I sighed, rubbing the kink from my neck as I sat in the bubble bath Caleb ran for me. The water was scalding, just how I needed it. I rolled up a towel and stuffed it under my neck, slowly drifting into slumber when the bathroom door opened.

I sat up as Caleb walked in, kneeling next to the tub.

"This is for you," he said, handing me a cellphone. "I went ahead and put you on my plan, so you actually have service now."

"Thank you," I said, leaning forward for a kiss. Caleb was quiet for a moment, his emotions conflicting. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"Can I take a look?" He asked, gesturing to the bandage on my neck. I nodded as he stood and walked behind me. The adhesive pulled at my skin, but the humidity of the bathroom had loosened it. "It's looking really good," he said. "Would you mind...if I asked you to keep it uncovered?"

I turned to look at him, shaking my head. "I don't mind," I said.

I stood from the bath, drying off before wrapping a robe around me.

"I'm going to have to leave for a few days," he said, setting a hand on either side of my neck.

"Why?" I asked, anxiety starting to swirl in my stomach. I'd been having a hard time being without him, because when I was alone all I could think about was the pull in my chest.

"I'm going to visit a neighboring pack, see if they'd be willing to back us up if this comes to a fight," he said.

"Riverbed?" I asked, "Is your mom going? She told me she's from there."

At the mention of his mother his expression changed. "No," he said, his voice quiet. "She hasn't been doing very well...since my dad."

I nodded, "And how are you doing?"

Caleb shrugged, taking a deep breath. "I haven't really had time," he said. "Everything is moving so quickly. I can't slow my brain down enough to think about it."

I lazily hung my arms around his neck, standing on my toes to kiss him lightly. "You can always talk to me," I said, bumping my nose against his.

"I know," he said, running his hands up and down my back. "Are you going to be okay with me gone?"

I nodded. "I'll be fine," I lied. "I was thinking about going to see my grandma today."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Caleb said. "I need you to stay here, so I know you're safe. Plus you're still supposed to be resting."

I pulled out of his arms to walk over to the closet. I didn't have any clothes here yet, so I pulled on one of Caleb's shirts and a pair of sweatpants. "I feel fine," I said, "I haven't seen her in days, she's probably worried."

"I have people keeping an eye on her," he said, pulling me by my shirt into him. His caramel eyes stared down on me with such intensity that I couldn't look away. "I can't risk losing you again," he whispered.

"You won't," I said, setting my hands on either side of his face.

"Alpha?" Someone opened the door. We turned to see Alison standing awkwardly, "We need to get going. Alpha White is expecting us."

Caleb nodded. "I'll send a few men to grab some things from your room, make a list of what you'll need." He turned his attention to Alison. "Get the cars ready, I'll be out in a minute."

"Are you going to make her keep calling you Alpha?" I asked after she left the room.

Caleb grabbed his duffle bag off the couch in front of the bed. "She won't stop," he said, laughing. "She's taking her job as Beta very seriously."

"Good," I said. I grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a fervent kiss. "She needs to make sure you come back to me."

Caleb smiled, kissing me once more before we exchanged our goodbyes.

I grabbed the bottle of pills Dorian gave me for my headaches and shook two out into my hand. Walking into the bathroom to fill a glass with water I catch my reflection.

My overall appearance was better, no more frizzy, ratted hair. I no longer looked on the verge of death from lack of sleep. Only the cut on my forehead and the bruises remained. The bridge of my nose and under my right eye were painted with black and blue. It was tender to the touch, but I was thankful that whoever slammed my head against that tree hadn't broken it.

Then, there was the dark bruise just under my jaw. It was like the bruise Caleb had given me the first time he touched me. The first time Alec had touched my skin was when he forced me to look at him. I wasn't sure if Caleb knew what this bruise was from, but I made no effort to point it out.

I turned away from the mirror, not wanting to look at myself anymore. I walked out of Caleb's bedroom and down the hall, eventually finding what I was looking for.

I didn't expect the kitchen to be empty, but I was surprised to see Molly sitting at the counter by herself.

"Hey, Molly," I said, walking around to the other side of the counter so I could face her. She had her little head resting on the counter, looking up at me with her big caramel eyes. "Where's your mom?"

She looked down at her fingers and shrugged. "She's been sleeping a lot."

