1, 2, 3...

'...'

An ugly potato.

'I have no words.'

A creepy old dude without his teeth.

'How ?'

The screeching sound of nails against a blackboard.

'When ?'

Blood. A lot of blood... no that's actually a great sight...

'I can't believe I missed so much.'

Hairless cats.

'What's the deal with them anyway ? They are really ugly creatures. Wait, that's not the point ! How did this even happen ?!'

Damn it ! Let me focus !

'WHY IS NATE IN YOUR BED ?!'

I glimpse to my right at the sleeping handsome man next to me. His face is buried in my neck, his breath grazing my skin, which is unbelievably distracting if you ask me, and his hand is around my waist. It sneaked under my shirt during the night without me realizing. Even more distracting. My whole body is buzzing with energy, it's almost like the longer he touches me the higher the voltage is getting. I have goosebumps on my arms and even though I'm desperately trying to calm down I can't, my heart beating so fast now that I'm afraid I don't have long before succumbing to a heart attack.

I lived a long life. I don't have any regrets.

'As if !'

I woke up almost half an hour ago and of course my wolf started overreacting and screaming in my ears immediately.

'I don't overreact.' It huffs.

I can't calm down enough for my eyes to turn back to normal. They are shining a bright red and I have a feeling that if I keep staring at the same spot on the wall for too long I'll start a fire without intending to.

'Don't be ridiculous that can't happen.' My wolf grumbles and I'm sure it's rolling its eyes.

Wanna bet ? I dare it.

'Don't you dare.' It hisses. 'This is a one in a lifetime opportunity. I swear I will personally kill you if you wake him up now.'

You can't get rid of me.

'Doesn't mean I won't try.' It warns me.

It's been purring like a cat for a while now, rather embarrassing.

'DID YOU CALL ME A CAT ?!' It bellows outraged and I smirk.

Well it's true. There's this incessant purring sound in my head since earlier and I'm not the one doing it.

My wolf mumbles something incoherent and I smile a little. It really likes being near its mate. And I do too. There is no denying the effect the contact of our skins has on my body. It's soothing and cleansing at the same time, replenishing my energy.

I can hear people starting their day outside, bustling around in the corridors and some starting their training in the garden. However I have no intention to move whatsoever. I'm in heaven right where I am. After all they can manage without me.

'Not sure about that.'

Well for now it'll have to do.

I panicked a little when I heard Jared looking for Nate but he never thought his alpha could be in my room, IN MY BED, and eventually he moved on to his other tasks.

Thank the goddess Hope for that, otherwise I would have had to kill him.

I feel him stir a little but his nose gets deeper into my skin and I hear him inhale deeply. This seems to calm him. His hot breath fans over me and the goosebumps are back in full force, a shudder coursing through my spine.

Alright, let's start again. 1, 2, 3...

'I'm still waiting for the details.'

He's going to be the death of me.

His hand start to move up a little, living a hot trail behind it and my heart beats faster. It keeps going up and I frown.

What the...

I grab it before it reaches anything it shouldn't.

Unbelievable. Even in his sleep he tries to grope me.

'Don't pretend you didn't spend five minutes doing the same earlier.' My wolf scoffs.

I was only checking if he really did have a six pack !

'And ?'

And its really there. I nod a little, satisfied with my personal inspection. Next I'll check out his a-

'Hope !'

I'm just a girl ! I defend myself at my wolf's reproaching tone.

I take his hand from under my shirt completely and immediately miss the feeling. I start to run my fingers along the back of his hand, drawing geometrical forms and I see goosebumps form on his forearm. I can't help but smirk. At least I'm not the only one being affected.

"You should really stop that." His husky voice murmurs under my ear.

Since when was he awake ?!

I don't stop though, every fiber of my being in high alert.

"I hope for your sake you just woke up." I tell him in a soft voice but depending on his answer he might end up with a few broken bones.

He doesn't move from his position and we stay silent for a while. I wonder if he went back to sleep. I'm a little disappointed, he didn't speak my name in his sleep or whisper "I love you"s in his dreams like you can see in the movies. My phone was at the ready to record it but it never happened.

"What time is it ?" He asks in a hoarse voice.

I'm melting on the spot.

'Get a grip woman !

I look over at the clock on the bedside table.

"Ten thirty." I reply.

"Seriously ?" He says surprised lifting his face to look at it himself over my body.

And then he lays back down on his previous position.

I think I like morning-groggy Nate.

"Damn, it's been a long time since I slept so well." He chuckles and his breath tickles my skin.

"Glad to know I'm a good pillow." I joke.

"The best ever."

"You're not too bad yourself." I agree too.

"Of course !" He smiles brightly as he stands on his elbow, letting his head rest in his hand and looking down at me.

He looks rested and the amused expression he holds makes him seem younger. At this moment he's just happy and carefree.

That's a really nice view.

'Best e-ver !'

"Usually I can't fall asleep beside anyone else." He explains still smiling.

"I'm not just anyone." I shrug.

"No you're not." He agrees.

