Two whole days have gone by with just a few words between us in text messages. I can't handle this. I miss her, I miss hearing her, seeing her. I never imagined it would feel like this, empty, I thought letting her go is something I could do, but I can't, not even if she asked me to. It would take a bullet to stop me.

Wolves are keeping their distance from me and my short fuse, preparing for visiting packs and a social gathering is making it almost impossible to get away from them. I'm about to snap. I keep checking my phone, nothing.

Always nothing.

One pack from the south has already made their way here. Their Alpha and his son along with the Beta and future betas arrived days ago with the unmated wolves following in yesterday. Soon the other allies will come and this place will be much more crowded. Luckily most are only staying for a few nights and travelling back home immediately after.

I asked Sophia if she would at least come for the gathering but I have heard nothing back other than, 'we'll see', I don't know how I will do with these outside wolves here sniffing around. Most of them I know but it is still putting my wolf on edge. He hasn't stopped pacing in my mind. A few keep glancing my way, some of the she-wolves I know personally. Their smiles brings a raised lip from him their way. We don't belong to those females.

I feel a squeeze on my shoulder. Shoving my phone back in my pocket I look over to see Scott standing there. "Come on, we have to finish getting everyone situated. Bloodlust Pack gets here soon and we need to make sure their cabins are ready."

Running my hand over my face I follow him, "kind of bullshit name is that anyway?" Grumbling under my breath. He chuckles, "not my place to judge man." We make our way past the guest area checking in and asking wolves what needs to be done. Time seems to pass by faster with the distraction soon vehicles start to roll in. The Dusk Valley packs future Alpha, Luca, comes with us to greet the new arrivals.

It's only a small caravan of five vehicles. Twenty wolves at most. The Alpha and Beta amongst the first to get out. Luca stands to the left of me while I stand to the left of Scott, Luna Lisa stands on his right while Cheyenne stands on her right slightly standing behind. It's easy to tell Chey isn't happy with this arrangement. She hasn't been handling this demotion very well, it turns out she knows little of how to lead and the expectations of a Luna. She hasn't been moulded and made into one, but she will be, properly.

Scott outstretches his arm with his palm facing upward for Rufus, alpha of Bloodlust, to grasp his forearm in a tight greeting. He nods towards Luna Lisa before grabbing my outstretched arm, it is difficult not to dig in nails or squeeze too hard when his beady russet eyes glance at my neck before looking me in the eyes with a smug smile. "Where is your human, beta?" His arrogant and demeaning tone isn't missed.

"Welcome." Is all I can get out between my clenched teeth. The wolf watches with intent sizing this older male up. Releasing me he grabs Lucas's arm. I can feel the tension escalating between them as well. "Problem Luca?" Rufus impishly asks.

"None, Alpha." Luca is curt using the same tone just used towards me. He releases Rufus' forearm but Rufus clings on to his before finally letting go. "I'd ask where your mate is, but, well..." He trails off and the stupid grin on his face grows as Luca cracks his neck making fists at his sides.

Scott quickly shows Rufus to his area in the pack and his wolves follow. Luca is shaking with the effort to maintain control.

"You alright?" We can't afford to have a few breakouts on our lands between two of our allies, we would be caught in the middle of it all. Luca is still young, barely still a juvenile but not quite a full-grown male yet. While I think he could give Rufus a good smack he would eventually lose to him. Rufus is older, more experienced. He has been in two wars already, mostly by his own doing, but he came out the victor none the less. He wouldn't be easy to take down and neither would his pack.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I immediately reach for it while trying to keep my eyes to him for an answer before I completely ignore him. "He will be fine." A hand comes up to grip Lucas's shoulder to reign him back in. The voice is dark, dangerous. Alpha Dominic, his father. Luca lip raises towards him but he only tightens his grip.

Not my problem.

Nodding my head that's already looking down I walk off, quickly calling Sophia back. It doesn't ring long before she picks up. "You know you could have just answered my text when you are busy," she tells me. I hadn't even noticed the text.

"No, I rather talk to you. Hear you. Not just text whenever we have a chance. Did you think about my offer? Will I see you tomorrow?" I'm too eager and I know it.

"Down boy," she giggles and the tension in my shoulders leave as they slump to a more relaxed position. I have missed that sound. It's hard not to moan out at the sound of her voice. I need her. Forcing a grunt instead, "Seriously these jokes again?" I just want to hear her laugh more, it's a hard decision to choose between bantering with her or demanding an answer.

Sophia pulls away from the phone to laugh hard, bring it closer I want to hear it. She settles herself down quickly. "Yes. And to answer your questions I have a few of my own. Are you busy right now?" She sounds nervous and I don't have an answer for her.

Fuck.

Scratching the back of my head I try and stretch my sight down the road where Scott is, hoping I can get his attention. No luck. Fuck.

Blowing out a breath I don't know how mad he will be if I leave if Forêt Noire Pack comes and I am not here it'll show disrespect. It would look bad for a Beta to miss this greeting. This is only our second year on our own doing this, we need to maintain our peace with them.

