*7:00 a.m. Monday morning*
When she woke up Monday morning, Aurora felt terrible. She figured she had caught the flu from her frequent adventures into woods in the middle of winter. And Derek's igloo of a home probably didn't help. She made a mental note to give Mountain Man crap the next time she saw him.
Unfortunately, Aurora couldn't stay home from school because she had a science test that day. Dragging herself out of bed, Aurora put on the most comfortable thing she could find; a pair of black sweat pants and a long sleeve white shirt with her favorite hoodie which was black with white lettering on it that read Georgia Tech. It had been her mom's but Aurora had asked to borrow it so many times, Mrs. Montgomery finally caved and just gave it to her. When she got down stairs she found Nathaniel in the kitchen, toasting some pop tarts.
"Aye! You look like sh-"
"Don't even think about finishing that sentence, brat." Aurora warned her voice raspy. "Where are mom and dad?"
"Mom had to be in court early this morning and dad had a meeting. So, I'm going to need you to take me to school." Nathaniel told her apologetically as he sat down to eat his breakfast. "Do you want me to fix you some tea?" He asked giving his sister a sympathetic look.
"Little brother, I would love that." Aurora said taking a seat at the table. "Eat your breakfast first though."
"Want one?" Nathaniel asked offering his sister a pop tart.
"No thanks." Aurora smiled weakly, the thought of food made her want to gag.
"I'm gonna make you that tea now. I don't mind cold pop tarts." Nathaniel said as he stuffed the remaining bit of the first pastry in his mouth.
"Thanks kid." Aurora said laying her head on the table.
*8 a.m. Monday morning*
When Aurora got to homeroom, her head hurt so bad she thought it was going to explode.
"Oh, wow. You look…" Elizabeth began, cringing at the sight of her best friend.
"I know, I know. I look terrible. I feel worse." Aurora whined.
"I'm sorry bestie!" Elizabeth said sadly.
"It's all good. I just have to make it through the day without dying and I can go home to pass out." Aurora told Elizabeth trying to tough it out as best she could. "Plus, today is my only test of the week. So if I still feel like crap tomorrow, I can stay home."
"You look like you need to sleep for a week." Elizabeth said keeping her distance. "Don't give me the plague!" she joked.
"I am so gonna cough of your math textbook for that comment." Aurora teased.
Elizabeth grabbed her bag with her textbooks and made an appalled face.
*2:30 p.m. afternoon*
When the final bell rang, Aurora got up from her seat sluggishly and headed to her car. Before she put the keys in the ignition, Aurora grabbed her cell phone and called Derek. After four or five rings Aurora got his voicemail.
"Hey Der, and no I didn't swallow sandpaper, I have a cold. Listen, I know this is really selfish of me but you have no idea how bad I need a hug right now. So if you don't mind being exposed to whatever the hell I have I would really like to see you. You know what, I'm gonna head to the camp site now, hopefully I will catch you there, I'll wait about ten minutes. If not, I'll see you later."
When Aurora finished leaving her message she started the car. It didn't take her long before she was parked in her same spot at the camp site near the base of the woods. There was no sign of Derek. Aurora waited patiently, hoping he would get her message soon. After turning off her car, Aurora reached for her cell phone that she had laid on the passenger's seat. She was going to call Derek again when somebody knocked on her window. Aurora jumped at the sound as she whipped her head around to see Alex motioning for her to roll down her window. Aurora's heart leaped up into her throat. Why was he even here?
"What are you doing out here all alone, gorgeous." He asked when Aurora put her window down all the way.
"I was just hoping to find Derek." She told him.
"You don't sound well." Alex observed.
"I think I have the flu. Have you seen Derek?" Aurora asked. She was really not in the mood for small talk.
"I think he is over at the sheriff's station. I heard someone vandalized his property." Alex said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Oh, that's terrible." Aurora said starting to feel that familiar uncomfortable vibe she always got in Alex's presence. "Well I'll just talk to him later then."
"I could walk you over there. The sheriff's station isn't fair." Alex said with a smile.
"Actually, it is. It's about five miles up the road. The sheriff is my best friend's dad." Aurora told him narrowing her eyes.
"Oh, really? My bad. I didn't think it was that far." Alex apologized but Aurora knew it wasn't sincere.
"Is something wrong Aurora, you look upset." Alex asked leaning farther into Aurora's window.
"I need to go." Aurora said reaching to roll up her window when Alex grabbed her arm.
"Get out of the car." He ordered.
"Let go me!" Aurora yelled trying to fight out of Alex's grip but it was no use.
"Get out of the car or I'll drag you out." Alex growled, his eyes flashing a deep shade of red.
Aurora's jaw dropped.
Alex let go of her arm briefly as she opened the door. Before she could do what Alex had commanded her to do on her own, she was yanked out of the car.
"What the hell do you want?!" Aurora yelled trying to wiggle free for his grasp. It was in vain however, because Alex had pinned her between his body and the back door of the driver's side of her car.
"I want Derek to know that I'm the only alpha in this territory and that if he doesn't submit I'm not afraid to go after his mate." Alex threatened.
"You are fucking crazy!" Aurora shouted still trying to break free of Alex's grip.
Unfortunately, she was losing steam, her cold impairing her ability to keep up her struggle.
"I'm not gonna hurt you Aurora. Not this time anyway." Alex teased pushing his body against hers. "I just want to send Derek and his pack a message."
"What are you talking about?" Aurora asked trying to make sense of what Alex was saying.
