I wince at the appalling sound. Why do people yell so loudly. Don't their throat hurt after making so much noise ?

"Dear lord. She's dead." A young girl cries out in a murmur, panic thick in her voice while another girl I really hope is Cory shrieks "Get your hands away from him !", her tone full of jealousy.

The wolf in front of me is frowning. My hand has yet to leave the fur of his head. It's so soft I could pat it all day long. Nate stopped growling almost immediately surely due to the surprise of my action. But now we are stuck in this awkward position, in the middle of the garden with more than a hundred onlookers. His eyes keep changing from green to yellow and back to green, his wolf resurfacing every other minute. The both of them don't know what to do. And I don't know either. But I definitely don't want to let go of his head. Especially when I notice the subtle shudder when I stroke the fur behind its ear.

"Hum, Hope ?" Jared tries awkwardly behind me. "I think we should go inside."

I contemplate the beast in front of me and still don't want to move. There is definitely something wrong with me.

"Hope you have to stop that and step back." Jared adds hurriedly in a whisper.

I scowl at the prospect of my hand leaving its place and then I start to scowl even harder when I can't get it away from the wolf's head, even when I try with all my might.

Now, that is troublesome.

'I don't know. I think it's fine that way.'

Can't you feel the murderous glares I'm getting here ?

'Who. Cares. I'll kill them if they try anything. Now. Why don't you try patting its strong wide back ?'

I'm in enough trouble as it is, thank you very much.

'No fun. You are no fun at all.'

From the corner of my eyes I see Leila walk up to us and carefully bow as she comes to stand next to me. Her stare travels along my arm and to my eyes, questioningly.

"Everything okay, darling ?"

"I can't move." I say low so that she's the only one hearing me, but Nate frowns again and I know he heard me too.

She turns fully towards me, forgetting all pretense and form of respect for the alpha in front of us.

"What do you mean you can't move ? Don't you remember how to walk ?" She murmurs sarcastically.

I glare at her finally looking away from the wolf even though I know his green eyes are lingering on me.

"Of course I know how to walk." I snap.

"Then what are you waiting for ?" She demands raising one brow, her arms folding on her chest.

"My body won't listen to me." I grit my teeth.

She rolls her eyes and looks at my hand again.

"Stop stroking his fur." She hisses.

"What ?"

I look back at Nate and true to her words my fingers are indeed scurrying gently over his head.

Stop taking control of my hand. I scold my wolf.

'I'm not doing anything ! It's all you.' My wolf bites back.

Is there someone else in my head then ? Because I can't stop moving my fingers either.

'I knew you were crazy from the day we met.'

Leila closes her hand around my wrist hardly. She tries to pull me away with all her strength and when it doesn't work she dives her claws in my skin. I don't flinch even when I smell blood. However when I see the red liquid running down my wrist and dangerously coming closer to the white-pure fur of the wolf I instinctively retract my arm. And just like that the spell is broken and I can move again. I don't look back to the both of them still observing me and step away from the arena and all the people watching us, going back inside the house my head held high.

I wait in my room for an hour, pacing in silence. I have to leave this place before I start singing happy songs. That would certainly bring down my legacy. I get the maps Leila brought me out and study them. There is a lot of things to do, a lot of places to go. The sooner I start the better.

Leila doesn't bother knocking as she inters the room. She studies me for a while and I try to ignore her, still contemplating the map. Maybe I should start in Africa. No, South America would be more logical. Then again Asia could be a good place to start too.

"Care to explain to me what happened out there ?" She tries to ask in an easy tone but I can hear the concern seeping through it.

"I don't know how." I start.

"Simple. 'Leila, I've finally gone off the rails and lost it.' Something along those lines." She offers and I roll my eyes.

"It was a fluke." I shrug.

"No it wasn't. I know you. You think every detail of your actions ten times before doing anything. This, this is different. I want to help you, you know that. But to do so I need to know what's going on."

"He's my mate." I mumble incomprehensibly hoping she won't catch it.

I turn to face her when she doesn't answer. She's frowning deeply, concern etched on her face.

"Mind repeating that ?"

"He's my mate." I sigh.

"Your... what ?"

"I know this is crazy. I think that's part of that stupid curse too because from the looks of it I'm not his mate."

"How is that possible ?"

"Beats me." I shrug again.

"Are you sure ?"

"I can feel it in my bones," I nod. "but he doesn't."

"Tell me about it. I felt there was some tension between you two but I never would have thought this could be possible. What are you going to do ?" She inquires.

"Nothing. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll do everything I can to help them gain new allies but I'm not coming back after that."

"Are you sure this is the right thing to do. I mean, you found your mate. You have the right to be selfish sometimes."

"It doesn't change anything, you know that. I'm supposed to live alone for all eternity."

"You told me about the Library. Don't you think there might be something in there that could help ?"

"I tried to find more information but it's written in the old languages and I'm a bit rusty."

"That's all the more reason to stay then."

