---Paige's POV---

Ever had that moment where you could look at a guy and just know what he thinks because it's all over his face? Well that's what I was feeling when I stared at Jacob's drooling expression before I shuddered. Yuck! He's drooling! Well, technically it was his wolf but still, Ew!

"I'm going to take a shower because I feel so dirty right now." I said while I shot a glare at Jacob, who smiled innocently at me. I turned back to the Alphas and said "And then, we are going to have a long conversation about my kind and this.... mating season thing." I couldn't control the shiver that crawled over my spine.

"What's there to explain? It's mating season, meaning that you mate with your mate." Jacob smirked while he walked closer to me, nose still twitching. I scowled at him; did he really think that, just because my body would go haywire for a while, I would willingly mate with him? After everything that he put me through?

I smirked internally when a plan popped in my head and I saw Nick at the edge of the yard giving me the thumbs up. "Go get him." Nick whispered reassuringly in my head, earning himself a wink before I turned my attention to Jacob, who was wagging his tail off while he had a dreamy expression. Disgusting!

"Well..." I purred slightly while I walked around Jacob, making sure that my tail swished under his nose while I rubbed my side against his. His whole body tensed as his jaw dropped open, staring at me while his eyes were turning black with lust. Stepping out of his view, I knew what his reaction would be; he would spin around to watch me closely.

So, when he spun around, I jumped on his back, forcing him to the ground while I growled menacingly. "Take a good, long look Jacob because if you would even think for a second that you were allowed in my pants..." I dug my claws in his back until he released a small whine. "...Then you can forget about it!" I snapped before I jumped up and shifted in my owl and flew towards my room.

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Adrianna was sitting on my bed when I came out of the shower. She smiled shyly at me while I trotted around with a towel around me and my soaking hair stuck on my back. I felt self-conscious around others, but tried to act indifferent. Smiling softly at her, I ruffled with a smaller towel through my hair while I said, "You need anything?"

She sighed before she started "I just want to apologize; I never intended to try and steal your mate away. Jacob never mentioned finding his mate and then he started acting...odd." She took a deep breath and tried to explain further but I interrupted her, waving my hand in the air while I snuffed through my closet.

"Adrianna, I don't blame you...anymore." I added truthfully. "Besides, it takes two to land in a bed together." She smiled at me, but it was a sad smile. Before she could say anything, my bedroom door sprang open and I zipped in the bathroom, cursing profanely.

"There's a little something called PRIVACY!" I screamed from the top of my lungs while I practically jumped in my clothes. My glare was aimed at Emilie, Grace and Amy, who were sitting on my bed, snickering and barely holding back from rolling over the floor in laughter.

Amy was a she-wolf and a very good friend of mine; she was always the first to help me prank Tyler and I was starting to suspect that she would be his mate. Grace on the other hand, was a single she-wolf. The four of them were grinning at me like idiots while I threw on a comfy hoodie.

"What are you guys plotting? You better not plan to prank me." I said but they shook their heads. "Nope," Emilie said, " We are planning a movie night." She glanced at the clock above my door before she added "Tonight."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't contain the smile that spread over my face; they all wanted me to be normal, since I had a rough childhood in the orphanage. They smiled with me before Amy shoved me towards the door. "The sooner you talk to the Alphas, the sooner you're getting back. So shoo!" she said while waving me off.

---Tyler's POV---

I climbed through Paige's open window after everyone left her house. Grinning like a hyena, I walked through her room, searching for a way to get her back for the last prank. I had to admit that she pulled a good one but that stupid pink paint took forever to scrub off. My whole body was painfully scrubbed until every spat of paint was off.

Growling lightly at the memory, I opened a few drawers and closed them again, not interested in destroying her stuff. And then I hit the jackpot with my finding.

"Tyler McGrath, you are a freaking genius my boy!" I snickered to myself while I looked proudly at my new prank. I knew that Paige was going to be at the pack-house tonight for the movie night, so that would be a good time to settle the score.

I took my bag out and smirked slightly at the sharpie pen that was lying in there before I started to fill the bag.

This was going to be great!

---Jacob's POV---

I was hanging around in the living room, eavesdropping on the conversation between the Alphas and Paige. So far, they were explaining everything about shifters.

