Gavroche "Gavin" Argentum's Story

Duncan didn't answer Calvin immediately, and the three of them stood in the woods listening intently. Such was the silence that even the vibration of Duncan's muted phone was enough to make them all jolt with surprise. Duncan answered the phone and listened to Galvin's notification.

"You serious?" he said, "That's strange because I thought I picked something up too. OK, well thanks for letting me know, I'll see if we can track it at all."

He put the phone away and looked at Calvin and Lyra. "Gavin said there's been a sighting of an outsider in wolf form down by the beach. It's not there now."

"What's that mean then?" Calvin gruffed.

"It means I'm going to cut the patrol short and go to investigate." Duncan said curtly, "And that means not taking you two. I know you could handle yourselves, but Adrian would have my had if I took anyone who wasn't response-enabled yet. Especially his daughter...no disrespect Lyra."

Calvin was about to object. This seemed like an excellent opportunity to prove himself...but the beach wasn't exactly close by, and if it turned out to be a wild goose chase it would waste more time than he could afford to lose without making himself late for the game.

"Alright." he answered obligingly, and turned to Lyra, "I guess I'll go with Lyra back to the house. Not that she needs protecting, but if there's strange wolves on the loose then it's a simple fact that she could probably use my nose. It just makes sense right?"

Rory was too petrified to care about the fun which was being poked at him. If anything, their levity helped to calm him down and not care that the biggest canine creature he'd ever seen outside of fiction was just taken a lunge for him. He kept looking over his shoulder, and with each realisation that he was not being pursued his breathing started to return to normal.

If nothing else, being in the centre of the crowd would do him good. That way he wouldn't need to be faster than the wolf...he'd just need to be faster than at least one or two other people...

"I'm fine." he gulped at Jac's attempts to reassure him, "I've just...."

The admission coming next was a difficult one, "...never actually seen someone in their shifted form before. The nearest person I know of who claims to physically shift is at least a hundred miles away. So I was just surprised to see one here in town."

He coughed and fidgetted with his fingers when Gavin indicated for Jac to follow him.

"W-wait..." he stammered, "...where are you going?"

"Hold on a minute," Gavin said to Jac, turning around to grin at Rory. He knew if he didn't put the boy's fears or uneasiness to rest, he'd probably follow them, and that would be no good, either. "Gotta go home, my cousin is having a party and I promised I'd stop by before too late." Where was Ryan when he was needed? "You've got my number in case you need me." Gavin assured.

He continued to walk with Jac, entering the forest. When the sounds of the humans faded away, he responded lowly, "They think something is up, I think Duncan's coming to check it out." Gavin kept himself on high alert, and kept an arm protectively around Jac's waist. He hoped that if the wolf had remained, it would assume their embrace as that of mates, and not attack- thinking bad odds of success. But if it did, he could at least keep it busy while Jac ran to the house.

"I think they'll be fine if they all stay together- and if I know them as well as I think I do, that shouldn't be a problem. For most of them."

Gavin had only picked up the smell of this new wolf and later, Duncan's. He told Jac that Duncan had patrolled the area. Despite the sudden growing want Gavin had to fight another wolf, he was relieved that it was gone. Finally they arrived at the pack house and Gavin reluctantly let go of Jac.

"Hold on a second." Gavin said, and turned to Dante, sitting across from James on the porch. Now that he knew more about... what had happened, he felt a little more like he understood Dante's pain. Though he'd never say it like that to her, that was a recipe for disaster. He shared a quick glance with James before clearing his throat and looking at Dante.

Damn, her and Jac really did look alike...

"I'm sorry, Dante, for being unnecessarily rude to you since you arrived." His eyes didn't leave her. "That is all." He wanted to say more, but wasn't sure what would cause an uproar, so he settled on this simple apology. Without really giving her time to respond, Gavin smiled in that boyish way of his and left to follow Jac into the house.

"If I remember correctly, it's a formal dress code, right?" He asked, looking down at his beach wear. "I don't want to stand out too much. And you might want to change, too."

"You aren't too shabby yourself, miss." Gavin teased back at Jac before heading into his bedroom. He wondered what in the world he was going to wear, but then decided that everyone there knew him- he wasn't trying to impress anyone. So he threw on a pair of white shorts and a solid green shirt.

