I wake up, feeling more at ease than ever.

Now that my brain was working, I noticed the splash of black and white that occupied the room. Hints of dark red specked the large space. I grinned, enjoying the elegant and lavish interior.

I unwrap myself from the blankets I have cocooned myself in and jump off the bed, reminding myself to steal one for myself if I had the time to do so.

I give myself a quick stretch to shake off the grogginess. A lopsided smile tugs on my lips and energy thrums within me.

Today was one of my good mornings.

No matter how much I hated the process of waking up in the morning, I loved mornings. I doted the idea of being able to accomplish something. Nighttime always settled with me feeling regret and failure, the lack of accomplishment eating me away. Mornings gave me the chance to fulfill something.

I shamelessly open the door of Theo's empty room and grab a black hoodie from his closet.

Then, I exit the room, inhaling my mate's intoxicating scent. His scent manages to drive me crazy but it also made me feel serene. This could be those therapy lotions from bath and body works.

I searched for any signs of werewolf presence and received none.

Great.

It was time to steal.

I reach out my hand to grab a fully gold carousel music box on the table, but retract them quickly when footsteps reaches a my senses.

I face the suspect and forge an angel-like smile on my face. Or so I thought.

"I'm gonna choose to ignore what you just tried to do so you owe me one," the blondie from last night mutters.

What was his name? Leo? Miller? Emmy? Emily? Emilio?

"I suggest you take back those last words," I phrase. "Don't want a dislocated bone now, do we?

"Great. We've got two wicked people under one roof. Werewolfkind is officially over. The Moon Goddess really let the demons loose," he loudly says under his breath with the intention of letting me hear.

"Hell's been long empty. Guess where they went?"

"Here apparently."

"Lovely."

Emilio runs his hand throw his soft, shiny hair. "Everyone's out training, if you're wondering."

I nod and keep my hands clasped behind my back. I was itching to steal and I did my best to hold myself back. "Thanks."

"Follow me and try to not steal anything," he says as he eyes me with his blue orbs.

"Aye, aye captain."

For the rest of the journey, I follow in silence. My social battery was already dying and the day has barely even started.

Great.

I use the silence as an opportunity to observe. I notice Emilio take larger and faster strides as seconds passed by, eager to end the awkward atmosphere that clouded the both of us. He refused to look back where I was as if scared that I'd catch him staring. Still, when I moved to his side as we paced down the stairs, his eyes wondered to me, inspecting me.

Aww. I've caught someone's interest.

Soon, Emilio leads me outside the house. The brightness of the sun hit me like a motherfucking train. Immediately, I raise the hood to cover my hair and I use my free hand to block the shining orb from my sensitive eyes.

Finally, he speaks, "There's training grounds inside and outside the residence. For the majority of the time, however, we train outside mostly under Theo's watch. He claims that he fancies seeing us suffer under the sun's heat."

"Awesome," I huff. I hear the faint sound of Theo's voice and pick up my pace unintentionally. Stupid mate bond.

Sooner than later, we finally reach the training grounds.

Emilio halts before looking at me. "I'll take it you won't be needing me anymore?"

I mutter a short statement of gratitude as he walks away from me. I couldn't help but think that if it wasn't for him, my pockets could have been full to the point it drops to the floor.

My eyes wander over the clearing filled with sweaty, drained werewolves.

They were divided into three groups, I notice. The first one was a group of children and teens. They appeared to supervised by my beautiful friend, Scarlett. Her hair was again bunched up in a pony tail. She led the younglings as they ran numerous laps.

The second group was ran by the twin, Celestina. They consisted of women mostly.

"Yes, Gamma," a woman says to her loud enough for me to hear.

Cool deal.

Celestina nods to her. "Go."

My eyes gaze over shirtless men and women wearing mostly sports bras and leggings. Most of them performed their tasks without a single sweat while others were tired to the brim.

Now, where is Theo?

I squint my eyes, trying to find his gigantic figure. Furthest from me and everyone else was another group and a tall, muscular giant, which was unmistakably Theo. Eyes follow me as I walk past them and I march towards Theo.

The group was consisted of men and few women. The closer I got, it was noticeable that this group were the strongest of the pack—their top warriors. It was clear they had more muscle, more stamina, and more skill. I could easily determine that they had tougher and stricter training.

Theo's relaxing scent enters my senses and by the looks of it, mines reaches him too.

"Good morning," I chirp too happily for my liking.

"It appears that my dear Alexandria is a morning person."

I frown and reply, "Say good morning back."

He lifts a brow, amused. "Great morning."

I thank him to show my satisfaction.

I couldn't help but let my eyes travel over Theo's shirtless body in a blatant manner for the millionth time. What a blessing. Truly, he was a work of art.

He also sported grey sweatpants and sweatpants were the number one way to my heart.

Something about them just makes any guy 10x more attractive—okay maybe not all guys.

He crosses his arms, staring at me. I didn't miss the detail as his muscles flexed either.

Now show me your back baby.

I clear my throat and meet his scrutinizing gaze. It remained set on me for a couple of seconds when he suddenly beams at me as if an idea sparked in his mind. What the fuck?

"I see you've got your workout clothes on, my love," he tells me. His eyes twinkle with mischief. "Care to join us?"

Oh no no no.

His men stop their movements to look at us, baffled that a stranger was joining a group of strong warriors like them. I snap my head at them with an icy glare and they proceed to their actions.

"Theo, I believe I'm still a tad bit exhausted and emotionally drained from last night's incidents," I fake a laugh. "Now that I also think about it, I'm more of a night person. I better go back and rest."

"You know what they say: morning workouts will keep you active for the rest of the day," he adds, mirroring the fake smile I plastered on my face. "Good morning, sunshine. It's time to train."

"On a second thought, I actually feel really active. I don't think I'll be needing this training," I argue.

"Good. Now that you're active, I assure you training will be easy work."

I drop my smile and give him a resolute "no." To my absolute luck, a rumble emits from my stomach. It wasn't until now that I noticed how hungry I actually was.

Oh my fucking god, this is embarrassing.

"I'll have my people prepare you a meal if you agree to train with me. I'm the one supervising so I'll make sure you get special treatment," he adds, using my hunger to his advantage.

I think then reply, "Deal."

A home cooked meal was something I definitely yearned for.

"Only if you cook for me," I murmur.

"Anything for you," he answers with an enlivened expression. He turns his body away from me and towards his worn out pack members. His cloudy orbs brighten as if the notion of beating me up to the pulp excited him.

His men immediately cease their actions and directed their forms towards Theo, bowing ever so slightly.

"As you've all noticed, a new member," his eyes move to me. "has joined the pack. She has requested to join us in our training. You all know the drill. And I remind that you must all be respectful. If I hear anything discourteous in any way or form, you know what happens."

Requested my ass.

"Yes Alpha," they respond. They wait for his instruction, their feet planted to the ground.

"Proceed to your partners, " Theo says as he grins at me.

Oh fuck no.

This was not the "special treatment" I asked for.