"Chloe!"

And that's all it took for me to sprint across the meadow to my mother. She ran also and met me halfway there. We tackled each other to the ground with a swinging hug, laughing and crying the whole time.

"Honey," Mom said, still holding me on the ground and crying. "I've missed you so much. I've wanted to come visit you, but I couldn't. I knew you would probably break down or go into shock or something. But whenever I could, I would watch over you. When you first went to that swanky high school, I was there, standing right next to you. When you got your first period, which I'm absolutly proud of, by the way," she smiled real big. "And when you were chased by that ghost, I tried to reason with him. He just wouldn't listen. When you were sent to the hospital, I was standing next to your father, my hand on his shoulder. Honey, I don't know what was happening, but you just couldn't see me. That's all. I've been with you since the begining of this whole mess. I just missed out on what happened after you left the hospital with Aunt Lauren and Dad." Another tear fell from the corner of her eye.

"Mommy, I missed you too!" We sat up, still hugging but no longer crying. "I'll tell you what happened." And I did.

I told her about everything. About going to Lyle House and about Derek, Simon, Tori, Liz, and Rae. About finding out I was a necromancer, to which she started studdering apologises at me but I stopped her and continued. Then I told her about our escape and me helping Derek out with his first practice run. She frowned at that, saying it was dangerous. I laughed and told her she sounded just like Derek. I told her what happened after Tori and I got captured and how we escaped, once again, and how we got to the safe house. I talked about the other residents and how we all instantly liked each other, maybe a little bit too much in some cases. Then I studdered about how me and Derek were together and blushed, expecting a reaction like Aunt Lauren.

But what I did get surprised me.

She leaned over and hugged me as tight as possible. "As long as this boy makes you happy," she whispered. "I'm happy. I only want what's best for my angel."

Suddenly, I had the strangest thought. Am I dead?

When I asked Mom my question, she emmited a growl worthy enough to rival a werewolf. She leaped up, pulling me along with her.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" I asked before I saw her: Aunt Lauren. She was walking timidly toard us, figgiting with her hands.

"What do you want Lauren? Do you wish to further damage my daughter's life?" Mom spit in her face, not litterally though.

I broke free from my mom and ran full speed ahead to my aunt. I accidently tackled her to the ground with a soft "oomf." I just giggled and wrapped my arms around her tighter.

"Aunt Lauren! Oh my God, I'm so glad to see you!" She laughed at my exuberance.

"Oh Honey-pot, I'm glad to see you too, but can you let me go so I can hug your Mom?"

I blushed and released her. Aunt Lauren stood in front of my mom, not touching or speaking. They were just staring into each other's eyes.

Suddenly, Mom stepped forward and hugged her little sister as tight as she could. Aunt Lauren did the same. Soon, the air was full of laughing and sniffles.

Before long, we were all sitting down in a circle, waiting for one of us to speak.

"So, Chloe," Aunt Lauren broke the silence. "How are you? Are you and your friends okay? Has the beast been put down yet?" She said this so casually, like she was asking about the weather and this got me pissed off.

"He's not a beast!" I exploded, jumping up in outrage. "Derek is the kindest soul I know. He'll jump into a bullet's path to save his pack. He sacrificed himself at Andrew's to get me and Simon outta there! He'll do anything to make us safe! He saves me everytime I get into trouble and never turns his back on me! He only lies to us for our own good. That's why I love him!"

She had the nerve to look shocked, like loving Derek was a total surprise. This just got me angerier and I stormed off with my mother and aunt bickering before jogging back up to me. Even though she was trying to talk to me, I just ignored Aunt Lauren. I didn't understand why she hated Derek so much. So I decided to ask. I whipped toward her and blurted out my question with annoyance.

"Chloe, sweetie," she tried to touch me but I backed away. She looked sad. "I don't hate him, I just don't like that he chose you as a mate. When the other.." she seemed to struggle for a word. "Subjects were terminated, he should've joined them. He's not right, Chloe! He shouldn't even be alive! He's like a wild animal! Did you hear what he did to that kid? Threw him against a brick wall and broke his back. That boy will never walk again, Chloe, because of him! I ju-"

"Stop!" My scream echoed around us. Everything stilled, maybe even time. I wouldn't have noticed, though, through my sudden hatred towards Aun-, I mean, Lauren. "Why don't you just shut the fuck up and listen to me for once, Lauren!"

Lauren looked so shocked I smiled on the inside. I finally got her to stop talking.

"First of all, don't talk about Derek like he's some idiot or something. Derek is very, very smart and that's why he wasn't killed with his brothers. He had enough sense not to flash his fangs one too many times like them. He was brave enough to get help when they attacked that woman. Derek saved my ass so much in the past week I owe him my life, litterally. Because of you," I jabbed my finger toward Lauren acussingly. "We've been on the run. You're at fault here, Lauren, and don't even think of trying to blame it on my boyfriend again because if you do, I won't hesitate to hurt you."

And with that I spun around and continued to storm out into the unknown of the forest and away from my dead mother and my psycotic 'aunt.'

_o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o._

heheh, please dont murder mee! D/x I only have the reason that i was being reeeaaalllyy lazy and that we had to take our final exams! but at least i updated at all! im gonna start on the next chapter tonight and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, get it out by Wednesday! Oh has anyone seen the new Alice In Wonderland movie? Im OBSESSING over it! xDD

Please be kind enough to review for lil' ole me ^^;