Please read Max's POV on the situation in SuperNatural1985's one shot titled Unacceptable Part 2 to know exactly how Max reacts to the new situation at home.

I'd like to thank SuperNatural1985 for her amazing editing skills and for all her help and support! As she has already announced in her new story, The Way to Live, Max will be making appearances throughout this story as one more of the Pack. I encourage you to please read Max's original story in The Way In, also by SuperNatural1985.

*Kim has now been introduced into SuperNatural1985's The Way to Live and was already featured in Struggling, Disastrous,It Begins, Broken Bonds, Hurt, Challenge, Aftermath and Werewolf Law 1.

Need You Now – Lady Antebellum

Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor
Reachin' for the phone 'cause I can't fight it anymore
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now

Another shot of whiskey can't stop looking at the door
Wishing you'd come sweeping in the way you did before
And I wonder if I ever cross your mind
For me it happens all the time

It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk and I need you now
Said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now
And I don't know how I can do without
I just need you now

Ch 25 Need and Desire

Antonio POV

I hated hearing my children cry but I knew that there was little I could do to soothe them right then. The past twelve hours had been difficult on all of us, especially Max and Kim. They were the two that I could hear shedding tears from Kim's room. Kim was both coping with the Pack's punishment on one of its members and the beating that her mate had taken. I knew she understood what had happened, but I knew it was still difficult for her to completely process. I clenched my fists, hating that it had all come to this.

"Relax, dad. Everything will be alright," Nick said as he laid a hand on my shoulder. I nodded to him as he sat beside me on the couch. Yes, I knew everything would be okay, it was the now I didn't like. I couldn't and wouldn't blame Reese, however. I knew for a fact that Clay had hurt a human to protect Elena when they'd first met and I also knew that I would have done the same thing if it had been my mate. No, I didn't blame him, but I wished we hadn't found out.

If there was a good side to the events of last night and this morning, it was that something had changed between Kim and Reese. I'm not sure how or why, but it had. I just hoped that this meant that they would finally get together. Reese's control was thinning—as one can tell from what he did last night—and Kim wasn't doing so well herself. Try as she may, my princess could not deny what she felt for Reese. Hopefully these events would settle the matter between them. Hopefully.

Kim POV

Eventually the tears stopped coming and all I could do was choke. Max hadn't finished, though, and was still sobbing uncontrollably into my chest. As I held him, the door opened behind me, but I didn't turn to see who it was. Noah's scent reached me as I watched him circle my bed and climb onto it from Max's side.

The sight of my older brother's tear stained face reminded me that I had forgotten about him last night. Damn it. I got so caught up with Reese that the thought of my brother had flown out the window. Well, never again. I took a hand off of Max and held it out to Noah. He smiled slightly and I pulled him to me as I sat up with Max still wrapped in my other arm. Somehow I ended up sitting in the middle of the bed with a brother in each of my arms, comforting them.

I breathed in deeply, inhaling their scents, and wished that Reese was here. No. I could not see Reese until I figured out what I was going to do. I could ignore my silly human feelings for him, but not this. I could not ignore my wolf. She was a part of me and if she had mated me to Reese, there was nothing I could do. What I had to decide now is if I was going to tell him or not. I really, really, really didn't want to tell him but I knew this wasn't something I should keep hidden. I'd call Abbey and asked her what she thought later, though I'd have to humanize my feelings for her.

Sometime later our hunger became too strong for us to dismiss any longer, so I led my brothers downstairs for lunch. I walked into the kitchen with the intention of preparing a quick and easy meal, but the smell of my father's lasagne stopped me in my tracks. He was over by the oven, carefully extracting the third, extra large lasagne from its interior. Smart man knew how to cheer up a werewolf. As soon as he laid it on the counter, I went to him and hugged him tightly. He'd known I was in the room of course and he instantly returned my embrace, rubbing his cheek against the top of my head with a soft "I love you".

I knew that he hadn't liked the past day's events anymore than I had, but he was the authority here, the Alpha of the house, and I understood why everything had happened the way it did and that it wasn't his fault. Just like in the wild, the misbehaving pup had needed to be taught a lesson. The wolf understood and accepted. The human was still uncertain, though. Silently I stepped back after a moment and helped him take the food to the dining room where my hungry brothers awaited. Reese didn't join us for lunch because he couldn't. He was to be confined to his room until tomorrow and only Nick and Antonio could see him and that was just to take him his food.

After the meal we went on a run. Our anxiety had made our wolves tense and alert, forcing us to Change a day early. Max, Noah and I went with Antonio while Nick stayed behind to guard Reese. Not because he was likely to escape, but simply because he had to stay in the room to think. Once the run was over it was almost time for dinner. My brothers and I were shooed from the kitchen and I decided to put in some much needed practice. I hadn't gone to the academy today, Max and Noah hadn't gone to school and no one had gone to work. Addison called of course to check up on his mate. He was here just five minutes after hanging up on Max.

