I had some problems getting this chapter uploaded tonight - It's still not fixed but I managed to find a way around the issue in order to get this chapter to you guys :) Thanks to Sage . Meryllis . Banks for her help xP

Enjoy the chapter you guys! I spent hours trying to get it posted, so you'd better ;)

Chapter 35

Dimitri didn't let go of my hand for entire way home – except when he had to, of course.

I swung my second leg over the fence as we made our way slowly back to the forest. The darkness of the night sky above us gave us some extra cover from any humans who were lingering in the late evening; there wasn't a large chance that we would be seen. I smiled at Dimitri, who stood waiting for me at the foot of the fence. I couldn't get enough of him – even just looking at him. There were shadows and marks on his skin that I had never noticed before; they weren't very obvious, but my separation from him had made me appreciate every last detail, however miniscule it was.

I leaped from my sitting position on the fence to join him on the other side. I planned to land quite gracefully, however as my feet hit the floor, pain shot through my leg that had been wounded. A yelp escaped my mouth as my leg collapsed from under me. If Dimitri hadn't been close enough to catch me, I would've fallen to the ground.

"Are you alright?" Concern was written all over his face and settled in his eyes. He looked from my face to my leg, and back again.

"I'm fine," I assured him, lifting the weight from my leg. The pain was starting to subside now. "I just forget sometimes."

Dimitri didn't let go of me until he was sure I was steady enough to stand and walk by myself. I couldn't help my smile when his hands lingered over my waist…not that I minded, of course. Suddenly, his eyes darted upwards and focused on something on my head. An expression of amusement crossed his face.

"What?" Dimitri stopped my hand as it made its way into my hair. Instead, he lifted his own and gently untangled a small twig from my dark locks. We both chuckled as he held the small stick up in front of me.

"I tripped earlier," I explained with a smile. "It must've gotten caught then."

"If you two don't hurry up, we'll never get back!" Christian called from somewhere in front of us. We were all still in our human form, and therefore my eyesight wasn't as good as it would be in my wolf form. I couldn't see Lissa or my brothers in the near distance, and I doubted Dimitri could. We sped up our pace then, Dimitri looking concerned every time I winced walking over a particularly difficult piece of terrain.

"I'm fine," I reassured him after he shot his tenth worried look in my direction.

"Are you hurting?"

"No, it's just stiff," I promised. "Sometimes the cold gets to it. We'll be home soon; I'll warm up then."

"Are you sure you're not doing more damage by walking on them?"

Dimitri was just concerned about me, I knew that. But his question was a little ridiculous to me. I raised my eyebrows at him, amused.

"And what exactly to you suppose I do if that was the case?" I chuckled. "Camp out right here until it helps completely?"

"No," A mischievous glint suddenly gleamed in his eyes and I stopped, confused. "I was going to suggest something along the lines of this."

Before I knew it, I had been swept up into Dimitri's arms.

"Hey!" I was almost embarrassed about the squeal that escaped me then. Dimitri immediately shushed me, probably afraid I would awaken either the humans behind us, or the wolves ahead of us.

"Put me down!" I laughed as quietly as I could into his neck. "I can walk just fine!"

"I know that," he replied. Since we had been reunited, Dimitri had had the same carefree smile on his face…I hoped it would never leave. "The only version of you I've had these past few weeks was in my mind. I can't help but want to touch and hold you every moment I can."

A smile of my own appeared on my face. I knew the feeling. I had spent so long thinking and dreaming about being in Dimitri's arms…and here I was. It felt almost surreal to actually be back by his side.

"Can you two hurry up?" I heard Christian whisper loudly from somewhere ahead of us. Looking up, I could see that he was almost at the forest's edge, Lissa and Eddie by his side. I made Dimitri put me down then, and together we hurried to catch up to the others.

They stood waiting for us at the top of the hill when we reached them.

"I have a feeling that I'm going to regret the fact that you two have been reunited very shortly," Christian murmured. "It's quite sickening to watch."

This time, I was close enough to my brother to be able to smack him myself.

"Ow," he groaned, rubbing his arm. "Since when did you become freakishly strong?"

Eddie was the one to chuckle at this. I smiled; he had been relatively quiet since we started our journey home.

"Rose has always been able to beat you up, Chris," he patted Christian on the back good-naturedly. "That's not new."

I enjoyed laughing at Christian's expense, even if he didn't particularly appreciate it. Lissa was quick to remind us that Alberta would be worried, pushing us to phase quickly to get back to her as soon as we could. I discarded my clothes carefully, although I wasn't sure how long it would be before I would even need them. I had truly enjoyed my experiences in the human world (excluding a few more recent ones, of course), and I did plan on returning sometime in the future…just not any time soon. For now, I had had my fill of civilian life, and was more than happy to return to my true form with my family and friends by my side.

As I had assumed, Alberta was beside herself with worry and was torn, I guessed, between wanting to both hug me and slap me.

Nightfall was hours ago! She all but exclaimed breathlessly after greeting us all. I've been worried sick!

I'm sorry, Alberta, I offered her a small, sheepish smile. But finding these guys proved harder than I thought it was going to be.

It's alright, child, She ushered us forward. You're all safe, that's what matters. Come on, I saved you some food.

I began following her back towards where I assumed our pack had set up temporarily. The mere thought of some proper food had my mouth watering. Behind me however, I felt Dimitri hesitating.

You too, love, Alberta assured him. As far as I'm concerned, you are always welcome here.

Thank you, Dimitri's gratitude was sincere, but his muscles were still tense. I'm just not sure everyone will feel the same.

Abe will be just fine, I promise you that. She moved to his side and nudged him forward. Although Dimitri's form towered above her, there was something very childlike of the way he complied to her instructions. Alberta had that impact, I supposed. She was a mother wolf to the very end.

