ARI

Still trying to wrap my head around the death threats I received, I made my way home.

Everyone was waiting for me patiently, not realizing what had just happened.

Alex was pacing before his nose twitched in the air.

He noticed me and came to me. This time I let him. I was scared now. I think I'm going to die tomorrow.

Alex's blue eyes twinkled in sadness again and stopped before he could reach me.

He must think I'm still scared of him. He didn't know all I wanted to do was be with him.

I padded closer to him and leaned against his leg, before sitting down by his feet.

His hand touched my head and I closed my eyes, relishing in how good it felt.

"You want to change back?" Nathan asked with a pair of clothes in his hands.

I looked at him with confusion.

"She doesn't know how. Every time she would turn, she would have to go to sleep in order to change back." My mother told him.

Nathan wiped his face, sighing.

"Alex, do me a favor and teach her."

Alex looked down at me and smiled before he grabbed the clothes from his dad and led us behind a tree where he turned around, facing away from me.

"Okay Ari, this part is probably the easiest. It didn't hurt to change back. All you have to do is feel it. Feel your bones changing back into your human body. If it's hard then try imagining it."

I did my best with imagining myself turn back into a human but my body wouldn't move. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my bones. One by one, I felt each bone in my body and then like magic, I was me again.

Alex turned a little and I yelped, covering my naked body. "Don't look!"

Alex dropped the clothes in his hands onto the floor and covered his eyes. "Oh god! I'm sorry!"

I turned beet red. Did he see me? I looked down at my body feeling self conscious now.

Alex didn't move. "Uh Alex, can you toss me the clothes?" I would get them but I don't want to flash him.

Alex felt around the floor with his eyes shut tight before locating the clothes and then throwing them to me.

I quickly got dressed and then cleared my throat.

Alex turned around slowly, his neck and cheeks tomato red. He chuckled nervously before leading me back to the field where my mother was having an argument with Zander.

Those two I swear.

"Not tonight!" My mother said through clenched teeth.

"Why not!" Zander complained.

"B-because I don't have anything to wear, that's why." She crossed her arms in a stubborn manner.

Did Zander ask my mom out on a date?

"Just wear what your wearing! You don't need to change, you look fine the way you are." Zander smiled making my mother blush.

I smiled at them. I could tell my mother was happier and it made me happier.

After thinking for a while, she finally gave him an answer. "Fine. But"- She said interrupting Zanders happy dance. -"I have some rules." She smiled wickedly.

At least I know someone will take care of my mother when I'm gone.

Alex pulled me out of their conversation by tugging on my shirts sleeve.

I looked at Alex in sadness. Who's going to take care of him when I'm gone?

Alex led me inside, taking me to the kitchen. He sat me down on a chair before he turned on the stove and put a pot of boiling water on.

"You know how to cook?" I didn't mean to sound surprised but it came out like that.

"Only a few things." He said chopping up some vegetables.

He poured some pasta into the boiling hot water.

As we waited for the pasta, Alex stood across from me and nervously rubbed his neck.

"Hey I was wondering if you wanted to do something tomorrow?" He turned red again. I smiled at his cuteness.

And then I frowned when I remembered that I was probably going to die tomorrow.

He took the expression on my face as rejection. He seemed hurt and looked down. "It doesn't even have to be together. We could like watch a movie with Jen and Nate."

I hesitated answering him. I didn't want to say no but I couldn't say yes.

When he seemed even more hurt with my silence, I finally answered.

"I would love to. It can be just us if you want."

Maybe if we hang out tonight I can get one more day of happiness.

"Can we do something tonight instead?"

It was barley 7pm and I was about to eat dinner so movie would be ideal.

Alex frowned. "I can't tonight. Dad wants to gather a bunch of us and search for Micheal, who's missing."
I shivered but didn't say anything.

"I can get out of it?" He offered.

My shoulders slumped. "No don't. I understand, hopefully whoever you're looking for is found."

Alex smiled. "I hope so too. So tomorrow at 8?" He asked, smiling so wide.

I covered the sadness in my eyes with excitement. "Tomorrow at 8 it is."

Except tomorrow by 7, I'll probably be dead.

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

ALEX

The morning sun peeked through my window blinding me. I grumbled and turned in my bed, away from the sunlight.

When sleep didn't come back to me, I sighed and decided to check my phone. I groaned when I saw it was only 6am.

After debating with myself and losing, I finally got up and got ready for the day.

In the shower I couldn't help but think about what Ari was doing in her room. If she was still sleeping or awake and in the shower, naked, with water dripping down her bo-

I slapped myself. Stop thinking dirty! I was glad I decided to take a cold shower. Honestly though she isn't just beautiful, she's kind and passionate and she makes my heart hurt. I knew I was in love and it was a good feeling.

