ah, finally! i had what to post but until yesterday didn't have enough reviews. thank you to everyone for the reviews and subs-i tried to incorporate some of your ideas here :) remember to review!

Alek POV

When Jaz and the real healers arrive, I politely excuse myself so that I can thrash around in an empty room, screaming like a banshee. At least that was the plan, until halfway down the hall I spot my cellphone and scoop it up.

1 New Message: Unknown Number

I flip it open and type in my password to unlock the keys. The text says- If you're with anyone, don't react. Claudia was mine, and I warn you, there are many more just like her. Willing to die to kill the Uniter. Perhaps we can strike a deal.

Claudia. So that was the psychopaths name. I feel my blood boil as I delete the text. I'm not cooperating with a murderer who texts in fulls sentences.

Bzzzzt.

Another text. You're being watched, Alek. I wouldn't do anything rash if I were you.

I slowly slide my phone into my pocket and walk back to Chloe's room. I fight the need to look around me, because if they're as good as they seem, I wouldn't be able to see anyone anyway. If Chloe's life really is on the line, I need to be around her, 24/7.

If she thought I was a stalker before, just wait until she gets a load of this...

Chloe POV

Jasmine explains what happened and I'm pissed off. Push me off a tower, fine. Shoot at me, okay. But poison my coffee? That's cheating! How am I supposed to fight off what I can't see? But I guess that's the point. Damn, they're getting smart. Three lives down, six to go.

"So now what?" I ask, feeling weird as I remember she's the Pride Leader.

"We step up the security a few notches. We have anything that enters your mouth checked first. We have-"

"So basically," I cut her off, "things are about to get a whole lot crazier?"

"Yes."

I sigh, missing her even more. Where was her sense of humor, her sympathetic smile?

"And just when things started to get normal," I mutter under my breath, wondering where the hell Alek disappeared to.

Right on cue, he slips through the door and gives me a comforting look, though something seems off. His hand keeps jerking to his pocket, but at the last second he stops himself. I raise my eyebrow, and start to open my mouth but he gives me a short barely noticeable shake of the head, telling me Not now. I shut my mouth and cock my head slightly to the side. Later he mouths. I hate waiting but it doesn't seem like I have a choice.

Jasmine looks up from whatever she was doing.

"Ready to go?" she asks us, brisk and efficient.

"YES." I practically shout.

I jump off the table and grab Alek's hand, pulling him towards the door. I wanted to get out as quickly as possible so he could tell me what was going on. I guess it might have seemed like something else was going on though, because Jasmine gave us a skeptical look.

"Alek? You told her?"

I stop tugging and turn around. "Told me what?"

Alek gives Jasmine a sharp glare and turns to me. "Nothing." he says tightly.

"But she's-" Jasmine starts to say, but Alek interrupts.

"Jazz. I love you, but you have to shut up."

I squeeze his hand, reminding him that she's the leader now and he can't talk to her that way anymore. I wait for Jasmine to reprimand him, like her mother would have, but instead she gives us a soft smile. She looks like herself now more than ever.

"My bad," she says softly. Then she's gone, back to Leader Mode.

"We're out," she tells the healer team, and we all finally leave.

A few minutes later we get to the car and I realize I'm still holding hands with Alek. "Oh. Sorry," I mutter, embarrassed, and drop his hand.

He gives me his signature smile. "Don't be." He kisses my check lightly and opens the door. "Ladies first."

I climb in, cheeks slightly burning. Once inside I let out a slow and uneven breathe. It was gonna be a long ride home.