LUKA'S POV

"Hey mom can I ask you a question?" Mom looks up from her Cosmopolitan magazine and smiles.

"Of course sweetie." I take a deep breath and think my question through. I know what she will most likely say but I need to ask anyways, for my sanity.

You see ever since the attack with that huntress I haven't been able to stop thinking about mortality. And no not my own, but everyone else's. If that huntress had been foolish enough to attack Naal and I at the campsite any of those stray bullets could have hit my classmates. My human classmates. Unlike us they could have been mortally wounded or worse. Aria could have been hurt... she could have died. And so that makes me think... is it safe to fall in love with a human? Is it the right choice to pursue them and not my own kind? Can a fragile human be right as the Luna of my pack?

"Would it make me seem weak if I chose a human for a mate?" Her gasp says more than enough but I brace myself for her answer.

"A human? Well there's nothing wrong with humans Luka but I am wondering why? Is it the girl you like at school?" A blush creeps onto my cheeks. Am I that transparent?

"Yes and no. I mean... I've thought about it. A lot, but it's only been a few months. She probably wouldn't understand what we are anyways. It would be too complicated."

"Well then... why are you asking if you already know the answer?" I get up from my spot on the couch and move to stand next to her in the kitchen.

"I don't know. I just... the females here are great and pretty but something in me just doesn't want them in that way. Why don't I like them?" A large smile spreads across her face and she pushes her magazine aside.

"Maybe your heart already belongs to someone else." I roll my eyes at her answer. That is not what I want to hear.

"No it doesn't. I don't like anyone more than Aria."

"But you won't make her your mate?"

"No."

"But you want to know if a human will make you seem like a weak Alpha?"

"Yes."

"Well it doesn't. There aren't many Alphas that have human mates but even still that doesn't make it wrong. If your heart is longing for someone then you follow your heart. Besides grandmother is one of the elders and she has always been gung-ho for love." Pulling me in for a hug I sigh.

"But what if my heart endangers the girl?" Patting my head mom laughs.

"As a lycan no matter who you chose she will always be in danger. It isn't the nicest thing to hear but it is the truth. I mean look at me. I am the Luna of this pack and there have been times that my life has been threatened."

"Doesn't that make father weak?" I asked getting more and more confused.

"No that makes us strong. If you were to mate with a woman that no one wanted or feared does that make her respected? If she were a helpless lamb that no one wanted to slaughter how does that reflect on you?"

"It would show poor choice..." Realization hits me but I feel no better.

"Mating is both beautiful and dangerous. The Luna must be strong and it doesn't have to be physically either. Strength emotionally and mentally is just as powerful. She needs to be the guidance and protector of our pack. Like I said trust your heart Luka it always guides you. Sometimes your mind will over analyze things and in turn you could be mated to a fierce warrior of a woman but she does not hold your heart."

"Ok but what about my wolf... there was this time... a while ago that I think he showed me something but he seemed a little delusional." As my mother's eyebrow raises at my comment my wolf growls in the back of my mind.

I am not delusional child. His voice is harsh and angry but I ignore it.

"Are you saying you think your wolf could have chosen his choice of mate?"

"I sure hope not." I grumble.

"Luka?"

"I don't know but shouldn't your wolf be in-tuned with who you choose as a mate?"

"Not always. Sometimes your wolf will find qualities in a woman that you don't notice. Your father's wolf was the one that chose me as his mate, while the human side of him was so sure I was too good for him being a Beta from a different pack. If he didn't heed his wolf's advice who knows who he'd be mated to now. Trust your wolf too Luka." But he's a pervert, I think to myself.

"Thank you mom. You always have the right advice." She kisses my forehead and picks up her magazine as I begin to walk away.

"Oh and Luka I already know you're going to be headstrong... you get it from me. Even if you choose your mate by yourself and ignore your wolf just know, the humans of today are much stronger than they have ever been. To be quite honest I've always seen you mated to a human girl. It all depends on which one you choose."

I turn back to mom and smile wearily.

Mating has been on my mind for months now and not the sexual part just the bonding. Aria and I have been a together for three months and I am happy with her but I've been realizing it won't last. It's not that I don't care about her but I have duties as the next Alpha and there will be times when I have to disappear and I can't waste time trying to explain it to her. There will be times that I can't stay over at her house because my wolf may get antsy. There is just so much about me that she doesn't understand.

