Hey everyone, here's the next chapter of the story. Sorry this one is a little short, the next one will be longer. :) Hope you enjoy!

"Oh my God! Look at you," Mare screamed, her dark hair fell in chaos and her clear blue eyes were wide with panic. She ran up to Ash and held his face in her hands, silently surveying the damage. Ash and Quinn were both covered in blood, with scratch marks littering their bodies.

Ash grinned, "Well, you should have seen the other guy," he winked at his soul mate, trying to erase the pain that was so plainly criss-crossing her face. "Miss Rashel, otherwise known as Miss Kickass, saved our lives." He nodded to Rashel with admiration. "Wait…could I just call you Miss Kickass from now on, because it totally suits you."

"No, you may not call her that" Quinn interjected coolly, "let's get out of here." He slid his arm around Rashel, who was still carrying her shotgun. Then lightly pulled her close and planted a soft kiss on her temple. "Thanks for the help, love."

"Anytime, John" Rashel whispered, resting her head briefly on his non-damaged shoulder.

"Alright," James said loudly, "the car is loaded, Thierry lives really far south. It'll take us a few days to get there. I'll drive; I don't want you two speed demons wrecking my car." Oh course, Quinn and Ash both needed the rest, and James being uninjured took the liberty of letting them get some much needed rest.

James, Poppy, Quinn, Rashel, and Timmy all climbed into one car. Ash and Mary-Lynette made their way over to Rowan's van, where Kestrel, Mark, and Jade sat.

Then the road trip began.

Mary-Lynette sat in the back of the car with a growing pit inside her stomach. She had faced werewolves before, but she had never seen a wolf pact. As much as Ash acted like a tough guy, she knew he was hurting—and scared. Hunter Redfern would never let them go. She heard that he hated soulmates, and wanted to ensure they were all eliminated, but hearing and witnessing were two different things.

Gingerly, Mary-Lynette ran her fingers through Ash's blonde hair. They were both in the back seat; Ash was lying down on her lap asleep. Looking at all the scratches and bite marks made bile rise in the back of her throat. She could feel her pulse quicken as fury began to take hold of her. She hated that being so helpless. At least Rashel was able to protect Quinn. Mary-Lynette couldn't even fight off Rowan and Kestrel. She was utterly useless.

Suddenly Mary-Lynette could feel tears stirring in her eyes, a flood gate threatening to break through. Mark and Jade were also sleeping, but Kestrel and Rowan would easily hear her cry. In truth, the thought of losing him had never really sunk in until this moment. She never understood the danger they were in. To her, Hunter Redfern was just some fantastical far away raincloud in her otherwise happy life. All the time, she was ignorant of the danger they were really in.

Redfern wanted everyone she loved dead. But, they were her family. Mark, Rowan, Kestrel, Jade, they were the only family she had ever known. And then there was Ash. She never answered him about becoming more serious, she heard about his past and wanted to take time before jumping in with him. But, faced with the possibility of losing him forever terrified her. Love, she loved him. That was the only explanation. Mary-Lynette found herself smiling. The realization struck her, she loved Ash. No matter what happened in the future, she would become a person who was strong enough to protect the people she loved, at any price.