Sadie's POV

The wind started to wisp around my hair as I sat in the grass. My hair constantly being batted against my eyelashes as well as trying to pry into my mouth. Summer had been coming to a close the past week and the crisp fall air decided to make its harsh appearance.

The seasons here seem to have a sharp contrast to what I was used to. Aunt Maria and I would always sit on our porch swing and swing into the night just listening to the cicadas and crickets hum. Here, it didn't seem like the loud obnoxious insects had time to ponder their song since frost was quickly approaching.

I guess that is what happens when you live partly on a mountain.

With a blanket wrapped around me, I sat on the bench near the pack house. All the little pups were running around on the make-shift playground. A few swings were scattered amongst the trees and several forts were created by the lot. Children were screaming and squealing, playing some sort of game of tag.

All the children looked so happy, it seemed the whole pack of children were here today, the whole pack house was oozing with members running around. Many of the warriors looked stoic, while the children played in obliviousness of their seriousness.

I hummed as the wind finally decided to blow in one direction so my long, brunette hair didn't wrap around my neck. This really was paradise. I honestly couldn't remember being this happy. I wish Maria was here to see this. To be able to show me what she was and how she used to live.

Why didn't she take me here? Why didn't she let me experience this and could have gotten the help she needed? She decided to live alone with me, depressed and without her mate. We barely scraped by and I was robbed of having a real childhood with friends.

The only logical thing I can think of, is that she was afraid. Was she too worried I wouldn't be accepted? My parents knew her, they trusted me into her care, since she became my guardian she should have been allowed to have me here in this pack. Could my parents have been part werewolf? Why would I be born human then? None of this made any sense.

After having my eyes look down at an amusing blade of grass, I could hear a soft crunch of the gravel behind me. The bench was facing the back yard with the children in the treeline, so I was feeling unaware whose footsteps were behind me. There were no tingles, so it wasn't Seth.

I quickly turned around to see Max holding two cookies, one in each hand. One cookie had an obvious big bite missing out of it. I couldn't help but start to laugh.

"Is that a good cookie, Max?"

"Mmhmm," he munched. He didn't look up to see me, just jumped up and sat on the vacant seat beside me. Max was only wearing a short sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts. While I was already in long pants, long sleeved cardigan he was as comfortable as it was a summer morning. I couldn't wait to always feel warm.

After Max finished his first cookie, he looked at me. "Luna! Your nose!" Looking confused, I wasn't sure what he was implying. I quickly put my hand up to my nose, thinking I still had pancake syrup on it only to find red on the tips of my index and middle finger.

Before I could even gasp, one of the warriors seemed to appear out of nowhere in a defense stance. I couldn't help but squeal and cover my head with the blanket that had engulfed my figure. He stood in front of me to assess the situation. "Luna, what's wrong?" He grabbed my shoulders as he looked at my nose.

"N-nothing, just a small bloody nose. I'm fine!" I pulled the blanket to hide my face and Max jumped off the bench and ran into the house. "Max, wait! It is just a bloody nose, it's fine!" The poor child is afraid of everything. I love him to pieces though.

Standing up, I took the blanket off me to be sure not to get blood on it. I pinched my nose and held my head back to get the bleeding to stop. I wasn't in any pain but the warrior in front of me thought otherwise. "Luna, let me take you to the pack doctor, you need to be seen!"

I waved him off absentmindedly and looked down when I saw two little hands pulling on my shirt. Max had brought me a rag and I held it to my nose to keep from the other wolves staring.

"Luna, Seth is on his way." Max said proudly. He was so happy that he had done his job that I couldn't help but chuckle at him. Max had a heart of gold and a demeanor of wanting to please.

"Thank you, Max, but it is just a bloody nose. The air is changing so humans tend to get them when the air gets cold. I'll be just fine, thank you for caring for me, hun!" I cooed. Max's face still held a lot of concern but gave him a reassuring smile and removed the rag. "See? It's all better now! Didn't even hurt!" Max's face widened.

"It is all better! Humans are weird." He laughed.

