ARLIS
Arlis could feel it every time she laughed, every time she frowned, every time she felt confused or unwanted. He wanted to kiss her every time he breathed, he wanted to mark her every time she smiled. It was ripping him from the inside out, a small hole that grew and grew. He wanted to take her, make her his, own her. But she wasn't property, and she didn't give him consent. And as he was always taught, if they don't want it you don't get it.

But that didn't stop him from thinking. He wished she understood what was happening, the aching pain in his stomach. The actual physical hurt his wolf was going through, thinking that his mate was rejecting him. At the same time, that meant she'd feel his other pain too though.

He almost never wanted her to turn. He almost never wanted her to feel the demons that plagued him, or the crushing weight of Gracie being gone.

He heard everything Becker told Kate, he couldn't sleep knowing she was down there with his yelling best friends. But he didn't interrupt, because he knew they wouldn't argue if he was in the room, Becker might have been the youngest, but both Beck and Con treated Arlis like a little brother, and he wanted to hear what they had to say.

He wasn't expecting them to bring up his nightmares. They weren't uncommon for Supernaturals. Becker used spells to sleep. Constance drank a weird concoction Becker taught her. Arlis dealt with his nightmares as a reminder of what happened, not wanting to forget a single detail. The price of war. Why you shouldn't drink a Weeper's tears.

He thought to the desk besides his side of the bed with the vile in it, the tears.

Something churned in his stomach, his gut aching and a feeling of sadness washed over him. He walked out of the bedroom and walked quickly downstairs where Kate sat on the couch, her hands covering her face as the news played softly on the TV.

".... has been found. That leaves two missing teens still missing from the attack weeks ago. If you have any information regarding Vix Hedgewood and Michael Porter then please contact the numbers below." The woman on the screen was too emotionless for Arlis to take seriously and he turned the TV off quickly, spinning on his heels to face Kate.

He wanted to bring her too him, comfort her until all her sorrows withered away like roses in winter. But he didn't, because he wouldn't be able to let go.

He recognized the name Vix, "The Girl In The Rose Bush" as Kate once called her.

"Your friend, I'm guessing?" He didn't have to guess, but he understood how fragile she was at the moment.

She nodded slowly and looked up at him.

God, he though to himself, I hate that she's beautiful when she cries.

He gulped and walked closer to her, taking a forbidden seat too close to her. He was risking it, he had been risking it. It was killing him, sleeping next to her. It was destroying him not to kiss her every time she spoke.

She slowly nodded. "Do you think... do you think she's okay?" She asked, her voice soft like honey.

Arlis didn't think so. Arlis figured she was dead or dying, the Hunter's probably found her too late and couldn't cure her so they just killed her off. If Kate wasn't an underage she would have known Arlis was lying when he said, "Yeah, I'm sure she's fine."

Maybe it was just her, or the fact that it was getting closer to her birthday, but Arlis knew that she knew that he was lying.

Her face fell and her eyes grew dark. "Liar." She said, a little joke between them. It wasn't so much as an insult more than it was a truthful statement.

"I know. I'll have my men keep an eye out for her. Bring her in if they see her." He told her, wishing he could do more. He wished he could raise the dead or flip the earth to get what Kate wanted.

And even though he knew he was more powerful than he was letting her in on at the moment, he couldn't do either of those things. He wanted to tell her just how powerful he was, how magnificent his blood was, but... but he knew that it would terrify her. The blood that ran through his bones was the same as the first werewolf known to mankind, along with the same first werewolf to kill a Salem Of The Old Witch.

If Arlis wanted to cause mayhem and start a war he could do it with the snap of his fingers. If he wanted to end a war he could kill off a group of ten by himself. Or at least, his Rogue wolf could. But he promised never to turn into the monster he was all those years ago. He'd never become the Black Wolf he was infamous for.

Kate sucked in a steadying breath. "What's on today's agenda?" She turned the TV off and wiped her eyes.

So strong. So kind. So smart. And beautiful. The last thing Arlis deserved was her. But he was selfish and he was probably going to bring her a lot of pain but he didn't care. It was good that she was strong. She could put up with his baggage and his future mistakes and sins. Hopefully.

"So far... nothing. Becker left off to somewhere, didn't tell anyone where he was going. Seymour might drop by." Might. Arlis hoped he didn't. He snapped at Kate and Arlis was sure that the next time he saw Seymour, it would end bloody.

He was so close to his Rogue coming forward, the half of him that wasn't human. Just the pure darkness that resided in every supernatural. The uncontrollable monster. But, Iris kept him down and whispered Kate's name over and over again. A sweet, welcomed, torture.

"Oh, okay." She wasn't scared of him, or worried. Arlis knew that this was because she thought she messed up. She didn't, and Arlis didn't think she ever could. Seymour shouldn't have snapped. If Arlis had it his way, Seymour would never snap again. He'd rip his jaw off and that would be that.

If only she understood that Seymour wanted to be Alpha and he'd do anything, hurt anyone, to take the title from Arlis. Only way to take it now would be to make both Arlis and Kate unfit for Alpha and Luna and kill them both. The normal rules were that you needed a Luna to be Alpha, but if your mate was dead... the rules shifted a little.

