My Crush or My Mate

10

For the next few days I went about my days minding my own business and living my life. Visiting my friends and family some more then others, of course, and somehow Nick was always there flying or running. Whenever my family asked if I have a boyfriend he would turn into the cat or a dog and remind me of him, but I would always made it clear that I was seeing but nobody serious, my aunts and some cousins would invite me to parties or family gathering, but all I said was we'd see.

The reports of the deaths were getting closer to home, with Calian always pushing me to really talk to Nick, and telling me we were wasting time. I kept reminding him, that it wasn't mine fault, but I thought about it part of it was.

Things were getting deadly, I was about to collapse the dreams were keeping me awake and I was hurting so much, I wanted to cry, when the bishop scolded me for the pictures and for wronging Roberto, but I was also half asleep, as he scolded me.

Then One day I was at Kayla's pet salon, when I told her about Nick and how the tension was getting to be too much, I never mentioned about him being a shifter, just our very real couple problem.

"Okay I would never tell you this is a good idea but if he's following you everywhere maybe, it's time to call the police."

"No, I like him, he just left when my parents were here with Roberto."

"Then make the first move, woman, if he's being a baby then make the first move, and if it leads to..other things, you're an adult it's either going to happen or not."

When I left her I knew she was right. so I put on my big girl pants and went to see him.

As I got closer, i started to feel the tension become very heavy, and when I got to the house, the knot was huge in my stomach, I knocked and heard nothing, but the door was open, and when I walked in I smelled a light perfume, I went to Nick's room, and to my shock, there was a woman, sleeping in his bed completely naked. I looked around and didn't see Nick, but even if he was here I didn't want to see him. I walked out, I rushed out of the house and right when I got to the door, I ran right into Nick.

"Andrea." He looked shocked and I pushed past him.

"Let go of me!"

"Andrea, why are you so mad?"

I kicked him in the shin and walked to my truck, turned it on and drove off. When i got to the house, I was sobbing, and it hurt to breath.

There was knock at the door, the room was spinning a little, when I opened the door, it was Calian. He was talking but I couldn't hear anything.

"Andrea, invite me in!"

"No, what...what are you doing...here?"

"Andrea, let me in!"

I leaned on the wall for support, but slid down and the room became dark. When i woke up, I could hear yelling first, then everything else. the room was still fuzzy,  but I knew where we were, Nick's house.

I groaned and sat up.

"Andrea, hey how are you feeling?"

"Like crap."

I looked up at Calian who had come to sit next to me, and Nick was still standing a distance away.

"You haven't slept, so I can imagine."

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure why don't you start?"

Nick snapped I'm guessing because of Calian sitting snugly next to me. I sat all the way up, and Calian handed me a cup of water. My hands shook really bad but I drank as much as I could.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and my brother becoming chummy!"

I looked at Calian and he looked at me, I just shrugged.

"We're friends, so?"

"I didn't know the devil could have friends."

"Hey, it's not my fault  you're so lame."

They were going to fight again, but I grabbed Calian's arm and pulled him down.

"She broke the bond, she was exhausted from not sleeping, I have no idea how she did it, but she broke it."

"I still have her claimed."

"Not any more."Calian pulled my sleeve up where the mark use to be, but it was clean of any mark.

"What happened?" I asked confused.

"Why don't you tell her. little brother."

Nick went pale, but looked at me.

"Trisha, is an old friend shifter, she has been here for that past few days and sense we know each other, we started a kind of friends with benefits relationship."

"Hey, we should've done that, Andrea, we've been getting closer and closer."

Nick glared at Calian, but this eyes gentled at me, as he reached for my hand I pulled away.

"I glad we were honest with each other, have a happy relationship, and don't follow me again, leave me alone, if I die or live just let it happen, without you."

I got to my feet and stumbled back to the sofa, but I didn't ask for help I walked to the truck and drove home at home, i went and took a shower. once done I dried off and just got into bed, naked. I slept so deeply, but I was still dreaming of a shifter, I had never seen his face in my dreams I just assumed it was Nick sense we were having a strong connection, and having him close helped but the dreams were always there, either s*x or about shifters but I was always dreaming about them, I'd seen Calian's shifter form in my dreams before but it was rare, then how did he get in my house?

Then that night he attacked Nick, he was coming for me, why?

