New Family

Chetan bursts in the door with a look of alarm on his face.

"I am fine." Rushing into his arms, the warmth of his embrace fills my soul with

happiness.

"I was so worried about you," he says.

"I know." It's going to be hard to leave the pack, but I belong with the vampire clan.

Ajay starts filling Chetan and the rest of the wolves in on all the creatures I discovered. He talks about peace and working things out with every group. Somehow, I doubt that will happen.

Smoke comes out of the backroom, and he looks horrible, as if he just took a beating in a

boxing match. His eyes were swollen with blackness and bruises. He look like He was suffering from severe allergies, his face was puffy.

My heart sinks, and tears fall down my cheeks. "I did this, I hurt you."

"We both know I instigated this." He brushes aside my concern.

"You still didn't deserve that." I point to the bandage wrapped around his head.

"Zare, I am fine." He blows me a kiss.

Smiling, I see a nice man in Smoke. He may be rough around the edges, but there is a

good heart in there somewhere.

He walks over and kisses me on the forehead. "Cuddling will make me feel better."

Feeling my cheeks turn red, I look away, and Smoke laughs.

"Back off, I have enough competition," announces Chetan.

Everyone laughs, even Aanya. She seems to be warming up and talking more, and I was

happy.

"Ash," I call in my head.

"You figured it out, darlin," I hear his creepy voice in my head.

"I want to join the clan."

"Splendid, we will be at the camp soon."

Grabbing a shopping bag from the kitchen, I walk to the back room. No one seems to

notice the weird behavior. Opening the dresser drawers, I fill my bag with all my clothes.

Returning to the kitchen, everyone now notices the bag.

"What the hell are you doing, Zare?" Chetan demands.

"I am leaving the pack to be with the vampire clan. It is where I belong," I reply firmly

despite my sweaty palms.

"Put that fucking bag back in the room! You are not leaving anywhere!" Ajay yells,

throwing things all over the kitchen.

"I am leaving, Ajay."

"You'll lose your wolf because you don't have my permission."

"That's fine. I am a vampire; it's where I belong."

"What about me, Zare? My heart will break without my mate. Have you thought about

that?" Tears are rolling down Chetan's face.

"I also have to protect you."

"No. It will be hell for me without you. Please, baby. Don't go." His voice cracks.

I've never seen Chetan so upset. "Goodbye, everyone."

"You can just leave me!" Kiara blocks the doorway, her face wet and eyes swollen.

"I belong with the vampires, it's who I am," I repeat myself.

"You are also a wolf, my cub," says Ajay.

"I was."

My senses go crazy hearing Ash, Ace, and AB talking among themselves. Looking at

everyone's shocked face, I know I must go. My face is wet from crying, and my heart hurts at the thought of leaving my family. I love Ajay and Chetan. If I ever hurt them by accident, I would never forgive myself.

"Bye." Walking around my sister and to the door, my shaky hands push it open. I spot

Ash, Ace, and AB marching into the camp.

"Zare, you are not leaving. Please don't do this!" Ajay cries.

Chetan rushes up in front of me. He is a wreck and is past crying, more like

hyperventilating. Bringing my lips to his, I kiss him like I never kissed him before, saving every moment in my mind.

"I love you, but I have to protect you," I whisper.

"I don't need you to protect me. I need you to stay here and love me," he says.

"I can't."

"We had a deal!" Ajay races towards the vampires.

"Yes, to not harm a wolf," says AB.

"Zare is my wolf; she stays with me," Ajay hisses.

"Zare asked to join the clan, and she shall." Ash smirks. "

"She is an incredible vampire," Ace remarks.

"If you hurt her in any way, I will rip out every one of your throats," Ajay warns.

"We have no plans to harm her," promises Ash.

"Zare, you have my permission to leave the pack," Ajay growls through gritted teeth.

Kissing him on the cheek, he wraps his arms around my waist.

"I still love you," he says through tears.

"I know. I love you, too."

Chetan stands a few yards away. He is such a mess, the poor thing can hardly move.

"Zare no! Please!" he screams.

Walking back towards him, my heart is splitting in two. I know how he feels because I am

feeling it. The very thought of living without your Mark mate is worse the hell. I would rather be dead. I love him oh so very much. I am a vampire; I attack humans and werewolves. I hurt innocent animals, I am a monster.

Embracing him in a hug, I kiss him one last time. "I love you so very much."

"Don't leave Zare. Please, please, please stay." He grabs my hand and kisses it.

"I can't."

"Zare." Kiara walks up behind me.

Rushing into her arms, I hug her tightly. "I need to protect you. I love you."

"We can handle this together," she says. "

"I am a vampire, I belong with them."

"Stay with the pack, and Cricket will protect you," she claims.

"Zare, this is crazy, stay with the pack," pipes up Smoke.

"We all need you," remarks Cricket.

"Yeah, girl, this is nuts," says Aanya.

"I told you I will give you tips," Riya adds.

"Guys stop! I have to leave." Walking towards the vampires, I am shocked nobody tries

to stop me. A shout from Chetan makes me pause, and look over my shoulder.

"Why did you give her permission to leave Ajay?" yells Chetan.

"She was going to leave either way, and she needs her wolf for protection," he says.

"You should have made it as hard and miserable as she made it for us," shouts Chetan,

his face contorted with hate.

I look away and continue dragging my feet towards the vampires. Everyone is a mess. I

can't see Chetan's face again, or I might not leave. I still hear his cries, and Ajay is trying to

calm him, but falling apart himself.

Ash puts his arms around my shoulder, "Welcome to the clan, darlin'."

We hurry through the woods at top speed. Ash holds my hand, his touch is new and

strange. His hands are colder than Ajay's and Chetan's warm touch. The vampires live in the wetter part of Sandy Shores. There is a swamp and river nearby, a little hangout place. Big boulder rocks circle a fire. It is right in the open, which stuns me. When I think of vampires, I think about dark, gloomy caves.

"We don't need a shelter, baby, we are immortal," says Ash.

I never thought about being immortal. I am going to live forever? Will there come a day

when Chetan won't be alive? I will have to live without him. So might as well now.

"Welcome to the family," says AB.