Hannah

I wake up at some point in the middle of the night. I can tell it’s not morning since it’s still very dark. I’m incredibly warm, like sweating warm, and go to roll over so I can reach the pull string for my ceiling fan, when I realize I’m being held in place by giant arms. I look over and see Micah, sleeping soundly and clinging to me like a koala. I take stock of the situation, debate my choices. I sit for a minute and let him hold me. I decided that the mate bond is definitely not severed, but I don’t feel anything near what I did before I rejected him. It still feels good to have him hold me for a minute, but I would never admit that to him. When I get tired and decide I want to go to sleep, I let out a high-pitched scream and kick him in the stomach. He lurches off the bed and I hear a thump as he lands on the ground.

“What the fuck, Hannah?” He yells as my parents come running into my room, obviously alarmed.

“I told you to sleep on the floor. Imagine my surprise when I wake up with a strange person in my bed!” I yell at him and he gives me a sheepish smile as my parents watch amused.

“I’m sorry. The floor is just uncomfortable. I didn’t think you’d notice. Plus I’m not just a person. I’m your mate.” He shrugs and I scoff.

“You thought I wouldn’t notice a large space heater in my bed? I’m literally sweating.” I say reaching up to turn on the fan. My parents snicker at the door before turning to leave. I hear Micah grumble under his breath as he readjusts himself on the floor.

“You could have at least let me sleep until morning.” He murmurs and I reach over to smack him on the shoulder.

“And you could have gone home to sleep in your bed.” I throw back and he pops his head up, his lips only inches from mine.

“But then I couldn’t smell your scent, Sweetness.” He says with a cocky grin and I roll my eyes.

“Why are you calling me that anyway? Banana doesn’t work for you anymore?” I ask sarcastically and his smile drops.

“I thought you didn’t like to be called Banana.” He says.

“I don’t. I hate it. I’m assuming that’s why you always did it.” I say and he nods.

“Yeah. So I’m not going to do it anymore.” He says and my heart gives a traitorous flutter.

Bitch needs to simmer.

“So, what’s with the Sweetness?” I ask genuinely curious.

“Your scent. It’s like… Candy or something. Sweet and tangy. Makes my mouth water.” He says his signature cocky grin back on his face. I roll over in bed away from him and he chuckles at me. The sound is low and warm, and I feel tingles spread through my body.

I hate my body.

I feel my bed dip as Micah leans over me, running his lips along the shell of my ear. My breath hitches as my body shudders under him.

“And I bet you taste delicious.” He whispers in my ear, kissing my neck gently. I feel my body heat under his proximity, and I take a deep breath before shoving him hard. He lets out a very unmanly squeal as he lands on the ground.

“Was that necessary?” He asks annoyed as I laugh at him.

“You’re the one that can’t take a hint.” I say, much more confidently than I thought possible.

“Whatever.” He grumbles as he gets as comfortable as possible on the floor. I burrow back down into my blankets but am barely able to doze off again before my alarm goes off for training.

I force myself out of bed and shower before putting on a tank top and black capri leggings. Micah borrows some of my dad’s clothes because he refuses to leave me long enough to go to the pack house to change.

“Why do you shower before training?” He asks curiously as he slips a shirt over his head and I pretend not to check out his chest.

“Because it helps wake me up.” I answer, throwing my hair up into a ponytail. He watches the movement before his eyes trail the rest of my body, his fists clenching and eyes darkening.

“Are you trying to torture me?” He asks, tearing his gaze from my body.

“Yes.” I answer simply before walking out the door, giving him an excellent view of my ass which he apparently takes full advantage of, judging by the tortured groan he lets out.

As we walk to the training grounds, he hovers close to me, and reaches down to grab my hand. I bat it away irritably before crossing my arms under my breasts, making them stick out further catching his attention again.

“What are you doing?” I ask irritably.

“Just trying to be a good mate.” He says shrugging and doing that thing where he rubs the back of his neck.

