"Wow." Lexi says. Amazed by everything I have just told her.

"Yeah. So basically, Mrs. Renalds is going to talk to the Alpha and see if he will let Georgia stay here." I say with a shrug.

"Your future mother-in-law helping you out, huh?" She says and wiggles her eyebrows.

I laugh and gently push her arm. "You're so weird Lexi."

She is right though. If things go as planned than she will be my future mother-in-law someday. Wow, that's a weird thought huh?

"Whatever man. Act like you aren't pleased with her being all-"

She is cut off by the door to the bathroom opening. I stand up from the ground and smile as Georgia comes out of the bathroom in Lexi's clothes. Lexi has more curves than Georgia, but all in all, they are around the same size.

"Georgia, this is Lexi." I say and motion toward Lexi who is sitting on the ground still.

"Oh! You're the famous Lexi. I heard a lot about you." Georgia says.

Well it appears she is back to her normal outgoing self. That's good to know.

Lexi puts on a friendly smile and stands, "All good things I hope." She glances at me and I give her a half smiles. She laughs then looks back at Georgia, "It's nice to meet you, any friend of Sophia's is a friend of mine."

She reaches her hand out and Georgia takes it firmly and shakes it.

"You guys want to get something to eat?" I ask.

"Yes please I am starved." Georgia says and grabs her stomach.

Lexi and I laugh. She smiles back at us and I lead them down to the kitchen. Lexi helps me get all the materials together in the large and unfamiliar kitchen in the pack house. Once we have everything, I start making some mac and cheese as they sit at the island and talk to one another.

"So you have been on the road your whole life?" Lexi asks.

"Practically. My mom died a long time ago. I was seven at the time. Even before that though, my mom and I never had a secure home. We were always on the run. So I guess you could say that my whole life I was on the road." Georgia says with a shrug.

"Have you ever been to Boston?"

"Yeah once! I have even been to New York. I've never been out of the Northeast though." She says.

"Tell me about the city life!" Lexi says excitedly. "I've always wanted to be a city girl."

"Well for one thing, there are a lot of homeless people and it doesn't smell that good in some areas. Other than that, it is nice though. All the buildings are huge and close together and everything is super expensive. But it is very classy in some areas. Other areas are scary. I tended to stray away from the places that had a lot of drug dealing and murders..."

"Well that's good... I don't think anyone would want to stay in those areas." Lexi says.

"Actually you would be surprised. I met a lot of nice people who live in those areas. That's where their families are and all the people they love. The area is safe for certain people and really dangerous for others. If you're rich and you flaunt that in the poor parts of the city, let's just say things won't end well for you."

"Oh geez."

The buzzer goes off and I turn off the stove. I move the pot over to the sink and dump the noodles into the colander. After draining all the water I pour the noodles back into the pot and add the milk, cheese, and butter. I stir it all together and separate it equally into three bowls.

Each of us gets a bowl and a fork. I join them at the island and start to dig in.

"Mm! This is so good!" Georgia exclaims.

"They are the shapes." I say, "They are ten times better than regular mac and cheese."

"I love them!" Georgia adds and stuffs her face.

"So Georgia, if you were on the road all the time, how did you make money to buy food?" Lexi asks.

"Oh, I didn't bother with money. I just hunted in the woods. My mom taught me how to hunt when I was young."

"Oh in your wolf form?" I ask.

She laughs and shakes her head, "No in human. I didn't shift until a couple of months ago on my eighteenth birthday."

Both Lexi and I stare at her amazed. No flipping way.

"You're a half-breed?!" I practically scream.

She laughs and nods, "Yup, my mom was human and my dad was a werewolf. My dad left us before he even knew my mom was pregnant."

"That's crazy!" I say. "Wow I had no idea..."

She smiles and nods. We continue to divulge in the Mac and Cheese. A comfortable silence fills the room. It's nice, having two friends that are girls. I'm glad they get along. I was worried Georgia was going to act shy, but she only seems to act that way around the Luna. 

I hear someone approaching, actually I hear a few people approaching. I look at the entrance to the kitchen and I see the Luna walk in along with another woman.