"Why don't you go play with the others, they are playing tag. Your parents are also roaming around in the forest over there, I just saw them." Even in wolf form, I was starting to be able to distinguish between the wolves. There was a characteristic from their human selves that manifested themselves into their wolves. Seth's wolf was huge and powerful, just like him. Max's father had a white tufted hair near his ear, just like in his human form. Max's mother had beautiful red locks of hair that also consumed her wolf.

As Max ran off, the warrior started to back away from me slowly with a hint of fear in his eyes. I tiled my head to him about to speak when I was then quickly engulfed in Seth's arms bridal style. Seth looked over my body protectively and started growling at the warrior. "You should have been halfway to the infirmary, why are you standing there like an imbecile?" he barked. I grabbed Seth's face in both of my hands and whispered, "It is just a nosebleed, I'm alright." I started to giggle. "They are normal for humans," I said rolling my eyes.

"I don't care, let's go. It could be another symptom from last week." He huffed. As Seth was carrying me to the pack doctor, I could see his strong features on his face. His jaw was tight, grinding at his teeth. The worry lines he was creating from his eyes were angry and dominating. Even though we slept in the same bed every night, it was like he wasn't getting a restful night's sleep.

Was I the cause of it? I'm so used to sleeping like a starfish in bed, I hope I haven't kicked him out of the bed while sleeping. Every morning he is up before dawn, he says he is training with the other warriors, but now I'm afraid I am the one to blame.

"Seth, do I not let you sleep at night?" I whispered. Seth looked down at me, obviously hearing my small voice.

"Of course I do, Love. Why would you say that? Concern laced in his voice.

"You look tired, and you are always up before me. Am I keeping you awake a night? I hope I'm not kicking you or talking in my sleep." He started laughing.

"No, no. There are things on my mind, you are not keeping me awake. Besides, I love watching you sleep. Your little snores are adorable."

"I do not snore!" I whisper yelled.

We arrived at the pack doctor a minute later with the entire team ready to put me on the gurney as if my whole body was tattered with bruises and cuts. "This really isn't necessary, it was a small nose bleed! They are normal!!!"

"Luna," one of the physicians said, "When we are dealing with magic, even the smallest things could be a symptom, especially with humans. It will be alright, just a quick check up and you can leave."

I huffed and motioned for them to continue. Once they had looked up my nose, my ears and my mouth they started asking questions. "What were you doing when the bleeding occurred?" One of them announced.

I sighed. "Outside, on the bench, watching the pups play a game." I continued shortly.

"So, no movement of any kind, no exertion at all?" He started writing on the clipboard.

"No, just sitting and watching." I said annoyed.

"Were you thinking about anything?" He lowered the clipboard and awaited my answer.

"W-what does that have to do with anything?" I stuttered. Why should I have to talk to them about what I was thinking about?

"It does matter, Luna. If we are dealing with magic then it all matters. What were you thinking about?" Thank heavens I wasn't thinking about doing stuff with Seth, that would be completely terrifying.

Seth started staring at me from his chair beside me. The heat radiating off his body in waves. A large hand found mine and squeezed it. "It's alright love, what were you thinking about?"

A sigh escaped my lips and quickly took a breath. "I was thinking about my Aunt, and since she was a werewolf, why would she wouldn't look for the help of this pack to help raise me? Everyone here is family, why would she run away, so very far away?" Seth's hand found my face and pulled me to look at him. The pad of his thumb washed away a few tears that had fallen down my face. I couldn't look at him like this. He was so strong, a born leader and here I am crying over the past.

Seth stood up and picked me up from the bed and sat me on his lap, pulling my head to the crook of his neck. I took in his smell, he smelled like the forest after the rain had washed all the dirt and grime of the day.

One of the many doctors in the room cleared his throat, obviously uneasy about the situation. "Let's just say, we are glad The Ministry is coming tomorrow. It looks like she is trying to break some sort of memory spell the way she gets the bleeds when she tries to remember or comes up with a lot of information." He wrote more notes in his clipboard. "I would say, however," He paused and looked at Seth. I was unable to look up, too embarrassed from crying.

