FANFICTION IS SUCH A BITCH! I SPENT OVER AN HOUR EDITING THIS CHAPTER AND HIT SAVE AND THEN IT SAID I HAD TO LOG IN! I TRIED TO GO BACK AND COPY AND PASTE SO I COULD EDIT BUT IT SAID I ALREADY HAD A DOCUMENT LABELED THIS SO I LOGGED IN AND NONE, I REPEAT NONE OF MY CHANGES SAVED! SO A BIG MIDDLE FINGER TO YOU FANFICTION PEOPLE! RAWRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

So now that I got that shit of my chest (fuckers) I'll let you know that I edited it roughly, but if you find something that is incorrect or slightly off you can blame those assholes.

End of childish and immature rant

Hello everyone, I know you've probably been anticipating this chapter for a bit now, seeing how things would go after the experiment that was last chapter.

I still don't know how I feel about it, but I'll see how this chapter goes. I'm already having bad feelings about this chapter and I don't know how to calm the qualm I'm having. I don't think they're will be too much plot development this chapter, but if I have it my way something major should be happening.

Thanks to the awesome ELEVEN reviews, and I can't wait to here from you guys, or possibly new faces this chapter.

THIS CHAPTER IS LONG! It's so long because I didn't and couldn't cut this chapter at my usual length, I couldn't just leave it hanging that way, and so I've left it hanging a completely different way.

I don't think there's much left to say except that I hope you guys have a good time reading and that the chapter doesn't blow as much as I think it's going to.

Jessie POV

I awoke to the muffled sounds of a conversation that was currently taking place somewhere in Andrew's home. I sat up and quickly realized that Andrew was no where next to me, and must have been one of the voices I was hearing that had drawn me out of my sleep. I sat up and got out of the plush bed, quickly making my way over to the door.

I strained my ear against the door to try and hear anything to grab onto, but the words were jumbled and undecipherable. It was clear that there were several people talking, most likely the pack, and it didn't sound like a calm conversation. I figured it was most likely about the dinner last night and now the pack was either weary of Michael or me, and guessing by my exclusion from the conversation it was probably me.

A fluttering from outside caught my attention and I let one eye gaze over to the window and show me the outside world of sunshine and nature. "It could be that easy," I thought to myself, "Just slip it open and run before they even knew I was gone." I shook my head, quickly realizing that they could come back at any second, not allowing me an adequate amount of time to escape. I also had no idea the strengths of Andrew's pack, including whether or not someone's speed could math and rival my own, or perhaps have tracking skills like no other.

I pressed my ear back against the door and sighed as I realized I still didn't have enough information to make a safe getaway, and rash and unplanned escapes were out of the question considering my first one ended in flames and pathetic tears. All I could do now was try and break this pack and flee in the chaos that ensued. I soon gave up and returned to the bed so I could create the illusion that I hadn't heard them talking at all, giving myself the advantage of appearing clueless, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had someone against the door the whole time listening to my movements; this pack made it clear they weren't idiots….well, at least not all of them.

I quietly set myself down onto the bed I shared with Andrew and laid on my side with my back to the door. I had to play the waiting game as I waited for Andrew or anyone at this point to come to the room and interact with me. I snuggled and burrowed my head into my pillow, trying to pretend it was scent while at the same time trying to block out the repulsing smell of Andrew's musk.

I truly felt bad for Andrew, I really did, but not as much as I felt bad for myself. Neither of us asked to be put into this situation, well not this exact situation, so as I grew more agitated with each passing day I began to grow impatient with him. Although I still had sex with him, one occurrence being just the previous day, I loathed it and couldn't wait for it to end, but I couldn't exactly set my plan into motion until someone talked to me!

I jolted a bit in the bed when a shout rang throughout the house, "WHY DON'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!" Michael cried.

"Will you keep your voice down?" I heard Gary ask, apparently no longer caring about volume. I guess if they thought if I wasn't awake before, then there was no way I wasn't now.

"No," Michael cried, "I won't. I can't believe you are all willing to believe that little scrub over me!"

"We can't believe you because you haven't shown us any proof, and we can't take his side because he hasn't shown any reason why we should trust him." Todd said.

