Eight

We had agreed to best out of three and after I beat him twice he sighed, "Okay. Best out of five?"

"That means you have to win the next three."

"Best out of thirteen?"

I lightly laughed, "I only have to win five, you have to win seven then."

He seemed to think for a moment, "Okay, you win."

I smirked, "Don't be a sore loser Daniel."

"Hey! I am not, cupcake."

"Thank goodness, considering I keep winning."

"Just wait."

"For? Although I guess since I'm stuck here for the rest of my life, you might win once."

"I'm much better at doubles." He said defensively.

"Yeah, I'm sure you are. You probably pair up with the best one playing."

He frowned and acted hurt, "You hurt me cupcake."

I laughed a little and put my racket in its case, handing him the other case for his.

"So what's the plan tomorrow?"

I shrugged, "What else is there to do?"

"Hiking, swimming, and we have other small games, but they're more fun with four people, you know, horseshoes, washers, things like that."

"Maybe we'll swim."

"Just two of us?"

"Honestly, I usually swim alone. We can do something else though."

"Nope, you won fair and square. We agreed."

"Well what competition is there with only two people that takes place in water?"

He smirked, "Racing."

"Maybe."

"Why are you a slow swimmer?"

"I don't know, I usually swim alone."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I used to just do some laps and get out of the lake."

"How many laps?"

"Usually four, but sometimes more. Lately about five."

"I usually do six."

"So I might have competition tomorrow." I smirked.

"I guess so." I was wondering how big his laps were though, mine were four laps the length of the pack territory. If his were around the pond it wouldn't be even two laps of mine.

We started heading to the house and I glanced at my watch to find that it was only just after noon.

"What are you doing this afternoon?" I asked him.

He shrugged, "I think I have some work to do."

"What do you do?"

"I'm beta, so-"

"Wait, your brother put you as beta?"

He nodded with a hint of a smile, "Yeah. It shocked me, I thought he would choose a friend of his but he insisted that I take the position."

"What about the old beta?"

"He went rogue after my parents and his mate died."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

He nodded, "It still shocks me that I'm beta though."

"Why?"

He shrugged, "He grew up with Kyle. They used to be really close, I figured he would be beta, I didn't even think about it being mine, I didn't even think about it happening, honestly, the position was as good as gone. But then he made me beta. Honestly, I thought he was pranking me. They just quit talking all of a sudden, I've always wanted to know why, but you know."

He chose his brother over his best friend? Why? Usually family is considered pretty much second anyways, so they choose a friend or someone else that they trust.

"He didn't even try to keep Kyle as a friend. He chose me and they stopped everything. They used to go to the beach, racing, everywhere." He was looking into the distance, "It all just stopped."

"I've never heard of anyone choosing family as beta."

"Honestly, I haven't either. I questioned him once but like usual Caden changed the topic."

"Like usual?"

"He doesn't talk much. He never talks about anything personal, at least to us. Ever. He talks about pack problems, things he likes, but never how he feels or what makes him mad. He holds in a lot."

I nodded. I was hoping we would change the topic. I had no intention of learning anything about him. In a few days or less, he would be in my head and I would feel his emotions, I didn't need to know them now.

"I don't think he ever got over our parents' death because of it."

"That's got to be hard."

"Yeah. I talked to him and he listened the whole time, but he never once said anything about himself."

"He takes his role seriously." I meant it more about me but let him assume it was about alpha.

"Yeah. I think it hinders him in a way. He needs to open up a little. I know he doesn't want to hear it, but he can't do everything alone."

"He has you."

"He's my older brother, he acts strong for me, you know, like how a father never cries, its the same theory. He's my rock, but he needs one too."

I nodded. Thank god he didn't mention me, I would've had to avoid two brothers.

We entered the house through the kitchen and Caden was just coming in. He stopped by the door when he noticed me and by the look in his eyes I think he thought I would run.

