"I say we hand her over to them," Giovanni's furious voice books across the room.

Of course. He just had to, didn't he?

There was a series growls and snarls sent his way. The natural instinct to protect their future Luna was already kicking in. Anything harmful thrown my way—whether physically or mentally—will just continue to test the waters and anger them.

Even so, there were those who remain unaffected or even agreed with Giovanni. They nodded simultaneously at his declaration.

Theo doesn't say anything but his forbidding gaze was enough for me to know that Giovanni was infuriating him.

Clearly, someone hasn't learned their lesson.

"And why is that?" Theo asks, tight-lipped.

Giovanni pauses, as if he was making sure that what he was about to say won't end up with him losing a limb or two.

Theo raises a perfect brow when there was a lack of response and questions, "Are you gonna say something or not?"

Giovanni grips the arm of his chair as he reaches to a conclusion. His wary gaze wander around the room as if he was searching for a confirmation to keep on going.

Oh god. Don't say it. Don't say it.

He hasn't opened his mouth to speak, yet I knew that only unwise words will come out of his lips.

Giovanni looks at Theo hesitantly, but quickly returns to his annoying, smug expression. I was quick to note the tremble on his lips as he begins to speak. I part my lips and form them into a devious smirk as I break through his facade.

He was scared. Scared of Theo. And it was quite funny.

"Because she'll bring danger to this pack," he says with a surprisingly confident tone. "One death for the guaranteed lives of many."

I hear a low growl rumble from behind me and also feel Theo's grip on my shoulder tighten.

No one gathered up the courage to speak, gasp, or even agree with him. No one. And I mean no one, speaks of a mate's death right in front of them. It was an unspoken rule. The simple idea of dying angers them.

I gape at Giovanni. This guy must really hate me!

Everyone painstakingly waits for Theo's response.

As I expected of him, he stayed poised. If it was any other Alpha, I would have anticipated chairs breaking and punches being thrown. An icy glare was the only thing that indicated Theo's temper slowly trickling away.

A part of me wanted to see a fuming Theo, but I told myself I'd regret that.

"She will stay and everyone will give her the respect she deserves," he starts. My heart flutters at his statement. He eyes Giovanni. "You will serve your Luna. You will protect her. You will support her unconditionally and will obey her commands without a say. You will respect her.

Giovanni furrows his brows together, not willing to back down. "Why should I do that?"

Theo forges a smile and says, "Isn't obvious, Gio?"

He doesn't reply and presses his lips together in a straight line.

"Because I said so," Theo continues.

The meeting finally brings itself to an end.

I hop off the car as soon as we arrived at the Bloodhound pack house. I had to suffer about 2 hours third wheeling Emilio and Scarlett.

Stupid Theo and Cara.

'Privacy' my ass.

"Feeling drained, Catalina?" Scarlett calls out. Emilio's arm draped over her as he sports a smirk.

I scrunch my nose at her and say, "Ew. Do me a favor and don't call me that."

"Gladly," she drawls. "Catalina."

"Well, fuck you too," I huff and start walking to the pack house, pleased that I actually had something different to do.

I had oh so wonderfully invited myself along with Theo, Emilio, Scarlett, and Cara to a pack meeting with the Bloodhounds (scary little piece of shits). We would stay for a few hours and make our way back to the pack right away.

On the bad end, though, Theo, like the fantastic loving mate he is, sent me along with Emilio and Scarlett. It was disgusting. They were fondling and groping each other the whole car ride while driving! The memory of it almost made me puke.

I sigh and breathe in the fresh air, grateful that I could finally get a break from the couple.

"Pick up those legs and move, Catalina," Scarlett says with a mocking laugh.

A smile reaches my face. It might not be noticeable but her jokes felt more like it was coming out of a friend's mouth. Her laugh was no longer mocking but softer. Her eyes twinkled, as well. Just like how older sisters would make fun of their younger siblings. Obviously, she was at the meaner end of the spectrum.

That doesn't change the fact that the both of us still hate each other, however. But at least, we were able to tolerate each other for now.

I follow her and Emilio. "If I knew you were so obsessed with my legs, I might have even stolen a pair of shorts along the way."

She scrunchies her nose. "No thank you. Stick to your sweatpants, honey."

A chuckle escapes my mouth. I continue to trail behind the couple as they hurriedly found their way to the meeting. Their PDA led them to this tardiness since Theo and Cara apparently had arrived half an hour ago.

The meeting was waiting only for their arrival and werewolves were most likely becoming more irritated by the second.

When they arrived at a double door—which I assumed led to the pack meeting—I bring myself down to the floor and sit cross-cross.

Seriously, where was the chairs?

Scarlett enters the room and slams the door. I eye Emilio who narrowed his eyes at me.

"What?"

"Stay here and don't steal anything," he says before entering. I roll my eyes and scoff in response.

Then, I close my eyes and listen to the sound of complete silence. Crossing my arms, I drum my fingers on my bicep.

Soon, a treacherous quarter of an hour passed. Boredom was getting to me and I was being too loyal for far too long. A smile tugs at the corner of my lip.

What if I move a little? Just a little bit.

"Fuck it," I mutter as I lift myself up. I was about to as my way out of this damned place when a moving stones crashes into me.

"What the fuck?!" I curse out, feeling myself drop to the floor.

What a beautiful wide set of vocabulary I have.

