NOT EDITED!

If I see one comment about telling me I spelled this or that wrong.. I will delete it. I'll edit it when I have the time and make sure to read the AN!

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            I was the first to react.

"Jeremy!" I leap off Liam at that instant and embrace him. Jeremy seems shocked by the reponse but either way he hugs me back.

Stella plops herself on the other side of me, still pressing the towel to her neck. Dr. Ackhart's starts to protest that she should return to the bed so he can get a look at her neck.

"It'll heal," She snarls at him as he attempts to peel the towel away. "You should check on Avalon. Her situation is much more serious."

"Avalon?" Jeremy chimes as he pulls away from our embrace. "Wait." Jeremy pauses, peers around both Stella and I and meets the eyes of Mr. Farley before taking in the room slowly. "This is new. Why when we were here we didn't have a freaking hospital wing? You should have invested in this sooner!"

"Especially since you got your ass whooped every week," Stella teases and reaches over to tug on one of his ears. Jeremy hisses in pain and swats at her hand. "Nice going on almost killing yourself, loser."

"It was for the sake of science," Jeremy responds while Mr. Farley merely seems confused. Liam joins us on the bed, too, though he picks me up and settles me up on his lap again. I don't complain. "Didn't you miss me, Stella?"

Stella rolls her eyes but she leans in anyway, giving him a short hug. It's shocking for all of us, even Mr. Farley who's already majorly confused. "Who else would I be able to fuck with?"

"Definitely not Ronnie and Liam since they are fucking with each other already." Jeremy laughs loudly and so does Stella and I curse her for her poor choice of words. Of course Jeremy would crack jokes about Liam after waking up from a freaking comma. "Did you get to touch Ronnie's boobs while I was passed out, Liam?"

"Okay," Mr. Farley declares loudly. "I think that we should get back to what's important."

Even though I'm positively sure I loathe Mr. Farley, for once, I am glad that he has opened his mouth. I can only imagine what Liam's reply would be.

"Can someone explain to me what happened after I passed out before he starts talking about something I have no clue about?"

So Stella begins. She tells him about the day after he passed out, which makes me cringe when she goes into detail over our fight, that I thought he was going to die and therefor was freaking out - he pauses to tell me that he's flattered before motioning for her to continue - and then begins to delve into our trip here.

At one point into the story, Mr. Farley seems to grow frustrated with Stella's story-telling and leaves with Dr. Ackhart, which I'm positive he's occupying his time with Avalon because he comes in and out and fetches various medical supplies and then it's start to dawn on me that Stella might have done serious damage to that girl.

Not that it wasn't great watching - because it was, even Jeremy said it must have been awesome to watch and I know Jeremy has a soft spot for girl fights - but if that girl is seriously injured, it's a risk of getting kicked out and we have no where to go as of now.

I don't like it here as much as Liam or Stella, but if we're back on the road again with no money or food and running constantly, we'll end up in the same predicament and what happens if that time, one of us gets seriously injured? I don't like to admit it, but perhaps Mr. Farley had saved Jeremy's life. 

Dr. Ackhart put him on fluids and took care of him and made sure his vitals were good and I don't know what would have happened if we didn't turn to them. 

Plus, how are we going to fight off both the Purgartory and Beckett's pack without any help? It doesn't matter how skilled Stella and Liam are at fighting,  they're only four of us and most likely, hundreds of them. 

I'd most likely die in the first two minutes of that fight while I'm sure Jeremy would put up a chance, but I'm also sure he'd go too just because he's so reckless. 

The thought of dying scares me, but also the thought of leaving Liam on his own frightens me. I know Liam can fend for himself - he's been practically doing it his whole life - but he's lost his sister, his mother, and even his father. His father is still very much alive, but seemingly does not perceive Liam as his child anymore.

As I ponder this, my grip tightens and I burrow my head between his neck and shoulder. He grips me tightly back as well and I wish I wasn't so helpless.

I had fended for myself fairly well in the bar, but what happens if the next time I can't?

"...Then they broke up the fight just as I was about to crack her head like an egg. I'm pretty sure she a concussion, though." Stella smiles with triumph and Jeremy returns.

"That's awesome Stella." He pinches her smiling cheeks before resting his gaze on Liam. "As awesome as that fights sounds, are we going to get kicked out?" Jeremy voices my thoughts from earlier and I'm relieved someone has asked the question or else I would have had too. 

"I don't know. I don't care. I was thinking we should bail anyway." Liam responds and I pull back enough to scowl at him.

"Where are we supposed to go then? Keep on driving around aimlessly?" I ask and Liam seems annoyed by my question.

"It's better than here." He retorts and I roll my eyes as I push myself up and off his lap.

"Yeah, because waiting to be hunted down and killed by the Purgatory is better."

"What's your deal, Ron?" Liam hisses. "You hate here just as much as me." 

"We all do," Stella chimes.