"Hey Caden." Daniel said as he looked in the fridge.

"Hey Dan," Caden said, but he was looking at me. I just looked at the fridge and Daniel's back.

"So what did you do this morning?" Daniel asked.

"Talked to some alphas. No news."

"That could be good."

"It could be bad. Training starts tomorrow."

"Yeah. Eight?"

Caden nodded and I didn't realize how tense he was until he relaxed a bit, but only a bit, "How did this mornings game go?" Again there was jealousy but I just stayed quiet.

"She won. Just barely, but she won."

I rolled my eyes and pushed his shoulder as I sat at the counter, a bit further away from Caden, "Oh please, I smoked you two games out of three." I meant for it to come out like I was joking around but my voice seemed to waver in front of Caden, but I let it go.

"I wouldn't say smoked." Daniel said as he stood up.

"Would you prefer creamed? Schooled? Skunked? B-"

"Okay, okay. I'm not a tennis player. But I'll win tomorrow."

Caden spoke up before I could and I noticed he had leaned against the wall with a hint of amusement in his eyes and he was much calmer and relaxed. It suited him, even his voice was less tense, "Win at what?"

"Swim race." Daniel said with a smirk and I rolled my eyes, "Don't roll your eyes at me, cupcake, tennis isn't my thing, but I do swim." I don't think Caden liked his nickname for me, especially since he tensed up again. Well, screw him, I thought. At least Daniel talked to me like a person, Caden could go back to his office and live there for all I care.

"Which will make it worse when you lose," I smirked.

"If I lose."

"When." I said as he came out of the fridge with all kinds of food on the counter.

He scowled at me but he had a smile poking out and I laughed a little. He seemed to relax again and I looked over at him. He was staring at me and I looked back down to the counter. His face was blank and I wanted him just to crack that exterior, just so I knew it wasn't business all the time, but if he liked my father as an alpha, it probably was always business for him.

"So, since you like cooking so much, what about lunch cupcake?" Again Caden tensed and I realized he wasn't just upset about the nickname, he was jealous.

"Maybe I'll make myself a wrap."

"Come on," Daniel sighed.

"She isn't your maid," Caden said as a growl.

"I know, she said the same thing this morning when I asked about breakfast." Daniel sighed as he started moving things around on the counter.

"Good for her. Trust me, she stands up for herself," it came out almost like he was proud of me but I tossed that idea away as quick as it came. I hated how he talked to him about me when I was standing right there. Rather than saying, 'Good for you', to me he ignores me and talks to Daniel. Am I really just a piece of property to him?

"Don't I know it." Daniel smiled.

I climbed off my stool and started making a wrap as the room got quiet. It started getting awkward in the quiet and Caden and Daniel were giving each other looks and I knew they were talking through the link but I tried to ignore them.

I finished making my wrap and grabbed Daniel's plate.

"Hey, that was mine, cupcake!"

"Was." I got a glass of lemonade before grabbing my plate and starting to leave.

"Where are you going?" Daniel asked and I knew Caden wanted to follow me. He even took a step towards me off the wall.

"Just need to move around, I didn't have much exercise since the competition was so brutal this morning." I smirked at Daniel as I left the kitchen.

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

Caden's POV (Backtrack)

I hadn't eaten breakfast, like usual, so I had come for lunch. I came to the kitchen this morning hoping to find Blake, but she left when I got close unfortunately. I entered the kitchen and noticed that Blake and Dan were just coming in too.

"Hey Caden." Dan said as he ducked his head into the fridge.

"Hey Dan," I said, but I couldn't take my eyes off Blake. I knew she was avoiding me, that much was obvious, and I couldn't blame her, but I wanted to get to know her. She was absolutely stunning, her laugh was calming and my wolf always wanted to be around her, although I couldn't blame him, I wanted to be too. She didn't back down, but she didn't argue, she amazed me.

"So what did you do this morning?" Daniel asked.