Jac's kiss had lingered already longer than he intended it to. His wolf had emerged from its corner and started snapping at him again, teasing him, taunting him. Then suddenly it stopped. Do what you want, you're a poor excuse for a man anyways. You can't even comprehend reality.

Gavin stood still, sinking in the truth his wolf had just laid before him. For the first time in a long time, he wanted to hear more of whatever it is that his wolf had to say, but his wolf, stubborn as ever, remained silent.

He had intended that kiss to be his final release of the tension between them. Gathering up his resolve again, Gavin left his bedroom. Jac was still no where to be found, but he heard some sounds coming from the library so he headed down there in time to catch Anya throwing off a red cloak.

"Hey guys, you heading out to the party?"

"Hey guys, you heading out to the party?"

Anya turned and smiled at Gavin, nodding her head in response. Running a hand over the silky cloak, she realised it was kind of cold without it. However, there would soon be more people around and she didn't really have time to go and grab something from her room. It would take her hours to pick something out that would go.

"Yeah, we're just waiting on Tai to give us the signal," She told him, before turning and arching her eyebrows at Kathy giving a small chuckle as she did. "The teachers aren't that bad. I'm not saying that I won't be glad to finish up and get out of there this year. Unfortunately, you guys have to return after the summer." Apart from finishing school, Anya had no other plans. She still hadn't received her wolf, which was disheartening and she didn't really want to leave the pack house. Her hopes of going to study further were pretty much dashed unless she found her mate before the next term started. Even then, would she want to leave? She honestly didn't know.

"Okay," Anya smiled at Duncan as he made his excuses and left the room. She didn't realise she'd be sad to see him go until he'd rounded the corner. Now it felt even colder in the room. Shaking the feeling off, she grinned at the others. "So what have you got gift-wise?" She asked curiously, looking at her own gift bag resting against the chair. "I know Ray doesn't need any encouragement, but I got her this awesome trick set. Of course, we'll be the subject of it all, but I'm sure she'll appreciate it." Brushing strands of curly blonde hair from her eyes, she glanced at the library door for a moment. There were more voices in the hall, which meant others were now arriving for the party.

Gavin gave Duncan a quick wave while he stepped out of the room, catching a glimpse of ... some sad emotion on Anya. But then she turned and asked him about the present he bought for Reina.

From the pocket of his shorts, Gavin produced what looked like rolled up leather wallet, only bigger. It had a tie-string to keep it closed, Gavin pulled one of the strings out and it fell open to reveal a set of metal rods and pins of various sizes as well as a few generic-shaped keys.

"Lock picking set." Gavin displayed the dull metal pieces pridefully to Anya. He had taken every precaution- the metal wasn't shiny because while sneaking about, shiny would attract attention. Most clasps were either snaps or Velcro, both of which were noisy. He had bought it earlier, before the bonfire while he was out running errands.

About why he didn't wrap or box the gift... well, he knew he'd most likely be needing an escape if Jac wanted to spend more time with him. It wasn't an easy choice, by any stretch of the imagination, but someone, he was determined, was his mate. And he had his final night of fun. He kissed her- damn, did he kiss her- and now, it was time to move on to reality. Gavin was absolutely convinced that there was no way in the world Jac could be his mate. Because he wanted her to be.

He turned his attention to Anya. She would be good, she was such a sweet heart... She would probably drop him a hint before giving him news like that. She was certainly attractive, and her physical characteristics were completely the opposite of his. But she wasn't... well, she wasn't Jacquelyn. He wondered if love was something that could be learned.

"I think she'll get a lot of good use out of it." He shrugged before rolling it silently back up and plopping it back in his deep pockets. "What about you?" He asked.

Anya moved forwards to get a better look at Gavin's present for Ray. Smiling, she nodded her head in an approving manner. It was definitely something that Ray would put to good use. She made a note to make sure her room was bogey-trapped from that point onwards, just in case. Although she knew that Reina wouldn't go snooping around that didn't mean she wouldn't put some kind of trap in Anya's room. And as much as she didn't mind, she didn't really fancy opening her wardrobe to hundreds of spiders or something falling on her. Gavin had got it right though. He was a nice guy, Anya had always believed so. And although she was starting to think about her mate (whereas before she'd passed over the idea) she didn't believe that Gavin would be him. Whilst she really liked him, it just wasn't the same. She would simply have to wait and see.

