I sat outside on the steps of JoAnns porch smoking a cigarette as I tried to have better luck getting my anger under control than my sister.

I could hear her inside cussing up a storm about what happened. A part of me wanted to try and calm her down. I was fairly sure it was Ashley who did this as I couldn't think of any reason why Jake would. They clearly weren't mates and it wasn't like he'd be afraid we'd harm her. whereas Ashley could of done it simply to give JoAnn some protection with the Council and make her officially off limits to Jake. He wasn't listening anymore, but that was another issue. At least they were supposed to answer her phone calls now.

It went directly to voicemail which actually did piss me off. If it was her she'd should've known I'd be in touch.

I hesitated calling Nancy before deciding against it. I'd tell her when she got back there wasn't any need to bug her in the meantime.

After about another fifteen minutes or so they came out of the house. Mr. Kenny gave me a quick nod as he hurried past and got in his car. JoAnn sat beside me looking exhausted as we watched him drive away.

"I'm sure it was Ashley. My guess she only did it to try and help."

"Are you sure?" She asked in a weak and broken voice that sounded nothing like my sisters. I put my arm around her and pulled her close. It was a miracle she could still talk at all after all the screaming she's been doing.

"Mostly. She's not answering me but she did volunteer for you to stay with her and Jake has moved on to another girl named Sasha. She's a real piece of work let me tell ya. Anyways, I don't see anything he'd gain from it. You obviously don't have one with Jake unless you've been plotting to break us up from the start."

My left shoulder stung like crazy as she struck me. "That's not even funny. I may be worn out but I'll still kick your ass for remarks like that and I mean it!"

"Okay! Geez, I'm sorry!"

"Well I don't appreciate being treated like property. If it's some sort of protection, then why not just call it that instead of claimed? It's barbaric! I don't want anything to do with any of them! And you'd be better off getting away from Nancy. She might say she's-"

"That's enough!" I warned. My sympathies now fading quickly.

"She's the only one who's been going out of their way to make sure we're safe. Yes, we're, as in the both of us. From the moment she found out you had gotten hurt she was helping me find out who it was and even visited you in the hospital. She didn't even know you. Now I agree the way we met is messed up. She can have a bit of a temper, and is rather controlling but I have never felt more protected than I do with her and considering all that's been going on, that's saying a lot. Now I don't want to hear you bad mouthing her again!

"Sometimes your more liberal than even I can deal with."

I was beginning to think her attitude was here to stay. The whole time I was making breakfast she was cursing out just about everything. Unlike with Mr. Kenny she at least wasn't yelling which I was eternally grateful for.

Just as I was dishing up our plates there was another knock at the door. It was Nancy this time and while JoAnn wasn't overly pleased by her being here she at least keeping her mouth shut.

The sorrow look on her face along with the lack of a single bite mark told me everything I needed to know.

I wrapped my arms around her even before she made it through the front door. And while she hadn't been gone very long it felt like ages with my sister, the Council, and worrying about Nancy. My nerves were in a desperate need of a vacation.

"It's alright. Hopefully soon Jake will get what's coming from him by the Council. I don't think I need to tell you I prefer it this way."

She pulled away holding me by my shoulders. Her eyes locked with mine imprisoning me.

"Jakes nowhere to be found here. What's worse is the packs gone too. No matter where I looked I couldn't find a single one of them. Even his businesses only had a few humans who had no idea where anyone was."

"Good riddance! Ashley and her pack scared him off then let's just send them a thank you note and call it a day. Let's just report him to the Council. I'm sure they can find out where he went a lot-

"He wouldn't surrender this territory just like that. No, he's gone to his brother for help, I'm sure of it! That's why we need to find a place for you two to stay. I've never liked Frank. He's violent and dangerous and I don't want you anywhere near him."

"I'm not going anywhere!" JoAnn said breaking her ten seconds or so of silence. For the love of a good margarita can't she understand we're just trying to look after her? I've been trying to give her time to adjust but we're almost out of time.

"I've got mom and dads funeral to get started tomorrow that I still have no idea how to pay for. Something tells me that missing more work isn't going to help. Then I have to figure out how I'm going to deal with Ashley and this shit she's pulled. I can't just pack up and go wherever on a moment's notice and neither can you. There's such a thing as responsibilities."

"This isn't up for debate, JoAnn-

Nancy hissed practically grinding her teeth and I couldn't blame her.

"You're damn right it's not! Now you two can-"

Another knock at the door and this time JoAnn wasn't alone in being annoyed. Both me and Nancy was with her but Nancy seemed especially upset.

"Oh Jesus Christ, who is it now?!" JoAnn said in a raised voice.

"I'll get it and let whoever it is know that now isn't a good time." I said with a sigh. My ribs have been better the past couple hours so of course I need to come down with a headache.

"Kevin? What are you doing here? If you're here to check on JoAnn she's fine but right now isn't a good time."

He was standing stiff as a board dressed casually in jeans and a green shirt. Another male I seen before when I went to talk with Ashley with shoulder length blonde hair hair and a thin mustache stood beside him giving me a dirty look that I tried not to pay any attention to.

"I'm just going to cut right to it, Crystal, why is Nancy here?"

I couldn't believe he was asking me anything so stupid. The thought of being nice and entertaining him did cross my mind but Nancy and Linnea were right, that I needed to put some distance between us. Then there's the fact that I'm in a bitchy mood partly having to do with his alpha and last but certainly not least I find his question insulting which is only gasoline on the fire.

