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Aw, crap!

What the hell was it with these Werewolves!?

Like it wasn't enough that I had that fucking Moody Asshat on my ass since the day we met and then Thorton before we squashed that shit, but now.... now I have Thorton's older brother trying to get in my bubble of personal space.

Albeit the fact that it was most likely to piss off Easton, I still never understood what was so great about me that these guys "liked" me so much.

Shit... Did Thea ever have this much trouble?

With that dark gleam in Trent's eyes, I could already sense that for Thorton and I to get away was going to take some hard work. And I was a little irritated with this guy thinking that I was defenseless. I know I didn't look like much but if I had to I could defend myself pretty damn well!

Narrowing my eyes, I stepped back with my arm out to the side to push Thorton backward with me. I kept watching Trent as he noticed what I was doing and his green eyes looked back at me with that smirk of his.

"What's the matter, Kale? You afraid?" The gold coloring of his inner beast coated his irises while taking a step to every one we'd take back. Trent tilted his head a little, a deep growl rumbling out of his chest. "I'd expect you to be when you have someone who's just as much as a pussy when he was in middle school."

My brows furrowed more, shaking my head as I tried to keep my tone steady as to not bring too much attention to us from humans passing by. It was probably a good thing that humans were clueless to most things around them.

"Back off, Trent. I'm warning you."

Trent's brows shot up, a grin curling on his face. "You're warning me? Well, that's precious."

My jaw slanted to the side, rolling my shoulders back and nodded, "We'll see how precious you still think I am if you don't back the fuck off."

"And miss the opportunity to see just why it is fuck-face Quinn has his eyes on you? Nah..." Trent chuckled, his steps closing in.

I glanced around between keeping watch of our distance with Trent. There was a store full of people and cars around the parking lot. There was a lot going on and I was internally panicking because defending myself the only way I know how would only expose the humans to something they should never know about.

Fuck! How do I get myself into these situations?

"Believe me, Kale," Trent grinned. "You might think you stand a chance against someone like me... but I'll have you on your knees before you have a chance to get bitch-ass Easton down here."

Raising a brow, I pursed my mouth and nodded, "Mm... You think mighty highly of yourself there, Trent."

I nodded to the side while tightening my grip on the milk handle.

"And you're the one whose bitch-ass is going to be on his knees."

There was a brief second of where he didn't comprehend what I was saying and I used that split second to my advantage. My arm whipped around to use the gallon of milk to slam against the side of Trent's head. It knocked his head a little to the side and I gripped the other side of the gallon to shove it forward into Trent's face, making him stumble backward.

Just to prove my point, I knelt down, swinging my leg to knock Trent's leg off balance and had him tumble forward where I stood up and pulled his face down into my knee I brought up to his face.

Taking a few steps back while the Were was groaning with a hand on his face, I looked around at our few spectators then cursed under my breath. I turned, shoving a wide-eyed Thorton towards the parking lot while shouting at him to run.

I looked over my shoulder, panting out for Thorton to keep running just as Trent's face looked up and his green eyes turned gold. Of course, those eyes of his were locked on me and I grumbled under my breath, "Fuck... I'm in so much trouble."

Thorton and I raced through the parking lot, weaving through the cars to hopefully give ourselves some distance as well as a way to get out of Trent's visual. We both looked over our shoulder though when we heard this heavy-breathing growl.

Trent was sprinting towards us, arms pumping and breathing angrily. I faced forward, shouting at Thorton to keep running and all he could do was nod. I had to give it to him for being able to run, period, with being so petrified back there.

There was a car parked oddly in one of the spots near the back and I had to jump on top of the hood, my sneakers squeaking against the metal. The hair on the back of my neck started rising and usually that was a sign of warning for me. I pushed myself to leap off the hood just as a snarled growl and a gush of air passed by me.

I landed on my feet, pushing my hands off the ground to straighten up and looked behind me that Trent had jumped onto the hood too and had one of his arms off to the side like he'd swung it around. The worse part was that his claws were out.

Fucker was trying to claw me!

Facing forward, I looked at Thorton who panted, "Where---Where do we go!? I can't take him back to the pack grounds! He'll find out where I'm at!"

"I know!" I paused, swallowing down a breath of air. Shaking my head I told Thorton that we were going to have to hide out at my house. "But first..." I looked behind us and grimaced, "We need to lose your brother."

We continued running, passing people by who stared oddly at us like a couple of teenagers up to no good. It was easier for us to just run into the busier part of town to keep Trent from shifting completely. But then again, we didn't know the guy enough to think he wouldn't shift to expose what he actually was.

I started seeing the familiar bookstore and remembered about the park where it was much more expansive. The only issue was that with the set up going on for the park, this area was blocked off to the town until it was ready. Which meant that Thorton and I would have to find a bomb-ass hiding place.

I told Thorton to make a sharp left up ahead and he nodded, wincing as he ran.

"Run to the park, Thorton! And get to the bridge where we talked! We can hide underneath!"

Thorton nodded, panting out, "O---Okay!" just as we were coming up to the corner. He happened to glance at me before his eyes widened and Thorton cried out, "Kale!"

A heavy force ran into me, knocking me to the side and I smacked right into the asphalt. I groaned from the hit, but then quickly had to try to lift myself up despite the blood I was tasting in my mouth.

"I can't say that was a complete turn on, Kale, that someone like you could put up a little fight."

Fuck.

