This chapter is mostly flashback, but it's nice and long lol.

Hope ya'll enjoy!

I whirled around, faster than a flash of lightning, and marched up to the bastard.
"Do not ever call me that," I warned him.
His eyes glowed, as if he'd gotten exactly the reaction he'd wanted.

"Why?" He challenged, "It's not like you didn't seriously consider it, once."

"We were never actually married," I hissed, even as I eyed the ring that he still wore.

Until now, I'd pointedly ignored it.

Damon's gaze heated, "Do you think I really need a ceremony to know that you're my mate?"

"Fuck you," I spat.

He smirked, "You already did, kitten, many times, as I remember, and you loved it...married or not."

He should have expected the sting when my hand came across his face.

"Ouch" he teased, and my expression became murderous, rage bubbling up.

But when I swung again, he was better prepared, and caught my wrist, twisting my arm until I was stuck with my hands behind my back, my chest flush against his own.

My phone and clothes fell to the floor.

"Don't forget who trained you," Damon reminded me.

Angrily, I stomped his foot.

"Was that necessary?" he winced.

"No," I allowed, "but neither was this."

In a quick pull, I brought my knee up to his groin.

He reacted just as fast, jumping back before any real damage was done.

But at least he'd released me.

Damon straightened himself, his years of training allowing him to move past whatever pain my aim at his jewels may have caused, and he met my gaze.

"Whatever we had in the past was a mistake," I told him firmly, "One that was easily rectified."

His voice became hard, "A mistake? Since when did you being in love with me become a mistake?"

"Since the day you threw away any trust I had in you," I said coldly, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to take a shower."

Picking up my things, I rushed into the bathroom, and locked the door behind me.

I spent longer than necessary under the water, which helped calm me a little.

Then took my time getting dressed.

Damon was gone when I walked back into my room.

As I expected, the night that followed for me wasn't easy.

When I had finally drifted off to sleep, I was plagued by memories in my dreams, reminding me of how I had gotten to this point.

My time at Whitmore college, on the other side of Mystic Falls, where I had first met the Pack.

It had been an early Saturday morning.

The clouds had made the sky all shades of grey, as the September air had settled around the school.

I really didn't care though.

I had just graduated from a two year community college, and left my aunt to start a life of my own.

Where maybe, finally, I could move on.

I had gotten out of my car and tried gathering all my things, but it was apparent that the two suitcases, and three boxes, were going to require more than one trip.

I had decided to stack the boxes and carry them in all at once, then come back for the suitcases.

The stone like stairs had mocked me as I planned it all out.

Picking up the boxes, I'd tried to use my foot to shut the car door, only slightly succeeding, due to one of the top boxes falling.

Frustrated, I'd sat the others down to re-stack them.

Then, out of nowhere I'd looked up to see some one standing beside me.

I'd straightened, lifting the boxes with me.

"Need some help?" Asked the friendly looking, dark haired boy.

"Yeah, thanks!" I'd smiled, "Um, could you just grab those two suitcases?"

"No problem," he'd answered back, picking them up and shutting the door for me.

"I'm Tyler by the way," he greeted.

"Elena Gilbert," I answered back happily as he'd put down a bag to open the door for me. "You new here?" he asked as I turned onto a hall, and up more stairs; my room was on the third floor.

"Yeah, I just transfered."

"From where?" he asked offhandedly.

"Jenkins Jr U, a community college a little more north of here."

I stopped, having finally reached the right door, according to the key card number.

"Yeah, I've heard of it," Tyler commented, as he followed me into the room I'd just unlocked.

"So how old are you?" I asked, setting down the boxes on the opened, unclaimed bed. The other was covered with a purple comforter, and some throw pillows.

Obviously, I had a roommate.

"Twenty-one," he answered, "What about you?"

"Twenty," I smiled, "Not quite legal yet."

"It's overrated," he joked, "So why are you just transferring when school started almost two weeks ago?"

He leaned against a dresser.

"Well, there were some complications with my old school, transferring credits and all. Everything just got finalized," I explained.

It had been a nightmarish month, but it was worth it, now that I was officially enrolled at Whitmore University.

"It's good that everything worked out for you," he offered, making me smile again.

Tyler was a nice guy.

"Thanks," I stood up. "So, any chance you wanna show me around this place?"

