Allot of us clapped along and laughed as Elijah played his guitar to some old folk song. It was a song written by his great-grandfather and been passed down. It was a good uplifting song about staying strong as a pack and the legends of our kinds. It's was our thing—eat and have fun. I've heard some many good stories about wolves who were brave. The folk song had sorta of a Scottish music sound to as he strum his guitar.

“To be at one with my pack.” he finished, his fingers brushing down the strings of his guitar. Elijah wife Jolie smile as she rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arm around his waist. She placed her hand on her nine month stomach and he smiled down at her stomach. Jolie hadn't been at Alpha Alaric party those months ago and Elijah had gone himself.

“Another one, Eli.” Gavin said, patting his friend back.

Elijah chuckled as he starting to strum the string on the guitar, “When the moon rises our souls when will under the moonlight together—”

Killian came over next to me and sat down with some deer meat that others had hunted down earlier. He kissed the side of my head and I smiled at him. “Where's Devin?” I asked. “Shiloh been a little trouble maker.”

“Uhh, last he told me—keep everyone away from his and Zoe tent.” he said, chuckling as he laid down and laid his head down on my lap. He brought a piece of meat up to his mouth, “I think they want a baby number two and having a hard time doing that—they'll do anything to try. He skips going hunting the last weeks to try.”

I chuckled I played with his brown lose curls, “Oh gosh. Hopefully a girl is made, no more little ones like Shiloh to be a hellion.”

Killian started at the fire for a moment before looking up at me, “Babies are cute, Mat.”

I chuckled, “Yes, they are.”

He stared up at me for a moment, making me starting to think he was thinking. My amused look disappeared as I looked down at him. His baby blue eyes with a speck of gold in them look up at me seriously, “Marry me, Mat.” My hands froze and my mouth part a little as I took in a small breath. We stared at each other for a moment and he brought his hand up to my cheek, rubbing it as he took a deep breath, “Marry me and lets have a baby of our own.”

I brought my hand up to his and held it, “Killian. . .”

“Please Mat, I love you.” he said.

“I love you too but we don't gotta be married to show we love each other.” I said, sighing heavily.

“Marry me.” he repeated. “I want nothing else but to say your my wife—Mat.” he breathed out heavily as I stood up.

He looked up at me as I pushed my hair behind my ears, “I should bring Aeriela food, stubborn thing hasn't left her tent since she closed it on me. I'm sure she's straving. Girl could eat a horse and be hungry five minutes later.”

He scoffed, “Are you serious right now?"

I shrugged, “I have to take care of her.” I said as I turned away. I took a few stepped away before I felt like I could breath again. I took a deep breathe as I ran my fingers through my hair and hit myself in the face. I can't believe what just happened. Killian just proposed to me and I said no—well, I didn't say it but it was clear it was a no. I knew it hurt him but there's no time for a wedding or babies right now! I still have to take claim of Oregon and I still don't know when that'll happen. I'm trying to wait for the right time. When I felt like it's been long enough time for Melinda and her mother could grieve for Marco.

The only two ways I can take Oregon is if I kill Lincoln or he gives me Oregon and his pack—which most Alpha's hardly ever do and Lincoln won't be willing.

I made Aeriela a plate of food with meat and two corn of the cobs since she loves corn for some reason. I walked over to her small tent and tapped on the top, “Aeriela, it's Mat. I have food.” When she didn't answer, I breathed heavily, “Aeriela, come on. We always get mad at each other and we make up. Mmm, smell this yummy corn with butter. I also know something you might like to hear. There's this stuff called sunscreen. It protects your skin from the sun. I don't know why you suddenly care about how your skin looks but if it makes you happy to have—“ A small breeze came and on the other side of the tent the little cloth door opened a little. My eyebrow arch and I walked over. I looked in and saw the tent was empty. My eyes widen, “Aeriela.”

