One

"Thanks for the ride Jess."

"No problem," we hugged.

"Let me know when you're free, we need to go back to the beach again. I'll drive this time."

"Sounds good. Hey, whose car is that?"

I turned to see a small black sports car.

I shrugged, "I don't know." It was gorgeous.

"Well you should get to know him."

I rolled my eyes, "Bye Jess."

She laughed, "Later."

I walked up to the pack house...

Yes, pack.

I'm a werewolf.

...and it was quiet inside, unlike normal. I climbed the stairs and slipped into my room. I don't remember the last time it wasn't so quiet here. Probably when my grandfather died. Our old alpha.

It wasn't sad because someone's life ended.

Everyone was celebrating the life that was lived to the fullest.

I loved my grandfather, we were really close and created so many memories. He would tell me stories about back in the day and we would swim in the lake for hours at a time. We only had a small lake on pack territory but he tied a rope and we would swing off a tree. Jessie, my friend, and I still did after he died, but the lake is a little small, so we mostly swim at the beach that's neutral to the surrounding packs.

Yes I am a werewolf.

No it is not all love and romance. Unfortunately.

Not like the romantic kind with fated mates and destiny. The werewolf population died down in my great-grandfathers generation and mates never found each other, and eventually, it led to now. They don't exist anymore. I wish they still did, although I would never admit that to anyone but Dana, my sister. Not even Jess.

We have great hearing, sight, smell, and a high metabolism. But we supposedly fall in love and raise pups, werewolf children, with our mate that we choose.

We still get marked and mated, with all the perks afterwards, but it's not like it used to be. Now we choose our own mate, rather than finding a fated one.

It's sounds dumb, I know. My father is glad we don't have mates. He has to be in control of everything, and a fated mate would take that away. He calls it free will, I call it control issues. I never agree with my father, he blames it on grandpa because he would tell me stories about him and grandma. They were fated mates. I used to wish for mates to start again, and my grandfather would help me, but his son, my father, disagrees. Grandpa and I got along great, but neither of us got along with my father.

My sister is closer, but not close, to my father, and I'm really close to her, but different enough where it counts.

Anyway, enough about my family.

I changed into old jean shorts and a tank top before heading outside. I stopped at the kitchen to grab a cookie and hugged Dana.

"How was the beach?" She asked.

"Great! Jess and I found some nets you should come next time and we can play volleyball."

"Blake, you know I avoid water." Her ultimate fear is drowning, ever since a girl in her class died when she was in grade two.

"You could just sit on the sand, we barely swim."

"Honestly?"

"I wouldn't force you to, you know that."

She paused, "Okay, maybe next time."

"Yay! I'm driving next time, so it works great." I haven't spent a day with her in a week or two and I miss her. We used to be the best of friends, but then she found boys. Same with Jess, she's always dating a new guy.

I prefer to bike, run, swim, play sports, hike, pretty much anything other than hang out with most guys. I don't have a problem with them, most of them, but ever since high school they all hit on me all the time. Dana and Jess say to soak it up now, before I get old, or mated, but I don't see a point. It's just a pointless fling. And they're all perverted. I also wish we had mates just so they wouldn't be so horny all the time.

"Perfect. Do you know when?"

"Not yet, but soon. I'll let you know."

"Okay. What are you doing tonight?"

"I think I'm going to run, maybe bike, along the path."

"Or you could come out with us," she wiggled her eyebrows.

I shook my head, "I don't want to double date again." Last time she dragged me along the guy just stared down my shirt, we ended the night early, needless to say.

"I'm sorry about last time, this time I know both of them, they're great. But he'll only go if I bring a date for his brother."

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "You said that last time Dana."

"Please?"

"I'm going to hate you for this."

"You love me, always will."

I sighed, she was right, and I suck at arguing.

"It's just casual, dinner by the ocean."

"Ocean?"

"I know, but I'm trying Blake."

"I'm happy for you." Now how do I say no? I've been trying to get her by the water for years.

"Thanks! I'm going to call them now."

I sighed, "I'll be out back."

"Obviously."

We laughed a little as I headed outside. I'm always outside. As much as possible anyway. There's just something calming about the wind through your hair and the smell of nature.

I pulled my sunglasses down and grabbed a glass of lemonade.