Lisa comes into my prevail vision before whispering 'go' to me.

"Where do you want to meet?"

"Did you just ask if you could ditch your duties Hotshot? I can wait ya know." I can't tell if she is teasing me or not.

"I can't wait. I was told I can leave, I have time. Tell me where you are." My wolf is gnawing at me to go, we have to find her.

"I'm at home." She sighs.

"Imma be right there." I don't wait for her goodbye before hanging up.

Racing off I don't bother with my truck. I stop long enough to grab my bag and toss my clothing in it before darting out the door and leaping into a shift. The wolf forgets the bag before I have to force him back to get it, as much as I would love to show up butt-ass naked I think she may not like it as much, right now.

Its a beeline to her house through the woods, we still have it memorized from the first night there. The trees have dropped their leaves fully, I can see the house sooner and it just pushes us to go faster. I can see Sophia sitting in her window watching for us. A crooked smile graces her lips when she spots us through the trees, she gets up slowly to head downstairs and to the front door. Opening it wide she takes a step out. Waiting. The wolf refuses to let me through, jumping up on her instead to lick Sophia on the chin and cheeks. She giggles at him before nuzzling the top of his head. "Hi baby, I missed you." She coos before giving his muzzle a kiss. His tail wags and he can hardly contain himself, he is drowning in her praise.

I didn't think I could feel jealous with my wolf like this.

He whines when I push to surface and she sets him down. Giving him one last pet between his ears, she walks back into the house leaving me to fight for control on the step. I eventually win the struggle and the shift isn't as easy as it normally is, there is a small burn that I haven't felt in a while from the force. Dressing quickly I let myself in.

Sophia stands in the kitchen, setting a kettle on her stove to boil before getting two mugs ready for us. She places mine under the single coffee maker before the kettle screams its need to be removed from the heat. She quickly fills her mug and adds honey to it while mine slowly brews, trickling down into the waiting cup. Sitting at the head of the table I clasp my hands in front of me. "Did you miss me?" I can't hide the green seeping into my words.

She chuckles under her breath. "Now why would I ever miss you Cage?" The way she says my name is sweeter than the honey she stirs in her tea, it sends a shiver to run down my spine and I have to clear my throat; the air is getting thick. I remain silent.

She walks over placing our mugs in front of our seats before leaning down and kissing the top of my cheek. "Yes, I missed you." She whispers to me. I reach for her but she moves away too quickly for me.

Sophia shakes her head no. "Not yet. I want to talk first before you become a distraction." She wiggles her eyebrows.

I can't hide my smile. "I'm the distraction here? Really?"

She gives me a cheeky grin but says nothing before sipping her tea and humming to herself while her eyes flutter closed. She is doing this on purpose.

I can't take my eyes off her, Sophia knows it too. She slowly takes the mug away from her face to place it on the table before fluttering her eyes back open. "Do I have your attention?" She asks me low with seduction eyes watching me predatory as they flash brightly.

"Yes." My voice is raspy. I feel like I'm in the desert and she is the only water for me to drink. I'll drown in her sea-grey eyes for all of eternity.

"Good" it's whispered out from pouty lips.

My tongue darts out to moisten my dry ones watching her move hers back and forth slightly. "Sophia" it's more of a warning, we are here to talk, we need to talk. She sighs. Before looking down at her cup and I drink from my own, the sting of the heat on my tongue is a welcomed distraction from what I want to do with it.

Her voice breaks the silence that was just beginning to form thick between us. "I have thought about this a lot these past few days." She pauses, she seems nervous as she runs her finger over the handle, concentrating on it like it holds all the answers to life's questions. "I know it may be odd for what you are used to but I wanna date, I think I would be more comfortable that way. It would feel normal. Can we do that?" She stops her fingers movement and looks to me with wide eyes chewing her top lip slightly between her teeth.

"Yes." I can't get the word out quickly enough. All I wanted was a chance, this is it. I know I can be what she needs, she just has to see that for herself.

She gives a small, soft smile before continuing. "This gathering you asked me to go to, what is that? Will I be required to do anything? Will I even be welcomed there?" Her smile drops. Her face looks uncomfortable as her forehead creases and her eyebrows knit together. She must have been thinking about this the whole time, that she isn't one of us.

"You will always be welcomed there, anyone who says otherwise will be put in their place." She opens her mouth to speak but I put my hand up to cut her off before taking her hand in mine. "If it's my home, it is your home, Sophia. You will always be welcomed by those who matter. If anyone makes you feel like you don't belong, tell me. If it gets to be too much, we will leave, go elsewhere. I'll live with you here if you rather. I don't care. What I care about is you and your happiness."

"What about your happiness Cage?" I can see a slight shine to her eyes like the ocean is about to leak from them.