I've seen the T.V. shows where the supernatural character struggles with telling his or her human lover the truth. I've seen the fear and hurt in those human's eyes. I've seen the confusion towards the confession. How would I be able to break it to her? What could I say to make her understand? Like, for instance, I'm not a human. At all. I just look like I am. It's like a camouflage.

"Hey where you off to?" I hear Naal behind me and realize I've left the house and am walking into the forest. The cool winter chill dances along my heated skin but it barely fazes me. The weather would have to be much colder than 40F to affect me. Completely forgetting my best friend behind me I continue my stalking.

"I don't know. I just need time to think." Naal whistles low and keeps pace with me. I guess he's coming with me. Good thing I need a guy to talk to anyway.

"Breaking things off with Aria already?" I turn to Naal frowning.

"Why would you think that?" My heart begins to beat a little faster and judging by the smirk on Naal's face, he's picked up on it.

"Because you tend to over analyze everything including your relationship with her. Though I don't know why you'd want to break up with her. You guys seem happy." I shrug and continue my venture into the forest.

"We are but it won't last."

"And why not."

"Because she's human." I hear Naal stop walking but I continue forward.

"That's not a good enough reason." I walk to a nearby log and sit down. There's a light dusting of snow on it but I sit either way. Maybe it can cool off my nerves. Naal's only a few feet away so even if he doesn't move closer he will still hear me.

"It's not just that. I don't want the hassle of having to explain who and what I am to her, let alone tell her that she will be my Luna if I want to mate with her. I mean I'm only 13 years old and already I have to start considering this. How do you think a human would react to hearing that I would have to bite her to make her mine?" Naal begins to move closer but then his eyes cast past me and they almost seem to soften at whatever he's looking at.

"Well most humans would freak out I'm sure. But it all depends on the human you tell." Her voice... it feels like I haven't heard her voice in years. I've missed it... I've missed her. She walks into my line of sight and I smile.

"You shouldn't be out here Rae. It's freezing." She rolls her eyes and sits beside me instantly making my body heat.

"Yes I've noticed that it's cold that's why I'm wearing a jacket." Her eyes land on Naal for a spilt second and she smiles. "Hey Naal." He blushes and comes to sit on my other side.

"Hey... haven't seen you in a while." His voice is low and I wouldn't be surprised if she can't hear him but she giggles either way and gets up to stand in front of us. The loss of warmth doesn't go un-noticed by me.

"Yeah well the fourth grade is some hard stuff. I've been busy." Her eyes shift to Naal and she moves closer to him. Why? Well I have no idea because I am right here.

"Fourth grade? It's not that hard Raelynn." He has a smirk on his face and her face is now mirroring his.

"It's about as hard as I make it, I know, I know." Rae rolls her eyes and motions to sit in-between the two of us.

"I don't know why I bother." Naal says shaking his head.

"Well because you love me of course." I heard it. I heard the increase in his heart rate. It was like hearing a bird chirp it was so clear. I can barely see him from here but I can feel some tension increasing in his mood. What's wrong with him?

"Yes... of course." Rae hits his shoulder but then rests her head on my shoulder and I smile at that.

"It really does feel like it has been a while Rae. Where were you this summer?" She doesn't make a move and I fear she could be freezing so I nudge her slightly. She hits my shoulder with her head and laughs.

"Relax I heard you. Where was I you ask? Well... I was... busy." This time she does move and she lifts her head up staring straight.

"Busy with what?" I ask starting to get a little suspicious. The Rae I know always spends time with me and begs me to visit her church almost every day. It's not common for me to not have seen her for so long and the more I think about it, the more it bothers me.

"Just busy." She gets up walks forward a few steps. When she starts to rub her shoulders I realize she really shouldn't be out here for much longer.

"Come on let's go inside." Naal says taking off his jacket. I was about to do it myself but he beat me to it. Rae smiles up to him and accepts the jacket. I clear my head and get up to lead Rae out of here.

