5

JULY

She was ranting, and in debate on giving him a good chewing out! Who was he to throw her on her bed, and leave her in such a foul mood?! She wanted to snatch him by his shirt and put him in his place. She had already marched down to his door, and was pacing outside of it.

Mika wanted to talk so badly. Nina was pissed. She was mad, hurt, annoyed, and much more. Even her patience seemed to fizzle with all of the feelings swirling around in her head. Her patience never wore too thin.

She didn't dare touch his door. He hadn't accepted her yet. Or marked her. So she probably wouldn't be able to open an alpha lock here, and he seemed like the kind of guy to have one. Of course he would. He seemed like a loner.

Maybe being near his room wasn't a good idea? He could lock her in if he wanted to.. A thought that excited her as much as it scared her. She chewed on her lip gently, stalling.

" Oh, for God's sake.. just knock! Yell! Do something before I do it for you!"

" Be quiet.. I'm not that impatient Nina. "

" Sure doesn't look like that right now Mika. We both know what's going on in this head of yours. You want this. Dare I say need it?"

Mika huffed. Nina was right. Honestly being locked in with him didn't seem like a bad option. She was even standing outside his door, and scared to knock. What did she have to be scared of?

Well... rejection for one.

She had no time to retreat after thinking it, because the door opened. She stood there looking like a deer in headlights. The first thing that caught her every sense was the smell of the air on a starry night and rainfall. Her beautiful smelling, handsome mate stood in front of her fully dressed at least.

That was one win. Right?

She felt instantly hot all over. His eyes were still darkened. His wolf was still in main control right? She didn't see much in them or feel much from him yet. It was frustrating to not understand her mate.

" I was just pacing around the hall. Sorry. I'll-'' He took a step towards her. She stepped back; watching him with large scared eyes. Mika had no godly clue why her thighs tingle with excitement just from him being near him. He clouded her senses and made her want to run at the same time.

She stepped back again.

He just grabbed her and pulled her into his chest, " You are mine. Don't try to escape again. " His voice was rough with desire, and frustration?

She struggled for a moment, but Jayce was far too strong. " I am not a submissive little child! Why do you think I would let you keep me in here?"

His growl was like thunder. " I will catch you every single time, bring you back here, and punish you in the best ways I can think of. I could tease you until you beg for release, but I will never give in. I could starve you. It wouldn't matter." He had pulled her into his room, and the door closed behind them. She had no escape from him now. " I won't allow you to leave Moonwater. "

She craned her neck up at him, damn he was tall, and glared, " You are an idiot. "

He narrowed his eyes, and shoved her at the bed, " Should I punish you now Mika, my Little Runaway?" he growled in a tone that made her want him all the more. She squirmed under his gaze.

This idiot knew nothing about what a Luna was supposed to do, did he? She wasn't running. The Asshole had brought her home, and never once showed her anything at all! He hadn't shown her the boundaries, he hadn't introduced her, he hadn't let her explain what Lunas are supposed to do from what she knew at least. " Do it, and I will make you regret it with your life Jayce. " she snapped harshly.

He glared back, his eyes glowing with anger now. " I would love to see you try to make me regret it. " he challenged. His voice was icy, and sharp. He hid his rough desire for her, and that temper.

She frowned. Suddenly Mika wanted the desire in his voice back. She almost wished she had seen the look he had when he said it. " I am not going to fight about it Alpha Jayce. " she snapped.

He pinned her to his bed for a moment. Enough time for her scent to fill him, and take her in a little. He rested his head near her neck taking in the delectable smell of gardenia and sweet peas. " I could so easily mark you and lock you in this room, and I will next time you call me alpha out of spite. " he growled lowly. Though it was supposed to be a threat; it was more of a thought. A want.

" Don't test me Mika. You will get hurt. " he warned. He let her go looking at her wrists. " Go on. Get out. " he looked away, shamed slightly for holding her so tightly. It pained both him and Koy that he had done that. The wolf was not in the least bit happy with him.

Koy was just as frustrated as he was.

Mika gasped, and held her breath. She hadn't realized he had such strength or anger towards her at the moment. She glanced at her wrists as well, and pouted. He'd bruised them a little. " No. I don't want to leave. " She stated softly.

