I know sone of you had some questions, but this chapter is a bit of a flashback, and should help clear most of it up!

If not, feel free to pm me!

Also, some reviews have been left in Spanish, I know the basis of what you are saying, but my Spanish isn't very good! Sorry! But if you could review in English, I could better answer you!

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Ten years ago, my life was changed.

The very essence of who I was, taken from me.

I had never expected the betrayal.

Damon drove us through the gate, parking a little further up the path.

He got out, and came around to open my door.

I, however, was focused on the enormous house in front of me.

Damon smirked at my expression, then pulled me out of the car, and took me into his arms.

He kissed me deeply, leaving me breathless when he pulled away.

I smiled, and he tucked a strand of my red streaked hair behind my ear.

"Don't be nervous," he told me, "We're gonna be fine."

I gave him a look, "Well, when you put it that way..."

He smirked, and I sighed, glancing up at the house again.

"I feel nervous," I admitted, "This is a big deal, bringing me home to your family...what if Alaric doesn't like me?"

"Impossible," Damon shot down the thought.

I bit my lip, "Fine, then I'll come clean. I've never met anyone's family before. I mean, not in this context. Not in the context of This is someone that I love, who I want to spend the rest of my life with, and if you don't like me-"

"Kitten, stop," Damon chuckled, grabbing my face, "I've got you. Okay?"

I took a breath, allowing his deep blue eyes to swallow me.

Calm me.

I nodded, "Okay."

He gave me a quick kiss, "Okay."

He grabbed my bag from the backseat of the car, swinging it over his shoulder.

Then, he took my hand, and we walked up to the house.

It was beautiful.

A look crossed Damon's face as we came to the stone porch.

"So, don't freak out, but I didn't exactly tell Alaric we were coming, and-"

"What?"

I whirled on him, "Are you crazy? We can't just show up! He at least knows we're engaged right?"

Another look.

"Damon!"

My fiance chuckled, "Sorry. I was going to tell him, but everything just sort of happened, and the opportunity never arose."

I sighed, "Okay. But we aren't going to ambush him. You go in there and talk to him. I'll wait here."

"You sure?"

I nodded, and Damon kissed the side of my head, "I'll be right back."

He went up to the door and disappeared into it.

I took the moment alone to appreciate the property.

Damon had mentioned that his family had money.

But there was money, and there was money.

I shook my head.

It really was a beautiful place.

The yard stretched wide enough for it to seem like the house was in the middle of a football field, and trees surrounded every other inch of the property, which stretched over a couple miles, from my understanding.

Like a cottage in the fairytales I'd read as a child.

Or maybe "mansion" was more appropriate.

As I stared in awe, a rustling off to the left caught my attention.

My eyes darted to the woods edge, but I saw nothing.

However, an odd feeling crept over me.

Like I was being watched.

I shook my head at the ridiculous notion, it was probably just some animal.

There were a lot of trees out there, after all.

Damon reappeared before I could put too much thought into it.

"He's not here," he told me, "the coast is clear."

I smiled, and let Damon take my hand.

The inside of the house was even more impressive.

An enormous foyer, a winding staircase, a spacious living room with a wide fireplace.

"This is beautiful," I said in wonder, "I can't believe you grew up here."

Damon nodded, "My...adopted father brought me here, when I was a child. He passed away soon after though. Alaric basically raised me."

"That's right," I recalled, "Well, I think he did a pretty good job."

Damon smirked, as a voice interrupted.

"It was an effort to rival the seven labors of Hercules, all rolled into one."

I turned, spotting an aged, yet still relatively young, handsome man.

He wasn't exactly what I'd been expecting, but eluded a confidence that screamed "Head of the Household".

I smiled nervously, "I imagine that it was quite the challenge."

Damon intervened, "Elena, this is Alaric. Ric, this is Elena."

My stomach was tied in knots as Damon's father figure stared me over.

"You have a beautiful place," I offered.

Cliché, but honest, "Damon's description doesn't do it justice."

Alaric nodded, "We are quite fond of it. It's nice to meet you...though, I must apologize, I wasn't expecting guests."

He directed the last part at Damon, and the two seemed to share a silent conversation.

"I'll go grab us a drink," Alaric smiled kindly, "You may wait just over there, in the library...Damon, you will come assist me."

His tone demanded obedience.

Damon sighed, as Alaric left the room.

"He's upset," I bit my lip, "I can tell that he is...just, please, go make this better."

Damon smiled softly, "I will."

He gave me a quick kiss, then followed Alaric's exit.

I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but my curiosity won out.

My ears strained, but I could pick up bits of their conversation.

Mainly Alaric's slightly heated voice.

