Something didn't feel right. I laid in the fluff of my blankets that crumbled to the side as I threw them off of me to investigate the house, something that my gut was telling me I should do. My feet pressed into the light blue carpet every time I took a step forward and walked out of my room. I was met with the screaming of my older sister Ada which caused my whole body to jump in fear before I ran to her room. I tried to open her door but it was locked. I started to hit the door with my fists, "Ada! What's wrong!? Open the door!" I yelled for her but she only answered back with her terrified shrieking.

Under my bare feet I could feel something warm and thick. When I looked down I let out a scream of my own. Dark blood covered the floor and seeped under my sister's door. Suddenly her Screams stopped and she was silent. It wasn't until I could hear my mother screaming on the other side of the house and I went into panic mode. I scrambled away to the kitchen slipping a few times because of Ada's blood being on the bottom of my feet. I reached past the stove and grabbed one of the knives on the holder before running to my mother's screams of terror.

"Mom! I'm coming!" I shouted with tears in my eyes, scared that I would be too late. And I was. Her screams died off and when I reached her room I stared in pure terror as I saw my parent's bodies crumbled on the floor in a pool of blood. My mother had a bat in her hand but looking at her it was hard to even recognize her as my mother.

The color red stained the walls in splashes and hand prints. The knife dropped from my hand as I covered my mouth to keep the bile that threatened to rise. This couldn't be happening, but it was.

Behind me I heard a demonic chuckle from within the shadows, "My my what a scene this is." The killer said with amusement, "I'm so happy I'm not you." Whoever the killer was walked up from behind me and leaned himself down to my ear and whispered, "It's so sad that the other girl wasn't your full blooded sister," The monster went to my neck and inhaled, "You both carry different blood. You're the one we were looking for."

"Flower, wake up." A voice told me gently as I felt my body shaking. No, being shaken. I jolted awake and let out a terrified scream as tears streamed down my face and off my chin. I felt strong arms wrap around my small body and slowly rock me back and forth, "Shh, its okay now. You're with me."

I buried myself against him thinking he could shield me from the terrible demons that threaten to scare me. Sobbing, I clutched onto his bare chest in the bed. Stifling out a small cry I ask, "W-when did I g-go to bed?"

Daniel kissed the top of my head, "I moved you to my bed and didn't want to let you go so I laid beside you." He nuzzled me, "You scared the shit out of me when I heard you screaming and crying." He spoke the absolute truth to me. I don't know how but I just knew. I buried myself more against him and his breath stilled. It was like he wasn't expecting me to do this, but something deep inside me wanted his comforting, wanted his arms around me. I wanted to stay like this forever even as my harsh breathing died down and I could hear his heart beat from beneath my ear.

"Are you okay now my little Flower?" He asked as his voice softened on 'Flower' and for some odd reason I felt a shock run through my whole body. I liked it. I gazed up at his glowing blue eyes and gave him a subtle nod before he wiped my eyes with his thumb. Another tear was about to fall but Daniel leaned his head down towards me and caught it with his tongue. A small wave of heat coursed through my body and I'm still trying to understand why I can't build up the courage or even the nerve to run away. I shouldn't be here so he can get killed. I should still be on the run to keep everyone out of my path so they stay safe. Even the people I don't even know yet.

Daniel got up and out of bed while he still held me. His arms held onto me tightly as he swept his hand from beneath my legs and scooped me up.. I leaned my head down against his shoulder and inhaled his lovely scent, closing my eyes so I could enjoy it. Silently, he carried me back downstairs and into the kitchen, but to my surprise the walls were now a different color. It was a light blue. My heart got caught in my throat. He'd changed the color of the walls for me. The scent of fresh pant still lingered in the air. When I looked over and into the living room I noticed the floor was now a white carpeting like the upstairs.

Why would he go through all the trouble of redoing the carpeting and painting the walls for me? And when did he have time to? I could ask myself these questions but that wasn't going to give me a answer. Besides, I don't plan on asking either.

Daniel placed me into one of the stools by the center island and took his time walking into the kitchen. Swiftly he got a mug and filled it with something I wasn't quite sure of before putting it in the microwave. He turned to me as the timer counted down the seconds, "Do you want some hot chocolate? I had some left over from when my sister stayed here."

My tongue ran over my lips as I thought for a second. I haven't had something nice in a while besides bread and the occasional meat that I was able to scavenge, "Y-yes." I whispered, still frightened as my words were stuttered.

I didn't quite understand why this man decided to put up with me. I tried to take in deeper breaths and breathe in and out slowly so I could call down enough without that annoying stutter that always appeared in my voice. My gaze traveled up and down Daniel's body and he seemed to notice as he leaned his elbow against the counter. His gesture was approving and very enjoyable to look at, but I couldn't help my cheeks from warming.

I cleared my throat, "Why are you doing this?" I questioned. I just had to know why. Did he want something from me? Was he going to hurt me?

