A/N: I hope you this chapter, and thank you for reading.
Caiden POV
We are driving down the highway in complete silence, and it's more boring than watching paint dry. I thought she was kidding about me only talking when I tell her directions. It has been like this for two days, and two states. A part of me feels like I will die from the lack of conversation, but the other part of me feels like she is testing my ability to follow an order, albeit a stupid one.
"When is the next exit?" She inquired.
This snaps me out of my thoughts, and I look down at the GPS on my phone.
"At the rate we are driving we'll be near the exit in…" I look up from my phone towards Serena." ten minutes." I answered.
Serena nods her head in acknowledgement, and the silence continues. I fidget with my seat beat; it's a five point harness or something. If I am being honest I am getting a bit claustrophobic, and surprisingly car sick.
The car window on my right opens up, bringing a gust of the night air into the car, as I breathe the air my car sickness lessens. I look towards Serena; she turns to look at me. I give her a smile as thanks, after realizing she was being helpful, and she returns it with a faint smile, then she looks back towards the road.
Finally some progress with her. I was starting to think I was sitting in a car with a mortician. I put my right elbow on the car door, and lean out the best I can to get a better look at the night sky. Man, there is a lot fewer stars than where we're from. I suppose it has to do with the pollution or something like that.
I remember when everyone in the pack would run in the forest through the trees, and we would always end up at this little cliff in the middle of the forest. We would lay near it or on it, and look up at the stars, and listen to the crickets and cicadas make their music, as we talked and laughed together... My god where did it all go wrong?
"Is this the exit?" she asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
I pull my head out of the window, and look at my phone.
"Yeah take it." I answered.
She takes the exit, and we drive for a good fifteen minutes, before we end up on a byway by ourselves. I have this urge to ask Serena, if she remembers the cliff, but I stop myself from asking.
"You want to ask me something." She stated.
I frown, because she said it like it was a fact and not a question. How did she know that I wanted to ask her something, can she read my mind?
"You looked like you were contemplating something, and I naturally assumed it had something to with me, so … you want to ask me something." She answered my silent question.
"Yeah I do, um … I … I wanted to know if you remember the cliff." I answered, not looking her in her direction as I answered.
"The cliff." She said more to herself than me. "Yes, I remember the cliff." She replied.
I look at her, and her face is expressionless, but there is cheerless expression in her eyes. Should I push it further or change the subject?
"I miss them, if that is what you were leading to." She said.
"I wasn't, but I am glad to know I am not the only one ... who misses them" I revealed.
She looks at me; she reaches out with her right hand and grabs my left shoulder, and gives me a soft squeeze. I reach up, and put my left hand on top of the hand on my shoulder. We give each other small smiles, then she turns her head back towards the road, her hand doesn't leave my shoulder, until I move my hand from hers.
"Can I ask you one more thing?" I asked.
"As long as it isn't stupid or overly emotional, because I believe you and I have had enough mushy talk for the rest of the night." She replied.
I chuckle at her comment. "No it is not overly mushy, but it might be stupid." I said.
"Ask." She said.
"How will we know if we have found it? I mean it is a proper shape shifter, it could be anyone." I questioned.
"That thing can change its shape, but it can't change its essence, its mindset." She replied.
"It's mindset?" I asked.
She combs her fingers through her hair, and exhales deeply out of her nose.
"That thing was arrogant. I could see it in its eyes, it thinks it's superior, especially to us, to our kind." She explained.
She stops and looks at me, and sees my look of confusion. She rolls her eyes, and looks back on the road.
"In its mind we turn into animals, so we are animals. To it they are superior, because it can turn into any type of human; they feel they are at the top of the food chain." She clarified.
"Why do you think it thinks like that?" I asked.
She turns her head towards me, and I see coldness in her eyes. She exhales again, and looks out towards the road.
"Because Caiden, it is sort of right about us being animals. We as werewolves can either represent the best or worst parts of being a wolf. The best being loyalty, family, strength and love. The worst being greedy, vicious, brutal and lack of humanity. This shifter is also subject to this, it can either represent the best, and worst parts of humanity twice fold. You and I are very aware of what it represents." She uttered.
I nod my head slowly mostly to myself.
"You know that reminds me of this saying I heard once, it goes some like um … there are two beasts within us. One is good, the other bad. The bigger beast is the one you feed the most." I recited.
The car gets filled with a few seconds of somber silence, with a dash of awkward. I feel like I said too much.
"Well damn Caiden. I had no idea I was driving with Yoda, because that deep. She said. Her voice heavy with sarcasm.
I punch her arm playfully, and she feigns pain. "Ouch!" she yelped.
