I started to speak, but he beat me to it, and I glowered. "Look, I know circumstances are kind of against me because we got here at the same time, but couldn't that just be coincidence?"

"True, but let's go further. You automatically fell in with my friends, and were instantly against the Peters. You could have been trying to get in good with Dale by being on his side, but let's face it, you're not insecure and gutless, or someone who really cares what others think. You're confident in what you think and what you do. When you say or do something, you have good reason," I raised my brows, "which means, you must have good reason to label the Peters as bad, beyond just sucking up to Dale."

He set his jaw. "I don't know anything."

"Bull. Shit." I matched his look.

"If we both know the same thing, why won't you tell me?"

"I don't know whose side you're on." I couldn't help but glanced down a little sadly.

"You really think I'm the bad guy? I've only ever done things to help protect you." He looked confused and frustrated, but I couldn't change my mind.

"I've been lied to too many times to trust what anyone says."

Something large ran passed the dining room wall just then, and my bracelet vibrated faster. My chest clenched instantly, making an involuntary choking-wheezy noise. Louis' head snapped toward the noise and he followed it to the back door. "Don't go out there!" I exclaimed.

"I'm not," he said. He didn't sound scared, and that may have scared me even more. If he is not human, then what is he? He stayed at the door, until we heard the beast's footsteps in the front yard and I ran for the window, narrowly missing a glimpse of it. It had kicked up a cloud of snow, which was still floating back to earth. I waited to see if it would round the house again, but Louis didn't see anything at the back. I only saw a shadow and heard heavy wing beats as it flew over our vehicles.

"I-I think-it's gone now." I glanced over my shoulder, and Louis was wedging a chair under the back door knob, along with the table.

"We'll tell Dale it was a bear," he said, then glanced away before I could say more.

I came away from the door, and he motioned to the couch as he sat down. I sat next to him, and we just stayed like that for a long time. Rigid, Louis' brow furrowed in either deep thought or anger, I wasn't sure. Finally, I had to ask, "Why aren't you yelling?"

He didn't answer right away. "Because I can't..."

"Are you still upset?"

He gave me a look. "What do you think?"

I dropped my gaze to the floor, and tears fell with it. He put a hand on my shoulder, but a long, slow scratch at the door made us both jump up instantly. My skin crackled, and shocked him. "I'm sorry," I said quickly, but he shook his head. His eyes were on the door. He took the lead toward it as a piece of paper slid under the door and a shadow rushed passed the window.

My lungs seized up as I refocused on the paper Louis was reaching for. I snatched it first, and read it. "Say goodbye." I folded it and ripped it up before he could see.

"Kota—"

"I should have never come here." I went back to the couch and started gathering my things.

"What are you doing?" He stood in my way when I started for the door.

"I'm leaving." I tried getting around him, but he was so strong, I pushed myself back every time I pushed against him. "You don't understand, Louis."

"Make me understand." His eyes were set, but mine were too.

"We are not starting this again. You know I can't tell you." I tried brushing passed him, but he grabbed my arm.

"Then don't," he ran his hand up to my shoulder, "but don't go." I tried to argue, but he half-grinned. "We can fight about it tomorrow."

I half-laughed. "I...okay."

He motioned toward the couch, and we both sat. He put an arm around me and I sunk into his solid form, feeling at ease only for a moment before the guilt came. "Why are you doing this?"

He didn't open his eyes. "Remember what I said the other day...One day you'll see I really am on your side... whatever side that is..." Then he was out and I followed shortly after.