EIGHTEEN | SOMETHING SWEET

The next few days pass without incident. Though staying away from Blue is just getting harder. I was wrong about that ache disappearing. By Thursday I'm about ready to explode. My skin hums to life when he's anywhere with in five feet of me and that all-consuming emptiness washes over me when he isn't. It gets bad enough that I find myself wandering around the woods in my wolf form just to try and find him at night.

He's never out there, though. Which I guess is to be expected. We both agreed to keep away from each other.

At school, it's almost like being in hell. So as soon as the bell rings at the end of eighth period, I'm out the door and in my car. Despite it being the place Blue and Caly's mom runs, I check out Lia's Grocery store. The ad online had a few positions open and I want to get a job soon. The fact that my car hasn't stopped making that noise is only making me more anxious. I'm afraid the engine's going to die on me any day now - or worse - explode while I'm driving.

Little bells attached to the edge of the door ring as I walk into the little store. The place is simplistic, floors clean, aisles well stocked, the only thing it's lacking are people. There's no one at the register near the door, no employee greeting customers, no milling about people - ready to offer assistance. *Huh*. But I do sense a presence. Wolven.

At first, I worry it's Blue's mom, but as I turn the corner and see it's a man, I relax. His back is to me, so I decide to make my presence known.

"Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for the manager." I say. He's an older man, maybe former military by the well-kept buzz-cut, his eyes are familiar. Stormy silvery-grey that has me thinking of two Wolven. A little trickle of dread starts up in the pit of my stomach.

"You found me - well, *one* of us. How can I help you?" He asks, a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips. I clear my throat and force the next words from my mouth.

"Hi, I saw your ad online for a grocery-stocker. I'm new in town," I explain to the man. He nods, setting aside the broom. "Scarlett Holland." I hold my hand out to the man. He takes it, rough palms scrapping over my skin like sand paper, and give me a firm shake before releasing.

"Salvador Azure." The man says, smiling as my eyes go wide. Another Azure Pack member. The feeling of fear, more nervousness than real terror, threatens to overwhelm me.

"Azure as in-" I'm almost afraid to voice the question. *He looks just like-*

"Mhm, the Alpha." He replies patiently. I feel my jaw literally drop. *I was right*. Blue and Caly's father. Head of the Azure Pack. *The* Alpha.

"Oh, um, I, uh-" I struggle to find words, any words to string together in a coherent sentence.

"Our introductions should have been formally made long ago, but Zane and Caly have been...particularly *vocal* about a slower, gentler approach with you." His eyes sparkle a little with humor at the mention of his children. I feel blood rush to my face.

"I would have introduced myself to you sooner, Alpha Azure-" I try to act like I haven't been avoiding him like the plague...though given the opportunity, I probably would have.

"Please, call me Sal or Alpha Sal. Don't go getting formal on me now." Alpha Salvador laughs.

"I don't know-" I splutter, trying to find a way to express myself again, but my words are swirling uselessly in my head instead of flowing from my lips.

"Tell you what," Alpha Salvador pulls out his phone and types something into the slim device. "Let me take down your information now and when my wife comes in we can give you call about your starting day."

"Oh, um, okay?" I'm lost by the time he hands me the phone. It's opened to a page reading *Applicants*. I see a few names and phone numbers listed with little checks by them. I find myself typing in my information and passing the thing back to the Alpha. "Thank you, Alpha Salvador."

"We'll let you know by tomorrow, alright." He nods to me, giving me that amused smile - so much like his son's that it's almost like seeing the future Blue. I'm still dazed as I leave the store, and only halfway home do I realize the gravity of what's just happened. I met the Alpha of the Azure Pack. A man who, with one call, could alert my family to where I am.

"So, how'd it go? Meeting my dad?" Blue's sitting on the counter in my kitchen, nursing a mug of cinnamon tea. I can smell the spicy stuff as soon as I walk into the house. He scoots a mug across the surface to me. I take the still warm mug and take a sip. It's a little different from last time - I can taste apple. The thought warms something in me, calming me. I go to the counter I usually sit on and hop up, letting my legs dangle as I look at him.

"Been stalking me again?" I ask, but I already know the answer.

