"Evie you're back!" Kari screeches as we walk into the pack house.

She runs at me and wraps me in a bone crushing embrace. I laugh and hug her back lovingly, but with just as much force.

"Yeah I'm back..." I say. I slowly release her from our hug and look around.

It feels like forever since I have been here. I know that it's only been a week or so, but my body feels foreign here. The faded wood on the stairs, the cream colored walls, I missed it all. Kari grabs my hand and drags me toward the game room.

I'm about to question why she is bringing me here but she opens up the door and I see a room filled with familiar faces. I can't help but smile to myself, I never knew I could miss my friends and family so much.

Rosie stands abruptly from the couch. Her hair seems a tad shorter but besides that she hasn't changed much. She looks at me with watery-wide eyes and runs to my side, stopping as soon as she gets next to me.

"Ev." She says and sniffles a bit. "I've missed you."

Smiling, I pull her into a hug. "I've missed you too Rosie."

Suddenly someone hugs both of us from behind. Their face is hidden from me but they squeeze tightly and both Rosie and I have our breaths forced out of us.

"Don't forget about me." Jason says. I smile as I realize it's him. We're the three musketeers again.

It's nice to have all my friends back. They let go of me and I notice Ralf sitting on the couch along with his brother Ryan. Wait Ryan?

My smile brightens even more as they stand. I run over to Ryan and hug him. He seems shocked for a moment but throws his arms around me as well.

"You're back from the army!" I shout happily. He laughs, his chest rumbling under my embrace. Suddenly a growl sounds from behind me. I let go of Ryan and turn around to see Rosie glaring at me angrily.

Then it hits me. I take a step away from Ryan and he pulls Rosie into his arms lovingly. She snaps out of her death stare, an apologetic look quickly replacing it.

"Oh shit." she covers her mouth. "I'm sorry Evelyn. I didn't mean to growl at you." She blushes embarrassedly.

I smile. "Don't worry about it." I say with genuine happiness in my voice. I look between her and Ryan. "You guys look cute together though." I add with a wink.

She giggles and hugs Ryan. "Don't we!"

He laughs and ruffles her hair. Like a child, she looks up at him and pouts.

"Ryan I'm not a little kid anymore. You don't have to keep ruffling my hair..." He smirks and kisses her on the lips with a light peck.

"I know, you're just too cute. I couldn't resist."

I turn from their adorableness and look back at Jason and Kari. They are finishing up their casual conversation. I take this time to glance around them and look for Bryce and Gavin, checking to see if they followed us. Sadness sweeps over me as I notice they aren't there, I sigh.

"Evelyn you're probably tired, did you want to go to bed?" Kari says, interrupting my thoughts. I shake my head.

"No I managed to get some sleep on the plane, I'm not that tired." I say. Then I remember my little niece and nephew. "How are Rain and Ray?" I ask.

"They are doing awesome. Bryce went to go play with them since he has been gone for a little while." She says.

I grab a piece of my hair and twirl it in my fingers. "Do you think I could go see them?" I ask sweetly. She laughs.

"Of course you can."

Kari walks me through the pack house. Jason decided to stay back with Ralf and play Call of Duty on the tv. Apparently Ralf is depressed because Tanya broke up with him. Poor kid. Can't say I didn't see it coming though, she does that. She uses men then moves on to the next guy.

As we turn the corner we run into some unexpected guests. A smile is forced upon my lips and they gladly return the favor.

"Evie?" Ashley says gently.

"Mommy! It's Evie!" The cutest little voice screams.

Suddenly my legs are attacked by a nine year old boy. I laugh and reach down, scooping Kyle up into my arms and squeezing him tightly. He giggles and hugs me back.

"Speaking of the devil. Welcome home squirt, we missed you." Laine says as she leans against the wall.

I smirk. Oh it's good to be home. I missed these guys so much it is unbearable. I place Kyle back onto the floor and Laine looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to bring it in for a hug?" she asks.

I laugh and walk over to her. She hugs me surprisingly hard then she whispers, "Don't scare us like that ever again."

I smile into her shoulder. It's nice to know everyone was worried about me. It shows just how close our pack has grown to one another. It's so nice to be a part of this family.

