LUKA'S POV

I dreamt about the rogue for a month. Each dream grew worse with each passing night, but it wasn't a nightmare, they were simply dreams.

One dream the rogue, Henry, and I sat by the stream and just talked. We talked about our wolves and about the forest; we just enjoyed each other's company. Another dream was that Henry and I chased each other in our wolf forms and hunted little animals. I even dreamed that Willow had a crush on Henry and asked me to "talk" to him for her. By last night I dreamt that Henry and I grew up together and we found our mates. It was... sad.

Doctor Ewan said it would be common for me to have nightmares about his death; that it might haunt me, but he never said I would dream about him. A part of me prefers the nightmares... that way he wouldn't seem so real.

"Luka what is the answer?" His eyes were a dark brown when we first met and with each dream it was as if they got lighter, as if warmth began to fill his eyes with each moment we spent together.

"Luka?" And his scent, that putrid scent of rogue began to diminish and he began to smell normal, like a pack wolf.

"LUKA!" I snap my head towards my teacher and I blush.

"Sorry Ms. Harting. What did you say?" The class laughs at me and I sink into my chair. Ms. Harting, my fourth grade teacher shakes her head.

"Luka I would like for you to stay after class. Now Nancy can you answer the question?" The class "oohs" as Nancy Cohan smiles at me and giggles before answering the teacher.

"8 divided by 4 is 2 Ms. Harting." The teacher smiles and returns to the board. I sink even further into my chair and sigh. Father will not be happy about this.

Most of the pack goes to a human school... well it's mainly a wolf school with humans. It's funny really, the humans have no idea who or what we are and yet they adore us. They don't realize it but they are drawn to us. Just like Nancy. At this age I think she is pretty but my father says when I get older I may see girls in a different way, in the way I would see my mate. It's kinda exciting. More than once have I thought about my mate being a human. It's whoever I choose really but I have thought about it.

"Luka are you ok?" I look over to Naal and nod. He's the only one I've told about the dreams and he finds it weird too.

"Yeah I was just thinking about it." He glances over to the teacher and comes closer.

"Maybe it's just your conscience. Maybe it was showing you the humanity in the rogue..."

"Since when have you become so smart?" He laughs and turns back to the teacher.

Class ends ten minutes later and Naal tells me he will wait outside. Once everyone is gone Ms. Harting sighs and turns to me.

"Luka you have been very distracted lately and you are one of my best students. Is there something wrong?" She sits on her desk and crosses her legs. I've never thought of a teacher as anything but, but looking at Ms. Harting on her desk with sun shining on her hair and her soft pink lips, she looks... wow.

"No not really, but I am sorry Ms. Harting I will do better." She smiles and my stomach does a flip... kinda like it does when Jo gave me that kiss.

"That is good to hear Luka. I wouldn't want to have to call your parents." My eyes widen when she says that and I gulp.

"No worries Ms. Harting." She slides off her desk and her skirt rides up her legs a little. The sight makes me feel weird so I look away. She comes towards me and holds out her hand.

"I want you to shake on this with me ok?" Her hand looks so soft and milky, I like it, but I feel a growl slip out my mouth and I cover my lips. Ms. Harting's eyes widen. "Luka?"

"I'm sorry. Let's shake on it." I shake her hand and she smiles.

"Good you can go now." I gather my stuff and see Naal waiting for me across the hall and he looks upset.

"What's up Naal?" He shrugs and begins to walk.

"I heard that growl from out here. What happened?" I shrug as well, just as confused as he is. I don't really know what happened, because I am still learning about my wolf and all of the control it takes to handle him. We walk to my hook and I begin to unpack.

As we are still in elementary school we have cubbies and hooks, but I can't wait to get my own locker. It will be so cool to look like those teens on T.V. and fill my locker with cool posters and gadgets. I sigh and turn to Naal as he waits patiently for me to gather all of my stuff. Knowing I won't need my geography book I put that in my cubby and pack my math book and my library book on Greek mythology. We are learning about fables and myths. It's my favourite subject this year. When I finish I sling my bag over my arm, take my jacket off my hook and walk with Naal to his cubby a few feet away.

"Having a wolf is really cool but sometimes it feels like... like it's too much. It's like having a whole new person inside of you. Their feelings, their thoughts, it's all inside your head and you have to learn how to control him. How to tell him to shut up and when to ask his advice. It's hard."

He nods and we say hi to a human friend of ours, before reaching Naal's cubby.

"So is that what happened with Ms. Harting?"

