April's POV

My heart beat manically inside my chest as soon as Rick's eyes moved to my own. Me? April as in April Evans? Instantaneously, eyes turned to stare at me, each glare as sharp as the last.

"M-me?" I mouthed the words, no sound coming out. Smooth April – you look like a muted mime.

He nodded slowly and flashed a killer smile in my direction, his canines indefinitely elongating. In that moment, he looked more wolf than werewolf. "Yes you." He mouthed back.

"April? Why the hell did you pick April?" Aiden spat the words, his brow creasing.

"Like I said, the Pinewoods pick who the person getting questioned is. Since I suggested the game, I choose the person. And you did willingly agree to it, Aiden." Rick shook his head scornfully. "And I pick April. Everyone here is taking part so she has to answer the 5 questions... truthfully."

"Well, that depends if April even wants to play." Aiden retorted leaning back slightly in his chair as silence settled over the scene. I remained silent, too scared of my voice to speak.

"Well she stayed for the game and didn't back out when I suggested it, so she's our chosen person." Rick argued. I glanced over his shoulder and puckered my brow at the sight of a rather sheepish looking Noah sulking behind Rick.

His usually smiling eyes were dull and his cheeks were voided of any colour, giving his face the illusion of being sunken in. What's wrong with Noah? I felt a part of me wither at the sight of Noah's obvious discomfort – despite all he'd done, I was still human and I didn't feel hatred towards him.

"Why don't we just ask April?" A slurred statement from a drunken Daniel.

"Umm... I'm not too sure I'll be the best person to pick." I admitted, shrugging. I had no major drama, no tea to spill.

"Are you too scared to play? Come on April... it'll be fun." Rick's words crawled under my skin and I felt my skin getting hot from how agitated I felt at his assumptions.

"No. I'm not scared or cowardly – if you want me to play then fine. I'll play... but only because you're so desperate for me to play."

"Fine." He spat back.

"Well, let's start."

"Good." Rick instantly turned to his 'crew' and whispered something to them in a low tone. But judging by Aiden's jaw and dark eyes I sensed that what was being said wasn't anything good.

Instantly, I felt an array of shadows behind me and I frowned, turning slightly to see what the disturbance was. My lips pulled downwards at the sight of Diego, Emma, Beau, Kaden and Nina standing behind me giving me small smiles. Well, Kaden's usually serious expression wasn't misplaced and he gave me a little nod instead.

"Question number 1." Rick smiled coldly, "What caused your accident?"

I was taken aback by the abruptness of both his tone and nature of the question; my mouth hung open slightly and I heard Nina take a sharp intake of breath. The accident? Why does he care? My jaw tightened angrily.

"What kind of question is that you little fuck?" Aiden hissed with so much venom laced into his tone that I flinched slightly.

"Let her answer, Aiden."

"Her is called April, Rick." Cole interrupted from somewhere in the shadows, his voice no longer amiable. I was grateful for the interruption. I took a deep breath and found my brow scrunching up as I forced myself to think back to the events that lost me 6 months of my life.

"Our car was driven off the bridge." I said slowly. "I think it's fairly obvious what happened after that." There was silence. After a few moments, I realized that they wanted further expansion - Rick raised a sharp eyebrow.

"What caused it?"

"You're not a sensitive guy, are you?"

"Answer the question April," he pouted, "you're ruining the game."

I spluttered for air, glaring at him in exasperation. "I think it was a fox that ran into the road. We swerved."

Rick looked amused and he turned back to grin slightly at Noah who remained motionless behind, his eyes cast downwards, his cheeks even more pinched than before. What is wrong with him? Where's Kayla?

"A fox? Interesting."

"Interesting isn't the word I'd use –" I paused, hesitating. "Why do you care?"

"We'll be the one asking the questions here," he retorted.

"It seems like you're the only one asking them." I muttered under my breath, too quiet for them to hear. A soft snort sounded from behind from Emma and I quickly dared a peek at Aiden who was staring at me, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. His hand darted out to mine, enclosing it into his firm grasp. He squeezed it gently, keeping his eyes trained ahead - my heart jumped slightly at the gesture.

"Question number 2. Is it true that you and Aiden are real mates? There's no... Other people involved with you two?" Barbara. Was the first thought that instantly wormed its venomous way into my head.

"That counts as two questions, Rick." Beau remarked, his tone cold.

"Its fine," I managed to splutter out, desperate to finish this damned game as quickly as possible without any pointless arguments breaking out and delaying the end. "Yes, we are mates." I looked towards Aiden but he wasn't looking my way. He was staring right at Barbara.

"Is there anyone else involved with your mate bond?" A blonde haired, irritable looking boy exploded from behind Rick. I glared at him from the corner of my eye and then paused, biting my tongue and looking towards Aiden and Barbara. Is anyone else involved with you and Aiden?

