NOT EDITED, YADA, YADA, YADA.

         I'm propped against the wall as Liam lies in front of me, sheets bunched around his waist and his eyes shut, soft breathes leaving parted lips. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he was asleep.

I've made a knot out of the comforter to preserve my modesty as I sketch him. It was a spur of the moment. A, 'hey-I-know-we-just-had-sex-but-you-look-too-good-to-pass-drawing,' sorta thing. Plus, I got to make plenty of Titanic references and Liam got to laugh at them while playing a good model. 

It's also calming, because at one point, I thought I'd never be able to pick up my sketch book again. By the time I'm finished, my fingers are coated in black from the charcoal and various pencils I've switched from. My finger prints are left on his when I lean to kiss him. "There," I whisper gently against paused lips. "Do you like it?"

I display the picture to him. "It reminds me of the one you did at school," he murmurs, green eyes settling on the paper before darting to me. I smile and drape my arms over his shoulders, leaning to examine my work.

It's of him lounging on the bed, arm propped behind his head and the contours of the muscle sketched with an inkier black that will surely smudge if I touch it once more. I can see the similarties between the one I sketched at school and the one present. Back then, I drew him because I wanted to get him out of my head and now I draw him because I wish to immortalize this momemt. Him. Us. 

"I wish I could actually draw," He whispers; I can scarely hear him. Then again, it's 2 in the morning. "So that I could draw you too. Or play music."

"God made you pretty for a reason, honey," I tease and Liam rolls his eyes at me but returns my grin. 

"Are you calling me talent-less?" He asks, drawing me into him and pressing his nose against mine. I trace my fingers against his scar and his hand smooths down my side. He tugs the knot loose and let's the sheets fall to my thighs. I don't object, merely press a kiss to his cheekbone. 

"Never," I shake my head with a laugh. He narrows his eyes at me but doesn't reply but rather he leads me to lay down, his fingers lingering on the white scar on my stomach. The one from the fight with Beckett. "Now we match." I gesture to his scar.

"When I see him, I'm going to kill him." Liam promises me as he hovers over me and he presses his lips to mine with bruising force, as if he is implementing another claim on me. But I push at his chest to stop him.

"No," I say. "I am."

It's a sick thing to smile about, but we do. Because Beckett is not anyone's to hurt but mine, thohgh Adam is agruable. Either way, there is no further debate because as soon as Liam's lips are back on mine and all thoughts from before are gone when the sheets fall from his waist and my legs are soon wrapped around it.

For right now, I don't want to think about Beckett. Or the Purgatory. Or my mysterious aunt, because all I want is to remember us. 

          "Well, look at you. How domestic."

Stella taunts with a laugh as she props herself up against the dresser, arms folded. I roll my eyes at her as I fold one of Liam's many muscle shirts and tuck it into the duffle bag. 

"Have you even started packing?" I question. 

"No," She snorts. "I'll make Jeremy do it."

"Really?" I cock a brow at her. "Cause I heard Rosalyn is helping him pack. You can no longer dictate him."

Stella's smirk falls from her face immediately, twisting into a look dissatisfaction. Jeremy and Rosalyn are practically stuck to each other lately. I barely see the kid without her or her without him. I am not sure if they are true mates, but even if they aren't, I'm sure something will happen between them. Jeremy has made it clear to Cliff - who tries endlessly to hit on Rosalyn - that she's not interested. It's funny. 

"Yeah, I've noticed. It's because of stupid Cliff and his endless perving." Stella waves me off, "I talked to him recently."

I face her fully, pausing as I grasp one of my T-shirts. "About what?" I ask curiously, though I have a clue of what she's hinting at.

"About that." She states casually, wondering over to the window where Liam is. I follow after her, resting down the shirt and coming to watch Liam in the yard with Adam, Aflie, and some of Alfie's friends. They're sparring, as per usual. 

Adam has only begun to get better, yet he insists on being included in our routine's. Liam doesn't mind. He enjoys pushing Adam. I've protested many times for him to go easy on Adam - because of all the trauma he has gone through, plus all the bruises and scars that are only started to be treated to - but Liam tells Adam won't let him. If anything, I'm just glad they're not arguing as I expected. 

Liam makes a point to keep me close. Everyone's noticed that. 

"How'd he take it?" I say.

Stella fidgets, "Okay, I guess," She begins. "He got all red, though. He started blaming himself and all that regular bullshit. That's why I didn't want to tell him in the first place."

I place a hand on her shoulder, "It's just natural instinct. I still feel guilty for Anna's death."

"But you didn't cause that," She shrugs her hand off my shoulder and faces me. "And neither did Jeremy with the Purgartory. And I know he won't let it go now." 

