Chapter 18:

The night was a perfect night for a rave. The air was brisk and chill, yet not cold enough to where a jacket was needed. The air was calm, causing the smoke that was coming from the several fires blazing, to stay in the air and in between the trees. The music was vibrating through the woods; however, the music waves did not go beyond the trees.

Sitting on the hood of Luke's car, her body somewhat swaying to the music, Sophia couldn't help but realize how different she felt coming to this rave compared to the last one she attended. The last rave Luke brought her too, not only did Luke tried to seduce her…not that she minded, however, she was not ready to flip yet…but Nancy nearly killed her and tried to steal her heart. Even with all that, when Sophia was at that rave she was insecure…the odd one out…but now, she was with Luke, and she was confident and strong. She had established her power earlier at the diner with Presley, and now the entire young pack and elders (adults) knew that Sophia was the new female Alpha. Sophia could tell that her power had been recognized and established.

Since her arrival with Luke, whether she was alone or with Luke, several skin walkers had came up to Sophia acknowledging her presence, either with simple gestures as with a nod of the head or a wave to her, or the simplest remarks like, "hey Sophia, what's up? How ya been?" To the normal person these gestures and remarks would not seem out of the ordinary but, to Sophia some of these people that were acknowledging her had always given her grief because she was a half breed or they did not care one way or the other or they would just not talk to her. Not only that, but whenever Sophia walked somewhere a path was made by the skin walkers. If the skin walkers were dancing and sensed Sophia heading in the direction all would part ways to let her by. Sophia knew that this was not uncommon especially since she was the Alpha; they did this for Luke as well.

Sophia couldn't help at smirk at a select few of skin walkers talking to her. It was not because they were saying something funny, it was because Sophia found it ironic, that these people in the past wanted nothing to do with her, and all of the sudden she was the one they had to answer to. Sophia knew the only reason she did not get as much grief in the past from these select few as they would have liked (usually Presley instigating the outbursts), it was because of Luke. Luke had always kept an eye on Sophia even when he flipped, and now that she had flipped Luke was still making sure that no one gave her any shit. But both Luke and Sophia knew that Sophia did not need his protection as much as everyone would like to think…Sophia was a white wolf, but no one but a select few knew that. Looking at the girl sitting on Luke's hood beside her, Sophia wished she could let Sarah Hollander be one of those select few that could know.

Even when Sarah herself flipped before Sophia, Sarah had always remained best of friends with Sophia. Sophia and Sarah were like Luke and Sean. Both had grown up together and been friends since the first grade and had almost everything in common, from art to music to food. Like Luke could trust and confide in Sean it was the same way that Sophia could trust and confide with Sarah. Sophia knew that she was going to have to select a Beta just the same that Luke selected Sean as his, and Sophia thought having Sarah as her female Beta would be perfect, especially since both Sean and Sarah have been eyeing each other for sometime now.

Sarah could feel Sophia's eyes on her like they were prying for information. Looking away from her purse to where she was digging for her lip gloss, her eyes connected with Sophia's, Sarah shyly wondered what her Alpha was thinking, "what?"

"What's going on with you and Sean?"

Smiling at the question, Sarah applied lip-gloss to her lips and placed it back into her purse, tossing the purse on the ground Sarah looked back at her friend, "well he finally asked me out."

"Yeah…Luke told me on the way here, I guess Sean let it slip. Luke said that you know…he was trying to play it all low key…you know guys acting like they don't care when they ask a girl out."

"I know why do they do that? I mean come on they are worse then females…they try and act like they don't go and tell their friends but we all now they do. Us females are just more vocal about telling our friends. Speaking of telling friends…why in the hell did you not call me immediately when you put Presley in her place at the diner this afternoon? I had to hear it through the gossip mill."

Holding her hand up in testament, "I swear I was going to tell you, but I was at work, then I went home, had supper with my dad, got ready to come her, and then Luke picked me up to bring me here to tell you…however, you already knew."

