Just one more hit and then we're through 

Cause you could never love me back, cut every tie I have to you 

Your love's a fucking drag. But I need it so bad-Panic! At the Disco, Nicotine

Pics up are variations of the pack house!

Korali's Pov.

I stared at the flower hard and long before I turned back to see Jordan's resting face. He for damn sure was a beauty. But I wasn't an idiot. Well not as much of one, as I was making myself look. I keep forgiving him—I will keep forgiving him. He's my mate and he's fucked up. But I will not tolerate the whole 'I'm doing this for you in the long run' bullshit. I'm mated now. Which means we're stuck together until he gets it together or we reject each other. Either one.

I rolled my eyes and shoved at his chest hard. "Jordan get the fuck up." He jolted awake yanking me toward his firm chest his sleepy eyes searching the room with some type of franticness.

"First, remove your arm," His eyebrows scrunched in concern but he did what I asked. "Second, we need to talk."'

"Kora—"

"No, me first." I shushed him and for once he actually shut up. "Jordan you mistreat me." He tried speaking again but I didn't let him get that far. "Shut up. If I'm going to stay here, by your side as Luna then I'm going to need to know things. From you. I—I will stop pushing you into romance, I know that is the furthest thing from your mind now. But you're going to have to compromise with me or I'm done and I mean that. I no longer have the heat over my head. I can go now and not miss you as much." It was a threat, but I was serious about it. He knew and I knew that the heat kept me around; kept me wanting him with a fierce passion enough to act stupid. But it was gone.

My love was still growing for him. Some people are just like that, unfortunately and apparently I was one of those people. You can't control love once it starts sprouting branches and roots in your heart. You can only allow it to grow in the terrible circumstances and hope that it doesn't get enough water to live thoroughly if you don't want to love that person. But if you do want to love them, you let it reroute your body for the most comfortable position and nourish you.

"I don't follow well with threats." He was sitting up by the now, the blankets pooling at his waist; the black satin sheets contrasting with his tanned skin.

"And I keep telling you it's not manipulation or threats. It's promises and you know it."

He breathed in and breathed out closing his eyes tightly. "What is it exactly that you want Korali?"

My fists clenched and I let out a breath, the bed feeling slightly larger than I realized now that I was away from Jordan. "I want," I paused. What I wanted was him. But it's not what was needed at the time. "I think we need to establish a partnership with running the pack. Then we'll figure out what's going on with anything else."

"Okay," he muttered quietly. His piercing greens looked away towards the window. Or the Aster I don't know. I'm not sure. I could tell he was not happy with this. In fact he seemed downright livid, but I didn't care. This was needed.

I loved the boyish look he had this morning. His dark slightly curly hair was ruffled at the top, so he had a case of bedhead. Could have been sex hair but we were not that far into this 'partnership'.

"What'd your mom really do?" I whispered as if the moment was a substantial amount of feathers stitched by spider webs.

I noticed his breathing quicken and that worried me but I knew not to touch him. He opened his mouth a few times to speak and I just sat waiting patiently. "I've never been close to her. All I can remember was my childhood being a boot camp to become an Alpha. Whenever I did have free time I spent it with Max, Cailo, and Arion." I wanted to ask who the last guy was but I didn't dare interrupt him. Jordan's long fingers fiddled with the blankets wedging them between his index and his thumb before releasing them into a frenzy of wrinkles.

"This pack wasn't known for being ruthless before my mom came. When she met my dad she seemed to be able to persuade him to do anything. He'd kill for her. Like most mates would. I've seen my mom murder more people in my life than I've seen her smile. My dad seemed to be more in love than she. When Mahalia was born—something changed for the worse. I remember my dad marking it up to post-partum depression, the sadness women get after childbirth, but she just came more brutal." His eyes were darting side to side and although it was kind of weird, I had a feeling he was just reliving the memories.

I clutched the necklace below my jugular notch. I saw his eyes dart towards it. Jordan was unreadable and it bothered me. It's not that I was nosy and wanting to know what he was thinking at all times. It was because I wanted to know at this time especially.

"Did she hit you?" I needed to know if that was why he didn't want my touch. A woman's touch.

He didn't flinch or look away from the necklace. "Yes. I was to be the best, ruthless, a killer, strong. No Alpha had all those attributes, but her son should have it. Will have it."