"Sure," he agreed easily.

Together we'd walked down to the main floor, and out into the morning.

The tour of the campus was shorter than I'd expected, as we visited the four main buildings, the library, the gym, and the cafeteria, but Tyler managed to explain everything quick and easy.

Just as we were walking back to the residence hall, a black Ducati sped by, almost hitting Tyler and missing me only because I'd been closer to the sidewalk.

The driver of the bike pulled to a stop, turned around and parked it right next to where Tyler was brushing off the dust the bike had sprayed him with.

"Geez Stefan, what's your problem, man?" He shot, annoyed.

The guy got off the bike and laughed, the sound slightly muffled through the thick red and black helmet he was now pulling off.

"Sorry, but I couldn't resist. The guys have been looking for you. And by guys, I mean Damon...Glad to see you've been occupied."

Tyler shook his head and waved for me to come closer.

"It's not like that," he defended against the guy's obvious assumption, "She's new and I was showing her around. Elena, Stefan Salvatore. Stefan, Elena Gilbert."

Stefan stretched out a hand, clad in a riding glove, to me, and used his other hand to tuck his helmet under his arm.

"Nice to meet you," he said, and I'd shaken his hand.

"You too."

Stefan was extremely handsome, dirty blond hair, tousled over deep green eyes, and an angular face.

"New girl huh?" he asked, sizing me up.

I'd nodded, "Yeah, just transferred from JJU."

"Jenkins?" he scoffed, trying to pass it off as simply clearing his throat.

"What? Jenkins isn't that bad," I defended with a laugh.

"Yeah, but it's not Whitmore," Stefan insisted.

"Hence, the reason I transferred."

He smirked, "Good point...anyway, you ready, Tyler?"

He turned back to his friend, "We need to get going. You know how Damon gets when he has to wait, and the others are already there. Ric's called a Meeting."

Tyler had nodded, "Yeah, I'll get my car. We're going to the house, right?"

"Where else?" Stefan shot, before nodding to me, "Again, it was nice to meet you."

Tyler also said goodbye, and I'd thanked him for the tour.

"Anytime," he promised, before heading down the parking lot.

Stefan was already pulling out on his bike before he'd reached the car.

Left with no one to talk to, I'd crossed my arms against the breeze, and started back toward the dorms.

Upon unlocking the door, I found my luggage sitting on the floor, just waiting patiently.

With nothing else to do, I set to work.

Within the hour all of my clothes were neatly folded, or hung up and all my possessions were in place.

I had just finished placing the only picture I had of myself with my parents next to the one of me with my aunt Jenna at graduation, when my roommate showed up.

"Hi!" the girl said enthusiastically, closing the door.

"Hey," I'd smiled at her, "I'm guessing you're my roomie?"

The girl stuck out a hand, "Alexia, or Lexi, Branson, and yes, I am."

I shook it, "I'm Elena Gilbert."

Lexi pushed back a handful of her long blond hair, "It's great to meet you! The RA told me last week that someone was transferring in, and I was so glad. I've had a single room for a semester now, and it's boring as hell!"

I'd laughed, "Nice to know. I wasn't sure what to expect, honestly, getting transferred so late."

Lexi nodded, "Yeah, they tend to pair all the transfers up with the singles. You can probably apply for a single room next semester if you wanted to. Sometimes it's better. When I first got here, I got paired up with some goth chick who listened to creepy music and never said anything. But, hey, to each their own."

I'd scrunched up my nose, "I bet that was interesting."

"To say the least," Lexi chuckled, sitting on her bed, "I got a single room as soon as I could! But then again, at least the weird music was better than silence. So usually I crash somewhere else, but now you're here, so maybe it'll be fun again!"

I'd smiled, and could really see myself being friends with this girl.

"Oh, fun is definitely part of the plan," I grinned.

Now that I was finally out on my own, in a new place, where no one knew me as that little orphaned girl.

Lexi pulled a fuzzy throw pillow into her lap, "So, do you party any?"

I'd shrugged, recalling a few high school keggers, "A little. As long as it doesn't get too wild, I'm in."

Lexi gave me a knowing look and nodded, "Yeah, it sucks when the idiots get drunk and start acting like asses."