I chuckle at her fake pain, and she smiles widely. Now this is what I call progress, she opened up; she made a joke, definitely progress. I smile thoughtfully at this thought, and I think about what she said about us representing the better parts of our nature. When did she turn into such a philosopher?
"Where almost out of gas." She announced.
I look down at my phone, and try to see where the nearest gas station is.
"The next gas station is in … six miles." I said.
She looks at the fuel gauge. "Well I think we have enough for the next … three to four miles." She estimated.
"I guess I'll steer, while you push." I said half-jokingly.
I feel Serena's eyes burn into the side of my skull, but I don't even dare to look.
I am totally going to pay for that comment.
I am so paying for that comment. I have my hands on the back of Serena's ford freaking mustang pushing it up the road, while Serena is chilling in the driver's seat steering the wheel. I have pushed it for the last … I don't even know how long I have pushed the damn car, but I am glad the car ran out of gas after four miles instead of three, but still this is exhausting!
"I was only –" I began.
"No you weren't." she interjected.
As I continue to push I shake my head in defeat, and then wipe my forehead on my already sweaty arm, so I end up with more sweat on my forehead. I growl in frustration.
"Hold up Caiden." She said.
I lean off the car, take deep breaths to lower my heart rate and put my hands on my hips, as I watch the car rolls for a few more feet. When the car stops the driver's side car door opens and Serena gets out of the car.
I bend down and continue to breathe heavily, while placing my hands on my thighs. "How long is it until we reach the gas station?" I gasped.
When I don't get a reply, I lift my head to look at Serena. She is facing away from me, with her left hand on the top of the car door, and her right hand on the roof of the car. I stand up, walk towards her, and snap my fingers next to her left ear. She jumps slightly, and turns her head towards me.
"How long is it until we reach the gas station?" I repeated.
"It's just up the road." She answered.
"Good, and as gentlemanly as I am you have to help me push this damn car there." I asked.
"Alright boss." She replied.
She then turned around and put her right hand on the steering wheel, and her other hand on the open car door, and began to push.
"Come on then." She informed.
I frown, because she complied with that rather quickly, but I shrug my shoulders, and go behind the back of the car and help push. With the both of us pushing it, the car is moving at what I believe ten to fifteen miles an hour, that's werewolf strength for you. After a few minutes I feel the car turn left, and go up the driveway of the gas station, and we slow down the pace so the car stops in front of one of the gas pumps.
"Phew, I am beat." I gasped.
"Is this place even open, it looks like it's deserted or condemned." She asked.
I look at the gas station, and notice see the self-service sign is hang off hinges, the paint on both of the gas pumps has faded to a pale red; the paint on the station has started to peel of, revealing some pieces of wood are riddle with mold or termite holes.
"You are… very right, but it is the only gas station for the next twentyish miles." I answered.
I but my hands on my lower back, and put my head as I continue to gasp. I look back down to see Serena in the car going through the glove compartment, after a few seconds I see her come out with a black cap, and a hair elastic. While looking into the tree line beside the gas station she ties her brown hair into a low ponytail, and puts on the cap, it covers up most of her face, and then she zips up her jacket. When she has finished she looks at me, and puts her hands on her hips nonchalantly.
"Do you want to wait here, and pump the gas, while I go pay?" She asked.
I nod my head. "Yeah, but can you buy me a water or something." I said.
She nods. "Only put in thirty-nine bucks worth of gas." she called out, as she walked away.
I exhale, and go grab the gas nozzle, and open the fuel tank. As I press the trigger on the nozzle. I watch the numbers on the fuel dispenser go up. I suddenly feel a chill on the back of my neck. I release the trigger on the nozzle, and turn around. I look through the tree line across the road, but I see nothing.
That was weird. I turn back to look at the numbers on the fuel dispenser. It says thirty-three forty-nine. I press the trigger on the gas pump again, but just before it reaches thirty-nine, I get another chill across the back of my neck. I let go of the trigger, and snap my head around to look at the tree line again, but again I see nothing.
Why do I keep on feeling this chill, but after I ask myself this a gust of wind brushes across my face. It was the wind; of course it was the wind. Damn Caiden you are getting paranoid. I take the nozzle out of the fuel tank, and close the door to the tank, and put it back on the fuel dispenser. I then lean on the back-end of the car that is facing the door to the gas station, but then I quickly lean off it, because if Serena saw me leaning on her car… it would not be pretty. So instead I go sit in the driver's seat, but after a few minutes I face the door to the gas station, and put my feet on the concrete. I look through the window, but it's too hard to see through.
"Hey Serena." I called.
