I awoke to soft, feather-like movements on my back and by the electricity that shot through me like a bullet, I knew exactly who it was. The one who felt every inch of me mere hours before. The one who drove me crazy and made me throw all self consciousness out the window. The one who I loved more than anything in the world.

"Greyson," she softly whispered as she kissed my spine between my shoulder blades. "Grey, wake up."

Gavin shifted within me, wanted nothing more than to connect to Avery and River that way he had done last night over and over and over until I was physically shaking from exhaustion and ecstasy. She gently ran her fingers along my back.

The way she'd touched me last night...wow.

She was incredible.

"Grey, I know you're awake," she said with a light giggle. She leaned in close so her mouth was right next to my ear. "I can feel you."

A grin spread across my face as I turned over to face her. She smiled, her hair messy and unkempt. "There you are."

"Hey, little wolf," I greeted as she pressed her lips to mine, soft and serene.

"Hey, yourself," she carelessly said into my lips before she rested her forehead on mine and bit her bottom lip.

"What?" I asked.

She grinned. "Nothing. It just...it feels good to feel good. I feel so free and in love and strong and I love it."

I chuckled. "It is pretty great, but I still gotta help you train and gain control." She nodded before she ducked in a sharp breath, her fingers pressing against her temples.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I slightly pulled back so I could look her over.

"A pain just rushed through my head," she said.

I gave her a nod of understanding. "It's the link to the pack. You're connected to everyone emotionally and physically. Your motherly instincts with skyrocket and you'll feel traces of everyone's emotions, especially anger and pain."

She groaned. "So it's like I'm in heat all the time?"

I chuckled and kissed her temple. "Emotionally? Sometimes. But only if the pull is strong enough."

She nodded before she shifted her head so her lips were gently on mine, though there were no sexual motives behind her actions. Just pure affection. "I love you," she gently stated.

I smiled. Ever since she'd said it to me for the first time, what we had felt more special. More sacred. More right. I kissed her forehead. "I love you too."

She bit her bottom lip the way she did when she was trying to suppress a smile, causing something to settle deep within my stomach as she grabbed my hand and led me to the bathroom.

She'd been right. She was stronger than I'd thought. Her strong, unimpaired stride was proof.

I started the shower and we brushed our teeth side by side in front of the mirror, both bare and neither self-conscious. It felt natural and intimate. Once we made it into the shower, we shared soft touches and light kisses between the gentle strokes of the towel.

My body ached to have hers in the way it had mere hours before, but I had to keep the insatiable urge at bay and keep myself satisfied with light neck kisses and the feeling of our bodies fitting just right.

"I'm starving," Avery groaned as she gripped her stomach. "Can you make something?"

I shook my head and wrapped my arms around her. "You're not hungry for anything I can give you. It'll just hold you over for a while. You're hungry for the kill. You need to hunt." I clicked my tongue in thought. The pack was still a mess from the battle and I wouldn't dare take a new lycan beyond the pack borders.

She shook her head. "I can't do that. Not yet, especially not after," her face suddenly dropped, "Matthew. Oh my goddess, Matthew! Is he okay? Oh my- I forgot about him! I almost killed him!" The weight of her words pressed down on her as she brought her shaking hands to her mouth in disbelief as tears jumped to her eyes. "I'm a monster."

"No, no, no," I quickly said as I held her tighter. "You are not a monster. It wasn't you-"

"Yes it was," she said as tears spilled over her cheeks. "I remember it. I enjoyed it. The taste of his blood was addicting and I didn't care what I had to do to get more." She dropped her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking from her silent tears.

"Little wolf..." I trailed, my words failing to fall into place as I tightly embraced her. Almost instantly she began bawling into my chest. "I know this isn't easy, and I'm not going to lie to you and say it gets easier and time soon, but we're in this together, okay? Through every small victory and tough mistake. I know you didn't mean to and I know Matthew knows. He also won't blame you. You're a new blood that was thrown into the middle of a bloody battle. He'll understand."

My words for comfort didn't stop her from crying. In fact she cried more, her body violently shook in my arms as I held her. My heart ached.

