Chapter 13

A/N: Minor trigger warning to those who were sexually assaulted. There will be certain sections regarding Rosalie's past and Yuki's.

Alice's POV

Things have been a little…strained at the Cross household. Yuki was on constant alert and seemed to be unable to sit still. Stella was busying herself with researching different materials or chemicals and their properties hoping to find something that could help her projects. Bella was slowly going stir-crazy, saying that her inner wolf was getting antsy being around a stressed Yuki all the time, making her constantly wanting to just go on a long run through the forest. I tried my best to keep her from doing that, for fear of terrifying Yuki, and most of the time it worked.

Today however, things were getting bad. All six of us were in the living room, Stella curled up beside Victoria with a book in her hands, Victoria alternating between reading over her shoulder or glancing at the TV which was playing a random show Bella found. Yuki kept getting up, wandering aimlessly around the room, then sitting back down next to Rose before getting back up and repeating the process. Bella was trying to pretend to be watching the show and not following her sister's movements like I knew she was doing.

And just as I was about to attempt to distract my Bella before her irritation at Yuki's constant movement made her snap, I was sucked into a quick vision that had me thanking any God out there. Rose was the only one that noticed though. When my eyes refocused, they landed on her and she raised one perfect eyebrow.

I simply smiled and waited ten more minutes before standing up and going to the front door. I could feel everyone's attention on me as I opened the door. I had to wait another minute before the unannounced guests showed up. Part of my mind mentally reminded myself to ask Stella why she hadn't noticed their arrival like she had Victoria and her two pals.

Grinning I waved dramatically at the three Denali girls who broke through the clearing, all looking immediately surprised at my presence. "Hey! Long time no see!" I bounded over and hugged each one of them.

"It's been a while Alice. Though, what are you doing here? Last I checked your place is further north." Tanya asked when I pulled away from her.

"Rina!" Yuki's voice sounded and the next thing I know Irina had been hug-tackled, causing Irina to stumble and laugh as she hugged Yuki.

"Hey Snow! Been a while! Last time I saw you and Bella you were still just a kid. Now you're a pretty large one!"

Yuki pulled back, "Ha ha Rina. You're hilarious." Her voice completely monotone. Yuki then pulled both Tanya, then Kate into hugs, "What are you three doing here?"

"Well, we heard something pretty interesting about werewolves that we thought you three would like to hear. It's pretty interesting." Kate was grinning and I frowned, not being able to see what they wanted to talk about.

"How interesting?" Stella asked from the porch.

"It's a legend about werewolves who no longer lose themselves to their wolf during the full moon." Kate's grin grew as she spoke. I could feel the three sisters all just freeze, though Yuki was the only I could see.

"What?" all three spoke simultaneously. Yuki's eyes were wide as she stared at Kate.

"Geez, I didn't think you'd react like that. Are the full moons really that bad?" Irina was looking at Yuki with a confused look in her eyes.

Yuki shook her head, then paused, "Well yes but, it's not that. It's just that we've been trying to find a way to make ourselves become True Wolves for a while now."

"Really?" Kate brushed a stray hair out of her face, "Well we know how to do it, sort of."

Wide green eyes stared at Kate for a long moment before looking back to look towards her sisters, disbelief evident in her eyes. Then Yuki grabbed Irina's and Kate's hands, dragging them both towards the house. We all couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her as we all followed her into the kitchen.

Yuki first went to the kitchen after releasing her two captives and began getting glasses of blood for everyone while we all settled at the table. I was seated between Bella and Stella with Kate right across from me. Rose helped Yuki bring all the glasses out. Yuki then grabbed Rose, sat her down at the head of the table where she had sat when she was chatting with our family, then Yuki plopped herself onto Rose's lap. Rose for her part seemed a bit startled but quickly wrapped her arms around her mate and pulled her closer. It was cute to watch.

"Well, I guess that explains why there's three vampires here with you." Tanya was smiling warmly at Yuki and Rose before her gaze shifted to Bella, who immediately blushed, and myself, then finally Stella and Victoria. "Hello, I'm Tanya Denali, head of the Denali coven that resides up in Alaska, we consider ourselves cousins to the Cullen family due to our similar diet and ideals." Tanya introduced herself to Victoria, "These are my girls Kate, and Irina."

Victoria nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Pleasure to meet you. I'm Victoria Reeves, Stella's mate."

