Eighteen

It had been a week of meeting new people that Daniel hung around with. And I met some of Sam's friends who were getting used to the idea of the new her. They realized some of her nervous habits and quit teasing her, finally, about it.

We actually hung out a lot in the last week. Caden and I had been sharing his bed too and he seemed to get more relaxed everyday.

Daniel makes romance jokes about this being the softer side of him and that now he's whole, but Caden shuts him up and Sam and I just laugh. I think it bothers Caden more than Daniel thinks because I think Caden sees it as if he could be whole, if his mate would accept him.

Daniel and I were supposed to go swimming today but he ended up with some last minute work and for some reason Caden happened to be going by at the time I headed out to the pond, in his swimming trunks, I might add.

I don't think it was a coincidence.

The only time I've seen Caden is when we are sleeping and I know it kills him to be away from me. Although he's relaxed, there is pain. My wolf was getting agitated too, and the fact that Caden holds me every night isn't helping since I don't even see him in a day. My wolf thinks I'm teasing her.

You are, she said stubbornly.

I am not. I could just not sleep beside him and we could never see him. I threatened. She would've argued exceot she knew I would do it.

We swam for a few hours but he left right after we got out.

I think his wolf is pressuring him to mark me, maybe even mate with me, and its hard for him not to. And when we're together he's always trying to touch me, in one way or another. Whether its holding me, brushing against me, anything.

Like how earlier today we were walking to the pond and he walks close enough that our hands brush but he doesn't just hold it. Or yesterday when he stood directly behind me, my back to his chest. He just stood there as I talked with Sam and a few of her friends and then he left again. I have to say though, it did calm my wolf, so maybe that's why he's doing it, to calm his own.

It's like he has this need to be with me. Yet at the same time he's keeping his distance. I decided after he left me by the pond that I was going to let him mark me.

My wolf is an alpha too, although it has it's pros, it has cons. And one of them is her wanting her mate.

I've ran many times this past week, but it doesn't calm her, she's just fidgety and bothersome. I've never had a problem with her before. I climbed up the stairs and got in the shower.

After I showered I went down to the kitchen to grab some food. I was just grabbing a plate when a guy walked in and whistled. I ignored him, putting my plate down on the counter before grabbing some cake I found in the fridge and ice cream from the freezer.

I felt his eyes on me and wanted longer shorts, or pants, or maybe overalls. I was about to leave as I held my plate and the guy stepped in my way.

"Excuse me." I said politely.

"Mind if I join you?"

"Yes."

"Yes I can join you?"

"Yes I mind. I really don't want your company."

He smiled and nodded, "Okay, I shouldn't have whistled. I actually wouldn't do anything. I know you're Luna and I'm actually Dan's friend."

I saw nothing but truth so I turned back towards the kitchen, "If you're having food I would prefer you hurry, my ice cream is melting."

"Yes ma'am." He saluted and I smiled as he got to work grabbing food. I wish the guys would stop hitting on me and instead just treat me normally, like Daniel does. I wanted to get to know the pack, or most of it, but I hated being hit on by creeps. I'm hoping this doesn't turn out to be a mistake. Something told me he wasn't really creepy though.

"So, Blake, right?" The guy asked me.

"Yeah. Your name?"

"Adam."

"Well, Adam, how long have you hung around with Daniel?"

"For years. We hang out quite often. He's a good guy."

"He is. So are you one of his gamer friends?"

"Yeah. I'm not really into the woods thing."

"You can bike, hike, or swim anywhere."

"I guess. Maybe I'll go one of these times."

"Yeah, swimming would be fun with more people."

"You should use the pool, lots of people swim there."

"No way! The pond is magnificent! It's so clear."

"Hmm, maybe I'll head out there."

"You should."

He put the ice cream back and grabbed his plate, "So where were you eating?"

"Patio." He looked over at me and smiled. "What?"