Practically skipping over to her gift bag, she snatched it up with her fingertips. "Ray is going to love yours. And I don't doubt that she'll honestly put it to good use." Tugging a box out of the bag, she turned it to show Kathy and Gavin. The box had bold blue writing across the front of a clear plastic casing: 100 ways to trick and prank your friends and family. Through the clear plastic there were tools and items that were clearly intended to help the user perform the tricks. Arching an eyebrow, she returned the gift into the bag, placing it back on the floor. Whilst she'd been shopping last week the box had caught her attention. Other than things like this, she had no idea what to by for Reina. Although they lived together, she didn't really know much about the girl other than her love of pranking people. It seemed like a good idea to her.

"It's a kit that is going to drive us insane," Shrugging her shoulders, Anya opened her mouth to speak again, but stopped before any words had left her mouth. She could hear voices in the hall. "Looks like we have someone new with us tonight." She whispered, moving swiftly to the library door once again. She motioned for Gavin and Kathy to follow her. Peering around the doorway, she couldn't see anyone. Odd. She could have sworn that she'd heard Tai introducing someone. Just then, the Alpha female's voice echoed around the lower level. Grinning, she turned back to Kathy and Gavin, snatching their hands in hers.

"C'mon, we have a party to prepare for." Waggling her eyebrows, she tugged them with her, moving surprisingly fast in her heels. Once they were out of the library she dropped their hands, heading towards the kitchen.

Lyra smiled to Jac as the she-wolf brought the topic of alpha into the conversation. It was a unique feeling to know that her peers would approve her as alpha. A unique and a powerful feeling. Still. . . That was not what mattered in this moment. The battle for alpha could be put on hold for a day, Adrian would not choose is successor overnight. 

"Thanks Jac, that means a lot to me. Guess we both know how... Interesting siblings can be." Lyra smiled to Jac and nodded to her comment about the guys. "Let's. Tonight will be interesting to say the least. Here's to no regrets," Lyra said with a wave, fluffing her hair and slipping out of Jac's room. 

Lyra made her way slowly down the hall, pausing as she passed Kiyoshi's room. Taking a deep breath, Lyra smiled to the constant scent of incenses. It was the one objection of mourning that Kiyoshi allowed himself for his parents. She smiled. His mother's favorite scent was also her own. Sighing softly to herself in thought, Lyra continued down to the main of the house. She did not know what to do with herself, her hands finding the need to keep busy in anticipation. She entered the kitchen and began to open a few bags of chips for the guest, setting out dip and vegetable on the side. She frowned once done, unsure what else to do. Her golden eyes rose as Anya entered the room with a few individuals the girl held captive. She smiled at Gavin, Jac's secret heavy on her tongue although she  spoke no word of it. Despite the crowd, Lyra was disappointed not to see Kiyoshi among them. "Hey guys, need any help?" she offered, hoping that they had some task to help keep herself busy. 

Only mildly surprised, Gavin let Anya drag him and Kathy out to the kitchen. He had picked up the scent of another wolf, female, but he immediately decided that Adrian and Tai wouldn't let her in the pack house if she wasn't welcome. Though he knew it shouldn't be, his mind was still bogged down with the whole mating thing.

He suspected everyone, and he noticed that his hand went almost completely rigid as long as Anya was holding it. The side of his body that was closest to Kathy also seemed to stiffen. It was getting more difficult to be around so much...estrogen.

Then Lyra came down, beaming at the three of them. His mouth went dry... she was absolutely beautiful. Her hazel eyes turned to him and she gave him what felt like a private grin- a knowing grin. She had a secret, something about him. His stomach did a flip and he forced himself to smile back, not wanting to be rude, especially if...

"I'm going to go see this new person." He suddenly blurted as Kathy went to help put out food for the party. Kiyoshi made an entrance as Gavin walked out to the living room, taking a deep breath.

----

Just as Reina left, Gavin walked in the living room and saw Tai and Adrian chatting with... someone completely unrecognizable.

Gavin found himself wishing Calvin was here.