Sarah smiling and joking, "excuses, excuses." Sophia smiled at Sarah knowing full well that Sarah was not offended. "So tell me how was it? I mean finally after all these years…and best of all it was in front of her minions and Luke!" Kind of nervous, "what did he say?"

"Nothing…actually he was proud! He stood back and watched, he wanted to step in to avoid a confrontation in public, but I wouldn't let him."

"I see Presley is absent tonight…what is she at home licking her wounds?"

"Probably."

"So Luke was being noble?" Sophia nodded her head in as she was agreeing. "That sounds like Luke, especially when it comes to you." Sophia smiled knowing that she was right and loved being showered by Luke. "Speaking of your prince, where are Sean and him with our drinks?"

Both Sophia and Sarah looked in the direction to where the kegs of beer were and saw both males coming through the crowd both carrying two red plastic cups, one in each hand. As soon as Sophia and Luke saw each other, both grew smiles and grew ecstatic. Finally reaching both females, Luke handed one cup to Sophia while Sean handed one cup to Sarah. Sophia had to crack a comment and a smile, "finally! I mean I was only dying of thirst."

Luke playing along "well then get up and get it yourself next time."

Still smiling, "You wouldn't make me do that?"

Leaning down towards Sophia and whispering to her, "no…no I wouldn't." Luke then pressed a soft kiss on Sophia's lips causing her to smile in the process. Luke broke the kiss and stood up and gestured towards Sophia, "Here get up real quick."

Sophia realized that there was not going to be enough comfortable room for all four of them to sit on the hood of his car. As Sophia got up, Luke handed her his cup and Luke took her seat and pushed himself back on the hood with both his hands. When Sophia saw that he was comfortable, Sophia handed him back his cup she too followed his lead causing Sophia to be sitting in between Luke's legs and her leaning back against Luke's chest, while Luke wrapped one hand around Sophia's waist and the other keeping free to drink from his cup.

While Sophia and Luke whispered and flirted between each other, they would both look over occasionally and see Sean who was standing in front of Sarah bend down and whisper to her causing her to giggle and sometimes playfully slap him. Finally after about 10 minutes of this routine, Sean whispered something into Sarah's ear; causing her to blush slightly and Sean wink at her. Sarah looked over her shoulder at Luke and Sophia, "hey were gonna go dance."

Sophia knew that was not true, "okay…later."

Sean and Luke knocked their fists together and Luke saying, "later man."

Taking Sarah's hand into his, and helping her stand, "later."

Both Luke and Sophia watched the couple walk past the dance area which was in front of the speakers that were set up and walked into the woods. Luke smiling, "dance my ass!" Hearing Sophia giggle, Luke hated that he was gonna possibly ruin her mood, "so um…I didn't get a chance to ask you in the car I know you said your dad was acting really weird and did not find anything out about you being a white wolf and also…you know on the account that I was distracted by what you was wearing…but what else did you and your dad have to talk about?"

Sophia had noticed that her dad was very on edge, but after what he had to say, was probably just nervous about giving his consent. Sophia did look radiant tonight. She was wearing black leather pants and a spaghetti strap dark mauve shirt both items helping to show off her new curves. It was not necessarily that she looked hot, she looked different the old Sophia would wear something like this but it would not have looked as good as it does on the new Sophia her new body and confidence together made her look even better. Leaning slightly forward, Sophia turned slightly to the side to wear she could talk to Luke eye to eye, allowing Luke to use his free hand that was wrapped around her waist to start rubbing her back up and down but Sophia knew that Luke was also fishing for a particular answer. "Um…not much. But I do have some slight good news."

"Yeah", taking a drink from his beer, "what's that?"

"Well he said that he is going to TRY and understand and accept me and you...you know as mates."

Thinking that she was joking and cracking a smile, "yeah right!" Noticing that she was telling the truth Luke leaned closer into Sophia, "your serious."