I release the hug, "It was nice seeing you guys... It feels like forever..." I add.

"It has, we missed you a lot Evie." Ashley says as she cradles a tired Kyle in her arms. How is he tired already? He seemed so happy and hyper just a moment ago.

"I missed you guys too."

"Well I can sense something going wrong in my room right now... I shouldn't trust Bryce alone with the kids for too long." Kari adds.

"True." Laine says.

Ashley nods in understanding.

"It was good seeing you guys!" I add as Kari walks around them and continues our trek.

"It was good seeing you too!" Both Laine and Ashley shout at the same time. I hear their laughter grow distant as we walk away.

We reach Kari's room and she opens up the door. I step in and look over at the cribs. My mouth drops open in shock. Bryce is holding a screaming Ray and trying to calm him down. Next to him, Gavin is holding a crying Rain. He looks flabbergasted, he doesn't know what to do. He looks like a deer caught in headlights.

"Guys, you're terrible babysitters." Kari says and brings her hand to her head in disappointment. She looks at me, "Come on, let's help."

I nod and walk over to Gavin. He looks at me worriedly and I giggle.

"Here let me have her." I say and reach out. He hands her to me and I cradle her in my arms. She lets out one last wail then blinks her teary eyes.

I brush off her tears and kiss her little head. She smiles and reaches for my face. I laugh and grab her hands in mine. She is too cute.

"How did you do that?" Gavin asks shocked. He stands close behind me and peers over my shoulder at Rain. His closeness satisfies my body and I smile.

"I guess I'm just good with kids. Well more like I'm good with Rain. Ray doesn't like me this much." I say and stroke Rain's cheek. She nuzzles her face into my hand and closes her eyes.

"Evelyn!" Kari says. I look up at her. "Would you mind getting some baby formula from the kitchen? Bryce and I will take care of the kids until then. It's their feeding time."

"Sure thing." I walk over to Bryce, my body slugs in disappointment from leaving Gavin. I hand him Rain.

He happily takes her in his arms. She looks up at him and lets out a small wail. She quickly quiets down as Bryce begins to rock her slowly. I turn back to Gavin.

"Come on." I say. He follows me out of the room silently.

We head down to the kitchen. To my luck there are only a few people sitting at the table eating. I walk up to a cabinet that has the baby formula and open it. I reach up to grab some formula powder but it's too far. I let out a frustrated sigh. Sometimes I just hate being short, it makes me feel needy.

"Need help?" Gavin asks. I nod.

"Yeah can you grab the formula while I start to heat up some milk?" I ask nicely.

He nods and grabs the formula from the cabinet as I get some milk from the fridge.

After heating up the milk and adding the formula, Gavin and I bring the bottles up to Kari. Her and Bryce take them from us and she tells us we can go. She is going to put them to sleep after they eat so they don't have a need for us anymore.

As we walk away from the room Gavin turns to me.

"Do you know where this room is?" He asks casually.

He hands me a folded slip of paper that he just pulled out of his pocket. I unfold it and read the room number to myself. Huh, this is in our guest wing.

"Yeah, I know where it is. Why?" I ask.

"Bryce said I could stay there until my sister and Seth return." He says and runs a hand through his hair. It falls messily over his forehead and he looks sexier than normal.

Wait, I just said he looks sexier than normal! Shit, snap out of it girl! I take a deep breath and bite my lip. This odd urge to kiss Gavin passes through me. No, I need to stand my ground. Focus girl.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?" He asks and reaches up to my neck with his hand.

When he touches it, something in my body is triggered. The sensation running through me feels so nice. It isn't like the usual soothing sensation when I have pain. I have the urge to let out a small moan but I contain it. Shit! I said focus, not get even more distracted!

I grab his hand quickly and remove it from my neck. I let out a small relieved breath. Oh thank god. Breath. Think about cold showers and not Gavin.

"I'm fine now. Thanks." I say. I take a second to calm my body down. "I will show you how to get to your room. It's odd though, I didn't know you and Bryce got along so nicely."

"Yeah, well... I guess he is happy I helped them out a bit when they went to save you." I smirk.

"Gavin I know you were the one who told them where I was. You helped out a lot more than anyone else." I say. He just looks away. 

