"Come on, Kat. You've checked everything a thousand times. We're going to be gone for a couple of days, not a fucking year." Zach groaned and ran his fingers through his hair for a third time since he's been ready.

"Did you take your charger?" Kat asked as she looked around the room again, her hands playing with the hem of her flowy white dress that reached a few inches above her knees.

"I did and you've already asked me that twice. Let's go and I promise you if you find that you've forgotten something I'll just buy you another there." Zach let out a desperate sigh and Kat rolled her eyes at him. She hated forgetting something behind, but he was right, they needed to get going. Grabbing her scarf, she rushed to the mirror and started placing it around her neck, Zach's eyes following her evey move. "Kat, it's a hundred degrees out there."

She groaned in frustration. "I know that. But since someone decided to give me even more hickeys last night, now I have to wear this to cover them." As fun as it was to have Zach's lips on her neck, she was now paying the price. She didn't care who saw them as long as his parents didn't.

With a chuckle, Zach made his way to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her back to his broad chest. "I don't remember you complaining last night. In fact I remember you telling me how badly you missed it."

God, that man was driving her insane. Staying strong, Kat refused to melt at his sweet tone or shudder as he kissed behind her ear. Yet she blushed when he moved his hands to her hips and pulled her back against his front. "Okay, fair enough. I did. But still, I can't just walk in front of your parents like that. It's seriously inappropriate."

"You're fucking adorable." Zach turned her around to face him and captured her lips in a soft kiss. He could never get enough of kissing her, he decided.

Kat wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. God, did that one handsome Alpha know how to kiss. Her toes were curling in her sandals while her lungs were fighting for air, and he was only going for slow and sweet. Blushing, Kat pulled back. "I thought we were in a hurry."

Zack smiled at how beautiful she was when she looked flushed. "We are, but I have my priorities, baby." He shrugged as he pecked her full lips again.

Kat laughed as she turned around and checked herself once more in the mirror. Satisfied with how she looked she turned to Zach. "Alright, I'm ready."

Zach adjusted his duffel bag over his shoulder and pulled her suitcase along before grabbing her hand in his. "Finally."

She rolled her eyes at him again as they stepped out of his room, only to be greeted by Ella and his parents in the hallway. Katie's eyes widened and she tried to pull her hand out of Zach's but he only held it tighter. "Morning." He simply greeted.

"Good morning, honey. Good morning, Katie." Luna Mel couldn't help but smile at the young couple before her. It had been a while since she had seen her son with an easy grin on his face.

"Morning, Luna. Alpha." Katie nodded in respect, as she tried to pull her hand to her side again yet Zach wouldn't let go. Why she was even embarrassed of such a small gesture, she didn't know, especially since she just got out of his bedroom that they have been sharing for the past few days.

"Are you two ready for this? Do you know what you need to do?" Alpha Mark asked as his eyes moved to their entwined hands and he smiled. He was so proud of his children, no matter what everyone else would think.

"Yes, father." Zach sighed. "Make sure everyone knows I've found Kat; we get it." He rolled his eyes as he pulled her along.

Kat's heart skipped a hundred beats at what he just said. She loved how he said her name instead of 'my mate,' as if he only cared about showing her to the world and not making a statement at all.

Ella's eyes trailed after them and she couldn't help but grin. "Look how happy he is." She whispered to her parents once Zach and Katie were far enough and they all just chuckled.

****

"Oh, finally." Kat groaned once they parked their car. Taking her hand out of Zach's, who had held it all the way, she picked up the scarf from the backseat in order to wrap it around her neck again

"Leave it." Zach's words flew out on their own. Kat gave him a questioning look, holding the scarf. "You don't have to cover up here. Let them see your neck. I mean, it'll only prove our point further, don't you think?"

Kat tilted her head to the side, deep in thought. Zach did have a point, the hickeys would indeed be further proof that something was truly happening between them. Yes, it was still a little embarrassing, but Kat didn't care much. On the contrary, she wanted to show off that Zach was now hers and she knew that his true reason behind his suggestion was showing off that she was his as well.

Smiling sweetly, she nodded and got out of the car, leaving the scarf behind. "God, I can't feel my back." She stretched her sore muscles a little with a groan.

"I can give you a massage once we settle in a room if you'd like." Zach winked as he grabbed their bags from the trunk.

God, he was smooth. Kat sighed. Looking around her, she noticed how huge the RedShadow pack house was. Another mansion, it seemed. The parking lot alone was huge and filled with so many cars and people grabbing their luggage and making their way inside. "There are so many people."

Zach wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his body. "RedShadow is a powerful pack, love. And their annual ball is actually quite fun. Trust me, you'll have a good time." Zach's eyes scanned her head to toe as she nodded her head. Every time his eyes would fall on her neck he would remember how sweet her soft skin had tasted on his tongue and how her moans had filled his ears. "Have I told you how delicious you look in that dress?"

Kat tilted her head up to look at Zach's eyes that shone bright with a fire she knew was meant for her, and couldn't help but smile. "No, but I assume just as much as you do in those jeans."

