Everything comes crashing down as my eyes widen into his. Both of our breathing labored but his hands not releasing me. “Grace.” He says breathlessly.

That name is all it takes to wake me up. ‘Grace’ I’m not Grace. He thinks I’m someone I’m not. I shouldn’t be doing this when he doesn’t even know who he’s with.

I scramble off of him and stand in the middle of the room panting. I can see him start to fumble, standing up and walking towards me.

I look up at him, my eyes wide. “I’m so sorry. We shouldn’t… We shouldn’t have done that.” I stammer out and he looks at me shocked. Walking towards me like I’m a trapped animal he’s scared is going to run away.

“Why, Grace? Why shouldn’t we have done that? Please, just talk to me.” I can hear the pleading in his voice, the fear that I didn’t want him to kiss me, but that’s not it.

I don’t know why. Why I’m so scared to just tell them the truth, so I decide to lie. “I’m sorry, Gunner. I like all three of you. I’m not going to choose, so I’ve just decided I wouldn’t be with any of you. It’s not fair to you guys.” I don’t wait for him to respond, I run out the door and down the steps, landing face first in Dean’s chest. He pulls me up and wraps my legs around his waist causing me to gasp. “Who said we’d make you choose, Bambi?” And before I can respond his lips are on mine.

- Xena

“Wake up, Xena!” Someone whisper yells at me. I groan in pain, wondering who is waking me up. I was just able to get my body to allow me to sleep.

Thanks to the most recent beating from what most people would consider my father, I can barely move. I haven’t considered that man my father from the first time he laid his hands on me.

That doesn’t seem to stop him from laying claim to me, when he needs to pretend that we’re the perfect family.

The perfect daughter, that’s what I am. Great grades, well behaved, and of course what’s most important to him, beautiful.

My long golden blonde hair flows to my butt, bright blue green eyes with a circle of bright, sparkling gold around my pupils, height of five five and skinny with curves in all the right places. All things that I’m required to maintain, for fear of life. Not sure how I’m supposed to maintain half of those, but it wouldn’t matter, I’d suffer the consequences if my body decided to grow an inch. I mean literally, he checks my height monthly.

I look around in a daze, “Mom?” I whisper, following her lead. She scowls at me; I figure berating me for my stupid question.

I manage to get myself into a sitting position on the bed, just as she throws me my hoodie from across the room.

It lands on my face, blinding me for a second, when I grab it and pull it down. Luckily my sperm donor never aims for the face, so it didn’t hit any bruises or cuts. He would never hit my face and risk hurting the ‘according to him’ only good quality I have.

“Get dressed. We have to go.” She whispers again. I start getting dressed as fast as I can, without hurting myself, while I watch her. She’s going around my room throwing all my clothes in a suitcase.

At this point, I’m at a complete loss with what’s happening.

I gave up hope a long time ago that my mom would ever leave my sperm donor. Once I realized the difference in the way they treated my brother, Alec, compared to me. I knew that my mom loved him with all her heart. My mom would never risk leaving and losing my brother, even if that meant sacrificing me.

My sperm donor would never allow my brother to leave. Alec will be the next Alpha of the pack, so there wouldn’t be anywhere my mom could hide that he wouldn’t find her.

That being said, I don’t really believe she wants to leave Heath, my sperm donor. He is her mate and regardless of everything she seems to love him, and he her. It’s really only me who got the short end of the stick, when it comes to love from Heath. Maybe he just didn’t have anymore love to spare once I came along.

I finish getting dressed and look over at my mom, “Where are we going?” She looks at me for a minute, seemingly studying my face. She shakes her head, as if berating herself for whatever thoughts she just had. “Come on. We need to go now.” And with that as my answer, she makes her way to the door.

Once she opens it, she looks both ways to make sure no ones there, I’m guessing.

All this secrecy is scary, if we’re doing something against the Alpha’s wishes, I’m going to be the one punished for it, regardless of if I had any idea what was happening.

I huddle close to my mom, then she deems it all clear, and heads into the hallway. I follow her closely as we make our way through the pack house and outside to the car, without anyone noticing us.

Once we get to the car, my mom throws my suitcase into the backseat, then makes her way to the front as I get into the passenger side. My mom takes a deep breath and then starts the car.

I watch out the window as we head down the road that goes through the woods and passed the pack boundaries.

Once we make it passed the pack boundaries, I look over at my mom, I see the tension in her shoulders fall and then she looks over at me. “I’m going to drop you off at the nearest bus station.” My eyes widen. “What?” I ask, louder than I intended.

Her eyes soften just slightly when she looks over at me. “I can’t do much to help you Xena, but I can hopefully get you away for a little bit.” I just stare at her so confused, before she speaks again. “You are to follow the bus route until you land in White Peak. Then, ask for directions to the Turning Point summer camp in the White Peak territory. I’m sure someone there will know and be able to route you there. You’ll being staying there until fall. Your father doesn’t know where I’m taking you, just that I’m getting you out of the pack for a little while. After this last stunt you pulled, he doesn’t want to see your face for a while.”

