POV of Megan

     "Young woman, where have you been?" As soon as I open the door, Ben asks. Even though his arms are crossed, and he is staring at me, a smile is teasing the edges of his mouth because he cannot even seem to be reprimanding me.

     "Going on a gallivanting trip with no-good people," I utter as I close the door and remove my boots. Though my legs are tired and my feet hurt, those feelings are nothing compared to the joyful feeling I'm experiencing. 

     Naturally, Ben replies.

     I collapse onto the couch next to him and steal the final slice of pizza from the box on the coffee table in front of him. I was famished from all that jogging.

     Mee, where have you been? Ben replies, "You don't usually stay out past midnight," when I glance at the clock, I realise it's almost two in the morning.

     I ran with Kael for eight hours straight.

     Time flies, I suppose when you spend it with a gorgeous werewolf.

     I feel horrible, though, since in all my adult twenties, I have never remained out beyond eleven on a Saturday night. Additionally, I've never gone anywhere for that long without informing Ben first.

     Sorry, I believed I had informed you before I went. I lie and practically wince at how readily I say, "Sharon and I went to the movies."

     I can't tell Ben about Kael yet, but I never lie to him. I'm sure he'll see how Kael and I got along, start to hang out, and go to the clan to scare him. Additionally, Ben could be in danger, and I might get much worse off than I was before because of the agitated family and the unofficial nature of our connection.

      Because, in an abstract sense, eight hours ago, Kael was my partner. Neither he nor I knew one another.

     But now that I've spent an evening with him, the thought of living without him makes me queasy. I can't take the chance of saying or doing something that might make him less important to me. And I have to tell Ben lies if that's what it takes to do it.

     I believe Kael is worth it. Wishful. 

     What did you observe? As I grab the drink can from Ben's fingers and breathe in the pizza slice, he asks.

     I name a superhero movie, grateful that the Marvel film series releases films so frequently and widely that even I, who stays off the internet and doesn't read the newspaper, can name a suitable movie.

     Has her boyfriend shown up? Ben comments, "I assumed she was usually busy with him on the weekends," as he surfs the TV stations. I feel my stomach plummet because even though his eyes are fixed on the television, he is paying attention to me.

     He's aware.

     The issue with having your sibling act as your sole family member and parent figure is that you can grasp your sibling's telltales better than anybody else. Ben is aware that I'm lying, and I am aware that he is attempting to make me lie.

     Naturally, I continue to tell more falsehoods since it seems like the most logical line of action.

     "No, Greg is not well. Sharon had already purchased the tickets, I believe (for Flu), so she asked if I would want to accompany her instead. Furthermore, it seems like I don't get to see her enough.

     Ben turns to face me and asks, "You see her at work at least five days a week for eight hours at a time."

     Yes, but we never have time to catch up since we're always busy at work. I hastily add, "IEa,na,n I never get to spend meaningful time with her."

     Alright. With a tone of disbelief in his voice, Ben says.

     Just as I'm ready to spew more meaningless, dishonest words into the void, Ben abruptly switches off the TV and turns to face me.

     "I hope you realise you can tell me anything, Mee. Since we are each other's only resource, shouldn't we be sincere with one another?

     I nod, surprised that after drinking so much Coke, my throat feels dry.

     I'm aware. I tell him, "I love you," and although it's true, I'm also hoping it would stop the conversation because his words and the way he's looking at me—with love and genuine disappointment—have me on the verge of bursting into tears.

     He leans over to kiss my forehead and adds, "Love you too, Megan," before getting off the couch.

     Please turn out the lights and lock up before going to bed. He says, "I'm too tired from waiting for you.

     It's a guilt trip, yes, but it's also a wake-up call that we need to be aware of potential threats to one another to protect each other.

      When I come out of the shower, I feel so guilty that I can barely stand to look at myself in the mirror. But when I do, I see that, despite my sorrow, my cheeks are flushed, and my smile is broad.

     I was ecstatic, and now that I think about it, I don't recall ever feeling like this.

  Too, I doubt that I have ever felt this way.

     I'm smitten.

     This knowledge makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and even though I had an odd and uncomfortable conversation with Ben, I smile as I head to bed.

     In my dream, I see Kael sprinting by me through golden, light-filled woods. We breathe in unison, our paws tap the earth, and I feel secure and at ease. 

     I've slept better than this in years.