So the first draft of this got deleted when my computer did a restart twice and it didn't autosave the second time -_- so here it is now!

Chapter Quote:
"Just because you're a warrior doesn't mean you can't be enticing."
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Chapter 18

Ember

We were all waiting for Elsa's hip-hop dance routine in the theater. Unfortunately I hadn't been able to sit next to Noah and had ended up at the very end of our pack. However, that did leave a vacant seat next to me which was quickly occupied by Dom. I still didn't fully trust him but after he explained how Anna was alive and had shown me proof (by proof I mean Anna wearing a leather jacket I knew for a fact Elsa didn't wear because I'd raided her closet a few times without her knowing), I had to believe him.

Noah was texting me while we waited. Somehow we ended up on the topic of the event a few days ago. I felt my heart speed up a little when he asked about "that guy you were dancing with and disappeared with". How could I explain that this strange man just told me my dead sister was actually alive and kicking? So I told Noah nothing happened between me and Dom. I mean nothing happened between us except for a conversation. Even if Dom and I had done something, it's not like Noah should be jealous. The two of us were just friends with benefits. I'm sure he'd gotten with other girls. I didn't care. But then again, I'd never seen him talking to any human girls anywhere we went, he always stuck next to me, and Hunter always paired us together in everything he could.

My thoughts were interrupted by Dominic nudging me. In dark wash jeans and a dark blue shirt, he looked incredibly dangerous, although that might've been partly due to his scruff. His eyes scanned the room, taking everything in.

"How are you?" he queried, not looking at me.

"Not bad although I hate keeping this from Elsa. She deserves to know," I whispered, hoping Barry, who was sitting next to me, wouldn't hear anything.

"We'll tell her when we get a lead. So far I've got nothing. I'm assuming the same goes for you?"

I nodded. "My parents are breathing down all of our necks because of the threat we're under. It's dangerous for you to even be near me. What are you doing here?"

"Protecting you and your family. Believe it or not, I've been keeping an eye on all of you while I've been trying to find Anna. Only when you leave that fortress of yours though, don't worry. I couldn't get near that place. It was also to determine which one of you I could come into contact with the easiest."

"You do know my parents would've killed you first if they caught you and asked questions later?"

"You'll find I'm very good at sneaking around. Now, we should probably stop talking. Your boyfriend is giving me a strange look, and by strange I mean he obviously wants to rip my throat out."

"He's not my boyfriend!" I muttered. At that, Dom and I fell silent. I pulled out my phone to reply to Noah. He didn't respond back like he usually did and I knew it wasn't because he was watching the performance. I glanced down the aisle at him, knowing he could see me. When he ignored me quite studiously, I leaned back angrily.

Elsa's first dance was her hip hop routine which was done with Thea, Riley, and Spencer. It was seriously impressive. I don't know how my sister and packmates could twist their bodies to do some of those stunts. However, my favorite part was when all the guys slid on the stage on their knees and ripped their shirts off while the girls placed one foot on the guys' chest. I wondered if my parents saw anything between Elsa and Spencer because there was no denying the look between them, not to mention the devilish grin Spencer was giving my sister who was trying not to smirk back but failing miserably.

There were three more groups after them before there was a twenty minute intermission. In that time period, most people filed out to go get something to eat or use the bathroom. My family and I took the time to meet with Elsa, Thea and Riley before Elsa had to change outfits and makeup. Her next performance wasn't for another two hours but her teacher wanted enough padding in the time to make sure that if anything went wrong, they had time to fix it.

"That was awesome!" Jake exclaimed when Thea and Riley approached us.

"You two were wonderful," Melinda praised. Similar comments came from all of us.

"Where's Elsa?" Hunter asked.

"She was grabbing something to drink with her dance partner before coming over," Thea said.

"Her dance partner is gorgeous," Gracie said in a very matter-of-fact voice. A growl erupted from Dmitri's voice. Laughing, she placed a kiss on his cheek. "But he ain't got nothing on you."