"Do you not like him?" She asked Arlis.

Arlis shrugged. "He's like my grandfather, but no... not after what he did."

"Arlis it's fine—"

"No! It's really not." Arlis growled. He hated to hear her defend him when he attacked her. He hated it even more that he liked that she put herself in danger for him, that she was stupidly brave. "He can't snap at you."

"Why is he coming over?" Arlis didn't miss the way she switched the topic but he also didn't make any attempt to redirect it once again. He wouldn't argue with her.

"Because we need to discuss entering Leif's and Dalia's mates into the Pack. Leif's mate will be taking on a big role in the Pack along with Dalia's." Arlis answered, not fully telling the truth no matter how much he wanted to. He couldn't tell her that Seymour wanted a peaceful challenge for Alpha. He wanted Arlis to give up the Alpha title without a fight, but Arlis would never do that. He was too prideful. Plus... his parents wanted him to have this position and he'd be damned if someone took that away from him. "But I think I'll just go find him instead."

She nodded, but she didn't seem to fully believe him. "Oh so... shouldn't I go?" She quipped.

Arlis froze. That was his rule. She'd be present for everything to do with the Pack, that's how his Pack laws went. He wasn't anything without her. Technically, he couldn't even make decisions about the Pack without her here. He literally couldn't even be Alpha without her.

"Oh no, it's fine. You really don't need to put yourself through more stress—"

"Shouldn't I get used to stress?" She asked, raising one eyebrow. "I'm dealing with you for all eternity."

Arlis couldn't help but scoff at her, a smile lazily set on his face. "No. You should get used to letting me stress."

She rolled her eyes at him, an innocent act that made Arlis want to kiss her. Then again, everything she did made him want to kiss her. She was his other half, his perfect half. And he understood why. "What's your favorite song?" He asked her randomly.

The question startled them both, but he was glad he asked it.

She pursed her lips and shrugged. "Dani California probably." She answered, a song he knew well. It was one of those songs that when you heard it, you knew it, but never knew the title.

He smirked when she asked the question back. "Funny you ask because mine's Hotel California." She found the humor in it as she laughed a little bit, a mellifluous sound that compared to a symphony in Arlis's ears.

"Really!?" She laughed.

He shook his head. "No. No it's actually Tiny Dancer by Elton John but Hotel California is a good song."

She nodded along to him. "But I am going with you right?"

She knew he was up to something, Arlis felt it in his bones. "Uh Umm... no. You need to stay home and—"

"What? Because I'm a girl?" She scolded. "I thought women were respected around here." She placed a hand on her hip and gave him a pointed look.

Arlis panicked and shook his head. "No!"

She widened her eyes.

"I mean no it's not because you're a girl, and yes women are respected. It's because I'm a guy I have to go." He meant it as an apology but he realized he dug himself deeper. "Not that because I'm a— you wanna go? That sounds like a great idea." He sighed defeatedly.

He realized he'd always give in to her. All because he loved her. Loved that she smelled like an afterthought of rain, like earth, and like Iris's home made cookies. Loved that she was herself. He loved... her.

KATE
I knew he was up to something. What it was, I didn't know, but I knew it wasn't good. I was starting to worry. Whether it was from what I learned last night or what I was about to learn, I couldn't stop fidgeting and my heart was racing.

Last night I worried that he couldn't trust me, but now should I be worried that I couldn't trust him?

He was lying about something, I felt it in my womanly sense. And when he said I couldn't go... I went the extra mile and played the feminist card. I knew that's not what it was why he wouldn't let me come, but I wanted to go.

He held my small hand in his larger one as we walked outside to the Pack House where his office was, my head pounding.

Someone was waiting for us outside the house, they had brilliant blonde hair and eyes like an electrical current.

She was beautiful beyond recognition and I couldn't help the small glare I gave her.

She was like an angel cast down from heaven, or at least that's the energy she gave off with her evil smirk.

"Arlis." Her voice was strong yet soft. She looked... oddly familiar. Like a face that I never got a name for.

He nodded back. "Hello, Electra." He said, all kindness in his voice. "What's been going on?"

She smiled. "Hmm... nothing much. Just here to witness this." She looked at her nails and I felt a little bit of intimidation filter through me. "And meet your mate too of course." She walked to me and held her manicured hand out. "I'm Electra."

I shook her firm grip and gestured to her jean jacket. "I like your jacket."

"Thanks." She said back, her eyes looking me up and down, silently judging.

"Mom, leave her alone." Leif strolled our of the house and I realized where she looked familiar. She looked like Leif. "Kate, this is my mom, Electra. My dad is inside watching Seymour."

My body relaxed. "Oh okay."

"Didn't think I was trying to steal Arlis, did you?" Electra laughed a harsh sound that she made beautiful just by the look in her hard eyes.

I noticed the scar over the left side of her upper lip, the bruise that looked a little too angry on her right jaw. Her nose was slightly crooked but you wouldn't notice unless you were close.

