A/N: Any wolves you recognize from The Twilight Saga belong to Stephanie Meyer.

Basically everything else, including past and present wolf pack members, imprints, wolf families, and additional characters in this story belong to the universe created by the amazing, brilliant, and wonderfully talented yay4shanghai!

Thank you everyone who reviewed, I love getting feedback and hearing what people think, hope you enjoy this!

I'm sorry to admit that this is sort of a filler chapter, but a necessary set up for the next one.

As always I recommend you read the other spin-offs by liljenrocks, ari11990, AsagariMelody, Guzhong, twihardcaligurl, intiMACYx33, and TwilightHeart21. They are fantastic and worth taking the time to read.

Thanks to my amazing beta, yay4shanghai. I really appreciate all your help and for loaning me your characters to write about!

Damn Those Pesky Wolfie Urges!

14 December 2041

We were on our way to my sister's place. Driving there, which meant we were confined inside a small, ridiculously hot compartment. I think I might go insane before we get there.

I wanted to kiss her. Wanted to so bad it was almost painful to deny the urge. I had to remind myself I was driving and that I held her precious life in my hands in order to sufficiently distract myself from staring at the enticing curve of her sensual pink lips. To stay focused so my eyes weren't riveted on how they parted temptingly to allow the tip of her sweetly tropical tasting tongue to dart out. To refrain from following its gliding path as it traced over the puffy skin, moistening it nervously while signing, like she was resisting the urge to speak the words aloud instead. It was all I could do to breathe when every inhale of air carried with it her alluring fragrance, made infinitely more appealing, to the wolf residing inside me at least, because she was in heat.

I had never been close enough to her before to be affected and I wasn't prepared for the power it had over me now that I was. Consuming. I ached for her. It was everything I could do not to drag her off to the nearest empty room. Fuck, I didn't even care about finding a room. I was just trying not to take her wherever I saw and to hell with who was around watching or even if Krista wanted me to and that scared the shit out me.

And of course it had to happen now. Within a day of finally making progress, of finally having a shot with her and now I had to worry about not driving her away with the insane level of intense desire I felt for her. I was divided. Half of my concentration was spent on wrestling down the baser wolf urges while the other half was focused on maintaining a natural appearance, pretending that nothing was wrong.

I was actively blocking the memory of this afternoon in her room, of remembering the scent of her arousal and the powerful affect it had on not only my body, but my mind too. It drove my desire for her into a frenzied high. I'd been in such a mindless, feverish state that I'd feared even touching her again; least I loose control and do something I'd regret later. I had never smelled anything like it, unbelievably sweet and somehow exotic.

An image of myself relaxing on a beach, holding a hollowed out coconut shell filled with one of those blue tropical drinks, a little umbrella sticking out came to mind and I hungered for a sip. I craved the opportunity to taste the essence of her and bury myself between her legs. She was my oasis when I was lost in the desert, but right now I almost wouldn't mind if she was merely a mirage, though I'd never believe it. Her scent had far too tangible of a hold on me for that to be the case.

The letter burning a hole in my pocket was actually helping. I never thought I could be grateful to receive one like it, but I suddenly was. It was from Sabrina. When Krista had gone to the bathroom during dinner, she'd slipped it to me with the hardest, most incredibly serious expression I could ever imagine facing. She stared me down, her icy blue eyes unblinking, filled with impenetrable steel while I released a shaky breath and eventually looked down to see its contents.

It was a piece of notebook paper, torn from its spiraled wire bindings with frayed edges and folded in thirds. When I partially unfolded the lined sheet, I saw this first foreboding line of her dire warning centered in the middle of the page, the rest of the note disappearing beneath the other still closed flap.

I wrote this because I wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings between us on this issue.

Opening it completely revealed the true message she wished to convey.

You hurt her and I'll make your life hell. That's a promise you could stake your life on.

