My eyes fluttered open; a stinging sensation causing me to shut them again quickly. I hissed in pain, scrunching up my nose in distaste, not enjoying the feeling of my limbs weighing an entire ton. I groaned, peeking my eyes open again slightly, allowing them to adjust to the bright lights above me.

Pushing myself up onto my elbows, I gazed around the room, noticing the door to Gia's room was missing, causing me to furrow my brows, confused.

"Clara!" announced Gia, pushing herself up from the couch in the corner, rushing over to me. "How are you feeling?"

"How long have I been asleep?" I groaned, rubbing my eyes vigorously, pushing my mess of a hair out of my face.

"Two days," said Gia sheepishly, causing my jaw to drop.

"I slept for two days?" I asked, shocked.

Gia shrugged, smiling slightly. "Yeah, most women find it nearly impossible to sleep through their heat, so you're pretty lucky."

"What happened to your door?"

Gia rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "You were screaming in your sleep last night, so Dylan broke down the door to get to you. It wasn't even locked, but the door knob is pretty stiff, so he just kicked through it."

My eyes widened, causing Gia to laugh. "Oh my God."

"It's fine, Clara. He's already ordered me a new one, although my parents weren't overly pleased about it."

"Where's Dylan?" I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed that my mate had seen me in such a state. Although, I was more than thankful for his self control, because I wanted my first time to be when we both felt ready, not because some werewolf heat was telling me to.

"He's currently training the fighters, but he's been cutting the sessions short so he can get back here as soon as possible."

I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Alpha Paul won't like that."

"It's fine," comforted Gia, rubbing my back. "He spoke to Alpha Paul about everything when he arrived back this morning and Dylan's agreed to stay for a little bit longer, until he's happy with the progression of the fighters."

"Okay, that's good," I replied, pressing my head against the headboard, allowing my neck to crack, sending a pleasurable shiver down my spine.

"Your Dad came over," muttered Gia, chewing at her plump bottom lip.

"Oh my God, what did he say?" I asked, running my hands down my face.

"He was kind of freaking out, and he wanted to see you, but my parents spoke to him and convinced him to go home. He's been calling twice a day to check up on you, so you should go see him once you're feeling up to it," said Gia, settling down next to me.

"I will. He's going to be so annoyed I didn't tell him about Dylan," I sighed, mentally cursing at myself.

Gia smiled, shaking her head. "I don't think he'll be annoyed. He'll just miss you."

"Miss me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at my best friend as she raked her fingers through her long blonde hair.

"Yeah, when you go to become Luna. We'll all miss you."

I furrowed my brows at Gia's sorrowful tone, shaking my head. "I hadn't really even thought about that."

"Really?" asked Gia. "You're going to be a Luna, Clara. It's such a big responsibility and you're going to be so busy. I'm just worried you won't have any time to visit."

I sighed, grabbing her hand, refusing to speak until she looked at me. "Gia, I will always have time for you. I will always have time for my family, and although, yes I will have to leave eventually, I will be calling you everyday and visiting as often as I can. You're my best friend and I am not going to lose you."

Gia smiled, her eyes tearing up as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. "I just want a mate, so I'm not so lonely when you go," she sniffed into my shoulder, sighing deeply.

"You'll find him, Gia. Who knows? Maybe he's in Dylan's pack?"

Gia shook her head, wiping her under eyes as she pulled away from me. "No, I would have felt it when we stayed over that night after the club. Besides, that would mean you'd become my Luna, which is weird."

I scrunched up my nose, furrowing my brows. "Ew, yeah, that is weird."

"Are you feeling any better? Do you think you're heat is over?" asked Gia, cocking her head as she watched me.

I nodded my head, stretching out my arms and legs, enjoying the feeling of the tension cracking away. "I feel fine."

"Well, you'll need something to eat, so I can make you something whilst we wait for Dylan to get back. He should be done soon."

I pulled on one of Gia's oversized cardigans, following her down the stairs and into the kitchen, settling down on one of the bar stools.

