(Chapter 26)

A/N: I haven't posted a new chapter to this story in awhile. And to be honest with you guys, I'm just frustrated with it. I have this whole story written out, what I want in the next chapter, but the old chapters annoy me to no end. I just wanted to scrap it up and restart. But I don't have time for that, and quiet frankly don't even think this story is worthy of redoing. I'm just going to post chapters, whenever I feel like it. Basically it might take me awhile to post the next chapter. Sorry.

A/N: That being said, I will, hopefully post chapters for my new stories. More frequently.

"I still don't understand what my dad was saying?" Chloe told Alek, as he closed the passenger door for her. She buckled her seat belt in quickly and swivelled in Alek's leather car seat, to face him.

"Think about it Chloe," Alek said clicking his seat belt in place. She watched with fascination as he dragged is longer golden fingers through his curls, while spontaneously shoving the key in the ignition and starting up his car. "What are the benefits that order has knowing who loves you, and who-" he stops abruptly.

"Who I love?" Chloe continues for him She didn't know if his pause was because of the car that swerved into his lane, or maybe because he was hesitant, insecure about her feelings for him. Chloe knew she loved him. Knew he loved her. It was a sly, comfortable way of telling him. Every girl wanted the boy she loved to say those three words in some romantic way or place but not Chloe.

Not anymore.

There could've been a time when she wanted nothing more than some hot, lean, to good to be true guy to be romantic, and say those beloved words in the sweetest of ways. But that part was gone, it flew out the window with the hope that her and Brian could be something more than platonic.

It was gone but she found she didn't want it back.

She just wanted Alek. And from the look Alek gave her, the one with smouldering eyes and a real pirate smile, white teeth and all, Chloe had no doubt that he wanted her back. Nothing and no one would get in there way.

"They could capture you, make you bait."

Maybe the order could.

Chloe bit her lip turning away from Alek, who was visibly clutching the steering wheel. If they ever took Alek, Chloe would no doubt run straight the head of the Order, walk in the building unarmed. Give up all her lives for him. There wouldn't be any plans made, the Mai wouldn't even no where she went, they wouldn't find out. Because nothing would stop Chloe. Maybe the Order would separate them, put Alek in harm, but Chloe would not stop in till her Alek was safe.

"That's what your father wanted you to find out." Alek said slowly turning the car down her street, his eyes weary of her, wandering her face, searching for any sign of break down.

"Me? You knew that being near me, being connected to me in this way could harm you?" Chloe said her voice barely above a whisper, her emotions got the better of her. Sure Chloe knew that the Order could make Alek bait, but she never suspected the Order finding out about her feelings for Alek. But the connection, the powers Alek got, all that came from his love for her. Obvious to the Order.

"Chloe had these feelings for you long before that trip to London," he said, not looking at her, but looking at the rear-view mirror, and pulling into her drive way in one quick fluid motion.

"I know," she said, unbuckling her seat belt. She missed his touch, even if they had a steamy kiss almost 15 minutes ago. Once he parked perfectly and stopped the car, Chloe swung open her door, and rushed around the car to Alek. He slide out of the car, and right after closing the drivers door, he opened his arms for her.

She jumped into his embrace, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She leaned up and kissed the croak of said neck, and inhaled his manly scent. They said home is were the heart is. Chloe always thought that saying was ridiculous, because your living beating heart was in your body, and sure your body was your home, a permanent one, but everyone knew that, it didn't need to be some famous saying. Only now did she understand it really. Alek held her heart, he was her home. Home is where you feel safe. And Alek is where she felt safe, where she felt wanted, needed, and important.

"I'll be fine," he said kissing her hair, soothingly and slow. Chloe had noticed, even before they started being something more than platonic, boyfriend and girlfriend even, that they touched more than regular friends would. That everything they did together would be with a side of hand holding, or an arm wrapped around ones waist. Touching each other was like second nature. It wasn't because of the warmth, and the static energizing, heart racing, and even soothing at times touch. It was what it meant.

For Chloe it made her insecure feelings about there relationship, or even the feeling of being alone fly out the window. Made them disappear. When he slide his arm around her waist, or kissed her head, it was like he was telling her that she wasn't alone, just by touching her bare skin to his. It was reassurance that he was there, that everything was going to be okay.

"How do you know?" Chloe said snuggling closer to him. She felt his arm's tighten around her more, as if he was preparing to protect from everything and everything. Protecting her from what he was about to say.

"I don't,' he told her. Chloe didn't know whether she should cry because how brutally honest he was, or smile up at him because he had told her the truth. No matter how harsh it was. She was done not knowing what was going on around her. Done being that kind of girl. Chloe leaned her head up, and off his shoulder, and pecked the side of his lips gently, before snuggling back into the croak of his neck.

The onlookers would look at them as if they were regular teenagers, touching each other for the hell of it. Most likely going through a faze were boyfriends mean more to life than family or school. But to them, they were lovers embracing, and holding each other because just like death, harm to Alek and the ones she loved was inevitable.

Chloe unwrapped her arm around Alek's neck, after a few minutes of complete and relaxing silence. She kissed his cheek lightly before tugging his caucused hand in hers, and pulling her towards her steps and to the front door. They were supposed to be inside the house hours ago, but her father, someone who she cared for deeply but ruined any and all respect she had for him when he left again, had told her about finding information on Alek, and how and why he was the curator. What the order would do now. They were supposed to be in her room, lying down, holding each other, whispering sweet nothings, but instead they went across town and to an elderly woman's home. Learned information, which was new to Chloe and old to Alek.

But finally they were back home, a little bit broken and a little bit crazy. But they fit.

As Chloe searched her bag for the keys to her house, Alek's phone went off. She stopped searching and watched as he answered the phone call with raised eye brows and said hello.

"Kai."

Chloe's eyes widen as did Alek's. It wasn't as if Kai was an enemy anymore. Chloe considered him her friend. But he didn't phone, they didn't phone him. It was just how things were. If she died, he most likely would be invited to attend her funeral, her request. And same goes for him.

"Hold on let me put it on speaker, Chloe's here with me." Alek said, before turning loud speaker on.

"Hello Chloe," Kai said over the line, his voice rough, and heavy sounding. Her heart ached for the next words, because knowing her luck whatever was to be said next wasn't something she would prefer.

"Hey Kai," Chloe responded, her voice monotone.

"I'm just going to cut the chase," he said shakily. The boy with razor sharp teeth, fast reflexes and hard, solid looking abs sounded afraid. "I need your help."

"With what?" Alek asked. He was the three C's. Calm, cool, and collected. Chloe didn't suspect any less from him.

"My dad," Chloe heard Kai sigh, "The Order attacked, they shot him with Mai bodily fluids." Chloe didn't know what that meant, but the look on Alek's face, the sheer shock, and sympathy scared her. Alek was known to hate Jackals, especially Kai. But somehow, the words Kai just uttered, somehow it provoked sympathy out of Alek. Her mind went crazy, and the only thing she could make out from it was that the Mai's bodily fluid effects Jackals, just like effects humans.

That means Kai's father has a few hours, maybe even a day to live. And now Kai is asking for help. That means there must be, somewhere, a cure.

A/N: Not my best chapter, but oh well.

A/N: About three or four chapters left of this story. (Keep up the reviews they make my day/week/month/year/life)