"You should have told me that you planned on having a guest."

"You should not have brought her here."

Damon's protest, "I just thought-"

"You thought wrong."

"You wear a ring...are you married to this girl?"

"Engaged."

"I love her, Ric."

"We don't get to love-"

"We can leave. I'll take her to the city! We can-"

"I'm afraid it won't be that simple, son."

I didn't want to hear anymore, but I could tell that this wasn't going well, at all.

I'd never met the man, so this couldn't just be about me.

Then what was going on?

I heard footsteps, and hurried over, into the library, where I was supposed to be waiting.

It was large, but looked more like an office.

Alaric entered the room, absent Damon.

Nerves hit me again, but I wanted to make a good impression.

Alaric handed me a glass of iced tea.

"Thank you...where's Damon?"

Alaric cleared his throat, "The neighbors, they uh, needed some help. I sent Damon over, but he'll join us shortly."

"Oh."

I didn't know if that was true or not, but at the very least, it could mean that Alaric wanted a moment to get to know me.

"I'm sorry that we didn't give you more of a heads up," I told him, "I'm sure this is a shock."

Alaric's eyes flitted to the ring on my hand.

"Not as surprising as Damon actually bringing someone home," he assured me, "The boy always did have a knack for keeping me on my toes, though."

"Well, if it's any consolation, I really do love him," I stated.

"I'm sure you do," Alaric nodded, "But tell me, have the two of you thought this through? Damon has often traveled. Now that your classes are over, things could change for you."

I shrugged, "None of that matters to me. I love him. I'll go wherever he goes."

Alaric didn't seem to have a comment for that, and silence fell.

I cleared my throat, and smiled brightly, changing the topic, "This place is incredible. Have you always lived here?"

"For a long time," he nodded

"Seems like it would be lonely, here by yourself, with Damon and Stefan away at school."

"You've met Stefan?" Alaric asked.

I nodded, "And their cousins. Mason, Tyler, even Enzo."

For whatever reason, Alaric didn't seem happy about that.

"It's certainly quieter with them gone," he told me, instead.

I nodded, "I think I would get scared, being up here by myself."

This amused him, "And what would there be to fear?"

I thought back to the feeling I had earlier, standing in the drive.

Like something was out there.

"I don't know," I answered honestly, "But sometimes you look out into the woods...you may think you see things."

My words caused him to stiffen.

"What kind of things?"

That was an odd question.

"Just things. You know, imaginations."

He sat uneasily, but my attention was diverted by a far door being pushed open.

A large black dog slid into the room.

It was a big breed.

Husky, maybe, mixed with something else.

Perhaps German Shepherd?

It's shiny dark fur glinted in the fire light.

"What a beautiful dog," I exclaimed.

That called Alaric's attention, and he positively froze.

"Damon," he growled.

I was confused, "Did Damon let him out? It's okay, I don't mind."

The giant dog edged closer, keeping a wary eye on Alaric, who was as equally cautious of the dog.

But his tail wagged a little, and his ears were perked.

"He seems friendly," I commented, stretching a hand out.

The dog sniffed at me, his intelligent eyes a startling shade of blue.

"What breed is he?"

Alaric was tense, "Elena, pull your hand back, now."

I didn't understand why he was so worried.

The dog wasn't acting aggressive at all.

"He's alright," I assured Alaric.

"Damon," he said again, his tone harsh.

"Don't be mad at him," I smiled at the dog, "Even if Damon let him out, he seems like a big softy."

The dog was close enough for me to pet now.

So I reached out, and stroked his ear.

The animal leaned into my touch, whining happily, his mouth falling open.

I smiled, he was so soft.

"Hi there, beautiful," I stroked him, and he licked my arm.

Alaric stepped forward.

The next second was a blur.

Alaric grabbing the dog, the dog lurching forward, a sharp pain in my hand, and Alaric screaming for Damon, then all but threw the dog from the room.

I felt bad, and jumped to the dog's defense, "It's okay. He didn't mean it. It was just a playful little nip."

Alaric was on me, then, "Let me see your hand! Did he break the skin?!"

"It's okay," I insisted.

"Let me see your hand."

I gave it to him, flinching at the bleeding wound left by the dogs canines.

"I'll be fine," I promised, as Alaric's eyes widened in terror.

The door creaked, and Damon was there, naked.

I blinked, "Damon, what-"

Alaric spun around, "Out! Get the hell out, now!"

I was startled, but not as much as Damon.

"Ric, I just-"

"Out!"

"No, Elena's going to-"

"Either way, you've killed her," Alaric spat.

Damon grew desperate, "Alaric, please, don't make me-"

"Go!"

