I stared distastefully at the orange table spread that adorned the kitchen table. Plates were already set, cups filled with ice, yet we were still waiting for the food.

"How much longer," I complained, looking at the bustling kitchen. I had been banned from stepping anywhere near the food, considering I had sticky fingers when it came to delicious treats.

"Patience is a virtue," My mother answered from across the kitchen, earning an eye roll.

"I don't care, I just want to know when I can start eating the rolls," I said impatiently, kicking the leg of my chair methodically.

My mother shot me a glare, before cracking an egg into her chocolate batter.

It was Turkey Day, the day of giving thanks, watching football, and food. Lots and lots of food.

"Can you get any more annoying?" Jeanette tsked, crossing her arms as she leaned into my couch. I stared at her, crossing my own arms.

"You're on my couch right now Jeanette, in my house. Shut up." I answered, stalking away from her. I ran upstairs, a sigh leaving my lips.

The worst part of thanksgiving, was waiting for the food.

"Such a 1st world problem," Dottie chirped as I fell onto my bed. I groaned, my stomach grumbling.

"Maybe..." I answered, crawling beneath my covers.

Connell was alone in his house, but I hadn't found a way to sneak out. My family were all watching like hawks, every glance at the door setting off a little alarm in their head. It was the day of family, and that didn't include Connell. For them, at least.

I shut my eyes and fell into a light sleep, snuggling my teddy bear tightly as I tried to sleep. In the back of my head I could hear the distant ruckus of my family tampering around the kitchen below.

I was barely asleep when a hand shook me awake, causing me to jolt up.

"Wake up sleepyhead, it's dinner time," Zach said, hitting me repeatedly on the arm. I squeezed my eyes shut, throwing my hand in the direction of his body.

We hit each other back and forth, before he grabbed onto my arm and pulled me off the bed. I bounded up, chasing him out of my room and down the stairs.

"ugh!" Jeanette scowled as we pushed past her, shoving her lightly into a wall. I wrapped my hand around Zach's bicep, pulling with all my might backwards to through him off balance.

It didn't work, and instead I slipped on the hardwood floor and fell to the ground. Luckily, Zach tripped over me, so we both ended up squirming on the wood.

"Children, stop it!" Aunt Laura hollered, causing me and Zach to stop in our places. We both looked towards the kitchen, where all of the parents were staring us down.

Throwing a cheeky smile to my Aunt, I started to get up, putting my hand in Zach's face as I stood. Zach glared, but straightened his clothes and stood next to me.

"Dinner time," my mother announced.

Everyone found a place at the table, sitting patiently (or in my case, impatiently), for everyone to say thanks.

"I'm thankful for my family," My mother said cheerfully, looking at my father with happiness. Zach and I looked at each other, a soft smile exchanged. No matter how much they fought, they always found a way back to each other.

"Well, I'm thankful for finding my mate," Jeanette continued. I blinked, looking at her. She seemed sad, underneath the fake happiness.

If anyone could spot fake happiness, it was me.

I took a long sip of my sweet tea, my eyebrows going up as I watched the rest of my family say their thanks.

When it was Jessica's turn, she got this coy look on her face.

"I'm thankful for Mr. Wood, he is one handsome man," Jessica giggled. Looks like someone had a few too many beers.

My eyes immediately shifted to Jackson, who shuffled in his seat. His gaze went to his plate, and he just stared at the empty space.

I felt jealous bubbling inside me once again, like it had a few days ago. Exhaling deeply, I chugged another gulp of my drink, leaning back in my seat.

"Please Jessica, control yourself," Aunt Laura scolded, shooting Jessica a look.

Lifting her hands, Jessica smiled, grinning to herself.

"I'm just saying, that man is yummy," She countered.

I looked away from Jackson, and straight at Jessica. There was some part of me, whether it be my wolf or not, that was starting to become very agitated.

That other part started to take over my tongue as I watched Jessica.

"Aren't you thirsty," I said slowly.

All attention turned to me as I glared daggers into Jessica. I could feel Dottie and I's personality switching back and forth, fighting for control.

Dottie was winning.

