~I offered Zeke a chance to cure his Illness. Nothing more. I don't want him and never have. You don't need to leave. I've only been hiding away so I could figure out just what I had inherited from my mother.~

I rolled back over and whimpered, giving him sad puppy eyes. My tongue flicked out and I licked his cheek softly.

~I know I've never amounted to anything and Cassandra would be a better fit for you...but...you don't have to leave. I do love you...with all that I have.~

My head rested on his shoulder and I felt myself shift back to a human, my arms wrapping tightly around his neck and my small frame pressed against his much larger one.

Please...don't leave...