Anna's snoring woke me from a sound sleep. She was spread out in my bed while I clung to the edge. After several failed attempts at pushing her to her own side, I decided to get up. Grabbing my bathrobe, I headed to my window. While glancing out over the expansive, white yard the smooth snow gleamed in the morning sun light. I almost missed it, but down below my window there seemed to be deep impressions in the snow. I couldn't be entirely sure, but they sure looked like large dog prints. My stomach jumped to my throat.

"Oh no," I ran out of the room and down the stairs.

I quickly pulled on my snow boots, and ran to the side of the house. Directly below my window were four large paw prints.

"Shit."

I turned and ran back into the house and to my room. I grabbed my cellphone and called Connor.

"What?" I heard him mumble sleepily.

"They were here! Connor the bastards were here last night," I cried.

"Who?"

"The wolves. Or at least one of them."

"How do you know?" he asked.

"There were four huge paw prints outside my window."

"Are you sure it wasn't just a dog?" he was suddenly alert and oriented.

"Yeah, these are not normal dog prints. They were huge. They know where I live! My God they know which room is mine!" I tried stressing to him.

"Okay, don't freak out. As soon as Anna leaves get ready and I'm picking you up. We'll do dinner and you're staying at my place until further notice. So pack a bag."

"I can't just stay at your place."

"Why not?" he asked.

"What about my mom?"

I heard him sigh on the other end, "Fine. We'll stay at your house. I'm staying in your room. Close to you, so I can protect you."

"Okay. Fine," I hung up and went back into the house.

I didn't want to wake anybody, so I went to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. I stood at the sink staring out over the yard. I kept scanning the tree line for any sign of a dog, wolf, or animal. There was nothing but snow, and snow covered trees for as far as I could see. The house was too isolated. It would have been easy for the wolf to get in and eat me last night.

So, why didn't it attack? Was it making sure this was really my house? I can't keep living like this and I definitely can't put mom or Anna in danger. If I leave, will the wolf follow? A million thoughts ran through my mind all at once.

The aroma of the candy cane flavored coffee wafted from the pot, and slowly filled the house. Within no time a sleepy Anna drug herself into the kitchen.

"What's for breakfast?" she asked rubbing her eyes.

"Eggos are in the freezer," I said absently.

"Delicious," she said rolling her eyes.

"Hey it's food, and at least it's not McDonald's," I yawned while pouring us both coffee.

"There's nothing wrong with those McGriddles. They're yummy."

"Yes, and for normal humans it goes straight to the ass. Not all of us have super metabolisms like you."

"I like eating whatever I want," she smiled.

"Oh eat your eggos," I moaned.

"You're not eating?"

"I'm not really hungry."

"My mom never lets me eat these!" she said shoving a forkful of the crispy waffle in her mouth.

I suppressed a laugh as syrup dribbled down her chin.

"Your mom doesn't let you eat anything that's not homemade."

"I know! It sucks!"

"Stop complaining. Your mom's cooking is good."

"Eh," she muttered with her mouth full.

"Are you sure you're eighteen?"

"Mm hmm."

"You sure as hell don't act it," I shook my head while sipping at the lovely brew in my mug.

"Not all of us can be as responsible and perfect as you," she retorted.

"Touché."

"So, are you going to see him today?"

"He's taking me to dinner tonight."

"Oh, where?"

"I don't know," I sat in a chair opposite the girl and yawned again.

"You're awfully sleepy."

"I know. I didn't know that I invited a chainsaw to sleep over last night," I grumbled.

"Oh ha. You never complained before."

"I always complain about the hacksaw in your throat."

She opened her mouth and showed me the chewed up waffle.

"Attractive. Do that and I'm sure Toby will be more than happy to go to Rush with you on Valentine's Day."

"Did you finish all your work?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm dropping it off when I get to class."

"Are you going on Tuesday?"

"Yeah, well Tuesday night." I said.

"Hmm."

"Don't hmm me. It's hard juggling this internship and class," I yawned.

"Then why did you go for the position?"

"To prove I can do it. Just because it's hard doesn't mean I'm not doing it."

"Mm hmm," she said with her mouth full.

We chatted the rest of the morning about nothing in particular or really important. It was the first day of semi-normality and reality I'd had in a while. It was refreshing. There was no drama. There was no talk of fairy tales trying to kill anyone, and no Connor making my stomach do flips. But seeing those tracks outside my window kept nagging at the back of my mind.

"It's almost one," Anna said staring at the clock on the wall.

"I know."

"I need to get home before mom calls the FBI to report me kidnapped or something."

"She knows you came over, right?"

"Yeah, but you know her. She'll still call."

"She knows you're an adult, doesn't she? What is she going to do when you move out or heaven forbid get married?"

"You need to date to get married."

"Anna, you need a life."

"That's why I have you, love!"

I laughed and followed her to the bedroom. She packed up her things, and I hopped in the shower. My dose of reality was over; it was time to get ready to see Connor. My heart leapt and my stomach flipped, he did crazy things to me, and I loved every moment of it.