"Are you that jealous of Cory that you had to start a fight ?" Nate smirks walking inside my room without knocking.

The smug smile disappears from his lips immediately though as I lift my head dropping the cloth I was holding on the bed. I am frozen, wrapped in a towel, my wet hair dripping on my shoulders. I just got out of the shower but apparently I forgot to lock my door.

'Nice work !'

Shush !

'No really, I'm proud ! Now lose the towel !'

Are you insane ?!

I hear Nate curse under his breath and that brings me back to reality. I stand up straighter and bring my hands up to secure the towel as best as I can. His eyes are travelling over every part of my skin that is uncovered and I tense as they turn white once again. He takes a step in my direction and my heart starts to beat frantically in my chest.

This is bad.

'This is great.'

Really really bad.

'Really, really great.'

I see you ain't helping at all today.

'Stop talking and shake these boo-'

Don't even think about finishing this sentence. I warn my wolf.

'But I want those pups ASAP !' It wails.

Ain't gonna happen.

'Stop talking like a Yankee !'

"I still think you're wearing too many clothes." He says in a dangerously smooth voice with a look of pure appreciation plastered on his face.

Boys, I roll my eyes.

"Here, let me help you with that." He continues, his hand gliding up over my arm and pulling a strand of hair over my shoulder so that the skin of my neck is completely exposed.

His warm calloused fingers graze along my collarbone, following the path of the droplets.

"You'll stop right there." I advise him while my breathing becomes erratic and my own eyes start to shine of a dark red.

His cocky half smile isnt helping as he gets closer, letting his other hand fall on my waist. His quick pull on the towel isn't even discrete !

"Seriously ?" I ask and he simply shrugs, his full on grin on display, a dimple appearing on his cheek as his eyes brighten mischievously.

This is so bad for my heart...

'Loving this !'

Let go of the popcorn and the 3D glasses already !

'No way. We're getting to the good part : him getting naked.'

You are both impossible. I grumble in exasperation.

"Wait, what did you say about Cory ?" I question suddenly remembering what he said when he arrived.

"I forgot."

"I am not jealous of her." I frown.

'Why are you talking about this now ?' My wolf breaks into tears.

Real mature.

Nate's hand trails up to my jaw.

"I know." He murmurs.

"Good." I nod.

"You're way hotter than her."

"Obviously."

"Smarter."

"Keep going." I encourage him smiling a little under his praise.

"Stronger."

His fingers caress my cheek gently, his eyes never leaving mines.

"Funny."

His thumb brushes over my lower lip.

"Driven."

His other hand on my waist starts to draw circles over the cloth.

"Caring."

I have a hard time staying put with all his soothing touches.

"Loving."

He bends over to my neck, his nose brushing against my collarbone.

"Head over heels in love with me." He says biting my skin softly and laughs when I pinch his arm in response.

His lips reach my ear.

"A Queen."

I can't help grinning at that.

Blame my blood for my vanity.

He starts kissing down my jaw from my ear, finally reaching my lips.

"Beautiful." He whispers against my mouth.

I close the distance between us, kissing him hungrily. His strong hand snakes around my neck pulling my face to him. He kisses me back harshly, as if it was a dose of ecstasy he yearned for. My fingers move to his still-wet hair on their own, I'm not the only one who took a shower tonight. He gets rid of the towel in a fraction of a second without missing a beat, encircling my waist with his hands. His touch on my back makes me shiver and I pull him closer to me.

His clothes are definitely in the way now. With fast fingers I tear his shirt off, the pieces falling around us. His chest against mine is the warmest feeling I have ever felt. I can sense his heart beating strongly under his skin and I feel at home in his arms. His hands trail over my chest with possessiveness as his lips leave mines to travel down my neck. We fall onto the bed, him over me, the sheets spread around me, smooth under my back. His mouth tastes my skin greedily, his hands discovering every parts of my body as mines do with his.

****

We lay in bed, sweating, exhausted and panting for air.

"That was.." I start unsure of what I'm supposed to say as I look at the ceiling.

"Amazing."He decides, his hair a complete mess and I'm afraid to look at mine.

