Kai was really nice the entire time. He dealt with my stupid questions that I was asking because I was tired and wasn't thinking. He seemed to relax and be more cool than before. I noticed he was nervous but enough to change him? I wonder how long he has been here. He's really funny too, he keeps making me laugh with funny stories of when he was a kid. I can't believe he likes to read too! I wonder what else he reads!

Maybe he shares the books with Milo! This is so exciting! Haven wasn't one for reading but I've never heard of a boy liking to read! All the boys at school seem so stupid and only care about sports. And in this pack, two boys like to read! He showed me the other rooms and they were amazing! Each single bedroom has their own fireplace! There's a giant king sized bed too! The boys' room looks like fun too with those bunk beds.

I wonder how close they are since they live in the same room. Their room didn't have a fireplace but it did has beanbag chairs by the window. Kai shows me the many bathrooms that have been recently remodeled and it reminds me of the bathroom at home. Then I begin to wonder if I will get to live here with the rest of the pack. I shut down those thoughts quickly trying to remind myself to be human.

But being a werewolf looks like so much fun... not that changing into a giant wolf is fun but living together as one giant family seems nice. I'm an only child and liked that, but now I have the possibility to gain a sister and brothers. And the other adults could be my aunts and uncles. Summer seems like an amazing aunt, she and Mom seem like sisters from the way they act. 

I remind myself that I have Haven and I can't leave her. But Kai said I could still be with her. But I would have to keep this secret every time we're together. If she asks what I did while I was sick I can't tell her about what really happened. I can't tell her how I met Kai. I can't tell her about any of this. I can't lie to my best friend.

Kai and I walk down the hallway to go back downstairs. I am laughing at his comment of how girls take forever in the bathroom.

"Don't worry, I don't wear makeup so it doesn't take me a long time," I reassure him clutching my stomach from laughing.

"Pfft that's what Ruby said," he says waving me with an easy smile. 

I keep laughing and we come to the balcony again that goes over the first living room. There are other balconies that are outside but it started to rain so we didn't go out there. I notice a new area I didn't notice before when I came up. Tucked away in the corner is a large grey chesterfield that looks very squishy. It's piled with pillows in a little cut out in the wall with curtains tied back. I walk over and sit on it feeling curious.

I sink down and lean back on the couch feeling very comfortable. Kai smiles, "Oh yeah, and that's the hideaway."

"What do you guys use it for?" I ask fingering the dark teal curtains. 

"Making out."

I freeze and give him a bewildered look.

He laughs, "Just kidding," he says waving me off and sits down next to me, "it's just for hanging out. Milo uses it to read while Ezra does homework in here with the curtains drawn," he explains.

I look around and smile wanting to read in this little hideaway so badly. To cuddle up with a blanket with warm hot chocolate behind the curtains... I give him a curious look, "Do you read here too?"

He looks confused for a split second, then nods quickly, "Yes but not often."

I nod slowly picking up a pillow and hugging it close, "It looks like a wonderful place to read."

He smiles at me, "Yeah."

Then I hear someone running up the stairs. I crawl to the edge and poke my head out wondering who it is. Then I see Ruby run up and look around quickly before noticing me.

"There you are!" she says putting her arms out. She runs over to us and I lean back in the hideaway still hugging a pillow.

"Kai just gave me a tour," I tell her. She gives Kai a death glare, "I thought we agreed I would do that."

Kai shrugs, "But I did it."

"You-!" she growls but never finishes her sentence.

"It's alright Ruby," I say surprised she would be so mad. 

"I know I know," she rubbing her temples, "I'm just a bit-," she sighs, "possessive I guess. I haven't had a friend in a while."

"I promise I will be your friend," I vow giving her a serious look meaning it, "I didn't know you wanted to give the tour though."

"That's alright, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him," she gives Kai a pointed look. Kai puts his hands up making the famous gesture for: not my fault. 

"Anyways, your parents are looking for you. And Kai, Ollie was going out for a run and wanted to see if you wanted to join him," Ruby relays while aimlessly braiding a strand of her fiery red. It looks dyed but her father had the same shade, except without the blonde streaks. But now that I look closer I realize the blonde is just lighter streaks of red. Her hair looks like real fire with different shades. 

"Okay," Kai says getting up and gives me a short wave before walking down the stairs. Ruby watches him until he disappears. She quickly turns to me, "O-M-G he is so crushing on you!" she squeals clapping her hands. I reel back with wide eyes, "What? No way," I say looking down at the pillow I clutch tightly.

"I know love when I see it, and he is so full of it! That's why he wanted to give you a tour and be alone with you! He's trying to get to know you!" she says pointing at me hardly containing her giggles. She covers her mouth with excited eyes, "This is so cliche! Your parents ended up in a similar situation! He's comforting you and helping you settle in!"