I get out of the car, when I don't hear a response. Okay that is a little worrying.
"Serena!" I yelled.
I don't hear anything, not even crickets. I just realized how quiet it is, why is it quiet? I quickly jog to the door, and push it open. As soon as I step through the door I smell blood. I sniff the air, and the scent turns my head towards the clerk's desk which is directly to my left, and I notice there is no one behind the desk. I slowly walk towards the desk, as I do I look down the aisles, but I see no one.
I look back towards the desk; I feel the inside of my mouth start to go dry, as I am breathing in and out of my mouth rather quickly.
As Step closer to the desk the smell of blood becomes stronger, and because of the strength of the scent, this tels me it's fresh.
Okay now I am really worried! Please don't be her! Please don't be her! I begin to clench me fists, and I feel my knuckles turn white.
As I step up to the clerk's desk I see a bloody hand print on the counter. I slowly lean over the counter, and I realize I'm holding my breath. Please don't be Serena, please don't be her.
I put my left hand on the edge of the counter to balance myself, and I see an old man with a puddle of blood surrounding his body, with a giant bleeding gap on his neck, where his throat was.
I quickly sprint out of the station, but I stop to look around, but then I get knocked on the back of the head, after I fall to the ground I feel a stinging pain in my cheek.
"Grr!" I growled.
I raise myself on to my hands and feet, but I get kicked in the gut.
"Ahh!" it lifts me off the ground for a second, after I land flat on the ground. I close my eyes, and clutch at my gut.
"You aren't very tough for an Alpha." A man's voice taunted, he sounds British.
I frown, and I try to get up, but he pushes me on to the left side of my body. I open my eyes to see if I can get a look at his face, but I only see the bottom of a boot as it collides with my face.
I feel and hear my nose break, and I taste blood gush out of my nose as it brushes my lips. I try to open my eyes, but every thing is blurry.
"Robbie that's enough!" a woman's voice ordered.
I feel someone step over me.
"Dude now is not the time. Let's just… stick with the plan okay." Another man's voice said.
"Okay Trent." I feel someone grab my left bicep, and lift me up. I blink to try to get the blurriness out of my eyes. "Let's stick with the plan." Robbie said sarcastically.
"Oh, and did you kill the girl. She looked like a fighter, haha. " Robbie began.
My eyes snap open, and I see red, but I feel my eyes turn blue.
I grab Robbie by the throat, lift him up in the air, and slam him hard on the concrete. I hear a loud crack. I turn and look at the other two. The girl has dark hair, olive skin and is wearing a leather jacket. The other guy is wearing a flannel shirt and a bucket hat, and when I look at them I realize something, that makes my blood boil.
I instantly feel myself fully shift. My claws protract, my teeth enlarge and lengthen into fangs.
"You're god damn teenagers!" I growled.
How could she be killed by a bunch of teenagers? I take a step forward, and they fully shift. I look at the color of their eyes and they are both a sharp yellow.
"And you're Omegas, that's just … grr!" I growled.
I am about to lunge at them, but then I feel something go under my arms, and I feel fingers interlock around the back of my neck. I realize Robbie has trapped my arm, and I quickly begin to struggle against Robbie.
"Trent, come here and grab one of his arms!" Robbie ordered.
I watch Trent slowly walk towards me, walk to my right, and interlocked his left arm with my right, and has a firm grip on my wrist. Robbie releases his lock on me, and quickly does the same as Trent with my left arm. I continue to struggle, but with the both of them holding me, and my injuries make escaping or fighting them slim possibility. They both push me to my knees, and escaping just turned from slim possibility to very unlikely.
"I thought Avery said this guy was an Alpha." Trent said.
"She was obviously wrong. Alex go find Avery, and – " Robbie began.
"Yoo-hoo."
I look behind me, and see Serena standing their fully shifted, with her cap still on, and standing behind a young woman with coffee and cream skin, who I assume is Avery. Serena's arm is draped around Avery's stomach, while her clawed right hand is wrapped around the girl's throat.
I see her smile a toothy grin, which shows off her sharp fangs. "I believe you are looking for us." She said coyly.
I chuckle at her comment, and I am roughly pulled up from the ground by Robbie, and I get turned around so that I am standing in Serena's direction, which is on the right side of the station, she is standing just under the roof of the station.
"Well it seems we are in a bit of a standstill." Serena said.
"Yes it seems we are, love." Robbie agreed.
"How did you –" Trent began.
"Know you were about to ambush us, it was easy I couldn't sense any of you. I couldn't smell any of you, but I could sense druid magic." Her arm tightens slightly "I could sense her, and it wasn't hard to put the rest together. Sorry I didn't tell you Caiden, but I had to get them to think you were an Alpha. That way I could get to this druid, while they were busy with you." Serena explained.
