*Adam's POV*

Usually, waking up next to Anna feels incredibly peaceful. During that short moment in the morning, there are no worries. There is just us. Just Anna and I.

So imagine the panic I felt when I heard two other voices when I woke up.

"Oh come on Owen, they look adorable together." A female voice whisper yelled.

Crap... that's Anna's mother!

There was a grunt, "I told the boy I'd be watching him. I'm kicking him out."

I kept my eyes shut and pretended to sleep. 'We're fucked.' Cade not so helpfully pointed out.

"Owen!" I heard someone, Anna's father, being slapped in the chest, "She's 23 years old! They can make their own decisions."

"They've been together for a couple of months according to Anna. That's not a long time Tia." Owen defended himself.

'What do we do Cade?' I frantically asked.

'They can't decide what we do with out mate. Let me take over, I'll take care of it.' I felt his bloodlust rise as Cade responded.

'We're not killing her parents!'

"As if we weren't doing things like this after a few months of being together. They look comfortable and happy, just let them be young and in love."

Tia is officially my favorite person on this planet besides Anna.

Another grunt came from Owen, "Whatever, when they get down for breakfast I'm talking to the both of them."

'We're jumping out of the window and we're running.' Cade came up with a plan.

'Agreed.'

The door closed and I heard the hushed voices head downstairs. When I deemed it safe, I opened my eyes and looked at Anna. She was still peacefully asleep, not knowing that I had just received the death penalty.

'If we're dying anyway, let's spend the last moments cuddling with out mate.' Cade suggested.

Not a bad plan at all.

I pulled Anna closer to me, placing my head in the crook of her head and taking in her scent. It immediately helped me relax and I let out a content sigh.

It didn't take long for Anna to stir and open her beautiful eyes. Two emerald orbs still filled with sleep met mine and a lazy smile appeared on her face.

"Morning beautiful." I said softly before kissing her temple.

A sleepy giggle escaped her mouth, "Mornin'"

Nothing else needed to be said for a few minutes. It always takes a while for Anna to fully wake up and I know she likes waking up surrounded by my warmth without the pressure of having to talk.

Anna eventually stretches, reminding me of a cat as she turns on her back and smiles, "What time is it?"

I quickly check her alarm clock, "7:23."

"Hmmm... you should get out then. Mom and dad are probably already up." Anna suggests as she faces me again.

I tense slightly, "Yeah... about that. Already too late for that."

My beautiful mate frowns, "What do you mean."

"Your parents were in here a little while ago. We got caught. Cade and I are escaping through the window in a bit so we won't be killed." I told Anna.

Anna looks at me as if I'm crazy before busting out laughing, "Adam, my dad won't kill you!"

"He said so himself. He told your mom he was kicking me out!" I defended.

"My dad is all bark and no bite, Adam." She giggles and engulfs me in a hug again, "Don't worry, Alpha, I'll protect you." She teases.

My eyes narrow, "I can protect myself."

Anna laughs again, "My dad is just messing with you. He's actually a really great and funny guy once you get on his good side."

"I'm definitely not on his good side. The guy caught me in bed with his daughter." I argued again.

"His 23 year old daughter. Come on Adam, there is no need to worry." Anna tries to reassure me.

I want to argue again when Anna's hand reaches my hair and she starts to run her fingers through my waves.

Fucking hell that feels good.

Cade starts to purr in the back of my mind and I suddenly forgot what we were even talking about. I relax in her hold and close my eyes, relishing in her touch.

"Sometimes I forget that you are a werewolf, but then you do things like this and I'm reminded that you can act like a puppy." My mate says with a chuckle.

I debate whether or not it's worth it to argue, but realize she'd stop running her hand through my hair if I do, "Whatever." I decide to grumble.

'Whipped.'

'Says the one purring like a cat!'

"Anna! Breakfast is ready!" I tense as soon as Tia's voice comes from downstairs.

Crap crap crap! We're dead!

Anna chuckles at seeing my despair. "Come on big guy, time to face your fears."

"Don't make me go." I groan as Anna starts pulling my arm to force me out of bed.

"Adam, it's Thanksgiving today. We have to leave the bed sometime. You're meeting the rest of my family." Anna argues.

