Summary: Elena thought she was the only female werewolf, until Nick finds another in the woods around Stonehaven.

Disclaimer: I own nothing of BITTEN

Rating: T+

ANOTHER BITTEN:

There was nothing more invigorating than a run. The smell of the forest, the decaying leaves, the sounds of nature. All of it soothed the wolves that lived at Stonehaven. Nick slipped out of the house to breathe in the midmorning air. His lungs filled to capacity, his ribs expanded taking in all the scents, and one stuck out at Nick. He reacted, gut instinct drove him to run full out through the trees towards the North West corner of the property. His feet carried him, jumping over logs, rounding bushes, and racing towards the gentle scent of a woman, but not just any woman. A werewolf. And it wasn't Elena. Faster and faster he ran being guided with the warm inviting scent of what shouldn't be a female werewolf.

The air was cool, making her skin break out in goose bumps. Verayne opened her eyes, blinking rapidly at the shards of sunlight cutting through the leaves. She was in a forest with leaves and twigs tangled in her hair. How did she get here? Verayne moved, aching all over with a pain she had never felt before. Gaining her feet she looked down at her body seeing she was naked, dirt smudged her skin. She took a deep breath, tried to get her bearings when a scent caught her attention. A man. He was coming right for her. What was she going to do? Should she run? Should she hide? Though, how could she hide when she was naked and in the middle of a forest. Instead of running, she stayed where she was and waited. Verayne wouldn't back down, wouldn't show submission or fear.

The last thing Nick expected to see was an actual woman, naked, and smelling like a wolf. A female werewolf was rare, Elena being the only survivor known to their kind, but now Nick was seeing evidence of another. She was tall, slender, dark flowing curly Chesnutt hair. Her eyes were a strange lavender flecked with gold that glowed in the sun. Nick was awestruck with her beauty and the gentle rose of her scent. "Who are you?" He asked holding up his hands to show that he's not threatening, that he wouldn't hurt her. "How did you get here?" Taking a step closer to her, he made the choice to introduce himself, "I'm Nick Sorentino."

Verayne looked at the man in front of her, the man who called himself Nick. She drew in a breath, scented something about him that seemed so familiar. Her eyes widen when she looked at him. "Why do you smell so familiar?" The knowledge wasn't enough to keep her on her feet. She was so tired, ready to crumble to her knees, but she was going to fight to stay awake, to stay standing.

"Because I'm like you." Nick answered taking another step towards her. She looked like she was about to collapse at any minute. When she wavered, he was there on instinct. He rushed to her, scooped her into his arms, and tried not to feel how warm she was or how good she felt against him. Turning around, Nick set off back to the house. Jeremy would need to know about the newest arrival in Bear Valley. "Don't worry, you're safe now." Nick whispered.

At Stonehaven Jeremy stood in the great room staring at the crackling fire when the front door opened bringing with it the scent of Nick and a woman. Whirling around, he saw the young Sorentino carrying another wolf, a woman not Elena. He arched his brow, "What is this?" But he shouldn't have asked. Jeremy doubted that Nick knew. "Where did you find her?"

"She was in the Northwest corner of the property." Nick answered going to the couch where he set the young wolf down on the couch and covered her with the fur blanket that rested along the back. "I stepped out back and caught her scent. Immediately set out to find her knowing that you would want to question her." Nick said suddenly reluctant to step away from her sleeping on the couch. "She didn't give me her name, so we'll have to wait until she wakes up."

"Go get Elena, and some clean clothes for our new guest." Jeremy touched Nick's shoulder, trying to get the still so young wolf to step from the woman. "Nick." He stressed his name, "Go find Elena."

Nick heeded the word of his alpha, reluctantly waking away. Before he had second thoughts, he ran up the stairs to the room Elena used for her photography studio. Knocking on the door, Nick called out, "Elena? Are you in there?" That was a supremely stupid question as Nick could scent Elena inside. Life at Stonehaven had just gotten normal again when this girl appeared. He just hoped that she wasn't a Trojan horse.

Elena rolled her eyes as she opened the door. "You know perfectly well that I'm in here. What it is…?" A scent caught her. "A woman?"

"Jeremy needs you to bring clothes down." Nick looked Elena up and down, like he usually did, "She looks about your size. Some of your workout clothes should be good enough." She pushed him away lightly with a smile. "Chop chop." Nick clapped earning him a glare from Elena.

Down stairs in the great room, Jeremy took the chair across from the couch where the woman slept in a fitful state. He saw the remnants of a bite on her left shoulder; a wolf bite. Elena had been lucky, but this woman was a miracle. Jeremy drew in her scent, smelling the newness of her. When she woke up he would ask her who bit her, if she knew at all, and he would be able to see if she had been driven mad from the change. From what he could see, she's changed before. Her muscles twitched and flexed under her skin. Her body was growing accustomed the new demands.

