Had a rough day today, so i felt like writing. Loving your reviews, keep them coming.

The terminal around her buzzed with life as she fingered the frayed edge of her bag. Piper was so lost in her thoughts of Bran that she didn't see Van until he tapped her on the shoulder. His face was lit up with excitement and joy. Piper tried to convey the same.

"Van!" They hugged for a long moment, longer than she had ever before, besides at Mac's funeral. In his arms, Piper felt herself wanting to melt, wanting to cry and tell him all about the past six months, tell him she was running away.

It was a close thing too, if she hadn't been holding herself together for a task. One that she was anticipating with the highest regard.

"Welcome home," he whispered in her ear, still holding onto her. After a moment, she loosened and he stepped back.

She looked at the black shirt and jacket he wore. His face was smooth but still seemed older to her than Bran's. His sandy hair, which hung slightly over his eyes instantly comforted her. Without thought, she reached up to run a hand through it, scuffing it in a way that she knew infuriated him.

"I see you grew that bald spot back out," she teased.

He lifted her backs, naviagating them toward a black suburban, "I did. But my permanently-singed chest hair will never forgive you."

Piper laughed, remembering how Mac had howled with laughter for days after she had accidentally set Van on fire. She had thought the thing in her hand was a sparkler, a moment too late, Van had walked over to say hello. Piper still remembered how uncomfortable she had felt all night, watching him peel off the burned skin as the new layers regrew. Of course, that had been when she had barely come around the pack. Back then, she had been too busy with her latest mission to play with werewolves.

As the doors to outside slid open, a wall of frigid Detroit air hit her. She remembered a time once, when the smell of the city would soothe her. Some nights, she would sneak up on top of their apartment building for hours, just taking in the smells and sights.

The smell now, lacked all warmth, or familiarity. It was entirely too metallic and smoke-ridden. It was yet another thing she blamed on Bran.

As they climbed into the car, Van began to ask her questions.

"Yea, yea, you were right, Obewonkanobe. Montana's really nice."

He chuckled, "I knew you'd like it. When are you-"

"-Where's T.J.?"

Van didn't mind the interruption, "Oh, he had some phone call to take. He's at home."

Home. Pack headquarters. Bodekin Luxury Supplies. She had once thought of the three concepts as sononomous. But now, Piper found herself thinking of green forest and pale blue eyes as home. Pack headquarters was the solid house she jogged past every morning and the only luxury supplies she cared for was Tag's 1998 Macintosh. Piper began to feel like a stranger.

Van continued to pepper Piper with questions as they drove home. She told him about Aspen Creek, leaving out Leah and Bran. His eyes did a funny-bug-out-thing when she told of how frequently she teased Charles, but with a shake of his head he moved on.

"You're going to stay for the anniversary, right?" The word left a cold lump in Piper's throat. An anniversary was something to celebreate. Like ten years of business, or twenty fucking years of mates, Piper grumbled. This was neither. This was a day of regret, this was a day of absolute torture, this New Years would a year since Mac died.

The single idea that a year had already passed without him was absolutely ridiculous. Mac was a part of every single waking minute of her day, except for those spent drooling over Bran. because that would just be weird, she could imagine Mac teasing.

"I'll be here."

He nodded and she figured took her stiff tone for her desire to change the subject.

"So, how's Ole' Bran doing?"

She thought of his regret for kissing her, his dismissal of her feelings, His love for Leah.

"Not dead yet." Unfortunately.

Van chuckled, "Well, I would hope not. The Marrok keeps us all together."

And he's torn me all apart.

The thought was so depressing, Piper ceased speaking afterward. She instead, watching as parts of the city flew by. Eventually, Van asked her what was wrong, she claimed to just miss it here. It was a lie. Piper no longer cared for the cramped city.

When they arrived at Van's house, he grabbed her bag as Piper glared at the traitorous cement steps. An image of a whistling Bran walking up each one was practically unforgettable..

While in her daze, T.J. had opened the front door, a smile on his too-handsome face.

"T.j. did you get her room-"

Gaining momentum, Piper vaulted up the steps. T.J.'s smile grew as he spread his arms, waiting for her to reach the top and give him a hug. However, once at the top, Piper never stopped. She continued forward, pulling her left arm back, in the process. There was a split second of understanding, before her fist connected with the expression on his face. Piper smiled, marveling not even werewolf speed could dodge a hit that unexpected.