I'd agreed, as the blond continued, "Well, there's a party at the Falls tomorrow, if you'd be interested. It's kinda this big clearing out in some woods, next to the creek in the town over. It's usually pretty fun, there's always music, beer, and a few bonfires."

"Oh yeah? Well, it sounds better than doing nothing," I figured, "Though hopefully after that, I'll know more than three people."

Lexi chuckled, "Hey, if you just got here, and have made three friends already, you're doing good."

I considered that, thinking back on the afternoon, "Not sure I'd call them friends...just two really hot guys that I met in the parking lot."

"Oooh, hot guys talking you up, huh?" she'd teased, "See, you're fitting in already."

I'd rolled my eyes and threw a pillow at my roommate, "They didn't talk me up. They were actually very friendly."

Lexi grinned, "Well, it's only a matter of time. You're fresh meat, and you're gorgeous. I'll have to be putting a roll of numbers outside our door before the week's over."

I'd smirked, "Okay, now that, I don't believe!"

We'd laid there and talked for a while longer, enjoying getting to know each other, before deciding to go down to the cafeteria for dinner.

As we walked, I listened to one of Lexi's wild stories, and felt hopeful, as everything seemed to be going pretty well, so far.

And I was actually looking forward to the party that next day.

Ever heard the saying that hindsight is 20/20?

Yeah, well, I learned that eventually.

So many times since that night, I'd wished I hadn't of gone.

That the car would have stalled, that I would have gotten sick, or really anything to change the course of what had unfolded.

Unfortunately, things hadn't worked in my favor, despite what I thought at the time.

Lexi and I had gone shopping, returning to the dorm with a few hours to spare before the party at the Falls.

"What do I wear?" I'd asked my roommate, who was painting her toes on the bed.

Even then, I'd had no sense for fashion.

And I had no idea what to expect for the Falls.

"Casual, cute, but warm, " She offered, as I reviewed a few more possibilities.

"Okay so what about these?" I held up a few choices.

Lexi sat down the finger nail polish and looked up at the options, eyeing them skeptically.

"Okay," she finally said, "I have an idea. Put on those dark jeans and...put on this."

Lexi had reached into her own drawer and pulled out a very small, form fitting top.

It was long-sleeved, with buttons in the front, but crop-topped, only coming down to just above the belly button.

Less modest than what I'd usually wear, but it couldn't hurt to try.

So I did as I was told, slipping into my pants, and taking the shirt from my roommate.

"This'll be hot!" She promised.

I chuckled, "If you say so."

It took only a second to change and situate, "This looks okay?"

Lexi nodded, "Definitely! You'll be turning heads tonight!"

I moved to look in the mirror.

It did look pretty good, even if it was a bit revealing.

I'd bring a jacket, just in case.

This was a new start, at a new school.

I wanted it to go well.

It was after nine when we finally made it to the Falls.

The scene was pretty much what I had expected for a college party.

A bunch of young adults, dancing to some kind pop song, while others talked and drank.

Lexi had a hold of my hand, leading me through the crowd, to the tables set up by the water, containing drinks.

Grabbing two cups of what was presumed to be beer, she turned and handed one to me.

The main crowd seemed to be around the three fires that burned high, so we managed to get in the middle of two, where it thinned out, and was still warm.

"This is insane!" I'd told her, over the music.

Lexi was smiling, then yelled, "Welcome to Mystic Falls!"

We finished our drinks, then Lexi was pulling me into the crowd, just as a fast paced song came on.

It felt good to let go like this, and the dancing was warming us faster than the fire.

I hadn't felt this free in forever.

The music, the alcohol, the laughter and chatter of the crowd.

I could almost lose myself.

Once a few songs had ended, Lexi motioned for me to follow, and we crawled out of the hoard.

"Having fun?" she asked, as a few people waved at her.

She smiled back, before focusing on me.

"Yeah, I am! Thanks for inviting me," I told her, a little breathless.

The blond grinned, "No problem! But now it's time to give you the rundown of the social class."

"Oh God," I'd laughed, "This should be good."

Lexi smirked, "Okay, first things first, see the guy in the tux shirt, over there?"

She pointed to the other side of a fire.

I nodded, "Blond hair, kinda cute?"

"Yeah," Lexi confirmed, "That is Aaron Whitmore. His family founded the school. He's a prick. Treats girls like dirt. Avoid him."

