Little red flags immediately went up in my mind. He just learned of the locket and is already trying to mate with me? I pushed Rose back and took control.

"Excuse me?" I say, pulling my hand from his tingly grasp.

"What?" Reed asks confused.

"Don't I get a say in when we mate?"

"That's my girl." my dad says proudly.

My cheeks flame when I realize that we aren't alone but in the office still. I shift awkwardly, avoiding everyone gaze. I can feel Reed's stare burning a hole in the side of my face.

"Gage, why don't we help you with your research?" My mom says, pushing everyone out the door.

"Use protection, I don't want to be an Uncle yet." Gage whispers just loud enough for us to hear as he walks by.

I glare angrily after him.

Karma's a bitch, Gage. I think and Rose laughs in agreement.

"What was that?" Reed asks pulling me out of my thoughts.

"You tell me?"

Reed looks at me like I have grown three heads. I stand in front of him with my arms crossed over my chest and eyebrows raised. Every time he reaches for me, I move away and give him my best glare.

It really shouldn't be this hard to figure out that I am mad. What do I need to make a sign that says 'Hey, I am mad at you' ?

"I really have no idea what is going on here..." He trails off and I swear if I was a dragon, I would be breathing fire.

"To see if there is a power to unlock" I try to mimic his voice, but it really was a horrible interpretation. I even through in the wink, but now I am regretting that.

His eyes narrow at me, but the same little smirk stays plastered on his face.

"I'm sorry that I said that in front of your family, but we're mates. Like it or not, they know what mates do." my eyes widen slightly and my arms flap down to my side in frustration.

Seriously?! Does he not get it?

He is as new to us, as we are to him. He might not be able to tell we are mad. Rose adds, defending him a little. I scoff.

"OH.MY.GODDESS! I am not mad that you said that in front of them! Embarrassed? Yes. Mad? No." My voice raised a little...Okay fine it raised a lot, as I yelled at him.

I ran my hands down my face in frustration, trying to focus on controlling my breathing. Rose is right. He obviously doesn't understand this from my prospective and I can't make him. I have to show him or at least explain it a few times before he (hopefully) gets it.

"I tell you what I know about the locket I wear, and without asking questions you are suddenly so eager to mate with me. Why?"

"You're my mate." he says in a 'duh' tone.

"Or is it the possibility of having some power that we know nothing about?" I snap at him, rolling my lips in between my teeth.

Neither of us speaks for an entire minute. When the silence continues, my heart drops.

He only wants us for the power. I whisper to Rose.

No, it can't be true

Then why isn't he denying it? Why isn't he saying anything? She only responds with a whimper as she retreats to the back of my mind.

I nod slowly as I fight the tears that spring to my eyes. I need to get out of here, get away from him. I avoid his eyes as I brush past him, but his hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. I keep my back to him, but I can feel his eyes on me.

A tear rolls down my cheek as we stand in silence, his grip never loosening.

I rip my wrist from his iron hold and take off running, tears blurring my vision.

I run past pack members, down the stairs straight out the door and shift quickly into my wolf.

My paws thud heavily as I push myself to run faster then I ever have.

I can feel a pressure on my head and I know someone is trying to get through to me. I quickly build up my wall, effectively blocking them out.

It was probably Reed anyway. He was probably going to say that I'm overreacting and that I need to come home.

Are you overreacting? Rose asks as she enjoys the breeze through her fur.

He only wants us for the locket!

We slow down as we near the border. I don't want to cross again. I walk around until I find a good shady tree to lay under.

The ground is cool under my belly and I sigh as I rest my head on my paws, still panting slightly.

Everything is just so messed up I tell Rose.

I think we are being to hard on our mate.

What?! He may be trying to just get power! I say in frustration.

He wanted us before that remember? We were always the one pushing away, worried about Jackson.

I can feel the pressure building in my head as someone continually pushed against my mind. Luckily, my wall is still strong.

Maybe Rose is right. He did want us when we were first brought to him, it was me that pushed away.

But still why was he so eager to mate?

I think your are thinking to much. I huff in annoyance.

Of course she is on Reed's side, he's our mate. But she is my wolf, she should be on my side.

However, this particular time, I know she is right. I'm thinking way to much.

After everything that happened with us and Jackson, I can't really blame him for wanting to complete the bond so soon. It's just horrible timing on his part.

A twig snap brings me out of my thoughts. Immediately, I stick my nose in the air searching for any kind of familiar scent.

I growl when I realize the scent is a rogue.

The hair on my neck stands straight up as I get into a defensive stance. A low warning growl sounds from my chest, echoing off the trees.

"Please, I mean you no harm." a girl about my age, steps out of the trees, holding a piece of clothing in her hands.

"Please shift, so we can speak. It's urgent." she tosses the dark fabric at me.

I sniff it suspiciously before eyeing the girl in front of me.

Her red hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail, with a few fly-a-ways framing her face. Her hazel eyes squint slightly in the sunlight as she pulls nervously on the hem of her ripped t-shirt. Maybe she needs help? I shift quickly and pull the large shirt over my head.

"You're a Rogue." She nods slowly at my question, avoiding my gaze.

"Why are you on our land?" I can tell that she is scared but I don't think of me or my pack. Is she running from something?

"I'm sorry." she whispers so low that I hardly hear it.

"Please know, I didn't want this." Her fearful gaze shifts to something behind me. My guess is the pack guards all almost here.

"If you mean us no harm then why are you here?" Her eyes finally meet mine and a tear rolls down her cheek. Before I can question it, she answers.

"They wanted a distraction." Suddenly, I feel a sharp stinging in my neck and whimper slightly.

Everything becomes hazy. The girl runs to me and holds my face in her hands. I can see her lips moving but can't hear what she is saying. A mans hand reaches out of nowhere and slaps her hard across the face, sending her to the ground.

Every blink becomes slower and slower. I feel my knees taken out from under me and find myself against an unfamiliar chest. I try to tear my wall down to call for help, but I can't find it.

I can't even feel Rose.