I watched her as she slept. Her face was softer, unguarded, like it should be all the time. Her trauma is embedded so deep into her mind it controls her. Her every thought is consumed by her pain, and it's difficult for her to push through that pain. I placed a kiss on her forehead before I pulled the blankets from us and she shivered. I got out of bed and grabbed one of my shirts and gently placed it over her head then I picked her up holding her in my arms and made my way to her bedroom she stirred slightly cuddling into my chest; I smiled at her. I placed her in bed and pulled the blankets over her body; I kissed her on the forehead before leaving, closing the door quietly behind me.

I slumped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling, my thoughts pacing. Twice today I could've claimed her but didn't. She was letting me do it both times, but I pulled back why? I'm not sure. If she wanted me to do it then I guess she would say right? I just kept picturing what she'd look like with my mark on her neck. The thought made me smile slightly. I shook away that image and focused on trying to sleep. I tossed and turned for a while before I finally dropped off.

My hand slapped my nightstand a few times before I finally found my phone I pressed the lock button silencing the annoying ring of my alarm before I closed my eyes again wanting to finish the dream I was having though I can't remember what it was. Just as I felt myself drift there was a knock at my door causing me to jump up. I blinked back my state of confusion calming myself before I walked to the door pulling it open. Bridget was standing there with my shirt on and my god did she look good. I could barely focus on what she was saying. I smiled tightly at her.

"Did you take me back to my room last night?" She asked, yawning slightly. I nodded.

"I got the impression that you wanted to take things slow, and I didn't want you to think I was disregarding what you wanted." I mumbled she nodded, looking down.

"And the shirt?" She asked, smirking at me. I smiled, rolling my eyes at her.

"You looked cold, I was being a gentleman." I shot back, narrowing my eyes at her playfully. Truthfully, I just wanted her to be surrounded by my scent to show others she's mine. Though I'd never tell her that. My eyes widened as she casually stripped off the top she still had her clothes on from last night but still. She handed it to me. I shook my head and pushed it back. "Keep it, it looks good on you." I said smirking she nodded and walked back to her room my eyes dropped to her butt but they snapped up to her eyes as soon as she turned around she raised a brow at me and I smirked at her shaking my head. I watched her shut the door behind her before I left to get dressed.

I slipped into my training gear and walked out of my room. I didn't see Bridget, so I just walked to the kitchen looking to grab a coffee before I left to train. Stepping into the kitchen, I saw she was sitting there with Theo and an older lady I hadn't seen before. She noticed me walk in; she nodded towards the seat next to her, but I didn't miss the way her eyes raked my body. She was checking me out. I fought back a grin. Wiping any emotions from my face, I sat down.

"So the party will take place in three days after initiation," Bridget said seriously I glanced at her confused for a second. Did we need to be initiated to join the pack officially?

"Is that for the transfers?" I asked, glancing at the older lady. Bridget shook her head.

"For Seth to be appointed Beta and well, I sort of wanted to announce us." She informed me as I looked at her. My eyes fell onto the deep purple bruise on her neck. I was filled with pride that it was apparent we were moving forward . I nodded.

"Makes sense, what are the initiation trials?" I asked her mood shifted slightly I didn't understand why. Placing my hand on her thigh, I smiled a little before looking over the plans.

"He will have to face off in the ring with Brent after he has fully healed and if he wins, then he will have to undergo a second test where he will have to complete a training course and then finally the truth serum to make sure there are no ill intentions from him. The last part is mandatory. And as for the transfers, they will be accepted into the pack after they pass the combat stage. We had fifty new transfers, only thirty will make it in." She explained, not looking at me. I nodded and stood to my feet.

"I'm going to train, do you want me to wait for you?" I asked her as she glanced at me, a scowl on her face.

"No." Was all she said.

Okay then?

What's her problem?

I looked at her; she refused to look at me; I scowled. Fine, then whatever. I walked out of the room not spearing a glance back if she wanted to act like a child then so be it.

I stepped outside the packhouse and saw Seth he was grinning largely probably about the Beta thing I walked over to him and clapped him on the back "I believe congratulations are in order." I said as he turned around he was grinning from ear to ear.

"You heard?"

I nodded, "I was there yesterday when Bridget made the decision."

"So when I talked to you yesterday you were just sitting on this information?" He scoffed, causing me to shrug.

"Yep. Bridget wanted to tell you herself." I explained he nodded. He smirked at me.

"How's it going with her?" He asked, causing me to scowl. He laughed, "uh oh trouble in paradise?" He joked.

"Everything was fine last night, in fact, it was pretty damn great and then this morning it's like she doesn't want to talk to me and the only reason she did was because others were in the room and even then it was only about pack business." I complained as we began walking towards the mats.

"Dude. What did you say exactly?" He questioned.

"Nothing. Literally nothing. Women are confusing as hell." I huffed, causing Seth to laugh.

"Just apologise. Sorry is my best friend when it comes to a pissed off mate." He joked. I shook my head before we took our stances. "Don't kill me." He laughed I rolled my eyes at his stupidness.

After a while of us sparing, we were both bruised but Seth was improving which was great I'm pretty sure he could beat Brent with a little more practice. I ran my hands through my hair, pushing it out of my face. I heard someone approach me I didn't recognise her scent I turned around to see a girl she was about 5'3, slim and she had a little muscle on her.

I stared at her, waiting for her to say something. She grinned at me. Something about her seemed off, but I couldn't quite put a finger on it. She looked me up and down, a hungry look in her eyes.

"Hi, I'm Kimber and you are?" She purred. I saw the door open behind her and in walked Bridget. My jaw almost dropped her clothes were tight clinging to all the right places on her body. Her sports bra made her breasts look great, and it left the rest of her torso on show. Her hair was tied up and the hickey I left was on show, making me fill with pride..

Her eyes snapped to mine without looking away from her as I answered the girl. "Uninterested." I said coldly. All I could think about was how good Bridget looked.

She leaned into me and purred. "I know you want me." She flirted, giving me what was supposed to be a seductive smirk, but it honestly looked creepy. Bridget's body stilled, and she turned in my direction, a harsh look in her eye. I grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her closer

"What I want is for you to leave me the fuck alone." I said not so quietly I heard people snigger around us. I let go of her wrist and turned around Bridget was standing there, her glare fixed onto Kimber. I walked up to her and stood in front of her as she growled at me. I looked at her confused.

"What's your problem?" I asked lowly. She laughed humourlessly before she shoved me backwards. I stumbled slightly before I regained my balance. I glared at her.

"My problem is you entertaining some whore where everyone can see." She growled I straightened out my shirt before I walked past her storming angrily out of the gym did she not see me reject that girl's advances. I was walking back to the house when I heard her follow me.

"You don't get to walk away from me." She yelled I stopped walking and whizzed around my response died on my tongue when I looked at her. Her eyes were glassy, like she was trying not to cry.

"Did you not see me in there? I told her to shove off."

Bridget scoffed, "She was pressed up against you and you didn't seem to mind." She shot back.

"I didn't react because I was too busy staring at you or did you miss the part where my jaw hit the floor when you walked in?" I said, growled. She flushed at my words.

"What- that's not- you didn't." She stammered I ran my hands through my hair. Before I pulled her into me. She glared at me before she stormed past me. What the hell.