Instead of just drowning in my sadness or pushing people away, I actually felt happier and it was all thanks to her.

I smiled. She deserves everything in the world and I want to give it to her.

I thought about our wedding, our beautiful children, who obviously got every great gene from their mother, our own little house. My heart felt content.

I couldn't wait for our date tonight. I've been waiting for this day for too long. Excitement ran through my body as I dressed in a pair of blue jeans, my fitted red Nike shirt paired with my white converse.

I went down the stairs, a little jump to my steps, and ended up in the kitchen where Ariana's mother was pinned against a wall by Zander.

My hands flew up to my eyes and I screamed. "Oh my god!"

Helen gasped and I heard Zander being pushed to the floor. Damn, she has some strength.

"Oh my god Alex! I'm so sorry!" Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. "This idiot,-" she slapped Uncle Zander's arm, "-doesn't understand that no means no."

Uncle Zander pouted and looked down like a child, rubbing his arm.

I noticed Helen's eyes getting softer the longer she looked at him. I guess having a mate was finally starting to affect her like it has already affected uncle Zander.

She seemed happier too. She was basically my mother in law so I was happy that she was happy.

My nose perked up when Ari's beautiful scent hit my nose. I could hear her coming down the stairs but something was different. It was like she was dragging her feet and was definitely slower.

She rounded the corner and seriously I felt my insides lit up. My lips automatically turned up into a smile. Her's did the same expect the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked concerned.

She just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "Just tired."

I narrowed my eyes at her but didn't say anything.

"Hey sweetie, good morning!" Helen kissed her cheek.

"Good morning." Ari replied sadly. She glanced at everyone as if trying to remember our faces.

"So, what crazy training do we have planned for today?" Helen asked as she smacked away Uncle Zander's hand for the hundredth time.

Ari's eyes suddenly lit up. "Forget training! How was your date?! I want every detail."

Helen blushed again and grabbed Ariana's hand, dragging her into the living room.

Uncle Zander tiptoed over to the mouth of the kitchen and eavesdropped into the mother and daughter conversation.

"Uncle Zander!" I shouted.

"What?" He asked trying to feign innocence.

I shook my head at him. "Did you have a good time yesterday?"

Honestly, I was just asking because I had no idea what to do for a first date.

Yes, I've been on plenty of dates but I have never been on a date with someone I loved! I feel pressured like hell.

What should I wear? Should it be a casual date? Do we go to a restaurant? Do I surprise her? Does she even like surprises?!

A hint of red tinted my uncles cheeks making me gape at him. "It was awesome." He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Literally the best night of my life. I can't wait for more to come."

I smiled in excitement. Now I really can't wait until tonight.

I wonder if Ari was as nervous as I was?

Who knows!

I stopped panicking and my uncle slapped my shoulder. "You'll be fine Alex. Once you see her, all that nervousness and anxiousness will just melt away.

Helen and Ari walked back into the kitchen and I swear I think my heart just had an attack. Just the sight of her made me so happy.

Ariana looked at me weirdly but came to stand next to me anyways. "So, are we training today?"

"I was actually thinking we could do something else before tonight." I told her. I was becoming too clingy and I don't think she liked it.

"I was actually really hoping to get in some training. I feel so behind already." She looked at me frowning.

I wasn't hurt or anything. I get it. I would probably do the same thing if I were in her shoes.

Uncle Zander spoke up. "Yup, let's head to the field now." He then looked at Helen before giving her his hand. "Care to watch malady?"

Helen giggled making Ariana fake gag.

"Oh shut up Ari." Helen poked her tongue at her and she walked out the back door with uncle Zander.

Ariana looked at me with her big brown eyes. "Hey, I was wondering if we could go at 6 today instead of 8?"

I noddded my head. "Of course, whatever you want."

She flew into my arms, catching me off guard. I would have fell to the ground if she wasn't holding me.

She squeezed me tight before looking up at me. "Thanks. I guess I'll see you later then." She gave me a crooked smile and I swear I almost melted to the floor.

"Uh, y-yeah, later." I confirmed before she left through the door.

***

There was one hour left before our date and I was already dressed in my black slacks and my white button down shirt. I kept my hair the way it was which was half messy and half done. I folded the sleeves up my elbow and grabbed my Apple Watch before sitting in my chair waiting.

I planned on having a dinner in the moonlight and I knew we would end up talking all night so I didn't really plan ahead.

I checked the time again and wondered if I should go get early.

I knew she was ready from all the noise her mother was making, picking out her clothes and doing  her hair. I think she was chilling in her room for over 30 minutes.

