Howls and screams of terror and pain mixed together, the only sounds in the silence of the night.  It was as if the night life itself knew the dangers of being caught out tonight.  The poor humans never stood a chance.  A human could never out run a wolf, let alone a werewolf.

"Run Skyler! Find a tree to climb!" A girl screamed out, one of the poor humans now entangled into the world of the supernatural.  The girl stood protectively in front of Skyler, a brunette of the same height.  The girl shoved Skyler backwards and the wolf in front of her growled.  It was the only wolf around, the other three seemed to attack on her friends.  The wolf charged at the girl and she jumped to the side, claws scraping her arms.  The girl winced in pain.

"Go Skyler!  Please!"  The girl commanded.

"But Sunny!" Skyler backed away slowly, eyeing the midnight colored wolf. The wolf growled at Skyler who stood there looking scared.  Sunshine, known as Sunny to her friends glared at her sister.

"Go! Get to the road, find a car!" Sunny said as she grabbed a rock from the ground and threw it at the wolf, hitting it on the head.  The wolf turned it's attention towards her.  Her sister turned and started to run away and the wolf once again focused on her sister. She threw another stick at it, knowing it was useless.  She was dead either way, but hopefully she could live long enough for her sister to get to the road. Maybe her sister would find a car, maybe her sister would at least survive.  Let it be said that Sunshine, was a fierce protector over those who she loved, and her gentle sheepish sister brought out every protective instinct she had. She kept throwing what she could at it, sticks, rocks, dirt, it focused on her and growled, striking fear into her.  Sunshine challenged the wolf with her eyes.  The wolf began to advance towards her.  It launched itself at her, it's jaw clamping down on her arm.  Sunshine cried out as it took her down onto the ground, momentarily stunning her.

"Sunny!" Skyler wailed out into the night.  The wolf stopped attacking her and glanced in the direction her sister had ran. The wolf then howled and took off in that direction.  Sunshine picked herself up from the ground with a whimper.

"Fuck," she cried out. Sunshine took off after her the wolf and sister, hoping she would get there in time, even if her head was spinning. 

'This is probably the most foolish thing I have done in my life,' Sunshine could not help but think. Sunshine came upon the horrific scene soon, her sister's body was crumpled onto the ground, her legs looking a mess.  She glanced at the midnight wolf attacking a brown and white wolf.  The midnight wolf was huge compared to the brown and white wolf, easily dwarfing it. She grabbed her sister and her sister whimpered in pain causing the midnight wolf to howl.  The brown and white wolf launched itself at the midnight wolf, catching it in the neck just barely as it ducked.

"Sunny...you came..." Skyler whispered, her hazel eyes shimmering with tears.

"I'm here...of course I would."

"Run...please..."

"I just can't leave you!"

"We both know you cannot drag me out of here and escape."

"As if I could escape at this point..." Sunshine cried, tears pooling in her eyes.  Sunshine heard a new set of howls in the distance. All of a sudden there was a bite on her shoulder and she was dragged away.  Sunshine screamed out in agony, teeth tearing her skin from her shoulder.  She was tossed against a tree suddenly, causing her to gasp out for air.  Sunshine turned her head towards her sister, to see the midnight wolf launch itself at her again.  She didn't have time to react when it bit down on her side. Sunshine cried out again.

"Fuck! Fuck you, you stupid wolf, stay away from my sister," Sunshine said at it advanced towards her sister.  The wolf turned around and glowered at her, growling.  It attacked her with its claws, batting her around and cutting deep into her skin.  Sunshine felt dizzy and she stopped moving, stopped fighting back.  Her vision began to get blurry.  The wolf left her alone then and she saw the strangest site then, the midnight wolf began a strange transformation.  It turned into a naked man.  Sunshine would have laughed or thought she had been slipped some drugs, if the pain and nausea bearing down on her was not making it real.  Bad enough it felt like there was a fire inside of her and she felt hot, far to hot.  Her vision blurred and she blacked out.

"Sunshine!" A familiar male voice called to her briefly as felt like she was floating in darkness.  Sunshine wondered where she had heard that voice before.

 

Author's Note:

Welcome to "Of Blood and Sinew" which was written for NaNoWriMo 2014 ! This story is still progressing, even after the 50k words mark! Currently I am just writing this novel until it is done.  Then once it is done, whether it is done, I will edit this story.  It is far from perfection and obviously just a draft.

I would however like to discuss a few things that I hope would make you interested.  Do not be afraid to critique me, as long as it is helpful! I know with my writing, my story is far from perfect and I am sure I will create plot holes and conflicts in the story, but I will fix them!

I am not going to be all 'well my werewolf story is different from other werewolf stories!'  It is and it isn't.  I've tried to however, invent my own culture within the werewolf faction, with its law, its history, their abilities, and why they are the way they are.  I am trying to create a complex wonderful world which you shall find yourself immersed in.  There has been a lot of world building that has gone into this story, even with races and people you have yet to meet!

While the main focus of this story is about revenge, a descent into darkness, and being a survivor, there is another really important part of this story.  This story is not based on it, but it is interwoven into it. There is romance, but before you go Aha! I knew it! Let me say thus, while I am a romantic at heart, I don't believe in the suddenly, I have found my soul mate and they are so attractive and I will love them forever.  Thus there is no elements for rejection in my world.  There are no elements for suddenly jumping the gun with a relationship and permanently mating forever without really knowing each other.  While the element of soul mates do exist, everyone has a soul mate.  It is easier for the werewolf to recognize it than say a human, because there is a connection, a pull that makes it easier for them to fall together.  There are three types of mates, Choice Mates, Soul Mates, and of course True Mates.  You will have to keep reading till you discover what a true mate is.  Regardless of the fact, love is so important to all of us, whether it is the love of family, of friends, or a lover.

So let's get on with the story of murder, revenge, torture, a descent into darkness, the shadowing of heart and mind, of one Summer Sunshine Asher as she walks into her new life. Will she survive the year or till she gets her revenge?

2: Chapter One: Micah

It was a clear warm summer night, the moon was still upon the horizon,waning away but still bright.  A group of backpackers sat around a fire laughing and joking.  There was four of them traveling together, three girls and one guy.  Suddenly a series of howls filled the nightlife and the wild life around them grew quiet.  The four of them glanced at each other in fear.

"I thought there was no wolves in Colorado..." A girl with dark brown hair spoke up.

"Anna, There is not, I did my research.  There was a possible spotting of one, but the scientists were not sure," the guy spoke up.

"Shush Jake, I do not want to get everyone freaked out," a girl with golden blonde hair said. Her eyes glanced to the girl at her side who was shaking in freight.  Their eyes and hair color was different, but they held the same bone structure, giving them away as family relatives.

"Sunny, I am scared," she said to the dirty blonde haired girl.   The dirty blonde was one Summer Sunshine Asher.  Her parents were neo-pagans, though Sunshine was not.  Sunshine held no religion, but there was one quality that had set her family apart, a secret they all kept, their own abilities.  Sunshine could communicate with the dead, or namely the spirits hanging around and have not gone on, wherever they go.  Skyler never confided in Sunshine what she could do, only that it had scared it and she tried not to do whatever it was.

"Don't worry Sky, it will be okay, you will-" The howls drew closer interrupting Sunshine's comment.

"Shit, is it just me, or are those howls getting closer?" Anna muttered.  Anna had a very quiet ability, empathy, but it helped Anna manipulate crowds and people.

"What do we do?" Jake asked out loud.  Jake had the same ability as Sunshine, which is what had connected them in the first place.  They met because of Jake's dead older brother, who connected the two.  Jake had grown up with Anna.  Their abilities had instantly bonded the three of them, as outsiders among others.

"Call 9-1-1?" Skyler said hopefully.

"I am sure you guys are imagining things," insisted Sunny.

"Woah, Miss Sunshine, keep looking on the bright side of life, I would rather not die by a wolf pack attack."

"They would be more scared of us then them.  But fine, remember if we do see them, don't run, keep backing up facing them and do not give eye contact.  That should work," Sunshine commented.

"Thanks for the 4-1-1, but that does not ease my fears," Jake snapped.  Sunshine gave Jake her best smile, but it quickly turned into an expression of freight hearing a growl very close to her.  Sunshine glanced around but saw nothing.

"You heard that?" Anna whispered.

"It may seem silly, but lets head to the road," suggested Sunshine.

"What about our shit? We paid good money for it," groaned out Jake.

"Jake, you have some serious issues man," Anna grinned.  The howls cause them to pause. It was further away this time.

"Nevermind, let's just stay guys.  Let's tune in for the night, we can go to town tomorrow. The town is close?"

"Yeah it is Jake," Sunshine assured.  They doused the fire with dirt making sure the fire was out before slinking into the tent.  The four seemed to relax into the tent, as if the thin material was enough protection that formed a barrier.  Sunshine laid awake staring at the ceiling listening for more howls, but as the night crept on, Sunshine's eyes drifted close and she felt into a restful slumber.

---------

"So where is this motel Sunny?"

"It should just be up ahead!" Sunny insisted glancing down at the map.  They turned down the street and there was a giant sign that read "West Haven Inn."

"Why did we have to come to this small town anyways?" Anna grumbled.

"You wanted down time and after this we are not stopping till we get to Colorado Springs baby!" Sunshine cried out in excitement.

"Alas fair maiden, our journey is not at an end yet! Hey! Let's rent a car and just drive there!" Jake said.  The girls laughed at Jake's animated movements.  They entered the motel and felt the instant relief of the air conditioning.  Sunshine approached the desk where a young woman sat she glanced up and smiled at the travellers.

"Hello, may I help you?"

"I need a room with two beds, please for two nights," Sunshine said and quickly took care of the details.

"Alright guys, here is the room keys, let's go shower, clean up, and go out and get some food.  Meet back here at six guys," Sunshine said.

"You aren't going to chill with us?"

"Nah, I want to check around this town, see what they have for food and coffee," Sunshine said with a grin.

"You and your coffee!"

"Hey I've been deprived for the past week!" Sunshine whines before skipping into the bathroom to shower and change. Sunshine basked in the warmth of the hot water before getting dressed in new clothes.

"Jesus! Can you take any longer?" Jake grumbled before dashing into the bathroom.

"Hey!" Anna cried.  Sunshine laughed and left her two friends and sister in the motel room.  She went up the woman sitting behind the desk.

"Is there any coffee shops around here?"

"If you take a right out of this building and keep going up to the light, you hit Main Street. Go left and it's there about a five minute walk," the lady answered.

"Thanks Miss!" Sunshine said and hit the streets.  She took notice of the restaurants along the way, wondering what she should try, noting the diner at least for breakfast tomorrow.  She grinned seeing the small coffee shop.  The names seemed to be pretty redundant here, "East Rocky Coffee."  The door bell dinged as she walked in, inhaling the aroma of fresh ground coffee.

'Damn, it smells good in here,' Sunshine thought. Sunshine glanced up at the board studying it, torn between getting a latte and a coffee. 

"Oh hello?  Can I help you miss?" A girl said coming up to the register.  Sunshine approached the register and smiled at the girl.

"I am trying to decide what I would like to get, a latte or a coffee.  I have been feeling deprived of coffee for the past week," Sunshine admitted.

"Oh are you a backpacker?"

"Mmmmhmm." The door bell dinged again as someone entered in the coffee shop.  Sunshine stepped aside to let the other customer order first.  She glanced over to see a tall man towering over.  Sunshine was of average height, but he made her feel small.

"Um, you can order first?"

He smirked at her, "Can't decide?"

"No, not really, it all just sounds really good right now."

"Try their Milky Way Coffees, they are to die for," he said with a grin.

"Um thanks Mr...?"

"My name is Micah. Micah Kaiser."

"Well thanks Micah," Sunshine grinned.

"Could I have a medium Milky Way Coffee Black, please?" Sunshine said.

"I'll have the same and two Reese's Mash cookies," Micah added.  The employee smiled and rung it up together.

"Um, I can pay-"

"It's my treat," Micah said with a grin.  Sunshine's face was still smiling, but her eyes lay emotionless watching Micah carefully.

"Hey now, don't look so suspicious. We get a lot of backpackers that come through this town, people are always passing through and you have the look.  I am sure if you just got here you are desperate for coffee," Micah said noticing her suspicious look.  He gave her an easy grin.

"Here you guys go," the employee said presenting the two coffees and the cookies on plates.  Sunshine grabbed it and quickly sat down at a table looking out the window.  Micah sat down across from her, sipping his coffee.

"Do you like to people watch?" Micah said breaking the silence.

"Yes, it's the only time I can really stare at people without them getting all nervous. I like to draw," Sunshine answered.

"And clearly hike," Micah said.

"Yes, I love to backpack.  I actually delayed going to college so I could hike the Appalachian Trail."

"Was it fun?"

"Fun? I guess, it was exhausting, but it was amazing.  It was six months on the trail and towards the end I had to call home and beg mom to pay for me to spend a night in a hotel, I missed having a shower."

"I could not imagine six months on the trail," Micah said shaking his head.

"The first month is the hardest, getting accustomed to the trail. I loved and hated going into town because I would then spend the night in a hotel, eat a fresh cooked meal and I would ask myself why go back?  Still at least one part of my bucket list is accomplished," Sunshine said with a grin. Her grin turned into a frown as she took a giant gulp of her coffee, her attention turning to Micah.  She hadn't really paid attention to him before.  His eyes were bright sapphire jewels, surrounded by a ring of amber and flecked with a few gold specks.  Her favorite part of the anatomy to draw were eyes and his eyes were drop dead gorgeous.  Micah's hair was a rich black that looked silky soft.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Nah, I'm studying you from an artist's perspective.  Your features are almost classically beautiful in a, I guess masculine but sharper dangerous looking away," Sunshine said.

"Ah that means I'm handsome?"

"I guess," Sunshine shrugged.  She hated these awkward moments, where she was unsure if she was flirting, or if they were flirting.  She never really understood it.  She never really understood how people could look at another person and say I would want to do them.  Sunshine was just someone who thought someone looked aesthetically pleasing, or at least pleasing in the way that she wanted to draw them because they had some unique feature.  Micah was a unique feature from head to toe, incredibly tall, looking ever bit a predator, a charming devil. He was buff too, but not the extreme body builder, more she guessed a fighter's buff.

"Are you done studying me?" Micah grinned.

"I wish I had my sketchpad. I'd rather draw you," Sunshine admitted, "but mostly I just want to draw your eyes.  They are really unique. They remind me of jewellery, a peace of jewel set into a gold ring. They are just really pretty."

"I'll take the compliments where I get them," Micah gave a deep laugh.  Her phone cried out 'Hey Listen!'

"Zelda?"

"You betcha!" Sunshine picked up the phone and read the text, her sister letting her know they were heading out to find a place to eat.  It went off again, this time a text from Anna telling her to enjoy herself and not be a stick in the mud.  She could almost hear Anna's voice in her ear, telling her to be less serious, to have some fun, as you are only young once.

"So how long are you staying in town for?"  Alarms were ringing in her ears but she was not sure if she should answer.  He was a complete stranger after all.  Sunshine certainly made the perfect target, she was alone. She furrowed her brow in deep thought but answered out loud for him.

"Two nights, then we are hiking back to Colorado Springs before flying out."  Micah grinned at her answer.  The grin unnerved her, especially the way the amber ring in his eyes seemed to darken.

"Want to catch dinner with me?" Sunshine pondered for a moment but remember Anna's constant reminder for her to loosen up and not be a stick in the mud. 

'Should I really be doing this?  If it was Anna, I am sure she would be climbing up the walls texting me how she was going to get lucky tonight,' Sunshine thought. If Anna could have one night stands, Sunshine was sure she could manage.  Sunshine wondered for a second if this was too dangerous, but against her better judgment, she then smiled at Micah and nodded.

"Sure, I am free," Sunshine said.

"Great! Do you mind if we head out now? It will take us half an hour to walk to the tavern I have in mind. Its a local spot, but it brews it's own beer."

"That sounds perfect, do they do summer ales?"

"Yeah they have this really nice summery pale ale," Micah answered.  He gave her this devilish grin as he stood up.  He got some napkins and then placed them on the table for her.

"What is the name of the tavern?" Sunshine asked as she took a bite and savored the taste of the Reese's mash cookie, almost moaning at the pleasure to her taste buds. 

"It is called the Wilcox Tavern," Micah answered as she wrapped it up and then carefully pushed her chair in and then Micah's. 

'Out with one Micah Kaiser for dinner at Wilcox Tavern,' Sunshine quickly texted Anna.  The 'Hey, Listen!' went off real quick with Anna's reply of 'you go girl!'

"Why'd you do that?"

"Habit, but mostly because it annoys me when people do that to me at the coffee shop I work at," Sunshine answered before picking up her cookie and coffee, walking out the door to the coffee shop.

"Have a good day miss and Mr. Kaiser! " The female employee called after the two of them.

"You know, you have not told me much about yourself," Sunshine said.

"I am not really good at talking abut myself."

"Why not?"

"I prefer to learn about others," Micah said giving her an easy grin, but Sunshine noted the uneasiness in his eyes.

"Let's see, here, I am a sophomore in college, I am 22, I am going for my Nursing degree, I love tattoos and piercings as you can clearly see.  I also like to draw and paint. I used to be a big time gamer before I got into college, if I was not hiking, or working, I was gaming. You?"

"I am 30, I have my master's in business, and I run Kaiser Group Inc, which in turns runs a bunch of other corporations.  It is my dad's legacy for me.  I graduated high school early, I used to be big into gaming, but now when I have down time I usually play Call of Duty and I sometimes play the MMO Deviants Guild."

"You played that game?"

"You know it?"

"I told you I used to game. I was part of the Rising Winds guild, I played a cleric. I was lucky to get in, I don't know how I managed."

"Shit were you Aired by chance?" Micah said.  Sunshine stopped short.

"Yeah."

"You need to come back!  Join up wit the Skoll Furies. Rising Winds left the game after you left," Micah said with a grin.

"I was their only cleric left after Tinka and Clefairy left," Sunshine said.

"The game isn't the same without Rising Winds.  This is such a small world that I meet in the infamous Aired," Micah said with a cheesy grin.  They continued to chat, falling into an easy companionship.  Sunshine continued to try and pry answers from Micah, but often he would direct the questions back towards her.  It made her suspicious of him, but she did figure if the employee referred to him as Mr. Kaiser and he said he ran Kaiser Group Inc, he was not using a fake name.  Still, she could not shake the odd feeling of him being dangerous.

They took a turn down a street and Sunshine grinned spotting the glowing sign for Wilcox Tavern.  The placed reminded her of a log cabin and it was huge, easily taking up a whole block to itself.  Micah lead her into the place and she quickly noticed how cozy it was.  It was packed too.  There was two groups of people already waiting.

"Oh hey Micah! Oh and you have a date too!" Greeted a beautiful hostess coming up to greet them.  Sunshine flushed at this.  A date? That was going to far, but before she could speak up and deny it Micah spoke then.

"Could you sit us in the fire room?"

"Yeah sure, hun, anything for you. It is just you two right?"

"No one else is joining us, Jen," Micah replied.

"Then it is no problem. Come on you two." Jen lead them through a series of walkways and rooms, each packed with people.

"This place is really popular..."

"I like to believe their beer is some of the best America has to offer," Micah said.

"The Woodstock Inn in New Hampshire has some good beer," Sunshine protested.

"Maybe, or maybe I'm just a proud native." Sunshine shook her head at this and Jen sat them down in the fire room.  It was a warm room, with a fire place directly in the center, and a vent above it. There was a sports TV on one of the walls and rock'n'roll blaring in the speakers.  They were placed in a corner thankfully.  Sunshine noticed a few tables open, but more for couples than for the groups waiting.  It still left her feeling bad.

"You should try one of their burgers, or their ribs, or maybe try the pizza," Micah said.

"Let me see Micah!  I'll decide for myself!" Sunshine laughed at Micah's boyish excited grin as h continued to throw suggestions at her as she read the menu.

"Hello I'm Eve, I'll be your waitress tonight. Is there anything I can get you to drink to start with?"

"Could I have just water and-"

"Two of the Summer Pale Ales," Micah finished.  Eve wrote it down and quickly walked off.

"What about my ID?" Sunshine said shocked.

"You are with me, nobody will ID you here. Thought is good to already know you are of age," Micah said with a teasing smile.

"I could order for myself, you know," Sunshine grumbled.

"I'll let you order food for yourself, but you need to have the Summer Pale Ale while it is in season." Micah reason, Sunshine sighed at this.  Sunshine eyed the burgers before deciding what to get.  Eve returned with their drinks.

"Are you guys ready to order?"

"I am, are you Sunshine?"

"Totally, I am starved!"

"What can I get for you then?"

"I'll have an order of the hot buffalo wings, the ultra spicy, and then can I have the portabello mushroom and Swiss burger with the baked beans and onion rings," Sunshine ordered.  She folded up the menu and her eyes drifted over to the menu listing all the other alcoholic beverages.

"Sure, and you?"

"I want to have mozzarella sticks, an order of the jalapeno poppers, and I would like to have the Baby Back Ribs with just extra onion rings."  Eve quickly wrote it down and Sunshine turned her attention back to Micah.

"You can seriously eat all that?"

"Of course, I am a growing man and I need to take care of these muscles," Micah said jokingly.  Sunshine shook her head at his silly attempt to joke.  They continued to chat animatedly throughout dinner, joking back and forth.  Sunshine ate slowly working her way through her appetizer and her dinner, while drinking beer after beer.  Sunshine gave up keeping up with Micah after the third beer, as he seemed to chug one after the other.  She was not sure if she was impressed that after dinner that while she was tipsy from drinking six beers and was having trouble with her balance.

"I told you the food and the beer was amazing," Micah said happily.

"I guess I'll have to trust your judgment with food and beverages clearly from now and ever," Sunshine said, slurring a little.  Sunshine tripped a little but quickly balanced out.

"I am very well versed in food," Micah said rising his eyebrows a couple times. Sunshine tripped again and caught herself on Micah's arm.

"Sorry, just a wee bit tipsy," Sunshine murmured.  Micah slipped an arm around her waist as they started walking down the street away from the tavern.

"It is fine.  I should take you back to your motel," Micah said quietly.

"Should?" Sunshine repeated back.  Did she read this entire evening wrong?  She had done it before, she bit her lip, maybe he did not want her.

"We can go back to my house if you want," Micah said nonchalantly, his eyes watching her carefully.

"I'd like that," Sunshine said.  Micah grinned, his eyes filled with an emotion Sunshine was not sure what it was, but she figured it was desire.  She had seen it before on a previous boyfriend's face, before having the worst sex experience ever.  He leaned down and kissed her then, drawing her close against him. There was nothing like sparks flying, but it felt good, kissing him, making her heat up. Micah pulled away, leaving her breathless, a small smirk on his lips.

"Let's go home then," Micah murmured. Micah led her down the streets until they arrived at a small brick house.  Micah unlocked the door, letting her go in first.  She stepped into the hallway and slipped her shoes off and left them next to a pair of boots. Micah closed and locked the door slipping off his shoes.  He took her by the hand and led through the house.  Sunshine barely noticed the house as they slipped into the bedroom. 

Micah's hands dragged her against him as he crashed his lips against hers aggressively.  Sunshine tried to keep up with his kisses, as they left her breathless.  Even if this was just a once in a lifetime, she wanted to please Micah. They fumbled with each other clothes as they made their way to the bed slowly.  Sunshine felt awkward against Micah's experienced hands, but it seemed she did enough as he murmured endearments against her neck and moaned.  They tumbled together into the bed, naked, finding bliss in each other's arms.

3: Chapter Two: Attack

"Look, at you grinning like the Cheshire cat!" Anna teased Sunshine as Sunshine entered the motel room finally.  Sunshine just shrugged and grinned, feeling no shame for the two nights she had spent in Micah's arms.  While the sex had certainly been pleasurable, it was his easy company that she had enjoyed.  There was no demands, no strings attached.  Still Sunshine felt guilty because she had been sort of seeing a guy at college.

"Well of course I am! We need to move out by ten am, is everyone ready to go? Did everyone eat breakfast?"

"Yes Mother Duck, we had the free continental breakfast here already, we are just waiting on you," Anna filled in for the others.

"You took your jolly time getting back here," Jake said.

"Mmm, I didn't want to leave my warm bed," Sunshine said.

"Or someone's warm arms," Anna said.  Sunshine flushed at this, her cheeks burning bright red.

"That may be...but still..." Sunshine went over to her backpack and quickly packed her old clothes into the backpack.  She touched the new pants with a sigh.  It seemed silly to cling to the memory, the knowledge she would never see him again.  It was not like he was her dream man and it was not like she knew him well.

"Stop daydreaming and let's go!" Jake whined.  Sunshine shook her head and stood up, quickly getting her backpack on and adjusting it.  They checked out quickly and hit the streets, heading out of the town.  Sunshine glanced back and gave lingering gaze before turning her attention back to where she was going.

"So what did you guys do?"

"We ate out, relaxed, we saw that new movie with that vampire hunter in it.  Shit man, the vampires looked so freaky in that movie," Jake commented.

"I think it was pretty awesome Jake," Skyler spoke up finally.  Sunshine glanced at her sister and smiled happily. Skyler was still timid in social situations and was not even very comfortable around Sunshine's friends, but this trip helped her to speak up a little.

"That is cause Sunny and you are weirdos liking horror movies. I just don't get how you can't get scared," Anna said her voice disgusted.

"I know it is not real. That is the big difference, hence why we find it so hilarious," Skyler said.

"Right-o!  I like movies that have a more psychological affect, a thrill that leaves you on the edge of the seat. Those are the neat movies," Sunshine said.

"Like A Tale of Two Sisters?" Skyler asked.

"That movie was really good, especially since I had very little idea what was going on," Sunshine admitted.

"I have not seen that one," Jake commented.

"It's Korean, I highly doubt you have," Skyler said.  Anna threw her hands up in the air at this.

"Let's take a break from the horror genre guys, maybe we can talk about that hot stud that Sunshine has been seeing.  Seeing as Sunshine has barely texted us, let alone called, it must have been some wild sex escapes.  I want the dirty details." Anna demanded.  Sunshine laughed and blushed bright red.

"Nah, I shall not kiss and tell or embarrass Skyler or Jake with renditions of the flexible bedroom acrobatics," Sunshine said dryly trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Now onto our route guys, we will follow this road until..." Sunshine's voice drilled on about their route, while Skyler snapped pictures here and there.  Eventually Sunshine gave up and took to just observing the scenery around her.  Sunshine had always lived right near the ocean, but admitted to herself only privately that Colorado was just as beautiful as living near the ocean.  They stopped for lunch and to rest in the shade while the sun beat down on her.  Anna sat down next to Sunshine in the shade.

"Did you get the stud's number?" Anna asked her.

"Doesn't that defeat the purpose of a one night stand?"

"I think you defeated the purpose of a one night stand."

"Okay I spent more than twenty-four hours in his company, so sue me."

"So did you get his number?"

"No, I did not," Sunshine said quietly. In a way, Sunshine did regret it.  She highly doubt that Micah would pursue her for a relationship.  Micah had dropped her off at the motel with a hug and well wishes on her trip.  They had not lingered, had not exchanged numbers and certainly while age was not a factor, she had been used as a warm body for two nights.  That fact did not disturb her as she had gone along with it.  Micah had been nice, his happiness catching, a mixture of seriousness with a boyish charm that had not worn off the grown man.  At least he knew responsibility as he ran his rather's company and was not in the tabloid's as some drug abusing man.  It wasn't enough for a relationship, or to real know if pursuing a relationship was worth it, but those two nights in his arms had been blissful.

"Hello?" Anna said waving her hand in front of Sunshine's face.  Sunshine gave her friend a sheepish smile.  Micah Kaiser, what a charming devil, but at least, Sunshine could agree, she was out of his clutches and he would never hold her heart as she would never be returning to Colorado after this hike.

"Whats up?"

"You are totally in la-la land together.  Sunny, you should have asked him for his number.  You never daydream over a guy."

"Micah is a charming devil, I think he would charm even a bear to do his bidding.  It is better than I, only a mere slip of a girl escapes that man's clutches."

"Well it is a little to late to go back now.  You could always google the man!"

"Hello!  That is way to much like being a stalker. I am not going to be that chick," Sunshine said.

"Just a suggestion, you still have not got a new boyfriend since the break up before Jon went to college," Anna said quietly.

"Acutally I have been sorta seeing a guy at the college in Vermont. I don't think it is going to work out, we are too on and off.  He is fun, but I think he is one of those bros, not really a bad guy, but he follows the crowd far to easily."

"Damn girl, you are way to picky."

"Not picky, just...well...me being me.  Sunny Asher, the Mother Duck," Sunshine said with a sigh.

"Well Mother Duck, is it time for us to go?"

"Yes my duckling time to go!  Cluck cluck!  Ducklings let's go!" Sunshine cried out. 

"What is this? I am rendered a duckling now?"

"Yes, cluck cluck!  Come on chickadees, lets go!"  Sunshine broke into the songs she knew in girl scout camp with Anna and Skyler joining.

"The littlest worm I ever saw!" Sunshine sang out.  Eventually Sunshine exhausted the songs and they marched in silence.

"Oh hey!  There is the camping site!" Jake cried out happily.

"Are you really that excited Jake?" Skyler teased out quietly.  Jake mock glared at the three girls.

"I should have insisted Dan come with us!  I am the only male here!  Maybe I can find some male company at the camp grounds!" Skyler laughed at this. They walked into the free camping site, drifting around together before finding the spot to camp at.  Jake and Sunshine set up the tent arguing over the fact that Jake had packed it wrong again.  Skyler and Anna went off to purchase wood so they could cook over the fire.  They were still arguing even with the tent set up when Skyler and Anna arrived back.

"You two are still arguing over that?  It really is not that bad," Skyler murmured.  Sunshine threw her hands up in the air, but shut up over the argument.  They cooked quietly, the only sound of the crackling fire.

"Is it weird we are the only ones out here tonight?" Jake asked quietly.

"It is a week day," Sunshine murmured.

"Don't worry about it guys everything is fine," Anna said with a grin.

"The spirits are quiet tonight," Jake said.

"I have noticed that too," Sunshine said.

"You guys are going to make Skyler scared!  You know she was already feeling bad about going on this trip!" Anna snapped at them.  Jake and Sunshine stared at each other over the campfire before Sunshine huffed and went into the tent.  The fact was, even if they were in the middle of no-where, ghosts always followed Jake and Sunshine around.  It was like the two were a spirit magnet.  As they did not want to advertise or draw attention to their ability they had no one to talk to but themselves, to theorize over their ability.  Jake entered the tent quietly behind her.

"There is nothing we can do Jake," Sunshine said, breaking the silence.

"I know, it just bothers me," Jake said quietly.  Sunshine rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling, breathing in and out.  Howls filled the night air in the distance.  Sunshine glanced over at Jake, seeing his expression thoughtful.

"What are you thinking?"

"I am wishing we took that bus from West Haven to Colorado Springs," Jake said at last.  Sunshine nodded and hummed quietly to herself, curling up on the bed roll.  She wanted to sleep and forget the howls, the fears from the lack of spirits.  Anna poked her head into the tent then.

"You two going to sleep now?" Anna asked.

"I guess so," Sunshine answered.  They again heard the howls.  It sounded still in the distance, but closer.

"What is with these howls?"

"I don't know Anna...but it worries me, considering everything."

"Everything will be alright Sunny, it always is."

"As much as I am one to usually agree, I feel really hesitant about it," Sunshine replied back.  The howls was heard closer.

"Why don't we go to the bathroom stalls?  It is not much cover, but the door closes," Jake said.

"That sounds like a fantastic idea!" Sunshine agreed.

"Skyler, we are going to go the bathrooms, it won't be a restful night, but let's be safe than sorry," Anna told Skyler gently.  Skyler nodded, but look tentative. Jake grabbed the bedrolls from the tent.  Anna and Sunshine took their backpacks and started to walk towards the bathrooms with Jake leading the way.  Sunshine glanced to and fro, ffeeling fear pound in her veins.  Sunshine had never felt such fear in her life, it made her hyper aware of every howl she heard, how each howl seemed closer.

"Fear is the mind killer," Sunshine said out loud and kept quoting the quote from Dune again and again. "I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over and through me."

Anna screamed loudly behind Sunshine.  Anna was pinned down by a giant wolf.  Sunshine froze for a moment as she stared at the snarling giant creature.  It looked like a giant wolf.  Sunshine's mind kicked into overdrive, emotion fleeing from her mind as she began to push Skyler behind her.

"Jake, take Skyler's hand, I'll follow behind," Sunshine said quietly, not making any loud noises.  Jake grunted in response and did as requested.  Sunshine kept her eyes on the lone wolf who bit down into Anna as Anna screamed and screamed.  There was no point in saving Anna, it would only end up being the death of Sunshine, Skyler, and Jake.  Hopefully they would make it to the safety of the bathrooms before it finished with Anna or turned their attention upon them.  Suddenly there was several howls at once and Sunshine saw more giant wolves running in the direction of the wolf that was chomping down on Anna. 

'Stay calm, stay calm,' Sunshine thought to herself.

"Sunshine, get her to safety."

"What are you going to do?"

"Play hero, then haunt your ass."

"That does not sound right. We are not dying here."

"Does this look like a situation we can get out of?"

"One can hope," Sunshine murmured.