"But when she handed me—" Jordan's eyes watered and he looked up at me and made eye contact. I saw the unshed water at the precipice of his eyes. "She handed me Mahalia and told me to snap her neck. I couldn't." His voice was solid and strong; it didn't waver a bit and although a bit monotone, I knew this was emotional for him.

My gasp caused him to turn away from me and down at the floor. "How could she ask—"

"She ripped her from my arms and said she'd do it. But I begged her not kill my little sister. I cried for the first time in years and received the beating of my lifetime to save her. And for what? She's dead anyway." The bitterness in his tone couldn't be missed.

I grabbed his hand and held it to my chest. He just watched his breathing laboring.

"Why did no one believe you could have a mate?" It was the one question I wanted to know the most.

"Don't you think we've talked enough. I'm over it Korali." He ripped his hand from my touch cradling it as if I bit or burned his skin and stood up from the bed.

From an outsider I bet this looked scandalous and picturesque. I was lounging on the bed in skimpy shorts and a thin tank-top with no bra, looking up at my mate. He had a black t-shirt and jogging pants on.

I grinned at him getting up from the bed and pulling the wedgie out and walking towards the door.

"Korali," Jordan said as I was starting to close the door behind me. I stopped and listened. "Your training to be Luna starts at noon."

***

At 12 exactly Jordan didn't bother knocking he just opened my door right away, right as I was picking my shirt up off the bed to put it over my sports bra. He looked away and I rolled my eyes. "Jordan, we're mates and I've seen you completely naked." He blinked and I just shrugged on my shirt.

"Okay so what's first on the list?"

"You want to leave with that on?" I was wearing a pair of Nike sports leggings and a workout T-shirt over it that covered my butt. I assumed when he said training, that we would be like fighting or something.

"You're my mate not my dad, so yes. I'm grown Jordan." He had no response but a nod, I thought so.

"We will be hosting a meeting at the pack house in about 30 minutes. For now, I want to catch you up to speed." I only nodded. "As the Luna you will be responsible now for speaking for me, for making sure the pack members feel comforted—because it's obviously been without, and for helping me make decisions when I can lack—empathy."

Then I thought about it. He wanted to bring things back that lacked in his parents' rule. He wanted his pack to feel comfortable and empathy. I smiled, he truly did care about his pack, only if he cared about me nearly as much.

"Max—he told me that I should bring a peace offering. So here," he tossed a flower at me and I scooped it up tucking it into my hair. I smiled and thanked him quietly. He sighed, "I looked up the meaning, I hope they were right."

"It means exactly what you think." I got up ready to follow him to the pack house. The flower stood for temperance, fragile passion, and take care of yourself for me.

My phone vibrated on my desk right as I got up, so I went to go check it. It was from Kaliko.

'So? You think the warden mate will let you out the house for your birthday?'

Did Jordan even know my birthday was coming up? Did he even celebrate birthdays? I mean he was abused; I doubt that birthdays were allowed.

"Jordan, do you—I'm going out with Kaliko in two days." I watched him fix his self to say no, his fists clenching to the point where his knuckles were white and I'm sure his fingernails were biting into his hands.

"We'll discuss it." He replied through gritted teeth and he turned out of the room.

'That or I'll go myself.' I texted back and put my phone on the table, skipping merrily after Jordan.

The day seemed a little brighter today; it was sunny and clear out. The grass had freshly been cut and there were actually pack members crossing through the field. Some waved and smiled at me and I waved back. I bounced behind Jordan practically prancing like a disoriented fairy around him. I jumped circles around him until halfway there I tripped over a log causing him to catch me. The usual flutters did their elaborate dance routine in my stomach.

He stared at me long and hard, but I didn't feel any way about it. Jordan wasn't a talker; he was an observer. When he let me up, he stared at my lips to my eyes for a couple seconds. I frowned and turned out of his arms my ponytail slapping him in the face as I pranced away. He was not about to ruin my mood with a toe-curling kiss. Perhaps Jordan wasn't the soldier, maybe I was. I needed to leave my newlywed. I needed to be missed, to have a reason to come back.

I looked back from my gait to see Jordan actually have a hint of a smile on his face. I bit my lip turning around and keeping towards the direction of the house. When I saw Max a smile lit his face. He had a little boy hanging onto his leg and Amiella on his right side.

Amiella's dark brown hair was pulled into two brown braids and she had a gentle smile on her face. She had two black studs in her ears, her green dress went to her knees and she had a pair of knee high socks with black converses.

