Don't Bite

"Do you think the story is true?" Carmen asked, barely dodging a tree as we ran through the woods.

I glanced at her briefly before turning back to my surroundings. The last thing I needed was to fall, again. "What story?"

"The one about your ancestor dating a vampire. I mean, it has to be true being that your mated to a vampire, and all. But, what if there's more to the story, you know? Like something your family isn't telling you." She responded, pursing her lips.

This had me thinking. I don't think they would, my family never keeps things from me. Well, besides the whole 'I'm a werewolve' thing. "Why do you think so?" I asked, picking up my pace since she was out running me. Show off.

"Well, the story sounds a little too fairy tale, made up. I mean, why would a werewolf date a vampire? We're sworn enemies for crying out loud! Werewolves hate vampires, everyone knows that!" She exclaimed dramatically, waving her arms around. I rolled my eyes.

"I think," she continued. "That maybe- argh!" She tripped over a tree root, falling to the ground.

I tried my hardest not to laugh but I couldn't help it. "You're such a klutz, Carm!" I exclaimed, doubling over in laughter.

She hopped up to her feet, gracefully, glaring at me. "I'm fine, thanks!" She snapped sarcastically, shoving me. I laughed some more. "Remind me again why we're running in human form?"

I sighed. "Because we're not very strong in human form. I could kill a wolf in the blink of an eye, or a vampire for that matter, when I'm in my wolf form and I want to be able to defend myself no matter if I look like a wolf--or a human."

She raised an eyebrow. "Rox, where is this coming from?" she asked studying me for some type of sign.

"No where really..." I mumbled trailing off, looking down at my feet.

"So this has nothing to do with your mate, who happens to be a vampire?" she dead panned. Sometimes I hated how well that girl knows me.

"Fine! That's it, but-" her hand covered my mouth, muffling the speech I was about to give her.

"Shh!" she yell-whispered.

'What's going on?' I asked her through mind link.

She pointed somewhere south. 'Vampires.' My heart stopped at the smell of his scent. I'm such an idiot! how did I not notice him before! I figured my wolf was acting up because she just wanted to get out, or something.

I heard a laugh that sounded very much like April Lombardi. Seconds later the laughter got closer, as well as footsteps. April came running towards us, still laughing,her pigtails flopping wildly, and it was clear she hadn't noticed us yet.

And then he appeared. My mate. Looking really good, I must say. He ran towards april, a grin on his face, and there was a pang in my chest knowing he'd never grin at me like that. He swooped her up causing her to burst into laughter all over again. "Gotcha!" he teased her.

"No fair, Harper! You're faster than me!" She whined. Harper. I never did get his name.

He placed her back on the ground, and ruffled her hair. "Oh cheer up, buttercup. No one likes a sore loser." he poked his tongue out.

Carmen cleared her throat loudly. They both looked up, obviously surprised to see us. Harper's gaze landed on me and he had a look in his eye I didn't understand, his jaw clenched.

"I don't mean to, like, ruin the brother-sister moment," Carmen spoke rudely, which shocked me because she's the sweetest person ever. "But you're kind of in our territory."

Harper looked around in dis-belief, and then as if realizing Carmen was right, he turned to glare at her.

"We're really sorry! We didn't mean to upset you." April mumbled, looking genuinly sad.

"Don't apologize to them, April. You didn't do anything." Harper snapped. "It was an honest mist-"

"It's fine." I spoke up, surprised at hearing my voice. My mouth seemed to be moving on its own. "We understand, right Carmen?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Fine! But don't let it happen again or I will tell our alpha." I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks," Harper mumbled, sending butterflies to my stomach involuntarily.

"My pleasure." I kept my voice flat, avoiding eye contact with him. He nodded and grabbed his sisters hand, they disappeared.

I stood there for a while, staring at where they left, mixed emotions flowing through my body. Love, hate, lust, confusion. Why me? Just knowing that I could never be with my mate hurt like hell. Surprisingly, the fact that my mate's a vampire isn't what saddens me. No, it's the fact that I can't ever be with him that gets to me.

I felt a hand on my arm and I turned to Carmen who had tears streaming down her face and I was immediately in defense mode. "What's wrong? Carmen who hurt you?!" I asked frantically searching for any sign of danger.

She shook her head and said, "It's not me, its you," she sniffled. "You just have such bad luck! I feel so, so bad for you!" She sobbed, wrapping me in a hug. I patted her back, dumb founded. Of course that'd be the reason she's crying.

**

When I finally calmed Carmen down we went back to the pack houses, dodging questions everyone was throwing our way. They could tell something was up by the puffiness of Carm's eyes and the 'strange aroma' around us. Dads words, not mine. We helped prepare foods and got dressed for the pack bonfire. We do these sort of bonding activities once a month and It's usually pretty fun, but I had a feeling that the main focus would pretty much be me, with my situation and all, not to mention I'm the alphas niece so people will be trying extra hard.

We were currently standing off to the side, greeting everyone.

"Hi sweetheart, how are you?" Jules wrapped me up in a big hug, smiling warmly at me. Jules is Nelson's mate and is the sweetest person ever; aside from Carmen.

I returned her smile. "Better than ever!" I chirped with fake enthusiasm. "The question is how are you? You look like you're about to pop any minute now!" Mom exclaimed, kissing her on the cheek.

Jules giggled, rubbing her belly. "Nonsense I'm only 7 months along." She handed mom a dish with foil on it, which smelled like burnt cookies. I groaned internally, Jules has never been a great cook.

My eyes found their way to Nelson who was standing next to Jules, looking at her in aw. I poked my tongue out at him.

He rolled his eyes and started ruffling my hair. "Hey kiddo, what's new?"

These greetings went on for like thirty more minutes before we were all settled down around the fire eating and laughing with one another.

"So I heard these really weird noises and I go into the room and there's Carmen, crying, while watching G.I.Joe!" I laughed and so did the rest of my friends around us.

Carmen smiled softly. "G.I.Joe is a really sad movie!" She defended herself, biting into a hot dog.

Aimee, Carmen's cousin shook her head in disbelief. "It is no where near sad! You're just weird, cuz..." They continued talking and I took the last sip of my soda and crumbled the can up with little effort. I got up to go get another can of soda, rummaging through the cooler when a hand slid over my mouth and pulled me to the side.

I immediately became warm as shocks were sent through my body and his scent surrounded me.

I was pressed against a tree and I looked up into his deep blue eyes.

"Harper-" he put a finger against my lips.

"I'm sorry. I just- I had to see you!"