Liam slowly entered the bedroom and found the fawn colored wolf lying on the bed on her side. With a rustling of clothes, he also stripped and shifted, moving over to the other side of the bed to jump up and lie beside her. She watched him guardedly, though she felt herself relax with him so near.

I'm not ready, she said sadly. He could feel her stress and fears hidden just under the surface. You may think me a coward, but...I...I can't, not yet. I can't be your mate. I am clearly not Luna material as you can see. How could I lead a pack when I can't even make a decision for myself? But, if I don't choose, my dad will pay for it. 

She didn't know why she was talking out loud, well, in her head, but as a wolf he could hear it as though she was. Maybe it was because she was comfortable with his wolf.

I am not trying to break you, Seren. But I have been searching for you for years and I cannot let you walk away. Whether you know it or not, this pack needs you. 

I didn't ask for this!

He stared at her wordlessly.

I only wanted to be left alone, she said sadly.

It wasn't meant to be, he said. You were made to be with me, a part of my pack. Wolves are not meant to be be alone. As my mate, you must be here. That is why I gave you such an easy alternative to the Intiation. I am trying to make everything easy on you, Seren. If I had it my way, I would just mark you right now and be done with it. 

She put her head on her paws and stared out the window.

You do not want to be my mate that much? he asked. 

I only want to be left alone. I can't give you what you want.

He looked at her for a moment and then turned his head away. I will need your decision this evening. They sat in silence for a long time, even skipping lunch. Finally he slid off the bed and turned and said, Gillie would like to play with you.

She waited for him to dress and wait in the office before she followed suit.  

They said nothing to each other and did not make eye contact as he took her to the apartments where Gillie and her mother stayed. Seren knocked twice and the door flew open, Gillie dragging her inside. 

"Bye, Alpha!" she said, shutting the door.

The next few hours were the blissful escape from reality Seren had needed, Gillie making up voices for all of her tiny plastic animal toys, from rabbits and farm animals, to dinosaurs and sea creatures. Seren played dutifully along, helping her defeat the evil mastermind, Dr. T. Rex and save all the baby animals. 

"Are you and Alpha going to have a baby?" she asked suddenly.

Seren inhaled so sharply, she choked on her own spit and had a coughing fit before she could even consider answering. "I don't think that is in the plan, sweetheart."

"Why not? Alpha loves you. He screamed when he couldn't find you and didn't smile the whole time you were gone."

Seren rubbed her sweaty palms on her pants. She hadn't known that, but she guessed Liam had just been extremely angry. "What do you think of Alpha, is he good? Or is he bad like Dr. T. Rex?"

"He is good! He is the alpha. He makes sure everything is fair and everyone does their share," she rhymed. "Besides, he is my uncle. He makes sure my mom and I are okay."

"Y-your uncle?"

"My mom is his little sister!"

"Why isn't she the Luna?"

"Gosh, Seren. Don't be silly. Lunas are the Alpha's mate! The Wind Runners have never had one," she said.

"Liam built this pack out of several weaker ones years ago," Cara said. Seren whipped her head around and saw Gillie's mother standing in the doorway. "The last Luna anyone knew of was quite old and passed when her mate did. Some of the other packs were more like little clusters of wolves here and there. He has since united them all and implemented strong training programs to get us where we are today."

"See?" Gillie said. "Never."

Cara chuckled. "Why don't you put up your toys while I walk Seren back to Uncle's office?"

"Okay! Bye, Seren!"

"See you later, Gillie," she replied, following Cara out into the long hallway. 

"He's not so bad, a little stern, but I'm sure if anyone can melt his icy exterior, it would be you," she said. "My mate was killed by a rogue a few years ago. I will appologize for everyone's treatment of you when they first found you. Please know that having a mate is a blessing; I would do anything to have Christian back. We are all so happy that you are here and I hope you will give both Liam and the rest of us a chance to show you that we aren't the type of pack you are used to." She smiled sadly.

Seren realized they were at Liam's double doors. "I will," she whispered. 

Cara gave her a gentle hug and when she pulled away, Seren saw that one of the doors was open and the Alpha was standing there, as dark and expressionless as usual. Unsurprisingly, her body threw a fit.

"Thank you, Cara. I will see you at dinner," he rumbled.

Seren met his eyes and felt a chill run down her back as his presence seemed to pull her through the doorway as if by some magnetic force. She didn't think to fight it, her mind supple and empty of anything but him and his alluringly enchanting scent. She heard the click of the door behind her, but could not tear herself from his darkening gaze.

The worst part was that she wanted him to lean forward and pull her into his arms, to kiss her as softly as he had the one time before when she had fainted. Had he even kissed her then? Or had it been an illusion of the lightheadedness? She felt her eyes wander to his mouth, turned down in a scowl, but still so kissable. 

"How did it go?" his deep voice cut right through her trance and she blinked rapidly, feeling the blush creeping up into her cheeks. She saw the corner of his mouth turn up just slightly in a smirk.  He knew exactly what he had done to her and was amused by her lack of self control. Two coul playat that game.