"Okay," said Gia, pulling open the fridge and studying what was inside. "What do you want? I can make pasta? We have pizza? Or just toast? Or I could-"

"Toast is fine, Gia. Thank you," I laughed, causing her to smile, grabbing a couple slices of bread and popping them in the toaster.

Suddenly, a knock at the door caused both of us to nearly jump out of our skins. I sighed, shaking my head, walking towards it, wondering who had banged so urgently.

I flung the door open, expecting to see my father, Jared or Matthew, but I scrunched my nose up in disgust as Jen stepped back from the door, crossing her arms over her chest.

"What?" I asked, really not feeling in the mood for her snarky comments.

"Where is Dylan?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at me rudely, tapping her foot.

"Why do you care?" I sneered, anger bubbling up inside of me; my inner wolf begging me to leap on her.

"I'm his assistant. He hasn't been at the cabin for two nights now and I'm supposed to be preparing his meals for him."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Well, maybe you're a bad cook."

I heard Gia snicker from the kitchen, causing me to smirk to myself, gaining a glare a very agitated Jen.

"Alpha Paul gave me this role Clara and I intend to fulfil it, so if you know where Dylan has been staying the past two days, I suggest you tell me."

"Here," I replied, slamming the door in her face, growling to myself.

"He was told by Alpha Paul to stay in his cabin!" growled Jen from the other side of the door, causing me to groan, pulling the door open again.

"If you have a problem Jen, take it up with Dylan. He's been here because I was in heat and he wanted to be with his mate, and Alpha Paul is aware of that, so just leave us alone," I growled between gritted teeth, gripping the door fame so tightly that my knuckles were starting to turn white.

Jen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You really don't expect me to believe that you're mates, do you? You're just power hungry and want him for his money and title. Just because you have a sweet little crush on him, doesn't mean he's your mate!"

I growled, closing my eyes for a few seconds, trying to calm my wolf as I took a step forward, causing Jen to take a step backwards, eyeing me up.

"You're just a young little kid who dreams of being a Luna," sneered Jen, flipping her bright auburn hair behind her shoulder, a smug look plastered on her freckly face.

"So you think you can talk to me like crap because you're a few years older than me?" I growled.

"No," replied Jen, smirking. "I can talk to you like crap because you're a desperate little bitch who is intent on getting in my way."

Suddenly, I leaped forwards onto Jen, shifting into my light brown wolf, pinning her to the dirt with my large paws, the anger bubbling up inside of me finally spilling over, submerging my body.

Jen screamed, shifting into her auburn wolf, snapping at me as she pushed me off of her, baring her teeth.

"What the hell!" screamed Gia as she ran to the door, her eyes wide as she took in the scene in front of her.

Jen growled as she pounced on me, biting down on my neck as I yelped, clawing at her face until I drew blood, causing her to scurry backwards, releasing her grip.

"Guys, stop!" yelled Gia, waving her arms in the air as she cursed to herself.

I growled again, lunging forward at Jen, causing her to whine and back up, her eyes wide as she studied my furious wolf stalking towards her. Jen gazed up at me, shaking her head as she painfully swiped me across the face, causing my wolf to snarl, drool dribbling down my jaw and landing in the mud beneath me.

I quickly grappled Jen to the ground, pushing my large paw down on her neck, denying her air as she attempted to snap at me, but the more she struggled, the more of my weight I pressed down on her neck, causing her to splutter.

"That's enough!" bellowed a loud voice, causing me to raise my head, noticing my shirtless mate standing in front of me, his mouth set in a firm line.

I growled in Jen's face one last time, ensuring she knew that I wasn't scared to hurt her again. Stepping away from her, I watched as she whined, slowly moving to go and cower behind my mate, as if he was protecting her. I rolled my eyes, my wolf feeling nothing but rage at the fact that my own mate looked angry that I had just defended myself.

"Jen, go home," ordered Dylan, causing Jen to whine even more, gazing up at him longingly, as if begging him to escort her. "Go!"

Jen cowered away at Dylan's harsh tone, her auburn coloured wolf quickly scurrying away as Dylan turned to me, a small smirk playing at his lips, causing me to cock my head, slightly confused.

"Impressive," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest, smiling. "I thought you said you couldn't fight."

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