Hey (:

I know this story isn't very popular, and maybe not even that well written, but I am actually quite enjoying it so it's going to get regular updates. xD

Read and enjoy (:

~Wallie


If looks could kill, Liam would most likely be chilling with Hades. Derek looked ready to spit fire, his arms shaking with barely controlled anger. He tensed, preparing to leap forward, but a large shudder racked his frame, halting his movement. He paused in confusion, eyeing his rippling bicep suspiciously. Liam and Ramon began to chuckle. "What's wrong, pup?" Ramon teased Derek, leering. Derek gave himself a small smack on the arm, and the quivering ceased. He exhaled deeply, rubbing his burning eyes. "You feel it yet?" Ramon sneered.

"What?" Derek grunted. Ramon's eyes widened, and he hooted.

"Liam, this pup's daddy ain't taught him anything! You sure he ain't a Cain?"

Liam chuckled, and I felt the vibrations. "I'm sure." He whispered against my neck, his stubble rubbing roughly against my skin. I squirmed and felt him smirk.

Liam straightened, his head moving from it's place on my shoulder. "He's a carbon copy of Danvers." He cocked his head, examining Derek, who was fuming and swaying precariously, rubbing his forehead. "Except for the eyes. I ain't got no idea where they came from."

A sickening crack filled the clearing, and Derek moaned, falling to his knees. "Derek!" I squealed. "What did you do?" I screamed hysterically at Ramon, before Liam's disgusting hand clamped down over my mouth. I sobbed into his hand, as I watched Derek writhe on the ground, sickening cracks coming from his curled body, as he whined pitifully. Ramon laughed cruelly, and bent over to watch Derek thrash painfully. He chuckled darkly, before whispering something I couldn't hear into Derek's ear and moving away. My relief was only short-lived, however, as he lunged forward suddenly and booted Derek in the ribs, causing another stomach-churning crack. Was Derek even conscious now? I struggled hopelessly against Liam's grip, and felt him tense. At first I thought he was just tightening his hold, but I noticed Ramon perk up, and scan the surroundings. He moved silently to Liam's side.

"Please tell me that ain't what I think it is." Liam murmured to Ramon, who rubbed his jaw in frustration, and spoke in an undertone.

"Nah, I smell it too. We can't risk it."

"Aw, damn. I was just about to have some fun with Shortie, here."

I squeaked in protest, but no one paid attention. Liam and Ramon seemed to be weighing their options, and Derek was too busy laying crumpled on the floor. I felt utterly useless. "We're downwind." Liam noted, "We just stay quiet, there's a good chance we won't get caught."

Ramon nodded hesitantly, before catching himself and shaking his head. "You can. I'm outta here. I ain't gonna be Pack kibble, no matter how much you pay me." He moved down the path, throwing Derek one last glance, and ruffling my hair. "See ya, blondie." He muttered, before jogging away.

This was disconcerting, but slightly comforting. If Ramon was gone, I'm pretty sure I could take Liam. Possibly. Wishful thinking was my strong point. Suddenly, my brain decided to kick into overdrive, and I panicked. If whatever was near was bad enough to warrant Ramon running away, shouldn't I be sprinting for Mexico? I shivered at the thought. I had to get Derek and I out of here. He lay still on the floor, his muscles shuddering gently as he whimpered quietly. He was in bad shape. Even on my good days I was only strong enough to carry Tori's shopping bags. Damn.

In movies, what does the heroine do when her rescuer gets the crap beaten out of him? I had no clue. This wasn't looking good for our heroes. I fumbled desperately for inspiration, my mind frenziedly seeking an escape. Choking back my disgust, I turned in Liam's embrace, reaching up to stroke his hair. I ducked my head slightly to hide my revulsion. His hair was greasy and matted with mud, but he smirked down at me.

He chuckled quietly to himself, moving his hands south to rest on my butt. I gritted my teeth and forced myself not to throw up on him before wrenching myself away and running. "Cutie, as much as I'm likin' that you're warmin' to the idea, I was kinda enjoyin' the fight you were puttin' up." I pushed a fake smile onto my face, trailing one hand slowly down his body to rest on his belt loops. I began to trace the waist of his dirty jeans hopefully, groping subtly for a weapon tucked into his waistband. I was starting to panic when cool metal touched my fingertips. I fingered the small knife tucked neatly into his belt, and his hand quickly came down on my wrist, restraining me. My hand dangled mere centimetres away from the weapon, and I internally huffed. Liam's smell was starting to make me feel inescapably nauseous.

He clasped both my wrists, bringing them up to his shoulders, so that both of my arms were being held straight. He leaned down, his rank breath polluting my airspace. He stared into my eyes, and I gazed back, surly, determined not to flinch.

"You got guts, darlin'." He breathed, and I stuck my chin out boldly. Feeling sudden courage course through me, I stared deeply into his eyes and smiled sweetly. He blinked, thoroughly confused by my abrupt mood change. He gave me a dark grin, before leaning in further. My sugary smile still plastered on my face, I brought my knee up as hard as I could. His smile faltered, and his eyes widened, followed by a loud hiss and a string of curse words. His hands released my wrists, and I jumped back, before springing forward and giving him a few kicks for extra measure, including one to the head. They didn't seem to cause him any additional pain, unfortunately, but he remained on the floor.

I backed away warily, keeping an eye on his hunched and howling figure, until my heel hit something that curled around my foot. Glancing down, I saw Derek's hand wrapped around my ankle, his thumb gently rubbing circles. Noticing his exhausted demeanour, I crouched beside him, ignoring my recently knocked-down enemy like all stupid movie heroines. I grabbed one of his hands in both of mine, squeezing gently. His eyes were closed and his breathing shallow, face pale and sweaty. I pressed a gentle kiss to his damp forehead, brushing away his hair carefully, noting how it felt different, almost like a husky's coat.

"Derek." I whispered, tears cracking my voice. I hated to see him so broken and bruised, when he was usually so strong and unaffected. It was all my fault. His hand tightened around my ankle, and he pulled me so I was sitting beside him. I rubbed his hand gently, reassuringly, noticing how the texture was slightly different. The palm of his hand was rougher, more like sandpaper, but softer. I turned his hand over gently, examining it. His nails had changed shape, and his fingers were slightly shorter, trembling in mine as though they couldn't keep their shape. I felt ill.

"Derek." I choked out, through my pathetic sobs, "I'm so sorry."

"You should be." A low voice sounded behind me. I'd forgotten Liam. As I turned to face my attacker, a golden blur shot from the bushes, pinning Liam to the ground, and making me almost wet my pants.

A massive tawny wolf towered over Liam, growling manically, baring gleaming white fangs menacingly. Liam yelped, like a misbehaving puppy, before raising his hands in surrender, backing away slowly. The wolf snorted, snapping his jaws dangerously close to Liam's face. He fell back again, whimpering pathetically at the fair-haired creature. "I'm sorry." Liam whined. The wolf growled lowly, nipping at Liam's shoulder in irritation. The scared man backed up again, tripping over himself, before finding the path and shedding clothing as he moved away. I was speechless. If faced with a dangerous creature, why strip your clothes?

I shook my head, then tensed as the wolf didn't follow Liam as I had expected but turned to face me, it's teeth exposed and dangerously pointy.


ANOTHER CLIFFIE, you say? ;P

Well, it's kinda one. Just for RandomReader15, who claims I have a thing for cliffhangers.

It's true, I'm really not ashamed. I have to keep you guys coming back somehow. xD

Please review, my lovelys (':