"Yeah. She talked to me about me not paying attention and stuff and then she was sitting under the sun and she looked so different all of sudden and I was just thinking about how pretty she was. You know? I mean she is very pretty teacher and she is super nice and has really nice hair..." I stop and smile. "Anyways she put her hand out to shake mine so we could agree that I would pay more attention and then my wolf growled. It was weird." Naal takes his jacket as well and puts his books in his cubby.

"Maybe he doesn't like her."

"I don't know why. He was completely fine before. As soon as I start thinking she's pretty-"

"He freaks out." Naal finishes for me. I look at him and nod.

"Yeah, which is annoying because I'm only ten so I will think a lot of girls are pretty. I can't have him growling all the time!" Naal laughs and packs his math book as well.

"Hahaha! I hope my wolf isn't like that!"

"It's not funny! Trust me you will get your wolf and you'll find a girl that will set you on edge like my wolf. So there. It's all just so-"

"Weird?" He says smiling. I smile too and punch his shoulder. We start walking to the exit but then I remember I need to get Willow.

"Hey you wanna wait for me here? I have to pick up Willow."

"It's cool I can come with you." We turn around and head to the kindergarten attached to our elementary school. Our school goes from kindergarten to grades one to five. This was very convenient for my parents because Willow and I would still be together and I could take her to kindergarten. It's rare that I ever pick her up though. My parents always take her to morning class and pick her up by my lunch time. Today she went to afternoon class.

"Hey I know you always drop off Willow but you rarely ever pick her up, why today?" I shrug and wave at a girl from our class. She giggles and turns towards her friends.

"Father said to pick her up today because he and mom will be in a late pack meeting." A human girl waves at Naal and he smiles back at her. Her face turns red and she walks down the hall opposite from us.

"Oh yeah my father said something about being busy with the pack meeting too. Actually he said for me to ask if it was ok if I could stay with you." My spirits are lifted when he says this and I hike my bag higher onto my shoulder.

"Definitely we can play video games and eat junk food!" He fist bumps me and we arrive at the kindergarten. The door is locked so we figure they are still having class, so we wait outside for a bit.

"Hey have you noticed girls have been acting a little... weird lately?" He blushes when he says this and I laugh.

"Yeah I talked to my father about it when I noticed it a few weeks ago. He said that because we are growing our hormones give off a certain scent that attracts females, humans included. It happens a lot for young wolves. It's kinda cool because all of the girls are going to really like us." I say smiling as another girl blushes at towards me.

"Yeah I guess... but it's not genuine you know? I want girls to be attracted to me for me and not because of hormones. I mean isn't that just another way of saying we are getting ready to go through puberty?" Just hearing that word makes me shiver. Ugh puberty.

"Basically. Dude we're going to go through puberty... do you think it's going to hurt?" Naal pushes me and laughs.

"Oh come on Luka you're not dumb. All puberty is, is hair growth, pimples and lots of... well manliness. And for us it's just getting our wolf, stronger senses, bigger builds and a fiercer attraction to girls." I smirk at his last comment. At ten years old I already like girls a lot.

"I'm ok with the attraction to girls part." I say and Naal laughs.

"Yeah me too. The girls in our school are so pretty, can you imagine what they're going to look like after puberty?"

"Yeah they're going to be hot!" We both laugh and a group of girls from our class walk past us giggling. One of the girls in the group is Aria Bouras. She is the prettiest girl in my eyes. I mean sure I think women are pretty too but I know I have no chance with them, at least with Aria she's my age.

She smiles at me and winks before they all disappear into the girl's washroom.

"I think Aria really likes you." My cheeks heat up at Naal's comment and I continue to watch the girl's washroom.

"I kinda like her too." He scoffs and I turn to him. "What?" Shaking his head he looks inside the kindergarten to see they are still teaching.

"Nothing it's just that everyone knows that Nancy has a crush on you and she is like... kinda evil. If she knew Aria liked you she would go crazy." I shrug and stare down at my shoes.

"I don't care. I don't even like Nancy anyways. But what about you? Don't you like any girls?" He gives me a look and I raise my hands shaking my head. "I'm just saying."

"Yes I do like girls and I really like Lucy, you know Aria's friend? But I don't think I'm going to do anything about it. There's no point school's almost over." I nod in agreement. There's a comfortable silence between us before I ask another question.

"Do you think we will be big like our fathers?" Naal grins.

"I hope maybe a little bigger? I definitely want to be as wise as my father. He's like a genius." I nod.

"Yeah my father is an amazing leader... It's pretty nerve-wracking that I'm going to have to take up his position one day." Naal pats my shoulder.

