''I shouldn't be here.'' I thought out loud as Devin drove up to the Hainan ranch. I actually shouldn't even be with Devin. I wonder what Mrs. Summers would say if she knew I was with my brother . . . a brother who I just found out about. She'll probably take this chance and give me to Devin to take care of.

''Do you have a curfew?" he asked.

''Yeah,'' I said as I looked at him. ''I never follow the rules though, but . . . I spent my whole life with these people talking trash about them. I shouldn't be hanging out with them.''

''They're your people.'' he said and I scoffed. ''You're pretty close to Blue it seems.''

''Blue, she’s . . . cool.'' I said. ‘‘She’s . . . it’s hard to say she's my cousin. I've gone to school with her and now?'

''Now it's time to be where you belong.'' he said. ''You always felt different? It's because you are. Here, you'll find yourself feeling like you belong.''

''I don't wanna see someone here.'' I said. Well, two people.”

''Who?" he asked.

Killian, I thought. ''Will,'' I said. ''That Lincoln guy tried saying I'm paired with him? Said our 'father' and Will father said we should be together?"

''Not a surprise.'' he said. ''I was supposed to be with the Alpha of South Dakota second daughter.''

''But you're getting married to Zoe?" I questioned as he parked and I saw people near the barn and lights. Like a party.

''Yeah, I should mention you have a nephew to.'' he said and my head snapped so quickly I'm surprised it didn't break. He grinned, chuckling, ''Jeez, calm down. His name is Shiloh, he's three. He's my little ankle biter.'' he said proudly.

''Well, you certainly had a good life lately.'' I said and he nodded, smiling. ''But this is crazy. I don't wanna be with Will, he annoys the hell out of me.''

''Pack members usually choose their mates, but if you're the child of high authority you're parents choose because they feel like they know best.'' he said, rolling his eyes. ''Look, I wouldn't even worry about all that right now. You got years until Alpha Lincoln suggest a marriage. Just get use to pack life.''

''Get use to?" I questioned. ''I don't want to be a part of this crazy cult. I plan on leaving once I graduate.''

''And go where?' he asked and I just stared. ''Have money saved up to go somewhere? Friends? All you have is me and I'm a pack member.''

''I can survive on my own!" I said stubbornly. ''I can work at a cash register or flip burgers.''

''Not with your attitude.'' he said. ''I can see you getting fired your first day. You hate people telling you what to do. I know because I do. I punched a boss of mine when I was seventeen.''

''So what? I join the pack and then?' I asked.

''You come live with me.'' he said and my eyes widen at him. ''I'm not letting you stay at a group home when you belong with your brother. I'll take care of you.''

''I'm not leaving Marchand.'' I said.

''Why not?" he asked. ''You said you'll be leaving once you graduate,''

''The group home. I have to be here for Emily." I said without meaning to. I turned in my seat awkwardly.

''Who's Emily?" he asked.

''A girl I share my room with.'' I said, lowering my head. ''She's like my little sister. She's the only close that I feel like cares about me.'' I opened the door of the car and Devin got out to. I kept my jacket close around me as we walked over to the barn.

I brought my hoodie up when people gave us looks. Devin greeted allot of them while I stood in the back. I didn't want to socialize with these people. They all looked like they belonged in some biker group and it was crazy, Crazy because I fit right in.

We walked into the barn and I saw everyone. I quickly met Killian eyes like always and he was sitting right next to Melinda. I looked away as I followed Devin who to Lincoln and two men.

''Uncle Larkin!" Devin said as he smiled at the man and hugged him in a bear hug.

Larkin smiled down at me and I raised an eyebrow at him, ''What?" I questioned.

''Just trying to get used to seeing my niece.'' he said and hugged me tightly in hid big arms. I just stood there, letting Blue father hug me until he let go of me.

The other man held his hand out, ''I'm Jake, Will's dad.'' he said and I stared at his hand for a moment, debating if I wanted to touch his hand. He was the man that wanted to be with his son.

I did anyways, ''Mat.''

Lincoln smiled, ''So glad you came.'' he said.

''Well what else do I have to do on a Thursday night? I might get restricted from things back at the home, but ya know. Oh well right?' I sarcastically said as I shrugged.

The three men showed amusement at my sarcastic joke that would have annoyed anyone else I know.

