Chapter 2

Tori POV

               Tori heads back to the bar and meets Tammy and Eric at the door.

               "Tori! Are you okay? What happened?" She puts her around her friend and leads her back inside.

               "I found Jonas" Tammy's eyes go wide and she looked behind her to see if he was still out there. "He was.... fooling around with another woman in his truck" Tears fell down her face as they found a table at the back away from most of the crowd. Taking a seat, Eric goes off to buy another round of drinks for them.

               "Oh honey, I'm so sorry you had to see that. Did he say anything to you?" She asked as she handed her friend a cocktail napkin. Tori dotted her eyes and shook her head.

               "I don't want to hear his excuses! The woman had her head in his lap, that's all I needed to know" Fresh tears fell as Eric returned with the drinks and stood next to Tori.

               "Do you want me to go kick his ass?" He asked, seriously. Tori raised her head to look into his eyes and saw he was not joking. For a brief moment, Tori saw his eyes flash black and then return to their bright green shade.

               "No!" Her heart raced for a moment, now realizing what Eric was, she didn't need any blood shed today. "Thank you, but no. I'm done with him! He can do what he wants now." Tammy gave her a sad smile and rubbed her arm.

               "Well, let's have a drink and maybe..." Tammy had a mischievous smile across her face. "...we can do some karaoke!"

               "Oh no, I couldn't". Tori shrunk in her seat and shook her head.

               "Come on! You used to sing all the time at school! It made you feel better. I bet they even have your favorite song!" With that, she jumped up and ran to the DJ. Tori tried to grab her arm, but she was too quick and ran across the dance floor towards the DJ booth.

               "I'm not getting out of this, am I?" She said out loud while watching her friend.

               "Doesn't look like it." Tori took her shot and tossed it back before turning towards Eric.

               "I appreciate your offer, but I don't think that would've been a good idea. Too many people are watching." Eric stared pensively at her before answering.

               "I am your friend. I love Tammy and that means everything in her life. You are a part of her life, and now, mine too. Anything you need, let me know." He answered with a small smile. He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle side hug. "Just say the word and I'll kick his ass back to wherever that slime ball came from!" Tori let go of a bright smile and shook her head.

               "I'm good. No more Jonas. Let's just have fun tonight", Eric smiled and pulled his arm back.

               "Now that's the spirit!" He grabbed his glass and downed his shot as he saw Tammy come running back to the table.

               "You guys, OK?" She asked tentatively before wrapping her arms around Eric.

               "Yeah, Eric was just offering his hitman services." Tori answered with a chuckle. Tammy made a serious face and stared at Tori.

               "You let us know and we'll both do some ass whooping!" Tammy retorted while punching her palm with her fist. Eric and Tori just laughed and took another shot.

               "Well.... are we doing this or what?" Tori shouted while standing up and looking around at the bar full of tipsy patrons.

               "After this song, he'll call you up and you can let loose!" Tori nodded and continued scanning the crowd. It was full of people drinking, dancing, and having fun. Then, she spotted a man standing in the corner next to the bar with his arms folded across his chest. He was staring right at her. Her heart started racing and her breathing picked up. It wasn't fear she was feeling, but a sense of...longing or need.... maybe? It was weird. She doesn't recognize him, but it feels as if she knows him.

               Slowly, she took a step towards him, but the DJ announced on the speaker that there was a guest requesting to sing. The crowd clapped and shouted as Tammy pushed me towards the small stage at the front of the dance floor. She took one more look at the man and then continued towards the DJ.

               She hesitantly stepped up on stage and slowly turned towards the waiting crowd. Taking the microphone in her hand and nodded at the DJ to start the song. She waited for the intro and took a deep breath.

The music started and she slowly fell into the rhythm of the sexy and sultry beat. Swaying her body and rolling her head back and forth, in an erotic rhythm.

