Alpha Derek lunged at Lance.

Lance easily dodged it, just sidestepping it as if he expected it.

"Derek," the Luna reprimands him, but he was breathing heavily facing Lance with nothing but anger. Just in case anything happened, I took a step forward, feeling brave because Lance is there, and he'd protect me. I hope. Bo is beside me though and he's surprisingly quite. I take a peek at him and he's being all professional like. I guess if worse came to worse, then Bo could help me.

"You took our daughter from us!" Alpha Derek snarls, trying to come at Lance again, but Cole steps in front, stopping Derek short on his attack.

"We have no idea what you're talking about," Cole takes a step in front of Lance, as if to protect him.

"Wait!" I exclaim. Everyone's eyes turn to me. Momentarily, I forgot what I was going to say. But it couldn't be possible, could it? I look at the Luna, trying to ignore everyone's stares at me. "Is she about five months old?"

"You did take her!" Alpha Derek took a threatening step forward, his hands balled up tightly about to attack again. This guy needed to chill, but I understood where his anger is coming from.

"Derek listen," his Luna snaps at him, tugging his arm, and she's looking at me, ever so calmly, but I see a hint of anger in her eyes. "Why do you guys have our daughter?"

"We're just keeping her because a Rogue randomly handed her to us," I explain trying so hard for my voice not to shake. "So, we obviously have been trying to track down the Rogue to see what is up because Hope needs her mom."

Luna Melissa smiles a little. "Her name is Edith." I blink. Edith, huh?

"That's such a pretty name," I compliment. The Luna gives me a warm smile, nodding.

"A Rogue?" Derek snarls, seeming to calm down as Melissa rubs his arms.

"So it's all a misunderstanding," another guy from the back says, waving at us all. I'm guessing he is the Beta.

"No one asked you," Bo rolls his eyes.

***

Melissa is tasked to get her pup while Lance and Derek had to do some "business" talk or whatever.

I lead Melissa into Edith's room.

"This is so nice," Melissa gushes at the baby room that we painted pink. "Sorry about Derek. We've been searching for our daughter for a while now, and we're both really tired. I don't think we've had a good night rest in weeks." Melissa picks up Hope, or Edith, from her crib and Edith seems to recognize her mother- something about baby instincts I suppose. Melissa hugs Edith a little tightly.

"No, it's totally fine," I wave it off. "I too would probably go a little crazy if my child went missing." Edith is currently clapping her hands, and I make a pout to Edith, leaning in to kiss her tiny fingers.

"I'll miss you little baby," I say in baby talk. Melissa laughs.

"If you like babies so much you and Lance can-"

"Oh my gosh!" I cut her off. "NO. We haven't even..." we haven't even done anything.

Melissa raises an eyebrow, "Trouble with Lance?"

"Uh," I shrug, shaking my head, "we haven't even like held hands yet."

Melissa's eyebrows go up. "Really?"

"I don't think he even really likes me that much," I admit. I should probably shut up now, but it's hard not to. She has an Alpha as a mate. Maybe she knows a thing or two. "I'm not that attractive." He's surrounded with beautiful people- ehem- Grace. Then there's me. I really don't dress to impress. Julia laughs at me for it.

Melissa looks me up and down, and nods. "You think Lance doesn't find you...desirable?"

"Something like that."

"How about you wear something a little more...revealing," Melissa suggests, giving me what I think is a coy smile. "Your clothes hide your assets."

"I just like comfortable things," I say. I love my t-shirts and sweats.

"Don't worry, the bond will of course make him attractive, but if you're having doubts...I can arrange that for you," Melissa says, going out of the room, and her husband is there, holding out his hands to hold baby Edith. He kisses her, and I think I see his eyes water a little. I can obviously see how much they love little Edith.

"I can't thank you guys enough for keeping her safe. Whoever this Rogue that gave our baby to you is going to pay," Derek promises.

There is something about a man holding his baby daughter that makes it so attractive and makes me have these crazy thoughts about Lance holding our child. My face heats up, and I dismiss the thought really quick.