"You seem laid back and relaxed."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're going to be Luna."

I rolled my eyes, "And?"

"Well, if I was going to be alpha I would go insane."

"Only because you didn't grow up knowing that. It would be a shock for you."

"And you?"

I shrugged, "Nothing to get worked up about."

"You'll make a great Luna. Calm and relaxed. Easygoing and down to earth. Dan was right, you're a natural. But aren't you worried about the rogues?" All the males knew about the war that was coming up, even most of the females knew. But I don't think many pups did, parents didn't want the added stress with all their fear when they didn't know when it would be.

"Here's a secret: let the alpha worry."

He laughed, "Yeah, well I'm worrying too. I know I can fight, but rogues are evil. To think I won't come back and see everyone, that's scary as shit Luna."

"Blake."

He nodded.

"Are you mated?"

I knew he was close the moment he smiled in that loving way, "Not yet."

"Yet?

"That's another thing. What if I don't come back and we've mated, she'll be crushed. Her wolf will go insane. I'll be the reason she ends up crazy and alone."

"What's she like?"

"Oh, she's a little spitfire. She's full of life and absolutely amazing in every way."

Just looking at him I was jealous, I wanted to be thought of that way, not to mention talked about like that.

"What's her name?"

"Carly." He even said her name that way, I tried to hide my jealousy.

"Why don't you wait until after to mate?"

"She wants to mate now, she wants everyone to know she's mine, God that sounds great. But I don't want to hurt her by leaving."

"Tell her. She knows the risk, trust me, if she loves you half as much as you love her, she doesn't care about the pain, she just wants to know what it's like before it could be taken away."

"I guess that's true."

"Just make sure she knows what could happen," he nodded and I pointed my finger at him, "But don't die. She'll bring you back and kill you herself, and then I will too, for hurting her." We both laughed and he saluted me again.

"Yes ma'am, I will do my best."

"And that starts with training."

"Yeah. Dan and I fight sometimes, just to stay in it, but we both know its not do or die, so..."

"Yeah, that changes things."

He nodded, "Just slightly."

I smiled, "Don't worry. Just remember why you're fighting. If there's a will, there's a fight in you. And I think you have the will."

"I definitely do."

"Then you'll be back in her arms after its over."

He stared at me and I ate my ice cream, "Thanks Luna."

"Blake."

"Nah, that was some crazy Luna wisdom."

I laughed, "I'm not Luna."

"But you're still fulfilling the role."

I shrugged, "You know."

"Aren't you worried about the attack?"

"My mate is supposed to make it back unless you're all dead, so if you don't mind, don't die." The alpha was their main priority. They fought to protect him, then fought to protect the Luna, then the pack. That's the wolf in us.

"I would die for the alpha, or Luna, we all would."

"Then no, I'm not worried. I'm counting on you."

"I won't let you down."

"Good." We finished our ice cream in silence. I put our bowls on the table and laid back, resting my head on the chair. "So do you like Bluelake?"

I smiled, this was the first time I wouldn't be faking it, "Yeah. I do."

"Where did you come from?"

"The Blackthorn pack."

"Wait, and your name is Blake?" I nodded and he gasped, "Alphas daughter? So you gave up alpha to be Luna?"

"Would you give up alpha for Carly?"

"Oh yeah."

"Then why wouldn't I?" Even though it wasn't even close to the same thing.

"I guess it's the same."

I nodded. I hated that I made him believe that I did it for Caden because I loved him, but at the same time, I didn't want people to see their alpha mated due to an agreement. As if he couldn't find one on his own.

"So... Caden?"

"What about him?" I heard and smelt Caden coming and wanted to leave, but didn't want to be rude. I also didn't want to say anything to Adam that Caden might take seriously. Especially when I was twisting my words so he would believe one thing when it wasn't all true.

"You moved to this pack for him?"

"Yep." More like because of him, but that's a slight flaw.