She'd smiled tightly at me when I'd looked up and I'd nodded in understanding, carefully signing, 'I won't.' She nodded, studying me intently like a judge while I was being cross examined on the witness stand.

'If you aren't sure or plan to disappear again, do it now before she knows she's in love with you,' she signed with unsteady hands that obviously didn't really follow what she was saying though she didn't pause between words and that told me she'd practiced the line and was reciting it from memory so she must have carefully picked each word at one point.

With that in mind, I kept going back to her saying that Krista was in love with me, though she wasn't aware of it yet. I replayed the words over and over in a loop, feeling my heart swell more each time. I was euphoric. It was almost impossible to contain the thrill I felt learning that, because who would know better than her best friend and closest confidant.

'I won't,' I signed again trying to convince her, daringly adding, 'I love her.' She only had time for a quick, slightly surprised, though obviously pleased nod before Krista returned and we both pretended the exchange never took place.

I think that's the first time I've ever been scared of a girl smaller than Alice and fragile enough that I could crush her with a single hand without breaking into a sweat. And I sure as hell hope it's the last time too. She was willing to give me a chance, but I still had to earn her seal of approval. Her note, as well as dinner, made me feel like I was auditioning for a part in a play. Her nod farewell let me know I'd gotten a call back, but that by no means meant I got the part.

It felt wrong to have told her that I loved Krista. I knew I did. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I did, but that was the first time I admitted loving her aloud and I should have been telling Krista, not her best friend. I wanted to, actually I longed to tell her, but it didn't feel like the right time. I felt insincere and dishonest even thinking about telling her before divulging my other secret and I hadn't even begun considering how to address that issue.

Other than that little mishap, dinner had gone really well. I hadn't even minded Krista translating for me and I guess the fact that Bree is learning to sign should give me some hope that she'll eventually like me for real and not just for show in front of Krista. I think the funniest part about her not accepting me straight out, waiting to see how I treated Krista first, was that it made me genuinely like her from the start. I admired her loyalty and appreciated her honesty.

Sabrina's reaction to me wasn't really all that unexpected when I thought about it some more, especially once I remembered all that Melody and Krista had told me about her. I was truthfully more surprised by how easy it had been to let Krista translate for me. Rather than feel self-conscious or guilty for doing so as I'd feared, I was mostly focused on how proud I was of Krista and how amazing she is to have learned so much in such a short time and by the fact that she was willing to overcome her own shyness to do so. It was also captivating to watch her while she processed everything and figured out what needed to be said and how, her eyes lighting up once she did. I was entranced by her endless patience and determination to succeed.

When we finally got to the house, I grabbed Taylor, yanking him just outside the doorway so we remained on the porch while Mel and Krista walked on ahead of us. He stared at me in a mixture if confusion and amusement while waiting to see what I'd wrangled him for.

'Something wrong, Levi,' he eventually signed when I just stared at him fumbling over the best way to ask him about this. Solace or Freddie would be better to talk to about this, but Taylor was the only one I felt remotely comfortable addressing this with, and he was here while they weren't.

'She's in heat,' I signed bluntly, giving up on finding a subtle approach. When he giggled, I added, 'happy to see you find my suffering so amusing,' but he quickly shook his head in denial of that accusation.

'I feel for you,' he responded though I doubted that because he was still grinning like this was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. 'No really, I do,' he insisted.

'But Mel…' I trailed off uncertainly, having been sure it wasn't a problem for him since Melody was a wolf too. As awkward of a subject as it was, I really was curious for his answer.

'Before she phased… it was rough, and she didn't look like she does now,' he explained and I was genuinely surprised to learn about that.

'You never let on.'

'And neither will you—we aren't all cavemen,' he signed with a dry expression that left little in doubt concerning the direction his thoughts had taken before he clapped a hand on my back.

I knew that was a slight on David. Personally, I had no problem with David, or even Trisha for that matter. I liked them both. Neither had ever done anything offensive to me or given me a reason not to like them, though sometimes I wished they would actively teach their children sign language, mostly for Eli's benefit, but that was their choice and it wasn't my place to tell them differently.

