(Harley's POV)

How did I end up in this situation? I was hiding in a bathroom, sitting in the porcelain tub as my right hand closed around the left wrist. The skin was darkening into a bruise, aching terribly. Tears trickled down my cheeks as all I could hear was a pair of fists pounding on the door, someone screaming at me to open it. Fear and anxiety swirled in my chest, a perfect combination for complete terror. My hand went up to my pained cheek, feeling the four lines of ripped skin. Blood trickled down my face then down my neck.

That's when the door finally gave in, breaking in with shards of woods flying everywhere. A jolt was sent through my body, startled by this.

Golden eyes looked upon me with rage, ready to tear flesh. Pristine white fangs glimmered in the dim light as the lips pulled back into a scowl. Razor sharp claws reached out, snatching my shoulders. Instead of the claws digging into my skin, it was the creature's grip that was nearly deathly. Shrinking back, a cry forced its way through my throat. The werewolf pinned me down in the bathtub, not allowing me to run away as a pair of legs straddled my waist. This werewolf wasn't just an ordinary one… this werewolf also wasn't Clawdeen…

It was Clawd.

-A few hours earlier-

After school, Clawd invited me over to…study. His hand was constantly clasped around mine on the way to his place. For a while, we just walked in silence, enjoying each other's company. When we approached his front door, I could hear barking inside. Before we could enter, Clawd grabbed my arm and pulled me back for a second.

"I have to warn you, I kinda have a bunch of younger siblings so if it gets too annoying, I understand." He stated carefully.

"Dude, you're talking to the girl who used to baby-sit the spawns of demons! No joke, they really were demon children" I laughed.

Nervously, Clawd opened the door. Inside, I saw Clawdeen, Howleen and three smaller wolves. They all froze when they saw me, either confused or irritated. The smaller three had ear-to-ear grins as they rushed towards me, jumping all over me! What the hell? Their clawed hands petted my fur, surprised by how soft it was.

"Bunny! Bunny! Bunny!" They cried, giggling like, well, children.

It took them a while to calm down and get off of me. Once they did, Clawd started introducing them. The young girl was Clawdiana and the twin boys were Howler and Clawdis. They were equally irritating but all lovable as well. Almost immediately, Clawd took my hand and led me upstairs to get away from all the noise.

"Sorry about that, my family can be a little crazy." he chuckled nervously.

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around his neck with his hands on my waist as I said, "I don't mind a little crazy…"

We kissed softly at first until we both forgot where we were and passion poured into the kiss. My fingers ran through his short hair, scratching slightly behind his ear. Smiling a little, he let his hand drift under my tail, giving my rear a squeeze. Startled, I jumped a bit and moaned into the kiss. Apparently he was pleased by this, running his hand downward and lifting me off my feet with my legs around his waist. He carried me into his room, gently lying me down on his bed and discarding of his shirt but throwing it to the floor.

The werewolf crawled over me, kissing along my jaw line and nibbling at my neck. We grinded endlessly against each other as he tugged at the hem of my T-shirt. Pulling it over my head, I kissed him once more until his hand slipped under me. A surge of pain struck through me, causing me to throw my head back with a wince. Oh no. He looked down at me with worry and confusion, sitting me up to look at my back. Swiftly, I pulled away, refusing to let him see.

"Harls, what's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing, I'm fine." I forced a smile, reaching for my shirt. "I just got a little pinched and…I don't think I'm ready for this" I lied.

He took my hand before I could grab my shirt, "Harley, I love you…and I know when you're lying. Please, if there's anything you need to tell me, I'm here for you."

"Thanks but there's nothing to say, I'm fine."

Giving up on persuading me, he grabbed my shirt and threw it across the room. That mutt. Either I turn around and let him see the scars or walk backwards for it and let him know something's up. We just sat there for a minute, unmoving. Finally, I tried his patience too much and he snatched my shoulder. My hands flew up to push him away but his other hand shoved them away. He forced me down, my back facing the ceiling.

That's when I felt like I was about to cry as his fingers lightly traced the scars and closed gashes that were still healing. The flesh stung but it was nothing compared to the heartache I felt when the wolf I loved found out my secret.

"Who did this to you?" he asked in a low voice.

"No one, I just…" Crap, I couldn't bring myself to lie to him.

"Just what? What happened?" he asked with nothing but total concern.

Sighing, I slip off the bed and pick up my shirt. What could I do? Toralei told me that if I told anyone, she'd tell Harriet everything. Would Clawd just be another sacrifice for my secret being kept? Conflicted thoughts battled one another ruthlessly, no victor emerging from the war. All I could do was slip on my shirt and tell him I didn't want to talk about it as I headed for the door.

He grabbed my arm, "Please, Harley, I love you and I want to help you."

"You can't help!" I snapped. "No one can help! She won't let me tell anyone or she'll tell Harri-"

I slapped a hand over my mouth, stopping me from exposing everything. He furrowed his brow with frustration and confusion. Again, I tried to escape but his hand clasped around my arm once more, refusing to let me leave. In his eyes, there was anger but it wasn't towards me and fear but it wasn't of me. He was furious with himself for not protecting me and feared that one day; I'd die because he wasn't there. It was completely understandable. Still, that didn't mean I was going to tell him about Toralei.

"Let me go" I pulled away, my arm still in his grasp.

"Not until you tell me who did this to you."

"Well, we're going to be stuck her for a while."

We stood there for a minute, still struggling with each other. That's when I remembered the second thing the she-devil wanted me to do. It was going to hurt but it was the only chance I had at keeping Harriet without exposing the secret. Taking a deep breath, I finally spoke but this time, with hatred.

"I never loved you, Clawd, I was only using you."

His facial muscles relaxed, dropping with his eyes widening and his jaw dropping. In his shocked state, his hand loosened and I was able to shake him off. Once the door was opened and I stepped out, a hand lashed out and gripped my left wrist. His face contorted with rage as it looked almost as if tears were about to spill from his eyes.

"Liar" he growled. "I gave you my heart and how could you just mess with my feelings like that?"

"I'm done with you, why are you so persistent with keeping the girl who hates you?"

"You love me, I know you do!"

Leaning closer to him, I said with a completely serious face, "I don't love you."

In utter rage, he raised his clawed hand and brought it down across my face. At first, I was stunned until the pain started taking course. He just hit me. Yanking me forward, he tried to hit me again but I was able to slip my wrist out of his grasp. The first place I was able to get to was the bathroom. Slamming the door closed, I turned the lock. Jumping back, I heard a body lunge at the door.

I just sat in the bathtub, tears streaming down my face. The second thing Toralei wanted me to do after letting her hurt me…was to break Clawd's heart. I loved him deeply but there were more guys out there and only one Harriet. I wasn't going to lose her like I lost our parents.