5.

-

"Are these for me?"

Curt nodded as he held them out to me. The way he held the vase of flowers away from him was obviously foreign and very stiff, like he's never given flowers to a girl before.

"They're beautiful," I breathed, touching the rose petals and patting the baby's breath. I leaned in and inhaled, savoring the floral scent.

A smile spread across my lips as I took the vase in my hands and stood on the tips of my toes to give him a one-armed hug.

As I pulled away Curt drew me in closer and fully embraced me. He squeezed a little too tightly, the hug being out of place and awkward but I tolerated it. Waking up to flowers at nine o'clock in the morning by someone who obviously doesn't show their feelings to just anyone was enough to loosened me up.

When he released me, he wasn't smiling but I read certain contentment on his face.

"Thank you, Curt," I said, genuinely. "They're beautiful."

He nodded again and put his hands in his pockets. "The humans downtown made them."

I paused at the way he said "humans", like he wasn't one, then said, "Oh. How nice of them."

Curt nodded then said, "What are you doing today?"

"Nothing, why?" I said, hoping I didn't sound too eager. I did nothing practically everyday because I had no one to be around. So any opportunities I had to socialize I wanted to grasp onto before it could slip away.

"Do you want to come to my house and . . . hang out?" He said the last two words like he was quoting somebody, like the term was foreign to his tongue.

"Sure! When?"

"Now."

I frowned and looked down at my sleepwear attire, slightly embarrassed that I forgot I was still in my pajamas. "Well, I'm not exactly dressed to go anywhere. Afternoon, maybe?"

Curt's eyes traveled down my body slowly which I thought could be taken two ways: One, he could've been judging me based on my pajama shorts which were littered with little bright pink cupcakes; or two, he could've been checking me out. But his face revealed nothing of his thoughts, and I didn't know if I should have been concerned or not. Instead, he looked me back in the eye.

"Okay," Curt said, nodding. "I'll be back at twelve."

"My mother isn't home," Curt told me as we made our way to his living room.

It wasn't a large nor was it small but just the perfect size to make the room look cozy and comfortable. There was no TV, but two large navy blue couches on either side of the room and two chairs in the corners. The windows were the only source of light in the room, opened wide with the white lace curtains blowing slightly with the breeze. It was cute, I concluded.

Curt plopped down on the couch, making the hard wood floor groan in protest from beneath his great weight.

"Oh," I said, turning my attention back to him. "Where is she?"

"Out," came his brilliant reply.

I felt the pit of my stomach drop with both thrill and dread. We were alone. This could be either really good or really really bad.

"Huh," I said, nodding. "Well, okay then."

Curt made a significant glance to the emptiness beside him and patted it with his hand. I made my way to the couch and sat next to him, sinking into the couch's soft cushion. With one fluid motion, Curt swung his massive arm so that it was wrapped around my shoulder. I could tell by the contrasting lightness of his arm's muscular physical appearance to it resting on my shoulder that he was supporting most of his weight so as not to crush my shoulders.

"So," I said, breaking the silence, "tell me more about this werewolf stuff."

Curt glanced down at me. "What do you want to know?"

"Let's see," I drawled, wracking my brain for some questions. "How come you guys can transform without it being a full moon? I thought you couldn't otherwise."

He shrugged. "At the age of ten, anyone with werewolf blood can transform at their will. It's a matter of preference. Some like their human forms, some like their wolf forms. Others use their wolf forms to simply travel places quicker. The idea of only being able to transform on a full moon is myth."

"Then what's the difference between a regular day versus a full moon?"

"We're animals," he said, bluntly. "Pure animals on the day of a full moon. Even more so at night. Whether we want to or not, once night begins and the full moon rises, we must transform. The full moon brings out our true being, the one thing that liberates us of our human bodies once a month. It sets free our inner wolf. This is the one time we can completely let go of our human morals and give in to our animal instincts without hesitance," he said. A blissful and awestruck smile was prominent on his face, his brown eyes seeming to look through mine, as if he were in a daydream. Then he grimaced, looking down. "The feeling is unlike any other. I feel sorry for you that you've never experienced such a feeling."

I shrugged. "I've never been through it so I wouldn't know what it feels like anyway. Sounds pretty cool, though," I added with a smile. Then I wrinkled my nose. "Except maybe for the whole letting loose thing. It sounds a little disturbing."