I gave Dimitri an encouraging smile and rubbed my side against his as he joined me. I acted as confident in Abe as Alberta was, however I didn't truly feel quite as assured. Truth be told, I wasn't even certain where I stood in Abe's eyes. Sensing my unease, Dimitri leaned against me gently. We were going to be just fine.

Alberta, what has been going on here? Eddie spoke up as we neared the dens; the scents of our pack members were getting closer. We were almost there. With the packs, I mean.

There has been no fight, if that's what you mean, Alberta replied. She made a swift glance around us. There have been more hunters around – everybody's on edge. I think until the immediate danger has been taken care of, nobody is bothered about fighting anyone. Most would rather stay in familiar territory – they feel safer.

I can think of a few exceptions, Dimitri murmured by my side. Alberta shared the same knowing look.

Who do you mean? I asked him, not liking the dark shadow that had been cast over his face. Where had that beautiful smile gone to?

My father isn't one to put the safety of his pack first, Dimitri explained darkly. I wouldn't put it past him to attack at the very time it's most dangerous to leave his territory. He is a greedy wolf – he always has been.

I think that's what we're afraid of, Alberta sighed. She paused and looked back at us. You'll see what I mean in a moment. Come on, let's get you a place to rest.

We entered the small clearing, much to the surprise of the awaiting wolves. Most were busy getting ready to settle down for the night. One by one they began to realise that something different was happening this evening. I felt Dimitri lean close to me.

Is this your entire pack? He asked quietly. I nodded gently. It was understandable that Dimitri would be surprised by the size of my pack – his father's had always been the stronger, more dominant pack.

Yeah, this looks like everyone…I told him. Except for-

Right on cue, my father exited a makeshift den. Even inside, he had sensed a change in atmosphere around his pack.

I think he saw Dimitri first and like any alpha male would, he was quick to become aggressive. He faltered in his approach however, when he really looked at the wolves around him. I expected his anger immediately, but was totally shocked to see some other emotion flash in his eyes. I had never seen that expression on my father before…I wasn't even sure what it was. Sadness? Relief? Heartbreak? I couldn't really tell.

My father was quick to suppress whatever unexpected emotion he felt and his usual cold expression returned. I had always cowered in my father's presence. Been scared and intimidated by his large form and strong posture.

Today however, I saw my father in a different light. He walked towards us slowly…I thought I could see him almost limping, but I didn't trust my eyes. Perhaps it was a trick of the light. He stopped before us and met each of our eyes with his own dark ones.

What are you doing here?

I was taken aback by his voice. It wasn't angry or strong, or even loud like it usually was.

It was tired. Weak. As though even speaking to us was a mere effort. I assumed my brothers were in similar states of shock, as neither of them answered him either. It was Alberta who eventually stepped forward.

They need some food, and a place to rest. I don't want to hear any arguing from you. I told them it was safe for them here.

Shocked, I glanced at Alberta. Her expression was hard and determined. I half-expected my father to bite her head off for speaking to him in such a manner, but he was just silent. A few tense moments passed, before my father finally gave one nod of his head, and then returned to his den – apparently to retire for the night.

A shock silence fell over our little group. What the hell had just happened? Where was the nasty, fiery father who used to yell at us for every little reason, who used to give us the cold shoulder and ignore his only children? That wolf I knew, at least. I did not know the wolf who had just been standing before me – the weak, exhausted-looking one with an apparent limp who just let his pack members speak to him in what he used to consider a disrespectful manner.

This new Abe scared me more than the old one.

Are you like alpha female now or something? I asked Alberta, who chuckled.

Of course not. This pack hasn't had one of those in a long time, She began moving forward. I have just known Abe a long time; I know how to handle him.

What happened to him? Eddie whispered as we made our way to the various dens. He's so…

Different, Christian supplied, still sounding shocked.

Listen, don't you three be worrying about Abe. For now, go get some rest – all of you. There are some free dens over there. Get a good sleep; I'll come check on you in the morning.

Ok, I rubbed my head against hers affectionately. Thanks, Alberta.

Sleep well, she returned my caress. See you in the morning.

Alberta turned and headed back in the direction we had come. Eddie was on her heels, insisting he stay up during the night with some other wolves in case we had attackers during the night. Lissa and Christian had already found an empty den, it seemed, and were already turning in for the night. I didn't blame them; tiredness swept over me suddenly, and I felt like collapsing into a heap on the ground. I didn't even need a den – the dirty ground looked just as comfortable.

Although finding a den would mean that I could finally be alone with Dimitri, and that sounded good too.

Thankfully, we didn't have to search for very long before we found a vacant lair in the earth. I entered first, and saw that it wasn't particularly big. But it would do for tonight. Besides, if it meant Dimitri and I would just have to curl up tight against one another, then I was all for it.

Would you prefer to be by yourself tonight? Dimitri offered sweetly. I could go find another-

Of course not, I immediately cut him off. Haven't we been apart for long enough?

Dimitri smiled, looking quite happy at my answer and allowed himself to enter our little den. I thought you might just like to get a good night's rest.

And you think that would happen being separated from you again? I chuckled. Deciding on a spot right in the centre of the den, I began settling down.

I guess not, Dimitri waited for me to lie down before joining me. I expected him to take the spot beside me, but instead he somehow manoeuvred himself to wrap his long, graceful body around mine. I was surrounded in Dimitri. I had been tired enough to sleep like a log that night, but my exhaustion didn't play as much as a factor as having Dimitri with me did. For the first time in a long while, I fell asleep feeling one hundred percent safe, warm, comfortable and content.

I knew that we still had some problems to work through, but right now in this very moment?

Everything was perfect.