Chapter 1 Chapter 1

STELLA My day starts like any other. I wake up early, shower, and get dressed ready for the school day. I make my way into the kitchen, where I make breakfast for myself and some quick toast for my dad. As I make lunch for both of us, let me introduce myself: My name is Stella Sullivan. I have long, curly amber hair and sapphire blue eyes. I am quite petite at only 5ft, however; I try to make up for that with my attitude. The best thing is that I'll be eighteen in three months. I live in a small house, in a simple neighbourhood, just outside the big city. It's just me and my dad, Max Sullivan, now as my mother Marie was killed four years ago in a hostage situation at the local grocery store. She was trying to protect a young mum with her baby when the shooter shot her in the back. Little did I know just how much losing my mum would change my life... My Dad didn't take my mother's death well, and as far as I know, he was still going to work, but he was a shadowed shell of himself. My mum was teaching me how to cook before she was killed, so I took over when all Dad wanted to do was sleep and order takeout when not at work. I guess I grew up much quicker than I would have if Mum was still around. Once I have made our lunch, I leave it on the kitchen counter as I go to my dad's room. I open the door and walk over to the window. I open the curtains, and then as I walk past the bottom of his bed; I tap his feet, saying. "Come on, Dad. Time to get up..." I wait for a minute, and then when he doesn't move; I slap my hand on his feet once more, saying louder, "Dad... Come on, you will be late for work..""Aww... Just five more minutes... Sweetheart." He groans as I laugh at him, and I tug a little on his blanket. "Dad, you sound worse than me... Come on, get up! Lunch is done and on the kitchen counter, and so is your breakfast. Which is going cold, by the way..." He groans again as I tug on his blanket a little more, "Come on, Dad. I have to go, or I will be late for school and you will be late for work. Now get up..." He sighs this time as sits up before he moves over to the side of the bed. I smile as I give him a quick hug and leave his room. I then grab my backpack, head out the door, and walk to school. It doesn't take me long to get to school, where I meet up with my best friends, Whytt, and Macy. I walk up to Macy and give her a hug as Whytt moves from leaning on the fence to give me a hug and a quick kiss once I pull away from Macy. Whytt has always given me a quick kiss ever since we met five years ago, I have had a secret crush on him for the last two years but he like all the boys at our school has his eyes on the school's slut Savannah, however, that has only been for the last year or so because before that he didn't like her. He didn't like how she used me to make her look better or help her get guys to sleep with her. She was even worse if the guy showed much more interest in me instead of her. She then always tried harder until that guy didn't look at me again. This is why I was surprised that I had managed to keep my boyfriend at the time to myself for as long as I did. I'm fairly sure in the last year alone Savannah has been with nearly every boy twice except for Whytt as far as I know and I am sure a lot of that is because he is my friend and she thinks he might be gay, not that, that has stopped her before. We make our way into the school and to our lockers. Whytt is walking next to me with his arm around my shoulders and my arm wrapped around his waist. However, it is also wrapped around Macy making it so that it doesn't look like we are actually a couple, even though I would like that more than anything. Once we get to my locker, I reluctantly pull away from Whytt, open my locker, and sort through the textbooks and folders that I will need for classes before lunch. As I put the final textbook into my backpack, the bell buzzes for the start of first class. I give Whytt our traditional quick kiss and give Macy a hug, unfortunately; we don't have any classes together, so I won't see either of them until lunch. My classes are quite boring as I have done most of the work already so as all the other students sit pondering their assignments I am working on my college applications, not that we can afford for me to go to any of the big colleges unless I can get a scholarship which I am also working on filling out. I met up with Whytt and Macy for lunch by our regular tree and watched all the other students mingling around; I wasn't listening to whatever Macy was talking about. I was too busy watching Whytt until I did another scan of the people around us and saw Savannah and her posse walking in our direction. Savannah and I used to be friends and I should have known that she would have gotten her way eventually, She proved that when I caught her having sex with my boyfriend at my 16th birthday party after I told him I still wasn't ready to have sex with anyone yet, however; I was reconsidering agreeing to have sex with him when I walked in on them. I dumped him and stopped talking to her. That is when I met Macy and she became my friend. Savannah then started rumours about me. She more or less gave me her reputation of getting with as many guys as possible and as often as possible. Unfortunately, she now seems to have her eyes on Whytt as she walks up and stops in front of Whytt and says, "Whytt! There's a party this weekend at Max's. Do you want to go with me?""I.. I.. I.." Whytt stuttered, but he was saved from answering as the bell buzzed, signalling to return to our lockers, and then head to class. After we got to our lockers, Macy was the first one to finish picking up her books. Whytt was next, but before he could walk away, I put my hand on his arm and said, "I know you now like her, Whytt, but please don't get fooled into thinking she likes you for anything more than just some fun and laughs with her friends later..." He just looked at me, shrugged, gave me our friend's kiss, and then walked away. I sigh and make my way to the last of my classes. I am a little worried that Whytt will fall into Savannah's trap and she will break his heart after taking him to bed, as she has done to quite a few of the guys she has been with. Unfortunately, I now can't concentrate and like with all my other classes, I am way in front of this one too, so I put my hand up and as the teacher stops next to my desk, I ask. "Sir, may I be excused?""Of course, Stella. See you in class on Monday!""Thank you, Sir!" I put all my things back into my backpack, get up, and leave the room. I call past my next class and knock softly on the door, "Sorry to disturb you, Miss...""Come on in, Stella, everyone is working. What can I do for you?" I reach into my backpack, pull out the latest assignment she had given us, and pass it to her, as I say. "I have finished the assignment, and I wanted to let you know that I am going home early.""Of course, Stella, this assignment wasn't due until next week, anyway...""I know. I just like to keep in front of everything. So I will see you on Monday!""See you then, Stella!" I give her a small quick wave and then leave the room, I quickly go to my locker and place all my books inside, I then send Macy a text telling her that I have left early, so she doesn't wait for me as I slowly walk home thinking about how I can convince Whytt not to go to the party on the weekend with Savannah. With this playing on my mind, I am not really paying attention until I go to walk up my driveway and realise that my dad's car is still there. Confused as to why he would be home from work so early, I make my way to the front door. However, as I open the door; I hear voices coming from the kitchen. One is my Dad, the other I don't recognise. "Does it have to be now? I haven't had the chance to tell her yet. ""Yes, it's not my fault you left it so late to tell your daughter about it. Max, she starts Monday morning! It's the only time she can be shown what to do without the big boss being there.""But she has school! I thought we agreed that she could finish out the school year?""And she can we have a school that she can finish the year at... Max, are you going back on...?" I don't want to interrupt, but they must have heard me shut the front door, as the guy I don't know stops talking, and