Alex p.o.v.
I yawned, looking at the excited Beth beside me; We were in a random clothes store. I wasn't familiar with stores here, but Marcus said I should have my own clothes, but I was still trying to wake up; I had been awoken and sent straight out.

"This is cute. Oh, this is cute too. Which one do you like?" Beth stated, picking up two floral tops and putting each in front of her as if she were the test dummy.

" they're nice, but I was thinking some darker long-sleeve tops plus some sweatpants and jeans," I was uncomfortable adding, " and some underwear and bras."

" your fashion choices suck, no offense," she snickered.

Laughing, I pulled out a dark grass green long-sleeve with a minor v-cut. " I like this type."

" no designs?" She asked.

I shook my head no

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We grabbed a few more clothes, checked out, and walked to Beth's car, a Honda Civic that looked brand new. Once inside the car, it felt like no time before we were back at the pack house.

Marcus with Kyle on their front porch talking, leaning against the railing, the car stopped, and the stretch of my legs kicked in. I instantly stretched. "Alex," Marcus's voice rang, followed by footsteps and a light breeze. My head snapped up to meet his gaze. He was now beside me, standing next to the car. "how was shopping?" he asked, fidgeting with his hands.

"it was fine. We got some clothes," I stated. The air felt awkward, like static.

"Good, I'm glad," he smiled weakly. " Let's get you inside, and Beth, I need to discuss the full moon party arrangements with you."

"Full moon party?" The questions and comments kept falling out of my mouth before I could shut up.

" It's a wolf celebrating their wolf; the whole pack run in wolf form, well, the mated ones," he stated.

" What about the unmated ones?" I asked.

"They're chained up so they don't stray from their future mate or couples waiting to officially intimately mate may restrain themselves. I am one," He stated matter-of-factly.

"Oh," I shifted uncomfortably

" you should prepare for the symptoms," he said

"Symptoms?" I felt clueless, but the only things I get on the full moon are what Cleo brings, so shifting, more emotions, and higher Feral behavior.

"I'll have Beth explain tonight. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. Let's get inside." he smiled before I followed him into the house. The Packhouse was way livelier than before; people in and out, some stopping to talk to Marcus for a moment. Most threw out terms I wasn't familiar with, so I zoned out of the conversations.

" there you go," a voice rang, scaring the hell out of me; she sat down a tray covered with snacks. "here is the graham cracker sandwich platter. Tyler and Kyle are grabbing the snacks, platters, and drinks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic, of course." In a queue, the boys came through the door, Josh holding the beer cooler and soda pops, plus Kyle holding stacks of food trays "set them on the table." Beth bounced over to me and Marcus, where we were standing in the living room, coming from, I presume, some door around the back of the house with Josh and Kyle. " so what are you guys up to, Alex? You should show him the clothes we bought."

"not right now, Beth," Marcus replied

" come on, please." a frown framed her lips

" I can try on one if you want, Beth" I caved

She flashed a wide grin at me. "Go"

I ran up the stairs, holding the bag of clothes, and headed to my room; shutting the door behind me, I tossed the bag to the bed. There was a full-body mirror. I closed the window curtain, noticing a new lock. Probably a precaution, after I ran, I dressed, putting on one of the pairs of black skinny jeans and looking in the mirror. The jeans fit great, but I am again reminded why I didn't often look into mirrors because my scars stared me in the face each time. my stomach scar caught my attention, and my mind went hazy; It felt like I had been transported to a different time. I was now on my back facing my uncle. It was so accurate it seemed to be like I was reliving the day he cut me open.
...
A sharp pain whipped my side. Uncle laughed, cutting something, followed by more pain and some warmth. He had a scalpel in one hand and a beer in the other. "You took getting your kidney out very well. Let's put it back in and see what happens." The pain made me lightheaded, but I was still awake, somehow laying on the floor while my uncle cut me open like he was playing a surgery game.

Marcus p.o.v.
Beth and I waited for Alex to dress, occasionally discussing the full moon party. After 20 minutes, I started to panic. "Where is she? It doesn't take that much time to get dressed."

