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Ariels POV

I watch Raphie sleep, waking up before him. It's not unusual for me to wake up earlier but recently he's been leaving for pack matters earlier than I wake up. I stretch and head downstairs.

Today I'll have to check on Brianne, see how Parker and Justin are holding up. And Raphie and I can go look for a dog today! That's exciting. I look around for something to eat and end up settling with cereal.

Raphie hasn't got anyone new to make us meals. I think he's scared to after what happened last time. He could always get a guy to cook, my opinion, men are better cooks. I eat my cereal happily though, I do enjoy it.

Raphie comes down a little while later. "Morning."

"Morning." I nod. I watch as he gets himself an apple and washes it. I walk over and hug him from behind, kissing his bare back. He chuckles in response though he pries me off. Raphie holds my wrists turning to face me.

"You seem to be in a better mood."

I nod in response and smile. "We have to check on Brianne."

"Actually, you'll have to go on your own. I have to wait for your brother to arrive."

Right... I completely forgot he was coming. I don't want to see him. He basically left me. Him and... and all of them! I clench my hands into fists. Moms the only one who still cares. I'll just ignore him while he's over, like he's been ignoring me. It's all because of his stupid mate.

"Parkers here, I'll be heading out in a second. I'll see you later princess." He kisses my forehead before heading upstairs to get dressed and then leaving.

"Parker?" I question when I see him. His hair is in a braid... it makes me hold back giggles.

"Brianne..." Parker mutters.

"Hey, I wanted to go check on her. Can we?" I ask, walking over and picking up the braid. "I like it." I laugh.

"Do I look like a pretty princess?" He asks, pulling a pose.

"Oh, of course." I smile. "Now come on." I take his hand and pull him out with me.

We walk to the pack house together where Justin and Bri are sitting in the common room. I sit next to Bri and smile. She looks better already, she's got some colour to her face. I bet she feels better now too.

"Hi," she smiles.

"Hello darling, how's life with Justin?"

"It's... good."

I laugh. "It's okay if you hate it. But at least you don't have Parker, he's a handful. It's more like I'm guarding him than the other way around."

Brianne giggles at that. Parker hits me and I give him a look in return. I lean back on the couch and close my eyes. Relaxing is nice, wish I was this chill all the time. Ha, could you imagine Ariel...

I stand up and brush off the imaginary dirt. I think I want to... well, I want to go pick out a dog. But Raphie wants to wait for Aubrey... I take a deep breath, you'll face him fine. I know you'll be fine. Besides, moms coming and you miss mom. I always miss mom...

"I'm going to see Raphie." I tell Parker. "I'll see myself over. You three have fun today." I smile and head to Raphael's work.

I get to the building and I notice the cars already there... Cars from my old pack. I take a few breaths. In and out, in and out, in and- you're gonna break down and cry aren't you. I walk in and to Raphie's office.

My old pack members that had escorted Aubrey, mom and his new mate here are waiting in the hall. I smile and greet everyone, I know them. Then I walk into Raphael's office. Moms gaze turns to mine and she smiles, running over and hugging me.

"I missed you Ariel." Mom says, like a small child. She still had that childish aspect to her, an innocent cloud that hung around her. It said 'I'm a beautiful innocent flower, still a little child at heart.' You couldn't stay mad at her, you could hardly get mad at her. And she of course looks as beautiful as ever. With her brown hair and beautiful blue eyes. I wish I were as pretty as mom...

"I missed you too mom." I smile softly, I hug her back tightly. She pulls away and smiles.

"Ariel..." Aubrey kind of nods. He's holding his mate to his side, his arm around her waist. She looks kinda scared... Why is she scared? She clings onto Aubrey like he's her lifeline. What was her name again? I could care less what it is, all she's done is replace me.

Raphie is sitting down, seemingly unbothered by Aubreys mate shaking in fear. Nor my moms curious nature of walking around and looking at everything, touching the decorations- straightening out a painting. But I can tell their visit annoys him since all he wants to do is think about that... pack. That wretched place not a pack... A... A... I don't even have the word! Half of them involuntary members that just want to leave but are stuck under his wretched alphaness. That's a word, I swear.

"The papers are here. You may read them over and I expect you'll have them signed, or denied, by tomorrow evening." Raphael says, short and sweet. That's my Raphie. Even to my brother he is cold. I like it. Because I'm the only one he'll show his soft side to, that's perfect to me.

I just want to curl up and go to bed. I don't like seeing Aubrey. He makes me feel homesick but he probably doesn't even miss me which hurts more. All he cares about is his new mate whatever her name is. P... something was it? Maybe S...

"Would you like to go get settled Selene?" Aubrey asks softly. S it was! I walk behind the desk and over to Raphie. I want everyone to leave so I can cuddle up to him and ignore everything else. I don't want to show any affection to him while everyone else is in the room. That's weird.

Aubrey and Selene, with the treaty papers, walk out. Hardly acknowledging me. It saddens me a bit, but mum stays.

"Blaire, I would like permission to marry your daughter in the future." Raphie says. I choke, turning away as I feel my face turn red. "Generally I would ask her father, but I do not think I will see him soon."

