Appointment at 10:30 with Duncaine Lancaster.

I close my planner and glance at the clock. It’s now 11:05. Maybe he wasn’t-

The door slamming open cued me in that my 10:30 appointment had just arrived. I smiled pleasantly at him as he walked into the room and plopped down on the couch.

“Hello Duncaine. It’s a-”

“So, what hell is this all about?”

“Just two people talking. You always seem to have a lot to say.”

“Yeah, I’m a fucking chatterbox. ”

“Tell me about it. ”

I watch as Caine shifts on the couch. His fingers beat out a fast tempo on his thighs. “Are you nervous about something Caine?”

“Oh. Let me think. Hmm…I spent ten years in a nuthouse where doctors were always asking me questions and trying to shove meds down my throat. So I might just be a little nervous. Besides the fact that I don’t have shit to say.”

Caine is disinclined to talk.

“Wait! What was that shit? What did you just write on that clipboard?”

“Nothing. Nothing.”

He growls something underneath of his breath then crosses his arms and stars at me with a dark scowl. “It ain’t gonna work.”

“What’s not going to work?”

“You. This! Reverse psychology is a cheap trick.”

“Caine, I wouldn’t try reverse psychology on you. I don’t know why you would suggest that!”

“Says the woman who looking at me as if I’m something under the microscope. As a matter of fact I have a bone to pick with you.” He rolls his eyes when I snort out a giggle. “Haha!! I get it. Dog metaphor but just for your information I am NOT a dog.”

“I know you’re not. You’re a fierce Lycan male. Alpha of the pack. Strong-”

“Cut the shit. So, have you talked to Alana yet?”

Seems very interested in Alana Westfield.

“Would you cut that shit out? Jesus, every time I say something you gotta write it down. It was just a question. I haven’t even kissed the girl. Yet.” He grins when I start humming the Little Mermaid song under my breath. “Dude, the prince in that movie was an idiot. How are you gonna fall in love with a chick because of the way she sings? And then spend all this time with her but when someone comes along with the same voice you ditch her? If I would have been Arielle I would have told him to fuck off.”

“I’m sure you would have. So, you like Disney movies?”

He shrugs. “Most of them. But don’t try to distract me. You never answered my question.”

“Which question was that?”

“The only question I asked!”

“No, you’ve asked several. One about something I don’t remember and then the other was in reference to the Little Mermaid.”

“One about….one about something you don’t remember? You’re killin’ me here! So, have you talked to her yet?”

I pick up my glasses and slip them on before looking down at the clipboard. “I have a couple of questions I did want to ask you.”

Groaning he throws up his arms and flops back on the couch. “I’m gonna have blue balls. I know it, I know it!”

“Stop being dramatic! You didn’t even like people remember?”

“Oh, I like her plenty. I just can’t let her know it. What woman wants to tie herself down to a man beast?”

“Plenty…if the man would come out more often.”

He snorts. “That was retarded. I am who I am. Or I am what I am. Which ever.”

He seems torn about the different sides of his nature.

“I didn’t even say anything! How are you writing something down?” he demanded sitting back up.

“I’m just making notations.”

“Peanut butter.”

I looked up. “Are you hungry?”

“No, I was just checking to see if you were gonna write that down too.” He grinned.

I cleared my throat to smother a chuckle. “Caine, you’ve been a Lycan all your life. Why-”

“Sure, I’ve grown up knowing who and what I was. But I’ve never became that beast until…you know what? We’re done here.

“Caine! Caine! We were just making some progress! You can’t keep-”

I winced when the door slammed shut behind him. “You can’t keep these feelings bottled up,” I said under my breath as I sank back down in my chair. I made another notation.

Duncaine Lancaster hides behind his tough exterior. I’m hopeful that he’ll want to speak with me again.