{edited/rewritten}

don't get too close it's dark inside

it's where my demons hide

---

"Are you ready to get going?"

It was almost midnight and Chance and I were still at Simon's house. We had just been talking all day about anything and everything. We were laughing and sharing stories of each other. I was getting tired since I had been out all day. I had a pounding headache and all I wanted to do was get into bed and go to sleep. The pack house wasn't exactly close to the river so if we didn't leave now, I might just fall asleep on Simon's couch.

Looking at Chance, I nodded. "Yeah, I need to wake up early tomorrow anyway."

Chance frowned. Tomorrow was his off day and I know he wanted to sleep in and cuddle with me. "Why?"

Simon was taking our cups from off the coffee table and bringing them to the kitchen. I stood up and grabbed my jacket from the back of the couch and then slipped my shoes back on. Without looking at Chance I said. "Well, I promised I would train the younger wolves. It's been getting pushed back ever since Carter came back. I sent out a text to the class earlier to meet up tomorrow around nine."

Chance nodded. "Want me to come with you?"

I shook my head. "No, you catch up on some sleep tomorrow. Ryan and Luke will be there with me. He insisted that he's healed enough for tomorrow."

Before Chance could say anything, Simon came back out from the kitchen. Simon and Chance gave each other a hug and Chance told Simon to come and visit more which caused Simon to smile. "How about you come to my neck of the woods sometime? Get it, because I live in the woods?"

I giggled which caused me to wince. My headache was only growing stronger. Chance came up beside me, a worried look on his face. "Are you alright, love?

I nodded. "I'm just tired."

Chance kissed my forehead which seemed to make me feel better a tiny bit. Chance led me to the door but I told him I'd meet him outside because I forgot my phone on the couch. He told me to hurry up so we'd get back sooner rather than later and I walked back into Simon's house. "Missing me already?"

I chuckled at Simon. "You wish. I just forgot my phone on the couch."

Simon went to the couch and tossed me my phone. I thanked him and began leaving again. Before I could leave again, he stopped me. "I just wanted to mention something to you really quick."

I turned around to face him. "Is something wrong?"

He shrugged one shoulder. "Something could be wrong or it could just be me and my funky warlock brain messing everything up again. BUT I need you to be careful over the next few months. It's just, every time I look at you, I sense something happening to you that can change your life for the greater good or bad."

Confused, I nodded my head slowly, processing the words. "Alrighty then, Simon. I think you had too much to drink tonight. On that note, I better get going before the beast outside gets even more impatient."

Simon gave me a small smile and hug. "Of course, Bailey. Again, it was so nice to finally meet you. Please don't be a stranger."

I smiled. "Don't worry, I won't be a stranger. If anything, you're going to get sick of me."

I turned around quickly and finally made it outside to where Chance was standing. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Everything okay, love?"

"Yeah, everything's just fine."

For some reason, I couldn't even believe my own words.

***

A knock on my bedroom door woke me up. When I didn't answer, Chance threw a pillow at the door, growling for it to shut up. I groaned and got out of bed, walking over to the door. "Time to wake up, Luna. The training starts in fifteen minutes."

I smiled, opening the door to see Ryan standing there. "Ry, stop calling me Luna, what have I told you?"

He sighed, "Right, Bailey. It's a habit, I'm on duty right now."

I shook my head slightly and just laughed and told Ryan that I would be out in ten minutes and to meet him downstairs. Looking at the right side of the bed, I saw that Chance was passed out again. I smiled and kissed his forehead lightly and then went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. After, I threw my hair up into a high pony tail and put on a pair of shorts, sports bra, and running shows. I grabbed my duffel bag that carried my water and phone and went downstairs. When I went into the kitchen, I saw Ryan shoving three full pancakes in his mouth. I laughed. "Someone's hungry."

Ryan jumped and turned around, bits of pancake flying out of his mouth. He mumbled something that I couldn't quite understand. I grabbed a granola bar from the cabinet and ate that while Ryan drank some milk to help the pancakes go down. when he wasn't eating anymore, he came closer to me. "I saw five pancakes sitting on the counter. I didn't think I could finish them in time if I ate one at a time. So, I shoved two pancakes into my mouth and ate that so easily. I then shoved the remaining three in my mouth, thinking it wouldn't make a difference. I was wrong because I couldn't eat three at a time."

I choked on my granola bar from laughing. "What the fuck, you're so weird."

Then we were both laughing and Ryan drank another glass of milk and put the dishes into the sink. "Anyway, are you ready to leave now?"

I nodded and Ryan grabbed my bag and began carrying his and mine. I thanked him and we both walked to the training center, talking about Hannah, Chance, Simon and just everything that came to our minds. Aside from Hannah, I think Ryan was one of my best friends here. He's a really cool guy and act like a protective older brother.

When Ryan and I finally made it to the training center, I realized we were sort of late. Way to be professional, Bailey.