"Do you want hot chocolate?" I ask trying to cozy up to her. I love her attention I won't deny that, especially after so long, it feels like I've been missing something and she is the only person that can fill that emptiness. Rae looks up to me and nudges her head into my side causing me to wrap my arm around her shoulder.

"I'd love some thanks. But..." She stops walking and Naal and I stop with her.

"What's wrong?" I ask with concern.

"I came out here for something." She turns around and her bright blue eyes narrow before she frowns and turns back.

"Did you drop something? Do you want me to look for it?" Naal offers already walking towards the log again. Rae's eyes widen and she jumps at him.

"No! No! You can't look for it." This causes me to smile because I know she's hiding something.

"And why not?" I ask stepping towards Naal. She bites her lip and looks between us before she groans and makes a low whistling sound. Five seconds later a wolf appears and I growl at it to back away. It has a pure white coat and light blue eyes. The top of its head though has a some brown fur covering it. Almost perfect.

"Leave him alone Luka he's mine." My head snaps to her on its own accord.

"What do you mean it's yours? It's a wild animal." Rae frowns and scrunches her eyebrows at me.

"His mother died during the summer and I found him. I've been taking care of him since. He remembers me." Instantly memories from my first shift flash into my mind.

"That's the pup that almost got you killed." It comes out harsher than I intend but the thought of her near death incident still upsets me.

"In a sense yes but now I am the girl that saved him." She puts her hand out and the white wolf watches Naal and I carefully before walking to Rae slowly. Once he reaches her hand he licks it and then lets her run her hands through his fur.

I wish I could feel her hands through my fur. Now that thought I don't mind. Rae hasn't seen me in my wolf form much and I did promise her a ride.

"Rae this is dangerou-" Her pout cuts off my sentence and I mutter in annoyance. "Just be careful with it."

"With him. His name is Ralph." The wolf encircles her and then falls at her feet on its stomach.

"Ralph? Why that name?" I ask inching closer to her. I don't trust this wolf at all but I will not upset her either.

"Ralph means 'wise wolf' in Norman French." I raise an eyebrow and smirk.

"And how do you know that?" She smiles brightly at my question and pets "Ralph" one last time.

"I looked it up. Duh!" Naal smiles at her softly before his eyes narrow.

"You're shivering Raelynn we should go inside now." She looks down to the wolf and then up to me and I automatically know what she's about to ask.

"No. No. No." I say immediately but again I see that pout and I feel myself weakening.

"Please Luka he's really well trained... unless you want me to just go home?" And she's got me there.

"Ok fine just... don't let my mom see him." She jumps up and down clapping and then makes that whistle sound. Ralph stands up and encircles her again before waiting for her to start walking. He is pretty smart. Smiling down at the wolf she looks to me and blushes before walking ahead.

"So you've taken away our time together for a stray?" I ask slightly annoyed.

"If you must know yes. Besides you started acting all weird after I told you I loved you so I figured you wanted space." The clearing of the training field comes into sight.

"I wasn't acting weird." I say defensively. Rae turns to look at me over her shoulder before rolling her eyes.

"Yes you were. You would act so... delicate around me and then you would treat me like one of the guys, punching my arm and smelling all sweaty. It was very annoying. Is it that hard of a pill to swallow?" She waits at the entrance to my house with a sad look on her face.

"No it- I was just... It caught me off guard is all. I mean you're much younger than me Rae... I just... I don't want it to change anything between us." Her blue eyes seem to almost shimmer with unshed tears but she looks away before I can get a better view.

"Nothing has changed Luka. I love you. You're my hero. Plain and simple. That doesn't mean we can't be friends... does it?" I reach for her but Ralph growls, causing my wolf to growl at him but he doesn't seem to back down.

"Calm Ralph." Rae places her hand on the middle of his back and his growls immediately stop. "See he's really well trained." A small smile graces her pretty skin before it fades.

"Maybe I should have never said it in the first place." She holds herself and is about to turn away but this time I ignore the stray and take her into my arms.

"Yes I was surprised and now that I think about it a little flattered but if I may have seemed a little distant then I apologize. You're friendship means everything to me and if you truly love me then that just means it will make our friendship stronger." I can feel her tears soaking my shirt and look to Naal for help but when I seek him I feel his anger and frustration.

