Her closet's such a mess
Filled up with all the skeletons she's kept
Nobody's perfect I confess
But she's perfect enough
Without ever dressing up yeah

...

Now here's some honesty
Sometimes I trip over your history
Wish I could change my mind
But it's the things I shouldn't see
That always catch my eye

• • •

"I heard you ran into Kestrel." I could practically feel his eyes burning a hole into my back. I tried to not turn and snap at him for it, I knew he just wanted to help.

I pursed my lips as I nearly made my bed and turned to him, lifting my shoulders in a shrug. "Yeah, alright, and?"

Princeton shrugged his shoulders as well, going back to peeling his orange. "Nothing," he mumbled as he dropped the peels into the trash can.

I adjusted the pillows on the headboard and sat down on the bed, moving my freshly showered hair to the side of my shoulder. "Who'd you hear it from?"

"A pack member who saw it." He frowned, pausing his peeling to stare at me. "Is everything alright? She didn't say anything that bothered you did she?"

"Princeton, of course she said something," I replied with a heavy sigh, shaking my head slowly and moving my head so I stared sat the ceiling. "But I have to be a big girl and take her words with a grain of salt."

"This isn't like choosing your professors at college, Rivera," he snapped, almost irritated. "You can't just take my sister with 'a grain of salt' when all she's doing is saying shit to you." I moved my head so I was looking at him again, noting the fury in his brown eyes. How is it so easy to tick off a wolf?

"I know, Princeton," I muttered, pushing myself back on the bed and bringing my knees to my chest. He squinted at me, then started working at his orange again. "But I can't exactly knock her out every time she insults me and come running to you. I need to be able to take backlash because there's going to be a lot of it from the wolves. I'm a stranger to your pack."

He finished peeling and sat down next to me, pulling a slice of orange from the bundle and holding it out to me. I looked at it and brought it to my lips, chewing on it. The sweet, juicy taste filled my tongue. He peeled another slice and popped it into his own mouth, silent. We stayed like that for a while, silent communication occurring between us.

It was nice. Peaceful.

He offered me another slice and I took it gladly, nibbling on it and letting my thoughts run.

I wonder how Lucky was doing, whether she was handling herself well or if she was breaking down. She had Opal, her Chosen, and Kai, my best friend, and now her protector, to keep an eye on her and keep her grounded.

My cat growled in the back of my head, having honed in on my thoughts. If Andy touches a single strand of hair on her head ...

I could feel the hair on my arms stand up from the thought, and anger coursed through me seconds later. I swear to any God or Goddess that existed, if one existed at all, if Andy lays a hand on her I will damn the exile and come back to rip his head off. I highly doubt the Clan would stop me anyways, as they knew the truth of my exile, but were unable to do shit under his rule.

"You're tense." The voice snapped me from my angry thoughts. I didn't look his way, just kept stubbornly nibbling on my orange slice. "You're leaking anger. What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Nothing," I mumbled. "Just thinking."

He sighed. "I know that, but what about? If it's nothing, then perhaps you're willing to tell me what it's about, and then explain why you're suddenly so angry."

Damn him to all depths of hell. "I'm just worried about Lucky," I admitted reluctantly, shoulders sagging. I picked at a strand of lining from the orange before stuffing the rest of the slice in my mouth.

"She's okay, right?" he murmured, tilting his head and brushing his hand along my hip. "She wouldn't be hurt, would she?"

"If Andy is being honorable and keeping his hands off of her, yes she should be fine physically. But when a Feline leaves their family, especially direct blood, it's a mentally hard challenge to work through," I explained to him, tapping my fingers against my knees nervously. "That's what's bothering me. I have no way of making sure she's okay."

Princeton was silent for a little while, long enough that he'd finished his orange and was now staring at the wall. This concerned me, so I slowly turned and bit my lip, looking at him. "What're you thinking about?"

"I want to help you, it's bothering me that I seem unable to do so," my mate admitted, shifting around in his seat uncomfortably.

I frowned at him a little and reached over, awkwardly lacing my fingers with his. It was weird for me to do, but we both felt helpless, me because I could not make sure my sister was alright and him because I was feeling like this and couldn't do anything else.