Daniel let out a small sigh before straightening up his body and turning back to the microwave to retrieve the mug of hot chocolate, "I'm doing this because you're my woman." He spoke, "The moment I laid eyes on you and caught your scent I knew you were born for me." He was honest with his answer leaving nothing out. I sort of just stared at him, processing his words and his body. He was very tempting at the moment but I kept my animal instincts under control.

My brows furrowed slightly, "Yours? My scent?" I was more than confused by now.

He passed the mug to me and took out whipped cream from the fridge, spraying it over the hot drink, "Yes, my body and my Jaguar responded to the sight of you." He put the whipped cream back, "And be careful the drink is very hot." He warned.

I wrapped my small fingers around the mug, "I don't understand what you mean by your Jaguar."

He froze, "Don't you know who you are? What you are?" He asked me with surprise before pausing for a brief second, "Didn't your parents tell you what you were?"

I gave him a small laugh now thinking he might be a little crazy in the head, "The only thing my parents told me was that I was their daughter, Lexi. Are you okay Daniel? Should I ask someone to get one of your siblings over here?"

"Lexi, don't you know you're a shifter too? You're a female Jaguar. Haven't you ever shifted or even felt her?" Daniel questioned me with concern lacing his words. In all honesty I didn't know how to respond. I didn't even know if he was telling me the truth. No, that's a lie. I could hear the honesty ringing in his voice. I just didn't know how to react to it.

I lifted the mug to my lips and took a small sip and whispered wondering if he could still hear me, "I felt something always wanting to emerge but I've been too afraid and I would always force it back down." My eyes searched his for his response but he just stood there silent. Just him standing there in front of me, eyes on me, and his swift intake of breath made me want to go to him. To leap from the bar stool and over the counter top into his arms, but then I'd seem like the crazy one. He was probably trying to think this through. What is a Jaguar shifter and how was I one when I never even knew?

"Lexi," He began, "I think the next time you feel your female urging you to shift you shouldn't fight it." He let out a long breath and threaded his fingers through his hair, "Now that I'm here Lexi your Jaguar will notice and will be fighting to break free. Haven't you ever heard of people destine to be with one another?" He asked as he took a seat next to me on a different stool.

I nodded my head. My mother had talked to me about this. About me being destine with someone but I won't know who until I found them. My mother had hinted at many things and this was one of those them. She told me of the urges, the heat rushes, the emotion. Daniel's hand swept to the back of his head while he looked unsure. I took another sip of the sweet chocolate before confirming to him, "My mother talked to me about that all the time."

Daniel placed his hand on my arm but not in a threatening way. He rubbed my upper arm in a circle with his thumb, "So then you should understand what I'm saying. We were meant to be together Lexi." Once again honesty ran through every word, "You're my woman, I will protect you while my heart still beats."

Protect. He won't be able to protect me from what is chasing me. The shadows will come and they will kill him without a second thought. But before that they'll make sure to have me watching ever drop of blood drain from Daniel's body until he ran dry. My breathing started to quicken and my heart beat heavily in my chest, "I can't be here." I put the mug down and got up, "I can't put you in harm's way."

As I got up his hand gripped around my upper arm tightened until I couldn't get away. I tried to pull but his hand didn't budge, "Please, you don't understand. They'll kill you and they'll make me watch." I begged.

Daniel's eyes turned from cool blue to a threatening black in an instant, "You're not going anywhere Flower. You're mine and nobody can take away anything that is mine. I've had a lot of shit thrown at me. Everything that has come at me has been bad and hurt my family, but this time I'm given something that I'll never let go of."

I shook my head and tried to pull away again, "Please, I'm begging you. Let me go."

Daniel's closed his eyes  but once he opened them they switched back to blue, "Lexi, I'm sorry but I'm not letting you go anywhere." His tone was once again gentle and not the strict command.

My gazed searched his blue eyes for a second before I let out a sigh of defeat and sat back down on the stool. Daniel loosened his hold on my arm, "I promise that you're safer here than you are out in the woods." Even after his promise it didn't help anything. I've seen what that monster can do and I didn't want to wake up one morning and find Daniel lying dead on the ground in a pool of his own blood. I don't think I could go through something like that again.

With a small sigh I only nodded my head as my fingers wrapped back around the mug. Daniel stood up from the stool and I didn't pay any attention to him. I could feel his eyes on me even as I raised the mug once again to my mouth and took a sip. The chocolate was rich and this time it was cooled down a little. It didn't burn my mouth like the first few sips did. A small gasp escaped my mouth when Daniel's arms wrapped themselves around my tiny frame, his face buried in the nape of my neck.

"Flower, you have to trust me when I say that you are safe here." His voice sounded desperate which didn't seem like him. I never thought of a guy with his demeanor would sound so desperate.

His words pulled at my heart and this time I listened to my gut just like I did on that hellish day when I lost my whole family. I took in a long breath and closed my eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. Setting the mug down I answered in a low tone, "I trust you."

-Hey guys! Sorry that this chapter took a little while to publish, but I've been busy with my personal life and other stories. If you guys want me to publish another chapter then tell me and I won't wait as long as I did. Anyways, if you want you can vote, comment, and follow and I shall see you all in the next chapter! Byeeeeeeeeee-