I sigh, examining her face and mustering a small smile when she finally meets my gaze. Her mouth deepens into a frown. "Let him have time to adjust to it. But expect him to go ape shit on Tate if he ever sees him."

This makes Stella's lips twitch, "He'll have to get in line behind us." Stella shoves me playfully as she walks to the open door. 

"Hey," I call after her. She pauses and glances over her shoulder at me. "What'd you wanna tell me the other day?"

Her fingers drum against the frame of the door, opening her mouth before closing. "Later," She says simply. She forces a smile. I don't push it either away. "Wanna drive into town with me later for supplies?"

"Sure," I nod. "And make sure to actually pack Stella!" I yell after her as she leaves. I can hear the distant laughter and I can only imagine her waving me off. I'm tempted to call after her again more seriously, but I figure she'll just shrug me off again. With only four more days left here, commanding everyone to start packing has been rough.

Tank was the first to really object, stating he was not going. Especially if Stella was. So he left, and so did some two blonde friends of Rosalyn. Of course it wasn't fun to lose people, but Tank was a dickhead anyway. And Rosalyn friend's didn't really do much either. I hadn't even known them or their names to really miss them. There's about now twenty of us left. 

I venture to the window once again and watch them, wondering on what is so damn important that Stella is keeping from me.

I also pack away the drawing of Liam and bury it at the bottom of my bag, praying Stella and Jeremy don't see it. Knowing them, they will never let me live it down. I was surprised they hadn't said anything about Liam and I venturing off and spending the next day in the solitude of our bedroom. I suppose we're all adjusting to the fact that we're moving and once again, into the unknown. 

I blow a strand of hair out of my face. The angst is getting to me. 

Sooner than later, the time spent sparring is up and Adam is returned to the infirmary where one of Rosalyn has taken up playing doctor. I only mean to look in when I pass, but then I catch Cliff and Adam in a heated, low discussion that makes me pause. 

I don't get to hear much before Cliff mouth clamps shut and his eyes dart to mine. They narrow and I return the glare. 

"Sorry, did I interrupt something?" I ask with fake concern.

"Obviously," Cliff retorts with a huff.

"Well get use to it asshole. This house is full of werewolves that can hear you," I reply and Cliff sneers at me, stomping past and bumping shoulders. I make sure to elbow him in the ribs and relish in the curses under his breath. I need to spar tomorrow, just so I get to beat Cliff's face in again. My nose throbs as a reminder of why I haven't. 

"You guys need to settle your differences," Adam comments iddly. "We're a pack now."

My eyes flicker away from Cliff's retreating back to Adam's. He slouches, an arm wrapped around his midsection. I wonder where Rosalyn's friend is. As if sensing my question, he says, "She's still down in the field."

I nod, "Are you bleeding?" He doesn't smell like he is. 

"No," He confirms. "Just bruised." 

I hum and Adam takes my silence to rub on more of the ointment for his healing cuts. "What were you two fighting about?"

"Stupid stuff," He says vaguely.

"You guys need to settle your differences. We're a pack now," I echo with raised brows and Adam snorts, his lips twitching into a half-assed smile. 

"Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have said that. Cliff doesn't like people much." Adam says. "But he's not a bad guy, per say."

"Right," My lips twist into distaste. "Did he kill your bestfriend?" 

Adam blinks at me, "No." He pauses, "But my father nearly did."

I'm not your bestfriend! I scream mentally, I'm not sure what we are. It's hard to be friends with someone when they're in love with you. It's awkward. And strained. And not to mention Adam and I have too much of a distorted past. "He's an asshole," I say, straying away from his sentence. "If it wasn't for you, I'd have killed him."

Adam shakes his head and his eyes are so earnest when he proclaims, "No. You wouldn't." Like he actually believes I would never hurt someone. Like I never have. "That's why you didn't kill anyone at the fight with my father's pack."

"You don't know me, clearly." I snort but I'm touched that he has such a deluded image of me conjured in his head. Maybe that's why Adam is still holding onto this image of us, because he believes I am like that little girl that was his bestfriend. If only he knew that when I lie down to go to bed at night, I envision killing his father. 

I'm not the worst, but I'm certainly not the best. "Get some rest," I comment dully and then I leave, because I cannot bare to have Adam make himself believe that I'm the same. I dont know who Adam is. He doesn't know who I am.

In time, he will. 

        "Hey, ready to go?" Stella asks me later and I nod. 

"Get me cheesecake!" Jeremy screams as we near the door. I pull my jacket on with an eye roll. 

"No, fatass," Stella remarks but Jeremy has started a riot of everyone asking for something from the store. "No to all you fatasses!" 