"If there was, I highly doubt I'd confide in you." I answered honestly.

"Stop being so sassy!"

"Then stop asking stupid questions!"

"Why? Don't you," he paused looking around him. "Trust us?"

"Trust you? You're a sly dog."

"April - answer the damn question!"

"Fine," I retorted, pausing slightly. "I don't know." I admitted.

Aiden's head whipped towards me quickly but I ignored him and forced myself to keep staring at Rick. I peeked at Aiden's expression from the corner of my eye mid-way through Rick asking me something about if I had been marked. His eyes had bled into black and his expression was expressionless with a hint of anger making his jaw tighten. I swallowed hard. I answered it truthfully... right?

"Fine." He snapped back. "Question number 4. If you only had 24 hours left to live, what would you do and why?" I felt my stomach drop.

"It's none of your business." I snapped at him, my defensive side instantly coming up – this question was personal. More personal than the rest and I certainly wasn't answering it because of him.

He leaned forward menacingly, but so did I, adamant about not feeling intimidated. Well, maybe by his teeth and dilated pupils. "Answer the question." He growled – an actual growl.

"Why are you so curious about my life?! These aren't even good truth questions."

"You agreed to play the game – this is part of the game. Answer the question."

I swore softly under my breath. I may have been easily intimidated but I certainly wasn't a loser and I didn't call quits on a game for no reason.

"Fine." I spat, crossing my arms over my chest. "If I had only 24 hours to live, I would keep things normal - as normal as it could be. I wouldn't want me dying to be some dramatic affair. Everyone dies. Isn't life a celebration, not a mourning?" I wasn't surprised by how flat my voice sounded. "I would fix some of my regrets, say my goodbyes – I wouldn't want to leave any loose ends. And then I would leave."

"You would leave?" He sounded incredulous - confused even.

"Is that your last question?" I asked hopefully, perking up slightly.

"No. No way." He said firmly, shaking his head to hammer in his point.

I hung my head, avoiding the open mouths and eyes I knew I had on me. They were shocked by my answer – a week ago, even I would have been shocked at myself. But not anymore. It was time I realized and said what I wanted; it was time I made a stand, did what I wanted to do, not what people wanted of me. It was time I started 'living,' breathing, not worrying – where did that get you in the end? I didn't want to spend my whole life worrying about school, then college, then work, then bills and money. It was endless. What's the point of being blessed with life if you weren't going to be remembered for it, if you weren't going to enjoy it?

"Last question."

"Make it a good one."

"Would you let anyone here," he looked around slyly, smiling. "Take a question for you?"

I frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Your last question is if we can ask someone else a question. Instead of you."

Someone else? Of course. This is a quick pass for me... but why? "Sure. If they agree to it of course."

Rick licked his lips, his ring fingers playing with the several studs in his left ear so that they caught the light. "How about..." his gaze befell some poor victim. "Barbara."

My head whipped towards her, but her well-trained years of practice had taught her not appear startled in front of others. She wore a mask almost as well as Aiden, but I caught the slight shake of her fingers as she smiled mockingly back at him, her dark blue eyes glowing.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Rick? Do you butt into everyone's business or is it hereditary?" Her tone remained level with just the right amount of tease in it. Aiden would be proud.

"Are you too scared to take part?"

"No. I'm just saying, this game is pointless – like April said, it's an excuse to stick your large nose into other people's business and ask them difficult questions to put them on the spot. Everyone else here just wants a good time, good food and alcohol – not some stupid 'truth game' where the questions are of no interest whatsoever to anyone but yourself." I silently applauded her courage and wished I was the same.

"Well, Barbara, for that little performance, I'll make sure your question is extra hard –"

I quickly cut him off, guilt washing over me. "No. Wait, I'll answer the last question. I have nothing to loose." I quickly interrupted, shrugging.

Rick turned his glare to me and gave me a grim smile. "Should have thought of that before you gave it away."

I gritted my teeth, opening my mouth to protest again, but Barbara beat me to it. "Whatever. Just ask me the damn question Rick."

"Fine." He replied, grinning. "Let's see. What do you guys think we should ask?" He indicated to his pack behind him, his voice deliberately loud and overly theatrical.

"Are you in love with Aiden?" The question fell out of his mouth with no hesitation.

I could feel her own heart puncture from here. I know because it felt like mine did too.

"That's ridiculous Rick, why the hell would you ask that? " Beau snapped from behind me, his arms leaning heavily against the chair as though he was unable to support his own weight.

"Let her answer." Rick snapped back, his eyes flashing menacingly. Beau flashed his finger at him in response spitefully.

Barbara's entire body was shaking now, right from her knees to her hands. I glanced at Aiden, my expression pinched and lower lip trembling like the nerves that shook my stomach. He stared stonily at the floor – he didn't look as though he would move any time soon. His entire expression was masked. Blank.

