Chapter Thirteen, Ep. 20 – "Destiny Of A Myth"

Author's Note - Before we begin, I would like to point out to you guys, that I have two new stories that I've posted. One is entitled "Welcome To Wolf Lake", which is kinda a prequel to the actual TV series, and explains itself in the Author's Note… and another is a short story for Buffy the Vampire Slayer... it is entitled "Reflections of the Past" and you can link into it through my bio page.

I wrote this one night, in one sitting (took me about three hours) for all my fans that are also lovers of this series. It's kinda getting the silent treatment right now, so I'm hoping that those of you that are familiar with the series, will take a few minutes to read it. It's Buffy's viewpoint one night, on all the men that she's loved. her Father, Angel, Giles, good-for-nothing Riley, (sorry, I just had to slap that in there. Not a big Riley fan.) and those in-between. But it sort of became very much a A/B, slightly depressing, slightly sappy, possibly tear jerking fic. So, for those of you that are fans of the Slayer and her Angel; I hope you'll enjoy it! Please review. My goals for Reflections is for it to reach at least 10 -15 reviews. that would make me very happy, and would restore my belief in that even short stories can get a somewhat decent amount of reviews.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. and (you guessed it) don't forget to review! Sorry, I just had to say that again... and be warned, I'll say it YET again at the end of this ep. Consider it your credits, seeing as how I am scriptwriter, director, producer, costume provider (hey, can't have then running around naked ALL the time) and music conductor rolled all into one very impressive, sexy package! *lol*

And I am SO sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. Thank you for being so patient with me... as consolation, this is an extra long episode. Definitely the longest one I've done without being too long, and therefore warranting being broken up into two parts.

Just consider it an episode aired without any commercial interruption.

Also, rating goes up due to violence and. other things. (wink)

Enjoy!

***

Summery – When Vivian, Luke, and Sophia's lives are threatened, Matt will have to make a decision about his rightful position within the Pack… Enemies will be revealed, allies created, relationships tested, and decisions made, the will forever change the course of the Pack's future…

~~~

Sophia had known the water would be cold, but she hadn't realized just how cold till she couldn't even feel her body as her limbs pumped under the liquid surface, slicing efficiently through the still waters of Wolf Lake. The glow from the Crimson moon above casting a sickly shade of red across the expanse stretching out in front of her almost endlessly.

Sophia ducked her head back down, refusing to look at the shoreline so far off, and instead focused on moving. Breathing. Continuously reaching out for that shore in long strokes. Pacing herself as she slowly pulled closer. Skinwalker strength and the internal thermometer gage coming in handy, considering her predicament. But she didn't know how long she would be able to fight the frigidness of the water around her… Knowing that if she was human, it would have only taken a few minutes for hypothermia to set in.

Her jeans were heavy with the cold weight, encased and pulling hard around her hips, dragging her back, so quickly making a decision, she reached her numb fingers down to the zipper, her legs still pumping strongly in the water. A few jerks and pulls and they slid effortlessly off of her lower body. Revealing her pale, chilled skin to the freakishly tinted liquid. The denim fabric sinking into the fathomless depths of the reddish black abyss.

Sophia continued in her swim. Never pausing to rest. Knowing that her only assurance at the moment was to keep moving on. Keep swimming. Keep kicking. Keep slicing through the water soundlessly in the surrounding darkness.

Keep breathing.

******

"How are you holding up?"

Vivian started slightly from where she was standing on the back porch. Turning in the surrounding darkness to look back at Matt as he stood silhouetted in the door. Eyes dark with emotion as he observed her acknowledging his presence.

Vivian turned back to look over the now-alien forest. Shrugging one shoulder. "As well as can be expected, considering I almost lost my son tonight, and I've had to make the hardest decision of my life."

Matt slowly stepped out of the shadows of the doorframe to come stand behind her. His steps silent and the heat of his body pressing comfortingly into Vivian's back. Even through the thick terrycloth robe that she had wrapped herself up in.

Following her gaze upwards, Matt's jaw tightened reflexively as his eyes traced the outline of the blood red moon leering down at them in all its prophetic glory.

Dropping his eyes from the depressing sight, he brought his warm, slightly calloused palms down gently on her shoulders, pulling her back up against him. Smiling softly as he heard the small sigh escaping her lips, the tension leaving her body.

Vivian closed her eyes against all her doubts and fears, concerns and dilemmas, instincts and unmade choices, and allowed herself to be comforted. Turning in his arms, Matt smiled deepened as he looked down at her as she tilted her chin up to look at him. Eyes glittering delicately in the muted light.

No words were spoken as they met each other half way. His lips descending on hers as she tilted her head gently to the side, lips parting in a small sigh as they kissed. Putting any of her concerns that he would try to take back what they had shared earlier in the forest to rest.

She felt his fingers entwine deep into the thick mass of her hair. Fingers warm against the back of her neck and scalp. Sending shivers down her spine. Vivian smiled against his lips as they became slightly more insistent. Giving in to the sensations flooding her body, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Never wanting it to end.

When they finally did part, Matt gently pressed his palm against the back of her head as she buried her face into his shoulder. Still not wanting to turn loose.

Matt rested his chin on the top of her head, breathing the smell of her hair in deeply. Continuing to hold her in his arms. His eyes trailed back up to the unnatural moon shining above, and his thoughts strayed to yet another problem that they were all faced with.

He reflected back on earlier in the day and what Sherman had shown them in regards to the group of Skinwalkers that wanted to overthrow Vivian as the Alpha, and he couldn't stop the protectiveness welling up inside of him. Not only towards Vivian, but the Pack as well. The last thing that they needed was the loss of a leader right now. And considering what the views were of those that wanted to remove Vivian from power were… No, they didn't need that. Not now. Not ever.

The threat would have to be removed, and quickly. But how? There was no way they would put up with a female leader for long. They would either kill her, or have to be killed themselves. Things were already bad enough; they didn't have to add self-genocide to the list. And, to be honest, those males couldn't be blamed. In a Pack, a male ruled as Alpha, with the strongest female of the Pack and of his age at his side. It was the way they were. The way they had been for thousands of years. Had survived for the last few hundred. The number-one instinct for their species that were more animal than human, and made no attempt to appear bothered by being what they were.

So how to get Vivian out of this mess, without her or any other getting killed?

You already know the answer to that.

Matt closed his eyes more against those words flitting through his mind, rather than the view of the night sky. Yes, he did know the answer to that question.

He knew it wouldn't be long before the group made their move.

Problem was, did he have the strength to finally do what needed to be done when they did? Take Vivian at his side, and become the leader he should have been almost twenty years ago? After all these years of fighting who he was for the oh-so-precious love of his human and very mortal wife, and the daughter that they had created together. Who, against all odds, had become one of the most powerful females the Pack had ever seen, even though that she had yet to come fully into that power? Who had discovered her destiny, here in this strange town and within the folds of the Pack, and had embraced it.

Now, could he do the same? Embrace the destiny he had left behind so long ago?

Glancing down at the strong woman he held protectively in his arms – a woman who probably wasn't going to be too happy with the idea of losing her recently awarded position – a steely-eyed look of determination came over his eyes. Turning them as hard and as emotionless as ice, as he pulled her closer into the strength of his arms.

Oh yeah.

******

Ruby let out a groan as she stretched her leg out beside her on the couch. Her thigh protesting sharply. Newly knit muscles cramping against the strain she had placed on her leg this evening.

She inhaled quickly against the pain, the breath catching in her throat as she finally got it positioned carefully. John looked over at her in concern, his fingers coming up to brush back a stray lock of mahogany colored hair away from her pale face.

"Are you okay?"

Ruby nodded gently, smiling at his concern, as she leaned her cheek into the warmth of his palm. "Yeah, I'm okay." she whispered as she leaned back against John, pressing her cheek up against the bare golden skin of his chest. "Every bad thing that happened tonight has appeared to work out for the best. I just hope that Sophia gets back here soon. Luke looks like he's about ready to explode."

John smiled as he watched Ruby close her eyes and felt the tension leave her body. Running his fingers through her hair absently, his gaze traveled over to where Luke was pacing in the entryway, in front of the door. Unaware of the superficial cuts that were being inflicted upon his bare feet from the sharp pieces of glass littering the hardwood floor. Cuts that would clot, heal, and disappear within seconds, before being replaced with new ones. He still only wore that pair of jeans that were heavy with water and covered with blood. The play of muscles in his back revealed his tenseness, his desire to leap out into the night air, and track Sophia down himself. It was taking a lot of restraint – and the watchful stance of Sherman nearby – to keep him from doing just that.

John understood what the kid was going through.

He looked back down at Ruby, noticing how even her breaths had become.

"Are you going to sleep?" He murmured softly against the top of her head. His breath stirring the long dark strands of silk nestled there. He felt more than saw the minute shake of her head, followed by a small grunt of denial. Still not opening her eyes.

John smile deepened, and he continued to stroke her hair, just happy to hold her, as her body still fell asleep in contradiction to what her mind had determined otherwise.

******

Sophia had never been so happy in all her life to be on dry land.

Falling to her hands and knees in an attempt to redeem her struggling gasps for air, for calming, deep breathes. Still having a hard time believing that she had just done what she had.

Looking back across the expanse of water she had just swam through, she felt the reasonable urge just to crumble into one big heap in the leaf-covered dirt and not get up for a week.

Instead, she pushed herself back up onto her haunches, still kneeling, and tilted her face up towards the night sky, refusing to look at that excuse for a moon as she shook her long, wet, and severely tangled hair back from her face. Not even bothering with trying to remove the bits of leaves and debris that had become matted in the long strands… and no, after swimming the length of that lake, she did NOT want to know what that slimy stuff was caked at her temple.

Having finally succeeded in regaining some control over her aching lunges, she used a thin, nearby tree to help pull herself up and into a standing position. Her legs and arms were trembling violently. Both from the chill of the water, and the exhaustion in her muscles from such a strenuous swim.

Leaning her shivering back against the tree for support, Sophia tried to figure out just how far she was from the Cates' Mansion, and whether or not she could make it, considering how bad a shape she was in.