He seems to focus on the voices outside, the conversations around us. Someone is asking for more bread outside, another wants to know if the towels where correctly placed in the right closet. I take my time watching him, it's rare to see him so relaxed. I bite on my lower lip amused, trying to not laugh. His eyes suddenly zero in on my mouth and his eyes shine a blinding white. It's as if I'm sucked into them, hypnotized by them, and I can't move. Though I doubt I would move even if I could. My heart misses a beat before drumming faster once more, waiting, anticipating.

He leans in and his lips brush against mine, like feathers. I respond slowly, in no hurry, simply enjoying the moment. He playfully bites down on my lower lip and my temperature increases. My hand runs into his hair on its own. The other one travels along his arm and I can feel him respond to my touch. He growls lowly and bites me harder this time. The instant I gasp his tongue slips inside my mouth while his hand starts to lift my shirt.

"Hope, we have a problem." Ellie barges in the room, without knocking.

She stops on her tracks and falls silent as I try to disentangle myself from Nate.

I glare at her and I'm sure she can translate it perfectly, I'm going to kill her.

"Sorry lover boy. I need to borrow her for a while." She announces with a smirk of her own.

I have a feeling I won't hear the end of it.

"Also, you should think about locking your door next time." She continues tauntingly.

"Don't worry, I won't forget." I reply dryly. "And I doubt you'll be much of a bother without your legs."

"Hey, I don't really care, or rather I'd say go for it ! But some others might not react so well." She explains.

I sigh and give up while Nate looks at us unaffected and more amused than anything.

"I'll wait for you outside." She informs us before walking to the door. "But I won't hesitate to come back if you're not down in five minutes." She warns looking straight at Nate.

I just roll my eyes. Only Ellie would say this kind of thing in front of an alpha without a care in the world.

'I don't really care if she comes back.'

Well I do.

When she's finally gone, dramatically closing the door behind her Nate starts to laugh and I turn to him. He has a huge grin on his face as he looks at the door.

"Do you think she'll really come back ?" He asks.

"Unfortunately, yes." I sigh. "I can even say she would go so far as to drag me out of this room by my shirt if she had to."

"Then let's get rid of the shirt. Problem solved." He offers proudly.

'Smart man.' My wolf declares beaming.

I roll my eyes at the three of them.

I really am alone in this world.

I get out of the covers and start to get up, looking for new clothes to wear, Nate still in the bed observing me. I look over my shoulder at him.

"Are you actually checking me out right now ?" I demand feigning outrage.

"Don't know what you're talking about." He denies his eyes still on my legs.

I go into the bathroom and take the fastest shower of my life. I'm back outside in minutes. Nate is already fully dressed and looking at his phone.

"I need to go take care of some things. I'll see you downstairs later." He declares.

"Sure. I'll probably be outside with the others." I tell him.

"And Hope ?"

"Yeah ?" I ask curious.

"I'll take my pillow back if you don't mind." He smirks over his shoulder at me.

I choke on air.

What ? How...?

"That, what ?" I ask in a high pitched voice that sounds nothing like me.

He leaves without adding anything.

'There's only one option really, burn down the place.'

Let's start by hiding the actual thing. And then denial.

'It'd be better if he can't prove anything.'

I make my way to the kitchen to grab a few toasts.

'A few ?'

Alright, a plate piled with toasts. Sheesh.

Ellie is waiting for me in the big hall a smirk still plastered on her face and I want to wipe it off.

"So, should I call you Luna ?" She asks mockingly.

"I'm sorry, what ? I think you must have hallucinated because I don't recall anything happening and I definitely don't understand what you're talking about."

"I should have brought Cory with me. That would have been amazing." She goes on.

"So what's so important that you couldn't wait to come barge in my room ?" I ask to change the subject but also because I'm getting a little worried.

"Well I couldn't find the beta and we were getting nowhere."

Of course. I should have seen it coming. This is all Jared's fault.

'He has to pay !' My wolf cries for revenge.

"You should have searched for him harder." I grumble.

"And miss seeing you and the alpha sleeping togeth-"

I shut her up with my hand before she can finish her thought.

"I'd really appreciate it if you didn't shout it all around the place." I warn her.

I hear a commotion coming from one of the big tents they set up for the different tactics meetings and follow the sound. Both Noriko and Marie are shouting in disagreement with each other.

"You don't impress me little fox ! A few tricks and sparkles won't help you for long !" Marie yells.

'Because you think a few water splashes are any better ?" Noriko howls back.

This is going to be a long day.

"Girls, please, it's way too early to fight." I try to temper them.

"Look who finally decided to show up !" Marie exclaims angrily.

"What's your problem ?" I demand getting aggravated.

"My problem is that I never got the chance to put you in your place." She spats.

"Oh really ?" I ask raising my brow and crossing my arms over my chest.

"Now now, let's all calm down." Ellie tries to defuse the situation.

"What's going on here ?" Jared demands as he enters the room with a frown on his face.

"Fried squid over here and instant noodles there can't seem to agree." I answer with a wave of my fingers in their direction. "You know what." I continue, turning to Marie. "If you can beat him I'll fight you."

She takes a second to assess her opponent before nodding.

"Fine by me." She agrees.

"Wow, wait a moment, I never agreed to anything of the sort." Jared protests.