I heard someone growl and rolled my eyes as I imagined Andrew's angry face, "I can't believe you guys would question him! So he tried to run away in hurt, wouldn't you if Michael berated you."

"Not really," John said, "I'm not a pansy."

Queue growl from Andrew and a laugh from Michael, "Well I still don't get why you guys are suspicious of him!"

"He's an outsider," Gary said, "And we still don't have any evidence that says he is who he says he is."

"At this point I just want evidence he's human," Michael said, "What right minded human would walk unprotected into a forest where wild animals and shape shifters live."

"In his defense I doubt he knew that shape shifters were in there," Patrick said.

"I can't help but agree with Michael," Todd said, "I've noticed something off about him, not exactly normal and human like to say the least."

"So what!" Andrew said, "So he has a few kinks."

"Andrew," Gary said, in that oh so voice of reason tone, "You have to understand where they're coming from. Alex has exhibited questionable behavior from the beginning of his time here and we're simply making observations of what has occurred."

"Which has been an idiotic tromp into the woods, a bland, and reserved personality, and running away for almost no apparent reason." Michael said.

"Which translates to suspicions on our part," John said, "Just because the Métis has the power to shift doesn't mean we're the only tribe capable of it."

"So they're actually catching on," I thought to myself.

"You actually think that another pack of shifters would keep themselves hidden?" Andrew said.

"Right," Todd said, "Because we're so open about it."

"Well hidden from us?!?" Andrew cried, his voice clearly audible of the helplessness he was feeling from being ganged up on against his pack.

"I'm sure they wouldn't know that we of all people have the ability to change forms." Michael said.

I twiddled my thumbs as I listened to the pregnant pause that filled the room just a few feet away from where I 'lie' asleep. "I just…I don't want to believe it….believe that he'd lie to me."

"And there's a chance that he hasn't" Gary said. I couldn't help but gag at the mental image of the brotherly affection he would portray as he placed a hand on Andrew's shoulder. All you had to do now was take a picture of it and slap it onto a few hundred thousand calendars, coffee mugs, and "get well" or "I'm sorry" cards. "You have to understand that we'd treat anyone with the same caution in this situation, even Cara. It's just…"

"It's just what?" Andrew asked.

"It's just Alex has exemplified some questionable behavior on his part; behavior that can't be overlooked, at least not without some positive validation that he means us, as well as the tribe no harm."

"And what does your validation entail to?" Andrew asked.

"I'd also like to know," Patrick said.

"It's simple, we just hurt him and see what happens." Michael said.

"We will do no such thing!" Andrew growled, as he probably lunged for Michael.

"God," I thought, "They have to know I'm awake…I mean come on!"

"We're not going to injure or harm him in any way," Gary said, alpha tone taking over, "We'll leave him in a public environment and observe."

"Oh yeah that's real smart," Michael said, "He meet be here to harm us and you want to take him right to our people."

"Shut it," Gary said, the frustration originating from all ends of the pack clear with his tone, "Here's the plan."

And at this point he seemed to wise up as their voices died down. My eyes darted back and forth, wondering what they could possibly be planning. Perhaps it was all an act and they wanted me to hear everything leading up to now, so that way I would become even more reserved and give them something to latch onto, but if I continued to act the way I had then they might consider it out of the ordinary and expose me in some way. At this point I had to be ready for whatever they were about to throw at me, and I would need my energy for it, so with that in mind I decided to catch a few more hours of rest while the Métis pack planned away.

"Babe, babe wake up," someone said as they shook me.

I was tempted to call Sam's name as I was shaken but opened my eyes to discover the bumbling Andrew standing over me, "Morning Andrew," I said leaning up to kiss him.

"Afternoon actually," he said as we broke apart, "You've been sleeping for a while."

"I'll say," I yawned as I stretched my hands above my head, exposing the lower portion of my stomach to Andrew, hoping to cloud his judgment further with the pull of the imprint.

"I'm surprised you weren't woken earlier by all the shouting," Andrew said, trying to bait me, painfully unaware that I would have had to been in a coma not to here.

"I was actually," I said, "But it sounded pretty serious so I decided to stay out of it and go back to bed." Rule number one about trying to pull of a lie, don't deny something obvious, cover it with a new lie.