" maybe I should check on her," Beth said, moving toward the stairs

I put my hand on her shoulder, gently stopping her. " I'll check on her." Beth nodded, letting me go. I dropped my hand and made my way up the stairs, heading to the room Alex was temporarily staying in, knocking, but no one answered. "Alex, everything OK?" Again, there was no response.

'what if she ran away again?' Sam growled. My temper Rose at the thought, and I turned the knob out of frustration, thinking it was going to be locked, but it wasn't. The door swung open. "Alex?" She was in here. She was unlikely to get past the number of warriors we had, but she was good at escaping. The silence was concerning.

A silhouette stands aside, a full-length mirror resting against the wall. I see Alex staring into the mirror, looking paused in time.

Shirtless, chest out, her skin covered and thick with scars from thin and white to big and wide. I held back, having to catch my breath from anger that someone did all of that damage and to calm myself after getting a look at her figure. I putting a hand on her shoulder. She seems to snap out of it, swatting my hand away. "Are you ok?" She turned around, then after a second, her face dropped, and she looked like she realized her chest was out. Her breasts were now engraved in my memory.

She gasped, grabbing my shirt, so I turned around while she changed. I knew she would be more comfortable once we mate for the first time, so the embarrassment didn't bother me.

" you can look," she spoke

Instantly turning, she wore black skinny jeans and a dark blue long-sleeve shirt. " So how do you like it?" She asked, not even realizing that she was my dream girl.

" beautiful," I breathe, taking her all in.

Looking away, she fiddled with her hands. "What Did you see?" The nerves rolled off of her.

" nothing but your back." truthfully, I didn't wanna make her more uncomfortable; later in life, I would tell her, and hopefully, we would laugh at this. My God, her figure was exquisite, with perky breasts and a nice rump. She looked relieved by the compliment.

" Good," she said lowly. " I need to change back."

I turned around to give her time to change. After a few moments, I could hear the noise of her zipper and the swish noise of something being put on. "I'm decent." Her voice rang out, and I chuckled. My body naturally turned to face her. She was clothed in what she wore before: long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. " so what's next?" She asked, seeming to move on from her frozen form.

"Well, maybe you and I could go eat some lunch," I suggested; she nodded following me down the stairs to the kitchen. No one seemed to occupy it, a rare occurrence; usually, pack warriors Beth or Kyle would be socializing or eating. Alex sat at the table, looking awkward, playing with the edge of her sleeve. " what would you like to eat?" She paused like she was lost and thought

"truthfully, I don't know," she admitted, taking a slow seat on one of the dining room table chairs

" what about a turkey and cheese sandwich?" I offered, walking behind the kitchen counter, which looked into the living room. Our dining room table, technically, was in the living room, but the kitchen was a strip of appliances and a walkway.

" sounds good"
Alex p.o.v.
The awkward silence consumed me as he put together my sandwich, the smell of my uncle still heavy in my mind. I was worried he wasn't just passing through this territory.

" I hope you like it. I didn't know what you would like on your sandwich, so I made what I usually make for myself." He said, waking me out of my thoughts; the sandwich looked like it was just turkey, lettuce, tomato, and some white sauce. I wasn't a picky eater, so I picked it up taking a small bite. The white sauce was mayonnaise, I believe, but human food was a guessing game for me.

" It's good, thank you," I said after swallowing the bite of food in my mouth. All I could think about was the upcoming full moon and what I would do to keep my cat unnoticeable. Beth was someone I was going to try and tell.... If I could get her to myself, I would've done it shopping, but I wasn't sure what wolf was listening in. wolves have sensitive hearing; which I hated. My hearing was better than humans, but not as good as wolves hearing.

"so what do you think about being my date to the full moon party? We're having it to celebrate shifters and the moon goddess." he looked almost unsure of himself when he said it.

"If you tell me what I should expect for the full moon," I bargained

He groaned, taking a seat at the table across from me. "It's the heat the female wolves have, but with you being human, I'm not sure what you'll experience," he shifted uncomfortably. "I would rather Beth explain the rest, but let me know if you have any questions about the full moon party. Also, please consider being my date." he gave me a half smile, and the feeling I got was that Beth was the one who should tell me.

