Stella woke up sore and tired the next morning, rubbing her eyes in order to wake up just a bit more. Slowly standing, she stretched out her sore muscles but still couldnt help the heavy feeling dragging at her heart. Sighing heavily, she leaned against the door for a few silent moments as she composed herself. Reaching back, she untied the red ribbon in her hair and let it fall to frame her face. Rubbing her left shoulder as a dull ache started up again, she groaned softly and couldnt help but fall into an old memory.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Stella giggled as her father chased her from the house and into the deep snow outside. "Stell dear dont run too far!" her mother's sweet voice called from inside the small cottage. Her father's booming laugh echoed off of the trees around the small clearing. "Dont worry Liz, Stella is a smart little girl," he replied with a grin. Leaving the door open, he walked back into the cottage. Stella giggled and hopped around in the deep snow, running over to the edge of the forest as she caught sight something furry in the bushes. A small yip left the furry ball of black fur, she squeaked and giggled reaching out to pick it up. Still a small child, she couldnt quite get a good hold on the wolf pup as she picked it up out of the snow. "Puppy!" she said happily and squeezed it gently to her body. <br/>The puppy let out a yip and squirmed in her arms, she set it down in the snow and pet it carefully. Suddenly a low growling made her look up, a set of yellow eyes peered back at her and another growl left the creature in the bushes. "Look puppy, your mommy came back," she said innocently and smiled as another giggle left her. As she leaned down to pet the puppy again, a black wolf leapt out of the bush. Its large body crushed her into the snow and its jaws snapped shut on her left shoulder. Tearing at it as screams and sobs left her. She could hear shouts from her father and screams from her mother but she slowly lost conciousness. </span><br/><br/>Shaking her head, she sighed heavily and rubbed her eyes. It was one of the reasons she had been so afraid of Claude in his beast form. Turning to the door, she turned the knob and pulled the door open still rubbing her left shoulder. Walking out of the room, she was looking down at the floor and didnt think anyone else would be there. Gasping softly as she ran into a hard body, she looked up quickly and came face-to-face with Claude. A blushed burned on her cheeks as she realized how close she was to him.