Food and sleep.

That's what the last few days have been for me.

Shoveling any and all food in my mouth, then resting. I've been putting on weight steadily, filling out my skeletal frame.

The red, raw ring the collar ingrained in my skin is lightening to a pale pink, only slightly visible.

My energy levels are returning, so I'm able to do a lot more things.

The Northerner's been keeping his distance since the incident on the hill. I don't think he can trust himself around me. I can sense him watching me throughout the day and I feel his eyes on me in the dark, when I lay awake in bed.

Sitting comfortably on an overstuffed chair, my legs tucked up underneath me, Iistening to the close group of high ranking pack members as they argue about what movie to watch.

Chuckling to myself, they all look so imposing on the battlefield, but in this house, they act more like children, bickering constantly with each other.

The Northerner saunters in, turning his phone off, looking relieved. "It's done." He's talking more to the group than me. "Thomas will be home soon. I think we should go out, and celebrate."

Voices of agreement is heard all around.

"I say pizza and wings in town!" Sophie shouts out.

My ears perk up. I've been craving pizza. Sophie gives me a wink, with a knowing smile.

"So everything's settled regarding the transfer of land? Thomas doesn't have to leave anymore?" Sophie's hands are wringing in worry.

The Northerner nods his head. "He'll be home for a while."

Sophie's so happy, her face flooded with relief.

"What land transfer?" I'm afraid what he's going to say, and a tightness grips my stomach.

"Your brother settled his debt with us."

"How much of my pack land did you take?" My breathing comes out in fast puffs. We were a small pack with barely enough as it was. This could devastate us.

He steps closer to me. "Your former pack," he spits out, "has agreed to transfer one-third of their lands to your new pack."

Sucking in a breath. "I thought you said if I came with you, you wouldn't take our land."

His body stiffened slightly. "No, I said I wouldn't take all your land. We were still owed a payment. I think it was a very fair price, considering our losses."

I'm too stunned to think. My brother lost a third of his land...

"The alternative? Your old--" he stressed the word old. "—pack would've been wiped out without our assistance. Your brother knew what would happen."

His hands take my cheeks firmly, angling my head up to face him. "This is the way it's done. You know this. My pack expects land in return for lives."

Of course, I understand all this, it's been done for centuries, but I still can't help feeling sorry for my brother.

As I whisper "pack before family", he nods his head in agreement.

"I'll need to call my brother."

"When we come back from town." Taking my hand, he leads me out the door and to his truck.

Sophie's outside with her body wrapped around an unknown male, clinging to him like she's afraid to let go. Her legs are wrapped around him, while he grips her backside and they're kissing passionately, like long lost lovers.

This must be Thomas. He's a brute of a wolf, with a full black beard, making him look like the wild. He must be Sophie's mate. I'm still a little uncomfortable watching such a private moment.

"Brother!" The Northerner calls out, arms outstretched.

He pulls away from Sophie and I watch the two males embrace, slapping each other on the back.

"Good to have you back."

To see such genuine happiness pouring out of both of them makes my heart happy.

"Meela, come, meet my brother, Thomas, my Beta."

Smiling, I make my way over to them. Thomas looks me up and down, studying me with eyes like a hawk's. His gaze falls on the healing ring around my neck, then to the fading hickey. He shakes his head with a laugh.

"It's nice to meet you, Meela. Your brother's told me all about you. Hope everything he said is true." He winks as he grabs Sophie by the hand.

The Northerner growls at his brother as he tucks me into his side, his strong fingers massaging the side of my waist, just underneath my shirt.

When every he touches me brings on a lightheadedness. All my senses are fully concentrated on the point where his fingers meet my skin.

"Listen, Grey, Sophie and I will catch up with you guys when you come back. I want to spend some alone time with my mate." He gives out a growl to Sophie who turns different shades of red.

As they walk hand in hand into the house, Thomas turns around. "Oh, Grey, I have two hundred down you don't last the next month." He laughs out loud as he enters the house, his mate following close behind him.

The Northerner frowns at me. "You still want to go?"

I'm too excited to pass on this. "Yes. Pizza and wings! Why wouldn't I want to go?"

"Well, it looks like it's just us. Everyone seems to be gone."

Looking around, I notice it's just us standing there. I battle myself for a moment, but hunger wins over my fear of being alone with Grey. "Yeah, let's go. I'm starved and I could use a change of scenery."

Opening up the door, jumping in looking forward to just getting out.

It's not a very long ride to town. The music plays softly in the background of the truck's cabin. I like listening to his voice, the way it rises, deepens, to the inflection of the tone he points out key landmarks. He's telling me we should expect snow soon. His eyes are deep grey and I can tell he loves talking about his land, his pack. The passion coming from him is unmistakable.

Nodding my head almost in a trance as I commit his voice to memory, never to be forgotten. It's instinct, ingraining your mates voice to memory, automatic, like breathing. I have not control, it just happens – another step in the mating process.

I must have zoned out because we've stopped in front of the pizza place and he's calling my name.

"Sorry." I shake my head to myself, trying to snap out of what my body just did.

The pizzeria is very comfortable. A wood burning oven rests in the corner and the kitchen in the back. Large overstuffed booths fill the side, while tables take up the middle. He guides me to a booth in the corner. As I sit, I shove over so the northerner can squeeze in beside me.

The waitress comes over with a respectful nod, angling her neck slightly. "Alpha, good evening." The plump little lady nods in my direction.

