If you could only see the beast you've made of me
I held it in but now it seems you've set it running free
Screaming in the dark, I howl when we're apart
Drag my teeth across your chest to taste your beating heart-Howl, Florence and The Machine

The little girl in the field is the pic up top. (you'll understand when you read) PLEASE COMMENT VOTE AND SHAARE!

Korali's Pov.

When he said he'd never lay a hand on me, he was serious. Like he never touched me unless he had to, like if I was disobeying him. Or he had to pull me closer. If that wasn't the case, he never was even around me. He's never kissed me, touched me, hugged me, hell I'm not even marked and I've been here almost a month. He's barely even spoken to me since I've been here and I'm going stir crazy.

Everything was starting to seem super repetitive and boring so I started to venture out. I knew I technically could only go for runs when my guards were with me so I called them out when I reached the forest. Their piercing gazes beamed down at me from in the evergreen canopy of trees and I smiled at them.

I usually asked questions aimlessly into the air hoping that they'd answer one of these days but they didn't. I hated that from 1-3, which was the designated time from Jordan to be my running hours, that they had to stay up there and wait for me to appear—if I decided to go into the forest during that time.

"I'm just going for a walk in human form today, fellas." I mused a small backpack filled with a picnic lunch in my arms. I slid the black bag onto my back and started to walk, my eyes taking in the scenery.

The forest was green, lush, and healthy. The trees were thick and sturdy from root on up, and many of them went a mile high. I then truly paid attention to another fact about Jordan's pack. There was a reason why they were so feared. They had so many skills that no other packs had thought to master. They mastered the trees—which wasn't a normal werewolf's element.

I kept trekking through when I noticed a patch of flowers. I squealed causing a couple of the warriors to pounce out of the trees and around me their eyes searching and scanning for trouble. Their stealthy black clothing was obscuring my vision as they circled around me.

"I'm sorry guys." I spoke softly placing my hand on one of the guys' back. He turned and raised an eyebrow. "I was excited about the flowers. I'm sorry to have alarmed you." I muttered feeling a bit inconsiderate for making them panic like that.

Another one of the 6 men who were to be guarding me eyed me questioningly. "You know you guys can talk to me right?"

"Alpha said not to," another voiced.

"Well, Alpha's not here and I hate feeling so alone here," I huffed tears coming towards the outskirts of my eyes. I was putting on quiet a show and even though it wasn't far from the truth, nothing was so bad that it was tear worthy yet. If Jordan stayed on the pace we were at though, I don't know.

I could visibly see their slight falter—which I'm sure came from not wanting to displease their Alpha's mate.

At that moment they decided to introduce themselves. There was Adam, Levi, Collin, Jace, Taco, and Luton (Lugh-tun). I didn't question Taco's nickname; I was glad enough that they were even speaking to me.

"Can you tell me about your pack?" Yup. I always managed to get into a shell only to fuck myself over and get pushed out again. I should have just asked a basic question like where Taco got his name from.

But thankfully Luton decided to speak as the others jumped back into the trees. "We're not trying to shut you out. But you are not one of us yet. So we can not completely trust you. Our Alpha has given us to protect you, but he has not given you to the pack. You still even have a scent of someone who doesn't belong here." He bowed his head slightly before making his way up the brown cortex of the tree.

I sighed before plopping down on the ground and pulling out my lunch. I had made a quick sandwich to eat because I planned to cook tonight, whether or not Jordan was eating with me. I could easily call over Max and Cailo to join me if they weren't busy.

Someone who doesn't belong here.

Someone who doesn't belong here

The thought kept echoing in my head like a melody that was adherent. It spoke volumes like the only thing I heard because it was true. I didn't belong there and no one other than Max and Cailo made me feel like I belonged here and even they tried to avoid certain subjects. I was tired of the bullshit. He either wanted me here or he didn't, it wasn't difficult at all.

I sat there chimerically, looking up towards the bits of sky that I could see. I got over being angry because then I started to think logically. I can't force someone to tell me things. I would need to stick with my first plan and use this as a plan b or something.

