I watched JoAnn as she talked with a middle aged couple on the front steps of Our Savior and Lord from across the street safe and sound in the driver's seat of Nancy's Ford Exploration. I felt sick to my stomach to add with the burning in my neck that came and went from Nancy's wound she kept insisting that wasn't bothering her.

She was trying so hard to be strong that I didn't have the heart to tell her I could feel it. Knowing it was more than likely even far worse for her tore me in two.

I felt her hand on my thigh but even that had trouble improving my mood. I just couldn't believe even from the grave my mother got me to come here and when I had so many other things going on but I couldn't skip it no matter how much I wanted. They were my parents as flawed as they were and I knew it was important to JoAnn. I was still pissed off at her about the whole Ashley thing but that could go on the back burner for today.

"We don't have to go in if you don't want to. It doesn't matter if your parents came here, it was still really messed up of JoAnn. Her crap with me is one thing, but this..."

"We're going in. This is the first time you've been out of the house in days. If this is what it takes to get you out then that's what we're doing."

I said sternly letting out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. Nancy rolled her eyes then turned away to the passenger window.

"I don't know what you're talking about. You have this thing around my neck so tight it feels like a collar. Let me tell you I have nothing but deep sympathy for Dobby now. The poor thing..." she said venomously. I didn't take it personally, I knew this was hard on her.

I leaned over putting my arm around her and spoke softly in her ear

"Hmmm I like where this is going. I didn't bring his leash but I could've sworn I saw some rope in the back that I could use..."

She turned her head back towards me taking in a deep breath. I'd never been so sexually open with her and it was clear she didn't expect it. As soon as she was facing me before she could recover, I closed the remaining inch or so of distance kissing her.

" Y-y-I don't even know who you are anymore! What happened to the shy submissive girl I have come to know?"

"Her mates been depressed and moody so she's determined to lift her out of it."

"Well If either of us is going on a leash, it'll be you! If it makes you feel any better, I'm more than happy to satisfy your kinky BDSM fetishes but next time could you get frisky when we're in bed or at least someplace I can act on it instead of in front of a damn church in broad daylight?"

"Hmm. I'll think about it."

I gave her another kiss feeling that I accomplished my mission by raising her mood. The sparkle in her eye had returned like fireworks on the Fourth of July celebration.

"Consider my mood lifted but the same hoes for you too. You're not allowed to let JoAnns shit or anyone else's here get to you. I mean it."

JoAnns been like a totally different person since she told me about Ashley's little stunt. Yes, a stunt, I know my sister and she's not Ashley's mate no matter what was said. And now there was this. A damn church of all places! It may of been their church but my parents are dead and it's me who has to deal with the bigoted assholes that's piling in right now.

I hate funerals. And no, it's not for the reasons you might think. While I was sad to bury my parents, I wasn't going to miss them. We hadn't been close since before I came out. No, the reason I hated funerals is because they were magnets for every relative, in-laws, friends of both the departed as well as past ones of yours (Past is the key word there) and every wannabe vampire. I'd actually favor the real thing as then you know where things stand. The fakes, you don't. They pretend to give a shit while they drain you dry. Not of blood, but of your sanity. There are just certain people you'd rather never have to deal with that events like this just draws them out.

The religious for starters were a sure show. Not only that they felt especially obligated to push their doom and gloom on anyone they can and if you were queer, you were responsible for every bad thing since Adam, Eve, and an Apple they weren't supposed to eat.

"Luke? I was hoping I could speak to you." He spoke in a raised voice spotting me and making his way over. Damn it!

What did I just say? I gritted my teeth as I remembered the slicked back black hair, scruffy eyebrows and that awfully fake smile from my last visit with my parents. About the only thing I couldn't remember his name.

"That son of a bitch is a fuckin' werewolf!? Why the hell didn't you warn me?" I scolded Nancy shooting her my evil eye. I spent the past few days caring for her and tending to her every need and this is the thanks I get?