"What's wrong?" Naal's head turns to me ever so slowly before he looks at Rae in my arms.

"Absolutely. Nothing. Wrong." He's lying I can feel it but I won't push him with Rae still out in the cold. I open the door to the pack house and usher her in. Naal brushes past me and storms away somewhere, while the stray waits patiently outside. Rae whistles low and the wolf cautiously walks in to the house. He scans the area and then looks to Rae for guidance but I don't want to let her go until she feels better so it's going to have to wait.

"I love you Luka." She murmurs into my shirt. I can hear her perfectly fine but I act as though I don't know what she said.

"What was that?" She pulls back from our embrace and smiles through her tears.

"I know you heard me mister so don't act all smart with me." I smirk.

"Guilty." When I hear her laughter I know all is well between us again.

"Where's Naal?" Rae asks mindlessly running her hands through the stray's fur.

"I don't know he stormed off somewhere." The wolf makes a purring sound and Rae giggles.

"Should we go and look for him?" I shrug my shoulders and head for the living room.

"He'll come when he wants to. Pick out a movie while I get your hot chocolate ready." Her smile makes me feel like I've accomplished the greatest feat as I walk into the kitchen. I don't even notice Willow poking around.

"Why are you smiling like that?" She asks jumping down from the counter.

"I'm smiling? I didn't even notice. Did you want some hot chocolate? I'm making a cup for Rae." Willow pouts and crosses her arms.

"Raelynn is here?" The annoyance is very clear on her face.

"Yes she is and she brought a friend."

"Then no I don't want anything. If you need me I will be in my room." Stomping out of the kitchen I shake my head. Some things never change.

"Rae did you want a lot of marshmallows?" I reach for the marshmallows already knowing her answer.

"Yes please!" Again I smile and begin to prepare the hot drink. A few minutes later a calmer Naal walks into the kitchen.

"Do you want to tell me what happened?" I add some milk to the drink to make it creamier and then whip it fast so it's frothy, just how Rae likes it. Searching through the fridge for some whipped cream, because Rae likes to dip her marshmallows in the hot chocolate and she hates when they are sitting in the drink "all soggy" as she says it, I wait patiently for Naal's answer.

"I don't really know. My wolf was on edge all of a sudden and it was really hard to control him." I grab the whipped cream and close the fridge.

"I understand completely. Remember what I was like before?" We both shiver at the memories.

"We're cool right?" Naal asks shifting from foot to foot. Topping the drink with the whipped cream I squeeze some into my mouth before tossing it to him. Naal does the same and we both smile at each other with whipped cream dripping down our chins... it's a guy thing.

Rae's sweet little voice travels into the kitchen and both Naal and I perk up to it. "Luka do you have any food for Ralph?" I roll my eyes at her question because I don't care much for the stray. Naal instead takes out two raw steaks, a roll of paper towel and a big bowl to put them in so there won't be too much of a mess. He heads into the living room first and I hear him rip the pieces of paper towel.

"Here you go Raelynn." Naal places the meat in front of the stray and he sniffs it before biting into the steak. Rae looks up at Naal with her beautiful smile.

"Thank you Naal. I'm starting to get the feeling that Luka doesn't like Ralph all that much." Naal smiles back and pets her hair. A weird feeling hits me in the chest and I can feel my wolf trying to surface. He probably wants to run.

"Yeah well Luka doesn't like competition." They both laugh and I focus back on them.

"Ha ha very funny. You keep laughing like that and I will have to drink this amazing hot chocolate myself." Rae's eyes widen before she jumps up and runs to me.

"I'm sorry Luka. Can I have my hot chocolate please?" I sigh helplessly and give her the drink.

"Thank you!" She walks carefully to Naal and sits down before patting the empty spot beside her.

"What are we watching?" I ask looking at the DVDs.

"Oh I didn't choose a movie. Naal?" He smiles at her again and shakes his head.

"It doesn't matter to me." I grin and grab my favourite movie.

"Lord of the Rings it is then."

***

By the time the movie is over Rae is fast asleep on my shoulder and Naal is knocked out on my couch. The stray is resting near Rae but far enough from me as to not aggravate my wolf.

"Luka!" I smile softly and wait for the hurricane my sister is about to bring.