When I finally decided that I had enough air, and that even here in the woods wasn't enough freedom, I made my way back to Jordan's home with freshly gathered flowers in my hands. The flowers that I saw were a beautiful patch of Forget-Me-Nots and I was very excited. Out of all the flowers these were my favorites. This particular batch was between Majorelle and Dodger blue and I was in love.

I called into the trees that I was done for the day and I didn't receive a response, so I walked out of the forest and into my willow tree. There was nothing left to do but wait till Jordan came home, which I hoped would be early today. It almost seemed like he was systematically avoiding me.

I pulled a book from my backpack and read, waiting for the arrival of my mate.

Out of the lining of the trees a baby ran out into the open land that Jordan threatened any pack member to step on because of me. She was giggling and chubby, her mahogany skin unblemished and her tightly coiled hair pulled into a ponytail. I picked her up wondering where her mother went.

A woman in a dark purple tunic styled shirt and a pair of ripped jeans ran out of the forest her panicked eyes scanning around the land. She gasped audibly when she saw the baby in my arms.

"I'm soo sorry, Luna." Her eyes were distraught and she looked nervous. "She tends to crawl off. I sat her down to see what route would be quicker to the doctor's office because we're not allowed to pass through this area." She continued, swallowing before speaking again. "Please don't tell Alpha Jordan I didn't mean to disturb you." Her promise was firm and she was grabbing onto my arm to plead.

I held the baby in my arms lovingly. Before glancing up at the mother. She had a short cut, swooped finger waves in her hair.

"I'm fine. That's Jordan's rule not mine." I slightly rocked the adorable little girl. "And you can pass through here if its faster. She's so adorable." I gave the baby a hug before hugging the mother. "Is that building that usually really lit at night all the way at the end of this field the doctor's office?" She gave me a short curt nod; her eyes still studying me cautiously.

"Its nice to see a new face." I smiled and she looked at me curiously, her head tilting slightly.

"With the rumors about you, I was sure you met a lot of the pack," She spoke and I was super confused. Rumors? I mean I knew they didn't like me, but they would lie about me?

"No, I mean the whole introductory thing yes. But I've never actually been this close to a pack member other than Cailo and Max. Rumors?" I wanted to know what was being said. I didn't do anything, to anyone.

"Nothing. I have to go." She rushed pulling the baby from my arms causing her to cry. She crossed the field quickly her baby's cries still heard.

"Wait what's your name?" I called out trying to keep up a little. She hesitated at the line of the trees.

"Emmy, and her name is Jalisa." She turned to keep speed walking into the forest but I still needed to know one thing, if she wasn't going to tell me the rumors.

"Wait, one more question." She couldn't just not listen to me, that would be disrespect to an Alpha, even though I technically wasn't her Alpha—well Luna, yet.

"Are you afraid of Jordan?"

She paused looking down at her crying baby before looking me in the eyes. "No. He is a great successor, he just seemed very serious about his command—he's, he's never spoken so freely or much before." I had a pride that she had such a positive look at my mate.

I laughed, my eyes closing for only a moment, but when I started to speak again, she was already gone. I sighed and turned on my heel heading back to the tree. I picked up my book, and sat back in the tree to wait for my other half.

Jordan finally came about an hour or so later, I had long stopped counting. He made eye contact with me and a smile came to my face. He looked down at his feet before walking towards the house—he had to pass me first.

"Here, have a forget-me-not," I offered with my hand out slightly. He stopped and looked up at me not seeming at all in a good mood. But did Jordan have a good mood? Because literally all I saw was his bad one and his worse one.

"A what?" Jordan's harsh voice seemed angry even when he was not. His dressing was the same as always. A pair of black sweatpants, a thin white t-shirt, and no shoes. His hair was slightly in disarray because of his hands running through it and his face was clear on any hair.

"A Forget-Me-Not, it's a flower."

"What do I want with a flower?" He scoffed his mouth twisting into a frown and his big palm crushing the flower underneath his grip. My face fell a little but I wasn't going to let it get to me in front of him. My eyes started to water, but I wasn't going to let myself cry; or at least not now. I pushed breath out slowly to keep my cool and not trying to dry heave like a baby.

