"What the hell are you talking about Ruby?" Matt asked afraid of what an impact those few little words would have on his life and the lives of the members of the Pack. The four of them were now a safe distance from the Alpha's house for after they learned of Sophia's news, they retreated to Sherman's for privacy.

"Just what I said. Sophia is returning to Wolf Lake on her own free will." Ruby said not able to hide the smile forming on her face.

"Well you tell her to stay put and we'll work something out. There's no way that she's coming back." Matt said thinking about the repercussions of Sophia's surprising return.

"I can't. She's completely blocked everyone and everything out of her mind. Evidently she knew how stubborn you would get." Ruby said as her smiled widened. "As if she would listen to you hundreds of miles away, especially since the white wolf rebellion and strong will is now coursing through her veins more swiftly each day."

"She's right." Sherman said backing Ruby up. "I warned Sophia that one day she would inevitably have to return to Wolf Lake. I just didn't know that her return would come so soon."

"I don't care. We went to great lengths for her to get out and our plan worked. I'm not backing out now." Matt said holding his ground.

"Matt we left out one little addition in the equation... Sophia's white, remember. She has to come back sooner or later. Personally, I would rather it be sooner. It would cause more problems if she showed up 20 years from now instead of coming home within weeks of her disappearance." Sherman said explaining to Matt the circumstances of the situation noticing the tension becoming heavy in the room.

"And how are we going to explain to everyone in the Pack and in the town what happened to her?" Matt asked as he noticed Sherman also left out one little addition to the equation.

"I don't think we'll have a problem with the Pack, they understand why she left, but it will take some real convincing for them to accept her as a white wolf. Hopefully Vivian will pull some of that weight-" Sherman said as he began brainstorming out loud.

"Wait a second. Vivian is not going to find out about this until Sophia gets back." Matt said raising his voice louder than he intended.

"Okay, I can handle that." Sherman said agreeing with Matt. "I just saying that it would be easier-"

"Not until she gets back. She can be one of the firsts to know, but I want to make sure that my daughter is safe and healthy before the Alpha finds out." Matt said seeing the troubles of the situation if Sophia wasn't strong enough when she returned to be confronted by the Alpha.

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

Luke had been pacing within the confines of his room for the past half and hour going over the possibilities of Sophia being alive, the truth in her message, and the attempt to run from Wolf Lake and Find her. He had tried to clear his mind with filling it with other problems and worries, but Sophia somehow always seeped back into his brain. Memories of the two of them, thoughts he had of her when she was alive, her stubbornness of becoming a wolf. Finally, he couldn't contain himself anymore. The only thing left to get it all out of his mind was to revert back to nature. He was headed for a run in the woods.

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

"Matt?" Ruby called from the front door seeing that Matt was leaving. He immediately turned around wondering if she had another message from Sophia, but one quick glance of her face told her otherwise. "Matt, I want you to know something."

"What's that Ruby?" Matt tried to ask calm but it came out more annoyed.

"However much you want to believe that your daughter is some sweet, innocent, and fragile girl, she's not. Matt she's strong. Stronger than I could ever be. Trust me when I say this, Sophia is a powerful wolf when she puts her mind to it." Ruby said seeing the worry surfacing in Matt's eyes all night.

"I know she's strong. She's a white for God's sake." Matt said stating the obvious.

"Yeah she's strong because she's a white, but there's something else inside her that makes her so much more powerful than me or any other wolf. How do you think she pulled off throwing Luke into his windshield before she even flipped." Ruby said as the information finally began to sink in for Matt.

"So what are you saying, my daughter is invincible?" Matt asked half joking.

"No. I saying, even though she's stronger than most, it's going to be even harder when she comes back. Think about how the Pack will react." Ruby said as the worry reappeared on Matt's face. " I think you know what you need to do."

"I promised Marie-"

"Forget about Marie for ten seconds Matt." Ruby said interrupting him with fire in her eyes. "I know you promised her to stop the inevitable within Sophia, but it's over now. Are you going to just stand by while your daughter goes through this trying experience? Matt you are a powerful wolf yourself, and your daughter will need the best protection when she comes back. You know that John, Sherman, and I will do our best, but the three of us will not be able to stand up against the whole Pack. Believe it or not, the whole Pack, except a few, respects you. You have the power to save your daughter's life Matt. Will you face your true destiny, or will you keep the promise which no longer is valid?" Ruby said not even waiting for an answer before she walked back towards the house, closing the door behind her.