"Pack bond." He taps his right temple. *That's what I thought*.

"I was looking for a job." I admit, shrugging. "I didn't expect the Alpha to be working."

"He insists contributing to the Pack's finances." Blue shrugs.

"He seems nice." I mutter into my mug, knowing full-well he can hear me clearly.

"Why're you looking for a job?" He watches me carefully, silvery-grey eyes searching mine slowly, cautiously.

"Car's been making funky sounds. Figured it'd be a good idea to start earning some extra cash. Considering..." I trail off, realizing I've said a little too much. *What the hell is in this tea?* I study the amber liquid. *It looks normal.*

"They're not going to get anywhere near you, Red. I swear." His words make me look up again. There's steel in his eyes, a coldness not directed towards me, a certainty that he'll keep me safe. I swallow, hard, and look away.

"You can't promise that." I shake my head, pulling my mug up to take another long drink.

"I am promising that." He's suddenly right in front of me. Not even a blur of movement. I don't even have time to react. He boxes me in, hands on either side of my legs, body fitting perfectly between my thighs. Face close enough that our breaths mingle. I freeze, my lips parting of their own accord. "I'll keep you safe, Red."

I don't say anything, don't dare move. The slightest tingle spreads up my arm, his hands running up over my sleeves and back down again. The pressure of his touch is doing strange things to me, little waves of dizziness wash over me, and it's getting harder to breathe. I want to touch him. Feel the warmth of his skin beneath my finger tips.

My hands move without my permission, like the wish has come to life and over-taken me. I only just register the feel of his smooth jaw before it's too late-

-*There's a flash of crimson in the window before I go flying. My head connects with the wall, denting the plaster and raining debris from above. I cough and sputter as dust and some foul tasting stuff coats the back of my throat*.

*"Lovely new home you have here, Scarlett. Really suits you." Paris sneers down at me. I groan a response, only getting another lungful of dust she kicks up.*

"*Let's get this over with, Parri," Ryker appears suddenly by her side, looking around the enclosed space. "This isn't the smartest place to hide, cousin." He directs that little tidbit towards me, his eyes never leaving the door in the far corner. The only way out of the room. One of the only good things about this crumby building. One way in, one way out. Or so I thought*.

"*Pretty stupid place to hide." Paris agrees and hauls me up, gripping my neck with one hand and my hair with the other. "Any idiot would know to have multiple escape routes. This place is like a one-way trap*-"

"*Well, well, what have we here?" A raspy southern drawl echoes around the room. A woman, clad in black leather and crisscrossing chains, steps into the light. Human. No doubt about it...but those chains... They're shinier than the classic stainless steel that would be ideal for fashion - or chrome...they're* silver.

*"Hunter," Ry snarls, confirming my suspicions as the woman grins*.

"*And you kids are Wolven." It's not a particularly kind look she's giving us. "Lucky me, three Alpha pups." She rubs her hands together, licking her withered lips. My stomach churns as I catch my breath. Ry is focusing his full attention on the woman now, and even Paris seems concerned by the appearance of the lady. They must not have been able to sense or smell her coming. The thought has my own Wolven senses going berserk. If two highly trained Wolven weren't able to sense her, what other tricks could she have up her sleeves?*

"*You're outnumbered, Hunter. Leave now, and we may just spare your life." Paris growls at the lady, still holding me up, but her grip has slackened*.

"*Cocky little things, aren't ya?" The Hunter grins, straightening slowly. Her brown eyes seem to glow slightly, eerily, though she smells like any other human. "Good, I haven't been in a decent fight in years." There's a tense silence, then the silver chain from her torso suddenly drops to the floor. One end is in her left hand, the other begins slithering across the ground. Suddenly, my cousin releases me, turning her full attention to the Hunter*.

"*Ry, call for back up." Paris hisses, crouching low in a stance I know too well*.