"It went well," she said smoothly, moving away from him. "Gillie told me a lot about you."

He looked suspicious. "Like what?" 

Was that...a hint of insecurity? Seren couldn't help her grin as she turned toward the bedroom door. "Oh, nothing."

Liam's growl answered her question. "Well, since you have enjoyed yourself so much already today, I guess there is no reason to ask if you wanted to see some of our territory before dinner.'

Seren's head whipped back around. The temptation to run freely outside was too great for her to pass up with a trivial pissing contest. But with the glint in his eyes, she knew that game had turned back in his favor. "Would the Alpha really let his rogue prisoner out of his impenetrable fortress?"

"If my prisoner would stop being so cheeky, I would consider it. Besides, it's not like I would let you out of my sight," he growled protectively.

"Pft," she giggled. "If you could even keep up. You'd have a hard time seeing through my dust."

Seren saw his muscles bunch under his shirt and he swiftly strode passed her into the bedroom. "If that is so, then I guess I should leave you here and go for a run myself. I wouldn't have to share all that fresh mountain air and land with anyone." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye over his shoulder when she followed after him.  

"But I want to go!" she said before she could stop herself. She quickly snapped her jaw shut as he pivoted, looming over her.

"Oh, really?" he smirked. 

The simple movement of his lips drove her crazy inside, made her stomach do somersaults and all she could do was nod once. He leaned closer until he was only inches away and her breath hitched, her heartbeat increasing in speed. She blushed, knowing he could hear it easily. 

"Your decision then," he said, carefully catching her glance with his eyes so that she couldn't look away. Where had he gotten this new power of hypnotism from?

Seren wanted to panic, logically this topic made her a bundle of nerves, but with him so close and dangling something so precious over her head, picking one didn't seem so hard. It came down to letting him have his way with her, or joining his pack with a small cut of the hand. What was a little pain to preserve her virtue and escape route? "I..." she looked a his lips fleetingly and watched as his eyes turned from a glowing tropical blue to a stormcloud gray. "I'll do the Initiation," she whispered. 

His dark blue-gray eyes moved to her lips and the scent of him enveloped her senses, drowning her in a heady feeling that she could not surface from. He leaned forward as his warm hand came up and speared his fingers into her hair, taking her mouth roughly and biting her lip just hard enough to draw a bit of blood. A jolt of pain and pleasure rocketed down her body, confusing her terribly as he pulled away just as quickly with a lazy grin. Dazed, she stepped back into the wall, trying to collect herself while she sucked on her stinging lip, pouting, but the sight of him grinning absolutely stunned her. He looked like a god he was so handsome and his devious smirk only added to the effect. 

"I'm glad you didn't faint this time," he murmered. 

Seren growled at him. "Maybe I will take you up on that fighting challenge. I would love to punch you right now."

One of his eyebrows lifted. "Hmm. But we know what that would turn into now don't we?" His eyes were still dark, insinuating that his mind had not been quite so eager to pull away from that kiss.

"I want to go outside. Now," she snapped at him. Seren turned and practically ran out of the room, tearing the double doors open as he followed right behind her, chuckling, which only made her want him more. Her hands started shaking at her sides with the desire to punch him right in his gut.

Well...rock hard, toned, eight-pack. RAH!

He moved slightly in front of her as she approached the front door, opening it for her with a slight bow. Seren slipped out into the fresh air, the cool breeze a welcomed caress across her cheek, bringing with it all the scents she knew and loved, easing the tension from her shoulders and making her completely forget about the man standing behind her. 

Her muscles coiled and she sprung out onto the plush and trimmed grass, sprinting for all she was worth for the tree line. Suddenly, a strong arm slipped around her waist, sending a tidal wave of tingling sweetness through her abdomen and down her legs, the strength of it lifting her slightly in the air and whirling her around to get rid of her momentum. 

Seren almost couldn't breathe with the way her body was responding to him. And she hadn't even accepted him!

"Seren," his husky voice growled in her ear. 

She shivered under his arm, her back against that solid wall that was his stomach and chest. "W-what?" she half-groaned, half-stammered. "Come on!"

"I need to know you aren't going to try to escape from me. Because I've got wolves out there to back me up and now that I have your scent memorized..." He paused as his nose buried slightly in her hair and he inhaled, making her tremble again which only served to tighten his hold on her. "You can't hide from me again. I will find you," he promised.

"F-fine. W-whatever," she breathed.

Liam slowly released her and she turned to face him, pointedly not looking him in the eye. 

"Can we shift now?" she asked.

He silently led her to the cover of the trees and started unbuttoning his shirt. Seren was not about to stay to watch, because she didn't trust herself alone with him even half naked. I don't even think I can sleep in the bed with him again.

She made sure that she was completely hidden from view before she quickly pulled her dress off and shifted, stepping out and acknowledging his own wolf form. He looked so regal, almost like a statue, unmovingly watching her. 

So of course she play bowed him. And of course he huffed at her. Seren stood up straight and shook her head, marching up to him as if to chastize him and snapped her teeth at him. Liam pulled his head back in surprise, a growl rumbling his body. It was harder for him to ignore any disrespect in this form. 

