okay this song bc I watched barbie (very girly-pop slay btw) and this song reminded me od a certain character that would do anyyytthinggg to have his barbie. 

please please comment and leave all your thoughts! 

& don't forget to follow, vote, and check out my insta! 

It was a conscious effort not to let the events of Mondays dinner repeatedly take up space in my buzzing brain. No matter what I did or how hard I tried, I couldn't help myself from slipping back into fragments of the evening.

I think I felt more nervous with him in my home than I was in his but nothing happened. I spent the entire evening waiting for the penny to drop and shatter the glass house we all treaded in, but it never came. We didn't discuss the bond or the suing or any of the affairs that had torn our families apart and no one even attempted to bring up our relationship.

We just sat together and ate dinner as if Micah were an ordinary person over for some food, not the man eternally bonded to me.

"Hey, your head still in the clouds?" I jolt as Gabe's deep voice slices through my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah. I guess so," I mummer, rubbing at an empty stain on the bench as I flick my gaze to his.

His features are laced with concern and he leans up against the stainless steel bench, his dirty apron resting next to him as he folds those overly muscular arms across his chest. I find it difficult not to let my eyes linger on the intricate swirling tattoos that stretch over his amber skin. They are mesmerising.

"Is it anything you want to talk about?" He pries and I let out a shaky sigh. I wish I could tell him, I should. But he's the only person I know that is oblivious to my situation, the only person who doesn't look at me with pity or remorse.

"I've just been having a few issues with this guy and it's all a little complicated," I admit and his eyes widen.

"Oh," he responds like I have taken a knife to his balloon heart and it makes an unfamiliar knot of emotion tangle itself up in my throat. "What's been going on?"

I wring the cloth in my hand to alleviate my nerves, though it doesn't honestly help much. It was a long shift, and I've thought of Micah the entire time, about how he smiles at me at school now and how even though we don't say much more than hello in the halls, the pressure of the entire thing still slowly eats me alive.

That and the fact that Gia did in fact convince me back on the paper and I'm now somehow roped into the game tomorrow whether I want to be or not.

"It's just some dude at school who has a major crush on me and the feeling isn't exactly fully mutual so its a little tough. I mean he's nice and there is nothing at all wrong with him its just..." That he's a werewolf that has staked a claim over my heart and soul and would kill any one who tries to date me other than him. "I think that we just maybe aren't the best match."

Gabe's expression turns dead serious. "He's not giving you any trouble is he? You know Athena if some punk kid needs sorting out all you have to do is ask."

I laugh at the sincerity in which he offers me his services. "No, no it's fine. I'm just overthinking it."

His seriousness dissipates but scepticism remains. "Okay, but I mean it though. I'm only ever a phone call away. Why don't you just try telling him that you aren't interested? I know it can be a challenge to be confronting, especially where feelings are involved but maybe being blunt will help. Henry and I can be your back up if you need."

"Thanks, but I have tried and I don't think it's going to be so simple," I admit with a dry laugh. If only he knew. Well, I could tell him but that's not what I really want. I want him to know and have it change absolutely nothing between us or this friendship we have.

"Athena, you don't need to tell a guy no twice. If he doesn't back off after you've explicitly told him you aren't interested then that's... that's not just creepy its bordering on criminal. Have you thought of contacting the pack police?" His solution is offered with a fraction of distaste and I shake my head.

"I don't think they are honestly going to do much." Aside from maybe imprison my parents and force me to fit into my role.

He purses his lips, sighing deeply. "You're probably right. But I have connections, Thea. I can sort this guy out and he won't be an issue for you anymore."

I take in the tattoos over his strong arms again, and the dark glint in his eyes. He said he was involved with some rough crowds in his last pack but I bet he does know people who would do that sort of thing. But to Micah? They'd have to be the avengers.

He thinks that the boy I am talking about is a little pesky human, not an Alpha wolf that can tear people apart.

"Thanks Gabe, I really appreciate it. But I don't think that's necessary." I give him a smile that holds enough certainty for him to return it.

