A/N- Hello everyone! So I think this is the chapter that most of you have been waiting for… the big turn around in relationships. So… enjoy it, I'm not going to keep you back any longer!

Silver Moon Goddess1- Yes he is, but if you've read Blood and Chocolate (and I mean the book cause the movie's completely different) then you'd understand a bit more. I'm glad you like it though!

shantie1984- Aw the waiting isn't that long! Plus, I promise you'll be liking this chapter!

sarahr85- You'll have to wait and see…

lovelyl- I'm not going to really write the mating ritual. I'll write how she secures her spot as alpha and everything. When they go off and do there thing… well I'm just going to leave it at "they spent the night together" or something like that. Don't worry, nothing graphic in this story. I did think about it though and just decided I'm tired of writing M rated stories right now…

Angel of Serenity88- Sorry! But they are fast updates so don't hate me too much!

BloomAmber- Well he wasn't really giving her all that much time. His instincts took over and they were telling him to protect himself. She wasn't going to stick around and get hurt… well more than her broken heart. I'm glad you liked it still!

"I met her my senior year in high school. God, she was beautiful. She had long black hair and this amazing smile. I fell hard for her." Darien paused for a second, closing his eyes and smiling. Serena knew he was imagining this raven haired beauty.

"What was her name, Darien?"

"Rei. She worked at her grandfather's store after school. When I found out I started frequenting the store. It just had a lot of herbs and teas, so now I have a lot of tea I don't need." Darien laughed a little. "I eventually asked her out, and she agreed. I would take her out to the movie, or dinners and we would have a lot of fun. Since it was high school, prom was coming up in a month or two. So, I asked her and she said yes. As prom approached I bought the tickets, rented a suit, I went all out. I had also decided I'd tell her the truth about me.

"So prom night came. I picked her up and drove her to the dance. It was a wonderful night. During the last slow dance, I told her I loved her. She told me she loved me too. I was ecstatic. I was on sigh a high just from those three little words. So when the dance was over we went to the hotel room that I had rented. That night was… amazing to say the least.

"But after the prom I knew I had to tell Rei my secret. I wanted her to see me as who I was. I wanted her to see me as more than just the man… well younger man she was dating. I wanted her to see me as a wolf. So I called her and asked if I could come over. It happened that her parents were gone that night so she said yes. When I got there she launched into my arms and kissed me. I didn't mind and returned it eagerly. But before anything went farther I stopped her.

"I asked her to be calm and just watch. I told her than no matter what, she would be safe. She told me that she trusted me, no matter what. So I started to change. I didn't watch her as I changed, scared to see her reaction. When I was done, I looked up I noticed terror on her face. I tried to comfort her, but she just crawled away. She threw everything at me that she could. That included a mirror, a few books, a pair of high heels… you get the point."

"Sounds almost like my reception." Serena muttered.

"Ya, well, I had to run out of the house through the doggy door downstairs. I ran to Abby and Ivan's. They accepted me in, without asking questions of course. I was so thankful for that. I saw Rei at school, but she acted as though she dumped me. I went along without and never looked her in the eye again. Luckily we graduated a few weeks after prom. She went off to school on the west coast and I remained with the pack. We haven't spoken since."

"Darien… I'm sorry. I didn't… I never knew." Serena said.

"I thought you might like to know now." Darien replied. "No one but Ivan and Abby know. Ivan spent some time watching Rei, making sure she didn't tell for a little bit."

"I remember that. He told me he was going there to talk to a west coast pack or something like that. You were also over pretty much the entire time." Serena whispered.

"Abby didn't want me to be myself." Darien said.

Serena was silent for a few minutes. "Should I tell them? Should I tell Abby and Ivan? What if Alan finds out."

"If you want. It's your choice." Darien shrugged. "I'm sure they'll support you. I am going to have Malachi watch Seiya though. I won't tell him why though, just that he'll know if it happens."

"Thank you, Darien." Serena said. "I think… I think I'm going to go home, but not right now. If it is alright, could I stay with you for a bit? Just a couple days."

"You can stay, as long as you like." Darien said. "I called Abby and asked her to call you in sick today. You can stay here."

"Thank you." Serena said. "Are you going hunting for the murderer tonight? I saw that there was another one."

