I woke into consciousness begrudgingly when a loud knock came from my door.

My head felt heavy, an ache in my jaw and chest settling in as I came to my senses. I tried to open my eyes, but the sudden intrusion of light hurt.

I groaned and rolled over, inhaling the sweet smell of my bedsheets. My head pounded from the movement, my stomach protesting in agreement. I felt sick, why did I feel sick?

"You're awake finally." A voice cheered.

I groaned and swatted Sean away. "Too loud."

He chuckled and I felt my bed dip from beside me. "It's nine in the morning, sparring day Novie."

"Cancel it," I grumbled.

He chuckled softly. "No can do, come on."

"You're the Gamma. You can cancel it, you run it." I grunted, peeking one eye open.

He smirked down at me, his hand coming to pat my shoulder. "How do you feel?"

"I ache. Everywhere."

He laughed and I cursed at his abruptness. "I'm not surprised. You and Molly got absolutely sloshed on cocktails. You shouldn't mix drinks Novie."

I groaned again, pulling myself into a sitting position. That's when I realised how naked I was. I shrieked and pulled my duvet over my body more.

"Why am I in my underwear!"

He shrugged, glancing around my room. "We found you and Molly in your underwear. Dunno what you guys were up to, but your dresses were covered in mud. I suggest you shower; you vomited a few times. What's the last thing you remember?"

I sighed and thought about it. "Dancing to Gangnam style."

He laughed. "Wow, that was while you were still in my eye line. I'd love to know what you got up to whilst you were drunk. You could not form a coherent sentence to save your life. Just screaming at me when I found you."

"Me too," I grumbled. "I'm gonna shower, take some medicine too. I don't think my jaw and ribs should hurt like this."

"I think you fell over a few times in your heels. They were thrown in the fountain and your face was covered in grass and mud." He chuckled.

"Go away." I moaned. "S-stop making fun of me."

He stood and smirked. "Hey, I'm not the one who dragged you here. Alpha is responsible."

My eyes widened. "Shoot, he found me drunk? I've never been drunk before. I hope I didn't embarrass myself."

"Oh, you did." He laughed as he backed away towards the door.

I sent him evils. "Like what?"

He shrugged, one hand reaching behind to open the door. "You confessed your feelings to him. Something about him being a meanie, I think. Didn't make much sense."

"Noo!" I moaned, throwing a pillow at him. "You better not b-be messing me."

He shook his head as he disappeared through the door. "You'll never find out!"

He shut the door before I could protest, the sudden feeling of being violated overcoming me. Why did I strip to my underwear? Why! I mean, I know in werewolf culture it was the norm to be naked, but I was nowhere near that comfortable.

I'm never drinking again.

I groaned in embarrassment and dragged my way to the bathroom. Running the shower to hot I glanced down at my body in disgust. I was covered in grass stains and mud, it was embedded under my nails too. My hair was no longer pretty and styled but knotted and frizzy.

I'm never drinking with Molly, again.

Cel stirred within me and I called her for attention.

Do you know what happened last night? I wondered.

She yawned. 'No, the herbs in your drinks knocked me out. I do remember you shouting about dinosaurs though. I think that was after you fell on your face.'

I sighed, deeming my ever-so-extravagant night as a disaster. I wonder how Molly felt...

Molly you there? I probed her mind.

I heard her groan as she opened her link to me. 'What? Are you as bad as me right now?'

I frowned. Most likely. Are you also just in underwear and covered in dirt?

'Most definitely am.' She chuckled. 'I don't remember a lot.'

Probably more than I do. I snorted.

She sighed. 'I gotta shower. I'll see you on the court?'

Me too, see you there.

I closed the link and got myself in the warm water. I scrubbed as much of the mud off of my body twice just for good measure. I deep-conditioned my hair and combed as much out in the shower as I could. A bonus of my new haircut- I didn't have to wash so much.

Once I was out and I dry I eyed the clock before deciding on blow drying at least half of my hair so it wasn't so wet whilst training. I'd no doubt shower again after which was a little frustrating.

I pulled on my sports clothes and trainers once finished and slipped on my smartwatch. I grabbed a hair tie and realised it would be harder to plait my shorter hair, so I just kept it in a bun.

It was 9.40 am and thankful to the stomach and pain medicine I downed in the bathroom I could feel an appetite coming on. I argued with myself about eating so close to training but decided I'd just settle on an orange and peeled it as I made my way to the training field.

It was lovely and hot today so I was glad I chose my sports vest and shorts. The sun hurt my eyes a little but I could feel Cel helping to burn away the bad feelings.

Maybe I'd get a tan? Who knows!

Cel snorted. 'I think you'd burn. You're a ghost.'

I rolled my eyes and rounded the final corner to approach the field. I could see wolves already huddled talking, some even stretching. The adrenaline smelt high, and everyone was eager to spar now Alpha was back.

I was nervous though, it had been so long since he'd been here and the last time I saw him I had alcohol to help me. I was nervous about training, in case I wasn't adequate. But also, if I was adequate enough-it may just bring on the rejection I feared.

"Hey, Nova!" Molly called.

She standing by the water fountain, a cap on her head as she slathered her shoulders in sun cream.

