I twist. And turn. And sigh. Sit up. Lay down again. Close my eyes. Open them. Nervously run my fingers through my hair. Throw a hand in the air. Grumble. Start whining. But the noise keeps on coming back. It's almost the full moon and I feel hot. AND THERE IS A MOSQUITO IN MY ROOM. I'm going crazy. The thing won't stop. And every time I turn on the light there are no signs of it anymore. I'm persuaded it was sent by the devil himself to torture me. Who invented such an annoying insect. The thing doesn't have any purpose in life except ruining my nights. It's the most irritating living being I've ever encountered. Worst than an angry dragon or a vengeful dwarf.

I should have asked Leila to bring the picture of Ralph and me to show Jared. Maybe it's not too late.

In any case right now I'm losing the last shred of sanity I hold because of a stupid-tiny-unnerving-hungry-bloodsucking mosquito.

I, the ferocious Beast of the Sun, Death incarnated, the strongest of the wolves, have been defeated by the relentless back and forth routine of a two-centimeter-little thing.

It itches everywhere and I can't help scratching my skin. Almost to blood. That's probably why the vampire keeps coming back.

I get out of my bed and out in the corridor before I decide to start a fire to get rid of it definitely.

I left Nate in the kitchen and got back to bed only one hour ago and I'm still sleepy. I usually don't run around at four in the morning. I decide to pay a visit to the beta, there is no reason whatsoever for me to be the only uncomfortable one. I scrape at his door, use a haunted voice to call his name but in the silence I can hear his loud snores. I think the guy could sleep in any situation. I walk to the next rooms and an idea comes to mind. I've had the opportunity to learn where Gabe's room is in the last couple of days. Quietly I go to the kitchens and start to fill a bucket with ice, honey, mustard and eggs. Every sticky thing I can find really. I walk on my tiptoes and open his door an inch to place the bucket over it so that it'll fall on him tomorrow morning.

More than proud of myself I watch the master piece for a while before walking off again. My feet drag me involuntarily to Nate's room. I listen in. I distinctly hear him breathe evenly and there are no other sounds coming from inside.

No Cory.

The tension in my bones eases a little.

'What now ?'

I don't know.

I look at the door fixing the waves of the wood without seeing them. And then I can't stop myself.

"Nate..." I whimper.

'What are you doing ?!' My wolf hisses.

I hear him get up quickly the next second. At least he is not deaf like his beta.

'Run.' My wolf orders.

No.

His footsteps are heavy as he walks to the door.

"Hope ?" He asks as he opens his door. "What's wrong ?"

He is wearing simple shorts, falling really low on his hips and I marvel at the sight. My brains stop functioning. Overheat. His eyes travel down my body and flash yellow. It's even more enticing in the dark. I look at my clothes ; a tight shirt and shorts.

Why don't I ever think before acting ? This outfit is ridiculous.

"There is a mosquito in my room." I explain myself whining.

"And ?" He asks amused, the tiredness leaving his features.

"What do I do ?"

"Kill it. What do you usually do ?"

"Burn the place down ?" I offer.

"That wouldn't be a good idea." He nods.

"I thought so."

He looks at me unsure.

"What do you want me to do ?" He inquires.

I start to think but my mouth runs by itself. I blame the mosquito on that one.

"Can I sleep here ?" I whisper.

Wow ! Wait a moment ! What did I just say ?!

'Are you insane ?!'

My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for his answer. I'm dreading his rejection. I see him swallow with difficulty his eyes moving from me to the inside of his room again and again.

"Yeah, I guess so."

He opens his door wider to let me enter the room. I take a step inside and am overwhelmed by his scent. It's worse than in the car because this time it's everywhere. He touched everything in this room. I take a few seconds to observe my surroundings, the decoration is simple and clean, the colors soft. My eyes zone in on the bed and I wonder how soft the sheets are. I don't wait for his permission and let myself fall on it.

Heaven.

It smells strongly of him.

I don't want to move from this spot for the rest of my life.

Without a word he comes join me, each of us on our side of the really large bed. I frown.

It's too big.

"This is awkward." He mumbles.

I roll my eyes.

"Oh come on, it's not the first time you share your bed."

It requires a great effort for the jealousy to not show in my voice.

"Actually it is." He murmurs.

"What ?" My head shoots to the side to see him.

"These are my private quarters, it's the only room where I can completely unwind. No one comes in." He answers with a small smile.

I frown.

What about Cory ?

Surely she comes in here. I turn to my side to look at him fully.

"Do you want me to leave ?" I question in a small voice.

His answer is even quieter. "No."

I nod and turn my back to him. I won't be able to sleep otherwise and we both really need some sleep. I fall into a comfortable slumber, lulled by his breathing and his scent.

