There was a rumble as the car came to a stop and the engine turned off.

"What are you doing?" Simon asked.

"Do you think she'll want to try things out now or in front of a group of people."

They got out and came around the back of the car. I felt like I could hear everything, my senses were through the roof. I could hear the beating of their hearts, the crunch of gravel beneath their feet, cars flying down the road a mile away.

The trunk door opened, I looked up at them. Derek reached a hand out and scratched the top of my head. As weird as it was, it felt good.

"Come on," he said stepping out of my way. "Try your new body out before we get back."

I stood slowly and lifted a front paw to step out of the door. My back paw twitched and I tumbled out instead. I shook my head and sneezed as the dust settled. We were on a dirt road that lined some woods.

The boys smiled, amused. I pushed off the ground with all my paws and stood up. It felt odd having to hold my neck at this new angle. I had to look up really high to see either of the boys or else I was staring at their knees.

"You've got this," Derek nodded.

It took me several minutes to understand the pattern of walking front legs and back legs at the same time. The boys tried their hardest not to laugh at me whenever I fell. I could manage a basic walk but no faster. It was good to see them loosening up though I'm sure Derek didn't forgive Simon completely yet.

"How do you feel?" Derek asked after some time.

I stared at him blankly, unsure of how to respond to questions. I snickered as I thought of cats. Why couldn't we turn into cats and be able to purr? It would be so much easier to communicate. Whatever my expression looked like; Derek took it as good.

"Are you ready to go back?" Simon asked.

Derek nodded, "She's as good as she's going to get."

I attempted a nod too but it came out as a bow.

"I think Chloe's ready."

We got in the car and I heaved a sigh. Derek watched me closely as we drove back, I think he was nervous too about what people were going to say or do.

We happened to not be that far from Tess' I guess. We were only in the car for 20 or 30 minutes before we pulled into the driveway.

Tess came out the front door as we pulled in. Derek and Simon got out first.

"Is everyone ok?" Tess asked.

Derek opened the back door so I could get out.

"Fine," he said.

Tess saw me climb out.

"Oh Chloe no." She grabbed my face and looked into my eyes. "How do you feel?"

I sneezed; Tess' scent was a lot stronger now. I could sense she was a female wolf. But Tess would never be a threat to me, she was a motherly figure.

"Let go of her," Derek warned.

Tess did, "Calm down I'm just checking on her."

The front door slammed shut and I darted behind Derek, its not like I could really hide behind him but I felt safer trying to. Kit rounded the corner.

"If there is one scratch on my car," he warned but came up and hugged the boys. "Good to see you both in one piece. Don't ever run off like that again."

"We won't," Simon nodded.

Kit glanced at me but ignored me. Only talking to the guys.

"You didn't go looking for your father, did you? We couldn't find you guys anywhere."

Derek shook his head, "No we didn't. We just left town and looked for Chloe."

"Good, you need to leave that alone and let me deal with him."

Derek tensed but didn't say anything more about it. I whimpered as Aunt Lauren came out the door and came around the corner.

"What is everyone-" she started until she saw me. "Oh my god!"

I pressed myself against the back of Derek's legs, almost knocking him over.

"Chloe!" She walked up to the group. "What happened to you?"

"I think that's fairly obvious," Tess said.

Aunt Lauren shot her a look, "I don't need any lip from you."

Tess smiled, "Obviously you forget this is my home."

Fuming, Aunt Lauren turned back to Derek.

"What in gods name have you done to my niece?"

I growled, how dare she blame it on Derek. Aunt Lauren took a step back. Scared of me. That was new.

"What did you do to her? That's not my Chloe anymore."

I growled again.

"I think you should stop blaming him," Simon said. "She doesn't like that very much."

"Because you two have brainwashed her!"

"Lauren," Kit snapped. "You watch what you say about my boys. Inside everyone."

Everyone started moving towards the door, I hung back. Derek noticed and stayed back with me. I felt much better with him closer to me, I didn't know who to trust. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda for me, Derek's only goal was safety. Even though he had his own ways of going about it.

Derek sat down on the ground beside me and I nuzzled his arm, thanking him for his help.

"You'll be fine as soon as you've changed back," Derek said, putting an arm around me. "You'll have to tell me what happened at the Alpha's place too. I'm dying to hear what stunts you two pulled."

Tess popped her head out the door, "Are you two not comin' in? Foods ready soon."

I honestly hadn't been sure if I was allowed in, Tess liked a clean house and I was a walking disaster.

"Coming," Derek nodded and stood up. He looked at me and waved for me to stick close to him. He would protect me.