               As she started singing her favorite song, Ignite, she could feel herself calm down and relax a little. She was never afraid of public speaking or being in front of groups of people, but she hadn't done it in a long time. She looked out onto the dance floor and saw people beginning to slow dance to the rhythm of the music. She placed the microphone back in its holder and started dancing a slow and seductive movement of her hips and legs. Losing herself in the music and the words, she belted out the chorus in her strong confident voice. Closing her eyes, she could feel the music running through her, relaxing her even more, becoming one with the words, she lost all sense of surroundings until a warm, comfortable presence came before her. She smiled to herself, expecting Tammy to be up there with her, she opened her eyes. To her surprise, it wasn't Tammy. It was the man from across the bar. He stood at the back of the dance floor, staring up at her, with his arms at his sides, as if restraining himself from approaching her. As she continued, she stared into his eyes and was lost in the ocean blue orbs before her. She quickly noticed the rest of him, as he towered over everyone there with a broad muscular chest tapering down to long, sturdy legs that showed a hint of power through the dark jeans he was wearing. His face, oh that face was created by the Gods themselves! Strong, gentle features, but screamed power and authority. High cheek bones that bowed down to a sharp jawline, with firm and sensually tempting lips. His dark hair landed in waves just below his shoulder line. He had a powerful aura about him, one that made her feel safe but cautious. The man screamed sexy and dangerous all in one. A gorgeous specimen of a man, much like a rugged mountain man. He was too beautiful, way out of her league. Yet, here he was, staring right at her with not a thought to the outside world. But it was the look in his eyes that almost made her stop and forget what she was doing. He showed no emotion on his handsome face only eyes of determination and....longing? Does this man know her from somewhere? Tori was sure she'd never met him, and yet....

               The song was coming to an end, the final chorus she sang as if singing to him with a hint of sexy need while swinging her body and hips around to the final beat.

               When she was finished, he took a small step forward as the crowd around her clapped and whistled their approval of her talents.

               "That was amazing! Well done! Miss Tori everyone!" The DJ blared out across the speakers as Tori's cheeks blushed as she gave a small wave. She turned back to give a thumbs up to the DJ before playing an upbeat techno song. Turning around to step off the stage, Tori noticed that the beautiful man was gone. Looking left and right, she saw no sign of him and felt disappointed. Carefully stepping off the stage, she headed back to her friends and took a seat.

               "That was fantastic!" Eric shouted while handing Tori a mug of beer. She gracefully accepted it and took a large swig.

               "Haven't lost your touch, amazing as always!" Tammy gushed as she tapped her mug against Tori's.

               "Thanks guys, that felt really awesome!" Taking another swig of her beer, she glanced towards the door and saw the eyesore from before. Going completely still, frozen in her chair, she stared at the man and his bimbo.

               "Tori?" Tammy asked concern filling her voice. “What’s wrong?" Turning her own head, she saw what Tori was staring at and immediately became angry. "That son of a bitch!" She slammed her mug down on the table and was going to go confront the guy, but Eric grabbed her arm before she could take a step.

               "Babe, calm down." Flaring her nostrils and trying to control her anger at the man who so deeply hurt her friend, she stood still.

               "Eric...." She mumbled low and they all turned to see Jonas facing off with a giant of a man. Eric swore quietly under his breath.

               Tori gasped as she saw the beautiful man from before, glaring at Jonas. They were obviously having words and by the look of their body language, they were not friendly words. The man towered over Jonas. He was enormous, and absolutely gorgeous! Jonas was six feet, so the man must be at least three or four inches taller. Tori couldn't help but admire the man standing square with Jonas. His arms were at his sides and his fists were balled tight. His hair flowed wildly down his back, and he stood tall and proud, not afraid of anything. She so desperately wanted to rub her hands up and down his chest and through his hair and....wait wait wait. "Where the hell did that thought come from! I don't even know him! Oh, but I want to...." Tori shook her head and turned towards Tammy.

               "Who is that guy?" Eric looked nervously at Tammy before looking at Tori.

               "He's actually a friend of mine. Really nice guy." The girls looked in unison, over to the guy with wide eyes.

               "You know him?" Tammy asked.

               "Yeah...we...uh...work together." Tori slowly turned to face Eric with her eyes narrowed. He shrugged slightly and looked down.

               "His name is Victor" Tori turned back to the scene before them and watched the man converse with Jonas, who was trying to step around him, with his bimbo cowering behind.

               "Victor" Tori said breathlessly. She didn't think anyone could hear her, but as if he did, Victor turned his head towards her and caught her eyes. Tori could feel her heart racing, and her breath slowly escaping her. Those gorgeous eyes were looking right at her, again. Not knowing what to do, Tori looked away and grabbed her mug of beer. He had caught her checking him out and she couldn't face him.

