Chapter Three

Danica lay in bed staring up at her roof as thoughts of the evening danced across her closed lids.  Everytime she had begun to drift into sleep the terrifying black wolf with glowing red eyes and razor sharp white teeth would appear and shock her awake.

As she tried to sleep she allowed herself to drift back to her conversation with Mason before he had finally allowed her to escape into the comfort of her home.

He had said that she was a werewolf and she would be changing in three days time.  The thought of it was absolutely absurd, but after seeing a wolf shift into a man nothing seemed impossible anymore.

Unable to sleep Danica sat up and pulled her laptop from her bedside table.  Opening it she stared at the glowing screen in front of her before opening a search engine and typing in werewolf.

All the links that appeared for her were for horror movie based information and urban legends.  Nothing remotely solid that could help her.

"What did you expect idiot."  She murmured slamming her computer shut and placing it back in its place on the bedside table beside her.

Flopping back down she ran a hand over her face trying to clear her thoughts.

She needed to stop thinking about it so she could get some sleep.   Mason had already promised to visit her in the morning to explain everything to her before she had her first change.

Her first change, the hysteria she was desperately trying to keep at bay came bubbling up to the surface again as she began to consider her first 'change'.

Danica could feel her body beginning to shake uncontrollably as she allowed her fear to overtake her.

Many different scenerios played across her mind, each one much worse than the first, as she wondered just what it would feel like to shift.

Would it be painful?  All she had to go off was what she saw in werewolf movies when the characters bones would begin to snap and contort, and the obvious pain they felt as their body's began to contort and change entirely before finally becoming a different species altogether.

Stomach suddenly turning Danica jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom making it just in time to heave up the entire contents of her stomach.

Huffing she allowed herself to collapse on the cold tile floor below her as she curled into a ball.  

Finally exhausted she fell into a nightmare filled sleep.

Danica woke the next morning to the sound of her adoptive mother Martha tapping on the bathroom door. 

Initially she was confused as to why she was even there, but soon images of the previous night came crashing in waves.

"Danica."  Martha called through the door drawing her attention away from inner struggle.  "Are you ok honey?"

"Sorry."  Danica responded pushing herself off the floor.  "I'm coming."

Martha stood to the side as Danica exited the bathroom with embarassment.  Her long grey hair was braided and twisted into a bun on the top of her head, her usual go to hairstyle.  Her pale face that had begun to wrinkle held an air of concern as she examined Danica.

She cleared her throat before speaking, her dark brown eyes filled with knowing.  "I understand you girls celebrated last night, but if you're in this state then maybe you should learn some control."

Shocked Danica met Martha's eyes.  "Martha, I didn't drink."  She assured her.  "I just didn't feel well last night."

Squinting Martha leaned forward and sniffed Danica, "you don't smell of alcohol."

Smiling Danica nodded, "I'm not lying to you I promise."

Martha stood clearly debating before finally smiling.  "Sorry I thought the worst.  I'm just concerned about you."

To show her sincerity she pulled Danica into a hug before allowing her to head back to her room to change and get ready for her meeting with Mason.

Dressed in a pair of denim shorts and a black tank top Danica padded downstairs where she found Martha painting in front of their bay window.  This was usually where she found her these days as she was on an art kick right now.  She had insisted the window provided her with the perfect inspiration.

Her obsessions usually lasted for about a month at a time, this one had another week at least.  Before this it had been scrapbooking.   Her incomplete books still lay scattered around the house along with magazine and news clippings.

Greeting Martha with a quick kiss on the top of her head Danica hurried out the front door after slipping on her sandals and grabbing her bag.

Mason had already arrived and was waiting outside the gate when Danica exited the house.  This morning he was fully clothed in Jean shorts and a black shirt.  Taking in Danica he smirked.

"We match."  He noted causing Danica to blush a crimson red.  "You ready?"

Nodding Danica took a calming breath before heading to where Mason remained waiting for her.

