chapter 22: unexpected

I guess we just weren't fast enough. But instead of Emily or her brothers or Ulrich, the one that caused my pain, we ran into two others and Milo. The one's that were fighting me with Ulrich that night. If I didn't know what they were, I would have been surprised that just the three of them showed up. As a matter-of-fact I might have even laughed, if I didn't know better.

I stood between William and Jacob. They both glowered at the werewolves in front of us. Both of them stood so close to me our arms were touching and I could feel how tense they were. Anya gripped her fists tightly. But she had a smirk on her face. It seemed to be the fight she had been waiting for. Anabelle stood slightly behind William, she gripped his arm, he didn't seem to notice.

I didn't know exactly how to react. I didn't want to fight them but I knew they were going to catch up to us. I stood frozen between my companions. I could only stare. The ones I was just now able to get a good look at were both big, brawny and mean looking. Nothing unusual. They were both growling in unison. One of them had dark brown, almost black hair. It was long and tied back. His eyes were more green rather then actually hazel. The other one had carmel colored hair. It was just long enough to spike out everywhich way. His eyes were the same as the others. He was just as big as his companion.

"We have a bone to pick with you." The long haired one hissed right at me. I frowned.

"What did I do?!" I hissed back.

"Unfortunately Ivan and Zane are taking care of your boyfriend. Emily tried to come after you herself but Shane won't let her out of his sight." The other one let out a sigh.

"He's my husband." I growled through my teeth, almost as if that was the only thing I heard.

They both laughed bitterly. Anabelle grabbed William's arm tighter until he reached over, resting his hand on top of hers.

"Your husband is why we're here." The light haired one continued.

It was then, after really looking at him that I realized it was him. He was the one whose leg I broke. I bit my lip. My smile almost cracking. If anything, he was after me because of that. As if Jake just got it, he chuckled. Shane must have told him about it earlier.

"And how's that leg of yours?"

He glared at Jacob, growling furiously.

"Come on Dane, let's just finish what we came here to do." Milo finally hissed, speaking for the first time. I hadn't really noticed him. He had been strangely quiet. Looking at him, his eyes were red at the rims, almost as if he were actually...

"Your husband," Milo spit his words in disgust. "Killed my brother."

"He deserved it!" Jacob growled. Milo growled back.

"If Ulrich would have kept his hands to himself--" Anya began.

"I don't have time to talk about this!" Milo snapped, lunging forward with sudden speed that was almost impossible to catch.

It was me he came after but Anya, amazingly, was quicker. She grabbed his thick neck with one hand, flinging him to the side. He stumbled slightly, dust getting caught under his feet and flying into the air. He went after her now. She was so fast it didn't take much to get behind him. Now Dane lunged at me. Jacob and Will pushed me behind them.

"No! Let me--" But Jacob flung Dane a few feet away already.

"Touch her and you'll die the same as Ulrich!" He shouted then took off after him now as he landed on his feet. William had gone after the other one. A hand grabbed my arm.

"You're not that strong." Anabelle laughed in good humor.

She pulled on my arm, beginning to drag me away from the fight. Here I was, perfectly willing and able to protect myself, to finally fight, to really test my strength and I wasn't human anymore but now Anabelle was even trying to protect me.

"You're not going to let me fight?" I frowned at her. She sighed deeply, continuing to grip my arm, pulling me faster.

"I have to do what I can." She murmured. I shook my head, mostly from shock.

"Why?"

She held onto my arm as if not trusting me, knowing perfectly well I wouldn't hesitant to turn around. We kept running, getting further away.

"William doesn't talk about you the way Zero...err, Kale does or Jake or Shane. He talks about you like you mean so much to him but in a much different way." She told me quietly, which was out of character for her. "It used to bother me. I hated it. I refused to talk to him but I followed him because it was exhausting trying to get Kale to love me like he loves you. After awhile he got tired of me, as everyone always does eventually--"

"Anabelle..." I breathed out, not able to help myself from interrupting her. There was an under-tone of sadness in her voice. She slowly shook her head.