When I finally reached them, the little boy attached himself to my leg and Max spoke. "That's my nephew Abner, I know weird name but my sister is into old testament names heavily."

I laughed and picked Abner up, the baby had a peculiar name, but he was still downright adorable. He grabbed onto my shirt and I followed Max who started to walk towards the entrance of the house. Amiella stayed back to talk to Jordan for a couple seconds I guess.

I observed the building like I haven't before. It was newly built like a huge log cabin that could hold hundreds. It's glass windows shined with golden light and I could see various teens and children in various spots around the house.

We walked into the door and the talking stopped immediately. I waved and gave a meek smile handing off Abner to Max. The crowd was mixed of Adults, elders, and even children. Their faces all ranging from happiness and adoration, to curiosity and bitterness. Well here goes nothing.

"Hello everyone. I'm officially the Luna, and I expect for you all to act as you would if I was a friend. I'm not here to be put on a pedestal or act like I'm in a huge position of power just because I'm your Alpha's m—partner, in the running of the pack. I hope we can grow into a comfortable relationship with each other." I tried making eye contact with everyone in the room.

"You're not mated right?" Someone in the crowd braved and I should have been appalled, shocked, even angry but how could I be? These people thought the same way Jordan did. That the mating is what brought on the crazy.

"I'm not Ms. Gage, I'm not that type of girl and despite his upbringing neither is Jordan. But no we're not mated." I gave a smile of comfort before exiting to the kitchen for a breather. When I saw Jordan there with the little boy Abner and instead of Amiella, it was Zahara sitting on the kitchen island.

"Hey, Korali!" Zahara smiled. "Have you met my nephew Abner?"

My eyebrows crunched in confusion. "Max said that Abner was his nephew?"

She laughed, beaming at me. "He is. Max's sister Ailey and our brother Saxon are mates. Saxon is older than Cailo." I nodded at her and then looked towards the baby.

"Will it be ready?" Jordan said suddenly and I think Zahara saw that as her cue to go.

"Yes, of course Jordan." She pushed herself off the counter waved goodbye to me and disappear through the wooden doors leading back to the living room.

I finally brought my eyes to Jordan who was sitting on the corner near the sink feeding the infant peaches from a bowl. I thought it was an adorable scene. I saved it and locked it in my memory bank since I knew that this was the closest I'd get to Jordan with a baby.

I still wouldn't accept his no for an answer. I would talk him into a baby sooner or later despite his refusals.

"So it went well I take it?" Jordan asked, not taking his eyes of Abner who was happily munching with no teeth or maybe a few I couldn't tell, on his peaches.

"It did actually. Thanks for the flower it helped. So are you and Abner here, close?" I walked closer to the two and I could see Jordan swallow so I stopped in my tracks and bit back a smile. Looks like I was having an effect on him when I resisted looking like a lusting beast.

He nodded his dark hair flopping on his forehead. I smiled reaching into the refrigerator that was near him. I bent over as slow and seductively as I could; glad that I decided to wear the workout leggings. I reached into the fridge taking a whole peach out.

I lifted up quickly closing the fridge and sat on the island where Zahara first sat and I bit into peach. I ate the fruit normally, because I forgot all about Jordan and was paying more attention to fruit because it was perfectly ripened and delicious. I didn't look up till I heard a moan from Jordan. I looked him in the eyes to see Abner reaching for his own peaches ready to cry.

"Jordan?" I called amused at his dazing expression.

"Huh?"

"Abs wants his peaches."

"His what?"

"His peaches," I laughed and pointed to the baby who started to wail. Jordan fumbled for a moment before spooning a bit into the infant mouth hushing his cries almost instantly.

"Anyway, Jordan I'm leaving in about two days, I'm only visiting family and Kaliko for a while. Like 4 hours max. I'll even come back home in the middle of the night, so I wont have to spend the night there." I was going to try to compromise with the dictator. I was going whether he said no yes.

"No," he answered as if the discussion was over; finalized.

"It's a special occasion Jordan," I whined, hoping to get my way. I wasn't trying to debate this.

"No."

"It's for my birthday. My 21st! Legally drinking," I had no idea why I said that.

"Drinking? Definitely not." Okay not the wise thing to say.

"Jordan, you're not my parent."