I let my hands stroll over the keyboard, letting them play whatever tune they wanted. I hadn't dared to look at the song I'd written yesterday. In fact I'd shoved it into my underwear drawer, hiding it as best I could so no one would see it. It just held too much emotion, too much feeling. In it anyone would see what I felt for Reese and how attached I felt to him. He felt like a part of me, my missing puzzle piece, the anchor that weighed me down, the yang to my yin, the screw that held it all in place. That's what it felt like, but I had no idea if he felt the same way. I doubted it but I would have to tell him. I couldn't live with him and not say anything, but how was I supposed to do it without sending him running in the other direction?

The moment I finished dinner I ran up to my room and locked myself in my walk-in wardrobe. This was not a conversation I wanted my family to overhear and for some reason my wardrobe was better sound-proofed than my room. I plucked down on one of the comfy armchairs Nick had put in here after having spent an hour watching me try on a zillion outfits for a family outing we had last month and pulled out my phone.

"Hey," Abbey's cheery voice called down the line. I barely gave her time to ask me how I was doing before I spilled the beans. It took me over an hour to tell her everything. She asked me for all the details and I told her everything that had happened between Reese and me from the moment we met until last night, every single, little detail, fuzzing them up a little when it came to the werewolf world. The only thing I changed was my finding out last night that "I'm mated to him" to "I'm in love with him." Well, at least I thought I was.

"Okay, so let me get this straight," she said and I imagined her pinching her nose as she sat in her overstuffed armchair in her bedroom. "From day one this guy hasn't been able to keep his hands off of you; his eyes linger in places they shouldn't if all he felt for you were brotherly feelings; you sleep with him; he spends almost every second of every day with you; he beat the shit out of the guy that tried to rape you; he told you intimate stories about himself; and somehow you have no idea what he feels for you?" she finished in a rhetorical fashion. Yeah, okay, when she put it like that, the conclusion seemed obvious, but it was hard to transmit the Pack bonds to her. Still, the fact that he slept with me was a bit odd.

"What am I supposed to do, Abbey? You know me. You know I just can't go up to him and… Oh god. Damn it, Abbey, he's my brother," I groaned as I pulled my legs up. I was starting to regret calling her. Reese was my brother, damn it, no matter how much I wished otherwise. How could my wolf do this to me?

"Na uh, he's not your brother per se, you just live together. He's technically your foster brother, right? No blood relation. So, I know it's harder for you to be more straightforward, sweetie, so let's try something different. You said that a guy at your academy was chasing you, right?"

"Right," I answered warily, not liking where this was going.

"Well, say yes to him and make sure Reese finds out. Better yet, see if you can take the guy home so Reese can see you guys together. Then you'll see just how much he's got it bad for you, hun, and you'll realize that what you feel for him is indeed love. The guy's obviously holding back for some reason, so you're just going to have to force him to make a move." I answered her with silence. I didn't totally dislike her idea, but it would mean hurting Alex. I would be using him and I knew that I would just end up hurting him.

Still, if this plan worked and Reese did indeed feel something for me, then what? He wasn't mated to me the way I was to him. I was sure that he would run as soon as he realized what my wolf had done. Even if he accepted it, it wouldn't be the same. My attachment to him would be superior over his to me. What kind of relationship would that give us? Somehow I doubted that it could end well but I could see no way out. I needed to tell him and failing that then I would just have to get a reaction from him.

I may have had a few boyfriends and made out with a lot more but I was never really good at all this, at least not when it came to me. I could always help Abbey out when it came to guys but I could never help myself. The guys were always the ones to make the first move on me, but even then I'd known better than to believe that they all truly wanted me. As far as I knew I had never been wanted like that, I had never been desired that's why Alex's straightforwardness flustered me. Yet I couldn't help but wonder what he saw in me. We barely knew each other so maybe all he felt was physical attraction. But what if that's all Reese felt as well and that's why he was holding back? Either way, I had to know.

"Okay," I said, giving in, "what do you want me to do?"

I woke up the next day to find myself in between Max and Noah. They had both slept with me last night because they'd still been a little upset about the past day's events, so I'd told them to stay with me. They had both been visibly relieved at my invitation. I glanced over at my clock to see that it was just past 7 A.M. Gently I woke my brothers and then started getting ready for the day.

I dropped Max off at school and then headed over to the academy, mentally preparing myself for what I had to do. I was going to use Alex and I hated myself for it but I would make sure that he understood that I wanted nothing other than friendship. All I needed was for him to come home with me and for Reese to see.

