Broken

t o u g h l o v e

Waking up, my body already ached with the upcoming arrival of the full moon. This was going to be a very long day. I didn't understand why it was already effecting me, it shouldn't have been that way. A knock sounded on my door.

"Are you okay?" Weston sounded worried, but there was also something else in his voice – an emotion I didn't understand but it made me feel worse and I pulled the quilt closer to me.

"I'll be fine."

He cleared his throat. "I...A...I can smell you already."

"Yeah." Not knowing how to respond, I changed the subject. "When's the meeting?"

"In fifteen but–"

I cut him off, "I'll get dressed."

Quickly, I pulled on a pair of sweats and a thick jacket but still felt freezing. Grabbing a hat, I put it on along with some gloves. Pushing open the door, I nearly ran right into Weston. He chuckled at my appearance.

"It's the middle of summer."

Ignoring his comment, I trudged into the living room and pulled on my Uggs. Weston easily followed behind me.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Fine. Just cold."

Moving around me, he gently placed the back of his hand on my forehead. His eyes widened in surprise. "Oh my goddess! You're burning up."

"It's just the heat." Pulling away, I stomped to the door. "We have a lot we need to get done."

"No. You need to rest and we need to talk about this."

Ignoring him, I found my way to the truck and climbed in. In a fit of anger, he climbed in beside me.

"You know, you're very stubborn," he commented, his frustrated look exciting me.

"Not the worst thing I've been called."

"Please..."

"Enough. We have more important things to worry about."

Scowling at the road ahead, he bit his lip and fought back whatever it was he wanted to say.

"What?"

His anger melted away and he sighed in defeat. "There's nothing more important than you."

Chewing on my lip, I looked out the window at the green. My heart swelled and wolf howled in pleasure but I fought back the reaction. Instead, I got angry and whispered under my breath.

"Said the blind man to a rock."

He flinched back slightly but said nothing, just continued to drive. When we came to the pack house, I quickly climbed out and ran into the house. Weston ambled slowly behind me with an empty stare on his face. Charley was looking better but when I walked past him, he stiffened.

"Maybe you should stay home."

Tyler and Kate nodded in agreement.

"Why?"

Tyler cleared his throat awkwardly. "You smell like a female in heat."

Weston stormed in. "Tyler, what's the update for last night?"

"No sightings. But there was a note."

"A note?" Weston only grew angrier as Tyler pulled out a small piece of paper.

"It smells like the one who got away."

My interest peaked and I sat up. "Simon?"

Tyler nodded.