Everything from that moment happened too quickly to register at first.... If I had known there was a bookshelf above my head, maybe I wouldn't have chosen that wall to back into.

If the encyclopaedia hadn't toppled from its place above our heads, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe Landon wouldn't have snapped out of his trance, and I wouldn't have been left speechless. Perhaps our duties would look different...

But it did. It smacked him right on his forehead, so he stumbled back, completely confused by the turn of events. He now stared at me with eyes a soft brown, no longer dark and threatening.

"Shit, sorry Al," he rushed, as I tried to gather my wits. He was about to kiss me, but it looked as if his trance had vanished into thin air. I brushed my hands down my jacket, trying to calm my beating heart. I felt a cold tension build between us. That stupid book had broken the spell between us. It had chosen that one time to free itself from bookshelf above.

"It's okay," I croaked, swallowing. He ran a hand through his hair, making it flop over his eyes slightly. Why did that have to happen, to me? I don't understand why I couldn't just have things uncomplicate themselves so that everything in my life made sense. Landon would finally see through the feelings he could possibly have for me.

"It's just...Ever since I phased, I've been having strange feelings. Dad said it's because I haven't mated with anyone yet," he explained. That made a lot of sense. I felt a sense of pity swirl around my stomach. I don't know why though. Maybe it was the guilt I felt. For the fact that I had nearly kissed Landon straight on the lips, and wouldn't have cared for the consequences in that brief moment.

"I see. I understand Landon," I said softly. He smiled at me, but the look in his eyes showed me clearly, that he no longer saw me the way he used too. This sudden change in his attitude had shown him that I was no longer the girl that he had grown up with, and loved like a friend.

I didn't want to admit that things were about to change, but could I push the fact away?

***

"You what! He what?"

Missy sat across from me lounging on my couch. She looked appalled, but excited at the same time. Usually she's not too interested in what I've got to say most of the time. That's what bugs me, but it looks like this has piqued his interest highly. She pulled herself up into sitting position.

I got back earlier this morning. I had convinced Landon I couldn't stay the night because my parents would kill me. That is actually true, but so is the fact that I wanted to leave before his father awoke. I had spent the next day pretending I was ill.

Mother fretted, Dad left for work, and eventually mother followed suit. It's not that their company isn't nice, it's just I needed time to think. But it felt like I was digging myself deeper into a dark trench. I even text Cyrus saying I was going to sleep my sickness off for the rest of the day.

It felt stupid to lie to him, but I didn't want to drag him into this. He said it was okay, and that he was going to go golfing with his Dad anyway. So, I called Missy.

I hadn't talked to her in ages, and it seemed as though her optimistic attitude would cheer me up immensely. So, she agrees, cancelling a day of gardening with her Mum to come over and listen to me vent. That makes me feel instantly better.

"I know, it was as if he was in a trance," I explained, running my hand down my face. Missy thought for a moment, before bending over to the coffee-table to grab a handful of salt and vinegar chips from the bowl I had prepared for her. She shoved on in her mouth and chewed noisily. I knew those chips were her favourite, but the way she ate them wasn't my favourite way, that's for sure.

"A trance? You think he actually meant to.... you know, kiss you?"

I threw my hands up. How would I know? Landon and I had been best friends for years. How could he possibly known I had feelings for him when I am too shy to tell him anything. Missy seemed to read my expression.

"Think of it this way...Why would he be triggered to attack you like that when he doesn't like you? Does he not have to have some sort of attraction," she questioned. I could see how her could be possibly realistic. I breathed in deeply. I was stuck for ideas, and I could hear my phone buzzing in my pocket. Cyrus obviously wanted to know how I was.

"Maybe I should concentrate on Cyrus," I queried. Missy dismissed this instantly, like she does with many things. A finely manicured finger pointed straight at me, and I felt slightly nervous by the look on her face. He statements left me with a little bit of hope though.

Ever since Missy and I began to tolerate each other’s presence, she knew about Landon. I had turned down a boy she thought was good for me. I had to explain to her that I wasn't interested in him, which sparked a massive debacle, which might I say has been pestering me for years now.

