Vivian Gandillon ran with soaring speeds through the underbrush of the forest. Her claws dug into the ground with each step she took. The autumn wind wafted her fur sending ripples throughout her entire body.

She smelled the crisp-clean night air and caught the scent of a rabbit just ahead. She leaned to the right and motioned her movements silent. The rabbit was just feet from her and the scent of it made her mouth water. She arched her back ready to pounce and when the moment was right she sailed through the air and clenched her teeth around the rabbit's neck, snapping it with a sickening crunch. The rabbit lay dead in her mouth and she feasted upon it thanking the Lady Moon for watching over her.

The following morning Vivian rose with a coppery taste in her mouth. She flexed the muscles in her arms and took in the morning air. A light fog covered the ground with a bitter chill. Winter would come early this year. After a few more minutes Vivian walked a ways through the forest shivering in the cold for she had not her fur to keep her warm but her human skin. She found the old oak tree that she had left a change of clothing for when she needed it.

The sun was now beginning to break through the clouds and Vivian cursed silently to herself. She was going to be late for school. She broke out into a run and made her way through the thick canopy of trees to her house. When she reached the inn she had to stop to take a look at it. It had just been a few weeks ago when the pack had decided to choose Riverbend, Montana as the place where they would all live. Rudy's lawyers had found some different places for them to look at since they got the insurance money back from their previous home which was burned down by the townspeople. The pack decided to spend the money on another Inn like the one they used to run when Vivian's dad was still pack leader. This new inn was actually more like a gigantic cabin with its golden brown logs for walls and furniture. It had a homely smell to it. A fireplace stood in the main foyer with cozy couches to sit on while warming up. The main kitchen is located near the dining hall where a large wooden table is set with a small crystal chandelier overhead. Glass windows fill every room with the breathtaking view of the woods and Mirror Lake.

This place was perfect for Vivian. It is nearby town yet far enough so the pack can have freedom to run and hunt. Vivian had longed for a secluded place like this since her previous home burned and her father died. The pack had had to move to the city to escape while the lawyers figured out the insurance money they would get back.

Now the pack all lived in the inn except for a few who decided to get houses in the nearby town of Riverbend. Esme, Vivian's mother, helped ran the inn with a few others from the pack. Vivian helped out when she could. It is her last year of high school and she had lots of work to do. Vivian entered through the back patio door. She hurried up the stairs to the second floor where her room stood at the end of the hall to the left. Framed pictures of scenery hanged against the wall as well as pictures of her pack together to make it a little more homely for guests. She inched her way to her room careful not to make a sound. When she reached her door she felt a large warm hand rest on her shoulder.

"Late for school are you?" Gabriel's hot breath blew into her ear. Vivian turned to see him with a lazy grin on his face. His hair hung loosely in his face and his icy eyes gazed at her with amusement. Gabriel is wearing a white t-shirt that clings to his body and a pair of jeans that just by looking at she could tell how much muscles he carried in his legs. Her breath hitched in her throat. She had to regain herself.

"So what," she replied back, turning her back to him and entering her room.

Gabriel's room was right across from hers. Esme had insisted that Vivian share a room with Gabriel, what with her being Gabriel's mate and all, but she had fought for her own room and Gabriel had actually agreed to it. He wasn't going to push her to be with him now that Vivian had accepted Gabriel as her lover. Vivian cared for Gabriel but she was still trying to adjust to being his. It was only just weeks ago that she had met Aiden and loved him but she had showed him her other side and he rejected it. It all had almost led to her death.

As she entered her room Gabriel followed behind her then moved past her to lie on her bed. Vivian had a queen sized bed – at Rudy's she had had a twin sized – that Gabriel had stretched out on with his arms folded over his head, showing the muscles in his abs. Vivian had to avert her face from him so he couldn't see the blush that crept onto her face. He looks so damned sexy, Vivian thought. She turned to her bathroom and closed the door.

Letting the hot water run over her Vivian scrubbed away the dirt and soot that had built on her from her night in the woods. She washed her hair with haste then stepped out of the shower wrapping a towel around her. Her closet was in the other room and she had forgotten to get her clothes before with Gabriel in the room. Hopefully he is gone now. Slowly Vivian opened the door and peered out. She didn't see Gabriel anywhere so she stepped out into the room and headed for the doubled door closet. She reached for some underwear, a t-shirt, and a pair of jeans then turned to go back to the bathroom to change, except when she turned Gabriel was standing in the corner gazing down at her.

Crap, I should've smelled him there, Vivian screamed in her head. Gabriel's icy blue eyes roamed over her wrapped in nothing but a towel. His eyes gleamed with heat and desire. Gabriel took his time gazing at every inch of her smirking all the while. All Vivian did was stood there unable to move, Gabriel held her with his eyes.

"I...I'm going to be late," she muttered.

"Better hurry and get changed then," Gabriel said in a husky voice.

Vivian caught herself and rushed to the bathroom hearing a low chuckle in the other room. She hurried and changed into her clothing then slammed open the door again and flung her backpack over her shoulder and exited her room ignoring Gabriel who was still in her room. He followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen where Esme was busy making coffee and toast.

"Great way to start your first day of school Viv," said Esme. She handed Vivian a cup of coffee which she took and gulped down despite the burning heat.

"I'm off mom," said Vivian setting the cup back down and making her way out.

"Don't forget to come straight home today!" Esme shouted from the kitchen.

"Kay!"

As Vivian left to run to school, it was only a twenty minute walk but with running she would make it in ten, she was stopped by Gabriel.

"What do you want now," she asked with annoyance in her voice.

"Would you like a ride?"