Luke's P.O.V.

I shoved my hand into the pockets of my hoodie as I led the entire student body from school to the pack clearing. Everyone was chatting animatedly, wondering the reason behind the first Blackwell pack meeting in years.

"Trouble in paradise?" Bryan fell into step next to me. I looked at him in confusion and he jerked his thumb in the direction where Isabel was talking to her friends.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Yup." Bryan nodded before falling into the crowd, keeping people in line.

Isabel went bat shit crazy when she came to my house yesterday for two reasons. One the fact that I didn't tell her that I moved into a new bedroom. She'd waited in the old one, in the nude waiting to surprise me but flashed my poor mother instead. But really set her off was the fact that Anastasia had left her shirt in my room.

I ducked my head as I remembered the screaming and screeching as Isabel threw accusations and profanities. I took it in stride but couldn't bring myself to tell her the truth and end things so now we weren't talking and dodging each other. Thankfully, Anastasia wasn't in school today or things would've gotten ugly.

I stopped as my parents, Harvey, the council and Alpha Ashworth came into view. All the adults of the pack were already there. Everyone weaved through the crowd, sitting with their parents or friends. I saw Isabel sit with her mother and her friends. I stood to the side, Bryan, Jason and Seth soon joined me.

"Good evening everyone," Dad said loudly. I was always amazed at the power Alphas had as the crowd immediately fell silent. "I know it has been a while since the Blackwell pack has convened but I have an announcement that would change our lives as we know it." Murmurs resounded through the crowd.

"As you may know, we have provided the Ashworth pack with the refuge they need after the Nightwalker pack invaded their lands. Maximus Kali has his pack hell bent on total domination and it won't be long until Nightwalker pack becomes a threat to the Blackwell pack. And as such," he paused, scanning the crowd, "there will be a merger between the Blackwell and Ashworth packs."

I stepped back as the crowd exploded, everyone talking and some even objecting the news and casting murderous glances at Alpha Ashworth. I nodded to my friends and we brought our wolves to the surface, ready to shift if needed.

"Silence!" both the Alphas shouted in their deepest timbre. The crowd had to obey, the combination of the pack bond to Dad and the undeniable power Alpha Ashworth had could put any wolf into submission, some of the weaker members flinched.

"We intend to attack the Nightwalker pack soon," Dad continued, "and for that, we need warriors."

"Anyone who is willing to train with us is welcomed," Alpha Ashworth said, "take your time to consider who and what we are up against. Feel free to give your name to your Alpha, me or any of my children. The first joint training session is this Saturday."

Are you fighting? Seth's voice rang in my head.

Of course, I answered. They will become our problem soon, might as well nip in the bud. And it's an opportunity to train with the Ashworths.

Oh, Seth said.

Jason chuckled, I don't think that was the answer he was looking for.

I looked at them utterly confused until I felt their sentiments through the mind link. They thought I would fight with my mate.

"Anyone with questions and concerns can address them to me or Luna Blackwell," Dad said. A flash of red caught my eye and then a whir of black. My lips parted as I saw what was going on and the crowd gasped, it happened so fast if I had blinked I would've missed it.

Anastasia stood in front her father, chest heaving as she fought down her wolf. A Coke can was in her right hand, someone had thrown the can at Alpha Ashworth.

"Let this be a warning to you all," Ana's tone was deadly and full of undeniable power, "anyone who puts a toe out of line will be dealt with severely." I watched as her claws extended, ripping through the metal causing the contents of the can to spill everywhere. Jason whistled lowly as she dropped the can and stood next to her father.

Dad cleared his throat, "Right. I'll now hand you over to your Luna."

"Hello everyone," Mom said happily, bringing up the mood, "I have a very special and exciting announcement and I kindly ask Miss Ashworth, acting Luna of the Ashworth pack, to help me make it." Ana smiled and stepped forward next to my mom.

Something clicked inside of me and my wolf growled in content. My mother and my mate. Present and future.

"There has not been a union of packs like this in many many years," Mom said brightly. "And while this may be recorded on paper, Miss Ashworth and I believe that this occasion should be commemorated in a way so stories could be passed on for life."

"There will be a party," Ana said happily, the crowd began murmuring and I perked up. "A ball, to be exact, held on the night of this month's full moon. Everyone, every man, woman and child is invited."

"Invitations will be sent to every household with the details," Mom spoke over the chatter now. "Volunteers are welcomed to talk to me any time." Dad nodded as they returned to their places. He dismissed the crowd, only a few lingering behind to sign their names on the trainee list.

"Here I was thinking we had a couple months before prom," Bryan said as we walked over.

"Yeah, now the girls are going to be more insufferable than usual," Jason commented. "And I have to buy a stuffy tux."

