This is it. I can’t believe this is finally happening. I take a moment to drink it in, head bowed beneath the porch like a man paying homage at an altar. Mentally preparing for my first true look inside Eloise’s nest home.

I try to put the key in the lock upside down at first. The memories I took today still need time to settle, to digest. I manage it eventually, ears twitching at the click of the lock.

Finally.

The door swings open and I freeze.

She’s here. Waiting. Stood at the bottom of a flight of stairs, leaning against the railing in an enticing open position.

She is looking at me and smiling. It is a small smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Keep looking at me. Keep looking at me. Keep looking at me.

I want to get closer. So, I do.

She’s so small. So perfect. So soft beneath my claws hands. I can feel the pulse of her heart. Smell her, the gentle scent clouds my senses. It’s intoxicating.

I finally have her in my hands. So why doesn't she feel the same. There’s something missing from the link.

She seems worried. Did I do something wrong? Do I look wrong? I turn my mind inwards. Checking over every detail of this form. I'm sure I copied him perfectly, what is wrong. What is wrong. What is wrong! WHAT IS WRONG!

"I've missed you."

They spoke. Oh, they sound so pretty, so gentle, so cute, and pretty, and mine now. Wait, what did they say?

I take a second to turn their words over in my mind.

They missed me? They missed me! No, they missed Cameron, but I am Cameron now so that means they missed him me. They missed me!

I need them. I want...

I settle for a kiss on the forehead. Almost falling into the softness of them, I find myself needing more.

"To hear you say that, makes me so," I place a kiss to her cheek, "so," a kiss to the other cheek, "happy," finally, a kiss to the tip of her nose.

The warmth. The soft little sound that escapes her. I love it all. I want more. MORE! Patience!

The hallway is cool; the temperature is less than optimal for humans. I can't let her catch a chill.

I turn and place a hand on the small of her back. "Shall we."

The tremor of a flinch vibrates under my palm, a subtle jolt of her muscles too small for a normal human to notice. Then she moves with me, following my prompt without complaint or even the subtle shift of restraint. So lovely and obedient.

Too obedient.

Too eager to please. The subtle pulse of fear flows under her skin.

This is not right.

I've seen her shine before. Heard her voice when it was strong, not restrained by fear. Felt the bite of her anger, been touched by her strength of conviction, and heard the wonderful soothing melody of her heart at its most calm.

What are they scared off? This form is perfect, so what is it?

I move. They flinch.

I smile. They flinch.

They fear ... these hands ... and this face?

I remember now. How could I become so distracted that I would forget?

Even if the memories needed time to settle, that is no excuse for forgetting what I saw.

Now I see his memories. Raised voices. Whispered venomous lies. A hand raised to strike my love ... my hand! How could I? How ... NO! It's his hand, not mine. I didn't do that ... it wasn't me!

It was Cameron.

The second I have everything I need, I'll kill him.

HOW DARE HE MAKE THIS HARDER FOR ME AND HE’S NOT EVEN HERE! I should tear that bastard apart...but not yet.

I need to take this slow.

She’s finally mine. I have all the time in the world now.

Eloise is so soft. Smells so good. Is so delicate compared to me. I can feel the curve of her spine, her pulse, how soft her skin is, the subtle shifting at my touch... It's so hard to hold myself in. I want to devour each new sensation, a banquet of senses that never ends.

I want to hold her close. Want to curl around her form and never let go. Want to build her back up and see that shine return. Want to make it mine. Want to devour it...STOP! Slow down! Be patient.

I have to take this slow. Fix the trust that he broke before I can indulge in their love.

I must not scare her.

Do not raise my hands too quickly. Do not move too fast. Make my presence known before approaching. Do not ruin this like you've ruined so many before. Be a human. Be normal. Be normal. Be normal. Be normal. Be normal. Be normal. Be normal. BE NORMAL. BE NORMAL.

I snap back into focus as a cold wet feeling seeps into my thigh.

The drink spilled.

Oh, look at them. So clumsy. How cute.

Wait. No. They look tense. Please don't look at me like that.

I’ll clean it.

"My clumsy cutie." I make my voice as light as possible. Keep my movements steady. Throw the can in the bin, absorb the worst of the stain with a cloth, and bring my love a fresh glass of water.

That's better. She doesn't look as scared now.

A little stain is nothing to me. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters except making this work.

I have to make this work.

The radio crackles a little as the station changes. The tune of ‘You’ve got the Love’ by Florence and the Machine starts to trickle into the room. Perfect! I’ve heard her listening to this song before, it must be one of her favourites.

Eloise moves with the gentlest of urges, following my lead in moving to the beat. I love how warm she is. How she fits so perfectly in my arms.

I want this to be my forever. I must make this work.

Do you want something? Her touch is so light on my arm, so fleeting.

I smile. Keep it soft, don't show too much of my teeth. There we go, perfect. Smiles are reassuring for humans. Smiles are safe.

"Uh, Cameron. Is everything okay?"

Eloise is playing with the edge of her top as she speaks. I wish she wasn't so nervous but it's alright, everything will be alright.

"Of course, luv." Honey tinted strands fall over her eyes. Let me fix that.

I soften my smile as I slowly raise my hand, pulling more motion into squinting my eyes than bearing my teeth. So warm. So soft.

Good, she seemed almost satisfied with that answer.

Something twists her features but then it vanishes.

What was that expression? It can't be ... it must be the fear. He broke her trust, but I won't.

I will make this work.

They look so nice when they're asleep. All the wariness is gone and she’s relaxed. So pretty. So warm. I don't push but, from what I can feel, the swirling thoughts in her mind are tranquil. Good. She deserves to relax after what he did to her.

They are mine now.

I place a chaste kiss on her head.

She’s so small. Feels so fragile, and yet, I can't help but tighten my grip on her form.

You are mine now.

Mine to love.

Mine to protect.

Mine to keep.

I have to make this work.

I have to ...

I can't ... I can't bear another failure. I don't think I can bear any more pain. Please.

That soothing scent surrounds me.

Please, love me.

The weigh of her in my arms is soothing.

Love me.

The thrum of her pulse beneath my claws.

Love Me.

I want them.

LOVE ME!

I want everything.

PLEASE.