After a while we both headed to bed and this time I put more faith into Daniel. In the morning, strands of light peeked from beneath the snow white curtains and splayed over my eyes. I shifted in the bed and buried my face against Daniel to hide from the brightness but instead Daniel sat up with a groan. From his shifting weight I almost slid behind him but he caught me.

His hand rubbed my back, "Come on Lexi. Rise and shine."

I let out a small mumble before rolling over and putting one of the pillows over my head. I did my best to fall back asleep but instead Daniel had different ideas. The pillow was snatched away. This was hopeless. So utterly hopeless if I tried fighting back. So I hid under the covers.

"Come on Lexi." Daniel groaned again, "I have places to go and you're holding me up."

I pulled the blanket down and stuck out my tongue before he began to talk again, "If you don't want to get up I'll just have to make you." He said with a little bit of tease. I opened my eyes to roll them. He didn't intimidate me and I bet he knew that. Even after last night's events I still planned to go on the run. I did have faith in him but if he died because of me I would never forgive myself.

I sat up as he wrapped his arms comfortably around my small waist, "And what places do you have to go to?" My curiosity got the best of me. He gave me a smile to which my heart jumped.

One of his arms removed themselves from my waist and his hand swept my cheek in a small caress, "I want you to meet people in the town." He leaned down and kissed the spot his hand touched, "This whole town is like a family to me. We all look out for one another and will protect each other."

I couldn't help but admire Daniel before I spoke, "Alright."

Daniel's smile widened and it warmed my heart to see it. He was the type of man that doesn't seem to usually smile much but here he was beaming. Daniel got up and out of bed, "Before we go I'm going to take a shower. Please feel free to wander around if you want to just don't go into the basement."

My eyes widened. I never thought of wandering this three story house by myself. It excited me. I gave Daniel a quick nod until I remembered something, "Hey Daniel?"

Daniel turned away from his dresser and had his full attention on me, "Yes Flower?"

"Why was there a gun between the cushion of the love seat?" I had to ask. Why did he need weapons in between the cushion? If he had a weapon there I'm sure he had more scattered in this house. I looked to Daniel for an answer but he didn't respond. I caught my lower lip between my teeth. Maybe I just passed a boundary with him. I stayed silent.

"I have weapons in the house to make it safer." He stated, "I have many enemies."

"Are you part of a crime family?" I blurted it out. I couldn't help myself and I immediately wanted to take it back. That's not something you just ask someone. Especially if it could be true.

Daniel only shook his head before retrieving clothes from the dresser and heading to the bathroom, "I am not part of a crime family. I'm a cop."

A cop? I never thought he would be a cop. Even with this new information it didn't make me feel any safer. I couldn't even say anything else because when my mouth opened to say more the bathroom door closed. I guess it was time for wandering the house. I could hear the water running for his shower and I decided to get out of his room. A thought raced to my mind. If Daniel was in the shower then I could make a run for it. I'd take the chance. I went to the love seat and pulled the pistol out from under the cushion, carefully slipping it in my waist band of my pants with the handle still sticking out. I knew the gun was noticeable but as long as it could fit I was fine.

That was when I did it. I scurried down stairs and silently opened the back door. The back of his house seemed almost similar to the front except there was a beautiful garden of scattering flowers and a large hot tub. The hot tub was in the ground with roses scattered around it. As I marveled to gorgeous sight the door slammed behind me when my fingers slipped from the handle.

I cursed under my breath. Daniel probably heard it and now I had to run. I took off into a sprint. The house slowly disappearing as I sped away on foot. I made sure to breathe with my nose more than my mouth and take in deeper breaths to reserve my energy to allow it to lasting longer. I could hear leaves beginning to crumble from behind me and I already knew who it was.

Daniel.

Why didn't he just let me run away? Oh right, we were destined. My heart sunk with that thought. My mother always told me to stay with my destined partner no matter what and here I was running away from him. But only because I was protecting him from my demons. I didn't want him to be caught up in my problems and have to pay for it in the end.

Out of nowhere I was tackled to the ground. It wasn't hands that tackled me it was paws. I fell into the dirt and covered my face with my arms to prevent anything doing damage there. Strong paws held me down but soon enough the paws shifted to hands. Whoever was behind me gripped my shoulders and forced me up with a growl.

"What were you thinking!?" Daniel shouted at me, "I thought you had faith in me!?" He sounded both angry and hurt as he yelled at me.