"Run! I'll distract them." Jake insisted.  Sunshine continued walking along past Jake, her lips trembling.  She was beyond emotion at this point, her only thought was saving those she loved, but she realized in this strange situation that there was no hope left.  This situation was so strange, they did not teach you had to deal with giant wolves.  Sunshine glanced back as she picked up the pace, hating the fact that to move faster she needed to be focused on what is wrong of her.  Jake was slowly walking towards the group of wolves, who weren't acknowledging him yet. She began to pick up the pace hoping she could make it in time.

Sunshine was just out of sight when howls and screams of terror and pain mixed together, the only sounds in the silence of the night.  It was as if the night life itself knew the dangers of being caught out tonight. Sunshine held onto Skyler's hand tightly as she began to run. There was no fear, only the thought of reaching safety.

"Look what we have here, hm?" A male's voice rung out, cold and clear.  Sunshine came to a stop and glanced to the side.  She could barely see him in the darkness, her eyes to weak to see much of any color or the distance he was.  Skyler stilled behind her gasping.  Sunshine glanced at her in concern but practically began to drag her away.  She had no time to deal with a strange man.

"Look mister you better head to safety!" Sunshine called out.  The man began to laugh, harshly, causing Sunshine to still.  He strode forward and suddenly there was a loud cracking noise startling Sunshine and Skyler.  They stared horrified as the man's body began to change, slowly but surely changing into a giant wolf.

"What the..." Sunshine whispered in amazement and fear.  She grabbed Skyler's arm and began to run, hoping to outrun what was apparently a werewolf pack.  Her poor friends, her poor sister, poor her.  Sunshine felt that the bathrooms were to far, why did they have to camp so far from the entrance.  Sunshine tripped and fell, taking Skyler down with her, as she was still clutching Sunshine's arm tightly.  Tears pooled in her eyes and she angrily wiped them away.  Humans could not outrun wolves, why did she think she could make it in time.  Humans could not outrun werewolves, they would never stand a chance if the stories of werewolves happened to be true.

"The bathrooms won't save us..." Skyler whispered.

"Run Skyler! Find a tree to climb!" Sunshine ordered, her expression fierce, as she heard a howl incredibly close.  A wolf with pitch black hair approached them slowly. Sunshine shoved Skyler backwards and the wolf in front of her growled.  It was the only wolf around, the other wolves seemed to be occupied with Anna and Jake.  The wolf charged at the Sunshine and she jumped to the side, claws scraping her arms.  The girl winced in pain.

"Go Skyler!  Please!"  Sunshine begged.

"But Sunny!" Skyler backed away slowly, eyeing the midnight colored wolf. The wolf growled at Skyler who stood there looking scared.  Sunshine realized how useless it was, with wolves that could turn into humans, the bathrooms and the trees would not be safe.  What was she thinking?  Maybe if her sister could make it to the road, maybe she could find a car who hopefully was not driven by a werewolf.

"Go! Get to the road, find a car!" Sunny said as she grabbed a rock from the ground and threw it at the wolf, hitting it on the head.  The wolf turned it's attention towards her.  Her sister turned and started to run away and the wolf once again focused on her sister. She threw another stick at it, knowing it was useless.  She was dead either way, but hopefully she could live long enough for her sister to get to the road. Maybe her sister would find a car, maybe her sister would at least survive.  Let it be said that Sunshine, was a fierce protector over those who she loved, and her gentle sheepish sister brought out every protective instinct she had. She kept throwing what she could at it, sticks, rocks, dirt, it focused on her and growled, striking fear into her.  Sunshine challenged the wolf with her eyes.  The wolf began to advance towards her.  It launched itself at her, it's jaw clamping down on her arm.  Sunshine cried out as it took her down onto the ground, momentarily stunning her.

"Sunny!" Skyler wailed out into the night.  The wolf stopped attacking her and glanced in the direction her sister had ran. The wolf then howled and took off in that direction.  Sunshine picked herself up from the ground with a whimper.

"Fuck," she cried out. Sunshine took off after her the wolf and sister, hoping she would get there in time, even if her head was spinning. 

'This is probably the most foolish thing I have done in my life,' Sunshine could not help but think. Sunshine came upon the horrific scene soon, her sister's body was crumpled onto the ground, her legs looking a mess.  She glanced at the midnight wolf attacking a brown and white wolf.  Sunshine noticed a reddish brown wolf laying dead. The midnight wolf was huge compared to the brown and white wolf, easily dwarfing it. She grabbed her sister and her sister whimpered in pain causing the midnight wolf to howl.  The brown and white wolf launched itself at the midnight wolf, catching it in the neck just barely as it ducked.

"Sunny...you came..." Skyler whispered, her hazel eyes shimmering with tears.

"I'm here...of course I would."

"Run...please..."

"I just can't leave you!"

"We both know you cannot drag me out of here and escape."

"As if I could escape at this point..." Sunshine cried, tears pooling in her eyes.  Sunshine heard a new set of howls in the distance. All of a sudden there was a bite on her shoulder and she was dragged away.  Sunshine screamed out in agony, teeth tearing her skin from her shoulder.  She was tossed against a tree suddenly, causing her to gasp out for air.  Sunshine turned her head towards her sister, to see the midnight wolf launch itself at her again.  She didn't have time to react when it bit down on her side. Sunshine cried out again.

"Fuck! Fuck you, you stupid wolf, stay away from my sister," Sunshine said at it advanced towards her sister.  The wolf turned around and glowered at her, growling.  It attacked her with its claws, batting her around and cutting deep into her skin.  Sunshine felt dizzy and she stopped moving, stopped fighting back.  Her vision began to get blurry.  The wolf left her alone then and she saw the strangest site then, the midnight wolf began it's strange transformation again.  It turned into a tall naked man with black hair.  She could not make out the features for the life of her, her vision was to blurry to even notice the black hair anymore. Sunshine would have laughed or thought she had been slipped some drugs, if the pain and nausea bearing down on her was not making it real.  Bad enough it felt like there was a fire inside of her and she felt hot, far to hot.  Her vision blurred and she focused on her breathing. 

'Where are the spirits?' Sunshine thought.

"Sunshine!" A familiar male voice called to her briefly as felt like she was floating in darkness.  Sunshine wondered where she had heard that voice before.

'Pitch black hair,' Sunshine thought.

4: Chapter Three: Saving Sunshine

Micah lay there in his bed, inhaling Sunshine's scent.  Her scent was slowly fading away from the house, but it still clung to his sheets.  For some odd reason he could not name, he did not want to wash the sheets, instead he laid there, almost feeling depressed at letting go.  He had never had such trouble with a one night stand, then again, it had turned into two nights.  Micah would pick up a girl, screw her and then be done with her. 

What was he doing bemoaning himself about letting Sunshine leave his bed? It wasn't like the girl was his mate, she was human and not werewolf born. Mates were for those who were born werewolves and the few who received the Bite who managed to become moon born, if they survived the bite. Still Micah could not help but think of her, her scent, the way she smiled, the way she looked at him so suspiciously. His phone rang interrupting his wallow.

"Hello?" Micah greeted, not even glancing at the phone number.

"You sound depressed Alpha, should I be concerned?" Micah's Beta, William said.

"Nah I am good.  What is wrong?"

"There are rogues near West Haven City, they crossed from the East Colorado Territory from the north and then swung west," William answered.

"Damn what is Landon doing," Micah muttered his thoughts jumping to the fact that the rogues had appeared in Colorado and were heading towards West Haven.  Would they run into Sunshine's group?  It caused Micah's heart to squeeze, but he had to focus on the rogues themselves.

"Is there any sign that they they are that small rogue pack?"

"We think so, there was about ten of them from the tracks," William answered.

"Round up the fighters and the trackers outside of West Haven at Silver Village for Sunset. I will contact Landon,  hopefully we can chase them into the middle and get to them," Micah said, his mind working on strategies. Micah heard someone call William and then heard muffeled distorted voices.  William was probably covering the speaker.

"May I may a suggestion Alpha?" William asked, coming back to the phone.

"Meet up with Zoey, and the Ramos twins, Emily and Gamma Daniel.  If you are that worried about the girl, you can watch her."

"I have my duty as an Alpha - "

"I can handle everything from Silver Village Micah. You know that.  There is still a chance they could have slipped by now," William said.

"Yes, but I am not chasing after some girl." Micah said pridefully.

"It's a suggestion from the Oracle, she just called." William said.  Micah sighed defeated.

"Fine.  I will also call Liam at Pine Springs and get everyone on the defense." Micah hung up without saying goodbye and dialed Landon.  Landon, his fellow Alpha, they had grown up together like brothers.  Micah and Landon, as the saying would go, as thick as thieves.

"Micah, whats up?"

"I heard from William that the rogue pack has been seen across your territory and now is going across mine," Micah stated.

"I just heard from Flynn as well.  We will track from our side," Landon said.

"It will be like old times," Micah said with a grin.

"Is there anything new you want to tell me?"

"You remember that cleric Aired from Deviants Guild who ran with Rising Winds?" Micah said.

"I tried getting Aired to join us!  No matter what that cleric would always say no!"

"I met her in real life here in West Haven."

"What? What are the chances of that?  You said her? Did you at least convince her to come back? Rising Winds needs to come back, we need a rival guild and their help to dominate the other servers," Landon said.

"I did not convince her to play, but I convinced her into my bed."

"Only you would do that."

"She is out there right now backpacking with her friends," Micah said changing the subject abruptly.  He ran his hand through his black hair, feeling distressed.

"Did you get her cellphone number?"  Landon asked quietly, obviously hearing the distress in his friend's voice.

"No."  Micah sighed inhaling her scent again.

"Once we take care of the rogues, you can search for her. I will help you."

"She is supposed to be back in Colorado Springs to fly out," Micah said thinking of his conversations with her.  She had been so careful to not talk about dates or where she was stopping, but he knew that a person averaged 20 miles a day, she would be there in six days if not, seven.

"Relax man, you know I would never bar you from my territory. We are blood and bone brothers," Landon said.  They were the right words from Landon, even if they did not still the fear in Micah's heart.  He barely knew the girl, but he would never wish upon any human or supernatural to be attacked viciously.  The world is darker for each person loss.

"Alright, I going to head out so I can meet up with my pack members. I hope we can avoid human causalities this time around," Micah said.

"You and me both, I hate the extra work, money, and paper work it all arises from dealing with the Hunter's Guild, the witches, and covering up the rogue's pack mess ups," Landon grumbled before hanging up on Micah.  Micah did not bother showering, instead changing into sweats and a tank top, loose clothing that he could shed easily or did not mind ripping apart when he had to transform. He grabbed the pillow she had curled up around, her scent still strong.

Micah checked to make sure the house was locked up.  There was one benefit of being a werewolf was the pack magic that enabled pack members to use telepathy.  It was easier to communicate with the members who were closer and incredibly hard to do over 100 miles over, hence cellphones were ever popular even among werewolves. Micah closed his eyes breathing deeply to calm his nerves before contacting his pack members named earlier to meet him at the log cabin outside of town that the pack used occasionally.  The West Colorado and East Colorado Packs had log cabins tucked away for the werewolves out and about.  It served as meeting places to change, to go for runs, but also spare clothing.

Micah gave a lingering glance at his house before getting into the black SUV and driving off, heading towards the cabin  It would take him a mere twenty minutes to get there.  He dialed up one of the finest pack fighters he had ever met, Liam Reno.  The problem with big werewolf packs was that multiple people were needed to run the pack and everyone needed to pitch in.  There was the traditional Alpha, Beta, and Gamma positions, but there was also the Elders, as well as those who were of the noble class of werewolves, able to use voice command.  The voice command and dominance is what separated the noble class of werewolves from the regular werewolves.

"Hey Alpha, whats up my man?" Liam said with a laugh.  If it was anyone else, Micah would have been annoyed, but Liam was just as good of friend as Landon was.

"Remember at the last pack meeting we were talking about that rogue pack?"

"Yeah?" Liam said, his voice instantly turning serious.

"They are currently in our territory.  Landon and I are going to try and sandwich them, but I want Pine Springs prepared," Micah said seriously.

"Do not worry Alpha, I will have everyone's safety taken care of!  I will alert all enforcers, trackers, and fighters in the area," Liam said.

"Thanks Liam, I will update you on the situation as soon as I can."  Micah hung up gripping the steering wheel tightly.  He wondered who would be dead by the night's end, hopefully the rogues and none of his pack members.  Micah let the windows open, inhaling the air.  As he did so a gust of wind hit the car and he caught the scent of the non-pack members.  The scent came in the general direction of several camping grounds and the log cabin.  His brow furrowed in frustration. There was camping grounds to the north as well.

Micah pulled up to see the Ramos twins standing together chatting animatedly with one of the shortest werewolves he had ever met, Zoey Jacobs, had survived a werewolf attack at the age of seven, but somehow she barely topped five feet. Zoey was one of the best trackers and no one gave her shit for being moon born. Daniel Ramos, the Gamma of the East Colorado Pack waved at Micah as he hopped out of the truck taking the pillow with him.  Daniel's long blonde hair put girls to shame, though oddly his twin Emily kept her hair incredibly short.

"Hey Alpha," they greeted.

"Hello, Zoey catch this scent," Micah said tossing the pillow at Zoey.  Zoey caught it and sniffed.

"Ew, I do not want to be smelling the fact that you got laid," Zoey teased.

"It's for the girl, a suggestion came from the Oracle to track her," Micah said.

"Then I shall have to listen, but what good is it for me?" Zoey muttered, inhaling the scent.  She passed the pillow to Daniel and Emily who both inhaled the scent.

"I am surprised the Oracle would make a suggestion to track a female human.  Still, what is the point?  Do you even know where she went?" Emily asked.

"She left town today heading towards Colorado Springs, so she cannot be to far from the town.  It is a lot of area to cover.  There is three major trails that lead in that direction.  Three of those camp grounds are close by, the others head north.  Considering she stayed at the West Haven Motel, I'd say she left to the south taking the Peak Trail towards Beckenbridge," Micah suggested.

"That sounds a good of bet as any, let's shift and start tracking," Zoey said excitedly.

"I'll follow you guys in the SUV to Beckenbridge, that is where the trail starts, right?" Emily said.

"Right." Daniel, Micah, and Zoey stripped themselves of their clothes giving them to Emily who put them in the passenger seat of the SUV.

"Keep in contact with me, but if need be, I will go up to Frisco," Emily stated.  She got into the SUV and drove off. The three of them began the transformation from human to wolf, the painful process quickened easily because there were noble born werewolves, with Micah making the fastest transformation at three minutes, drawing on the strength of the pack through the pack magic.  His wolf was almost a pure white, but there was some gray tones that shimmered in his coat of fur.  Daniel was a mixture of black, tan, and reddish-brown.  Zoey on the other hand was all brown and white.

'There is no point in me trying to track at this point, let's head towards Frisco right now.'  Micah ordered through the pack link.  The three of them took of quietly.  The sun was beginning to set as the three wolves reached Frisco, not having scented any of the rogues.

'I have scented the girl and the three other humans with her,' Zoey said.

'Why would the Oracle send us after this girl if the rogues are not coming for her?' Daniel asked Micah.

'I am not sure, once we find her we can figure out where to go from there.' Micah answered back.  They continued to follow the trail, picking up the pace.  The three wolves stopped as they heard howls in the distance.

'That cannot be from our pack,' Daniel grumbled.  They three took off running heading towards the camp site.  Micah worried how strong their real numbers were, even if he was an Alpha and Daniel a Gamma, they were still no match for a large pack.  Zoey could fight, but she was no noble born, she could not do voice command even if she had the dominance.  Micah knew as much as he wanted to run faster and harder, there was no point in arriving winded or leaving behind his two pack members.

'Damn rogues,' Daniel growled out as they finally scented the rogues.

'I have the scent of the girl, go after the rogues,' Zoey said.  Zoey veered off and took towards the direction of Sunshine's scent.  Micah and Daniel chased after the group of the rogues.

'Look after Sunshine for me,' Micah said to Zoey.

'Her name is Sunshine?' Zoey said.

'Please don't take my Sunshine away!' Daniel called out to Micah. Micah only growled out in response.  Zoey laughed at Daniel's sing-songy voice in her head. She focused on the scent and found their camping site.  Their scent was strong and incredibly fresh.  Zoey stuck her nose into the tent flap and found there was no one there. The wind blew from the south and she caught Sunshine's scent and one other.  Zoey took off after the scent, crashing through the forest to find a brunnette girl backed up against a tree.  She was crying and shaking in fear.  There was a small reddish-brown wolf growling at her.

'The human is being attacked by a werewolf, I am going to defend her,' Zoey informed Micah before charging at the small wolf.  Zoey jumped on the wolf and bite it's neck.  It threw it's weight around making Zoey fall off, momentarily stunning her.  There was a sudden high pitched scream from the girl.

"Sunny!"  Zoey stood up to see the small wolf chewing on the girls legs.  Zoey charged and knocked the wolf over, before biting into the wolf's neck and tearing the skin and muscle.  Suddenly a midnight wolf knocked Zoey backwards.  Zoey went flying into the tree and grunted.  The midnight wolf advanced towards her slowly.  Zoey recognized the size and power instantly, it was an Alpha and she was no match.  Still she had to stand her ground at least for the human's scent, at least until Micah got here.

"Fuck!" Zoey heard a female say and Zoey's nose was filled with Sunshine's scent.

'MICAH! MICAH! Sunshine is here!  There is an Alpha wolf! Midnight black!' Zoey cried out of the mental link.  Zoey dodged the midnight wolf as it charged at her.  A girl with dirty blonde hair ran into the area and stood frozen for a moment. 

'Protect them, I will be there as soon as I can.  Those from Silver are almost here,' Micah sent back. Zoey had to stop paying attention to her as the rogue alpha began to try to bite her neck.  She had no strength when it came towards the Alpha, but one thing she did have was her size and speed.  It was one of Zoey's few boasts to her pride that even though she could never out class a noble werewolf, she had incredible speed besides her top notch tracking abilities.  She dodged again and again trying to draw the Alpha away from Sunshine and the other girl. Suddenly one of the girls whimpered causing the Alpha to howl.  This distraction was enough for Zoey to launch herself at the Alpha, her teeth grazing his neck as he barely dodged at the last second.

"Sunny...you came..." A girl said.

 

"I'm here...of course I would."  Zoey barely had time to dodge as the Alpha came barreling at her.  He twisted suddenly surging forwards, ducking and sliding himself under her small body.  He pushed himself upwards and continued his forward movement sending Zoey flying into a tree.  Zoey whimpered as lay there out of breath.  Her chest heaved as she tried to get her breath.  He pounced on her, biting her neck.

 

"Run...please..."

 

"I just can't leave you!"

'Alpha I am done for, I tried, I am sorry,' Zoey sent back. Zoey heard the howls of her fellow pack members approaching, her Alpha joining in on the howl. The Alpha left her suddenly.  Zoey had no strength left to get up.

 

"We both know you cannot drag me out of here and escape."

'We are coming Zoey,' Micah sent back.

 

"As if I could escape at this point..." Zoey watched in horror as the Alpha turned it's attention on Sunshine viciously biting Sunshine in the shoulder and dragging her away from the girl who lay limply on the ground.  He tossed her into the tree and the smell of blood filled her nose.  Sunshine glanced at her sister, her expression filled with sorrow and pain. The Alpha attacked her again, biting her on the side. Sunshine seemed stunned as the Alpha let her go and advanced towards the girl who was sobbing.

'Alpha hurry,' Zoey sent, feeling incredibly faint and dizzy.

 

"Fuck! Fuck you, you stupid wolf, stay away from my sister," Sunshine said towards the Alpha. Zoey watched the Alpha attack Sunshine with horror.  Sunshine lay crumpled onto the ground, her body a mess of bite marks, claw marks, her skin torn horrifying as blood began to slowly pool.  The howls drew close.  The midnight wolf shifted incredibly fast, picked up the other girl and ran off. 

Howls filled the air, from the rogue pack and the East Colorado Pack.  Michah burst into the area, whipping his head around to notice first Zoey, to the dead werewolf, then too Sunshine.  Zoey could not get it out of her mind as she saw her Alpha whine and his ears flicker back as he nudged Sunshine with his head.  Micah with a burst of strength quickly transformed back into human form.

"Sunshine!" Micah sobbed out.  Sunshine blinked up at Micah, her eyes unable to focus.  Her eyes closed again, but then her body convulsed and Sunshine cried out, her breathing harsh and labored.  She opened her eyes again staring at Micah for a brief moment, before her eyes closed again and her body shook for a second before stopping, her breaths coming in sharp and quick.  For the first time Zoey and her pack saw Micah's expression twisted in agony as he gathered Sunshine into his arms.

'Emily I am coming with Sunshine, we need to get her to Silver Pack fast. She needs the Pack Doctor if she is going to make it through this transformation,' Micah said as he strode towards the entrance.  Micah glanced back at Zoey, his eyes softened.

"Daniel, can you make sure Zoey gets home.  Allison I want you to make calls to Liam and inform him the rogues are heading west.  He may be able to catch them," Micah said out loud to his pack members.  He then took off running, knowing time was the essence.  Sunshine needed blood and hydration to help with the loss of the blood and the fever she was about to start.  Micah arrived at the entrance and got into the SUV.

"Put the fucking pedal to the medal," Micah ordered, his voice strained as he stroked Sunshine's cheek again and again.

"Is she going to make it?" Emily asks.

"I don't know...I do not want to think of it," Micah said quietly.  Emily glanced backwards at the battered body of Sunshine.  Her body would quiver every now and then, the magic of being a werewolf working on Sunshine's body.

"Who bit her?" Emily asked.  Micah's growl filled the SUV making it seem to small and making Emily stared out the window wide eyed in fear, afraid that Micah would shift right then and there, tearing up the car.  He did not, his growl was cut off with his deep sigh.

"An Alpha. The rogue alpha."

"Fuck...I am...sorry," Emily muttered.  The bite of a werewolf was a curse and a blessing, because half of humans bitten did not make it through the first change.  The chances of survival was low, though it was better now due to medical technology and the aid of the Pack Doctors.  If they survived the change, half of those are either only moon called or they cannot simply accept the wolf inside of them, often ending up dead.  In the end, only a fourth of humans bitten survive.  Of those who survived a bite from a noble werewolf was only a fourth of that fourth and only a handful of those had been bitten by an Alpha. 

"I am to, maybe she has all the markers, or maybe werewolf ancestry that will allow her to make the change," Micah muttered hopefully.  Micah watched Sunshine for the nerve-wracking fast paced drive that Emily did for the thirty minutes, Sunshine's life leaking out into the SUV as it tried to heal itself. It was a hopeful sign at least that the magic was at work.  Micah knew that  her near death was what was allowing the werewolf magic to invade her body, to change it to accommodate the inner wolf.

The SUV lurched forward and then stopped in front of the medical building.  Micah got of the car and rushed into the building with Sunshine in his arms.  He didn't want to let her go, but he let the Pack Doctor take her from him.  Emily came inside handing his clothes.

"Go shower and change, you are covered in her blood.  You know they will let you know the moment she is stable or, if you know," Emily started then trailed off. Micah sighed and acknowledged she was right, there was nothing he could.  He left the waiting room, all he could now was wait and see.  Would Sunshine survive the Alpha's bite and become the first hopefully moon born female?  Or would she become one of those who are moon called?

5: Chapter Four: Transition

Sunshine felt like she was floating, or maybe more accurately floating with fire burning in her veins.  She felt hot over.  She wanted to be cool desperately.  Sunshine groaned, following by a familiar beeping noise.  She opened her eyes and glanced over to see a heart monitor.  She was attached to a bunch of wires.

"Oh good, you are awake," a female voice said.  Sunshine turned her head to see a woman towering over her with kind eyes, her expression gentle.  Sunshine tried to speak, but she could only groan, her throat feeling like sand paper. 

"Drink this slowly," the woman ordered. The woman grabbed a cup on a table next to her and helped Sunshine slip it slowly.

"Thanks," Sunshine muttered.  There was a sharp pain in her right arm that caused Sunshine to cry out.

"Well Miss Sunshine, my name is Doctor Magdalena Crew, you are in a medical facility.  Do you remember what happened last night?"

"Yes," Sunshine whispered.  Sunshine glanced down at her body, noting her cuts did not appear there. "That was real?"

"Ah yes, you have noticed the damage is already disappearing.  The worst area is your chest, but it is healing incredibly fast.  I guess it would help for me to explain what is happening to you," Magdalena said. Sunshine glanced up, her eyes wide, her confusion evident as she voiced a thousand questions in two words.

"What? Why?"

"If your memory is in tact do you remember seeing a wolf transform into a human?" Magdalena asked.  Sunshine nodded, feeling dizzy.

'That was really real? It was not just a dream...'  Sunshine thought, still feeling denial that the world she knew was different.  Oh yes, she could see spirits, but considering all the stories and Jake, she knew she was not imagining things.  The fact that people could turn into werewolves made Sunshine question if all the legends and myths were truly real.

"In our world we do not bite humans. In our full wolf form, our bite is say, infectious.  Yes I am a werewolf too, but not one of those who attacked you.  It is forbidden for us to attack humans, namely because the bite is so dangerous for a human.  It is a painful transformation that we do not push on anyone who is not willing to undergo the change.  Considering the fact that very few know of our existence, there are not many who choose to be bitten.  Most humans who end up in the transformation end this way because they were attacked by rogues or a feral werewolf.  There is also the chance of being bitten by a moon called werewolf," Magdalena explained.  Sunshine looked incredibly confused at some of the words that Magdalena was using.  Magdalena sighed noticing this.

"Look, what was done to you is forbidden.  You body is about to go through the process of going from being human to werewolf.  It is harsh on the body and while we have technology that helps the survival process, over half of humans die from being bitten.  I do not mean to scare you, but to inform you that you are about to be in a world of pain.  I do not wish this upon anyone and I am sorry for it," Magdalena said.

"What are you saying...?  Are you saying that I am going to become a werewolf too?" Sunshine said, eyes wide.

"Yes Sunshine, you are going to join the world of werewolves if your survive the next week or two," Magdalena answered.  Sunshine winced as another sharp pain was felt in her arm.

"I am sorry, there is nothing I can do for the pain," Magdalena said noticing her wince.

"There really is nothing?"

"No, you are going to have to endure.  I cannot even risk sending you into a medical coma because you will be throwing up at times.  Do you want me to explain what you are going to endure?" Magdalena inquired.   Sunshine closed her eyes and thought it over.

'Do I really want to know what I am about go through? I almost feel like I have some awful sickness in which I am likely to die.  I guess technically it is...'

"Um, sure," Sunshine finally agreed.

"Alright, the transformation comes in different stages. This is harder to judge because you were bitten by an Alpha. I will explain it later why that is so important.  The first stage is the body healing the damaged done and the magic settling into the body.  Since you were attacked so viciously, the magic of being a werewolf, or you could say the werewolf virus quickly infected you and settled down.  For a human who was merely bitten, this process could take a week.  It is better this way as we have learned through studies because this allows your body barely a chance to reject the virus.  So we are out of one of the critical stages," Magdalena said trying to comfort Sunshine.  Sunshine could only nod, ignoring her emotions that threatened to spill into face. Sunshine was determined to not cry.

"Your body right now is still healing, but it will enter the second stage soon.  Your fever will continue, you will be throwing up, blacking out, and feeling intense pain.  You will most likely be out for more than half of this stage because your mind won't be able to take the pain.  However my advice for you is do not fight the pain, do not fight throwing up.  This should probably take a week to maybe two.  If you are wondering why, it's a really interesting process, because the werewolf virus attacks the body and the genetics of it, forcing it to change.  You will not have the sudden strength or speed werewolves have, but this transformation will allow you to gain it.  Sunshine your body will be under incredible stress and be closely monitored.  Your muscles, your bones, well alright, your entire body is changing, your eyesight will be better and you will no longer need those glasses of yours," Magdalena said brightly. Sunshine could not help but feel disturbed by the fact that Magdalena seemed incredibly excited about this.  She wanted to hate Magdalena at this point.  She was to happy and Sunshine was probably going to face death soon.

"Then there is the third stage, once your body is done with the major change, you will stop being in as much pain.  Your body will continue to adapt over the next couple months to a year.  You will probably shift very soon once the first stage is done. This includes the fact that you may end up growing several inches and you may develop some interesting qualities because you were bitten by an Alpha."

"Oh..." Sunshine managed to say.

"Don't worry you will not be alone through this process, I have an entire medical team with me. When I am not watching the other Pack Doctor will be watching you.  We will attend to your every need in hopes that you will survive," Magdalena said.

"Did my friends make it out alive?"

"Don't worry about them dear, worry about yourself," Magdalena said kindly.

"Then they are dead," Sunshine stated and turned her head away from Magdalena. Magdalena sighed at this behavior.

"Survive for yourself, for your parents, survive for some handsome beau.  If you survive you will have almost immortality, you will have literally all the time in the world," Magdalena said.  Sunshine nodded and she cried out again as she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Magdalena gave Sunshine a weary smile before inserting something into the iv drip.

"This will take the edge off the fever, we have noticed it does not do much for the pain.  Relax, try to catch some sleep. You will be watched over, never fear," Magdalena said reassuringly to Sunshine.  Sunshine did not feel that way, not confident at all in the survival rate.

"Cheer up buttercup!" Magdalena said with a grin.  Sunshine shook her head and closed her eyes, she thought back to her family, to her college, holding onto those precious memories as she drifted asleep.

"How is she?" Micah asked entering into the medical room.  He studied her pale face, relief filled him seeing her even breathing and her cuts disappeared leaving no scars.

"As well as any survivor can be.  I think she has accepted what has happened on a mental level, but I am no trained psychologist.  If she survives Alpha, she will not be in a good spot," Magdalena answered.

"We will cross that bridge when we get there," Micah said, eyes still trained on Sunshine's face.  His hands clenched and un-clenched in silent rage.  At least now the Werewolf Council would call an end for the rogue pack.  If they attacked more humans however, the Hunter's Guild would be involved.  Micah wanted their blood for what they had done, he had lost one good pack member last night, with two humans deaths, one missing human, and Sunshine's life hanging in the balance, he had a lot of work to do to cover it all up.  The human world was not to know of the supernatural, for all intensive purposes Sunshine had now disappeared off the face of the planet.  Then again, if she survived, she would never look like she was before.  Micah sighed and turned, he needed to get back to work and he did not want to hear Sunshine's pain filled cries that were to come. 

---

Sunshine's sense of time became skewed as she drifted through a feverish haze.  She would scream and scream about the pain until her voice was hoarse.  Her body would tremble violently, she would twist and turn and at one point she was aware that the wires of the machines had been pulled out. She would black out and wake up to see Magdalena or a male staring down at her with worried expressions.  She would throw up until there was nothing left in her stomach, the dry heaves were almost as badly as when her body convulsed or seized.

At some point nightmares began to take a hold when she blacked out.  There was wolves fighting in her dreams, endless howls that made her want to destroy her ears.  The most annoying sound was the beeping of the heart monitor that invading the nightmares.  Sunshine's reality began to shift, sometimes she was in the hospital room, sometimes she was in a forest running away from wolves.  There was times when she saw Micah, which Sunshine had to know was impossible.  He lived in West Haven, he was normal, he should not be involved in this world.  There was a man who looked like Micah, but he had blonde hair, his sapphire eyes stared down at hers.  He held his finger to his lips in a shushing manner when Sunshine tried to speak.  He touched her forehead and she blacked out again.  The dreams turned into her reliving the attack again and again, or she simply ran and was chased down by the midnight wolf all over again.  In one of the dreams her body transformed into a wolf and she ran feeling free. In another as a wolf she tore into Jake and Anna and ate them.

"I told you I would haunt your ass," a familiar voice spoke up to her in the midst of waking up.  Sunshine blinked and stared up at Jake who stood beside her bed.

"How?" Sunshine croaked out.

"As I said, I would haunt your ass.  It took me a while to find you.  You know, once you get better from this, I think I can help you." Jake said with a grin.

"Shouldn't you have gone towards the light?" Sunshine muttered.

"There was no light to go to," Jake muttered.

"Really? That sucks." Sunshine sighed.

"Who are you talking to?" Magdalena asked Sunshine.

"My dead friend Jake," Sunshine said grinning at Jake.  Jake laughed at this.

"She cannot see me.  No werewolf has ever had the ability to see the dead before," Jake laughed.

"What?  Seriously?"

"Sunshine you should rest, you are having a hallucination."

"Mmhmm, I found few ghosts of a werewolves hanging around.  I have been talking to them," Jake said with a grin.

"Only you would do that Jake..."

"Sunshine please rest, you need your strength," Magdalena insisted.

"Is that not what I have been doing all this time?  I have not gotten out of this bed other than the few times I could make it to the bathroom.  A bed pan sucks ass," Sunshine bemoaned.  Jake laughed at her experience.

"Rest Sunshine, every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you," Jake sang out, before drifting through the wall.

"Sunshine, please rest," Magdalena begged.

"Fine," Sunshine muttered closing her eyes.  She fell asleep instantly.

Sunshine woke slowly, the pain dull in her body.  It was a constant ache she was familiar with now.  She was curled up on her side, the wires once again disconnected from her body, the noise of the heart monitor doing a flat line annoyed her to no end.  She ground her teeth in annoyance feeling to week to even turn on her back.  The noise was just so incredibly loud in her ears and the white walls were blank and irritating her too.

"How is she Magdalena?" Micah's familiar voice reached Sunshine's ears.  Sunshine stiffened at that, wondering who else in the world was a werewolf.  Sunshine listened carefully to the conversation between Micah and Magdalena.

"She has made it through the first week Alpha.  She is hallucinating a great deal, but that is as expected.  I am surprised she wakes up as much as she does, even if it is only a few minutes."

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Micah asked worriedly.

