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I gave hihter Well at least he had found his sense of huain

"Glad to see you worked out all your frustration," I growled bitterly And even though I silenced him, I still couldn’t look him in the eye

"Stella, I’m sorry" My eyes flew to his when his voice turned froht, I was frustrated But I was also hurt… I felt like we had this big ht you were alht, for those few one that was utter hell And then you came back to reat between us We took this step forward and I actually felt like ere on the sa , but I couldn’t even wraphe had just said, or the raw ehed and continued "Anyhen he walked downstairs thisand I realized where he came from… I think I lost etically and , buttery puddle

Still I was an independent woet that we have this future together, Seth," I started, s a little bit to ease his fears I took a breath, knowing I had to stand olden eyes watchedhow vulnerable he could be soet to do their job "But you can’t just spend a feeeks in my life and tell me what I’m allowed or not allowed to do Granted, Tristan should never have slept over I get that And not just because of this thing between me and you… He shouldn’t have slept in my bed because it was disrespectful to oing to be honest, it won’t happen again And only partly because my daddy would kill hiht about that for a ht of what that would be like before continuing, "But you and s happen naturally and slowly and even if there is kind of an expiration date on thatour relationship as if we have a choice I need that; I need to have an actual choice in the matter So you can be jealous or whatever, but I don’t want to hear about it And I really don’t want to be told what I can and cannot do At least until you are officially my boyfriend"

"Or your fiancé," Seth s smile of his and I hoped he took me seriously

"Whichever one coet under his skin

But he just laughed "You’re right, Stella It won’t happen again Like I said, I’o hoood yourself," he tussled rin

It died when he left though andto prey on their next meal

Shoot

"Stella, you know Tristan is not allowed in your rooht?" my mother asked and I could tell she was the calh both of thery than I expected them to look

"Yes, I know," I dippedlady,"into ht then," my father announced stiffly and both of my parents made a move to leave the rooht up and I et? One week of being grounded?"

"Do you want enuine and I loved the sound of it I had been so afraidto be completely and irrevocably disappointed in my behavior or at the very least extrery

"No!" I gushed, trying to keep froht be more…"

"We heard your conversation with Seth, honey," htened with an instant blush "You’re more responsible and dedicated than your actions deain"

"Yes sir," I replied respectfully

Myher sainst hiet too far "Seriously Stella, don’t let that happen again," , strong finger at me "Don’t make me have to talk to you like you’re an irresponsible child ever again, Stella-bean You’re not one and I want you acting with all the manners and etiquette classes I paid for over the sue s ht they would help us blend into humanity He sly on the neck before leading her into the living roo backs and couldn’t help but wonder if Seth and I would ever be that close… if ould ever fall that much in love

It was definitely hard at this point, especially when I had to keep trying to convince myself that Seth could actually like ation made by his dead parents Or a Council of Elders that had never ether before ere even born

Yikes Aliah was hardly the beginning of my problems…

Chapter Nineteen

Today was officially Valentine’s Day It felt weird falling on a Thursday, especially when the dance wasn’t until toht I had so far avoided Tristan and Seth today, save for the carpool to school this , but that was always aard and silent Not that I was expecting a gift from either of them and I actually said a million prayers over the last week that neither one would attempt so like that

Not that either one were in love with roup with both of the off in their battle of testosterone fueled male dominance that I was terrified an explosion was just around the corner And I prayed it wouldn’t happen on or near this weekend while everyone else celebrated love