~Ariel's p.o.v.~

I ended up falling asleep from exhaustion of all the drama of today, I jolt from my nap to realize I slept through dinner and was starving.

I quietly made my way downstairs to find mom sitting at the table with some PB and J's sitting with her, almost like she was expecting a bunch of teenage boys over.

"Mom?" I say and her head snaps up out of her hands and I can see just how tired she is.

"Hey sweetie. I didn't want to wake you, seemed like you needed it. Are you hungry?"

She asks forcing a fake smile on her face pushing the sandwiches toward me and I grab one, knowing my mom makes the best PB and J's.

"Thanks. You alright?" She hesitates for a few seconds, "You can tell me mom..." I trail off waiting to see if she'll just tell me the truth.

"Your father and the pack can't find your brother..." That's when I remember Ash bolting when I rejected him..

"This is all my fault.." I mumble thinking of possible places he could be.

"No Ari, you didn't know. This isn't either of your faults.." She says resting her head back in her hands tugging on her hair slightly.

"Ariel! Come look at what I found!!"

Ten year old Ash calls to me one day as we wonder the beach a ways down from our friends and family.

"What is it? It better be cool Ashy.." Six year old me says as I follow his voice, but when I arrive I can't see him anywhere..

"Ashy...?"

"Right here Sis!"

His head pokes around a rock which I thought to be just a solid rock wall.. I slowly walk closer to see that there is actually a tiny cavern tucked behind the rocks that no one would be able to see unless they knew it was there.

"Woah Ashton. How did you find this?" I say walking in with him to see the place glittering with water on the crystal like rocks in the walls.

"I just did," he laughs making me laugh too. "It'll be our own secret hide out okay Ellie?" Using his own "special" nickname he calls me we make this our secret place for just us two...

"Oh my god... I know where he is!"

I jump up and out of the house before my mom even has the chance to respond to my outburst from a long lost memory... One I tried so hard to forget when we got in our fight.

I run all the way to the secluded part of the beach quickly approaching a big rock mountain formation that I knew to actually be a beautiful cave.. I slowly wedge myself into the entrance that is so much smaller now that we aren't so little anymore.

"Ash?" I say just loud enough for my voice to echo and I hear slight shuffling. "Ash please, I know you're here.."

"How did you find me?" He says barely above a whisper and I have the urge to roll my eyes at him.

"You and I are the only people who know about this place remember? We didn't even tell Quin. It's our secret hide out..." Using the same words he said to me once, hearing him chuckle slightly.

"I guess you do remember... I didn't think you'd be the one to find me..." I make my way over to where he's now sitting and sit next to him wrapping my arms around my knees.

"Well I just kinda left when I remembered, and well I understand everything now. I can't be too angry with you."

I say quietly not knowing how he'll react. Suddenly I'm engulfed in a hug, I hug back after my shock subsides.. I was not expecting that, but it was nice to be this close to my brother again.

"I am so sorry Ariel. For everything.. Sam made me—"

"I know, Mom explained. It's okay as long as we can go back to being the same as a long time ago?" I question not sure what he'll say.

"Of course! That's all I've ever wanted this last couple of years! I'm so sorry I exploded, literally, on you today. I saw the bruises and I couldn't contain the anger that someone hit my baby sister and I wasn't there to protect you.."

He trails off as he wraps me more tightly in his arms and I feel whole again having him here, but I can't help my giggle at the end.

"Well see I taught myself how to defend myself after everything happened. So lets just say I did a pretty fair job of kicking Jason's ass." He chuckled along with my kissing the top of my head, another thing he used to always do.

"That's my Ellie." I can hear the smile in his voice. "Lets get home so everyone can stop worrying." He says and helps me up and hugging me once more before we head back home.

The second we get home mom jumps up from her spot at the table and attacks us both in hugs before smacking Ashton upside the head and I can't help a giggle that escapes my lips earning me a playful glare from my brother.

"Don't you ever do that again! I was worried sick! Let's head over to Sam's and let the pack know everything's fine." We nod and follow her out and Ash wraps his arms around me and finally things start to feel normal again.

Wait... I just thought if we're going to Sam's to tell the pack, I'm gonna be meeting them. I wonder how many guys I know who are a part of this whole thing, but have lied to me because they were "protecting" me..

"You alright?" Ashton asks while nudging my shoulder, knocking me from my thoughts. I nod my head and smile up at him as he smiles back and hugs me tighter.

We get to the house and get inside to hear all the conversation stop and the focus turns to Mom and Ash as I trail slowly behind them, my brother squeezing my hand in reassurance that everything will be alright.

He gets pulled away by Sam, probably to get yelled at and I worry for him. I know Sam can get scary.. Suddenly I brought into a pair of familiar arms, knowing it's my dad I hug back just as tightly, only for him to pull back and cup my bruised face gently in his hands as he looks at me with pain in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry Baby Girl. For everything.." I smile up at him with tears starting to form in my eyes.

"It's okay Daddy. I understand and I forgive you both, just don't keep me in the dark anymore. And don't worry I kicked his ass pretty good if I do say so myself."

I whisper a smile never leaving my face and I see my dad relax in knowing that I forgave him for keeping me in the dark, and he pulls me in again for another hug and chuckles at my last sentence.

"That's my girl! Now I think we need to introduce you to the pack, and get you caught up on everything." I nod and we turn around to face the guys.

I recognize most of them, surprised that they were all wolves this entire time. Colton, Seth and Leah, Quil, Brady, Collin, even Jake was there. I was introduced to a few others I hadn't met before. My dad looks around, obviously there is someone missing and we hear the back door slam.

"And this is—" my dad starts to say as the mystery boy turns the corner and I can't help the little gasp that bubbles through my lips.

"Embry?!"