I ran upstairs to Rosa's room and grabbed my traveling bag. I threw some clothes inside of the bag and some personal belongings. Rosa looked so confused by what I was doing as I paced in her room grabbing things I could fit into the bag.

My mom came into the room, "Thalia, what on Earth are you doing?" she asked.

"Leaving." I coldly said as I threw some t-shirts into the bag.

"Wh-what?" she questioned. She came over and snatched the bag from me. I gave her a hard look, "No! Aron!" she yelled loudly to my dad. She clung to the traveling bag with pleading eyes, "Thalia, it doesn't have to come to this."

I grabbed the bag and snatched it back from her as I got real close towards her with my hair falling in my face, "It already has." She stared at my silver eyes, her brown ones filled with fear as she looked at me. My dad ran upstairs to the room and saw what I was doing.

He breathed heavily, "Thalia. . .no." he said, walking towards me slowly until I growled. He paused quickly and held his hands up, "You don't need to leave. I know it pissed you off being down there but we were only trying to help."

"Help?" I coldly said. "I'm your daughter! You both did this, remember that." I said as I started to walk around him.

Dad grabbed my arm as he made me look at him, "You're right, you are my daughter. So you're not going anywhere."

I pushed him away from me with one hard push and he fell on his back, "You don't own me anymore!" I yelled before running down the hallway and down the staircase. Ander blocked my way by standing in front of the door and I went over towards him. He knew what was coming so he scrunched his face up ready before my fist landed on his face right under his left eye. He fell back onto the deck and I growled before walking past him.

I put the bag on my shoulder before running down the block towards the woods. It didn't take me long since I was really quick and no one was outside. It was very quiet at night here in Harmony, the only stores open was gas station. I kept looking back as I ran to make sure no one was following me and I was happy when no one was. It wasn't very unusual for Jaguars to run away, my parents probably think I'll be back soon. They hope it won't work out and I'll be begging to come back. And they'll let me-if I marry Ander. But I won't give them that satisfaction. No, I refuse it. Kissing Ander was the last straw. Of realizing I really didn't have any feelings for him. And seeing my parents won't do anything what I ask for. They won't give me what I want and all I want is a normal life.

When I got to the woods, I sniffed around as I walked further in. I tried to find Aunt Hala scent but it was hard with snow everywhere that could be blocking her scent.

"Aunt Hala. Aunt Hala." I called out for her hoping she'll come find me.

A few moments passed and I groaned. I threw my bag down and sat down on a fallen tree. I let my head fall down and brought my hands up to my face. I ran my fingers across my wavy hair, finally calming down after today invents. I don't know what I'm really doing, I just hope their the right decisions and I'm not making a mistake.

I heard someone coming up behind me and my back stiffen. I looked in the corner of my eyes to see a figure of a man and a lump formed in my throat.

"Thalia." I heard a familiar voice that made me quickly stand up and turned around. Kavan was standing only ten feet away from me and my heart skipped a beat. A big smile appeared on my face and I jumped over the fallen tree. I attacked him with a hug, my arms going around his neck tightly. My brother wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me up from the ground as we chuckled.

When he set me down I took a took back looking at him. He looked the same mostly but there was changes. He was more muscular and his hairstyle was different. He had some tribal tattoo going down his right arm. But he looked every bit like my brother Kavan.

He chuckled as he brought his hands up to my face and tilt my head back, "I didn't believe Aunt Hala when she told me. They're amazing."

I forced a small smile, "Thank you." I said until it hit me. I took his hands away, "What are you doing here?"

He frowned down at me, "Dad found where I was and called me."

"Dad?" I was taken back since that was the last person I expect him to say.

He nodded, "Yes Thalia. I tried running here as fast as I could but it seems like I just got here on time." he said, looking behind me and I bit the inside of my cheek. "Thalia, I need you to go back home." I was surprised at what he said already but it shocked me when he told me that because he looks dead serious about it. I opened my mouth to speak but he shook his head, "No Thalia, it's not easy living alone. It's hard and can be scary. The Jaguars-their not like us. They kill humans for fun and shit. They'll chase them and eat them. They'll shift every night and there's always a murder."

