The next few days that followed ended up in a routine. Jake and Sam would be up early in the morning to guard me, and Shayne would leave for the day. He would come during lunch to check on me and also because he wanted me to make him something to eat. All of the boys in the pack house were usually there during lunch time. I guess they were a fan of my food.

After eating, Shayne would leave again. I didn't make it easy whenever he left. My wolf wanted to be close to him and it didn't help that she always made me feel detached.

Shayne hadn't made a move to claim me yet. I wanted to think that he was just giving me space but I always wondered if it was something more. What if he didn't want me? What if he was just looking for the right moment to turn me down? Or worse, what if he found out about what I did?

"Jake, give it back!" I said through gritted teeth.

I was getting more and more irritated by the minute. My wolf hadn't been out for weeks and she was becoming unsettled. Jake wasn't helping with all the teasing and taunting he was doing. He was more relaxed because he was with me, but he wasn't letting his guard down.

"Say the magic word." Jake said holding up the remote control.

We had been watching TV ever since Shayne had woken me up early morning. His excuse for waking me up early was that he simply wanted to say goodbye. Then, he proceeded with talking about how hungry he was. I had lazily gotten out of bed and cooked for the boys in the house. Shayne had waited patiently for me to finish my food before leaving. I knew this was the main point of waking me up.

For the last couple of days I hadn't eaten well and it bothered Shayne. It's not that I was doing on purpose but I was really stressed out. Sam always had to mention to me that I soon had to tell Shayne about Jake. We had gotten along fairly well lately that I didn't want to ruin that. I wanted Shayne to trust me and I wanted to be able to trust him.

"Jake is the most awesomest wolf ever." I grunted.

Jake beamed at me and handed me the remote control. I snatched the remote from his hands and threw the pillow at his face. Jake chuckled and plopped down on the couch. Sam had been watching the whole time and was trying to hold in his laugh.

"What are you, five? Awesomest isn't even a word." I said.

"It is in my world." Jake smiled while eating a bag of chips.

I plopped on the couch next to Jake and crossed my arms angrily. I was mad that Jake was using his strength against me. Of course I was going to be weaker than him since he's a male. Sam just sat there looking at us while Jake tortured me.

"Too bad there's only a population of one." I snorted.

I switched through the channels on TV and finally settled for some cartoons. Jake and Sam both started complaining about my choice of entertainment. I tried to ignore them as I got caught up in a fine episode of SpongeBob. It's not my fault I was robbed of this kind of entertainment that I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity I got.

"I have to go," Sam suddenly straightened up and looked alarmed.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Shayne wants to see me." Sam said. "You'll be okay with Jake here, right?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me. Go do what you have to do." I said. "Besides, it's Jake you should be worried about, not me."

Sam still looked unsure about leaving me alone but he finally left. Sam had insisted he couldn't leave Jake and me alone because he thought Jake might try something on me. Jake and I were more of siblings and our relationship was never anything more. I tried to explain it to Sam a billion times but he still seemed unsure.

Shayne was still oblivious to everything that was going on. He had commented a couple of times that we were acting weird. To distract Shayne I was being sweet to him and he would fall for it all the time. I loved thinking that for a moment we could actually have something. Jake wasn't at all happy that I was willing to stay here with Shayne.

"I wonder if everything is okay." I said.

"You're safe." Jake stated.

I switched the TV off no longer interested in watching it and slouched on the couch. The entire time I've been here has been nothing but nerve wrecking. I kept looking over my shoulder as if expecting to see him.

"No one has been asking for you and last I heard you were down south." Jake said. "I'll make sure to keep it that way."

"Thank you, Jake." I said giving him a sad smile.

"You know it's not your fault and you don't deserve it. I don't like that you're here and that you've decided to stay. But Shayne doesn't seem like such a bad guy and you deserve some happiness."

"You think so?" I asked unsure.

"You should slap yourself for doubting it." Jake said

I rolled my eyes but beamed at him. I got up from the couch and started making lunch for the boys. I knew they would be home soon and they were always hungry. I made them sandwiches since we were down on groceries. I made about fifteen sandwiches and placed them on the island.

When the boys got home they immediately walked in the kitchen. I was arguing with Jake because I wouldn't let him have the first sandwich. When Sam walked in the room I could see the worried look in his face. Alex walked in right behind him with Chase at his side. Shayne was right behind them and he looked all too happy.

"Hungry?" I asked

Shayne walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. His chest was pressed against my back and he buried his face in my neck. I giggled when Shayne started blowing against my neck. It was something he did and always told me it was because he wanted to claim me. Shayne hadn't pushed it on me but I knew that it would have to happen. I wanted it to happen....eventually.

Everyone had already started eating and Jake was making a disgusted looks at us. I stuck my tongue out at him but smiled. He complained that lately Shayne and I had been acting all lovey-dovey as he liked to put it.

"You have no idea." Shayne whispered so low in my ear that only I could hear.

Shayne reached around me and grabbed two sandwiches. He handed me one and started eating the other. I rolled my eyes but started nibbling at the food. Others from the pack walked in the house and started eating as well.

"I have a surprise for you." Shayne said, his voice coming it louder.

Everyone turned to look at him with a smiles. I looked at him questioningly. He had gotten everyone's attention and especially mine.

"Oh?"

"I think it's time we present you to the pack." Shayne said.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. I had known that Shayne would eventually want to take that step but that also meant he needed to claim me. Everyone else was smiling and they seemed to be happy about that. I looked over at Sam who didn't seem pleased with the idea of it.

"I would like that." I said.

