Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry about the late update! First there was Christmas, then I was really busy then I had to update one of my other stories. Then I started school. *takes deep breath* So, that is why I haven't updated. BUT, I'm doing that now, obviously, so I hope you guys like this chapter! Oh, and thanks to VampireSiren and WolfishMoon for reviewing! You guys are totally awesome!

And, I'm going to rewrite the conversation between Tori and Chloe on the last chapter. Just because I'm not totally happy with it. So yeah…just telling you guys that. Anyways, I'm babbling, happy reading! :D

"Today is a winding road that's

Taking me to places that I didn't want to go

Today in the blink of an eye I'm holding onto

Something and I do not know why, I try.

I tried to read between the lines,

I tried to look int your eyes

I want a simple explanation

For what I'm feeling inside

Gotta find a way out, maybe there's a way out."

~Thunder, Boys Like Girls

Chapter 8

Tamera's POV

Mrs. Bishop walked into the house, her heeled boots clicking softly on the wooden floor. She set her purse and keys on the side table by the couch and sighed. Working with three year olds at the Day Care in ApplesBurrow was tiring. Of course, no one said that three year olds were reasonable and quiet. Just the opposite, in fact. Tamera walked into the kitchen and picked up stray bowls and cups, placing them in the sink. She ran water into them and let them soak then strode over to the fridge, pulling the door open. After scanning through the contents, she reached for leftover pasta in a plastic container and shut the door. As the door thudded shut, Tamera noticed a slip of paper clipped to it. She furrowed her eyebrows, a confused look plastering itself onto her face. She didn't remember leaving it there for her husband or Tori, so why was it there? With her free hand, Tamera pulled the slip of paper from the clip and read the quickly written hand writing. As she read, the plastic container slipped from her grasp and clattered to the ground, spilling the pasta over the floor. Her hand covered her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. Tears of anger and worry and sadness. Of all the thoughts that galloped through her head, the dominant one was: How could that boy—that beast—take her daughter? They were her parents and this was her home, for crying out loud! What was so important to him that he needed to steal her child from her? But most of all, why did Tori choose to leave? She knew they loved her, didn't she?

Tamera picked up the spilled pasta and put it back into the container. She placed the container onto the table with trembling hands. She then went to the home phone, which hung on the wall by the living room. She hastily dialed Paul's work number, the phone trembling in her hand. The phone rang multiple times before her husband answered on the forth ring.

"Hello?"

"Paul, she's gone. She's gone. I found a slip of paper on the fridge and I don't know where she went." Tamera said quickly, her voice cracking somewhat.

"Honey, slow down," Paul said, recognizing his wife's voice, "Whose gone?"

"Tori..."

"What?" Paul exclaimed, "By who? When?"

"That boy," Tamera replied, a hint of anger tainting her voice, "The one she's always with." Her husband cursed under his breath.

"How long ago did she leave?"

"I don't know. She's probably far away from here by now….." Paul went silent on the other end. The only sound was the rasp of his breath hitting the receiver.

"What could that damned beast what with her..?" He finally said, quietly.

"What?" Tamera asked, confused at his question.

"He said that Tori was going to help him—or them—with something," He explained. Tamera sighed, rubbing her face with her hand.

"What are we going to do? We can't possibly find her. The wolves will make sure of that."

"There not impossible to find," Paul said firmly, "I'll send out patrols to scout the area and bring Tori back." Tamera nodded even though she knew he couldn't see her. With that, they hung up. Despite the slim chances of them actually finding Tori, the plan helped to make her feel better. Although, Tamera couldn't help the worry that slithered its way into her. Worry for what Tori would do if they did find her. Would she come back? Or would she refuse and leave permanently with the wolves?

Kiba's POV

The white wolf mounted the top of the hill. A few miles away, on the horizon, was a small city. Even from this distance, he could see sky scrapers reaching for the sky. Dark clouds churned in the sky and snow swirled down, coating the world in a white mask. In normal circumstances, the snow wouldn't have bothered Kiba. But now, with the weather like it was, the snow could result in a blizzard. He knew Toboe could handle it, but Tori he wasn't so sure about. Wolf blood or not, she was still human. They needed to find shelter and the city was the only place close by. Kiba turned and scanned the side of the hill for Toboe and Tori. The girl was trudging through the snow, arms wrapped around herself. The wind whipped at her hair and clothes. Toboe was right behind her, his red hair standing out in the white cascade. Tori reached the top of the hill and offered a weak smile. Kiba just titled his head and looked at her, his crystal blue eyes concerned.

"You ok?" He asked, noticing her shivering. Tori nodded; her cheeks red from the cold.

"Y-yeah fine," She stuttered, her teeth chattering softly. She gazed up at the dark clouds, a few snowflakes alighting on her face. "Do you think a blizzard will come?"

