Slipping into my room and closing the door behind me, I walked over to the last door I hadn't opened this morning in my rush to get out. Sliding the wooden door left into the wall, an automatic light came on to brighten the large dark mahogany walk-in closet. I scoffed at it's magnificence. Seriously, who needs a closet this big? I mean, tile floors? 10 feet long drawers? 7 feet tall cabinets? I'm not a giant here!

Scanning over the shirts, jeans, and shoes, I decided on a striped light pink sweater, dark wash skinny jeans, and a pair of leather ankle boots. Carrying them with me into the bathroom, I laid them on the counter as I fished out a rag and bar of soap. Lathering the Dove onto the rag, I scrubbed my adolescent skin gently as I let the hot water run.

Applying facial lotion afterwards, I relieved myself and changed into the new clothes that were-unsurprisingly- my size. How did he find ou-Lilly. Duh. Pulling my hair back into a fishtail braid and shaking loose some strands, I brushed on only a light coat of mascara and powder before I was done. Satisfied with my comfortable outfit, I vaguely remembered the makeovers Haley and I would have with some of her mother's makeup. Sighing at the fond memory, I strode out of the room with my head down to inspect my cracked fingernails before I bumped into something hard-but smooth. Stumbling back before two thick hands wrapped around my upper arms to steady me, I looked up into the amused face of Johnathan, the new Beta.

We were standing so close I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, and see the brilliant golden streaks of hair combed in with the rest of the light brown on his head. How had I not noticed it before? Blushing from our close proximity, I hurriedly pulled pack and cleared my throat. Johnathan, though, didn't seem at all uncomfortable.

"Luna Elenore! My apologies miss, but Blade said that he wanted someone to escort you to the kitchen, so I volunteered. I hope that wasn't a problem.." he questioned. Shaking off the thin veil of embarrassment, I quickly denied any issues. "Good! Well then, shall I take the lovely lady to the kitchen for finger sandwiches and green tea?" he asked properly while offering his left arm.

"Are there actually going to be finger sandwiches and tea there?" I asked back teasingly and raised my right brow.

At this he looked slightly flustered. "Well..I don't actually know. If you want them, though, we can make them!"

Laughing at his offer, I simply shook my head no and took his arm with my right.

"So, I heard about what happened today with you, Blade, and Reed," he spoke apprehensively, like how someone would tread on gravel with the fear of a cut ripping back open. Keeping my cool, I replied:

"Yea. Blade was beating the poor man so I stopped him and scolded them all," I shrugged and ignored his gaze. Suddenly, I looked up at him and sent him an accusatory glare. "Where were you during all of this? You were supposed to be with Blade and the fighters today, but I didn't see you there, and if you were there you definitely didn't help!" I hissed and began to take my arm away before he held it in place.

"What? No! I wasn't there! I was on the first floor with a group of fighters helping them with weightlifting! I swear Ellie, if I was there I would've helped!" His eyes shone with such honesty and truthfulness that I had no choice but to believe him. Eying him once more, he reassured me again. "I swear, Ellie. I wasn't there."

Biting my lip, I let my arm relax in his as we continued walking, down the stairs and almost to the kitchen.

'Oh, and one more thing,' Johnathan mink-linked me suddenly. 'Don't make Blade made or aggravated, because he'll ignore you and go pout in his room until you apologize. That's only for you, though, because if it was anyone else he would just smash their face in.'

Taking his advice into great consideration, we walked into the kitchen to see Blade sitting at the bar and nursing a bottle of tea. Turning and eying out interlocked arms, he growled in his throat low and threateningly. Glancing down at my hand, I rolled my eyes irritatedly at the ground and retracted my arm. Walking over to Blade, I flicked him in the chest teasingly and locked eyes with him.

"Don't be so grouchy, Blade. First I have to scold you about hitting people and now this? I think someone needs a nap," I popped the 'p' and turned away as Johnathan struggled to hold in his laughter. Walking through the kitchen door, I started into the dining room to get away from the slowly steaming Blade.

"Ellie!" a woman's voice called out to me from the table. Elizabeth. Seeing a small group of about 7 women around her that I hazily recognized the names of, I smiled lightly and found a seat across from her that a thin woman with jet black hair had generously given up. A chorus of 'Hi, Luna!'s echoed in the room, and I greeted them all with their names which I surprisingly remembered. "So, what do you have planned today?" Elizabeth asked me, weaving her fingers together and leaning forward against the table.

I sighed and bit the inside of my lip. "I really don't know! All I do know is that I'm supposed to meet Blade for lunch.."

The girls suddenly started talking to me all at once, each one starting to stand and pick me up to my feet.

"Girls, GIRLS!" Elizabeth shouted out over the crowd from across the table. The commotion slowly stopped, and everyone looked at her, including me. "Ellie, we all just want you to go to him before he gets angry. Go on, now. Girls, make some room please!"

Smiling gratefully at her, I was almost out of the door when she mind-linked me.

'If you're going to set your plan into motion anytime soon, now's the time. You know what to do.'

Stumbling slightly but regaining my balance not a second after, I didn't look back as I headed towards Blade to begin stage 1.