"You'll be great, you already have me following you and you're not even Alpha yet. I'm just worried I won't be a good enough Beta. I only have enforcer blood." My head turns to Naal and I feel a frown forming.

"I didn't choose you because of your blood. I chose you because of your loyalty, your strength and your sheer will power. Even when we were kids it was an easy thing to see. You're going to make an awesome Beta Naal trust me when I say that." He looks away and his shoulders slump.

"Thanks man." Before I can respond Willow's teacher Mrs. Langley greets me at the door.

"Good afternoon young Alpha and young Beta." Did I mention we have wolf teachers as well? Father said not only does it allow the pack to have careers beyond our borders but it also gives us an alibi whenever something pack related may happen.

"Hi Mrs. Langley. I'm here to get Willow?" She nods and lets us in.

"I apologize for taking longer than usual, we were learning a new dance to present to the parents. It will be so much fun! Oh and young Alpha I received a call from Mr. and Mrs. Dawson asking if you could take Raelynn with you to the pack house. They have been asked to join the pack meeting." The first room we happen upon is the coat room. It's square-shaped and has coat hooks all around. There is a single bench on each side of the room and a rack above the hooks with cubbies and a basket, containing each child's name. My eyes are scanning the coat hooks as she mentions Rae and I see her cubby.

"Sure thing. Doctor Ewan will be picking us up so I'm sure he won't mind the extra company." Mrs. Langley nods and goes into the room to call the girls.

Rae's cubby is very neat compared to all the other children. Her hat is placed perfectly centred in the basket and her jacket is hooked to look almost completely symmetrical. The sound of little footsteps causes me to turn. Willow comes running towards me. I open my arms to hug her tight and she squeals.

"Hi Luka!" She smiles wide as I let her go and she continues to hold on to my legs.

"Hey Willow. How was school?" Her eyes brighten and she pulls back to use her hands in explanation.

"It was fun! We did arts and crafts and we sang a song and we learned a new dance and we played outside! I love school!" I smile down at her.

"That sounds like fun."

"It was!" She jumps up and down as she re-tells Naal everything she told me. He smiles politely before lifting her up and spinning her in a circle.

"Willow you know that our parents are in an important pack meeting right?" She nods her head. "Good then you know I am in charge today right?" She laughs and wags her finger at me.

"Nuh uh! Daddy told me that Mr. Ewan will be watching us." I wag my finger back at her and smirk.

"And Doctor Ewan trusts me because I'm the oldest so we are both in charge." She pouts and stomps over to her cubby.

"That's no fair!" She yanks her jacket down and it tears at the collar. She gasps and looks towards me.

"Uh oh." I sigh and walk towards her.

"What did you do?" She shows me her jacket and I frown. The rip isn't too big but it is a new jacket that Low, a new nickname she wants me to call her by, kept begging our mom for.

"Mom's going to be upset. But maybe we can ask one of the pack mothers to help you when we get home ok? Come on we should get going." She pouts and takes her backpack off the hook. Naal comes to stand beside me and holds her jacket while she packs her things. It's funny how the only things she needs to pack are toys, crafts and the rest of her snack. We're just about ready to go when Naal stiffens. I look over to him frowning.

"What's wrong?" His body begins to shake a little and his nostrils flare. I begin to get worried but the worry quickly seems to disappear when I smell Rae. I know her sweet scent anywhere. She walks in with a boy a little taller than her. He looks at her and then the three of us waiting, before he quickly hugs her and runs back to the classroom. Weird.

Today she's wearing black jeans, a bright pink t-shirt and a matching black jean jacket. Her hair is in pigtails with pink ribbons tying them, but they can't tame her wild curls, and she is wearing sparkly shoes. To be honest I haven't seen much of her since my shift and I will admit it... I have missed her.

"Hey Rae!" I say walking towards her. She smiles, walks past me and begins to pack up her stuff. No hi back. No hug. Nothing.

"Raelynn my daddy said you're going to stay with us tonight." Rae turns to Willow all packed up and smiles. She holds her hat in her hands and nods.

"My daddy told me the same thing this morning. Maybe we can play with my new dolls. I brought them for us to use." Willow smiles a little and walks to her. I know they aren't friends but they try to act nice around each other, which I appreciate. I still don't understand why Willow is so hostile towards Rae, they both have a lot in common.

"Ok. Just as long as you know I get first choice. It is my house." Willow says now standing beside Rae.

