"You're a what?"

Ashton looks over at Josh again before turning back to me and responding, "A werewolf."

I stare at him a moment before a laugh bubbles up and comes out of my mouth before I can stop it. I slap a hand over my mouth, "You're a werewolf?" I ask through my hand, disbelief clear in my voice.

Josh's voice comes from behind me, "This is serious Evie." I turn my head around and see the most serious looking Josh I've ever seen.

My smile slowly forms into a shocked expression, "You're serious?"

"Yes." Ashton responds while turning my head back towards him. My eyes scan over his face looking for any sign of humor, but I don't find any.

"That's not possible. They don't exist. Werewolves don't exist." I state.

Ashton takes a breath, "Evie, you're looking at one." It sounds like he expected this reaction.

"Ashton," I say softly, "werewolves don't exist. They can't exist."

His hand goes through his hair, messing it up more than it is, "I know it sounds crazy, but you have to believe me. You said you would keep an open mind."

I give him a small smile, "I know, but like you said, this is crazy. There is no proof of werewolves. They've never existed."

A smirk suddenly pulls at Ashton's lips, "Would you like proof?" Before I can respond Ashton stands up, bringing me with him, and starts heading towards the kitchen and out the back door.

"Oh God." I hear Josh mumble from behind me, humor clear in his voice.

Once outside Ashton let's go of my hand and walks a few paces in front of me. He winks at me before reaching for the bottom of his shirt. Tugging it off, my eyes immediately go to the perfect example of a male specimen. A longing goes through me and I have to stop myself from taking a step forward.

"Like the view?" Ashton asks mockingly. I look up and see that he's smirking at me, and I have to fight off my own smile. His hands then go to the belt on his pants.

"What the hell are you doing?" I squeak out when he starts taking off his jeans.

Ashton glances at me, "Undressing." He pulls down his jeans and I turn around, redness covering my cheeks and neck. Josh laughs at my expression.

"Aren't you going to look away?" I ask quietly. Ashton laughs at me, obviously hearing what I said.

Josh joins his laughter, "Why would I? It's not like I haven't seen it before."

I blanch and if possible, my face turns redder.

"We're werewolves Evie," Josh says softly, "we're used to nudity."

"Well I'm definitely not." I exclaim.

Josh focuses on something behind me. Before I can turn around to see what exactly he's looking at, cracking sounds fill the air. The cracking is harsh, as if it's bones that are cracking, which I know they are. I flinch as a louder crack sounds and then all of the sounds stop. A whine sounds.

"Turn around Evie." Josh says softly, now looking at me. I slowly turn my feet, and consequently my body, in a one hundred eighty degree turn.

The wolf has my center attention as soon as it's in my line of sight. It's smaller than the size of a horse but I know it could easily take down anything that threatened it. The wolf's head easily reaches my shoulder. It's powerful legs stand tense, as does the rest of it's body. It's tail swishes back and forth as if it's nervous over something. It's almost black hair shines due to the bright sun. The bright blue eyes remind me of ones I know so well.

It doesn't move, probably waiting for me to make the first move. But I don't know if I'm going to make that first move. My body stands still as it assesses the wolf in front of me. Nothing adds up in my head. Ashton is not that wolf, and vice versa, that wolf is not Ashton.

"I don't know how you did it, but that isn't Ashton." My voice sounds unconvincing even to my ears. What other explanation could there possibly be? But the fact that that thing was a human, and I human that I've grown to like, makes no sense whatsoever. It's bordering on insanity.

The wolf takes a step toward me, sensing that I'm not going to make the first move. It takes another, then another, until it's just a few feet away. It makes another whining noise and looks almost disheartened when it's ears drop and it's tail stop swishing.

"It's okay Evie, he won't hurt you." Josh tries to comfort me. I don't respond, I don't really know how to.

"You don't need to be afraid," Josh tries to comfort again, "Ashton won't hurt you."

