Author's Note: Hey guys, I'm sorry I haven't updated in a long time. I've had school, work, and a writer's block that's been in the way of me writing. I can happily say that I have found some inspiration—thanks to all you reviewers—and I have time due to a 12 hour field trip (8 of which are sitting on a bus). So, thank you all for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy:

Chapter Twenty-One of Blood or Hunter

Gabriel's POV

One month has passed since the day that Rocky tried to take my Vivian from me. She's still recovering in the Fives apartment, with me by her side. She's improved as time passes, but she has yet to venture out within the pack, much less from my side. The pack had raged for hours after they had been told the news.

Flashback

"Ulf, would you get the pack to meet around the fire pit. It's time that they know," I questioned as I exited the room that Vivian and I had been staying in while she was recovering. She hasn't left the room, and she hasn't let go of me for more than 5 minutes at a time. I've mostly been holding her as she let go of her sorrows and shame that she's felt from Rocky's assault. I have yet to stop blaming myself for not being there for her sooner, as is my job as her mate. All I can do is be at her side as I help her get over her suffering.

I am lucky that right now she is asleep. She has not been asleep for the past two nights due to nightmares that roll around in her sleep, so I am hoping that while I am out at the meeting that she will not wake up in terror, only to find me gone. I know the Five will have my back while I leave them behind here to watch out for her though. They haven't been able to locate him yet—a fact that upsets me greatly—but all I can hope is for justice to come his way.

"Gabriel, they're ready," Ulf stated as soon as he came into the door. I knew that the pack wouldn't take long to gather together for this meeting. They had been wanting to know why Rocky wasn't around and why there was a search party for him; the pack still doesn't know what has happened to Vivian due to him. I wouldn't be surprised if they are not curious as well to wonder why Vivian has not been in her office as of late.

"Alright, Willem, will you stay with her," I questioned. He nodded in confirmation, just as I knew he would. "Well, anyone else that wants to stay, can, but I'd appreciate if at least one of you come to answer any questions or give any statements since you were all the only witnesses." The rest of them nodded, so I walked out of the cabin towards the fire pit. The pack looked up at me as soon as I rounded around the trees, waiting for me to start speaking. I looked behind me to see that Ulf and Finn had decided to join me. I sighed as I got closer, knowing that an uproar was to come.

"Gabriel, what have you not been telling us," Lucien asked as soon as everyone had quieted down. The pack waited, wanting to know just like he did.

"Three days ago, a terrible crime was committed among our own pack," I started, trying to stay strong and keep calm. I knew if I didn't, then no one would. "I thank you all for those who were on the search team, looking for the traitor, Rocky. He had been the assailant in this situation. He tried to overtake another Loup Garou in a battle of dominance. The victim was Vivian."

"My baby," Esme screamed out, Thomas holding on to her as soon as she tried to move. "Thomas, let go! I need to go see my daughter."

"Esme, right now, there's nothing that can be done. The Five and I have been trying to give her the best care we can. She wasn't hurt physically, but she isn't currently up to any visitors—even from the pack. All she's accepting at the current moment is Willem and I, but as soon as she is ready, I hope that all of you will take the chance to see her. She needs all the support that she can receive at the moment, to know that she's not alone."

"Did he…penetrate her," Jenny inquired quietly, hurt that it would happen to her alpha female. All the female seemed a little struck by it. I wondered how many questioned 'what if it was me?'.

"Thankfully, no," I answered, and the whole pack let out blessings to the goddess. "But for right now, I thought that it was needed information that the pack should know. I hope that this does not deter you from helping Vivian in the future. Thank you."

End of flashback

Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate Rocky, as of yet, but I hope it will be soon. I don't know how many other packs he has done this too, and I hope that none other will have to go through this pain in the future. Even though it has been weeks since he has left, the pack is still on a strong look out, especially Thomas and the Five. Esme was outraged most of all that she decided to send Thomas in her place, due to the litter she'll be having in a few months. Thomas has been extremely animate to please her, so he goes out at any shift that he can, rotating work, sleep, and the search in his day time.

Next to me, there was movement of the bed as Vivian turned; signaling that is was able to wake up. This was one of the few nights where she didn't wake up screaming due to the traumatic event. Even though it has happened only a few times, I always wish that this will be more reoccurring. It hurts me so much that I can't help her more to oppress her fears, like a mate should. All I can do is be with her until the end.

"Gabriel," Vivian groaned as she awakened some more, grasping out for me. I laid down more so I could wrap my arms around her. She sighed as she pressed her body to me. I was grateful that she allowed me to touch her, since I have heard of some who have been in the same situation do not want to be touched, due to they are scared it would be their attacker, coming at them once again. All I can hope for is that the internal pain she is experiencing will lessen by every time my arms are wrapped around her.

"I'm here, baby," I whispered in her ear. She sighed once again at the confirmation. She was silent for a few moments before she spoke once again.

"Are the guys here," she inquired. Between the Five and me, she has not had much exposure to the pack. Esme has stopped by a few times, not for much time though. Vivian would only see her for so long before she wanted to go to bed. I do not know if she was scared to look at her mother because then she would see what could have happened if he had assaulted her further. I am truly grateful for the Five for them intervening when they did. Persia came by, insistent on an examination, despite Vivian's protest that nothing happened to the extent that she needed one. Persia got her way though, and Vivian was given a clean bill of health physically. Even though she had been insistent, Vivian clearly showed signs of relieve that she was alright.

"Gabriel," she stated with hope in her voice. I turned back towards her as I was curious at her tone. "I think I want to go back outside." I was shocked as I thought it would be longer that she wanted to be integrated back into the pack. I hadn't known how well she would be around the guys, besides the Five, so I had been cautious letting the men in to see her. I wanted to give her the space she needed from the pack to heal on her own. It was clear that my girl was strong though. Strong enough to decide on her own what she thought she needed.

"Alright," I replied. "We'll go see the pack." Even if she made up her mind, I knew that I would be the one to watch over her and to be there with her every step of the way.