I felt like a zombie the next morning having got little to no sleep the entire night thinking about everything. After turning over for what must have been the millionth time I decided I might as well just get up.

I hopped into the shower putting on the same clothes that I had been wearing then called to check the balance on my card. Eighteen dollars and sixty-nine cents. Why didn't I accept the money? Simple, I didn't want anything from them. Once Joann recovers everything will be right back to the way things always have been between us and they would just use it against me every chance they'd get. Being stranded here, flat broke, and starving is so much better, Crystal.

I sat on the bed with my face buried in my hands for several minutes before finally pulling myself together as best as i figured I would be able to and headed out the door.

I picked up some coffee from the hospital cafeteria before heading up to Joann's room. It tasted terribly and was more than I could afford but I needed it. Opening the door I froze as I saw Nancy leaning up against the wall with her arms folded across her chest and her eyes on me.

What the hell is she doing here? How the hell did she know which room she was even in? How can she look so badass this early in the morning? She was dressed in ripped blue jeans, black knee high boots, with black mesh top that showed off her perfect abs.

"You going to come in or just stand there drooling?" I heard her say nonchalantly but with a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I-I-wasn't. What are you doing here?" I asked walking in and closing the door behind me. Get your shit together, Crystal!

"What does it look like? I came to see your sister obviously." The amusement was now gone from her voice replaced by her usual annoyed tone as she spoke looking at Joann rather than me.

"Why? You don't even know her."

"Are you really so fuckin stupid that you can't even figure that out? Looks like I gave you more credit than you deserve. Why don't you think on it and see if it comes to you."

She pressed her lips together and exhaled forcefully through her nostrils shifting her weight on her feet as if uncomfortable. "Look... Just visit her for a few minutes and I'll tell you when I drive you back."

She was certainly fire and ice. She says I'm stupid then turns around and says she's driving me back. Who said I wanted a ride back? I'd rather hitchhike. Not daring to say that to her I just nodded as I looked at the floor like an idiot.

"I'll be just outside." She told me as she passed.

I stayed for about fifteen minutes before leaving trying not to upset Nancy. Joann was sleeping from all the drugs that she was on.

Nancy seemed lost in her head as she sat watching the road without a single word since we left the hospital. She promised to tell me why she was there and damn it, I wanted to know. As the minutes ticked by at her continued silence I found I couldn't take it anymore. Once I started I couldn't stop

"That was you following me last night. Why? I swear, werewolf or not, you are the most confusing woman I've ever met. Why was you in my sisters room and why are you driving me home AGAIN when you don't even try to hide your hatred for me? Is this your idea of torture? I didn't force Jake I'll have you know, he pursued me. You think I liked it? I thought we were both in similar situations. He kept telling me that it was some "family" thing that he refused to go into details about that forced you two together in the first place and that it was only a matter of time before your divorce. I guess family was code for his pack and of course, I later realized he was lying but then...I don't know, I guess I just liked having someone around besides my sister who pretended to care about me once in awhile. And I really don't care if you beat the shit out of me but I need some answers."

She shifted in her seat as she smirked and shook her head still refusing to look at me. I was expecting some insult but instead she began to open up.

"Of course it was me! You just told us your sister was in the hospital from a werewolf, you think I'd just let you walk alone at that time of night?" Holy shit! If she wasn't careful someone might make the mistake of thinking she cared. I was glad she didn't expect me to answer and continued

"His pack is supposed to be mine. My father didn't think women should be Alphas and pressured me into marrying him mostly because he came from a wealthy family. He would go on and on about how much good Jake could do for the pack. His parents might be smart but Jake sure as hell didn't inherit any of it. He's been a fuck up from the start and would of probably ran the pack into the ground by now if I haven't guided him from the sidelines. Even still, many that I once cared for are now gone. I hope Ashley does go to war and takes over the territory, then I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore."

I couldn't believe her father would do that to her. Weren't we supposed to be past the whole sex discrimination crap? At least my parents could blame my transition to stay out of the 1950's. It really pissed me off because it was obvious Nancy was an incredibly strong woman. To marry someone you didn't love and separate yourself from her pack she'd have to be.

"And I don't hate you." She continued "I should, and I want to, but I don't. And it's fuckin driving me nuts! You wanted to know why I went to visit your sister?" She asked finally looked over at me. I nodded wanting her to go on.

"Doing that to her was an act against you. As my mate, that's an act against me. You're not the pack. Nobody can tell me to stay on the sidelines this time and I won't. I will find one who did this and when I do, they will regret ever touching her.

