My favourite night of the year, the first official campfire. For a couple of hours I got to forget about my outside life and enjoy watching the others have fun, get reacquainted with some of my camp friends and wonder how long it would take for Grayson to sneak us off for our first exploration. We never went far on the first night, due to me and liking the excitable giggles of the girls and watching the boys watch the girls.

The orange flames crackled sending the allusion of hundreds of fireflies dancing ten feet above the flames. Counsellors helped the younger children with marshmallows and hotdogs so they don't burn and didn't wander too close to the open flames. Kids huddle in their premade groups from last year telling stories about their school year and crushes. The way everyone fell back into place was exhilarating, this place always gave comfort to everyone, not just me.

As I watched the light from the fire dance across the eager faces of the young and the thrill on the teenagers faces as they wonder if they, this summer would find their summer love, or anticipated what last year's summer fling would continue this year. It was never about the summer romances for me. It was just me and Grayson, my best friend. We explored without getting into too much trouble Ok it was me not wanting to get in trouble and Grayson pushed the limits on what we could do and not get caught. Now that I think about it, I wonder who, and if Grayson has had a summer romance? Not that there was ever a lot of time left over. We spent almost every waking hour together when we didn't have the scheduled camp stuff to do and even then we found our way to be partners.

"Hey my little spit fire," Grayson's voice came from behind as he wrapped his arms around my waist and gently pulled me against his body.

Ok, this was getting a little weird. Not that I minded, actually I really liked it. The feel of his body pressed against my back, his breath on the top of my head before he laid a quick kiss on top of it. That little kiss had my stomach fluttering with butterflies. The thing is we were always friends; climbing trees, exploring the woods, swimming, and that sort of thing. We never held hands and the only time we hugged, until this year, was when we were left camp for the year.

Sensing my confusion, Grayson stills and asked, "Is this Ok?" he squeezed his arms gently so I knew he was talking about his touch.

"It's just different," I said without thinking. I always felt comfortable enough to tell him how and what I was feeling. His grip loosened and started to pull away. Taking his hand, I laced my fingers with his giving a gentle squeeze. I had to let him know that I liked his touch even though it confused me a bit. That earned me a smile.

"I know this is your favourite night so let's go find a blanket or log and I will cook you up one of my famous hot dogs," he said pulling me closer to the fire.

* * *

We all sat around the fire laughing, singing, and listened to the ghost stories the counsellors told. Grayson made me two perfect hot dogs and I, of course, burned the marshmallows into unrecognizable black lumps that Grayson ate despite of it. An hour went by and the bonfire was in full swing, everyone having fun and Mr. Thomas finally made his way with yet more drinks and food.

It was perfect, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I sat beside my best friend that I hadn't seen in two years left me smiling from ear-to-ear. Or was Grayson becoming my boyfriend, summer fling maybe? I had to rethink think this. Our friendship meant too much and I was not going to ruin it for a stupid summer camp fling. Was I really sure I wanted this anyways? Was I ready for a boyfriend? How could I be ok with this when I never had any romantic notion towards Grayson to begin with? Yep, I need to get some of this cleared up and now. "Grayson?"

"Hey, Little Lupa," a low voice said from behind me. I froze, if this man was talking to me, which I doubted, because only two people have ever called me that. My foster dad...I think his name was James if I remember right and my other best friend. The one I hadn't seen in years and who had never been to this camp. But how many people would have the nickname Lupa? There was a masculine chuckle then the man said, "Yes, Hunter, I am calling you."

That was when I realized how still Grayson had become after the man first spoke. Turning my head slowly towards Grayson, he stared into the fire, no through the fire, with a blank expression. Continuing to turn my head I first notice a muscular man's, or should I say young man's thigh. Looking up slowly I saw the regulated camp shorts and under them narrow hips. Moving up was the camp shirt that fit snug over his flat stomach, wide chest and broad shoulders. Next was his square jawline, familiar sky blue eyes, and spiky blonde hair.

I was utterly speechless, in shock at the view my eyes took in. Mouth gaped open doing the whole fish out of water thing. My lips were moving but nothing would come out. He laughed and said, "Well there is a first time for everything; you're speechless!"

I jumped up so fast, lost my balance so I ended up slamming my body against his, arms flew around his neck and hugged him with all my might. "C.J.? Oh my god C.J.!" Oh yeah I was just filled with great vocabulary today. First with Jarek, than Grayson, and now C.J., who I hadn't seen in years.

* * *
Alice

I couldn't believe he just walked away from me and right up to that loser, Hunter. She was a nobody. Even all her foster parents didn't want her with them for more than a few months. So why did he? I will fix that. Summer was just starting and Grayson would be mine. I sat here and watched him fawn all over her was disgusting. She couldn't even roast a marshmallow! Yeah, Hunter had changed some and the only thing she had that any boy would look at twice was her boobs. I had it all and I was proportioned: waist, hips, legs, boobs and was over five feet tall.