"I was going to say unexpected."

"Right. As if you didn't want in my pants." He smiles smugly.

"Well," I turn to the side to face him and the sheet falls a little, displaying some of my chest, his eyes immediately following the movement. "This is kind of a bad idea."

"Don't see why." He says getting closer.

"Apart from the fact that this can't last because you are waiting for your mate, there is an entire pack of people which would be against the idea of their alpha being with a rogue."

"Then it's a good thing I am the one who gets to decide."

"So it's some kind of no-strings-attached thing ?" I ask.

"I dont know." He frowns.

"Ah, sorry. I forgot. Now that you finally got what you wanted from me you can chase the next girl." I close my mouth sharply before saying something I'll regret.

"No." He glares at me. "I don't intend to go sleep with another girl after sleeping with you." He grits his teeth and I roll my eyes. "Why are you always doing that ?" He questions angrily.

"Doing what ?" I demand feeling the tension growing.

"Every time I say or do something you immediately assume I'll screw up."

"No I don't." I frown.

"I haven't touched another girl since I met you." He says in an icy tone.

"Please." I scoff. "Need I remind you that as a werewolf I have a strong sense of smell ?"

"Let me rephrase that. He starts, all traces of playfulness gone. "I haven't slept with anyone else since we met."

"Wow. You're going to use that lie ? Really ?"

"See !" He motions towards me. "You don't even trust me."

"I never said I don't trust you but please, at least, have the decency to respect me enough to not lie to me about those things."

"For the love of the Moon will you listen to me ! I didn't have sex with Cory or anyone else !"

"Right. They used you against your will or something." I laugh bitterly.

"No." He spits the word. "I couldn't get you out of my head !"

"What ?" I ask surprised.

"I already told you before."

"That's when you said we should sleep together, trust me I recall."

"I know I said it wrong, okay ? I know I screwed up. But you're the only thing I could think about for weeks even before that, and since then too. From the moment I saw you on the tracks, from the moment you spoke, you became the only thing I could think about. I do respect you and I trust you more than I should. That's why I didn't ask you why the hell you have that mark on your chest either !"

"Dammit !" I swear, reaching for the sheets to hide my chest entirely.

'Now that's what I call screwing up big time.'

"Even though I should have killed you the moment I saw it. Even though you're a traitor. Even though you lied to me all this time, pretended to be on my side. Even now. I'm still trusting that you have an explanation somehow. That you changed your mind and chose my side instead of theirs. How crazy is that ?"

"I'm not-" I start.

"So you're going to lie, huh ?" He sneers sitting up and trying to get out of the bed.

I reach for his arm desperately and try to keep him still long enough so that I can explain or something.

"I'm not with them. I know it sounds crazy but I'm not."

"Then what is it ?"

"It's like a birthmark ?" I try and he rolls his eyes, pulling his arm away from me.

"You don't have a mark either." He accuses me. "You lied about that too. You're not a werewolf."

I can feel him closing himself off from me and it's scaring me.

"Yes I am." I insist.

"Show me. Oh wait, you can't."

"You want the truth ?" I ask in a small voice, at a loss for what to do.

'Hope.' My wolf warns me.

"Yes !" He shouts turning to face me fully. "But then again, you lied about everything from the start so I wouldn't know if you told me another lie now." He says, hurt plaguing his eyes.

"This is my mark." I show him the crest of the Sun embedded on my chest. "But I don't know why they have it too."

"What do you mean it's your mark ? Your werewolf mark you mean ?"

"Yes." I nod. "I don't have a half Moon."

"But that's not possible." He frowns.

"Why not ? You have a full Moon on your ribcage."

"But it's a Sun."

"I know."

"It's not a tattoo."

"No, it's not." I agree.

"Then how can you be a werewolf ?" He asks.

"That's complicated." I grimace.

"And you're not going to tell me." He sighs.

"Nobody else should know about it." I say.

"You mean I need to shut up or you'll kill me too, is that it ?"

"Of course not !" I grumble exasperated. "But they shouldn't know about this mark, I don't know how they found out about it, or what they think it means."

