-:Cecelia's PoV:-

Of course, our moment didn't last long. Of bloody course. Aaron mind linked me to come back for training. He couldn't have given us a few more minutes . . . perhaps an hour. I loved my brother, but his timing absolutely sucked.

'Cece, you're late,' his voice entered my mind. I groaned, cursing myself for not blocking the mind links. I couldn't even ignore him, or he would freak out. I did not want that on my conscience.

'Gimme a few minutes,' I replied petulantly, hugging Ash closer. My cheek rested on his shoulder while my nose was buried in the crook of his neck. He responded by kissing the top of my head and hugging me tighter as well.

'Cecelia, training. Now.' He bellowed and shut the link. I groaned in frustration.

"What is it?" Ashton asked, pulling away to look at me. "Does it still hurt?"

"Ash, no," I murmured, touched. "Aaron just mind-linked me about training."

He sighed, checking his watch.

"We are late," he deduced.

"Exactly," I said. "So as much as I love this, we need to get moving."

"You love this, hun?" He smirked, not letting me up. I narrowed my eyes at him despite the butterflies in my belly.

"Ashton," I said in a warning tone.

"Cecelia," he mocked, tickling my sides. I laughed, pushing him away and this time he let me scramble away.

"I hate you," I snorted, packing up our picnic quickly. By packing up, I meant throwing things in the basket and gathering up the cloth we were sitting on in a bunch.

"Really?" He challenged, helping me.

"Yeah," I stood up, making sure I had my phone on me.

"Let's see about that," he advanced at me. I chuckled, foreseeing what was next.

"Catch me if you can," I taunted, breaking into a sprint towards the Packhouse. I was weak, but not too much. I'd been training any time I could even in the past week. Endurance and tolerance were essential. You can never know when you might need either.

Although Ashton was taller and hence had a bigger stride, I was smaller and more nimble. Not to mention I had a good head start. Or rather, that cocky asshole let me have one. Too bad. He was several meters behind me. I heard him cursing under his breath and laughed.

Serves him right for underestimating me.

Sera was howling with excitement. She loved the chase but for entirely different reasons than mine. Her thoughts made me barf a little in my mouth so I blocked her out. 

Alas, Ashton was closing in on me slowly and he was eventually just a few steps away.

"I'm going to get you now," he said smugly, not out of breath at all. Now that, I found hot.

"We'll see about that," I retorted, pushing myself harder.

He groaned as he fell behind a little. Then, without warning, he was shifting and pouncing on me, pinning me down. Despite the onslaught of sparks, I screeched loudly. Sera yipped, penetrating my block. Xavier sat down on me heavily. The picnic basket went flying across the forest floor.

"Ashton!" I scolded. He didn't budge and I groaned. "Xav, please let me move," I begged, trying not to swallow the dirt. He woofed and stood up with me still lying between his fours. I tried to crawl away from underneath him but he walked back and forth, making sure I couldn't.

I huffed as I turned around. I glared at the hazel-eyed black wolf. He rolled out his tongue and looked down at me with twinkly eyes. His head tilted to the side slightly. 

His way of saying sorry, but not sorry.

"No," I gritted out. He bent down and licked my face. I didn't budge.

"No," I repeated firmly, melting inside. I didn't let it show. "You cheated."

He whined, eyes still sparkling mischievously. He felt no remorse. In fact, he was enjoying it, that bastard. Aaron was going to kill me for being late. Correction, extremely late.

"Xavier, get off me," I told him. He whined loudly. He was in a mood to play. I chained a very over-enthusiastic Serafine more tightly in my headspace. There was no way our wolves were getting down and dirty that day. I refused to let that happen. She growled at me in my head but I dismissed it.

"Ashton, take back control!" I complained, running my hand on Xavier's head. He closed his eyes and relaxed under my touch. Needy wolf. 

Nothing happened.

"You're cute, you know," I told Xavier, giving in. More like realizing I was stuck and making the most of the situation, but eh, same difference.

He growled, his eyes snapping open.

"What?" I stifled a laugh. I knew exactly what. 

He glared at me.