"You guys should stay for the night," Lance offers as they walk out the pack house.

"We will, but another time," Derek nods. "Thank you Lance, Luna." We walk them to the door, and Lance had cars to take them back to their pack.

"Wait!" I say, running to say good-bye to Edith one last time.

"We were thinking of something," Melissa tells me as she puts Edith on the car seat, glancing at Derek. Derek smiles at me, nodding. "If you would like to be her godmother."

"No way? Serious?"

"We would love that," Melissa gives me a warm smile.

"I would love that," I say eagerly. This baby is going to be so spoiled. Melissa suddenly hugs me out of the blue.

"Thank you for taking care of her," Melissa says.

"We owe you big," Derek adds. I wave it off.

"Psh, please it's nothing. Any decent person would have done it," I say.

"I don't think so," Derek shakes his head. "Watch over Lance, will you?"

Melissa gives me a knowing look and I quickly look back at Derek. "Yup. Of course." However will I do that, I don't have a clue.

After they left, I made my way back into the pack house. Lance was still standing at the front of the doorsteps. "You look sad," Lance notes, looking up from a book he was reading.

"I'll miss the baby," I say truthfully. "I want to visit her soon...since I am the godmother." Lance raises an eyebrow at me.

"Godmother? You?" Lance's mouth barely quirks up but I saw a ghost of a smile. He was teasing me!

"Hey! I'm pretty good with babies," I playfully smacked his muscular arm, it coming naturally to me. I thought Lance wouldn't like it but his amused expression didn't change.

"You were good with her," Lance agrees.

"Lance?" I ask.

"Yes?"

"So to make my sadness go away, will you get me a pool?" I ask hopefully. Lance only taps my head with the book in his hand, and makes his way up to his office.

***

At exactly 6 o'clock in the morning, Meg barges in my room. I'm kind of a light sleeper, but if someone comes in my room as if I'm about to get murdered, you better believe I'd be awake.

"Meg? What are you doing?" I ask, realizing too late why she's here.

The dreaded thing: training.

I know I told Bo to teach me and train me more, but it's just that my body is aching all over. Bo says it's because it's working. The training is intense and we do it for at least more than an hour. Bo told me if I really wanted to know how to defend myself, then I had to do it.

I rub away my sleep by rubbing my hair which probably looks like a bird nest.

Meg goes into my closet and pulls out this white t-shirt with a v-neck. "You are going to wear this when you train as per Luna Melissa's orders."

"Melissa told you to tell me to wear this?" I ask, looking at the shirt. "And for training no less?"

"Yes, now go put it on," Meg ushers me, also handing me some shorts. The shorts were, well, short. This white v-neck t-shirt seemed to be really form fitting too. It wasn't anything special, not really. Just not what I'm used to wearing.

I sigh, putting them both on, and walk out of the closet, feeling like I'm missing something.

Meg whistles. "If I knew you were hiding these curves, I would have made you change way long ago!" Meg says nodding at me appreciatively. "I wish I had your boobs."

"Ugh don't say that," I say. "Having big boobs isn't that great."

"You've seen mine?" Meg jokes, I smile and roll my eyes.

"Your body is perfect, shut up."

"I would gladly trade my size A cup with your size C or D and your butt."

"Meg can you not," my face is turning red. I feel uncomfortable with her complimenting me. I'm a confident person, but I still feel self-conscious about my body. Maybe it's because of the years I've been compared with my skinny sister by both my parents.

"The shirt accentuates your breast and your wide hips. Seriously, geez your body is to die for," Meg is still going on about my body. I do want to die. Besides Julia who's always told me my body was, and I quote her: "banging" no one has told me I have a good one. It is no secret that I do hide in baggy clothes.

I come to a realization and I tell it to Meg. "Isn't it so funny how I would love to have your body and you mine? I always think I need to lose a few pounds. My sister Lisa is like you and I've always wanted a small petite body."