"Neither as far as I am aware.  Her body is under incredible duress, her body is not shaped for an Alpha's abilities.  If she makes it through the next week without throwing up, we will put her into a medical coma for the third week when the pain as at its worst," Magdalena confided.

"Her physical body is changing that much? Is that not rare?"

"It is rare for a normal wolf, but remember she was bitten by an Alpha.  I have talked to the five surviving moon born Alphas and each of them had this same issue. It is not as terrible as the transformation into a vampire, but we werewolves are predators.  I have been talking to the Pack Doctor from Montana, Micah and..."

'Vampires are real? I guess if werewolves would be real, so would they...' Sunshine could not help but think.

"And?"

"From what he has theorized, he thinks the werewolf virus, as he put it, is changing Sunshine to be an Alpha-female, which is obvious. The virus has affectedly her so deeply it will change her looks.  He believes that should Sunshine survive, she will be moon born and not moon called.  The change will come upon swift once she wakes up."

'What does moon born and moon called mean? What does the doctor mean my looks will be changed? I will still be me right?'

Sunshine felt her insides twist and suddenly she was throwing up over the side of the hospital bed.  The door burst open, the sudden loud noise making her wince in pain. Then Micah was there beside her, rubbing her back soothingly with the trash can in front of her.  She felt so disgusting and knew she had to smell.

"Hey Sunshine," Micah said.

"Ey," Sunshine murmured before puking into the trash can again, this time it was dry heaves.  The dry heaves stopped and left her feeling even weaker than before.  Micah touched her hair soothingly. Sunshine relaxed into his touch, it bringing comfort to her strangely. He grabbed a cloth and wiped her sweat covered face and then her mouth.

Micah watched Sunshine carefully as he touched her gently, her expression stilling into a peaceful relaxed smile.  The glowing ring of amber around her eyes faded back leaving her gray eyes looking dull.  He stopped and pulled a chair up to the bed.

"I guess you know I am a werewolf too," Micah said.

"I don't think-" Magdalena started.  Micah glared at the Pack Doctor and she left the room.  Sunshine's hand moved slightly forward towards Micah.  Micah smiled at her and took her hand in his, rubbing it with his fingers. Sunshine sighed contentedly, Micah's touch seemed to ease the tension in her.

"I am a werewolf too, but I was born this way. I am actually a lot older than 30, that's the benefit of being a werewolf," Micah told Sunshine.  Sunshine snorted at this, not knowing how to say or how to react.

"There is a lot you are going to need to learn, rules you are going to have to follow.  Being a werewolf is very different from being a human, but I will be there for you every step of the way.  Just focus on getting through this next week, and then after the third week you'll be all clear."

"What about my family?" Sunshine whispered out, her expression pained.

"Just focus on getting better, then we can have that talk.  Sleep Sunshine, enjoy a peaceful rest, I will answer all your questions once this is over," Micah said.  He held her hand and smiled.  Sunshine closed her eyes at the demand and drifted asleep clutching his warm hand as a charm to ward against the nightmares and hallucinations.

The week passed without Sunshine would realize it, she had stopped throwing up and could keep down food.  However, the pain had increased day by day and she lost more and more time to being unconscious.  At last they put Sunshine in the medical coma much to Sunshine's relief.

------

The world seemed so quiet, the monitor was no longer beeping.  There was soft pillows underneath her head. Sunshine opened her eyes to find herself in a different setting.  She lay in a gray room with one one window.  She glanced over to see it was bright daylight out.  The door to the room opened and Micah stepped in.  He smiled at her and came over with a glass of water in his hands.

"Good to see you are awake finally.  Magdalena took you off the medical coma last night.  She kept you for an extra three days that hopefully you would wake up less sore," Micah informed her.  He handed the water into her trembling hands and she took a big gulp of it.

"Oh," Sunshine croaked out.  Micah watched Sunshine carefully.

"Do you feel any pain?"

"No, but shouldn't the doctor be here?" Sunshine asked quietly.

"At this point there is nothing Magdalena can do you for.  Whether or not you like it, you are a werewolf now.  Your metabolism will work to fast for any medicine to really work on you, including pain killers.  That also means you cannot get drunk."

"Is every stereotype about werewolves true?" Sunshine asked, looking everywhere but at Micah.  Micah's expression softened.

"Depends upon what you want to know.  There is truth to every myth."

"What is moon called versus moon born?" Sunshine asked.

"Ah, moon called is what is in the myths. Moon called is our term for those who can only shift during the full moon and new moon.  Yes, they shift twice in the month, half of them do not have control over their shift and often black out.  The other half have the ability to have control during those two times of the month. However moon born are those who can shift at any time.  Moon born is the term we have for those who have bitten and do not answer the call of the moon," Micah explained.

"You really will explain everything to me?" Sunshine muttered. Micah smiled at this.

"You are part of this world now Sunshine.  You cannot be ignorant forever."

"I just feel that, you would not explain anything to me.  That you would keep truth from me."

"Hiding any brutal truths will hold you back.  To be blunt, you will either survive and assimilate within the werewolf community and supernatural world as well or die?"

"Assimilate," Sunshine questioned, then paused, before her eyes darkened, "die?"

"Yes, there are rules within the werewolf and supernatural community.  The biggest rule is do not draw attention to yourself in the human world.  That means you cannot tell humans, that means you cannot fight humans or other supernaturals out in the human world.  This means right now, above all, you cannot go out in human society or see or communicate with your family until you learn to control yourself.  You have untapped strength now. You will be quicker to anger and also you-"

"I cannot see my family? I cannot communicate with them?" Sunshine's voice became harsh, a ring of amber glowing around her eyes.

"No, you can't.  Until then you will remain missing.  When you've proved that you can control yourself, a proper story will be made up to cover up your physical changes. You'll have to prove you are capable before earning any privileges," Micah said with a smirk.

"I do not care what you say! I will communicate to allay their fears!"

"What are you going to tell them?  Hey mom and dad, I cannot see you right now.  There has been an accident!  That does not work in the world sweetheart if your parents are the type that cares.  So get over it, it's better to let them think you are missing."

"That is unacceptable!  They are older - " Sunshine started, anger evident in her voice as her eyes were swirling with amber.

"It's the way it has to be. Why Summer Sunshine, what a ray of Sunshine you are being.  Look! It is not just me who makes these rules before you get all pissy." 

Sunshine shot forward like a gunshot, rage blinding her actions. She aimed her fist at Micah's face, but he caught it and then caught her other hand as she swung it at him.  He caught it in his steel grip and forced her back to the bed.  Summer tried to struggle, inhuman growls erupting from her throat, as she tried to twist and turn to throw Micah off.  His legs caged her, forcing her to be unable to move her legs now.  He leaned forward, his entire presence radiating dominance.

"Submit, Sunny," Micah said, his eyes a glowing amber.  Sunshine stilled at she stared up into those amber eyes.

"Your eyes," she gasped out.

"Yes, your eyes are doing the same.  It happens a lot for us.  You will be quicker to anger as I said.  You will lose control and shift at random times whether it is a full change from human to wolf or a partial transition, like this," Micah said smirking again as he drew his attention to the fact that her finger nails had grown out.  Sunshine stared in horror as they already began to retract.

Silence filled the room as Sunshine pulled her hands from Micah's grip.  Her eyes staring at her finger nails and hand, turning them back and forth, back and forth.  Sunshine glanced up to see Micah staring at her carefully, his expression guarded, his eyes no longer amber.  She dropped her hands into her lap, tears pooling in her eyes.

"Get out!" Sunshine screamed out, her hands clenching the sheets.

"Our talk is not finished Sunshine!"

"I don't care! Get out!  Get out!  Get out!" Sunshine started to yell and repeated again and again her voice getting louder each time. She did not once looked up at him, her gaze remained down on her hands in her lap, clutching the sheets like a lifeline.  Micah left the room them and Sunshine grew quiet.  She finished the last of the water he got for her and then got up to sit into the giant window alcove. 

The sudden burst of anger left her feeling empty.  It was then she noticed the changes in her reflection.  She got a glimpse of it, but it made her pause.  Her hands shook as she slowly touched her face, her nose and her ears were the same, the piercings still in place of her ear, but her skin was smooth.  She felt no pores from acne. Sunshine glanced around and spotted a smaller door and quickly opened it to find a small bathroom.  She entered and stood in front of the mirror.

It was frightening, her change in appearance.  Sunshine knew it was why her face felt like it had been beaten repeatedly in the ground.  Her freckles were there, but all the pores, blackheads  and scars from her struggles with teenage acne was gone.  It was like someone had rearranged her face, leaving only her freckles, her eyes, and her nose the same.  It horrified her that had happened, her face was more symmetrical, sharper, predator looking.  Sunshine noted at least her lips were the same, not very thin, but neither were they plump.  It was a relief that some aspects of her was the same.

There was a sharp pain Sunshine felt intensely, causing her to cry out and stumble backwards into the wall.  She clutched the wall for support, the pain traveling up and down her spine. She grit her teeth in annoyance and stumbled towards the bed, collapsing onto it.  The door burst open and Micah was there gathering her into his arms.  It hurt for him to touch her skin, each bump she felt as he ran down the stairs, taking large strides to leave the house and before she knew it she was placed on the ground.

"It hurts," Sunshine bemoaned.

"I know it does, don't fight it Sunshine," Micah said to her quietly.  Footsteps was heard as another man entered.  He was as tall as Micah, with rich brown hair and dark brown eyes.

"Alpha," he greeted.

"Will, take care of things back at the house for me?" Micah asked, his eyes trained on Sunshine as she writhed about in pain.

"Whose she?"

"Sunshine, it's her first shift," Micah answered.

"Do you need me?"

"I will call you if I need you to help, but we'll see," Micah said distractedly.  William left Micah heading back towards the house.  Micah sighed and stripped off his clothes, stashing it into a bag in the tree.  He walked over and crouched by Sunshine.

"This is your first shift.  It is really painful, but it gets easier. Rule one to keep in mind as a shape shifter, do not notice the nudity of another shifter," Micah told Sunshine.

"Do you think I really care about your rules right now?" Sunshine grunted out, as her nails grew and retracted.

"Maybe not, but you have to learn them either way, the sooner the better. No attacking humans, no revealing who we are to humans, and don't focus on a shifter's nudity."

"Your dick is in front of my face, hard to not see that wild thing all up in my face."  Micah laughed at Sunshine's sudden crudeness.

"Glad to see you can have some humor in you.  Remember, don't fight the pain."  Micah watched the agonizingly slow transformation, the white gown she had been in was now completely useless.  It took an hour before it began to flow and finally lay on the ground in the form of a wolf.  Micah noted the coloring of her wolf, a golden blonde mixed with a shimmering white and gray coloring.

'Interesting, she did not take on the same black coloring as the rogue,' Micah thought to himself.

"Come here Sunshine," Micah ordered.  Sunshine came over slowly, wobbling about.

"You will get used to this form don't you worry," Micah told her.  Sunshine snorted in wolf form in disagreement.

"Let me shift and let's go for a run. Stick close to me and don't go to far, not that you should be able to," Micah stated, eyeing her critically.  He shifted into his wolf. He walked with Sunshine quietly as she moved slowly about getting used to walking on four paws.  Micah nudged her onto a run and Sunshine slowly found herself running.  She let out a yip happily as she began to pick up speed, dodging trees following Micah around.  He took her around a while before they stopped where she had began the transformation.  Sunshine felt exhausted now. Her body trembled as she plopped down on the ground. and she started to shift back.  Micah shifted back and grabbed the bag down from the tree.  He pulled his clothes out and dressed in them.  He held them watching Sunshine complete the process, taking only half an hour this time.

"This fucking sucks ass," Sunshine swore.

"As I said, it will get easier.  You may even be able to get it down to five minutes," Micah said.

"Blech," Sunshine muttered.  Sunshine slipped on the sweatpants feeling awkward not having underwear.  Her skin also felt ultra sensitive, even with the softness of the sweatpants.

'How can he go around commando?' Sunshine wondered.

"Is that even English?" Sunshine didn't answer at first. She proceeded to slip the large shirt over herself, sighing in relief that her skin was no longer bare.

"Nope, it's me bemoaning my fact. I know this may sound weird but how often do I need to shift?" She finally answered.

"You don't need to shift. It is not important right now, but when you do get pregnant, you will not be able to shift as it is to dangerous for the unborn child.  While you may feel a need to transform, it is not necessary. It is like, hm an itch you get at times.  You feel itchy and then it goes away if you ignore it, sometimes you need to scratch it to."  Micah explained.

"Oh. You run in packs right?"

"Right and as you heard, I'm the Alpha."

"You aren't a hard ass."

"Being an Alpha does not mean being a jerk.  An Alpha is as much the heart of the pack as well as the face.  It's a delicate balance between like being a parent to a child.  You love them, but you have to discipline them and it is up to you to keep them safe," Micah said.

"That sounds weird," Sunshine admitted.

"It does but you get used to it.  Which reminds me, there is something I must do, I am sorry I have not explained it to you before, but I need to take you into the pack now that you have shifted."  Micah gave her a small smile.

"Take me into the pack?"

"It is a simple ceremony that joins you to the pack. However your very human like mind will find it disgusting, but it is natural for us. So don't be to disgusted, but we are creatures of flesh, blood and bone, so our ceremonies revolve around flesh, blood, and bone."

"Bone?" Sunshine squeaked out.  Micah laughed at her expression.

"I'll just nip your bone," Micah said as he stalked towards Sunshine.  Sunshine let out a terrified screech and ran towards the home.  Micah chased after her quickly catching up to her, tackling her to the ground.  He sat on her back and grinned down at her.

"I am not going to do that."  Micah said standing up.  He offered Sunshine his hand and she took it.  He hauled her upwards with ease.

"You scared me."

"I am going to take a piece of your flesh and you are going to take a piece of mine.  Exchange a few words."  Sunshine's face instantly became disgusted at the thought.  Micah sighed at this.  He closed his eyes and focused on her, his eyes turning golden.

"It is really simple process Sunshine.  Do you Summer Sunshine Asher answer the call to join and run with the East Colorado Pack? Yes or no?"

"Yes," Sunshine said tentatively, suddenly words tumbled out of her mouth. "I answer the call to hunt and guard the pack until my destruction or I am called to another."

Micah gave her a knowing smile, "Summer Sunshine Asher, do you accept me as your Alpha, Micah Gabriel Kaiser, that I will guide you, provide for you, and watch for you as long as you answer to the pack's howls?"

"I accept you Alpha, flesh to flesh, blood to blood, that I shall guard your back and you shall guard mine as we run," Sunshine answered.  Sunshine bite the top of her wrist tearing the skin, causing the blood to rush towards the surface and offered it to Micah.  Micah took the flesh between in his skin, swallowing the small part of flesh freed.  He licked it carefully, his golden eyes staring into her now amber ones.  Micah took the top of his wrist and did the same.  Mechanically she leaned down and took the flesh offered and swallowed.  Sunshine licked the flesh, the blood coating her tongue, tasted so good, she was left stunned.  It was in that moment that she felt like her skin had been gently brushed with electricity.

"Summer Sunshine, I accept you into the pack, flesh to flesh, blood to blood, that I shall guard your back as you guard mine as we run," Micah said.  Sunshine felt it then, the sense of the pack, it was like a spark that suddenly filled her, a sense of rightness settling into her.  She felt them, her pack, she would never be alone, ever.  They would have her back and she would have them.  The feelings caused Sunshine to stagger against Micah.  Micah caught her in his arms.

"There now, that feels better, doesn't it?" Micah murmured.  Sunshine could only nod, as the feeling faded to the background.  There was a sense of safety that it gave her, besides comfort.  She belonged to them now.  Micah picked her up and carried her into the house.

"Yes, it does, and I know it should feel weird, but it doesn't. It feels so..."

"Great, so beautiful, that connection, that you are never alone in this world.  Even when you die, the pack will be there till your very last moments.  They will mourn even the least member of this pack.  We are family," Micah told her.  Sunshine nodded her head and lay there in the warm circle of his arms. Her eyes drifting shut unwillingly.

6: Chapter Five: Dominance

The sun began to shine through the window, causing Sunshine to stir. She groaned as she opened her eyes and the sun was glaring through the window.  It hated her, Sunshine swore in her head.  She threw the covers off of her, feeling incredibly hot.  She glanced down to see that she was still wearing the sweats that were to large for her.

"Okay, what am I supposed to do now?" Sunshine wondered out loud.  Micah opened the door and walked in, dressed in jeans in a t-shirt.  He leaned against the door frame.

"Good morning, hey what is your shoe size?" Micah asked.

"I am a size ten...unless the toe of the shoe is square then I am a nine and a half," Sunshine answered.  Micah looked distant for  moment before he focused on her.

"We are going into town and before you ask, it is a werewolf town. Only werewolves live here.  We are very careful to make sure no human moves here.  You need clothes and I am sure you would like to personalize your room more.  It'll make your time easier to adjust.  I have already ordered a laptop for you, but if you contact your family, we will know and I will take away your laptop Sunshine."

"I understand, you don't have to repeat it ten thousand times."

"Alpha, I got the scandals you asked for," a girl's voice chimed.  She walked into the doorway and smiled a brilliant smile at Sunny.

"Oh hello, you must be the new pack member.  I am Zoey, I am moon born like you," she said cheerfully.

"Um...hi..." Sunshine answered back.  Sunshine took the scandals from Zoey and put them on.

"Alright Zoey, Sunshine and I need to get going into town."

"Alright Alpha.  Sunshine, if you need anything let me know.  If you would like to meet the other moon born in this pack, just let me know."  Sunshine only nodded and stepped outside with Micah.

"I look utterly ridiculous," Sunshine muttered.

"No one will say anything."

"I guess," Sunshine conceded.  Sunshine following Micah through the long hallway and down the stairs.  She had never really paid attention to the house before, but it was large with three floors. She glanced around noting the top two floors seemed to be all rooms.  They came to the ground floor.  Sunshine glanced up to see a large skylight.

"This place is large..."

"It houses several families and at times we have guests.  You can think of it almost a White House of the werewolf world, or namely the East Colorado Pack.  The real White House of the werewolf world is currently located in Montana.  Still, Silver Village is important to our pack and the West Colorado Pack." Micah explained and walked over to a black SUV.  He got in and motioned for her to sit in the car.

"Silver Village?  This is where I am?"  Sunshine got into the car and buckled herself in.

"Yes, it is one of three werewolf villages in Colorado. Both packs share this area and many families live here with their children in this place.  It's why we have an elementary, a middle and a high school here."

"So there are all werewolf towns in the USA and around the world?"

"There is usually one in every country, if not two or three.  With America being such a large territory we have quite a few.  It's important for all of us to have a safe place for the children to grow up.  I told you I would answer your questions about werewolves," Micah told her.  He started the car and began to drive.

"It just seems there is so much for me to learn..."

"You will learn, it will take time, but you have a very long life to learn."

"I guess so.  I will admit while it does appeal to me, it frightens me.  It's frightening to think I will still look the same even a a thousand from now.  How will the world have changed?  How will I manage to accept the fact that it has changed so drastically?  Yet at the same time, I don't have to be frightened by the fact that I will grow old, that I will become all wrinkled and withered.  However, now I feel like I have lost something.  There is some part of my life that I would have had, that I will never get back, my destiny cut short in some ways and at the same time, now it is extended." Sunshine said seriously staring out the window.

"Do you regret surviving?"

"No...yes..I don't know.  Why did I survive? Why me?  I should not have survived, I should be dead..." Sunshine said, grief rising up.  She knew they were dead, Jake had visited her after all.  But she had yet to see Anna or her sister.

"It is useless to wonder why.  I have had my moments where I wonder 'why me?' It's useless to think about it Sunshine.  The answers are to complex, maybe if you had not come to Colorado this would not happened, but who is to say if you stayed safe in your own little home town, that the same event, maybe with different people would have happened?  Don't think to hard, just live, live in the moment, because just like humans that is all we have.  Who knows?  Tomorrow a hunter could stroll in and take our lives," Micah said.

"Hunters?" Micah clutched the driver's wheel, his knuckles going white and she heard a deep rumble of sound coming from Micah's chest.

"Hunters," Micah spat. "There are good and bad, but we know not to trust them unless we communicate with the Hunter's Guild.  So do not even trust someone who comes up to you and tell them they are a hunter."

"But why?"

"All supernaturals deal with the Hunter's Guild, they hunt down rogues, they manage paperwork, and clean up messes.  They are an armed diplomacy group for the supernatural world, working to hide supernaturals from humans."

"Why do we need to hide? What about the bad hunters?"

"There is a splinter group, well several from the Hunter's Guild.  They believe we are abominations and they seek to kill all supernaturals off. You should never run into one because they do not go near a werewolf town.  They may pass through, but they rarely stick around," Micah grew silent.  He gave a sigh and then continued. 

"Humans are easily divided over issues, as you know as well as I.  They cannot even agree over abortion, over death penalty, or euthanasia...why would they agree on what to do with supernaturals?  People would react in the fact that they would want to kill us all of, because we are different, or because in their eyes we are an abomination towards their religion, believing us to be soulless monsters.  They do not want to recognize us as a person. I am sure they would want to do all sorts of medical and scientific study, wanting to break us down.  I am sure there will be even those who chase after immortality, not realizing the cost, or the fact that the survival rate is low.  Even we are trying to understand why the survival rate is so low."

"You guys run research facilities?"

"Of course," Micah scoffed. "Just because we are werewolves does not mean we are not interested in science.  Magic is powerful, but magic does not solve everything.  Magic is also very exhausting and often requires a lot of time to work, as it is with healing.  There is no incredible miracles here, but the story of strength and power."

"Oh.  So I can still pursue what I want?"

"No one is going to stop you from being what you want to be."

"Oh."  Sunshine berated herself for intelligent responses. They scenery finally melted away into houses, silence reigning in the car. "Why are you baby sitting me anyways?"

"It's my duty to take care of you. You are part of the pack, I am to help provide for you to help make the adjustment into our world."

"That seems to kind.  What's the catch?" Sunshine asked bitterly. There had to be a catch, no one did anything for free.  She wondered of Micah was the type to demand sex, but scratched that thought.

"There is no catch. The brutal honesty is, I am not sure if you can be around the normal weres.  Even though have bitten by an Alpha, it'll become how dominant you are and where you rank in the pack based on the dominance and the strength."

"I think this is to much information for me right now," Sunshine said, dismissing the conversation.  Micah just casually shrugged as they pulled up in front of several stores.  There was a line of shops on either street.  He shut the car and got out.  Sunshine followed suit, noticing the lack of people around.

"Come on, let's get you some clothes," Micah grumbled.  Sunshine sighed and followed him into the rather large boutique.  Sunshine grimaced at the more girly clothes.  A brunette girl with pretty green eyes approached her.

"Hello Alpha.  Oh who is this?"

"This is Sunshine. She is the new member that needs clothes," Micah answered.  Sunshine glared at Micah and grumbled to herself.

"It is a pleasure to meet you!  I am Layla!  Tell me, do you have a certain style you like?  A lot of the girls around here prefer more tight fitting clothes," Layla spoke to Sunshine.

"Um, well, I am an outdoorsy person, I like loose fitting clothes, but not to loose. I like plaid and stripes and my favorite colors are black, black, more black, with a smattering of white, gray and, blue.  Unless it is bright neon, then that is acceptable," Sunshine answered.

"Oh goody!  I have the perfect idea!" Layla said excitedly.  Sunshine grabbed her hand and was forcing Sunshine to walk along side with her.

"Don't forget sweats Layla!"

"Of course Alpha!"

There was one thing Sunshine never really enjoyed and that was shopping.  It did not matter if she spent  her money or anyone else's.  The only enjoyable shopping was for music and books in her opinion.  It was exasperating for Sunshine as Layla the employee would make her try shirts and pants left right.  It awkwardly included lingerie which Sunshine had no idea what to do with.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Sunshine asked holding up the scantily clad lingerie.

"Why wear it of course!"

"No way!  Do you see this string? It goes up the ass!  How is that comfortable? I refuse!"

"Silly girl, it's meant to come off, wear it for a man, you know."

"Um, no thanks, I'd rather not," grumbled Sunshine.  Sunshine tossed it away awkwardly into the rejected pile of clothing.  Layla insisted on trying to get color into Sunshine's wardrobe, but Sunshine would have none of it.  The orange colored shirt that Layla had tried and made Sunshine look so yellow, she felt like her skin tone was just like the Sun itself.  At least Layla had agreed it was ugly and it quickly went into the rejected pile.

"How is it going?" Micah asked Layla.  Sunshine had ended up sitting on the floor in defiance, ignoring her naked state, apile of clothes around her.

"This is my most difficult customer yet!  The only agreements we can come to are upon t-shirts, jeans, caridgens, and plaid shirts!" Layla pointed towards one pile of clothes. Michah noted jeans and black t-shirts was prominant in it.  He glanced over to see Sunshine looking smug, though the smile disappeared when she realized Micah was watching her.  Sunshine grabbed a shirt and threw it over her body, glaring up at him, challenging him.  Layla backed away from the two of them.  Micah snatched the shirt from her.

"Do you think I care if you are naked or not?" Micah demanded.

"Well I care!"

"Get used to it!  It's not like you can shift with your clothes on without ruining them!  I am not going to keep buying you clothes forever!"

"I know that!"

"Then act it!" Micah said, his voice harsh, eyes boring into hers.  Tears pulled in her eyes, her eyes becoming like shiny mirrors.

"You don't have to be so mean about it..." Sunshine whispered.  She crouched down on the ground, trying hard not to cry.  She would never give anyone the satisfaction of seeing her cry.  She took deep cleansing breaths and heard Micah doing the same.

"Um, are you two okay?" Layla asked quietly.

"Yeah," Sunshine said.  She gathered up some clothes and slipped into them, ignoring Micah and Layla.  She sighed, feeling the clothes covering up her skin again.  Sunshine glanced up to see Micah staring at her, his expression reminding of when they slept together.  She glanced away not knowing how to react.  Carefully picking through the scattered piles of clothing, she picked out what had liked, what had felt good, placing one pile on the counter followed by a second.  It was a lot of clothes, but considering Sunshine had none of the clothes she had before.  Micah paid for it and they put the bags into the car.

"We have one more store to go after the next store. It's a bedroom furniture type of store, so you can pick out a desk, a book case if you want. There is also accessories and they keep bed spreads and such there," Micah informed her.  Sunshine nodded quietly and got into the car.  They drove silently for a minute before pulling into the parking lot.  Sunshine slipped into the store with Micah following behind her.

"Alpha!" A male voice called. Sunshine turned and recognized the man from when she first changed.

"Is it alright if I explore the store myself?" Sunshine asked Micah.  Micah glanced back and forth between his beta and Sunshine then nodded. Sunshine gave a small smile and wandered off, rolling the cart into the store.  She looked at the bed covers first, being instantly drawn towards an earthy nature one.  She snatched up the comforter set and set towards looking around at the room accessories.  She grinned finding the poster section.  There was so many posters to look at and she was fan girling over the Lord of the Rings and Tolkien ones as well as the humerous ones.  She picked her favorites out before noticing the glow in the dark stars.  She grinned and could not help but get several packages of them.  One thing Sunshine hated in the world was blank walls, she would rather have walls covered with art that made her room seem smaller than plain white walls.  The only thing Sunshine concluded she was missing for her room was the string of lights to be around her room.

"Um hey," a male said clearing his voice.  Sunshine turned and acknowledged the guy with a nod.

"Hello," Sunshine said.

"You must be new to town, I am Dylan."

"Nice to meet you, I am Sunshine."  Sunshine wheeled her cart away not caring if she was rude and approached the lamps glancing around.  She was going to need a nice desk lamp. 

"I am guessing you are going to be moving permanently into town?"

"Mmhmm," Sunshine said not elaborating.

"We should hang out sometime, get to know each other.  I can show you around town. I have lived here all my life."

"Really?  All your life?" Sunshine asked with one raised eyebrow.

"I know the best spots to go to!"

"Cool," Sunshine intoned, her voice bored.  She picked out a lava lamp besides a good desk lamp she could use for drawing.  Sunshine would ask Micah later if she could go to an art store and get supplies to draw.  She wondered if he would willingly buy her a tablet.

'He probably would not though.  He is helping me out, but it definitely is not a necessity.  Then again he did get me a laptop...'  Sunshine stopped in front of the desks glancing between them, wondering what kind of desk she should get.  She wondered if Micah had a price limit.

"Are you going to go to school?"

"No, I am not allowed to be out and about right now."

"Then why are you out shopping right now?" Dylan asked.  Sunshine felt irritated instantly, her anger suddenly spiking inside of her.  It felt like an itch inside of her now, an itch of violence that said beat him down.

"It is none of your business.  Now please leave me alone to my shopping," Sunshine grumbled out.

"Dylan baby!" A girl called.  Not even fifteen seconds passed before a red-haired girl stood in front of Dylan glaring at Sunshine.

"How about you never ever talk to him again?" The girl said staring up into Sunshine's eyes.  It was like something had snapped in Sunshine and she lost control, launching herself at the girl and she began to pound the girl's face in with brute strength.

"Baby!" Dylan cried out in horror.  Sunshine glared up at Dylan, her eyes glowing amber before she launched herself, headbutting Dylan in the stomach, knocking him over.  Sunshine punched Dylan in the face several times, as he sputtered curses at her.  The girl screamed and managed to distract Sunshine by trying to drag Sunshine away from Dylan.  Sunshine turned her attention back at the girl using brute strength to knock the girl over.  Sunshine grabbed the shirt of the girl with one hand and punched her again and again while sitting on top of the girl's chest. The girl gave a small cry and tilted her neck tot he side, completely exposing her. 

"Oh shit," someone said. Sunshine's raised fist stopped, her chest laboring. Sunshine was yanked off of the red hair girl's body and then spun around to face Micah.  Sunshine tried to yank away but Micah held her firmly in place.  Her body began to tremble.

"Get everyone out of here," Micah said glancing over her shoulder at someone.  He growled when they didn't respond.

"Yes sir," a woman answered.  Sunshine tried to yank away but his eyes bore into hers, suddenly trapping her. She was caught up in a world where only he and she existed. There was so much violence living under her skin now, it needed an outlet right now.

"What happened Sunshine?"

"She challenged me," Sunshine found herself saying.

"How?" Micah demanded.  Sunshine's body continued to tremble.  She couldn't decide anymore what she needed, it wasn't just violence inside of her right now.  She needed something else, something to take away the edge she was feeling.  What was she feeling? 

"She told me to never talk to Dylan again.  Not that I cared, but who is she to tell me who I cannot talk to?" Sunshine stated heatedly.

"If I told you to never talk to Dylan again, what would you do?"

"I will talk to whoever I wanted," Sunshine growled out.  Sunshine found herself staring at Micah's lips, she remembered how those lips felt against hers, how they felt against her body.  Micah's nose caught her scent, she was aroused.  His eyes began to darken as he stared down at her.

"If I had a good reason?" Micah asked his sapphire eyes swallowed up by the amber suddenly.

"I would respect that," Sunshine answered truthfully, a little bit of anger drifting away now.

"Take deep breaths Sunny, you need to calm down.  You don't need to be violent."

"No...not...violence, I need," Sunshine began but stopped, feeling embarrassed. She was aching, needing Micah to take her, to make her need for violence go away.  She wanted him hard and fast.  The scent of her arousal was incredibly strong in Micah's nose.

'William, make sure no one enters the store until I say so. I need to calm Sunshine down,' Micah told William through the pack link.

'I will sir,' William replied back.

"What do you need?" Micah groaned.

"You," Sunshine said.  Sunshine found her lips captured by his and he kissed her breathlessly.  Their clothes quickly scatted about around the desk.  Micah took her hard and fast, enjoying the sounds of Sunshine's moans and pants.  Over the next three hours Micah would take her again and again.  He dominated her, taking her roughly, until at the end he changed it, being gentle and careful of the bruises that hard formed in her body. Sunshine found the violence seceded from her after each orgasm and in its place was satisfaction and pleasure.  She found herself relaxing against Micah afterwards, her face flushed from sex and embarrassment.

"Don't feel embarrassed Sunny," Micah said.

"You are supposed to be my leader."

"Mm...that does not mean I cannot get laid with another consenting adult."

"I guess."

"Is the need for violence gone?" Micah asked her, nuzzling her neck.

"Yes..." Sunshine continued to relax against Micah, hating and loving how his touch made her feel.  It brought comfort now instead of the pleasure and oblivion she had sought earlier with his body.  She felt like she was using Micah, even if he consented. Sunshine knew he had enjoyed it as much as she had.  She stiffened in her thoughts realizing they had not used a condom.

"What's wrong?"

"We didn't use a condom..."

"You don't have to worry about STDs.  You are immune to them."

"What about pregnancy?"  Micah grew silent and still and then he shrugged.

"You are not in the season for heat.  Even if you were, we are not a mated pair."

"There is still a chance..."

"You are still in the first year of being bitten.  Your body is still going through to much change to even allow for a pregnancy.  So do not worry.  Pregnancy is one of the few things that will make you sick.  So if you get sick talk to Magdalena." Micah said.  Micah kissed her forehead and stood up.

"Let's get going and get your things home.  We can come back another day, though next time I won't leave you.  We need to start your training soon...I should call Liam," Micah said.

"I am sorry, for what it is worth," Sunshine said, staring down at her hands.  Micah lifted Sunshine up by her chin and smiled down at her.

I am the one who is sorry. I should not have left you alone with your control at thin.  It is I who must apologize. I am sorry Sunshine, though it has been an informative trip," Micah said with an easy grin, transforming his serious face into the devil.  It felt like Sunshine had butterfly in her stomachs.