I get him to his room and open the door. I walk up to his bed and sit down. He shuts the door, grabs the remote for the TV and sits on the floor in front of me. He turns it on then changes the channel to hockey.

"Gavin." I say.

"Yeah." He adds.

"Thanks for helping me. I know you only did it because I helped you get your sister back but I want you to know that I don't consider that a debt you had to pay back. You don't have to force yourself to help me." I say and play with the white strip of my hair. I hear a sigh and Gavin runs his hand through his hair again.

"That's not it..." He pauses and lets out a frustrated breath. "Never mind."

"No, what were you trying to say." I ask.

"You wouldn't understand." He says and I huff.

"Try me Gavin."

"No, it's nothing. You're right, I only helped you because you got my sister out of that hell hole." He says. I feel a sharp sting in my heart. "You don't have to hang around me Evelyn. I will be fine here until Adrianna and Seth return. Go back to Jason, I'm sure he misses you."

I frown an say, "I was just trying to be nice." I sigh and stand. "If you wanted to be left alone that's all you had to say..."

I walk away from the bed and out of his room. I close the door and don't look back once. Why does he do that? He doesn't let anyone in. He just pushes people away. Or is it just me he pushes away? Am I that repulsive to him?

A flash of pain flows through the mark again. I bite my lip and try to ignore it as best as possible. It is hard to ignore something so painful. I steady myself and walk back to the game room where I know I will find Jason and Ralf.

Just as I suspected, they are sitting on the couch playing call of duty. I plop onto the single chair and watch them play. Neither of them notice my presence. It is rather funny how absorbed they get in video games. Must be nice to not have a care in the world.

After about an hour of them killing people they finally decide enough is enough, they turn off the game and I'm practically asleep on the single chair. Jason walks up to me and bends down. He looks and me and smiles.

"Hello there sleepy." He says.

"Hi." I say with a yawn.

"Want to come sleep in my room?" He asks. I nod.

It's been so long since I've slept in there. I miss the comfort of his room. He scoops me up in his arms.

When we get to his room he places me on the bed and I get under the covers. He changes into his gym shorts but doesn't bother putting a shirt on. He hops into bed next to me and pulls me into an embrace.

Then I realize something. I don't like being in his arms as much as Gavin's. And the scent in Jason's room doesn't even compare to the scent of Gavin's shirt that I am still wearing from the airport. I mean at first I was thinking it might be the mark that Gavin gave me but it can't be. I noticed all these things before he marked me. I just never admitted them to myself.

Jason may have always been there with me when I was younger but now, Gavin is the one who is always there for me. Whenever I was alone at that place in the Netherlands, he was there. When I was sad, he would cheer me up. Why can't these feelings for Gavin be for Jason? It would make my life so much easier. Ugh, it's so confusing but I just know that I don't belong here in Jason's arms.

I'm glad I've finally mad a decision but this is going to be hard on my heart... Gavin doesn't like me as more than a friend. I don't even know if he likes me as a friend. I just know that I can't sit here and not do anything about these feeling. I know what I want now.

A surge of pain throbs in my mark. I grab my neck and hold down my cry. This one strangely hurts more than the others. I struggle to get up and out of Jason's arms. I hear him let out a light snore and he turns lightly in his slumber. Relieved I didn't wake Jason, I stumble over to the door and open it. Another flash of pain cuts into me and I let out a little cry.

I use the wall as support and make my way over to Gavin's room. I know I said I can deal with this pain on my own, but this time, I can't. I knock on the door quietly. Another flash hits me and I feel my legs go weak. I use the door handle to hold me up.

Then the door opens. I stumble forward but I am caught before I hit the ground. Strong arms help me stand back up and I place my hand on the door frame.

"Evelyn?" Gavin asks. I let out a sigh and nod. I feel my muscles go weak again.

Gavin catches me before I fall. He helps me into his room and onto his bed. While he goes to shut the door, I dig my head in his pillow and let out a small cry as another flash of pain courses through my whole body.

I feel my hair being moved from my shoulder. I can sense another flash of pain building up. Then I feel the coolness flow over my mark and into my body. I sigh as the pain begins to dwindle.

