Jeremy let out series of huffs as he rapidly hit the punching bag. With every hit from his fists, a surge of adrenaline and raw fury washed through him. Three months had passed since he had been placed with the new title or better still, a new burden. It was still strange to him. He never would have thought in a million years that fate would have bestowed that kind of responsibility. But the discovery didn't hurt as much as the loss of his best friend. The trauma he faced afterwards coupled with the lack of recent appearance from Dominic was almost enough to drive him insane. He had tried to live life and move on like everything was fine but he knew it was all futile. Kyle was gone. There would be no more friendly taunts,teasing or banter. No one to reprimand when he went out of line. No one invade the silence of his room with a pebble to the window.

Jeremy paused and wiped the sweat off his forehead and brush away the dark bangs covering his face. His hair had now grown shoulder-length and he wore it in a high ponytail on occasions. Along with the recent physical change was his increase in muscle mass. A week after the discovery of his new status, he had discovered most of his clothes rarely fit again. He felt stronger and more energized than before. He never wondered why till present. There was no need.

Jeremy let out a deep breath and resumed punching the bag. The sun casted an orange glow in the yard and he could hear crickets chirping miles away.

'You know if you hit the bag any more harder, it will apologize.' A voice invaded his mind.

Jeremy paused and spun around. His German shepherd sat on the cool grass, staring deeply at him.

"Not funny, Shiela." He folded his arms with a huge frown. "Not funny at all."

'Ah, I see you're in a mood.' The dog lay on it's stomach. 'What troubles you?'

"What doesn't?" Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Quarter of a year has passed and there seems not to be any progress. I still can't get over the fact that my best friend is gone and the bastard that took him away from me hasn't shown his stupid face around. Probably up to another stupid scheme."

Jeremy paused and took a deep breath.

'And?' Shiela wagged her tail patiently.

"My mom." Jeremy gritted his teeth. "She knew all this time what I was. She has been a werewolf all these time and she never told me. She never wanted me to be friends with Kyle and never even gave a reason why!"

Jeremy's eyes flashed yellow at the last sentence. Shiela sat up and growled a bit.

"Sorry, Girl." He sighed and bent down,rubbing her head. "It's just that the whole thing is frustrating. One can't just make a decision against another person without giving a specific reason. It makes no sense. She tried to ruin our friendship and now he's gone. As if that's not bad enough, I now happen to be the descendant of some Alpha werewolf who I don't even know much of his origins."

'Don't despair, young one.' Shiela moved forward and nudged his face, her cold nose almost tickling him. 'Perhaps your mother may have strong reasons for her actions.'

"Even so, she should tell me." Jeremy stood up. "I'm not a kid anymore."

"Jeremy?" A voice came from the doorway. He turned to the direction and met his mother's gaze. A huff escaped his lips as he turned his back to her and resumed punching his bag.

"What is it, mum?" He replied without looking back.

"Mandy's here." June's eyes saddened a bit at her son's action. She shifted her weight from one leg to another.

"Okay." Jeremy replied, still punching the bag.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence afterwards. Jeremy did not need to turn around to know she was still there. Her scent was enough.

"Will that be all?" He asked curtly, his gaze still on the punching bag in front of him.

"Dinner will soon be ready." He heard her say.

"Okay,thank you."

"Jeremy..."

"Thank you, mum." He said more firmly.

June hesitated. She made to say another word but caught the look on Sheila's face. The dog shook it's head. Sighing softly, she made her way back inside.

Jeremy resumed his action with more intensity. It seemed like his mother's presence had ignored a huge spark of rage within him. Each punch brought the bag closer to getting unhinged from the rope. A new scent invaded his nostrils and he grinned. Small footsteps were heard on the grass and he felt hands wrap around him from behind and a small kiss planted at the back of his neck.

"Take it easy on the bag would you, Love?" He heard a feminine voice purr.

"Mandy." He smiled softly. He turned around still in her grap and stared into her brown eyes.

"Hey,Muffin." She smiled, as he returned her hold.

"Shiela." She patted the dog on the head with a laugh.

'I was starting to think I was invisible.' The dog barked and Mandy laughed harder.

"Not to me,dear." Mandy said. "Not to me."

'I'll leave you two alone.' Shiela trotted away. 'I was hungry anyway.'

She disappeared into the living room and Mandy faced Jeremy.

"So what's got your engines revved up this time?" She asked, tilting her head sideways.

"Just the usual frustrations." Jeremy released his hold on her. "Did I miss much in school?"

"Not much." Mandy deadpanned. "Our football team lost."

"Big surprise there." Jeremy rolled his eyes with a huff. "I hope it was a respectable scoreline."

Mandy had an uncomfortable smile on her face as she shook her head.

"That bad?" Jeremy winced.

She nodded.

"Ouch." He shuddered.

"Well, I would say we were just missing an extra piece of muscle." A sensual smile appeared on Mandy's face as she traced a finger along his chest.

"That's just too bad." He caught her finger and held it to his chest."Not that it would matter anyway."

His face creased into a frown. After his physical change months ago, he had volunteered to be partake in the school football team both as a way to escape his emotional toture and to pay homage. He did well in practice but his mind just wasn't fully in. Weeks before the tournament, he pulled out much to the disappointment of the coach and the delight of Hank. He inwardly snickered as he knew the joke will be on the redhead now that they lost.

"Are you okay, babe?" Mandy drew his attention back to the present.

"I wish." He sighed. "Apparently the punching bags aren't enough. Even though I picture Dominic's ugly face on the bags..."

Mandy cleared her throat with an eyebrow raised.

"Okay, so maybe he isn't ugly per say." Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Bit you get my point. I need a reprieve."

"Why don't we try going on a run?" Mandy suggested. "It's been a while we did that."

Jeremy thought about it. She did have a point. Maybe some outside breeze could do the trick.

"Alright." He agreed.

He led her to the living room where his mum sat watching a programme. Shiela lay at her feet.

"Going out." Jeremy said, without casting a look her way.

June had opened her mouth to reply but the sound of the door closing cut her off. She sighed and leaned back into the sofa.