Four days.

Two words. One town. A million pieces of my shattered heart.

As I folded up the gray hoodie I'd first been seen in, recently clean and smelling of fresh linen, and pushed it into a duffle bag, I felt my legs weakening and had to sit on the bed.

I covered my face, trying in vain to make my headache go away by pressing against my temples. The anxiety was gone for now, and I was stuck in shades of black and white, trying to figure out my next move.

I had to go north, possibly to Washington. Somewhere that Damian might not figure out again.

The newspaper article from online had stated that this vicious killer had been spotted momentarily in Arkansas, running like a champion, like he was being chased. Once again, he'd evaded cops and had hidden out somewhere.

That left only five states between us. And for me, that was five states too close.

He might only be searching right now, but I couldn't take that chance. If he found me, I didn't know if I could move fast enough. Perhaps I could use the money I'd been stashing to get into Canada and he'd lose my trail.

I hadn't even left yet, but I mourned leaving Beacon Hills.

Finally, I stood again, and went back to packing. I didn't have a ton of clothes, just enough for a single bag, but it would be easier to travel and hide that way. I would take a pillow and the blanket, because who knew when I'd see another again, but everything else had to stay.

I'd pack up all the food I could the day before, and a few toiletries. If I managed right, I'd have enough money to keep gas and food around for a while, after that, I would have to ditch the car, switch to a backpack and depend on nature itself.

I sighed.

I was so tired of running. It was a never ending hell, and no matter how many times Damian went to prison, he would always escape, and he would always come looking for me. I hated that running took from me the things I desired, loved, and hoped for.

In four days, I'd lose everything I'd come to cherish.

I felt myself breaking with each inch of the duffle bag I zipped closed, but didn't allow even so much as my lip to tremble. If I lost it now, I wouldn't be strong enough to go on.

I tucked the bag away for safe keeping in my closet, dressed in jeans and a nice shirt and went for a walk.

I had the next two days off, which gave me time to reflect on the town I loved so much. It would give me time to spend with the ones who had become like family. Just four little days, ninety-six short hours, and I'd collect my last paycheck, pack up in the night and leave in the dark of the morning.

Back to having the moon and sun as companions, back to Mother Nature providing for me, and back to Father Time bringing Damian closer to me.

I made it to Beacon Hills Preserve, where all the lovely trees, now clothed in leaves of emerald green, greeted me. Today made seven months of being here, and friending Cora. Just before six months of working for Melissa. Five months of Liam's, Mason's and Corey's friendship. And about two months of falling for Theo.

My life would never be the same without them, but hopefully, my act would protect them, and in time they would forgive me.

~Theo POV~

I couldn't pay attention to the list of possible people who could be the creature in front of me. All I could think of was how I was going to make things a little better between me and Rachel.

Finally, I pushed back my chair and stood, walking to the glass door of the vet's office. I had been trying for several days to figure out a sensible way to approach her. Not only had she been made aware of a part of my past, but I had no doubt given her reason to apply that information to me due to how I'd acted.

I felt like I was losing her before I'd even held her, and that was a blow I hated taking. I hated Liam more than words could express for doing this to her, to me, and to the 'us' that could have been. But it was not in me to give up.

I was Theo Raeken, and I hadn't let anything run me over before. I'd successfully become a genetic chimera, I had raised, led and then killed a portion of a pack, I had killed a True Alpha, I had survived Hell, protected those I shouldn't have and effectively taken the pain of the guy who had just put bullets in me.

I would win Rachel's heart too, even after all the reckless things I had done.

"Finding it difficult to focus?"

I startled slightly from the doctor's voice behind me. It wasn't like me to be caught off guard, but at least he was harmless.

"A little." I admitted to him begrudgingly. "I often find that meditation helps." He walked up beside me and I glanced at him in my peripheral vision.

"But for a broken heart…that I'm not so sure." It was freaky how perceptive he was, but that was part of his job. "I'm not broken hearted," I contradicted, "I'm frustrated."

"Have you tried talking to her?" "How could I? She won't." "How do you know she won't? She's a very strong young woman, powerful in heart and mind. But she values honesty, and you broke that. Now, you must earn that trust back."

"I barely had it before. And I didn't break shit, Liam can take the trophy for that." "Liam is doing what he thinks is best for his friend. Granted, it's not always a smart thing, but he means well. You must overcome and show her that despite your previous lifestyle, you can be the important person in her life."

"Is this some sort of Zen teaching?"

"Druids are helpers. Helping is what I do, and specifically catering to your kind. You have a problem, and I provide information to help you solve it."

I finally smiled a little.

"Go to her," he said, "either now or tomorrow, or next month, but go to her. If you don't fight for the things you want, you'll never achieve them, and the Theo Raeken I know is not only not a quitter, he doesn't give in."

With those words, he walked back to his exam room to see to a patient and left me contemplating my next move.

Cora's car came into view from the parking lot. I walked out to meet her.

"Anything?" I asked. "No," she said, slamming the door, "nothing that points anyone out. I'm so sick of this crap."

"Liam?" I asked. "He, Mason and Corey are checking files at the hospital and asking Melissa some questions. Have you seen Rachel around?"

I felt a spike in my chest.

"She's not at work?" I asked. "No, she had the day off. She didn't say anything to you?" "…No."

"Listen," She said, laying back against the car door, "Liam mentioned that you two are having little fights here and there. Why?"

Of course no one had told her anything.

"Rachel." I stated. "What about her?"

"I really am having a hard time believing no one has told you anything." I said, staring her down. She returned my glare, "Liam also mentioned that Rachel had let you stay in her house a few weeks back."

I nodded. "So," she went on, "does that mean you like her?" "Yeah, Cora, I do." "Then what's the problem?"

"Liam told her too soon about my pack. It was too much, and in my anger, I…"

"Listen Theo, I need to know that I can trust you, that we can, as a pack. You're good at starting shit, and we really do not need it right now. If you and Liam cannot put your differences aside for a few weeks until we get this creature, I'm going to rip both of you new assholes. As far as this thing with Rachel, you'd be surprised at the things she can endure. She's a good woman, and she's not going to hate you for your past. But you have to PROVE that it really is a past doing and not a present thing."

I took her words in and processed. I nodded to confirm that I understood.

"Good, now, we're having a group hangout tomorrow in the gazebo outside the hospital. Consider yourself invited, then grow a set and talk to her."

**It's shorter, I know, and I apologize, but there's going to be some trouble unfold in the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!**