LUKA'S POV

"And the funny thing is, is I still have no idea where I got the tattoo from! It's so crazy because yeah it looks good but I mean who paid for it? When did it happen you know?" The freshman girl continues to squabble about in my ear about some mysterious tattoo she found on her back. How did I get sucked into this?

"And did you know that if the needle isn't cleaned properly people could get Hepatitis? Like that's totally dangerous and totally gross. I mean who knows if I have it now." I curb the desire to roll my eyes and lean my head against my locker. I don't even know how long this girl has had me trapped here but if I don't leave now I think my mind may explode.

"And can you believe that my friend Stacy got a tattoo just like mine and tried to say she doesn't know how she got hers as well? Can you say desperate? I mean seriously half of my girlfriends were with her when she got the tattoo in the first place. How annoying!" My ears catch the sound of Tyffany's laugh and my hopes are replenished knowing that Keegan is somewhere close by.

"Keegan get your ass over here and save me from this insane freshman!" I plead with him, happy to know he's kept his mindlink open.

"WOW! I'm about to score with my mate and you want me to save you? I don't know man..." I growl at his response. He's going to regret trying to turn me down.

"Either you get over here now or I will let Tyffany know just where her favourite bra went to." I smirk to myself as I hear his footsteps pick up and watch as he appears around the bend of the hallway.

"Oh Natasha! I've been looking all over for you! Come on you troublesome little girl we have cheer practice to get to." Keegan says pulling the freshman away from me. Whether or not her name is Natasha I don't know and I certainly don't care. The girl looks between us confused as Keegan pulls her down the hall with Tyffany standing there waiting like an angel. She smiles at the girl and takes her around the corner and out of my sight.

"Thank you so much Keegan. I don't know how much longer I could have stood there." Keegan rolls his eyes and claps me on the back.

"It's what best friends are for. Now come on let's watch you out swim the crap out of those losers from whatever school they go to." Laughing I grab my bag from my locker and head towards the pool where the competition is being held.

There are many reasons as to why I chose to participate in swimming as opposed to other sports like football or basketball. When I swim I am able to completely clear my mind and focus on merely the sound of my thrumming heart beat and the whistle. Nothing else matters but diving into that water and becoming the closest thing to a merman as possible. I don't have to rely on other people and I don't need to worry about teamwork, it's just me, the water and the timer. So in times like now when I am bordering pure rage every time I think about the attack on my pack, swimming helps to calm me.

"You're gonna kill it Luka." Keegan says giving my shoulder a squeeze. He walks straight to the bleachers where the rest of our group is sitting and I head to the change rooms.

Looking back now I've begun to realize that Bo, that sick bastard, wasn't just getting revenge for his dead companions, he was sent to come after us and what ticks me off is that we still don't know who sent them. We've interrogated three different rogues, threatened their lives, cut off limbs and laced them with silver and still they won't speak. All we've been able to get is that they clearly don't know who hired them either.

Almost a year has gone by and still nothing. What the hell! We were so desperate we had to send Christopher back undercover to see what he could find out, endangering his life even more so than before.

Idiots. All of them are idiots. Just because I don't know who planned the attack doesn't mean I won't go tearing through every pack and find the bastard myself. My fist connects with the locker closest to me and I have to take deep breaths to calm my wolf. Seeing his pack slaughtered the way they were... it changed him, it's changed me. I can't be as care-free and easy going as I used to be. I need to be alert. I need to be strong. I need to be ready. It's as if every time I feel that I am better, stronger and more sure of myself something happens that completely throws me off.

"DAMN IT!" My fist flies through the locker this time and I barely feel the sting of twisted metal curling around my skin. If I was paying more attention to my surroundings that day and not so focused on Rae... pure rage consumes me again and I throw the bench beneath me against the wall. Damn it! Damn it all! Everything is so screwed up!

"Luka?" Snarling and growling I turn towards the sound and see a certain girl standing in the door way.

"What are you doing here Alina?" Her cheeks tint pink slightly before she pushes her chest out and walks straight towards me. Pulling my hand out of the locker as gently as she can she sighs.

"My old school is in the finals as well and I love to support them whenever I can so... I thought I'd come and see how you're doing. Obviously not well." I rip my hand from her touch and stalk in another direction.

"I'm fine." I don't care for her help. I don't want to hear any shit about how I couldn't have prevented the attack and that I did my best to save all the members that I could. It's all bullshit and everyone who tries to say that to me or my family knows it well enough.

