I woke up in a comfortable bed. Last I remembered I was in the woods in wolf form and that's it.

I glanced under the covers only to realise I was in different clothing then I was last night. A faint smell attacked my nose which then I realized was Alpha Thaddeus's scent. A spooky thought came to mind just then.

What if Alpha Thaddeus changed me? I shook my head at the thought trying to fight the blush when some else caught my attention. I hadn't noticed this before but another scent lingered inside my room. A female?

A deep growl erupted as the thought upset my wolf and I. But then the truth suddenly dawned on me. He didn't want me. He didn't want a mate.

I was confused as how he wouldn't want a mate. Every werewolf always wants to find their mate. Luckily, some do and some don't. So Alpha Thaddeus should have been happy he was one of those lucky ones to find their mate.

I was about to get out of bed when I thought of how awkward it'd be if we both clashed into each other this early in the morning. I took a deep breath and listened for any sound inside the mansion.

I could hear movement in the kitchen which must have meant he was there. I exhaled in annoyance and leapt out of bed to go take a relaxing shower. I was in desperate need of one.

Once I was finished with my morning routine, I checked in the closets for clothing. Surprisingly, the clothes were all in my size which I didn't expect but none other the less, I pulled out a random purple shirt and black sweats.

I hesitated at the door of my bedroom. What would his reaction be when he sees me? I already know he wouldn't be caring or even affectionate like other mates are to each other. I awaited for the worse as I slowly walked down the halls which were like a maze. It took me a few moments to finally find the stairs but once I spotted the direction of the kitchen, I hesitated again.

I forced myself to move down the stairs. Once my feet were at the bottom, I tensed up. Whoever was in the kitchen was not who I expected to be. I approached the kitchen slowly only to see a small figure who's back was facing me.

"Good morning Luna," Ari said cheery as she turned around. "I wasn't sure what you wanted for breakfast so I sort of just made a bit of everything."

"Morning Ari," I replied slowly, "but please don't call me Luna."

She seemed confused for a second before nodding. "Anyways so breakfast is in the dining room."

I nodded. But before I left I had to get an answer. "Who changed me last night?"

She blushed deep red before answering. "I hope you don't mind, but I did. The Alpha came inside carrying you and said it'd be best if I changed you."

"Well," I didn't know what to say. I mean I was relieved he didn't change me but for some reason I was at a loss of words. "Thanks."

She nodded before going back to cleaning.

I followed the delicious aroma of food and found myself in a very large room. In the center of the room, was an oval shaped table with eight chairs around it. I let my eyes scan over the food on the table. One big plate full of pancakes sat on the middle of the table. Blueberry and strawberry syrup were on the sides. A lot of bacon strips were on another plate so were scrambled eggs. Chopped up fruit was on another plate. A big glass cup full of orange juice sat on the table too.

I looked back at Ari who seemed to be expecting something. "So um do you like it?"

I nodded at Ari. She exhaled deeply wiping her forehead as if she were sweating. "You sure do know how to make someone want to cry on the spot."

I chuckled before Ari gestured for me to sit and eat. I did as I was told to and dug into the pancakes. I almost moaned at the taste. Ari sat across from me watching.

"So," she began, "what do you think of the pancakes?"

I moaned out loud giving her my answer as I stuffed my face. She laughed out loud before gesturing towards the syrup. "It tastes a hundred times better with syrup."

I glanced at the two types of syrups before swallowing. "Which syrup do you recommend oh great cook?"

Ari pretended to think about this as she rubbed her chin. She snapped her fingers and pointed to me. "Why try one when you can try two?"

I chuckled at her idea and poured a small amount of both syrups. I glanced up at her to see her just watching me.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked worriedly. Ari shook her head before glancing at my pancakes.

"I'm a cook" she stated, "all I'm suppose to do is wake up early, make breakfast for you and the alpha and then head over to help at the pack house."

"Do you at least eat?" I ask exasperated.

She nods before getting up. "I eat at the pack house after my work here is done."

I nodded before asking a question I didn't intend to ask at all. "Did Alpha Thaddeus leave while you were making breakfast?"

"He skipped breakfast," she answered, "I honestly have never saw him eat breakfast before. But I think he has pack business to do."

I nodded trying to hide the frown on my face.

"Anyways," she changes the conversation, "I should get going. I'll be back in about fifteen minutes to clean up alright?"