"Oh come on Ruby, he's just being friendly!" I protest feeling myself blush, "H-He was just helping me-" I pause and don't continue because that would only prove Ruby right. Instead I say, "He wasn't trying to flirt. I would know."

"True, Kai is a player, he knows how to flirt really well, it's a bit scary how he can get girls to nearly pass out from a couple words," she says thoughtfully. I give her a confused look, "What? No he doesn't seem like that at all."

"What'd he do?" she asks curiously.

"Well for starters he keep tripping over his words. He acted almost nervous and wanted be to be comfortable here. He told me that he was sorry a ton of times for being awkward and nervous. Not that it's a bad thing, I was completely fine with it. Not to mention changing in front of me, he looked stressed though. But after that he calmed down and acted normal. He's not a player," I say giving her a look.

She stares at me with giant eyes. Her jaw dropped and shock written on her face. Did I just break her?

"WHAT!?" she yells and I shush her loudly glancing around nervously.

"Quiet down," I tell her putting my hand on her knee. She is half sitting on the chesterfield while I'm tucked in the back.

"I just can't believe it!" she says covering her mouth. Then she giggles, "You make him nervous."

"It's not me, probably something else," I say simply trying to think logically. But part of me wants to believe he was acting nervous around me and trying to flirt but failing. But that's never happened before, why would it happen now? No boy has ever really flirted with me because I wasn't loud and outgoing like the other girls.

"Plus I'm not that pretty," I add painfully.

She gawks at me, "Uh excuse me? You're gorgeous, even after the change you manage to look like you came off a runaway. Plus you don't wear makeup," she says in a knowing voice. 

I roll my eyes, "No boy has ever flirted with me before anyways. And I do not look like a model right now," I say giving her a look. I gesture to my face trying to prove my point.

She rolls her eyes, "Pfft the boys at the public school are wimps. You're dealing with the big boys now. Werewolf boys are much more open to romance, it's a proven fact."

"Twilight does not count and we don't have mates," I tell her leaning back. Then I frown, "Do we?"

"Sadly no, that's just a myth. But did you see the adults? It's not just the boys either. Have you noticed the parents are more in love than normal humans?" she asks pointing at me. I think about and realize that my parents' relationship isn't a normal one. They act so in love and only fight once a year about something silly. Nothing like Haven's parents. Their last fight was about going to grocery store and getting the wrong milk and saying the other did it on purpose.

I think about Summer and Rylie and how Rylie seemed to be flirting with her the entire time though they are married. 

"True..." I say slowly.

"Exactly! I think it's because they can smell us better and have extra shots of hormones along with wolf hormones thinking they gotta mate-"

"Whoa whoa whoa who said anything about mating?" I ask making a disgusted face.

She gives me a sarcastic look, "You know boys have a stronger passion t-"

"SHHH!!" I say loudly and cover my ears, "LA LA LA LA NOT LISTENING!!! SHHHH!!! LA LA LA LA INNOCENCE BEING KEPT!! LA LA LA!"

Ruby rolls her eyes and stops talking. I carefully uncover my ears giving her a look, "Don't talk about it."

"Fine fine, I just saying that they are more open to the idea of love now," she says putting her hands up in surrender.

"Then just say that," I say throwing my hands up letting them slap on my legs.

She's quiet for a couple seconds looking down at her leg. Then she slowly looks up smiling, "Did you do that during health class? I would have loved to see that."

I stifle a laugh, "I wish."

"Don't we all," she says smirking. 

"So did you ever to go school with me? I remember seeing Oliver and Milo at school but was suddenly taken out in March last year to be homeschooled," I say playing with the tassels on the pillow. "Guess I know why now."

She smiles and then shakes her head, "I was homeschooled my entire life like Kai."

"And Ezra?" I ask trying to remember him in my class but nothing comes up.

"Oh he moved from Quebec this summer. His parents didn't like their pack before and heard about your dad's and decided to come here. He didn't know until he changed in August," she explains simply.

"Wait he just changed in August?" I ask shocked, he looked so mature and serious I would have thought that self-control came from a couple months of experience.

"Yeah he's still upset about it though," she says rolling her eyes. Then stops and gives me an apologetic look, "Sorry, didn't mean to offend you or anything... I just-"

"It's fine," I say simply offering her a small smile, "I get it."

"Man you're easy going! So! Where are you going for tonight?" she asks pulling herself up on the chesterfield completely.

"What do you mean?" I ask leaning back on more pillows.

"Are you staying here for the night or going home?" she asks curiously.

"Oh, I don't really know..."

"We could have a sleepover! But where to sleep... too bad we don't have a room like the boys do. And more girls. That would fun," she says nodding looking up.