they both turn towards me as I reach the kitchen door "Hi, sweetheart! What are you doing home?""Hi Dad, I couldn't concentrate and I was in front of everyone with my work, so when I asked my teachers if I could come home early, they had no argument. What are you doing home so early? You did go to work this morning, didn't you? You haven't lost your job?""Yes, I went to work, and no, I didn't lose my job... But there is..." I hear someone clear their throat. I move my eyes and attention from my father to the young man who is standing on the other side of the room. My dad looks at the man and then at me before he seems to sigh and makes the introductions. "Sorry! Stella, this is my boss, Benjamin. Benjamin, this is my daughter Stella.""It's nice to finally meet you, Stella! Your dad has had only good things to say about you!" He holds out his hand. I hesitate just a little before extending my hand and shaking his. I then look back at Dad. "Sooo... Dad, what is going on?""Um... Can I have a moment with my daughter, please, Benjamin?""Sure, I have to make a phone call, anyway. Give me a yell when you are done." I watch as he walks out of the kitchen, and once I hear the front door close; I turn back to Dad. I just wait for my dad to explain. He seems to pale as he says. "Stella, sweetheart, come sit.." We move to the kitchen table, and I sit as he continues. "I.. Um.. I...""Dad? It's okay, you can tell me..""I got a promotion at work, but we will have to move over the weekend so I can start work on Monday..""MOVE....? WHERE?""It's a small town about a day and a half's travel, everything is supplied..""What?? Dad, we can't move... What about school? And all the scholarships and applications for college I am applying for.""Benjamin says that there is a high school there to finish this year's studies and there is even a small college for next year and they cover all tuition...""What about my friends?""You will make more friends, Stella. I'm sorry, but we have to do this. Oh, and one more thing, you will be working too..." I stand and yell "WHAT??""Stella, calm down... I had no choice. It was either take the promotion and the work for you or lose my job completely...""YOU DID WHAT??.... I'M NOT DOING IT AND I'M NOT GOING... YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!" I yell at him and storm off to my room. "YES, I CAN... Stella... Stella, come back here..." I ignore him as I slam my door and throw myself onto my bed. I lay there and cried. A short time later, there was a soft knock on the door. I sit up, cross my legs, and take a few deep calming breaths while I wipe the tears from my cheeks and eyes as I say, "Come in!" I keep my eyes down and don't look at the person who enters, already knowing who it will be. "I'm sorry, Stella, but I really didn't have a choice..""Why didn't you have a choice? And why do I have to work? When I have my studies?""My position here in the company is being disbanded. However, the next position up from mine was available in the Big Boss's hometown, and everyone in the Big Boss's hometown works.""Well, you can take the promotion and move while I stay here with either Whytt or Macy. I can finish school, join you and work over the summer break, and then head off to one of the colleges...""You can't stay here. You also start work on Monday." I sigh and then lift my eyes to him as I realise that I am not going to win this argument. I then wonder how long he has known about this, as I ask. "How long have you known we would have to move?""I knew about the promotion last week, but Benjamin only told me today that we had to be there for you to start work Monday morning...""Wait!!.. I start Monday morning... Don't you mean you start Monday morning and I start after school?""I'm sorry again, your work starts at 5 a.m. till 8:30 a.m. Monday morning and then you have school from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. and then back to work from 4 p.m. till 10 p.m. and I will be working from 9 a.m. till 7 p.m. ""But Dad, when am I meant to have time for myself? Time for friends? Time to do my homework?" He looks at me but doesn't answer my question this time as he turns and leaves my room, saying. "You need to be packed. We leave in the morning at 7 a.m. sharp." I groan and fall forward, hitting my bed with my fists, burying my head in my blankets and letting out a scream of frustration before I get to my feet and start to pack, still pissed at my dad for not discussing it with me first. I think it was about 1 a.m. when I collapsed and passed out on my bed.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

STELLA I wake up with a groan as I hear a bang on the door. I was surprised when I heard my dad's voice yell through from the other side. “Stella!! Stella!! Time to get up...” I sit up and look around at all the packing I did last night. I hadn't realised that I had gotten so much done before sleep became too inviting. I get up, head to the bathroom, and have a quick shower. I forgot to take my clothes in with me, so not really thinking, I walked out of the bathroom with my towel wrapped around me, heading back to my room when I bumped into a guy in the hallway. “Sorry...” I mumble, startled as I feel two hands grab my upper arms, stopping me from falling. “Good morning Stella!” I look up and see that it is Benjamin. “Good morning. What are you doing here?”“We are here to help you two move..” That’s when I look around and see that the house is full of men. I quickly put my hands on my towel, making sure it was fully around me and nothing was showing. I pull back out of his hands, embarrassed, and move quickly into my room, shutting the door behind me. I quickly get dressed. As I finish pulling my shirt over my head, there is a knock on the door. “Stella, are you dressed? Can we start taking your stuff out?” I walk over to the door and open it to find Benjamin standing and leaning his shoulder on the doorframe, “Sure.” I smile and say as I step back, go over to my bed and sit down as five other men make their way into my room and within about five minutes, the room is bare. I look around the room and ask, “Benjamin? Dad said that I would be working. What type of work will I be doing when we get there?”“It is mainly a cleaning job for the big boss.” I looked at him, a little worried, as he continued, “Don’t worry Stella! Axel is a simple man. As long as you stay out of his way, don’t look him in the eyes and if he tells you to do something, you do it straight away, you will not have a problem with him. Anyway, one of the females will give you a rundown of what you will need to do once you get there.” I am still a little worried about this big boss Axel and what did he mean by females? I guess I will find out on Sunday evening. I go to say something else when we hear my dad call, “Stella, time to go!” I get up and grab my backpack, look around the room once more, when I see my phone still sitting on my bedside table. I walk over and pick it up before turning around and bumping into Benjamin again, who had quietly moved up behind me. Again, he stops me from falling over, wrapping his arms around me. He then pulls back a little, moving his hand to the piece of my fringe that likes to escape my ponytail, running it back and forth through his fingers as he whispers. “The boss is really going to love you!!” A shiver of something runs through me at his words. I didn’t get a chance to say anything in return or question what he meant as he stepped back, turned around, and walked out of my room. I shake my head, thinking that was really weird and a little creepy. I look at my phone and see that it is just after 7 a.m. and if I don’t move, I will have Dad yelling at me to hurry up. I walk out my bedroom door and close it behind me, making my way out the front and into our car where I end up waiting for Dad. It isn’t long before Dad gets into our car and we are on our way. I sigh as I pull out my phone and send a text to both Macy and Whytt. ‘Sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye, but Dad got a last-minute promotion and we have to be there for him to start work on Monday’ I know I won't get a reply from Macy until late afternoon, as the weekends are her relaxing days when she spends her time in bed sleeping unless we have worked out to go to the mall together. Whytt, on the other hand, is probably awake but just lazing in bed. I smile as I get almost an instant reply from Whytt. ‘What do you mean, say goodbye?’ Tears sting and fill my eyes at the thought of not seeing him or Macy nearly every day hits me. I take a deep breath and then at least explain a little. ‘My dad’s new promotion is in the town. That is a day and a half’s drive and he must start on Monday’ ‘Well, that sucks! What am I meant to do now?’ I smile ‘Probably whatever you would normally do or what you used to do before you decided that I was going to be your friend. Just promise me that you will not go to that party tonight with Savannah. You know she only wants one thing and then will make fun of you with her friends at school on Monday.’ ‘Well, that’s not good. I was really bored on the weekends until I met you and no promises’ ‘Well, you still have Macy to keep you company... Whytt please don’t fall for Savannah's lies. I will come visit. That's if you want me to come back and visit?’ ‘Of course, I would want you to visit. Why didn’t you text last night? I would have come round and helped?’ ‘I was too upset with Dad.’ My phone beeps at me just after I press the send button and I frown...That’s so not fair. I hate the country roads... No cell service. I just hope there is cell service in the town we will be going to. I then turn to Dad, thinking that maybe I can get a little more information on where we are going. “Dad, what is the name of this town we are going to?”“It is called White Wolves!”“Are you sure? I have never heard of it.”“Yep, it’s where the big boss of the company is based.”"Dad, have you met this big boss?" I look back out the window and sigh as he seems to ignore my last question and just concentrates on the road in front of him. I don't remember my eyes closing but must have dozed off as the next thing I know is that Dad was gently shaking my shoulder and saying, “Sweetheart, we are stopping for lunch. Did you want something?” I stretch and look around. “Yeah Dad, that sounds good. Just a ham salad sandwich will do.” He nods and gets out of the car. I tried to stretch again, but it was too confined in the car, so I opened my door and got out. I close the door, stretch, and look around a bit more. There isn’t much around, so I go for a short walk across the road and into a field. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I can’t believe how fresh everything is out here. I open my eyes and scan the horizon when I see a bush not too far away with some beautiful flowers on it. I walk over to the bush and pick a couple of the flowers, bringing them to my nose. I breathe in deep again, smiling at the wonderful and enticing fragrance. I then lift my eyes to the horizon again and freeze as I see a silhouette of a wolf off in the distance. It doesn’t seem to be doing anything but watching. I know not to run or it will chase me, so I keep the flowers to my nose playing that I hadn’t seen it and slowly take a few steps backwards. I look down momentarily to see where I am putting my feet so I don’t fall over, but when I look back up, the silhouette is gone. I don't see it running towards me, which is a good thing, so I guess it went the other way. I then turn and walk, heading back to the car where I see Dad just coming out of the gas station with lunch. We sit on the bonnet of the car and eat as we get back into the car and then head off on our way. I check my phone, and sigh, as we still have no service. Once we are back on the road, I continue to watch out the window as I am sure that there is a wolf either following us or travelling alongside us. Our next stop was at a motel diner, where we ate some dinner and then rented a room for the night. As we entered the room, I could have sworn I heard a wolf howl and saw a glimpse of that silhouette again. It is a little creepy, but I shrug it off, head into the room, and throw myself onto one of the beds. I look at my phone and sigh as I see that I have no bars which means that I couldn’t even say goodnight to my friends and Macy would have only received the one message from me early this morning and probably now thinks that I am ignoring her. I was also hoping to talk to Whytt and make sure he didn’t go to that party with Savannah, but then I don’t know when I will be back and he may be able to change her ways... Hah, I don’t think so. I really hope there is cell service in this town we are going to. Not talking to my friends is worse than any punishment my dad has ever given me. My dad's phone alarm goes off at 6 am the next morning and I wake up with a start and then groan. "Dad, it is Sunday. Must we really be up at this hour?" He yawns "Yes sweetheart, we still have a long drive to the town and then we need to meet up with Benjamin so that he can show us which house is ours and then give you a tour and a brief rundown on what you have to do to start work tomorrow morning." I stretch and groan again at his mention of me having to work before school tomorrow, however; I get out of bed and beat Dad to the bathroom, making him groan and I laugh. I have a quick shower and get dressed. I open the door just as my dad is about to knock. I laugh. "I don't always take a long time in the bathroom.""Ha, you would be in the bathroom all day if you could.." He laughs back at me as he enters the bathroom. I shake my head at him and then call out, "I am going to start putting our bags back in the car. Okay, Dad?""Thank you, Stella, I won't be long." I repack our bags. I was surprised when I saw some of Dad's paperwork sitting at the bottom. I pull them out and skim some of the pages. They seemed to be bank statements and bills, however, they couldn't be ours, as the back statements were only just in credit and the bills all said that they were past due, including one from Dad's work with Benjamin's signature at the bottom. I snap my head to the bathroom door quickly as I hear the water shut off. I quickly stuff the papers back in his bag, and then grab Dad's keys. I will talk to him later to find out what is going on. I open the door and head over to the car, opening the back door and pushing our bags inside. Once they are in, I close the door and look up and around. I smiled as there seemed to be a few more trees around now, however; I had to do a double take in one spot among the trees, thinking that I had seen that wolf from yesterday. I jump as I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see my dad, making me sigh in relief. "Dad, can I ask you something?""You just did!" I was going to ask him about the papers I found, but not wanting to ruin the mood so early in the morning, I instead said, "Ha ha, very funny... But seriously, are there wolves in this area?""I think so. Benjamin did mention something about a small wolf pack living in the woods near the town, but they mainly keep to themselves and stay in the woods. So I guess as long as you leave them alone, they should and will leave you alone.""Don't worry, Dad, I don't plan on disturbing them." He smiles and nods, as takes the key back to the office and then we get into the car and continue on to the small town of White Wolves. He drove straight through and managed to get to the White Wolves town just in time for lunch. Just before we entered the town, Dad filled me in on what he knew of my working hours. Unfortunately, he didn't know what I would actually be doing. Driving through the town was actually quite interesting, as there was more here than I thought there would be. Dad pulls the car to a stop in front of a small café right in the middle of town, "Come, sweetheart, this is where we are meeting Benjamin, and we can have some lunch while we wait for him." I look at my phone and notice that I have some bars. I laugh a little as I have to turn the volume off because of the number of messages that are coming through from Macy and Whytt. I scroll through the messages and laugh a little as Macy gets more and more frustrated that I am not answering her. I send them a quick message, 'Sorry guys, I had no service once we hit the country. However, I made it in one piece, and I will call you both once I have settled.' I then sent an extra one to Whytt, 'Whytt. Please tell me that you didn't go to that party with Savannah and that you didn't wake up to be either lying next to her this morning or to a note left on the pillow from her.' Still worried that he let Savannah take advantage of him, I sighed and put my phone in my pocket before joining Dad at the table out the front of the café. He had already been inside and ordered our lunch.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

