Hi guys, sorry I disappeared I had to spend a couple days vacation in the lovely place of padded walls and crappy food, where god forbid someone give me a computer in case I somehow learn to poison myself with a keyboard. Sigh. Anyway, Here's your next chapter in our beloved werewolve's POV.

Love,

Az.

Chloe's friend Haven, the new girl who had joined the school a month before summer break, was a supernatural. I could smell it on her, just the slight non-human twinge that marked her as other. The werewolf in me wanted to drag her out back and question her, demanding to know who and what she was. But the human in me reasoned that she smelled only faintly supernatural, like a magician—who was like a sorcerer but with more illusions and parlor tricks than real magic. She also may have been the daughter of a half-demon in which case she wouldn't have inherited any of her demonic grandparent's powers. What really kept me in check though was how Simon was acting around her.

I hadn't seen him really talk to a girl outside of the family since his grade-school crush on Savannah Levine. I don't know if it was Savannah's complete disregard for his existence or me and Chloe's relationship but Simon had been quieter, smiling less and thinking before he talked—a sure sign of the apocalypse.

But now he was smiling with his eyes, even really grinning now and then, bantering easily with Haven. So I told myself to ignore the supernatural in her scent and focus on the girl herself, assess whether or not she was genuine. There was something… off about her. Not super obvious, nothing to raise real red flags. She just occasionally would glance around, eyes darkening with a serious focus that made her seem years older.

Chloe noticed my preoccupation and squeezed my leg under the table, getting my attention. I looked down into her worried eyes and tried to wipe the suspicion off my face but, as always, she saw it. She frowned and I sighed lightly, flicking my gaze towards Haven who was now telling Simon a story about some disastrous camping trip. He had to clamp his mouth shut to keep from laughing as she explained how she had backpacked up a mountain with a friend and ended up miles from the campsite in the dark when it started raining. Chloe brushed my hand on the table reassuringly, a smile curving her lips as she flicked her own gaze towards Simon who was laughing outright now.

I felt the hesitation slipping more and more as I watched the tightness fade from around Simon's eyes and mouth. Whatever she was, I owed her. I could tell by Simon's posture and the way he talked to her that he wasn't romantically interested in her, which was what I had thought he needed but as he relaxed I realized what he needed was a friend outside of the family.

Someone who doesn't disappear whenever their hormones got the better of them. I thought, sliding a guilty glance at Chloe.

She was watching them banter as well, a small relieved smile that was countered by the disappointment as she read the same signs in Simon that I did. She'd obviously hoped that Simon's interest would be sparked and that she would get credit for being a successful matchmaker. I'd tell her later that although Simon liked pretty girls, what he needed right now was someone—girl or not—with a brain that could make him laugh. Haven definitely had a brain and obviously could make him laugh and that was enough for me.

The girls excused themselves, claiming the need to touch up their make-up, and Simon and I were left at the table.

"Looks like you made a friend." I said with a grin Simon's way.

"And here I thought that I'd forgotten how to." He responded in kind. "I'm actually kinda glad you dragged me along, how often do you get to hang out with the DJ of a party?"

"Not too often I'd imagine. She did a good job with Chloe's senior project too."

Simon's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Oh man, I completely forgot she worked with Chloe. If her DJ music is anything like Chloe's soundtrack then even you might be dancing."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah right… but I'll be interested to see if she has anymore wolf-related songs up her sleeve."

I looked up as I heard Chloe's laugh and saw her and Haven coming our way. "Looks like the girls are…" I trailed off, studying Haven. I could have sworn that she looked different. Not something I could really put my finger on, but maybe her lips had been thinner or her face had been rounder. I didn't usually notice or care what girl's looked like, but at this distance if she hadn't been wearing the same dress with the same odd light brown eyes I'm not sure I would have recognized her at first glance. Makeup was a mystery to me and I'd seen the dramatic difference it could make from past experience when Chloe fooled even me to sneak into the Edison Compound so I stopped worrying about it, saving that concern for something worth it.

I did see Simon tilt his head slightly though, a confused crease between his eyes that I knew from experience meant he was putting two and two together and coming up with five. I'd seen the same expression countless times when we did homework together.