"It's fine boss." I groaned.
I hear boots click on the ground, and watch the girl… Alex step in front. "You're an Alpha?" Alex asked.
Her tone was arrogant, and obviously showed her disbelief. Serena just stared at her, and then chuckled to herself.
"Yeah I am, and it would seem you're a pack of Omegas. That is nothing I haven't seen before, but a pack of Omegas having a druid is… new." Serena replied.
"What else have you seen?" Alex asked, with a small flirtatious tone in her voice.
"Alex!" Robbie called.
She turns towards him, and puts her hand on her hips. "What Robbie?" she asked.
"Now really isn't the time for your flirting." He answered.
"Robbie, shut up!" Alex yelled.
"How about you both try -" Trent began.
"Shut up Trent!" Robbie and Alex yelled in unison.
All three of them start to bicker, and I look at Serena. She just shrugs her shoulders, and then motions for me to come to her with her head. I nod slightly, and then stomp on Trent's foot.
He let's go of me, and grabs hold of his foot. "Ouch!" Trent yelped. I then elbow him in the face, and he falls to the ground.
I then grab Robbie with my free hand, and head butt him, and he is still conscious so I head butt him again harder, and this time falls to the ground cold, and I turn and walk to Serena, but then Alex jumps on my back, and begins to put me in a choke hold. I grab at her arms to try and pry them loose, but damn she is strong. I drop to my knees; the edges of my sight turn dark. I feel like if I don't breathe soon I am going to die. Then I feel her being kicked off my back, and I put my hands on the ground, and gasp the air.
I look up, and see Serena standing in front of me, with the girl in front of her. She offers me the hand that was on the girl's throat. I grab it, and stand up. She looks at me, and makes a face.
"What?" I asked.
"Your nose is really bad. You shouldn't have head butted him twice let alone once." Serena said.
"It was the only thing I could think of, so sue me." I retorted.
I watch Alex help Trent, and they both lift up a now conscious Robbie.
"Do you mind holding her?" Serena asked.
I look at Serena, then the girl, and I reach out, and grab her by her shoulders. "No problem. I need a rest, no offence." I said.
"None taken." She replied.
Serena walks a few steps in front of me, so she is standing in the middle of the gap between the omega's and us.
"It would seem like we are no long at a standstill."
"No shit you dumb-" Robbie began.
"Robbie!" Alex hushed.
Robbie doesn't finish his sentence, but he gives me a murderous case of the stink eye. Trent stands in front of Robbie to block his view of me.
"If you give her back to us, we will both go our separate ways." Trent said.
"I am afraid that is no longer a possibility." Serena revealed.
I frown and look in her direction, but I can only see the back of her head. What is she talking about?
"What do you mean?" Trent asked.
"I mean." Serena takes the black cap off her head, and sticks it in the back pocket of her jeans. "None of you will leave here together, that off the table the minute I grabbed her." Serena revealed.
"Serena." I said.
"These amateurs almost killed us, after everything we have been through together. We have barely started, and they almost kill us. I refuse to die, before I find the shifter." Serena said coldly.
"What do you mean the shifter?" Avery asked.
"If any of you haven't noticed, there are only two of us. There is a reason for that. The shifter can shape shift into any type of human, but it has no humanity, it is a thing, it tore our pack from the inside out. There were twelve of us all together, now there are only the both of us, we lost …" Serena paused.
I look towards Serena, and I see her clenching her fist, and I notice her knuckles are turning white.
"We lost our family, and we are seeking vengeance for them." I continued.
"Do you know where it is?" Avery asked.
"Yes." I answered.
"Then I am coming with you." Avery said.
"Avery, what are you doing?" Alex asked.
"I am going with them, but only if you all come with me." Avery said in a matter of fact tone.
Serena walks backwards for a few steps, and turns around to face Avery.
"What makes you think we are even going to take you, let alone them?" Serena asked.
"You said it yourself, I have potential. " Avery replied.
I hear the slight sass in her tone, and it makes me chuckle. Serena looks at me, and crosses her arms.
I drop the smile on my face. "Every pack needs a druid. She would be a great help to our … cause." I pointed out.
"I don't need a-" She began.
"Yes you do Serena! You need a pack, I need a pack." I let go of Avery, and grab on to Serena. "We need a pack, otherwise what is the point in going to find the shifter, if we can't even fight it. I am sick of telling you this!" I exclaimed.
"What makes you think they even want to come with us?" Serena said.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind." Trent revealed.
