. . . Sweet Dreams XIV -By Yo-yo



Disclaimer: All I want for Christmas are the royalties for this show, but since those idiots cancelled it, I'd like the name and number of everyone who didn't watch, excluding me of course, and a baseball bat! Oh yeah, and I don't own this show. (



A/N: Hey Guyz, I know I haven't updated since Thanksgiving, but there's been sort of a crisis, and I'm trying my best. Uh, hoped you got everything that you wanted for Christmas, and if you didn't, hoped @ least you got money, and that pony you always wanted 'cuz nobody would get me one. (

Oh, I got my Permitt! Now I am an almost legal driver! Woo hoo! And uh, in 30 hours I'll be a legal driver! But my family won't let me drive yet, so basically I'm stuck w/ the bus. Boo hoo! ( I've got a lot of frowns here, so maybe I should stop while I'm down. Happy New Years and don't get into too much trouble. I need you guys alive so that u can review my fics! R&R PWEEEEEZZZ! ULTIMATE ROWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BRING WOLF LAKE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



P A/N: Oh yeah, and Jamie's a vegetarian, that's why Sophia says that.



. . . Sweet Dreams XIV:



"So what'll you have?"

"Double cheeseburger and chili fries."

A smile curled her lips as she recognized the voice.

"My aren't we suicidal today. So why are you suddenly craving a heart attack?"

Her stormy eyes rose slowly and rested on Sophia's.

"I'm wallowing."

"Why?"

"Got dumped by a jerk, and I'm just kinda' feeling depressed."

"By who?"

"Joe," she sighed.

"Joe?"

"Yes," she snapped exasperated, "Joe Shmoe, the stupidest name in the whole world, only to be rivaled by Ivana Tinkle and Fonda Dick!"

"James, I wasn't trying to mock the guy, I just wasn't sure who you were talking about. I mean Joe isn't the most distinguished name. I'm sorry, I didn't even know that you were dating."

"You haven't noticed a lot of things lately," Jamie replied.

She grew upset by that last comment. "And what's that supposed to mean? You know what, just because you're suffering boy problems doesn't mean you've got the right to insult me. I thought I was your best friend, not your punching bag."

"Hah!" Jamie replied coldly, "Your mind has been so drowned in the essence of Cates, you haven't even had time to be a best friend!"

Sophia glanced up at Sean, and sure enough her was looking right back at her with a grin on his face.

"That's not fair!"

"You know what's not fair, when your best friend says to you after you get dumped that she didn't even know you had a boyfriend," she paused to take a breath and blink back the tears, "If you'd managed to return to the surface and get a breath of air, you might not be so stressed out. You might even know when your quote unquote best friend needs help."

"Look Jamie, I'm sorry I haven't been so deeply involved in your so called life, but I'm not going to get into this with you. You're upset about Joe, and you're just trying to get out your frustration on me."

"No Sophia, for the first time I'm sure," she said sarcastically, "you're wrong! I've been frustrated with you for the past month and a half. You're distant, you've been losing weight, you're sick all the time and suddenly you and Luke Cates are all buddy buddy. I don't know who in the hell you are anymore, and this new you scares me! Tell me what in the hell's going on with you!

"You used to tell me everything, even when Michael* came to visit and you were feeling particularly bitchy. Now all I'm getting from you is an occasional hi and goodbye. It's like we're fucking strangers or something!" Jamie vented.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, her head dipped in shame. Jamie was right; she had been acting really strangely lately, and was giving no explanation as to why.

"Why weren't you in school today?"

"I had a late night last night, and my Dad decided I should stay home."

"Your Dad wouldn't do that. Sheriff Donner wouldn't let his kid break the rules unless imperative, so why weren't you in school today?"

"I can't tell you right now, because it's not my information to divulge, but when I get the ok I will."

"What, are you working for the damn CIA or something? It's a simple question, why in the hell weren't you in school today?"

"Jamie, stop yelling at me! I get that you're majorly pissed, but I can't tell yo-"

"Hey, I'd hate to break up this catfight, but can I place my order?" Sean interrupted, his eyes flashing gold as he regarded Sophia.

"Yeah, sorry, what will you have?"

"A steak, extra rare and a Coke."

"Coming right up," she smiled to him with a thankful look flashing in her eyes.

"Luke wasn't in school either." Jamie commented after Sean left.

"Really?" Sophia asked keeping her eyes on the counter.

"Yeah, in fact all the 'Hill' kids suspected that you both were together. Skipping school for other reasons."

"Well the 'Hill' kids should mind their own business I was alone and tha-"

"I'm not going to take this," Jamie sighed standing up, "If you're going to lie about it, go ahead, I don't care anymore. Go find another friend that will cater to that, 'cuz I'm not. Bye."

"Jamie!" Sophia called after her, but she just kept walking away.

Watching her climb into her father's black SUV, Sophia sighed inwardly.