"Speak of the devil," Noah grumbled. I saw Elsa coming over to us but she wasn't alone. Spencer was with her. He'd thrown on a jacket but he had it unzipped halfway so you see the beginning of his well-defined abs.

"Hey!" Elsa said cheerfully. "Sorry, I was so thirsty after that. I had to get something to drink. Oh! Before I forget, Spencer, you know my brother and sister, Josilyn, Noah, Laurel, Akira, Sebastian, Barry, Thea, and Riley. The others are Jake, Oliver, Gracie, Dmitri, and Diana."

"Pleasure to meet all of you," Spencer said with a disarming smile.

"Elsa, sweetie, you were amazing!" My mom declared, hugging my sister. Pulling away, her eyes rested on Spencer. "You did fantastic as well. Where's your family? Have you seen them yet? If not, I'll go with you. I'd like to meet them."

"They just left. Someone from our hotel was calling. It was an emergency of some sort," Spencer replied.

"Will you be heading back?"

"Maybe for a little bit but we'll be coming back to Colorado. Despite my sister's whinging, she does love it here, she just doesn't want her boyfriend to know, just to mess with him. She does miss home though so she won't be complaining if they go back."

"I hope for Elsa's sake you get back here sooner than later because I don't think she'll find another dance partner like you," my mom said with a smile.

"Hey, why don't you two take a picture?" I suggested. When the two of them smiled for my camera, I added, "Oh no big boy, I mean in your costumes, and since you ripped half of yours off, I guess it's just the pants for you."

His face flushed from embarrassment but he did as I requested. I don't know why this guy had no issues ripping his shirt off in front of a thousand people but when it came to taking a shirtless picture with his girlfriend, he got embarrassed. Although that may've been because all of us Laroche girls were blatantly staring at him...

I snapped the picture and then made them do other poses. This continued until my dad interrupted us, saying in a rather irked manner, that Elsa and Spencer better get backstage to get ready, that twenty minutes was up. Elsa gave dad a hug and dashed off back with Spencer who was laughing trying to keep up with her. Dad watched them with a careful eye. I wished my sister had her phone on her so I could tell her to be careful with Spencer around dad but she'd left it with us. Mom came up to dad, looping her arm through his. Any suspicious thoughts fled his mind when he looked down at her, her face instantly went soft. Watching them made me realize that I wanted a love like theirs. Problem was finding something like it, finding the right person.

Josilyn wrapped her arm around me, breaking me out of my trance. We entered the theater again, taking our seats. It felt like forever until Elsa and Spencer came out. Honestly, I was kind of shocked by my sister's outfit. I know she'd lied about some of the dress rehearsals because she wanted to sneak out to see Spencer but I did know that most of the time she was telling the truth. I even heard my dad mutter: "This is what took so long at those dress rehearsals?"

Elsa's dress looked more like they just wrapped fabric around her and pinned it together. It was solid black. The only 'sparkle' in her outfit was her eyeshadow and some glitter dust in her hair that was pinned back by a hair clip. A beautiful piano intro began their song as Spencer took Elsa's hand in his and wrapped the other around her waist. Their dance began. For wearing such a tightly wrapped dress, my sister sure could move in it. They tangoed forward. My sister did a kick so high that it nearly went over her head. They did a few spins before Spencer grabbed the fabric on her right shoulder. Elsa spun out of the black fabric, revealing a stunning red, sparkling dress. My family, along with pretty much everyone in the audience, cheered loudly. Spencer strode over to my sister and took her in his arms again. My mind could barely keep up with their footwork, let alone how they did some of the lifts. I mean he was twisting her around his body and Elsa seemed to have no problem being able to do so. Did I mention she was in heels that were at least three inches? I couldn't believe how incredible at dancing they were, and the chemistry. No one could fake that. The dance, you could tell, was about a guy trying to woo a stubborn girl. I personally found it amusing since it kind of seemed to fit Spencer and Elsa's relationship right now. They might be dating but I could tell he was still trying get her to really like him. She did of course, she just hid it extremely well.