She had on a cute black jean jacket over a nice tan tank top and a pair of skin tight khakis on. She wore a pair of black combat boots that complimented the jacket. A pretty necklace glinted in the sunlight, and her makeup was perfect.

She trained the Pack?

"Uh... no... you're just... not what I expected."

She smirked. "Expecting the pack trainer to be a tom boy? No ma'am. I love fighting just as much as I love your heels." She winked at me. "You have a runners body, work out?"

I shrugged. "Not since I got here... I played basketball..."

She smiled slightly. "I thought you played some sport. I wasn't checking you out or anything, just seeing your build and what I can start you off with during training. After you turn of course."

I nodded even though I was highly terrified. She... she was not what I expected at all.

"Thanks? I think."

She nodded sternly. "Take that as a compliment."

She looked so... young. She shrugged off her jacket and tossed it at Leif who caught it easily and suddenly she didn't look so young. Her skin was littered with scars that you could only acquire over time.

My eyes wandered over her skin, at the lines and burns and small indents.

"What happened?" I asked too suddenly. There wasn't just one story to her. Her skin was a canvas, a tapestry that showed only reminders of every memory.

She rose one eyebrow up and then looked down at her skin. "Oh, these? Well that ones from when a mountain lion got me and that's from when my son got me. That's from a pine tree. That's from Alpha Rylee. This is from a girl who really wanted those boots. Hun, I could go at this all day." She rubbed her arms. "And my lip is from when a guy who wasn't my mate really wanted a kiss and when I refused he bit me. Note that I killed him easily without a blink plus I got his Rolex and the ring he was gunna give some unlucky lady." She smiled and winked at me, her perfect makeup not wavering.

I nodded and gave an awkward smile, holding up two thumbs. "Fun." Fun? Was that the wrong word?

She flipped her perfect blonde pipe curls behind her with the flick of her hand. "Oh it was."

"Lex, are you seriously telling her about your scars. I know you take off that jacket just to show them off." A tall male walked out, a white button down undone at the top and the sleeves rolled up. He had dark black and deep hazel eyes that looked good against his tan skin.

She rolled her eyes. "Tim, stop giving away my plans baby."

He strolled up and looped his arm around her waist. "I only do it because I love seeing you ticked off." He nipped at her ear and she giggled.

"Wanna see everything off?" She laughed and Leif pushed through them.

"LETS NOT!?" Leif yelled and widened his eyes. His parents laughed, and standing next to Leif I saw the age. The aging eyes, the experience. The "I know more than you ever will" looks that they just naturally had.

"How old are you two?" I clamped a hand over my mouth and widened my eyes. If my mother was here she would be giving me that "You're in deep trouble" look that only she could give. "I am... I am so sorry." I stuttered out, praying she took no offense to the question.

Electra chuckled. "You're fine hun. I'm five hundred and ninety four. I look young because I never stress out. Every time I start to stress I train. And when I train I don't think. No thinking no stress." She winked at me. "Also why I can kick ninety nine percent of this pack and the next's ass."

"Ah, wait did you know that?" Arlis asked me. "That stress is what makes us age. I can't remember if I told you."

I couldn't exactly remember either but it made sense in a way. It worked like that in the Human world. "Sounds familiar. Is that why Seymour is so old?" I thought back to Angelica, the mate that ended The War Of The Species but died doing so.

Arlis growled and Timothy put his hands on Arlis's chest to gently push him back. "Calm down Alpha Barron. We're dealing with his offenses today. That's why Electra and I are here."

"I'm not pressing charges." I say uncertainly. Is that how it worked here? "It's not really a big deal. You healed me and—"

"Not the point Kate. He can't just walk over whoever he wants to walk over."

"But that's not it. He was in attack mode." Sam walked out and strutted to Arlis, his small build so inferior against Arlis. "You know you can't do this to him, please don't fight him Arlis." Tears ran down his face and Leif wound his arm around Sam.

"Come on little cuz, lets go. Mom, I'm going to go get Maddi settled into the house—"

"No!" Sam screamed as Leif picked him up and struggled to walk backwards.

Timothy kissed his wife passionately. "Video tape it. I'm going to go help Leif." He walked to the screaming and crying Sam as they drug him away.

"Arlis stop! You can't just fight him." I scolded, my eyebrows furrowing.

He spun to look at me. "It is by Pack Law that if you attack your Alpha without probable cause that it is either A) treason or B) A sign that you want to challenge. In an attempt to not have him hunted by Hunter, were taking it as a Challenge for the spot of Alpha. I'm fighting him whether you like it or not."

His words scared me to the point of silence. I nodded and he closed his eyes popping his neck as Seymour stepped out.

"We don't have to do this Arlis." He said slowly. "I don't want to fight you. Just hand over Alpha. If you resign and deem yourself unfit we don't have to fight."

Arlis snorted. "That's a Coward's way out. Hell no."

"It's not wise to be foolish boy." Seymour smirked and Arlis smirked right back.

"I know. Good thing I don't actually care." The smile on Arlis's face nearly made me sick.

I needed a Pack Law rule book or something. He couldn't just fight Seymour. He wasn't that bad from what I gathered. But apparently... apparently everything ended in a fight in this place.