"If you bit me, would I be a werewolf, too?" I asked.

I had been asking Caleb questions since we'd gotten back to my grandmother's house. We were currently laying on my bed, Caleb was on his back and I was on my side facing him. He'd taken one of my hands and was playing with my fingers.

"No, it's purely genetic," he said, lacing our fingers together.

"So, can humans have werewolf babies?" I asked.

"Well, it's biology," he said, he untangled our fingers and started to compare our hands in size, placing his palm against mine. His hands were much bigger than my own. "If we were to have kids, for example," the idea brought butterflies to my stomach, "there's always the possibility that they could be human."

"When would you know? If they were human I mean."

"We transition around puberty. It's different for everyone, but you can usually tell who the wolves are," he said, kissing the back of my hand. "I love that I can touch you now."

"Caleb," I said, grabbing his attention. I was quiet when I asked my next question, I was nervous for some reason. "What is this? What am I to you? I mean, isn't this odd to you? People don't just click like this."

Caleb smiled and let out a small laugh before answering me, "It isn't odd to me because I've been waiting for you my whole life."

I sit up and move back on the bed so I can rest against the head board.

"You're my mate Birdie. We were literally made for each other," Caleb sat up so that we were at the same eye level. "Werewolves mate for life."

"How did you know I was your mate?"

"It happened really quickly," he started, "at first it was your scent that drew me in. You smelled sweet, like vanilla. And when I looked at you I just...knew."

I couldn't help the smile that took over my face. I looked down, shying away, but Caleb set a hand under my chin and raised my head to look at him.

The chemistry between us was undeniable, my breathing picked up just from his eyes staring into mine.

"I still have so many questions," I said, breathless.

"We have all the time in the world," he said, before gently pressing his lips to mine.

I sighed and let my body relax into him. His hand cupped my cheek as he moved his lips against mine.

I'd been kissed before, but never like this. All of this was so new and exciting, and I found myself actually grateful for what I had stumbled upon with Caleb.

These past few days I'd actually slept, and I hadn't been wrecked with grief lately. It felt good not to feel so sad all the time.

"Do werewolves only mate with humans?" I asked, pulling away from the kiss.

Caleb chuckled at my abruptness.

"No," he said, moving his mouth to my neck and placing gentle kisses there. "We mate with other wolves too. It's mostly biology. It's all boiled down to certain pheromones and personality traits." His words became rushed as his lips made their way to my collarbone.

One of his hands moved to my waist and he squeezed my side, making me jump. I let out a squeal as he quickly lifted me up and moved me so that I was now flat on my back.

He parted my legs with one of his knees and he settled in between them, finally returning his lips to mine.

I set my hands on his waist, playing with the hem of his shirt and slipping my fingers under it. I didn't realize how cold my hands were until I set them on his flaming skin. This reminded me of my fever last night.

"What happened to me last night?" I asked, between kisses.

Caleb stopped, leaning his forehead against mine, assumingly trying to catch his breath before he answered.

"You went into heat last night," he said, matter-of-factly.

"Like a dog?" I asked, pulling my head away to get a better look at him.

Caleb smirked at this comment.

"Can you please stop laughing at me?" I asked, moving myself out from under him and getting off of the bed. He was being distracting and distance seemed like a sensible option.

"I'm sorry," he said, trying to hide his smile, "you're just so cute."

"Well, stop thinking about how cute I am and answer my damn questions," I said, throwing a pillow that I picked up off the floor at him.

"It happens to females after they are in contact with their mate for the first time. It is synced to their reproductive cycle. Did you just finish your period?"

I was shocked with how casually he asked such an intrusive question. "But, I'm human. Why is that happening to me?"

Caleb shrugged, "It happens to all female mates."

"Is that supposed to happen every month?"

"It will happen until we have sex and I mark you. Then we'll be mated and you won't have to worry-"

"Mark me? Like when you bruised my arm?" I moved back on to the bed, sitting on my knees.

"No," he said, "that was more like your bodies reaction towards my touch. It doesn't always happen. Mostly with humans." Caleb took my arm in his hand, the one he'd bruised before, and kissed my wrist. "I'm really sorry about that. I didn't hurt you, did I?"

I could hear the pain in his voice at the thought of hurting me, so I answered him quickly to put him out of his misery.

"No," I said, running my free hand through his hair, "no, you didn't hurt me at all."

Caleb's lips trailed up my arm, but once he reached my neck I placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back down to the mattress.

"So, how do you mark me then?" I asked.

"I would bite you...during," he raised his eyebrows as he said this, gesturing to sex.

"What?" I said, out of shock.

"I would bite you, here," he ran a finger along the crook of my neck, "deep enough that it would scar. Then it would be apparent to any other wolf that you are already mated, and therefore, not available."

"You're...you're going to," I was stuttering as I sifted through my jumbled up thoughts, "bite me?"

He did his best to hide his amusement.

