"Ahsid, get up, it's six-thirty in the morning,"conveyed Mrs. Ejrehkum.

But Ahsid did not stir. When she removed her covers, she saw Ahsid sleeping fully dressed in a blue T-shirt and black cotton pants. She even had her sneakers on and several cuts on her elbow and her knees. Instinctively, she placed a head on her forehead. Mrs. Ejrehkum's eyes widened in shock. Her body was so hot, it was literally burning. As quick as she could, she prepared a cold water press, applying it to her forehead. Ahsid's father decided to go to work early so that he could home before to spend time with his only daughter. The little household was thrown into a mess as she lay on her bed, sometimes muttering and groaning in her sleep.

When Ahsid opened her eyes, it was one in the afternoon.

"You are awake, oh, thank God,"prayed her mother.

"How long was I out?"

"You were asleep for more than ten hours."

"Only eight hours,"corrected Ahsid but inwardly. Her mother did not possibly know that she gone to sleep at five.

"Why are you fully dressed like this? "

Ahsid cursed herself mentally. She had been so tired that she had almost blown her cover. But, with great fluidity she replied,"Ethan said that a common friend of ours would be having her birthday party yesterday. I had gotten ready but it got abruptly cancelled. I fell asleep as I was tired."

"And when were you planning to tell me about this party? After it got over?"

Ahsid could not believe her ears. Here she was lying sick and all her mother could care about was a stupid make believe party.

"I didn't go so there was nothing to tell."

"Why are you so distant,"rued her mother.

Anger coursed through her veins. Why did she always have to blame her? Could she not understand that she too needed some space? She tried to get up but the pain in her stomach and legs overpowered her.

"Are you hurting anywhere else?"

"No,"lied Ahsid, her index rubbing against her thumb. She just wanted to be alone. Her mother left to bring some food. Ahsid snatched up her phone and messaged Ethan.

Think you can come over? I am not well. You could pretend to bring the notes for me.
Sure...you ok?
Tell you more when you get here. Btw, it was Allison's birthday yesterday n we were supposed to go but the party got cncelled.
The hell!?

Ahsid smiled and then deleted the messages to be on the safe side, covering all her tracks. When she heard the door bell ring, she could not contain her excitement. She heard her mother greeting Ethan, telling how sick I was and that it was a pity yesterday's party got cancelled. She was satisfied to hear Ethan mutter something about irresponsible people trying to throw parties and entered my room.

"Woah, Ahsid you look bad,"he whispered, his blue eyes contorted in concern.

He dragged a stool and settled beside her.

"Now, have you gotten involved with some drug smuggling or gangsters or..."

"As tempting as that might sound, no, I just wanted to talk to you."

She had cooked up a story which Ethan would have to suffice with.

"These few days, Ethan, I have been having terrible nightmares. But, last night, it was extremely difficult."

And she narrated to him about her vision that she had had with him.

Ethan's eyes widened but she saw a pain in his eyes.

"Hey, are you hiding something from me?"

Ahsid raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"You don't look okay and I can see that cut on your elbow. It seems as if you experienced this vision of yours."

Ahsid was stunned. Somthing was amiss.

He suddenly leaned close to her ears, whispering,"Something like the Arouse spell...."

Ahsid could not make a sound. A guttural squeak somehow escaped her throat. "Who are you?"

Ahsid was now frightened.

"Don't be worried, Ahsid. I would never hurt you. I have hidden it so long from you that it broke my heart every single day. But now that you have begun to dabble in my world and want to tell me about it, I guess I should tell you about me."

"Ethan, my parents..."

"They need not know and I understand. I am the King Of The Werewolves, the mightiest Alpha of all the packs."

Ahsid stared at Ethan, dumbfounded.

"I understand if you need some time to process it. So, I will leave you alone."

And he stood up, turning to go when suddenly Ahsid grabbed his hand. Ethan saw himself staring into the brown of her eyes. Ahsid was hurt but somehow, she was desperately trying to make him know that she understood why he hadn't said it earlier. He realized this, gave her one of his characteristic smiles and left.

Ahsid's mother left sometime after to get her medicines. Ahsid felt empty. She throughly understood that Ethan was only protecting him but somehow she just could not forgive him for....all those memories with him meant nothing. Camping outside together, plotting about how to make the world a better place, listening to Nightcore songs.....Ahsid felt the tears rolling down her cheeks.

Suddenly, her phone beeped.

Hey, Ahsid! It's me, Harry. Yu ok?
Harry, cld yu get Dane 2 cme over? No one is hme
Alr8. I just hope evr thng's ok....
Get Zion too or Noah or any damn werewolf....
Alr8, just say if yu re ok or not!

Ahsid did not type anything back. She didn't care anymore about how Harry had apparently got her number and just pulled the covers over her head, suppressing her tears and pain and sorrow.