"How so?"

"Well, you are definitely an Alpha-female, no doubt about that.  It makes so much sense now..." Micah said, his voice trailing off with the second sentence into silence.  Micah gathered Sunshine's clothes and gave them to her.  He leaned against a desk, still nude watching her dress.  Sunshine blushed noticing his gaze.

"I told you before, don't be shy. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"It's hard to explain," Sunshine muttered. 

"Is that so?  Try me."  Micah began to move around the place, getting dressed as he listened to her.

"At 22, I know I am young, but I feel set in my ways.  Now sudden I feel lost, I don't know who I am.  I've never been violent, never started a fight, or finished one.  I've never had a one night stand  until you.  Of course now at this point, a one night stand feels moot.  I did it originally to prove to my friend Anna I am not a stick in the mud.  Yes, I consented, no there is no regrets.  But it's strange.  I mean, this is me and it is not me.  Suddenly I have all these feelings and needs and it is just difficult to upset. I know I've changed, I know people change, it is just sudden, to sudden," Sunshine admitted.  She looked incredibly forlorn then.  Micah felt the weight bear down on him as if were Atlas holding the world, Sunny's words left him  heavy-hearted by a grief stricken conscience.

"What part is really me?  What part is now...this wolf aspect of me?  Believe me I know!  I know how the fact that I have to move on!  I want to scream it just is not fair!  I am 22, I had a life ahead of me and now that life is forever damaged!  The way is shut as Gandalf would say!  The way is shut and now I can only move forward, but all I want to do is just linger here! I want my life to go back to the way it was before!"  Sunshine's face crumpled and she began to sob.  Anger surged forward and she punched the wooden desk next to her, her fist breaking the wood apart with a loud crack.  The pain distracted her momentarily, her anger leaving her.  The horror of what she had done, the fight, the sex, the need for violence and domination, scared her and left her feeling abhorrence towards herself.  She wasn't human anymore.  She could never be human and it caused her feelings to spiral towards mournful.  She would never grow old, with her body falling apart, with a fear of the family cancer, struggling to run with her asthma.  The spiral of emotions flickered back and forth between self-loathing, anger, horror, and sorrowful.  Her sobs grew louder and she rocked back and forth.  Micah drew her close against him, his arms only wrapping around her, gently rubbing her back in a comforting manner.

Micah did not say anything, just holding her, letting Sunshine sob into his shoulder.  There was no words that he could offer that would comfort her broken heart. What words would even be enough to say that I am sorry that your humanity is ripped away from you? There was none; even if he said he was sorry, his apology would mean nothing to her.  He wasn't the one who attacked her. He was the one who helped her live, but he did not regret that.

"I have no words, I have no advice, other than I hope you accept this.  Our lives are different, we are not human, but there is beauty in our world.  There is beauty being able to run as a wolf, to feel the way our muscles move as we fight, as we hunt.  No our life is not the way you have brought up, but it is still a good life."

Sunshine nodded mutely, she turned away from him, but Micah slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his front.  She was glad he did.  Somehow his touch soothed her, calming her down.  Micah let her go for a moment breaking open the comforter she had chosen for herself.  He wrapped it around her and picked her up.

'William, I am taking Sunshine home.'

"Why is it, whenever you touch me I get calmer?"

"It's a pack thing, we find comfort in touching.  It's a basic need for it.  It's why werewolves don't do so well being alone.  It's why even those who reject the pack or get kicked out for whatever reason, group together usually in pairs.  Humans are social creatures, being social, being with each other is important to our basic health."  He carried her to the SUV, making sure the blanket stayed wrapped around her.  They drove home in silence, Sunshine's forehead pressed against the window, silent tears streaming down her face. She struggled with the sense of loss inside of her.  Her friends were dead, her sister was dead, her parents and friends from college, for all she knew, knew she was missing.  Even if she went back they would hardly recognize her now.  Her thoughts cycled back and forth like her emotions, her grief crushing her spirit.

They arrived at the house, but Sunshine felt to drained to get out of the car.  Micah glanced at her before sighing.  He got out of the vehicle and to the passenger side.  He once again gathered her in his arms and carried her into the house all the way to the kitchen, before sitting her on a bar stool.  Micah busied himself in the kitchen, gathering milk then the hot chocolate mix.  He steamed the milk with the hot cocoa and presented it to Sunshine with whip cream on top.

"What would you like to eat?" Micah asked her, his face concerned.

"I'm not really hungry," Sunshine muttered.

"You need to take care of yourself.  Name a food you would like?"

"Mac'n'cheese," Sunshine admitted.

"Alright, some hearty mac'n'cheese coming right up," Micah said.  Micah busied himself, pulling out frozen corn and ground beef from the fridge.

"Add ground ginger to it and fresh pepper if you have it and pepper jack cheese," Sunshine muttered.  She took a sip of the hot cocoa and watched Micah move expertly around the kitchen as he did as she instructed.

"Is that food I smell? Oh hello Alpha!  Is that for us?" Sunshine didn't even glance up at the girl, sipping her hot chocolate.

"No, it's for Sunshine and I," Micah said.

"Oh okay," the girl said and left the kitchen.  Micah eyed Sunshine carefully watching her drink the hot chocolate.  Eventually he was done and placed it in front of Sunshine.  Sunshine inhaled the scent of the food and her stomach rumbled. She gave a sheepish grin and began to eat slowly and carefully.  Micah got them two glasses of water and sat down with her eating quietly.  She finished it and sighed, feeling sleepy now.  Micah cleaned up before picking her up again.

"I can walk," Sunshine muttered.

"I know that."

"You aren't going to set me down?"

"Not yet."

"Hmph."

They passed up all the stairs and onto the third floor.  Micah opened the door and stepped into what Sunshine reminded her of a waiting room.  There was another door next to the sofa.  Micah carried her through that door into a bedroom.  He laid her down on the bed.  He stripped his clothes off and got into the bed with her.

"What are you doing?" Sunshine asked.

"My bed is bigger, but I am keeping you company.  You should not be alone right now.  You need the feel of the pack with you and I do not think you are interested in a giant naked cuddle pile," Micah said with a smirk.  Sunshine nodded before tossing her clothes to the side and snuggling into Micah's arms.

"Feel the pack, feel that you aren't alone, and rest easy," Micah murmured in her ear.

"How?"

"Reach out to me, feel for my presence with your heart," Micah told her.  Sunshine closed her eyes and reached for him.  She felt him then, his strength, his love for the pack, it surrounded her and drew her close, made her feel protected.

"You are safe," Micah told her quietly. Sunshine nodded, pressing her head against his naked chest.  She drew on his strength and left her mind drift off to sleep.

7: Chapter Six: Ulfrica

Sunshine sat in the window alcove, her hand tapping on the window.  Her headphones tucked into her ears, the music turned down low.  Her new hearing meant she no longer had to have her music turned up all the way for her to feel surrounded and to drown out the world, drown out her own feelings of misery and guilt.  The pouring rain that flooded the land matched her feelings.  She gave a huff and glanced at the clock, noticing the time.  One Liam Reno from Pine Springs, one of the three werewolf villages in Colorado would be arriving today.  His main objective would be her, training her, shadowing her, ensuring that she would not harm anyone.  It was depressing for Sunshine to think of that, that she was capable of extreme violence now.

A flash of lightning startled Sunshine from her reverie. She stood up, turning her attention away from the window and strode over to the door, yanking it open.  Liam Reno would be here soon, it would not hurt for her to wait for him, right?  She quickly left her room and descended down the stairs into the foyer.

"Ulrica," murmured a familiar female pack member entering the pack house.  Sunshine had seen her before, not knowing her name.

"Hello," Sunshine said feeling uncomfortable about the title and yet, there was a strange feeling of glowing pride in her chest.  Ulrica, a title for a noble-born werewolf, or in this case, a moon born Alpha-female.  The use of the title from the members of the pack when she encountered them, set her more at ease around them.  It was their acknowledgement she was stronger than them, more dominant than them.  It did not set her completely at ease, violence simmered in her body, and sometimes over the past week, Micah and her wound up in bed together.  She hated the fact that when she turned violent, the only action that eased that violence was actual fighting, or sex.  It left an appalling feeling inside of her, a feeling she was reminded of when she had been sixteen and had sex for the first time.  It was a reminder of the fact that her life had changed, but her mind was very much the same, feeling like she was living in sin having been raised a Christian.

"How are you today Ulrica Sunshine?  The weather is pretty black out today," The member said interrupting Sunshine's thoughts.

"Yes, yes it is," Sunshine agreed.

"Ah yes, Ulrick Liam should be arriving today.  I must be going now, good day Ulrica Sunshine," the pack member said, before she disappeared down a hallway leading to the offices. Sunshine sighed and stared up at the skylight, her eyes drawn to the stormy clouds moving ahead.  The door opened again and a man stepped in, his broad frame filling the door way. Sunshine found herself studying the new comer, pale skin, with thick rich black hair that fell to his shoulders.  His eyes fell upon Sunshine and she was instantly drawn into those green eyes.

"Where is Alpha Micah?" His voice rich and low to her ears.

"I don't know," Sunshine said and shrugged.  The man narrowed his eyes at her, his eyes beginning to glow amber.

"Don't try that shit with me, I could care less," Sunshine snapped.  She tucked her headphones back into her ears and left, annoyed with the new comer.

'I'll just wait till Micah summons me,' Sunshine thought to herself.  She turned up the music as she walked up the stairs.  Sunshine's mood switched from a black depression to a knife's edge of anger.  She threw herself onto the bed, bouncing a couple times. She was angry, but that was nothing new to her anymore, she was always angry or depressed. Sunshine turned over on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

"Sunshine," a voice said, censuring over the music.  Sunshine frowned and pulled the headphones out of her ears to see Beta William standing in the doorway with the new comer.  He was frowning at her, his brown eyes looking all black like a possessed demon in the lighting.

"What?" Sunshine said her voice bored.

"This is Ulrick Liam Reno."

"Oh.  Hey," Sunshine said pathetically, feeling apathetic now.  She squeezed her eyes shut, hating how her emotions were all over the place. William raised an eyebrow at her before turning towards Liam.

"This is the new Alpha-female who clearly has issues," William said.

'Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!' Sunshine screamed out in her head at William.  She kept her eyes clutched, but her fists clenched.

"From what Micah told me, she has decent control over herself."

"Look at her, already getting angry," William pointed out.  Sunshine sat up suddenly, her eyes flashing amber.

"You would too and you know it!  If your friends died suddenly and considering I will probably never see my family again, they might as well be dead as well!" Sunshine snapped out before flopping back on the bed.  Her chest felt pained by the anger and the grief mixing together.

"You are forgetting that the moon born are often those who did not choose to be in this life Beta William.  I think you should respect Miss Sunshine more than that.  If she was just any Alpha female should would have handed your ass to you," the new comer Liam said.  Sunshine was not won over by Liam, but she found herself at least willing to deal with his presence now. 

"Considering also the lost she is going through, I would shut up.  How would you feel if you lost the people most important to you?  Now leave, I'll deal with the Ulrica herself."  Liam then shoved William out the door and then closed it.  He moved until he sat at her desk.

"You already know I am Liam Reno, and I know you are Sunshine.  Is your name really Sunshine?"

"Yeah it is.  My parents are neo-pagans, my dad is a neo-druid.  My full name is Summer Sunshine Asher.  It is kind of ironic isn't it?  I have blonde hair and freckles from to much time in the sun," Sunshine said with a small sad smile.  She glanced over at Liam, but his expression told her nothing.

"Do you know why I am here?"

"Micah told me that I need training," Sunshine said quietly.

"You do.  Tomorrow we will go out for a run.  Micah informed me you have not changed since over a week ago.  You need to shift more," Liam said.

"It is painful," Sunshine muttered.

"You have to learn to endure the pain Sunshine," Liam said quietly.  "This is part of your life now."

"What happens if I don't want it?" Sunshine said bitterly.

"It is part of your life whether you like it or not.  Do you want me to try and sugar coat it with a cherry on top?"

Nothing could be heard in the room other than the quiet breathing, the occasional rustle of cloth, and the pounding rain against the window.  Sunshine lay there staring at the ceiling and Liam just sat there watching her peaceful expression.  He shifted quietly waiting for her to respond.

"Are you going to respond?"

"Tell me...is it even worth living?" Sunshine said quietly, expressing the deepest words from her heart.  That was what she had been wondering all week long, was it worth living this new life?  It was different, it was strange, and she hated the changes she had gone through.  Life was a discovery process, Sunshine knew that, probably any twenty year old knew that.  You were always changing and it was only when you looked back did you realize how much you had changed.  For Sunshine the feelings were different because it was so new to her, her life changing practically instantly.

"Is it worth living?  That is up to you.  Are there benefits?  Just think about the fact that you have now an almost eternity to pursue what you love.  You are immune from all human illness now.  You do not have to worry about catching a disease and dying.  You will always keep your youthful looks.  Your strength is above average from a weak humans and with training you can be a force.  You will never have to fear harm from a human, except with a gun.  Silver can kill you, but too much silver in anyone's body is awful. Wolfs-bane is still poison whether you are human or not.  Arsenic kills you just the same.  You will heal faster, be able to take on more damage than you were as a human and survive.  Is that enough sugar coating for you?"

"I don't know," confessed Sunshine.

"Give it time at least Sunshine.  This is a new life, a new way of living and you cannot just accept it without longing for your old life.  Unlike those who chose to become a werewolf, you do not get that honeymoon phase they all seem to get," Liam said.

"There are people who choose to be a werewolf?" Sunshine asked, her gray eyes focusing on Liam.  Liam smiled at her, his eyes wrinkling around the edges.

"There are humans who get involved in the pack, Sunshine, just like there are people who get involved with witches, vampires, faeries, and the Divine.  People chose to embrace a new life, some have more knowledge than others.  It is like telling teenagers, picking what you want to go to college for.  You think you have an idea, but you have really no idea what you are doing.  Sometimes you have a romantic notion about what you are going to do, who you are going to be, what your future will be life.  There are no roses and happy ever after endings, life goes on like it does, sometimes hard, sometimes easy."

"I don't expect it to be roses and swept off my feet life.  I just hate the idea that I can never go back."

"No, you cannot go back, but that is like wishing to go back to your childhood.  We all want to go back to when we are ignorant, but that does not happen."

"I know."

"Good. I will not go easy on you.  The first action we are going to take is to get you used to shifting and being a wolf.  We will go for daily runs in the morning. I am not going to sit you in a classroom and learn from books, I am going to take you out there and make you learn hands on."

"Okay," Sunshine simply agreed.

"Just okay? Not 'Fuck you, you giant bag of dicks?' Or 'Woo, I am so excited to learn from infamous Liam?"

"Infamous?" Sunshine snorted at that but grinned.

"Yeah, I am Liam Reno, alpha born kick ass extraordinaire!" Liam said in a serious voice, one eyebrow raised at Sunshine.  Sunshine laughed at this, clutching her stomach.

"Ulrick, if you are Alpha born, why aren't you leading a pack?" Sunshine asked.  Liam grew very quiet for a moment, his eyes darkened in memory.

"I would rather not talk about that right now. Please do not call me Ulrick, as much as I am going to be your trainer, call me Liam."

"Fine.  Just to let you know, I am not a morning person," Sunshine informed Liam.

"Oh the more fun to wake you up."

"I am like the living dead in the morning, just ask Micah," Sunshine said.

"I will make you a morning person!"

"Nah, you won't!  Trust me.  I used to get up early every day for school, than every day for work, then while I was hiking the Appalachian Trail, and then for morning classes in college. I do not think you can manage if twenty two years of life, I have not done so," Sunshine said.

"I will take that as a challenge!  I love mornings!"

"I love the night time and the starry skies."

"Sunrise is beautiful, with the stars leaving the sky."

"So is Sunset with the stars entering the sky."

"Do you love to argue?"

"No, but I have my preferences and I stick by them.  I simply don't change because someone said so."

"I would doubt that, you are an Ulfrica after all."

"I still don't understand it all.  Micah did not really explain it to me."

"An Ulfrica is the title of female noble-born werewolves."

"I get that, but it sounds deep, you know? I know there is more to it than that."

"The word goes back to our roots in Europe.  It means wolf power.  It is a recognition that you are a force of power within the werewolf world.  Even within the ranks of the noble born werewolves, we have a rank system based on power.   Still, you are a leader.  We are never simply followers.  Of course we can follow but only because it is of our own personal choice. It does not make you a rebel, or someone who simply challenges authority just because.  Remember, if you ever give your word to a member of the pack, especially one of those who are of the normal weres, the Liulfr."

"There is so much terminology! Unf!"

"You will learn,  how long have been awake?"

"I have been awake for only a week," Sunshine said.

"You're doing swell considering the conditions of your change, even more so considering what I have seen of those newly changed."

"Have you seen a lot?"

"I have been around for a long time.  I used to be part of the Montana pack based out of Kalispell, Montana.  The Alpha there is very old and incredibly powerful.  He is the one that usually the moon born and especially the moon called go to.  Trust me when I say that no one rebels against that man," Liam said quietly.  He turned his attention back to her.

"I am hungry, make me food," Liam said.  Sunshine's jaw dropped at this.  Liam could not help but laugh at Sunshine's expression.

"Um...I am not going to just make you food."

"I am sure you are hungry too, or do you just ignore the rumbling of your stomach constantly?"  Sunshine blushed at this and looked down. It was true she neglected herself.

"Come on, let's get food and continue to get to know each other.  I will help out, but it has been a while since I have lived in the Silver Village Pack House," Liam said.  Sunshine grunted in acknowledgement and stood up.

"Then let's go," Sunshine said rolling her eyes.  She left the room with Liam hot on her trail.

\\ Notes //

Ulrica / Ulrick - Both names mean Wolf Power.  I did not want everyone who was not an Alpha, being called Alpha. It would totally demean the idea of "Beta" and "Gamma." Ulrick is the Norman Germanic version of Anglo-Saxon version of Wulfric. Ulrica is the feminine version of Middle-English Ulric.  However in Danish it would mean "prosperity and power."  Still, it represents what I wanted as a title, like 'lord' and 'lady' but as a form of power.  The noble born werewolves are powerful, a lot stronger than regular wolves and often have an ability or two. It is also a title of respect and a sign of submission too.

8: Chapter Seven: Friendship

A primal scream erupted from Sunshine's mouth as she launched herself at Liam again.  Again, Liam took her down with ease sending her crashing to the ground, breath knocked out of her.  She lay there gasping for breath with Liam's green eyes dancing at her taunting her with his perfect control. It made her angry all over again and she stood up finally with a huff.

"One day you are going to stop making friends with the floor," Liam taunted with a grin.  It had bothered Sunshine at first that Liam did not work up a sweat like she did, but he worked her hard.  He would taunt her viciously pushing her control day in and day out since they had met.  Sunshine wiped the sweat off her forehead breathing harshly.  She was tired, her bones aching from the six shifts she had to do from wolf form to human form.

"One day," Sunshine grunted out, not rising to the taunt for the first time.  It bothered her the taunting, the vicious attacks, but she had learned to look past such words long ago.  It was harder now, with the part of her that was an Ulfrica, demanding and needing respect. Sunshine had never been bullied to hard or could particularly say that she had an abusive home as ever family as dysfunctional, but insults had still been common in her life.

"Good," Liam said acknowledging the fact that Sunshine had held back.  Liam had beaten it into her head every day that because she was an Ulfrica, specifically one of those who were Alpha strong, capable of leading a pack, it meant she had to learn to be more in control.  This included lessons not rising towards the bait others would give her.  Liam had informed her that while the two Colorado packs and the Montana pack was friendly towards the moon born werewolves, most packs were not. Actually, Liam's exact words were the fact that she should expect to never be accepted even if she proved that she was stronger than them, more intelligent, or better than them in any way.  They would find a way to belittle her with words and so her weakness could not be taking the bait.

The sky had begun it's cast of colors, beginning to darken into a moonless night.  Tonight was the night of the new moon, the time for the pack hunt led by Micah and William.  It was a pack hunt she was being denied still, not trusted to keep herself in line with the other pack members.  It would have bothered Sunshine if she had not been set on trying to isolate herself from the others.

They were werewolves for crying out, the same as the one that bitten her.  Even if she was one now, it did not mean instant trust.  Even if she enjoyed the sense of being in a pack, a sense of not being alone, the pack had issues.  The West Colorado Pack was rather tolerant of those who were moon born, with only two moon called members.  However, rather tolerant was the keywords that Sunshine had learned quickly.  Even if she was an Ulfrica, capable of Alpha feats, including the Alpha voice, did not mean she was respected by every pack members.  It came down to down right discrimination by pack members who looked down upon her for being bitten and not born.  It had made Sunshine's trust issues with the pack blow out of proportion.  What difference was between the pack werewolves and the werewolves that had attacked her this past summer?

"What are you thinking about?" Liam's voice rumbled through her thoughts, bringing Sunshine back into reality.  He tossed her a water bottle and Sunshine chugged it before answering.

"Trust issues," Sunshine admitted.  Sunshine pressed the cold water bottle to her forehead, enjoying the feeling of it.  She trained her eyes on the mirror, watching Liam's face.  His expression shuttered for a moment but to briefly for her to catch the emotions that Liam was feeling.

"Don't-"

"I do not care what they think.  They can be prissy assed as they want and it won't make me care. Pricks are going to be pricks no matter where you are or who you are with," Sunshine said.

"At least you have a realistic view of the world..." Liam muttered, but Sunshine picked it up.  Her training was slowly paying off.

"As opposed to what Liam?"

"As opposed to any pack member or even those who choose to become werewolves.  People like to wear their rose colored glasses and proudly say they are a card carrying member of some long bloodline," Liam said.

"Liam, the one thing common in every society, across all cultures is that people will get along and others won't and they will always have an excuse as to why.  I bet you that if it wasn't for Micah, you would probably have never met me."

"No I would have.  You are a curiosity but I like the moon born, especially the ones who did not choose this life.  It's not like I wish for them to be bitten, but they don't have the same outlook as those who chose this life or sought it out."

"Do some people view it romantically?"

"Very much so, do you read fiction about mates?"

"Uh not really, I never read much in werewolf stories, just a few.  I was never a big fan into werewolves, no offense.  I actually read a lot more into vampires, I guess it was the sense of immorality that appealed to me.  I also like stories involving magic, being able to control things with a wand like Harry Potter and such...that fascinated me."

"Well from what I heard from this one girl who got attacked by a rogue, there was a very romantic notion about mates, that as soon as you met your soul mate you would instantly fall in love.  It's like love at first site, but in an extreme case and that is utterly ridiculous.  Everyone has a soul mate and certainly as a werewolf we do find it easier to find our soul mate, but we also have an almost eternity to find them. It doesn't mean we have to wait for them or are expected to wait for them.  There is no instant love finding them, but there is a deep connection so I have heard."

"So you have heard?"

"I have not met my soul mate.  It's not like meeting her will suddenly make my world right, there will be no instant love."

"So that means I have a soul mate out there?"

"Of course," Liam scoffed.

"Well glad to hear love at first site does not exist even with soul mates," Sunshine said with a small smile.  She snorted then and chugged the rest of her then.

"You don't believe in love at first site?"

"It is utter bull.  I mean how can you look at someone and go, I am going to spend the rest of my life with you?  As far as I know people can look at others and be like, 'I want to fuck the shit out of you' or 'You look really interesting I want to talk.'  I remember when I colored my hair purple into blue, I had more people trying to start a conversation with me than ever before.  My experiences says that love at first site doesn't exist, but there is billions of people."

They fell into silence after that. Sunshine stood up and began to start stretching.  Liam joined her in the familiar now familiar motions, flowing from one stretch to the next.  Liam stopped and looked at Sunshine.

"What are your plans for tonight?"

 "I was thinking about reading," Sunshine answered.  "I got that werewolf history book that Micah threw at my head."

"I'll get the popcorn and soda and we will have a party in your room."

"Okay, is there anything I am expected to do today?" Sunshine asked thinking of Liam's tasks for her. 

"Just take a shower and relax."  Sunshine nodded and meandered off, leaving Liam in the workout room. She ran her hair through her sweat soaked hair, hating how disgusting and tangled it felt now.  The pack members moved out of her way as she made her way from the work out room.  There were a few who were visiting who would openly stare at her, but Sunshine ignored them.

"Ulfrica Sunshine!" A girl called to Sunshine.  Sunshine stopped and turned around to face the girl running down towards.  Zoey Jacobs, the girl that had tracked her, defended her, it left a special feeling of kinship. It also eased Sunshine to know that the girl was moon born just like her.  She was one of the few she had drawn close to.  The girl's cheery disposition and energy often left Sunshine feeling hard pressed to catch up, but it was enough to distract Sunshine from her despairing thoughts.

"How many times do I tell you to call me just Sunny?  All my friends do and you are a friend," Sunshine said an easy grin lighting up her gray eyes, her happiness shining through her mirror like eyes.

"Are you going to be joining the pack hunt tonight?" Zoey asked Sunshine as they made their way to Sunshine's room.

"No, not this time."  Zoey whined at this.

"I hope you do soon, it would be nice to have an Ulrica on our side," Zoey said suggestively.  Sunshine snorted at this.

"I am more likely to trip over my own paws." Certainly Sunshine had to learned to run all fours, it was like bike riding, but it did not suddenly mean you can do crazy tricks on a BMX bike.  It would come later for her when her her mind was used to being a wolf.

"You would not be that bad," Zoey said.  This caused Sunshine to sigh.  She knew her abilities and even if she had certain instincts, it did not make her ready to run with the pack.

"I am not ready, just leave it be Zoey.  I'm tired, I want to shower and get ready for bed."

"I'll tell you all about the pack hunt tomorrow then?"

"Um sure, I'll see you tomorrow sometime," Sunshine grudgingly agreed. Sunshine disappeared into her room gathering up the comfy sweats she had.  She stood in the shower, soaking up the warmth before quickly washing up.  That was one fact that for Sunshine had never changed, she soaked up all the warmth.  It was ironic that her first name was Summer and yes, her favorite season was summer.  She loved the beach most of all.  Sunshine dressed and wrapped her hair up and left the bathroom to find Liam setting up in her room. There was a microwave now sitting on her desk, with a box of popcorn, a bowl of candy, and a steaming hot pizza.

"You kidnapped the microwave?"

"It's not like they need it.  I just commandeered it for a purpose other than sitting on the kitchen counter."  Liam grabbed a box and dropped it onto her bed, dvds popping out of the box.

"We have a shit ton of DVDs here.  There are no chick flicks of course."

"Bah on chick flicks, give me some good action movie any day, except for Disney.  I love Disney and Pixar movies," Sunshine said with a grin.  Liam pulls out a familiar set of DVDs.

"How about a marathon of the extended edition of the Lord of the Rings trilogy?"

"Now you I approve of," Sunshine said, a grin lighting up her face. Liam placed the first DVD in and grabbed the remote sitting on her bed.  She sat down beside him grinning as her favorite movie came on.

"The world has changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth," Sunshine said with Galadriel.

"You have watched this movie a lot, haven't you?"

"Hell yeah!  They were my favorite books growing up.  My dad gave me his books when I was ten."

"Who is your favorite character?"

"I would say either Gimli or Merry and Pippin.  Merry and Pippin count as one for me, they all kind of go together as comedic relief."

"I like Eowyn, even if she is just a minor character.  She is so strong of heart," Liam explained.

"She is a fighter alright and plays such an important role."  They chatted for a bit before falling into silence.  They cuddled on the bed, her head resting on his chest, with his head using her head as a resting spot.

"I hate this," Sunshine confessed watching the movie.

"Hate what?"

"I still cannot get over the fact that I feel this need to touch others now. My family is a bunch of introverts and we were never touchy," Sunshine groaned.  Liam rubbed his cheek against her neck causing her to shiver from the rough texture of his growing beard.

"This feels bad?"

"Yes, no, I don't know!  It feels good, but my mind keeps screaming at me."

Liam grunted at this, "Your mind has not accepted the change yet.  It's been a month."

Sunshine groaned, "I have lasted this long right?  It's not like I am going to suddenly become moon called.  I know Micah was worried about it last full moon, but c'mon I didn't even get the itch to change.  I was bored out of my mind, sitting outside naked."

"There are other problems with being a werewolf.  One in which the wolf aspect takes over making the person go out of their mind because they can't accept it."

"Eh, I'll get over it.  It doesn't mean I have to like it..." Sunshine closed her eyes, hating the fact that tears were threatening to spill over her.  There was the familiar feeling of grief threatening her heart, making her want to curl up and die or run outside and scream and rail at the gods.  She wanted to curse fate for changing her life to what it was now, her former life forever beyond her reach.

"Don't cry," Liam mumbled uncomfortably.

"Sorry, not sorry," Sunshine said, using anger to make her not cry.  Liam's arms held her close against him.  Sunshine sighed relaxing.

"You know, I remember my friend back in high school, before we drifted apart said, friendship is like piss.  Everyone can see it, but only you can feel it's warmth," Sunshine said with a small smile.

"Are you claiming friendship now?"  Sunshine shrugged at Liam's question.

"Might as well, seeing as you are stuck with me forever.  Maybe I'll follow you like a lost puppy when you go back to Pine Springs," Sunshine teased, her eyes turning back to the movie.

"I guess it's a good thing I don't mind your company, but should it not be the other way around?  You are stuck with the old geezer."

"Old geezer, my pants, you are an ancient one!  I think I'll refer to you as O Ancient one from now on."

"No thanks, I am not that old," Liam groaned out.

"Hello, I am Liam Reno, Alpha-born, couple centuries old, I even remember disco when it was cool," Sunshine joked.  Sunshine shrieked out when Liam began to tickle her.  She tried to squirm away but ended up entangled in the blankets and crashing to the floor, bringing Liam down on top of her back.

"Get off me you big oaf!" Sunshine yelled out.  Liam laughed before adjusting his weight and sitting on top of her.  Sunshine groaned and tapped the ground with her hand.

"I give up!"

"That was to easy," Liam said getting off Sunshine and helping her to her feet.  They worked together fixing the bed. Liam switched the next DVD in and they sat together once again, eatting popcorn, drinking soda.

"You know, Sunny, think about all the benefits you have now as a werewolf."

"Is this you giving me the cherry on top speech again?"

"With sprinkles too."

"As much as I love the new health benefits..."

"Don't say it..."

"The best part is the fact that I can now eat as much junk food as I want and never fear that I am going to get fat," Sunshine finished with a grin.

"Well there you go, cherry and sprinkles on top."  Liam's face turned serious, his eyes focusing on Sunshine's face intently watching the second DVD of the first movie.  "I don't want you to die."

"I am not going to give Micah an excuse to kill me," Sunshine said quietly.

'At least not until the fucker who did this to me,' Sunshine thought.

***

The door opening to her room caused Sunshine to become fully alert.  The warm breath on her neck and arms wrapped around let her know that Liam was still beside her, asleep.  Her sense of smell and memory of smell was still not that great, even if Liam had her training her nose every two days between the runs and at home, so she could not recognize who was in her room.

"I know you are awake, you can't fool me," Micah said.  Sunshine sat up, holding the blanket over her breasts.  It was another hung up with her humanity, she struggled with nudity.  Micah's glanced from Liam's sleeping face to hers towards the popcorn on the floor and the empty soda cans tossed everywhere.

"Good day to you too," Sunshine said.

"You had a fun night I see."

"Well considering I would just get in the way of a pack hunt, I celebrated in," Sunshine said coldly feeling uncomfortable in his gaze.  Strange emotions choked Sunshine leaving her confused, making her grab in her instinct Liam's shoulder.  It made him stir and Micah left the room then, closing the door quietly.  Sunshine sighed with relief and Liam opened his eyes.

"What's wrong? You look like you got caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar?" Liam asked her sleepily.  His eyes slowly sharpening onto her.

"Micah came in," Sunshine said.

"Probably checking up that you didn't go crazy by yourself."  Liam pulled Sunshine back to the bed, pressing his body against hers.  She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth the two of them radiated beneath the sheets.

"I don't know, he just gave me a weird vibe," Sunshine said at last.  Jake's spirit floated into the room then, followed by a very familiar female spirit.  Her mouth opened and closed as she stared.

"Anna!" Sunshine cried out, ignoring Liam.

9: Chapter Eight: Dream Of

"Anna?" Liam questioned at the same time Anna spoke up.

"Sunny!  Oh Sunny!" Anna sobbed. It wasn't to confusing for Sunny, but it made her twince as she tried to process two things at once.

"Jake, where did you find her?" Sunny asked.

"I found her wondering about time?"

"Wondering about? How?  That is so..."  Sunshine paused her head tilting to the side.  Unusual was one word she would put it, most spirits stayed tied towards the graves of their loved ones.

"Who are you talking to?" Liam asked, his voice commanding, slipping into an Alpha tone.  It just breezed passed by Sunny, distracted with her thoughts about spirits of the dead.

"Unusual? I know." Jake answered with an easy grin.  It made Sunny feel a little bit better than her dead friend was so happy.  She had not seen him since her transformation the month before.

"I thought..."

"Me too, but I guess it has something to do with the fact that we died far away from home, but you are one of our loved ones.  So we both get to haunt your ass.  Hey you are naked," Jake pointed out.

"You do not get to haunt my ass!  You played hero and died!  Get out!" Sunshine snapped.

"What was that Jake?" Anna squeaked suddenly, her eyes widening with fear at what she felt.  Sunshine had emitted a power that shoved spirits out of her way.  It was a small radius, around the size of a two bed hotel room.  Jake had been capable of shoving the spirits away from him for about a hundred feet.  The two had experimented with pesky spirits.