Thankfully it's never difficult to ignore him.

"You can only blame yourself." I shrug.

"What ?" He asks confused.

"And maybe Ellie's too." I add as I glance at her.

She bursts out laughing.

"Are you still mad because I interrupted your make out session ?" She inquires.

"What make out session ?" Jared questions suspicious, his eyes on me.

"None of your business." I quip.

"What did you do now ?" He groans exasperated.

I'm starting to believe this is his favorite thing to say.

'Or you just create too many problems for him.'

When was I ever the kind to cause problem ?

'More like when were you not !' My wolf laughs.

"Like I just said, none of your concern." I smile sweetly.

"If you're making out with one of my fighters I need to know." He retorts.

"And why is that ?"

"Because when he finally comes to me to complain about you it'll be a headache."

"Well he's not one of your fighters." I shrug.

"Definitely not." Ellie laughs.

Jared stares at me mistrustful, his eyes into splits as if it can make see through my lies.

"That's fine then, as long as it's not someone of the pack." He lets it go and shut my mouth.

He came to this conclusion on his own.

"Anyway, I don't want to fight." He announces.

"You don't really have a choice." Marie refuses.

"Listen to the half tuna here." I insist and she glares at me. "I think that would be a good opportunity for the both of you to show what you can do to the fighters outside, show them you're going to fight alongside them and that they can depend on you."

"Plus, everyone likes a good fight." Ellie adds.

"How about you go against Noriko then ?" I offer.

"I'm not crazy." She refuses instantly.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do." Jared sighs defeated.

"Leave it to me." I say quickly and rush outside.

It takes me five minutes to put everything in place, the fighters and everyone in general more than willing to take a break.

"I heard there's going to be a fight ? Ben asks as him and Rob gather beside me with the other fighters already around the fighting mat.

"Yes." I nod. "The fish against the wolf. The bets are open." I say as I show them my little notebook.

It's already half full, apparently this pack likes to bet just as much as I do. On one hand I want Marie to win so that I get my revenge on Jared for being Jared but on the other I don't want to fight Marie

'You, don't want to fight ? That's a first.'

I'm not in the mood.

"Alright everyone !" I say loudly over the noise to be heard by them as I walk to the center of the mat. "This match will oppose the Commander of the merepeople Marie and the Beta of the Californian pack Jared. They can use any mean possible to win."

"Go Jared !"

"Our commander will win !"

"Marie !"

"Beta Jared ! Beta Jared."

They all start to chant their support. The both of them come stand up next to me.

"I want you to show them everything you've got." I tell them. "Marie you can use your powers and Jared you can turn into your wolf."

"That would be dangerous." He refuses.

"Don't worry about me wolf. You won't be able to bite me even if you try so I suggest you do as she says if you want to stand a chance."

"Don't complain when you lose an arm." He rolls his eyes and she simply smirks.

'Damn, even I am not sure who's going to win.'

"Jared, don't disappoint me." I tell him as parting words.

"Hey ! What's that supposed to mean ?" He frowns.

I step out of the ring and lift my hand in the air.

"Ready ? Go !" I declare as I bring my arm back down quickly.

They don't wait and start to circle each other, waiting for the other one to make the first move, assessing their strength, patiently waiting for the right opportunity. I go back next to Ben and Rob now joined by Daiki, Takeshi and Noriko. Ralph and a few of the Yetis are right beside them while Ellie is animatedly discussing with the shaman about who she thinks will win.

"You always make things interesting." Ralph smiles at me.

I look over at the trees where the unicorns are still sleeping.

"That's some powerful stuff you've got." I compliment the shaman.

"I might have given a little too much." He replies smirking.

"I believe I'm talking for all of us when I say thank you." I tell him and a few heads start to nod around us in appreciation.

"Maybe we could lose them somewhere they won't find their way back to here." Ellie suggests.

I wouldn't be against that.

"We just need to keep them asleep." Rob says and a Yeti growls his approval.

We focus back on the match as Jared tries to punch Marie with a direct hit to her stomach. She counters it and steps away again. The Beta is too concentrated on her to see what's she's actually doing. There is a barrel of water on the grass behind them and the water itself is slowly gathering out of it in a gush of wind. Marie quickens her pace and pretends to lunge for him to keep him occupied. The drops of water turn into sharp needles aimed at him.

'That's going to sting.'

Everyone is silently watching, fascinated by what's about to happen and some of them stop breathing in anticipation. I see Nate, Lincoln and the other alphas watching from the other side of the mat. They are waiting too.

Marie stands in a fighting position and Jared stops moving as she expected. That's when she strikes. The water knives surge through the air and come falling down on him. The first one hits him in the shoulder and he immediately tries to avoid the others. Most of them hit the ground but two others reach him, cutting his left arm and his cheek. His eyes shine yellow as his fighting spirit grows.

"You won't be able to use the same trick twice." He warns her.

"Fine by me." She replies and uses her speed to come next to him.

She swiftly aims at his side with an open hand. Jared blocks it at the last moment and grabs her hand. He studies it impressed, there is a thin layer of water around her fingers forming a sharp edged blade. If she had touched him he would have bled. She could have made serious damages.