After a while I start to calm down, easing my breathing and relaxing my body. I slowly sit up and see Gavin sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. He slowly removes his hand from my neck. I stare up at his gray eyes.

"Thanks." I say. He goes to get off the bed but I catch his arm. "Wait. I didn't just come here for your help." I add.

"What do you mean?" He asks. I sigh and look down nervously.

"Gavin, I know this is going to sound weird, but just hear me out..." I take a deep breath, here goes nothing. "I think I might... I might be falling in love with you..."

I feel his hand freeze underneath my grip.

"I know you think I like Jason but he is just a brother figure to me. And this mark." I say as I reach up to touch it. "I don't regret it at all. The only pain I get when I think about it is how you seem to regret it. I know that you probably have a mate out there somewhere, but for some reason the thought of that kills me inside. I'm sorry if you find me repulsive I just had to tell you how I fee-"

Gavin cuts me off by lifting my chin. Before I can even grasp what is happening he kisses my lips. I kiss him back passionately. After a while I slowly stop our kiss.

I smile. "Oh." I say with realization.

Then I remember the whole mate thing. Somewhere out there, Gavin has a mate. When he meets her he will want her more than me. My feelings for him won't change because I don't have my wolf. When that day comes what will I do?

"Gavin, I really like you a lot but I don't want to keep you from your mate." I say. "I mean I won't ever get my wolf back but you will find her eventually. I don't think I could bear you leaving me for someone else..." I say.

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair messily. I watch as the pieces fall gently onto his forehead.

"I have a feeling that won't be a problem..." He says.

"What do you mean?" I ask. Is he crazy? That could be a huge problem.

"Remember when we met Gloria?" He asks. I nod my head. What does she have to do with anything? "When she shifted, I was intrigued by her. Every movement she made caught my eye..." I frown and an impossible anger surges through me.

"Your mate is Gloria? Out of all people?" I shout with tears forming in my eyes. He looks at me shocked.

"Evelyn no! When I looked into her eyes I felt nothing. I only felt things for her wolf." I blink a few times.

"Wait, but her wolf is-"

"Your wolf." Gavin says. I frown.

"So you're my mate?" I ask.

"I think so..." Gavin adds. I glare at him. He gives me a confused look.

"You have thought that I was your mate for that long and you didn't tell me? Gavin are you serious? Why would you do this to me?" I say angrily. He runs his hand frustratedly through his hair.

"I wanted to Evelyn, but I didn't want you to like me because we could possibly be mates. When I saw that you and Jason were a thing and how happy you were, who was I to be the one to take that away?" He says. I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest.

"Boys are so dumb." I state. Then I sigh. "Gavin I wish you told me earlier. Then I wouldn't-" I'm cut off by a sting of pain.

I let out a small cry and grab my neck. Shit this hurts worse than the last one. What the hell? I'm right here next to him, this shouldn't be happening. I whimper as the pain gets worse. Heat floods through my body and I start to get light headed.

I feel a bit of coolness on my neck but it isn't enough. The next thing I know the coldness is gone and replaced by full on heat and pain.

I manage to open my eyes slightly. I see Gavin looking at me terrified. His hand is on my neck but I can barely feel it. I let out another small cry.

"Evelyn it's not working." He says worriedly. I let out a pained breath.

"It hurts." I say and let out another small cry.

"Evelyn the mark, it's disappearing. Its almost gone." He pushes me down so I'm lying on my back. "Do you trust me?" He asks. I nod.

He gives me one last worried look and I close my eyes. The next thing I feel is a surge of pain in my neck. I let out a cry and grab onto the comforter under me. I squeeze it hard as the pain continues.

Then it's gone. I let out a some air and breath deeply. I feel light tingles spread in my neck. The mixture of relief and this tingly feeling causes me to let out a small moan. I open my eyes and see Gavin gazing at me. His gray eyes have a glimmer of hope in them. I sit up and touch my neck.

It's damp and moist. I pull my hand away and look at it. It's covered in blood, weird I didn't know I was bleeding. Wait what? I'm bleeding so that means... Gavin bite me again?

Gavin reaches out and grabs my wrist.

"Lets go clean you up..." He says.