My first class was a private piano lesson and then I had a private singing lesson with Addison and my teacher, so I didn't see Alex until show choir almost three hours later. Like I knew he would, he came over to me as soon as I walked into the classroom and asked me if I was okay since I hadn't come in yesterday.

"Yeah, just wasn't feeling well," I said with a small smile. Silence fell between us as I tried to think of the best way to do this without looking like an idiot, but I guess that was the least of my problems. "You want to grab that coffee later?" I asked, almost stumbling over my words. I had never asked a guy out before. Sad, I know. Alex looked taken aback for a moment, but then his face broke out into a huge grin.

"I'd love to," he said just as Addison strode in and came over to us. Alex left saying that we'd see each other later and Addison raised an eyebrow at me.

"Did he finally get a date out of you?" he asked with a knowing smile.

"No, I got a date out of him." I briefly wondered if Max had told Addison what he thought about me and Reese. If so, then Addison would definitely tell Max about Alex. I mentally sighed and just let it go. Max was going to find out sooner or later as was everyone else.

Two hours later found me in the Starbucks down the road with Alex. We lounged in the uncomfortable armchairs, sipping our drinks, as we talked about this and that. Yeah, I was grounded but I wasn't breaking the rules. I still had one more lesson later, so this was technically a break.

Alex was a sweet guy. I'm sure that if I hadn't met Reese I probably would have fallen for him. As things were, however, it was more than impossible. I felt like a bitch. I was going to use Alex for my benefit. I wasn't going to lead him on or anything, but still, it felt wrong. But I knew that if Abbey was wrong and Reese didn't feel anything for me, then I knew that Alex would be my only way out. So that kind of made me feel a bit better about my actions, but not by much.

We started heading back to the academy after about an hour of chatter and food. We were almost there when Alex pulled me to a stop. I looked at him quizzically, but he kept his gaze averted from mine as I watched his cheeks flush.

"Kim, look I…I really like you and I want to get to know you…" he trailed off and took a deep breath before ploughing on, looking me firmly in the eye. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out to dinner with me tonight." I hesitated for a moment. This is where I had to make things clear.

"I'd love to, Alex, but I can't." His face fell, so I hurried to clarify it. "It's not you. It's just that my ex hurt me and I'm not sure if I'm ready for another relationship. I'd like to keep getting to know you, though," I finished with a small smile which instantly lit up his face. Damn. Did that count as leading him on?

"I'd like that," he grinned. I flushed slightly. God, I never thought I could have this affect on guys. It was flustering to know that I made this guy nervous.

"Would you like to come over to practice that duet we have to do?" I asked as we started walking again. I glanced at him to see him beaming so I really didn't need his verbal "yes" to know what the answer was.

I knew that when I got home Reese would already be out of his room. I had no idea what I was going to say to him or do when he saw me with Alex, but I guess I'd take my cue from his reaction. Reese knew that Alex wanted more than just my friendship which was the point exactly. I was so focused on Reese's reaction that I forgot about everyone else's. Big mistake.

Reese POV

I fidgeted impatiently as I waited for the time to pass. I needed to see Kim. It had been over a day since I'd last seen her and my wolf was getting anxious. I needed to talk to her. I needed to tell her the truth. I should have told her the other night, but she had been too worried about me and I hadn't wanted to add anything else to her anxiety. I needed to tell her that I was mated to her. I could not wait any longer or things were bound to get out of hand. Well, they kind of already were but that's not the point.

I did not regret my actions, I do not regret going after Mark or beating the shit out of him. He deserved that and more for trying to touch my mate. It hadn't been a fair fight. I was a werewolf and he had been injured—thanks to my mate who I was very proud of—but I hadn't cared. All I had been able to think about when I saw him was him trying to take Kim and that had enraged the wolf. Yes, I also went after him because of my brother, but I doubt I would have reacted like that if he hadn't tried to get Kim. My mother's ordeal hadn't helped matters.

I hadn't wanted her to watch my punishment but I didn't try to convince Antonio otherwise. He was pissed as it was and I felt terrible for causing him the grief I knew he was in. He may not be my father but he was the closest thing I had here and would probably ever have. He was a good man. He had let Kim stay with me the other night despite the rules. If she hadn't been with me that night, I'm not sure what I would have done. Not leave, that's for sure. I did what I had to to protect my mate and I accepted the consequences. But I probably would have spent half the night anxiously pacing and the other half wishing I could be with Kim. But she had come to me. I still couldn't believe it. She had probably known the trouble she would be in if she was caught but she hadn't cared. She'd come and she'd stayed.

Things were different now and we both knew it. She had told me her deepest, darkest secret, I'm sure. When she told me why she almost did what she did, all I had wanted to do was jump in the car and go beat the crap out of the people that had hurt her, humiliated her and broken her. But I stayed for her. If her scent didn't have the soothing effect it did, I probably would have done just that. Her scent had also allowed me a decent night's sleep. Well, her scent and her presence. I hadn't been able to contain myself from giving her a light kiss. She'd been asleep, I think, so she doesn't know. The feel of her had been so intoxicating that it took all of my will power to not wake her up with one deep kiss.