When I got a better look at him I noticed his chest was bare and in general, he wasn't wearing anything. I took in a breath, "I didn't want you to get hurt." I winced at the face he gave me. He looked terribly hurt.

Daniel shook his head, "You hurt me by running away." He told me, "Please, give me a chance Lexi."

I ran my tongue over my now dry lips, "I don't want to see you dead." I said with tears now forming.

Daniel's face soften and his grip loosened, "My little Flower, I promise that you won't see me dead. I'm stronger than you think I am." I knew he was telling the truth but at the same time it was hard to believe, "You have nothing to worry about. I know that once everyone in the town knows you belong to me then they'll protect you to."

I searched his blue eyes, "But what happens if I put you and the town's people in harm's way?" I wouldn't be able to bear with more deaths weighing me down. The previous deaths still haunt me to this day and they always will.

Daniel stroked my cheek with his hand, "Flower, it warms my heart that you're worried about them but you should put faith into them too. They've all fought by my family's side and now my sibling and I consider them part of my family." His mouth formed a small smile, "Even Mrs. Agni who just turned eighty years old a few weeks ago can fire a gun without missing. To be honest she can be scary but she always forgets where she puts everything."

I laughed a little and Daniel laughed with me. His eyes seemed to smile at me when I gazed at him, "Are we still going into the town?" I asked.

Daniel nodded, "As long as you don't run off on me. The only time you can run away is if I trying to sing, other than that you're going to stand by my side at all times. Got it?"

"Okay Daniel." I told him. He looked satisfied but suddenly I felt something deep down in me began to rise. I clutched my stomach and my breathing turned into ragged pants for air. Daniels arms went around my back as he pushed my body against his naked one.

His mouth went down to my ear, "Don't fight it my little flower. Let it blossom. Whatever is trying to escape just let it emerge. Don't be scared of it because she is there to protect you."

"W-who?" I gasped.

"Your Jaguar." He whispered in my ear.

The powerful rise inside me continued but I did as Daniel told me. I didn't fight it. I could feel the claws pawing at the back of my mind. The fur brushing and the growl. I let the power consume me and I felt the world turn and spin around me. I felt dizzy and began to say about but Daniel kept me from tripping over my two feet. I closed my eyes tightly as whatever was trying to break free was vicious and dangerous. I cried out in pain and felt my limbs shift. My eyes changed and my human body disappeared. My mind was pushed back as the power continued to push forward until it was like I was looking out of someone else's eyes but couldn't talk. Soon the pain faded but I felt like I was strapped down to a chair to prevent injury.

"That's my girl." Daniel told me in a gentle voice.

I was so confused. What did he mean? Before I could really think about it I was hit with a flow of another set of emotions and thoughts that I couldn't quite read. But I understood them. My Jaguar was telling me that it was okay. She was trying to sooth my panic. I noticed that she was just as nervous as I was. Daniel's hand brushed over my Jaguar's fur and she pressed herself against his hand.

Daniel crouched and nuzzled my Jaguar and I felt the rumbling purr shake the cats frame. 

"How about you shift back now." Daniel purred back, "Tomorrow night I'll allow you and my Jaguar to have your own time together." 

I could hear her purr of approval as she nuzzled a bit more against Daniel.

I didn't even know it until I saw my hands. I was shifted back. Daniel beamed at me and I knew he was proud of me. My face heated up a little but something seemed different. His eyes turned from his natural blue to pitch black. I watched him, "Are you okay Daniel?"

Daniel growled as he tilted his head back and inhaled deeply, "People are trespassing on my territory." His head whipped in the opposite direction I was, "Go back to the house and keep the gun. When you get to the house make sure you wear one of my shirts."

That's when it hit me. I wasn't wearing any clothes because the shift had shredded them. I looked down and saw the strips of what used to be my faded jeans and green t-shirt. My neck heated up like my face was, burning red,  as I wrapped my arms around my chest and crossed my legs.

"Go now!" Daniel commanded obviously getting impatient.

I was about to do as I was told but something told me different. I walked up to Daniel quietly and brought my lips to the corner of his mouth and kissed. He stiffened up before moving his head so his mouth was now on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed deeper but eventually pulled back in small pants, "I want to see you back at the house in one piece please."

Daniel cracked a smile, "I have to be in one piece to be able to do this again." He brought his mouth back down on mine and kissed me again.   

-Hey guys! Here's another chapter and I apologize for the wait of this one. I hope you guys enjoy it and I shall see you all in the next chapter! Byeeeeeeeeeeee-