Ezra POV

I wake up with my arms wound tightly around Klepto.

Glancing down, I watch my mate as her chest rises and falls in deep breaths. Her gorgeous black locks fanned across the pillow, framing her pale face of perfection.

It's only now that I suddenly remember.

Today is the day.

The day Alpha Veiler arrives.

I try not to shiver at the mere thought. His presence alone will take this pack by storm. I can't imagine how the wolves will react at such a powerful presence in their midst.

I shake the thought away, and ever so carefully untangle my limbs from around my mate.

She may have let me sleep in the same bed as her, but I doubt she would approve of me holding her, even if I didn't do it on purpose.

I can't imagine her reaction if she woke up to me holding her.

Her continuous rejection of me has me in knots. Klepto is constantly reminding me of my wrong doings, and I don't know if she will ever accept me.

I know that it's my own damn fault, I caused this, I brought this on myself.

So whatever her choice, I have to live with it. As long as she's happy, I'll be alright.

I sit up in the bed, pulling the covers off and striding barefoot on the hardwood floors to the bathroom. Silently, I brush my teeth and wash my face with cold water. I stare at myself in mirror, slapping my cheeks trying to wake myself up more.

It seems the company of your mate helps you to sleep like a rock.

The sounds of birds chirping distract me for a moment, and I glance outside in the morning light. The sun has just risen, it isn't even visible yet as it hides behind all the trees. It couldn't be past 6:30.

Making my way downstairs, I'm met with Ace tying up his dark boots and Reid standing beside the front door with a strange look on his face.

I grab a shiny, green apple from the counter and take a bite, gesturing to Reid.

"What's up with him?" I wonder, and Ace shrugs, smirking as he finishes tying his shoelaces.

"Says he's antsy, he's been acting like he drank a whole case of Red Bull since we woke up." He laughs, "Who knows, maybe he did. He's a bizarre little guy."

"I heard that!"

Reid pops his head around the corner, heated eyes fixated on his brother, looking like he's ready for murder.

"Just because you're a few inches taller than me doesn't mean I can't kick your butt"

"Woah, language Reidy." Ace says, imitating Reid in a high pitched, nasally voice that sounds more like a 5 year old girl than a grown lycan warrior.

I laugh, but soon regret it when Reid shoots me a death glare. I sober up and pretend the laugh is a cough, which he clearly doesn't buy.

"I'm on edge. Don't bug me." Reid grumbles, turning his back on us and stalking into the kitchen and opening a cabinet.

"What's making you so on edge, huh?" Ace asks, shifting his long legs as he sprawls out on the couch.

"I don't know, but it sure ain't from Red Bull."

"Wow, big bro, you're starting to sound like a local. How does it feel to officially be a redneck?" Ace muses, and his smart mouthed remark is met with a middle finger from Reid.

"Children." A deep voice suddenly booms, and we all turn to look at Hyrum. "Is this how we want the King to see us?"

"Last I checked he refused the throne, but yeah I'm alright with his royal highness seeing I have a sense of humor, doesn't sound so bad." Says Ace.

Reid turns around, eating out of a family sized bag of cool ranch Doritos.

"Yeah, and if we're lucky he'll ask you to be his court jester and take you back to Montana with him." Reid jokes, his goofy smile not quite hiding how wound up he still is.

Ace rolls his eyes.

"Everyone knows I'm the one who cracks jokes. You should just stick to what your good at, acting like you've got a stick shoved up your ass."

A dorito goes flying through the air, hitting Ace directly in the face.

My laughter is stopped midway by my phone buzzing in the pocket of my jeans. I automatically go for it, pulling it out in one swift motion.

We're here, just passed through the pack border.

I gulp at the message, feeling uneasy. It isn't fun being around Veiler. His presence makes everyone on edge. I don't know how this is going to play out.

When I glance back up at my team, all eyes are on me. The joking atmosphere is gone, replaced by a terse silence.

"They've arrived. We better get going." I say after a while. They all give me nods and we head out.

I grab for my jacket, knowing I can stand the cold, but wanting it for a sense of security. It's nice having pockets to put my hands in, because I never really know what to do with them in these situations.

We journey through the snow, which has melted down a little bit.

It isn't bad weather, in fact the sun shines even though it's bitter cold, and the humidity is definitely not helping.

All of us remain quiet, my teammates trudging along behind me silently. Even though we're wading in a foot of snow, we make very little noise.

We're lycans, it's second nature after all.

When we get to the pack house, of course Alpha Green and Beta Thorn are there, waiting tensely for our arrival.

I clench my jaw at the sight of the Beta, I may hate Green but his sidekick is worse in every way possible.

I still remember his snarky words about Klepto.

"I presume you'll be joining us?" I ask, and they nod. Their nervousness is obvious, the stench of fear and sweat wreaks havoc on my senses, and I wrinkle my nose, taking a step back.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Ladies first." Says Ace, trying to keep up the light mood, which is what he's best at.

Though his comment obviously makes them slightly annoyed, they keep silent, and fall in line with us.

We meet up with Veiler and his comrades by the back of the pack house, a large suburban pulling in down the long gravel driveway. The dark vehicle looks stark against the bright snow, it finally comes to a stop and the ignition cuts off.

Doors open, then slam as two female lycans and two vampires head our way, and I notice right away that Veiler isn't with them.

"Hi, I'm Savannah. I am Beta of the Slate Penumbra pack." The lycan female is tall and covered in lean muscle, her light tan eyes are filled with scrutiny as they rake over us.