As if in answer to her question, her legs gave out from underneath her, and sent her sprawling back down to the moist floor.

Looking down wryly at herself, she realized that she was going to have to shift if she wanted to get back to Luke and her father sometime this century.

Her fingers were trembling so badly, it took her a few precious moments to slip the buttons out of their respective holes on her sopping shirt. Slowly peeling it away from her chilled skin, her body shuddered at the loss of even that small, pathetic excuse of a barrier against the cold night air. She reached her fingers up to briefly touch the crystal pendant swinging from her throat. Relieved to know it was still there.

Dropping her mangled and torn blouse unceremoniously back into the lake, she decided that she never wanted to see it again.

After peeling away her underwear, she didn't waste anytime with the Change. She welcomed the sense of dryness and heat that crept up to soothe away the wet cold, when that thick, luxurious, warm pelt replaced her skin. Bringing with it the strength and power that chased away the weakness and exhaustion she had been subjected to earlier.

Suddenly revitalized, she quickly darted deeper into the forest. Her wolven instincts focused on only one thing.

Tracking down her mate.

******

"What good do you think you're doing by pacing like a mad man?" Sherman asked wryly, from where he was seated on the one of the bottom steps of the staircase. Watching Luke with something akin to amusement written on his expressive face. He had already sent Shawn home. Told him to remain with his family for the next few hours.

Despite the amount of blood transfused, Shawn's weakness quickly dissipated as his body replaced the blood loss automatically. Something that Luke's had been too weakened to do.

Luke growled at him, yanking his fingers through his short hair in frustration. "Pacing is the only thing that is keeping me from going mad. What the hell is taking her so damn long?"

Sherman's brow quirked at that comment. "Oh, I don't know. Being kidnapped, held captive for several hours, and then barely managing to escape from being tortured might have that effect on a girl."

Luke finally did stop. His hands resting on his hips as his eyes flickered dangerously at the older man. Sherman just stared back innocently.

"Blackstone, you're not helping." Dropping his hands back down to his sides, he continued his pacing, turning his back towards Sherman as he walked down the hallway.

"And that's not what I meant!" He shouted back over his shoulder as he disappeared into the shadows, before turning back around and walking swiftly towards the shattered door still hanging by one hinge, revealing the reddish blackness of the night and forest beyond only to stop again at the threshold. His hands catching at the doorframe like a lifeline… the only thing keeping him from going out there. The stretched tightness of his muscles across the back portion of his shoulders apparent as they rippled under his skin.

Sherman leaned his elbows back on the step above the one he was perched on. Letting out a sigh of bemusement. "Well, at least it's never boring in this town." He murmured quietly to himself. Shaking his head as he watched Luke move to stand in front of the open doorframe. His pale green eyes shifting to glowing yellow in order to use his highly advanced sight to seek out any body heat from within the forest. His body tense as he waited.

******

Soft panting was the only sound that Sophia made as her white wolven body shot fluidly through the foliage. Careful to watch for any signs of traps or humans – or, primarily, Hunters – in her way. Muscles bunching and stretching beneath her pelt, her entire body sleek and powerful as it slipped through the night, leaving hardly a trace of her passing.

As she paused to quickly pinpoint her location, her heart suddenly quickened as she caught sight of the Mansion… and the rather distinctive scent of her mate's blood.

All other thoughts fled as her instincts pressed her to make her way quickly the Luke. Anything else was unimportant.

Quickly shedding her pelt, she made a run for it on slender but strong bare legs, arms pumping at her side as she cut through the remainder of the forest, dodging the thinning trees and their limbs.

And then she was out in the open… only a few hundred feet separating her from the entryway of the Mansion – and Luke's silhouette in the doorway, waiting for her.

A grin breaking across her face, as she saw his face immediately turn towards her, and his eyes lock onto her movements.

So thrilled was she to see that he was still alive, still breathing, and she failed to comply fast enough to what her sudden burst of instinct warned her of – and Luke's enraged howl – when a dark form suddenly swooped in from behind her, one very strong and muscular arm coming around her waist with enough impact to cause Sophia to lose her breath, the strength from the bruising grip around her torso causing her to immediately double, her feet leaving the ground as she was hauled back against an unfamiliar chest and pinned in place. Bare feet dangling a few inches above the ground.

Swinging her hair back from her down-turned face, Sophia got her feet back on the ground, and came back up screaming, bucking and kicking against her attacker. Sharp nails seeking purchase in any exposed skin she could locate.

******

Luke did sense the attack coming, but far too late.

As he watched the attacker slink out of the bushes at inhuman speed, he couldn't stop the roar of outrage that exited his mouth, accompanied by Sophia's shrieking as she fought off the grip of her capture.

Instinct taking over, Luke lunged off of the front porch – Changing partially to give him the added benefit of increased strength and speed – his lips forming into a snarl and his eyes burning furiously.

He was intent upon attacking the one currently attacking Sophia… so intent, that he failed to notice another attack… aimed at him.

And this time, the attacker was in full wolf form.

******

Sophia screamed as she witnessed a large wolf the color of gun metal hit Luke from the side, knocking him off his feet and into the ground, where he was rolled underneath the snapping jaws and heavy press of the bloodthirsty creature.

Fighting in earnest now, Sophia let out a snarl as she struggled to free herself. Screaming in frustration when her attacker was joined by two others in an effort to keep her from getting loose. Her anger spilling over on the private and public mental paths that she was linked to. Alerting those inside – even if they hadn't already heard her screams – to what was happening outside.

And all three of her captures were Skinwalker. Still in their human forms, but the wildness that was their trademark scent clung to their flesh. Causing Sophia to see red.

Sophia watched in horror as Luke struggled with the large, older and thus more powerful male wolf, human body contorted with his partial Change, and visible signs of wounds starting to appear in bloody slashes. Holding his own against the attack, despite his weakening.

So intent was she on the sight of Luke fighting for his life – and hers – that she failed to see her father come barreling around the corner, in full wolf mode, all four wolven legs pumping, his body a blur… but she did see him as he hit the larger male attacking Luke… Taking him one on one.

He was quickly joined by a smaller, pale gray female that first came over to hover protectively beside Luke, and then turned towards the two snarling and growling masses of fur fighting for supremacy.

Eyes flickering red in the reflected color of the moonlight, a growl rumbled in Vivian's wolven throat as she threw herself at the back of the attacking male in retaliation for her son, only to have the following happen faster than she could draw a single breath;

Matt saw her coming – and quickly knocking the gunmetal colored wolf out of the way to land hard in the chilled and muddy ground – he grasped the flying wolf that was Vivian by the scruff of her neck, yanking her back down and away from danger – literally pinning her underbelly to the wet grass.

Ignoring her surprised yelp, Matt shook her threateningly. Teeth clamped hard, but not breaking the skin. His yellow eyes burning brightly down into hers.

'Stay out of this, Viv!'

The command was hard and firm as it echoed within Vivian's mind. She lay there for a moment, slightly dazed as she watched Matt turn away from her and lunge towards the other male as he lifted himself out of the muck – his fur coming away covered in the goop – and trying to slink towards Sophia, who was still caught within the grasp of the three other males. Realizing that Matt was bearing down hard on him, he turned and met him head-on. Teeth snapping for purchase in the thick fur.

Coming to her senses, Vivian realized what was happening, and she slinked over to crouch beside Luke, her stance protective as she guarded her son from the possibility of any other attack. He was cut up and winded, but still alive.

Watching Matthew fight off the challenging male, Vivian was able to recollect her thoughts and put together what she was seeing. This group of Skinwalkers that had attacked Sophia and Luke, were the same that she had seen earlier in the day. The same group that had been trying to create an underhanded plot to remove Vivian from power, and kill her son, the last of Willard's line. That's why they had gone after capturing Sophia first, as she was the unofficial mate to Luke, and blackmail against her father.

Even though they were still very young, they weren't going to risk the possibility of Sophia carrying a pup by Luke, and thus continuing the Cates' line… or her father's wrath, who had made it plain that he stood by Vivian and Luke. Protecting her son – who could very well be the future Alpha – and herself.

But they hadn't expected Matt to come at them under a different pretext. That of a defending Alpha male.

Eyes narrowing, Vivian crouched lower by her son. Eyes shifting constantly for any possible attack towards her young.

Luke managed to clear the cobwebs from his brain as he looked around. Zooming in on the shape of two large male wolves battling it out, and then turning towards Sophia, who was still fighting against the grip of the three holding her captive.

They were now trying to pull her into the edge of the forest – obviously in an attempt to secret her off somewhere – and Luke's blood began to boil. The slender line of silver gray fur that ran down his bare backbone – seeing as how he was currently half man, half wolf – bristled in agitation. The fangs that had sprouted from his jaws bared and glistening in the night, his eyes burning yellow.

Pulling himself up, he started to stalk towards where his mate was being held captive, only to have Vivian cut him off, quickly flipping back into her human shape to restrain him. The gold in her eyes and the sharpness of her nails communicating to him just how close her inner wolf was to the surface.

"Do not!" she hissed at her son, ignoring the way he growled at her in warning to back off. She locked her gaze with him, trying to get his attention.

"Ruby and John will take care of Sophia, Luke. Trust me." Vivian whispered softly but firmly. Ignoring the snarling, rabid sounds of Matt and the other wolf still struggling with one another.

As much as she wanted to see who was winning, she didn't turn away from Luke, knowing that if she did, he would run to Sophia's side… and precede to get them all slaughtered.

"She's mine!" Luke's primal words were barely audible around the constant rumblings deep in his throat, but Vivian heard it. Heard it, and understood.

"I know, Luke. But Ruby is your sister and is connected to Sophia in a way that we could never understand. If you won't trust me, trust her. She won't let anything happen to your mate."

******

Sophia couldn't believe what she was witnessing.

Her father was currently locked in the throes of what appeared to be a battle to the death. Both him and the attacking wolf showed signs of cuts and bite marks in their skin, leaking blood. But neither was backing down… and neither were giving signs of tiring anytime soon.

