It could have been hours or years but really it was probably only minutes before the sound of someone approaching hit my ears. I didn't offer any help as they gently lifted me from the ground, one arm under my knees and the other supporting my back as my head fell into the dip of their shoulder. I couldn't have protested even if I wanted to, my eyes not willing to open and my senses offering no help I was completely at their mercy. The muffle of voices around me made my head ache and I wanted to beg them to stop but my mouth wouldn't move. This time last year Jocelyn and her boyfriend Brad had broken up as she caught him kissing Delia Carter the easiest lay from our school at midnight which then left us sitting in Hyde Park with a bottle of tequila as we made our New Year resolutions. How I wished I was back at that time. No worries. No werewolves. No Parker and no William. I didn't want to mean it but I did. What if I had stayed with my Grandparents, sure at twenty one things would've changed but I still would be living my normal life now.

I felt my hand being lifted, my arm aching at the movement. I was aware of something soft under me now, the person carrying me gone. So I just waited. My hearing became clearer and the ticking of a clock the first thing I heard. Footsteps were shuffling nearby and I turned my head slightly in that direction, fighting to open my eyes.

"I told her to keep the ring on. It only proves what you thought Finn. Someone out there is targeting her" My Grandmothers voice came to me then and wiggling my fingers the ring was sure enough back on my finger.

"Who ever it was wanted the extra strength so used her. I think it could work in our favor though. If they did this now they will try again only this time we will make sure that ring is glued to her" His tone lacked the stress my Grandmothers carried which comforted me slightly.

"How are we going to find out who did it?" the angry familiar voice got my eyes to open. It had been nearly a fortnight since I had heard that voice.

"Seriously, I may be immortal but you will be the death of me" Eric appeared in my line of vision as he moved from the single chair beside me on the floor. I offered him a smile as I took in my Grandparents lounge room.

"What happened?" I asked sleepily, my body not willing to let me do much more than that.

"Finn thinks a witch was using you, that what they were doing needed the strength of more than one witch and you were the closest one within their reach" He leant over and picked up my hand, "This ring would have stopped it but you didn't have it on" he scolded. I looked at the tiny pearly stone in the silver band. That could have stopped the pain? My head hurt thinking it about it. The sound of the door sliding open caused us both to look up and my heart stopped, as William appeared, Finn and Marcus right behind him. Eric moved swiftly out the way as he took his spot, the blue eyes I'd spent nights staring into were back looking into mine full of concern. I rolled onto my side, his hands taking mine as his forehead rested gently against my shoulder.

"Beth I..." I stopped him as soon as he started. I didn't let him finish as I sat up, shifting so I was sitting up and cradling his head in my hands.

"It's ok" He nodded slightly, leaning forward I moved down so our lips met. The tenderness of his touch made heart start to  race and the gentleness of the kiss was abandoned and instead an urgent need took over.

"Ok, we're all here guys" Freddy interrupted, blocked by Finn and I was certain it was for his own protection as William stood and glared over at him. I stood beside him placing my hand on his arm gently taking his attention off Freddy.

"How are you feeling dear?" My Grandmother walked over, Russell behind her with a tea tray in his hands. She looked curiously at William, clearly having missed our interaction second before.

"Better" I looked at William sheepishly and he winked at me as he moved over by Eric. It was then I noticed the tingles were missing. What did that mean? The hollowness that I had felt before the pain was still inside and looking at Finn I felt the panic beginning to rise.

'Finn, can you hear me?' I asked cautiously. His brow creased picking up my nerves and gave a slight nod. I sighed relieved as I noticed everyone's eyes on me obviously wondering what was going on. The front door slammed open and the frantic click of heels against the marble had everyone turning to look at a desperate Jocelyn.

"Elizabeth Kathryn Lowell" she roared entering the room storming in my direction. I tensed waiting for the attack I knew was coming. "Don't you EVER worry me like that again!" As expected she reached out to me the second she was close enough but William was between us before she had a chance strangle me with her hug.