"Hi."He stepped over, desperately seeking a distraction from his engrossing thoughts. He realized he must have looked as distracted as he felt. "Newbie?" He asked the new woman light heartedly, putting on one of his boyish grins. "Get out while you can, almost all the young ones are home, and that's when things really get crazy."

Jac hesitated at the top of the stairs. She knew she looked good in her little black dress that hugged her every curve in all the right places with her heels that made her legs look longer than the miles they already seemed….but what if he didn’t think she was pretty? What if he thought that she was trying too hard for him? Doubt riddled her confidence with holes, an unpleasant feeling for someone like her. She was complete confidence….she was Jacquelyn Marie, she feared nothing….not even rejection from her---her mind snapped off the thought as if it was a trap to think about….to hope for. She stepped down the stairs just after Lyra—and just in time to watch Gavin make an escape from her. She frowned and felt a strange feeling, fear, well in her chest. She bit her lip and steeled herself. She smiled at people along the way, greeting Kiyoshi, and Ares with grins. She winked at Lyra and patted Ares on the head as she passed by.

She stepped into the kitchen only to see Gavin make yet another escape….right to a beautiful new comer. She watched as Gavin greeted her in a friendly way….and it was more than she could handle. A wall of emotions rose in her. Fury, Jealously, Fear, disbelief, and Sorrow—she clamped down on it and turned away, back towards the living room. Time to give her gift to the birthday girl. She sighed and used all her will power to flush thoughts of Gavin from her mind.
She focused on the gift she had gotten her young friend. The Complete Guide of Pranks. All the most famous gags in one book. She knew she’s love it.
She smiled happily and was glad she had thought ahead…

Dante and James where on their way back from the store, a huge box in the back of her car, and in that box a box and in that box a box and so on….until you hit the very middle which held a small silver necklace with ‘Reina’ on it. Dante sincerely hoped she liked it. They had searched several stores in hopes of finding the right necklace and finally they had. They pulled into the driveway of the house and she got out, before getting the large, yet very light, box out of the back. It was wrapped in bright red paper with a pale gold bow. She smiled in excitement and waited forJjames to get out of the car and follow her in.

Sahvanna's eyes widened when they entered the house - not due to the condition but due to the amount of wolves - the smell was over powering, 'one - tvo - zree...' she began to count in her head. The long curved woman missed everything Tai had said due to the sniffing - counting - sorting. It was then a small girl ran directly for them - Sahvanna's brows furrowed as she looked the girl over. "Aye. Yooh and Adrian be having yoohr hands fahll." Her voice chimed out in a whimsical manner while she was lead to the living room. "Happy Birzday!" She shouted out over her shoulder as the girl - Reina- seemed to take off in the other direction.

"Sorry, you're kinda hitting the ground running here this evening! Things will slow down later. As regards the full moon, do you expect you'll be here for that...?" Tai asked in the most polite fashion, Sahvanna seemed to hum and haa over the question for a moment, those gleaming blue eyes showed an extraordinary contrast to the long lengths of dark hair and glowing skin while glancing about the room.

"I - It vould be interesting if nozing else - baht I zink it vould only be fair to see vow ze ozers take to me, yeah?" Sahvanna's plump dry lips parted to show hidden pearly whites in a wide smile. It was then a young man approached the two of them - he was handsome in a young boyish charm kind of way, small speckles of freckles marking his youthful face.

"Hi. Newbie? Get out while you can, almost all the young ones are home, and that's when things really get crazy." his voice sounded out as he grew closer.

"Nev-Bye?" Sahvanna's elegant charms seemed to vanish replacing a puzzlement to become engraved in her features. "Vhat is a Nev-Bye?" Her hand rested along her hip as she looked the man over, her eyes then snapping back to Tai. She hadn't dropped her bag yet - habit - paranoia.

"A newbie," Gavin repeated insistently, as though the word was self-explanatory. She still stared at him blankly, and a blush enveloped his face as he waved a hand passively. "It's... someone new to town, in this context, I guess. One who is new. Newbie."

It was so awkward, the whole thing. At least to him. It was odd, Gavin feeling out of place in his own house. Maybe he just had too much excitement for one day- skipping school, the bonfire, that kiss with Jac, the rogue wolf, and now Ray's party and- what the hell was up with all of these sudden rogues?