"Stop lying Luka. You're pissed and rightfully so, but you can't go around destroy everything around you. Especially not around humans." I hear her footsteps approaching me and my body begins to tighten in tension.

"Why are you here?" I ask trying to get my voice to return to normal. Her hand rests on my shoulder and I shrug her off.

"I already told you why." She responds. I scoff at her answer and turn to face her.

"I want to know why you're here Alina. The competition is not in this change room." Sarcasm soaks into every word and she blushes hard this time.

"I know that... I just... I wanted some time alone. With you. We haven't seen or spoken to each other in a while." I can hear her heartbeat pick up and watch as her fingers twitch and her lips roll into her mouth.

"To do what?" I've already caught on to why she's here and I wouldn't mind a quickie to get my mind off of those damn rogues, but I want to hear it come from her mouth first. Before I take her. Before I take her hard. I continue to watch her fidget which is very different from that over-confident minx I'm used to seeing.

"I want to have sex." Her voice small and quiet, completely contradicting the girl I knew but only two years ago.

"Here? Now?" I say taunting her. I can smell her arousal already and I have to fight back my wolf as he either wants to continue to tear apart this change room or tear Alina apart.

"Yes." Her eyes glance up and it almost puzzles me as to what she may be thinking when she sees me now.

I know I'm not the same. I know I have more of an attitude. I know I am very moody and constantly on edge. I know I have gotten bigger in size yet again and I know that my facial hair and body mass makes me seem like a grown man. My voice is deeper, my eyes lighter, my wolf is much more evident than before. One attack, one gruesome and bloody day has changed me forever. I'm fiercer, angrier and hornier than ever and if I can't fight I want to... have hard sex with any she-wolf willing. Does that make me a man whore? I don't know neither do I care anymore. Not that I've been with that many girls because I really haven't. It's rare that I ever take out my frustrations through sex, but when it happens it happens. I need to relieve my anger and frustrations somehow and constantly injuring my friends when in training isn't an option anymore.

"Good." I say grabbing her forward and biting her bottom lip.

I suck it into my mouth and grab at her ass pulling it against me. She squeaks at the obvious friend saying hello and I spin her around so her back is against the lockers. Lifting her legs so they wrap around my waist I kiss and suck on her neck leaving a decent sized hickey in its wake. More than once have I thought of just marking her and claiming her as my own. She's a strong female, great at sex and understands my needs, but there's a part of me that wants more. I'm not sure what more is but I can't resist the wanting either.

"Luka!" My name gasps out of her nice little mouth and I claim it again in a kiss. Holding her up with one hand I undo my pants with the other. Convenient that today would be the day she chose to wear a skirt. She probably had this planned. Not that it matters. I slip her underwear to the side and force my way in her, panting out in pleasure. She's just as good as I remember. Her arms wrap around my shoulders and her nails dig into my skin. Good I don't mind the pain. Gripping her thighs I slam into her as hard as I can and then I push myself to go harder and faster. My wolf comes forward and I feel my body grow in size, stretching her out in the process.

"Ahh!" Her cries go onto deaf ears as my wolf pushes me to the far corners of my mind and pounds into the poor female like the animal he is. I've never actually let my wolf take so much control from me before and I feel bad that he could be hurting Alina, but as my anger begins to melt away I don't regret taking her. He laps at her neck and breasts as he continues to beat into her and I feel our release coming. Demanding back control I am able to pull out fast enough and release on my t-shirt that I didn't realize was on the floor.

"I've never-"

"I apologize for my lack of control. I didn't think he would do that and if I hurt you I am truly sorry." I tell her stroking her cheek. Alina gazes up to me with a certain look in her eye that makes me jerk my hand back and it's not one of lust it's of love... 

"You should fix your clothes and leave. If my coach comes in here we're both screwed." She nods and fluffs her hair so it hides the hickey.

"Good luck out there. I hope you're... feeling better." She walks out of the change room and I take a quick shower to clean myself up. When the coach comes banging through the door I'm already changed and doing my warm-ups. His eyes fall on the hole in the locker and the scattered bench before they look at me.

"Mind telling me what happened here?" I take out one earphone and look him straight in the eye.

"I was a little upset with something that happened today and lost control. I can pay for the repairs." I tell him continuing to stretch. He nods at my answer.