"So, basically you have three different types of shifters; Pure, Elemental and Gifted." Alpha Jackson said and I moved a little closer to their position in the lounges while trying to look casual. Judging father's narrow-eyed glance towards me, I was failing miserably.

"Elementals dedicate their life and manner of shifting to certain aspect of life and learn everything about it. Their first shift contains the animal that their element represents. It makes them more powerful to shift in that element, it's...easier." Jackson glanced at Paige, who was looking very concentrated before she said, "Well, that doesn't sound like me; my first form was a wolf, but the other 'earthy' animals were as difficult to learn as the birds." She pointed out.

"True," Dad said while he brushed over his neck while saying "But you aren't elemental." Jackson nodded before he would continue. "Then we have the Gifted, the more advanced soul-shifters. Above their shifting abilities, they would receive a gift through the years."

I was taken back a little; on top of all that shifting, they would get a gift too? That's just unfair! Looking back up, I noticed that all three of them were staring at me.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?' I muttered while a blush crept over my face. Paige grinned wickedly before she nodded her head "Uh-huh." I groaned before I walked towards the seats and fell in one.

Alpha Jackson gave me an amused look before he said, "As I was saying, they get a gift, a power in some ways. It varies from their character, their soul so to speak. We don't think that you are one but we can't be sure..."

Paige nodded again, glancing at dad before she said, "You mentioned that you thought of me being a Pure soul-shifter?"

Dad nodded vigorously while he said, "I'm quite convinced actually. But Jackson knows more then me." Alpha Jackson smirked lightly before he explained. "The Pure Soul-shifters are considered royalty among the shifters because of one simple fact." He paused for a moment, intertwining his fingers while he stared at Paige.

"Pure shifters are immortal beings, much like ourselves and any other soulshifter. They can learn any animal form like every other soul-shifter out there but once they mature... they can learn anything."

We all looked at Paige while she was contemplating that bit of information. She was biting her lip while she looked at her lap and I started to wonder what she was thinking about. Her thoughts however, were shielded and I didn't want a rematch so soon after our last fight.

Finally, she looked up and let go off her lip before she asked, "What do you mean with 'anything'?" Luke leaned forwards and touched her hands while he said in a soft voice "They can learn from other species, gain their knowledge and abilities. Plus, you can learn animal forms that don't exist but that would take a very, very long time."

Jackson piped up "Say that you are interested in a phoenix, for an example. If you are a pure soul-shifter, you could learn that form after months, years of study." I was gawking while my eyes were rolling out of their sockets. She could do that? WOW!

Paige nodded again, massaging her temples with her fingers while she closed her eyes. She sighed again and opened her eyes, giving me a glance before she asked "And what is this mating season?"

Luke smiled slightly before he replied "Since you are a shifter, your body will begin to change when you near your eighteenth birthday, preparing itself for immortality. Two weeks before and after your birthday, you will be attracted to your soul mate. It's a way to ensure that you've found your mate. Once you have accepted him, both of you will be marked."

I smirked slightly while I thought about her and the mating process. My mind couldn't focus on anything else for the moment but I wondered what he meant with marks.

Jackson revealed another part, saying "But, since you are linked to a werewolf, the second part of the mating season will represent our heat. You will be very... attractive towards other males, especially your mate. And you will be in pain until you have mated with your mate."

Paige scrunched her nose up before she glared at me. "Wait. I have to suffer... because of him?" I quickly pulled a blank expression on my face but I didn't think she was fooled by it. She hissed slightly before she snapped at me "Don't even think about it!"

She looked back at the Alphas and asked "Are we done here?" they nodded and Paige zipped out of the room before I could stand up. I blinked a couple of times and turned towards father. "What's her problem?"

Luke sighed and explained in a strained voice "Jacob, I know it's easy to forget but Paige comes from an orphanage. She has trust-issues; her parents left her while she was still a child, leaving her with a vague explanation and they never came back. All the adults, and the kids, were suspicious about her and always kept her out of the social events."

He gave me one last scolding glare as he added "And let's not forget your shenanigans, attempted rejection, bullying and nonchalance didn't help her feel safe near you."