"I don't either." Alex added.
"Well I do." Robbie snapped.
I let go of Serena, and watch Robbie step away from them.
"Why?" Robbie asked.
"We need an Alpha." Trent said
"What do you think we were just trying to do, Trent?" Robbie hissed.
"If you haven't noticed Robbie, but they are better than us. She outsmarted us, and he kicked our asses." Alex explained.
"If all three of you want to go with them, then fine. Go with them, and inherit their problem, their issues. I was fine before I met you all, and I'll be fine after you go." Robbie said.
He begins to turn around to walk away, but Trent reaches out, and grabs his arm. Robbie looks at his arm, and pulls it out of Trent's grip.
"You all wanted me gone anyway. The only reason you kept me around was, because I am badass sociopath, who did shit you all didn't have the guts to do. Like the Coronal Sander look-alike, behind the clerk's desk." Robbie snarled.
Nobody said a word, and Robbie shakes his head, and then sprints off into the tree line beside the gas station, and out of sight. No one speaks for a few minutes, but Serena and I walk to the car, while the other three console each other, in their own way.
I sit in the driver's seat, while Serena stands in front of me, with her hands on her hips.
"We kind of have to take them now." I said.
Serena crouches down in front of me and puts her hands on my knees to help keep her balanced.
"Caiden, they tried to kill us, and they almost beat you to death. Look at your face, your nose looks like an eggplant." She whispered it was so quietly, so they others couldn't hear us.
"Gee Serena way to make a girl feel pretty." I whispered sarcastically.
She gives me a small smile, and grabs my hand. "I don't want any more people coming with us." She whispered.
"Why?" I asked quietly.
She shakes her head at me in disbelief. "Do you not remember why it is just the two of us now? That thing stole our faces, and pitted everyone in the pack against each other, and we were all very close, we were a family, and it did that to us so easily. We barely know these people, could you imagine how easy it would be for it to do it again to them." She whispered.
I look over her shoulder at them. I notice they are looking at us. I move my eyes back to Serena's.
"They can are by themselves, probably homeless, as well as pack less. We could help them, and they could help us. They can be taught, and it's not coincidental we met them, it was fate. We can learn from our mistakes, and make sure the shifter won't trick us. Please trust me Serena." I whispered.
Serena let's go of my hand and stands up. "...Fine I will let them become a part of the pack, but they have to do the one word test." She said normally.
"What's the one word test?" Trent asked.
"Come stand in front of my car, and you'll find out." She answered.
All three of them walk over, and stand in front of the head lights of the car. Trent is in the middle, Alex on his right and Avery on his left. Trent is about to but his hand on the car.
"Don't touch the car!" Serena ordered.
Trent quickly pulls his hand back. "Sorry, but is this a 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback." Trent asked.
"Yes it is good eye." Serena answered.
"It's a beauty. It has a cool color." Trent commented.
"Kiss ass" Alex fake coughed.
Trent is about to open his mouth to say something, but Serena puts her hand up to quiet them. She thens walks p the side of the car, when she reaches the front of the car, she motions for the three of them to step back, so she can lean on front of the car
"The one word test is that you have to answer a question, but you can only answer with one word." Serena explained.
"Why?" Avery asked.
"Tradition." Serena replied.
"What's the question?" Alex asked.
"Why do you want to be a part of the pack?" Serena answered. "Avery you go first."
Avery frowns for a second. "Obligation." Avery said.
Serena rolls her eyes and then points at her car. Avery walks over to the right side of the car.
"Next." she said, and then pointed at Trent.
Trent goes bugged eyed. "It's my go." He asked, as he pointed to himself.
Serena nods at him.
"Ah…survival." He said.
"Hm… okay." She then points behind her to the car, and he walks to Avery.
Serena leans off her car, and walks to Alex until they are toe to toe.
"Why do you want to be in the pack?" Serena asked, with a deadpan look on her face.
Alex stands firmly; she is trying to not look intimidated. She exhales a sharp breath.
"Family." She said.
Serena smiles, nods towards the car. Alex smiles, and walks over to Trent and Avery. Serena turns around, and looks at me. I give her a wide smile.
"Okay. I'm driving. You are in the back with the girls, and Trent you get to ride shot-gun." Serena said.
"Awesome!" Trent exclaimed.
I smile, but then I remember. There is a dead body, in the gas station.
"Don't start cheering yet, Trent. You have to go in the station, and call the cops." I said.
"Why am I calling the cops?" Trent asked.
I put my hands in the pocket of my jeans and pull out my lighter. "You have to report a fire." I answered.
A/N: I won't update for a least a month, so I can write chapters in advance.