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Raphael's POV

I glance over at Ariel and turn the music off when I see she's asleep. I hope she sleeps okay, I don't want to accidentally wake her up.

It's like the girl hardly sleeps. She's never asleep before I am and she's always up before me too. I'm scared she'll become sleep deprived.

I'm not sure how I feel about her. I care for her, but she can be very rude and she's extremely distant. Ignoring each other is one of the best things we've mutually agreed on without actually meaning to.

I've always wanted a mate, and when she said she didn't want one it hurt. But I'm sure someone will help her see that it's great to have one. I just hope she gets on okay with my pack... I'll make sure she's protected at all times too of course.

I look over at her again, goosebumps cover her exposed skin and I frown. She always seems to be cold. I pull over and grab a blanket from the back, putting it over her before continuing the long journey home.

It's another few hours before I get to my territory. I link my beta and third that I've arrived and to meet me at my house.

I pull up at my big house and park the car in the garage. Liam and Parker walk in as I open the passenger side and carefully lift Ariel out, trying not to wake her.

"Is that really her?" Parker asks excitedly. He's like a child in an adults body sometimes, though he makes a wonderful third.

"Yes. Now shut up. I don't want to wake her up." I hiss and bring her inside. I lay her down in my bed and pull the covers over her.

"Raphie...?" She murmurs as I start to leave.

"Yes?" I sigh looking back. I didn't mean to wake her.

"Are we home now?" She whispers, sounding already back asleep.

"Yeah, we're home." I look back at her to see her fall right back asleep.

I walk downstairs and sit in the living room with Parker and Liam.

"So? How was it while I was away?" I ask lowly.

"The nursery needs... Help. Ms. Croft can't handle all the kids on her own any more." Liam sighs. "Parker went to help, but even an extra hand wasn't enough. There's too many babies for one woman. Or two people."

I nod. "I'll find someone to help tomorrow. Are all the kids in school doing okay?"

"Elementary level all the kids are fine. Secondary, a few kids got into some trouble while you were away." Parker scrunches up his nose. "And they wouldn't listen to me. I dunno if I'm really a good third."

That was the only issue. Most of the teens wouldn't listen to Parker. We were trying to figure out why it was just them at the moment, but maybe Parker just fit in too well with the crowd. Despite that he's still a fine third.

"It's fine Parker, you know you can always come to me for help." Liam smiles.

"No issues with the pack house? Or the adults? And no rogue problems?" I question.

"No. We're good there." Parker smiles.

"Good." I nod. "I'll speak with the high school kids tomorrow. Can you get them to see me at the pack house in my office for seven, before school?"

"I'll do that." Liam nods.

"You should get some sleep, it's two AM if you haven't checked the clock." Parker says.

"I'm fine. I want to see all the able women who do not currently have jobs outside of the pack, or have cleaning duties at the pack house at ten AM tomorrow so I can send some new recruits to the nursery." I add.

"I can do that!" Parker says happily.

"Alright, and we're going to have to switch patrols up this week." I add. "That's all. You boys go home and get some sleep."

"See you tomorrow Raphael." Parker nods as he leaves.

"I'll come with the kids at seven, see you then." Liam adds as he leaves and the house grows quiet. I sigh and head back upstairs, little Ariel clutching a pillow to her chest, curled right around it.

I smile slightly and change into a pair of sweats before laying next to her. I make sure I don't touch her, she wouldn't be happy with me if I did that. Soon, I fall asleep alongside her.

*** ()

Ariels POV

I wake up against the body of a god. Face to face with a beautiful bare males chest. Damn. I slowly look up to see Raphie already awake.

"You're up early." He mumbles, rolling out of bed and away from me. He walks into a bathroom and I can hear him start up the shower. So this is his room, his house...

Eh, I tend to wake up early when he's around... Wait a minute. He was just sleeping in the same bed as me! Who gave him the right- damn you moon goddess. I don't approve of this.

I look through my things that had been brought inside. Sadly I only have what I took to the hotel. When will I get all my stuff from my room? I'll ask Raphie bout it.

I walk into the bathroom adjoined to his room. It's really big and I can tell the shower is damn fine, even though I can hardly see inside. His figure is blurred in the almost opaque glass.

"So what about all my stuff? In my room at home?" I question.

"I arranged something with your parents. Your things will be here today or tomorrow." Raphael replies evenly.

"I don't like the thought of someone going through my stuff..." I murmur. "Anyways," I speak up. "I'm going for a run, bye!"

"Ariel!" Raphie says, sounding awfully angry as I run out.

I go behind a big tree outside and make sure no ones around as I strip down and shift. Almost instantly I start to run. It feels so good to let my wolf out.

