DARK DAYS

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ana dropped her bag on the front bench seeing Micah in the living room… on his head. “Really Micah, yoga? At midnight? That’s just weird.”  She commented walking into the room. When he didn’t move she added, “You better not be staring up my skirt!”

He lost his concentration as he laughed and got up, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”  He watched from the kitchen as she made herself comfortable, “How’d the date go?” He asked handing her a drink.

“Surprisingly well. It was nice, he’s a good guy you know?” 

Micah sat back down, “hmmm, I believe I told you that…” when she stuck her tongue out he added, “I’m glad you two are getting along, it’s important for you to have someone else that you can rely on.”

She rolled her eyes, in typical teenager fashion, being faced with something that she doesn’t want to admit to be true. But truth be told she respected his advice, wouldn’t admit to it to save her life but did never the less. After a while of rehashing the date with him, Micah stared at her silently for a minute before asking, “So the dreams have come back?”

Ana looked way, “Sometimes you see too much Micah.” She responded with a nervous laugh.

He patted her knee, “spill it little girl…” he invited in his usual laid back fashion.

She shrugged, curling up tighter making him wonder if she knew how loudly her body language screamed stay away. “Same ole shit.” She answered evasively. 

Micah got up and stretched, “I’m going to bed. You going home?” he announced suddenly, catching her off guard, it wasn’t like him to let anything go so easily. She followed him into his room, their routine so coordinated anyone would swear they were an old married couple.

She got undressed, donned one of his tee shirts and climbed onto the bed beside him, Micah was under the covers already waiting patiently. “Anyone ever tell you, that your legs are killer?” he asked absently, staring at her fold her long limbs into a comfortable position on the bed. She was quite leggy for someone who was only five six, all slim, smooth tawny skin… he shook his head before allowing himself to think about it further.

Ana laughed, “Not in those words specifically but yeah… my ex had a no pants in the summer rule he always tried to enforce on me.” She responded honestly.

Micah nodded, “I can understand that.” He changed the subject abruptly, “So Freya is still causing havock where you’re concerned.”

Christiana

shrugged, “It’s not surprising, she sees me as a threat. I’ve delt with women like her before and I can now.”

He didn’t doubt that she could, but that wasn’t the point, “I want you to come with me one morning this week when I go on rounds, I want your opinion on something.” He announced, it wasn’t as much of an order as it would have been if she were anyone else in the pack.

“Isn’t that something Dante or Nate should be doing? They are your second and third, I’m just the newbie.” She questioned surprised at the request.

Micah turned the light off and waited a few seconds for both of their eyes to adjust to the dark, he said only then watching her climb under the covers with him, “I don’t want their opinion I want yours. Don’t worry I don’t think Dante will be threatened by you helping me out every once in a while.” He added wrapping his arms around her when she laid her head on his chest, “Anyway, girl like you, no matter what position you held in your other pack was destined to become at the very least the mistress of an alpha male, most likely wife to one. It’s akin to being a generals wife in ancient rome… you were trained for this type of thing…  weren’t you?”

Christiana sighed, “Yeah, I hated every minute of it too.” 

“Why didn’t you tell Nate you had a key?” he asked suddenly.

“He wouldn’t understand. It’s the same reason why no one knows I still stay over every now and then… your pack doesn’t have the ability to see you sharing any part of your life or bed with me without it being insidious.” She responded honestly, if not a bit dramatically. 

Micah frowned into the darkness, knowing she was right, “Anyone who knows me should know that I don’t f**k around with minors. You are just a baby, like a little sister to me... just one I can look at.”

“Uh-huh.” Her hand moved across his chest absently, “That’s the problem though… how many people in this pack really know you? You have omnipotent leader syndrome. You hold the power of life and death for your pack mates in your hands, it’s hard to be friends with someone who could have you killed with a snap of their fingers. I think I am probably your closest friend.”

Micah sighed dramatically, “that’s a sad sad thing.” H laughed as she hit him, she was very predictable. 

Ana closed her eyes tightly, “The dreams always the same.” She said sadly.

Micah kissed the top of her head, “Tell me.” He invited.

She sniffed, “I wasn’t supposed to be there… at the challenge between Ulrich and my dad. I disobeyed him as usual and hid in the bushes a few yards away and watched. They were fighting over me; I figured I had the right to see it. In the dream my father is laying there still alive when I reach his side…. He looks at me and…” she stopped.

Micah stroked her back, “it’s okay, go on.” He said soothingly

“He tells me it’s all my fault, he blames me, I shouldn’t have been there, I led Ric on… basic guilt issues… and then he dies. But god the look in his eyes Micah… he’s so disappointed in me.” Micah felt her crying, “I wake up when I see Ric walking over, and I’m frozen I can’t move, can’t run, he just comes… and I wake up in a cold sweat.”

He held her for a long time before she was calm enough to really hear him, “It’s just a dream, it wasn’t your fault. And no one is going to hurt you, I promise you, no one.” 

Ana nodded, almost believing him. They fell asleep like they always did when she stayed over, with Micah curled around her, protecting her, he was good at it. She never had the nightmares when he was there.