"Yeah, so why aren't there a lot of girls anyways?" I ask wondering if there's a specific reason. 

She looks down at her nails studying them, "Well there's a theory about the gene being more present in boys since it's passed down through the father's line."

"Oh, so we're the only girls?" I ask still hoping for a small chance that Haven could join.

"Yep, Layla would be the only other possibility but she didn't get it. Thank God, she's annoying!" she says flipping her fiery hair over her shoulder. 

I laugh, "Yeah good thing she isn't here."

"Yep! So come on! Let's go ask!" she says jumping off. I set the pillow down and slide off. We walk down the stairs and I run my hand along the polished, shiny wood. This house is amazing. I see the adults standing around in the second living room on the other side of the wall. Some are sitting down but Dad is standing looking in charge and leader-like. 

"-north are asking if they could come down to visit during hunting season since their house is in that area and just leave one family behind to make it seem normal. And since we live in a national park/sanctuary we don't have to deal with hunting. We would have to resort to putting together a lot of money to feed everyone but I am putting this to a vote," Dad says in a loud and clear voice. 

He's naturally quiet but still knows how to be a leader. Everyone glances at each other and starts mumbling their opinions to their spouse or friend. The second living room is like the first one but instead there is a fireplace with bookcases on the walls along with a large mirror. There's a large glass door that leads out onto a stone patio. There are nice outdoor chairs set out around the rectangular half brick and half stone fire pit. There's a stone wall that cuts the patio off from the rest of the yard.

Mom is standing against the wall near us making it easier to get to her. I step into the room quietly and lightly tap her shoulder. She looks back with a serious face and then it melts into a warm smile, "Hey hon' how are you doing?" she asks.

"Great actually," I say surprised with my feelings at the moment, "Kai gave me a tour of the house and Ruby and I are hanging out."

"That's wonderful sweetheart. See? I told you it'd work," she says sweetly and touches my cheek. I smile and nod lowering my head, "Yeah."

Ruby clears her throat behind me reminding me that I am on a mission. I look up at her, "Mom I was wondering... are we going back to the house or staying here for the night? Everyone seems to live here and I guess I was wondering also if we would live here too?"

She glances back at Dad then at me, "We were playing it by ear to see what you are comfortable with. Do you want to stay the night?"

"Yes," I say smiling looking back at Ruby, "we wanted a sleepover."

Mom brightens, "Oh that's wonderful! I'm happy for you."

"And about everything else?" I ask curiously.

"It varies each night for everyone. Weekends are here, but sometimes they go back home during the week for the sake of work or the illusion that they live at the house. But this is mainly where everyone stays for most of the time," she explains while gesturing to the pack and then around the house. 

"So do I get a room? Or do Ruby and I share? Or..."

"We'll work out details later. If that's what you want go ahead. I think we should build a cool girl room but I have to get everyone to vote with me," she says thoughtfully.

"Cool!" Ruby says looking excited. Mom smiles at her, "Yeah I thought so."

"So yes to the sleepover," I say getting excited. She nods, "Yep! Now go have fun!"

I turn to face Ruby who is grinning ear to ear. We giggle and run up the stairs together. This is going to be great.

**Kai's View**

I rush through the forest like lightning. I weave through the trees expertly and leap over the occasional log. Leaves whip at my back but it doesn't sting like it would if I were human. The world around me is like a blur yet I can see every detail. My paws thump loudly on the dirt floor and I kick up dead leaves. The wind whips my fur back and I inhale sharply getting a whiff of the world around me.

The sky is darkening making the forest shadowed and dim. The sun has almost disappeared and the crickets that haven't died chirp loudly as I awaken them. I feel my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I push myself to go faster and trees whip past me. I am extra careful not to run into one because that hurts. 

I smell the musty scent of wet bark and leaves along with sweet scent of maple. The sharp smell of pine fills my nose and then I smell the animals that have run along this path. I narrow my eyes making them focus on the path ahead. I leap over a giant stump flying through the air and land perfectly and keep running. Then I hear a loud crack and a yelp. I skid to a stop ripping up the dirt underneath my paws.

I turn around quickly and start running back that way. 

"WATCH OUT!" Oliver screams.

I hear a loud creaking sound and a lot of snapping. I glance up and realize a tree is falling. I gasp and lunge forward narrowing jumping out of the way. It lands with a loud thud and the leaves rustle loudly. I breathe heavily and search the darkness for Ollie. The forest falls silent but slowly starts to grow loud with animal calls.

"You okay?" I ask the darkness. I walk forward and then I see him. He's laying on the floor, a giant blob from the dark. I walk over feeling worried because he isn't answering me. He moans turning onto his back with paws in the air, "You killed me," he complains.