" I don't want you in here then. " he said simply crossing his arms. He didn't need her to see him like this. Weak, and wanting.

She hung her head, and chewed on her cheek a little. This was a challenge yet again. She rubbed her wrists. " I want to get to know you. Do you know what a Luna is supposed to do?"

"Look pretty? I don't care about getting to know you. " he shrugged. It killed him a little, and he remained cold. " I don't care what you are supposed to do, you'll do as I say. Leave. " he gestured to the door sending his Luna away with tears in her eyes.

He allowed her to push the door open, and close it softly behind her with a click. Koy was actually scolding him for it. She was showing interest in him, and he sent her away. The only girl so far not wanting to simply sleep with the alpha for bragging rights. " We don't have time in our life for that right now. " he said to his wolf who strongly disagreed. Yet at the same time he understood.

For now, he would let it slide.

"Don't make a habit out of this. She will be ours soon enough. Her wolf even whimpered away from me when you grabbed her. " From what he'd witnessed so far. Her wolf did not cower often.

___

She went back to her room, and climbed into bed. She hated the way he talked to her. Mika curled up with her knees to her chest. Stupid asshole.

"Can I take over and nip this in the ass? I would love to show him who he is messing with!" Though she sounded strong, the wolf was breaking to.

She shook her head softly, " I don't want to talk about it right now..." she answered. They both whimpered.. He could at least be more respectful. He didn't care about Lunas?

Bull.

She was important now. Even if he didn't like that, he couldn't deny it. She never wanted that, but dammit she was going to make sure she did her part. Mika was going to make herself a good Luna, and fight trying to do so.

Nina didn't protest. She huffed and let Mika be alone. This boy was stubborn and annoying, but they already felt an undeniable pull. They felt it the very moment she got out of the car in the Woodlands. For now what they needed, was some rest.

