"So Harlow, tell me about yourself." Demi's dad, who I now know is coach Eddie who retired, asked me as he went to take a bite of his food. Her grandparents must be loaded, because this looks like a fire star restaurant and the food is unlike any other.

"I... um..." fuck, what do I do with my life? Football, lots of football. "I'm the wide receiver for the football team as well as the defense for the other team's wide receivers. I run track. I am not saying this part to brag, I am saying it because it is apart of who I am, but I'm currently being scouted by colleges, olympic scouts, and the NFL." I stuttered every other word and I could tell her dad loved it.

"What is this news story about your father I heard a few weeks ago?" Coach Eddie asked nonchalantly.

"Eddie!" Demi's mother scolded him.

"What? What happened?" Coach Eddie looked genuinely lost as Demi stared him down and put a protective hand on my thigh.

"Look it up on your phone." Demi snarled.

Tate, who was seated next to me, was frozen. He didn't move a muscle. It honestly seemed like he even held his breath as he stared down at his plate. I could see a vein showing itself in his temple as he did his best to keep his anger in.

I on the other hand remained emotionless and unaffected.

Demi's dad went to fish his phone out of his pocket, but I stopped him by raising my hand.

"My father abused me in more ways than one for years, and he made sure my life was hell. All the way to where I slept and how I was treated at school. He made sure that there would be people to provoke me, so he could 'rightfully' punish me. But that's about it. He also turned my older brother on me, but someone killed him recently. Now it's just Tate and me." I answered with a smile, but it was completely fake and Demi could tell. As soon as I opened my mouth she started to rub circles on my thigh with her thumb.

"I am so sorry. I thought it was something that might make you a bad person. That didn't sound right either. I am so sorry Harlow." Demi's dad, coach Eddie, frantically apologized. But his reasoning made me even more pissed.

"It's okay honestly. It's in the past and I am safe and happy with where I am." I gave him one quick, but convincing smile that seemed to calm his nerves slightly.

Demi's mom cleared her throat. "What about you Tate? Tell me about yourself."

I could smell the panic that radiated off of him. "I finished high school quickly through online courses so I could help Harlow to the best of my ability. I wasn't allowed on the property, but I did my best to support her because I know our father was not. Other than that I enjoy running and hunting."

I kicked him underneath the table.

"And video games as well as football, but I just like to watch Harlow play." He quickly regained composure.

The previous 'hobbies' were too bold and out there from the average teenage boy.

I took another bite out of the steak that was practically still mooing and I loved it. I like my steaks just cooked enough for there to be no risk of me getting sick from it.

"You sound like a good kid." Coach Eddie smiled at him.

What am I then? Chopped liver?

"How old are you Harlow Luna Rogue?" Coach Eddie laid out my full name for absolutely no reason other than as an attempt to intimidate me, but after his prior question he has lost that aspect.

"Seventeen. I turn eighteen in a month." I answered without emotion. I don't like him. He rubs off on me wrong. He went and did that, but now he is back to trying to intimidate me again? Really? Demi says he's a good person, but he smells weird. It may just be because he is overly masculine and is practically oozing from every pore.

"So the relationship you two have is illegal." He chuckled.

"Technically speaking, the only law we are breaking is that she is my teacher and I am her student. We have not had sex if you must know, so that law hasn't been broken. Pardon me, but I need to have a minute." I stood up from my chair, quickly pushed it in, before practically bolting out the exit for fresh air.

The crisp night air welcomed me as my lungs took it in their grasp, holding onto it for a second longer and then releasing it.

I searched for the moon for comfort, but if I look at it I'd be risking looking like an idiot or risk being known as a monster and never being allowed to see Demi again since I'd be put into a zoo more than likely.

"Low?" Tate called out to me just above a whisper as he exited the building.

I just kept looking at the night sky, settling on a bright star since it was too cloudy to see the moon. The clouds surrounded it as if were a jewel they were made to protect.

"Take a deep breath. He is her dad. Dads are known for being overprotective. He is just trying to scare you into submission since he lost it when he pulled that dick-wad card." T stood beside me, but had his hands in his pockets and looked at the star with me.

"Her dad is a dick. Her sisters have yet to speak to us because I know they can tell something is off about the two of us, and her mom and her grandparents are the only one who is kind enough to fucking treat us like normal kids." I growled quietly.

"If you had a daughter and you were first meeting their partner, what would you do?" Tate asked as he rocked back and forth on his feet.

"I definitely would tell them that their relationship was illegal if they clearly cared about each other." I scoffed and made sure my sarcasm was thick.

"That's true, but you would pry constantly till you got some kind of emotion out of them." He sighed.

"I wouldn't do it by the low blow he did in there." I muttered.

"He is a good guy Low. I've checked and I don't smell anything on him but caution. Caution can be shown in multiple way. You just saw one of them."

"Just let me breathe for a second longer on my own. I'll be back inside in a second." I whispered as I turned my attention to my feet.

"What in the hell is your problem?" I snapped at my dad as soon as the door closed behind Harlow.

"Your relationship with that minor who is also your student is illegal." My dad answered.

"You were completely fine with it when we discussed it over dinner that night. What is the difference between then and now?" I shot back.

"I didn't know her by her name. I know who she is. She is the student that made everyone's lives hell." My dad growled.

"She told you why. Her father, who was the principal, made sure someone would provoke her so she would act out." I snapped as I stood up. My mom just kept eating her food, waiting for it to play out.

"That's bullshit. She acted out with no reason before." He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"How do you know that someone didn't whisper something to her? How do you know?" I looked him dead in the eyes as he looked for an answer that.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.

"Exactly, there isn't a reason." I growled.