His touch instantly calmed me. It was as though time had slowed completely, and when he looked at me, our eyes locked and he offered a weak smile. I offered one back, holding back the urge to cry.

In his eyes, I could see he was trying to understand my pain. He was trying to take some of it from me and put it on himself, his silence making a louder announcement than any spoken words could. It's okay, I'm here. You're not going to suffer alone.

My head found itself resting on his shoulder, our hands still intwined and resting on the bed. My cat was purring in the back of my head, her own distress being quenched by the comfort of Princeton's touch. Perhaps she and his wolf were in some sort of communication like he and I were.

I could've cried from how strongly Princeton allowed himself to be put out for me. He was revealing to me a side I do not think many got to see outside of his family, the side that was reaching out to bring me a gentle comfort and reassurance that he knew I needed more than anything right now.

"Princeton?" I whispered, keeping my voice low enough so he couldn't detect the choked back cry. I was trying very hard to keep the dam from breaking.

"Yeah, Kitty?" he murmured, his fingers tightening around mine as he inhaled a breath.

"Thank you, for holding me, making me feel comfortable, even though I'm a pretty bad mate," I said, releasing a chuckle and glancing up at him.

He released a breath, sending a flow of air on top of my head before he put his head over my own.

"You're not a bad mate," he said softly, stroking the skin between my thumb and index finger. "You're not perfect, but you're not awful. And that's okay."

I smiled to myself a little. "I still don't want to do anything intense though."

He chuckled, kissing the top of my head gently. "I wasn't expecting it, Kitty. When you're ready, we can move forward as mates. Until then, I'm happy to be a friend to you."

"Even if it drives you and your wolf crazy?"

"We're hunters. We're patient, and we know how to wait. We will wait until the day we die if we have to."

For some reason, this bothered me. Whether it was the keeping him waiting for that long part, or his death part, I wasn't sure if I could distinguish the difference. But it bothered the hell out of me, and my cat too.

"You may not have to wait that long," I mumbled, pressing closer to his warm side. "I may let you closer to me before you die. Maybe I'll let you kiss me," I joked.

Princeton snorted and a chuckle rumbled through his chest, the gentle vibrations easing my anxiety a little. "Maybe, huh? Well that's closer than how we started. At least you're being friendly now and not trying to rip me to ribbons."

I grimaced at the image of me tearing him apart like that, and couldn't help but laugh a little. "I don't think your mom would appreciate that."

"My mom would probably cheer you on."

I shifted my arm and elbowed his stomach. He released my hand and heaved, a breathless laughing bark escaping him as he rubbed the area and gave me a playful look.

"Don't be mean," I chided, sliding away from him with a grin. "I'm gonna tell on you."

"Please don't."

"But you think so lowly of the woman who gave birth to you, Princey."

He scowled, standing up and folding his arms. I held back laughter as his ears began turning red. "What did you call me?"

"Princey," I cooed, batting my eyelashes sweetly and playing with a strand of my hair. "It's kinda cute. I'll call you that in front of all your pack members."

He growled at me, but it wasn't intended to be truly threatening. "Kitty, I swear to the Moon Goddess above, or any God for that matter, if you so much as tell my mother about that little nickname you gave me, I will punish you."

"Kinky," I retorted, smirking at him. "You going to spank me?"

He growled again, stepping closer. "Thanks for the idea, princess."

I stick my tongue out, backing towards the door with my hands behind my back. I was ready to jerk the door open and rush out at any second. "You're so scary," I mocked, grinning cheekily at him. "No wonder little red was scared of you, big bad wolf."

"I'll have you know —" he was cut off by me throwing the door open and racing out. I heard a loud rumble and footsteps behind me as I raced down the stairs with him hot on my heels. "Kitty, you'd better stop or I swear —"

"You've already swore and blah blah blah!" I called back, laughter in my voice as I touched the ground floor and turned the corner.

I slammed into someone, and the two of us smacked foreheads and fell to the ground with loud groans.

I could hear the bastard's laughter in the background as he caught up and stared down at us. I will castrate you one day Princeton.

I rolled over as I grabbed my throbbing head, trying to ignore the roars of laughter coming from Princeton and the groans of another male that I had apparently run into.