At the end of the song, my breath caught in my throat- first from the complicated lift they'd done and second, how they ended it. Spencer had his arm around Elsa's waist as she hooked her arm around his neck and went down in the splits. He went down with her, ending up in a kneeling position. Their foreheads were braced against each other, their eyes staring at nothing but each other. I swear they wanted to kiss in that second and after the intimacy they had to show in their performance, I was pretty sure anyone would want to kiss their partner after that.

The crowd was going wild. It was Elsa who broke their intense stare-down by laughing. Spencer gave her a grin, easily lifting her up with one arm. They faced the stage and took a couple bows. The cheers didn't stop. I knew right then and there my sister and Spencer had won that section in the competition. The two of them exited the stage. I think the shoes were hurting her feet because she was limping a little bit. Spencer saw this and wrapped her arm around his shoulder, helping her hobble off the stage. They'd been the last dance so it was going to be another two hours before the award ceremony. Everyone filed out, most people going back to their hotels. My family and I waited for Elsa to come out.
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Elsa

We'd both come way too close. Too close to kissing. While I wouldn't mind at all, I didn't want it to be in front of my entire family, especially when most didn't know I was 'dating' him. Hell, I wasn't even dating him.

"How are your feet?" Spencer asked from the dressing room next to me.

"It's really good I'm a Guardian or else I wouldn't be able to walk right now," I replied. "Thank you for helping me off that stage."

"I would've carried you but uh... your family might... after that..."

"Yeah, probably wouldn't have been a good idea. Not to mention your pack-"

"Well Lily kind of believes we're actually dating but thinks that we're acting like we're not to throw off suspicion coming from Caleb and other people in your family."

I laughed. "She ships us?"

"She what's us?"

"Ships. It means someone wants two people to be together. For example, in Harry Potter, some people shipped Hermione and Draco. They called Dramione. Then in the Percy Jackson books, people shipped Percy with Annabeth. They were called Percabeth."

"Oh god, I hope Lily doesn't come up with a ship name for us," Spencer grumbled.

"I'm working on it!" She called out. I opened my door a crack and peered out. Lily and Caleb stood there with big smiles on their face. I hurriedly finished getting dressed and ran over to them, hugging my brother first.

"You were brilliant out there," He said. "I know you're going to win."

"That was incredible!" Lily exclaimed, giving me a hug.

"If you hug her any tighter, you're going to crush her," Spencer remarked in amusement, coming up behind me. She rolled her eyes but let go of me.

"So, that fake dating thing, are you sure you two are actually faking it?" Lily questioned.

I turned to Spencer. "You weren't kidding were you?"

He gave me an 'I-told-you-so' look while Lily and Caleb stared at us confusedly. My brother shook his head and asked, "Listen, Lily and I have a room on the top floor. If you can, maybe you can sneak up to see us tonight? I'll text you the room number but we have a treat for the both of you, if you want."

"Is it cake? Please tell me it's cake," I begged. "Also, can someone please carry me outside? My feet are still killing me."

"Hop on my back," Spencer said. Since he was so tall, he lowered himself down so I wouldn't have to jump and put pressure on my feet. Once I had my arms firmly wrapped around his neck and my legs locked across his torso, the four of us set off. Lily and Caleb said bye before Spencer and I entered the foyer of the theater building where my family was waiting for me.

The second Spencer set me down, my family pounced on me with hugs and congratulations. I was a little overwhelmed by it all.

"Guys, give her some room," Hunter ordered. "You're going to make her claustrophobic."

I smiled gratefully at my big brother who wrapped his arm around me. I looked over at Spencer when he let out a grunt. Ember had him in a bear hug, telling him he had been fantastic. I glanced over at Noah who was staring at Spencer with utter hatred. I cleared my throat to get my sister's attention. Thankfully she got the hint and backed off.

"Who wants to go get something to eat?!" Riley hollered. "I declare we go get ice cream!"