"I appreciate the truth kid. Now get out there. 400 m breaststroke is soon." He glances at the hole one last time before whistling and shaking his head. I follow out behind him and shake out my limbs. Thanks to Alina I am feeling much better than before which will mean I can remain focused. Walking to my lane I scope out the competition and continue to stretch. All I have to do is focus.

"400 m breaststroke in five minutes. 400 m breaststroke in five minutes." The announcer says into the microphone. I look through the bleachers to see Naal, Mara, Keegan, Tyffany, Kyle, Marianne and Yulia waiting patiently. Apparently Tristan wasn't as nice as we all thought. He only wanted Yuli for sex and when she turned him down he left and didn't look back. They've come to all of my competitions since freshman year. Jason, Art, Connor and Cate come as well when they aren't preoccupied with their own clubs and sports. Tyffany waves at me and I smile back. Where would my sanity be without them? Even when I'm close to the edge they always find a way to pull me back.

"Stay focused Luka. And bring home the gold." I nod at Naal as he speaks to me through the link.

"Thanks man." He nods back. That's why he is my best friend. Plain and simple but straight to the point. He's a good guy and Mara is lucky to have him.

My coach walks up to me and squeezes my shoulder.

"You've got this kid. None of them can compare to you. Kick their asses and make your coach proud."

"Yes coach." The other swimmers line up behind the backstrokes that are waiting on the line.

"So you must be Luka." A boy to my left smirks at me and crosses his arms. "Please you don't look that tough. Facial hair doesn't make you a man just an FYI it makes you slower. So you can sit back and watch me win." He rolls his eyes and scoffs before continuing to stretch. I put my earphones back in and relax again. It really doesn't matter what the kid says because I will win regardless. I have to. The swimmers for backstroke jump in and begin their race and I relish in the feeling of adrenaline rushing through me. This is what I want. A very competitive and muscle tingling distraction.

I watch as the male with the pale blond hair wins the race and looks around throwing a fist in the air in happiness. Congratulations to him. The six of us step forward and I hand my iPod to my coach as I begin to focus on the race. A silence befalls the pool as we wait for the bell to sound. My heart beating wildly in my chest and my eyes trained on the ripples dancing across the top of the water. With one sharp "ding!" we all dive into the water and begin our race. My focus remains ahead as my body adjusts to the temperature around me. Easily I get into a rhythm and soon enough I am shooting through the water as if I were a fish. One. I hit the wall and zoom back to the next side. Two. My feet push off the wall and I continue forward not allowing anything to slow me down. Three. Almost there. Almost there. Four.

Lifting my head from the water I see the same boy from before just making his way to the edge now. The crowd cheers as I get out of the pool and shake the water out of my ears. Girls screaming and guys hollering I bask in my win. Something in my life that isn't being destroyed. Something I earned for myself. Something I never realized that I truly needed.

My coach throws me a towel and gives me a grin.

"That's my boy. Way to show 'em up!"

"Thanks coach." I dry off my hair and face and catch a few looks of lust from the girls in the crowds.

"Go get changed and wait for the end ceremony." I nod in compliance and head back to the change rooms. Looking at it now I feel stupid for losing control. I am stronger than that. I shouldn't let it control me. And now I have to find the money to pay for that stupid locker. Smooth Luka, smooth.

Showering off and changing into my shorts and a simple black tee I leave to see the group waiting off to the side of the change rooms.

"Hey Luka that was amazing! Seriously you were so fast." Kyle says excitement in his eyes.

"Yeah I mean I swear you were born to swim or something." Marianne says touching my arm. Kyle grips at her waist and pulls her back. It doesn't bother me that he's so possessive of her besides her hitting him upside the head is fun to watch anyway.

"So you basically owned all of them." Naal says crossing his arms. I smile and stretch out my muscles again.

"It felt good. I needed the distraction." Everyone nods as a somber look crosses their faces. Even Tyffany and Marianne know about the attack. They would have almost been a part of it had they been allowed to go. Good thing Tyff's father is strict.

"Is this your last meet?" Tyffany asks trying to lighten the mood.

"I have two more. One is relay and breaststroke and the other is freestyle and breaststroke. And then the school year is basically finished."

"Wow... this year... it went by pretty quickly huh?" Keegan says stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah I know I swear I was just meeting you guys and now look at us. I have a werewolf for a boyfriend who has basically claimed me for life and I've made the best friends I've ever had." Tyffany smiles at all of us.