Stop worrying about your mate, don't you see there is something else going on here? His wolf growled. Open your eyes, you pathetic moron and see what's going on around you. There are more important things than you getting that piece of tail you made the mistake of wanting in the first place.

After mentally scolding his wolf for referring to Jac in such a derogatory manner, for the first time in a good while, Gavin actually listened to his wolf. This new coming didn't smell like the rogue who stalked him earlier at the beach. That was two in one day. Something in his gut told him there was a good chance he wasn't the only one who encountered one.

He gave the newbie a quick farewell before going off into the kitchen. He passed through the threshold, staring at the ground in thought. The kitchen was full of people, and without thinking he looked up and started to ask, "Hey, anyone else encountered any-"

Gavin stopped dead in his tracks when he saw her.

When Lyra came downstairs, he was shocked at how beautiful she was.

But it wasn't Lyra this time who suddenly overwhelmed him.

In fact, Lyra was probably the last person in his mind.

She was... gorgeous, to say the least. That black dress, complimenting her shape demanded his attention. But there was more than beauty radiating from Jac right now, something deeper that Gavin found himself hopelessly lost in, but couldn't label. The label didn't seem to matter. She had that confident attitude, that fire he liked so much, and now, she was standing there in that outfit that hit home in such a primitive way, that made her so... desirable.

Gavin suddenly realized he had been staring at her.

Shamelessly staring.

He took in a breath and walked over, closer to her. He dug a hand into his pocket and pulled out the lock picking case he bought for Ray, and put it down- slammed it down- with unnecessary force next to Ray.

"Happy birthday." He spun around on a heel, avoiding eye contact with Jac, and walked out of the kitchen. Back to the living room, avoiding contact with the people in there, out the front door, where he spotted Dante and James sitting in her car.

Not knowing what else to do, Gavin started walking down the street. To get away. Or something. He didn't even know what he was thinking, or why... But the whole stupid thing just plainly was not fair. And now she was in there all pretty (the word came spitefully to mind) probably getting ready to reveal whoever her mate was.

You're a coward. His wolf barked angrily. How dare you walk away from your pack.

"Shut up." Gavin spat back with matching anger. "Just shut the hell up, I wouldn't be this way if I didn't have you in the first place."

Lyra nodded to the comment about concern over the sudden appearance of new wolves to the area. "Yes, it is strange. Tai and I think Tabby may have been sent here. She was looking for some studio that doesn't exist. People get wrong directions all the time, but this close to the full moon? And the strangest part is that Tabby doesn't seem to realize she is a wolf." Lyra paused for breath, here eyes shifting towards Kiyoshi as he continued to comment upon her attire. She blushed softly, chewing in her lower lip in hesitation. She reached out to touch his arm, a soft smile on her lips. "Maybe I will take your advice. Dressing a little bit more feminine wouldn't hurt anyone," she said, looking to his eyes. "I'm glad you approve, Senpai. I was hoping you would."

"Happy birthday." Lyra flinched as Gavin slammed a box into the counter in front of Ray, her body unconsciously jumping into Kiyoshi's grasp. She blushed, the direct contact with his lean body blooming rose gardens inside her cheeks. She lingered there for a moment longer than necessary, only pulling away when she felt unnecessary attention would be drawn. "S.. sorry Kiyoshi-san. I didn't mean to bump into you," she whispered, a soft, shy smile on her face. As she looked up to him, unable but to admire his smooth features, Lyra felt the small body of Ares clutch her dress tightly, pulling her with him. She fell forward, her body caught unguarded by the frightened wolf's panic. She blinked, finding herself pressed against Kiyoshi, her face only inches away from his own.

"...d-d-does R-ray l-l-like t-them, L-lyra, K-k-brother?..." Lyra was too stunned to fully hear Ares's question, her mind turning to auto response as she gazed up to Kiyo, not even bothering to see what gift Ares had given Ray. "Yes, yes she does, Ares." Lyra blushed, realizing what exactly happened and pulled back, her mind coulded slightly as she looked to the ground uncomfortably to find something to distract her.