"Korali, you're—" Jordan was interrupted by a girl with lilac purple hair and a guy with shortened curly hair.

"Hey, what are you feeding my baby? You know you spoil him." She then turned her attention towards me. "You're actually bringing the princess around us common folk. How special to be bestowed the honor," she curtsied and I chuckled sensing her sarcasm.

"Abner is such a peculiar name? Why'd you pick it?"

"Because I'm a historian. Also because I thought it was cute. Why does everyone question his name? You think its cute right Saxon?" She turned to her mate who took more interest in the ceiling.

"It's eccentric. It'll fit him because of who you two are as parent." Max stepped into the room.

The baby burped and Jordan took that as a sign. He hopped of the counter, thrusting the baby into his mother's arm leaving them with two strong words. "He stinks," and giving me a pointed look to follow him.

***

The day of my birthday was nice. Max surprised me with breakfast in bed and I asked him to join me in the watching of my favorite movie while we ate. He sat criss-cross on the floor and we left the door wide open so Jordan wouldn't think anything.

"This tastes so good. You can cook Max."

"Oh, I can't take the credit. This is all your mate's doing."

"Remember, partnership." I reminded him biting into a pancake.

"Remember, that bite on your neck." He shrugged, swallowing down a pancake. "But he'll come around."

My mate didn't bother coming around me that whole morning. Cailo had something to take care of and Luton couldn't take me on a run today, so I was stuck in the house.

When my cellphone run and it was Kaliko I almost cheered. Other than the first half of the day, my birthday almost seemed to be boring.

"Happy birthdaaaaay!" Kaliko sang into the phone. Back at the dorms when my birthday came up, she would dance around in footy pajamas and eat cookie dough with me before going to visit my parents. "Maybe you should just listen to him for a change Kore."

"What kind of best friend are you? It's my birthday and you don't want me to spend it with you and celebrate."

"Kore, I'm a great best friend! Danger is lurking in your territory. Doesn't sound like a good idea to be away from your suffer-in-silence mate." I could hear the care in her voice, but I didn't care. I wanted to see my family. I already told Jordan that I was going and there was nothing he could do.

"Either be out in the forest by 7:30 to pick me up and safely take me home. Or I go by myself dangerously." I warned her and didn't hear any complaints because I hung up the phone. Why the sudden change in attitude about me leaving! Whatever the danger, I could handle. It seemed like it wants Jordan more than it wants me anyway.

I was irritated with everyone at this point too. Jordan barely said two words to me today; the dick couldn't even manage a happy birthday? Max and Cailo were very cheery with their birthday wishes though. Jordan just watched them.

I needed to realize that this was how Jordan was raised and we were only partners. He was sticking by that, and I needed to show him what he was missing.

I stumped towards my willow tree deciding that up until it came time I would sit here and read or something. I pulled out my book and leaned back into the tree and read for a couple hours till I got bored. Sighing, I decided to get dressed and head out to the forest about an hour early. No harm in waiting on Kaliko towards the edge of territory, but still within the boundaries.

I traipsed up to my room, pulling on a navy flowing skater dress, and a pair of low-top converse. I swiped my eyelids with a bit of eyeliner, and my eyelashes with mascara. I applied a little bit of dark red lipstick and was ready to go. I didn't know what Kaliko had planned. And if she didn't have anything planned, I would spend my birthday with my parents.

I opened my door to Max getting ready to open the door. I stopped. "What's up Max?"

His face morphed into one of confusion. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going home. I'm not about to spend my birthday alone in this house, with my uncaring mate. I want to be happy for day. I'm 21, I want to feel like it, or at least cuddle under my parents and feel 12. But I don't want to be a prisoner today." I moved past him and he made no moves to stop me.

I walked into the living room and towards the door but stopped when the kitchen door was closed and the lights were off. It struck me as odd, seeing that we never turned off the kitchen lights.

I thought about ignoring it for a moment. But it creeped me out so I went to go turn them on. I opened the door and the lights suddenly cut on.

"Happy birthday!" Kaliko, my parents, Peter, Cailo, and Jordan were there with a cake and drinks. Jordan was such a little schemer. But I beamed at them anyway because I missed them and I wanted them here.

Jordan walked up first, shoving small box at me and with clear voice said, "Happy birthday."

"You're a manipulator," I whispered in his ear as he was starting to walk away.

"What?"

