Klepto POV

I spend the rest of the day in my room, pondering the horrendous morning I had and trying to recover from it.

My eyes are glazed over with a film of despair as I stare up at the popcorn ceiling. My body is sprawled out on the top of my bed, arms folded serenely over my chest as if I'm ready to be buried in my grave.

Thoughts run rampant in my head, circulating around Ezra like he actually matters. I hate that stupid jerk so much.

I can't stop thinking about that damned kiss. My fingertips numbly brush my lips, they still seem to tingle from the contact of my mate.

I remember every single gory detail. It's burned into my memory, and even if I never kissed him again I won't forget it. Not a single second of it.

Nor will I forget the betrayal that sizzles deep inside of me.

Every time I picture Ezra's stupid face, I want to punch it. It probably won't do much damage, but it will feel good, that's for sure.

I peek outside absently, the skies are spotted with white and gray clouds. The sun is gone behind the curtain of cotton balls. The clouds are very specific clouds.

They mean only one thing.

Snow.

An empty feeling surges inside me, and my body lurches to the side. I miss my baby brothers.

I tell myself over and over that pouting about it will do absolutely nothing, but it's impossible not to feel sorry for myself. I've been through countless hardships.

My stealing habits have not subsided. I still feel that occasional urge to grab something and stuff it in my jacket.

When I'm sad, it makes it worse for some reason.

As soon as I got back from Ezra's cottage, I slammed the door to the pack office building. My feet took me straight to Paullini's office. I was about to go up to my attic room when I spotted a yo-yo on his desk.

I didn't ignore the burning desire engulfing my limbs, pushing me to take it, I accepted it with open arms.

I snatched it, pushing it into my pocket. Before I could open the door to the attic, a throat cleared behind me and I knew I was caught in the act.

Dr. Paullini was apparently not very happy that I stole from him to say the least.

I then wordlessly pulled the toy from my pocket and placed it in his outstretched hand. Spinning around, I scurried up to my attic room without another sound.

The agony I feel doesn't ease the ability to resist temptation.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, I toss and turn on my bed. I want to take a nap to forget the world, but I'm too restless.

I finally just lay there, letting my mind drift to terrible places.

Ezra's words suddenly echo in my head without permission

"This was a mistake"

I squeeze my eyes closed tight, biting my lip so hard it might fall off. Those awful words make me remember when I was just a little pup, when my condition was first discovered. The fateful day when things began to take an awful turn for the worst. The same word used to drag me down.

Mistake.

Mom made it clear to my Father that I was not wanted, of course I happened to overhear their conversation, and it was devastating to me.

My eyes burn as they fill with tears and fall down the sides of my face. I have never thought that my life would turn out like this. I was always excited at the thought of a mate coming along and loving me, taking care of me. As a kid it was an idea that got me through a lot of hard times. It made me feel better to know one day I wouldn't have to deal with the rejection anymore.

I should have known better.

No one wants me.

Eventually I get out of bed, drying my tears and sniffling. I hate crying. Despise it. I never cry in front of anyone, it's a strict rule I try to follow. I rarely cry alone as it is.

I wipe at the running mascara with my fingertips, staring angrily at the black streaks staining my skin.

I hate crying!

So I stop, pull myself together, and get dressed.

It's going to be a great night, and I'm not going to let some stupid bozo get in the way of that.

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As soon as I'm outside, I rush into the trees like my life depends on it. My black, permanently smudged converses crunch the frozen autumn leaves under me.

My breath puffs in the air like smoke from a cigarette, floating in the air as lumpy clouds of gray.

I don't mind the chill in the air, especially because I'll be wearing a thick fur coat soon enough.

Sliding behind a group of trees, I drop my pants and slip my shoes off in a hurry. Tugging my shirt over my head, I look around carefully before removing my underwear too. I hope no one sees me.

I smile huge as I start to transform into my other form. My better form. My limbs grow strong and slender, my hands and feet molding into paws.

Joints snap, shoulders pop, and muscles swell.

Once my paws hit the chilly ground, a shiver of pure pleasure rumbles through me.

I take a moment to prance around like a puppy. Leaping around in the leaves, I frolic happily in the fading light, overjoyed to be let loose like I am meant to be.

No shifter wants to be locked up in their human body. Shifting into your animal side is second nature, it is our nature. It comes to us like breathing, we can't live without it.

My nose twitches in appreciation of all the smells around me. I lower my head to the ground, taking in a deep sniff of a scent, and so the chase begins when I latch onto something that piques my interest.