"What... do you think is up with him?" Lyra shook her head, unsure what could be affecting her packmate to such a degree. Her eyes flickered up to Jac, realizing that Gavin's temper had only inflamed upon seeing his mate. What could that mean? She desperately wanted to ignore the realization and stay with Kiyoshi, to allow Jac and Gavin to work out their own problems. However, that was not the way of an alpha. The pain on Jac's face was clear to see. Lyra couldn't imagine how she would feel if Kiyoshi did the same towards her. Even if he had not approved of her clothing, Lyra would have been devastated.

Lyra sighed softly, her eyes meeting Jac's, heavy with their secret knowledge. "I don't know, but I'll go find out," Lyra said in response to Kiyoshi's question, although she spoke directly to Jac. Her eyes lingered upon Kiyoshi for a moment, hoping that he would be easy to find when she returned. "Come find me afterwards, please," she whispered softly, intended for his ears only. Lyra blinked slowly and then slipped from the room, sliding out of her shoes and abandoning them by the door to reach Gavin's pace. He was marching away ferociously, muttering to himself. She ran forward, thankful that she trained daily and this short jog did not cause her to sweat in the satin gown. "Hey Gavin," she said once standing beside him. "What's going on?"

"Just shut the hell up, I wouldn't be this way if I didn't have you in the first place."

Lyra blinked once in surprise, unsure where the sudden outburst had come from. "What did I do, Gavin?!" she said again, for the first time seeming to capture his attention. Did he not realize she was there earlier? Who was he arguing with? Lyra sighed and grabbed his hand to force him to stop, she did not want to freak out on him like she managed to last time, but he was already growing on her nerves. She could be with Kiyoshi right now instead of collecting her crumbling packmate. "Gavin, stop. I did not get all dress up today just to work up a sweat chasing you. Where are you going? Who the hell are you arguing with?" she demanded, still holding his hand tightly so he could not slip away again.

Ray blinked in surprise as Gavin slammed a small parcel in front of her. “Happy birthday,” he said before stalking off. Reina watched him go. He seemed pretty angry. She thought back, but couldn’t think of anything she'd done recently that would make him that mad. So it wasn't her he was mad at, but someone else... As Ray dusted off her hands from the cheese puffs she’d been eating she picked up the present Gavin had so abruptly delivered. Reina smiled when she opened it up and found a lock picking set. It was perfect, just the thing she needed to break into the surveillance room.

As her thoughts turned to surveillance Ray glanced about the room to see if she could discern the cause of Gavin’s anger. Ray’s eyes moved past Tai and Savannah (who Reina didn’t trust any more than any other outsider, which is to say, not at all) and settled on Jac. Ray frowned, “trouble in paradise?” she thought to herself. From all that had been going on Ray had assumed that there was going to be some new female werewolves in the house. But if Gavin was angry, well Ray was always up for a mystery.

Ray’s attention was diverted when Ares arrived with flowers and tiara. "Thesearemypresentsforyourbirthday.Hopeyoulikeit" Ray was surprised. It wasn’t the sort of gift anyone would normally get her. But then again, from what she could see Ares wasn’t too good in social situations and it was the thought that counted. Ray smiled at the retreating form of Ares and sent a good-natured wave in the direction of kyoshi. She chuckled slightly, Ares was cute in a socially awkward sort of way, Ray replaced her standard fedora with the Tiara.

Turning abruptly Ray made her way over to Jac, flowers and lock picking set in hand. Sticking the set into her pocket Ray asked Jac innocently, “Hey, you know where I could get a vase to put these flowers in?” Her question was innocent enough but Ray hoped it could spark a conversation that might lead to Jac revealing why Gavin was so mad at her all of the sudden.

"What did I do, Gavin?!"

Gavin spun around as Lyra grabbed his hand. "Not you." He replied hastily, before yanking his hand out of hers- skin contact made it stiffen- and turned to continue walking. His wolf snarled at him continuously with disapproval, taunting him. Where are you going to go? No pack would want you, you're useless.

"Gavin, stop. I did not get all dressed up today just to work up a sweat chasing you. Where are you going? Who the hell are you arguing with?"

Her hand came around his again and he pulled away more violently, but turned around to face her. "Away from here. Any where, as long as I don't have to see..." Her name wouldn't come out. He stared out at the street, away from Lyra for a good long moment. He wasn't sure about confiding in her, but somehow, his wolf convinced him it would be okay.