I felt my face heat up while I rubbed my hand through my hair. Dad was right, Paige was so good with blending in that I had forgotten about her past. It made me wonder if Paige really was who she seemed to be. She always seemed unfazed with every challenge thrown at her but then again; if she didn't trust anyone, to whom could she tell her deepest fears and secrets?

---Paige's POV---

I growled internally while I walked away from the conversation. Why would Jacob be interested in mating me? Was it just because I was different? A soul-shifter and no longer a so called weak human? Or did he really like me? I sighed while some memories floated through my head.

"You're a freak! Nobody wants you! That's why your parents dumped you here; they didn't want you." The skinny kid said and his other friends joined in. "Freak, Freak, you're a freak!" I pulled my knees to my chest and pushed myself in the corner while one of the supervisors walked over. "Is something wrong here?" he asked, eying my position and the mob of kids around me.

Growling again, I shook my head while I turned a corner and walked into one of the rooms that Grace and Amy pointed out when they walked me to the Alphas. Walking in, I was greeted with a whack to the face. I looked down at the pillow at my feet before I looked up at the girls, who were having a pillow fight with the boys.

I wanted to forget my troubled past and my strange life for a moment, so I threw myself in the pillow fight, getting Nick on his head, again. Fifteen minutes later and we girls had to surrender; Grace and Amy were covered in feathers and all of us where tearing from laughter. I wiped away the tears and gave Nick a mock-glare; the damned traitor told the others I was ticklish.

Nick just smirked at me before he threw his pillow back down. I grabbed a beanbag and flopped myself on it while I took deep, calming breaths. Jacob walked in and looked around at the floating feathers before he high-fived the guys.

"Girls calls dibs on the movies!" Grace shouted with a smirk. "Gaah!" she grunted out when her mate jumped on top of her. "What's that honey?" he smiled teasingly while tickling her. Grace was laughing like crazy, wiggling her feet in an attempt to try and get away from Eric. His other brothers were smiling at the sight, happy that he found his mate.

I smiled too; who knew you could find your mate by tackling her to the ground in a pillow-fight and then get smacked in the face by her pillow? And here I thought that she would meet her mate in a few years but apparently, Eric was the lucky guy.

Joshua stepped towards the screen and pulled out an ominous looking DVD box. "Nah, I'm thinking the guys want to see a good old horror movie."

"NOOOH!" all the girls shrieked in unison while we darted for the DVD. Amy, who tackled Joshua ungracefully to the floor, snatched the DVD-box out of his hands and threw it across the room. "Girls, what do you want to watch? I'm getting a DVD to you guys!" I mentally shouted out while I discreetly made my way to the shelves filled with them.

"Get a good action movie! That way, they are happy and we are happy!" Grace shouted while Amy piped up "Make sure there are yummy guys in there!" I rolled my eyes with a grin and searched the shelves, plucking a promising DVD out. The Avengers.

I turned around and noticed Jacob, who was stalking towards me. "What are you planning Paige?" he asked, a predatory look in his eyes. I placed my hands behind my back and moved very slowly. "Nothing...much." I smiled innocently. He grinned mischievously and I darted for the flat screen.

His arms wrapped around my waist after two steps and he tackled me to the ground, making sure that I was pinned to the ground. I wriggled out of his hold and straddled him before I threw the DVD to Amy. "CATCH!"

"GOT IT!" she yelled while she made a mad dash to the flat screen followed by Joshua and David while Eric held Grace pinned to the ground. I felt a rumble going through my legs and looked down at Jacob, who was smirking at me.

He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively before he said "As much as I like the position that we're in..." I blushed when I realized that I was still sitting in Jacob's lap, holding him down while he was getting...excited.

Suddenly, he rolled over and pinned me to the ground, grinning like Cheshire cat. I struggled against him and he leaned closer, whispering "Dad told me that a shifters mate benefits from his or hers powers." He winked at me and I huffed; No matter how many forms I would learn, Jacob would always stay equally strong. Or even stronger.

That's just sexist.

"Aha! Got 'cha!" David shouted while Amy shouted her protest, whacking him on top of his head with the DVD. Joshua pulled the DVD out of her hands while David shot a mocking glare at Amy. She stuck her tongue out to him and sputtered when David caught it between his fingertips.

