ARI

My heart was in overdrive as I dodged every tree that was in my way.

I could hear Alex behind me, following me but staying at a distance.

Pushing myself even faster, reaching the pack house in 5 minutes.

I ran up to my room, past the mess and straight into my closet before changing back and putting on a shirt and pair of pants.

Rushing into the infirmary, I found Alex was already there. He had his hand on Zanders shoulder, comforting him.

When I watched Zanders shoulders tremble with his sobs, I thought the worst thing imaginable.

But then, I heard the thump of my mother's heart and I sank into a chair next to him, crying in relief.

Zander looked at me before taking my hands. "Don't worry, she's strong, the strongest women I know. She'll make it." He told me, although I think it was mostly to himself.

I gave him a smile but ended up being a grimace

"What did the doctor or Sharry say?"

"It's actually her son and he said that the gunshot punctured her kidney. He's operating on her now. He says her chances of surviving are really good." He said with a gleam of hope in his eyes.

The door to the infirmary opened with a crash as the whole pack basically walked in. Zander took one look at Matt and his lip trembled.

Matt hugged Zander, rubbing his back. I could see the unshed tears in his eyes. He was sad for his best friend.

My own best friend walked in and I hugged her. "Jen, I'm so sorry I left you. Are you okay?" I felt guilty because I didn't even stop to ask her how she was.

Jen only pulled me away before smiling. "I'm okay." Nate grabbed her hand and squeezed it. She smiled up at him seeming to reassure him again. The shirt she was wearing still had the blood stain and I could see Nate being pained every time he glanced down at her.

I sat down next to Alex as everyone conversed with each other, talking about how they didn't have to fear anything anymore or how future generations were safe.

Alex sat silently, his lips pursed. He was thinking about something. "What are you thinking?" I asked yawning. I felt exhausted.

I sank into my chair, placing my head against the wall.

Alex shrugged and I groaned. "Why can't you ever speak your mind?" I was genuinely curious. Like I opened up to him and everything and it was like he still didn't trust me.

Alex shrugged again and I stood up, not wanting to be next to him but then I stopped when he grabbed my hand. "Wait, I'm sorry. I'm still getting used to being open I guess."

I sat down, sighing. "I understand, but you know you can always, always tell me anything."

He smiled back but then frowned. "I don't know why but I feel as if I'm still never going to be happy." He looked down, feeling sad for some reason.

Grabbing his hand I squeezed it. "What do you mean?" I asked my heart breaking, seeing him like this.

"Do you know why Shawn let his wolf take over?" He asked me, tears in his eyes.

"No." I whispered afraid of what it was that was making Alex so emotional. 

I could feel Nathan's eyes burning a hole through me. I turned towards him to see that everyone was waiting for Alex's explanation. Did they not know?

Alex looked at his dad with pain in his eyes. Nathan's own eyes flashed with curiousness.

"I-" Before Alex could say anything else, the doctor burst through the door with a large smile on his face.

I leapt to my feet, approaching the doctor. "She's Okay?" I asked.

"She is doing wonderful." The doctor smiled widely before talking to Nathan and Zander.

Before the doctor could stop me, I opened the door to my mothers room and rushed to her side. She was unconscious but I could hear her heart. I sank down into the chair next to her, taking her hand.

Zander came a moment later and sat on the opposite side of me, clutching her hand to his heart.

"I thought I lost you." He whispered.

"We thought we lost you." I added, smiling at Zander. He smiled back, finally happy for some good news.

Hours passed by and my head rolled onto my shoulder. I jolted awake for the fifth time and tried to keep my eyes open.

Loud snoring filled the air making sure I didn't fall back asleep. Zander had his head laid down by my mother's lap, his snoring deep. He still clutched her hand, not making a move to let it go.

I glanced behind me to see Alex fast asleep on the couch, his mouth open as the loud snores came from his throat.

"It's pretty loud in here, isn't it."

My head whipped back to my mom and I cried in relief. "Mom!"

I hugged her, finally glad she was awake. She hissed in pain and in an instant, Zander was up, looking at my mother with concern.