Irina chuckled, "Damn all three of you fell for vampires? How uncommon is that? Aren't vampires and lycans supposed to be natural enemies? Or is that just how the media portrays us?"

Bella shrugged, "I honestly think Caius from the Volturi caused it. But that's just because I heard the story from other lycans, who obviously are biased."

"What did they say happened?" I was genuinely curious. Because according to Carlisle, who had lived with the Volturi for a short period of time, Caius was just randomly attacked and nearly killed by a Child of the Moon, and that started an age-old battle against the werewolf community. So much so that the species would probably be considered endangered.

"That Caius was attempting to sleep with a lycan's mate. And wolves…they don't take kindly to anyone touching the one they've claimed as their own." Stella shook her head. "Even if they weren't soul mates, if the lycan bonded with the person they've officially become their one and only and are completely devoted to them."

"Supposedly." Yuki chimed in. Everyone looked at her. She shrugged. "If that were the case for Nobuo then well…he wouldn't be completely enthralled with mama…or…" Yuki trailed off, shrugging again. The Denali sisters didn't know how the sentence ended but were quick to guess. They didn't ask for clarification.

Stella leant back in her seat. "Oh wow…you're right…he was our late aunt's mate…supposedly. He never had a mate tattoo so they weren't destined to be but they had to have bonded right…?"

"Perhaps they lied about it to everyone? Some sick plan of his or something? To make himself seem more important by being connected to your family?" Victoria asked. Stella had trusted her with Yuki's reason for insomnia shortly after finding out Victoria was well versed in all the things she did in her lab. Stella was probably hoping Victoria would be able to help her find something that would allow Yuki to sleep dreamlessly.

"I guess…but he would've had to convince our aunt. I don't really remember her too much to be able to say for sure whether she'd go through with that sort of plan or not. She and Mama weren't the closest of sisters, our aunt was not a big fan of Mother so they didn't talk much after Mama left their pack and joined Mother. I think I only ever saw her twice in my life before she passed." Stella was rubbing her cheek as she thought aloud.

"Well…either way, that's the story we know of Caius. We're all told at a young age to distrust vampires for that very reason but since Mama and Tanya become friends pretty easily the three of us never cared about such a thing." Bella smiled at Tanya.

"Your Mom is the best. Both your mothers are amazing. How are they by the way?" Tanya was resting her chin on her hands as she leant forward slightly to look at Yuki, who had stopped paying attention at some point and had instead been playing with Rose's hair.

"Hm? Oh, they seem okay. We just spoke with Mother recently about some odd instinctual thing I'm feeling and can't analyze for the life of me." Yuki shrugged again before snuggling closer to Rose and twirling blonde strands of hair around her fingers.

"That's good. When we heard about the betrayal we were astounded and worried about their safety. But I guess you Purebloods sure know how to handle yourselves."

Yuki smiled proudly, "Damn right." Rose chuckled and kissed her mate's cheek, causing her cheeks to darken.

"Now, onto the reason we decided to drop by." Kate began getting excited.

"How'd you know they were here?" Victoria interrupted.

"Stella informed us. We go to her for our blood tablet supply. Since you know, we'd be killed on site if we tried to enter the werewolf sanctuary, we always contact Stella when we get low and meet up with her somewhere. She simply mentioned that they'd moved in the Washington area. Knowing that, their scents were easy enough to track." Tanya explained.

Victoria nodded and Kate looked around, making sure no one had any more questions and was giving her their undivided attention. Which we all were, Yuki having let go of Rose's hair.

"Okay. So, what we heard is that lycanthropy is what it seems, a curse placed upon a being. A wolf soul, I think, or spirit, I'm not quite sure on that part, various sources and all that, either way, a wolf claims the body of someone. Because the wolf is attaching itself to a person it is considered a parasite, forcing the person to transform into a man-wolf in a very painful manner. And as such the first lycans were created. And because their bodies rejected the wolf inside them they were constantly plagued by the painful full moon nights, for the rest of their lives. Some of which even became feral and never returned to their human state, instead they went around infecting more and more people.

"There was however one person who found a way to accept the wolf as a part of them. When he did so he became infinitely stronger than before, and of course, he was no longer forced to transform when the moon was full. He became one with the wolf inside. Allowing the wolf to perfectly combine with their human side."

"We know that mu…" Yuki started but Kate held up a hand to silence her.