Sophia winced as she felt the bruising grip of the males restraining her, and realized they were slowly but surely pulling her towards the edge of the forest.

"No…" Sophia's denial was wrung out from her throat, as she tried to fight harder. Trying to buy herself more time.

Lashing out with one foot at the guy in front of her – and hearing the grunt that followed – flooded Sophia with confidence as she raked her sharpened nails down the cheek of the other.

Feeling his grip loosen just a tad, Sophia bucked hard against the guy with his arm around her waist, fingers biting into her hip, and brought her suddenly released arm up into his face. Elbow breaking the cartilage of his nose with a sickening snap.

Letting out a yelp, the arm fell away from her bruised, naked waist, giving Sophia the opportunity to duck and leap away. Rolling in the grass as she came back up on her hands and knees instinctively a short distance away, facing the three pissed off males that were lunging for her.

Sophia knew she couldn't fight them off. Knew she didn't have a chance against them if she remained in her human form, so her body quickly began to shift as she made another lunge to the side. White fur beginning to spread over her human skin as her body began to contort as she felt the claws of one male rake across her shifting back in an effort to grab a hold of her. The sharp, stinging pain punishing her for having slashed his face. She sensed more than saw another blow coming, and knew she wouldn't be able to get out of the way in time before it fell.

But that hand never made contact with her again, as he was attacked from the shadows by one very pissed off black male wolf. Knocking the surprised Skinwalker to the ground, unable to defend himself against the snap and tear of the wolf as he drove forward. Ripping through skin, muscle, and cartilage, striving forward to the bone, Sophia flinched as she heard the bone snap. The appendage almost completely removed from the forearm.

Ignoring the screams of the disabled Skinwalker, The black wolf turned towards the other two males… both in various states of the Change in order to deal with the black male that had suddenly interfered with the capture of their prey.

Sophia view of the fight was cut off, when Ruby suddenly leapt out beside her. Blocking the younger female's body with her own protectively.

Choosing to revert back to human form, Sophia sat there, panting on the grass, while Ruby hovered close by. Her white fur constantly brushing up against Sophia's skin as she pushed her back up against a tree. Waiting and watching as the males continued in their battle.

Sophia craned her neck around to see where John was at, only to have Ruby block her view yet again. Looking up in confusion, Sophia met the silver-blue eyes… and understood. Nodding her head slowly, she turned to see what was happening between her father and the gunmetal wolf that must have been running this operation.

And to see that that battle was finally coming to an end.

******

Vivian kept one hand pressed to Luke's shoulder to keep him from leaping the distance separating him from Sophia, all the while keeping her eyes on Matt and the attacking male… Trying to run him down through a mental list in her brain, in the hopes she could figure out who he was. There was something about him… Something that brushed up against her memory, but every time she reached for it, it floated out and beyond her grasp like the mist.

Lips parted and eyes still shining like embers, she watched and waited. Listening to the conflict. Witnessing the weakening in the strange male, the surge of strength from Matt. The shimmering glow from teeth snapping through fur to seek purchase in flesh. The shock of blood staining both pelts so badly, that Vivian didn't know upon which the injury had been inflicted upon.

Her breath caught in her throat when Matt leapt away from the gunmetal wolf, only to have that breath exhale in a flood of relief when she saw the attacking wolf slink back. Deep wounds torn through the muscles of his shoulders and flank. Wounds that could have been lethal, if Matt had wanted them to be.

"Why doesn't he kill him?" Luke growled out between tightly clenched teeth. The control he had reinstated on himself minimal at best.

"Be quiet." Vivian's words broke for no argument. Shooting a heated glare at her son, she stepped away from him. Her eyes ordering him to remain put. Swinging back around, she took a step towards Matthew.

******

Sophia looked on. Confused at what she was seeing play out.

'What's happening?' she asked Ruby across their private mental path.

Ruby's answer was grim. 'What has to.'

******

Sherman rested his hip against the doorframe, his mouth a grim line as he waited to see what would happen.

Tradition of the Pack stated, that if any potential male posed a threat to the Alpha's status and life, or the life of those under his protection, then he had to be killed. Not even Matthew would fight that. Not even he would attempt to interfere in that. Just like he hadn't back on the night of the Election… when after the two primary males had been either eliminated or… disabled… by those two brothers, and Vivian had taken it upon herself to 'remove' that threat to the Clan… Killing them, and thereby making her the Leader of the Pack by right of succession and elimination.

Matt hadn't interfered then. Because no matter how much he tried to be human, and live by the human laws… in the end, survival of the Pack was everything.

But Matt wasn't the Alpha. Therefore, the life of this male belonged to Vivian. Hers to kill, hers to overthrow. Which was why she was walking so confidently towards the two now. Never mind the rather forceful warning that Matt had given her earlier. Never mind that it had been him that had defeated this one. It was her right as Alpha to end these traitors' lives. Her right, and her duty, and Vivian honestly believed that Matthew wasn't going to interfere in that.

Because if he did, he would automatically be assuming that it was he that was now the Alpha, and her life was forfeit to him.

Matt stood there in the night. Head held high, and his strange eyes never leaving Vivian as she walked closer. Confident in her position. The position that she believed he would never take from her.

Before she could come any closer, Matt broke the hold of their gazes, and turned around. Padding over to the severely injured gunmetal wolf. Ignoring his defensive growls. He knew what would have happened if and when he was defeated, so Matthew was unable to find any pity from within himself towards the male that had planned on hiding behind his daughter, before killing her, and everyone else that Matt cared about.

Vivian stopped. Bare feet rooted to the ground as she looked on in sudden confusion. Not understanding at first what was happening, but then her eyes narrowed as her lips parted with a hiss. And she understood.

And to say she wasn't happy was an understatement.

******

Sophia had her eyes on her dad the entire time as she saw him slowly approach the wounded male wolf. His steps precise as he padded closer. His gaze as hard and emotionless as glass.

He turned once to look at her, where she was curled up against the tree. Dark hair clinging to the sides of her face and neck. Small cuts and bruises visible on her body from her recent struggle. She could feel the blood trickling down her back from the claw marks sported there.

Sophia didn't understand why he had looked at her that way. At least, not at that moment. Later on she would think back on it, and it would be only then that she would understand the truth behind those hardened eyes.

He had gathered himself together in determination. Steeling himself for what was to come. He was taking that first step down the road of his destiny… the one that he hadn't been able to face for the last 17 years.

And he had gotten his strength from her. From seeing whom it was that he had protected all these years, and would continue to do so.

Protecting her from those that would harm her and those that she loved. Including Luke.

Sophia's eyes widened as she saw her father loom over the mangled body of the wolf. His muzzle slowly descending towards the neck. Letting out a small gasp, Sophia quickly averted her gaze – while at the same moment, Ruby blocked her view. Standing beside her in comfort as Sophia squeezed her eyes shut. Her hands clenching into fists in her lap as she suddenly felt the sharpness of the blades of grass against her bare legs. The sensation unable to distract her as the muffled snap of the wolf's neck was heard clearly in the sudden silence.

Sophia finally looked up. This time at the moon with something akin to hopelessness glowing in her eyes as she looked at the moon. Still glowing crimson red from its position in the night sky.

Letting out a shuddering sigh, a single tear tracked its way down her cheek. And with it the fear of their future.

******

Sherman's only response was a slightly raised eyebrow, as he quietly watched Matt dispassionately end the life of the male Skinwalker. Aware of the implications of what Matt had just done.

Sherman looked over at Vivian, who was looking rather shell-shocked at Donner's actions, and was still standing in the same place. Unable to believe what she had just seen.

Matt quickly shifted back into his human skin as he stood to look back at Vivian, his eyes glowing faintly. The body of his kill at his feet. He met her gaze head-on with a challenging one of his own.

Vivian tilted her chin up. Defiance radiating from her like a furnace as she stood her ground. Daring him to do something about it.

Matt's lips twisted up humorlessly, before he began to step away, eyes locked on V's for a moment, before breaking it in order to handle the three almost dismembered males, that he, as Alpha, was supposed to kill as well. Leaving Vivian standing there without so much as a word. The anger starting to build as she watched Matthew's retreating back.

Sherman snorted. Finally.

Catching a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye, Sherman turned in time to watch Luke quickly stride over to Sophia. Falling down to his knees beside her, he clasped her tightly to his chest, as she buried the side of her face into the column of neck. Relief, fear, pain, exhaustion and the residual effects of the adrenaline finally taking its toll as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Trying to get as close to him as she could.

Luke buried his fingers into the mass of dark hair, and pressed his other hand into the small of her back. Content to just hold her.

Sherman shook his head wryly at the sight. Glad that they were back together, before looking over at John and Ruby. Those two having stepped away to give Luke and Sophia some space.

His smile faded away as he saw the stress painted across John's now human facial structure. Present in the muscles of his body, and the haunted look in his eyes. Shaking his head again, he stepped back inside. Disappearing into the shadows.

******

The stress from the last week was finally catching up with John, and it had taken the taste of the blood of those three Skinwalkers – enemies – on his tongue for him to realize it.

The lines of strain were etched deeply around the corners of his mouth, as he tried to roll the tension out of his shoulders by flexing them a few times. It was nothing compared to the tension that was building behind his eyes. Sure to result in a full-fledged migraine shortly.

Looking around for a source of distraction, he took in the details of the parlor/office that he and Ruby had moved to, opposite from the now empty living room. Luke and Sophia had gone upstairs for the sake of privacy, and for Luke to gather up a few changes of clothing, considering just how many outfits he had lost over the last week.

Sherman had moved into the kitchen in order to fix something to go, as the Mansion was now compromised. Sherman didn't believe that the Hunters were going to come back tonight, even if they did think that Sophia and Presley would head back here – which John had pointed out, they wouldn't think, because they didn't think that they'd be so damn stupid to do so – they probably wouldn't want to risk yet another attack in one night. Not now. Not until they were ready to take on the entire Pack. And the fact that they weren't already being killed off one by one proved to them all that that time had yet to come.

