The yearly mating ball had ended. Groups of friends and new mates gradually left the doors of the mansion. Only the elegant decorations and leftover trash remained to be undone by the workers the day after.

I watch as the last warriors who guarded the event close the gates of the mansion.

Now, the only werewolves that lingered were 5 Greek gods and I, the most beautiful off all.

"I'm bringing you with me," Theo commands firmly despite the tension that surrounds us. He either lacks the ability to perceive his surroundings or he simply doesn't give a fucking shit.

"Okay," I answer shortly, not really knowing what else to say. A part of me still didn't process what was really going on. It just felt too unreal.

Still, it was time to put a stop on stealing, running, and decapitating werewolves.

Temporarily, of course.

I ignore the other part of me that prodded my mind and told me I had other reasons for accepting so easily.

Pulling me out of my thoughts, I hear the guy named Giovanni suppress a humorless laugh. It was a laugh that was making my mind go haywire as I stop myself from murdering this son of a bitch.

"Let's not rush and be improper, my friends. We shall ask permission from her Alpha on her behalf," he eyes me. "Oh wait—you don't have a pack."

The blondie laughs and pats Giovanni on the back. And I thought he was on my side. What a traitor.

These people were not only annoying, but the fact that I was the one getting irritated and not them, woke up a fire inside of me.

Honey, I'm the only one allowed to bitch around.

"I'd tell you to shut up or I'll cut off your dick but—" I speak. My eyes travel up and down his body mockingly just like he did. "You don't have one."

The blondie lets out an ugly chortle and in return, his sister sends him a harsh glare.

As if on cue, a strong wind passes by, causing my hood to fall off.

Scarlett, the blondie's mate, takes a step or two forward.

"I suggest you stop talking, rogue," she says with slight disgust. "You're crossing the line."

"Sorry to inform you, but I don't do boundaries." I wink.

She sends me a sneer and paces towards me, but instantly stops when her mate grabs by the waist and pulls her towards him. Her body immediately relaxes under his hold.

Well, well. Will you look at that?

Turmoil is a beautiful thing.

I could smell the tension in the air. It was picking at us, forcing not only me, but also them, to fight.

Clearly, my presence seems to undermine their authority and they were thirsting for dominance. They obviously weren't very fond of me and they would gladly resort to violence.

Like expected, curly hair guy charges towards me. The space between us gave me enough time to react. I grin as I quickly position myself and lift the bow to the air, ready to shoot before he could close the large distance between us.

I haven't launched an arrow for a while. My hands have been clean of blood for far too long. Got a new arrow too. Sparkly and tipped in silver.

Giovanni would be a great trial testing. I wonder how cute he'd look like with blood dripping from his eye. What a masterpiece! This idea delighted me and I was pretty sure I had an ugly, creepy smile on my face.

I grasp the bow string, draw it, and release, aiming for his eye.

Maybe he'd look even hotter with this new trend.

He realizes this too late and tries to crouch. I grin even wider, considering the mission done.

Before it reaches him, however, I find my mate in the center of my eyesight. Arrow in between his palms. He lets out a shaky breath before snapping it in half, dropping it to the ground.

His eyes were furrowed and for the first time, he showed a sign of irritation.

How lovely.

"Fuck you," I seethe. "That was brand new, Theo! Do you know how hard it was to steal that?"

"Since it's so easy for you, you can just effortlessly steal another one," he tells me in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Fine," I huff.

"Now set aside the bow," he commands. I glare at him, unmoving. Noticing my still state, he warns, "Alexandria."

I keep my eyes trained on him and notice his eyes turns frightening bright grey.

Oh hell no.

I drop my bow and quiver to the ground faster than a speeding bullet. Then, I pull my hood over my head, going back to my lone state.

Theo turns to his friends.

"I hope all of you know that I am your Alpha. And even if I was not Alpha, remember," he pauses, asserting dominance. He sends his comrades a cold glare. "That I am the Lycan. Don't make me punish you. Such disrespect is unacceptable. I hope you all start learning how to respect each other. God, you guys are acting more like a rogue than she even is."

They nod and bow their heads in submission. "Yes Alpha."

He lifts Giovanni's chin with his finger, who remains silent. His expression, however, indicated his rage.

"You are my Gamma, am I right, Gio?"

Hesitating to reply, he slowly says, "Yes, Alpha."

"Then act like one."

I almost let out a snort.

"Same goes for the rest of you. Don't make me regret bestowing you such high positions," he adds. Then, he looks at me, his brows and eyes seemingly softening. A mischievous smile dances on his face, making my heart skip. "And like it not, she's coming with us."

Giovanni growls, earning an unwelcoming glare from Theo.

Theo surprises me. Something about him distinguished him from the other wolves. He felt different. It wasn't because he was my mate nor the fact that he was an alpha—or even the fact he is the Lycan, which is a title given to the most powerful and recognized living wolf.

It was the cunningness that he held in his visage. It was the same mischievous smile and that same twinkle in his eyes like he held as if he found something interesting. He felt different because in some ways, he reminded me of me: full of secrets and tricks hidden behind one deceitful smile. Yet, he was unfathomable.

I have always been an observant person and I was always able to unravel secrets they hid so preciously in a snap of my finger. To my demise, Theo was so much more complex. Way more calculating.

This vexed me.

The fact that I was getting myself into something I might regret scared me. Usually, I had something to expect, allowing me to brace whatever was coming in the near future.

He was like a puzzle I couldn't solve. I wondered what kind of evil tricks he had already planned in his mind.

I stare into his eyes, searching for answers. He sends me a smirk.

"Shall we depart?" He asks. His eyes bore deeply into mine. "Before we try to uncover something we shouldn't have."

I look down and pull on my hood.

At first, it starts out fun. That was the trouble in trouble.