"You better believe it's for life." Keegan replies playfully. A pang of loneliness hits me in my chest but I choose to ignore it. I will find my mate when I have the time to. Right now isn't the time... not yet.

"Hey kid! Time for the ceremony." I return to my spot beside the coach and watch as they set up a stage with three levels. The rest of the swim team crowds around coach as they begin to announce who has won top three. The medals are really nice and pretty big. It's always exciting to win.

"Third place in the 400 m breaststroke is Chad Turner!" Applause from his team and the few that are here in support of his school is heard.

"Second place in the 400 m breaststroke is Ashton Park!" A loud applause is given for this punk. Though he really doesn't deserve it.

"First place in the 400 m breaststroke is Luka Garretson!" A roar of applause echoes through the pool area as the school jumps to their feet. I smile and accept my medal, standing on the highest level. Looking to this Ashton kid I smirk.

"Hey kid! Facial hair or not, this medal here? This is what makes me the man." His glare makes me smile even wider.

***

"LUKA!" I jump at the shrill in that voice and rush down the stairs. A tear streaked face glares up at me.

"Rae?" I walk down the stairs to her and immediately look for any signs of harm done to her.

"Bring him back." Confused I watch her little thirteen year old body tremble with what I'm presuming is fear.

"Bring who back Rae?" Her eyes cut at me before she inhales a breath.

"My name is Raelynn. You are not allowed to call me Rae anymore. And you know who. My father. Bring my father back." She screams that last bit and I feel my irritation rise. You would think after such a life threatening situation that she would let go of her little anger towards me but no, it seems it has only doubled.

"I will call you Rae because that is what I've always called you. And you know I can't just call him back Rae. He's busy." I reply calmly. I'm not going to fight with her about this. Jeez we practically fight about everything. It's just never-ending with her.

"I want my father back and I want him back now Luka." My head tilts on its own and I smirk.

"And how exactly am I supposed to do that huh? Just magically make him appear?"

"Tell him to come back and send someone else. He's done enough! He's been gone for seven months!" Sighing I reach for her hand but she steps away from me.

"Just please bring him back. We need him and we really miss him." Turning away without a goodbye she leaves through the backdoor. I rub at my temples and sigh again.

"Aww poor little Raelynn misses her daddy." A growl builds in my chest.

"Not now Willow." I storm out of the living room and straight to my father's office. I knock once and wait for him to allow me entrance.

"What's on your mind pup?" Father asks me as he looks through some files.

"I'm sure you heard my little showdown a few minutes ago?" His smile, although he tries to hide it, makes my irritation spark again.

"Yes I did hear that little tiff. Is she ok?"

"How am I supposed to know?" He puts the papers down and stares at me.

"What?" I ask confused.

"What do you mean how would you know? You always know what she's doing, how she's feeling and where she is."

"You make me sound like some kind of creep."

"Or a guy who invested in keeping his friend safe and happy." I roll my eyes.

"Yeah well that kind of died."

"Go on." I sigh again and lean back in my chair.

"It all started on my birthday last year. We were all having a really good time and I was spending some time with Rae to make sure she wasn't left out. Needless to say I may have said something possessive and then something really stupid right after. I know now my mistake but it wasn't as if I was intentionally trying to hurt her." I stare at the ceiling not wanting to look at anything but it.

"And what did you say?" I pause before I answer.

"Did you know that Rae's in love with me?"

"Yup." My head shoots up and I stare at my father.

"Are you serious?" He chuckles at my reaction, obviously amused.

"Oh come on Luka! As if it wasn't already obvious from the moment she first met you! She adores you! And part of me thought you felt the same." I feel bile rise in the back of my throat.

"Dad that's disgusting. That's really really disgusting." He throws his hands up and smiles.

"Well everyone makes mistakes. Now what did you say?" Running a hand over my face I blow out a breath.

"Basically I asked her if she was over her infatuation with me to which she said no. And then I said that I wanted a mate that was a she-wolf. I never noticed it before but now that I look back, the look that crossed her face... oh Goddess she was broken. After that she left the party and didn't speak to me till the day of the attack. And even then she didn't even let me apologize she just yelled at me and stormed out. And ever since then things have been very rocky with us."

"Hmm that is pretty harsh pup."

"Yeah well I know that now. I didn't mean to hurt her I just... I've never thought of her other than the sweet little caramel skinned girl with the amazing blue eyes. She's like my best friend and I seriously can't see anything more than that. At all. Is it my fault that I don't see her in that light?"