"Well it's really simple, Kevin. I'll even explain it even though it's none of your business. She's here because I'm here. Now, I appreciate you checking in on my sister but it's really not necessary since we're with her. We're also very busy with what's happened recently so please leave and when you see Ashley, tell her to answer my calls. I don't appreciate her doing what she did and my sister isn't either. Tell me it was her and not Jake. Definitely wasn't the way to win her over. If she'd drop the claim, that would be great."

I could tell he wasn't happy and I knew Nancy wasn't. If I wasn't careful this could turn into a dangerous situation. Even Joann seemed to be picking up on it as she watched us closely.

"It's not that simple, Crystal, and you know it. Jakes gone that means this whole area is now our territory. Other wolves aren't welcome especially the Luna of the pack we just conquered. His eyes shifted onto Nancy bringing the tension up several notches

"Wow, Kevin, I always knew you were stupid but I'd gave ya a little credit. Sadly, it was misplaced. You're dumber than someone getting involved with a vampire if you think Jake just left after everything he's done to get it. My guess is he's on his way back right now from Montana with the Blackwater pack. Do you have any idea what they will do to your pack? What Frank will do? All your little Alpha did was get you all killed. At least when Shawn and Kara ran the pack they knew better than just to rush in blind. They considered the consequences. I hope you all have friends, you're going to be needing them. Now if you have even a single working braincell in that head of yours you'll go back and tell her to gather any allies you have, hopefully it's enough, and expect some company."

Nancy said moving me to the side. I didn't like it. While she spoke and acted calm and orderly I knew her wolf was fighting against the leash and there wasn't no telling how long it would hold.

The two behind Kevin looked like they were itching for a fight and I knew Nancy was willing to give them one, none of this would help the situation.

"Fuck this lying bitch, Kevin! She's not supposed to be here and now she's threatening the Alpha. I for one have had enough"

JoAnn said something next to me but I didn't hear a word she said. The guy cut in front of Kevin getting a quick growl from Nancy. Without another warning she hit him so hard he fell into the lady behind them.

I felt Joann pull me back away from the chaos aggravating my rib in the process. I couldn't see Nancy who was now outside which sent my nerves overboard.

"Let Go of me!" I demanded of her.

"Are you Crazy?!"

Maybe. I had no idea what help I'd be. To be honest, I just didn't care. The thought that Nancy getting hurt by them...

"Where's your gun?" I asked frantically. I had no intentions of shooting anyone but I'm sure a couple gunshots in the air would break them up.

"I'm not going to have you shoot anyone. That's one thing I plan on making sure stays one-sided."

A large yelp came from the front. This time I managed to break my sisters grip as I ran out the front to see Nancy's teeth around Kevin's throat. The guy with him was now a grey colored wolf with specks of black in it. He was limping badly and was bleeding from his side.

"Nancy stop!" I yelled as I ran to her fearing it was too late to save Kevin who looked scared shitless.

She turned slightly in my direction when she heard me but still refused to let him go. The other guy didn't dare make a wrong move knowing if Nancy did bite down, he'd certainly be next.

Only when I tried to bend over to put my arms around her causing my Injury to flare up did her gaze seem to soften. Wincing back in pain I was knocked off balance as JoAnn ran into us

"Don't you dare! This is my property and i've got enough shit to deal with already without you adding to it."

I couldn't believe her. She's lucky she's my sister as I'm sure that's the only reason she's still standing after that little stunt of hers. Still, I was glad it worked. I just couldn't get why they constantly were trying to kill each other and it wasn't considered a big deal. Just business or whatever as usual.

Nancy was now furious and I really couldn't blame her. Watching her get dressed in clothes she's borrowing from JoAnn felt like being next to a large heater.

"I knew she was a fucking coward but that really is a whole new level! I told you you couldn't trust Ashley, maybe now you'll actually believe me." Nancy growled as she tossed on one of JoAnns shirts. "I tried being nice, telling them what to expect and they tried hurting you."

Shit! I don't think I was in any real danger. I doubt Kevin would've allowed that to happen but I knew there was no convincing Nancy of that. I was hoping there would be some way of them working this out but it's clear they have a long history before I came into the picture.

"...so it's clear we need to find a place for you two to stay as this all goes down."

Nancy was now standing before me in a brown sundress that had blocks of gold, whites , and blacks. I've seen my sister wear it a hundred times and she never looked half as good.

"Hey, it's going to be okay." She knelt down resting her hands in my lap. I was lost on how she could think that. Not only did she have Jake now to deal with but it's a safe bet his brother and Ashley would be too.

"Why don't we just take off? We could you know? If Frank is really this bad... I know the packs important to you but things are just getting worse."

"Don't be getting yourself all worked up. I know what I'm doing. If that's what Jake did this could actually help us."

"How the hell-"

"Shhhh!" She said softly putting her finger on my lips.

"Because they're going to slaughter each other. My money's on Frank but it doesn't matter who comes out on top. If I do this correctly whoever wins will be weak and ready to finish off. I know, I'm shocked myself. After ten years together that son of a bitch is actually going to be good for something. What he did to you, your sister, and now your parents is unforgivable. He must be stopped because he's not going to on his own. The only way I can keep you and Joann safe is by making sure he can't do anything else and taking the pack back is the only way to do that. Now that Ashley is also targeting your sister it's even more important. I'd of let her have the territory if she just kept her beef on Jake but as you saw-"

"She hasn't." I finished her sentence. The guilt of trying to reason with her consuming me as I thought back to what Linnea had said.

This was a dangerous game she was playing. Ashley was no doubt going to be after her now and from what I knew of the culture, Jake couldn't let Nancy's disobedience go even if she didn't want to challenge him. As much as this whole thing scared the shit out of me, I knew she had to do it and I was going to support her in it.

"What do we do first?"