"You look amazing!"

"You have to say that, you're my sister."

"Blake, you never believe me. I would kill for those tanned, lean legs of yours. You even have a flat stomach, thin arms, and don't get me started on your hair."

"It looks like a rats nest." I had thick hair that falls with natural beach waves. It's brown with a gleam of blonde in it. Everyone at school asks where I get it dyed because it 'looks so natural', they don't believe me when I tell them that it is.

"You just took the towel off, let me do my magic."

Half hour later she blow-dried it and clipped back the front two pieces.

"Down?" I groaned.

"It's gorgeous, you should show it off once in a while, and not just because you like the wind."

"It's thick, the wind feels nice."

"Same excuses." We always had this conversation and every time I would give her the same lousy excuse.

It was hot to wear down though. We're werewolves, we're already warmer than humans by quite a few degrees, I don't need the added heat from my hair on my neck.

"What about a bun?" I suggested.

"Oh please, you always wear a bun."

"What's-his-face complimented it last time."

"And Leonard will compliment it tonight."

"Leonard?"

"Well, you're with Leonard, I'm with his younger brother, Carter."

"If he's all pimples and glasses I'm going to kill you."

Technically I got the alpha blood from my father since he's alpha of the pack, but my younger brother is next in line. My father would never hand it down to a girl, especially not me. I tease about hurting her but we both know I wouldn't hurt even her toe.

"He's cute, don't hate on him already."

Too late, I thought. Why couldn't I just bike tonight like I planned?

"Don't give me that face, even mom said you need to get out more."

"But she even sides with me, this double date thing is a terrible idea."

"Last time, she liked the idea this time."

"She's desperate."

"And you will be soon if you don't meet some guys." My sister is a pain, but we have a lot of fun when there are no guys in the picture. She enjoys what I enjoy, but lately she's just dating and working out.

I have an abnormally high metabolism, even for a werewolf, which my sister envies because I can eat everything and stay as thin as I am, with the layer of lean muscle I have, but she has to watch, just a bit, to keep in shape.

We are extremes. I'm average height, long wavy dark brown hair, long legs and brown, with a dash of green, eyes. My cheekbones stick out just a smidge and apparently my eyebrows are 'to die for', because she always tells me so. As long as I don't have a unibrow, I'm fine.

She has light brown hair, almost blonde, with blue eyes. She's shorter than me by a few inches and has a longer torso than me. I think she's stunning, and guys do too, but she says they're all looking at me. Bull crap.

"Okay, so you have a dress in mind?"

"I only own two." Both of which she made me buy.

"I need to explain some necessities to you. But we don't have time, they'll be here in an hour."

"An hour? Why did you interrupt me from outside?"

"We only have an hour."

"No we have an entire hour." We differ in that too. It takes me fifteen minutes to get ready, if I have to shower. Five if not.

She sighed, "Do you have a casual dress?"

"The halter top one and the one strap."

"Ooh, the halter top. It fits you like a sleeve."

I rolled my eyes, "It's a plain dress."

"Blake, can you just accept that you got all the looks in the family?" She's really self-concious about her looks and is always comparing herself to me, but she's gorgeous, so I don't get it.

"Really? You're the one with millions of date offers." I said.

"How many did you turn down this week?" She asked.

I sighed, "Not as many as last week." All the guys in the pack just want to have one night stands. This week it was twice from some random guy and one from a guy who always hits on me, it's a daily thing, and three today from others we saw at the beach, but she didn't need to know that.

"Still more than I got."

I shrugged, "Doesn't prove anything."

"It proves everything. Now pucker up."

She added a light shine of red to my lips and a smudge of mascara with a thin green colour above, much to my reluctance, which apparently 'pulls out the green in my eyes'. I slipped on the green halter-top dress and plain heels.

The dress had a halter that came down to a wooden ring showing off just a little cleavage, and ended mid-thigh down my legs. It was tight across the chest and flowed out a bit, but not much, the rest of the way down. It was a more formal summer dress, but it was breezy so it helped with the thick hair.

"I wish I had your legs," Dana pouted.

"Trust me, your date will love yours. He won't even glance at me."

She stared at me, "Do you actually believe that?"

I nodded, "Heck, my date will probably look at you too."