I laugh and wave them off, Liam trailing after us to the car. Stella is irked about this. "I'll make sure to have her back in time. Chill," She says, sliding into the drivers seat and jamming the keys into the ignition. The car comes to life with a roar and the head beams nearly blind me as I give Liam a lingering kiss. 

"I'll see you soon. Love you!" I hop into the passenger seat when Liam shouts it back, but he remains standing in the driveway anyway, looking like a concerned father. "He's so protective sometimes."

"Nah," Stella shrugs as she pulls onto the dirt path leading to the road. "He just wants you back to have more rough sex."

I nearly choke on my saliva but I figured I had it coming. At least it was in the solace of the car, where Jeremy can't hear and chime in. "What are we doing anyway?"

"It's Ackhart," Stella comments. "I think I know where he is."

I turn in my seat to face her fully, "Wait, what? When did you find this out?" I question. "You know, I would appreciate-"

"-I think he got in way too deep with that asking around, Ron," She continues, cutting me off. "He didn't abandon us. I think someone made him leave."

"But who? The Purgatory haven't been in town." My brows furrow.

"The people who originated the bullets, probably." Stella remarks. "I think they're working with a pack."

"But they're hunters," I object. "Why would-"

"-There was an increase in killings of wolves last year. Maybe it's the Purgatory. I don't know. Either way, I caught scent of someone the other night."

"The other night? how many fucking times have you gone out Stella? What is going on?" I demand as Stella makes a sharp turn onto the road, travelling into town at an alarming speed. 

"I just need answers, Ron. That's why I took you and didn't inform others. What if it's Tate, huh? It smelled like him. What if he's here?"

I go silent and I now finally understand why Stella didn't inform anyone else. If it is Tate, she must not have wanted to share the story of her tormentor with others. The only thing I wonder if the Purgatory are here, why haven't they made a move? If they know we are residing at Liam's old place, what are they waiting for and why have they taken Ackhart? My insides churn as I sink into the seat and we remain silent.

Stella drives to a familiar area of where Jeremy and I had wandered, plenty of alleyways and creepy building with stairways up the side. I thought this was a simple run for some damn cheesecake, now it's turning into some rescues mission.

Fuck my life.

"See over there?" Stella points to a dark building. "That was on Liam's maps." And she whips it out of the console and I wonder how she's acquired it but Stella is like a damn spy. "They set up this spot when they went after Liam's pack. It's been abandoned, but there's been activity."

"Is this how you found Adam and Cliff? Because you were around here checking this?" I ask and Stella nods. Mother of God. 

"You know, Stella, you could have told-" 

"Shut up!" Stella hisses and she quickly yanks the key from the ignition, yanking me down so the console can hide us from view. There's movement from the upper window. A light appears. 

It's a shadowy figure and I listen intently, but Stella's breathing is ragged in my ear. The light flickers off within a minute and it's darkness once again. "Come on," Stella slithers into the back seat, flipping up the console and pushing cool metal into my palm. A gun. 

"Stella, you can't be-"

"You said you'd help me." She hisses. 

"Of course I would. But this is crazy, we need the pack and-"

"No. We do this alone. If he's in there... I want to get to him first," Stella swallows thickly. "Besides, no one will question my fidelity after this. Alfie already thinks I'm some traitor."

Personal vendetta's are starting to become a recurring theme, but I understand why Stella has been constantly on edge and what this means to her. Plus, it's answers. Answers we need to conform for ourselves. So I nod and I don't question her. 

I click the safety and seal it into the back of my jeans, but I figure I'll need it soon for whoever is upstairs lurking. I pray I won't get killed and that I'm not making a mistake for this irrational decision. I don't have much time to begin before Stella yanks me from the car and we practically crawl to the staircase on the side. The gun is searing me, burning through my back and maybe Adam is right, maybe I am not fit for this. 

But I grip it anyway and we creep up the stairs till we reach the roof and we're staring through glass panels into pitch blackness. "This is crazy," I mutter under my breath and Stella shoots me a look. She wiggles a panel loose and I know she's been here before from that action. It confirms it all.

I make sure to breathe through my nose as I watch Stella slide down, landing with a soft thud onto the ground below. I can make her out when I lean closer and take a seat, hopping down and muffling the thud. 

She gestures to the gun in her hand and I slither it out of my back. We're werewolves, god damn it, not fucking secret spys-

She tugs on my wrist to compel me further into darkness and to the staircase, where we peer over to see nothing but old cans of paint and melted candles with scattered blankets. If I didn't know any better, I'd think this place was for rebellious teens or something. 

