**A New Beginning**

To Branwen, Annabelle wasn't just some kid, or even a child. Branwen saw her as the young woman that she was. For the first time in years she felt as though she had finding found a purpose. She had known from the moment that she had seen Annabelle pulling the weeds at her son's grave that Annabelle was meant to be with her.

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 was hesitant, but tried to hide it. What if her son was just like her mother's husband?

As though sensing Annabelle's anxiety, Branwen wrapped her arm around her. "Don't worry, love. I promise everything will be fine." Annabelle just looked at her and smiled.

Branwen quickly called her son and told him what she wanted done.

As the ladies walked to the car, a dark SUV pulled up beside it. Two attractive young men got out and bowed their heads slightly at Branwen.

"Hello, Lun.." the dark haired man started before both he and Branwen got a glazed look to their eyes.

**She doesn't know we are werewolves. When she's around, just use names, including with Jasper**

**Yes, Luna**

Annabelle stood there confused.

"Annabelle, this is my son's friends Henry and Luke. Boys, this is Annabelle."

"Hello", Annabelle nervously said.

The men just smiled and nodded before taking the ladies bags and placing them in the back of the SUV.

"We still have shopping boys. Take all this to the house and have Jasper put it in Annabelle's room."

"Yes, ma'am" Luke and Henry replied.

Annabelle knew something was off, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

As she and Branwen got in the car, Branwen informed Annabelle that they were going to go get bedding and the last bit of necessities Annabelle needed.

After all the shopping and stress from the past few days, Annabelle was exhausted. Once everything was bought, they headed home. It wasn't long before Annabelle fell asleep.

Branwen looked at her young passenger as she peacefully slept. She was trying to figure out what it was about this girl that made her want to help her, and why she felt so connected to her already.

She knew without a doubt that Annabelle wasn't anything but human. Her scent wasn't human at all, more a mix of different beings. She also doesn't think that Annabelle knows that she's not human. Had she known, Annabelle would have already acknowledged that Branwen was a werewolf. However, Annabelle gave no hint.

As they entered pack territory Branwen mind linked Jasper to let him know they would be there shortly and to tell him to mindlink the pack that there was a human coming with her.

**Make sure no one calls us Alpha or Luna in front of her, and no shifting where she may see. At least, not yet.**

**Yes, mother** he replied and then she heard his instructions to the pack members through the pack link.