"He explained that there was only one way to truly accept the wolf. And that was to accept, not just the primal and animalistic instincts the wolf carries but to accept everything about yourself. Accept your blood, accept your mind, accept your strength, accept everything about yourself that makes you, you. And until you can say you fully accept yourself for who you are, your wolf will be unable to fully mesh with your human side. The human and animal will not be able to coexist unless the human can accept themselves and their wolf."

We were all silent for a long moment. All three wolves looking very pensive as they processed this information.

Bella was the first to speak, "So…if we can't accept ourselves, and our wolf, we'll always be stuck like this? Cursed to endure painful full moon transformations?"

Kate nodded, "Apparently so. Our source was an old text that a member of the Volturi found and translated. They were treating it like a big joke and nothing but nonsense, but we know that most legends are based on truth, no matter how small that truth might be. We figured that you would all want to know, maybe you'd be able to figure out, well, I guess, yourselves."

Yuki frowned. "But I did…until he hurt me…I…" she shook her head rapidly then abruptly stood up. Without another word she left, heading upstairs to her room. Rosalie hesitated for only a second before following her.

Bella sighed and rubbed her cheek, "That's all well and good but…how are we supposed to know what it is we're lacking? It sounds like it should be obvious but I can't, for the life of me, figure out what I'm supposed to accept…"

Stella shrugged. "I have a few thoughts but…" her voice was quiet, almost withdrawn, her eyes were unfocused as she seemed to be completely in her own mind.

Tanya gave a half shrug, "We're just passing on information we heard. It's up to you three to figure out what to do with all that. Or if there's anything you can figure out. It really could all just be nonsense but hey, you never know. If there is a chance you don't have to suffer through another full moon, then it's worth it right?"

Both sisters agreed then thanked the Denali's. "No problem. We'll let you all think it over for a while, we're going to go visit the others. We'll be in the area for a while, so we'll all definitely have to go out one night." Irina grinned before the three waved their goodbyes and headed off to my place.

Stella retreated to her lab, still lost in thought with a worried looking Victoria trailing after her. I looked over at Bella and she had a slight frown on her face. "Bells?"

Brown eyes blinked a few times before she focused on me, the frown vanishing instantly, "Hm?"

"You okay?" I didn't quite like how quiet she suddenly became.

She nodded, "Yea. Yea. Just…trying to understand. You know?" She leant back in her seat and looked up at the ceiling. "I always thought I was quite secure and sure of myself and who I am as a person. But I guess that I'm supposedly lacking somewhere. I love my wolf side completely, it needs a little anger management sometimes, but I love that to, almost like its proof that my wolf cares. Which means that it has to be myself that's the problem."

"Bella there is no problem." Bella looked at me, confusion swimming in her eyes, "Just because you don't fully accept yourself right now doesn't mean there's something wrong with you. You're still young Bella. It takes years and years for people to be able to accept themselves. I'm over a hundred years old and there are still quite a few things I don't like about myself and really wish were different. Most are out of my control but still, it took me a while to get to this point. Don't beat yourself up if you can't figure out what's keeping your wolf from fully merging with you. The fact that it's difficult to figure out means that you really do like who you are."

"But…" I placed my hand over her mouth.

"No buts. Whatever is keeping your wolf at bay will reveal itself at some point. But right now, just be happy with yourself. That's the whole point, right?"

Bella was quiet as she absorbed my words. Finally, she nodded against my hand. "Good." I removed my hand and gave her a small kiss. "How about you and I take a walk? We'll just go about a mile away and circle around here a couple times. How's that sound?"

Warm brown eyes flickered to the stairs, where Yuki had last been seen, before nodding. "Yea…that sounds really nice. And definitely needed."

I smiled and took her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers, "Good. We won't be far." I said a bit louder, more for Yuki's benefit then Bella's. And with that Bella and I headed out for just a quiet and peaceful stroll, just the two of us. Something we both needed.

Rose's POV

I didn't like this. It's been three hours since the Denali's had shown up and talked about the True Wolf legend. Yuki hasn't spoken since. She hasn't moved since. She went straight to her room, sat on her bed, then hugged her knees to her chest, burrowing her face into them. I sat beside her gently rubbing her back trying to unwind her so I could hold her properly, but she didn't budge.