"You brought them here so I wouldn't go out." I tried to maintain my smile for everyone while I glared at him.

"I didn't even think of that. But hey its works for me. Now I'm going to sit somewhere away." I glared harder, hoping it would singe his back as he turned and headed into the living room.

I spent the time with my parents and friends, laughing over old times and hearing tales of Cailo, Max, Jordan, and this Arion character's childhood. It was very endearing.

My mom even pulled me aside to give me one long hug. "I love you so much! I can't believe you let that mutt of an Alpha touch you." I knew she was gesturing to my new mark, near my collar bone. It was teeth marks but the skin will heal over slowly and become slightly darkened like a burn.

I chuckled into her shoulder, "Mom, he's my mate."

"Yeah yeah yeah, a terrible one," I rolled my eyes, I couldn't disagree. "Anyway, so I know Alpha's are very", she stumbled for the words and I was confused. "Fertile." I was confused on what she talking about. What the hell does that mean?

She stepped back and placed her hand on my stomach, "I'm going to be a young grandma huh?"

"What?" I exclaimed but when Peter turned his head our way I smiled and had to quiet my voice down. "Mom, I am not and will not be pregnant!" I whispered screamed ripping her hand from my stomach. "Jordan doesn't want children."

"Condoms don't prevent Alpha children during the first 10 years of mating. So it's inevitable sweetheart. Despite the father," She said her last sentence with much disdain. "And besides most men don't want children, young. He's a psychopath so it's understandable why he wouldn't want them. Those genes are tainted."

"Oh my gosh, mom. Me and Jordan—We—trust me it's not going to happen—why are we even discussing this? You need to stop insulting him." It was starting to irritate me more than usual. Jordan couldn't help who his family was. He was just born unto them.

"You know, I'm going to be one of those young grandmas and actually see my grandchild get old. Kind of exciting, just hoping that they don't become screw up serial killers because of their father." Her backhand comment irritated me. Jordan wasn't a serial killer in that sense and I hate that people saw him that way; that he saw himself that way.

"Okay, mom I'm done with the topic." I walked away grabbing a chip from a bowl and smiling when Peter asked me about the land.

"I knew you weren't a city girl, but a forest girl? I thought when I moved away, you were going to become a city girl."

"You just wish I would move into the city so you could see my sunshine everyday," Jordan's low growl could be heard from the living room.

Peter's face grew worried. "What was that?"

"Nothing," I rushed. "It was the television don't worry." Then I yelled to Jordan, "Turn the TV down Jordan people are trying to talk in here. Just because you want to be a Debbie downer doesn't mean we will be."

"Hope my grandchildren don't have that spirit." My my snarled sourly, reaching for a piece of cake.

"Mom!" I admonished. Cailo burped causing the attention to go towards him and I was thankful.

The night went on perfectly fine and I actually enjoyed myself. I was actually thankful that Jordan had pulled this together, it was really sweet of him.

"Now time to open your presents," my dad said finally. Call me a child, but I was excited to see what I had gotten.

When I picked up the box that Jordan handed me, it was pretty small. Decorated in blue wrapping paper with a green bow. I took the top off and if a smile could shine, mine would probably have burned a hole into the box.

"Well who is it from? And what is it?" Peter asked impatiently trying to take the box from my hand.

"It's seeds." I bit my lip and closed the box setting it to the side.

"Wow, interesting gift. Open mine!" My mother cheered, disregarding one of the best presents I have gotten. And I had gotten it from my careless mate.

When the clock hit about 11, Jordan called Luton to go take Peter home. Before he left I gave him a long hug and thanked him for coming. But he paused for a second, hesitating. "You know about what your mom said earlier?"

"Hmm? What?"

"About grandchildren. You're not—not pregnant are you?" He asked genuinely concerned to the point where his forehead had wrinkles.

"What? Noo. What gave you that idea? My mom is just being obnoxious since Jordan and I live together so soon." I needed a quick lie. I hated lying to Peter, he truly was one of my best friends. But he couldn't handle the truth.

"Well I thought so for a moment that, you know, because you're dealing with his attitude and disposition. I don't know. It seems like something you'd do for honor, for your baby's sake. To be with the dad no matter how he is."

"Well, no I am not pregnant. I'm with Jordan, because despite how he may seem to you all. He's genuine. He cares even when he says he doesn't. And because well shit, he's my soul-mate." It was a bittersweet grin, but it was true nonetheless.