I am awaken to the shouts of a very angry Gabe and laughter. That's a nice alarm clock. I open my eyes slowly, feeling refreshed. It's been a long time since I slept so well, without any worry. The sun shines brightly through the window. I feel something heavy on my stomach and when I look down I find a hand there. There is also warm air blowing down my neck. My eyes shine red, all my senses awake now. I try to ignore the tingles over my skin.

Not the time. I scold myself.

Slowly, carefully, I turn around in the bed and am suddenly met with the beautiful face of an angel. Alright maybe an handsome devil. A hot piece of art. It takes me sometime to remember where I am and what Nate is doing lying beside me. More like over me actually. I feel my cheeks getting hotter and my eyes are definitely a bright red by now. My heart stammers in my chest, jumping up and down. Or it might be looking for a way out. My breath is shallow, even my lungs have decided to go on strike. I try to move away but his arm tightens around me. His hot breath washes over my face. He's too close and yet I want to stay that way a little longer. I watch his long lashes, his straight nose, his powerful jaw. His lips move as he breathes, inviting, alluring.

That's a trap !

I close my eyes and try to gain focus.

Think of the yetis' horrible breath, the cringing laugh of the unicorns -beautiful beasts but really, that laugh...- the horrendous faces of the goblins.

When I open them again I find deep green eyes staring intently at me. And I stop breathing. I'm even surprised I once knew how. That's way too complicated a mechanism for my poor lost brains. He still hasn't moved and his fingers are still embedded in my back, keeping me in place. He looks at my face for a long time and I can't look away from his eyes.

I want to make a joke or say something witty but I am rendered speechless when his lips brush over mine like feathers.

Oh Lord...

I close the distance between us and press myself fully against him. His hand runs under my shirt and I start to shiver in delight. His chest is hard and warm against my own. His mouth crashes forcefully on mine. He rolls over me in the sheets, pushing me deeper into the mattress. His lips make a path to my jaw and neck, his hand over my stomach. I moan. My hands grip at his hair. He looks directly at me, his eyes shining yellow.

And mines start shining too.

In the micro second it takes him to react I extract myself from the bed and run for the hills.

Damn it, damn it, damn it.

My skin is still on fire from our make-out session.

'I can't believe you let him see it.' My wolf scolds me.

Oh please, I had other things on my mind.

I barely smell the odor of the mixture I made last night lingering in the hallway. I try really hard to not be seen. I take a cold shower as soon as I enter my room, trying to find my thoughts in the maze of my head.

Easier said than done.

My mind is a mess. After debating with myself I scrub my skin to get rid of the remnants of his smell with a heavy heart. That's the last thing I actually wanted to do. I still can't believe I slept so well. I may need to steal his sheets if I want to rest tonight. I think I'm addicted.

But there are more pressing matters at hand. What do I do now ? How do I act. I have to form a plan.

First, I'll dress up in something simple, invisible. Then I'll carefully walk the corridors and avoid everyone. Finally I'll go in his room and take the sheets off his bed and bring them back here.

What the...?! Focus you stupid brain.

Right. So, I have to avoid him at all cost. He's suspicious enough as it is. The last thing I needed was to let him see my eyes. Now I've gone and done it. I can't let him get near me, I can't be surrounded by his scent and stare at his eyes, or even better I should stare at his abs. He has delicious abs...

'Were doomed.'

I'm sorry I'm so weak !

I get out of the shower and quickly get dressed in a gray hoodie and jeans as decided. Unnoticeable. I don't get out of my room until I see Jared behind the house and even then I jump off the window in case someone is waiting for me outside my door.

I walk quickly to him. He's doing some stretching exercises.

"You have to bend lower if you want it to be of any use." I inform him as I get to his level.

"Hello to you too. Didn't see you at breakfast this morning."

As if to prove a point my stomach starts to grumble at the same time.

"I'm on a diet."

He looks at me from a weird angle, his head bent over under his arm, his foot in the air.

What the hell is this stretching technique ?

"You okay ?" He asks seriously.

"Absolutely noooo problem."

He stands up straight again.

"You know, if you want to talk." He starts.

"You would be the last person I would go to." I assure him.

'Even Berta ?' My wolf asks impressed.

Alright maybe second to last then.

Berta is one of the goblins I met during the last trip I made in India thirty years ago. I am a loving person, everyone is my friend. But this woman is simply the worst person to exist.

Who am I kidding I don't like anyone and I can count my friends on one hand. Still with her it's even worse. She's petty.

'Like you.'

Always angry.

'Like you.'

Unbelievably annoying to listen to and whiny.

'Still like you.'

Always showing off.

'Again. You.'

Alright ! I get it !

