Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me except Liberty, Jedidiah, Kyle, Alex and their age-mates. They are property of Annette Curtis Klause. As I go along I may introduce more characters of my own. I'LL LET YA KNOW. ;-)

I ignored the knock at my bedroom door, and continued to pack my clothes. After a silent pause, the knock became an instant pound.

I neatly folded another shirt before placing it in my nearly full duffel bag.

I heard the door frame split with an ear shattering crash and soon Kyle was right in front of me. The door hit the floor with a belated thud.

"My dad isn't going to be happy about that," I said calmly, not meeting his eyes.

"To hell with what Gabriel thinks," Kyle spat.

Kyle grabbed my wrists and gave my body a jerk towards his.

"Look at me, dammit," Kyle pleaded hoarsely. "What are you doing?"

My eyes darted to the bag full of my clothes before I met his violently blue ones.

"I'm leaving," I said,"With Alex."

"No," Kyle said quickly. "No, no, no. Liberty, listen to me. You can't leave me. Baby, I love you."

I wanted to cry. I wanted to tell him my secret, but I had to leave, and I couldn't leave him with that burden. My eyes welled up, but I tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

"Why?" Kyle begged.

I shook my head and avoided his question. "I love you, too."

I saw hope flicker in Kyle's too beautiful eyes before the moment was shattered by commotion outside.

We both ran to my window overlooking the backyard. A group of my pack's males had surrounded Alex and were circling him.

Outnumbered, six to one, Alex still grinned, spoiling for a fight. Alex flicked a glance toward the house when I burst out the backdoor, with Kyle right on my heels.

"Ready to go, Libby?" Alex called out cheerfully, as if we were going on vacation.

I swallowed hard before nodding.

Alex slowly backed away from the group of seething males. I saw him turn and go inside to collect my things. I could feel Kyle's eyes on me as I watched Alex execute the cockiest and most dignified retreat possible, up the stairs to my room.

Kyle grabbed my arm and I spun around to face him.

"If you sleep with him, I'll hunt him down-" Kyle growled, trying not to breakdown.

I let loose a single sob and threw myself at him.

Kyle's control broke, and he clutched my body close and wept.

"Don't go. Oh God, please, don't leave me," Kyle sobbed.

I cried into his shoulder until my body and soul were weary. When I heard Alex's new car start, I pulled myself from Kyle's embrace, and ran to the car, fighting the urge to look back.

As soon as I sat down and slammed the door, Alex reached over me to fasten my seatbelt.

"You didn't tell him."

I shook my head, even though Alex spoke as though he already knew.

"He'll never believe you didn't betray him," Alex said deceivingly casual, as he pulled away from the only home I'd ever known.

"He'll see. Someday," I said softly.

"This is it! Home sweet home," Alex sang out as he unlocked and opened the door to his apartment over his shop in the city.

After a little more than an hour on the road, I wasn't able to work up the same enthusiasm.

I dropped my stuff in the entry way.

"Where do I stay?" I asked glumly.

Alex took in my red-rimmed eyes and defeated posture. I saw him give an exaggerated sign, before I was pinned to the wall gasping.

Alex kept his body close to mine to prevent much movement on my part. I felt his lips caress the soft, tender skin of my throat and collarbone.

"There, now that I have your complete and undivided attention. I should tell you I only have one bed." Alex murmured with not a little arrogance.

I pushed him away forcefully, but he grabbed my hips to keep me against him.

"Stop it," he said reasonable. "We're in this together. I know you're hurting, but you made this decision. Now, you said you would help me. Will you?"

"I keep my word," I hissed.

"I don't doubt it."

"You have a child you haven't ever seen. I said you would help you find him or her, and I will."

"Great. Ready to go?"

Author's Note: Here's chapter 13! It's a bit short, but I felt that this was a good stopping point for this chapter, I'm getting to work on chapter 14. I'm pretty sure we all know what's coming. rolls eyes But, THAT'S OKAY! NOTICE I have changed the ages! I changed Liberty's age (and consequently, all other age-mates) to around 18, to make this story more believable. Sorry, I realized that I'm having a couple 15/16-year-olds have sex…and it struck me as wrong. Especially when you pull the 24-year-old in there with an attraction to Libby…o.O If you want to see the changes, go to chapter 1. IF I MENTIONED THE AGES FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN ALEX IN ANY OTHER CHAPTER, OTHER THAN THE FIRST, COULD SOMEONE PLEASE, PLEASE, TELL ME! That way I'm not having conflicting ages. Ok, I'm done. Hope you liked it, please review! And, don't worry, Kyle isn't going to stand by and watch this happen.