**A New Beginning**

After breakfast, Branwen convinced Annabelle, quite easily this time, to allow her to take her shopping. 

Annabelle found herself getting very comfortable with Branwen. There was something about her that reminded Annabelle of her father.

While Branwen had wanted to take Annabelle to the posh outlets, Annabelle was able to convince her to go to the big mall in the next town.

They walked around for a few hours talking, and going in and out of the stores. Branwen felt young again, and Annabelle felt like she had a parent back. After grabbing lunch at the food court, Annabelle decided that it was probably best for her to part ways with Branwen. She knew that she needed to figure out what she was going to do, where she was going to stay. She had picked this mall for a reason. It was a city. The mall was close to the hotels, homeless shelters, Salvation Army, and other resources that would help her and keep her safe from what she had ran from.

Branwen had another idea though. She had known that Annabelle was a runaway. She had also known that Annabelle had ran away from home because of abuse. And she knew that Annabelle not only needed protection, but that all she really wanted was to be loved and happy. Throughout the entire day, Branwen had been working a plan out in her mind. She thought that she had found the perfect reason for Annabelle to agree to her plan. And, she hoped, more than anything, that Annabelle would agree without much of an argument.

"Annabelle?" 

"Yes?"

"What would you think about coming to stay with me for a little while? I know that you left your home, Annabelle. I know, at least I think I know, part of the reason why you ran away from home. Honestly, I can't say that I blame you. But I also know that you're not 18 yet, and that you really don't have anywhere to go, or anyone that you can turn to. I have a huge house, plenty of time and money. I have plenty of connections to help to keep you from having to go back to what you left. I can help you, Annabelle, if you will let me. What do you say?"

Branwen had made it a point not to give Annabelle a chance to interrupt her, or a chance to stop her from finishing what she had to say. She wanted her to hear her out and know that she meant what she said.

Annabelle was flabbergasted. She could not have asked for a better offer. However, she couldn't help but feel that the offer was too good to be true. In fact, she thought that the whole day was too good to be true. 

She looked up at Branwen, "Are you sure? Are you sure that you want to put yourself out there for me? A girl you don't know? Are you sure that you want to take care of a kid, that's not yours? Are you sure that you want to possibly face a legal battle?" She wanted so much to accept the offer, wanted so much to be loved. Yet she was afraid.

Branwen just smiled and shook her head. She could see the decision in Annabelle's eyes, and knew that she had won. Annabelle was going to come home with her and her plan was beginning to take better form. 

"Yes," Annabelle said. "Yes, I will come and stay with you. But can we start it as a trial basis before doing anything too permanent? We have had a great day, but you may end up changing your mind and not liking me. I don't want to go through everything just to have it fall apart. Would that be okay?"

"Of course, darling." Branwen answered. "I'm going to call my son and have him have a room prepared for you!"

"Your son? He lives with you?"

"I thought that I had told you that he helped take care of me. He comes and goes, but for all intents and purposes, yes, he lives with me. My house is quite large, and he's at school during the week, so you won't see him though the day. And I am certain that once you get to know him, you will absolutely love him." 

Annabelle tried to keep her composure, but internally she was losing it. While she felt safe and comfortable with Branwen, she was afraid that her son would be like her mother's husband. She knows that not all men are like him, her dad being a perfect example of a great man. But she was still anxious. 

As though sensing Annabelle's anxiety, Branwen put her arm around her and told her everything would be okay. And reminded her that it was a "trial basis" as she'd asked for, before calling Jasper and asking him to get a room prepared. 

After the call, Branwen put Annabelle's arm between hers, and they headed out with their purchases. When they got to where they car was parked, a dark SUV pulled beside it. The driver and passenger excited the vehicle. 

"Hello, Lun..." the driver started to say before Branwen sent him a look. Both their eyes glazed over for a moment, scaring and confusing Annabelle.

"Hello, Ms. Branwen." He started again. "Let me get these bags in the back of the suv. Where would you like them placed once we get them in the house?"

"Jasper is preparing a room for miss Annabelle here, so they go in there." Branwen stated. 

"Yes, ma'am. Will you be needing us for anything else?" 

"No, Henry. I think we are pretty much done shopping, and the last few items we need will fit in the car without issue. And then we'll be home."

Once again their eyes glazed over.

**She does not know what we are yet. Inform everyone to not be in wolf form and not to call me luna, nor Jasper alpha when she's around. ** Branwen mind links Henry.

**Of course, Luna.**

Branwen turned to Annabelle, "Time to take you to pick out your bed things and hygiene products. Then we can go home and you can meet everyone.

"Everyone? Who is everyone?" Annabelle thinks as she gets in the car.

She feels like she's missing something but she has no idea what.

After another hour of shopping, the ladies head to the house. 

Annabelle is so tired from all of the walking and excitement of the past two days that she falls asleep. 

Branwen glances at her sleeping passenger. She wasn't sure what drew her to her so strongly. From her scent, she knows Annabelle is not a mere human. And she is absolutely certain that Annabelle doesn't know she's not a human. If so, she would have easily known Branwen, as well as Henry and Carter, were werewolves from their scent and energy. She decides that she will start looking into Annabelle and where she came from soon. First she wants to get her settled in.