After work, Aiden walked me home. I was quiet at first before I decided to bring up the topic, I knew would get resistance. "You guys don't have to go with me everywhere. It was one incident. I'm sure it won't happen again." I spoke softly.

Aiden's shoulders tensed and his pace slowed. "I mean, if that's what you want, I'm sure the guys would listen... Well, probably not Dante. He's too stubborn." Aiden responded slowly at first like he didn't like the words he was saying.

I sighed. "I know you guys are worried. I mean what happened was scary. I was attacked and something really bad could have happened if it weren't for Dante. Everyone seems to know that I'm friends with you guys. You have some sort of pull over them. I really don't think it's an issue anymore."

Aiden's head lowered and he was silent for a long moment then he stopped and turned towards me. Looking up into his eyes I could see the controversy warring in them. He cupped the back of my neck before leaning in close to talk in a soft voice. "We just want to make sure you're safe. You know very little about this world. We don't want what happened to you to ever happen again but if you would be more comfortable if we backed off, we will." His breath fanned across my lips as he talked.

I wanted to tell him that I wanted too much to be around them all every moment of the day. It wasn't that I felt crowded or suffocated, I was starting to feel much more than friendship for the four guys who had taken me into their group. The last thing I wanted was to ruin the friendship that we had all formed. Even now I wanted to lift up onto my tip toes and see what his lips would taste like and to know if they felt as soft as they looked. Breaking the spell he had on me; I looked down to our feet. The toes of our shoes were only an inch apart. The distance looked small yet felt so vast it was uncrossable. "Yeah. I want you guys to back off with walking me to work and class and everything. I do want to hang out with you all, but I don't want you to feel like you need to take care of me." I told him while studying his shoes like they could hold the answers of the universe.

Aiden breathed out deeply. "Okay." He surprised me by wrapping his arm around my shoulders and leading me to the dorms.

As always with Aiden, the silence wasn't awkward even after the heavy conversation we had just had. Aiden wasn't a big talker and that was okay. Sometimes being silent felt peaceful. Aiden left me at my dorm making sure to rub his cheeks against mine and the sides of my neck. It was strange how comfortable I was with the actions. I didn't really understand the customs of this world but following them felt second nature to me in a way.

Letting myself back into my room I got changed into a pair of comfortable pajamas and my fox slippers. Shoes didn't need to be worn in the home, but I always had cold feet, so slippers had always been a go-to foot accessory for me. I even brought them to sleepovers at Cara's house. After I was dressed, I grabbed Dante's wallet and held it in my hand. Opening the door, I walked into the hall just as I was about to close the door I noticed the soft crunch of crisp paper under my foot. On the floor, a folded piece of paper was laying before my door. Looking up and down the hall I could see that there was nobody who could have accidentally dropped it. After a moment's consideration, I picked it up and unfolded it. My pulse thudded loudly before I forced myself to calm down. Anyone could have walked by and dropped this ominous note on the ground. It could mean anything, and it could have been meant for anyone. I read it again just to see if anything really stood out as definitively for me. I will protect you from the Demon. In time it will be known that you are mine. Just the two creepy lines but it didn't seem like it was truly meant for me. I knew demons but as I learned over the last week there are a lot of demons on campus and there weren't any bothering me. So, I didn't need any protection from any of them. I crumpled the paper and threw it into the trashcan in the hall before I walked over to Maddox's room.

My knock was answered by a grumpy-looking Dante. He was frowning as he stood in the doorway still wearing his uniform from the day. "Maddox didn't let you wear his clothes?" I asked, smirking at the thought of Dante wearing his shirt like a dress.

He frowned even deeper at me which I hadn't thought was even possible. "No. He said I wasn't pretty enough."

I stared at him for a long moment trying to figure out if he was joking or being serious. He just stared back with no indication of what he meant. "Okay," I said slowly before stepping into the room.

Maddox was sitting on his bed looking over towards us. "Hey, you look like you feel a lot better." I smiled at him.

He nodded, "I do. Thanks for staying with me earlier."

"Of course. I'm sure you would have done the same if it were me." I responded but I wasn't exactly sure about that, considering the alternative hurt my heart so I pushed it away.

"I need to get going now. His fever just broke an hour before you got here." Dante informed me.

I walked over towards him with my hands behind my back. "Before you go, I've got something for you."

He furrowed his brows at me, "What?"

I grinned before I presented him with Caden's prize. "A very handsome mutual demon we have wanted me to give this to you."

Dante pursed his lips. "I'm going to kill that green-haired bastard." He gritted out.

I smirked. "Don't worry he has a heavy dose of karma coming to him. Just don't do anything until Saturday. All you need to do is take some photos and you'll get him back for the wallet and him outing you as a secret cuddler." I whispered the last part knowing that he and Maddox could both hear me.

His brows furrowed at me again and I smiled at the ability to get under his skin. He seemed to think for a moment before acquiescing to my request. "Great. I'll see you two tomorrow!" I gave Maddox a hug and a kiss on the cheek before I patted Dante on the shoulder.

I would have given him a hug, but he always seems less open to physical affection than the other guys. I wasn't stupid I could feel their emotions all the time. Though I blocked a lot out I knew the other guys felt lust for me at times though they had never acted on it. Dante was no different when he had held me down to grab my phone that had turned him on but other times, he was always so guarded I didn't know what to expect from him. I definitely couldn't just assume he would be open to me hugging him.

When people that aren't the guys touch him, he locks up and feels afraid but he hides it well with fabricated anger and hostility. I wasn't too self-absorbed to think I would fall into the same category as the guys. I doubted he even noticed the pause before I gave him that awkward pat on the shoulder before leaving. There was no reason for him to really care anyway. I told myself as I walked into my room and leaned back against the closed door.

A few moments passed before there was a soft knock on my door. I opened it to find Dante because of course he would come here after that awkward as hell goodbye. "Hey." I greeted him cheerfully.

He didn't answer, instead just pushing his way into my room. "What was that?" He asked.

I was actually confused. Was he talking about the way he just entered my room without permission or was he mad that I touched his shoulder? "Can you be more specific?" I asked.

"You patted my arm like a dog." He answered.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make you uncomfortable." I answered honestly.

"You didn't make me uncomfortable. Maddox got a hug and a kiss goodbye, and I got a pet like a good loyal dog." He gritted the words out, obviously angry.

"I'm sorr..." I started automatically, "Wait, are you jealous right now?" I questioned.

His eyes snapped up to meet mine before he let out a deep breath and squared his shoulders. "Yes. I guess I am." His shoulders slumped after he said it.

"Of what?" I asked a little caught off guard.

I had never thought that strong, self-assured Dante would be jealous that I didn't give him a hug. He seemed to mull the question over for a moment before he answered. "I guess it's that the others make you feel so comfortable you don't even need to question your actions when it comes to them." His voice was soft and a little solemn.

I frowned, not liking that tone in his voice. "It's not that. I'm plenty comfortable around you, I just didn't think you would appreciate me touching you like that. I've seen what happens when people touch you." I tell him with as much candor as I can.

He nodded his head in agreement, not making eye contact for a long moment before he looked up at me. "What if you just ask me? That way you won't worry that I don't want you to touch me, and I don't feel caught off guard." He proposed.

I smiled and nodded. "That works for me. So, is it okay if I give you a hug?"

A small smile touched his lips before he nodded and opened his arms. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around his ribs and let him wrap me in his. Dante and I were closer in height than the other guys, so my head fit right in the crook of his shoulder. I might have held on for a few moments past appropriate before I stepped back with a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow." He said as he scratched the back of his neck.

Before I could say anything to that he backed out of the room leaving me there alone.