"That is Sunny's power telling us spirits to go away.  A rather weak attempt I think," Jake said grinning at Sunny.

"Begone ghosts!  Begone!  Come back and haunt my ass another day," Sunshine groaned shoving her hands forward in a gesture of shooing them away.  Liam looked at her confused for a second, his eyes darkening, glowing amber.  It bothered Sunny that his eyes was glowing, his wolf instincts reigning out from his tight control.

"I'll be back later Sunny, we need to talk." Jake grabbed Anna's hand floating out the window.  Sunny scratched her head, annoyed.

"Who are you talking to?"  Sunshine stilled with the sudden realization that she had given her secret away. Oh she was stupid, so stupid!  She had felt so comfortable around Liam, even if he was a werewolf, he was her friend.  Anna was used to Jake and her suddenly talking to a spirit and she had treated Liam just like. Then again...If werewolves would real and other creatures, couldn't people believe she could see ghosts?

"I see dead people," Sunshine said at last, closing her eyes, feeling frightened of how Liam would react.  "Always have, my friend Jake made me feel not crazy because he shared the same ability as me."

"Always?"

"Always."  Sunshine confirmed.  Liam looked deeply concerned as he sat up, running a hand through his hair.

"Are your parents witches?"

"What!? No!  They are neo-pagans, my dad is one of those neo-druids.  He calls himself a neo-druid because there are no druids alive today to teach him and his...I don't know what they call it.  But yeah," Sunshine said. "I think they did one to many drugs during the 60's."

"There is...something forbidden in our world.  Vampires and werewolves are not to turn one of the witch-born."

"What happens to the bitten witch?"

"It depends...can you do anything besides see the dead people?"

"Talk with them and send them away if they get to bothersome, but that is it.  I never had any other ability.  My sister had one ability but she never told me.  Jake had the same ability as me and Anna had empathy," Sunshine told Liam, her hands tightening on the sheets.  Liam sighed then.

"You must have only a drop then, which is good.  Most human psychics only have a drop of witch blood in them.  Witches are scary in both good and bad ways.  They are not immortal and it is why we are forbidden to turn them.  The added strength of being a werewolf or a vampire would just be to much for any of the witch families."

"So what does that mean for me?"

"I don't know, but I want you to keep quiet about it.  Maybe this ability is a werewolf ability, you did to take to the bite rather easily.  You are doing a bit better than most have been and you are not struggling for control with the wolf aspect of you.  So there has to be some ancestory, so maybe what you have is a pack ability, but I have never heard of the pack being able to see human spirits..."

"Am I in danger?" Sunshine asked quietly.

"No, maybe, I don't know. I want you to keep it quiet for now. Until...we'll see at the ceremony." Liam said, pausing for a moment and speaking up again.  "I have an ability to you know."

"You do?"

"A secret for a secret.  I am the only werewolf that can communicate with the elementals of the world."

"Elementals?" Sunshine wondered if they were like dryads and nymphs?  It was hard for her to imagine where every day objects, or at least plant life and such would be an elemental.

"They are spirits of the earth, but more, I don't know basic and part of life.  There are tree spirits, spirits of the water, spirits of the wind, and even spirits of fire.  There is a spirit of fire in Pine Springs.  There are elementals of iron, or gold, and copper..."

"That's amazing...they can communicate?"

"Not easily, they are not like us,  yet through feelings and images we communicate.  Though a few I have spent many years with, such as the spirit of fire in Pine Springs can communicate with basic words."  A companionable silence filled the room, before Sunshine adjusted to lay flush against liam.

"Sometimes it is hard to imagine the world is more than it used to be," Sunshine spoke up at last.

"They do say ignorance is bliss, Sunny."

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy," Sunshine quoted.

"Sunny, even if you live to be a thousand years old, there will always be some surprises you will find in life."

"I guess so, but it's hard to dream of what life will be in a thousand years."  Sunshine sighed at the feelings and thoughts inside of her.  Her family were a bunch of introverts, with her being the most going out of them all.  She lacked communicative skills and had intimacy issues, but it was so strange for her to not be struggling with them at the moment.

"Tell me about your family."

"I had a mother, a father, and a sister.  We all doted on my little sister, she was born very late into my parent's mating.  Times were dangerous back then, from the attacking Roman Empire, towards other werewolves and later on the Catholic Church," Liam said.  Sunshine choked on air then and she turned to face him wide eyed.

"You...are...that...old?" Sunshine paused after each word in shock.  Liam gave Sunshine a lazy smile.

"Micah is a pup compared to me and you are just newly born," Liam said in a condescending tone, but the twinkle in his eyes let Sunshine know he was joking.

"We should go get breakfast and start training," Liam said at last.  Sunshine nodded and slid off the bed ignoring her nudity and Liam's.  It was only with Liam she was comfortable with.  Micah was a whole other story as the only time they really spent naked was when they were tangled between the sheets.  The sex with Micah was glorious and left her satisfied in ways her human boyfriends had never managed.  Of course it was probably a byproduct that Micah had been alive for a long time, however long it was, though now she knew Liam was much older than Micah.

"How old are you?"

"I remember when the Romans invaded Britannia for the first time.  I was there when we sacked Rome," Liam gave her a wink and proceeded to get dressed.  Sunshine followed his direction and dressed in sweats, ready for another date of being beaten down into the ground.

"Uh, I don't know my history that well."

"I am already onto my first millennium, Sunny," Liam said at last.  Sunshine glanced at him and burst out laughing.

"You are an ancient one then, but you sure act like a kid sometimes," Sunshine giggled.  She left the room, her bare feed softly padding against the wood floor.  Liam followed her through the house.

"I am not older than dirt," Liam grumbled towards her.

"I didn't intend it that way.  Did I even say that you were alive when the dinosaurs was running around?"  Sunshine rolled her eyes and began to pull out the food from the fridge to make omelettes. They moved around the kitchen, working together to wash and chop up the vegetables, then the cheese.  Liam grabbed sausages out of the fridge.

"You need to eat some meat today, I'll be working hard."  Sunshine groaned at this.

"You work me hard every day!"

"Of course! We need to get you into tip top shape!"  Sunshine grumbled silently in her own mind, knowing that it was useless to vocalize her complaints.

"It seems ridiculous to do this..."

"You can't be allowed into public until you have learned the proper skills and control necessary to be among humans," Liam reminded her.  "Don't you have dreams you want to achieve?  You cannot achieve them here."

"I do have dreams..." Sunshine snapped angrily.

"Ah!  Ah!  Ah!  What did I say about the anger?"

"I can still get angry!  You cannot tell me to not be angry! Okay!" Sunshine snapped as she grabbed the pan from the cupboard and slammed the cupboard door shut.  It cracked from the violent force.  Liam gave her a pointed stare.

"Look what you did, I told you control Sunny.  It is a wonder you have not torn up your room."  Sunny chewed her lip in annoyance and went back to preparing the food.

"You are doing so well Sunny."

"Shove it!" Sunny snapped, switching back to her defensive anger.  She was an emotional wreck.  She had  hardly the proper time to grieve.  There was no graves she could go to visit.  It didn't matter if her friends were wandering around as ghosts, it was not the same.  They would never sit together and play video games, they would never have a hiking trip, or sit around and drink coffee.  There would no longer be college classes together with Anna to be a nurse.

"Let's eat then train?" Sunshine cut in before Liam could say anything.  Liam sighed watching Sunshine's movements jerk in anger.  He didn't have to see her gray eyes to tell they were shimmering with tears that would not fall.  He knew what it is like to lose the people you loved, but he had underestimated the depth of her pain.  She was taking it a lot harder than she let on

"Sunny..."

"I don't want to talk right now," she said, throwing up another wall between them.  Liam cursed mentally at Sunshine's maddening behavior.  There were times where she seemed almost okay, times where there was the intimacy of friendship between them, and times where she was so cold and distant, that there was more warmth in a glacier than she had.  Liam dragged his hand through his hair frustrated, watching Sunshine finished making the food.  She separated them carefully onto two separate plates and gave one plate to Liam.  Sunshine stabbed at the food continuously, forcing herself to eat despite the rolling of her stomach.

"Let's go outside for a walk," Liam said after they finished and cleaned up.  Sunshine moved mechanically, her mind not on the walk itself.  Liam sighed in frustration.

"You have to pay attention to your surroundings, you need to be light on your feet," Liam reminded her.

"I'm in pack territory, I'll be safe," Sunshine said quietly, bitterly.  To be using her extraordinary hearing and sense of smell was another constant reminder, even with it's benefits.  It was not like she could really tone it down, but under Liam's instructions she had to learn to distinguish various smells.

"It does not mean that rogues like those who attacked you don't slip by.  We have large territories, but even with patrols we can only do so much."

"So attacks can happen at any time?"

"The further you are away from one of the werewolf villages, the more likely you are to face being attacked."

"I thought we are supposed to avoid drawing attention towards the supernatural?" Sunshine murmured as they walked further and further into the woods.

"That is true, but just because there is that, you cannot assume that you will be safe.  There are also hunters," Liam reminded her.  Sunshine stopped suddenly scenting a smell she hadn't smelled before.

"What's that?" Sunshine asked quietly, stiffening, her eyes darting back and forth.  She shifted unconsciously to Liam's back. Liam patted her shoulder comfortingly.  He had recognized the scent soon after Sunshine pointed it out.

"That is someone passing by from the East Colorado Pack," Liam informed her.

"Oh." Sunshine deflated then.  She stared at her feet shifting uncomfortably, surprised by her own actions.  The unfamiliar scent had made her adrenalin rush, her instincts telling her to guard Liam's back.  She ran her hand through her hair hating herself and this new life again.  She had perfect moments where it was like she was in harmony with her new life, but the moment she started thinking about it, it threw her off.  Sunshine was back to hating herself again and again.

"I am glad, you noticed it before I did.  We could make a tracker out of you yet," Liam said with a grin.  Sunshine rolled her eyes,  not wanting to be a tracker, whatever that was.

"I can assure you, I have no desire to be a tracker."

"Come on, let's go." Liam threw an arm around Sunshine's shoulder and began to force her to walk along side him.  Sunshine couldn't help but have her eyes drift back and forth from the trees, her ears straining towards the surroundings.  It was a warm October day, reaching the 60's, even if it was in the 40's, the temperate would barely make a difference, with her burning temperature.  As Liam had informed her, her body ran to high of a temperature for the cold to bother her too much.  Liam than proceeded to rant about this idiot of a werewolf he met back in the Montana pack who thought the werewolf temperature meant he was immune from frost bite.  He wasn't.

"Where are we going?"

"It's just a bit ahead," Liam said.  Liam finally came to a stop when they came to a stream and four foot high waterfall.  It was a rather peaceful spot.

"Nobody really comes here, so let's start training.  We've had enough time to digest our food," Liam said.

"No mirrors today?"

"No.  What I am going to do is blindfold you and you have to detect where I am through scent and hearing," Liam said with a grin. Sunshine sighed feeling defeated.  This was the one type of session that she dreaded with Liam.  It meant a round of serious ass kicking with more than half her time spent with her back or her face meeting the ground.  It was in those moments that Sunshine was grateful towards her werewolf transformation, even if it was secretly in the depths of her mind.

"Today you just have to try and tag me."

With the blind fold wrapped around her eyes, she sighed listening for Liam's feet as he moved around her.  She had to focus on his feet and not the rusteling of the wind, or the sound of the small waterfall, or the birds chirping in the air.  It was hard for her to follow.  Liam was suddenly close to her but she heard him move further away from her when she reached.

"Come on girlie, you simply can't stay in one spot!"

"I'd rather not run into a tree," Sunshine bit out.

"Alas Sunshine, you are a werewolf, even if you a break a nose, I know how to set it and it will heal quickly."  Sunshine growled at this but moved slowly around.  It was harder to focus on Liam's scent and the sound of him moving around.  Every step of her was deliberate, moving towards Liam.

"You are never going to catch me like that," Liam taunted.  Sunshine sighed but didn't stop her careful movements.  She was not interested in running into a tree and being in pain.

"I will run into a tree."

"Not likely."

"No I will."

"Then scent out the damn trees."

"Bull-fucking-shit and you know it, it doesn't work like that," Sunshine snapped.  She yanked the blindfold off her eyes angerily. 

"Fuck you!" Sunshine yelled out into the autumn air, her gray eyes melting into amber as she gave into the anger.  She took a deep steadying breath when her body began to tremble.  She sank to her knees and pressed her head against her legs.

"I'm a wreck," she whispered out loud.

"You are.  You haven't had the chance to properly grieve, I am sorry."

"It's hard to grieve when you know your friends are spirits and you can communicate with them."

"That must be nice to be able to..."

"It is, but it a reminder that the life I had dreamed of, the life I wanted is gone from my reach."

"There are other dreams Sunny, there are dreams to be made.  You just have to reach out towards them and dream of more for yourself."  Sunshine took deep ragged breaths, holding back her sobs and nodded.

"Let's try this instead, catch me if you can!" Liam said with a grin, slowly backing away from Sunshine.  Sunshine stood up and gave chase after Liam.  The two ran around pack territory for an hour, dodging trees, jumping over logs, and almost got run over by a truck when they crossed the road.  Eventually the two collapsed outside the pack house.

"Why can't you be more fun?"

"Mm...fun is great, but don't you want to get out of here?  You can transfer to any pack you want.  You could join the Werewolf Academy or even the Hunter's Guild."

"Why'd I want to do that?"

"They are dreams Sunshine to be had, dreams of jobs that you could have for simply being a werewolf.  A new life is waiting for you, waiting for you to dream of," Liam said quietly, his green eyes serious.  Sunshine only nodded, but there was no acceptance, only the desperate longing in her heart for her human life to come back, to wake up and realize this was just a nightmare.  She wanted her new life to simply be a nightmare she had dreamed up.

"Hey you two, you do realize there is an important pack ceremony tonight right?" William interrupted, his almost black eyes staring coldly at the two of them.

10: Chapter Nine: Gate of the Old Moon

"A ceremony?" Sunshine asked.

"What have you been doing Ulrick Liam?  Teaching her only between the sheets?"

"Sunshine is such a great fucking lay, you are just jealous," Liam said simply with his lazy smile. "Why do you think we are all sweaty?  Wild werewolf sex out in the woods."

Sunshine groaned at this, "I don't care who either of you are, but I'm not into wild wild sex."

"Well clearly you do Micah," Liam teased.  Sunshine began to laugh at this, finding some kind of courage inside of her.  She was always so private, so reserved, even now, even if the whole pack knew that she and Micah fucked.

'I am not going to be ground into the dust, to feel some sense of shame that I don't have.' Sunshine grit out.

"We fuck.  We fuck because that is the best way to deal with the violence edged in me.  I don't  have to worry about my strength or anything," Sunshine said.  There was no real relationship between Micah and her, other than between the bed sheets.  They weren't in love and certainly she had a much better with relationship with Liam or Zoey.  Hell, she even considered William's constant dislike of her more of a relationship than between Micah and her.  There were fuck buddies it began with the sheets and ended with the sheets.  Sure he was her Alpha, he even checked on her a couple times about her progress.  This morning was the first time she had seen him in two weeks.

"And clearly you could also fuck Liam instead of Micah," William spat out.

"Seriously? What the fuck is your problem?  I'm fucking new to this life, you should be giving me some slack. Oh, but no, you have to attack me in every time you see me!  How the fuck does that even make sense?" Sunshine shouted crudely at William.  "Hell fucking thirteen year old girls know more about being a werewolf than I do!  Even if I am bitten, it should not matter!  Get your fucking head out of your ass!  Stop being a little bitch and at least be nice to me!  I am your pack member for fuck's sake!  Your are my Beta and I am just an Ulfrica!  An alpha bitten Ulfrica, but an Ulfrica none the less!"

William opened his mouth to speak up but Sunshine beat him to it, "Sure I fuck Micah, but it is simply that, fucking.  If was to say Sunny girl, we can't have sex anymore, I'd be like, sure okay, no hard feelings.  I swear if you think I am after some position I will get so strong and then beat your ass into the ground because that annoys me!"

Sunshine took a few deep ragged breaths before turning her attention to Liam, "Now what the hell is this ceremony and what do I need to?  What is it for?"

"You don't need to do anything.  You don't even have to participate," Liam inserted.

"Well I am supposed to be integrated myself into werewolf lifestyle, so wouldn't this be part of it?" Sunshine shot back.

"The first night after the new moon in the month of October is when we celebrate this holiday.  We call it The Gate of the Old Moon," William informed her.

"The Gate of the Old Moon?"

"It's an ancient holiday, it is similar to Samhain, but for werewolves its a holy day in honoring our ancestors, but it is also for the members who have died in the year, for the unborn children, and for those who did make it through the Bite."

"And it is useless without a member who can communicate with the pack spirits," Liam pointed out.

"How is it useless?"

"It is not useless and you know it," William stated calmly eyeing Liam.

"Why is it useless?"

"You need a...Pack Medium, it's a type of Pack Doctor, but they are rarer than Pack Doctors.  They travel to other packs during this time help with releasing the spirits.  If a spirit stays to long, it can become malevolent. Of course this is not all the time, but some spirits also become trapped here and want to move on, but cannot.  At least that is what was explained to me once," William explained.  Sunshine wondered to herself if she would be considered a Pack Medium.  She could see ghosts, but she did not know if she had the ability to do what they do.

"Yes, hence it is useless to do it."

"We have a visiting Pack Medium this year," William said stiffly.

"Who?" Liam asked surprised.

"The famous Alpha Victor Aurelius," William answered.  Liam stopped responding at this and then a slow easy smile came upon his face.  It was a smile full of deviousness.

"Then maybe you should be nicer to Sunshine here, Alpha Aurelius would hate to hear how you were treating a newly bitten female," Liam said darkly.  William froze at this and then glared at Liam.

"You are to be at the pack clearing at six'o'clock pm," William informed stiffly before whipping around and stalking off into the house.  Sunshine's mouth opened and closed several times, unable to form a reply.  She began to laugh, clutching her stomach.

"That was good, I never seen him react like that," Sunshine admitted.  Liam shrugged at this.

"William is Beta, he should understand better.  I think he is angry and treating you badly because you are the only Ulfrica in this pack.  His mate is one of the Liulfr and cannot do a voice command except for when she borrows his power."

"Oh."

"It's why I think he is worried about you.  You are newly bitten and untrained, but technically through power, even if untrained you would be a good match for Micah as a mate."

"I don't want that.  He is the one that is threatening to kill me every so often if I don't obey..."

"And yet you are having sex with him."  Sunshine rolled her eyes at this.

"We are two consenting adults.  You don't have to trust someone to have sex."

"That is true, but most people are either friends or it is just a one night stand."

"Only one involves trust," Sunshine said and rolled her eyes again.  She decided to change the subject from her sex life.  "So what is the ceremony like?"

"It is an ancient ceremony, but very powerful. It starts with a small feast, we make it a pot luck to make it easier upon us all these days, no slaughter and roasting of pigs.  At the head of each table we leave the spots open for the ancestors, but afterwards we clear the food and then we light the fires.  It's an experience like no other, a lot of pack magic mixed with life and death.  You know, considering what you mentioned earlier, it would be better if you stayed at home."

"Oh.  I can't.  I don't want people to think ill of me."

"It will be interesting, considering this will be the first time it has been preformed with an Ulfrica," Liam said quietly.  Sunshine tilted her head and stared at Liam confused, her expression was clearly demanding saying 'tell me more!'  Liam just gave a smile and shook his head.

"One day you will understand..."

'Sunshine, I need you to shower and meet me at the office in an hour,' Micah's voice suddenly floated into her head.  Sunshine heaved a sigh.

"I guess you are relieved of training for now.  Go serve Micah's needs."

"I highly doubt he is telling me to shower so he can screw my brains out," Sunshine murmured.

"I'll see you later, don't worry we will be sitting at the same table."

"Alright, good, I would hate to lack for good company."  Sunshine waved at Liam before heading to clean up.

*** (Because right now I'm lazy and I know I am going to need to edit this chapter and the previous chapter already) ***

The office space of Micah's was beautiful and spacious.  It was a work of art with the beautiful wood furniture and wood desk. It was a warm and inviting room.  What Sunshine most loved about the room was the fact that books lined the wall, with a fire place against one side.  It just made the room beg for her to spend her attention curled up and reading on one of the luxurious sofas.

"Alpha," Sunshine greeted Micah entering the office.  Sunshine noticed an incredibly tall man towering over Micah as she approached the duo.  Micah made her feel short, but this man made her feel like she was a dwarf in comparison.  Micah gave her a surprising smile, probably trying to ease whatever misgivings she probably should had.  It didn't matter if this new guy was shorter than her, even teenagers could beat her up right now.  Of course with her Alpha strength, a normal Liulfr, a pack member, could never stand a chance against her, except those who were properly trained to fight.  Strength was not everything in a fight, nor was speed, Sunshine knew.

"Ah Sunshine, I would like you to meet Alpha Victor Aurelius," Micah introduced very formally.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Alpha Victor," Sunshine greeted.

"It is an honor to meet a woman who has survived the Alpha's Bite," Victor responded, his voice a deep bass.  They shook hands and they sat down.

"I don't know about honor, but I am glad to be alive," Sunshine said simply. 

Victor stared at Sunshine, who was of average height.  She was a stocky female with stunning gray eyes.  He felt a kinship with her that he had not felt in a long time.  It threw him off as he knew he had no relatives.  He smiled at the her and continued to study her.  She slouched as she sat down, her posture was terrible.  This girl was no hunter born and had clearly been one of those who never had to fight, but she was not entirely weak, the muscle that was already on her was obviously from at least exercising average enough to stay lean.

"I am here to check up on you besides tonight's ceremony.  You would be surprised how much werewolf's gossip," Victor said with an easy disarming smile.

"Uh okay," Sunshine said, not knowing what to say.  Victor laughed at Sunshine's clear uneasiness.

"Don't worry, I am not here to kill you, as much as Micah here would probably threaten you.  This pup doesn't have that experience that I have with the moon called.  How do you like living as a werewolf?" Victor's voice boomed.  Sunshine gave a small confused smile but answered truthfully.

"It's okay, it's different."  Sunshine watched Victor warily, he gave off vibes that said big, bad, scary, I could squash you like a bug and would not even notice.  It frightened her that someone would give her such a feeling.  Of course she had been afraid when she had been attacked, but this fear was different, it left her unsettled.

"So who is your partner?"

"Partner?" Sunshine asked confused staring up at Victor.

"Liam is," Micah said.

"Ah, good.  At least pup you made a good choice," Victor said his attention now on Micah.  Micah scoffed at this.

"I don't know about that one."

"What disagreements are you two having now?" Victor heaved with a sigh glancing at Sunshine.  Sunshine shifted so she was leaning further away from Victor on the couch.  Her eyes flickered to the door, she wanted to escape so badly.

"He hasn't taught her anything about our culture, our way of life-" Micah began.

"Do you expect our culture should be the first thing a moon born werewolf should learn?  What about control?  How to deal with their strengths? Their wolf aspect?  The knowledge of pack structure and dealings is wasted on all bitten werewolves at this point.  Sunshine may be an Ulfrica and has more to work on than a regular, but werewolf culture is not going to make a difference.  She was not raised as a werewolf. Of course she is going to have more issues than ten normal bitten werewolves put together, considering she is an Ulfrica" Victor turned and grinned at Sunshine.  "Give this pup hell little sun."

"I...would....rather not," Sunshine stiffly said.

"Mm...you will grow into your strength yet.  I'll be here for a week but I would like to evaluate you, even if you have been a werewolf for what? Two months now?

"Two months now," Micah agreed.  Sunshine rubbed her face with her hands wanting to crawl under a rock.  She definitely did not want Victor's attention upon her, all her instincts were screaming at that, even if a part of her knew he was some how familiar.  She just didn't know how.  He was not family, certainly he was not one of her friends, as she would have remember meeting such a tall man with luscious black hair and chocolate eyes.

"Not bad for two months, considering she is sitting here not trying to rush at me."

"That is cause I'm not crazy," Sunshine muttered forgetting about the sensitive hearing about werewolves.  She was not used to this life still and forgot about the benefits half the time, forgetting to keep using all her senses.  She was all to human in her ways.

"Oh?" Micah snorted at Victor's simple one-word response.

"Sunshine may be new, but any pup could sense how powerful you are.  Hell even humans stay away from you," Micah said.  Victor once again laughed at this.  "You are old as dirt, even people who could sense age would think their bones had prematurely turned to dust."

Victor laughed again and the sense of danger seemed to pass with his amusement, "Well that I am, that I am.  I look forward to seeing you both at the ceremony."

Victor left the room and Sunshine quietly sighed to herself, relief filling her.  Micah raised an eyebrow at her expressive face.  She only shrugged in response and stood up.

"Alpha, am I dismissed?"

"Yes, you may go."

"Thanks," Sunshine said dryly leaving the office behind and seeking the safety of her room.

*** (B/C I'm to lazy to do a transition right now and this chapter is going to need serious editing anyways, I seriously apologize) ***

The dinner had been rowdy with members of both packs in attendance.  It was strange for Sunshine to be surrounded by so many werewolves, children, teenagers, and adults.  They had stared at her curiously as she had sat down at the table next to Liam and Alpha Victor.  Their table had been on view for the other tables, containing as Liam put it, all those who were a representation of the noble born werewolves.  She was the only Ulfrica from the West Colorado Pack though, because the Beta's mate was a Liulfr, a powerful pack fighter, but she was no Ulfrica, unable to do voice commands.  It didn't help that Micah's pack was original members of either the Montana pack or the Colorado Pack.  Sunshine couldn't help but remember when Liam had sat down and explained it to her finally.

"Being an Ulfrica, it is something you can be born into, as it is often travels in bloodlines.  It doesn't mean because you are of an Alpha bloodline, does not make you an Alpha."

"Why not?" Sunshine had asked.

"There are high-born werewolves who have the strength, the speed, all the benefits of being of one of the high-born, but it does not mean they can be an Alpha, a Beta, or a Gamma.  It is a couple issues that get  involved into it.  For one, you have to have the personality for it. Sunny, you have that personality, you don't let others walk around you, you are secure in yourself, you have confidence.  Of course those factors alone don't make you an Ulfrica."

"Okay...so tell me some of the factors," Sunshine demanded.

"As I said part of it is personality, part of it is the upbringing, but it about strength, dominance, and independence.  It doesn't mean that we who are Alpha-born, or in your case Alpha-bitten, don't need anyone, in fact we do.  We need people to need us.  We need people to want us to protect them.  We are defenders and care-takers of the pack.  What is inside of us, answers the call to be that.  I am doing a botch job of explaining it."

"So let me get this straight, if it wasn't for who I am, even if I am Alpha-bitten, I would not be able to do the voice command thing that I have seen Micah use?"

"Right.  I've seen you use it once when Zoey got to pushy with you.  You do it out of instinct right now."

"I..." Sunshine started but trailed off.  This too bothered her, an admittance from Liam where she was not quite the standard werewolf, but something more.  At the same time a conflicting emotion arose in her, a vicious answering call insider of her saying yes, yes, this is me, what I am.  I am an Ulfrica, I stand for the pack.

"Don't think to hard about it, Sunny.  Chit-chat is over newbie Ulfrica," Liam said before standing up and motioning for her to stand.

Suddenly howls in the air distracted Sunshine from the past.  The wolf inside of her answered back, her howl sounding out into the night air with the others.  They didn't howl for the moon in the sky, as there was none to see.  They howled for pack, they howled for each other, a reminder they were never alone.  It would have been an eerie and frightening experience if it was not for the fact that Sunshine was a werewolf.  Emotions and feeling washed over Sunshine through the pack link as it opened up.  Sunshine shivered from the power that began to grow in the clearing.

"Tonight we gather!" Victor's voice boomed out into the night, surprisingly clear and loud over the howls.  The howls stopped quietly after Victor's pronouncement. He began to walk around the circular clearing, around the gathering.  The crowd watched him as he moved forward.

"Tonight we gather!  Whom do we gather for?"  Victor asked the crowd of both packs, his eyes sweeping over the gathering.

"For the dead," the crowed yelled back. Howls swept through the air again before quieting.

"Whom do we honor?"

"Our lost ones!" They cried out.  Power swept around the circular gathering, passing through Sunshine making her stumble forward into Liam.  Liam glanced down at her, his eyes concerned.  Sunshine shook her head and glanced down at her feet for a second before her eyes followed Victor.  There was power, here in this ceremony, though it wasn't just Victor's.  It was everyone and it felt disturbingly overwhelming.  It was then Sunshine spotted the spirits who began to drift into the circle.  The circle had not yet been closed by Victors power.

"We invite you in, our loved ones, our honored ones, our dead ones, your pack," Victor said, his voice becoming somber.  Both packs repeated Victor's words, some tearfully, some quietly, others loudly, and a few angrily.  There was so much emotion in here.

"We open this passage way, from this realm to the next.  We open the gateway between words, for the passage of your spirits," Victor said.  His voice echoed in the clearing, but it sounded distant to Sunshine's ears.  It was a low roar in her ears.  Sunshine swallowed and paled as more and more spirits began to enter into the circle.  Sunshine grabbed onto Liam's arm and clutched at it, leaning into him for strength.  Her breath began to come in raggedly.

'What is wrong with Sunshine?' Liam thought to himself, his eyes searching Sunshine's pale face.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sunshine lied through her teeth, trying to control her breathing.  She managed to stop breathing so harshly but her skin crawled with the amount of spirits that was entering into the clearing.

"I ask one more time for the spirits of our pack to enter, for those who were lost to come and be found," Victor called out, standing towards where he had started.  Sunshine had lost track of him before he was even half way around the clearing.  Had really that much time had passed?  She had a growing headache now, her head was pounding violently. It was to many spirits for her to handle.  Her fingers dug into Liam's arm.  Liam winced feeling the strength behind her grip.

'Even in her denial, she is growing into her skin, becoming an Ulfrica,' Liam thought.  Still he was concerned with her pale face, the way her eyes had completely dilated, and her body that trembled every once in while.

"You see them don't you? The dead of both packs?" Liam whispered to her.

"Yes. There are so many ghosts here..." Sunshine whispered, eyeing the ones near her that she could see.  She didn't want them trying to chat to her, to tell her to tell their loved ones their love, their regrets.  They weren't bothering Victor though, if he really was the Pack Medium, why didn't they bother him?  Sunshine bit her lip, but she couldn't see Victor anymore, between the pack members and the dead around her, the magic in the air a buzzing in her head, she was having trouble thinking and standing.  She sank to her knees, unable to do much more and closed her eyes.  It was useless to do so, but she covered her ears too.  It was to much, the pressure and feel of the spirits inside of her, the buzzing of magic in her head, crawling around her skin, a wordless scream welled up inside of her.

'I must not interrupt the ceremony.'  It was that thought that repeated in her head again and again, keeping her from screaming, from whining or howling, whichever noise would errupt from her throat first.  Sunshine missed Victor closing the circle and walked towards the middle to the roaring bonfire.  It was no small bonfire, a but a large fire to represent the door, the light, in which the dead were to go to.  She missed his words, but the power in the field made her collapse onto the ground.  A familiar hand gripped her shoulder.

"What is wrong with her?" Micah asked Liam, his blue eyes darkened in concern.  Micah's voice was drowned out by the low of hum of the voices of the dead.  They seemed to want to talk to their loved ones, even if their loved ones could not hear them.

"It is her secret, not mine," Liam said simply, trying to protect Sunshine.

"I cannot help her if you cannot tell me," Micah growled out lowly.  A few pack members turned their attention, distracted by the two Alpha-born.

"There is nothing you can do to help her," Liam said pained.  It was truth, the only person in the world who could understand and maybe help her would be Victor.  However the Alpha was busy with the ceremony, caught up in the flow of it, a channel to allow the passage of the dead who wanted to depart from the circles of this world.

"Tell me," Micah said, the alpha command coming low and deep, but it brushed passed Liam.  He was to old, to powerful in his own right, even if Micah was his Alpha.  William came over with his wife beside him.

"Is everything all right?" William asked Micah, eyeing Sunshine.

"Sunny!  Miss little summer sunshine," Jake's voice rang out in Sunshine's ears.  His spirit towered over Sunshine's form laying on the ground.  Anna was beside him, quiet and watching her concerned.

"Jake...shut up...you are making my head hurt," Sunshine whispered suddenly, causing Micah to jump.

"Jake?" William questioned Micah.

"Jake is one of Sunshine's friends...the one who died." Micah explained softly watching Sunshine.  She shifted her body so her back lay flush against the cool ground, her eyes squeezed shut, her face still pale.

"It would mean he would be drawn here, wouldn't he?" William asked.

"Anna has decided to leave..." Jake told her. Sunshine opened her eyes then and stared at Jake.  He crouched down, his ghostly hands passing by her face as if he could stroke it.

"Of course," Liam scoffed, "He did die from a werewolf attack."

"Anna? You sure?" Sunshine whispered, her expression pained in sorrow.

"Damn it, Sunshine," Liam groaned out, running his hand through his hair.  The pack would know now, as there was a few members who were paying attention to the interactions between the high ranking pack members.

"It's time for me to go.  Tell my family that I love them will you?"

"I will, if I can get a chance to, I promise," Sunshine agreed.  She gripped her head, the pain pounding in her head.  There was to much going on right now, to many people trying to talk.

"Anna?  Is that the name of the other female?" William asked needing clarifying.

"Sunshine can communicate with the dead," Liam admitted finally.  Micah glanced up at Liam, his expression hard.