"Will it hurt?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"The sex or the biting?" He joked, siting up and nipping my neck quickly. I laughed and pushed him back down.

"Both?" I asked quietly, suddenly nervous.

Caleb sat up, "You've never..."

"No, have you?"

He sighed in relief then smiled before he answered me.

"That makes me really happy," he said, "and no, I haven't either. I've kind of been waiting."

"For marriage?" I asked.

"No," he chuckled, "for you. Besides, mating is kind of like being married anyway."

"So do werewolves ever actually get married?" I asked.

"Some do, for legal reasons," he said, he took one of my hands and started placing kisses along my knuckles. "But we don't have to if you don't want to."

Deep down I knew I wanted to get married, but this was all happening so quickly. I was surprised at how calm I was being during all of this.

"I think I want to," I said, quietly, "but not right now."

Caleb smiled and raised up to place a quick kiss on my lips, "We'll do whatever you want."

I leaned down to meet his lips again, and, without wasting anytime, Caleb pulled me on top of him. He sat up and my fingers got lost in his dark hair. His rushed lips moved their way to my neck and my breathing picked up.

"It's like I can't get enough of you," I said, moving my head to the side to give him more room.

"I know the feeling," he said, his hands slipping under my shirt.

I lifted my arms so that he could pull the fabric over my head. I had on a black bra, nothing special, but the way Caleb stared at me in adoration, it made me feel like the sexiest girl in the world.

"You're so beautiful," he said.

He flipped us over so that my back was now flat against the bed, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He raised his hand up to brush some of my hair out of my face.

"I can't believe you're mine," he whispered.

Usually I'd be disgusted by the notion that I belonged to him, but the feeling that filled my chest at his proclamation pushed all those thoughts aside. I actually liked the idea of being his.

"And you're mine?" I questioned, lazily resting my hands around his neck.

"Forever," he said. A wide smile spread across his face as he kissed me again.

I arched my back so that his hands could reach behind me, but his movements stopped and he pulled his lips away from mine.

"Shit," he said, getting off of the bed.

"What? What's wrong?" I sat up, catching my shirt that Caleb tossed to me.

"Birdie!" My grandmother's voice called, followed by the sound of the front door closing.

"Shit," I said, pulling my shirt over my head. "Go out the window."

"My truck is still in your driveway," he said, "I'm guessing she knows I'm here."

"Birdie!" She called again, this time there was an edge to her voice.

I sighed then walked to my bedroom door, opening it.

"Come on then," I said, holding my hand out for Caleb.

We walked down the stairs together only to meet my grandmother at the bottom, waiting patiently.

"Well, hello Caleb," she said, a knowing smile on her face.

"Hello, Mrs. Green," he said. He took the liberty of standing in front of me and letting me hide behind him.

She walked over to a chair in the living room and sat down.

"I got a call from your school today," she said, crossing her arms.

I hit my head against Caleb's back. I didn't think that the school would contact her, but, thinking back, I don't see why they wouldn't.

"Do you want to tell me why you weren't at school today?"

"It was my fault-" Caleb started but she interrupted him.

"Excuse me, Caleb, but I was speaking to my granddaughter." Her voice was cold and deadly serious.

I moved out from behind Caleb.

"Maybe you should go," I said.

"Yes," my grandmother chimed in, "I think that's a good idea."

Caleb nodded at her then headed for the door. Before closing it behind me he turned around.

"I'll see you later," he said.

"If I'm not dead," I mumbled quietly, not thinking he'd hear me, but the smile on his face told me he did.

After he left I stood silently in front of my grandmother, waiting for her to scold me.

She sighed, standing up and walked towards me. She ran a hand through her red hair before talking.

"Don't do it again," she said.

"I won't. I promise. Never again," I rambled.

"And no boys in your room when I'm not here," she added, setting her hands on either side of my face, and kissing the top of my head. I had to bend down so she could even reach.

"Noted," I said.

"I just needed to grab a few things. I have to stay in New York this weekend," she said, "will you be okay on your own?"

I followed her into her bedroom.

"Um, yeah?" I was confused with her abruptness but also the fact that she thought I couldn't take care of myself for a weekend at seventeen.

She stopped walking and turned to me, "Can I trust you?"

No.

"Yes, of course."

"That means no boys over here, Beatrice," she added as she packed her bags.

"No boys," I said, sitting down on her bed, "got it."

"I had enough trouble with your mother, I don't need to do it all again with you..." she trailed off.

The mention of my mother settled an awkward tension around us.

"It's okay to talk about her," I said.

She sighed, "I'm sorry. It's just...it's still too hard."

I got off of her bed and pulled her into a hug. "I know," I said, nuzzling into her hair.

After rubbing my back she pulled away and wiped a tear from her face.

"I should take a shower before I leave," she said, disappearing into her bathroom.

I walked out of her room and sat myself on the couch in the living room. I noticed that the curtains were wide open and soon after I felt an all too familiar pair of eyes watching me.