Annabeth Smith

"Babe, it hurts!! It hurts so much babe, please make it stop, please" She pleaded in tears as her bones kept cracking and reshaping make sickening sounds.

"You have to be strong, Anna. You have to be strong for me and everyone. I'm here for you, right beside you, baby. Do not fret. Just let it flow. Let it happen." He said moving closer to her, rubbing his snout against her hair, trying to pacify her.

Ray's heart bled at the sight of his mate. His vixen. Of all the times and moments they've shared he has never seen her look so vulnerable..so weak. He fought hard against Ritchie so that he could take back control and make all this stop.

'She mustn't transform, Ritchie. It hurts a lot. Can't you feel it?'

"Of course I feel it, Raymond. But what kind of mates would we be if we let her die without knowing who she really is, without giving her a chance to decide. We controlled her life for 3 years Richard. We can't do that anymore. We just have to help her and be here for her.'

Ray wanted to argue further but he knew deep down that his wolf was right. But how was he supposed to muster enough courage to stand by and let this happen.

'Just cooperate with me, Raymond. We have to be strong for here. Leaving her is not an option.'

He stood beside her saying sweet words to her through the mind link, using his snout and front right paw to rub her as she transformed.

'You can do this, babe. I believe in you.'

*'**'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'*'

ANNABETH SMITH

She was tired, really exhausted and fed up with her current situation at the moment.

She had this gut feeling that she deserved more....

her heart and mind kept tugging at her to seek more.

Honestly she wanted to do something positive about it, but she didn't know where to start, how to start, when to start ..it never really felt like the right time to her..

As assertive as she has always prided herself to be, she found herself failing at this moment

she felt stuck and limited by her environment

She had to do something

"Leave!!" Her mind kept whispering to her

" Where exactly are we headed " She pressed. I've spent my entire life here. How can I just up and leave without knowing where we're going or what to expect?"

But deeply she knew she had to leave to fend for herself and most especially her family as the meager $410 her mother earned weekly as a waitress at Duke's Tavern no longer covered the bills .

It indeed was a pressing need she needed to deal with..she had to do something fast before her family suffers more than it had already..

**********

**********Annabeth************

"Brrrriiiinnnnggggg" My annoying alarm clock blared loudly indicating it was 8am already and that I had slept for more than 8 hours. Arggghh.. I had just slept for fucks sake..surely doesn't feel like I had slept for up to two hours.

But I know deep inside me that the longer I stay in this bed the lower my chances of getting to have breakfast gets.

I skipped out of bed, put on my worn hello kitty flip flops and stomped to the kitchen.. ready to kill anyone who tried to touch my breakfast; I know it's gonna be little but that doesn't mean I have to starve duhh

I'm the best elder sister..I know :)

I greeted Mom giving her a short half hug and going to the opposite side of the table to peck Nate and Eva as they greeted me.

She complained about how few her notes were and that her friends were beginning to laugh at her because she used the same notes for different subjects. Nathan complained about the same problem too. I looked at my mom to see if she had anything to say.

"I already told them I'd get them new ones by the end of today" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Yeah, but Mom always forgets. She getting older." Eva said in between laughs coming to hide by my side.

"Eva!! I'd remind you of that statement when you need someone to help you with your homework" Mom clapped back sticking her tongue at Eva.

Naa.. definitely not too old.

I and Nate laughed at their exchange.

They were already dressed and ready for school as they had breakfast.. classic mom.

She was the sweetest I had to admit.

Since this year, her demeanor has really improved. She no longer seats in the sitting room staring in space as lone tears fall from her eyes, or trip on stuff or locks herself inside her room while the rest of us stay in the sitting room.

She now smiles wholeheartedly, makes boring jokes (that I secretly find interesting) and is more eager to spend time with us other than running away from evidences of her horrible past, I and the twins.

Hopefully, one day I'd make her so proud that whenever she remembers our fathers, she'd see them smile down at her, hailing her for the wonderful person she has become.

After breakfast I took Nate and Eva to the bus stop so they can take the community school bus to school. I'd go pick them in the afternoon after school.

I bid them goodbye with mushy hugs and sloppy kisses from Eva. After watching the bus leave, I started my walk home.

********************

Somewhere not too far...

Staring at her from a distance has become a favorite and addicting hobby of mine. Learning of her mannerisms, her likes and dislikes, her friends, every damn thing about her.

I have to admit. It isn't enough. Not even the slightest. But patience they say, pays better and tastes sweeter. So I'd continue as I have been for the past 3 years.. Waiting. I know and believe that someday, just oneday, we'd meet and when we do she's never gonna escape from my grip.. I wouldn't let her go.. ever.

"Good morning, Alpha."

"Morning. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Sir. "

"Good. I hope you haven't forgotten who you work for and the reason you were contracted."

"No, Alpha on."

"Good. Now, I need updates on everything. Everything she does that I do not see, what her plans are, where she goes, who she talks to, her challenges.. I want to know everything. Understood?"

"Perfectly, Alpha."

"Good. A token has been sent to your account. Take care."

"Thank you, Alpha."

You will be in my arms soon, Amore.

Soon.