The vampire and the wife

Chapter 19

When I woke the next morning, I honestly felt surprisingly refreshed, as it had been a while since I'd felt like that. I guessed it had been because of the lovely company that I'd had and also the company of Shadow all night who had awoken me by licking my face. I got up and Shadow and I went down the stairs to find Hunter already up and standing talking to Jen. Jen looked at me with a grin.

"Sleep well?" She laughed.

"Mmm," I muttered.

"I brought some clothes over for you. I didn't think you'd want to go home in those ones." Jen gestured for the bag on the sofa.

"I'll go and get washed up."

"The door is next to the bedroom. If you want to use the shower, go right ahead." I thanked Hunter and headed back up the stairs as Shadow stayed down. I got to the top of the stairs as I heard Jen and Hunter talking.

"So nothing happened?"

"I promise you, Jen. She went to bed upstairs with Shadow and I slept down here."

"Hunter I'm not bothered..."

"I know. Your just worried for your friend."

"I'm worried for you, Hunter. I love Rosa and all that but... Your in my pack. You are my responsibility. Kara would want you to move on now. It's been two years."

"I know and I think seeing Rosa... It's made me feel a little more hopeful about things. Just don't tell the women of the pack. I don't want or need them to try and get in my bed again."

I smiled a little to myself and went into the bathroom. I was pleased that Hunter felt comfortable moving on. You should take a leaf out of his book and move on. I'm not ready yet. I need answers. I ran the cold water and splashed it over my face, looking myself in the mirror. To do that, you need to face him and not run away. I looked down at my butterfly bracelet. "I won't run away next time. Next time he will give me answers; even if it takes all night and day, then I'll get them."

I got myself cleaned up and ready to go as I ran my fingers through my hair and then headed back down.

"So is this going to be a regular thing? If it is, can you bring clothes over?" Jen laughed as she fussed with Shadow but he seemed unhappy and walked away towards me.

"When he drops me off, I'll leave some in the car." I teased with a grin.

"Give me five minutes or so, ladies. I'm going to take Shadow out like every morning." Hunter went and got Shadow's lead, got it on him and then left. I swear, as he passed me, I noticed a blush across his face from my comment.

"Rosa. Thanks." Jen spoke quietly as I turned and looked at her. "For all the joking, you staying the night has done something good for him."

"I heard." I blushed a little.

"I know." Jen grinned. "What's going on with you?"

I took a deep breath and thought about my answer. I was annoyed at Xander; I was pissed off that he let my friend get hurt. I was still in love with Xander despite everything. "I don't know," I opted for. "It's so hard for me to not go there and kick his arse right now to teach him a lesson..."

"You still love him, though."

"Yeah, that sounds pathetic, doesn't it?" I shrugged a little and picked up my phone to find no missed calls from Dorian, which I thought was strange.

"I called Dorian and told him you were with me to avoid any trouble for you."

"Thank you."

"No worries and no, it doesn't sound pathetic. if Eric left me tomorrow..." Jen broke off laughing. "I'd kill him, so you have a bit of restraint."

"But I don't after last night." I told Jen simply and then let out a sigh. "I am fighting with myself to go over there and kick his arse over the conversation we had, over who he was in the bar with and most of all for letting my best friend get hurt."

"Rosa..." Jen froze for a moment and then sighed. "I need to head back to Eric. It seems like something has kicked off. Just make sure you stay safe, Rosa; don't pick fights you don't have to."

"I'll try not to." I answered Jen as I sat down on the sofa. Jen left and shut the door behind her and I began to lose myself in thought. I could easily slip out of Hunter's house and go to Xander's. My mind then began to think about what I would say to him. What would you say if you were given the chance?

I'd ask him why I wasn't good enough. I'd ask him why he let me fight so much for him just to then vanish on me when I needed him. I took a deep breath and looked down at my hands. "I'd ask him why he stopped loving me." I felt the tears begin to roll down my cheek as I clenched my hand into a fist to try and make the pain go away again, but it wouldn't. It just seemed to sit on my chest like a weight, threatening to crush me in a moment. I couldn't take it anymore, so I got up and headed to the door.

As I opened the door to give into what I wanted to do, Hunter stood with Shadow in the doorway as if they were about to open the door. "Everything ok?"

"I...I...I just needed some air." I lied and lent down to stroke Shadow as he barged past me to get inside.

"Mmhmm... and the tears?"

"Nothing." I muttered, wiping them on my sleeve quickly as I moved aside so Hunter could come in. As he did, he took my hand and dragged me back inside, shutting the door behind him as he led me into the kitchen and moved some hair away from my face.

"You don't need to lie to me, Rosa. I can see how much you are hurting. Is it being here?"

"No..." Hunter took my hand lightly in his.

"It's the taunting." Hunter seemed to realise this in the moment and squeezed my hand lightly. "Don't let it get to you. You are here, where you're welcome and wanted. He has no hold over you anymore, Rosa." He smiled lightly as he wiped away some tears, which seemed to spill over again. "His loss and someone else's gain—trust me, if I were in his shoes... I'd be broken and I'd be doing whatever it took to get you back because you really are amazing, Rosa."

"Thank you." I whispered as I looked up into his eyes and gave him a small smile.

"Whenever you need to hear how amazing you are, I'll let you know." He winked as he lightly stroked my cheek. I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. Hunter was right about Xander's loss and someone else's gain. I'd just wish that someone would hurry up and sweep me up, take me away from this pain and make it all better for me.

"How about breakfast and we go and find Annie's present afterwards? Would that be a welcomed distraction?"

"It would." I answered. If it meant I got to spend a little longer with you, Hunter, I'd do anything you wanted.

Neither of us spoke, as we just stood looking at each other. I know I was certainly wondering just what he was thinking and I was also beginning to wonder where this friendship was going because it was certainly beginning to feel like I was needing this more, as if it were a drug keeping me going every day. I knew there was never going to be anything more for Hunter and I, but I knew that if I hadn't had feelings for Xander, I certainly would have hoped that there would have been more for Hunter and I.

"Let's go then." He eventually muttered, breaking the silence between us as he let go of me and I took a step away from him to catch my breath. I went into the living room and picked up my coat.

"Oh, I should go and grab my clothes from upstairs."

"I'll get them back to you. I promise and it also gives me another reason to see you again."

"You don't need a reason; you can see me when you want." I smiled at him and quickly turned away, as I could feel a blush coming up over my skin. I really was addicted to Hunter, but I wasn't yet sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing. It's going to be a bad thing, as everything always ends in a bad way. I pushed the thought away as quickly as it came, zipped my coat up and turned to find Hunter handing me my phone.

"Thanks."

"Let's go if your ready." Hunter offered me his arm and I slid my arm into his and we walked out to his car together. We didn't really speak as we went out; I guessed he was still wrapped up in some thought or something, as I was as I got into the passenger's side and belted up.

"Breakfast!" Hunter called as he got in, belted up, and started the car. I had no clue where he was taking us, but wherever it was, I was simply happy to be with him.