I grunted from trying to get Trent off me but the guy was using his weight to his advantage. He kept leaning over until his face was near mine from what I could see since he had it pressed against the ground.

"Run, Thorton!" I shouted, grunting in between and could see the indecisiveness in the Were's face. He kept looking behind him but then back at me and hesitant to do as I said. "Just go!"

"Kale..." he whimpered, and I shouted as much as I could, "Get out of here, Thorton!"

"Yes, little brother," Trent chuckled, shoving me into the ground further. "Run. Run as fast as you can before I get to you too."

Thorton swallowed, brows furrowing before he ran in the opposite direction than I told him. Where the fuck was he going!?

"Argh!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did that hurt?" Trent stood up, latching onto the back of my shirt and yanked me upward. He spun me around with a grip on the neck of my shirt this time while tugging me closer to him.

He stared me down, nodding with a smirk.

"What happened back there makes me a little envious of the wasted fun you have with Quinn."

Narrowing my eyes, I felt my jaw tighten while trying to use my hands to get him to let go of me. He only kept smirking, pulling me with a harsh tug until our faces were almost nose-to-nose. Then Trent eyed me up and down before muttering, "You've got quite a spark, Kale. It's... quite intoxicating."

"Fuck you," I grunted, still trying to yank myself out of his grip.

Chuckling, Trent nodded, leaning closer, "I'd love to, Kale. I really would actually. We should do so with Quinn watching, no? Give him something to cry over again."

I was now seeing red.

Wrapping my hands around his wrists, I used him as leverage to pull up my knees and kicked outward hard enough that made Trent loosen his grip from the force. He managed to keep hold with one hand but I grabbed onto his wrist, twisting around and brought him over my shoulder, hearing the heavy thud of him landing on the ground.

One of Trent's hands shot up, gripping onto my neck and started squeezing. I winced, grunting through my struggle to get him to let go.

"Face it, Kale..." Trent bit through grit teeth. "You can keep trying but your defense is only so effective. And it will only last so long."

"Red!"

My eyes shot up at the corner of the street where Jonah, Valentine, Violet, Dennison and Easton were running from. Thorton was with them.

I went back to trying to get Trent to let go of me, wincing from how much more Trent was squeezing my neck and from what I could see it was while looking in the direction of the Six.

All of them---minus Thorton--- had fallen back into their menacing personalities from long ago once they closed in on Trent and I. Valentine and Jonah stepped aside to make room for Dennison to step through and like anyone would Trent fell from his high pedestal.

His grip on me disappeared the moment Dennison stared him down.

Trent frowned, slowly standing up while I was sitting back and holding a hand to my sore neck. I kept glancing between the two large Werewolves before Trent broke the silence.

"Auric Dennison... Me Oh My... I certainly should have expected for you to grow into an alpha structure. I see that you are still upholding your position among your pack."

Dennison's growl will always sound more powerful than anyone's I know. I have yet to hear a growl from a Werewolf that would put Dennison to shame. So I could feel a little satisfied when seeing the tiny flinch in Trent's face.

"You're a visitor in this town, Roman. You should know the proper etiquette of how to behave by now."

Trent's lip curled into a snarl, shooting back at Dennison that Trent didn't have to do anything the former alpha said---because Dennison was just that. A former alpha. No longer in control.

"You think you call the shots here still? Ha!" Trent shook his head, sneering at the Six. "You're no longer an alpha, Dennison. That's a right you gave up when you chose that bitch over your kind!"

My eyes widened, looking over at Dennison's gray irises seep under the gold color. Another spine-chilling growl rumbled out of his chest, making Trent step back even though he was still trying to hold up this unafraid facade.

"I know what I gave up when passing on the title, Trent. Don't think you are hurting my ego in any way when I say that my wife could tear your ass apart and I'll do nothing to stop her."

Dennison's tone was calm. Too calm. Even for Trent who swallowed hard.

Dennison's brow rose, chin lowering slightly. "So I am warning you---yes, I said warning---," he pointed out when Trent growled at the insult. "That while you visit here, for whatever reason that'd be, you will keep yourself in line."

Scoffing, Trent shook his head that he was only here to visit his younger brother he hadn't seen in some time. The Six---other than Dennison who was still staring down Trent---looked in Thorton's direction. He was trembling where he stood and his green eyes watering. It was so hard to see this side of Thorton. It was painful.

"So hand him over, Dennison," Trent ordered, lifting a hand to motion towards himself. "And I'll be on my way."

I could see the tension between them all and I saw the defeat in Thorton's face. I realized why and struggled to push myself up.

"Fuck that!" I shouted, making everyone glance at me. I scowled at Trent, shaking my head that he wasn't touching Thorton. That he was going to back off him.

Trent sneered at me, that God damn gleam he was always giving me in his eyes still, "He's my brother, Kale, which means that I have every right to see him. I have every right to step on his pack grounds because of our relation."

Shaking my head again, I stepped forward despite someone in the Six saying my name sternly.

"No. Fuck you, Trent. You're not taking Thorton. I'm not going to let you hurt him again."

Trent's brow rose, his green eyes narrowing at Thorton who shrank back and the Six seemed to notice this too. I got Trent's attention again when I pointed at him that he was to get away from us and to steer clear of his brother.

"Related or not, you will not touch him again! You've traumatized him enough as it is and the only thing standing between you and him will be me. You're a piece of shit for what you did to him."

"Oh?" Trent was trying to play stupid. I could see it. He grinned, shaking his head. "What did I do exactly? Care for him? Raise him?"