"And he hasn't marked you yet? That's got to hurt, he's an alpha."

I shook my head, "Not marked."

"Why not?"

I shrugged, "I've been adjusting slowly."

"Makes sense I guess." I nodded, "So are you two mating before the attack?"

We have to, I thought but didn't say anything, "Yeah." I stood up, "Remember, I'm counting on you to bring him back." That actually means that we have to mate within two weeks. Ugh, I mentally groaned.

"No pressure," he said as he stood up and threw an arm around my shoulder, "I can see why Dan likes you."

"And why is that?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but you're cool." He said as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

I laughed, "Why thank you."

He laughed and squeezed my shoulder as we turned the corner and ran into Caden. Dammit! I forgot about him!

I heard the growl in his chest, not to mention saw the death glare he gave Adam, and Adam dropped his arm to his side, "Okay, bye Blake. Catch ya later. Alpha," he said quickly before he nodded in respect.

"Bye Adam." I said as casually as possible. He did nothing wrong.

Caden rubbed his face and I walked past him up the stairs. His eyes had been so black, like he was angry I had been with Adam. Or that he thought we did something inappropriate, like I would cheat on him or something. What an ass.

I jogged up the stairs to the closet in his room.

"Blake, I'm sorry."

I turned on him in our room, "For what?"

"I shouldn't freak out like that. Adam is crazy about Carly, I know he wouldn't do anything and you wouldn't let him. I just- It's hard not to."

"Not to what? Go insane because his arm is around my shoulders, or get mad because I'm talking with another guy?" My voice was calm but had a big edge of cold in it.

"Blake you don't understand. See it from my side. Please, just try. It already hurts not marking you, and my wolf whines so loud my head throbs when you're laughing with someone else. Especially a guy."

"I get your side. But seeing you mad at me every time is annoying too-"

"I'm not mad at you. Them, yes. Me, yes, but never you."

"Why them? Yourself?"

"They should know to respect you, you're Luna."

"Not yet."

"Not the point. And I'm mad at me for letting it happen, and yes, getting jealous."

"You don't have to be jealous, I wouldn't do anything."

"I know, my wolf just doesn't trust them around you."

I walked up to him, "But it trusts me right?"

"Yes, of course."

"Then forget the guys. If I have to I can mention your name and they'll back off."

His eyes were now black for a different reason, "Or you could forego the name."

"Really?"

"Yep. There's another way they'll keep off you." Is he bipolar? Death glares to sultry in minutes.

"And what's that?" His eyes darkened and I knew he was fighting hard to keep his wolf under control.

He grazed his lips over my neck where the mark would go, "I could make you mine," he growled out and I shuddered. He sucked on it and I gasped and moaned a bit. He picked me up and he wrapped my legs around his waist as he leaned me up against a wall. "God Blake, you're going to kill me if you keep teasing me."

"I'm not teasing."

"Really?" I almost shuddered at the way his voice gave me goosebumps when it was so lustful.

"Really."

"I want you so bad."

"Prove it." I said as confidently as possible.

He placed his lips on mine and tried to part my lips but I held him back, just messing with him, until he slowly ran his hand up my back and to the base of my scalp. He loosely held my hair and tilted my head back as he moved his hand way up my thigh.

I gasped and he kept moving his fingers on my inner thigh, driving me wild.

His tongue found every part of my mouth and he nibbled on my lower lip. I ran my hands up his chest and he shuddered as I gently pulled his hair. His fingers were still moving on my thigh and I pulled back to get air. He never let his lips leave my skin as he kissed down my neck and I took his lips with mine hungrily. He moaned and I smiled against his lips.

"Blake, we have to stop before I can't."

"God Caden you sound so hot," his voice itself turns me on like his fingers were just seconds ago.

"Look who's talking," he smirked and I put my forehead to his chest.

He ran his hand through my hair and I smiled. "What were you saying about foregoing the name?"

