WARNING: SHORT CHAPTER AHEAD. I'm really sorry about this, but I'm posting a much needed really long chapter right after this one so no worries!

Chapter 4: Don't Touch Me

I slapped the hand away and leaped back as far as I could, crying out, "Don't touch me!" My back slammed into the concrete wall and I curled up into a small ball, hugging my legs to myself as my hair fell in front of one eye.

I couldn't stop the memories. It had been so long since I've had a freak out and I was unprepared for this one.

No one touched me except when they wanted something. The pain came back. The hits, and burns, and cuts flashed back and the scars on my body grew tight and I feared they would tear open. I distantly heard someone trying to catch my attention and I smelled the overwhelming stench of my fear. No one touched me. No one touched me.

I began to rock back and forth with that thought playing over and over in my head. My mind was a mess of memories that rushed by and I knew I had to let them go by or this would become more painful and drawn out.

The memories were just beginning to flash in my head when I felt my arms flare in pain. I ignored it at first until my back bowed from a more understandable and physical pain. I fell on my hands and knees and panted as I felt a Change coming, brought on by my fear. I swore softly and tuned out the voice trying to talk to me. The sliver of rational mind I had left at the moment said that if I Changed now, not only would I be out of control, but the repair my body had done to my arms and ribs would probably be undone. Not to mention I just didn't have the energy needed to Change.

I took a deep breath, one right after another, and began to count backwards from 500. By the time I'd reached 273, my skin had stopped moving like there were worms underneath it and the pain was fading. I slowly moved to sit with my legs crossed and faced Jeremy and the other two.

Jeremy was right up next to the bars and looking slightly concerned. The woman looked sympathetic and the blond man looked hostile as he glared at me.

"Are you alright?" Jeremy asked.

I smiled a small smile and answered softly, "Yes. You surprised me. I don't take surprises very well."

He looked me over for a few moments before nodding slowly, "I'm sorry. I was only trying to get you to look at me."

I met his eyes in answer to his statement. "It's alright. You didn't know any better." I paused for a moment. "As for our conversation before I freaked out, you don't have to worry about me being a threat. You've done nothing to earn my anger and… I'd like to try out this Pack life. That is… if you'll let be under Pack protection for now until I decide."

I watched him for a reaction and got none. He thought for a few moments before asking, "What is your name?"

"Artemis Hunter. And please don't make fun of my name," I answered with a small smile.

Jeremy's lips twitched a bit and his eyes warmed fractionally. Given how unreadable he had been so far, I think this was his equivalent to grinning. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Artemis. It would be my pleasure to give you Pack protection."