When they were behind closed doors again, Lyla pulled out her phone and sent Oscar a message. She hoped that he'd do her a solid by saying yes to her request. If he did, then it meant that she'd owe him. It equated to a lot of beers at Diego's bar, but she didn't mind. If this saved them, then she'd happily buy him a beer every night for the rest of their lives.

As she sat on the lounge, Lyla thought about Oscar, Diego and even Isaac. They'd considered altering but decided against it, for the moment. She hoped that maybe they might change their mind, but she doubted it. Alterations didn't always work as they should. Sometimes they didn't work at all. As for being a vampire, Lyla thought it wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. She believed that the emotions were heightened, something that she didn't want.

When the door opened, Lyla sat up, filled with hope and fear. Ris walked in, giving her another sympathetic smile. She hated that Lennon was being such a jerk to her. Lyla was too good for him, too sweet.

"I know it's probably of no consolation, but this will be tearing him apart inside."

Lyla nodded, remaining silent.

"He's probably going to return at dawn to rest. It's up to you. If you don't want him in your bed, then you lock the door and make him sleep on the lounge. Just make sure you're absolutely positive that you want him around if you don't lock it. He will take it as a sign that you're willing to talk if you leave it open for him."

"I really don't know what I want." she said softly.

Her phone beeped. Oscar replied that he'd happily oblige her request and would get onto it right away.

"Operation Alpha Dog is underway," Lyla murmured with a dark smile.

Ris liked her wickedness. She also thought that Lyla had great contacts, perhaps even better than Gamichee.

Merissa sat down next to Lyla, stretching back into the corner of the lounge.

"So, what's the game plan?"

"Suit up, walk out. If you want him to be there, you'd better figure that out with Adley. I'm not the right person to be talking to about that."

Lyla got up from the lounge, trying to offer a smile to Merissa.

"I'm tired. I'll see you in the afternoon."

As Merissa said that she'd be awake by five, Lyla nodded and closed the door. Closed but not locked. She didn't have an answer. She didn't know what she wanted to do. Crawling up into a tight ball under the sheets seemed like a good idea.

The linen was a mess. Lyla usually kept a straight house, and that included making the beds. She looked at the crumpled mess, the thoughts in her mind said that it shouldn't be this way, but Lyla knew she didn't care anymore. Lethargy consumed her as she delved under the warm sheets.

Charlton's hospitality was generous but to a point. They had freedom within the walls, luxurious quarters to rest in, and all the blood they could drink. It was a situation that could be described as paradise if a vampire didn't care for the outside world. Lyla did. She missed her daily chat with Eloise, she missed her home, and she missed her friends. It was crazy, but she even missed Isaac.

Wiping away the tears, Lyla closed her eyes and hoped that she slept well. It was a long shot considering that she'd hardly slept since their arrival at this place.

It was late afternoon when Lyla woke. She sat up on the mattress, letting the blankets pool around her lap as she scrubbed the crusty rheum from the corners of her eyes. Too long crying, too much time spent rubbing the sore eyes. All she wanted was to go home, yet Lyla knew that for the moment, it was impossible, and she hated it.

When her eyes focused, Lyla noticed that the blankets were curved in a way that was highly unusual, given that it was already five pm. Slowly her head turned, following the lanky body. Lennon was asleep. She was amazed that he was still here or here at all.

No matter how hard she tried to resist, Lyla couldn't turn away. The linen laid over his waist, his torso bare. She looked at the body that she'd adored and wished that things were the way that they'd once been. It wasn't perfect, but she didn't mind. Lyla liked his craziness, his devotion and determination. All the times she'd glared at him, spoke tersely and did her damnedest to keep him at arm's length, he still tried.

For a moment, Lyla considered the thought that watching Lennon sleep was a little creepy, but she ignored it. In these moments, she had him. No Charlton, no purebloods lording it over them. Just Lennon at peace with the world.

It didn't last long. When Lennon shifted, Lyla knew that her time alone with him was drawing to an end. She knew how it would play out from here. Lennon would wake, offer his mediocre apology, which she'd accept, and he'd dress for a night of laughing it up with his new friends. The conversations were riveting. They were everything that a bored vampire might want. Except, Lennon wanted to learn of the past. His past. Charlton held the information, yet Lyla noted that even after a week, Lennon was still waiting for it.

"When will you see the truth?" she murmured softly.

Lennon slowly opened his eyes, looking at the sad woman sitting next to him. Lifting to her, he gently kissed the curve of her shoulder.

"He doesn't have any information. Don't you see that?"

A solitary tear fell down her cheek. Lennon reached out, brushing it away before caressing the soft skin. As he leaned in, Lyla closed her eyes. It was the briefest kiss they'd ever shared, but it meant a lot to her.

She felt the mattress shift. Lyla didn't want to open her eyes; she knew that he was leaving again. Tears welled as she looked at the empty room. The door was slowly swinging shut.

Angry, she threw the sheets back and stormed her way to the door.

"If you leave," she yelled at the fleeing figure. "Then you leave for good."

Lennon turned around. His shirt wasn't done up, boots in his hand. He was so eager to get out the door that he didn't even wait to dress properly before leaving.

"He has information."

"No, he doesn't," Lyla snapped. "And you're a fool if you keep thinking that he does. You walk out that door, Lennon. You run off to your master and sit by his side like the good little puppy you are. One day soon, you might see the truth, then you'll realise how blind you've been."

Lyla turned, slamming the door shut behind her. Lennon huffed, shaking his head as he walked out the door. Merissa turned her head and looked at Adley. They'd been enjoying their quiet moment on the lounge, discussing how best to deal with Lennon when they were ready to leave.

"Well, I did not see that coming. Never thought she'd have the balls to call him a puppy to his face."

Adley huffed with amusement. He didn't think she would either.