STELLA Just as we finish what he had ordered, Benjamin walks up to us with an older lady, "Afternoon, Max. I was a little surprised to get your text saying that you were in town already. I wasn't expecting you two until late this afternoon.""Yes, well, we had a good run, and we will have a lot of unpacking to do. I think the sooner Stella is shown what she needs to do in the morning, the better." I look at Dad and then at Benjamin. For some reason, I get a bad feeling that the two of them have planned the rest of my life out for me but forgot to include me in the conversation and the final decisions. "Very good. Now this is Tabitha, Tabitha, this is Stella. She is the one I have hired to help with boss Axel's private floor." I didn't miss the slight fear that passed through Tabitha's eyes as Benjamin mentioned the Boss, but she covered it up very well as she said, "Welcome to our little family. Stella." She then turns to Benjamin. "Is he home?""No, he is out on business. He won't be back until tomorrow around lunch.""Thank you, Sir. Now have you finished your lunch, my dear?""Yes, I just finished.""Well then, if it is okay with the males, I will give you the tour and let you know where everything is." Tabitha then looks at Benjamin and then my dad, who both nod. She then holds out her hand to me, saying, "Come on, dear." I frowned a little at her, confused that she was asking for any sort of permission; she looked and seemed a little old to have to ask for anything. I don't say anything as I get to my feet and move to her side. She gives Benjamin a slight bow of her head before she starts walking away. I shake my head and move quickly to catch up to her and look around, saying, "This place is amazing, but may I ask where are we going?""We are going there!" She stops and points to a five-story mansion. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing would come out. It was beautiful, but what was strange was that there were no fences around it to separate it from the town. One would think that the person who owned it looked to be rich, so it would be common sense for them to separate themselves and their property from the surrounding town. However, it was like it was part of the town, and they didn't want it blocked off. She then starts walking again. As we enter, I don't miss the strange looks that come my way from everyone inside the mansion. Most looked to be around my age, and most of them looked like they didn't want me there. Seeming to be aware of the ones within the rooms we pass, Tabitha grabs my arm and pulls me quicker towards a small office, mumbling more to herself than to me, "The boss better mark you quickly, my dear..." She then walks into the small office and says, "Okay, this is my office, and you will report to me before and after every shift. Were you told what time to be here?""Yes madam, I start at 5 a.m. till 8:30 a.m. and then again at 4 p.m. till 10 p.m. on weekdays.""That is good. When you start the morning shift, make sure to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake the Boss, and then when you do the afternoon and evening shifts, make sure to stay out of the Boss's way. I suggest you do his office in the morning and then do his bedroom in the afternoon. That way, he is in one while you clean the other. However, keep your mind on the job and don't touch or meddle with things that are not to do with you. Now that's for during the week, on the weekends..." She looks at me as she sits down behind a desk, then continues, "Do you know how to cook?""I know a little. My mum was just starting to teach me some of her more complicated dinner dishes. I took over cooking the basics and taught myself more after my mum died, and my dad couldn't seem to look after himself, let alone me.""Good, here is his weekend run down. On Saturday mornings, he has his breakfast on his own in his office, which you will serve him at 8 am sharp, and then dinner is at 6 pm in his office again. On Sunday, he has breakfast at 9 am in his room, and then we all have Sunday lunch and dinner together." I frown when she stops talking and says, "Um... Tabitha, there must be a mistake, as my dad never said anything about working weekends. He told me that I get the weekends off.." Dad explained a little more during the final part of the trip this morning, but if what she was saying was true, and my dad had it wrong, I definitely wouldn't be getting any time to myself. It's like I will be his personal servant. "I'm sorry, my dear, but it is for every day of the week. If you don't work in town, you work here, and Benjamin has made it very clear that he had arranged for you to work here and only here." She then holds out a sheet of paper and a pen as she says, "Here! Fill this in, and then I will give you a uniform for when you are working." I take the sheet of paper she hands me and sit down in the chair in front of her desk. I then lean on it so that I can fill in what looks to be a very short but personal questionnaire. NAME : Stella Sullivan ADDRESS : To be advised AGE : 17 nearly 18 SCHOOLING : Last Year High School WORK EXPERIENCE : Own house cleaning and cooking RELATIONSHIP STATUS : Single - No boyfriend SEXUAL STATUS : NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!! After reading and answering the relationship status section, which basically asks if I have a boyfriend, I was surprised by the question that followed. To actually ask if I have ever had sex before was a very personal and private question. However, I then think about my friendship with Whytt and that I would have liked it to be more. I don't have a boyfriend and haven't since my 16th birthday, even though before I left I would have liked for Whytt to have been that. I have never had sex as the only time I ever thought about actually having sex with anyone. I found him having sex with Savannah, of all people, and they were in my room. I put single for relationship status, but I allow my attitude to show when I answer the one on sex, as to me that is my business and only my business. I give the sheet of paper back to her. She doesn't even look at it as she puts it to the side and then continues. "Thank you. Come, I will show you where you will be working and what you will have to do. Now, like all cleaners, even if it hasn't been used you clean it, and his bed sheets need to be changed every second day or whenever he asks for them to be changed. Now, there is a small calendar within your locker for you to keep track of when you change them. I strongly suggest that you use this calendar." She then takes me to a small elevator at the end of the hall. Tabitha uses a small key card to access it and calls the elevator down to us. We enter the elevator as soon as the doors open, and the only button in there is for the fifth floor. Tabitha swiped the card again, and the elevator moved. Tabitha led me around the fifth-floor rooms, showing and explaining to me everything that I needed to do, including a brief look at his bedroom and office. The last thing she showed me was the small kitchen where I was to make him breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been to find that the small fridge and the cupboards were fully stocked. As we make our way back to her office, she says, "I will see you before your shift in the morning to give you your access key and uniform. Now Bet... Benjamin said that the Al... The boss won't be back until lunch tomorrow, however; you are to still enter the floor as if he is there. Do the work quickly and quietly and keep to yourself and you should have no problems, Miss Sullivan." She then opens her office door and says, "Good day, Miss Sullivan. Benjamin and your dad are waiting for you out the front." She then turns her back to me, enters her office, and closes the door behind her. I frowned, as I couldn't work out how she would know that my dad and Benjamin were there waiting for me. I didn't see her pick up a phone or anything for them to