He looked confused before he smirked, "Well, you don't have to say my name if you have my mark."

Do I really want to do this? "That might be easier." It wasn't about the want. We have to mate anyways, so we might as well complete the marking half.

"Just easier?"

"Well, you know." Was I really getting him to mark me?

"I would love to make it easier for you."

"Would you?"

"You have no idea." His eyes were black with lust and my legs were still wrapped around him, meaning I knew exactly how much he wanted to. He wasn't hiding it.

"I think I do."

He smirked and moved me slightly so I was pressing against it. He got serious, "Are you sure though Blake? We can wait." His breaths were laboured and he was fighting so hard not to let his wolf take over. His teeth were already longer as his wolf took over and I felt them graze my skin as he talked.

"Not forever."

He looked down, "But you don't have to now, I was just kidding."

"I wasn't. You've said it yourself, now everyone will know." And people will stop questioning why we haven't mated yet.

"Said what?" He smirked and I knew he wanted me to say it. I knew he wanted me to say I was his, and actually I liked the sound of that. A lot.

It got quiet and I leaned close to him, my lips just a breath away. My wolf was almost purring but frustrated because it was taking so long.

He kissed me and kept his lips so close to the spot he would mark that I shivered as his breath blew across it, "You're mine."

I shivered involuntarily from the pleasure I got just from hearing him say that. I didn't know how much he affected me already. "Prove it."

He flicked his tongue over it and my head went back on its own against the wall. He growled and pressed more into me, "You're mine Blake."

I was about to respond when I gasped at the pain as his teeth broke through the skin, "Caden..." I moaned as pleasure shot through me.

He sucked on it sending waves of pleasure through me before licking it sealed, "Wow, that was the best sound ever. I'm going to make you say that again."

"Say what?" I said. It took a lot of effort because I was out of breath.

"My name. Proving that I'm the only one who can give you that much pleasure."

I smirked, "Well, I guess we'll see if you can."

"Are you doubting me?"

"Never," I said sarcastically and he kissed the spot he bit.

I was about to say something when he sucked on it and I melted a bit instead just moaning, "Caden..." I was so tired too as my wolf finally became marked.

He put his forehead to mine, "I'm never going to get used to hearing that."

"I'm sure," I said before putting my legs down and he put a hand on each side of my head.

I ran my hands down his chest to his waistband and lightly trailed my finger back and forth from hip to hip. The sparks that shot through me astounded me and it truly clicked that now we would never be able to leave the other.

Now I truly was stuck, I just hoped it wasn't too quick... not that I had a choice.

"Blake." He half moaned half growled as he grabbed my hand stopping it from teasing him further.

"And I will never tire of hearing that." I ran both my hands up his chest and pecked his nose.

"You've got to stop teasing me, you'll kill me one of these times." I laughed and yawned. "Okay sleeping beauty, get some rest."

I moved towards the bed but he stayed where he was, "Were you going to leave?"

"I didn't want to." He said hesitantly.

"Good." I yawned. My wolf, since I got marked, would crave Caden until we mated. The biggest flaw to marking. Well, unless you actually knew your mate. Unlike me.

We crawled in and I kept my distance like normal but he moved me flat against him before kissing his mark one more time. So many tingles exploded through me that I couldn't help my sigh.

"Blake?"

"Hmm?" I fought with my eyelids to keep them open.

He turned so he was leaning over me, not even half his weight was pressing down on me, "I couldn't have asked for a better Luna. You're amazing."

I'm not Luna, I almost said. "That's the mate thing talking," I said before drifting off. I saw him shake his head once and saw his lips move but I passed out.

I felt featherlight kisses trail up my neck as sparks shot through me. My wolf purred as our mate kissed us tenderly.

Right before he marked me was the first time we kissed, and now he's kissing me all over. What the heck?

"Good morning mate." I heard him say as I opened my eyes. I felt his hand brush the hair off my neck before I shifted away slightly. The pain in his eyes was evident and he blinked to cover it up.