"A pure heart, is the cure to the black heart, but only if the black heart is willing." I heard in my dreams, but I had no idea what that could mean. Then what was I feeling for Nick, did I love him or did I just care?

When I woke up, i was surprised to feel someone next to me, when I looked it was Calian, shirtless and asleep. We were cuddling each other, I sat up with my blanket covering me, but he held me closer. I was a little weirded out, but then I noticed he was warm, not like before he was freezing to the touch, his body had warmth to it, and his smell was suddenly very comforting, I wanted to snuggle closer to him, but I pulled away and got out of bed and got dressed. I got food made, looking at the clock said it was 5:00 p.m. I looked at my watch I had slept a whole day away. When I got done I sat down at my small table, and was sipping water when Calian walked in putting his shirt on.

"Hey, mind if I sit?"

"No, go ahead and help yourself."

"Thanks," he looked at what I made, then tenatively bit it.

"You don't usually eat regular food do you ?"

"No, not really it taste like dirt, when we do."

But he was piling his plate with food, there was definitely something changing with him.

"Wow, this taste awesome!"

"Thanks, I had to practice to get it right, but there it is."

He smiled and continued to eat. When He was done we moved to the living room, and sat down.

"Okay what's going on, first Nick had claimed me and then I remember you said I broke the bond, I thought it was unbreakable?"

"Lisa has always exaggerates everything, bonds can be broken, and some can be motified."

"Meaning what?"

"Nick was telling me of your dreams, and how in them you saw one of me..."

"No I saw you, and Nick in the same dream, both in your other forms and in the human."

"Interesting, when exactly did you start having these dreams?"

"About two months ago, right when I got here."

"Two months ago, I got here a few days after you did, and laid low."

"Then a month later you attacked."

I would of thought Nick to be more distraught at seeing us together, yet here Calian was and Nick was home with Trisha. Calian was changing I could tell somethings were new to him, the way he acted and the surprise I saw when he tried it.

 The pure heart is the cure to the black heart , if the black heart willing. He said he wanted to change something happened to him that had made him say enough.

"Hey?"

"What?"

"You're awfully quiet." He said looking at me worried.

"No, nothing it's just I'm not sure what's going on."

"Andrea, you and my brother aren't mates, he didn't know how to handle what was going on, you saw a good guy, and fell hard for him, but it was just not ment to be."

I guess he was right, I liked Nick, but I could never really see us in a relationship further down the road I mean, and it was too easy.

"So what are you, the black sheep of the family, the old school bad boy?"

"Oh, I can be very bad, and if you give me the chance I can show you just how bad."

My stomach filled with butterflies when he said that, but what did he get out of it.

"So does this mean, I'm free."

"Yup no bonds and no being tied down."

"Unless I sleep with you and you claim me."

His eyebrows went up, he was surprised I figured it out, while Nick was away I missed him and it was comfortable to be with him, but there was a type of pull with me and Calian even when I knew what he was I knew he made me feel safe, even when I knew what he was capable of.

Maybe I did have a thing for the bad boys.

"What do you get out of us hooking up?"

He came closer and was right in my face.

"If I were still like the others, you'd be dead right now, we don't mate, Andrea, we don't have need for an other, but like my brother the need for a companion, love and a mate is a blessing." His voice was low and between a warning and a tease, as he pulled away his face touched mine and I could feel the light scruff of his cheek on mine, it send a tickle down my back.

He was standing over me, as he watched me. My mind was telling me to stop and make him leave, my body was wanting him all over it. I hadn't felt like this with Nick or not this strongly at least, but would it be a mistake.

Right now I was tired of over thinking things.

"Kiss me."

"What?"

I got up on my knees on the sofa and looked up at him, running my hands over his chest. He seemed scared to kiss me, but I slowly convinced him, I let myself go a little to be daring and started kissing his neck. I left a trail of kisses up to his ear, and whispered.

"Kiss me."

He looked down at me and very carefully , put his mouth over mine, he started to loosen up and his hands found their way under my shirt.

"Whoa, tiger, for someone who is always lustful, you're certinaly taking your time."

He grinned and just like that there was a new person, it was breath taking.Nick and Calian have had a hard life and I guess Calian more then Nick, and he wants to be someone new.

"I don't want to scare you, it could get pretty intense."

"Mmhmm, nice to know, but anyway I'm not that easy to convince, or else I would've slept with Nick a long time ago."

