Jet returned with a bundle of clothes in his arms. "I found these for you. You prefer human form, right?"

I nodded, clasping my shoulder.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I hugged my limbs closer to my chest.

"Is it hurting?" He climbed across the bed and pulled the blanket over. "It's still pretty red." Jet licked the scar.

I couldn't help but sigh at the immediate relief. My head fell further out of the way. The pain was just one more thing for me to deal with, and I wanted it to go away.

"How's that? Better?"

I nodded.

"Hmmm..." He lifted my chin. "You're acting more like a sub than usual."

Jerking back, I move away from him.

"Now that is Aden," Jet laughed.

Facing the wall, I clenched my jaw.

"It's going to be hard to make this work, if you won't even talk to me."

"I have nothing to say," I muttered.

"Well, then don't." He laid down with his arms stretched out to either side. "Xavier is not very happy with you."

Sucking in my lips, I bowed my head. "We didn't ask."

"I'm getting that impression." He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.

Hesitantly, I laid down and rested my head on his biceps.

Jet curled his arm around me and played with my hair. "He told us if we didn't want a war, we better hand you over."

"He wants to send me back to my parents if Titus doesn't get better."

"Humans," Jet scoffed. "You'll never fit in with them. Even human born struggle with it. There's no better place for you than with a pack. If you stayed with Northern Ridge, you'd be an omega. It's better this way."

"I won't become an omega, if you'd heal Titus."

He yanked me under him and placed his forearms on either side of my head. I stared up at the large werewolf, wide-eyed.

"Don't talk about him anymore. I fought that man because I wanted you. Dying for a mate is a worthy death for a werewolf. A common one. I didn't do all this just to heal him because you ask. I want you." He laid down on top of me. "I won't give you back to Northern Ridge. You're Bloodhound now."

"'kay," I whispered.

Falling to his side, he wrapped his arms around me and tucked my head under his chin. This wasn't turning out to be as easy as I thought it would.

***

I woke to find Jet's arm laying across my chest. I tried to pull away but stopped when his grip tightened on me.

"How'd you sleep?"

I relaxed into the bed. "Fine."

"You were out. You barely moved at all."

I turned my head away. "Yesterday took a lot out of me. I didn't sleep much after you left."

He nuzzled my neck, curling around me. "With time, you'll be okay."

Rolling over, I just let him hold me. I felt nothing. Even if he liked me, I had no feelings for him in return, yet somehow I had to act like I actually gave a damn about him.

"Do you want to take a bath?"

It sounded nice. My body was sore from running, and my head was pounding because of everything else. "Yeah."

"Alright, then." He sat up and stretched out. "Let's go. I want one too."

I shifted to my werewolf and crawled to the end of the bed. I spotted the stack of clothes on the floor. Picking them up, I followed Jet out of the room. His packmates all gave me curious looks when we walked by. Hugging the bundle to my chest, I increased my pace to walk directly behind Jet. This pack didn't give me the same welcoming feeling as Northern Ridge.

We entered a cove which opened up to the sky. A waterfall was pouring over the rocks into a large pool. Where the water went from there, I had no idea. I set the clothes down on a rock and hurried into the pond. It was the perfect temperature. I walked all the way out until it reached my shoulders. It was surprisingly nice, if only the company could match.

Letting out a deep breath, I rubbed my face. I needed to get my head cleared, so I could focus. The water parted behind me. I flinched when Jet put his arms over my shoulders.

"You're very beautiful in this form."

"Thanks," I said quietly.

"The envy of every man to have." He kissed my cheek.

It was hard to relax. I felt so tense, and I wasn't good at hiding it. Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath. I had to convince Jet I was falling for him without making it too obvious I just wanted his healing enzyme.

"Jet!" called a deep voice.

He drew away from me and went to greet his father. I watched the two dominants for a moment. Their voices were harsh, but not loud enough for me to hear. It probably had to deal with Northern Ridge. I swam across the pool to the boulders stacked on top of each other under the waterfall. I climbed up them and found a place where the water poured off a rock. It pounded against my back and help loosen me up. My hand went to Titus's mark. I'd know when he died. What would I do if that happened before I was able to mate with Jet?

I won't mate with Jet. I ran away and go back with my parents.

Glancing behind me, I found a path that led even higher. After checking to make sure Jet was still busy, I started to climb. I glanced out through the opening. Far off, I could see the mountain that was the border of the packs. Quickly sinking back down, I sat under a waterfall and thought over my plan. I really hoped it worked.

"Aden," called Jet, waving for me.

Maneuvering down the rocks, I jumped into the water.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me over to where I could touch. "What were you doing up there?"

I rubbed my neck. "Trying to work out a few knots."

"Do you feel better?"

"A little bit."