"Okay, I trust you Thea but my offer will always stand. On a less serious note, I do have a whole pizza leftover upstairs. Do you feel like going halves and playing another round of blackjacks?" He asks with a wide smile and I beam at the idea.

"Without Henry?" He is not going to like that. I grin. "Of course I do. Looser has to mop the floors?" I propose and he smirks.

"Deal."

-

I walk out of the meeting with the paper with a grin on my face. I wrote and submitted an opinion piece on the schools cafeteria and the lack of affordable options or initiatives to help benefit students in need and everyone loved it.

Miss Elignton said it was one of the most well written articles that she'd come across and that it would be featured and whilst I generally hate being applauded, it felt nice. It felt good to have something made from just me be appreciated I guess.

"Thea!" I turn around, a huge smile still on my face to see Finn and Gia catch up to me and close in on either side of my body. "You know girl, I for one absolutely love what you are doing. I mean power to the people!" She says and Finn nods.

"It's great to have a likeminded pack assassin in our midst, not many people have that spark about them," Finn adds as they guide me down the hall.

"Pack assassin?" I ask.

"Yeah, someone that isn't afraid to dismantle and scrutinise the fucked up system that is the pack." Both of them pretend to shudder at the mere announcement and then laugh. "I actually can't wait to see my dads face when he reads the paper and see's my lovely new comic in it. Hell the Alpha will probably take attention to such a small group of pen equipped rebels now."

My gut twists. "You think he'll start reading our school newspaper?" I ask, trying to edge off the fear in my words.

"Oh sweetie we are counting on it," Finn adds. "Gia here was once our only inside scoop on the pack and she was kept away from information by her father a long time ago but you..."

I hold my hand out in front of me and laugh shakily, the nerves far more obvious now. "Woahhh, I'm going to have to stop you right there. I know what you are about to ask and the answer is no. I'm at the pack house once a week tops and I don't think I'm in the best position to piss off the Alpha family right now."

Gia rolls her eyes. "Which is exactly why you should. You've been put in a bad position with them for not conforming to their ideals and abiding by their crazy cultish ways. And I hate to be the one to break it to you but your gonna be the Luna and that gives you a whole lot more power than you know."

"Doesn't it like... affect you to be so against the pack?" I ask, my brows knitted together.

Finn gives me an obvious stare. "We are wolves, not mindless zombies. Wolves generally care about the pack and we just see it's best potential a little differently to everyone else."

I pull off from the group to my locker and put my stuff away, turning to them with a laugh. "So you want me to what? Spy on Micah and the pack to make for some good media?" I joke but the second I close the door to see Micah approaching, well within ear shot I curse myself.

His brows are furrowed like he is trying to figure out if he potentially misheard me but clarity soon overcomes him when he spots the two people stood next to me. "Gia, Finn," he acknowledges, his lips set in a firm line as he addresses her with hostility.

"Your highness." She rolls her eyes again. "We were just having a great chat with Athena here," she says, smiling smugly.

He raises a brow. "Oh you were? It seemed to me like you were trying to initiate my mate into your little rebel club and trust me Mennison, it ain't fun to be a part of."

"You came to one meeting!" Gia protests and he laughs.

"One meeting too many. I'm all for a bit of healthy protesting but there's gotta be a line." He attended a meeting at Gia's rebel club? He looks at me like he reads my mind. "I was tricked."

"Anyway!" Gia blurts, snapping my attention away from him. "I'll text you the details. I'm sure you will want refuge from your boring mate at the pack house from time to time anyway and Finn and I are always having fun, aren't we?" She says, turning to her partner in crime.

"We certainly are." He links his arm around hers with a toothy grin. "Catch you later!"

They both walk away, laughing and chatting down the hall, leaving me stood next to Micah. "Maybe they mean well, I honestly don't know, but you should steer clear from them. They only ever get in trouble," he tells me.

"What kind of trouble?" I ask, maybe a little too curious and he shoots me a look.

"Two weeks ago they raided the Beta's prized collection of liquor and drank his most expensive drinks while getting high on the pack roof," he tells me, like it was such a shameful act.

I shrug and shuffle through my locker, pulling out the books that I need. "Sounds fun."