She had on a salmon coloured dress and beige heels. The dress fit her well, but she insisted it made her look short, and she curled her hair.

"Blake, you look amazing! Absolutely stunning!" My mother said from the door. She took another step in, "Dana! You look terrific. You're going to make them die just looking at you two!"

"I doubt it," I mumbled as my sister absorbed the compliments.

"I came up to get you though. Your father wants to see you."

I turned around because I figured she meant Dana until mom spoke again, "Blake? He wants to see you in his office."

"Me? Why?"

"He wouldn't tell me. He just said he wanted you to meet someone."

I sighed, "Not tonight, please? I look like a Barbie doll." That got me a scowl from Dana but I just rolled my eyes. I never do all this unless I'm going with her. I feel bad wearing shorts and a shirt when she's all gussied up.

"You barely have any makeup, a plain dress and simple heels on, yet you look like a lottery prize. I would say tonight is the perfect night honey."

"Mom," I groaned.

"Sorry, alpha wants to see his little girl."

"I'm not little." And I'm not his anything, but I didn't say it. It never ends well. I don't have any memories of him except when he told me that fated mates aren't worth wishing for. Needless to say, I don't mind the distance we have.

"You'll always be smaller than him."

"Still."

"Come on. Dana, you look great."

"Thanks mom! And don't let her be late!" She called as mom dragged me to the office.

I didn't have any problems wearing heels, it came naturally, but I liked my running shoes so much better. After five years, they fit like a glove.

We got closer to the office, "He's still your father, okay Blake?" She always tells me that. Ever since I walked out and slammed the door in his face just over a year ago. But something about her seemed different, almost like she didn't even believe it herself.

"Yeah yeah."

The new smell hit me and I realized he owned the car from outside. There was a guy in jeans and a tight black T-shirt sitting opposite my father.

They both stood as my mother pushed me through the door, I gave her a glare and she smiled before closing the door behind me.

"Blake, meet Caden. Caden, my daughter, Blake." My father introduced.

He held his hand out, but didn't say anything. He seemed shocked but quickly regained his calm, cool and collected stance, and held out his hand, "It's nice to meet you Blake." His voice sounded so clipped like all he ever did was business. He needs to get out more.

I shook his hand, hesitantly, but he looked back to my father when I didn't say anything as expected. I knew Caden was an alpha, it was obvious by the way he held himself. He spoke of control and power came off him in waves. If I didn't have my fathers alpha blood in me, I probably would've bowed my head in respect.

"Caden is alpha of the Bluelake pack. He'll be here a few times a week for the next month."

"Okay." I said as if waiting for something of importance. I really do respect alphas, just not my father.

"I was hoping you could show him around."

"I'm going out with Dana."

"Not today, of course. After his next visit."

"Whatever."

"Watch your tone Blake. There's two alphas in this room. You can be respectful. Plus, I'm your father."

But not a dad, and never a daddy, I never even told people we were related unless he was in the room. He controlled everything in my life, down to who I could hang out with. Jess wasn't on that list but everyone on it just wanted to be friends with the next alpha, and Jess was the only one of my friends that didn't cower to him. Probably because she knew my grandpa.

"Sorry," I said sarcastically and raised my voice like an innocent little girl as I turned to Caden, "Alpha Caden, it is such a great pleasure to meet you, I feel so incredibly honoured. But I'm terribly afraid that I have to attend to another date tonight. So I shall see you next time we are blessed with such a man as yourself." I thought I saw a hint of a smile cross his face but he covered it up and I turned to my dad, "Better?"

I left before he could answer.

I heard him apologizing to Caden as I went back up to my room.

The doorbell rang and Dana came running up the stairs, "They're here, let's go Blake!"

I left without a word and mom grabbed my arm at the top of the stairs.

"I'm sorry Blake."

I kept a blank face and headed back down. If he hated me so much, why can't Dana meet them? She would probably drool at the sight of him. His chiseled jaw, dark brown eyes, soft brown hair, and you knew he had layers of muscle under that shirt.

I realized I blanked out thinking about him and snapped my attention to the guys outside as she opened the door.

"Carter, Leonard, this is Blake, my sister."

I nodded and smiled a halfhearted smile and noticed Caden staring at me as he stood by his car with my father.