"I want to see him," she softly said once she'd calmed down.

"Okay," I softly agreed.

"Then I want to see Phoenix. That bastard needs to answer to me."

I nodded. "Okay. Let's get you something to hold you over first, okay?"

She mutely nodded and I got to work. Within moments, her arms were around my waist and her cheek was pressed against my bare shoulder blade. Her body felt warm against mine.

I made her some quick omelettes with some meat that a pack member had caught. I tried to keep it as raw as possible to pseudo-simulate the taste of a fresh catch, but I knew it wouldn't trick River. She needed to feel the blood pulsing through the veins as you bite into them and the release of tension as life slipped away. I'd been the same way too.

We ate in silence. I snuck glances at her; looks of confusion and conflict battled in her eyes as she slowly ate what I'd made.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "It'll be okay little wolf. It just takes time."

She nodded before I slid my hand into hers and we made our way to the front door. The last I'd heard was that Matthew was okay but he hadn't woken up yet. His body had suffered a lot of trauma and needed time.

As we approached the door, I could feel her anxiety rolling in waves through the link and it crushed me. I tried to ignore the weight of guilt that was building on my chest but it was suffocating. It was my fault that Avery had gotten out of hand. I knew the risks and I still...

I pulled open the door and nearly screamed when I saw Atonya behind it, her first raised mid-knock. "Oh didn't mean to scare you two."

Avery let out a breath. "Oh hey. What are you doing here?"

"I came to make sure you two were ready to deal with the fallout of this war and weren't still screwing each other," she bluntly stated though there wasn't any maliciousness or disdain behind her words.

"Atonya-"

"What? I'm not blaming you. I know that for you lycans your drive is always on go but-"

"Thanks, Atonya," Avery said cutting her off before she cleared her throat, a blush staining her cheeks. I grin and kissed her forehead. You're cute when you blush, I told her through the link which made her blush deeper.

"What's the status?" I asked as we walked out the door with Atonya joining us.

"No one was hurt too badly. We had some near misses though. Phoenix knows how to fight, I'll give the bastard that. Andrew helped a lot." At the mention of his name, my jaw clenched.

"Where is he?"

"Andrew?" I nodded. "He's back in the cells. As soon as it was over he voluntarily went back. It was weird. Am I missing something or-"

"Did you take care of the witch?" I asked, not wanting to explain our history with Andrew nor did I want Avery to relive it.

Catching onto my drift, Atonya nodded. "Yes. She was powerful. She was channeling dark magic too, but thankfully the ancestors pulled through and gave me the strength I needed to put her down before she could cause any damage. Other than that, we had a clean sweep."

The smell of smoke and burning flesh filled my nose from a distance. "I can assume that they're taking care of the bodies as we speak?"

Atonya nodded. "Yes."

I looked over at Avery whose jaw was clenched, and I knew why. The stench of blood was still in the air and I knew it was killing her to fight the urge to run to it or spill some more. I pulled her close and leaned down to her ear. "You're doing great, little one. Just a little while longer."

She silently nodded and we walked faster.

"How's Phoenix?"

"He hasn't moved or spoken since he woke up. He knows he's lost and he knows what's coming to him," Atonya said and I nodded before I turned to Avery.

"You're going to get your revenge, little wolf," I softly whispered and she nodded.

"Yeah." Her voice sounded shaky but I didn't push it. She was going through a lot physically and emotionally.

It didn't take us long to make it to the hospital. It was full of our recovering pack members, and I was thankful that Avery put the protocol into place where the pack members who were unable to fight worked the medical staff or else the hospital would be in shambles. I pulled Avery into me, hoping that my scent would mask the slight scent of blood in the air. As we walked we got respectful bows from our pack members which I returned.

We need to do something for them, Avery commented through the link. They've done so much.

One thing at a time, little wolf, I softly said as I kissed her forehead as we approached the receptionist.

She bowed. "Good morning, Alpha. Luna. What can I do for you today?" She asked.

"Where is my Beta? Matthew?"