I chuckled, catching sight of a hot dark skinned guy, "Okay...who's that?"

Lexi followed my view, "Ah, that's Jesse. semi-new guy. I don't know much about him yet."

"He's cute," I noted, and Lexi nodded her agreement, "Definitely!"

She continued on, pointing out people and rating them on a scale of bitch to bestie.

Then a guy close to us called out, over the music, "Yo, Mason!"

Lexi turned at the name, a smile spreading across her face as she murmured to me, "They're here."

I looked over and saw a line of four guys, walking our direction.

They were clearly who Lexi had meant, as the crowd parted for them.

"Who are they?" I asked, slightly awed.

Lexi answered, without taking her eyes from them, "The Sons of Mystic."

I watched as they moved with a uniformity that was impressive.

It wasn't until they were closer that I realized two of them were Stefan and Tyler.

I was about to say hi, when Lexi blurred past her, practically jumping into Stefan's arms.

They hugged, and my brow rose.

The boy on the end wolf-whistled, and Stefan pulled away, "Fuck you, Mason."

Lexi laughed, "It's fine. I actually want you to meet someone. My new roommate, Elena! Elena, this is a good friend of mine, Stefan Salvatore."

I'd stepped forward, offering a wave.

Stefan nodded, "Oh, we've met."

Lexi's brows creased, "You have?"

"Me too," Tyler interjected.

I smirked, turning to my roommate, "They were the parking lot boys."

"Oh!" The blonde exclaimed, "Wow, that's funny."

Stefan speculated, "Parking lot boys, huh? That sounds like a band."

Lexi shoved him, "Don't be mean."

Then she looked back at Elena, "Well, since you've met Tyler and Stefan, loudmouth on the end is Mason, and that's Enzo."

The dark one, Enzo, spoke, "What, no nickname for me?"

Lexi just stuck her tongue out and I laughed, "Well, It's nice to meet you."

My roommate turned to Stefan accusingly , "You're late."

He nodded, "Sorry, but you know Damon."

Lexi rolled her eyes, "Well try telling him "No" next time. He's your brother, not your warden."

Stefan shook his head, "It's complicated, Lex."

"It always is," she shot, "Where is the party crasher, anyway?"

I watched as Stefan turned around, as if expecting this Damon guy to appear.

His eyes fixated on a spot to their left, and he nodded, "He's coming, now."

I took note of the tall figure walking toward us, and noticed the way others jumped from his path.

My muscles tensed, almost as if in fear.

Which was strange.

Though, any thought of being afraid fell from my mind the moment Damon joined the line of boys in front of us.

They parted on cue, allowing him the middle space, and even though they were the same in height, he towered over them, like magnets, drawing the attention.

Though with his leather jacket, model face, and midnight hair, he'd do that anyway.

I was stunned.

This Damon guy was one of the most beautiful men I'd ever seen.

Somehow, Enzo's accented voice reached my ears, "We had thought you ditched us, mate."

A smirk crossed Damon's mouth, and my heart had skipped.

"I'm starting to think I should have," he answered in a voice that made my mouth dry.

Like hard velvet or rough silk, seemingly impossible, yet the perfect match to his sculpted face.

"But let's be honest," he continued, "none of you could tell right from left, without me, let alone manage to get back home. And I'm not that cruel."

"Nice to see that you're still in a good mood," Stefan mocked, and Damon shot him a hardened look.

"Well, brother, some of us have better things to do then come to heel every time a girl commands."

His eyes drifted to Lexi, who rolled hers, "It's nice to see you too, Damon."

He smirked at her, until finally, his gaze moved to me.

I caught my first real glimpse of his eyes, and the word "ice" came to mind.

Cold, hard, blue ice...And they sent chills down my back.

Because I'd seen the same dead look before, staring back at me, in the mirror.

And I'd swore, he was seeing me, as only I could, to the core of my being.

"Who's this?" He asked after a second, to none in particular.

"Elena, my roommate," Lexi answered.

Damon's head had cocked slightly to the side as he'd studied me, his gaze roaming my body in a predatory way that had made me suddenly wish I was wearing layers of clothes.

"Elena," My name fell easily from his lips, as his hand reached up to my hair.

I stiffened as he fingered one loosely curled strand, "Red, huh? It looks good."

