Yawning, I step out of my bedroom and rub my eyes. That was the best slumber. You know, the kind where you sleep through the night with no dreams and you wake up feeling refreshed?

I head to the bathroom to start my morning routine and to freshen up.

Yesterday, after confronting Catalina at her work, Greyson and I returned to Derek with our new found information. Derek looked like a boy in a candy shop when we told him everything. He is confident that he will have a big lead in a couple of days. That means we will be heading on another mission soon.

If Damien is going to keep up his act with his father, he is going to have to come on this mission as well. Ugh. It's the worst when he comes. He is a complete jerk who just bosses people around. He doesn't know how to work well on a team. I still can't believe how quickly he bailed on Leo and myself during the last mission. He aggrivates me so much. I would have never done that.

I reach out for my tooth paste and tooth brush. I grasp them in my hands when I hear a loud knock on the door to my suite.

Visitors, at eight in the morning? That's unusual.

I toss my stuff back onto the bathroom counter and head out to the family room. Surprisingly, my mom hasn't answered the door. To be honest, I have no idea where she is. That woman is like a phantom recently. One second she is here and the next, just gone.

I open the door wide to see a perky eyed Rina standing there. She is wearing a casualy baby blue t-shirt along with a pair of work out shorts. She looks cute but not too done up, and her hair is straightened. Her eyes are practically sparkling. I can't help but smile at her pleasant attitude.

"Morning Rina. You're up early." I point out.

She smiles brightly, practically blinding me with her white teeth. Goodness, I have never seen a girl so happy in my life.

"Good morning Lucia." She giggles and adds, "Isn't it such a beautiful day?"

"Uhh, yup." I add popping the 'p', "What has you in such a good mood?" I ask curiously.

I motion inside the suite and allow her to come in. I shut the door behind her. Following her to the couch, we sit down and she follows up her giddy smile with a story.

"Well this morning, Leo and I took a stroll in the woods." She says excitedly.

I give her a strange look, "and?"

She smiles. I can feel the happiness pouring off of her in waves, "Then as we made it to a little river, he told me that I'm the most interesting girl that he has ever met. Then he told me that he is falling for me." She squeals and I smile.

No way, that boy actually has some balls after all. He isn't just a little scaredy cat! It's amazing how this little thing can be such a big deal to her. On the bright side, I don't think Rina is crazy because I would feel the exact same way if it were me and Greyson.

"So what did you say back?"

"Well," She begins, "I was so shocked that my face turned bright pink. My heart was pounding in my chest and I knew I couldn't talk. I was just so happy and yet so nervous at the same time. So I remembered what your mom said, and I decided to show him my feelings with my actions rather than my words. So I kissed him..."

My jaw drops open, "You kissed him?"

She nods.

My cute little innocent Rina made the first move? If she did it, then why haven't I made a move on Greyson yet? If she can do it, then I certainly can too.

"It was amazing Lucia." She starts to daydream in front of me, "Sparks flew and these weird tingles flew through my body. Surprisingly, my wolf was all for it too. She was practically jumping in joy."

So her wolf reacts to Leo the way mine does to Greyson? All of these feelings she's sharing with me sound so familiar. Actually, listening to it is making me want to go to Greyson's side right now...

"Rina I'm so excited for you! He even shared his thoughts with you. That means you guys have mutual feelings."

She sighs happily, "I know, love is so amazing, isn't it?"

Wait a second, "Love? You think you are already in love with him?"

I didn't know that it could happen so fast. I though love was a slower process. One that had to be built up.

"Think? No this has to be what love is. I've read so many books about it." She thinks for a moment then adds, "Actually the love I'm feeling appears to be more intense then the ones in the books. I just feel drawn to Leo. I'm not sure what it is but I want to be with him every second and I want him to hug me and kiss me all the time..."

"I know the feeling..." I add, slightly sad.

She gives me a curious look as she leans back onto the couch, "You're sad about your feelings for Greyson? Why?"

I sigh, "It's not that I'm sad, it's just, unlike you I don't think Greyson likes me back."

Her eyes show signs of pity, "Oh no, what makes you say that?"

"Well we have madeout, but he has never said anything to me that really hinted at him liking me. He hasn't gotten jealous either." I stand from the couch, "Whatever. I think he just wants a friend with benefits. Do you want some coffee or tea?"

"Coffee please."

"Cream and sugar?"

"Yes please," She stands and I walk into the kitchen "Lucia maybe he is just unsure of telling you because he doesn't know how you feel about him."

"I made out with him, doesn't that show him I care?" I add as I pull out the coffee blend.