I looked at Thorton who was silently pleading with me. Whether it was to help him or to keep quiet about what he told me, I wasn't sure. But he could be upset all he wanted later, I wasn't going to let Trent get a hold of him. Not now. Trent could probably kill him.

I happened to meet Easton's gaze that was on fire already. I knew it was because of Thorton---and probably Trent too---but right now I needed to help my friend.

Turning to Dennison who was frowning at me since my outburst, I sulked, "Dennison... Please. You can't let him take Thorton. He's not safe with him."

"He's my brother," Trent sneered. "I wouldn't do anything but protect him."

He looked at Dennison, nodding with a wave in his direction. "You should know! You have your brother too!"

"Auric. Please!"

I saw that I got his attention again since I called him by his first name. Which was rare.

"He's not going to protect him," I warned. I pointed in Thorton's direction and scowled at the former alpha. "If you let Thorton go with his brother, you are damning him to fall under the abuse all over again."

The Six's eyes widened, looking at Thorton again who shrank back so much it was hard to tell how tall he was.

"What abuse?" Dennison frowned at me while glancing at Trent who stiffened.

I looked at Trent, narrowing my eyes as I directed to the others, "The sexual abuse that led up to you guys intervening for Easton back when you were kids."

The Six's attention snapped in Trent's direction, a few of them growling loud enough that Trent took a step back. His green eyes looked panicked and then glared at me that I knew nothing. That I was making shit up.

"I know everything!" I snapped back, stepping towards him but Dennison warned me to stay back.

Pointing at that dipshit, I shouted at Trent, "I'm not fucking afraid of you! And I'll be damned before I let you touch your brother or Easton again!"

I was breathing hard through my nostrils while standing about five feet from Trent. The Werewolf's gaze turned into a glower, nose twitching to turn into a snarl. His fists tightened at his sides before nodding slowly.

He eyed me a bit then chuckled with a grin, "Like I said, Kale... You've got quite a spark. I respect that..."

I narrowed my eyes, tightening my jaw shut to keep from going off on him.

Trent lifted his green eyes behind me and sniffed with his chin upward.

"You know, Quinn---" I frowned, looking behind me to see Easton's ice-blue eyes harden. "---Your redhead here is a spitfire... And what fun that will be..."

He looked at me when he added to Easton, "Watching it burn out in front of me."

Sneering at him, I eyed him carefully before Trent looked behind me again and sniffed, "If I were you... I'd keep a good eye on him, Quinn. I'd love to steal a spitfire like Kale from you."

The growl behind me made me turn to see Valentine had latched a hand onto the back of Easton's shirt, pulling him backward to keep from rushing forward. Easton's golden eyes flashed dangerously, the snarling growls escaping him showing how much Trent affected him. He kept trying to shoulder Valentine off him and I faced forward when Trent laughed.

I wonder if he was only laughing because of the "safe" distance he was to the Six. Prick.

Trent's gaze fell to me, that gleam in them making me scowl more with my jaw clamping so hard it hurt. He raised a hand, using a finger to tap my nose as he muttered, "Sorry about your face, Kale. Didn't mean to scratch up such a pretty view."

When he'd been talking though, he chuckled from me stepping back and smacking his hand away. I shot him a warning look, scrunching my nose that only made Trent more amused. He stepped back, lifting his gaze to the others and nodded, "I'll be seeing you soon, Theo."

"Don't count on it," I bit back which only had Trent raise a brow, grinning at me.

Why the fuck does he keep doing that?

Trent turned, making his way back down the street from where Thorton and I had been running, not looking back once.

Once he was at a good distance, I let out a long breath; feeling the heaviness in my shoulders. I hadn't realized how bad the tension was until the thrumming in my body started up. But... But perhaps it was from the tussle I just had with Trent.

I winced when raising a hand to rub the side of my neck. It felt a little sore from when he fell on me.

Sighing, I turned around to the Six who all stared at me warily. I frowned, staring at each one of them before it was none other than Easton who broke the silence. And it wasn't good.

"What the fuck did you think you were doing, Red!?"

My brows shot up, blinking at how heavy Easton was breathing and the way his eyes turned so icy that I wasn't sure if his wolf eyes would be scarier or not. I took a step back, glancing down at him taking a few steps forward.

Frowning, I shook my head, "I don't understand---"

"That's fucking right!" Easton shouted over me. I glanced at the others who were looking at Easton a bit confused as I was. I faced the blond Were again when he started up again. "You don't understand anything! Which is why I want to fucking know what you were thinking getting into my business to begin with!"

My frown deepened but Easton wasn't letting me say anything.

He was pointing in Thorton's direction as he growled, "You never told me about him! You never told me that you were best of fucking buds!"

Narrowing my eyes, I could feel my agitation kicking in. It wasn't a good sign, I think for either of us since I wasn't exactly in the mood to hit Easton in the face when I was feeling like a tractor ran over me and then for Easton who was asking for me to hit him the face anyway!

Easton's arms threw themselves up in the air. "You're so God damn stupid to think you could actually take someone like Trent Roman on! Are you stupid? Huh?"

He leaned his head forward, raising his brows as he questioned again if I was stupid.

Clenching my jaw, I felt my hands clench at my sides.

"Answer the damn question, Red! Are. You. Stupid?"

Gritting my teeth, I bit back, "No... No, I'm not stupid."