Rae smiles softly and nods. Her beautiful little eyes look up towards Naal in surprise and confusion. For a few seconds the two of them just stare at each other. I'm still stunned that she hasn't said a word to me yet, but I snap out of it and look to Naal and see if he's ok. He's never acted like this before.

"Naal what's wrong?" His head snaps towards me and he relaxes.

"Uh nothing. Just got caught off guard I guess I've never actually had the pleasure of meeting this little one." Rae smiles even wider at him and he ruffles her hair. " Are we leaving yet?"

"Let's go I think Doctor Ewan is here by now." Everyone leaves and like I guessed Doctor Ewan is waiting out front for us.

"Hello kids. Come on we can stop at McDonald's to get some lunch." The girls run into the car and Naal casually walks into the van as well. I walk behind Naal and get in the middle seats.

"What do you guys want to eat?"

"Chicken nuggets!" Willow and Rae say at the same time and they start to giggle.

"I'd like a McChicken meal please." Naal says fiddling with his hands.

"And what would you like Luka?" I look at Doctor Ewan's eyes in the rear-view mirror and smile.

"Can I have a Bacon McDouble with fries please?" He nods his head and enters the highway. Naal is his usual quiet self, Willow takes Rae's bag from her and begins to play with one of Rae's dolls while Rae is quietly staring out the window. I can see her perfectly from where I'm sitting and she seems... odd. But I don't know what to say to make her talk to me.

"Ok we're here. What did you guys want again?" Doctor Ewan asks pulling into the drive-thru. Willow speaks up first.

"I want a Chicken McNuggets Happy meal and Rae does too. Right Rae?" We all turn towards Rae and she nods slowly. "Good."

"I'd like a McChicken meal please." Naal says and I repeat my Bacon McDouble meal. Doctor Ewan drives forward and pays the cashier, all the while I can't help glancing back at Rae. She seems so off today. A pretty woman is at the second window and she hands Doctor Ewan the food.

"Here you go. What kind of toy would you like?"

"Barbie!" Willow yells. The woman looks back in the car and smiles. She hands Doctor Ewan the toys and she waves goodbye. Doctor Ewan parks the car to hand out the meals and he continues his route to the pack house. As everyone begins to eat I continuously glance back at Rae. She's never this quiet. Maybe there is something wrong. It's a few minutes before anyone speaks up again.

"Luka! I don't want my fries anymore." Willow says kicking my seat lightly. Smiling at the comment I reach my hand behind me and take hold of Willow's remaining fries.

"Would you like me to finish these for you?" As she is positioned directly behind me I can't see her face, but if I know my sister she is shaking her head yes.

"Yes please." I laugh and place the fries in my lap. I look to Rae and smile at her too.

"Rae do you want me to finish your fries for you too?" She looks away from the window and then down at her fries. She smiles and shakes her head no before she accidentally touches Naal's arm, well she kicks his arm but it... it does something odd. His reaction is weird, it's like his entire body is aware of her presence as he completely turns to give her his attention. He smiles softly at her and reaches out to touch her hand.

"I don't think we've officially had the chance to meet. My name is Naal Ryon. Luka has chosen me to be his Be-" Rae giggles and squeezes his hand.

"I know you! A lot of the kids in the pack talk about you and Luka. You're the future Beta right?" He blushes- Naal actually blushes- and nods.

"Yeah that's me. And you are Raelynn the daughter of the human informants. Luka talks about you sometimes too." Rae smiles. Why is she smiling so much for him and not me? We were friends first.

"Yup." She looks away and then picks up her fries. "Can you finish my fries for me?" I don't know if it's my wolf or maybe I am becoming very observant but I know I saw something flash in Naal's eyes. I just know it.

"How about you continue to eat your food and when you feel completely full, then I will finish them for you. Sound good?" Rae's eyes go wide before she nods and eats a nugget. I have no idea why but the way they just interacted... it bothers me. I turn towards Rae and smile a little wider.

"Rae are you sure you don't want me to finish your fries? I'm ok with helping you. I always do." She stops chewing her nugget and looks at me. Swallowing she frowns.

"No! Naal said I should try to finish my food and that's what I'm going to do. I don't need your help." Her answer upsets me and in turn my wolf growls and it sounds throughout the car. Everyone looks at me and I turn in my chair. What's going on with me today?

"Are you ok young Alpha?" Doctor Ewan asks as he takes the gravel road to our pack house. There's a look in his eyes that I can't decipher, so I ignore it and nod, returning to looking out the window. I look down at the fries in my lap and frown, knocking them to the floor, instantly losing my appetite.

