Lara's wolf growled in her mind and she agreed with her, the two wolves behind her were starting to rub on her annoyance. She knew Drew and Adria meant well and that it was a good reason they were assigned to her. The Psy had changelings in their pockets and they wanted a changeling healer. The DarkRiver healer was also under enhanced protection as well. She sighed, trying to ignore them as she finished her work in the medica.

An hour later, she was done, and none too soon. She felt as if she were going to go insane. Grabbing her jacket, she headed out of the medica, checking on the kids in the playing area. Her 'bodyguards' followed her. She walked through until she saw many of the kid gathering in one large group by the lake, that couldn't be good. She ran over to them and saw Marlee and Toby.

"It's Ben," Toby said, holding Marlee, who looked like she was about to cry. "He was sliding on the frozen lake and now he's stuck in the middle of it." Lara spotted Walker who was talking to one of the other den leaders and they seemed to be trying to work out a way to get to Ben and get him up safely without cracking the ice. The problem remained that the lake was huge and sloped, if someone went down there, they'd slip and probably crack the ice. Lara started walking forward immediately, about to see what she could do for Ben.

And suddenly Dare was on the ice, she stared at the other wolf with wide eyes. The male skated on ice skates... and he actually skated well. He was a champion. The male smiled and Lara heard music start, apparently coming out of Dare's music player which he had in his hand. He slid to Ben and scooped up the pup and then spinning like a pro. The male then started skating to the music around the lake and she heard Ben's puppy laugh and looked over to see the small pup's tail shaking dramatically. She nearly fell in laughter when Dare started doing the "Running Man" on the ice and started however moving off the ice with a bow. The music ended slowly and she saw Dare return Ben to his parents who were also laughing when Ben returned to them with his tail still shaking enthusiastically and he was ecstatic.

She heard the kids "Oooo" in fascination and turned to find Dare doing an impressive flip and landing well on the ice and then skating, still as a pro, to the lake's edge once more. He leaned down to remove his shoes and the kids followed him. She smiled as she saw them laugh and hug him as if he were their big teddy bear as he replaced the skates with his actual tennis shoes. He smiled at them and played with them.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Riley looked up as Indigo returned from her "Lara Watch".

She stopped and turned to him. "Your cousin is one pro of a skater," she said as they both made their way to the den.

"He's a champion," Riley said,smiling a how his little cousin was offered to go into the Changeling Olympics but refused. Indigo's jaw dropped at the news.

"He refused?" Indigo asked in shock, about to drink from her sports bottle. She stared at Riley as if he had lost his mind.

"It was a few days after the den incident," he said softly and she nodded in understanding.

"Skating isn't even his best talent," Riley grinned, trying to break the awkward and sad silence that had taken control of their conversation.

"It isn't?" Indigo asked, looking shocked.

Riley shook his head. "Have you ever heard him sing before?"

It was her turn to shake her head.

"It's beautiful," Riley said as they headed over to his office. "You'd never know that such a sound would come from the guy who usually yells loud at parties and laughs the most." A shadow crossed his face. "Or...used to laugh the most." Indigo touched Riley's back and he put his hand over hers in thanks.

She didn't really understand his comments about Dare's singing but she expected she would when she heard it. She hoped one day she would.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"The Wild?" Cascada repeated, slightly confused.

"Yes," Evie answered. "it's a club some of the younger adults go to to blow off steam." She was dressed in what seemed like dancing apparel, Cascada documented in her mind, observing Evie in her glittery Tee, skinny jeans and boots along with her light touch of make-up. she looked pretty. Cascada distantly wondered of she should start wearing make up to look pretty. What if Dare liked girls better when they wore make up?

"Are you going?" She was snapped back to the present by Evie's question.

"Going where?" she asked.

Evie smiled. "To Wild!" Cascada started to shake her head-she'd never been to a club. How were people there? Were they changeling or human? Maybe even Psy? Her thoughts took her away again.

"I'll take her, Evie," said a voice she would know anywhere. Evie smiled and seemed to leave the task to him. The teen climbed into the Expedition and the car drove off minutes later.

She turned to Dare-and realized how nicely he was dressed. A form fitting T-Shirt and dark blue jeans that ended over dark hunter boots. His hair was straight down today, touching just over his eyes...She wanted to kiss him. Needed to kiss him.

Dare seemed to look down at her and into her soul, she couldn't help but raise on her toes. He leaned down, his eyes starting to close. Their lips touched and she felt electricity zing through her and gasped at the touch. He held her face in his hands, opening his eyes and looking into her eyes again, his lips rubbing across hers. She looked up at him.

"The Council is going to find me. I'm going to die." She said it without thought and as Dare's face blanched she knew she had just told him something and would probably continue to tell him things she thought she had only wanted to keep in her heart. Her heart was open...this boy had somehow opened it..and now it was spilling out.