[ Authors Note: I am looking to upload another two chapters in the evening. This is 1/5 for today. You can of course read these now or wait :) ]

Aila shifted on the spot and faced the man whose hands did not budge from her hips. Gabriel looked down at her; once again, the shirt he wore was soaked from the rain and blood; she placed her hands on his chest and leaned back, trying to create some space between them. But it only made her more aware of his shirt clinging to the rippled muscles beneath, something she quickly moved her gaze away from.

Aila glanced up and found herself mesmerised by his beauty once more but snapped out of her daze when she saw dried blood on one side of his lips. There was also something different, oh that's right, his white hair was in a low ponytail. She usually thought this looked stupid, but the way Gabriel wore it absolutely suited him.

This little assessment took only a few seconds before her mind caught up with her, and awareness seeped back into her. Aila now stood next to the woods, with Gabriel instead of helping the pack against the hunters in town.

"What have you done!?" She wriggled out of Gabriel's arms, "Chase is-"

A gunshot rang from the town, causing Aila to jump and cover her mouth with her hands. Tears sprung to her eyes and began to slide down her face.

"Oh, my goddess.." She whispered, "What…" She turned to face Gabriel, "Why did you do that?"

Gabriel's stone-cold face looked back at her as his icy gaze pierced through her, "A choice had to be made. I chose it for you, and it was the correct one, even if you do not think it so.."

Aila was nearly hyperventilating as she gasped, "Chase is dead.. because of you.."

She watched as no flicker of emotion flashed across his ethereal sculpted face, "Yes. He is."

Aila searched his eyes for anything, any remorse and saw none. "You intervened when you shouldn't have," She spoke through clenched teeth and her shaking hands fisted at her sides.

Aila's eyes dropped from his and looked in the direction of where the hunters were. Chase did not deserve to die and at the hands of his own father. And for what? Because he was actually a decent person..

But Aila was going to them! She was but a few steps away from them. Silas knew this; Aila made terms with him, sort of, more like he said he wouldn't do anything to Chase. But now, she was here, and not in the hunters grasp, all because of Gabriel..

Chase. Was. Dead.

Anger flashed behind her eyes, and she couldn't help at what happened next. She slapped Gabriel in the face, and his head swung to the side. He raised his hand to his cheek; she watched as his demeanour darkened and his jaw muscle began to tick.

Gabriel turned his head slowly back to face Aila, "Hate me all you want. But your life is more important than his." He held his icy gaze on hers, and she felt herself shiver from the intensity. He lifted a single finger and continued, "And Never. Strike. Me. Again. I am not your pet wolf." His words were slow, and she watched his indifferent attitude shift to one much more dangerous.

He moved his eyes from hers, granting her freedom, as he muttered, "No one has ever laid a finger on me. Some foolish enough have tried and not lived to tell the tale.."

Aila stepped closer to him, not at all bothered by the death stare he gave her. Nor was she intimidated by him and his words. "No one's life is more important-"

Gabriel scoffed and smiled, showcasing his fangs, "That.. my sweet, sweet Aila. Is where you are wrong."

Aila narrowed her eyes at him, still trembling with the rage she felt. She knew it was wrong of her to shift the blame onto him, but his demeanour and words were adding fuel to the fire.

"YOU are the key to everything," Gabriel continued and prodded her in the head. She blinked at the gesture. "If they have your blood, then they will create more of those wolves. They could create an army and destroy every single supernatural creature. You have seen them yourself, how many werewolves it takes to kill them."

Aila dropped her head and whispered the words on her mind, "I don't want to be the key." Then she raised her voice, meant this time for Gabriel to hear, "How come it's only me they are after? I'm not the only strong Royal bloodline? The Steel's-"

"Are NOT a Cross," Gabriel interrupted.

She raised her head and looked at him, furrowing her brows as she stared into his swirling blue eyes filled with centuries of wisdom. "Do you know why a Cross werewolf is so strong?"

His eyes flickered with some hidden knowledge, but before Aila could ask further, his face closed off and became impassive once more as he changed the topic, "I have not come here to 'chit chat', Aila. Come with me."

Aila blinked up at him, confused by his words, "Come with you where?"

"Somewhere where they won't find you. Somewhere safe."

Aila drew back from him, taking a step back in shock, "I can't come with you.."

He tilted his head, and without even speaking, she could see the question on his mind. So, she answered, "I'm not leaving my mate or my pack. I am safe here."

A spark of anger flashed across Gabriel's eyes. But he scrutinised her face for a long moment before replying in a calm stony voice, "The longer you stay with them, the more danger you put the pack in. The hunters know where you live. They've always known! They waited and planned this out, Aila."

Aila shook her head and took another step away from him. Was she putting them in danger?

"They will always be after you," Gabriel said gravelly. His words were like a splash of icy water thrown on her face. She stared into his swirling pools of blue and specks of red.

He was right.

The hunters would always be after her. That realisation set a heavy weight upon her shoulders as she sighed, looking away from the vampire before her.