Now she is obsessed with us becoming mates. It hardly makes sense, but sometimes she tells me it's because she doesn't have a mate. It won't be too far away that she will find one. She pretty, tall and charismatic. I could learn a few things from her confident attitude.

"No, you and Landon have obvious chemistry. If he isn't completely aware, it's a subconscious crush he has for you. Heck, he probably loves you," she affirmed. I rolled my eyes. Loves me? That's a little too far.

"You ask him for his opinion yourself then, if you're so desperate to know whether he likes me or not," I challenge. Missy screws her nose up. Confrontation, she doesn't like the sound of that.

Suddenly a knock another door scares me to jumping position. I glance at the clock, seeing the time was exactly three in the afternoon. My parents weren't to be home for a while yet, so my guess flew out the window. Missy looked panicked, like she was caught red handed.

"Who is that?" Missy questions. I place my finger to my lips, and creep to the window. If I get the right angle without breaking my neck, I'll be able to see who is loitering outside my door.

Cyrus, standing with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. I ducked, glancing at Missy. She stared at me in confusion for a moment, before following suit, crouching in an awkward position in the other side of the coffee-table.

"It's Cyrus, he can't know you're over," I snap. Missy's eyes widen in fright. For a few moments, I watch her get up and run in circles, wondering what to do. Great, now Cyrus is going to find out that I've had Missy over the whole day instead of him. Sometimes a girl needs another girl...

"You've got to leave through my bedroom window!" I exclaim. She pauses, breathing heavily. She looks utterly disgusted by my idea. Maybe because the drop from my window isn't the shortest distance.

"I am not jump-"

"You've got too, I'll be dead otherwise," I hiss.

"He isn't your Dad!"

"And!"

"Althea, are you in there?" Cyrus's intrusive voice cuts through our tense argument. Missy sighs in frustration.

"Fine, but you owe me," she growled, turning and trotting up the stairs. I should probably tell her how much I love her, but I'll do that later. I mentally make a note to do so, as I open the front door.

"Hey Sweetheart, how are you feeling?"

I let out a deep breath, and stepped out to give Cyrus a hug. He was dressed to impress, which was surprising because he had just come to see me, who he thinks is utterly sick. It did feel nice to have his comfort again though, but something made my stomach turn and plummet to my feet.

"Why do you smell like perfume?" I question. I watch his eyes fill with some emotion I couldn't decipher; yet it still stirred annoyance inside me. We were surely a thing now, right?

Landon played at the back of my mind though. No, it didn't happen, and even if it did, Cyrus would be the first person I would tell. Mainly because of guilt, and the fact that I do respect him. But it looked like whatever he was keeping from what not about to come out.

"It's the flowers," he excused, pushing them at me. I took them from him. They were ornamental, they didn't smell. He probably didn't realise, so I set them down on the stand beside the door. I felt a bit sick to my stomach. I probably deserved it.

"How was golf?" I asked, stepping aside to let him in. Did he even go? I wanted to ask, bur I felt like it would seem like I was accusing him. I honestly didn't want him to think that, especially if he wasn't doing anything bad.

"Golf...Oh yeah it was great," he commented. I nodded. I sat down on the couch, letting him sit down beside me. I could feel the tension, but it was as though he couldn't, as he lay a warm hand on my thigh. I glanced at him, to see him staring blatantly at my lips.

"Are you feeling any better?" He asked quietly. I swallowed, nodding. His hands traced slight circles around my inner thigh, making me shiver. He leaned, till his breath was mingling with mine. This felt wrong.

"But my stomach is still queasy," I stated loudly, breaking the trance between us. He blinked, leaning back. Good, it worked...

"I actually wanted to ask you something," I continued, feeling how out of place he felt on my father's leather couch, which he worships. He nodded for me to ask.

"Landon invited me to a dinner at the Wisdom Pack, and I was wondering whether or not you wanted to go."

His eyes lit up, so blue and fresh. I smiled as he stood up, looking more excited than a kid on Christmas day. He grabbed my hands, kneeling in between my legs.

"Of course, thank you!"

I was right, knowing that he did want to meet this Alpha. Would he leave though? Would expect me to come with him?

I couldn't imagine a life like that. Without Landon.