Like the Moon

@ Jinx...
Jake bit his lip when she commented on the place. Since it was just a haven for the night, he really didn't have any doing on the way it looked. But it made him feel a bit bad about the place he lived in. Though they were always moving, it wasn't safe for wolves, just as much as it wasn't for humans. Their group had boosted the keys to the place when they came through, knowing that keeping the keys would come in handy. "I can if you really want to stay." He informed Haden, knowing that he'd had an easier time conversing with Avery. So he wouldn't mind getting food for the group even if it meant leaving her behind for a bit. "I'll see you in a bit." He informed Avery, before he exited the room.

---

Laney entered into the room and looked around, a small frown tugged at her lips. This place would have been a decent place to stay at before the wolves took over. But now it was a run down and unkempt place. Though it was basically the same it was before the outbreak, it was just dust ridden and gloomy. "So is this where you live?" She questioned Haden, though she knew the answer before he'd even open his mouth. Something was off with him, it was like he didn't want her and her sister to see where they really lived. And that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand. Could she really trust a man that wouldn't even welcome her into his home? Or maybe he was just ashamed about his living arrangements, that would be understandable. But her not meeting the rest of his group put her on edge.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery frowned as Jake said he was leaving. "Oh alright." she said though she had felt like they were just starting to talk. She sighed and went to check on chip. She came out a moment later and sat down opening her water and taking a sip. She looked around wishing she had gone with Jake. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes curling up on the couch. She was looking tired the longer she laid there. Avery yawned and sighed turning around to her other side.

---

Haden looked at Laney and frowned. He thought it was pretty nice considering the places now a days but maybe she was just accustomed to more. "Naw i don't live here it was just one o the closest places I knew was safe and well kept. It is also pretty close to the stash." he said and gave her a smile. "Make yourself comfortable." he said softly. "So Laney were are you from?" he asked and ran his hand through his hair watching her look around speculatively. It was not going to be easy to gain her trust.

@ Jinx...
Jake frowned once he exited the building, it was a bummer he had to leave and get the supplies. But he knew that it was better than having to wait all night to eat. Quickly moving through the streets he found the stash quickly. Him and Haden were picky about saving things and not being waste full. The others had mates so they were always making sure they ate their fill. Quickly making his way back he hoped he hadn't been gone to long.

---

Laney ignored his comment about the place being nice. She was still one edge about trusting him. "Why does it matter?" She furrowed her brow turning to look at him. "It's long gone by now, and no point dwelling on the past." She told him. Before turning to Avery, noticing her sister seemed to be sleeping. She didn't know how her sister was so trustworthy of people. But then again she hadn't gone through the things that's Laney had. Wolves weren't the only thing that was bad about the way the world had turned out. And she carried a gun for a lot of reason, not just to kill wolves.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery heard the door open and she sat up ruling her tired eyes. She smiled at Jake. "Hey." she said with a sleepy smile. She stood wobbling slightly before getting her footing. She went and took Chip some food and water then came back out to eat and drink something herself sitting down. She pulled Laney beside her and shook her head at the girl. Her sister wasn't trusting enough. She pushed anyone away that wanted to help. Avery smiled and started to eat. "Thanks for the food Jake." she said.

---

Haden sighed. "I guess it doesn't but I was just trying to make conversation." he said and shrugged. He wondered what had happened to her to make her so cold. He ran a hand through his hair grateful for when Jake returned. He made sure Laney and Avery got food before he and Jake ate anything. "So Avery you were saying something about learning to be a Sage?" he asked and she beamed nodding. But her mouth was full of food so they had to wait before she was able to talk.

@ Jinx...
Jake watched as Avery took Chip food, he had planned on doing that once he knew she was eating. But this girl seemed to be caring for everybody. Smiling he waited for her and Laney to start eating before he started to munch on food. "You're most welcome." He beamed, watching her as she ate. Listening to her and Haden talk, he was surprised at how nice and honest she was.

---

Laney thanked Jake as he handed her her food and drink. Before being pulled down by her sister, she knew Avery didn't approve of her behavior. She didn't particular care for people, and that's why she scouted. Listening to her sister and Haden talk she nibbled on her food. It wasn't that she wasn't hungry she just didn't seem to want to eat. Her mind was else where and just even nibbling at it turned her stomach.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery smiled at Laney as she talked before looking around the room. "Yeah I have wanted to be a doctor since I was little and now well I get a chance to." she said happily. "What about you Haden what do you do for your group?" she asked. "I organize the gathering of resources." Haden said and shrugged. "Pretty boaring to say but it is a dangerous thing job." he said and smiled. Avery nodded and looked at Jake. "And what about you?" she asked.