"Shut up, dog," I grumbled as I staggered to my feet, pressing my hand against the corner of the wall and curling my fingers around it for support.

"Karma really is a bitch!" Princeton choked out through his roaring laughter, face red from the intensity of the amusement and humor he felt.

I glared at him, deciding to leave him to his childish ways and turning to the guy I ran into instead. "Hey, sorry about that," I stressed to him, offering an apologetic grimace.

The guy offered me a sheepish grin of his own as he stood up and brushed his clothes off. "Nah, don't worry about it, Luna."

I shook my head at him. "No," I objected. "It's Rivera."

I didn't like how people were calling me Luna, I wasn't a wolf shifter as they were, and though I am the mate to the alpha, the leader, the "man", of their pack, I was not yet ready to be seen as their female leader. I wasn't sure if I would ever be ready to be known as their Luna, or if I would ever be ready to give Princeton a chance to be a mate.

Right now, I just want friends, someone I could come to when I'm feeling stressed and depressed about my lost family, my old home I was forced to leave, and everything else in between.

"Okay," the man hesitantly responded, nodding. "Rivera."

I smiled at him a little and held my hand out for him to shake. "Yep. It's nice to meet you ..."

"Liam."

"Liam." I nodded as he took my hand and shook it.

A soft growl sounded behind me and it took everything in me not to roll my eyes. I was shaking Liam's hand for goodness sake, not making out with the dude.

I chose to ignore the stare in the back of my head and offered Liam a warm smile, sticking my hands in my pockets. "What're you up to?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"Well I was on my way to the kitchen to find my sister when I ran into you," Liam admitted, a cheeky grin on his face. I grinned back at him sheepishly.

"Hopefully there won't be too bad of a bump, yeah?" I said, allowing myself to feel amused a bit.

He chuckled, rubbing the area we bumped heads. "Oh, I'll be fine. Wolf healing and everything. It'll probably just give me a ten minute headache and bam. Gone." He grinned cheekily.

I laughed, crossing my arms. "That's true."

Princeton cleared his throat from behind us. "Liam, you should find your sister. Rivera and I have some matters to discuss anyhow," he said casually.

I could hear the straining friendliness in his tone, but behind it was something any wolf, any cat, any human could pick up. It was firm, but a smooth and calm way of doing it compared to usual. It was an order. He was ordering Liam to continue finding his sister and basically stopping our conversation.

Liam's body twitched as he instinctively lowered his head, teeth gritting. "Yes, Alpha," he muttered, shuffling away before I could say another word.

I turned my eyes to Princeton and narrowed them in frustration. "Are you serious right now?" I demanded.

He looked back up at me, as if he had no idea what he had just done. It irritated me to see that expression on his face, made me want to punch him in the jaw almost.

"I was just suggesting he continue on," the male told me, his voice slick and smooth as he glided his eyes over my annoyed face. "It wouldn't be very nice of him to keep his sister waiting for a long time, would it?"

"Don't give me that bullshit, Princeton," I growled, clenching my fists and digging my fingernails into the palms of my hands. "You can't just get angry and possessive every time I talk to another male. You don't own me!" I added, furrowing my brows into a glare.

He scowled at me, not responding right away. He appeared to be thinking very carefully about what his next words should be. Smart boy, he was. Mostly.

Eventually, he sucked in a deep breath and pressed his fingertips to the bridge of his nose. "I know, I know," he muttered, running a hand down his face. "I just - I know."

"Look, I understand you can't always control whatever the hell your wolfy instincts tell you," I started, unclenching my fists. My nails had left marks where I had dug them in, and now they stung from it. "But I need you to try harder for my sake, and yours okay? Think about it, if I'm not really interested in being with you, for now, why would I be interested in being with someone I don't have a bond or connection with?"

His brown eyes lit up a little, my words seeming to ease his tension a great deal. "That's true," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "I'll try to control myself better."

I smiled weakly at him. "And don't chase off any dude I may happen to meet. Trust me, I have no interest in getting down and cozy with any of them."

He snorted. "Alright, alright." He nodded.

"We good?"

He nodded. "Yeah, we're good."