I actually could honestly say I liked every member of the pack and their extended families. Some more than others of course, but none of them had ever done anything to make me dislike them. I also respected that others did have legitimate reasons to hold grudges—that was their business and I tried to stay out of it. As far as I was concerned, every one of them mourned when Devlin died, which was enough to endear them to me for life, but furthermore, none of them held it against me when I shut them out afterwards. That was enough for me to accept each of them as they are—seemingly unforgivable faults and all.

'It does get easier, promise,' he attempted to reassure, pulling me in for a one-armed hug as he led me forward to join the girls. 'And maybe soon it won't even matter,' he added teasingly while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively, but luckily, for him, he refrained from actually laughing at the state I was in when he saw my dark glower, simply giving me a sympathetic smile instead.

There was no way I was pushing Krista into a sexual situation just to make things easier for myself. I also didn't want things going too far before she knew everything about me in case she decided it was too much and she wanted nothing more to do with me. I wasn't sure my sanity could handle getting a taste of bliss of that nature then never experiencing it again.

~x~*~x~

15 December 2041

I sent Freddie a text first thing after Krista woke up asking to switch shifts and take the next two night patrols. Having that responsibility was about the only thing that could get me to refuse the enticement of having Krista stay the night with me again and that was something I couldn't do.

Giving in had been entirely too much for me the night before, foolish. I'd been too weak to resist taking the chance, but my resolve was strengthened, completely fortified by the time morning arrived after I'd spent hours on end lying awake painfully hard, tormented by her alluring scent and tempting body draped across my chest. Even now I couldn't stop thinking about the feel of her breasts against me, pressing harder each time she inhaled. My eyes spent endless minutes staring fixedly at how the thin shirt she'd borrowed from me clung to its curve, outlining the peak of her dusky pink nipple, which was just barely visible through the light fabric.

The only reason I'd been able to stand it was because she'd been so tired we didn't share more than a chaste kiss before she'd fallen asleep and I did have enough self-control not to force myself on an unsuspecting sleeping girl, Taylor's words still bouncing around in my head. That and the knowledge that my parents were home and would smell and probably hear anything that went on in my room was enough to make me risk having her stay, but I knew I couldn't again. The draw to possess her completely was just too much for me.

I'd jerked off twice in the shower before going to make breakfast and that had been enough to earn me a questioning look from my dad when I'd entered the kitchen a little bit ago, talk about mortifying. Right now, seeing her in my rumpled clothes, her hair tousled like we'd just spent the last few hours doing exactly what I'd imagined us doing while I showered was enough to have me wishing I'd gone ahead and done it a third time like I'd been tempted to do.

At least Krista wasn't aware of the state she'd unconsciously worked me into. She had such an innocent sex appeal, completely unaware of how she had so thoroughly enchanted me and how every move she made was utterly seductive. The sway of her hips, mesmerizing, and her skin, well it practically sang to me in a voice only I could hear, begging me to taste it.

I was so distracted in my musings that mom barely intercepted me when I reached into the oven to pull out the pan of muffins without an oven mitt while Krista was watching. The burn wouldn't have hurt very much, but it would have completely healed in a matter of minutes. That would have been a tough one to explain and I wasn't ready to confess everything yet, not while I couldn't get past the animal instincts.

I couldn't lie to her, not really so I knew it'd be impossible to downplay things. There was no way I could convince her it was an insignificant part of me and that she should still give me a chance. If I tried right now, I'd fail in making her believe that I'm not a beast, not while the wolf was struggling for dominance and I was fighting the supernatural driving need to rut for the sole purpose of producing more mutant wolf cubs… I could practically envision just how well that explanation would go over.

Instead, I avoided situations where I could get carried away like I had in her bedroom the day before and other than that one kitchen blunder, I tried to behave normally the rest of the day and I think I succeeded. Now I just had to get through another day, two at the most, then I'd have a whole month before I needed to worry about it again.

