Chapter 6

Beca's POV

During the night, I walk through the woods, periodically taking breaks. I can't go very fast and I have no idea where I'm going. After Luke left, I layed on the ground for a couple of minutes crying and waiting for the pain to go away-it didn't. I finally and painfully shifted into my wolf form. Almost instantly, I started walking in one direction, something pulling at me. In my wolf form, all my advanced senses are elevated, even better than the average wolf. My instinct is what guides me and I trust it. So, I'm just a passenger as I walk toward my unknown destination.

I finally reach it and when I spot Chloe on the porch, it takes everything I have not to run up to her. Instantly, my pain is somewhat dulled as I focus on my mate. Slowly, I walk toward her and when the woman sitting in front of Chloe notices me, I pause. Everything the woman starts saying is tuned out when Chloe turns around and watches me. Her blue eyes are bright with awe and my tail wags slightly.

Chloe starts walking toward me. The woman rocks on her feet, anxious.

"Chloe. Get your butt back here."

"It's okay, Mom. She won't hurt me." Chloe's sweet, melodic voice flows through my ears like magic. Finally, she reaches me and I have to stop myself from pressing against her. It might scare her and one of them might react badly.

"Hey,"Chloe whispers, no fear in her voice. Delighted that she's not afraid, I rub my head against her hand, urging her to pet me. When she does, I practically purr in content. Her mom calls out her name and takes a step forward, getting my attention. Everything in me says to snap at her for even thinking of coming close to my mate, but I know that it wouldn't end well and there's no reason for it. She's just looking out for her daughter.

"It's okay." Chloe's hand drifts down and as it nears my back, I'm brought back to the mind-numbing torment I feel racing across my back. Instinctively, I bristle and guilt rages through me when Chloe's hands jerk away in fear. Our gazes lock and I let everything I feel show in my eyes, hoping to convey some sort of apology.

"She's hurt,"her mom observes, closer to Chloe now. Chloe moves around me and a second later, I hear her heave. I don't hear what's said next because guilt consumes me. I shouldn't have come here. Now I'm causing Chloe to get sick and worry.

"-get her inside,"catches my attention. They're going to help me?

"What is she hurts us?" It's like a punch to the gut when Chloe says that. Why would she think I would hurt her? Sometimes, I forget how intimidating I can be in my wolf form. I wish there was some way I could tell her that I would never hurt her. A sudden wave of pain rushes through me and I softly growl, making sure not to let them hear me. If they did, I would surely die from the guilt and probably a shot to the head.

"Now, Let's get this girl some help." Chloe's mom declares and my legs almost buckle in relief. Finally, someone will help me.

"Chloe, I need you to lead her inside while I go grab my med kit and sedatives. Put down some towels in the living room then have her lay down on her stomach."

"On it!" Chloe's mom walks away and Chloe turns toward me. "Let's go girl." Without any argument, I follow Chloe inside and she leads me in her living room. I snort when I realize I take up almost the whole room.

"We're going to need a lot more towels,"Chloe remarks from the doorway, her arms full of towels. I let out a puff of air, laughing as best as I can in my wolf form and Chloe giggles. She comes over and pets my head.

"Could you hop up on the couch for a second so I can lay these down?" Anything for you, is what I want to say but have to settle for doing what she asks. Slowly, I climb into the couch, little groans escaping. Each movement sends throes of agony up and down my back. Finally, I'm on the couch, panting from exertion.

Chloe busies herself with laying down the towels, having to make multiple trips to grab more. Her mom comes rushing in and getting her stuff ready. I'm waiting for them to start talking about my size. Werewolves are twice the size of normal wolves so people tend to notice us. Those people also tend to try and rat us out to the government so they can put us in lab cages. We always get to them first though and that doesn't always end well. Or ever.

"Alright. Can you get down?"Chloe's mom asks me and I just stare at her before glancing over at Chloe. Grinning, Chloe nods and I softly hop off the couch, the pain not as bad. Without them asking me, I lay down on my stomach over the towels.

"I might need your help, Chloe. Could you comfort her while I get the sedative ready?" Chloe nods and sits beside me. I set my head on her lap and stare up at her as she strokes my head.

"What happened to you?"She whispers. "Where did you come from?" I just stare into her gorgeous blue eyes, letting the pain flow from my mind. We stay like that until I feel a slight prick and everything slowly fades to black.

…

Sometime later, I wake up, my mouth dry. At first, I forget where I am but than everything comes rising back. Voices float into the living room so I decide to go toward them. Bracing for the pain, I lift myself up, but am surprised when it's just a dull ache. Good thing I'm in my wolf form. If I was human, I would probably still be on the ground because of the pain, even after meds.

