Sorry for the long update, but here it is! I even made it my longest chapter yet because you had to wait. It's about twice as long as my others. I hope you enjoy it

-A.L.

"I didn't say that! C'mon, Nancy, how else you explain this? I'm not saying I agree with what Jake has done and I sure as hell don't like him much, but the guy must be feeling up against the wall. Having his wife dump him for his mistress-"

"I DIDN'T CHOOSE CRYSTAL FOR HIM TO CHEAT ON ME WITH! I JUST MADE IT CLEAR HE WASN'T GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO SO. AFTER EVERYTHING I'VE TOLD YOU AND WE'VE SHARED TOGETHER, YOU WOULD ACTUALLY SUGGEST I LET HIM HAVE HER, HAVE MY MATE?!

She yelled making me quickly realize my mistake. Fuck! I just killed, Jason! I really didn't think she'd go off very much out here in front of everyone. I quickly reached out to grab her but it was too late. My fingers just made contact with her right shoulder when she charged forward hitting Jason so hard my slap seemed like a pat on the his back. Jason's head swung to the side so fast I could've sworn it would come clean off. The next thing I knew he was on the ground blood gushing out of the edge of his mouth and rage in his eyes. It was there only for a moment before widening in shock. Clearly, he didn't expect this reaction from her.

Nancy hovered over him as if daring him to try something which to his credit, he didn't. He quickly scooted a foot or so back away from her.

"This is how it is? After everything I've done for you, this is the thanks I get?Who was the one who you came to when you two was fighting all the time and he was gone all the time huh? Me! Or what about that thing with, Nick? Me! Who's the one that's been trying to get you to finally challenge Jake instead of just complaining about everything? Yeah, me again! I'm the one who told you about them because I thought we could finally get what's owed to us, not for you to get sucked into her game. I've always been the one who's stood by you. I deserve more than this Nancy! Since the night I told you, it's like I don't even know you anymore.

He told Nancy about us? It all made sense now. This prick was no different than Jake. Well he can go fuck himself because I wasn't going to let him get his way.

"The only thing you deserve, Jason is your last paycheck. What, you figured you'd take Jakes place? Let me tell you something, you can just forget it! It's not going to happen.

The side of his face was starting to swell up. Looking around at the crowd that gathered I was sure someone must have called the police.

"Let's go Nancy before the police arrive. I really don't want to deal with them."

My blood was still boiling yet the last thing we needed was for the police to get involved. How the hell would I explain all this? It would be a disaster and I'm sure it would end up with me being locked in a straightjacket.

I grabbed onto her arm trying to lead her away before she did anything else. She resisted at first but I pulled her harder and this time she cooperated.

"She can't give you what you want so you're wasting your time. You gotta see that what she's after, Nancy! It's the same thing as all the other humans want who come into the bar every night. With everything going on you have a great opportunity to get what we deserve. I want that for you.

He said tossing gas on the fire as he got to his feet. This son of a bitch didn't know when to quit! I was starting to think I was the only one not using Nancy for something. I hadn't even thought about her biting me and honestly, I didn't want her to if it meant what I think it did. For him to say that just told me that there was no reasoning with even if I wanted. I really don't anymore.

"Go to hell, Jason! We're done with you."

Once inside Nancy's truck and my adrenaline started to die off my side ribs started hurting again. She must of noticed me wince despite my attempt to cover it up

"We're almost at the pharmacy." She said sounding a million miles away without taking her eyes off the road. I tried to pick up on her emotions but it was a no-go and her emotionless facial features wasn't giving up any details either.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you." I said lighting up another cigarette. I really need to quit again as I'm doing it way too much. "I had a really bad experience at that hospital so I hadn't been back to change my records. Last night, you finding out about me, my old name, and Jason knowing-"

"I wouldn't do that! And I certainly don't give a shit if you were once called Luke, or Mary Magdalene for that matter" she said defensively her knuckles turning white on the steering wheel.

"We all have our past. I know, I could of handled it better when I found out. Sure some of it was because of it but it really was more about Jake than you. I felt so fucking stupid thinking what I did about me and him and of you.