"Who are you to come in here like this?" he snapped at her roughly, he stood a little taller and with the look he gave her she instantly backed down, her head dropping and her whole persona seemed to shrink in size. Everyone seemed to hold their breath and I realized this was an Alpha talking to a pack member. She was new to his pack and had not been deemed worthy enough to have any right being here. Like me she had also yet to shift so her inexperience and youth did not help her cause at all. But despite that, she was my best friend as much a sister as Eric was a brother. My wolf reared her head then, my mind felt clear of any blocks between us and Jocelyn's discomfort angered her as much as me.

"Jocelyn has as much right as you" I moved around him to stand in front of her. She didn't dare to look at me and I felt her fear, which made me angrier. Shock was clear on Williams face as everyone around us shifted uncomfortably. No one dared speak up against him to defend Jocelyn. Except for me.

"Do not speak to her like that again," I growled, staring him in the eyes as a challenge. The room was filled with tension as my own voice was laced with power and Marcus moved closer, I knew to side with William. I shot him a look which had him halted in his tracks, the same puzzlement appeared on his face as the day when I had got him to let me go. William seemed to relax then, with a slight nod he sat down on the sofa where I had just been laying. I turned to look at Jocelyn and I'd never seen her speechless before.

"I'm sorry Jo, but I'm ok now" I hugged her as she had planned to do with me and whispered sorry in her ear again. She gladly clung to me as I felt my Grandparents appear behind her.

"Jo dear, how about we fill you in with what's going on?" Grandmother offered, taking her hand and leaving the room. I looked at the others and motioned for them to follow her and one by one they left leaving just William and I.

"William?" I turned to find him with his head leaning on his hand, frowning as he was lost in thought. My voice broke through his thoughts and he looked at me softly, a small smile appearing on his lips. I then realized I was actually in sweat pants and a hoodie, the red lacy dress gone.

"You are close to her then?" he finally asked, I nodded and with my hands hidden in the sleeves of my jumped I went and curled up against him on the sofa. His arm went around my back as I rested my head on his chest, the steady beats of his heart music to my ears.

"She is my best friend, I've known her for ever. Dylan and Andrea need you to be nice to them too" I said thoughtfully. He chuckled slightly, a kiss being placed on my forehead. Besides the underlying need we both had growing just being together was enough for now and I breathed in smell. God I had missed him.

"Dylan? Was it not Derrick she was with?" he asked curiously. I shook my head.

"They broke up just after Christmas. Dylan is her mate" I felt like a teenager gossiping over the high school dating scene. He seemed surprised at this.

"Mates? But she is human, how do they know?" He asked suspiciously.

"She described it as love at first sight. They met a couple of years ago and he left her but when I came home I put two and two together and now they're together" I said simply. Did his past leave him suspicious of the whole soul mate thing?

"You know our wolves pick who our mates are? They see their equal, the one who will make them better, stronger. There is a fairytale of the fates taking souls and putting them in another, of sparks and fireworks. There is only one person made for you but you need to see it as well as your wolf. So many people let their wolf have control, trusting them and it enhances their feelings so with the myths of soulmates and all these amazing things. Being human she would have found him attractive, love at first sight would be a right way to explain it but her emotions would be human based. For Dylan it would have harder to fight his wolf to leave her without giving it a go" I looked up at him confused. The tingles and fireworks were a fairytale? Then what the hell was going on with me? I still loved him as much as that night we had been interrupted, but the tingles were gone now. Parker came to mind and that part of me that kept him in the back of my mind seemed to light up.

"Can you have two mates?" I asked curiously, he looked at me oddly and I knew it was not something that would be deemed normal to ask.

"It has happened. As I said, a wolf picks its mate and the human needs to follow, if a human has chosen it is harder to get your wolf to agree when it's mind has been made up but the wolf would know best so to go against it would without doubt be painful and could prove to be a mistake. Once the marking is done, it wouldn't matter but to get your wolf to cooperate unwillingly is a battle. That is why you can not force matings" This had my interest.

"Marking?" I felt him relax further, deciding my questions must be from my lack of knowledge and nothing more. I had never been more thankful for him not being able to read my mind.

"In time you will find out" he teased, kissing the tip of my noise. I sighed as complete bliss settled over my nose. Nothing felt more right that being here with him. A knock on the door had him tense again as it slowly opened and Eric and Jocelyn appeared.