Prancing a little at feeling better, I head toward the voices. I find Chloe and her mom sitting at a kitchen table, talking. I wag my tail at the site of Chloe and let out a little bark to alert them to my presence.

"Hey girl. You're up already?" Chloe's eyebrows furrow. I walk to her and set my head on the table.

"She's so big,"her mom speaks and I nudge her hand a little, giving her a silent thanks. "I didn't think wolves can get this huge."

"Me either. Maybe she's a new breed or something?" Chloe's mom just shrugs, not completely satisfied with that answer. I spot Chloe's backpack in the corner and walk over to it. Picking it up with my mouth, I bring it to her trying to ask why she's not there. Somehow, she understands.

"Oh I didn't feel very good today so I stayed home. Good thing too because I wouldn't have been able to help you if I hadn't." Nodding, I grab her backpack and put it back where I got it.

"What the…" Chloe's mom starts, staring at Chloe and I. "It's like…. Do you understand me?" I debate for a second before nodding. Maybe if I show Chloe I am more human than wolf, she'll accept me easier when I tell her what I am.

"And it's like I understood her when she was asking about school." Chloe observes. Mates have a bond like no other but I didn't know that humans could understand wolves. I didn't think it was possible.

"What are you?"Chloe's mom leans toward me and her eyes widen, curiosity and fear plaguing them. My heart starts racing fast and I back up, moving till I'm behind Chloe. If her mom freaks, I hope Chloe will stop her. If she doesn't, I'm not sure what will happen.

"Mom, it's okay."

"Okay? We have this….this animal here that understands us and you can somehow understand her. How is it okay? I mean, what do we even do in this situation?" Everybody falls silent and after a while, I nudge Chloe. Time to try something.

It's okay. I won't hurt you. I'll leave and give you both some time. One day, I'll explain everything.

I stare into Chloe's eyes and think this, hoping she'll understand. A minute later, she nods and I walk to the door. She opens it but before I leave, I grab a package of bandages from the ground and take off, everything telling me to stay with my mate. Until I can gain her full trust though, I won't be able to tell her what I am.

…..

For awhile, I walk until I reach the little abandoned cabin I found a couple of years ago. I think it used to be the monitors cabin until they decided it was better to stay in the house. It still runs fully, except for the electricity. I never thought to stock up on medical supplies, but I will now. With Chloe is involved, I can't stay quiet. For some reason, they are determined to know why I like her. So that means they'll be asking more questions and I won't answer. Well, at least the way they want me too.

Finally, I reach the small, old cabin and sniff around before going in. When I found this cabin, I deemed it my hideout. I have food and clothes stashed here. The only thing I never thought about was medical stuff. I push the door open with my snout and instantly go to the closet where I keep my clothes.

Painfully, I shift back into my human form, groaning as the ache intensifies. It's not too bad though. Before getting dressed, I somehow manage to bandage my back. Now, it's time to figure out what to do. I could go back to the house and grab my stuff. It's not like they'll care where I'm staying anyway. After, I'll go into town and grab some supplies.

Bending down, the bandages pulling tight against my skin, and grab a lockbox. In it is several hundred dollars that I've managed to save over the years. I'll definitely have to get a job, but I've been meaning to for a while anyway. This could work. I won't get in trouble since I'm still on the pack land and I'll be out of their hair, away from any extra punishment or cruel jokes.

Sighing, I lay down on the musty old bed and close my eyes. This definitely won't be easy.

A little later, I get to the foster home, glad that everybody is still at school. The only person I have to worry about is Alice. She hates me for no reason, just like almost everybody else in the pack. Anytime I even breath wrong, she gets offended and makes me do everybody else's chores.

Quietly, I open the front door and creep upstairs. I can hear Alice in the living room, watching TV. So this is what she does when we're gone. No wonder the house always needs cleaning. I get to mine and Emily's room and shut the door quietly behind me. I grab my school backpack and throw that over my shoulders. I wince when it hits my back, but ignore it, anxious to get out of here. Grabbing another bag, I stuff it with clothes, toiletries, and the few valuables that I have. I snatch a duffel bag from the closet and gently put my equipment in it. I turn to leave and run into Alice, who's watching me from the doorway.

"Where do you think you're going?" Her high pitched, nasally voice breaks the silence, piercing my ears.

"Away from here. Now, get out of my way." Throwing her hair over her shoulders, she stands up straighter, as if attempting to block me. We both know I'm stronger though. Hopefully, she doesn't know that I'm weak right now. One hit to my back would surely send me writhing to the ground.

"What makes you think you can just leave? That would mean going rogue, you know that."

"One, why do you even care and two, I'm not technically leaving. I'm still staying on the land and going to school. I haven't heard any rule that says that it's not allowed."

Reluctantly, she steps out of my way. "You'll regret this."

"No, I don't think I will." A part of me though, can't help but think she's right.