tell her, but I shrugged it off, something to ponder over later. I shake my head at her rudeness as I then make my way out of the mansion and, surprisingly, I meet up with Dad and Benjamin just outside the mansion. Benjamin walks us back to our car and then shows us to our house at the edge of the town. It is a beautiful little dark brown 2-story cottage, with an even more beautiful garden surrounding and covering one of the sides. I walk up to the door expecting it to be locked, but it opens, and I look back at Benjamin in surprise. He chuckles, "You are in no danger here, so there is no reason to lock anything up.." I don't know if I actually believe him, but shrug my shoulders and enter the cottage. I move around the cottage, looking at all the rooms and how nicely they are all decorated downstairs. I then head upstairs to find my room. It didn't take me long to find the room my stuff had been put in. I walk over to the window and look outside. I smile when I see that it looks out over the backyard and the woods border that. I open the window, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. When I open them, I am sure I see a wolf standing just inside the woods' edge. I leave the window open, and I turn back to the door. I let out a slight scream and stepped back, hitting my lower back on the window seal, I put my hand on my chest and gasped. "Benjamin, you scared the crap out of me... How long have you been standing there?""Not long. Do you like the view?" He asks as he enters the room and looks around. "Yeah, it's beautiful!" His next question surprises me. "Do you like wolves, Stella?" He moves even closer to me, "They are beautiful animals, but aren't they dangerous?""Only if you make them so!" I freeze as he stops within inches of me and again takes that bit of my fringe that hangs loose and rubs it between his thumb and index finger again. He then leans next to my ear and whispers, "You are very beautiful, Stella, and here's a small warning for you... Don't tease a wolf if you don't want it to bite." I look at him, confused as he pulls back from next to my ear, kisses my lips gently, turns and walks back out of my room. I am a little dumbfounded and just stand there and stare at my open door. He looks young around my age, but for some reason, I feel like he is much older. I am brought back to reality by the ping of a message on my phone. I move away from the window, pick up my phone, and smile as I see a message from Macy. 'Hey girl, how's the new house and town...' I walked over to my door and closed it, as I decided it was probably a better idea to ring her and talk to her rather than send ten million messages trying to explain. As it rings, I put it on loudspeaker and start to open my pile of boxes. She answers after the third ring, "Hey, girl!""Hey yourself!""So how's the house? Are there any cute guys in town?""MACY! The house is actually a small 2-story cottage. It's beautiful, and I was only in the town for a little while so I didn't see if there were any cute guys around. However, my vision of cute and your vision of cute are 2 way different ideas..." We both laugh as she then says. "Maybe I need to come there and check them out for myself..." We both laugh again before she becomes serious and asks, "Why didn't you tell me you were going? That you were leaving?""I didn't know until I got home early Friday, and then Dad and I got into an argument over it. I told him that I wasn't going, that I was staying and finishing school...""I gather he didn't take that too well?""Nope... Macy, he then told me that he had arranged for me to work for his Boss, however, he is getting me to work for his Boss who happens to be the Big Boss of the whole company..." I don't miss the surprise in her voice as she says, "Really! Why make you work? You have school?""Yes really, Dad said that if I didn't go, and accept the work, then he would lose his job altogether..."" That's low even for your Dad. Do you know what you will be doing?""Cleaning mostly with a little cooking on the weekends.""Damn!! At least you know how to cook, and your cooking is amazing!""Thanks..." I sit on the edge of the bed and sigh before continuing "Macy..""What is it, Stella?" I was going to talk to her about Benjamin and the kiss he gave me, but then I realised that I would never get off the phone with her and I wouldn't get any unpacking done. as she would then want to know everything about him down to the finest detail, I chicken out saying, "Oh, it's nothing..." I then realised that I hadn't heard from Whytt and asked, "So, do you know if Whytt went to Max's party? Do you know if he was stupid enough to hook up with Savannah?""Sorry Stella, but I haven't seen him, and I probably won't until tomorrow at school.""Okay, well, I must go. I have a lot of unpacking to do and would you believe my job starts at 5 am?""Tell me you're joking, girl? There is no way you would catch me up at that hour!!""No, I am not joking, and it's hard to catch you up at any hour..." We both laugh again "I'll talk to you again later. Love you, girl!""Love you too, girl! Don't forget about me!!" I smile as I hang up the phone and head downstairs to see what Dad wants to do for dinner. I laugh, as I should have known that he would have asked for pizza, his favourite. I smile as we spend the rest of the day unpacking and for the first time in a long time; I allow Dad to order pizza for dinner, as we are too busy. Besides, I didn't feel like cooking. Now, if what Tabitha said was true and everyone ate dinner together on a Sunday, I guess once we had settled in, we would be eating with everyone else tonight. However, I guess with it being our first night here; we weren't invited.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

STELLA While we sit and eat our pizza, I swallow the fear of making him mad and say, "Um, Dad?""Yeah, sweetheart.""Are we in trouble with money?""No, of course not. Why you asking?""I was repacking your bag this morning when some papers fell out, and I saw that the bills were marked, overdue, and there seemed to be none of the money from Mum on bank statements.""You went through my bag?..." I flinch a little at his tone and the anger that is attached to it. He drops his slice of pizza as he looks at me, before sighing as he says. "Sorry, sweetheart. The upkeep of the house and the costs of living were more than I thought they would be... Your Mum was the one to keep track of all that.""And the bill from your work with Benjamin's signature at the bottom?""I asked for an advancement on my salary to help keep the house and keep up with the bills... I really don't know how your mum did it.""So the promotion? And me having to work?""Sorry, sweetheart. It was the only agreement he would take. Both of us work to pay off the advance. Move here where all living expenses are covered, so that any work we do comes straight off the debt.""How long?""With both of us, we should have it paid by the beginning of the school year, next year." Not happy but understanding a little more, I don't say anything more, finish my pizza and then head up to my room to unpack a little more before crawling into bed and allowing the peacefulness of sleep to surround me. The next morning, I groan as my alarm goes off at 4 a.m. I hit the snooze button and groan again a few minutes later as it goes off once again. I rub my eyes and sigh as I remember why I set my alarm for so early in the morning; I get up, have a nice hot shower to warm and wake myself up more. I use my scented body wash, taking deep breaths of the exotic smell before finally forcing myself to step out of the shower. I shiver as it is freezing, so I go through my bags and find the warmest clothes I have. I make a mental note that when I do get some spare time, I will need to pick up more. Once I am dressed, I enter the kitchen and as I make some lunch for me and Dad I look outside and I shiver even in my warm clothes as it looks even colder outside. I sigh as I leave Dad's lunch in the fridge with a note stuck to the door. I then pick up my backpack, which is ready for school later this morning. I head to the mansion and go straight to Tabitha's office, where she gives me my passkey and my uniform. I quickly get changed, grab the supplies that I need, and then head up to the fifth floor. I entered quietly like I was told and started cleaning, working my way through the rooms on the floor. In some of the rooms, I didn't have to do much, as it looked like they hadn't been used in years if they ever had. I left his bedroom for last as I was going to change his sheets, like Tabitha told me to do so that it was done, fresh and ready for him to return later today. I make my way to the kitchen except as I went to enter the kitchen someone grabbed me from behind, turned me, wrapped their hand around my throat and pushed until my back hit the wall. I gasp in surprise and for breath as I drop my cleaning gear to put my hands up to the one slowly getting tighter and tighter around my throat... Then I hear his gruff voice. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my private space?" Fear passes through me as I struggle to breathe and I try to tell him. "I..I.. am... the.. new... cleaner... B..B..Ben..." He tightens his fingers more, cutting off what I was trying to say. He then leans in, takes a deep breath against my neck and freezes before whispering, "How old are you?" He loosens his fingers just a little and I rasp out in my own whisper. "I'll be 18 in 3 months." He then leans back in, pressing his nose firmly against the skin of my neck and taking another deep breath before seeming to cover a low growl. "You are human?!" This question statement from him confuses me but I nod as much as I can answering his question. He then releases me. I drop to the floor, coughing and gasping, trying to get air back into my lungs through my now sore throat. I'm not sure if I heard right, but I think he growls something to himself as he storms off to a different part of the floor. Once I can take a breath without coughing too much, I slowly make my way back to my feet, pick up my cleaning gear, and enter the kitchen. I hope my encounter with that guy doesn't become a common occurrence, as I don't know if my throat could take too much of that or if I could work under those conditions if it happens every time I see him. However, I don't want to cause Dad any trouble on my first day by not finishing what I am meant to. I clean the kitchen and once that is done; I decide to clean some of the other rooms, making sure to stay clear of the office and his bedroom. I know I will have to do them later tonight, but if I can stay out of his way and don't do anything to get his attention, I might just survive here, but then maybe not. I am glad when I don't come across him again. I really don't know if I would survive another run-in with him and I have only had one brief encounter, and that scared me enough. So as soon as 8:30 a.m. comes around, I make my way back down to the maid's locker room near Tabitha's office. I know she said to check in with her before and after each shift but I could feel the bruises already forming on my neck and I didn't want to have to explain to Tabitha how I got them when no one was meant to be up there. I guess that makes him the big boss Axel; I think Benjamin called him. I make sure no one sees me enter the maid's lockers. After I get changed into my new school uniform, I look in the mirror for the first time and see the confirmation of bruises that are forming on my neck from his fingers. I run my fingers lightly over my throat and know that I can't go to school like this and not have people ask too many questions. So I do the only thing I can, knowing that it isn't going to look good for me with the school, but I am going to be late for my first day. I pull my jumper on and pull my hoodie up and over my head to hide my neck as much as possible and make my way through the town in the opposite direction to the school. When I find it, I go into the pharmacy and over to the small make-up section. It doesn't take me long to find some concealer that actually matches my skin tone, which surprises me, as I normally can't find one. I buy it and then head into the public toilets in the back of the store. I remove my hoodie and look into the mirror. My eyes go wide at the sight of the now very dark bruises around my neck. Once I have covered them as much as I can, so you can't see them at a glance, I sigh and then head to the school. I feel really embarrassed and out of place as I enter the school gates so late on my first day; I keep my head down as I make my way to the principal's office. I knock softly on the door and wait. It is a little while before I hear a clear lady's voice saying. "Come in!" I open the door and enter as she stands and continues "I am Principal Abigail. I am guessing that you are Stella? And you are late.""Yes, I am sorry I got caught up with the start of my work this morning.." I just hope she didn't ask me exactly what had me caught up. I don't miss it as she seems to take a deep breath and then she seems to nearly choke on the air she took in. She then seems to get a hold of herself before sitting back in her seat. She goes through some of the papers on her desk until she finds and pulls out a slim file with my name on it. She sits back and opens the file. After a little while, she closes the file and says. "That is very impressive Stella, With all the work you have done and with how far in front you are in all your classes, there is really only one class that we have that isn't in most schools but is a necessity for everyone in our town. Now this class is classed as History and is once a day from 1 pm till 3 pm, I will contact the... School board and see if it is okay for me to approve you to do your final exams early that way you only have to concentrate on that one class for the rest of the school year but looking at your academic record I would say you could finish this class within the next school term.""I like to stay on top of things. That way, if something is wrong or goes wrong, I can fix it before the due date." I carefully and discretely put my hand up to my neck. It would have been nice to have a warning that the boss would be there this morning, especially since it seemed like he didn't even know I was going to be there. "That's good. What are your career preferences?""Yes, I was looking at child care and psychology.""Wow... They are two wonderful careers. They will be appreciated and well received in this town and once you are qualified, looking at this record, you will do wonders. Are you looking at applying to our White Wolves Monarch College?""Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know about the college here. However, I have already filled out and sent off college and scholarship applications to Silver Oak, Mountainridge, Eagle Mountain and Maple Monarch colleges, so I can start next year.""All good colleges. However, you should apply to White Wolves Monarch College as well." She then leans down and opens one of the drawers in her desk, pulls out some papers, places them on the desk in front of her, and then closes the drawer once more. She then looks up at me and says, "Um... Lunch is about to begin. How about you take this and get us some lunch while I make a couple of phone calls? I will have to talk to Be... Benjamin about your other college applications. Then when you return, you can fill out the application to White Wolves Monarch and then help me until our history class starts this afternoon, as you were so late this morning." I look at her, confused, as she picks up her purse and then passes me some money. Why would she need to talk to Benjamin about my college applications when it has nothing to do with him? I stand but stop as I straighten and look at her. I had wanted to ask her what she meant by having to ask Benjamin about my college applications, but the look in her eyes as she picked up the phone made me think better of it and ask instead. "What would you like?""Just a ham salad sandwich will be fine." I smile, thinking that is a really nice kind of lunch. I turn and leave the room, closing the door behind me before I exit the outer office to go in search of the cafeteria. It took me a little while to find it, however; it worked out that if I just followed the flow of students; they lead me straight to the cafeteria. I didn't miss the strange looks and whispering I was getting from the other students. No one said anything to me until after I had picked up 2 ham salad sandwiches, paid for them, and started