"It's fine, let me finish....We were in Florida, we had been driving for awhile and I was complaining about something. He said to me; If you don't make the best out of life, it doesn't matter if you live forever, if you're immortal, in the end you'll only end up killing yourself by drowning in your own misery." She smiled as she repeated his words. I stared at her for a moment. Then looked away as she continued. "He talked so casually, so calm and cool. It...inspired me. I let my guard down after that. I'm doing this because he adores you, because I'm selfish still and I love him..." Her voice was unbelievably small. It took me a long moment. My eyes widened.

"You love...you love....you love who?" I asked, confused. Her smile widened. I knew that smile! That was my smile, Kale's smile, it was love's smile.

"I love William." It sounded as if it were the very first time she said it outloud. Well, I think it actually was. And when I thought about it, it was so terribly obvious. She sighed again. "Now try to keep up, newborn."

"I'm not that new." I muttered.

She laughed. She was so much more beautiful when she laughed rather then when she snarled. My attention to detail, as always, was terrible. For the first time I noticed the way she dressed and how different it was from when I first met her. She was in jeans, dirty from the desert, and a grey, low-cut t-shirt. It wasn't low-cut that would be normal for her. And her hair was tied back in a loose, curly ponytail. Why was it so hard for me to pay attention? Her new look was durastic but it was like no one else noticed it either. Maybe because all of us were so used to ignoring her, nobody cared.

"You did this Jamie. You helped me move on and I'm just..." Her voice trailed off. She looked away from me.

"Is this our truce then?" I asked, a little stunned.

She was still smiling. "I guess it is."

We ran off, quickly leaving the desert and our fighting friends behind. I was still somewhat uneasy about trusting her but at this point it seemed I had to as she held my arm so I couldn't turn back. I tried to pull away a couple times but she held tightly. I wasn't as strong as I thought or maybe she was so set on keeping me safe, she used all of her strength to keep me at her side. Would she really do that? Would she really go to such lengths just to protect me, for William's sake? I wasn't sure...

We ran until all of their scents were almost completely faded. I anxiously worried about them, except for Anya. For some reason, I had no doubt in my mind that she was actually enjoying herself. We continued to run. Eventually we were in what seemed to be some sort of canyon. I instantly caught the unfamiliar-familiar scent of other vampires. I tensed. Anabelle had long since let go of my arm. But she still looked at me when I did this, not saying anything.

"Anabelle?"

We both stopped abruptly. The owner of the voice came out from around the bend just ahead of us. She smiled, and again I knew that smile. The same smile Shane always gave me. Lost, confused, sad, but happy to see me at the same time. He smiled back at her.

"Anabelle!" He was quickly in front of us.

He was obviously one of us. His hair was long, just past his ears and curly. It was so black that it made his skin pop. His skin made his crimson eyes pop too. He seemed to have an almost boyish look to him as if he were turned when he was my age.

"This is a surprise!" He grinned. "I was just telling Ben and Chris that I was thinking about visiting you."

"You know you can't do that." She sighed. He did the same.

"This isn't a normal visit, is it?"

She shook her head as his eyes wandered over to me. I realized that if I were still human, I would be terrified of him. He looked innocent in a way that made him seem too innocent. His eyes were horrifying.

"I need your help, Kevin."

His eyes flickered to her and widened. "What's wrong?"

He was worried about her. Just what were they to eachother? They obviously had a close relationship. She explained everything to him in quick detail. He was looking at me again when she was done.

"You're Jamie?" He asked. I nodded. His gaze became accusing. "How many love triangles can one person be in?" He muttered. My jaw dropped in shock.

"Kev..." Anabelle frowned at him. She had talked about me to him before. He shrugged.

"Roy is going to want to hear about this. You know how much he hates muts, especially werewolves."

She nodded. I followed them around the bend he had just came from.

"What's with the new look?" Kevin asked her in a teasing sort of way. She growled at him. "It's not bad, just different. It's not...you."

