Thanks to euphxnious for the amazing new book cover :)

Yawning, I stretched my arms out as I awoke. I placed my hand on the opposite side of the bed only to feel an empty space. I glanced at the spot Thaddeus should have been in and frowned. Where did he go? Sitting up, I noticed the side he was sleeping on was warm which meant he left not too long ago. I turned my body about to get of bed but that wasn't going to happen. In a matter of seconds, I was on the floor in a heap.

I groaned in pain as footsteps thumped my way. The door was slammed wide open as the smell of bacon entered the room.

I then realized I was nude.

"What are you doing?" I blushed and looked anywhere but at my mate. His tone told me he was amused and curious.

"Nothing," I replied. "You can leave now."

He didn't listen to me. Instead he walked over to me and stuck his hand out. I shyly took his hand and gasped as the air was took away from me as he slammed my nude body into his half naked body.

He then let go of me which resulted with me losing control of my legs and falling forward. "Ow," I moaned.

Thaddeus was looking at me as if I was dumb but realization dawned on his face, and so did a sexy smirk. "You're sore," he says. "I did a good job, don't you think?"

I scoffed fighting my blush. "Actually you did pretty sloppy."

His lips descended onto the mark on my neck. I immediately moaned but I was still clearly thinking. He softly pushed me back on the bed, him on top of me. "How about I try again?"

"Oh no," I state pushing on his hard chest. "I'm sore, hungry and stinky."

He sighed getting off of me. "I'll be right back."

He went into his bathroom and a few seconds later, I could hear the shower tap running. He came back and picked me up into his arms before carrying me into the bathroom. Setting me down on the toilet seat, on top of the lid, he checked the temperature of the water before picking me up again and placing me in the tub.

I sighed in pleasure loving the warmth from the water. Thaddeus hadn't left yet; instead he was doing something behind me, but I paid little attention, closing my eyes as I relaxed.

Suddenly my mates warm yet rough hands began gliding down my wet body. I bit on my bottom lip hard so no sound escapes. But his hands started moving lower and lower until I began moaning.

Snapping out of it, I pushed his hands away giggling. "Thaddeus, go away and let me take a bath in peace."

He sighed and kissed my cheek, leaving me red faced all over again.

I tilt my head back before thinking of last night. My wolf was happy and satisfied but she really wanted me to mate again. I roll my eyes remembering the way Thaddeus was so gentle. In no way, was he sloppy, I thought.

When we had first done it, it hurt and was very uncomfortable at first. But Thaddeus took his time letting me get used to him. Even though his wolf probably wanted to take us like the animals we are, Thaddeus was in control. Afterwards, when we had done it a few more times and I had gotten use to his very large anatomy, Thaddeus didn't hold back. There was a few times, I had to remind him that I was a virgin a few hours ago but other than that, it was perfect.

Stepping out, I wrapped a towel around myself before exiting the bathroom. Thaddeus thankfully, had left not only the bathroom but his bedroom as well. I sigh realizing that I didn't have any clothes in his room other than the ones, I wore the day before.

An idea formed in my head as I glanced at his drawers and closet full of clothes. Maybe he won't mind...

I drop the towel on the bed before going into his closet. I pull out the first shirt I see and slip it on. My mates shirt smelled just like him, which is why I inhaled the shirt deeply before going through his drawer full of boxers. I giggle already excited to see his reaction as I pull on a pair of boxers.

I put my messy hair up in a bun before walking uncomfortably towards the kitchen. Thaddeus picks up on my scent before he sees me. "I made you breakfast-"

He turns around but stops and raises an eyebrow at what I'm wearing. I walk up to him picking up a cherry from the plate of pancakes he was holding out for me. "What?" I ask nonchalantly biting into the cherry. "My room was way too far to walk too."

His eyes narrow at my lips so I roll my eyes at him. "Thanks," I say taking the plate away from him. Moving to sit down at the dining table, I fail to notice Thaddeus trailing behind me.

When I sit down, Thaddeus is across from me. I have a piece of pancake halfway to my mouth when I notice him staring at me. "What?" I'm slightly nervous from the intensity of his stare.

"We have to go to the funerals for everyone who passed during the fight."

"Oh," is all I say as I nibble on my delicious food. I glance at him in shock but then blush when he raises a single eyebrow. It was so simple yet sexy.