"How long have you known?" Micah demanded, his voice harsh.

"I just found out today!" Liam said throwing his hands up in air in defeat.  "I highly doubt she would just go up to someone and say, hey guys, guess what, I see dead people!  She barely accepts being a werewolf!"

"Shut up, please," Sunshine begged, curling up into a ball.  Micah gathered Sunshine into his arms.  He allowed his power to flow into her pushing her to sleep. 

"Goodbye Anna..." Sunshine muttered, her eyes slowly closing, her body sagging and relaxing into Micah's eyes.

"Goodbye Sunshine," Anna whispered before walking into towards the center, where the fire was still roaring.  She looked over at Victor and then walked in front of him.  Victor watched the spirit approached him apprehensively.  He hated when they put demands upon him, but this spirit did not seem to care about his 'do not approach me' aura he put out.

"I know you can see me.  I know you don't have to do this, but help my friend Sunshine.  She is like you, able to communicate with the dead.  Please help her," Anna begged.  Victor nodded his head and Anna walked into the fire and disappeared.

 

A Quick Author's Note  (or really a rather lengthy one! from November 2014):

I am posting this also on fictionpress and someone reviewed and pointed out a few errors, one in which Sunshine comments about a Christian upraising but later on I point out that her parents are neo-pagans.  There are other issues with this story as well.  Once I am finished with this story I will go back and edit I promise.  If anyone else sees issues that conflict, please let me know.

Sorry for the crappy writing, but as I have said, this is for NaNoWriMo, so it is incredibly rushed.  I really do plan on editing once this story is finished.  I just don't want to get up in trying to edit every chapter.  I don't mind fixing grammar and spelling, but editing every scene just gets to be to much and then I get angry and feel defeated you know?  I am trying so hard to not be a perfectionist.

Also I think it is depressing I am at 35.6k some words with this chapter and I am not even half way through the story.  I am almost mid-way through the beginning I think? Things are going to be picking up from here though !  Also what do you guys think of how I style the relationships that Sunshine has? Still this story has a lot of editing and I haven't done all that I wanted with Sunshine.  I wanted more emotion, more destructive rage.  I was thinking about doing that soon?  I'm not sure.  Or maybe when I'll edit it, I'll add it in previous scenes.  The emotions she goes through is important.  I guess you can could say she is still in the denial stage...? Oh well.

xox

~Lissasaurus

11: Chapter Ten: Proposal

Last night had been a frustrating night for Micah.  He cared deeply for his pack but when his pack kept secrets from him, there was nothing he could do to help.  The issue of Sunshine drove him insane.  His newest pack member, was not adjusting as well as she could be.  Though he tried to remind himself that Sunshine was not born a werewolf or raised with them or chose this life.  When he would check up on his progress he wondered if he would have to kill the girl.  Micah sighed heavily and slouched in his desk chair, staring up at the ceiling.

'I am over a century old, and yet I am having trouble with one untrained Ulfrica,' Micah thought.  It reminded him of his human best friend.  It made him drift back into a time where the world was so different from now, before two world wars, before the roaring twenties, when life was simpler and not as fast passed.  Micah grit his teeth in the reminder that his friend had not made the transition well and had to be killed.  Sunshine was better off even with not having been raised among werewolves.

"What are you thinking so hard about Micah?" Victor's voice interrupted.  Micah was completely startled and floored that he had been so absorbed into memories that he did not notice Victor coming into the room.  He couldn't get back his best friend, he couldn't undo the fact that he had to kill his best friend.  He didn't want to kill Sunshine either.

"Let me guess here..." Victor said and pressed two fingers to his head, as if he was trying to manage telepathy.

"Ah! I get it!  A certain moon born Ulfrica is a Pack Medium!"

"Her dead friend Anna visited during the ceremony, then afterwards her other dead friend, Jake hounded me, though it makes me curious about her parents," Victor answered.  Micah sighed.

"I didn't know until last night.  She has kept this close to her chest."

"I talked to Liam, she never told him either.  He never suspected at all.  She acts normal all the time, he says.  He never seen her, until yesterday morning out of place seeing something that wasn't there."**

"That...girl!" Micah spat out and then sighed, "she is so frustrating!  I am her Alpha!  I am supposed to be taking care of her, making sure she is adjusting!  There are moments where it seems okay but there are times when it is not!  Just when I think she is finally settling in, she'll do something, like the other day she started a fight with one of the pack members!  She isn't-"

"What that girl is confused and lost.  Every bit of her life has been ripped from her, with no familiarity. By the gods Micah, that girl has no family, no friends, and while this pack is generally fond of the moon born and more friendly than most packs, you know there are some who will always look down upon her. Of course she is going to start fights and finish them too.  Sunshine is an Ulfrica."

"I know that," Micah growled out.

"No, you don't. You are treating her like any other pack member.  Oh yes that girl understands earning respect, but as a werewolf she is dominant, demanding submission.  She is not Zoey Jacobs, she is not Frank.  She is herself, Summer Sunshine Asher, a unique variant in our world.  The question I ask you Micah is, who was Sunshine before?  More importantly, who will she become?"

Victor paused as he went to leave the room, "Micah, I will be offering her a chance to come to Montana.  She'll need the guidance that only I can provide."

The sun was high over head when Sunshine came awake.  It was not a fast awakening where she jumped out of bed, no it was a slow steady awakening.  It was only with the realization that she had done what she had sworn she would never do, make it known about her own ability.  Sunshine sat up suddenly and glanced widely around the room, her eyes focusing on Victor's large form leaning against the wall.  His smile was a slow accessing smile.

"Good afternoon Sunshine," Victor greeted.

"Um hi," Sunshine said quietly her eyes staring at Victors feet.

"You have nothing to fear from me Sunshine," Victor said soothingly.  Sunshine glanced up at Victor's face to find it relaxed, smiling at her still.

"Um, okay.  Why are you here?" Sunshine asked getting right to the point.  She crossed her arms over her chest in a very defensive manner.

"I had a little chit-chat with your Alpha and Liam..." Victor started, his voice trailing off.

"Oh."

"Nothing to say for yourself? Victor said, his voice still calm, never moving from his spot.

"What am I supposed to say?  That I am just a werewolf who clings to the skirts of her humanity?" Sunshine said quietly.

"I am more curious about your ability.  You have always had this ability?"

"Yes, yes, I have.  I've always seen ghosts.  I mean it never did make much difference in my life, with my parents being neo-pagans...ghosts never really entered into our house, but on the streets?  Yeah."

"Did you parents find it strange?"

"Sort of, my family on my mom's side has random abilities, but my dad never talked about his, for all he being a druid and such. Isn't it odd though?  I mean for all the random abilities, you would think it would run in family's bloodline..."

"Yes and no...some families do develop random abilities.  We are trying to increase our own understanding of our own abilities and why some family's seem to pass on an ability while others never pass on, or random abilities crop up in a family line.  My last check in with the scientists think it is either something to do with a gene or the soul."

"Souls and science?  Sounds kind of bullshit, shouldn't they not get along?" Sunshine asked quietly but earnestly.

"That doesn't surprise me.  Somehow it does work out, we all have our own theories about magic and we try it out.  We try to break it apart, to understand it.  Werewolves, vampires...we are all just as curious as humans," Victor said and then paused, his eyes serious. He changed subjects so abruptly, "I have a proposal for you."

"A proposal?  What kind?" Sunshine carefully asked.

"You are a Pack Medium, which is a very important position in the werewolf world, not just for the ceremony last night.  We not only tend to the spirits of the dead pack members, but to the spirits of the pack members itself," Victor carefully explained.  Sunshine's curiosity peaked and she turned her full attention upon Victor.

"I don't understand," Sunshine said, "to the spirits of the pack members itself?"

"It sounds silly, I know, a very old phrasing of it.  We, as werewolves, are creatures, a people, imbued greatly with magic, but it also changes our soul.  The wolf inside each of us is what makes our soul as different from that of a vampire or a human," Victor explained. "Pack Medium sounds like such a strange word for it.  We are part psychologist, part of a channel for the dead, but our abilities often extend into healing another werewolf's spirit."

Sunshine scratched her head and made a funny face, part disbelief, part confused, and incredibly uncertain at Victor's words.  It was not like he was using big words that left her confused or really odd and old words like baseborn, which meant an illegitimate child, or footpad for a thief, or forespeak which meant to predict.  People didn't speak like that, maybe it was just the terminology that Victor used together, an ability to see the ghosts of the dead combined with healing.  It just didn't seem like they would be intertwined.

"I see, I am confusing you.  Your ability to see the dead is also the ability to see the spirit of another person.  I can only see the dead of the pack, but you can communicate with ghosts who are not.  I'm not sure how this will affect your ability as a Pack Medium.  Look, I am not going about this the right way.  For all my years, I still blunder.  My proposal is, come back with me to my pack.  You can come back to the West Colorado pack any time you want.  I can teach you how to be a Pack Medium and you can explore your ability with someone who knows how," Victor offered.

"Oh...can...you give me time to think?  I don't think I want to leave here so soon," Sunshine said once again looking down, but this time at her trembling hands.  She didn't want to leave.  Certainly this place was not her home, but it could be, eventually like home.  She didn't want to uproot again, so soon either.  This state was the place of the drastic change in her life.

"I will give you time, but Sunshine...have you not longed for control over your ability?  Have you not wanted to do more?  To soothe and help the spirits around you pass from this world?  I can give you that.  I can show you all that and tricks to being a werewolf that Liam and certainly Micah cannot show you.  Whenever you ready, you can tell Liam or Micah to contact me," Victor said interrupting her thoughts.  He left the room then with a lingering glance at her form.  She sat in the bed still, staring at her hands clutching her green bed sheet, her expression crest fallen.

Hours seemed to trickle by as Sunshine laid in her bed, sometimes with her eyes closed, sometimes she stared at the ceiling or the wall.  She turned the question over and over.  Did she want to go?  Sunshine understood that Victor was old, incredibly old, and a term that Liam had used had confused her in reference towards Victor, First-born.  Victor was one of the First-born, which Sunshine could surmise he was probably one of the first werewolves.

"Sunny," Liam said, interrupting Sunshine's staring contest with the ceiling decorated with neon and glow-in-the-dark stars.

"Liam," Sunshine said acknowledging him.  Liam's footsteps drew close and he sat down on the bed next to her.  His face was full of concern.  He watched her, letting the silence span between them.  Her stormy gray eyes eventually flickered and focused upon his face, her expression pensive.

"What do you think I should do?" Sunshine asked out of the blue.

"About what?" Liam asked warily.

"Alpha Victor asked me...to come to Montana," Sunshine deadpanned.

"He asked you?" Liam said incredulously.

"I expected a demand, I expected he wouldn't give me a choice.  He said he would give me time," Sunshine said and then scrunched her nose up in confusion.

"You know, you used to have lines right between your eyebrows," Liam murmured quietly observing her face.

"Huh?" Sunshine startled.  Liam gave her a small smile.

"I got bored one day and wanted to know more about my young padawan," Liam said with a teasing smile. "So I decided to go through the social media channels and tracked you down."

"And what did you think?"

"That you are a young woman just beginning to grow into her own skin.  Still, I couldn't help but notice the lines on your forehead, from obviously squinting to much, the burn mark on your arm, the scar on your wrist, how you try to hide from the camera, and how your posture screams you are faking that smile.  Yet when you genuinely smile, it is the picture where you are in your element, embracing who you are."

"And...?" Sunshine asked.

"Be yourself Sunshine and give yourself time. You'll know when you are ready.  You don't have to force yourself to do anything, other than what I tell you to," Liam said with a gin, teasing her at the end.  Sunshine rolled her eyes at this.

"So what you are saying is, accept Alpha Victor's offer when I feel ready?"

"Right.  You are a werewolf, an almost immortal now, you have time and that man is going no where," Liam said in a calm voice.

"I guess so..."

"I know so," Liam said, wiggling his eyebrows causing Sunshine to laugh.  She smacked Liam's arm playfully and his expression turned to mock hurt.  He pounced on her and began to tickle her, making her scream as she tried to wiggle away.

"Stop! Stop! Ahaha, stop," Sunshine pleaded between laughing become breathless.  Her fingers delving right behind Liam's knee.  Liam suddenly jerked and was across the room staring at her wide eyed.  Sunshine grinned realizing he must be ticklish there.

"Oh no...no...no you don't!" Liam said wide eyed.  Sunshine took off after Liam, grinning like a fool.

\\ //

**Note: When I edit this story, I am going to involve Jake and Anna a lot more as spirits and with Sunshine's 'denial' of her new life.  There are 5 stages of grief guys, remember.  Some take longer to go through certain stages. I apologize for the short chapter, still it is 2k words, 1k less than my normal amount.  Still I find I don't mind. Really.  It's a short scene.  Now for some drama to pop up.

12: Chapter Eleven: Irrational

A/N: I would like to warn that this chapter may be triggering for some people, it is a very depressive chapter.  It does not involve rape.  There is no rape in this story and never will be in Sunshine's story.  Still...I don't want to upset anyone.

Three days later after the ceremony is when it finally hit Sunshine.  It was not that she suddenly came to terms with her new found life, but the pure denial that she had been functioning on, even as she went through her daily life was gone.  Anna was gone, Jack was gone, her sister was gone, her family would think she was dead, or at least missing and gone forever.  It was the grief that hit her first.  It had been a slow creeping depression that had Liam eyeing Sunshine in concern.

It was that third day that had her breaking down. 

She had woken up normally, ate breakfast, went training with Liam for the morning.  Liam gave her the afternoon off as he had business to attend to.  It was the first true alone time she had.  It was probably her being alone, with no spirits, with no pack members around her that had set her off.

She was alone.

'Alone,' Sunshine thought mournfully after lunch time watching Supernatural.  Maybe it was also watching the two brothers in Supernatural that had set her off too.  She had a sister she adored, a sister she loved.  They were not the best of friends, but they were family.

The thought of her sister made Sunshine felt a sharp pang in her chest, her feelings rising up like a creature from the depths of the ocean, or maybe the grief was like a freight train you heard first in the distance as it approached and suddenly it was before you.  The grief and the emotion that took a hold of Sunshine had her freeze, as wave after wave of sorrow hit her.  She squeezed her eyes shut, trying not to cry because she did not want to embarrass herself.

Sunshine locked the door to her bedroom before turning up the television a bit louder.  She then went to the bathroom and turned on the shower and stripped.  She entered into the warm water, letting it caress her.  It was that minute that the floodgates opened and she cried leaning against the wall before sinking down onto her ass. It started off as silent tears turning into gasps for breath as she rocked back and forth.

"I'm alone, so far from home," Sunshine sobbed.  Any words she could have said after that was swallowed up by the sobs and whines coming from her mouth.  She hated feeling like this, swept up in her emotions, swept up in the grief and loneliness.  Her life was gone, any dreams she had was not beyond reach but permanently changed, just like herself.

Everything familiar was gone, her friends, her family, it was a repeating vicious cycle, going on and on, reminding her what she had lost.  When grief takes you, any logical thoughts go out the window, because the heart is doing the thinking and Sunshine's heart did most of her thinking.  Oh she could cut and shove down her emotions with the rest of them, but her emotions were intense for her, sweeping her away.  Sunshine was an artist, a passionate person, who thought of the world in poetic verses, colors, and music.

Time seemed to fade and the water no longer seemed warm against Sunshine's skin.  The warmth she would steal from the water didn't seem to reach her insides.  She felt so cold, so empty.  Sunshine turned off the water and stared at her wrinkled hands, hands that would only be winkled from the water but never from her body fading into dust.  Anger swelled up within her swiftly, wiping the grief away for a moment as she punched the shower and the tile cracked where she had hit it.  Sunshine winced at the pain and welcomed it at the same time, a stark reminder she was here in this world still, even if at the moment she did not want to be.

The broken tile fell to the floor.  Sunshine stared at it, her old feelings from her childhood welling up, the feelings of being worthless, of being misunderstood.  Certainly Sunshine had never been bullied in her life, she was neither of the popular crowd or the outcasts, but instead had floated between groups and everyone had been kind to her, even if they thought her quiet and strange.  Still no one's life was perfect and no family was either.  Her traumatic experiences could be summed up in the fact that her mother was a terrible drunk that started from when she lost her job to over seas but also multiple deaths of loved ones at a young age that left her feeling broken and unwilling to form attachments to people.  It was not a terrible story, nor did she need rescuing though even as a little girl she dreamed of finding herself a prince charming who would sweep her off her feet and make her life suddenly perfect like the appearance of a fairy godmother.

Those feelings from that childhood that had led her down a path of self-destruction before arose within her.  It had frightened her, because at twenty-two years old she thought of herself above that self-destructive behavior.  The broken tile stared at her, calling to her in it's wordless inanimate way, or more-so it was the impulse of her brain.  She grit her teeth and left the bathroom and glanced back.  Sunshine grabbed a t-shirt of Liam's from the dresser.  He had his own room, but he spent most of his time around her, falling asleep in her bed as they watched movies and re-runs.

Liam's scent was heavy on the t-shirt.  Sunshine took deep breaths of it, inhaling his scent.  It wasn't enough to call her down, to soothe the churning of her stomach, the impulses she was feeling.  She hated calling for help, she really didn't want to call for help.  She didn't want to call for people, or anyone to see how weak she was.  She didn't want to expose this part of her, this part that disgusted her, how mercurial she was.  Sunshine felt so pathetic as she opened herself up to the pack link.

'Liam...Liam...I...need you,' Sunshine called out to him, sinking to her knees.  The emotional pain was getting to her again.  She fought the sobs that were welling up inside of her again.  The feelings of desperation were getting to her.

'Sunny, what's wrong?' Liam called to her through the pack link.  Sunshine couldn't bring herself to answer, trying to bring herself under control.  She shifted so she sat on her hands, trying to focus on the TV.

The meeting between both packs was being conducted rather peacefully.  It was not like the East and West Colorado packs hated each other.  There was no true animosity between the two packs, mainly because of how close they were tied to each other, family and friendships split by the large amount of members of the two packs requiring two Alphas. There were to many dominant werewolves in one area and it did created high tensions.

Liam sighed feeling bored.  He hated these meetings.  He was not the Beta, the Gamma, or the Alpha of either pack.  Sure he was an Ulfrick, but he no desire to lead a pack.  He had been Alpha-born, raised to lead the pack in a bygone age where swords and arrows were of use.  There was times where he enjoyed pack life, the knowledge that he was not alone facing this eternity, but his family was dust.

The meeting was of little importance, the topic was mainly about the current status of tracking the rogues, the newest information from Pack Ministry, the Werewolf Conclave, and of course the infamous or would it be the soon to be famous Sunshine.  Werewolves could gossip just like any human and boy did they gossip enough to make Liam grumble.  Micah had certainly made both packs shut up saying that Sunshine was not a topic to gossip about, her situation to precarious as a new werewolf to deal with the outside world yet, especially the politics of the supernatural world.

'Liam...' Sunshine's voice entered into his mind.  His attention was instantly on the hesitant voice of Sunshine.  She never used the pack link.  The moment she had learned to do it, she had begged to learn to shut it down.  Liam had taught her not wanting her to have to deal with the constant intrusion of the pack link.

'Liam...' Sunshine's voice paused in his mind before continuing, 'I need you.'

There was so much pain in her voice, a desperation he had never heard.  It it was anyone else, he probably would not have cared.  That would be a lie, he would care, he had been raised to be an Alpha and he had all the protective instincts of being an Alpha.  Sunshine had earned a special place in his heart as a friend.  Their friendship was new and sudden, but a true companionship was arising out of their mentor and student relationship. Liam stood up startling the meeting and he ignored the curious looks he got. Liam took off running out of the building to the parking lot and got in his car.  He peeled out.

Liam arrived at the pack house and stormed past curious pack members and arrived at Sunshine's bedroom door.  The slight scent of blood had his nostrils flaring.  Liam gripped the handle and tried to open the door, to his dismay it did not open.  Fear gripped him and he knocked on the door.

'Sunny...open up,' Liam commanded in an Alpha-tone, with a bite that was sure to get her in the weakened state she was in.  The door opened and Liam stepped in closing it behind him.  He took in Sunshine's disheveled state.  Her eyes were puffy, a shard of tile he knew of her shower lying on the floor, covered in blood.

"I am so weak...so pathetic," Sunshine started, her voice hoarse from crying. She then started crying again, sinking to her knees staring up at Liam listlessly.  Liam gathered Sunshine's body against his, he cooed to her quietly trying to soothe her.

"What happened?" Liam asked apprehensively, his eyes drawn to the healing cuts on her arm.  Emotion choked him suddenly with the realization of what Sunshine had done.

"I am alone, so alone," Sunshine said brokenly.

"You aren't alone Sunshine, you have me, you have Micah, you have Zoey," Liam reminded her quietly.

"It's not the same, it's not the same at all," Sunshine said, hiding her face behind her hair.

"Is it?"

"You aren't Anna, or Jake-"

"We cannot be, none of us can be the friends you have lost."

"I want them back..."

"We all want them back, I miss my family, but they are centuries buried in the ground, my home not even a foot note in the histories of the world.  All we can do Sunny is to keep going on."

"But I don't want to go on..." Sunshine whispered out.  Once again emotions threatened Liam, his arms tightened around her smaller form.  Fear, worry, flickered on his face, but Sunshine was not focused on his face, she was still hiding her face from him.  He lifted Sunshine with ease and placed her on the bed and slipped his shirt off before holding her close.  Liam decided to break the silence then.

"Do you want to be your voice of reason?  The little voice in your mind that is saying that you should live?  That this is not what they would want?  I think if you asked Jake, I am sure he would tell you he wants to see you grow old and be happy, have a family, make new friends, go back to college..."

"I can't grow old..."

"Oh you can grow old alright, old in the heart, old in the mind, but your body will always be prime in life, never showing the damage of the years and battles you have fought," Liam laughed bitterly, thinking of the one thousand and some years he had been alive. It must have been the bitterness that Sunshine had heard from him because she looked up at him. 

"You know, red and gray look fabulous together, but your eyes testify that it doesn't," Liam said teasing her.  It was the wrong thing to say because she buried her head in the pillow.  Liam used his hands to force her attention upon him.

"Sunny look, I know words are useless at times, but you need to live for your sister that is out there somewhere," Liam said.  Sunshine blinked several times at him, then her eyes widened, and instantly turned amber.  Liam watched her warily.

"My sister...is alive?" Sunshine said her eyes focusing completely on him.

"Yes she is.  Zoey said the rogue Alpha took her," Liam answered truthfully.  Sunshine sat up suddenly, her face twisting back and forth between grief and anger, but the anger seemed to ride out the grief.

"Why has no one told me this?"

"I...assumed you knew."

"No I didn't!  No one let me see my friend's bodies, no one told me their fates, I just assumed they all died."  Sunshine fisted her hair and sighed, her eyes shimmering with tears, her mouth set into an angry frown.  Her lips kept forming the words that Liam knew was "she's alive, she's alive."  It was a mantra that seemed to both calm and stir up the wolf in Sunshine.

Sunshine turned to Liam then, her voice quivered as she asked him, "She really is alive?"

"Yes, Sunny, she is," Liam said.  His heart twisted at the emotions that continue to pass through her face.  It was a strange cycle to see face flicker from happiness to hurt to anger.

'She is only twenty two years old, she has not lived the centuries and had to perfect a mask as a leader...'

"I..."  Liam shushed her than and pulled her against his chest.  He heard her inhale deeply.

"Breathe, calm down, nothing can get done by being angry," Liam said.

"I know," Sunshine's muffled voice filled her ears. "But I can't help shake the anger.  I didn't ask, not really about her.  I've been so distracted by my own problems..."

"Sunny, you can't take on the whole world.  You are still one person," Liam said.

"That doesn't mean much to me right now, not with my sister..."

"I understand, I understand more than you ever know," Liam said thinking of his own sister.  Liam remember his own sister, her gentle ways, how spoiled she was by his parents and him.  It had all ended when an enemy pack had attacked when he was away visiting another pack with a few of his former pack members.  He wished he had been there that day, but knew it would have made no difference.  He was lucky it was Micah's father's pack who he had been visiting then.  This was all before they had decided to settle into America, the New World then.

"I don't want excuses," Sunshine grumbled out.

"You don't want excuses, but you cannot take it to personally Sunshine.  If you must, throw yourself into training, become strong for yourself, strong for the day that we will get your sister back.  I am sure she will be so happy to see you," Liam said.  Liam did not dare mention that her sister was probably dead.  He was playing on her emotions, but hope was better than no hope.  There was still that chance that Sunshine's sister was still alive, no matter how small.

"How can I not take it personally?  I'm a failure-"

"Don't focus on your failures, we are all failures.  We all make mistakes, that is life and being a werewolf does not make you infallible.  All the supernatural creatures make mistakes, we are not perfect, same as humans.  You have been through a lot, endured so much.  You are a survivor Sunshine.  You survived a rogue attack, you survived your transformation and you are still here.  You hear me?  You are still here Sunshine, facing every day, crawling out of bed even when you are aching from training."

"I don't feel strong," Sunshine's voice cut into Liam's personal rant.  Liam stared at Sunshine hard.  He grabbed her hands.

"These are the hands of a survivor," Liam said and then he forced her hands into fists. "These are the fists of a fighter.  I'll personally help you track them down when you are strong enough.  I'll help you take them all down, I'll help you save your sister, the way I couldn't save mine."

The two of them stared into each others eyes, expressions fierce with emotions filtering between them.  Liam made a quiet and private vow to help Sunshine.  Sunshine may be a Pack Medium, but he would help her become one of the fiercest pack fighters this pack had seen.

"You'll help me?"

"Yeah, I will help you.  That is what I am here for, as your friend, as your mentor, unless it is self-destructive...like earlier," Liam said, his eyes going back to being guarded.

"I'm sorry...I just...I can't..." Sunshine tried to explain, her eyes deadened, the amber fading.

"Look, if I am not around, resist at least, until I get there, or call Micah, hell call William.  Don't do it again," Liam growled out.  Sunshine gave a stiff nod in response and Liam relaxed smiling.

"Thanks Liam..." Sunshine gave him a small smile then, her grey eyes shining like silver.

"I am your friend Sunshine.  I can never replace who you have lost, but I am your friend."

"Yeah..." Sunshine said, her small smile turned into a dazzeling one filled with so much emotion.  Liam buried his head into her neck and held her close.  Sunshine wrapped her arms around him in return.  They sat there in each other's embrace, drawing comfort from the feel of being of pack, of being friends.

13: Chapter Twelve: A Promise

The mirrors on the wall were the only witnesses in the mostly quiet room.  It was midnight, the world outside was asleep, except for a few pack members milling about, but none were in the room, except for one, well two. Sunshine stood in the rather quiet room punching again and again the punching bag.  There was one good quality about the gym attached to the pack house and the was the fact that it was built to endure werewolves.  Micah on the other hand sat on a bench watching Sunshine work through her aggression.

Thanksgiving had come and gone.  Oh the werewolves celebrated Thanksgiving all right. Sunshine learned that most of the werewolves enjoyed feasting.  She could understand better, with her high metabolism, she burned through calories like it was nothing. The benefits of being a werewolf was clearer to Sunshine and she had been trying to focus upon those facts more and more.  She was trying to exalt in her new life.  It was easier when she was training with Liam, with the fact that she could run and no longer struggle with asthma.  Of course if she ran at break neck speed she would obviously struggle to breathe, but that was as natural as could be, because even werewolves have limits.

However there was a new part of werewolf culture that everyone had skipped informing her about.  It was a one word condition that bothered her a great deal, heat. Ah yes, the infamous heat in werewolf fiction.  Werewolves went into heat twice a year, once at the end of autumn and the second being at the end of spring.  The werewolves had a ceremony for that too, before and after.

"Are you angry at me?" Micah asked her softly. Sunshine stopped punching the bag and watched it swing back and forth.

'Am I angry?' Sunshine asked herself.  She thought about it and realized no, she was not angry at Micah.  She was angry that he had not told her sooner, so she could prepare herself mentally for it.  Still, she was no angry at him, because he was not responsible for any of it.  It was like saying he was at fault for her being born a female, because he wasn't.  It was the way her cells divided and formed, nothing to do with some all mighty God, at least so she believed.

"No," Sunshine admitted.  "I'm not angry at you.  I am annoyed, but it is because no one has seen fit to tell me about it."

Micah looked so relieved at her denial.  It startled Sunshine briefly but turned her focus back on the punching bag.  She began to throw punches at it again. Heat, as Micah had explained it to her, was when her body was most able to conceive, just like a dog's.  Of course when she had said that, Micah had snarled and reminded her they were wolves not dogs.  That insult had distracted both of them and had set Sunshine off laughing and teasing Micah.  Micah had managed to get the conversation back on subject and informing her of what to expect.  He then proceeded to give her an offer that she was supposed to think about.

"So...have you made a decision?" Micah asked her tentatively, not at all sounding like the Ulrick he was. It made her stomach flip a little at that thought, that somehow she unnerved this male werewolf.  She affected him and it gave her pleasure.  It was a strange thought for her, unnerving and exciting.  Sunshine sighed and stopped punching the bag for the second time that night and walked over to Micah.  She sank down on the floor besides the bench he sat down.  He offered her a bottle of water and Sunshine gladly took it, chugging it down.

As much as Sunshine hated to admit it, she never really had much of a choice.  Oh she did.  She could join some of the females at a special bunker for those who didn't want a partner or risk becoming pregnant (namely mates).  It was however, rather uncomfortable for the females and there was no medicine that was good enough to work on them.  More accurately, their metabolism worked so fast that the drugs could barely affect them anymore.  Micah had offered to be her partner, though not in those words exactly.  He had been sweet about it, trying to accommodate the fact that she was still very human in her mindset.

"I never had much of a choice..." Sunshine whispered out loud.

"You do have a choice, as much as I can give you," Micah answered her back.  Sunshine bobbed her head in agreement before resting her head on his leg, finding herself relaxing there after Micah started to stroke her hair.  They sat there in a rather comfortable silence.  It was a rare moment for Sunshine where she was not at war with herself.

"I trust you," Sunshine said answering his earlier question.

"Yeah?"

"Mm...yeah."

"That's good." Few words, a thousand meanings, and yet the translation was so clear.  The heat would start tomorrow with the full moon.  It was one of the few times the werewolf world was in peace.  Even the rogues did not bother the packs, to busy with their own rutting.

"Has things been better for you?" Micah asked her.

"Things are better, the pack treats me better too.."

"I think someone at the ceremony two months ago let slip about your ability."

"And that accords me respect?"

"It does.  There are important positions in the pack, some earned, some inherited, but certain positions, certain, I guess, jobs put you at the heart of the pack.  Being a Pack Medium is something incredible, something special for a pack to have.  For every Pack Medium, there are ten Pack Doctors, people who can tend to the bodies of werewolves.  Though for those who can attend to others besides werewolves, is as even as it is with Pack Medium."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"That we are so rare...that Pack Doctors can't take care of others..."

"We believe it is our...werewolf magic, something inherently with us being werewolves.  We have a certain magic as does vampires and the other supernaturals."

"That's kind of cool."

"Mmhmm, I guess so.  Maybe I should get you the Hunter's Guild Primer." **

"What is that about?"

"It's a book that is all about all the supernaturals.  It's a general instruction book about the supernatural world, about us, about vampires, the Hunter's Guild, the Godslayers, the mermaids, elementals, the witches..." Micah's voice trailed off.  " You get the picture."

"Micah..." Sunshine called his name.

"Yeah?"

"Can I sleep with you tonight?  I don't want to be alone," Sunshine asked.  Liam had been gone for a week and would be gone for another, attending to things in Pine Springs.  He would miss her being in heat and Sunshine was grateful for it.  It wasn't her lack of trust with Liam, but she did not want to color their relationship with sex.  Sunshine felt that since Micah and her had slept together already, their relationship was strange and definitely not one that fell into traditional names for the relationship.  They weren't mates, not Alpha to Luna, even if pack magic was more settled with her being an Ulfrica of the West Colorado Pack.  It wasn't simply just fuck buddies either.  The relationship was more than fucking, more than a relationship of pack member to Alpha, and some how less and more than friends.  Sunshine never knew how to phrase it and hated to even ask the question, "What are we?"  It was to relationship-y for her, to borderline of sounding like she expected more than she got out of Micah.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?" Micah asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Things, lots of things," Sunshine evaded with the truth.  It was another truth Sunshine had learned in her new world, lying was impossible, but using the truth in different manners was acceptable.  There was signs that gave it away, that was more noticeable.  It was not really a scent that people could pick up, not like how werewolves could scent arousal.  That was rather easy because it was  body reaction.  It wasn't like a psychic ability, but something learned.

"Shall we go to bed?" Micah questioned.  Sunshine nodded and followed Micah out of the room, turning off the lights as they went. They greeted the pack members hanging around in the entertainment room before heading up towards Micah's room.  They stripped and slipped into bed, cuddling close.  There was moments that Sunshine still loathed being naked or being touched too, but it was a slow acceptance at first.  She still wasn't used to being naked, but there was comfort in the scent of another werewolf, comfort in the touch of a pack member.

"You are thinking so hard still," Micah murmured.

"How can you tell?"

"You scrunch your nose up when you are thinking a lot and you squint at times."

"Oh."

"Oh indeed."  Micah was quiet for a moment and then added, "It's kind of cute."

"I was thinking...about...my slow acceptance to being a werewolf, but more about the fact that it feels good.  It feels good to be sleeping next to a pack member, it feels good to brush up against other pack members.  I was never much for cuddling or being touchy feel, but it helps, it soothes."