When I don't respond again, I feel Josh hold my elbow and gently push my hand towards the wolf's head. The wolf bows it's head down as if it wants me to pet it. My hand, in Josh's control, brushes the fur on top of it's head. I'm shocked when I feel how soft and silky it is, and with a little courage, I slowly run my hand across it's head from one ear to the other. The fur gets kind of rumpled up so I smooth it back down. A slight purring sound comes from the wolf's throat and a small smile flashes across my face.

The wolf looks back up at me and I see it's blue eyes again. Never breaking eye contact, the wolf's snout comes near my still slightly outstretched hand. It's nose bumps my fingers and then licks them. Another smile flirts across my face at the tickling feeling of it's tongue.

The wolf looks happier now. It's ears are perked up and it's tail swishes back and forth rapidly. I find myself feeling happier too.

"Ashton?" I ask the wolf. It's big head nods in affirmation.

"This is the big secret." It's not a question but the wolf nods it's head again.

A light feeling comes over me, as if a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, "I see why you couldn't tell me." I tease. Ashton bumps his nose against my hand again and I smile.

"He's going to change back." Josh says from behind.

"What? How-" My momentary confusion is gone when the cracking starts again and, before my eyes, the wolf changes back into a very human, very naked, Ashton.

Before I can do anything, like avert my eyes, Ashton's arms envelope me in a hug. I stand stock still and try to keep my blush in check as a naked Ashton hugs me.

"Ashton-" I try to tell him to go put some clothes on but he cuts me off.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't tell you. I know it was hard for you, and it was hard for me too. I didn't know what you were going to do when I showed you. I was scared you might become so afraid that you would leave and never want to see me again. Or that you would think I'm some sort of monster."

"Ashton could you-" Josh's laughter cuts me off this time.

"Dude, put on some clothes. You're scaring her now in a completely different way." Josh says through his laughs.

Ashton growls at him at the same time I say to Josh, "I'm not scared," and then direct to Ashton, "he's not wrong. Put on some clothes." I feel my cheeks heat up more.

Ashton takes a step back and looks me in the eye and laughs, "You're so cute when you blush."

I scowl at him through my blush, "Put on some clothes. I don't need to see all that."

"You sure?" Ashton throws his head back and laughs loudly. I hit him on the shoulder, making sure I'm still making eye contact with him.

A flash of blue enters my peripheral vision and a pair of shorts are suddenly in Ashton's outstretched hand. I turn around and see Josh smile at me and mouth 'you're welcome'.

Ashton sits me on his lap as soon as we get back into the livingroom. Josh once again resumes his place on the chair. The tension that had filled the air is completely gone and I can tell everyone, including me, is much more relaxed. I look to Ashton and see that he has a smile stretching across his face.

"Any specific quesitons you want to ask?" He asks me quietly, probably already knowing that I had a bunch swirling around in my head.

I open my mouth to ask the million questions but the only word that comes out of my mouth is, "How?"

Ashton gives a short laugh, "There are many theories, no one knows for sure 'how'. One theory is witchcraft. Back in the days when there was witch trials, one of the witches apparently cursed the group that caught her. Another theory is that our ancestors were cast down from heaven and punished as demons," Ashton laughs at my expression, which is probably a bit horrified, "but I think the most widely accepted theory is evolution. Humans evolved one way and we evolved another."

"So you didn't evolve from apes?" I ask dumbfounded.

Ashton and Josh laugh but Ashton responded, "If evolutionists are correct, then yes we did. But we have an extra gene that normal humans don't have."

"But wouldn't doctors notice that you have an extra gene when you go in for check-ups or something?"

"We have people on the inside." Ashton says mysteriously.

My eyes open wide, "Humans here know you exist?"

"No," Ashton chuckles, "werewolves can be doctors too."

I crinkle my nose, "That's a weird word."

Josh barks out a laugh, "What? Werewolves?" I nod and that sparks another laugh from Josh.

