He was sulking. It had been over four hours since they had talked about Hunt and how to hide her, and the last Grace had seen of Brandon was his retreating figure bounding out of an open window and disappearing into the forest.

Lily had reassured her that this was normal. It was weird, that's what it was, she had decided. So consumed in his rage towards Jakes idea that he had lost all control of himself that he only had a few seconds to make it into the forest before his wolf took over.

"He got mad over a jumper! Am I missing something?" Grace mused to Amy as they walked from her room towards the dining hall for dinner.

"It's a Werewolf mate thing. Scent is like staking a claim on something. Brandon wants his scent all over you to warn other men away from you. By you wearing Jakes jumper, and being covered in his scent instead is like a rejection." She replied.

Her heart sunk. "I get it now." She sighed, as Amy helped her down into a dining room chair.

"I know it all seems weird and confusing, but you'll get used to everything eventually." She said, sitting down next to her, plating them both huge portions of the pasta, salad and bread that was being laid out.

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as other wolves descended into the room, chatter and laughter filling the air. Some sent her friendly waves and smiles, which she returned easily.

Jake strutted into the room, flopping down in the empty chair on the other side of her. They both looked down at her plate, which Amy was still filling.

"Hungry, Human?" Jake teased playfully.

Grace rolled her eyes, forcefully stopping Amy's hand when she reached over again with another spoon full of food.

"Amy, I think I have plenty- thank you." She laughed, taking in the mountain of food now in front of her. "I will never be able to eat all of this."

Amy replied with a shrug before tipping the spoon onto her own plate, reaching for her fork she began to eat with gusto.

Looking around with a bemused smile, Grace tentatively began to eat, small bites at first as she gaged whether or not she would be able to eat the food without getting stomach pains. After a few minutes of no reactions, she began to eat with a little more enthusiasm. The food was always good here, a shared labour from what she could tell.

All of the Werewolves around her ate as though it was their last meal, she had learned during her first dinner with them that this was because they required nearly double what an average human would due to their wolves.

Only managing a quarter of what Amy had given her, she pushed her plate away only for Jake to drag it towards her with a wink before adding it to his own.

Rolling her eyes she sat back and rested in her chair, her heart thudding in her chest. She hated how just eating a simple meal would send her heart into a frenzy, as though she had just ran a marathon.

Her gaze landed on the windows facing the forest, her thoughts drifting to Brandon. Surely if he had calmed down and shifted back he would have come and seen her by now.

"Why don't you go over and see him?" Jake whispered, leaning into her so the other wolves around the table wouldn't hear him.

"What?" She asked, knowing that he knew what she was thinking about.

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "The first cottage on the left, follow the signs for the training ground. It isn't far if you go out the door just outside this room and follow the house around." He replied, sitting back in his chair continuing with his meal as though they had never talked.

"I will see you later Amy." She said, as she stood slowly from the chair, receiving only a nod and small wave in return as her friend only focused on her food.

With her hand out, touching the wall for reassurance if she began to feel faint, she followed Jakes instructions.

Out of the room, door to outside, follow the house around. She knew she was on the right track when he spotted the signs pointing to the training ground.

The path wound into the forest and through a small clearing. She could see the training ground ahead. A field cut out of the forest for privacy and space no doubt. It looked tortuous. Assault courses, sparing rings. She shuddered at the sight.

Looking over to her left, she would have missed her destination completely if she wasn't looking for it.

Sat back into the trees and nearly completely obscured by Ivy and honeysuckle sat a small old stone cottage. The path to which was also overgrown save a recently trodden down route, carved through the green and brown of leaves and roots.

Watching her feet carefully she made her way down the path, careful not to trip. Reaching the door, she took a deep breath to steady her now erratic heart. Whether from walking all the way over without having a break or at the prospect of seeing a man who had now freely admitted that he wanted her she didn't know.

Rapping lightly on the door she stepped back. The old wooded door rattling as it was wrenched open.

"Wh-." Brandon stood in front of her, his head stooping to stop it from hitting the top of the door frame, his mouth hung open mid word as he stared down at her.

"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, I can go if you want?" Grace said, realising that she hadn't even bothered to check if he was free.

"No. Come in." He stepped back into the cottage, letting her walk inside.

Glancing around, Grace was taken in instantly by the cottage and its charms. There were two rooms, a living room with a wood burner and a kitchen with an old style Aga. The window over the sink overlooking an over grown garden, wild flowers sprouting everywhere. A wooden staircase wound up the far side of the wall leading to what she presumed to be a bedroom and bathroom.

Grace turned back to Brandon with a smile after realising they had both been silent for a while.

"You like this place?" He asked, leading her over to the sofa, sitting them both down and picking up her legs gently to lay over his lap.

"I do, its charming. This is where you lived, you know, when you came here?" She asked, curious.

"Yes. It was actually my mother's house. She grew up here with her mother as part of the Crescent Moon pack. She never knew her father, the pack took her mother in when she was pregnant. Little did they know she would turn out to be the mate of an Alpha." He replied, chuckling as though recalling a happy memory.

Grace smiled, snuggling into the sofa, relishing in his warmth. "Tell me about her, please?" She asked, liking how he smiled when he talked about her. Creases appeared next to his eyes, his smile wide a single, small dimple appearing in his right cheek. She liked him happy. He looked carefree.

"You would have liked each other, I know it." He said, squeezing her legs softly, his eyes now growing sad. "She had a way of making my father forget his words, make him smile, he never smiled unless she or I were there. He smiled nonstop when he was around both of us." Brandon chuckled. "I never understood. I never got how he could be furious about something and then a touch or look from her would make it disappear. I get it now though."

He looked down at her, as she sat up and wrapped her arms around him.

"What were you like as a child?" She asked, trying to picture a little Brandon. A little Brandon before his life was shattered.

"Naughty when I knew I could get away with things. My dad often took me on Alpha duties around the pack with him. I was good as gold then, butter wouldn't melt!" They both laughed as Grace pictured him as a mischievous child.

"I was always so proud to have him as a dad. He was loved by everyone. I wanted to be just like him when I grew up. Take over the pack, lead the people well. Instead they have been in the hands of a murdering rogue for over ten years." He spat the last sentence out, his eyes hardening as they stared out of the window with vengeance.

Sitting up further, she stroked his cheek soothingly, letting her other hand play with the hair at the nape of his neck. His eyes snapped back to hers, watching her intently, the vengeance leaving them, instead replaced by wonder and peace.

"You've made your mum and dad proud already, I know it. And soon you will take back your pack, free your people from a man filled with only hate." She kissed his cheek and snuggled up into him, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.

"With you by my side I feel as though I can face everything now and win. How am I so lucky to get you for a mate?" He mused, stroking her back softly.

"This mate will fall asleep if you keep stroking my back." She mumbled, before stifling a yawn. The events of the day had crept up on her, exhaustion suddenly threatening to take her away.

"It's been a long day, I know. I'm sorry I didn't think about how you would be affected, you must be exhausted." He said, settling back into the sofa himself.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" Grace asked, as her eyelids began to droop shut.

"Yes, beautiful, I will be here."

His answer barely registered as she closed her eyes and began to dream.

---

What do you think will happen when Hunt arrives?!

I'm so close to 20K words, its been 13 days- I can't believe I have written so much! I will definitely need a break after this... my poor wrists!!

Don't forget to comment and vote if you liked this chapter and are enjoying the story!

Shout outs to claire75, human626, UltimateNerdess and Comedy_Central for your continued support, votes and comments, it really means so much to me that you are taking the time to read this story.

Rachael xx