"It does, doesn't it? I don't know if it is a natural wolf thing...but for us...it is."

"Mm...I don't know either."

"Hey Sunny?" Micah asked.

"Yeah?"

"I'll take care of you," Micah promised.  Sunshine smiled at this.

"I know you will, I trust you."

"I won't let you suffer through the heat," Micah promised and kissed Sunshine on the forehead before pulling her close.

"Thank you," Sunshine whispered.

"No thank you," Micah said with a small smile that Sunshine couldn't see.  Sunshine drifted to sleep, at peace in Micah's arms.

 

There was a promise Micah made to Sunshine and he swore he would keep it.  He would take care of her and take care of her he did.  It was not just sex that drove the heat cycle, but it was a need to be mated with, partnered with, to be cared for.  It was not romance or a courtship, but more animalistic, the male providing for the female, the male claiming the female.  It still at it's most basic, about procreation.

Sunshine lay in Micah's arms, her face at peace.  He traced her face delicately with his hand and pulled it away as she shifted, her face turning towards him.  While a female suffering the heat was not a mindless being, the heat did drive a lot of normal thoughts outside the animalistc ones away.  It was a week that Micah didn't have to watch Sunshine drive herself crazy with grief and anger.  Liam had told Micah the incident with Sunshine and it had made Micah watch her closely.  Still, this week had been perfect and in some way he didn't want her to leave his bed.  Micah went back to tracing her skin delicately.

"Mm...that feels good," Sunshine muttered sleepily, her breathing remained even however.  Sunshine was still in dream land. Micah sighed in relief, still watching her sleeping face.  Having her here, certainly felt right, and it made Micah wonder what it would have been like if his soul mate had not died.  They had been in the same pack together, growing up, they were each other's firsts at everything, first kiss, first time they had sex.  Frank and the two of them had been very close friends.  It was Frank who had been Bitten, had survived, but went crazy in the end that had changed his life.

Sunshine was nothing like his soul mate who had been anything but gentle.  His soul mate had been fierce, protective, and for an Ulfrica, had never developed an ability other than voice-command.  Still he had loved her.  Micah sighed at these thoughts and curled up around Sunshine.  Sunshine wasn't his, but in this moment, he did wish they were a mated pair.  He ran his hand through her silky hair, his expression gentle as he looked down upon Sunshine.

"Micah..." Sunshine said, slowly coming out of her sleepiness.  She rubbed her closed eyes and then opened them, blinking a couple times at the sunlight.  She gave him a small smile.

"Good morning sunshine," Micah said with a smile.

'Maybe, I should pursue her,' Micah thought to himself watching Sunshine sit up and stretch.

"Good morning Micah," Sunshine said grinning happily.

"Feeling fine?"

"Yeah, but I think I could use some morning exercise," Sunshine said eyeing him suggestively.

"Exercise before breakfast, hm? Sounds good to me," Micah agreed.  He slid on the condom before pouncing on Sunshine.  He claimed her body slow and lazily, instead of the frantic coupling that had happened earlier that week. Later he stared down at her upturned face, a lazy satisfied smile upon both of the faces.

"I promised you I would take care of you."

"I know and as I said before, I trust you Micah." Sunshine said.  Micah couldn't help but grin and take her lips with his own.  Their stomachs both growled then, interrupting their kiss causing Sunshine to laugh.

"Well we better get some food then, shouldn't we?" Sunshine questioned with a relaxed smile.

"Definitely, we need to re-fuel."

14: Chapter Thirteen: Contentment

11/29 Edit Notes:  - I forgot to spell check last night, sorry.

The morning was cold and crisp, snow settling heavy on the ground before Christmas time.  Sunshine sat in a window over looking outside towards the front of the house.  Sunshine had discovered that she could make this area her own by pulling herself up from the staircase railing.  The pack would smell her, but hardly notice her.  She had settled into the spot, making it her own, with a comforter and pillows to prop up behind her.  Various pencils and erasers were littered around her besides a laptop as she sketched furiously, her brow furrowed with a serious look on her face.  Thankfully there was also a wall outlet which made the spot perfect, that Sunshine could plug in the mp3 player to charge it up, or her laptop.

The sketchpad fell out of her hands and down at the bottom of the stairs as Sunshine went to grab her tea.  Sunshine stared over the edge for a moment, heaved a heavy sigh, before throwing back the rest of her tea.  She swallowed the warm liquid, letting it warm her insides. Certainly now that she had the benefit of being a werewolf, she was no longer as cold as she used to be.  Sunshine made her way to the edge of the little nook and worked her way carefully not wanting to fall and hurt herself.  She grabbed the teacup she had carefully set on the edge and made her way down stairs grabbing the sketchpad from where it had fallen. 

Grinning Sunshine began to run down the wooden hallways before stopping and sliding on the floor in her socks, passing the kitchen by.  She walked into the kitchen and set about searched the cupboard for her tea.  Sunshine was not one to go about boiling water in a tea kettle, but the kind that was simply to impatient to do anything but microwave the water in a mug with the tea bag already in it.  All in all with less than a minute to fill the mug, put the tea bad in, two minutes to microwave the water, and one to let it stand, it was a process she hated and was always bored waiting during two minutes.  It created a sense of longing in Sunshine for when she had lived at home with her parents and would have sat watching the TV on, or at least had the background of the radio talk show her grandmother always had on.

Sunshine placed the mug in the microwave and set the time for two minutes. She leaned up against the counter waiting for it to ding while flipping through her sketchbook. The microwave beeped and Sunshine took out the tea and blew on it.  Micah's strong scent of male cologne, pine, and ink filled her nostrils and she glanced over at the doorway with a smile as he entered.  Micah gave her a smile in response.

"So where have you been hiding all day?"

"Around," Sunshine said simply and blew on the tea on more time before taking a sip.  Micah crossed the kitchen and went for her sketchbook.

'Shit,' Sunshine thought and slammed the mug on the counter down, running around the island to get at the sketchbook.  Micah snatched it up and dodged her grabbing motions while laughing.  He held the sketchbook high above her head.

"Let me look at it," Micah said with a grin as Sunshine continued to jump to reach her sketchbook.

"It isn't any good," Sunshine whined.

"Let me decide for myself.  I mean you told me you do art and I have always been so curious how good you are," Micah said.  Sunshine sighed defeated knowing that Micah would not give up.  It was one factor she had learned in her so called strange relationship with the Alpha of the West Colorado Pack, he never ever gave up.  It was a determination that she found catching herself onto.  It reminded her of fantasy characters, of the heroes who were filled with such hope that it caused others to hope.

"I guess, but I am not that great..." Sunshine muttered.

"I'll see about that, though I admit I am no art critic," Micah said teasingly.  He settled the sketchpad in his arms.  Sunshine waited with baited breath, for him to tell her that it was horrible.  She never really showed people her art.  Of course she uploaded it to popular art sites, but no one really noticed her.  She didn't have a specific amazing water color style, or technique like certain artists she admired.  Sunshine would only admit to it mentally that she had improved since she was a ten year old, trying to copy off her favorite cartoon shows.  Sunshine grew more and more antsy as Micah would flick through the pages, stopping every now and then.  He finally stopped at one page, the seconds ticking away as he stared at it.

"I see you decided to draw me," Micah mused and glanced at her. "It looks incredible almost like a real photo.  This is amazing. You draw such realistic characters and fantastic scenes."

Blushing Sunshine muttered, "It's mediocre."

"If that is mediocre then I am not dominant to be an Alpha," Micah said paying compliments to Sunshine's skill.  His eyes flickered over the portrait of himself.

"I couldn't help but draw you.  Mostly I wanted to capture your eyes," Sunshine explained, blushing.

"I don't think I have ever seen you blush like so.  You like my eyes, hm?"

"Yes I do," Sunshine said quietly, almost to quiet for werewolf ears, if not for the fact that Micah was in the same room as her.  "They are beautiful and unique."

"Let me tell you a secret Sunny," Micah said, his tone suddenly serious. "Did you know, around the time I lost my dad, I was really young.  I had just learned to shift back.  I ended up spending to much time as a wolf that the amber eyes of my wolf became almost a permanent fixture.  As much as we are part wolves, if we spend to much time as a wolf, especially outside a pack, we begin to lose ourselves to our animal instincts."

The sadness was to palpable.  Sunshine went up to Micah and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.  She tightened her arms around him as he returned the hug.  They stood there in the silence of the kitchen holding onto each other.  Secretly, Sunshine was pleased because Micah was opening up to her, telling her about himself.  It was different from their other interactions and it made her glow inside.

"Thank you," Micah said.  Sunshine nodded and smiled up at him.  Micah tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and smiled back.  It was a radiant smile that had her heart beating fast in happiness.  She had caused that smile. She was the reason behind that radiant smile of Micah's.  Maybe, just maybe, Sunshine thought, Micah and her could become friends and not just two people who helped each other scratch a certain itch.

"You know..." Micah trailed off.

"Yes Micah?"  Sunshine asked.  Micah trailed his hands down her sides, caressing her.

"There is no one in the house," Micah said his expression suddenly mischievous. His hands slide to her jeans and unbuttoned them.  His eyes were filled with an emotion that Sunshine was beginning to recognize for when he wanted sex, if it wasn't obvious already for his unbuttoning of her jeans.

"Micah..." Sunshine said feeling uncertain.  Micah's lips brushed hers.

"They all know we are sleeping together.  Even if there was anyone in the house they would stay away," Micah murmured before kissing her again.  Sunshine sighed and gave in, kissing him back, her hands unbuttoning his jeans and letting them slowly ride down his hips.  It was a slow strip tease, a fever working up in their blood before Micah carefully laid her against the table.  His hands caressing and teasing her naked flesh.

"Micah," Sunshine cried out breathlessly.

"Sunny," Micah said, his voice a caress against her skin, joining their bodies together.

Hours later Sunshine laid in Micah's bed sighing contentedly. They had sex first in the kitchen, then in the hallway and had teased their way up until they finally tumbled into Micah's bed together.  She still considered it Micah's bed even though she wound up in it half the time.  Micah stirred waking up from his nap.

"Still here I see," Micah teased her sleepily, throwing his arm over his eyes.

"Maybe I'll just pack up my bags and go home," Sunshine teased back.  Micah suddenly threw an arm around her waist and drew her close.  She squealed suddenly in surprise.  Micah grinned, his eyes closed underneath his arm.

"Catching the Midnight Train going anywhere?" Micah said.

"I don't think you would count as a city boy, but I do count as a small town girl," Sunshine said back.

"I think I'll keep you, Sunny, at least you have a good taste in music."

Sunshine couldn't help but roll her eyes at this before responding, "I'm not the one who watched rock'n'roll be born."

"I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the jukebox baby.  I love rock and roll, so come and take your time dance with me. Ow!" Micah sang suddenly.  Sunshine giggled at this.

"Are you laughing at my love for rock and roll?"

"Maybe...but..." Sunshine sat up and then burst into singing the first few verses of 'We Will Rock You' by Queen, doing clapping motions to keep the beat.

"I can beat that..." Micah said with a grin.  He sat up and sang a few lyrics of 'You Can't Touch This' moving around in the bed as if he was dancing.

"I have nothing good...I know they are thinking I am just to white and nerdy, I want to roll with the werewolves, but so far they think I am white and nerdy," Sunshine said, opting out gangsters for werewolves.  Micah laughed at her ab lib.

"I have a song for you then, Sunny, oh Sunny," Micah said.  He grabbed his phone from the table and the familiar tune started playing.  He started to pretend he was playing the guitar and started singing along with AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."  Sunshine grinned and blushed and tried covering his mouth with her hands and he licked it making her squeak in disgust.  She wiped it on his chest and he laughed at her before singing.  Sunshine took to trying to tickle him but he was unmoved.  Frustrated Sunshine tried to grab the phone from the table.  Micah gave up his air guitar and grabbed a hold of her hands standing up on his knees, swaying back and forth singing the song.

"Yeah you shook me all night looong," Micah said.

"Like a true natures child, we were born, born to be wild," Sunshine yelled out not even trying to sing along.

"Keep on rocking in the free world...!" Micah said in response suddenly with a grin.

"Hey, can I use your phone for a moment to look up a song?" Sunshine suddenly said.

"Yeah sure," Micah said and he offered up the smart phone.  Sunshine took it and loaded up  YouTube and quickly typed in, "Hungry like the Wolf" by Duran Duran.  The song started playing and Micah got the biggest grin on his face.  Sunshine sang it, slightly off key.

"In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt after you," Sunshine sang.  Micah stalked after her on the bed, her back up against the wall.  Her eyes were on the phone as she continued so sing the lyrics.

"Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd and I'm hungry like a wolf,"  Micah glanced up at Sunshine's face before his lips descended on the crook of her neck, kissing and sucking there making Sunshine gasp at the sensitive spot, interrupting her singing.  Sunshine stuttered the next few lyrics.

"High blood drumming on your skin, it's so tight. You feel my heat, I'm just a moment behind," was the last lyrics she managed to get out before she moaned in pleasure, her hand dropping the phone onto the bed and her fingers entangled in Micah's hair.  His lips slid lower and low, a trail of kissing and sucking down her neck until the swell of her breast.  She shuddered and Micah came up from her breast, smiling like a cat who got into cream.

"Micah," Sunshine said breathlessly.  Micah eyed her neck and trailed his fingers along her neck.  Sunshine shivered at his touch and his grin got even bigger.

"Much better," Micah said.

"What?" Sunshine gasped out.

"Oh, I just left a few hickeys," Micah said shamelessly.

"A few?" Sunshine was suddenly off the bed and running into his bathroom.  She flicked the light on, Micah following her.  Her eyes flickered from her neck, to her shoulder, and to her breast, a massive lines of hickeys leading downwards.

"A few?" She whispered, her eyes narrowing at Micah who stood behind her in the mirror, her tone turned mocking, "Just a few, eh?"

"It looks good on you," Micah said and he shrugged.

"You have no shame, do you?"

"No, I don't."  Micah's eyes turned to a molten gold as he stared at the marks in the mirror.  His arms snagged around her waist and he turned her around to face him.

"Are you mad?"

"No...no..." Sunshine sighed then, "I am just used to think it is unprofessional.  I wanted to be a nurse you know.  I worked in a coffee shop part time and they frowned on coming to work with hickeys."

"Did you ever come to work with hickeys?"

"Oh god no, never," Sunshine said rubbing the hickeys with her hand awkwardly. Micah's hands and cupped Sunshine's face before kissing her briefly.  His golden eyes and expression incredibly serious.

"There is no shame in hickeys, it is a silly human standard that has no place in our world.  We don't see shame in sex or sleeping around.  Why should we?  Humans are as much animals as we are, but we do not spend our life denying it Sunny.  We can smell the scent of arousal, we can smell when someone has had sex, or been in close proximity with each other on a constant level.  Even if you walked down there after showering to meet with the pack, they would know we had sex.  We are not mates, but there is no shame in us."

"Just like no shame in nudity?" Sunshine said with a smalls mile.

"Of course not, clothing helps with the elements of life, like sunburn, or keeping us warm.  Even if we are werewolves we can still get frost bite," Micah acknowledged.

"I'm...learning Micah, I'm learning to accept...this.  It's easier at times and other times it is so hard," Sunshine admitted quietly.  Micah leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers.

"That's all I can ask."

"You know, I have grown taller," Sunshine muttered noticing that there less of a difference in their heights than there used to be.  He still towered over her, but it was a little less now.  While one would ask why Sunshine had not noticed it in the first place, her clothes she had been given were loose fitting for the most part and for jeans she had already had bought new pairs not thinking about it, simply because they wore out so easily from constant use.

"Yeah?  I noticed, we need to go shopping for more clothes.  That reminds me of something I wanted to ask you.  In two days, would you be willing to go with me to go with me to Salt Lake City?  It would be for a couple of days and I would like to see how you manage with crowds.  There is also a rave that is going to go down," Micah said, letting the last bit slip.  Sunshine's eyes suddenly widened and her excitement grew.

"A rave?  You'd go?"

"Of course!  I will endure your strange music to see Sunny become a glowing star," Micah teased and this eyes became carefully guarded.  "That is, if you can manage with the human crowds."

"I would love to go," Sunshine admitted quietly, her eyes glistening with happiness.

"Zoey will be coming with us as well, but she'll have a separate room."

"A separate room?  Isn't it-"

"It doesn't matter if it is cheaper.  My third, the Gamma Daniel, will be coming with us as well.  They will stay in a separate room connected to ours," Micah stated firmly.  Sunshine suddenly knew why Micah had separate rooms.

"You want me to be comfortable," Sunshine said.

"Yes, yes I do.  This trip might be stressful enough as you will be cooped up in the car for seven hours, except when we stop midway," Micah explained.

"Thank you," Sunshine said with a small smile.

"You aren't going to argue?"

"Micah, as strange as it sounds, I trust you.  I trust you as someone I know, as a friend, as a pack member, as my Alpha.  You shall guard my back as I shall you guard yours," Sunshine said solemnly.

"You remember the words..."

"Somehow, I can't forget them, I feel them deep in my bones.  I still don't understand how I knew them in the first place," Sunshine admitted quietly.  Micah lead her out of the bathroom, holding her hand tightly in his.

"It is pack magic, but more for you, pack memory.  I don't have a good grasp on pack memory as it is different from the spirits of the pack.  I don't have access to it, even as an Alpha, all Pack Mediums do, which is what you are.  Have you thought about Alpha Victor's offer?"

"Yes, but I am not ready to leave yet," Sunshine admitted quietly, her eyes downcast so she did not have to look up at Micah.

"If...when...you decide to leave, let me know and I will make the proper arrangements," Micah said quietly in return.  Sunshine nodded, her eyes still trained on the ground.  Micah sighed then and draw Sunshine close, burying his head into her shoulder, inhaling deeply.  Micah's scent filled her nose, putting her at ease with it's familiarity.

"And when you decide to come back I will come and get you.  If you ever need me, I will always come for you," Micah promised her quietly.

"You don't have to do that," Sunshine muttered.

"You belong to the West Colorado Pack and I won't let you escape that easily," Micah said simply, his voice firm.

"Okay."

"Okay," Micah agreed tilting Sunshine's head up to place a kiss on her forehead.  Micah gave Sunshine one of his t-shirts to wear.  Sunshine slipped it over her head.  The phone buzzed loudly on the bed.  Micah glanced over at it and then turned to Sunshine.

"The pack is returning soon, could you gather the clothes we haphazardly left down stairs?"

"Yeah, no problem," Sunshine said.  Sunshine walked down the hallway, her bare feet silently padding against the floor as she made her way downstairs and headed towards the kitchen.  Her four months as a werewolf was not quite enough to get over the hang overs from what she could call her  human life.  There was so much new information for her to know, but Liam often reminded her of how much progress she had made.  She still shied away from nudity, but she was getting used to it, between Liam, and Zoey who had in the past couple of weeks joined in on Sunshine's training.  It was Zoey who taught her how to use her nose.  Being a new werewolf she was not as good as any of the werewolves around her, but she was making headway, which created a sense of pride.

There was a strange scent in the air as Sunshine headed towards the kitchen.  It lingered in her and reminded her of cheap perfume, the kind you could pick up at the dollar store.  Sunshine wrinkled her nose at the disgusting smell.  She entered the kitchen and set about gathering her clothes and Micah's.  The scent was heavy in the kitchen Sunshine noted before it headed out the door.  Sunshine paused staring at Micah's clothing, her brow furrowed. She distinctly remembered Micah wearing boxers as she had helped him slide it off.  She searched the kitchen for a bit, but not finding them she gave up.  She would just have to tell Micah. She headed upstairs to Micah's room. She slipped in without knocking and was about to mention the scent when she noticed he was on the phone.  She threw his clothes in the hamper and headed towards her room.

The bed looked incredibly inviting, all made up and nice ready to be messed up by a body. Sunshine decided to sit on her bed before flopping down and she laid there staring at the ceiling. She still felt depressed at times with the way her life had turned out to suddenly, but she was beginning to feel a semblance of contentment and peace.  She had an eternity to endure, so long as she didn't wind up dead.  She would have all the time in the world to try and find her sister, to become strong to save her sister.  It was that thought that kept her going and kept her going back towards the grueling training of Liam.

It was probably a good thing, Sunshine decided that Liam had returned to Pine Springs for two days.  Sunshine was no expert at reading people but Sunshine knew that Liam didn't approve of her...Sunshine gave up on trying to figure out the word.  Liam did not approve of the time she spent tangled in the sheets with Micah.  It was probably due to the fact that Micah was a distraction towards her training.  As Micah said, werewolves could easily smell sex and she definitely smelt heavily of sex and Micah.  Sunshine felt exhausted, her eyes closed and she drifted asleep on top of the corners.

The door to Sunshine's room opened and the strange scent earlier woke up Sunshine instantly. 

"Who are you?" A feminine voice asked in a disgusted tone.  Sunshine sat up instantly staring at the female standing in her door way.  Sunshine paled upon seeing the girl holding her sketchbook, flicking through the pages.  Her hazel eyes were narrowed into a glare at Sunshine.

"I think you out to tell me who you are first," Sunshine said coolly eyeing the stranger.  The girl looked young, as if baby fat was still clinging to her.

"My name is Ashley."

"I don't know you, that's my sketchbook, give it back and get the hell out of my room," Sunshine demanded coldly, emotion leaving her.  It was a calm she was used to when push came to shove, a calm that allowed her to think more logically than with the erratic emotions that swept her up in fervent passion.

"You should know me," Ashley said her eyes falling to the hickeys on Sunshine's neck.

"Should I?" Sunshine sniffed the air, then smiled, "You are not pack which means you should not be in this house.  This is the pack house for pack members, not little nobodies who don't belong to this pack."

"Stay away from him," Ashley growled at Sunshine, her eyes turning golden.  Ashley glanced through the sketchbook. Sunshine sighed and ran her hand through her hair looking bored.

"Who?"

"You know who."

"Actually I don't.  There are a lot of men in this pack, care to list who you are talking about...little nobody?"  Ashley held up the sketchbook with a smile.  It was the portrait of Micah that she had drawn.

"Micah is not your mate, he can sleep with whoever he wants," Sunshine said.  It was a fact, one she was not jealous of.  There was no claim on Micah and he had told her that before, no strings attached to anyone, or between them.

Ashley sniffed the air and then spoke up, "Smell that?"

"I smell your stench and I smell Micah all over my skin."

"That's the smell of old trash that needs to be taken out," Ashley said.  Sunshine burst out laughing then as she lazily got to her knees.

"Seriously, what a lame insult, grow up little nobody.  Or rather, go back to high school, it looks like you need an education."

"You know...I think I like this one.  You don't mind do you?" Ashley said with a grin staring at the drawing of Micah.  Ashley suddenly ripped the drawing out of the sketchbook.  Sunshine stared at the drawing then at Ashley's face, she glanced back between the two.  Ashley smirked and began to rip out Sunshine's drawings one by one without a care floating towards the ground.  Sunshine stared for a moment in horror, watching several pages fall to the floor. Then she snapped in anger, Sunshine moved then, simply moved incredibly fast and was on top of Ashley in an instant, holding Ashley up by the throat.  Sunshine's eyes had turned a bright amber as she stared up at Ashley who was hitting her with her hands and failing her body.

"I am an Ulfrica and Pack Medium of the West Colorado Pack.  You should pay your respects to your betters, Miss Ashley," Sunshine said, her voice monotone.  Sunshine slammed Ashley against the hallway's wall, her hand crushing Ashley's throat, her eyes boring into Ashley's in a show of dominance.  Ashley turned her eyes down and then Sunshine let go of Ashley's throat.  Ashley dropped to the ground gasping for air as Sunshine stood above Ashley in a dominant position, her eyes glowing still.

"Pack Medium, is there something wrong?" A male pack member coming up the stairs asked.

"Your a Pack Medium?" Ashley gasped.  Sunshine glowered at Ashley before stepping back.

"Do you know who she is?" Sunshine asked the male, ignoring Ashley's question.  The male shook his head no.

"Take her to Alpha Micah then," Sunshine ordered, the Alpha command slipping into her voice.  The male seized Ashley then.  Sunshine paid no mind as the male lead Ashley away, she turned her attention towards her ruined sketchbook.  Tears began to burn in her eyes, her hands trembling as she sank down onto her knees to pick up the ruined pieces.  Ashley had made quick work of destroying her sketchbook, which was no surprise considering Ashley as a werewolf.  The pieces taunted her and little whines came from the back of her throat as she slipped them between the ruined covers.

With the pieces all gathered and the door closed, Sunshine leaned up against the wall, silent tears streaming down her face, a sense of loss over coming her.  She had put so much effort and now it was all gone, ruined.  It didn't matter to Sunshine that most of the pages were only ripped in half, it was like someone had taken a blade and slid it into her gut.  She rocked forward and back whining quietly to herself.  The door opened and Micah entered his eyes concerned for her.  Sunshine dropped the sketchbook as Micah closed the door.  He eyed it for a moment before getting on the floor next to her.  Sunshine threw herself into Micah's arms, her whines turned into harsh, heart wrenching sobs and silent screams.  His arms tightened around her as he whispered soothing words in her ear.

"It's okay Sunny, it's going to be all okay," Micah told her, rocking her in his arms.

15: Chapter 14 - SLC Arrival

Micah watched Sunshine struggle to fight against Zoey.  Neither Liam or him expected her to be suddenly amazing at fighting either of them, especially for one who had never been in a fight all her life.  She was to inexperienced and Zoey had not only been a werewolf for years but also trained in martial arts.  The one benefit that Micah couldn't help but note was that Sunshine always remained calm.  It was always a strange site to see, for such an emotional girl, when push came to shove, it was like her emotions did not matter, just like in a fight she could not win.

Zoey knocked Sunshine back down onto her back.  Sunshine tried to flip back onto her feet but ended up tumbling backwards.  She laughed then at her failure, an easy smile on her face. Zoey helped her on her feet again and they settled into position before striking at each other again.  Micah smiled as Sunshine slipped in a good blow that had Zoey stumbling backwards before she quickly landed on the ground.

"Better!  Much better," Zoey acknowledged with an easy smile.

"Zoey," Micah called out interrupting the sparring session.  Sunshine stood up and fixed her Capri's that began to ride low on her hips.  The sports bra barely covering her skin, but show developing muscle. Micah inhaled sharply, desire filled Micah watching Sunshine move.

"Alpha," Zoey said respectfully eyeing Micah.

"Micah," Sunshine said cheerfully.

"Are both of you packed for tomorrow?"

"Mmhmm!  I pack a bunch of new clothes for Sunny," Zoey said with a grin.

"What?" Sunshine gasped out loud, her expression incredulous.   Zoey laughed at Sunshine's expression.

"Those clothes of yours don't fit as properly as they did a couple of months ago. I was planning on giving them to you for your Christmas and birthday present...but I figure you can have them earlier.  You need to look fabulous before the Alpine Utah Pack," Zoey said.  Sunshine left the room in a rush.  Zoey grinned at Micah.

"I hope you don't mind Alpha," Zoey said.

"I don't mind, but that ruins part of the trip I had planned."

"You?  You are going to take her shopping for clothes?" Zoey asked shocked.  Micah shrugs at this.

"She needs clothing and she is not going to walk around naked."

"You don't want her to walk around naked," Zoey said suddenly eyeing Micah with a bewildered expression.  Micah couldn't help but laugh at Zoey's tone and expression.

"Sunny can do what she wants, I just want her comfortable."

"So says the guy that usually claims clothes are optional," muttered Zoey quietly.  Micah just grinned at this and started to walk away before stopping and looking back at Zoey.

"We'll leave around eight am tomorrow," Micah stated and started walking away.

"Wow Alpha is so brave!  Taking Sunshine right under Ulrick Liam's nose!" Zoey called out.  Micah just laughed at this, not caring what Zoey thought.  It was truth in a way, he was going to monopolize some of Sunny's time, but he was also using her.  Micah sighed running his hands through his hair, noting he needed a hair cut when he got back, it was getting to long for his tastes.  He headed up the stairs and entered Sunshine's room to find her trying on the new clothes that Zoey bought for her.  Her eyes were shining with such happiness as she held up pieces and looked over them.

"What is that...clothing style?" Micah asked carefully.  It was a unusual.

"It's Deemo Dreams...I love Deemo Dreams!  However at the pricey tag of the euro...I could never afford any of it," Sunshine muttered.

"How much?"

"Anywhere between one hundred euro to four hundred euro, though I wonder how she could ever afford it..." Sunshine wondered out loud going through the various clothes.

"Alas, I am the reason why.  I own Kaiser Group Inc and I list certain members as employees, but as security.  Zoey as a Pack Tracker and one of the best, functions as security.  Liam is also incredibly amazing at making investments.  I gave him so money to start investing for you."  Sunshine whipped around so fast and stared at him.  She opened her mouth and closed it several times.

"Unable to form words?" Sunshine shook her head and sank down onto the bed.

"Thank you, you've done so much for me," Sunshine said quietly.

"It's nothing."

"It isn't nothing, thank you, thank you, thank you so much," Sunshine said. "You didn't have to do any of that, but you did, so thank you."

"It really is nothing and I did promise I would take care of you.  You are pack," Micah assured.  Sunshine shook her head at this and just smiled, a mysterious smile that left Micah wondering what was behind it all.  Micah walked over to Sunshine and picked her off the bed smiling and swinging around.  Sunshine laughed as he crushed her body against his, breathing in her delicate flowery scent mixed with with the smell of strawberries and his.

"Micah..." Sunshine said, her breath hot against his neck.

"Sunny...I..." Micah trailed off, not knowing what to say.  He was not sure what to say, or even say how he was feeling.  It was confusing and startling to himself.

"Let me hold you for a bit," Micah pleaded nuzzling her neck, his stubble running along her neck making her shiver.  Sunshine shifted her arms until they were wrapped around him.  Micah held her there in the circle of his arms, breathing in her scent.  They stood there before Micah sighed and pushed them towards the bed. 

"Is everything okay?" Sunshine asked him, her gray eyes staring up at him.

"It is," Micah muttered.  "Tomorrow, go along with whatever I say.  Trust me."

"I do trust you Micah, I trust you a great deal."

"I'm glad," Micah said caressing Sunshine's cheek, his expression soft.  He valued her trust.  He couldn't help but smile seeing Sunshine's eyes shining with so much emotion.  He loved the fact that she hadn't had to perfect a face that showed no emotion, that she could wear her heart on the sleeve, even when she tried so desperately to hide it.  She was brave, so very brave.  Micah kissed her then, trying to express emotions he didn't understand, emotions that she caused in him.

 

The ride to Salt Lake City was boring for Sunshine, as it was just like any other car ride trip.  Thankfully the trip was not a drive down from New England to Florida.  She had done that once and it was a most unpleasant trip. At least it passed by quick, especially after she had fallen asleep the first hour, passing out and drooling over Micah's leg.  Daniel and Zoey had driven the SUV while Micah had been taping away on his phone, doing god knows what business.

"We are here Alpha," Zoey said.  Sunshine glanced over from the tablet she had been playing on.  They had stopped at a rather large house.  It wasn't as large as Micah's pack house, but it was definitely like a mansion, an older style of house, nothing as modern as looking as Micah's.  Sunshine inhaled deeply, smelling multiple werewolves.  It was a different smell from Micah's pack.  It was hard for Sunshine to put a finger to all the scents as she had a hard time separating them all out.  The four of them got out of the car and was greeted by a man, tall and skin dark as midnight. 

"Hello Alpha Kaiser," he greeted.  "Who do you have with you?"

"Beta Woods, this is my Ulfrica, and our Pack Medium, Summer Asher.  This is Gamma Daniel Ross and this is Liulfr Pack Fighter, Zoey Jacobs," Micah introduced them, standing close to Sunshine.  She glanced over at Micah before smiling at the black man.  He smiled at them, but his eyes was accessing, lingering on her for a bit.

"Right this way, Alpha is waiting for you," Beta Woods spoke up.  He turned and left for them to follow in his wake, a pack member carefully shutting the door behind them.  Sunshine's eyes drifted around the place noting it reminded her more of a castle.  There was a richness to the place, different from the modern setting.  There was paintings on the walls, Persian rugs on the floor, a grandfather clock tucked near a grand stair case.  Even if it was old, the place decorated like the Victorian era, the place felt warm, with warm colors and it was entirely inviting. 

Sunshine glanced over at Micah, his gaze was distant, his face expressionless.  It was a sight Sunshine had never seen before and it bothered her.  Micah glanced over at her and gave her a small smile.  She grabbed a hold of his larger hand and squeezed it.  His fingers intertwined with hers, his thumb brushing the pad of her soothingly.  She took a deep breath, trying to let herself be calm.

They entered an office, that unlike the house was sterile of any personality.  It reminded Sunshine of a set on a scene, it spoke nothing of the person who sat at the desk.  He spoke quietly into the phone, nodding his head, his hair cropped military short.  His face was incredibly looking but his dark eyes, so black and so full of such knowledge, it made Sunshine wonder what this man, this Alpha had seen.

"Yes, yes, do that.  I have a meeting that I will be involved in.  I will call you back later," he said before hanging up.  His gaze flickered across the five of them, lingering on Sunshine drifting across her clutching Micah's hand, before settling upon Micah.  His smile was slow in coming and it did not set Sunshine at ease once she saw it.

"Alpha Kaiser, it is good to see you again," the Alpha greeted.  He stood up and walked towards Micah.  Micah let go of Sunshine's hand and shook the Alpha's hand.

"It is good to see you too Alpha Simmons.  It has been two months since the Werewolf Conclave."

