I looked at Jake and felt everything in me break. I was afraid. I wasn't afraid for myself, but for Shayne. Here I was trying to build some sort of relationship only to have it tumble in the process.

I couldn't help myself when I broke down in front of Jake. He caught me in his arms and held me close to him. I could hear voices around me, but I couldn't calm down enough to know what they were saying. For a moment Jake's warmth left me only to be replaced my someone else. My body immediately reacted to him. I felt an arm around the top of my shoulders and under my knees. I called out Jake's name but I couldn't hear anything.

It took a few steady breaths to calm me down. I kept my eyes closed as I tried to clear my mind. I was still in Shayne's arms though I knew that we weren't outside anymore.

"What happened to her?" Shayne demanded. He was shaking, or maybe it was me.

"She just...she was emotional and had a melt down."

"Emotional? She wasn't like this when she left. What did you do to her?"

"What? I didn't do anything! I wouldn't hurt her intentionally." Jake snapped angrily.

"Then explain yourself! Why was she crying?"

"We were discussing something."

"Discussing what?"

"That's none of your business." I slowly opened my eyes and saw Jake standing close by. His lips were in a thing line and he looked on edge.

"She's my mate! Of course it's my business!" Shayne shouted.

I pressed myself closer to Shayne and bit down on my lip so I wouldn't cry again. I knew he would be changing his mind about that once the truth came out.

"And she's my sister. If she wants to tell you then she will."

"Get out!" Shayne growled.

He was holding me so tight and his claws pierced my skin. Shayne was angry and Jake wasn't making things any better. At one point I thought that he might actually shift. I needed to get a grip and calm down.

"Shayne," I chocked out.

"I'm not leaving until I know my sister is safe and she's okay." Jake looked at me as he spoke. I didn't want him to leave. He gave me a short nod knowing that I wanted him to stay. Jake sighed and sat down on the couch across from us.

"I want you out of here, Jake."

"I told you I'm not leaving until Sage wants me to."

I shifted in Shayne's lap and placed a hand on his chest. He pulled back just the slightest bit to look at me, but he didn't make a move to let me go.

"What happened?" Shayne asked.

I looked over at Jake. I needed to tell Shayne. I couldn't stay here and get my hopes up only to have things go down the drain. I needed to be a big girl about this and clear the air.

"Tell me," Shayne urged. "why were you crying?"

I shook my head and pulled away from Shayne. He didn't want to let me go but I managed to get out of the hold he had me in. I stood in shaky legs.

I can do this...I can do this... I can do this...

"I-I" I couldn't even get a full sentence out before I started to get chocked up.

Sam chose that moment to walk into the house. Chase and Alex were behind him. They all looked at me and I felt my heart speed up. I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell him the truth.

"Is everything alright?" Alex asked Shayne, concerned. He looked at me worriedly and had another look that I didn't recognize.

"What happened back there?" Sam asked.

I didn't realize that they had been there. They knew something was wrong. Everyone knew that something wasn't right and they were waiting for me to spill.

Tell him! He needs to know.

"I-I- need to tell you all something." I said, my voice cracking.

"Are you sure?" Jake asked, coming to stand close to me. I reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. No, I wasn't sure but I needed to do this.

"Jake, I have to." I sobbed.

Jake wrapped his arms around me and I buried my face in his chest. I felt my heart pounding Wiley against my chest. I felt every beat my heart gave with so much pain. I didn't know how Shayne would react to everything. If he rejected me then my heart would stop beating.

"Sage, please tell me what in the world is going on." Shayne pleaded. "Why were you like that? Why were you crying?"

I took a deep breath and turned to face him. This was it. All or nothing.

"Because I'm being tracked down to be killed!" I rushed out.

Everything was dead quiet. No one said a word. It seemed to take time for my words to process through everyone's mind. Shayne's eyes widened and a loud growl left his mouth. The growl made my jump back and press my back to Jake's side.

"Who is trying to kill you?" Shayne asked through gritted teeth. I saw the angry look on his face and that was all it took me to cower and not say anything else. "Sage, tell me who is trying to kill you?"

I shook my head and backed further away. He stalked towards me and grabbed me by the arms. Jake crowded at him when he pulled on me with too much force that it caused me to stumble. He was really angry.

"Tell me what is going on here."

"I did something terrible. I didn't want to but they made me. I ran away and became a rogue and now they want me dead!" I cried.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Shayne hissed.

Because I was scared? Because I was being a coward? I was being a coward and praying he wouldn't ask what I did to deserve this. I didn't have it in me to tell him anymore.

"Because I didn't want to bring this on your pack. This was something that I caused and I didn't want you to deal with it."

"You are my mate." Shayne said, outraged. "I need to protect you. No matter what it is you did, I would never allow someone to hurt you."

If only Shayne knew what had happened. He would surely hate me forever.

"You don't understand." I said shaking my head. "Shayne, things will only get worse. They're looking for me and they know I could be here."

"I won't let anyone hurt you."

"That's not what I'm worried about." I said quietly.

"The pack won't let any harm come to you." Alex spoke up for the first time. He looked just as angry as Shayne- they all did. "Protecting the Luna is our priority."

"I don't want anyone to get hurt," I said quietly.

"We'll protect you." Chase said.

I shook my head. I didn't deserve them trying to protect me. Their concern should be the pack. I couldn't bare it if someone got hurt because of me. That would so much worse than what they could do to me.

"No, I won't allow anyone to get hurt because of me. I deserve whatever they want to do to me."

"You don't deserve to die for something they blame you for." Jake shook his head. "This is your pack and they will protect you. I will protect you and make sure those bastards won't hurt you."

"We will all keep you safe." Shayne's said in a soft voice.

I wrapped my arms around Shayne's waist and enjoyed the small comfort he was giving me. This was all going to fall apart and I knew it. For now I wanted to enjoy this small moment. For just this moment I wanted to believe Shayne would love and protect me.

"Now tell me who is after you." Shayne asked as he rubbed small circles on my back.

"No one important." I sniffled.

"Sage, tell me who it is." He said in a warning voice.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore. I just want to sleep. I'm so tired. Please, Shayne." I begged.

Shayne pulled me into his arms and sighed. I had avoided a mess for now, but I knew Shayne wasn't going to let it go.