Ezra POV

The forest is, at the moment, my sanctuary. A safe haven of sorts.

Every since that day with Klepto, I've been going for jogs everyday in the woods in my human form. Sometimes it's more that once or twice, one day it was 11. I went on 11 jogs in one day.

It's because every time I think about her too much, I immediately go running.

You would think that a long run would get her out of my mind, and sometimes it does for awhile, other times not so much.

All I can do is picture her face in my mind, her black hair, the pale skin covering her body. And don't get me started on her wolf, small and lean, fire filled gray blue eyes, and an attitude of mischief.

Seeing her in her wolf form does something to me. It makes this protective urge rise up in me, stronger than ever.

It kills me to watch her trot away in the falling snow, snow that still covers the ground in a fluffy, sheeny blanket, snow that crunches under my feet as I weave through the trees.

Usually snow cheers me up, but this time is different. This time I have a mate that makes me crazy. She distracts me all the time, and I feel a pit form in my stomach every time she makes an appearance in my mind.

I can't make up my mind about Klepto.

As soon as I think I'm going to accept her, I hold myself back. That kiss was one of the best things to ever happen in my whole meaningless existence. And as soon as it was over, I shoved her away.

Because that heavenly kiss made me realize something.

I don't deserve her.

The thought hadn't even crossed my mind until our lips disconnected. I realized I was a selfish bastard, and that Klepto McKay is the most beautiful woman in the world, and I have nothing to offer her. I will never be good enough for her.

Who wants a mate who doesn't know how to show love? How to be sensitive to their needs?

I am completely clueless as to how to have a mate, and Klepto doesn't deserve that.

A voice in the back of my head keeps telling me that the Moon Goddess put us together for a reason, but I shove the thought away as fast as I can.

After going deep into the woods, I get close to the pack border before turning around and sprinting back.

I try to distract myself in any way that I can, studying the tree branches dusted in snow, the dim light of the sun in the sky behind the clouds, even the chilling wind that blows on my bare arms.

Please, Moon Goddess! Just give me a good distraction!

Running slower, I flash my eyes around trying to spot anything that can occupy my distractible mind from my beautiful mate.

I suddenly pick up on a cracking sound, and I slow down even more, letting my pace slacken into a light jog as I listen carefully.

Another snap reverberates off of the trees, and I pause, taking a deep breath.

"Stupid woods, stupid gross snow." A very distressed voice grumbles, and I watch as Tressa stomps through the snow in high heels.

I take it back Moon Goddess, I never should have asked for a distraction. Anything would be better than dealing with her.

"Oh, Mr.Blackmore! Hey! Heeeyy!" She calls, and I try to veer off in a different direction like I didn't hear her, but it's too late. She's spotted me and she's close.

"I need to talk to you!" She says, and I finally release a deep sigh, turning my head to look at her over my shoulder.

Luckily we are deep in the woods and no one can overhear us. That means I can say whatever the hell I want.

"What do you want?" I ask, hoping to get this over with as soon as possible.

The leggy blonde scuttles over to me as quickly as one can with those awful shoes strapped the their feet. She stands in front of me and I can't help but notice a difference with her.

She wears less makeup, her under eyes are dark purple and sunken in. Worry lines from stress decorate her face, and she doesn't seem to have up her fake happy exterior.

Tressa almost seems.... normal.

"I wanted to talk to you." She says, nervously. I had yet to see her so unsure of herself.

"Yeah, you said that already." I reply, raising my eyebrows and crossing my arms over my chest, "Spit it out."

She smiles shyly.

"I heard that you're the one who beat up Nathan Green. You know, the Alpha's son?" Her hopeful gaze peers up at me.

I nod slowly, not sure where this is leading.

"I do know him... unfortunately. And yes, I did beat his ass. The little brat deserved it. He thinks he can do whatever he wants."

"Yeah, he does." She whispers, and I can't help but stare at her in confusion. "Thank you for putting him in his place."

What did Nathan do to this girl?

"Did he hurt you?" I ask, and I may not be a fan of Klepto's sister, but abuse is never ok, never justified.

Her slim, blonde eyebrows shoot up, surprise in her eyes.

"No, no, no, no, you've got it all wrong. Nathaniel's never hurt me, he's never even touched me." I can tell she's telling the truth, but there's something else there.

"What did he do then?" I push, taking a step closer to her. Tressa looks uncomfortable, wrapping her thin arms around her middle and looking at the ground.

"Ever since we were kids my mom has tried to set us up, she's very passionate about my life. Too passionate." She gulps before continuing, "I've never really liked Nathan that way, but he won't leave me alone. He... he makes cat calls at me all the time. He says the most vulgar things about what he wants to do to me, and all his friends laugh. His friends have started to call me Nathan's Bimbo, Nathan's whore. It's humiliating."

By the end of her story she has tears in her eyes, and even though I despise Tressa, I feel bad for her.

Anger simmers inside of me, fueling the hatred I have for the Alpha's pigheaded son.

It seems Nathan has a thing for harassing the young she-wolves of the pack. His actions are not fit for a future Alpha. I can only assume he's learned his habits from his Father.

"Well, he's been taken care of. I doubt he'll be in the mood to cat call anytime soon, let alone leave his bed. But if he does it again, let me know and I'll deal with him."

I hate that I just offered to defend her, because I still don't like her, but Nathan's parade has to end and I'll gladly help in that cause.

"Th.. thank you." She murmurs, shuffling forward. "Do you really mean that?"

I clench my jaw and nod. Let's hope she doesn't get the wrong idea from that.

"No one has ever offered to help me like that." She says, and as she gets closer to me I back away, shaking my head. She's getting the wrong idea.

"Don't mistake my offer as something else. Just because I don't like stupid boys harassing females doesn't mean I like you."

Her shoulder slump and I see confusion bubble in her eyes.

"Why don't you like me? What's so wrong with me that you don't like me?" She presses, fire in her voice.

If only she knew that there is a whole list of reasons I don't like her.

But instead of listing them I just say, "Maybe it's not you, maybe it's just that I have someone."

I don't know why I say it, but as soon as I do I wish I could take it all back. Not because she would figure out that I have a mate, but because it's a dirty lie.

I do not have Klepto.

Tressa's mouth flattens into a thin line, her nose scrunching up in distaste. Suddenly her eyes pop open wide in dawning realization.

"People are saying you attacked Nathan because he was antagonizing Klepto, but I didn't believe it. It's true isn't it?" She says is very quietly, almost a whisper.

When I don't deny it, she lashes out.

"Is she your mate?" The fury is obvious in her shrill tone. My nostrils flare and I remain silent, and the absence of an answer is an answer enough.

Tressa turns around and stomps away, her hands clenched tight in fists at her side while she goes. I can't help feeling nervous at the sight.

All I wanted was for Tressa to leave me alone, I pray she doesn't make Klepto pay for my mistake.

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