Gavin let out a heavy sigh. "I want her, Lyra. She's..." perfect. Beautiful. Understanding. Passionate. The list went on in his head. "But we don't get to choose who to be with, choice isn't a part of being what we are." He ranted spitefully. "I can't stand the thought of her being with any one else." His mind went over a summarized version of Dante's story, but his wolf cut it short. That won't happen to you. Its voice for once, was not patronizing. Gavin ignored it. No, it wouldn't happen to him, because he'd be long gone.

"I'm assuming you're going to tell Kiyoshi?" He picked up on the Asian influences of her outfit, he tried to keep his voice even, but he was sure some anger slipped out. "imagine what it would feel like if it wasn't him." He knew the two were close already, like he and Jac were, so maybe he could get her to understand a little more.

Lyra flinched visibly as Gavin suggested that Kiyoshi may not accept her, her eyes trailing to the ground, fists clenching in anger. "I know how you feel, you think that I haven't been torn about this since I finally figured out it was him? God, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone else except Kiyoshi knew it by now. But, I still have to try. Even if he denies me as his mate, even if he laughs in my face, at least I will finally know how he feels about me. Besides, why would I run away from Kiyoshi when all of my heart screams to run towards him?" Her voice grew quiet as she spoke, as if the words were painful to speak.

Lyra crept closer to Gavin, her gaze soft and understanding. "And by her, I assume you mean Jac?" She stood beside him, waiting to catch his eye to speak with him again. When the silence was too strong for him to bare, Gavin glanced up at her, as if waiting for another response. To this, Lyra's gaze hardened with a playful smile, taking her right hand and thumping him forcefully on the back of his skull. "You idiot," she scolded him, chuckling as she did so. "You keep crying like a pup 'what is it isn't' but have you ever considered 'what if it is'?" she asked, her eyes soft and caring. She folded her arms across her chest, shivering slightly at the autumn breeze. "We are your family, your pack. You can't just run away every time you get scared; it doesn't work that way." Lyra sighed heavily, her a sad smile on her face. She was turn in what to say, it wasn't her position to tell Gavin who his mate was. But she sure as hell wasn't going to let him screw up himself and Jac for the sake of an injured pride.

"I'm not going to stop you from ruining your life, but if you run away now I can guarantee that you are not the only one going to get hurt over this. Gavin, she needs you. Now more than ever. Go back and find her, you are wasting my time with Kiyo by making me run after you all the time," Lyra joked, smiling to him.

"You idiot," Gavin flinched as her hand thunked his skull. He frowned at her while his hand went back to hold where she had hit him. "You keep crying like a pup 'what if it isn't'"

For a flash of a moment, anger flared through Gavin at her insult, however well-intended it was, but his wolf quickly barked him down. Listen to her, if you won't listen to me. Gavin angrily thought that his wolf wasn't helping anything... But his wolf had been sitting in the back of his head, wagging his tail happily at Lyra.

"But have you ever considered 'what if it is'?"

No, as a matter of fact, Gavin hadn't considered that possibility. Because he wanted it to be. To him, werewolves didn't get what they wanted- they don't get the joy of freedom. Of choice.

"We are your family, your pack. You can't just run away every time you get scared; it doesn't work that way."

"I'm not scared." Gavin retorted. You're a liar, shut up and listen to her. His wolf cut him down, but his tone was different, it was less condescending and more fatherly, matter-of-fact. Gavin realized he wasn't fooling anyone, and caught Lyra's soft, sad smile.

"Gavin, she needs you."

The very thought of hurting Jac struck him hard in the gut, and he wondered how in the world he could have possibly thought- realistically- of running away from her. Lyra had been right on that account, he was just being too...selfish? (his wolf offered with a smug tone) to realize it. A need suddenly enveloped him, to go find her. To apologize. Over and over and over again. And if she hated him for it: so be it.

A small part of him wondered why in the world he was suddenly alright with that possibility.

"Thanks." He patted Lyra on the back between her shoulders. "Let's get you back to Kiyoshi." He gave her a genuine smile. "Lyra, any male here would be thrilled to have you as a mate." The back of his mind suddenly thought of Calvin for a moment... oh, this was not going to end well... "Especially Kiyoshi. Now, I have to go find Jac and apologize a million times over for being such a puppy about this."

