A/N: Hello lovely readers, I'm so sorry for the long wait. This chapter was going to be something different, but I thought we should check in with some of the people we haven't seen in a while. A lot more story to come, and I haven't even planned it all! lol, well, it's sort of planned out but not the finer details. A lot more to come, I promise you! I hope you all enjoy this, and please review and tell me what you think. Also, this is crossposted to AO3 if you want to check it out there.

WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, MENTAL ILLNESS, PANIC ATTACKS, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, VIOLENCE, GORE, MINOR CHARACTER DEATH, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, UNDERAGE SEXUAL SITUATIONS, ABUSE, STALKING, MANIPULATION, AGE GAP, AND TRIGGERING IMAGERY. IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS OR DO NOT ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ.

Chapter Twenty-Two.

After the bonfire, when everything had died down, Rebecca said goodbye to her sons. Until she could get herself under control, she would have to live with Paul and Rachel while Leah and Jacob took care of her kids.

Angela had left too when she finally woke up. They spoke few words but kissed, making things official in the simplest of ways. With a lingering look, Angela left and Rebecca was alone to deal with her newfound heritage.

Days had passed, and Angela assumes she would have contacted her before now, but nothing. It only made her former bad feelings about herself come resurfacing.

As a pastor's daughter, Angela felt disgusted by her thoughts growing up. How pretty her crush was in her Sunday school dress, with black shiny shoes, and a pretty white ribbon that pulled her long brown hair from her face. Angela could still remember that tiny, beautiful mole underneath her bottom lip and how much she thought about it late at night, clutching her tiny hand around the cross hanging from her neck and thinking, please, lord, please fix me.

Nowadays, Angela mostly knew she was okay the way she was. That liking girls was normal and nothing to be ashamed of. But that didn't erase the feelings of self-hatred and doubt she felt for so long. Felt right now, holed up in her room with a bag of sour cream and onion chips and her favorite movie, Weird Science, playing on her television.

Rebecca still hadn't called. Even after they sort of spoke about their sudden supernatural bond and promised to talk more in-depth over the phone soon. That had been days ago, and still nothing. Angela was starting to ache, deep in her chest. She could feel the bond becoming uneasy, burning inside like when she swallowed down a spoonful of hot mashed potatoes and had to drink a glass of cold water to soothe it.

There wasn't any cold water to soothe this pain. Only a certain werewolf, who hadn't even tried to talk to her. But, Angela understood. Rebecca wasn't only a werewolf or Angela's imprinter, she was a mom. And she couldn't see her kids until she got her self-control down.

Slipping her hand from the chip bag, Angela rolled it up before clipping it closed. Then she heaved a heavy sigh and started for the bathroom, ready to wash her hands of chip crumbs and brush her teeth clean. Wallowing wasn't going to do her any good, she knew. Maybe she could make plans with Jayden or Bella tonight. Or maybe Eric and Mike could use some cheering up. It had been hell for them since they had come out to their parents, but at least Mike's were coming around. Eric's, not so much.

Upon returning to her room, though, Angela suddenly squeaked as she noticed a figure on her bed.

"Hey, baby," Rebecca said slyly, an easy grin appearing on her face. "How's it going?"

At first, Angela felt relieved. Instant, like the cold water she had craved. But this wasn't the sweet relief of cold water, and there weren't burning mouthfuls of mashed potatoes scalding her tongue. So, instead of jumping into the other girl's arms, Angela turned away and fiddled with Knick knacks on her desk.

She knew it was fickle, but she was angry and hurt.

"Angela?"

"You could have at least called, you know. Let me know you were alright. Which, I see you are."

"I didn't think you'd want me to call."

Angela spins around to face Rebecca, appalled at her words. "What gave you that idea?" Rebecca cocks her head, giving her a look.

"You fainted when you found out I imprinted on you."

"You fainted too, need I remind you! What kind of werewolf faints?"

"I'm sensitive," Rebecca pouted, wrapping her arms around Angela's waist and pulling her close. Like butter, Angela melts into the other girls arms, leaning her head against her chest. "I'm sorry for not calling. I assumed and that made a big ass out of me."

"Yes it did," Angela pulls back and turns around, almost melting as their eyes meet. Her imprint. Her soulmate. She stares up at Rebecca, almost in awe at the changes that phasing has made. She was taller than her now, and had muscles in places she didn't before. Angela took in a shaky breath and tried to hold in how gay she was. "But you're here now and that's what matters."