"Hmmm..." He grabbed my chin. "I have to go. You can stay as long as you want and just go back to the room when you're done. Do you remember the way?"

I nodded.

"Alright, mind yourself and behave."

"'kay."

He kissed my cheek and left with his father. Too bad he didn't mate with me last night. Right now seemed like the perfect time to escape.

***

It was rather boring having to sit in his room. He had nothing. Some old boxes of torn up clothes a few books that were in worse condition, and nothing else of interest. I couldn't even find a pencil or pen so I could draw.

I rolled to my stomach on the bed and sighed into a pillow. I prayed this wasn't what my life was going to turn into. If it did, that would be rather depressing.

"Aden."

Sitting up, I saw Jet enter the room.

"The clothes fit?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I'll send for more later. WIR is trying to stay on neutral ground, so shipments have been cut off for now."

"That's not good." I sat on the edge of the bed. "Is the pack going to be okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. A bit more hunting than usual and that's about it." He held out his hand for me.

I slipped mine into it and left with to the main part of the cave. We went into the room where I first met Oscar. Other dominants were situated around the room eating. We passed through the middle of it and sat down by the alpha. I scooted back against the wall. The looks they were giving me were making my nerves act up.

"Not yet," said Jet.

Turning to him, I saw the black werewolf talking with his father.

"When he's willing."

Oscar scoffed at the comment. "Make you mark. That is how it should be done." He held up a finger to his son.

"Fine, but I'll wait until Titus is dead."

I froze at the comment.

"He doesn't have much longer from what I've heard," said Oscar.

Oh no, Titus, I covered my mouth.

"What's wrong?"

It took me a moment to realize Jet was talking to me. I faked a smile. "It's just hard to hear. Sorry."

"It's fine." He lifted his arm.

My reaction was to pull away, but I had to win him over. I needed his official mark. Leaning into his side, I pressed my face into his fur. The smell was wrong. There was no comfort in his embrace, but I pretended that it made me feel better.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He gave me a grin and patted my arm. The two continued to discuss pack matters. I picked at some of the food in front of me. One thing was the same between these two packs, and it was their love for meat.

"Oh," Jet sat up and stood, "I have something for you." He left the room and returned soon after with his hand behind his back. "A little treat to welcome you to Bloodhound." Jet handed me the orange.

I smile at the small gesture. "Thank you."

He sat back down, and I laid against his side. I carefully peeled it and enjoyed the citrusy scent. I bit into a section, and juice squirted onto my chin.

Jet laughed. "You're such a strange sub," he wiped it away, "very strange."

After finishing my orange and Oscar ordering Jet to take me to his room and be a man about things, we left. He didn't seem to care much about what his dad said. Titus would have been beating himself up pretty hard to hear his father say some of the stuff Oscar did. I guess Jet was used to being yelled at, but as future alpha, I doubt he cared much about what anyone had to say. Darius surely didn't.

We arrived in the room, and I stood awkwardly in the middle.

Jet flopped down into a beaten up old couch. "Did you get enough to eat?"

I nodded. "Thanks for the orange. It was really good."

"Figured you'd like it. Some of the young kids like them too, so if you want another just ask."

"Okay." I sucked in my lips, thinking over my next move. Should I try out the submissive charm thing? With my luck, it won't work on him.

"Aden?"

"Hmmm..." I glanced at him

"Come here." He patted the spot at his side.

I walked over and sat down, putting my hands in his lap.

Jet just watched me. "You're really cute when you're nervous." He brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I think that's what drew Titus to you in the first place."

"Can we not talk about him?"

"Fair enough. I asked you to do the same yesterday." He reached along the side of the couch. "Which one do you want to listen to?" Placing the box on his lap, he opened the lid. "I just finished this one, so I prefer if you choose another." He pointed to a popular fantasy book. "Anything else is fair game. Oh, wait." He leaned over the couch and opened a drawer in a clawed up dresser. "I just got this one." He held up a newly released adventure title. "So is this one okay?"

I nodded. "I read the others one in high school."

"Good, then we won't have to start at the beginning. You don't mind, right? I hate reading, but I like to listen at night. Helps me unwind from all that." He spun his wrist toward the door.

"Not at all. I like reading. I guess I get it from my mom. She's a book fanatic. She does the whole book club thing too."

He laughed. "I doubt we're reading the same books. I don't like romance novels."

"Me either, but they're my mom's favorite."

"I need a good adventure." He took out the CD and put it into a player.

"Yeah, there has to be a more to it than just pure romance."

"Exactly." He held up a finger. "Someone understands for once." Jet pressed the start button and put the player on the dresser. Pulling me to his side, he relaxed into the couch.

Letting out a deep breath, I got comfortable as well. Too bad he didn't have a steamy romance in there, it might have revved up his sex drive enough that I could get the hell out of here.