I relaxed in my seat as I gazed out the window at the trees passing by. Today was a beautiful day. The sun wasn't too hot and the wind wasn't too strong. The air was fresh and breathable and I was in a good mood.

It has been two days since Mykel and I mated and it was still fresh in my mind. The way he held me all throughout the night and kissed me every ten seconds. Moments like those are meant to be cherished forever. We all have good and bad times but pushing away the bad ones and keeping the goods one was all that matters.

Today it was just me and grandma. She told me of a long time friend who just moved here and she wanted to visit her. I couldn't say no when she asked me to accompany her. I've been at home way too many Saturdays so going out this once was good for me. Mykel's only response when I told him that I won't be home was that I should be careful. Since we mated and I bare his mark, he'll be able to tell if I was in danger and will be there in a split second to save me.

Talk about having a super hero. I smiled to myself at that thought.

"So who exactly is this friend grandma?", I asked as I turned and looked at her.

"Just a long time close friend of mine. We were both banned from performing spells but she didn't stop. Instead she left the town and didn't return", she replied as I stared at her. So her friend is also witch...good to know.

"You said its been 30 years since you performed spells. Does that mean you don't have any powers again?", I asked feeling my curiosity getting the best of me.

"I didn't lose my powers Lina. They're just not active right now. They haven't been for years", she replied before slowing the car.

"But that means you can still activate them right?", I asked but she only looked at me.

"Why would I need to activate them? In this day and age I don't have use for powers. I'm fine living my life freely with no risks or responsibilities. There's a huge burden being a witch which one has to bare."

I remained quiet after that.

The car came to a halt and then she turned the engine off. I was the first to jump out and walked around to her side. I stared at the small, wooden building. It didn't look like nothing but a craft shop. The outside was highly decorated with ancient ornaments and different types of figurines. It reminded me of those places in the middle of nowhere or those dead end towns.

"She's inside", my grandma said and I followed her inside the place. I just hoped it doesn't collapse on us. The bell rang as the door opened. I was hit with a strong breeze which was surprising considering that the outside was calm. The air wasn't as fresh and the place had a weird to smell to it.

"Hilda?", my Grandma called out before we heard a shuffling sound. Suddenly a woman popped out of nowhere and grinned widely at us.

"Naya, it's been so long", Hilda said as she wrapped my grandma in a very suffocating hug. I stood still as I took in her features. Her face was freckled and had a red hue to it. Her loose silver hair complimented her deep green eyes. She was wearing a short brown dress with hippie boots. She looked like she definitely owned the shop.

"Ah, it has. This is Lina my granddaughter. Lina this is Hilda the friend I told you about", my grandma spoke and I waved at her with a sweet smile.

"Nice to meet you Lina, you're quite the beauty. Your grandma was very beautiful back then too. Even men who were married still complimented her", she said next as I looked at grandma. They sure had an interesting past together.

"That was then. Why don't we catch up on things?", Grandma said as her smile widened.

"Sounds great. Let's have some nice, warm tea. Lina feel free to look around the place but be careful what you touch", Hilda said before pulling my Grandma away.

I sighed as I started to look around. The place was indeed filled with many different craft items and jewelry. They seemed like they were worth alot so I didn't touch anything. I went to the right where there were some books neatly stacked. I started going through them when my ears suddenly picked up a sound coming from over the counter.

I listened again and sure enough I heard it again. I was going to regret this but I had to push my fear away. I opened the small side door and went around. The sound was coming from a small cabinet that was in the corner. I went up to it slowly knowing I should just leave it alone but I was never the one to follow my mind.

Before I could open it, the door bursted open and a cat jumped right on top of me. I fell back and groaned as my back hit the floor. I opened my eyes and was met with those of a black cat. Its eyes watched me as I took in its features. For a cat it was much bigger than normal. Its eyes were a dark shade of yellow and its whiskers were quite long.

I sat up and ran my hand through It's fur. It purred and I smiled down at it.

"You're so soft", I whispered out as I continued stroking it. The cat looked at me as if it was staring right into my soul. I stopped midway when it jumped off my lap and started backing away. I was about to reach for it but then the unexpected happen. It started shifting and before you know it, I found myself staring at a guy's naked figure.

I scrambled off my feet and stepped away from him. He was a shifter.

He wasn't fully built but he was bigger than I could imagine. His hair was a ginger color and those eyes were the same color as his inner cat. He didn't look intimidating if I was being honest. His face was slightly red and so was his lips.

"Who are you?", I asked not taking my eyes off him.

"Jaylen Forester but you can call me Jay. Nice to meet you", he replied in a surprisingly sweet voice as he bowed to me.

"You're a shifter", I said but it came out more like a question.

"Well, last time I checked I could turn into a cat so I guess I am", he replied with a small chuckle. He didn't give off bad energy like Jace and his group. If more so I felt like I could trust him with anything and I didn't even know him.

"And your name is?", he asked as he continued smiling at me.

"Nalina but you can call me Lina", I replied as I bit my lip.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. My room is upstairs, I need some clothes", he said as he started coming towards me. I moved from around the counter and away from him. I still wasn't sure about him.

"I'll be right back, don't go anywhere", he said as he rushed past me and around the back. I didn't even know this small place had an upstairs. Wait what? Now that was quite puzzling. I didn't have to wait long as Jay appeared infront of me in a split second fully dressed.

"There, clothed and ready to talk with Lina", he said as kept smiling at me. He was too overjoyed.

"I have so many questions. Why are you here? Are you close to Hilda? How old are you and does she know you are a shifter?", the questions flew out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

"Hilda and I are not related. She took me in after my family left me. She's all I have. I'm eighteen and yes she knows everything about me", he replied calmy as I listened to him.

I took a seat in the corner and crossed my legs. He sat opposite of me on the floor with a smile on his face.

"Why are you always smiling?", I asked but he only grinned wider.

"Well, I don't have any friends. Hilda home schooled me because it was dangerous for me to be out in public. She said that I was special but I don't believe it. I mean what was so special about being a cat? Most days I stay in my room wondering if I'll get to go out or make any friends. But now I have a friend and I don't know why but I feel like I can trust you. I feel like we have more in common than we know."

I listened intently to what he said and was about to reply but I was interrupted by Hilda's voice coming our way. When she spotted me and Jay her smiled widened.

"Lina I see you've met Jaylen. He's a little eccentric at times but I love him no less", Hilda said and I saw Jay's cheeks heating up. I laughed but it wasn't meant to be rude. He was just too cute.

"We're leaving now so take care, we have to meet up sometime next week. It was nice to see you again Hilda", my Grandma said as I saw her eyes watering.

"You as well Naya, and of course we'll meet next week. By the way I was thinking that since you said Lina isn't working, I could offer her a job here", Hilda said and I looked at her. I didn't think this was a good idea.

"That would be nice. You can work after school plus this will be good for Jay. You two can work together and hang out. He's quite lonely here", my Grandma said and I looked at Jay. I could see the hopefulness in his eyes and I groaned mentally.

"Fine", I said as a huge grin broke out on his face.

"Great, it's settled. You can start Monday after school. Take care both of you", Hilda said as we waved at her and left the shop.

"She doesn't seem all that bad and neither does Jay", I said as we entered the car.

Grandma only gave me a smile before starting the car. I had two things on my agenda for monday: go to work and find out as much as I can about Jaylen.

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