"Helen!" He shouted, making the same mistake I did.

"Guys!" My mother squealed. "Gunshot wound. Squeezing." She cried.

Zander let go and smiled at my mother sheepishly.

My mother smiled at him and I had to look away because the love that shone in Zander's eyes was too intense.

Alex was up too. He was going to give my mom a hug but then
stuck out his hand as to shake her hand, then just settled with a double pat to the shoulder. "Glad you're okay Helen."

"Yes." She smiled, which slowly turned into a frown. "What happened after."

I kept my mouth shut. Mostly because I didn't know how my mother was going to react to the fact that I was a killer.

"Um..." I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Roderick's dead." Alex answered for me.

My mother's face grew serious. "Good."

I looked away from her in shame. I could see her frowning from the corner of my eye. Curiosity went through her eyes.

"How did he die?" She asked watching me carefully.

I swallowed again, trying to moisten my dry mouth.

"I-" Before I could own up to what I had done, Alex chimed in.

"A wolf from our side killed him."

"Who?" My mother pressed.

Before Alex could continue with the lie, I breathed in deeply before spilling whatever was in my mouth.

"I shot him."

My mother's face lit up in surprise. "What? How?"

I sat down at the foot of the bed and nervously played with my fingers.

"I grabbed the gun you dropped and shot him in the chest, then shot him in the head." I looked up at my mom, watching her reaction.

I could tell she was trying hard not to show me her emotions but I could see she was surprised.

"WAIT!" She screamed suddenly, sitting up. She groaned, clutching her side. I jumped out of my seat afraid she hated me. Alex grabbed my hand and rubbed soothing circles with his thumb.

"Helen!" Zander said in a strict voice. "Don't you know you're not supposed to move!" He scolded.

My mother pouted before leaning back onto the bed. "I was just going to ask where my gun was."

"I left it in the field." I said carefully. Maybe she didn't hear the part where I killed a man.

"Go get it!" She said about to sit up again. Zander stopped her by placing a hand on her chest, keeping her rooted with his strength.

"Why?" I asked. I tell her I kill someone and she cares more about her gun!

"Because the gun had platinum bullets. It could do some serious damage if it falls into the wrong hands."

Platinum bullets? I shot roderick with platinum bullets? Tears filled my eyes. I literally tortured someone.

I kept imagining the pain he went through. Platinum would barley graze my skin and it would burn so much. How Rodrick even survived long enough is a mystery.

Alex hugged me, squeezing me to his chest. "I know what you're thinking. Just think, if you wouldn't have shot him then he would have continued to kill werewolves spanning over generations. It was the only choice you had." He whispered in my ear.

After a few moments, mostly because I wanted to stay in his arms, I let go and sighed.

He was right, I knew he was. It also didn't mean I would ever forget what I did, but for now, it was needed.

My mother smiled at me and I actually felt a little better. I thought she would hate me but she didn't.

Sharry walked in with a clipboard, smiling at everyone in the room. "Hello everyone, Ms. Peterson how are you feeling?"

"A little sore but I'll live." She joked.

"Excellent! Well all I can tell you is to get plenty of rest. I'll provide you with medicine before you leave."

"Thank you doctor." My mother said sincerely.

After Sharry left, Alex and I decided to give my mom and Zander some privacy.

Nathan was waiting outside for us to ask about my mom.

After hearing the good news, everyone seemed to relax.

Alex looked at me and then to his dad. "Dad, there is something you need to know about Shawn."

"Yes?" His Dad said curiously.

And then Alex explained how Shawn became the way he did.

I almost fell to the floor if it wasn't for Alex's arm around my waist.

What he went through for all those years was unimaginable.

Nathan's eyes seemed to be filled with tears. "I-i didn't know. I tried to killed him, he was an innocent man who did what he did to survive."

"Dad listen to me. Shawn would have never gotten rid of his wolf if it wasn't for you. All you tried to do was protect the pack, hell the whole werewolf population. It wasn't for you, Shawn would have never died as someone who loved him. I know this because he's my past, and as his past I ask you to forgive yourself, because he does."