"You are my happiness." Pulling her towards me cupping her face in my hands before closing my eyes pressing my forehead to hers before pulling away. Her hand rests on my wrist rubbing her thumb over the underside before turning her head to leave a lingering kiss. She's pulling me in deep. "As for the rest of your questions," clearing my throat. Focus. "Every year we celebrate with our allies it is no different than your Thanksgiving and no, nothing is required of you other than to behave." Pulling away slightly to give her a pointed look.

"You're askin' too much of me, ya know?" She says before placing a soft kiss to my lips.

Drowning. Her very taste and feel pulls me down to the depths I don't even want to try and swim from it.

Taking her bottom lip between my teeth giving her a gentle nip she opens her mouth for me. Our tongues dance across each other. A groan for her to swallow whole and she moans for me to take in. She pulls back to kiss my lips before pulling away completely. Her lips are swollen and her eyelids look heavy as they flutter. "Wow." She whispers to herself.

I can't stop myself. I get up to bring her upstairs, we may not be able to fuck right now without me marking her but we could have some other fun.

The moment Sophia stands to follow me her phone sounds. I don't recognize the ringtone. "I have to answer that, sorry. Excuse me." Her voice is breathless as she let's go of my hand to retrieve the small phone from her purse and head into the back room.

Fuck.

Looking up to the ceiling I blow out my breath. Stretching I can feel the pressure my pants are causing against me, it's becoming almost painful. Where did she go?

Following Sophia's steps, I come to the doorway where she is. The room is a pantry filled with canned goods, boxed meals and pails marked as flour, sugar, starch. The room is impressive, she could last a few winters without ever needing to buy food, she is well prepared. Better than I am.

It's a good trait to see in a mate. We try and live as self-sufficient as we can. Not having the luxury of a city nearby or owning a lot of business we have to live within our means as a pack and individuals.

She notice me and tells me to go away, she must see the mischief in my eyes. I shake my head. Advancing forward she bites her lip to stop the giggle from bubbling up. "No." She says to the person on the other line, I can slightly hear a deeper voice, I know it's a man. Who is she talking with?

Creeping up she tries to shove me away but I grab her hand bringing it to my lips before pressing a kiss to her palm slowly dragging my tongue to her wrist and placing another open-mouthed kiss. I would be the only male she speaks with right now, I'll show her why.

"Yes, I'm listening." She tells the receiver but her gaze on me says otherwise as I move up her arm. I am standing in the very eye of her storm.

Entranced.

She breaths out slow in a wasted effort to calm herself I can hear the fast beating of her heart as her arousing smell swirls around us causing me to groan. Her eyes close shut and she licks her lips before swatting at me. "Look, dad, I have to go I have company. No, I won't be seeing you for the holiday I am spending it with someone." She pulls away from me and I let her, from what I know about her father they don't get along, hardly talk, it never ends well.

My molars crunch together. I rather her not see him at all. Fuck him.

I can see Sophia's eyes beginning to swirl back to the storming of a hurricane, her forehead crinkles, her anger is rising. My jaw ticks and my hand's ball. "I dont really care you drove all this way and frankly you and my brother can go fuck yourselves as far as I am concerned. I'm going to spend my holidays with someone, you have other plans go do those instead. It's better for everyone that way. Goodbye." She hangs up the phone before turning it off and slamming it down on the deep freezer.

Leaning back she puts her hands to her forehead before messaging her temples. She sighs irritably. I wrap her in my arms and smooth down her hair before placing a kiss on the top of her head. I feel Sophia's hands glide up my back before wrapping her arms around me to pull me impossibly closer and I squeeze her lightly.

"I'm sorry about that." Her voice is low and sad. Placing my finger under her chin I bring her face towards mine, "don't apologize for assholes sweetheart." Telling her before tenderly kissing her lips.

She sighs. "Mind if I pack a bag and stay the night? I dont want to be here if they show up. They knew you were here." It's whispered and I don't like the way Sophia is telling me this. Her voice sounds slightly confused but angry.

"What does that mean?"

"He told me to tell you to leave, forbade me from going with you tomorrow. He's just trying to be a dad, I just dont feel he has the right. Besides its not like he knows you, who is he to tell me who I can and can't date." Her eyes are set on mine. Possession flashes through them like lightning across the sky. Beautiful.

Pressing my cheek to hers I can't stop my wolf from nipping her jawline. Her chuckle is like liquid seduction running down my ear canal. "Let's pack your bag." Whispering in her ear before nibbling on her lobe. She moans softly, "let's start where we left off." Is giggled into my neck. "Please." Her beg brings out my dire need.

I have to breathe harder than normal. "Pack your bag and we will go back to my cabin, no interruptions." Holding her forehead to mine it's hard to wait the 20 minutes it will take to get there. She breathes out as I breathe in. "Fine." She sounds just as frustrated as me.

Heading to the stairs she tells me to wait downstairs, probably a good idea.

A hard bang comes to the door, the smells seeping in are familiar. That's not possible. I can hear her bolting down the stairs before pulling open the door harshly.

I can't believe what I am seeing right now.