"You sure? It can be a lot to deal with if-

"Not for me, it's not. I'm not even fuckin human and you're still here.

"I really didn't think I had a choice, Nancy." I said under my breath thinking back in the whole 'claiming thing' again.

"You don't. But that's not the point." She gave me a dark smirk and I couldn't help but giggle in spite of it. She really was like a roller coaster and it was always one hell of a ride.

"The point is I don't give a shit about who or what you use to be, only what you are now. Don't ever think otherwise again or I will kick your ass."

She seemed unreal. I've never met anyone like her who could be such a hardass then turn around and be the sweetest person I've ever met.

"I'm sorry for going mental the way I did when I woke up. It's just I'm really defensive about that stuff and all of a sudden it's all out in the open. I-I just sorta freaked out."

Her grip loosened but she was still unreadable making me hesitant about proceeding but there was something bothering me and I needed to know.

"...but he said you did tell him things. Was there ever anything between you two? He's hated me since he first saw me and I wasn't sure why. How he knew about me and Jake, I have no idea unless he stalks him or something. That explains some of it but he seemed like there was more. I want the truth."

She tensed up again. Her grip tightening on the wheel and her stone stare straight ahead started cracking as her lips pressed in a tight line. She wasn't answering but this time her silence betrayed her and jealousy burned through me.

"What the fuck, Nancy?!"

"No!" She she practically yelled facing me and almost running into the car in the next lane. The loud sound of the horn stating the driver wasn't pleased. Join the club, pal!

"I knew he was interested but unlike, Jake I'm not a cheater no matter how fucked up our relationship was. Jason knows that. He wanted me to end things with, Jake but it's not that easy! I don't have his money or his family's money I should say. The houses and most everything is his. The bar is the only thing that has my name in it with his but I'm not sure I'd even be able to keep it. That's the only reason i let Jason talk me into going to your trailer that night. I've known about the other women for awhile and always tried to not think about it but you was the only one he was seeing for any length of time. I just knew he was going to leave me for you, keep everything, and I'd be left with nothing. It was the only thing I could think of to do and if he benefited from it as well, he'd earned it. How the hell was either of us to know you'd turn out to be my mate. Now everything is going to shit anyways."

Her voice broke up towards the end as she turned the drivers side window to hide. She didn't deserve to be treated like this and I hated Jason and Jake even more for it.

"Hey... it's going to be okay." I said as my hand found it's way to her thigh. Her leg muscles twitched and she slowly turned her head back towards me. "You need to fire, Jason."

"I can't do-"

I held up my index finger in my free hand silencing her.

"You freaked out when that asshole hitter on me and Jason has not only gutted on you, I don't even wanna know how many times, but he's been using you this whole damn time. If that isn't enough justification for it, trying to kill me sure is. I believe in second chances Nancy but this is well past that."

I paused before continuing sorta expecting her to try objecting again. Instead she nodded in agreement. "But Jake-"

"Jake, I'm not sure about just yet but Joann deals with real estate. Maybe she knows something you can do - I don't know.

After getting my meds from Rite-Aid Nancy drove us up to a restaurant called The Sawdust Grill near the city limits. I really wasn't hungry but I knew Nancy would throw a fit if I objected. I could tell she was still irate over Jason and thinking about our talk as she kept grabbing for her phone in her back pocket then changing her mind.

As soon as we got out of her truck she grabbed my hand and led me inside where she was even more possessive. Most of the time it's embarrassing and irritating to deal but I was glad to see her back to her Alpha self. My head was completely silent with any objections and instead I found myself enjoying it. It made me not only feel safe, but loved. A terrorist group could show up with automatic weapons and the only thing I'd be worried about is their safety, not mine.

Her hand went from my hand to the small of my back letting the waiter and everyone know who I belonged to and it was impossible for me to remove the smug look on my face as he took us to our table.