"I mean, I've only been awake for like, an hour but so far I like being catered too. Plus, maybe if we talk to your dad, Liam, he'll help us fight the Purgatory." Jeremy says as he stuffs another spoonful of Jello into his mouth. At one point, Dr. Ackhart had given him a glass of water along with some food. 

"He hates us." Liam deadpans.

"But he's your dad." Jeremy says through a mouthful of Jello. Stella's nose wrinkles in digust at him and forcefully clamps his mouth closed and demands he chews and swallows before he dares to speak. Jeremy complies.

I look to Liam to see him rigid at Jeremy's remark, arms folded over his chest. "Not anymore." Liam replies and he starts for the door. I'm afraid Jeremy has pissed him off so I follow.

Jeremy is awfully quick at getting on Liam's nerves. 

"Liam!" I call after him. He speeds down the hallway and I'm unsure of where he's going till he reaches an open, which I'm assuming is Avalon's room because I hear Isaac's hoarse shouts for him to get out and Mr. Farley commanding it to.

I grip onto the back of Liam's shirt as he tries to enter and use all the strength I have to wrench him back, though Liam only stumbles, which I'm sure is due to surprise by me grabbing him.

I get a look inside the room briefly before Isaac slams the door. Avalon does not look good.

From the brief glimpse I got, she is badly bruised and still unconscious but I shouldn't be shocked because Stella had smashed her head against the granite counter top. 

"You can't go barging in there, Liam." I hiss as he faces me. He rolls his eyes at me.

"I wanted to talk to him."

"He knows where to find us if he wants to talk. You running into Avalon's room does not look good. He probably thinks you're going to attack them or something."  

Liam snorts at that, "You're probably right. He thinks we're all murderers anyway." I shift awkwardly at the statement and Liam catches on to what he has said and also shuffles in place. "Well, I am one at least."

I gnaw on my lip as Liam's eyes focus on the floor. He shakes his head as if he is trying to get the thought out of his head and then turns away from, getting ready to walk off once more - probably from me this time - but I don't let him.

This time, I am the one to stop him from running off. 

I wrap my arms around his waist from and lay my head on his shoulder, holding him to me tightly. Liam does not shake me off but just remains stiffly standing. 

I reach up to comb my fingers through the hairs at the nape of his neck and press a kiss there. When I pull away, I linger before placing my head back on his shoulder and that's when he turns, returning the embrace and instead leaning down to capture my lips in a soft kiss.

The kiss is slow and languid and bittersweet. It seems like whenever Liam and I have a disagreement, it is always end with a kiss. 

Liam slides his hands into my hair, holds my head and kisses me more firmly and then drags away slowly till our lips are merely brushing and I can feel his breath washing over my face. I glance up under my lashes at him, offer him a small smile and he attempts to return and that is good enough for me. 

What a day. 

        Mr. Farley joins us later on, when the sky darkens and Jeremy falls asleep. Stella is beside him, propping her head on one of his legs and curled into a fetal position as she too starts to drift off.

I'm surprised she is even still near Jeremy, since she usually grows frustrated by his presence, but I remember the conversation from the day before and I understand that, just like me, she was worried. Liam and I decide not to disturb their slumbering and so we sit in two that were placed in the corner of the room, ours fingers intertwined. 

Mr. Farley pauses in the doorway, seemingly unsure if he should enter but before he can decide, Liam and I rise and walk to the door. Liam's father takes the hint and so we step into the hallway, Liam shutting the door to where Jeremy and Stella are sleeping. 

"Is he, uh, alright?" Mr. Farley starts off awkwardly and Liam nods slowly.

"It appears so." 

"That's good." He replies stiffly. "Are you planning to leave?"

I'm glad that Mr. Farley has gotten straight to the point because I am in no mood for beating around the bush. "Ron thinks we should stay," Liam says and I dread that he has singled me out but I'm sure it's because Liam doesn't want his father thinking he wishes to stay.

"I'm not sure it's safe." Mr. Farley begins, "Especially with Stella attacking Avalon gone. She feels threatened."

Liam snorts while I nudge him to shut up. "She's awake?" I inquire and he nods.

"She has a minor concussion."

Shit. 

"I'm sorry." I'm really not. "I hope she heals quickly." I hope she heals slowly and painfully just so I can watch her wobble around the house in pain. 

"Thank you." I can tell he thinks I am not being sincere but chooses not to comment on. "I wanted to ask you about you guys did to end up with warrants over your head."

I shuffle, ready to explain it in the simplest way possible but Liam beats me to the punch. "We started a fight with the Purgatory."

"The Purgatory?" Mr. Farley's eyes widen and he seems jittery at the mere mention of the pack. "Why would you do that?"

"It was because of me," I say. "My previous pack.. they wanted to mate with the Alpha's son and I refused and well, it stirred up trouble and the Purgatory and my former pack had a rivalry so now I have my former pack and the Purgatory mad at both-"

Liam cuts me off, "Basically, we have a lot of people mad at us. But we assure you that we only defended ourselves when they tried to attack us."

