Jess:

"Ember! Ember!" I'm laughing and yelling as I run around trees and duck under branches. We'd been chasing each other around the forest all day. His bright white fur and his sweet yummy scent always give him away. I can smell him nearby. The scent growing stronger.

I turn around quickly only to run into a beautifully sculpted chest. My breath caught in my throat as I looked into Eli's eyes. The crystal clear blue orbs luring me in closer as his arms wrapped around me. I lifted my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me, our lips only a few inches away from each other...

Knock Knock

My eyes fluttered open.

But WHY?

I groan as I look outside to see the bright sun threatening to escape my curtains.

The birds are chirping so loudly this morning.

It also sounds like everyone is walking up and down the hallway marching and stomping as if to purposely wake me.

Oh my weirdness is acting up again.

"Honey?! Can I come in?!" I hear my mom's sweet voice yelling outside my door. Then I hear a Yip.

I cover my ears in response to all the noise.

Jeez, normally I can sort of turn this weirdness down a bit, but it doesn't seem to be working this morning.

"STOP YELLING!" I scream back.

My mother comes rushing in, holding on to me, wrapping her arms around me as another wolf comes barreling in after her.

"AGH! " I yell out, bringing my legs up to my chest.

My mother laughs, "Honey, it's just Luther..."

Oh right.

My father's Wolf.

"Sorry Luther..." I whisper as he licks my toes causing me to giggle. He yips louder as my mother shushs him.

Rounding the corner quickly, eye's glowing, looking like a magnifiect god, is Eli.

My mother looks at him confused, "Prince Eli? Is something wrong?"

He's glaring at me, "Is she ok?" He stands in the doorway, looking like he might break something. I slowly remove my hands from my ears.

Oh sweet, muffled silence is back.

I sigh, as Eli's eyes begin to turn back to his crystal clear blues again.

"I'm fine. Much better now, actually." I smile at him. Staring into his eyes a bit longer then I should, until a sudden realization hit me.

I'm still in my clothes from yesterday, and my hair is probably a wild tangled mess...

My mother looks from Eli and I before finally speaking, "Prince Eli, we were just coming here to escort Jessica to the pack Doctor."

I roll my eyes, "Seriously mom? Another doctor? More tests?" I was whinning.

I don't care if I'm whining. I have zero desire to deal with more doctors right now.

Eli chuckles, "The pack doctor is a very nice doctor, why do you hate doctors so much?.." His eyes go wide as he starts to walk towards me, "Wait? Are you sick? How is that possible? You can't get human illnesses..." He runs a hand down my cheek, making me look up at him and smile. His eyes are filled with so much concern.

I can't? Is that why I've never had so much as a cold or flu my whole life?

Werewolf genes suck! I never got any 'stay home from school and watch tv in my pjs' days.

Eli's touch is so comforting, "Would it make you feel better if Ember came with you?" I perk up. More time with Ember?! Yes please! I nod my head excitedly up and down. Eli chuckles.

Wait, why am I smiling like an idiot.

Luther growls.

"SHUSH!" my mother and I both hush him making him whine and falling to the ground, huffing.

After a moment of silence, my mother stands up, "Come on Luther..." Luther reluquently follows behind my mom, who looks back at me with a twinkle in her eye.

"You two have 20 minutes to meet us downstairs."

Obviously I have no say in the matter.

She walks out the door nearly running into Sky on her way out.

Sky walks in, "JESS!" he yells after hopping onto my bed. His smile is so big and bright.

Also why is there a party in my room right now?

Eli glares at him.

What's his deal with Sky all of a sudden?

I stretch and yawn, "Jeez, why is everyone so loud and excited this morning..." I mumble out as I walk to my suitcase, pulling out some clothes for the day.

Sky and Eli seem to be having some sort of private conversation, making me roll my eyes, "OK well, while you guys keep talking I'm going to shower since I've probably got Ember fur still stuck in my hair. " I chuckle.

"You'll get used to it!" Sky yells out behind me.

Eli:

"Seriously Skyler?" I look over at him.

He shrugs, "Oh come on, by this time next week you guys will be making out in front of us making us all groan.."

"Let's touch mate again!" Ember yips in my mind.

"Careful em..." I warn him.

"Oh yea, Prince Eli, I meant to ask you..." Sky looks at me curiously, "When do you plan on talking to her about the full moon? Do you think she knows?"

I sigh, running a hand down my face.

"I don't know. I'm sure her parents are trying to ease her into this whole thing. I'm trying not to step on their toes you know? I kinda need them to not hate me." I sigh.

Sky chuckles, "Why would they hate you?! That's crazy?! You're the freakin' Prince! Any werewolf family would be crazy excited to have their daughter mated to you..." He lays on his stomach next to me, then a confused look spreads across his face. He reaches for something on the other side of the bed.

"Hey, what's this?" He grabs the firm piece of paper in his hands. Lightly running his fingers over it. "Oh my goddess its so beautiful..." He smiles up at me, "Did you give this to her last night or something?"

I take it from his hands, looking at all the detail, it's a perfect picture of Ember.

"MATE LIKES ME!" Ember flutters around in my mind making Sky chuckle.

"Looks like Ember likes it too." Sky shifts around on the bed, sitting up so we can both stare at it.

"No. I didn't give her this..." A huge smile spreads across my face.

"Wait, do you think Jess made this?" Sky gasps as we both look at each other.

Sky starts singing, "Jessica and Eli sitting in a tree-"

I growl at him, a warning.

Sky backs up and throws his hands in the air, "OH sorry, excuse me, I meant PRINCE ELI..."

I roll my eyes as Sky laughs.

I look back down at the picture just before a pair of hands snatches it from my grip.

"HEY!" She shouts at us.

