Savannah crept into the house without a sound, fully aware that not only was she extremely disheveled from her fight, but also that she had broken the curfew her parents had given her. The early morning sun slanted through the windows, giving her light to see by as she skillfully maneuvered through the entryway and past the kitchen. The stairs came into her sightline, and just as she thought she would make it she heard someone clear their throat. Wincing, she turned around to be met with the disapproving gaze of both her father and mother.

"Um, hi?"

"And just where have you been, young lady?" Ethan asked, his voice sharp with irritation.

"Out."

"You were supposed to home forty-five minutes ago!"

"Something came up."

"What could be so important that you would jeopardize your safety?" Ethan seethed, his patience growing thin.

"I found my Intended okay?!" Savannah yelled, beyond exhausted and frustrated.

Dead silence filled the room, heavy, tense, and oppressing. Savannah was breathing heavily, her nerves on edge as she stared at her parents, gauging their reaction.

"You found your Intended?" her mother asked quietly. She nodded jerkily. "That's wonderful, honey! Who are they? How did you find them?" Marissa asked, wrapping her in a hug.

Savannah winced, regretting her outburst.

"It's...they're..mkaienrglskdf," she murmured, the name coming out like gibberish to her parents, even with their advanced senses.

They looked at one another, confused.

"What was that, honey? We didn't quite catch it," Ethan said, much calmer now that he knew why she was late.

Internally, Savannah was screaming. She knew that if she told her parents that her Intended was the woman they despised more than Satan himself that it wouldn't go over well. Actually, that was an understatement. More like it would be the start of World War III. In the few seconds of silence that came after the question, she made up her mind. She'd tell them the circumstances of the fight and pass it off as the revelation that the woman was her Intended. What they didn't know wouldn't hurt them.

"I'll tell you who it is, but let me tell you how I found them first." She waited for them to nod before continuing. "I was exploring the city and smelled perfume, which I thought was unusual for that time of night, so I followed the scent to the edge of the woods. There was a woman there, hunting, and I watched her for a while. Just as she brought down her kill the air above my head was displaced.

I looked, thinking it was an owl, but it was actually a man, a Vampire to be precise. He stalked her back into the city, and I followed, worried for her safety. He attacked her, and I intervened, fighting and saving her life. She told me after that his intention was to rape her." Her parents gasped, but she ignored it so she could finish her story. "I explained to her what had happened, what she was and what I am. She accepted it, though reluctantly. We sat together and watched the sunrise, just enjoying the bond."

"That's wonderful, sweetheart! But who was the woman? Do you know her?" Marissa asked.

"You might say that," Savannah answered, stalling for time.

"Well how do you know her?"

"From school."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. Something about the way Savannah was evading answering the questions was setting him on edge. And the woman from the story, there was something there that bothered him as well. Why was she out so late at night, hunting no less? Something in his gut told him he wouldn't like the person his daughter named, if she ever gave them a name that was.

"Savannah, I want to know who this person is and I want to know now," he said, his tone brooking no room for argument.

Savannah gulped, aware that her answer would most likely start an argument of epic proportions. Nonetheless, she took a steadying breath and centered herself.

"It's Mrs. Jeepers."

The words hung heavy in the air, and time seemed to stop. Her father's face began to change in color, his skin going from a healthy tan to a bright red in mere seconds. She saw his eyes flash, and then a wolf stood in front of her. Just as quickly he shifted back, though he was no less angry. Her mother paled, her hand grasping at the back of a nearby recliner for balance. Savannah began to feel the first tendrils of fear as they slithered through her body and wrapped around her heart, and unconsciously took a step back from her irate father.

"What did you say?" Ethan asked quietly, so quietly that she felt more than heard the rage behind his words.

Her own anger flared in response. What had Adri ever done to her father? Nothing, and besides, weren't parents supposed to support you no matter what?

"I said, my Intended is Adrianna Jeepers," she snarled back, her own wolf coming out to play.

"That-That creature is not your Intended!" Ethan screamed.

"She is my Intended!" Savannah screamed back.

"Savannah, honey, think for a minute. How can she be your Intended? She's not human," Marissa interjected gently, wary of upsetting her daughter further.

"Because she is! I can't explain it, and you wouldn't understand anyway since neither of you are Guards!"

"Try," her father ground out, obviously only barely restraining his fury.

