Way Down We Go

Control and Chaos

Grace

It's been two weeks.
Two weeks since my entire life turned upside down.

Paul has kept his promise and stayed away, even though it's painfully obvious how hard that is for him. But maybe for the first time in his life, he's doing something selfless by leaving my alone.

Jared has been on cloud nine ever since he started dating Kim. It wasn't much of a surprise to anyone when the two of them finally got together. She's been in love with him for as long as I can remember, and knowing Jared the way I do, he was never exactly uninterested in her either. I'm happy for him. At least someone in this family deserves a little happiness.

Clearly, that someone isn't me.

Ever since I found out about the existence of vampires and werewolves, my life has been ruled by fear and mistrust. I feel danger lurking around every corner, especially in the form of a redheaded, psychotic vampire. Even though she hasn't appeared since that night, and Jared told me she seems to have vanished off the face of the earth, the fear doesn't leave me. It's so strong it's almost unbearable.

But it's not for myself. If she wants to kill me, she can go ahead.
What terrifies me is the thought of losing Jared. She only kidnapped me to get to the pack.

I hate it. I hate being the bait. And most of all, I hate being this vulnerable. I want to be stronger than that. I want to walk through the woods knowing I can defend myself if something happens.

That's why I'm standing in front of Sam Uley's house right now. Jared and Paul once told me he's sort of the alpha of the pack. As ridiculous as that sounds, like something out of a badly written movie, he's my only chance at learning self-defence. If he really is their leader, then he can teach me how to protect myself, how not to live in fear anymore.

Sam lives in a small, secluded house with his fiancée, Emily Young.
The house is covered in plants, and the paint is already starting to peel. Still, there's something about it that feels like home. Maybe it's the colorful flowers blooming in the window boxes, or the big, cozy porch swing out on the veranda.

For a moment, I hesitate at the door, wondering if I should really step into the lion's den. But desperation wins. Since there's no doorbell on the dark brown door, I knock three times.

The door opens faster than I expect. Standing in front of me is Sam Uley. Tall, serious, with a quiet strength about him, yet there is a certain kindness in his eyes. For a moment, I don't know what to say.

„Grace?" His voice carries genuine surprise.
„I didn't expect you here so soon. I thought you wanted to keep your distance for a while."

I clear my throat, struggling to put my thoughts in order. „That's true. At least... it was. Until now. I still don't want anything to do with Lahote, but..."

Behind him, Emily appears. The scar Jared told me about is stark against her skin, but her smile is so warm it's hard to look away. „Come in, Grace. You're always welcome here," she says gently.

Hesitating only a second longer, I step inside. The house smells of freshly baked bread, and a small fire crackles in the fireplace. Everything feels unexpectedly peaceful, nothing like what one would imagine from the so-called alpha of the pack.

Sam closes the door behind me and folds his arms across his chest. „So... what brings you here?"

I take a deep breath. „I need your help."

His expression hardens with concern.
„What kind of help? What's wrong?"

„I want to, no, I need to learn how to defend myself," The words spill out before I can take them back. „That night in the woods, I was terrified. I hate feeling that weak. You're a werewolf. You know how to fight. You know what's out there. I want that too."