*****

NAAL'S POV

I know it's not possible to know who your mate is instantly, but the moment I caught on to Raelynn's scent I just knew that we were going to be close. I don't care that she is merely six years old or the fact that she is four years younger than me. Something about her just makes me want to get to know her and befriend her. She's adorable; her hair is so pretty with its curls, her voice is like a soft and sweet and her eyes... they are so cool!

"Alright everybody out!" Doctor Ewan says parking the car. We all get out and walk into the pack house. Raelynn trails behind Willow quietly and Luka is frowning at the floor. I wonder what's wrong with him.

"Hey Luka you wanna play video games?" Completely ignoring my question he continues his path all the way up to his room, slamming the door shut. Willow runs up after him and Doctor Ewan just shakes his head chuckling to himself.

"Doctor, do you know what is wrong with Luka?" He looks down at me and smiles.

"Maybe when you're older kid, but not now. You wouldn't understand." He walks into the living room and I hear the T.V. turn on. Left alone with Raelynn I discreetly take a deep breath of her soft, flowery scent. I'm sure when I get my wolf I will be able to slowly unfold each scent much easier, but she still smells good. I turn towards her and kneel to her height. For now we will be friends and just be kids and then who knows what the future may hold?

"Do you want to play games with me?" She smiles wide, showing a gap in her teeth.

"Ok." She says softly. I hold my hand out for her and she takes it.

"What are we going to do?" She asks looking around the pack house. I stand to my full height and smile down at her.

"Everything." We walk to the games room and she sits on the couch quietly.

"Do you know how to play video games?" She shakes her head no and I feel a sense of pride swell through me. "Well then I'm going to tea-"

"Actually I will teach you." I turn to my right to see Luka standing in the doorway. He looks moodier than he was when he left the car. But I won't lie, his presence just commands your attention. Even without my own wolf I can feel his wolf bordering his calm. There's something wrong.

I look towards Rae and see her eyes light up at his words, causing a pang of jealousy to hit me. We just met and already she jumps at the chance to hang out with Luka. As quickly as they light up they darken and she looks away from him.

"I want Naal to teach me." I resist from smiling and continue to busy myself with the controllers. Again we all hear Luka's wolf, as he growls, probably wanting her submission.

"Naal can you leave the room for a second?" Luka says his eyes barely even glancing at me. I want to leave and obey him but my pride won't let me move. I stand my ground and continue to fiddle with the controllers, though I can feel his wolf surfacing and he wants me to submit as well.

"I don't want Naal to leave. I want him to teach me." Raelynn says defiantly. Looking at Luka I notice his eyes getting darker and his body is shaking. I've never seen him shift before but I have heard rumours that his wolf is really big and if he loses control right now he could terrify Raelynn.

"Raelynn it's ok if I leave right? I'll be back before you know it." She shakes her head no and tears begin to fill her eyes. The sight seems to call both me and Luka to action as we race to her side. I'm just inches away from touching her but Luka reaches her first and pulls her into his arms. If I had my wolf I know for a fact he would be growling right now. But instead I stay back and sulk.

"What's wrong Rae? Talk to me." He gently rocks her in his arms and I have to clench my fists and look away. How is it possible for me to care about her so much already? I barely know her. And yet...

"I don't want to stay here!" She cries into his shoulder and he continues to rock her.

"Why not? You've stayed here many times before." She sniffles and punches his chest.

"Because you don't like me anymore." Luka freezes. His wolf almost breaking the surface as his eyes flash black. Something is definitely off about his wolf today.

"Who said I don't like you?" His voice has gotten a deeper and it's a little creepy but Raelynn doesn't seem to notice.

"The kids at school. They said that an Alpha could never be friends with a human and that you only want to be friends with wolves. They said that you didn't like me anymore." She cries again and buries her face in his shirt.

"They're all liars." He growls out. When she squeaks he relaxes a bit and sighs. "I would never let you go as a friend Rae. You're too cool! We will always be friends no matter what. Don't listen to them, they're just jealous because we're so awesome together." Raelynn giggles and looks up wiping her tears.

"Promise?" She asks, her cute voice sounding squeaky. He holds out his pinkie and smiles.

"Promise." Their fingers interlock and they shake. Raelynn giggles at the action and jumps from his lap.

"Great! Teach me! I want to be a pro!" She picks up a controller and sits in front of the T.V., while Luka laughs and sets up the system.

When he turns on the T.V. Raelynn smiles and begins to bounce. Luka sits beside her and starts to show her what to do. Even Willow comes in and sets all of her dolls down in her own little corner. It seems everyone is very content... And just like that, I drift into the background.