I scoffed, "Then I just won't hang out with them. I just want to be away from mom and dad. I tried doing it, I have tried dealing with it Kave but I can't marry Ander. I refuse to."

"I don't want you living in the city, Thalia. I don't want my baby sister getting into trouble." he said. He grabbed my shoulders pushing me back, "Go. Go back to the house and just-deal harder. Or try convincing them or something. Anything."

I swung my arms out to move his hands as I scoffed, "Why do you get to be free and I don't? No."

"Thalia." he coldly said then closed his reddish-yellow eyes. He took a few deep breaths before he opened his eyes, "Everything that dad ever told us about Jaguars that live on their own is true. They kill humans with no remorse for them at all unlike how we grew up knowing that we shouldn't kill them. When it happens for us, it's an accident. They kill on purpose."

"You know something? I'm tired of people telling me what's best for me." I coldly said as I stepped away from him. "Dad. Mom. And now you! No, I refuse to be told what to do by anyone ever again. You won't stop me, Kave. I'm leaving-I'm going wherever I want to go. Don't stop me."

He shook his head, "Thalia, please. You weren't raised to live this kind of life. It's like a new whole world in the cities with them. They have strict rules and if you disagree with one Jaguar they'll try to kill you.

"I'm a Silver Jaguar, I can take care of myself. I can easily throw Ander across a room with one hard push." I said coldly,surprising him I could tell when his eyes widen. "I don't plan to hang out with them, Kave. I just wanna live on my own, get a job, and just take care of myself.

"That isn't easy either." he said, confusing me. "You just can't walk into a place asking for a job. Most jobs won't hire dropouts. That's why I worked with dad allot to make money in those under the table jobs."

"I'll be with Aunt Hala, she'll help me." I told him. "Kave, I'll adjust. With your help or not, I don't care but I refuse to go back to live with Ander and become his wife. I don't wanna marry him, I don't love him."

He looked frustrated now, "Thalia! You are a Silver Jaguar but you are still gentle as a flower. You don't know how to adjust to these kind of things easily."

"Oh but you can?" I asked him coldly and he rolled his eyes. "Why do you think you can do it but I can't? Oh let me guess because you're a boy and I'm a girl."

"Oh come on." he said, smacking his tongue against his teeth. "Of course not."

"Yes it is! I know when you lie Kave. You smack your teeth like you just did. I'm sure whatever you do as a job I can do better. Just because I'm a girl means I'm fragile and weak. I can do anything a man can do. I wanna build house? Okay, I'll learn how. I wanna drink like a man, I will. Hell if I wanna behave like a man I will!" I coldly yelled at him since I was losing my patience with everyone. I could feel my body wanting to shift, that urging pull of letting go and releasing myself. I walked over towards him until our noses almost touch, "Not you or anyone gonna tell me what to do anymore. I'm not a little girl anymore. You need to start remembering that."

I smelt something in the air and I heard Aunt Hala running towards us even before she appeared beside us. She was Jaguar skin, her black fur as dark as night and made her seem like a ghost in the night. She stood up and changed into her human skin. She smiled at me, "You got out. Sorry I was in another woods and had to run back here."

"You sent Rian to my house?" I coldly asked.

Her smile disappeared into a stiff line as she nodded, "Yes, I did."

I scoffed, "Why!" I coldly asked. "Ander started fighting with him and I had to stop it. Ander threatened to kill Rian to me and I had to kiss him to distract him. I told Rian I was only using him and he's pissed the hell off now."

She shrugged, "I thought he'll help." she said, confusing the hell out of me. "Yes, I did use the boy but I thought maybe you'll stand up to your parents."

I went over towards her as I bared my teeth, "No! Don't ever use Rian like that again." I coldly yelled at her.

