Why The Rivers Run Red

Mated

A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the long wait. I had a bunch of unexpected things happen to me so it took much longer to write this chapter. Sorry to say though, this is another sex themed chapter. So if you don't like it don't read it.

Warning: Contains Sexual Content

Clementine blinked in bewilderment, her mind trying to play catch up with everything James had just said. She quickly shifted back to her human form and then began to pace. "Shit! Fuck! Errrrrr!"

She stopped for a minute and stared up at the moon. It wasn't full so Clem understood why Lily would attack now. Clementine would be weaker now than at the height of a full moon. She growled in frustration before turning to James. "How much time do we have?"

"I saw their boat headed up the river so I ran ahead to warn you. I don't know how many people they'll be bringing but by the looks of the boat, it'll be a lot. But it'll take them some time to find the school. I'd say give or take a day or two."

Clem ran a hand through her hair and sighed. At least they wouldn't be attacking immediately. "Thanks, James. I'll make sure to warn the others."

James nodding as a sign of approval. "I will try to slow them down to give you more time."

Clem nodded. "Thank you."

James bowed his head in a sign of respect before shifting and running back into the woods.

Clem watched him go before turning back to her mate. "Hey, Vi? Think you can shift back? We need to warn the others."

"I can try," Violet said through mind link.

Violet pictured herself in human form and concentrated on what she wanted her body to do. It took a few minutes before anything happened. Fear of the pain kept Violet from shifting but soon her bones started to crack. She whimpered as her bones popped. Clem knelt down and pressed a hand to her back, the mate bond sparking up between both girls giving them a sense of relief. It made Violet's shift easier to handle but it still took her roughly fifteen minutes to complete it.

"Tell me that gets easier." The blonde said as she now stood in her human form.

Clem nodded. "Trust me, it will. But it'll take some time to master. For now, let's just get back and warn the others."

Violet nodded in approval. "Right."

The two girls headed back to the school with the grim news, meeting AJ and Ruby at the gate. "Clem!" AJ said ecstatically at catching sight of his caregiver.

He climbed down from the lookout tower and ran to hug her as she walked through the gate but he quickly let go and stared at the blonde behind her. "I can sense another wolf."

Clem smiled as she linked her fingers with Violet's. "That's right buddy. Violet got her wolf and had her first shift."

But AJ took in a deep breath as he scented the two. "Yeah, but there's been another wolf around you."

Clem's gaze turned serious. "James."

"That guy you met in the woods?"

Clem turned around to see Ruby who had climbed down from the platform. "Yeah. And he didn't bring good news." She could see Ruby's face pale in anticipation but Clementine was reluctant to share the news. "Soon as the suns up I want everyone out here so I can relay the news." Then her gaze softened. "You two go ahead and get some rest. Mitch and Willy can take the next shift."

"You got it sug'," Ruby said before heading in to get the boys for lookout duty.

Clem turned back to AJ. "Go get some sleep goofball."