T.j. crumbled over, most likely from shock rather than the force of the blow.

"PIPER! What the hell?" She ignored Van, lightly stepping over a groaning T.J., into the hallway of the building. Over her shoulder she lightly said, "Oh, T.J. knows what it's for," before walking down the hall towards her room.

The hit had been well worth the swollenness Piper's left hand was taking. For a moment, she was worried she'd broken it. Van, had obviously anticipated this, as he'd showed up to her room minutes later holding an ice pack.

Without a word, he inspected her knuckle, giving it a nod before pressing the ice against it. His actions were tender and for a moment, Piper felt like a child.

In a quiet voice he asked, "You're not going to tell me what he did, are you?"

She shook her head.

Van sighed, "How am I supposed to discipline my second if I don't know what he did."

"Get a new second," Piper shrugged.

He eyed her strangely for a moment, "You know, i could just ask Bran."
"Don't!" Piper said a moment too quickly.

Van eyes narrowed.

"What's going on?"

Unsure what to say, Piper mumbled something about being Jetlagged.

"Montana is only two behind here, Piper."

She waved a hand, nonchalantly, "I need to get back on Michigan time."

"But it's six O'clock..."

Dropping all pretense, Piper looked into his eyes, "Van, she pleaded, " I'll resurface tomorrow just give me-," her breath hitched as Bran's words resurfaced, I do love her, "-give me tonight."

Finally, he agreed, telling her they had stocked the kitchen all her favorites. When he kissed the top of her head, welcoming her back, Piper had decided she wished she never left.

The next few days were slightly awkward. T.J.'s nose had been broken and whether as punishment or stupidity, it had been set wrong. The imperfection actually suited his face, Piper thought. At least he didn't look so feminine anymore. T.J., however, had not been fond of the remodeling. Van had simply said he'd have to break it again to set it right. Piper had offered with a smile but strangely, T.J. had declined.

She also found Van's behavior as slightly strange in that time. He watched her practically every moment they were together. When he wasn't working, they would solve one of the millions of puzzles he had lying around or listen to music in his study. A few times, Van had remarked how different Piper was acting. She had joked she drank some of that happy juice they were handing out in Montana. Despite, the attempt at humor, Van had continued to frown at her.

Yesterday, they'd cooked chicken curry for the pack and gone to a shooting range. Piper had spent the entire day smiling, which had marginally decreased Van's strange behavior. However, the frown returned when she explained she was meeting up with friends last night. He had even insisted, she call him to tell when she'd be home.

Piper wan't used to the mother hen routine with Van but she was so happy to escape she didn't argue. Of course, she wasn't really meeting anyone, or not friends at least.

It was her third time making an excuse to do some recognizance on the Sandbox, the new meeting place of the Redicious. Watching the fanatical group made her blood boil. The bar was closed for business so she had to hangout in some thick shrubbery across the street. SHe'd figured out that they never entered the bar, only left it at the same time every day. Piper figured there was some kind of back or underground entrance to the place, one that she'd need to find and exploit.

Piper had left the spying feeling frustrated and dirty. When she'd walked in the door, Van had only raised an eyebrow at the dirt smudge on her cheek and the small fern sticking out of her hair. She chirped something about tripping before retiring for the night.

However, it wasn't until this morning that Piper realized Van was a lot more perceptive than she gave him credit for. They had started the morning on the couch in the living room. Each were enjoying their ridiculously good french-coffee, when Van had started to ask more about Bran.

She had jokingly replied, "Bran, who?" hoping to deflect him but, ever the Alpha, Van insisted on information. Piper had been forced to make some half-lies in the process of antinomy.

Yea, Bran is doing great.

Oh, yeah, his mate is oh, so lovely.

Yeah, the wolves do wear snowshoes sometimes.

Despite, her politically correct answers Van hadn't been satisfied. He'd begun to ask her about her romantic life in Aspen Creek and Piper had altogether lost it. She accused him of being a nosey old wolf, who couldn't even manage to blow down a house of straw.

Piper winced at the memory, two hours later, as she lifted a hand to knock on his door. The raps were foreign, as she had never before done so. However, she was fairly sure this situation called for it.

