I stormed into my office. My wolf was on edge and I felt like I was losing my grasp on any sanity I had left. She was able to name the names of the barks and herbs. The feeling of cold water washed over me the minute I heard her called out the name of each herb.

I knew by doing this she will be upset with me if she had ever found out. Hell, I'll be upset if someone did that to me but it will keep her safe.

"Fvck." I muttered, while running my hand roughly through my hair in frustration.

I was talking to Beta Josef and my father regarding the repeated attacks on our borders we have been having lately, when I caught sight of her on the side of the street. She looked at me with those pure blue eyes of her and my heart was thumping in my chest a million beats per minute. She looked stunning today. I can still smell her essence on my bedsheets and pillow.

The door to my office open and Beta Josef walked in. he sat down in his usual seat. I paced in front of my window unable to sit down. Beta Josef watched me pace back and forth before speaking up.

"What is she to you?" He asked. I can hear the clear interest in his voice. "Do you like her? Do you two have a relationship? Are you courting her?"

"It's not important." I snarled, glaring fiercely at him.

He sighed and adjusted his position, "I need to know to know what kind of effort I should exert to keep her safe."

I knew what he meant by that. I turned and pierced him with a threatening glare. "She's important. If she's harmed or even receives a scratch on her body-I will rip your throat apart if you're at fault."

The corner of his lip lifted, "She's very important. Got it."

I growled and turned back to pacing. It was driving me insane. I didn't know what else to do. The spy we sent have not yet returned. The rogue attacks on our borders was just getting worse and worse. My father was doing everything he can to keep them at bay while I figure out who was behind all this. Giving Misha the knowledge that she is a healer might not give me the advantage that I want.

What if by telling her, I was only putting her life more at risk.

Why were rogues attacking our borders when they know it wasn't easy to get through a whole town?

Was there something going on that I couldn't see?

"What happened?" Josef asked.

I stopped and glanced at him to see if he really wanted to know. His face lost its smirk. He really wanted to know. I turned with a sigh.

"She was able to name the medicinal herbs sold in the market today."

"You're afraid she will soon start to remember..." Josef spoke my thoughts out loud.

I turned to face the window, stuffing my hands into my pocket. I gazed out over the horizon where the sun was setting. A slow gut churning sensation befalling over me. I felt sick lying to her. I hated calling her Laurel but I want to do everything I can to save her.

"The Misha I knew was as sweet as the Misha I know now." I said. I remember her giving up on her love Alpha Constantin. "Her selflessness is admirable."

I sighed and looked back down to the mansion open ground, "If she finds out, she will hate me but I rather she be safe and hated me than hurt because of me."

"Healers don't have mates." Josef mentioned.

"I know." I replied.

"I am going to be blunt, what are your intention towards the healer?" Josef questioned, in his own little thoughts.

What are my intentions towards Misha?

Hell if I know.

I hate her guy friend Sebastian. I don't like how he touches Misha. It pisses me off when she smiles at anyone other than me. She pisses me off and sets me on edge sometimes. She annoys the hell out of me whenever she gets a chance. She talks back. She a smart ass. She's not afraid of me.

But...

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair again, feeling stress pounding through my head like a million horses running through a field.

But...

She was amazing. I adored her sassiness. I loved the way she looked at me. When she smiles I felt everything around me light up like a light bulb. Her laughter brings me a blanket of warmth. Holding her to sleep at night...takes away my nightmares and demons.

So...what are my intentions?

"Hell if I know." I muttered my earlier thought out loud.

Josef left a few minutes later, leaving me alone again to wallow in my thoughts. I was conflicted. A part of me wanted to tell her everything. Another part of me wanted to do everything to keep her safe even if it means not telling her truth. I won't wait long though, as soon as I know who was behind this, I will tell her immediately. The person who is responsible will die soon after.

Tomorrow was another festival day and I know tonight I won't be seeing any sign of Misha. She will be hanging out with her friends until late. I didn't like the idea but I couldn't stop her from seeing her friends.

~~

The next day, all the warriors stood around shirtless with me in the front. The wolf parade down the five-mile street was a huge event. People built floats in honor of our animals and our Moon Goddess. Marching bands from our teen pups will be joining in the parade, large balloons of the moon and the face of a wolf were floating in the air.

