^Gif is of Burkely Duffield who plays William Gallagher. *hehehe*

I glared at Mum, silent. 

Her smirk broadened, "What were you saying?"

William stood up and held out his hand, "My name is Will. Nice to meet you, ma'am." 

Will?

"Call me Violet," she introduced herself, shaking his hand. 

What just happened? 

"Hi Kota," Mum ruffled his hair before turning back to me, "Lady Artemis, huh?"

My hands moved into fists in my lap and the living room dropped a few more degrees.

"Cut that out," Mum ordered, "I'm your mother and you do what I say."

I relaxed my hands but the rest of my body remained tense.

Mum crossed her arms, a small smile on her face, "What did she want?"

'Merge your packs.'

How can I do that when his pack isn't even registered? We haven't even had a full pack meeting with everyone to discuss this yet...

I glanced up at Mum, "She wants us to merge our packs..."

Mum's eyes narrowed, "But that would have to mean you two are mates."

"Excuse me?" William stiffened.

Of course. Of course, Lady Artemis would pull this on me. Trick me into finding my mate. 

I crossed my arms, leaning back in the couch, "I don't need a mate to make me happy."

There was a pregnant pause before I lifted my head to stare at them. 

Kota raised an eyebrow, "America, you don't even smile anymore... You need something to make you happy."

I pressed my lips together. Was he being serious right now? I smile. And laugh. I can't remember the last time I did either but it mustn't have been too long ago. 

"And your pack won't survive without you having one," Mum pressed on. 

I stood up quickly, "Yeah? Well, I know he's my mate. Lady Artemis told me. But I'm not ready. That's the problem, alright? I'm just... just not ready."

Running a hand down my face, I walked out of the living room. I found myself in my bedroom soon after, staring at a picture on my bedside table. 

Had I really just said all that? 

I'd torn myself open to Kota, Mum... William. 

They all now knew... I was afraid. I - America Lyra James, possibly the most frightening teenage girl on the planet - was afraid. Afraid of commitment. Afraid of having to care for someone. Afraid of leading the pack. Afraid to let someone else lead as well. Afraid of... well, afraid of loving someone. Or even liking someone. 

Like Josh had said, 'I push people away'. It's for my safety and theirs. 

***

My mum and dad had always had a really stable relationship. Each full moon, you could see the love in each other's eyes. Even when it wasn't the full moon you could see just how deeply devoted they were to each other. One of these times would be when Dad would randomly bring home flowers from the florist. He'd put them in a vase for my mum and order her to not cook. This used to happen about once or twice a month. Now, it's happening more regularly as time passes.

Today, was one of those days. 

When I'd finally calmed myself down, I'd walked out of my bedroom and followed the smell of cooking. There was an ornate vase on the table with a beautiful bouquet of orange tulips. Dad was humming to himself with his back to me at the stove. I got to see Mum's reaction when she walked into the kitchen. She saw the flowers and Dad and, like always, she leapt on him and showered him in kisses. 

They spoke in low voices, so low that I couldn't hear.

It took me another moment to realise it was still the full moon and it was still horny Alpha and Luna time. Which explained why I still had the urge to see William even after the confession. 

'Follow your heart, America Lyra James. A woman does not always need a man to make her happy but sometimes a woman will need a certain man to make her happy. William will make you happy.' 

She was gone as quickly as she'd came. 

I announced loudly, "I'm going out."

Mum and Dad stared at me. 

Mum raised an eyebrow, "To Alyssa's?"

"No," I willed her to take the clue so Dad didn't have to know outright.

Mum's eyes widened momentarily, "Oh. Sure. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

The bright moon shone overhead, outside. As I stood there, watching it, the longing in my chest grew. I'd never felt like this. So, I whispered, "I think you've ruined me."

"Who are you speaking to?" a voice cut through the night.

I jumped, turning in the direction of the treehouse. Dylan and Mia were still up there.

"Mia, you should be at home," I sighed, "And Dylan, you should be inside. Where it's warm."

"You're not," my youngest brother bit back.

"Now, Dyl," I ordered, "Mia, I'll take you home."

How had her parents not worked out she wasn't at home yet? It wasn't like she had a big family. It was literally her and Alyssa, plus their parents. 

The kids climbed out of their spot and Mia jumped onto my back, "Let's go then."

As we began - or I began - walking, she asked, "So, what were you doing outside? It's the full moon, y'know?"

"I know," I replied, "I was going to go to a friend's place."