"She should at least control her temper." My dad started to speak softer.

"If you went through what she went through for years... having a controlled temper is the least of your worries." My attention snapped to Tate as he reentered the building.

I waited for Harlow for a split second, but when I didn't see her I made my decision.

"If you'll excuse me. I need to go check on my girlfriend." I scowled at my dad as I quickly left the building.

I slung the door open to see Harlow sitting on the ground and looking up at the night sky.

"Harlow baby," I whispered as I quickly walked beside her and went to go sit down.

"Please leave me alone for another thirty seconds so I can make sure I am calm." Harlow mumbled.

I counted each second before sitting down next to her.

"Thank you," Harlow whispered.

I pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

"I'm ready to go back inside." She whispered as she stood up. Once she stood up she practically picked me up and put me on my feet. "I don't want your dress to get wrinkled by standing up from that position." Harlow gave me a small smile before waiting for me to open the door, remembering the rule.

I gave her a smile as I opened the door for her and let her enter before me.

My family looked over at us as we walked back into the restaurant.

Once we got back into our seats my mother quickly hit my dad upside my head which caused me to crack a smile.

"I apologize Harlow. I get very defensive over my daughters." My dad spoke up.

All that Harlow responded with was a slight nod of the head.

Madison, my youngest sister, spoke up. "What is your favorite thing to do outside of sports?" She gave Harlow a genuine smile before flickering her eyes over to mine.

I can always count on her to brighten a situation. Harlow searched for a normal human answer before speaking. "I'd have to say spending time with Demi."

A smile crept on everyone's lips. Harlow: 1; Dad; 0.

"What do your grades look like?" Dallas, my eldest sister, asked as she took a bite of her food.

"Mainly B's, but I have a few A's." Harlow smiled. It was a boldface lie, but they won't find out anyways. Her grades have gone up significantly since she's been living with me though.

"What do you do now Tate? Now that Harlow is safe." My mom asked with a smile.

"I fix whatever needs fixing in Demi's house and I take care of the lawn as well as assist anyone who needs it." Tate answered with a proud smile.

"So you're a senior this year?" Madison asked with a smile.

"Yeah, if anyone ever messes with you let me know. I'll make sure it's the last time they mess with anyone." Harlow gave her a dead serious look and Madison nodded with a smile.

"You have my approval." Dallas smirked at me.

"Didn't know that was why we got together tonight, but okay." I shook my head with a smile as I looked down at my plate.

"Is she this protective over everyone?" My mom raised a brow with a smile.

"Only over good people. If you're not a good person you're on your own." Harlow cracked a joke which made everyone slightly laugh.

"I have one question. What is your favorite food?" Demi's grandmother asked Harlow with a smile. Oh Christ. She's gonna make a whole fucking buffet of her favorite food in multiple variations.

"I'm not a picky eater, but I'd say chicken and dumplings, southern style." Harlow smiled at my grandmother.

"Excellent." My grandmother stated with a smile.

"That is her way of saying she is going to make you fifty meals worth of chicken and dumplings." Demi's grandfather chuckled.

"I can't ask you to do that." Harlow quickly put her hands up, but my grandmother silenced her with a raise of her hand.

"You didn't ask me, and my mind is set." My grandmother smiled at Harlow before giving me a look. One that said get her under control. Even my grandmother knows I'm a dominant, and let me tell you that was a awkward conversation when my mom accidentally brought it up over Sunday dinner.

I leaned over to Harlow before whispering in her ear as my family talked with Tate. "My grandma gave me a look that said get you under control, so I'm going to put my hand on your knee and you're going to act like I'm hurting you and punishing you. I don't see anything wrong with your actions, but if you don't do this there will be consequences Wolfy." I whispered lowly in her ear.

She gulped and nodded her head. Once she felt my hand on her knee she dropped her fork and closed her eyes tightly before quickly picking her fork and acting normal like a good sub.

Now what she wasn't expecting is for me to actually do something just because I can. I quickly moved my hand up her thigh, close to her core and her breathing hitched.

"So Harlow, what do you plan on doing after college?" My dad did his best to hide the slight smirk that crept on his face as he realized I was messing with Harlow. He probably thinks I'm just squeezing the hell out of her knee, but there isn't much fun in that.

"I am-" Harlow took a sharp breath in when I brushed my hand over her core. "I plan on just going with whatever offer from the scouts is best for my future." Harlow rushed out before I could touch her again.

"Do you plan on Demi being in your future?" Dallas, who was completely oblivious to what was going on, asked Harlow.

"Y-yes," Harlow looked over at me quickly, but I acted like nothing is going on. Complete innocence on my face.

"Awe, that's so sweet." Madison, also oblivious to what's going on, commented.

As soon as Harlow went to go take another bite of her food I ran my index finger under her belt, but not in her pants. She almost dropped her fork.

Her hand shot underneath the table and swatted my hand away which earned a quick kick underneath the table from me.

"It was nice meeting you Harlow." My mom smiled at Harlow before pulling her into a hug.

Harlow gave me a panicked expression as my mother engulfed her in a hug. Eventually she slightly hugged back.

"As well as you Tate." My mom hugged Tate as well before making her way to me. "Don't let her go Demi. Girls like her don't come around every century." My mom whispered in my ear as she hugged me.

"Not on my life." I whispered back and she pulled away with a smile.

We all said our goodbyes quickly and I could tell Harlow was getting antsy with the full moon. We may not be able to see it, but it's there.

"We need to hurry." Harlow mumbled as she put her seatbelt on.

"Okay," Demi put the car into drive and practically skidded out of the parking lot and onto the main road.

If I lose control it's one thing. If Harlow loses control... that's another.