The parade usually starts with the Alpha and Beta leading the warriors, followed by floats, marching band, balloons, singers, omegas handing out candies.

Josef stretched with a huge grin on his face. I stretched my arm muscles and felt the adrenaline run through my veins. The crowd can be heard from just the other side of the bridge. People were excited to see action.

"Your mate is here to watch you?" I asked Josef.

He grinned, "She won't be able to resist this, Alpha."

He motioned his body. I scoffed before laughing. He laughed with me and we moved to stand in front of the warriors. I turned and signaled everyone to be ready by raising my right hand. They stopped talking and got into formation.

As soon as the music sets off, we started out with a jog. The minute we hit the other side of the bridge the crowd chaired. Many women wolf whistled appraisingly at the half naked warriors. We started off with our fighting formation. The elite ranks spreading out waiting for that one beat of the song to break out.

When the note came, the elite ranks, Josef, and I did a front flip before three more groups broke out from the warriors group began to pull out to the side of the streets to break dance. The women were screaming and shoving to get to see more of the muscles. We continued the parade with tricks and more dances. Halfway through, I caught sight of Misha with Sebastian. He was leaning into her ear whispering to her but her eyes were focused on me. I can see her eyes sweeping over my body from head to toe. I can feel the heat and desire just from the look in her eyes.

I smirked and jogged up to her. Her eyes widening as I broke formation. Taking her hand, I motioned for her to join the parade. Immediately she shook her head. I yanked her off the side walk and dragged her towards the middle. She looked awkward in the middle of thousands of shirtless men.

I turned to her, "Watch me and only me."

The warriors including me, started to shift into our wolves. My eyes remained on Misha while I shifted. She didn't budge. She didn't run. She stood still. When I was fully shifted into my wolf. I stood at my full height which was a little bit above her height. Her eyes widened when I snapped my jaw playfully onto her shoulder.

"Michael!" She shouted.

I snorted before I moved behind her and nudged her with my head. She yelped and moved forward.

"What do you want?" She asked.

I nodded towards my back and knelt to the ground.

"You want me to get on your back?" She asked.

I rolled my eyes and nodded.

"Did you just roll your eyes at me?" She looked flabbergasted.

I snorted again and nudged her front with my head before sneaking in a nip to her breast. She looked beyond horrified as she quickly hopped onto my back. She knew my threat. If she didn't do it I'll continue to bite her.

When she had her arms and legs firmly wrapped around me we broke into a run. The warriors did numerous tricks in their wolf forms which caused the pups to shout with glee. They were all excited to see huge dogs performing tricks.

Once we reached the end of the road, I didn't stop. Instead, I burst into a run. Surprising Misha who screamed and held on tight. I wanted to laugh at her reaction but it was fun to have her wrapped tightly around me. We went through the woods of my territory, not too close to the edge but far enough to be far from everyone.

When I finally slowed down to a trot she slowly let go of her tight grip on me. She sighed and nuzzled her face into my fur which shocked me a little but I had to admit, it did make me happy. I wondered why she doesn't know yet that she too was a wolf. Was her wolf dormant inside of her but it couldn't be because she was able to smell those medicine from a distance. She should feel a presence inside of her, a strong one.

"Your wolf is beautiful."

I huffed. I am not beautiful.

She giggled and snuggled further. "You have the softest fur. I can sleep on it all day and night."

Now I like that idea.

"I wonder why I am not afraid of you?"

Because you are a wolf too, Misha.

After we walked a while I turned us around and walked back to the pack house. She spoke up again.

"Sebastian likes me."

I snorted. I knew it. I hate that guy.

She sighed. "He told me to give him a chance."

I huffed and shook my head. She giggled again.

"He's my friend, Michael. What am I supposed to say to him?"

That you don't like him.

She sighed, "Well, I told him the truth."

And what was that?

"Are we heading home?"

No! Answer my question before, Misha.

"That was fun. I hope I get to see your wolf more often." She answered, I knew she couldn't hear me but I still wanted to know. What the hell did she tell Sebastian?