"Beth, your Mum is here." Jocelyn said nervously looking at William. She suddenly realized he had his arm around me and confusion came over her. It didn't last long before it all fell into place for her. She squealed, jumping up and down excitedly and at the mention of Mum I quickly shooshed her. Eric clamped his hand over her mouth and she fought to free herself.

"Stay here" I told William. After their last encounter I didn't want to risk anything happening, especially since I'd only just recovered from what ever happened last night. He slumped in the chair sulking and I nodded at him to Eric, telling him to stay with him. Understanding he closed the door behind me as Jocelyn stuck to my side.

Entering the lobby I felt the tension in the room. Marcus was glaring at Mum who stood uncomfortable by the door with James. I shot him a look to back down, my brother did not need to be involved in any of this. Seeing me he ran over and as I crouched down to greet him Finn caught my attention and tapped his finger where my ring was on me and pointed to his pocket. Trusting him I discretely popped into my pants pocket and hugged my brother.

"Eli! Did you see the fireworks last night? Mum let me go with Grant and his Mum and we saw them!!" He rambled excitedly. I remembered Grant was the boy next door about his age. The pair had become good friends in the last week, but kids were like that.

"I didn't buddy, but I saw them on TV. Did you see the big ones that looked like stars?" I asked, he grinned nodding excited and seeing my Grandparents ran over to them. The group disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Mum and I alone. She looked different, her hair seemed a little lighter than the rich brown she usually had, her green eyes seemed more hazel almost brown. She never looked her age but a few wrinkles seemed to have formed around her eyes.

"You look tired Beth" she finally spoke up but something in the way she looked at me made me suspicious. My wolf felt it too and I fought to keep her out of my mind.

"Big night. We went to a dress up party in town" She raised her eyebrows slightly, nodding.

"Have a good night sweetie? What did you dress up as?" She left the doorway and came closer. I instantly tensed, hurt that I was feeling so suspicious of my own mother.

"Red Riding Hood" The challenge was evident in my voice as my wolf fought through, her commanding tone clear and strong. Mum stopped coming towards me, freezing in her spot as I could feel her uncertainty. She eyed me suspiciously, staring into my eyes which made the wolf in me angry. As if finding what she was looking for she didn't hide her surprise.

"Isn't that interesting. Anything else happen last night?" Sarcasm dripped from her words and I knew she knew about what had occurred.

"No not really." I lied, shrugging casually. She nodded at my words, looking me over curiously

"I'll be back for James. I've found us a little place out of town. I think it would be good for you to come too" I stared at her in shock for a moment before shaking my head.

"This is my home. James should stay here too. He needs to go to a real school and meet people his own age. He has made a friend with Grant, why keep taking that away from him?" I demanded. Anger flashed over her face for a second, before she moved to stand in front of me.

"I am YOUR Mother and I know what is best for both of you. I have let you go and do what you want for long enough. We leave in the morning" She tilted her chin slightly in confidence as her tone gave away her inner frustrations.

"I am an adult. You can't tell me what to do!" I snapped back. She smirked, glancing towards the kitchen for a second.

"If you want to keep seeing your brother you will come with us. It's not safe for you here, with their kind. Your Father knew that and so should you. We will leave in the morning" She repeated before heading out the door without a further word. Anger flowed through me as the fact my Mum was threatening to break up our family and that she knew what had happened last night too hit me. Had she been behind it? The mystery of the past was slowly being unraveled but not fast enough. I needed to know what she did. Without thinking I grabbed my flats kept in the cupboard by the door and ran after her.

Uneventfully she headed back to the tiny town house she had been renting for the last week and peeking through the window she was putting a few items she'd unpacked back into the familiar moving boxes. I thought about going in and confronting her further but something told me not too. A lady who guessed to be Grants Mum was out on her entrance and she looked at me oddly. I looked down realizing what I was wearing and how frizzy my hair must be and offered a small smile and headed over.

"Hi, you must be Grants Mum? I'm Elizabeth, Jame's sister" I held out my hand for her to shake and she smiled welcomingly and took it. Instantly a vision hit me, she was standing in the same spot and from the front window of Mums apartment the figure of Margaret appeared and then disappeared. I felt the womans fear at seeing the ghostly apparition and opening my eyes she had lost her smile.

