I was in what felt like the hundredth round of the championship fight against my eyelids staying open. The energy drinks and my back killing me has helped me get this far but I wasn't sure if I was going to make it another four hours when my shift ended.

Five years ago an all-nighter as we called it was nothing. Somewhere between my teenage years and now my skills abandoned me. Of course they could've just been bored reading instead of partying but hey, I needed to be responsible... actually I need to know who claimed me!

I rubbed my back as it flared up from mopping when the bell from the door rang letting me know someone entered. Glancing outside I saw Ashley's bike parked in front. I must really be out of it.

I turned around to see her leaning against the counter in a James Dean pose with her legs crossed at the ankles and her arms just below her breasts watching me with a smirk on her face. She really thought she was something special.

"Can I help you? I asked turning my whole body rather than just my waist to face her with a raised eyebrow.

"I just came to get some beer, I can wait till the floor is dry." Her smirk growing to a full smile.

"There are other aisles. They're not all wet."

She nodded then pushed herself from the counter. "Thanks for the tip." I watched her as she made three trips back and forth. She must be buying out the Moose Drool I thought to myself when I heard the bell sound again.

"What the fuck did you do?!

Jake barged in looking like he was about to explode. His veins were popping out around his neck and his jaw was tight causing me to back up from him dropping the mop.

"I didn't do anything. I was just attacked by a wolf and the police came to check on me. That's it."

He grabbed me by the right bicep yanking my forward towards him causing me to cry out from the bolt of pain that shot through my back at the sudden movement. "Bullshit! Don't you fucking lie to -

"Jake was knocked back into the canned soups causing him to break his hold on me. Ashley gently held me by the shoulders as she growled at Jake with a look as if she wanted to kill him then and there.

"I thought you were a fucking pathetic piece of shit before, but now there isn't any doubt. Don't you ever let me see you try hitting another hum- a girl ever again! You want to try that shit, you try it with me!"

"I was so shaken up I couldn't hardly process what all happened. I couldn't believe Ashley had knocked Jake down the way she did. He was a werewolf right? Wait? She growled so was she also one too? And how did they know each other?

I expected Jake to do something when he got up but he didn't only glared at me with more hatred than before which didn't seem possible. Thing was I didn't even know why he was so upset with me. What brought all this on?

"Is she the reason you told the Council about me you freak? You trying to embarrass me with my pack? With my wife? Don't think for one second I'm going to allow that!" He spat at me before glaring at Ashley "The territory I get, but Crystal?" He sneered at me "...You think she'll be as accepting as me? Don't hold your breath."

I broke down crying unable to understand where all this was coming from. How could he think I did this? I didn't ask for any of this to happen.

Ashley was great as she kept rubbing my back the whole time only leaving it briefly. I found out later she had locked the front door and flipped the sign over.

Pulling away from her I wiped the tears with my sleeve as I walked over and grabbed a pack of cigarettes. "Did you do this?" I asked her as I lit it. I had quit smoking two years ago, the reunion with my lungs sent me into coughing fit. I did quickly get it under control taking another drag. Welcome back! I didn't give a fuck if I got fired.

"Do what?" Ashley looked genuinely unsure of what I was talking about but I wasn't buying it. It actually pissed me off that she would play stupid with me. "DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DONT KNOW, JUST TELL ME!" I screamed.

Ashley stood up from cleaning up the aisle her lips pressed. "I don't. Why don't you tell me what it is you think I've done."

Ashley didn't seem like the kind of person who handled being yelled out well but she did seem to be trying. I just wasn't in the mood to care. There was no doubt in my mind she was the one who did this. She jumped me and got the council involved in mine and Jake's life and now he hates me.

I took another drag studying her. This time the the urge to cough wasn't there only a rough scraping at the back of my throat that I actually welcomed at the moment.

"Beating the shit out and scaring me to death last night before claiming me with The Council." Putting the emphasis on claiming "Not the best pick up line. Well you can forget it, person or werewolf is going to claim me."

I tried reading her as she contemplated what I said. Finally she walked over to the front of the counter and leaned forward towards me with her hands supporting her weight. "I don't assault humans and I sure as shit wouldn't claim one without permission. If you really think I would do something like that..." She didn't finish but simply walked away leaving me to cry alone.