The entire drive back to Lakeside had me wondering if I did the right thing. Truth be told I was more than a little off guard by Ashley's sudden change in attitude and Joann's. I might not know Ashley very well but my sister I sure do and that was completely out of left field.

The more I thought about it the more I was certain that Ashley would protect her. She did stand up for me with Jake afterall and while she was responsible for the attack on Jake's pack I was sure that she didn't with Joann. As far as Jake's pack was concerned... it... it wasn't against humans. It felt bad to think that. But I did have to face facts. There was a whole different set a rules than what i was use to living by at work here. One where vampires who can drink from women till they pass out face first on the ground and where we could be practically killed by jealous wives of the people we're fucking only to have her decide to "claim" you... yeah, that still drives me crazy in a very hot and exciting way. Don't ask!

A sharp spike of pain shot across my chest from me sighing at the thought of Nancy. Talk about another set of rules... she was off on her own. I had no idea what was going through her mind and with her I'm supposed to know. Maybe not full thoughts but I've picked up on changes in her mood just by feel. It's like trying to explain the color to a person who's never had sight. I just want us to get past this and all the shit with Jake and I wasn't sure how that was going to happen.

Before I knew it I was driving down Linnea's street. I was about to give myself some kudos for remembering the way as that's so not me when my brain shut down on remembering which house it was.

I pulled up in front of a grey house that seemed right only to spot Linnea waving at me from the steps of a small white house across the street. Well I was close...

Linnea came out to the car barefoot wearing only a pair of sweatpants and a faded that had to be Greg's as it was not even close to her size and hanging off her left shoulder. She looked for someone who's been up all night. You'd never know it just looking at her.

"Where's the - Oh fuck! Jake did that?!

Linnea asked appalled taking a step back from the car. I looked at myself in the rear view and my left eye looked like a raccoon. It had swollen up a lot since I last looked at it.

I gave her a weak smile and tried to reassure her that I was fine. Werewolf senses or just common sense she didn't buy it.

"What about your sister, where is she? Is she okay?"

"She lost her damn mind and decided to stay with Ashley's pack. I shouldn't of went over there but... well I wanted to know what she was thinking and I certainly wasn't expecting Joann would wanna stay."

"You went to Ashley's? Are you out of your damn mind, Crystal?" She looked around quickly seeing if anyone was nearby then moved around the car and got in the passenger side.

"Roll up your window!" She demanded before laying into me. Great, as if I didn't have enough already.

"Nancy's going to go full Alpha on you and this time I won't be risking my ass to save yours! There are two things that werewolves value over anything. First and foremost is the mate. Nothing is more important than that! The idea of mate hurt and knowing there isn't a fuckin thing you can do about it... there isn't anything worse. Trust me." The way she said nothing worse sent a chill through me. She was clearly talking from personal experience but I couldn't think about what.

"Is Greg alright?"

I asked in a momentary pause as if she had lost herself. Her crunched up brows relaxed indicating she was back to now.

"He's fine." She said harshly making it clear she didn't want to discuss it. I stiffened by it which she must of noticed as she gave me a forced smile "He will be. I'm going to make sure of it. Nancy might not want to admit it but she's the same way. All of us are. That's why when she sees you...

After that is the pack which has practically killed her being away from. She's had some dealings with it but not nearly enough for any wolf, especially her. I am going crazy being away from my pack. Let's hope that changes soon. Point is, we're not vampires who stay in our coffins all by ourselves till it's time to feed off some victim in a dark alley... Eller vad det är de gör... (or whatever it is they do). We need our pack and the bond that comes from others we care about.

Seriously, Crystal, Ashley declared war with her pack and you go there and leave your sister with them? What in the hell were you thinking?

"She said she could protect her. You still have to work so... I don't know! I just couldn't believe she would do such a thing. I mean after I told her about me and Nancy-"

"You told her that? Did you tell her Jake wasn't a real Alpha?" She pressed turning in her seat making me feel like someone who just got busted for some awful crime.