"Ummm maybe because he's not. Well... not a werewolf at least. A son of a bitch he very well could be... Why would you think that?" She gave me a playful smile rubbing my thigh again. "You weren't reading werewolf stories on Wattpad last night were you?" She asked amused.

The more time I spent with her the more infatuated I became. She looked absolutely breathtaking in black jeans and tank top with a gold silk scarf covering up her bite mark. A messy bun and large black sunglasses that Lady Gaga would of been jealous of completed the look.

"Nooooo." I said getting lost into her again. Wait, I'm supposed to be annoyed with her. Snap out of it, Crystal!

She lowered her glasses eyeing me questioning. "Okay, maybe I did! but it's getting really good. Yet, I really don't see what's that got to do with this. He spotted me way over here and is coming over! Thank you so much for having my back. I just wanna know, what did JoAnn Promise you?"

"Nothing!" She let out a giggle and took my hand. "Look darling, he's a pastor. Aren't they supposed to talk to god? I'm sure if he couldn't see you hiding behind clear class from this short of distance that god should be able to. Maybe he told him." She replied smirking. "I mean, C'mon babe, not everyone you don't like is a werewolf. I'm surprised he didn't see us -"

I turned growling at her daring her to finish that sentence. I didn't need logic right now. I needed her to agree with me no matter how ridiculous I might be.

She raised her hands up in surrender laughing "Alright! I'm sorry, okay? The truth is he's really a super werewolf with terrible and unimaginable dark powers! I just didn't want to worry you while I came up with a way to vanquish him but I'm sure with some time I'll think of something. Now that you know, you can't let him know you know or it'll be really embarrassing... you know?" She gave me a warm smile and a quick kiss on the lips. "Now shhhh!"

She brushed her finger on my lips before opening the door getting out to meet him.

"Nancy Nocarato!" She said shaking his hand with a large smile. "Crystal was just talking about you-"

"Ahhh!" He pulled his hand back from her in pain covering it with his left. I jumped out quickly not sure what was going on.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" Nancy said in a soft voice trying to comfort him. "I'm afraid I'm not use to having nails. Anyways, as I was saying Crystal was just saying how grateful she was that you were willing to help. And it is Crystal. I know this because among other things I sign her checks. We would greatly appreciate it if you got her name right. She just lost her parents and really shouldn't have to deal with being insulted on top of it."

"Uhhh y-y-yeah, sorry. It's just what her mother called her." He said in a shaky voice as he took several steps back.

"I'd say he's officially vanquished." She proclaimed proudly in my head as I stood there in horror unsure of what to do."

"You're forgiven. Now I've heard you were looking for a place to help those with gambling addiction. I might be able to help with that..."

I couldn't believe how great she's been all morning prompting a genuine smile this time. She was still in a great deal of pain but here she was after refusing to let me do this alone or letting my stress get the better of me all while fighting my battles for me. What a contrast to when we first met.

For the next forty-five minutes or so we stood around saying the usual fond memories and trying to figure out so many was here. I recognized a few here as I wandered around listening to some of the conversations and Patty Loveless's How can I Help You To Say Goodbye. One of my mother's favorite songs.

There were a few old friends of my moms who knew me from before that I hadn't spoken to in years including Mrs. Wells who must be in her seventy snow and lived down the road from my parents. She used to babysit me as a kid and despite seeing her occasionally in town, I hadn't spoken to her in years.

"Do you know if their son is here? I heard he became a woman, can you believe that? What on earth would possess someone to do such a thing? I bet it was a lack of girlfriends growing up. You know young people need that these days even more than when I was young. They're always on a computer or playing video games and the next thing you know they just up and decide to cut it off and tell you to call them Sally just out of the blue."

She did an elaborate scissor cutting with her fingers that made me chuckle. One thing about elderly people is often times when they insult you they do it in a way that it's impossible to be mad at them.

"No ma'am." I said putting my arm around Nancy's waist. "I have a girlfriend and believe me, with her around, the last thing I ever wanna do is play video games."

We left Mrs. Wells with her jaw on the ground and made our way inside to where they were already selling copies of the DVD they had yet to play on my parents lives. Nothing is sacred anymore.

