Everyone of y'all that reviewed, added my story to your alerts, or added my story to your favorites are the best! IMPORTANT: I'd like to point out that I haven't read the fourth book yet, so if there is anything in this fanfiction that is in that book, it's a complete coincidence.

Also, I was very scared to publish this chapter. I'm not sure if it's really that good. PLEASE REVIEW! I need to know if I'm over criticizing myself and your opinion!

APOV (Alex's)

That was the most amazing kiss ever! Even though we were soaking wet and freezing, I felt like my body was on fire as soon as his lips touched mine. The entire atmosphere around us was electric. It was nearly perfect, nearly. Other than the part where y died of embarrassment when the they found us. When they showed up, I completely forgot about what happened in the water. I somehow healed Cain. Not that I'm complaining, I like the fact that my abilities aren't all destructive. At least now, I can fix what I break.

By the time we got back to the campsite the Elders, Kayla, Brittney, and Lindsey were standing around a fire, waiting for us.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Brittney said as we approached them. "You can't just run off like that in the middle of a potently tiger infested forest!"

"Geez," I said, raising my hands defensively. "I'm sorry, Mom."

I heard Cain snort behind me as I dropped my hands.

"You had us worried sick, Alex." Kayla said sincerely. I was waiting for Lindsey to jump in, but she just stared at me. I really couldn't tell if she was mad or worried.

"Let's just talk about what happened before that." Lucas suggested as the tension reached its peak. He, along with Rafe and Conner, had quickly and quietly moved over to their mates.

"Alex," Elder Wilde started, "We understand your anger, and you shouldn't feel guilty for what happened to Cain. You need to understand it was an accident, and it wasn't your fault." I just nodded. I've argued enough with him today, but that doesn't mean I don't mentally disagree. If I would have kept my emotions checked, then I probably wouldn't have burned Cain, then I probably wouldn't have run in the woods, causing everyone to panic and go looking for me.

"You have abilities that none of us has experience with, and that does mean we'll make mistakes. Right now, your main priority should be focused on your abilities." Elder Wilde continued.

"Speaking about my abilities, I somehow healed Cain's wounds." I said. The Elder looked at me slightly confused, so I continued. "We fell in the water and started talking. Then, his wounds started to glow a blue color."

"Actually, both of our wounds glowed." Cain jumped in. I was shocked, so I hesitantly moved my shoulders. Other than a little soreness, there was no pain.

"What about your power?" I asked. "Somehow he was able to communicate with me mentally, and I know I didn't read his mind because I can't hear any thoughts except my own now."

I looked to the Elders for any possible answers to how this was even imaginable. They were in deep thought, but it somehow looked like they were having a conversation with each other mentally. I wouldn't be surprised. The Elders are probably the most powerful people in this entire clan.

"Alex, we might know more, if we could get back to Wolford." Elder Wilde said. At that moment, reality sunk in. The Pantheras could possibly do the same things to Wolford as they had done to my homeland. They were taking over it.

I had to get it back. I can't let an entire clan lose their roots because of me. I will have to get Wolford back at any cost. I was already powerful enough to take on at least one Panthera. With my first transformation just two weeks away, I could defeat the Pantheras and stop this war once and for all.

I had to get to Russia—quick. Cain and I will search until the day of my first transformation. If we find nothing, then I'll go through the transformation alone and will do everything in my power to survive. For the first time in a long time, I felt like my normal self. I felt empowered and determined.

"We shall plan tomorrow bright and early." Elder Wilde said. "Everyone get their rest, it's been a long day."

Exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. I quickly said goodbye to everyone and gave Cain a quick peck on the lips, which still sent sparks everywhere and made my heart skip a beat. I quickly made it to the tent where Kayla, Lindsey, Brittney, and I were staying; as soon as I hit the sleeping bag, I was out.

I looked around. I was in a flat meadow with a small pond in the far right corner. It was a bitter-cold night, which is odd for the summer night here. I tried to rub my arms and get some heat, but instead of feeling my bare arms, I felt silk. I had on the normal white robe worn by females during their first transformation. I quickly looked up at the sky. It was a cloudless, star-filled night with a full moon near its zenith. Midnight was approaching. I was either going to live a Shifter or die a Static. I closed my eyes and waited for my faith to come.

If I were to say I wasn't scared, I would be lying. My heart was racing, my hands were sweating, and I couldn't help but bounce off the balls of my feet. I felt my first glimpse of moonlight and thought my heart jumped out of my chest. It started to burn my skin to its melting point. Not only did it feel like my skin was melting off, but my blood was boiling. Then the moonlight got heavier and heavier. It felt as if every bone in my body was breaking from the weight. I crumbled to the ground. I started to twitch; my muscles began to convulse. I tried to scream, to call for help, but I couldn't breathe. I felt my lungs collapse and my trachea constrict. Then, there were black spots everywhere. The spots grew and multiplied until there was nothing but darkness. The light may have disappeared, but the pain grew to an excruciating level.