Easton was about an arm's length away now. And yet I could see the fire in his eyes burning with a pulsing blaze.

"I think you are," he corrected. "I think you are because who the hell does what you did by letting themselves be left behind at the hands of that fucking prick!?"

"Easton. Easton, don't be mad at Kale. It wasn't his faul---" Thorton barely whispered which only made Easton turn on him now.

Easton raised a finger at Thorton, growling out, "Don't you fucking talk to me, you piece of shit! I don't know what game you're playing, Roman, but I'm not buying this shit of you being so scared of your fucking brother! And what's worse---I can't even wrap my fucking head around the idea it makes me so pissed---but now I find out that you've been with Red all this time!"

The blond shook his head, curling his fists tightly, "If you're not happy then no one else can be... can they?"

Thorton's green eyes widened a fraction and they were beginning to tear up, his bottom lip trembling before forcing himself to look down from Easton.

That snapped me out of it real quick.

I reached over, grabbing onto Easton's shirt and yanked him around again. His blazing eyes met mine but I was ready with my own heated stare. Shoving a finger in his face like he'd done to Thorton, I went off on him.

"You listen... And you listen fucking good, Easton Quinn. I am not going to stand here and let you continue to treat everyone like they don't matter! Like they haven't had some sort of hardship in their life! Regardless if they have or not, you can't treat people like they are expendable!"

I shook my head while telling him that I understood his dislike for Trent but that Easton needed to calm his shit when it came to how he spoke to Thorton.

"Oh! So now you're defending him!?" Easton's eyes widened under his furrowed brows and a deep growl rumbled out of his chest.

"Yes!" I shouted back. "I am! Because I can and will defend my friends, Easton!"

I pointed in the direction of the Six standing idly by.

"You have these four, Easton, as your friends! Where--- Fucking tell me where---exactly does it say that I can't have more than one myself!? Where do you come off getting so pissed that I befriended Thorton when you have your own friends!?"

"You don't get that he---"

"If I recall," I interrupted with a sneer, "I remember you saying that I shouldn't be in your business! So I wouldn't have any reason to not befriend him, Easton, then right!?"

Easton's jaw clenched, eyes narrowing.

I stepped forward, scowling, "Am I right... or not? Answer the fucking question, Easton!"

Knowing that I had thrown back his own words, Easton growled from behind his lips and yet I waited for him to answer. Which he eventually did.

"Yes! Okay? I didn't tell you about what happened!"

"So then where the fuck do you get the audacity to go off on me about defending my friend!"

I pointed at Thorton while directing to Easton, "You are so God damn stuck in your world, Easton, that you forget there are other people around you! If you would only have let him talk to you! Let him explain what happened those years ago then maybe you wouldn't be so God damn difficult to be around!"

"Is that what I am, Red?" Easton snapped back, lip curling. He took a step forward, eyes blazing once more. "Difficult!? I'm difficult to be around!?"

Easton shook his head, scoffing, "Then why the fuck would you continue hanging around anyway. What is it that's making you stick around, Red?"

I swallowed heavily, glancing at Thorton who barely nodded in silent encouragement for me to tell Easton. To finally tell him what I'd been bottling up. And what would answer his question as to why I was "sticking around" to be exact.

But the Moody Asshat never lets me answer fast enough.

"Let me make this easy for you, Red. If I'm so fucking difficult to be around--," He held up his hands in this dramatic mocking motion, "Then don't worry about it anymore. Don't worry about having to defend your shitty ass friend from me since I won't be a problem anymore."

Frowning, I blinked a few times. "Easton... That's not---"

"Don't---" Easton pointed at me. "Don't piss me off more than I am, Red! I'm not fucking kidding."

He started turning away towards the Six, starting to leave me there staring at the empty space he'd been standing. I frowned, feeling this wave of pain fill my lungs. It stung so badly that I was surprised to feel my throat tighten and my vision blurring, making everything I saw fade.

Letting my jaw slack to the side, I nodded, sniffling, "Yeah... You're right, Easton."

I thought I barely could speak but whether I did or not, Easton's Werewolf hearing allowed him to hear it. I saw him halt, turning to look over his shoulder when I sniffled again. I barely could see the confused frown on his face through my peripherals, but I was trying so hard... so hard not to become more sensitive than I was feeling.

And I wasn't sure why I was being sensitive, to begin with... Why this time it was hurting so much.

I nodded slowly, swallowing before looking up and over at the blond whose blue eyes blinked a few times. Maybe it made him uncomfortable that I was starting to cry. I couldn't help it though.

I used the back of my hand to wipe my nose. My lip trembled as I started to feel that agitation again.

"I forget how everything is about you." I swallowed again, shaking my head. "Everything is about Easton Quinn and his rampage on the world because he lost his twin sister... Easton Quinn lost someone---not that anyone else has lost someone important---" I leaned forward, raising my brows.

I straightened, swallowing as I nodded, "But you're right. You won't be a problem for me anymore. Not that I ever saw you as one, you ungrateful fuckhead!"

Easton's brows shot up, and I noticed the others' did too.

I narrowed my eyes that betrayed me in holding back my tears. I hated that I was crying in front of everyone. I hated that they were seeing me so vulnerable and... and weak.

Sniffling, I forced out while pointing in the direction of where Trent disappeared, "Do you honestly think that'd I'd let my ass get kicked by that just as ungrateful fuckhead if I thought you were a problem, Easton!? Are you fucking kidding me right now?"