He had been pushing her all day, right up until she wanted to just strangle him, so it was only fair she get him back. Suddenly, she turned around, foofing his face with her fluffy tail. She glanced over her shoulder at his shocked and indignant expression, laughing at him in her head before taking off.

His loud snarl was scary, but she wasn't slowing down, zigzagging through the tree trunks just to keep him busy while he cooled off. With his giant form, he was struggling compared to her. No other wolf would have noticed anything but agility and grace on his part, but Seren had almost grown up entirely in her wolf form and being an alpha's mate no doubt played a part in her speed. He was also twice her size and couldn't fit easily through most of the tight places she squeezed through, nor match her hairpin turns when all that muscle threw him off. 

All of a sudden, there was silence. No panting, no growling, no commanding her to stop, just silence. Seren slowed to a trot and turned around, scanning the forest for a giant black wolf that would be rather obvious. Though, most likely less obvious in the green and shadows than a golden one. Her ear turned toward the sound of a twig snapping, but it was from the complete opposite direction that Liam came flying, his chest barrelling into her side as he flipped her over with his nose. They rolled once before the alpha had his smaller prey stuck between his paws on her back, looking very disoriented. 

Why must you always defy me? He asked, growling when she struggled. She tried to put her paws on his chest and push herself free, but he showed he showed her his teeth and she met his eyes.

Because...I'm not in your cult. I don't have to do what you tell me. You aren't the boss of me, she said rather childishly.

I will be soon. You should start practicing. His eyes seemed to sparkle with micheviousness. In fact, I can feel our bond growing stronger, perhaps I do have some authority over you yet.

Yeah, right, she yawned. 

Seren, he said in that low, almost whispered tone, her name reverberating in her head. When his gaze locked on her this time, she was lost in the teal pools of his eyes. He drew her to him and scattered her thoughts away until he was the only thing she saw, heard and felt. Shift for me, Liam murmured.

Seren felt her body shudder of its own accord in response to his silky voice, felt the heat race through her veins and muscles as she started to change back. With a wrench, she tore away from him, scrambling out from under his legs, putting distance between them as she panted and glared at him. He had nearly made her shift! Then, she would have been lying naked beneath him! NAKED!

She bared her teeth at him and gave him a vicious snarled before pivoting on her haunches and running back toward the pack house. They had already run for a long time and her alpha-defeating speed had been used up for the day, so Liam quickly caught up with her. He could feel how angry she was yet she felt no type of strong emotion from him, not even the lust she had expected. She guessed he was waiting to talk about it later, but he would have a hard time when he would be getting an earfull of colorful words.

She unknowingly fell into step by his flank as she had during their walks to the cabin, but they were treading land unfamiliar to her. He dutifully guided her back to her clothes and she had shifted and changed before he even had a chance to button his shirt. She stomped right up to him and as his lips parted to speak, her hand flew across his cheek hard enough to make her palm sting strongly.

 His eyes were smoldering with rage and his chest shook with a thunderous rumble. Seren didn't care how mad she made him. How dare he try to force her to become naked in front of him? He was nothing more than a pervert and a kinapper. She swung at him again, but he was too fast and shackled her wrist in his huge hand, dragging her toward him so that his face was inches away. All at once, his scent enveloped her, making it hard to focus on just why she was mad at him, his size and proximity scaring her. 

"No," he growled. "Never challenge me. I knew you wouldn't shift, Seren. You were in no danger."

"You're a pervert!" she snapped. 

"If that were the case, it still wouldn't matter. You are my mate and I have every right to see you naked, the only right. I'm making an effort to make the transition into my pack easier on you, but it won't change the fact that you are mine. Do not take for granted what I am giving you. I could take you, right here, right now and be done with all of this disobedience," he said, his eyes becoming nearly black as he considered it. 

She tugged against his restraint, feeling the dangerous shudder of her body telling her to ask him to do just that roll through her, but he didn't let her budge. "I'm not yours! I will never be yours! I belong to myself," she spat at him, hitting his huge chest with her small fist. "I'm not joining your pack for any other reason than to keep my dad safe. I'll never-"

Liam growled and bent swiftly, slamming his shoulder into her hips and scooping her up into the air so she dangled, draped over his muscles. At once, he started marching across the lawn to the house.

"Put me down! What are you doing!? I can walk just fine!"

"Then you should have demonstrated that when I was telling you to stop."

"We were playing," she protested. "We were just having fun and running!"

"I'm having loads of fun now," he replied, giving her a slap on the ass. 

She squealed angrily. "I hate you! I'm going to kill you in your sleep you asshole!"

"You are only justifying what I am going to do to you, Seren," he laughed, opening the front door of the house and climbing the stairs.

A shot of coldness ran down her back. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?" she asked fearfully. 

"I'm going to mark you," he replied.

She screamed hysterically, hoping someone would hear as she hit his back and tried to squirm out of his hold. "You can't! That wasn't the deal! I didn't pick that one! You can't! Please!"

"I told you, I'm not asking anymore."