"I guess I've changed alot these past couple months."

My phone went off as Kevin continued to tell her how much she's changed.

"The whole pack is headed your way." Jake informed me instantly. "Where did Anabelle take you?"

"I can't believe you let her go with Anabelle..." I heard Kale's voice in the background. My heart would have been pounding, but it couldn't so it just tingled, like it always did.

"Kale?!" I gasped out.

"Uh yeah, he's here but where are you? We can get to you much quicker if you just tell me--"

"Jacob!" I growled, interrupting him. "Give him the phone!" I just wanted to hear his voice.

"Hi sweetheart." He laughed but his voice sounded pained.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"They took off. Emily and the others met up with Milo and the rest. We ran into Jake and we're sure they're headed your way." He didn't answer my second question. "I've got her scent." He spoke away from the phone suddenly.

"Me too." Jake responded.

"We'll be there shortly. And Jamie?"

"What is it Kale?" I asked anxiously.

"I'm going to kiss you long and hard when I get there."

I let the giggle escape me. "I hope you do...." My voice trailed off as we rounded another bend. Five red-eyed vampires stood in front of us, staring. The crimson color of their eyes was what silenced me. I figured there was just something wrong with Kevin's eyes.

"I smell muts." One of them frowned. Kevin glanced at me.

"Jamie?" Kale asked carefully.

"Hurry." I breathed out, not liking the way they were looking at me.

"I'm coming." The phone went dead. I slide mine shut.

"She's not one of them." Another one stated.

"No. But she's their companion." Kevin sighed.

"So am I." Anabelle stated.

"Anabelle?" The first one that spoke sounded shocked. She nodded.

"It's Jason and Maverick that we've come to trust." Anabelle said quietly.

"Which pack don't you trust?" One of them muttered. They were all looking at me angrily which confused me.

"The rest of them. Especially Emily's pack." Anabelle subtly moved slightly in front of me.

"Ahh, we've taken a few from them." He smiled. He seemed to be the leader. This was his clan.

"Taken what?" I asked, not able to help myself. He was already looking at me.

"She hasn't been around long, has she?" His eyes moved to Anabelle for a moment.

"This is Jamie, Roy."

"Oh." He sounded like he understood as he looked at me again. "Our diet consists of werewolves and shapeshifters. That's why our eyes are red." He told me straight up.

I let out a gasp.

"We won't go after your friends." Kevin assured then looked at his clanmates. "They're headed here."

Roy nodded. "I need to know everything before they get here."

Kevin explained everything that Anabelle had just explained to him. How Emily's pack was after me because Shane loved me, I broke Dane's leg and Kale killed Milo's brother Ulrich. Then he went on to say; "And we all know this isn't the first time she's caused this type of problems--" He did not like me at all.

"Kevin, knock it off." Anabelle hissed.

"Well there you are! Where have you been, Ana!" He was teasing her. She rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm serious Kevin. If you do that when Kale and the others get here I won't protect you when you piss them off. They live to protect her, as they should." She warned him. He shook his head. She glared at him.

"Let's get back to the clan." Roy interjected.

We began to follow. I kept glancing at Anabelle, she noticed this.

"You're not the only one with a best friend that refuses to let you go." The tone of her voice surprised me.

It wasn't disgusted like it normally would have been. She wasn't being hostile towards me. I wasn't sure if I would ever get used to it or if I even should. How long would her sudden friendliness last?

"He's not your type?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Not at all!" She laughed.

The more she laughed and smiled, the more beautiful she was. She was glowing. Did William have any idea as to what exactly he did to this girl?

"Does Will know how you feel?" I asked in a low voice. She looked away, shaking her head. "Are you going to tell him?" She shook her head again. "But Anabelle--"

"I can't get hurt again. I don't take rejection very well, as you've seen for yourself." She never looked at me and she became very quiet.

It didn't take long to get to there clan. I was surprised to see they lived just like Maverick, except their tents were red, some black and the resided deep in a canyon rather then high on a mountain. There was no bonfire pit.

