CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

I haven't really said much throughout this whole story but I needed to take the time to say thank you. Reading your reviews makes my day, especially hearing how people are recommending this story to their friends, and I want to say a special thank you to BloodyRaptor for making me SQUEEEEEE. It's nice to know I have loyal readers. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, and everyone, who is reading. Now sit back and enjoy the show!

Violets life was good. The number of infected was dwindling, they were simply turning on each other, because they had no alternative food source. The specials seemed to have all moved on, making where her strange family lived, a fairly safe place to be.

What a family it was too! The hunters were doing better, hygiene aiding Vincent's recovery incredibly well. Estelle was thriving, chubby and happy. The haunted look in Liam's eyes was fading every day. He seemed to be coming to terms with the fact that he was going to survive this. Hayley was as hyper as ever and Vincent was returning to his old self. Violet was amused at how stuffy her friend was. He seemed to be struggling with the new family dynamic, and Hayley seemed to be an endless source of frustration for him. To Violet it seemed that she aggravated him on purpose, enjoying the irritated snarls and mumbles he made as she toyed with him.

Violet was a new person, and she didn't mind that. Glimpses of her old self could be seen, but they were rare, and generally only under pressure did the coldness make its way to the surface. Liam trailed around after her, smitten with every little thing she did. She knew this strange phase would pass and she was looking forward to it. Companionship was one thing, but smothering was another. She sought out Vincent's company often, as the injured hunter seemed to make Liam uneasy and she could gain some breathing room in his company. Her old friend seemed to enjoy her company as well. Two grumpy loners taking solace in the quiet each granted the other.

His mate was driving him insane. She seemed to think that his injuries had promoted her to Alpha and his patience was wearing thin with her antics. He may have been injured but he was still the male! His human had found a mate of her own. He didn't care for him. He smelled of fear too often, and made too much noise, tromping around heavily after his human. Everywhere she went, all he heard was THUD THUD THUD of his heavy boots following her small almost silent footsteps. He could sense his human thought so too, she seemed to come visit him more often and she often smelled… odd. Almost like anger, but close to frustration, if her irritated hisses of breath were any indication. He didn't understand. Why didn't she shoo him away and find a new mate? Perhaps it was his job? Yes that must be it! He is the male. She was one of his packs females. Of course it was his job to shoo intruders away. His pains must be clouding his mind! His duty was clear.

Violet watched, amused, as Vincent seemed deep in thought, grumbling and moving his clawed hands from side to side. He was growing tired of being stuck inside. As was she. Perhaps it was time she and Vincent took a trip to the store, just the two of them. Liam and Hayley could watch Estelle, as Liam was fairly comfortable with Hayley. She watched as Vincent stretched his sore muscles and jumped off the bed. It was time for him to walk about apparently.

He was on a mission. He would drive the other male from their den! Upset his females would he? Come into his den and make noise enough to drive someone insane? He would show this interloper who was alpha! He stretched one last time and found his opponent in the kitchen standing there drinking water. It brought a snarl to his lips. How dare he? He came onto HIS territory, upset his females, and drank HIS water and he didn't even have the decency to at least attempt to look subservient? He would tear the fear into this trespassing whelp!

Violet took the stairs three at a time when she heard Liam scream her name. She burst into the kitchen with a shotgun drawn and a pistol at her hip. She wasn't prepared for what she saw, and would have laughed if the situation hadn't been so serious. Liam was holding a kitchen chair between himself and a snarling Vincent, who was trying his damndest to make contact with his claws. He was snarling and hissing and screaming like an animal as he snapped his jaws wildly. She took a moment to collect herself before commanding Vincent to stop what he was doing. She was alarmed when he didn't even acknowledge her presence. She stepped forward and gave him a hard swat on the back of his head and he turned the snarl towards her for a brief moment. That moment was all it took for Violet to smash the butt of her shotgun to his face, rendering him unconscious. Hayley whimpered unhappily in the corner, but didn't move from her place in the corner.

Violet peered sadly at the form in front of her. What had gotten into him? He had been anything but aggressive with her before, why had he attacked Liam? She scooped him up and headed upstairs to Hayley's room. She laid him gently on the bed, taking care to cover him up before she went to speak with Liam.

"What in the hell did you do to him?!" Flew out of her mouth before she could articulate a less accusatory inquiry.

Liam visibly flinched under her hard stare and harsh words. "I honestly didn't do anything! I was just standing here and he started growling at me, showing his teeth and shit. So I got the first thing I could reach between us, and yelled for you. Jesus Christ Vi, he's the damn monster and you ask me what I did to him? He could have killed me!"

"He isn't a monster! He's just sick and that's not his fault! He has never hurt anyone. He's hurt himself! You must have upset him! Or threatened him. Did you get too close to Hayley? Maybe he felt threatened. He's not a monster." She felt frantic. Her friend couldn't be a monster. He had never acted this way. He had never been aggressive. In fact, he had protected their little family. What made Liam different?

Then it dawned on her. Liam was different in the most basic way. He was a man. Violet wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. The zombie she let live in her house was being possessive because another male was in her life. Liam watched her and felt strange as she explained her theory to him. He went quiet for a moment before he spoke.

"Vi, I didn't realize I was actually in the running. I've been waiting for a sign from you since we kissed that night. You seem to be avoiding me. You keep to your side of the bed, and push me away. Now your zombie tries to eat me, and you yell at me. You don't make sense. I thought you wanted something more but I'm starting to feel like you don't want me here at all."

Violet stared at him in amazement, frozen with uncertainty. She opened her mouth to say something, and then closed it again. How could he not know? She had thought she had made it very clear that she liked him, but here he was staring at her, his eyes filled with hurt. She frowned. She was no good at communication when she was being honest. She wasn't prepared for this conversation. What was she supposed to say? Of course she liked him; of course she wanted him here. But how could she say that. She still couldn't formulate a thought as a stony look crossed his face and he nodded curtly. The word "wait" tried to make is way from her lips as she watched him gather supplies. She tried to beg him to stay as he headed out the door but the words caught in her throat as she struggled to control the sob that was threatening to come out. Why was he leaving? Where was he going? Was he coming back?

"Please don't leave" slipped out quietly, almost as quietly as the tear that slid down her cheek.