Keep staring, I thought, as I took Leonard's offered hand and he kissed the back of mine.

"It's lovely to meet you Blake. You look great." Leonard said in a voice a bit too high for a guy his age, and almost nasally.

"Thanks." I smiled again, but there was nothing behind it.

I realized Caden was still watching so I put some swing in my hips as I followed Dana and Carter to the car.

He can go back to the pack he came from, what's the point in visiting anyways? Nobody visits periodically for a month. Especially not an alpha, he would send his beta or third in command for that.

I realized Leonard said something and I looked over to him, "Sorry, I didn't catch that."

"I was wondering if you liked the ocean."

I nodded, "In fact, I love having great company by the ocean," I flirted and he smiled. I don't know why but I wanted to piss off Caden, make him go away. I don't even know if he cared, but I was hoping he would get in his car and never come back. He gave me an ominous feeling and I didn't like it.

"Then you're in for a good night."

"Let's hope so," I smiled to him as I clung to his arm and he put it around my shoulders as we walked to the car. He put his hand awfully close to my chest, so close I thought he was going to lose it when I ripped it off for him being a pervert. He smelt terrible and gave off that I-kill-children-in-my-basement creepy feel.

He opened the door for me and I still felt eyes on my back, "Why thank you handsome," I said and Dana looked over at me shocked.

I winked and she looked around until she saw Caden and smiled knowingly. I smiled back and nodded a fraction of an inch.

"Always a pleasure to be with a pretty girl." He said staring at my cleavage.

Girl? I'm not twelve, I thought, but let it go.

"Well, you have two tonight boys, so keep up." I winked at Leonard before getting in the car. I don't know where that all came from because I never flirt, smile or wink at guys.

They closed our doors and started walking around.

"Whose the hot guy over there?" Dana asked.

"The guy I had to meet."

"Why?"

I shrugged, "Don't know. Don't care."

"I'd go with him for a ride," she said before they both got in the other side.

I rolled my eyes at her before she turned around. Leonard put his hand on my thigh the whole ride and I wanted to smash it with a hammer as it slid further up, but I knew I kind of started it, so I felt bad leading him on.

He wasn't a bad looking guy, pretty attractive, but nothing like most of the werewolves around.

Not to mention I didn't like bright blue eyes, they creeped me out. And his were roaming all over me. Definitely another shower when I got home, I thought.

It took forty-five minutes to get to the restaurant and I felt awkward walking through it. Three guys winked at me and one girl sent me death glares as I walked by, what the hell?

Leonard kept close to my side with his hand in mine and I looked anywhere but at him, or the other people dining. We sat by the water and the small talk started.

Oh great.

I've always hated small talk. You learn about people by how they act and what they do as you spend time together. Anyone can say anything, but actions come naturally. Well, most of them. And everyone asks about the past, but for me, I'm not who I used to be, so what's the point?

Three hours later we were walking along the beach after we finished eating, although Carter and Dana kept quite a ways away from the water.

As we walked along the beach I held my heels and let my ankles get wet. It was the best part about tonight, I finally seemed to calm down.

We pulled up to the house fifty minutes later and they opened the doors for us. The whole ride back was me holding his hand when he slid it up my thigh too far, or pretending to tease him as I slowly moved over in the backseat, when really I wanted to hop out of the car because he smelt like alcohol. No, werewolves don't get drunk easily, but he was already grabby in a perverted way and the beer didn't help. He definitely wasn't drunk, but he was buzzed and the serial killer feeling was in full affect.

"Thanks Carter, I had a lot of fun tonight." Dana said to him.

"Me too," he said and they did that weird staring thing that couples did.

"So, maybe dinner again sometime?" Leonard said.

"I doubt it." I said before I could take it back. I noticed Caden's car was still here and decided to give him a show if he was watching, "I think we should maybe have more fun next time."

"That sounds like a great idea." Leonard said moving closer.

"I thought you would like that," I said as I took a step closer, forcing myself not to puke. Dana and Carter were still talking as Leonard leaned in.

Fuck! But I had to admit, I started this. He leaned closer and held my face. Honestly it felt like he was squishing my face like a fish so I grabbed his hands and held them at my hips before kissing him. He pulled me closer and deepened the kiss until I pulled back and smirked, "Not all on the first date boy."