"I'm surprised you're being so nice to the Newborn." Kevin murmured. I was surprised too.

"Shut. Up." She snapped at him between her teeth. She looked at me annoyed. "Sorry. He's not very forgiving."

"Kevin, go make rounds with the others." Roy ordered him. Kevin sighed but did as he was told. As they headed out, I caught Kale's scent suddenly.

"Let them pass!" Roy called after them as they disapeared around one of the canyon walls.

I got overly excited, waiting anxiously, but I didn't have to wait long. Kale came around the corner, all the others right behind him. Jared and Jacob were at his sides. My mind didn't comprehend any of them. All I saw was Kale and his forearm, the deep purple healing gash made me gasp, followed by me taking off toward him. I stopped just short of jumping into his arms. My eyes were locked on the familiar wound.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I frowned.

To my surprise he was able to move his arm. I looked up only seeing his eyes had only a tiny hint of red in them. He pulled me against him.

"It's nothing." His voice sent the most amazing chills through my body.

Before I could respond he grabbed my face, and did just as he said he would. I didn't even realize he lifted me off the ground. He grabbed the back of my head, pushing my face closer against his. After so long he dropped me lightly, pulling our faces away.

"Who did it?" I asked when my head stopped spinning. He laughed, making butterflies swarm around in my stomach.

"You're not going to go after them."

I pushed myself back so I could look up at him.

"Why?" I frowned. "Everytime something happends to me, you go after whoever did it."

"It's different when something happends to me. You don't need to protect me."

I crossed my arms.

"Am I always going to be just a weak human to you?" I pouted. He smiled.

"It has nothing to do with that. I'm just tired of not having my world at my side."

I glared at him. If that were true he would stop leaving. His smile widened.

"I love you." He chuckled. I sighed, meeting his eyes. How could I resist?

"I love you too."

He pulled me into his arms, lifting me off the ground again and hugging me tightly. My eyes foudn Jacob. They all had been patiently waiting behind him. Jake and Jared had fell back from his flanks.

"Who?" I lipped at him.

He winced. Shane glared at him, but Jacob ignored him. He was fighting it, only it didn't work.

"Emily." He lipped back.

I probably shouldn't have but I tensed. A growl escaped me. Shane hit him hard in the back of the head. Kale set me down and gazed at me worriedly. Then he spun around.

"You didn't!" He growled at Jake.

Poor Jacob looked guilty and miserable but at this point I was fuming, not even paying attention. Emily didn't stand a chance. I was beyond pissed that she would even think about touching him!

"I don't think you should worry about Jake right now..." Anya looked at me as if she didn't know who I was. Kale spun back toward me.

"Oh, Jamie." He sighed, grabbing my arm.

I was still growling. I knew my eyes were either starting to turn black or they already were. I wasn't exactly sure what I looked like. From my friends faces, they looked surprised, as if they had no idea I could get so angry.

As luck would have it her scent quickly filled my lungs. My growling deepened. It was like I had no control, like I wasn't even myself. Kale gripped me tighter, but I was so angry that I pushed him away from me and took off in her direction.

I knew her whole pack was with her but it was only her scent that I had in my head. Multiple voices shouted behind me but I didn't pay attention to them. I ran faster everytime someone got too close, especially when Kale did. He managed to take my hand for a moment. I hissed at him, wripping away again. I flew past Kevin and the others. They were quick to join in the chase.

I was running so fast that it only took seconds to find the pack. They saw me coming. I kept charging forward, never hesitanting. She must have known. She pushed herself past her brothers, giving a large amount of distance between her and them.

"Jamie don't!" Kale pleaded but I ignored him.

We were charging straight at eachother. Three more steps and I'd rip her apart. My mouth formed a snarl but my chances were ruined. Something hit me from the side. In the corner of my eye I saw a flash of golden hair lunge in my place at Emily. Anya attacked her the way I wanted to.