I saw him squint his eyes a bit. But he still was quiet.

"Langley is gone, Easton!" I shouted, stepping forward a bit. "You are so consumed with wanting her here that you fucking forget that you still have everyone else around! My cousin has lost more than you---than anyone---and you don't see her wallowing in self-pity! You don't see Thea being a total bitch to everyone around her because of Maddox... of your sister... or her dad... or her dog... or---or---"

I grunted in frustration, throwing my hands up in the air, "Or for whatever fucking reason she could be pissed for!"

I huffed out a breath, closing my eyes. My head shook slowly, feeling more tired than before. The throbbing in my shoulders, sides... everywhere really... was starting to make itself known. It was pulsing and I just wanted to go home and lie down. And not have to think how much it hurt that Easton couldn't separate me from how he treated everyone else.

My shoulders slumped heavily, me letting out a long sigh between sniffling and wiping my cheek from another damn stray tear. When I glanced down at my hand, I noticed the blood on the side of my fingers and figured that my lip was still bleeding.

Shaking my head, I looked up at Easton's frown. I forced a barely-there grin, shrugging a shoulder and trying not to wince from it.

"I guess answering your question as to why I stick around... why I choose to be around you... is because I'm in love with you."

Easton's eyes widened and he swallowed while the others looked a little more than stunned and glancing at Easton.

I sighed, shrugging again, "But it doesn't make a difference that I say that... does it? Because I'm just like everyone else."

I looked upward, feeling more tired than before and I stepped back, shaking my head that I just really wanted to go home now. Turning to Dennison, I sighed if he wouldn't mind letting Thorton stay at Aunt Penny's place for the time being that his brother was in town. That I would feel a lot better knowing he was safe than afraid.

Dennison didn't even blink. He immediately nodded, giving me this soft look that was out of character for him and agreed that it wouldn't be any trouble at all. That Thorton needed everyone he could which made Thorton blink, glancing at the others. His green eyes filled with relief before thanking Dennison with a sigh.

When he turned to me, Thorton frowned, "Are you going to be okay, Kale?" then glanced at my person. "You look... look more hurt than you're leading on."

I winced from feeling that throbbing in my side again and placed a hand to my side. Well now that he mentioned it...

"I'm fine. It's just a scratch. I'll get over it." I glanced the blond Were's way---now just noticing his stare on me---and narrowed my eyes, "Just like everything else."

When I started turning away, Jonah frowned, "Kale... You look really bad. Are you sure you don't want one of us---"

"I'm fine," I turned to glare at him. "Just let me go home. I don't want to be around anyone right now..."

Of all the people I expected to try arguing with me, I wasn't expecting for Easton to frown, "Red... Red, just---"

I swallowed, whispering, "Please... Just let me go."

And the silence following after ensured that I was finally able to turn around and walk away.

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I took the long way home.

Albeit the fact I could have run into Trent again and got my ass kicked again, I didn't care. I wasn't really feeling anything right now other than the immense pain from that asshole Trent.

When I finally did get home, the lights were off. I stopped at the driveway, staring at the house and figured that my dad must have been over at Aunt Penny's or Aunt Emeel's. Either way, I might not see him until later tonight or tomorrow.

Moving forward was a lot harder than expected. My feet felt heavy with every step that I was taking and I could hear the gravel crunching. It was pretty much the only noise I could hear.

By the time I got into my house after struggling to open the door with how badly my knuckles were swollen, I closed the door and leaned against it. The surface of it was cool and it felt nice against the heat on my skin. I closed my eyes, sighing at this momentary comfort.

Though I needed to shower, I couldn't. I think I'd have a hard time trying to raise the shampoo bottle.

Bodhi was swimming around rapidly once I walked in and turned on the light. I grinned a little that my fish actually enjoyed seeing me. His large eye was staring at me until I walked over and tapped the glass lightly.

"Hey there, Bodhi... Sorry I took so long, Bud."

The fish let out a few bubbles, his eye still staring back.

"Bet you're hungry, huh?" I asked, reaching for the fish food already.

I took a pinch from the container and dropped the food into the bowl. Bodhi swam around in different directions, picking up the colorful leafy food on the way. I stood there watching him for a bit then went towards my bedroom door.

I stopped when seeing my curtains lift a bit with the breeze. It was sad to be staring as I was, but then I felt annoyed and walked over to slam my window shut and locked it for good measure.

Sighing, I went back out of my room towards the kitchen. I flipped on the light, looking around for any indication that my dad was here. But I only saw the note he left on the table.

Frowning, I picked it up to read:

Kale,

I heard about what happened. I tried calling you a few times but after awhile I figured it was best to just leave you alone. Please let me know when you get home. I have to know you're safe. I don't want to worry about you, Son.

I'm staying with your aunt to help with the kids and this Thorton fellow. The house is yours for the next few days. I don't want to be "your dad" when you are feeling this way at the moment.

I'll be back Saturday to make us a good breakfast. Just for you and I, Kid.

Please stay safe.

Love Dad.

Reeling in my lips, I nodded silently in agreement that I might have needed a few days to be by myself... but I actually really could have used a hug from my dad. Or even Thea---as sappy as she'd be asking me a thousand questions.

My eyes shut, letting my head lean back a bit. When I opened my eyes, staring at the ceiling... I just kept wondering why I felt so numb. Why I felt like I was having a hard time breathing.