He laughed, "So there will be a second?"

"Maybe." I winked and turned around.

"How about a definite answer?" He asked and grabbed my hand. His hands were clammy and I wanted to slap them away but went along with it.

"How about a definite idea as to what that date would entail."

He smirked and leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Whatever you want princess, and as much as you'd like." I knew he meant between the sheets by the way he said it. He leaned back and I crooked a finger telling him to lean back in.

"I'll think about it." I whispered back.

He seemed happy with that, not that I cared but at least it looked to Caden like I said something else, and I ran my hand down his arm, telling myself not to wince, and walked to the house. I saw someone move in my fathers office window as my sister sent the guys on their way.

We both went upstairs and went to our own rooms to get comfy. I jumped in the shower and couldn't get the feel of Leonard's clammy hands off my skin and threw up before I could stop myself. Soon after another came and went before I could actually shower and not get sick. I hate perverts.

After my shower I threw on my old jean shorts, tank top, and threw my hair in a ponytail before heading downstairs to find food. With perve beside me during dinner, I didn't eat much.

I heard Dana on the phone as I passed her room and figured she was setting up the next date.

Never again, I thought and jogged down the stairs barefoot.

----------------------------------

Caden's POV

"You said she was single. That was part of the deal, she's mine and mine only." I wasn't mad. I was fuming. I tried to keep my cool but I knew I wasn't completely covering it.

"She only tags along with Jessie to these things. It doesn't mean anything." The alpha waved his hand as if to shake off the idea.

"Did you see her tonight?" I was about to leave when some guys walked up and she started flirting with him. I decided to stick around and after seeing her with him after the 'date', I'm glad I did.

"He's just some random guy. It doesn't mean anything! She just talks and never sees them again."

"Really it looked like more to me. Holding hands, flirting, kissing? She does that with every random guy?"

"What? Blake doesn't do that." Well, he obviously doesn't know his daughter. Although she didn't seem excited for the evening. And she didn't strike me as the kind to flirt and cling to guys.

"Really? Because she did. Tonight. In fact, she is right now," I said pointing out the window as she was kissing the guy she went with.

"I didn't say no because I figured she would act like normal. She doesn't even glance at guys." I know, I thought, she didn't even give me a second glance. The most beautiful lady I've ever seen walks in here and I shake her hand. Her hand! I've never froze like that before in my life! Not to toot my own horn, but I've never had to work for girls to notice me, they always have. They throw themselves at me normally, but not her.

Blake.

It suits her, if she is what I think she is. And judging by the small flinches and subtle ways that she takes his hands off of her, I'm thinking she is.

"How do you explain that?" I asked.

"Look Caden, I swear this never happened before. But I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

I glanced back out the window to see her whispering in his ear. My wolf wanted to mark her right now, she was ours.

"Fine, I'll make an exception. But just this once." I said.

"Understood. So the deal is still on?"

"Ye- Actually, just to make sure this doesn't happen again, it's moved up. She's mine in a week." Really, I just wanted her to be mine sooner.

I looked back out the window to see her wince as he ran his hands down to her butt and she move them back to her hips. She was smiling but you could see the disgust on her face, if you were looking for it.

She's mine. My wolf growled in disapproval and I had to agree. I mean, she was gorgeous and some creepy guy was running his hands all over her. Not to mention, her dad already gave her to me.

Ugh, her dad.

I actually hated her dad, at first this was to ally our packs, and I acted like the deal gave them more pros, but as he started talking about his daughter-Blake, I really just felt bad for her.

"I know, she took after my stubborn, delusional father, but my other daughter is too young or you could have her."

"Why would I rather your younger daughter?"

"You haven't met them. The younger one is respectful, she knows her place and listens. But my older one argues. I kept them on a tight leash but my older one has always tried to snap the rope. She doesn't listen, dreams too big for her own good, and spends her time alone in the woods. I know she's not ideal, but we both know we need to ally."

I got really mad at him, who speaks about their own daughter that way? She's not ideal? What the hell?

"We do need to ally," I said in a cool tone.

"I knew you would agree."

"So when are we going to ask her?" I wanted to meet her, make sure she was okay with this.

He laughed, "Good one. I was thinking I would let you two meet a couple times without her knowing why, and then have her things moved and you two can mate right afterwards. I'll tell her when and she'll have to comply."

