Frank jumped to the side just before I ran into him. Our eyes met just before I backed up stopping just inches from Linnea, to tried again.

Sasha was freaking out even more than before making me wish I was double jointed so I could reach behind and smack her. Maybe then she'd shut the hell up! My ear was ringing bad enough.

I followed Frank up the driveway where he easily leaped the fence into the yard. That's like six feet! He was fast too as I still hadn't hit him. I closed my eyes as I slammed through the fence right after him.

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!"

"SAVING LINNEA AND GREG! IF YOU DONT LIKE IT, FEEL FREE TO GET THE FUCK OUT!" I screamed back at her.

That seemed to get her to shut up as I chased Frank around the well that he was keeping between us. The son of a bitch still seemed to be smiling as if he enjoyed the show. Little did he know he was playing in my show not the other way around. Greg was holding Linnea up as they watched us.

Frank jumped to the side as I tried running him down again but instead of turning around this time I continued on straight busting through the fence for a second time stopping next to Greg and Linnea with the SUV between Frank and them.

"LET'S GO!" I yelled as they rushed inside.

"Nancy kommer aldrig att låta dig köra bil igen. (Nancy will never let you drive again.)" Linnea said getting in. The entire left side of her face was already swollen and she looked like she was ready to pass out any second.

"Were you trying to get yourself killed?" I asked letting her know I didn't approve as Greg pulled her in.

"I almost had him." She said groggily as she laid her head against him.

Three other large wolves was coming down the mountainside next to the road in an attempt to block me. Not letting them intimidate me, I floored it.

The SUV screeched as I turned sharply onto the road wondering if I tried making the turn at to high of a speed. The left side lifted off the road and then there was a large bang from the back as if one or more of them rammed us. I looked in the mirror but couldn't see anything.

We went off the road scraping the side which might of actually kept us from tipping over as the Ford crashed back down on all four wheels just as another large crash came from the back this time it was the rear window as one of them tried to climb in. Greg and Sasha took turns beating at it as he tried climbing in with a passed out naked chick between them. It would've been comical under different circumstances.

Finally Greg managed to kick it in the face causing him to fall off. There was a loud yelp along with a bump. My mind raced with wondering if that was what I thought it was. It could've been a rock I hit, right? Looking back in the rear view confirmed it as there was a young man lying in the road. Frank stood next to him now back in human form burning with rage.

"Keep going!" I heard Sasha in my ear. In my daze at the realization I just killed someone my foot had let up from the gas. I punched it again giving her a frown in apology. She seemed to of accepted it as She scooted back in her seat.

The road took everything I had to stay on. The speed limit was only twenty in the gulch, and I was doing close to fifty. As long as nothing is coming the other direction we should be fine. If something is, we'll be dead before I see them.

I took a deep breath of relief once we left the gulch. I was fairly sure they wouldn't try anything out here as it was far more open. The road went right along side I-90 which would've made it impossible to try something without being seen.

I had two unconscious women, one who was badly hurt but her vocal cords seemed fine, and Greg who was dirty but seemed the least injured out of all of us. As my adrenaline died down my side was aching terribly.

"You need me to drive?" Greg asked but I just shook my head as I tried thinking what to do. The one was clearly of Ashley's pack but I was unsure of driving there. The reception wasn't likely to be good as I'm sure she must know what happened and is preparing to strike back. Dealing with me and her hurt member probably wasn't high on her priorities right now. Still, maybe JoAnn went back there.

I dug for my phone trying to call her only to have it go directly to voicemail. I let out a sigh telling her to call me as soon as she got this. I hung up tossing my phone down only to grab it back up trying Ashley's number to the same thing.

"Fuck!" I yelled just to get it out of my system as I flew down the road.

"There's blood everywhere! I can't stop it!" Greg panicked voice spoke up from the back. He had his shirt off using it to press against Linnea's chest. Sasha was in the passenger seat her head slowly drifting down only to be jerked back upright. Now that her adrenaline was dying down she was about to pass out as well. Not what I needed.