~x~*~x~

16 December 2041

I was talking to Freddie when Mel's distinctly exasperated voice popped loudly and unfortunately, clearly, into our heads as she phased and joined the collective pack mind.

Levi, I love you, but I swear you are such an idiot sometimes! She immediately began berating me. She was sitting in her backyard, evident by the familiar view I could remember seeing during any number of the countless times I had spent relaxing on the patio with her and Taylor.

What? What did I do? I asked her truly confused. Nothing new or unusual had happened today. Wait, is Krista okay? Did something happen to her? I asked frantically, already racing away from Freddie where we'd been running through the forest along the outskirts of La Push, heading towards Krista's at a breakneck pace. If something happened to her and I wasn't there—

She's fine, Levi. Nothing's happened to her. I knew she wouldn't lie about that, but terror still clutched at my heart and I couldn't stop till I knew for certain, desperate to see her for myself. I skidded to a halt a fraction of a second later at the edge of her yard, just barely hidden in the dense, shadowy coverage provided by the trees.

Mel… I sighed in relief. She was there, inside her room, calming chatting with Sabrina, the two of them reclining on her bed while Baz relaxed in her desk, silently watching them with a lazy smile. I could barely see in, but I could see her and that was enough, though I had to lay down, belated tremors of the agonizing fear that had seized me were racking my body so greatly that my legs weren't able to support it.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you like that. You know I wouldn't—if something ever did that I—she won't get… After several failed attempts to say whatever she was trying to she trailed off with a weary sigh. Through her eyes I saw Taylor, in human form, sit down beside her before she spoke again. I love you, Levi. Nothing is going to happen to Krista, not with all of us, particularly you, looking out for her. You have to stop worrying so much.

Is that it—the reason you called me an idiot? I haven't done something else wrong, have I? I asked hesitantly, not sure if I really wanted to know.

I think I'm going to leave that for your more than capable sister to answer—this is obviously a family matter. Call me if necessary, though I doubt it will be. Freddie remarked before phasing back a second later, not waiting for us to respond. I had kind of forgotten he was still there.

You're an idiot for being so closed off all the time and not talking to the people that matter when something is bothering you. Did you really think Krista wouldn't notice something was up with you? The censure in her voice was easy to detect, though muted from what I'm sure it would have been without the previous scare, and it indicated with unmistakable clarity that even only a couple days in, I'd already messed up with Krista.

Umm, yeah? I answered tentatively, but my unsure reply ended up coming out more as a question and I started second guessing how good I'd actually been at hiding my internal struggle from her. Quickly reviewing the last couple days produced a wealth of signs that she'd noticed and if I'd been able to think at all rationally while in her presence, I'd have picked up on it right away.

Well obviously it didn't work. Stop shutting her out! She commanded dryly. Her mind control was almost as good as mine, but a couple imagines slipped past, perhaps on purpose, of her and Krista talking. The shy uncertainty apparent on Krista's beautiful face was painful to see knowing I was what troubled her.

I'm not. I insisted trying unsuccessfully to defend myself because I could only managed to think of a few feeble arguments to support my claim and I knew those would only weakly hold up, if they did at all, against whatever Melody came up with.

Oh Levi, you are and you don't even realize it. You've kept everyone at a distance for so long, but you can't do that with her. It won't work and you shouldn't want it to. I know it's hard for you, but—

I really am trying to let her in, Melody. I cut her off to admit. Truthfully, I was rather astonished how little effort it did take to let her in, but of course that didn't include any of the tough stuff yet.

I know you are, but to do that you have to tell her everything. She already gets you more than I do. I never would have noticed something was up unless you'd come to me yourself, but she noticed. You tell her half as much and she gets you twice as well. Just think how great it'll be once you share all of yourself. She was right. I knew she was and I wanted what she was suggesting. I wanted it desperately, but I was afraid to risk loosing her if the truth was too much for her to handle.