But who knocked me out of the way? I was pulled into arms. I looked and surprise! It was Kale. What a shocker. I growled at him angrily. He looked down at me, growling in response. He was just as pissed as I was. His eyes were black. I glared up at him as he glared back.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" He literally shouted at me. His voice echoed out into the desert.

"Are you serious?!" I used the same tone.

He didn't answer me. It was like he was too upset to even try to form words. He got me far enough in a matter of minutes and set me down behind an overly large boulder near the edge of the desert. He held both of my arms tightly. So tight that I couldn't even move. His anger took over my determination but I didn't flinch.

He gave himself a few moments to calm himself. His jaw was tense. I stared angrily up at him but my anger couldn't last long. The more he stared down at me, the less angry he was. He sighed deeply, loosening his grip just enough so I wasn't as tense from wondering if he was angry enough to crush my arms. The thought only made me feel guilty. I knew he would never hurt me no matter how pissed off he was at me.

"If you were just trying to show me how you fell everytime I take off to fight, I learned my lesson." He told me carefully. I shook my head.

"You can protect me, but I can't protect you?" I frowned, a little less angry. He rolled his eyes.

"Protect me all you want. Just let me protect you, when you protect me."

"Wh-what?" I looked at him confused, beyond confused was more like it. He was trying not to laugh. He purposely tried to confuse me. I let out an annoyed sigh and pouted.

"I was so close." I complained under my breath. He rolled his eyes again.

"She's stronger then you, Jamie--"

"You don't know that." I interrupted but neither of us said anything else.

They were on the move again, coming towards us. It wasn't the whole pack, just Emily and Milo. She got away from Anya, which wasn't a good sign. Kale tensed, still holding my arms.

"Kale-" I breathed.

"No." He spit between his teeth.

"Kalsaban." I growled as they got closer.

"No!" He snapped sharply.

I let out a whine. He glanced down at me, with a stubborn look on his face. I glowered at him but only for a moment. We really didn't have time to argue. They were quickly in front of us. I turned around but Kale still held tightly.

"What were you thinking, Jamie?" She hissed at me. The sight of her almost made me laugh. She looked like she had just been in a fight. I wish Anya would have done worse though.

"I could ask you the same thing." I growled.

Milo was snarling at Kale. My eyes caught sight of Kale's wound. I completely lost it. My whole body tensed, then I burst out of Kale's arms without any warning. Finally I managed to attack her! The first thing I grabbed was her arm. There was a snap, a gasp and Milo growled.

He lunged. Kale had been coming toward me but switched his attention to Milo. Not even a second past and Emily was suddenly a feminine version of what Shane looked like when he changed forms. Before she could do anything else, I bit her in the exact same spot she had bit Kale. I clamped down hard. She whimpered for a moment. Then I was hit with a hard force that made me fly backwards.

I hit the ground, sliding across the sandy-rocky desert. I was still sliding when I saw her leathery form leap after me. I clawed into the ground, stopping myself so I could jump up. She fell short, landing a foot away from me. She let out a terrible noise that could only be considered as a scream.

I was on my feet but her scream was so high pitched that my hands were instantly covering my ears. I winced, shutting my eyes for a moment. When I opened them another werewolf was in front of me. I gasped, jumping back. But those eyes made me go forward.

"Shane--"

A snapping noise in the distance cut me off. Another high pitched scream. Shane cringed. It was Milo. Kale was in front of us now. His eyes were as black as they were before. He seemed to be breathing heavily. I think he was just furious.

We were all so caught off guard that Emily ended up lunging from the ground and flinging herself at me. I landed beneath her on my stomach as she clawed at the material of my shirt. She ripped through and then Shane tackled her.

"Jamie!" Two voices cried out. It was Kale and Jacob. Jake got to me first.

"Pick her up!" Kale snapped.

"Kale, her back!" He hissed. Kale was growling now.

"I'm fine." I shook my head and got to my feet, wincing.