"Hey! Don't you dare pass out on me!" I commanded hitting her in the shoulder.

"Ouch!" She said looking far more awake and rubbing her shoulder. "What? There isn't bigger problems at the moment than getting back at me? You can have him, okay? I was never into him anyways."

I felt Linnea's breakfast she had made earlier threatened to come up forcing me to cover my mouth. "Jesus! I can only handle so much."

She smiled weakly "Sorry."

We made it to my trailer about twenty minutes later. I knew we couldn't stay here as it was far too close to Ashley's property and even if it wasn't, Jake knew where this was and his brother was now officially pissed off at me.

Dobby to my relief didn't throw a fit with two werewolves he was unfamiliar with showing up with me, laying under my kitchen table as me and Greg got everyone inside. I just hoped we had enough time to try and get these wounds cleaned up, stop the bleeding, and grab some things before we had to leave.

I let Greg get started as I went to the bedroom grabbing my dads old 721 and 870 from under the bed along with a few boxes of ammo. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

"You ever handle one of these before?"

Greg turned around from cleaning Linnea dropping the washcloth. "Whoh! Where the hell did you get that?

Liberals.... I joked to myself "Under my bed. Do you know how to use it?" I said sternly holding out the shotgun to him. I figured his targeting practice was limited to Call of Duty so the 870 was the best bet for him. Plus my dad wanted me to use the 721 to kill the son of a bitch that hurt, JoAnn.

"It's loaded, just pull the trigger." He nodded taking it.

It took well over an hour but we got everyone cleaned up with fresh bandages on. Sasha, I was especially concerned about as i was sure her cuts were infected. Her leg looked terrible. I gave her a couple pain killers i had for my rib while popping a couple extra myself. Sasha still took two of them without complaints.

"You know, you're not actually half bad. I know I'm the last person you'd wanna be helping but thanks."

"Mmmm nooo, don't flatter yourself! The last person would definitely be Jake or his brother at the moment." I teased her. "You're going to have to up your game if you want to win that title."

She let out a weak laugh still in a lot of pain. "Fair enough but I did want to say thank you. It can't be easy to help me."

"It is. Despite your grudge against me I wouldn't leave anyone behind there.

"Well thank you."

"If you want to thank me just don't steal anything of Nancy's. She will kill you."

"Oh you heard that..."

I glanced up to through my eyelashes letting her know I didn't approve.

"My dad worked for Jake since I was a kid. Mostly working in the lumberyard but he would occasionally drive truck for him too. Jake fired him about three months ago. My dad said it was for no reason but I know he'd show up late from drinking and looking like shit. When Jake refused to pay him what he thought he was owed my dad came up with this plan to rob him and get the money that way. It was actually supposed to of happened a couple months ago but then I learned about him being a werewolf and I thought..."

"...He'd fall in love with you, turn ya, and you'd live happily ever after? And me and his wife?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, live happily ever after too? I just figured after I got turned I'd take off. My dad would have the money to do with whatever and Jake has insurance, right? So it's not like he'd lose out on anything. The asshole didn't even seem that interested in me. That night we met was the most attention I'd gotten from him. I just didn't understand him, I never had to work so hard! Anyway, I never wanted anyone to get hurt and I didn't think things could get-"

Okay... maybe I was softening up a little with her. I mean it's a bit hypocritical of me to hold Jake over her head when I was in the same boat. Nancy has more than forgiven me so maybe I could try.

I held her for a few minutes till she calmed back down then I went out to clean Nancy's truck.

Blood was all over the seats so I went out to try and clean what I could before we headed out even though I still had no idea where we were going. Well, I did have one place that might work but I hated the idea of it.