Verayne was coming out of it. She was waking up to warmth, to muted light, and she was on a couch that was soft and inviting. Even a fur blanket covered her, trapping the warmth of her body against her. The scents changed. She was inside, a different man was watching her; different from the one who had found her in the woods. With a little less pain she rolled over, rested on her left side to see a man with a beard, chin length hair, a crimson shirt, grey vest, and dark blue jeans sitting across from her. Verayne tried to speak but her throat was so try, it felt like a desert. "Water… please…" She gasped.

Jeremy smiled gently, handing her a half glass of water. "Swallow slowly." He advised. She took the glass with bother hands, shaking fiercely. "You're safe now. None of us will hurt you." She took a small sip, eyes closed, and a small moan escaping her. Jeremy scooted to the edge of the chair saying in a gentle fatherly tone that he used on Clay as a child, on Elena when she was first turned, "Can you tell me your name?" She looked at him, eyes darting to the open doorway. "I'm Jeremy Danvers."

Verayne didn't feel the need to lie or to bolt. That was a first for her. Nothing threatening. "I'm…" She paused to take another sip of water. Should she really do this? Should she tell him her name? Right now she was naked, in, what she assumed was his house, and she scented that he was like her. Or was she like him? "I'm Verayne Summers."

"It's nice to meet you." Jeremy smiled gently. "What brings you to Bear Valley?" He couldn't help but stare at her. She was a marvel to behold. A second female werewolf of their kind. Elena had survived making her one of a kind. Now, this woman, she was a miracle, and she was a fighter to have come this far.

"I don't know," Verayne answered. "I was running, and running, and running with nowhere to go." The last thing she could concretely remember about her two year tour of America was to constantly stay on the move while accommodating her new state of being. She had taught herself how to survive in the world as a wolf. She taught herself how to hide and how to hunt.

"How did you get bitten?" Jeremy asked needing to get down to the real questions. This girl ended up on their property, a werewolf, and seemingly vulnerable. But he sensed a strength inside of her that she had yet to tap into. He had a feeling that she was bitten by a mutt, but he was more than willing to make her pack. No wolf should be alone.

Verayne took another drink, taking a moment before she answered, "I was… ummm… out in the woods when I heard howling." She looked at him, he had an intent look upon his face as he listened to her. "I thought it was a dog so I kept moving and then…" Her hand went to her left shoulder, "and I… uhh… was in so much pain." Then she had fallen to the ground unconscious. When she had woken up, she was in dug out hole under the large root of a tree, and she was turning. The pain had been so much, too much that she had nearly gone insane, but she refused. Verayne fought tooth and nail, defied the universe. She let the pain take her, let it break her hones, and reform her body into the wolf that now resided inside of her.

"It's ok." Jeremy soothed. "You're safe now." He rose from the chair and went to her. "This is Stonehaven, a sanctuary for our kind." Cautiously he took a seat next to her. "You do know what you are?"

"Yes…" Verayne nodded. "A werewolf." She leaned forward, setting the glass gently on the table in front of her. Then, keeping the blanket close to her body, she angled towards Jeremy. "Where exactly am I?" Everything had been happening so fast, it was all a blur. She didn't know up from down, black from white.

"You're in New York State." Jeremy answered getting up from the couch when he heard Elena coming down the stairs. Then, the blonde stepped into the room with a friendly smile on her face. "This is Elena." He said.

Elena nodded to her Alpha and then moved towards the woman on the couch. "Hi." She held out the clothing with a smile, "Nick said you might need these." Offering the clothes, Elena drew in the woman's scent; newly turned and sane. Lavender eyes linked with hers, in them she saw the need for freedom but also the desire for safety, for family. Elena had had that look for years.

"Thank you." Verayne smiled gratefully. "No one's been this nice to me in a while." She accepted the clothes from the blonde and closed her eyes. There was such a calming atmosphere within the walls of this house that Verayne found herself feeling comfortable, able to answer their questions truthfully. It was odd to not feel the need to lie.

"How long have you been running?" Elena asked going to stand by Jeremy. It wasn't the place she wanted to be standing as she had yet to forgive him, but the girl needed space, and Elena would give that to her.

"Almost two years." Verayne replied making a move to stand up. The two in front of her turned around obviously used to nudity. A couple of years ago she would have been shy, self-conscious of how she looked, and then she had been bitten. All of her self-doubt vanished in a tidal force of new problems. Taking the black yoga pants, she stepped into them, pulling them up her long legs. They rested low on her hips, the cloth cold at first and then instantly warming to her higher temperature. She pulled on the sports bra, settling the cups in place, and then came the tank top in a gentle foam green. Now she felt better, steadier, and safer in her own skin.

