I tried to ignore the small tremble that went through me. How was it possible to dislike someone and feel fluttery inside at the same time? His nearness suddenly made it hard to think straight. Pulling my hand away, I stammered “I really need to go inside now.”

This time he did not try to stop me. He stepped aside and I pushed my bike past him. I hurried around to the back door and stood the bike against the wall while I searched for my keys. I did not realize he had followed me until he spoke.

“You can run away from me but you can’t run from the truth. The werewolves can’t protect you forever and eventually, you’ll have to leave New Hastings. What will you do then?”

My hand stilled on the door knob. “When that happens it’ll be my problem, not yours,” I replied without looking at him. I opened the door and pushed my bike inside. “I don’t want you following me around anymore.”

“And I don’t want you to keep putting yourself in danger. Seems like neither of us will get what we want.”

I didn’t reply, I just let the heavy door close behind me.