               "I think he's taking care of the problem." They all spun around to see Victor grab Jonas by the arm and lead him outside. They could hear shouting and... growling?

               "What the hell was that?!" I shouted before taking off towards the door. Although she knew quite well what it was, she didn't want any bloodshed here where others could see and trying to explain would be even worse.

               "Tori, wait!" But she ignored the calls for her and continued outside until she found the two men squaring off and trying to intimidate each other. By the looks of it, Jonas was not doing a very good job. Victor towered over him by a good three or four inches.

               "It's none of your business man, back off!" Jonas yelled at Victor. Jonas tried to walk around him, but Victor grabbed his arm again and pulled him back in front.

               "It is my business! You need to take your sorry ass out of here before you regret it!" Jonas looked up and saw Tori standing their wide eyed and anger evident in her face.

               "Tori!" He yelled before skirting around Victor and running up to her. Grabbing both her arms in his, he started yelling in her face.

               "Did you send him after me, huh? Trying to get rid of me by scaring me? Or having someone fight me?" He was shaking her, and he was so close she could feel his breath and spit from all his yelling. "You're such a bitch! I never did anything to you!" Before she knew it, his hand came across and slapped her right across her cheek. She flew back onto the ground, hitting her head on the pavement. She felt him kick her in the leg before the sounds of pounding feet got louder. It all happened in a matter of seconds. She turned her head to see what was going on. That's when she heard the loudest roar ever. Everyone froze. with her one eye now swollen shut, she could only see from the other eye, but it was fuzzy at best. Through a fog, she saw a large figure fighting with a smaller one in the distance. A moment later, it was quiet, and she laid her head back down and focused on her breathing. Her face was throbbing, and her leg was hurting as well.

               A few moments later, Tori slowly sat up enough to look round and see that Victor had grabbed the front of Jonas' shirt and was ready to punch him in the face. Anger raced through her soul and fire in her veins. Raising herself up, she limped over to the two men and was ready to make her feelings known once and for all. She placed her hand on Victor's arm and stared right at Jonas.

               "I'm done with you, Jonas. I never want to see or speak to you again. Stay away from me." She spoke slow and low through gritted teeth.

               "Yeah? Or else what?" He asked with a ragged breath.

               Tori tilted her head at him, then looked up at Victor. A slow evil smile came across her face as she turned back to Jonas. Staring at him, she flashed her fire amber eyes at him then returned to normal. His eyes widened as he realized what she was. He wasn't afraid, just shocked.

               "You want to find out?" She dropped her hand from Victor, and he let go of his hold on the man's shirt. Jonas backed up and straightened his clothes. Shaking his head, he glared at Tori as he walked away towards his truck after grabbing his woman.

               Tori watched as he started his truck, backed out of the spot and drove away while leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. Taking a deep breath, she turned around to find Victor gone and Tammy and Eric walking towards her.

               "You, okay?" Tammy asked slipping her arm over her shoulder and rubbing her arm with the other one. Tori glanced around to see where Victor had gone to, but he was not in sight. Sadly, she turned to answer her friend.

               "Yeah, I'm okay." Tori gently patted her face where he had slapped her and winced. "Eric, can you take me home please?"

               With her arm still around Tori's shoulders, Tammy guided her back to the SUV they came in and Eric opened their doors for them. After they were all in and buckled, he started the engine and pulled out of the lot.

               During the ride home, it was a comfortable silence as Tori leaned her head on Tammy and soft music played over the speakers.

               When they arrived at her house, Eric helped her out of the truck and in the front door. She slumped on her couch as Tammy went into the kitchen to get some ice for her face, and her hand, since it had now become swollen and slightly bruised colored.

               "Where did Victor go?" Eric glanced at her and then looked down at his feet. He slowly shook his head before answering.

               "I don't know" Tori gave him a glare telling him she didn't believe him. He sighed heavily and then turned towards her.

               "Look, Tori, he wasn't supposed to show himself. Not yet anyway. He is a friend of mine, so you don't have to worry about him. I can't explain anything right now, but soon. I promise."

               "Does Tammy know?" He looked at her funny.

               "Does she know about you?" Giving him a pointed look. He twisted up his face like he didn't understand why she didn't know.

               "Of course, she does, she’s my mate. I had to tell her. She's bound by the oath to keep the secret." Tori just nodded and took a deep breath and slowly released it.