"Temporarily sated you bottomless pit?" Chloe asked sitting beside me again.

"Temporarily." I agreed, putting my hand against the back of her neck and tracing my fingers down her collarbone, still stuck on the mental image of what she'd worn to sneak into the Edison compound.

I'd been shocked at myself when the group of vampires walked in and they all emoted an energy like Chloe's power, one in particular. I was never instantly attracted to girls but the girl vampire had drawn me like a magnet. Something about her, and that outfit, all liquid latex (to cover her scent) really short skirt and absurdly high boots (things Chloe would never normally wear). Her face had stopped me to, she had sharply defined cheekbones and thinner lips (makeup) black eyes (colored contacts) and short dark blond hair (wig). Even so, even smelling only vaguely of perfume and latex and makeup something about her had completely captivated me. I was horrified at the instant rush of pure lust I felt when looking at her and tried to shake it off. Then she had looked at me, undressing me with her eyes and smiling faintly at my reaction to her and I'd been so sure it wasn't Chloe. That I only associated her with this girl because I had wanted her so desperately to be at my side.

Of course it turned out that that WAS Chloe, I knew it as soon as I saw her in the compound without the wig and she'd looked at me. Even with the black eyes I'd know that look anywhere. If she hadn't killed herself shortly thereafter I definitely would have made her keep that outfit.

Chloe saw the general intonation of my thoughts and caught her breath. Sliding her hand over my thigh, squeezing before she scooted her chair back to get up. "Then let's go!"

"What about the check? I definitely want to pay for my share." Haven caught her before she stood.

"For having the balls to come on a blind date I will cover you." Simon said with a grin, recovering from his momentary confusion at the subtle shift in her appearance. "So, IOU's again?"

Chloe smiled at Haven. "It's already paid for, you can join the ranks of my adoring fans. Simon pays me in free entertainment and Derek-" She broke off, cheeks flushing.

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn't smile. We had a whole system of repayment, a foot massage covered a meal she'd paid for, a back massage covered… you get the idea.

"… Anyway, I owe you for your help with my senior project." Chloe finished.

"You did the music right?" Simon asked as we all headed for the door, Chloe with a wave to the waiter who smiled back, obviously he'd been well compensated for his trouble.

"Yeah and it was no problem, really, I enjoyed the change from the other chunk of my senior project." Haven smiled and as soon as we were outside did a quick practiced survey of the area.

My interest grew as she unobtrusively moved in between us and a street corner with a few men standing around talking. They were the only possible threat and the corner was the biggest blind spot, therefore the most exposed area. I didn't even need to assess the area before putting myself on the other side of us, sandwiching Simon and Chloe without either noticing.

As the limo pulled up without incident, I paused to listen in on the men's conversation and determined that they were more interested in a large-breasted secretary from work than mugging a few kids. Haven ducked in first, checking out the car and leaving me to get in last.

"So Haven's a pretty unusual name, how'd your parents come up with that?" I asked.

"Ah… well…" She bit her lip and frowned, obviously reluctant.

"Hey you don't have to tell us if you don't want to." Simon said, trying for a reassuring smile but not quite hiding his curiosity.

"Oh I've got no problem telling you guys about it, it's just… it usually makes other people uncomfortable. " She hesitated again, then laughed. "But now I'm making it sound all mysterious and like it's a big deal… I named myself actually."

Simon leaned forward, really interested now. "You named yourself?"

"Yeah. I grew up in the foster system and got slapped with 'Mary Grace'." She made a face. "I found out my biological mother's name when I was thirteen and took that instead. Haven Smith."

"Much better." I agreed.

"Definitely, I never felt like a Mary, Haven just kinda fit you know?" She smiled and looked from Chloe to me, to Simon and back again, trying to gauge our reactions.

"My mother died when I was little." Chloe said matter-of-factly, it was a long time ago and she'd had plenty of time to grieve. "And Derek is Simon's foster-brother."

"Yeah it's just been me, dad and Derek for as long as I can remember." Simon said.

Haven smiled then, and I could tell she was relieved. "Looks like I fell in with the right crowd." She looked out the window briefly and I saw a quickly-concealed sad expression in the reflection.

