I don't know why I phrased it like that. That's not how it sounded in my head.

His eyes, that held concern within those honey orbs, turned completely black as he pulled his hand away from me like I burned him.

"You need to lie down, you look exhausted." he growled out at me.

Sexy Alpha slips one arm under my knees and the other around my back and lifts me as easy as lifting bread. I stare at my hands, unsure where else I should look.

Look at our mate

Rose, you're going with this too? What about Jackson?

I don't know, the sparks and the smell. I can feel his wolf too..

I can feel her retreating to the back of my mind. It unsettles me that she seems confused as well. Isn't she the one who is supposed to know our mate?

I can hear the mumble of Sexy Alpha and Gage talking but I cannot figure out what the words are.

I need to get home. Everything is a mess and it all started when I got the locket.

For a moment, I panic. Can they see the locket, is that why he said I'm his mate?

I looked down and see that the locket is resting underneath the shirt. They can't see it.

Suddenly, I feel a very soft surface under me. When did we enter a room, his room to be exact?

His scent is all over this room and it is overwhelming.

I glance around while he walks into the hallway to talk to Gage. It's a nice room.

The bed im sitting on is a king size with deep red and white comforter and white sheets. There is a large t.v mounted on the wall across from the bed, with a couch in front of it.

The walls are an off white color and hold some hand made paintings of wolves and trees. Is he an artist?

The window or should I say door, is what catches my attention though. It is floor to ceiling glass that slides open onto the cornered balcony I saw from outside.

"Here, I asked Gage's mate, Sarah, to let you borrow a pair of sweats." Sexy Alpha hands me a pair of light pink sweat pants that say love down the left leg.

"Thank you." I'm not sure if I said that out loud or not.

I think I did.

He stares at me for a full minute, before running his hand through his hair.

"Why don't you take a nap and we will talk about everything later?" I nod absently as I stare out the window.

He walks over and pulls on a piece of black fabric that I didn't see hanging there. He pulls it past the glass door, causing the room to darken enough that I could sleep peacefully.

I watch him cross the room but I am quick to ask one more question.

"What time is it?" he looks down at the watch on his wrist.

"Almost 11 a.m." he shuts the door with a small smile.

I still can't believe what is happening. First they try to tell me I ran to a pack that is over twelve hours away and now the alpha thinks I am his mate?

I slip the sweats on and lay down on top of the comforter. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I'm out.

*

When my eyes flutter open it is dark in the room, but he did have that shade thing.

Why does he not have an alarm clock or anything that tells the time?

I stand up and stretch my sore muscles. I make my way into the bathroom and avoid the mirror at all costs.

I am really jealous of this bathroom. A Jacuzzi tub (that could easily fit at least 4) sits next to a glass door shower.

The double sink has a beautiful light granite counter that matches the floor.

When I finish my business, I wash my face and comb through my hair with my fingers. I don't have a rubber band, so I use a pen that I found on the night stand to pin my hair up.

What do I do now?

I don't know what time it is and I am technically considered a rogue still. So I can't very well just walk into the kitchen and get some food.

Can I?

I take a deep breath and am caught off guard with the fresh apple smell.

It's different then smelling his room. This time he is close. I glance around the room, but I am alone.

I make my way to the door, maybe he is coming here?

I nearly scream when I open the door and sexy Alpha falls into the room.

He is on the ground, and it looks like he was leaning against the door, asleep.

"I'm sorry, I thought you'd be hungry but didn't want to wake you." he stands, dusting himself off.

He steps outside and picks something off the ground. He walks back in with plate covered in foil.

"Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Its what was made for dinner." he smiles sheepishly and rubs the back of his neck.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for sleeping in your room so long."

"Don't be sorry, you were exhausted." he closes the door and gestures to the couch.

"If you aren't too tired, I was hoping we could talk while you eat?" he hands me the plate and stands in by the arm of the couch.

Well this is awkward and we haven't even started talking yet. I grab the fork on the plate and begin eating the delicious food he brought me.

"Okay, well first things, my name is Aspen, not Rogue, in case you were wondering." I groan internally, now really isn't the time for a joke.

"Aspen" his face lit up when he said my name and it felt like a tingle rolled up my spine.

It wasn't unpleasant.

"My name is Reed Kennedy. Alpha of the Shadow Wolves pack." Pride practically dripping off his every word.

He has a right to be proud though. Shadow Wolves is one of the strongest packs in the country.

Being the Alpha heir comes with certain responsibilities and lessons. I had to learn all the packs and their Alphas, Werewolf bylaws, how to be a just ruler and so on.

I also had to learn to chose my words carefully and to be polite.

So why the hell do I keep blurting out my next sentence!

"I can't be your mate." I swallow my bite of meatloaf and set the rest onto the cushion next to me.

"Is this you rejecting me then?!" His voice a growl as he balls his hands in fists at his side.

I shake my head.

"No. I can't reject what isn't mine. I've already found my mate." the words feel like salt in my mouth, but they need to be said

"WHAT?!?!" he began to shake violently.

I'm not going to lie, I'm a little terrified right now. His knuckles are turning white and his eyes are the blackest I have ever seen anyone's eyes get.

I jump when the door is thrown open and Gage runs in with a couple other guys.

Sensing his wolf and my terror, Gage slowly moves towards me. He reaches his hand out but both of us jump again when Reed growls loudly.

"MINE!"

"Of course Alpha. She is just scared and it looks like your wolf is in control. You don't want to hurt your mate" Gage has his head bowed in respect and keeps his hands up in surrender.

"I would never hurt MY mate." Reed snapped at Gage, but his shaking was calming down.

"I would never hurt you." His eyes switch back to honey and hold mine.

I can feel him begging me to believe him.

Honestly, I don't know what or who to believe. This is a mess.