"Come in," he called.

Taking a deep breath, Piper slid the door to the study open. Van's furniture was mostly grey and black. Where Bran's was thick and woodsy, Van's was sleek and modern. The latter of the two was sitting in his favorite chair, a book overturned in his lap. His smile was reasuring.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course," he motioned to the loveseat across form him.

Piper sat down, unsure what to do with her hands.

"It's about Aspen Creek..."

Van sat forward slightly.

Piper met his eyes, not caring what he said, "I'm not going back. I'd like to stay at BLS until i can find a place."

The Alpha looked at her suspiciously, "and why is that?"

For the past few hours, Piper had chewed on this moment. She had thought of numerrous things to say, ways to say them, half-truths, half-lies and everything else she could think of. However, when she'd spotted the picture on the desk in her room, the one of Van, Mac and her at Cedar Point, her mind had been made. Van had been like another brother to her. Explaining this to him would be hard enough, especially since he was worried about her. He deserved the truth.

"I can't stay there anymore, Van."

He sighed, looking not altogether surprised, "who did you piss off?"

She smiled sardonically, "Well, Leah is not a fan."

Van nodded, grimacing in a slight way that Piper figured he'd had the pleasure to meet the woman.

"I Kinda figured that when you refered to her as Satan's right hand last night."

Piper chuckled. Sometimes, her sense of humor got the best of her. The answer would serve as enough for Van but Piper remembered the picture and felt compelled to tell him the rest, moreover she wanted to.

"She's not the only reason. There's-" She knew telling him was like pulling a bandaid. However, she wasn't really sure which side to pull first. Tell him she's in love with Bran or tell him Bran loves her but also loves Leah.

"Well, it's complicated but I met someone there and-"

Van nodded as she spoke, looking not at all surprised. "You're in love," he supplied.

"I thought i was."

"Piper, I knew something was different the moment I saw you. You've been mooning around this place for days. I've never seen you like this over a guy." He paused, studying her, "I can tell you don't want to be here, whatever he did, go back and forgive him."

When Van finished, he smiled brightly at her, as if he had just given her the answers to the universe. He just had to make this hard, didn't he.

"It's not that simple."

"Why? His eyes narrowed and he gathered her hands in his own. Piper could practically see his protective instincts kick in. If he was in wolf form, that Sandy pelt of his would be standing on edge, "What did he do to you?"

"Van…" Piper pulled her hands from his, scrubbing her face. He was going to go all hairy if she kept dragging this out. With a deep breath she said, "Van, the guy is Bran."

He was surprised, she could tell as much from the raised brow and wide open mouth. Any second now he'd start drooling and she'd be responsible for brain damage.

"Bran as in?..."

Piper nodded. "the Marrok," she supplied, hating using the title.

Van sat back in his seat, his eyes staring into blank space, as if trying to solve something in his mind, "Piper, he's mated."

In truth, she didn't care for the disapproval in his voice. "We didn't plan for it."

Within the ruddy brown eyes, fire lit, "We?..."

"Yes, we. Do you think i'm some thirteen year old with a crush?"

"No. He just should know better."

"Just leave it Van," she smiled at him, "I just had to tell you."

It took him an entire moment to soften toward her. He pulled her into his arms and the compassion vibrating off him made Piper feel small. He made her feel safe. "I'm so sorry, Piper."

Small drops of water formed in her eyes. Dumbly, she realized that she hadn't even needed to explain to Van what Bran did. He knew. Bran would never leave Leah. It made her feel worse.

Van had held her until her small shudders subsided. Every instinct in him was ready to fight, ready to protect the girl that he considered family. His wolf was angry with the Marrok. The man, who was the wolf's leader, should have known better. Leading on the girl had been a cruel thing to do. A part of Van wondered whether Bran really was as cruel as the stories made him to be. Perhaps his easy demeanor was the act.

Picking up his cell phone, Van scrolled down through his contacts, finding the Bran Cornick somewhere near the top. He clicked the number and attempted to control the anger and shock that had gotten him to this moment.

Bran was usually a prompt man. In fact, many times in the past he had answered Van's call before the phone had practically rang. It was a gift of his and his son's to know what was coming. However, Van had never heard Bran answering in such a panic.