"Well don't go popping your cork yet, you are still under a microscope with him, and I am supposed to remind you that", Sophia began mimicking her dad's voice, "if he hurts you again you tell him, I have a .45 and a shovel I doubt anyone will miss you."

Luke smiled knowing that Matt was only looking out for his little girl. Luke leaned closer into Sophia and rested his chin on her shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "my word as a boy scout, I will never hurt you." Sophia placed her cup on the car and took Luke's face in both her hands and gave him a deep kiss and becoming even more aroused when Luke began moving his tongue in and out of Sophia's mouth. Luke tossed his cup over his shoulder and used both hands to pull Sophia closer into him. As soon as Sophia was pulled into Luke, she could tell that she was not the only one aroused as she could feel Luke's hard on, against her leg. Luke was about to pick Sophia up and take her into the water but they were quickly interrupted by a familiar scent that Luke was not too pleased about. When both Luke and Sophia knew the scent both pulled away from their make out session and turned around to find Scott Nicholas heading their way.

With each step that Scott made towards them, Sophia could feel Luke get tenser and tenser, and could feel his anger being released, like heat being released before a volcano erupts. Sophia turned around to continue to watch Scott walk towards them, adjusting her body in between Luke's legs, to use her as somewhat a blockade in between the two men. Right when Scott made it to Sophia and Luke, Luke wrapped his arms around Sophia's waist and pulled her into him, causing Sophia to slightly turn her head to give Luke 'I know what you are doing' look, and turned around to face Scott, who had a angry and hurt look on his face.

Scott was very skeptical about approaching Sophia, especially with Luke around. He had heard in the beginning of the week that Luke and Sophia had began dating, but he did not believe it because Sophia never spoke of it to him, especially when he asked her out again. However, Scott's worst fears, had come true when he saw Sophia and Luke throughout school on Friday hand in hand and making out. He always liked Sophia as a friend, and even more so in recent weeks as more than friends, however, Scott had grown disappointed and confused as to why a smart girl like Sophia would hang out with a trouble maker like Luke Cates, especially after the way that he treated Scott himself. Scott was only worried about Sophia and her safety after that. Scott had always heard that Luke was strong and could fight and no one ever messed with him, however, he had never seen his strength until that night with Sophia, and he knew that Luke was not a person to mess with, but Scott could not let Sophia know that he was intimidated. Walking up to the duo with his hands in his pockets, Scott cleared his throat, "hey Sophia…how's it going?"

Sophia could instantly pick up his nervousness and Scott being intimidated, and Sophia knew it no doubtly had to do with the man sitting behind her. One thing Sophia knew is that she had to try and control the situation before Luke did something crazy. Sophia remembered how Luke treated Scott and they were not even together, how would Luke react now that they are together? "Hey Scott. Good. I just got over the flu…but now I am good."

"Oh…so that is where you were…I was looking for you all week. I would have come to your house and checked on you, but I didn't know where you lived." Sophia felt Luke's arms grow tighter around her waist. "I hope your dad took good care of ya."

Luke interrupted the conversation with a sharp voice, "oh, don't worry, she had the best care possible…" Sophia tilted her head down to hide her frustrations with situation, while Scott glared at him, "me. I made sure she was taken care of day…" Luke kissed her shoulder, "and night." Luke raised his head and gave a wink to Scott. Sophia glared back at Luke and sent him a mental note, "are we marking out territory?"

"Not yet!"

Scott not being able to hold back his frustrations anymore, had to know, "Sophia what the hell are doing with this thug?"

Luke was about to try and stand up, but Sophia placed her hands on his legs to send him the sign to sit down and let me try to handle this. Sophia kept feeling Luke's body get tighter and tighter from anger and felt his emotions all over her body. "Scott, listen…I am sorry…it's just that before our date me and Luke were talking…and then you asked me out…and now we decided to work it out and…I am sorry it's just that I didn't know what me and Luke were."