"That Davison, did he know your parents?" She said looking at a tall man in a nice suite and beard. He was good looking but I didn't recall seeing him before so I shook my head.

"I've never seen him before. Is he trouble?"

"I don't know... he runs one of companies Jake get a lot of his supplies from. Maybe I should go see if he'd rather form a new partnership."

I watched as she walked over to him leaving me alone. She was something else.

"I'll take one."

I told the young kid selling the videos. No doubt it would be good and I knew from all the photos JoAnn had scattered on the kitchen table that she put a lot of effort into picking them out so I paid the twenty bucks for one.

The thing that bothered me the most as I listened to people talking most of it evolved around the large wolf problem and how they lifted the shooting ban in town and wolves can be shot on sight now.

Tension was running high and it seemed like a lot of people here was just looking for an excuse to start shooting. I was fairly sure they wouldn't pay much attention to what, just as long as it had four legs. I would have to be extra careful with Dobby being outside alone even on a leash.

"So now we're going to have people shooting at anything that moves? JoAnns neighbor didn't describe a wolf to me. Is that even being looked into or are we just trusting a bunch of drunks who have no idea what they're going after to just deal with it?"

I said to a group full of people I didn't know. I didn't care. I saw this getting out of hand real fast and many more getting hurt.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised by this. You turned your back on them and everything they raised you to be when you did that to yourself, never once thinking about what they had to go through. Now you show up here at their service, defending that which killed them. I know it's probably too much to ask you show some respect for them even now but what about others?Have you forgotten that JoAnn was also attacked? And what about Jeff and Lenny? Who's next? Maybe some "drunks" as you call us getting the wolves responsible for this isn't much to you but it's a lot more than you."

I turned to my Uncle as I felt everyone's eyes on me.

"Fuck you, Tom! You don't know anything about me.

"Oh yeah?" He with a sick grin. " I know you got a dick and your name is Luke. I wouldn't call that nothing, would you?"

I went back outside for a breather glad to see Nancy and JoAnn talking to some people far enough away to not of heard Tom and let me slip away unnoticed for a few minutes. I needed to be alone to cool off even if it was just around the block.

I heard several grasp in surprise as I tried to keep my anger in check. I was just about to lose it when I heard Nancy telling people to get out of the way as she made her way towards me.

"What's going on here?" She demanded.

The last thing I needed was a scene here and after what happened with

"Nothing. I need some fresh air."

"I'll go with-"

"I think I can handle it by myself!" I snapped at her without meaning too. I just wanted away from everyone damn starting. How dare he say that out loud!

As I reached the corner I heard footsteps running up behind me making my heart jump into my throat.

"Crystal! Hey, wait up!"

The voice called behind me not making me feel any better. What the hell is he doing here? I really couldn't deal with this right now.

"I've been trying to talk with you-"

Jason ran up stopping about three feet from me in tan shirt tucked into blue jeans and looking as good looking as ever. The thought of Nancy thinking him attractive made me cringe.

"Linnea told me. We've been busy, Jason and still are. It my parents funeral for fuck sakes. Take the damn hint!"

"I know. I'm sorry but it's important. Linnea told me what happened."

Damn her! Why would she tell him what happened? Didn't I make things clear? I guess not I reasoned. I'll have to make sure to look up how to say "keep your damn mouth shut" in Swedish to make sure there's no further misunderstandings. Losing to Ashley really hurt Nancy's pride and having the world know it wasn't going to help her.

"I fucked up, I get that. But the fact remains Nancy needs me-"

Oh fuck that! I don't know if it was Ashley, Joann, Tom or just the sheer fact that he was implying I wasn't good enough for her but my patience had reached its limit. There was no way I was going to tolerate this

"SHE DOESN'T NEED SHIT FROM YOU!" I screamed at him. Had I been in any reasonable frame of mind I would've known I was basically signing my death warrant. Jason wasn't just a werewolf but judging how he jumped in to save my ass that time, he was a fairly strong one and could easily hurt me without even meaning to. Thing was, I wasn't in the right frame of mind.