"How was it serious?" Andrew asked, "Wasn't serious to us."

"Babe," I said, smiling as I turned away from him, "You guys were yelling about the pack and a test or something; sounded serious to me."

"Well okay, you're right," Andrew said sitting down next to me and massaging my shoulders, "It got me a bit flustered, but it was settled and I'm fine now."

"Good," I said as I looked down and closed my eyes, not oblivious to what Andrew was doing, which happened to be checking if I was tense or not. I had to give him credit, Andrew wasn't as dim as the rest of the pack made him out to be, but he would have to do better then to throw down my façade.

"What do you want to do today?" Andrew asked.

That's when I felt bad. He was asking me what I wanted to do rather then telling me what the pack had planned for me, and just whisking me over to it. I guess he had to be subtle about it, but someone who had been in the game three years longer then their oldest member wasn't about to fall for some rookie tricks.

"I have a feeling you wanted to do something," I said turning to him and kissing his nose. "Something is on your mind and it's not leaving you alone, so tell me, what do you have planned for us today?"

Andrew smiled at me, probably naïvely thinking that he could pass of the observation period as time he planned to spend with me. I was also proud of myself for handing the power over to him, knowing full well any one of my choices would be scrutinized by Michael as an attempt to get away from the rest of the pack.

"Well I wanted to go into the center of our land for a bit and converse with some elders and then take some time with you alone in the woods for some sight seeing." Andrew said, nibbling on my neck.

"You don't say," I moaned, "Are you sure there aren't some sights to see around here first?"

"I think those can wait for a more, scenic environment," Andrew said, picking me up.

"Oh, you're so bad," I said, slightly enjoying that he was upping his game, but not dim to the fact that he was skipping, or at least putting off sex with me, which was a dead giveaway that he was having doubts about me; I mean Christ, sex with me was turning into his new favorite pastime.

"Get dressed," Andrew said, "I'll have a quick bite ready for you when you're ready and then we'll head out."

"Sounds fun," I said as I winked at him as he left, before I frowned and began to dress in clothes that would be the easiest to take off later.

I tried with my best restraint, not to let my hands fly to my ears as I waited patiently for Andrew to return from his talk with the elders, leaving me to wait in a crowded Métis community center, filled with crotchety senior citizens and screaming children running around and playing with a brightly colored ball.

I knew Andrew wasn't having any sort of talk with the elders but was merely observing me with the rest of the pack. This environment was a wolf's worst nightmare; loud, abrasive, and untamed children ran around having the time of their lives, while unknowingly testing my strength and weakening me.

I could feel the eyes of the pack on me from various spots nearby, their presences' unmistakable. Yet I had to ignore that fact and play dumb as I looked from the children then to the building Andrew disappeared into and then back to the kids. "Maybe I can make these suckers work to my advantage." I thought, "If I can look like a parental figure acting around children, that I supposedly might want to harm, then it could better my image…or make myself even more suspicious….damn Métis I don't know what they want from me."

However I couldn't think on it anymore as the ball rolled towards me and settled at my feet. "Hey mister!" the apparent ringleader called, "Can we have our ball back?"

"Of course," I said rolling the ball their way, "What are you guys playing?"

"Nothing really," one of the girls said, "We're just kicking it back and forth."

"Do you know any games?" I asked them.

"No," the children said, "Not really."

"Let me teach you one," I said as I stood and began to teach the group of youngsters a game that I had played in my childhood. I smiled as I observed my work just ten minutes later that had the kids laughing and playing their new game. "So pure," I said, "Not tainted by the world's temptations….for now."

I knew that I had given the pack enough when Andrew returned from his meeting nothing more then fifteen minutes later. "How'd it go?" I asked as I smiled at the children.

"It wasn't what I expected, well I expected it, but it wasn't what others did," Andrew said.

"Oh really?" I asked, "Who else was there?"

"Just…people from around the reservation," Andrew said, "Friends who aren't involved in the community…if you catch my drift."

"I suppose I do," I said, "That's good that you still have…normal friends."

"Ready to go?" Andrew asked taking my hand.