Mika drifted off to sleep, cuddling a pillow close to her. She sighed. What she would give to be held right now. Held by her mate, close to his chest, and sleeping soundly.

~~~~~~

SEPTEMBER

Over the next few weeks he brought her home. Literally every day. She gathered herbs for the doctor one day, picked wildflowers for the kids on another.. Each time apparently out of his territory.

She growled and snapped at him constantly over it as well. The bickering was driving her insane! She needed to shift, and maybe go for a run. All this pent up energy and rage wasn't good for her. Who knew this was going to be so damn hard!

Mika had actually hit his back hard enough to cause him to grunt one day resulting in a firm slap on her butt. Again. She guessed that one was fair. Honestly she had felt bad about it the moment she did it.

He didn't look the best.. almost as if he hadn't been sleeping right. That was just in her mind right? Jayce was sleeping wasn't he? He better be! If he hadn't been sleeping right he would have had to care about her in some significant way... The thought gave her flutters in her stomach.

He tossed her on his bed again. Wait, his bed?

" Crazy woman! Do you realize what is going to happen to you if you keep crossing the border?! The rogues hate us! You are a Luna! They would shred your body, and leave it for me to find without a second thought! Stop leaving the house If you still don't know the boundaries! "

It was late Summer now, early August. He hadn't slept right in the past few weeks. It had been right at a month since he brought a Luna home, and she was a damn pain in his side! Jayce was losing control of his emotions, and spiraling into watching her constantly.

He felt the bond pulling harder, his wolf telling him to stop being so stubborn, and he even thought about it once when he heard her breaking things somewhere in the house. He'd really wanted to console her, and tell her he was sorry.

That had been a particularly bad fight...

She'd been gathering herbs and stuff the pack doctor could use. He'd been following her all week, bringing her back home.

This time though, when he saw her sitting there humming to herself, picking herbs he had wanted to rush to her. He wanted to sit with her and learn what she had to offer about things like that. He had no clue what herbs they needed or what most even looked like. He couldn't tell an herb from a weed.

Then the wind picked up, and she looked incredible. She was beautiful. Her scent filled his entire being, but the wind had snapped him straight out of his delusion. She was just out of bounds, and the rogues... he immediately snatched her, and took her home kicking and fighting him along the way.

She growled a little, and crossed her arms. Her heart swelled slightly being called a Luna, but he hadn't said his Luna. She pouted internally. " I will not stay inside all day. It's boring. No one is around. I swear this pack is almost non-existent! "

" Fine then. You can wear a little chipped choker, and go to the fights with me during the day! " He gritted through his teeth. He was trying desperately hard not to lose his temper completely.

" Hell no! Why would I need that?" She asked standing on her knees unconsciously wanting to be closer. She actually leaned a little out towards him.

He noticed, and obliged by getting closer. Before she knew it his lips brushed against her own. Instead of kissing her he smirked and whispered, " Because you keep running away. " Was it petty?

Yes. But, it was funny as hell.

He moved away letting her fall to the floor. " Think of it as punishment~ " his voice seemed to purr amused by it. " If you want to leave the pack house, you'll wear this. Oh, and stay by my side. " he shrugged carelessly. It was actually kind of fun to tease her like this. He had indeed got her a chipped choker though. Somewhat of a safety measure.

She glared. " You are evil. " He tossed the necklace down to her.

"Hey, at least it's a nice one.. " He continued to smirk. " Shall we go? Or are you staying home? If I catch you outside without it I will punish you. I mean it. I will also punish you for being without me. " He warned.

She sighed. "I'm not going. " she pouted looking away from him. Mika crossed her arms over her chest and remained still on the floor for good measure.

He shrugged, " Your choice. I'm going to be out for a while. Have fun. " he said scooping her off the floor with ease. Jayce carried her out of the room, and sat her outside on the floor before closing his door. " Later. " he waved over his shoulder. It took all he had not to snicker at her. She looked like a little kitten sitting there. Hey, At least he sat her down rather than dropped her on the floor.

" Pretentious asshole. " she sighed holding the thing he handed her. He really was treating her like a pet right now. The thought itself was annoying. "Ugh... is he really doing this? Really?" She grumbled.

Mika wrapped it around her wrist like a bracelet for the time being. She couldn't lose it if she wanted to go outside apparently. Stupid Asshole. She understood that rouges wouldn't hesitate to try and grab her, but this was a little much wasn't it?

So far Mika had been out of the territory several times, but she had seen no traces of rouges. She knew they would be out there though. Waiting for her to be caught off guard. It was a matter of time. It seemed like rouges would show up in every pack at some point.

She shivered at the thought. Maybe being safe was best. She knew she didn't want to be taken away from him. Mika wanted to get to know him, and fall in love with him. Or further in love with him. The pull was so hard to fight.. Maybe this stupid collar was his way of helping to keep her safe?

~~~~~

Mika spent the rest of the day cleaning. It was easy now that Jayce got rid of the laundry. That was one funny thing to see. She had watched the other pack members sort through it and wash their own stuff. Throw stuff away and even burn things.

She would have done it though. She really didn't mind. So far he hadn't let her do many things a Luna would. It was as if he was keeping her locked away like a frail princess, and she had issues with that. She wasn't frail, and certainly no princess.

Still, the people seemed to feel her around. They came out more, and seemed happier. That was good. At least she could have some kind of effect on the pack. Even if she was locked inside with nothing better to do than bounce her head off the walls, at least people could feel her.

She finished cleaning the floors and threw open the curtains. It looked so much better. Who knew some natural light made the place look so much more alive? She couldn't believe this was the same pack house that she had first stepped into.

Each time a maid came around she sent her away to other houses, either with children, or people in need of help. Everyone needed a break from kids every now and then. Plus cleaning with children around was a nightmare. Not that many maids or servants did come around though. It told her that not many people came near their Alpha.

Many nights she had ended up cooking. She was an average southern cook. When the chef would come by, which was about three times a week, she would watch intent on getting better at cooking. Eventually, when he noticed her watching, he invited her to cook with him.

The chef was a tall and rather large guy. He was built like a rock to boot. She had wondered why he liked to cook so much. He could have easily been a warrior, or even patrol with his body build, but here he was, cooking to his heart's content. He explained his passion to her in due time, and Mika enjoyed listening to the normally silent cook.

