Micah

Walking away from Hannah was one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. Even for a few hours, it felt like a form of torture. My wolf was constantly craving her. Her smell, her smile even her snarky attitude is endearing in a way. But I know she’s right. She needs some time to adjust to things. Logically, I know if I push her too hard, she’ll only push back harder. But damn it’s hard. She’s so independent, I’ve never seen a wolf that enjoys being alone so much.

And I hate how that is mostly my fault.

If I hadn’t been such a jerk, ostracizing her from the pack, maybe she’d be more social, have more friends. Well, friends that aren’t like Jasmine. That girl is a fucking cancer. Maybe I should pay her a little visit to, as Hannah said, remind her who’s boss.

I bound up the stairs to the packhouse towards her room. Most unmated wolves move into the packhouse after they graduated high school. I never really thought about why Hannah didn’t, but after the way I saw the other girls treat her, it makes sense. She probably feels more comfortable at home with her parents. I wonder if I can talk her into moving into the room next to mine. Whoever is in there now can move.

I come up to Jasmine’s door and pound on it until she answers. Her eyes are red and puffy like she’s been crying, but they go wide with fear and confusion. I glance down at her neck and see bruises from Hannah’s arm. My wolf puffs in pride at how strong his mate is.

Lovesick pup.

Jasmine notices my straying eyes and must take that for something it isn’t, because she gives me one of those flirty smiles I used to fall for so easily.

Now they make me sick.

This girl would sleep with anyone, especially a higher ranked wolf, if it gave her any kind of advantage. Not my Hannah, that girl waited for me. Well, not for me exactly, but she waited nonetheless. Just another reminder I’m not worth the dirt on her shoe. Is this how I made her feel all of those years?

God I’m such an asshole.

“Finally come to your senses, Micah?” Jasmine purrs as she reaches out and runs her hand down my chest. I scoff and push it away, making her shoulders fall.

“Yeah. I did. Which is why I’m here to warn you. Stay away from Hannah. Be respectful. The only reason I’m not kicking you out of this pack for attacking her is because your birthday is in a few weeks. You’ll either find your mate and settle your ass down, or you’ll leave and never come back. Those are your options. Try anything else, you will become rogue. Then no mate would want you. You understand?” I ask harshly and she nods, looking terrified.

I let a little of my aura out. It’s not as strong as my father’s yet, but strong enough to let her know I’m serious. When I’m confident she has soaked in my message, I nod and turn to head up to my room. I enter and strip, throwing the shirt that Jasmine touched straight into the garbage. She stinks and the last thing I need is Hannah smelling her on me. Knowing that girl she’d try to reject me again.

I decide to hit the gym and work out a little, hoping the burn in my muscles will distract me from the ache of missing my mate. I don't know how anyone gets anything done if being away from them is this fucking distracting. Walking into the gym, I see Chris and Dustin working out. They stop when they see me and come running up to me like they're lost puppies who finally found their way home.

"Hey Micah where you been?" Chris asks, out of breath from his exercise. I shrug and walk up to the punching bag.

"With Hannah. Trying to get her to accept me." I say with no hint of embarrassment. Both guys laugh as if I've just told a hilarious joke.

"No seriously, man. What have you been doing?" Dustin asks and my hackles instantly raise. I can feel my wolf on edge, ready to show his teeth and defend his mate.

"I've been doing exactly what I said I've been doing." I say through gritted teeth and both guys look at me confused.

"Why are you trying so hard to get her to like you? We all thought you'd reject her. Why would you want a slut for a mate?" Chris asks and I snarl at him.

"Call her that one more time. See what happens." I seethe and I know my eyes are flashing black. They both look surprised by my reaction.

"Dude, we're just looking out for the pack. We wouldn't want a Luna who sleeps with everyone." Dustin tries to reason and I feel a shift coming on.

"Hannah has never slept with anyone. Ever." I say pointedly and they both look at me confused again.

"Then why have you been calling her a whore for years?" Chris asks and I take a few deep breaths.

"Because I'm an asshole." I say and they both frown.

"Either way, the girl is weird. You would be lucky if she rejected you." Dustin says and I can't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Chris asks and I go back to punching the bag.

"She did reject me." I admit. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell people, but let them know their Luna is strong. That she doesn't take shit, even from her own mate. "Now I'm trying to get her to forgive me." I say and they both shake their heads.

"You're crazy. The pack will never accept her." Chris says and I snarl.

"They will. Or they can fucking leave. That girl is strong and intelligent. She fucked Jasmine up less than an hour ago." Both guys gape at me and I nod.

"Don't believe me? Go to her room right now. The bruises along her neck are from my mate. I had to stop Hannah from killing her. Wasn't even a close fight." I find myself bragging like some soccer mom and they both turn and leave, I'm guessing to check the validity of my claim. Let them. I don't give a fuck. When they see what Hannah is capable of maybe they will learn to show some god damn respect.

All of the wolves that have known us since we were kids have been a problem. They still look at me as that fun loving, trouble making kid they knew ten years ago, not as the soon to be leader of their pack. I decide I need to do something, come up with a way to exert my dominance over them. I ponder this as I work up a sweat, watching the clock trying to decide what a respectable time to show up at Hannah's house and beg her to let me sleep on her floor would be. She was right when she was shocked by my behavior yesterday. I never thought a mate would make me act so... needy. Of course I didn't expect it to be Hannah. The one girl I always crushed on. From afar at least. My mind wanders to my memories of her and I grimace when I realize how right she was. I was cruel. Unnecessarily so. And immature. I need to grow up, start taking pack business seriously. My dad is going to want to hand over the reins eventually and I need to be ready for that.

I shower and head to Hannah's around dinner time, hoping that they'll feed me even if they don't like me. I knock on the door and her dad answers. He gives me a firm look and I know he hates me. I don't blame him.

"Evening Mr. Quaid." I say wearily, not sure what to expect. He cocks a fist and punches me in the jaw. I stagger back, shocked by the impact as pain laces itself through my face. I wince, but stand up straight to face him. He moves to the side and motions me into the house.

"Hannah's in the kitchen." He says and I nod.

"Thank you, sir." I respond. Hopefully he can't hold a grudge as well as Hannah.

That punch fucking hurt.

I hear Hannah's sweet voice as she chats with her mom, but as soon as she sees me she narrows her eyes at me.

"I said tonight. Bed time, Micah." I can't stop the shiver that racks through me when she uses my name. It sounds incredible and I want to hear her say it over and over again. I shrug and give her a sheepish smile.

"It's chili night at the packhouse. I was hoping you'd take mercy on me." I say with a shrug and her mom giggles.

"Regardless of how we feel about you, no poor soul should be subjected to chili night at the packhouse. Get a plate from the cabinet." She says pointing out the right one to me.

"Mom!" Hannah exclaims in indignation.

"I'm really doing this for you, baby. He's sleeping in your room. I doubt you want to breathe in the toxic fumes that chili creates all night." She says with a laugh and Hannah scrunches her nose making me smile.

"Ew." She mutters. "I suppose not."