"No not at all and I see why you're mad but this girl worships you Luka. I'm not saying for you to fall in love with her but at least acknowledge her feelings."

"I know. So... in acknowledging her feelings..."

"I've already gotten in contact with Chris. He should be back in a few days."

"Thanks dad." He smiles and goes back to his files.

"Go get your friend back pup." I smirk and leave the office. I follow Rae's scent into the forest and close to a stream. She must be with Ralph. Sure enough I find her sitting on a log watching Ralph drinking from the stream

"Rae." Her head pops up and she narrows her eyes.

"Why are you here?" I ignore her attitude because I know she is only trying to disguise the hurt she's feeling.

"I spoke with my father. Your dad should be home within a few days." I wait and watch as her face lights up at my news. She runs into my arms and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy every second of adoration she showered me with.

"Oh thank you Luka! Thank you so much!" Pulling back she wipes at her tears and smiles.

"I knew I could count on you." Everything inside of me literally melts at her sweet words.

"Rae you know I'm always here for you. Your safety and happiness means everything to me; even when I act like an idiot and hurt your feelings... which I am very very sorry for." I cup her face and frown slightly.

"But you need to understand that you can't be mad at me for not feeling the same way about you as you do for me. It's not fair to me for you to completely block me out because I can't reciprocate your feelings of love." Her eyes water some more but she doesn't cry this time.

"I know Luka and I'm so sorry for holding it against you... it's just every time I thought about it I would get angry and then any thoughts of forgiving you were gone." I smile at her confession and let her go so we can sit on the log.

"Well I don't know about you but I am tired of fighting." She giggles and whistles for Ralph.

"I'm tired of fighting too." I wrap my arm around her shoulder and smile.

"Good then we are friends again, no matter what. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Oh and if you ever purposely miss my birthday again you will be punished." I'm very serious when I say this. It hurt me a lot when she didn't show for my birthday two weeks ago. She's never missed a birthday since she's come back and the fact that she chose to stay away really bothered me.

"I understand and I am sorry. If it counts my parents were mad I didn't go as well so I pretty much got in trouble."

"It helps." She laughs and I just sit back. The forest is always so beautiful at this time of the year. The trees are blooming again and the birds and animals have returned. It's all so serene.

"Luka I need you back here now. We found out more information on the rogues that attacked." My father's voice bursts into my head and I realize I have kept a wall around my thoughts for privacy.

"Coming." I look down to Rae and a frown begins to form. Maybe it was foolish to send her father away. I mean sure he's a human but he could protect them better than most.

"Rae I need to get going. I don't want you staying out here for much longer. I would prefer if you just came back with me." I'm already dragging her up regardless of whether or not she wanted to come.

"What's going on? Is everything ok?" I smile at her as an idea pops into my head.

"Nothing's wrong I just don't feel comfortable with you staying here by yourself."

"How many times do I have to say I'm not alone? Ralph is literally right there." I roll my eyes.

"You're right. I'm sorry. Now do you want a piggy back ride or my wolf?" Her eyes light up.

"Piggy back!" Bending down she jumps on my back and I begin on the path back to the pack house.

"Are you comfortable Rae?" She wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head against mine.

"I'm fine thanks." It doesn't take me long to get to the pack house and when I see father waiting for me at the door I know it must be serious. I put Rae down and she sits in the living room with Ralph. Jerri and Abrielle are here as well, along with Beta Dave, Gamma Jo and Naal. Okay this is a big deal.

"If everyone could meet in my office please." He extends his hand to mom and she takes it as we follow behind father. He leads the way to his office down the hall. We all file in and stand in waiting.

"I just got off the phone with Christopher. He was able to get a lot of information on the rogues that attacked us."

"What did he learn?" Naal asks. Father regards him with a nod but it's mom who speaks.

"The rogues, the ones that attacked us, did anyone of you notice their scents?"

"Yes I remember it from the time at the theater." I say walking towards the desk. Father smiles at me fleetingly and mom nods her head.

"Exactly. Their scent isn't what we know as a rogue. It was almost masked in a way. Well apparently the reason it's like that is because they are in a pack." All eyes widen at her revelation.

"What? That's not possible! They can't have enough control over their wolves let alone themselves to be in a pack." Jo says. We nod in agreement but then I remember something.

"You never used to care about civilians Bo until that asshole decided it was cool to take us in."

