I woke up with a scream and I had to force air into my lungs so I could steady my breathing and stop the tears that were falling freely down my face.
My first coherent thought was to run to Logan and I had already made my way to the door when I remembered yesterday’s events and I had to push that urge down and force myself to walk over to the bathroom.
I splashed water all over my face hoping it would wipe away the remnants of the dream but nothing was stopping the images from flashing through my mind and with it came the fear.
It started out as a memory of what happened at the pack house when I saw Hunter and I tried to tell myself that it was an imagination but it was like the more I told myself that, the closer and clearer he became.
Then all of a sudden he started to chase me and I ran but the walls seemed to get longer and narrower and I just couldn’t seem to find an exit. It was like running in a maze.
I thought I had lost him but then I felt him grab my shirt and I felt his breath behind me and then I woke up.
A knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts and I made sure I looked a bit presentable and my breathing was steady before going to open it.
“Are you okay?” Logan asked and even though all I wanted to say was no I forced myself to nod.
“I’m fine,” I lied, “I was just about to get ready and go downstairs.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, “I thought I heard you scream.”
“It was just a bad dream, that’s all.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I can barely even remember it,” I said with an awkward laugh. “It is nothing to worry about; I just need to take a shower then I’ll make breakfast.”
His lips pursed in a way that showed he did not believe me but he nodded anyways, “Do you need any help; with breakfast I mean?”
“No,” I said quickly because I know more time in his presence will probably make me break down, “I can do it myself.”
“Look I just want to make sure that you’re okay,” he said softly, “If you need someone to talk to then-”
“Are you going to let me see Jake?” I cut him off.
“No,” he said without hesitation.
“Then I am perfectly fine and I don’t need to talk to anyone,” I said.
“Charlotte please don’t be like this.”
“Like what exactly?” I asked and he sighed in defeat.
“Charlotte-”
“You can talk about how stubborn I’m being but I’m not going to let someone else take my decisions away from me anymore.” I said, “Now if you’ll excuse me I need to take a bath.”
He let out a sigh before nodding and making his way back to his room and I watched him go until I heard his door slam shut and I closed my door and leaned my head against it with a deep exhale.
Am I being childish? Yes. Am I overreacting? Yes.
I know that Logan is just trying to look out for me and while that does give me butterflies he is taking a very important decision of mine away from me and I have let all the men in my life do that and I’m sick of it.
For once, I just want someone to trust me and let me do what I want. So if I have to be a childish bitch for him to let me make my own decisions then fine, I will be.
*****************************
“Well you look like shit,” Diana noted as I made my way to into the daycare and I shot her a bored look.
“That’s rich considering you look like you were just run over by a truck.”
“I’m hung over,” she deadpanned, “At least I have a reason to look this horrible.”
“I thought werewolves are supposed to have high alcohol tolerance?” I said in a sassy tone and she flipped me off.
“For your information I had wolfs bane mixed in that,” she said, “I wanted to get flat out drunk and you would have too if you drank.”
“I’m sorry but I’m not a raging alcoholic.” I said with a shrug.
“Neither am I,” she said, “So if you didn’t drink then what’s your excuse for looking like that?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I said vaguely and when she opened her mouth to ask a question I deftly changed the subject, “I asked Logan to let me see Jake.”
“And I’m guessing that went well,” she teased and I shot her a death glare, “I’m just saying; sneak into the dungeons.”
“It’s not that easy,” I said softly, “If it was then I would have done it.”
“Before I forget something came in for you,” she said and before I could ask she cut me off, “Don’t worry it’s not someone’s severed head.”
“Are you sure?”
“I had a look at it don’t worry,” she said, “And besides it’s from Logan.”
I let out a sigh of relief and went over to the slim but long box sitting at the corner of the room.
“What is it?” I asked as I picked up the box and she just shrugged. “Just tell me.”
“Why don’t you just open it?” she said with a smile, “It’s really thoughtful honestly.”
I took a deep breath and lifted the lid and my eyes widened. I gingerly picked it out and admired the artwork on the violin.
“How did he know I play the violin?” I asked aloud.
“Maybe you told him,” she suggested but I shook my head.
“I would remember if I did.” I said as I turned the instrument around and when I noticed a particular design I dropped it as if burned.
“What’s wrong?”
“That’s my violin.”
“Well of course it is,” she said with a funny look, “Logan got it for you.”
“No Logan didn’t get me that,” I said, “That is my violin; the one I had back home.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, “Maybe they just look alike.”
“No,” I said as I picked it up and took it to her.
I turned it to the back and showed her the spot where I had etched a C into the violin and painted flowers around it.
“I did that on my 17th birthday,” I said, “It’s my violin.”
Her eyes widened in shock and she let the violin fall from her hands.
“How did it get here?” she asked and I knew her confused and horrified expression mirrored mine. “Is there like a note or something?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t check.”
I made my way back to the box but it was completely empty.
“There’s nothing here,” I said in an almost cry, “But he had to have dropped something.”
“Hey, calm down,” Diana said as she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and the tears broke free.
“I just want him to leave me alone,” I said in between sobs, “Why can’t he just leave me alone?”
“There is a way,” she said softly and I looked up at her.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well he thinks you’re his so that’s why he’s after you but if you were someone else’s then he would be obligated to leave you alone.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” I said and she bit her lip before speaking again.
“I’m not supposed to tell you this but I’m going to because I think you should know,” she inhaled deeply before continuing, “The truth is that you and-,”
“What’s going on?”