Blue came up next to me, ''It is great, Mat. The moon almost here, everyone will shift soon. You'll love it. What's with the hood?'' she asked as she unzipped my jacket and took it off. ''It gets warm, trust me. And no one can see your pretty hair.'' she said as he parted my hair and rested it over my shoulders, in front of my chest.

''What's next? My eyeliner ran?" I sarcastically asked.

''Of course not, wolves don't sweat easily. God, that would suck.'' she chuckled.

Killian

I took the advantage when Alpha Lincoln stepped out of the barn and I went over to sit next to Mat, ''Hey.'' I said to her and she jumped.

Her brother Devin also looked at me and I felt awkward. I hated this, I hated that I can't even talk to my mate! She's my mate, no one else! But here I am, forbidden to speak to her.

''Can I talk to you alone?'' I asked.

''I'm sure Melinda missing you.'' she said.

Ouch, I thought.

''Who are you?'' Devin asked. ''I never seen you before.''

''Killian Arkwright, I'm new. I'm from Massachusetts.'' I told him. ''My father Beta Aaron Arkwright.''

''Oh, you're an Arkwright boy? Will's cousin, his mom is your mom sister—uh, the Lockhart's is also your family. Sorry, there’s so many families to remember who belongs where.'' he said.

“It’s okay but yes. My mom is his mom sister.'' I said.

''How confusing.'' Mat sarcastically said.

''You're  great grandfather on your mother side was the Alpha of Texas. Redblood's are a powerful family.'' I told her. ''Big scandal when you're mom married you're dad. She loved him allot no matter what.'' I said, sending her hints and she gave me a 'whatever' look.

''I would go away before Lincoln comes back. Or Will.'' she said.

Ouch times two, I thought and my hands balled in a fist. She just wants to hurt me, huh?

I got up though and walked out of the barn. I walked over to Will who was talking to a friend and I put a hand on his shoulder to grab his attention. He turned and asked his friend to give him a moment alone with me. He scratched the side of his chin when he saw how angry I was, ''What did I do now?''

''Go talk to Alpha Lincoln.'' I said. ''You be with Melinda.''

''Shhh.'' he hissed as he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of ear sight. ''Killian, it's only two more days. Lincoln isn't going to talk to me now. You were brought here only for Melinda.''

''I can be here for Mat now.'' I said. ''She's my mate, my true mate. Will, it's killing me. I'm not even a full wolf. I won't be able to hold back after.''

''Alpha Lincoln will take you more seriously after.'' he said. ''Mat with her brother, let them be together. They were separated their whole lives. Imagine how she feels with all these emotions.''

I ran my hand threw my hair and nodded, ''Right, right. I shouldn't be selfish.''

He patted my back and Will looked up at the moon and grinned, ''Moon upon us, I should go join the other.'' he said and I nodded as he joined the other wolves near the woods. Wolves could only change at night. We live as humans when the sun up and wolves at night. Though we have control, we become different. More possessive. We can only keep control around our own kind.

Alpha Lincoln did bribe the major to keep humans out of the woods at night for their safety.

I walked over towards the barn as Mat and Devin walked out. Devin hugged Mat and ruffled her hair. She gave him a look, ''Do that again, I'll bit your arm off.''

''I have a feeling you would.'' he said before turning and ran down the hill to join the others. I was a few feet away and she turned to me.

She groaned and turned, ''Wait Mat, please.'' I said running up next to her. ''At least watch, I know your brother wants that.''

She gave me a hard look before she turned to face the lining wolves down at the wolves. Will, Marco, Melinda, and Blue all down there. ''Why aren't you down there?'' she asked.

''I will in two days.'' I said, looking down at her. ''I turn eighteen then.''

''So what? They all turn into wolves and what?'' she asked, shrugging.

''They run. Either in packs or alone. They all run around the state and come go home in the morning.'' I said. ''Wolves can go without sleeping for a while.''

I looked up at the moon and I heard a few older wolves howl. I looked at Mat who jerked and her eyes widen. She crossed her arms and looked around to find the source of the howl when I looked who did it. Proud old wolves.

Younger wolves like Marco and Will joined the howl and Blue proud joined before they all stripped quickly and turned it wolves, running into the woods. I just grabbed Mat who was shaking and panicking.