Zach threw his head back and barked out a wholehearted laugh. God, she was a handful and he couldn't get enough of her. "You're honestly not what I expected, Kat."

Kat's wolf jumped in happiness just as she grinned. Pushing herself on her toes, Kat smiled as he licked his lips. "I'm full of surprises." True, the more comfortable she was around him, the easier it was for her to just be herself.

Zach couldn't help but groan, his hands pulling her to him. "And I can't wait to explore every single surprise you've got, love."

"Well, well. Would you look at that?" Kat's head turned toward the feminine voice that interrupted them only for her eyes to widen. Before them stood a stunning looking female. She was gorgeous, with short brown hair, long tanned legs, a slim waist and exactly enough curves to make other women jealous. Yet despite her beauty, the wicked mischief in her eyes made Kat frown. "Alpha Zach has brought a lady."

"Lucy." Zach's smile fell and was instantly replaced with a frown and a stone cold stare. Kat's eyes moved from the woman to Zach who had just stiffened. The way this Lucy was eyeing Kat up and down gave her the impression that it was the first time for Zach to show up with a plus one. But why hadn't Zach taken Megan before, Kat wondered.

Tightening his hold around Kat, Zach cleared his throat in annoyance. This was not a good time for Lucy to show up. She was trouble and Zach didn't need any more trouble when it came to Kat. "This is Katie, my mate." Every word he spoke was a warning, that much was obvious even to Kat.

"Your mate?" Lucy raised her brows with so much hatred that Kat physically flinched. So this one was an enemy, it seemed. "I don't see a bite. But look at her neck, though." She eyed Katie up and down again before flashing her a smirk laced with venom, her eyes piercing through Katie's. "He has always been great with his mouth, hasn't he? I mean that tongue, goddamn. I surely missed you, Alpha Zach." She moaned, her eyes moving up and down Zach's body as if he was naked, and Kat froze.

"Shut up, Lucy." Zach groaned, his hand clenching on Kat's waist, only she didn't want to be touched right now. Lucy's meaning was clear enough for Kat's breakfast to turn her stomach upside down.

"My apologies, Alpha. It was really nice seeing you though. Refreshing, to say the least." Lucy sent Zach a seductive wink before turning on her heels and walking away, leaving Zach clenching his Jaw and Kat frowning in disgust.

"Kat..." Zach started, but Kat only raised her hands up to stop him as she took a step back.

"Don't. It's none of my business." She stated before making her way to the door. It truly was none of her business, or so she tried to convince herself. Kat was easily jealous, always has been, but she needed to remind herself that Zach's past wasn't for her to frown upon. The only problem now was that the gorgeous woman who Zach had apparently been dating before was staying in the same place they were now, which meant that she was going to be a constant reminder for the next few days that she too had had a part of Zach, just like Megan. And she seemed to had enjoyed that part enough to tell that to Kat's face.

"Fuck." Zach swore under his breath as he grabbed their luggage and followed after Kat in silence.

Redshadow had prepared a room for every Alpha and Luna of every pack they had invited. Every room had the name of its pack in wooden letters nailed to the door so no one would get confused. So a few minutes after they entered the pack house, Zach and Kat were escorted to their bedroom, and left alone to settle down until it was time for dinner when everyone should gather.

****

Zach sighed again as Kat silently entered the bathroom. She has been giving him the silent treatment since Lucy had so rudely ruined their morning, and he had been feeling like shit. He and Kat havr only finally begun to see eye to eye, why the hell did his stupid mistakes from the past have to show up now?

Looking around the luxurious bathroom, Kat stopped in front of the mirror by the marble sink. Her caramel blond hair was naturally wavy and carelessly down to the middle of her back. Her hazel brown eyes were somewhere between being sad and being angry. Just when she believed she was starting to finally be happy with Zach, something had to happen and mess with her peace of mind.

Kat groaned in frustration as she remembered how Lucy's eyes raked over Zach's body as if he was a piece of meat she was dying to taste again. The images of his mouth on Lucy's and his tongue on her skin just like he had done with Kat a few hours ago made her want to throw up.

Using the cold water in an attempt to calm down her senses, Kat washed her face, before leaving the bathroom, worse than she'd walked in.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" Zach was making small talk now. Giving him a nod, Kat muttered a soft 'Fine' before grabbing her suitcase and opening it. Zach scratched the back of his neck as he saw Kat unpack and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. Lucy is just trouble that's seriously uncalled for."

Steading herself with a deep breath, Kat silently nodded her head. It was none of her business, she repeated to herself. She shouldn't let his past take a part of their present; she knew that. Yet no matter how hard she tried, the image of him pleasuring and getting pleasured by Lucy invaded her brain and made her frown. She hated it when her mind kept playing her like that. She absolutely hated it.

"Listen," Zach inched closer to Kat who still hadn't spoken to him in almost two hours. She was deep in thought and the frown on her face told him they weren't happy thoughts at all. "I just want you to know that she means nothing to me. Sleeping with her was just a mistake, one that I'd regretted for a while now." He explained briefly, thinking that he was easing Kat's heart, only she frowned deeper, this time moving her eyes to meet his.