"Well of course!" Mum says, I can hear the smile on her face. "Not yet... but in the future. I do want grandchildren... oh I'll get to spoil them!"

I turn to see her looking so excited. Oh gosh she's such an amazing woman. If anyone is my role model, it's mom.

"Want me to show you where your room is?" I ask.

"It's all good Ariel, I'll talk to you tomorrow when we go shopping." Mom says.

I pull a face. "Just you and I?"

"And Selene." Mom says, walking out. "She's a great person to go shopping with!"

I can feel my face fall. I do not want to go with Selene. No. No thank you. I rather avoid her at all costs.

"You don't have to go. I just thought you might like it so I said you would... I'm sorry." Raphie says when he sees my reaction.

"It's... it's okay. I'll go. For mom." I nod and I'm pulled into Raphie's lap.

"I like when you visit the office." He murmurs as I lean against him. I like visiting the office too. I consciously open my mind to his, allowing him to read my thoughts. I can't voice how I feel about Aubrey and them, but Raphael deserves to know. He reads my thoughts, as I show him how I feel.

He's holding me tighter by the end of it and I burry my face into the crook of his neck. I look at the spot I marked him and gently run a finger over it. I don't regret it. I'm glad I marked him. He deserved it at the time anyway.

"We can go get a dog today still. I think maybe you need that distraction." Raphael says softly. "Besides, Selene is quite scared of me and my pack, I don't think Aubrey and I will do much work today."

I nod. "I like that."

We head out together and I'm surprised when Raphael parks up at the shelter. I didn't think he would come here... I'm kinda happy he did.

Together we walk inside. Music is playing softly in the lobby. Raphie speaks to the woman and we head to the back where the puppies are. I glance at Raphie before going up to them. Most of them come over to say hi, but there's a tiny one in the back who doesn't.

Instantly I'm drawn to that one. I walk over and pet the puppy. It's a pug! It's so cute! Of any dog, you'd think the alpha and Luna would want something like a German Shepard or something big and pretty. But... I like this one almost instantly. I pick it up and glance over at Raphie.

"I like him!" I smile.

The woman standing beside Raphie smiles a bit. "You know, everyone comes in here and there's one animal they always turn to right away."

Raphael's face hints at a smile. "Then we'll take him."

The pup just needs someone. Like Raphie and I. I hold him to my chest as I walk back into the lobby. I think everyone knows what dog is theirs... it's just a thing. Yes, it's hard to choose sometimes. But there is, always that one. You see it and you know.

I remember when Aubrey and I got our dog. It's instant when you see the dog. You just... know it's the one.

Raphael has to fill out a bunch of papers and do stuff, meanwhile I cradle the puppy. We need a name! Hmm...

It's gotta be like hours later, or something, when Raphie finally walks back out.

"Let's go get our new family member some food." Raphael says.

I jump up excitedly. This puppy is what Raphie and I need... Yeah, exactly what we need.

***

Raphael holds me tightly, every so often, giving my neck a kiss. We're playing with Milo. He's gotten a bit more accustomed to us now that we've fed him and played with him more.

We got all the essentials and argued over names for a while. But we settled with Milo. Apparently Aubrey, Selene and mom are coming over for dinner. So having Milo gives me an excuse of why I don't have to sit, or talk, or whatever, with them.

I'm a bit angered when there's no warning and Aubrey walks in the house. He knows he's supposed to knock right! Oh wait... someone let him in. Parker and Justin came too, but I can't smell Bri with them, wonder where she went. Raphie squeezes me slightly, apparently upset our time was interrupted. He knew it was coming! Besides, he invited them, not me.

Selene is with Aubrey and she keeps looking over at Justin and Parker. What's her problem?

"Um... You okay?" I ask her awkwardly, pulling myself away from Raphael. He doesn't want to let go so I hand him Milo and give him a look.

"Fine." She replies.

Mr and Mrs beta comes in next. I scrunch up my nose a little, I don't like them too much. Oh I'm sure the girls will get along great and I'll just stand alone on the side. Gosh darn it.

It's when Selene looks sick that I have to ask her again. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"THIS IS SICK!" She screams, even Aubrey seems surprised as we all turn to her.

"What is?" Aubrey asks her softly.

"The moon goddess made a mistake! You're playing her! You- You two are monstrous!" She exclaims. For a second, I think of me and Raphael. Does she really hate him that much? But then I realize... I glance at my favourite couple. "A boy and a boy aren't supposed to be together! How are you to continue kids? Have strong wolves? What do you hope to gain by playing the most sacred woman of all just so you can do this... this... vile, disgusting, relationship? You two shouldn't even be werewolves if this is what you do! How do you even look your Alpha in the face every day when you're doing this dirty... thing!"

I look at Parker and he looks so broken. Justin looks beyond angry but the look on Parkers face... I don't think I've ever been more heartbroken.

But Selene has to continue. "The two of you make me sick! You're a disgrace to this pack, to werewolf kind, to the-"

I've never shifted because of anger before. Not ever. Despite my anger issues that everyone says I have. I've never shifted because of anger.

But tonight, I was going to let this woman have it.