---

Haden listened to Avery and wondered how she could be so different from her sister and so full of hope and life. He wanted to pull Laney to the side and ask who hurt her so he could make them pay. He knew something had happened to her and he felt terrible for not being there to save her from it but he could promise himself and her now that she would never have to go through it again.

@ Jinx...
Jake listened to the conversations that was happening around him. His attention snapped to Avery when she questioned him, "uh just do what every I can." He smiled at her, "Haden and I keep busy doing things to help the others." It wasn't a lie but it wasn't the truth either, what ever Haden told him to do he did.

---

Laney took a bite of her food, she didn't really care what they were talking about. Lifting her gaze from her food, noticing that Haden was looking at her. "Hmm?" She questioned his staring at her, titling her head to the side. She could tell he had questions and she didn't particularly like that he was staring.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery nodded and bit her lip. "Right." she said and sighed. "Well..." she yawned after she finished her food. She looked at Laney. "You need to get some sleep." she said knowing her sister would try to refuse but Avery was worried about her. She didn't always use to be like this. Avery smiled and looked at Haden. "Do you happen to have another room?" she asked.Haden smiled and nodded standing. Avery too Laney's hand and followed him. They were taken to another room and Avery went in seeing there was a lock. "Perfect thank you Haden." she said and looked out the door to see Jake standing closer than she had expected. "Well goodnight." she said and smiled at Jake and then Haden then closed the door without another word to try and help her sister sleep. She locked the door and pulled the chair in front of it. "There. You know you should trust people more. Not all of them are bad." Avery said. Sometimes she just wished that Laney would talk to her and tell her what happened.

---

Haden looked at the closed door and then looked back at Jake and chuckled. What was he doing chasing a girl that didn't wanted to be chased? But what could he do? Haden sighed and walked back to the couches. It looked like human from and couches tonight. It was going to be so uncomfortable. He opened the window and looked out towards the woods. He spotted a wolf and sent a telepathic thought their way that they were helping out some humans. It wasn't an exact science but they got the message and left to go back to camp. Haden turned and looked at Jake plopping down onto the couch. "Uhh I got to get a handle on myself." he said and laughed sadly.

@ Jinx...
Jake frowned as he plopped down on the couch next to Haden. "No shit." He said before shaking his head, "I understand completely." He told him, "it's like when I'm with her I want to do everything to make her happy, yet I know nothing about her." He shook his head. "And don't get me started on being away from her." He huffed out laying back into the couch, his body feeling tired but he didn't want to sleep. Instead he wanted to be with Avery holding her in his arms. Maybe it was a good thing she wasn't sleeping near him, but he still longed to be nearer to her.

---

Laney watched as Haden's face changed, he knew she'd caught him. And yet she never got an answer out of him. Why on earth was he staring at her like that? Her mind raced as she paced to room, her sister sitting on the bed watching her. She ignored her sister's statement, "does it seem like something off with them?" She questioned her. "I mean they offer us a place to stay, but its not their home." She thought out loud. "This just seems so bizarre." She shook her head, no matter how good looking they were, or nice. She still didn't trust them.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden chuckled and nodded. "She doesn't trust me. That hurts. I didn't do anything wrong ya know? She is hurting too I can see it but I don't understand it." he said and stretched out. He closed his eyes feeling like this was the first time since he and Jake joined the pack that they actually agreed on something. He was amazed at how this process was already changing him. Haden shook his head. "I was right to bring them here... right?" he asked and turned to look at Jake. He felt like he screwed up somehow.

---

Avery sighed exasperated. "Laney! Maybe they just thought this was nicer. Maybe they are embarrassed of the people they live with. If I met someone I really liked right away you can bet your ass I wouldn't take them back to the group. There would be to many question to much..." Avery waved her hands around like a busy bee. She laid back on the bed. "Haden likes you Laney... I know you didn't get a lot of nice guys liking you but when a nice guy likes a girl he tries to impress her and well on such short notice this is a nice place to impress a girl." she said and looked up at Laney. "Stop thinking so hard! You scare people off when you do that. And I like them. They are better than Chip and Luke! Hell Luke tried to get you to take your cloths off from the moment he met you. The damn dog." she hissed angrily. "Now please relax. You're stressing me out and if you keep it up I won't be able to sleep and I will be a hazard to myself and others. You know what I am like when I don't get any sleep." she said and laughed.