Matt and Vivian were still outside. John didn't even care to know how that conversation was going to go. The one thing he did know was that Matthew Donner had just assumed leadership over the Pack and Wolf Lake by killing those four men… and John had helped him do it.

Frustrated with his inability to distract himself from his thoughts and emotions in this room, with Ruby so close by, he padded on bare feet towards the kitchen. Maybe there was something he could do there to help speed up their departure.

Ruby sat in the chair across from Vivian's desk and watched John leave cautiously.

Until he was ready to talk to her about what was bothering him, she knew it was a good idea to give him his space till then. Give him time to deal with the bombardment of human and wolven instincts and emotions, and learn as to how to deal with them. He had been a cop for years. He based what he knew and how he dealt with what he knew with well-grounded facts and morals. Human facts, and human morals.

These things had no basis in their world.

John had become a Skinwalker in blood. Fleshing out the faint strands of the wolven DNA already present in his genetic makeup since his conception. He had accepted everything she and Sherman had told him, simply because he hadn't had any choice in the timing. Timing that didn't give him the time to work it all out slowly and precisely like he might have preferred. He had had to work it out as he went along. Hardly having any time to breathe in-between each radical change in his life.

The cop in him was also programmed to deal with a situation and come out on top of it, regardless of how much that situation was going to effect his life from there on out.

Regardless of how strange something was, John did what he believed to be morally correct. But now he was beginning to question which morals he was now following.

Those that he had followed all of his life as a human, or those of a creature he hadn't believed existed just a few days past?

******

Sherman watched John stalk into the kitchen. Not really surprised at his arrival. He continued to put together the sandwiches in front of him.

John came to stop in front of him, his palms placed on the edge of the island's tabletop. The corded tendons taut against the section of his forearms revealed. Knuckles white.

Sherman suppressed his smirk. Oh yeah, he'd come to understand very well that stressed out expression that John was now sporting. Had seen it many times in the past few months when John had always unwittingly come to him every time he needed answers. Whether Sherman was giving them or not. Hell, he'd even come to look forward to them, if for no other reason then to see what else he could stir up in this town.

Hey, a guy had to have his hobbies.

Denying the little tug around the corners of his mouth, Sherman held up a glass jar. "Pickles?"

John started talking as if he hadn't even heard the question. "Why does everything have to be so damn complicated in this town?"

"I'll take that as a yes." Sherman commented cheerfully. Taking a few out of the jar and placing them on the open face of the sandwich. Following it with turkey, ham, and thin slices of beef. Lots of beef.

"I mean, from the day I arrived here, everything has been upside down. Nothing is the way it should be! I understand that these people have secrets. I understand that they've had no choice but to remain hidden from the rest of the world, and they're right to do so. But… the private meetings, and the… the secret church, and the mysterious deaths of those who stumble too close to the show. Not to mention a graveyard full of teenagers, most of them no older than sixteen – "

"Don't forget the large amount of meat, fowl and fish." Sherman cut in. Wrapping up several in the completed sandwiches in saran wrap. "You know, that's what I always thought would lure suspicion like nothing else. I mean, the stuff comes in here by the truckloads, and yet not a one of them has high cholesterol."

John glared back at him. Not amused. "I'm serious, Sherman." he growled out. His tone low and hoarse with emotion. "I just don't know if I can deal with it all."

"I know what you mean, John." Sherman replied back calmly. Licking a little bit of mustard of his thumb as he put the various ingredients back into the fridge. "And apparently better than you do yourself."

John's eyes narrowed. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"

Sherman let out a sigh as he came to stand back by the Island. Picking up a paper bag.

"Sit down, John."

"I don't – "

"Sit. Down."

John sat.

"Now," Sherman's voiced with satisfaction as he slid the sandwiches into the paper bag. "First off, I know you're sudden bout of stress and confusion and doubt has nothing to do with private meetings, secret churches, deceased teenagers, or even – " His voice rose an octave when John would have interrupted. "Those mysterious murders that have taken place, simply because we had no other choice. The lives of the Pack were always at stake. Nor is it about what has happened over the last few days. If anything, you've probably felt more complete since your Change occurred than at any other time in your life."

"Yeah," John words were cold even though his emotions were running high, and his words became more and more heated as each one escaped from his lips. "Yeah, I feel complete all right. I've become something I don't even recognize, and I've almost completely ignored all my training. All my hard work. Everything that I knew about myself to be true. Everything that I knew was right. And for what? For a man that I just watched kill four others?" John sneered mockingly. His disgust pointed at himself. "Hell, I even helped him."

"And how did you do that, how was what you did tonight any different then what you've done it past? What you've dedicated your life to doing? Tell me, how saving Sophia's life was a violation of your human morals?" Sherman asked bluntly. Cocking his head to the side as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Eyes calculating.

John just looked back at him painfully. Throat reflexively swallowing as he tried to speak, but no sound emitted from his mouth. Finally, he dropped his head down and stared at the dark polished wood of the tabletop. Not even bothering to answer.

"You see, John." Sherman continued. "Your problem doesn't even lay within what you originally thought. You know that what you did tonight was right, any way you at it. You stopped those three from hurting anyone else. From ever trying to kill Sophia, Luke, Matt or Vivian again. And they would have tried again, John, if they had been allowed to live. That is why we deal so harshly with those of our own. Those who would betray or overthrow us. Destroy or reveal us. That is why Ruby was dealt with so harshly when she ran away from Wolf Lake – and right into your arms. That is why they fought to keep her a secret from you. Why they feared letting you know the truth. Why Vivian had even given a 'kill or capture' order towards Ruby. Why the Clan has always sheltered itself from the rest of the world. Keeping to themselves. Watching out for the common good of the Pack. Never leaving, and hardly ever breaking the rules. These are our rules. The ones we live by. We couldn't force a human to live by them, anymore than you could force a Skinwalker to live by human rules. The Pack isn't human, John. You know that, and in part, you seemed to have accepted that as well as one could do so, so quickly after having his world turned upside down. But you are going to have to accept all of them if you're going to be at peace with yourself.

"The Skinwalkers are incredible people. Your people. They have amazing gifts and can attune themselves to the world around them in ways you're only beginning to experience. They're erotic, loving, powerful, dangerous, cunning, and protective. They are wild, but yet at the same time, for the most part strangely civilized. They all have a secret, and that secret clings to them like a second skin. That allure, that magic. That is why the Hunters hate them. These are people with endless gifts and beauty. People with magic and passion. They feel things deeper than even themselves realize, and the power they possess is not something that can ever be taken away from them. Not by potions or drugs or even those odd rocks. Because being able to change their forms, communicate on their mental paths, or even being able to heal at an accelerated rate is only one small part of who they are. And that part can and will be taken away. But the Hunters will never be able to take their souls. And that is why they hate, and why they rage against us. They hate what they are not capable of understanding. Those they cannot control threaten them.

"That is why they seek to destroy us. Because the Wolven have a power and a beauty that they cannot corrupt, no matter how hard they try. And they will keep trying. They will try and try and try to bring the Pack to its knees, till they either succeed, or are destroyed. But in the end none of it will matter, because they will never get what they want. They might as well try to steal the sun from the heavens, for all the good it will do them."

John looked at Sherman for a long time before turning away, and walking out of the kitchen. Obviously going back to locate Ruby. The one person that obviously did make sense to him in this freaked out world full of danger, mystique, moonlight, and shadows.

******

John was still locked within his own thoughts, as he came back into the office where Ruby was still sitting. Probably having heard the entire exchange taking place in the kitchen, but remaining strangely quiet.

John couldn't help but feel the confusion still beating at him. Although he understood perfectly what Sherman had told him – understood, and believed in it – he was still so uncertain. The last week had been hell trying to deal with everything that had happened at once. He still wasn't sure how he had made it through. But there was one thing he couldn't forget, and that was how he had spent the last few months prior to the events that had taken place so recently… All the threats, all the pressure, all the pain that this place was capable of inflicting. Turning everyone into its little pawns. Sherman didn't even deny it back in there in the kitchen… In fact, he wanted John to embrace it. Wanted him to accept the way the Pack was.

And they may be passionate and beautiful and wild, and he sure as hell didn't want to see them destroyed. But he couldn't ignore what they also were. Cold, hard, vindictive, cruel, deadly… the list went on and on. They were such a primal melding of instincts and behaviors. Sure, they had pulled together since the recent threat had become known, but how long before they were back at each other's throats again? How long before the madness started all over again, and with it the strange deaths – both human and Skinwalker – as they all sought for a handhold in their power struggle? Their search for profit and dominance over the other?

How long before Matthew Donner would be forced to kill again in order to remain in control of the circumstances?

And how could he come to terms with knowing that killing was a way of life for these people? Knowing that they all answered to one man… A man that could claim any life he so desired.

It was a dictatorship, and a dangerous one at that, if the Pack ever fell to the ruler-ship of a person with an evil heart.

What had happened along the way for these people? He didn't believe for one moment that they had always been like this. Hungry for power, and thirsty for blood. Even if it was their own. He didn't believe they had managed to survive for hundreds, thousands of years by acting like vampires. Sucking the life out of those around them.

Survival of the Pack. John couldn't help but snort at that. Yeah, they were doing a great job of that. Survival meant sticking to a code. A set of rules. Those rules included a black and white representation of everything that these people hadn't been since the crumbling of Willard's rule, and on through the shaky start of Vivian's. And from what John had heard, it wasn't the first time that these people had fallen from that code. And, considering what he had heard had happened last time, these people had yet to learn their lesson. And it was, yet again, costing them dearly.

******

Upstairs, Sophia made use of the Cates' bathroom as she quickly showered. The heated water rinsing away the odd smell of the lake, and the streaks of mud clinging to her skin.

Her back stung as the water poured over the shallow wounds in her back. Washing away the blood from the already healing lacerations.

Finger combing her hair after rinsing the suds clean, she shook the heavy mass away from her face, and leaned her forehead against the shower stall wall. Allowing the water to cascade over her.

She was so tired. She felt like curling up somewhere and never waking again. She still couldn't get over how much her life had changed over the last week. Just a week.