"Oh Aurora. I think you know more than you are letting on. Or at least you suspect." Alex toyed.
"You are bat shit crazy! And when Derek finds out about this he's gonna kick your ass!" Aurora yelled in Alex's face.
Alex let out a wicked chuckle. It sounded terrifyingly familiar to the laugh that haunted Aurora's dreams.
"I would love to see him try." Alex taunted leaning forward to give Aurora a light kiss on the lips.
Aurora tried to turn her head away for Alex grabbed her jaw to hold her in place.
"You're disgusting!" Aurora screamed.
At that moment, Aurora heard a thunderous growl. Both she and Alex turned their heads to see a big black wolf coiled and ready to strike a few feet away from them.
"Silky!" Aurora yelled in relief.
"Silky?!" Alex laughed releasing Aurora so he could turn to face the wolf. "I knew you were soft Derek, but you let her name you Silky?"
"Derek? What the hell are you talking about?" Aurora asked.
Alex didn't answer, instead he raised his hand back and slapped Aurora across the face. Before Aurora had time to process what was happening Silky lunged at Alex. Silky went for Alex's throat but Alex was able to fight him off. Aurora couldn't move her body, all she could do was stand there frozen on the spot watching the two battle back and forth. Suddenly, Aurora heard Silky whimper and saw him fall to the ground. She let out a loud shirk when she realized that Alex had stabbed him in the side with a pocket knife.
"Silky!" Aurora cried rushing to the wolf's side.
"Just think Derek. You got your ass kicked and I didn't even have to shift." Alex taunted backing away from the wolf.
"Just leave!" Aurora screamed.
She decided to remove the knife from the wolf's side which caused him to whimper in pain.
"I'm so sorry buddy." Aurora said applying pressure to the wound.
"I told you I wouldn't fight fair Hale. Next time we meet it better be because you and your gang of misfits are joining my pack." Alex warned.
"You fucking crazy bastard! If you don't leave I swear-" Aurora started to scream, tearing running down her hair.
"Easy Aurora. He'll heal." Alex said walking toward them. Aurora recoiled but tried to shield Silky. "Until next time Hale." Alex taunted, kicking the wolf in the side and grazing Aurora's side in the process.
"You asshole!" Aurora yelled after Alex as he disappeared into the woods. "Silky, buddy, stay with me."
The wolf whined and made a move to stand up.
"No, don't try to move!" Aurora said trying to hold the wolf down but to no avail.
As the wolf sat up, Aurora moved her hands away from him wound to see how deep the cut was. Her jaw fell open when she noticed that the wound was completely gone.
"Silky, how did-?" Aurora started but stopped as she sat there in complete shock as the wolf before her transformed into a man.
A very naked man.
"OhmyGod! What the?!" Aurora stammered trying to get to her feet.
"Aurora. I can explain."
It was Derek.
"No. No! This isn't happening. I'm hallucinating. I have to be." Aurora frantically beginning to pace.
"Before we have this conversation, do you think you can get me something to cover up with?" Derek asked her way too calmly.
Aurora's jaw hit the floor.
"Oh yes. I'll just run to the nearest American Eagle and get you a nice pair of jeans!" Aurora spat. "And while I'm at it, I'll just by a couple of milk bones."
"I'm a wolf Aurora, not a dog." Derek deadpanned.
"You are unbelievable! That's what you are!" Aurora yelled as she walked over to her car and grabbed the keys from the ignition. She remembered that there was a blanket in her truck from the last time she and Elizabeth went to see fireworks. She kept in there in case of emergencies.
'This was not an emergency that EVER crossed my mind.' Aurora thought as she grabbed the purple blanket and closed her trunk.
"Here." She said throwing the blanket at Derek who immediately wrapped it around his body and stood up.
"I know this is a lot to take in." He began.
"That is the understatement of the century." Aurora said putting her hands over her face as she leaned against her car for support.
"You look terrible." Derek said coming over to her, reaching his hand up to her forehead.
Aurora flinched.
"Please don't be afraid of me." Derek pleaded.
"I'm…I'm not I'm just…overwhelmed." Aurora said. "I need to go."
"Aurora, wait." Derek begged.
"Derek. I would have a hard time processing this on a normal day! But today of all days, when I feel like I'm going to fall over from whatever the hell kind of cold I have, I'm not even sure what to think right now. I just need some time." Aurora said.
Derek looked extremely disappointed, but nodded his agreement.
"I'll call you in a couple of days." Aurora heard him say, but she didn't answer. She just got in her car and drove away without looking back.
XXXX
"Oh, my baby girl. You look like you feel awful." Mrs. Montgomery said checking her daughter for a fever. "And you are burning up."
Mrs. Montgomery had just got home from work to find Aurora bundled up in bed.
"Can I have a hug momma?" Aurora whimpered.
"Oh of course my sweet girl." Mrs. Montgomery said embracing Aurora as she sat up in her bed.
"Aurora? Sweetie, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Mrs. Montgomery asked concerned.
Aurora didn't mean to start crying. She was just so overwhelmed with what had transpired hours before, she couldn't help it.
'I'm afraid I've lost my mind mom, that's why I'm crying.' Aurora thought.
"Just feel miserable." Aurora told her mother, and it was only half a lie.
"Try to rest darlin'. I'll bring you some NyQuil and tissues." Her mom said brushing the tears from Aurora's eyes.
"Thanks momma." Aurora said pulling the covers up to her neck.