I look up to see the most beautiful woman to ever walk this earth. My Mate. My Jessica. Mine.

"MINE!" Ember growls.

"No. It's mine... and before you ask, yes I drew it myself." Jessica carefully places it back on the nightstand. Before glaring back at Skyler and I.

"It was him!" I pointed at Sky who rolled his eyes at me.

"Really PRINCE Eli?" Sky crosses his arms over his chest. Emphasis on the word 'prince'.

Jessica is looking at both of us like she's about to scold two toddlers when she sighs and throws her hair up in bun on top of her head leaving these tiny strands of golden chocolate brown framing her beautiful face. She's seriously an angel.

Wait, is she dressed for the day? What kind of t-shirt doesn't cover her perfect stomach? Why does she own such clothing? Her shorts look like they're missing a couple of inches.

I frown at her, as she looks at me confused. 

"What?..." she looks herself up and down, "Do I have something weird on me or something?" 

"No way!" Sky pops up spinning her around, "You look amazing!" 

"Mine....." Ember growls out loud.

Jessica giggles, "SEE! Ember obviously likes my outfit Eli." 

I clear my throat, "Yeah, sure." I mutter out making Sky chuckle. 

Ryan finally shows up, Thank goddess. "Sky! Are you behaving yourself?" Sky glares at me as I smirk. It falls quickly though when Jessica backs up into me, obviously scared of Ryan. 

"Em, maybe we need to get Ryan together with Jess more, she shouldn't fear him.."

"He so serious, Beckett more fun."

I smile in response.

Sky completely ignores Ryan and moves in front of Jessica, blocking Ryan from her view.

"Hey Jess?" Sky pipes up running his hands down her arms. 

Why is he so touchy? 

"I was thinking we should go into town and see the dress maker today. She can measure you for your special outfit for your birthday!" He gets more and more excited as he says this making Jessica giggle.

"Oh yeah! but..." She starts to frown, "but I have to go see the doctor first..." She pouts.

"mate so pretty even when she pouts.." Ember whispers again.

"I know em."

Ryan rolls his eyes, he knows full well that Sky isn't going to take Jessica anywhere today. 

I smile, "Listen Sky, she can't go."

They both turn to me and balk, "Excuse me?!" They both say at the same time. I laugh. These two are going to be so much trouble.

Ryan snorts as Rosette comes fluttering in.

"Hey guys!" She reaches behind Sky giving him a big hug before pulling Jessica into the group hug as well.

When she notices how upset they are she speaks up, "What's wrong?"

Sky speaks up first, "Prince Eli says we can't take Jess into town to get her measured for her dress!" He glares at me.

"Skyler John..." Ryan growls out, as Sky goes stiff. 

"hehe he in trouble now." Ember whispers in my mind.

"Agh! Just ignore him Sky. He's not the boss of me." Jessica turns to me. Staring into my eyes. I can tell she's searching for Ember.

"Where's Ember?! I bet he would let me go..." She smiles back in satisfaction.

She's so cute. She has no idea that, it's because of him, that she can't go.

"mate can't go without us!" Ember whines.

Sky and Rosette snicker behind her, they know the truth. Ryan snorts.

She's glares at me some more.

I sigh, running my hands up her arms making it hard for her to stay too angry. Good. the mate bond is working.

"Listen, You can't leave Pack ground without someone to watch over you ok? And since everyone is in meetings most of the day, there's no extra guards to..."

She backs away from me, "Excuse me?"

"Jess... I'm serious ok? I know you don't know much about how things work around here but..."

She looks back at Sky and Rosette who are helpless. They know better. Going into town means coming across possible rogues. Rogues who would do anything to get to the mates of someone high ranking in our pack.

Jessica cuts me off again, "So you're telling me, that I'm trapped here..." She whispers out.

"Trapped?!" Sky speaks up, "No jess. no. It's just that, there are good werewolves and bad werewolves. You might not realize this yet, but you're an unmated, high ranking, were-female. Basically, the bad werewolves would love to get their hands on you..." He says the last part seriously.

She sighs, throwing her face in her hands. "Ok fine." She mumbles out.

She walks over to me, grabbing my hand and pulling me out the door, "Let's just get this doctor's appointment over with so I can come back and hang out with Sky and Rosette and be stuck in this giant castle all day..." She risks a glance at Ryan and then whispers to me, "As long as Sky isn't in too much trouble." 

I laugh, enjoying the fact that she's holding my hand, even if she's pissed. 

I don't even think she realizes she's doing it. 

"Mate bond..."Ember whispers in my head.

She slows for a moment as we make it into the hallway.

"Wait a minute..." She turns to Sky who now has Rosette on his back as she giggles, "I get to be stuck in a crazy old castle filled with werewolf mysteries yet to be discovered?!"

We all laugh as Ryan pulls Rosette off of Sky's back, "Behave yourself Skyler." Sky rolls his eyes, as Ryan pulls him into a deep kiss. Making Sky a little dazed for a moment. Ryan seems satisfied, smirking down at him as he pats his booty for good measure and heads off towards the stair case giving Sky one last warning glance. Rosette giggles, before hopping on to Skyler's back again. 

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. I swear these three together are seriously going to give us so much trouble.

Sky starts running down the hallway with Rosette yelping on his back, "See you later Jess!"

She quickly runs around me, hopping on my back again, "Let's go see the doc!" Thrusting her hand out in front of her like she's leading us to battle.

I laugh, "Are you seriously going to make me carry you around the castle piggy back style all the time?"

"I'm sorry, but if you're not going to let me leave then your punishment is frequent piggy back rides." She says it so seriously that I actually get excited.

"Make sure mate never walk down these stairs again eli.." Ember whispers in my head.

"Anything for her em. Anything."