"I'm in!" Thea chimed in.

"That's all I really care about," he said, giving her a cheeky grin. She gave him a playful nudge.

"Spencer, would you like to join us?" Ember asked. My mom and dad's heads snapped over in our direction, the former surprised, the latter disapproving.

"Thank you for the offer Ember, but considering the look not only is your dad giving me, but also Noah, I must decline. I do value my life," he said.

"My dad disapproves of anyone not in our pack, and Noah, well, he just has a stick up his ass today and I have no idea why," my sister responded. If possible, my brother's second's expression turned even more murderous.

"I promise we won't kill you," my mom said, walking up next to Ember. "You are very welcome to join us. Don't worry, I can keep my husband at bay and I think Elsa will keep anyone else at bay. You're also welcome to join us for dinner. It's not a problem to add one more to our reservation. Actually, you're definitely coming. Would your family like to come?"

"Uh, they're having issues with the hotel so I don't think they'd be able to make it," Spencer said nervously. He wasn't the only one. My parents had never invited another person to dinner with us. There had to be an ulterior motive here.

"Very well. Ren, would you please call the restaurant and add an extra person to the reservation?" My dad nodded, obviously not liking the idea but not wanting to argue with my mom because he knew he'd get nowhere. I saw Loren and Shiloh were watching my mom carefully. They'd always been extremely protective of her. It got on her nerves a lot but she never told them that. But what they had to protect her against from Spencer, I had no idea.

"Hey, while we're at it, why don't you invite your friend, Ember? You know, that one you snuck off with the other night at the dinner?" Noah said.

My sister's temper flared. "Jealous or something, McKay? For your information, even though it's none of your damn business, we just talked. That's it."

"Yes, because whenever you sneak off from a party with someone, you just 'talk'," Noah retorted.

"I am going to shove your tongue so far down your throat, it's going to be sticking out of your-"

"Enough," My father commanded, stepping between the two of them. Ember and Noah instantly cowered. My dad was fierce and tall and deadly. He was the last Guardian I'd ever want to mess with. "Spencer, I'm sorry you had to see that. I don't know what's gotten into the two of them but I assure you it won't happen again. At least not while you're here. Come on everyone, let's go get your ice cream."

I slipped my hand into Spencer's to comfort him. I could tell how nervous he was. Hunter and Josilyn fell back with us.

"Just so you know," Hunter whispered. "My mom and dad have never let anyone come to anything with us. So either they actually like you or they're plotting your death."

"Hunter!" Josilyn chastised. "Don't scare him."

"What?" He looked at her innocently. "I know my parents."

"They won't kill you Spencer," Josilyn assured.

"Not around us," Hunter added.

"Shut up," I laughed, hitting him on the arm. "Besides, I think Spencer could give y'all a run for your money."

"Is that so?"

"He's knows jiu-jitsu."

"What is that? I mean, what's the difference between that and karate?" Hunter queried.

"Jiu-jitsu helps a smaller opponent fight a bigger one, using leverage and proper techniques. I know karate as well," Spencer said.

"So you're like Jackie Chan?"

"More like Chuck Norris. I've beaten Elsa here." He winked at me.

"Once! That was once!" I argued. "Besides, I beat you once and would've beaten you again had Thea and Riley not interrupted us."

"What did we do?" Thea asked.

"Interrupted me kicking Elsa's butt at sparring," Spencer answered.

"I do believe it was the other way around," I corrected.

"If being flipped over onto your back is winning, then yes, you would be," Riley countered. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face. He looked at my brother. "Hey Hunter, why did your parents invite him? They planning on killing him or something?"

"Oh my god, not you too!" I groaned.

"No idea, but it's the only thing coming to mind," Hunter said.

"Do you think they know?" I inquired softly.

"After that dance you two did, they probably think something is up between you two, but just what, they don't know."

Spencer chuckled. "I guess we'll find out whether I die tonight or not."