I stared looking at the stains on the upholstery. The dark red blotches against the blue fabric that I could still smell. I've heard the werewolves talk about hunting at the bar and how they could smell the blood. I thought they were exaggerating or it was some supersmell thing, but being in that house earlier, and now here... it's not. I could clearly smell the metallic scent of it even after scrubbing.

Fuck it! I didn't give a shit anymore. Now that I was alone out here cleaning more blood the realization that I killed someone really began to hit me.

I wasn't even sure how I was supposed to feel about it. Clearly, it was self defense. I don't think anyone would argue differently especially if they stepped into that house. The image still fresh in my mind after cleaning this up and my trailer. If that wasn't enough, I still had no idea where JoAnn was.

Sasha said she was sure she made it to other pack members but Frank came back from somewhere, what if he got to her? I pulled my phone out and tried calling her. It rang several times before going to voicemail.

"Fuck!" I cried out in frustration. Taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down and try to keep my mind from automatically going thinking the worse. Once under control about as well as I figured I'd get under the circumstances, I called Ashley only to get the same response.

"Fuck!" I repeated slamming the door. Now feeling even worse for letting me emotions get the better of me. I can't be doing that I bitched at myself. There are four people inside the trailer (three with major wounds) depending on you. Now get your shit together!

I took a deep breath and grabbed the rifle and headed inside. Just as I got to the front door I heard something snap in the distance.

The sun was still bright out but my property here was higher up from the road making it harder to see anyone who wasn't on the driveway that curved around.

I brought the gun up near my eye, my heart pounding so hard it made my hands and the gun shake like it was on top of a washing machine.

I tried to swallow but my throat was too dry. Walking backwards while praying I didn't trip over anything I gave my door a few good kicks hoping to warn Greg.

A moment later he opened it as Dobby flew out knocking me forward off balance. A loud bang sounded from the rifle as it went off. In some ways it was a blessing as the kick from it helped me catch my balance before smacking face-first into the ground and really messing up my rib even more.

Once I managed to recover I cocked the bolt back as quickly as I could just as a large brown and gold wolf came into view, followed by two others behind her.

OH MY GOD! I ALMOST SHOT NANCY!

Her eyes were squinted telling me she was not happy but I felt too bad to care, dropping the rifle and slowly making my way towards her.

"Um... Crystal?" Greg's voice sounded a million miles away.

She now stood in her human form trying to fight off Dobby as he tried jumping up on her and licking his face. After all these years he betrays me so easily...

"Get the hell away from my mate, Dobby and go find your own!" I tried knocking him away but it was no use. He'd only jump right back on her.

"Circle the area, but stay close. If either of you have a problem we need to be within earshot." She was pissed. She practically snarled at the other two and I knew it had nothing to do with me almost shooting her.

At hadn't seen Jason in wolf form hardly at all but I was sure the one had to be him. If not, I'd let Nancy know if changed my mind about him coming back. The medium black one with specks of dark grey fur I figured had to be Blake both nodded before heading off in separate directions leaving Nancy to focus on me.

"Could you tell me why I got a call from Greg telling me what happened and I received nothing from you? I checked multiple times and there wasn't a single message on missed call telling me that you ran into Frank, Linnea was hurt, and you ran over a member trying to get away. If you had I would've told you to get your ass back to Lakeside and not go back home where JAKE KNOWS WELL AND IS RIGHT NEXT TO ASHLEY'S WHOS THEY ARE AT WAR WITH! Do you have any clue how damn lucky you are to even be alive right now?"

My throat was dry. I took a step back from her. The last time she was even remotely this upset with me her claws was digging into my neck.

"They needed help, Nancy! I really didn't think Linda would've survived the ride over there. She had lost a lot of blood as had Linnea and Sasha. Both me and Greg had guns and I was preparing to leave. I didn't think Jake and his brother would rush here as it is close to Ashley's. I'm sure she's just waiting for them.

She glared at me. If my words did anything it seemed to upset her even more.