"I'm in here Willow." Her footsteps rush down the stairs and into the living room.

"Luka is Raelynn gone ye- oh never mind." She turns to the T.V. and sighs. "Did you bore everyone with Lord of the Rings again?" Crossing her arms she looks just like mom and that makes me smile wider.

"They just can't handle its awesomeness. Did you need something?" Willow's eyes zero in on Rae's sleeping figure before they fall on the stray.

"What is that?" I chuckle and position myself so that I'm sitting up.

"You know for an Alpha's daughter who is soon to shift in a year I can't believe you don't recognize a wolf." Sticking her tongue out at me she moves a little closer to me.

"I know what a wolf looks like, meany I just wasn't sure why it's in the house. Mom will freak out when she sees it."

"Yeah I know which is why you have to keep him a secret." Her eyes widen before and devilish smirk appears.

"Luka I'm not one for blackmail because I love you so instead all I ask is that you send Raelynn home and spend the rest of the day with me and I won't tell mom." My mouth twitches into a frown and my wolf for the first time is dormant.

"She just got here Willow."

"So?" I sigh and begin to wake Rae up.

My first attempt fails because she just rubs her head into my neck, which feels really good for some reason, and then falls back asleep. My second attempt though is more successful and I watch as a sleepy eyed Rae begins to lift her head away from me.

"Did I fall asleep?" She asks rubbing her eyes. I smile at her actions and sigh.

"Yeah you missed one of the greatest movies of all time... sucks." Rae laughs and stretches her back.

"Yeah what a shame." She reaches up and cracks something before standing up. Her stray seems to sense her because it begins to yawn and move as well.

"Come on Luka." Willow says impatiently. I get up from my spot and scratch the back of my neck.

"Rae... I'm going to need you to leave now. I just don't want my mom to find out about-"

"Find out about what?" I cringe at her voice and move to stand in front of the stray.

"Oh nothing." I say casually. Her eyes narrow and then she takes a deep inhale of the air.

"What is that smell?" Mom takes a step forward and Rae moves towards her.

"Oh mom it's a wo-" Willow almost spills but Naal is up and pulls into a hug so she's murmuring into his shirt.

"Hi there Mrs. Garretson. It's been a while since I've seen you." Mom glances around the room before smiling at Rae.

"Yes it has Raelynn my dear. How have you been?" Rae continues to walk towards my mom but she places a hand behind her back and signals me to lead the stray outside. Yay I get the easy part. As Rae and my mom move into the kitchen, the stray begins to walk forward trying to get near Rae but I growl low in warning and finally the wolf heeds it. Instead it looks towards where Rae disappeared and sits patiently. She really has him trained well.

"Come on Ralph we need you outside." I say trying to push him towards the door. He doesn't budge at all and I huff in annoyance.

"I don't want to have to carry you mutt." I mutter as the wolf remains still. I growl again and when he doesn't move I lift him up swiftly and leave him outside to wait. He growls at me in defiance and tries to bang against the door but Rae and her brilliance arrives just in time and whistles low to calm him. Giving her, literally puppy dog eyes, the stray stays put watching Rae through the glass.

"Oh Raelynn you don't have to leave the wolf outside. I knew it was here the moment I walked in the house." Mom calls from the kitchen. Rae's eyes widen and she smiles before opening the door and letting the stray back in. I roll my eyes as it trots around Rae and nudges her hand to make her pet him. What a pup.

"Luka can I ask you something?" Rae asks mindlessly petting the stray again.

"Of course Rae." Her face contorts into one of confusion and then nervousness.

"It's just that... you kinda promised me a few years ago that you would let me ride... and I know it sounds so childish because you're older but I just... I don't know. I- I- never mind." She turns away just as crimson begins to tint her soft cheeks. My heart warms at the thought of her wanting to see my wolf and it's like he wakes up as well because I can feel his presence making itself known.

"Rae you don't have to be embarrassed. I've been wanting to ask you anyways." She turns slightly and peers at me through her curls.

"Really?" I nod my head while holding out my hand for her and watching that smile appear on her face makes something in me... I don't know how to say it but it was like something in me just... melted and man does it feel good.