@ Jinx...
Jake turned to looked at Haden, "you think it would have been better for the pack to scare them off?" He questioned, "no I think I this is fine. I mean it's better than that shirt hole of a house I'm sleeping in." He told him. "I mean if Laney hates this so much then there's a ground she could be sleeping on instead. You're doing the best with what's she's giving you." He told him. "It'll take time." He informed him.

---

"You like Jake that much?" She questioned her sister, "I mean would you want to stay with him?" She asked searching her sister for answer. "Give up learning under Sage?" She asked sitting down beside her. "Because if that's what you want I won't stand in your way, and I'll even try to get alone with them." She informed her, knowing that a woman leave home to be with a man. So if Avery wanted to be with Jake she'd have to give up everything she has, because no guy would be expected to do so. Because she did have one point neither Jake nor Hayden had tried to do anything to either of the girls. And she knew that Hayden was strong, strong enough to over power her with ease. "We can always go back if thing aren't what they seem."

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden grinned. "No... no you are right. I am just thinking maybe it's me that she... But no it can't be she doesn't even know me." he said and sighed. "Come on Jake time to get some sleep." he said and stood going over and turning off the lantern. He sighed and laid down were there was still room. It was hard to think that Laney didn't like him but he had to realize she had a past and he would have to break through her walls before he could really worry about what she thought of him. He yawned and curled up hating to sleep in his human form alone like this.

---

Avery gasped. "Laney!" she laughed. "I just met him. He's nice but I don't know him. Sure I would like to. He's the first guy that I have ever met that didn't try to undress me with his eyes. I am not ready to give anything up yet. And I know you would support me in anything Laney but it's you I am worried about." Avery got up and took her hand. "You have gotten so good at keeping everyone out... I wonder if you know how to let anyone in anymore. You even shut me out. I don't think you realize it but it hurts to not be your best friend anymore." she said and kissed her cheek. "Now seriously lay down so I can get some sleep." she said and chuckled turning off the lantern. Avery crawled into bed and sprawled out getting comfy. A real bed. Despite it being old it was in really great shape and she was so happy.

@ Jinx...
Jake cuddled up the best he could, human for wasn't something the was used to sleeping in any more. But tonight it would have to work, since he didn't want to scare the girls. He'd do just about any thing to make Avery happy, but he knew if she knew about him being a wolf she'd want nothing to do with him. And the though of her finding out scared him, he hoped that the day wouldn't come soon.

---

Laney rolled her eyes at her sister. "I didn't mean it like tomorrow we don't go home, I meant it as you have options." She informed her sister crawling into bed. "The only thing you'd be giving up is Sage's teachings." She knew that their was little friendships there, and really Laney hadn't wanted to stay with the group. She was terrified of what Thomas and the other guys could do, and leaving would be nice. But she wouldn't force it on her sister, and she wouldn't just jump into trusting these guys either, but an option was in front of them. And she just wanted Avery to be aware of it. Laying beside her sister she waited until the younger girl was asleep before crawling out of bed. And moving to the door, removing the chair and walking out of the room. She didn't want to wake the others so she moved as quietly as she could. Sitting outside on the steps of the entrance she sighed to herself.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery smiled. "Options are good." she said sleepily and yawned. She curled up and fell asleep easily but her dreams were strange. It was as if they weren't really her dreams at all but the dreams of someone else. That was when she saw him there in her dreams. "Jake?" she mumbled past her sleep her dream self trying to get the attention of the man. She wondered if he even noticed her here. She tried to walk closer but it was if she was trapped behind glass watching Jake as if she was watching his dreams.

---

Haden woke hearing a door open. He laid still until he saw someone sneaking out of the building. He got up and slipped out of the rom and down the steps to the front seeing her there in the moonlight. He looked around glad that there were no wolves running about. It seemed the other pack was keeping to their territory or the pack was keeping them out. He moved down the steps and sat on the step below her. "Couldn't sleep?" he asked and turned a little to look at her but he tried to act normal and let his focus drift from her to the sky.

@ Jinx...
Jake felt himself slip into peaceful sleep. It was like somebody had flipped on a projector, and he could see vivid colors. Feeling a soft smile come to his face he breathed in a deep breathe. Standing in the middle of a field it wasn't like anything he'd seen since before the wolves took over. This meadow was freshly mowed, and in the center was sat out a picnic blanket. And around it were members of his family, sister and her kids, his parents. It was a Sunday tradition in his family before everything changed. Smiling he went to move closer, though with every step he took it seemed like things stayed the same. Frowning he tried harder, trying to reach the people he once shared his life with, only to fail. Frustration took over him and he started to run, hoping he'd reach them.