"No." I shake my head. "I can't stay and witness him finding his mate under my nose. You know what I'm capable of, I'd probably kill everyone in a fit of rage."

"Well then, do you want me to do something ? Burn his bed ? Key his car ? Make him bald."

I gasp at the thought.

"Definitely not !"

"Alright." She laughs and the tension dissipates. "Let me know if you change your mind. Now, about that bath of yours."

I smile at her and let her have the time of her life in my bathroom while I go down to the kitchen to take a snack. I find Ellie resting against the counter, eating fruits from a basket.

"You've really gotten better." I tell her as I approach.

"Not good enough yet. I lost." She answers with a shrug.

"You are really good." I insist. "It's just that you can't win against the white wolf."

"Who said so ? What's with that anyway. I never heard about a white fur. Doesn't it mean he should be weak ? Since the darker colors are more powerful."

"I don't know, it's the color of the Moon, so I guess it should be powerful like her." I offer.

I have learnt a lot about the white warriors of the Moon during the last week. They were created to bring order and peace to the wolves and every time a white wolf appeared it was supposed to bring fortune and success to its pack. It was a reward from the Moon to the pack for their devotion towards her. There were two white wolves identified in our world's history. And sure enough I killed them both so they didn't have the time and opportunity to prove themselves and bring change to the world. They are meant to lead the way and pave the path of their peers. I guess I screwed that up too. I can't really blame the Moon for her hatred of me anymore. I destroyed everything she did. But I had my orders too. I didn't know any better. No need to be so vindictive.

"But he's really hot." She says and brings me back to reality.

I hear the sound of the wood breaking before I realize my fingers are closed around the edge of the table. My wolf growls in my head giving me a headache.

"Right." I grit my teeth. "Heard he isn't much in bed though." I blurt out before I can think it through.

"Too bad." She smiles.

I shrug and grab an apple in the basket, to stuff my mouth and stop talking more than anything.

Let's talk about something else. Anything else.

We are interrupted by the clicking sounds of high heels hitting the floor. I don't need to turn around to recognize the thick wave of strong perfume coming my way. I flinch when I can smell the faint scent of Nate mixed with it as she comes closer. Ellie tenses beside me and frowns. She's ready to fight. But why ? I finally decide to turn around when the curiosity becomes too great. I don't like mysteries. Except in a good thriller but who doesn't. I find Cory glaring at me and shaking, her whole body in a stance to fight. And she has a knife in her hands. She starts shoving it in my face.

My first reaction would be to behead the girl with it right then and there for even thinking about knifing me but I'm not really allowed to do that. I think.

Why is that though ?

'Beats me.'

I'm sure there was a good reason.

'Can't think of anything.'

Like, I'm a guest and a rogue and we are trying to be nicer to people, something like that ?

'Really ? Doesn't ring a bell.'

With an exaggerated sigh I lift both my hands in front of me in surrender.

"You." She seethes. "You." She screeches.

Me ?

'No. The Pope.'

"Did you need something ?" I ask her calmly.

No need to draw blood. Not just yet. Let's see what she has to say first. Then I'll throw her off a cliff or something.

"This is all your fault." She spits.

Ellie is by my side by now sizing our opponent who doesn't make for much competition and she starts to relax.

"I'll need more information than that." I say trying really hard not to roll my eyes at her incoherent tantrum.

"I wish you were gone." She growls, grabbing and pulling at her long hair. "I wish you never came here."

'Rude much ?'

"I'm leaving tomorrow." I inform her gently.

No need to have a crazy woman coming after me. She looks up at me with hope for a moment.

Do you get it ? She has hope that Hope hops on a bus.

Ah Ah Ah ! I'm a genius.

'I can't even be seen with you anymore.' My wolf rolls its eyes exasperated.

Cory's eyes turn cold the next second and she's back to anger, shaking her head.

"It's too late already."

"For the love of the Moon what are you going on about ?" Ellie asks aggravated beside me.

Thank god ! I thought I was the only one not getting anything out of this rant. I mean come on woman, be clear !

'Like you can talk, you never make any sense.'

"I'm talking about how she won't stop trying to seduce my man. He is not interested."

Wait. Hold on. What ?

"Are you talking about Nate ?" I inquire incredulous.

"Of course Im talking about Nate. Who else would I be talking about ?" She loses patience and so do I as I finally understand why she came to attack me.

She even said 'my man'. Does she want to die that badly ? I mean I wouldn't mind obliging. I'd be more than happy to rip her throat out or hang her by her feet.

Moreover my relationship with him doesn't concern her, even if I was trying to seduce him -which I'm not because he is the one coming onto me, let's face it I'm gorgeous- it would be none of her damn business. I can't help the smirk reaching my face.

She takes a menacing step forward, brandishing her weapon high like a sword.

"Put the knife down before you hurt yourself." I order her and she wavers.

"Don't ever come near him again." She orders back.

I can't believe I'm the one facing the crazy woman when he's the one who made this mess.

'And I can't believe you're just standing there, doing nothing.'