Jeremy turned around, facing the new arrival, "And you survived all on your own?" He was shocked that a new wolf could do such a thing. Not even mutts survive very long out in the world. "Did anyone teach you to control your change, to stay hidden?"

"No, I sort of figured things out as I went along." Verayne shook her head dropping back down to the couch. It suddenly hit her. She had been alone, on her own. No one had been looking for her. Her hand flew to her heart like it would stop from the realization alone. "No one searched for me." The only person that had looked for her had been the one person she didn't want to find her.

The father in Jeremy kicked in. He sat back down beside her on the couch. Angling his body towards her, he slowly reached out pulling her into his arms. She latched onto him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. It was then that Jeremy felt hot tears against his neck. "It's ok," He soothed with his left hand cupping the back of her head and his right arm across her back. Jeremy just held her like any father would a sad child.

"I have nowhere to go and I…" Verayne pulled back looking at Jeremy, seeing the fatherly warmth in his eyes. "I think by being here I've put you in danger." She had to let them know what her situation was.

"We're used to it." Elena piped up. They had survived an attack by a mutt army, spearheaded by a psychotic ex pack member wanting to hurt them. "I think we can handle your danger."

"When I was bitten, I was previously kidnapped by a… uhhh…. He was a serial killer known for keeping his victims alive until they loved him and then he killed them." Verayne said pulling further back from Jeremy and huddling in the corner. "I should move on before…"

"No." Jeremy said firmly. "Elena's right, we've handled worse, and you're in no condition to keep running." The truth of it was, their pack was crippled, down to five when they had been seven. This young woman in front of him reminded him of Elena after she had been newly turned. If she was open to it, then he would offer her pack status.

"So, she's staying?"

Verayne looked up to see Nick standing in the doorway. She smiled at the sight of him. He had been the first one to find her, the first one, in a long while, to show her kindness. "I guess I am." She said and then looked back at Jeremy. "I don't know how to repay you for the…"

"There's no need." Nick spoke quickly moving away from the door. Then looking to Jeremy, the Alpha, he said, "Let me show you to a room where you'll be more comfortable." Giving consent the Alpha nodded letting Nick breathe a little easier. "You're getting the best bed in the house." He chuckled when she got up and took the hand he offered.

"Let me guess," Verayne teased, "It's yours." She didn't know where that had come from. Yesterday she had been frightened out of her mind, today she was flirting with a very cute man who happened to be a werewolf.

Nick winked at her, "Well, ok, second best." His heart seized in his chest when she smiled at him. Then she went froze, her body going alert. "What is it?"

"A car's coming up the driveway." Verayne spoke just as heavy footfalls came down the stairs. Another man, tall, shaggy hair, and a beard entered. He carried the scent from Elena all over him, and he wore a matching silver ring on his hand like she had on hers.

"Jeremy…" Clay had heard the rumbling of the Sherrif's vehicle and was on his way down to be at Jeremy's side, but when he came into the great room, he saw another woman, a wolf, and all thoughts of the Sheriff fled his mind. Looking to his Alpha he said. "A wolf and a woman?"

"Yes, Clay this Verayne. Nick found her this morning." Jeremy answered trying not to chuckle at the way his son had phrased his question and then glanced at Verayne as she stayed by Nick's side. "Verayne this is my son Clay." She smiled hesitantly still remaining glued to Nick who looked content to keep her close. Could it be that the constant party boy might finally settle down?

Verayne felt uncomfortable again. "Would you all please stop staring at me like I'm the Golden Fleece." She said with a touch of annoyance. Nick chuckled at her side draping his arm across her shoulders. The one called Clay actually cracked an amused smile at her. "What? Shocked I made a mythological reference."

"No, amused that you chose that reference, that's all." Clay shook his head, his bangs falling into his face. He stretched out his right arm and found Elena's side. Then he looked at his father. "Who are we going to say she is when the Sheriff gets here?" He asked just as the uninvited Sheriff knocked on the front door.

Jeremy sighed, tugged down the hem of his vest before he pulled into the place of reclusive Jeremy Danvers, the painter. Wrapping his hand around the knob, he twisted, and opened the door to greet the Sheriff. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Sheriff Morgan always felt strange coming up to Stonehaven. "I hate to keep coming out here like this Mr. Danvers, but we got a call about an abandoned vehicle on your property near one of the maintenance roads the County uses. One of my Deputy's checked it out and looked as if there was a struggle of some sort."

"That's my truck."

Jeremy turned to Verayne. She had an apologetic look on her face. "Ah," He nodded and on instinct he lied. "Forgive my daughter, she'll head right out move it immediately."