"Talked to some alphas. No news." We were waiting to know when the war was coming. Blake and I had to be mated by then, but I did not want to force her. I don't mind taking this slowly, but there was a time limit unfortunately. I wish I had met her on a normal basis.

"That could be good."

"It could be bad. Training starts tomorrow."

"Yeah. Eight?"

I nodded and relaxed just a touch, I hadn't realized how tense I was. I always got so tense with her around, I don't know why. I didn't want her to think of her father when she looked at me, or compare us. But I couldn't calm down around her, "How did this mornings game go?" I doubt I hid the tinge of jealousy I felt knowing that she talked and joked with my brother but would leave if she knew I was coming into the room.

She's ours. My wolf growled and I agreed, and I really did want her, she was a fabulous person, I just didn't know how to get her to be who she was in her old pack here. How do I make her feel comfortable enough to laugh and joke? To smile as she laughs with friends?

"She won. Just barely, but she won."

She rolled her eyes as a bit of a smile came across her face and her eyes lit up. She playfully shoved his shoulder as she sat at the counter. She ended up further from me. I wanted her to joke around with me, I just wanted to be the one to make her smile and laugh, but we had to actually talk for that to happen, "Oh please, I smoked you two games out of three." She said with a sigh and I relaxed a bit just seeing her happy as she kid around with Dan.

"I wouldn't say smoked." Dan said as he stood up from the fridge.

"Would you prefer creamed? Schooled? Skunked? B-" I love that she jokes around. She's sarcastic and has a great sense of humour, I'm surprised she never picked up a guy. I couldn't imagine I got to be hers, to call her my mate was honestly the best feeling I've ever had.

"Okay, okay. I'm not a tennis player. But I'll win tomorrow."

I leaned against the wall and had to tear my eyes off of her face, I wanted to hold her as I memorized every curve of her face and every colour in her bright eyes. They were a shining brown with a bright contrasting green that was beautiful.

"Win at what?" I asked and noticed just being near her was calming. Although I was tense, it was relaxing. Confusing, I know. I had never had this before. Not even close. There were a few girls, but they were all flings from other packs that just wanted me because I was an alpha. I slept with them and left, but I couldn't imagine walking away from Blake, ever.

"Swim race." Dan said with a smirk and she rolled her eyes, "Don't roll your eyes at me, cupcake, tennis isn't my thing, but I do swim." I involuntarily tensed at that. Cupcake? My own brother had a nickname for her before I did? She was my own mate! And he must use it often if she didn't even flinch at it. She wasn't a cupcake though, it just didn't suit her.

"Which will make it worse when you lose," the smirk that came onto her face lit up her eyes and I calmed again as I took her in. Her long, tanned legs were on display because she had on short blue jean shorts and you could see she was in shape with the shirt showing off her flat stomach and lean arms. Even her hair in a simple ponytail made her look beautiful.

"If I lose." Dan said.

"When." Blake said as Dan came out of the fridge with all kinds of food on the counter.

He scowled at her with a smile and she laughed a little. God I loved her laugh. It was deeper than her voice but it was real and her entire face shone with joy. I relaxed again and she looked over to me. Her eyes were a great shade of brown and I could get lost in them forever, with just that small hint of green. I had noticed it right away when she had that million dollar green dress on in her fathers office when I first met her.

"So, since you like cooking so much, what about lunch cupcake?" Again I tensed and I tried to hide the jealousy. How could I let anyone else get this comfortable with her when she won't even talk to me? I'm happy it was Dan though, he's always been there and I know he wouldn't try anything.

"Maybe I'll make myself a wrap." She said.

"Come on," Daniel sighed.

"She isn't your maid," I growled. It was strange, I had two extremes by her. I was calm that she was near but I was tense because she wasn't in my arms. So half the time I went between tense and relaxed more times than I could count in a simple conversation with her. It was exhausting trying to control it.