"Very funny," he replies, though I wasn't joking. "Are you heading home now?" I nod as I close my locker, pulling my bag tightly over my shoulder before starting to walk.

"I'm going to the beach with Henry," I tell him, avoiding the fact that Gabe will likely be there too. "What about you?" I respond and he falls into step with me as I walk towards the exit.

"I've got a meeting with coach in an hour about tomorrows game. Did you want me to give you a ride to the beach? I have time and your bag looks heavy" He asks and I immediately shake my head. But my bag was heavy and packed with all the work that I had to catch up on.

"Oh no it's fine, really. I like the walk there," He nods, placing his hands in his pockets as silence drifts between us. "Was there something you needed to talk about?" I ask and he smiles as if my words lift a boulder from his chest.

"Actually yeah, I was just meaning to ask you about tomorrow night. Olive mentioned it, but there is going to be a bit of a house party after the game at the place all of us are staying and I wanted to know if you'd like to come. There's a room you can have all to yourself and I promise it'll be really fun," he fires the proposition out so quickly and seeing his nerves stuns me. I've witnessed it before, but it still amazes me how the guy that stands in front of millions proudly can be a blubbering mess when it comes to a mere invite.

"Um I don't know I mean I've never really gone to a party before." He is physically taken aback.

"You've never been to a party?" He asks in disbelief and I shake my head. "You should come, everyone is going to be there and rumour has it there is going to be an incredibly attractive, single, intelligent football star attending—it's the talk of town," he flirts. I don't even know how to react to the grin on his face but my body, blushing profusely, apparently does. I mean he is all of those things—there's no lie.

I bite my lip and then smile back. "Well, I guess I really shouldn't go then. You see I have a mate and he's got this big no dating rule which is a total shame because he's got nothing on whoever this stud is." The sarcasm drips from my words but I catch the way his eyes darken slightly at the banter. I mean it was a joke, a great joke, a hilarious joke and I know his eyes aren't darkening because he's offended.

"Oof Mennison, you are so cold," he says, whatever dark emotion that swirled in his eyes for a split second wiped clean. "But I really do want you to come, I can give you a ride to and from to beat the bus and you can have exclusive music rights the entire way," he proposes and I toss the pros and cons around my mind like a hurricane. "I'll get you whatever snacks you want and if you want an interview with me or anyone from the team I can line that up."

I have a feeling he'd run naked across the school field if it meant making me come. I mean wolves aren't super ashamed of nudity... and now I'm thinking of Micah naked. Great. I shove the thought deep, deep down before any more heat can rise to my cheeks.

"Actually I was hoping to interview Molly," I say and he furrows his brows.

"Molly? I thought you were coming to write about the game," he says.

"Are cheerleaders not there to cheer on the game? I figured they were a large part of it, considering they train all week for it too," I respond and he nods, still surprised.

"So you'll come if I can get you an interview?" I nod. "Done."

"And with the coach of the opposition too." His eyebrows raise at this and he looks visibly conflicted.

"That... that may be a little harder. I mean he's technically still in the pack and I could go through some loopholes—"

"Great, well I guess text me a pick up time and I'll be there."

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out to find a message from Henry telling me to hurry up.

"You are totally positive that you don't need a lift?" He asks and I look at my phone as more messages come through from both him and Gabe.

"Um, I mean do you mind? I don't want to put you out of your way to take me down there or anything," I ramble and he smiles.

"I seriously, seriously don't mind."

The drive down to the beach is nice, the cool ocean wind blows over the top of his convertible as the afternoon slowly approaches night. I always like feeling the temperature drop as time passed in the day.

"Do you like coming down to the beach?" Micah cuts through the silence that I didn't even register as we drove alongside the vast ocean.

I can't help the smile that warms my cheeks. "Yeah," I tell him softly, staring out at the waves as an excited feeling bubbles up in me. "When I was younger, I'd sit by the beach and spend the entire day there, from dusk until dawn reading or playing just to feel the shift of the weather. And seeing the sunset over the waves... I don't know, it just makes me happy."