When we walked in, everyone was sitting on the mats, waiting for Ryan and I. Luke was already there but I told him not to fight or anything today since he was still sort of recovering from Carter's minions.

"Hello, class." I said, coming to the front of the room to see everyone that showed up.

The group of wolves stood up and bowed. "Good morning, Luna."

I cringed inside, hating that people bowed at me. I frowned and looked at all of them. "When we're in training, do not address me as 'Luna.' In the training room, I am like every one of you. My name is Bailey. Do not go easy on me. I want everyone to fight like you would with Chance, okay?"

A chorus of 'Yes' sounded throughout the room. Ryan came up beside me and I began speaking and informing everyone what we would be doing today. "Today, is the last today to learn to fight in your human form. Tomorrow, Chance will be back and will be teaching us how to fight in our wolf forms. In today's class, you're going to learn how to kick properly."

And then, I jumped into it, hoping I wouldn't screw this up.

***

After about two hours of fighting, we were finally done training. I was sweating up a storm and my headache from last night was back. I rubbed my temples and then looked up at everyone when my eyesight wasn't blurry anymore. "Great job, everyone! You all did an amazing job. I'll see you all tomorrow for Chance's session. Go home and rest."

The class bid me their goodbyes and I looked at Ryan who was now sporting a bruise on his cheek. "Are you okay? That looks kind of painful."

H nodded. "That little bitch needs to learn her place. First Jenna 'accidentally' kicks you in the stomach and then kicks me in the face. She knew what she was doing. She knows the rules. We aren't supposed to punch to hurt or kick to hurt. Are you okay?"

I brought my hand down to my stomach, wincing a little at the throbbing that was occurring. "I'm fine. Make sure you ice that bruise, it'll help with the healing process."

"You ice your stomach too."

"Yeah, I will. Don't tell Chance about this. I don't want him to freak out or anything."

Ryan agreed with me, saying we didn't need an Alpha freaking out right now again. I didn't know what he meant by that, but I simply brushed it off. Ryan grabbed our bags and began walking back to the pack house in silence. Every time I breathe, it hurt. I really hope Jenna didn't break a rib.

When Ryan and I made it to the pack house, he walked to the kitchen and opened the freezer, pulling out two ice packs. "Here, go lie down upstairs. I'll bring your bag up later."

I took one of the ice packs from him and walked up the steps. As soon as I made it to Chance and I's bedroom, I took off my shoes and plopped right into bed. I laid down on my back and placed the ice pack on my stomach. I noticed my stomach was red and blotchy and I was praying that nothing serious was going on in there. I didn't want Chance to see so I grabbed his t-shirt from the chair and put it on, covering my stomach in the process.

I soon fell asleep, hoping and praying that by the time Chance came back, my wolf will have healed me.,

***

I woke up to small kisses. Chance was sitting on the edge of the next to me. "You alright, love?"

I groaned. "I'm perfect. Just a little tired."

Chance kissed my forehead and then smirked. "Want to try that again?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

He looked around the room. "There's an ice pack on the floor, your shoes aren't in the closet like they always are when you come in here and now that we are marked, I can feel what you're feeling. I can feel your pain. So, what happened?"

"I'm fine now."

Chance nodded. "So, you wouldn't mind if I checked?"

I sighed. "Go ahead."

Chance lifted up the shirt I was wearing and frowned. "What the fuck, Bailey."

I began to sit up but he pushed me right back time. "It can't be that bad."

Chance growled. "That bad? I think you have a broken rib! Your stomach is swollen and there's red blotchy spots all over. Who the fuck did this to you? How the fuck do you keep getting into situations like this?"

I took a deep breath, which hurt a bit to do. "No one, it was simply an accident."

"You're going to tell me who the fuck did this to you right now!" Chance commanded me to answer him. He fucking used his Alpha voice on me, something he never does."

"It was Jenna." I whispered, suddenly feeling small and nonexistent.

Chance cursed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm going to kill her."

Chance got up from the bed and I grabbed onto his hand. He shook my away, clearly very angry with me. "Bailey, no. No one harms the Luna on purpose."

I almost started crying. There was his crazed look in his face. "You can't kill her, Chance. Everyone will look at you differently."

Chance laughed bitterly. "Everyone has been looking at me differently, Bailey! Before you came along, before I began taking over, this is what happened. When someone broke the law or broke a rule or hurt someone above them, they were killed in the court! My father did that! I did that to someone too! If I went to kill her, that's what my pack would have expected of me. I kept this a secret from you because you're just so innocent, Bailey. You've been living in a fantasy about this pack! Ever since you got here, I've changed. I'm not the same Alpha I was before. My pack members think they can do whatever the fuck they want because I don't go killing anymore! Well, they're about to remember who I am."

I was genuinely scared. Who was this man in front of me? This is not the Chance I met nor the man I fell in love with. "If you go and kill her, I will never forgive you."

Something flickered in Chance's eyes but he shook his head and left our room, slamming the door behind him.

_________