It's really starting to worry me. Not that I blamed her…after learning that she had to accept the fact that she'd been raped by someone in a position of power because of how similar she looked to her mom, in order to fully accept herself again, which would then lead to her fully accepting her wolf. Then she wouldn't have to worry about full moons ever again.

The problem was, she keeps trying to ignore what happened. I knew from experience how difficult it is to accept something like that happening to you. She didn't need to forgive the bastard. What she needed was to simply accept it as fact, not avoid it.

A slight vibration in my pocket pulled my attention briefly away from the ball that was my mate. It was a text from Alice, 'Shut the balcony door' I didn't hesitate to get up and securely shut the sliding door that led to her small balcony, though I couldn't figure out why. Yuki never had it closed, if it were closed then her sisters wouldn't be able to hear inside her room and with the constant nightmares, she found it easier to just leave it open. The night air also seemed to sooth her and bring her out of her memory quicker.

When I went to sit back down a scream suddenly ripped itself out of Yuki's lungs. My body froze instinctively before I immediately rushed towards her, unlocking her arms from her secured ball. Her hands let go but they went straight to her hair, gripping tightly as another scream tore through the small girl.

My undead heart broke hearing Yuki scream. You could hear so much pain in her scream. It wasn't like before when my family and I had initially sought out contact with the Cross girls. The scream that had sounded that night had nothing on these ones. You could feel her pain from these screams.

After a seemingly endless amount of time later Yuki stopped. Her grip on her hair slowly loosened before her hands dropped heavily beside her. She slowly looked up, tears running down her cheeks, green eyes puffy and red. All her pain easily seen in those brilliantly beautiful eyes that I loved so much.

Very slowly I crept towards her, afraid I'd scare her if I moved to quickly, despite my inner desire to instantly press her against me and just hold her. She didn't move. Her eyes followed my slow movements. Her body stayed still.

When she was within reaching distance, I reached out and gently wiped away her tears. Then I gently pressed her legs down, laying them straight out. And just as gently I myself laid down on my side facing her before gripping her shoulder softly and slowly easing her down beside me. Once we were both lying down, I turned her head so I could look at her, the pain was slowly leaving her eyes, replaced instead with such a deep sadness.

"Come here my Snowflake," I kept my voice to just barely above a whisper. My voice seemed to have melted through the ice that had kept her frozen. She slowly moved, turning so she was facing me, then scooting closer till she was pressed against me, arms reaching up to grab my shirt tightly, nose pressed firmly in the crook of my neck as she breathed in deeply.

My arm wrapped around her, holding her securely against me. I didn't ask her to explain herself to me. She didn't need to. I already understood. Maybe even better than she did. She never got the chance to properly reflect on what was done to her. She may 'dream' of it every night, but she always jumps away from the pain it brought her, shoving the memories aside and trying to pretend they didn't happen. Yes. That was the root of her problems. She didn't want to believe that night happened to her. Her mind, maybe even her wolf, was trying to get her to cope with what had happened. Accept it as fact. But she didn't want to listen.

But I didn't voice my thoughts. Not right now. Not while she was shaking like a leaf in my arms.

Instead of talking I hummed softly to her, the song I'd listened to her play when I'd first ventured into her room. My hands gently rubbing her back in comforting motions, displaying without the need for words that I was there for her.

Her shaking slowed, her breathing evened out and when I glanced down I found her asleep. I looked at the clock, noting the time, then I too closed my eyes and quieted my mind in my version of sleep, though my right hand continued to gently rub circles along my Snowflake's small frame.

Five hours later I noticed the first signs of Yuki's impending end to her slumber. And like every other time I gently coaxed and spoke to the girl as she began twisting and turning her body, trying to flail out of that bastard's clutches. Eventually she opened her mouth to scream but I had a hand already in place to muffle her shout. Her eyes shot open and stared through my own.

Her struggles continued for a moment before her body stiffened and her eyes focused on mine. Within seconds her entire body deflated, and I removed my hand covering her mouth. At this point I was half on top of her, my left arm propping me up, so my torso was nearly covering hers. I did so because I wanted my eyes to be the first thing she focused on, I wanted her to see me once her memories faded back into her mind.

A light blush crossed her cheeks at the position, but she didn't move away, nor did I. We simply held the others gaze. Silently. Eventually she moved forward, gently capturing my lips in a soft kiss that I happily returned, my hand moving to cup her cheek. One of her hands found its way into my hair and began combing through my golden locks.

