Chapter 2: Close Call

(I do NOT own Wolfblood. All right for the series goes to Debbie Moon. I only own Kayla Hunter.)

(Maddy's POV)

It's been almost a year since I left StoneyBridge. I can't believe it's been almost a year, it just feels like yesterday. I try my best not to think about 'them'.

We all walk toward a field, the beautiful sunset bronzing our skin in gorgeous colors. Mam and Dad walking hand in hand, they hid their emotions so well but I could tell they were dying inside. Tom and Shannon were arm in arm, Shannon leaning against Tom, both of them looking like they were about to burst out bawling like babies, whipping away their tears, trying to stay strong. Rhydian and I walked hand in hand, our fingers intertwined. I sigh, releasing Rhydian's hand, racing in front of them. "This is as far as you go." I sniffle, whipping away a tear. I sigh again. Tom pulled all four of us into a group hug. We all cried like babies, I felt Rhydian's lips kiss the top of my head, a squeeze went around the hug, we all let go. I can't believe I'm doing this. "Whitewood's gonna come for you next. Asking questions," I said, Tom interrupted me. "Well we'll defend you." He said, his eyes watering. "No, just say that you were conned to, that you thought that we kept wolves." I said, sniffing. "That's a betrayal Maddy." Shannon said her, cheeks filling with redness, tear shattering down her face. "It will keep you safe, safer. And we'll be safer." I say looking to my parents. They smiled lightly, whipping away a tear every now and then. "You promise me you'll do that?" I ask, they all nod. "And always remember, where ever we are, were ever you go. We'll always be a pack, in here." I say, putting my hand on Shannon's heart, I hug her tightly, she pulls away. Mam and Dad decided to give Tom and Shannon a hug, Me and Rhydian stood staring at each other. "Some date this turned out to be." He said through his tears, faking a laugh. I fake a laugh, as we lock eyes. I lower my head, I couldn't help myself. I looked up at him his eyes filled with tears, I could tell that Rhydian was terrified of me leaving. "I love you." I said, standing nervously, waiting for a response. He looked stunned, he grabbed me, placing his soft lips on mine, we kissed for a few seconds, I pulled away. Our foreheads lent together. "I love you, too." He said, pulling me into a hug. I gripped his jacket, moving my hand to his shoulders. I reluctantly, breathed in hesitation. "One day… when I'm older, an…. No one cares what I do…. I'm gonna find you, alright Maddy? I'm gonna find you." He said, pulling me closer to him. I squeezed him lightly, and backed up. "We'll find each other." I said, looking into his beautiful eyes, which were filled with fear and sadness. A tear streamed down my face, I turned, wanting to turn back, but I couldn't. I could tell Rhydian was holding himself back from saying 'Hell with it' and coming with me, he wanted to keep me safe, and I loved him for that. My parents were arm in arm, extending their hands for me to take. I took them, and we walked down the hill, transforming into our wolf selves, walking up the hill. I saw my pack hugging, Tom looking up. He said something, pointing at us. I looked at them, sadly. My mam and dad howled, I joined in. We stopped, looking at them. They howled back at us, we howled for three seconds, me mam and dad turning walking away. I looked back, to 'them', my pack, my family. I sighed, flatting my ears, walking off in the direction of my parents. We went to our new life, scared, hoping we could adapt to our new way of life.

I jerked up from my hay bed, looking around my cave, my eyes forming tears and the clear liquid shattered down my sweaty cheeks. "It's just a dream Maddy. Calm down." I whine, looking at Jana's bed that was on the other side of the cave, a small pool of water in the middle of the half circle. I sighed, standing up, pulling my blanket from my dirty school clothes. I went to the small pond, scooping my hands in it, drinking some, then splashing my face with the icy cool liquid. I had become the alpha of the pack with Jana, since we were in a pack together, she wanted it to feel like our old life, we shared the alphaship? I guess? I stood up and walked out of the cave, brushing my dark mid back knotted brown hair to one side. Jana came bouncing over to me, her red hair jumping up and down like a graceful gazelle. "Mads, wanna go for a run?" She asked me smiling. I couldn't resist it, I nodded, pushing her lightly, racing off. I felt my wolf rising to the surface, my eyes turning a bright yellow, I looked back seeing Jana chasing after me with a smile. We did this all the time, it got me mind off of…. Them.. We raced around the territory, stopping a river. This was our hiding spot, when we need a break. It got me mind of Stoneybridge. Jana and I were like sisters now, which I would say, saw the best thing about being wild.