She stops right in front of us, her companions standing a few feet behind her, seeming distracted.

The two vampires are male and female, they hold hands and seem like they're in their own little world. It's obvious that they're mates. The female is hidden under a huge cloak that goes down to her knees, the male keeps eyeing the woods with worried glances.

The female Beta holds out her dark hand for the Alpha to shake. He does so reluctantly, looking a bit awestruck.

"Where's Veiler?" Beta Thorn demands, refusing to shake the female's hand.

Savannah raises a thin, black brow down at him, looking annoyed.

"He'll be here soon, he was right behind us. Our Alpha is a little reluctant to be here." She says, her exotic voice icy cold.

I can't help but like her more for it, I can see that she picks up on what a jerk Beta Thorn is and responds accordingly.

"This is Miranda. She will be joining our pack after this is over." The lycan behind her waves at us. She isn't necessarily silent out of shyness but more so sorrow.

She's distracted, and sad. Her stance tells me she would rather be anywhere but here.

"And Fraser and Ailsa. Old friends of ours, they've come to help out."

The vampire with tousled brown hair and a beard nods at us in greeting, his arm tightening around his mate. She grins at him and kisses him on the cheek.

"Where's Stacey?" Asks Savannah, and Miranda shrugs, tucking a piece of strawberry blonde hair behind her ear.

"I don't know. Probably getting her stuff." She replies, and I watch as Reid takes a long step forward. His stance changes suddenly, pupils dilating, nostrils flaring as if he's getting ready for battle.

What is wrong with him today?

"I'm coming! Jeez, y'all need to learn patience. It's a virtue, ya know. Shit!" A small asian girl yells as her purple bedazzled suitcase falls into the snow, slowly sinking into the white fluff.

By her scent, I immediately know she's a werewolf.

She's a strange sight, her legs are clad in zebra striped leggings and her short, raven hair is filled with bright pink streaks.

Her makeup is a whole other story, her eyes are painted glittery blue with big stars and sharp, winged eyeliner.

"My tampons better not get wet, I only brought one box, dammit!" She rips the enormous suitcase up and out of the snow, dragging it behind her.

When she gets close enough she gasps, dropping the dripping suitcase once again as she stands there staring at us with her big brown eyes.

What is she staring at? I know we all just rolled out of bed, but we can't look that bad.

After a beat or two, she full on sprints towards us, her light up sketchers flashing neon colors as she runs, pumping her arms with purpose.

Automatically I take a defensive stance, expecting some sort of attack. Instead, she runs straight at Reid and right into his arms.

He catches her, hauling her in the air like they've known each other forever.

The quirky she-wolf wraps her slim arms around his neck, squealing her head off while her legs flail against his body.

"I found you! I found you! What the hell, I didn't know you'd be such a hunk." She licks her pink lips, "I could just eat you up!"

She lets out a dreamy sigh.

Reid grins slyly at her, "You're not so bad yourself."

She squeals again, and before you know it, her tongue is in his mouth as they kiss.

Immediately, everyone looks away, either out of embarrassment or just respect for their private moment.

It hasn't even been two seconds since they've met and they're making out like it's going out of style. But, what else were you supposed to do when you meet your soulmate?

"Lucky bastard." Ace whispers like he can't believe it.

I can't help but agree, that's probably what I should've done the moment I met Klepto. A pang goes off in my chest at the reminder. This is the first time meeting she deserved, not some cold shouldered silent treatment.

I mentally face palm. Leave it to me to mess everything up.

Miranda's mouth is hanging open. Everyone else just kind of stands there awkwardly while the new mates passionately kiss. Fraser and Ailsa share a knowing glance of amusement.

Once they're finished, for now, Reid sets her down on her feet, wrapping his arm around her.

"You bet he's a lucky bastard. The Moon Goddess smiles on you since she gave you me." She pokes his chest, grinning seductively from ear to ear, "But I'm lucky too, who knew I would be paired with such a beefcake."

Then she goes on to touch his arms and chest, as if she's some sort of horny octopus.

Reid's face flames bright red like a cherry tomato. He's always been shy with girls, and now he's been paired with someone to even him out, there is no doubt about that.

"So, what's your name, boo?" She runs a finger across his chest.

"Reid." He answers, taking ahold of her hand.

"I'm Stacey. It's nice to finally meet you." She finally just wraps her body around him in a hug, her short frame much smaller than her mate's.

The moment is interrupted when a sound catches my attention. It isn't loud or abrupt, but it's gaining volume by the second.

One shared look between my teammates, and I know they hear it too.

Reid pulls Stacey closer to his side, a growl in his chest. Now he'll know how it feels to have a mate. I wish him luck, especially since she tries to wiggle out of his hold.

"Hey, cut it out! Don't be an ass." She says, and I catch sight of Ace shaking his head in utter bemusement.

When the noise gets loud enough for the wolves to hear, Alpha Green's eyebrows raise and he throws his head around trying to discover the source.

"What's that sound?" He shouts, fear leaking into his face.

I roll my eyes. Some Alpha he is.

"That would be the boss man." Says Savannah, her voice gleaming with amusement and superiority.

The sound is closer and closer until I recognize what it is.

It's the sound of a motorcycle.

And I'm right, a few moments later an old Harley Davidson cruises up, I wouldn't be surprised if the engine woke up a few pack members. The vehicle rumbles and purrs like a cat, the metal on the bike reflecting the sun into my eyes.

Alpha Veiler sure knows how to make an entrance.

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