"I didn't know you could cook."

He leans back in his chair. "I learned at a young age."

I nod. "Then why do you have these cooks?"

"I just don't have time to do it myself," he replies tapping a finger on the table.

"Uh this is kind of random but remember that night I made you dinner?" He nods slowly, his face darkening. "Did you by any chance eat it?"

"It was good," is all he says before changing the topic and standing up. "The funeral starts soon, get ready."

I nod before finishing up and change out of my mates clothing. Quickly changing into different clothing, I take a look at my reflection. The mark on my neck has me grinning like the Cheshire cat.

When I turn around, I see Thaddeus leaning against the doorway. His eyes flick up and down before he nods to the door. I put my hand in his as we descend down the stairs.

"You know what to say if anyone asks about your friends correct?" Thaddeus says looking ahead as we leave the house. I nod and tighten my grip on his hand. I knew what I had to say. _

During the funeral, I watched everyone there. I didn't want to see the bodies at all because I know I'd probably just break down.

The people that had died were 3 male fighters and 4 females. From what I heard about each and everyone of them, they were amazing people that just died too young. A flashback of Blake occurs. I focus on the closing on the ceremony, not wanting to remember that we had one a few weeks ago.

I looked around noticing someone was missing. Someone is missing, I think. My eyes widen but go back to my normal eye size. Jay... Maybe I can go see him later, I thought.

Many people were throwing glances towards me; more specifically my mark. My parents even observed it from a far. My mom had a very bright smile on her face when she saw it but shut it away when I guess she realized this wasn't the time or place.

After we were finished some people just walked away while others stayed and spoke with the families. Thaddeus- being the alpha- stayed and did just that. I didn't know exactly where I was to be, so I stood awkwardly before Thaddeus motioned towards me. I walked over to him trying to walk as normal as I can. I was still slightly sore even though I had a warm bath.

Thaddeus wraps an arm around my waist, keeping me up straight. I blush when some ladies, older ladies observe us with wide smiles. "When do we get to see some kids?"

My jaw drops as some people nearby come closer wanting to hear our answer. Thaddeus answers with a blank face. "That's too soon."

I nod along with his words even though I try to ignore the sad feeling inside of me. I understand why he was saying that, but at the same time I wouldn't mind a jr. me or a jr. Thaddeus.

Thaddeus and I excuse ourselves from the growing crowd before he leads me off.

"Thaddeus, can we go see Jay?" Without another word between us, he just nods.

When we walk into the small pack hospital, I shiver at the smell. The hospital reeks of blood and disinfectant. Thaddeus walks ahead of me leading the way.

The hospital like any other kind, had room numbers but what surprised me was the small number of them: 10. "Shouldn't there be more rooms?"

Thaddeus shakes his head. "People barely need it since we heal quickly. The majority of pack members that need it, are the fighters who get severely injured or the pregnant women."

Thaddeus opens the door and glances inside before opening the door wide enough for us to walk in. My eyes practically bulge out when I see Jay awake and out of bed. In fact he was changing his shirt. Thaddeus is talking to the doctor before she leaves. I notice the doctor as Shira and scowl as I remember the mistake she and the others made.

When she closes the door behind her, I smile brightly at Jay before giving him a tight hug. "I'm so-"

I don't get to finish because I'm ripped away from him by Thaddeus who stands in front of me.

"Calm down," Jay says holding up his two hands before wincing, "I saw the mark and I can smell... You know."

Thaddeus relaxes but stays in front of me. I push him to the side but that just results with me falling backwards and him standing in the exact same spot. Frowning at him, I turn my attention to Jay who looks amused.

"I'm so happy you're OK," I comment. He nods before sitting back down on the bed. I glance at his legs but only see him wearing one cast. "Where's the other?"

"My left leg healed faster than my right," he responds before glancing at Thaddeus. They were both quiet for a few moments before Thaddeus turns to me.

"Annabel, can we have a minute?" I nod unsure but leave anyways.

When I leave the room, closing the door behind me, I continue going to the front of the hospital but stop abruptly. I could hear people sniffling and even though it wasn't my place, I wanted to know what was happening. Slowly placing my head on the door where the sound is coming from, I listen before pulling away and knocking.