In a week, she had Flipped… In a week, she had created a bond with Luke that she had never believed would have happened... In a week, she had entrusted her heart to him – to the guy who had only just recently broken it… In a week, she had discovered her destiny, as well as her ancestry… In a week, she had rewritten history in regards to the women of the Pack, and her place within it. As the half-breed they had all known her for, and the white wolf that she was.

In a week, John had finally discovered the truth of Wolf Lake. Had discovered who Ruby really was, and had – by the strangest twist of all – Flipped and joined their ranks.

In the last two weeks, he had been shot, drugged, knocked unconscious, held against his will (four times), and barely managing to escape the clutches of their enemy alive. He had had his shoulder nearly ripped out by Tyler, and had nearly died during the Change. Not to mention getting captured by that Van Halen character that had led the Hunters here in the first place, hooked up and transfused with wolf's blood… or the incident before that when he had been captured by a half-mutated Skinwalker girl and almost burned alive.

In the last week and a half, Ruby had managed to escape Tyler, only to become a pawn in Van Halen's twisted little transfusion – which, granted, had turned out alright in the end – on the run yet again, this time from any member of the Pack because of Vivian's kill or capture order, and then getting shot, barely staying alive in wolf form while John carried her to Sherman's. Then having to reveal herself to him, reveal to him the truth. Risk the possibility of having him reject her, and then facing the Pack alone, and, subsequently her own death as a traitor… Then having to hide out together, in which time, she had to endure the pain and uncertainty of whether or not the true mate of her heart would even survive something that members of their species ten years younger had a hard time doing so. Stepping out of the shadows with him at the Meeting, revealing to all that she had indeed betrayed their secret to the Seattle cop, but knowing they wouldn't have a choice in whether or not they could accept that betrayal, as he was now one of their own… and her own value had proven to be more beneficial than just being the possible destined mate to the future Alpha… that was why Tyler had wanted her so much. He could spout love poems and sonnets all he wanted, and bring her flowers shipped in from Tin Buck Too, but it wouldn't make her believe that for one moment that he hadn't been more in love with her power that she could bring to his table than Ruby herself.

How hard must it have been when John had had no time to adjust to his new-found abilities. No time to fully come to understand what it all entailed. He had been thrust into the middle of the Pack's struggle with each other and the rest of the world. A world that he had belonged to first. A world so different than the one of Wolf Lake… the one of the Pack.

His love for Ruby really was that strong, Sophia thought wryly to herself. With only her to cling to, he had been transformed from being the outsider human that wanted to take Ruby from them, an outsider that already had known more than he should have, and had seen more than allowed comfortably.

Even if he did succeed in taking Tyler out. Even if he had already proven his strength tonight, Sophia knew all too well what was going to come John's way when this whole thing with the Hunters was said and done. She knew that there were going to be plenty of their own kind that still wouldn't trust him. Still wouldn't believe he was worthy. And those that would still quite possibly try to kill him.

And then there was her father.

Tonight, with the deaths of those four, he had named himself the Alpha… and Vivian and Luke's lives were forfeit.

Now, she knew that Matt would never do anything to harm Vivian or her son. But Sophia couldn't help but bristle defensively at the thought that he might try to keep Sophia and Luke apart. And as Alpha, he would have that power.

Not that she thought he would utilize it after everything they'd been through, but still… it set her on edge just thinking about it.

And what was going to happen between Matt and Vivian? Sophia wasn't dumb. She had seen the way her father had looked at Vivian. Something had happened between those two tonight. Something that Sophia wasn't too sure as to how she felt about. But she knew that nothing was ever going to be the same.

If her father did assume the mantel of leadership, like she believed he had just done… and if he took Vivian as his mate…

No one would question his leadership. Especially considering that one of the white females was his daughter, and he would also have the support of Ruby.

Sophia let out a pent up breath and tilted her face up into the hot water streaming down, heavy steam still building in the shower stall and bathroom. Fogging up the fixtures, mirrors, and frosted glass.

She didn't seem to notice when the steam quickly began to leak out of the room, via the door that had just been opened. The sound not reaching her ears as the water pounded down around them. Nor the silent click of it closing. Trapping the steam once more in the small confines of the room.

She didn't seen to notice it when the glass stall door slide partially open, and then closed. The shadow of a man's body falling over hers.

She didn't even open her eyes when familiar hands came about her shoulders and pulled her back up against a rock-hard, warm, masculine chest, already slick with the water washing away the streaks of blood from his body, from wounds both healed and still healing. But all the muscles in her body turned to liquid as she leaned back against him, his hands sliding down to her waist. The texture of her skin and his palms contrasting erotically against each other.

Luke wrapped his arms snugly around Sophia's waist, bringing her up tight against him almost in desperation. His face burying in the curve of her moist throat, and pressing a kiss there briefly, he inhaled her familiar scent almost reassuringly.

Sophia brought her fingers down to where his arms were wrapped around her torso. The tips of her fingers tracing the sinewy length. Feeling the muscles, tendons, and veins just under the surface. Capable of so much strength, yet holding her so tenderly.

Sophia opened her eyes, water droplets clinging to her lashes and dripping down her face and body. Tracing the lines of her form. But yet, through that water, tears burned behind her eyes and shimmered across their surface. The events of the last hour and their emotions that they were connected to catching up with her. Now that she was in this place and time, with the one that had become more important to her than her own life, she knew she could toss away the façade of being in control. Cool. Calm.

Reunited with Luke, she could let it all slide away, and allow those emotions to rise to the surface. Knowing that if she shattered under their pressure, he'd be there to catch the pieces when they fell.

Sensing her pain, even though their private mental connection was still broken, Luke felt a harsh twisting deep in his body. Knowing that he hadn't been able to do anything to stop whatever she had endured over the last few hours that was causing her body to tremble against his so.

"I'm sorry," He whispered against her temple. Painfully aware of the tear tracking its way down her cheek. Melding with the water droplets. "I – I couldn't stop them…" Luke's voice broke and then trailed off. He had to swallow painfully around the knot that had formed in his throat.

A small sob echoed in Sophia's throat. "Oh, Luke, it wasn't your fault." Her voice was slightly hoarse from the screaming that had emitted from it less than an hour ago. "They're wasn't anything that you could have done. They would have gotten me one way or another."

Luke pressed another kiss to the top of her head. Resting his chin there as he looked unseeingly into the fall of water right in front of them.

"Did they hurt you?"

Sophia mouth trembled slightly at his words, and she closed her eyes against the sudden images assailing her… Tyler's offending hands on her body… the disgusting leers of David Van Halen and the others under his command… and the blood thirsty glint in Eric's eyes, the dark skinned Hunter that had tortured Presley for information… and then for the fun of it.

Shaking her head slowly side to side, she choked out another sob. Tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes.

Luke felt like someone was squeezing a fist around his heart tightly. Closing his eyes, he murmured soothing endearments as he held her closer. One arm still tightly wrapped around her waist, as the other came up to rest over her chest, the palm cupping the side of her face and keeping it pressed into his shoulder as she cried. Unable to tell the difference between her tears and the water, but each drop burning into his skin like acid. Each the symbol of a pain that he couldn't remove completely. He could only hold her as she cried herself out underneath the showerhead. Water cascading down over both of them comfortingly.

After a few moments, the sobs subsided, and the tears slowed. Luke's grip loosened slightly as she suddenly turned in his arms, now facing him. Her fingers came up to trace the features of his face in wonderment. Starting with his brow, then brushing down in a light caress over the bridge of his noise, then trailing down over his cheekbone and jaw-line, before coming up to brush across the petal softness of his lips. The innocent contact sending an unexpected shockwave through his body.

He noticed that her fingers were trembling when she pulled away, and he looked down at her, unable to bear the tears still caught on her dark, crescent shaped lashes. And he suddenly had a startling thought that this must have been what she had looked like after she had caught him and Presley having –

In that moment, he hit an all-time low for feeling like dirt.

Unaware of the guilt suddenly arching through Luke's mind, she reached up again to feather her fingertips over his temple. Watching him close his eyes at the sensation. She couldn't reach him on their private mental path, and, considering the sudden way his jaw tightened, she knew he couldn't reach her either. And it was killing him.

"I was so afraid that I had lost you." Sophia confided to him softly. Watching him as his eyes reopened. Revealing the pale green orbs gazing down at her so seriously. "I was afraid that they had taken you from me."

A frown formed over his brow, as he quickly shook his head. Warm hands coming up to cup the sides of her face, thumb brushing over her bottom lip as she looked back down.

"You'll never lose me, Sophia." His words were a heated whisper across her skin as she looked back up at him. Seeing the reflection of her own suddenly sparking eyes in his that were starting to flare to life. Her lips parted in surprise at the stark passion glowing there. Feeling her body begin to tremble for a completely different reason.

"Never."

With that one word, his lips descended upon hers as his hands sought out the sensitive curves and valleys of her body. Erasing from her mind the memories of what she had been subjected to. Both mentally and physically.

Her hand came up to grasp his muscled arm as she pressed closer… Her fingers unconsciously tracing the outline of the strange tattoo on his right shoulder. Leaving behind a wet trail beneath the press if her fingertips, as he gently urged her with the tilt of his mouth upon hers to open up to him fully. The shock of his tongue slipping through when her lips parted sent a jolt of desire shooting off between her thighs, as she pressed closer. The erotic and precise caresses from those beautifully sculpted hands inflaming her at the same time comforting her.

Luke couldn't take away her fears or her pain. But he could comfort her. And that is what he did. Comforted her with his body melding with hers in an age-old dance of love and life. The dance of their people.

With all the gentleness and strength of his body, he turned her back around, placing her smaller palms up against the shower wall as his body hovered close behind her. Her small shivers when the length of his body would brush up against her back – the water causing their skin to slide against one another – making him smile at the innocent and treasured responses she gave him when she found something that touched a chord deep from within her.