               "Does she know...about...me?" Eyes down low, she timidly asks. Eric looks at her with a sad face.

               "Yes, I do." Tammy answers as she came back into the room with the ice. Sitting next to Tori, she places the wrapped ice bag on her hand and handed another to her other hand to place on her face. "I've known for quite a while." She says with a light sigh.

               Speechless, Tori just gapes at her in question.

               "How? Why didn't you...?"

               "Say anything?" Tammy finishes with her eyebrows raised. "Well, I'm bound by oath not to reveal the secret, right? I only assume that means for all, not just Eric." Tori just stares at her friend while holding an icebag to her face. Eyes wide, a million thoughts running through her mind as to when and how she found out.

               "Do you remember when you got that respiratory infection back in our second year?" Tori nods. "You were put on a ventilator and were in a coma for a week. They had no idea how to treat you. You weren't responding to normal methods or medicine. So, I contacted your dad and he in turn called Dr. MacDonald to come help. The hospital gave him privileges just to treat you and he gave you some kind of super pill or something and you got better. Point is, I didn't leave your side that entire week. I learned from your dad some of your history. Of course, he left the heavy stuff for you to decide to tell, but since I wouldn't leave, he thought it best to tell me the basics and make me promise not to tell your secret or it puts you in danger." Tori had tears in her eyes and just sat there quietly, listening to Tammy. Eric had come over to the couch and sat next to Tammy and was holding her hand.

               "All this time, you knew and didn't say anything...even to me." Tori closes her eyes as the tears fell and just shook her head.

               "Why?"

               "It was a secret. “She whispered leaning in towards Tori. "I figured you'd tell when you were ready. I got the gist of it all from your dad, but when I met Eric, I couldn't deny it anymore. They are real. You are real. Eric is real. I love you guys more than anything and would never betray you guys like that." She sat back smiling up at Eric and then grabbing Tori's hand gently. "I'm pretty open minded so, and with the evidence right in front of me, I chose to accept it." Eric leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Tammy's head as he gave her hand a squeeze. Tori nodded in acceptance of her answer.

               "Who was that guy at the bar?"

               "Victor? A friend of mine. Yes, he's a wolf too. You don't have to be afraid of him, he won't hurt you." Eric gave her a mischievous smile. "Besides, I think he kinda likes you." Tori snapped her head towards Eric and scrunched up her face.

               "Puuhlease! The man is a God himself, why would he even......" Tori stopped short, realizing what she just said.

               "A God, huh?" Eric answered teasingly. Tori just hid her face in embarrassment. Tammy chuckled at Tori and grabbed her hand.

               “...And why not! You are beautiful, smart, sassy and sexy! Everything a man could want and more!"

               "Obviously not" Tori thought back to her time with Jonas and how he up and left her with no notice, she felt abandoned, and humiliated. Tammy shot her a sad knowing look.

               "Oh sweety, don't think about him. That douchebag wouldn't know a good thing if it sat on his face!" Tori screeched at this and covered her mouth with her hands.

               "Tammy!" Eric was laughing out loud next to Tammy as she just smiled with a determined nod.

               "Well, he wouldn't! It's his loss."

               After a few minutes of laughing and good-natured shoving, Tori's heart felt lighter, and her tears had dried up. She looked down at her hand and inspected it, slowly moving her fingers to see if it was broken.

               "That was one hell of a punch you gave that fender. Did you see the dent you left?" Eric chuckled.

               "Yeah, now I'm paying for it. I don't think it's broken though. It'll certainly leave a mark in the morning. Speaking of which, I need to get some sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow. Dr. MacDonald asked me if I wanted to do private home care for a friend of his and I need to answer him by tomorrow.”

               “What?!” Tammy spun with an incredulous look on her face. Tori sheepishly smiled before answering.

               “Yeah, a friend of his has a nephew that was in a fire and having trouble assimilating back into the real world. Apparently, he was caught in a fire and is having a hard time with the recovery process.”

               Tammy let out an exasperated breath and shook her head. Eric grunted in mild disapproval before speaking.

               “Tori, who is this friend?” He gave her a knowing look with his arms crossed.

               “Umm... his name is Colton. His nephew is named Ronin and he was caught in a house fire. Same fire where he lost his father. Eric became stone faced and dropped his arms. Glancing at Tammy, he questioned further.

