Chapter 3

I wake up at my usual time. 4 am. I groan as I stretch my arms over my head and sit up looking into my darkroom.

With a sigh, I throw my feet off the bed and stand up onto the cold hardwood floors. Hopefully, they don't creak.

I slowly start to make my way over to the dresser I left my bag on not wanting to unpack last night.

I grab a tank top and workout pants before I head out into the hallway. It is pitch black and completely silent. The whole house must still be asleep.

I tiptoe my way to the bathroom and turn on the water so it can warm.

I look at myself in the mirror and see all the changes Mason brought up yesterday. When did I let myself go this much? I didn't even get to talk to him about the wolf trying to steal his position.

I doubt he would even talk to me about that. He wouldn't even tell me where his room was.

With a sigh, I take off my clothes and step into the now heated stream and let the water cascade over my head. I stay under the water relishing in the comfort that the hot water has on my body at the moment.

Then it starts. My tears flow as I realize that I am alone with my mate who doesn't want me. Everyone I know and care about is on the other side of the country. Although V came this time he can't always drop what he's doing to come here.

I hear a knock on the door and I quickly stop my tears to answer them.

"Alexandra is that you?" I hear Blaine's voice on the other side of the door.

"Yes," I answer back quickly to try and hide the fact that I have been crying.

I grab the shampoo and squirt some into my hands to lather in my hair.

"I figured. After you're done we can go to breakfast there are things I'd like to discuss with you."

That was shocking and confusing. I agree and finish washing up after that. A quick rinse and I step out of the shower and grab a towel to wrap up.

I open the door slowly and watch as the steam slowly seeped out of the crack in the door. There were lights on which means I wasn't the only one up anymore.

Deciding I should just get dressed and meet up with Blaine I grab my clothes and quickly dress. I don't bother with my hair since it will just get messed up with training later today. Instead, I pull it up into a bun on top of my head and walk out the door running straight into Blaine.

"Oh sorry. Didn't expect you to come racing out at me."

I flush red as I push myself off of Blaine's chest. "It's fine. Why did you want to have breakfast?"

"Breakfast?" Oh dear lord kill me now. I turn around to face Mason and I'm sure I turn a darker red shade. "Well...umm..." I have no idea what to say back.

"Blaine?" That is all he says with a sideways glance. Is he jealous?

Blaine just shrugs with a smug smirk. "Yeah, we're going to breakfast. I will bring her back before her training."

Without any warning, Blaine grabbed me by the wrist and started to pull me away. I look back to see that Mason doesn't look too happy with what has transpired.

Outside Blaine opens the door to the car for me. "Luna."

My cheeks betray me again as they heat up no doubt turning pink. Why did he call me that?

Blaine just laughed as he closed the door and got into the driver's side. "I know you're Mason's mate which makes you my Luna."

He revs the car before we bolt out of the driveway to whatever place he has planned. I want to ask more and this ride is taking forever. "How did you know I was his mate?" Yes, Mason could have told him but I know deep down he didn't.

"I know you're used to V. Dark, mysterious, dangerous. Mason is more...simple. He can't hide things from me no matter how hard he tries. I know him too well."

I never knew his relationship with Mason. Cassie never said if he had siblings so they could be brothers. It would explain why he had hazel eyes as well. "We are here," Blaine announces while turning off the ignition.

Hopefully, now I will get a reason as to why he wanted me to come to breakfast with him.

We walk into the diner and Blaine just nods towards the waitress while he walks over to a booth in the corner on the right side of the diner.

"So..." Blaine drawled as he looked at me. "How was your first day?"

Terrible. "V didn't kill Mason. That's a plus."

He laughed as he just nodded. "Good point."

His face got really serious and I knew that he was going to talk to me about why he brought me here. "I wanted to talk to you about Mason. You're his mate so he'll need you."

"But he doesn't want me." Blaine raised his left brow in shock. "Why do you say that?"

"He's told me himself. He isn't in love with me. I try and he just seems to put up this wall. It's exhausting."

Blaine stroked his chin as I looked over the menu to see what to order.

"He can lie all he wants. That look when he realized I was taking you to breakfast...priceless. I know you saw it too."

