When I reach the back door, I see my mate. Sighing with relief, I practically speed walk towards him where he is getting a drink.

I tap his back making him turn around. "I've been looking for you. Where have you been?" I say. My voice is slightly husky which makes me blush.

"I had to go get something but I'm here," he says taking a sip from his coke.

"OK, uh thanks for all this by the way." He nods. "Um, not to be rude but when does this end?" I have no idea why I'm telling him this.

He frowns before concealing the look in his eyes. "You can leave anytime you want. I can get some people to bring the gifts to the house."

"Oh," Is all I reply with.

"Are you leaving now?" He asks.

"I guess," I say. "See you later."

He surprises me by throwing his can into a garbage bag. "I'll go with you."

We walk side by side passing many who just smile. I take Thaddeus's hand into mine. He tightens his fingers as if giving me a small squeeze just as we leave the backyard.

We walk in silence before he breaks it. "How was it?"

"Honestly, it was very overwhelming. I mean I keep forgetting how many people are actually in the pack. I probably spoke with more than half of the pack," I say.

"How was everything else?" I turn my head to him.

"Why do I have a feeling a barbecue isn't something the pack normally has?"

"Because it isn't," he simply replies. "The last one was many years ago."

"Thanks by the way. Again," I say. He looks away before looking back at me.

"I didn't plan the whole thing. I told some people that it was your birthday and that we were going to have a barbecue but some elders took it seriously. They insisted on getting gifts, singing for you and even baking cupcakes," he explains. I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Was it worth it?"

He doesn't reply as fast as I thought he would. It kind of dims my happiness until he answers. "Yes," he says staring into my eyes.

I smile before I think of something. "What did you need to get by the way? I tried to ask Jay where you were but he wouldn't even look me in the eyes so I'm guessing if was pretty important."

He doesn't reply at first but he stops and turns to me. "Close your eyes," he says. His voice is hesitant but I do as he says.

I wait for a few moments until I hear something being shut. I want to open my eyes but I feel as if I can't just yet. I wait in curiousity until a cold object is placed around my neck. Holding in the gasp, I realize it's a necklace.

"Open your eyes." My eyes flutter open and I look down to see a small golden heart on a gold chain.

"It's beautiful," I say fingering the object. "Where..."

"My mother wanted me to give this to my mate," he retorts.

"Was it a family heirloom?"

He sighs. "Something like that."

"Thank you," I say staring into his dark intriguing eyes.

My mouth was going dry from the way he was staring at me which had me thinking some very inappropriate thoughts. He must have known what I was thinking because in a few seconds he was kissing me. This came naturally to me, so I simply kissed him back.

There was no more hesitation. I simply went along with it. When we pulled away for air, we continued walking towards the house but with a better purpose.

The moment we walked inside, Thaddeus slammed the door shut. I had time to slip off my shoes before Thaddeus was already on me again. He pressed me up against a wall just as I pulled his shirt up. Automatically understanding he flung it off lifting me onto him. My fingers wove into his hair as I teased him. He let out a deep growl before he tears my dress off.

Gasping, I push him away looking down at the torn material. "Thaddeus," I whine. He doesn't look like he cares at all.

"I'll buy you another one," is all he says before he continues his assault on me.

His hands explore my body as he takes me into his room again and kicks the door closed. When my back touches his bed, I shoot up. "Wait," I begin pushing on his chest. "If we do it again does it mean you don't care about what Scott told you?"

He nods once. "I'm scared of what could happen but Scott has no business in deciding if we should mate or not."

Smiling, I attack his lips while removing the extra clothing between us. Much too soon, Thaddeus and I are both bare as the day we were born. Like the first time we mated, Thaddeus uses his fingers to stretch me out down there. Biting down on my lip, I thrust upwards completely giving myself up to him.

His lips suck on my neck as he shoves his fingers into me harder and much faster. "Aahh!" I tighten my hold on his shoulders. My breathing becomes erratic as I reach my peak.

Throwing my head back, I let out a moan that excites Thaddeus. He continues to keep his fingers inside me as I milk him for all he's worth. When he pulls out, Thaddeus leans over to grab a condom. Instead of him placing it on, I do it. I take the package in his hand aware of him staring at me curiously.

Just like I seen him do, I remove the wrapper and roll the actual condom on to his length.

When I finish, Thaddeus pushes me back and leans over me. I pull his face down and kiss him as passionate as I can. He grips my waist before grabbing both my thighs. I wrap my legs around him just as he thrusts forward.

Very loud moans mix with the sound of Thaddeus' groans. "Annabel," he groans aloud.

Hearing him say my name turns me on much more. He pulls away before thrusting back into me. I grip his shoulders extremely tight as he begins moving back and forth at an amazing speed.

"Thaddeus," I moan, pulling his head down closer to me. I lean up ready to kiss him but he continues thrusting his length into me. With a gasp, I let go of his head and grab his torso.

My head flings back as he hits the perfect spot. "Thaddeus!" I'm almost there, I'm so close. My eyes shut as I concentrate on his movements.

"Look at me," he grunts. At his command, my eyes open as I become adjusted to his sensual gaze. He was looking down at me as if I was the most special thing he's ever had. Along with that, his dark eyes held desire in them for me only. I'm sure my eyes held the same emotions as him.

"Don't stop," I find myself moaning. "Oh Thaddeus, don't stop!"

"I don't plan on it," he mutters before grabbing my left leg and pulling it upwards opening me up to him fully.

"Thaddeus!" I scream out his name as I finally reach my climax. He tightens his hold on my leg as he groans as well. He continues to thrust as I moan under him. I feel his warmth inside me as his length pulses. The ridges and the pulses from his anatomy make my orgasm even better. We ride it out and when our insides are finished milking each other, Thaddeus pulls out and lay beside me.

I pull myself closer to Thaddeus. I kiss his sweaty chest, feeling tired but wanting more. "Thaddeus," I whisper under my uneven breathing.

A small sensual smile spreads over his wonderful face. "I obviously didn't do well enough if you're not tired out," he teases, grabbing my hips and pulling me on top of him.

"There's always more rounds where that comes from," I tell him, pressing my naked chest to his. I kiss him passionately awaking Thaddeus Jr. once again.

•

I open my tired eyes and stare at my sleeping mate. My head lays on his sweaty chest listening to his calm breathing.

I glance up at my mark on his neck briefly before seeing a glimpse of the scar on the inside of his leg. Gazing at my mate I have only two questions in mind; What will happen to us and will we be OK in the end?

The curse.

The only thing stuck in our way to true happiness.

Whatever happens, it has to happen. There is no way it could be fixed or undone.

No way at all.

But from what I've heard once, nothing is ever truly impossible. You'll just have to wait and see for when the time is right and the opportunity is in your reach.

So I guess we'll have to just wait and see for what happens next.