"C'mon guys, Ana told me that the Ashworth pack have parties like this all the time, I've seen some pictures, it'll be fun," Seth bounced along.

I tried not to grit my teeth in annoyance. Seth was close to Anastasia, too close for my and my wolf's liking. While I knew Seth would never try anything with Ana, I was downright jealous of their friendship, he knew more things about my mate than I did and that put him in a higher rank than me when it came to her.

I felt Ana's eyes on me as I signed my name but I couldn't meet her gaze, remembering what happened the last time I did. Nothing could beat what I felt for Ana that day. I couldn't stop it, the need to be close to her, to please her, to make her mine, my wolf was pushing me forward, threatening to surface to mark our mate.

I struggled to keep a straight face as I waited with my parents. Her subtle scent and the mate bond wove into my body, pulling me to her. I felt her confusion and hurt as I ignored her but I had to; one look at her and I would lose it.

"C'mon, let's go," Dad said. I shoved my hands in my pocket again as I turned and followed my parents, struggling to breathe as I felt my heart break inside.

~

I stood on a fallen log as everyone gathered around. As far as I could see, our battalion consisted of men and a lot of guys from my year, there were a couple of girls present, Isabel being one of them. Dad told me that a lot able fighters from our pack weren't given the permission to train or didn't want to. His mission today was to persuade them while I was in charge of those who decided to train.

"I expect," I said loudly as everyone gathered around, "that you will show the Ashworth pack utmost respect. Make careful notes, follow every command and no answering back. Understand?" There were several murmurs of yes.

I turned around to see an amused Axel leaning shirtless against the bark of a tree. I stepped down from the log and shook his hand in greeting. "Nice to see you leading," Axel commented before turning around and walking off.

I signaled for everyone to follow as I fell into stride with him, "Dad figured it was time for me to handle more responsibilities."

Axel nodded, "You're lucky, our dad has been training us since birth. The only one who got away was Ana." There was mournful tone to his voice, so I didn't push it.

I was highly aware of Anastasia's presence during training. From the sound of her heartbeat to the sound of her sweet voice singing along to the music that blared from speakers in the middle of the field. My wolf yearned for our mate, constantly whining and pining for her touch, her warmth, to see her tremble at our touch. I remembered everything from that day, it was the closest we had ever been and I wanted more.

My eyes fell on her straightaway. Loving the skin her crop top and short pants showed off but hating the fact that other guys were enjoying it as well. All my instincts were driving me mad with the urge to mark her, to show everyone who her mate was, to show everyone who my mate was.

The wind was suddenly knocked out of me as Xaden bounced into me and I crashed into the ground. Xaden grunted as I got up, glaring at him and wondering why the hell I was put into the same group as him.

"Stop getting distracted," he grumbled, "you look like a puppy begging for its master."

I growled, "It's none of your business Ford. And remember who you're talking to."

Xaden glared at me but didn't comment as we continue agility training under Rowan's command. I smirked lightly as I finished first in the next round. Rowan nodded, amused and impressed as he went around, giving individual praise and advice. I used the opportunity to glance over to Ana again.

I tensed as I saw her wrestling Kane, the guy from Jared's birthday party. My wolf growled as we watched in anger, she was good, tackling and dodging when necessary but the guy won, knocking and pinning her down. I growled audibly as she laughed, taking Kane's extended hand to help her up. I didn't like the close distance between them or the lustful look on Kane's face as he shamelessly eyed her body. My breathing stopped as his hand touched the bare skin of her hip. I saw red and before I knew it, I was there, grabbing his collar growling and lifting him off the ground.

"Don't you ever lay a finger on her again!" I spat into his face as my grip tightened. My breathing was ragged as I force myself not to shift and kill him for touching my mate.

"Luke," Ana's voice pierced through the haze of anger but had little effect. "Luke," she said again. "Luke, listen to me, put Kane down," my skin burned where she curled her hand on my bicep. I dropped him, however my murderous glare didn't leave Kane.

I felt her fingers curl into mine. "Calm down Luke," she said softly. I became aware of an audience, including my friends and Isabel. "Don't worry, they can't see," she said just for me. I looked at her and my gaze soften at the sight of her smile and beautiful brown eyes. "Hey," she said teasingly, "still haven't got a hold of your temper I see."

I chuckled, feeling all the anger and tension wash away from me, "I seem to only lose it when it concerns you." I smiled as I saw her blush and looked up as Damien walked over.

"Everything alright?" he asked. Anastasia nodded as I curled my fingers around hers.

"Everything is okay now," I replied, rubbing the back of her hand with my thumb and squeezed hers gently. Ana shivered and released my hand, sending me a look of apology as she followed Damien.