I shook my head. "Go eat. I'll clean up."

"Anna, that's my job," she nervously replied. "I have to."

"Go eat," I demanded giving no more room for discussion. Ari nodded though she still looked nervous.

"See you around Anna," Ari bid before turning and leaving the dining room.

I glanced back at my breakfast. I did not feel like eating all of a sudden. I glanced around the empty room before sighing. I wanted some company.

I wish my mate would magically walk through the door and kiss me before joining me for breakfast. We would talk about the pack, about our plans for the day and about our future. Of course that seemed like a dream that would never happen.

I finished my breakfast despite my upset mood. I took all the dishes, utensils, and cup and placed them in the dish washer. I cleaned where I was eating and stumbled around the house. I found the living room and sat down on the couch.

I didn't know what to do so I observed the room. A flat screen TV hung over the fireplace. Alpha Thaddeus didn't strike me as the type to watch TV so it surprised me that he even had one.

There were 4 couches in the room. One single couch and the rest were not. I couldn't really say much because I felt someone mind linking me.

Annabel? It was Rose of course.

Yes?

Are you at the Alphas home right now? Why did she want to know?

Why?

I met this really nice girl our age and she wanted to show us around, she said she already met you so we'll be there in five.

She didn't let me reply so slumped back onto the couch. But just then someone knocked on the door. That wasn't even ten seconds.

"I thought you said you'd be here in five?" I questioned noticing two guards stationed beside the house. Rose gave me a cheeky grin.

"I meant five seconds," she replied before gesturing towards a tall girl. Of course the tall girl was Ari.

"You two met already?" Questions Rose looking between the two of us. I nodded shutting the door behind me.

"Where's Mason?" I ask following Ari.

"He went with some boys to go play football or something," Rose replied before speeding up to catch Ari.

"So Ari," I start, "you're nineteen?"

"I'll be twenty next month," she retorted. Instantly, she begins showing us different areas in the pack village. This whole territory was probably five times the size of my old home. I could see Rose having the same thought from her face.

I tried to pay attention but every where we went people would stare at me. Now I wasn't a very shy person but when it came to crowds I was a nerve wreck. I was so happy when Ari told us we were done.

"And basically that's all you have to see," Ari says. "I'm really sorry, but I have a lot of work to do. I have to leave."

She didn't even give us enough time to thank her for showing us around. Rose and I glanced at each other before shrugging. "Everyone's really busy trying to fit like thirty-nine people inside at the pack house."

I nodded understanding. With more people came more work. I sympathized Ari, I doubt she even ate anything.

"So now that we kind of know the pack village, what do you want to do?" Asked Rose.

I shrugged before an idea came to mind. "How about we go see the pack house? I'm curious of how it looks."

Rose led the way, blabbering about how big it was and how she was lucky enough to share a room with Mason. She explained how people were put into rooms.

So basically the ones who are mated share a room, while everyone else except the elderly sleep two to a room. The really young kids like Savannah had to sleep in the pups side of the house where they were cared for by some workers while the elderly stayed in their own room.

She explained to me even though the house did feel squished inside, it was fun. Everyone got to meet new people and make friends. I tried not to show it but my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.

I now wish I could have stayed at the pack house. It sounded fun unlike my morning. But I don't think Alpha Thaddeus would enjoy me sleeping in another room with perhaps a male, even though he doesn't want a mate.

And besides even if I was allowed to do so how would Alpha Thaddeus feel living in the house all alone. I'd immediately feel guilty as I realise this. And even though he doesn't like me he still wanted me to stay at his house.

Rose snapped her fingers in my face. "Were you listening?"

By the look on her face she knew I wasn't. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said there's your mate," she said jutting her chin in his direction. I glanced at him before quickly diverting my eyes. He was standing in front of the pack house speaking to some people.

I'm almost sure he picked up on my scent even though I was less than twenty feet away. I knew he did after his shoulders tensed when I took another step towards the pack house.

I gripped onto Rose and spun around heading away. A few seconds later she stopped me. "What's going on?"

I shook my head glaring at my shoes. I wish my mate would like me.

Rose took a step forward holding onto my shoulders. "What happened yesterday?"

I knew I couldn't keep it in any longer. I needed to spill to someone. I don't care if Rose doesn't have anything to say. I just needed someone to listen. And so I told her. I told her what he said before the Run. What happened during the Run. And how we haven't had one decent conversation.

