Seriously wolf! I berated my wolf.

Let me explain, Jake also took part in the fight. And for him to be standing right here with his arms around me was just...the best feeling after having my heart semi shattered by Alpha Nicolai's nonchalance.

"I am so glad you are still alive" Jay I said when we broke from the hug, smiling.

"I am also glad. I wasn't ready to die and leave you here all alone on this earth." Save for the traces of bruises on his face, he didn't seem broken or anything so that was good. Very good actually.

"So, I saw you speaking to Alpha Nicolai. Whats up?" I knew I would have to answer this question sooner or later but I preferred later rather than sooner. Then again, this was Jake and he wasnt just anyone, he is my best friend and I do trust him to bits. Moreover, who else would be with me as I embarked on a new adventure called having a mate?

"He is my mate. Alpha Nicolai Sharpe is my freaking mate!" There, it was out in the open! I turned to look at Jake who seemed to be deep in his thoughts. He just stared at me as if I had said something out of this world.

"Say something!" The silence was killing me.

"How did he take it?" he asked after a while.

"OH, fine- just fine! He decided to act nonchalant, as if he hadnt felt the bond and when I blurted it out to him, he turned, looked at me and retreated into the forest. So yes! He took it very well"

"AL, I am so sorry. He is a jerk for not seeing what he has lost" Jake said swinging his arm around my shoulder. We lived close so we walked together in comfortable silence.

"See you tomorrow" Jake bid me goodbye and we parted ways. I had a cold shower then climbed into bed. I just wanted to forget about today and possibly forget about a certain grey eyed werewolf that probably felt he was too good for me.

I decided to go for a run because I couldn't sleep. I did not cross our territory. And I was also aware that I shouldn't be all alone at four in the morning. The fight ended about three hours ago. Breaking of a twig made me stop in my tracks.

One minute I was in the territory of Midnight Moon Pack and the next I was being drugged out of the pack boundaries. I didn't scream because I was still in shock. But I writhed. I was not going to make it easy for whoever this was. I am on the shoulder of a man who judging by the squeals coming from my wolf, I know it is Alpha Nicolai. I pounded on his back but he didn't budge. I could feel his muscles flexing and I stopped struggling for a second.

"Already tired of tapping my back" what an arrogant bastard! I could just hear the smirk and sneer in his voice. Why does he have to be so insufferable! Urgh!

"Trust me when I tell you that I was not aiming at tapping your back" I retorted angrily.

"So, what do you call what you were doing then, my love?"

My love! Our mate just called us his love meaning he does acknowledge us as his mate.

To be honest with you, my heart did a little leap of joy when he referred to me using that term of endearment.

"Um...I..."I cleared my throat and tried again.

"Punching your back!" He let out a chuckle and the sound was music to my ears. Now I sound like some love-struck puppy. Urgh, goddess!

I doubt anyone would believe me if I told them that the Alpha Nicolai laughed! I mean all the stories about him had to do with him fighting or taking over territories or just plain he fighting for his pack. None were of him doing anything leisurely.

"Where are you taking me? I hope you don't plan on killing me because I have two siblings and Jake and my parents will be so sad so..." Alpha Nicolai abruptly stopped in his tracks and set me down. As soon as my feet touched the ground, I sprinted in the direction we had just come from, Alpha Nicolai close behind me. I glanced back at him and before I knew it, I was falling but I didn't hit the ground.

"Have you not been told to always watch where you are going? And who the hell is Jake?" His breath was fanning my face and I felt flushed. I stared into his grey eyes. They were so intense and seemed to have something hidden behind them.

His arm was now around my waist and I felt the shivers running down my spine and the tingles taking over my body. Involuntarily, I let out a sigh of what? Pleasure? Contentment? I couldnt quite say.

I ignored his questions and tried to pull out of his embrace as frankly speaking, it made my thoughts jumble up. He refused to budge but after a while he let me go, putting such a small distance between us that I could feel his body heat.

"We got off on the wrong foot. I am Nicolai Sharpe, Alpha of Bloodhound Pack. And you are...?" he asked stretching his hand. Out of courtesy, I shook it. I felt the sizzling feeling that came with the contact with my mate. It started from my fingertips, spreading steadily up my arm and all over my body.

"Alexandria Marie Tate, Alpha Nicolai" I said politely, my voice coming out flustered. He was still an alpha and I at least had to show him a modicum of respect even if I don't like him or even if that respect wasnt reciprocated.

"You don't have to call me that, seeing that we are mates, darling" Alpha Nicolai smirked. I ignored the acceleration of my heartbeat and the slight blush that was creeping to my cheeks.

"And what may I call you then?"

"Nicolai...any term of endearment you want"

"What of killer?" His eyes changed from grey to black and then later grey. He seemed to be battling with his wolf for control. I gulped, realizing the trouble id be in if his wolf actually took control of him.

"Don't insult me. You know next to nothing about me"

"You said to call you any term of endearment I wanted and thats the endearing term I could come up with."

"Bye Alex" Hands shoved in pockets; Nicolai walked away from me.

Now you've hurt him. You need to apologize.

I walked slowly to the pack house replaying what happened in my head. He didn't say whether he was rejecting me so I guess I should be happy right? But I was not. I had this sinking feeling in my heart.

Alpha Nicolai could have told me in simple words whether he wanted me as his mate or not but he didn't and as he said I know next to nothing about him.

This is all your fault! If you hadn't called him a killer, then maybe we would be with him right now! My wolf said accusingly.

Whose side are you even on? You saw what he did. He attacked us. Pack members died and some are severely injured all thanks to him. I retorted at my wolf.

And he called off the attack after he found out his mate was in the pack he was attacking! Gotta give the guy the benefit of doubt! Moreover, no one attacks unprovoked. What if the attack was a retaliation of a sort? Heck, we don't even know him and were judging him based on stories we've heard being whispered around. From thence, she remained quiet.

Now I was conflicted!

Did Nicolai even want me as his mate?