She knew her words had been harsh. She almost didn't go through with it, but the bitter truth was Matt needed to hear those words. Ruby knew what was coming and that Sophia was going to need all the support she could get. Her father would hopefully pull some leverage with his change back into his true pelt. Ruby disappeared into the house where she scouted out John, looking for something sane in her now once again troubled life.

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

Matt hated how Ruby had talked to him, it showed on his face. But what she didn't see was the fact that Matt understood every word that came out of Ruby's mouth. He had been thinking the same ever since he found out Sophia was coming back. He just couldn't put it to himself to defy the promise that he gave his wife, but then again, Ruby was right; that promise was no longer valid. He couldn't stop the wolf within his daughter from coming out. He, himself, knew from time to time the urge to become one with nature. To just run in the woods and let all the stress baring down on you escape when you felt the earth beneath your paws, and the smell of the forest calling out to soak in it forever.

Yes, Matt thought he knew of the danger coming to Wolf Lake. He could feel it in his heart, how it became heavy with worry for all the people of Wolf Lake, especially those in the Pack. They were vulnerable now, and they were going to need leadership to control the chaos that would commence. Yes, Matt only saw one solution to the problem, but did he have the strength to go through it?

Matt dismissed the drive home, leaving his truck at Sherman's, knowing he would be back there the next few days. He instead headed towards the forest. Twenty feet in the dense forest, Matt breathed a deep sigh, letting all his worries vanish for the moment, finally relaxed. It still amazed him how much this forest had control over him, making him feel at ease the moment he stepped into it. As Matt continued to walk letting all his senses expand and take in the forest for all it was worth, his heart skipped a beat when he realized what he was doing was wrong.

He had promised Marie, Sophia, and even himself that he would never indulge in the hope of shedding his pelt. He had to stand by his word. He knew what would come if he changed, if he reverted back to nature. He had told Sophia what would happen when and if she flipped, the danger-

Was that it? Was Matt, after all these years of running, afraid to accept his fate finally? Had his self-discipline made him so arrogant that he couldn't allow himself to go back on his word he had preached for almost two decades? Had he stooped to only words instead of actions? Had he failed and not have noticed it? So many questions entered his mind along with the conversations he had with other Pack members about his choice. So many telling him to take the road set for him, yet something held him back.

The wolf within was now trying its damnest to break out and overcome on top. Matt tried to force it back and then he realized that what he was going through was vaguely like his daughter's situation not so long ago. She had tamed the wolf inside her for so long, and when it finally came out it had immediately taken over her body, soul, and mind. She was stronger now for that. So many years of holding it in that when it finally emerged, it took on it's role instantly. Matt now worried what the wolf inside him would do after so long.

Before he even knew what he was doing, Matt had taken off all his clothes and continued to venture towards the heart of the forest. With one last wish upon himself and those he cared for, Matt let the wolf take over, transforming him into the strong, chiseled Alpha male he had been so many years ago, barely noticing any difference. Now with the wolf completely in control, Matt allowed his senses to fully expand to their maximum. He had forgotten how exhilarating being a wolf was. As he pranced around the forest joyfully, he heard the wolf inside once again to be let out fully. Inside he was smiling when Matt tilted back his head and allowed the most vibrant howl come out of his mouth.

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

Matt's howl was like a shot heard around the world that night in Wolf Lake. Every Skinwalker's ear perked up to listen to Matt rejoining the Pack after so many years. A day some thought would never happen and others had hoped for.

Back at Sherman's house, Ruby couldn't help hide the smile creeping across her face, glad that her plan had worked. She knew that Matt would eventually see the light, but sometimes you need a good push in the right direction. She turned to look at John who was just about as stunned as everyone else in Wolf Lake that night. Eyes almost out of their sockets and mouth open big enough to park a semi in, Ruby couldn't help but widen her smile in response.

Sherman also had been shocked by Matt's recent turn of events, but like all Keepers he knew that Matt's new change of opinion had been well on its way.

"Finally." Sherman said as a wide grin crept across his face just like Ruby's. Just like her, Sherman had seen that the recent events happening and the danger present had brought out Matt's defensive side especially when it came to his daughter. Sherman was just thankful that Matt had conquered his fear now rather than when it would be too late.

Matt's howl stopped Luke dead in his tracks. He was running one moment, and the next he was stopped, dazed by the man's new outlook. This was the man who had sworn himself to hide all aspects of his wolven was now baring his soul in front of the whole population of Wolf Lake. Although that wasn't much, it was a big step for Matt's entrance back in the Pack.