"Wait! Wait a second! I remember something. The guys from the theater, one of them was getting mad at Bo because he was trying to refrain from fighting me. He said something about Bo never caring about civilians until some guy decided it was cool to take them in." Everyone quiets as I finish.

"Then the only question is who accepted all of these rogues into their pack?" Jo says.

"Or better yet, is there an all rogue pack out there?" Dave responds.

"Whoever did this has a plan for them. Sending rogues after packs is smart because their scent won't track back to him. Damn it." Father turns to the window, as he always does when he's thinking.

"So someone is using these rogues as their lap dogs. Doing their dirty work and never getting caught. It's freaking diabolical." Naal says stalking towards the bookshelf.

"It's dangerous." Jo answers.

"If Christopher is coming back what do we do now? We can't just go around and ask the neighbouring packs if their harbouring rogues." Dave says sighing.

"Luka any ideas?" Mom asks lightly. Everyone turns to me as I rack through my brain for any more information.

"When I fought Bo he was happy I chased after him, which means he remembered who I was. Whether or not he knew my status we'll never know but he came back for me. Which must also mean that whoever planned this attack must have worked closely with Bo because he was sent here four years ago to scope out the territory."

"That means whoever set this up either has a grudge against you Luka or just our pack in general." Jo murmurs.

"I know this is off topic but are we still going to accept new members into our pack?" Naal says scratching his head.

"I don't know if we can Naal." Father says turning back to us finally.

"There are three packs surrounding us that means there are three close proximity enemies that we could possibly have." Dave says.

"What can we do? Sure we have become a bigger pack but that isn't enough." Jo replies.

"She's right. So what we will do is tighten our perimeters. I want eight men patrolling the perimeter every night and I want training to be harder. Everyone needs to be prepared and not scared. It is the best we can do for now until we know more." We all agree with Father's logic and leave the office. This situation just seems to be getting worse with each passing day.

"Lukkie everything is ok?" Willow asks hugging my waist.

"Everything is fine Low." I pet her hair and kiss the top of her head.

"As long as you're ok then I'm happy. Next time I will be in that meeting now that I have my wolf!" She walks back to the living room and sits on the couch. Mom joins her and smiles.

"Technically young lady you should have already been in these meetings. It is vital you train and learn from your father and our history. Just because Luka will be the Alpha of this pack doesn't mean you won't have a pack of your own someday. You need to be prepared." Willow rolls her eyes at mom's comment.

"Yeah I read the books and stuff and I train when I can but I'm busy. Besides I'm not going to be an Alpha we all know that. I'm fine where I am." 

"You shouldn't be satisfied with second best Willow. I'm sure you would make a great Alpha if you actually cared to try." Rae says letting Ralph out of the house. Willow cuts her eyes to her and snarls.

"No one asked or cares for your opinion Raelynn." Rae just shrugs.

"She does have a point Willow." Mom says taking her hand but Willow pulls it back and turns away from her. I say nothing because I'm not interested in arguing today.

"Luka?" Rae gets up and walks to me a worried look claiming her face.

"Rae don't worry I already said everything is ok." She raises an eyebrow at that.

"And I already know you're lying. You keep clenching and un-clenching your fists and that vein at the side of your neck is showing again. Those are signs that you're holding in your anger or better yet your frustration." The room goes quiet and everyone watches both Rae and I.

"How did yo-"

"I know a lot about you, especially not to take your word for things when you're upset. Now is everything ok? And you don't need to lie to protect me." Willow growls low behind her and I cast my eyes over to her before looking down at Rae again.

"We need to be a lot more careful is all. The rogues that attacked us are from a pack. We don't which one but they are being sheltered by someone. Until we find out who we need to vamp up the perimeters and training." Rae smiles and hugs me.

"Thank you for being honest with me. I'll make sure not to venture off into the woods too often." I smile at her as well and feel myself relax a little. We can do this. We don't need to be in fear of tomorrow.

"I'd appreciate that Rae." 

Rae goes to sit beside her sister but then excuses herself to go outside and check on Ralph. He must have been bored in here. I'm not quick enough to notice Willow following her outside. I don't see the moment her hands shift into claws. I don't see her claw at Rae's back. I don't see Ralph attack her in retaliation. But I do hear my Rae's scream. I do smell her blood. And I do run to her rescue right before she hits the ground.

PICTURE OF TYFFANY>>>>>