"-swear Johnathan, she needs to learn when to stop if she's going to be the Luna of this pack," Blade was whispering to Johnathan when walked in unnoticed. Blade was leaning over the end of the counter with his back to me while Johnathan stood at the side with his head bent low to hear. His side was to me, though, and as soon as I got close enough he cleared his throat and tilted his head towards me to notify Blade I was here.

"Oh- Oh! Hello Elenore," Blade greeted me with a smile, although I could tell it was slightly sour. Nodding my head in acknowledgement, I turned to Johnathan.

"Beta Johnathan, do you know what we'll be having for lunch, and when?" I asked sweetly and oblivious to Blade. Eying me strangely for a moment, he nodded and explained that we would have hamburgers, deer, and a variety of fruits. "Oh, so no little finger sandwiches or green tea?" I teased and dimpled my cocked cheeks. Flushing slightly, he chuckled and shook his head no. Taking in an extra effort to keep smiling at him, Blade was starting to fidget and growl under his breath. After a few more seconds, he could finally take no more as he pulled me by the arm to his body.

"Ellie, let's have a seat in the sun room with Elizabeth while we wait, okay?" he suggested, but there was an underlying tone of jealousy mixed with his soft voice. Nodding but pouting my lips, I looked over at Johnathan.

"But why can't he come with us?" I whimpered like a child who didn't get their candy bar. Grunting, Blade said "Because we just can't!" and pulled me away by my upper arm firmly, looking in the direction of a brightly lit room while I just smiled back at Johnathan and winked innocently. Chuckling silently, he shook his head and turned towards the dining room.

Swinging back around from being dragged by Blade, I was met with the bright rays on sunlight flooding through the clear glass windows. Warmth enveloped me and make my skin prickle with the sudden change in temperature. Releasing his grip on my arm, I let it flop to my side as I stood astonished at the beauty of the flowers hanging from the ceiling and the faint buzz of..honeybees? The room had to be atleast 20 feet long and had a dozen or so different types of flowers, so it wouldn't surprise me if there were bees going to work in here.

"Like it?" Blade smirked and rubbed a large waxy leaf between his fingers. Nodding absentmindedly, I turned back towards him as he sat on the far left of the 3 love-seat couches positioned around a thick wooden table. Sitting in the far right one despite his coaxing, I leaned back against one of the arms and extended my legs along the cushions to rest on the opposite arm. Sighing contently and a bit loud, I closed my eyes and leaned my head back to feel the beating heat.

Blade groaned in defeat and I heard cotton being ruffled.

Suddenly, and unsurprisingly, I felt my legs being lifted up and then set back down, but this time on warm thighs.

"Hey Luna, Alpha," Elizabeth greeted us. Opening my eyes and seeing her momentarily caught on our position, I smiled warmly and sat up while swinging my legs out of his lap, much do his dismay.

"Hey, Elizabeth!" I chirped and noticed a small plate full of sandwiches and another of fruit in her hands.

"I have come bearing gifts, O' Great Luna!" she mock bowed. Giggling, I leaned forward and put my hands together as in a prayer and bowed back.

After setting the foods on the table, we ate in almost complete silence except for Elizabeth's and I's random chatter. Time to start.

"So Blade, I was wondering what your plans were for me while I'm here. I mean, before I go back to Tiberius, that is," I spoke muffled around a bite of the turkey sandwich I was working on. Looking over at me shocked and slightly baffled, Blade took a deep breath.

"Listen, I know you're probably not used to everything here and still in shock, but you're not going back to him, okay? Just drop it," he spoke sternly and continued back on his 3rd sandwich.

"Okay, but you do know that he'll come get me, right? I'm just being realistic. I mean, the Alpha of the Wolf Territories is missing his mate; do you honestly think that he's not close to finding me right now?" I said as a matter of factly.

A frown had etched its was onto his face-the space between his eyebrows was scrunched together and his lips grew tight.

"Elenore, I told you once," his voice was cold. "You are mine now, do you understand? Mine. He can't have you, and neither can Johnathan or anyone else! So like I just said, drop it!" he yelled at the end, causing Elizabeth to flinch but me to grow stronger, more bold. Abruptly I stood and mustered up all of my courage; that's when all hell broke loose.

"I will NOT drop it! I'm not going to stay in this crap-hole with you for the rest of my life, and I'm SURE as hell not going to be your god damned MATE! I already HAVE a mate, you idiotic moron, and his name is TIBERIUS!" I screamed at him as he stood and slapped me hard across the face with his right hand.

Behind me I heard Elizabeth gasp sharply, but I could hardly hear it over the ringing in my left eardrum. Scoffing slightly despite the pain, despite the desire to start to tear up, I remained strong, for I would never let Blade see me cry because of him.

Meeting his hate filled gaze, I saw regret underneath the hard shell quickly surrounding him.

"I'll be in my room," he spat before spinning on his heel and storming out without a backwards glance.

Elizabeth then rushed over to me and gripped me by my shoulders worryingly. "Ellie, are you okay? Talk to me!"

The only thing I did was smile.

"It worked," I whispered.