"If I don't die." I mutter softly.

"Yesterday you were sparring with Alpha Uriel without any difficulty. You really don't have anything to fear here." Anna points out.

"That's different."

Anna sighs and gets up, leaving the room to go to the bathroom. I stay in bed until she returns, wearing nothing but a towel.

Holy shit.

I don't know how or when, but I'm suddenly by her side, hugging her from behind and tracing her curves. "You're playing with fire." I mumble in her ear before placing a kiss on her mark.

She doesn't moan like she usually does, instead, she turns around and grins. "Had to get you out of bed somehow." She drops the towel and to my dismay, she's already wearing a tank top, bra and panties.

What a missed opportunity. Not that I mind her wearing just this.

'Did you already forget about out impending doom?' Cade reminds me.

'Might as well end our life on a good note.'

When I focus back on Anna, she's already wearing jeans and a sweater. Shit, missed my chance. My mate faces me. "Put on some clothes, Adam."

I groan and leave her room, heading to the guest room to find some clothes to wear. When I return to Anna's room fully dressed and with brushed teeth, she's almost done doing her make-up.

Our mate doesn't need make-up, and she doesn't actually wear that much. Just the stuff on her eyelashes. She's wearing a sweater that covers her neck, so she doesn't have to cover her mark with make-up today.

Anna basically has to drag me downstairs, and as soon as we enter the dining room, Owen narrows his eyes and glares at me. I gulp.

"Good morning!" Anna happily exclaims, not showing any distress.

I greet her parents as well, putting up my Alpha face so I won't show the fear I'm feeling. Tia happily greets us back and Owen gives a grunt.

Anna skips over to her father and hugs him, "Don't be grumpy, it's Thanksgiving!"

I can't help but smile at Anna's attempt to cheer up her dad. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have much effect.

"Adam," Owen addresses me directly, "I thought you were assigned a guest bedroom?"

I clear my throat, "You did, yes."

"Then why did I find you in my daughter's bed this morning?" Owen continues as his glare only becomes scarier.

"Because I couldn't sleep last night." Anna chimes in, bravely defending me. "I couldn't sleep so I asked Adam to lay in bed with me."

Owen looks at his daughter with suspicion, "Why couldn't you sleep?"

"I was cold and there was a spider in my room." Anna lies straight through her teeth.

"Oh, honey!" Tia exclaims as she runs in to engulf her daughter in a hug, "why didn't you say so! We could have turned up the heater!"

Anna gives her mother an appreciative smile, "I didn't want to wake you guys. I'm sorry if it gave you guys the wrong idea, really it was all my fault."

'You are lying a bit too easily to your parents here, Love.' I link her.

Anna gives me a secretive smile, 'You don't think Isa and I never messed with them as kids?'

I bite back a smile, which disappears immediately when Owen's eyes meet mine, "It this true?"

I nod, "Yes sir, I'm sorry if it came off wrong."

"How big was the spider." Tia asks. Still hugging her daughter.

"It was massive mom! It was terrifying!" Anna plays along as she hold out her hand, "it must have been as big as my hand!"

I decide to join her, "Anna, it wasn't that big."

"Your hands are way bigger than mine! You wouldn't understand." Anna effortlessly lies.

I roll my eyes and Owen speaks up grumpily, "Well, thank you Adam, for helping my daughter. However, for the rest of your stay I don't want to see this happen again. Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Sure dad." Anna and I speak at the same time.

After somehow being able to avoid my death, we have a light breakfast before preparing and heading out to Anna's grandma's house. Apparently it's tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving there. Anna's grandfather passed away when she was in her Freshmen year, and ever since then it's been her grandma's house they meet at with the whole family.

Arriving at the house was fine. I met a lot of people. Anna's grandmother was incredibly kind and she had led me to the food table right away telling me I was still growing. I wonder if she knows I'm 26 years old.

When we arrived there was one aunt and one uncle already present. Their names were Sarah and Bob and they had one son, Michael. Michael was 15 years old and generally looked like he hated the world. Ah... puberty.