She typed something on the computer before she nodded. "He's in room one-twenty-two. Would you like me to direct you there, alpha?" Avery tensed in my arms and a low growl rumbled from within her as she stared the receptionist dead in the eyes. If looks could kill, she'd be demolished. Avery was becoming possessive. The mark and being a lycan would do that to you.

"Calm down, River," I softly whispered as I kissed her cheek. "You know I only have eyes for you." I turned back to the receptionist. "We can take it from here. Thank you."

She respectfully bowed and the three of us made our way to Matthew's room. "Have you seen him?" I asked Atonya.

She nodded. "He's physically fine but he just needs some more time."

Suddenly I felt something flow through the link between me and Avery. I couldn't describe it in a way other than feeling heavy and dark and suffocating. I turned to Avery and saw silent tears falling down her cheeks. She looked like she was about to fall into a million pieces at the slightest touch.

"Avery, what's wrong?" I softly asked as I took her face in my hands and tried to wipe her tears with my thumbs but they were ceaseless.

"All of this," she said as she motioned around us. "These people are hurt because of me Greyson. And I know you say he won't be mad but I hurt Matthew. God, I almost killed him. Do you know how awful that feels? How awful it actually is? And I haven't even thought about Natalie and I know she's holed up in one of these rooms too. Hurt and lonely because her brother's in here too because of me! But during all of this all I can think about is sinking my teeth into Phoenix's neck and blood, no matter who it comes from and I thought I could handle it, I really did but Greyson I'm so weak and scared and..." her words were cut off by a strangled sob as she shook. "I'm so scared. All I wanted to do was rip that woman's throat out for looking at you and I hate that I want it so bad."

"Avery..." I trailed but words failed to fall into place. She looked so broken and honestly scared. I knew that no matter how many times I told her it wasn't her fault, she would never believe me. At least not yet. But that didn't mean that I wouldn't try.

"Atonya go on and we'll catch up with you." She gave me a sympathetic look but she did what I asked. I grabbed Avery's wrist and led her into an empty room and closed the door behind us before I sat down on the bed, pulling her down on top of me.

"Avery, look at me," I gently said but she shook her head.

"Grey, I-"

"Avery, please."

After a few moments she looked up at me and in the reflection of her eyes I could see mine- gold surrounded by black. She gasped. "Grey, is it you or Gavin?"

"It's me," I gently reassured. She slowly reached out her hand and placed it on my cheek. I placed my hand on top of hers and held it. "I know this is hard. God, trust me I do. I know there amazing feeling of the epic highs and the crippling weight of the lows. But what you have to understand is that you're not alone and never will be, and no matter how many times you need to hear it, I will keep reminding you. This pack is here for you. Matthew, Natalie, me. Everyone. That's why they fought. For you. It was war, Avery. People were bound to get hurt, but at least no one died. Because you trained them."

"But Matthew-"

"-Is fine and will understand. Trust me Avery, he won't be mad. I promise. No one will be. You're learning and I will teach you. We'll get through this together, okay?"

She took a shaky breath and nodded before she placed her forehead on mine. "Okay."

I placed a quick, gentle kiss on her lips and let her hold it for as long as she needed before she pulled away. "Are you ready, little wolf?" I asked as I used my thumbs to wipe away the remainder of her tears and she nodded as she cleared her throat.

"Yeah, I, uh, I am."

I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed it. "I'm right here."

We stood up and I led her to Matthew's room and though I was eager to see him, I made sure not to move too fast.

When we walked in my eyes instantly landed on Matthew. Physically he looked fine but they had him hooked up to an IV, heart rate monitor, and had an oxygen mask on him. Atonya was standing over him, her palms facing him and her eyes closed as she softly chanted. "What's going on?" I asked, causing Atonya to slightly jump.

"Looks like we're both scaring each other," she said with a humorless chuckle. "I was scanning him and trying to figure out if there was a physical reason he wasn't waking up, but it just seemed like he doesn't want to."

