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Chapter 5

Lexi

Even though I had the heat on full blast I was still cold by the time I arrived home. I jumped out of my truck and raced inside. My home is a simple two story home. The first floor has my living room with hardwood floors and my favorite part, a fireplace. I have a love seat, a recliner and a desk. Since it is just me I don’t need much. Then there is my kitchen and the dining room I never use. I don’t even have a table in it right now, so it is just an open space. I tossed my backpack on the love seat and hung up my coat. I ran up the stairs where I have three bedrooms and one bathroom.

No, I don’t have a roommate even though I have the space for at least one. I got this house on such a great deal I don’t need one. I ran to the bathroom and turned on the shower to the hottest setting it would go. When the steam floated in the air I stripped out of my uniform as fast as I could and jumped in. The water instantly soothed me as well as warmed me enough for my teeth to stop chattering. I did a quick wash to get the food smells off of me before getting out. I wrapped myself in my oversized towel then put on my bathrobe. I go to my room and finish drying off, tossing my towel in the laundry hamper, before putting on a pair of sweatpants and tee shirt. Luckily I turned the heat up before I left so the house is nice and toasty.

I walk over to my wooden four post bed, pull back my thick comforter and climb in. Once I’m good and comfortable, can I relax. The major downside to not being used to this weather is it takes me forever to warm up. I have another blanket I keep at the foot of the bed and I pull that over me as well. I look over at my clock that is on my and see it is after one in the morning. It has been a very long night. I turn off my lamp and close my eyes, willing sleep to come fast.

Of course, as exhausted as I am, sleep doesn’t come right away. My mind has decided it was a good time to go over the day's events. It started off like watching a movie in slow motion. When it came to the part where I saw the wolf my mind came to a complete stop on Aden. Why, I have no clue. Yes, he is attractive, kind, and I could easily get lost in his eyes for hours but there was something more. Something I couldn’t put my finger on. I tried to clear my mind of all those thoughts. I have too much in my life to even think about a guy. But it wasn’t much use. The last thing I saw in my mind's eye just before I fell asleep was Aden’s eyes.

That night I tossed and turned. I had the strangest dream that turned into a nightmare. I kept seeing ice blue eyes on a black wolf. I could hear growling and snarling. I could see razor sharp teeth snapping at me. I saw a large claw with nails that looked like talons swipe my arm, cutting it deep. It felt so real I woke up screaming and sweating. I looked at my left arm to see there was nothing there. It took me a minute to realize I was safe in my room. I looked at my arm again, turning it every way I could. There were no scratches, blood or claw marks but there was a throbbing in the place where I had been clawed in the dream. Instinctively I started to rub it.

I sat up in bed taking the time to calm myself down and try to figure out what the dream was all about. That was the weirdest dream I have ever had.I could feel everything. The claws. The fur of the wolf. Its breath on my skin. I have never had a dream that felt so real before. When I was finally able to catch my breath I told myself over and over that it was just a dream. None of it was real. I was safe at home. I was fine.I had to giggle at how I let a dream take over the way it did.

I decided to get up and start my day. It was already ten. I slept in way too much. I have some errands to run before work today. I go over to my dresser, grab my favorite pair of black jeans, extra thick socks, a tank top and a lavender sweater. After I get dressed I grab the laundry basket and head down to the kitchen. At the back of my kitchen is my laundry room. I load the washer with my uniforms and start it. Once back in the kitchen I go to the fridge and see I’m in desperate need of going to the grocery store. I have a few cans of soda, some eggs, half a carton of orange juice and lunch meat passed its expiration date. I usually eat on the run between classes and work but I like to keep a few things in the fridge for snacks or quick meals when I’m home.

I sit down and put my shoes on before grabbing my jacket keys and purse. I make sure my door is locked and head to my truck. It is a little warmer today but still in the low teens. I walk down my four steps trying not to slip. I make a mental note to get some rock salt as I head to my truck. I get in and am happy when it starts right away. I need to make sure I get something to get the corrosion of my battery cables. I wait for the heat to get going before I pull out. This town is tiny but I love it. There are two main roads but several side roads. The part I love the most is the small family run shops. Nothing commercial. I don’t live far from the main square, about ten minutes drive time.

Honestly, it is about ten minutes from any point in town. It is easier for me to just find a central spot and park then go around on foot then to drive from place to place. The parking lot across from the diner is half full when I pull in. I get out and lock up. I walk across the street and peak through the diner windows. It looks pretty busy, on Sundays it usually is with the after church crowd. I wave at the waitress on duty and continue on my way.I walk toward the middle of town where most of the shops are. Yes, I could go into Marquette, the bigger town to the north. There are bigger stores there with more variety but there is a reason I chose to live in Gwinn.

I did the big city thing for most of my life and it never suited me. When I decided to go to school here I wanted something different. Something smaller. And I don’t regret my choice. I feel more at home here than any other palace I have been to. As soon as I moved here a sense of peace washed over me and has been with me ever since. Like this is where I have always belonged.

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