my energy. However, I did get a good feel for the community, and he was right, this pack is very different from my home. I knew the second that he mentioned the training grounds that an

y that I almost believed they were tru

David doing such things. If the guards are this dea

means playing the game as I've considered before. Our strange talk in the car did reveal some unce

nd, I can't th

or him to come find me. I haven't seen him since this morning, but that's something I expected. He's an Alpha. Everyone needs him for something, and as a Luna

the door and I

The door pushes open and I take in a deep breath as David a

floor. "Helena told me to tell you that your dinner is

oom. "I thought you wou

my things were here, and, you

r. I didn't want to wake y

him carrying me inside and tucking me in.

meone to help you transition

h me everything just fine, and he's good company. His cheerfulness balances out my

t least one thing. Like everyone else

orry,

tion. You need to know h

hole physical fighting thing. I'm

ing won't sav

k, "Is someone coming to kill me or somethin

ernness on his face. "I'm n

"Are you sure this isn't just an excuse to wrestle around with me?

getting ou

to my schedu

I assume Jeremy told you about the

e interested in playfully bickeri

ut. If you want, you can keep to yourself and not be int

expecting that.

you s

would trigger my desire to prove myself, not only as a potential leader but as his mate. He seems to know much m

n play the part," I assu

e-or is that merely what he wants me to see. "I t

long with this. That's why. I don't a

's not like I'm going a

n I'll have Jeremy bring you up to date t

Maybe I really am the last girl that s

e with its cold fingers gripping my shoulders. I could have talked to him for hours-whether it's pack business, the bond, or even my lack of compassion-I could have listened to him spea

d to throw in there, and I drop my hands w

n the commotion. With the door locked and steam clouding the air, I feel alone again. The privacy I lost since David's been around has returned, and I bask in the moment. Be

e red and wet, and I wander the hallway in search of safety, a parent, a hug, or in this case, any possible form of comfort

the floor through the glass of the back doors. The kitchen is the only room bright enough to move around in without my arms extended forwa

. I'm sure David has some alarm in this head that the bond blares whenever I do wrong. Or maybe he feels my heart-the uncertainty; the anxious, heavy beating. I hate i

me. In one way or another, I'm forever expos

ige

on the window. It's the alarm-does it so

il with silence, and to speak too loudly wou

ness in his rough voice. The alarm woke him. How inconsiderate of me to

hirsty. I cam

distress-to see his fingers around a tall glass. He slides it kindly in my direction. I feel like a deer in the forest, and David is careful, steady. He lures me over, and I trust

u slept

I explain the glassiness of my eyes or

, that's probably not good considering my first self-defense lesson is tomorrow. Looks like

is making me reconsider my tactics. "Don't worry about it. If you n

ith air as we lo

us under the stars or in his bedroom. What would I say to him in such places? Would I sprint for the hi

arelessly. "It's not the move tha

him. It's ridiculous and dangerous of me, but we all indulge in private. I don't know why I would say such a thing now, however. Or-well-the weakest part o

s kissed with blush. My neck grows hot as my own thoughts consume and devour me. H

oking for, Brige

or in denial, but I'm not completely naive about this. It's not entirely because of you. I do it to myself because I won't give in. I lay in bed awake and re

lances to the ground, to the side b

ike this, but you won't l

lp me. I-I shouldn't have said anything in

ou know, while I was traveling, looking for you, I had the master bedroo

, "For yo

u are my mate, Brigette. Nothing you try

can

u can't be. You are choosing to defy the b

rrible sleep, I don't have the energy to give a snarky remark or play the game, as I call it. My mind is torn into so many pieces, so many plans that I can't