Chapter 20

Lake plodded on the lawn with Amelia right behind him, he gazed back and held her hand as they finally stepped on the foyer; the door was opened, Lucy and Laura were already home, and most likely in their rooms. They’d seen him with Amelia in front of the house earlier.

It felt strange, and even more refreshing—the fact he’d opened up to someone, not just anyone, but to a girl he truly loved. He’d never felt that way with any other woman, sure he’d dated a few in the past, but it was all to pass time and nothing serious. But Amelia…with Amelia—

He tilted his head and got locked with her set of grey eyes, she had an expression he couldn’t quite read.

He was attached to her, and deeply attracted to her.

Did she perhaps think differently of him now? It killed him that he couldn’t get the answer.

“Are you alright?” He questioned.

She flashed a smile that seemed a little fake and responded, “I’m fine.”

“Gilbert,” Lake gazed forward, his eyes connecting with Laura’s. Her eyes were red, soaked with tears, and Lucy was right behind her.

“We need to talk,” she said, and he jerked his head to Amelia.

“I’ll be in your room,” She said curtly.

“Thank you, Amelia,” Laura muttered as she pattered up the stairs into the hallway.

Slowly, Lake turned to face his family, his heart thumping steadily.

“We heard everything you said earlier…” Laura began, tears welling down her eyes.

He should have guessed they were eavesdropping, but really, he didn’t care.

“I’m sorry, my son,” her voice was shaky, and she moved close to him, reaching for his hands, “I’m sorry for making you believe you were responsible for his death—I’m sorry for not defending you, not standing up for you,” her sob increased, and Lucy watched as the scene played out, her eyes wet with tears.

The mood in the house had never felt so tense.

“It was not your fault, okay?” She said, and Lake felt a lump in his throat. He hated the tone she was using; it reminded him of the little boy he used to be.

“All these years, I’ve carried the burden, and I am truly sorry.” She concluded.

Lake could feel her sincerely, they shared the same pain, and he knew it’d been a difficult period for them. He limped close to his mother and pulled in for a hug.

“It’s fine,” he said, and glanced at Lucy, “come here little princess!” He smiled, and Lucy joined the group hug.

After the little moment of reconciliation and weakness, Lake scurried into his room.

He was calm now, and Amelia was on the bed, rolling and twisting her hair. Her eyes sparkled as she gazed at him intensely, it was compelling, and magnetic.

She rose from the bed and embraced him.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” He questioned softly.

Amelia nodded curtly, “I’m fine,” she replied with the accent he’d grown to love, still crestfallen.

All he wanted was her goofiness back—all he wanted was her.

He sauntered to put on a CD that played instrumentals in the background, and he watched her mood rapture.

He knew it was the moment—the moment he’d kind of been practicing for the past few days. He shoved his right hand into his Adidas shorts, emphasizing his tall, muscular frame, and slipped out a ring.

It wasn’t so expensive, but it looked expensive and shiny.

Amelia narrowed her eyes, and said, “you didn’t steal it, did you?”

Irritated by the fact she’d assumed that, he responded, “No.”

“Oh goodness…sorry,” she said apologetically, and Lake grinned.

“Well, I had quite the reputation,” he smiled, “emphasis on had,” he couldn’t help but point out.

Shoplifting was a way of venting his anger, but he’d vowed to leave all of it behind.

“If it makes you feel better, I only stole from those that steal from people.”

Amelia barked out a laugh; watching her right there was enough to make him burst, “twisted…yet interesting.”

Instantly, Lake’s expression changed, he could feel his heartbeat increasing, and for the first time, he felt nervous. He held her hand and slipped the ring into her finger. The air in the room tensed up, and the atmosphere changed as his gaze fell on her lips. It was the moment he’d been waiting for since he first laid his eyes upon her.

She seemed to be just as nervous as he was as he reached for her defined jaw, pulling it close to him. He tilted his head close to her lips, just a few inches away from colliding, and suddenly, she lurched back.

“I…I have to go,” she stuttered, and bolted out of the room.

Just like every other day, he’d have just let her go, but this time, Lake agreed within himself to chase her.

Even if it meant following her to her home; he was up for the quest.

Swiftly, he darted out of the room till he found himself in front of the house; he could see her at the far end of the street, and Lake increased his speed as he followed her trail. She’d turn left, reminding him of the first time he’d met her, a little more forward, and she’d find herself in the same trash they’d first encountered.

He finally arrived at the end of the street and turned; he could still see her—she was at the same trash area, but she wasn’t alone.

He used to believe deja vu was something made up by someone to prove a point, but that moment, he flushed the idea out of his mind.

Josh and his gang were harassing her again. Without thinking, he bolted to them and yelled from behind.

“Leave her alone!” Josh turned and began to chuckle.

“Look, your hero is here,” he turned his head back at Amelia. She was right there with rumpled hair, looking like a cute lost puppy.

“I guess the weeks of stalking you two finally came in handy,” Josh gave a feral grin, and Lake wasn’t enjoying it, “so I came prepared,” he said.

Suddenly, Lake flinched. He’d heard a bark.

Josh wasn’t just a neighborhood thug; he was also an old friend, and he was aware of Lake’s greatest fear.

The bulldog raced towards his direction, and Lake collapsed in shock, his mind recalling the traumatic day in the woods. His eyes became blurry, but he tried to keep them open to make sure she was safe. He darted his blurry gaze at her, but something was changing—she was changing.

Lake blinked his eyes. The woman he loved had transformed into something else—something sinister—something grey…something very familiar.

She had transformed into the giant dog, and he’d heard her howl, sending memories from that night.

But it was no giant dog…

She was a Lycan.