"Lead the way," I said as I waved back to the kids as they noticed we were making our leave. "Little rascals actually made this easier," I thought.

I smiled into my arms as I used them as a pillow on the forest floor as Andrew massaged my back. "That was great," Andrew whispered into my ear.

"Sure was," I lied, "Want to go again?" I asked, praying that I had tired him out.

"Maybe when I get back," Andrew said standing and pulling his shirt over his head.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Bathroom," Andrew said, "I'll be back soon."

"Take your time," I called after him, enjoying the time I was going to be spending alone. It wasn't until five minutes had passed that I realized he wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, considering that my next 'test' was starting.

I frowned as I felt that I was completely alone. I had never actually felt this alone since Luc died back in La Push. I admitted to myself that it was time to go home; last night had made it clear. I was going to be miserable wherever I was, Sam being inescapable in my own mind, so if I was going to be miserable I might as well be with people that I actually like and love, and if that meant swallowing my pride and ending my adventure then I would gladly head home and be loved by the people I actually wanted to be loved by.I had gotten everything that I had wanted from this adventure and I was ready to go home.

My yearning from home was cut short when I felt the presence of several beings not to far off in the distance; smart enough to keep themselves hidden from ordinary view. "I swear these Métis boys aren't too bright," I thought to myself, "I bet even a regular human could sense them." I continued to lie on my back, pretending to be the oblivious human waiting for his boyfriend to return, unaware that a pack of wolves was circling me.

I let out a sigh, trying to figure out what they were going to do, that was until I heard a twig snap, causing my ears to twitch and my hand to unconsciously travel up to my ear. I froze in fear, before I combed a hand through my ear. "So that's it….they're trying to test my senses," I thought, "I guess they're brighter then I gave them credit for."

I soon realized that this test was going to be much harder to pass then fail. I didn't just have to control myself from not reacting to certain sounds, but had to judge and gauge which sounds a regular human would be able to. A twig snap from fifty feet away would go unnoticed, but ones from twenty to ten feet would be heard, my head whipping around after I gave the wolves just enough time to disappear from view. It was after a few more snaps that something Michael had said earlier flashed through my mind, "What right minded human would walk unprotected into a forest where wild animals and shape shifters live."

"Andrew…" I called with fake uncertainty as another close snap was heard, "Andrew is that you?!? If this is a joke it's starting to get old."

I detected one more snap from forty feet away, but let it go unnoticed, realizing that the sound portion was being put on hold. I cursed the wolves for leaving me to play scared as I pretended to wait eagerly for Andrew's return.

I thought that maybe they had gotten all that they had needed when a rather rotten scent started to waft into the area. I struggled not to shield my nasal passages as the scent of fresh blood and dead meat was blown into my area by a surge of wind. I then struggled to keep my breathing rate normal so my nose wouldn't appear to be heightened and able to detect the potent scent coming somewhere from the west.

I was utterly relieved when Andrew started making his way back into the clearing, and the presence of the other wolves disappeared into the setting sun. "What took you so long?" I asked.

"Got lost!" Andrew laughed.

"Right….you got lost….in an area you must patrol all the time and a place you lived your entire life," I thought to myself. "Can we go home now?" I asked, "I feel like someone is watching me."

"Of course," Andrew said, "But I have to tell you something first."

"What is it?" I asked, wrapping myself up in his arms.

"I invited Michael over-" he began before I cut him off.

"What?!" I asked, fueled by rage.

"Just for dinner!" Andrew said, "I want you guys to try and patch things up and then he'll go."

"Andrew…I don't….." I stuttered, but soon conceded knowing that I wasn't exactly out of the woods yet, both figuratively and literally, "Just for dinner?"

"Just for dinner," he confirmed, "He'll meet us at our place."

"Alright," I said, weaving my hands with him and walking to his home.

The dinner was tense to say the least. I knew Michael wanted to get something off his chest but for some reason decided to keep it in. I glared at Michael the entire dinner, not comfortable with the fact he was still here. I occasionally bit my fingers, thinking of a way to get Michael to explode and provide a way to make an escape. However considering Michael wouldn't rest until he exposed me I knew that a planned escape was most likely going to be replaced with something rash.

