Today was Monday and I was excited to start my new job tonight. Not only that but last night I found out Joann was doing better and actually was talking to our parents. I'm getting ready to go visit her before I head to the bar.

Poor Dobby kept wanting me to pet him as I ran around trying to get ready but I didn't want dog hair all over me and he always gets it all over me. Hence why I waited till now to get ready.

The problem is I have no idea what to wear. I should look good but I can't look too good or my... girlfriend? Mate? Nancy? Boss? Yeah, my boss will freak. No that doesn't work either. Well whatever she is will freak."

" I really have to try and stay on her good side" I said out loud to Dobby. "So no getting your hair all over me if you want to keep having food in your bowl." I said pointing at him. He just started licking my finger. "We should probably watch the slobber too." I scratched behind his ear and got to work on my makeup.

I settled for black skinny jeans with a Taylor Swift shirt that I cut to hang off my shoulder and my tan cowboy boots that I've hardly worn except for special occasions. I think this counts.

I took my hormones and at just before three. With the forty minute drive to Lakeside i should have a good hour to visit Joann before heading to the Lone Wolf. I felt bad for not being there last night but I needed my last ten dollars for gas today.

Just as I was heading out the door I heard someone pull up outside. Not now... I thought as I peeked out to see Jake's truck right beside my car. What the hell does he want?

"What do you want, Jake? Unless you know who put Joann in the hospital, I don't have time to talk." I told him as he got out of the truck. I knew already he wasn't here because of Joann just from the way he got out of the truck. He had been drinking. What the hell was he thinking?

"Where the fuck you going dressed like th-that. Off to see your girlfriend?" He said holding onto the door that was still open. The "dinging" sound that it made was driving me crazy!

"You're drunk and driving around in your company's truck, are you out of your damn mind, Jake? Move!" I said ignoring his question and pushing him away from it. For some reason he found this funny.

"Well aren't you the brave little hare now that you're seeing a Alpha. But unlike her, darling, I'm a real one and not just pretending while daddy sits by and watches." He said grabbing my arm so hard I cringed from the pain. "Jake, let me go! I tried to pull away but it was no use as his hand was like a vise grip.

"You're hurting me!" He let go causing me to fall backwards into the door. Pain shot through my back as I felt something sharp hit my back as I fell into the door. At first I thought I was stabbed but there was only a small amount of blood on my hand when I pulled it away so it must of been something on the door.

"I-I didn't mean-" Jake bent down to try to help me up but I didn't want him to even touch me "GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!" I screamed.

"Look, i didn't mean for that to happen but what the fuck, Crystal? I was thinking we had a good thing then she shows up and ruins it. I would of thought Joann would show you how dangerous she is-

"Would you just stop?" I couldn't help but think of what Nancy told me in her car about him and now I was seeing him in a whole new light. He wasn't the strong person I could depend on but someone who was weak and relied on others."

"Just because she kicked your ass doesn't mean Ashley was the one who claimed me. She already told you she didn't, do you think she'd not rub it in your face if she did? Now get the fuck out of here because I'm not heading out on a date with her, I'm actually on my way to work for your wife. Don't worry, I'll be sure to let her know you stopped by." I forced myself up doing my best to ignore the pain.

Jake's face was red and his brows were scrunched as he tried to determine if I was lying or not. He must of assumed I was as he quickly started laughing.

"Bullshit! Why would she hire you? I know her and she's far more likely to kill you than give you a job. You got lucky the other night with what happened to Joann but I'd stay far away from there if I was you. I'd say nice try, but it really wasn't. Now if you're done maybe you would see I'm trying to help you. You want to find out who hurt Joann there isn't many suspects. Her pack and mine have been going at it sense she arrived in just the area where your sister lives, do the damn math, Crystal!"

As much as I hated to admit it I couldn't think of anyone else. "Why, why would Ashley do that? It doesn't make any sense."

He grabbed me by the shoulders. The touch that excited me only a short time ago now made me feel ill and I had to pull away and it had nothing to do with what just happened. His very touch seemed to make my skin crawl. I've heard that many times over the years and had said it myself a few times after a breakup but this was a first that it felt so literal.

"What the fuck is the matter with you, Crystal? Jesus Christ, is It Nancy?" He half yelled at me. My heart jumped hearing her name. How could he possibly of figured it out? Did the council tell him?

"We're done!" He grabbed me again by the shoulders and shook me like a child forcing me to look at him. Pain shot upset through my back as it protested. Again, I hated him touching me but fought against it wanting to hear what he was going to say.

"I'm going to divorce her. I've been talking with a lawyer. After everything I've done for her she didn't even stand up for me with Ashley and her parents. Well fuck them both! I'll-"

I can't remember the last time I was so angry but something snapped in me hearing him talk about Nancy like that undoing any progress he was just making with me.

"FOR FUCK SAKES, JAKE, SHUT THE HELL UP! YOU'VE BEEN FUCKING ME FOR MONTHS THINKING SHE DIDN'T KNOW. WELL GUESS WHAT? SHE DID! AND NOW YOU ARE STANDING HERE UPSET AT HER FOR NOT RUSHING TO YOUR SIDE AND PLAYING THE FAITHFUL WIFE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?! SHE DIDN'T BETRAY YOU, YOU BETRAYED HER! NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY SO I CAN VISIT JOANN AND GET TO WORK. I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE YOU GET ME FIRED FROM THIS ONE TOO."

Great! Now my voice box is killing me along with my back. This just keeps getting better and better but it was worth it. I headed quickly to my car when I heard a growl behind me that made me stop.

"You think you can just talk to me like that and nothing will happen, you stupid little tranny? You may be just a human who's new to this but I'm the Alpha around here and it's time you learned some respect."

It didn't even sound like him. Fuck, what the hell did I just do? I took several deep breaths turning around slowly, my breath caught in my throat at the sight of him. Long claws about three inches was coming out of his fingers and his hands were half covered in brown fur. His teeth looked broken with sharp edges. He was terrifying to look at that I had to close my eyes.

"Go ahead, Jake. The Council will be all over your ass if you touch me." I found myself saying somehow. I waited for what felt like an eternity for whatever he was going to do but nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes to find him looking at me like he wanted to kill me but at least he was back to appearing human.

"That doesn't last forever. When I find and kill whoever claimed you that will end your protection. Then your ass is mine!" He stormed into his truck and took off sending dirt and gravel flying.

What did I just do?