"Hi Mrs. Renalds." I say.

She gives me a sympathetic smile, huh, I wonder what that's about. Then she looks at Georgia.

"Georgia, I talked to my husband and he has agreed to letting you stay here. Now before we do anything I want to introduce you to Julia Finkle."

Finkle? That must be Ashley's mom. So this woman is the Beta's wife? She's pretty, just like her daughter. Same long black hair that falls straight. I wonder if she has a dislike for me just like the Alpha does... I wonder if she even knows about Jayden being my mate? Does she even know that her daughter is in love with Jayden?

"Nice to meet you." Georgia says and stands from her stool.

"We will be showing you to your room, show you around and answer any questions you have for us." Mrs. Renalds says.

"Oh well thank you very much."

I stand also and start to grab the dishes. I should probably come with them.

"Oh... Sophia..." Mrs. Renalds says. I stop in my track and turn to her.

"Yes?" I ask, curious as to why she stopped me.

"Could you go see my husband in his office..." I feel my heart drop.

"Of course." I say.

"I will take care of the dishes." Lexi says from behind me, her voice soft. Almost like she's pitying me.

I turn to her with worried eyes. Lexi looks at me sympathetically as Georgia follows Mrs. Renalds and Julia out of the kitchen.

"Good luck..." She says to me.

"Thanks..." I add as I turn and walk out of the kitchen.

What could he want to talk to me about? I don't think I have broken any laws. At least I don't think... I reminisce on all of the things I have done since I joined the pack. Nothing sticks out as breaking the law. 

I get to his office and gently knock on the door.

"Come in."

I open the door and he looks up from his desk. When he notices it's me, something switches in his eyes. I can't read it. I nervously stand in the doorway.

"Please sit down, and shut the door behind you."

I do so and then sit in a chair in front of his desk. The Alpha takes off his reading glasses and suddenly he is ten times more intimidating. Is that even possible? My heart rate quickens as I get more nervous in his presence.

"So... Sophia I'm glad we got you back from Manus. I knew him back when I was a kid and he was scary back then too. The thing is, we have him locked up, but we need to bring him in front of the elders so that we can try and get him locked up forever. We are going to need your testimony. Are you up for that?" He asks in a caring tone.

Oh, so I'm not in trouble... but still, I don't know if I ever want to see that man again. If it will help put him away forever, would it be worth it? Yes. I think it would.

"I will do it."

The Alpha smiles, "Good choice. Now I don't know if your testimony will be enough, but having this new girl, Georgia, testify against him, we might have a case."

"I'm sure Georgia would be more than willing to participate. She hates him as much as I do."

"Good. Sounds like we have a chance here."

There is a moment of silence between us. Then I realize I wanted to thank him. He did a lot to help save me, even if it wasn't his top priority.

"Thank you."

He gives me a strange look, "For putting Manus in his place? No need to thank me, I've been wanting to do it for years."

"Not just for that. For helping save me. I know you were a huge part in finding Manus, and if it wasn't for you leading the pack to his hideout, then my Mom or Jayden wouldn't have had a chance saving me alone. I just wanted you to know how thankful I am. You truly are a great Alpha." I speak my words quickly. I feel very nervous but I want him to know just how grateful I am.

"Well I wouldn't have done it without Jayden pushing me..." his honesty hurts a bit, it's as if he doesn't really consider me part of the pack. I shake it off.

"But you still did it, and you deserve my biggest thanks." I add and look down at my hands.

He doesn't move for a minute. I'm not sure what he is thinking but I feel kind of awkward. Suddenly he sighs. I glance up to see him run a hand through his hair, the same thing Jayden does when he is stressed.

"Sophia... I like you. I really do, but... My great grandfather's laws make things so difficult."

What is he talking about? Is he speaking of the whole human thing? I am not human... So I don't see the problem.

"But sir... I'm not human."

"But you're part human. The law states that you aren't allowed to mate with anything human, or part human for that matter."

So he is saying I can't be with Jayden.

"We are mates though... The fates decided that, not me or Jayden. Although if I did have a choice I wouldn't want anyone else but Jayden. You have a mate too sir, you have to understand." I plead.