Even though Luke stopped dazed with confusion in the woods, no one's reaction was better than Vivian's. She was busy putting dishes away when she heard the howl splitting through the air and also on the private link with Matt, one that hadn't been used in years. She ceased to move for minutes, her heart rate grew so high she thought she was going to have a heart attack. What brought her back to reality was the sound of the pan she was wiping off crashing towards the ground. The loud clang made her jump, confused at what kind of trance had come over her. She quickly picked up the pan setting it down on the counter.

A small smile began to spread its way across her face. After all these years, Matt still wasn't able to calm the wolf crawling to get out. It was unleashed again, wildly coursing through his veins. The Alpha had returned. With that thought another one came crashing into her mind. Now that Matt returned to his true pelt, would he start where he left off by taking his place as the Alpha male? Did he now see how vulnerable Vivian was with her unstable son, and a murderer on her back? There was only one way to find out. Vivian quickly made her way towards the back door removing her clothes in the process. Opening the door to the back porch, Vivian took a deep breath before changing into the beautiful pale gray wolf she was known for and slipping into the confines of the dense forest.

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

Ruby shifted against John, getting bored of staying constantly within the confines of Sherman's house. John could tell how it was killing her by being stuck at Sherman's; her actions supplied that conclusion that John didn't even have to look at her face.

"You okay?" John asked just to make sure it wasn't something else.

"Yeah." Ruby replied with a sigh. "I think I'm going to go for a run in the woods." Ruby said getting off the couch.

"What about Tyler and his goons?" John asked now worried as he joined her by the front door.

"If what Sophia said is true about Tyler killing Sherman's friend Alice, which I believe is true; Sophia would never lie. Knowing Tyler he's pissed he couldn't find me and is still up wherever he is and looking for me. And his stupid, pathetic goons are probably partying at Tyler's until he gets back." Ruby said assuring John with the truth, but nonetheless John was still worried. "You want to come?" Ruby asked sensing John's wolf wanting to completely break through. He had only changed twice-once when he flipped- and she knew he was trying all he could to hold it back in.

"I can't." John said as if it didn't matter, but Ruby could see clearly through the mask he was trying to portray. "Sherman said I can't risk the exposure."

"John, honey, you need to know right now that no Skinwalker listens to what anybody else says half the time. That is unless it's serious, and even then we're known for being arrogant and stubborn." Ruby said a smile appearing on her face as she tried to high the laugh wanting to come out. John still would need some more exposure to the real wolven world of Wolf Lake. "So what do you say, ready for a night in the woods?" Ruby tempted her eyes shinning bright yellow before returning to their ice blue normality.

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

Matt hadn't expected a standing ovation, but not a word from anyone on the public pathways made more of a response than if there had been one. Finally satisfied with himself, Matt started to make his journey home, changing from his wolven from, replacing it with flesh. About a hundred yards away from his house, he sensed that he was no longer alone in the forest. Emerging from the dark confines of the surrounding forest, Vivian slowly walked towards him in human form. It had been a long time since Matt had seen her like this. Naked flesh glowing from the light of the full moon up ahead. Eyes glowing brightly gold, piercing through the night.

Matt looked up at her surprised, yet happy that she had been the one to come to him first. It was obvious how she felt about him; it was only a matter of time before it would have an effect on Matt. Vivian slightly smiled, loving the expression on Matt's face. She looked him up and down, sensing old feelings beginning to emerge for Matt looked like he hadn't changed in 17 years.

"Nice to see that you have come back to us Matt." Vivian said now standing only a foot away from him. "Any particular reason why you choose to change now of all times?" Vivian said which made Matt look straight into her eyes wondering what made her say that.

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

Ruby was amazed at how quickly John was able to adapt to his new way of living. He galloped through the foliage of the forest as if it was the most natural thing for him-which in fact it was. It was like a totally different John. He was now more free with himself, but Ruby could also tell that his respect and understanding for her had also changed. He now understood why she had kept her distance for so long.

As John and her continued to run, her pure white hairs brushing against his dark black ones, she couldn't help but think that what she was feeling was wrong. She had gone so long without John, and kept away from him to keep him safe, but within the matter of only days, he had entered her life and stayed. It almost seemed to good to be true. She had spent months dreaming of this day, and now that it was finally here, she kept trying not to get lost in the moment, afraid he would vanish before her. She looked over at John, worry evident in her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile inside finally happy that he was with her again.