"Fine," I mumbled, taking another bite of my sandwich. Once I swallowed, I added. "then Beth and I will go on a walk later and talk about it.?"

"I thought we would watch a movie since you and Beth went shopping." his face looked hopeful but also irritated, probably that I was even attempting to hang out with someone who wasn't him, but that was the alpha behavior of thinking everyone is for them to boss around.

'it's because you guys are mates,' Cleo bit sharply in my mind.

I rarely respond to her nowadays after coming to this territory; she had nothing to say that wasn't about mates or Marcus, which was nothing I could use to survive.

" How about tomorrow? You girls can get some fresh air," He said, shifting in his seat again.

" OK, thank you," I smiled weekly at him. My current situation felt like joint custody between Beth and Marcus.

"I thought we could watch a movie called Love on Ice. It's a romance," he said, putting his hands in his lap.

Truthfully, I was not interested in movies; I would be more interested in what Uncle was up to. "I'm full," I said, pushing the rest of the sandwich toward Marcus.

"Next time, try and eat a little bit more," he scolded like a parent before eating the rest and after two bites. This man talked like he didn't force me to stay in his territory. Once crumbs were the only thing left on the empty plate between us, he added. "So the full moon party is the night of the full moon in about eight days."

"so what happens at this party?" I asked, folding my arms onto the hardwood table.

He crossed his hands on the table, pulling them from his lap. " well, we all get together for food and drinks, and all the mated wolves run together."

" is it every full moon," I asked, still not sure how these things work

" yes, and Prep is always a week before," he stated. " But since you're done eating, I have to go do paperwork and Alpha duties for a few hours so that Miles will be watching you-

" like I'm a toddler?" was tired of feeling like I had to be watched. His gaze got more intense, and his eyebrows drew together like he was thinking of something.

"as I said, Miles will be watching you till I get back; we can watch that movie when I get back," he growled.

"repeating what you said doesn't make any difference, alpha." frustrated, I stood up, stretching my legs.

Marcus followed by standing. I think he thought I would run away right in front of him. "Alex, I just want you safe."

"no, you want me under your control," I corrected. I figured the worst he could do was torture me or kill me, and my anger got the best of me.

'give him a shot,' Cleo shouted in the back of my mind.

He growled, clenching his hands together so tight his knuckles went white. My nerves shot up sky-high, but if I needed to piss him off to move on from the situation, so be it; his knuckles unclenched as he breathed out. "I just want you safe."

"OK," I didn't know what else to say. Miles walked in, no doubt mind linked from Marcus to come. I was crossing my hands over my chest in anger. I leaned back in my chair.

" OK, well, Miles, I'll be back at 7:30 tonight. She isn't to leave the house." Marcus stayed smiling weakly at me. I don't think he knew what else to do. Marcus walked up the stairs, no doubt to his office.

" so, your miles?" I asked, knowing this would be hours of boredom; it was barely 12:30 in the afternoon, so we would wait for him for roughly 7 hours.

" Well, yes, I am a high-ranking warrior in this pack," he said in a business-like tone.

Retaking a seat in the chair I had got up from; I motioned for him to sit in a chair beside me. "so where are the others?".

"patrolling, but if you're talking about the betas, they're handling some business right now," he answered, flopping down in the chair beside me

"to make sure I don't escape," I chuckled.

"orders are orders, Luna," he stated. " do what you want in this house, but leave, and we will track you down."

"you already have." my face was blank, not trying to express emotions.

" Well, my part was ordered. Anyway, how long have you been a part of this pack, Luna?" he asked.

"don't call me Luna; call me Alex," I sighed, "and I'm not part of this pack. I'm more visiting."

" visiting your alpha mate's territory?" he chuckled. " Good luck with that. Doll".

.

.

.

Time dragged on, never seeming to stop. I was watching whatever was on the TV. It was some romance; I guessed by the gestures of affection The two people expressed to one Another. the door rattled. Miles cursed. He grabbed the door swiftly and yanked it open for Marcus, whose eyebrows were drawn together in frustration at the expression he often wore. His gaze landed directly on me, softening his features. "Hey, how was your time with Miles?" Marcus gave him a death stare like he wasn't the one to ask him to watch me.