I did notice. It made me feel a little bit of hope at the thought that he might accept me but I didn't want to get them too high.

"I'm sure you heard about Austin." I scrunched my face up in confusion. Who the hell was Austin? "The guy trying to take Mason's place as alpha."

Oh, that guy. Never knew his name. "Yeah, I heard. It's one of the reasons I came."

"Yeah, that's what I figured." He says as he leans back into the booth. "That why I said he'll need you."

Now I was intrigued. Why was Mason going to need me?

"You earned a spot amongst V's warrior's 2nd squadron I've heard. Most males couldn't do that. He'll need your help with training if he's going to win. Yes, he's young and strong but he's also inexperienced. Your training with older more experienced wolves could give him the edge he needs."

I was more than willing to help Mason if he needed it but the thought of me being any help in battle was crazy. Last I saw Mason fight he was much better than I was, hence why Brett had to save me.

"So I'm dying to know," Blaine stopped for what I thought was a dramatic effect but instead it was to allow the waitress to come to take our order.

"I'll take the meat lover's platter and I'm sure she'll take the same and just bring us cokes."

"Actually, I'll take an orange juice."

The waitress just nodded with a silent giggle as she quickly retrieved our menus. "You're going to wash down all that meat with OJ? You're such a girl."

I roll my eyes at his statement. Talk about a drama queen. "Some people don't want soda with their breakfast."

"Whatever." He brushed my statement off. "So how did you meet the little brat anyways?"

I looked at Blaine completely confused as to what he meant by that.

He noticed and laughed before he decided to enlighten me. "Mason's my little brother."

So I was right about them being brothers. That explained a lot but it also raised more questions. If Blaine is older, why is he the beta and not the other way around?

I wasn't going to ask now. I didn't want to come off as being nosey.

Blaine began to rub his hands together as he spotted the waitress with our food.

"Aw yeah. We have to hurry to make sure we make it back for your training."

*****

Blaine seriously annoyed me. There was too much work that had to be done and he decided to waste time by going to breakfast with Alexandra.

Although annoyance was coursing through me I had things to do, like convince Michelle to go to Virginia and get a DNA test. I groan just at the thought.

She wasn't going to be happy. Hell, she probably wasn't even going to agree to it. Yet I needed her to. Ever since V told me that alphas can't breed with humans it's had me curious.

I slightly tap the door and hear Michelle giving me the go-ahead to go in.

When I do I slowly close the door behind me smiling towards Harmony who was in her arms.

"Daddy's here." She whispered to the tiny figure before she slowly walked to me handing me the baby.

I expected to feel the excitement that I felt the first day I held her. The awe of a life that I helped create, but I didn't feel that. I knew it was because of what V told me yesterday and knew that the test was going to get done no matter what.

"So what are you doing here?" Michelle questioned as she looked to me for an answer.

No point in prolonging. "We need to get a DNA test."

I was met by silence on her end and I know that it was because she was shocked.

"Excuse me?"

"We need a DNA test?"

"No, I heard what you said? Why do you need a DNA test? You don't think she's yours?"

Normally I would fall for the guilt trip but it wasn't working right now. All I could hear was V.

"Why don't you want one? Scared she isn't?"

I was met with even more silence before Michelle took the baby back from me.

"How does a DNA test work for your kind?"

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't your blood different from ours?"

"Yeah. Doesn't mean we can't see what is ours or isn't."

This silence I knew was her thinking. I wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"When?" That was all she said after the pause.

"At least by the end of the week."

She sighed before she just nodded her head.

I nodded my head back in her direction before leaving the room.

Glad that was decided. Now we just had to set up the test and go.

*****

At training, I realized that Mason was seriously undermanned. His warriors were also poorly trained and that's not even from my pack's point of view. But even the one who's right next door.

So much work had to be done.

At the moment I'm running in wolf form and I know it's because I was a female. I couldn't mindlink with them but I'm sure they were mindlinking about me.

"New girl!" The warrior in charge yelled for me and I halted to a stop before walking over to him.

"You're done for the day. Your cardio is good. Tomorrow we will test your strength."

