"You're going to get us killed one day."

Cora turned to her "At least then I won't be rudely awoken in the morning."

"Do any of you smell that?" Dylan asked while sniffing the air. The three of them stood in the school courtyard basking in the warmth of the sun. All of them had been thankful the rain had stopped. 

Jade shook her head "No?"

"I got nothing," Cora grunted before turning to Dylan with a glare "Is this your way of telling us we need a shower? Because I know Werewolves have impeccable senses but-" 

"No, no, nothing like that...It's not bad, it's a good thing. Like a mixture of honeycomb and strawberries." Dylan glanced around in search of what seemed to smell absolutely delicious.

Cora quirked an eyebrow "...I can't spot it..."

Dylan turned around to face them "Are you sure? It's as clear as day," he turned back around when suddenly he stopped in his actions — his eyes turned a light amber colour "Mine," he whispered.

Jade smiled. Cora gasped. And another girl on the other side of the courtyard halted immediately and returned his unwavering gaze.

"Go get your mate." Jade whispered to Dylan giving him just enough encouragement to sprint in the other end of the courtyard — gathering the her in his arms.

She was happy he found his mate. It'd be somewhere he would finally feel like he belonged "what's going on?" she heard Cora whisper next to her.

Usually werewolves were common knowledge but she figured since Cora spent most of her life inside the Divisions, she didn't know very much.  It made sense, only more experienced and trained Division people knew in depth about werewolves. 

"I'll tell you later, it's a bit complicated" 

Cora gave her a curious look "Fine," she muttered, knowing that fighting with Jade was like fighting with a tree.

Absolutely useless

Jade tugged against Cora's arm and headed over to her car. If she learnt anything from Tanner it was that being exposed in werewolf territory was dangerous, they didn't like strangers, especially people who travel around in groups. She'd presumed that Cora didn't have enough knowledge about werewolves to know if they entered Pack territory. 

Most Packs saw strangers traveling in groups, especially strangers from the Division, threatening. At least until Jade could meet with their Alpha, it just wasn't safe enough. 

The drive home was long, if not a little nerve wrecking for Jade since she knew she was on another Packs territory. After another half hour of driving since Jade decided to take the wheel instead of Cora, they finally reached their home.

Cora took a seat in their kitchen while sipping on her hot chocolate "Now tell me whats going on, I know the basics about werewolves but in some areas I lack."

She smiled widely "Dylan found his mate."

Cora started to clap her hands slowly "wow. He actually found his mate and here I was thinking that he'd grow old with 50 cats and unlimited wifi."

Not a bad way to go. Jade couldn't help but join in on the laughter. A knock on the door had cut their conversation short. 

"It must be him with his new wife" Jade moved from where she sat and opened the door with Cora behind her. She welcomed the sight of Dylan with a petite girl and pleasantly introduced herself to her  — The small but fiery werewolf standing before them had dark brown hair and equally matching eyes.

The girl would only scoff "I'm Dylan's mate. Melissa"

"Well it's nice to meet you, we-"

Before she could finish her sentence Melissa pushed Dylan lightly to the side making him shoot them an apologetic look "Leave."

"Excuse me?" Cora all but hissed venomously while pushing Jade. Whatever customs werewolves had, Cora didn't care. This was her home as far as she was concerned and she would not tolerate disrespect. 

"What my friend means" Jade interrupted "— is that we don't understand what we did for you to tell us to leave.''

Melissa rolled her eyes over dramatically before looking back at her "You're both not werewolves. My pack is the Moon Howlers." Jade's eyes widened at the revelation.

Slate used to tell her about many Packs, one of them being the Moon Howlers.

They were mostly known for their hatred for humans. The only time when the Pack doesn't show hatred for a particular human is when one of their members are mated with one.

"THIS IS MY HOME! AND I DON'T CARE IF-" Cora's rant was cut short when Jade put a calming hand on her shoulder "Dylan! This is my home! She can't do this to us just because we're not werewolves." Jade knew that it was no use.

Dylan was an Inoculate and above that, Melissa was his mate so even if he wanted to stop her, he couldn't.