"Oh, who is that?" Trisha elbowed me to get my attention. Following her eyes I saw a hunk of a guy in a camp uniform for other campers and not the same as the counsellors. He was tall but not as tall as Grayson but twice as wide. Where Grayson had his bad boy looks this blue-eyed blonde beautiful creature looked like a good old football senior. His eyes were intense as he looked around the fire before he spotted whatever he was looking for than a huge grin spread across his face.

Looking in the direction this Mr. Amazing was looking I wasn't sure who had sparked this guy interest. He was new here and I didn't have a clue what made that blissful smile on his face. Standing behind someone his lips moved. He was too far and it was too loud to hear what and who he was talking too. I shifted over, knocking Trisha off the log to get a better look. "You have got to be kidding me!" This was just not fair. He stood and staring with puppy eyes at Hunter. Seriously what was going on? To many new people this year and it seemed like Hunter was the main attraction.

Then I noticed Grayson sitting there, not the happy fixated Grayson that sat there a minute ago, no this was the annoyed not at all happy Grayson. Watching Hunter jump into this guy's arms had Grayson's face flushed with anger. I took the opportunity that fell nicely into my lap.

Walking around the fire then knelt beside Grayson, while Hunter mauled the new guy. I moved in close enough and placed a gentle hand on his thigh and whispered close to his ear, "Who's the new guy Hunter's pawing all over? He's hot and sure looks like he has a thing for her. Look at the way he looks at her, and the way he is hanging on every word she says. I don't know, Grayson, you might have some competition." Yep it worked, Grayson went from pissed to almost explosive.

"His name is C.J. and just a friend of hers from one of the foster houses they stayed at when they were younger," Grayson gritted out. That was the most I have ever heard him talk. Well besides when it was just him and Hunter. I was actually impressed he was able to talk with the he held his body so tight. I thought he was about to break some of his teeth the way he clenched his jaw.

I struggled to keep the smile off my face and voice, I whispered, "Oh, well that's good. Just like you and her are friends." My work was done, now I just had to sit back and wait for Grayson to come to me.

* * *
Hunter

I couldn't believe he was here. I hadn't seen C.J. in six years and he didn't even say anything in the last letter about coming to camp. After some why's, where's and how's and barely giving him time to answer, I was able to control myself and calm down enough to remember where I was and who I was with. "Grayson!" I turned and yanked on his shirt to get his attention as he still stared into the fire. Getting his attention he stood and stared at C.J. with the same expressionless face. "Grayson, this is C.J. I told you about him. C.J. this is Grayson."

C.J. smiled and held out his hand, "It's nice to put a face to the famous camp buddy stories," he said.

Grayson hesitated then extended his hand, "Yeah, it's nice to see who the face is to the letter writer. So, it has been how many years? Six...does that sound about right. That's a long time." His voice was edgy almost defensive. Maybe he realized he wasn't being overly friendly, not that he was towards anyone besides me, because he added, "Hey man, why don't you come sit with us. Hunter would like it if you did."

Normally I would have said something about being able to speak up for myself but he was right and I was in too good of a mood. Plus, I could see Grayson was not that happy about meeting C.J. but tried to put an effort to be cordial.

Yep, it was a tense hour being sandwiched between Grayson and C.J. sitting on a log. Grayson was his usual quiet self when others were around; grunted his answers. But his possessive hand on my thigh the whole time was, on one hand comforting and had my body grew warm but on the other it was uncomfortable with C.J. sitting so close and tensed up every time he looked at it. Not that it should have bothered him or bothered me that it bothered him.

We both, C.J. and I, tried to get Grayson in our conversation but it was hard, due to his lack of interest in anything C.J. had to say and that we kept on wandering off to the time we spent together in the foster homes and just catching up with everyday stuff we never wrote about.

"I'm going to get a drink," Grayson broke the brief silence when I stopped laughing at one of C.J.'s impersonations of our last foster dad, "Do you want one?" He asked me.

"Yes, please," I turned to face him, "Thank you." He leaned over placing a soft but firm kiss on my lips leaving me speechless and in shock.

"No. Thank you," he said with a smile getting up to get us our drinks.

Sitting there still stunned watching him walk away it took a nudge from C.J. to get my attention after I think he has called my name at least twice. "So that's the famous Grayson," he said when I turned back, "You never said he was the possessive type. I thought you two were just friends."

The question was innocent enough but the hard look in his eyes as he watched Grayson walked around the fire was not. "We were...we are...I'm not sure..." I stammered. Things had just been weird all day and it didn't look like it was going to change anytime soon. His easy going smile was gone and replaced...not with hate but distaste. Nudging him in the ribs to get his attention, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath before he looked my way, I seen sorrow in his eyes even as he tried to put back his friendly easy going smile. "I was just hoping...Well since you told me he wasn't here last year I thought...I thought we would have lots of time to make up for," he shrugged his shoulders then glanced at Grayson as he walked back with three pops in his hands, "But now..." he trailed off.

I opened my mouth to reassure him we would have a lot of time then shut it. Yep, this might be tricky. Summers were the only time I got to see Grayson and we were practically joined at the hip. The way he acted towards me, well let's just say I wasn't sure what was happening and needed to find out soon.