When the need for air became too much she pulled away, her heaving chest lightly brushing against my own chest, as I too panted for unnecessary air. Unable to stop myself I leant down and trailed my lips along her jaw and down her neck, loving the shiver that she couldn't suppress when I kissed her pulse point. I stayed there for a moment, savoring the feel of her skin on my lips and the scent of her skin before I slowly sat up.

I didn't make it far though, her hand had left my hair but was now resting on my neck and she refused to let me completely leave her grip. Her green eyes were watching me with curiosity shinning in them. I raised an eyebrow in a silent question.

"What do I smell like to you?" the question was out of the blue but I answered with ease.

"Hydrangeas, and fresh snowfall." She pulled a face then sighed.

"Why must everything about me be related to my name?"

I chuckled and leant down kissing her frowning lips quickly, removing the frown when I pulled back, "Because the universe thinks it's funny. In my opinion though," I leant down and took a deep breath against her neck, "your scent is unique and positively delicious." Heat rushed up her cheeks at my whispered words causing my lips to turn up in a grin.

She gently pushed me away. "Stop teasing me…" when I looked back at her she was looking off to the side, her face clearly showing her embarrassment. I couldn't help but kiss her cheek.

"I'm completely serious my Snowflake," my lips ghosted against her ear, making her shiver.

"Rose…" my whispered name leaving her lips nearly broke my resolve. It took a minute for me to compose myself enough to not take her.

Sitting up I gently pulled her with me, sitting cross-legged beside her. She pulled one leg up and hugged her knee resting her cheek against it, her green eyes watching me. I let her quietly observe me for a few minutes before finally broaching the subject.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

As expected, her entire body stiffened. I anticipated her turning away or even running off to the shower or her sisters, but she didn't move. She sat frozen for a minute before closing her eyes and letting out a heavy sigh. "You know what happened…you saw it…"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She frowned at me, clearly annoyed. I held up a hand to stop her retort. "It's completely different and you know that love. Especially since I found out from your sister. So. Yes, I know what happened. Yes, I saw it. Yes, I want to rip that bastard apart piece by piece slowly. But what I'm asking, is if you want to talk about it."

She pursed her lips. I nodded. Thought so. "Hey…" I shifted so I was leaning against her headboard, she turned slightly to keep me in her line of sight. "Have I told you about my human life? And my last night as a human?"

That caught her attention. She shook her head. "You've mentioned a little bit here and there. I know you were born in New York, how old you are, you always loved lilies like your middle name, you always wanted to be a mom and I think your dad worked in finance."

I nodded then started from the beginning, "Well, I was born in 1915 and had two younger brothers. As you could probably guess, I was extremely beautiful and thus…well let's leave it at I was very sure of myself."

She scoffed a little. "I think the word you're looking for is vain angel." Her smile took away any sting her comment may have had.

"Okay yes…I was extremely vain. But can you blame me?" I winked, making her giggle. "Anyways, my dad worked in a bank and both he and my mother wanted, more than anything, to move up the social ladder. So, one day my mother dressed me up all nice and sent me on an errand to see my father and while I was out, hopefully attract the attention of a certain bank owner's son. Which I did.

"His name was Royce King II, and our relationship progressed to us getting engaged. It wasn't until I saw my best friend Vera, holding her newborn baby boy, kiss her husband that I realized what Royce and I had was based purely on physical looks. We didn't have a genuine connection. We weren't in love, even slightly. But I told myself I was fine with it…because at least I'd get a child in the end…something I wanted so much…"

I took a deep breath. Even after all these years the pain lingered. Though I was happy to note it wasn't as painful as before, now…it felt like a person finding a bruise or a small cut they hadn't noticed before. A slight twinge of pain, then nothing.

Yuki was staring intently at me, maybe having guessed how the story ended. I reached over and brushed my fingers through her hair once before continuing. "That same night I saw Vera and realized this, I walked home alone. On my way I saw Royce chatting with his friends, all of them extraordinarily drunk, which was unusual for him. I overheard Royce…bragging about his fiancée's beauty…so much so that his friends didn't believe him and needed proof…" I paused. "I don't think I need to get too specific…but…they all…took turns. By the end of it I was a bruised, broken, bloody mess. That's how Carlisle found me…dying in a dark alley.

