The next morning I am awakened earlier than normal. My usual wake up time is 6am, but by the darkness outside this has to be earlier. There is an annoying alarm clock going off somewhere in my room, that I can't find. Then I hear another one going off in the room next to mine - Sienna's room. Apparently she can't find hers either, and both of the alarms were going off simultaneously - for a very long time, I might add.

"Julian!" I scream, slamming open his bedroom door. "Where did you hide the damn alarm clocks in our rooms. You are going to wake the whole pack house!" I bellow shaking him awake.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Do you hear those damn alarms! If you don't get your ass out of bed and go shut them off I'm not the only one that is going to pissed at this time of the morning!" I continue earnestly.

"Fine! Fine!" He smirks knowingly, as he threw his covers off of him revealing his is wearing nothing at all.

"Julian!!!" I screech. Although I have six brothers, this isn't my brother, so I blushed a little. I'm not expecting him to sleep with nothing on.

"What do you expect?" He snickers - standing there shamelessly without making any effort to put some sort of clothing on.

"Some clothes?" I argue, but damn I can't help but notice how big he is.

"Would a pair of boxers really make this situation better?" He replies raising an mocking eyebrow.

"Maybe. I wouldn't have to wait for you to put something on."

"Why are you waiting anyway?" He smugly grins.

"Hurry up Asshole!" I yell.

"You're the one wasting time asking me about my clothing. Aimez-vous ce que vous voyez?" He retorts, but has a mischievous glint to his eyes. Damn French..

"What? Oh, just hurry!" I continued, as I ran out of the room with Julian chuckling behind me.

"You better find them soon! Scarlett's murderously cranky when she's woken up before six am!" I smirk - thinking about the trouble Julian could be in. "Then she'll be happy to know who to kill when I tell her it is you who did this!" I persist.

I chuckle a bit at the sound of a dresser slamming open and closed, quickly followed by Julian sprinting in front of me like a madman. Looks like I've gotten a bit of revenge already. "You better hurry Julian! Alpha is cranky before 6 am!"

"Shut up!!"

Game On

As I dismiss everyone from today's training session, I notice the retreating form of a particular warrior that had caught my attention. Mostly due to both her impressive skills and general lack of socialization with most of the other warriors.

"Mariah, wasn't it?" I call to the girl with red hair, and she turns to face me with a bloody hand cradled against her stomach.

"Yes, I am." She replies almost stiffly, like it was more of a habit than just a normal response.

"That injury looks pretty bad, would you like me to fix it for you?" I offer, and she hesitates.

"It's not necessary, but thank you. I was heading to the infirmary." She replies, and I can clearly sense the wariness she has for me. Sharing a look with Sienna, I decide on a different approach.

"Would you mind showing me the infirmary then? Since you're going there, and we haven't seen it yet." I ask, and she bites her lip for a moment before she answers.

"Of course, follow me."

She returns to walking in the direction of the infirmary as me and Sienna follow quietly behind her, both of us speculating about exactly what's behind that stoic and wary act of hers as we reach a small building with a sign reading 'Blackrose Infirmary, non-emergency treatment'. As we enter, the scent of both herbs and bleach fills my nose, which quickly reminds me both medically trained wolves and vampires, and witch healers work here, offering a variety of healing methods.

Before we even make it halfway through the small waiting room, the sound of someone running is followed by a girl about the same age as me appearing in front of us, her dirty blonde hair pulled back in a French braid with a few strands loose around her face.

"Mari! What happened? Are you okay?" She exclaims worriedly as she gently grabs Mariah's injured hand, looking it over intently.

"I'm fine Juniper, just some cuts and splinters - nothing is broken." She answers, trying her best to settle the blondes concern. She's much more relaxed than she has been - I wonder why that is.

"It's not fine, you dislocated your wrist! And you're bleeding! What did you do this time?" She argued, and neither me or Sienna miss the tinge of red that stains Mariah's cheeks, or how this is obviously not the first time she's been to see Juniper.

