as a reminder So I want to clarify, in this book weremen and wolves are separate. BUT weremen are stronger and have similar strengths as wolves. They can communicate with wolves since they are partners. EXAMPLE: spiderman is not a spider, but he does have abilities of spiders. So if I say Samantha's wolf it literally means her partner wolf NOT her transforming into a wolf.

[6] Hanging on a Tree

The first time Mia made Saurus uncomfortable she blamed his sister. She was the evil vixen behind the occurrence. It had been late October, when leaves fell from half-barren trees and littered the ground in a mosaic piece of orange, yellow, and red.

Today they would be going to a costume party. Of course, only Mia had been invited, as she interacted with the humans of their high school, but when Shannon Carter gave her the invite she slying added that she could 'invite as many additional people as she liked' aka, please tell Samantha, Samuel, and their friends. Even Shannon wasn't brave enough to approach them, so Mia was her best hope in getting them to come.

The wind gave a high-pitch squeal of anticipation as the girls dressed. As expected Samuel rejected the invite, and like puppets the others quickly assumed the same position. Except Samantha. After much convincing (and a lot of whining) Samuel gave her permission to go.

Too bad for them. They were missing out on a fun night. Everyone knew Shannon's parties were great, and this was the first one Mia would be going to curtesy of her association with Samantha.

"What do you think of this lipstick?" Samantha asked, turning so that Mia could assess the color.

"Too much purple undertone. Little Red Riding Hood needs a definitive rougé, don't you think?"

"You're right." She said, wiping it off. "How the hair coming along?"

Mia sighed. Trying to copy Princess Jasmine's hairstyle was a hassle. She should've just bought the wig. Now she was attempting to artfully place her brown mane around a bubble and tie it with turquoise ribbons. Did she mention she was failing miserably? It was all Samantha's fault. Mia had been quite content in dressing as the basic cat when her best-friend surprised her with this costume.

After managing to tie one bubble perfectly, the ribbon undid itself and out went the light-weight ball. "That's it, I give up!" Mia cried, undoing the little she managed to accomplish. "I'm keeping the fancy braidwork in the front but after that the rest will stay in a high ponytail. This is too much work." 

Sammie laughed. She had to stop applying lipstick so that it didn't end up on her cheeks. "Suit yourself. The costume does more than enough in showing who you're suppose to be."

Mia looked down to her silky blue pants and off-the-shoulder shimmering top. A gold necklace and golden earrings were her only jewelry. Sammie had already done her make-up beforehand—light and rosy as was expected of a princess. She only questioned the footwear, as the matching slip-ons felt rather thin. It was uncomfortable to feel everything you stepped on. What if someone spilled a drink?

Knock, knock, knock.

"Are you guys done yet?" Samuel's voice called from the hallway, impatient as they had sent him away forty minutes ago when they were half-way done.

Samantha looked at her. "Is this color good?" A brilliant red laid smoothly over her lips, the perfect shade for her costume. Mia nodded enthusiastically. "We're ready!"

Samuel opened the door, annoyance curved on every feature. Sammie ran past him to get to the car, ever the impatient one. At least that's what Mia had thought until she stood and went after her.

A quick arm halted her from crossing the door, blocking the exit. "Why are you wearing that." His voice stopped her from smacking it. It sounded distressed, and his eyes were wide with alarm.

"What are you talking about?" The outfit was rather conservative compared to what her other friends planned to wear. None of her legs were showing and her breasts were completely covered.

Mia jumped when his hand lightly breezed over her stomach. A tentative touch. "You should cover this." He said, sounding strained. 

"I can wear whatever I want." She huffed, smacking his hand away. This was the first crop top she ever wore. She was already feeling self-conscious about it and didn't need his input to make her feel worse.

"At least put on a jacket, it's cold outside. . .please."

Mia stepped back. Did he just say please? That was a new one. He did have a good point though, and for that she'd listen to him. "Whatever."

She grabbed her black jacket from the bed and slide it on. At least Sammie had the cape to cover her, Mia had nothing. After zipping it up she noticed Samuel took a sigh of relief. What for, she had no idea. In the car she joined the backseat with Sammie, who continued to laugh under her hand and give mischievous looks between the two of them.

Mia elbowed her. What was her problem, could the girl get any weirder? Samuel pulled up into Shannon's home, and within seconds the two of them were out.