Rina plops her tiny self into a seat at the counter and shakes her head, "No way, Leo and I have madeout before and-"

"Woah woah woah," I cut her off, "You guys madeout? I thought that this was your first kiss today?"

She blushes embarrassed and shakes her head.

"No we actually have made out a couple of times... We even kissed in the library before."

My jaw drops to the floor. I can't believe that her and Leo are progressing so quickly. What could this mean? Will Leo ask the Alpha if he can mate with Rina soon? I'm so confused, yet happy for Rina at the same time.

"I have to say," I add, finally brewing the coffee, "I'm impressed. Leo obviously really cares about you. He shows it to you and tells you about it."

"Yeah I couldn't be any luckier than I am now. He is perfect." She adds dreamily.

I think of the adorable brown haired boy I met the first day he came here. I try to picture him as the perfect man, but I can't see it. I can only see him as a cute little boy. Granted, my eyes are soley focused on Greyson, but I want to see where Rina is coming from. I find it weird that she sees Leo as this perfect man who she eventually wants to mate with, while I only see Leo as a great friend at most.

Well there is only one thing I can say about these experiences so far, and that is, love is weird.

Buzz.

A loud vibration rings through the air causing both Rina and I to jump.

I turn to my right to see Rina pulling her phone from her pocket. She places it on the table with its screen lit up. An indication that she has a new text is clearly displayed on the screen. I take a closer look and see that it's from Derek. Huh.

She swipes the screen and opens the message up. To my surprise it is a group message. My name is also on the list of recipients but I left my phone in my room. I never use the damn thing. They seem pointless, but it's one of the perks I get from making so much money on the Squad. I peer over the counter to read the message with Rina.

Hey everyone. I'm calling a meeting to discuss the upcoming mission. Damien wants us all to gather at Howler's Den. We can eat and talk about the next steps in figuring out what to do. Although it appears Damien has a plan already. Meet in twenty minutes.

Howler's Den? Really? He wants us to go to that cheesy place? Also, why didn't Derek come to me with the information first? Since when did he start trusting Damien over me?

So many annoying questions continue to roll through my head. I take a deep breath and push them into the back of my mind for the moment.

"I guess we should go meet up with the Squad..." She complains quietly. Clearly she was enjoying our prior conversation.

I start to run my fingers through my hair in preparation to putting it up into a pony tail.

"Yeah, we should head there right after we finish our coffee. I'm surprised Derek didn't come here and talk to me about what he found out before he told Damien. It makes me feel betrayed in a way." I state honestly as I wrap my hair elastic around my high ponytail, holding it in place.

"Don't think of it like that Lucia. Derek probably wanted to tell you first, but Damien has been pretty adamant about being in charge of this mission. Plus, Damien is still the leader, as much as all of us would rather you lead us."

My heart feels touched at her words, "You would rather me be the leader?"

Her smile is genuine when she adds, "Not just me, everyone else in the squad feels that way too. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it though."

My heart is elated and so is my wolf at the fact that my squad basically respects me as their leader, "Well it's just nice to know that this is how you all feel about the situation. So thank you."

She laughs, "Lucia, are you getting all mushy over there?" She teases me.

I roll my eyes but smile, "No way, you will never see me getting mushy."

--------------------------------------

The neon pink walls flash bright as Rina and I reach the perfume-filled hallway. The look on Rina's face is priceless. Clearly this is her first time seeing the slut cave. It makes me want to burst out in laughter. I wonder if my facial features when I saw this place for the first time was this funny. Her nose is scrunch up in disgust, wrinkles forming on her forehead and her lips pressed tight together.

"Are you kidding me? This is the Howler's Den?" She complains quietly as we get closer and closer.

"Not what you were expecting, right?" she shakes her head and I laugh, "wait until we go inside."

Fear crosses her features and I want to break out laughing. Unfortunately, before I can, the older woman I met here before exits from the curtains that dangle underneath the gaudy florescent sign.

She gives me a quick dirty look, clearly remembering who I am. She quickly composes herself by feigning a smile. Crows feet stretch in the corner of her eyes as she looks between Rina and myself.

"Welcome ladies. I'm assuming you are with Damien's group?"

I frown and cross my arms tightly over my chest, "Oh wow, I'm surprised you didn't mistake me as one of your little go-go girls again."

She growls and rolls her eyes, "Ha. As if any of my girls could ever look as repulsive as you."

My jaw drops, "What the hell did you just say to me?"

Rina's eyes are wide in shock. Clearly she heard her too. Who the hell does she think I am?

My wolf twitches in anger, clearly ready to spring and bite her head off at any moment. I restrain my poor wolf from her instinctive desire by taming my breathing.