"And I'm never leaving you again," Rebecca promises, pulling Angela flush to her.

They kiss, heady and ardently. Rebecca doesn't waste time lifting Angela into her arms, and Angela easily wraps her arms around the other girl's neck. As she tugs at Rebecca's hair, the girl lets out a muted moan into her mouth.

With a giggle, Angela pulls away and brushes some hair from in front of Rebecca's eyes. "I love you, Becca."

"I love you too. And our boys."

"Our boys?" Angela asks, already starting to get choked up. She loved Becca's twins so much already, like they were her own. And now they sort of were.

"I'm not letting you go ever again. We're in this forever."

She quirks an eyebrow at Rebecca, green cheekily even as her voice cracks from over emotion, "What, I don't get a choice in the matter?"

"No, you sure don't," Rebecca answers back, a tear dripping down her cheek. Angela wipes it away with her finger before leaning in to kiss the girl again. And again, and again.

For the rest of the night, they stayed in perfect bliss like this, holding each other close as they spoke quietly of their future together.

For the first time, Angela didn't feel disgusting.

No, she felt free.

"Hey, can you give Sully a change while I finish breakfast?" Leah asks and Jacob nods before grabbing the toddler from her arms and heading to the bedroom. For the time being, they were staying full time with Billy to not upset the twin's schedules. With their mother gone, they were going to need all the stability they could get.

Jacob quickly gets to work changing the toddler as he squirms around, distracting him with funny faces and weird noises. Once the fresh diaper is covering his bottom, Jacob blows raspberries on his belly to make him giggle.

Leah has oatmeal and apple and banana slices waiting for the kiddos when Jacob returns, and the couple work as a team to get them fed and ready for the day. They would be spending the day with Sue and Harry while the two of them dealt with patrolling and hunting down the redhead. Rachel was busy dealing with drama within the pack and wouldn't be around until later that night at their meeting. So, Leah would be taking responsibility as her beta and doing the two jobs today.

Things between her and Jacob had turned back to normal, sort of. They were still bonded and needed close contact with each other, but after everything they had gone through together she thought it was better if they went slow. Bella had been her confidant, helping her through this rough patch that her idiot of an imprint had created for them all. If only Jacob hadn't been so stupid and wrecked things and broke her heart over and over again-

No, she told herself, no more blaming. It's time to move forward and heal together.

When both of the toddlers are munching on their breakfast, most of it thankfully making its way into their bellies and not their clothes, Leah settles with a cup of coffee beside Jacob. She leans against him, taking in his warmth and letting it soothe the stress building inside of her.

"I love you, idiot," She exclaims tiredly before pulling away taking a sip of coffee.

Jacob scoffs, gulping down some of his hot chocolate with a roll of his eyes. "I love you too, dumbass."

This was their new normal, for the time being. She wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else.

"Boys, come sit with your alpha," Rachel exclaims, wrapping her arms around the two preteens before leading them to the couch. As the three of them sit, the two boys look in opposite directions, unable to make eye contact. Rachel notices the exchange, pursing her lips and wondering. "What's going on, you two?"

"Collin is an idiot, that's what-"

"Hey! You're the idiot, you idiot!"

"No, you're the idiot!"

"No, you are!"

"BOYS, STOP!" Rachel's voice thundered, rattling the windows in the house. They immediately freeze, cheeks pink from embarrassment. "Tell me what is going on now, Brady. You decided to start another fight so you're doing the confessional."

Brady bites his lip, wringing his hands before softly saying, "We kind of-"

"He imprinted on my imprint!" Collin growls before digging his nails into the other boy's thigh. Brady howls in pain, and Rachel acts quickly, ripping Collin's hand away and grabbing him by the scruff of his neck.

"You need to calm the fuck down, pup, before I make you, do you understand me?" Rachel stares at Collin, but he grits his teeth and refuses to answer, looking at his lap. Growling, she digs her nails into his neck, making him whimper. "I said do you understand me!"

Collin nods, starting to cry, "Yes! Yes, ma'am!" Humming, Rachel pulls her hand away, sitting back down in front of them.

"Now, you've both imprinted on the same person?" They nod in unison, and Collin's face is angry again. Rachel rolls her eyes, she can't help how he feels. "Why are you upset about this, Collin?"

"I saw him first, and I really like him. Why does he just get to waltz up and take him from me?" Collin questions, jutting his bottom lip out in a pout. Rachel almost coos, resisting the urge to pinch his cheek because he's so cute.

