I sit quietly in the passenger seat as the world flashes by my window. I feel like I diminish the value of this car just by sitting in it.

After driving through the familiar bending roads of my childhood I see my old home in sight and my heart leaps with excitement.

"Stay put." Hunter orders.

He walks over to my door and opens it. He then takes my hand and helps me out of the car before going for my bag. I'm confused when he turns around with two suitcases, I only packed one.

"I guess I didn't make myself clear. I'm staying with you. You are my mate after all."

"I'll be fine here on my own. The psycho won't be able to get to me here and you have things you need to do back at home." I say, staring into his deep blue eyes.

"I told Aiden to take charge in my absence."

Oh. So he is serious about staying here with me. Why does hearing this make my heart soar? We walk to the front door and I try my best to contain my excitement. But my excitement quickly disappears when I see the familiar face of Vanessa glaring at me with her cold eyes. I knew I would see her here however I didn't expect her to be the first face I would see.

"Oh, long time no see my dear sweet sister in-law." She grins mockingly and Hunter looks between me and her confusingly.

I mask my anger with my own innocent smile. "Vanessa, it is so great to see you again. I'm so glad that black eye has cleared up. How did you get it again?" I counter and Vanessa's grin drops to an angry scowl.

Hunter must notice the hostel charge in the air because just as Vanessa is about to respond he clears his throat.

"I'm Hunter, Roxie's mate. It's nice to meet you."

"Is my brother here?" I ask.

"Miss me already?" Alex calls out from behind Vanessa and I push past her to leap into his arms. I can't believe how much I've missed my brother, it is taking everything within me not to cry. "Hey what's wrong."

"Nothing, I just missed everyone so badly." I snap myself out of it.

"If you say so, mom and dad are in the greenhouse." Alex tells me and I smile. As if I expected them to be anywhere else. They love the greenhouse, that is one of the things my parents always bonded over. Then Alex meets Hunter's gaze and you could feel the noticeable change in the air, like a menacing charge swirling around them.

"I'm Alex, Roxie's older brother." Alex pastes on a fake smile and holds his hand out to Hunter as his eyes show traces of malice. I instinctually take a gulp and brace for the worst.

Hunter, seemingly unfazed, grips Alex's hand in a firm handshake. "I'm Hunter, Roxie's mate."

"Um, guys?" I interrupted. The two of them look at me and the environment temporarily turns less hostile.

We walk to the greenhouse and I wrap my arms around my parents.

"How is the Blood Moon Pack treating you? Are you being taken care of? Has Hunter hurt you at all?" My mother bombards me with questions and I'm uncomfortable knowing that Hunter is right behind me, hearing this.

"Everything is great. I am settling in just fine. I've never been happier."

That night we sit around the table for an uncomfortable dinner. Hunter and my parents and brother were exchanging hostile glares and Vanessa was staring at me, or at least at my neck. The corner of her lips curl up in an eerie smile. What the hell is her problem?

"So Hunter, how is your pack warming up to my daughter?" My father breaks the silence and I feel a cold sweat run down my back.

Suddenly I feel a warmth spread through my hand, followed by an electric charge. Hunter was holding my hand and as if they have a mind of their own, my fingers intertwine with his. "Everyone is warming up to her." Hunter replies without missing a beat.

Slowly prying my hand from Hunter's, I stand up. "Let me clear the plates." I offer, truthfully I just want to get away from this awkward dinner.

"I'll help." Vanessa smiles cheerfully and I feel bile rise in my throat.

Vanessa follows me into the kitchen, clutching her set of dishes. I turn on the water in the sink and begin washing the dishes, distancing myself from the dicey situation in the other room but I am quickly snapped back into reality by Vanessa.

"I can't help but notice Hunter hasn't marked you yet. Could it be that he doesn't care for you as a mate but more of a play thing? After all, he is a known playboy and womanizer. He is even called the Blood Moon Bad Boy." She states, holding her hands on her hips. I grip onto the plates with shaking hands, holding back my tears.

"I guess you don't mean anything to him." Vanessa's last insult breaks me down and I snap. I drop the dishes, which shatter as they hit the ground, and lunge at her. My hand turns into a fist and my heart is racing. I am about to punch her when I feel someone's hand grasp my wrist. I feel the familiar waves of energy and I know it is Hunter. Why is he stopping me.

"For your information Vanessa, I've been waiting for the right moment. But if you want I could mark her here and now." Hunter pulls me closer to him and growls but Vanessa simply tosses her hair and walks away. Hunter then turns to me. "Mind showing me your room?"

"Why?"

"I want to see where my mate grew up, I want to learn more about her." Hunter brushes his fingers along my jaw. Why does hearing him call me his mate make me feel so happy and sad at the same time?