I stare at her bewildered, because the ‘last stunt’ I pulled was eating an extra roll at dinner. I knew I shouldn’t have, but the regime he has me on to ‘maintain’ my figure, is practically just starvation.

Then I remember who I’m talking to. The same woman that has allowed that man to beat and starve me for years, without saying a word in my defense.

She really doesn’t deserve the title of mom either, but in a world that you have nobody, you have to hang onto even the smallest threads.

We finally pull up to the bus station, and I stare at it for a while before she starts nudging me out. She grabs my suitcase from the back and hands it over to me. I’m waiting for some heartfelt goodbye, or something, anything, as I look into my mom’s eyes.

She straightens, “Well, don’t forget about your regime. You come home fat, you know what will happen.” Then hands me a purple folder.

- Xena

When I finally land in White Peak after four hours of the stinking bus, I’m dropped off at a gas station. A Stop-N-Go, on the outskirts of the pack.

White Peak is way to close to our rival pack territories, then I would like, so I plan to keep my head down. It’s also why I assuming my mom wants me to change my name for my duration here. All information I gathered in my handy purple folder, since my mother couldn’t bother informing me.

Apparently, my name here will be, Grace. I keep saying it over and over again, trying to burn into my mind, so I don’t mess up.

I put my head down and walk into the gas station. Grabbing a bottle of water I head to the cashier, with the small amount of money my mom left with me.

I hear the door to the gas station open with a loud chiming sound and look over. A tall boy at least six two, bright blue hair and a piercing on his nose, walks in with a huge smile on his face. Honestly, if I wasn’t so all over the place his smile would be infectious.

I put my head down and walk up to the cashier. After paying, I realize I still need to ask for directions, I turn back around. “Excuse me. Do you know where Turning Point summer camp is?” The cashier smiles, “Yeah! It’s about forty miles north. That way.” He points the direction, while I gasp. Forty miles! My mom made it sound like it would be right around the corner once I landed here.

“Thank you.” I all but whisper and head out of the door.

I start walking really not having any other options right now. The buses are done for the day, so I guess the best option is walking. I only make it about twenty feet, when a bright blue sports car comes to a stop next to me.

My instincts instantly on high alert, I slowly look over to the car. Once the window rolls all the way down, I see the blue haired boy looking at me, with his same infectious smile. A smile, that if he was a murderer would definitely help him out. “Hey! I heard you said you were heading to turning point! Hop in! That’s where I’m headed too, and it’ll take you forever to get there on foot!” He practically yells everything. Everything coming out of his mouth with such enthusiasm, I can’t help the small smile that plays on my lips.

What’s the worst that can happen? He kills me, taking me away from all the daily beatings and starvation. It’s not that I don’t want to live, I just see no use dwelling on the possibility of dying when there’s not much to live for.

So, I hop in, forever grateful that I don’t have to walk forty miles, when I don’t know exactly where I’m going. He smiles at me and takes off once I close my door.

“So… Never seen you at turning point before! Are you new?” He asks, side-eyeing me, still having that smile plastered on his face. “Um. Yeah, I haven’t been before.” His smile changes as he puckers his lips in consideration, “What pack are you from? Not that I’m not excited to have some new blood, we just don’t get a lot of it around here.”

My body goes slightly rigid at the question, as I try and think of a pack that close to here. “Oh, I’m from Forest Pines, names Grace.” He smiles and I internally pat myself on the back for thinking on my feet. “Well, I’m glad you could join us, Grace. My names Jordan.” I smile at him and then watch out the window, as we pass an insane number of wide-open fields. Jordan goes on talking about everyone that goes to this camp, but I find myself spacing off as I consider the turn of events my life has gone through in one day.

Jordan finally makes a left turn onto a gravel road, with a sign arching over it, reading Turning Point Summer Camp. We’re finally here, and just in time for the sky to start turning darker, the sun setting along the tree line up in front of us.

“We’re here!” Jordan exclaims, after about a five-minute drive down the gravel road. All I can see right now is what looks like the main office in front of us, where he parks. The building looks to be sparkling, like they just built it. There’s a white sign over the door saying it’s the main office; I laugh internally because I didn’t see that before. Other then the sign, it just looks like a large log cabin, with a few people mulling around the front, outside.

Jumping out of the car and stretching wide, before he dunks down into his back seat and grabs both our suitcases. Jordan comes over to stand next to my door.

I don’t even realize I haven’t moved a muscle, until I hear my door open up. “You nervous?” Jordan asks, smiling at me. I swear he never stops smiling. I wish I knew what it felt like to always be that happy.

I look over at him and give him a slight smile, slowly making my way out of the car.

He hands me my suitcase and starts heading for the main office, I follow, not wanting to be out here in this new place alone right now.