This place was neat. I tried to stay away from places that seemed conservative so I'd never of came here on my own. It was decorated like an old barn even on the outside with it faded red paint. Inside was no different. From the wooden benches that looked like they came from a park to the old rusty wagon wheels that hung on the wall. They even had shovels and raked in similar conditions in various corners that completed the look. It certainly got my vote of approval.

"No sawdust?" I asked the waiter know he's probably gets asked that dozens of times a day as I took my seat opposite of Nancy. He smiled "It's put down every weekend at nine when we have dancing. Tonight we have the band Mountain High from Montana coming in. They're really good." He said handing us our menus.

"Is there anything I can get for you two ladies while you decide?" He asked us. I just went with a Pepsi while Nancy ordered a beer.

"Sooo... where's JoAnn? Is she someplace safe?"

Nancy asked glancing over the menu. The tone of her voice made me think she knew but I wasn't really sure how. I didn't think Linnea would of told her judging by how upset she was about her being with Ashley. It wasn't like I was thrilled with it either but what the hell was i to do? She a grown woman who makes her own choices.

"A bolt of pain ran through me as I took in a deep breath from the question I was hoping to avoid. My instincts was to brush it off but I decided to just tell her the truth.

She was silent as I explained what happened even coming clean about having been at Ashley's earlier. After what happened earlier I didn't want anymore secrets between us.

She leaned back in her seat and folded her arms. I could tell she was upset but she seemed to be handling it better than other times.

I know I screwed up. Linnea gave me the speech this morning but I wasn't sure what to do and I couldn't force my sister to come. Plus who knows what Linnea's into."

This caught Nancy off guard as she leaned forward. "What do you mean? I thought you liked her."

"I do" I assured her. She was really the only one who didn't seem to be trying to use Nancy and had been supportive of us.

"It's just Greg seemed to be awfully worried about the police and then she said something about making sure he was alright earlier. It was the way she said it that got me. I think she might be into something illegal and I'm not sure I want to know what.

"Nancy smiled shaking her head. "Your little imagination been running wild, I bet. It's not what you think so you can relax. He's worried about the police because she's overstayed her welcome in this country and he's worried she'll get deported is all. As for him being alright..." she took a deep drink of her beer and seemed to be debating if she should say anything or not. I was glad she decided to trust me.

"He's got Parkinson disease." I went numb hearing this and felt terrible for thinking the worse. Poor Linnea must be going crazy

"Greg's not an outdoorsman but I guess he wanted to do a hike while he could and that's how they met. From what she's told me the medication is still keeping it mostly in check but he's just advanced to stage two I think she said where the medication isn't lasting as long as it once did. The last couple hours between doses can be fairly bad. I suspect that's why she really wanted to go last night. Not for her, but for him. She looking for an Alpha who will turn him."

"Would that heal him or something?"

"Yes. But we're not known for taking in strays, so to speak. We might make an exception here or there for one, but two is really rare. About the only ones who might be willing of doing that are packs in a war and desperate for members. If they're desperate that means they're losing and all Linnea be doing is sending him to a fast death. Did you notice how scrawny he is? I like the guy but I'm guessing he wouldn't last long even with most of the rejected losers that shows up at the bar. Linnea in a really tough spot. She's trying to stay strong but I know it's getting to her."

"Can't you do it?"

She shook her head slowly with a deep frown. "Not without getting in a whole lot of trouble. If Jake would add them, I could but he never would. It's probably for the best as them taking orders from Jake I wouldn't wish on anyone and Ashley wouldn't even hesitate now that she's made a move. Linnea's in a tough spot."

The waiter returned with our food before I could question Nancy some more.

"She's going to need another beer and... " I held up my finger for emphasis getting a raised brow from Nancy "What I really want, is a margarita. Don't be shy with the tequila. It gets depressed easily when neglected and doesn't feel important... It needs love...Let's give it some, okay?"

I told him as I stole her beer taking a large drink before she could say anything. My head had decided to join my ribs in misery.

The waiter chuckled while covering his smile with his hand "yes ma'am. I'll be right back with it."