"If you need anything call me right?" I nodded and waved him goodbye.

My parents retired to the third guest room we had here. Cailo, Max, and Kaliko were still in the kitchen having a great time. I decided to see how Jordan was. I knew he had heard everything everyone had said about him or otherwise.

"Jordan," I sing-songed into the room. He looked up from his position on the couch and stood up. "Why'd you do it?"

"Cailo said that birthdays are important." He moved closer to me and stared down.

"But you wouldn't know?" I was curious. His mom wouldn't take away birthdays. Would she?

"No. I wouldn't. He also told me it was important for family to be around."

"But not you?" I wanted him around too; the most.

"Amiella made the cake. She said bad attitudes are bad for the birthday girl." Jordan never burdened with falsified information. He handed you the truth and expected you to swallow it easily. It was one of his better qualities.

"So you—oh—wow—the seeds—I" I started to get choked up with emotion.

Suddenly his lips were on mine. I reveled in it for a second. His hands reaching pulling my dress closer to his body. He was so strong that I fell onto the couch and he fell with me continuing to kiss me. His hands were on fire and so was my body but I knew what I needed to do. What needed to happen. But oh were his kisses distracting and they felt so good.

"Jordan," I mumbled with his lips against mine. He moaned so I took that as a yes. "Sto—ahh," I moaned when his hand grabbed my boob. I let him kiss me for a few more seconds his hands giving equal attention to the sisters on my chest.

I needed him to stop because this wouldn't end well. It would end up with me hurt, and him angry and just another argument that I didn't have time for. But one thing I did know was that this felt so right. Okay, think Korali, stop him.

I mustered all the energy that wasn't flooding to my vagina and shoved him. Not being prepared for it and balancing most of his weight on his forearms so that he wouldn't crush me, I knocked him over and he hit his head on the leg of the table, knocking out cold.

"Jordan!" I screeched. I just wanted him off of me, I didn't want to kill him.

I panicked. I jumped off the couch and flew back into the kitchen where Kaliko, Cailo, and Max lingered. My parents had taken the guest room and went to sleep for the night and we had Luton take Peter home.

"JordanandIweremakingoutandIpushedhimandhefellandhehithisheadandnowhe'soutcoldandIdontknowwhattodo." I rushed and they all just stared at me, except Kaliko who nodded her head getting out of her chair.

"What?" Max questioned looking like a lost puppy, his light eyes swirling with confusion.

"Jordan is out cold, he hit his head when he was groping my friend and now he's out cold. Let's get him to the pack doctor, idiots."

In a horrible rendition of Scooby-Doo, we each scrambled to the living room where Jordan still laid. Max and Cailo lifted Jordan's heavy body up and then we headed outside to make the trip down the long green grass towards the doctor's house.

"When Jordan wakes up, we got to tell him to lay off the carbs, he ways a ton" Max complained readjusting the portion of Jordan's body weight he held.

"Are you calling me fat?" Kaliko asks in her best manly voice, as she grabbed Jordan's mouth making him talk.

"Well I'm not calling you a paperweight," Cailo replied causing the whole group to erupt in giggles.

"Well then, I never!" Kaliko said dramatically in her Jordan impression.

"Kaliko, I doubt that Jordan would say something like that," I opened the door while they carried them in. They sat his limp body on a bed and went looking in various directions around the house for the doctor.

"Jordan," I cooed rubbing his hair back. "Wake up. I'm sorry for pushing you off me. I liked it—hell I loved it. I just need to teach you a lesson. Please wake up so you can learn that lesson, you big bully."

His face scrunched a couple of times before he groaned and finally opened his eyes. "Ugh, my head is pounding." When his eyes focused in on me he huffed. "Why'd you shove me?"

"We're a partnership, remember Jordan. Partners don't kiss. They barely touch. Isn't that what you wanted?" I tilted my head sideways and gave a condescending smile. "So don't just kiss me when you feel like it," I shoved my index finger in his chest. "Don't play with my emotions. Kissing is romance and for relationships—which we are not," four more finger jabs to the chest. "We aren't even friends. So don't touch me unless it's needed."

He didn't have anything to say, he just let out a breath and plopped back down onto the bed. The Doctor finally graced us with his presence.

"I heard you hit your head trying to cop a feel on the Luna here, Jordan."