I put the plate down on the floor and looked around. I didn't see her around the camp site and my stomach turned a little. I closed my eyes and sniffed the air to look for her scent. I could smell the rose lotion and I followed it.

Aeriela.

I watched Harley and Ulric play around in the river from the top of the tree I was sitting in. They were laughing and something Mat calls 'flirting' with each other. Ulric wrapped his arms around Harley from behind and lifted her up. She squealed loudly as she laughed and splashed her around.

I was having a hard time seeing with allot of the leaves blocking my view. They kept moving around and I had to quietly move around allot to watch them.

“Ulric, I have to ask you something.” Harley said slowly. She looked nervous as she bit her lower lip as she pressed her back against a large boulder. Ulric pressed his hands on each side of her, holding her right there.

“What's that?” he asked, looking down at her with a grin.

“What—” she took a deep breath and I leaned down a little to hear her better. “What are we? We've been hanging out ever since you got here. I really like you allot. Ian been questioning me about you and you know my big brother. He had to take care of me since I was seven when our parents died. He wants me to find a good mate and have someone take care of me when I graduate school.”

Ulric was quiet for a moment as he looked away a little awkwardly. He lowered his arms and Harley frowned a little. He patted her arm, “You're really nice, Harley. I'm just not really looking for a mate right now. I'm gonna be honest with you—I was Oathed to be with a girl back home.”

Harley scoffed, “Excused me?”

“Her parents ended it. I got a part of the school gymnasium burnt down—on accident!” he quickly said. He cleared his throat, “I didn't want to be ready to be Oathed to someone. My parents sent me down here to get rid of me by making me live with my outcast cousin Killian. His mate Alpha Matilda won't force me into being Oathed, we had already talked about that.”

“But—but I thought you really liked me.” she said, sounding hurt.

“I do, Harley. I like you allot, you're really hot.” he said, making me arch my eyebrow. Hot? She wasn't on fire or anything. Was it just another pack thing to say to girl? Am I hot? “And sexy. You're allot of fun to hang out with, you know how to make me laugh. Who says we need to be in a relationship to hang out?”

Harley pushed him away from her, “You're an ass. I can't believe I let you kiss me in front of the others! I know those human girls you fooled around with back in Boston you did allot things with you but I'm a pack wolf girl. We have morals and everyone believes we're a couple. You know how stupid I'm gonna look now?”

“I did tell you I was no good.” he said, shrugging his right shoulder.

She scoffed again and swam swam around him, “Go to hell Ulric—no!” she coldly said when he grabbed her arm. They had gone far away enough for me to only hear bits of what they were saying. Curious like a rat I crawled further out of the branch to hear.

“Sorry I hurt your feeling Harley but don't get angry. We can still have fun and—” Harley slapped him across the face and he cried out in pain.

“I won't waste my time with your anymore.” she coldly said. “Like you said—I'm hot. I can find another wolf who'll want to be my mate. Someone who isn't gonna be a loser when he's older like you. Someone with money and a good future. Someone respected in the pack.”

Crack.

My blood went cold when I heard the branch I was leaning on crack. My eyes widen but they hadn't noticed. I stayed real still on the branch, praying it doesn't break. I bit my lower lip, begging the branch not to break.

“You're probably right.” he said softly. He brought his hand under her chin and she stubbornly pulled away. “Hey, come on. Don't be angry. You have such a beautiful smile, Harley.”

She snorted as she looked down stubbornly, “Let go of me, Ulric. You did me wrong.”

“I don't wanna let such a beautiful girl just yet.” he said, lowering down and kissed her cheek.

Crack!

Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!

He kissed her on the mouth and the branch cracked some more. I held firmly onto the branch when the branch until it finally broke off the tree. My arms flew out to grab something but my hands came slipping through things. I felt some sharp cut my arm as I fell out of the tree and into the water. I fell into the night cold river but unlike earlier my feet could touch the floor. I stood up quickly and the water went up to my breast.