"It's like, before I knew her I always felt like a piece of me was missing, like I didn't belong. I hated to wake up, knowing that the only thing I had to look forward to was a dull ache in my soul. Then she came into my life and that emptiness went away. I feel alive for the first time in my life, like I have a purpose, like I belong. Do you know how hard that is, living your whole life as an outsider to the world? It fucking sucks, and now that I've found happiness you want to take it away? What is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with us? What's wrong with you?!" Ethan exploded. "That bloodsucker could never be deserving of a Guard! Never in our history has a Shifter played bodyguard to a Vampire, and it sure as hell isn't going to start with you!"

"I told you you wouldn't understand and I was right!"

"Because there's nothing to understand! You're fifteen- you don't know half of what you're talking about! You've never been alone, you've always had us! You belong with us, not some demented killer!"

"You can't say that, you don't know how I feel!" Savannah screamed, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"You don't even know what you feel!" Ethan roared.

"I know that I like her, maybe even love her!" Savannah shouted back.

Everyone froze as those words sank in. Savannah gasped, her eyes going wide. She hadn't meant to say that, had never meant to say that. She hadn't even come out yet, and yet her biggest secret was floating in the air, free for her parents to destroy.

"What did you say?" Marissa asked in a shocked whisper.

So it was true. Her only child, her baby, was gay. Not only that, but she had a crush on the worst possible woman in the city.

"I said I love her," Savannah said, no longer shouting as she realized it was true, she did love the Vampire.

"You can't! She's a woman!" Marissa screamed, distraught.

"Newsflash Mom, I know that! And you know what? I love her anyway! And you know what else? I'm a lesbian, have been for years!"

"You're an abomination," her mother whispered, and the words cut deeper than Savannah would care to admit. They made the argument with Adri look like a calm discussion. "How can you love that thing?"

"She isn't a thing. She is a beautiful, caring, intelligent woman who I hope to spend the rest of my life with," Savannah answered calmly.

"You're fifteen! How do you know you love her? You've never even dated, never had a boyfriend!"

"Because I don't like boys! And I already told you, before I met Adrianna I felt like an outsider, I had no desire to date."

Ethan, who had been silent since her admission, chose that moment to share his thoughts.

"Where did we go wrong?" he asked, more to himself than his family. "I thought we had a raised a normal little girl, not this-this freak! Is this what you wanted, Savannah?" he snapped, raising his eyes to meet hers. "Did you want to ruin this family? Because you have."

"I can't help who I am!" Savannah wailed, wanting nothing more than to run away and curl into a small ball.

"Being gay is a choice!" her mother snapped.

"No it isn't! I was born this way, and studies prove it! I love who I love, and it's not wrong or disgusting or a phase- it's who I am!"

"Enough!" Ethan boomed. "I refuse to allow this any longer. Savannah you are going to forget about all this nonsense of liking women, especially her. Monday I will go to your school and arrange for you to be transferred to a different class, and you will not see or speak to that creature again. Furthermore, you are grounded until I deem you ready to return to your after school activities, including exploring the city at night. Until you can accept that you are normal and agree to forget this nonsense you will remain grounded. Do you understand?"

Savannah didn't answer, couldn't answer. She could feel her world falling apart at the seams, could almost hear the sound of shattering glass to accompany it. She felt her breathing speed up and absentmindedly noted she was going into a panic attack. She began to shake her head no, slowly at first but growing more frantic as her breaths turned into pants. Tears spilled down her cheeks at an alarming rate and all she could think was 'I can't lose her, I can't lose her, I can't lose herIcan'tloseher!'

"No," she whispered.

"No what?" Ethan asked. "'No' you don't understand or 'no' you're not going to obey?" Savannah didn't answer, too caught up in her panic. "Answer me, girl!"

Savannah's eyes snapped up to meet his, and she grew eerily calm. A cold, detached anger radiated off her in waves, and for the first time Ethan and Marissa witnessed the hidden power of the Guard. Her eyes seemed to glow with her inner wolf, and the air around her seems to shimmer.

"You can't tell me who to be, who to love. I love Adrianna with my whole being, and I would do anything to be with her. You are not going to stop me, parents or no. I will be with her one way or another."

"Savannah Elaine Edwards, I am your father and you will show me respect!"

"You have to give respect to get respect, it's a mutual concept!"