"Josh, shut up. This is new for her," But a smile still slips it's way onto Ashton's face, "what else are you curious about? I can tell you we have great stamina." Ashton winks.

A light blush forms on my cheeks at his suggestion, "Shut up," I lightly slap his chest but then something occurs to me, "Alpha."

Ashton and Josh look at each other before looking at me curiously, "How do you know about Alphas?" Josh asks me.

I look over at him, "I heard it a few times from students, and even from you, I think, on one of the first few days I got here. But do you guys really have an Alpha, like real wolf packs?"

Josh looks at Ashton expectantly and Ashton fidgets a tiny bit, "Yes." Ashton looks around the room. I can suddenly tell he's a bit nervous.

"Go on." I can tell he has more to say on the matter.

"Yes we do," Josh responds for him, "want to know who?" He nods at Ashton.

"You?" I exclaim. Surprise flirts over my features as I look at Ashton. He seems nervous as he looks back at me.

"Not exactly," Ashton starts explaining, "I'm the Alpha's son."

Josh scoffs, "Close enough."

"Your dad's the Alpha.," I clarify and Ashton nods, "where is he?"

"On a trip with the Luna." Josh responds, almost irritably.

"The what?" I ask confused.

"One thing at a time please," Ashton says looking at Josh, "my dad and mom are in Europe. They're talking with a few other packs on certain issues."

"There's more of you?" I keep interrupting with more questions.

Ashton smiles at me, "Of course there's more. We're not the only pack out there."

"How many are there?" I'm quick to ask.

Ashton thinks for a second, "I think there are four packs, including this one, in the United States, and probably six in Canada."

"That's a lot." I exclaim.

"We mostly stay out of each other's way. Back to the matter at hand," Ashton gives me an expression of mock disapproval for interrupting, "they're in Europe. They were back for a few days a few weeks ago when they went to Australia, but then they left for Europe."

"Wow." I say, thinking of all the places Ashton's parents had probably been to.

"Yeah, wow," Ashton agrees, "but anyways, before you get more questions in your head, a Luna is the Alpha's mate-" Ashton stops himself and suddenly looks uncomfortable as he looks away from me.

"What is it?" I ask softly.

"What other questions do you have?" Ashton asks calmly. I can tell he's uncomfortable with the subject, maybe it's something with his parents.

Looking around I know what my next few inquiries, "Why do you have such a big house?"

Ashton cracks a smile, "It's the pack house. It's where almost everyone in the pack lives." I look at Josh knowingly, now understanding some of the confusion from the past. Josh returns my smile but it seems forced.

"How many people are in this pack?" I ask next.

"About six hundred." Ashton says matter-of-factly.

I feel my jaw drop at that big number, "Six hundred." I say quietly in awe.

Ashton chuckles, "Yeah, six hundred total."

"How many go to our school?" I ask remembering the first few days of school, something I don't like to dwell upon for long.

"Quite a lot. I would say three hundred." AShton responds.

Rememering a specific scene from one of my first few days, "We're they the ones that were hanging out with you when I first came here?"

A regretful expression falls across Ashton's face and he grimances, "Yeah, they're in the pack."

"The brown haired girl?" I ask quietly.

"Yes, but I promise it's no more," Ashton starts sounding frantic as he hold my face in between his hands, "I promise you that will never happen again. I'm so- it will never happen again."

I put my hands on his and slowly move them from my face, "It's fine Ashton. They probably didn't like me because I was new. I know there was only so much you could do."

Ashton smiles sadly, "I don't deserve you." I don't think I was meant to hear that, but he said it loud enough for my ears to hear.

"Why would you say that?" I ask quietly, forgeting our surroundings.

"Because I don't. I will never in a million years deserve someone like you," Ashton's expression becomes more determined, "but I'll do my damnest to try. Starting now."

A confused expression crosses my face, "Ashton, what-" He cuts me off.

"I, Ashton Carter, accept you as my mate."