I can tell she's slightly nervous as her eyes dart over to the man standing by the fire oven, taking pizzas in and out of it. He gives her a reassuring smile. Letting out a breath, she hands us two menus.

"Can I start you off with any drinks?"

"I'll take..." The Northerner looks at the taps behind the bar. "I'll take a pint."

"And for you?" Turning to me, she smiles, sniffing the air discreetly.

"I'll take..." I tap my fingers on the table top, making a drumming noise, "A whiskey and coke. Can you bring two please?" I smile at the Alpha since he's looking at me weirdly. "What?"

"I didn't peg you for a drinker."

"I'm not, but I could really use a whiskey right now."

Laughing at me, he says, "I feel the same way sometimes."

We both have a little chuckle when our drinks arrive. I throw back the first drink without even tasting it, then settle myself in comfortable sipping on the other one as the Northerner places our order.

Before the waitress leaves, I order two more drinks. The northerner raises his eyebrow at me.

"What?" I raise my hands in question, taking another long sip from the straw.

He just shakes his head at me. I'm feeling the warm buzzing effect of alcohol making its tingling way throughout my body by the time the pizza and wings arrive.

Watching the Northerner place two pieces on a plate then he purposely holds the plate out for me to take from his hand. I don't miss the underlying meaning. Should I take the food from his hand or snub him again? I momentarily hesitate...then I reach for the plate, pulling at it. He holds on until I look up into his eyes. They're bright, clear grey.

"Good girl."

He takes this opportunity to place a quick kiss on my forehead. A reddening heat creeps up the side of my neck and into my cheeks as I take a bit of the most amazing pizza I ever had. Crisp thin crust with the freshest sauce I ever tasted. Basil and Cheese spread out evenly so when I bite into it, I get a little of both.

"This is so good! Margarita pizza is my favorite," I say, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

Finishing the second drink and the waitress brings us both more beer and whiskey.

I'm feeling so good. The pizza is perfect, the whiskey going down hot and burning, making my body hum in delight.

Looking at him, I notice just the slightest dusting of freckles on his nose and cheeks. His too-long dark brown hair curling slightly at the bottom has me aching to let my fingers slide through it.

Finishing off my third piece of pizza, sipping my drink while looking at him. "What did you think when you first saw me?" It's the whiskey making my mouth so bold.

Clearing his throat, he wipes his mouth with a napkin. I wish I could be that napkin right now.

"Well, I wasn't expecting that question."

I place my chin on my hand, elbow on the table, leaning into him slightly still sipping on the drink.

"Beautiful, that's the first thing I thought." His words of truth sound out.

I'm happy to hear his words. "I thought you were...impressive."

He laughs out loud, throwing his head back. I'm not sure why, but I start to laugh with him. I'm a little buzzed and it feels good to laugh, to watch his upturned mouth, his body shaking. I have to admit, I love watching him laugh.

Picking up my drink, sucking it back. The twirling ice cubes in the glass are music to my ears. I always loved the way ice clinks in an empty glass.

Before we know it, the wings are gone and all that's left it the last piece of pizza. My stomach sticks out round and swollen from everything I ate. I rub it with both hands.

"I'm so full!" I groan out uncomfortable.

He's staring at my belly, rounded with too much food, and shifts in his seat uncomfortable.

"That looks good on you."

"Well, that..." Pointing at my belly. "Will not be happening for a while."

"We'll see, my little wolf."

Picking up the last piece of pizza. After taking a bite, I put it out for him to take a bite, too. He doesn't hesitate, gobbling the rest down, licking the tips of my fingers in the process.

"Good boy." I pat him on the head.

He just laughs at me.

"This was nice, I actually had a good time. Thanks." I say to him.

"Me too." Taking my hand in his, he leads me out to the truck.

He opens the door for me, and I jump in as he closes it. I feel comfortably buzzed. I keep taking peeks at the Northerner on the way home. I'm feeling warm inside and a small indescribable tension is in the air.

I can smell him, that male musk that turns my inside to jelly. I need to squeeze my thighs together from the heat that's seeping out of me. I can see his nostrils flare, my desire so blatant, it hangs thick in the air. Even I can taste its sweet nectar. This time, he doesn't roll the window down.

After parking, he puts his head on the steering wheel, gripping it tight. His breathing is shallow. I see his back muscles knitting up tight, his forearms twitching. Buzzing with warmth, I bring my hand up and let my fingers tangle in his hair. I grip it hard, tilting his face to mine. Bringing my body closer until I'm pushed up against his side, I bring him to my mouth. At first, he doesn't respond, I press my chest against him, letting him know how much I want this.

Slipping my tongue out, licking his top lip, bringing his bottom lip into my mouth.

My instincts kick in fully.

Breathing has become erratic, harsher.

There's an urgency to our kiss, a hunger controlling us.

Pulling back, licking his neck where I will mark him.

The windows fog up from our breathing, creating our own curtain of privacy.

His eyes are changing from silver to grey, his internal fight raging on.

"That feels so good." His voice is rough, as he takes in a breath.

Pulling away from him, I stop abruptly. "Then come upstairs with me. Allow me to show you how good it can be."

He brings his head to my forehead so our noses are almost touching. "I can't, you know that. We need to stop."

Is as if someone threw cold water on me, opening the door, stomping all the way upstairs, feeling unsatisfied and hot.

Way too hot.

My body's on fire, full of heat, left unsatisfied.

Jumping into the cold shower, trying to calm down.

Author's Note

There is an enhanced version of this chapter in the Private Chapter book if you want to read it.