I was shocked before I burst out laughing at the older man. Jordan growled shutting his eyes tightly and going stiff on the bed. The doctor walked past me and squeezing on various parts of his head feeling for a lump.

When he found what he was looking for Jordan grunted. "Oh it's little, you'll be fine. I would say, stay up just in case of concussion but you don't seem to have hit your head that hard, and beside you were already asleep."

The doctor released us, giving Jordan a well wrapped head and we all trudged back to the house Jordan obviously grumpy. Kaliko and Cailo were having a race on who could crab walk the fastest to the house, Max being their referee. I walked alongside Jordan enjoying the crisp night air.

"I'm sorry for making you bump your head." All I got was a grunt. "Thank you for the birthday party." Another grunt. "And the flower seeds. They were—were special." Grunt.

"Oh are you going to act like a baby and not speak to me now. I said I was sorry for making you hit your head." I bumped him slightly. Another grunt. He was such a huge baby.

***

"Here," Jordan sat down several different bottles, all of them alcohol. Different types, different flavors; but alcohol nonetheless. It was a day after my birthday and he avoided me all day. Now at 8 pm, he decided to grace me with his presence. My parents and Kaliko were out in the pack land meeting people for basically the whole day. Kaliko loved it here. I stayed home because I didn't want to be around people today.

The bandage on his head was very adorable despite it being my fault that he was hurt. I reached up and pressed my hand on it gently. He closed his eyes and let me. Once I was done I sat back down in my seat and looked up at him with curious eyes. "What's this for?"

"It was your 21st birthday yesterday. You haven't had a good cup of alcohol. So I brought some for you."

"Jordan, you didn't have to do this." It was a sweet gesture it really was. I must have hit his head too hard.

"Don't overthink it. We must be civil in our partnership. Perhaps even friends. Friendships always work the best when they know each other and are friendly."

"Okay.... So which one should I try first?"

"Liquors that aren't specialty kinds are better with juice or coke or sprite mixed with them. I have to go make the rounds on the boarder."

I nodded and watched him leave I grabbed a couple of cups pouring various liquids in each and then mixing them with alcohol. I wasn't a naïve 13-year-old girl. I knew that I could get drunk easily. Especially since this was the first time drinking and all. But I was in the comforts of my home and it didn't really matter. Plus, they say it's best to know your limit.

I first chugged down Hennessy and Coke. It tasted like nail polish inside a coke product. But it warmed down my throat pretty smoothly. Next was a blue alcohol, Nuvo it read and it tasted really sour. I mixed it with a bit of sprite and it actually became pretty tasty to drink. I gulped about a cup of that down before everything started to spin.

Uh-oh, think that's enough. I tried to stand only stumble over the chair. I laughed at myself when the door opened. When I heard keys drop on the table I knew it was Jordan. But I was too busy laughing at myself to pull myself up.

I heard footsteps fall closer to me till I could see Jordan's jogging pants leg.

"Korali?" I heard Jordan's harsh voice cut through my chuckles.

"I don't know," I laughed, and when he reached for my sides to lift me I slapped his hands away giggling. "That tickl-esjordan."

I saw a small smile at the corner of his mouth. He reached for me again and I did the same thing. He sighed.

"This wasn't my smartest idea," he murmured. "Did you hit your head?"

"Nooooope," I showed all my teeth at him. He brought his arms down quickly picking me up effortlessly.

"Woow, you're strong so, too big. All over too. Like your di—"

"Are you sleepy?" He asked quickly carrying me along the house. He was passing so many rooms that it was a blur, but I was life was spinning faster than children at a merry-go-round so I closed my eyes.

"I sleep probably can," I paused to yawn. "You know howbeautifulyouare?" My words slurred but I'm sure he understood them because he paused.

"And you're drunk." He was so serious at all times. That's annoying.

"And when I'm sober thaaat wontmake lessbeautiful."

He sat me on my bed and stared down at me for a second. "Get some sleep Korali. You're going to feel like shit tomorrow."

"Thanks for my birthday presents," I hiccuped before passing out cold. I felt Jordan's hand touch mine slightly then the pressure released so I knew he was gone.

What'd you think of Jordan's bday present for Kore? Kore's mom's words and thoughts of Jordan? Abner? Drunk Korali? Jordan bumping his head? Are you glad that Kore is standing up to Jordan? Jordan's talk about his childhood? Anything you loved this chapter?