April's POV

"Ap? Come on! Everyone's waiting for us!" Nina yelled. We were back in the house where they first took me after I was kidnapped and I claimed the same bedroom I had stayed in.

My mother accompanied me here and promised that she would be back after three weeks to pick me up; she was staying at my apartment after Nina and Kayla begged her to let me go on a road trip for the summer. Well, the 'road trip' consisted me of staying here – they weren't willing to take the risk of moving me on an open road with no promise of immediate help in case I needed it. Great.

I hated having plans altered because of me.

I felt like a burden.

I was a burden.

"Coming." I mumbled.

She paused at the doorway staring at me for a few moments. I forced a grin, assuring her I was fine, she smiled back uncertainly and gave me look clearly reading: if-you're-not-down-in-2-minutes-I-will-come-up-here-and-personally-drag-you-down.

I swung my legs out of bed and paused, waiting for the wave of nausea to pass. I would often feel as though I was submerged in an oblivion of hazy lights and pulsating colours and it would take me a few minutes to snap out of it. My sides also hurt - sharp shots of pain would coarse through them. But I think that was because of the surgery. It was scary.

I pushed my hair out of my face – it had grown longer over the 6 months and hung down my back, but it wasn't as long as I would have liked it, of course. No girl was fully happy with the length of their hair unless you were Rapunzel. I made it to the full length mirror and assessed myself closely. I looked a lot better than before - Aiden had watched me as I ate and encouraged me to eat more so I was now gaining weight again. He even cooked for me - he was surprisingly good. No scrap that, he was damn well amazing. But despite that, I still felt sick looking at food I would have devoured 6 months ago without a problem and I hated that feeling.

Downstairs, people were milling around a large barbecue being handled by Carlos, the air sweet and spicy with food. I exited the room and began the descent down the stairs, trailing the banister with three fingers as I went. I was halfway down the stairs and a knot of sickness was beginning to form deep in my stomach. You know a few people from the pack – Kayla's coming... Noah too...

My mind froze and pondered over those two people for a while. I wasn't sure what to expect from the other pack – apparently after my accident, Noah toughened up and came to see me in hospital and apologized to Aiden about what had gone down that night. There was tension, but the animosity had been contained and Antonio had made him invite the other pack for peace's sake.

"April?" Someone yelled my name and I cringed at the loudness. "What's up little A?" Beau ruffled my hair with one hand.

"Not the hair." I huffed.

"Ah, but it always has to be the hair, April."

"Why?"

"Why?" He repeated. "Because it irritates you and irritating you is my favourite thing to do in the world because you actually rise to the bait."

I slapped his hand away and did the same to his hair, resulting in him grumbling at me. "Not the hair?" I mimicked, laughing.

"Rude." He trailed off, glancing around at the people around us.

"Looking for someone?" I prompted. A mate? "A... special someone?" I grinned as I said the words, watching his reaction. "Beau? You can talk to me, you know? I've heard I make an epic Cupid."

"Maybe... I saw her again at a party the other night – I think she felt the mate's connection too but Daniel was wasted and I had to take him home before I could talk to her. I know she's going to be here today. I've actually known her for a while." He lapsed off into silence. "I just never knew..."

"Who is it?"

"I can't say." I quickly masked my hurt. "I'm sorry little A, I just don't want to jinx it. I reckon I'll keep it a surprise for you, okay?"

I couldn't help smiling at the sincerity lacing his voice. "Sure. Whenever you're ready."

"Want a drink?"

"What is it?" I asked curiously, peering over his shoulder so I could examine his glass.

"Uh-uh, that's beer. You'll hate that. How about a coke?"

I scowled and pulled a face. Surely there's a certain age where you won't hate the taste of alcohol as much, right? I reluctantly agreed and felt like a young child as Beau popped my coke open for me. Sipping it slowly, I gestured that I was going to sit down.

"Hello, future Silvermoon Pack Luna." An unfamiliar voice made me stop what I was doing and glance up nervously. A familiar looking man with several piercings and vibrant coloured eyes that seemed to dance stared back at me intensely.