" good" I was still pissed from being left with a warrior wolf. I shifted my body away from him; watching the TV in front of me, I could hear Marcus walk over to the couch beside me. After a while of boredom, I moved over to the sofa. I continued to flip the channels, trying to entertain myself.

He waited for me like I had more to say to him, and I did, but he's an alpha, and that would cause nothing but trouble for me.

"Alex, I have to protect you." the explanation didn't make me feel any better, and it didn't calm me down. My fear of my uncle finding me kicked in, so I said nothing. flipping the TV channels again as the air around me filled with electricity, no doubt from him sitting beside me." why don't we watch that movie?"

I handed him the remote. It took a few minutes for him to find what he needed, but once the movie started, it seemed like another cliché, so I zoned out. But what I couldn't ignore was Marcus's gaze directly on me for the duration of the movie.
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My eyes flooded open. Yesterday was a blur since it was just a movie with Marcus, and then I was sent to bed. I groaned, stretching under the covers before swinging my legs from under them. Today was the day I told Beth about my cat Cleo; the nerves in my body were endless; no one had known my secret for so long, and keeping it felt natural.

Still waking up, I went to the closet to get dressed: a black, long-sleeved shirt with jeans plus some slip-on shoes Beth bought me. Making a walk to the door, someone knocked and almost gave me a heart attack. I was getting closer. " Alex? It's 1:14 PM. Are you awake?" The voice sounded like Uncle mixed with someone else, but I doubt he could get into the Packhouse.

" yeah, I'm coming. I didn't realize the time," I assured the voice was no one I recognized. It was a male, most likely a warrior from the pack. The similarities in my uncle's voice spiked my anxiety, but I knew it was just getting the best of me.

Pushing the door open. A warrior or someone was waiting outside my room, but the hall was empty, and a chill ran down my spine.

Could it have been? It would honestly drive me crazy. 'no, can't be' Cleo growled

" Alex?" Beth's voice rang from the end of the hall. "I was wondering when you would wake up; Marcus wanted to let you sleep." oddly, I was grateful to him for the extra energy. "I thought you'd never get up; come on, we're having some lunch." I joined her down the stairs; Marcus and Kyle talked in the kitchen, and a few pack warriors floated around them.

Marcus's head shot up to meet my eyes when I was halfway down the stairs, causing me to pause. "You slept a while." Kyle chuckled. "seems like Beth is rubbing off on you."

" I don't get up that late," she argued, sticking out her tongue at Kyle. Taking a seat next to him, he smiled, rubbing her arm. My foot finally hit the last step, but when I did, he looked directly at me, causing me to almost trip.

"How did you sleep?" Marcus asked, his gaze never leaving mine.

"good," he smiled, adding, "Would you like some food?" I knodded, knowing that if I said no, my stomach would give me up instantly. "what would you like to eat?" He stood up immediately, waiting for my answer

I sat down across from Beth, smiling over at her. "uhm, a sandwich or something, maybe," I mumbled. Kyle sat across from me as Beth was; they looked to have finished their lunch already.

"Alex, you should have Marcus show you how to make something.... Together." Looking Between me and Marcus. " also, Alex, I will see you at eight for a walk and talk." she grinned, and I sighed in relief.

" that's a good idea, Alex. What would you like to learn?" Marcus asked. Hope spark in his eyes.

"I'm not helpless; you know I can do things for myself." I was tired of being treated like a child.

Beth spoke before anybody else could. " look at it this way: it's a skill, plus choose a food you don't know how to make, like......... spaghetti!"

" do you know how to make spaghetti Alex?" Marcus asked.

I was street smart, not house smart; the only things I could cook were wings, burgers, and fries because that's all uncle would have me make him and his friends; sometimes he would get fast food, but that was rare. At least it seemed like it, but I was always in what my uncle called my bedroom, more like four walls and a mat to sleep on.

The look on my face must have given it away because Marcus grinned, stretching in his standing position. "follow me to the kitchen." he walked over to the small strip of the kitchen of his household; following nervously, I stood by him as he started taking everything we would need out.

