Two days later.

Aeriela.

I had been focused on the children book on my lap when a hand touched my shoulder. I jerked, quickly turning my head around with a hard look as my teeth bared, "Don't ever sneak up on me like that, Ulric."

"Jeez, all jumpy and cranky." he said, snorting. "Look, I was invited by some of these girls yesterday to a party when I was in town. It's only eleven, we should go. Harley, Rascal, and the others are coming."

"A party?" I asked. He nodded as I turned to face him, "Are they wolf?" I have learned of that word when I came to live with Mat. It is like a gathering and just another word.

"Not exactly, their humans." he said, making me snort as pure disgust appeared on my face. "Hey, it'll be fun. Lots of dancing, socializing, and food."

As if my ears perked up, that caught my attention, "Food?" I questioned. Screw dancing and socializing, I'll go anywhere there is food. "But wait—Mat told us not to go anywhere at night just in case of those bad people."

"We're in a large open town, I doubt Hunters will be shooting at us with humans watching. We sneak out from the kitchen and everything will be fine." he said, rolling his eyes. "It'll be in a big house with others like our age. Come on, it doesn't sound fun?"

"Humans don't sound fun." I said. "Why are you asking me?"

He shrugged, "Why not? You are apart of this pack, right?"

Hearing that made something buzz on the inside and made a small smile itch on my face. Someone had actually said that other than Mat, Killian, or Will. I wanted to jump, cheer, and do something crazy because Ulric said I was apart of this pack! Maybe finally I am fitting in. I can't do anything to ruin this, I have to be normal and I hear parties are way normal.

I nodded, "Alright, I'll come."

Mat.

Killian sat down next to me top of the building of the shelter. He took my hand in his as I held back the tears that so badly wanted to escape. In day time, at least I could see mostly outline fuzzy things. I could guess what's in front of me and be more careful. In the dark, I might have well been blind and I hated it. I felt so worthless and pathetic for letting that Hunter get me like that. I should have attacked him, not stare at him.

I brought my other hand up to my runny nose and ran my hand across it, "I already know what Alpha Lincoln gonna say. I'm not looking forward to it at all. He's going to say he told me so and that I should just give up now. Maybe he's right, maybe I should stop kidding myself."

"Mat, stop beating yourself up about it." Killian said, gripping my hand harder in his. "None of us knew this was gonna happen, they surprised us."

"Their gonna say they knew there were Wild Rogues out there and have some in the pack be a watch out at night for protection. They're gonna be right—none of this would have happened if I just been smarter!" I said, tears finally rushing down my face. All the stress the last couple of weeks was hitting me and I brought my hands up to hide my face that was ashamed. Ashamed of crying in front of someone I so badly wanted to show how strong I am and feeling like such a failure to my pack.

Killian wrapped his arm around me and brought me close to him for comfort. I brought my arms up, clinging to him since it made me feel a little better with him holding me.

"You are smart, Mat. None of this is your fault, alright? How were you gonna know Hunters were coming for us? How were we suppose to know humans are learning about us?" he asked and I had no answer. "This isn't your fault. No one is blaming you."

"Maybe but I'm sure the wolves in Nate pack are saying how much of a weak Alpha I am." I said, rubbing my wet hot cheek.

Killian left hand was on my cheek and his thumb rubbed my cheek, "Stop it. It isn't your fault, you're not to blame. Tomorrow we leave for New York with Nate and we'll all get this under control. No one gonna blame you for what happened."

"I sure hope so." I said, lifting my head up and leaned it against his shoulder.

He kissed my forehead, "Stop doubting yourself, Mat. You're one tough Alpha who can handle anything—"

He was cut off with voices of the young wolves in the pack at the bottom on the sidewalk. They were trying to be sneaky with hush voices but the girls kept giggling about sneaking out and how cool this was. Normal teen things—I should expect it from them. They mentioned some party and about how fun it'll be even though it's a human one. Then I heard Aeriela voice and a growled escaped my mouth.

"Ulric isn't down there, is he?" I whispered.