"Um...."

"You're Aiden Knight's mate, right?" I nodded. "Then I'm guessing you'll be the next Luna for the Silvermoon Pack. Why are you alone?"

"I'm just sitting." I commented. "I'm sure sitting doesn't constitute as being alone in a garden full of people." I tried some humour.

"Hello Rick – goodbye Rick." Aiden's hard voice came from my left and I turned towards the welcome sound. The man – Rick – grimaced and pressed his mouth into a line, but he gave me a slight nod before raising his drink to Aiden mockingly.

Once Rick left, Aiden sat down next to me, leaning his head against my shoulder, forehead pressed into my arm. He looked so tired. And his hands were shaking. I felt my heart constrict at the sight of him. What's going on with him?

"Aid, have you... have you had any alcohol recently?"

I heard him groan into the fabric of my clothes. "April, I haven't. I'm trying for you, okay?"

I kissed the top of his hair, lingering for a few moments to smile at his confession. "I know that, thank you. But..." at this, he looked up tiredly. "Don't do it for me. Do it for yourself." I whispered, looping my hand around his neck. "You're having obvious withdrawal symptoms. You can't just give up drink like that," I clicked my fingers to emphasize my point. "Your body is so used to it that it's impossible for you to function without it. It's a stupid concept, but you need some if you want to feel okay – you need to learn to limit, then you'll be able to control yourself." As much as I hated doing this, it was the only way Aiden was able to function.

"April, you don't need to do thi-"

I cut him off, forcing his face towards me with my fingers latched under his chin. "You need this." I confirmed, sliding him a glass of alcohol.

His expression softened, but remained masked with angst. "Thanks." He picked up the glass and downed it. I remained stiff as I watched him go back to normal. His hands still shook as they held the glass but that was because of the lack of nicotine running through his veins.

"You look... nice." He closed his eyes, a smirk played at his lips and I frowned, shifting uncomfortably in my seat, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscience.

"Ha, nice joke, Aiden. I look like a deranged zombie that just clawed it's way back from the grave."

"I'm serious."

I poked him in the ribs playfully. "You don't need to be nice because I gave you alcohol, okay?"

He opened his eyes suddenly, an adorable smile crinkled the corner of his eyes. He sat up straight and leaned forward in his seat, bringing his arms to rest on the table until our arms were touching. "You still respect personal space Cruella?" Pouting now. "Why so prude?"

"Prude?" I spat, "Excuse me Scar, but I think that personal space is very important. Everyone needs their bubble and no-one can invade that without permission. So no, I'm not prude."

He laughed. "Surely being my girlfriend means I don't always have to ask, right?"

I glanced down. "Ask what?"

"You know... to hug you, to ruffle your hair... to kiss you?" He looked up at me through his thick, dark eyelashes. A smile crept onto my lips at his childish attitude and I frowned to myself, unsure of my answer.

"Well..." I trailed off, the real question on my mind being: What happened with Barbara?

"Well?"

"I guess you're allowed some leniency with the whole personal space thing." Did Barbara tell you she loved you?

He sighed and leaned back in his chair, lifting the soda to his lips. "Thank god for that."

"Wait, that's all you wanted to ask me?" Are you friends with her still? Is she okay?

"What did you expect me to say?"

Tell me what happened with Barbara.

"Nothing." Then, I swallowed my pride. "How's... umh, how's... Barbara?" I squeaked after several minutes of pure silence, the curiousness becoming too much for me to bear.

"I don't know."

"Oh." Anything else? Or are you going to leave me in the dark?

"Oh my god, is this a drinking game? Let's join!" Nina's scream bought several eyes to both her and our table. I mentally face palmed myself, but Aiden's eyes brightened and his eyes danced over to me.

"Sure, let's play a drinking game. Good idea Nina." He sounded patronizing, even to me, but Nina didn't notice and grinned at him, scraping out a chair and beckoning for people to join. I pushed my chair back from the already gathering crowd - I knew this game would end badly.

