“I don't know... Can the next coven leader have normal friends? Would he be allowed to be friends with a werewolf?” I thought jokingly. Chuckling, Zane said “well, I don't know since I've never tried being normal friends with anyone let alone a werewolf.” Shaking my head, I said “okay Zane, let's be friends. I think I'm gonna enjoy this.”

“I think I will too. Not many people can get my sarcasm and find it funny. Most just think I'm being an ass” he said laughing again. Checking his phone, his expression changed from happy to annoyed.

“What's wrong?” I asked turning to look at him.

“Oh nothing, just my mom nagging me. Apparently, running for three hours isn't a proper thing for the next coven leader to do” he said rolling his eyes.

“What time is it anyway? I know I got back to my house around like 5:15ish before I came out here” I thought.

“It's almost seven. We should both probably head back. I'll see you in class tomorrow” Zane said standing to leave. As he began walking away, I thought “hey Zane, we're not gonna be those friends who ignore each other in public and only talk in secret are we? Also, can you please not tell anyone about my color shift. Only my family and the pack leaders know.”

“No, Skyler, we're not and yes, I promise not to tell anyone about it” Zane chuckled not bothering to turn around.

“By the way, you can call me Sky instead of Skyler” I thought standing to run back to the house.

“Alright Sky, see you tomorrow” Zane said before putting in his headphones and running off.

“Bye Zane, see you tomorrow” I thought standing there for another minute as I watched him run away. Smiling mentally, I turned and ran back towards my house.

As I neared the edge of the woods, I could smell Jared waiting for me. Using the pack link, I said “hey Jare, sorry I kept you waiting. I just needed time away from everyone here.”

“It's alright Sky, I understand specially since Declan was being a total asshole earlier. Are you okay now though?” he asked as I stepped out of the woods towards the bushes where my stuff was hidden.

“Yeah, give me fifteen to shift and dress then we can talk. Go on ahead inside and tell mom I'll be in in a minute” I said crouching to begin the shift.

“I think your brother is here too by the way. Anyway, see you in there” he said cutting the link. Shifting always hurts, even more so the faster you try to do it. Luckily for me, I'm one of the fastest without forcing it. Standing up I grabbed my jeans and t-shirt, dressing quickly before grabbing my bag and shoving the rest of my clothes inside. Heading for the back door, I had just put my hand on the knob when I heard a twig snap behind me. Turning slowly, I found Declan staring at me from a few feet away. After staring for another minute, he growled “where were you?”

“None of your business. I am not you mate and you are not my Alpha, not yet anyway. So, you have no right to question where I've been” I snapped back completely pissed now. Turning away, I opened the door and stepped inside slamming it behind me. Rolling my eyes, I looked around the dinning room at the confused faces before my eyes landed on Jared who was smirking.

“Shut up, Jare” I said rolling my eyes again which made him burst out laughing just before my dad asked “are you sure you should be talking to him like that?”

“Yes dad, I'm sure. I still have six days before I find out if I'm actually mated to that idiot despite what everyone may think. And before you say I still shouldn't, know that he practically called me a whore just before second period today and then again before soccer practice despite the fact that I'm still a virgin since I believe it's only right to do that with your mate. Hell, I'm sixteen and I've never even been kissed” I said fuming.

“Okay, calm down Sky. I know he really pissed you off today and that little power play just now didn't help either. Why don't you go take a cold shower and cool off” Jared said then added “I'll bring food up to your room and we can just hang and chill for a while.”

“Yeah, alright. Sorry dad, I didn't mean to take it out on you. It's part of why I went for a run as soon as I got back today. I needed to clear my head but that just brought it all back” I said turning for the stairs. Glancing at my mom as I walked passed, she smiled gently and nodded her head in approval. Heading to my room, I dropped off my bag and was immediately scooped up into a hug from behind.

“Hey Art, thanks I really needed a hug but I prefer them from the front. You know, so I can actually hug back” I chuckled as the scent of Pine and flour invaded my nose.

“Damn kid, you’re all muscle now” he chuckled finally putting me down. Turning to face him, I wrapped my arms around him as he hugged me again. Chuckling, he asked “how’s life little man?”

“Little?” I asked then answered his question saying “not great. I take it you heard my outburst down stairs?”