"No." Barbara finally whimpered her voice shaky and weak.

Rick cocked his ear, smirking. "What? Sorry, didn't hear you there."

Barbara glared at him angrily, her honey-brunette curls flicking behind her, whipping some poor soul in the face. "I said no."

"Lies!" He growled, his eyes dilating and contorting into glossy, rust coloured balls of flames. His canines extended and dug into his lower lip, almost pricking them. "Tell the fucking truth – I know someone here knows the truth."

I knew what was going to happen – I didn't want it to happen. Please don't say yes.

"Answer the question," he growled again, more firmly this time.

"Yes! Yes I am."

"And..." he looked at Aiden obviously, his lips pulling downwards in a frown.

"No more damn questions. Get out. Now." Kaden's voice held all the threat he needed. Rick didn't bother arguing – I could almost imagine Kaden's brown eyes flashing with anger, his nostrils flaring and his jaw set. I wouldn't want to disobey him.

Rick stood up and shot our group one last look of pity - because you just ruined everything. It's all in shambles. Happy now? My inner voice screeched at him, but I kept my expression blank. Passive. Expressionless. A soft hand was placed gently on my shoulder and I recognized it as Nina's. She squeezed my shoulder slightly and another hand, a freckled, long fingered hand was placed on my other shoulder, a jade ring on their forefinger. Emma.

I felt myself weeping inside like a young child at how unfair this whole situation was – why can't it just be simple? What good did Rick do anyone? I couldn't bring myself to man up; I just wanted to finally talk to someone – all my life I bottled things up and they'd go away eventually, unspoken and unheard of. But my mum was here – I wanted to hug her, cry with her, talk with her, spend time with her. All those times we never spoke, never had much to say because of my own incompetence, I suddenly regretted. I wanted to talk to her about Aiden, cry to her about my problems so she could work her motherly power to fix it. But I couldn't because I was here.

Silence fell over us and I looked up, noticing that nearly everyone had drifted away and now hovered near the BBQ area and were milling around inside the house, their eyes darting towards our own little group. I could almost imagine their whispers. Oh no wait, there really were people whispering about us.

"I'm sorry April," Barbara said softly. "I can't help who I love – who loves me back. I can't help the feelings I feel. I'm sorry you had to find out like this, that everyone had to find out like this." Her voice was full to the brim with tears. Who loves me back...? Who loves me back? What does she mean who loves me back?

I felt myself stand up, my mouth wobbling and open in a small 'o' as though I made to say something. My vision blurred at the corners and I kept my head down, shaking my head – it's okay. It's fine. Everything - this whole thing... It was too good to be true. Aiden was too good to be true. No other words formed and I shook my head, indicating I was fine.

"It's - it's fine." I managed.

Am I fine?

No.

Leave. Run. Escape. Do what you do best.

And so I did. I turned quickly on my heel, unable to take the pitiful looks and unspoken tension anymore. A hand reached for my shoulders, but I slipped under them and ripped away from their grip. Anywhere. Anywhere but there.

I finally glanced up and inhaled deeply. I had entered the woods that surrounded the house – the same woods that I felt trapped by when I was kidnapped. I let my thoughts lead me and blocked everything out until I reached a small clearing. I found myself collapsing onto a tree stump – I wheezed heavily, choked, ugly sobs forming in my throat but I refused to let my tears fall. Don't be weak; just ignore it, it'll go away.

I squeezed my eyes shut. I was not weak – love wasn't everything – pain happens, you feel heartbreak. Why only feel the good in life; how do you distinguish between good and bad then? You deserve this – its life April. You're finally living life. I had no idea where I was or how far I'd gone but it was far enough – away from them all, away from my problems. Or is the problem in you? Surely you can't run from yourself, April.

A growl sounded from somewhere beyond the shadowy pines and I raised my head, suddenly alert. Oh damn. I sat up straight and scooted backwards, my eyes widening slightly. The growl sounded again, but this time it sounded... familiar. Almost musical and light, like a familiar boy's laugh accompanied with that smile. I felt my eyes closing. My expression relaxed, the tensed muscles loosening slightly. Thankfully the logical part of my mind remained intact and I cracked open one eye to see more. A werewolf no doubt. I panicked slightly, images of those dilated pupils, sharp canines, Diego shifting the time I found out about their existence. But I felt myself relax again as I smelt that woody, cinnamon smell that made my knees go weak.

The growl sounded, closer this time and my traitor body relaxed. My shoulders sagged and my tears freely fell onto my cheek, into the corner of my lips like salty rainfall. The sun winked knowingly as it said its goodbye, the orb sinking to reveal a topaz smudged horizon, twinkling stars barely visible in the light. The growl again... closer. But I felt just heavenly hearing it.