15 comments/ 31047 views/ 95 favorites All Is Fair By: Sherrybaby14 Helena's wrist trembled as she slipped on the sparkly bracelet. When she bought it that afternoon she thought it was the perfect touch to her outfit, but now she wasn't so confident. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail, showing off the open back of her short black halter dress. The skirt flared out at her waist and spun outwards when she moved to get a side view of herself in the motel's mirror. Her petite frame was elongated with a pair of four inch heels, Helena hoped she didn't trip at any point tonight. With the smokey makeup Helena decided it was good enough. She let out a sigh and reached for the door handle, her hand was still trembling. "You can change your mind," Helena said to her own reflection. "You don't have to do this." Helena looked away from the mirror. She was in a crappy motel room and had already been here for a week. That meant moving on and finding another dingy place to stay at before they realized her credit cards were fakes and she couldn't afford this place. The dress she wore was the first new one she had bought in years, and the first one that wasn't from a resale shop. This was her final night and she made peace with that. No more lonely nights. No more traveling around aimlessly. No more takeout food. Best of all no more constant worrying. She turned back towards her reflection. "You can do this," Helena said. "This is what you want." She smiled at her reflection. This time when she reached for the door knob her wrist stayed steady. She pushed open the door and headed out into the night, knowing fully well it may be her last. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Three Days Earlier A knock at Brooks' door made him look up from his work. He wasn't particularly interested in going over the latest financial reports and welcomed the distraction. "Come in," he said. He rose from his desk as two people entered his office. The room was large. It was decorated in rich browns, like most of the lodge. The floor to ceiling windows let the summer sun shine across the office and Brooks had a hard time seeing who had entered until they got closer towards his desk. "Alpha Benson," Andrew said. Brooks recognized one of his Betas, he noticed the other person in the room was Andrew's mate, Rebecca. He was not used to interacting with these two on such a formal level. "My father is Alpha Benson," Brooks said. "Please, have a seat." He knew Andrew meant the title as a sign of respect, since Brooks was next in line for the title and more than prepared. At 6'4" he was an inch taller than his father. His broad shoulders and lean muscular build didn't make him as intimidating in his human form. It didn't help that he had high cheek bones, piercing blue eyes, and jet black hair. But he was more than skilled at defending himself and his people. Attackers often underestimated him and that was a trait that came in handy on more than one occasion. Both of the other wolves sat down. Brooks waited for them to begin. He noticed Rebecca kept her head down. Andrew reached over and squeezed her shoulder gently. Brooks felt a pang of longing at the sight. When Andrew first met Rebecca, Brooks thought she might have been his mate. Something about her smelled divine, but time showed she was meant for Andrew and Brooks was mistaken. That was five years ago and Brooks was still no closer to meeting his match. "What can I help you with?" Brooks asked. "I need a favor," Rebecca said. She still didn't lift her head. "We are all friends," Brooks said. "There is no need to act so formally." "Alpha, I am afraid you are going to judge me harshly for what I am about to tell you," Rebecca said. "Calm down," Brooks said. "We are more than friends, we are family. You can be as open as you like here." Something about this meeting made Brooks shift with discomfort. He had little interaction with Rebecca over the years, but him and Andrew worked together a lot. He was never this stiff. "Family," Rebecca said. "That is what I want to talk with you about." She looked up and Brooks saw the tears in her eyes. He nodded his head for her to continue. "When I met Andrew I was only eighteen," Rebecca said. "I was selfish and reckless and lonely." "You are making excuses before you are telling me what you did," Brooks said. "Start with the issue first, then explain your justifications." Rebecca took a gulp and started over. "When I met Andrew I had just run away from a foster home," Rebecca said. "That part is true, but I wasn't completely alone." She paused. "Go on," Brooks said. "I had...have a sister," Rebecca said. "And I abandoned her. Andrew and I are at the stage where we want to start our own family, but I can't in good conscious until I atone for leaving her. I must find her." Brooks leaned back in his chair. Rebecca was the first human turned wolf in the Benson pack in over one hundred years. The one previous to her was Brooks own mother. The pack never wanted to stir any issues within the human world and Rebecca pledged that she had no family. "It would have been easier for us to find her five years ago," Brooks said. "We could have helped her set up a new life. You could have stayed a part of it." "I know that now," Rebecca said. "But at the time...My parents...Our parents died when I was only thirteen. I spent five years taking care of her. I wanted something that was my own. I was selfish, stupid. I figured she would make her way back to the foster home once I didn't come back to the motel..." "Wait," Brooks said. "You ran away from the foster home with her? I assumed you just left her there." Rebecca looked back down again, before glancing up slowly in Brooks' eyes. "Can you help me find her?" Rebecca asked. Brooks felt an unnatural amount of disgust towards Rebecca. What sort of person would abandon family like that? "Please," Andrew said. "We have been looking for six weeks and there is no trace of her. I can help." "How old is she now?" Brooks asked. "She will be twenty one in three days," Rebecca asked. "I still remember her birthday." "I am sure she will be thrilled to hear that," Brooks said. "Complete forget about you leaving her to fend for herself." Tears welled in Rebecca's eyes again. Brooks thought maybe he was too harsh. He glanced at the pile of documents on his desk. He told himself searching for this girl would be more interesting than going through the financials. "Tell me everything you know about her," Brooks said. "Start for the beginning." "We had a...strange upbringing," Rebecca said. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena didn't bother taking her car. She walked along the side of the road into town. It didn't take long until she reached the end of the no-name bar's parking lot. She spun herself around and watched the sunset behind the trees. She expected the night to come instantly, but instead it was like different shades of blue set out with subtlety. Being outside after dark was expressly forbidden. That was one of the insane rules Helena remembered from growing up with her parents. If they had followed their own advice then maybe they would still be alive. The thought made her shiver. It felt unnatural for the world to seem so quiet, but Helena didn't care. She didn't care if she lived through the night either. She was done hiding. Spinning on her heels Helena walked into the rickety building. Once she pushed open the door, she realized she may have over done it. Everyone was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, or some casual get-up. All eyes were on her. There were more people in here than she expected too and she was smacked in the face with the scent of fish. Helena took an open seat at the bar and sat down. The bartender came right over to her. "I'm going to need to see your ID," he said. Helena reached into her purse and pulled out the one she chose for the evening. "Jane Smith," he said. He glanced back over at her. "Happy birthday." "Thank you," she said. "What would you like?" Helena didn't think that far ahead. She had never been in a bar before and had no idea what to order. "Get her a vodka soda water with a lime," a cool voice said. Helena felt the hairs on the inside of her ears rise. She turned to see a gorgeous man take a seat next to her. He had on jeans and a white t-shirt, but wore a blazer as well. His blond hair was slicked back and his blue eyes were gazing her up and down. He looked slightly older than her, but Helena didn't think he was over thirty. "Not much of a drinker?" He asked. "Today is my twenty first birthday," she said. "I know," he said. "How would you know that?" "You dressed up in a town like this, must be a special night," he said. "You're all alone and the bartender said happy birthday. If it was your twenty second you would have known what to order." The bartender came back with the drinks. Helena's new friend paid. "Thank you...," she said. "Thank you Victor," he said. "Thank you Victor," Helena replied. "Are you from around here?" "Where's here?" Helena wasn't sure. She moved from town to town, and stayed off the grid. She had to think for a second about what state she was even in at the moment. "No," Victor said. "I'm not." He starred straight at her. She watched his icy blue eyes look back into hers. His stare was so intense. Helena knew a handsome stranger talking to her for no reason was good to be true. She recognized right away what he was up to. "That doesn't work on me," Helena said. "What doesn't?" Victor asked. "The trance thing you can do," Helena said. "What do you think I am trying to do?" Victor asked. He gave a nervous laugh. "I know what you are," Helena said. "And I don't care. I thought I would have had a little more time before you came for me, but tonight is as good as any. Can we stay in the bar for another hour or so? Then I will go willingly." A smile slowly spread over Victor's face. "I've waited three years for you to come out after dark," he said. "I think I can wait another hour." Helena nodded her head and turned to look at the rest of the patrons. A girl swatted a boy's hand away. They continued to flirt. It seemed like such a simple life, a life Helena would never know. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The pack pulled up into the dungy motel's parking lot. There were a few cars, but all of them had seen better days. The three black SUVs stood out. It had taken Brooks longer than he thought to track down Rebecca's sister, but he was pretty sure he was right this time. Unfortunately, the girl had been on the opposite side of the country and Brooks had to fly in to find her. That meant taking ten of his betas with him. He was happy his father approved of this mission or else it would have been called off before they landed at the airport. Brooks pulled out the picture he was carrying of the girl. It was the most recent one he could find and was taken when she was only fourteen. He doubted she resembled the awkward teen in the picture. "Scan the parking lot," Brooks told his team. "Look to see if anyone leaves their room." He straightened his suit coat and went into the manager's office. A slimy looking man was leaned over the counter reading a magazine. He ignored Brooks, so he rang the bell. The worker looked up, unamused. "Have you seen this girl?" Brooks held up the photograph. "No," the man said before looking back down. Brooks was bored with this. He reached in his pocket and threw a one hundred dollar bill on the counter. This caught the man's attention. He stood up and took the photo from Brooks. "Nobody that age here," he said. "She will be twenty now," Brooks said. "It might be the girl who is staying in unit 11," he said. "Can I have the key to unit 11?" Brooks asked. "That will cost you," he said. Brooks pulled out another hundred. The man was quick to get the key. Brooks went back outside. Andrew was waiting. "This place is a dump," Brooks said. "But she might be here." "How did you find her?" Andrew asked. "She was finger printed when she was young," Brooks said. "But the same fingerprints are in different systems under different names. All in different states so they were never connected, I followed the trail." "What was she fingerprinted for?" "Mainly petty crimes," Brooks said. "It appears she is skilled with credit card fraud, which made it easier for me to trace her here." Brooks stopped outside room 11. He knocked twice. There was no answer. "I hoped she was here," Brooks said. "Then the faster we can get out of this hole." He put the key in the door and pushed it open. As the air rushed out of the room and into his face he almost fell backwards. Andrew had to hold him up. Brooks felt like all of his senses were working overtime. He took a step inside. For the first time since he was a child Brooks felt his wolf fighting to come to the surface. He was more in control of Brooks' body than he was. Her scent was overwhelming. It was everywhere. His mate. "Where is she?" Brooks asked. Not here. Brooks' wolf wanted to howl in agony. Brooks needed to stay in control. He turned and left the room. "Get everything that is hers in one of the cars," Brooks said. "We're taking her with us." Brooks was sure his eyes lost their blue color and were burning with his wolf's fiery orange hue. He went straight back into the office. "The girl in room 11," Brooks said. "Where is she?" "That is going to cost..." Brooks did not have time for this. Not when he was so close to his mate. He reached out and grabbed the worker by the neck, before pulling him over the counter. Brooks threw him on the floor and put his shoe on top of the man's neck. "She went to the bar," he said. "A mile west of here. You can't miss it." Brooks lifted his foot and headed out. She was at a bar, where other men might be around. Anger and rage filled his veins. She was his. If any other man put his hands on her Brooks would rip them in two without a second thought. He jumped in the first SUV and didn't wait for anyone to climb inside before taking off down the main stretch. Glancing in his rearview mirror he saw the other two SUVs were right behind him. The closer they got to the bar the harder it was for Brooks to keep his wolf down. He felt like his heart was going to beat through his chest if he didn't get the chance to hold her. He pulled into the parking lot and jumped out of his car. He didn't wait a second before opening the door and walking inside. Her scent still lingered in the air, but he knew immediately she wasn't there. "What is with the fancy parade tonight?" the bartender asked. "A girl was just here," Brooks said. "Real looker?" Brooks had to control the urge to claw the man's face off. He formed a fist. "She just walked out back with that other guy," he said. Brooks didn't wait another second before tearing through the bar. Determined to find his mate. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "I think it has been an hour," Victor said. "Are you ready?" "No," Helena said. She finished her drink and stood up from the chair. She looked over at Victor. He gave her a confused look. She could sense a hint of wonder and amazement behind his eyes. "Do you have any questions for me?" He asked. "I learned a long time ago not to ask questions I won't like the answer too," she said. "You are incredibly brave," Victor said. "Or stupid," Helena finished. Victor stood up from the chair. He held his arms out and signaled for her to walk towards the back of the bar. Helena shivered when she felt him touch the small of her back. She knew she was walking into death, but it was better than living the same of a life she had been. They made it outside. The warm summer air felt nice on her skin. Part of her wanted to run, but even if Victor didn't have super human strength he would catch her in a second in these heels. "Where are you..." Before Helena could finish her thought Victor was right behind her, pressing her back against his chest. She felt his lips touch her neck and then a sharp prick. The pain was fleeting and soon it was gone. Helena wasn't sure if it was from the three drinks she had or what the vampire behind her was doing, but she felt her whole world start to slip away into a sort of euphoria. She was happy that at least death would feel good to some degree. Helena let her eyes drift shut, but all of a sudden Victor was pulled off of her. She had been putting too much weight on him and her body fell backwards and hit the ground with a thud. She looked up to see a blur moving back and forth. "Are you alright?" A voice asked. Helena looked to her right. Another man was crouched down beside her. He had a shaved head. She watched as a lot more came running over, all in black suits. "You're outnumbered," another voice said. "She is already mine," Victor replied. There was a strong gust of wind. Helena felt a shiver go through her body. The man next to her reached for her arm to help her up. "IF YOU TOUCH HER AGAIN I WILL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT RIGHT HERE," A new voice said. Helena's helper backed away. Helena felt arms wrap around her and lift her into the air. She turned to see a pair of red eyes outlined with gold staring back at her. She wasn't sure if it was from fear, the booze, or blood loss, but Helena's eyes rolled up into the head and she passed out in the stranger's arms. All Is Fair Ch. 02 Brooks spent the entire flight holding the delicate human. She never so much as fluttered an eyelash. The wound on her neck disgusted him, but it didn't bleed like the slice on the back of her head she received after falling. He wanted to take her straight to the nearest hospital, but his Betas convinced him she would be better off seeing the den doctor. Their car barely stopped moving when Brooks jumped out. He ran up to the lodge with her still in his arms. A few Omegas spotted him with giant grins, but one look at his stone cold face and their friendly greetings vanished. They ran ahead and held open the doors for him. Brooks had a one track mind when he carried her down to the medical area. The Benson pack had three doctors, but at this time the only one on duty was Wayne. The older wolf stood up and walked towards Brooks. "What have we here?" Wayne asked. "A human?" Brooks griped her body closer to him and snarled at Wayne. The doctor immediately understood what was happening and took a step back. "Where is Melanie?" The only doctor who was getting near his mate was the female one. "She's out for a run," Wayne said. "She won't be back for several hours." Wayne took a step closer and a low growl came out from Brooks' mouth. "She is your mate," Wayne said. "I understand, but if you want to make sure she is okay you will have to let me touch her. I promise, nothing will happen. You have to trust me." Brooks was reluctant, but she hadn't so much as moved a muscle during the four our flight. He brushed past Wayne and went to an examination table, carefully lying her down. Brooks positioned her so she was on her side, the gash in the base of her head visible. Brooks peeled away the small towel he had been holding over her wound. The door to the medical clinic opened and Brooks flung his head up. Standing in the doorway was Andrew. Brooks respected how Andrew had kept his cool throughout the flight and not pestered Brooks with any questions, but now that they were on pack territory Andrew wouldn't hold out much longer. "Is it her?" Andrew asked. "You will stand guard outside this door," Brooks said. "Do not move from your post. Do not let anyone in here, including yourself." "Rebecca will want to see her," Andrew said. "Your mate is to come nowhere near mine," Brooks said. Brooks' eyes went red again. He didn't want to see the woman who abandoned his mate, who caused her any distress. Andrew lowered his head and walked out of the room. Brooks' attention returned to the man who was examining her head. "A nasty gash," Wayne said. "She will need stitches. Did anything else happen to her? I don't see why this would keep her unconscious." Brooks dropped his hand down to his mate's head. He swiped her hair away from her neck. The two puncture marks looked up at him. They made him hate himself. That he was too late and some harm came to her. "Oh," Wayne said. "We found her while he was...feeding." Brooks barely got the words out without choking. Wayne reached his hand forward to take her pulse. Brooks kept his eyes glued to the man. When his fingers touched her skin Brooks felt like his own was on fire. He had to force his wolf down, he was flinging himself forward urging Brooks to attack the doctor. "I don't want this information to spread around the pack," Brooks said. "I am trusting you to keep this private." Wayne nodded his head. "Her pulse is pretty faint," Wayne said. "Can we give her a transfusion?" Brooks said. "You can take my blood." "That won't be necessary," Wayne said. "While not as strong as ours, the human body is still quite capable. Her blood will regenerate itself." "So she will be alright?" Brooks said. "Physically," Wayne said. "After this much blood loss she will stay asleep for a while though, as long as a week." He came back with his supplies and started slowly stitching up the back of her head. "What is that supposed to mean?" Brooks asked. "Physically alright?" "Based on your behavior she hasn't accepted you as her mate?" Wayne asked. "She hasn't had the chance," Brooks said. He crouched down, so his head was level with her face. He ran his hand across her soft cheek. He never would have thought beauty like this could exist in the world. She still didn't stir. "Once she wakes up she will," Brooks said. All mates fell in love the moment they saw each other. It didn't matter if one was human. His mother used to describe her feelings the first time she saw his father. There was no way it could be as strong as what Brooks was feeling right now. His mate would feel the same. He reached down and griped her hand, certain on some level she knew he was there. "What do you know about Vampire bites?" Wayne asked. "Vampires only bite a person if they're going to kill them," Brooks said. He thanked the stars he was there before she was drained completely. "Or turn them," Wayne said. "All finished." Brooks looked at the doctor. He was done stitching her up, but still sitting close to her. Brooks growled and lunged across her sleeping body, pushing the doctor back and out of his chair. With a single movement he scooped her up in his arms. "Send Melanie to my room when she gets back," Brooks said. Wayne kept his eyes to the ground. Brooks didn't have the time to feel bad for shoving the doctor. He knew the danger of being between two mates who had yet to accept each other. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~* Brooks was aware of the commotion he was causing among the den. He didn't care. He paced outside his bathroom. Behind the closed doors a few trusted Beta females were bathing his mate. Brooks's wolf thought it should be them in there with her, but doing something so intimate with an unconscious woman didn't feel right. A knock on his door stopped his pacing. Brooks knew right away it was Andrew. His senses felt heightened since this evening. He opened the door. Andrew held a suitcase in his arms. "Can I come in?" Andrew asked. Brooks's eyes went red again. He wouldn't let another male anywhere near his mate until she accepted him. Brooks forced himself to calm down and stepped into the hall, closing the door behind him. "I brought her belongings," Andrew said. "That is all she owned?" Brooks looked at the small bag. He bent down and unzipped the suitcase. He pulled a laptop off the top. Underneath there were a handful of shirts, two pairs of jeans, one pair of sneakers, and some socks and underwear. "They all look dirty," Andrew said. "Do you want me to have them cleaned?" "Burn them," Brooks said. There was no way his mate was going to wear these rags. He continued to sift through the suitcase. A few pieces of makeup, they looked new, as if they'd only been used once. He checked the side pocket and pulled out a photograph. It looked about twenty years old, a portrait of a happy family. Brooks flipped it over. In marker in the corner it was said "The Long family, Rebecca 3, Helena 1." The rest of the back had a handwritten note. I feel silly writing this, knowing nobody will ever read it, but it felt wrong to not leave some final comment. My family is gone. My parents killed when I was little and my sister vanished when I was sixteen. I've spent the last five years surviving every way I know how. But I've been so busy surviving I've forgotten how to live or what I am surviving for. I am sorry if I let anyone down, but I miss my family. This is the only way I can think to see them again. Goodbye. "This reads like a suicide note," Brooks said. Brooks felt a lump in his heart grow. "Rebecca said they had a strange upbringing," Andrew said. "That their parents put an intense fear of the night into them. Maybe Helena knew a vampire would come for her." "Don't say her name," Brooks said. Brooks had known her name for the last few days, but wouldn't speak it now. Not until she told him from her own lips. "She is lucky to have you," Andrew said. "When you saw Rebecca," Brooks said. "Did she accept you as her mate immediately?" "It was intense," Andrew said. "I saw her, went up and said hello. Less than an hour later we were in the middle of a forest. We didn't even wait to find a bed." Brooks felt his pants tighten. He had already been around his mate for several hours. Wayne said she might not wake up for a week, he didn't know how he was going to wait that long. One of the female Betas opened the door to Brooks' room and stuck her head in the hallway. "Do you have any clothing you want us to dress her in, the dress she was wearing is dirty." Brooks looked at the pile on the floor. "Get rid of all of this," Brooks said. He picked up the laptop and the picture and turned to follow the female Beta back into his room. Brooks went to his closet and was wondering if there was anything he could put her in. "I have some outfits you used to enjoy," Cecilia said. Brooks had been so distracted he didn't even notice it was her who was talking with him. He ignored her comment. "She is your mate isn't she?" Cecilia asked. "Yes," Brooks said. Cecilia's face dropped. She hung her head. "Please ignore my previous comment," Cecilia said. "If I thought I had anything to worry about from our past relations I wouldn't have picked you to take care of her," Brooks said. "Do you think I should give her a t-shirt?" Cecilia walked past Brooks and into his giant closet. She went to his underwear drawer and picked out a white ribbed muscle tank and a pair of boxers. "Will you order her clothes?" Brooks asked. "Just some basics, for the time being." "I will go into town tomorrow and pick them out myself," Cecilia said. "Thank you," Brooks said. Cecilia nodded her head and went back into the bathroom. Brooks went back to pacing, until the door opened again. The three female Weres were trying to balance her, even though it would have only taken one of them to hold her tiny frame. Brooks stepped in and picked her up, cradling her in his arms. He lied her down on his bed, gently resting her head on the pillow before pulling the blankets over her waist. Brooks was so captivated by her he didn't even notice the female Betas leave the room. Brooks' eyes wondered down her body. Her breast were small, but the perfect size for her petite body. He could see the faint outline of her small pert nipples through the thin white shirt and felt himself grow hard again. Take her. Take her now. His wolf was demanding him. Brooks took a deep breath and closed his eyes, forcing his wolf back. He pulled the covers up further, covering the rest of her body. He leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead. It did not take Brooks much time to get ready for bed and turn off the lights. He went towards his open curtain. The sun was starting to rise. He shut them tight, certain nobody would come to bother him today. He had denied his wants when it came to protecting her from the doctor, and cleaning her himself, but he would not deny himself his want to hold her while he slept. Brooks sat down on his king sized bed. She was only taking up a small portion on the side, but he wrapped his arms around her and brought her more towards the middle. He stayed on his back while she laid on his chest, her head tucked near the crook of his arm. He rubbed her back and thought he heard her let out a little mew. Nothing had ever felt more right to Brooks. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks sat in the chair he had pulled next to his bed. He held the book in his hands, but couldn't concentrate on the words. A knock on the door startled him. "WHAT?" Brooks yelled. "Come to the door sweetheart," his mother's voice said back to him. Brooks wanted to tell her all the reasons he couldn't, but knew she wouldn't take no for an answer. He hoped to make this go quick so he could get back to what he was doing. When he went to the door, he was surprised his mother was not alone. Right next to her was his father. A low growl started in Brooks' throat. "None of that darling," Brooks' mother said. "I am still your Alpha," his father said. Brooks watched as his father's eyes flashed a low orange. Brooks dropped his head and looked away. As the days had passed Brooks had become more and more sensitive to males being anywhere near his mate, but Brooks new better than to take on his father, whether he was the alpha or not. "You havent' been outside in days," his mother said. "That isn't good for you." "I want to be here when she wakes up," Brooks said. "There's no way to predict when that will happen," his mother said. "I want you to go with you father. I will sit with her." "No," Brooks said. "I won't leave her side." "It wasn't a request son," his father said. Brooks looked over his shoulder. She hadn't moved positions. He noticed her breathing had even deepened, almost as if she was falling deeper into slumber. "You will let me know if she wakes up, and won't leave her side?" "I promise," Brooks' mother said. She pushed passed him into the room and went straight for the chair sitting next to the bed. Brooks looked at his father. The Alpha gave a smirk. Brooks could tell the two of the were speaking through their mental link. He didn't want to know what they were talking about. Brooks just wanted to get this over as quickly as possible so he could go back to sitting vigil. The father and son walked through the large halls of the den. To human eyes they looked more like brothers, with the same dark hair and big blue eyes, and about the same age. But to a werewolf their difference in years was obvious. "I am sorry you have to go through this," Brooks' father said. "Finding you mate is a joyous occasion." "I am overjoyed," Brooks said. "I am just anxious. Once she is feeling what I am feeling things will be perfect." "I am not going to lie," the elder wolf said. "I am missing your hand in the pack affairs. I will be happy once all this is settled." "She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen," Brooks said. "It is getting hard being so close to her and not being able to have her." "Don't worry," Brooks' father said. "Once she awakens the two of you won't be able to keep your hands off each other. Me and you mother were fiends for each other, especially for the first three days. You will understand what I mean." They made it to the outside. Brooks' father didn't waste any time before shifting into his wolf form. Brooks was quick to follow suit. As he ran through the woods on the Benson property he did feel some of his stress and frustration fade away. His parents were right. This was exactly what he needed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~ Helena wasn't ready to wake up yet. She grabbed the comforter and pulled it up over her shoulder. She felt so warm and safe in the comfy bed. As soon as the thought crossed her mind her eyes popped open. She didn't sleep in huge comfy beds. She slept on thin mattresses with spring poking into her back. She ran her hand along the sheets. They were the finest she had ever felt. She realized that wasn't the only luxurious thing touching her body. She moved her hand towards her stomach. She looked down to see the lace covering her breasts and the pink satin nightgown that followed. A piercing headache over took her and she brought her hands up to her ears. "Dear are you awake?" A female voice asked. "Are you in pain?" Helena was scared to roll over, so unsure of her surroundings. "I have some water and some medicine for you," she said. Someone sat down on the bed next to her and Helena felt her weight shift. A thin arm dropped two pills on the pillow next to her and put a glass of water in her hand. Helena reached out and took them. "It is just some asprin," she said. "The doctor said you might have a headache when you woke up." Helena propped herself up on an elbow and took the pills. She felt the woman brush her hair off the shoulders. Something smelled wonderful, like lilacs mixed with honey. Helena dropped her chin and realized it was her. She was very confused. She spun around to face the woman in the bed. She looked around thirty, with large blue eyes and blond hair,that hung around her in a curly mess. Nothing about her screamed danger. "My name is Daphne," she said. "Where am I?" Helena asked. "You're safe," Daphne said. "That's not what I asked," Helena said. She dropped the covers and started to move away from Daphne. She made it to the other side of the bed and Daphne was right next to her in an instant. "Be careful standing up," Daphne said. "Let me help you." "How did you move so fast?" Helena asked. Helena swung her legs over the side of the bed. She forced herself up and was met with an excruciating pain that started in her toes and worked its way up her legs. She almost fell back on the bed, but Daphne wrapped her arms around her waist and helped support her. "Pins and needles I bet?" Daphne asked. "I'll help you walk around a little, then the feeling will return." "Thank you," Helena said. Daphne gave her a warm smile. The two started moving around the room. Helena knew this was not her nightgown. It had thin spaghetti straps and went down to the floor with a slit going up to her thigh. This never would have been her style. Helena became more aware of the rest of her surroundings. The room was more like an apartment. The bed took up a corner. There was an area with a fireplace and two couches, with a flatscreen television. There were three closed doors along the wall. "Do you have to use the restroom?" Daphne asked. "Yes," Helena said. "I think I am fine to walk by myself." Daphne was hesitant to let her go, but Helena proved herself capable. She walked towards the door Daphne had pointed too and walked into the largest bathroom she had ever seen. The whole room was done in beige marble. There was a stand along shower large enough for at least ten people, complete with a built in bench. Then there was a tub that looked like it could hold at lest five. She eventually found the toilet and relieved herself. Once she was done she walked over towards the sinks. There were two, along with a built in vanity. The mirror stretched across the entire wall and Helena stopped to examine herself. She had always been on the thing side, but he collarbone was starting to jut out. She ran her hands down her chest, she could feel the ripple of the bones underneath. Her heart stopped when she caught sight of the bruise on her neck. It was forming around two small puncture holes. The memories came rushing back. The vampire was draining her. She pinched herself, not dead. Someone must have rescued her. Helena wasn't used to receiving help from anyone. She knew it was logical to want to leave this place, but Helena didn't have a home. She also didn't have a next destination in mind. Either way this situation was unsettling. Helena would do better on her own. "Are you alright dear?" Daphne asked. "Are there any clothes I can change into?" "Sure," Daphne said. A moment later she was back at the door knocking. Helena opened it a creak. "Would you like to take a shower too?" "No thank you," Helena said. She reached out and grabbed the clothing before Daphne offered to help her dress. It was a pair of black yoga pants and a neon pink t-shirt. Whoever bought these clothes had much different taste than Helena, but she still appreciated the look. She dressed as quickly as possible before going back into the room. "Those are way too big for you," Daphne said. "Shoes?" Helena asked.Ignoring Daphne's remark. "Oh dear," Daphne said. "I don't think we ever picked any up for you." All Is Fair Ch. 02 "Thank you for your hospitality," Helena said. "But I really need to leave. Shoes or not." She brushed passed Daphne and went for the nearest door. She pulled it open and it revealed a giant walk in closet, not a hallway. It only took a glance to realize these were all men's clothing. Helena shut the door. "Whose room is this?" Helena asked. Daphne looked at her dumbstruck. "It doesn't matter," Helena said. "I need to get going. Thank you again for whatever it was you did for me." Helena started walking towards the only other door in the room. It flung open before she made it halfway there. Standing in front of her was a man, not much older than herself. He had the same bright blue eyes as Daphne, only his hair was almost black. A lock hung over his forehead. Helena could tell he had been sweating. He was out of breath. "You're awake," he said. "Yes," Helena said. "I was just thanking Daphne for her hospitality, but I must be going." Helena tried to keep her head down and walk passed the man. Once she made it next to him, he stopped her. He grabbed her shoulders then put a finger under her chin, tilting her head upwards. He had to be a foot taller than her. "Look into my eyes," he said. "Do you know who I am?" "That stuff doesn't work on me," Helena said. "I really have to get going." All of the feelings of safety Daphne had provided were vanishing. Something weird was going on and Helena wanted none of it. The man let Helena go for a second, but she felt his hands slide under her arms and lift her up. She was carried back towards the bed and set her down in a chair.He crouched down so his face was lower than hers. "I don't know what sort of game you are playing," Helena said. "But please let me go." "Look at me," he said. "If this is some sick vampire game give it up," Helena said. "Either kill me or let me go." "I am not a vampire," he said. "He's telling the truth dear," Daphne said. "Mother I think you should go now," the strange man said. "How is she your mother?" Helena said. "You look like you're five years apart." There was so much going on Helena didn't realize the stranger had grabbed her hand and placed it over his heart. Daphne made her way to the door. Helena didn't want to be left alone with him. "It will only take a few seconds," he said. "Then you will realize who I am to you." Helena tried to pull her hand away. "Daphne don't leave," she said. "Don't worry," he said. "I will never hurt you. I love you." Helena stopped squirming and turned to look at him. This guy was nuts. "You feel it already," he said. "It is only natural, let it flow." Helena's mouth hung open in shock. She had no idea what he was talking about, but she did what he suggested and let her instincts flow. She brought her free hand backwards, formed a fist and threw all her weight forward, hitting him directly in the nose. All Is Fair Ch. 03 Helena did not wait for his reaction. He dropped her hand to grab his nose and she took off for the door. She made it three feet before she felt hands wrap around her waist. Her body was lifted in the air, she expected to hit a hard surface, but her body was thrown down on top of the plush bed. Her moment of comfort vanished when he jumped on top of her. He had her hands pinned above her head and the weight of his frame pushed her on to the bed. His legs forced hers to spread. He responded by shoving himself against her core deeper. Helena froze, not knowing how to respond. He dipped his head against her neck. She felt his warm breath run across her skin. His mouth stopped at her ear and he took a deep breath in. An automatic shiver made it's way through her body. She forced her head back into the pillows until she was looking straight ahead. He brought his head up and looked into her eyes. They were bright red, brimmed with gold. "Why in the world did you do that?" He asked. She expected a little bit of blood to flow, but there was none. She felt his grip intensify on her wrists. "Ow," she said. "You're hurting me." He dropped her hands and moved his to her sides pushing himself up slightly. His body weight was off of her. "This is not going as I expected," he said. "What isn't going as you expected?" she asked. He looked down at her. The red faded away from his eyes to show crystal clear blue orbs staring down at her. She turned her head to the side, his gaze was too much for her to handle. He pushed himself up off the bed and turned his body so he was sitting up with his legs on the floor. Helena did the same, but hers were too short to reach the ground. She glanced up at the door, knowing she had the perfect opportunity to run, but certain he would grab her again. "What are you feeling towards me?" He asked. His head turned towards her. She deliberately turned her head slowly until they made eye contact. "I am not feeling anything," she said. "I think you might have stumbled upon an interesting looking situation and decided to save a damsel in distress, but I assure you I was fine." "So you enjoyed the vampire sucking the life out of you?" His eyes flashed red again, but quickly turned back to blue. "How do you know about vampires?" she asked. "I should ask you the same question," he said. "I wouldn't answer." "Then neither will I." Helena broke eye contact. "I would like to leave," she said. "Not an option," he said. "Why?" In her peripheral vision she saw his head twist away. "Don't leave this room," he said. "I will be right back." He stood up from the bed. Helena remained still, not wanting to draw any attention from him at this point. She didn't know what he was, but humans didn't have eyes that glowed like that. *~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~* Brooks couldn't contain his confusion. He thought one look at him and she would feel what he felt. Instead she seemed like a blank slate. He couldn't smell fear, or lust. It was like he was nothing to her. He was not surprised when he went into the hall to see his parents standing outside his door. "Your mom said it wasn't going so well," his father said. "I don't understand," Brooks said. "Everything I've ever known told me that once we meet out mates we are immediately connected, human or not. She tried to attack me and keeps talking about leaving." Brooks took little comfort in the looks on his parents' faces. They didn't appear to have an answer either. "Am I supposed to hold her hostage until she realizes she loves me?" Brooks asked. That was the best option he could think of at this point. "Do you think the vampire bite could have something to do with it?" Daphne asked. "I've never heard of a human surviving one before," Brooks' father said. Brooks had such little knowledge when it came to vampires. He didn't anticipate any issues after saving her from the attack. "Is there an expert in the pack?" Brooks asked. His father raised one side of his mouth. "There are so few of them," he said. "I've never even met one in person. Maybe Donald knows something?" "We need to find him right away," Brooks said. He started following his father down the hall. "Brooks," Daphne said. "Don't you think you should stay? Your mate is probably very confused. I doubt she wants to be held captive." Brooks stopped. He couldn't face his mother. "If I stay I think my wolf will win out," Brooks said. "I don't want to violate her." Daphne stayed quiet for a moment. "I can stay with her," she said. "I don't think that's a good idea," Brooks said. "If you go in there I am scared that she will have questions I don't want you to answer. Make an excuse if she comes out." "Then I will stay here and guard the door." Brooks didn't turn around to acknowledge his mother. He couldn't face her. There was too much pain running through his body. He was mentally confused, but physically he couldn't handle not having a release. ~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~* The pain in Helena's stomach was making it difficult to focus on what just happened. She heard the door close and instead of getting up from the bed she brought her knees up and pushed her head into them, trying to distract herself from her hunger. "How are you feeling?" The voice was too familiar. Helena looked up to see Victor standing at the edge of the bed. He wore the same blazer with jeans. His hands were in his pockets. He wore a casual expression, there was no sense of genuine concern in his voice. "Is this why I am here?" Helena asked. "So you can finish me off? Are these your workers?" He took a seat on the bed next to her. "Would you mind if I did?" She thought back to the picture she had left on her dresser in the motel room. Her note saying goodbye to the world. She was ready last night, but now it seemed like a mistake. "Yes," she said. "Why are you afraid of asking questions?" "I already told you," she said. "Do you think I am going to force you to live in the light like your parents? Or abandon you like your sister?" Helena broke eye contact with him. She starred at the floor. "How do you know about Rebecca?" "Let's focus on who took care of you after Rebecca," he said. "What was his name again?" "Abe." Helena was so certain she said the name so lightly he couldn't hear. He was the only true friend she ever had. Even mouthing his name brought her a sense of pain. "Oh yes," Victor said. "Abraham. What a shame about him." She knew she should be afraid, but no fear came to her. Instead she looked up at him with daggers for eyes. "Is this some sort of torture then?" Helena asked. Before Victor could answer there was a voice from outside the door. "Darling are you alright?" Helena recognized Daphne's voice. "I am far from alright," Helena said. "Leave this place," Victor said. "As soon as the opportunity presents itself. You are in great danger." Helena wanted him to say more, but the door swung open. She turned her head to see Daphne walk into the room. "Who were you talking to?" she asked. Helena turned to see Victor's response, but the spot on the bed next to her was empty. There wasn't anyone there. The blankets didn't even show his body weight. She knew she should be afraid, but instead she just felt nothing. Helena turned back to look at Daphne. "I am starving," she said. "Do you have any food in this place?" Helena watched Daphne's concern melt away. "Of course," she said. "Any requests?" "I am the opposite of a picky eater," Helena said. Daphne smiled. She paused as if she was going to say something, but instead nodded her head and closed the door. Helena knew her life was far from average, but even in a situation like this she should be afraid, instead all she could focus on was Victor's words. Her eyes closed and she thought back to her last memory. The feel of his mouth on her neck sent shivers down her body. He was the person she knew best in the current situation and as dangerous as he was, she was going to follow his advice. *~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The eldest werewolf in the pack was not pleased to be woken up. Once he saw the Alpha and the next in line were calling on him he stopped complaining. The three sat comfortably in the sitting area of Donald's room. "I am not used to visitors this late," he said. "It's only 10 o'clock," Brooks said. His father sent him an elbow in the ribs and Brooks shut his mouth. "Alpha Benson," Donald said. "Alpha in training. How can I be of help?" "Please," Brooks' father said. "Call me Hugh." "Thank you for the honor sir," Donald said. "What can you tell us about vampires?" Brooks couldn't wait to dive right in. "Vampires?" Donald asked. "Not as much as you would like." "Whatever you can offer us is appreciated," Hugh said, eyeing his son. "They're private creatures," Donald said. "They don't work well in groups. Basically the opposite of us." "Anything about their..." Before Brooks could get his question out his father sent another elbow into his gut. Brooks shut his mouth. Donald looked back and forth between them before continuing. "Weres turn about five humans about every one hundred years," Donald said. "We find out mates and it has to be done, but there are about five new vampires created every one thousand years. It's very rare." "So there aren't many of them?" Brooks asked. "You need to watch your father's lead," Donald said. Brooks kept his mouth shut. He wanted to defend his wounded pride, but it wasn't worth learning any information about what was happening with his mate. "There are some vampires born into that life," Donald said. "They aren't barren like the myths say. But like I said before they are very private. I have no clue how many of them their are, I don't know how the govern themselves, if they do at all." It as obvious Donald wasn't going to be much help. "Can I ask what this is all about? I don't think there has been an instance of vampires and Weres interfering with each other in a very very very long time." "Why is that?" Brooks asked. He never even though to worry himself with concerns about vampires before. "We want to live amongst humans," Donald said. "They want to eat them. We have nothing in common with them and they with us. There is not a reason to mix." "What if they bit a human but didn't eat her?" Brooks asked. "Well," Donald said. "Maybe she is one of the five." Brooks felt his eyes turn red. He shut them not to intimidate Donald. "Or maybe they wanted her as a feeder," Donald said. "What is a feeder?" Hugh asked. "It's a legend," Donald said. "Have you ever had a juicy steak that was mind blowing? Or stumbled upon a kill in the woods that tasted like ecstasy?" Brooks looked to his father who was nodding his head. "Well supposedly there are humans out there, whose blood is so pure, that vampires will keep them alive just to drain them to the point of death, then let them heal only to do it again." "How would a vampire know someone has this ecstasy blood?" Brooks asked. "You would have to ask a vampire," Donald said. "Like I said it is just a legend. Odds are they want to kill whoever you are hypothetically asking about." Brooks leaned back in his chair. He ran his hands through his hair, unsure what to ask next. If his mate had this blood curse what did that mean for her? "What if a human survives a vampire bite?" Hugh asked. "What would happen to them?" Donald shrugged. "I've never heard of such a thing happening before," he said. "But if you are willing to go against a vampire, and I mean no disrespect, good luck. One of them is about as powerful as ten of us." "Thank you for your time Donald," Hugh said. He stood up from his chair. Brooks followed his father's lead. They both shook his hand before turning to leave. "One more thing about vampires," Donald said. "They have a lot of powers, the kind no person should poses, I hate to think what sort of trouble that could cause. Maybe even interfere with what is meant to be." Brooks felt the blood drain from his face. Before he could ask another question his father grabbed his elbow and escorted him out of the room. They were in the hall before Brooks even noticed. "Did he mean the mate bond?" Brooks asked. "Is that why she feels nothing for me?" His father shook his head. "I don't know," he said. "But I would bet this isn't a good situation for you. We will figure something out." *~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~ Helena stripped the bed. She had tied all of the sheets together and was certain they were long enough to dangle out of the third story. She pushed open one of the floor to ceiling windows with ease. The end was securely tied around the closest couch to the windows. She looked down and regretted it. One false move would result in at least a broken leg, and at the worst death. She knew there was a minimum time period for her to act. She had to move before Daphne came back with her food. Her instincts told her leaving through the hall wasn't an option. Even though Daphne was missing Helena was certain there would be more guards. Wrapping part of the sheets around her waist Helena gave a final tug on her holding before propelling herself out the window. She let the sheets slacken as she dropped down ten feet before her feet slammed into the side of the building. Even though her curiosity told her to look inside the nearest window she didn't want to waste time. It took faster to hit the ground than she predicted. She untied the sheet around her waist and knew she was free. Helena wished Victor had given her more instructions regarding her escape. The building she was held hostage in was designed to look like a gigantic log cabin. She was near the front of the building, but couldn't even see how long in extended in the rear. With little other options she took off running through the woods to her side. They had to end at a road eventually. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~ When Brooks made it back to the hall his room was in he noticed his mother had abandoned her post. He took off running, almost starting to shift on instinct. He was unsure if his father was behind him and didn't care. He almost knocked the door off its hinges when he threw it open. Part of him expected to see two women chatting on the couch, but his gaze stopped at the window. The sheets were hanging outside. All of a sudden his father's presence was all too noticeable. "Call the pack," Brooks said. "We need everyone looking for her." It wasn't necessary for Brooks to wait for his father's response. He ran right to the window and jumped down to the ground. It only took a moment to catch her scent before he took off through the woods. *~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The fear Helena was lacking suddenly over powered her. She ignored the hunger pains and the feeling of the twigs stabbing her under her feet. There was suddenly no time to waste. She propelled herself through the woods. At one point her legs gave out and she slammed her face onto a log. Helena didn't take the time to register the scrape that covered her face or the blood that was pooling around it. She needed to make it to freedom. Suddenly there was noise behind her. Helena was being hunted. It only increased her desire to get away. She pushed her battered and starving body as hard as she could. A random branch caught her ankle and Helena was flung forward, landing on the hard ground. She could hear the rustle of leaves behind her. They were getting closer. She tried to ignore the pain in her ankle and forced herself up. She limped through a few more trees until a wolf plotted itself right in front of her. It bared it's teeth and she froze. Helena turned around only to see four more wolves appear behind her. This was it. They were going to eat her alive. She though back to admitting defeat last night, when she went to the bar and was face to face with Victor. Helena had survived that she would survive this. Vary slowly she bent down to pick up a fallen branch. Even if she died she would go down swinging. In those few moments the wolves had tripled in number. Helena swung the branch in front of her, hoping some would disperse. One stepped closer towards her. He was all black, with bright orange eyes. Even through her fear Helena could recognize he had an intense presence. It shook her concentration. The moonlight made his fur shimmer. She made eye contact with him and felt a sense of calm wash over her. He howled and more than half of the wolves vanished. She didn't have the time to focus on him for much longer before another wolf stepped forward. This one was much smaller, white with patches of brown. The two wolves started to argue with each other, barking and nipping. Helena looked behind her, the space was clear. She turned around and started to run through the trees again, at a much slower pace with an injured ankle. "Wait," a voice said. Even though her entire being was telling her to move forward Helena froze. She recognized the voice. Her brain couldn't decide whether to focus on the same voice telling her "I will always be here for you" while it said goodnight to Helena's fourteen year old self or saying "I will be right back" to Helena's sixteen year old self. She spun back around to see Rebecca standing in the middle of the trees. Some mud and twigs were matted in her hair. Helena didn't know whether to run to her and hug her or slap her. That was when it clicked. The strange room, the weird man, the wolves, Victor visiting her, and now Rebecca. It was all clear. Helena was going insane. With the clarity came the overwhelming need for food. Helena couldn't control it anymore. Her stomach made her body keel over and she collapsed into the ground, certain that if she wasn't already dead she was about to starve to death. All Is Fair Ch. 04 Hi! Fair warning there are some elements of non-consent in this, so if that's not your cup of tea I would skip. Happy reading.... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~ When Helena came to she was pressed against a broad chest. The pain in her ankle was dwarfed by the undeniable pain in her stomach. "I...need something to eat," she said. "Shhh," he said. "We will get you all taken care of. Rest." Helena shut her eyes as she was carried through the woods. It was the only way she could block out the confusion. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~ Brooks tried to move as fast as possible without causing her further trauma. He was so wrapped up in claiming her as his mate he didn't even think about meeting her basic needs. Of course she would be starving after sleeping for five days. They made it back to the lodge and Brooks took her straight to the clinic. He passed an Omega on his way and put in a request for food to be brought there. Brooks hoped they hurried. He did catch a break when the attending doctor was Melanie. Brooks didn't want to have to worry about other males near her at the moment. "What happened?" Melanie asked. Brooks walked her over to one of the examination tables and gently set her down. She was a mess. There was dirt, sticks, and grass stuck in her hair, her shirt and pants were both ripped, showing scratches, and her feet were bloodied and bruised. Those injuries didn't even include her swollen ankle. "I let her down," Brooks said. The door to the clinic swung open. Rebecca walked inside. Brooks felt his ire rise as he put himself in between his mate and her sister. "I care about her too," Rebecca said. "I specifically forbade you from showing yourself to her," Brooks said. "And you defied my orders." "She is my sister." "She is my mate and I am your Alpha," Brooks said. Rebecca bowed her head. "When will I be able to speak to her?" "Once she decides she is ready," Brooks said. "I would have liked to broach the subject with her in a delicate manner, but instead you appear in front of her in the middle of the woods and cause her to pass out. Now leave here before you do any more damage." Rebecca didn't say a word when she left the clinic. The door shut and immediately his mate spoke. "My sister is really here?" She asked. "I didn't hallucinate that?" Brooks went back to Helena. Melanie was examining her ankle. "This is not the way I wanted you to find out," Brooks said. "But yes, she is here." "Did you kidnap her too?" "Love nobody kidnapped anyone," Brooks said. "Then why won't you let me leave?" Helena asked. "Why do you want to leave so bad?" "He told me I was in danger," Helena said. "Why told you?" "Victor." Brooks knew the names of everyone in his pack. There was no Victor living on the lodge grounds. The Omega came in with a plate of food. He stayed near the door, too scared to approach his Alpha and his new mate. Brooks was grateful for him keeping his distance. He went to meet him. There was some soup and a sandwich. "You didn't specify what you wanted," he said. "This is perfect," Brooks said. "Anything else I can get for you?" "Guard the door," Brooks said. "I don't want any other visitors." The Omega nodded and went to stand his post. Brooks took the tray over to his mate. He took a spoonful of soup and put it to her lips. "I can feed myself," she said. "We both know that's not true," he said. "You're very weak at the moment." She acquiesced and lifted her head to take a sip. Brooks was quick to give her more. "I was fine yesterday," she said. "I feel like I haven't ate in a week." "Five days," Brooks said. "What?" "You were asleep for five days," Brooks said. "Not quite a week. I should have made sure you had food the moment you woke up. Your condition is my fault." "I am going to have to clean the area," Melanie said. "I want you to wrap the ankle after you've cleaned up. The bruises and scratches will clear up on their own. I will give you some antiseptic to put on them before you go to sleep tonight. I want you to take a long hot bath, then come back in the morning and I will put a stronger cast on." Melanie left them to get her supplies. She ate some more soup, and was feeling up to the sandwich. She lifted her hand and Brooks' placed it in her palm. "What is your name?" "Brooks," he said. "And yours?" "If you know Rebecca then you already know it." "I want to hear you say it," Brooks said. "Helena." Brooks smiled. "That is the most beautiful name I have ever heard." "Why did you call me your mate?" "Because you are," Brooks said. With just the small amount of food in her system Helena was already starting to look worlds better. She propped herself up on her elbows and slid back. "I promise you are in no danger here," Brooks said. "In fact the exact opposite. I want nothing but to protect you." "I don't need protection," Helena said. "I am capable of taking care of myself." "Just because you've had to take care of yourself in the past doesn't mean that you have to now," Brooks said. "Why do you want to leave so bad?" "This situation is nuts," Helena said. "I don't know you. I don't know any of you. Why would I want to stay? You have my sister here, who I thought was dead the past five years and apparently a lot of well-trained wolves in some sort of mansion compound. Nothing about that seems normal." Brooks knew he was on unstable ground. She was just starting to talk to him and apparently her knowledge on vampires did not extend to other supernatural species. Her eyes darted back and forth between his. He opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to the punch. "Are you a bunch of werewolves?" Brooks studied her face trying to gauge her response. "You have got to be kidding me? First a vampire, now a werewolf? I am just the luckiest girl in the world." She let out a sigh and let her head drop back down to the pillow for a moment, before sitting up all the way. "Is my sister?" Brooks nodded. "For how long?" "She joined our pack five years ago," Brooks said. "Is that why she left me?" "She told us of your existence a few days before we found you," Brooks said. "That's not what I asked," Helena said. "You should have this conversation with her," Brooks said. "I would like to focus on us." "There is no us," Helena said. "I don't know you." Brooks expected some change in her, the longer they spent together the more intense the desire to mate should become for both of them. "You don't feel anything towards me?" Brooks asked. "I think you're a little weird," Helena said. She turned her head away from him. "I'm not used to people looking at me," she said. "I'm not really used to people at all." She brought her arms up and wrapped them around herself. Brooks picked up on her shift instantly, she was starting to feel vulnerable. He reached out and put his hand on her back. He felt her stiffen under his touch, but she didn't tell him to stop. Melanie came back with the wrap and antisecptic. "Stay off your foot until tomorrow," she said. "It is just a sprain right now, but if you put weight on it you might break it. Take a bath, wrap it with this and then get some sleep." "Do you have any crutches I can use?" Helena asked. "None need," Brooks said. He didn't give her any time to respond before scooping her up in his arms. Melanie handed Brooks the bandages and antiseptic for Helena's cuts. "I think I would do better with crutches," Helena said. "I think you would do better saving your strength for a fight you can win," Brooks said. "Goodnight," Melanie said. "I will see you two in the morning." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "You're doing remarkably well," Brooks said. "What do you mean?" Helena asked. They passed a group of people in the hall who looked at them with big curious eyes. Helena wasn't a fan of being noticed. She felt her cheeks grow red with embarrassment. "You've found out a lot of information this evening," Brooks said. "I would assume you would be scared or have a million questions." "I should be scared," Helena said. "But for some reason I'm not. I'm having a difficult time reacting." "If you have any questions I will answer them for you," Brooks said. "I don't ask questions if I don't want to know the answer," Helena said. They stopped walking in front of a large door. Brooks backed them into it and relaxed his grip to open the door. Helena recognized the room she had escaped from a few hours ago. The bed was remade and the window was closed. Brooks kept right on walking into the bathroom. The giant tub she noticed earlier was filled. An insane amount of bubbles decorated the top. The fresh scents of lilac and honey flooded the room. Brooks set her down on the counter top so she was sitting up. "Do you want me to umm...help?" "No," Helena said. He gave her a guilty grin. She took the time to look him over. He was strikingly handsome. She liked the way his mop of hair flopped over his forehead, like it was begging to be pushed back. "Remember what Melanie said. Don't put any weight on that foot." "I think I can hobble to the tub just fine," Helena said. Brooks walked away and brought back a large plush robe and an equally luxurious towel. He set them both by the tub. "I will be right outside if you need anything," he said. She nodded and he left the bathroom. Brooks did have a point. Helena knew she should be freaking out. Her sister was alive, a werewolf was trying to claim her as his mate, and she was pretty much held captive in this strange place, but she really wasn't feeling much of anything. Small glimmers of emotion seemed to peek their way in to her psyche, but they almost always vanished right away. Helena felt like she should be more worried about her lack of feeling, but nothing was happening. She couldn't will herself to feel. She stripped off the shirt and slid the yoga pants down without getting off the counter. Glancing over her shoulder in the mirror Helena saw the scratch marks that covered her arms and the bruises forming on her back. She picked up the comb from the counter and started to work the tangles out of her long hair. She pulled out twigs and grass in the process. Once she felt ready to get in the tub she unclasped her bra. Even though she was alone in the room she immediately felt exposed and kept her arm pinned tight against her chest. She lifted her hip and with her free hand slid her underwear down to the ground. Part of getting ready for her big night out had included getting rid of all her body hair. She wasn't used to seeing herself so smooth and wondered how long it would take to grow back. Helena positioned herself so she could hobble over towards the tub. Once her good foot hit the ground she winced in pain. It was covered in scratches from running through the woods with bare feet. She had to drop her arm to help steady herself. Once she made it to the tub she put her bad foot in first. It stung as the soap attacked her wounds, but she felt her muscles relax. It was easy to move the rest of her body into the warm water. She expected the water to turn brown from all the mud that covered her body, but it seemed like this thing had some high tech filtration system. It felt more like a Jacuzzi than a bath tub. She let the flow of water rush over her body and felt herself relax. "I find it odd that you are so chaste even when you're alone." Helena popped her eyes open. She was shocked to see Victor standing in front of her. He couldn't see any part of her through the bubbles, but she still instinctively pulled her legs towards her chest. He smiled and took off the blazer he was wearing, letting it fall to the floor before pulling off his t-shirt. The muscles of his stomach rippled when he had his arms over his head. He caught Helena staring at him and she looked away. "It's alright," he said. "I never mind an admirer." She heard the buckle of his pants come undone and her heart jumped in her throat. "You're not going to come in here are you?" "Why wouldn't I?" he asked. "It looks so warm and inviting." The water level didn't rise, but Helena knew he was in the tub with her. All the emotions she was missing earlier came flooding back in. They were outweighed by her discomfort though. Her lifestyle did not allow for relationship and this was the first time she had ever been nude around a man in her life. "You have a beautiful body," he said. "I could help you release some pressure if you like?" "How are you here?" "I'm not," he said. "Trust me if I was really here I wouldn't give you an option. Your beautiful legs would be wrapped around my waist and my cock would be buried deep inside you." Helena's eyes went wide. She wasn't used to hearing those words. "I know that is what you want," he said. "I can feel your energy." Helena was flustered. That was not what she wanted at all. This man was dangerous, she knew that, but a small part of her heart started to ache for him. "That's it," he said. "Relax. Let me in there." "How is this possible?" She asked. "I have part of you," he said. "Forever." "You're doing this," she said. "You're controlling me." "I promise I have your best interests at heart," he said. Helena felt a deep haze cover her. Almost like she was losing control of her senses. "Tell me," he said. "Have you ever touched yourself?" He scooted closer to her. She felt like her eyelids were getting heavy. She started to nod her head. "Show me," he said. Helena was never like this. She was uncomfortable even answering his question, let alone acting on it. A deeper fog settled over her and as if she couldn't control her hand it glided down her stomach, stopping at her most private area. She pressed all of her fingers flat against herself and started rubbing up and down. "You're making it difficult to see," Victor said. He raised an eyebrow at her, and she used her free arm to swipe away the bubbles covering her, giving him a full view of her body through the water. "How are you doing this?" Helena asked. "I told you," he said. "You're mine. You have my mark." A small moan escaped her lips. Her hand started moving faster, her fingers fluttering against the swollen nub of her sex. "Slow down," he said. "I don't think you have any idea how to pleasure yourself." Helena always thought she was good at getting herself off. It didn't take her very long and then she was able to focus on other things. Her pace slowed, and her free hand went towards her breast. She started pulling at her nipple, which went hard in the warm water. She twisted the tiny bump and squeezed down some more. Nobody, not even herself, had ever touched her breasts in a sexual manner before. A small gasp escaped her lips. "Think about how amazing this could feel if it were my hands on your body," Victor said. "Please stop," the words escaped Helena's mouth with a whisper. "You don't want me to stop," Victor said. "Besides I'm not even here." Helena's hand continued to work her breast, while her other one insterted a finger into her tight hole. She had never experimented with internal masturbation before and felt her back arch at the invading digits. Her thumb kept working her clit. "I don't understand," she managed to say between moans. "Shhh," Victor said. "Just enjoy the sensations." Her hands started going crazy. Helena wasn't even sure what she was doing anymore. She couldn't follow her own movements. She felt pressure build in the pit of her stomach and started bucking her own hips against herself. She gave her thumb one hard push against her clit and pinched her nipple as hard as she could. An explosion went off and her entire body shook. Helena felt her senses start to return. She had control over her hands again. Tears stung her eyes and she went to cover herself from Victor's gaze. "Come to me and it will feel like this all the time," Victor said. The fog she was under lifted. The pleasure still radiated throughout her body, but Helena felt more exposed and ashamed than ever. She swatted at the bubbles trying to cover herself up again. "Leave me alone," Helena said. "But we are having so much fun," he said. "You were giving yourself to me so willingly last week." "I thought you were going to kill me," Helena said. "Not torture me." "Come now pet," Victor said. "I don't want to do either." "Leave me alone," Helena said. A knock on the door made Helena look over her shoulder. "Do you need something?" Brooks asked. "Tell the poor little lovesick werewolf to leave you alone," Victor said. "I wish you would both leave me alone," Helena said. "You're mine already," Victor said. "Find a way to escape and come to me." "I'm not in any danger here am I?" Helena asked. "You're controlling me somehow. I know that, blocking feelings." Brooks' face came to her mind. She felt her heart start to flutter imagining his big blue eyes looking at her. Victor gave her a scowl and she shut her eyes. Trying to hold on to the feelings that were burning inside her. She couldn't keep a grip though. The fluttering stopped and her body went cold. "I don't belong to anyone," Helena said. "Those marks on your neck say different," Victor said. "Helena?" Brooks asked. "Are you talking to someone?" "Leave this place as soon as you can," Victor said. Helena looked at him with confused eyes. She wanted to say no, but felt like her lucidity was slipping away. The door to the bathroom flung open. Helena spun her head around to see Brooks standing at the doorway, his brow was wrinkled with concern. She turned back towards the tub. Victor was gone. He was never here in the first place. Helena was becoming more and more certain that she was losing her mind. All Is Fair Ch. 05 "I'm sorry," Brooks said. "I didn't mean to intrude. I wasn't sure if you were asking for help." Brooks walked into the bathroom. It was large, but did not have many hiding places. "I'm fine," Helena said. She moved the bubbles over her body, making sure nothing was visible. "It sounded like you were talking to someone," Brooks said. "Just myself," Helena said. "Alright," Brooks said. "Well I will leave you to it then." He started walking towards the door. Helena had a sinking feeling if she was left alone Victor, or at least her hallucination of him, would return. "Wait," she said. "Go stand in the corner, don't face me and close your eyes." He didn't say anything and instead went to the corner. She positioned herself so she could hoist herself out of the tub and grab the towel quickly. Once she wrapped it around herself and was certain it was secure she called for him. "I guess I could use a little help," she said. He smiled and came over to her. Brooks helped her stand up and put the robe over her shoulders. His touch was so delicate, she could feel his warm breath on the back of her neck and felt a chill run down her spine. "Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded and he scooped her up. This time she put her arms around his neck. He took her out of the bathroom and walked over to one of the couches, setting her down with ease. He already had a pillow on the table and lightly put her foot on top of it. "I had them bring up some more food," Brooks said. He motioned to the table next to her. There was a giant plate of fruit and cheese. Helena grabbed a grape and popped it into her mouth. She watched as Brooks brought out the cast Melanie had given them earlier and started wrapping her ankle. "Let me know if it is too tight," he said. "Why are you being so nice to me?" "Because I love you," he said. Helena felt her cheeks rush with blood. She looked away. "You don't even know me," she said. "So those words mean nothing." "My soul recognizes something in yours," he said. "I have no control over it." "My soul?" Brooks nodded. Helena shook her head. With all the things she had done in her life there was no way her soul was worth anything. "I've done bad things," Helena said. "I'm not a good person." "I don't care about your past," Brooks said. "But do you want to tell me about it?" Helena looked him up and down. He seemed so genuine. It had been three years since she had an honest conversation with anyone. She thought about Abe. He was her hero once Rebecca left, but he vanished too. Helena didn't need to worry about him like she had Rebecca, Helena had proof Abe was dead. "No," she said. "Okay," Brooks said. "Can I ask you a question anyway?" Even though she wanted to say no, he had done so much for her, without a real reason. She nodded her head. "When you ran away tonight," Brooks said. "Are you still trying to end your life?" "What sort of question is that?" "I have the photograph you left," Brooks said. "It sounds like a suicide note to me." "That was private," Helena said. "But you left it out in a motel room," Brooks said. "One you had no intention of returning too." "I don't want to kill myself," Helena said. "I just...couldn't live the way I was living anymore." "How were you living?" Brooks asked. "Alone, scared," Helena said. "Every night the sun would go down and I knew if I took one step outside I would be dead. Do you have any idea how crippling that feels?" "You're not alone anymore," Brooks said. "I could take you for a nighttime stroll here. Once your foot gets better at least." "You don't want to get involved with me," Helena said. "Have you drummed any questions for me?" Brooks asked. "Has your curiosity gotten the better of you about werewolves?" "No," Helena said. "Finding out about vampires was... lets just say ignorance is bliss." Brooks put down her foot. He picked up the antiseptic and started applying it to the scratches on her legs. Helena felt her robe slip and she went to grab it up. "Don't worry," Brooks said. "I am not going to try anything. You can put it on your more...private areas." She let her body relax as he began rubbing her legs with the ointment. "Then why did you run?" Brooks asked. "You said someone named Victor told you it was dangerous here?" "I was starving," Helena said. "I don't know what I was talking about." "Who is Victor?" Brooks asked. Helena picked up another stack of grapes and shrugged. She knew he was desperate to keep her talking, but she didn't feel like volunteering any information about Victor at the moment. Helena didn't want everyone thinking she was going insane. "You said ignorance is bliss when it comes to supernaturals," Brooks said. "I disagree. Why don't you tell me what you know about vampires." "Why?" Helena asked. "Aren't you an expert? I mean vampires and werewolves sort of go together. I can't believe I didn't figure it out sooner." "In the spirit of honesty the one attacking you was the first one I've ever seen," Brooks said. "We don't...mesh well together and tend to keep out distances." "So you don't know anything about them then?" "I didn't say that," Brooks said. "Let's just say hypothetically, I want to know what you know so that I don't accidentally drop new information you don't know." Helena smiled and shook her head. She knew he was lying, she could tell. It bothered her a little that she could tell. Helena wasn't good around people and didn't know how to read anyone. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," Brooks said. He was trying so hard, Helena felt like she had to throw him a bone. "A lot of the superstitions are true," Helena said. "Sunlight kills them, if they look you in the eyes they have complete control over you, they drink blood, they're immortal, and dangerous. They don't sleep in coffins, but they can't come in unless you invite them. That extends to any area of ownership, but not communal property." "What do you mean?" "They can't come into a motel room," Helena said. "But if I chose to walk down to the ice machine, or go for a midnight dip in a swimming pool I would be all theirs." "What about private property?" Brooks asked. "The rules are different," Helena said. "If I were a homeowner or renter, as long as I didn't let the public have free access to my lawn, I could stand at the edge of the property and they couldn't touch me." "Is that how you ended up in the parking lot with that one?" Brooks asked. "Did he control you?" "No," Helena said. "That doesn't work on me." "Why not?" Helena shrugged. She looked away. There was enough she had shared. "How do you know all of this?" Brooks asked. "I think that I'm getting tired," Helena said. She forced out a yawn. Brooks walked over to her. He hoisted her up in the air and carried her to the bed. She pulled the robe tighter around herself. "Tomorrow we can get you some new clothes," Brooks said. "I only have a few things for you. Unless you want to put back on the pink nightgown..." "The robe is great," Helena said. "I am going to give you the room then," Brooks said. "Only if you promise me you won't climb out the window again." "You're not staying her too?" Helena asked. Brooks looked surprised. "I don't want to pressure you," he said. Helena appreciated his gesture. She bogged down on the pillow. He started walking away from the bed. Then a bit of fear came over her. Victor had done something to her in the tub, and she was only alone for twenty minutes. She didn't want to think about what would happen if she was alone all night. "Wait," Helena said. "Stay, please." Brooks looked surprised. He turned around to face her. "I mean," Helena said. "It is your room after all. On the couch though. That would be appreciated." "I'm alright with that," Brooks said. He flipped off the light. Helena heard his footsteps and took some comfort in the fact she wasn't alone, for the first time in a long time. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks barely slept. His wolf wouldn't let him. Every fiber of his being was urging him to go over towards the bed and claim what was his. Several times he almost let his wolf win out, but when he walked over and saw her sleeping face he couldn't bring himself to go through with it. The sun was up now and he was happy when the knock finally sounded on his door. He jumped up right away. He watched as Helena lazily pushed herself up on her elbow. "You're a morning person," she said. "Breakfast is here," he said. "The most important meal of the day." He knew he sounded like an idiot, but it was better than the truth. That he stayed up most of the night debating on whether or not to take her. When he went to the door a male Omega was about to wheel in the tray of food. Brooks' eyes went red. He grabbed the man by the throat and pushed him out in the hallway. "Females only from now on," Brooks said. The Omega looked shocked. Bruce knew he was being irrational. He blinked and forced his wolf back. He dropped his hand from the man's neck. "I am very sorry for my actions," Brooks said. "It has been a trying night." "No worries sir," the Omega said. "I remember how it was when I first saw my mate and we had yet to..." The Omega was trying to think of the right words, but there were none. Every other mated pair in history had to wait an hour at most. Brooks nodded to him and turned to go back into the room. "What was that about?" Helena asked. She was sitting up, her legs hanging over the edge of the bed. Brooks' eyes traveled up her slender frame. The robe was open, displaying the top of her thighs pushed together. She looked so inviting. Brooks took a deep breath and forced his wolf down. He needed to remain calm if he wanted to keep the progress he had made last night. At least she was starting to talk to him. "I take breakfast seriously," he said. "Do you want me to carry you over to the table?" "This is largest room I have ever seen in my entire life," Helena said. "I didn't even notice you had a dining table." "It can only fit four," Brooks said. "Do you eat here every morning?" "No," Brooks said. "Normally I eat in my office or I head down and eat with the rest of the pack." "I don't want to steal you away from your duties," Helena said. "Maybe we can go down and eat with your pack?" "NO." Brooks knew he responded with too much force. The idea of another man near her was hard enough, let alone a room filled with them. "Sorry," she said. "It was just a suggestion." "I didn't mean anything," Brooks said. He went over and scooped her up. She fit perfectly in his arms. He kept her cradled close, her scent was driving him mad. He had to hold her up higher so she wouldn't feel the throbbing erection growing in his pants. Once he set her down he had to fight the urge to run and take an ice cold shower before taking his seat. "I was so worried about before and I forgot all about food," Brooks said. "I should have had some waiting for you when you woke up." "It's okay," Helena said. "If it weren't for you I might have not woken up at all." Brooks smiled. It was a compliment, the first she had given him. His wolf was screaming at him. This was a sign of acceptance. Take her. He pushed it back down. "What do you want to do today?" Brooks asked. "Do you have to work?" Helena asked. "I don't want to be a bother." "You could never be a bother," Brooks said. As bad as he wanted her physically he did get some satisfaction mentally by just being in her presence. He knew if there were too much distance between them he would go crazy. "Do you want to see your sister?" Brooks asked. "No," Helena responded. He was shocked. He assumed that would be the first place she would want to go. Another knock came at the door. Brooks wasn't expecting anyone. He was relieved when his mother walked into the room. "Hello," she said. "I thought I would check up on you two. How is everything?" "Fine thank you," Helena said. Brooks was pleased she seemed to be taking to his mother. That would make their life a little easier. "Your father is in the hall," she said. "Should he join us?" Brooks knew his eyes were turning red again. His mother nodded and Brooks was sure she mentioned it to his father over their mental link. "Actually," she said. "I have ulterior motives for coming. I thought I could do some shopping with Helena this morning, maybe you can spend some time with your father then? We could trade off at lunch time." "Or the four of us could eat lunch together?" Helena suggested. "We can figure that out later," she said. "Helena has to go see Melanie," Brooks said. "I arranged for Melanie to come meet us here," his mother said. "A little more privacy for us girls." "How is your ankle feeling?" Brooks asked. "I think it will be fine," Helena said. Brooks was torn, he didn't want to leave her, but was in desperate need for a run. If she was with his mother than at least he wouldn't have to worry about other males coming to her when he was gone. "Do you mind then if I go see my father?" "Not at all," Helena said. Brooks took another bite of his toast before excusing himself from the table. He stopped in the bathroom and changed clothes as fast as he could before leaving the room. He heard the two women laughing and thought at least he was making progress. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Your ankle has heeled remarkably well," Melanie said. Truthfully it wasn't bothering Helena at all anymore. When Melanie took off the wrapping the bruising had gone down a significant amount. Helena noticed the scratches on her body were fading fast too. All of them accept the markings on her neck. They seemed to be getting deeper in color. "I've got strong genes," Helena said. The last thing she wanted to do was draw suspicions. She made sure her hair was covering the wound on her neck. "I don't even think it needs a cast anymore," Melanie said. "It must have looked worse last night then it really was," Helena said. "I mean, it was late and Brooks can be a little over cautious." The doctor scratched her head. "You must be right," she said. "Don't put too much pressure on it, I wouldn't go for a run or anything." "Thank you," Helena said. Melanie gathered her belongings and left the room. "Well that went well," Daphne said. "Brooks will be pleased." Helena gave a nervous head nod. "I know the last thing anyone wants is a nervous mother, but how are things going between you two?" "We're not married," Helena said. "And I still don't understand how you're his mother. You look about five years older then him." "We age differently," Daphne said. "Especially Alphas." "How old are you?" Helena asked. "If you don't mind me asking." "I don't mind at all," Daphne said. "One hundred and ninety four." Helena almost fell over. She started giggling and brought her hand to her mouth. "Hard to believe isn't it?" Daphne asked. "I was eighteen when I met Brooks' father. I was a human then, like yourself." "Were all of you human at some point?" Helena asked. "No," Daphne said. "It is actually fairly rare that Weres mate with a human. Your sister is the only other former human in our pack." The mention of Rebecca soured Helena's stomach. She wanted to want to see her sister, but there was no desire. It was like she was passive to the idea. If Rebecca walked into the room right now Helena wouldn't kick her out. She just didn't care. It sent a shiver down her spine. "I didn't mean to upset you dear," Daphne said. "I originally planned on spending the morning shopping. We have to get you some clothes." "Are we leaving the compound then?" Helena asked. "I'm sorry, I don't even know if that is the right word." "We use the term lodge mainly," Daphne said. "But we own all the surrounding woods too. For at least five miles in every direction, ten miles to the north and twenty to the south." "This place is huge," Helena said. "We want to keep everyone here protected," Daphne said. She leaned over and gave Helena's had a reassuring squeeze. Helena pulled her hand in when Daphne moved away. "I'm not used to people," Helena said. She knew how strange that sounded, but Daphne didn't seem to judge her. "I thought it might be best if we stayed here," Daphne said. "Online shopping is much more fun anyway. There is much more of a selection than the nearest mall, which is a three hour drive anyway." "It never really occurred to me," Helena said. "But I have no clue where we are. What state is this?" "Let me call someone to bring that computer," Daphne said. "I have a projector too. We can put all the pictures on the wall, then make our choices. I'll put in an order for champagne and orange juice too. Brooks mentioned you just turned twenty-one? We can celebrate a little." Helena noticed Daphne dodged her question, but she smiled anyway. A little pang in her heart reminded her no matter what Brooks said she was still a prisoner here, and at this rate her sentence seemed indefinite. ~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks and his father ran to the edge of their property then circled the whole perimeter. Brooks knew his father was ready to stop, but he could have kept running for at least another hour. They were back to the lodge though, and Brooks had to get back to Helena soon. The two men shifted back and picked up their clothes. "I think I needed that," Brooks said. His father panted and nodded at him. The two dressed in silence. "Now that the run is over," his father said. "Are you ready to talk?" "About what?" Brooks asked. "The situation," Hugh said. "She's not rejecting me," Brooks said. "Sometimes I can see her struggling with it. Almost like I can tell a part of her is yearning for me just as bad as I want her. It flashes in her eyes and then it's gone a second later." "This is unknown territory," Hugh said. "It has to have something to do with that vampire," Brooks said. "Or at least the bite." "Have you thought about just giving her your mark?" Hugh asked. "That might counteract whatever is going on." "I have," Brooks said. "But it's too risky. What if it doesn't do anything but make her hate me? Would you have been able to mark mom against her will?" Hugh smiled and shook his head. "It's not in our nature to hurt our mates," Hugh said. "I would never have forced anything on her." "I feel like I am getting dangerously close to crossing that line sometimes," Brooks said. "I wouldn't worry. You cannot hurt your mate. Your wolf won't let you if it ever came down to it. I do have some good news though. I was able to track down a specialist from another pack," Hugh said. "He should be here tonight, but he will have to examine her." The thought of another man touching Helena sent Brooks' core aflame. He didn't know how to respond. "She was talking to someone last night," Brooks said. "She said she was just talking to herself, but I think she was lying." "Who?" "I don't know," Brooks said. "A vampire wouldn't be able to come on our grounds would he? I mean it's private property. He shouldn't be able to come near the lodge." "I know as much about vampires as you do," Hugh said. "You probably know more. I've never seen one." "Helena suggested the four of us have lunch together," Brooks said. "But I don't think it's a good idea. It's not that I don't trust you..." "You don't have to explain yourself," Hugh interrupted. "I'm letting your mother know right now that you're on your way back. She will come up some excuse and leave before you arrive." All Is Fair Ch. 05 "Thank you," Brooks said. "For everything." "That's what family is for," Hugh said. "You will get through this." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "I think we have made some fine purchases this morning," Daphne said. Helena looked down at the pair of jeans she was wearing and the neon green t-shirt. They did not compare to the quality of garments she reluctantly agreed for Daphne to buy for her. All of them were purchased as express shipping too. "Thank you again," Helena said. "No need for thank yous," Daphne said. "You are family now." Daphne reached for the bottle of champagne and topped off Helena's glass. She wanted to point out they weren't family, but this morning had been fun. The most fun Helena could ever remember. She frowned at the image of her real parents. "Why do you look so sad?" Daphne asked. "Nothing," Helena said. Daphne gave her a do-tell look. Helena felt bad for not speaking up. "I was just thinking about my own mother and father," Helena said. "I am sure we will never replace them," Daphne said. "No," Helena said. "It's not that. They were very religious. Growing up we had to be inside by dusk everyday. Then we had to pray all night. I was really sheltered. We never really did anything fun like this. Me and Rebecca were home schooled. I never had any friend either. We didn't even own a tv, let alone a computer." "I am sure they had their reasons," Daphne said. "After all when I was born televisions didn't exist yet." "Looking back maybe they did," Helena said. "But if we ever misbehaved my mother would use a wooden spoon while my dad would use a belt. I mean for every little thing. They were so strict and I was so scared all the time. Rebecca was my rock. She had it worse than I did." Daphne was quiet. Helena let the words she was saying settle in. She suddenly had the urge to speak to her sister. It was almost over whelming. "I don't think anyone should hurt a child," Daphne said. "Especially not one as precious as you or Rebecca." Before Helena could voice her request they call for her sister Daphne stood up. "I had so much fun with you this morning," Daphne said. "But I have to get going. I need to meet my mate." "I thought the four of us were having lunch?" "We will soon," Daphne said. "Hugh is just dying to meet you, but running the pack takes priority right now and duty calls. Don't worry Brooks will be right in." Helena stood up and walked Daphne to the door. She leaned in and gave Helena a huge hug before leaving. It was a deep, warm embrace and Daphne welcomed her touch. Once she left Helena resolved to let Brooks know she wanted to speak with her sister. A smile crossed her face over reuniting with her sibling. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around to see Brooks. He was almost on top of her. "I didn't hear you come in," Helena said. "I had a great morning with your.." Before she could finish her sentence his hands reached out. They grabbed onto her t-shirt and split the fabric down the middle. Helena was shocked at first, but then instincts forced her to run away. he reached out and grabbed her, spinning her around so she faced him. Helena's adrenaline was kicking i. "What are you doing?" she asked. She struggled to pull her wrists out of his grip. He didn't respond. He pulled both of her hands behind her back and secured them with one fist. He used his free hand the rip off her pants. Helena felt her fear rise. She struggled against him, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. An evil grin crossed his face and his eyes started to glow red. "Stop," she said, the panic rising in her voice. He dropped her hands and she went to run again, but he grabbed her arms and lifted her up, throwing her on the bed. He as on top of her immediately. She felt his weight hold her down. She went to scream but one of his hands covered her mouth. She could feel the tears start to well. She continued to struggle against him, but he weighed too much. With his free hand he started to remove her panties. She let out a whimper and relaxed. Her sudden submission caught him off guard. Helena used his momentary distraction to bring her knee up, smashing him right between his legs. Brooks let out a groan and Helena rolled out from under him and off the bed. "HELP ME," she screamed. She didn't bother putting back on her clothes before running into the hallway. She kept screaming, hoping someone would come to her aid. Helena turned her head to make sure Brooks wasn't following her. She didn't see him, but before she could look straight ahead of her she felt her body run into a wall. Her body bounced back and she fell to the floor. All Is Fair Ch. 06 Arms reached down and grabbed on to Helena's shoulders. She wasn't alone, someone was going to save her. It took her a moment to collect herself, but the sense of safety vanished when she realized who had found her. Brooks griped onto her arms. She tried to shrink away, but he knelt down on the floor. "What happened?" He asked. The looks in his eyes was filled with genuine concern. Helena didn't understand. She wiggled out of his grip and fell against the wall, bracing herself for his advancements. "Did someone hurt you?" He asked. He looked away from her and towards the open door. Helena tried to slide against the wall and away from him. "Stay away from me," she said. Helena pressed her back as hard against the wall as she could. Her breathing was increasing and she felt like she was hyperventilating. "Please tell me what's wrong?" Brooks asked. He reached his hand out to put it on her shoulder and Helena almost fell over trying to avoid his touch. As she tried to steady herself she glanced down for a moment. The neon green of her t-shirt was visible. Her jeans were still on too. Helena looked back up at Brooks. He had brought his hand down, and was sitting on his bent knees. His lips hung open slightly and his brow was wrinkled. It wasn't him who attacked her. Helena let out a loud sob and threw herself forward, right into Brooks' arms. He seemed taken aback at first, but quickly wrapped his arms around her. She continued to sob into his chest. Her shoulders started shaking and he ran his hand up and down her back. "You're safe," Brooks said. "I won't let anything bad happen to you." Helena felt him kiss the top of her head. She squeezed him harder, feeling like there was no way she could ever get too close to him. "Please," Brooks said. "Tell me what happened. I can't help you if you don't tell me." "I'm sorry," Helena said. "I don't know what's wrong with me." All of the emotions Helena had been missing flooded her being. She wanted to stay in his arms forever. "Let me help you," Brooks said. "It was Victor," Helena said. "It had to be." "Who is Victor?" Brooks asked. Helena could feel the emotions draining out of her. She squeezed Brooks tighter, as if that could make whatever love she had building inside her stay. "Is he the vampire that bit you?" Brooks asked. Helena nodded her head. Her tears were drying up. She felt herself relaxing, no longer having the urge to be so close to Brooks. He responded to her movements and started to pull away from her. "Tell me everything," Brooks said. "I think I'm going crazy," Helena said. "I promise you you're not." Helena used Brooks' arms to steady herself and she stood back up. Brooks followed her lead. Once they were standing he pulled her against him. She no longer needed his embrace, but didn't push away from him. He let go of her, but kept his arm around her shoulder, guiding her back into his room. When Helena crossed the threshold she noticed the bed looked untouched. She wasn't sure if any of it had really happened or it was an entire hallucination. "He comes to me when I'm alone," Helena said. "I don't think he's really here though, it's like a vision, but I think he is getting stronger." Brooks didn't ask any questions. Helena knew he was giving her freedom to talk, but she wished he would drag it out of her. "This last time he tried to attack me," Helena said. "Or make me think I was being attacked, I'm not sure. I can't tell what is real when he is around." "Did he hurt you?" Brooks asked. "It felt so real," Helena said. "He tore off my clothes and pinned me down, but none of it happened." Helena looked up. She saw Brooks' eyes start to change color. He forced them shut for a few moments. When the opened back up the blue was back. Helena knew he was trying to hide his anger for her sake. "The other two times were later," Helena said. "I thought maybe he was only a threat at night." "Did he hurt you the other times?" Brooks asked. Helena shook her head. "The other two times he couldn't even touch me," Helena said. "He was like a mirage. This time it was different. I can tell too, when he's going to come for me. I feel like I have some stone growing in my heart, and then it lifts only for a few minutes then he is here as soon as he leaves the stone starts to come back." "Can you feel him now?" Brooks asked. "No," Helena said. "I think he can only appear if I am alone." "My mom should have stayed with you until I got back," Brooks said. "How could she have known?" Helena asked. "I didn't even know." The adrenaline was gone. Helena was no longer afraid. It wasn't right. She wasn't right. Helena knew she needed to fix this and she needed help. She looked at Brooks. He had his knuckle at his teeth, biting down as if he were trying to keep from exploding. "I need you to be absolutely honest with me from here on out," Brooks said. "Is there anything else you can tell me? Any side effects? Anything feel off?" "I'm healing very fast," Helena said. "My ankle is fine. The scratches from yesterday are almost gone. I'm having some trouble with my feelings." "Expressing them?" Brooks asked. Helena shook her head. "Feeling them," Helena said. "Like the stone in my heart." For a moment Helena thought Brooks looked relieved. "One other thing," Helena said. "This last time he didn't appear as himself. He was you." Brooks was quiet for a moment. Helena thought it looked like he was about to explode. "When you saw me in the hall," Brooks said. "Did you think I had just attacked you?" Helena nodded. "You should trust I would never hurt you," Brooks said. "It felt so real," Helena said. "I didn't know what to think. I wasn't thinking, I was just scared." Helena dropped her head into her hands and began rubbing her temples. The champagne from this morning was giving her a headache. All of a sudden a wave of sleep washed over her. She looked at the bed. It seemed too far away, like her legs wouldn't make the trip to the mattress. "I need to lay down," she said. She didn't wait for Brooks' response before hurling herself towards the bed. She didn't bother getting under the covers. Reality was slipping away as soon as her head touched the pillow. "We will figure this out," Brooks said. "I promise." "Don't leave me alone," Helena said. "Never," Brooks said. She felt his hand brush the hair away from her face and sleep overtake her. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Is the water warm enough for you dear?" Daphne asked. "It's fine," Helena said. "Thank you." Helena knew there was no way the water would be anything but perfect, not unlike everything else at the lodge. She knew Daphne was aware of that fact too, but the female wolf was kind enough to stay in the bathroom while Helena showered and was probably grasping at straws to make small talk. "I know this is awkward," Helena said. "That's what family is for," Daphne said. Daphne was as sweet as they came, but Helena thought they were far from family. She was surprised to see Daphne sitting at her bedside when she woke up and not Brooks, but the two enjoyed a small dinner and now Helena was getting ready to go meet Brooks and whatever vampire expert the wolves had managed to get a hold of. She shut off the shower and dried herself off before wrapping the towel around herself and exiting the bathroom. The steam from the shower had done a number on Daphne's hair and makeup. Her blond curls had frizzed up and the black eyeliner was starting to drip down. Helena gave her a sheepish smile. "It's fine," Daphne said. "I got a glance of myself in the mirror. No need to apologize." Helena was about to say that she hadn't apologized, but thought better of it and closed her mouth. Truthfully she didn't feel bad for ruining Daphne's hairstyle. It seemed like such a trivial thing to care about. A small shudder worked its way through her body. Some part of her knew she should care, but nothing came. "I am sorry," Helena lied. "We are supposed to meet the boys in thirty minutes," Daphne said. "So lets both make ourselves presentable." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks was pacing again. This time it was in his father's office. The vampire expert, Zachary sat in one of the chairs while his father sat on the opposite couch. "You're making me nervous," Hugh said. "Are you sure you're okay with me being here?" "Figuring out whatever is going on with Helena is more important than my urge to keep males away from her," Brooks said. "Even my wolf seems to agree with me on this point, but I would refrain from touching her...both of you." "I may have to exam the bite mark," Zachary said. "Under your supervision of course." There was a knock on the door. The other two men stood up and Brooks stopped pacing. His mother walked in first, with Helena right behind her. Brooks' wolf came up at first, wanting to run to her and take her, but his instincts abated when Brooks made him focus on the situation. She wore the same baggy jeans from earlier, but switched into a plain white t-shirt. The material was a little thin and Brooks could make out the white bra she wore underneath. He glared at the other two men in the room, both of them seemed composed and Brooks forced himself to relax again. Her long brown hair was hanging in front of her shoulders. It wasn't quite straight, like the natural waves were trying to take over. Brooks thought she looked effortlessly beautiful. "Hello," she said. "Hello Helena," Brooks' father said. "My name is Hugh. It is very nice to finally meet you." Brooks' mother walked over to his father and gave him a quick kiss. Brooks wished Helena would do the same, but instead she gave a small smile before taking a seat on the couch. Brooks sat down next to her, making sure that he was in-between her and his father and Zachary. "Hello Helena," Zachary said. "I am visiting from another pack. My name is Zachary and I may be able to shed some light on your situation." "You mean with Victor?" Helena said. Hearing another man's names on Helena's lips sent ire down Brooks' spine. He gripped onto the sofa cushion, hoping he didn't need to shred it to focus his aggression. "The vampire," Zachary said. "May I?" Zachary stood up from his chair. Helena turned her neck to the side and moved her hair back. Brooks' heart broke a little when he saw the wound. It was growing darker in color and starting to spread. The two small puncture wounds hadn't closed at all. "Does it hurt?" Zachary asked. "I don't really notice it," Helena said. Zachary reached his hand out. Brooks let out a growl. He couldn't help himself. He felt a hand grab his own. He was surprised to see it belonged to Helena. He focused on her small movement and didn't watch as Zachary touched her neck. Finally when Zachary stood up again Brooks let himself relax. "How long ago was this now?" Zachary asked. "One week," Brooks said. Zachary took a seat again. "The Benson's told me that you have some knowledge about supernaturals," Zachary said. "I would like to hear your story." "You mean what I know?" Helena asked. "Not just what you know," Zachary said. "How you know it." Helena pulled her hand off of Brooks. He wanted to make her feel comfortable. He reached out and put his hand on her knee. "You're safe," Brooks said. "I don't think you will like this story," Helena said. "I told you, I'm not a good person." "This is a judgment free space," Hugh said. "We all have our demons." "We want to help you dear," Daphne said. Brooks watched Helena's eyes dart around the room. She stopped when she looked at Brooks. Their eyes met for a few seconds, she had a blank look. "Please," Brooks said. "Alright," Helena said. "If you think it will help." "I think it will help a great deal," Zachary said. "My parents were a bit of fanatics. We lived in the middle of nowhere. I grew up without access to electronics, running water, friends, it was just me and my sister. My parents never let us out after dark. They could be a bit severe in their punishments." Brooks was having difficulty controlling himself. The image of anyone hurting her made him want to go crazy. He tightened his grip on his couch cushion. "I was ten," Helena said. "Rebecca and I were playing in the fields, we made sure we were home before dark, like always. This one particular day my parents were missing. They never came home. I never saw them again." "That must have been hard," Hugh said. Helena shrugged. "Me and Rebecca continued on with our lives like normal," Helena said. "It took almost six months for someone to find us. My father was a farmer, he sold produce at the farmer's markets on the weekends. When he didn't show up one of his customers tracked down his address. He was shocked when he found me and Rebecca." Helena took a little break. Brooks wanted to urge her to continue, but her expression wasn't one of fear. It was more of acceptance. "At first social services tried to put us in a home with abused kids," Helena said. "But we weren't abused. My father didn't drink, he never put a hand on my mother. They just were a little unorthodox in our punishments sometimes. But we didn't fit in with those kids. People kept trying to convince us we were abused, but we weren't." "Back up a moment," Zachary said. "Did anyone ever find your parents?" "Yes," Helena said. "Their bodies were found in the lake, not too far from our house. It was ruled a suicide." Brooks' mother let out a gasp. "They had rocks in their pockets," Helena said. "No sign of a struggle, or a motive. I think we are getting a little ahead of ourselves though." Brooks thought this must be painful for her to talk about, but her voice didn't waver. She was so strong. "Back to the group home though," Helena said. "We had an intense fear of the dark too. They tried to break us of it, but nothing worked. We bounced around from specialist to specialist over the years. Then when Rebecca was fifteen she started to adjust a little better. Admitted that our parents abused us and said she wanted to work through the issues. I remember telling her she was lying, but she said it didn't matter. That if we didn't lie they would separate us soon. I didn't want that, so I lied too." Brooks didn't know whether or not Rebecca was lying, some of what Helena mentioned sounded like abuse to him, but he wasn't a parent and didn't feel the right to judge anyone at the moment. "We went to a permanent home," Helena said. "It was a still a group situation though, we never had adopted or foster parents. We went to a normal school. Rebecca blossomed, she started going on dates, getting friends. I think she was happy there." "What about you?" Zachary asked. "I was happy to be with my sister," Helena said. "I never broke my fears like she did. I refused to go outside after dark. Sometimes a doctor made me and I put on a brave face, acted like it wasn't a big deal. I don't think Rebecca minded, since it freed up her nights. We sort of settled into a routine. It was nice...in a way." "Then why did you run?" Brooks asked. "Rebecca turned eighteen," Helena said. "Her time in the group home expired, but mine didn't. I was only sixteen. They wouldn't let me leave with her, so we ran away together. We got a motel room a few towns over. Rebecca said she was going out to get something for us to eat. It was nighttime, so I stayed in the room. She never came back." Brooks looked at his parents' faces. He wondered if their opinions of Rebecca changed as his had, since they were fully aware as soon as she left she met her mate and abandoned her sister. "What happened next?" Zachary asked. Helena took a breath. "That is where it gets...complicated," Helena said. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Five years earlier It had been one week since Helena had seen Rebecca. She didn't know what to do. She asked the businesses within walking distance if they had seen Rebecca, but nobody would give her an answer. If she went to the police they would send her back to the group home. Helena thought maybe that wouldn't be so bad, but then she remembered without Rebecca there it would be a whole different world. Helena knew she would be better off alone. A knock on the door broke Helena from her thoughts. She looked towards the window, even though the curtains were drawn she knew it was dark outside. "I know you're in there," a man's voice said. "Open the door." Helena didn't move. "Fine," he said. "I have the key, I can open it myself." Helena heard the keys jingle. Her heart jumped up in the throat. She didn't know what to do. Once he opened the door, the moonlight followed him in and Helena stood up from the bed. "You only paid through yesterday," he said. "If you want to stay I need more money." "I don't have any more money," Helena said. "Then get out," he said. He moved to the side and left the door wide open. The sky looked so dark, Helena didn't know what to do. He let out a sigh. "Look," he said. "I can tell you're just a kid, but this isn't a charity. If you want to stay I need more money or else I will call the police and you can be there problem." "My sister went missing," Helena said. "I don't have anywhere to go." "Shit," the man said. "The last thing I need is this place getting a reputation for missing persons. Do you know where you are?" Helena shook her head. "Well," he said. "It's not a good place for young women to be walking around by themselves." "Then why are you throwing me out?" Helena asked. "Please. Let me stay one more night. I will leave in the morning. As soon as the sun comes up?" The man looked her up and down. "Have you had anything to eat today?" Helena pointed to the dresser. There were bags of empty chips she had stolen from the vending machine. "I'm not getting messed up in this," he said. "You leave as soon as the sun comes up?" "I promise," Helena said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet. He pulled out a few bills and smacked them on top of the television. "This is in case anyone finds you," he said. "You tell them you were never here. Okay?" "Never where?" Helena said. She was grateful for this small act of kindness. "Leave the key on the bed," he said. He shook his head before closing the door. Helena went to the window. Rebecca's beat up car was still in the lot. She figured the group home hadn't reported them missing because it would have been easy to find the vehicle. Nobody was coming for her. Helena didn't have her license yet, but she had her learners permit and that was good enough. She shut the drapes, making up her mind right then and there. Rebecca wasn't coming back, and Helena had to move forward. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* She drove all day, careful to watch the sun and the time. She maybe had a half hour left. The country roads had faded long ago and wherever Helena was the population had exploded. She needed to find a place to stay the night. The man at the hotel had left her one hundred dollars and she was determined to make it last. Helena spotted a hotel and was quick to pull over. She parked her car and went in. This was different than the motels she was used to. There was a lobby, all the rooms were on the inside. She thought about leaving, but the sun was too low in the sky. She walked up to the desk. "I need a room for the night please," she said. "I will need an ID and a credit card," the woman behind the counter said. "I have cash," Helena said. "We still need a credit card," she said. All Is Fair Ch. 06 "I don't have one," Helena said. Helena looked at the floor, before glancing outside. The sun was setting fast. "How old are you?' the woman asked. "Eighteen," Helena lied. "Are you traveling alone?" The woman said. "Yes," Helena said. The woman pressed her lips. "Is there anyone I can call for you?" the woman asked. "I'm fine," Helena said. "Maybe you should have a seat," the woman said. Helena recognized the tone in the woman's voice. She was going to call the police, or maybe social services. Helena needed to get out of here. She looked out the lobby doors and watched as the sun dipped down below the horizon. "This was a mistake," Helena said. "Please," the woman said. "Stay here." Helena pushed away from the counter. She turned to run before smacking into someone. "Sis," he said. "You're finally here." Helena looked up to see a boy, not much older than her. He might have been Rebecca's age. He was tall with darker skin and short dark hair. There was no way they could pass as blood relatives. "This is your sister?" the woman asked. "Was she trying to get her own room?" He asked. "I already told her we had to share." "Is everything alright?" the woman asked. "I'm going away to college," the boy said. "My little sister is helping me drive across the country to set up my room. My parents are flying in to meet us there. Then taking her home, leaving me the car." "Oh," the woman said. "She said she was eighteen." "Well she lied," he said. "She's only sixteen." "I'm sorry," she said. "I still think I should call someone. If not the police then maybe your parents?" Helena watched as the stranger stared right into the woman's eyes. "This is all a big misunderstanding," he said. "You think this is a hilarious prank by my little sister, but not so funny you have the urge to tell anyone about this or pay us any more attention." Helena watched as the woman gave a little laugh. The man broke eye contact with her and she went back to her business. Helena didn't understand what was going on. He spun around to face Helena. "Come on sis," he said. Helena was so confused. He reached down and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the doors. "I can't go out there," she said. "If you don't then I will leave you here," he said. "Where I am certain she will call the police and return you to where you clearly don't want to be." Over the years Helena had been outside at night several times, but only when someone forced her. She tried her best to remain strong and followed the boy back outside. She kept her eyes glued to the ground as she made it back to her car. She pulled open the door and jumped in the driver's seat. She was surprised when the passenger's side door opened and he sat down. "I don't have any money," she said. "I do," he said. "What do you want?" she asked. "Do you know what you are?" he asked. Helena looked up at him. His brown eyes looked warm. He was giving her a look she hadn't seen in some time. It was the way Rebecca used to look at her years ago. "You have every reason to be scared of the night," he said. "But not when you're with me." "Why?" Helena asked. "Because I am what you should be scared of," he said. "Now drive." He reached over and buckled his seatbelt. Helena didn't know what to do. Her hand was shaking, but with no other options or place to go she turned over the ignition and followed his directions. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~ The sky grew darker and darker. They were out of whatever city Helena had stumbled upon and back in the country. She felt like her heart was going to give out at any second. They hadn't passed any other cars or houses for some time. "There's a driveway on your right," he said. "Slow down. It sort of sneaks up on you." Helena wouldn't have noticed it. The headlights of her car only showed cornfields. She did as he instructed and turned. The only words he had spoken were directions. Helena was too scared to talk, but her mind was bursting with questions. "Are you going to kill me?" she asked. "Don't ask any questions unless you're certain you will like the answer," he said. "That's your first lesson." "First lesson?" Helena asked. He let out a sigh. "No," he said. "I am not going to kill you. In fact the opposite, I want to teach you how to survive." "Survive what?" "Survive things like me," he said. "What are you?" "What was lesson number one?" Helena kept her mouth shut. A small house came into view. "That's our destination," he said. "You can park out front." This was insane. Helena put the car in park. She waited for him to get out, but instead he stared at her, waiting for her to make a move. She opened the door and started to run towards the corn. Before she made it two feet his was right in front of her. She smacked into him for the second time that day and fell back into the car. "Lesson number two," he said. "You can't escape us. Now come inside. We have lots to discuss." He didn't help her off the ground. Instead he walked straight towards the house. Helena stood back up. She rubbed her tailbone and thought about getting in the car and taking off again, but was certain he was telling the truth. A big part of her wanted to follow him, if anything because she wanted to get out of the darkness. The house was small. It was one story with a kitchen and sitting room. She noticed there was no television. He was in the kitchen. "I don't have any food," he said. "But would you like some water?" "Please," she said. Not knowing what else to do she took a seat on the couch. "I am sure you want to know what is going on," he said. He came into the small room and handed her the glass. She took a sip, not realizing how thirsty she was. "Why are you scared of the night?" he asked. Helena didn't know what was happening, but against her better judgment she had the urge to share. "My parents," she said. "I was never outside when I was little." "Is that why you ran away?" He asked. "No," she said. "They died a long time ago." He kept a straight face. "None of that matters to me," he said. "It's a little trying to pretend to care. Smart parents though, did they tell you what you are?" "I'm just a girl," she said. "You are far more than that," he said. "How do you know?" "Because," he said. "About two thousand years ago I was the same thing." Helena's eyes went wide. This guy sounded crazy. "Humans think that they own everything," he said. "That they should only fear each other. But there are far worse things out there. Things like me." "What are you?" Helena asked. "I am a vampire," he said. He said it with such certainty Helena didn't even react. "What am I?" "The tastiest dinner there is," he said. Helena felt her body go numb. None of this made any sense. But she thought about the way the night had gone. The way this young man entranced the hotel worker, the way he moved so fast when she tried to run. She looked up at him. "Are you going to eat me?" "No," he said. "In fact nobody is, you're not ripe yet." "What does that mean?" Helena asked. "Humans under the age of eighteen are incredibly unappetizing to us," he said. "It's like you blossom over night on that special day. For the most part the older you are the better you taste, to a certain point. I like them in the mid forties." "But you just said..." "I can smell it on you already, but only because I was like you once," he said. "A person like you comes around every few hundred years. A delicacy." "Is that how you found me?" Helena asked. "No," he said. "I normally meet my blood supplier at the hotel bar." "Like a donor?" Helena asked. "No," he said. "Vampires don't like to be noticed .We drink from bags these days. If you bite someone they either die or get turned. There's no in-between like in the movies. Maybe once a year I will take a live victim as a special treat." Helena shuddered. "Why are you telling me all of this?" Helena asked. "Because nobody found me and warned me," he said. "But I have two years to prepare you for what is to come. Maybe you can find a way to survive us." Suddenly Helena's eyes got heavy. It came on quickly, she looked down at the water. "Sorry to drug you like this," he said. "But I still have to get back to meet my supplier and won't have time to chase you if you run. You should wake up tomorrow at sundown and then we can get started. Sleep tight little human." He stood up and Helena felt herself collapse on her side on the couch. "By the way," he said. "My name is Abe." There was a blur and Helena thought she felt the breeze of the door open and close. She couldn't focus on any thoughts. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When Helena woke up she was on a couch in a strange house. Her body ached from sleeping in such an uncomfortable position. "Sorry," he said. "I must have overdone it. You should have woken up a few hours ago. But I grabbed some human food for you while I was in town last night. Sandwich?" Last night came tumbling back into Helena's mind. All of a sudden a plate was in front of her and the strange vampire was seated in the chair next to the couch. "Eat and then we can get started," he said. "Started with what?" Helena asked. "Teaching you how to survive," he said. Helena looked at the food. Her stomach growled. "Don't worry," he said. "I won't drug you until the sun is about to rise. I need you awake and alert to learn." "How to defend myself from vampires?" Helena asked. He let out a loud laugh and threw his head back. "There is no way to defend yourself," he said. "Remember lesson number two." He pointed to the computer sitting in the middle of the table. It was a laptop. Helena didn't know much about electronics. "I am teaching you how to survive," he said. "This little box is the future." "What do you mean?" Helena asked. "You're not as sharp as I would have liked," he said. "Once you turn eighteen every vampire in a one hundred mile radius is going to smell you and come for you. You will have to constantly keep moving, stay off the grid, change your identity, steal enough money to survive and go unnoticed. These are the skills I am going to teach you. At least you already have the first one down." "What's the first one?" Helena asked. "Never go outside after dark," he said. "If you're inside in a private area they won't be able to get to you. Most humans would find that undesirable, but you're already used to it. Now eat your sandwich and we can get started." Helena knew she should be scared, but she was hungry and didn't have anywhere else to go. As insane as his statements were they made some sense to her. She always felt there was a reason for her parents' crazy rules. Maybe this was it. She picked up the sandwich and took a bite. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Good work," Abe said. Helena had created a new identity in under an hour this time. She didn't forget any of the necessary databases either. "Remember," Abe said. "These names can only last three months at the most, but move on after a week if possible," Helena said. "Never try to make a permanent one. Lessons forty-two and forty-three." He tossed her an apple. "Don't get smart," he said. Helena sat back from the keyboard. She looked at the pieces of plastic on the couch. She hoped he wasn't going to make her physically create the IDs and Credit Cards tonight. She had those down pat and didn't want to go through them again. "Don't forget about eating," he said. "You never seem to care about that." Helena looked him dead in the eye and took a large bite of her apple. He let out a laugh. Her familiarity with him was a comfort. She didn't think she'd ever bonded this much with Rebecca. Thinking of her name sent a pang. "Still thinking about your sister?" "I thought mind reading didn't work on me," Helena said. "Vampires can't read minds," Abe said. "Just control them. I don't know why you keep looking for her. She's probably dead." "How can you say that with such a straight face?" Helena asked. "Because I am a vampire," he said. "Death doesn't matter to me." "But mine does?" Helena asked. She knew she struck a nerve. "I see myself in you," Abe said. "Just because I don't feel anymore doesn't mean I don't remember what it was like. My humanity was stolen from me and I don't want that to happen to you." "What will happen if one of them grabs me?" Helena asked. "One of us grabs me," Abe said. Helena rolled her eyes. Another one of Abe's lessons. Never forget what he is. The enemy. "Answer the question," Helena said. She knew the answer, but liked the reminder. "They will drain you," Abe said. "Then let you heal, drain you again, let you heal, drain you again, then you'll wake up a vampire. Then they will leave you to fend for yourself." "Why?" Helena asked. "Your blood will taste too good to only drain once," Abe said. "They will want as much as they can have. Three bites is what it takes to turn someone so that's all they will have." "No," Helena said. "Why leave me?" Over the last year and a half Abe constantly avoided answering this question. "We're solitary creatures," Abe said. "We don't need the company." "But you keep me around," Helena said. "Because you serve a purpose for me," Abe said. "Back to work." "We have three months left until I'm eighteen," Helena said. "What will happen then?" "You have one day to get at least one hundred miles away from here," Abe said. "Stay away from large cities, move around a lot. Hopefully multiple vampires will catch your scent and kill each other fighting over the right to stalk you. Never go outside at night." "No permanent home because then it would be too easy to attract them," Helena finished. "Exactly," Abe said. "Now come on. Let me see how fast you can alter those IDs." Helena rolled her eyes, but she knew better than to continue the conversation. She picked up the plastic and put it under the small printer and started work on altering the card. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Tonight Helena made a completely new identity in thirty minutes, including credit card and ID. Abe leaned back in his chair. "Are you proud?" she asked. "I think you have a shot at surviving," he said. Helena still was unsure what she was surviving. Abe made it a point to keep her in the dark about vampirism, but with one week left until her eighteenth birthday she still had so many questions. "What's wrong now?" Abe asked. "I don't understand sometimes," Helena said. "You're telling me I will spend the rest of my life living in the light, using fake names, with no home. How is that surviving? Maybe I would be better off as a vampire." A whip of air came and Helena was against the wall. Abe's hand was around her neck, lifting her in the air. She kicked and struggled for breath. "I could snap your neck this instance and not shed a single tear," he said. "Is that the sort of existence you want?" Helena kept kicking, but he was either too fast or too far away for her to make contact. She brought her hands to her neck trying to claw his away. She shook her head no and he let her go. Her body hit the floor with a thud. She started gasping for breath. "I was taken on my eighteenth birthday," Abe said. "Held for less than a month before I was drained three times and turned into this. Even if I only give you a few extra years they are worth it. Trust me." He was already sitting on the couch again. Helena pulled herself up off the floor. She looked at Abe, he was so calm, not caring that he had just threatened her life. They had lived under the same roof for two years, but that didn't matter to him in the slightest. Helena needed to focus on that. She walked back over to the chair. "You never told me what to do in the event one of you does get me," Helena said. "How do I kill them?" "You don't," Abe said. "You have to accept death and try your hardest to find a way to kill yourself before they turn you, or keep them in a public place with lots of humans around. They won't want to risk exposure." "There has to be a way," Helena said. "Please tell me something. We only have a week left, I'm not going to try to kill you. You can go back to drugging me for the daylight hours if that's a concern." Abe looked away. Then he leaned forward, pressing his hands to his knees. "Sunlight," Abe said. "But we're not dead during the day. We will fight you and kill you if you try to take us outside." "I knew that already," Helena said. "Decapitation, fire," Abe said. "Wooden stake through the heart?" Helena asked. "Holy water? Crosses? Silver" "No, no, and no. Silver is...unpleasant though," Abe said. "Should I wear silver?" Helena asked. "Worthless," Abe said. "It doesn't ward us off, or kills us, but it's the only thing that can cut us. A silver knife will take a vampires head clear off, stabbing a vampire might slow them down, but it won't kill them. Even if it's through the heart. If you have a piece of sharp silver focus on decapitation." Helena couldn't imagine decapitating anyone, even if they were a vampire. "But honestly, we are so hard to kill that I'm sure there are other ways people haven't discovered. Those are the only three I'm certain of." "What happens if I'm only bitten once and I survive?" Helena asked. "That won't happen," Abe said. "You will be a prize possession." "But what if?" Helena asked. "It. Won't. Happen." Helena sighed. That meant Abe probably didn't know. She leaned back on the couch. He stood up and went into one of the bedrooms. He came back out and set a suitcase on the table. "What is this?" Helena asked. "A farewell present," Abe said. She leaned forward and opened the suitcase. There was a few articles of clothing, a brand new laptop, and a small handheld printer. On the bottom was a long silver dagger. Helena decided not to bring that out. "Thank you," Helena said. "There's twenty five thousand dollars of cash behind the zipper," Abe said. Helena almost spit. "I wish I could give you more," he said. Helena stood up and wrapped her arms around the vampire's neck. Giving him a grateful hug. She knew his hands were stiff at his side. He didn't like it when she tried to touch him, but she felt him acquiesce and lift his arms around her. Over the last two years Abe had been a brother and a father to her. He gave Helena's life focus and purpose. She didn't know what she would have done without him. Tears welled in her eyes thinking about leaving him, knowing she would never form a relationship like this again. "I think you should leave in the morning," Abe said. Helena dropped her arms. She backed up and looked up at him. His face was unmoved. "I don't understand," Helena said. "My birthday isn't for another week. Shouldn't we stay together as long as possible?" "No," Abe said. "Once you turn eighteen I won't be able to help myself. I will drain you again and again until you are like me. Then throw you away." "But we've spent the last two years together," Helens said. "What if I let you turn me? Then we could keep surviving together. You could help me be a vampire..." "If you were another vampire I would want nothing to do with you," Abe said. "And you would want nothing to do with me." "You've told me repeatedly you avoid vampires. You don't know that is true," Helena said. "Maybe it was just your maker who ran out on you. Maybe I could be your daughter. We could.." All Is Fair Ch. 06 Helena was slammed into the wall again before she could finish her thoughts. "If you see yourself as my daughter realize I raised you better than this," Abe said. He was already seated on the couch. Helena arched her back before picking herself up off the floor again. The tears coming to her eyes were more from the mental anguish than the physical pain. "But you're my only family," she said. "I will be alone again." "You should get used to it," Abe said. "But being alone is far better than losing your humanity." Helena starred at him, she didn't have the words to express how she was feeling. "Get some sleep," Abe said. "Leave here as soon as the sun rises." There was another blur and Abe was gone. For the third time in her short existence Helena's life was over as she knew it. ~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~ The motel Helena was holed up in reminded her of her last conversation with Rebecca. But the memory of her sister was replaced by a longing for her mentor. When she drove away from him a week ago she tried not to memorize the directions back, but they were playing over and over in her mind. Abe had admitted many times before that he knew few vampires over his long life, he said it was because as a species they preferred it that way. Helens wondered if he was wrong, if he was missing her company as much she was missing his guidance. The sun was almost up. She pictured him in the basement of the small house, huddled in his bed on the corner in the windowless space, about to sleep for the day. Yesterday was her eighteenth birthday. Helena had survived the night without incident. In fact, the whole evening had been anti climatic. She wondered if Abe was wrong. The sun was low in the sky, having just started rising. Per Abe's instructions she knew she needed to keep moving. It was important to him she increase their distance. Helena sighed and went towards her suitcase. The final present from her mentor. She went to the side compartment and pulled out some of the cash, flipping through the hundred dollar bills. When she was about to put it away something caught her eye. A piece of paper was sticking up from the money. She pulled it out, surprised to see a family photograph. Helena didn't remember seeing this, she flipped it over and saw the inscription "The Long family Rebecca 3, Helena 1". She turned it over again, she was the baby. Strange. Helena's parents had been dead for eight years, she never remembered seeing this photograph before. How could Abe have had it? Her eyes went wide. Maybe it was more than coincidence she met him at the hotel two years ago, or maybe this was Abe's way of letting her know he did care about her. Either way Helena needed answers, and had an excuse to return to the place she missed the most. She put the picture back and zipped up her suitcase, knowing with certainty her destination. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~ Helena sat on the couch, photograph in hand waiting for Abe to come up from the basement. She heard him move and knew he would be angry with her decision, but she decided to ignore lesson number one. Regardless of the answers she had to ask her questions. The basement stairs started to creak and Helena stood up. "What are you doing here?" Abe asked. He hadn't opened the door yet. "Come talk to me," Helena said. "If I come up there I will drain you," Abe said. "I'm not leaving," Helena said. "And you have to come up eventually." Silence filled the air, then the door opened. Abe walked out. He came into the room Helena was in. His eyes were going up and down her body. He had never examined her this way before. She had the urge to cover herself, but wanted to stay strong. "How did you get this?" Helena asked. She held up the photograph. "I found it in your car," Abe said. "You really need to leave." His tongue ran across his lips and he took a step closer towards her. "I've never seen this before," Helena said. "It wasn't mine or Rebecca's. Tell me the truth and I will leave faster. Did you know my parents?" "Yes," he said. "And I killed them." In the back of her mind Helena was expecting that answer. Still her voice came out with a crack. Not wanting to believe someone who meant so much to her the past few years could do something so vile. "Why?" "I told them what you were," Abe said. "I told them what they had to do to protect you. We met once a year to verify your progress. They told me they couldn't handle living like that anymore. They would rather see you die than destroy their own lives any longer. The rules I had placed on them were making them violent towards you and your sister. They would rather sacrifice their daughter's humanity and save their own. I found their answer unacceptable." He moved closer to her. Helena stayed still. His look was no longer than of a brother. His eyes were wide and his breath was getting deeper. "You're lying," Helena said. "They would never have even told me what a computer was, but you tried to teach me to master them." "I had a change of heart," Abe said. "Originally I though keeping you inside would be enough, if you had their protection." He took another step closer. Helena knew she had to get all her questions answered. "Did you kill Rebecca?" "No," Abe said. "She was thirteen at the time. Back when I was human that was a capable age of caring for another. I thought she would protect you." "I don't believe you," Helena said. "What happened to her?" "I never lied about that," Abe said. "I watched you, from when you were a baby. I thought that she would keep you out of the dark and that would be enough. But once she vanished I had to step in. I had to save you." He was only a few feet away now. Helena had never seen him like this, his eyes were wild. He couldn't focus on one point of her body. She suddenly felt like this was a mistake. She started backing away. "I told you never to come back here," he said. Abe lunged at her. Helena tried to move, but he grabbed her and spun her around. Her back was pressed against his chest. His hand started to slide up her arm. Once he reached her head he turned it to the side exposing her neck. Even though Abe claimed he had no humanity Helena needed to try something, and appealing to him was all she could think of. "Don't do this," Helena said. "You know me. You don't want to kill me. You want me to survive." His grip relaxed. He threw Helena on the floor. She turned to see as he crouched down, pulling his hands towards his ears. Trying to block out whatever was going through his mind. She scooted backwards towards the door. "Run," he said. She turned and heard him screaming before she took off into the darkness. She ran towards her car, but realized the keys were sitting on his table. There was corn surrounding her. She ran through the stalks, hoping to put enough distance between the two of them. Helena never believed Abe would actually hurt her, but now realized it was obvious what he was capable of. A woosh of air came and Helena was knocked the ground. She rolled several times before coming to a stop. She saw Abe standing up again. His eyes glowed in the moonlight. "I never wanted this for you," he said. Helena tried to scoot away, but he was coming for her. She reached behind herself and pulled the metal dagger out from her waist. She held it in front of her neck, right as Abe jumped on top of her. The silver dagger went straight through his throat. His face was inches from hers. The craziness faded out of his eyes. "I'm so sorry," Helena said. "Do it," he choked out. With one quick motion she pulled the dagger to the right. As Abe said earlier his head came off with ease. Before Helena had the chance to move away his body crumbled to ashes. She stood up, all alone in the middle of the cornfield. The moonlight guided her back towards the house. When Helena was back inside she sat on the couch. She was covered in her mentor's ashes. He was gone. He also reviled he had killed her parents. She didn't know whom to mourn for more. Helena realized then and there she didn't have the privilege of mourning, all she could do was try to survive. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "I spent the next three years doing what he taught me," Helena said. "Surviving. Until I couldn't take it anymore." Helena looked around the room. Tears stained Daphne's face. Hugh and Zachary both looked at the floor. Only Brooks kept his eyes on her. "That night," Brooks said. "Were you going to let him turn you?" Helena wasn't sure if he was talking about Abe or Victor, but she went with the later. "I figured, if I woke up a vampire after he was done I would have walked out into the sunlight the next morning." This was the first time Helena had ever told anyone about her time with Abe. Before last week, she couldn't remember the last time she had said his name out loud. Victor knew him. She was so nervous that night she almost forgot he recognized the name. "Victor," Helena said. "The vampire who bit me, he knew who Abe was. Do you think that means anything?" "It might just mean they're a closer knit community than we realize," Zachary said. Helena felt like she had spent so long speaking with no interruption for any reason. There wasn't a chance any of his story mattered. "Now it's your turn," Helena said. "Tell me what you know." "Abe told you the truth about a lot of things," Zachary said. "In fact, based on my research, there are few discrepancies and you have shed some light on some things for me." "Such as?" Helena asked. "I always thought the ones with prized blood were a myth," Zachary said. "I thought a wooden stake would work, and I also thought silver would ward them off." "We don't deal with silver very often," Brooks said. Helena caught Hugh and Daphne giving him a look. "What do you know about surviving a bite?" Helena asked. "I don't know for certain," Zachary said. "You are the only the second documented case I have heard about. If Brooks and his Betas had came upon Victor prior to feeding on you there is a chance the vampire would have killed all of them." "Why do you say that?" Helena asked. "They are stronger than us," Zachary said. "But drinking live blood takes some of their power away. He had to focus it on you. It would have taken him about a day to fully recuperate." Helena would have assumed her blood would have given Victor power, but then she remembered Abe describing it as an aphrodisiac. "Where does that leave me?" Helena asked. "You're seeing this vampire? When you're alone? Can he control you?" Helena remembered her time in the bathtub. She glanced away hoping the question would drop. "What did he do to you?" Brooks asked. Helena turned to look at him. His eyes were studying her. There wasn't a hint of anger or judgment in them. She had just told him how she killed one of the few people who showed her kindness and he wasn't fazed. Describing the most intense sexual moment of her life thus far would not be fair. "Nothing I wanted," Helena said. Hurt flooded Brooks' face. Helena turned back to Zachary. She didn't know how to handle this situation and would rather avoid it. "I believe this vampire has a part of your soul," Zachary said. Daphne let out a gasp. Helena watched her turn to Hugh for comfort. He wrapped his arm around her and started to rub her back. Brooks moved his face to block Helena's view. He lifted his arm and placed it around her shoulders, but Helena didn't need comfort. She looked back to Zachary. "You lack empathy," Zachary said. "That's a bit extreme," Helena said. "No," Brooks said. "It's not. I just listened to you tell a heartbreaking story with little inflection. This is why you won't accept me as your mate." Helena scooted away from him. "Maybe I don't want to be your mate because you're a stranger," she said. "Tell me something about myself. What's my favorite food? Favorite color? What sort of movies do I like? Can you answer any of these?" "We have a very long time to get to know each other," Brooks said. "What we have is deeper than that. I look inside you and see who you really are. What makes you vulnerable, what can give you pleasure, I can see your soul." "Even if a piece of it is missing?" Helena asked. Brooks didn't respond. He continued to stare at her. Helena turned back to Zachary. "Your empathy is slipping away," Zachary said. "It hasn't vanished, but it's obvious you are struggling. Do you disagree?" Helena knew he was right, but she couldn't force herself to care. Either way, when it came to facts she could focus. She shook her head. The room went quiet again. Helena had a feeling the same question was on everyone's mind. She was grateful when Brooks finally spoke. "What do we need to do to get her soul back?" All Is Fair Ch. 07 The group stared at Zachary waiting for his response. Helena knew her soul was in the balance, and this man might be her only hope at fully restoring herself. "First of all, Helena you must never be alone," Zachary said. "If he can only influence you and come to you when nobody is around we need to keep him away. By your descriptions it seems like he is getting more and more powerful as time goes on." "We've already taken precautions against that," Brooks said. Helena didn't know how she would feel about never being alone. There were certain liberties she would be forsaking if someone were with her at all times. She reminded herself her soul was more important and didn't object. "That's not a solution," Helena said. "There are only two options I can think of. Number one is killing the vampire," Zachary said. "Which would not be very easy, considering we would have to find him, then get close enough to kill him because he kills any of us." "Maybe I could be bait," Helena said. "NO," Brooks said. "What if I just give her my mark?" "I don't think that will be enough," Zachary said. Brooks eyes started to turn red again. Helena was about to plead her case when Hugh spoke up. "What's the other option?" he asked. "Helena joins the pack," Zachary said. "Do you think that would work?" Hugh asked. "I think it's possible," Zachary said. "Think of Helena's condition as a disease, what happens when we turn ill humans?" "They heal," Daphne said. Helena noticed Daphne look at Hugh with a grateful smile. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "What if it doesn't work?" Brooks asked. "And she just becomes a werewolf who is still missing a piece of herself?" "I don't know," Zachary said. "But the vampire has only bitten her once, I can't imagine whatever magic he has over her wouldn't be forced out by the transformation." "I've never heard of a vampire trying to drink from a werewolf before," Hugh added. "The next full moon is three weeks away," Brooks said. "That give us plenty of time to get the ceremony ready," Daphne said. "Stop," Helena said. "I can call the other pack Alphas tomorrow," Hugh said. "That will give them plenty of time to come." "STOP," Helena yelled. The smiles of the group faded away and they turned to look at her. "What if I don't want to become a wolf?" Helena asked. "But then we can be together, you will realize that I am your mate," Brooks said. "I will guide you every step of the way." "The way you talk about this mate thing it is like I am going to turn into a love slave for you," Helena said. "I'm not sure I want that." The hurt in Brooks' eyes was unmistakable. "Is that what you think I am to you?" Brooks asked. "Your love slave?" "No," Helena said. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. It's just, I don't know anything about werewolves and you are all talking about my life without giving me a say." "I know it is hard to believe dear," Daphne said. "But if we are successful in killing the vampire and you have your soul intact the first thing you will want is to be with Brooks." "If we try to hunt and kill the vampire who knows how long that will take," Hugh said. "Not to mention the lives we would risk trying to go after him." "You don't have to make the decision tonight," Brooks said. "I can answer any questions you might have, but trust me when I say this is the better choice." "You mentioned one other documented case of a human surviving a bit," Helena said. "What happened there?" Zachary looked at the ground before looking back up at Helena. "They died. The bite is like poison," Zachary said. "When they woke up they were in excruciating pain." "That didn't happen to me," Helena said. "Why?" "I don't know," Zachary said. "You seem to have a different makeup than that of a normal human. I was hoping to take a sample of your blood, to test, with your permission of course." Brooks let out a low growl. Helena ignored him and stuck out her arm. "Please," Helena said. "Not this minute," Zachary said. "Just before I leave." "I know you're fine now," Brooks' said. "But if we turn you it's another thing you won't have to worry about." Helena looked at all the eager faces watching her for a response. She looked at the floor, not wanting their glances to influence her. Helena wasn't scared about becoming a werewolf. In fact she felt indifferent. She was never good at being human, and her sister was already a wolf. Helena thought about Rebecca, maybe if Helena got her soul back she would have the urge to speak with her sister, to figure out what happened all those years ago. Helena made up her mind. She lifted her head. "Alright," Helena said. The grin across Brooks' face was so large it made him look a little loopy. He leaned down and wrapped his arms around her. Helena returned his hug. "I am going to make you so happy," Brooks said. Helena wasn't sure if she was making the right choice, but at this time it was the one that presented the most logic, and that was enough to sway her. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks kept his eyes to the floor while Helena got ready for bed. He could tell she wasn't happy about not being alone in the bathroom, but she didn't complain. After she agreed to the change tonight Brooks didn't think he could be happier, but then when Daphne offered to stay the night with her and she said she wanted Brooks his happiness grew even further. "You can open your eyes now," Helena said. She was wearing a baggy white t-shirt and a pair of Brooks' boxers. When she wore his clothing their scents mixed together and it drove his wolf insane. "Don't worry," Helena said. "Tomorrow some of the clothes we ordered should get here. I can stop borrowing your stuff then." She walked right passed Brooks and headed towards the bed. He looked towards the couch, knowing it was going to be another long night. Brooks hoped his wolf could survive three more weeks of this. "Are you alright?" Brooks asked. "After tonight? I mean, a lot happened." "I'm fine," Helena said. "Is there anything I can do for you?" Brooks asked. "I will answer any questions you have, or if you're not comfortable with me, I can send for my mother or Rebecca." "It's strange," Helena said. "Rebecca is part of the reason I agreed, but I still don't want to see her." "Can I ask why?" Brooks asked. "I think it's because of the missing soul thing," Helena said. "Or maybe it's more than that. I can't decide if I should be angry at her or happy to see her again, so they're canceling each other out and I am just indifferent." That did not sound right to Brooks. "So I figure the sooner I get all of my...self back I will want to see her." "What if you still don't want to see her after your change?" Brooks asked. Helena shrugged. "Then I guess I will have answered my own questions," Helena said. She climbed up on the bed. Brooks went to turn the lights off. "Wait," Helena said. "I'm not really that tired. Maybe you can come talk with me for a little bit longer." Brooks was happy to oblige her request. He walked over towards the bed and had a seat, with his legs still on the floor. Helena picked hers up and moved towards the center of the bed. He followed her lead and did the same. Brooks thought about her story tonight, how she wasn't comfortable asking questions, he decided it was best to take that burden off of her. "Is it alright if I tell you about the change?" Brooks asked. "I don't know," Helena said. "I am still a little shaky on this and I don't want to freak myself out." Brooks wished he could tell her she could still change her mind if she wasn't one hundred percent on board with the idea, but that would mean risking her safety so he kept his mouth shut. "I have an idea though," Helena said. "I've seen your eyes change, and I think I saw you in your wolf form once, but I've never seen you shift. Will you show me first?" Brooks nodded. He stood up from the bed and walked around to the far side. He pulled off his t-shirt and then pulled down his pajama pants. He expected Helena to look away, but from the angle she was sitting he doubted she got a clear view of below his waist anyway. "Clothes will get ruined if you shift in them," Brooks said. He closed his eyes and with one small thought he transformed down into his wolf form. He knew the transformation was too quick for a human to even notice, it looked like he just blended into the wolf. He ran around to the side of the bed and jumped up. Helena looked at him with interest. "That was fast," Helena said. "Is it painful?" Brooks couldn't speak to her in his wolf form, there was no mental link between the two of them yet. He tried his best to shake his head, it seemed like she got the jist. "Can I pet you?" Helena asked. Brooks never minded if she touched him, no matter what the form. He walked closer towards her. She was still sitting down, but even in wolf form Brooks was much taller than her. He bent his head down. When her hands met his fur warmth spread through him. She dug into his fur, running her hands around his neck and through his torso. "You are so soft," she said. She pulled her hands away and Brooks jumped off the bed. He walked over to the spot where his clothes were and switched back in another swift motion. He stepped back into his pants, but decided to leave the shirt on the floor. "Are you naked together a lot?" Helena asked. "You get used to it," Brooks said. "It's not really sexual when it's for shifting." Helena brought her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "I've never been naked in front of anyone before," she said. "Well, not including a hallucination of a vampire controlling my mind." The statement made Brooks want to take her, and rip the vampires head off at the same time. He wasn't sure what was going to win out, the lust he felt because his mate was untouched or the anger he felt at the vampire trying to hurt her. "You won't have to worry about him for much longer," Brooks said. Brooks watched Helena look away, this conversation was making her uncomfortable. He didn't want to talk about the vampire any more than she did. "Earlier you asked if your mark would be enough," Helena said. "What is your mark?" "When a werewolf wants to protect a human, they bite them," Brooks said. "It is mainly done when a human is going to be turned soon. It lets the other wolves know they are spoken for, prior to the actual turn. We have some human businesses that know about us and work with us, some of the people that work there have marks too." "If you had marked me before," Helena said. "Would Victor have bitten me?" "I don't think so, it would have altered your blood. Made it more difficult for you to kill. I imagine it would make you taste like a dog," Brooks said. He hoped to get a laugh out of Helena, but instead she just moved her head down. "I hate being damaged like this," Helena said. "I hate it so much because I know I should care about certain things, but I don't." Brooks reached over and put his hand under her chin, forcing her head up. "You're not damaged," he said. "How can you say that?" Helena asked. "This is just temporary," Brooks said. "And if it were that bad you wouldn't be upset that you don't care. There is still a lot of you in there, and we're going to get the rest back. No more talk about vampires or missing souls tonight." Brooks scooted next to her. He put his arm around her and she leaned her head on to his shoulder. "I still don't understand why you are so nice to me," Helena said. Her voice was low. Brooks felt her lift her head, but not turn it away. His neck started tingling where her breath was landing. He didn't know why, but this was his chance, and he wasn't going to miss it. He turned his head, and pressed his forehead against hers. Their noses were side by side, and lips almost touching. "I've never..." Helena started to say. Brooks interrupted her by bringing his lips down to hers. She was soft . At first she did nothing to return his kiss, but soon he felt her relax and start to move her lips, running her tongue along his. He started to rotate his body until they were next to each other. Without breaking their embrace, Brooks brought his hand up behind her head and gently guided her down, so both of them were lying on their sides with their heads on the pillows. He brought his hand back down to her waist. Her kiss started to get more forceful, opening her mouth wider and moving her body closer towards his. Brooks used the opportunity to slide his hand up the back of her shirt. He pressed into the bare skin closing the gap between them. She responded in kind, moving her free hand to his arm and grabbing ahold of him. Brooks wanted more of her, he wanted everything she was willing to give. He lifted his body to free his other arm, moving his hand until his fingers were at her stomach. She did not object when he pressed against her skin, sliding his hand upwards. He felt the curve of her breast and kept moving until he cupped her with his hand, feeling her hardening nipple between his fingers, he started moving his hand, trying to further stimulate the tiny bud without frightening her. She let out a moan, but didn't tell him to stop. He brought his thumb up and circled her areola, making sure to brush across her erect nipple, before moving his attention to her other breast, the entire time using his other hand to rub her back. She shifted, trying to force her legs between his. Brooks understood her request and brought his thigh up between her parted legs, putting pressure on the apex of her sex. Once both of her nipples were as hard as he could get them with his hands he brought his fingertips back to the edge of her t-shirt, and started to pull it up. She let out another moan and broke their kiss. "I've never done anything like this before," Helena said. Her voice was soft, but filled with the same lust Brooks was feeling. "If you get uncomfortable with anything say the word and I will stop," he said. Helena looked at him through heavy lidded eyes. She lifted herself so she was sitting upright, but did not untangle her legs from his. With her back facing Brooks she lifted the shirt over her head before lying back down to join him in their similar embrace. She had moved closer to him, smashing her breasts against his chest. Brooks continued kissing her, giving her time to adjust to being topless in his presence before he moved on to exploring other parts of her body. He slowly rolled over so he was on top of her, careful to keep their bodies close together without putting too much weight on her. He started to shorten his kisses until he was only giving Helena short soft moments. He started to slide away from her mouth, kissing along her jawline until he reached her neck. Brooks was quick to move down to her collarbone, she continued to moan softly keeping her hands resting lightly on his back. When Brooks reached her breast he wrapped his mouth around her nipple, sucking gently eliciting a gasp from her mouth. He wanted to look at her face, but was too scared she would ask him to stop. He flicked his tongue rapidly against her bud, once he was certain it was hard enough he ran his teeth lightly back and forth. Without removing his mouth, Brooks shifted his weight to the right side of his body, freeing up access to his left hand. He started to slide his hand down her stomach until it slid under the waistband of the shorts she was wearing. He expected to feel soft curls, but instead her skin was smooth. Helena kept her legs pinned together and Brooks couldn't move his hand down any further. He broke away from her skin and looked up at her. "Do you want me stop?" He asked in a whisper. Helena was looking at the ceiling. Brooks slid his hand back up to her stomach and move himself so he was next to her face. She turned to look at him. Their eyes locked, but he could see her start to spread her legs. "No," she whispered back. Brooks moved his hand back under her waistband at the same time she turned to her side, putting her mouth back on his. He felt her hands run across his back, she kept her legs parted and Brooks felt her slick slit. He spread her inner lips and ran his finger up and down, until he stopped at her engorged bud. When he applied pressure she let out a gasp and broke their kiss. He continued to alternate rubbing and pulling away and watched as her eyes fluttered closed. He spun their bodies so that she was underneath him again, but this time he sat up on his knees. He used his right hand to pull her shorts down, without removing his left from her most sensitive spot. Helena arched her back and let the shorts fall off. Brooks was taken in by her nude form. She was perfect. Brooks moved himself so that he was in between her legs. He started to bend down so that he had more access to her lower region. Before he could kiss her private area she lifted her head. "What are you doing?" Helena asked. "Try to relax," Brooks said. "I want to make you feel good." "I've never...," "Shhh," Brooks said. He pressed his finger down harder against her bud, she let out a cry and he started lowering his face again. He was careful to replace his finger with his tongue without denying her any pressure. She tasted like heaven. Brooks didn't think he would ever get enough. At first he flicked her spot with his tongue, before starting to alternate between sucking and nibbling. "I don't," Helena said. She didn't finish her statement and started arching her back, trying to wiggle away from his mouth. Brooks rested one of his hands on her stomach, trying to hold her in place. He felt her foot start to run down his back, wrapping herself around his shoulders. Brooks could tell by her noises she was close. With his other free hand he brought a single finger up to her entrance, he applied light pressure, it didn't take long until his digit was soaked in her juices. He slid his finger inside her and started to suck harder, stopping only to flutter his tongue rapidly before continuing. Her passage was so tight Brooks didn't think he could fit in another finger without causing her discomfort. She let out a squeal and started to wiggle again. Brooks turned his hand over, so his palm was facing him and started to move his finger in a come-hither motion. He started lapping at her bud, he could feel her walls start to clamp down on his invading digit. Brooks glanced upwards. She was biting down on her hand. He wanted to tell her to keep her mouth free, he would love to hear her screams. She was on the brink, and he wouldn't stop for anything though. He moved his attention back and kept working her until he felt her explode. Brooks didn't stop. He wanted her to ride this out as long as possible. Once her tunnel started to relax against his finger he looked up again. She had dropped her hand, and he saw her breathing was deep, but going back to normal. Her removed his hand and started kissing his way back up her body, lapping up the sweat that covered her flat stomach. When he reached her face Helena put her hands on both sides of his head and pulled him in for a deep kiss. Brooks didn't think he had ever been this hard in his life. He sat up again, Helena moved with him not breaking their lips apart. He used his hand and slid his pajama pants off. Once his feet were free he started to position his body on top of hers, resting between her parted legs. He reached down and held his erection, rubbing it up and down her slit, coating his head in her juices. Before he could guide himself to her entrance Brooks felt Helena's hands on his chest pushing him away. All Is Fair Ch. 07 "No," she said. "I'm not ready." Brooks did not want to stop, he stayed still and glanced back and forth between both of her eyes. They were a mixture of satisfaction and fear. Brooks felt his wolf urging him to enter her and claim what was his, but he knew now more than ever that he was incapable of causing her any harm. He nodded his head, and rolled off of her body. The two lied next to each other, both staring at the ceiling not saying a word. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena didn't understand what had come over her. All of a sudden her indifferences had vanished. She lay naked next to Brooks without a single insecurity, something she never though possible. He had lit her body up in a way she never knew she was capable of. While she wasn't ready to give herself up to him, she was far from over with what they started with. Brooks' breathing was heavy and he stayed on his back. Helena rolled onto her side, sprawling half of her body on his chest. She started kissing his shoulder, before moving herself upwards until she was on top of him, careful to keep her body slightly off of his. "What are you doing?" Brooks asked. His breathing was heavy. Helena didn't respond. She continued to kiss her way down his chest, sliding her body down the bed in the process. Once she was at his thighs she straddled herself across him, lsitting upright again. Helena looked Brooks right in the eyes, while she dragged her hands down his chest. She stopped when she reached his shaft. It was straight up in the air, Helena broke eye contact and looked down. This was the first cock she had ever seen in person. She didn't have anything to compare it to, but from what she could tell it was large, she didn't know how that would ever fit inside her if she made that step. She brought both of her hands together and wrapped her fingers around his erection. "I don't know what to do," Helena said. "You don't have to..." "That's not what I meant," Helena said. "I mean I need you to guide me." Helena looked back up at his big blue eyes. He looked shocked. "Please," Helena said. "Now it's my turn to make you feel good." The confusion wore away and Brooks' eyes flashed with lust. He reached down and grabbed her wrist, repositioning her fingers so they were on the underside of his shaft. He applied pressure and ran her fingers from the base up to the head. Helena felt his warm liquid start to pool out his tip. "That's the most sensitive part," Brooks said. Brooks dropped her hand. Helena bent down, she put her tongue next to the base of his erection. Holding him still with her other hand she pressed her tongue down hard and dragged it all the way up, when she reached the tip she wrapped her mouth around his head, pulling it all the way in. His taste was sweeter than she had expected. She worked her tongue, trying to draw out more, never taking her eyes off of Brooks. He let out a deep moan. Her saliva was starting to gather and she felt it coming out of her mouth, dripping out the sides and down his cock. His hand reached down and grabbed on to her wrist again. He repositioned her so that she was grabbing a hold of his cock. He squeezed her fingers down, tightening her grip and started moving her hand up and down. Helena let him lead her pace and started moving him in and out of her mouth, while her hand covered the lower part of his shaft. He started breathing heavier. Helena brought her free hand up and wrapped it on top of her other, making both of her hands and mouth work as one. She started moving faster, making sure to keep moving her tongue all around his head in the process. "I'm almost there," Brooks said. Helena noticed he moved his hand away, giving her complete control. She glanced her eyes back up at his. He was staring at her. As soon as they made eye contact his eyes rolled up. Helena felt a surge along her tongue and warm liquid filled her mouth. She didn't stop her motions, making sure she enjoyed every drop of him. Once she was sure he was done, she pulled her mouth off. He didn't lift his head, but instead raised his arms. Helena collapsed on top of his chest, and he encircled her, rubbing his hand up and down her shoulders. "I love you," Brooks said. A big part of her wanted to repeat his words, but she couldn't find a way to make them come to her lips. Helena was exhausted, and as Brooks' breathing grew steadier she was fell fast asleep in his arms. All Is Fair Ch. 08 Brooks woke up with a face full of hair. Instead of rolling away from it he inhaled deeply. Helena smelled intoxicating. He was on his side with his arm around her waist. He kissed her shoulder and noted that at some point during the night she put his t-shirt back on. Brooks hoped her modesty was not on his account. She let out a small sigh and raised her arms in front of her, stretching out her muscles. "Good morning," Brooks said. He continued to kiss her shoulder, covering the area with small kisses. She pulled forward and then spun herself around to face him. "Hi," she said. Brooks took her chin in his hand, pressing his lips against hers. She didn't return his passion, but didn't pull away either. He hoped she wasn't regretting anything. "Morning breath," Helena said as if she could read his mind. She pushed herself up before Brooks could tell her he didn't care. "Where are you going?" Brooks asked. "Bathroom," Helena said. He started to get up from the bed. "Please don't follow me in there," she said. "I will keep the door open. You can talk very loudly to me and I will respond." Brooks didn't think she should ever be alone, but he didn't want to pick a fight first thing in the morning. Besides, they had three weeks of this. He decided it was better to test her limits early so they could plan accordingly. "Are you feeling any differently?" Brooks yelled. "About?" Helena yelled back. He licked his lips, remembering the taste of her last night. Being my mate, Brooks wanted to say. "Agreeing to the change," Brooks said. He got up from the bed and pulled on his pants. "It's the logical thing to do," Helena replied. He heard the sink turn on and assumed it was safe for him to go into the bathroom. She was brushing her teeth and Brooks joined her, hoping that once they were done a repeat of last night could occur. "You need a shower," Helena said with a mouthful of toothpaste. He watched her run the brush up and down her tongue, scrubbing her back teeth. He had never seen a hygienic act in such an erotic way before. "Care to join me?" Brook replied. She spit out the white foam and shook her head. Brooks spit out his toothpaste and took the cup of water once Helena was done with it. "I already took one last night," she said. "Remember?" Brooks felt a shudder go through his body. Her senses weren't heightened yet, but that meant that every wolf would be able to smell him all over her. That was enough to placate him for now. "Don't leave the bathroom," Brooks said. "Why not?" Helena asked. "Too dangerous," Brooks said. "I want you to sit on the sink the entire time I am in there. I meant it." He watched Helena look his face up and down, knowing his glance was one that did not encourage an argument. "Okay," Helena said. She turned and propped herself up on the sink. Brooks dropped his pants. She closed her eyes. Brooks walked over to her and gave her a soft kiss on her lips. A smile spread across her face, but she didn't open her eyes. "Get in the shower," Helena said. Brooks turned around and opened the stall, hoping she was taking a peek. The warm water felt good against his skin, but not as good as her body had. "What are we doing today?" Helena asked. "Is there anything you would like to do?" Brooks asked. "Nope," Helena said. "No desire to..." "Stop," Helena said. "When I want to speak with Rebecca I will let you know." That wasn't what Brooks was going to ask, but she did bring up a point he wanted to discuss. "I think it might be good for you," Brooks said. "Maybe she can fill in some holes in your story." "There aren't any holes in my story," Helena said. "I mean with your parents," Brooks said. "Abe told me everything I needed to know about them," Helena said. "Just drop it okay?" Brooks finished up his shower and turned off the water. Helena handed him a towel, taking away some of the fun he was looking forward too with walking out naked. He settled for drying off and wrapping the towel around his waist, extra low. He opened the door, letting the steam flow out around him. "Wow," Helena said. "Laying it on a little thick huh?" Brooks smiled. "Would you rather I did this?" His pulled the towel up and wrapped it around his chest. "Do you have a spare for my hair?" Brooks asked. Helena was in hysterics. He started to strut out of the bathroom. "That doesn't even cover your ass," Helena said in between giggles. A knock on the bedroom door didn't even stop her laughter. "I'll get it," Helena said. She started skipping to the door. Brooks tried to put his towel back to normal before she answered. "Good morning," Cecilia said. "Hello," Helena said. "We have some deliveries for you," she said. Helena held open the door and Brooks watched as Cecilia brought in several boxes. She gave Brooks a nod and he responded in kind. He was happy it was a female delivering Helena's clothing, but didn't know why a Beta was tasked with something so simple. "Thank you," Helena said. "It was my pleasure," Cecilia said. She was looking at Brooks. Helena followed her stare and dropped her smile. "Can I bring you anything else?" "No thank you Cecilia," Brooks said. She did a curtsey and walked out of the room. Helena closed the door behind her. "What was that all about?" Helena asked. She went to the boxes and started opening them, not waiting for Brooks to respond. Helena's spurt of laughter was over. "That was Cecilia," Brooks said. "One of the female Betas of the pack." "Beta?" Helena said. "Doesn't that mean she is a level down from Alpha? As in she should be doing more important things than delivering clothing?" Brooks was impressed that Helena was that intuitive of pack dynamics. She would make a fine Alpha one-day by his side. "She probably wanted to get a look at you," Brooks said. "It seemed like she was more interested in getting a look at you," Helena said. Brooks strolled over to Helena. He put his hands around her waist. She continued unpacking the boxes. Brooks put his mouth right next to her ear. "Is someone getting jealous?" "No," Helena said. She rolled her shoulder and Brooks backed away, but didn't release her. "What's wrong?" Brooks asked. "Nothing," Helena said. "Don't make me beg," Brooks said. "I just...," Helena took a breath. "Last night was something special for me. I've never done ANYTHING like that before, and now I am realizing that I don't even know you." Brooks was taken aback. Of course she knew him, they were mates. She stopped unpacking her clothes. "I mean," Helena said. "How old are you? When's your birthday? Do you have any brothers and sisters? What was your childhood like? How many sexual partners have you had? What are your hopes and dreams?" Brooks noticed the sarcasm in her last question. "For a girl who doesn't like to ask questions you suddenly have a lot of them," Brooks said. "Which question is really on your mind?" "I'm serious," Helena said. "It was special for me too," Brooks said. She turned around to look at him, he kept his arms around her waist and tucked her long hair behind her ear. "More than you realize," Brooks said. "There were girls before you, but there will never be one after you." Helena gave a smile and dropped her head. "What if I don't survive this?" Helena asked. "Don't say that," Brooks said. "I got into this mess because people ignored what ifs," Helena said. "If you don't survive this then I don't survive this," Brooks said. Helena rolled her eyes and turned back around. "That doesn't add to the pressure," she said. "Hey," Brooks said, pulling her closer. He put his mouth next to her ear and whispered. "If you weren't on this earth my soul would ache until you returned to me." She turned around again and put her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. Brooks rocked back and forth and rubbed her back. There was a huge change in her, and Brooks hoped he was the reason. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Helena realized the sleeveless khaki dress she had on cost more than one month in the cheap motels she was used to. It made her a little uncomfortable, but everyone here, even the drop-dead gorgeous girl who dropped off her clothes, was dressed in similar finery. Brooks wore dress pants and a shirt. She was shocked her didn't put on a tie. "You sure you want to do this?" Brooks asked. "I've kept you from your duties long enough," Helena said. "I want to see what you do." They were about to leave the bedroom. Brooks led the way to the door, then stopped and turned to look at her. "I have to warn you," he said. "I may have teased you about your jealousy, but really it's me." "I hadn't noticed," Helena said. "I'm serious," Brooks said. "It's my wolf. If another male comes near you my instinct is to rip their head off." Helena winced at his choice of words. "Sorry," Brooks said. "I didn't mean anything by..." "I know," Helena said. "Continue with your point." "If a male comes into my office today and I sense you paying any extra attention to them, I may not be able to control myself." "You did fine last night," Helena lied. She had picked up on his growls and over protective touches. Brooks didn't respond. He turned around and opened the door leading her into the hall. He reached down and grabbed her hand, her instincts told her to pull away, but she forced herself to ignore them. They were so screwed up lately she couldn't rely on them. Helena thought about last night. She was struggling against them the entire time Brooks was touching her. It was only when she was able to block them out that she experienced pleasure. A shiver made its way through her body. "Are you cold?" Brooks asked. "We can go back and grab you a sweater." "I'm fine," Helena said. She squeezed his hand. He smiled at her and they continued the walk towards his office. ~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~ Brooks' office was large. His desk was big enough for at least two people to sit behind it, but she was surprised the set up wasn't intimidating. There were two chairs for people to sit and speak with him and then a couch set up similar to his father's office. Brooks went right to work and Helena took in the rustic décor. "Is everything to your liking?" Brooks asked. "So is this what you do on a normal day?" Helena asked. "Sit behind a computer?" "Have a seat," Brooks said. He spun his chair and pointed to one of the seats in front of his desk. Helena sat down. "What can I help you with?" Brooks asked. Helena tilted her head and gave him a small smile. "I have an open door policy," Brooks said. "Any member of the pack can interrupt my work and see me." "And what do they usually want?" Helena asked. "It varies," Brooks said. "Every member has a job, usually they want to talk about moving up or trying out a different career. Sometimes it's a personal matter." "Trouble with their mate?" Helena asked. Brooks let out a small laugh and shook his head. "Sometimes," Brooks said. "I don't understand how you are the Alpha, but your dad is too," Helena said. "I'm not the Alpha, I'm an Alpha," Brooks said. "My dad is the Alpha, but I am next in line so I take on some of his responsibilities. It gives him time to focus on the overall issues while I work on the day-to-day items." "When will you take over?" Helena asked. Brooks shrugged. Helena had a feeling she hit a nerve. She looked at the floor, trying to think of a question to change the subject. "Not anytime soon I hope," Brooks said. "Earlier you asked me how old I was. I am one hundred and thirty two years old." "You're kidding," Helena said. "I hit maturity about forty five years ago," Brooks said. "There's not a magic number like with humans." Helena thought about asking him his experiences with the industrial revolution, or his time during the world wars, but instead a more important question blurted itself out. "How long will you live?" Helena asked. "We don't have any average lifespan," Brooks said. "Normally mates will decide they have had enough of living like their human selves and stay in wolf form permanently. We turn back to our nature and leave the pack. Then live our final days in the wild. Some people think all wolves were at one time Weres." "That's sort of romantic," Helena said. "The oldest member of our pack is almost 1000," Brooks said. "But to a human he looks around fifty, and a good looking fifty." "They haven't left yet?" Helena asked. "His name is Donald," Brooks said. "He lost his mate. So he has no reason to move on to the next step." "What happened to her?" Helena asked. She realized from Daphne's comment last night that illness didn't affect the pack. "It was before I was born," Brooks said. "But she was shot with a silver bullet. Silver is the only thing that can kill us." "Now that's really sad," Helena said. "It's not supposed to be," Brooks said. "He is waiting for her to return." Helena gave him a strange look, but he didn't continue. "And how many pack members do you oversee?" Helena asked. "About 1800," Brooks said. Helena was not expecting such a large number. "Not all of them live at the lodge," Brooks said. "About four hundred live here, there are a few other lodges on the property and some live in the nearby towns." "How do you support all those people?" Helena asked. "Stocks," Brooks said. "Mainly, we own a large chunk of almost all the big ones. We also run a lot of businesses, in case the market crashes again. Financial security is not an issue for us as long as we maintain a close eye." "But you're older than the stock market," Helena said. "We're not the only pack," Brooks said. "Let's just say that pretty much every major invention has had a Were behind it. We all support each other." "So you're not just Werewolves," Helena said. "You're communists?" "Noooo," Brooks said. "We loan money between packs, and only if they really need it, not to maintain expensive wardrobes. How do you know about communism anyway? I thought you never finished high school?" "My parents were crazy smart," Helena said. "I think by the time I was ten my brain was at the level of an eighteen year old. On top of that when you live with someone who is two thousand years old you learn a thing or two." Helena gave Brooks a playful smile. She realized she had never talked so openly about her time with Abe. It was nice. She didn't want the conversation to stop, but decided it was best to focus on Brooks' life right noe. "How many packs are there?" Helena asked. "My quiet little mate is just filled with questions today," Brooks said. "You're the one who told me to sit here!" "I'm teasing," Brooks said. "In North America there are only twelve packs. All over the world there are about fifty." "So we are still in North America?" Helena asked. "I honestly don't know where we are." "North Carolina," Brooks said. Helena was taken aback. "I know," Brooks said. "We went all the way to Wyoming to pick you up." "That's not it," Helena said. A knock at the door stopped Helena from continuing. "Come in," Brooks said. A man about Brooks' age with a shaved head came in first. Right behind him was none other than Helena's sister. She rose from her seat. Helena didn't know how to respond. "Helena?" Rebecca asked. Helena did not have time to speak before he sister ran over and put her arms around her. Part of Helena urged her to shove Rebecca away, but Helena decided to ignore her reflexes again and returned her sisters touch. Helena turned her head to get a look at Brooks. He wore a smile on his face and Helena couldn't help but think he had set this up. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The foursome had moved to the couches in Brooks' office. Helena made sure she sat as close to Brooks as possible. It had been five years, but Rebecca's face still looked the same. The small nose, big blue eyes, and thick eyebrows were a dead giveaway. There was one big difference though. "You cut your hair," Helena said. Helena's parents never let them cut their hair. Helena hadn't kept with that advice and made sure she had regular trims, but she still kept it long. Rebecca's was in a pixie cut now though. "I thought this look was more fitting," Rebecca said. "I have missed you so much. I tried to find you after..." "After you abandoned me in a motel room at sixteen," Helena finished. "I know nothing I can say will make up for that," Rebecca said. "I was so young and confused. I assumed you would go back to the youth home. They would have been better guides to you than me." Helena looked at the Brooks. She didn't want to say anything she might regret. Since she was certain Brooks set this up he should be the one to lead this conversation. "I was hoping you could tell us more about your parents," Brooks said. "Helena was only ten when they died." "You mean when a vampire killed them," Helena said. "A vampire didn't kill them," Rebecca said quickly. Helena turned to look at her. Rebecca's face turned to a frown. "I mean," Rebecca said. "It was a suicide. There was no blood loss." "No," Helena said. "A vampire told me he did it." "I only found out vampires existed when Andrew told me about the situation they found you in," Rebecca said. The situation. Helena looked away again. A situation she never would have found herself in if Rebecca hadn't left her. Helena realized that might have been her lack of a soul talking. There was a chance if Rebecca had stayed with her she would have ended up dead too. Helena needed to keep reminded herself of that fact. She turned back to her sister. "I should have been there for you," Rebecca said. "I mean if I had just told Andrew about you, and we went back to the hotel you and Brooks would have met years ago. This whole situation could have been avoided." There was that word again. Situation. Helena cringed a little. "I am sure that Brooks told you," Rebecca said. "But Andrew and I want to start a family. It didn't feel right until I had you in my life again." "You didn't even know if I was alive," Helena said. "I did though," Rebecca said. "We're sisters. A big part of you had to feel me." Abe. He was the one who kept telling her Rebecca was dead. Helena had never really given up on Rebecca. Still, this whole situation was making Helena feel uncomfortable. "How did you end up here?" Helena asked. "Well," Rebecca said. "I went out for dinner and met Andrew. It was love at first sight. I'm sure you can relate to that now. I wasn't thinking straight." "No," Helena said. "I meant the..." Before Helena could finish another knock came. Everyone turned to look at the door. Brooks took a breath, Helena was certain to tell the intruder to leave, but the door was already open and Daphne walked inside. "Am I interrupting?" she asked. "Not at all," Helena said before anyone else could interject. Daphne walked over. "I was hoping I could borrow Helena," Daphne said. "We're starting to make preparations for her turn. I think she should be a part of them. Don't worry, it's ladies only. Rebecca can come too." "I would love to help," Helena said. "We are sort of the middle of something," Brooks said. "It can wait," Helena said. She had never been happier to see Daphne in her life. That was saying a lot since the woman was never anything but perfect to Helena. Rebecca stood up. "You're turning?" Rebecca asked. Helena nodded her head. "You should stay here," Helena said. "There is a lot for Brooks to fill you in on and I am so tired of discussing my situation. Soon we will have lots of time to catch up." All Is Fair Ch. 08 Rebecca gave Helena another huge hug. Helena hugged her back, but something seemed so wrong. She remembered her missing soul and decided to give Brooks an earful later about springing this sort of thing on her. No way Helena was ready to handle this amount of baggage. Brooks stood up like he was about to protest. Helena put her hands on his cheeks and pulled him down to her for a deep kiss. When they broke away she kept their noses close together. "I will be fine," Helena said. Brooks was stunned, just like she wanted him. He gave her another kiss on the forehead. Helena turned to Andrew and gave a simple wave, remembering Brooks' warning about being around males. Daphne wrapped her arm around Helena's and started leading her out of the room. "You smell amazing," Daphne said. "Thank you," Helena said. She didn't think she smelled like anything but herself. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "That couldn't have gone worse," Rebecca said. Brooks felt bad. He didn't waste anytime and dove right into Helena's story. Filling her sister and Andrew in on Victor and Abe. Helena had given him permission, but he felt like he might have over shared. Rebecca threw her head back on the sofa when he was done. "I don't think there is a single scenario where I could have screwed things up worse," Rebecca said. "That's not true," Andrew said. "You could be dead. Both of you could be dead. Fate has a way of working itself out." Brooks was new to the mate bond, but he thought Andrew should have been a bit harsher with Rebecca. He liked to think if the situation were reversed he wouldn't have trouble telling Helena she was wrong for abandoning her sister. Brooks shook his head. Andrew probably did that in private, not in front of his future Alpha. After all, the point of this meeting was not to shame Rebecca. "Zachary seems to think that Helena is not exactly human. She agreed to give him some blood to test, but he has no idea what he will find," Brooks said. "Outside of her resistance to the mate bond and not dying from the vampire bite I was wondering if you had any other evidence to support that." "She appears to be taking fine to the mate bond," Andrew said. Brooks nodded his head, not meaning to bring up any personal problems with this session. He was happy when Rebecca changed the subject. "I can't think of anything," Rebecca said. "We had a abnormal upbringing, but outside of Helena refusing to go out when it was dark outside I can't think of anything unusual." This wasn't what Brooks wanted to hear. He leaned back on the couch. "Are you sure turning her is the right idea?" Rebecca asked. "What if it doesn't erase what Victor did to her?" "Zachary is confident," Brooks said. "So I am too, besides it feels right. Helena thinks so too." "I would love to be there for it," Rebecca said. "I mean the mating ceremony is pretty much the equivalent of a wedding." "We haven't told her about the mating ceremony yet," Brooks said. "Oh," Rebecca said. Brooks could see the look of shock on Rebecca and Andrew's faces. "Well," Brooks said. "Turning her seems more important. We can always do that first and then worry about the mating ceremony." "I am sorry Alpha," Rebecca said. "I just assumed since mine were together." "Very safe assumption," Brooks said. "We should get going," Rebecca said. "I have to work tonight." "You know you're mated with a Beta," Brooks said. "You can test for Beta anytime you're ready. There is no reason for you to keep a job in town." "I enjoy it though," Rebecca said. "It reminds me of my human roots." Brooks never thought of that before. He made a mental note to speak with Andrew about human women become Weres after Helena's turning. Maybe she would like some human reminders as well. They both stood up from the couches and Brooks rose with them. He shook Andrew's hand and gave Rebecca a hug. "Please," Rebecca said. "I would like nothing more than to reconnect with my sister. I know I don't deserve it, but any good words you could put in for me would be appreciated." "I believe deep down that is what Helena wants too," Brooks said. "But the last thing I want to do is rush her." "I understand," Rebecca said. "Thank you again. For setting this up." Brooks walked them to the door. Once they left he had the urge to go find Helena. Then he remembered she was safe with his mother and he was backlogged with work. He returned to his desk and hoped that Helena was continuing to make progress. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "With your brown hair and blue eyes I was thinking red and black for your color scheme," Daphne said. "The opposite of the color wheel. I think red is your color, maybe like a burnt orange." "What?" Helena asked. "For your ceremony," Daphne said. This sounded more like a wedding. Helena didn't consider colors a necessity. "You need to back up," Helena said. "What does a ceremony entail?" "I just assumed Brooks told you," Daphne said. "No," Helena said. "We...talked about different things last night." "I know I am his mother, but I am just thrilled for the two of you," Daphne said. "Leave all details out, but besides that I am fine. His smell is all over you." Helena felt her cheeks go red. "That's a good thing dear," Daphne said. "Forward motions." She kept walking down the hall. Helena wanted to stop moving and just talk, but Daphne had other ideas. "Tell me," Helena said. "What I can expect. I don't even know how a human becomes a Werewolf. I always thought it was accidental bites or scratches." "Pop culture has not been as kind to us as vampires," Daphne said. As soon as the word left her mouth Daphne turned to look at her. She gritted her teeth and sucked in her breath. "Sorry," Daphne said. "I shouldn't mention the V word." "It's fine," Helena said. "Really, I'm okay." Helena had never been to this part of the lodge. The entered a giant room that was made of glass. She almost would have thought it was a green house if the paneling hadn't been clear. "This is where the after party will be," Daphne said. "You will probably be asleep for most of dinner, if not all of it. One my night I didn't wake up until almost 3 o'clock in the morning." "Daphne," Helena said. "You need to slow down. Please can we sit and you give me a play by play." "Wow," Daphne said. "I like you this talkative. I'm not used to it. Follow me." Daphne kept walking. They went to a room off of the hall. Helena was surprised. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as every other room she had seen thus far. It was still decked out in wood décor, but only held a single desk with two average looking chairs. The furniture barely fit in the room. Daphne took a seat behind the desk. Helena noticed the artwork behind her. They were crayon drawings done by children. Helena immediately felt more comfortable here. "This is my office," Daphne said. "I know what you're thinking. Where is the cozy feeling? Why the small space? But honestly to me an office is meant to do work, so I wanted a small space." "It's perfect," Helena said. "Well thank you," Daphne said. "Who drew all those pictures?" Helena asked. "The children of the pack," Daphne started. She reached into a drawer and pulled out a file. "I always encouraged my kids to draw," Daphne said. "Once they grew other children started giving me pictures, but I always kept my babies' drawings in this drawer." "So Brooks does have siblings," Helena said. "I am a proud mama of four," Daphne said. "Two boys and two girls." "Where are the other three?" Helena asked. "I would love to meet them." "Brooks is the oldest," Daphne said. "Next is Amy, she mated with someone from the Moore pack and lives across the country, visits a lot though. Colin is getting his Phd from Oxford, so he's an ocean away. I miss him so much." Daphne put a hand over her heart. "Then there is the baby," Daphne said. "My little Emma. She just went off to college. I make her call me every day, she hates it but eventually she will appreciate it. Don't worry, all of them will be here for the ceremony." "Brooks never mentioned any of them," Helena said. "He has been a bit distracted lately," Daphne said. "He wants to make sure you know you're his top priority. All four of them are so close, I couldn't be more proud. Do you want children?" Helena gave a nervous laugh. She had given up on that idea a long time ago because of her lifestyle. She felt a pang of guilt, maybe her making up with Rebecca was more important to Brooks than she had realized. "Here I go getting distracted again," Daphne said. "So you want to know about your ceremony?" Helena nodded. "The actual ceremony can be as public or private as you want," Daphne said. "Private," Helena said. Daphne nodded. "Then it will start like any other day," Daphne said. "While it's not necessary I might beg you to spend the night before away from Brooks. Maybe you can get to know Amy and Emma then? Rebecca can come too." "Let's ignore the details," Helena said. "Focus on specifics." "You're right," Daphne said. "I'm just too excited." Daphne looked at Helena like she wanted her to speak. Helena didn't have anything else to add though. She wanted the woman to continue. "Then the two of you will go into a room," Daphne said. "Then when you come out there will be a big party with lots of people who want to meet you and wish you well. It will be the time of your life, we should start thinking about your party dress. How about red?" "That didn't answer any questions," Helena said. "I know dear," Daphne said. "But trust me when say you're better off being surprised. The whole night will be all about you." "You know the whole point of me turning is to stop the vampire from eating me?" Helena asked. "All of this seems a little unnecessary." Daphne's face fell. Helena didn't mean to make the woman feel bad, but it seemed like she was more interested in organizing a party than answering Helena's questions. Helena knew Daphne didn't deserve her ire. "I'm sorry," Helena said. "It's been a long afternoon, seeing Rebecca and all, why don't you tell me about the party?" Daphne perked back up again. Helena zoned her out, randomly nodding her head in agreement. Remembering her meeting with Rebecca threw her off. Helena decided to focus on more positive thoughts. Brooks. He was amazing. Especially the way he focused on her. Helena had never felt something like that before. She suddenly had the urge to grab him. For someone who was missing part of her soul Helena was feeling lots of feelings at the moment. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks trusted Helena, so he did not drop in on her the rest of the day. When he made it back to the bedroom, he was surprised she wasn't there. His wolf urged his to go hunt her down, but he calmed himself. It would be a long three weeks if he behaved this way. Helena had agreed to so much he didn't want to jeopardize anything. When his door sprung open he was already in his pajama pants stretched out on the bed reading a book. He dropped it and went to greet Helena. His mother stuck her head in and waved goodnight. Helena looked relaxed and smiled at him. Brooks raised an eyebrow. "Were you drinking champagne again?" he asked. "Believe it or not I am completely sober," Helena said. "I dare anyone to spend eight hours with your mom and not show up smiling." "Her happiness is a little annoying isn't it?" Brooks asked. "Just a little," Helena said. Both of them laughed. "Did you eat dinner?" Brooks asked. "Yes," Helena said. "Did you?" Brooks nodded. Helena took a seat on the bed. She removed her shoes, then stood up and pulled her dress up over her head. He was not expecting such a brash move. He took in every part of her body. Brooks knew his mouth was hanging open, but he didn't care. "You forgot to mention that by not showering I smelled like you all day," Helena said. "Did I now?" "You also forgot to tell me you were going to ambush me with my sister," Helena said. Her sweet look faded away and she started walking towards the bathroom. Brooks did not take his eyes off her behind. It as perfect, just like the rest of her. He heard the shower turn on and ran into the bathroom. She had unhooked her bra, but still had it pressed to her chest with her arm. She took her free hand and playfully pushed Brooks away. "Your turn to sit on the sink," Helena said. She stepped into the stall. Brooks watched her silhouette shimmy out of her panties and throw them over top before adding her bra to the pile. He was hit with immediate arousal. He watched her walk under the water and took in ever bit of her washing herself down. It didn't matter what bodywash she was using, her scent was everywhere and Brooks was enthralled. "You're a little too quiet," Helena said. "It's making me nervous." He watched as she bent over and started washing her legs. He gulped loudly. "Daphne was more interested in the after party," Helena said. "She didn't really tell me what to expect regarding the actual change." "She's a smart woman," Brooks said. "Can we please avoid talking about my mother?" "As long as we can agree to not bring up my sister," Helena said. Helena was clever. Brooks had to admit that. He watched her silhouette start to rub the sponge across her chest. Brooks thought he was close to cumming just from watching her. He stuck his hand in his mouth, taking a move from Helena's playbook. "Agreed?" "Deal," Brooks said, briefly removing his hand. The water turned off. Helena grabbed the towel lying over the top. Brooks looked away as she dried herself. He needed to control himself before he pinned her to the bathroom floor. He didn't turn his head when she stepped out of the shower. "I thought I would try your look," Helena said. Brooks moved his head towards her. She had the towel wrapped low around her waist. He didn't think they would make it to the bed tonight. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It was a slow night at the bar. Rebecca hated slow nights. She wanted people around her constantly, she liked to soak them all in. After a day like today she needed it. She wore an extra short skirt, with a top that showed her navel, complete with high-heeled thigh high boots. It was waste. Everything was falling apart. This was unacceptable. All the human employees were long gone. She had sent them home at last call, knowing she could handle the closing duties by herself. All the counters were wiped down, the counters were washed, and the liquor was stocked. Rebecca grabbed her purse. She pulled out her phone. Ten messages from Andrew. Her smile went at a slant, she had expected more. Not bothering to reply she put her phone back and walked towards the door. She pulled out her car keys and turned out the lights before closing the door. She locked the door and pulled twice to make sure it was secure. She thought it was a waste, not like anyone would try to rob this place. Everyone in this crap town had their suspicions about the people who ran it. Rebecca thought they were silly though, no real harm would come to them even if they destroyed the place. The Alpha was too soft for that, and his son was worse. Rebecca kept her keys out and started walking towards her car. It wasn't really her car though, just a pack one she borrowed. Rebecca loved closing down the bar. That meant there was nobody to drive home with. She had some time to herself. Right before Rebecca was about to turn to head to her car she felt a cold rush of air. Someone grabbed a hold of her neck and threw her against the brick wall of a building. Her heart jumped in her throat. She began kicking and clawing, but nothing worked to avoid her attacker. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena smiled down at Brooks. He lifted his hand and ran it through her hair. For the second time in as many nights she was able to give herself into pleasure, not all way, but enough that her body was tingling. She brought her head down and lay in his crook. He kept stroking her hair. "Is it wrong that we did that to each other on the bathroom floor?" Helena asked. "Not at all," Brooks said. "I keep this bathroom ridiculously clean." "You don't clean at all," Helena said. "Don't think I haven't noticed the constantly made bed. You have a maid." "Not a maid," Brooks said. "Everyone serves the pack in different ways. The people that clean our room are just as important as you or I." Helena felt guilty for her joke. She also didn't know how to respond to Brooks' comment about her being part of the pack. "I guess we should go to the bed," Helena said. "Are you tired?" Brooks asked. "Not really," Helena said. "Then I have a better idea," Brooks said. "Get dressed, something comfy." Helena lifted her head, but he was already up. She liked the way his ass moved as he walked out of the bathroom. She grabbed the towel they were lying on and followed him. Brooks was in the closet already, pulling on a pair of sweatpants. Helena noticed a space had been cleared for her things. She didn't bother with undergarments and grabbed a pair of yoga pants and a black t-shirt. The fabric felt so fine against her skin. "I doubt you ordered any sweatshirts on your shopping spree," Brooks said. He handed her a giant grey hoodie. Helena didn't ask any questions and pulled it on over her head. It hung down to her knees. Helena watched as he pulled out a navy blue one. She watched him slip his feet into a pair of sandals. Helena grabbed her plain flip flops and put them on as well. "Where are we going?" Helena asked. "It's a surprise," Brooks said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the closet. She had wanted a tour of the lodge and wasn't about to object. Besides, her body was still tingling with joy over the things he had done to her in the bathroom. Helena followed him as he guided her through the hallways. She could tell he wanted to sprint, but was keeping a slow enough pace to keep her close. They ran down a giant set of stairs and Helena tried her best to take in the surroundings. This place was beautiful. Once they made it down three rolling sets of stairs there were two huge mahogany doors. Helena thought they must have been twenty feet tall. Brooks let go of her hand and opened the door. She was met with a gust of air. There was nothing but the night sky in front of her. "I can't," Helena said. "I will be with you the entire time," Brooks said. "When I go outside at night it doesn't end well," Helena said. "Things are about to change for you," Brooks said. "I want to take you on your first moonlit walk." He held out his hand to her so eagerly. Helena looked up to his face. The stray lock of black hair hung over his brow. It was one of the first things she had noticed about him. Helena's instincts told her no, but the last few days ignoring them had done her well. She put her hand in his and followed him into the darkness. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Rebecca was dropped. She landed on her feet and immediately bent over gasping for breath. A voice across from her was laughing. Rebecca composed herself and used her bag to smack her offender. "Ass," she said. "We need to talk," he replied. Rebecca rolled her eyes. She assumed he could tell, even though it was pitch black outside. "You should have came in the bar," Rebecca said. "Nobody is in there. Come on, let me make you a drink." Her heels clicked against the pavement. She still had her keys in her hand and it didn't take her long to reenter the bar. She turned on the employee only lights that kept the place dim and went behind the bar. Rebecca popped open a beer for herself and started pouring his drink. All Is Fair Ch. 08 "Vodka, soda water with a lime," Rebecca said. "Most bland drink ever." She watched as Victor took a sip. "I guess I like to save my palette for more delicacies," he said. Rebecca watched him smile and slowly felt the corners of her mouth grow. If anything, the guy had a sense of humor. All Is Fair Ch. 09 Five years ago Finally Rebecca felt free. She knew she could stay at the youth home until she graduated from high school, but that was months away. Turning eighteen had given her the right to control her own path. She didn't need any more school. Her gifts were strong enough that she would live the easy life now. She pulled out her bag and started stuffing her necessities inside. A light in the room came on startling her. "Where are you going?" Helena asked. Rebecca was happy to get rid of her too. She was such a brat. Even at sixteen Rebecca's sister refused to grow up. The girl was so naïve she couldn't even tell when she was being manipulated. Once Rebecca had convinced her of the stories about their parent's abuse, Helena was like putty in her hands. Sure, Rebecca got in trouble once and a while and her parents did punish her, but nothing like Helena now pictured. It was almost too easy. Rebecca wondered if Helena had any accurate details left in her head from her childhood. The little twerp would be better off without her and didn't even realize it. "I'm leaving," Rebecca said. "I'm eighteen now." "You said they wouldn't separate us," Helena said. "Well," Rebecca said. "I don't have a choice. They're forcing me out." Another lie. Rebecca hoped it made Helena question the people at the youth home over their decision. Rebecca knew she was too weak to bother asking them if it were true. She liked the idea that it might make Helena's last two years here that much more unbearable. "That's not right," Helena said. "Well it's life," Rebecca said. "It's not always fair." Rebecca wished her sister would just go back to sleep. If Helena were anyone else that wouldn't have been an issue. Yet another reason why Rebecca wanted to put distance between the two of them. "I'm coming with you," Helena said. She got up from her bed and walked over to the closet, pulling out her backpack. Rebecca remembered her sister did hold on tight to one teaching from their parents. "It's nighttime," Rebecca said. "I know," Helena said. "But I won't let them separate us. I can be strong." Rebecca looked at the pitiful look on her sister's face. She didn't feel like dealing with this right now. It would be easier to ditch her at the first stop. "Pack light," Rebecca said. "And quick." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Rebecca kept her eyes open, then spotted exactly what she was looking for. She pulled into the parking lot, a few towns over and shut off her crappy car. No more of that for her. "Wait here," Rebecca said. "I will be right back." Rebecca debated on leaving her sister in the car never to return, but then looked at Helena's face. She was trying her hardest to keep her eyes shut and forget the fact it was nighttime out. This might be the last time they saw each other. Rebecca shook her head. Helena was so in the dark it was ironic. Rebecca decided at least one good deed was in order. She walked into the motel office. An average looking man came out from behind the curtain. It probably led to some apartment that was even more deplorable than the motel's rooms. "Can I help you?" "I would look a room please," Rebecca said. "Just for the night?" "Yes," Rebecca said. "That will be twenty bucks," he said. Rebecca looked in her purse. She pulled out nothing, but handed it to the man as if it were actual cash. He grabbed the air and it in the register. "I think you owe me some change," Rebecca said. "That was a one hundred." "Right," the man said. He started hitting buttons trying to get the drawer open again without ringing up an actual sale. Rebecca groaned. "You know what," Rebecca said. "Keep the change. I'll take it for the week." He nodded then handed her a key. Rebecca couldn't believe how easy it was to fool people. Now that Rebecca was eighteen everything about her had matured, including her talents. Her mother never taught her this little trick. Rebecca smiled, thinking about what a self-teacher she had been all these years. Her smile faded when she thought about her parents. They could have raised her in a mansion in Beverly Hills, but insisted in living in the middle of nowhere all because of the little brat in the car. Rebecca made it to the car and knocked on the window. Helena jumped and opened her eyes. Rebecca waved for her to follow. She unlocked the door to their room. Two beds and a heater that made an awful noise. This place was a bigger pit than Rebecca realized. "This is nice," Helena said. She took a seat on one of the beds and dropped her pack. Rebecca opened her mouth to speak, but instead just formed a smile. "I'm going to get us some food," Rebecca said. "Sit tight?" "Where are you going?" Helena asked. "Just next door," Rebecca said. "I saw a bar. I am sure I can get us some burgers. I'll be back in thirty minutes, hour tops?" Helena looked around uncomfortably. The last thing Rebecca wanted was her freaking out and deciding to contact the youth home or worse, the cops. Rebecca dropped the car keys on the counter. "See?" Rebecca asked. "So close I won't need my car keys. Try to close your eyes. If you get some sleep you'll feel better." That seemed to calm Helena down. Rebecca debated on saying some final words to her sister, but couldn't think of anything. There would be no more watching out for Helena, no more making sure she had the most normal life possible. Now it was Rebecca's turn to live for herself. Nothing was standing in her way. She waved goodbye and closed the door. The March air was a little cooler than Rebecca would have liked, she decided to head somewhere warmer first thing. Rebecca strutted across the parking lot, passing the reason she stopped here. A cherry red convertible was parked outside. It was only a BMW and probably an older model, but it looked pretty. Rebecca could always upgrade later. She thought about taking it right now, but decided it would be easier to go inside and get the keys. She walked into the bar, the cliental was typical for a Sunday night, mainly men and none who were partying too hard. Rebecca made her way to the bartender. A guy who was sitting at the bar stood up when she approached. He looked about her age with darker skin and hair. He looked her up and down. She was used to guys checking her out, but his face looked more like it was deciding on disgust rather than lust. "Excuse me," she said. Part of her wanted to send him away, but he was making that decision by himself. The bartender walked over and she shook the memory of the creepy guy away. "I need to see your ID," he said. Rebecca played the same trick on him as she had the man from the motel. It was always fun to watch someone examine nothing. It was such an easy spell too, she could live nicely if it was the only one she had to use. He smiled and handed her nothing back to her. Then Rebecca remembered the reason she was here. "Could you tell me who owns that little red sports car outside?" The bartender pointed out a random guy to her and Rebecca started making her way over. Maybe she would stay a little while before getting the man to hand over his keys and all the cash in his wallet. No sense in using a spell if she didn't have to. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Hilton Head was beautiful. Rebecca stretched out by the pool, deciding she would never leave this place. She took a sip from her daiquiri and looked at the giant house behind her she now called home. To her surprise she spotted Charlie, the newest lover she had enchanted. It was much easier to control rich men than try to steal her own fortune. "What are you doing home from work so early?" Rebecca asked. Charlie looked angry. Once he made it towards her lounger she flashed him her smile. His grimace did not fade. "I want you out of here," Charlie said. Rebecca rolled her eyes. She concentrated on her powers and tried to influence him. To her surprise it had no effect. Rebecca realized she had to use her womanly charms. She stood up and stuck her chest out a little, hoping that would be enough. "What are you talking about?" Rebecca asked. She tried to touch his arm but he jerked away. "I had an epiphany," Charlie said. "I don't like you very much. I want you gone." Her latest spell had faded. She'd already cast at lest three on him, each time the time span was less and less. Rebecca assumed once she turned eighteen her power would have grown infinite. She had a felt a change in herself on her birthday, but for now she needed to find a stronger spell. She started towards the house, ready to head inside and cast another. "Where are you going?" "Inside," Rebecca said. "If you're throwing me out I need to get my things." "No," Charlie said. "I'm not stupid. Every time I let you in the house you never end up leaving. I am having the things I did not buy for you brought out to your car, the one you showed up with, not one I purchased." "I don't understand where all this is coming from," Rebecca said. "At least let me get dressed." "You can get dressed in the driveway," Charlie said. He reached out and grabbed a hold of her arm, then started pulling her towards the lawn. "Get your hands off me," Rebecca said. "I have daughters older than you," Charlie said. "I need you gone." "I mean it," Rebecca said. She struggled against him. "You're getting out of here right now," Charlie said. Rebecca's anger was flaring. She wanted his hand off of her. He kept a firm grip on her arm. She couldn't wiggle free. Unable to take it she summoned all her power and blasted him back. His body flung backwards. Why couldn't she summon that strength when she cast her love spell? Rebecca rubbed her arm and turned to look at him. He was lying on the cement next to the pool. She started walking over towards him. "You should never grab a woman," Rebecca said. "Now let me go inside and then we will sort all of this out." When she got closer towards him she noticed he was unconscious. A pool of red liquid was forming by his head. She moved next to him and started slapping his cheek, trying to force him to wake up. "Don't do this to me," Rebecca said. The last thing she wanted was to deal with calling 911. It had been an easy six weeks. Rebecca didn't want to start over again, not so soon. She stood back up and looked at the house. At least Charlie was nice enough to have brought her things outside already. She doubted he managed to find everything, especially not the bag that contained all her supplies. "You screwed up a good thing here Charlie," Rebecca said. "We could have been happy." She gave his body a kick and he fell into the pool with a small splash. The water started turning red with his blood. Rebecca groaned and walked into the house, upset that she would have to leave right away and waste even more of her powers casting a spell so nobody discovered the body until morning. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Rebecca hated leaving the coast, but she stopped at the nicest hotel she could find and made sure they gave her the biggest suite available. She pulled out her computer and started looking at maps. This time she would go to California. That had always been her dream destination anyway. She thought about purchasing an airplane ticket, but enjoyed driving too much to give it up. Satisfied with her decision Rebecca yawned. It was time for bed. She flipped off the light and crawled under the covers. Using so much of her power up exhausted her. Rebecca was on the verge of sleep when she felt an arm cross her waist. She shot up in bed. Her heart was racing. She reached for the light. "I wouldn't do that," a voice said. "Whose there?" Rebecca asked. "What a generic question," he said. She felt a hand touch her leg and Rebecca tried to jump from the bed. She was pulled back down. Whoever was in the bed wrapped his arms around her, holding her back against his chest. Vampire. That was Rebecca's first guess. Her mom always warned her about keeping them away from Helena, but never talked about protecting herself. "Not a vampire," he said. "I like how much knowledge you have though. I suppose you're not wise enough though, or else you wouldn't be in this situation." "You can read my mind?" Rebecca asked. "No," he said. "But I know a lot about you Rebecca, the way you think. Remember if I were a vampire you would have to invite me in. I must say, they don't normally come to me this young either." She felt his breath run along her neck. "Who are you?" Rebecca asked. "I am who gave your bloodline its power," he said. "I love they way you've chosen to use it. Greed, envy, and sloth are some of my favorite sins. The way you worked in lust was just beautiful. Poor Charlie never stood a chance." "How do you know about Charlie?" Rebecca tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. "He was your third," he said. "That means you're mine now." "What?" Rebecca asked. "Kill three people and your soul belongs to me," he said. How could he know that? Rebecca didn't understand what was happening. "I don't know what you're talking about," Rebecca said. "I've enjoyed watching you too much," he said. "It's almost no fun to take you now. I can feel your fear. It's not as strong as I normally enjoy. Why aren't you more terrified?" Rebecca didn't know what was going on. She felt a tongue lick her back. The hands on her waist started burning. She let out a gasp. "Yes," he said. "Those are the sounds I want. I think I am feeling generous. I will give you some more time, just a little though. I want that fear to build." The heat started radiating from Rebecca's midsection. She was certain she was burning from the inside out. She didn't want to scream, that was what this thing wanted. She held out as long as possible. When the scream erupted from her lungs she shot up in bed. He breath was caught in her throat. The sunlight was pouring into her hotel room. It was just a dream. She started to calm down. Maybe she deserved that after leaving Charlie to die. She got out of the bed and walked towards the bathroom, needing to throw some water on her face. She flipped on the light and let out another scream when she saw the burns covering her abdomen. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* There was always a way out of something. Rebecca didn't know what that thing in her bed was last night, but he would regret giving her time to avoid whatever it was he wanted from her. She took her bag and pulled out a crystal. Concentrating on her problem she summoned a solution. The light started to grow. Rebecca looked at the floor. A map of the state was projected. An image popped up. It was of an okay look guy, slightly older than her. She watched as he transformed into a wolf. Then she watched herself appear, he looked smitten with her. The whole story played out. It was a full moon tonight. He could turn her into what he was and she would be saved. The image changed again. It was when he first saw her, he paid no attention. Rebecca understood what the magic was saying. She needed to cast the most powerful love spell possible. That meant sacrificing every bit of power she had. She touched the burn marks on her stomach. Whatever that thing last night had in store for her was worse than loosing what made her special. Rebecca ended the spell. She needed to get out of here fast. The thing's words ran through her head. Charlie was her third. Rebecca knew all too well what that meant. Her mother never mentioned threes, or deals with beings that gave their bloodline powers. Rebecca didn't know why she was surprised. Everything her mother had taught her was worthless. It wasn't until the old bag was gone that Rebecca started experimenting with fun spells. Grabbing her things Rebecca left the hotel room. She shook her head. She was raised knowing about witches and vampires. She didn't know why werewolves existing should be a surprise. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Are you doing alright?" Brooks asked. "I'm fine, " Helena said. Brooks laughed. Helena was gripping on to his hand so tightly if he were human he was sure she would have broken his fingers. He imagined running through the woods were her after her first turn. She would love the feeling of moonlight on her fur. He needed to remember she was still human though, and that meant paying closer attention to her fears. "Nothing can get you," Brooks said. "We're on private land." They hadn't even gotten very far from the house. Brooks decided exploring the property was a bad idea at this point. He remembered her taking off through the woods the other night and started to squeeze her hand back. They were nearing the pool. Brooks though that was a safe place to get her acquainted with the night. "You have a big fancy swimming pool that looks like it belongs at a resort," Helena said. "Thank you," Brooks said. "You sound surprised." "I assumed if you went swimming it would be in a lake," Helena said. "We may be rustic," Brooks said. "But we still like to have fun." "Uh-huh," Helena said. "It is a salt water pool too," Brooks said. "Beat taking trips to the beach." "I've never seen an ocean," Helena said. "I've never been one for leaving home," Brooks said. He led her over towards one of the canopy beds. They took a seat. Brooks wrapped his arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head in. "What are you thinking?" Brooks asked. "Too much to focus on one thought," Helena said. Brooks unwrapped his arm from her and went to the side of the bed. He loosened the tie and closed the drape, then went and did the same until three of the sides were closed. When he walked back towards the front of the bed he signaled for Helena to scoot back and then undid the front cover. The two of them lied down with only the top of the bed open showing the stars shining down on them. "Now I bet you really feel like you're at a resort," Brooks said. "Thank you," Helena said. She turned onto her side and snuggled up to Brooks. He was proud his idea had paid off and the enclosed space was making her feel more comfortable. "Now can you focus on one thought?" Brooks asked. "Will it hurt?" Helena asked. "The change?" Helena nodded. "I was born this way," Brooks said. "But from what I've heard it is intense but pleasant." "Will you tell me about it?" Brooks shook his head. He knew how it was done, but explaining it ahead of time would only intensify her fears. He wanted her to keep a positive outlook. "Ask me any other question and I will answer it," Brooks said. "What's the meaning of life?" Helena asked. Brooks laughed. "Any other question I am capable of offering an answer to," Brooks said. "Your mom told me about your siblings today," Helena said. "Did you go away to college?" "I did," Brooks said. "But I didn't last very long. I would have rather been here." "Is that because you're an Alpha?" Helena asked. "I think so," Brooks said. "I like to be needed." Brooks wanted her to realize how badly she needed him, because his need for her was almost unbearable. It was a sensation he was no accustom to. "So there are vampires and werewolves," Helena said. "What else?" "What do you mean?" Brooks asked. "Are there goblins? Trolls? Fairies? Witches? Unicorns?" Brooks laughed again. He rubbed his hand up and down her back. She nuzzled closer to him. "No," Brooks said. "Well, not that I know of. There's not a supernatural convention every year or anything. I've never met or heard of any, but I doubt they would have much use for us." "The world is so big," Helena said. Brooks turned his head to look at her. He could see her beauty in the starlight. Her big blue eyes looked up at him and he never felt more secure. All Is Fair Ch. 09 "My world is pretty tiny," Brooks said. Helena smiled and started to look away. Brooks reached down to grab her chin and pressed their lips together. She felt perfect tucked against his body. Helena kissed him back, but then closed her mouth and gave him one small peck before tucking her head back down. She didn't speak and Brooks focused on her breathing, soon it was regular and he felt himself being tugged into sleep. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "What do you want?" Rebecca asked. Victor had already caused enough problems for her the past few months. She wished he had never shown up at the bar that night. It was busy. Rebecca was distracted making sure everyone had their drinks. It was sad that working at this small bar was now the highlight of Rebecca's existence. It was the only place she could get away from her "mate". She debated on leaving the pack nightly, but never know how she would support herself. Besides, her biggest fear now was Andrew meeting the one who was really destined for him, that would destroy her magic and Rebecca wasn't sure what the consequences would be. "Excuse me," a cool voice said. Rebecca looked over. Wow, she thought to herself. An incredibly handsome man sat at the bar, his blond hair was slicked back and his blue eyes concentrated on hers. She wished Andrew looked more like him. That might make her life a little more bearable. She walked over and flashed her smile. "What can I get for you?" Rebecca asked. He replied, but Rebecca couldn't hear him. She leaned closer and took in his scent. He even smelled hot. "Excuse me?" Rebecca asked. He smiled before leaning in closer towards her. Rebecca was happy there weren't many wolves in the bar tonight, and no Betas at all. That meant nothing she did would be reported back to Andrew. Rebecca immediately fantasized about this man. Him taking her outside and pushing her up against the wall of the building. She was getting wet just thinking about it. She leaned closer towards him, wanting to feel his breath on her neck. "Your sister," he whispered. "Lost in memories again?" Victor asked. Rebecca was snapped back to the present. "You didn't my question," Rebecca said. "What are you doing here? You know the pack wants you dead. It's dangerous." "You didn't hold up your part of the bargain," Victor said. "Like hell I didn't," Rebecca said. "Our agreement was you deliver your sister and I keep your secret," Victor said. "Or should I let...what was his name again...Andy know you're not really his mate? Tell him all about your past life? Would that break your little spell?" "If you could have kept your hands off of her they would have brought her back here," Rebecca said. "Or at least given me the opportunity to go visit her." "I didn't need them to find her," Victor said. "I knew exactly where she was. I needed you to draw her out at night." "And I couldn't do that without getting permission," Rebecca said. "How was I supposed to explain that? We agreed it would be easier if I got the pack involved. How was I supposed to know she was Alpha junior's mate? Or that you would try to attack her the exact night the pack found her?" "I did not attack her," Victor said. "Helena gave herself to me." "Either way," Rebecca said. "This is your screw up, not mine. If you would have kept your hand off of her that night I could have had her sitting at this bar the next night. You could have snuck off with her. You knew my plan was in motion." Victor snarled and moved with speed. Rebecca felt his hand tightening around her throat. She didn't flinch. "Kill me and you're on your own," Rebecca said. Victor took his seat again and was sipping his drink before Rebecca could draw in a breath. "Why can't you bring her here now?" Victor asked. "Well," Rebecca said. "Multiple reasons. First off, they know a vampire is hunting her. Second, she doesn't want to see me. Maybe because you're keeping just a little bit of her soul?" "How do you know that?" Victor asked. "The Alpha brought in an expert," Rebecca said. "And his son is just a little too chatty with me." "What else do they know?" "If you have her soul why don't you just force her out?" Rebecca asked. "I was thinking about that all night." "I tried," Victor said. "First with reason, then pleasure, then terror. I'm loosing. The more time she spends with that...wolf, the less I'm able to hold on. I can feel her fighting me." "They seem to think the opposite," Rebecca said. "That your power is getting stronger. Brooks doesn't want to leave her alone. Ever." Victor ran his hands through his hair. Rebecca had never seen him so vulnerable before. She didn't want to deal with this. Yet again Helena had screwed up her life. Rebecca wanted her little sister and the vampire gone. "I'm scared she's going to figure out what she is soon," Rebecca said. "Which would mean she might figure out what I am." "You mean what you were," Victor said. Rebecca felt the sting. She was only able to live with her power for such a short time but the memories still burned. Her hand went to her stomach, reminding herself of her sacrifice. "Either way you need to figure out something fast," Rebecca said. "I don't want to deal with any of this. Or her in general." Victor stared at the bar. Rebecca liked watching him squirm. "Oh," Rebecca said. "One other, minor speed-bump. The next full moon is three weeks away, and she agreed to a change. They seem to think that will end all of your control." Victor looked back up. His eyes were completely black. Rebecca interpreted that to mean the expert was correct. "Relax," Rebecca said. "I have an idea." "I should have never gotten you involved," Victor said. "If I would have just waited her out she would be mine already." "I think you should let her go," Rebecca said. Victor bared his fangs. "She's still the same person she's always been," Rebecca said. "Threaten her loved ones and she will turn herself over to you willingly. Of course that will only work if she had all of her soul." Victor retracted his fangs. He turned his head towards the side. "I will come in playing the remorseful sister," Rebecca said. "She will want to forgive me. She was always too eager to please me. It will work." "This is dangerous," Victor said. "I won't be able to visit her again." "Hmmmm," Rebecca said. "I am sure we can work something out. But this time I want her gone for good. Then I never have to see you, or her, again." "If she turns into a werewolf, I will hunt you down and rip your throat out," Victor said. Rebecca turned around and took two shot glasses off the shelf. She went under the bar and pulled out the most expensive whiskey they had. She poured the drinks and raised her glass. "Then we will have to work fast won't we?" Rebecca asked. Victor smiled and lifted his glass. Rebecca tapped it and through the shot back, wishing she would have just killed her sister five years ago. All Is Fair Ch. 10 Helena's eyes popped open. She had been in such a deep sleep they made a clicking sound. She was freezing. It felt like cold water was running through her veins. Helena sat up on the bed and held her arms out in front of her, almost as if she expected to see light traveling through her body. The feeling vanished and Helena was left with a vague memory of the cold. "What?" Brooks asked. "What's wrong?" The stars were beginning to vanish and the blackness of the night was turning blue, waiting for the upcoming dawn. Helena turned around to see him starting to sit up. His eyes were half closed and his mop of black hair had fluffed out. He rubbed his eyes. Helena felt like she had never seen him before, not like this. Brooks blinked a few times and put his hand on her arm. "Did you have a bad dream?" Brooks asked. "Or something worse?" Helena's lips were parted, her eyes were dancing all over his face. Brooks was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She always knew he was attractive, but this was different. Helena felt like she was looking into him. She could feel his kindness, loyalty, honor, strength, and love. It was radiating off of him. Helena wanted to soak it all in. "I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened," Brooks said. Helena pounced on him. She caught him off guard and he let out a grunt when he landed on the bed. She didn't give him the opportunity to speak again and immediately affixed her mouth on his. His arms encircled her and Helena deepened her kiss, she felt like there was no way she could get close enough to him. She could feel him trying to slow her down, closing his mouth and attempting to stop her, but she refused to cease. He started to turn his head. Helena tried to move with him, but she couldn't twist herself fast enough with his arms around her. Their mouths were separated and Helena realized she was breathing heavily. Brooks took the opportunity and repositioned them, flipping over so Helena was on her back. She looked up at him, he brushed her hair away from her face. She saw a lock of his hair fall forward, covering his forehead. Her heart lurched forward and she tried to rise up to kiss him again. "Calm down," Brooks said. "You're almost hyperventilating." "I...I...I," Helena was having a hard time forming her words. "You're safe," Brooks said. "Try to relax." Helena nodded her head and closed her eyes. She focused on her breathing and soon the rhythm started to get steadier. "Can you sit up?" Brooks asked. Helena opened her eyes again. His eyes were focused on hers and they were filled with worry. That was last thing Helena wanted to cause him. She nodded her head and started to scoot back on the bed. Brooks turned around so he was sitting across from her. "I got really cold," Helena said. "We are outside," Brooks said. "By the pool. Remember? We can go in, I can carry you if you don't think you can walk." "No," Helena said. "That's not it." She started examining Brooks again. She couldn't help it. Everything about him was amazing. He raised a corner of his mouth and Helena felt like her heart was going to burst again. She started to move closer towards him, but he reached out and put his hands on her shoulders. Helena knew he wanted her to talk, but she didn't want that. They had talked enough, she wanted him. "I think my soul is back," Helena said. Brooks' eyes widened. Helena couldn't tell if he was happy or not. His expression just read shocked. "Why?" Brooks asked. "How?" "I don't know," Helena said. "I just...I can't put it in words." She had to look away from Brooks. The longer she stared at him the higher her desire grew. "What are you feeling right now?" Brooks asked. Helena closed her eyes and turned her head back towards Brooks. When she opened them she took him in again. She could feel her pulse quicken. Every time she saw him something new spoke to her. She could feel his passion. "You," Helena said. Brooks moved forward and brought his hands up to the back of her head. Helena lifted her hand and gripped on to his wrist. Being able to touch him brought her some comfort. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks didn't want to ask any questions. His mate was feeling their bond. Helena reinitiated her kiss from earlier and Brooks was more than happy to return her touch. She broke away from him. He didn't understand, but then she lifted her arms and pulled her sweatshirt off. Before he could speak her hands were yanking his hoodie off. The undershirt came with and he felt the chill of the morning air on his back. Helena ripped off her t-shirt and then jumped forward, pushing her body against Brooks. He fell backwards on to the bed and her hair fell forward. Helena's hands were on his sweatpants and she was pushing them down. Brooks grabbed a hold of her waistband and started pushing her clothes off. The process was not as smooth as Brooks would have liked since she seemed determined their lips never leave each other. Soon they were both completely naked and Helena rolled over onto her side, pulling Brooks with her. He felt her small hand circle his cock and squeeze. His eyes popped open, she was moving fast. Brooks' wolf urged him to ignore any outside thoughts. His mate would finally be his. Brooks brought his hand down. Helena parted her legs and Brooks covered her sex. She was soaking. He felt for her special spot and ran his thumb lightly across it. She broke their liplock and let out a gasp. Brooks used the opportunity to pull away and look at her. She was wild with desire. Brooks had never seen her remotely like this. She started moving her body on his hand. Brooks knew this would be her first time. Then he felt a pang and pulled his hand away. Helena looked at him with confusion and hurt. "I refuse to take you like this," Brooks said. "I'm ready," Helena said. "I need you." Brooks turned her onto her back and climbed on top of her. She spread her legs and his wolf urged him to enter her, but Brooks knew it wasn't right. They were on an uncomfortable pool bed, she was filled with new feelings and might not be processing them right. Brooks would never take advantage of her. He put his weight on his arm and moved his free hand back between her legs, effectively blocking himself. Then he started kissing her neck while he worked his fingers on her. Brooks let his lips explore her body as he worked himself down. He stopped when his face was between her legs. He repositioned his hand, replacing his finger with his tongue. Helena started moaning. Brooks continued his assault, knowing that if he couldn't have her completely he wasn't about to leave her wanting. Brooks' wolf was clawing at him. It was taking a lot of self-control to keep him down. Helena was getting close. Brooks could feel her movements changing. Brooks was denying his wolf the right to completely claim his mate, but he couldn't stand to leave himself so unsatisfied either. Brooks could feel Helena's muscles clamp down and her moan loudly. He removed his mouth from her and let his fangs drop down. With a single move he bit down on her inner thigh. Helena's moans turned to a scream of pleasure and Brooks' wolf wanted to howl. He had marked his mate. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena knew it was time to wake up, but she didn't want to leave the bed. She tightened the comforter around herself and started to lull off again. Then she remembered she had been sleeping outside, with no blanket, with Brooks. Helena shot up in bed, clutching the comforter to her chest. He wasn't in the bed next to her. Helena needed to find him. Her heart started aching. She scanned the room and stopped when her eyes spotted him near the desk. Helena felt warmth and comfort cross over her. He smiled and started walking over towards her. Brooks was wearing dress paints and a button down shirt. Helena looked down and realized she was naked. "How are you feeling?" Brooks asked. "Like I can't get enough of you," Helena said. Brooks smiled and sat down on the bed. Helena scooted closer to him and he started to rub her exposed back. "What time is it?" Helena asked. "A little after noon," Brooks said. "I carried you inside." Helena cringed, realizing that meant she was naked when he had. "Nobody saw us," Brooks said. "I don't remember that at all," Helena said. The last thing she could remember was being with Brooks on the bed. The memory of her orgasm came back and Helena felt a tingle go through her body. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. She went to kiss Brooks. His lips were so soft. Before she made contact he spoke. "I spoke with my father this morning," Brooks said. "And Zachary. I know you're feeling the mate bond now." Helena leaned back. She didn't think Brooks could understand what she was feeling. Then Helena remembered he might, and that meant his father and Zachary did too. She could feel herself turning red with embarrassment. "The marks on your neck are fading too," Brooks said. "Zachary thinks that means you do have your soul back." "Then why don't you want to be with me?" Helena asked. Out of all the things going through Helena's mind that was a prominent thought. This morning she was more than ready. Right now she was more than ready. The thought of Brooks body pressing against her was overwhelming. "Of course I want to be with you," Brooks said. "You're my mate. You're the only person I will ever want to be with." Helena didn't know if Brooks had understood her question. "I love you," Brooks said. "I want to make sure that everything is right before we do something you're not ready for." "But I am...," "You are a very strong person, who has been through a lot," Brooks said. "I need to know that you are completely in control of your body before I have you." "What do you mean?" "We don't know if this is some sort of trick," Brooks said. "Maybe the vampire wants you to think you're back in control again. There are just too many questions we don't have answers to and I won't take advantage of you." That never crossed Helena's mind. In fact she felt more in control of herself now than she had in her entire life. She knew exactly what she wanted, Brooks. "And the only way to know that is after I change?" Helena asked. Brooks nodded his head. "Three weeks?" Helena asked. "There's no way we can push up the date?" Brooks laughed and tucked her hair behind her ear. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. Part of Helena wanted to plead with him, but she knew how honorable he was. In fact she knew better than anyone else in the world. Someone knocked on the door, breaking her train of thought. "Come in," Brooks said. Helena pulled the comforter up to her shoulders and gave Brooks a look. "I forget. You and your modesty," Brooks said. "You should be proud of how beautiful you are." A short man came in with a tray before she could respond. Helena was closer to the man than Brooks was. She expected him to jump up and claw the man's eyes out, but instead he stayed calm and collected. "You can set it on the bed," Brooks said. "Thank you." The man set down the tray and Brooks stood up. He walked over to the man and escorted him out of the room, shaking his hand before he left. Helena's mouth hung open when Brooks came back to her. "What?" Brooks asked. "Yesterday you didn't even want me in the same room as your father," Helena said. "Now I'm basically naked and a strange man walks in and you don't flinch at all." "Oh," Brooks said. He smiled at her. "Everyone knows you're mine now. My wolf doesn't feel the need to be so overprotective." "Why is that?" Helena asked. "Because you have my mark," Brooks said. Helena dropped her hand. She ran it over her thigh and felt the indents in her skin. "Those clear up," Brooks said. "But the scent will stay forever." Even though Brooks wouldn't take her yet, he had given her something that meant almost as much. Helena smiled. Her life finally felt like it was on track. All Is Fair Ch. 11 After eating lunch Helena showered and got dressed. Brooks still refused to leave her alone, but Helena didn't think Victor would be coming for a visit anytime soon. When she came out of the closet Brooks was seated at his desk, clicking away on the computer. Helena walked behind him and looked at the screen. He was reviewing numbers in a spreadsheet. "I wish I still had my computer," Helena said. "And everything else I had at the motel." "Funny you should say that," Brooks said. He reached into a drawer and pulled out Helena's laptop. She gave him a confused look. "I thought you might want this," Brooks said. "It's old now though. Would you like me to order you a new one?" "What about the rest of my things?" Helena asked. Brooks shook his head. "It was just some dirty clothes," Brooks said. "I thought it would be best for you to start over." "There was more in that suitcase than just clothes," Helena said. Helena pictured the silver dagger Abe had given her. The same one she used to end his life. It was hidden in the lining. Before she could tell Brooks he changed the subject. "I know that your feelings have...changed...for me," Brooks said. "But what about anyone else?" "You mean Rebecca," Helena said. "She is your sister," Brooks said. "And I understand being upset with her. She did leave you all alone. But she's also the reason you're here now. Better late than never right?" It was hard for Helena to listen to what Brooks was saying. She was more interested in watching his lips move than trying to understand his words. A chill went down her spine and she clutched her laptop tight to her chest. There was no way she would last three weeks. "One thing is really bothering me about Rebecca," Helena said. "I don't understand how the..." Before Helena could finish there was a knock on the door. Brooks stood up from his chair and the door opened. Zachary and Daphne walked in. "I went to your office first," Daphne said. "Hope we're not interrupting." "I'm working from here today," Brooks said. "Hello again," Zachary said. Helena nodded and smiled. "Sorry to intrude," Zachary said. "But I am leaving tonight and was hoping I could still get that sample of blood from you." "Absolutely," Helena said. She walked over to the couches and Zachary and Daphne met her there. She felt Brooks hand touch her shoulder and it sent another pang of longing through her body. Helena pictured the two of them on the bed, Brooks pulling off her dress. "I meant to say congratulations," Zachary said. "Brooks told us that you're feeling more like yourself." Helena was happy Zachary jarred her from her thoughts. "Do you have any idea why?" Helena asked. Zachary shook his head. "I know it would be easy to forget about everything that happened," Zachary said. "But that's a little premature. Just because the symptoms are gone doesn't mean the underlying cause has vanished. I would continue as you have been, until after you change." That was exactly what Helena didn't want to hear. She was happy she wore a sleeveless dress. It made it easier for Zachary to draw the blood. "Speaking of the change," Daphne said. "Would you like to help me out again this afternoon?" "Actually," Helena said. "I was hoping to find my sister. I think we should spend some time together." Helena glanced at Brooks. He couldn't contain his grin. Family was clearly important to him and Helena decided it was important to her too. Besides, if her and Rebecca were going to be a part of the same pack it was time to work out their issues. "I can walk you there," Daphne said. "Once we're done here." "Thank you," Helena said. "Then maybe Brooks can finally get some work done." Truthfully Helena wanted to get away from Brooks, at least for a little while. Her desires for him were clouding her thought process. Three weeks might as well have been three hundred weeks at this point. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Is she going to mind me just showing up like this?" Helena asked. "What if she's not there?" "We are an open group," Daphne said. "She won't mind at all. In fact, I bet she will be thrilled. I know she's there." "How?" Helena asked. "Perks of being an Alpha," Daphne said. "I can focus on a member of the pack and usually find out where they are. If they're on the property though, it's not a straight up GPS. You will have the same talents someday." "What else will I be able to do?" Helena asked. "Well, let's see," Daphne said. "You and Brooks will get a mental link. Which can be fun and a pain in the butt at the same time." "Mental link?" Helena asked. "You can talk to each other without opening your mouth, and explore each other's brains," Daphne said. "But you'll eventually learn how to block him out of certain thoughts and not to stroll through certain sections of his mind. It takes a few years of practice though. One of the biggest fights me and Hugh had was because of the mental link." "But it will just be with Brooks?" Helena asked. She didn't like the thought of someone roaming her brain. "If you're really close with someone it can pop up again too," Daphne said. "I have one with all my children, and a few of the female Betas. If Hugh focuses enough he could probably have one with any member of the pack." "So you can read Brooks' mind?" Helena asked. Daphne laughed. "No," Daphne said. "It doesn't work that way, but I can talk to him through the link, sometimes if he's projecting enough pick up on his emotions. He is not a fan though and I try to respect that." "Not a fan?" Helena asked. "Even when he was a baby he didn't like it," Daphne said. "If you get too far apart it doesn't work either." They stopped walking. Helena realized she had no clue where they were in the lodge. This looked like a hallway one would find in an apartment complex. The giant ceilings were gone. Daphne knocked twice on the door, turned to Helena and gave her a smile. Rebecca came to the door. Once her eyes locked on Helena she gave a huge smile, then leaned forward and gave Helena a huge hug. At first Helena was hesitant, but something about Rebecca's touch felt so familiar. Helena raised her arms and hugged her sister back. "Madam Alpha," Rebecca said. "Good afternoon Rebecca," Daphne said. "How are things going at the bar?" "Great," Rebecca said. "I love it that I still get the opportunity to meet new people. Would you two like to come inside?" Rebecca went back into the doorway and motioned for them to walk in. "Thank you so much for the invite," Daphne said. "But I have other matters to attend to. Helena when you're ready to leave have Rebecca call for someone. If not me than Brooks, and remember..." "Never let her be alone," Rebecca said. "Even for a second." Helena felt like a baby. Rebecca had a big grin on her face, like she was more than willing to take care of Helena. Helena knew that was not Rebecca's strong suit though. Daphne dropped her head and gave a smile. Then she leaned in and hugged each girl before taking off. Rebecca motioned for Helena to enter. She walked inside and was surprised the set up here was nothing like Brooks' room. Instead it was more like an average apartment. There was a skinny hallways that led to a sitting room, with a small kitchen off to the side. Helena assumed if she kept walking it would lead to a bedroom or two, but instead stopped at the couch. Rebecca took a set first. She stared at Helena with wide eyes brimming with excitement. It made Helena a bit uncomfortable, but she took a set and turned to look at Rebecca. "So Brooks marked you? I can smell it," Rebecca said. "I want to hear all about it. Don't leave out a single detail." "We're not the type of people who sit and gossip," Helena said. "Or share secrets with each other. I don't know you." Helena blurted the words out without even thinking. She watched the smile fade from Rebecca's face, but her sister nodded. "I deserve that," Rebecca said. "I deserve everything you want to throw at me. I'm ashamed I did that to you. I can't believe the life you've had to live because of my selfish actions." Rebecca's voice started to waiver. She lifted her hand to cover her mouth and Helena saw tears forming in her eyes. "If I could take it back I would," Rebecca said. "I was so young and stupid. I thought you would be better off in the group home." Helena could see how beaten up Rebecca was over this. Helena realized making her sister feel worse wouldn't make her feel any better. "I want to forgive you," Helena said. "But some things don't add up." "I don't deserve your forgiveness," Rebecca said. "But I will do anything, answer any questions, to try and earn it." "How did you end up in North Carolina?" Helena asked. "The group home was in Michigan." Rebecca gave her sister a warm smile. "Andrew was in Michigan," Rebecca said. "He was on some sort of pack business. I forget what exactly." "Oh," Helena said. That was such a simple explanation, but it made so much sense. After all, Brooks had found her in another state. "Well," Helena said. "Then what happened?" "It was love at first sight," Rebecca said. "We couldn't keep our hands off of each other. The next night was a full moon, so he changed me right away. I got adjusted to the pack life, but I thought about you all the time. I wanted the best for you. When I asked Brooks to find you I was hoping you were going to be in your senior year of college, living a normal healthy life." "How did they get your ceremony ready in one day?" Helena asked. "Daphne is talking like it's going to be the party of the century." "I'm not mated with the Alpha," Rebecca said. "Me and Andrew just had a small, pack only celebration. It was a fun night though, one of my best memories." Helena felt guilty. She didn't want to rub anything in her sister's face. "What's wrong?" Rebecca asked. "Nothing," Helena said. She still found it odd to have people around her that actually cared about what she was feeling. "Please," Rebecca said. "I want to be here for you. We're still sisters, nothing can change that. You don't have to be alone anymore." "I'm not alone," Helena said. "I have Brooks." Rebecca flashed a smile and nodded. "I couldn't be happier for you," Rebecca said. "I remember my first days with Andrew. I envy your situation. New love is the best kind of love." Helena knew her sister was trying. She didn't have anyone else to talk to about her current predicament. Brooks wouldn't discuss the issue and Helena couldn't exactly talk about it with his mother. Helena decided in the spirit of reconnecting to share with Rebecca. "Brooks won't sleep with me," Helena said. Rebecca's mouth hung open. She must have realized it and tried to change her expression to a positive one, urging Helena to continue. "I don't know what Brooks told you," Helena said. "But the vampire bite was causing some problems for us. But last night, or early this morning, there was a change. Now all I can think about it having him, but he wants to wait until we are certain the vampire isn't an issue anymore." "You mean until the next full moon?" Rebecca asked. "I don't know if I can wait three weeks," Helena said. "It hasn't even been twenty four hours and all I can think about is how bad I want him." "Well did you try talking to him about it?" Rebecca asked. "He's too honorable," Helena said. "Or stubborn. He thinks he would be taking advantage of me." "You need to appeal to his wolf," Rebecca said. "That will get him to change his mind." Helena tilted her head a little and looked at Rebecca. She had no clue what that meant. "Brooks has been feeling the way you're feeling right now for over a week," Rebecca said. "That means he probably has a better grasp at controlling his feelings. You see there are two sides to all of us, our human side and our animal side. Brooks' human side probably won out or else he would have taken you in your sleep during those five days you were unconscious." "There's no way Brooks would have ever done something like that," Helena said. "Brooks wouldn't," Rebecca said. "But his wolf would." "And how do I appeal to the wolf?" Helena asked. "Almost all males in the pack are more dominant than the females," Rebecca said. "Brooks probably more so since he is an Alpha. If you try to dominate him, push him far enough that he will feel the urge to at least match you. If you get the wolf to the surface then he will want you just as bad, if not worse as you want him." "I was pretty aggressive this morning," Helena said. "Trust me, it didn't work." "Don't mistake aggressive with eager," Rebecca said. Helena thought back to her time by the pool. Brooks was the one leading the entire time. He had moved her on her back and she just flopped over. "I don't want to trick him into anything," Helena said. "I wouldn't say it was tricking him, but if you're uncomfortable with that then your other option is to talk with him," Rebecca said. "Maybe you could try to mix the two. Be assertive when you speak. Don't back down. It could be enough. Don't ask, tell." Helena was surprised how easy it was get advice from Rebecca. For the few minutes they were talking Helena forgot about her past. It felt like they were actual sisters. She smiled, knowing she had Brooks to that for encouraging her to mend this relationship. "Before I forget," Rebecca said as she stood up from the couch. "I got you a little present." She walked over to the table and opened a small drawer. She handed a gift to Helena. She stared at the small package, looking over the paper. The last present she got was her going away gift from Abe. But Helena couldn't remember the last wrapped gift she had received. Then she realized it must have been from Rebecca. "Well open it," Rebecca said. Helena smiled and tore away the paper. It was a box with a picture of a phone on it. Rebecca grabbed it out of her hands and started opening the box. Then she put a small black phone in Helena's hand. "I'm sure that Brooks will get you a nicer, more permanent one soon," Rebecca said. "This is just a burner with some prepaid minutes. But I already put my phone number in there. We can text and call each other. This way we can always find each other." Rebecca was beaming at Helena. "I know I screwed up bad," Rebecca said. "But I swear to you, nothing like that will ever happen again. We are going to grow old together and since we will both be wolves that means we will be together for a very very long time." "Thank you," Helena said. She squeezed the phone, almost scared it would slip away and then Helena would lose Rebecca again. This was an incredible gesture and Helena was confident their relationship was heading in the right direction. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "I think you're being silly," Daphne said. "The last week has been torture for you, now the poor girl finally wants you back and you're refusing her." "I don't want to take advantage of her," Brooks said. "Maybe she is still being influenced." "I spent ten minutes with her and could feel her frustration," Daphne said. "This isn't a topic open for discussion," Brooks said. "Especially with my mother." "Fine," Daphne said. "Then let's talk about another one of my issues with your decisions today. Why are you pushing Helena to reconcile with Rebecca?" "Because they're sisters," Brooks said. "I wouldn't have found Helena if it weren't for Rebecca." "You might have found her five years ago if Rebecca hadn't up and abandoned her," Daphne said. "She was only eighteen," Brooks said. "Human emotions sometimes are difficult..." "Don't you forget I was human once too," Daphne said. "And leaving your little sister so you can run off with a boy is not a common mistake. She lied about her for years then too, even Andrew didn't know. Doesn't that seem off to you?" "I felt that way for a while," Brooks said. "But I want Helena to be as comfortable here as possible. Rebecca will make that easier for her." "I think you had the right idea at first," Daphne said. "Keep Rebecca away from Helena. Let Helena make her own friends. She could start going to the gym now, maybe I could set up a little ladies night for her." The door to the room creaked open. Brooks and Daphne moved their heads. Brooks smiled when Helena walked in. Rebecca poked her head in after and waved. "Just dropping her off," Rebecca said. "She was never alone." "Thank you," Brooks said. "I was going to send for dinner. Do you want to join?" "Thank you for the invite, but I have to work tonight," Rebecca said. "I will walk you out," Daphne said. "I was just leaving too." Brooks watched as his mother stopped and gave Helena a hug. She turned around and gave Brooks a dirty look, where neither of the other two girls could see before joining Rebecca in the hallway. Brooks had to trust his instincts. Rebecca would be good for Helena. He stood up from his desk and went to meet Helena in the middle of the room. He placed his arms around her and she grabbed on to his waist. "How was your afternoon?" Brooks asked. "It was nice actually," Helena said. "Rebecca bought me a phone." "Really?" Brooks asked. "I just put in an order for you. Your phone should arrive tomorrow." "This one is just a prepaid one," Helena said. "Rebecca didn't like the idea of not being able to reach me." "Well that was nice of her," Brooks said. Helena tightened her grip on him. His mother was right. Frustration and tension were coming off of her in waves. Brooks didn't know if holding her was making it better or worse. "What do you want for dinner?" Brooks asked. Helena broke away from him. She grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards the couch. Brooks smiled and let her guide him, not used to her authority. Helena sat down first and Brooks took a seat next to her. She stared right at him. "I want to have sex with you," Helena said. Brooks hadn't expected her to be so blunt. He reached out and took her hand. "I told you my thoughts about this earlier," Brooks said. "And now I am telling you mine," Helena said. Brooks was taken aback. She had never really challenged him before. "I am completely in control of my mind and my body. I know what I want, it is you," Helena said. "If you want to deny me because you don't feel the same I can accept that, but I will not accept your refusal if it is based on the notion of protecting me, or I'm not ready." "I know how you're feeling," Brooks said. "Those first five days with you and you couldn't even speak to me were awful, but it will get easier. Three weeks is not far away, and we can continue to be together in other ways." "No," Helena said. "You're not listening to me." Brooks felt his wolf stir, not enjoying her defiance. "Tell me you don't want me and I will drop my argument," Helena said. "Drop this," Brooks said. "No," Helena said. Brooks felt his wolf growing angrier. Helena didn't flinch. Brooks could tell she wasn't backing down. He stood up from the couch, but Helena did the same. "Give me your answer," Helena said. "Tell me you don't want me." Brooks did not like her tone of voice. His wolf was even less enthused. "Don't tell me what to do," Brooks said. "Then show me the same respect," Helena said. "Tell me the real reason why you won't make love to me." "I don't want you to do anything you might regret later on," Brooks said. She reached out and grabbed his hand. She pulled his palm flat against her heart. "When we first met you made this small gesture," Helena said. "I didn't understand the importance of it at the time. Feel my heartbeat. It is beating for you. I love you Brooks Benson. I love every part of you. I love your human side that is trying to be rational and I love your animal side that wants you to act on your every desire. I don't want one side of you, I want everything. I need everything." All Is Fair Ch. 11 Brooks' anger started to vanish. His wolf still wanted to take control, but for other reasons now. He read Helena's face and listened to her words over and over again. She loved him. Brooks focused on that fact when he went for her, placing his hand on shoulders, she went up on her tiptoes and met his embrace. She loved him. Brooks started to let go of his fears and rationales. She loved him. He broke away and bent down, scooping her up in his arms he carried her to the bed. "Are you sure?" Brooks asked one more time. "I've never been more sure of anything," Helena said. He set her down and climbed on top of her, continuing to kiss her with a deliberately slow passion. Her reaction was more relaxed and natural than this morning. Brooks felt her fingers come up, working on the buttons on his dress shirt. Her hands were steady and she was taking her time. Once they were undone he pulled it off of himself. Then pulled back and took off his undershirt. Helena stood up for a moment. She pulled her dress off with a single motion and was left in her panties and bra. She came back to the bed as Brooks undid his belt and pulled off his dress pants and socks. They continued kissing for a while. Brooks did not want to move too fast and Helena seemed to be enjoying herself. Taking it all in. Eventually Brooks reached behind her and unclasped her bra. He slid the straps down and kissed her shoulders. Brooks felt her hands on the waistband of his boxers, and helped her slide them off. Only way article of clothing remained. Brooks hand was steady when he removed Helena's panties. He put his hand between her legs, wanting to make sure she was as ready as possible to have him, but he felt her grip onto his wrist stopping him. "I just want you," Helena said. "All of you." She turned herself onto her back and pulled Brooks on top of her. She spread her legs and bent her knees, lining Brooks up with her entrance. He could feel how damp she was. Brooks kept his eyes on her and started to press himself again her. His head slid inside and Helena let out a little gasp. She was so tight Brooks was scared of hurting her. He kept himself still and felt her walls stretch around him. Then he pushed a little bit deeper, the entire time keeping his eyes on her face, looking for any sign for him to stop. Finally he could feel her protective shield. Brooks knew this would be the most painful part for her. He took a breath and forced himself in with one small stroke. She let out a loud moan, that sounded more like it was due to pain than pleasure. Brooks started kissing her again, trying to keep himself still and acclimate her to his entry. "Are you alight?" Brooks asked. Helena looked up at him with her big blue eyes and nodded her head. She lifted her arms around his back and started rubbing up and down. Brooks dropped his head to try and kiss her again and started moving in and out of her, moving at a slow pace and never moving too far out. He kept his hip bones low , trying to make sure he was brushing against her clitoris with every stroke. She was starting to respond and move her hips with his. Brooks increased his pace and he felt her hands clamp down on his back, urging him to go faster. She felt so good, Brooks was certain he was on sensory overload. He was close, but refused to give in until she was taken care of. He pressed his hips against her harder and she let out another gasp. He rocked back and forth and her hands continued to grab at his back. He picked up his pace even more and felt the sweat start to develop on his brow. She let out one final gasp and Brooks felt her tight walls get even tighter as they contracted around him. He let out a low growl and felt himself explode inside her. Brooks collapsed on top of Helena. He could feel her fingerstips lightly tracing his back. He did not want to pull out of her, but felt himself start to shrink, knowing he would fall out soon Brooks retreated then turned on his back. Helena turned with him and cuddled up under his arm. "I love you," she said. Hearing those words on her lips chased away all of Brooks' doubts. He didn't think about vampires, or the time they had lost, or any of the pack issues. He was with his mate and that was all that mattered. All Is Fair Ch. 12 Helena woke up. She was lying sideways on the bed. All of the sheets were bundled up around her, making most of the mattress bare. Her muscles were stiff. She looked to her side to see Brooks lift his head and smile at her. "Good morning," he said. "Good morning to you," Helena replied. "Are we going to make it out of the room today?" He laughed and reached over pulling Helena towards him. It had been a week since either of them had left the room. She had lost count of how many times they made love. Helena wasn't sure you could classify every time as making love either, sometimes it was so filled with passion and energy it was like they were trying to devour each other. Today didn't feel any different. Helena didn't think she was physically capable of anything but loving him at the moment. She wasn't sure if his desires had started to fade yet. Helena kissed his hand and wiggled out of his grasp. She sat up on the bed and looked around the room. The bed wasn't the only thing messed up. There were plates of half eaten food by the door, the couch cushions were thrown around the room. Two blankets were randomly scattered. The items that normally sat on top of Brooks' desk were in a pile on the floor. She was scared to go into the closet, remembering what happened when they decided to try to get dressed. She didn't know if a single item was still on a hanger. "I have to take a shower," Helena said. "I can join you," Brooks said. "Not another one of those showers," Helena said. "A real shower. I need to get clean. I feel almost as dirty as this room." Brooks lifted his head up and looked around, letting out a loud laugh. "This past week I never realized what a mess we were making," Brooks said. "But I wouldn't change anything." He sat up and Helena felt him kissing her back. "If you start that we're never going to get anything done," Helena said. "Maybe I'm not ready to move on yet," Brooks said. His mouth moved to her neck and he started to run his tongue across her artery. She fell backwards knowing she wasn't ready to move on yet either. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* It had been ten days since the night Brooks had taken Helena's virginity. Since then he was incapable of focusing on anything but her. This morning he finally felt ready to rejoin the world. Helena seemed to echo his feelings. Their desire for each other would never fade, but at least it was satisfied for the time being. Putting clothes on felt strange, Brooks was buttoning up one of his few shirts that didn't get wrinkled during their tryst in the closet. Helena was bent over, trying to put some of the items back on the hangers. "We should probably just have those all cleaned again," Brooks said. "I feel bad," Helena said. "We should try to pick up this mess ourselves." "Are you kidding?" Brooks asked. "I don't even think we could. It's going to take a team. My bet is they're going to fight over who gets to do it too." "Why?" Helena asks. "I'm just a human and I can tell it smells terrible in here, I can't imagine what it smells like to a wolf." Brooks finished putting on his shirt and walked over to her. He came behind her and put his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "I'm not sure you are just a human," Brooks said. "Maybe Zachary was right, I don't think a human could have kept up with me the past week." Helena let out a laugh. "Try ten days," Helena said. "And if memory serves me correctly at times you were having a hard time keeping up with me." "Either way," Brooks said. "Everyone has their place. Every job is important. They would be insulted if we did it for them. And they will fight over it because all the other Omegas will run to them to get the gossip on the Alpha's son and his mate's ten days of debauchery." "Well then," Helena said. "We should get out of here so they can do their job." "Are you sure you don't want to come to my office?" Brooks asked. "I can't," Helena said. "Ten days seems to be a theme with us. It's only ten days until the full moon. I think that I owe it to spend some time with Daphne and see what she has planned. I'm hoping to see Rebecca today too. Really everyone else I care about except for you." "Are you getting nervous? Excited?" Brooks asked. It was pretty easy for him to read Helena, but he still thought it was important they discussed any concerns she may have. "A little of both," Helena said. "When I agreed to the change it was because I thought it was the only way to save myself, but now it feels different. Like I am getting ready to actually start my life. Still, I wish it were sooner." "We could always go back to bed," Brooks said. "Just spend the next ten days there too." "Hardy har har," Helena said. "I think if we did that I would break you." "Is that a challenge?" Brooks asked. He knew his recent stamina was incapable of repetition. He was surprised it lasted that long. He had expected 3 days, 5 tops, but he couldn't get enough of her. They were making up for lost time. He kissed her on the back of the head, then tucked his shirt in. "Come on," he said. "I'll walk you to my mother." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When they walked through the halls the staff of the lodge was getting to work. Helena barely recognized any faces, but they were eager to greet Brooks. He must have been stopped at least ten times by people shaking his hand or patting him on the back. Helena had a feeling their well wishes involved her and she cringed a little at the strangers who had knowledge of her personal life. "I should get to know more people," Helena said. "I want you to," Brooks said. "But remember what Zachary said." "I know," Helena said. "Just because the symptoms are gone the threat isn't over." "You will be formally introduced the night of your change and then you will get to know everyone," Brooks said. "Some people before then too. My siblings are dying to meet you. One of my sisters is coming in tomorrow." "How do you know that?" Helena asked. She wondered when he had the time to come up for air, let alone speak to anyone else. "When you were in the shower this morning I checked my e-mail," Brooks said. "I got through the first ten of about a thousand." "It's going to be a long day for you huh?" Helena asked. Brooks nodded. They were nearing Daphne's office. "Have you talked to your sister?" Brooks asked. "Not yet," Helena said. "I'm going to assume she knew what I was up though..." "Did you remember your phone?" Brooks asked. "Both of them," Helena said, patting her pocket. He wrinkled his brow. "I know the once Rebecca gave me isn't necessary anymore," Helena said. "But I feel like I should at least try to use it for a little while, until the minutes run out. I mean, she did buy it for me." Brooks leaned over and knocked on Daphne's door. She answered quickly and let out a little scream when she saw Brooks and Helena. "I was beginning to think I would never see you two again," Daphne said. She wrapped one arm around each of them and gave a squeeze. "Don't worry," Daphne said. "I won't ask any questions. I'm not that sort of mom." Helena took one look at the giant grin on Daphne's face and knew right away she was exactly that kind of mom. "I thought I could help you today," Helena said. "At least for the morning?" "I would appreciate that," Daphne said. "There is still lots to be done." Daphne wrapped her arm around Helena's and started walking her into the office. Helena spun around and waved goodbye to Brooks. He blew her a little kiss and Helena laughed as he walked away. "There was a bet going around the pack about when you would emerge again," Daphne said. "I'm pretty sure your special time together is a new record." "Special time?" "The period of time when two mates first accept each other," Daphne said. She stared at Helena with unblinking eyes and said it so casually. Helena just nodded her head, hoping the topic of conversation would change. "Why don't you tell me about the ceremony plans so far?" Helena asked. Daphne was more than eager to go into great detail about everything she was planning. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* After breaking for lunch Daphne was talking on the phone to another vendor who was somehow affiliated with the pack. Helena had never planned on getting married, but her initial guesses were correct and Daphne was pretty much planning a wedding reception. Helena didn't mind. It was obvious Daphne was enjoying herself, but Helena had little to contribute. She felt a phone vibrate in her pocket and pulled out he small black one Rebecca had given her. There was a text message. Rebecca: There is a rumor going around that you're back in action, or should I say done getting action. Helena snickered at the text and typed her reply. Helena: Some rumors are true. Do you want to get together today? Rebecca: I have to work, but its Sunday. The bar closes at midnight, ten if we're dead. We could get together when I get off? Helena: That's a little late for me. Rebecca: Please???? I haven't seen you in forever. Helena: I guess so, try to get out early though. Rebecca: Yay! Get ready to share the details. Helena laughed and didn't reply. She didn't think Brooks would care if she hung out with Rebecca late tonight. She had a feeling he would be exhausted after his first day back at work. Maybe it would be nice, like a sleepover. "What's the good word?" Daphne asked. "It's just Rebecca," Helena said. Daphne gave Helena a smile with pressed lips. It was easy to tell Rebecca was not her favorite. "Has Brooks mentioned anything to you about spreading your wings? Starting to meet some of the other pack members?" "He doesn't think it's safe until after the change," Helena said. "I think he likes to keep me as close as possible. The more people I'm friendly with the harder it will be to keep tabs on me." Daphne frowned. Helena didn't meant to insult Brooks, she appreciated his protective nature. Helena decided to keep the topic of Rebecca up, maybe she could convince Daphne her sister wasn't so bad. "Rebecca told me her ceremony was small, just this pack only," Helena said. "Yes," Daphne said. "She showed up the morning of the full moon and Andrew and her refused to wait until the next cycle. I tried to get them to slow down, then I would have put something together for them." "You mean Andrew brought her here the morning of the full moon?" Helena asked. "Nope," Daphne said. "She got lost on the pack property. Andrew helped her with directions. It was love at first sight." "But they met in Michigan," Helena said. "What?" Daphne asked. "Why would they have met in Michigan?" "I'm just a little confused," Helena said. "I can't help but hold a little grudge," Daphne said. "If Rebecca would have told us about you we would have gone and helped you. You would have been too young to mate, but Brooks would have sensed you were his and helped you until you turned eighteen. It kills me to think you were just a few towns over all those years ago." Helena was about to tell Daphne she had never been to North Carolina before, that Rebecca left her in Michigan. But Helena stopped herself. Maybe Daphne was remembering wrong, or maybe Rebecca had a reason for her lie. The last thing Helena wanted was to give Daphne another reason not to like her sister though so instead she just nodded. Tonight when she met with Rebecca she would be sure to ask. "Is something wrong?" Daphne asked. Helena wanted to change the subject. "Any word from Zachary?" Helena asked. "About my blood sample?" "None," Daphne said. "But he will be here for your reception, so if he has any answers you will know by then. Don't worry dear." Daphne reached out and squeezed her hand. Helena gave a small smile. It wasn't what Zachary would find that was making Helena nervous, it was why Rebecca had lied to her. Another vibration came from Helena's pocket. She pulled out the shiny super hi-tech phone Brooks had given her. There was a text message from him. Brooks: Having a good day? I miss you. Helena wondered if he sensed her discomfort. She didn't think that was possible yet, but still his timing had never been more perfect. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "You really don't have to sit with me," Helena said. Helena couldn't believe how clean the room looked. She never would have guessed it was the same space as this morning. "Nonsense," Daphne said. "I was thinking about organizing a little girls' night for you. That way you can meet some of the other pack members. What are you nights looking like?" "I'm pretty open," Helena said. "Are you talking about a...bachelorette party?" "No, no, no," Daphne said. "We won't leave the pack grounds. But maybe we could get dressed up? Have a special dinner made? Drink some margaritas? Do you sing at all? I could dig up a karaoke machine." "That sounds like a bachelorette party," Helena said. "It's different," Daphne said. "Because instead of people you're close with you will be surrounded by complete strangers you are trying to get to know." None of that sounded like fun to Helena. "That came out wrong," Daphne said. The door to the room opened up and Helena stood up from the chair. Brooks came rushing over. He stopped and gave her a kiss on her cheek before hugging his mother. "Sorry," he said. "I didn't think I would be that late. Thank you for staying with her." "My pleasure dear," Daphne said. "You two have a great night. Helena let me know about the party." Daphne walked out of the room. Brooks looked at Helena with a raised eyebrow. "Party?" He asked. "Your mom wants to throw me a bachelorette party," Helena said. Brooks started nodding his head. Helena could tell he wasn't surprised. "I'm starving," Brooks said. "I already ordered food," Helena said. "It should be here any minute." "Wow," Brooks said. "I could get used to this." "Having a mate who orders you food?" Helena asked. "Because if you think eventually I will start cooking the meals you are mistaken. I can't make anything that doesn't go in a microwave." "Having a mate who takes initiative," Brooks said. "Lucky you," Helena said. She started moving towards Brook and placed a quick kiss on his lips. There was a knock at the door and dinner came in. The two wasted no time and began eating. "So," Helena said. "What will my day be like after I don't have to help your mother anymore?" "What do you mean?" "I hope to have something to do," Helena said. "I understand right now you guys don't want me to be alone, but once that passes. Will I get a job?" "If you want one," Brooks said. "That's a little cryptic." "You can do whatever you want," Brooks said. "In that case I want to write Russian literature," Helena said. "It's always been my dream to be the next great Russian author." Brooks shook his head. "That will be difficult since you're not Russian," he said. "You said whatever I wanted," Helena joked. "Do you want to write?" Brooks asked. "I wouldn't know where to begin," Helena said. "I honestly never gave a career path much thought over the years." "I hope that you will assist me," Brooks said. "Since one day you will be the Alpha female." "You're sort of like a problem solver," Helena said. "I'm more of a problem causer." "I think its more trouble follows you," Brooks said. "How was your day? Did you see your sister?" Helena shook her head. "She is working at the bar tonight," Helena said. "I'm supposed to meet up with her when she gets off." "That late?" Brooks asked. "It's not like I have to wake up super early for anything tomorrow," Helena said. "Can I ask you a question?" "Of course," Brooks said. "Do you remember when Rebecca was turned?" Brooks nodded. "How did she meet Andrew?" "Rebecca didn't tell you?" Brooks asked. "I sort of didn't ask," Helena said. "Trying to rebuild our relationship, not dwell on the past." Brooks seemed to accept her explanation, but Helena wondered if he could tell she was lying. "She stumbled onto our property," Brooks said. "It was a whirlwind day. Andrew and her were adamant she shift that night since it was a full moon. I should have suspected something, at least gone back to the motel she was staying at and looked for you." "Don't worry about that," Helena said. "I was fine, and we're together now. Do you remember anything else? Was it hot outside?" "Are you kidding?" Brooks asked. "That was one of the hottest Mays on record. You don't remember?" "A lot has happened since then," Helena said. She looked at the ground. Rebecca abandoned her at a Michigan motel in March. What was she doing for two months? Why did she lie? "I didn't mean to insult you," Brooks said. "I can be a jerk sometimes. It was a long day. I didn't even finish everything." "Do you have to go back to your office?" Helena asked. "I can come with you." "If I did that people would be lined up at the door to come see me again," Brooks said. "But I do think I'm going to have to sit at my desk here for a few more hours. Do you think you can find something to occupy yourself?" "Of course," Helena said. "It's been awhile since I used to stroll the internet, that was once my favorite hobby." "You're a bit of a computer expert right?" Brooks asked. Helena shrugged. She knew she was being modest. Her computer had been her best friend for several years. "Maybe that's something you could do," Brooks said. "Take a look at our infrastructure and see if you can update the pack at all?" "I wasn't really an IT person," Helena said. "I can create a new identity and hack into private information with some skill." "You will never have to do any of that again," Brooks said. "But maybe those talents won't be lost, just differently applied." "Either way," Helena said. "I'm changing into pajamas if we're not leaving the room again tonight." "What about when you go see Rebecca?" Brooks asked. "Or did you want her to come here?" "No," Helena said a little to quickly. "I mean, we need some girl time." Brooks raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you're not telling me?" Helena let out her breath and smiled. "Maybe I'm planning on telling her some details about our private time together," Helena said. Brooks laughed. Helena kept the smile on her face and wished she wasn't such a good liar. Part of her wanted to tell Brooks about Rebecca's secrets, but Helena reminded herself she owed Rebecca the opportunity to explain herself before she ratted her out to the Alpha's son. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena lay on her stomach on the bed. She had she knees bent and feet in the air. Headphones covered her ears as she typed away on her laptop, trying to see if she could break into the pack's security system remotely. Every now and then she glanced over the top of her computer at Brooks who was hard at work at his desk. He would notice her glances and give her a big smile or blow a little kiss. Helena felt loved. The black phone vibrated on the bed next to her. Helena wasn't surprised it was a text message from Rebecca. She decided long ago it would go better if she confronted her sister in person, that way Rebecca couldn't lie again. Rebecca: Are you alone? Helena: Never, remember? Brooks is working at his desk though, I'm fooling around on my laptop on the bed. Rebecca: Can he see the screen? Helena: No, why? Rebecca: I want you to check this video out. Go to getfreemail.com, account name: Becca123, password Becca123. Don't let Brooks see you watching. All Is Fair Ch. 12 Helena had never heard her sister go by Becca before, but Helena realized there might be a lot she didn't know about her. She wasn't doing anything too pressing and her curiosity was peaked. Helena entered the site. It was a basic e-mail account with only one message. The sender was the same as the receiver. Helena clicked the message open and a video began to play. She muted her music, but it didn't seem like there was any sound. The camera was pointed at a grey floor. It started to rise up and Helena's heart jumped at what she saw. There was a bloody man. His head was hanging and his hands were secured to a beam in the ceiling. Helena didn't like horror films, life was scary enough. She was about to exit, unsure why her sister would send her this when another figure came into the frame. Helena had to cover her own mouth or else risk screaming. He still had on the blazer and white t-shirt combo, his blond hair was slicked back. It was Victor. He carried the camera with him and went towards the dangling man. Victor lifted the man's head and put the camera right in his face. Both of his eyes were black and swollen, blood dripped down his nose covering his chin, but Helena recognized him right away. It was Zachary. Victor walked away from him with the camera. He pulled out a small vile of blood and waved it in front of the camera before popping off the lid and downing the red liquid. Helena knew exactly whose blood that was too. Victor waved goodbye to the camera and the video closed. Helena went to open it again, hoping it was a live feed, that there was a way she could trace the video, but when she went back to the e-mail account the message had been deleted. Then the entire website exited. Helena couldn't get it to load again. She felt like she was going to throw up. Helena was about to call for Brooks when the black phone vibrated again. Helena had never closed out of the message. Rebecca: Do I have you attention? Rebecca: If you think about telling ANYONE I will kill them both. Helena didn't know what to do. She felt a little joy that Zachary was still alive, but then crushing fear that Victor had Rebecca too. Helena took a deep breath and removed her hand from her mouth to type back. Helena: You have my attention. Victor: Meet me at your sister's bar. 227 Miller lane. Midnight. Come alone or they both die. Tell anyone and they both die. Try anything tricky and they BOTH DIE. Helena: I can't, everyone is watching me. Victor: You're a resourceful girl. Figure it out. Victor: Midnight, or they're dead. Before Helena could type anything else a photo came through. It was of Rebecca. She was taped to a chair, a piece of duct tape was over her mouth. It looked like she was trying to scream through the tape and mascara colored tears streamed down her face. "Is something wrong?" Brooks asked. Helena ignored him, hoping he would assume that her earphones were blocking out his question. She was scared and didn't know what to do, but there was no way she would let her sister or Zachary die because of her. She typed the only response she could think of. Helena: OK Brooks came over to the bed and Helena flipped the phone shut. Brooks pulled her headphones off. "You're white as a ghost," Brooks said. "Is everything alright?" Helena had to will her voice to stay steady. She felt like she was disconnected from her body. "Rebecca canceled," Helena said. "I'm just a little sad I won't get to see her today, but it's going to be a late night at the bar after all." Helena wouldn't look at Brooks. She knew if she did she would tell him everything. Her sister may have deserted her, but that was years ago and she was trying to make amends. Helena knew Victor was powerful, even if the pack did attack him that would still give him plenty of time to kill Rebecca and Zachary. "Are you sure that's it?" Brooks asked. "You looked so happy just a little bit ago." "I just got really tired," Helena said. "Can we go to bed?" "Uh sure," Brooks said. "Let me just finish one thing." Helena closed the lid to her computer and spun around, making sure she kept both of her phones close to her. She curled up on her side, forcing her eyes to shut when Brooks walked over to the light switch. The room went dark and Brooks climbed into bed next to her. Helena felt him drape his arm around her and pull her back to his chest. "You would tell me if it was something more right?" Brooks asked. "Of course," Helena said. "I think I might just be feeling a little overwhelmed right now." "I didn't mean to force you to look into the pack's computers," Brooks said. "That isn't it," Helena said. "I'm just exhausted is all. I will feel better in the morning." Helena heard Brooks let out a sigh. She wanted to cry, but had to keep it together long enough for him to fall asleep. Her deadline was in three hours. That meant staying awake for at least two before finding a way to sneak out of the room without waking Brooks. Helena hoped she was doing the right thing. All Is Fair Ch. 13 Helena tried her best to keep calm. The minutes were dragging on like hours and she had to keep still or else risk waking Brooks. She was so happy when he finally rolled over in his sleep and released her. She tried her best to hide the light and checked the time on her phone. It was almost eleven. She was careful not to make a noise when she walked towards the door. Helena pulled it open a crack and started to sneak out. "Where are you going?" Brooks asked. Helena spun around and saw him sitting up in bed. She ran back over towards him. "Change of plans," Helena said. "Rebecca just got off work and we're going to have some girl time." "I'll walk you," Brooks mumbled. "Don't be silly," Helena said. "She's in the hall waiting for me. Don't worry, I won't be alone." "Are you feeling better?" Brooks asked. "Lots," Helena lied. "Take your phone," Brooks said. "In case any trouble follows you." "I have it right here," Helena said. "I promise, everything is fine. I would never lie to you." "I love you," Brooks said. Helena had to take a breath, hoping she could get the words out without breaking down. "I love you too." Brooks plopped his head back down on the pillow. He was so tired Helena was surprised he woke up at all. The guilt she was feeling over lying to him was nothing she would feel if her sister or Zachary died. Helena snuck into the hallway. She kept her head down and started to move to the front of the house. There had to be a garage somewhere on the property. She made it to the front doors and glanced around. A young man stood outside, he looked shocked to see her. "Madam Alpha Junior," he said. "Umm.. I didn't mean that. I mean future Madam Alpha... I mean." "Helena," she said. The man let out a little laugh. "What can I do for you?" He asked. "Is Brooks joining you?" "I need a car," Helena said. "It's a surprise. He can't know." The man she was assuming was an Omega gave her a worried look. "I'm meeting my sister, Rebecca. Her mate is a Beta Andrew? Well she's in town at the bar and she is helping me with a little gift for Brooks," Helena said. "I don't want him to know." "I heard a rumor you didn't like the night," he said. "Well don't always believe rumors," Helena said. "Once I give Brooks his present I will be sure to tell him how kind you were to me tonight." That seemed to make the man smile. "Josh," he said. "My name is Josh." "Well Josh," Helena said. "Do you think you could help me out?" "I still have the spare car parked to the side," he said. "I leave it there exactly for situations like this, but we stop collecting the vehicles at midnight." "I will just follow my sister home," Helena said. "I'm sure she will tell me where to park it." "The keys are in the ignition," Josh said. "Thank you," Helena said. "Do you know the fastest way to get to the bar?" "Sure," Josh said. "Take the main exit off the property then take a left. Drive for about twenty miles and Miller will be on your right. You can't miss it, there's not much else around." Helena nodded in appreciation. She was so nervous, but kept the smile on her face until he couldn't see her. She was quick to get in the front seat and turn the ignition over. Helena pulled out the small black phone and entered her message. Helena: On My Way There was a knock on her window. Helena dropped the black phone into the passenger's seat. Josh was standing there holding the fancy phone Brooks had given her. "You dropped your phone," Josh yelled through the glass. Helena ignored him and hit the accelerator. She knew she couldn't bring it with her, that would make her traceable and count as a trick. Helena worried not taking it from Josh would tip him off that something was wrong, but knew if she had rolled down the window that meant she risked the chance of throwing up on the Omega and completely blowing her cover. Helena knew what Victor wanted, her. She couldn't think of a way to get out of it without costing Rebecca and Zachary their lives. Helena just needed to get there first. If she traded herself the two of them, they would certainly help Brooks trail her. He was her mate, he would understand and come for her. He had done it once before. Helena told herself this wasn't the end. Brooks didn't know it yet but he would save her. She knew it was a ridiculous thought, but it was the only one she could focus on that let her keep her foot on the pedal. There were no other options. Helena was pushing ninety when she left the pack grounds and only wished she could go faster. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks couldn't fall back asleep. He held his phone in his hand, debating on dialing Helena's number. Her words echoed through his head. She wouldn't lie to him. He had to trust her. Still something seemed off tonight. The way she totally shut down. He reminded himself he was new to having a mate, maybe he hadn't learned how to read her well yet. These thoughts circled through his head for five minutes. He debated on checking her phone's GPS, but that felt like just as big a violation of privacy. Helena trusted him, so he should trust her. After another ten minutes Brooks couldn't take it anymore. He was about to press send when a simple solution came to him. He went to Andrew's number and called him. The phone rang a few times until his Beta answered, he sounded sleepy. "Hello," Andrew said. "Hey man," Brooks said. "What are you up to?" "I was sleeping," Andrew said. "Is something wrong?" "No," Brooks said. "Nevermind, go back to bed." "I'm awake now," Andrew said. "What's up?" "Well I just couldn't fall asleep. I figured since our mates were hanging out maybe you wanted to get together? I even though we might join them, see if the four of us can spend some more time together." "Rebecca's at work," Andrew said. "She got off early," Brooks said. "Came by the room and grabbed Helena." "Not as far as I know," Andrew said. "I talked to her around seven. She said it was slow but she was going to stay late and take inventory. Told me not to wait up." Brooks let out a growl. He knew his eyes were glowing red. He hung up the phone and went to call Helena. It started ringing, but he could hear the noise coming from outside his door. He jumped out of bed and flung it open. Josh, one of the valets was outside. He had Helena's phone in his hand. The Omega immediately dropped his head, showing his submission to Brooks' wolf. "I was on my way to tell you," Josh said. "Where did she go?" Brooks asked. "To see her sister," Josh said. "The bar. I gave her directions." Brooks didn't have time to get angry at the Omega. Instead he had to call his father and have him send out a notice on Helena. Brooks was more angry at himself anyway, he should have followed his instincts and never let her leave. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "She's on her way," Victor said. "Earlier than we expected," Rebecca said. She poured another shot and threw it back. "Getting nervous?" Victor asked. "Not nervous," Rebecca asked. "I want this done. Then I can go back to my boring life." "Maybe not for too much longer," Victor said. "What do you mean?" Rebecca asked. "You did me a huge favor here," Victor said. "As soon as my time with your sister is done, maybe I can help you out." "Explain yourself," Rebecca said. "Well I don't want you getting any ideas about feeling guilty, or sisterly love, or pack loyalty," Victor said. "Based on your personality I probably don't need to worry, but it's nice to have some insurance." "So what are you offering?" "I may have a way for you to get your powers back," Victor said. "Bullshit," Rebecca said. "If that was the case I would have left with you the first day you walked into this dump." "I didn't have that as a bargaining chip yet," Victor said. "And I'm not saying it's a sure thing, but I have a few ideas. Once I've drained your sister two more times I will start looking into them. You have my word." "What does someone like you's word mean?" Rebecca asked. "It means as much as yours does," Victor said. "Now will you keep your mouth shut no matter what?" Rebecca poured another shot and slammed it, then gave Victor a head nod. She thought he was lying, but didn't think it mattered. She wasn't going to tell anyone anything anyway. Her phone went off. It was Andrew. "They know," Rebecca said. "That means your sister has about a twenty minute head start," Victor said. "She should be here any second." Rebecca dropped her phone on the ground and stomped on top of it. "Every wolf is going to be swarming this place," Rebecca said. "You need to grab her and get out of here. I'm sure some are closer than the lodge. I don't want her scent to linger too much." Victor stood up from his chair and went to the window. "Don't make the same mistake as last time," Rebecca said. "Wait to feed on her until you're in a secure location." "I have the perfect place," Victor said. "I don't want to know where it is," Rebecca said. A car came to a screeching halt outside. "It's showtime," Victor said. He went to his spot next to the door and Rebecca started wiping down the bar again. Her nerves were replaced with excitement. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ When Helena had accepted her fate a few weeks ago she was calm and collected. Now everything was different, Helena was terrified. She refused to let her terror paralyze her though. She didn't even bother turning the car off before throwing the door open and running into the bar. "Rebecca?" Helena yelled. She was surprised to see her sister casually washing the counter. Rebecca stopped and looked up at her. Helena ran over and leaned over the bar, putting her arms around her sister. "You're alright," she said. "I was so worried. What happened? Where's Victor? Where's Zachary? We have to get out of here." "Give me your phone," Rebecca said. "Hurry." Helena dropped her arms and stuck her hands in her pocket. She didn't realize that her sister never hugged her back. "I left it in the car," Helena said. "We need to leave. Right now." Rebecca stayed still and smiled. "Hello Helena." The cool voice churned Helena's stomach. She turned to see Victor right by the front door. "Run," Helena said. "Rebecca we have to run." "You are just the most pathetic creature on this planet," Rebecca said. Helena turned around to look at her sister. Rebecca kept the grin on her face. Helena glanced back towards Victor. He was right behind her. She felt his hand on her shoulder and started to struggle. "Let's not do this the hard way," Victor said. "You were eager the last time we met." "You set me up?" Helena asked. "I have to spell everything out for you, like always," Rebecca said. "I hate you. I have always hated you. The way I spent my childhood constantly hearing about how necessary it was to take care of Helena, make sure we protect Helena. At first I thought it was just mom and dad I hated, but a few years in those homes with you made me realize it was you I hated. I should have killed you when I killed the two of them." "But Abe killed them," Helena said. "Oh yea," Rebecca said. "Like your vampire night in shining armor would ever do anything to hurt you? I should have killed you back in Michigan, then I would of spared you from killing your only friend." Rebecca let out a cruel laugh. "I hate to break up this tearful occasion," Victor said. "But we need to leave." Helena brought her leg back and tried to kick Victor. She made it a step forward before his hand was on her neck, pulling her backwards. "I guess we're going to do this the hard way then," Victor said. Helena felt a rag being pushed against her mouth. She tried to wiggle her head and hold her breath, but she was already feeling faint. The last thing Helena saw before she passed out was her sister's laughing face waving goodbye. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Victor took Helena out the back and Rebecca had to work fast. She needed that phone, or else risk someone suspecting her involvement. On top of that she needed time to spray some air freshener. She ran outside and saw the car was still running with the door open. Rebecca dove in and started feeling around frantically for the phone. She saw headlights turn into the parking lot and spotted the reflection of the phone. She grabbed it and stuck the small black item in her back pocket just when the door of the new car opened. Rebecca tried to look relaxed as two of the Betas walked over towards her. "What are you doing?" Nick asked her. "I saw this car through the window," Rebecca said. "It was running with the door wide open. I was trying to figure out who left it here. I know it's a pack car." "You need to go back inside," Nick said. "Is everything alright?" Rebecca asked. "William you should stay with her," Nick said. "Just in case." The last thing Rebecca wanted was company. She had to destroy the phone. Forget trying to spray the bar down. At least she could explain Helena's scent by being in the car herself. Before she could think of an excuse William was holding the door open for her. Nick was examining the car. "Wait," he said. "Did you find anything in here?" Rebecca shook her head and walked back inside. William followed her. Rebecca went straight behind the bar and bent down. It was too risky having the phone on her right now. She made sure it was switched off and then hid it deep behind the bar. "Can I get you a drink?" Rebecca asked. "No thank you," William said. More headlights appeared in the parking lot. Rebecca hoped that Victor had a far enough lead, wherever he was heading. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks made it to the bar. The first thing he did was go towards the car. He stuck his head inside and immediately smelled his mate. "She was here," Brooks said. "Not that long ago, maybe twenty minutes." He followed her scent to the door and walked inside. Rebecca was sitting at the bar, sobbing into her hands. Andrew drove over with Brooks and went straight to comforting her. She cried into his shoulder. Brooks needed to focus on Helena's scent. It was fading, but he could still smell her. He walked through the bar and out the back door. There were tire tracks leading out to the road. She was here and left this way. Brooks walked back inside and called attention to the thirty or so Betas who were lining the building. "Helena was here," Brooks said. "She came in the front door and was escorted out the back where someone put her in a car and drove west. I want several cars to head that way. The road goes straight for about ten miles, before it meets the highway. It is worth checking out." Brooks knew deep down it wasn't. Wherever Helena was she was too far away to trace. Brooks pointed at Rebecca. "You are going to talk to me," Brooks said. "Tell me everything." Rebecca looked up from Andrew's shoulder and tried to compose herself. Then she looked up at Brooks with watery eyes. "There's nothing to tell," Rebecca said. "We were going to try to hang out tonight, but I decided to do inventory. I never saw her." "You're lying," Brooks said. "I can smell her." "I was in the basement," Rebecca said. "Counting the stock. The doors were locked. If she was here I don't know how and I didn't see her. I came back upstairs and noticed the car running in the parking lot. I went outside and checked it out. Maybe I got some of her on me and that's what you're smelling." The door opened again and Brooks swung his head. His mother and father walked inside and ran towards him. "What happened?" Hugh asked. "Are you alright?" Daphne asked. "Helena is missing," Brooks said. "I am far from alright." "Is it the vampire?" Daphne asked. "Something happened tonight," Brooks said. "She was fine and then she wasn't. I ignored it. This is my fault." "You have to focus on finding her," Hugh said. "Not beating yourself up." Brooks knew his father was right. He had to stay strong for Helena. "Alert the police," Brooks said. "Send a photograph. I want roadblocks, call in every favor you have. I don't care what sort of attention it draws." "Do you have a current picture?" Daphne asked. Brooks pulled out his phone. He started flipping through the billion pictures he had taken of her since she came into his life. Seeing her smile stung him. He picked one and sent it out to the entire pack. He should have introduced her earlier, let everyone know what was happening with her. Then Josh never would have let her leave. It wasn't the Omega's fault. He was doing the right thing showing up at Brooks' door with her phone. Her phone. Helena didn't drop the burner Rebecca had given her. "Helena had a second phone," Brooks said. "A little black one. Rebecca do you have the number?" "I lost my phone tonight," Rebecca said. "I found it out back next to the dumpster. It looked like this." She handed Brooks over a phone with a shattered screen. "Someone get this fixed as soon as possible," Brooks said. A Beta came over and grabbed it out of Brooks' hand. "It will take me a few minutes to switch the information to a clean screen," he said. Brooks looked at Rebecca. This was too perfect. "So you happen to give her a phone where nobody has the number but you, that is a little throw away, completely untraceable and your phone breaks the night she goes missing?" Brooks knew his eyes were starting to change colors. Rebecca dropped her head. "What are you excusing me of Alpha?" Rebecca asked. Andrew stood up from his chair and blocked Rebecca from Brooks. He wasn't about to back down and stepped up to his friend. Brooks only calmed when Daphne touched his shoulder. "Remember to focus on Helena," she said. "I'm sorry Rebecca," Brooks said. "I'm a little distracted right now, I know you love your sister. Andrew I think it's best you take her home." Andrew understood that command. He started to guide Rebecca out of the bar. "My purse," Rebecca said. "Leave it," Andrew said. Brooks watched the couple leave the bar. "She's lying. Find that phone," Brooks said to the rest of the Betas. "It's here. It has to be. Rip apart this place. I don't care." "What do you think happened?" Hugh asked. "I don't know," Brooks said. "But I didn't listen to my instincts earlier and now Helena is missing. Rebecca is at the middle of this, I can't prove it, but I can feel it." "What can we do?" Hugh asked. "Helena was on her computer when she got upset," Brooks said. "Call someone at the house and tell them to find what she was looking at. And make sure someone is keeping an eye on Rebecca. I want to know her every movement." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "You're awake," Victor said. Helena looked out the window. She didn't respond. "Penny for your thoughts?" Victor asked. "Brooks is going to come for me," Helena said. "I have his mark." "A wolf's mark only means something to other wolves," Victor said. Helena had to hold in her whimper. She would not let Victor see her cry. "If you want to cry you can," Victor said. "I won't judge." They were driving fast. Helena was up in the passenger's seat. Her seatbelt was buckled. She moved her hand so it was on the buckle, ready to pop it off and throw herself from the car. The impact might kill her, but it would be worth the chance. "I wouldn't do that," Victor said. He reached over her and tugged on the handle to her door. It didn't open. "Child safety locks," Victor said. "It only opens from the outside. Besides, if I thought you were going to try to hurt yourself I would have to incapacitate you. That wouldn't be fun for anyone." All Is Fair Ch. 13 Helena had to try harder to hold in her tears. "It is taking a lot of self control on my part to not pull this car over and bite into you right now," Victor said. "The more you talk the less likely I am to do so. It is in your best interests to talk to me." "Why me?" Helena asked. "I didn't expect you to be so dramatic," Victor said. "You were dealt a bad hand." "No," Helena said. "What makes me so desirable?" "Your blood is like a drug," Victor said. "Feeling you run through my veins is complete euphoria." "But why?" Helena said. "You know. Tell me." "Abe didn't fill you in?" Victor asked. "No," Helena said. "I never did like him," Victor said. "He was so mopey. Thank you for taking care of him. Vampires have a code where we don't kill each other, or ourselves. It's hard to explain, but you will understand soon." A shiver went down Helena's spine. Abe wasn't lying about that. Victor planned to turn her. "You didn't answer my question," Helena said. "You come from a blessed bloodline," Victor said. "Or a cursed one, depending on how you look at it." "Then why not take Rebecca?" Helena asked. "She got the flip side of the coin," Victor said. "Most people in your bloodline do. It's very rare someone like you is born. So rare that generations forget to pass the warning down." "So the other half of my bloodline is pure evil?" Helena asked. Victor laughed. "I like that you're joking," Victor said. "It lightens the mood. Most of them aren't evil, Rebecca's just a bitch." Helena kept her eyes glued to the window, refusing to look at him. Hearing her sister's name caused a pain in her heart. Helena couldn't believe how blind she had been over the years. "Magic, is the most simple way to put it," Victor said. "Magic runs in your bloodline, but you didn't inherit any of it. That's why vampires can't entrance you. That's why werewolves can't read your feelings with ease. That is why witches could never cast a spell on you." He was lying. Helena was trying to poke holes in his story. "Your parent knew, your sister knew," Victor said. "If it makes you feel any better I did have to blackmail her to help me. It turns out she got in some trouble with whatever creature your ancestor sold his soul to. Really nasty sort, the only way to escape him was for her to cast a major spell entrancing her 'mate'. I threatened to expose her, which may have broken whatever spell Andrew was under and left Rebecca vulnerable." "That's not true," Helena said. She was referring to Victor's last statement. At this point in time Rebecca was the last thing Helena cared about. Victor seemed to take note. "Are you referring to Werewolf lover boy?" Victor asked. "If he was able to read you it was because he knew you, not because of their magical empathy feeler thingies. Sorry if that makes it sting a little worse." "But he's my mate," Helena said. "Oh yes," Victor said. "The elusive werewolf mate bond. Again, not magic in the literal sense. Some sort of soul recognition. You should thank me for letting you feel it for a little while there. I heard from your sister it was quite enjoyable for you." "If magic doesn't work on me then how can I turn into a vampire?" "Well that is a straight reconstruction of your DNA," Victors said."Hardly a simple little magic trick." "Can't you just kill me?" "So you were fine turning into a werewolf but you're too good to be a vampire?" Victor asked. "In all fairness I would kill you if I could, but it only takes three bites to turn anyone. If I don't bite you a third time you will probably die, but then I would be denying myself a third drink of your blood. That would be ludicrous." Helena didn't respond. Victor whipped the car to the left and the sped off the road. There were woods all around them. Helena was sure he was going to hit a tree. She had to close her eyes. There was too much going on, she couldn't process it all. Suddenly the car started slowing to a stop. Victor parked in-between some trees. "This is it," Victor said. "Allow me to be a gentleman and get your door." He exited the car with speed and before Helena realized it she was standing outside. His hand griped her arm. Helena tried to take in her location. She was knocked out for part of the trip, but the woods looked so similar to the ones surrounding the lodge. It was the same type of trees. Helena didn't think they had left the state. It felt like a giant gust of wind came. Victor was pulling Helena at his fast speed, making it impossible to tell how far away from the car they were. Victor stopped in the middle of nowhere and kicked away some leafs. There was a hatch, he bent down and pulled it open before pulling Helena down a set of rickety stairs. Victor closed the door behind them and turned on a lamp. It looked like they were in some sort of bunker. "A few rule before we get started," Victor said. "I anticipate you will be asleep most of the time you are here, but I always think it's necessary to inform guests." He opened the door to a room. There was a small bed with a thin mattress. Helena noticed the chains by the posts. "This will be your spot," Victor said. "In case you somehow manage to undo the chains and break the lock on the door I think it's necessary to show you the rest." He spun her around and pointed to another door. "That's my room," Victor said. "I don't think you will have to go in there though." Victor walked Helena to the third room. He flung open the door and Helena recognized the space immediately. Zachary was in a heap on the floor. Victor released her arm and she ran towards him. He was unconscious and she tried to shake him awake. "He's alive," Victor said. "Don't worry about that, but I'm not making the same mistakes twice. If you try anything funny I will kill him. If you behave like a good girl, once our time together is done he goes free." Helena thought Zachary looked like he was in too bad of shape to ever walk again. She finally let the sob escape her lips. A gust of air came and she was picked up. In the flash of a few seconds she was on her back on the bed in her new room. "Last time I bit you," Victor said. "How long were you out for?" Helena didn't know why he was asking. She knew he knew the answer since he appeared to her the night she woke up. She decided it must be a test. "Five days," Helena said. "Well in the spirit of honesty," Victor said. "You're going to be out for about double that with the second bite, and probably feel double as worse when you wake up. But don't worry, it won't last very long because I plan to drain you for the third time right away. That sleep will only be a day and when you wake up your whole world will have changed." Victor looked down at her with hungry eyes. Helena felt her breathing increase. He ducked down and his fangs slide into her neck. This time Helena felt no euphoria. She let out a scream and tried to focus on the pain as Victor sucked the life out of her again. All Is Fair Ch. 14 Brooks needed to stay detached. He had to keep busy. If he let his mind focus on the fact that his world was crumbling for even a second he was wasting time that could be spent finding Helena. He stood in the middle of the bar, a group of Betas were tearing the place apart searching for the phone Helena had been using. "What if Helena still has the phone on her?" Daphne asked. "I hope she does," Brooks said. "Then maybe she can figure out a way to contact me." "Here," a Beta said. He handed Brooks Rebecca's phone, or a new phone reprogrammed to show Rebecca's screen. Brooks found the number she had stored for Helena and hit send. As he predicted it went straight to the message indicating voicemail was not set up. He opened up the text message log. There were no messages sent to or from either of Helena's phones. "There are deleted messages," Brooks said. "Can you recover them?" "Maybe. That is going to take some time," the Beta said. "I will have to take it back to the lodge." "Go now," Brooks said. "Find whoever is working on Helena's computer. Work with them." The Beta nodded and left with Rebecca's phone. Brooks hadn't expected to find anything right away. Helena's disappearance was planned and carefully executed. His gut told him her sister had something to do with it. He didn't expect to find the smoking gun though, she was too clever for that. "What do you think happened?" Hugh asked. Brooks' father looked at him. Brooks shook his head. "It's too early to tell," Brooks said. "I don't want to get side tracked with one idea. Mom you spent the day with Helena. Did you notice anything off about her? Did something upset her?" Daphne looked at the ground. Brooks could tell she was replaying the day in her mind. "She was talking about Rebecca and Andrew's ceremony," Daphne said. "I mentioned how quick it was for the two of them. She looked a little surprised. I assumed she was just upset because you two have to wait so long." "Last night she asked me to tell her how Rebecca and Andrew met," Brooks said. "I didn't think anything of it. She asked about the weather that day and I made fun of her. I thought that was why she looked a little angry. Can you think of anything else she said?" Daphne bit her lip. Brooks hoped she could remember something. "It might have seemed like no big deal at the time," Brooks said. "Anything could help us." Daphne looked up, her eyes were wide as if a light bulb went off in her head. "There was a question about Michigan," Daphne said. "What exactly did she ask?" "I can't remember," Daphne said. "I was distracted and I thought I must have heard her wrong. Something about going to Michigan..." "Did it have anything to do with Rebecca?" "It was around the same time we're having that conversation," Daphne said. "Call back at the lodge," Brooks said. "Have them find out anything they can about a Helena and Rebecca Long. Tell them to look in Michigan and start five years ago, then work backwards. Have them check every youth home, foster system, everything they can find." "Did Helena tell you anything about her childhood?" Daphne asked. "Nothing specific," Brooks said. "She didn't like talking about it and I didn't want to push her." Brooks cringed because he had pushed her. He encouraged her to make amends with Rebecca. There were too many coincidences going on. "I thought Helena was from North Carolina," Daphne said. "So did I," Brooks said. "But that's only because that is how Rebecca explained it." "Do you think she has something to do with this?" Hugh asked. Brooks knew why his father was weary of implicating a pack member. If Brooks was wrong it could jeopardize his position and respect. It was unheard of for a pack member to be disloyal, whether you were an alpha or an omega. "Sir," a Beta said. Brooks spun around. The area behind the bar was a disaster now, but a young man walked towards Brooks with his hand extended. Tucked in his fist was the plain black phone Helena had carried. Brooks took the device. He was scared what he would find when he turned it on. "If she's not involved then I don't know how this ended up behind her bar," Brooks said. He powered on the phone and held his breath, hoping it would lead him to his mate. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* There was nothing for Brooks left to do at the bar. He headed back to the lodge, hoping the Betas with Helena's computer were able to use the information Brooks had found in her text messages. Brooks' phone went off. It made him jump and he wished it was Helena calling, but he saw the name of one of his Betas. Brooks hoped they had some information. "What have you found," Brooks said. "I am with Rebecca and Andrew," he said. "They want to be alone and I am having a hard time staying with them." "Put Andrew on the phone," Brooks said. The phone was handed off. "What is this about?" Andrew said. "Rebecca is very upset. She wants to help, but we feel like we're on house arrest." "I have reason to believe the vampire who took Helena is after Rebecca too," Brooks said. "I won't leave anything to chance. Please let William stay with you." "I can protect my mate," Andrew said. "I thought the same thing," Brooks said. "Don't be cocky, especially in a situation like this." There was silence for a moment. "I understand," Andrew said. "I will be by as soon as I'm ready and let you two know what is happening," Brooks said. "Rebecca swears she doesn't know anything," Andrew said. "I know," Brooks said. "Try and calm her down. This is scary for all of us." "Thank you," Andrew said. Brooks hung up the phone. He was sitting in the car with his mother and father who both looked at him. "You don't really believe that do you?" Daphne asked. Brooks pulled out Helena's black phone again. He went to the text messages and pulled up the picture of Rebecca, taped down and crying. This was a far look from the one she wore this evening, but the picture was only a few hours old. The photo made Brooks shudder. He could only imagine what Helena felt when she saw it. His mate must have been terrified. It pained him that she took this on all by herself. He would have helped her. "Any ideas on who the second person is yet?" Brooks asked. "The messages refer to two people. Come alone or I will kill both of them." "Someone else from Helena's past?" Daphne asked. "Everyone she ever loved is dead," Brooks said. "Or in this car, or scheming against her.." "Would she sacrifice herself for a stranger?" Hugh asked. "Probably," Brooks said. "But that would be risky. I think she would have come to me. This had to be personal, but I can't think of a single person she's met who isn't accounted for..." As soon as the sentence rolled off of Brooks' tongue he knew it wasn't true. "Have either of you heard from Zachary?" Brooks asked. Hugh pulled out his phone. Daphne shook her head. "Straight to voicemail," Hugh said. "I'm going to check with his Alpha." The car stopped and they were back at the lodge. Brooks didn't wait to hear his father's phone call. He went straight inside and made it to the team handling the electronics. When Brooks opened the dark room three Betas were staring at the screen. Their mouths hung open. One of them noticed Brooks and they closed out whatever they were watching. "Alpha," Brad said. "What did you find?" Brooks asked. "Nothing," Brad said. "At first, but we were able to uncover something. The website Helena went to was a basic email account, it had a link to a live video feed. We couldn't find what she actually saw, but we were able to recover the link. It is still live. We've recorded everything since we turned it on." "Let me see," Brooks said. His Betas gave each other looks. "Now," Brooks said. "The recording starts a few minutes ago," Brad said. He pulled up the video. It was the same blond vampire Brooks rescued Helena from. He was in a room, grey ceilings and walls. There was an average sized bed, Brooks guessed the camera was on a desk. It was hard to focus on the surroundings though because the vampire was dancing around like a crazy person. "There's no audio," Brad said. "We don't think he knows this is being broadcast. He probably thought he destroyed the e-mail link and this stopped the recording. Rookie mistake." "Can you trace this?" Brooks asked. "According to the trace it's coming from somewhere in Africa," Brad said. "Which means no. He has it scrambled, probably in case Helena tried to trace whatever his initial video was." Brooks couldn't figure out what the vampire was doing. He kept swinging his arms around and kicking his feet out. He stopped moving suddenly and left the room. "This is when it gets bad," Brad said. "I would brace yourself." When Victor came back into view of the video camera he was carrying Helena. Her head and arms were hanging. She looked dead, but Brooks saw her chest move. She was just unconscious. The vampire started to swing her body around, dancing with her. Brooks couldn't believe this was happening. Victor went to dip her unconscious form and just dropped her on the floor. He didn't bother to pick her up and instead started dancing around the room by himself again. "I've seen enough," Brooks said. "I want you to study every bit of this. Watch it until he cuts the stream or the camera dies. Look around the room. Try to find anything that will tell us where they are. I don't care how minute it is." "Yes sir," Brad said. Brooks handed Helena's phone to him. "There is a picture on here," Brooks said. "I want you to tell me if it was photoshopped. I think it is best you keep this confidential." The Beta nodded his head and took the black phone. Brooks started to walk out of the room. He stopped, without turning around. "If he does...anything else to her, please let me know," Brooks said. Brooks promised himself once he got Helena back she would never know about any of that. If there was any comfort at all it was the Helena was unconscious. Brooks didn't know for how long, but if it was anything like the first time that meant he had at least five days. Brooks did not plan to waste them. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The conference room at the lodge was packed with tired Betas. Brooks knew they needed rest, most if not all had been awake all night, but the time was too precious to waste. "Thank you for coming," Brooks said. "I wish we knew more, but this is all we have at the moment." A photograph of Victor came up. "This is the vampire who took Helena," Brooks said. "He drew her out after kidnapping this man." The picture changed to Zachary. "He is a vampire expert who is a member of the Kashuba pack," Brooks said. "Their Alpha is on his way here with reinforcements. They should arrive before nightfall." Zachary disappeared and a picture of a car showed up. "This is the car Zachary was driving when he vanished," Brooks said. "Nobody has seen it since. He was on his way to our airport, which is only a few miles away. It had to be a quick grab." The screen switched again. It was a picture of a map of the area, with a portion highlighted. "We believe the vampires initial contact with Helena was via cellphone yesterday at 7:54 pm," Brooks said. "She was taken from the bar at approximately 11:25 pm. We have proof he had her in a secure location no later than 3:42 am. That means he is hiding within an approximate three hour radius of the bar." A Beta raised his hand. Brooks pointed at him. "What if he just flew away from here?" He asked. "Vampires can't fly," another Beta said. "Well it would be stupid to keep her so close," the first Beta replied. "I would get farther away. How do you know they can't fly?" "I know you're all tired, but please pay attention," Brooks said. "Helena's blood makes her attractive to vampires. It would be difficult for him to move her too far of a distance without eating her. I have made several mistakes, including keeping this information from you all." Brooks looked around the room at the shocked faces of his Betas. It was unlike an Alpha to make a mistake on this level. He had to keep going with their charge. "I want you to divide into groups and cover as much of this area and possible," Brooks said. "A lot of it is woods. I want you to work in teams with the Omegas who have volunteered. Try and use your scenes of smell, hearing, anything that can help us find her. We have reason to believe they are in some sort of basement. Try to look for abandoned houses, or houses where nobody looks home. Also keep a look out for Zachary's vehicle or anything that appears out of the ordinary. Please, help me find my mate. Are there any questions?" "What do we do if we do find her?" A Beta asked. "Report to me immediately," Brooks said. "Vampires are very strong and very difficult to kill. Do not engage yourself against him. Thank you. I know you're tired, if you need to get some sleep please do. Everyone will understand." All of the Betas stood up and started to exit the room. Hugh walked over to Brooks. "I know it's under dire circumstances but you did an excellent job leading them," Hugh said. Brooks knew his father meant well, but leading the pack was one of the worst of his concerns. He turned to look at the map projection. "Even if us and the Kashuba pack searched this area non-stop it will take days if not weeks to cover it all," Brooks said. "Is there a way to narrow it down?" Hugh asked. "Maybe," Brooks said. He handed his father the file generated on Helena and Rebecca's childhood. "Do you want to help me talk to her?" Brooks asked. Hugh flipped through the file. Brooks was surprised he managed to keep a straight face. There were lots of holes in Rebecca's story and questions that needed answers. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The sun was already up. Rebecca wanted to get this over with. She had an explanation for everything. She expected some suspicion, but had already worked out her lies. As long as they didn't stumble upon the phone she was in good shape. This was all Helena's fault. If she had just brought the phone into the bar with her none of this would be an issue. "Are you doing alright?" Andrew asked. "My sister is missing," Rebecca said. "I wish there was something I could do. We should be out there helping. Not sitting in here being babysat." "Brooks thinks you may be a target," Andrew said. "Open your eyes," Rebecca said. "If that were the case we would be able to leave the room. A vampire can't penetrate the lodge." Rebecca knew she shouldn't have snapped at Andrew, but he was so dense it got a bit annoying. "You didn't have anything to do with your sister's disappearance," Andrew said. "Did you?" Rebecca stopped pacing and looked down at him. She took a breath and tried to force the tears. They weren't coming so instead she let out a sob. Andrew stood up and wrapped his arms around her. She made her body shake. "I'm sorry," Andrew said. "I didn't mean that." The door to their apartment opened. Rebecca didn't pull away from Andrew, she knew who it was though. The Alpha squad, more than ready to question her. Rebecca was ready fool them yet again. As long as they didn't have that phone she would be fine. "Thank you for staying here William," Brooks said. "I think we good use some privacy. Why don't you take Andrew and get something to eat?" Rebecca felt Andrew's arms tighten around her. He let out a low growl. Rebecca lifted her head. "It's alright," Rebecca said. "It might be easier for me to talk without you here." "I don't like leaving you when you're in this state," Andrew said. "This quicker we get this over with the sooner we can find Helena," Rebecca said. Andrew nodded his head and gave Rebecca a kiss on her forehead. She turned to see her guests. It wasn't just Brooks and Hugh, Daphne also joined them. Rebecca had even less respect for the woman than the men. She was surprised when the blond came over and hugged her. This whole group was just as stupid as Rebecca thought, they didn't suspect a thing. Rebecca let Daphne guide her to the couch. They sat down and the blond woman continued to hold her hand. Rebecca gave her a squeeze of false gratitude. The men sat in the two chairs. Andrew and William walked out. Nobody spoke. Rebecca tried hard to make her eyes water. "Have you found anything?" Rebecca asked. "Do you know where my sister is?" "Walk us through your night," Hugh said. "I already told you..." "Go slower," Brooks said. "Don't leave out any details." "Any little detail can help," Daphne said. She put her other hand on Rebecca's back and started to rub up and down. Rebecca took a breath. "Helena asked me if I wanted to get together around noon. I told her that I had to work until at least midnight, maybe ten if we were slow and I would text her when I got back to the lodge," Rebecca said. "I wanted to spend time with her. I hadn't seen her in over a week and we were just starting to get on good terms again." Rebecca paused and took a deep breath, acting like she was trying to steady herself. "Could you tell us your story again," Brooks said. "About how you ended up leaving Helena all those years ago?" Shit. That meant they knew. There was no other way Brooks would be asking her these questions. "I may have lied," Rebecca said. "I made so many mistakes when I was younger. I did leave Helena in a motel room, but it wasn't a few towns over. It was a few states over. She wanted to come with me when I left the youth home so bad, but I knew I couldn't take care of her. I thought that she would head back or someone would find her and return her. Helena would have been better off with them than me." That part wasn't a lie. Rebecca almost laughed. Helena was better off with anyone other than her. "I made my way across the country, traveling, taking in the freedom," Rebecca said. "The rest is true. I got lost, met Andrew and it was a love I'd never felt before." "Why didn't you tell me this when you asked for my help locating Helena?" Brooks asked. "I didn't want to look any worse than I already did," Rebecca said. "Andrew and I tried to search by ourselves for a little while. I knew she wasn't in North Carolina so I didn't think it mattered." Helena looked around the room. She knew her story was solid. They couldn't poke holes in it. "I never even got the chance to tell Helena the truth," Rebecca said. "I was going to, but I thought that would just upset her more. I didn't want to give her another reason to hate me." "Go back to last night," Brooks said. "It was slow. Sundays normally are," Rebecca said. "But I thought it was a good night to do inventory. I talked to Andrew around seven and said I would be home late. There were still a few customers in the bar. Nobody unusual. The last customer left a little before ten. I took out the garbage and then noticed my phone was smashed next to the dumpster. I didn't even realize it was missing. I thought I must have dropped it." All of the eyes in the room were glued to her. "I went down into the basement for the rest of the night," Rebecca said. "When I came back upstairs it was a little after eleven, I think. My screen was smashed and that's how I normally check the time. I noticed the headlights in the parking lot. I went outside and saw a pack car. It was running with the door open. At first I thought it was Andrew, maybe he was trying to contact me through my busted cellphone. I stuck my head in and tried to see if someone dropped a wallet, or if I could figure out who was in the car." "You didn't smell your sister?" Brooks asked. All Is Fair Ch. 14 "No," Rebecca said. "But we sort of smell alike and she's not a wolf yet so I have a hard time picking up on her scent." "You said there were no unusual customers?" Brooks asked. "Was there a blond man? About our age, slicked back hair?" "Nobody even close to that description," Rebecca said. "You said you found your smashed phone close to ten?" Hugh asked. Rebecca didn't know why that would be important to them. "I'm not sure," Rebecca said. "It could have been later." "Was it before you went into the basement or after?" Brooks asked. "Now that you mention it, I think it was after," Rebecca said. "But you remembered coming up from the basement and not being able to check the time?" Brooks asked. "So you would have reached for your phone then and saw the screen was cracked?" "No," Rebecca said. "I think I took some garbage up from the basement. That is when I found the phone." "So you didn't have your phone on you for around four hours and didn't notice?" Brooks asked. "When I'm at work I don't pay close attention to my phone," Rebecca said. "What does any of this have to do with Helena?" They were asking too many questions about Rebecca's phone. She knew they could recover the information on there, but made sure that the messages sent from her phone were a hard erase. They were impossible to recover. "When you took the trash out around 11," Brooks said. "Did you see anyone standing out back or a car parked? Anything out of the ordinary." "Nothing," Rebecca said. Rebecca was certain the three of them were talking to each other. She found it a little rude they were doing it right in front of her. Rebecca thought she put on a good show though. There was a little slip up with the cellphone recovery, but nothing about her story was unexplainable. Victor thought it was better if she played the victim too, but Rebecca thought that was too risky. It was much easier to act like an unaffected idiot. She thought her Alphas would relate well to that. "This is hard on everyone," Daphne said. "I can't begin to imagine what you're feeling. Why don't you come with me? We can find Andrew and try to get something for you to eat." "I can't think of eating," Rebecca said. "I'm such a wreck. I think it would be best if I just tried to lie down, maybe take a pill?" "I understand," Daphne said. "Let's head to the clinic. Maybe the doctor can give you something strong." Daphne stood up and pulled Rebecca with her. She didn't want to stay around the Alphas any longer than necessary, but the fact that they were being so nice to her made her think she had them hook, line, and sinker. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brooks and his father walked the opposite way down the hall from the girls. "She's lying," Brooks said. "You don't have proof yet," Hugh said. "But I think she is too." "I want a team sent to that apartment," Brooks said. "Have them look for anything that seems off." "What do you think they'll find?" Hugh asked. "Nothing," Brooks said. "Rebecca is too good at protecting herself, but do it anyway." "When are you going to tell her you know?" Hugh asked. "Ask her about the picture Helena got, let her know you have the other phone?" "Once I have something she can't lie her way through. I want her to think she got away with this," Brooks said. "I want Andrew there for that one too. I'd like to see her try to lie in front of her mate." "She seems to have had no issues with that so far," Hugh said. "Which I have to admit, I find a little strange. Mates don't lie to each other." "Mine did," Brooks said. His father went quiet. Brooks had reasons to be angry at Helena. If she would have just came to him he would have helped her. He didn't understand what he had done to make her think she had to handle this alone. "I want to go see what the tech team found out," Brooks said. "You're going to need to rest," Hugh said. "I will sleep when Helena is back in my bed," Brooks said. He sped up, knowing his father was right but not wanting to hear it. They made it to the computer security room. Brad was asleep on the couch. An Omega named Mitch was sitting at the computer. He stood up to greet Brooks and Hugh. "What have you found out?" Brooks asked. "I should wake Brad," Mitch said. "No," Brooks said. "Let him sleep. Please tell me." "Well that vampire is a whack job," Mitch said. "Watching him reminded me of seeing one of my college roommates trip on acid. I can't understand what he's doing. He went to bed at about 6:30 am, the Madame Alpha-to-be is still unconscious on his floor. He didn't pay any other attention to her the rest of the night. Almost like he forgot she was there." "Zachary did say he thought Helena's blood would be addicting to them," Hugh said. "Maybe it is an actual drug." "Honestly he was pretty easy to take out the first time we had a run in," Brooks said It broke his heart to see his mate on the monitor. She was slumped over on the concrete. Brooks wanted to lift her up and bring her home. It was almost torturous being able to see her but not touch her or help her. "We're lucky he made this mistake," Hugh said. "Lucky?" "If he hadn't left the camera on we would be thinking he was across the country," Hugh said. "Instead he thought he was being clever hiding out so close to us. More packs are coming to help. Soon we will have enough manpower to cover the entire area." "We already lost one day," Brooks said. "Figure we have four more until she wakes up and then he goes in for the third bite." "Maybe longer," Hugh said. "A second bites affects could be different." Brooks ran his fingers over the screen. She looked so helpless, just like he felt. "Have you figured anything else out?" Brooks asked. "Where is this room?" "We looked at every map we could find," Mitch said. "But there's not much. A lot of this area was plantations, spots on the underground railroad, and some structures that date back to the revolutionary war. None of which are consistently surveyed. There are too many possibilities." "I gave Brad a cellphone last night," Brooks said. "I wanted him to look for anything out of the ordinary and determine if a picture was authentic?" Mitch shook his head. "The phone you gave us had a poorly pixilated screen," Mitch said. "The photo quality was pretty bad. We can still find out if it's photoshoped, but it will take longer. We have to fix the image first. We should know by tonight." "Thank you," Brooks said. He started to walk out of the room. "Where are you going now?" Hugh asked. "There isn't anything else I can do here," Brooks said. "I'm going to catch up with one of the Betas and start searching the area." "You're no help to her if you don't get some rest," Hugh said. Brooks ignored his father. His mate was in trouble, there was no way Brooks was about to sleep anytime soon. All Is Fair Ch. 15 "You're the most beautiful creature on the planet," Brooks said. He dipped his head down and inhaled Helena's hair. "Are you sniffing me again?" She asked. She spun around to face him, wearing a huge smile with her head resting on the pillow. She reached up and touched a lock of his hair. "I love it when this little piece flops forward," Helena said. "It makes you irresistible." She leaned in and kissed him. Brooks reminded himself to always make sure that piece of hair fell forward. A loud knock came and Helena broke away from him. Brooks lifted his head. He wasn't in bed with his mate anymore, he was sitting at his desk in his office. The muscles in his back were stiff from sleeping in the awkward position. His mother was in the room, trying to pick up the vase she knocked over. "Crap," she said. "I didn't want to wake you." "What time is it?" Brooks asked. "A little after six," Daphne said. "In the morning." "I can't believe you let me sleep this long," Brooks said. He stood up from his desk. He had been going over blue prints of the area Helena was stashed in, trying to find anything worth circling in on. "Four hours?" Daphne asked. "Everyone is trying their hardest. But you're no good to anyone if you don't get some rest." Brooks started to walk past his mother. "Where are you going?" Daphne asked. "I'm going to check in with the computer team," Brooks said. He had slept through a large chunk of the night. That was when the vampire was active. He had to know what had been done to his mate during that time. His mother followed him out of the office. "Are there any updates?" Brooks asked. "No," Daphne said. "We're doing the best we can. It's just there's a lot of ground to cover and nobody really knows what they're looking for." Brooks walked into the computer area. Brad, the Beta, was sitting at the monitor. "Any change?" Brooks asked. "Still more of the same," Brad said. "This guy is either crazy or cracked out." Brooks looked at the screen. The vampire was doing push-ups. "How long until sunrise?" Brooks asked. "Five minutes," Brad said. "But he doesn't look to be slowing down." Helena was no longer on the screen. The first thing the vampire had done last night was take her out of the room. The image of his hands on Helena had sent Brooks into a rage. But at least the thing had paid her little attention during the night. "We finally got that picture processed," Brad said. He reached behind him and handed Brooks a file. Brooks took out the 8x10 photo of Rebecca. With the image blown up it was clear as day it didn't look like her eyes were filled with terror. It looked more like she was happy. Black tears streamed down her cheeks and a piece of duct tape was over her mouth. "Is this original?" Brooks asked. "It is genuine," Brad said. "I blew up the background of the shot. It was taken in the bar she works at. In the basement. I recognized one of the neon signs." "So it hasn't been altered in anyway?" "None," Brad said. "Is it me or does she actually look happy in the photo and not scared?" Daphne asked. Her voice made Brooks jump. He forgot she was there. "And I don't know a single woman in the pack who wears mascara that would run like that," Daphne said. "Certainly not Rebecca." "I think it's time we question her again," Brooks said. "How do you want me to play it?" Daphne asked. "I deserved an Oscar for the way I handled her yesterday." "Keep making her think you're on her side," Brooks said. "I want to catch her offguard. Is dad awake?" "He went to sleep after you passed out last night," Daphne said. "Wake him up," Brooks said. "I'll send for Rebecca and Andrew. I want the three of us to speak to them together." "Do you think Andrew has anything to do with this?" "No," Brooks said. "But I want him to see who his mate really is." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Rebecca stretched in her bed. She noticed Andrew was missing. He was getting twitchy. Rebecca could tell he wanted to join the hunt for Helena and didn't understand why they weren't letting him help. The door to their room opened and Andrew walked in. "You're awake?" "I wouldn't have slept at all if it weren't for the sleep aid," Rebecca said. Rebecca actually slept wonderfully and never bothered to pop one of the pills. "Brooks called," Andrew said. "He wants to speak with both of us." "What about?" Rebecca asked. "I answered all their questions yesterday." "He didn't say," Andrew said. Andrew gave Rebecca a strange look. She jumped out of bed, remembering that when an Alpha came calling you went running. She pulled on the pair of jeans that were lying on the floor and grabbed a t-shirt from the dresser. "Let me brush my teeth real quick and then we can go?" Andrew still kept his eyes narrowed and watched her walk into the hall. "What?" Rebecca asked. "Aren't you going to ask about Helena?" Andrew asked. "Oh," Rebecca said. She dropped her eyes to the floor and stopped moving. "I just assumed if there was good news you would tell me. If it's bad news, I don't want to know." "It's no news," Andrew said. He shook his head and started getting dressed. Rebecca was surprised, her explanation made sense and he always bought everything she said to him. She made a mental note to give him some action tonight. That always seemed to keep him in line. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks sat in between his parents in his father's office. Andrew and Rebecca sat across from them. Brooks thought about how the last time they were in this seating arrangement it was talking with Zachary about Helena. Brooks would do anything to go back in time to that moment. Three weeks seemed so long to wait then, but now it felt like nothing. From that moment on Brooks should have locked himself in his room with Helena and refused to leave until her transformation. It would have been a small sacrifice of time. Instead he was alone and on the verge of losing everything. "Were you able to sleep at all?" Daphne asked. "Yes," Rebecca said. "Thank you for taking me to the clinic yesterday. Do you have any news about Helena?" "We may have found a lead," Brooks said. "Good," Rebecca said. "Can I help at all?" "Maybe," Brooks said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small black phone. He set it on the table between the two groups. Brooks kept his eyes on Rebecca. He saw her have a small reaction, nerves, but they quickly vanished. "Is that the phone I gave Helena?" Rebecca asked. "Was there any information on it?" "Some messages between the two of you," Brooks said. "I didn't have my phone that night," Rebecca said. "Do you think the vampire took it?" "That would be the logical step," Brooks said. "But we are a little confused about some things. Helena sent a message that was read by your phone, but according to your first story the phone was smashed at that time. Also, every text message exchange you had with Helena was hard deleted from your phone. So someone took the time to erase their history and smash your phone, but managed to read one last message?" Brooks watched Rebecca look towards Andrew. Her mate did not appear to be stepping up for her. Instead Andrew looked just as interested in her response. "I told you," Rebecca said. "My timing was off. I didn't find my phone until after that message was read. I didn't have a clue what time it was." "Because you couldn't find your phone," Daphne finished for her. Brooks knew his mother was still trying to play to Rebecca's side. He didn't know how she could stomach it though. "Fine," Brooks said. "Another issue is with this." Brooks put the photograph of Rebecca on the table. She went to grab it, but Andrew picked it up first. He looked at her with concern. Brooks didn't think she deserved it. Rebecca took the picture from him. "This photograph was sent to Helena," Brooks said. "With instructions to meet at the bar or else you would be killed. It also threatened another's life. We know that to be Zachary North, a member of the Kashuba pack, and friend of ours." "It must be photoshopped," Rebecca said. "It isn't," Brooks said. "We had it checked." Rebecca looked at Andrew. "Did the vampire hurt you too?" Andrew asked. Brooks rolled his eyes and shook his head. "No," Brooks said. "Why would Rebecca keep something like that a secret? Now back to the picture, it was taken in the basement of the bar. Who took the photo?" "Do we have to do this with Andrew here?" Rebecca asked. "Yes," Andrew said. "A friend," Rebecca said. "A close friend. We were playing around in the basement and thought it would be funny." "What do you mean close friend?" Andrew asked. He let out a growl and turned to look at Rebecca. "She's lying again," Brooks said. "For all of her faults I don't think she is cheating on you with someone who likes to take photographs of girls tied up and crying." Rebecca whipped her head towards Brooks. "Why don't we stop this game and you tell me what you do think," Rebecca said. "I think you helped the vampire draw your sister out," Brooks said. "By the looks of it, I think you were a willing participant." "That's absurd," Rebecca said. "I'm the one who sent you to find her in the first place." "Do you know where we found this phone?" Brooks asked. "I'm willing to bet you do." Rebecca stared at him with a blank look. "Hidden behind the bar you work at," Brooks said. "I can see your brain working to find another lie. But the truth is you needed to destroy this, since it linked you back to Helena's disappearance. I think some of the Betas showed up before you got the chance so you stashed it away and thought we wouldn't search for it." "Andrew are you going to let him talk to me this way?" Rebecca asked. "I don't care about why you set Helena up, or when this whole plan started," Brooks said. "I care about where she is now. Tell me what you know and maybe you won't be exiled." "I didn't do anything," Rebecca said. "Andrew you have to believe me." "Believe what?" Andrew asked. "Your explanation for the picture is you have fun playing around in the basement with a close friend I've never heard of? You haven't offered one for why the phone was behind the bar? I saw the look on your face this morning, it was rested. You weren't the least bit concerned about your sister." Rebecca looked around the room. Brooks hoped she wasn't trying to run. Her lips were pressed and forehead wrinkled, looking like she was about to burst into tears. She dropped her head into her hands and let out a loud sob. Nobody moved to comfort her. Soon Brooks noticed the sounds of tears were morphing into laughter. Eventually Rebecca lifted her head. She wore a sharp smile on her face and stared right at Brooks. "Well look who finally decided to grow a pair," she said. Brooks knew his eyes were glowing red. He lept forward and towered over Rebecca. "Where is Helena?" Brooks yelled. "Do you want to hear about how shocked she was when she got to the bar? I was just standing waiting there for her," Rebecca said. "She told me to run. Then Victor popped out and she was still more interested in saving me than herself. The look on her face was priceless when she finally figured it out." "WHERE IS SHE?" Brooks brought his hand up and griped Rebecca by the neck. She looked unfazed. "What about how she actually tried to put up a fight at the very end?" Rebecca asked. "The way she tried to kick and punch, but Victor had a tight grip on her. It was sad to watch, like a spider catching a fly. You know it is worthless for the fly to struggle, they only end up making their situation worse." Brooks heard enough he flung Rebecca across the room. She hit a wall and kept on laughing. Brooks had to get himself under control or else he would kill her right this moment. Brooks expected Andrew to attack him, but when Brooks turned around the other three wolves just stood there. "What are you?" Andrew asked. He was staring at Rebecca. "Now?" Rebecca asked. "I'm a wolf, thanks for that by the way. I was in some trouble and it was a quick solution." "You're not my mate," Andrew said. Brooks had never heard of the bond being broken. He looked at his parents who were just as confused. Rebecca picked herself up off the floor. She almost seemed bored. "I think I like you more now than I have the past five years," Rebecca said. "Ironic isn't it?" She strolled back over to them and walked straight up to Brooks. "It's a shame I didn't meet you in the woods that day," Rebecca said. "You're just as dumb as Andrew is, but a little bit hotter. Helena is a lucky girl." Before Brooks could react a fist came flying in front of him. Rebecca took the punch straight in the jaw and hit the ground. Brooks turned to see his mother shaking her hand. "I've wanted to hit her for a long time now, " Daphne said. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When Rebecca came to she was sitting at a table. Her hands were cuffed together and then secured to the ground. Her jaw ached and she tried to stretch her neck. "I've never seen this part of the lodge before," Rebecca said. The door to the room opened and Daphne walked in. Rebecca let out a groan. Rebecca didn't say a word. Daphne sat down across the table, looking prim and proper as usual, she even had a floral print apron on. It looked like she was ready to bake some cookies. "I don't care what you were or who you are," Daphne said. "I just want to know about Helena's disappearance." "Why would I tell you anything?" Rebecca asked. Daphne reached under the table and pulled out a bag. She started to unpack, spreading the tools out. "I know you think I just plan parties and take care of running the lodge," Daphne said. "But there are many more things I excel at. I just prefer not to have to use my skills, but if someone I love is threatened, especially if that someone is one of my children, I am forced to act. Now you can either tell me what you know or I can get started with these." Rebecca didn't know who Daphne was trying to fool. The instruments on the table looked like the belonged in a dentist's office. She almost wanted to laugh. Honestly Rebecca had no clue where Victor had taken Helena, she didn't want to know, but couldn't bring herself to admit that to Daphne. Victor had mentioned getting Rebecca her powers back. She knew he was probably lying, but a part of her wanted to believe him and that meant not giving these people anything to go on. Besides, Rebecca thought, the longer they stayed busy with her the less time they could spend actually looking for Helena. Rebecca smiled. "Give it your best," she said. "Okie-dokie," Daphne said. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The sun was setting when Brooks made it back to the lodge. He went out with Andrew to join the search parties after their meeting with Rebecca. Brooks told his Beta to sit this one out, but Andrew refused. When Brooks decided to return to the lodge Andrew declined to join him. Brooks could not begin to guess what the man was thinking or feeling, but couldn't devote any time away from searching for Helena. Brooks went to the computer room right as the vampire was waking up. "Well this is different," Mitch said. "What do you mean?" Brooks asked. "Yesterday he pepped right up," Mitch said. "Today he looks a little...hungover." "Have you learned anything that can help us find him?" Brooks asked. "We think he's in an area with indoor plumbing," Mitch said. "There's no sign of water marks on any of the concrete so we don't think he's close to a river or lake." "There weren't a whole lot of rivers or lakes in the area we have it narrowed down to," Brooks said. "He's leaving the room," Mitch said. "Let me know if you find anything," Brooks said. He left the computer stations and went to find his father. Hugh was in his office with the visiting pack's Alpha. Brooks walked in and the family friend greeted him with a handshake and a hug. "It's nice to see you," David said. "I wish it was under better circumstances." "Any progress on locating Zachary?" Brooks asked. He would be easier to trace than Helena since he was a wolf and his pack was familiar with his scent. David shook his head. "How about Rebecca?" Brooks asked. "As far as I know she's still with your mother," Hugh said. Brooks winced. His father looked a little perturbed. Almost as if on cue the door opened and Daphne walked in. She wore an apron that was splashed with blood. "David," Daphne said. "It's so nice to see you. I wish it were under better circumstances." "Mom," Brooks said. "You might want to..." "Get right to the point?" Daphne interrupted. "Unfortunately Rebecca doesn't know where he took Helena. Rebecca was the one sending the messages the whole time. The video that Helena saw was of Victor torturing Zachary, Rebecca did know it was live, something about making it harder to trace the signal that way or recover the video once the email was destroyed. Rebecca said that after that was sent Victor showed up at the bar in about 80 minutes, but she's unsure if he left his hideout right away or not. So that's good right? You can cut your search area down?" All the men stared at the petite blond with open mouths. "What?" Daphne asked. "You look like Hannibal Lector," Brooks said. Daphne looked down at herself, spun around and took off the apron. She turned back to face them, holding the balled up fabric. "I need to get some rest," Daphne said. "Hugh will you lie down with me for a little bit?" "Yes ma'am," Brooks' father said. "I really think you should try and get a few hours too Brooks," she said. "Start fresh tomorrow." "Uhhh," Brooks said. "Okay." "David I can't tell you what to do, but I would consider getting some sleep too. Will you let everyone know about the newest developments?" Daphne smiled and then led Hugh and Brooks out of the room. Brooks didn't want to sleep but his wolf was too scared of his mother to disobey her at the moment. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Waking up without Helena next to him was the worst feeling. Brooks checked his phone. It was close to 5 am. She had been gone for four days now and they were no closer to finding her. Brooks didn't understand, they had combed almost the entire area he could be hiding in. He had to wake up with hope today would be different. It was all that kept him going. He pulled on his jeans and went to see his computer experts. Brad was sitting in front of the screen. "Any developments?" "Yea," Brad said. "He left and brought someone back with him." Brad clicked a few files and a new video came up. Brooks looked at the screen. There was a young blond woman sitting on the bed. She clearly had no clue what was going on. It looked like she was in a trance. Brad hit fast forward and Brooks watched the scene play out. At some point her trance broke and she tried to run. Victor grabbed her and sunk his fangs into her neck. It looked like she was screaming, once he was done he left her body on the floor and sat down again. He picked up a book and started reading. It was obvious the woman was now dead. "Can you find out who she was?" Brooks asked. "Ran the software against DMV pictures," Brad said. "Her name is Joanna Kent. She lives pretty far out of or search area. From her rap sheet it looks like she was a prostitute. I can't see how she will help us." "Tell the packs to sniff for dead bodies," Brooks said. The tape continued to fast forward. Eventually the vampire picked up his prey and took her out of the room. "He doesn't come back for a few hours," Brad said. "Then just sits and reads." All Is Fair Ch. 15 Tonight would mark Helena's fifth night with him. If his second bite was anything like his first that meant she would wake up tonight. If he bit her again that would make her a vampire. Brooks needed some good news. The door to the computer room opened. Andrew walked in. His dedication to finding Helena now almost matched Brooks'. "They found the car Zachary was driving," Andrew said. "Where?" Brooks asked. "In the middle of the woods," Andrew said. "I can take you there." "Any sign of Helena?" Brooks asked. "No," Andrew said. "It will be faster if we drive there. No need to shift." Brooks followed Andrew out of the room and towards the front of the house. "What are you going to do when you find him?" Andrew asked. "Kill him," Brooks said. "How?" Brooks never thought that far ahead. He was so concerned with getting Helena back he didn't think about dispatching Victor. "Try and pull him into the sun," Brooks said. "That sounds risky," Andrew said. "Do you have any wooden stakes?" "Those don't work," Brooks said. "Only silver can pierce a vampire's skin." "Good luck finding any silver around here," Andrew said. "I can go into town and see if there's any?" "It doesn't hurt them like us," Brooks said. "We would need a pure silver knife...do you remember when I told you to burn Helena's suitcase?" "Yea," Andrew said. "I took it to the incinerator." "Let's stop there first," Brooks said. They walked outside and towards the shed that housed the incinerator. It wasn't going at the moment. Brooks took that as a sign. He opened the door to the incinerator and looked at the ash covered floor. Before sticking his hand inside he grabbed a rag and started to feel around. "They never burned her stuff," Andrew said. He pointed towards a pile in the corner. Mainly of papers and other items to be destroyed. Helena's suitcase sat to the side. Brooks walked over and opened it up, dumping the contents on the floor. He didn't find what he was looking for. He searched all the pockets and still came up empty handed. An idea came to him. Brooks began tearing the lining and then he spotted his prize. A long silver dagger. "Whoa," Andrew said. He took a step back. Brooks reached in and grabbed the handle careful not to touch the blade. If that touched his skin it would burn him immediately. "Maybe I can kill him with this," Brooks said. He picked up one of Helena's old shirts and wrapped it around the blade. "Grab the rest of her stuff," Brooks said. "We can give it out for people to get a refresher of her scent." Andrew put the clothes back in the torn bag and the two of them left the shed. The car was a good sign, Brooks knew it would lead him to her. It had to, because he was running out of time and options. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks expected Andrew to park their car on the side of the road, but instead he turned into the woods. Brooks thought he was going to hit a tree. "I'm just trying to take us as close as I can," Andrew said. "I figure he drove the car into the middle of the woods so I should be able to." "It was just sitting there?" Brooks asked. "He probably didn't think he should bother trying to hide it," Andrew said. "Try and think like him. He doesn't know we have the video feed or Rebecca. Without those we would be searching the entire country. I would have assumed he had taken her as far away as possible." Brooks was surprised Andrew didn't flinch when he said Rebecca's name, but now wasn't the time to ask. Brooks looked at the surveys for this area again. The car came into view. There were about five people standing around it, waiting for orders. Andrew stopped and Brooks got out of the car. "There are fourteen structures in the twenty miles surrounding here," Brooks said. "I want everyone to start searching those first. Remember he is in some sort of basement, with electricity and indoor plumbing." As Brooks approached Zachary's car he was hit with a familiar smell. It was faint, but Brooks couldn't miss it. Helena. She was here. The vampire used Zachary's car to transport her. Brooks tried to follow the scent, but he only made it a few feet before it completely vanished. He had lost too much time. "What is it?" Andrew asked. "She was here," Brooks said. "Hand out her clothes." She was close. Brooks could feel it. The helpers had already shifted into their wolf form and took off running, following Brooks' instructions. Only Andrew remained behind. He was starting to take off his shirt. "I'm not shifting," Brooks said. "Why not?" Andrew asked. Almost all of their senses improved when they were in wolf form. Brooks walked back to the car and grabbed the dagger. He gripped the handle. "For two reasons," Brooks said. "First it would be impossible to hold onto this. Second I think she's close by. This guy might be careless, but he plans things out. Wherever he is I have a feeling it would be easy for a wolf to skip over it. I am taking your advice and thinking like he would. He knew we would look for her. If you were trying to hide her what would you do?" "Somewhere off the grid," Andrew said. "Not on any maps." "But he would have had to find it," Brooks said. "What could he have been doing that would have let him stumble upon this place? We know from the video it's not decorated. He hasn't been there long, it's not his true home, but there is a source of electricity or else the camera would have died." "Maybe he was trying to bury a body," Andrew said. Brooks looked the ground. He couldn't think of a better reason for a vampire to come out to the middle of the woods. "I want you to head west," Brooks said. "Go a mile and then circle north. Keep your eyes on the ground and look for anything that seems out of ordinary. Alert me if you find anything." Andrew left and Brooks started heading in the opposite direction. There was nothing to focus on but the ground, and so far nothing was unusual. He searched for about a half an hour, hoping he would pick up Helena's scent or something that told him he was on the right path, but so far it was nothing but twigs and leafs. Brooks noticed something odd. About a hundred feet in front of him was a pile of leafs. He didn't know anyone who would come to the forest to rake. The area next to the pile had a few more leafs scattered around. Brooks bent down and picked one up. It stuck for a moment before peeling off the ground. Brooks looked down and ran his hand over the area. The few leafs that were scattered were all stuck. It was like they were glued to the ground. Brooks rubbed a little harder. The ground wasn't dirt, it was cement. Brooks felt around the edges. He pulled at a corner. It was heavy, but it shifted. Brooks continued to pull and the lid slid a little further. The second the air was exposed Brooks was taken back to his time at the motel room. The air flowing out was thick with the scent of his mate. All Is Fair Ch. 16 Helena's scent gave Brooks the motivation he needed. He pushed open the heavy cement slab and saw it led to a set of rickety stairs. Brooks stuck the silver dagger, still wrapped in the tshirt, down the back of his pants. He was about to run down when the direness of the situation hit him. Brooks always hated the mental link. His father encouraged him to try and stretch it, but it felt like such a violation. The only people he ever successfully conversed with were his parents. Right now that felt like a huge mistake. Brooks knew it was stupid to go in alone, but he wasn't about to waste any time. Closing his eyes, Brooks tried to focus. He took a deep breath and started to hone his internal monologue. I found her, Brooks thought. I'm in the woods, due east from Zachary's car. Please come. He shook his head, certain it didn't work. His heart was racing and images of Helena were flashing through his mind. Brooks started down the stairs, taking two at a time. When he hit the bottom of the stairs he stood on concrete. Everything was dark, but Brooks could make out the layout of the room. There were four doors, all of them were shut. Brooks focused on her scent and went to the door straight in front of him. It was locked. Brooks was about to try to break it down when he realized the lock was from the outside. He flipped the deadbolt and pushed the door open. There she was, looking almost peaceful lying on the bed. Brooks ran over to her. He brushed the hair away from her face and she didn't flinch. Happiness took over and for the first time in recent years Brooks felt like crying. He kissed her forehead and realized it was much more important to get her to safety than to deal with the vampire. Brooks went to lift her off the bed, but felt some resistance. He set her back down and saw a shackle was attached to her ankle. Brooks went to the chain and was hoping he could rip it off. Before he had the chance to try a hand was on his shoulder. Brooks was not anticipating the action and was pulled away, slamming into the far wall. The wind was knocked out of him and he was gasping for breath. "Clever dog," Victor said. Brooks started to stand up, but felt a hand around his neck, lifting him in the air. He knew the vampire could beat him on brute strength and Brooks needed to think fast. He put his hands against the wall and brought his knees to his chest, using all his force to shove them in the vampire's chest. It worked and Brooks was released. He dropped to the floor and ran out into the main rooming, wanting to draw any risk of violence away from Helena. Even in the darkness Brooks spotted the light switch. He turned it on and light flooded the room, giving Brooks a second while the vampire was adjusting. Brooks threw a fist and connected with Victor's face. He fell to the ground and Brooks started the kick him. It didn't take long for Victor to grab ahold of his foot and flip Brooks down on his back. Brooks was on the ground looking up at the monster. "That wasn't very nice," Victor said. The vampire darted away with speed, but Brooks stuck his foot out tripping his enemy. At the speed he was traveling Victor flew across the main room and into the second door. With the lights on Brooks could see an unconscious Zachary dangling from the ceiling. Brooks hoisted himself up and spotted a bottle on the table. Victor was already standing, starring at him. Brooks reached for his weapon, but not before Victor tackled him into the table. Brooks got the bottle and smashed it over the vampire's head. The bottle did little to detour Victor. He had his hands around Brooks' throat and was starting to hit him in the face repeatedly. "I could snap your neck and end this right now," Victor said. "But you have royally pissed me off." Brooks was seeing red. He was sure it was from the blood dripping down his forehead. He continued to throw his hands forward. Randomly making contact with Victor and blocking some of his punches, but nothing was slowing the vampire down. Brooks would never give up. He felt a burning sensation on his back and remembered the dagger. Brooks tried to reach around himself and grab it, but without attempting to defend himself, Victor's onslaught was too much. Brooks knew he was going to lose consciousness soon. With a stroke of luck Brooks heard a growl. He watched as a wolf jumped up on Victor's back, biting him in the throat. Victor dropped Brooks to the floor and went after the wolf. Brooks took in a giant breath and reached behind him, pulling the knife out. He heard a whimper and then Victor turned back around. Brooks lost his element of surprise. Victor let out a loud laugh. "You do realize that can cause more damage to you than to me?" Victor asked. Brooks stood up and increased his grip on the dagger. With a flash he felt Victor grabbing onto his wrist. Brooks tried to resist the movement, but Victor was too strong. Brooks couldn't release the knife and Victor forced it into Brooks' stomach. He could feel the knife sliding into him with a mix of burning and stabbing. The pain caused Brooks to let out the most inhumane sound he had ever heard. Suddenly Brooks hand was free again. He landed back on the floor. He starred at the danger poking out of him, knowing he need to remove it he yanked it out. The sensation was almost as painful as the initial stabbing. There were more wolves invading the space. Brooks could barely stand up, but he could see with each wolf Victor tossed away another was on top of him. Brooks used his last ounce of strength and ran at the vampire. With one swinging motion Brooks brought the dagger down, hitting Victor at the neck. His head sliced off like butter. Brooks wasn't certain it was over, but before Victor's body hit the ground it transformed into dust. All of the wolves stopped moving and stared at him. Brooks dropped the dagger. "Find the key," Brooks yelled. He ran back to Helena's side. He kissed her on the lips, when he pulled back her face was decorated with his blood. "It's over," Brooks said. "You're safe." Brooks wouldn't look away from her. A pack member realized what Brooks was after and the chain on her ankle was undone. Even though Brooks could barely stand on his own he summoned his strength and picked her up. "I can do that for you," a pack member said. "No," Brooks said. He walked with a limp and could only see out of one eye, but managed to bring them back into the sunshine. Helena was safe. Brooks had won. He pulled her body closer to his and walked slowly though the woods. More wolves were arriving. They saw Brooks and stopped, shifting back into their human forms. They bowed their heads, but Brooks didn't have any directions for them. His world only consisted of Helena at the moment. He ignored the pain and walked the entire way to the car, certain a trail of people were behind him. When he made it to the vehicle Brooks climbed into the back seat. He would not release Helena, but closed his eyes having met his destination. Someone jumped in the driver's seat. Brooks heard the engine turn over and the car start to move. He looked at the woman in his arms. "It's all over," Brooks repeated. "You're safe." Brooks had made it as far as he could. The pain from the stab wound became overwhelming and he slumped over in the backseat, giving in to the darkness. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~* The constant beeping woke Brooks up. His eyelids were so heavy it hurt to lift them. The room came into focus and he realized he was in the clinic. Helena. She was safe. Brooks started to sit up. He felt a hand on his arm. "Easy," Hugh said. Brooks turned to look at his father. "Helena," Brooks said. "She's in the next room," Hugh said. "Worry about yourself for once. Are you alright? How are you feeling?" "Like I stuck my head in a blender," Brooks said. "It was brave to go in there by yourself," Hugh said. "But very stupid." Brooks watched as the corners of his fathers' lips went into a smile. "How is she?" Brooks asked. "I don't know how you found that place. It wasn't on any map, some crazy man thought the world was going to end and built a super bunker. It was completely off the grid." "Is she awake?" Brooks asked. Hugh shook his head. "I want to see her," Brooks said. He started to sit up again. "Be careful," Hugh said. "You were stabbed with a silver dagger. You're lucky you're alive. All three of the doctors had to preform your surgery to make sure they got the area clean before the infection spread. Your brother and your sisters are here. They want to see you." "Surgery?" Brooks asked. "How long was I out for?" "Five days," Hugh said. "Your healing abilities finally kicked in last night. You were pretty touch and go. Wayne thinks you will be good to move around tomorrow." "That means I will be fine for the full moon?" Brooks asked. "It's tomorrow night?" Hugh nodded. "Andrew took a pretty big hit too," Hugh said. "But he's already up and moving. Zachary is going to make a full recovery too." Brooks was pleased everyone was going to survive. He would make sure to thank them. But right now he had a one track mind. "Helena still wants to change right?" Brooks watched his father frown. "She's not awake," Hugh said. "What do you mean?" Brooks asked. "She woke up after five days the last time." "Maybe a second bite is different," Hugh said. "The marks on her neck healed, but she hasn't moved." "I want to see her," Brooks said. "There's more," Hugh said. "The doctors aren't sure she will wake up at all. Her blood levels were so low... it put a lot of strain on her internal organs." "Did they do anything for her?" Brooks asked. "Give her a blood transfusion?' "That was the first thing they did," Hugh said. "But the damage was done. Her heart was going in overtime. If...and it's a big if she wakes up she may have brain damage and is likely going to be in a lot of pain." "Brain damage?" Brooks asked. "They're not certain," Hugh said. Brooks started to stand up again. "Let me get you a wheelchair," Hugh said. "Then I will take you to see her." Brooks would not accept this diagnosis. If her brain were gone he would feel it. She was his mate, his world. She had to live, Brooks would not accept any other outcome. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The day went on and Brooks refused any visitors. He sat alone at Helena's bedside, willing her to wake up. The steady beep on her heart monitor reminded him she still lived. "Please wake up," Brooks said. He leaned over her bed and kissed her hand that he held in his own. Brooks was certain the sun had set. Making it ten days since she left the bedroom. He played the night over and over in his head, finally giving in to his grief. "I love you so much," Brooks said. "I am so sorry I let you down." With those words her heart monitor sped up, only a fraction of a second, but enough to give Brooks hope. "Please," Brooks said. "I will never leave your side again if you just wake up." Helena's lips parted and she let out a whimper. Brooks squeezed her hand. He stood up from his chair and used his other hand to brush the hair away from her face. His heart was racing. "I need you," Brooks said. "Please wake up." He studied her eyes, they started to move. Another groan escaped her pale lips and Brooks watched as her eyes struggled to open. He brought her hand up to his mouth and started to kiss her fingers. "What...happened?" Helena asked. Tears started streaming out the corner of her eyes. "The vampire's dead," Brooks said. "You're safe." He couldn't think of a time he had been happier. He continued to kiss her hand. "Rebecca," Helena said with struggling breath. "Get Andrew away from..." "Shhh," Brooks said. "We know." It wasn't surprising that Helena's first words were about another person's welfare. "I'm so sorry," Helena said. "Don't apologize you stupid girl," Brooks said. She tried to move her mouth into a smile, but Brooks could see how hard it was. "I love you," Helena said. "But I'm dying." "Don't say that," Brooks said. He realized she might need medical attention more than she needed him right now. "She's awake," Brooks yelled. "It's okay," Helena said. "You showed me what a life could be. I want you to move on." "Stop," Brooks said. "It hurts," Helena said. Wayne and Melanie came in the room. They started checking Helena's vitals. "It's too hard," Helena said. "No," Brooks said. "Don't you give up." "I love you," Helena said. "One more night," Brooks said. "I need you to hold on for one more night." Helena's eyes rolled up in the back of her head and her machines started going crazy with noises. Brooks felt like he was out of his body watching as her back started to arch and her body started to seize. The doctors were rushing around her, but Brooks wouldn't let go of her hand. "You can do it," Brooks said. "One more night." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena woke up. Her hair was styled in a long braid that wrapped around the front of her. She looked down and saw she was wearing a white summer dress. Helena took in her surroundings. It was daylight and she fell asleep in the grass. She stood up and spotted her home. It had been so long since Helena had seen the small farmhouse she had to bring her hand to her mouth before she shrieked in the joy that the familiarity brought her. Helena took off running and went straight in the front door. "Mom?" Helena yelled. "Dad?" "In here," her mother yelled from the kitchen. Helena took off running. She saw her parents sitting at the kitchen table and almost tackled both of them with hugs and kisses. "Have a seat dear," her mom said. Helena had never known her mother to show affection, even the simple phrase of dear warmed her heart. "Where have you been?" Helena asked. "We're in a good place," Helena's father said. "We want to apologize though," Helena's mother said. "We did the best we could, but I saw some of the signs and ignored them." "What are you talking about?" Helena asked. Before they could answer Helena knew who they were talking about, Rebecca. "We should have taken you away when you were younger," Helena's father said. "We tried too hard to shield you from everything, maybe we should have kept you informed." Flashes of Helena's childhood came to her mind. Times she had forgot about. There were nights of silent prayers, but most of her nights were spent indoors, playing games with her parents, laughing, and running around the house. She tried to remember an instance of abuse, and none came to her. "How could I have remembered those times so wrong?" "When we were taken from you, you were so young," her mother said. "Too impressionable. Just know now that we loved you with all our hearts." Helena's parents stood up from the table. "Wait," Helena said. "Don't leave. Where are you going?" "It's my turn to talk with you," Abe said. Helena spun her head around. She was no longer in her parent's farmhouse. Now she was sitting on the couch at Abe's. He walked over to her and took a seat in the familiar chair. Helena looked around, this place was exactly as she remembered. "I hate to echo your parent's sentiments," Abe said. "But I could not be more proud of you. You saved three whole human years and a lifetime of hating yourself. I wish I was as strong as you." "I owe you an apology," Helena said. "I should have never believed you when you said you killed my..." "I want to thank you," Abe interrupted. "You gave me the freedom I so desperately wanted and was unable to take myself. Don't worry a bit about me. I'm good." "Victor," Helena said. "He said some things about my bloodline?" "I am your great times a million granduncle," Abe said. Helena laughed. She never would have thought that possible, with her fair skin and light eyes they could not look more different. "I miss you," Helena said. "Don't," Abe said. "Remember me, but don't miss me." He gave a smile and then stood up from his chair. "Please don't leave me," Helena said. "If he doesn't then I can't come to you," a new voice said. Helena turned around and the scenery changed. She was back in the meadow she woke up in. A stranger stood in front of her. He was an older man, maybe about fifty. "Who are you?" "If Abe is your great times a millions granduncle then I am your great times a billions grandfather," the man said. "You can call me Cole." Helena tilted her head to the side. "I want to show you something," Cole said. "I think you deserve an explanation." Helena walked over to Cole. He waved his hand and a scene started playing out before her. There was a pregnant woman. She was screaming. Cole was pacing back and forth, he was much younger but Helena could still tell it was him. The woman was not in good shape. It looked liked they were in some sort of cave. Helena saw neither of them was in any sort of modern dress. It was like watching a diorama at a natural history museum. The women let out a loud scream and Cole bolted from the cave. He looked up at the night sky and started screaming. "I will give you anything," Cole said. "Just spare their lives." A figure appeared behind Cole. He looked like a walking flame. Helena gasped and brought her hand to her mouth. She was sure Cole was about to die. "Anything?" The thing asked. "To save your family?" "Anything," Cole said. "I can't save them," the thing said. "But I can give you the power to do so." A blue orb appeared in front of the monster. "What can I do with that?" Cole asked. "It will give you power. Power that will carry down from generation to generation," the thing said. "Please," Cole said. "Man is new on this plane," the thing said. "But may exist a long time. This may appear as a gift, but will continue as a punishment for your generations that follow." "What do you mean?" Cole asked. "I'm not unreasonable," the thing said. "I will give you this gift, but it comes with a price tag. For however many lives you save tonight I get to take those who end the same amount, regardless on the reason." "Yes," Cole screamed. "Yes." The blue orb flung forward at Cole. Helena watched it absorb into this skin, but a thin blue aura hung back. He ran back inside and touched the woman's forehead. She started too look better. "The baby is coming," she said. It seemed to flash forward to Cole sitting next to the woman, with twin children sitting on their laps. All of them were smiling. Cole moved his hand and the vision vanished. "The rule of three?" Helena asked. "That is how this all began," Cole said. "You have no idea how many of your ancestors I have shown this too over the years. Most of them end up with him though, it seems my decision tainted our blood. If there are any positive, at least our number have been kept low. Most die before they get the chance to reproduce. There is only one person left on Earth that you are related to by blood." "My sister..." "She is the first who managed to trick the fire demon. Apparently turning into a wolf altered her DNA," Cole said. "Don't think DNA has anything to do with her choices though. She had the powers and picked the dark path. Many others have kept them for good. It is you who had the unfortunate circumstance of being a side effect of the deal." "Immune to magic?" Helena asked. "Knowing everything I know now I would still make the same choice," Cole said. "I know that's selfish, but I love every member of my family." "Why am I here?" Helena asked. "I think you know the answer," Cole said. Helena gulped. She remembered lying in the bed in the clinic, speaking to Brooks. This was the end of her journey. All Is Fair Ch. 16 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sleep depravation was nothing new to Brooks and he never left Helena's side. The Doctors got her stable again, but the prognosis wasn't good. Brooks had told her to hang on and was certain she would. He knew it was time, he could feel it even without a window. The sun was starting to set. To a human it would have been difficult to tell Brooks was in life saving surgery recently. His whole body was almost completely healed. He unhooked Helena's machines and picked her up from the bed. Her body drooped in his arms. Brooks was certain he past others during his walk, but paid them no attention. He made it to the front of the lodge and the warm air refreshed him as he walked outside. Brooks started walking to the spot he wanted to take Helena to the first night he saw her. He walked through the woods until he came to the clearing. In the middle was a large rock, more than big enough for her tiny body. The sun was down and Brooks looked up at the moon, hoping it would help him with the process. He laid her down on the rock. She was so still it was hard to tell if she was breathing. Brooks took off his shirt and climbed on top of her. He pulled the scalpel from his back pocket. "It wasn't supposed to be like this," Brooks said. "But it will work. We will see each other soon." Brooks leaned down and gave her a kiss. He went back to his position and slammed the scalpel into his chest, ignoring the pain he dragged it down, making sure he had nicked his heart. It was more difficult to stab Helena, but she didn't flinch when the small knife cut her chest. Brooks leaned closer towards her, making sure his heart bled onto hers. Every time the ceremony had been described to Brooks it sounded more sensual, where the act was done in the middle of mating and neither party felt any pain. He couldn't help himself and leaned further down, kissing her unresponsive mouth. The moonlight hit his back and Brooks could feel the energy running through him. A chill went up his center. When it reached his chest he felt the wound he had just inflicted close. He glanced down and watched as a light slid up Helena's chest, sealing hers. Brook watched her face, expecting some response. There was none. He climbed off of her and sat next to the rock, kissing her shoulder, willing her to wake up. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "I'm scared," Helena said. "Of what?" Cole asked. Helena didn't know what to say. "Living or dying?" Cole asked. Helena's eyes widened. "All your loved ones can't wait to see you," Cole said. "Come on." "Brooks," Helena said. Cole stopped walking and turned back to her. "Do you want to go back to him?" Cole asked. Helena nodded. "Interesting," Cole said. "Either way the curse on our bloodline ends. It might be nice to know some of my ancestors are still on Earth. But are you really willing? To go back and live? It would be a waste if you kept on the way you have been." "I want to be with him," Helena said. "I need more than that," Cole said. "What do you really want?" "I want...to travel, to meet other people, to go outside in the dark, to make a difference, not matter how small," Helena said. "I want to live." Cole cracked a smile. He walked up to Helena and wrapped his arms around her. "Then go live," he said. There was a blinding light and Helena felt her whole world vanish for the fifth time in her life. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~**~*~*~*~*~* A hand touched Brooks shoulder. He spun around to see his mother and father standing behind him. Brooks stood up. The entire pack surrounded the clearing. "I think we should go back inside," Hugh said. Brooks looked down at Helena. It had been hours and she hadn't moved a muscle. Even though Brooks didn't think it was possible her breathing had gone even shallower. Brooks didn't feel like he was standing up straight. He didn't know what to do, and finally felt the hopelessness sink in. "Let me say goodbye," Brooks said. His parents nodded and stepped back. Brooks leaned over Helena, he felt his one lock of hair hand over his forehead. "I tried so hard," Brooks said. "And I love you so much. There will never be another one for me, but we will be together again. I promise you that." He ran his hand down her face and bent down to kiss her, one last time. Brooks stood back up and tried his hardest to hold in his tears. He let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding and started to turn around. Brooks didn't even make it one step when he felt a hand reach up and grip on to his wrist. ~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Thank you for reading my story! I hope that you enjoyed it :) This may be the end for now, but I definitely have an epilogue. I would like to hear some of your thoughts before I publish that though, I want to make sure there are no loose ends! All Is Fair Ch. 17 A large breath escaped Helena's chest and she shot up in bed. Her body felt like fire was making its way through her veins. She started the claw down her arms, pulling away the wires that were sticking into her. Something smelled strong, the fire sense dulled in comparison to the scent. Helena's eyes ran across the room searching for it. Everything was clear, the colors were more intense. She forgot about the scent and started zoning in on the blue wall. She'd never seen anything so beautiful before. A hand touched her shoulder. Helena whipped her head and starred at the hand. The fingers lightly touching her sent a new wave of sensation through her. It was as if she could feel each line in the hand's fingerprints in great detail. "It's okay," Brooks said. Helena followed the hand on her shoulder up to its owner. There stood Brooks, one piece of black hair hanging over his forehead. Helena forgot everything. She didn't know why she was in this bed, or what she was doing ten seconds ago. The only thing that mattered was Brooks. She brought her arms up and around his shoulders, unsure if she was trying to use him to pull her up and force him to come down to her. Helena smashed her lips against his. She could tell Brooks was reluctant to join her, trying to keep his mouth closed and turn his head. "Wait," he said. "How are you feeling?" "Amazing," she said. Helena pulled her face back and looked him in the eyes. He starred back at her and she watched as his blue orbs started to morph into an amber color. Helena had never seen them go that shade. His mouth broke into a smile and he pounced on top of her, pushing her back into the bed. He reached towards the center and ripped whatever Helena had been wearing to shreds, pulling the pieces off of her body. Their mouths locked again and Helena moved her hands towards his waist. She found the string for his pants and pulled the tie before pushing them back over his rear. She felt his cock spring forward and wrapped her hands around it. Helena spread her legs and bent her knees lining him up for entry. Brooks didn't hesitate and pushed into her. She broke away from their kiss and let out a gasp. He moved down to kissing her neck and kept a constant pace, pulling almost completely out of her and then ramming back into her. Helena arched her back, not sure if she wanted him to slow down or speed up. With each reentry more of her juices started to flow until she no longer cared how hard he was moving. Helena moved her hands to his back, but he let out a low growl and looked up from her neck. The amber in his eyes was starting to turn red. Brooks grabbed her wrist and pinned it down to the bed, never stopping his thrusts. A new feeling was rising in Helena, one she had never felt before. It was almost as if another creature was living inside of her, recognizing Brooks' wolf. It was urging her to turn over the reins and completely submit to Brooks. Before Helena could comprehend what any of this meant she felt a coil in her stomach start to develop. She was close. The feeling inside her was overpowering. She wanted to orgasm so badly, but for some reason she knew it wouldn't happen unless she gave in completely to Brooks. Helena realized she wanted to. She let her body relax and looked back at him, with one look she let him know he was in control. Helena was absolutely his. The red in his eyes started to fade back to amber. He bent his head down and started kissing her again. The second his tongue entered her mouth Helena through her head back, as the explosion overtook her body. She had never felt anything like this before. Brooks continued to move in and out of her and it felt like with each stroke her orgasm extended. Helena tried to hold onto the pleasure, but soon she couldn't process it any longer and unconsciousness took over. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena's eyes opened. This time she was in a room with some familiarity. It was Brooks' room. She lifted her head from the pillow and saw she was still nude, clutching the blanket to her body. The same fire she felt last time started returning and Helena was sure the overload of her senses was about to follow. "You're awake," Brooks said. She turned her head to see him sitting on the bed next to her, wearing the same draw string pants as before. He reached out and touched her cheek. His hand felt like heaven on her face and she rolled into him, wanting to feel every bit of his touch. "I need you to listen to me," Brooks said. Helena looked up at him. His mouth was moving, but she kept examining his teeth, they were so white and she couldn't see a single chip or imperfection. She had never noticed before. Hey, a voice in her head said. Please try and pay attention. I really hate doing this. Helena's eyes went wide and she looked at Brooks. I am sure you have a lot of questions, Brooks said. I do too, but we have to address some things first. The mental link... Helena said in her head. Does that mean? "You're a wolf now," Brooks said. "And everything that you're feeling at the moment is because your wolf wants to come to the surface. I know it can be scary at first, but I am here for you. The longer you wait to pull her forward the more confused you are going to be. Now can you stand up?" "I don't have any clothes on," Helena said. "It's just me in here," Brooks said. He climbed off the bed and stood next to her, holding his hand down. Helena was so confused, she didn't remember going through a change. The last thing she remembered was waking up in a strange bed with Brooks leaning over her. She tried to think further back, but her mind felt so clouded. "Trust me," Brooks said. "You need to let your wolf out. Then things will become clearer." Helena took his hand and stood up next to him. The carpet felt amazing under her feet. She squeezed the fibers between her toes. Focus, Brooks said. Helena snapped her head back up at him. "I know you can feel your wolf," Brooks said. "All you have to do is call her to the surface." "All I can focus on is the carpet," Helena said. "And the walls...did you repaint in here? Did I repaint in here?" "Close your eyes," Brooks said. Helena couldn't tear herself away from studying the walls. She didn't remember them looking so bright. CLOSE. YOUR. EYES, Brooks said. Part of Helena wanted to whimper. She shut her lids. As if it were in stride with shutting off one of her senses Helena felt a whole new one. It was the same part that just wanted to whimper. Helena let herself melt into the sense and her body went numb. There were no more walls or carpeting to focus on, just harnessing this new power. Open your eyes, Brooks said. Helena let them open and saw she was staring at Brooks' shin. He bent down and looked at her, his eyes taking in all of her body. Helena saw they were glowing amber again. "Beautiful," Brooks said. "I'm going to open the door and we are going to go outside and run together." Helena went to respond, but found her voice was missing. Panic started to kick in. Keep calm, Brooks said. He pulled open the door to the bedroom and Helena watched as he changed in an instance. The familiar black wolf was in front of her. He walked over and nuzzled his head against Helena. All her nerves vanished and she wanted nothing more than to follow him outside. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Helena opened her eyes again. She was in the same soft bed she had grown to love, but this time her entire body felt sore, as if muscles she didn't know she had were overworked. She reached up and touched her hair, it was wet. A hand started rubbing her back and Helena turned around to see Brooks, sitting up in bed next to her. "How are you feeling?" Brooks asked. A rush of information flooded Helena's mind. She remembered leaving Brooks to save Rebecca, ending up in Victor's basement, waking up in the hospital bed and the look in Brooks' eyes as he railed into her. Then last night, running through the woods and experiencing things she never felt possible. Helena was overwhelmed with memories of pleasure, pain, betrayal, and freedom. But above all one emotion stuck out. Guilt. She let out a sob. "I can't believe I did that to you," Helena said. "It was cruel." "You did what you thought was best," Brooks said. "No I didn't," Helena said. "I knew it was stupid. Part of me knew Rebecca was lying. I should have come to you." "You're safe now," Brooks said. "That's all that matters." Helena let out another choked sob. Her actions not only endangered herself and Brooks, but the entire pack as well. That brought on a whole new set of feelings Helena didn't even know she had. "It's because you're an alpha now," Brooks said. "You love them, even though you don't know most of them. " Helena wasn't so sure she liked how easy Brooks was walking around in her head. "I'm a sorry excuse for an Alpha," Helena said. "Nobody is upset with you." "I'm upset with myself." "You've done things pretty much on your own your entire life," Brooks said. "You reacted exactly as you should have. It is me who failed you. I knew something was wrong, but I let it go. I let you down." "No." Helena sat up on the bed. She stared at Brooks with large eyes and shook her head. "None of this is your fault. You saved me. What happened?" "It's old news," Brooks said. "I want to talk about the change. I can tell you melded with your wolf." "I want...need to hear all of it," Helena said. "Start at the beginning and don't leave out a single detail." Brooks reached out his arm and pulled Helena closer. He kissed the top of her head before filling her in on the details. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~**~*~*~**~* Brooks cradled Helena's sleeping form, content to do nothing but watch her chest rise and fall. She was his, he knew that, but wasn't sure if she was aware that he equally belonged to her. A knock came on the door and Brooks gently lifted her shoulders and climbed out from underneath her. He was not surprised to see his parents on the other side. "How is she doing?" Daphne asked. "Sleeping," Brooks said. "Ugh," Daphne said. "I don't miss that. Neither of you had to deal with it, but when you first turn its eighteen hours a day." "I loved every minute of it," Hugh said. Daphne gave him a punch in the side and Brooks watched as his father wrapped his arm around his mother and gave her a kiss on the head. "I was referring to watching you sleep," Hugh said. "It was when I understood how much we meant to each other." Daphne pulled Hugh's arm around her shoulders and gave his hand a kiss. Brooks rolled his eyes and looked away. "The last thing that girl needs is more sleep," Daphne said. Everyone went quiet for a moment. "Brooks," his mother said. "I'm sorry that we didn't trust you judgment. It was just that so much time had passed. We were prepared for the worst." "Helena's alive," Brooks said. "Don't think I don't know how lucky I am. That's all that matters." "What does she remember?" Hugh asked. "Not much," Brooks said. "She is struggling with guilt. She made it clear that the four of us need to have a sit down." "I think that sounds nice," Daphne said. "Will she be ready tomorrow?" "As soon as she wakes up," Brooks said. "But I don't want to push her on making any decisions. All of this is still so new for her. I want her to get settled." "I take it your wolves are getting along fine?" Brooks' father asked. "I didn't even know if the turn worked," Brooks said. "But when she woke up in the clinic she looked up at me and her eyes were amber. I recognized immediately what she needed...what I needed." Everyone went quiet again. Brooks was lost in the memory of the first time she woke up. He was overwhelmed with her presence, she looked so wild and raw. "When should we expect you tomorrow?" Hugh asked, breaking Brooks from his memory. "She just fell asleep an hour ago," Brooks said. "How long was she asleep for last night?" Daphne asked. "Sixteen hours," Brooks said. "Almost to the minute. She fell asleep while we were running. I had to carry her back to the house." "She's strong already," Daphne said. "Each night it will be less and less until her and her wolf get into a rhythm. I bet tonight it's down to twelve." "Do you want me to bring you any work?" Hugh asked. "Or a book maybe? Something to distract you while she sleeps?" Brooks shook his head. "She needs me right now," Brooks said. "This whole thing started because I didn't realize how true that was. Whether she's sleeping or awake all of my attention will be on her." Brooks saw his mother open her mouth, but instead of speaking she smiled and nodded her head. "Goodnight," Brooks said. His parents each leaned in and gave him a hug. Brooks closed the door, eager to return to his mate. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~* Helena shot up in bed. She was breathing heavy and looked around the room. Her body began to relax when she remembered where she was. She had expected to wake up in Victor's lair, chained to a bed. She felt arms wrap around her waist and pull her backwards, her back leaned against Brooks' chest. "You're safe," he said. "I need to get better about controlling that mind thing huh?" Helena asked. "It takes practice," Brooks said. "You're projecting a lot." Right now Helena didn't mind. She loved the way his arms felt wrapped around her. There was nothing in this world that could hurt her as long as Brooks was in her life. "How long was I asleep for?" Helena asked. "Fifteen hours," Brooks said. "Do you need more rest?" Helena shook her head. She turned to look at Brooks. "Can we meet with your parents?" Brooks nodded. Helena hadn't had many opportunities to apologize in her life, but she knew this was a situation where one was necessary. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "I can't believe I was that selfish," Helena said. "You tried to sacrifice yourself for two other people," Brooks' father said. "That's far from selfish." "Stop trying to make excuses for my behavior," Helena said. "Everything ended up alright, but members of the pack were injured, Brooks was injured. All because I forgot I wasn't alone anymore. There's no excuse." "We're just glad you're alright," Daphne said. "No one holds anything against you. In fact, everyone is eager to meet you." "I'd like that," Helena said. "And I'm sorry that the party was ruined. I know you worked really hard on it." "Not ruined," Daphne said. "Only postponed. Next full moon. Obviously you're already a wolf, but there's one more ceremony to go through." Brooks hadn't brought that up to Helena. She was still too fragile. "There is one matter we need to discuss though," Hugh said. Brooks looked at his father and let out a low growl. He pulled Helena closer to him on the couch, not wanting her to make any major decisions yet. "Anything," Helena said. "I think we should keep things light," Brooks said. Helena turned to look at him. "My wolf will submit to yours, but that doesn't mean I will," Helena said. "I am ready to start my life again...with you." "You've been through too much," Brooks said. "I want you to concentrate on the positives." "I can't," Helena said. "Until the mess is cleaned up." Brooks watched her look away and straight at his father. "It's about Rebecca isn't it?" "Yes," Daphne said. "She's still here, locked away, she can't hurt you. We want your input before deciding her fate." "Do you understand what she did?" Helena asked. "Tried to feed you to a vampire," Brooks said. "Not to me," Helena said. "To Andrew. She used a spell to make him believe he was her mate. She's an evil person, was an evil person. Now she's an evil wolf. She killed my parents." "I thought you said Abe killed your parents?" "I was wrong," Helena said. "Rebecca did. I don't know how I know that, she didn't confess to me, but suddenly I understand a lot about my background. She filled my head with fake memories of my parents. They didn't deserve that. Rebecca had powers, but they didn't work on me. She's so manipulative, and I was so naïve." Helena turned her head into Brooks' chest. He brought his arm down around her and glared at his parents. This was the last thing he wanted Helena to deal with. He started rubbing her back and pulled her in closer. She pushed away from him and looked up. She had choked back whatever tears were about to form and turned towards his parents. "What do you want to do with her?" Helena asked. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* On television solitary confinement never seemed that bad, but in actuality Rebecca was going crazy. She couldn't tell if it had been a few days or a few weeks. Her room had no windows and there was nothing to occupy her time but her own twisted thoughts. When the door to her "cell" finally opened Rebecca expected the Beta who greeted her to recoil from the smell. Instead he kept his head high. "Will," Rebecca said. "I should have guessed they would send you." "Don't make this harder on yourself," Will said. "The entire pack knows what you did. Follow me." Rebecca wanted to make a crack, but not as bad as she wanted out of the room. She followed him into the hall and up the steps. Once they made it to a part of the lodge she was familiar with she debated on making a run for it, but he was walking towards the front door anyway. Soon Rebecca could make out members of the pack. They were lining the hallways. All of them held their chins high and refused to make eye contact with her. She smiled, none of them were worth her time anyway. The sunlight worked its way in when they neared the front door. Rebecca focused on the light. She couldn't wait until the fresh air hit her lungs. When they made it outside there was a car parked out front. Standing next to it were Brooks, Daphne, and Hugh. Rebecca's smile grew larger. Her little sister didn't survive, or else she would be standing with the pack alphas. Rebecca decided a few days ago she didn't need to worry about death since the Alphas were too weak to carry out that punishment. She knew the car was for her. She was being banished, but that meant finding Victor. He did promise to help her retrieve her powers and that would be better than spending another second amongst this pack. "Sorry about Helena," Rebecca said stopping right in front of Brooks. "She's safe," Brooks said. "Happy and healthy." "You're lying," Rebecca said. "Your vampire friend is the one who is dead," Daphne said. Rebecca didn't want her distress to show. She snickered. "Then why isn't Helena here?" Rebecca asked. "Because she never wants to see you again," Brooks said. "And we respected her wish." "Rebecca Long, you are banished from the Benson pack," Hugh said. "You're transgressions have been reported to every other pack. You are not welcome there either. If you ever try to join or create a new pack you will be put down. If you harm a human you will be put down. You are to spend the rest of your days alone." "Banishment?" Rebecca asked. "You think that's a real punishment. I hate all of you." When the mate bond she faked with Andrew was broken nights ago Rebecca realized that wasn't what was keeping the fireman away. If she had known that she would have broken the bond and started out on her own years ago. She scanned the crowd, Andrew didn't even show up. "Here," Daphne said. She tossed a baggie at Rebecca. Rebecca lifted up the small plastic bag. "I know they grew back," Daphne said. "But I thought you might want your original teeth." "All of you are weak," Rebecca said. "The newest addition to your Alphas being the worst. Good luck surviving with this leadership." All Is Fair Ch. 17 She walked up to the car and slid into the driver's seat. Rebecca felt freer with each passing second. If Victor thought there was a way to get her power back Rebecca would find it without him. That was what she wanted anyway. She hit the acceleration and drove off the pack grounds. It didn't matter that she didn't have any money or a place to go, she was finally free of the Benson pack and ready to live her life again. Rebecca's mind wondered when she turned down the main road. She decided to drive until the gas tank was almost empty. She fantasized about her new life. The memory of her powers was giving her an almost euphoric feeling. Rebecca was so distracted she almost didn't see the car ahead. It was parked sideways, blocking both lanes along the forest road. Rebecca slowed down. As she drew closer she recognized Andrew, leaning back against the vehicle. This was unexpected. Rebecca put her car into park and stepped out. "What are you doing?" Rebecca asked. "I just wanted to say goodbye," Andrew said. Rebecca slammed the door to her vehicle and walked up to him. He stayed propped up on his car with his arms behind him, leaning against the hood. "Do you think you deserve some answers?" Rebecca asked. "Is that what this is about?" He laughed. Rebecca walked closer towards him. "I hope you realize I never had a wolf," Rebecca said. "Everything I told you about the way she felt was a lie. It was just me the entire time." "I know," Andrew said. "You were never meant to be one of us." He kept a stupid grin on his face. Rebecca found it excruciating. She wanted to wipe it away. "All those nights you thought I was pining away for you were a lie," Rebecca said. "I never loved you, never cared about you, never wanted to carry your children." Rebecca's words only seemed to make his smile grow larger. "Why are you smiling?" Rebecca asked. "Because I get to see your face," Andrew said. "Are you that pathetic that you still can't tell I don't love you?" Rebecca asked. All of a sudden there was a sharp pain in her gut. Rebecca looked down to see a sharp silver blade sticking in front of her. The pain started to burn. Rebecca gasped for breath and tried to turn around, whoever held the blade moved with her. Suddenly the blade was yanked free. Rebecca felt like her insides were on fire. She couldn't take it and fell down on her back. Rebecca looked up and saw Helena leaning over her. She had the silver dagger in her hand. Helena's eyes were the same crystal blue. She tilted her head as she looked down. Rebecca started to gag, feeling the blood force its way out of her throat. "Whose the weak one now?" Helena asked. Rebecca let her head drop. She clutched on to the wound. It hurt, but wouldn't kill her if she got to a doctor before the silver spread. "I'm sorry," Rebecca said. "Please get me to a doctor. You don't want my blood on your hands." Helena looked away. She was starring at Andrew. "Do you want the final blow?" Helena asked. "She's all yours," Andrew said. Helena changed her grip on the dagger so it was pointing down. Rebecca tried to raise her arms in protest, but releasing the pressure from her gut hurt too much. Helena paused. Rebecca watched Brooks walk next to her. Now both of them looked down at Rebecca. "Do you want me to..." Brooks said. "No," Helena said. "I can do this." "Stop her," Rebecca said. "You're the Alpha. I'm a wolf." "Goodbye Rebecca," Helena said. Rebecca tried to let out a scream when she saw her sister lift the dagger, but before the noise could leave her mouth Rebecca spotted the man made of fire standing right behind Helena. Rebecca felt the knife slide into her heart. Immediately the feeling of flames took over. ~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~~**~*~ I know I said that Ch 16 was the last one and then an epilogue, but I realize I need at least one more chapter to close everything up, so expect another one! Again thank you for checking this story out and all of your comments. All Is Fair Ch. 18 This is the final installment of "All is Fair" and sort of a set up for my next story. Thank you everyone for reading and I hope you enjoy! ***** The room was filled with strangers, but Helena had never felt more at home. Her red dress clung to her body in a way that made her appear much more filled out than she was. Brooks twirled her around the dance floor leading her through dances she wasn't familiar with. She appreciated the way he managed to make it look like she knew what she was doing. His eyes glanced away from hers and she felt a sting. Everyone kept telling Helena this night was all about her, but part of it was about Brooks too. He was her mate, and since the transformation she had become more and more aware of the fact that it was in his nature to want the best for the Benson pack. Being surrounded by the Alphas of the neighboring packs made him want to discuss business, but instead he was stuck with her. Tonight would be easier if she was still human and not so in-tune with this fact. "So who is the man with the blue shirt?" Helena asked. Brooks responded with a low growl, one Helena wouldn't have been able to hear a few weeks ago. He was still a little territorial over her. It was a little annoying and something she hoped the mating ceremony would wipe away. She wanted to comfort him again, tell him that he had nothing to worry about but he already started to answer. "Jack," Brooks said. "He's the Alpha of the Gommel pack. They're in the Dakotas. We don't see him very often." "Do you want to talk to him?" "Tonight is all about you," Brooks said. Helena stopped dancing. She grabbed Brooks' hand and led him off of the dance floor. "I know you," Helena said. "If there is something you need to talk with him about I will be fine." "No," Brooks said. "It's our mating ceremony tonight. You are my number one priority." "And you are mine," Helena said. "You've managed to keep me completely in the dark about what happens during the ceremonial part of tonight, but for right now I can tell how nervous you are. Go talk to him. We have the rest of our lives together." Helena brought her hand up and touched Brooks' cheek. He dipped his head into her touch. She knew he was teetering on accepting her request. Helena's eyes glanced around the room. She spotted Andrew leaning against the wall. "I want to speak with Andrew anyway," Helena said. Brooks looked away from her. She knew he was looking for his Beta. "I haven't had the chance to speak with him one-on-one since Rebecca," Helena said. Saying her sister's name still made Helena's tongue burn. She knew killing Rebecca was the right thing, but it wasn't an event Helena liked focusing on. "Do you want me to come with you?" Brooks asked. "I want the exact opposite," Helena said. "What time is it?" "A little after eleven," Helena said. "The official ceremony starts at midnight," Brooks said. "We have forty five minutes," Helena said. "Trust me, I will be fine. I think I could use some time with a familiar face." "Don't leave Andrew's side?" Brooks asked. "I promise," Helena said. She wanted to tell Brooks he was being silly. They were surrounded by friends and family, but Helena was still making up for abandoning him. After everything they had been through she knew that was her biggest mistake. If only she had let him know she was going after a vampire by herself none of the anguish she had caused would have happened. Brooks would have helped her. Helena went on her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. She was surprised when he dropped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer, deepening their connection. She returned his passion and the entire ballroom erupted in applause. "Cool it till Midnight you two!" someone from the crowd yelled. Brooks pulled away first and Helena started to blush. He turned around and signaled for the crowd to die down. The whole room returned to what they were doing and Helena was in awe at Brooks' ability to control them. "Go," Helena said. "I won't be far." Brooks picked up her hand and gave it a kiss before walking away. She turned around and saw Andrew was still in the same spot. Helena made a beeline to him. "Having a good time?" Helena asked. "It's the perfect party," Andrew responded. "That's not what I asked." "Sorry," Andrew said. "I'm just a Beta, but I can't help drawing comparisons to my mating ceremony. I remember what I was feeling, how excited I was." "Rebecca wasn't your real mate," Helena said. "She tricked you. Someday you will have that feeling again, only this time it will be real." Andrew leaned back against the wall. He put on a smile, but Helena knew it was forced. "Do you miss her?" Andrew asked. "I miss the idea of her," Helena said. "I was alone for so long. I missed having a family, but I have one here now. " "Exactly," Andrew said. "What do you mean?" Helena asked. "I had a mate," Andrew said. "It was fake, but I had a feeling. I can't describe it, I'm sure it's what you feel with Brooks. Now Rebecca's gone and there is a hole. I would do anything to fill it, but I can't force my mate to find me. It's terrible and I can't stop thinking about it." "You'll find..." "My true mate," Andrew finished. "Someday, but it could take another hundred years. I need something to occupy my time until then." Helena watched as his brown eyes narrowed. They normally were warm and caring, but it seemed they had darkened and grown cold. He wasn't a man contemplating something. Andrew was a man with a plan. "What are you thinking?" Helena asked. "Madame Alpha," Andrew said. "Don't ask me questions I can't answer." Helena was even more intrigued. She knew better than to dive right in though. "Then ask me a question," Helena said. "I promised Brooks I wouldn't leave your side." "Are you enjoying your party?" "No." "Why not?" "I don't deserve this," Helena said. "After everything I put the pack through. My decisions risked their lives. Yours included." "Spoken like a true Alpha," Andrew said. "Putting others above yourself. You weren't a wolf when you went after the vampire. There is no way you could have thought this way." That wasn't the response Helena was after. "I don't have the same inkling as Brooks," Helena said. "I am supposed to mingle with all these wolves. Meet the other packs, but my mind is somewhere else. I'm not even nervous about the mating ceremony, and I should be since I have no clue what it is." "I'll tell you what it is," Andrew said. "If you really want to know." Helena paused before responding. Part of her wanted him to tell her every detail, but she knew Brooks wanted it as a surprise. She leaned against the wall next to Andrew, crossing her arms over her chest in the process. "Why is everyone leaving me alone?" Helena asked. "I'm the newbie, the mate of the next-in-line Alpha. Why aren't I being swarmed with questions?" "Brooks told them to let you relax? That's my best guess," Andrew said. "I've been to two of these before. The "bride" is always the center of attention. Are you upset with your lack of attention?" "No," Helena said. She spotted Brooks in the middle of a huddle of men. His back was towards her. "Tell me," Helena said. "What is going to happen in half an hour?" "The two of you will cement your bond," Andrew said. "I already knew that," Helena said. "I want details." Suddenly the nerves Helena had buried came rushing back to the surface. A chill made its way through her body. "Don't worry about the details. It will feel amazing. I didn't mean to frighten you," Andrew said. "What's so amazing about it?" Helena asked. "Again," Andrew said. "I can't describe it with words. Normally it happens in the same night. All mates find each other under the full moon, whether one of them is human or not. You're a unique case. Brooks had to turn you, but you were too weak to mate with." "The first night we met it wasn't a full moon," Helena said. "No," Andrew said. "But the night Brooks smelled you it was. If Victor the vampire hadn't bitten you all of it would have happened that night. Trust me when I say you would have been so love struck none of the details would have mattered." "I wish I hadn't brought this up," Helena said. "It's making me more nervous." "I guess I owe you one then," Andrew said. "Ask away." "What are you planning?" Helena turned to look at Andrew. He let out a breath before responding. "I'm leaving," Andrew said. "I am going to find vampires like Victor and witches like Rebecca. Then I'm going to end them." The room suddenly felt empty. Helena stared at Andrew without speaking he looked down at her and neither broke away. She wanted to grab Andrew by the shoulders and shake the nonsense out of him. This idea was insane. Wolves strength came from the pack. If he went off on his own he would be no match for any danger. There were a million questions she wanted to ask and statements she wanted to make about his stupidity, but all she could do was stare back at him. The trance was only broke when Helena felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around to see Brooks. He was glowing with happiness. "Are you ready?" Helena had no clue how to respond. First she went back to Andrew. "Not tonight?" She asked. "Not tonight," Andrew replied. He gave her a warm brotherly smile and Helena relaxed a little. She would talk to Brooks about this later and together they would talk some sense into Andrew. Helena turned back towards Brooks and placed her hand in his, ready to be led to the next step of her journey. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Brooks walked Helena through the halls of the Lodge. There wasn't a single soul around since they were all at the party. This was the only home Brooks had ever known and even in its emptiness his heart still felt full. "Is there going to be a minister?" Helena asked. "Nope," Brooks said. "Then a judge? A justice of the peace?" Brooks stopped walking. He turned around and put his hands over Helena's waist. She brought her arms up over his neck. Brooks felt her body tense, she was putting on a good show, but he could see through it. "Relax," Brooks said. "I promise this will be fun." He put his arm around her shoulder and continued walking her through the lodge. They made it to the backdoor and kept going into the night. It was the perfect temperature even with the humidity that hung in the air. "Do you remember when you punched me?" Brooks asked. "You mean when you were trying to profess your undying love to a complete stranger?" Helena asked. "You've never been a stranger to me," Brooks said. "You've been the one person I've spent my entire life waiting for and will spend the rest of it making happy." "I'm sorry," Helena said. "Don't apologize," Brooks said. "It's a great story to tell our children someday." Helena let out a small laugh. "The point I was going to make, was on that day I had some doubts," Brooks said. "That we would make it here, but you are so strong and proved me wrong. I will always regret feeling that little bit of doubt." "That's a stupid thing to feel bad about," Helena said. This time Brooks let out a loud laugh. "One of the reasons I love you so much," Brooks said. "You're sweetly blunt." Helena stopped walking. Her eyes went wide and Brooks could feel the fear radiating off of her. He had expected this and was hoping to distract her until they arrived. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "I died there," Helena said. "You were reborn there," Brooks said. They were in the clearing with the large rock in the middle. Helena envisioned herself laying on top of it, her body just an empty casing, with Brooks by her side with tears starting to form in his eyes. Helena had avoided this spot since that night. Even her wolf wanted to run away. "Trust me," Brooks said. "It will be fine." "There's memories," Helena said. "I'd rather not relive." "Then let's make some new ones," Brooks said. He kept ahold of her hand and brought her closer towards the rock. The air smelled like death and she wanted to turn and run. Brooks stopped walking and grabbed her waist again. He didn't say anything but instead brought his mouth down to hers. There was no light kisses, just a deep hard movement of his lips. Helena loved it when he was so aggressive. She returned his passion and brought her hands over his neck. Brooks' scent was all around her, it was intoxicating. Soon Helena's feet were taken out from under her. Brooks didn't stop kissing her and Helena wasn't sure if she was standing or just imagining floating. Suddenly there was something cold on her back. Helena brought her hands down and touched the rock. She knew Brooks had carried her over to this place and her heartbeat started to quicken. "Focus on me," Brooks said through their mental link. "We're the only two people in the world. I love you more than I ever thought it was possible." Helena let his words sink in and started to relax. Brooks broke their kiss and leaned down over her. He brushed the hair away from her face. "So beautiful," Brooks said. The moon was huge behind him, illuminating his eyes which were growing amber. Helena reached up and pulled his tie down. She unbuttoned the top of his shirt and he pulled it over his head. He stood up and removed his pants. Helena loved the way his body looked. His trim figure was so surprisingly strong and she couldn't wait to feel it on top of her. Brooks knelt on the stone slab and brought his face to hers again. She moved her lips to touch his, but he pulled back. "Your turn," Brooks said. He gave her a wicked smile. Helena returned his grin and sat up on the rock. She felt his fingers grab the zipper on the back of her dress and didn't move until he brought it all the way down. "You're not wearing anything under here are you?" Brooks asked. Helena stood up and turned around. She let go of the strapless dress and it fell to her feet. Brooks let out a low growl at the sight of her naked body. Helena knew this one meant get over here, but instead she stood staring at him. He propped himself up on his knees, so his head was level with her chest. His arm stretched out and wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. She let out a moan as his mouth met her nipple. He started to alternating nipping with his teeth and running his tongue over her small buds. She wanted him to go harder, but before she could make a request she felt his other hand slide up between her legs. He spread her folds and pressed his thumb against her most sensitive spot while using a finger to circle her entrance. She tried to bend her knees, wanting him to penetrate her, but he lowered his hand with her body. "Too much," Helena said. "Too much what?" Brooks asked before moving to her other nipple. He started to rub his thumb in a circular motion and Helena let out a cry. Her body was on over drive from all the stimulation. "I need you," Helena asked. "Need me what?" Brooks asked. He let his fingertip enter her and Helena let out a gasp when he pulled it out right away. Helena couldn't take it anymore. She brought her hands up and shoved Brooks backwards. He went on his back and Helena crawled on top of him. She gripped onto his cock and ran the head up and down her slit, coating it in her juices. She began to lower herself onto him and he brought his hips up to meet her. This was what she needed. Helena started to rock her hips back and forth. The moonlight radiated down on them and it really felt like they were the only two people in the world. Brooks sat up and started to meet her movements. He brought his hand back down and continued to rub her with his thumb. The sensation was causing an orgasm to coil in her stomach. Helena tried her harderst to angle her hips downward and press herself against Brooks' hand while feeling his member filling her from the inside. She wasn't sure if she was making any noises at all or being completely silent, but the orgasm was fast approaching and Helena was going to ride it out. She felt her vision start to go fuzzy and her heart tighten. Then the release came and she was certain a scream came with it. Brooks grabbed her chin and brought her in for a deep kiss. The orgasm was still making it's way through her and Helena didn't think she could concentrate enough to control the kiss. She let her head drop to his neck and brought her arms around her shoulders, pressing their bodies together. Helena was acting on pure emotion now. She'd never felt this good in her life. For whatever reason her instinct made her open her mouth, bare her teeth, and bit down hard on Brooks' shoulder. She tasted copper, but Brooks let out a groan that sounded more pleasurable than painful. As soon as she lifted her mouth Brooks spun her around and repositioned them so she was on all fours and he was behind her. He kept one hand on the small of her back, guiding her as he slammed in and out of her. His other hand made its way underneath her and started to massage her clit again. She let out a moan, unsure if she could handle another orgasm. Whether or not her mind wanted one was irrelevant though. Her body started to respond to Brooks' touch and the familiar coil began to rebuild itself. "I can't...I can't...," Helena said. "You can and you will," Brooks said. His voice was so stern and powerful Helena almost came again on the spot. "Tell me when," Brooks said. He pressed down on her back, forcing her to arch and Helena felt him ram into her G-spot. "Now," Helena said. "Now. Now. Now." She felt the explosion in her body and was surprised it came with some pain. She started to crawl forward, but Brooks held on to her. He leaned down and put his head next to her ear. "Focus on the pleasure," Brooks said. Helena closed her eyes and let the orgasm continue to radiate through her, soon the sharp sting was nothing but a dull ache. Brooks stopped moving and guided them down so they were lying on their sides, he was still inside of her. "I don't understand," Helena said. "You have my knot," Brooks said. "It won't go down for a while. Try to relax." Brooks kissed her shoulder and Helena felt like her breathing would never return to normal. "I bit you," Helena said. "You marked me," Brooks said. "I've wanted you to do that from the moment I saw you." "I'm sorry it took me so long," Helena said. "I'm not," Brooks said. "It was worth the wait." Helena smiled. She grabbed ahold of Brooks' hand that was draped around her. "That was the mating ceremony. You're now officially mine." Helena started to move her hips. "The more you move the longer it will take to go down," Brooks said. "Maybe I want us to be connected forever," Helena said. Helena brought Brooks' hand between her legs and started moving up and down against him. He let out a moan and started kissing her neck. She hoped they would be like this forever. Brooks was her mate and nothing could change that. Helena started moving her hips faster. Brooks rolled her onto her stomach and moved with her so he was on top of her from behind. Helena smiled. If they couldn't stay like this forever she would make sure they did for the rest of the night.