Before I could come up with something to say C.J. leaned in close moving a stray piece of hair that had made itself out of my pony and gently putting it behind my ear. "It's Ok. We will figure out something. Plus, I think he should understand we haven't seen each other in years and need some catch-up time," he whispered and kissed my cheek.

Grayson would understand, I said to myself smiling. A gravelly voice came from beside me, "Get your hands off her." And I was so wrong. I looked up to the voice I did barely recognized, Grayson; face red, eyes burned into C.J.

"Grayson!" Was all I got out.

Taking my wrist, not all that gently, and pulled me off the log and against the side of his body as he stared down C.J. Who looked to be more amused than irritated. "She's..." he stopped and visibly tried to get control of himself. Looking at me he lowered his, back to normal, voice and said, "Come on let's go for a walk."

I really did not like this new Grayson. I did not like being so perplexed on what to do. What did me in was the pleading in Grayson's eyes, as if he knew I was about to tell him off and knew his behaviour was not acceptable. Turning back to C.J., his face gave nothing away of the thoughts he may had, I said, "I will catch up with you soon." Before I could see the disappointment in his eyes that I felt coming off him I turned and let Grayson lead us away. Or was it the disappointment I had in myself for letting Grayson pull me off like some caveman?

I'm not sure how we managed it but we ended up walking out into the woods without being noticed after Grayson's little scene. My anger increased every step we took as he continued to pull me away. His hand still around my wrist, the pressure never wavered. It was the disappointment I felt in myself with letting him pull me off that fuelled it.

Thinking we were far enough for our talk I hissed, "Let go!" He stumbled, looked at his hand then seen the embarrassment and shock cross his eyes before he released me. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked struggling to keep my voice at a whisper and trying not to rub the circulation back into my wrist. I know if I let myself speak in a normal tone I would have yelled.

Grayson stood there and stared at me for a minute before he said, "I'm sorry. It's just," he stopped and moved closer taking my hands very gently into his. "This is our summer."

Well that explained a lot. Not. "Listen we have been friends, best friends for years and so have C.J. and I. I know we always spend it together but I haven't seen him in years. Can't we all just hang out and be friends?"

"I don't want to be your friend, your best friend," his voice started to go all gravelly again, "I want to be more. I want it just to be us." His lips were on mine as he whispered 'us'. His lips were warm and moist and oh so soft. All my thoughts were nowhere to be seen once his lips meet mine and stayed.

I knew I should had pulled away but my body would just not listen, if anything it was doing the opposite. His hands were tangled into my hair and mine were wrapped in his shirt pulling him closer.

"What are you two doing out here?" A deep familiar voice said. Jumping back from Grayson, breathless from the kiss, I spotted Jarek not looking too happy to see us. "You know the rules. Get back to camp now."

I have broken the, "No sneaking off into the woods," rule many of times and been busted and blew it off, but I wasn't sure if it was because I was busted kissing Grayson or if it was because it was Jarek who caught us that made it worse. Keeping my mouth shut, head down, I ignored Grayson's hand and smug smile as he stared at Jarek, and hurried past them both making my way back to the camp.

Grayson

Watching Hunter take off without so much of a glance in my direction had me forget about Jarek and I took a step after her only to be stopped with a strong hand on my arm.

"I don't think so," Jarek said tightening his grip, "What the hell do you think you are doing? You are supposed to be keeping watch not shove your tongue down her throat. You didn't even sense me and I wasn't being quiet," he scolded me.

Pulling my arm out of the vice grip he called a hand, refusing to rub the feeling back into my arm, I glared at Jarek the intruder. "I am and I did. Did you get off on the free show?" I did not like this guy and did not want him anywhere near Hunter no matter who or what he was.

"Listen up Grayson," Jarek growled, "Do you job or I will personally find someone who can do it a lot better."

"She's mine," I growled right back, "I am doing my job and am the best person for her." I was getting tired of people thinking they knew what was best for her. I was the only one that did and the only one that can and will be there for her when she finds out everything.

"I am going to tell you this once and only once," Jarek was now up close and personal. Our chest almost touched meeting each other's eyes. "She is special and deserves the best and only the best. If you think you're bitten ass is going to have a chance over a born you have another thing coming. She will be mated with a born. So have your summer fling if you want, but it will end before the summer is done and you will walk away. But remember if this thing between you gets to serious how will she react when it's over? Will you still be friends? Will you still be there on protective duty? Will she want you there?"

"She will pick her own mate; bitten or born. It will be her choice and not be made for her!" I said with more confidence then I felt.

Jarek laughed and stepped back. "She can feel the difference between you and me. She is drawn to a born. She will pick a born don't kid yourself." Walking away he looked over his shoulder and said, "Open your eyes Grayson there are a lot of other girls that would jump at the chance to be with you. That is one of the reasons why the camp exists; to find a future mate. Someone that knows what we are. Hey how 'bout that Alice, she seems...nice," Jarek turned and walked towards the camp while laughing.

At first that bastard had me doubt myself and Hunter, but know...no. No, I know what I felt and since the change, I had no doubt that Hunter was to be mine. Once Hunter knew what she was and how important she was, she will only trust the ones she had known for years not some born that only wanted her for what she was and not who the person she is.