I stood up, "Wait, he doesn't need to leave."

"Elena," Alaric addressed, "You don't understand. I am so very sorry. Truly."

"But Damon didn't mean to-"

My vision blurred then, and I stumbled.

The pain in my hand increased.

"Maybe I should disinfect this," I brought my hand forward.

It was an angry red.

My vision blurred again.

I felt hot all over, and my stomach turned.

"I don't feel so good."

The last thing I remember was Damon and Alaric reaching for me as I collapsed.

Two days passed before I woke up, but they'd only felt like hours.

My vision was split, my head, disoriented.

And I hurt, all over.

Alaric was nearby, I could hear his voice, talking to me.

"Where am I?" I gasped out, realizing I was in some sort of cell.

Who were these people?!

"What's going on?" I croaked weakly, "Where's Damon?"

Alaric's voice was speaking again.

I had to concentrate to understand him.

"Damon bit you."

I shook my head, trying to climb to my feet.

I couldn't have heard that right.

"Where's Damon?" I demanded again.

"I sent him away," Alaric repeated, "He bit you."

I blinked, trying to clear my vision, "No, a dog bit me."

"Damon bit you," Alaric insisted, "He...he was the dog."

My brain tried to keep up with what he was saying.

"You're crazy," I accused.

I finally stood, and stumbled to the edge of the...cage?

"What did you do to me?" I gasped.

Alaric appeared in front of me, with a cup of water, "Drink this. You'll need it."

I didn't want to accept any favors until I had gotten some answers, but I was suddenly very thirsty.

I down the cup.

"Good girl," Alaric praised.

"What do you mean, Damon was the dog?" I asked this time, my voice clearer, "And why am I in a cage?"

"It's for your protection," Alaric promised, "I'm not lying to you, and I'm not crazy. That dog, was Damon. In his wolf form. He bit you. You're Changing."

That didn't sound good.

Or even believable.

"You're out of your fucking mind," I screeched.

"I wish," Alaric swallowed, as he lifted his hand, "Watch."

I did.

The hair on his arms lengthened, thickening, his fingers cracking before my very eyes, changing.

I screamed as a paw replaced his hand, and I fell to the ground.

"No, no, no," I whispered to myself.

This kind of things didn't happen.

Not in the real world.

Tears shot to my eyes.

"Elena, you have to listen to me," Alaric spoke, "We don't have much time. The pain you feel now will only get worse. Until it surpasses anything you've ever felt."

Even as he said it, his words came true.

The dull ache I'd felt rose from within, as if my veins were combusting.

My back arched, and I felt as if my spine had snapped in half.

I tore at my clothes, ripping them off of me, as the pain overwhelmed me.

Every bone in me lurched, every muscle ripped.

My skin was tearing apart.

I was dying, this is what dying was.

The pain forced me to my knees, and Alaric's voice reached me there.

He sounded resolved, as if he'd made up his mind to see me through this.

"Elena. Elena, listen! You can't fight this. You can't fight the pain, it will kill you! Let it take control. Let it change you. It will lead you to where you have to go. Do not fight it!"

I tried to focus on his words, to obey them.

But my survival instincts were shooting up, demanding me to hold off this pain.

I fought to control that part of me.

I tried to relax, despite the fact that it felt as if every piece of my body was breaking.

It seemed endless.

Then the agony ripped higher, and I gave in.

I let it consume me, and tear me apart.

I screamed.

I collapsed.

Then suddenly, the pain was gone.

I took a few deep breaths, before attempting to move.

My body felt odd. Heavy.

My vision was different now, a whole array of strange colors, with pinpoint accuracy.

And I could hear everything.

A million sounds, from every direction.

One of them was my name.

"Elena?"

I turned to it.

Alaric was staring at me, eyes wide.

Shock, and awe were evident on his face.

"I don't believe it," he exhaled.

I tried to ask him what he meant.

My question came out as a disgruntled bark.

The shock of it cleared my mind.

I looked down.

Paws.

Quickly, I spun around.

Fur.

A tail.

A fucking tail!

I was a wolf.

Everything he'd told me was true.

I grew lightheaded.

This time, I welcomed the blackness.

It was hours before I woke again.

The sun was gone, and I was human.

A naked, shivering human, but human none the less.

Damon stood where Alaric had been previously, on the other side of the cage.

I sat up, pulling the thin blanket from the cell's small cot with me.

"Elena," Damon called, seeing my movement.

His voice held an aching relief.

I blinked, "Damon..."

He stepped closer, grabbing a bar, "I'm so sorry, kitten. I can't even begin to explain."

"Explain why you bit me?"