"I know, she said the same thing this morning when I asked about breakfast." Daniel sighed as he started moving things around on the counter.

"Good for her. Trust me, she stands up for herself," I actually loved that about her. With a father like that she could've came out selfish, passive and listened like a robot, but she didn't. She was independent, strong and confident. What's not to like?

"Don't I know it." Dan said.

Blake started making a wrap as the room got uncomfortably quiet.

Well she didn't run, Dan said through the link as he looked at me.

Thank God, that hurts, I said back.

Just give her time, he said and I glared at him. It's not like I was going to take her right here on the counter for gods sake!

You know I would give her forever, but there's only so much time Dan.

I know, I forgot.

Was she happy today? Did she mention tonight?

She was happy, well, considering her situation I would say happy, happier than yesterday. No, she didn't mention tonight.

Should I wait?

Ask her, he glared at me and I stared back.

That's hard when she's avoiding me.

She's here now. I gave him a look and he shrugged.

And then she'll leave.

But she'll know you care enough to wait.

That's true, I responded and decided I should just ask. It was quiet in the room anyways.

I was about to speak when she snatched Dan's plate and he yelled jokingly, "Hey, that was mine, cupcake!"

"Was." She smirked and got a glass of lemonade before grabbing her plate and starting to leave.

"Where are you going?" Dan asked. I didn't want her to go. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and just hold her. I just wanted to feel calm and completely happy. I stood up but held my wolf back from making me go after her.

"Just need to move around, I didn't have much exercise since the competition was so brutal this morning." She smiled at Dan as she left the kitchen. I love that she's so calm with him, especially since they'll be in-laws, but I hate to admit I'm jealous that we can't even be in the same room without it being a problem.

A moment later I snapped out of my thoughts, "Caden?"

"Sorry, did you say something?"

"I asked if you were going to stop hurting yourself."

I took a deep breath and unclenched my fists and felt the nail marks heal. I have always done that as a way to brace myself. After our parents died it was a permanent thing so I would stay strong for him and the pack, but I still do it if I'm calming, restraining or bracing my wolf for something. As of right now I was restraining it from marking my mate as her scent blew through the open door as she left.

"Sorry."

"Well, she seemed better around you."

"Better than what?"

"I'm just trying to be optimistic."

"It's only because you were here," it came out with a bigger edge than I planned and I apologized.

"Well one of us has to treat her like she is home rather than locked up like a prisoner in a cell."

"I can't treat her like anything Dan! That's the problem. I'm either tense because she's close but not close enough or I'm completely relaxed! The only problem is I can only relax when she laughs or smiles! And then I tense because I know it will be forever until she smiles because of me, because of something I said or did, and even longer until I can make her laugh! I want to be what makes her happy Dan! I don't want to make her hate living here, but I know I do. I know she blames me. Heck, I blame myself for the fact that she doesn't smile or laugh."

He kept quiet and I think he was shocked that I even said how I felt. I don't remember the last time I broke down like that and gave anything away.

"Caden, she smiles, and she laughs. It's not like she sits around moping, you've got to factor that in. The only time she was alone was because she was exhausted after moving, and anyone would be. Give her some credit."

"You didn't see her at her old pack Dan. She was always smiling, and she laughed around most of her pack members. She smiled to them all as she passed them. She spent a lot of time alone, at least when I was there, but when she was around people she made everyone smile and laugh. And she easily smiled and laughed back. How do I bring that back?" I even noticed how defeated I sounded, but for once I wanted something I've never wanted before. I wanted a mate that was happy to see my face when she woke up and before she fell asleep, one that would lay in my arms all night and wake up happy that we were together. And I didn't want that with just anyone. I wanted it with Blake.

"I know there isn't a lot of time, but give her as much as you can. And seriously, I know you're trying, but relax. You're usually better at looking calm, cool and collected even if you aren't."