(Rhydian's POV)

I groaned as my alarm clock went off. "Shut up!" I yell throwing it onto the floor. It shuts up, I sigh in relief. I stand up, pulling my uniform out, I heard the pipes creak as the shower switched off. I shook my head, quickly getting dressed, brushing my teeth and hair. I hear a voice singing, almost perfectly. I finish up, slipping on my shoes walking out.

"White lips,

Pale face,

Breathing in the snowflakes,

Burnt lungs,

Sour taste,

Lights gone,

Days end,

Struggling to pay rent,

And they say,

She's in the class A team,

Stuck in her daydream,

Been this since way 18,

But lately her face seems,

Slowly sinking, wasting,

Crumbling like pastrie….."

Kayla walks out, dressed in her uniform, her red hair, and teeth brushed. "Hi…" She said, her cheeks flushing red. "That's amazing." I said, shutting my door, turning, walking down the stairs. I walked into the kitchen, grabbing some toast. Popping it into the toaster. A few minutes later, Kayla walked down the stairs, I had just finished making my toast, devouring a piece, Kayla walked over snatching the other. "With me in this house, you better get used to the idea of me taking your food brotha." She smiled, shoving it down her throat, grabbing her pack. I finished my piece, shaking my head at her comment. "Hey, you comin' or wha Rhydian?!" She yelled at me with that American accent. I smiled, chasing her out the door. We raced through the forest, dodging the trees. I landed on the concrete first. She smiled, pushing me lightly. "I let ya win ya know." She smiled at me, which made me laugh. I see Tom and Shannon talking, and I see Kayla race over to Liam.

"Hey, Rhydian?" Tom asked. "Yeah?" I asked turning to them. "Do you trust Kayla?" He asked, his voice almost barely audible for a wolfblood. "Well, I guess, why?" I asked. "There's something she's hiding from us." Tom said suspiciously. "Well, she's only been here a week. We barely know her." She said to both of us. "Yeah." I said, looking at him. "Fine, but it was just a feeling." He responded.

(Kayla's POV)

I was standing over with Liam and his weird ass friends. "So, remember me asking you if you wanted to hang out sometime?" Jimi asked, I nodded my head. "How about Bernie's tonight?" He asked. "Umm… sure…" I muttered. "Great!" He smiled. "Hey, are you sure your Liam's cousin?" Sam asked. I growled quietly. "Yes. Why?" I said, with a smart ass voice. Sam looked down. "Oh, I get it. You two have a crush on me, and you're wondering why I have the good looks, and why the good looks skipped over him?" I growled, each of them blushing slightly nodding. "Well, yes, I am Liam's cousin. And you know what, forget Bernie's." I bark, feeling my veins in my hands turning ink black. I turn, hitting Liam in the stomach by accident with my pack. I growl, as I walk over to the others, I feel my eyes transforming into a golden yellow. "Kayla, calm down." Rhydian said, putting his a hand on my shoulder. "I can't Rhydian. I have to get out of here." I growl through my rotting teeth, my veins growing up my neck. Rhydian's eyes went wide. "Woods, now!" He said, pushing me toward the hole in the fence.

I immediately transformed into a strawberry blonde wolf, with white around my muzzle, a white sock covering my entire right front leg, and the rest barely had white. "Calm down." Rhydian growled at me. I couldn't control my instincts. I gave off a challenging growl, he growled back at me, he bared his rotting teeth, his eyes turning yellow. I whined backing up slightly, I couldn't lose a pack, not again. I turned back to normal. "What were you thinking!?" He yelled at me in fury. "You could've exposed yourself to your stupid werewolf hunting cousin!" He growled. I jerked my head up. "Wha? Liam's a wolfblood hunter?" I ask. "Yes, he's the reason Maddy was gone!" He retorted. I sighed, a tear slipping from my right eye then my left. "I'm sorry." I mutter, pushing past him. I heard him groan, and call after me. I ignored him.

"Kayla!" Rhydian called once more, I growled pushing past all of the students, charging into the dark room. I slam the door, I heard Rhydian yelp, walking into the dark room. I growled almost silently, my eyes flashing to yellow at him. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to snap at you." I whine, my eyes turning back to their natural sky blue color. "Jimi just winds me up! He is starting to get on my nerves. He tried to ask me out." I said, holding my mouth as I said the last line. Rhydian sighed, walking over to me. "It's fine, but next time, don't wolf out." He said, I looked at him with a smile. "Come on, let's go get lunch." I smiled, hugging him lightly walking out the door.

