"I can never control it," Tai said. Her voice was quiet. Ace had never seen her so vulnerable. So open. "When I shift it's like someone else takes over my body. I feel this bloodlust... My wolf just attacks whoever she sees. I can't do anything to stop it."
"We can work on that. You can learn control."
"It's too late. I've already done terrible things," Tai whispered. "Horrible things. I-" Tai stopped and shook her head. "I can't tell you."
"You can."
"What if you think I'm the bad guy?" Tai asked. "I know I can be a bitch, but I'm not a bad person. I don't want to be a bad person-"
"I know you're not a bad person," Ace said soothingly. "You don't need to worry about that."
"I killed two people," Tai blurted. "They were kind people. They had been fostering us up until our 18th birthday. It was my first shift. I didn't know what was happening. I changed and killed them. I ripped them to shreds in their own home. Raiden and I covered it up as an animal attack and moved around for a bit before coming here."
"Tai, that wasn't you," Ace said. He was shocked, but he felt no different about Tai. He knew she wasn't in control when it happened. It wasn't her fault. "You can't blame yourself."
"But I do," Tai snapped. "It's my fault! I couldn't control myself and I killed them!"
"Hey, hey." Ace gently took Tai's face in his hands. "Listen to me, Tai. This was not your fault. It was a horrible accident. You did not kill them. You did not willingly decide to do that. Do not blame yourself."
"I can't help it. It's all I do," Tai whispered.
"I want you to try and stop," Ace said. He ran his thumb over Tai's cheek. "Please."
"It's why I don't want anyone to get close. If I lose control I don't want to hurt anyone I care about," she said. She looked into Ace's eyes and willed herself to not get lost in them. "I don't want to hurt you."
Ace smiled. "You won't. I promise you. You won't hurt me."
"You don't know that."
"Then you're worth the risk," Ace said with a smile. "Please, don't distance yourself from me because you're scared you'll hurt me. I don't think I could handle that. Now I've had a small amount of time with you I want years with you. I want you by my side. I want to be with you. I can't lose you, Tai."
Tai let out a long, shaky breath. "I'm scared to be with you, but I'm also scared to be without you." She frowned. "I've never felt like this with anyone before, Ace."
"You need some time," Ace said. "I have to get back to the pack and you need some time by yourself. You know exactly where I am if you need me. I'll come for you no matter the time. I'll always be there for you, Tai. If you want me tonight then let me know, if not, then I'll pick you up for school tomorrow?"
Tai smiled slightly. "Okay," she said. "Thank you for not running for the hills. I wouldn't blame you."
"I'll only run if it's to chase after you," Ace said. He kissed Tai's cheek, lingering for a few seconds before leaning back. "Goodbye, Tai."
Tai opened the car door, took one last glance at Ace, and climbed out. She waved him goodbye and unlocked her front door, walking into her house. The smell of food filled her senses and she narrowed her eyes when she heard more than one voice. She slowly walked through the house and stopped at the kitchen door, leaning against it and raising her eyebrows when she saw Raiden and Brandon, standing by the oven, laughing and talking to each other.
"Evening," she said loudly, surprising them both. They both jumped in fright, turning around and looking at Tai. She noticed how close they stood together. Raiden dropped his hand that was resting on Brandon's back.
"Tai!" Raiden smiled. "I feel like I've not seen you in ages."
Tai shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I'm home now."
"Hi, Tai, how are you?" Brandon asked.
Tai couldn't help but smirk when she heard the cautious tone in his voice. "Oh, I'm wonderful," she said sarcastically.
"Where have you been?" Brandon asked, trying to sound casual.
"I don't see how that concerns you," Tai said challengingly. She raised her eyebrows at Brandon.
"Tai, you're not at home much anymore. Where are you spending your time?" Raiden asked.
"I'm not home much because he's always around," Tai said, sending a look to Brandon.
"Tai," Raiden sighed.
"If you're so interested I was with Ace," Tai said.
"You're spending a lot of time with that crowd," Brandon commented.
"You're spending a lot of time with my brother," Tai snapped.
"Tai!" Raiden said, groaning in frustration. "Look, have dinner with us. We've made enough for three. Let's try and have a civil conversation."
Tai looked at the sides that were covered in various dishes and trays. She then looked at Brandon. "I'd rather starve."
"Tai, sit down, now!" Raiden said. He was looking at his sister with pleading eyes, begging her to do this for him.
Tai pursed her lips and walked over to the kitchen table, pulling out a chair and rolling her eyes as she sat down. "Just this once, Rai," she warned and crossed her arms over her chest.
Soon Brandon was sitting opposite her, Raiden beside him. They started their meal in silence before Tai looked at Brandon, narrowing her eyes. "I saw Brooke today," she said.
Brandon's eyes widened and he nearly choked on his food. "Brooke?" He repeated. "Is she okay?"
"Oh yeah, she's great, loving life," Tai said, giving Brandon a dirty look. "So's Alice."
Brandon frowned, looking at Tai warily. She was giving it away that she knew everything, but she didn't care. She couldn't stand Brandon and hated how he was choosing Rogue over his family. Ace had filled Tai in on everything that had happened to Brooke and she was disgusted at Brandon. "Please tell them I'm sorry about everything," he said after a while.
"Do you think Brooke is ever going to forgive you?" Tai wondered. "She's a hell of a nice girl, but I don't think anyone is that nice to forgive you after all you've done. Alice is probably going to be traumatised. I don't know the girl, but no one deserves to go through what she's been through."
"You know everything," Brandon whispered.
"And are you going to tell your friend across the road? What will he do to me? He can't break my arm like Brooke's. It'll heal so that'll be pointless. Will he kidnap me? Hold me hostage? Kill someone I care about?" Tai was staring at Brandon with murderous eyes. Her emotions were haywire because of what she had told Ace and seeing Brandon had made her angry. Very angry.
"I thought Brooke fell down the stairs and broke her arm," Raiden said, frowning at Brandon.
"That's what she told people, but it wasn't the truth, was it?" Tai said.
Brandon sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Tai, don't do this."
"I've not done anything," Tai growled. "You, however, have helped to ruin lives!"
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Raiden demanded.
"Your boyfriend is not who you think he is," Tai said, standing up and pointing at Brandon.
"I know he's a werewolf if that's what you mean. We are too."
Tai paused. "What? No, that's not what I meant, but what? How the hell? You know? You know what we are?"
Raiden's eyebrows raised. "You know what we are? How did you find out about werewolves?"
"That's not the point," Tai said dismissively.