"I'll be back at 11. No ifs, ands, or buts, got that?" Samuel deadpanned, keeping his eye on his sister.

"Yes brother dearest. Bye!" With that Samuel rolled out. Then, like an evil witch her friend turned to her with wiggling eyebrows. "So...?"

Mia scoffed at her strange behavior. "Sooo what? What's with the weird stuff you were doing in the car? Your brother was already acting weird by touching my stomach and telling me to change, and then you over here—"

Samantha's roaring laughter stopped her. "I knew it! Oh my gosh, I knew it! There's still a wereman underneath all that indifference." She said, clutching her stomach.

"What are you talking about?" Mia was growing agitated at the werewoman's vagueness.

Samantha tapped her stomach like a drum. "Did you ever notice I don't wear crop tops? It's because in weremen culture a werewoman showing her stomach shows she wants a wereman to make her submissive to him. It's an intimate thing you only show your partner. Humans show it all the time but it doesn't affect my pack. You have matura though, so I was wondering if you doing it made a difference. I was right!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands.

Mia tugged her friend's hair, she knew in her culture this meant she was acting childish. "You're ridiculous, the least I need is your brother thinking I'm offering myself to him." Mia said, exasperated. "So basically I shouldn't show too much skin around him because he gets uncomfortable."

Samantha giggled again. "Only when the girl showing too much skin is you."

Mia hauled her friend to the party and pretended she didn't hear that.

Present

There were people who assumed photography was simple. They think a pretty object is seen and then click! With the snap of a shot it was all set and done. There was much more to it than that. The time of day had to be accounted for along with various other factors such as the setting, angle, and type of camera lens. For Mia, this specific shot was mainly about the angle.

There was a gorgeous patch of black, midnight flowers near the edge of the lake. It was across a lake on the other side. The flowers sat under a gloomy tree with hanging branches, otherwise unseen if it weren't for the sunlight currently hitting it at just the right angle. It was far off—a tedious distance she was unwilling to swim for—but a tree tall enough (such as the one she was in now) afforded her a view no one could receive even if there were two feet away from the flowers.

Bright butterflies hovered over the petals, a stunning contrast against the midnight flowers. There were even six bunnies wiggling their ears with soft content. A couple birds chirped beside the stems. If any human was within distance they would have scattered. How interesting that a patch of darkness attracted so much life. She had never seen flowers like these before. They brought remembrance of black eyes pertaining to a specific someone.

Crack.

Letting go of her camera, Mia adjusted her weight and transferred to a thicker branch. It was sturdier, providing excellent support compared to the flimsy branch she had been in. It's a good thing her camera had a reliable neck strap, otherwise it would have been at risk of falling over four times now.

That tree is old. I don't think you should stay up there for long. Stella reprimanded. She was Samantha's wolf partner, also Mia's self-appointed protector when she wandered out in search of places to explore.

"I'll be down in a second! Let me just check the photo." As much as she hated Samuel, his territory had beautiful hidden spots. It was only a matter of finding them. For Mia it had become a scavenger hunt, and this was her newest discovery. She would have to research those flowers and find out more about them.

Momma, I wan'ta climb the tree too... a pup whined. He was one of Stella's children. His white tail swished behind him with yearning.

You know we can't climb trees Anon. His brother reminded. Axel laid on the ground soaking the sun. Unlike the pearly coat of his mother and brother, his color was mixed with black.

Climbing the tree had taken Mia over twenty minutes, but that last snapshot was completely worth it. She was high, precariously so, but over the years she had developed her tree climbing skills curtesy of competing against Saurus. While beating him was a lost cause, she at least gained another way to take excellent pictures. 

Crack.

Mia nervously maneuvered to another branch. She had been certain the branch she switched to had been dependable.

That's it young lady, you're coming down now. Stella's following bark emphasized her reproof. Her perked ears and crouched demeanor exposed her growing nervousness. She disliked it when Mia climbed trees too high. It's not like she could catch her with the ease a human could. And even if she did cushion her fall that great height begged for some collateral damaged.

Mia didn't fight her. She was right, the branches of this tree were not as strong as they appeared. "Alright pups, catch!"

Immediately the smaller wolves stood to attention, watching her camera with rapt attention. Stella sighed at her sons' reaction. If only Anon and Axel could get that excited when she told them to bathe.

The camera flew meters away from the base of the tree, and immediately the pups ran against the speed of gravity. Both jumped in mid-air, but only one caught it—Axel.