Michael and Andrew were here all I had to do was pit them against each other and the fact that it was dusk, a time I was familiar with, was perfect. It was usually the time that the pack took to prepare themselves for a nights patrol, so if I was lucky I could get an hour or two's head start before them and be out of Canada and close to home before they even realized that I had left. That is of course if my plan were to work, and plans have to start somewhere, which was going to have to be now.

"How was your day Michael?" I asked, purposely trying to irritate him.

"Interesting," Michael said as he stabbed another one of his steaks with his knife.

"How so?" I asked.

"Did some sight seeing." Michael said.

"What a coincidence," I said, "Andrew and I did some sight seeing of our own."

"You don't say," Michael said, biting down harshly on the food in his mouth.

"Yes," I said kissing Andrew on the cheek, drawing it out, "We did, and they were quite the sights."

"Alex…" Andrew whispered, "Cut it out."

"Believe me, if I could cut it out," I said loudly enough while looking to Michael, "Then I would."

"Aren't you the clever one." Michael said.

"I like to think so," I said.

"Too bad you aren't, you may have the rest of them fooled, but not me!" Michael said.

"MICHAEL!" Andrew growled.

"What is he taking about babe?" I asked

"Cut the act Alex, if that's even your real name!" Michael said standing up, "I know you're not human."

"Excuse me?" I asked, still playing dumb.

"You're going to far Michael," Andrew said standing as well, shielding me from Michael.

"I'm not!" Michael said, slamming a hand onto the table, "Let me show you!"

"Why is this such a big deal to you!?!" Andrew cried

"Because he wants to hurt you!" Michael said.

"No I don't!" I cried.

"Liar!" Michael yelled, "Why else would you continue to deceive him!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!?" I cried.

"I think you should be leaving Michael." Andrew said calmly, "We'll talk to Gary in the morning."

"No!" Michael said shoving past Andrew, "I'll do this now."

"The fuck!" I said as Michael grabbed my arm, "OW!" I cried as he slid the knife across my arm, drawing blood from the wound.

All I heard was Andrew roar from behind me before he plucked Michael away from me and tossed him through the kitchen and into some cabinets. "Fool," Michael breathed, "Look at his arm."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I clutched my arm, already feeling my skin come together to heal the wound, something a human couldn't have happen. Andrew turned to me and looked to my arm, "Are you alright Alex?" he asked.

"No," I lied.

"Let me see," Andrew said walking to me.

"No, I can handle it myself," I said walking over to the stove.

"Nonsense," he said cornering me, "Here," he said as he moved my other arm out of the way. Bending his head down all he came to see was the smeared blood on my arm and a healed cut. "What?" he said, before I knocked him out cold with a frying pan.

I watched in sorrow as his body collapsed to the floor, having been knocked out cold. "I'm sorry Andrew…I really am sorry," I said as I walked towards the back door, "But I can't stay."

"I knew it," Michael coughed from his spot on the floor, "I knew it all along. What are you, what could possibly take out a shape shifter?"

"How about another one?" I asked as I looked down at him.

"You?" Michael sighed.

"That's right," I said, "You're not as special as you think, and Michael…Andrew is all yours." I finished by swinging the frying pan and slamming it across his face, knocking him out as well. I didn't feel any sympathy for Michael, not caring or not if there was any long term damage, however, as I opened the door and was about to step out, I looked back to Andrew one last time, and prayed that he'd be able to move on.

I closed the door and began running through the forest that was still lit by the setting sun. I knew I had to at least get to a road or civilized location before I started taking off in my wolf form. I needed to orientate myself with which direction home would be, and I wouldn't have another set of clothes to change into if I phased but needed to stop and ask, time was of the essence and I needed to make the most of it.

I huffed as I leaped over another log with my human legs, but sighed in relief as I saw the black ground that could only be a road. I gave a cry of relief as I spotted it, but soon felt my heart drop as I read the nearest road sign, my past hour of running all worthless.

MANITOBA 5 MILES

I cursed myself, wracking my brain for the geographical location of Manitoba, and knew that my knowledge of Canada wasn't too rusty. I sighed as the mental image of Canada came into my head and Manitoba was still to the east of Saskatchewan, the problem was I needed to be going west.