"The town has been covered. We believe it is Beryl and some others. We just don't have any proof and the entire pack doesn't believe it. We're just waiting for them to make the next move."

"You know the others?" Serena asked. "You know I'm not helping, right? I've heard the rumors."

"I know you're going to get mad, but Nicholi has been watching you, as well as Zack."

"So you knew I told Seiya and came out looking for me?" Serena asked. She started to sit up, but Darien's arm stopped her from sitting up all of the way.

"No, they were on the run with me that night. We didn't want to bring up any suspicion. What I told you about finding you was true. They did call me after to tell me that Seiya was scared shitless and a few of his posters were torn down. It seems as though you gave him a bigger scare than you thought." Darien explained. Serena slunk back down into his side.

"Thank you, Darien, for telling me this. As strange as it sounds, it does help." Serena said.

"That's what I hoped." Darien replied. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going. I'm supposed to be meeting a pack to the south to see if they have any rogues."

"If I'm a burden, I'll go back to Abby's now." Serena said. This time she was able to sit up completely.

"Don't worry about it. I'd rather you not wallow in your thoughts, but I really do need to talk to the other pack."

"I'll be fine Darien, I promise." Serena said. Darien nodded and got up from the couch. Serena watched as he walked around, gathering various items. She finally took in his appearance. He wore dark wash jeans and a black shirt that showed off his chest quite well. He threw on a black and red leather jacket as he grabbed his helmet.

"Serenity, my number's on the bar. If you need to call me, don't hesitate."

"Of course." Serena said. It was the second time that Darien had called her Serenity and she hadn't fought it. So many things had changed, including her feelings for Darien and her original name.

oOoOoOo

Serena had sat on the couch most of the day after Darien had left. The first thing Serena did was steal a pair of Darien's boxers and a shirt. Then she watched TV for a little bit, took a nap, explored the apartment a little more. The apartment was quite bare, just like Darien's bedroom. There were no pictures on the wall, just the odd painting or two. All of the furniture was either wood with a dark finish, or black. Some of the electronic devices were either black or silver. Serena had decided Darien needed more decorations and that she'd help him with that.

"I'm surprised you actually stayed here." Darien said as he walked back in. It was only three in the afternoon and Serena was back to sitting on the couch. However, now she was reading one of the books she had found.

"William Shakespeare?" Serena asked. "His complete collection. I'd never think you would have something like this."

"Surprise surprise." Darien replied. "There's a concert in the park. Do you want to go?"

"You're inviting me?"

"I thought you might like to get out." Darien said with a shrug. "If you don't want to go we can stay here."

"No, I'll come, just let me get ready." Serena said. She set the large book down and stood up. "Darien, I don't have any clothes." She watched as Darien's eyes traveled down her body and darken a bit. She knew what that meant and for the first time, felt modest. She tried to hide herself, but Darien just turned around.

"Do you want me to stop by your house and pick it up for you or do you want to come with me?" Darien asked.

"I'll come with you, but I think I should have something other than boxers on at least." Serena said. Darien nodded and disappeared into his room. When he came back out, he was holding a pair of sweat pants.

"These should work. It's not a very long ride there." Darien said as he threw her the dark pants. Serena slipped them on and followed Darien out. He handed her another helmet, which Serena gladly accepted.

The ride was short, like Darien promised. When they made it to Abby's, Serena immediately realized that Abby and Ivan were home. She couldn't smell any other pack members, but she wasn't trusting her senses right now.

"Are you ready?" Darien asked. He was still sitting on his bike while Serena gazed up at the house.

"I have to be. I don't really have a choice."

"You always have a choice. I can still bring you clothes." Darien said.

"No, I know I didn't want to do this now, but if I have to then I have to. I think it should be for the better, anyway. I won't tell them everything right now, but I will let them know I'm alright."

"Sounds good to me." Darien said.

"If it's alright with you still, can I still stay with you, after the concert I mean?" Serena asked.

"Of course." Darien replied. "Now, do you want me to come in with you or do you want to face this alone? No one, but them are there. A few others are in the forest though."

"Could you come with me? I feel… safe when you're with me." Serena said.

"I'll come with you." Darien replied with a smile. He kicked the kick stand out and set the bike down before swinging his leg over and getting off. He gripped Serena's hand in his and smiled down at her. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Serena said before taking a breath and heading into the house.