Ha! Get on my level! He crowed, wagging his tail as he trotted with his head high in a kingly fashion.

Anon rumbled, disgruntled at the turn of events. His mother gentle nuzzed his neck in comfort. They were always competing with one another.

Mia latched her hand to a branch above her and stretched her foot to reach another below. Climbing was a feat, but descending was another monster of its own. She hated coming down. It would be nice if she had flying powers.

As her shoe reached the thick center, the branch made a sickening noise but did not splinter. "Oh, no." Now she was getting nervous. The tree had not been like this when she climbed it. Did her advances weaken it to a point where now it refused to take her weight twice?

Stella emitted a worried bark. Stay in place, I'll go get help. Pups, send a message if anything goes awry, got that?

The two stood straight like soldiers receiving charge from their great commander. Yes! They chorused.

In the meantime Mia tested other branches in hopes of finding a strong one to wait on. There was a thick one she had yet to stand on, seeing as it blocked her from the view she was trying to catch of the flowers. A hard push showed it was reliable, and she settled there. Not ten minutes later help arrived. 

"When you mention someone was in danger you didn't say it'd be her." Saurus complained.

Stella gave a whine, making Saurus crouch down to pet her. She licked him under his jaw. He shook his head. "Sorry Stella, but I'm going to have to say no to this one."

Mia balked at his response. Was he being serious?! "Saurus, I need help!" she cried, incredulous.

He leaned casually against a trunk meters beneath her, the perfect posture of a man who could not be bothered.

"I thought I told you to not call me by that name." He said, shaking his head in disapproval.

"But I have need of your tree climbing skills!" She wailed. "Would you prefer I call you reptile instead of Saurus?"

He rolled his eyes, not answering because they both knew he hated the prior term due to its negative connotation whenever she used it.

"You climbed up yourself. Let me see you manage to come down on your own."

"I tried it already! Please!" If she still had her camera she would have aimed it at his hair.

"No."

Mia growled. Desperate times called for desperate measures. There was only one thing she could do to obtain his help—use his weakness for propriety.

Noting the river below her, Mia turned to the side, pretending to have given up on asking him. She unbuttoned her jeans and zipped them down.

As expected, his thundering voice reached her. "What do you think you're doing! Stop that right now Mia!" The very nature around her responded to his outrage. Leaves shook from the trees and rattled a wary tune.

Mia smirked. He even used her proper name and everything. "I'm going to strip and jump into the river since you refuse to help me down." She voiced lightly, pulling her pants down for extra measure. Without a doubt he would know she was serious. And truly, she was. If he didn't get up here by the time she took these layers off she would be jumping in there regardless of her distaste of frigid bodies of water.

After taking her pants off Mia looked down innocently, only to be met by a scowl and glowing eyes. Without a doubt he was raging now. Saurus took off his shoes and socks. His gaze never dropped from her face as he climbed the tree. Each move to pull himself up caused his arms to flex. Mia caught herself focusing on the sinews of his muscles and forced her eyes above his neck.

At her level, he grabbed her without warning, flushing her against his chest in only her shirt and underwear. Mia smirked as he flung her jeans over his shoulder, feeling rather smug. She should have thought better and done her victory dance on the ground, for Samuel did not go down as expected.

In a show of brilliant strength he jump to a branch in another tree. "What do you think of this pups?"

Look at him! He's like Tarzan! Anon cried, his voice full of awe at this wereman who could not only climb, but jump from tree to tree.

Mia shrieked with fear. "What are you trying to do, kill us?!" Her eyes filled with fear as he dared propel them across another tree and land on the ideal branch, further away from the weaker, dead tree.

The pups barked in approval, only fueling his self-esteem. Mia glared at the pups, annoyed they were encouraging his behavior.

To make matters worse, Axel's sassy self began to sing a song. Saurus and Mia standing on a tree—

Her mortification heightened as Samuel laughed and Anon joined him. K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes—

"Axel! Anon! You will not be petted for a week if you continue!" Facing her laughing hero, she smacked his shoulder. "Samuel, I want to go down. Now." She demanded.

His eyes glittered with humor at her distress. He clearly enjoyed entertaining the pups. "Very well." He consented.

She should have known he had something under his sleeve. Without warning, he jumped from the high altitude, suspending them in air with no part of his body connected to the tree for stabilization.