She stayed calm as she stared at me before sighing heavily, "I'm sorry, Thalia. I just thought since you love him you'll defend him and tell your parents to back off."

"I can't tell Rian, he could be in allot of danger if I expose the secret to him Aunt Hala." I coldly said and she frowned looking guilty. I groaned as I stepped back, bring my hand up to my forehead as I pushed my hair back, "Look,lets just go." I said as I grabbed my traveling bag. I started walking over towards her, "I wanna go before my parents decide to come look for me and-"

"Thalia wait." Kavan said behind me and I paused but didn't turn to face him. "Don't throw away a good life. I had to leave but your willingly going. Choose something safe."

"She is safe with me, Kavan." Aunt Hala told him. "It's not like she's going in this blindly, I'll be there to help her when she needs it. I know Thalia is a strong girl, I can see it in those silver eyes of her. She's not a child anymore."

Another scent hit my nose. It smelled of ashes to my right and my ears perked at the sound of branches swapping. I heard a muttering of a male voice and I heard Kavan growl behind me as he heard it to.

"What is he doing out here?" Aunt Hala asked what I was thinking. "It's late at night, stupid human."

I growled at her before I held my bag out, "I'll make him leave. If I know him enough, he's going towards the river. It's his calming spot but if my parents or Ander come out here they might get 'rid' of him."

She took my bag, "Thalia, we should just get going-"

"I wanna say bye formally. I promise I'm still coming, I just wanna say bye." I told her and she didn't look certain. "Look, I won't go back to the Espina's house. I just wanna say bye, leave on a better note than how earlier was done. Aunt Hala, please."

She sighed heavily, "Meet me outside of town near that old abandoned mechanic garage when your finished." she said before she turned and quickly left the scene.

"Do I wanna know?" Kavan asked behind me and I finally turned to face him as I shook my head. "A human, Thalia? Really?"

I scoffed, "You sleep with human girls." I said and he opened his mouth protest how it was different but I went over and pushed him away. "Look, just go. You won't understand just like them."

He sighed heavily as we looked at each other for a moment before he turned and ran away. I stepped a few steps back and I listened to Rian foot steps get closer and closer. I closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths as I tried to calm myself and prayed my eyes turned back to their normal brown color. My stomach turned quickly in knots each step he took getting closer towards me until he finally stopped.

"Thalia?" he questioned before he came towards me. I straightened my shoulders and forced myself to turn around. When he didn't seemed freaked out I knew my eyes were back to normal but he didn't look happy to see my either. He looked annoyed, "What are you doing out here?"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out since I didn't really know what to say. I took a deep breath, "Earlier. . .I only said what I said to make you leave. I wasn't using you,Rian."

He scoffed as he walked over to me, "Why did you lie, huh? I don't understand you one bit, Thalia."

I licked my nervous dry lips, "I. . .I. . ." I just stared at him and he looked impatient as he waited for me to finish but I didn't know how to. I ran my fingers across my hair, "I have to lie to everyone, I'm sorry. I gotta make my parents happy, make Ander happy, and try to make you happy."

"Why?" he coldly asked. "Why do anything for anyone when you know there's nothing you'll get back. Why do you wanna make me happy so much?" he coldly asked.

"Because I. . .I like you." I slowly said as I stared at him. He didn't yell anything back at me but his cold eyes didn't disappear. "I lie to you because I like you."

He snorted, "That doesn't make anything sense, you know?"

I opened my mouth but I remembered something and I sighed heavily, "Can we go back to your place? It's not. . .isn't so safe in the woods at night."

He shook his head, "Why are you out here? Why aren't you home?

I scoffed, "Why are you out here?

He rolled his eyes, "My mom was getting drunk so I wasn't going back there. Now what you doing out here?"

"I left. I ran away but-look I left and that's all you should be worried about. Can we please go back to your place?" I asked, giving him begging eyes and he stared at me for a moment before groaning.