Although, it isn't long before I hear the footsteps of another. I growl, I want this time for myself. You know, alone time. Personal time? Time to one self! Ugh. I push myself to go even faster, trying to outrun the new wolf.

I can tell it's not Raphael, but it's someone from his pack. Despite me going as fast as I can, the wolf follows as best it can. I guess my exploring run has turned into a race.

I keep going, running throughout the unfamiliar territory. It's strange but it's fun nonetheless. Although, this dumb wolf won't give up, even though he isn't all that close. My paws and legs start to ache from my hardcore sprinting so I turn and run at the same pace back towards the house.

By the time I make it back, I stumble to a stop to see Raphael standing there with his arms crossed. I mostly ignore him, falling to the ground in a panting mess. The other wolf comes up behind me and I can hear it shift.

"You... Are... Too fast, Luna." A guy pants.

"Go shift Ariel." Raphie says angrily. I get up on shaky legs and pad behind the big tree where I shift and put on the clothes. I walk back out and look at the guy who chased me, now in a pair of shorts. He looks about Raphie's age with long blonde hair.

"I'm Parker!" He grins.

"Ariel..." I say slowly.

"Ariel what were you thinking!? You can not go out there alone! Something could have happened!" Raphael almost yells.

"Oh shut up. I was gonna explore until he came along." I put my hands on my hips and glare at Parker.

"You're hopeless. Absolutely hopeless." Raphie says more to himself than to me. Then he sighs. "He's our third. Be nice, he's your guard for the day."

"My what now?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Your guard, Ariel." Raphie repeats.

Of course I knew most Luna's were given a guard. Even mom has one, still. If dad isn't there anyways. I just never expected I'd earn one myself. I never expected to even be a Luna.

Holy shit... I'm a Luna.

"Fuck." I say aloud to no one in particular.

"Hey, I'm a great guy!" Parker says.

"I don't need a guard. I'm perfectly fine on my own." I huff, crossing my arms.

"Ariel, you're getting a guard. Now go inside and eat breakfast. I have somewhere to be." Raphael says, and with that, he just walks away. Heading down the road.

"Don't have to be so rude about it!" I yell after him angrily. I storm inside, being awfully hungry anyway. I find the kitchen and a woman in there, working away at making food. She looks maybe my age and she's slaving away.

"Uh... Hi?" I say to her slowly.

She jumps and turns around. "Oh, hello, Luna." She bows her head.

"And you are...?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Mari." She replies quickly, her head still low.

"And you're cooking here... Why?" I add.

"Oh. I'm making you your breakfast, Luna!" She smiles. "I've already made Alpha Raphael's."

"I can make myself breakfast, thanks. I ain't no lazy ass like Raphael." I snort.

"Oh! No! Luna I'm sorry but you can't! Alpha Raphael will not allow it." Mari replies quickly, after the initial shock of me insulting her alpha. I can see it on her face. "Please Luna, just let me do my job."

"Fine. But stop calling me Luna. My name is Ariel." I reply.

Raphie gets people to make breakfast for him. How childish. I'm going to talk to him about that.

I guess I can explore his house for now. I walk out, finding different rooms. Most of them big and pretty and looking hardly used. The dining room is really fancy, wonder what kinds of things he holds in here.

The living room is where I return to. I go sit on the big soft beige coloured couch and make myself comfortable with a blanket. That's when I realize, Parker is in here too.

I sigh frustratedly and pull the blanket over my head.

"Oh come on Luna." Parker whines.

"It's Ariel." I retort.

"Okay... Do I get to eat breakfast too Ariel?" Parker inquires.

"Well, if you want to, yeah."

"Yes please!"

I slowly lower the blanket and look at him curiously. "Has anyone braided your hair before?"

"Uh, no."

"Can I? Please, pretty please?" I smile.

He purses his lips before nodding. I drop the blanket and rush over, moving him so I can do his hair. I French braid it down the middle and tie it off with an elastic.

"Do I look good?" He asks playfully.

"Wonderful!" I giggle. "You look like an elf."

"Why thank you." He flips the end of his braid.

"Breakfast!" Mari calls. I walk into the kitchen to find it set on the island. But just one plate.

"What about my elf?" I question.

"Your what...?" Mari asks slowly.

"Parker!" I exclaim.

"Oh... I have extras. I'll make him a plate too." Mari nods.

"And you?"

"I... Wasn't going to eat with you."

"Oh come on, I don't mind."

Together we eat at the island in the kitchen. Mari made really yummy pancakes, and breakfast sausage. Though, after we finish, she does all the cleaning herself and refuses to let us help.

"Does Raphie have a pool?" I question Parker.

"Raphie?" He bursts into laughter.

"Yeah. Does he have a pool?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go swimming!"