Samantha's retreat from her boyfriend was entirely due to the flicker of something being not right with him. His emotions were muddled, there not being a strong one that Samantha could pick out. It was often like that with him, though his emotions tended to linger on the apathetic side rather than this. Still, he made an attempt to reassure her that this was all fine, that he was fine, that they were fine. "I'm not used to this either," Samantha's voice was gentle, affectionate, and she seemed to relax so easily in front of him. "Aiden, I don't know where to... or how to... this is all very new for me, too. We can figure it out together."

It was her mention of Raven's adoration of the man that caused him to shift, Samantha finding herself enamored with the sheepish way the man rubbed the back of his neck. It was an adorable, awkward gesture that Samantha couldn't help but find endearing. "Maybe adore isn't the right word, but she's certainly very protective of you. I..." She thought of the way the wolf pinned her down, demanding questions of why she was asking after her Alpha. "You know," Samantha flashed him a smile, looking up at him. "Raven made me realize something. You never actually introduced yourself to me. I only knew your name from Nadya. I had no idea you didn't like being called Aiden. I'm sorry," Her eyes held genuine concern that she'd hurt his feelings. "I can stop calling you that, if you like."

The rest of her curiosity regarding the Were pack was resolved to whether or not they would accept her â€" though she had no idea how to even be an Alpha, if that was what Aiden wanted her to be. "I wouldn't know the first thing about it, you know. I'm... I'm not worried about being their Alpha. I'm just worried that you be happy..." After all, she'd known nothing about Aiden's status when she'd expressed her interest in him. She'd had no idea that there were rules or regulations or reasons why this would be harder than a typical relationship. Regardless, Samantha was determined not to let that turn her off to him. There were still those butterflies in her stomach when she thought of him, ones that she couldn't simply just ignore

She was thankful when he allowed her to switch the topic, wondering instead what their next move would be. She wanted to be near him, wanted to know that she was entirely safe. The vampire had told her to run and not to stop until she was with someone safe. To her, it was Aiden. He'd saved her life in stopping those Dark Hunters, so why wouldn't he protect her now? Still, she hardly wanted to impose on his bed. A small frown marred her features at the prospect of sleeping in a room away from him. She'd rather sleep on the floor. The blonde couldn't help her smile as Aiden hesitated, his voice almost... nervous... as he offered up his bed. It was a vulnerable gesture, one that Samantha was determined to make him comfortable with.

Stepping in, the girl put her hand on his neck, gently pulling him down so that she could press her lips sweetly against his. "I think that sounds like the best idea." The idea of sleeping beside him made her stomach flutter, and immediately she stepped back, reaching to pull him back with her and towards the bed. "I didn't particularly want to be away from you anyway." She pulled him fully back, sitting down on the edge of his bed. "You... if you want... you can... hold me? Will you hold me?" The question was perhaps the most vulnerable she'd been around him. She gnawed slightly on her lower lip, waiting to see what his response would be, especially considering the way he'd flinched at her touch only moments earlier.

Samantha Cassidy