"Uh—we have all sneaked out to parties before." he said, making my hands ball up into a fist. I opened my mouth to yell at them to go back inside, to tell them how dangerous this and how stupid they can be but Killian put his hand over my mouth. "Ma-Mat, relax.", he said, making me breathe heavily out my nose. "Look, this is a very big town with lots of people still out. They're not in any danger and their just being normal teens. Like we won't be going to parties also if we could. Just let them go have fun. Aeriela looks excited."

Hearing that Aeriela looks excited, I loosened up and frowned. Killian moved his hand and wrapped his arm around me. I wanted Aeriela to have fun but I was so worried. She doesn't know how to be socialized yet with human and sad to say but I don't feel confident with letting her go to a party with them. Many possible things could happen. But maybe I'm wrong and Aeriela will have a good night. Killian right, if we still could we would be going to parties.

We went back inside the building and joined the guys in the corner. I leaned against the wall, "Will, will you gonna be alright tomorrow?"

"Mat, relax. You won't even be gone for twenty-four hours. My father taught me how to become a Beta, how things are supposed to go. Relax, nothing gonna go wrong tomorrow." he said.

I sighed heavily, "Lately, I feel like anything could go wrong now."

Aeriela.

I looked around as we came up to a human home where humans actually sleep inside. The human teens looked at us as we stepped onto the porch, wondering who the strange guest to arrive was. I stayed close to the young wolf next to me which was Rascal and he threw an arm around me, "Don't worry, Aeriela. They're not gonna bite—they have to worry we will." he said, grinning as he opened his mouth as he lowered his hand down towards my neck and I put my hand on his forehead and pushed his head away.

We stepped inside the house where loud modern human music was playing and allot of humans were around. Everything was so strange and different from the wild. Even back in the forest with Mat and everyone at least stuff seemed similar. Being here—I have never felt so different.

People around who were the troubled new guest since they didn't recognize us from their 'school'. We went into the kitchen as the others began making a scene in front of the humans with grabbing drinks and food.

Ulric shoved pizza in his mouth before looking up at me. He groaned, picking another piece up and walked over towards me. "Here, eat. You're making us look lame."

"I thought we would be blend in but it's like you want people to see us." I said.

He brought the pizza he brought for me up to his mouth and took a bite as he shrugged, "Why not? They can't stop us."

"They'll know we're different." I said.

He chuckled, "Aeriela, relax! Look, this is how we behave with humans. We like the attention and no human knows we're different. Stop being so worried and have fun. Cause a little trouble."

"We're supposed to be staying out of trouble. Mat will be angry if—"

He groaned, "You need to let go of Mat tail!" he said, looking annoyed. "You don't need her, you can only really depend on yourself. Trust me, I know allot about it."

Rascal banged his hand hard against the table, "Oh come on! I lived in Idaho before here and we always had much exciting parties then this one. Show us a true Texas warm greeting!" he said, making the other young wolves cheer and shout. Ulric grinned as he chuckled. Rascal pointed at a big black box thing and another small square shape thing, "Luna, why don't you go find something better to play."

Luna did what he suggested and loud music started to playing. The girls began the ground of dancing and everyone soon joined. Humans were having much more of a fun time it seemed since we showed up. Harley grabbed Ulric hand and pulled out dancing.

I leaned against a wall as I watched them and bit my lower lip. Everyone was having allot of fun it seemed and I so badly wanted to be out there having fun but I was—scared. I didn't know how to dance like them—though it looked easy—and I'm sure no one would want to dance with me.

A human boy came over with a red cup in his hand and held it out to me. I stared at him for a moment before I could hear Ulric voice in my mind to loosen up and have fun. I reached out and took the cup, "Thank you." I said. Mat always said to say 'thank you' when offered something.

"No problem." he said, smiling down at me. I guess would a human boy he is cute. He had tan skin with blonde hair pushed back. Though he would seem appealing for dinner in the wild—he seemed to have a friendly smile and I didn't find any cause for him being threatening. "What's your name?

I brought the drink up to my mouth. There was juice inside and it was really good. "Aeriela." I said, taking another sip. "Aeriela Vaughn."