Nodding, she takes in a breath. "Firstly, he isn't an object. Second, did you ever stop to think that Brady feels the same way?"

"Why does it matter what he feels? He's just a jerk!"

Brady scowls, tears brimming his eyes. "I am not a jerk! How was I supposed to know she was your imprint? It isn't like I tried to steal him from you!"

"Then make like a tree and leaf us alone!"

"You don't even get it, Collin, you're so stupid," Brady says, clenching his fists as he tries to keep in his tears. "Why do I have to like such a dumbass I have no idea."

Growling, Collin's eyes blaze, "He isn't a dumbass!"

"I wasn't talking about him, idiot!" Brady grabbed Collin, kissing him roughly. Rachel gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. Everything is quiet as he pulls away, and Collin is slack-jawed.

Standing up, Rachel coughs before heading towards the door. "Okay, I'll let you work this out by yourselves. Take as much time as you need." She shuts it behind her, leaning against the door as she hears both of the boys start to converse quietly.

Was I this emotional in middle school? Jesus, these kids are going to give me an aneurysm, she thinks to herself before heading to the kitchen to make the boys a snack before heading out to her duties. She still had to deal with whatever was going on with her and Paul's new imprint, and the morning was almost halfway over!

At the Forks diner, Paul and Rachel sit across from Jayden, who gulps down her hot chocolate and plays around with her blue tangle.

"So, how are you?" Paul asks, looking at her with a smile. She doesn't return it, nibbling on her bottom lip after she's finished drinking. Rachel pats his thigh comfortingly.

"I'm better now. Sorry about before, I get like that sometimes."

Rachel takes a sip of her ice water before asking, "Can you explain what happened? We both can answer any questions you have, too." Jayden nods, rolling the tangle around her fingers absentmindedly.

"I'm autistic, so sometimes I have sensory overload and meltdowns. It happens sometimes, but I always work through it and come out okay. It was just a bit too much for me last night, honestly," She pauses, looking up at Rachel but focusing on her nose. "This is my life, you know? I assume you both are bound to me somehow so you'll have to know the in's and out's of this."

"Do you want to know how we're bound to you?" Rachel can feel her heart hammering in her chest. This wasn't anything she was used to. She was bisexual, but had never told anyone. And when Paul and her had imprinted on each other, everything was super cool. But this was making her feel out of place. It didn't help that Jayden was making her nervous with how hot she was. Jayden nods, and Rachel takes a deep breath. "In my tribe, we have old stories. One of them is about us turning into wolves, and wouldn't you know that it's actually true. So, when one of us finds our soulmates, we imprint on them. That means we have a lifelong bond with them."

Paul cuts in, "I imprinted on Rachel when she moved back, and she with me. At the party, she imprinted on you and went batshit crazy when they were trying to pull you away."

"So, you're not my soulmate?" Jayden inquires and Paul visibility deflates.

"I feel that since we're connected through Rachel that we're also soulmates. Does that make sense?"

"I guess. I mean, this is a lot to take in."

"Don't I know it."

Their food comes after that and they eat in awkward silence. Paul feels horrible and wishes he could run, but he loves Rachel and he knows he feels something for Jayden, or he wouldn't be here right now. So, he needs to buck up and deal with this so that everything can be okay in the long run.

"So, I assume you have questions about me too," Jayden says after finishing half of her food. She wipes her face with her napkin and picks her tangle back up. "I mean, I did have a freak out over a Gameboy the last time you saw me."

"Did I cause you to have a meltdown? I wasn't in my right mind, but I'm so sorry if I caused you any harm. It wasn't my intention."

Jayden shakes her head, smiling softly. "It's okay, things happen when you're a supernatural creature, I get it. No, you didn't cause the whole thing. You did add to it, but what set me off was the smoke and the yelling and Bella touching me. I know she was trying to protect me, but I don't like physical contact that often. And then my Gameboy broke! That was the worst. Thank god that kid Brady fixed it for me."

"Is that why you were flapping your hands a lot that night? Because you were uncomfortable?" Paul asks, shoveling the last of his food into his mouth. He let his fork drop to his plate with a clang, making Jayden's face scrunch up in pain. She tugs at her earlobe, slowly rocking as she self stimulates. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I wasn't even thinking."