Ellie steps between us and raises an eyebrow at Cory.

"Is the alpha your mate ?" She asks dubious.

"He will be." Cory answers confidently.

What ? Wouldn't she already know it if they were mates ?

"That's not how it works honey. And if your alpha wants to play around you don't have a say in this." Ellie cuts her crazy fantasy. "Now give me the knife before I report you."

"Are you defending this rogue." Cory demands exasperated.

"Is there a problem here ?" Jared interrupts the two girls as he inters the room and observes the scene, looking from the knife in Cory's hand to me and frowning.

Why is he glaring at me ! I mean there are three people in this room, and one of them has a knife but I am the one to blame.

"Beta !" Cory exclaims. "This rogue threatened me."

I roll my eyes in exasperation. When did I threaten her ? No really, tell me because I think I have memory problems.

"Cory, you should go back to your room. I'll handle this."

The woman nods vigorously and exists the room with a big smile plastered on her face. I want to rip it off. Jared is already glaring at me when I meet his eyes.

"Now what ?" He demands crossing his arms on his chest.

I roll my eyes again and start to leave. Ellie doesn't say anything either as she follows me.

"Hope, we need to talk." He stops me in my tracks.

"I don't see anything worth talking about." I deny.

"How about your attitude earlier in the arena and now with a member of this pack ?"

I clench my teeth. Ellie studies me amused before winking my way exiting the room.

'Good luck with that.' That's what she's saying, or knowing her something more along the lines of 'I won't help you with that even if you beg but I'll be listening in on this conversation.'

I sigh. This is going to take a while.

Jared is waiting for an explication but I don't know what to say. And I don't have to justify myself anyway. I do what I want. And if he doesn't like it he can go take a hike.

"Leila is nice huh ?" I say instead.

His eyes widen in surprise before he composes himself again.

"Don't know what you're talking about." He grumbles. "Besides, that's not the point. Why did you threaten Cory."

I almost choke.

"Are you serious ? She was the one waving a knife !" I remind him irritated.

"Why would she try to harm you ?"

"Oh gee, I don't know, because your alpha is being friendly ?"

And I'm keeping it nice here, and subtle.

'I still think you should declare war and openly seduce him.'

We aren't in the 1870's anymore. That's not how it works anymore.

"She's jealous." He finally understands.

"She believes she's his mate." I shrug feigning to not be interested when the thought alone makes me cringe.

"Damn it." He swears under his breath. "I thought this was under control."

"If you don't mind I need to go and talk to Xavier." I dismiss the subject.

"Who ?"

"Alpha Lincoln's son."

"Why ?" He asks suspiciously.

I don't respond and walk into the hall concentrating on the scents around us and the voices coming from the house. I walk into a long corridor and recognize the way to the training room. There are people discussing inside. The hole in the wall is still there when I open the door.

It's the new trend.

I don't stop and reach Xavier who is talking to Nate. Of course the man who created all my problems has to be there too. It wouldn't be possible otherwise. I have to suffer until the end of times.

I greet them with a smile and don't wait before starting on the subject at hand.

"I am ready to leave tomorrow at dawn. I think we should start in South America."

"Sure. I'm just tagging along."

"Great. Do yo think Lincoln would lend us his private jet ?"

Xavier smirks at that.

What ? I'm old, I travel in style.

"We'll just take mine." He answers.

"Good. At least you'll be useful for something."

"Ouch." He smiles.

"Do you mind if someone else tags along ?"

"Not at all. Who did you have in mind ?" He inquires.

"My friend Leila. She's a doctor and if as I heard correctly a lot of clans were hurt. Medical help might convince them to join us."

I see his eyes shine with interest as I lay down my strategy. And during all of this discussion I never once looked at the alpha on my left. That's a considerable exploit. Especially when I can feel the air buzzing around us in his mere presence.

"I think that's a great idea." Xavier agrees.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then." I nod before I leave the room and go back to my room.

Leila is still there and after I explain to her how we are leaving tomorrow I decide to go to bed, discreetly pulling out Nate's shirt from under my pillow and falling asleep surrounded by his scent.

I'm a lost cause.

The next morning I'm waiting by my car before sunrise, ready to leave this place for good. My nerves are in knots and my tension is rising as I realize I am never coming back to this place. I feel sadness twist my chest at the fact that I won't see Jordan, Sydney and the kids anymore. I will even miss Jared a little. I stop my thoughts before they bring me to someone else.

This is the best solution.

'100% disagree with you.'

Good thing I'm the one in charge then.

Leila is the first to meet me outside and five minutes later we see Xavier and Lincoln walk down the stairs with his luggage. We are ready to leave, the both of them getting in the car to go to the small airfield a few miles away from the pack house. A movement catches my attention and Jared and Nate walk up to us. I was hopping to avoid the 'goodbye' thing.

Nate opens the trunk of my car and pushes a big black bag inside even though it's already full and I frown.

"What are you doing ?" I ask him.

"I'm coming with you."