Curt's his eyes met mine, a questioning look gracing his features.

"I don't mean literally disturbing," I said, quickly, "just . . . I don't know. Becoming completely an animal? Animals kill and don't know right from wrong—"

"Yes, we do," he snapped, his voice deepening coldly and I had to repress the shiver creeping up my spine. His eyes narrowed and by the defensive gleam in his eyes I could tell he's had this argument with others before. "We decipher right from wrong based on instinct. We don't let our foolish human minds let us fall prey to trickery."

"But instinct can be wrong."

"Not our instincts. We're never wrong." Curt's eyes narrowed further and he lifted his nose in the air, the coldness in his eyes blazing. "You wouldn't understand because you're just a human. You were born from a human, raised as a human, and as a result, think like a human. You are weak and you will never understand."

"I'm not completely human," I said, so low that if he didn't have overly sensitive hearing he wouldn't have understood. It was the only defense I could think of, the only thing that I could fire back with. It made me feel weak.

"Maybe not biologically but mentally you are."

"Why are you trying to make me feel bad for being human?"

"Because humans are weak," he snapped.

I felt my eyebrows rise. "Wow," I said, nodding my head slowly. This was so wrong. A hate crime against . . . humans? There's a first. "I wish I was a werewolf so I could be as hot-headed as you," I added bitterly.

He smirked. "I think that's my best trait."

"I don't."

"I know," he said, still smirking.

"You don't find your attitude to be a little . . . unnerving?"

"No. I think my attitude is perfectly fine."

I frowned. "Oh, really. I find it very unattractive"

Curt nodded. A sly grin slowly began to rise on his face. "Don't find me attractive, Haley? You didn't seem to mind me so much last night."

My face instantly flamed. "That—what—last night was different," I spluttered.

To my despair and, I'm sure, to his complete pleasure, Curt fed off my embarrassment like a leopard to an unattended baby antelope.

He tilted his head to the side, feigning confusion. "What was so different, Haley?"

"I-I don't know," I said, my cheeks still on fire. He was toying with me and by the smirk I could tell he loved every minute of it. "You weren't arrogant, for starters," I added, even though I knew I was going to lose this battle.

Curt started to lean closer to my face, a devilish gleam in his eye full of intent. "You think I'm arrogant?"

I nodded even as his face crept closer to mine.

Why did he have to have such a perfect body? I cried to myself. The way his biceps moved and the way his chest stood out, prominent and strong from under his shirt was absolute physical perfection overload for one girl. And he was getting closer and closer to me.

I shot up in my seat. "I'm thirsty, where's you kitchen?"

A mixture of amusement as well as disappointment showed on his face, standing up beside me, towering over me. He walked past me into the hallway and I took that as my cue to follow.

As I entered the small kitchen from behind him he gestured to an empty seat at the table while he opened a cabinet and pulled out a glass. I took a seat, and drummed my fingers on the wooden table. "So-o . . ." I drawled. "What's your beef with Fox?"

Curt's lips draw back into a snarl and he scoffs as he turned on the tap and shoved the glass underneath the running water. "That's none of your business."

I grimaced. "That was a bit harsh."

Once the cup was filled, he made his way over to the table, setting it down firmly in front of me. By the whites of his hands gripping the glass I could tell he was tense.

"Why do you want to know, anyway?" he asked, sounding a little irritated.

"Because he's my friend."

"And do I ask you why you're friends with him?" he asked coolly.

"No . . ." I trailed off.

He sent me a smug smile, but I wasn't willing on giving up.

"You almost killed him," I pointed out. "Obviously there's something wrong."

"I didn't almost kill him," he said evenly, and took a seat opposite of mine. "He needs to learn his place."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Why do you talk like that? 'Learn his place'," I repeated after him, mimicking his arrogant tone. "It makes you sound pompous."

He frowned at me but didn't seem to take it to heart. "The lack of respect I receive from Fox is unacceptable for a man of my powerful position."

If my eyebrows weren't attached to my head they would've been soaring through the roof. "Wow, Curt," I chuckled, "pretentious, much?"