I neglected to mention that it was later revealed to me that the true nature of my mothers trips were to keep us from being holed up in squalor. Our assigned home was in an area full of ex criminals, despite my fathers trade. But none of that mattered anymore. I needed to remind myself of that, especially when riding alongside the future Alpha and my mate.

"Me too. I didn't really get to go a lot when I was younger though, I used to sneak out of the pack house whenever I could and find my own way there. It was easier when I shifted, and even better when Benny got two surf boards and a car." He laughs at the memory. "Our fathers made our lives absolute hell if they caught us coming back with sandy hair but it was so worth it. Still is, I guess."

"You still have to sneak out to go to the beach?" I ask and he laughs again.

"In a way, I usually make up a great excuse and honestly, you've helped me in that department more than you realise." My brows crease but my own smile doesn't falter.

"What? How do I have anything to do with that?"

His golden eyes meet mine and my heart skips a beat, sparks erupting over my skin. I am grateful he turns his attention back to the road. "Well I just tell my parents or my trainers that I am with you. Anytime I want to go to the beach or just get a break from everything they think that we are together and so its permissible." He laughs again but his words make me feel cold, sick in a way at the idea I should be with him and I'm not. "It keeps them off my case at least, which I suppose is good for both of us. Plus it makes the friend thing easier."

There isn't a hint of sarcasm in his words but there probably should be. We barely speak, like barely. Aside from the last dinner, we hadn't spent more than two minutes in the same space. He'd come up sometimes to say hi and if I couldn't avoid it entirely, I'd find a reason to leave quick.

"How so?" I ask and he shoots me a stare of disbelief, like he assumed I'd be on the same page. I think we are in different libraries.

"I figured you wanted more space, less pressure. It's great to talk to you just like this, now and even having dinner with your family," he stops himself to take a breath. "It's easier without the pack politics interfering to get to know you. I want you to feel comfortable around me, to be my friend and for us to be able to just... hang."

He says the last part with a shrug and the tight ball in my chest lessens slightly. "Just hang?"

He laughs loudly then, sending me a quizzical stare. "Would you prefer we did something else? By all means, Mennison, if the charm of the bond and my dangerously good looks have persuaded you otherwise let me know. I'm down to move to dating whenever you are." My cheeks burn bright red and he laughs again, before stopping himself, a more serious look coming over his face. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. That sounded funnier in my head—it was a joke."

His clarification makes me laugh nervously because we both know it wasn't a joke. "Oh! It's just up here," I say, pointing in front of his dash to a car park overlooking a small alcove. I thank the heavens above for their intervention as he turns down the stereo as we pull in and I notice a few heads turn as the sleek black car slides into a parking bay. Mainly the two heads of Gabe and Henry as they walk up from the beach.

"Thanks for the ride," I say, unbuckling my belt and he gives me a genuine smile.

"Anytime. I'll probably see you tomorrow at school but if I don't then it'll be before the game," he says and I can tell he's trying to conceal his complete glee to not overwhelm me but it's pretty futile.

I slide out of the car and wave goodbye, watching as he pulls out and speeds off into the distance.

Gabe and Henry are both next to me in record time, and both sporting entirely different expressions.

Henry just shoots me a knowing look that tells me he is going to grill me for every bit of information afterwards and Gabe... Gabe just looks incredibly concerned. A concern that only grows with my response of a grim face to it.

"Who was that?" He asks, serious and I open my mouth to speak but no words come out. "Thea was that the guy you told me about? The one who's been giving you all this trouble?" He asks and I glance at Henry who's look has returned with ten times the intensity.

"No, no." I reply before shaking my head. "I mean yes, but it's complicated. He's just a friend and I needed a ride to get down here," I say and he looks to Henry who wipes any previous look from his face.

"Bloody Sebastian," he says on the spot, shaking his head. "Always around at a convenient time hey."

I'm surprised how well he picks up on my lie without any prior knowledge but then again he is my best friend and an incredible debater.

"Athena it's your choice but I don't think it's a great idea to take a ride with that guy. Not if he makes you uncomfortable, if you need me to pick you up just let me know," he says and I smile, ready to turn the discussion away.

"No I know, thank you. I'll remember that next time."