Disclaimer: Well, so I'm not Annette Curtis Klause. So I don't own anything from her book, just the things I make up.

Okay so this chapter isn't as long as I wanted it to be. But I had a very eventful day. Like almost getting killed... so hopefully y'all like it regardless.

Part Two

21

The next months went by fast. Thanksgiving ended up with them shutting the inn down for two weeks. Gabriel lifted the ban on changing. Now as long as you were still careful you could change whenever. The full moon runs were longer and much more eventful.

Novalee just drifted through. She stayed away from both Luc and Alex, and most of her friends. After the first month everyone just left her alone, except Vivian.

Vivian said she was worried and was constantly checking in on her.

Christmas was bigger than Thanksgiving. They couldn't shut the inn down because some of the guests got snowed in. That didn't stop the celebrating. The pack just moved off where none of their human guests would find them.

Novalee just went along with everyone, trying to be happy. But her mood was further deepened when Alex and Luc got in a fight. Luc came to the inn to bring her a present. They blamed each other for Novalee's new outlook on life. Gabriel had to break it up. But Luc's gift was useful. He had gotten her a leather bound journal. She wanted to use it but it was under the loose floor board along with the gift Alex had given her. Alex's gift was absolutely beautiful. It was a necklace. She wasn't sure what it was made out of. She was sure it wasn't silver, but that's what it looked like. It was a perfect crescent moon with a sapphire star. Alex had just given her the box after Luc left. He flung it at her and stormed off. She felt bad for not wearing it but she just couldn't deal with anything from either of them.

New Years was the biggest. After most of the adults were drunk and celebrating around the bonfire, Alex and Marc stole some of their beer. Novalee just watched as her friends had fun. She just didn't feel like doing much of anything since Christmas. Alex was constantly looking at her. After a while she realized he was the only one not drinking besides her.

She left that party early. She was the only lucky one. All of the others got in trouble, even sober Alex. Apparently Alex should have been responsible enough to not let his friends drink.

School was not the best for Novalee. She tried to ignore everyone but Brittany knew just how to push her buttons. Every chance she got she taunted Novalee. Asking why she wasn't showing off anymore. Novalee tried to ignore her but one day she snapped. Luckily it was in P.E. and Luc and Alex pulled her off before she could actually cause damage to Brittany. Brittany switched her classes soon after that.

When school let out Novalee was surprised. The year had gone by so fast. She had actually passed all of her classes with A's and B's. She figured not having to worry with boys was the key to her passing. Brigitte wasn't as lucky. She got mostly C's and chewed out by her parents.

May was a big month. School ended, Kole turned fourteen, and Ethan officially left the pack. Novalee wasn't surprised. He joined his new mate's pack down in Charleston. She thought that his official leaving would hurt her but it didn't have any effect on her at all. She was numb to all new pain.

Esmé was getting fed up. She was constantly begging Austin to get Novalee out of the house, to try and cheer her up. Nothing worked, Novalee was torn in two.

Journal,

I don't know why I do this to myself. I mean school is over now. I have a whole summer to just mope around. But I can't do it anymore. I'm sick of feeling awful. I can't do this to myself anymore. I have to get over it. Alex has actually not been on a date since that night he kissed me. He told me that he just didn't feel like dating. So that must mean that he has some feelings for me. I mean he has just left me alone. Luc has done the same. I felt terrible all year. Every time I looked at them they were watching me with longing, or concerned looks. But either way I choose one gets hurt. And I'm the one getting hurt now. I loved Alex and he knew it. But he dated every girl he could with the exception of me. Then he kisses me, and goes off with a human. Then he goes back out with my best friend, and kisses me again, and breaks off all relationships saying he wants me. How can someone love someone like that? Why do I still love him? Why, why, why! Why does Luc have to be so sweet? Why can't my life be easy? What would my life be like if my parents hadn't been murdered? I would be living in Pennsylvania with them instead of here in the midst of the Battle of Novalee's Heart. But then again, Luc's from that pack too. Would I have ended up with him? Or would I have found Alex? Sweet moon why do I still love him? Why? And in July my life is going to really change. Luc and Alex, and heck maybe even Marc. They are going to be terrible. Why do I have to turn sixteen? Ugh, I wish Gabriel could change the "of age" to twenty one like it is for males. Of course when the males are twenty one they are full grown, females are so freaking lucky. We're full grown at sixteen. Great that means all of the females are going to be guarding their mates. They probably won't worry about me as much as Brigitte though. Sweet sixteen, humans get cars, loup garou get mates.

Novalee

Novalee put her journal up. She went to her dresser and pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank top.

I'm not doing this anymore, I'm going to live. I can't let the fear of hurting someone run my life. What happens happens.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She had trimmed her hair and now it hung just past her shoulders. She brushed it out in till it shined. With one last glance she opened her bedroom door.

Austin was lounging on the couch. He dropped the popcorn bowl he was holding. His mouth was open in a comical O.

"Bloody moon! It's alive!"

She rolled her eyes at her brother. "Yeah, I'm alive." She leaned on the door frame.

"Where are you going?" he asked with his eyebrows raised.

"I felt like walking in the sunshine. I've decided that I can't live like this anymore. I'm done moping."

"Good for you. So does that mean you're going to explain why you were moping?"

She smiled and walked to the front door, "Nice try but no."

She let the door fall close and walked out into the summer sunshine.

Bout time she decided to get outside. She was becoming a hermit. So that was the beginning of part two. I hope y'all liked it. So thanks for reading! Review!