We walked into the canteen, and got our lunch. We sat down with Tom and Shannon, I looked over to Liam. "I'm going to go apologize to Liam for hitting him in the stomach, with my pack." I said, standing up walking over to my cousin. His mates come over, and tried talking to me. I completely ignored them, focusing on my family member. "Hey Liam." I whined, sitting down beside him. "Hey Kayla." He said looking at me. "I'm so sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to hit you." I said quietly. "It's okay, I'm fine. I'll get you back one day. Remember when we were five?" He asked. I nodded. "Yup, I pushed up into mud when we were playing tag. Then a year later, you did the same thing back to me." I laughed remembering the good times we had together. "Yep, I'll get you back, as always." He laughed. "I gotta go. Love ya." I said, kissing him on the cheek, walking back over to my friends.

(Maddy's POV)

Jana and I were laughing, high fiving. We hugged lightly, she looked at me. "Wanna go for a swim?" She asked. "Sure." I smile. As usual, we took off out shirts, pants and shoes, just leaving us in our Bra's and Underwear. We hung the clothes on a tree stump. We looked at each other, we smiled, and raced toward the large pond. We each jumped at the same time, we ended up landing in at the same time. Jana and I laughed our asses off, as we rose to the surface. Our hair was sucking the water into it, dirt jumping off flowing with the cold calm stream. She splashed me, and I splashed her back. I pushed her under, letting her come back up. We each laughed, and messed around in the icy water for a hour or two.

We each clambered out of the water, shaking and, twisting our hair to wring the water out. "Come on, we better get going." Jana told me, we slid on our dirty clothes, and raced back to the pack. The hunters had brought back four large bucks and had began skinning the meal that would last us a few days, the healers were sorting out their herbs making potions for the sick pack members, Mam and Dad were on border patrol with Ceri, Aran and Meinir. The cubs were playing, tackling each other, racing, and having fun. This was my life, It was so different without 'them'. "I'll be right back. I have to use the bathroom." I said to Jana, she nodded. I ran off into the woods, making sure no one was following me. I couldn't stand it, I had to check up in them, even though I promised I wouldn't, It probably was going to make me feel worse. It doesn't matter, I had to make sure they were okay. I knelt down, my fingers spread into a cone on the ground, I felt the nature around me, and looked to the sky. I had a feeling I was going to regret using Eolas to see them. Eolas went to work, and It flashed to Rhydian, Tom, Shannon, and a Red headed girl, who I could tell was a wolfblood. Rhydian looked happy, I smiled seeing his smile again. Tom eyed this new girl suspiciously, I could agree with him, she did act suspicious a bit. They all laughed, I listened to their conversation. 'Jimi asked you out on a date?!' Shannon said laughing, "Yes, you should've seen his face when I snapped at him.' The red head giggled. 'You have to go on that date, and tell me the embarrassing stuff he says.' Shannon laughed.I could tell they were happy, and I was so glad that they were, I nearly pulled out of Eolas then I saw something. Jimi walked over to the girl, who turned and nodded. She looked back, and mouthed help me. Shannon, Tom, and Rhydian laughed as Shannon put she thumbs up. I smiled and pulled out of Eolas. A tear of happiness fell down my face, I whipped it away, and walked back to the pack.

"Maddy, is everything okay?" Jana said bounding over to me. "Yeah." I said, with a smile. A few seconds of silence was between us, she looked down then back up. "You used Eolas, didn' you?" She asked, looking at my sadly. I nodded, and she pulled me into a hug. "What going on?" She muttered through my shoulder, she pulled out of the hug. I told her what I saw, I even mentioned the date with Jimi. Jana slightly growled when I told her about the new girl and Jimi, I looked at her slightly and smiled. "Ooooo! Jana has a crush on Jimi!" I said, raising my voice teasing her. "No I don't!" She said, quietly, but I could tell she was lying. I glared at her, giving my you-can't-fool-me-look, and she cracked. "Fine… I do have a teensy crush on Jimi." She said, I still glared at her. "Fine! I really like him." She barked. I giggled, holding my stomach. "Shut up!" She barked at me. I couldn't help myself. It was two funny. "The girl who is wild, walks into the school, being unpopular, falls for the towns rich human bad boy? Sounds like a True Love story to me." I say, laughing. She walks over to me, pushes me lightly, smiling. I laugh and push her back. We walk back to our cave, and start talking about stuff.