to leave the cafeteria, heading back to the principal's office. Just before I get to the doors, I am stopped by a guy and a girl, standing with their arms around each other, blocking the way. "Excuse me! Can I please pass?""Look everyone, Alpha got us a new plaything!" The guy says with a huge smile on his face. Everyone laughs and cheers. With only just getting here, I'm sure I didn't do anything to the girl standing in front of me. However, she then steps up to me and slaps me across the face. I end up on the floor from the unexpected force she uses as she says, "We don't like newcomers here... You would be better off packing up your things and leaving as soon as you can!" I can feel the tears in my eyes from the surprise and pain of the slap. However, I don't let them fall because I know that these types of people, they're the type that want to see that they are hurting you. It is what Savannah thrived on after everything that happened. It had made her feel better than everyone else and seem popular. I slowly go to get back to my feet but the guy lifts his foot and pushes me back to the floor, this time I don't move hoping that the concealer around my neck doesn't rub off on my uniform as I feel my collar brush my skin. The last thing they need to see is that someone has already tried to strangle me and has already hurt me today. They continue to laugh as the girl squats down next to me and goes to say or do something more until she takes a breath in through her nose and freezes; she gets closer and does it again. Everyone then seems to do the same and I start to wonder if I still have all the chemicals from cleaning this morning all over me. The guy goes to say something else as well, but the girl quickly gets to her feet, standing in front of him. She leans into him and whispers something into his ear, and I watch as his eyes go wide. The next thing I know, he turns the girl around, puts his arm around her shoulders, spits on me and then says to everyone else with a huge smile on his face, "Hey everyone, it looks like the Alpha himself has a new play toy. Who wants to bet how long she lasts with how the Alpha treats his females..."

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

STELLA Everyone laughs and as the couple walks around me, they get bombarded by the other students all pulling money out of their pockets. I am really confused about who this Alpha guy is that they are talking about as I haven't met anyone by that name, but then by some of their reactions he seems to be a really bad guy to be around; he seems to scare even them. I am really starting to hope I don't ever meet this Alpha, however, by what the guy had said I might have already met him and not known it. I slowly move and get back up to my feet. I then bend back down and pick up the sandwiches I had bought for lunch. Luckily, they weren't squashed or damaged, as all the others rushed over to make their bets. I leave the room quickly and quietly and then make my way slowly back to Principal Abigail's office, wondering what I did to deserve this. When I get to her office, I knock softly on the door. I step back and while I wait I remove the hair tie from my hair and pull my fringe forward so that it covers most of the side of my face, as I can feel the bruise on my cheek starting already and if she is like most teachers, she won't like me wearing my hoodie up while in her office. Once I heard Principal Abigail say, "Come in!" I open the door and turn as I enter so I can close the door behind me. I try to keep my face hidden behind my hair, hiding as much of the red hand print or the bruise that is starting caused by the girl slapping me. I don't know if the principal noticed the change in me or not, as I make sure not to move my hair as I place the sandwich on the table. She passes me the White Wolves Monarch College application, and a book entitled Supernatural History and says: "Fill in the application and then, as you are a fair way behind in our history class, why don't you pull up a seat in the corner over there and start reading? Try to get through as much as you can before going to class after lunch. When you get to it, the rest of the class is already halfway through the chapter called 'How and Why Were-Wolves were made', but as you are new and by looking at your file, you haven't done any work in this subject at all so you will need to read it from the start." I took the paper, a pen and the book even though I had no idea why I had to learn about anything the Supernatural or Werewolves and their history but then everything has been so strange since we got here, why shouldn't the school be as well? So I guess a new school means new and different ways of learning. Once I had finished the college application, I placed it on her desk and then read the textbook she gave me. I spent the rest of the day reading, either in Principal Abigail's office or in the back of the classroom with the other students. I tried to stay away from everyone because I didn't think I'd make friends after what happened at lunch. This makes me miss Whytt and Macy even more... I must remember to send them a text later and see how things are going. Once school is finished, Abigail calls me back to her office to inform me. "Don't come until history tomorrow. I should have an answer by the end of the week about your exams and whether or not you can take them early. I have also looked into maybe, if you want to, that is, for you to get a head start on your college courses since you have more or less completed here.""You mean I would be going to the college here? But I only just filled in the application?""Yes, we have some really good courses in the two fields you told me you wanted to do... I also know the Chancellor of the college, so I put in a good word for you. The application was only for official purposes.""Thank you. That would be really nice." This was good news and for the first time today I actually had a smile on my face, I was hoping to get away from the school and head back to the mansion without running into any of the other students, especially Mason and Kelly, I found out their names during History class roll call but it wasn't to be. As I came slightly skipping out of the main building after hearing the good news from Principal Abigail, I headed towards the mansion for my next shift. Both Mason and Kelly approached me at the bottom of the steps, making me sidestep and then back up until they had me cornered and my back pressed against the side of the building. Kelly steps up to me first, runs her fingers along the side of my face, moves my hair and then lets out a small laugh as she sees the bruise she put on my cheek at lunch. Unfortunately, as she moves her fingers down more, I see the moment she realises that I am wearing concealer around my neck. I drop my backpack and go to move, but she now grabs my hair and holds me still as she uses her other hand to remove some of the concealer. I flinch in pain at the pressure she uses, turning to Mason as she does so. "Mason! Looks like the Alpha has already had some fun with her!" He smiles as he pushes Kelly out of the way, placing his hand around my neck just like the boss did this morning but Mason doesn't stop there, as he tightens his hold around my throat he runs his other hand up and down my side, while pushing himself more and more into me, then just before he forced his lips to mine he whispered. "Was this what he did to you, or was he more forceful? Is this how you like it, newcomer?" He then pressed his lips to mine as fear ran through me. I could hear Kelly laughing and saying something to Mason. I struggled, trying to get him off of me, to stop him from touching me like he was, but I couldn't move. I couldn't believe this was happening now after everything. I haven't let anyone this close to me since I broke up with my boyfriend and I wasn't going to let some guy take what isn't his to take without a fight. I struggle against him again and listen as Kelly's laughing slowly dies in the background. I guess she didn't like where Mason had decided to take what he was doing. Using my struggles, I manage to move my leg just a bit, making him smile against my lips as he moves his body even closer again, forcing one leg between mine and placing the other on the outside