"I-I-might have." My voice came out weak and broken only getting together for my defense.

Her face went white as a ghost

"I didn't know who to turn to! Nancy was talking about all this mate stuff and what was I supposed to do? I had been fucking her husband and she damn near killed me for it! I needed someone to talk with and she was like the only werewolf I really knew! I really didn't know you or Jason at the time.

Linnea rested her head in her hands as if not believing I would do such a thing. I know she meant well but it was really pissing me off.

"Will you give me the key? I need to try and find Nancy."

I asked sternly. I wasn't wanting to continue with this conversation. I would say I've handled everything remarkable well for someone who's just had their world turned upside down and shaken till everything was scattered all over. I really didn't need her judgment right now.

She grabbed my arm tighter than I think she intended as she leaned in towards me. Her hazel eyes piercing right through me."

"Crystal, you need to get with the program! I mean that's like a slap in the face to Nancy. Don't you get it?! A pack without a Alpha is weak. When you told Ashley that you basically told her to attack your mates pack. I'm telling you this for your own good, so you had better listen really good to me. You need to get your sister away from that pack, stop any contact with Ashley and the rest of them and if anyone asks you never told her shit about anything! If Jake or anyone else finds out you told Ashley that they can use it to retaliate and the Council won't do shit about it! Things are about to get hectic and you need to figure out who's side you are on."

She was pissed and I couldn't blame her. I had no idea that I did anything wrong and certainly nothing against Nancy?

"I'm always on Nancy's side. But she said she didn't even know most of the pack anymore since Jake took over and she wasn't really wanting anything to do with it." I wasn't sure if I was telling it to her her or myself.

"She lied! You better believe she cares and if you're really in her side then you need to start acting like it! That means watching what you say around others."

She took a deep breath and gave me a frown "The keys inside. C'mon in and get cleaned up. I'll give you some Advil. It seems like you need it."

Going in proved to be almost worse as it wasn't only just her, it was Greg too which I found highly unfair. He really was trying to be a nice guy and I appreciated it. We did need more of them around but he didn't know everything that was going on and I couldn't tell him. It did seem Linnea had said most of everything she wanted out in the car so she didn't go too hard on me but did manage to let a few remarks slip out as I sat helpless between them holding an ice pack to my ribs that was nothing but a giant bruise. It didn't look nearly as bad when I left this morning.

"I had a friend who was in a relationship like that, Crystal. It does something to their brain so that they will grab into anything in defense of these scumbags. And just when you think you've succeeded in getting them away, they go right back to them. It's an endless cycle." Greg said pouring a cup of coffee and setting it down on the table in front of me. "You need to call the police. You can't let this guy get away with this."

I gave him a small frown and a nod. Actually, it probably wasn't a bad idea of notifying the council but I should let Nancy know first.

He patted my arm finally taking pity on me. "Help yourself to some of Linnea's kanelbullar. I know it must annoy her that I'm always asking her to make em but I'm addicted. They're delicious. Really, she gave me some when we first met in camp and after tasting it, I knew I'd have to marry her."

He said warmly making me wonder if that would ever be me and Nancy. I'd never seen myself getting married but was always addicted to the whole fancy dress and flowers and all the things that went with it. What girl doesn't dream about the big day?

Linnea was practically glowing from the compliment. Failing miserably and concealing the large grin on her face.

"I don't mind at all. I'll make as many as you want, my darling."

So much for just getting cleaned up and leaving but it was worth staying a bit for the kanelbullar which was a crazy type of twisted type of cinnamon roll and coffee . The way she'd talk about fika at work it was nice to experience it a bit.

I was finally pulling away from Linnea's about an hour and a half later than I planned. The Advil was starting to take effect. I didn't think it would totally kill the pain but it was numbing it down a bit.