The look on her when she said they will regret it sent shivers down my spine. If I had any doubts as to Nancy not being the one, I didn't now. She looked frighteningly angry and I was grateful it wasn't directed towards me.

"What if it was Jake?" I asked in a shaky voice. I didn't want to ask but I had to know and she must suspect him.

She didn't even hesitate "Then our divorce will be the least of his troubles."

I played with my hands in my lap as I took in what she had said. It was a lot to take in least of all Her mentioning of a divorce and me being her mate. What did that mean? She wasn't thinking we'd get married, did she? That's crazy! Do you need a reminder of recent events? It's all crazy. I wanted to tell myself to shut up but I couldn't. It was true.

"If I'm your mate, what does that mean exactly?"

"It means..."

She paused and began rubbing her forehead while looking around nervously. It was strange to see her so uncomfortable. She'd always appeared so strong and confident every time I saw her.

"Fuck! I don't know what it means. I'm still half expecting the moon goddess to start laughing and letting me know this was just a messed up joke of hers. I beginning to think that's not going to happen so we should probably get use to spending a lot of time together."

Fuck! This is really happening. A million thoughts came through my head making it wanna die like a server getting a huge spike. I'm not gay and she doesn't like me even if I was. She even planned on killing me! I felt terribly hot and my stomach began twisting in knots making me wanna throw up.

"Pull over!" I demanded

Nancy looked at me confused as I repeated myself. "I'm going to throw up!"

She did as I said and sure enough as soon as I got out of her car I was puking my brains out. How? Why? What the hell did I ever do to deserve this? I thought as I threw up again.

I felt Nancy's hand on my back as her other hand pulled my hair away from my face. My whole body seemed to respond to the touch. It was so soft and sent electricity through me that instantly made me feel better.

"Hey... hey, you alright?" She asked in a warm comforting tone. I couldn't answer right away as I was so focused on her touch as she continued rubbing my back in small circles. I never want her to stop.

"I know it's a lot to take in. I've heard stories most of my life about what it's like to find our mates. Usually it's the high school sweethearts who knew the moment they first laid eyes on each other. It's weird for me too. I can't imagine what it's like for you being a human."

She pulled her hand away and my back immediately missed it. I had never felt anything like that before. What the hell is happening? My head asked in a small voice as if accepting defeat. I didn't know and now I wasn't even sure if I wanted to fight it.

I looked out over Rose Lake as I stood up straight hoping that I wouldn't puke again. The lake looked beautiful with the sun glistening off it.

"Feeling better?" She asked tilting her head slightly trying to see my face.

I nodded confidently "Yeah, I think so." I replied getting back into her car.

Once we were back on the road I decided to hell with it. Maybe it would turn out and help me find the son of a bitch who hurt Joann. "I need a job. Can I work at the bar? I didn't want to ask you but... I'm desperate. I'm not sure how I'll get the gas to drive there everyday-

"You want me to hire you just because you're desperate? I have enough staff." She said coldly cutting me off.

Shit! That came out all wrong and now she's pissed at me. I started playing with my hands again trying to figure out if I should push but I saw no other way out of it. Even without needing the job it was probably my best chance at finding out who the son of a bitch was that hurt Joann.

"It's not the only reason but I'd be lying if I didn't say it was a major one. I've never considered myself gay, Nancy. I don't know how to deal with all this, I'm sorry! Especially when I'm told I was claimed like some prize by my boyfriend's wife of all people. Oh wait, make that werewolves. You've already admitted wanting to kill me then beat the shit out of me for some sleazeball hitting on me. I'm trying to be open minded about all this and see what happens between us but you need to help me."

Several minutes past in silence and I had given up on her when she spoke up. "Don't you work there?"

We were just passing the gas station where I use to work. I shook my head still upset at the ordeal. It wasn't much but I did enjoy working there. "Not anymore. Ashley knocked Jake into some things and made a mess of the place. I ended up fired. That's probably why he thinks she claimed me."

"She hasn't tried anything, has she?" Jealousy clearly in her voice.

"No! No, not at all. She would just stop in to buy beer is all." I didn't dare risk telling her about hanging out with her pack that night. She would probably kill us.

About ten minutes later we were pulling up in front of my trailer. It was awkward getting out as I really wasn't sure what to say so I kept it simple.

"Thanks for the ride."

"You can start Monday at six. It's usually dead with just a few people mostly drinking beer at that time so you should have a few hours to get the hang of things. We can also deal with the paperwork then

"Really?" I asked unable to control my excitement. I could hardly believe she was actually going to let me.

"Don't worry about the gas, you should make enough in tips. And one other thing..."

I leaned forward as I saw just a hint of her lips lift. "Don't be late. I'll be watching you."