HEY GUYS! THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS AND I'M SOOOO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE. I've been so busy and conflicted that it kinda gave me writer's block. AND my account wouldn't let me login. But here's the next chapter. BTW, I think I'm getting sick so it'll be a few more days before I update.

Eleven –

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a bright light. I immediately shut my eyes again.

"Chloe?"

It was Alek's voice. I opened one eye, the light didn't hurt as much, and I opened the other one. I pushed myself up on my elbows, and found myself in Alek's room, right in the middle of the bed. Alek was standing by the window. When he saw me, he ran over to me and crushed me to him in a hug.

"I'm so glad you're awake," he tells me as he pulled back. My hands go to my stomach; Alek's eyes follow my hands.

"Did I-"

Alek shook his head.

"No. You almost did. Chloe, I mean it when I say this, never take a knife for me again," he said.

"Alek-"

"No," his voice turned hard. "Chloe, I may only have one life, but yours-"

"Are more important," I finished irritably. "I wish you'd stop saying that! Alek if I have a chance to save you I'm going to do it, no matter what it's going to cost me."

His eyes turned into slits. His yellowish cat eyes were both sexy and dangerous.

"Damn it, Chloe! I love you! And I can't let you lose another life! I won't!"

All the argument about whose life – or in my case, lives – was more important drained out of me.

"You love me?" I asked.

Alek finally seemed to notice his slip. He froze.

"I…Well…yeah…" he said sheepishly.

I grinned – the most stupid one in my life – and threw my arms around his neck and pressed my lips to his, and pushing us both down onto the bed. He seemed surprised at first, but he immediately kissed me back, his arms weaving around my waist. We pulled away when we couldn't breathe. He tried to laugh, but it came out as a single ragged breath.

"I love you, too," I whispered into his ear.

"I'm glad," he murmured. He flipped us over and kissed me again. There was a knock on the door, I was only half-aware of it.

"Hey guys-WHOA!" a familiar voice shouted. Alek pulled away, irritation written all over his face. I turned to see Amy and Paul standing at the door.

"Are we interrupting something?" Amy asked.

"Yes," Alek muttered too low for their human ears to hear. I grinned.

"No," I replied. Alek shot me a look, I kissed his cheek. I slid out of the bed, and joined Amy and Paul at the door.

"What are you guys doing here?" I heard Alek get up from the bed, and then I felt him wrap his arm around my waist.

"Yeah, what are you guys doing here? We were in the middle of something."

I nudged him with my hip. I looked up at him to find him staring at me.

"What?" he asked innocently. I rolled my eyes playfully and turned to my friends.

"Any particular reason why you two are here?" I asked.

"What can't two best friends who are also dating see their third best friend?" Amy asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Amy, I know you," I said. "And you guys wouldn't just come here if it wasn't important. So what's going on?"

"Nothing," she said a little too quickly. Paul looked down at his feet. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"You've always been a bad liar," I stated, "spill."

"You're not going to like it," she said.

"Amy…"

I felt Alek pull me closer to him. Amy sighed, and put both hands behind her back.

"Brian's family was part of the Order," she said.

I froze. What? My legs suddenly felt hallow.

"What?"

"Yeah, do you remember the lady that shot you?" Paul asked. I nodded. "Well…I was the one who saw her leaving, and today I was bored and started walking around and I saw her enter the Rezza building…so being the good sidekick that I am, I went in after her."

"But how do you know that Brian's family was part of the order?" I asked.

"I was getting there," Paul said. "I followed her in and saw her talking to this man. They were talking about Brian, and the woman promised that they would revenge his death."

"Can you two give us a minute?" Alek asked tightly. Amy and Paul walked out and closed the door behind them. Alek turned me to face him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"His family was part of the Order…does that mean that he…?"

"I don't think so," Alek said stiffly. I knew he didn't want to talk about this but I need my answers.

"But he could've been," I probed.

"Does it matter?" Alek asked. "If he was he never looked like he was going to hurt you, Chloe."

I hung my head low. Brian was sweet, but what if everything had been one big lie?

"He couldn't have known about it, Chloe. He kissed you, didn't he? The Order knows they're not supposed to do that." Alek's tone was bitter. I looked up at him and could see the jealousy burning in his eyes. "Alek –"

"Do you still have feeling for him?" He asked abruptly.

"He's dead Alek," I pointed out.

"That doesn't answer my question," he said. I sighed. I didn't want to fight with him about this. Brian was out of my life. End of story.

"No," I promised. He didn't look convinced. It hurt that he looked like he had doubts about us. But deep down, I could understand it. I've already hurt him too many times with Brian, and I wasn't going to do that anymore. I grabbed his face and forced him to look me in the eyes.

"Alek Petrov, I love you, okay? I will always love you. Never doubt that."

He sighed. He pulled me into a hug. I buried my face in his chest, and I smiled when I felt his hand cup the back of my head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "and I'd never doubt your love."

"Good," I mumbled.

I clutched myself to him tighter. He kissed the side of my neck. I pulled away and stood on my tippy toes to peck his lips. He smiled. There was a knock on the door, which – as always – ruined the moment between us.

"Chloe? Alek?" the familiar voice floated through. I gasped and pulling myself away from Alek, I pulled the door open.

"Jasmine!"

Review. I just had to bring up Brian, even though I hate how he gets in the way of Chalek. But they will always make it through together…at least in my story. And was that a good surprise at the end?