"Sophia, how could you even consider dating him after he threw me clear across the road. Speaking of then you single-handed threw him onto this car! I mean no wonder you are interested in him you have one thing in common, you both were probably high that night!"

Sophia knew that he was angry, but she felt completely offended by that and Luke could feel that she was, letting that be the last straw for Luke. Gently to not where he hurt Sophia but hard enough to where she could not hold him back, Luke pushed Sophia off him, and stood in front of Scott with Sophia standing behind him. "Let's face it Nicholas, you're not me! Sophia tried to get back at me, and you failed her." Luke could see Scott's face get tighter, as well as Sophia, seeing that Luke was about to kill Scott, Sophia knew that Luke was only protecting his mate, but she had to protect hers as well. She could not let Luke harm a human especially in front of other humans; Sophia immediately stepped in between the two. Seeing that the situation was becoming a spectacle, Luke sent the skin walkers a silent order to resume what they were doing, once the humans saw that the hill kids ignored what was going on, they all thought they should too, they did not want to get into this.

"Scott, look I am sorry, but I am with Luke." Scott looked away from Luke to Sophia. Sophia had a pleading tone, "listen I never meant to hurt you, but if you don't wanna get hurt I strongly suggest you leave because I won't be able to hold Luke much longer…and you know it!" Looking at Sophia, Scott knew that she was right and that Luke would hurt him in a second, giving her one last look in defeat, Scott turned away and walked through the dancing teens.

Turning around Sophia looked at Luke who then walked backwards pulling Sophia with her hands incased into his, pulling Sophia into him. Standing in front of him, Sophia felt Luke wrap both his arms around her waist as he was sitting on the hood of the car. Luke looked at her like he was waiting for his usual lecture about picking on humans, looking down; he waited on what she had to say.

"Thank you…"

Luke looked up at Sophia with a surprise look on his face, "for…wh…what?"

"For protecting me and for not killing anyone."

"Babe, I couldn't let him talk to you like that. Listen I know, that you are trying to be understanding to him and how you dumped the guy…but he still had no right especially talking to my mate like that." Sophia broke a smile. "But I am telling you this…that is his only free pass…next time its free game." Sophia looked at Luke and knew he was not joking. "So where were we before we were interrupted?" Luke pulled Sophia into him and began kissing her neck and nipping at her ear.

Sophia pulled away from Luke, "actually I was kind of hoping I could do something…"

"Yeah, me too, I wanted to go into the water."

"No…I…um, actually I wanna go for a run."

"Really…"

"Wait before you get to excited…I wanna…go by myself."

Luke had a hurt and confused look on his face, crossing his arms across his chest Luke was wondering why, "how come?"

"Remember what you told me about being a other in the car when we got caught by my dad…"

"Yeah."

"You said it is something that is indescribable…I want to see what you were talking about…I want to experience my first run…my way…"

Realizing what Sophia was saying, Luke completely understood what Sophia wanted to do. He wanted and had his first run by himself. "Okay…just promise me one thing."

Wrapping her arms around his neck and smiling, "what's that?"

"I get second run all by myself."

Leaning down and kissing him, "deal." Allowing the kiss to go a little longer Sophia pulled away. "Do you have any suggestions on where to go?"

"Yeah, the creek, its beautiful over moonlight."

Giving him one more light kiss, Sophia turned and walked away not with out blowing one kiss at him before she disappeared into the woods, leaving Luke to hang with Randy.

As soon as Sophia was a good half a mile into the woods, she shed her clothes and placed them on a branch that belonged to the biggest oak tree in that area. Within minutes, Sophia had transformed like she had done it a thousand times it was that natural, and was off fleeing in the woods. Leaping over fallen logs and rocks, Sophia would yelp as she jumped and ran. She would stop occasionally to let out a howl, throwing her head up into the air and looking at the moon. After about 15 minutes of running and yelping and four miles into the woods, Sophia's white pelt was dirty due to mud splattered from the rain they got earlier. Sophia had finally reached the creek.