"Who? Alyssa?"

"No," I shook my head, "His name's William."

"Is he the guy biting people? Dylan told me he's a bad, bad guy."

"He's not a bad guy," I found myself defending him against this seven-year-old, "He might be our next Alpha."

A little gasp, "You like him?!"

"Not really."

"But then why would he be the Alpha?"

I shrugged, "Lady Artemis said she has plans for me. Big plans. We need to merge the packs."

"But he bites people. We're not allowed to do that."

"He didn't know," Why was I still defending him? "the rules. His pack isn't even," I don't need to defend his wrongs, "registered yet. I said I'd help him out."

"But you're visiting him on a full moon," she argued, "You aren't supposed to do that. Mummy says so."

"Well, your mum isn't a Luna, Mia."

Poor excuse. I knew it was.

We walked onto her street and I rang her doorbell. The front door opened to reveal Uncle Jeremy. He raised an eyebrow, "Mia?! I thought you were in bed!"

He took her from my shoulders and poked her nose, "Get inside."

He winked at me, "Thanks, Rica."

"No problem, Uncle Jeremy. Could I please see Ally?"

"Come in, come in."

I walked inside and went to my best friend's bedroom. I knocked and I heard some noise quieten down. A very long pause. Then the door opened just a crack, "Yeah?"

"Ally, it's me."

"Rica!" she exclaimed, "Look, I'd ask for you to come in but I'm sort of busy..."

I sighed, "What guy is it?"

I heard someone call, "Hey America?"

"I don't know your voice."

"It's Ryan," Alyssa confirmed, "What can I do for you and please make it quick?"

"Address of William Gallagher's house please."

Stalkerish and I knew it but this was important.

"You said you weren't going to see him tonight. Remember."

"Plans change. Address?"

Ryan called, "Corner of Old Folk Road and New Folk Road."

"Thank you! Now... I'll go now."

I shuddered as I turned away from her bedroom. I'd honestly thought she was over him. 

Aunt Kaycee saw me on the way out, "Is Alyssa feeling okay? Did you speak to her? She was complaining about her stomach earlier tonight and told us not to come in."

Classic Ally.

"She'll be fine," I certained, "But she's really sick. I wouldn't go in there if I were you. It's a warzone in there."

"Okay, thanks," she smiled, "I'll tell Jeremy and Mia to stay away tonight."

"Bye Aunt Kaycee."

I let myself out and rolled my eyes. Lying about a sickness to sleep with a guy. Congratulations Ally - you've demoted yourself in my book. 

***

I'm going to quote The DUFF by Kody Keplinger here, 'Every town has that one house. You know, the one that is so freaking nice it just doesn't fit in? The house that's so lavish you feel like the owners are just rubbing their wealth in your face. Every town in the world has a house like that, and in' Crestview, that house belongs to the newly-moved-in Gallagher family.

New Folk Road was built only a few years ago so it's fairly modern. Before that, it just used to be some storage units for a few of the shops on Old Folk Road. Numbers 2 to 21 on the street are all one-storey in monotones of grey. But Number 1? 

That's the grand old house owned by the Gallagher family. Three stories tall, built of cream and white bricks. Open windows and columns on the large porch. As I stood outside it, I felt like a bee in a chemical treatment plant. Small and unnecessary. The second time I'd felt like that tonight.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. The sound echoed around me. 

After a few long moments, there was nothing. I raised my hand to knock again but this time, I heard the door begin to open. I dropped my hand. The door revealed an old man in his sixties. Had Ryan got the address wrong? 

He grinned at me, "Hello, miss. How may I help you?"

There was something about old people that made me warm and fuzzy inside. I let out a long-hidden smile, "Um, I was wondering if William Gallagher lived here?"

"May I ask your name, deary?" he cocked his head.

"America James."

"Well, I am the only William Gallagher to live in this house but I suppose you're here to see someone younger?"

"What do you mean?" I cocked my head. The only William Gallagher in this house was this 60y.o.?

"My grandson, Will Elijah Gallagher?"

Will Elijah Gallagher? ... What?

I winced, "No, I'm sure I'm here to see a William Gallagher. Recently moved here? In twelfth grade?" Teenage Alpha?

The old man suddenly shifted his gaze to the moon behind me, "Curious. The moon, right? Did you know the word lunatic comes from the moon? They thought people went crazy from it... I just think people are often influenced by it."

This man was clearly not in the right state of mind. I... should not have come.