“Yes little, you’re younger than me. And yes, I heard the outburst. Is that asshole at it again? Trying to show dominance over people who should clearly rank higher than him?” he asked making me laugh as he let me go.

“Yeah and making himself look more like an ass while he’s at it” I said turning to grab clean clothes before heading to the bathroom. Taking a cold shower like Jared had suggested, I was careful to keep my guard up and my mind as blank as possible by doing math problems in case anyone tried to listen in. At one point, I thought I heard a chuckle but it was gone just as quickly making me wonder who it would've been. Getting out of the shower and drying off, I quickly dressed in a t-shirt and sleep shorts before heading to my room where Jared was already waiting for me. As I closed the door behind me, he giggled and said “math problems, really?”

“Yeah, I didn't want that ass snooping through my thoughts trying to figure out where I was. Since, it was the only thing I could focus on as I relaxed it was helpful. Wait, so was that you I heard giggle in my head a few minutes ago?” I asked trying to solve the mystery.

“Nah dude, I only laughed when you came in just now still doing one. Why? Did you hear someone laugh at your math problems?” Jared asked taking a bite of his sandwich.

“I thought I did but I wasn't sure” I said shrugging.

“Well, it wouldn't surprise me. I mean focusing on math problems in the shower wouldn't have been my thought choice but that's just me” he laughed again.

“I'm sure it would've been even more odd for me to be thinking about your mate though” I said laughing at the look on his face.

“Fair point. Yeah... don't do that but speaking of I'm sorry for being a butt head this morning after Declan asked what you wanted for your birthday” Jared said getting serious again. He was amongst the only three people who knew what I really wanted for my birthday but couldn't say anything about it.

“I know you didn't mean anything by it. Maybe you could get me tickets to something. I don't know what but something where I don't have to worry about people focusing on what I'm thinking” I said shrugging.

“Okay, I'll be sure to get you two tickets for something. Since, I'm sure you'll find your mate on your birthday. Might add a hotel room too it too just in case” he teased with a wink knowing he'd make me blush.

“Damn you, Jare” I said aloud then tapping my head to tell him mind link since it was the only private conversation we could have.

“I made a new friend tonight while I was running” I told him once the link was initiated.

“Oh, who?” he asked with a shocked look on his face.

“You'll never believe it but Zane McDermot” I thought with a smile.

“Oh my god! Zane the Warlock? As in the next coven leader, Zane?” he thought back as his eyes went wide with surprise.

“Yeah, we talked for over an hour tonight. Maybe it was him who was laughing at my math problems since he can use telepathy but don't tell anyone” I thought chuckling.

“Wait, that means he's seen your wolf. What did he say?” Jared asked worried.

“He was surprised but ultimately found it interesting. He also promised not to tell anyone. He's actually a pretty chill guy. I hope my mate is someone like him, relaxed and calming to be around” I thought shrugging.

“Wow, sounds like someone's got a crush. Not that it matters since it would be pointless to start anything at this point” Jared teased.

“I'm not sure it's be a crush. I do find him interesting though. If nothing else, I'd like to just be good friends with him” I thought.

“Oh, well at least that's something you could attain” Jared thought causing a sad feeling to wash over me.

“I wonder why that thought makes me feel so sad though” I thought as I stared at Jared.

“Yeah, you definitely have a crush. I'm happy for you though since from what I've seen of you talking about him, he makes you happy” he thought with a goofy grin and a shrug.

“I honestly can't wait for my birthday. Seeing how happy you and Kins are, I really wanna know who my mate is” I thought impatiently.

“Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be someone very special to you” he thought smirking like he knew something. After a few more minutes of talking through our mind link we broke it and I asked aloud "what movie should we watch?”

“Ooh maybe a romantic comedy to suit your mood” Jared teased and I swore I heard that laugh again before it was gone.

“Oh my god, I'm going crazy. I just heard that laugh again but it was gone as soon as it happened” I said exasperatedly shaking my head.

“Wow, you really are going mate crazy dude” Jared teased again.

“Okay, let's stop talking about that please” I blushed making Jared double over he was laughing so hard.

“Ugh, I hate you” I said with a smile shaking my head. Scanning through the movies on my bookshelf, I chose a romantic comedy as suggested and popped it into the dvd player before curling up in the corner of the wall at the head of my bed with a blanket wrapped around me like a cocoon as we waited for the movie to start.