Lily POV

Contrary to popular belief, waking up in the forest is actually a pretty awesome thing to experience. There was a remarkable sense of silence that greeted you even before your eyes had opened, and when you do eventually see what you're surrounded with, you cant help but hold your breath, as it is truly astounding to look at. The crisp morning makes everything around you feel more electric and alive, and the warm glow of the day keeps the leaves and foliage looking more alive that they would at any other time. The shimmering of the sun overhead shines against your body and seeps into your skin, causing you to feel refreshed and alive.

That is until general lack of appropriate clothing allows for the chills to seep into your skin and then you realise where you are. In the fucking forest. I stood up, far too quickly, and swayed on the spot, the blood rushing to my head and I leaned on a trunk of a tree to keep myself steady. I limped to the edge of the forest line, to the lake from earlier, and glanced around, wondering if anyone was near enough for me to shout for. Upon seeing nobody, I took the initiative, and went about finding my own way home, once again. Before I began walking, I dipped my fingers in the water, a shiver running down my spine at the low temperature, and I steeled myself. I wet my hands completely, and no matter how unsanitary or dangerous is was, I ran them over my face, washing away the sleep and dirt that caked my face.

I had to admit, after I did that, I felt considerably more awake and fresh, even though I still needed to brush my teeth and quickly. My mouth felt entirely too dry for it to be normal. Last night having been buried deep in the recesses of my mind, I went about the day with a fairly bright smile on my face, considering how heart wrenchingly miserable I was underneath it all. I knew if one tear escaped, I would be a wreck, and I didn't have the time or energy for that. I needed to stay strong, and if that meant locking a part of me away, then so be it. I carried on walking, in a straight line, only to divert when there was something in my path, and after, maybe 30 minutes or so, I was finally near a main road. Now.. Where I currently was, was a different question entirely. One I was going to have to find the answer too, and quickly. I checked my pockets, and found that I had a few dollars stuffed away, so I went about finding a store of some kind.

I stayed true to the roadside, not asking for help from any passers by, just in case one of them turned out to be a psychopath and tried to murder me.. What? It could happen! I must have been walking for about an hour before I even happened upon anything that wasn't green and, you know, living. As quickly as my ailed legs would allow, I hobbled into the mass of maybe 6 different buildings, all smaller than the home I owned in Beacon Hills, and found what seemed to be a store, if the fresh fruit and vegetables being showcased outside said anything, and instead of scoping out everyone else in the shop, I went about finding some bottled water, a toothbrush and a breakfast bar. I barely had enough to cover both, but at least I'd have consumed something.

I half way threw my money at the cashier and quickly left the establishment, taking a strong swig of the water, and walking back the way I came, bumping into a few fellows in my haste on the way. I had no idea where I was, and I could, literally, be in the middle of nowhere, and nobody would be able to find me. I was so lost in my own imagination that I didn't notice myself walking directly into the chest of a woman. Well I wouldn't have thought she was a lady, especially considering it felt like I had ran headfirst into a brick wall. After recovering from the tumble I had ultimately taken, I glanced upwards, into the grey eyes of an unfamiliar, gorgeous, young lady.

If I hadn't had reason to be self-conscious before, I most definitely did now. My hair was matted with dirt, and even though my hood had been drawn up, and my hair tied in a messy pony, people could probably still tell that I was a woman, and the pitying glances I had received on my way here said more than words needed to. I was having a rough day, couldn't I just look like shit, and be left in peace? What I hadn't expected however, was for her to be beautiful, and nice to me, and that was exactly what I had gotten.

Immediately after our collision, she reached down for me, and hesitantly helped me to my feet. I brushed off the newly acquired dirt on my grey ¾ lengths, and scratched at the base of my skull, noticing the dirt beneath my nails, and grimacing slightly. Her voice was soft and unrecognisable, so I knew I hadn't met her before, as she coddled, "Oh, dear, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have been rushing. I didn't even see you, sweetheart. Are.. Are you okay?"

She had been brushing off my clothing getting off most of the removable mud, but froze minutely, as if someone had struck her from behind, and suddenly she stepped away, and began scrutinising me. I noted idly that she was from somewhere in Britain, most likely London, possibly the South if the twang said anything about her.

