Extremely sore, I go apologize to rose for knocking her out when she is awake, and then drag myself to my room for a shower.

I strip off the clothes that Braxton had gone to get for me and step into the tub, the hot water spitting from the shower head, working out the kinks and cramps in my muscles. I smile, enjoying the bit of quiet time.

It's still raining when I'm done, the water splattering against the windowpane and lighting strikes outside. I welcome the grey haze of the day, because the weather matches my mood perfectly.

Muscles protesting violently, I make my way down the steps in my favorite pajama pants and camisole, my midnight hair falling down my back.

My wolf is utterly exhausted from our mate being in such close proximity for the past 24 hours, and a shiver runs down my spine when I turn into the kitchen and he's standing there.

Speak of the devil. I'm about to walk back out, but my stomach growls in protest, reminding me that I haven't eaten today.

I growl in annoyance but go in anyways. I shouldn't have to hide in my own house.

He looks up from his coffee from we're he sits at the table, his dark brown eyes meeting my blue ones.

I ignore him and go to the fridge and rummage around, looking for something that sounds appealing.

I eventually just decide to settle for some macaroni and cheese, and set the water to boil.

Turning around, I look around awkwardly and tap my fingernails on the counter behind me.

Mark looks up again, a crooked little smile playing his lips as he brings his yellow mug to them.

I notice the yellowing bruise on his jaw and the diminishing scab on his bottom lip from when I hit him last night.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you last night." I say, leaning against the counter. Not so much as I'm sorry, but more like I'm trying to make him being here less awkward. If that's possible.

The side of his mouth quirks up and he snorts, setting his mug back down. "You didn't."

I can't tell if it's supposed to be an insult or not, so I shoot back, "Thats too bad, Cause you deserved it."

He raises his eyebrows, the smile still there. "That's true, I was a bit of a dick wasn't I? "

I narrow my eyes and look away. "More than just a bit. You were a complete ass about it."

His smile falters, and he looks down into his mug. "Yeah, I agree with that. I am when I'm drunk."

"Why were you drunk anyway," I ask, glancing back up at him. "Couldn't stand to be around me?" Being a were, he would have to drink a lot to get so wasted.

A muscle in his jaw jumps under his slight stubble, and he looks up at me scowling. "Don't say that. That isn't why."

I shrug and swallow, looking up at the ceiling. "It wouldn't bother me if it were the reason." I realize I'm being rude, but it's a kind of defense mechanism that I have. When I'm worried, about to cry, or am afraid, I insult the person who's making me feel that way.

His chair scratches against the hard wood floor as he stands up, and he stalks over to me, pushing his hips to mine and bracing his hands on the counter behind me. He growls lowly in my ear, "It isn't."

I suppress a shiver and hold my breath as I do everything to resist him, my wolf and I barely able to take this proximity of our mate.

We're both confused, her because she wants him but I don't, and me because she wants him and I don't. I think I don't at least.

I swallow and growl back, pressing my hands against his chest, attempting to make him step back. "Then it looks like I'll have to try harder."

He gives a real growl this time, and slams his palms onto the counter behind me, making me jump. "Stop it. Just, stop it. You aren't going to push me away Annabelle. You won't. You can't."

I lower my head as he backs away turning to prowl off with a dark cloud of anger hovering above him.

I gasp as he leaves, and nearly collapse from his touch, my wolf and I not ready for it. That was bad. That was very...

My breath comes out shaky, and the rest of my body quivers with his touch.

Jase's scent reaches my nose and he turns the corner into the kitchen.

I keep my back to him at the counter and he walks up, gently touching my shoulders.

"Belle," He half whispers. "Belle, are you alright? Your shaking like a dog. What happened? I saw the guy leave."

I whimper ever so softly and lace my fingers together in an attempt to stop the quivering.

"I don't know," I whisper, still in shock. "He touched me and I, just, ended up like-like this."

Zael turns the corner, his eyes serious. I hadn't even sensed him until he was in the room.

"That's not good." He says to Jase. "They touched before either of them excepted one other. She must be in shock, her wolf is confused and doesn't know how to react to it. I only know because it happened to someone in my pack."

I feel Jase lift me up bridal style, but my eyes stay closed. The light is to bright.

I bury my face into Jase's shirt, balling my fists up in it like a child. This is safe. Safe as can be.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-

Sorry for the short chapter again guys, I'll try to make the next few more exiting!

A.