They had been through so much, coming from different worlds didn't help either. No matter what others said or did, they continued to press on trying their damnest to stay together. Ruby thought she would never actually feel what so many had said about love. How it made your heart skip a beat, how it made you put the other person before you, and how much it hurt when something would come between the two of two trying to stop what you had worked so hard for. But it was true, she could happily say, with no regret or question in her mind that she was in love with John. She knew it before, but never admitted it, not wanting to jinx the whole thing.

As John and Ruby entered a clearing they both slowed down, coming to a light walk. Ruby looked up at the sky, feeling relieved at the sight of the full moon. John followed her gaze, remembering months ago when he wondered why there was always a full moon in this town. Now that confusion was replaced with content. John looked down at Ruby who pulled her attention from the sky back towards him. John looked into her deep silver-blue eyes, and almost had to pinch-better yet bite- himself, because of the mirage he thought he was seeing in front of him. He could just stay here all night and look at her, but Ruby wasn't willing to stay in one spot just yet. She took off running again, wanting John to fully open up his senses and feel the thrill of a chase.

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

"Now that's a question I didn't expect from you." Matt said a little taken with Vivian's words towards him. "I thought you and I were on the same side here Vivian."

"And what side would that be, Matt?" Vivian asked not backing down her defensive side, but why would she be so defensive.

"Are you threatened by my change back to the Pack?" Matt asked and then he realized what had really caused Vivian to be so protective. "You think I want to take your position away from you." Matt said not helping but allowing a laugh to exit from his mouth. "If only you knew the half of it." Matt said forgetting how aggressive Vivian could be when she wanted something, and how much more possessive she could be once she had something.

"Then why don't you explain for me since I don't know what you're hoping to gain out of coming back to the Pack." Vivian said her voice firm.

"Vivian you yourself were one of the many people encouraging me to come back to the Pack, why are you so against it now?" Matt wondered what made her change her position so dramatically.

"I have worked my ass off for years making sure that my son will one day become Alpha, and I don't need something like this threatening his position." Vivian said, confiding in Matt, wondering herself why she did that.

"I have no intent on taking away your nor your son's position within the Pack." Matt said as he started to walk towards the house. " I have other reasons."

"And what would those reasons be Matt?" Vivian asked making Matt stop dead in his tracks so he could turn around and face her.

Matt looked at her face, trying to see if she was hiding something. Maybe Sherman had lied, and told Vivian about Sophia. Could that be why she was so close to him this past week? Had she overheard them at her house earlier? What did she know, and if she didn't know any of it, why was she asking so many questions?

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

Ruby didn't know how far they had gone nor how long they had been out there, she just didn't want it to end. However, nothing lasts forever. In fact, their night of happiness seemed to vanish within seconds. Ruby had been in the lead with John only a few yards behind her when she sensed another Skinwalker in the forest besides John. Knowing that John's true identity had to be kept secret she immediately sent an urgent message to John on the private link telling him to back off and go back to Sherman's. Even though John got away, it was too late for Ruby; she had been sighted by a familiar light gray male wolf.

Ruby saw Luke about ten feet from her frozen form looking deep in her silver-blue eyes, wondering why she was so spooked. Trying to calm her fast- beating heart, Ruby tried to hide her emotions by masking it, but was only successful when she distracted Luke with a question.

"What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Ruby asked knowing it was late even though she also knew how late her brother sometimes partied.

"I should ask you the same question." Luke replied back, not being able to crack a smile at how agitated his sister was.

"I was running, but don't turn this on me." Ruby noticed trying to keep Luke on the center of attention. "You have yet to answer my question."

"As a matter of fact, I came out here to clear my mind and take a run, but it's not helping." Luke said, the last part under his breath, even though Ruby could hear it as plain as day.

"You want to talk about something?" Ruby asked not sure if this was the right way to approach Luke, but still she was his sister and willing to help.

"No." Luke said already regretting his answer. He had to get it off his chest, but there was no one he felt like talking to. But Ruby was there, willing to help and listen, to his problems. God knows she had been living in his situation for the past six months. "So you ever just feel that you know something is true, but everyone else is telling you that it's not true, it's not possible."

"Are we talking about a thing or a person?" Ruby asked this time restraining her emotions, knowing if just a small ounce of Luke believed she knew anything about Sophia, he would never trust her again.