"What do you mean she means nothing to you?" She wanted to stay out of it, truly, but what he had just said triggered her curiosity. So he hadn't been in a relationship with Lucy before and it was only a one time thing, was that what he wanted to explain? Kat couldn't even tell if that made her feel better or worse. Probably better, but she wasn't sure.

"I mean that it was a one night stupid mistake that I wish I could go back in time and erase. She means nothing to me, Kat. She never meant anything to me." Zach spoke with honest spite, hoping to show Kat that he cared for her and her alone.

Kat wondered if he really thought his words were going to make her feel better. Instead they only pissed her off more. How bad of a mistake, she wanted to ask. How could a person be intimate with someone enough to make love to them yet feel absolutely nothing for? Deciding to be blunt, Kat asked, despite how badly she didn't want to. "Is that why you never brought Megan with you? You were worried she'd find out?"

Zach frowned in confusion for a few seconds before his eyes widened. "God, Kat! I didn't cheat on Megan. Goddamn." He shook his head. This was going worse than he thought. Way worse.

"Oh." Kat blinked. She was confused. Then why had he never brought Megan and when exactly had he gotten involved with Lucy?

Sensing her confusion, Zach took a deep breath as he sat down on the bed. "A little over a year ago Megan and I got into a huge fight and we broke up for a couple of months. She had been drinking one night at a party and kissed a random guy and when I heard about it I flipped and we broke up. A few months later was the annual ball, which Megan was supposed to join me to, but I decided to go alone." Zach explained, and Kat desperately wanted to stop him, because she truly did not want to hear his past conquests or relationships or whatever he wanted to call them. Yet she couldn't help but listen to every word he said with attention.

"Lucy had been trying with me for years and every time I brushed her off, but last year I was hurt and pissed and lonely and just stupid. So when she approached me like she usually does, I didn't say no. I let her take me to her room and we slept together, and the next morning I felt like shit, so I told her it was a mistake and it wouldn't happen again. A month after that Megan and I got together again. That's all that happened, and I told Megan all about it. She means absolutely nothing." Zach's eyes met Kat's and he frowned. Gone was the warm honey that made his world a heaven. Instead, her eyes were cold and pissed and disgusted.

"So she was just a meaningless fuck then?" Kat couldn't stop the words from escaping her. God, was she furious. "She was your revenge? Because Megan had messed up? Is that how you punish someone who makes a mistake, Zach?"

Zach sucked in a breath as he heard Kat swear. "No." He got back on his feet and walked over to her, stopping just a few inches away. "I broke up with Megan because she messed up. I slept with Lucy because I was lonely and hurt and too damn proud to sulk in my pain. I messed up too, Kat."

He spoke in a soft tone that reminded Kat that it was truly none of her business. It didn't matter who he had slept with before, it really shouldn't, Kat knew that. But to her, it wasn't just about jealousy anymore. It was about trust. "So if I ever piss you off, you'll just dump me and simply find someone else to please you? Is that how you function? If I ever mistakenly kiss another guy, you'd run back to Lucy? It's that easy, isn't it?" This was wrong, Kat thought as she tried to shut her mouth. It was wrong on so many levels, she knew, but she was jealous and angry and just as stupid it seemed. She knew she would never do such think, drunk or otherwise, but she also knew that people made mistakes, and Zach needed to understand that he couldn't punish someone for a mistake by making another.

"No, if you kiss another male I'll fucking kill him first." Zach's voice was deep and low and his words were laced with an eternal promise. His eyes were as angry as hers, if not deadlier too. "Besides, what the fuck does that have to do with anything? No, if you piss me off I'll fucking talk to you, Kat. Don't compare yourself to her. You're much more to me; you should know that by now." Zach was now pissed. Kat looked at him with uncertainty and it only added to his anger.

He took a deep breath and tried to explain once more. "Look, there are shit that I can tolerate and shit that I can't. Kissing another fucking man is something I can't accept. I'm a goddamn jealous man, and that's something I wouldn't be able to change. As for Lucy, yes, she was a meaningless fuck, because that's exactly what I was to her too. So it's not like she had trusted me with her virtue and I broke that trust, Katie." Zach ran his fingers through his hair as he paced the floor of their room, his wolf just as angry as he was getting.

Kat looked to the window outside, the garden's several shades of green calling to her. Yeah, she needed to catch her breath, calm down her senses, silence her mind and slow down her heart. Her jealousy had gotten the best of her and she hated it. "I'm going for a walk."

Zach wanted to protest, to tell her that it wasn't safe, especially since they hadn't met with the other guests yet, but he knew Kat and he knew that she needed some time to gather her head around. And he was afraid that if she ever felt like he wasn't giving her her space she would bolt. "Just be careful." He muttered when she was at the door and received another silent nod. Every time he and Kat would take a step closer to one another something had to happen and pull them apart and break a piece of his heart in the process.