(Rhydian's POV)

Jimi walked over to Kayla, and asked to talk to her. She looked at us, nodded, and mouthed 'Help me!'. All of us laughed, especially when Shannon put her thumbs up. "Rhydian, do me a favor." Shannon said, looking at me. "Wha?" I responded. "Tell me what their saying." She asked, in a begging manner. I looked at Tom, he shrugged. I sighed, turning my head toward them, using my super hearing listen to the conversation.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Jimi said. Kayla just stood there, looking down. "It was Sam's doing, It wasn't mine. I never thought you weren't Liam's cousin." He said. "Oh really?" She said looking up to him, she placed her hands on her hips, and gave him a scowling look. "Prove it." She growled. Jimi stood there, fiddling with his thumbs. "Can't you give me a second chance?" He asked, in his usual annoying pleading voice. Kayla groaned. "Fine, just this once." She slid her hands from her hips. "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you." He repeated. "See you at Bernie's at five." She said turning around walking back to us.

I snapped out of it, and quickly told Shannon. "Hey, Rhydian, did you think I wouldn't notice?" Kayla said, sharply, placing her hands on her hips, glaring at us. Shannon blushed. "It was my fault, I asked him too." Shannon said. Kayla groaned. "So, you're going on a date with Jimi?" Tom said. She nodded embarrassed. "Do you like him?" Shannon said, smiling. Kayla shook her head, looking down at her feet. I could tell she was hiding something, I didn't say anything though. The bell rang for the end of the day, everyone walked into the school to get their stuff, and walked out. Kayla grabbed her stuff racing off to our house, into her bedroom before I could even talk to her. 'What is with her?' I thought.

(Kayla's POV)

I changed out of my school clothes, put on a white t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and combat boots. I scrambled out my phone, and began scrolling through my pictures. I smiled when I saw his beautiful face, it was out last picture we took together, he and I had kissed. I loved this boy. I exited the app, sliding my phone into my back pocket. I sat on my bed drawing, for two and a half hours. I noticed it was ten minutes till five, so I walked out of the house to Bernie's.

Ten minutes later, I ended up at Bernie's. Jimi saw me, calling me over. I embarrassedly walked over, sitting down with him. We sat their talking for a hour. 'God! He was wasting my time. I was supposed to be out of here by now.' I thought, trying to think up a excuse. Luckily, My phone buzzed setting off my Ringtone of 'The A Team by Ed Sheeren.'. I took out my phone, smiling at the contact. "I'll be right back." I say to Jimi, he nods. I answer, walking outside.

'Hey'

'Hey'

'Where are you?'

'I'm with a friend I guess… I think he thinks it's a date, though.'

'Do I need to come down there?'

'Jealous much?'

'No.'

'I'll be there in Ten.'

'Okay, Fine.'

'I'll see you soon. Love ya.'

I hung the phone up, walking back into Bernie's. I sit back down. "Hey, my dad called. He wants me home. I gotta go." Jimi says, sighing. "It's fine, It was my foster mom. She wanted me home too." I lie. "Okay, we'll see you on Monday?" He asked, standing up. "Yeah, sure." I mutter, standing up racing into the woods.

I ran for five minutes or so, then I smelt my favorite scent in the whole world close by. Oak wood, Rushing water, Sweet Roses, and Pine cones. I loved that smell so damn much. I got to our meeting spot, looking around for him. I jump lightly when I feel lips against my neck, and arms around my waist. I smile, turning around meeting his silvery blue eyes. "Hey." I smile, turning around to him. "Hey." He said, kissing me on the lips, I deepened the kiss, our tongues began fighting for dominance, he pushed me against a tree pinning my hands against its trunk. He eventually pulled from the kiss, taking my hand, I pulled from the tree, wrapping my arms around his neck. "I love you, you know that, right?" I say, pecking him on his lips. "Yep, I love you too."

Did I leave you guys hanging? I hope so! EEEEKKK! Can't wait to write the next chapter. Tell me if you guys like this chapter! Thanks for all of the positive reviews on the first chapter, and well… you will HAVE to wait to see who this mystery boy is. Oh, and when Rhydian listened to Kayla singing, he wasn't been a creep, he was in his room until the last line when they each walked out. Okay, Love you guys! –Whitie