"Natalie Charles" she introduced, shivering slightly as I let go of her hand. She hadn't aged well, deep wrinkles were set on her features, her small nose and pointy cheekbones made it clear she would have been very pretty in her younger years. Her dark honey blonde hair had an inch of grey regrowth and she had an air of nervousness about her. Grant was such a confident little boy, he obviously didn't take after his mother.

"Lovely to meet you Natalie, James has told me so much about Grant and I can tell he is a wonderful little boy on the few times I have met him" Her grin reappeared hearing the praise of her son.

"Thank you Elizabeth. Where you visiting your Mum? She has been out a lot the last few days, James has practically been living here" Her words surprised me and I nodded.

"I was, but we'll be moving soon so I didn't want to interrupt her packing" Natalie's frown was back again but her eyes showed her relief.

"Grant will miss James. Be sure to have them keep in touch, but I am not sad to see your Mother go. It'll be good for James to have you around what with all the visitors she has been having when she is home" The woman gave a slight nod and headed inside, closing the door. I glared over at Mums place and froze as I saw a person at the other end of the street. I ducked down behind the fence, hoping the bushes that separated the properties would be enough to hide me and watched as he went up to Mums front door. He paused before knocking, his head waving around slightly as he concentrated. My scent. I had been at the front door. He turned so his back was facing the door and looked around. As his eyes dropped to where I was peeking through the branches Mum opened the front door.

"What are you doing? Get inside!" She snapped. I caught the growl that formed in his chest as he glared at her retreating form, heading inside behind her. As the door closed I stood up. Something inside felt like it was breaking. Despite everything after Finns story I could see the good in him, I felt something for him, sympathy but mostly hope. Hope that I could break through to him and have the others see him for who he was. But who was he really? I felt betrayed seeing him go in there. The hope I had gone. 'But why is Parker there?' I thought. I pushed my way through the garden back on to the main path when as much as I wanted to go in and find out every inch of me was telling me to walk away. I slipped the ring out of my pocket, put it back on and headed home.

I was only a couple of streets away when the feeling of panic and fear hit me like I'd walked into a brick wall. But what got me running was the anger. I got onto our street to find Jocelyn, Dylan and Andrea with James. He looked worried but not scared and looked down at his feet as he walked beside Jocelyn holding onto her hand. Dylan saw me first and ran to close the distance between us, hugging me roughly.

"Beth?" Andrea's familiar French accent caused Dylan to let me go as she looked at me amazed. "We heard about the last night, I so sorry for not leaving with you and now you disappeared again – everyone is going crazy"

"We are taking James to the park, it's a nice morning to be outside isn't it James?" Jocelyn asked James who nodded, already happier to see me. "You should go home, shower and come join us," She stated, but I knew her biggest order was to go home. I nodded understanding and thankful they had taken James away from the situation.

"I'll come see you soon buddy, be good for Jo ok?" I gave him a little hug and he smiled happily and the group carried on down the road. Heading to the doorstep I could hear the raised voices and threats being thrown around. Gulping I opened the door cautiously, peeking around the edge to take in what was going on. The lobby was empty and the voices seemed to be strongest from the back of the house. I slipped into the kitchen to find my Grandparents with Russell, each with a cup of tea. Grandfather looked up from his cup and the pair ran over to hug me.

"We were so worried. We heard her leave but not you and they couldn't find a scent and we don't know where she lives and...." I put my hand up, silencing my Grandmother.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think. I just ran after her. She wants me and James to move with her in the morning. If I don't go she wont let me see him anymore" I told part of the truth and they instantly frowned. I didn't want them to know about the rest. Not yet at least.

"You need to go to them, but just quickly. Is William...." I had to laugh at my Grandmothers constant attempts at pairing me up. So I smiled shyly and gave a slight nod, leaving the room, ignoring her gasp and girly squeal behind me.

Nearing the study William and Marcus was arguing. I paused to listen before going in.

"Have the whole area scouted. Get every person in this pack looking" William demanded.

'But if it is the witches should we be putting them at risk?" Marcus argued back. A growl I knew was William echoed and I felt his frustrations at knowing Marcus was right.

"I will go, Fred too." Eric volunteered. I'd heard enough and had my hand on the door knob when Margaret appeared at me side. I jumped, surprised and glared at her wearily.