"Every time I'm near her it wants to mark her. I want to mark her. And I just need to hold her Dan. I've never wanted something so bad, but I hate to force her. I know it's not ideal, but I need her to come to terms with it all, because if she hates me after I will go insane."

He nodded as we saw her slowly slide the door open.

"Sorry, just putting my dishes back, ignore me."

"Don't apologize, you're welcome anywhere, any time." I keep telling her hoping she would believe it, but I'm sure when she thought of here, 'home' isn't the first word that comes to mind. Dan told me she doesn't even consider this her pack and I wish I knew how to fix that.

She smiled the tiniest bit but it wasn't real, it didn't even reach her eyes, as she placed her dishes in the sink.

"We can still swim tomorrow, unless you're scared to lose, but we're training tomorrow, so it won't be until ten or eleven in the morning." Dan said to her.

"Okay." She left the room through the same door she came in.

"Was she quiet or was it just me?" I asked Dan and he looked at the door she left through as if it could explain the change in personality.

"No, she was quiet, she didn't even drop a comment about winning."

We both got quiet before we decided to work for a while. I didn't have much to do since I haven't heard back from any other alphas and decided to go for a run in my wolf form hoping to calm him down a bit.

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

Blake's POV

"Oh hey Blake! Haven't seen you since yesterday," Sam said as she walked up.

"Yeah, I've been trying to keep busy."

"Well, I know one way you could do that," she wiggled her eyebrows and I assume she meant mating, and more, with Caden.

I'm pretty sure they didn't know why I was here, or at least how I ended up going to be his mate. They probably think it was my decision, rather than an arranged deal.

When I didn't respond she looked around, "Actually, where is alpha? I haven't seen you two together since he introduced you."

I didn't know how much he told them so I just went along with it, "Yeah, he's doing alpha things."

"And you?"

"Just finishing lunch."

"What about after? You could come shopping with us."

"Us?"

"Yeah, about five of them and I."

I smiled, "No, but thanks. I appreciate it, but I'm actually exhausted, I think I'm going to nap."

"I bet you are," she wiggled her eyebrows and I rolled my eyes.

Did she really think he wouldn't have marked me first? Sam was starting to get under my nerves and I stood up to leave.

"He is an alpha, I bet it's tiring..." She kept going on and on and I wanted to punch her in the face. I zoned her out until she giggled an it brought me back to what she was saying, "I mean, I'm sure he has experience, and endurance, if you know what I mean-" I did not want to talk about his sex life.

"I think we all know what you mean. But honestly, this is not your business, so unless you want problems, I suggest you leave my mate alone." Caden had authority in his voice as he walked up behind me, slipping his arm around my waist in a protective manner and Sam's face went red. That's got to be embarrassing. Oh gosh, did he think I was asking about him? That's humiliating. Why did he have to come now? I was thankful but not at the same time.

"We were just talking." Sam said nervously.

"No, you were just leaving."

She nodded and turned back to meet her friends.

It was just the two of us a short couple seconds later and I took a couple steps away, his arm fell to the side and sadness swept over his face before be covered it up in his business tone.

"I apologize for her behaviour, and holding you."

I shook my head, "Don't bother." It got quiet again and I needed to clear this up, " I wasn't wondering, she brought it up."

He chuckled, "I know. She has issues with privacy, always has."

Wow, he should laugh more my wolf said but I tried to deny it. I definitely didn't win that.

I nodded slowly and he stepped closer slowly. I knew he was watching me, whenever we were together he was watching me. I wanted him to leave but at the same time his arm around my waist did not feel as bad as it should have and I had so many questions about him. Did he want to introduce me to the pack so I would mate with him sooner? When was he going to mark me? Mate with me? Would he make me sleep in his room after? It sounds stupid since we would've already been intimate, but still. It wasn't even the mating, it was the fact that I would feel his emotions afterwards. And my wolf would want to be near him at all times. And I would have the pack link, which meant I couldn't deny that this was my pack, and if anything happened, it would be this pack-his pack that I would have to turn to.