"On the warrant, they said she killed her father." Mr. Farley gestures to me and it feels like a lump has formed in my throat at the mention of me killing my father. 

I almost don't want to reply. I almost want to do what I usually do; walk off. Because that's what I do when people mention stuff I don't like talking about but I force my feet to stay in place. I pluck at my fingers as I shake my head.

"No, Mr. Farley. I did not kill my father. They did." I answer, hesitate, and then add, "My former Alpha also killed my mother."

There. The truth is out.

Well, at least half of it. Because I am not sure if my father is truly did - I am praying he is not - but I don't know how else to explain the situation.

"So, you have two blood hungry packs chasing after you four?" Mr. Farley quirks a brow and in sync, Liam and I nod. I feel like a child being scolded when Mr. Farley frowns at us both and shakes his head and I just dart my eyes nervously around the hall. "You've really done it this time, Liam."

"You couldn't just expect me to let my mate be with another guy. He was a little fucker that-" Liam stops himself, breathes in deeply, and then declares, "I don't need to explain myself."

"I think you do." Mr. Farley argues, "You're putting all of us in danger with being here. What if they attack, Liam? Calla is pregnant, Calvin is still only child, and now we have Avalon who is injured. Not to mention the fact that they've never even fought another pack-"

"Then we'll teach them how to." Liam says. Mr. Farley huffs.

"You are not going to put my wife and Calvin life in-"

"But you're willing to send me off to die?" 

Mr. Farley pauses at his retort, refuses to meet Liam's gaze and meekly says, "I think it's too late to save you, Liam."

"No it's not." I say, "If you truly want to then you'll help us because we cannot fight the Purgatory on our own. Send your wife and son somewhere else as we prepare, that way you don't have to worry about them getting hurt."

"And what if Avalon and the rest do not wish to fight?"

"You have allies with other packs in the area. You can ask them to help us fight. Haven't there families been terrorized by the Purgatory? I do recall the night after they killed mom and Flora that they went after our surrounding packs. This our time to finally get them back. So we don't have to fear them anymore." Liam says all in one breath and Mr. Farley seems to take it into consideration. I can tell he is unsure.

"Stella won't attack anyone else in the pack. We will do our best to get along." I chime and then add, quite desperately as well, "Please help us."

Mr. Farley darts his eyes between the two of us. While Liam is calm and collected and probably expecting rejection, I am hopefully and pleading silently with him. I know we can not take down the Purgatory by ourselves. We need Mr. Farley and his alliance, as reluctant as Liam is to admit it.

Slowly, Mr. Farley nods and I swear I am ready to cry out in relief. "Fine." I'm ready to hug Liam when he adds, "But you have to promise me one thing."

"Of course, what is it?"  I ask. Liam does not look happy at the prospect of promising something to his father.

"When this is over, you will reside from being a rogue, Liam. You will not stir trouble with any more packs and if you do.. you are not allowed to return here."

Liam is silent for about a moment or two before he agrees with a swift nod and Mr. Farley holds out his hand to shake on it. They do and Liam brings me into his side.

He keeps a leveled gaze with his father. "Thank you."

Once again, Mr. Farley nods. "We will discuss more details tomorrow." With that, he turns and Liam and I watch as he disappears around the corner before we re-enter the medical room to see Stella and Jeremy still asleep.

Liam lays down on the bed next to Jeremy's and motions me to him. I climb on as well and it's a rather tight with seeing as Liam practically takes up the whole bed, but I settle half of my body on top of his, our legs intertwined and his arm wrapped around my waist with my head on his chest and my hand on his bicep. I trail my fingers up and down his arm while Liam smooths my back. He sighs.

"I think we'll be okay." I murmur and I can feel Liam's chest rumble in agreement.

"It won't be easy to work with the other packs," He says, his voice growing heavy with exhaustion. "This is Sun Valley. They're use to flowers and sunshine. They do not fight."

"Then we'll teach them." More like you and Stella will, I note silently. 

"Go to sleep, princess."

And so I do.

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Ta da!

I know this chapter was a lot of dialogue but.. yeah, lol. Next chapter we will be meeting some new characters (YAY!) and they will start to learn how to defend themselves.

Someone - I don't remember who - in the comments suggested Liam teach Ronnie how to fight and I was like, yes! I agree! 

Plus, now Liam has to guide other packs on how to fight and I hope this isn't to Twilight-y because I know in the fourth book they like, taught how to fight against those evil vampires but yeah, I needed to throw more people in because HELLO! There are so many un-eligible fights in Liam's old pack.

DO YOU SHIP JELLA?

By the way, it seems like a lot of people really like Jeremy and Stella. Do YOU think they should get together? I'm not saying they will, but I'm curious because so many of you guys ship them! I've always seen them as brother or sister relationship, tbh, but I'm open to suggestions so go ahead and let me know in the comments. 

Lonnie will always be my OTP.

Until next time, 

CeCe.