Fun
Marcus p.o.v.
'thank you,' I mind-linked Beth. She nodded, starting a conversation with Kyle about decor for the party, and I tuned her out, only wanting to tune into my mate. Alex was standing awkwardly beside me, so I got the pasta sauce and the noodles out of the cabinet. "do you have anything you are experienced in?" I kicked myself; the question didn't come out right, so I tried it again: "I mean, is there something that you particularly excel in?"

" Honestly, not much; no one taught me," She stated lowly.

" what was your childhood like?" I asked, hoping she would open up to me as she did to Jace.

Her gaze trailed off from the counter to my face, briefly pausing. "Different," she said, her stance becoming stiffer as if uncomfortable. " I lived in Foster homes most of my life till a family member adopted me."

Not sure if that person was good or bad, I kept my response neutral. " well, I'm just glad to have you here," I was trying to get ground to stand on. All I knew about her was what Jace had told me and the little bit she had opened up to me about, which I was grateful for, but I wanted more. Her eyes widened, and she smiled at me, not saying anything. She nodded over to me in a reassuring way. "why don't we get started?" I suggested.

"sounds good to me, Marcus," she said, and I was floored that she used my actual name. Maybe I was getting ground to stand on.

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The kitchen was messy, and all the ingredients were burnt and smoking. "what happened?!" Beth Exclaimed, bursting through the front door; they had gone for a walk. "I could smell burning something; how did you burn Spaghetti, Marcus?" she ran over to the stove, turning it off. Alex was standing off to the side, watching me figure out cooking, which I thought I knew how to do, but it was more complicated than it looked. Once Everything was off and not smoking, Beth turned to me. " we need to have you learn skills." She chuckled. " poor Alex, hiding off to the side."

"Well-

Alex cut me off with a grin and deep laughter." he tried boiling the pasta without water."

I was triumphant that she was smiling and laughing......at me, but she was laughing nonetheless; that's all that counted to me. " in my defense, I thought I knew how to make spaghetti." we looked at each other in silence. A smile crossed my face, and Alex and I erupted in laughter. Once the laughter died down. I asked. " what time is it?" I asked, hoping I had more time with Alex.

" Alex, would you-

"Like to help you clean up your mess, I would," she said, smiling over at me.

" no, the staff can. I wanted to know if-

"The staff shouldn't have to clean up this mess, Marcus, " she snapped.

I figured, instead of getting mad, I take a different approach: "Then we better get started if you and Beth want to hang out at eight."

She smiled over at me. " let's get started.

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Alex p.o.v.
We cleaned up, throwing away all the burnt past, wiping up the water that we spilled, and putting away everything he had taken out of the cabinet. I hated to admit it, but life here wasn't that bad other than Marcus's temper. We cleaned up for a while; I was eager to tell Beth, but I was, "What time is it?"

"7:47," Marcus answered. " also, Alex, thank you for cooking with me; it means a lot even though I messed it up."

My heart beat faster; I took a deep breath, unaware of how strong he made me feel until something like this happened. " It was my pleasure, and it was fun watching you try to boil pasta without the water." I grinned.

He scratched the back of his head, leaning on the counter." yeah, not my best move," he chuckled

"Well, I had fun," I reassured. Truthfully, I was hoping I wasn't going soft for him.

'you are,' Cleo purred.

' he's just an alpha. I am just nervous,' I responded to her, lying to myself again.

She was quiet, seeming to have no remark, which was unusual for her.

"Alex, I'll mind-link Beth so she can come get you," he said, a smile resting on his lips. "when you join my pack, or we mate, you'll be able to communicate with the pack, including me."

The part where he mentioned mating made me stiff, and all the color drained from my face. "not that I would mate you without your consent," he stammered out. It made me feel better, but I knew I still had to get out of here, especially if my uncle was looking for me; the thought even scared me. "I know what you mean." the reassurance seems to calm his panic. Something in the background caught my attention.; It was a steak knife sitting in the dishwasher.

The back door swung open, and Beth walked through the door. Kyle was trailing behind her. "Who's ready to hang out?" she exclaimed.

Smiling, my eyes met hers. "you're excited," I chuckled.

"We got girl stuff to talk about," she said, looking between me and Marcus

" Beth, can I get a cup of water?" I asked, hoping to grab the knife.