"Don't do that. Please?"

He slowly nodded, "Sorry. My wolf can't get enough of you. And I'm having an even harder time now." That's when I realized we were talking about two different things.

"No, Caden. I meant how you hide your emotions. You cover them all, its like being back to the first day."

"I'm sorry. I've told you, I don't do the emotion thing."

"I understand that it's easier as alpha. I do it myself. But please, don't do it with me."

He nodded, "I'll try."

"Thank you." He nodded, "Why were you hurt?"

"You moved away. I thought you were leaving. Do you regret it?"

Maybe it was the mate pull talking, but I really didn't. I get that I'm his now, but it would've happened eventually.

"I'm sorry-" I realized he took my silence the wrong way and I put my lips on his to silence him. He was frozen at first before he kissed me back.

I pulled away, realizing that kiss was going to lead to places I didn't want to be right now, "No. I don't regret it."

"Thank God. I don't know what I would've done if you had." He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear as he looked over my whole face, staring at my lips again, "What I said earlier..." he trailed off.

"What did you say?"

"When I said you were amazing. I meant it. I thought so before I marked you. You amaze me Blake. You're the first lady to ever do that. And now you'll be the only one to."

I didn't even know what to say. He could've had anyone he wanted, he got stuck with me because of my father, and he actually likes that it was me? His expectations must be way lower than I thought.

"What are you thinking?" He said as he ran his thumb over my forehead to ease out the wrinkles that were forming as I pulled my eyebrows together.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why me? You could've had anyone. I mean, there's nothing special about me-"

He put his finger over my lips silencing me and I frowned at him. "You know what I came to the conclusion of the other day?" I shook my head since his finger was still over my lips. "That even though we don't have fated mates, that fate is still working to bring mates together."

"Why would you say that? You got stuck with-"

"Don't finish that unless you're going to say that I got stuck with someone I never could've won over on my own."

This conversation was getting way too serious. But he was hovering over me and I was trapped for the time being. "I'm sure you could've had anyone."

"Not you. You walked into your fathers office looking more beautiful than anyone in a simple dress, you literally took my breath away." I thought back to how he froze before holding out his hand, "You didn't even give me a glance. The first time you looked at me was when you were being a sass to your father. I'm sure you didn't even think about me after you left the office. I would never have ended up being your mate, and now I get to."

"Have to."

"After all that, you're telling me I think I'm stuck with you?"

"You are."

"It's not stuck if you want to be there." I looked away from him. What do you even say to that?

"How long have you thought this?"

"Since the day I met you. Although it didn't really click until I saw you laughing with Daniel."

"Why did you act so cold to me?"

He paused. "I thought if it was business that you would just see it as such and agree to it. Then I could win your heart over afterwards."

"You were wrong. I would've hated you if you had mated with me strictly because of a business deal. I would've thought of you like my father. Because that's how cold he is to my mom, and I hate him for it."

"The day I realized you were comparing me to your father was the day I told myself I had to open up to you."

"Thank you for that."

"No, thank you. I didn't just open up to you but to everyone. I haven't laughed this much in years."

"That's what Daniel said."

"Seriously Blake, you're amazing. And I'm going to keep telling you that until you believe it. Just like how this is our room."

I'm pretty sure telling him it was still his room wouldn't go over smoothly right now so I just kept quiet.

"Blake?"

"I'm glad you opened up."

"Me too." He looked over my whole face again, "Can I ask you something?"

"You just did."

"Can I ask you something else?"

"Again, you did."

He sighed with a smile, "You're a smartass."

"No, I'm your smartass."

He took my mouth surprising me and put his tongue in roughly as he kissed me. I wanted him so badly. He broke away and rested his forehead against mine, "Damn right."

I couldn't help the smile that came across my face. I really liked the sound of being his though. I put my hand up to my mark. He never did ask me that question, but that's okay. I probably don't want to answer it. Not now.