Aiden dumped all the alcohol onto the table before he walked around me, pulling me towards him from behind and kissing me softly on my cheek. I felt my eyes shut at the sensation, dangerously close to the corner of my lips and I felt his grin through closed eyes.

"Is that enough personal space for you?" He whispered.

I elbowed him in his ribs, earning me a glare. "Yes. That's perfect." I replied, aware that there were several eyes trained on us.

Who cares what people think? Aiden is my boyfriend – only you can accept that before others do April – who cares what people think. I sighed happily at my new found peace and settled back.

I exchanged a worried glance with Diego at the sight of Nina's quivering frame of excitement and Daniel's constant babbling – this was going to be a rough night. He nodded at me to show he shared my concern and pulled up a chair to the table, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing up and down as he swallowed nervously.

Yoda, if you're watching, please bring your Godly powers and help me.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Three hours later and the fairy lights twinkled like gems in the hedges and hot embers rose from the BBQ as more food was cooked. People were dancing and talking and playing the drinking game everywhere; it was like a crazy out of control party where I was the only adult. Well, Carlos as well because they appointed him head chef meaning he was cooking non-stop.

"Okay, okay spin the bottle again." Daniel yelled over the noise.

The other pack had arrived but was hovering away from us at a safe distance except for Kayla and a few other pack goers who had decided to give up the act and join in. I was greeted with a rather awkward, bear-hug from Kayla but I didn't spot Noah anywhere.

The game was altered: spin the bottle, see who it lands on and they have to either kiss someone opposite them or make an embarrassing confession. I think you can see why I don't want to take part. One girl even tried to lunge in for a kiss with Aiden but he gently pushed her off, helping her back to her seat.

"Never have I ever gone skinny dipping!" Nina yelled. Diego stood up, beet red, and yelled at everyone that the game was over, sending a look of pure agony in my direction.

"I have another game." A voice boomed across the lawn, making everyone hush down. It was Rick – the one who spoke to me earlier – the head of the other pack.

"What?" Aiden spoke, his voice low from the alcohol and cheering.

"The truth game." Rick replied coolly, his head jerking back to reveal a meek looking Noah standing there. Noah's hands were clenched nervously by his side and his eyes were darting everywhere but where I was.

"And what the fuck is that?" Aiden scowled, his tone turning icy as he spotted Noah too. Carlos paused what he was doing, which was pressing a burger against the grill to also look up and support Aiden with the menacing look.

"You ask 5 questions to someone of your choice. Anyone can ask questions from one pack. The chosen person must answer truthfully and for each lie they have to do a shot of our choice."

Aiden's brow creased and he rubbed his jaw. "And how do you know the other person is telling the truth?"

"We'll only ask questions that at least someone here knows the truth too – so we'll know if you're lying. You're forgetting we're werewolves Aiden – emotions are all too open to us." His pupils dilated and he grinned, revealing canines. I gulped and felt my eyes widen, my heart pattering like an out of control drum in my chest.

Double damn.

"Fine – this will be an easy game." Aiden responded confidently, a smirk playing on his lips as his own green-grey eyes narrowed and became almost cat-like in appearance.

Rick and Aiden stayed glowering angrily at each other for a while before Rick altered his facade and gave everyone a smile, swinging one leg over an empty chair and then the other so he sat backwards on it.

"So, who's starting?"

"The Pinewood's can start the game, since I suggested it of course." Rick replied, his eyes staying level with Aiden's flecked golden ones. Despite their cold outward appearances, Rick had an aura of pure coldness. It was only his eyes that sparked cold embers of life.

"And who will you choose? Don't be too obvious Rick – I understand being original isn't your specialty, but try your best – we're all understanding individuals here." Aiden grinned wickedly.

Rick narrowed his eyes and they slid over everyone like ice – slippery and frosty, judging, assessing, scrutinizing. He made me nervous. I sipped my drink again and curiously watched his eyes slip over people. Then, slowly, his eyes lifted and met mine. His lips curled.

"April. I pick April."

Oh shoot... triple damn.