He wasn't even going to ask her, just demand it? Have to comply? Mating is for life, who wants to be told who they're going to be bound to for the rest of their life?

"And if I say no?"

"The packs aren't allied."

"What about the girl?"

He shrugged. He actually shrugged, as if his absolutely breathtaking daughter didn't mean a thing in this, "I find a different man, she can't choose herself, she'll wait forever and end up alone. My mate wants grandchildren, this benefits that too."

I was so shocked, people actual favourite their kids that much? My parents died on a plane crash, hence why I'm alpha already. I only had one younger brother and I never remember my parents choosing favourites. Ever.

So if it wasn't me it could be any other guy. What if he just controlled her like her father? What if he was a perverted man who just took advantage of her? Would her father even care? It didn't sound like it.

"Fine. Deal."

That was two weeks ago.

I couldn't stand the thought of her being used and had ended up agreeing. We did need to ally our packs, it didn't happen much anymore, but often enough that they had rules. Only matings of alphas and their children's mating would ally packs.

"Week. Deal." We shook and I had the urge to wipe my hand off after holding his. He disgusted me as a father most of all, but as an alpha and a man too. His wife must be a witch to put up with him. Unless it was arranged too. I feel bad for her in that case. She must hate him.

Wait, would Blake hate me? Would she even accept me? I can mark her against her will, but she has to be willing or else the mating doesn't work anyways.

Not to mention I can't imagine forcing her into this. I don't want to mark her unless she agrees, not to mention a forced mating.

Oh god, she's going to hate me. Who in their right mind would agree to mate with a random stranger?

Yeah I'm an alpha, but look at her father, some alphas are jerks.

I decided I would act like this was a business deal and take it from there, she would do this for the good of her pack right?

There, I decided, she'll agree to mate if it gives her pack a chance at surviving. That's what I'll do, treat it like business.

Maybe then she won't hate me for it, for any of this.

An then we can get to know each other, or at least her accept me as a mate.

I suddenly wanted her just to call me her mate. I wanted her to just say, 'This is Caden, he's my mate', or even 'That's my mate, over there.' My wolf purred and I tried to focus my attention back on reality rather than Blake.

Treat it like business Caden, I reminded myself.

-----------------------------------

Blake's POV

I turned to see Caden at the door of the kitchen so I turned and walked outside, I just needed to calm down. I still had that shaky feeling from throwing up.

He followed me so I kept walking, I turned the corner of the house and kept going. I didn't stop until I opened the front door.

"Blake, plans got changed. You will show Caden around the woods and surrounding area tomorrow morning at eleven o'clock sharp." My father said from inside the doorway.

I hated when he ordered me to do things, "Why me?"

"Because you enjoy time in the woods. Might as well put it to good use." I could see Caden approaching. It was ironic because he kept telling me not to spend all my time in the woods.

"I thought you didn't want me there."

"Well, we'll make an exception this once." He said exasperated.

"Because it benefits you." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"It's for the good of this pack, if we hope to be allies, we need to have them know where water is, thicker trees, etcetera."

"If its for the pack, why don't you get your beta to do it, since we know you won't, or maybe your beloved son will."

"I'm not asking."

"I know, you never do."

"Show some respect Blake."

"Sorry," I turned to Caden, "Again, it was an honour to meet you, but I'm afraid I'm not allowed in the woods alone, since I'm," I turned to my father, "Defenseless? No. Helpless? No. Oh! I know how you put it: A wussy little girl who could never protect herself, right?" I turned back to Caden, "Sorry. Alpha doesn't like it when we disobey. I'm sure you can find water and trees on your own, unlike other alphas." I nodded my head to show I was talking about my father and I think I saw a smile cross his face before he hid it.

I walked upstairs and my father yelled for me to stop, "What? Another command? I just finally agreed not to go out in the woods and your commanding me where and when I can move when I'm inside the house too?" I sighed in frustration, "I hope you write these down, I can't remember all the commands you give me," I said before I went to my room.

I heard my father apologizing again and heard them mention a deal before I fell onto my bed. I strained to hear as they whispered and heard them agree to move some deal up. Maybe he'll be gone quicker, I thought before I drifted off to sleep.