"Sorry," a man's deep and strong voice says. "But it's not my fault you were in my way."

I scoff. "What a fucking jerk. Get your eyes fixed."

I hear a chuckle. "Feisty. I like it."

I scoff once again, disbelieving. "Stole a line from wattpad?"

"At least it works," he says.

I raise my hand and when he didn't get the message, I voice out, "Bring me up, you idiot."

"I knew that," he mumbles and brings me up. Blue eyes meet mine, which widens upon seeing me. The young man cocks an eyebrow as he takes in my appearance.

"I've never seen a redhead before," I mutter under my breath.

"It's a pleasure I'm your first, then," he tells me and winks.

"Quite unlucky, I'd say," I mumble. He only runs a hand through his fluffy hair and stares at me.

"Would u like a date," he asks as he pops one in his mouth.

"I prefer raisins."

Just kidding, they're both disgusting.

"I'll add an incentive then," he leans into me so he was closer. I take a step back almost instinctively. "Would you like a date? With me?"

I barf, earning a laugh from him.

"Yeah. No way," I say shortly. "You're technically a child."

"I'm 20!" He exasperates.

I scrunch my nose, pretending to look disgusted. "No thank you," I tell him as I hold my palms before him.

"C'mon," he pleads. "You're a loner. I missed a meeting. We both don't have anything to do!"

"Did I ask?"

He narrows his eyes at me and huff. "No."

"Then fuck off."

"Rude."

I huff, "Babe, this is what I call 'straightforward' and 'direct.' Now shoo."

He crosses his arms and leans on the wall—a failed attempt to look like some cool bad boy. "I don't think so," he taunts.

"Then don't," I sneer. "Because I am."

"Say," he drawls. "I'll ask someone to answer for you. 1 stands for yes, you're going with me. 2 stands for no, you stick to your little corner and die by yourself like a loner."

"Fine," I grumble.

I'll be leaving either way.

As if on cue, the double doors burst open and waves of people exit. They give me weird looks as they pass by me like I was an alien.

Of course, we all know my presence is just too alluring and my beauty is far too great for the human eye.

I clasp my hands together as my eyes meet my handsome Theo, who was discussing with another Alpha. Next to him was Cara, Scarlett, and Emilio.

However, my smile drops as soon as I spot a redhead coming their way.

"Ah shit," I blurt out.

The other Alpha notices his arrival and sends him a glare. The redhead sends him a wide smile in return despite the Alpha's obvious disappointment.

"Mason," his Alpha acknowledges him as he eyes him.

"Good afternoon, Alpha," he says, the smile still on his face.

"Where were you? Skipping your responsibilities as future Beta, I see."

"Actually...I met this girl," he blurts out as casually as someone ever could. My eyes widen and I cough out, choking on air. We barely even met, for God's sake! Suddenly, he turns to Theo curiously and asks, "Alpha?"

With a welcoming smile on his face, Theo replies, "Yes?"

"May I ask you a question?" Theo nods while the other Alpha closes his eyes as if he was about to blow up any second.

"1 or 2? Please answer. My future depends on your answer," he tells him and sends a wink my way.

Oh no no no.

I groan and resist the urge to slam my head on the wall.

"Hmm," Theo thinks while he looks at the guy named Mason. I'm about to be fucked up. "I pick 1."

"It's a pleasure to hear from you, Alpha!" He says, beaming at Theo, who just gives him an innocent, lighthearted smile. "Thanks to you, I'll be having a date tonight."

"And who might this lucky lady be?"

Lucky, my ass.

My heart thumps as I see Mason's head twist to my direction and his fingers point to me.

Everyone listening to their conversation turned their heads to look at me. A hear a snort come out of Emilio and I smile awkwardly.

I lift my eyes so it meets Theo's indifferent expression. I wave my fingers at him and he narrows his pretty grey orbs at me. He raises a skeptical brow and crosses his arms.

He forges an evil smile and looks at Mason. "What if she has a mate?"

Mason shakes his head so confidently I almost let out a laugh. "No sir. She's unmarked."

Theo nods his head calmly. "Not all mates are marked. What if she does?" His twinkling eyes snap to me before traveling back to Mason. "You do know it's legal for a mate to fight for their soulmates, am I right?"

Mason pauses before nodding. "Yes sir."

Theo smiles at him deviously and cracks his knuckles. "Then I, Theo deLuca, Alpha of the Royal Crimson Pack, challenge you."

Mason's bright blue orbs widen. His head travels back and forth between Theo and I, surprised at the situation.

"You guys are mates?" He spits out. Theo nods his head and his smile widens. "Oh shit, I'm out. Goodbye!"

He scrambles out and sends me a little wave when he meets me.

I gulp when I feel 5 pairs of eyes drilling a hole into my back.

"We must take our leave, Alpha Blackwood," Theo says to the Alpha, who nods his head. His befuddled gaze wander to me.

Theo walks towards me with a fake smile on his lips.

Oh shit.

"Now you, Alexandria, my beloved," he grabs my hand and leads me out of the hallway. Sparks run throughout my body. "Are taking the car ride back with me."

"Alone?" I squeaked. The wolf half inside of me was enlightened at the idea. As a response, I see a genuine smile form on his face.

"Yes, Alex," Theo drones. This time, a genuine smile reaches his lips. "Just me and you."