"Excuse me?" Jessica asked, shock clear on her face. I tilted my head and shrugged, taking a sip of my tea.

After I swallowed, I put my glass down.

"It's almost like you're obsessed with him," I said simply.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Zach shift uncomfortably, presumably not knowing what to think. I turned my attention away from him, returning to stare at Jessica.

"I'm a grown woman, I can like whoever I want," she retorted. Everyone was silent as we stared at each other.

"Just because you don't have morals, doesn't mean he doesn't," I spat. My mother gasped lightly, and my father took a long swig of his Jack Daniels.

Jessica narrowed her eyes at me, sitting up straighter.

"You're too young to understand," Jessica rebounded weakly. I exhaled deeply, and I could feel Dottie take full control.

"You know what you don't understand, you don't understand how to back off!" I hissed. I struggled with Dottie, fighting to take back my voice.

"Ruby Delson you stop it this instant!" My mother interrupted, causing me to look at her.

Dottie was far to into control, her protective side coming out full force.

"I won't, because he's my mate!" I confessed, standing.

"and I don't want your grubby little hands getting close to him," I exploded. Jessica, and I'm sure everyone else's mouth fell open in shock.

I stood there for a few seconds, looking at all of them. Dottie quickly lost control, and I was fully in control over myself.

Stumbling backwards, I watched them as I looked for a way out.

"Ruby stop!" My mother said, but I was already rushing towards the door.

I blocked them out as I ripped open the door, slamming it after I took a few steps.

I could feel my tear ducts starting to churn as I ran through my yard.

The one secret I was supposed to keep, was no longer a secret. My stomach turned as I ran up the steps of Connell's house.

I could see dim light of his kitchen from the curtained window. Inhaling sharply, I wiped away a stray tear as I banged on his door.

Through the curtains I could see his figure shift.

The position felt strangely familiar, and my thoughts briefly strayed to the amount of times I had been on his porch in some kind of distress.

Connell wasn't in a hurry to get to the door, taking his time to walk over. I shifted from foot to foot as I waited for him to open the door, periodically glancing over at my own house.

When he did open the door, he was taken aback by the sight. I let out a upset cry, wrapping my arms around his torso. He stood there, shocked.

"Ruby darling, what's wrong?" He questioned, closing the door behind us as he led me to his couch.

I tried to speak, but another cry left my lips as I thought about everything that had happened.

Connell sat me down, wiping the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs as he shushed me. When I had finally stopped weeping, he held my hand, waiting for me to speak.

"I just, got so mad at her," I jabbered, my hands squeezing his hard. "I couldn't stop myself."

Connell's expression seemed to become more worried, and he glanced at the door as though the police were about to bound in.

"What did you do?" Connell asked, his tone laced with stress. I inhaled sharply, coughing from the lack of air I could get in my lungs.

"My wolf took over, I couldn't control her," I continued.

I could feel a headache start to come on, and I pressed on my temples gently, before looking at Connell again.

The lines on Connells face deepened as he seemed to drift off to his thoughts.

"I-," I started, swallowing painfully.

"I told them all," I said slowly, sniffing. Connell paused, confusion on his face.

"You told them?"

"Yes."

"You told them what?"

I blinked at him, tilting my head. My cheeks were still wet, but I was no longer crying.

"What do you mean? I told my family that we're mates!" I exclaimed.

Connell sat still for a seconds, processing the information. After he had done that, he muttered a low "oh."

"I'm sorry," I said in a shaky voice, my tears ducts kicking in once again.

Connell had a frown on his face, but he didn't look angry. Worried maybe, but not angry.

I climbed forward, my arms going around Connells neck as I exhaled. He wrapped his arms around my waist, sighing.

"It's going to be okay," he soothed, his hand touching my face gently. I leaned into it like a cat, exhaling slowly.

"I thought you had killed someone..." Connell confessed slowly, his warm breath tickling the side of my face.

I lifted my eyebrow, looking at him.

"Almost." I responded, snuggling into his grip.

Before he could respond, I let out a yawn. Sinking down into his embrace, I put my head to his chest.

Connell said something, but I wasn't listening as I was lulled to sleep by the rhythmic beating of his heart.