Della scowled at both of them, as if to say she didn't need their protection.

"Go. Please," Lucas said.

Kylie motioned for Della to follow her.

As they walked away, Kylie couldn't resist looking back. She saw Lucas, his posture defensive as if his father brought out the worst in him. Her thoughts went to both her own father and her stepfather. Neither of them put her on the defensive. Yeah, her stepfather had made some bad mistakes, and Kylie might still be working on forgiving him, but deep down she knew he loved her. And with her real father, Daniel, well, he cared so deeply he hadn't even let his death separate them.

Kylie sensed Lucas had never felt any affection from his father. Her heart hurt for him, and her blood heated with the need to defend him.

But defend him against what? What was it that had brought Mr. Parker to camp? Something told her it wasn't just to give Lucas a hug. Was something wrong with Lucas's grandmother? His half sister?

A shame that you are not one of us. His words echoed in her head and heart. Could he be here about her? Protesting the fact that Lucas was ... intrigued with her?

"Burnett's going to be so pissed about this," Della huffed, her hurried pace matching her angry tone.

Kylie nipped at her lip with worry, before expressing her thoughts. "Which is why you aren't going to tell him."

Della looked at Kylie. The vamp's eyes were still bright with fury. "They are rogues."

"But he's Lucas's father." And the thought of Lucas having to deal with Burnett after already having to deal with his father seemed unfair.

"It's against regulations."

"Just like it was for Chan to show up," Kylie reminded her. "And like Chan, Mr. Parker didn't hurt anyone. He just wanted to talk to his son."

Della let out a breath of frustration. "You know, I really hate it when you do that."

"Do what?" Kylie dodged a vine swinging back.

"Use logic and rub my nose in the fact that you're right."

"I didn't rub your nose in it."

"Maybe not. But I still don't like it."

They walked a few minutes without speaking. "Thanks for not telling," Kylie said, knowing that was what Della meant.

They moved through the dense vegetation with only the night's song whispering through the trees. Finally, Kylie spoke up. "Lucas wasn't alone with Fredericka."

"Yeah, I figured that one out, too," Della said. "But..."

"But what?"

"I don't know. I mean, I kind of feel as if I sort of encouraged you to go with Lucas and maybe I was wrong."

"Wrong?" Kylie grabbed Della by the arm. "Do you mean wrong to push me, or wrong for me to go after Lucas?"

Della frowned. "Both."

"Why would you say that?" Kylie asked, hurt that Della would make such a statement-especially when her heart was already so confused.

"It's not that I don't like Lucas, I do. But he's werewolf and you're obviously not. I admit I thought you were before. But tonight when we were surrounded by weres, I could just tell that you weren't like them. And after what his grandmother said and now after what his dad said, I think his family and his pack are going to stand in your way."

"He told me he doesn't care what they say." And she believed it. She did.

Sadness filled Della's eyes and Kylie felt the emotion resonate within herself.

Della exhaled. "That's what Lee said, too. And look what happened with us."

* * *

It's not the same thing.

While Kylie waited on her porch for Lucas to show up, she contemplated what Della had said and thought about her day from hell.

She'd spoken to her mom, who needed reassurance that Kylie was okay. She'd spoken to Holiday, who needed the same thing. Then her phone chirped again. Derek, this time, wanting the same thing.

"Hey, I just wanted to check in," he said.

It was funny, really, how well she knew him. She knew what he felt without his ever having to say it and so she knew why he'd called. He'd obviously sensed some of her earlier emotions. "I'm fine."

"If you need to talk or anything, I'm here." He sounded so wistful, she felt her heart grow tighter.

"I know," she answered. "And I appreciate it."

"Did you ever figure out the whole ghost issue?"

"Not yet," Kylie admitted, her tone echoing some of the frustration she felt.

"Did you talk to Holiday about it?" he asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

"A little," she said. "But I wasn't ... I only skimmed the surface."

"Oh, shit!"

"What?"

"That's who it is, isn't it? That's whose face the ghost has stolen. It's Holiday."

Kylie closed her eyes. "Yes, but please don't say anything. I'm trying to figure it out before I take it to Holiday."

"Is she in danger? Does this mean ... anything?"

"In a roundabout way, I asked Holiday, and she said it was unlikely. But..."

"But what?"

"It's just scary," Kylie admitted. "Seeing her as a ghost when she's not dead."

"Hell yeah, it's scary. And you shouldn't have to figure it out all by yourself. I'm here for you. I don't know how to help solve this, but whatever it takes, I'll do it."

"Thanks." She leaned back against the cabin wall, and right then she was hit by a wash of cold. Dead cold.