"I aimed for my opponents face and accidentally hit a wooden support column when he ducked." She answers sheepishly, and Juniper shakes her head as she begins cleaning up the wound meticulously, too busy pulling out the splinters to notice Mariah gazing at her, while the redhead is so busy watching Juniper that she forgets we're even here.

It's suddenly clear what's going on between these two...

~~~

Even with my afternoon meditation, a call from my mom only gets my blood boiling. She is telling me about Isaiah's shit he's been trying to pull. The incredible amount of anger and sadness only causes me more distress, so I go to sulk in the front room. Here comes Julian, who is bound and determined to cheer me up. Julian's stupid ass has become my best friend. He unfortunately finds my one ticklish spot. He uses this and takes the opportunity to try and get me to laugh until I give up and smile. Goofball!

"So someone is ticklish?" Julian taunts cheerfully.

"Please don't Julian." I beg - willing to do almost anything to keep him from tickling me.

"Why not? Are you going to smile for me." He asks playfully. I just lay there with a continued frown on my face, so he continues his assault. I end up struggling so hard, that we end up in the floor. We are laughing like idiots.

"You're such a pain in my ass, Julian." I tease.

"But you love me." He counters.

"No, I hate you."

"You know you love me, admit it." As he moves his fingers closer to my side.

"Fine! I hate that I love you Julian. You're my best friend, hopefully I will never hate you - ok? Satisfied?"

He becomes unusually quiet, but then looked up and smiled. It is actually a beautiful smile.

Next, we even tried to get up at the same time, which results in us bumping heads. Looking at him like 'What the fuck?', my thoughts deceive me when I end up staring at him - which he is returning. In that moment, I realize I had developed feelings for Julian. Am I falling in love with Julian? Problem is he is adamant that he is waiting for his mate, and I am going to respect his decision. I look away awkwardly and try to somehow hide what is on my mind. Maybe we could pretend like this moment never happened, and we could remain friends. At least I would get to keep him in my life.

"Tu es belle." Julian mumbles.

"What?" I question, but he just gets up moving away slightly. I need to remind myself to learn French.

Just then I notice Julian's fangs were descended again. Is he mad at me? Did I say something wrong?

"Julian, why are your fangs out again? Did I make you angry or something." I ask - my brows furrowed in confusion.

"No...no...you didn't make me mad." He stutters and rushes away. What is up with him?

What the hell have I done now? And were his fangs descended again? I need to remember to ask Scarlett about the 'fangy' thing - it must not always be about the need to feed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone seems restless tonight, so we all decide to have a movie night. Sienna and I haven't had one of those since our failed attempt back before we left home. We get all of the refreshments ready and everyone is sitting around the TV ready to watch the movie. We decide to watch Grown Ups because it's damn funny and we all need to laugh.

Looking at Noir laying near us, I decide to amp up movie night. With all of the concentration I can muster, I move Noir to be sitting right next to Julian - and wait.

Seeing movement from the corner of his eye, Julian looks down and directly into the green eyes of a very ticked off Noir. Julian's eyes widen in surprise just as the angry ball of black fur hisses and yowls angrily, both his whole and torn ear laid flat against his skull, arching his back and puffing up his fur.

"Holy shit-!!!"

He cries out, jumping back in his seat only to fall backwards off the couch and onto the floor, a loud thud signifying his less than pleasant landing, and we both laugh at his feet dangling on the arm of the couch. Noir has an almost amused expression on his face as he jumps off the couch and struts off proudly.

"Shit that hurt!"

We laugh even harder.

"Shut up! That beast is Satan with fur, and he wants my soul!"

We're practically in tears now, and as Julian gets up and sulks off, no longer caring about the movie, he mutters under his breath.

"Baise toi! You won't be laughing for long, I can promise you that."

Game on

As morning training is winding down, I decide to give another lesson on how to pay more attention to your opponent while fighting them.

"Who wants to spar next?" I ask the crowd of people around the fight area.

"I will." A young guy with black wavy hair and reddish-brown eyes says as he stepped forward.

"What's your name?"

"Delano, but my friends call me Del. You can call me anything you want." as he winks at me.

Is this guy serious? My wolf cackles.

Apparently.

He is cute, but not all that. She continues.

Exactly. I answer and stop talking to her.

He seems to be staring with a little bit of lust in his eyes.

An advantage. My wolf reminds me.

I know that very well. Thank you for reminding me, pain in my ass. I yell.

Pain in your head. She jokes.

Shut up and let me win. I complain.

I take his 'lust' distraction and teleport myself behind him. After kicking him in the back and knocking him to the ground, I place him in a chokehold. Placing just enough pressure on him, he passes out.

"Now that people is another example of 'Expect the Unexpected'." I snicker as I look down at the now unconscious Delano. Sighing my wolf interjects. Boys will never fully learn not to be distracted by the female anatomy. I agree with her and left the area.

