Chapter 15: Intermission

*Warning: Picture heavy (but it's mostly because of the ballet).*

Tonight is the big night. Everyone is dressed up and sitting in the audience prepared for my performance as Odette in Swan Lake and for the first time in a long time I actually feel nervous. Not so much about my performance but the fact that he will be here, watching. I told him it was no big deal and he didn’t have to try and make an appearance for my sake but he said it was something he wanted to do. That it’s nice supporting a friend in her choices especially since it will be my last dance. And he’s right about that. I’ve decided that I don’t want this ‘career’. I want to be able to write whatever I want, whenever I want without fear of being reprimanded or treated like a child. 

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Chapter 14: Past Haunts

Blake stood outside the locked doors of his old home just staring at the front walkway as if it was some angry snake waiting to strike him for his trespass. The look of the place was dark and ominous and remained the resolute, chilling reminder of days long since passed and the man he could no longer be. The yard was trimmed and had been well cared for by his dearest friend and he could see through the partially uncovered windows not much had changed on the inside either. “Are you going in or plan on standing out here all night?” Nick’s voice broke through the silence and he moved around Blake towards the front door.

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Chapter 13: Safe Haven

“Can I get you anything?” Nick asked stepping back inside the house and moving towards his bar. “I could certainly use a drink and you look like you can too.”

“I’m fine thanks but I have to go. I can’t stay here. My Mother is going to flip out.” She replied standing and starting for the door.

“Blake said it’s best you stay here with me, at least for now. Uh you think you can maybe call and tell her that you’re staying at a friend’s?”

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Chapter 12: Old Friend

The forest seemed especially frightening to Natalie as Blake guided her through the woods under the cover of night towards some undetermined destination. But she didn’t speak a word as he moved, afraid that any sound she made would be heard by one of the men that had just attacked them. Before long, Blake led her up a stone walkway towards a loft situated on the outskirts of downtown. He took in a breath and knocked once after checking the window to ensure he was alone.

After waiting a few moments he watched the owner approach the front of the house and exhaled his breath slowly. “Hello Nick.” Blake greeted in a flat tone as the door opened. The fashion photographer stood with a shocked expression on his face, his eyes darting from Blake’s to Natalie’s and back.

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Chapter 11: You Can Run But You Can’t Hide

For a week Natalie had been sneaking out of the house under the guise of going to rehearsal. Losing Brody stopped becoming an issue for her as she continuously invented new ways to evade his guard. She and Blake had a method for when she was coming to see him. He watches for her from the top of the building and when the coast is clear she does something with her hair; toss it over her shoulder, fix her bang and he comes to open the door.

The two were becoming quick friends but it never stopped his wolf from scratching up his insides the more that word was being used; he craved more. “Those ladies I saw you with in your backyard, are they going to be at this masque you mentioned before?”

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Chapter 10: It Was You

“…And the company responsible for the merger between the Cresting Heights Communications center TyCom Metro and our fiber optics systems Optix, class? Natalie?” Professor Lassiter asked noticing her attention was again outside the window. “Natalie?”

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Chapter 09: Escape

“Where on Earth have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?” Estelle scolded as Natalie entered the foyer of the manor. “You know you have a schedule to keep but lately it’s been just…”

“I went for a run Mother I just needed to clear my head that’s all.”

“‘That’s all’?! ‘That’s all’?! I’m sorry Natalie Dear but that is FAR from all. Your attention has been very distracted lately and I am very concerned that there is something going on with you that you’re not telling me. Even Mrs. Feingold said she’s noticed your imprecision during your violin lessons! What is going on with you?”

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Chapter 08: Temperance

Willpower; that’s what it all comes down to. I must have the willpower and self-control to keep myself from doing something I know would only be beneficial to me. The question is can I? She came by. She followed me into the sewer and was a short guest in the upstairs bedroom; the place still smells like her. It doesn’t help that I decided not to wash the sheets she slept on but…I couldn’t bear the thought of losing the only contact with her that I may ever have. 

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Chapter 07: Who Are You?

Natalie began to stir drawing Blake’s attention from his reading. He watched as her hand found the bump on her forehead and rubbed across it with a low hiss. The light from the candle beside him illuminated her body enough making her appear to glow with honey undertones. She’d kicked the covers from her body again but this time he stayed where he was watching her awaken rather than place them on her nude form once more.

She moaned and sat up, her hand still on her head as the pounding intensified between her ears. “Hey,” Blake whispered as her eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the light. “How are you feeling?”

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Chapter 06: Curiosity Killed the Cat

“‘Local Searchers Pulled Off Case’.” Riley read over Natalie’s shoulder as he took a seat beside her. “What are you looking at that for?”

“I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” she exited out of the web search and turned off the screen shooting an annoyed look in his direction. “What do you want?” She asked with equal frustration as she watched his eyes rake across her body.

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