"When he changed me and told me what I'd become I immediately resented him. Not just for taking away my chance of being a mother but also for forcing me to live with that as my last human memory. And I didn't let it go. No. When a vampire first awakens, they find their human memories fuzzy and difficult to look at, but I replayed that night so frequently that I can still remember it vividly to this day.

"Now…do I seem like the type of person to let things go easily?" she shook her head, I gave her a half-smile, "Good answer. Well, I got my revenge. I hunted each and every one of them down. Killing five…no, seven men in total, Royce had a few bodyguards because I left him for last, I wanted to make sure he knew it was me. I even stole my old wedding gown to wear for the occasion. I made that night last…but I didn't spill a drop of any of their blood. The thought of ingesting any of their blood repulsed me greatly. And to this day…I have never tasted actual human blood. Those tablets are the closest I've gotten."

Yuki moved then, she let her leg go and turned fully towards me. She opened her mouth but I stopped her, raising my hand silently. I reached out and took her hand, rubbing the back of it softly. "I told you this because I never got over that night, I carried it around all the time. A constant chip on my shoulder. I didn't ever speak of it. I tried to pretend it didn't exist. Not until I met Emmett and begged Carlisle to change him. We became instant friends and I eventually confided this story to him.

"I hadn't realized till that moment how much that night weighed on my soul. Talking it out, to someone I trusted with my life, made the healing process really start. I was able to move past the night. Yes, it still hurts, but only briefly, a mere acknowledgement of pain long past. Talking with Emmett really helped me. And I'm not trying to force you to talk to me. I am simply sharing my experience. And if, and only if, you feel like talking about it, then I'll always be right here, willing to listen."

I kissed her hand softly. She moved forward and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me close. My arms slipped around her waist and I held her against me, breathing in her scent, feeling her do the same.

"I don't just want him dead…" her warm breath brushed against my neck, "I…I want to humiliate him…he's always been…so proud…because he sees himself as king…and I want to make him bow to me, in front of everyone…I want to break his pride before everyone. Because I know, that's the best way to hurt him. Right to his very core…"

She kept her face pressed against me, shifting so she was sitting on my lap. She took a few shaky breaths. "I…was training other wolves…" and she told me her story. The same story I witnessed. But she lingered on Kyle, I felt her lips curl into a smile as she recounted their many adventures as children, often finding themselves in precarious situations, usually with a reluctant Bella in tow who got them out of their situations.

I rubbed her back when she told me about her uneasiness at the quiet room. Her nerves at being alone with Nobuo. I held her tightly when tears fell on my shoulder. My fingers traced various patterns on her back as she recounted the pain she felt. The fear when she realized that collar was made of silver. I kissed her forehead when she remembered her relief at seeing her sister's come to her rescue, along with shame at being seen in such a position. I gently rocked her when she expressed her love and gratitude for Kyle in his aiding their escape.

When she told me about how safe she felt in Washington, how safe she felt when she met me, I lifted her face and kissed her softly. Gently wiping the tears away I kissed her, expressing every ounce of adoration and love I felt with every brush of lips. With the way her arms tightened around me, I'm certain she understood my message.

And when she pulled away to regain her lost breath I kissed her cheeks, her nose, her forehead. Every inch of her face. I felt her smile softly at my ministrations. When her breathing regulated, I finally leant away to look into those green eyes that stole my heart. Green eyes shining with what I hoped was love, and with only a small ounce of pain visible.

She kissed me once more, "Thank you," her breath brushed against my lips and lifted them into a small smile.

"I'm happy I helped, even if it was just in a small way."

She shook her head, "You were right…talking…helped…I feel…so relaxed for the first time in months…thank you."

"Anything for you my Snowflake," I pulled her back against me and we lied there. Silently. Basking in the others warmth.

Victoria's POV

It's been two days since the Denali family showed up. Their telling of the old legend seemed to have really resonated with each lycan girl but unlike her sisters Stella seems to have completely moved past it. She immediately went back into her research, almost as if the conversation meant nothing to her. The action confused me.

Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to ask her about her odd behavior since she'd been called into work for an emergency and had spent the past few days either at the hospital, in bed, or engrossed in her research for a few hours. But today I wasn't going to let her get away from me again. I had the whole night planned.