"I'm Jason." he said. "I haven't seen you in school before. Actually, I never any of you before."

I shrugged and turned to look at my fellow young wolves out dancing. I kept taking more sips and I felt Jason eyes on me. I awkwardly looked back at him, "What?"

"You're pretty." he said.

I don't know why I started laughing but I did, "Uh. . ."

"I'm sure you hear that allot." he said. "A beautiful girl always be called sexy and hot."

"Hot?" I questioned and he nodded. "Hot is another word for sexy?" I gasped since Ulric didn't tell me that! Sexy was known in the wild and it wasn't a word I always heard but I did hear it. Oh no—I told Ulric he was hot!

Jason looked confused but amused, "So where did you guys come from?"

"Forest." I said, taking more sips and sips. I was surprised at talkative I was being, as if the drink had a special remedy in it. "Our group got destroyed and we have to stay here for awhile."

"Uh. . .very nice imagination." he said, chuckling. I didn't know what he just said with 'imagination' but I just shrugged and finished my drink. "Want another one?" he asked, making me nod my head quickly.

I followed behind him and I jumped on his back. He seemed surprised, but he both laughed and he went back over towards the table. He grabbed some bottles' with juice in it and I played with his hair, "You're hair is so soft and wavy. It's like corn. No one back in the wild had such yellow hair. Mostly dark hair or like me. Hair that looks like leaves when autumn comes."

*

Jason and I were playing saying words to each other. He kept saying nice things about me and how he hopes to see me again. I don't think I would see this human boy again but he was nice to talk to. My body was feel weird. It started to happen after I was drinking the drink he got me. But if they were making me open and friendly like I am—is it so bad?

We were out on the porch and I was leaning against the rail. Jason stared down at me and I arched my eyebrow, "Huh?"

He brought his hand up to my neck, "You got real beautiful eyes. Eyes I don't mind staring into."

I giggled, "Uncle Ramses said just like grass on a spring day."

He started to lower his hand down and I quickly felt that threaten instinct. I leaned away from him as my eyebrows forward together, "Hey, what are you doing?" I asked. He ignored me and leaned forward, kissing on my neck. I put my hands on his chest, pushing him away, "No."

He put his hands on my waist, holding me against him as his human mouth touched my neck and I was repulsed. Jason was a handsome human but he was still human and I use to watch Uncle Ramses and Aydin eat handsome boys like him! I pushed him away and slapped him.

His sweet blue eyes flashed with anger and he grabbed me by my arm, "Hey, who do you think you are!" he said coldly as his arm tighten.

I tried to pull away, "Let go you meat head!" I screamed. I tried pulling away but he was strong and I smacked him again. "Let go!"

He pressed me against a pole roughly, "You think you and your weirdo friends can show up to my house and you act all sweet? I know girls like you. Act all innocent but really actually wild chicks."

"Well here the thing—I am wild! My kind eat pretty boys like you." I growled out, lifting my head as I glared at him. The door to the house opened and Ulric came out with a hard look. The other followed him and Harley tried to grab Ulric but Ulric pushed her away.

"Problem?" he asked but didn't let Jason finished as he punched him across the face. It made Jason fall and fall asleep even before he hit the ground. Ulric looked up at me and I jerked slightly at his cold eyes on me. "What are you doing with him? He's not one of us."

I scoffed, "He was nice until a few moments ago."

He stared at me for a moment, "Are you drunk?"

"I don't know this 'drunk' word." I coldly said.

"God damnit, Aeriela! Mat gonna be pissed if we go back and your drunk. We're leaving, lets go now!" he said, grabbing my wrist but angry at how he was looking at me like I was a criminal I pulled away.

"You don't tell me what to do!" I yelled at him. I bared my teeth, growling at him. He glared at me, breathing heavily out my nose. "I spent fifteen years of my life being told what to do and I won't let another man do the same now!" I turned and jumped off the porch. I landed down on all for before quickly getting up and ran away from the human house.

"Aeriela!" Ulric yelled out.