I ran back into the forest and started to back track, knowing I had eaten up precious minutes by going the wrong direction. I changed my course and in addition to going west, I also started going south. I now hoped to pass and avoid the Métis pack. I knew for a fact that it wouldn't have taken long for Michael and Andrew to come to, unless I had accidentally killed them, and then it was only a matter of minutes before they would be coming after me.

Their noses would lead them to where I had been just minutes ago and then they would turn around and start following my new path. That was if I was lucky, I would be lucky if they didn't catch me somewhere closer to their home territory, somewhere it would be easier to wrangle me in and make sure I wouldn't get a chance to leave.

A spark of hope was emitted in me as I began to dream that they would be indifferent about my escape and let me go, but was quickly squashed when I realized that Andrew would come after me. Gary would then have no choice but to have the pack come with him and I knew Michael would probably be the first and only person in line to harm me.

So with the time I wasted I knew it was only a matter of time before the pack caught up to me, just the question of when and where was on my mind. With my mind focused and my goal to get home stronger than anything else, I hopped over a log and exploded into my wolf form after so much time without it.

I settled back down onto the ground and bolted towards the west. I immediately felt the rush of being a wolf again and withheld a howl of joy that was just drying to escape. Bushes and logs were no longer obstacles as I brushed past them, leaving them to wither and crumble in my path. I had been running for ten minutes before I realized I wasn't the only one who was currently phased as well.

"Hey Collin, do you feel that?" A boy asked.

"Feel what?" Another boy asked.

"That!" the first boy said, "Another wolf."

"Well who else would be phased, it's our turn to patrol?" the second one asked.

"Um…hello?" I asked as I picked up the pace.

"See, told you there was something!" the first boy said.

"Who are you guys?" I asked.

"Who are you?" they asked back.

"Jessie, Jessie Mundai," I said as my paws continued to carry me forward, "Who are you two?"

"I'm Collin," one of the boys said, "And that's Brady."

"I doubt he can see you," Brady said, "Can't you tell he's far away. What did you say your name was again, I don't think I heard right."

"Jessie, Jessie Mundai." I said as I crossed into Alberta.

"That's impossible," Collin said, "He died a while ago, so who are you really?"

"It's really me," I said, "I didn't die."

"How can we believe you?" Brady asked, and I could only imagine the grin he had on his face.

"Just get Sam or Jacob!" I said, "Or Embry, or Seth, or Leah! Get someone!"

"Never heard of them," Collin said, which caused Brady to laugh.

"Listen runts!" I said, not forgetting the Beta command I still held, "Just get someone, I'm kind of running for my life here."

"Really?" they asked.

"Yes, and I'd appreciate hearing a familiar voice, not two new recruits I haven't met yet," I said, exaggerating my situation a bit.

"We'll be right back!" Brady snickered as I felt them move even further away from my current position, the distance between us still vast. I soon felt the both of them phase and left me to myself as I neared the middle of Alberta, my speed surprising even me, however I soon felt the presence of another pack chasing after me maybe a mile or so behind me. "So they're catching up?" I asked myself, "Good, I'm going to have to deal with them at some point."

I quickly decided I would lead them to the coast along British Colombia and force them into the water. I could easily get home once I had them all swimming to the nearest shore. "Yah…" I thought to myself as I continued to run and lead them into my potential trap, "Taking on six werewolves…piece of cake."

I sighed as my blood red fur swished as I ran and only hoped that I would be able to get assistance in the forms of Sam and the pack soon.

I halted to a stop near a rocky and flat plateau in British Colombia overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I trotted forward and looked down, seeing that there were no sandy shores anywhere near the location and the drop was a good distance, and the wall impossible to climb, as a human or a werewolf. I knew if I could get them over the edge they were in for a long and tiring swim, and by the time they got back up here, I along with my scent, would be gone.

I knew the Métis boys had been close behind for the entire length home, and knew that they would be here in five minutes or less. That gave me five minutes to catch my breath and think of a battle plan before they got here.