*Great, just great! I get into a fight with my best friend, I'm grounded, I can't decide if I want to be with Luke or not, and I get the babysitter of my nightmares watching my ass! Yay for me!*

"That's why you don't make friends with Ungulates. Ask too many questions, too curious," Sean drawled lazily as he sat on a stool by the counter.

"Shut up, it's your fault anyway that she's mad at me."

"Did you listen to her at all, she was mad that you weren't paying any attention to her. It had nothing to do with me. In fact, the name Sean was never once brought up in the conversation."

"Not you in your person, but the 'Hill' kids were heard to be spreading a rumor about their beloved Alpha and the pathetic Half-breed."

"Hey, just because the 'Hill' kids were spreading this rumor doesn't mean that I had anything to do with it."

"Oh please, you probably knew that I was there and you told them." She scowled passing him his steak and Coke.

"Maybe, but I can't be held responsible for what they think. Is it my fault that the situation was just a little skeptical."

"God Sean, you've just ruined my relationship with my one and only friend! Thanks a lot."

"What about Luke?" he asked smiling suggestively, "I'm sure he's your friend."

"No," she sighed wiping down the counter without looking at him, "he's your friend."

Sitting up straight, Sean regarded her with a serious look on his face. "Sophia what really is going on with you and Luke."

Looking up from her job, her eyes narrowed, "Oh, you really think I'm that stupid huh?"

"Sophia . . ." he sighed.

"Look Sean, there is nothing going on between Luke and I, and if there was I certainly wouldn't tell you. So go and tell that to the Wolf Lake Sewing Circle, I'm sure they'd like to hear about that."

"Well I hate to tell you this Sophia, but Luke certainly thinks there is something going on."

"How would you know?" she groaned halting all movement to stare at him.

"Because when you went in the back to get ready for your shift, your 'not' boyfriend threatened to kick my ass if I even laid a finger on you. He said something like if I valued my life and my status in the pack I wouldn't lay a single finger on you, or hurt you in any way. And the look on his face wasn't one of mockery, I almost wet my pants at how dangerous he looked."

"What?" she asked, her brown eyes wide with shock.

"Luke obviously thinks it's much more than nothing."

"Oh my God, I am gunna' so kick his ass! He's acting as if he owns me or something! God, when I see him, he's gunna' wish that he'd never even met me! God I hate him!"

"Be careful Sophia, hate is a very strong word," he said with his eyes twinkling.

"And yet it applies." She replied, her teeth clenched in frustration.

*I haven't even decided if I want to be with him, and he's already dictating my life. Who does he think he is trying to tell me who I can or can't touch? I swear, I haven't even Changed yet and he's already placing dibs on me! My God, how in the hell will I stand this when I become a wolf if I can't stand it now?*

~***~



She paced around her bedroom nervously. Every once in awhile she'd stop to scream an obscenity before continuing her angry rampage.

Usually at every outburst Sean would come to the door and ask if she were all right. But after the last time where she threw a ceramic bauble at his head and missed by only a mere four inches, he decided to leave her alone. From the latter and what she'd done to Luke the day before the party (when she threw him into a group of freshmen), he really didn't want to mess with an angry Sophia.

"That stupid idiot . . . thinks he owns me . . . threatening people . . . Who in the hell does he think he is? . . .kick his ass I will . . . I'll make him howl at the moon . . ."

Sean leaned against the doorframe, and listened to her insane rants. They'd been going on all night. Ever since he'd told her about Luke's "warning", she'd been muttering, and broadcasting, her outrage under her breath. She was really pissed at Luke. A couple of times he'd even heard her threaten to cut off his yarbles (balls) when he returned.

He heard her halt, and then the faint voice of Luke entered his head saying,

'Thanks for watching her, but I've got her now. Come to school early tomorrow morning and I'll fill you in on what happened at the meeting.'

'Bye,' Sean replied and left the Donner residence.

~***~



"What the hell is wrong with you?" were the first words he heard as he entered Sophia's room through the window.

"What are you talking about?"

"Threatening Sean before you went to the meeting," she replied, the anger dripping thickly from her lips, "I'm not yours ya' know!"

*But you will be!*

"I-" he began but got no further.

"God! And now the Skinwalkers think there's something between us. They think we've skipped school together," she glared at him with unnaturally hazel eyes and shoved him back, "And now you've confirmed their story by threatening Sean and-"

"Is that such a bad thing?" he interrupted as he moved closer to her.

"Yes!" she yelled, then seeing the hurt in his eyes, hers softened and she whispered, "No, it's just," she let out a small, frustrated sigh as she searched for the words that would help him understand, but not hurt his feelings. "It's just now he's going to tell his friends, and soon everyone will have heard on the grapevine that the big, invincible Alpha has fallen for the insignificant, stupid zoo-bait Half-Breed. I don't want that on your reputation, and I don't want it on mine."