“What makes you think I want everyone to know that we’re mates?” I ask and I can see the hurt look on his face.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t have a problem with people knowing.” He says with a shrug and I sigh before massaging my temples.

Seriously, these stress headaches are going to kill me.

“Just not yet, ok? People are not going to react well. We need to be mindful of that.” I say and he cocks his brow at me.

“Why? I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” He says and I huff.

“That’s part of the problem. This is going to be your pack. You need to fucking care what they think, how they feel.” I seethe and he nods in understanding.

“You’re right.” He says quietly and I stop walking, rooted to the spot.

“What did you just say?” I ask amazed and he rolls his eyes at me, gripping my wrist and pulling me along.

“I said you’re right. And I’m going to listen to you. We’ll do this your way.” He says earnestly and my heart does that annoying ass little flutter again.

We reach the training grounds and I walk away from him to where the other women are standing. I find Katie immediately and she pulls me away from the others.

“When were you going to tell me that Micah is your mate?” She whispers in my ear low enough no one else can hear. I gasp and push her away from me and she cackles out a laugh, making everyone, including Micah, look at us. I feel my face heat up in a blush and grab her hand, pulling her further away.

“How did you find out?” I ask.

“You guys walked up here together. That would never happen in a million years, unless your birthday yesterday had some cosmically cruel results.” She says with a proud smile and I growl at her a little.

“So? Spill the tea!” She squeals, making people look at us again. Micah raises a curious brow, but I just ignore him.

“Later. It’s complicated.” I whisper to her and she nods conspiratorially before linking her pinky with mine.

“Promise?” She asks and I roll my eyes at her.

“Promise.” I say and she nods, obviously satisfied with the childhood oath.

“We’re gonna pair up and spar.” Micah calls out from the front of the group. “Celeste and Lindsey, Hailey and Felicity, Katie and Shelby, Jasmine and Hannah.”

“Ugh.” I hear Jasmine groan loudly, making everyone look at her. “Seriously, Micah? You’re going to pair me with her? I don’t even want to touch her. Who knows how many diseases that whore has.” She sneers and Micah growls loudly, surprising everyone since that’s something he would normally laugh at.

“Shut up, Jasmine.” He says harshly.

“Just give me a new partner and I will.” She says with a shrug and Micah stalks over to her.

“No. You will spar with Hannah and you will be respectful.” He says lowly, which I know means he’s dangerous, but the idiot girl doesn’t seem to notice.

“Respectful? Of that bitch? Since when?” Jasmine scoffs as Micah begins to shift, confusing everyone. He takes a few deep breaths and is able to sheath his claws.

“Go, Jasmine.” Micah says and Jasmine looks at him confused.

“Go where?” She asks.

“To the packhouse. You’re on kitchen duty for the rest of the week.” Jasmine squeaks in indignation and everyone’s mouths gape.

“What? You’re giving me kitchen duty over something I said about that fucking whore?” Jasmine spits and Micah reaches out to grab her around the throat.

“That’s funny, Jasmine. You’re calling her a whore? How many men have you slept with in the last month?” Micah asks and Jasmine smirks at him.

“Including you?” She asks sweetly and Micah snarls before stealing a glance at me, confirming what she said is true. I suddenly feel sick to my stomach.

“Two weeks of kitchen duty. I’m one step from banishing you from this pack. Watch yourself.” Micah says, shoving Jasmine towards the packhouse. Jasmine scrambles to her feet and snarls at Micah, causing shocked gasps around the pack. Such an outward display of disrespect to a future Alpha is rare and comes with consequences.

“I’m the strongest she wolf in this pack and you’re going to reduce me to kitchen duty or banishment? Because I said some things about a useless piece of shit like Hannah? Fuck you, Micah.” She spits. Micah doesn’t say anything for a moment, just walks up to her slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. The fire in her eyes falters, obviously not expecting his reaction. When he speaks it’s low and dangerous, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“If you say one more disrespectful thing about my mate and your future Luna, banishment will be the least of your worries.”