"It means that a Commander of the Sun is going to war against us."

"No he's not."

"How do you know ?" He questions tiredly.

"Because he doesn't exist anymore."

"How can you be so sure ?"

"Because-"

"It's written in the books." He cuts me. "But you didn't tell me about it either. Were you sent to get access to the Library ?"

"No !" I shout outraged. "You were the one who told me about it, how could I-"

"But you didn't tell me everything you found out about it."

"Yes I did. The Commander died centuries ago, and his followers went extinct."

"Apparently not."

"Well this isn't in the damn books !" I growl.

"Was that just a ruse for you ? Getting close to me ? To my men ? Protecting the pups ?"

"Hey ! You're the one who wouldn't let me leave."

"We both know you could have left at any moment but you chose not to." He challenges.

"I didn't want to." I look at my hands on the sheets.

"Why ?" He insists.

"Because you're here !" I lash out and bring my hands over my mouth in surprise.

His eyes flash a deep white, so pure and transparent that I stop breathing.

"I-I.." I search my words. "I don't know who they are or why they are attacking your pack but I am going to help you. Just like I did until now." I assure him.

His eyes search mine for any sign that I will betray them.

"Alright." He sighs apparently believing I won't.

We fall into an awkward silence but I'm thankful he didn't leave immediately. With a big sigh he lets himself fall back down on the bed.

"How the hell did we go from great sex to an all-out argument." He mumbles rubbing his hands over his face.

I smile a little, finally breathing some now that the tension disappeared. I hear the sound of steps shuffling outside the door and suddenly a piece of paper appears under it. I don't have the time to get up, Nate beating me to it in all his naked glory. I can't help blushing a little at the sight but I still take my time appreciating the show nonetheless. He looks over the contents of the paper quickly.

"What the-" He frowns, opening the door forcefully and looking in the empty corridor.

He closes it back and walks to the bed handing me the letter. There are only a few words written on it but the message is clear.

"Is this some kind of joke ?" He asks confused.

The cursive are neat and elegant on the paper and there is a faint scent of woman's perfume. There's no mistake about its owner in my mind but I don't really care.

"It only happens once or twice a week, don't worry." I shrug, dismissing the subject and sending the paper into the trash.

"Excuse me ?"

"She doesn't like me, there's nothing new about it. I'm fine, she won't do anything."

"She ?" He demands.

"Yes, Cory. Who did you think it was ?"

"Cory send you threatening letter for weeks ?" He growls.

"Did you actually think she wouldn't ?" I laugh.

"Why aren't you worried about this ?"

"Because it's child's play. She can't touch me. Even if she tried, even if I laid down on the ground and closed my eyes she wouldn't be able to hurt me in any way."

"That's not an excuse."

"Well then go tell her yourself because I'm tired of trying and Jared keeps protecting her."

"You did break her nose."

"I did." I nod unashamed. "And her wrist. And I think her leg too."

"Then why is she still threatening you ?" He asks in wonder and I cringe.

"I might have let something slip up about us sleeping together."

"But we weren't."

"I meant in the same bed, but I didn't really explain it further to her, I didn't care about how she would interpret it, I just wanted her to stop talking."

"Did it work ?"

"She stopped. And attacked me. Hence the few broken bones."

"Good. I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"You don't have to." I tell him, tightening the sheets around my body, feeling really tired now.

"What if I want to protect you ?" He offers tentatively.

"My own knight in shining armor !" I feign to gasp. "Well, right now the armor is kind of missing though."

"Don't pretend you're not enjoying what you see." He smirks.

"Lovin' it." I admit.

"Obviously." He winks at me and I laugh.

He gets back into bed, gathering me in his arms and I take the opportunity to nestle against his chest.

"I'm really conflicted right now." He says suddenly in deep thoughts.

"Why ?" I ask looking up to his face.

"I really like that mark on you." He declares brushing his fingers over it and I roll my eyes.

"Sure you do." I take his hand off my chest before things escalate again.

"No, seriously, it reminds me a little of mine, it's weird."

I fall asleep with a smile on my lips.