But I know better so I don't quiver, rather I clutch the cool metal in my palm and inch forward, towards the room where the light had appeared. Stella pauses me and we lean, waiting for a sign of human life or fucking existence at this point. It's too eerie. 

Breathing. Slow. Steady.

They're asleep, I figure. The scent is tainted with something vile, so it must be Purgatory territory. "Balls out," Stella whispers and I know what she's going to do immediate.

"No-" I begin in a rushed whisper but Stella is already throwing the door open, gun pointed and ready to shoot and I'm behind her. Girlish screams are released and the light flickers on once again, revealing two familiar faces. 

Mandy and Jessica. 

While Jessica presses herself to the wall, her hair plastered to her face; Mandy sneers, seemingly not taken aback by the guns in our hands. "I figured you'd be a dead bitch by now," She hisses. It's weird to see them again, because I've thought about them rarely and only when associated with Anna's death. I feel like I could be sick when I meet Mandy's eyes -- Anna's fake friends are a mess, I never thought I'd see the day -- but if anything, I feel nothing but despise for them. 

"Funny, I could say the same for you." I retort. If Jeremy were here, I bet he'd be hollering for a girl fight. "It seems you've lowered yourself to hanging around Purgatory scum." 

"Like we had a choice," Jessica gathers up the courage to but in. "Beckett sent us after his son and the traitor Cliff! They got us here!"

"Where's the doctor?" Stella asks, inching towards him. "Don't play stupid. He was here."

"They took him. They're keeping him now," Mandy replies and her eyes are trained on the gun. "They're probably on their way to your little hide out, intent on killing the rest of whoever your with."

"Why are you still here then?" Stella questions. 

I fidget. On the way to kill who were with? The churning returns and I'm ancy to return. 

"Because they want us to be." Mandy retorts simply, slumping against the wall and her eyes dart to me again, a mocking smile on her lips. "I smell that you're mated. Tell me, how was Liam in bed?" 

"Where'd the Purgatory go?" I ask in return, ignoring her remark. 

"We told you," Mandy begins and the smile grows. "To your little hideout."

"That's bullshit," Stella replies sharply. "We didn't catch anything of them when we were leaving."

"You wouldn't," Mandy states calmly. "The hunters are helping them." Mandy crawls further towards us, matted hair and dirt filled nails and all. "They're going to kill your boyfriend and your pack and everyone for what you did! You bitches started this!"

"Stella, let's leave. Something's wrong," I reach to grab her but Stella stays put.

"Tate. Is he here? Is he with them?"

"We don't know who that is," Jessica replies. "All we know is that there's this blonde dude and crazy chick-"

"-Shut up Jessica!" Mandy hollers and she returns to us, standing and hunched as she passes over. "We told you, they're going to kill your boyfriend and your pack and then they'll roll in their graves with Anna-"

My hands curl and splay to the trigger, pointed on her. "Don't go there. Count your lucky stars that you're even alive-"

And then she dives, hand gripping at my shoulders and rotten breath and she smells like Purgatory, like they've rubbed their filth on her and her eyes are wide and beady as she shakes me. "I killed Anna, I let her die, I knew and I let her die. I was in the car!" She's screaming now and I've wondered what they've done to her, what's pushed her. "I hit her! Jessica drove and we hit her when Cliff told us not to but I killed that bitch because I hated her and I hate you and this and-"

Mandy doesn't get to ramble anymore when the gun is to her forehead and the bullet is lodged within her cranium, only then she collapses and the puddle of blood surrounds her head. Jessica screams and weeps and I stare down at her. Blinking, as if it has not processed on what I just did. She killed Anna. Cliff told her not to. 

Stella takes care of Jessica and she's suddenly pulling me and we've located their stash. Stella collects as much as she can but my mind and sight are blurred as we run to the car. The blood feels sticky on my hands and it's only then I realize that it splattered. I don't wipe it away.

"This was a bad idea," Stella shouts. "Something's wrong, I can feel it."

And I nod, because something is wrong. The mark on my neck is burning and that's what anchors me as we drive. I don't protest when she pounds the gas pedal and we're rocketing down the street, into the dirt path and I can see it in the distance, smell the smoke.

The house is a flame with fiery red and yellow and I'm jumping out without realizing. Stella slows and the car is abandoned as we run. 

"Liam!"

-----------------------------

Dun dun dunnnnnnnnn!

Now we're getting to a lot of action because we're gonna be hitting climax within the next few chapters! This was a crazy chapter and I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I wanted to get something up because I haven't posted in foreveeer. I want this to be finished ASAP and as of now, I'm unsure of the future of the sequel because life is about to get even more crazier, lol.

I don't know. I guess we'll see.

Anyway, until next time, 

- CeCe.