That same small part of him seemed to just stare and shake its head with disbelief, not believing what he was saying.

--

Gavin walked with Lyra back into the pack house and made his way into the kitchen where he had last seen Jac. His mind retained that most recent image of her very well.

But Jac wasn't in the kitchen.

He looked over toward Lyra, a little worried, then ran upstairs and knocked on her closed bedroom door. Nothing. Gavin ran down to basement. Wasn't there. He checked the living room, then the kitchen again. His eyes suddenly fell on the back yard and- while it seemed ridiculous- he knew she was out there.

Gavin rushed out the porch and down the steps. He couldn't see her, and her scent was only very faint in the air. Damn it, Jac... He looked up at the sky at the moon. Follow it. He didn't have time, or the effort, to question his gut this time.

Gavin spotted Jac out walking, Anya following her. All he could think about was how cold she must have been, wandering out here in that tiny black dress. Damn, he was such a fool. He could dwell on it forever, but there was time for that later. For now, she needed him. He had no idea why or how he knew, he just did. And he wasn't about to gamble that.

Not again.

Drawing in a breath, he approached the girls in a jog, hoping they'd hear him so they wouldn't be entirely surprised. Gavin felt like his mind should have been racing. But it wasn't. There were no other options to consider, he simply had to be there.

Her back was turned towards him, but Jac's beauty was still seemingly glowing with the moonlight. What was he supposed to say? The cold barely touched him, and if it did, he wasn't aware of it. He also slowly became unaware of Anya... His eyes were only on Jac, and this sadness that seeped from her.

"It calls to you without even having your wolf yet... cool huh?"

That small part of him, buried deep inside, let out a soft sigh of heart break. But the action and reasons behind it were foreign to him. So Gavin ignored it.

"Jac?" He still hadn't figured out what to say. He just had to be here with her. And for once, he didn't question his instinct.

Anya watched Jac carefully, keeping her mouth firmly shut. She knew when it was her place to talk. She also knew that Jac was lying about being fine and not enjoying the crowds. Biting her bottom lip, she frowned to herself as the younger girl walked away. Everyone was behaving so oddly this evening, in fact it hadn't only been that evening. Stood there, her eyes found the moon once again. Thinking back over events over the last few days, it dawned on Anya that hormones had been extremely high and that the full moon was approaching fast. It could mean only one thing...

"They're all finding their mates," She thought bitterly to herself, her eyes finding Jac again. Immediately after the thought formed, Gavin joined them on the grass. The way he looked at her, like there was nothing else in his world. Sadness flooded her so suddenly that it felt as though her heart was being torn from her chest. It was unfair. Anya was older than them and yet she had yet to reveal her mate. If she didn't discover him soon then she would have no choice but to leave to further her education, perhaps without ever finding her mate. She felt sick. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably and she took a gasp of breath. Would she forever remain alone like this? Would she never receive her wolf? Part of her tutted in disapproval at giving up so fast, but the majority of her just wanted to curl up in a ball and forget about this whole situation. Seeing that look on Gavin's face made her realise how alone she was without a mate.

"You know where to find me if you want..." Her voice tailed off into the darkness as she turned towards the house. Quickly, she hurried across the damp grass. Hugging herself, she slipped around and through the front door, leaning against the rough wood where she could avoid everyone for a moment. Slender fingers brushed warm tears away from her icy blue eyes. She took a moment to compose herself. Anya didn't cry. And if she did, she didn't let anyone see her do so. Now, the last thing she wanted to do was go to a party and act like everything was fine, but she had no choice. Taking a deep breath, she pushed off heading towards the library and avoiding all those in her path. Snatching up the present she proceeded to the Dining Room, plastering a fake smile on her lips. If she could get away with escaping after an hour then she would do so.

Scanning the room for Reina, her eyes fell upon Duncan. Almost instantly, her heart lifted. A smile tugged at her pink lips. His back was to her and she crossed the room towards him. When Duncan was around her it was like nothing else mattered. He made her smile even when she felt lower than low. Tapping his gently on the shoulder, a genuine smile lit up her face.