Alaric was a terrible kisser. Still, the memory of being pushed down and the other things he was good at were something I would file away for the future. These were the two thoughts which circled around my brain as I changed into another tacky dress, the last one torn to shreds and lying in the bottom of the bathroom trashcan. I opted for a long sleeved periwinkle dress where after the sash at the waist, the skirt flared out into a polka dotted pattern that ended at my ankles.

It wasn't something I'd choose for myself, but it at least matched the white socks and black flats Alaric had given me. To at least partially feel like myself, I grabbed an indigo sash and tied it around the front of my hair in a makeshift headband. I even made sure there was a cute bow in the corner.

"Ranna, hurry up or we're going to be late."

Alaric's shout made me yell back, "Coming!"

Quickly, I grabbed my oud case, pulling on the leather strap over my shoulder and walked out the bedroom door, not quite believing that it was really unlocked. Just to be sure, I glanced back. Sure and behold, I really had walked through that wooden door.

"Are you really planning on carrying that all throughout town?" Alaric's question pulled me out of my musings.

Looking at him, I could see the tell tale signs of regret transform his normally neutral features into a deep scowl. Naturally, I gave him a smile as bright as the sun, his dark energy feeding my happiness. "Wherever I go, my instrument goes."

Now that he wasn't so horny from practicing abstinence while stuck in a room for me for so long, it was like I could see the wheels in his mind turning, trying to think of any reason to go back on his word and keep me here. The whole time, I did not say anything, merely keeping eye contact with him to see what he would do.

After an eternity he ran a hand through his hair, messing up his usually neat ponytail and sighed. "Fine, but don't complain later when it gets too heavy."

"I won't." Just as he turned around, I remembered my goal to use today as an opportunity to get closer to him and obtain enough freedom to kill myself so I reached out and touched the sleeve of his jacket. "Wait."

He looked down at me. "What is it? Having second thoughts?"

"Let me fix your hair." It sounded more like I was going to battle than the gentle tone I was going for, but whatever. The worst Alaric could do was say no.

To my surprise, he sat on the couch and said, "Do as you wish."

I walked over to him, silently considering this turn of events. If all it took to gain his trust was a little sexy time, this might be easier than I thought. It wasn't like we could go all the way until the Hunt and last night was good. Whatever I thought about Alaric's character, it'd be a lie to say otherwise. Just to be sure, I took my time loosening the ribbon tying Alaric's hair. It was long, reaching his waist, but unlike my uncontrollable curls, his strands had a perfect straightness with not even a tangle in sight.

Ignoring the slight pang of jealousy, I gathered all his hair in my hands, lightly brushing my fingers across the nap of his neck and ears. He did not recoil or lean into my touch. Rather, he sighed contently, that annoying smile of satisfaction dancing across his lips. Yes, I could do this. Today wouldn't be the day, but it would be an opportunity and chance to get enough leeway to be apart from him. Then when he least expected it, I'd be gone.

With that last thought, I finished tying his hair in his usual tight ponytail. When he stood up, he silently offered me his hand and I took it, allowing him to lead me out of the house. He only let go of my hand to open the door to the car. Placing my oud in the backseat, I slid into the passenger's seat. I waited for him to get in and start the car by staring out the window at the strip of dirt road encased by endless forest.

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Back then, if I had just moved around to the front of the house there would have been a path for me to follow, but I had not even thought to consider a road as a possibility. Instead I had walked and walked and walked into the forest without anything to guide me. It was a wonder I'd even lasted as long as I did, but such were the peculiarities of life.

"Seatbelt." Alaric's voice coupled with the shutting of his door, pulled me out of my musings.

Turning to him, all I could say was, "What?"

"Humans are fragile," he began. "I doubt anything will happen, but just in case put on your seatbelt. Whatever you may think of me, I do not wish to see you hurt."

Despite how gentle and well-meaning his words sounded, there was something revolting about the way he was looking at me. Like I wasn't a person. Still, the atmosphere since last night had healed the damage that had arisen between us since I woke up. So I bit the inside of my lips to hold back from saying anything that would make him drag me back to that room and nodded. Listening to him, if only for now. Besides it was just a seatbelt. Putting it on didn't mean I was signing away my life.

When the car started up, I took to looking out the window once more, humming a tune that I thought fit the sounds of nature. For a while we just sat like that and I could forget the situation we were in. For just a little bit there were no werewolves, no humans, no Hunt, no wards and no districts. I was just a girl being driven by an attractive guy. Maybe we'd go and grab dinner that would end in those kisses like from those cheesy novels written in the Age of Man.

"Ranna." When he called my name, my fantasies ceased and I was brought back to reality.

I turned to Alaric. "Hmmm..."

"Ranna," he repeated, reaching for my hand, circling my palm with his thumb. "When we arrive onto Main Street, I'm going to leave you with Jerald and Councilman Rashid's mates."

Wait, he's going to leave me alone? Was my opportunity coming closer than I anticipated? Instead of voicing my thoughts, I asked, "Who's Jerald?"

"My second in command. You were on the bus with his mate on the day you first feinted and I expect that once we return home, you'll be seeing a lot more of her." It was as if he was subtly warning me not to sabotage this relationship.

I nodded. "So where will you be?"

"While you were changing, something unexpected came up. I have a meeting with Councilman Rashid and Jerald. That said, you will not be alone. There will be an assortment of guards and one of my own wolves in particular to accompany you."

"Oh? Who?" I subtly tried to pull my hand away from his, but his grip was firm.

"Her name is Elva—"

"No way!"

Alaric frowned. "Have you met?"

"Tall red-head from District Three, right?"

"Yes, where did you meet?" There was a subtle pressure to his question, as if he was daring me to lie.

It was also from how softly he spoke that I realized my mistake. I should have pretended that I'd never heard the name before. I should have, would have, could have. Since I couldn't turn back the wheels of time, there were two options before me: lie and try to die in front of a bunch of strangers or tell the truth and bide my time.

His grip on my arm tightened. Not enough to cause pain, but enough to know that he was waiting for my answer. "She was one of the guards on the train I took from my ward to the Capital."

He immediately relaxed, that stupid smirk on his face. Wait, a minute: was this some sort of test? Had he already known the answer before I said anything? No, he looked like the news that I knew Elva was fresh for him. Unless that was also a trick? But why go through all that trouble? The more I thought about our brief exchange, the more my head started to throb, forcing me to massage my temple with my one free hand.

"What's wrong?" Alaric's voice was laced with concern. "Do you need to turn back and lie down?"

I bet you'd love that. Out loud, I said, "Just impatient from sitting so long. How much longer until we get to...Main Street, was it?"

While keeping his eyes on the road, Alaric answered, "Not much longer now."