So much for being hungry. I wanted to at least make a sandwich or something but I decided to just go back to my room and shut the door. Crawling into bed was a lot harder with my sore muscles and I winced, groaning once I landed on my stomach and buried myself under the covers.

I snuggled into my pillow, opening my eyes a moment to stare into the darkness with the faded lighting from the moon. I stared at the way it looked a lot similar to fog, just staring at how nice it actually looked. But it also was making me sleepy.

And as much as I wanted to fight my sleep... like my efforts and feelings towards Easton... I gave up.

❦ღ❦

I'm not sure when I woke up. I'm actually not even sure what day it is. I'm pretty sure that I slept the whole day yesterday.

I frowned at my ceiling, squinting my eyes at the faded coloring.

Except for getting up to use the bathroom and wash away the dried blood on my face, I pretty much have been sleeping. Despite my stomach rumbling, I couldn't push myself to eat.

This sucks.

What was wrong with me? I loved to eat...

Squeezing my eyes shut, I took in a deep breath and held it for as long as I could. Then I let it out slowly.

"Get up, Kale," I told myself. "Stop being such a baby."

I frowned at myself, deciding that self-talking wasn't as helpful as I'd like it to be. But it did make me curl up in a sitting position. I groaned about halfway doing so but it was progress.

I looked down at my shirt, scrunching my nose at the blood stain on it. Narrowing my eyes at the fact that I'd have to throw the shirt out because I was too lazy to wash it out, I grumbled under my breath and began reaching behind me to yank off the t-shirt. My arm wielded it across the room, letting me glare at it in the small lopsided pile it made in the corner.

I looked down at myself, brows furrowing at the bruises I had. They were still pretty bad but I tried to make myself feel better at my cousin's expense and thought that at least my bruises didn't look like hers which took about three weeks---or longer---to heal. Mine would be for about a week at the most. Maybe.

There was a few along my side where I landed when Trent tackled me. I'm sure I didn't have any ribs broken. I was like... ninety-eight percent sure.

My eyes drifted to my right hand where my knuckles were not as swollen---you could barely tell---but there was still a reddish tint over them. The blood had long dried by now. Scrunching my nose I slowly twisted my mouth to the side to feel the sudden throbbing from my cut lip. Another grumble escaped me because I am pretty sure my left eye was still bruised and the cut above my eyebrow would be still pretty sensitive to touch.

Just to prove that I lifted my fingers towards my eye and winced a tiny bit. Not as bad as I thought.

This is the time when I am grateful for my Advanced Hunter blood.

I looked up wide-eyed at my door when I thought I heard the doorbell. My brows furrowed and I blinked a few times before pushing myself to get out of bed. When I reached my door, I opened it and stuck my head out to peer down the hallway towards the front of the house.

My brows furrowed when the doorbell rang again but then right after the door was being knocked on.

Lowering a brow, I stepped out of my room and walked down the hallway. My feet stopped by the stairs and I just stared at the door and the knocking behind it.

My dad said he wouldn't be back until Saturday... right?

What day was it?

I shook my head, walking towards the door that the incessant knocking turned louder. My hand stopped, hovering over the door handle. Swallowing, I hesitated in wanting to open the door. I bit my lip but then let it go because I forgot about my cut.

Instead of opening the door, I shouted, "Who is it?" and bent my head to listen.

"It's... It's me... It's me, Red."

I tensed. My chest tightened and I frowned, shaking my head before sighing, "What do you want?"

I heard him sigh as I glanced away when he replied, "Can you just open the door?"

"No."

It was quiet for a moment and I assumed it was because he walked off. I assumed wrong.

"Red... Please, open the door. I really need to talk to you."

There's that damn feeling again.

I scrunched my nose, shaking my head and called back, "What for? There's nothing to talk about. Nothing."

"Yes there is!" His voice sounded strained, desperate and I was getting a little fearful of that.

Shaking my head again, though he couldn't see this, I told Easton that there was nothing to talk about, that there was nothing that was said that needed him to come over here.

"Just go away, Easton! I'm doing just fine, thank you very fucking much!"

There was that silence again and I frowned, listening closer to the door but then leaned back when something leaned against it. There wasn't anything heard until he spoke again.

"Well, I'm not..."

I stared at the door, blinking at it a few times.

"I'm not fine, okay? How can I be when seeing you that way a few days ago? Seeing you stand there... bleeding and shit... and I just... just acted like the asshole that I always am."

I glanced to the side, frowning a bit. He wasn't wrong... but still... I remained quiet.

"I can't begin to tell you, Red, how pissed off at myself I was when you walked away. You walked away thinking you don't matter."

He paused, probably waiting to see if I said anything. Which I didn't.

"Sigh... Red... Red, please open the door."

Remaining silent and unmoving, I narrowed my eyes at the door.

Easton sighed again and I heard the sound of something sliding down the door. I frowned, trying to figure out what it was but then he spoke at a lower level from before and I figured it was because he was now sitting with his back against the door.

"I'll sit out here all day, Red. All night even. I mean it."

I looked upward, pursing my mouth to the side but winced from my cut.

"You have to know though, Red... Even if it is not face-to-face... that you do matter. You matter a lot. I don't think there is anyone who matters more than you do...."

Then he sighed, "Not even Langley."

My eyes widened under my furrowed brows and growled under my breath before grabbing the doorknob and yanked the door open.

Easton yelped from the sudden loss of support and fell backward. He winced, squeezing his eyes shut from hitting his head on the floor before peering his eyes open slowly.