"NOT ONLY THAT SHE DOESNT WANT YOU EITHER, SHE WANTS ME!" I screamed as I pulled the collar of my dress showing him her mark. He may of tried his best but I clearly saw a spark of Jealousy in his eyes. Now would've been a good time to be scared but it still hadn't Occurred to me.

"See! You lost! You're good looking and I'm sure there are hundreds of girls who would throw themselves at you, I've seen some of them at the bar, but Nancy isn't one of them. She's mine!"

"I know!" Look, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant at the bar. It looks like Linnea is going to be leaving and someone will need to watch it and-"

I spaced off the rest of what he said as I was hung up on Linnea leaving. Why? It didn't make any sense. Aside from being undocumented and unable to work leagally I thought she was for the most part happy there. I get it the last few days she's been under a lot of stress but so have we all.

"What are you talking about? She's not said anything. Why would she quit?"

He raised a brow as if he couldn't believe I'd ask such a silly question. I wanted to go back to telling him off but kept my mouth shut.

"Why do you think Linnea wanted to go to the Dark soirée so badly? It's one of the best ways for werewolves to approach new packs as it's neutral territory. Often times they can get a chance to talk with the alpha without much trouble. It beats risking their lives by trespassing trying to get a meeting."

I thought back and I remembered seeing Linnea talking to a group. While I wasn't anywhere near them to hear what was said it did look like a serious conversation, but she would of said something, right?

"C'mon, Crystal, I need this job so what do you say? With everything going on I'm ne- uh, I can help. You can't hate me that bad, I was mostly just trying to keep you safe. So what do ya say?"

He flashed me his charming smile that made the women swoon. I wanted to tell him I was immune but found myself actually considering what he said so maybe I wasn't."

"I don't know, Jason. Maybe things will start dying down with Jake gone. Nancy figured he was getting his brother but there's been no sign of him so-"

"The full moon."

"What?"

"We're stronger on the full moon. Biting humans to turn, pack acceptance, and yes wars, are all based on it. While some of these like wars can be done at other times it's greatly preferable and I have no doubt that's what they're waiting for."

"I remembered Linnea on the phone insisting she had that night off. She really was leaving. I needed to convince her to stay but wasn't really sure how. Nancy needed help and as much as I wanted, I couldn't protect her. I needed someone I could trust to help keep Nancy safe and as much as I hated to admit it, Jason was the only real option."

I shook my head in disbelief but Nancy's safety came before my jealousy and as much as I hated knowing his feelings for Nancy more than likely remained, that did help ensure he would protect her, right?

"Fine. You can come back but I don't want your attitude anymore and you have some extra duties added."

"Like what?"

"Like helping me convince Linnea to stay and protecting Nancy. Ashley already jumped her once and can do it again anytime. Nancy is strong but she's still all alone. I won't lie, it could be dangerous-"

"I'm in." He said without hesitation. This only convinced me more he was my best hope.

"Fine. I'll talk to her but I swear, Jason, if you try anything with her-"

"I won't! I was just not expecting you was all. I mean I always knew she could find her mate but I never thought it would be the girl Jake was-"

"I get it!"

I cut him off raising my hands to get him to stop. I didn't even want to remember my time with Jake. It was just something that never happened.

"Please, don't remind me. It's been a surprise for us too. I've never even been with a woman before but... what can I say, she's irresistible."

Suddenly I felt my blood starts to boil again. It took me a second to realize it was me upset but Nancy. I looked back up towards the church to see JoAnn talking to someone I'm a black truck. I recognized it. It was one of Ashley's.

"She wouldn't dare!"

"Who?" Jason asked following back to the church.

"Ashley. There's too many people here for her to try anything with Nancy again."

I stopped and turned to him "you stay out of sight. Nancy will freak if she sees you before I talk to her. If Ashley starts something then fine, save her but hopefully nothing will happen."

He nodded and headed around the back of a house as I quickly made my way back up the street.

"Get the fuck out of here JoAnn! I can't believe what you did. Crystal is going to lose it when she sees you here and I won't blame her."