He helps me out of the bed. He watches for a moment to make sure I can hold myself up. When he is satisfied with my ability to do so, he leads me into the bathroom. He motions for me to sit on the counter next to the sink.

I do so without questioning him. He comes back over to me with a cloth in his hands. He runs the water in the sink and dampens the cloth. He looks up at my neck and moves a few stray pieces of hair away from it. He sighs.

"Your t-shirt is kind of bloody... sorry about that." He says quietly. I look down and see blood soaked through the t-shirt. Wow, I bled a lot this time...

"Oh... That's okay." I say. Well, I guess there's no point in wearing this messy t-shirt.

I grab the bottom hem of the shirt. I lift it up and over my head and throw it onto the floor. I deep growl sounds in front of me. I smirk and look up at Gavin. He's gazing at my body with darkened hungry eyes.

After a few moments he snaps out of it and looks at my mark again. He lifts the dampened cloth up to it and dabs it. A sting flashes as the water hits my open wound. I bite my lip to avoid letting out a cry.

As he is cleaning the blood off, his thumb ends up gliding over the mark. As he skims it, a delightful feeling fills me. I let out a small moan. Shit! That's embarrassing...

I blush lightly and look down, avoiding eye contact at all costs. Gavin accidentally skims his finger over my mark again and the same feeling passes over me. I shiver under his touch and hold in another moan. I feel my heart race as a need fills me.

God this feels so nice. He is only barley touching me with one of his fingers... How am I feeling like this just from his touch?

Gavin takes a step closer and I hear the cloth fall onto the counter behind me. I look up at Gavin. His eyes are dark gray and he is looking at me with huger. I feel him lightly place his hand on my upper neck.

Slowly he traces it downward. He reaches his mark and trails his hand over it. Something triggers in me and I let out a moan. It feels so good that I can't even think about whether or not my moan was embarrassing. I close my eyes and squeeze the counter top as my body shudders joyfully under his touch.

I let out quick heated breaths and look up into Gavin's eyes. I reach up and grab his shirt and pull him down to my level. I crash my lips to his heatedly and he gladly complies to my kiss. He trails his hands down to my butt and lifts me so I'm wrapped around his waist. He squeezes my butt lightly and I let out a little moan.

He gets us into his room and presses my back against the wall. I deepen the kiss and he flicks the lights in the room off. He keeps one hand on my butt and bring the other one up. He trails it along my sides and I shudder in delight as I feel tiny little sparks between our skin.

He breaks the kiss and I whimper. He smirks at that and places me on the bed. He is leaned over me at this point and another urge flows through my body. I reach up and pull him down to me again.

He growls lightly and I reach down to take his shirt off. He breaks the kiss and throws his shirt onto the ground. He crashes his lips back to mine. I trace his abs and he lets out another sexy growl. He trails his kisses down my neck and to my mark.

He kisses it lightly and I moan as this amazing sensation builds up in my body. He gently runs his tongue over it and I close my eyes. The sensation builds even more and I start to let out heavy breaths. After a few more kisses I feel my body quiver beneath him. My muscles go weak and I let out another moan. Gavin leans back up and looks into my eyes.

I let out heavy deep breaths and try to calm my body. He smirks and I roll my eyes. He's so cocky, but I love it. I crash my lips back to his and he kisses me back just as passionately. He reaches to undo my bra then breaks the kiss. He looks at me seriously.

"Are you sure you want this?" He asks.

"I've never been so sure of anything in my life."

*******************

I'm cuddled against Gavin's naked chest as he holds me in his arms. I've never felt so amazing and so complete in my life. The things this boy does to me... But I can't help my curiosity as a thought lingers into my head.

"Hey Gavin." I say quietly.

"Yeah?" he answers in a low tone.

"Where did Adriana and Seth go?" I ask.

Gavin reaches his hand up to my head and gently strokes my hair. My tired eyes struggle to stay open.

"Adriana had some unfinished business she had to attend to. Seth went to help." He says. I yawn.

"Well I'm glad they went somewhere or else we wouldn't be here right now." I say quietly. He laughs and pulls the covers over us.

"I guess that's one good way of looking at it." he says and I yawn again. He laughs lightly. "Good night Evie." he adds.

I smile. "Goodnight Gavin."