I narrowed my eyes, shaking my head to grumble, "No one should matter more than your sister. I'd never ask that of you." before walking away.

I could hear him shuffling to stand up as I walked back down the hallway towards my room. The door shut and his footsteps were following behind. I made it to the room before he did and made a beeline to my bathroom.

Glancing up in the mirror with a glare in his direction as he leaned coyly against the door frame, I went back to putting toothpaste on my toothbrush. I tossed the toothpaste tube aside and began brushing my teeth, frowning the whole time without looking at Easton who I fucking felt staring at me.

I hated when he did that!

When I glanced at him for a second, sure enough, he was staring, and I narrowed my eyes before spitting into the sink and turned on the faucet to rinse my mouth.

"What," I snapped, cupping some water and sipping before spitting it out again.

I put away my toothbrush, glancing at him as I made my way out of the bathroom. That was after I had to silently wave him out of the way and he---oddly enough---complied by stepping into my room.

Walking over to my bed, I turned around and sat heavily on the edge of it. My silent gaze on the Were was making him uncomfortable. I could tell. And I was glad.

I nodded at the computer desk, "Sit on the chair, Easton. I don't want you any closer than that."

Easton swallowed, frowning before obliging and sat on the chair. Not before tapping lightly on the glass bowl and mumbling a small greeting to Bodhi.

We stared at each other for a good minute and I felt my jaw slack to the side. Raising a brow, I shrugged, "So? What did you want to talk about that was so God damn important you had to spare time to come over here?"

Easton's blue eyes looked down for a moment, his lashes hiding them along with that fucking wavy hair of his. I scrunched my nose for staring at him.

"You said... that you love me."

I stiffened, brows furrowing deeply before looking away once he looked up at me. I shrugged a shoulder, sighing, "Well if we are getting the wording right about that day, I said that I was in love with you... but ya know... Technicalities."

I didn't want to look at him now. Not if he was going to be giving me a look that I didn't want to see right now because I wanted to be mad at him. I wanted to be as mad as possible so that I didn't fall for those God damn blue eyes that made me... sigh... melt.

When I decided to lift my eyes to his, Easton looked a little disappointed.

"And... and today?"

I frowned, squinting my eyes a little. "Today what?"

Easton bit his lip which I stared at for a good moment before forcing myself to look up at him.

"Do... Do you still feel like that... today?"

I glanced to the side, shaking my head as I shrugged, "Yeah?"

Easton's eyes looked up at me, a bit of light returning to them.

"It doesn't just go away overnight, Easton. That's not how it fucking works. I figured out that much," I grumbled, looking down at my bloodied knuckles and slowly stretched out my fingers which was kinda painful.

I didn't look at him when he softly asked, "Do... Do you want it to go away?" and instead found myself scowling at the side of my bed where I'd kicked off my shoes. One was lying on its side.

I shrugged a shoulder, looking straight ahead and sighed, "I dunno... Maybe." and looked down at my hands while raising a brow.

Was it uncomfortable talking to Easton about this? Hell yeah. And I was kinda wishing I hadn't gotten carried away and opened the door as I did.

I just think that what he said about his sister kinda irked me---one, because I know that there is high fucking possibility that she isn't dead after all. And two, because I would never ask that of Easton. To choose between me and someone so close to him who was his entire world. That wasn't fair.

I didn't even know if he liked me that way at all anyway. Not the way I liked him. There was obviously a sexual liking he had towards me that I mentally rolled my eyes to because that was just peachy. I wasn't Leo. I didn't want to be Leo. And it was hard enough to adjust to this kind of feeling I had for Easton and he acts like a total dick.

"Please don't."

I frowned, staring hard at my bruised knuckles. I suddenly felt my eyes blurring. Dammit!

Gritting my teeth, I sniffled out, "Why?" which somehow gave Easton the motivation to get up and move over to me. I narrowed my eyes at his hands rising, hesitating, in trying to touch mine. He eventually put his hands over mine and I looked up at him when he moved one of them to brush his fingers against my knuckles.

To be honest... my knuckles didn't hurt as badly when he did that.

Easton was staring at my hand, shaking his head slowly and whispered, "Because---Because I didn't think you'd ever see me that way. I never thought... that you'd actually take a chance on feeling that way for someone like me."

His nose scrunched, eyes narrowed and growled, "I don't get why you'd feel that way about me. I've done nothing to prove that I am deserving of someone feeling that way..."

I raised a brow, being a bit of an asshole when I mentioned that I was more than positive---as was everyone else in this town---that Leo was just as much in love with Easton as I was.

"He's been around longer, Easton," I pointed out, shrugging a shoulder. "You can see it on Leo's face how much you affect him. How much in love with you he is. So why does it matter that I do? Why do you want me to feel that way about you when you have Leo?"

Easton---who I normally expected to go on another damn rampage for even mentioning Leo---swallowed while looking up at me. He seemed to be thinking of what to say and I just sat there, studying the different bits of blue that meshed together to make that overall ice-colored blue he had.

"Because I'm not in love with Leo, Kale."

My eyes, blinking a few times---for two reasons. One: Easton just said that he was in love with me back. And two... Easton just said my name. Like, my actual name.

Well, that was surprising... and totally made me unprepared for that. And it sounded weird. Coming from him, anyway.

Easton got closer to me and I tried to pull back but it was hard to when I was still kinda trying to process what he said.