"If they all come at me at once then I have to scramble and get them to unintentionally attack each other, and if they come in at one at a time or in groups then I should be able to handle myself. Remember Jessie, you have three years of experience on them, the quantity of wolves doesn't matter here…it's their quality." I told myself

I got low to the ground and prepared myself for what was to come. Soon after the Métis wolves slowly emerged from the surrounding brush and stepped forward. I could tell which one with Andrew, considering he was the only one who looked sad. I knew who Michael was because he had a murderous glare, and Gary was the largest one; the alpha. As for Patrick, Todd, and John it didn't matter, they were just three more foes.

I stayed low and tense as Andrew broke formation and began to trot towards me. I felt bad for what I was about to do but knew I had to take advantage of the easy target. Andrew stopped right before me and licked my face, and began to nuzzle my neck. I nuzzled him back as well and shoved him playfully which he returned, unaware that we were moving around. Once he had his back turned to me I grinned at him before I frowned and used my hind legs to kick him over the edge and to the water below. I cringed as he let out a yelp as he fell several feet down, but turned back to his pack who now all looked venomous.

I watched as Gary lifted his head and tilted his nose to three wolves to beckon them forward into attack. Patrick, John and Todd all began to move forward, leaving the two I had identified as Michael and Gary behind. I began to act again as I got onto my back and exposed my belly, appearing to concede to defeat, hoping that they'd fall for the simplistic trick.

I was glad that one of them took the bait and resisted the urge to hold back when the medium sized one sprung into the air and began to lunge at me. I lifted my hind legs just as he was about to tear into me and then propelled him over my body and down into the water to join Andrew, a similar yelp heard as he fell. I figured that it had been Todd, considering that the wolves before me were larger and smaller then him, just like Patrick and John were in their human forms.

John and Patrick regrouped and began to circle me, making the unwise choice of coming close to the edge. I guess they figured if I tried to force one of them over the edge the one behind me could come up and take me down with him, effectively trapping me at sea with the rest of them, little did they know I already knew how to handle them. I waited until the smaller one, John was farther away from the edge when I turned and sank my jaws into the scruff of his neck. It took some effort but I managed to toss him towards the stunned Patrick. Patrick managed to dodge the now helpless John, but was caught off guard as I charged forward and nudged him over the edge, leaving him to follow John but seconds afterward.

I was proud of myself as I turned back to the two reaming wolves, Gary and Michael, but knew these two were going to be anything but simple. I watched as Gary seemed to signal to Michael and the two of them began to move towards me, not circling, but enclosing me against the edge. I glanced at Michael, considering him more of a threat, and noticed the rabid look in his eyes, something I was hoping to use to my advantage.

I raised my stance and began to taunt Michael with little brushes of dirt and wagging my tail and lulling my tongue at him. I could tell Michael was getting annoyed at this and Gary turned his head away to try and get him to focus, which was when I struck. I dove for Gary and snapped at his legs, sinking my fangs into his front left leg, snapping the bone with my jaw and forcing him to the ground. Michael began to growl at me and lunged at me, but I dodged his attack and quickly rolled the whimpering Gary over the edge to join his brothers.

I was about to turn around when I was tackled from behind and began rolling through the dirt, Michael making lunges for my neck and muzzle as he tried to tear into me. I fought back with equal intensity and took several chunks out of Michael, my experience out weighing his anger. I'll admit there were times where I thought he had me beat and ready to throw over the edge, when I'd pull a dirty move to get myself back into the fight.

Like for instance I just stomped on his paw and as he yelped in pain I quickly leaped over him and back onto a firmer ground, only to be stunned as Michael was already back on my, taking his claws and swiping them across my face, creating three long jagged marks, dangerously close to my eyes. He then stood on one of my legs at a distorted angle and began to add pressure. I yelped in pain as I felt my leg begin to snap and weaken, his mass outweighing and overpowering my attempts to throw him off.

I saw red as he continued to put me in pain and finding nothing else to do I sunk my teeth into his side and began to tug for dear life, hoping to rip out some vital organs or put him in enough pain to stop his assault. It was enough as he stood and I decided to end it as I stood and charged forward, slamming into him with enough momentum to send him over the edge. As soon as I saw him disappear over the edge I turned around and began to make my way toward Washington and the way towards home.