After a while Isa and Will arrived, and Grandma Mae told Will the exact same thing as me. Anna and Isa's other Uncle arrived shortly after. He was a divorced man and he had that crazy uncle humor. The final family members to arrive were her uncle Peter and aunt Elizabeth, who had two daughters, Livia and Iliary. Livia and Iliary were 10 and 12 years old.

Anna had taken on the challenge of entertaining Michael. She sat down next to him and started talking to him about all sorts of things. Michael just responded with grunts or one word sentences as he remained glued to his phone, but Anna wasn't one to give up on him. I had teased her about it, and she had challenged me to try sometime later today. Isa helped her grandmother in the kitchen together with Tia and Sarah. Elizabeth was busy entertaining her two kids and Will and I were stuck talking to the uncles, who seemed hell bent on learning every detail about us.

By the time food was on the table Will and I were exhausted. I first got to eat the famous cauliflower soup that Anna loved and it was indeed one of the best types of soup I've ever had. After that, Grandma Mae loaded up our plates and I thanked the moon goddess that werewolves need to eat a lot to survive. Especially since it was only one PM. Apparently they ate early on Thanksgiving.

"It's been a while since we've had this many people at the table. It was about time you two found someone to marry." Mae spoke up as we had started eating, giving Isa and Anna a disapproving glance.

"Mother! They're too young to marry!" Anna's father exclaimed with pure panic on his face.

"Oh hush, I was married to your father when I was 17 years old! There is no excuse." Grandma Mae argued.

"Those were different times! Annabelle and Isabelle, if there are any wedding invitations within the next year you will both be disowned!" Owen spoke firmly.

Noted.

Anna nodded obediently while Isa rolled her eyes and stuffed herself with more chicken.

"Don't mind your father. It's been too long since we had little toddlers running around. Your grandmother wants to see some great grandkids before she moves on."

Anna choked on her food while Isa's face turned blank. I was reminded of our conversation last night. I had been surprised Anna had brought up pups at all, since we're taking everything slow. I think it was mostly because she feels bad for us not having a pack.

I wasn't ready to have children yet, but I was also 26 years old and found my mate. If anything, children will be on the agenda sometime after completing the bond. I've always wanted pups, and ever since I've met Anna there have been times I dreamt about her having a big, round belly, carrying our pups or us sitting in a house playing with our pups.

'I don't know what you're imagining but get that dreamy look off your face, Alpha! No kids any time soon!' an angry female voice entered my mind.

'Busted.' Cade spoke and I could hear the snicker in his voice.

I glanced at my mate, who was glaring at me. I just gave her a wink before looking at Owen, "Don't worry sir, I'm not ready to have children, nor marriage any time soon."

Anna's father let out a sigh of relief and for the first time since my arrival I could see acceptance on his face.

Grandma Mae huffed in annoyance. "Kids these days."

I glanced at Will to figure out what he was thinking only to see him in a very fierce looking mink link conversation with Isa, who sat across him with a similar look on her face. I'll have to ask Will later.

Grandma Mae started talking about how she met her husband. And how they had their first child at the age of 18. The rest of the family had eventually decided to respectfully ignore the woman and delve into their own conversations.

Soon, it was time for dessert and I was in line for the chocolate cake. Grandma Mae had shoved me towards it, once again telling me I was still growing. I was almost first in line when a black haired boy jumped in front of me.

Michael gave me a mischievous grin before looking at the cake.

'Pup doesn't know which challenges to accept and which ones to ignore!' Cade growled, his Alpha blood boiling at the disrespect.

I smirked at the boy who looked at the cake with starry eyes before grabbing him by the scruff of his t-shirt and placing him to the side. Michael let out a surprised yelp as I did so. "Don't you have manners pup? Back of the line." I spoke firmly, and just for the crack I added in some of my Alpha command.

The pups eyes widened and he ran off, making Cade growl in appreciation. I rolled my eyes and grabbed two pieces of cake before following the boy, giving Anna a kiss on the cheek before I did so. I knew she had been watching the exchange.

"Go easy on him." She mumbled as she gave me a kiss as well.

I followed Michaels scent outside where the pup was sitting on the porch. "Didn't know the line started back here." I spoke up.