"Yeah, go ahead. I think the dishwasher is clean if you want to take a glass from there," Marcus said, smiling over at me.

I walked over, grabbed a glass from the bottom of the dishwasher, and sneaked the hand-sized steak knife into my pocket. I would have to hope that it wouldn't cut me at all, but that was all me having to be careful. I filled the glass; once I was done taking a swig of water and putting the glass into the sink. Walking back over to Beth and Marcus, I smiled. "OK, well, Marcus, I'll see you later," I said, slipping my hands into my pockets.

"Tomorrow, by the time you're done, I'll be doing paperwork, then bed. So be back by at least 11 and be safe," he said, smiling over to Beth.

"Perfect, come on, Alex," Beth said, grabbing my arm.

"Also, the grounds are clear and covered by Warriors," Kyle reported, flopping onto the couch.

 Beth and I walked out of the door. Beth practically dragged me out by my arm. We wandered down the stairs that connected to their house and started our way to one of their cars. I'm assuming from the oversized garage

Wait, I stopped. "Is this a car that's different from the last one?"

"We own five cars, not including Kyle's three cars," she said, leaving my mouth a gasp, "Come on, slow poke." She jumped into the black Jeep, a streak of pink going across the side. I shook off my surprise at the amount of cars she owned and lifted into the passenger seat. Her hands were on the steering wheel when I got in, "so I thought we would talk deep in the woods so no one can hear, you know, so nothing is embarrassing." I cocked my head, not understanding "the heat." Oh yeah, I was so intertwined with my worries I forgot about the symptoms of the full moon.

"Yeah," I breathe out. We started our road trip with Beth, talking about decor and mainly herself while I listened, "So where are we going?"I asked after a while.

 "The very end of our territory, so we have privacy." suddenly, we went off-road into lush Greenwoods. For the time of the year, it was odd to see so many leaves on the trees. They were yellow and red because of the fall, but around this time, I expected the leaves to have fallen. Once I felt her car stop, I looked into the basic forest lands. "Here is where our land ends, but I'm here, so you're safe" Wolves really were cocky, but she also still thought I was human. We got out of the car and started strolling along the trees.

" so what can I expect from the full moon? Marcus wouldn't tell me." I wanted to know the full moon information before I told Beth what I was.

"Well," she cracked her fingers. "It's when your emotions will be at full blast, so let's start with that," She exclaimed, looking along the trees. Walking alongside her, taking all of the nature around us and enjoying the calming effects. "your emotions will be a full blast during the time of the full moon illumination, so a couple of hours after night, you will probably be moody away from Marcus, and then there's heat," she trailed off. "look, this leaf looks like a heart!" she picked up a yellow-brown leaf from the forest floor to show me.

"So, the heat?"I questioned my nerves spiking, even mentioning the word.

"Heat is basically when mates, during the full moon, get an increase on the hormone Oxytocin causing them to want to make pups or other words have sex, but that can be prevented by chains or sedative." The last part came out in a mumble. I stopped looking over a patch of flowers growing around some mushrooms. The site was beautiful. It almost made me forget everything she said.

"So pretty much I'll be horny" in my defense was that I was absorbing all of this information for the first time

She pursed her lips. "Yep," she breathed, "but you're human. I'm not sure exactly what you'll experience. I've never had to help a human with heat," she said, looking almost embarrassed, "but Marcus will be chained so that you will be fine. I'll help you with the full moon."

"What about Kyle?" I asked, "Don't you have to be with him?"

"We will take care of that before I come to help you," she said

I was genuinely grateful for her. No one had even come close to being my friend, and with her, I am comfortable. "I appreciate that information. Is there anything else I should know?"

Trying to keep up with her, I almost stumbled; she chuckled, slowing down. "you're slow."

"Well, I haven't used these human legs in almost three years," I huffed; she stopped abruptly, making me slam into her back. My balance came back to me after wobbling and grounding my feet.

"What's your story, Alex? You don't say much about your past," she said, looking back at me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to cause you to bump into me."

"It's OK; it's because I'm trying to get my past out of my future," I said. "pretty much my parents died at an early age in my life. Then I went into foster care, and then I lived with my uncle until I was 18. After I was legally an adult, I ran for it."