In response to her, his hands slide slowly up her forearms, to cup the backs of hers. Gently pinning her in place. His lips and tongue working their magic on her neck and shoulder. Sophia let out a sigh as she closed her eyes and entrusted herself over to his ministrations. Her head falling back onto his shoulder, as he deftly slide into her heated core from behind. The position new and highly erotic. Amazingly sensual because of her trust and love in him.

There, cut off from the world in one of their own making, underneath the cascading water flowing down their joined bodies seductively… All the past events of the last week fell away till there was nothing… nobody else in the entire world but the two of them. Moving together, dancing together… silently… enveloped in a blanket of steam and scent and sensation… They're minds continuously straining to reach out to the other, sensations overtaking them, desire flaming outward, muffled gasps of pleasure echoing in the darkened chamber…bodies sliding together… fingers entwined… muscles clenching, skin rippling… water drops clinging to their heated flesh… Glittering like liquid diamonds…

Until, finally, like a thin silvery spider web suddenly woven between them, Luke felt the faint brushes of her mind against his.

Almost afraid that it was a mirage brought on by their joined escalating pleasure, he mentally strained outward, grasping at that fine thread and holding on till its connection was solid. Unbreakable. Their link restored. Unable to tell where one of them began and the other left off. Feeling the sensations and pleasure of the other. Heightening their love making to a completely different level.

Sophia muffled her passionate cry of completion – remembering that her and Luke were not the only people in this house with advanced hearing abilities – by quickly biting down on her bottom lip. The action producing a small droplet of blood, that Luke quickly leaned over her to capture. The taste of her essence on his tongue, as he almost violently plundered her mouth. Her whimpers of ecstasy vibrating against his lips as he felt her body shudder around him. Causing an almost feral growl to reverberate deep in his chest. Never waiting to ever let her go.

Even after their lovemaking, Luke held on to her. Her back pressed up against his chest, both of them feeling the way their hearts slowed down from their erratic pacing to beat together in unison soothingly. The water pouring down on both of them. Washing away the musk of their joined scents from their flesh… the taste of the other still lingering long after their lips had parted.

******

Vivian stood facing Matt outside on the lawn long after everyone else had gone inside… hands clenched at her sides and the features of her face set in hard lines. Chin tilted up defiantly and eyes glittering faintly in the darkness.

Matt looked right back at her. A humorless smile flitting around the corners of his mouth… a smile that Vivian did not like one bit. Healing wounds criss-crossing over various parts of his nude body.

"What's the matter, V?" Matt asked coolly, finally deciding that the silence had gone on long enough. He took a step closer to her. Then another. Then another. His shadowed eyes never once blinking, never once losing their lock on hers. "I've done what you wanted. What you begged me to. Why the hostile face?"

Matt paused about ten feet away from her, before beginning to pace slowly in a circle around her stiffly held form.

"And you think I'll just let you take my position, my leadership, of the Pack away from me? Just like that?" the hardened edge to Vivian's words could cut through stone, as her eyes flared bright gold back at Matt.

"I wasn't aware you had a say in this, Vivian." Matt paused to study her. His words soft despite their forcefulness. "For the safety of yourself and your son, you have no choice but to back down."

Vivian's eyes narrowed. "Like hell!" Her fingers curled into claws at her sides.

Matthew raised a brow. "Oh really? How else do you think it's going to go down, Vivian? A fight? A battle to the death? Tell me, because I'd really like to know just how you think you're going to stop me."

Vivian just stood there. Almost trembling from rage. Matt let out a sigh and shook his head.

"I thought this was what you wanted, Vivian. So what's changed?"

Vivian's lips curled up. "I asked you to become our Alpha back after Willard's death. I asked you again during the Election, but instead, you nominated me."

What Vivian was saying finally dawned on Matt. "Oh, I see. So long as you or Luke were in danger from the other males of the Pack, you wanted me to assume control because you knew I wouldn't harm your son, and the last of Willard's line. But once you were in control, you didn't need me anymore for protection. Is that it?" Matt chuckled harshly, not even bothering to wait for her answer. "First off, we were all foolish to believe that you would last long as Alpha anyway. Even if I did become your… bodyguard…" Matt's lips snarled at that word. His eyes starting to flare in agitation. "There was no way I would have been able to hold them off for long, and you know it." Suddenly, Matt's expression fell into unemotional lines as he started to close the distance between them.

Before Vivian could even react to this unusually aggressive move from him, Matt grasped her hard by the upper arms and pulled her to him roughly. His eyes molten.

"And just what was I to you this entire time, Vivian? hmm? Another possible lover? A pet? Someone who you thought you could take as a mate to warm your bed, one that you would keep in the shadows while you continued to rule the Clan?" His fingers tightened slightly. Refusing to release her. "Well, I'm sorry Vivian. I guess I'm not as neutral as you would like me to be." Matt leaned in closer. Taking advantage of Vivian's stunned silence. His lips hovering over hers by mere inches. "You're a fool to think that if I became your mate, that I wouldn't assume the Alpha position. As well as double-foolish to believe that I would continue to allow you to place yourself in this kind of danger!"

Matt felt the warmth of her skin under his fingers, and he slowly loosened his grip on her arms. Sensing the way her body was trembling from the intensity of her emotions. She looked up at him, lips slightly parted, and eyes raw with uncertainty and shock from his outburst. In those few moments, she remembered what Matthew had been like when they were younger. The untamed, passionate side of him that had always dominated his actions. The primal, almost savage allure that had always clung to his skin. Even after he had donned the uniform of a Sheriff, and had locked all of his wolven instincts away deep within his body.

And the reason she had fallen in love with him to begin with.

But that still didn't mean that she was willing to give in to him just yet.

"I never thought that you would assume control of the Pack after nominating me."

Matthew smirked at her almost sadly. "I never thought I would either. But that fact remains that a male must lead, Vivian. You and I both know that. We may look human and sound human and live as humans, but we're not. We never will be. Our wolven instincts will always override the farce that we have of human ones." Matt dwelled for a split second on his daughter and everything she had been through. "I understand that now."

Vivian looked up at him. Her inner hatred starting to burn out against her will.

"I only became Alpha to protect my son. If you take that away, he'll be the one who'll pay." If Matthew was Alpha, then he could kill Luke, and destroy the last of Willard's line. It was the way of the real wolves. And the way of most of the animal kingdom. Only one male could rule… any challengers, past or present, had to be eliminated, along with any male offspring. It was one instinct that had shown up time and again in the Skinwalkers' history.

Matt smiled wryly at where her chaotic thoughts were going and chuckled. Finally releasing her arms altogether. "You don't believe that, Vivian." he whispered softly. Causing Vivian to swallow hard at the husky, masculine texture to it. "Your son will suffer no harm from me, and because of his connection to my daughter, he will always be under my protection." he eyes flickered suddenly under the dark shadows of the night. "Regardless of whether or not you become my mate."

Vivian almost flinched at the sudden coldness to his voice when he said that last bit. He did know her… all too well. He knew she had slept with Tyler, and had probably slept with Gerald… all because she knew that she would have to be in a position to be the Alpha's top female bitch in order to keep her son safe.

And he also had known how much she had hated it. But she had done it to keep Luke alive.

And now, it would be expected that she do the same for Matt. But Matt was letting her know that he would only take what she freely offered him.

Matt nodded at her when he saw that she understood, and he took a step away. "I may be Wolven, but I'm not an animal. I will not force you to become my mate. But I would hope that you would come to me as such willingly. But make no mistake about my intentions, V. I will be the Alpha from here on out. Forget democracy. We don't have that luxury at the moment, and there are no other men available to lead this Pack the way it needs to be led."

Matt looked away for the first time, towards the broken and dead bodies of the male Skinwalkers he had already killed. He knew them. Had grown up with them. Their leader, Gregori had been somewhat of a surprise, since he had never shown much interest in leading the Pack before… Maybe because he had thought it was now free for the taking with a female in control, he had changed his tactics.

Which meant that they're were probably others out there at well that we're planning along the same line.

Even still, the snapped neck was proof of how wrong Gregori's judgment had been. And proof of what would happen to any other who thought to cross Matthew from here on out.

He still felt a pang of remorse. Just because he had killed them, didn't mean he had enjoyed it. The entire time he kept thinking back on what Marie would have said. What her response to this bloodshed would have been.

But if he hadn't killed them, then it would have been those he cared about lying there in the mud, with broken necks and torn bodies.

Matthew clenched his jaw as he tilted his chin up to look at the still red moon. Its light bathing his features in sickly relief against the backdrop of the heavily shadowed and strangely alien forest.

"We've already fallen back to the Old Ways," he admitted reluctantly. "And walking that line between remaining in control with the snap of your teeth, and falling into being a complete, animalistic predator because you know you're stronger than others is a difficult one. It's a war that will never stop, but at the same time, one that you can never lose."

Matt looked back over at her again. His gaze frank and defenseless. "Now, tell me again that you still believe you should still be the one leading us, Vivian. Even after all that has happened lately."

Vivian pulled her gaze from his, and looked up at the night sky. Letting out a sigh that she had been holding for what felt like forever.

Matt repositioned his stance to get a better look at her. "And I'm still awaiting my answer, Vivian. Will you be my mate?"

Vivian dropped her gaze, looking back at him. "I think you know the answer to that, Matt."

Matt swallowed. "I still need to hear it."

Vivian smiled at him softly as she closed the distance between them, reaching up to stroke the line of his jaw as he looked down at her proudly. Emotions warring in the depths of his eyes.

"Yes, Matt. I will be your mate."

******

When Sophia and Luke walked back downstairs, they were both dressed and Luke carried a backpack over one shoulder. Luke had dressed in another pair of jeans and a black sweater. Sophia was wearing a pair of black jeans that had once upon a time belonged to Ruby, and a warm dark colored long-sleeved shirt, that, considering the difference in each of their body shapes, wouldn't have fit Sophia as well as it did if Ruby hadn't accidentally washed it in hot water years ago when she had still lived in this house.

As they came to the landing, hand in hand. She heard Ruby and John talking together softly in the parlor, but before she could pick up any of their words, she was distracted by the sight of a light gray wolf suddenly slinking out of the shadows and into the house. Leaping over the broken glass to keep from lacerating her paws.