I roll my eyes at the fact that all I did today was run. I didn't even break a sweat from that little exercise. I didn't bother to bow and just sauntered off where I left my clothes to shift back to human form.

I wondered if they knew who I was? Who I fought for? What pack did I belong to? It didn't matter at the moment. I was here for Mason. Not a power trip.

Walking into the house was depressing. I realized that I still hadn't made a single friend here apart from Blaine. Taking my phone out of my pocket I decided to vent to the only person I ever vent to.

*Cassie! You'll never believe what I did at training today?*

*They actually let you train?*

Not the response I wanted considering where I was.

*I ran. Not even like when you were training me. I'm seriously annoyed that I didn't get a good workout in.*

*Ask Mason to train with you.*

She suggested it like it was the easiest thing.

*I can't ask him.*

*Why not?*

*Because.*

*Just ask him. I wish you would have waited to leave.*

I was shocked at the turn of the conversation. I put my phone down and mindlinked her instead.

"What's going on lady boss?"

I loved hearing her laugh through mindlink. I can't explain why even though it was the exact same in person.

"I have to go see Dr. Billings about some tests he ran. Guess V was a little worried since I hadn't gone through my heat yet."

"You haven't?"

"No. So I get to find out if I'm a soon-to-be mother, never going to be a mother, or hopefully another option."

Cassie always had to have something going on with her.

"Tell V to give you a hug for me."

Again that amazing laugh rang through my head. Then I remembered that Mason wanted me to set up the test with Dr. Billings.

"So do you want to do me a big favor?"

"Depends on the favor."

Yup normal Cassie is back.

"Mason wants Dr. Billings to-"

"So he's getting the test done. I'll ask Billings when he's available and tell Mason."

"Thanks. And sorry for not being there when you need me."

I felt really guilty for leaving at this moment. I should have stayed.

"No need for sorry. I have to get used to you being so far. See you whenever it is that you get here."

I didn't answer back but sighed with relief as I fell onto my bed.

I missed Cassie, Teddy, Brett, V, just everyone. I felt like I belonged there. I feel like an outsider again here on the west coast. I just want to be taken seriously as a warrior.

"Then act like it."

I freaked hearing Cassie's voice pop back into my head. "Did I mindlink you?"

"Yup. Demand respect as the amazing warrior you are and the soon-to-be Luna. Time to take charge girl."

Of course, Cassie would say that but she was right. I knew I was better than these wolves and I shouldn't be taking orders from them.

The knock that echoed through my room took my mind off my thoughts and I jumped up to answer the door.

There stood Mason and I couldn't help but feel all that determination just drain away from me. Was he always going to make me feel unsure about myself?

"Sorry to bother you. I came to tell you that Michelle agreed so-"

"Call Cassie. She just needs the time. I already told her about you wanting the test done."

Mason nodded as he seemed to ignore the fact that I cut him off.

"I'll call her later. How was your first day of training?"

Is he actually making small talk with me? I don't know what to make of it.

"I don't appreciate being treated like a helpless female by males I could beat in my sleep. Other than that, it was fine."

He smirked to himself as he leaned against the wall crossing his arms across his chest. "That bad?"

"Mason you need a whole new training regimen. You need more warriors. Younger warriors. You're seriously slacking if there was ever a threat."

"I know that." He retorted back through gritted teeth.

Well, that came off harsher than I wanted it to but I was only telling him the truth.

"I'm not saying you don't know that more asking why you aren't trying to fix it."

"How?" That was what he shot back at me.

"For starters why don't you get better trainers?"

"We don't have any and Blaine and I are way too busy to train."

"I can help."

"No offense because I know you're capable but I doubt the men will accept you as a trainer."

"Because I'm a woman." I was annoyed to be put back in a situation where my accomplishments meant nothing because of my gender.

Eventually, they are going to have to realize that females are capable of more than they give us credit for.

"Then ask for one. I'm sure V would-"

"It doesn't look good for me to run to Cassie and V for everything." He cut me off raising his voice.

"No, it doesn't look good to lose your pack over your pride. Cassie's dad used one of V's men as the gym teacher. Use him and no one will know he came from V's pack."

He didn't answer me. He just pushed himself off the wall and walked out of the door. Nice talk.