Katrina

What was I thinking?

I groan internally as I stand under the shower head, the near frigid water slowly helping dispel the excessive heat in my body. I should have known better than to play that game, teasing him and getting him heated would only do the same to me. Yet, I played it anyway. Why?

~Because our mate is a sexy beast and you enjoyed it as much as he did.~ Ziva answers, her voice purring with the memory of a shirtless Seth. The image does not help diminish the redness of my cheeks, nor does the memory of his dark chocolate and peppermint scent, and I curse her for setting me back.

~You just had to bring that up, didn't you?~

~Why are you complaining? You enjoyed it very much.~

Denying it would be pointless, considering she can hear my thoughts, so I'm unable to argue. A lot of things happened in that gym, all starting when I made the mistake of tracing over his bare torso, the beautiful ink there, and down to the V line that disappeared beneath his shorts. By the time I finished and met his gaze, he had a look in his eyes that clearly stated he was fighting to urge to take me right on the mat we were standing on.

I shudder at the memory, another flash of heat making the water feel even colder. The only thing that was more shocking than how I was intentionally tempting him, was that a large part of me wanted him to do it. And as much I should, I don't feel any shame or any kind of embarrassment at all for that fact.

~Nor should you, he is our mate, wanting his touch is nothing to be ashamed of.~ Ziva replies, her voice slightly authoritative.

~Besides, you saw his 'reaction' to our teasing, he's probably doing exactly what you are doing now.~

~Horny, perverted she-wolf.~ I grumble, finally giving up on cooling off to wash the shampoo out of my hair.

~Yes we are.~

I groan in exasperation, earning a chuckle from my irritating wolf. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around me, using the second to dry my hair. Attempting to remove any other perverted thoughts as I remove the excess water.

I pad out of the bathroom after putting my damp hair in a French braid, making my way to the closet to get dressed. I pull on a pair of faded black fitted jeans and a loose fitting white t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, with the phrase 'Work Hard, Play Hard' printed in big red letters on the front.

Putting the chain under my shirt, I go to the dresser and pull on a pair of socks before lacing up my sneakers. I had decided to do a little exploring today, taking in the territory that will be my new home. There isn't much to do around here, and I have no intention of being trapped in this house all day without something to do.

~I'm sure the Alpha would love to keep us entertained...~

I growl at Ziva, her thoughts have seemed to go straight to the gutter the past couple of days.

~Will you knock it off? I think I've had enough of the Alpha for one day.~

~We both know that's a lie.~

~Just can it will ya? I'm not gonna chase him everywhere like a desperate fan girl!~

She doesn't say anything, just huffs irritably. Relieved, I walk out the door and down the hall to Adrienne's room. Knocking on her door, I hear the muted thump of feet against the floor. Knowing my sister, she probably just rolled out of bed. The girl just loves her beauty sleep.

The door opens, and I'm greeted with the face of a half asleep Adri, her wavy red hair wild and screaming bedhead. Her eyes half closed, and shirt rumpled, I can tell I guessed correctly. Not to mention that she has a small trail of drool down her chin that leads to a damp spot on her shirt.

"Hey Kat...what are you doing up?" She asks, pausing to yawn. Looking behind her, I can see that the blackout curtains are drawn, making it look like the sun hasn't risen yet even though it's past eight.

"It's eight Adri, a lot of people are up."

She blinks, and I wonder if she even heard me for a moment.

"Ohhh."

I shake my head and let out a tiny laugh.

"Anyway, I was gonna go explore the territory a little, and I was wondering if you would like come along?"

She seems to be against it, so I go for a trick that usually seems to work for her.

"I was also gonna check out the training area, see how they train." ~You know, watch some fit, sweaty guys that may or may not be wearing shirts workout?~

I mind-link the last part, knowing it'd be better received if it bypasses her ears. Her eyes almost double in size, any thoughts of going back to bed now gone.

"Give me ten minutes!" She almost yells before closing the door. I can hear her hurried footsteps as she sprints around the room to get ready. I laugh, leaning against the wall next to her door to wait, knowing that she'll need about twenty minutes truthfully. As I wait I think about how many times that trick has worked on her, it's gotten her to go almost anywhere without an argument.

The sudden smell of bacon and cinnamon rolls catches my attention, reminding me that I haven't eaten breakfast yet. I suppose we can stop at the kitchen before we leave, it would be for the best. Adrienne isn't the most friendly when she's hungry, even if there are hot guys around.

~Gonna stop by the kitchen for some food on the way out. They've got bacon.~

No response, but I swear I can hear her feet move even faster at the thought of food. That doesn't surprise me either, she and I both have a large appetite considering we're werewolves, so the prospect of eating is always tempting.

15 minutes after shutting the door, Adri opens it again, looking completely different. Her hair now pulled into a high ponytail, she's replaced her Buggs Bunny pajamas with a blue tank top that brings out her eyes and a pair of white denim short shorts that showcase her long legs. She's even wearing a little lipstick and eyeshadow. I have to give the girl credit, she moves quick.