I heard a few things knocking around somewhere in the house but shrugged it off. Being werewolves, someone always lost control.

When 30 minutes had passed. I excitedly bounced off my chair and basically ran towards Ariana's door.

I was about to knock when I smelled something on the other side that made my blood run cold.

"ARIANA! OPEN THE DOOR!" I knocked a little too hard this time, my heart pounding.

Why does it smell like blood? Why am I smelling blood in her room.

My father and uncle Zander popped there head into the hallway. "What's going on?" My Dad asked.

I didn't answer him and instead kicked open Ariana's door.

I glanced around her trashed room with wide eyes. Her desk chair was on the floor in pieces. Her window broken with glass everywhere. Her bed sheets were on the floor. A few spots of blood on them and a giant puddle of blood right smack in the middle of the room.

I went into panic mode. "Ariana?"

I went into her bathroom and closet. "Ariana? Where are you. What the hell is happening?"

I came back out to see my father inspecting the pool of blood and my uncle checking the blood on the sheets.

"Matt, Chris, Anthony, alert the guards. We've had a trespasser onto our property and we think they've taken Ariana. Find a scent now and follow it. I'll join you in just a second." My fathers voice said through the mind-link.

"DAD! Where is she? Where did she go? What the hell is happening?" I felt faint. I wasn't breathing.

"Alex, Alex breath. You're in shock but you have to breath if you want to find out what happened here."

I drew in a long breath and exhaled it out slowly.

Helens footsteps came into the hallway and my uncle Zander stiffened.

"Are you lovebirds rea-" Helens voice trailed off when she noticed the room. Her heart quickening with fear.

"Zander?" She said through tears.

Uncle Zander squeezed her to his chest. "Shhh, we'll find her."

Helen sobbed loudly and I couldn't help but feel like doing the same.

I felt helpless.

My ear twitched when I heard a phone ringing in the room.

"What is that?" My Dad squinted his eyes to a cell phone that was on the desk. I don't know how we didn't see it before.

I flew to the phone and answered it.

"Hello? Ariana?" I said in a shaky voice.

"Nope! Guess again." My heart stopped when I heard the man's voice, already guessing who it was.

"No." I whispered. He can't have her. He just can't. She was supposed to be safe here.

"Yes!" The man cackled. "So I assume you know who I am? No need for introductions?"

I growled. My father tried to ask me what was happening. I put the phone on speaker before talking again.

"No shit I know who you are. You think I won't find you? You think I won't find my mate?" My grip tightened on the phone.

The bastard chuckled. "How freaking adorable. Well, Alex or Shawn or whatever you're calling yourself, listen to me carefully. There is a small plot of land not to far from your pack. Maybe a 20 minute drive, tops. I want you to meet us at the first house you see. Now let me remind you to come alone. If I see any other head other than yours, I will drop Ariana so fast, you'll never see it coming."

"Don't touch her! I'll do what you want. Ariana if you can hear me, I'm coming for you!" My heart beat in my chest waiting to hear her voice. Needing to hear her voice.

"OMG Alex! Please help me!" The asshole said in a high voice, mocking me. He snorted. "Im just kidding! Ariana is here but she's still unconscious from when I hit her over the head."

My deep growl caused my teeth and claws to elongate.

"Oh shit, there is a lot of blood pouring out. I think she might be de-"

A thunderous snarl left my mouth. I almost crushed the phone in my hand but my dad got it before I could do any damage to it.

"Holy shit! Calm down! I'm just yanking your chain. She's fine. At least I think so."

I heard a clinking sound. Like metal hitting metal.

"Alright well I have to check to see if she's still alive. Just meet me where I told you to come."

I heard more clinking before the call got cut off.

"I always knew he was crazy." My Dad shook his head and handed the phone to uncle Zander.

I couldn't stay there anymore so I ran downstairs and flew into my car, starting it.

My dad followed me, standing in front of the car, stopping me from going.

"Move out of the way Dad, I have to go. You heard what that bastard said! I have to go alone!" I clenched my teeth and revved the engine.

"Don't be stupid Alex." My Dad spit back. "He said to go alone but that doesn't mean you have too."

"I can't risk it, I'm going alo-"

"Be smart Alex! We're going to follow you there and keep our distance and if you need us, we'll be there but like I said, we'll be hidden."

I closed my eyes and breathed. I needed to think. I can't take them on especially if they have more than two people. I definitely needed the help.

But I just can't risk it. I can't risk Ariana dying. I just can't.

Stepping on the race, driving around my father and sped away.

He called after me but I didn't stop.

"I'm sorry Dad." I blocked his response and focused on the road.

I'm coming for you Ariana.