Curt's monstrous shoulders shrugged, then he stiffened. Brown eyes widened in alert as he lifted his nose in the air and sniffed. Seeming to identify the source of his initial worry, Curt's shoulders relaxed and he leaned back in his chair.

"What was that about?" I asked, and got my answer as I heard the front door open.

"Curt!" a voice sang from the door. A young and very peppy feminine voice.

I turned back to Curt, my eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Who is that?" I whispered

"I'm Wendy," the girl answered from behind me.

Curt's eyes were glued to me, looking for some sort of a reaction. I frowned at him, not knowing why he was staring at me so intently, and turned in my seat to match the voice with a face.

Wendy. Tall, gorgeous, shiny long brunette haired Wendy. Perfect summer tanned Wendy. She wore a short pink skirt, leaving very little to the imagination, a tight white tank top with heels. I looked down at my light blue t-shirt, blue jean shorts and flip-flops with chagrin. My dull hazel eyes paled in comparison to her bright baby blues.

Wendy smirked, like she knew I was comparing our physical appearances, and that I lost.

With a fluent grace she exaggerated the swagger of her hips as she walked towards Curt, her gaze no longer on me. She stopped behind Curt's chair, wrapping her arms around his broad chest, resting her head in the crook of his neck. With another smirk, her eyes never leaving mine, she leaned in and nipped the side of his neck.

"It's been so long, love," Wendy cooed, closing her eyes and taking in his scent.

I looked away from them, blushing at the scene. My eyes started to burn, like I was going to cry but I swallowed my tears. Curt and I aren't dating, I told myself. Anyone can do whatever he or she want to him whenever they want and I shouldn't feel hurt. But I couldn't ignore the pang of jealousy and pain in the pit of my stomach.

Curt, on the other hand, acted oblivious to Wendy's actions and instead watched me carefully. He was looking for something; I could tell by the way his eyes were searching mine. But I didn't know what.

Wendy raked her nails across Curt's chest, eliciting a deep moan and shiver from his body. He wasn't touching her back, but he didn't push her away. The pang in my stomach grew worse as she gave me another look and continued to rub his chest in an intimate way.

"Want to go somewhere, love?" Wendy cooed in his ear, taking a nip at his earlobe.

"I do," I piped in, shooting up from my char. I couldn't take anymore. My cheeks, my scalp and my ears felt on fire. Avoiding their stares, I made my way out of the kitchen and said in a hurried voice, "I'll just walk home. Thanks for inviting me over, Curt. Nice meeting you, Wendy."

"Haley, wait," Curt said in an even and very commanding tone.

I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at him, avoiding Wendy's triumphant gaze in my direction.

Curt used his hands to pry Wendy's welcoming arms off of him, the first acknowledgment of her presence he gave her all day. Curt then picked up the keys from the table and walked past me, proceeding to the front door. "I'll drive you home."

I gave Wendy—who was still smiling in victory—one last hurried "bye" before turning to follow Curt.

****

We were parked in my driveway. The car was silent and I had to look out the window to relieve some of the tension I felt. I wasn't sure why I felt tension, but I did.

"Thanks for the ride," I said before opening the car door. He didn't respond, which didn't help how awkward I felt. "I guess I'll, uh, see you later."

Suddenly Curt extended his arm across me, taking the door handle in his hand, and slammed it shut. I watched him, waiting for him to speak but he didn't.

"What?" I finally asked.

"You can't let that happen again."

I frowned and played with my nails. "Sorry. I keep telling my mom that she should get me my own car and all because it's like I'm one giant burden on people, but she doesn't listen, ya know?"

"I'm not talking about that," he snapped, the frustration leaking in his tone like acid.

I paused. "Then what are you—"

"The fucking Wendy situation, Haley," he yelled. His eyes were wild as he raised his voice at me and it took everything in my will not to look away from him.

"I don't get what you mean," I said, my voice contrastingly light to his.

"When we become mates, you cannot be weak," he seethed. "I'm the Alpha in this pack and since you are my mate, everyone—especially me—expects you to be as strong as I am. You can't back down to anyone or anything. Females like Wendy are always going to challenge you for your position. They won't respect you if you sit quietly and let them stomp all over your territory."

My mind was spinning, the anger boiling and rising in my stomach more than ever. I couldn't process all that he threw at me. All these . . . wolf terms were too much. I could feel my jaw unhinging, hanging open in and starring at him in a blank stupor.