"Probably," Kiba replied as Toboe arrived, standing beside Tori, "We'll stop at that city just in case." The brown wolf and girl nodded agreement and they started down the hill. The land between them and the city was a white wasteland. No life was present. Everything buried away in its home to escape winters cold fingers. As they made their way towards the city, the wind picked up, screaming like a lost soul. The snow started falling harder, reeling around in fiery circles. Kiba slowed his pace, raising an arm to block the snow from his eyes.

"Kiba!" The white wolf turned at the sound of Toboe's voice. A few feet away, the boy crouched over a fallen Tori. Kiba hurried over and joined Toboe by the girl. Despite the freezing weather, her skin was hot to the touch. Beneath her lids, her eyes moved frantically. Her head moved back and forth and she mumbled something Kiba couldn't understand. She thrashed about, snow flying into the air. The blue eyed boy reached out and pinned her thrashing limbs.

"Tori!" He called out, hoping the girl would wake. What's happening to her? He thought worriedly. The girl's eyes snapped open, glazed over. Beneath the glaze, amber could be seen. Her lips curled upward in a snarl, her teeth sharpened. A vicious growl sounded in her throat, surprising both wolves. The girl struggled in Kiba's grip, her hands gripping his wrists, claws digging into his skin. Blood trickled down but Kiba paid it no heed. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the girl quite thrashing and fell silent. Her eyes slowly closed and her head fell to the side limply.

"Tori….?" Toboe said hesitantly. When she didn't stir, Kiba picked her up bridal style. The two wolves once again started towards the city.

A while later and they arrived. The city was small and quiet. Shops and small Inn's lined the streets. The streets were deserted aside from the occasional stray dog. Beneath the natural smell of the city, Kiba caught the scent of other wolves. He could tell Toboe noticed it to since the young wolf was looking around carefully. Eager to get out of the blizzard for Tori's sake, Kiba strode over to one of the many Inn's and knocked. A few seconds later, a small window on the door opened revealing an old lady.

"State your business," She said roughly.

"We're travelers looking for a place to stay," Kiba stated simply. The window closed with a click and the door swung open. A plump lady and surveyed the boys. Her eyes fell on Tori lying limp in Kiba's arms and her face turned to one of concern.

"Oh dear! Come in and hurry now," She said, gesturing hastily with her hand. Kiba and Toboe entered the Inn and found themselves in a hallway. The lady hurried down the hall.

"Follow me," She said, "The poor girl needs medical attention and fast." The boys followed the lady down the hall and left into another one, this one lined with doors leading into rooms. The lady opened one with two beds and a window on the far side. A dresser was to their left and to their right a closet.

"Set the girl down on a bed," The lady said firmly, "I'll be back with some supplies." With that, she hurried out of the room. Kiba placed Tori gently on one of the beds. She had grown worse since her…..accident out in the snow. Her skin was deathly pale and she had a high fever. To top it all off, she was shivering uncontrollably. She couldn't handle the cold, Kiba thought. Despite that, the white wolf couldn't shake the feeling that it was something else. Toboe sat on the opposite bed and looked at Tori worriedly.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" He asked, his eyes flicking to Kiba then back to the girl. Kiba didn't respond. He hoped she would, but that didn't do much good. The lady reappeared with a bucket of water, a wash rag and some blankets. She set the bucket by Tori's bed and dipped the rag into the water then wrung it out and placed it on her forehead.

"Keep the wash rag on her forehead," She told Kiba, "And dip it into the bucket every once in a while." Kiba nodded his acknowledgement as she laid the blankets out on Tori then placed some folded onto Toboe's bed.

"Oh, and I'm Margret," She said, "If you need anything feel free to speak up." She then strode out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind her. Moonlight gleamed through the thin curtains on the window. Toboe lied down onto the bed he had claimed after laying the blankets out. Kiba followed suit and lied next to Tori beneath the blankets. He lied on his side, his eyes never leaving the body beside him. Hours after Toboe had fallen asleep, Kiba was still awake. He couldn't bring himself to go to sleep. Not with the knowledge of other wolves present out in the city and not with Tori in the condition she was in. The girl made him feel ways he couldn't understand. It was different from the way he felt towards Toboe and the rest of his lost pack. He cared for them but just the thought of losing Tori made his heart cringe.

What have I gotten her into? Kiba thought just before he closed his eyes and fell into a light sleep.

A/N: Hey! So, I know I took my sweet time writing this. But, I hope you guys like the chapter! There's a little more romance in this one than the others and it will probably stay like that throughout the story, since this is, an action/romance story. Then, you already knew that so there's no point in saying it… *scrunches up face* oh well. Anyhoo! Please review! :D