"Oh, you don't like this?" I asked, removing my hand from his fur. "I'm sorry," I said innocently. He growled louder, this time in frustration. I was surprised I wasn't laughing at that point. I managed to keep a straight face.

In hindsight, breaking the cover would've been a better choice. Because, the next thing I knew, I was being pinned under a very naked Ashton. My eyes widened in surprise and I yelped before I shut them close.

Holy fuck, that just happened.

"Ashton!" I hissed, not opening my eyes.

"I am not cute," he said firmly.

"Oh, but you are," I taunted him, almost laughing.

"I. Am. Not. Cute." He repeated in a strained voice. "I am anything but. I am handsome, sexy-"

I burst out laughing. I just couldn't hold it in. I forgot he was basically hovering over me butt naked. I forgot I was lying flat on the forest floor. I forgot I had training. I just laughed.

"It's not funny," he said tersely.

"It is," I snorted.

"Cecelia, take it back," he looked into my eyes.

"What? But you're so adorable," I chortled.

"You'r-"

"What the actual fuck?!" Aaron's voice thundered. I winced and Ashton rolled off of me in panic. One look at Aaron's red face sent me over the edge again. Ashton scrambled around the tree trunks to find a pair of shorts and hastily put them on. 

"Aar," I guffawed. "Your face!" Tears left my eyes as I tried to stop but failed. It was hilarious.

He took deep calming breaths.

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you right now," Aaron sibilated at Ashton, ignoring me.

"Umm, I'm your sister's mate?" He offered, chuckling nervously. I didn't blame him. My brother could be pretty serious and scary when he wanted to be. Must have been the Alpha blood. Too bad he didn't scare me in the slightest. I grew up watching him trying to perfect that look. Still, I must admit, he put those six years I was away to good use.

I could see it, though. Aaron was seething. I decided to save Ashton just this once.

"Aaron," I walked to him. His body was trembling with rage. Oh, why were Alpha wolves so volatile and easy to antagonize. Ashton couldn't even defend himself, because it was entirely his fault. I made a mental note to tell him later. 

Aaron shifted his glare at me.

What was he doing here, anyway?

"Cecelia, can you explain this?" He forced out, evidently hoping to get a reasonable answer.

"Umm, that's a great question, Aar," I nodded furiously. "Let's discuss this over . . . tea!" I pulled at his arms.

"Cecelia!" He growled.

"Aaron," I sighed. I realized he wouldn't budge. Eh, it was worth a try. "What?"

"What?" He asked incredulously. "Why was he . . . hovering over you naked?" 

Honestly, I wish I knew that too.

That was embarrassing.

"He's my mate," I shrugged, fighting a blush.

"You're still a kid!" He exclaimed his face reddening again. "You're my little sister!"

I groaned.

"Aaron, I'm seventeen," I deadpanned.

"Just seventeen!" He emphasized.

"Goddess, what has gotten into you?" I snapped, my embarrassment forgotten. It was morphing quickly into irritation. "There are people my age and younger who are completely mated!"

"I don't care! You're not doing it!" I would've laughed at his horrified face if I wasn't so annoyed.

"Aaron!" I cried exasperated. "How do even know I haven't done it before?"

Okay, probably shouldn't have said that.

Two growls resonated in the forest. A possessive one and a murderous one. 

I guess you know which is which.

I cringed.

"What? Don't tell me you were whor-"

"Are you serious right now?" I cut my brother off.

"Cecelia, you-" Ashton started. I shot him a withering glare and he shut up. Smart boy.

"You guys are hypocrites," I snapped. "You would have zero problems with the situation had I been a 'male'. It's disgusting! You sleep around, you're glorified and everyone is just dying to get a piece of you. A girl does that, she's classified as a whore or a slut. I'm honestly ashamed right now. 

"And Aaron? I might've been at grandma's, but don't think I'm unaware of your 'excursions' as a teenager, got it? You are the last person who should preach to me about this.

"As for you, Ashton. I am not someone's property. My body is mine and mine alone. You have no right to tell me what I do with it, mate or not. Even if I were not a virgin, it would be none of your fucking business because we hadn't met then. Get that through your thick sexist skulls, you morons."