"It's not her job to protect you, it's mine. And from what I was told she'll not even going to be able to protect herself, let alone worry about you. She was out numbered as it was and now even more so. How many at the house?"

"Just Kevin that we saw. Sasha said JoAnn ran to some members but I have no idea how many or if they got away. Linda seems to be still hanging in there but she can't even lift a glass of water at the moment so she certainly can't fight."

She took a deep breath still staring daggers at me. Why the hell can't she see I was just trying to protect her? Finally, after what seemed like an eternity she seemed to relax a little. Her glare no longer held quite the deadly venom it did moments ago, just a little something that would make you ill for a few hours. She ran her hand through her hair and started pacing.

"Kevin was one of the few of them with any resemblance of common sense. Shawn, her father, is still formidable, but he's not the alpha anymore and is getting up there in years. Same with mother, Kara.

I was hoping she'd put up more of a fight but this is looking more and more like a slaughter. I'll know more after I scout the area. One thing I do know for sure, this isn't an area you should be anywhere near."

She wanted me to leave. Of course she did but she could forget it. JoAnn was still missing and I wasn't going anywhere till i found her. Even under the best of circumstances she was back safely with Ashley, it was still about to be overrun by two packs along with Nancy who can say all she wants about only being after Jake to whoever but with me, she should remember who I am.

"I was planning on taking them to my parents' place as it has a lot more room and I never told Jake where it was. I know you want me to go back to Lakeside but I'm not leaving The Valley without JoAnn.

She followed me inside blowing steam out I felt like Little Red Riding Hood with the Big Bad Wolf. Only difference is, she wasn't his mate and had to let him in. Lucky little bitch.

With Linnea in the trailer I didn't give a thought to Linda's reaction to seeing Nancy. A slight oversight.

She may of been far too weak to shift but she was still strong enough to roll off the couch in her attempt to get away. It was a damn miracle we got her bleeding to stop as it was now this threatened to undo it all.

It took both me and Greg to hold her down till we were able to convince her she wasn't in any danger. Nancy was fuming and I could hear her bitching up a storm about her being here. I wanted desperately to tell her to shut the fuck up as i was sure my ears were still hurting from it. Still, I needed to be able to walk and Nancy being vocal at the moment wouldn't help Linda so I just kept my mouth, mind, or whatever shut.

"If you don't get a leash on her, I'll do it. We don't have time for this."

As i was sayin'... I flashed her a dirty look while hoping she'd knock her shit off but that was seeming more and more unlikely.

We finally got Linda calmed down and loaded up along with the others. No thanks to Nancy who hadn't calmed down at all and was still insisting I returned to Lakeside especially when she got a good look at the shape of her truck.

"I'm not going and that's final!" I told her defiantly as I got and tried shutting the door. The door flung back open so hard that it pulled me along with it. If not for Nancy's hand catching me by the throat is of likely fallen face first into the ground.

Her grip was tight, possibly tighter than when we met at The Wolf's Den. Once again I was struggling to breathe as she pulled me like I weighed nothing towards the back.

"I'm sick of arguing with you about this."

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, let her go!" I heard Greg yell at her. I admired his bravery but now wasn't the time for him to play the knight in shining armor.

"Scoot your asses over and don't tell me how to handle my mate! I'm trying to protect her whether she likes it or not."

"What you need to do is let go of her right now!"

This was quickly escalating. I tried to tell him to shut the fuck up but I couldn't draw a breath let alone form a sentence.

My phone went off in my back pocket startling both of us. The gold in Nancy's eyes looked like a raging inferno but at least her grip loosened enough for me to pull free.

I stumbled back a few feet till I managed to catch my balance. My neck throbbed where her grip was as I sucked in large breaths that hurt like hell because of my ribs.

Nancy went to grab me again but something with me must of broke through to her as I watched her take a step back through my eyelashes.

"What is it?" She asked in a concerned tone.

"JoAnn needs help."