*

I got a shower-a nice hot one with running water-at Rian and he gave me some clothes to change in. I went into his room that was any normal teenage boy with a queen size bed and a nice tv. Posters were on his wall. Stacks of video games, DVD's, and CD's were stacked up on a shelf.

I leaned against the wall as he sat on his bed and I rubbed the sleeve of the long sleeve burgundy shirt "Thank you." I said.

He stood up, "So explain yourself. Tell me everything-or what you wanna tell me." he said as he rolled his eyes.

"You know my family is different. We-it's like a culture difference. I'm. . .engaged to Ander." I said, making his eyes widen slightly. "And usually the teenagers in this culture once they become sixteen we're consider adults. My parents took me out of school so I can focus on the wedding but I couldn't care less for it. I don't wanna marry Ander, I don't even love him. Ander is jealous of you because I like you and he probably knows this. He threatened to you hurt you earlier if I didn't make you leave and I knew he wasn't joking. That's why I said what I said." I told him pretty much the truth, about seventy-five percent of it. I just left out some details.

He didn't seem relieved or anything but the cold look was gone from his eyes. He walked over towards me, "So what you're saying your family into arrange marriages and you don't have a choice in who they choose?" he asked and I nodded.

"At first I didn't mind so much. I knew it was gonna happen, I've been hearing about finding a husband my whole life by my parents. I just thought I had more time until after I graduate to get married but my parents wanted me to be married quickly." I said as he stopped in front of me. "But then I met you and I became more rebellious. According to them."

"Oh so it's my fault?" he asked and I shrugged as I bit the inside of my cheeks. "Well since you showed up my ass has been beaten allot more lately." he said. I lowered my head feeling bad since he has been getting in to allot of trouble because of me. "And I crazily still hang out with you. Hmm, I wonder why." he said sarcastically but that only confused me as I looked up. Did he have to be an ass right now? He turned around and took a few steps away, "You've been here for about how long, Thalia? Three weeks? And you seem to cause so much events in my life." he said as he turned around to look at me. "Three weeks of none stop thinking about you. Three weeks watching you smile with those white teeth of yours. Three weeks of me believing-I, Rian Stark who is known for being cold hearted-I have gone heads over crazy for you." He walked over towards me, "Now I don't know if someone drugged me this whole time and I'm actually just high."

I was a little bit confused since I swear he started that whole speech saying how much I gotten him in trouble and pretty sure he was blaming me. It's weird how it twisted all the way to him being heads over crazy for me.

"So. . .are you still mad at me or not?" I asked since I needed an answer or I will forever be tortured by not knowing.

"I find it very hard to stay mad at you, Thalia." he said, making a small smile appear on my face. "Even when I try to stay mad, it doesn't work." He gently grabbed my waist and pressed my back against the wall as he kissed me. I tilt my head back a little as I kissed him back, bring my hands up to his neck. I was lost in kissing Rian for a bit I completely forgot about why I came here in the first place.

I pulled away a little but he only lowered his head and kissed me hard on the mouth. I breathed heavily out my nose, kissing him for a moment before pushing back a bit, "No. No Rian, I only came to say goodbye. I didn't wanna leave knowing you hated me but now that things are good-"

"You wanna leave me?" he asked, those glassy green eyes staring down at mine with a look of hurt. "Where are you going?"

"W-with my aunt. She said I could come stay with her, I can't stay at the Espina's." I said, leaning up and kissed him hard on the mouth but it was only a peck before I pulled away.

"No." he said, pulling me back and kissed me. "Thalia, don't leave. You stay here with me. My parents are hardly ever home as you know and they will think you're just always coming over."

"I can't Rian, I already told my aunt I'm coming with her." I said, frowning up at him.

He stared down at me for a moment before pulling his arms away, "Okay, I understand." he said, walking over towards the bed and I frowned. He sat down on it and I walked over, "I knew karma would come to bite me in the ass one day. She'll make me care for someone and make her leave so I know what it's like to have a heart broken for what I did to other girls."