"Want some?" She asked when I approached.

I nodded and rubbed some into my skin, deciding the stickiness was better than sunburn. I was too pale to go hours out in the sun, half-hour was my top before I started to tan and then burn.

"So, how are you feeling?" She asked.

"Confused but I'm okay." I smiled softly and put the sun cream back.

She snorted, fixing her hat. "Tell me about it. I remember hiding behind a bush at some point but nothing else. Whatever those cocktails were spiked with..."

I chuckled. "I know right. Did you get to bed okay?"

She smirked. "Yeah, Seanie Boo took me to my room. He said I passed out and he just took me there."

"That was good." I laughed.

"Thankfully nothing happened to the pair of you." His voice came from behind me.

I turned and gave him a small smile. "Hey, I'd like to disagree on that one."

His eyes were teasing as he approached and pulled me in for a hug. "Why's that?"

I pulled away to look at him from arm's length. "Well, for a s-start, I was wasted, but also practically naked, and finally I must've bruised so many ribs and my head is so sore."

He laughed, his hands moving from my waist to my shoulders. "You were not naked."

"Is that all you took from that?" Molly teased.

He rolled his eyes and squeezed my shoulder. "Shut up. It's time to train anyway, Alpha is already here."

I felt myself tense and Molly groaned in return. He was here? Really here? I didn't make it up in my drunk head?

I scanned the training area and looked for him. Cel was resting from healing my migraine so I had to do it all on my own. Just as I spotted him he saw me. My eyes widened and I span around back to face Molly. He had seen me and was on his way over, but he didn't look pleased. I felt like a child about to get reprimanded.

"Gamma Sean." His deep voice ricocheted around my head.

I looked up from my hands to see him stood not too far away, approaching us quicker. Sean's hand had made its way to my waist as he stood beside me, and I felt him rub circles into my back when I tensed. He gave me a small side smile before turning to his Alpha.

"Alpha we're glad to have you back." He bowed his head.

I looked up to see Molly swallowing harshly as she glanced between the two. Her eyes were slightly wide and she jerked her head to the side when we locked eyes. I got the message.

"If you'll excuse us Alpha, and Sean, we're going to go warm-up." Molly smiled politely.

"Of course, although I'd just like a word with Nova alone," Phoenix replied.

I winced, my getaway spoiled as Molly gave me a sympathetic smile. I cleared my throat and looked up at the intimidating muscle beside me. He was watching Molly and Sean go, his arms crossed against his chest and jaw set firm.

"Yes, Ph-Phoenix?"

His hazel eyes softened as he turned to look down at me. I found myself drawn, entranced by their colours. Cel awoke at the intensity of the mate bond. I could feel it humming beneath my skin, begging me to reach out and grab him and not let go.

"How are you feeling today?" He wondered snapping me out of my trance.

"Ready as always," I replied, looking to the field behind him.

He hummed, scanning me from head to toe. "You drank a lot last night. Almost got yourself in trouble."

I couldn't help but snort. A lot was underestimating the number of cocktail trees me and Molly consumed. I think all the colours of the rainbow both entered and exited my mouth last night.

"Thank you for taking me to my room." I avoided his gaze. "I don't remember a lot, but Sean told me you helped."

He took a step closer and on instinct, I staggered one backwards. A deep frown imprinted on his jaw and he dropped his arms from his chest.

He sighed softly. "I care for you, Nova."

My eyes widened, finding his again to see nothing but the truth in his eyes. "W-wha-"

"These six weeks must've been hard on you, the mate bond... Beta Charlie said you lasted a while before needing help."

I nodded, not sure whether I should tell him about me sneaking into his room. "They dulled the aches... b-but I must admit the sleeping tablets were rubbish."

He smirked at me. "I could tell."

"You could?" I tilted my head in confusion.

He chuckled, actually chuckled. My mouth must've been hanging open at the sound, nothing so attractive has ever left his lips before.

"Yes, my sheets were absolutely covered in you." He smirked.

Oh, goddess. I never had time to clean his bedsheets.

I blushed furiously, unable to think of a good enough reply.

"It's okay." He shrugged. "I'm glad you made use of my bed whilst I was gone. And I must admit the smell of you in them made sleeping last night a whole lot easier. I admit I have had trouble sleeping being away from you."

I gulped. "I-I-"

His hand came to hold my shoulder and I found myself staring down at it. He smiled and I froze when he reached up to cup my cheek, his thumb tugging my lip out from my teeth. Shooting warmth shot through me at the contact and I shivered. My gaze found his again as he stared down at me.

"You looked amazing last night by the way."

Control yourself, Nova, control.

"Th-thank you," I whispered.

"Although I did prefer the dress off." He teased.

I gaped at him, and was once again stunned to silence by his words. Who was this man? Since when did he give me so much attention or tease me? Cel was loving it, a deep purring vibrating through the bond.

"I don't know what to say," I admitted.

He shrugged with a smile. "You don't have to say a word. Now go, it's time to start."

His hand dropped from my face and he turned to walk away. He left me standing there, mouth gaping, so incredibly confused and yet so needy for more.

'What happened to not letting him get to you?' Cel teased.

I needed a new plan.

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