There were two reasons why I was glad I was facing away from them. First of all as I got up it hurt so bad I couldn't keep the pain from my face and secondly, the material was so badly ripped that it insinigrated, falling apart as soon as I stood.

"Oh my--" Jacob began.

I could just imagine the look on his face as he stared at my bare back. I kept my arms crossed around my chest. Kale let out a gasp then a deep growl. He was obviously upset because of the scratches on my back that I could clearly feel and the fact that I was now half naked. Jacob probably was upset about the scratches but he was too distracted by my half-nakedness.

"Quit gawking at my wife, you idiot!"

"Then give her your shirt!" Jake seemed to plead.

"I...it might hurt her. I...if I touch her..." He sounded helpless. I hated when he sounded like that. "Just try it." I suggested quietly, realizing Milo, Emily and Shane had physically disappeared. Milo was heading back to the pack and I could sense Emily and Shane off fighting somewhere in the distance. Kale hesitanted then moved right behind me.

"Here."

He helped pull my arm through the sleeve. His shirt was made of a light fabric but as soon as the shirt touched my back I gasped out. He pulled the shirt back. He groaned, taking his button up shirt back. He came around to face me. He grabbed my lower back carefully, pulling me against him. I looked up at him.

"Do you plan on running around like this?" I asked. He shrugged helplessly. "Try it again." He shook his head. "Kalsaban Nicolas-Troy, try it again." I ordered, annoyed.

He growled at me for using his full name but stepped back, carefully putting his shirt on me. I took a deep breath before it touched my back. It worked somewhat. I stared up at him in obvious pain. He reached to take it off. I shook my head frantically.

"I'm fine...If I don't move." I breathed.

He pulled his hand away. In the corner of my eye I caught Jacob taking quick glances. Kale had to of noticed. At the moment he was too distracted by me.

"Kale, button it up." I was surprised I had to beg considering he must have noticed my best friend taking multiple peeks. It took a moment until he finally did it.

"So, you can't move?" He asked as he buttoned it. I shook my head.

"Hardly. But I'll be fine in a few hours. There not gashes, just scratches."

"Deep scratches..." He sighed then shot me a small smile. "Since you can't move, I'll be right back..." He spun around. Jake gasped, spinning around in the other direction.

"Kale." I complained.

"Just a second!" He called over his shoulder as he caught up to Jacob, slapping him in the side of the head hard.

I had to look away when he actually punched him. And this whole time I was starting to think Kale had no idea. I heard the sound of Kale wailing on Jacob for a good five minutes at least before they both came back to me. Jake was frowning deeply at Kale, his hair was tossled and dirt was all over him. I bit my lip. Kale had a satisfied smile on his face and my smile finally cracked as I saw this.

"Thank you."

"Anytime, my love." He winked at me and I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it. I really didn't feel bad for Jake because he deserved it. Jacob was pouting now. I rolled my eyes at him.

"You know better, Jacob." I scolded.

Kale nodded at him and kissed my forehead. He picked me up very carefully. My mind finally wandered to Shane. I hoped he was okay. Then I thought about Anya, what exactly happened to her?

"Jacob, is Anya okay?" I asked worriedly.

"Sure is. Emily is terrified of her. It doesn't take long for Emily to take off. Not a scratch on Anya..." His voice trailed off.

Kale glared at him. I glanced down, his wound was much smaller. I looked up, there was no red in his eyes anymore. I sighed, resting my head against him. I hadn't really done this in such a long time. I had no complaints this time.

"When this is all over, let's go back to our beach." Kale took the thoughts right out of my head.

"Good idea." I sighed again.

He wanted to pull me closer but didn't want to risk hurting me. I was staring at his face. I knew that look. What I called the inner battle. All three of them always had th esame frown, almost confused look on their faces when they went through this. He looked like this for a second longer. Now he sighed. He lost. He gazed down at me.

"Huh, that's strange." He murmured.

"What is?" I asked.