My voice was groggy, but the anger managed to be apparent.

"I loved you," I whispered, "I trusted you."

I stood to my feet, painfully, my legs shaking.

"I know," he hung his head, "I had to."

I stepped toward him, and leaned my head against the bars.

He slipped his hand between them, to touch me.

I drew to the warmth of his body, "I'm so cold."

His brows furrowed, and, glancing back to make sure Alaric was gone, he pulled out a set of keys.

Within seconds, he was in the cage with me, pulling me into his arms.

Tears pricked my eyes as I fell into him.

"This is just a dream," I whispered, "Tell me is a dream."

He squeezed me tighter, "I'm sorry."

I soaked in the heat from his body, and as soon as my body relaxed, I felt that same twinge.

The molding of my skin, the crack in my spine.

I screamed.

"Elena!" Damon moved quickly, placing me on the cot, and brushing back my hair, "Breathe, just breathe. You have to let the Change happen."

"No," I whimpered, "It hurts! Please..."

My resistance was futile.

The Change completed again, and Damon had enough sense to get out of my reach.

And hour later, I'd collapsed, and felt the Change fade, as I became human again.

The pain was less, but my body was spent.

Damon waited until I was completely myself before reentering.

I didn't move from my place on the ground.

I couldn't, even if I wanted to.

Damon was talking to me, spouting words of holding on, and it'll get better, but I couldn't focus on them.

My body hurt all over.

I just wanted it to end.

"Please," I begged, "Just let me die."

His arms came around me, "Not a chance, kitten. Not a chance in hell."

Hell.

That was accurate.

I didn't see Damon again, after that day.

It had taken me weeks to learn to control the Change.

I hated it, hated Alaric, who tried to help me.

I fought against everything, refusing to comply with any instructions he gave.

The Changing, while getting easier, still hurt, and I was always stuck in that damn cage.

But a few escapes, and one close call later, I finally learned.

Nearly killing an innocent mother, out with her son, would do that to you.

I started listening to my Alpha.

I let him show me how to be the wolf, even in human form.

How to control myself, and my new instincts.

Once I had better acclimated, he let me out.

He introduced me to the Pack, well, those I hadn't already known, then gave me a room, and a new purpose.

I learned the histories, and became part of them myself.

The only female werewolf to ever exist.

The others thought it was awesome, of course, but did their best to help me adjust.

Everyone but Damon, anyway, who I discovered had been banished, for his actions against me.

At the time, I'd been grateful.

The man I loved had betrayed me, and all but signed my death sentence.

He'd known that no female had ever survived before me.

He'd taken that risk.

And he never could properly explain why.

Not that he needed to.

I had heard enough of the conversation that day to understand.

Alaric wasn't going to let me stay.

Humans couldn't know about wolves, after all.

He would have made me leave before I could find out the secret.

Damon had bit me, on the chance that I'd survive.

He'd bitten me, just so he could keep me.

After all, as a wolf, there would be no secret to hide.

It was a selfish, impulse act, against my will, that could have very well killed me.

At the very least, he could have told me, before taking away any chance I may have had at a normal life.

But he hadn't cared.

And I could never forgive him for it.

The Christmas following my First Change, Damon had called Alaric.

He made sure the Alpha pulled all the stops.

Damon knew how much I loved Christmas.

How much I'd missed it, since losing my parents.

Making sure the Pack went all out for the holiday was Damon's gift to me.

In return, I'd asked Alaric to lift the banishment for him.

Damon had returned, but things between us were never the same.

I shut my engagement ring up in a box and hidden it in my night stand, along with any chance at love in the future.

I couldn't let go of what Damon had done to me.

What he'd taken.

Of course, after a few runs, filled with adrenaline and instinct, we'd fallen into bed together.

That part was still the same, all hot passion and dancing the line between love and hate.

We used each other.

Sometimes, we were happy.

Weeks would pass when it was almost like before.

Me in his lap, the guy's wrestling around, Damon teaching me how to fight, hunting the disobedient Mutts down together.

Damn near being a couple.

And it worked, for a while.

But it never lasted.

He would always say something, or do something, to remind me that I was supposed to hate him.

We'd fight, and I'd leave.

Sometimes for a few days, sometimes a few weeks.

This last time, it had stretched into months, into a year.

If Alaric hadn't called, I don't know if I would have ever come back.

Even now, laying in Damon's arms, feeling better than I have in forever, I knew it wouldn't last.

It never did, and I hated it.

But he made the choice to gamble with my life, and now, it was just too late.

And for that, I hated him.

Almost as much as I still loved him.

Hope that answered everything!

Thanks for reading, and please review! :)