Plus, unless I focussed on blocking him out all the time, he would know what I was thinking if he wanted to, and he would feel all my strong emotions.

Mating completely got rid of any privacy we had between us and I didn't want to lose it. And I would never be able to leave, I would physically go crazy and eventually die if I left. And he would die. I didn't know him, but I didn't want to be responsible for that. A pack losing their alpha is not good in any way.

"Is tonight too early?"

Is he seriously asking if we were mating tonight? After two days? I knew it would be brought up in a businesslike manner, but I didn't exactly picture it going quite like this.

"No, not at all." Sarcasm dripped off of my every word and I heard him curse under his breath.

"I meant for the introduction to the pack. I should've been more specific, sorry." There was a slight red to his cheeks and I wanted to laugh because the big bad alpha was blushing.

I shrugged and stood up from the patio chair, "Let me know where to be and when. I'll try not to embarrass you." I said before I turned to walk away. I didn't mean to sound like a bitch, but it was hard. I've honestly talked to two people, other than him, and one ended up going on about the advantages of having sex with an alpha. Like what the hell?

"You couldn't embarrass me." he said quietly, so quietly I wasn't sure he meant to say it. "How do you want it done? I could introduce you at a pack dinner, or formally and have everyone meet in the hall or something. Would it be more comfortable at dinner for you?"

Times like this I think he cares, but does he? Or is he acting to get me to mate with him? And how could he care about me after two days? A week, maximum, if you count the first meeting as knowing each other.

I nodded, "Dinner would be good, if that's not too much trouble."

"Of course not. Um, I wasn't sure if you wanted everyone to know," he paused to think of how to word it, "Why we're mating. I can just say that you're from the Blackthorn pack and that we're going to mate and leave it at that if you'd like."

"I would." I turned but stopped.

"I know it's not ideal, but I'm trying not to make it worse."

"Thank you." I turned and left to find my room.

I fell asleep asking myself a million questions I couldn't answer before and still had no better guess as to the real answers.

I had slept for about an hour and a half and woke hearing a knock on my door.

I was tired and didn't realize it was Caden until I opened the door to see his dark brown eyes looking me over. It wasn't in a perverted way, like Leonard had done, it was almost as if he was making sure it was me, and that I was okay.

I looked down and tucked my hair behind my ear, wishing it was up before readjusting my clothes and looking up.

"I didn't realize you were sleeping, I wouldn't have-"

I shrugged, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to know if tonight was too early for the introduction."

I shrugged, "I told you. I just need a time and a place."

"It's up to you Blake, I don't think you've talked to many people. Will this help? Or do you want to know some more first?"

"Whatever you think the pack would want. Would they rather meet me like anyone else the first time, or would they rather get a first impression from an introduction?"

He had happiness in his eyes when I glanced up and I looked back down. Why was he so happy? Was it because I asked about the pack? I'm going to be Luna, that's kind of expected, even if I don't get a say in anything, like my mom has. It came naturally for me since I have alpha blood from my old pack, but not so much for his pack. I would've died for my old pack, I still would, and I know I would die for his pack if I had to, but not nearly as quickly.

"How about we meet in the middle? You meet the regular dinner goers and for the rest you can meet the pack as you see them?"

"Whatever." He seemed like he wanted me to meet the pack.

He smiled, "The dinner crew is usually Dan, his friends, and other groups. Mostly around our age."

I nodded and he took a step back, "Just let me know what you want."

I nodded and he seemed like he wanted to say something but instead he just smiled and walked off. He was mumbling something but I couldn't make it out as he walked away.

Did I want to meet the pack tonight? Meeting the dinner crew sounded like an okay plan. I mean, eventually I would have to meet the whole pack, but a part at a time would be good, and I know Daniel, so that's a relief. One down, dozens of wolves to go.

I guess two if you count Sam but I'm really hoping she didn't always act like that.