Mia screamed with all her might. This was it! They were sure to plummet to their very deaths! Last minute he grabbed a thick branch, one arm holding on to it with the other continuing to holding her.

Ooooo now they're hanging on a tree! Anon pipped, launching in the air with excitement.

"I guess I can let you down now. What do you say?" Saurus offered, referring to her previous demand.

Mia dared to look down. The distance made her feel lightheaded. While they did decrease in altitude it was still high enough to cause broken bones. Samuel would come out unscathed, but she wouldn't. Her eyes rose back to him, only to see a haughty smile. Slowly, she felt the hand holding her begin to slide away, making his hold looser.

Instincts rose as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders for security. But this wasn't enough. Her own legs rose to cling to his hips in a death-like grip, bringing their bodies even closer together. "Please get us down safely!" She begged, eyes wide with fear. She could hear her blood pulse through her ear. 

Saurus, bring the lady down safely. Where are your manners? Stella chided. Mia didn't understand why the she-wolf sounded so calm. Shouldn't she be more concerned she might very well fall to her death?!

"I thought she wanted to go down Stella." His black eyes feasted on Mia. "Are you not pleased?" He teased.

Mia didn't find this funny, as right now the danger of the situation ate at her insides. "I promise, I promise!"

"You promise what?" He goaded.

"I'll do whatever you want! Just get us down safety!"

Saurus hummed in thoughtfulness. "For how long?"

"From now until the end of today?"

He scoffed. "What a cop-out. No way. At least three days."

Mia gaped. Three days with this monster? She would be miserable! "No way, one full day starting tomorrow, that's it!"

Saurus smirked. "Really?" His hand began to slid away again, forcing her to tighten her hold against him.

Mia flushed. She was starting to regret fully taking the pants off because if anyone caught them in this position it would bring huge scandal. Their chests were pressed together without a hint of space, every time she breathed she felt the outline of his abs. And her legs...looped around his front intimately was so embarrassing. She was surprised he wasn't complaining of their proximity. She was all over him in a questionable way and Samuel hated to be touched by females. He must be willing to put up with this as long as he saw her suffer.

Just as his hand was about to abandon her lower back completely, Mia gave in. "Fine! Three days! Now take us down gently you stupid, infuriating reptile!"

He smiled smugly at her acceptance. "That's what I thought."

With one arm he pulled them up the branch. Slowly, he began to descend from branch to branch, being mindful that her skin didn't brush harshly against the bark and bruise. Mia held onto him the same way in case he suddenly decided to be evil again, but thankfully he got them down safely. A little too slowly for her tastes. He probably enjoyed her anxiety along the way.

"You can stop being a scaredy cat, we're on the ground."

Mia glared before fisting his hair in her hands and pulling with all her might. "You are such a child!" She screeched.

Saurus winced, but his smile remained. "Say whatever you want, but starting tomorrow you have to do everything I want." With a yank he pulled her arms away. "Now how about you get off me, human."

Red-faced, Mia detached from him as quickly as possible. She wrenched her jeans from his shoulders and put them on. "How about you stop staring at me, pervert." She said this when she realized he didn't look away.

"You're nothing special, don't flatter yourself." He clipped, turning his face the other direction. "Stella, you can take care of this thing from here." He began to walk away when he seemed to remember something. "Oh, and next time she needs help don't bother getting me."

Mia grabbed a large rock and flug it in his direction. He ducked right before it hit him. "I hate you!" Before he could respond with something that would anger her further, Mia stomped away in the opposite direction.

The pups immediately trailed after her, Stella following behind. Axel rubbed her camera against her calf. Mia, why do you hate Alpha. He whined, seeming upset that the two people he really loved did not get along.

Mia grabbed the camera from him and rubbed his head. "Because he's very mean, sweetie." She looked at Stella with exasperation. "I can't believe you got him Stella! Why not Sammie? You know Samuel is the worst person to come help me. Look what he did, I almost died!" She clenched her fists, recalling how he hung them from a branch so carelessly.

Stella made a noise that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Don't worry my lady. The moment you were in his arms no harm would befall you. He is a good Alpha.

Mia groaned. "He holds no responsibility over me! Nor does he want to. You forget—he's not my alpha."

Not yet.

Mia pulled the camera up to her eyes and pretended she didn't hear that.

A/N: Hahahha I found it so funny. COMMENT and VOTE :D