of my thigh. I gather all the strength I have and bring up my knee, hitting him hard in the balls. I smile a little as he pulls back from his kiss with a slight growl, steps back and bends over, holding himself while swearing at me. I, however, don't stick around to see what he is going to do about it. I pick up my backpack from off the ground and run as quickly as I can to the mansion taking a quick look at my phone realising that I am going to be late because of them. I glance back once to see Mason still holding his balls and Kelly seeming to yell at him before storming off in the other direction. Once at the mansion, I head straight into the maid's change lockers, change my school uniform to my maid's uniform and grab my cleaning gear. As I enter the elevator, I look up, see my reflection and pale. Tabitha told me this morning as I started that my hair had to be always up and out of the way. I quickly put down my cleaning supplies and using the metal of the elevator as a mirror I put my hair up into a very messy bun making sure it was all out of my face except for that one stubborn piece that was never long enough no matter how hard I tried to grow it. Double checking my hair, I catch sight of my neck and realise that I didn't bring my concealer with me to recover the bruises the boss gave me this morning and Mason had just made it worse, added to that was the bruise Kelly put on my cheek at lunch. I was already late so there wasn't much I could do about it now, so I just picked up my cleaning supplies and once the elevator doors opened I went to work, I started in his bedroom this time as I had been told he would be in his office working once he returned from his trip; I wonder if I was the only one that knew he got back early. I quickly strip his bed making a small note on my hand that I can put on the calendar inside my locker at the end of my shift, I am surprised at how nice everything smells as I gather his sheets and pillowcases in my hands taking a deep breath; I put them in a pile near the door to take to the laundry once I am finished. I then pull out fresh silk sheets and remake his bed. Once that is done, I finish the rest of the room, including the ensuite. I then slowly make my way around the rest of the rooms on the floor until the only room left is his office. After our encounter this morning, I lift my hand and gently touch my neck and shiver a little; I have never really been afraid of anything before, scared, yes but not afraid and I am willing to give anything a try within reason at least once but if this morning is anything to go by the boss not only scares me but I am now afraid of what he would and could do to me and I don't even think he was actually angry with me being here this morning just surprised. I put the cleaning basket down next to the door and pace a little, fiddling with my fingers; I stop to knock, but then pace a little again. I am afraid of him touching me like that again and then what Mason just did comes flashing back to me as well, I then seem to mix the two seeing the boss pinning me to the wall with his yellow flashing eyes running his hands over my body while kissing me. A shiver runs through me as I shake my head at the image and the feelings that stir within me. I stop in front of the door to knock again, but I just can't make myself do it. I lower my hand and my head and back away just as the door opens. As I am looking down, I start at his feet slowly moving my eyes up his lean legs, to his waist, I skip over the obvious bulge in the front of his pants and continue up his stomach and chest which was covered by a very tight fitting sexy black shirt. I can't stop as I continue my scan of him and I get to his face. He has a dark 5 o'clock shadow running along his jawline. I move up to his lips, which are thin and pressed into an even thinner line, but it is his eyes that end up captivating me. They are a beautiful emerald green, with a hint of that flickering gold. Looking into his eyes like this, I want to step forward, lay my hand on his cheek, and kiss his lips. For the first time, even after what happened this morning with him and then this afternoon with Mason, I actually want this man to touch me, to possess me, to own me, to make me only his. I am about to step forward slightly raising my hand, when someone clears their throat down the hall. I blink my eyes, breaking the connection, embarrassed by what I was about to do. I step back until my back is pushed up against the wall behind me and I bow my head, looking at the floor and whisper, "I'm sorry, I disturbed you. Sir! I can clean your office in the morning, as I don't have to be at school until later tomorrow." I'm not sure if he is going to say something as I don't look at him and I move slowly, sliding myself along the wall and away from the man in front of me, I don't know if I will be able to keep my hands to myself, keep myself from touching him, from kissing him if I look up into his eyes again. Once I am a little way away from him, I chance a quick glance and see that his attention is now on the person who cleared their throat and not me. I quickly turn and walk fast, heading for the elevator. I shakily use my passkey, enter the elevator, and use my pass again so that the elevator goes down. I then skip the locker room and head straight out of the mansion. Once outside, I run. I don't know where I am running, but I make sure I am on the outskirts of the town so that I don't run into any of the students from the school. The last thing I need now is to be caught by Mason or Kelly in the rattled state I am in. I don't know if I would be able to fight off Mason if he tried what he did at the school this afternoon again. I don't stop running until I trip on a fallen branch, catching and tearing my uniform as I fall to the ground. I land hard and it takes me a moment to catch my breath before moving into the sitting position; I look around and once I know that I am alone; I let the tears that have been wanting to fall since the boss had his hand wrapped tightly around my throat this morning; do just that... Fall! I stay sitting there for some time until it starts to get cold, and I start shivering. I slowly start to move and feel the pain in my thigh for the first time. I carefully get to my feet and see that I now have a three-inch gash along the side of my left thigh from tripping over the fallen branch. I sigh as I tear a piece of material off of my ruined uniform and wrap it firmly around my thigh, holding in the scream of pain that wanted to escape. The last thing I needed was someone coming out to see what was going on. I then continue to hobble as best I can on the outskirts of the town, heading away from it. I am not going home as I don't know how to explain to my dad that I may have fucked up with my job on the very first day and I am not going back to the mansion as I don't know how he will react or how I will, for that matter. He seems to throw me off balance and make me want to do things that I have never even considered before. I am actually afraid of what I will do. I also will not be treated like someone a guy can touch in any way he likes whenever he likes just because he wants to or thinks he has a right to. I don't have my backpack so I don't have anything on me, no phone, no money and no change of clothes, so I'm not sure how far I will get. I then scream out in surprise and fear as I am grabbed from behind, lifted and pulled into a firm chest before being carried bridal style. I struggle and hit the person holding me until even more fear settles over me as he seems to growl. "Stop hitting me or you will not like the consequences!" I stop moving immediately as his voice makes flashes of him holding me by my throat pass once again in front of my eyes, reminding me that he could kill me and not think twice. I then feel us moving as he turns around and heads back the way we came, I don't know why but for some reason even though I am scared out of my mind as to what he will do to me I feel safe in his arms and the warmth that is coming off of him makes me feel really tired. I don't want to trust the man holding me as he has yet to give me a reason to, but as the last shiver of cold leaves my body, warmed by him, I succumb to the exhaustion and darkness that is calling me.