Dinner was fantastic. Firstly because Spencer and I'd placed first with our tango and first with our group hip hop routine. Second, my family was actually really cool with Spencer being there. Of course, he was sitting next to my dad, I was sitting next to my mom, but I think it was really just because they wanted to get to know him. For a while, it seemed the dinner would go by without my parents asking any embarrassing questions.

Until dessert.

I was happily munching on a blueberry cheesecake when my dad asked, "Spencer, I must ask because of that dance earlier, but what exactly is your relationship with my daughter?"

I choked on the piece of food I was swallowing. "Dad!"

"I want to know his intentions," my dad said back in a tone that told me there was no way I could persuade him to drop the subject and that there was no way Spencer would be able to get out of this either.

"We're friends, sir," Spencer said.

"Friends? So that kiss that almost happened on stage was going to be a friendly kiss?"

"No sir."

"Do you want to date my daughter?"

"Yes, but considering I won't be here in Colorado forever and she's told me that none of you date outside of the pack, I do believe there's not much hope for me in that area."

"What did you call us?"

"A pack. Sorry, I've heard all of you referencing it like that so I guess I just slipped and said it. Sorry, sir," Spencer apologized.

"No, it's fine. I simply haven't heard someone outside our pack call us that."

"What else has Elsa told you about us?" My mother queried.

"I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing but she doesn't talk much about her family but I think that's more because she's very protective of y'all and of your privacy."

Mom smiled. She liked him. "Yes, we value privacy in this family. How are you sister and her boyfriend by the way? They were okay with you coming to dinner?"

"Sort of. They're very protective of me since I'm the youngest. Her boyfriend is practically like a brother to me."

"I see why you and Elsa get along so well then. The two overprotected children because of your age," Ember piped up. "I'm so glad I was the middle child. Literally. I still am! They let Hunter get away with too much and Elsa with not enough."

Spencer and I shared a look, meaning I got away with more stuff than my sister realized. Just as Spencer was about to say something, his phone rang. He hastily hit ignore. A few seconds later, it rang again. Apologizing profusely for having to answer his phone at the dinner table, he answered, "Hey, I'm at dinner right now... what do you mean..." Spencer's face visibly paled. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be there as soon as I can... bye."

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Um, that was my sister. There's an emergency at our hotel back in Canada. We need to get back there immediately. Mr. and Mrs. Laroche, I'm so sorry I have to leave but my sister is frantic and I have to go help her boyfriend get our things ready to go back. Thank you so much for dinner. I can't thank you enough for inviting me," Spencer said.

"I'll walk you out," I offered. Excusing myself from the table, I headed outside with Spencer. Once we were out of sight from my parents, I asked, "What happened?"

"The Hunters just attacked our hotel. They bombed it Elsa. Innocent children and women and men were there. They must've thought we were there because why else would they bomb it? Oh god innocent people died because of us and-"

"Spencer, hey, hey, look at me," I whispered. "This is not your fault. This is the Hunters'. They want to destroy you and your family. What they did is horrific, and they will pay for their crimes. But for now, focus on helping the families that lost loved ones. You, Caleb, and Lily know better than anyone what it's like to lose someone dear to you. You can help them come to terms with it, or at least give them comforting words. I wish I could go with you, help all of you. I know we'll be a few thousand miles away but call me if need to, no matter what time it is."

"I'll be back. I promise. I'll call you when I get there. Please be careful, you and your family," he told me.

"You, Caleb, and Lily be careful as well. Give them my love. I'll see y'all when you get back." Spencer kissed me on the forehead and left. I watched him leave, wondering if I'd ever see him again. These Hunters were ruthless and would do anything to see us dead, including getting innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. But then I reminded myself that Caleb, Lily, and Spencer were all smart. My brother had managed to get all the way to Canada by himself when he was just fourteen. Lily was too damn stubborn to let something like a Hunter kill her. Spencer... he just seemed like a survivor. He was a survivor. They'd all come back. I knew it.
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Uh oh, the Hunters strike again. A review would be lovely :)