Luke's hand tightened on Sophia's for a moment, as he tensed at the sight of the wolf coming towards them, but a split second later, his grip loosened as soon as he recognized whom it was.

Panting hard, Presley came to a stop as she observed the two through her wolven eyes. Sensing their mingled smells and musks, knowing that they must have recently made love. But unable to find it within herself to care anymore.

"Did you make it back without any trouble?"

Luke looked towards Sophia as her calmly asked question registered with the wolf, as she shortly answered on the public mental path. A mental path that Luke still couldn't hear, even though his personal one with Sophia was renewed. Alleviating some of the claustrophobic tendencies that came with the loss of one of their more primary special senses.

With a little creative rewiring, he found himself able to merge with Sophia in order to hear what was being discussed on the public pathways. But it was only one way. He couldn't send anything out himself, even though Sophia could speak on his behalf if need be.

So, as much as he may have loved floating around in her mind unhindered, he hoped that this was only temporary.

'I didn't see anyone, if that's what you mean.' Bits of leaves, twigs and burs clung to Presley's coat. A small cut on her ear from some bush or branch scabbing over.

'How did you get back so fast?'

Sophia grimaced. "You don't want to know." She didn't think she'd be swimming anytime soon.

"There are a change of clothes in the guest bedroom upstairs that I set aside for you. I think they're about your size. If not, they'll do till you can get some of yours back.'

Presley started moving again, and, darting around them, headed up the stairs on all fours. Disappearing around the bend.

Sophia turned back to look at Luke. He was watching her closely.

"What?"

"Is everything… okay?" Luke asked slowly. Pale eyes intent and serious. His short hair was still damp from their shower, and spiked up every which way. And even though he had shaved, the structure of his jaw-line and cheekbone still cast heavy shadows in the planes and angles of his face. Sophia again was struck by just how stunning he was.

She smiled wryly as she ducked her head down. Her heavy ponytail swinging forward. "Yeah. I think we came to an understanding of sorts back at the warehouse. It's fine."

Luke reached out to stroke a finger down the length of hair draped over her shoulder. The entire mass having been restrained and pulled away from her face with a simple black rubber band.

Sophia looked back up at him. Still not used to the beautiful little ways he found to make contact with her.

Matt and Vivian chose that time to come back in and stand together, side by side in the Entryway. Interrupting the younger couple. Matt had already replaced the pair of jeans that he had discarded outside, and Vivian had wrapped the terrycloth robe back around her body.

"Dad!" Sophia quickly stepped into her father's waiting embrace, as Matt hugged her tightly to his chest. Thankful that she was safe.

"Oh, Sophia." he let out, close to tears as he heard the small sob echo in Sophia's throat. "Are you okay?"

Her muffled answer wasn't good enough, so he pulled away, both hands coming up to frame her cheeks. Peering into her eyes worriedly. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Sophia laughed. "I'm fine, now." She sniffled a little, brushing away a few stray tears that had found their way onto her cheeks.

"I am so glad you're safe." Matt whispered as he pulled his daughter back into his embrace, holding her a few minutes longer. Tempted to just pack her up in a car and get her out of Wolf Lake and as far away from any threat to her life as possible. But he knew that they were in far too deep now to just walk away. Sophia had a destiny here within the Pack, as did Matt. He couldn't take her away from here, anymore than he could talk her out of being with Luke.

Everything was the way it should be. Now, they would just have to deal with it.

******

Just as Ruby had predicted, as soon as John had worked everything out in his mind, he came back to her.

Kneeling down in front of where she was sitting, he deftly grasped her slender pale hands in his large, darkly tanned ones. The slightly calloused pad of his thumb caressing the sensitive area of the underside portion of her wrist. Feathering gently over the pulse.

Looking into her silver-gray eyes with his own, he cleared his throat.

"I guess I've kinda zoned out on you the last forty minutes. I'm sorry."

Ruby shook her head quickly, leaning forward adamantly. "John, you have nothing to apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong."

John let out a sigh. Peeling his gaze away for a few moments before returning it. "This hasn't been a very easy week. For any of us."

Ruby snorted. "It hasn't been a very easy year. Not since they took me away from you back in Seattle."

John smiled faintly. Remembering what hell it had been those six months he had spent in Seattle. Looking for clues, looking for anything. At least when he came to Wolf Lake, he had something to work with. Back then, he hadn't had anything to work with. No hope of ever finding her.

"John, it's only understandable that you would feel the way you do. Everything has happened so fast. I'm sure you don't even know if you think you're the same person or not. But John, you have to realize… what happened tonight, happened because there was no other choice for us. No other option. We deal with our own, how can we not, given the differences between us and the humans. You have to believe that."

"That's just it." John broke in. His mouth twisting. "I do believe that. That's what makes this so hard for me." John looked away again as he continued. Not wanting to see the pain in her gaze. "I just helped a man become Judge, Jury, and Executioner. I just assisted him in killing four men. And that's the problem. I was raised to put my faith in a justice system. I trained for that system, and I fought for that system. And now…" he shook his head slowly. "Now, I don't know what I believe."

It was a moment before Ruby answered. Choosing her words carefully. "John… you yourself have found yourself in situations beyond your control. Situations which don't give a damn about the Political Justice you are talking about. You've been in situations, many a time, where you have had to kill in order to survive. In order to protect yourself, and others around you. How is that any different than what you saw here tonight?" She started back up again when he tried to deny her words. "No, let me finish. Those four had captured Sophia, lured Luke outside in order to kill him, and then move on to Vivian. They probably would have then either killed Sophia, or would have locked her up somewhere to use as blackmail against her father. These people would have murdered to get what they want, and they never would have stopped. Now, you tell me if you think Matt was still wrong to protect his own?"

John was still for a few moments. The only movement was the steady pulse beating visibly in the hollow of his throat. Slowly, he shook his head.

Ruby reached out a hand to cup his cheek. "Then tell me… what else needs to be said? We are not human, no matter how some may wish otherwise. The only Justice system we have is what you saw this evening, and it has kept us alive and a secret for thousands of years. And it did so again tonight. You can't let something like this eat you away, John. You just have to accept it. Nothing that happened tonight was wrong. It doesn't mean we have to take pleasure in it… It just means that we shouldn't regret."

John nodded again. Her words reaching him on a level that he did understand. He pressed a kiss to the side of her palm before slowing standing upright. Holding a hand down to her in order to pull her up. As much as he would have wanted to continue talking with her, they had to prepare to leave the Mansion and soon… Besides, what else was there to say?

It was time to go find the rest of the group.

As they walked towards the closed doors, John paused in order to press a short but bittersweet kiss to Ruby's lips. Once again finding himself incredibly grateful to have her at his side once more.

He became determined then, that despite his uncertainty towards the customs of the Pack, and the strange position he had fond himself in with these people, he knew he could handle anything so long as Ruby was at his side.

******

Sherman strolled back into the hallway just in time to see John and Ruby come out from the parlor to meet up with Matt, Vivian, Sophia and Luke. Matt currently was crushing the life out of his daughter, while Luke looked on in amusement, thumbs hooked in his front pockets. Vivian stood with her shoulder braced up against the wall, arms crossed. She met Sherman's gaze but refused to respond to the gloating expression suddenly glowing there.

Sherman chuckled. Knowing all-to-well what had occurred outside between those two. Matt always was a sly devil when he wanted to be. And he knew Vivian better than most could ever even hope to.

He tilted his head towards the staircase as Presley came down. Wearing a simple pair of pants and a loose sweater, which hid her still healing body from view. The faint bruises on her face still present. Her blond hair swung freely. The untamed mass wild about her sensual face. A face, which was haunted by a strained pair of eyes. Eyes that had experienced far too much pain in the last few days.

"My parents?" she asked quietly, looking towards Vivian. Her voice was hoarse from lack of use. "Have they been told that I'm okay?"

Vivian let out a breath. "No, they haven't. With everything that has happened tonight, its amazing any of us are still coherent." She jerked her chin towards the Kitchen. "You can use the phone in there to give them a call."

Once the younger girl had left, Vivian turned back towards Matt, who was still standing close by Sophia.

"Alright, Matt. What now?"

Sophia's brow raised at the rather sarcastic overtone present in Vivian's voice, and she looked towards her father. Realizing that he really had assumed leadership of the Pack.

Matt took in a deep breath as he watched his daughter. Wondering how she would take to the news. "First things first. We need to get Sophia and Ruby relocated. Which means we need to figure out where to keep them."

Sophia frowned. "Why can't we just go back home for the remainder of the night? Considering everything that has happened, I don't think we have to worry about another attack... either from members of the Pack or the Hunters for the next few hours."

Sudden shadows flitted across Matt's eyes as he looked back at his daughter sadly.

Luke caught the expression, and frowned. Taking a small step forward to stand right behind Sophia. His hand hovering over the small of her back. Matt's heavy silence concerning him.

"Our home was burnt to the ground this evening, Sophia. It was meant to be a distraction for Vivian and me while they attacked the Mansion and took you hostage."

Sophia paled, eyes going wide. The only thing she seemed capable of feeling at the moment was Luke's arm circling her waist snugly.

John and Ruby looked at each other, not saying anything.

"They took our home?" Sophia finally whispered hoarsely. Unable to believe what she was hearing.

Matt looked away. "Yeah, hon. They did."

Sherman finally spoke up grimly. "Well, it's not like you would have been living there any longer anyway."

Sophia looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Well… two things actually. Now that Matt has… done what he should have months ago, the Mansion now belongs to him and to you. But, even now… it doesn't look like you'll be living here either."

Sophia shook her head in bafflement, and turned to look at her father, her gaze searching. "Dad? What is he talking about?

Matt glared at Sherman for a good ten seconds before to turning back to his daughter. Sherman's expression stating clearly that either Matt told her, or he would.

"We're leaving Wolf Lake, Sophia."

"What?" Their house forgotten, Sophia snapped out of her shock and looked around at everyone in the room. "Did I miss something here? What do you mean, we're leaving Wolf Lake? I thought it had been agreed upon that we had to remain here if we had a chance of survival?"