"Ya' know Sophie that I don't care what they think. They could think I'm gay and have an insane obsession with pink boas, I don't care. Just as long as what I'm doing makes me happy."

"And does it?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Luke looked down into her eyes. They were wide like saucers, with a look of desperation projecting from their chocolaty depths.

"Do you mean does this, us, make me happy?"

"Yeah."

He leaned forward and placed a kiss to her temple. "Us being together makes me happier than you'll ever know. It makes me want to howl at the moon every night and day. It makes me want to hold you in my arms forever, not asking for anything more, must to be with you in your arms. Being with you makes everything possible."

She didn't say anything as she looked away from his eyes. They were sparkling with the truth of his words. She rested her head on his shoulder, and closed her eyes as she pondered over his words. He could feel her body mold into his ass he stepped closer as if in need of his warmth.

"What is it?" he whispered into her hair, gently stroking her back.

As if she didn't hear him she brought her hands under his arms and stretched her palms over his back muscles bringing him closer.

"What is it?" he repeated, bringing his arms around her waist and placing kisses in her hair.

She wanted to tell Luke how she felt. She wanted him to understand why she was so . . . unaffected by his signs of affection, but she didn't know how. How could someone tell the person that they love that they couldn't be with them because of the constant looks from other people? How could someone justify leaving a loved one just because they didn't like being scrutinized by the public eye? How could someone knowingly give up that life for someone else? Would he even understand? Would he love her enough to give up his Alpha status just for her? Did he even love her?

"Nothing," she sighed, hoping he couldn't hear the trembling in her voice, "I'm just tired, let's just go to sleep."

"Ok," he drawled taking her hand.

Carefully leading her to the bed, he let her get in first before he followed her.

As they sunk down into the familiar warmth of Sophia's bed, they both felt a wave of lethargy drench them both. Casually placing his arms around her waist, he gently massaged her stomach muscles as soon as he felt the first wave of tremors wrack her small frame.

~***~



Suddenly she was running. She didn't know why, and she didn't know where to, but she was running as fast as her legs could carry her.

Her senses were heightened dramatically. And then she knew what she was running from. Although she couldn't actually see them, she could taste them on her tongue, feel them on her skin, hear the beating of their many heartbeats pounding in her ears, and smell each individual.

Before her she could see the beginnings of a forest, but not the Wolf Lake Forest. Not one that she'd known intimately since she was little. This forest was foreign to her. She could run on for hours and not know what was coming up next. In fact she didn't even know what was on the other side.

Springing towards the entrance of the forest, she suddenly felt as if the wind had been knocked out of her. She'd hit something solid so hard that she could hear and feel a couple of her ribs cracking from the momentum.

She felt her body drop to the ground, pathetically as she tried to remain conscious. After many long moments of waiting for the darkness to dissolve, she shook her head of all it's dizziness and proceeded to stand.

She was at the entrance of the forest. She could see deep inside, where the trees grew thick and a heavy mist bathed the forest floor, but as she tried to proceed into the unknown place, some unknown force kept an invisible barricade between the two worlds.

Turning in the direction from which she'd come, her eyes grew wide with surprised mixed with fear. Before her was a large pack of wolves standing in a makeshift cresent shape. They were led by a beautiful white wolf whose pelt shimmered like a star at night.

Coming forward, the wolf bared her razor-sharp teeth and stared into Sophia's eyes. In return, Sophia stared back, seeing the pure hatred that swelled from the wolf's breast and touched her on her skin making goosebumps protrude her once smooth skin. The wolf's eyes were the color of liquid gold, sloshing back and forward in a see-through glass. The rims of her irises were hinted with brown and in her pupils were tiny reflections of the moon.

Sophia recognized this wolf. This was the same one that haunted her dreams every night. This was the same one that she painted in order for the pain to subside. This was the same one that urged her to run at night. It pressed her to throw the wretched covers from her feverish body, and come dance under the blanket of the night with the stars and moon. This was the same wolf that implored her to believe that Luke was her mate. This was the same wolf that moaned whenever Luke whispered those sweet nothings in her ears, she ached whenever he brushed his fingertips over her skin and she growled whenever he placed his lips on her flesh.

Suddenly the wolf lunged forward, and before Sophia could feel the excruciating pain of her skin being torn into and her muscles and ligaments being torn away, she found herself sitting completely upright in her bed, her heart racing and her breathing labored.

"What is it Sophia, what is it?" Luke muttered groggily as he sat up in the bed.

"My nightmares are back!" she answered, her eyes wide with disbelief.



TBC. . .



A/N: that didn't sound like much of a cliffhanger, but who cares. I wrote an outline for the story, so it'll be a lot easier to write b/c I already know what's going to happen. I'm stopping @ 21 chappys, so I've got 6 more to write. Uh, hope that you like this one, and please review; I don't want to close this story w/ only a few reviews.

W/ luv, Yo-yo