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Ariels POV

What even is this? I ask myself as I slump down in the chair beside Raphael. This meeting is boring! I'm not even sure what the hell this is about! Ugh.

I have to go to every one because I'm mated to Raphael now. Thank the moon goddess this is the last one. I've tried to sneak away before but that didn't go over to well...

People get up and I smile, it's over!

I stand up and stretch before leaving without a second glance in the room. I'm starving and I can't wait to go home. Though, the thought stops me in my tracks. I'm not going home...

How am I gonna get my stuff anyways? Ugh. Food will help.

"You look like shit." June's voice says.

"It's just my face, sorry." I reply, glancing back at her. She's walking over with Raphie and Calvin.

"There's a final pool party, wanna go?" She smiles.

"Is there cake?" I ask hopefully.

"Just like your mom," June snickers. "There's cake. I'll meet you there."

I smile and run up to Raphie's room to change into my swimsuit. He's been quite successful in ignoring me, and I've been quite successful in returning the favour. I change in the bathroom in case he walks into the room before tying up my sarong around my waist.

"We're leaving after dinner tonight." Raphael informs when I walk out.

"What about my family...?" I frown.

"You'll have to say your goodbyes." He says, looking up.

"Easy for you to say, you don't have one to know the feeling." I snap and storm out of the room.

Pretty sure I can feel his anger at me flow down the hall but he doesn't follow. When I walk to the party I watch mom and dad on the makeshift dance floor. Mom had this natural rhythm whereas I'm hopeless unless I'm simply jumping to the beat, even then I think I screw up.

"Come on, at least try to dance." June says, walking up.

"I'll make a fool of myself." I reply. "I can jump, like at the last party. Ya know what I call dancing!" I nod.

"Nuh uh." June pulls me along and she starts to dance. I sigh and stand there uncomfortably, I don't want to say goodbye to my family. Or June. Or anyone.

I catch Aubrey with his mate and I smile a little, they both look happy. I bounce on my heels when June gives me a look.

"June-Bug I'm leaving tonight." I say quietly.

"Oh... You aren't going to leave in the morning?" She stops dancing.

I shake my head, biting my lip. "I have to say goodbye to everyone today." I whisper.

"Did you talk to Raphael about how you felt about this?" June asks softly.

"Sort of..." I frown, thinking back to what I said. That was out of line. I'll have to apologize. Ugh, I hate apologizing almost as much as I hate dancing.

"Come on, let's have cake." June-bug smiles and pulls me to a big food table.

We take cake for ourselves and go sit down. Calvin joins us soon after.

"You girls attract a lot of attention." He grumbles. "Raphael looks like he's about to burst."

"He's here?" I raise an eyebrow.

"He's been here the whole time. Watching you two mostly, and some other guy who keeps looking over at you." Calvin replies, taking some of June's cake when she offers him some.

I roll my eyes. "Raphie can go take a damn chill pill."

"She's moody because she has to leave tonight, don't mind her." June says.

I give her a look when Blake Harrs walks over. "Hey, how's it going?" He smiles.

"Fine... Why?" I lean away to look up since he's so close.

"I thought maybe you wanted to dance. Your brother said to come cheer you up." Blake offers a hand.

"Ha, I don't dance." I snort.

"Cmon," Blake takes my hand anyway and brings me over to where Aubrey and Selene are dancing any way.

"Dance Ariel, I know you love it." Aubrey winks.

"I will not miss you." I grumble and Blake spins me in a circle. I gasp and stumble a little, his hands go to my waist.

Before I can even look up at him and tell him to get his paws off, he's being blocked by Raphael who has me in a tight embrace.

"Are you okay?" He asks in a low voice.

"I'm fine..." I murmur, looking up at him. Then he turns around, keeping me behind him.

"Do not touch her. Do not talk to her. And do not make her do anything she does not want to do." He says in a threatening tone to Blake, his voice sends chills down my spine. I put my hands on his arm and look around him at Blake. He doesn't seem intimidated, instead he narrows his eyes.

"Look, I'm just trying to cheer her up since she's been so moody with you." Blake replies.

By now we've earned a crowd. Aubrey growls at Blake at the same time Raphael does.

"Stop pushing it Blake. Leave my sister alone." Aubrey snaps.

"Oh come on Aubrey, just 'cause I want to have some fun with your sister doesn't mean you have to get involved. I'm sure she feels the same way back." He snorts.

Before Raphie or Aubrey do anything in my place, i walk out from behind Raphael.

"I feel bad for whoever your mate is." I growl and before my brother can pull me away because he knows what's coming, I give Blake the hardest punch I can pack to his face.

"That's my girl!" I can hear mom giggle.

"Blaire, this isn't the right time." Dad tells her quietly.

Blake stumbles back and I go for another punch but Aubrey's wrapped his arms around me.

"That's enough Ariel, he won't mess with you again." Aubrey says and slowly let's me go. I glare at Blake who's looking at me wide eyed, his bottom lip bleeding and dripping off his face.

I growl at him and take a step toward him, he jumps back and I smirk. Turning on my heel, I walk away and back to my unfinished cake.

***

Mom and dad hug me tightly, their embrace makes me feel so at home. I'm going to miss them so much.

"Come visit any time. If you need anything just call, any time of day. And if Raphael does something you don't like you come straight home and I'll beat him up for you." Mom says.

I can't help but laugh. My tiny little mother threatening to beat up someone pretty much dads size, ah I love her. I'm going to miss her.

"Goodbye princess." Dad kisses my forehead. "Feel free to punch any guy you wish if they annoy you, including Raphael."

I giggle. "Of course."

I turn and look over at June and give her a big hug. "We'll have to schedule a shopping trip soon." She says.

I laugh and nod, pulling away and looking over at Aubrey. I run over and throw my arms around him. I don't know if I can be so far from him. Aubrey and I were more than siblings who always argued, we were best friends, always there for each other.

"What am I gonna do when I'm alone at night?" I whisper, speaking only so he will hear. "What do I do when my wolf acts up? What do I do when I want one of your hugs and you aren't there."

"Oh, Ariel," he sighs. "I'm going to miss you too. Any time, any place, you call if you need anything."

I nod and slowly pull away. I look over at Raphael who's waiting by a pretty black car. I take a deep breath and walk over, slipping into the sleek car. Raphie gets in too and starts it up, almost automatically there's a tension in the air.

He starts pulling away and I wave to my family until they're fully out of view.

"Raphie..." I look over at him, his gaze fixed on the road. "I just wanted to... I'm... It's... IamreallysorryaboutwhatIsaidbeforetheparty." I rush it all out and then turn to face my window, biting my lip really hard.

"It's okay Ariel." He replies after a while before we both fall silent. I bite my lip and look around the car. It's really nice... He must be loaded. Well, most alphas are.

I pull out my phone chord and find the spot to put it into the car before plugging my phone in. I smile when I figure out how to play my music and I turn it really loud. I'm a sucker for loud music.

Raphael doesn't say anything, he doesn't even comment when I start singing along in all sorts of different voices. He just focuses on driving, thankfully.

I didn't even ask how long the drive was... Ah well. I doubt Raphie really wants to talk to me. I text and snapchat June and Aubrey in boredom as I sing to my music. Though the later it gets, the more tired I become.

I don't want to fall asleep, I really hate sleeping around Raphael. Usually I waited until he fell asleep before going to a couch and going to sleep there. Then I woke up really early without meaning to. Sleep is just such a vulnerable moment for anyone.

But I can't hold it off, despite the music and the sounds from my phone from the texts, my eyes flutter closed and I fall asleep.