The phone had barely had a moment to ring, before the Marrok answered. "Hello." He sounded breathless. The idea altogether was very un-Bran like. Van pulled the phone away from his ear, checking the display, as if he had dialed the wrong number.

Bran Cornick stood brightly on the screen. An inkling took place in Van's mind. He had heard the we Piper had used earlier. He had been thinking it was just a passing fancy for Bran or perhaps even some strange extension of protective instincts. The unhinged tint to the Marrok's voice however, suggested a new notion altogether.

Van aimed for nonchalance, "Hello Bran."

It took a moment for the other man to speak. When he did, he said, "What can I do for you Van."

The tone sounded more controlled, more like Bran but Van held on to that fraction of anxiousness he heard. He wasn't going to let the notion go so easily.

"Tell me Bran, how's Aspen Creek."

"It's fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well, apparently it's not to Piper's liking, she's decided to stay in Detroit."

If not for the werewolf hearing, van wouldn't have heard the hitch in Bran's breathing nor the soft growl that leaped up from the man's throat. Bran's wolf didn't sound happy. The idea only solidified what Van was beginning to believe.

Perhaps Piper wasn't the only one in love. Perhaps both the wolf and man had chosen a new mate. He honestly couldn't remember it happening without some form of seperation before hand. Then again, Bran wasn't one to conform to convention. Absently, Van thought of Leah's snarling face.

Bran cleared his throat, it sounded calculating. "Just send her back, I'll handle it."

It was then that Van let all pretenses drop. Marrok or not, this wolf had hurt Piper. He had sent her to him for safety and instead of protecting her Bran had gotten her wrapped up in true danger, the kind that shattered her heart and risked her life. Again, a snarling Leah came to mind.

"I'm not sending her back, Bran. Whatever happened between you two, is over."

A moment passed before he answered, "she told you."

"Yes, she did. What were you thinking Bran?"

The man's voice changed, transformed, he sounded defensive, "I didn't plan for it to happen."

Van snorted. "I'm sure you didn't. And i'm sure that just killed you, something not going according to plan." It was well known that both Bran and his son's had a way of knowing what was to come. Apparently, not even the spirits could predict Piper. The thought didn't really surprise Van.

"Watch it, Vanderick."

Van didn't care for the reprimand. His anger had started to grow. He didn't care that the next question was out of line, didn't care whether Bran's own anger grew. He was the only one left to protect piper. Before Mac diid, he had made the promise to protect his absent sister if anything ever happened. She had started off as a task, but soon, grown to be regarded as another sister to him or, more correctly a mouthy daughter. Van asked anyway, "Do you love her?"

If for the hesitation, Van may have believed the Marrok's next words. The pause however, was telling enough.

"No. I have a mate."

"You should remember that next time you persue another woman."

"I didn't pursue her."

"Don't lie to me Bran, You were supposed to keep her safe."

"I did. That has noth-"

"You did the very opposite. You hurt her. She's cried every night since she got here."

Van winced slightly at the admission. In truth, he hadn't planned on telling Bran that, he knew Piper would be upset and that was the last thing he'd wanted. The complete silence on the other end, however, was satisfying. The slip was almost worth rendering the Marrok speechless.

Van continued, "We both know Leah isn't much of a mate. You picked her because you didn't want to get hurt." It was well-known how Bran's wolf had picked the girl. Bran wasn't one for conventionality, but even that was rare, especially since the woman had been so harsh. "Piper is the most amazing, most stubborn woman I've ever met and If you can't recognize that then its your loss."

A slight growl sounded over the line, the wolf was angry. Absently, Van wondered if it was jealousy. "We may be friends, Vanderick, but remember I am the Marrok."

"You may be Marrok, but you're a stupid man, Bran."

Van disconnected the call before any more damage could be done. He dropped the phone, raising one hand to scrub his face, before he spotted a figure in the corner of his eye. Piper stood in the doorway, a blaket wrapped around her slender shoulders. He could tell she had clearly been listening to the words exchanged with Bran. Not looking away from his eyes, she nodded once, before turning and walking up the stairs.

freaking aye, the last few Paragraphs of this chapter were PERFECT. but FF decided not to save them. I tried, but my energy was spent and they are not as good. I'll fix them later