"Absolutely." Simon said so fervently that my eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"We're here." Chloe announced, letting the driver open the door for us and thanking him.

I'd never liked much attention, especially from humans but I couldn't help feeling a little smug as the four of us walked up the mock-red carpet, the handful of students outside staring at us. The smug feeling took a backseat to the discomfort as we walked into the real dance in the gym and everyone near the door stopped and stared. I didn't see why it was such a big deal but people were gawking and whispering, mostly about Simon, but more than a few about Chloe and me.

Ooh look at Simon Bae! He looks so hot!

Woah and I thought Simon was cute normally, he could model that suit.

Look at the guy with Chloe Saunders, that must be her boyfriend, he was with her at the show too.

Ohmygod; are Simon Bae and Haven Smith DATING? Why'd he pick her?

*gasp* Vanessa was right! Chloe's boyfriend is kind of sexy… a big guy with hands like that…

I tuned them out. It wasn't easy to do with superhuman hearing but I managed to ignore most of the whispers, doing the werewolf equivalent of sticking my fingers in my ears and going "LALALA" by listening to Chloe's heartbeat as we found a table as far away from the dance floor as we could.

"Phew. Talk about walking the gauntlet!" Chloe dramatically wiped imaginary sweat from her brow.

"I so did not want to deal with THAT part of high school again." Haven muttered but only I heard her over the music. "Any chance I can wrangle you for a few dances before I have to get my equipment set up?" She asked Simon more audibly.

He shrugged and smiled. "Sure, why not."

I watched them cross the room, still not fully comfortable with Haven being alone with Simon but finding no good excuse to keep them where I could watch them.

"Okay Fido, spill." Chloe glared up at me. "Why are you trying to x-ray my friend?"

"I am not-" I started but she held up a hand, cutting me off and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "She's a supernatural." I said, leaning down to her ear and getting momentarily distracted as her hair swung forward and I was hit with a wave of her strawberry scent.

"Say what?" Chloe looked surprised for only a second before looking concerned. "I trust her but… do you know what kind? Do you think Simon's safe with her? … Stupid question, you wouldn't have let them go if you didn't."

I brushed her cheek with the back of my fingers, giving her a half-smile when she leaned into my hand. "I don't think she wants to hurt Simon, and I don't know what kind of supernatural she is, half-demon's kid maybe."

She nodded slowly. "And she did say she grew up in the foster system. Do you think she knows?"

I shrugged, not liking the uncertainty of the situation. "Only one way to find out and if she doesn't have any supernatural qualities she'll think we're crazy or joking."

"Suck." Chloe slumped back in her chair, still frowning. "So you think it's weird that another supernatural just happened to make friends with me?"

I shrugged again. "Maybe. It might be coincidence or she may be drawn to you on some subconscious level."

She tapped her fingers against the table, deep in thought. I scanned the room, checking for Simon. He was on the dance floor with Haven, a surprised expression on his face and, as usual, completely unaware that all the nearby dancers were girls. After watching him for a minute I realized what he was so impressed with. Haven could dance.

Unlike the girls around her who were gyrating and shaking their genitals in every male direction, Haven was moving with the music, fluid and comfortable in her own skin, a quality that I never saw in high school girls. With the exception of Chloe who was comfortable in her skin and every move she made was graceful and sexy. But I might have been a little biased.

From across the room I could look at her as a whole and figured out one of the things that was bothering me.

"She's older than us." I said absent-mindedly to Chloe.

"What?"

"Watch her move, she's completely past puberty and adjusted to her body. Her posture is more mature, like she hasn't been slouching in awhile." I narrowed my eyes, trying to explain the things that tipped me off. "Her eyes are older too."

Chloe fixed her eyes on Haven but just shrugged. "I'll have to take your word for that, she moves differently but that's the only real difference I see. What are you thinking, she's like nineteen?"

I looked at Chloe and shook my head. "At least twenty-two, maybe as old as twenty-four."

"What on earth is she doing here then?" Chloe asked the million-dollar question.

We both looked across the room and shot to our feet at the same moment.

Simon and Haven had disappeared.