She'd gotten off an hour late but that didn't matter. I'd gone ahead and spoken to Yuki, who very reluctantly relented to us spending a few hours away from the comforts of their home. The uneasy feeling hadn't dissipated but Yuki seemed more relaxed as of late, which was much obliged, both for me and Bella, who was getting restless being stuck at home due to the young alpha's uncertainty.

Shaking my head, I pushed off Stella's car. I'd been leaning against it for the past hour, waiting. She'd finally walked out of the hospital and was heading my way, her head down looking at her phone. Her lips moving, speaking silent words.

I intercepted her halfway and wrapped my arms around her. She jumped in shock and very nearly pulled away until her wide eyes landed on my grinning face. She instantly relaxed and sighed heavily, "Goddess Victoria! You scared me…"

My lips silenced her. "Mm sorry my sweetness, but I wanted to surprise you. Guess it worked." She smacked my arm lightly making me chuckle. "Now come on, we only have a few hours left." I grabbed her arm in mine and led her to her car.

"A few hours? What are you talking about? Yuki's expecting us back immediately. I'm already an hour late."

"I know and we would've had three free hours had you not stayed so late but I digress. Now, in." I opened the passenger door for her, having slipped her keys out of her purse.

"But…"

"I already cleared it with your little alpha, now, in."

She sighed but listened and got in. In seconds I was in the driver's seat and starting up her car. "Where are you taking me?"

"It's a good thing you have a quirk about wearing dresses to work all the time." I made a show of eyeing her up and down.

"Vic-"

I placed a finger over her lips, "Just shut up and trust me Stella." I think the use of her actual name for the first time in…two weeks? made her fight the urge to ask me more questions because she just leant against her seat and watched the scenery pass us by.

Soon enough we reached our destination. "The Blue Drop? Wait…is this…"

"Trust. Me." I got out and opened her door for her. She very reluctantly exited, taking my offered hand. It took a bit of research, but I found the only lesbian club in Seattle, that wasn't on the other side of town.

We walked in and had a bouncer immediately ask us for IDs. Flashing both we walked in, the lights were dim, there were lights of all colors moving around the room, the left side was dominated with a long bar with two bartenders tending it, the right had tables and booths, many filled already, and in the center women all danced.

"Victoria…" Stella had grown stiff beside me and seemed completely out of her comfort zone, which was exactly what I wanted.

I pulled her over to the bar and ordered a few drinks. Sadly, my vampire state made it impossible to get drunk but I enjoyed the taste of alcohol. A tug on my arm made me turn to my wide eyed, blushing, and anxious mate. I couldn't stop the smirk from forming, "Oh come on Star, live a little, let loose. You might actually enjoy it." I leant over and kissed her briefly.

The bartender handed our drinks and I handed Stella hers. "Cheers baby!" I clinked my glass to hers and tossed my drink back. Stella was hesitant but gave in.

A few more drinks were necessary before I finally convinced her to dance with me. "I don't…" "Come on." "But…" "Please?" A whine. "I want to dance with you. Please?" Silence. A shy nod. A grin.

I realized why she was hesitant at first, her movements were awkward and stiff but after a few songs she relaxed and found her rhythm. A smile forming on her lips when I moved behind her, my hands on her hips as we danced together. Before long she pulled me back to the bar, wanting another drink, a wide grin on her lips.

After a few more dances I escorted her out. She was leaning against me, a light blush on her cheeks from the alcohol, but the smile on her face had me grinning widely. I didn't go to the car, we still had time. We began walking. No destination in mind. Just walking.

"Did you have fun?"

"Hmm…yes…yes I did." She looked up at me from her perch on my shoulder, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome my sweetness." We were quiet for a bit longer before I broached the topic I wanted to know about.

"So…tell me something…why didn't you react like your sisters did when the Denali's mentioned the legend?"

"Hm…because I know what it is about myself I haven't really accepted the way the legend says to. And really…I don't know if I can. It's just…not in my nature."

"Oh? Care to share?"

She chuckled, "Did you really drag me to club, get me nearly drunk, just to ask about a topic I would've happily told you about sober?"

"No. Not completely at least." I chuckled. "You've been putting yourself under a lot of stress since the last full moon. I haven't seen you unwind since, I wanted you to let your hair down, figuratively obviously." I eyed her still neat ponytail, wondering how her hair managed to keep its professional state after all that dancing.

Stella stepped in front of me, stopping us both as her hands slowly traveled up my arms. "As fun as tonight was…I can think of a few other ways to…let my hair down…figuratively and literally." She closed the space between us and brushed her lips against my neck.