Before anyone could register what was happening next Melissa raised her recently manicured nails and slapped Cora across the face, leaving three hideous claw marks across her cheek "Your house is on my territory! This is not your home"

"YOU MUTT!" Cora yelled even harder despite the blood that ran down her cheek

Jade was about to step in but stopped in her tracks when Dylan shoved Cora so hard she collided with the ground "Don't you dare talk to my mate like that!" he growled dangerously.

Jade had reasoned for his actions so far but his loyalty had nothing to do with what he just did. No one told him to shove Cora, no one forced him to do that...

Was it instinct?

"I thought we were friends." She whispered.

Screw Instinct. 

Almost immediately regret overcame him "I'm so sor-"

He was interrupted by the laughter "You really think that a creature as low as you could be friends with my mate? How pathetic"

"Melissa, I think that's enough." Dylan started, walking over to her as Jade made her way to Cora, helping her up to her feet.

She narrowed her eyes"Are you protecting her? Do you like her more than your own mate?" 

Ah yes. The typical werewolf jealousy. 

"No! Of course not, you will always be more important to me."

Jade couldn't help the sense of betrayal, of course his mate would mean more than them but come on he's known this girl for an hour and here he is acting as if Cora and Jade were nothing.

Melissa grinned a sickly smile that made her swallow nervously.

Cora stood next to her with her head held high "I'm not leaving. This is my home and you are not going to force me to abandon it."

"You dare disrespect me, human?" Melissa growled — faster than anyone could comprehend, she clutched Cora by her hair and launched her on to the front lawn.

Cora had only been training for a short time to become a Protector. Her fighting skills were definitely something to be fearful of, but up against a werewolf, her few years experience would be no use.  

Before Jade could reach Cora, arms circled around her waist — stopping her from getting any closer "Dylan? Help her!"

"I'm sorry but I can't - If I want to stay in this Pack I can't look like an outsider, not again!" Dylan begged with desperation.

A crowd of people began to gather around — They all seemed to be werewolves since all they did was watch the fight transpire.

Jade frantically struggled in Dylan's arms "She's your friend, don't you remember?"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! But Melissa's my mate..." Dylan whimpered "...And I'm loyal to her,"

She understood.

The bond, his curse, it all affected him but all sense of understanding vanished into thin air when Melissa started to punch Cora mercilessly. It wasn't a fair fight — Cora had broken her wrist earlier when Dylan shoved her.

She could barely fight back.

Jade felt her stomach lurch "Then fight it Dylan! You've known Melissa for what? 45 minutes and you're letting her this to Cora who has known you longer!"

Before he could reply Melissa stepped away from Cora "Pathetic" she spat, earning herself cheers from the Pack members that crowded around them.

"Why are you all cheering! She didn't do anything!" Jade screamed, tears brimming the corner of her eyes.

Never before had she ever felt so useless, so powerless.

Her pleas were ignored as the cheering got louder.

This is all my fault...

If I didn't call her, if I didn't ask for her help...she wouldn't be here

"No..." she whimpered as her body struggled even more in Dylan's grip.

How could I let this happen?...If Tanner was here, he would've stopped this fight. If Tanner was here he would've protected us...

The thought of her brother was enough for Jade to let out a sob.

She focused as hard as she could to stop time like she did before, but as much as she tried and tried she couldn't — for some reason she couldn't reach that part of her mind.

Jade continued to yell — her voice grew husky and her eyes grew weary.

Eventually Cora couldn't fight back anymore — Melissa took advantage of this opportunity by grabbing hold of her neck. Cora met Jade's horrified gaze without moving her head.

"Corinthia..."

Holding her best friends stare she couldn't help the way her heart beat quickened.

Cora couldn't say anything — that didn't stop the sad smile that graced her lips ever so slightly. Her personality shun through. At least until the end. 

And just like that something snapped inside of Jade.

She failed to protect her friend...

She failed to protect her brother...

She failed...

Melissa turned around while smiling as a sick feeling slipped down Jade's throat. She felt betrayal, anger, and most of all an undeniable feeling of pure RAGE.

Before Jade could take another breath her vision blurred into oblivion

Melissa smirked. This young wolf thought she had won.

Or so she thought.