"I do understand, but the laws are not to be argued with."

I feel tears begin to form in my eyes. I need to hold them down. Be strong Sophia, be strong.

"What is going to happen with Jayden then?" I ask.

"What do you mean?"

"Since he can't mate with his true mate, what does that mean for him?"

He looks at me for a moment and I can see pain written on his face. He looks toward a picture that lies on his wall.

"My father and I will have to set up an arranged marriage for him. Then he will be able to take over the pack and become Alpha."

"What if he fights you?" I whisper.

"Sophia... He can't keep fighting forever, eventually his Alpha instincts will kick in and he will want to run the pack."

"Well what about me?"

Alpha Renalds looks down at me again. Tears linger in my eyes and I struggle to hold them in. He is looking at me with clear pity. I hate it, being pitied.

"I am a half breed. If I can't mate with a werewolf because I'm part human that means I can't mate with a human either because I'm part werewolf."

He nods his head.

Okay so I'm supposed to be alone my whole life? I can't be here anymore. Having him pity me is making me sick. I'm stronger than this, I know I am.

"Okay. Well thank you Alpha. Also thank you again for saving me, it means a lot."

I stand up and walk toward the door. I don't know if I am being disrespectful or not, but I need to get out of here. I don't want him to see me cry. I shut the door behind me.

I now see why my mom left. There is nothing for me here. I suppose I will finish high school, but then what? I guess I could go find another pack at the other side of the country, but I don't even know if they will have the same laws. Plus I don't want to be with anyone but Jayden, but clearly I can't have him. He needs to take over this pack.

I look up and I find myself standing in front of Jayden's door. Huh, I must have come here out of pure instinct. I guess I should talk to him about all of this. That's probably why his dad wanted to talk to him earlier.

I knock on the door gently.

"Hang on." I hear Jayden say.

I hear some rustling in his room. I bring my hands together behind my back as I wait for him to come to the door. The door opens and I see Jayden standing there shirtless.

I slowly drag my eyes down his torso as I check him out. He is chiseled and beautiful... Way too good for me. Focus girl, remember why you are here. My cheeks heat up a bit and I return to his eyes.

He looks down at me with slight shock. He covers it up quickly.

"Can we talk?" I ask.

"Uh, sure." he glances back in his room real fast then back at me.

"Can I come in?" I ask.

"Um... How about we go for a walk and talk?" I frown.

"I don't think that's the best idea. It's probably best to do it in the privacy of your room."

Nervousness crosses his features, "We can go to the movie room, I'm sure no one is there."

My frown deepens. What is he hiding?

I push the door open and my jaw drops to the floor. Sitting in a chair in his room, is Ashley. She is wearing one of Jayden's button up shirts that is open at the top and bottom, exposing her bra and panties. That explains the shirtless Jayden.

I pause in my tracks and Ashley smirks up at me, "Hey Sophia."

My heart drops to the floor and shatters into millions of pieces. I knew this was bound to happen. He isn't allowed to be with me anyway. It's okay Sophia. Breathe. Don't stop breathing.

I turn around. I don't look Jayden in the eye, I can't.

"I wanted to talk to you about what your father said to me, but it looks like he talked to you about the same thing. I'm glad we are on the same page now. I'll see you around."

I walk around Jayden and shut the door behind me. Breathe Sophia.

I make my way out to my car. I reach into my pocket for my keys. That's when I realize my key are with Jayden. I let out a small breath. I can't go back in there and I won't. I'm going to have to take the scenic route. I head out back toward the woods and strip out of my clothes. I shift and scoop up my clothes in between my teeth.

I don't know how, but I managed to be home in mere minutes. It must have been instinct because I don't think I have ever run from the pack house to my house before. After throwing my clothes back on, I walk into my house. To my luck, mom and Will both appear to be out of the house.

I head up to my room and lock my door. To make sure it stays shut this time I tilt a chair against the handle, preventing the door from being able to be opened. I strip out of my clothes and throw on a pair of undies and a big sweat shirt. I lie down on my bed and wrap my new security blanket around myself. I flop my head onto the pillow and I lie there- with no tears and no feelings.