"What makes you think I'm going to be your 'mate'?" I hissed, emphasizing my bitterness on the word "mate".

"It was decided long ago, before you were born," he said, the anger still haven't left his voice. "The pack leader's pup is always assigned a strong mate. Since I'm going to be the next Alpha I will be your mate."

"But you're not Alpha yet," I countered.

"I already told you: I will be this pack's next Alpha," he said, his confidence unwavering. "And you will be my mate."

The anger in the pit of my stomach burst into an inferno. The never-ending confidence in him made me want to kick him off his high pedestal and put him in his place then rub his nose in his bull. Why he would be so confident in something as fragile as an egg shell made me realize that he wasn't giving me a choice on the matter, but that it was an accepted fact amongst all that I would be his "mate".

I shook my head at him and looked away from his overbearing eyes to out the window. "I didn't ask to be your mate and never agreed, Curt. I don't know why you think that this is a one hundred percent concrete deal when it's not."

A deep snarl erupted from the back of Curt's throat, vicious and frightening. He threw his head down on the steering wheel, causing the horn to go off. But he didn't let up. His whole body began to shake, his skin stretching tightly against his muscles. The hands that gripped the steering wheel were now clutching onto it so hard that his hands began turning white. I thought he was going to burst.

My anger slipped away, fear replacing it.

"Curt, calm down," I tried to say soothingly but my voice shook with fear.

There was a loud crunching sound followed by another. The ripping of leather and a groaning noise I couldn't identify sounded through the tiny car as he yanked the steering wheel from it's place.

"FUCK!" Curt bellowed, making me jump.

Curt threw himself back into the seat, the seat snapping and bending back farther than it was supposed. Curt opened the car's door with one swift and very powerful kick and threw the steering wheel into the open air. The door landed on my driveway's pavement with a loud clanging and skidded onto the grass, teetering until it was steady. Curt's face red and distorted, like he was holding his breath, launched himself out of the car, and broke into a run before disappearing behind the trees.

I trembled from the fear but also felt a little relieved. I was okay. He didn't hurt me. I was going to be okay.

With shaky hands, I unbuckled my seatbelt and steadied my hand long enough to grab the door handle and open it. I stepped out of the car slowly, my muscles stiff and unresponsive, and shut the door gently behind me.

Familiar voices drifted from the outside into my window, alerting me.

I jumped up from the couch running to the door and throwing it open. And, just like I had thought, two very familiar people with red and blond heads stood in my driveway before the abandoned car, bickering with each other.

"Hey!" I called out to them and rushed forward.

Both of them turned their attention on me. Evan was the only one who smiled.

"Hi, Haley," Evan said.

"Why did he brake his car?" Kyle snapped at me.

"About that . . ." I trailed off. "Do you think you guys can take care of that? Because I've been sitting in my house thinking of all different kinds of explanations to tell my mother why there is a car with no steering wheel and a missing door. So far, none of them sound plausible."

Kyle glared. "What set him off?"

"How was your date?" Evan said, ignoring Kyle.

"If a car whose steering wheel has been torn off is any indication, obviously not well. And It wasn't a date," I said quickly. Then I turned to Kyle. "Why don't you ask Curt yourself? You're his friend, aren't you?"

Kyle shrugged. "Can't find him."

"Well, we can," Evan said, "but he doesn't want to be near anyone right now. We followed his scent for about an hour until we finally found him. He fought with Kyle—"

"And I didn't even fucking do anything," Kyle whined.

"So we left him to himself," Evan continued. "He was angry about something, though."

"What'd you say to him?" Kyle asked accusingly.

"Nothing that he should be that angry over," I said.

"That could be debatable depending on what you said."

I took a deep breath then said, "Everything was fine this morning with the flowers and the hug but then when he came back in the afternoon to pick me up he started acting like an arrogant ass the whole day. And he just assumes that I'm going to bow down to him and take his bull crap like everyone else. And he, just like everyone else, assumes that I'm going to be his, uh, 'mate'."

Evan turned his attention to Kyle now. "What'd you say to him?"

"Nothing," Kyle said, averting his eyes to the ground.

Evan shook his head at Kyle then said, "Sorry, Haley. I believe we owe you an explanation."