''Oh, my God.'' she said as she pressed her face into my chest. She was shaking badly like a child watching a horror movie. She clutched onto my shirt, ''It's true, it's true.'' she said to herself. ''You weren't lying, Killian. It’s . . . it’s all true.''

I petted her hair and held her close to me, ''It's okay, Mat.''

''This is crazy.'' she said. ‘‘Werewolves . . . they’re real.''

''Werewolves is so racist to say.'' I said to try and lighten the mood. ''Just wolf, Mat. Human skin is just a mask to cover who you really are.''

''Me.'' she said, bring her hand up to her mouth. ''Me. I'm going to be turning into one of them. I’m . . . I’m a . . .''

''A wolf.'' I finished for her. She looked up at me, looking pale a little.

''You're a wolf to.'' she said. ''Oh, my God.'' she said quickly jumping from my arms. ''What you said . . . about us, you weren't kidding.''

''No.'' I said. ''Mat, it hardly happened but it does. We both apparently have Native blood. Legends says they were the chosen wolves from whoever up there and they were special. They had mate and a whole set of different rules but after the Europeans, guns, diseases, and murder just didn't kill the human Natives, but a lot of the wolves. We're special.''

She dropped one hand and tapped her fingers nervously against her mouth, ‘‘This . . . my whole life been a lie!" she said running into the barn and I followed behind her. Thankfully it was empty as she ran into the old horse stall and I ran in after her. She was crying with her knees against her chest.

I walked over to her and bent down, ''It's going to be alright, Mat.''

''This is bullshit!" she said. ''My parents . . . why didn't they just give me to a relative? Not only do I feel like a freak back the home, but I am here. I saw how all those adult gave me looks like I'm an outcast.'' I pushed back her hair and lifted her head up as I sat next to her. She pressed herself against my chest quickly and cried there. ''You tell anyone I was crying, you'll regret it.'' she said as wiped her face with her shirt. ''I don't ever cry, so I'm serious Killian.''

I grinned at her, ''I feel proud that you're willing to cry in front of me. Messed up as it sounds, I'm happy that you're crying on me chest.''

She scoffed and lifted herself up from my chest, ''Don't make it sound like a scene from a crappy movie.'' she said as she rubbed under her red eyes. ''You're still annoying.''

I brought my hand over to her cheek and rubbed under her right eye, ''You'll be an amazing wolf. Brown soft fur with big eyes. They remind me of deer eyes.''

''Don't you eat deer's?” she asked. ''News always report dead deer in the woods because they can't think of anything else to come up with.''

''Don't mean you're eyes aren't beautiful. Big and hazel.'' I told her and her cheeks heated up. I stared in her brown eyes and she stared back at me. Before I could speak, she grabbed onto my shirt and kissed me. I lost my balance and I fell onto my back, bring her with me.

I ran my hands threw her hair as she deepened the kiss. I felt her crawl on my waist and she felt so tiny in arms. How tall was she? 5'4?

Her hands rested against my cheeks as she kissed me as she lifted her head up, ''You tell anyone I kissed you first, I'll hurt you.''

I grinned up at her, ''Why are you talking? You should be kissing me now.''

''Because right now, I don't need a boyfriend.'' she said and I gave her a confused look. ''Right now, I need my life heading in the right direction. Devin said I could come live with him. He's going to talk to his fiancée about moving here. If I'm going to be one of them, I need to get used to it.''

''But Mat, I'm you're mate.'' I said and she squeezed her eyes as if that word pained her.

''Killian. . . I’m not a nice person.'' she said as she opened her eyes. ''Right now I'm still Matilda Daughtry, the girl everyone here thinks is a freak.''

''I don't think you're a freak.'' I said.

''I feel like a freak though.'' she said.

''Mat, stop talking crazy.'' I said as I brought my face up and pecked her. ''Saturday, I'll fix everything with Alpha Lincoln and I'll be with you. I'll be yours. No one else's, not even Melinda. I see the look you give when you see her with me. Trust me, I can't stand it either.''

''I don't want a boyfriend though, a relationship only will make it harder. Even, I hardly know you.'' she said and awkwardly looked down at my chest.

''We'll get to know each other.'' I told her.

''I want to get to know who I am first.'' she said as she started to lift herself up, but to grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.

''Mat, wait, please--''

She shook her head, ''No.'' she said as she got up and lift me there with my own thoughts.