Once inside, there’s a receptionist right in front, with a big smile on her face. Courtesy of her looking at Jordan. “Last year, Jordan!” Jordan smiles leaning onto the desk, “You’re crazy if you think this is the last year you’ll be seeing me! I love it here! Maybe I’ll apply to be a camp counselor after this!” The receptionist’s eyes go wide as she laughs, “Just stop while you’re ahead, honey. You’ll have responsibilities after this summer.” She smiles kindly at him, and he gives her a rare frown.

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway! This is a new girl! Grace!” He says, both their heads swinging to me.

- Grace

I give the receptionist a small smile and wave, when her smile lands on me. “Ah, Grace! It’s good to meet you!” She smiles and put her hand out for me to take. I do and give hers a gentle shake before letting it go. “Well Jordan, you know where to go. Grace why don’t you follow me, I’ll take you to your cabin, and here’s your schedule.” I nod.

Jordan starts walking out of the room, “See you around, Grace!” He salutes me as he turns and closes the door. I silently beg him to not leave me. He’s been so friendly and helpful, things I’m just not used to at all.

My unknowingly pleading face lands on the receptionist and she gives me a knowing smile. “It’ll be bad for a day or two, being the new girl. Then, you’ll just be apart of all of it. Everybody here is friendly, I just know you’ll fit right in. By the way my names Jessica. Any questions you can come ask me, I’m always available to help!” She smiles kindly, then throws her head in the direction of the door, signaling me to follow her.

As we make our way on the path through the trees, I can’t see anything. I’m still seventeen so I haven’t gotten my wolf yet, so night vision is not a thing for me yet.

We make our way to a row of cabins that are lit up by fairy lights all around them. I stare in awe at how beautiful it all looks, not to mention how new the cabins look. “Jessica. How long has this place been running?” I whisper to her, not wanting to wake anyone if they’re already asleep in the cabins. She smiles, “We’ve been open for over a hundred years. If you’re referring to the newness of everything, everything in the camp is strictly kept up to code. We strive to give you kids the best experience, which includes keeping everything up to code and looking as good as new, even in the woods.”

I smile, nodding at her, letting her know I heard her, but I’m not sure how to respond. My eyes looking around in wonder.

Maybe being here will be good for me. I’m nervous being this close to our rivals, but being away from Heath and being in the woods sounds like a dream come true, especially with such nice amenities.

We round the corner and start heading to the cabin at the end of the row. It’s lit up, which is good, hopefully that means my roommate is awake.

She stops at the door, handing me a key. “Okay, I’ll leave you here. I’m almost always at the front office if you need me!” She says with a wave and then takes off the way she came.

I take a deep breath and turn back towards the door, placing the key in the knob and walking inside. This is my life now.

I am Grace and I’m going to enjoy my time here, for as long as I can.

I highly doubt Heath will let me stay the whole summer, he’s not willing to leave his punching bag for that long. Granted my mom did say she didn’t tell him where she was taking me, but I don’t think it will take much for him to get it out of her.

When I walk all the way in, I continue to be amazed by this place. The living room is minimal but perfect and completely set up with a couch, two recliners and a flat screen tv mounted on the wall. There’s a nice chandelier, but not over the top, a small kitchen to the side with a full-sized fridge in it. I had expected a small room with two beds.

I hear a door creak open, and I turn in that direction. I’m meant with kind green eyes, long strawberry blonde hair with bangs almost covering her eyes. She’s shorter than me, and wearing a night gown, clearly trying to get ready for bed.

When her eyes spot me, they widen, and a giant smile plays on her face. “Oh my Goddess! You must be Grace! I’m so excited to meet you! Let me show you which room is yours.” She comes over to me grabbing my wrist before I can say anything. She drags me to the room on to the left side of the little living room.

“Sorry, I couldn’t take this room. It’s the closet to the door and I’m paranoid someone will come in and kill me.” She grimaces, because she just informed me, she’d rather me die first. I give her a small laugh, liking her already. “That’s okay. If that happens, I’ll try and scream extra loud, so you have time to escape.” I smile at her. She seems to think about it and gives me a nod, liking my plan very much.

“I saw two more doors. Do we have more roommates?” I ask curious. “Oh, we have one other roommate, Olivia, but she’s probably already sleeping. The other door is the bathroom. I’m Gia by the way!” She rushes, and I still just can’t get enough of her.

Gia shows me which door is the bathroom and then leaves me to unpack my suitcase. I sit down on the twin size bed, with a rose-colored comforter, and look around the room. It’s nothing special, but other then the bed, there’s a small closet, dresser and full-length mirror. I look down and see a fuzzy red rug on the floor, slightly hiding the wood floors.

I’m really starting to get excited I wonder what they do here. Most of the summer camps occupants probably don’t have their wolves yet. So, I doubt it will be anything too crazy, but I’m still excited to find out! For the first time in my life, I feel like I might actually have the potential to be happy.