"Am I that transparent?" Luke asked laughing at himself. It was already out, he might as well spill the beans and get it over with. "Everybody says Sophia dead, but there's a small part of me that is telling the rest of me that she's out there somewhere. It's just a gut feeling but still, I trust my instincts before I trust the word of others."

"I understand what you're going through." Ruby said not wanting to revisit some of her memories and feelings she had put in the back of her heart, but Luke needed to know what was ahead of him. "You know just like I do, the responsibility of a superior Skinwalker is not easy listening to others tell what to do, what road to take, and who to love. And yes, just like you I trust my gut instincts. It's the only way to really survive."

"So are you telling me to defy everyone around me and go find her for myself?" Luke asked not sure what message Ruby was trying to suggest.

"I'm not saying anything as drastic as that. I'm simply saying that if you truly know that something is true deep down inside, you can't avoid it and you can't let others tell it's not there when you know it is. But most importantly, you can't let it take over your life, Luke. You have to find out if your instincts are right cause if they're wrong, you'll kick yourself for not listening to the minds of others." Ruby said as she turned to leave, letting Luke think about what she just told him.

She just started to pick up her pace when she heard Luke's voice come across the public mental pathway.

"You sound more and more like Sherman everyday." He confided before a small chuckle also laughed in her mind. "Thanks Ruby, even if it will take a few days to figure out what you just told me."

"Anytime Luke." Ruby quickly added before she sprung into an all-out run towards Sherman's house.

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

"My reasons for changing?" Matt asked walking back to her, eyes flashing gold in the process. "Now I have to convince the Alpha why I changed my mind?"

"No, but I would like evidence that would explain your sudden change of mind." Vivian said still not backing down which almost made Matt boil over the edge with anger for her relentless will not to back down.

"Evidence, you want evidence?" Matt asked his anger growing as well. "Fine. What about the fact that my only daughter is dead? Dead, because I told her what a horrible life she would have being stuck in this God forsaken town I call home. Dead, because I forbade her to talk with other Skinwalkers like your son, not that they were that nice to her anyways. Maybe that's one of the reasons why she accepted her death because she knew it would have been better being the half-breed that couldn't hack it than the half-breed they would continue to criticize for the rest of her life. Maybe I wanted to flip to honor my daughter and change the Pack's humanity for other people, God knows your son could use a lesson on manners."

"Hey, that's not fair." Vivian fired back not liking how Matt was preying on her son. She knew Matt was right about Luke not always being perfect, but the past week he had virtually dug his own grave to die in for Sophia.

"That may be, but you know what's really not fair, is the way my daughter was treated every day of her life." Matt said finally through with whatever Vivian had to say as he stomped away from her, not wanting to hear her excuses nor pity.

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

Ruby was only about a mile out from Sherman's house when she heard Sophia come back in her mind. She could tell now that Sophia was getting closer, and her surroundings were becoming more and more like Wolf Lake.

"Ruby?" Sophia voiced, rather breathless to Ruby.

"Sophia, you will not believe the conversation I just had with Luke." Ruby replied unable to smile.

"I know, I was going to talk to you when you were with John, but before I knew it you were talking to Luke and I decided not to say anything. I didn't want him to suspect anything. He was already eyeing you, and knows something's up." Sophia said breaking the news to Ruby, who was rather shocked that Sophia had been in her mind and she didn't even know it.

"You sneaky little white wolf you. When are you coming back?" Ruby asked still keeping her pace towards Sherman's house.

"That's actually why I contacted you. I wanted to let you know that I'll be back hopefully by tomorrow. I don't know whether or not I'll rest tonight." Sophia asked herself out loud.

"Trust me and take a break because when you get back you are going to have one very powerful male on your tail wanting answers. I'm forewarning you Sophia be careful around him. We can't break your secret just yet." Ruby said thinking of all the other secrets and changes that were happening or going to happen. "Speaking of which, your dad-"

"I know he changed back." Sophia answered for Ruby who was too speechless to ask her how she knew. "I've been seeing a lot more premonitions since I've gotten closer towards Wolf Lake. And I also know he knows that I'm a white wolf." Sophia confessed although she hadn't told anyone about the premonitions she had about Luke, and how she couldn't seem to get them out of her head. He almost scared her how much he cared about her. "Sorry Ruby, but I've been holding this link for too long. I gotta go. See ya." Sophia said before she broke the hold, not allowing Ruby to respond.

Sophia was definitely gaining more power as she came closer towards Wolf Lake. Ruby could sense it building within her. But was her increasing power a sign that there was danger not far away?