"You are my child and-"

"And what?" Savannah laughed bitterly. "Are you going to lock me away and brainwash me so that I'll think just like you? Not going to happen."

Her father growled, the sound inhuman, and she flinched, reminded of just how out of her element she'd be if her father forced her to fight. Her anger began to fade, only to be replaced with sadness and fear. She was fully aware that if her parents, her father especially, so chose, could quite literally end Adrianna. Permanently. Not to mention what they could do to her.

She began to back away slowly, knowing that if she could just get to the door then she'd be safe.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Ethan asked.

"Away."

It was all she said before making a break for the door, desperately trying to beat her father. Her hand closed around the doorknob and turned, and she thought she was free, until a hand clamped onto her arm.

"The only place you're going is upstairs to your room," Ethan growled.

"That's what you think!"

She twisted her arm, yanking for good measure, and broke free of his grip. She turned and ran as fast as she could out the door, determined to get away from her parents. Once free of the porch she shifted, taking off at full speed toward Adri's, knowing her father wouldn't willingly walk into a Vampire's lair, no matter how angry he was. Ethan chased after her, shifting as well, but skidded to a halt as he realized where she was running to. He might want to destroy the woman that resided there, but he definitely wasn't stupid enough to attack her alone. Growling and snarling, he turned and headed for home. After all, Savannah had to come home sometime.

Adri had gone home after the attack and had promptly jumped into the shower, proceeding to scrub her skin raw. She rubbed furiously trying to get the man's scent off her body. As she bathed, her mind wandered back to what Savannah had done for her. She had been hurt, had killed a man, just because she was her Guard. That was another thing. It was unheard of for a Vampire to have a Guard, impossible. But there she was, living proof that it was indeed a possibility.

On top of that, there were still her unresolved and somewhat inappropriate feelings for the girl. She was her student, and she was the same gender. Did that mean she was a lesbian? She had been married once before, but she'd never felt for him what she felt for Savannah. Then again, it was also an arranged marriage. She had been fond of him, but loved him? No, never.

She sighed, remembering how close they'd been after the fight. She hadn't meant to lean on her after the attack, but she had, and she definitely hadn't missed the arm that had wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her closer. It had come as a shock, though though it certainly hadn't been unwelcome.

She sighed again, letting the hot water stream down her back. She didn't know what to do. On one hand, she had a permanent relationship with the girl already through their bond. On the other, she could have so much more. But, there was also the chance she could ruin everything by confessing her feelings, and that was what prevented her from acting. She didn't want to risk losing the girl, who she thought she loved, just by saying something that most likely wasn't reciprocated. No, she'd just stay silent and pine away, forcing herself to be content with what she had.

After her shower, she dried off and dressed in the Poison Ivy shirt Savannah had given her for Christmas, content to settle down and binge Batman: The Animated Series, her go-to whenever she needed to escape from life's problems. She made it through two episodes before she heard the banging on her door. Confused as to who it could be, as she never had any visitors, she turned off the tv and headed downstairs to investigate. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but a distraught and sobbing teenage girl certainly wasn't it.

Savannah panted in exhaustion as she cowered under Adri's front porch. She watched for her father, just in case she was wrong and he did follow her. From the small gap, she saw familiar brown paws come to a halt across the street. She wiggled back further, resisting the urge to whine. She saw him pace for a few seconds before turning around, though she waited until she could no longer smell him to come out.

Wriggling out, she shook herself and loped up onto the porch, trembling even in her wolf form from the recent argument. She paced in front of the door for a few minutes before shifting to her human form, where the tears immediately returned. She wrapped her arms around her waist, sinking onto the floor and sobbing. What had she done? She'd come out to her parents and simultaneously admitted her love for a woman they hated.

Managing to get herself somewhat under control, she stood up and knocked on the door, not thinking twice about her actions. This was where she was meant to be, she could feel it. She knocked again, louder this time, and then stepped away since she could hear footsteps coming down the stairs. The door opened, revealing the woman that was the source of all her troubles, but also her savior.

To say Adrianna was shocked to see Savannah, upset and disheveled, on the other side of her door would be an understatement.

"Savannah? What's wrong? What happened?" she asked, rushing out to her and running her hands around her face, and down her arms and back. She shook her head, her breath hitching into gasps. "Come on, come in, let's get you cleaned up and calmed down."