I had gotten the colored streaks last year, to make a statement, but had ended up liking the way it had looked, and kept it.

I nodded, trying to shake off this irrational feeling of intimidation.

He was, after all, just another guy, "Thanks. I presume you're Damon?"

Those blue eyes softened a little, as he stepped closer to me, "Usually. But say the word, and tonight, I'll be whoever you want me to be."

His following smirk was flirty, and somehow, I felt comforted.

He wasn't seeing some dark hidden part of me.

He was seeing my face, my body...he was just another guy.

And that, at least, I could've handled.

"Whatever happened to being true to yourself?" I'd teased him.

"Pretty little things like you," he answered.

I'd fought the urge to roll my eyes, "Yes, because modern feminism ruined self reflection."

Damon chuckled, his face seeming less threatening that way, "You don't have to like it, Little Red, but it's true. Girls around here are as shallow as they are beautiful."

My brow rose as I scoffed, "Well I guess I'm lucky that I'm not from here. I'd hate to be considered shallow."

My tone had a bite to it that I didn't regret one bit.

Whatever my previous impression, I was beginning to dislike Damon.

"You transferred."

He said this as a statement, not a question, but I nodded anyway, "From Jenkins. It's the community colle-"

"I know what Jenkins is," he interrupted, flaring my annoyance, "Now, I'm wondering what brought you to Whitmore?"

I was affronted at his tone.

The velvet was gone, replaced with the commanding edge of someone who was used to getting their way.

And, for some reason, it irked me.

"Well, that's funny," I answered, "Because I was wondering how that was any of your damn business."

The smirk was still in place, as if he was completely unbothered, "General curiosity...And I have ways of finding out whatever it is that I want to know, Red, so you might as well tell me."

Wow, this guy was full of himself.

I shook my head, "Elena."

Now his brows furrowed, confused, "Sorry?"

"My name," I crossed her arms, "It's Elena. Not Red."

Understanding crossed his face, which seemed a little too close to my own, and his gaze was captivating, "Your name may not be Red, Elena, but you're little temper is, isn't it?"

I'd huffed.

This guy...I'd show him temper!

"Sorry, it flares up in the company of psychopaths and arrogant bastards."

I was tensed, ready to counter whatever his comeback was.

"And which one am I?"

My eyes narrowed, "Yet to be determined."

He only stared at me, a new expression on his face.

After a moment of silence, he smiled.

"Go out with me."

My eyes widened, "Excuse me?"

"Next Friday," he elaborated, "Go out with me."

It wasn't even a question.

But I damn sure had had an answer.

With an unbelieving laugh, I stepped away from him, "Okay, Hotshot, neither of us are drunk enough to make that happen."

That smirk!

That mocking line of perfectly shaped, white teeth, "Would you like a drink, then?"

I opened my mouth to answer, when a deep laugh bellowed behind me.

I turned toward the others, shaken from whatever trance those blue orbs had compelled me into.

Like being hit with cold water, I suddenly became aware of the party around me again.

And the group, watching us with amused expressions.

I pursed her lips, looking back at Damon, "You know what? Drinks are a great idea. But we'll go get them."

I walked away then, grabbing Lexi's arm, and led us both into the throng of dancers, Damon's face disappearing among the crowd.

That night had started a change of events that would eventually ruin my life.

The boys had gotten to have a little normality, while the older wolves controlled Pack duties, and it had seemed almost normal.

Lexi, as it turned out, had met Stefan in grade school, and the two were good friends, up until graduating Whitmore, of course, when my old roommate had taken off to who knew where to start a life.

The other guys had stepped up to Pack duty, and I had never made it to graduation.

At least, not then.

Damon had eventually won me over, or, well, my body's attraction to his had.

But once we had gotten out of the bedroom, it had only taken a few dates for me to realize I was falling for him.

And he fell just as hard.

We were happy together, despite the fact that we bantered a lot, or that didn't know his secret.

I wish I had never found out.

That he'd never brought me home to meet Alaric.

Because when you hang out with dogs...

But nothing could change the past now.

I was home, in Mystic Falls, and tomorrow, the rest of the Pack would be here.

All I could do now was try to get some rest.

So, whatcha think?

The next chapter is one of my absolute favorites so far, and you get to meet the Pack! :)

Thanks for the reviews! Keep em coming, and I'll do the same ;)