Something crossed Calian's face, anger, jealousy, or maybe possessiveness. I couldn't put my finger on it, there was something different, not just with him but with me too.

"How can a bond be broken?" I asked getting up and headed to the kitchen.He followed and sat on the counter next to me.Like I said he was getting a little possessive.

"Last time I checked there was a witch involved."

"Okay, I don't know of any speically in this town."

"Or witch born, can break it without a actual ritual."

He watched me and I looked back, as far as I knew I was neither of those things. Then again Dad never talked about his family and Mom was the one with all the family here close by. Maybe...

I looked at him and he seemed pleased with himself for having me think about my family tree.

In that moment my phone rang and I looked it was, Marsha the woman that was renting me the space for the workshops.

"Hello?"

"Andrea, how long ago were you here?"

"Three days ago, why?"

She asked me to come up to town and I told her I'd be there.I got ready and with Calian there with me the whole time. We drove up and once there he looked around, without anyone but me noticed he turned into a dog, not like I've seen him before but, an actual dog, but instead of the beautiful light colors that made an animal approchable he was in dark grey and black colors. I went to see Marsha and she looked ready to faint.

The place was completely destoryed the walls scratched up, tables broken, and all of my supplies were in pieces. Calian looked at me worried and I nodded.

"Marsha, what happened?"

"Andrea, I hoped you could tell me."

She was in tears her poor building. I looked around hoping to find something salvageable. Calian came other in human form again and told me to leave it and let's go.

I excused myself with Marsha and reassured her everything will be find, and asked her to go home and don't worry about it now. She actually listened to me, and went home.Leaving me and Calian alone. He then pulled me toward the truck and we drove off.

"What did you find."

"Mom."

I felt my stomach drop, I remembered what he had told me about her killing spree, and how she was after Nick, or...

"If she's after Nick why are you so worried about me?"

He gave me a panicked look, like I just figured out something.

"Because now she's after me too, and if you're with me she won't stop at just me."

I stopped suddenly and parked the truck to the side of the road.

"What happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"You said bonds can be broken and some can be modified, you're changing and I've heard it before 'a black heart willing, you're willing to change, why?"

He gave me a look that told he was impressed but annoyed. He signaled for me to continue, I pulled us back on the road and drove, listening.

"When I was first cursed, I was exactly what you read or hear about in stories, I killed, tricked, and lured people to their deaths. I couldn't stop I didn't want to stop."

"Then what changed."

"Like you said the innocent can be tricked for so long. I was maybe fifteen when I when I walked in a couple, and their kid. the way they played with him, and how they tucked him into his sleeping bag, it made me wonder why my parents never did that, then the look of adoration in the woman's eyes for her husband, made me want that."

"But?"

"But when Mom found out what I was doing she wasn't happy with me, she attacked me and almost killed me, Dad made her stop and that was when she killed him. I had never thought I cared so much about the people that ruined my life, for the first time in years, i felt loss in my heart."

"That's when you went to look for Nick."

"Yeah, but Ben got in the way and out of anger I killed him, I walked away and tried to figure things out on my own."

"But you were just a kid."

"I met a man, on the way, Wayne, he took me in and taught me things my own parents never did: Working, caring,.etc. I learned what I never thought about my whole life, and guess what I enjoyed it, it felt better then actually killing people."

"Again but?"

"Mom, came looking Wayne knew I was either Native or Hispanic, and told me about the deaths that were happening and were heading in my direction, I told him my poblems were slowly coming back he wanted to protect me, but I told him it was nothing he could do, and I was gone, twenty years of working for the man, it hurt to leave."

"Did your mom get to him?"

"No, she redirected."

I sat there taking all of this in, and then there were thoughts.

"When you came to look for Nick at my house that day, you didn't look like this?"

Again he gave me that cocky grin.

"I was just looking for him."

"Then why have you been looking different?"

"Like what?"

"You don't look like your skin is melting anymore, now you actually look like an animal."

He wasn't looking at me anymore, like he was scared what I might see.

"I don't know."

I wanted to push, because even I was noticing his change.

"How long ago did you leave, Wayne?"

"Five years give or take."

"You went back to your other form for a while didn't you?"

He looked at me, and sighed but nodded.

"You got a taste of what it is to be close to human, Cal, it's not perfect but I bet it was better then what your parents had."