Rose didn't say anything as I spilled my guts. We walked near the territory borders but didn't pass it. Some guards would come up and when they took one look at me, they walked away.

After I was done, Rose and I sat in silence on the grass in a clearing. A few moments passed by before Rose spoke up.

"I don't know what to say," she says slinging an arm over my shoulder. "But I do know he wants and needs you. He might probably just be having a very difficult time expressing himself. I mean it surprised everyone when we realised you two were mates and it might have shocked him even more."

"So what you're saying is the reason he's acting like he is right now, is because he doesn't know how to express himself?"

She shook her head. "I think the reason he's acting cruelly towards you is because something happened in his past. Past experiences tend to leave people scarred. So for now you should probably just try to get on his good side until he opens up. "

"I don't know how," I say throwing my hands up exasperation. "He can't even stand to be in the same room as me."

Rose pulled her arm away before standing up. She gave me her hand and pulled me up with her. She bit the inside of her mouth making that face she always made when she was thinking really hard of something.

"Maybe you could cook something for him," she says nudging my arm, "you are a very good cook."

I refused instantly. I don't even think he eats in human form to be honest.

"Come on if you do this he would know you're trying," Rose begged.

"What if he doesn't eat? And what would I make? I haven't checked what he has in the kitchen."

"Whatever you plan on making we could ask Ari to get the supplies?"

"Alright," I say nervously giving in. I hope she was right.

"Alright," Rose repeats, "now what are you planning?"

I sighed thinking hard.

-

"Do you think he'd like it?" I ask Ari for what seemed to be the billionth time. I glanced nervously at the food on the plate. It wasn't anything fancy but I hoped he'd like it.

Basically, it was just a few fried chicken breasts mixed with some vegetables. I placed bread beside his plate and a cup of water.

It took me a really long time to find out what to make and then it took almost two hours to make it since Rose was on guard duty and Ari was getting me what I need.

Ari nods excitedly. "This is a really good meal for dinner. If for some odd reason it isn't finished by tomorrow, I will gladly eat it."

I grin at her comment before looking over everything. It was all set. My plate was across from his which wasn't my idea, but Ari's.

Something about proper seatings arrangements, but I wasn't listening.

"Anyways," Ari begins grabbing a spoon and scooping up a tiny portion from my plate and shoving it into her mouth, "I should get going."

Because of the food in her mouth her words sounded weird. I only nodded before I quickly piled a good portion of the food from the pan and onto another plate. "But before you go you should have a plate to yourself."

She quickly shook her head. "It's for you and the Alpha."

"You helped make this, it's only fair for you to have some," I say practically forcing the plate into her hands. "No returns."

Ari rolls her eyes before leaving the house after shouting a quick thank you. I sigh feeling really nervous all of a sudden. Would he appreciate the work I put in for him? I really wanted him too.

I waited almost two hours for him to come. I expected him to come soon but he hadn't. I placed both of our plates in the microwave to heat up later on when he actually came. I didn't want to eat without him so even though I was practically starving I waited.

I was slumped down on the couch, eyes about to shut, when the door opened and the amazing scent of my mate attacked me. I snapped my eyes at the time on the wall to find out it was eleven o'clock. I instantly caught up with Alpha Thaddeus just as he was heading up the stairs.

"Alpha Thaddeus," I spoke up my voice embarrassing husky from running. I immediately coughed. Alpha Thaddeus stood motionless at the top of the stairs. "I cooked something for you. I could just go heat it up."

"There is no need to do so," his baritone voice blaring through out the room. "I am not hungry."

I froze as I finally registered what he was saying. "Are you sure? I mean you were out for a while, I thought-"

"I am not hungry," he snapped. "I suggest you go to bed."

My shoulders slumped as he disappeared from my eyesight. My bottom lip quivered but I took a deep breath before slapping my hand over my mouth.

Don't cry, I chanted, don't cry, you're stronger than this.

I went back to the kitchen and took my plate from the microwave. I didn't bother heating it up. I placed the plate on the table in the lonely dining room and sighed, collapsing in the cold seat.

I ate quickly and put the dishes away. I scurried upstairs but hesitated at my door. I wanted to say something to him but I thought better of it and went to bed.

Nice plan Rose, totally worked.

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~MissieA out!

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