"What was that?" Bryan asked, half amused half worried. I rolled my eyes as we trudged back to Rowan's section. I noticed Isabel scowling at me and looking at Anastasia.

"None of your business."

~

Collapsing on the grass, I felt exhaustion creep into my bones as we waited for the start of the obstacle course portion of training. My friends collapsed around me, Jason, Seth and Bryan all gave me incredulous looks, Ashworth training was way more intense than Blackwell training. I made mental notes, trying to figure out ways we could incorporate their regime into ours. I propped myself on my elbows looking over where the Ashworths were huddled.

"I think I'm dying," Jason said over dramatically as he fanned himself.

I smiled and emptied the contents of my water bottle on him. "Relax hot stuff." I looked away from his glare and back to the Ashworths. Anastasia laughed as her brothers groaned or cheered, breaking the huddle, each holding a piece of paper in his hand.

"Good afternoon everyone." Nyal didn't need to shout to command everyone's attention with his air of an evil genius. "We're going to begin the last section of training, the obstacle course." I looked at the course; it was the same one I watch Ana run a couple weeks ago. "Here's how we're doing it, your team is the same group you trained with. The order is determined by the number the brother you last trained with has picked."

I cut through the crowd easily as I walked over to Asher where he and Ari were dividing us. "What number did we get?" I asked as Ari led his half away.

Asher sighed and held up the paper with a bold 1 written on it. "I always lose at these things, I swear Ana rigs it," he muttered before shoving the paper into his pocket.

"Stop blaming your sister for your rotten luck," Kenna appeared beside him. She and other humans were welcomed to train, even though they weren't fighting.

"It's that same rotten luck that landed me with you," Asher smirked. Kenna rolled her eyes before kissing his cheek.

I felt a twinge in my chest as I stooped, pretending that I was tying my shoelaces. This has been happening lately, a feeling of longing and regret every time I saw public displays of affection. A part of me knew that it due to the distance between Ana and I. But things were happening, I felt myself becoming distant with Isabel and craving Ana's attention. I stretched to my full height as Kenna's feet disappeared. I heard a sharp whistle and the crowd fell silent.

"Can the first team please step up to the starting line," Damien said. Asher wished us good luck as we jogged over. Everyone fell behind me, even Xaden, as we lined up. I saw Nyal and Damien in the distance but my eyes fell on the girl sandwiched between them.

Something clicked inside of me as my focus zeroed in on her. My wolf and I riled up, ready to destroy everything and everyone that stood between us. Nyal's "Go" seemed muffled in my head as I was the first one off the starting line. I thundered through the first set of low jumps and headed over to the up and over bar. I felt the bar bend due the strength and momentum I used to get over it. I grit my teeth as the combination obstacle came into view. I breathed in deeply as got onto the pipes and slowly trudged down.

Balance was not my strength but Rowan's and Jared's advice replayed in my head. I focused on my centre and just kept moving only what was necessary. Xaden and a couple others had caught up to me now but I didn't care as I moved onto the log walk using the same technique. I grinned as I pulled myself up on the log and over.

The sound of the crowd cheering seemed distant to me as I climbed over the log wall. I was purely driven with the need to get to my mate, the tug of the mate bond and the overwhelming compulsion to prove myself to her; to show her and everyone else, what I was capable of.

As I sprinted down to the series of log rolls, I smelt four familiar but strange wolves. I heard the thud of their paws and within a split second I hoisted myself on the log as Axel's light brown wolf form snapped at my legs. I snarled at the unwelcomed twist but I couldn't shift if I needed to complete the course. I dodged and manoeuvred around the snapping jaws of Rowan, Ari and Asher as I threw myself up or under the log vaults depending on their attacks. Ari's jaws narrowly missed my shoe as I pulled myself up and over the last set of bars and sprinted down to the rope climb. My jaw was clenched as I felt the rope dig into my skin. I exhaled sharply, as I slid down the length of the rope.

I was dripping with sweat as the crowd cheered. My chest heaved as I turned back to see most of the group catching up. My head snapped forward as I heard my mate call my name. I grinned as I saw the smile on her face as she ran, sliding on her knees and stopping in front of me. I took the bottle of water that she offered and chugged it. My heart calmed and raced as I took in the beautiful girl in front me. I leaned forward and caught a strand of hair that escaped her plait and tucked it behind her ear.

Before I could pull away, her hands covered mine, our fingers curled together and I growled in content and relief as her touch soothed the burning on my palms. She laughed and I looked up at her, smiling because she was. For a moment, time slowed and the only sound I heard was her heartbeat. Just for a moment, only two of us existed.

Well it certainly felt that way, it was only when I returned to my friends, I saw the look on Isabel's face.