"It has been to long my dear friend."  The way Alpha Simmons said 'my dear friend' made the hairs on the back of Sunshine's neck rose at this.  It left her feeling ill as she watched Alpha Simmons, his eyes sizing them up.

"So who have you brought along with you?"

'Trust me, Sunny,' Micah's voice ran through Sunshine's mind.

'I trust you Micah, no matter what,' Sunshine replied back confidently.

"This is Zoey Jacobs and my Gamma Daniel," Micah said, introducing the other pack members first.

"And who is this lovely lady?"

"This is my Ulfrica, my mate and Pack Medium, Summer Asher," Micah introduced, stepping to Sunshine's side and wrapping an arm around her waist.  Her heart flipped, but she kept a smile plastered on her face as she leaned into Micah's body.  Her skin tingled and she couldn't describe what she suddenly felt other than something shifted.  Something changed within the pack.

'What the hell are you doing Micah?' Zoey's voice exclaimed over the pack link.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Alpha Asher," Simmons said smiling at her. "You old dog, why did not announce your mating at the Werewolf Conclave?"

'I trust him and you should trust him too,' Sunshine sent out feeling calm.

"We are recently mated.  We mated a month ago," Micah said kissing Sunshine's forehead.

"Ah, a happy mating to you two then! You might want to meet Matchmaker Ida while you are here.  She is currently visiting.  However, that is not why we are here," Simmons told them with a raised eyebrow.  He sat down behind his desk, his gaze heavy upon them.  He then continued, "There have been recently a vampire attack, from what we can tell it is a few rogue vampires.  The coterie that is here in Salt Lake City is rather small and is not equipped to handle this situation. I would rather not bring this to the attention of the Angeles Guild."

"Do you have bodies on the ground?" Micah said, instantly focusing on the problem at hand.

"We have one pack member dead.  The vampires are mourning one of their own, but I managed to hold them off from tending to their dead."

"I will want Zoey and Sunshine to look at the bodies," Micah informed him.

"I will have it arranged for tomorrow."

"Is there anything else we should know about these attacks?" Micah inquired.  Alpha Simmons opened a draw and held out a folder for Micah to take.  Micah took the folder from Simmons and carefully leafed through it, his expression turning hard and serious.

"Will this do?"

"Of course.  Let me go through it with my pack.  Shall we meet back here tomorrow after lunch?" Micah asked.

"I would greatly appreciate it.  Hopefully some fresh eyes will do us some good.  As I said, I would rather not have the Angeles Guild involved in these manners," Alpha Simmons said darkly.  Micah nodded and signaled for the group to march out.  Beta Woods opened the office door and they filed out quickly making way for the car.  Sunshine chewed her lip, wanting to ask Micah a million questions.  She knew she couldn't and she refused to make Micah and the pack look weak in front of this pack. She trusted Micah and knew he had to have a reason, even if it bothered her that he called her his mate when they weren't mates. Micah insisted on driving towards the hotel, driving in silence.  He gave the file to Zoey and Daniel to look over.  Sunshine did not want to look, in fear of what she may see would scar her.  She didn't want to look at any dead bodies either. 

 

The rooms they were in was somewhat extravagant.  It was like a studio apartment.  She spun around in the room forgetting about her need to argue with Micah.  There was a small island that had a stove and utensils already there.  Sunshine glanced over at Micah who raised an eyebrow at her.  She turned around to face the hotel room again.

"This is...extravagant."

"We'll be here for a week maybe more.  In the whole agreement between being pack allies, we help each other out.  Zoey is one of the best pack trackers, Daniel, for being only third in command is a tremendous fighter who can hold his own against Liam.  He has incredible talent in fighting.  Then there is me...then you.  You who can communicate with the dead," Micah explained.  Then smiled, "You are just an extra bonus and this serves as your test with being around humans and others.  You can't still leave the pack village, but you'll be able to go out with others and go to town by yourself."

"Oh. Isn't this place to extravagant?"

"This place is for us, it is also sound proof, magic proof.  Nothing can get in, except the renters of the room. It's bound for many reasons, but most of what humans call the paranormal use this hotel.  You won't find humans here, but once in a while a hunter may come through. We'll be here for a while, so we'll need to go grocery shopping."

"What's the Angeles Guild?"

"It's one of the Hunter Guilds.  They have three major bases in the US, one in LA, the other is in Chicago, and the oldest in the USA is obviously in New York.  There is also one in Boston, but it isn't as big as the other three."

"So west coast, mid-west, and east coast, eh?" Sunshine muttered as she investigated the apartment.  There was only one bed, not that she minded.  That reminded her, she had a bone to pick with Micah.

"They do try to cover the most major cities, but if a place filled with supernaturals has a problem then send out the Guild. Guild clean ups can get ugly.  There is also the risk that who they send might end up being one of the Society of Hunters."

"The Society of Hunters?"

"It doesn't sound horrifying, but they are cruel humans who hate us for not being human.  They think of us as abominations that must be cleansed of the earth," Micah said following into the bedroom with their bags.  He placed them on the floor glancing around.

"That reminds me...Micah!" Sunshine whirled around to face Micah, her hands on her hips.  It was hard to keep a steady glare on him, her heart pounding at the thought of defiance.  There was a part of her screaming no, don't bring dominance into this and another wanting to assert herself.  In this moment, she chose to assert herself.

"What is it?" Micah questioned, raising an eyebrow.

'God, if only I could murder those eyebrows so he never raises one at me again,' Sunshine thought crazily.

"I have a bone to pick with you!"

"Is that so...?  Tell me what is this bone you have to pick me with? Where is it? Are you going to stab me with it?" Micah asked with mirth.

"Why did you claim me as your mate?" Sunshine snapped out. It felt like her organs decided to dance inside of her as she asked the question angrily.  She needed to hold onto her anger.

"I needed to!  Dammit!  You don't understand!" Micah snapped back, his eyes turning golden.  Sunshine stood her ground, staring back into Micah's refusing to drop her gaze.  She refused to give an itch.  She growled then, lowly.  Her own growl startled and she glanced away for a brief moment.  Micah's face gentled, but his eyes remained golden.  He stalked forwards and Sunshine found herself backing up until her back hit the wall.  Micah had her cornered.  She raised her hands to shove him away but Micah grasped them.

"You shouldn't have claimed me as yours, I am not your mate," Sunshine said lowly.

"Alpha Simmons is a bastard.  He is not a gentle man."

"What, are you saying he would rape me?"  Micah growled at this question, his eyes darkening as he buried his face into her hair, his hands holding her arms above her head.

"No, he would not do that.  To rape another is unforgivable and means death in our world, but he would find ways to pressure you, to keep you here."  Micah growled again, lowly, his breath hot against her neck making her shiver.

"Why?"

"As an unmated Ulfrica..." Micah trailed off as he pressed his body against her.

"Micah?"  Micah shuddered against her.

"There is so much you don't understand..." Micah sighed pulling away, his golden eyes staring into hers.  She couldn't look away as he let go of her arms and use one hand to caress her face with his hand.  He traced from her eyebrow, down to her nose, across her cheek and caressed her lips.

"I would mate with you to prove...to prove so many things," Micah said at last, his expression mirroring hers in instant confusion.  Micah inhaled deeply as he continued to stare down at her.

"I don't know...how to express what I am feeling.  I...just.  I don't know how to express them.  I want you to understand. I do. I-I really do," Micah said uncertain, his eyes looked distant not seeing her then.

"Why would you mate with me?  Give me the reasons," Sunshine asked trying to direct his thoughts.

"It's a mess, my feelings," he closed his eyes for a moment breathing in and out.

"Tell me," Sunshine demanded.

"Do not judge me to harshly," Micah said suddenly, looking venerable and not the Alpha he always was.  It was a striking moment, Micah looking confused, uncertain, and almost boyish.

"I won't," Sunshine promised, it felt like her heart was plummeting into her stomach.  It wasn't fear, but she couldn't press for the feelings, all she could recognize was her own anxious setting herself aflutter.

"When I am with you, I am happiest.  When you smile at me, it makes me twist inside.  I am so happy that I am the reason why you smiled.  The fact that you trust me, I know as a pack member you are supposed to, and yet it floors me every time you do.  It gives me such satisfaction knowing you trust me," Micah started and paused, the silence weighing between them heavy.  He leaned down once again and rest his head in the crook of her neck.

"What I want is for you to be by me every day.  I want to find you in my bed at night, to wake up beside you.  I want the world to know this is my girl, that she chose me over all of you."

"I don't appreciate possessiveness, it's unattractive." Micah laughed at this and pressed his forehead against hers.

"N-no.  Not like that.  I want you to be mine, yes, my lover, my mate. I would never stop you from being friends with anyone else, or doing what you want.  I want the world to know how much pride I have in my mate, my friend, my lover." His hands slid over her body before wrapping around her waist.  Her skin tingled all over her, her heart beat fast, she felt light headed.

"What I am asking for you is to be my mate, to be, uh-my girlfriend.  Go out with me?" Micah said with a hopeful expression mixed with a very sheepish grin.  He looked so tentative as Sunshine stared back at him, not knowing what to say.  His expression fell slowly into a reserved look at she bit her lip and tilted her head.  She took a deep breath.

"Please accept me as your mate, we don't have to complete the mating process, ah, and you can, um, break up with me at any time," Micah pleaded before she could say anything.  Sunshine opened her eyes and smiled up at him.

"I-I will try.  I don't understand our strange relationship, but I will accept you as my boyfriend.  That's sound so weird to say that," Sunshine said, laughing nervously.

"So you accept me as your mate?"

"I accept you as my mate Micah," Sunshine said.  Micah gave her a dazzeling smile that left Sunshine breathless and her stomah did flutters.  He kissed her, lingering breathless kisses that left her boneless.

"I accept you Sunny," he murmured against her lips before kissing her. Her skin felt on fire their bodies tangling and untangling, taking each others clothes off.  Her feelings felt like they would burst through her skin, that they would make her skin glow from her happiness.  The tingles made her shiver, excitement made her heart skip a beat.  It was like discovering Micah anew, the world was different, suddenly strange and new. Micah left her boneless and breathless from pleasure, sighing in contentment. They lay their together afterwards, Sunshine's head resting on Micah's bare chest.  Micah trailing his fingers along her skin, from her sides to her back.  The tingles remained in her skin, but they were fading.  She felt different, strange, but she couldn't put a finger towards what was going on.

"Sunny..." Micah said quietly.  Sunshine shifted her body so she could look up at him.

"Yes?"

"Thank you," Micah said smiling.

"What for?"

"For accepting this, for accepting us," Micah said, his smile becoming larger, his eyes unguarded with emotions.  Sunshine found herself smiling back, entangling her hands in his hair and kissing him.  His smile faltered for a moment.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I-I should tell you some things."

"What is it?"

"Did Liam ever talk about the mating process?" Sunshine shrugged at this.

"No, he just focuses on teaching me fighting."  Micah sighed at her answer.

"The mating process, is rather simple-ish.  I mean, the first stage is where you two accept each other at mates, or possible mates.  You have to verbalize it as we did, that is when it is possible for a bond to form between mates.  If they are in to much mental turmoil, if they are held back, um, and such, emotionally not caught up for the relationship, it doesn't happen.  Uh, I didn't realize how much people said it was true, you feel different, like your body is different, and uh, your skin feels tingely at first.  They spend time pursuing the bond between them. They can um, 'reject' each other if they feel it isn't right.  The longer it goes on, the harder it is and the more it hurts.  The final mating process is during sex, when they both bite each other.  It has to be done willingly of course.  There is no forced matings in our world."

"That's...interesting," Sunshine said at last.  "It is like marriage, yes?"

"Yes it is, it is from what I have heard, the mate bonding is a very intimate process, but also an intimate bond."

"You haven't mated before?"  Micah inhaled sharply at this question.  Sunshine wondered if was an awful question to ask from his pained expression, it made her heart squeeze.

"I had," Micah paued then continued, "I met my soul mate, but we never started the process.  We had met and we were getting to know each other.  I thought I had all the time in the world with her."

"She is dead?"  Micah gave her a short nod.  "I'm sorry."

"It's fine, it was a long time," Micah said giving her a small sad smile before focusing on her.  He caressed her cheek. "I want to give you time.  I won't force you."

Sunshine rolled her eyes, "You said the two have to bond willingly."

"Yes willingly, because mating in a permenant process.  There is no divorce except in death," Micah said quietly.

"Oh."

"Oh, is right.  You can reject me at any time Sunny," Micah said.

"You won't reject me?"

Micah snorted, "If you haven't figured it out by now, I am really into you as the kids these days say.  I am all in."

"It brings a whole new meaning till death do us part," Sunshine said quietly, shifting her head to once rest against his bare chest.  She listening to his heart beat, feeling soothed.

"Yeah, it does.  But we have time Sunny," Micah said running his hand through hair.  Sunshine could only nod, smiling.

"I guess this means we are mates?"

"Mmhmm," Micah drawled out.  Sunshine giggled at this.  "But I won't rush you Sunny."

"You keep saying that."

"I won't.  You are you Sunny, I won't change you for the world.  You are still young, you still want to accomplish things.  I want you to be able to do that.  I want you to be able to change your mind if you think our relationship just isn't for you."

[ Author's Note Time :D]

So what do you guys think??? Are you guys disappointed?  Were you voting for Team Liam? Bleeeh.  Mildly surprised? D; I doubt surprised though! What do you think of my take on Micah's word and possessivenes?

Still lovey dovey moments!  Anyways Salt Lake City is going to be broken up...kind of like a mini-arc.  It's a series of tests for Sunshine.  Oh yes and the picture to the side is Demobaza :) cool fashion...for Sunshine. haha.

Much love guys!  Vote!  Comment!  :D Message me! I don't care!  I'm off to play Final Fantasy: Reborn!  Next chapter will be out eventually ! I promise !  Also...I hope you enjoyed the length :)

xoxo Lissa

16: Chapter 15 - SLC The Dead

The call came in early in the morning.  The sun had yet to rise and the stars twinkled outside in the midnight skies lit up with the barest of moonlight.  Sunshine shivered in the cold of the car, staring out the window towards the empty streets, her eyes reflecting the light like an animal's, glowing yellow as light after light hit it.  It was another fact that remained the truth of her life, Sunshine hated to be woken up in the morning.

"We can get coffee," Micah said quietly gripping Sunshine's hand.

"No, we need to...do this.  Before the world awakes and the scene is disturbed," Sunshine said.  There was no coffee shops around here open, but there was a diner.  It was one of the rare moments where missed where her home was with her parents, coffee shops every couple of miles to the point that everyone told directions around the coffee shops.  Micah gripped her hand in apology.

They arrived at the scene, on the outskirts of Salt Lake City.  It was what looked like a quiet neighborhood, with white picket fences.  It seemed so terribly cliche, a crime happening in a white picket fence neighborhood.  The left the car parked on the side of the street and made their way to the house.  A metallic smell filled Sunshine's nose, her nostrils flared. She glanced over at Micah who gave her an apologetic smile.

'If it gets to much, let me know,' Micah's voice drifted to her mentally.  Sunshine nodded, focusing on the white door, it looked so innocent.  She took a deep breath, the metallic scent sweet and tantalizing. If memory served her right, it was blood she was smelling.  She remembered the scent of her own blood from training to hard with Liam.  The door opened, revealing Beta Woods, looking pale even for this dark skin.  Zoey entered first with Micah, then Sunshine and Daniel last.  Sunshine glanced around the room noting there was no blood in the room.

"Zoey you know what to do," Micah ordered Zoey.  Zoey nodded and started moving around the room and then disappeared beyond the hallway into the house.  Sunshine glanced around the house noting the pictures hung on the wall, a mother, a father, and a child.  She heard faint crying and she started to move through the house on her own.  Micah followed her closely as she drifted through the warm family home, until she entered the bloody kitchen.  Sunshine stopped before the blood splatters.  There was the woman in the pictures crying over a mutilated body.

"Um hello there," Sunshine greeted.  Sunshine heard the sharp intake of breath behind her, but ignored it.  The woman glanced up at Sunshine.

"You can see me," the woman said more as a statement then a question.

"Yes I can," Sunshine agreed with a small smile, focusing on the face of the spirit and not the mutilated body.

"Oh thank god!" The woman said and ran towards Sunshine, but passed through Sunshine making her shiver from the experience.  Spirits were energy, soul energy, that could interact with others on a small level.  Spirits most often could not interfere with the real world but they could affect the person's soul, wearing them down, making them depressed, or comforting them too. The most Sunshine had experienced besides the involuntary from the spirits passing through her, was the way they could affect a person's emotions. Sunshine sighed and turned around to the woman.

"We can't actually, um, touch," Sunshine said.

"Oh," the woman said and began to wail.

"Please, please calm down!"

"They took my child!  They took Jimmy!"

"Jimmy is still alive?"

"Yes!" The woman sobbed and start rocking back and forth.  Sunshine glanced over at Micah with a questioning glance. 

"Do they know Micah?"

"The child is still alive?" Micah questioned.

"Yes he is, that is what the dead woman said.

"They took him!" The woman wailed out making Sunshine flinch with how loud she was.

"Beta Woods!" Micah called out.  Beta Woods came at their call.

"What?" Beta Woods said gruffly.

"The child, Jimmy is still alive. Uh, the dead woman of this house told me so," Sunshine said.  Beta Woods nodded and started shouting orders to the fellow pack members.  Zoey came in then looking pale.

"The kid still alive?" Zoey asked.  Sunshine nodded and shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

"My baby, my baby," the bereaved mother went on.

"Miss?" Sunshine questioned.

"The mother is here as a spirit?"  Zoey said glancing over at Sunshine and then at the direction of Sunshine's gaze.

"Yeah..." Sunshine confirmed Zoey's question. The mother stopped her crying to look at Sunshine with pale red eyes.

"What happened?  Can you tell me what they looked like?"

"They were vampires, they had pale red eyes, eyes so red..." The woman whispered and shook her head.  "There was two of them, I didn't see anymore."

"There are two vampires, they had pale red eyes..." Sunshine informed the group.

"And they had this white alabaster skin!  Oh albinos!"

"They are albinos," Sunshine relayed back.  The group of werewolves looked frustrated.

"I will inform the vampires," Beta Woods said with a sigh. "But I don't think it will be of much help.  Zoey, were you able to track them or get their scent?"

"I have, but it leads out to the street on the other side of the house and there it ends.  They took a car here," Zoey said.  Beta Woods heaved a sigh.

"I wonder what they would want with a child..."

"Nothing good," Daniel said quietly, stating the obvious.  Sunshine sighed feeling depressed.  There was nothing she could really do at the moment.  She wasn't equipped to deal with the psychological damage someone murdered would go through.  Then again, she didn't think any psychologist would be equipped to deal with that.

"Find my baby, please," the woman begged cutting into Sunshine's thoughts.

"The pack will find your child, I promise," Sunshine said trying to comfort the woman.  Sunshine yawned feeling sleepy again.

"Thanks for your help," Beta Woods said to the four of them.

"Give us a call when we can view the bodies," Micah said. "We'd also like the locations of the attacks so we can look around ourselves."

"I'll have the Alpha give you a call."  Micah nodded and the four of them left following him out to the car.  Sunshine yawned again before sitting in the back seat.  She was so tired and it was so cold.  She leaned over and fall asleep with her head on Micah's shoulder.

 

They went back to the motel to sleep at least for a couple more hours.  Sleep eluded Sunshine despite her nap from earlier, the horror of the mutilated body sinking in.  She was horrified to say the least.  The images would re-play again and again in her head, the blood splatters everywhere, the body parts.  The scene mixed in with her attack and her last sight of her friend Anna, being torn in.  Her breath began to quicken when two pairs of arms wrapped around her.  Micah's scent filled her nose, grounding her back into reality.

"You okay?"  Sunshine shook her head before turning around and burying her head in his shoulder. She hated being weak like this.  Just when she thought she was over what happened a couple of months ago, something triggers her.

"I feel like I should be over what happened and mostly, mostly I am."

"But?"

"Something keeps triggering it, I start to panic, I start to feel depressed.  I hate being depressed.  I'd rather be angry," Sunshine admitted, her eyes closed shut as she took deep breaths of Micah's scent.  His scent seemed to calm her down, even if the edge of wild emotions was still leaving her feeling like running away.  It wasn't Micah that she wanted to run away from, but more herself.

"I feel unfit," Sunshine said at last.

"You aren't unfit in anyway," Micah growled all. "You survived a traumatic event, no one expects you to suddenly be well."

"But I do."

"You expect to much of yourself Ulfrica.  You are everything an Ulfrica should be," Micah said sternly.  His expression was stern and fierce, but Sunshine could not see it, only hear it in his words.  Micah picked her up and sat her down on top of the stool at the island.

"What would you like Sunny for breakfast? Eggs? Bacon? Toast? Cereal?" Micah asked.  It was clear to Sunshine he was trying to distract her.  She decided to let him as it would be no good for her to dwell on what happened.

"Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast sounds good."  Sunshine answered watching Micah roam around the small kitchen looking for all the pans and utensils he needed.

"Thank you for trusting me," Micah said to Sunshine, glancing back briefly at her.  She tilted her head in confusion, watching his back.

"Somehow I've always trusted you."

 

The meeting had been called for mid-morning, before lunch.  Sunshine did not want to go anywhere the bodies knowing full well she would be having nightmares from them.  She would bet any money that soon her dreams would be filled with the haunting memories of her own attack mixed in with mutilated bodies.  One question remained true for Sunshine, if vampires drank blood, why would they mutilate bodies?  If there was just two of them, how were they overpowering the family of werewolves?

Micah's eyes flicked over to Sunshine.  She remained silent staring out the car window, her eyes distant.  Her expression was peaceful.  She sipped the coffee automatically now and then.  He didn't have words to apologize to her, he did not want to even if a part of him did.  She was technically be default the Alpha female of his pack.  If Sunshine had been raised as an Ulfrica she would have been prepared for this, to defend the pack, to handle the death, the gore, that normal members of the pack.  It took a toll on the psyche, which was often why the Alphas of a pack would rotate, or pass to their son or daughter or another Ulrick or Ulfrica.  Sunshine had steel in her spine, but maybe it was too soon.  Still her skills were important, would be important as a Pack Medium.

"Sunshine..." Micah said, drawing attention from Daniel and Zoey.   Sunshine glanced over at him.

"It's fine, don't worry about it," Sunshine said, as if reading his mind.  She huffed and chugged her coffee back.  It was depressing the caffeine did not affect her anymore, not that it ever mattered.  She drank coffee for the taste not for the stimulant it was.  In the past when she went to raves, she chugged Red Bull instead of coffee for energy.

"Can we do something after, um, viewing the bodies?"

"Would the mall be a through distraction?" Zoey suggested.  Sunshine smiled then and nodded.

"We can go to the City Creek Center, there are a lot of stores there."

"Sounds peachy," Sunshine agreed. They pulled up to a different building, not the pack house.  It was an office looking like building.  Sunshine followed the group in and they were greeted by a tall male.  He didn't smell like a werewolf.  It was a different scent, mixed with the sweet scent of metallic blood.  Sunshine wondered if this was a smart time for her to be about, she was in all purposes, still a new werewolf.

'Pretend you are a human, a strong human, but you can't afford to piss anyone off,' Sunshine told herself.

"Which one of you is the tracker?" Another man asked who also smelt of blood.

'Are they all vampires here?' Sunshine questioned herself, her eyes glancing around.  Beta Woods entered there and greeted them.

"I'll take it from here.  Zoey, Ulfrica, would you come with me?" Beta Woods asked politely.

"Of course," Sunshine answered stepping forward.  Beta Woods motioned for them to follow him.  Sunshine glanced back at Micah before following Beta Woods.  Zoey and her walked side by side.  They passed by doors and came to the end of the hallway.  Sunshine paused noticing a spirit standing there looking confused. Woods descended down the stairs until they came into the basement.  He led them to the room and turned to them, expression schooled.  There were spirits milling around the hallway. 

"Hopefully this will help you identify the scents of the vampires doing this," Beta Woods said and opened the door for the two of them.  They were greeted by a female medical examiner.  She did not carry the scent of metallic blood.  There was Zoey only noticed three dead spirits in the room.

"You are the members who are here for the bodies?"

"I'm the pack tracker named Zoey Jacobs."

"Oh I heard about you!"

"I never knew I was that famous," muttered Zoey.

"Your talents in tracking and your scent ability is infamous among the Hunter's Guild," the female complimented.

"Do you belong to The Hunter's Guild," Zoey asked as the woman busied herself gathering up papers at the desk before getting up and walking over to the cold chambers.

"I am one of the liaisons for it.  I am Hunter Born, but I didn't want to lead a hunter's life.  This was an alternative, a very well paid alternative," she answered. She opened the cold chamber door and slid out the tray holding a dead male pack member.  Zoey walked forward and took a deep breath.

"Wouldn't your job be boring?" Sunshine asked curiously.  Supernatural deaths couldn't be that common, as fights were not encouraged and they lead almost-immortal lives.  There weren't to many illnesses that would take down one of the supernatural races.  The most common form came in mental illness, with the inability to cope with change.

"I normally work for the police.  I help to hide the supernatural world, but it is only a matter of time before it becomes impossible.  I know the Hunter's Guild is in discussion with how to present the Others to humans," the medical examiner said.  Zoey said something, but Sunshine was drawn to the fact that one of the spirits looked liked the body laying on the tray.

"Hey, what is his first name?" Sunshine asked interrupting he conversation.

"His name was Michael," the woman answered.  Sunshine nodded thanks and turned to the spirit, walking up to the spirit.

"Hey Michael," Sunshine greeted.  Michael stared at her, startled.

"You can see me?"

"I wish I could be like, I'm tired of that line, but I know it's an uncommon ability," Sunshine answered.

"I have been trying to find someone who could see me for the past week," Michael admitted.

"I would say sorry, but I don't know what causes this freakish ability," Sunshine admitted sheepishly.

"It isn't freakish.  I am grateful.  There are four vampires that attacked me, I never stood a chance.  Two are albinos," Michael informed her.

"Did you catch their names?"

"No they never said any words, it was so hard to tell their gender too.  I went down to fast to get much of any look," Michael informed her.

"I'm sorry," Sunshine said.

"Don't be, it's not your fault."

"I...I will talk to Alpha Aurelius. I'll see what I can do to help you out, give me time, I have never been trained at this," Sunshine said.

"You are a pack member, you would have been recognized early on for your ability," Michael said. Sunshine shook her head and then gave a small smile.

"I wasn't born a werewolf.  I became an Ulfrica through the bite of a rogue Alpha," Sunshine said, feeling sad.  Michael's expression became instantly apologetic.

"I am sorry for your loss.  I will be here..."

"Go to the pack house, haunt their asses," Sunshine said jokingly.  Michael laughed at her audacity.

"Well if you are going to be around, I shall," Michael said.  He disappeared walking through the wall.  Sunshine sighed at this and turned her attention back to the medical examiner and Zoey.

"Any luck?"

"There are four vampires, two are albinos.  That is all Michael had to say.  He went down to fast to catch anything," Sunshine said.

"Well that confirms my theory about the four scents for the vampires," Zoey said.

"I don't know how you distinguish them all Zoey," Sunshine said.

"You'll catch on eventually.  You haven't had to use your nose like I do," Zoey said with a small smile.

"You can talk with the dead pack members?" The medical examiner said in awe.

"All the dead, it doesn't matter.  There are two other spirits here and there are a whole bunch in the hallway," Sunshine said, then huffed annoyed with admittance.  "I usually hate communicating with them. Once they realize you can communicate with them, they follow you every where wanting to talk to anyone, other than themselves.  But the two over there seems to have ignored me."

"That is girl, I thought you were a normal little pack member, who can only communicate with the werewolf dead.  You are more like Alpha Aurelius, I met the man once.  If I was still alive I bet you will make a fine necromancer," interjected a spirit.  Sunshine turned her attention to the spirit standing in the corner, a tall, thin lean man with red eyes.

"Who are you?"

"That is for me to know and you to fade out."  The man faded out leaving Sunshine stunned.

"What the hell?" Sunshine said surprised.

"Everything okay?" Zoey asked concerned.

"I-I," Sunshine stuttered then paused, "I don't know."

17: Chapter 16 - SLC Hunt Break

The mall was a collection of what Sunshine considered as up-to do, fancy pansy stores, that she would have never shopped in a life time and little stores that held unique items, as well as a few stores she used to shop at.  She wandered about, clutching Micah's hand. She couldn't enter Bath and Body Works like she used to, the scents to much for her now sensitive nose.

"You are doing well," Micah commented.

"I guess, but the scents are bit much..." Sunshine said, scrunching up her nose in disgust.

"Mm...they can be, but you learn to manage, not that the nose ever gets desensitized," Micah admitted.  Sunshine shook her head and her stomach grumbled out it's hunger.

"Let's go to the food court," Sunshine said.

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted from behind them.  Sunshine and Micah turned to see a woman dressed in business clothes.

"I knew it!  I saw you two briefly and I couldn't help but comment, what a beautiful couple!  You two are so well put together!  May I take your picture?" The woman asked.

"No thank you, if you would however, you may contact Kaiser Group Inc," Micah said handing her the business card.

"Oh wow!  I-I cannot believe this, to meet the CEO of Kaiser Group Inc," the woman said staring at the card in awe.  Her eyes glistened, "Thank you! I'll contact them!  I would love to have this lovely woman as a model."

The woman scurried off, leaving Sunshine standing their dumb founded.  She glanced over at Micah who was just grinning down at Sunshine.  She couldn't help but laugh then, a blush forming on her cheeks.  Never in her life would she imagine someone wanting her to pose in front of a camera.

"Jedi mind tricks?"

"Body language, she was easy to make her feel flustered," Micah admitted.  Sunshine laughed again and tugged Micah in the direction of the food court.  They stopped in the food line for Chinese.

"Hungry, huh?" Sunshine nodded not looking at Micah.

"That blush is becoming," Micah whispered in Sunshine's ears, causing Sunshine to blush harder.  Micah laughed, a true laugh that caused Sunshine to smile.  It was an odd day for Sunshine, with Micah forcing her to not think of the gruesome events as Zoey and Daniel went around Salt Lake City, trying to catch the scent of the vampires.  Sunshine was worried because there was not much she could do, other than speak to ghosts. The spirits themselves were at a loss for the location of the vampires and the local vampires had never run across the four vampires mentioned.

"Stop frowning like so," Micah said.

"I have a lot on my mind," Sunshine admitted.

"Don't think to hard, there won't be to many days like this until we return home," Micah informed her.

"I know, I know, it is just...."

"Relax," Micah ordered her.  Sunshine nodded stiffly focused on the food.  They ordered it and sat down away from most of the humans in a corner.

"Is it really okay for me to be out like this?"

"You have controlled yourself admirably. I am not to worried."

"You are so nonchalant," Sunshine accused jokingly.

"Some things you can fight and others you cannot, to it is better to pick your battles," Micah informed her.  Sunshine snorted in agreement and shoved a spoonful of the food in her mouth.  Micah winked at her and she rolled her eyes at him.

"The movie starts in a hour, we should head over before then," Sunshine told Micah, glancing at her phone on the table.  It was strange to have a brandy new phone, a new driver's licence that presented her as one Sunshine Alexis Kaiser.  She even had a debit and credit card.  Earlier that day, Micah had presented her all the documents to her new identity, as his wife.  She even had a fake high school diploma and fake grades she recieved, similar to what she had taken in pervious high school.  She wondered how long it took him to get the documents ready, but also how long he planned to present her as his wife.  Even though she now knew the mating process, even if they were in the beginning stages of their relationship it was a strange thing to her, to be here, to be acting almost normal humans.

"What is the movie we are seeing again?"

"A modern fantasy movie about a heroine who inherits the genes of her inhuman ancestor, a god, and ends up fighting a shadowy organization and trying to escape the clutches of the government, it is called Earthbound Infinity," Sunshine answered.

"A strange name..."

"Well it is about immortals on earth who have hidden themselves," Sunshine said smirking at Micah. Micah grinned back at that.

"Ironic..."

"I thought so to, but I have always love science fiction and fantasy movies.  This is modern fantasy, so it cannot get better than that," Sunshine admitted.

"Just like life today, hm," Micah said.

"Yeah..." Sunshine trailed off before grabbing his hand in hers, feeling suddenly overwhelmed.  She closed her eyes for a moment.  She felt the need to run away.

"You okay?"

"I...don't know, I feel overwhelmed."

"Let's get out of here," Micah said.

"I want to go see the movie," Sunshine said.

"We will, but you need to breathe." Micah grabbed their food and dumped it in the trash.  He slid an arm around her waist and walked her out of the mall.  His grip on her was firm as they walked passed the humans.  She sat in the car and breathed slowly, the scent of their pack lingered in the car.

"Better?" Micah asked getting into the driver's seat.

"A bit yes," Sunshine admitted.  "I was doing so well until the end..."

"You are probably exhausted, we have spent a good portion of the day around a lot of new scents and people.  It's why even with our children we have to introduce them into human society slowly," Micah said.  Sunshine nodded and slipped her hand into Micah's.

"Thanks for being so patient with me," Sunshine said.

"Don't worry about it, are you sure you don't want to wait with the movie?" Micah asked concerned.

"I will be fine, I am sure. I really want to go see that movie..."

"Alright we will go, but if you get to agitated, we are leaving."

"Alright..." Sunshine agreed.  Micah's phone rang then making Sunshine jump.  Micah took the phone out of his pocket, his face grew serious.

"Kaiser here," Micah answered.

"I need you to come to where I am.  I picked up a strange scent, can you come?  It is at -" Sunshine stopped listening and stared out at the window.  The break was over.