"I found her name."

My ears picked up, the group Ethan, Joseph and Mariah had quickly intercepted themselves into sat outside during lunch. They kept themselves out in the open, where no one could sneak up on them within twenty feet without them realizing it.

"How'd you do that?" Alex asked, his fingers playing with Mariah's hair.

"Wait, who's name did you find it?" Mariah asked, taking her fry off of her plate before plopping it into her mouth.

"My mates." Ethan and Mariah visibly stiffened, their eyes wandering to where I sat. My legs dangled from a high branch, the sun beating down on my skin.

'Ask about the girls he kissed, get it off my name."

"If you found your mate, why do you kiss girls all the time?" Mariah asked as she snuggled deeper into Alex, a smile warming itself on her face.

"I haven't exactly met her, every time I come close she runs." Alex and John raised their eyebrows, a look of confusion passing through them as they looked back to their Alpha.

"Why would she do that? Every wolf knows that an Alpha needs their Luna!" Ethan said, emphasizing certain words because he knew I could hear him.

I growled, reaching for the slingshot I kept on me and a small rock. I drew it back, shooting it straight into his forehead while Tyler and Alex was looking at him like he was insane. It hit directly on his forehead, causing him to fall out of his chair with a groan of pain.

"Woah, are you okay?" Tyler jumped and went to Ethan, along with Alex and John. Mariah and Joseph simply sat and tried to muffle their laughs, bursting out when they saw the big red welt on Ethan's forehead. "Who did that to you?"

Alex and Joseph looked around for any direct signs of threat, Ethan growling as he sat back in his seat. "An asshole who won't take any advice."

I loaded my slingshot up with another rock before shooting it, grazing his ear instead of a direct hit this time. Tyler growled with Alex and John, standing straight up as they all looked around. Mariah and Joseph laughed again, shaking their heads as they looked at Ethan holding his bleeding ear.

I snickered as the bell rang, watching them all stand up and leave the small picnic table outside. Tyler stood there for a while, his eyes darting around as he looked all along the edge of the forest.

"I know you're here Lena!" I took my slingshot again, taking a small rock that wouldn't hurt him, and shot it out. It hit his upper arm, earning a grin from him. He shook his head, turning and walking back up the steps. He turned right before he went back inside, sending the forest like one last look.

***

You want to know what I honestly really and truly hate?

Goblins.

Suckers are some ugly looking things that eat whatever the hell they set their sights on.

They're what I saw that afternoon, after I already heard a girl scream. I didn't even notice them entering the school, but by the time I did, there was a hoard already in the school.

I looked up when I heard the scream, people rushing out of the doors to the school. I dropped down, running swiftly to the front. I entered to find one standing over some girl, and at least two running down the hallway towards Tyler's class.

I shot my arrow directly in its chest, stumbling before it fell back over. I nodded to the girl as she ran past me, tears streaming down her face. I sprinted down the hallway, pulling out another arrow as I slid on the linoleum in front of Tyler's class.

Two goblins had Tyler surrounded, while three other held Alex and John on the ground. "Hey!"

They all looked up to me, Tyler's eyes full of awe as he took me in. I shot an arrow right in between the eyes of one that was standing over Tyler, the crunch of his skull like music to my ears. I ran and jumped, wrapping my legs around his neck and crashing him onto the ground.

I twisted his neck until it snapped, ripping his head off of his body. I looked up to see Tyler just watching me, the other goblins snarling over Alex's and Johns body.

"Don't just stand there watching me, help your ducking Beta!" I growled as I dropped the head of the goblin I had just ripped off.

I took a gold knife out of my boot, jumping on the back of the goblin that held down John as Tyler helped Alex. I stabbed the knife into its back, the howl of the goblin ringing through the air as it swiped its claws down my arm.

My blood started to fall down my arm as I pulled the knife down its spine, John taking his own knife and stabbing it in its chest. I dropped to the floor when it crumpled, Alex and Tyler panting next to John as they stared at me.

"Your arm-" I held my hand up to stop Alex mid sentence, straining my ears to hear where Ethan and the group was.

2nd floor, third door.

I bolted from the room and up the stairs, the sounds of the boys behind me. I growled as I saw a goblin about to leave, sprinting forward and tackling it to the ground.

"Lena!" I felt my canines elongate as I growled at its face, fear widening its horrible eyes.

"What!" Ethan came to stand in front of me, not daring touch me when I get like this.