               “Where are you going?”

               “I’m supposed to stay at their… “She closed her eyes and winced as she said the word. “...Packhouse.” Tammy jumped to her feet and stared at Tori. Eric stood silent with wide eyes.

               “Tori! You can’t be serious? That could be dangerous! You don’t even know these people.”

               “They are friends with Dr. MacDonald. They can’t be that bad.”

               “Tori, Colton is friends with Dr. MacDonald. I bet there is a lot that he doesn’t know about him. Is the doctor aware of… “Tori slowly nodded her head.

               “Yeah, he knows about them” Tori carefully stands and walks to the window and stares outside. “This is what I do. I heal people. At least I try to. Everyone deserves a chance to heal. I have made up my mind. I’m going to talk with my dad about it tomorrow at lunch, but I will take him up on his offer. If he is coming to me, then it must be bad.” Eric and Tammy looked at each other then sighed. Tammy walked over and grabbed her hand.

               “I know. I just want you to be safe. Don’t take any unnecessary chances.”

               “Don’t worry. I’ll do my research before I go.” Tori turned and gave her friend a hug. Looking at Eric over her shoulder, she was uncomfortable with his stare. It looked like he knew something but wasn’t going to say. She decided to worry about that later. Her head was pounding, and her leg was throbbing.

               “Alright sweety, we’ll talk again tomorrow. You get some rest.” Tammy pulled away and smiled sadly at her friend.

               “Thank you both for being there tonight. I did have fun… “she shrugged her shoulders before giving a slight chuckle. Tammy chuckled with her, but Eric was quiet.

               Tori walked them, or limped rather, to the door and said their goodnights.

 Tori closed the door behind them and sighed. She still had so many questions about what happened at the bar with Victor. Who was he? Why was he here? Why does he feel so familiar? She was too tired to dwell and would figure it out later. Right now, she wanted sleep. But first, she wanted to call her father and ask him to lunch. Even though it was late, she knew he would still be awake.

               Picking up her phone, she dialed her father's number and let it ring. He answered after only two rings.

               "Tori, honey? You, okay?" She chuckled to herself.

               "Yeah dad, I'm okay. I was just calling to see if you wanted to have lunch tomorrow?" She asked as she curled up on her couch.

               "That would be wonderful! You thinking diner?"

               "Yeah, we can go to George's Diner if you like."

               "Sounds good." He hesitated for a moment then continued. "You got something on your mind?" Tori sighed and quickly thought about saying anything. He always supported her decisions and guided her through the tough ones.

               "I need to bend your ear about something."

               "What is it?"

               "I have to make a decision about a temporary job I was offered." She heard him sigh from the other end.

               "What kind of job?" He asked skeptically.

               "Dr. MacDonald asked me if I would help a friend of his. Seems his nephew is having trouble getting back to normal life."

               "That doesn't sound so bad."

               "His nephew is the future Alpha of the Hidden Falls Pack" She heard dead silence on the other end.

               "They want you to heal him?" He asked abruptly.

               "Sort of. He is having trouble mentally returning to mainstream life. As far as I know, he is healed physically and is attending physical therapy."

               "Are you sure that is something you want to do?"

               "I have no idea. That's why I would like to vent my pros and cons. You were always a good listener." He chuckled a little.

               "You know I will always help. We'll talk about it tomorrow."

               "Thank you, dad, I'll meet you there at noon?"

               "Sounds good, see you then. Good night sweetheart."

               "Good night dad, love you."

               "Love you too." She hung up and sat back on the couch and sighed. Her hand started to throb a little as well as the side of her face. Slowly, she got up and headed into the kitchen to get a bottle of water and two painkillers. Tossing the pills in her mouth, she washed them down with a gulp of water and replaced the bottle in the fridge then headed towards the stairs.

               Tori retreated into her bedroom to start her evening routine before going to sleep. Removing her dress and shoes, she grabbed her green plaid pajama pants and a loose white tank top and disappeared into the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, washing her face and combing out her hair, she dressed in her pajamas and headed to bed. Crawling under the sheets and comforter, she set her alarm for early the next morning and laid her head down and closed her eyes. The painkillers finally kicking in, she was drifting off to sleep, the image of Victor came to mind, and she smiled to herself. She was going to have some very nice dreams tonight!