"Oh," was all I could think to say. "Have you eaten breakfast yet? Do you want me to make you something?"

She nodded. "Could I have a waffle, please?"

Molly didn't talk much while I made her breakfast, only playing with her fingers and the fork I sat in front of her.

As she drowned her waffle in syrup I cleaned up the mess I made in the kitchen, watching her quietly.

"There you are, I've been looking for you everywhere," Sophie said as she walked into the kitchen. She paused after she saw me, the tension between us awkward. "Thanks for making her breakfast," she said.

I nodded, keeping quiet.

"Molly, go to your room and pick out something to wear. I'll be there in a minute," she said, taking Molly's empty plate and walking it over to the sink.

Before Sophie left the room I caught her by the wrist. "I'm going to help you," I said. "I'm going to change things so that you and Jack can be together."

She gave me a pitiful look. "Thanks," she said, "but I'm not going to get my hopes up. You're not the first Luna that's wanted things to change."

She walked out after Molly, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the ever present pull in my chest.

I needed to get my mind off of Alec. I didn't even want to think his name. I was going to feel guilty for disobeying Caleb's stay at home order, but I needed to do anything other than staying here, trapped with my thoughts.

Soon I was standing in front of Jack's bedroom door, knocking lightly.

"Hey," he said, opening the door. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," I said.

He sighed as he took in the state of my face, pulling me into his chest for a hug. "I'm so sorry," he said. "After I killed that wolf that stopped us in the woods, you were just gone."

"It's okay," I said. "I'm fine."

"I'm lucky Caleb didn't kill me," he said, letting go of me.

"Could you do me a favor?" I asked. He nodded. "Could you drive me to my house? I wanted to pick up a few things."

He shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "No way," he said, "Caleb would have my head."

"Please?" I asked, "I just need a change of clothes." He was hesitating so I decided to push. "I mean, you kind of owe me," I said.

"Low," he said, cracking a smile.

"We'll come right back," I said. I folded my hands together and gave him a cheesy smile.

He rolled his eyes at me. "We're coming straight back here," he said, grabbing his keys and walking out into the hallway with me.

I held up three fingers. "Scout's honor," I said, sarcastically.

The ride to my grandmother's house consisted of Jack telling me how close Caleb was to killing him after he'd lost me in the woods.

"He broke my nose," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose like he could still feel the pain.

"Lucky you heal quickly, then," I said, laughing as he lightly punched me in the shoulder.

The front door to the house was unlocked, not surprisingly.

"You can leave," I said. "I was going to drive the Jeep back, so I'll meet you there."

"Sure," he said. "Call me if you need anything."

I nodded, then jogged up the stairs to my room. I had no intention of getting Jack in trouble, but I wasn't planning on going straight back to the pack house like I had promised.

I hadn't talked to my grandmother in days, I could only imagine how worried she must be. She's most likely furious with me for disappearing.

After packing a few things and grabbing my book bag, I made my way back down stairs. I picked up the keys to the Jeep and stepped outside, locking the door, just in case. Considering, neither of us were going to be home.

On my way to the hospital, I realized how much I'd learned my way around since moving here. I was proud of myself, since I usually wasn't the best with directions.

The hospital parking lot in, front of the door I needed to get through, was nearly full. But I found a spot all the way in the back, near the tree line. I didn't mind walking, and I wasn't staying for long anyway.

I just needed to explain why I was away, and to make sure that she was doing alright. I didn't want to be gone so long that Jack would be suspicious and come looking for me. He'd no doubt tell Caleb what I did and then we would both be in trouble.

I stepped out of the Jeep, slamming the door closed, before a chill ran down my back. I turned around to face the tree line, the pounding of my blood filling my ears. It wasn't until the rope tied around my lungs tightened that I knew what was happening.

A figure stepped out of the shadows of the forest. His hands raised in surrender as he made his way towards me, stopping a few feet away as to not scare me off.

Alec stood in front of me, an eyebrow raised and a cocky smirk on his lips. "I just want to talk."

A/N: Happy Tuesday! If you didn't know, this story is set in Homer, Alaska and I guess when I started writing this months ago I didn't do really any research except for the population. So my description of Homer is not very accurate. It's actually a small fishing town, but lets just pretend its a small town with a lot of forest. I'll probably change my description if I ever edit this.

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Also, out of curiosity, are you Team Caleb or Team Alec? - E