Nancy has ordered a huge eleven ounce steak that left me wondering where she could put it along with the mashed potatoes and rolls. She caught me watching her

"Just wait until I take you hunting."

She smirked to me. I rolled my eyes as I took in the smell of my country fried steak that smelled delicious. My stomach instantly changed its mind about being hungry. My trip out to a restaurant was usually just something off the dollar menu.

Every now and again I'd feel Nancy's eyes on me but when I'd look up she'd redirect her gaze to her plate.

"I'm going to bite you tonight. It's soon but if I'm going to take on Jake for the pack it's only going to get worse. After what that son of a bitch did I'm not taking anymore chances. It will be far better if you have my mark when I challenge him."

She said it so casually like she was describing Linnea ordering the wrong drinks. I couldn't swallow so I finally ended up just spitting my bite of chicken into a napkin. Super gross but...

"Wh-what?" I stuttered like an idiot looking around to see if anyone was nearby to hear. I was only mildly relieved to see we were still mostly to ourselves as the closest customers to us was a couple booths away. I wasn't sure how to handle this even though I knew it would probably come up sooner or later, I was really hoping on later.

"Ummm... I thought you said you couldn't." I found myself saying trying to figure out how I was going to tell her I didn't want her too without her getting upset.

Her brown eyes looked up from her plate

"You're my mate so it doesn't count. It's just anyone else.

"But Greg's Linnea's, what's the difference?" The injustice pissing me off.

"We're allowed to turn our own mates, if we can. It sucks for the lesser ones, but that's the rules, Crystal. I didn't make them."

She went back to eating shoveling a large bite of potatoes in her mouth yet I couldn't eat another bite. This was way too fast and I wasn't ready for it. The room was spinning and I felt the chicken threatening to come back up.

"I don't fuckin' believe you! After everything that's happened, you're rejecting me? WHAT WAS THAT SHIT THEN?"

"What? No! Nancy, you not understanding."

I said after her but she didn't respond. She had ignored me before but this was a first for her to walk away like this and it was killing me. She might as well ripped the heart from my chest.

"Nancy, wait!" I called after her again but she only started walking faster to the front of the restaurant. "I need to pay for the fuckin food! She snarled without looking back.

My side and chest was hurting as my body started taking large breaths as it went into full panic mode. I did my best to ignore it but it was making it difficult to catch her as I saw her toss someone some money and head to the door without stopping.

"NANCY!" I called for the third time looking around once I got outside. I lit up a cigarette as I tried to find her. Her truck was still here and there was people all over so she couldn't of shifted and ran off. Maybe she ran in human form my mind spoke up. Shut the hell up, Crystal!

My side was on fire as I forced myself to hurry around back of the building and the cigarette probably wasn't helping either. Still, it was the only thing keeping me together at the moment. Turning the corner i saw her pacing near the dumpstersas if she was going to explode any moment.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?! FOR FUCK SAKES, NANCY IF I CAN READ YOU, YOU MOST CERTAINLY SHOULD BE ABLE WITH ME. HAVE YOU FAILED TO PICK UP ON THE FACT THAT I'M CRAZY ABOUT YOU? I COULDNT REJECT YOU IF MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!"

I ran my hands through my hair as I noticed several people staring at us. Right now, I really didn't give a shit. I took another drag of my cigarette trying to not only get myself to calm down but also figure out how to say what I felt. Not something I've ever been very good at.

"I've never met anyone more irritating than you! You come on strong at the bar then turn around and ignore me then damn near kill some girl looking to impress her alpha.

"He wasn't an Alpha-

"Whatever! That's not the point! Just last night with Linnea because I didn't want to get in to the damn truck -"

"She needed to mind her damn business! I don't go around telling her how to handle her mate though I'd very much like-"

"I get it!" I took a broken deep breath as the pain was getting worse as whatever the doctors have me had worn off. I tried my best not to let it show as i wanted to finish this conversation."

"I'm not upset by it, it's just I never know where your head is at. I was sure after finding out you'd want nothing more to do with me-

"I already told you I don't care. Jake has always came across as homophobic... well... um, you know... Shit!"