing on a white shirt and a pair of grey shorts. I wasn't leaving the house today and I was just going to be staying here.

I came out of the bathroom, brushing my hair, to the sound of someone clinking around in the kitchen. I looked over at the bed, but Jess wasn't there. I walked out to the lounge room. Jess was seated upright in the armchair, with my Nanna's blanket over her...but I could still hear someone or something moving around in the kitchen. I slowly grabbed out my baseball bat in the umbrella holder and began to approach the kitchen. Whoever it was, was rummaging through my cupboards. I took a couple of steps forward, just as Draven jumped up scaring me half to death! "Aha! I found it! Holy shit Luna! Put the bat down! It's just me!". I dropped the bat and ran over and hit him hard on the shoulder! "Don't ever scare me like that again! I thought whatever got Jess last night was coming back to finish her off and take me too! Bloody hell Draven!". He chuckled to himself, pushing my shoulder back. "Nah kid. It's just me. Your handsome, boy next door kinda vampire!". He laughed and smiled as he spoke. His confidence never ceased to amaze me.

"Why are you here Draven?". He turned back to look at Jess. A heartbroken look fell on his face. "I got a call this morning from a friend. He said that Jess had been hurt. Silvano thought some thing was wrong. He thought he saw some Halflings near Jess' place, when he took her home". Silvano pulled Alex from dinner to tell him and that's when I got the phone call. Alex was going to come, but as we have guests and our parents are arriving shortly, he didn't want to cause a fuss.". My heart sank a little, knowing he could have come but didn't. I'm guessing he read that on my face, as he put his hand on my shoulder, "It's ok sweetheart. You got me instead.". He smiled and winked at me. I smiled back, grateful that Draven had come, I know Jess would want him here. "What do we do now? I'm meant to go to work later and I can't afford to miss any more shifts, but more importantly, I don't want to leave her by herself." I gestured at Jess. Still resting in my armchair. Draven sighed, "I know. That's why I'm here. I will stay with her till everything has been sorted.". Shocked and kind of concerned...I mean I appreciated him being here but didn't know how I felt about about him staying here. "Can't you take her back to the House? Surely she is safer there than here.". Draven shook his head. "You would think so, but unfortunately not. Alex won't permit it at the moment. I've already asked. But for now, he has me on "registered business" which will allow me to be here as long as I need to protect you both. Who knows....maybe we could have some fun....just the 3 of us!". I slapped him hard on the shoulder. "I don't think so Draven....I don't share my toys.". Jess had finally begun to stir and wake up. Draven raced to her side. Kneeling down beside her and holding her hand. He quizzed her over what happened last night. She gave him the details, to which he simply nodded to. Never interrupting or butting in, just simplying holding her hand and nodding. This was a different side of Draven than the ones I have seen before. He showed a genuine care for Jess. It made me miss Alex, which made me even more angry and upset. Why would he stop Jess from coming there. She was just attacked and surely needed some help and protection. Hey wait...."Draven, how did you know she was here?". My curiousity getting the better of me again. "I went to her place first, when she wasn't there I traced her scent back to here. Nice place too by the way. Cute and cosy.". I was distracted again with thoughts of Alex. Not knowing how I felt anymore, was all that stuff about him saying he cared true? Did he really just pass this off to Draven to deal with? Whatever the case. I was hurt.

I began starting to get ready to go to work. I had a shift at the Cafe tonight and I wasn't going to miss it. As I began checking my handbag to make sure I had everything, Draven leaned on the door frame, a curious look on his face, watching what I was doing. "Going somewhere are we?". I nodded at him. "Yup. I have a shift at work.". I grabbed my bag and started heading to the door. Draven grabbed my arm and jerked me back. "I'm sorry Luna. I can't let you go. Alex doesn't want you leaving here until we have sorted out the problem.". Frustrated and angry, I turned to face him. I could feel the energy begin to rise in me. I felt like I was going to explode. "Ouch Luna! What the hell was that???". He jumped back, releasing my arm in the process. He looked down on his arm, which had a slight layer of frost melting away as we both stood and stared in silence. I snapped out of my stare and felt the anger rising in me again. "Alex is not the boss of me. He can not keep me captive in my own apartment. It is my life and I'll do as I wish.". Still rubbing his arm, he looked at me, he knew he wouldn't win this argument. "At least let me organise someone to bring you there. I could get Mason?". Still frustrated I shook my head. "I am fine. I can look after myself.". I turned, grabbed my bag again and walked out, slamming the door in my wake.

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I headed out of the building and towards the direction of the Cafe. I was so angry right now, that I was being treated like a child and required a babysitter. I felt my feet stomping hard into the ground with every footstep I took. I had a quick look at my phone. Still no message from Alex. Argh! I slipped it back into my bag and continued to walk. I noticed someone coming up behind me. I reached slowly into my bag and pulled out the pepper spray. I turned around quickly, closed my eyes and held out the pepper spray. "Get back or I will spray you!". I opened my eyes and looked around. No one was there. What the hell....I could have sworn there was. I heard something over by the bushes. I moved over there to have a look...just as a large dog with a shiny black coat jumped out. "Holy hell! You scared me boy. Get out of here.". I turned and began walking, I need to get to my shift. "I'm sorry Miss Luna, I can't do that. I'm here to escort you.". I turned back around and watched the dog infront of me begin to shift and transform into a tall man standing in front of me. I almost fainted but he caught me. I was not prepared for that. "Sorry Miss Luna. I didn't mean to overwhelm you. Draven sent me to follow you to ensure your safety. My name is Lucas.".

I held my head in my hands, and began to feel the tiny drops of rain falling on my head and hands. "Miss Luna, shall we go? We should get you out of this rain.". I looked up at him. He was tall, tanned, with long blond wavy hair. His face was clean shaven and he had piercing blue-green eyes. I admired him for a moment before realising the rain was starting to get heavier. I stood up and began to walk, Lucas keeping up with me as we walked. "Lucas, you said we?". He looked at me puzzled, "Pardon?". Still looking confused. I looked around, wondering if anyone else was with us. "Oh yes. We. My pack and I are the ones escorting you. Draven gave me strict instructions to make sure you get to work safe and are returned to your apartment safe.". I stumbled a bit at the thought until it hit me...pack....they were werewolves.

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