"Ava, seriously, whoever has ever told you you're fat is probably jealous," Meg's eyes meet mine and she's looking at me seriously. "You're hot and don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Thanks, enough with the compliments, Meg you're beautiful too," I roll my eyes. Meg gives me a smile.

"Thank you, Ava. Lance will definitely be pleasantly surprised."

"That's the thing though- I don't care to impress anyone. Even my man."

Meg gives me a smirk, "Oh? So Lance is your man now?"

"Shut up."

***

As we make our way onto the training ground, Meg suddenly kicks my ankle. Hard. "Whoops."

"Ow!" I howl, looking up at Meg to ask her what her deal exactly is, but then she winks at me, and already in an instant, Lance is coming towards our direction. This is not a good idea. Not a good one at all.

"Alpha, I think she sprained her ankle, and she looks like she can't stand," Meg exaggerates. I catch on to what she's trying to say, but Lance doesn't.

I cannot have Lance pick me up. That's so humiliating. "N-no that's okay, I can stand," I say, trying to get up, but Meg can kick hard. Thanks a lot, Meg.

Meg grins at me as if she knew what I'm thinking.

"I don't think you can stand," Lance says, bending down, his eyebrows knit in concern. For me. "Here-"

I fall back because I try to avoid Lance's hands. "I'm fine! I can.....crawl."

"Crawl?" Lance's face twists into confusion. "Ava it's nothing, I can carry you."

"I'd rather you not," I say squirming at the thought of him carrying me. Would it be embarrassing if he tried to pick me up but couldn't?

"Ava," Lance's deep voice makes me stop thinking about how much my ankle was in pain. His piercing gaze met mine and he almost gave me what looks like a pout. "Please."

That one word was going to be my undoing. And the face he made.

I sigh, hoping whatever Melissa and Meg planned, it would work out to the best. "Okay, but-" I point my finger at him, "if you drop me, it'll be your death wish." His eyes glint a little as he scoops from behind my knees and my back, bridal style, as if I weighed nothing. He started to walk towards where the infirmary is in the second floor. His hands were strong and so warm. UGH.

"Are you cold?" he asks me suddenly.

"No," I answer.

"You're shaking," he tells me, whether he did it on purpose or not, his hands tighten, spreading warmth to me where his hands touched my body.

"Must be a little chilly," I mutter, accidentally looking up to lock eyes with him. It was so unfair of him to even look at me like that. I see him visibly swallow, and he looks away, concentrating on the stairs ahead of him. Is that me having an affect on him? Is it even possible? I should just ask him, but I'm scared of the answer.

He opens the door to the infirmary, and sets me on the doctor bed thing, and rummages through a cabinet.

"Where is Raquel?" I ask, looking around.

"Raquel will get here tomorrow. She's currently on a vacation with her mate."

"Cool- you let the pack doctor on vacations?" I ask, interested. The pack doctor back home always looked like he would rather be anywhere else.

"If Raquel wants to take one, it's up to her whenever she wants," Lance replies. He takes out what looks like an ankle brace and his mouth is set in a line, like it wasn't what he was looking for. He grabbed a pack of bandages, some cotton balls and rubbing alcohol. He bends down and takes my heels off which made me feel a little light headed, and he expertly places the brace on my ankle.

"You scraped your knee too," he points out, furrowing his eyebrows slightly, "does it hurt?"

"Nah, but maybe you can kiss it better," I say lightly then want to just get eaten by a shark right now. Who is this bold flirty Ava? Did me dressing a like I can take on the world make me so bold? I'm pretty sure psychology has something about this. Like if you dress well for an exam, you'd do better....

I can see a flicker of surprise on his face before it disappears after a second, and he puts rubbing alcohol on it, and I grit my teeth because it stings. He notices this, so he blows on it and it feels good. He then takes out those generic bandages and puts it on the scrape.

Then the most thing happens.

He kisses the bandage.

My face is up in flames and I'm so turned on by it and his position right now.

"There," his voice has a little huskiness to it, "feeling better?"

The curtain suddenly is caught on fire.