He did a quick look over my face before whispering, "I don't want anyone but you, Red. I don't want to feel this painful ache for anyone else. I know that I have a lot of work still ahead... and... and I will work on it. I promise."

With his forehead resting against mine, Easton brushed his nose against mine and whispered, "Don't ever ask me to let you go again, Red, because I won't."

I swallowed, feeling my brows twitch slightly. There was a tug in the middle of my chest, I wasn't sure what it was but it... it made me wonder if I could go through a third time of this. A third time of being so confused by Easton's back and forth behavior.

It wasn't helping the possibility of pushing him away... of completely keeping that distance from Easton.

But that's the thing... What was the point of all this--- all this time and effort in befriending Easton if I was just going to let myself distance from him again?

I know that it was probably difficult for him, probably confusing to try to be a little less unpleasant to be around, but would he actually hold up to that?

I didn't want to ever think of 'what if?' years from now. I just wanted to be able to say that I was able to give something back to Easton. A piece of himself. Somehow.

Easton's ice-colored eyes stared back at mine, a glimmer of hope in them that only made me sigh in defeat.

I slowly shook my head with the very minimal distance between us.

"I hate when you look at me like that..."

Easton grinned, leaning closer for our foreheads to rest against each others again and I slightly narrowed my eyes.

"You so much as look at Leo, Easton, and I will not only kick his ass but also yours. And you're gonna wish I never did."

Again the blond Were grinned more, this time chuckling lightly before nodding as he leaned closer. A hand of his pulled my head towards his until our mouths reunited in a long overdue need.

"I'm serious, Ease," I mumbled between our kiss. "Don't think I won't---"

Easton nodded, covering my mouth with his and in between doing so muttered back, "I believe you, Red. But I missed this so..." he lingered into our kiss a moment, almost making me forget he'd even said anything to begin with.

"Stop talking."

I chuckled against his lips, lifting my hands to rest on the sides of his neck but then I hissed a little, pulling back. Easton frowned, asking if I was alright.

I frowned back, looking down at myself before nodding through a mumble that I was... But that I was still healing from a few days ago.

Easton pulled back, staring my face over and I felt my face grow hot. It was that kind of stare he gave that made me squirm.

He lifted a hand to the side of my face. His thumb caressed my cheekbone, under the eye that was bruised. His blue eyes lowered to my cut lip then my torso where his gaze lingered on the bruises I had.

Easton's fingers drifted down to my side, with a soft grazing motion over my injured side and I felt my body tense up.

I could already see the angry heat in his eyes and I grinned a little, "I'm not Thea, Easton."

He lifted his gaze to mine.

"They will heal. A lot faster than if they were on her. It's the benefit of being a full blooded Advanced Hunter."

I raised a brow, nodding to the side with a shrug, "There's not really a faster way for them to heal."

The gleam in his eyes made me frown a bit, only because I could sense perverted Easton coming out.

The blond smirked, raising a brow, "I could always lick you, Red."

Easton laughed, leaning away a bit when I curled my fist and punched him in the arm. He laughed again that he was kidding, but then I warned him that he was just getting on my good side.

"There's things you're going to have to earn, Easton."

"Reeeeally?" His brows rose slowly, hearing the intrigue in his tone.

I blinked, scrunching my nose and started moving myself backward from the Werewolf. Easton, on the other hand, grinned as he began crawling in a predatory manner towards me.

"Whoa... Whoa, no... Wait, I just meant--- Easton, cut that out! No! That's not funny, dammit! I hate it when you do this shit! Easton!"

The blue irises faded behind the golden glow of his wolf's eyes, that smirk on his face accompanied with a growl... and all he could say as he cornered me against the headboard of my bed was,

"It's Tuesday, Red... I've got three days to make it up to you before your dad makes one of his surprise visits."

"How---how did you know that?" I asked, trying to back into the headboard as much as possible. With little success.

Easton chuckled, bending his head to kiss my shoulder and I shivered from that alone.

Aw, crap...

He was making his way up the side of my neck and I was unable to resist a moan while leaning my head back. Already my fingers gripped to my sheets.

"You left your dad's note on the dresser, Red. And..." he started up with biting kisses and I grit my teeth, trying to keep from shivering. Easton grinned against my neck, "Three days is more than enough to prove my point."

I snorted, raising my shoulder to block him as I shook my head, "Well... Aren't we the optimist?"

Easton lowered a brow, giving me that challenging stare of his and I gulped.

"How..." I swallowed again, nervously glancing away. "How about we just go to your place?"

Easton's brows rose in surprise, making him lean back a little. He blinked a few times before tilting his head slightly.

"Are you... serious?"

I nodded, seeing the stun in his face that it was hard not to grin and reply, "Definitely! I saw a bucket of ice cream in your freezer last time and I have a craving for it!" while moving past him to get up and get dressed.

I looked over my shoulder, grinning more at the pout on Easton's face as he narrowed his eyes at me from the side. His lip curled to growl and I winked at him, "And if you behave... I'll let you watch me lick your spoon."

My eyes widened a second before yelping and ducked just as one of my sneakers flew in my direction. I blinked, standing up and frowned at my shoe that hit the wall pretty hard and landed on the floor.

Glancing at an irritated Easton, I raised a brow and mumbled, "Fine then! Just my spoon."

I laughed, one that I hadn't in a few days, when Easton scrunched his nose, shut his eyes tightly and let himself fall back onto my bed with his hands covering his face.

"You're killing me, Red... You're killing me."