I woke up to a blood-curling scream – my blood-curling scream. "Alex! Wake up!" Kayla yelled. I was gasping for air. When I finally was able to focus, I noticed that Kayla, Brittney, and Lindsey were surrounding me, wide-eyed and scared shitless.

"I'm sorry.." I finally said. "I just had a bad dream."

"You're apologizing for having a bad dream?" Lindsey asked.

"Yeah, I guess." I started. "It's fine though, I just need some fresh air."

They looked at me skeptically. "Maybe we should go with you." Kayla suggested.

"No, I'm fine. I-I need some space, some time to think. Alone." I said. They looked at each other then back at me. After a few seconds of their scrutinizing stares, I got up and went out the tent.

I felt a gush of cold air as I opened the tent. It felt good, invigorating. It helped me think clearer. I started walking around the camp; I knew that there was a Dark Guardian keeping guard, but I really didn't care. I reached a small stream outside of the camp sight. I sat on the back and put my feet in the cool water. My mind started to wonder on all the necessities for the Russian trip.

I would need to pack foods that could stand not being refrigerated, extra clothes, and money. Somehow, I need to pack light. I could dress in layers, but it's going to be difficult in the summer.

There's no way we could buy plane or boat tickets to Russia. I've saved all my sherpa's money, but that would have to be put towards supplies.

The major question is 'How are we going to get to from Montana to Russia?'

"We could cross the Bering Strait." Cain whispered, coming out of nowhere.

"Could we afford that?" I asked. I really wasn't shocked. If he can find in a pitch-black forest, I'm pretty sure he can find me a mile from the campsite. He sat down beside me.

"We don't have to ride on a boat," Cain said, "Especially since we have our very own ice bridge maker."

"What?" I whispered harshly. "I don't even know how to control my abilities yet."

"This is the part where we actually listen to the Elders." Cain said with a wicked grin. "We train."

"For how long?" I asked. "We need to get to Russia as soon as possible."

"Just a few days." He said. "That way we'll have some time to gather supplies."

"Do you realize how long it will take us to get to Russia?" I asked.

"If we take my truck, one full day of driving." He said.

"You don't actually think you're going to drive that thing over the ice." I asked skeptically.

"Hey now, don't doubt a Ford."

"I don't doubt the Ford, I'm doubting the ice."

He laughed at me, then went silent. He was thinking hard about something. "Why were you out here?" He whispered. "Was that your screams I heard?"

I bit my lip, choosing my words wisely. "Yeah… I had a bad dream."

"What happened?" he asked. "In the dream?"

I didn't say anything. I really didn't want to tell him. I didn't want to tell anyone what I'm scared of the most.

"Come on, Alex." He said. I just shook my head no, trying my best not to think about it. "Alex. You can't keep everything bottled up." I started singing the Russian alphabet in my head to block him from reading my thoughts. "Alexandra." He said sternly.

I don't know what happened next. It was as if the entire dream just flashed inside my mind.

"You're scared this is going to happen to you?" he asked me after processing the dream.

"Not really…" I thought. I couldn't trust my voice right now. Plus, I didn't think about the dream by myself… It was like Cain made me think that. "I'm scared I'm not going to survive the transformation."

"Alex. I promise you this." He said, grabbing my hands and looking straight into my eyes. "I will do everything in my power to help you through your transformation. You will not have to go through this alone." He said. As my eyes watered, I gave Cain a bear hug. We must have sat there for hours, just holding each other. I was content with this because I was truly afraid of losing him through this entire process.

Finally, something snapped me back to my previous thought. "Cain?"

"Hmm?"

"You somehow made me think about my dream." I said. "I know it sounds weird, but I didn't mean to think about it. I was forced to."

"And you believe that was me?" He asked.

"Yes," I stated. "It seems like our abilities are expanding rapidly."

"Maybe before we start training, we should do a little research." Cain said, releasing his hug. "We could ask the Elders if we could go to town library. They'll have computers and books we can look through."

"You think they will let us go?"

"They told you to focus on your powers, so they should let us."

"You want to go ask them now?" I asked.

"Alex, it's still night." He snorted.

"Not really." I said, pointing towards the horizon. The sun was slowly creeping out of the waters and into the sky.

"I guess we should then." Cain said and started to get up from his seat.

"Wait." I said as I grabbed his arm.

"Wha-?" He started to say before I interrupted him… with my lips. "Um," He said trying to form words. "What was that for?"

"For being there for me." I said. Then, I walked off to the Elders' tent, but I didn't need to turn around to know that Cain was following me.

I'm sorry this chapter took so long, and it was shorter than the others. I'm really hoping that you like it, and I also hope to have these next few chapters up quicker.

P.S. I've gotta a couple of new characters coming in!:) I'll give the names, but you'll have to wait for them to come in. Expect an Allison, Anthony, and Aaliyah(pronounced u-lie-u)

AGAIN! PLEASE REVIEW! I NEED TO KNOW HOW I COULD MAKE THIS STORY BETTER!