"Hungry?" I ask playfully, already knowing the answer.

"No shit, Sherlock." She retorts, walking past me. Her blue and white slip on's making loud tapping noises as she skips down the stairs. I sigh and follow behind, deciding to wait until after she's eaten to return any of her smartass remarks. She's less likely to think of good comebacks after the hunger wears off.

In the kitchen, the delicious scent intensifies, and I take in the spread. Dozens and dozens of cinnamon rolls, large plates of eggs, even more plates full of bacon, and a couple pots of coffee full of my favorite black liquid. I notice Andrea is here again, and it makes me wonder why she does so much of the cooking around here.

"Good Morning you two!! Eat as much as you like!" The older woman calls, and Adri doesn't have to be told twice before grabbing a large roll and a handful of bacon to put on her plate. Rolling my eyes, I grab a large mug and fill it with coffee, not bothering to add anything to it before taking a sip. I never understood the appeal of adding all that surgery crap, it's for waking you up not for refreshment.

"Good morning Andrea, how did you sleep?"

She smiles at me while taking another batch of rolls from the oven.

"Very well, dear. You look like you got up early, did you rest well?"

I nod before taking another sip.

"Just had an early workout, I slept great."

She grins.

"Just like Alpha Seth I see, he always gets up early to train before he does paperwork."

I nod, using the sight of food to avoid telling her that I actually found that out for myself. Thank goddess Adri is too distracted by eating to pay attention.

"Do you cook all the meals Andrea?" I ask as I fill up my plate, making sure to avoid Adri's snatching hands. Even though she's a wolf, I still find it hard to believe this girl can eat so much and not gain weight. She could eat a full grown alpha under the table, I've seen it.

"Most of the time. My grandson spends a lot of time here working, and after my mate passed I decided to stay here and help make sure the boys eat properly. Besides, I enjoy cooking for people, and around here someone's always hungry."

I smile as I sit down far away from my sister, not wanting her to steal from my plate. Then something she says makes me curious.

"Grandson?"

She nods, a proud expression on her face.

"Beta Tyron, as you know him. He works closely with Seth, and I know if let them, they would eat nothing but junk food, if anything at all."

I thought she looked like him, but I couldn't be sure. She doesn't look old enough to have an adult grandchild, but then again, most wolves don't. We may not be immortal, but we do age really slowly after the age of twenty, especially compared to humans. A seventy year old werewolf looks more like a thirty year old human.

"I've met him, he's very...intense."

She laughs, amused for some reason.

"Only when he's working, the rest of the time he's laid back."

Halfway through the plate in front of me, I look up to see Adri staring at me as I take a large swig of coffee. Her nose scrunched up in disgust.

"How can you drink that stuff straight?" She mumbles around the roll halfway in her mouth. I raise an eyebrow at her.

"How can you inhale so much food?"

She swallows the giant bite before looking at me irritably.

"Touché."

I laugh, and she scowls.

"Are you done yet? I'm ready to go."

I roll my eyes as I start eating the last of my eggs. Impatient much?

"Where you two off to?" Andrea asks curiously.

"To check out the territory, why?"

"It's probably best you go with a pack member, you both still smell like rogues. That way nobody will mistake you for trespassers."

She holds a finger to her chin.

"Alpha Seth is busy with the ceremony preparations, but I'm sure I can talk my Tyron into giving you both a tour."

Not going to argue with her, she has a point. Us running around smelling like rogues would cause us trouble.

A few minutes later, Tyron enters the kitchen, his gaze falling on me and Adrienne.

"There's my handsome grandson!" Andrea calls, pulling him into a hug as she reaches him. I hide my laugh by drinking the last of my coffee.

"Hey Nana, you called for me?"

"Yes! These two lovely ladies want a tour around the territory, but they need someone to show them around! Since Alpha Seth is busy, would you be a good boy and help them out?"

He sighs, a smile crossing his face. It's adorable how much nicer he is when Grandma Andrea is around.

"Of course, Nana."

He looks to us, a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

"Well, I'm ready when you guys are."

I finish my last piece of bacon, and put my plate and mug in the soapy water in the sink. On my way out the kitchen I grab a couple more pieces of bacon, and Adrienne follows behind me with a cinnamon roll in each hand. I honestly don't know where she puts it all.

"Have fun girls, and be nice TyTy!!"

I can't stop the laugh that the cute nickname brings, and even Adri manages to laugh with a mouthful of cinnamon roll. Tyron follows beside us, trying to suppress his obvious embarrassment.

"So, is there anywhere specific you guys want to see first?"

"What's between here and the training grounds?" I reply.

He thinks for a minute.

"Other than a few pack member homes, not much. Well, there is Tiny Paws."

"What's Tiny Paws?"

"It's the house for orphan pups. A mated couple started it after their adult children moved out."

Me and Adri share a look, both of us knowing the others thoughts.

"That would be a great place to start."

He smiles, seeming to forget his former embarrassment.

"Well, follow me. I'm sure the kids would love to meet you."

He walks ahead of us, and I follow behind quietly, my mind heavy with the past.