I stepped backwards, almost afraid of what her sudden, sharp gaze could do, and I mumbled, "Sorry.. I should've been watching where I was going. I'll be.. I'm sorry, do you know where here is?"

She frowned for a moment, and replied, "You don't know where you are?"

I shook my head, my hood falling off for a second, and I could almost feel the stares being drawn to my brightly coloured hair. You know, for once, I sort of wished I hadn't gone so bright. The dirt was so visible in the blonde half that I might as well shine a beacon from my forehead that screamed 'slept in forest for the night'. I hadn't felt more low, more lost, than I had right now.

I fumbled with my hood, and she began speaking, "Chris, come here, hun, she's a strange one."

She was talking to me, but someone else, but she still maintained eye contact with me, which was kind of unnerving, almost as if she stopped looking at me, my entire being would dissolve into nothing but dust motes.

A man stepped out of the cabin we currently in front of, and boy, was he a beauty. He was tanned, like he spent a lot of time out, working with his hands, so a day-labourer of some kind, maybe a farmer or something. He had dark brown hair that had been recently cut, and a clean shaven face, so he took pride in his appearance - not necessary meaning that he was vain, but he took precautions. His eyes were a light blue, reminding me momentarily of Isaac, which subsequently reminded me of Stiles.. And how much he was going to freak out when he came over and realised I wasn't home. Not only that, but I hadn't even slept in my own bed that night.

This Chris slowly walked down the stairs of his cabin, and practically exuded testosterone. You know those manly men who act all big and tough on the outside but were probably big softies on the inside? Yeah, this wasn't him. He looked like he could kill an entire family, and it wouldn't bother him. His face was completely stoic, lacking in even a formal politeness that most democrats would have down pat. He was a no nonsense kind of guy, and I found myself liking him more and more each second.

Not in the 'omg-lemme-touch' kind of way, but it was more like he would be really cool to talk to, as he wouldn't bullshit. He'd tell you exactly how it was straight, damn the consequences. I liked that honesty. I kind of needed it right now. He took in my attire and stared at me straight in the eye and froze, the same way she had.

His tone was abrupt and final when he practically ordered, "Iris. In the house. Now."

She made a face of disgruntlement, but did as she was told, and it was then that I noticed it. They were werewolves, and he was her Alpha. That made me even more nervous, as I really wasn't emotionally, physically or mentally able to fight an Alpha, I mean, what human was? I needed to get out of there quickly, and I halfway turned to do so when I heard him state, "You do that and I'll hunt you down and tear you apart.. With my teeth."

I gulped and turned my body to completely face him, but kept my eyes on everything but him. I didn't know why I felt so open and vulnerable but I did, and I was not at all comfortable with that.

He stepped forward once more, causing me to cry out a little, and enquired, "Where's your Alpha, human?"

I didn't understand the question, but thought it best if I stayed quiet, it would do me no good if I ran my mouth right now.

He growled lowly, and stated, "I don't do well with repeating myself, human. Where is your Alpha?!"

Everyone else seemed to have fled the scene as soon as Chris stepped out of his cabin, and I knew that I was in deep shit. If everyone else was too frightened to leave their homes, then what's to stop him from dragging me back into his cabin and maiming, killing and burning me alive? Oh yeah, that's right! Nothing.

I stammered a little when I replied, "I-I don't have a-an Alpha."

He raised an eyebrow, and huffed out a response, "Then why do you smell like you do? Don't lie to me this time. I can sense it."

I swallowed dryly, and silently wished I had taken more than one sip of my water, and I reiterated, "I am being honest. I don't have an Alpha. You can probably smell werewolves on me, okay yeah, but I don't have an Alpha. I don't belong to a pack."

He stayed silent for a while, and that made me very nervous. I was itching for a bath, literally, and he was making me feel far too exposed to be healthy. It was then that he reached for me, and I flinched heavily, reaching to protect my face at least, but was shocked to find him only grasping for my wrist, to pull me inside his cabin.

Well this wasn't anything better, but at least I wont have to die in the cold, I suppose.