"*Parri*-"

"*Do it, Ryker. That's an order." She barks before he can say anything more. Then she's gone, a blur of bright red and electric blue. The chain follows her like a magnet, the Hunter dodging easily as Paris tries to attack her. Each of my cousin's blows are blocked by chains, and soon the smell of burning flesh has permeated the air. Ry is growling into a cellphone, probably talking to Craven or Ivy.*

"*Dance, puppy, dance!" The Hunter cackles, moving like a dancer, smooth and graceful. Paris pauses, deep slashes crisscrossing her face and arms - one long slash across her chest. Her left arm is dangling awkwardly at her side and she's visibly limping. She spits at the woman. The Hunter grins, her right hand moving to her pocket and pulling a fistful of bright purple powder*.

*Paris' face goes pale, her eyes widening*.

"*Cover you mouth! Don't breathe!" She yells, just as the Hunter opens her palm to expose the powder and blow the dust from her hand. I close my eyes and hold my breath, ducking to hide as much exposed skin as I can as the powder fills the air*.

*Wolfsbane*.

*"Paris!" Ry shouts, and I hear him running, ignoring her words. My eyes flash open - watching as time seems to slow. Ry tackles Paris to the ground - but not before the Hunter strikes with her silver chains.*

*Ry's blood splatters across the wall. I forget myself, gasping as my cousin crumbles to the ground, taking in a lung-full of the deadly dust. It's like I'm being burned from the inside. I try to scream - make a sound - but my lungs aren't working. Blood coats my lips, spurting up and drowning me. I can feel them seizing up, spasming and trying to heal - trying to eject the dust that's practically roasting me alive. I fall to my knees, gripping my throat, the world getting hazy*-

*And then everything is doused in red. My head drops to my chest, hands falling to my sides. Just like before, pain lances through my lungs, burning up my throat, and making my teeth throb. I let out a hiss, my fingers digging into my palms. The smell of my own blood wafts up to my nose, stinging my nostrils more intensely than the wolfsbane*.

*Then I'm on my feet, standing over the Hunter*.

*The Hunter's eyes widen as I hover over her, my hand at her throat, the silver chains burning my arm. It stings, but my skin is still intact*.

"*What the hell are you?" She rasps, her look of horror echoing the feeling deep inside my own body. I screech at her, unable to voice any words, and her expression morphs into one of absolute terror*. Bang. *Fire shoots through my right shoulder, and I drop the Hunter. I let out a hiss as another bullet lodges into my right knee, making me fall to the floor. My attacker stands above me, eyes bright silver - just like the gun he's holding*-

-The second the vision clears, I drop from the counter to my hands and knees, dry-heaving until the nausea passes. My head's pounding, cold sweat dripping from my face, and sticking to my skin under my clothes. I cough, clearing out something foul tasting in the back of my throat, but nothing comes up. It's like the vision forced me to carry the taste back to the present. I shudder, clutching my middle as I think back to the torture I just endured.

I ignore the pain in my muscles and lay down on the cold floor, drinking in deep breaths of the clean air. I can still hear that Hunter's laughter, echoing in the abandoned building. West. I'd gone West. *What the hell possessed me to go into the worst possible place for Wolven?* Blue crouches down in front of me, looking as sick as I feel.

"Red?" He doesn't move to touch me, though I see his hands curling and uncurling on his knees. I want to reach out, to get some sort of comfort from maybe the one person who knows what I'm going though - but I don't. *What if we trigger another vision? What if we can never touch again?* I wince at the thought, my chest starting to ache. I sit up, carefully and slowly.

"That's it. It's unavoidable." I hiss, running my hands through my hair in frustration. My fingers catch on a few tangled spots, but I welcome the pain. I think it's all that's grounding me right now. Blue nods, jaw working as he watches me.

"We'll meet up once a week to get it over with." He says quietly, holding his hand out to me. I hesitate, looking at it like it's the trap I know it to be. I don't want to feel any more pain right now. But when I take it, nothing happens.

"Looks like it's not time yet, then." I breathe, my relief leaking into my words. Blue nods, gently rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb before releasing it.

"We'll try again tomorrow until we can pinpoint the exact day." He tells me, looking as wary as I feel. He stands, his body not as tense as before, but still reminding me of a coiled snake - ready to strike at the slightest provocation.

"Deal." I croak, not really liking this game the visions are playing with us, but if we stand any chance of controlling this thing - like Mom said - we need to get ahead of it. I just wish this didn't feel like Russian Roulette.