A small growl slipped past my lips as I grabbed her hips and pulled her against me. My lips instantly claiming hers, loving the whimper she let out at my rough invasion of her mouth. Her hands reached up and tangled themselves in my hair as I reached up and pulled her long hair out of her ponytail, loving the softness of her wavy locks against my fingers.

When she ripped her mouth away to suck in air I leant down and began nipping at her neck, not enough to break the skin…yet. My teeth grazed her shoulder before I pressed my lips against her pulse point, licking the skin there. That action caused a moan to escape her lips and one of her legs to move up and hook around me.

My hands slid down her body while my lips and teeth left their mark against the skin of her neck. When the feeling of nothing but skin was felt against my fingers I grabbed her and pushed, until her back was against the nearest wall. It would be so easy. So easy to slip a hand between us and slip beneath her tantalizing dress. She pulled my head back to kiss me again. So needy. So delicious.

I groaned and pulled away, putting my hands on her shoulders to stop her from reclaiming my lips. "Dammit…" I took a few deep breaths. "No." I looked up into her dark blue eyes, shining with lust. A flash of rejection streaked across her face and I leant in, kissing her softly, but keeping the kiss gentle. "I'm not rejecting you Stella. I just refuse to claim you out here."

I gestured to the empty but still very public place. Stella seemingly just took in our surroundings because she blushed and slowly lowered her leg.

"No." My lips went to brush against her ear, my words for her alone. "When I claim you it will be just us. No interruptions. Just you and me my love." I lightly nipped her ear eliciting another moan before pulling away nearly losing myself again.

She swallowed hard but nodded. Running a shaking hand through her hair. "Damn…what got into me…" she bit her lip. She took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "This is so not like me…but dammit Victoria…you make me feel so alive." She gripped my arms tightly, a desperate look on her face.

I grinned, "Noted." I took her hand and kissed it, "We should go…it's getting late."

She sighed sadly, "Yea…" we didn't move immediately. Neither one of wanting to go.

We eventually began moving and soon enough we were in her car, me driving us back to her place.

"I don't value strength." Her sudden words confused me. I raised an eyebrow, "Before…what I don't accept the way I should. I don't really see the need for pure strength. Not when I have my mind and quick reflexes. What use is strength if I can think of a different route to take? That's the way I see it. The way I've always seen it. Despite Mother and my wolf trying to tell me differently."

She sighed and took my hand in hers, playing with my fingers as she spoke. "But that's not how wolves work. Wolves are all about strength. It's one of the most important things. I think that's what's stopping me. Our conflicting views on strength…between myself and my wolf."

I nodded. Processing the information. That fit with her personality. The research. The experiments. All of it. She was analytical. Wolves were everything but. Instinctual. Acting first, thinking later. Stella calculated each action then acted. The two mindsets were at odds with each other.

"So, you know what keeps you separated from your wolf. But it sounds to me, like you don't want to try and bridge the gap."

She sighed again. "We don't even know if that legend is true. It makes no scientific sense. Lycanthropy is a disease. Every disease has a cure…I just have to find it."

I stayed silent. It was that very thinking that was keeping her separate from her wolf. But she can't see it. No. She does see it. She just doesn't see the value in seeing past it.

"Okay. I'll help in any way I can." I parked her car, shutting it and opening her door before she even registered we'd arrived.

She smiled and took my hand again, letting me escort her to her bedroom door. "I had a lot of fun tonight Scar." She kissed me softly, so different from our hungry kisses moments ago.

"I'm glad." I kissed her cheek once more before stepping back. "Goodnight…my Star."

She chuckled, "Goodnight, Kitten."

With that, she gently closed her door and I took my leave. Mentally wondering what I could do to help her bridge the gap between her mind and her wolf.

A/N: Thank you for anyone who still reads and supports this story. I lost my inspiration years ago and struggled to continue writing this. I've also forgotten how it ends. I have a rough outline I'm using, but I'm watching this story unravel just as much as you all are. As I've reread parts there are a few things I want to change and completely remove. The main change is I'm removing the mating collar part for various reasons. Once I find time, I'll edit my previous chapters.

But I do plan on finishing this story at some point. Thank you all for the favorites, follows, and reviews. They mean a great deal to me. I will try and update soon, but I can't promise that.