"I am not an expert in magic, but I do know some things about vampirism. The way she bleeds trying to remember certain aspects of her past, this might be the work of some sort of compulsion only it is magnified."

"What?" Seth gritted his teeth. "Are you saying some blood-sucker is involved?"

One of the doctors lowered his head and bore his neck, a sign of submission. "From the looks of it, I would seem to think so. It isn't entirely compulsion or persuasion there is something else. Her symptoms are severe for just trying to release the persuasion." Sounding defeated. "We will know more when The Ministry arrives."

"Compulsion, persuasion? That does that mean? Blood-sucker? Like a vampire? Seth? Did a vampire do this to me?" My voice started to rise as I talked. My breathing started to go heavy and my head started to hurt. Is it happening again? Am I going to have a full blown melt down right here?

"Shh shh, everything is fine, Love." Seth gave a glare at the doctors as they scurried out of the room. "We will know everything tomorrow, how about we go upstairs and get you to take a nap, hmm? No more thinking about these things, that is my job, to take care of you. Please let me do that." He pleaded.

The tears that were dead set ready to fall down my face were sucked back up. I wasn't going to cry, not in front of Seth. He was so strong, heck I was strong too. I hate crying in front of people, that just wasn't me. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea." I said.

Upstairs in our bed, that sounds so good, our bed. Seth held me close and petted my hair. I wasn't supposed to be thinking about these things but one can only do so much until your mind can take you places you don't want to go.

All these years, I was strong for my Aunt, because I knew she couldn't help her mental state. Giving up a childhood, teenage years and even college was a no brainer back then. I didn't know any better and I also knew in my heart that Maria needed me more than anything.

Scraped knees, tired hands, quiet nights, I had to endure it all. Maria was physically there, but mentally she wasn't. There were good and bad days but the bad days out weighed the good. Was she persuaded too? Was that why we couldn't stay in the pack?

A small headache started at the front of my head so I stopped thinking. I just traced Seth's tattoos on his chest. Pictures of wolves, pine trees, moons, tribal patterns adorned his body. Each one was a work of art. His entire body was decorated for the exception of one area, his right shoulder.

"Seth?"

"Mhm"

"Why do you not have a tattoo here?" I outlined it with my index finger. Seth grabbed me by the hips and had me straddle his. His fingers gripped onto my waist and rubbed circles around me. His hair was a mess, perfect head of bed hair. It was sexy, beautiful just like his ocean filled eyes.

"That's where you will mark me, baby. After you get your wolf and become like us, you can mark me too." Seth took his finger and brushed the hair from my face. Studying my reaction to his words.

"I-I get to do that too?" I said excitedly. "I can claim you!?" This was the best news I heard all day. The spark of excitement came back immediately, the day's horrible start vanished from my mind.

"Why, did you think you couldn't?" he chucked.

"I just never thought about it," I said shyly. I was too worried about the other stuff." I blushed.

"What other stuff?" he smirked.

"Don't make me say it!" I shoved his arm, hard, only for him not to move. I gave him a death glare and he gave me the biggest smile I've ever seen from him. He's got the perfect teeth, how can someone have perfectly white teeth like that?

I could gawk at him all day long, he is just so perfect. Strong, handsome and a little bit dangerous. Sitting there on his lap looking into his eyes, I noticed my body leaning closer to his. My face a mear inch away from his pouty mouth. I take his lips into mine and savor his flavor.

He tastes like a late night summer with smores. I sure do love smores too.

His grip on me tightens as he tries to push our bodies together and make them into one big sandwich. As I came up for air from his mind blowing kiss he took his hand to trace the side of my face.

It had only been a week since we met, but it felt like I knew him forever. We really were a perfect match, I couldn't ask for anyone better. The way I look at him gives me tingles. A week though, just a week I've known him. You can't love someone after a week can you?

Seth pulled my forehead to his lips and set me down on his strong, hard chest. Even though it's hard, it's comforting and really making me sleepy. "Sleep, Love," he whispered.