I got into Forks and it was getting close to the morning hours. People would be heading into work soon and I wanted to be home before everyone woke up. Imagine the nice surprise it would be for them to find me asleep in my bed like nothing had ever happened.

I managed to phase back behind an outlet shop and sneak into the back to steal some clothes that I quickly dressed myself in, the pain of walking on four legs becoming too great to continue on. I held what was now my limp arm as I began to walk through the streets barefoot as I exited Forks and started heading toward La Push.

I soon passed by the boundaries and began to walk on the roads that wound along the coast and led to the Quileute Reservation. I was rather annoyed, down right furious actually, that these two kids, Brady and Collin never got back to me, but they would hear about that later. I looked around me as I clutched my arm and walked down the cold highway towards my home, the trees and crashing ocean painting a picture to me like nothing had changed, but as I took a step closer to home and no cars passed along I knew that the scenery may not have changed, but I knew my departure had a severe outcome on the rest of the pack…or at least I hope it did, I was pretty damn important to them.

I smiled and couldn't help but tear up as the reservation sign came into view. I put a bit of spry into my step and started waddling towards the reservation entrance, eager to see everyone before the sun finished rising. I felt the tears begin to stream down my face as I ducked under the gate and set foot onto the familiar dirt paths of the reservation.

"I'm home," I said as I began to walk, the pain in my arm still not going away.

I began to walk forward again, eager to see everyone and let them know I was alright and that I had returned from the 'dead.' I wondered who I should see first but soon realized that my feet had already made the choice as they led towards Sam's place. "Sam…" I whispered to myself, and then began to chant it to myself as I pictured his smile and his warm embrace. I don't care that we were supposed to be mad with each other, I just wanted to see my best friend.

After about half an hour of walking through the reservation, passing various homes that contained waking Quileutes his house finally came into view. "SAM!" I cried, hoping to wake him, "SAM!"

I could feel my spirit rising as I imagined the look on his face once he realized who the voice belonged to. I was nearly towards his front door when an ominous presence suddenly made itself known behind me. I gasped in pain as something bit down onto the back of my neck and sunk its teeth beneath my flesh, locking me in place. I turned my head, ripping the my skin slightly, and quaked in fear when I saw Michael standing behind me.

"How?" I said weakly, not being able to believe that Michael had followed and tracked me this entire distance, and that my guard was down so much so that I couldn't even detect him before it was too late. I turned when I heard a door creak open and watched as Sam stepped out in his pajamas, "Sam…." I coughed, causing a bit of blood to leak from my mouth.

I didn't finish as Michael growled and ripped part of my neck out, dangerously close to my arteries and then slashed his claws along my torso, cutting my rather deep and I'm sure he tore some organs. I flew through the air and settled in some soft grass near the front porch and immediately began to lose myself to the darkness as a howl sounded and growls and roars were heard.

I tried to remember exactly how I found myself in this position but was drawing quite a few blanks actually. I closed my eyes as I felt my blood continue to leak and spill from my wounds. It was chilling to feel my life force just trickle down and touch the green grass, turning it too a flaky brown as it dried. After a while I heard the sounds start to die down and soon a howl of victory, but the problem was that I felt really weak.

"Move out of the way!" I heard someone yell. "Move your hand Colin!" the same voice called out again, ringing in my ear, it was closer this time. "Shit…we have to get him to a hospital quickly!"

I let out a long sigh and let my head fall back as someone picked me up. I saw tan skin all around me and found comfort at seeing the smudged, blurred faces of my companions. I closed my eyes and my breathing shortened causing them all to freak. "We have to hurry!" the same voice rang out again.

It felt like I was moving quickly through the air, and the soft whistle of the wind in my ears rocked me into sweet darkness.

So there you go, Chapter 26,

It's called back to the beginning because those last few lines were how this story started in the beginning. I think I'll try and wrap this story up by chapter 30, just because that's a nice number, but rejoice in the fact that it'll probably be more than 30, just because I know it will go longer, I just know it will

Hope you guys enjoyed it and let me know if this was an improvement from last chapter.

Also feel free to vote in a new poll on my profile that could start to shape a new story in the future.

Until next time!