I keep my hackles raised and my torso low to the ground as I follow the trail of the delicious smell through the winding woods and trees.

My tongue flops out of my mouth to hang out the side, I pant softly as I concentrate on my important mission of finding the culprit.

As I track, I pick up the pace, letting myself trot in the windy weather. I duck under a fallen tree, and weave through a bush of thickets and thorns narrowly avoiding being scratched.

A crappy day is turning into a great night.

This is exactly what I need to distract myself from Nathan, and Ezra, and my stupid pack, and my Mother, and my adorable baby brothers.

Tonight is all about me. Self care is important after all.

A girl's alone time is all she's got.

The smell grows stronger, and with it my excitement builds. A slow trot turns into a full on sprint through the darkening forest. I'm free!

I'm glad that I have yet to run into one of my pack mates. I am not looking to share my game with anyone. This is my prize to catch, and mine alone.

My legs pump even faster, propelling me through the woods like a bullet. As I draw nearer I spot it a few yards away, my precious meal.

A fat, juicy rabbit practically waiting to be eaten.

And eaten it will be.

I position myself low in the wilted grass, wiggling my butt high in the air, ready to pounce.

The rabbit twists it's head around, the little white creature sniffing the air as if sensing it's approaching demise.

Finally, I attack, pinning the rabbit to the ground.

It wriggles under my paws, it's back legs kicking frantically at me while its heart thrums hard and fast.

I hadn't been expecting the animal to be so strong, and it's kick to my face disorients me. I jump back, regaining my composure.

The rabbit uses that time to escape in a frenzied hurry. Those things always have a ridiculous sense of self preservation.

I huff in disappointment as my prey escapes, my meal lost due to my poor hunting skills. I slump down to the ground, curling my tail around my body to preserve some warmth. If I had more practice, this wouldn't have happened.

Stupid Alpha Green.

Licking my front paws, I hardly notice when little white flakes come falling down from the sky. A few land on my nose and I sniffle before sneezing hard and sending the snowflakes flying.

I peer up at the sky in wonder, amazed that the snow has come on so suddenly. My pink tongue comes out to lick up some of the flakes of pearl colored snow. The brightness of it contrasts starkly against my charcoal fur.

It's a peaceful moment. No drama. No stress. Just the overwhelming sense of rightness in the snow.

My meditation is interrupted when a loud noise shakes the ground and the trees surrounding me. I curiously turn my head in every direction, not seeing anything but catching a whiff of an oddly familiar smell.

A whimper catches in my throat.

Why can't he just leave me alone?

When I see the absolute beast that stalks out of the dark trees, my whole body freezes.

Ezra's lycan is huge. Huge, huge.

He looks like a normal wolf, except he's as tall as the trees speckled around us. He looks menacing as he stares down at me, his yellow eyes glow in the dimness, his body big and menacing in the calm forest. A thick, shaggy coat of auburn covers his muscular frame and I can't seem to look away for even a second.

He has one look at me and takes a deep breath, his chest expanding and pink nose flaring. As he draws closer, I notice something in his mouth.

I hadn't noticed it earlier because it looks so minuscule pinched carefully between his sword teeth.

When he's standing right above me, making me feel like a pup, he lowers his head down and drops a white rabbit in front of me.

It's the same white rabbit I failed to catch.

It's dead, no sign of blood marking it's pale body, probably killed by a broken neck. Truth be told, Ezra could have just stepped on it like a bug and ended it's life.

Hunting must be easy enough for him.

He keeps his head close to my level, his enormous paws on either side of my body effectively trapping me.

I sniff at the rabbit, it reeks of my mate. The smell should make me want the offering less, instead it makes me start to salivate. It's more tempting to me now.

Closing my eyes, I shake the thoughts away.

He won't gain my trust that easy. I'm falling for his tricks ever again. I'll never back down, never give in.

Standing, I shift my head to glare up at him. His nose is as large as my head, his head as big as my body. Anyone with sense would tuck their tail and lower themselves to the ground in a sign of submission.

But I'm not just anyone.

I growl up at him, baring my teeth and arching my back to look bigger.

I watch in horror as he chuffs with laughter, wagging his humongous tail as if I'm some cute little puppy.

It's absolutely infuriating.

Instead of showing how angry he's made me, I turn around and walk away, not looking back for even a second.

He doesn't deserve a moment of my precious time.

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If you're reading this, I love you:)