Her eyes grew wide, Alex. "That's terrible. Is that why you have scars on your arms?" she asked. "If that's ok to ask,"

I nodded. "No, it's ok, and He used to cut me open."

"I'm glad you escaped," she said, tears in her eyes. She wiped them away, standing straighter, "Alex, I want you to know Marcus may be many things, but he isn't abusive. He has a lot of trauma-

"I can relate," I cut her off. "I get the choking was a one-time thing, but I've been forced to stay here, and I'm still figuring it all out. That doesn't mean I don't like it. It's just new."

"I get it." she smiled, wrapping her arms around me, and hugged me. My stance stiffens, patting her back. She loosened her grip, "but I mean it. No matter what your family, Alex."

My heart hurt because I would have to leave one day, but I would enjoy it while I was here. "Thank you, Beth."

She grabbed my arm as she did earlier. "let's walk a little more, and then we can go home, huh?"

"Sounds good." we walked in silence for a minute. I was getting ready to tell her about Cleo when my nerves shot up.

"I have something to tell you, but you can't tell anyone, not even Kyle," I offered.

"Deal," she agreed.

"Blood promise," I stated; blood promise was when two people slice their hands and shake in honor of the moon goddess. It is punishable; if it is broken. 

Her face scrunched. "That serious?" she asked

I nodded. She followed, giving her hand to me. I took out the knife that I snuck into my pocket, showing it to her before slicing her hand and mine, joining them together. "Beth, keep the secret on the moon goddess. I am a shifter." I let her go, and blood drops fell into the grass.

She was motionless, still holding her hand. "Alex, your wolf?"

"Not exactly," I said, backing up so I would have room to shift without hurting her. "I'm a panther." my body spasms, and my cat shoots out, transforming me into my panther form. The hand I had cut was already healing, considering when I was in panther form my injury's healed two times faster than it would when I was a human. Beth's eyes were wider than I'd ever seen in disbelief. I walked closer to her, sitting down and lowering my head to show her I wasn't a threat.

"Alex," she mumbled, touching my head and running her fingers through my fur. My panther was all black with green eyes, but bigger than the size of an average panther. "No wonder you made me a blood promise," she stated, sitting down. "I knew you weren't human," she chuckled, almost to herself; I sat beside her, letting her take the information before I switched back, now sitting in my human form.

"But yeah, I'm a panther, and My cats name is Cleo, that's me," I spoke awkwardly, not knowing what would happen.

"that's incredible. Also, my wolf's name is Olive, but why won't you tell Marcus?" she asked.

"Because I've held the secret my whole life, and he's an alpha. It's like my uncle would say-

Beth cut me off. "Which was what?" she scoffed

"Anyone would love to have my Panthers head hanging on their wall," I quoted

She sneered, "That isn't true. I'm assuming your uncle was your abuser. "Beth hit the nail on the head: "Well, you're here now. No harm will come to you. Also, I won't tell, but I encourage you to tell him he is your mate."

"Thanks, Beth, another thing," I paused, biting my lip nervously. "I need you to help me on the full moon. Cleo said we will have a heat." We were still sitting on the forest floor, staring at each other; we had not moved.

"I'll help you." She smiled.

Something came to mind, "Beth, how are you not telling Kyle? Don't mates have to tell everything, or it hurts?"

"No, that's only if you're bound together, if one of you almost dies, granted by the moon goddess," she fiddled with her foot, digging up some of the dirt under her. "And that's only if the moon goddess sees that fit."

"Oh," I mumbled.

"Should we get back? It's getting dark," she said, looking up at the sky. I looked around, and a proper nightfall covered the top of the trees.

"Yeah," I agreed, standing up and seeming to follow immediately, starting to head toward the way to the car. Once we got to the car, Beth immediately hopped in, but I saw something tied to the passenger door handle. I took the fabric tied onto the door and unraveled it, nerves shooting up; it stood out already by the vibrant purple and pink.

Gasping from what felt like the air being sucked out of my lungs, I had identified what it was.

The shirt I had worn the first time I shifted..... with my uncle's scent.

Fuck