Rae takes my hand and I lead her to put on her boots and jacket. Once we step outside, being followed by the stray of course I turn my back to her and walk towards a tree. I can hear Willow complaining to mom about something and I already know I'm going to have to make it up to her later on.

"Wait! I-I want to see it... all of it." Just the thought of Rae seeing my naked causes my cheeks to burn but something in me wants her to see the full shift as well.

"Ok but I'm going to keep my back turned." Rae makes a face and begins to laugh.

"Eww Luka! I may adore you but I don't want to see your thingy. That's gross!" I chuckle in embarrassment and begin to strip off my clothes quickly.

"Pay close attention Rae." I say as I begin to channel my wolf. The shift begins with a burning in my stomach the creeps onto my back and down my legs. I can feel my skin stretching and pulling to its limit and I realize that shifting this slow does cause a little bit of pain but I ignore it and continue to focus. My legs expand first and when I hear her gasp I know the fur is sprouting. I fall onto the ground and the burning intensifies as the fur spreads along my body. My build gets larger and larger and then my heart begins to race faster and faster till my snout forms. My wolf is pushing this shift to be faster for some reason so I let go of control and instantly I am in my wolf form. I maintain control of my wolf enough to sense Rae walking towards me. I want to tell her not to be afraid but she wouldn't understand.

"Don't be afraid Raelynn." I hear Naal's voice behind me and I grin in my head.

"Thanks Naal." He doesn't respond but I am grateful regardless. Rae looks toward Naal and then back to me before walking closer.

"You can pet him. His bark is worse than his bite." She giggles at his joke and my wolf growls, thus causing Rae to jump back. She moves towards Naal and the growls becoming louder.

"Just relax and trust him. He won't hurt you." Rae nods her head and walks all the way to me. Her hand hovers over my back for a few seconds but to me it felt like an eternity till she touched me. Her hands are warm and soft as they pet my fur. Just like the stray, my wolf purrs at the feeling and I enjoy every second of it too. Naal shifts as well and makes his way to Rae nudging her waist. She giggles again and pets him as well.

I've always wondered how just petting an animal can leave them so satisfied and now I really know. It's like her touch is water and I am the desert. I crave it. I want her to touch my fur all the time. I want it so badly that I find myself pushing into her side so I can feel more of her. I can't get enough and it seems neither can Naal.

"Naal I appreciate your help but this was supposed to be a special moment between Rae and I." I say as politely as I can.

"She doesn't seem to want me to leave." The sarcasm is very clear in his voice and I don't like it.

"Well I do."

"Well I don't." My wolf growls at his disrespect and I begin to get upset.

"Leave Naal." I can feel my wolf getting angrier by the second.

"Why? This is fun and it makes Raelynn happy. Besides she's wanted to see my wolf for some time now." I have to clamp down on my tongue so I don't snarl but I can feel my patience slipping.

"I said to leave."

"No."

"Don't get me angry Naal."

"Stop being selfish then."

"LEAVE!" I roar my command at him and I see him mentally and physically shrink away. I've never used my Alpha command before and the last person I ever wanted to use it on was Naal.

"Yes... Alpha." Naal pulls away from Rae and runs towards the direction of his home. I feel terrible. I shouldn't have yelled at him like that.

"Where's Naal going?" Rae asks as she puts both her hands in my fur. The touch makes my legs go weak and I find myself falling at her feet. She falls with me and rests her head on my body. It feels good. Really good. A few minutes pass by before Rae speaks again.

"Luka can I get on your back?" Rae asks timidly. I snort in response and arch my back so she can climb on easily. Her heart rate increases and her hands grip my fur. I stand slowly so she doesn't lose balance and begin to walk in a circle. Rae squeals in delight and I begin to walk faster.

"Run Luka! I will hold on tight!" When I feel her grip tighten I begin to run through the forest. I hear the stray run behind me and smile to myself, he's almost as protective of her as I am.

Rae and I run for about an hour before I feel the warmth in her hands begin to leave her. I walk to the house and point with my snout for her to go inside and she does as I ask. Changing quickly I walk into the living room to have Rae throw herself into my arms.

"That was amazing Luka. Thank you so much." She kisses my cheek and says goodbye to my mom and Willow before leaving the house. All the while I can't move because I swear cheek is on fire.