She hasn't said anything though. I pointed out; wondering why she hadn't confronted me directly and if that meant she didn't feel comfortable enough around me yet, though subconsciously I knew that wasn't the case. It was just hard to remember that right now. Don't you think it's a little too soon? Wouldn't it go over better if I waited a bit? Maybe if I waited, I'd have enough time to make her fall so completely in love with me that she wouldn't care about anything else.

Maybe she's waiting on you to make the first move. She already has once—it's your turn now. It'll go a long way in building some trust and a solid relationship if you volunteer what's going on with you instead of making her guess. You'll probably feel better too. Once again I knew she was right. However, it didn't escape me that she avoided answering me about if it was too soon to tell Krista about the pack.

I still think it's a little soon to drop such a huge bomb on her.

About that… you're kind of on-a-time-limit. She began hesitantly then finished in a rush, the words running together, but I still understood their meaning loud and clear. If I was looking at her right then I could imagine her cowering sheepishly or at least avoiding eye contact.

Melody? I said her name like a question as well as a warning; though logically I knew threatening would make little difference now because Melody had already done whatever it was she'd needed to in order to initiate a time limit on this subject.

Don't get mad, but I kind of promised on her birthday that I'd explain everything in a week if you didn't before then, so umm… you have four more days. I guess I didn't need to worry about when to tell her anymore, Melody had taken that decision out of my hands, now I just needed to worry about how.

Mel! Wha—why would you do that? I asked in exasperation, not so much mad as annoyed that she didn't tell me about this sooner and maybe a little excited or hopeful because it made me realize that if she promised to explain, it was because Krista was asking questions, which meant she already suspected something wasn't normal yet she'd still been willing to give us a try.

Oh come on, Levi. She'll be my sister someday. I couldn't help it, she deserves to know. Melody pleaded for my understanding about her motives.

Don't. You don't know that for sure. I wasn't really superstitious so much as I was a bit more than partially convinced that I had perpetual bad luck, minus imprinting on Krista of course. I did not want to jinx this and saying something like that felt like it surely must be a jinx.

Yes I do. How could she possible resist you and why on earth would she ever want to? She attempted to sweet talk me and I mentally rolled my eyes for her making her giggle.

Maybe because I turn into a hairy sobering wolf the size of a horse. I reminded her seriously, but the echoes of her giggles continued to ring through my mind.

You don't drool all that much! She teased before sobering up. And have a little faith. I have a feeling things will go a lot better than you seem to think they will. Oh, and another piece of advice from a female perspective… don't stop in the middle of… stuff. Girls take that as rejection and it hurts, so don't do it again cuz I know you don't wanna hurt her. I didn't think of that before and knowing I had only briefly kissed her since the episode in her room probably made her think I didn't want to. I cursed myself for not realizing sooner that I was hurting her feelings. I had to make it up to her as soon as possible.

She didn't want to stop? I question, needing to hear for certain.

Not at all. Disappointed it didn't go further in fact. Her thoughts were accompanied by Taylor's advice to Krista from earlier this evening and I was more than a little surprised to find out she did want to explore our physical relationship. I hadn't wanted to risk losing the precarious hold I had on my self-control while she was in heat, but as soon as she wasn't anymore… Another reason you're an idiot… stopping when you both wanted more.

Easy for you to say, you don't have to deal with someone in heat! I complained trying to justify myself and not to dwell on the negative of that new revelation.

Levi, it always seems like Taylor is in heat to me—I just never bothered to resist, perhaps you shouldn't either…

Thanks for sharing that, really. I muttered sarcastically, filing that away with all the other information I'd rather not be privy to regarding her and Taylor's relationship, but couldn't really be helped between our mind share and the natural closeness we'd developed from our sibling bond.

Anytime, big brother! She sang cheerily before phasing back, leaving me alone to my thoughts as I planned out how to tell Krista… everything.