I stomped away from them in rage. I pitied my sparring partner for the day. I was in a mood and I was going to be relieving my frustrations on them.

Too bad I didn't pity them enough to hold back.

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

David was icing his severely bruised torso. I'm sure you know what happened. He was my sparring partner. 

He would've probably not been as severely hurt seeing as I was recently poisoned but I was seething and the poor guy happened to be my punching bag. I hadn't even apologized. What was the point? He knew what he was signing up for when he volunteered. 

Yes, volunteered. Talk about crazy. He probably thought he could take me down since I was 'supposed' to be weak. He ended up looking like a mosaic of purple and blue.

Ashton looked at him in amusement. We hadn't spoken again since I exploded on him in the forest but he hadn't gone back to his pack so that ought to have counted for something. He hadn't tried to stop the fight, either. Or maybe he had, I had been too engrossed to notice.

I was icing my jaw and my legs. My hands were aching a lot, too. Yes, David got me bad as well. What? I was still recovering.

As for the result of our match, it was a tie. Ha! After several minutes of throwing and receiving brutal blows, we had a tie.

I winced as Julian pressed my bruise harder. I glared at him and aimed a kick at him only for him to hold my leg more tightly in place. He gave me a stern look.

Yeah, that was right, he didn't approve of me fighting today. He was simmering and trying not to show it. He was failing miserably.

"I'll heal by tomorrow," I mumbled sullenly. "No need to be so dramatic about it."

"Tell me you're joking," he said in a monotone. "Because I don't think going to train and then coming back covered with bruises when you were specifically told not to exert yourself yet is okay."

"I was in a bad mood," I defended weakly, removing the ice pack from my jaw. It felt numb and frozen. One glare from Julia and it was back on my jaw again. She was standing there making sure all the kids who were injured during training were being treated. 

I scowled.

What did I do to deserve this?

"Why?" Julian asked.

"I had a tiff with Aaron and Ashton," I muttered.

"About?" He frowned.

"I'll tell you later," I sighed. I saw the time and cursed. "I need to go, I have school tomorrow." I got up.

"No, you don't," Julian, Ashton, and Aaron said at the same time.

"Yes, I do," I narrowed my eyes at them defiantly.

"Cecelia you are not going to school," Ashton stated. I laughed humorlessly.

"Strike two, Summers," I warned. "You do not tell me what to do."

"Lia, you need to rest," Julian said.

"I have been resting since Tuesday," I retorted. "I've had enough rest."

"Come on, Cece," Aaron tried. "Your body is weak right now. And then you got hurt. Stay at home for a few days."

"I've had worse, I can handle it," I replied drily.

"Lia-"

"I'm fine!" I threw my hands up in exasperation. I tossed the ice pack on the table in front of me and it skidded across till friction made it stop. I pulled my leg away from Julian's grasp. "I am not staying at home any longer. I will enjoy my Senior year, Wolfsbane poisoning or not."

Then I strut up to my room without a backward glance in their direction.

What a perfect ending to a perfect day.

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

A/N:-

Sorry for the late update, you guys. I was visiting a friend yesterday and we ended up talking for over an hour. Don't worry, we maintained social distancing and wore masks. I came home late so I couldn't update.

I know this chapter is a little intense and dramatic but I felt that it was needed. I felt like those topics needed to be addressed. I hope I didn't end up offending anyone. I also hope you guys liked the chapter.

Soooooo . . . Lia will be going back to school tomorrow! Hmm, what'll happen?? How long is she going to be kept in the dark??

Comment your thoughts!! If you find it funny, comment those laughing emojis!! Anything is fine, really. I just want your reactions. Thanks in advance❤

QOTD: Who inspires you the most in your life?

Btw, Harvey is releasing his new single, 'one day and two nights' in 3 days and I can't wait for it!! I'm already in love with the music!!!!

Anyhow, that's all for today! Do tap that star on your way out!

Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.

P.S. I know some of you might get confused with my way of writing. I use intense sarcasm often and never clarify that it was, indeed, 'sarcasm'. I don't clarify because I believe it kills the feeling. Sorry for the confusion.