~~~~

After lunch it is time for the training team to let our wolves out for a run - the ones that are at least part werewolf.

We all gathered to go for the first run with Sienna and I. My wolf is most thankful for this run because we haven't been able to in days. It is decided that this would be a rather easy run just to get any new wolves, like Sienna and I, an introduction to the area where we were allowed to run.

Most are amazed when I come out from behind the tree in my wolf form. I forgot that most have not seen my wolf or any other wolf in my family. My golden wolf with black markings is undoubtedly standing out amongst any other wolf here. Sienna's dark gray wolf came to stand beside me. Julian decided there had been enough gawking, so he goes behind a tree and changes into his black and harbor gray wolf. Wolves were standing everywhere and a wolf with various shades of gray came and stood close to me. The striking blue eyes let me know that it is most likely Romain.

After everyone is gathered, we took off running with Julian in the lead. He is having to make sure to direct us on what areas to avoid. We are still near swamps even if this running area on the pack territory is solid ground. Thankfully there isn't much to dodge but a few tree roots and saplings. The lush undergrowth is easy to maneuver through. One thing I noticed is the abundance of Spanish moss hanging from the trees. I found it haunting yet beautiful at the same time.

I'd keep my eyes in front of me if I were you she-devil, the trees around here like to jump in front of you...or trip you with their roots.

My eyes snap in front of me just in time to see a large bunch of roots sticking out of the ground...exactly like Julian warned. I jump over them and continue running without breaking a sweat.

and don't let the floating grass fool you either, one wrong patch and you're in the water...and I'll have to rescue you. He chuckles as I huff internally.

Sounds like you've got experience with falling into the water huh JD? I wish I could have been there to see that. I fire back, and I can tell from his embarrassment that I am right.

Careful sweet cheeks or I'm knocking you in the water myself. He threatens, and I retaliate by playfully snapping at his ear.

I'd like to see you try.

Before either of us can act on that, though, Romain runs in between us in wolf form, physically separating us.

Why don't all of us just pay attention and finish our run instead?~ He huffs, clearly irritated as he pushes a little bit ahead of us.

Hmph, someone's grumpy. What's his problem? Julian mutters, but I stay silent.

Really Julian? Are you completely oblivious to...Sienna tries to explain.

Shut up Si. I warn

But...

This isn't the time.

What are the she-devil and her PIC arguing about? Julian questions with increased interest.

Nothing JD. You'll figure it out one day.

Julian seems to go into thought which is clearly written on his wolf's face, then I guess it dawns on him.

Oh, he...

Shut up JD unless you want a fight I won't break up. I hiss.

This run is more eventful than I had planned. Damn territorial males and their egos.

************************************

A/N: Eva does not say "Damn French" as an insult to the country or language, she is expressing this as a frustration at Julian for using French when he wants to hide something he's saying from her; since at this point she doesn't speak French.

All translations via Google Translate. If any are incorrect, I apologize and feel free to let me know a more correct translation.

aimez-vous ce que vous voyez? - Do you like what you see?

Tu es belle. - You are beautiful.

Baise toi! - fuck you