——————-

I pulled into the empty parking lot of The Wolfs Den Just after eight thirty in the morning. I sat in the car for a minute in part to let the dust settle while I down the rest of my energy drink. Aside from a silver GMC Jimmy with a broken window sitting next door at the Vapor City the entire area was dead.

I grabbed my phone out of it little cubbyhole in the dash I like to keep it in and tried calling JoAnn only to get her voicemail. Damn it! I debated leaving a message but decided against it. I would be heading back soon anyways and I'd pick her up then and take her to our parents. I hated to have to rely on them for anything but right now I wouldn't let personal feelings get in the way.

My rib was still killing me but I was doing my best to ignore it. It had settled down somewhat but was still flared up when I took a deep breath. Shallow breaths i could do so hopefully that meant nothing was broken.

I took a drink of my Venom before getting out of the car without worrying about locking it. My religious ritual appearing to be too much trouble at the moment. Hopefully Nancy just went to the store and forgot her phone or something simple like that.

Reaching for the key I had picked up from Linnea I noticed the door was already unlocked causing me to look around once again for anything suspicious.

"FOUR MEMBERS ARE DEAD!"

I heard Jake scream from the back room startling me. What the fuck was he doing here? Well that was a stupid question but I wasn't expecting him to come so quickly. Where the hell was his truck? My palm was getting sticky as I was worried if I should go in or not. I wasn't ready to deal with him again yet there wasn't any choice.

"This shit needs to stop, Nancy! Yeah, you're pissed off I get it. Get fuckin over it! You have a responsibility to the pack and right now they need you. You really going to turn your back on them after what's happened just because you're pissed off at me?"

"I can't bel-"

My cover was blown. I was hoping to hear more first but I knew I shouldn't of been able to make it halfway to the doorway.

Jake froze when he saw me enter my eyes locked on his. For the first time our roles were reversed and it was him who was afraid. He clearly wasn't expecting me to show up yet for some reason. The conflict I felt from Nancy confirmed what Linnea had said earlier. It pissed me off to no end he would try using that against her.

"Every time I start to feel some remorse for you Jake, you remind me how stupid it is. I'll be sure not to do it again."

Nancy stood looking between me and Jake in just a plain grey nightshirt that went down to her knees. Her brows were knit and her lips were pursed.

Jake's eyes began to dart between me and Nancy as he became increasingly more and more uncomfortable. He took a couple steps back almost knocking into the mini fridge as Nancy stepped towards me.

"What happened?!"

She demanded causing what little saliva I had to dry up. Really, she was the Queen of fire and ice. My words got stuck in my throat refusing to come out. The rage in Nancy's voice could only be compared to the sound of a volcano seconds before eruption. Her brown eyes now more wolf than human. My knees were jelly as they shook uncontrollably as a million thing popped in my head. I'd never seen Nancy this angry before yet there was more than just that. There was remorse and fear mixed with it. I was terrified but not for my safety, for Jake's. This was turning out far worse than I ever wanted.

Unconsciously my eyes went to Jake who was as far back as he could get. My heart jumped as I heard Nancy let out a growl that shook me more than speakers at a rock concert I attended in High School. Two blurs on each side of me swooping me up like a vortex making everything around me blend into another. The excruciating pain came from my ribs pulsating through my body and up in my head. No... different.

I suddenly realized i wasn't standing on my own which brought the large thick arm that was squeezing the life practically out of me in a headlock. I fought to break free but it was pointless and only resulted in him tightening his grip.

Nancy I couldn't even recognize as she was in full werewolf form instead of her usual wolf one. Her claws just waiting for even the slightest of opening.

"JAKE, LET ME GO!" I tried to scream struggling as best as I could to no prevail.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP! This is all your fault. You think you can just ruin everything but I won't let you. You hear me?!

I barely did. The bar started getting even blurrier and darker as the pressure around my throat increased to the point my head felt like a balloon ready to pop.

Then there was nothing.