"Oh don't be so dramatic," I say rolling my eyes and nudging him with my paw. He hisses in pain and I reel back with worried eyes. I hear the rustling of leaves and the familiar pounding of paw steps. Then from the way I came, Ezra steps out of the darkness.

"What happened?" he asks, his voice still accented French from his time in Quebec. 

"He hit a tree," I tell him looking back at the fallen tree. I turn back to Ollie crouching forward, "Is it broken?" I ask.

He groans and slowly gets up. He actually whimpers like a wolf-one of the "perks" to being a wolf- and limps a bit. "Pfft like a tree can break me," he jokes still sounding in pain.

"You should be more careful," Ezra says sounding annoyed now.

"Hey back off," I tell him giving him a look in the darkness. 

"Not everyone is a double dominant like you Ezra," Ollie says tightly and limps again. Then I see Milo come from the way Ollie came and he skids to a stop. His fur looks blonde with darker and lighter shades. He looks almost tan/red but the fur color matches dirty blonde more than anything. His eyes glinting in the darkness, "Ollie!" he shouts and runs to his brother, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine little bro," Ollie says tightly trying to joke around but sounds in pain. Ollie doesn't show pain unless it really hurts. I know this very well. He broke his arm while we were out running once and he was laughing the entire time. 

"Can you move it?" I ask cocking my head.

"Kai you're such a worrier," Ollie says, I can tell he's rolling his eyes.

"Fine fine but if you broke something and the alphas decide to yell at us, I tried to help," I say simply and turn away from him.

I hear him whimper again but he cuts it off immediately. I look over my shoulder and see him grimacing in pain. Ezra cocks his head, "Uh your shoulder shouldn't bend that way," he points out. Then he trots over and has real worry in his eyes which isn't normal because Ezra doesn't care unless it's very serious. This sets Milo off in panic mode.

"Shoot! If Ezra is worrying Ollie then it's really bad! We have to go back, call Dr. Jayal and get you to the hospital," Milo says quickly looking back the way we came.

"Guys I'm fine," Ollie says giving us looks.

Ezra frowns, "Then walk."

"Fine," Ollie says confidently. Then he takes a step forward and I hear a sickening crack. He cries out and reels back whimpering multiple times. I exchange looks with Ezra, both of us know it's bad. I rush to his side and see what Ezra was seeing. His shoulder is bent backwards and his leg is held up. He closes his eyes and his fur bristles as he winces.

"Did you hear that?" Milo asks with huge eyes.

"Yeah that's not good," Ezra says shaking his head.

"Someone's gotta go back," I say trying to take charge. 

Ollie takes a shaky deep breath, "I'm okay."

"No you're not. Even Milo heard it crack. It's broken, really broken. We need to get you back, you may have fractured your upper humerus or really dislocated it," Ezra says using science terms that I don't really understand. All I understood was something upper and then dislocating.

"Uh no offense Ezra but I don't think this is humorous at all," Ollie says incredulously. Ezra stares at him with an annoyed look mixed with disbelief, "I can't believe you."

"Hey, not all of us are studying to be doctors!" Ollie says giving him a pointed look but fearful as well. 

"I'll go back," Milo volunteers backing up. I nod at him, "Tell them what Ezra said."

Milo glances at Ezra, "What as it again?"

Ezra studies Ollie's awkward shoulder, "Either fractured his upper humorous or really dislocated. He ran at full force into a tree so it may be bad. He can't walk back," he says in a stern tone. Milo nods and bolts back into the forest disappearing into the dark.

"Just hold on Ollie, we'll get help really soon," I say trying to console him.

"I'll be fine. I'm a tough werewolf," he says managing to grin. It looks a bit funny because he's a wolf so it's a goofy wolf grin. I smile back probably making it to, "The big bad wolf."

"Chupacabra," he jokes repeating one of my family's running jokes. I roll my eyes and fight the urge to hit him because he's hurt. He also makes jokes about my heritage calling me a "Spanish werewolf" and saying I should wear a sombrero and talk in my mom's accent. He always makes the racist jokes of the group, he even teases Ezra about being French. His blood is strong with that part, stronger than Hazel. 

Ezra's grandparents came from France to Quebec and started a family and joined their pack. But Ezra's parents decided that their pack wasn't morally right (because they started to bite eligible candidates to grow in size) and came here. They heard about Gabriel's pack and how we were morally right and just had a lot of members from bloodline and accidental bites.

"How are you doing?" Ezra asks him.

"Could be better, it has its own heartbeat," Ollie says lightheartedly but serious at the same time.

I stare into the forest hoping Ollie will be alright. I also start wondering if Brook is settling good and that I made up for my awkwardness. I shake my head not able to think about her right now, my best friend is hurt. I just hope it's not too serious.