"I said I didn't tell him nothing!" Kyle roared.

Evan put his hand in Kyle's face as if to silence him, then continued. "You see, after I walked you home last night Curt and I had a little discussion. He told me he didn't know how to act towards you, because it's been so long since he's seen you. He wanted advice," he said. "He didn't want to be awkward around you. So I suggested that he buy you something nice and show some emotion towards you, like affection. Which would explain the flowers. And Kyle," Evan added, taking a deep breath, "is going to explain for Curt's 'arrogant' attitude."

Kyle shook his head and folded his arms across his chest. "I'm tellin' you I didn't say a word to him."

Evan gave Kyle a pointed look.

"I swear it."

Evan continued to stare at him and folded his arms across his chest, just as Kyle was. They stood opposite each other, Kyle glaring at Evan and Evan staring back with disbelief. A pregnant pause ensued.

"Fine," Kyle huffed and unfolded his arms, throwing his hands up in the air with defeat. "I might have given him some advice, too."

"Yeah, I already know. Explain it to her," Evan said, gesturing to me with the nod of his head.

Kyle huffed and shoved his hands in his pockets, kicking a defenseless rock from his vicinity. "While he was giving you the flowers, I was in the bushes watching—don't look at me like that, I wasn't being a pervert about it, I was just curious—and afterwards he asked me if it went well. I told him he was being too soft," he mumbled.

"That's all?" Evan inquired, obviously not buying Kyle's story.

"No." Kyle glared at Evan accusingly while speaking, as if he were mad at Evan for making him tell the story. "I told him that females don't like a males who's too soft and that he had to man up and be more confident. He needed to remind her that he's going to be the Alpha of the pack and that he should flaunt it because that would impress her."

Evan pinched the space between his eyes like he had a headache and squeezed his eyes shut. "Why would you say that to him?"

"That's what I would've done if I were him," Kyle explained.

"You wonder why you don't have a mate," Evan said. Then he turned to me. "So whatever happened between you two is obviously our fault. And we apologize and only hope that you will forgive him."

"Except there's one major flaw to this whole story," I said. When they stared at me with questioning looks, I continued, "He didn't have to act like that. At all, actually."

Evan cut in before Kyle could open his mouth, who looked like he was going to reply to my statement.

"You have to understand Curt fully to know why he acts the way he does, Haley," Evan said. "He's very much lost when it comes to females and isn't used to the . . . do's-and-don'ts of dating."

"We're not dating, though," I clarified.

"Okay, fine. Then he's not used to having a relationship with a female," he rephrased.

"Didn't seem that way when Wendy stopped by," I said, trying not to let the small hurt I felt show.

"Curt's a lucky bastard," Kyle mumbled.

Evan rolled his eyes and shoved Kyle. "Be a little more sensitive, will ya?"

"It's fine, I don't care," I lied.

"Whatever she did while she was there I know that it must've been real petty and obnoxious," he said, and I couldn't help but nod in agreement. Evan grimaced. "Sorry you have to deal with that. But don't take it seriously. She was trying to make you jealous—"

And it worked, I thought to myself.

"—and ruin things for you and Curt," he said. "They're the jealous ones, Haley. Because they know the leading position Curt's going to be in soon and want to be alongside that."

"Well, duh," Kyle scoffed. "Why would a girl want you if you weren't strong?"

"Kyle, you are –not- making things easier right now, ya know that?" Evan sighed.

Kyle shrugged. "Whatever, we just came here for the car which we can't even fucking drive. Not to cheer her up." Kyle then looked at the sun in the sky, just about to set. "And we're going to be late."

"You're right," Evan sighed, then he looked at me. "I truly hope you can forgive Curt for this moron's influence."

Kyle scoffed at Evan before turning to leave. With Kyle gone, I felt a little more at ease talking with Evan. Before he could leave, I started to express the feelings that I felt like I couldn't tell anyone else about.

"It's not even the fact that he was acting pompous that set me off, though," I said, stopping Evan before he went to follow Kyle. "That was part of the reason and my tolerance for it was thinning, but that wasn't all. He kept telling me that I was going to be his mate without a care for whether or not I wanted to. He kept talking about our future like there were no flaws and that it was definitely going to happen. That really bothered me that he automatically assumed I was okay with all this."