"Let's go."  She said passing him and beginning to make her way to his waiting black jeep.

Rushing forward Mason hurriedly opened Danica's door for her.  Eyeing him suspiciously she got in and began buckling up as he shut the door and headed to the driver's side.

Danica kept her gaze fixed on Mason as he got in and pushed his key into the ignition.

"What?" He asked noticing her curious look.  "Is there something on my face?"

"For a playboy you're quite the gentleman."  Danica spoke what was on her mind.  She was after all known for not having a filter.  "No offense."  She added quickly.

Frowning Mason met Danica's gaze.  "About that...." 

Danica held up a hand cutting him off.  He had no obligation to explain anything to her and she knew it. "What and who you do is none of my business."

She could see a hurt look cross Mason's face as the words left her mouth.

"I can't change my past."  He said now his frown deepening.  "I would hope my mate wouldn't judge me based on it."

Danica's heart clenched as Mason looked at her like a wounded puppy.  She knew she shouldn't feel anything, but no matter how hard she tried she couldn't stop herself.  There was an invisible draw there that she just couldn't resist.

The mate bond.

"I'm sorry."  She whispered looking down at her hands.  "I just don't really know you and what I do know of you isn't exactly good."  She felt like a child admitting to their parent what they did wrong as Mason continued to stare at her.  "I am just kind of confused."

"About what?"  Mason asked cocking his head to the side, the hurt expression in his eyes being replaced with a curious one.

Danica cleared her throat.  "If wolves have mates, and they mate for life...."  She tried to grasp the right words.  "Then how were you able to be with so many women?"

Beside her Mason couldn't stop the laugh that escaped him.  "Just because each and every one of us has a mate that the moon goddess promises us doesn't mean we can't date other people."  He spoke inbetween chuckles.  "Not to mention we don't even feel the call of our mates until we are both eighteen or older."

Face flushing again Danica continued to stare at her hands.  As she kept her gaze locked on them she watched a big rough hand littered with scars reach out and touch them.

Again she felt the familiar rush of fire going through her at his touch.

"Why does that happen?"  She suddenly asked hoping that Mason understood exactly what she was getting at.

Mason smirked, "the sensations you feel when I touch you?"  He purred a mischievous smile playing on his face.  "Is this your way of saying you like it?"

As Danica floundered for a way to respond Mason began to lean towards her.  He had removed his hand from hers and was now beginning to touch her cheek.

She couldn't control the gasp that escaped her lips at what his touch did to her.  Instead of pulling away as she knew she should she leaned in closing her eyes, basking in the tempting sensations he was making her feel.

Taking her lack of argument as a sign to go ahead Mason began moving his fingertips down her face to her chin, from her chin to her throat, and from her throat to her collarbone.  Leaving behind a line excruciatingly sweet fire.

A tantalizing chill began to run through her body as he continued this movement before sliding his hand to her shoulder and then down her arm before resting it on her hands once more.

Opening her eyes Danica found Mason's bright green eyes had darkened to a deep forest green. She could make out a look of hunger in them.  He had begun to lean forward towards her in a daze as Danica remained transfixed to his eyes.

When he was close enough for his breath to intermingle with hers she finally snapped out of it, realizing they were about to take a step too far.  A step she was nowhere ready to take, especially with someone who was practically a stranger to her at that.

Placing a hand on Mason's chest Danica gently pushed him backwards away from her.

Blinking a few times Mason returned to the now, the hazy look in his eyes disappearing.

"Sorry."  He muttered as the tips of his ears began to turn red.

Smiling Danica shook her head, "I think it be best if we refrain from skinship for now.  To avoid a situation like this again in the future."  She explained as Mason looked dissatisfied.

"If that's what you want."  He responded deflating.  "However, you can't ignore the mate bond forever."

On that note Mason revved his engine to life and slammed on the gas so they could begin the journey to their destination.