"I will come tonight" she whispered and disappeared. The worry on the old witches face had me concerned but ignoring that for now I opened the door and announced myself.

"That wont be necessary Eric," I said calmly. Finn stood in the corner by the window will Eric and Fred sat on the sofa by the door. William was behind my Grandfathers desk and Marcus opposite him. All froze as I appeared except for Eric who was the first to jump up. He grabbed me by my shoulders, looking me over quickly before pulling me against him.

"For the billionth time, stop with making me worry!!" He scolded, more of a father telling of a naughty child than anything. He was roughly pulled from my hold as William broke in between us, a possessive growl a warning to Eric to back off. The room was thick with his power that he had over all here, he was in full Alpha mode and it turned me on unlike anything else I had ever experienced.

"William I..." The force at which he kissed me had a heat growing in the pit of my stomach as my arms instinctively went around his neck. His hand were at my waist as he lifted me against him and my legs curled around his, I broke away gasping for air as he buried his head into my neck.

"Not here" I managed to get out, remembering we had an audience. I felt the motion of his steps as we entered the elevator, the cold of the mirror that lined the walls going through the hoodie as I was pressed against it, the ding of arriving on my floor made me open my eyes and I found us in my room already. Moments later found me pinned against my bed, his gentle touch replacing the urgent one of need as our clothes were discarded around us.

"Don't leave me again," William begged into my ear, and I tensed. I couldn't promise that knowing I was going to go with Mum and James. His hands roamed my body causing shivers of pleasure to shoot through me and my head tilted back as I was giving myself over to him and all he could offer.

"Promise" he murmured as he trailed kisses down my neck, along my arm and then on each finger.

"I can't," I said breathlessly and he instantly stopped.

"Why not?" He looked me in the eyes and I was getting sucked in, at this point I was willing to say anything to get him to keep going.

"Not yet" My body felt weak, like jelly as it ached to have his touch back. I reached up to kiss him but he pulled away confused. The longer we were apart the more my mind began to clear and seeing the hurt in his eyes I regretted my words. But he needed to understand. So I told him about my discussion with Mum and how I'd be going with her and James in the morning.

"You're not. It's to dangerous!" he growled, sitting up. I quickly followed.

"Tell me what you know or I'm going to go unaware which is worse. I can't leave James and until we can work it out, I am not leaving him. She is still my Mum, she wont do anything to hurt us" I doubted my words and hoped he wouldn't notice. He finally nodded, but didn't tell me any more as he moved back on top of me and I allowed myself to let go and just enjoy our time together.

Thankfully when we came downstairs a little while later, freshly showered and glowing from what had just gone on, no one was home and I had a feeling they hadn't been for a while. Thank god.

"Come on, I told James I'd be meeting him at the park" I grabbed Williams hand and dragged him out the door. We walked hand in hand, our arms entwined, as any loved up couple would be walking down the street. This was how things were meant to be. Easy. Simple. Finding the group was easy and as it was nearly mid-day and they were by the food vans getting lunch. We all ordered and with our food went back to find somewhere to sit. After lunch we went ice skating and ending up at the frozen lake heading back towards the playground. It was so normal, as if the events of the last few months hadn't happened. William and Jocelyn carried on like they'd known each other forever and the group all clicked well. As William ran around with James, Dylan and Andrea had gone for a walk to get some drinks and Jocelyn had found a runner to flirt with, I sat watching William and James. Eric sat beside me and put his arm over my shoulders as I leant against him.

"Why can't it be this simple all the time" I asked. He laughed clearly amused.

"What are you taking about? Discovering werewolves, an alpha mate, his stalker brother and witches that seem to have something against you isn't simple?" I shot him a look and sighed, William had James around the waist and tipped him upside down. The screams and giggled that erupted from James was as if he had an on switch that had just been triggered. He hadn't laughed like that for a long time, not since Dad had been here. The thought instantly made me sad and like most things, I pushed it out of my mind.

We'd just left the park when my wolf appeared, urging me to turn around. James was clinging to Williams back like a monkey as the group laughed and chatted about the lack of skill Dylan had on ice and cautiously I turned. Parker stood in the entrance of the park where we'd just left watching us. Meeting my gaze he smirked slightly, soon turning to walk away. I shivered unsettled and went back to William's side, where I should be.