"I think you have the wrong impression of him, Haley," Evan said shaking his head. "It sounds to me like you're scared he's forcing this upon you—when, yeah, he kind of is, I know. But he would never make you do anything you wouldn't want to. If, for some reason, you decide not to be with him, he'll respect that. The thing is, even if you deny him, he's going to wait for you, Haley," Evan added. "No matter what."

"But why, though? Why me and not the other girls like Mandy or Wendy?" I asked, relieved that I could finally ask these questions. "I'm not one of you guys. I'm not a werewolf."

"You're half, which means that you have wolf blood running through your veins. That's enough to make you one of us," he said solidly. "Even if you weren't part of us I don't think he would've cared about that anyway."

"But why?"

"I think his feelings for you run deeper than you just being the old pack leader's daughter," he said.

I shook my head, still not understanding. "I still don't get why."

"That's something you and him need to discuss. I can't really speak for him," he said, smiling. He looked at the setting sun with an anxious expression, then back at me. "I'm sorry to cut the conversation short but I've got to go, too. Have a goodnight, Haley. And please, think about what I said. Try to forgive him."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'll think about it."

Evan smiled and flashed a short wave of goodbye before turning his back and walking away.

*****

Shove.

I rolled over on my side, ignoring the minor discomfort and sighed.

Shove. Shove.

"Stop, mom," I groaned, keeping my eyes closed. "I'll get up in a minute."

"Not your mom."

My eyes flew open. I recognized that voice.

"How did you get in my house?" I asked him, squinting at his dark outline.

"Your window's open."

Sitting up, I rubbed the sleep away from my eyes, a loud and very obnoxious yawn escaping my mouth. I used my free hand to turn on my bedside lamp. Fox stood at my side wearing a loose navy blue shirt and jean shorts. His brown shaggy hair looked tussled and ratty, like he hadn't brushed his hair in days. He looked frazzled and almost wild.

I then looked over to see my curtains blowing in the breeze of the wide opened window. I frowned a little. "Oh. I forgot to close it," I said, belatedly realizing that that statement was overly obvious. Shaking my head, I said, "So, um . . . why are you here?"

"To warn you."

I frowned. "About what?"

"Curt," he said. "And his intentions with you."

I rolled my eyes. "I think everyone knows about that. And since when did you think it was okay to enter my house in the middle of the night?" I added. "My brain might still be a little fuzzy from sleep but I promise you that I won't be okay with this in the morning."

"This isn't funny, Haley." Fox came closer to the bed and sat down beside my feet, taking my hands in his. I looked down at our hands together, and back at him. Genuine concern dominated his usual boyish demeanor.

I hesitated. "Is it that serious?"

"Do you want him?"

I felt my cheeks warm. "That's a pretty blunt question."

"Yes or no."

"I don't know, Fox. I've hung out with him, like, twice. And about that night one night," I added, letting my agitation show, "Why did you leave me alone with Curt? You knew I was scared of him. He was a giant wolf, for God's sake. An angry giant wolf."

"I know, Haley, and I'm sorry about that but I can't explain that now," he said. "I don't have much time to talk to you so please listen. Whether you want to or not, Curt's going to mate with you."

"So I've been told," I said flatly. "Not the first time I've heard this, Fox."

"This is different."

I shook my head. "I don't get what you mean."

"On the full moon, Haley, Curt won't be able to control himself. He's already made it clear that he wants you as his mate. On the day of the full moon he plans to mate you. Whether you want to or not. He'll drop whatever bull shit I'm-just-misunderstood act that he's been playing you with on that day."

"What do you mean? Like . . . rape?"

"Yes, Haley."

I paused. "But Evan told me that Curt wouldn't do that to me. He told me that Curt would wait for me. That when I was ready for him—"

"They're lying to you, Haley."

I never really thought about that fact. Evan seemed like a very easy guy to talk to, and he seemed like a genuine person but could it all be an act for Curt? That would be too good, though. But then again, why would Fox be lying to me? As far as I knew he had no motive to sprout unnecessary conflict.

It was just a matter of who could I trust more.

"How do you know this?" I asked slowly.

"I've known Curt for longer than most anybody besides his mother has known him and I know what his true intentions are with you," Fox said. "They've all been lying to you. He's not going to wait. His ego's bigger than that."