The next morning I find Jared in the kitchen discussing with Leila.

"When did you get here ?" I ask excitedly joining them with a jump to my step.

"You're in a good mood today." She observes, watching me carefully.

"I'm normal." I shrug.

"Nah." Jared shakes his head, "This," He points at me, "isn't normal. What happened ?" He questions, his smile suddenly falling as he frowns observing me too.

"Come on ! Can't a girl be happy from time to time." I whine.

Really, they are overreacting.

'You're smiling and jumpy. Its weird.'

Not you too !

"I've never seen you like this." Leila says, her eyes narrowing into slits.

'She's right.'

"I just slept well." I try to dismiss the subject.

"You slept well-" Jared grimaces and I roll my eyes.

Leila looks between the two of us.

"What's going on here ? What am I missing ?" She inquires suspicious.

"Nothing. So, when did you arrive ?"

"Don't try to change the subject with me." She glares.

When I don't say anything else she turns to Jared, her arms crossed over her chest, looking him dead in the eyes.

"I don't want to talk about this." He gives in. "I really don't want to gossip about my alpha." He complains and Leila gasps.

And I groan.

"Jared, did you know that in french to be a bêta means you're a simpleton, an idiot really. I think that suits you perfectly." I tell him begrudgingly.

"That's true !" Leila bursts out laughing.

"Hey ! She asked !" He exclaims.

"And you answered." I sigh "I expected so much more from you, Baxter." I shake my head in disapproval.

'What are you worried about ? Who cares if she knows. I say, write a letter to Cory too.'

Are you insane ?!

"So what is going on between Nate and you ?" Leila brings the conversation back to the subject I'm so desperately trying to avoid.

"She thinks she's his mate." Jared adds to piss me off I'm sure.

"You told him ?" Leila asks surprised pointing at the man beside her.

"And you believe her ?" He asks back.

"Of course I do. And I'm here to help get things on the right path."

"No need !" I stop her right there before she spirals down to crazy town and starts plotting insane ideas.

'You should let her help you.'

Did you forget the time when she had me jump a cliff disguised as her to impress a guy she was interested in ?

'You survived.'

And broke all my bones when I reached the ground.

'You healed and she got the guy.'

So not the point !

"You were already making out in France." She shrugs.

"Seriously ?!" Jared demands losing his balance for a second.

"So, how far did you go ?" She ignores him, even when he starts to shout that he 'doesnt want to know about that'.

"I'm not telling you that." I scoff uncomfortable and feeling myself blush.

She stays quiet for a moment and I convince myself that she's dropping the subject.

"Oh my gosh !" She shouts, bringing the collar of my shirt a little lower.

She looks into my eyes as if she'll see the answers to all the secrets of the world in there.

"You did it." She mouths and I choke.

"No." I deny vigorously.

"Yes you did ! How was it ? Oh my gosh ! Then does that mean"

"Hold on, hold on." I instruct, turning to a beet red Jared. "Don't you have anywhere else to be ?" I ask him and he shakes his head. "I thought you didn't want to know about this." I frown.

He shuts his mouth looking at Leila for her to save him.

"Who cares !" She laughs jumping up and down. "Did you tell him you were his mate ? Did he feel it ?"

"No I didn't." I grit my teeth. "It just happened."

"Oh my gosh ! Ellie told me you had a fight with that Cory girl, was it because of that ?"

"No !" I roll my eyes.

"So, how was it ?" She repeats herself excitedly, her eyes shining an electric blue.

"Why are you so persistent ? I thought you were my friend !" I whine.

"Trust me darling, I am."

"Then will you drop this conversation ?" I plead.

"Alright." She nods in agreement and I sigh in relief. "I'll just ask your mate." She shrugs.

I look at her my jaw hanging open.

Unbelievable.

'You were right, I like her.'

"You're not doing that." I warn her and she starts pouting.

"I'll have Jared do it for me." She declares looking at her hands.

"I'm not asking Nate that !" He gasps.

"Ask me what ?" The subject of the conversation waltzes in the room in all his glory.

Kill me now.

"Fancy meeting you here !" Leila beams at the man.