But she also tried to still my gold once so now she's on my black list. I think she would arrange fireworks and a fiesta for my funeral and I'd probably do the same for her. I may add some strippers too.

"Look, I thought about some things yesterday. I've watched your fighters train and they could learn a thing or two, you are way too nice with your prisoners, and your reaction time during an attack is inefficient.

"Anything else ?" He mumbles.

"Let's start with that, we'll see the rest later if we have some time." I add for pleasure.

He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms on his chest.

"What do you want to start with ?" I inquire.

"Well, I don't think they'll be happy if I tell them they suck and you want to teach them."

"They love me." I exaggerate the sweetness of my voice.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night." He nods.

Even though he's not convinced he introduces me to his men, explaining to them I wanted to show them some 'new martial art techniques'. Of course they all laugh and start ignoring me.

I clear my throat gaining some's attention. Others are more willing to learn like Tom and Anthony.

This won't do.

I walk to Gabe who is in the group ignoring me and smile at him with all my white shiny teeth.

"Did you like my surprise this morning ?" I ask innocently. "Might be a perfume a little too strong though."

Now, that's how you get their attention.

They start to whisper and some seem amused. Gabe is fuming.

"Alright." I announce loudly. "For the next minute I'll let you try and touch me. You can attack alone or in groups. If you can put a finger on me I'll leave you alone. However, if after one minute you still haven't succeded you'll have to suck it up and listen to me. Also, I will fight back, so if you get hurt... it's not my fault." I end with a shrug.

'Please let me fight. Please let me fight.'

I think you didn't understand the principle of not showing my true identity.

'You're no fun.' My wolf pouts.

The fighters in front of me are glaring my way. Apparently they don't like to be looked down upon like that.

"Ready when you are." I tease.

Gabe is the first to launch at me aiming for my head. I bend down and hit him in the stomach making him wobble backwards. Then two other fighters come at me, in sync, using a routine they know by heart. The first one shoots at my legs while the second tries to grab my arm but I jump out of reach and use the first one as a shield to protect myself from the kick of the second before pushing them forcefully to the ground. I hear some grunts behind me and Gabe is ready to punch me again with the help of five others. I start by breaking his nose not letting him land his hit. He falls back on his ass howling in pain and I take advantage of the diversion to swoop the feet of three of the others, making them fall too before concentrating on the last two. They are less organized than the ones before, their attacks more hazardous. I grab the one on my left by the arm, twisting in his back to make him unable to move. I use his whole body as support to lift myself off the grass and swing my leg in the face of the one on my right. They crumble to the floor. I straighten up in front of them.

"Time's up." I inform the panting corpses on the ground.

Gabe is still crying in pain, sweet melody to my ears. Someone applauds behind me and I turn around frowning.

Wha...

'Why is he here ?'

Wha...

'What do we do ?'

Wha...

'I see you lost your last neuron.' My wolf sighs definitely rolling her eyes at me.

Hum...

"I was taking a break from signing papers, you know, organizing a summit. So I decided to look through the window. But I never thought I'd see such a great spectacle !" Nate exclaims, apparently enjoying himself. "Can I join in ?"

I look at my feet in panic and trot to hide behind Jared. He's tall, they can't see me behind him. He can't see me.

"I'm not helping if he stays." I inform the beta uncomfortably.

He observes me warily before glancing at Nate.

"What did you do ?" He questions in the same small voice.

"What makes you think he didn't do it ?"

"So you really did something." He accuses me.

"I don't like your tone young man." I frown.

I signal for him to bend down to my level so that I can whisper in his hear.

"Make him leave." I plead when he does so.

'How old are you ?' My wolf asks exasperated.

I'd really like to stick out my tongue at her sometimes.

Jared starts to smile, I think he's mocking me. I place my hand on his arm, putting more pressure on it than needed.

"Do you need a second round ?" I threaten.

He just starts ruffling my hair amused without answering me.

The fist comes crashing down on Jared's nose from nowhere.

"Don't touch her." The alpha orders menacingly, his anger still palpable.

It's the second time he gets his nose broken. At the length things are going the poor guy will end up with a crooked nose. The bones can only repair themselves that many times. Jared is trying not to make a sound, his hands over his bloody nose.

I look at Nate calmly.

"You should go." I say quietly.

He just looks back at me, taking a step towards me but stopping in his tracks. His glare changes to uncertainty and doubt. He has questions he wants to ask, I can see it clearly in his eyes. I feel the same way. As if someone is pulling strings attached all around me, as if I'm not the one in control anymore and I just want to gain it back. I don't want to need him like that, I don't want to crave his touch or wish for him to smile. I wish things were simpler. That I could just wake up every morning safely in his arms.

But that's not my reality. In this reality my mate doesn't belong to me.

Nate looks at his beta and without another word he storms off.