"In medieval times Knights gave the flowers to their lovers to wear and the person who had them would not be forgotten by the one's who love them." I gave him a slight smile before closing my book and getting up from the tree branch and heading inside. I glanced behind me before I closed the door to see him glaring into the distance at nothing really.

If he didn't like flowers he could've just said so. He didn't have to be so rude about it. Remember Korali, this was how he was raised. I tried to think positively but that shit wasn't working. I wanted to go home. I needed to. This was unfair.

I decided to take my anger out into something more constructive. Jordan kept a sticky note of important numbers by the phone just in case of emergency so I used it to call Max.

"Hey, Max." My voice wavered a bit because of all the pent up emotion but I stayed steady. "Do you want to come over for dinner?"

I was glad to hear a yes as a reply and that Cailo couldn't make it because he was at his sister's bat mitzvah.

I got into the kitchen and started to cook up stewed potatoes, baby corn, carrots, and chicken. I made a cheesecake for dessert and I even had time to make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade.

The smell wafted through the house and even as I went back to my room to change into a pair of pajama pants, I could smell it. I mean I did have a dog nose, literally, but still.

I heard a knock at my door and I opened it to see Jordan standing there with a curious look on his face. I sighed and went back to placing my clothes back into my drawer.

"Korali," His deep voice uttering my name nearly undid me. I was melting onto the floor practically. My name was just my name, but coming from him it was like orgasmic.

It was the first time he said my name since he's met me and it caused a ripple of lust to run through my body. I knew he could smell it or definitely see the change of my eyes from brown to a brighter glow of brown.

His eyes flashed to blue and one brown, so I knew his wolf was at the surface. "What are you turned on by?" He managed to get out pushing himself as far away from me as possible. He seemed turbulent, when lust was leaking out of my pours.

"I have no idea." I managed to moan out, not being able to control it. Any other time I would be embarrassed, but this was out of my control. It got quiet for a second, Jordan's hands tearing into the wooden door, my heavy panting being the only audio.

"Come here."

Why would he say that after he just ran away from me? But my traitorous feet moved on their own accord to him, and he buried his face in my neck inhaling deeply. He hesitantly placed his hands on my arms and gripped tightly but not tight enough to hurt me. His nose grazed against my jugular and he settled in the crook of my neck. I could feel his canines extend and his tongue slightly touch my skin causing harsh shocks of passion to run through me making me moan.

That seemed to snap him out of it and pulled away from me and I accidentally fell to the floor.
He was just as quickly at my side helping me up into bed. He did a slow scan of my body making sure I had no injuries before he stood straight up and his eyes turn cold again.

"I came to ask what you were cooking for?" He forced, his eyes looking outside my room. His grip on my door handle, solid.

"I—I uh, I cooked for dinner. I invited Max over to eat dinner with me." His eyes flipped to me in an instant glare. But I didn't want to care about him being jealous; I'd hope he'd see his friend and realize that's how I should be treated, but who knows with him.

Before I could reply or even attempt to make the situation sound better—which most likely only would have made it worse, the doorbell rang, stopping our staring match.

"That must be Max," I mumbled, getting up from the bed and trying to pass Jordan who hands reached out and grabbed both of my arms.

We sat there for a minute, the doorbell ringing a few more times. "Max never rings the doorbell." He said suddenly, he inhaled slightly and then visibly relaxed. "It's Luton."

He let go of me, his tepid hands releasing me from their strong grip. I wanted to grab his arms and tell him to keep his hands on me. I just wanted to bask in his touch for a little while, to pretend everything was normal between us. But this was reality.

I watched as he walked away from me, his strides long as to get to the door quickly. I followed him not wanting to be left out for once.

Luton started to speak, well stutter. "Alpha—we spotted—I—we're not sure. It couldn't have been them." He seemed off, as if he saw something impossible or that he couldn't quite understand.

From my view I slightly off the way of Jordan and he wasn't paying much attention to me. I could see his eyes slightly twitch at his words. It was very brief and looking at Luton, I could tell he didn't notice a change.