My arm stung but I ignored it as I looked at both Ulric and Harley who looked right back at me. My mouth opened to talk but nothing came out since I didn't have a response. I was caught red handed—literally because I had blood going down my right arm where a natsy scartch about four inches long scartched me.

“Aeriela!” I heard Mat voice. I looked up ontop of the boulder where she was looking down at me with concern. She breathed out heavily and looked relieved, “Oh thank God! I saw you fall. You stupid girl, what were you doing up there!”

Mat

I grabbed Ulric by his neck and dragged him over to Killian. The pack members looked up at us in suprise and Killian quickly got up. Harley looked worried next to us and Aeriela just had a blank look on her face. I throw Ulric at Killian, “Your cousin a little player.”

“Huh?” Killian asked, looking at Ulric who looked like he was caught doing something. Killian gave him a hard look, “What happened?”

Ulric shrugged, “Nothing, cousin. Look Harley and I was just hanging out at the river. Nothing happened.”

I stepped towards him, “Oh really? So I didn't hear you trying to butter up Harley? She's fifteen! Not in my pack buddy.”

Ulric scoffed and held his arm out towards Aeriela, “What about her! She was spying on us. Why?”

“This isn't about Aeriela, this is about you!” I coldly said. “I told you, no causing trouble with any of the girls! If you weren't planning on being with them, don't mess with them.”

“Alpha Matilda, I'm sorry.” he said, sighing heavily. He brought his hand up to his face, “I'm sorry I broke your rule. Nothing happened with Harley and me though.”

“Thankfully.” I snorted. I looked at Killian, “Talk to your cousin, please. Ian, you can deal with your sister.” I turned to Aeriela who still had a blank look on her face and I grabbed her arm. I pulled her over towards her tent. She saw the old plate on the ground and her eyes widen. She quickly got out my hold and started eating the cob of corn quickly.

I sighed heavily as I sat down next to her, “Why were you out there, Aeriela?”

She frowned as she was quiet for a moment, “I went for a walk. When I saw them by the river, I don't know. I just found myself climbing the tree and started to watch them. They kissed and they're not together.”

I looked at her for a moment, “I watched you watch them. Do you like Ulric?”

She scoffed, “No! He's always rude and sarcastic. He's nothing like your soulmate Killian.”

“Ulric is a troublemaker. He got in allot of trouble back in Massachusetts. His family sent him down here and Ulric didn't like it. When he showed up one Devin wedding, he was pissed to be sent here because he believed his parents didn't want to deal with him anymore. I met lots of boys like Ulric back in Oregon—mostly human.” I said. “He did save you earlier today though.”

She huffed out her nose heavily, “So what.”

“So it's alright you have no found feelings for him—”

“I don't!” she coldly said, looking at me with a hard look. “Ulric is a male and I hate them.”

“Why?” I asked. “Aeriela, don't block me out. You need to talk to me.”

“You don't need to know everything, Mat.” she said.

I grabbed her chin, “We're sisters now, sisters talks to each other. Aeriela, no matter what I'm gonna protect you with my life. Talk to me. Did someone from Ramses group hurt you before ever?”

“No.” she said, pulling away. She turned back to her plate and picked up a cob. She paused for a moment before sighing heavily, “Aydin was my mate."

My eyebrows furrowed together, “What? Aydin as in Ramses loyal second in command?”

She nodded as she looked down at her plate, “Uncle Ramses saw us a good pair since I was his niece and he was his second in command. Anyways, I have gotten my first bleeding while he was fooling with Melinda head. Traditionally, that means we could mate. I was so scared because even though Aydin handsome I hated him. He brought Melinda back and I thought maybe that means I won't have to worry about being with him. No, he said she'll only be around a little awhile. He never loved her, he 'loved' me.” she said. She looked up at me, “That's why I left, because I knew soon we would have to mate and make babies. I didn't want that. Uncle Ramses was nice but I didn't want Aydin.”