"We need to question it, you know that." He whispered to me, my eyes flashing purple as I rumbled deep within my chest.

"Fine, tell the warriors when they get here to bring him to a cell. I-, I have to go." I stood up after pressing a pressure point on the creatures neck, knocking it out on the linoleum.

"Wait, you're-, you're my mate?" I looked up to his heartbroken expression, my own heart breaking at the sight.

"No I'm not." I ran and jumped out the open window, rolling once I hit the ground. I nodded at the King and Queen, who were running inside with warriors behind them.

I turned once I reached the forest line, looking up to the window I had just jumped from. Tyler's emerald eyes bore into me, a pained expression fleeting across my face before I turned and ran into the forest, shifting while I ran.

My wolf was white like snow, the blood inside of me rushing through me like rapid waves. I could feel the soil under my paws, the sound of birds chirping in my ears, I could feel everything and hear everything sharper than in my human form. I sighed when I reached the lake Tyler always sat at, shifting when I hit the edge.

I pulled my knees up, looking up to the sun. I sighed as I pressed my forehead to my knees, clenching my jaw as I tried to control my emotions. I couldn't let him get caught up in this, he was only the boy I was supposed to be protecting. He was the prince to the kingdom, nothing more.

But I was lying.

He was my mate, the love of my life. I could see a future with him and that's what drove me crazy. I knew I had to end everything, end whatever the hell i had feeling for him, but it wasn't that easy.

'It's Ashe, we need to talk.'

I sighed, making my way to the dark corners in the garden. I sat against the walls of the palace, looking up when I saw the queen walking towards me. She slid down the wall with me, reaching out and clasping her hand with mine.

"Did you reject him?" I didn't look at her when I spoke, my lips trembling as I tried to not sob.

"Not so much in the sense, I told him I wasn't his mate." I saw her eyebrows raise from the corner of my eye, not making any moves to take her hand from my hold.

"Even though you are." I nodded, my hand squeezing hers.

"I think I may have compromised the mission." She laughed, shaking her head causing her wild red hair to fly around her.

"It's been compromised since you were six, and you came to the palace." I laughed with her, feeling the love I had been craving my entire life from her.

"So what do I do?"

"You're starting school tomorrow, you'll be closer to him, and any threats you see them first." I smiled slightly, pulling my hand up still untwined with hers. I kissed the top of her hand in thanks, a huge grin coming to her face. "You're already like a daughter to me, you know?"

I warmed at her words, nodding. She stood up and leaned forward, moving hair out of my face and kissing the top of my head. "Good night Ashe."

"Call me mom." I smiled as she walked out of the garden, the sun setting in the back ground of the castle.

***

It wasn't as late as it normally was when I went into his room. He slept with his jaw clenched, his eyes squeezed shut. He whimpered in his sleep, muttering complaints as he shifted in his sleep.

"No, please don't." I walked and crawled into his bed, lightly Lilli his head onto my lap.

He relaxed under my touch, my fingers finding their way to play with his hair. I traced along his forehead, down his forehead, and along his jaw. I touched his lips gently, feeling them part under my touch.

I pulled my hand away when his hand shot out, clutching onto mine. My eyes widened when his opened, his green eyes catching mine. He breathed out, clutching onto my skin as if he was afraid I wasn't real, like once he lets go of me I would fly away.

"Am I dreaming?" I shifted, leaning down to press my lips to his forehead.

I pulled out from him and walked to the door, the bed sheets rustling behind me. "Wait, please."

I turned to his pleading voice, his eyes shining with unshed tears. I sighed, standing at the door hesitantly. "I can't." I croaked out, my own voice hoarse at I tried to not let my emotions open through my voice.

"Why can't you? Please, I need you." He stood up from the bed, his plaid pajamas catching the moonlight from the window.

"I can't let you get hurt." He walked forward, his fingers trailing along my cheekbone. I shut my eyes as he stood out in front of me, his breath spraying out against my skin.

"I won't get hurt, unless you leave. If you leave, that's the only way I'll get hurt." I opened my eyes to his, my heart breaking at his pained look.

"I'll see you tomorrow." I leaned forward and kissed his jawline, a rumble coming from deep within his throat.

I turned and slipped out his door, hurriedly making my way to my own room. I slid into my bed, reveling in the scent of my mate that surrounded me. This was going to hurt, but I was so in love that I didn't care.