"I don't know Fox," I said, grimacing. "Don't you think this is all . . . reaching, just a bit?"

Fox rolled his eyes and groaned in frustration. "Haley, I'm not lying to you!" he practically yelled.

"Do you want to wake up my mom?" I hissed angrily. "You can't yell like that."

Fox glared. "So you can let Curt yell at you all he wants and you're still going to defend him?" he snapped.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, bewildered. Then I remembered the incident in the car from earlier. My eyes widened. "Were you spying on me—"

"Just forget it," he snapped again, standing up. He headed for my window. Before jumping out of it, he paused, and looked at me over his shoulder. "Did they also tell you that in order to become the pack leader you also need to be mated? And the next full moon is coming up in what, three days? And hasn't he been telling everyone that he's going to become the new leader?"

I remained silent.

"Think about it, Haley," Fox said, then disappeared into the night.

"I forgive you."

"But I didn't apologize."

"But I forgive you," she smiled, offering her hand out to him, "and I want to be friends."

The boy's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

The fact that she was willing to forgive his foolishness when they first met more than elated him. But he couldn't help but feel wary. She was willing to forgive him quicker than he though. So could he trust her? Or was she going to trick him to get even for making her cry? (He made sure to let Kyle know that the advice he gave him was completely and utterly wrong and to never ever give him advice again.

But she didn't seem upset anymore, nor did she look like she was going to try and embarrass him.

The boy took her petit hand in his and gave it the firmest shake a young boy could give. Her smile grew and after he let her go, she put her hands on her small hips.

"So," she said, her young voice high and squeaky, "what are we doing today?"

He blinked. "'We'?"

"Yes, 'we'," she said. "We're friends now, right?"

The only person he considered to be a friend was Kyle, but just barely. Kyle didn't like to lose and the boy beat him at almost any game they played. Because of Kyle, he saw friendship as one big competitive race. It wasn't fun with Kyle, the boy concluded. So he didn't know what to expect what a true friendship would entail. Especially with a girl.

"I guess," he shrugged, genuinely unsure.

To the boy's surprise, the girl hooked her arm around his and started to jump up and down in an excited frenzy, pulling on his arm. "Play, play, play! Let's go play!" she exclaimed wildly. "I haven't played with anyone in so long! My daddy sometimes plays with me, but he's always too busy. Oh, I know! Let's go on an epic adventure! Then we could play games and stuff. O-oh, I know the perfect game! One time, I watched this TV show with pirates and—"

The boy winced, the constant shrieking coming the girl almost enough to make him cover his ears to protect their over-sensitive selves. Holy cow she's louder than Kyle, he thought to himself with a slight discomfort. And never in a million years would he have thought anyone could ever top Kyle when it came to being loud.

So, he did the only thing he could think of to appease her excitement, something his mother did to him when he would occasionally become overly rambunctious.

He pinched her neck.

The little girl's jumping ceased, as did her excessive screeching. Her smile slowly fizzled, and her hand flew to the now sore spot upon her neck. She blinked at him, unsure of whether to be angry or upset that he actually pinched her. The result of such mixed emotion gracing her young face was a look equivalent to constipation.

The boy sighed with relief then started to walk off in the opposite direction. "Follow me," he called from over his shoulder.

Still stunned, the little girl nodded numbly, even though he couldn't see her, and followed after him like she was told.

What an odd boy, she thought to herself.

a.n. – i hope everyone had a happy christmas/new years :). sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes and if this seemed kinda rushed, i'll answer any questions if you're confused. i'm going on a trip for two weeks so i wanted to get a new chapter out before i left.

thanks for reviewing! : woof, KIx0x, Emily, TheTruthAboutForever, Ck90, Charlee Rayne, kfa453, Discovering, TiggerGurl, Emily, broken-pixie, autumnsprite, akaCHEEKS, applenica, Dark-Passion67, ninaaa36, Sex and Candy, windlessnight, I, Haybell, XxSiennaxX, midnight84118, Lavalamp, violet-eyez, botanybay, caspeana, Miss Cerridwen, Fightingrose, HelgaBertoni, madeyes61, Crimsonlotus, moonlit marauder, KittyKatLover, Lesumi, Anon, Me, PuertoRicanBeauty

- cyan.x