Michael jumped and grabbed his chest in surprise, "Jesus dude! You have me a heart attack!"

I smirked at him and held out one of my two plates. Michael looked at it in suspicion, "I didn't poison it." I teased and Michael grumbled before accepting the chocolate cake.

He basically inhaled the piece before letting out a satisfied grunt. I let out a chuckle which made him stiffen, I guessed he had completely forgotten about my presence. Humans are interesting. Wolves would never be able to ignore the presence of an Alpha.

"U-Uh... sorry about cutting in line." Michael apologized in a timid voice.

"Ah, you do have manners? How convenient." I teased him again, earning a glare.

"I've just been bored." The kid confessed.

I raised an eyebrow, "Well it's not like you've made an effort to join into any of the conversations."

Michael blushed, "They all talk about boring stuff!" he defended himself.

"What would you have talked about then?" I asked him.

The kid didn't respond, instead, he just opened his phone to check something. I was about to call him out on the disrespect he was showing me when he showed me the screen. On it, was a beautiful picture of a deer in the middle of a forest.

I ignored Cade salivating in the back of my mind and looked at the kid, "That's a great photo. Did you make it?"

Michael nodded slowly, "I like photography."

I hummed in response, "That's awesome. Nature photography I assume?"

Michael seemed to brighten a bit by my question, "Yes, I love photographing animals the most though. I want to be become a wildlife photographer." The kid beamed.

"Cool." I glanced at the forest in front of us. Grandma Mae's cottage was in the middle of nowhere, so the forest was at our doorstep, "I bet you've wanted to go outside and take some pictures then?"

"Mom never lets me go. We live in the middle of a city, so I rarely get to see stuff like this. Such a waste of time." Michael grumbles.

"Do you have your camera with you?" I asked.

Michael nodded.

I smirked, "Go get it, we'll sneak out."

Michael's eyes became twice their size as he gaped at me, "Mom will never let me."

"Which is why we're sneaking out. Come, I'm good at finding wildlife." I say as I stand up.

Michael seemed a bit reluctant but scribbled to his feet and ran inside, returning with his camera a moment later. We headed off into the forest after I linked Anna to cover for us. She had responded with a grumble, telling me it was unfair I managed to get the kid to talk.

'She can't handle losing.' Cade snickered.

I rolled my eyes. 'If anyone can't handle losing it's us Cade. We're an Alpha, we don't ever back down from a challenge.'

In the forest I silently led Michael to all the animals I could hear running around. Werewolf hearing is usually perfect for hunting, but I guess it's convenient for photography too. Michael was in awe at the animals I kept finding. He even asked if I had a sixth sense for finding cool stuff.

We were on our way to some animal I heard to the left of us when I paused. My first response was to stiffen but I quickly relaxed when I recognized the smell that was slowly approaching us.

I ushered the kid behind a tree and told him to stay quiet, after which I pointed in the direction of the smell. Even with me telling him to stay silence, Michael still gasped when the wolf I had smelt appeared in the distance.

I had recognized Will by his smell, and figured Anna sent him to help us out. By the amazed look on Michael's face, it seemed it was successful. I nudged the kid and pointed to his camera which seemed to snap him from his shock.

Michael got into position and snapped a bunch of pictures, and Will, helpful guy he is, strutted through the forest, intentionally posing in certain ways for the kid. When Will finally ran off Michael was beaming, "That was so awesome! My photography teacher is never gonna believe me!"

I chuckled and told the kid we should be heading home. It had gotten quite dark out and I wasn't ready for the kids mom to have a heart attack.

Back at the house, Michael and I sat down next to Anna, Isa and Will, who had already returned before us. Michael animatedly told them about our encounter and Isa had excitedly asked if Michael could send her the pictures of the wolf.

'Wish we could have done the same thing with Cade. I would love to have some nice pictures of him.' Anna linked me.

I looked at her and realized something, "Hey Michael?"

The kid nodded.

"Can you take some pictures of Anna and I? I know you prefer nature photography but we don't have any pictures together and I would love some." I asked him.

"I-I can do that! It's too dark outside though, maybe we can do them somewhere upstairs or something." Michael responded, already looking for the best backgrounds.