"Do you want to see it my amazing little mate?" He asked.

"I'm not little."

"Smaller than me."

I rolled my eyes and gasped as he stood up from the bed taking me with him. He carried me into the bathroom and pinned me against the sink with his body. He moved my hair away from my neck and ran his fingers over the mark.

I traced it with my finger before he grabbed my hand and kissed the mark, "You're mine." He growled out as he whispered in my ear, "Got that?" He tilted my head so I was eye to eye with him in the mirror, "You're mine Blake."

I nodded, "And you're mine."

He smiled, "Forever."

I smiled and he kissed my neck. I couldn't help it, my eyes closed of their own accord and I closed my mouth but still moaned.

"You don't now what that sound does to me Blake."

I shifted my hips and felt his length against my back, "I actually think I do."

He chuckled, "I guess you do."

After the silence became awkward I pulled out of his arms and went into the bedroom. I didn't even hear him come up behind me before he tossed me on the bed and laid beside me, "I hope you weren't planning on leaving."

"I'm hungry." I said sitting up.

"I thought you would be, I had Daniel bring up some yogurt and fruit."

I looked over at him, "We can't stay here all day."

"Why not?"

I shrugged. I actually wouldn't complain if we did, because I was still exhausted. I was about to say that I shouldn't spend all day in someone else's room but I think he would've flipped. "I should shower and move around. But you should sleep you look tired."

"I am tired."

"Well I'll leave you to nap then."

"Do you really want me to sleep?"

"Yeah, you're tired. You should sleep."

"Are you sure you want me to sleep?"

I nodded confused until he held me against him in his bed.

"Then you have to sleep."

"That's not fair." Him and his stupid rule.

"Come on sleepyhead you're exhausted, just lay with me for a few more hours."

I doubt my wolf would let me leave anyways, so I nodded, "But maybe next time I'll make you sleep in your office."

"Don't be mean Bee."

I turned around and stared at him, "What?"

"Don't be mean, I didn't mean-"

"What did you call me?"

He hesitated before getting worried. "Bee. I think it suits you. Do you not like it?"

"Where did you get that from?"

"I don't know. It just felt right. Does it bother you?"

"What? No, I just- my grandpa used to call me that. Sometimes Dana, Benji, mom or Jess will but lately no one does."

"Do you mind if I call you it?"

"Any other options?" I asked jokingly and he smirked.

"Maybe."

"I was kidding. Wait, do you actually have other nicknames for me?"

"No, just names. I decided Cupcake doesn't suit you but if Dan called you beautiful I'd hit him. Even though its true."

"Why beautiful?"

"Well, that's what I was going to go with but I didn't think it would go over smoothly."

"You're probably right."

"So Bee is okay?" I hesitated before I nodded and he seemed to relax. "Speaking of names..."

"Jut ask. We both know what will happen if you ask if you can ask."

He smiled, "Why don't you want people to call you Luna?"

"Because I'm not Luna."

"Yet."

"Yet," I agreed.

"Blake that's not all is it?"

"I don't feel like Luna."

"Why not?" The concern in his voice made me regret saying anything. He shouldn't care this much.

I shrugged, "Lets just sleep, you're tired."

"Blake, don't shut me out. Talk to me, please."

I sighed, "I just have a certain role for Luna's. Kind of like your theory about who can sleep in your bed."

"Our bed. What's your Luna theory?"

"It doesn't matter. Just go to sleep."

"No. Why won't you tell me? Do you think I'll disagree?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. I don't know you."

"What if I tell you what I'm looking for in a Luna and you can tell me what you think differently?"

This seemed like the best option I was going to get so I nodded. He started and his words shocked me.

******

So she finally let him mark her! But will they ever get mated? I know, it feels like it's taking forever, but hold in there! The war is coming, and... even more action! Please comment and vote!