"Grandpa!" a voice shouted from somewhere upstairs, "Who's at the door?"

The senile old man turned towards the voice, "A young lady claiming the need to see a young William. I think she's been mistaken."

Mistaken? I am never mistaken. 

The man turned back to me, "Run along home before you get cold."

Impossible for me and not going to happen. 

I slid my hands into my jeans to prevent them from going into fists with my temper, "Thanks for nothing."

"Wait!"

The old man turned back towards the voice with a loud sigh, "What Will?"

Then there were loud footsteps as if the person was running. Around the corner, behind old William Gallagher, appeared young William Gallagher. His face went blank except for his calculating eyes as his glance fell on me. 

William - the Alpha, werewolf, teenage, one - crossed his arms, "America?"

"Oh, so you do know each other," the old William Gallagher said, "Except she got your name wrong, Will."

William - the young one - stiffened, "It's complicated, Grandpa." He didn't take his eyes off me, "America, what are you doing here?" His eyes flicked to behind me, presumably the moon, "It's not the... best time."

I straightened up and took a deep breath, "I just need to talk. That's all. Can we?"

Young William nodded slowly, "Come on in."

His voice lacked emotion.

Old William closed the door behind me, "Hold on, I'm confused. This girl called you William. That's not your name."

Young William - or not-William - shrugged, "Grandpa, as I said - it's complicated. I'll tell you later."

Old William begrudingly walked away. 

Young not-William tilted his head upstairs, "My room's more private."

I narrowed my eyes at him. 

"It's soundproof and my grandpa's an eavesdropper," he added.

"Am not!" Old William called from around the corner.

I reluctantly followed Young not-William upstairs. As soon as we entered his large bedroom, he fell onto his bed. I sat gingerly in his desk chair. He gestured to me, "Talk."

"Name," I said curtly, "Explain your name."

Not-William shrugged, "My name is Will."

"You said only your friends call you Will. You introduced yourself as William."

"Like I said to Grandpa, it's complicated, America."

"So uncomplicate it."

"My name is Will Elijah Gallagher," his eyes staying on mine, "and I don't want to explain."

"How can I trust you if you can't explain something as simple as your name?"

"Because," he shrugged, "It's the same way your full name is America Lyra. You ditch your second name. I ditch mine."

"But you lengthened your first."

"I have my reasons," he murmured.

Wait... how did he know my full name was America Lyra? 

I narrowed my eyes on him.

He kept going, "Lady Artemis spoke to you this afternoon?"

"Obviously."

"She speaks to me too. I do things the way I do because she says to. Okay?"

I straightened up in my chair, "What are you saying?"

William... or Will, extended his hand, "My name is Will Elijah Gallagher. Son of a dead werewolf and dead druid. Grandson of the first werewolf in Crestview. But I've never been in a pack."

"You lied," I stood up, crossing my arms.

"Yes," he admitted, "But I obeyed Lady Artemis."

"I cannot merge my pack with a liar," I shook my head to myself.

"So you would disobey Lady Artemis for your own values?" he raised an eyebrow and I found myself caught in his brown eyes.

"No..."

"So you will merge," Will Elijah Gallagher stood up so he was looking straight down at me, "My parents went rogue before their marriage. My sister was born just before their deaths. We lived with a rogue aunt until the Red Tribe pack arrived and slaughtered everyone we knew. So, last Saturday we tracked down my grandpa. And here we are."

Everyone he knew was dead?

I slipped back into the desk chair, quiet. My voice came out breathy, "But your grandpa... he would've been in a pack?"

Will licked his lips and I was caught by the movement. He sat on the edge of his bed and leant forward on his elbows. His voice was dark, "Grandpa was never one to socialise. He only told us about the werewolf laws. Never even showed us how to register."

"So you knew not to bite people?" I watched for his reaction.

Will Elijah Gallagher shrugged, "As I said; I was following Lady Artemis' orders."

"Did you or did you not bite Katie Massey, then?"

Will Elijah's eyes connected with mine and I saw the truth behind them as he answered, "I did not bite Katie Massey."

I leant back in the chair and brought my knees to my chest, in thought, "Then who did?"

***

Song: Castle on the Hill - Ed Sheeran.

Dun, dun, DUUUUUUN. 

Who do y'all think bit Katie Massey?

And, hmmmm, what do you think about William Gallagher- oh, sorry, Will Elijah Gallagher? 

xx Sharky.