Moisture built up in Avery's eyes but she quickly blinked it away as she slowly approached Matthew's unconscious figure. "Hey Matty," she softly said, her voice weak and fragile. "It's me, Avery. I just, uh...I just wanted to tell you I'm so sorry. I lost control and I hurt you which was the last thing I wanted to do, to you or anyone for that matter but I just...I couldn't handle it. But I'm trying." She sat on the edge of his bed and wiped his hair from his forehead. "Grey is gonna help me so no one gets hurt because of me ever again." She sighed and looked at him, her tears spilling onto her cheeks. "I promise I will make it up to you Matthew. Maybe I'll try to make you something if I don't burn down the pack in the process," she said, a humorless chuckle tagging itself at the end of her sentence as she wiped her cheeks. "Just keep fighting, okay?" She whispered before she leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. Gavin stirred within me, urked that the lips that had done so much last night were now touching another man, but I kept him at bay.

Just then, the door opened and a tired, haggard looking Natalie limped in, a cup of coffee in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other. She was bruised, letting me know that it was serious if the marks were still showing, and her arm with the coffee was in a sling, confirming my thoughts. "Nat?" I asked, causing her attention to snap to me. I'd forgotten about her in all the madness and seeing her like this made my blood boil. She was like a sister like me and the fact that someone had done this to her...

She offered me a weak grin. "Oh so now that my brother's hurt, everyone comes running," she playfully jabbed as Avery rushed to her and wrapped her arms around her.

"Oh my gosh, Natalie. You're okay. I'm so sorry that I didn't come sooner but things got hectic and-"

"Avery...too tight," she wheeled out causing Avery to instantly let her go. Natalie laughed. "You've gotten strong. I know you gave those wolves a good fight."

Avery broke eye contact. "Yeah."

I walked over to Natalie and hugged her, careful not to hug her too tightly. "Hey, Nat."

"Hey Greyson. So much has happened."

I chuckled. "Trust me, I know."

"I can see you've both marked each other, you crazy animals." She lightly punched my shoulder. "Hi, Atonya."

"Hello, Natalie," she said politely.

She opened her mouth to say something else but her eyes landed on Avery and her eyebrows furrowed. "What's wrong?"

"Natalie, I have something to tell you," she said. I could feel her guilt moving through the link in waves. I didn't know if she knew about what happened to Avery, let alone what really happened to Matthew.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "What? What's wrong?"

Avery swallowed and looked at me. "Nat, I'm the reason that-"

Suddenly she tensed before her eyes shifted and glazed over before mine did the same. Alpha, Luna, Phoenix is causing trouble. You need to get down here now, one of the guards said through the link before the line disconnected.

Natalie looked at Avery is disbelief as her eyes shifted back. My eyes had never shifted during a link before. "You're a lycan now?"

Avery looked away in shame and nodded. "It was the only way or Gavin would've killed me," she softly said.

"And you were saying that you're the reason..." she trailed, the pieces falling into place. Her eyes snapped back to Avery's. "Did you do this to him?"

"Natalie I'm so sorry. I'm new and all the blood was just too much-"

"You almost killed him Avery!" Natalie snapped.

"No, no, I didn't mean-"

"Natalie, stop," I lowly snapped as I wrapped my arms around Avery who was shaking. I had to keep Gavin at bay. "She said she was sorry okay? You know how hard it was for me in the beginning, and I know it's bad but at least she didn't kill him like I would've, especially with all the blood...look it's my fault, not hers. I should've known that she wasn't ready. If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me. But like I said, she's sorry. We both are. So please just take it easy on her."

Natalie shook her head and looked at Matthew. "I know but..." She trailed, tears gathering in her eyes. "After everything..."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to..." she looked at me then shook her head and looked back to Natalie, defeated and tired. "All I can say is I'm sorry."

I felt a tornado of emotions flow from Avery through the link and I knew that if she didn't get out now, River would take it out on Natalie. "Greyson, I need to get out of here," she whispered as her skin became warm against mine.

"Okay," I softly said as I started leading her away. "Just breathe with me little wolf. Just breathe."

She nodded and took frantic, noisy breaths with me. "Greyson, I'm scared, I-I can't-"

"Yes you can, baby," I softly said. "You're emotions aren't amplified ten-fold. You're wolf is channeling your guilt and sadness into anger and bloodlust. It's almost default. But I'll give you something to channel it into. Just hold on a little while longer."