She straightens her back and turns toward the curtain, away from us. Her crusty hair moving perfectly with her head, not daring to budge from the spots she sprayed it. Then she replies, "Nothing, I said nothing. Right this way please."

Hair still raised on my neck, I growl and follow her into the den. Man, this lady really knows how to get under my skin.

We follow her stone hard red head through the club. I glance over at Rina and notice how flabbergasted she is as she looks around. I feel my mood lighten a bit at her frazzled state. Her eyes fill with worry as she sticks close to my side, like a child.

She is staring off at the stage where girls are dancing and cheesy music is playing in the background. One girl is on a pole dancing and spinning around it. Men are sitting on bar stools next to the stage, completely mesmerized by the girl. On the ground is a group of guys who seem to be getting lap dances by one of the service girls. Rina finally looks away, mortified.

The three of us finally make it to the back corner of the club. Luckily the boys are already here, including Damien. They are sitting in a corner booth, which is very large.

"Alright ladies, enjoy your time." The women says to Rina and myself as she motions toward the booth.

"Thank you." Rina says, accepting her offer to sit at the table.

I glare at the woman and she happily returns the favor. As I join Rina, the woman storms off. Clearly she doesn't want me to be here as much as I don't want to be here.

Rina joins the boys, quickly taking her place next to Leo, who was sitting near the edge. I sit down next to her because my other option would be to sit next to Damien who is on the other end of the large crescent shaped booth, and that sure as hell isn't happening. Next to Damien is Ruben, Raymond, Derek and then Greyson.

As I sit, Damien decides to speak up, "Took you two long enough."

My eyes shoot up at him, "Sorry, but you can't blame me for not being excited to come here."

He rolls his eyes, "Lucia, we need to be here for two reasons. One, Catalina is an informant for this plan and second we need her help with something else."

"With something else? What is that-"

"Hello boys," Catalina purrs from behind me.

My eyes automatically roll as I turn her way. The boys' heads shoot up suddenly. I can feel the confidence rolling off of her as she feeds off their stares. She knows how attractive she is, and it just seems to make her stronger.

She struts toward the table with her long legs which are covered by the light blue material of her gypsy outfit. It flows around her, yet shows how skinny her legs are at the same time. A smirk forms on her lips as she slides into the booth and onto Damien's lap. Seductively she traces a finger down his chest and I can practically feel how pleased Damien is. In a way, it's sickening to watch.

"Welcome Catalina. It's nice of you to agree to help us." Damien adds while sliding a hand down her bare back toward her butt.

Gag me.

She turns to me and eyes me up and down, still playing with his chest, "Well you will need all the help you can get..."

I frown angrily.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Is she saying I'm inapt to be on this team? If anyone here is incapable of being on the squad, it's her. God, why is she such a complete and utter bitch?

"I think we should tell everyone the plan now..." Derek cuts in.

He can clearly see the anger on my face. Well shit, anyone can tell how pissed I am just by looking in my direction. It didn't take a detective.

"Right, good idea." Damien praises Derek. "Have any of you heard of 'Draco'?"

Draco? The name sounds vaguely familiar. I think I've heard it in passing, but I'm not quite sure what it is.

"Draco? The club owned by Salvador Antwan?" Leo asks.

"That's the one." Damien adds, "So if you know Salvador Antwan, you must know that he is a hunter."

"Yeah, and one of the most notorious at that." Derek adds, sitting up straight, clearly things are about to start heating up.

"So what, there are hunters all over the place. What's so important about this club and Salvador?" I ask, clearly just wanting some answers.

Derek perks up a bit, "What's so important is that Rodger is staying at the hotel over the club which is also owned by Salvador."

"Wait, how the hell did Rodger manage to get a room in the hotel. Salvador would never let a werewolf get past his sight." Greyson cuts in. He is just as confused as the rest of us.

"That's the part I'm still looking into. It even appears that Rodger is working in the club at night, he is a bouncer. There is no way Salvador would hire a werewolf without knowing, so there is something deeper going on."

"But that's not the point," Damien adds, "The point is, we found Rodger. So we are going to penetrate the club and capture Rodger. Once we have him in our grasps, we can ask him all the questions we want."

"And how do you suppose we are going to get into a club that's surrounded with werewolf hunters Damien? Did that even cross your mind?" I growl angrily. Sometimes this guys just doesn't think ahead. Honestly, where would he be without me running this squad.

He turns my direction suddenly. His black eyes spark as his lip raises up slightly into a smirk. My gut turns uncomfortably at the sight. My wolf shivers in fear at the way he is staring into my soul.

"You are going to get us in."