---

Laney jumped a little when she heard feet on the floor behind her, though she knew who it was before he even appeared. Raising a brow at him she watched him, "Avery kicks." She joked, knowing it wasn't something he'd be used to. But she did just tell her sister she'd try for her to get to know these guys. If her sister found love with Jake then she'd bless it, even if she thought it was too soon, but she wouldn't ever judge her. "You?" She questioned, noticing he was trying his hardest not to stare at her. Though she was used to it, he just didn't make her feel like the others had. His looks were almost longing, where as the other guys were full of hunger. All they ever had wanted from her was her body, and that's one thing she wouldn't part with. No matter how bad thing we're she wouldn't just lay down for anybody because the world was dead.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery whimpered. She banged at the glass wishing to reach out and comfort him. "Jake!" she said a bit louder than before. She had dreamed of before the end before and it was much like this. It was a world she couldn't touch. She banged at the glass. "Jake!" she yelled and suddenly she was pulled from her sleep by her own yelling. Avery sat up right and frowned thinking how strange it was. She breathed hard still feeling the frustration, the longing and the sadness that was not hers. Avery slipped out of bed seeing that Laney had wondered off. She sighed and moved out of the bedroom fumbling around in the dark looking for her canteen. Her mouth felt so dry that it burned for water.

---

Haden smiled as she confessed that Avery kicks. "Oh that would not be fun to sleep with." he said and shook his head. She asked about him and he beamed. "I heard a little mouse slipping out of the house." he confessed he had woken hearing her leave. "It's safer to be in pairs especially at night." Haden looked at her now his eyes intense as if they were telling her to stay safe. He looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "It is a beautiful night. The stars are out like crazy." he said though honestly the stars had been out since the city lights had gone out.

@ Jinx...
Jake felt anger take control of him, feeling it burst in side him. His wolf form taking over ripping everything away from him. Quickly sitting up he looked down sighing seeing his hands. He'd been terrified that'd he'd actually transformed. Huffing his laid back, feeling tears prickly his eyes. He hated having dreams of his family, they were in a better place. He had to believe it, but it was hard with out them none the less. Trying to calm his breathing he sighed out, knowing the little sleep he got was going to be all he got.

---

Laney felt her breath catch in her throat when his eyes locked with hers. It was almost as if he was scolding her, yet begging her to be careful. Blinking she barely caught his words about the sky. "It's serene." She said, she really didn't care about star gazing though it could be rather enjoyable. She just liked the fresh air and safety of the night. Granted she never felt safe anymore, but something about tonight could definitely change her mind about it. Though now that he was out here she wanted to ask him questions, but she thought against it. Her suspensions could wait for a night, right now she'd enjoy the calm of everything. And maybe tomorrow she'd confront him, and make sure he answered her questions.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Avery looked up from crouching behind the couch having found her canteen. "Jake?" she asked softly. Avery leaned over the couch and looked at Jake. "Are you awake?" she asked and stood seeing him awake. She blushed and opened her canteen and took a long drink. She looked back down at him and frowned. Was he crying? "Are you alright?" she asked and came around sitting on one of the chairs. Avery grinned and offered him the canteen knowing when she was upset drinking water could help... well sometimes. She was thinking her dream was so strange and here Jake was all upset. Maybe she could feel that from the other room and it messed with her head. She was really sensitive to people around her.

---

Haden looked away from her the way she had looked at him and how her body had reacted to him when he looked at her wanting her safe was doing something inside of him that he just couldn't out a finger on. "Yeah kinda is." he said though he thought it was more filled with life in the dark than it was in the day sometimes. Haden ran a hand through his hair ruffling it up and looked back at her. "So Laney... you don't talk much do you?" he accused her smiling like a fool. He was being playful and yet all at once also serious. Haden just wanted a chance to sneak around her walls and see this amazing woman for who she really was.

@ Jinx...
Jake heard Avery and groaned inward, he didn't want her to see him this way. "I'm fine." He told her, sitting up and blinking his eyes. He took the water she offered and took a drink, before giving it back. "Thanks." He said, before rubbing his face. "What are you doing up?" He questioned, not even realizing that Haden was missing.

---

Laney watched him smile, feeling her heart swell at the sight. Something about him screamed danger yet drew her in. "No I guess not." She agreed with him. "I just don't see the point in talking about the past." She told him honestly. "You can't change it, and dwelling on it can drive someone crazy." She'd seen it happen, and things took a turn for the worst. She didn't really have an easy time since the wolves had taken over. Since it was a kill or be killed kind of world she toughened up a bit, but sometimes it still wasn't enough.