Then Luton's eyes darted behind Jordan to me. Shit. Jordan immediately turned around and practically bared his teeth and growled at me. "Korali, shouldn't you be checking on dinner?" He asked through gritted teeth. My eyes drifted back to Luton who was looking at Jordan with curiosity and slight awe—which still never made sense to me.

I gasped at his reminder and I scurried to the kitchen to make sure my roast wasn't dry. When I walked into the kitchen I was suddenly spooked by Max's tall, lean figure preparing to knock against the crystal clear glass door paneling of the deck. I smiled and immediately waved him in.

"I smell Luton?" Was his first words and I pointed to the living room which he decided to check out first, and I didn't blame him since it was his job as Beta.

I started to grab plates I grabbed three unsure if Luton was staying and to be honest, I doubted it. It didn't seem like Jordan had a super comfortable vibe with his pack members. The brown oak table had a nice white threaded patterned sheet draped over top. I sat the plates down scooping a piece of the meat and vegetables with sauce strewn over the top, and placing it on top. I pulled a couple of rolls from the pantry placing them next to it.

The boys joined me in the kitchen five minutes later and luckily their plates bowl things were still piping hot. I smiled at Max who inhaled and as soon as he did; his stomach growled. I laughed gestured for them to dig in.

I sat next to Max who was scarfing down his food like he hadn't ate in years. I laughed at his dramatic behavior, eating leisurely because of Jordan. I felt self-conscious around him.

Meanwhile, Jordan's eyes were on his food. He blew softly onto the tender piece of chicken, sliding it into his mouth slowly. I don't know how eating could be so erotic, but for my hormones it was.

When I felt an elbow and a chuckle from Max I snapped out of my day-dreaming of my inattentive mate. I glared at Max only to have him lean into my ear, "Wipe off the drool, Flower." My mouth dropped open and I quickly wiped at my mouth chortling at my obvious ogling.

Somehow I could feel Jordan's attitude change. I don't know how, but I felt it. His anger seemed to sear into me from across the table and I back away from Max a little. But I think he felt it too.

"So Korali, how are you liking it here so far?" I knew Max was trying to change the subject, to make everyone a little bit more comfortable. Jordan was dragging it. He wasn't showing me any attention and Max was just being friendly, nothing more.

"Well I haven't seen much but the house and the part of the forest I'm allowed to walk down." And I decided that I wanted to actually hold a conversation. "And I met someone!" I smiled looking directly at Max, since he was the one who asked me the question.

"Met someone?" Jordan demanded, chewing roughly on what looked to be his last thing in his bowl.

"Yes, it was this very nice girl. She was trying to get to the pack doctor quicker. Her daughter ran out onto the field on accident." I rambled eating more of my food, smiling about the adorable little girl.

I was young, but in a few years, children were a definite must. I wonder how Jordan felt about them? I mean he was an Alpha; they were kind of required. Ha! I'm sitting here thinking about children, when my mate can barely tolerate being around me for too long. I'm going to have to push kids back a couple more years.

"She disobeyed and order." Why was that the first thing he thought of? It made me angry.

"You can't keep everyone away from me forever, Jordan."

"I can and I will."

"No you can't. I am a part of this pack too, despite not being an actual member for some odd reason."

"No you're not!"

I flinched back into my seat. I dropped my spoon back into my bowl and loudly scraped the chair against the floor as I got up and I left the room to go back to mine.

I was trying. I really was. I don't understand what he was being so protective of? Or was he just controlling?... Or embarrassed of me?

I don't know, but what I did know is that I didn't want to be here. That didn't mean I was going to give up though.

Do you think Jordan is being controlling or protective? Why do you think he doesn't want the rest of the pack to be around her? Max is so loveable right? Thoughts on Jordan and Korali's argument? How did you feel about the K+J flower situation? How do you feel about Korali, feeling like she doesn't belong? On a scale from 1-10 how mysterious was Luton's message? Do you think Jordan has a reason for being mean, or is it his personality?