Coming out of the side that Sophia was on the there was about twenty yards in between from the tree line to the creek. On the other side from the creek to the woods was about thirty yards. The creek water was as clear as glass, and beamed when the moonlight hit it. The creek probably could have been a river for many parts were deeper than four to five feet. Walking over to the creek Sophia sniffed in the air and at the ground looking for familiar and new scents. Looking around seeing and hearing the various aspects of the woods, this part of the woods that Sophia had never been to but had heard about. Sophia finally managed to get to the creek. Leaning down, Sophia licked the crisp, cold water. Feeling it go down it was relieving. Sophia had run so much and so hard, she did not realize that she was that thirsty.

Sophia was about to finish up getting as much water in her body as she could before she headed back, but all of the sudden a odd feeling came into Sophia's stomach. It was not a sharp pain not a pain after you drink too much, it was like she had butterflies in her stomach, it was a familiar feeling that you get when you are about to see someone you have not see forever. Raising her head from the creek, Sophia looked around to see who or what was around, when nothing was seen Sophia turned and headed back to the woods. Just when Sophia hit the edge of the woods, the familiar feeling ran through her entire body not just her stomach. Slowly turning around…across the creek Sophia saw it step out from the other side of the woods. It glittered purple and blue when the moon hit it at different points with it light. At first Sophia thought she had seen a ghost because that is it what they were…but as it stepped out further from the woods and walked closer to the creek and closer to Sophia, Sophia also thought her eyes could be playing tricks on her. But as it stepped further away from the woods and closer to Sophia, Sophia knew it was a possibility but wanted to be sure. As a white light glowed over Sophia, within a minute Sophia was crouched over and naked from transforming into human, forgetting that she was supposed to keep her white wolf identity a secret, but what Sophia saw in front of her made her white wolf status seem like second priority…there standing across on the other side of the river was none other than a …black wolf.

Sophia and the wolf had a stare down for about three minutes with out making a move or sound. Sophia slowly began to walk towards the wolf and the wolf did the same towards Sophia. However, just as Sophia got to the creek, the black wolf raised its head and howled at the night slightly startling Sophia, but also causing to send vibrations down her spine. After its howls came to an end the wolf looked at Sophia one last time and was gone into the woods. Sophia wanted to go after it but it was like her feet were glued to ground. The impossible had been seen, Sophia thought and everyone else thought they were myths…but it was true a black wolf does exist.

Cut to Tyler and Ruby's Home:

Ruby in her silk night gown ready to head up to room was walking into the foyer and about to head up stairs, when Ruby saw Grace, their maid walk by with her jacket on and her keys in hand, "good night Grace."

Grace looked up to meet her Alpha's eyes, "good night misses."

"Will you be locking up?"

"Yes…however, the Mr of the house has not returned yet."

"Well he has a key…and if not he'll have to sleep outside." Giving Grace a smile, Grace also grew a grin. "I'll see you tomorrow Grace."

"Good night mam."

Waving Grace goodbye, Ruby heard the door shut and the lock on the front door click as it was being locked as she turned and walked upstairs. Ruby was making her way on the second set of stairs to go to her room, when…bang, bang, bang…someone pounding on door so hard was making the entire house shake. Ruby jumped back at the sounds and pounds of the thump. Slowly, Ruby turned around and started taking tiny steps down each set of stairs, all the time Ruby using her senses to try and pick up on who was outside, but that was the problem…she could find of feel who stood on the other side of the door.

"Ruby! Ruby! Its me open up!"

Ruby was half way down the steps, when the person on the other side of the door began screaming, causing Ruby to stop in her tracks. Ruby knew that voice, but it couldn't be. Ruby realized she was glued to floor by shock and quickly ran down the steps.

"Ruby! Open up!"

Unlocking the door and swinging the door open almost to where Ruby herself nearly ripped the door off its hinges, Ruby's eyes grew wide open and her jaw dropped open, "oh my, god!"