"If you come anywhere near me, I'll scream," I said, taking a step back.

My palms were sweating. Since we parted thoughts of him completely occupied my brain. I'd been clinging to Caleb just to get some relief from the nagging of him.

"And who's going to help you?" He asked, taking a step forward.

The inappropriateness of my thoughts embarrassed me. He was wearing a black t-shirt, the sleeves tight around his biceps, and black jeans. His height, his build, his curly black hair that sat atop his head, his accent, everything about him was sexy. And I was the worst person for thinking that.

"Caleb knew I was coming here, he has men all over this hospital," I said, scanning the area, hoping I was right.

"Now, I have a feeling," he put his hands down and continued walking towards me, "that if he knew you were coming he wouldn't have let you come alone."

"And why do you think that?" I asked, threading my keys through my knuckles.

"Because I wouldn't," he said. We were silent before he took another brave step forward, I was ready to punch him and run if I needed to. "I'm not going to take you again," he said, his voice sincere. "I just needed to see you."

I swallowed hard, pressing my back up against the Jeep. The truth was that I needed to see him as well, not that I'd ever admit it. My brain wanted more space but every fiber of my being disagreed and fought against me. I wanted his hands on me.

The feeling I got from him was different than what I felt with Caleb. Caleb's hands felt safe and warm. They felt like home.

Alec's touch was dangerous. My blood pumped through me, heating the tips of my ears. His touch was pure adrenaline, sending every hair on end. Worst of all, I wasn't supposed to want him, which only made me crave him more.

"Look," I said. "I'm sorry about what Arthur did to you and your mom, but you need to understand the consequences of a war."

"I don't want to talk about that," he said, now toe to toe with me.

I didn't want to talk about that either, but talking about us wasn't an option.

"People will die-"

"Will you stop talking? Just for a second," he said, taking my hand out from behind my back. I gasped at the current that jolted through me at his touch. I tried to jerk my hand away, but his grip was strong.

He scoffed at my makeshift weapon, "nice."

He used his free hand to brush my hair behind my ear, caressing my cheek. Resting his forehead against mine he took a deep breath.

"Please...don't," I said, my voice shaky where I'd rather it be strong.

"Don't worry," he said. "You'll want me soon enough."

"I won't," I said, clenching my jaw.

That was a lie. I already did.

"Once he's dead you will," he said, smirking, his nose brushing against mine. It felt like I went outside on a cold winter morning without a scarf. His nose touching mine was worse than the nip of Jack Frost.

I pressed my head against the Jeep window, trying to gain any inch of space. His sandalwood aroma attacked my senses.

"I'll reject you," I said, glaring into his captivating brown eyes. A bowl of melted chocolate, just as alluring.

"I don't believe you," he said. He let go of my wrist to set his other hand on my waist. He fisted the fabric of my shirt, Caleb's shirt, exposing a strip of skin. He let out a low growl. "I know you can feel how strong our bond is."

"Fuck your bond," I said.

Acting quickly, I jabbed him in the stomach with my fist full of keys, bringing my knee up in between his legs for good measure. He doubled over in a groan and I took my chance to make a run for it.

Every part of my body shivered as he called after me. I made the mistake of looking back, watching him stand up. He made no effort to come after me. He was letting me go.

I pumped my legs, not stopping until I was safely inside the hospital, skidding across the linoleum floor.

"Luna?"

I turned to see Beau standing outside my grandmother's hospital room. He had a styrofoam cup of coffee in his hands. I visibly relaxed, letting out a sigh of relief.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," I said, walking towards him.

"You're supposed to be at the pack house," he looked down at me like he was scolding a child.

I rolled my eyes. "I know," I said, moving past him into my grandmother's room. I stopped at the door, hesitating to give out the information I knew I should relay.

"Everything okay, Luna?" Beau asked.

I took a deep breath. "Alec Powell just attacked me in the parking lot," I said, biting the inside of my cheek and begging my expression to stay neutral. I gripped the door handle, turning my knuckles white, as I tried to subside the pain that sliced through me.

Beau jumped into action, rallying two other men and stalking into the parking lot.

I walked into the room, wiping away the one tear that escaped. My attention was turned to an angry Elizabeth Greene sitting in her hospital bed.

"Hi," I said, standing awkwardly by the door. She only raised her eyebrows at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?" She asked, arms crossed, dismissing my question.

"I can explain-"

"I sure as hell hope so," she paused and then her expression changed from angry to worried. "What happened to your face?"

She tried to climb out of bed, but I moved to her side to stop her. She grabbed my jaw, moving my head from side to side to get a better look at me.

"I'm fine," I said.

"Beatrice," her voice was solid as stone. "Did that boy hurt you?"

"What?" I was taken aback by her question. "No!" I said, "No, Caleb would never hurt me."

"Well what do you expect me to think? I haven't seen you in days, there are strange men, quite literally, standing guard at my door. Birdie," she took my hand, "is Caleb involved in something?"

"Like what?" I asked, pulling up a chair to sit down.

"Is Caleb in a gang? In the mob? Whatever it is we can get you out of this."

I did my best not to laugh. "No, Caleb isn't involved in any of that."

"Then what?" She was getting frustrated, and what I had to tell her would only make her angrier.

"I can't...tell you," I said. "I-I'm not going to be able to see you for a while after this visit. I'm going to be busy, but I promise I will come back. Things are just really crazy right now."

She didn't say anything, letting me continue. I could tell how worried and confused she was and it made my whole body sweat with guilt.

"I'm moving in with Caleb," I said. She stayed quiet, though I could tell she was fuming under her cool exterior. "I'll call, I promise, and I'll visit all the time."

She took a deep breath, rubbing her temples. "If that's what you want, then I can't stop you. If you turned out anything like your mother, you'd give me hell until you got what you wanted."

I laughed. "She was stubborn."

"She was annoying."

We both busted out in laughter, we didn't notice someone opening the door.

"Lu- Birdie, I've got to get you back home," Beau said. I nodded.

"I love you," I said, standing to leave.

"I love you, too," she said. I could tell she was trying to hold back tears, and I hated myself for making her cry.

Beau led me out into the waiting room. Jack was standing by the door, pissed.

"Do you want me to die?" He asked, grabbing my arm and pulling me into the parking lot. He was wearing a sweatshirt with no shirt underneath and gym shorts, telling me he must've shifted to get here.

"I'm sorry," I said. I didn't try to defend myself, I knew I was in the wrong.

My eyes scanned the parking lot for him, but he wasn't there, just a bunch of empty cars. Jack stopped in front of my grandmother's Jeep.

"Keys," he said, holding out a hand.

"I'm really sorry, Jack," I said, pulling the keys out of my pocket and giving them to him. "I didn't think he'd be here, I just wanted to see my grandma."

He stayed silent until we were both settled in the car. He sighed before he spoke.

"I know you didn't mean to cause trouble," he said, starting up the Jeep. "But you need to trust us."

"I know," I said. "I'm sorry."

Jack pulled out of the parking lot. I fiddled with the hem of Caleb's t-shirt before I spoke again.

"Are you going to tell Caleb?" I asked. It wasn't that I was scared of his retaliation, but I already felt like a bad mate. I didn't want him to know that I disobeyed his simplest of orders.

"I don't know," he said, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "Damnit, Birdie. I don't know."

"Please, don't," I said, keeping my eyes on my busy fingers.

"Well," he said. "I'll have to talk to Beau, but I guess I don't see the point in both of us getting in trouble."

"Thanks," I said, reaching over to take his hand.

He rolled his eyes at me then smiled. "Are you going to be a pain in my ass this whole time?"

I shrugged. "Guess we'll see."