She helped her through the door, keeping an arm around her shoulders to steady her. She didn't bother with the downstairs, considering everything she needed to clean the girl up was in her ensuite bathroom. She led her up to her bedroom, smirking as she felt her tense even though she was still partially distraught.

"It's alright, sit here," she gently nudged her to the bed, "and I'll be right back."

She headed into the bathroom, wetting a washcloth with warm water. While she was doing that, Savannah sniffed and attempted to wipe her eyes, wincing as she felt the soreness. She glanced around the room, taking it in. She was sitting on a black comforter, and across from the bed was the dresser with a television atop it. There was a small table with a mirror on the right side of the room, various makeup scattered across it along with Adri's brooch. The left wall held the closet near the dresser, and closer to the area of the bed was the door that led to bathroom, where she could hear water running.

Adri came out of the bathroom holding a washcloth and took a seat beside Savannah, tenderly running the rag across her cheeks and over her eyes. Her touch was gentle and the cool touch alleviated some of the pain her sobbing had caused, and before Savannah knew it she was leaning against her. It was then she noticed the shirt the older woman was wearing.

"You're wearing the shirt I gave you," she said, smirking a little.

"Why wouldn't I? I love it." She shifted, pulling the girl closer. "Now tell me what had you so upset."

Savannah sighed, unconsciously gripping the hem of said discussed shirt.

"My parents and I got into a huge fight." Something in her tone told Adri that this wasn't the typical teenage disagreement, this was something that could potentially change the girl's life. "They didn't like it when I told them you were my Intended. They tried to tell me I was wrong, that you couldn't have a Guard because of what you are. I told them they were wrong. And….I might have….come out," she said, carefully avoiding the part about her love for the redhead.

"Come out? You mean?" Adri asked, hoping it meant what she thought it did.

"Yeah," Savannah said quietly, looking away. "I'm a lesbian." Adri drew in a breath, happiness blossoming in her heart. "I guess this means you don't want to have anything to do with me either," she said, having heard the inhale.

She pulled away, and the woman felt a thrill of fear. She locked an arm around her shoulders, feeling her tense in fear.

"You're wrong. I think you're perfect, and if your parents can't see that then, well, they're tâmpiților."

"What does that mean?" Savannah asked, cocking her head.

Adrianna smirked.

"In a word, morons."

Savannah laughed, feeling much better than when she had arrived. The redhead smiled, glad she could lighten the mood.

"What did you say that lead to your coming out?" she asked.

"Um…." 'Go ahead, tell her now. You know she accepts you. Maybe she even likes you back. It's worth a try.' "I told them who I had a more-than-crush on."

'Dammit! Well, better to find out who it is now than to walk up on them kissing or something.'

"Who is it? If you don't mind me asking."

'This is it!' Savannah took a deep breath, gathering her courage.

"It's you," she said, looking her dead in the eye. Emerald orbs widened in surprise. That was not what she had been expecting to hear. The brunette cringed back, mistaking her expression for one of denial. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. I get it, it's fine, forget I mentioned it."

Finally recovering, Adri shook her head fondly.

"Silly girl, why would I want to do that?"

"Aren't you disgusted?"

"How could I be when I feel the same way?"

Savannah's head snapped up, sapphire eyes widening in shock and glimmering with hope.

"You...you like me back? Since when?"

"I'm not sure," Adri mused. "I've always thought you were pretty. At some point during the year I guess I just...fell." Savannah gasped at the implication. "What about you?"

"I thought you were beautiful." She smiled a little as the woman blushed. "And I guess I had a crush on you since the beginning of the year. I'm not completely sure when I fell." Adrianna locked eyes with her, conveying the silent question. Savannah smiled, answering. "Yeah, I fell too, I'm just not sure when a crush became more."

She yawned, the excitement of the morning catching up to her. She curled into Adri's side, wrapping her arms around her waist. The woman slid further up the bed, reclining them back until they were lying down. They faced each other, happiness radiating around the room.

"You know we can't tell anyone about this," Adri said quietly.

"I know."

"But for now, it's just us."

They inched together, and their lips met tentatively for the first time. Fireworks and stars exploded behind their eyelids, sending them into euphoria. It was in that moment something else became known to Savannah Edwards.

She loved Adrianna Jeepers, her Intended. Adrianna Jeepers was also her soul mate.