Frowning at her, I brought my arms around her and brought her close to me, “You're a little fighter, Aeriela. Remember that.”

*

Everyone was finally sleeping. It was late at night when I finally crawled into my tent. I had stayed with Aeriela to comfort her a little until she fallen asleep. Killian was sleeping already and I crawled next to him.

He woke up from his sleep and held his arm out to me. I laid down nex to him and placed my head on his chest, “Finally came.” he said groggily. “I thought the late nights ended where she longer needed to hold your hand.”

“Aeriela had a hard day.” I said, closing my eyes and took a deep breath. I let it out slowly as I laid my arm out across his stomach, “You know she's like a lost child. She needed help to survive this world.

He ran his hand down his face as he stretched, “Ulric promised not to be alone with the girls again. I don't know if he'll keep that promise though. Little punk.”

I scoffed, “You know how old we sound now as if we weren't dealing with teenage problems no less than under a year ago?”

“Simple times. How much we all grown. You, me, Will, and Melinda who you two suprising became friends. Who would have thought?” he said, making us both chuckle. “Have you heard from her?”

“Not since that last time in Nate office those weeks ago. She said her mom in perfect health and they moved out the house into their own apartment.” I reminded him. “I need to talk to her again. She's been watching Emily for me, making sure no one bullying her.” I sat up and leaned down on his chest, “Killian, I've been thinking about earlier when. . .you know.”

“Oh?” he questioned, bring his hands on my arms.

“If everything wasn't so insane right now and handled—I would probably say yes. If we all had a real home, I could take care of the pack the right way, and we weren't at risk for any threats then I would want to be married and have kids. We're so young though and we got many years ahead of us to do that. I know it's common for many wolves to marry after school and start family early but we don't have everything settled right now.” I told him since I didn't want him to think I said no jus to say no. Of course being with Killian made me think of the future with us married and having babies of our own. But not like this—not right now.

He stared up at me for a moment before sighing heavily, “I suppose your right.” he said, bring his hands up my arm and rubbed my shoulders. “I guess I'm just jealous. I see allot couples here married and families. Makes me have baby fever.” he said, chuckling. He tickled my belly, making me giggle, “Makes me wanna put a baby inside there.”

I grinned, “I think I'm to reckless right now to carry pup inside of me. You'll be nagging me everyday to be more careful.”

He grinned, “I would be. You're always getting bruised somehow. They just magically appear.”

I shrugged, “Get be tough without a few bruises.”

I opened my mouth to speak but something filled my nose. I sniffed the air a few times before I realized what the smell was. It was burning wood. Killian soon smelt it and we looked at each other for a moment before we heard screaming. We quickly got out the tent and looked around to see everything getting destroyed. Tents were being lit on fire and wolves were fighting with each other. But my wolves weren't fighting with each other—they weren't fighting with men and women I didn't who were. Whoever they were though, they had weapons so they weren't wolves.

Aeriela

My tent was ripped open and I screamed. I covered my face and a man I didn't know appeared. He reached out to grab me and I smacked at him. He grabbed me by my hair and forced me out of the tent. I started hitting at him until my fear turned to anger and I growled. I got onto of him and pressed my long fingers nails in his throat

He cried out and pulled me off him. He threw me down on the ground and kicked me in the stomach. I groaned in pain as I brought my knees up to my chest. He grabbed my arm and lifted me up. I went to bite him but he grabbed my hair and pulled me away. He brought something up with a pointy thing up and quickly stabbed me in the chest with it.

My chest quickly felt like it was on fire. I screamed in pain, “Mat!” I screamed out for her.

I fell back on the ground and I looked as the burning feeling vanished but was replaced with something that mad me slowly start to lose feeling in my body as I looked up at the guy being choked by an older wolf and Mat friend Will. Someone appeared in my vision and I realized it was Ulric. He lifted me up quickly and ran away into the forest.