She found his company desirable. He was teaching her many new things about cooking. She was doing quite a bit wrong. They hardly talked until he got used to her visits to the kitchen. She loved it. It was a change from the cold demeanor Jayce gave off. Mika liked listening to him talk about his mate, and instructions on how to cook. It had become a passion of her own.

Mika dubbed him with a simple nickname. Chef. She didn't want to call him anything else. He found it amusing, and let her call him buy it.

She in return taught him about the fresh herbs that grew around them. How he could season things better. Or how he could try new tastes. She even taught him about drying them and tasting them for freshness. His eyes would light with delight at each subject. She would always smile, and go back to making dinner or lunch. It was a happy friendship.

Sadly Jayce never really came down. She often ate alone or with Chef before he went home. He always made a point to make sure she at least had eaten. He even reassured her that Jayce was eating as well.

He seemed to eat whenever he felt like. She started to notice that the plates were almost always empty the day after she made them. It was pretty easy to pick out what he liked and didn't like to eat. Honestly she figured he was throwing it away, but she'd checked that as well. It flustered her to think he liked her food. It was some kind of progress in their relationship.

She remembered the night she knew for sure he liked her food. Mika would blush thinking about it over and over.

" I can't help but want to horde it all..." he muttered glumly at Sike. Jayce continued to stuff himself.

Sike chuckled, " At least you are sharing a little with me..." he said amused clearly. The guy seemed to be happy that his friend was eating regularly again.

Mika had simply come down to try and find a snack. She stopped overhearing them though.

" I can't remember the last time I had food every night... freshly made dinners, deserts, sometimes lunch. " Jayce said in awe over the giant dinners Mika left him. He decided not to take the chance of waking her, and instead asked Sike to eat with him. It was almost always late when he stopped working to eat before bed. Though, he would still rather eat with her.

Sike laughed a little, " That's because you rarely allow servants to remain in the pack house. The chef is only allowed three days a week. I'm just surprised.. Mika is always around him when he is here. " He mused trying to get a grip on the situation between his Alpha and his mate.

" I can put a stop to that.." he threatened lowly. He didn't like the thought of another person getting so close.

" Dude, she's learning to cook.. for your dumb ass. Besides, he is mated. " Sike shrugged before turning back to his food, and playfully smirking at Jayce.

" Just be glad I'm sharing.." Jayce grumbled again before they both seemed content on eating in silence.

Mika backed away from the dining room, and went the back way to the kitchen. She was flying high as she grabbed a snack. She decided to even fix them both a desert for when they finished. She left it on the counter, and went back to her room. At least she knew he was eating.

She giggled as she bounced upstairs.

Mika fell asleep on the couch in the main area of the pack house. She'd managed to clean it nice and tidy. It really was nice, and much nicer without all the dust and gross crap all around. It looked like a proper house again.

It had taken forever, but she had dusted, vacuumed carpets, washed windows, cleaned the curtains, washed the floors, and even straightened little things all over. She had just laid down to rest, and before she knew it fell asleep on the comfy plush couch.

~~~~~~~

Jayce came home later than he thought he would. Those damn fights were ridiculous. They were not like they used to be. It was all a show anymore. He couldn't tell what needed to be done. He didn't even know if they still had real fight in them or not. Clearly something had to be done to adjust the fighters routines.

He opened the door to find he was in the wrong house. Wait, no. Her scent lingered strongly in the air. This was the right place. " Shit what happened here? " He spotted Mika on the couch almost immediately after closing the door.

" Stress cleaning Runaway? " he asked, leaning down and picking her up. He cradled her close taking the peaceful moment in. She looked beautiful. Her hair falling out of a messy ponytail. One he would like to... Jayce shook his head to clear his mind. Not the time. Not the time.

" You have no clue what you do to me Mika. " He sighed. Of course, as normal, peaceful things shattered when Sike ran in the front door just as he reached the stairs.

He sighed, " What is it Sike? " Jayce pouted, wanting this moment to last much much longer.

"Alpha, rouge's are in the fields near the woods. We've caught one, the rest are fleeing. "

" Fucking rouge's have to intrude at the worst times." He grumbled giving his mate a soft frown.