"Rian," I started, feeling bad as he looked sad. I reached down placing my hand over his cheek. He stared up at me with those green eyes that made my heart ache and he reached up. He tugged at the flannel pajama pants I had on down. He placed his hands on my thighs and gently pull me down onto his lap. He kissed me on my chin and I tilt my head to the side a little. His hands went up my back, sending chills down my arms.

His hands slid down under the shirt, his hands pressing into my back. I brought my hand up behind his head as I kissed the side of his head. I slowly hitched his shirt up and he moved his arms so I could slide it off. He kissed down on my neck and pulled the collar of the long sleeve shirt aside to kiss down on my collarbone.

He placed his hands on my back to hold me as he turned us. I laid down on my back on his bed and I crawl back further onto the bed as I followed me. He brought his hands to his belt bucket as he quickly un-did them. He pulled them down just little before he leaned down and kissed me. I brought my hands up to his back and my nails nervously dug into his skin a little.

He pulled the shirt up a little and kissed my stomach. Suddenly he stopped, "Thalia?" he questioned. I left my head up and saw him looking down at my stomach confused for a moment. "Those gray spots are gone?" I quickly propped myself up and pulled the shirt down.

"They started to go away." I said, only confusing him more. "I went to the doctor and she said she doesn't know. Their just gone but they might come back." I took his face in my hands and kissed him, pulling him back up as I laid on my back, "Don't ruin the moment." I said as I kissed him. He placed his hands on both sides of me as he held himself up a little as he kissed me.

*

I heard the door being roughly opened and I jerked awake. Rian was also surprised as we both quickly sat up on the bed. His mother was in the room looking pissed and I was so confused until I realized how drunk she looked.

"Mom! What the hell?"Rian coldly asked as I brought the blanket up to my naked body.

She pointed at me, "I want her out of here." she said, walking over towards me. She grabbed my arm as she pulled me, "I'm tired of these girls in my house Rian!"

Rian grabbed her wrist and pulled her away, "Stop it! You're drunk, just get out!"

She smacked him across the face and I jerked roughly, "I make a nice breakfast for my children and your little brother tells me he seen you sneak a girl in the house in the middle of the night Rian? I have told you a million times to stop doing that."

"Mrs. Stark, I'm sorry to disrespect you-"

She pointed a long red finger nail at me, "You shut up. Does your parents know where you are?"

Rian coldly glared at his mom, "Just get out of my room! Now!" he yelled as he pushed him mom away which wasn't so hard since she was very skinny and drunk.

She breathed out heavily and walked back over, "You're going on that camping trip with your father so you better start packing." she said. She roughly grabbing my arm and pulled me out of the bed, "And you're going home! And Goddamn put some clothes on!" she said as she picked up the clothes Rian gave me and threw them at me.

Rian got up and slid some boxers on, "Why are you doing this to me?" he coldly asked as he glared at his mother and I quickly slid on the clothes. "You just can't come into my room and kick her out! You should just mind your own damn business. Just because dad won't touch you doesn't mean you should be pissed at me."

Mrs. Stark breathed heavily out her nose and she grabbed me. She dragged me out of the room and Rian tried to stop her but she only slapped him. She hurried us down the staircase as Rian followed behind us telling his mother to stop. She opened the door but when she was about to push me out Rian pushed her aside and came out of the house with me. He closed the door, holding onto the handle as his mother tried to open the door.

"I'm so sorry." he said, looking down at me apologetic.

"It's okay." I said.I shouldn't have fallen asleep.I wanted to say but I decided not to because I planned on leaving after but I got tired and thought I'll rest my eyes but I fallen asleep. I can only imagine how angry Aunt Hala gonna be. I started to turn, "I should get going-" Rian grabbed my wrist and turned me back to face him. He placed his hand behind my head and leaned down, kissing me hard on the mouth. I brought my hand up to his neck as I kissed him back for a moment. His mother was on the other side of the door, demanding Rian to let go of the knob in a drunken rant. After a moment I knew I couldn't stay much longer so I broke the kiss and left quickly.