He was moving at a slow pace for us as if he were delaying out return back to the canyon clan. Jake had become impatient and ran ahead of us. He was still in sight though.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you how much I missed you." He frowned.

"Oh. Well you can't tell me something I already know." I grinned. "You tell me enough all the time."

He shook his head. "I could never tell you enough. You still have no idea, I don't think you'll ever really know."

"Maybe not. But neither will you."

He laughed. "You're so stubborn."

"I wouldn't be talking."

"You're so cute."

"Is it possible to blush?" I giggled.

He laughed harder. "I don't think so, but we could try."

"You may not be able to make me blush anymore but you'll always give me butterflies." I admitted.

"No words can even describe all the things you give me."

"I can think of a few words." I teased.

He rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean. Jeez you're a hornball." He teased back.

"Oh, I am? Of course you're not."

"I never said I wasn't! It just rubbed off on you I guess."

I laughed. "You were never like this before I was turned."

"Of course I was! Are you serious?" He continued to laugh. "I was just terrified that I might hurt you or worse. If only you knew...Well, maybe it's best you don't know." He crinkled his nose and grinned some more.

"Awwe, now I want to know."

"No, really. It's embarrassing."

"You brought it up." I muttered. He shrugged.

"I'm sure you can figure it out." Then he snickered. "Ah, I love you. If only we weren't in this mess right now."

"Even if it was over now, we'd still have to wait for my back to heal."

He nodded, becoming serious. "How is it?"

"It doesn't hurt but that's because you're really good at carrying me without moving me at all."

"You can't move still?" He frowned.

"Probably not. I'm not sure though."

"Don't try sweetheart! Jeez..."

"I won't." I sighed.

"Wait until it's healed."

"No problem."

There's noway I would try because if it still hurt I didn't want Kale to see me in pain. It would only make him miserable. He's in such a good mood. He tensed suddenly.

"I can't believe she did that to you. I'm going to--"

"I thought you learned your lesson. Don't try to protect me from something she already did. If we keep doing this it's never going to end and we'll be just like them."

"I know. But even when I think about you in pain it drives me insane in the worst way possible." I continued to gaze at him. He was still tense so I kissed his neck and it worked quickly. He instantly relaxed, meeting my gaze. His smile was once again on his face.

~#~#~##~#~#~#~#~#~##~

We got back to the clan eventually. Emily's pack wasn't anywhere near us. Everyone was back except for Shane which made me uneasy of course. Jake must have noticed the look on my face.

"Shane will be fine. They didn't set out to kill eachother." He tried his best to comfort me.

Very suddenly Roy's clan was in front of us. Kevin didn't look happy as usual. Anabelle and William were part of them. Jason's pack stood protectively at our sides.

"It's been awhile." Roy spoke first. Kale nodded.

"I'm surprised you didn't come to our wedding."

"Are you?" Roy raised his eyebrow. Kale laughed bitterly.

"Not at all."

Roy shook his head now. "I wish you would keep yourself out of trouble. It's exhausting trying to clean up after you."

I could feel the vibration of his growl in his chest as Roy spoke.

"I never asked for your help." Kale hissed.

"But you need somewhere to stay. At least until she heals." He stated, nodding his head toward me. William frowned and was suddenly in front of us. His eyes were scanning over me carefully.

"My back. It's not as bad as it sounds." I said beginning to feel strangely light-headed all of a sudden. I felt like I could sleep, like I was tired. That really couldn't be normal. William looked at Kale.

"She just can't move and even wearing my shirt makes her wince but other then that..." He began sarcastically.

"Oh, and the scratches are pretty deep." Jacob added. Kale gave him a dirty look as William's frown deepened.

"What's wrong Jamie?" He asked.

Kale and Jake stopped giving eachother angry looks and looked down at me.

"Whoa!" Jake came forward.

"Jamie?!" Kale gasped.

"Let me see those scratches--" Anya was saying beside us.

Everything went black. I wasn't expecting that. I hadn't blacked out since I was human first of all and secondly, I couldn't understand why I even did in the first place!