We all made small chit-chat while we ate. Once the boys left to do their pack business I started cleaning up. Jake and Sam stayed with me in the kitchen. They were both watching me and I knew they were waiting for me to comment on the whole presenting me to the pack thing.

Most people here already knew that I was Shayne's mate but they never really saw me out and about. I really didn't mind the thought of being presented but it scared me that I would have to mate with Shayne. It was a normal thing for wolves to do but I felt pressure. Up to a few years ago I was raised in a pack but all of that went out the window when I got kicked out.

"I don't like this." Jake was the first one to speak.

"It's the right thing to do." Sam said frowning at Jake.

"I'm doing it and I think it will be good for everyone." I said.

"I can't believe you're going to..." Jake shuddered. "gross."

I rolled my eyes at Jake. He always wanted to treat me like a little girl even thought I was already in my twenties. Jake was a few years ahead of me like Shayne but he somehow thought it made him wiser. He acted like such a child sometimes.

"Oh stop being a baby." I said.

"This is bad." Sam said.

"Thank you, Sam." I smiled and then turned to Jake. "See, Sam think's you're being a baby too."

"Not that," Sam said deep in thought.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

Sam had a worried look ever since he came back with Shayne. I meant to ask him about it sooner but we had people around us.

"Shay called me to a meeting to inform us that Alpha Jace from Shadow Falls is paying us a visit. He seemed to insist on coming here and Shayne gave him permission. I think it's one of the reasons why he had mentioned presenting you to the pack. Jace doesn't have a mate and Shayne didn't like the thought of him being here if you haven't been claimed." Sam explained.

"You don't think he'll be here looking for me, do you?" I panicked.

"No one would dare to look for you in a pack." Jake said. "It's not something you would do."

"I don't know but I don't like the fact he seemed to insist on it." Sam said.

I didn't know Alpha Jace too much but I had heard of him. He was known for having good fighters in his pack but his pack was fairly small compared to Shayne's.

"I didn't know that Shayne talked to Alpha Jace." I said.

"They go way back and are close." Sam shrugged. "But when Shayne got a call from him he mentioned he found his mate. After Shayne mentioned that he insisted on coming for a visit."

"We should run now." Jake said.

"I don't want to keep running." I protested. "I'm sure it's nothing serious."

"But what if something happens?" Jake pressed.

"I don't think Alpha Jace would be stupid enough to make a move if he knew anything about you. Do you think he's looking for you?" Sam asked.

"No, Alpha Jace is not the one looking for me." I said. "I don't believe he is connected to Shadow Falls."

"I'll try to see if I can get anything from Shayne about his visit." Sam said.

The rest of the day dragged on and I was in my room waiting for Shayne to get home. I had taken a nap earlier and I didn't want to go back downstairs with Jake and Sam. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts. I didn't want to be bothered and I told that to Jake through our mind link.

When Shayne finally came home I hopped out of the bed and raced downstairs. My wolf was jumping with joy that he was back with us. Both Sam and Jake rolled their eyes when I joined them on the couch. They both knew that the only reason I had come down from my room was to see Shayne.

Shayne walked in the room and smiled when he saw me. I casually stood up and walked over to give him a hug. Shayne dismissed everyone and it had taken a lot of threatening to make Jake leave. We were left alone in the pack house and I was starting to feel nervous. I didn't think he would want to mate so soon.

"Where are they going?" I asked.

"I don't know," Shayne shrugged. "most likely to their parents' house."

"What about Jake?"

"Sam is keeping him company. I wanted to have this night with you." Shayne said slowly as we walked up to our room. "Jace will be here in two weeks. We should talk about some things."

"W-when do you want to present me to the pack?" My voice shook with nerves.

"That will be your decision. My parents would like to meet you too and they're pretty upset I haven't presented you. I wanted to give you some time to get used to being in this pack. I know it's a hard adjustment from you previous way of living." Shayne said.

I crawled on the bed and sat down with my legs crossed. Shayne walked into the closet and when he came back out he had no shirt on. Shayne was wearing a pair of grey pajama pants that hung low on his hips. My wolf stirred inside of me.

"It's a big adjustment but I'm trying." I agreed, nodding my head. "It's better now that Jake is here."

"Your brother seems to be settling in perfectly." Shayne said. "He has a strong wolf too."

"Yeah, he's fine anywhere I am."

"You both have a good relationship, don't you? I can see how he protects you. Honestly, it's the only reason I leave Sam with you without a female wolf." He said. "My sister and I were the same way. I was always protective of her."

Shayne came to the bed and laid next to me. I was still sitting down and it was taking all of my strength not to move. He looked so good that I just wanted to run my fingers down his bare chest.

"Were?" I asked.

"Yeah, about seven years ago she found her mate and he was a close friend of mine. She obviously left with him. One day I got a call from her mate telling me she was dead."

"What?" My voice came out louder than I intended. It was just a surprise to find out things about Shayne. We didn't really talk much and I knew most of it was my fault. He was giving me space and I appreciated that.

I turned to look at him and he was just staring at the ceiling. Shayne looked really upset and I laid next to him. Shayne sighed once I was pressed tightly against his side. I listened intently as he continued on with telling me about his sister.

"She was killed by someone." Shayne's voice was low and sounded threatening. It sent a shiver down my spine and he must have felt it because he wrapped his arms around me, and held me close.. "Today marks six years since she's been gone."

I couldn't listen to anything else Shayne said. My heart began to pound in my chest and my mind was racing. I didn't want to make assumptions but my mind was already connecting the dots.

Today had marked six years since the day I had left my old pack. Six years ago I killed someone and I became a Rogue.

Six years....