Rain's POV

Dry leaves crunched under my paws as I ducked under low hanging branches and jumped over tree stumps. The wind blowing through my dark fur as the green shrubbery whizzed by in my vision was the best feeling in the world and Lara my dear wolf, she led with content like a graceful creature in it's natural habitat. Our enhanced vision kept us aware of our surroundings whilst the earthy scents and the natural scenery kept tempting me into making a permanent home of the wild instead of going 'home' and possibly facing my alpha's wrath.

Still, I egged Lara on, picking up speed in an attempt to reach Canyon Village as fast as a 1.5 hour driver distance would allow for a run. I was 45 minutes in and already within Canyon Pack boundaries; between 15 minutes spent getting away from curious human eyes and running through rough trail, I think I made good time. Speed wasn't difficult on Lara and I considering that in wolf form, I was only moderate size (for a Were that is) and I had mo-Eva to thank for that because under her guide, it was Ability-kept-Elegant.

As my pack's grounds came into view, I slowed to a stop before dropping my bundle of clothing from my snout and shifting back. My hair was a frazzled mess which was a given considering my speed against the wind. I guess it'd have to do cause I accidentally snapped my hair band in half during my rush to leave work.

I walked onto pack grounds, a very large area filled with pretty houses built alike yet differently from each other. Some average while some were rather lavish like Eva's, but none of them were like the Harding's because theirs was a mansion big enough to compete with the pack house. I passed the training field where a group of about 15 teen wolves were being trained by Connor, one of the people I prefer to steer clear of. I walked, keeping a wide berth between me and the group because even though I was banned from training with them, they still wouldn't hesitate to use me as a training dummy.

I finally made it to the pack house, a four story building with over 40 rooms which for a pack of 150 was more than enough since some had their own houses. I climbed the steps out front, admiring our Luna's beautiful garden of daisies, her name really had it twisted. Inside I made an immediate left turn to the stairs for the Alpha's office when strange sounds reached my ears, or was it sobs?

I decided to investigate which led me to the lounge where I found Crissy (breathe Rain breathe), Ethan, Shelly (the evil witch), Jason (damn him!), Alice and seven others (count five girls and two boys) all huddled over Vanessa, a pretty brown haired blue-eyed girl who was kinder to me than the rest here. I didn't understand how she got to the point of a red, blotchy face and hidious hair when she usually finds something funny in every situation, seriously, the girl could put a hyena to shame the way she laughs so seeing her like this...

"What's going on here?" I asked to no-one in particular, hoping someone fills me in. They all turned my way irritation clear on their faces.

"Ugh! What do you want?" Of course, Shelly would never miss to swipe at me.

Ignoring her, I moved closer till I was kneeling in front of Vanessa and from down here, I could see that a couple of girls had tears running down their faces. Why though?

"What's wrong Vanessa? What made our happiest girl cry?" I asked genuinely worried despite the raw hatred radiating from the others around me. Vanessa just sobbed louder into Alice's shoulder.

"Her mate died, and she only just met him last week downtown at the mall." Alice was one to answer as she tenderly brushed her hand through Vanessa's hair.

"Wh-what-but how?" I spluttered as a painful feeling pulled me under, losing your mate when you've just met them? That's just, whoa.

"Rogue attack"

"What do you care?" Alice replied just as Vanessa burst in anger. But why-what did she mean-no!

"Of course I care Vanessa, it's a terrible thing that's happened to you!" I voiced just as strongly, shocked that she'd even think that way about me. The topic of mates is a sensitive one, no matter who they belong to.

She rose from her seat so fast it had me jumping up and away from her feet in fear of what she might do to me in her grief. "You care?" She asked calmly.

"You Care?!!!" Ok, that was not calm.

I dumbly nodded my head as she backed me in the direction of the stairs whilst the others watched warily (I'm sure they were only worried about her), I could see behind her Crissy and Ethan whispering to each other as they glanced my way with negative shakes of their heads.

"How DARE you mock me?"

Huh?!

"You've been causing trouble between mates since forever remember?!" She yelled hands flailing everywhere. "I would've brought him here already had it not been for YOU!"

She blames ? Why did that sting so much? I should be used to this already.

I had already backed up a few steps when she stopped just before them.

"You know wh-what's good about this?" she asked her voice cracking, I had never seen her looking so lost. I shook my head slowly as I held back my own tears, what is ever good about losing a mate?

"It's that he died before you could get your NASTY paws on him!" She lunged for me just as Alice gripped hold of her shoulders while my heart drummed in shock, why did I freeze? If it wasn't for Alice holding on to the still struggling mad she-wolf, I'd be- wait.... sweet Vanessa wants me dead? Why were they all looking at me with accusing eyes?

"I HATE YOU!" she snarled, "You hear me? I hate you so much! Those rogues should've killed you, not my mate you slut-"

"Nessa sweetheart calm down-"

"Alice let me go! I want to end her pathetic life, you hear that you little..."

That's when I made my escape, facing the Alpha couldn't possibly do anymore damage, not when even the kindest person found a reason to hate me.

I just wanted this day to end.