Nathan hugged his son and thanked him.

We left the hospital and I could feel that Alex felt a little lighter.

"I still owe you a date don't I?" Alex said randomly as we walked towards the pack house.

Stopping in my tracks, I gaped at him, my mouth falling open.

He laughed before nudging my shoulder. "Oh come on, you dont have to be shocked."

I was still gaping when Alex stuck a finger in my mouth. I instantly spit it out making him laugh.

"That's disgusting! Did you even wash your hands since we've been back? I don't know where your hands have been! Oh god!" I wiped my tongue onto my shirts sleeve.

Alex just continued to laugh. "It was your face! Why are you so shocked I said that?" He was joking but somehow I knew he was curious.

"Well, because, it's you...you're not the type I guess." I shrugged, looking away from him.

"The type to what? Ask you out? I've done it before haven't I?" He crossed his arms as if embarrassed.

"No, you have! It's just weird because I don't expect you to be so spontaneous and so...I don't know!" I seriously couldn't put in words that I don't find him to be so romantic. I would hate myself if his feelings got hurt.

He narrowed his eyes at me before crouching, giving me a sly grin.

I stood frozen. "Uh, What are you doing?"

A small scream left my mouth as Alex pounced, crashing us to the floor. He laid on top of me, pinning my arms down.

My heart beat faster. Not because I was scared but because I was so turned on.

I blushed just thinking about it. Alex must have been reading my mind because I swear I saw a tinge of red on his cheeks before he bent down and attacked my lips.

After I could breath, Alex got up and smirked at me.

"How was that?" He continued to smirk.

"You-you think that was spontaneous?" I started to cackle on the floor. "That was super weird but not spontaneous!"

Alex stood over me, his arms crossed. He tried to hold a serious face but couldn't.

"Shut up! It's not like I would know how to be spontaneous!" He pouted, looking like a cute little child.

I climbed onto my feet and hugged him, kissing his cheek. "Don't worry, I don't expect you to be. I like the way things are now."

It wasn't fair of me to expect him to be so romantic all of a sudden.

Alex grabbed my face. "You are like the best girlfriend."

I blushed. "Girlfriend?" I practically squeaked.

Alex frowned. "Yeah I don't really like that word. I feel like I need a stronger word. How about, lover?" He asked kissing my neck.

"Or, sweetheart? My heart?" He continued mumbling random cheesy words as he kissed my face. "Wife?"

I froze which made him freeze. "Wife?"

Not that I wouldn't love marrying Alex or anything but I was so young. I'm only 17, not to mention that I still had to turn 18 and confirm that Alex was my mate. I mentally slapped myself. Of course he's my mate! I rolled my eyes at my stupidity.

Alex laughed, brushing it off before he continued. "Oh! I know the perfect one!"

He leaned in to my ear, whispering. "Bae."

I pushed him away laughing. "No! Gross!"

He laughed with me before encircling me into his arms again. "Let's just stick with girlfriend for now." I suggested.

"Okay." He smiled before grabbing my hand and leading us towards the pack house.

Alex stopped in front of the pack house. "Ari! Go change!" He said so suddenly making me jump.

"Why?"

"Let's go on our date now!" He squealed.

Alex squealed.

I laughed before agreeing.

"Actually, shower first because you stink." Alex covered his nose after taking a big whif of me.

"What the-" I slapped his arm but he dodged me and ran inside.

"Go shower stinky! I'll pick you up in an hour!" He laughed and disappeared into the house.

I stared after him, chuckling.

He seemed so different, so light. I loved it.

I stared at the pack house sighing.

We won, that's all that matters. I still couldn't help but feel as if we were missing something.

I wanted to get more information about my past life, about how we born again, who brought us back. So many unanswered questions.

I sighed again before pushing those things out of my mind.

It doesn't matter now. I was here now and I just wanted to be with Alex.

Alex. I smiled before trudging upstairs to get ready.

As long as Alex is with me, I felt like I could do anything. The world was open to a lot more possibilities and I couldn't wait to discover so much of it with him.

As long as I have him in this life and the next, I'll be happy.