***

I decided to help with the kids since a lot of wolves were on patrol tonight. It was only 8 in the evening and the warriors and the patrol were running around like they were preparing for a fight. Seth told me not to worry that they are running drills tonight to make sure if there was an attack, they would be prepared.

"Is the North side stable?" Seth gruffed at Ethan.

"Yes, the entire perimeter is secure, we have everything in place. No one could get in or out." Marco strutted down the hallway.

"Good, check on the warriors with Sadie and the pups. I want the panic room up and running." Seth mentioned as he walked towards me.

"This is crazy, is always like this with drills?" I laughed.

"Always, Baby. No go with the pups and you listen to what the guards tell you, alright?" He cupped my cheeks with both of his hands and planted a kiss on my nose. I couldn't help but have a big goofy grin on my face as I turned beet red. "I love it when you blush, baby. It does things to me." He whispered that last part seductively.

If I wasn't blushing before I sure has heck was now! "Stop Seth, people are watching!" I pushed his shoulder.

"Let them" he whispered. He then pulled me up and wrapped my legs around his torso and gave me a hot, passionate kiss. Of course I can't keep things serious so I start giggling and put my nose into his neck. This time, I decided to tease him and kiss on his marking spot. A groan escaped his lips as he grabbed my bum.

"Oh Baby, tomorrow you are mine." He growled.

"I can't wait!" I whispered.

I cannot get enough of this man!

"Now, listen." He said in all seriousness. "You are to stay and watch the pups, do not leave the pack house, do you understand? No matter what."

I did a little army salute and gave a quick kiss on his stubbly cheek. I'm really enjoying the rugged look from not shaving. With that he was out the front door of the pack house.

After standing there for a few minutes, just swooning over my mate, yes my mate! I return to the large living room that doubles as a safe room for the pack. When activated, bars and reinforced steel bars lower through the windows and block out anyone trying to get in. There are two guards at the entrance talking to one another and linking to those who are at the border lines.

I have a feeling, a pretty good feeling that this is not a drill. Sometimes I think Seth thinks I'm completely aloof. The way everyone has been so tense today along with the pups telling me they never get to have large sleepovers was a major indication.

Sitting down on the couch I grab Max who is staring off into space while holding on to two more cookies. How many cookies has this kid had today?

"Max, you need to ease up on the cookies. You are going to go into diabetic shock."

"What's that?" he said as he continued to munch on his cookies.

"It's... " I started, realising they don't get sicknesses. "Nevermind."

As I was about to start a movie, a large siren went off inside the pack house. I jumped up, knowing this is no longer a drill. I started yelling as all the pups started running towards the middle of the room as I got closer to the wall with the panic button. The guards at the entrance started to run into the room when they were flown back onto the ground by some force. The pups started screaming and with the fastest my legs could carry I darted to the panic button.

As soon as the palm of my hand reached the button I saw Max dart out of the room. Lights started going on and off as the doors and windows began to be closed by large sheets of steel.

"Max! Come back!" I screamed. Max continued to run out and passed the guards who laid lifeless on the ground. Quickly looking back, I could see the oldest werewolf pups hold onto the younger ones. She had to be about 13 years old, just one year shy of shifting.

"Melanie, you are in charge. Keep them safe!" Before she could say anything else, I slid under the steel sheet as the panic room closed. I know Seth was going to be angry with me, not staying in the panic room with everyone else, but Max had run out with no explanation and I had to grab him. He was part of my job, to protect the little ones.

I wasn't going to leave him alone.

Dodging passed the guard's bodies, which seemed to be stunned rather than dead, I darted toward the main entryway. The sirens and lights that keep going off was enough to make anyone afraid, including myself. I took a quick look at the staircase and saw Max running up the stairs.

"Max! Stop! Come back!" I screamed. I tumbled over the stairs as I tried to race up as quickly as I could. Between the sounds and the lights strobing the inside of the pack house it became difficult.

As soon as I reached my room on the top floor, the room door was open and Max layed crawled up in a ball on my bed. "Max!" I cooed "It's alright, I know it's loud but we have to go back! It isn't safe!" I picked him up and he grabbed onto me like a koala.