The door slowly creaks open and I am face go face with a dark skin women probably two inches taller than me. Her eyes are puffy and you can see the dried up tears on her face. Glancing behind her, I notice a young man laying down on the bed.

"Hello Luna," she says bowing her head down.

"Are you OK?" I ask her only to cringe inwardly. Of course she wasn't OK. "May I come in?"

She hesitantly nods before opening the door wider. I walk in and stand beside the young man.

"What's his name and is he your...?"

"His name is Adam and he is my son," she says softly. I nod gently before observing his face. He had nice soft skin just like his mother but he didn't have her beautiful high cheekbones. He hand a soft feature on him and lips that were set in a small pout.

I glanced over his injury. His torso was wrapped and his right arm was in a sling. He was one of the fighters that night for sure. "How long has he been asleep for?"

"Days. Too many days," he voice cracked at the end making me stand up and wrap my arms around her. It was obvious that she was pretty surprised none the less.

I can tell it's been a while since she's been hugged. When I walked in here, she was alone. I'm guessing that her mate is probably gone since he isn't here comforting her.

"Annabel-" I pull away from her as Thaddeus glances at us but doesn't step into the room.

I need to talk to her Thaddeus. All he does is walk away without another word.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask. What is your name?"

"Angie," she replies.

"Angie, I know your son will make it," I reply. "I had to wait for my mate to wake up and I know the pain you're in. But in the end, he'll be OK."

She nods and I give her a big smile. She returns the smile grateful and I am about to leave the room before I turn back around. "I'll be back tomorrow."

Her face brightens up before she suddenly frowns. "You don't have to do that Luna."

"I want to." _

Thaddeus doesn't question why I was speaking with Angie. Instead he leads me back to Jay's room where two people are speaking to him. When they turn around, I am shocked to see the resemblance between Jay and the man. I automatically know this is his father. The woman with her hand on Jay's shoulder must be his mom.

"Annabel, this is Scott and Kelsey, Jay's parents," Thaddeus introduces. I'm nervous but at the same time, I need to look confident.

"Hello, I'm An-"

"We know who you are Luna," Kelsey says with a small smile on her face. She stretches her hand out just as I do the same. I do the same to Scott who has no emotion on his face. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," I reply. Scott is still looking at me strangly.

He speaks up finally but it isn't directed to me. "Can I speak with you Alpha?"

Thaddeus nods before turning and leaving the room, Scott directly on his heels. I turn back to Kelsey and Jay who both give me small smiles. "Just ignore that," Jay says.

I nod but the sense of already making a bad impression on Jay's parents have me feeling some sort of way. Speaking of which, I had no idea his parents were still alive. I mean, where have they been?

"Annabel say it," Jay interrupts my thoughts. I look at him confused. "You look like you really want to say whatever you're thinking of. So say away."

"Well," I glance at Kelsey. "I don't mean to be rude or anything but I haven't seen you in this pack at all, I think."

Kelsey simply laughs. "Yes but that's because Scott and I don't live in the pack anymore. We travel around the world. Its been something I've always wanted to do but Scott was always busy with work. We came back because of Jay of course and Thaddeus."

She gives me a gentle look when she says my mates name. I nod and a few moments pass before the men- minus Jay- come back. Thaddeus isn't looking at me and so is Scott.

I try to talk to him through the mind link and since we mated it is easier to try and take down his walls but it doesn't work. He's blocking me. "Well we need to go now."

That's the only thing he says before his hand interlaces with mine and he is pulling me out the room. My face is bright red as I feel eyeballs staring at us. "What's wrong?" I ask him the moment we're outside the hospital.

He is quiet for a very tense moment. The silence stretches on until he finally speaks up. "We should not have mated."

I pause in my spot and stare at Thaddeus to see if he is actually telling the truth right now. He refuses to look at me at all. "Please tell me that that's a joke right?"

The silence that follows after my words makes me clench my fists in anger. "Why? What did Scott tell you?"

Thaddeus sighs and continues walking away. "It was a mistake, Annabel."

"Are you stupid?! We would have had to mate anyways! Get it through your thick skull!"

Thaddeus turns around an angry expression on his face. "Don't call me that again," he growls.

I step back taken aback before I glare at him. "You know what? I agree it shouldn't have happened too."

I drop my gaze away from him and walk away.

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~MissieA out!

♥