“It’s about time you are here. Explain yourself? You’re here to plead your case.”  The scowl on his face and impatient tone sent Jessie into what she called her survival mode. She’d say anything he wanted to hear. So, this would end

                It was now well into the morning. Jessie helped many of the elders find their must-have items. Packing them up with as much respect as for them and their age. It was heartbreaking as she listened to stories they could not resist telling. It was a time before her father’s time as Alpha. They’d thrived here in that time. Jessie knew it was too late, but she hoped one day she might experience a similar story.                One glare from Alrick told Jessie it would be a chilly day in hell. Every time she looked up; it was to see Alrick watching her. His expression looked made of stone, and he waited for a storm to hit. He never said a word to her. Though he responded to anyone else that approached him.                Jes

   Alrick released her and let her escape for the time being. He was breathing like he’d taken the stairs at a run. Alrick adjusted the front of his jeans. He sat at his desk again. Alrick would take care of what was in his pants later. He grabbed his cellphone up off the desk where he’d dropped it when he’d first entered. Toying with it and sent out a few random texts. He was searching to get his mind off her. She infuriated and fascinated him. It was bothering him. Why was he so disturbed by her inaction? Why was he keeping her around?                Alrick could smell her in the room. Even though she’d touched nothing. Her scent was on his very clothing. Ugh, he felt so tired. It was lunch, and he wanted to eat before sleeping. That’s when he got the brilliant idea.              &nb

     Alrick woke to a warm body in his arms. This was an unfamiliar experience. His previous encounters ended with either he or his partner leaving at the end. It confused him at first. Then Alrick remembered who was in his bed with him, and he realized it didn’t upset him in the least. She smelt like jasmine and honey. All warm and soft. He could become used to this. His body was responding in the most predictable way.  Then he realized why he’d awakened. Someone was banging on his apartment door and now the warm body beside him was throwing herself from his bed with a scream of shock and dismay. She huddled in the corner of his room by the closet door. She shivered there in fear. He hated that smell. She needed to calm down.

                Alrick didn’t think about privacy. He’d worked himself up with his own thoughts and concerns. Entering the bathroom, he found damp clothing draped everywhere. Confused by the sight he’s found, Alrick continues looking around the small room. He finds her slight form in fresh clothing but curled up on the floor by an open toilet. Her hands and knees cradling her head. Jessie’s hair covered her face. It was still damp from showering. It took him some time to understand what he was seeing.                She’d done what he told her to do. She’d showered and changed. Washed her clothing and hung it. How few clothes did she have? But she was now ill. Why? Nothing made sense to Alrick. He knew she shouldn’t be alone.