"Hey," Joshua said surprised while he turned the DVD around, "This isn't that bad a choice." I smirked before I teasingly sang, "Thank you Joshua." He shook his head while he chuckled deeply and put it on. I looked up at Jacob and asked him "Are you going to let me go so we can see the movie or..."

Jacob smirked "Definitely or." His eyes shined with amusement and a hint of lust. I cocked my head to the side and stated in a fake shocked tone "Even if the or means that I'll kick you in the nuts to get you off me?" Jacob grimaced and pulled us both up before he held his hands up in the air, acting innocent.

We all snuggled together, piling all of the beanbags and pillows together in front of the loveseat. Me, Jacob, Grace and Eric were squished on the loveseat while Joshua, David, Amy, and Nick lowered themselves on the beanbags. Adrianna and Damon walked in, rather shyly I might add, and asked politely if they were allowed to join us.

I was surprised when they were greeted with a chorus of positive replies and Damon actually looked really content with being accepted. Jack and Emilia walked in, carrying the snacks and before we knew it, the loveseat was overcrowded. I wriggled myself free, much to Jacob's dislike.

"Come on Paige, there's plenty of place for you here." He whined and I rolled my eyes at his protest. I shifted into my Egyptian Mau and received several gasps of awe from my friends. I purred loudly before I jumped up the seat and lay down on the pillow next to Jacob.

Another purr escaped my throat when Jacob petted me on my head and followed my spine. My instincts acted before I could and I curved my back along with his hand. Jacob's face lit up with a happy smile while he mentally whispered, "Another thing father said; your mate is your greatest weakness."

I meowed irritated and jumped on his lap; my front paws close to his groin. His face turned lustful but changed quickly into a painful grimace when I slightly dug my claws in his inner thighs. "So is yours." I smirked slightly before I rebounded over to the pillow and curled myself up.

Amy hushed everyone to silence when the movie started.

------

I woke up from a snorting chuckle and sighed deeply. After the first film, the guys pulled out several others and eventually we all piled down and fell asleep. I rolled onto my other side, still in cat form but I jolted up when I heard a sharp 'Click'.

Tyler was standing in front of the group with a camera in his hands, the flashlight up and a grin on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering what he was planning. Suddenly, choruses of laughter made me jolt again and I jumped in Jacob's lap.

I looked around and my mouth fell open in horror; Tyler had snuck into my room and found my underwear. He wrote lines on several of them and he even went so far to decorate Jacob with one of my bras. The rest of them were spread across the room, hanging from the lights and thrown over the seats.

My cheeks were burning, even though nobody could see it while the laughs still echoed through the room. Everyone was pointing to my underwear, Jacob and me. Jacob looked down at his bare chest and plucked my bra off, mumbling "Nice." while he stared at the red lacy bra.

I stared at my clothes while a flashback forced it's way to the front;

I woke up from the feeling of ice-cold water thrown over me and laughter sounded up when I scrambled up. The other kids were pointing and laughing at me while I looked around; my whole room was turned into a mess, undergarments and clothes thrown around the place and one of my bra's was hanging out of the window, drawing the attention from people in the street.

One of the kids pushed me of the bed and onto the cold floor before he said "Remember this Freak; Every time you get too comfortable around here, we will make sure that you'd wish you were adopted straight away." They laughed and picked the pile of clothes up before they threw it out of the window. They left me in the room, crying silently while I begged for my parents to return.

I snapped out of it when a hand touched my head and I saw Jacob mouth my name. I shook my head and darted out of the door, weaving in between the legs in my attempt to get out faster.

Jacob caught me on the edge of the forest, forcing me to shift in a larger form. But even in my cougar, he jumped at me and held me against him, stopping my struggling. I shivered, trying to fight it before I unconsciously shifted back to my human form and started crying.

Jacob hushed me, pulling me in his lap while he cradled me and wiped the tears away. After a while, I was able to calm down and I felt Jacob's lips next to my ear while he whispered "Please Paige. Tell me what's wrong. Let me in, just trust me."

I looked up at his face, still sobbing and his torn, pained expression surprised me. But was I able to trust Jacob, my mate who had broken my trust once before?