"No, it's fine. You didn't know, and you apologized, so it's okay." When her eyes slowly slide open again and her hands let go of her ear, she continues to rock as she plays with her tangle. "And to answer your question, yes. It's called stimming and I do it when I'm super stimulated, whether it be I'm happy or agitated. Stimming is the best, it regulates what I'm feeling. It's like when someone shakes their leg. Everyone stims, but for neurodiverse people, it's a little different."

Rachel grins as Jayden flaps her free hand, face scrunching as she smiles. "I'm glad that stimming helps you. You're so cute when you do it, too."

"Why thank you, Rachel. I happen to think you're pretty cute yourself," Jayden says glancing into her eyes for a second before glancing at her nose. Rachel's face flushes and she can feel butterflies erupt in her stomach. She's going to fall hard, she just knows it.

The rest of the meal is spent eating and getting to one another. When they finish their date, the three of them make plans to meet up again soon and exchange numbers. With a small wave, Jayden gets into her car and drives away, leaving Rachel and Paul a mess of emotions.

Walking hand in hand to Rachel's car, Paul asks, "Can we fuck when we get home? I don't want to think for a while."

"You read my mind, sweetie pie." Sharing a kiss, they get inside the car and head back home, intent on taking a break from their crazy lives. But the thought of their soulmate, miles and miles away, doesn't leave them for a second.

As the last box was set on the floor, Tyler pulled Lauren into his arms and kissed her cheek. She smiled, for the first time feeling safe in her home, and looked up at him with starry eyes.

"I can't believe this is real," She says, turning around and grinning up at him. He grins back kissing her other cheek. "I did it. I told someone and something actually happened."

"And now you and Peyton are here with us and safe and sound. Forever."

It was like a dream, and it wouldn't have been possible without her friends and her loving boyfriend. After acquiring the evidence, she turned it in and her parents were immediately arrested, as was her abuser. After being granted guardianship of her sister, both of them moved into the Crowley's home, who welcomed them wholeheartedly.

Tomorrow was her first counseling appointment and the start of her road to recovery.

Leaning up, she kissed Tyler again. They molded together, enjoying the feel of each other's bodies close as close can be.

She couldn't wait to spend the rest of her life happy and content.

"I just can't believe they don't want me anymore!" Eric cries, wiping his eyes roughly as he tries to stop the tears, stop from being such a bother to his boyfriend who had already done so much for him. Taking him in, letting him lean on him for support when things were hard. How was he supposed to repay him?

Mike pulls Eric's hands away, pulling the sobbing boy into his arms. "Baby, it's going to be okay. I'm here, and my family is too. We love and care about you so much."

"I-I know you do, but I-I-" I want my mom, he wants to say, but doesn't. Eric's heart feels like it cracks to pieces as he thinks of her disgusted face, how she had thrown him out with no more than a passive glance. "I just wish I wasn't so unlovable."

"You're my baby, my lovebug, my teddy bear honey bunches of oats and I love you, okay?" Mike pulls away and cups his boyfriend's cheeks, kissing his tear-covered cheeks. "Fuck your family, if they don't accept you then that's their loss. I'll always accept you and love you and support you. You'll always have me, Eric."

"You promise?" Eric asks, taking in a shaky breath as he tries to stop crying again. "Really promise?"

Mike nods, connecting their lips before pulling away. "Pinky promise."

As they kiss again, Eric decides it's time to stop being sad. Mike was right, if his family couldn't accept him, then why should he give them a thought? He has Mr. and Mrs. Newton, and Mike, and Mike's dog, Champ. He has a family, so why think about irrelevant people that had thrown him away like trash?

Eric's thoughts trailed off as clothes came off, and euphoria set in Mike's childhood bedroom for the first time that night.

Bree sat obediently on her new bed, the comforter was so soft, in her new clothes as her new moth- her new friend, Tori, brushes through her hair. Since she had been saved, she had felt nothing but love and content from her friend, her savior. It was as if she was her guardian angel, sent to save her when she finally escaped the clutches of her evil father.

Maybe she was Cinderella, and this was her fairy godmother. Whatever the case, she was content to stay with her for the rest of her life. If she'd have her, that is.

"Want to help me cook supper? I'm making alfredo tonight," Victoria asks with a grin and Bree shyly nods. They hop off the bed, leaving the room hand in hand together.

Underneath the floorboards, inside the basement, a family of three lay. A woman holds a little girl tight, a maggot crawling out of the hole that is missing her eye. All is quiet.