Matt shook his head. "That was before we found out about the drugs at their disposal, Sophia. We have no way to fight them off when they attack Wolf Lake."

Sophia shook her head adamantly. Eyes going wild. "No! If we leave, we'll never stop running! We can't! We have to stay and fight them!"

"Fight them how? We don't even know where to start. At least if we run, we stay alive."

Sophia's lips twisted. "That's no life." the words were bitter as they fell from her lips. She closed her eyes in denial as Luke pulled her into his arms. Reaching out to her across their mental path.

'Whatever happens, we're together. That's what matters. Understand?'

Sophia nodded slowly, minutely. Clinging to those words spoken so privately.

"So then what?" Sophia asked emotionlessly. "What do we do once we start running? Move to another country like the last few members of our race did when they first came to Wolf Lake?"

Her question was meant to be sarcastic, but her heart sunk when her father slowly nodded his head. "Yes. We'll disappear up in the wilderness of Canada. Stay there while we try to figure out what to do next."

"And those of us that haven't Flipped?" Sophia asked bluntly. Eyes unblinking.

"They'll be coming too." Matt replied determinedly.

"That kind of journey will be tough on them. Some of them won't make it."

"They will make it. Even un-Flipped, their bodies are still Wolven. And despite the fact that we've been surrounded by human comforts all our life, it won't take long for all of us to adapt to the wildness that is our nature."

"Speak for yourself." Sherman muttered.

Matt ignored him. "We will survive. I'll make sure of that."

Sophia just shook her head again. "Well, I hope you realize that once we leave, there's no going coming back. We'd be giving up our home for good."

Matt didn't answer her. Thankfully, Vivian took over.

"We can relocate Ruby and John to the underground facility of the Hospital, Sherman can take them."

"That still doesn't answer the question of where Sophia will be going." Ruby spoke up for the first time. Hand tightly clasped in John's.

Sherman thought for a moment. "They could be taken to the Brewery."

Matt shook his head. "No, there are too many people that work there. They'll be seen."

"You so sure about that, Matt?"

Matt started to reply when he caught the secretive glint in Sherman's eyes. Narrowing his own in superstition, he suddenly wondered what their Keeper meant by that cryptic remark.

******

"What is this place?" Sophia asked in bafflement as she looked around her at the fairly large room that Sherman had relocated her to.

They were deep underground, in an area that none of them had even known existed, far below the Brewery. And even though all the walls had been carved out of rock, as well as the floor and ceiling, the place did look like a home. Light colored furniture and neutral colors decorated the dwelling. Lamps scattered about, casting their rich glow around a room that would normally be as dark as a tomb.

Sophia couldn't help but shudder at the thought. Despite how nice the place looked, she didn't like the feeling of being buried underground, the rock walls and ceiling pressing in on her, suffocating her.

"Just one of the little hideaways in Wolf Lake." Sherman answered calmly. Checking to make sure the 'kitchen' had enough food, and that the propane heaters were working okay.

"One of the hideaways?" Matt asked tersely. Just as surprised about this place as Vivian was. Sherman just shrugged. Refusing to elaborate.

"Well," Sophia muttered darkly. "Whatever it is, this place looks like it could survive a nuclear blast."

"Quite possibly." Sherman agreed as he went over to the phone. Picking up the handset to make sure there was a dial tone. "But I would hate to test that theory." Once he set the handset back down into its cradle, he briskly rubbed his palms together. "Okay, then. That's everything. You should be nice and toasty here till its time for us to leave Wolf Lake."

Sophia crossed her arms. Still not at all pleased at the change of events. Nor that everyone was insisting that she remain locked up somewhere for her own safety.

"I'm not comfortable with just hiding away down here." Sophia spoke up. Voicing her distaste on her circumstances.

"Sophia, it's only temporary." Matt cautioned. "Just try to get some sleep, and tomorrow we'll figure out what to do next. You won't be here long, I promise."

Sophia rolled her eyes, knowing she didn't exactly have a choice. She nodded slowly, hugging her arms tightly around her torso.

Luke came up behind her, rubbing his palms up and down her shoulders gently. Reminding her that he wasn't going anywhere.

Matt let out a breath as he saw the way Sophia had shut herself down. Refusing to look at him or any other for that matter. Even after Luke went over to comfort her. He watched the way she bit her lower lip in uncertainty and turned away from the sight. His heart heavy with the thought of having to leave her here alone all by herself.

"She won't be alone." Vivian reminded him softly. As if reading his thoughts. "Luke is going to remain with her. They've both been through enough tonight. They need the time together."

Matt nodded his head in agreement. Wryly thinking back… Had it only been less than two weeks ago that he'd been ready to sting that pup up?

Matt turned away, still uncertain as he made his way towards the exit. Vivian and Sherman close behind. It was obvious Sophia wasn't in the mood for goodbyes, and to be honest, Matt couldn't really blame her.

******

"You want me to do what?"

Damien leaned over the hood of the vehicle to look at his father getting in. They had finished packing up what little items they had kept at the warehouse, and most of their men had already left. Left for a designated area that Damien had yet to be told about.

Jaw clenching tightly, he looked over at David Van Halen. His black eyes glittering dangerously.

"You heard me." David looked down at his sleeve casually. Buttoning the cuff that had become loose from around his wrist. "We need to make sure that they don't give us the slip, Damien. We've got one shot at this. Only one. We can't afford any mistakes."

Damien ignored his father's excuses. Eyes narrowing as his mouth compressed into a thin line. The tension in his body speaking volumes in comparison to his softly spoken words. "Bull. This is nothing but another one of your games, Father. And I'm getting pretty damn tired of being forced to play them."

David looked up at his son. Features suddenly very serious. "Oh, I assure you, this is no game. You… are the best. You are my son. And you've already told me how you will not fail me in this fight against that twisted species. Now, it is your time to prove it."

Damien snarled lividly. "By ordering me to infiltrate their ranks?!"

David chuckled. "You have a job to do, Damien. And I trust that you'll make me proud." His lips twisted, smile fading away. "For I can assure you, if you do not, you will share in their fate. Besides, you already have the trust of two of them. If that girl Sophia is as valuable as Creed said she is, then you shouldn't have any problems." David turned around to get back into the black van. Before sliding in though, he turned one last time. Damien didn't like the glint reflected in his eyes, and he watched him warily.

"By the way, I wouldn't get too attached to that blonde if I were you. She may be a pretty face, but once this is all over and done with, we won't be keeping any pets."

Damien clenched his fist at his side. Years of training himself to be as emotionless as hard stone standing him in good stead as he father chuckled cruelly at his son's darkened countenance. Damien refused to give him the pleasure of any reaction at all to his fathers' barbs, but the tightly clenched fist didn't go unnoticed by David.

"You see? I do know you." With those words, David slipped back into van, and Damien was forced to step back as the vehicle came to life. Slowly driving past. Damien's black eyes following its progression.

Two other similar vans followed behind. The windows so darkly tinted that you couldn't see in regardless of how dark it was outside.

They roared by, leaving him standing alone in the night on the edge of the road as they disappeared around the bend. Exiting Wolf Lake, but not for long. They'd be wrapping up the last minute preparations. Getting everything in order for the coming battle.

Damien turned his back on the sight. His inner turmoil close to the surface as he began to walk down the concrete road. Boot heels clicking and the leather duster flaring out behind him.

"No, Father. You do not know me. But you will… soon."

With those heavily spoken words of promise, Damien stalked carelessly past the familiar sign entitled "Welcome to Wolf Lake", pausing only briefly to take in the view from the top of the hill. Looking down on the waters of the Lake, and the faint lights of the town surrounding it. Large, wild snow-capped mountains rising their jagged peaks to the stars framed this place. The mountains, sentinels that appeared to both protect the town from the outside world… as well as keep anyone from leaving.

The sight would have been beautiful in its untamed expanse, if it weren't for the crimson orb shining down from above. Preparing to set as the night gave way to the approaching dawn. The corrupted moonlight reflecting in the waters of the Lake… Causing it to ripple like blood in the chilled night air. Still heavy with the scent of the hard rain that had fallen earlier.

Damien tilted his head slightly and smiled cruelly. Looking at the view as he started down the hill, a breeze blowing a small strand of his hair back from his pale temple. The light in his eyes somewhat triumphant as he slowly made his way into the heart of the small town. Planning already in motion… The fading light from the moon casting strange shadows at his feet… The path he was taking giving off the appearance of a red glow as it heralded his arrival... Its part in the prophecy undeniable with the proof currently of the treacherous enemy cloaked in its embrace.

******************************************

Okay, that's it. I give up. I'm no longer going to try to figure out how much longer it will be till the final episode, because I have no idea. This story is refusing to end… So make yourself comfortable, we might be here a while. (sigh)

Damien is interesting, isn't he? Do you think he's good or evil? Tell me…

Don't forget to check out www.pvtonline.com this coming Tuesday night… The first chapter to my Virtual Continuation of Season One, "Wolven Behavior" will be 're-aired' there in its new home page… Please drop in…

I want to take this time to also answer a question that some of you have been asking me…

Many of you have been wondering if after I finish the Virtual Continuation of Season One, if I would go on and do a Virtual Second Season… well, if I had been pressed to answer this a few weeks ago, my answer would have most definitely been no… Which is why I believe it to be prudent to answer that question now, before I change my mind.

That answer is now a yes… I WILL be back for a Second Season… just keep in mind that it will be at least 4-6 months, possibly more, before I will begin on it… I need that time to work on some of my other projects that are begging for attention right now… including two other stories for WL that I've begun working on…

But I do believe that there are still many untold stories in Wolf Lake that I will give voice to when the time comes, so for those that have stuck with me throughout this whole series… I hope you will be with me again when the time comes…

Take care! And please remember to review! (see? I told you I'd do it again)

(Sapphira)

TBC soon in Ep. 21 – "Treacherous Intentions" (Tentatively titled)

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