"I thought you only had your son?" Karen asked looking the young woman up and down. She certainly fit right in with the bunch of them. Her hair was a shade darker brown than Jeremy's, tanned skin, slender build, but only her eyes differed. They were an odd shade of lavender.

"I've been out of the country for a few years." Verayne moved from Nick's side and stood beside Jeremy. "I've only recently returned to the States. About my truck, it always looks like a crime scene inside, sometimes I can be a bit of a pack rat. I parked out there so I could explore the woods around the house, to just give myself a homecoming and so I could surprise the others."

"Where'd you return from?" The Sheriff asked not sure what was wrong. There was a sense of tension riding all of them.

"Central America." Verayne lied, partially. She had been there, then she had gotten word that her mother had died. Shortly after her mom's funeral she had been kidnaped. "I'm a field researcher attached to an archeology dig in the Central American Jungle. You can call my boss Dr. David Andrews in D.C. He was there as a favor to another archeologist who couldn't attend. "

"No, that's ok. I'm sure he's busy." Karen made a mental note to check into the Doctor when she returned to the station house. "What brought you back to Bear Valley?"

"The dig was winding down. Dr. Andrews had returned to the states a two years ago. I stayed on a little longer, but it proved a fruitless endeavor, so I returned and came home, but I drove just to enjoy the sight of America again." Verayne gave the Sheriff one of her dazzling smiles to really sell the lie of her relation to Jeremy. "Again, my apologies for leaving my truck where it didn't belong."

"Quite alright." Karen smiled at both of them. "Just don't leave it out there for too much longer." Then lightly she joked with Jeremy, "At least I didn't have to come out because there was a dead body."

Jeremy chuckled. "Yes, it's a nice change. Thank you for coming out here Sheriff." He grinned at her trying not to notice the way his heart beat a little faster. The Sheriff nodded, then turned and headed back to her. With a sigh of relief he shut the door looking at their newest pack member. "You lie well."

"I've always had a sincere face." Verayne replied. She tucked some of her hair behind her ear listening to the rumbling of the Sheriff's vehicle. "At least that answered the question as to where I left my truck. Last night was such a blur." Taking a deep breath, she moved away from the door, and then started to pace in a tight line. When she stopped and looked back to Jeremy, she continued talking. "Last night I remember being at the diner and then I thought I saw my kidnaper. I was stressed and frightened. I ran, got to my truck and drove out of town, but I got as far as the service road before my panic triggered the change." Verayne shrugged. "I didn't even know where I was driving. I just had to run."

"Here's what we'll do," Jeremy reached out to her, placed his hands on her shoulders getting her too look at him, "Nick will take you to get your truck and any belongings you have, bring you back here, lunch will be ready by then, and after that we'll all talk." She nodded her consent, waiting for him to take a step back. Then he added, "If you want it, you can be pack, you can have a home here."

"Thank you." Verayne let her face go soft, her eyes show him the gratitude she was feeling. Taking a step back, she glanced a Nick. He was smiling at her and showing her a set of keys. With one more look to Jeremy, he motioned they should go. So that's what they did.

Elena waited until the door shut and the engine to the silver SUV rumbled to life before she asked, "What are we thinking about her? Are you really going to make her pack?" She tried to keep her voice light, but there was concern behind her words. It wasn't for the danger the girl might pose, but for the trouble that followed her. "I could smell her fear when the Sheriff arrived."

Jeremy nodded, considered Elena's words. "For now, she'll stay here where we can look after her. It's a miracle she's managed to survive on her own without any training. And besides, it's better she is with us than her being out in the open for any other wolf out there. They would not be as concerned with her wellbeing as I know we will be." This time he looked at Elena as he spoke. "This girl needs the pack and I believe Nick is already taken with her."

"I believe it," Clay chimed in. "The look on his face is the same one I had on mine when I first met Elena." She glanced at him, gave him an eye roll that had him chuckling. "I could make a few calls, check out her story. Maybe you should put in a call to Jorge and get her cemented as a Danvers before the Sheriff can check up on that."

Jeremy nodded. "Good idea." He nodded. "I'll do that as I warm up the grill for lunch. Burgers sound good?" He asked and both Clay and Elena nodded. He left, turned down the hall that led to the kitchen as he pulled out his phone to make arrangements for the newest member of the pack.

Clay wrapped his arms around Elena sensing something was troubling her. "What's the matter darlin'?" He asked dropping a kiss to the top of her head.

"Her." Elena answered in a whisper. "I look at her and I see me. I see the fear I had months ago when the pack was in trouble."

"That's mostly over now," Clay assured holding her closer. "We can help her. We can show her what it's like to be in a pack."