His eyes on me, made my heart rate go up, so I kept my eyes on the road. We got to the house and there was Nick and Trisha. When I parked the truck, they both walked toward me.

"What's going on?"

"Mom's in town." said Calian walking behind me, Nick and Trisha, looked at each other, then at Calian.

"You lead her here!?"

"No, she didn't know I was here, but she might know now."

"How?"

Calian looked at me and then back at his brother.

"Calian came to see me at the workshop building, she picked up his scent there."

"I forget you're not one of us, he smells completely different, and a little hornier then usual"

"Don't blame her, for men wanting her."

Trisha looked pissed, I'm guessing because of the little confusion with Nick.

"well, it's easy when, it easily comes around!"

Before Calian said anything I got in her face.

"First of all I haven't slept with either of them, and second I might be human but I'm not a fling, nor would I stoop that low so someone  goes to bed with me."

I walked away and went inside, Calian stayed to talk to Nick, i was getting a glass of water, and was just coming back to the living room when Calian came in.

"Okay we have a plan, and you're not going to like it."

"Shoot."

"They're going to lay low and I'm staying with you, and if we hear anything we'll let the other know."

"Simple enough."

He came and sat close to me, I gave him a curious look.

"Uh, I notice you've been clingy, what's going on?"

"I'm not sure, but I feel something when I'm with you and I like it, and can't get enough."

"I'm not sure how to take that."

"Just know I'm not leaving you that easily."

"Am I gong to need to put krazy glue on your butt to keep you even a little bit away from me?"

"No, not that far, I'm going to be hanging out with you until, my mother either gives up or shows up."

"I'm fine with that, and there is the sofa or the guest room."

"I can behave, okay just I can't take my eye off you, you never know."

"Can you turn into a cat like Nick did?"

"No, or yes, but no."

"Fine."

We agreed and I had to take him everywhere I went, for the next few days I got to really got to know Calian, he loved spicy foods, music of all kinds, would rather stay home then go out, and had a very simple dress code, I got him a little out of his bubble red, dark green, or brown really suited him. I realized I never really hung out with Nick like this, we had hung out but like friends, and because of the bond I wanted him, but it was wrong just the few time Calian was slept in my room, we haven't gone all the way, but I feel, like if we ever did I wouldn't hold back.

He was changing or is getting a bigger idea what life is, and he wanted to make it as normal as possible, he started to work with Nick for the City, but stayed close whenever they heard news of new sightings of their mother.

I paid for the repairs to Marsha's building and canceled the workshops for now until we go a handle on things, I had invested in some cosmetic products and they sent me samples to test with the customers, I gave them the number, and they filled out and order and I got a cut of the things sold. So my money was at a stand still, for that but everything else was going good, unlike my dad I knew were my money went.

One day i was working outside and spotted Jesse coming over.I got to my feet and walked over to meet him.

"Hey what's up?"

"Just come to say good-bye Andy, I'm headed back to California."

"But I thought you had a new life here?"

"Yeah, but I need to get away a lot has a happened and I just need to get away."

"True, well, good luck and take care."

He nodded and asked for a hug, I gave him one, but right as I hugged him I heard the truck pull up. A door slammed shut, I turned and saw Calian leaning on the truck.

"We'll  see ya, Jess."

"Yeah, take care."

He walked away  and I walked toward Calian.

:"Hey done already?"

"Yeah, wasn't that big of a job, what was that about?"

"Oh, Jess, was just saying good bye."

Calian nodded but said nothing more and went inside, I finished what I was doing, and followed right after. I looked around and found the house clean, the dishes, the living room and even the bed was made. I could hear the shower running.  I started dinner, and Calian came out right as I started.

"Hey, what you hungry for?"

"I'm not staying."

"What where are you going?"

"Out."

He simply said he hadn't been away from me that much with the thought his,Mom was close,but I guess he needed some space,

He walked into the room and got dressed, I walked in.

"What time you coming back?"

"Late, why?"

"Late, how late?"

"Andrea, why do you care, I'm going out and I'll be back late."

"Why are you acting like this?"

"Why are you? We're not a couple for you to be asking me so many questions?"

I stared at him, yeah I thought we would be moving a little fast, but we had never talked about being a couple, and wasn't really aware he even wanted to, I had just accepted he was here to protect me, had i misread something?

"Okay, you're right, hope you have fun." I said just as he grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.