Fight By My Side

I thought back to what Austin had said. The ginger cat was curled in my arms as I rubbed behind his ears. He knew, he knew, he knew.

But he said he wouldn't tell. Could I keep his word on that? Maybe, maybe sometime. As long as I gave him updates on his injured feline, he would stay out of the house. Oh, how I had been hooked into his little schemes!

It was ten at night right now. The clock chimed, urgent for me to go to sleep. Besides that one part of the morning, it had been fairly uneventful. Of course, the moment I walked downstairs with the scent of Austin clinging around me and the unnerved expression on my face, Jack knew what was wrong. They probed until I gave them the full truth.

To escape their constant debates on what to do, I hid back in the infirmary room with the cat, who had not Shifted back yet. His leg was still in the make shift cast Jack had fashioned. We expected whoever it was to shift back within the next few days.

After I was done checking on the cat, I moved out and back into my bed room, shutting the door behind me. Walking to the bedroom, my legs ached an complained, but I gave them the rest they begged for. Crawling into my bed, I threw my shirt off and pulled the covers up over my hot chest. The day had been usually hot outside, and we all had our shirts off. The guys had seen me in just my athletic black sports bra and shorts enough times that they honestly didn't care.

When I woke up, it was early the next morning. Everyone was still fast asleep, so I took my chance and escaped outside. I pulled on a fresh shirt as I climbed the stairs and went through many doors to sit on the front porch step. I wasn't surprised when the usual visitor climbed the hill and took a seat next to me. I flinched as he came close.

"How's Ashton doing?" He questioned curiously.

"Good. His legs were broken, but I managed to patch them up." I answered shortly. Turning my glance away from him, I stared out over the sun peeking through the tops of trees out in the distance. The mountains hugged the rays of light. Austin was staring at me and I glanced to him.

"Why are you staring at me?" I questioned. Austin grinned his crooked smile.

"Because you're cute when you're angry." He chuckled. I sighed at the overuse of the comment.

"I'm not angry!" I sighed. He raised an eyebrow.

"Sure." He laughed as I frowned at him.

"I'm not!" Okay, now I was. True happiness spread across his face as he saw he won the battle.

"So you're trying to seduce me with cheesy lines after what....five minutes?" I sighed, exasperated now. Austin let his face fall into confusion.

"I think you're missing an entire week there." He told me softly. I froze on the spot. Why did he chose to bring this up again?!

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." My voice broke. Austin touched my shoulder softly. I shied away, standing up suddenly.

"Wynter, you do." Austin nodded. I shook my head, taking a step back. Austin was up in a flash with is hand clamped around my wrist.

"Wynter, I do, and I already told you. I don't want to call the Guardians." The man shook his head. Footsteps echoed from inside. It must've been Vic, maybe Jack.

"Austin, you better go." I told him sadly. A heartbroken look crossed his face as he dropped my wrist and started to walk away.

"Tomorrow." I called after him, confirming our next meeting before slowly sliding inside. Vic stood at the opposite side of the door, arms crossed.

"Meeting Austin?" He asked. I swallowed the salty taste in my throat under his wary gaze.

"Yes." I stared at the floor. Vic didn't reply.

"I hope you know I want to meet him at some point." He told me, nudging my shoulder softly. I laughed lightly. We both walked downstairs, an uneasy feeling lingering in the air.

Notes