I'd been confined to my old room for the past day, but now I was pacing agitatedly in the living room, waiting for Kim to come home. During my time in my room my only visitors had been Antonio and Nick and that was only to bring me my food. Only this morning, after everyone had already left, did Antonio come in to talk with me before letting me out. He'd told me how disappointed he was about what had happened and that he expected me to be a more responsible leader from now on. Yes, I was a leader of sorts for the younger generation. Kim would be as well as soon as we figured out where we stood.

As soon as Antonio had let me out of my old room, I'd gone to the guest house to shower and change. I was seriously considering moving back into the house, though. I rarely slept in the guest house anymore and when I did I would be angsty for the entire night, not liking one bit the thought of being so far away from Kim and just end up crawling into her bed while she was asleep. Of course, the more logical thing would be to move into Kim's room, but I doubt she would take that very well. First I'd tell her about my wolf mating me to her and then we would see where that took us.

I had no more doubts about what she felt for me. I had no idea if she was mated to me the way I was to her but I did know that she felt something, a very strong something, for me. I doubt she would have told me what she had otherwise. For some reason I had felt the need to tell her about my mum, I'd just needed her to know exactly why I'd gone after Mark. Then I'd needed her to know two of my life's stories. If I'd thought that she'd be disgusted by my losing my fingers, I would have been terribly wrong. She accepted me and I accepted her. I still had a thousand things to share with her but first I would focus on getting the truth out. She needed to know.

Antonio POV

"Hello, princess," I said as I answered the phone. I tried to keep the panic out of my voice as I spoke, though. Kim had never called while she was at the academy, so I couldn't imagine why she was doing so today. It didn't help matters that Turner had killed a girl not three nights ago in Philadelphia. Clay and Elena were unable to find him. I was supposed to inform the family, but two nights ago we'd all had another matter on our hands.

"Hey…dad," she said gently, hesitating slightly before the "dad". I wondered how it odd it must for her to be calling me dad when she had never called anyone that before. Still, it filled me with warmth at knowing that I now filled such an important role in her life. I realized that meant giving her a gentle push in the right direction every now and then, even in her love life. If she didn't accept Reese soon, I was going to have to take matters into my own hands. The cages downstairs were starting to look like a good idea. I'd have to put a mattress in there, though.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" I asked softly, standing and already moving towards the study door. My wolf rose within me, preparing for battle should that await us.

"Nothing. I just… Can I bring someone home today? We have to practice and since I'm grounded…," she trailed off and I stopped in my tracks. Bring someone home? Oh god, from the tone of her voice and her hesitance I could only imagine what kind of person was going to come.

"Is it a boy?" I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, I really did, but it was no use. I was very protective of my daughter and I honestly didn't care if the guy she was bringing was only coming here to practice. Reese would not like it one bit, either. I'd have to make sure he didn't rip any heads off. The guy was much too dominant and territorial at times, especially when it came to Kim. Thank god for my princess who could keep him and his wolf in check.

"Y-yes," she said. I mentally sighed. I told her to go ahead and bring him and reassured her that I would tell the boys. The relief in her voice told me this was something she had not been keen on doing herself. I hung up the phone and sat down on the couch just as Nick came. He sat beside me, catching onto my mood, and waited for me to speak. When my anger had passed and the wolf had calmed, I told my son what Kim was going to do.

Nick just sighed and shook his head, looking dismayed. "I'll go tell Reese," he said grimly. He looked up at me and frowned. I knew he could see my confusion at his reaction and the lingering anger at the boy Kim was bringing. "Dad, you know do know why she's doing this, don't you?" my son said with his trademark smile.

"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning at him. All I knew was that she was bringing a boy, another male, into my territory. And a human at that. I had nothing against humans but I did not like them on my territory.

"She's confused, dad. I'm willing to bet just about anything that she's only doing this to get Reese to do something. Kim's shy and insecure so she won't tell Reese what she feels. She's leaving it up to Reese." He smiled and with that my son left.

My oldest son was definitely better at catching onto things such as these. He understood people better than his own wolf sometimes. He was right and I knew it, though. I should have thought of this as well. Kim would never make the first move. She lacked too much confidence still to be able to do that. I admired her for how she was handling this but I just hoped it didn't back fire on her. Reese was already tense and having a human on his territory—both in our house and with Kim—would not sit well with him, not well at all.

Reese POV

I heard her car stroll down the driveway and then it parked in the garage as another unfamiliar motor parked in front of the house. I wanted to go to her immediately, but Nick had me confined to my room again. To say I reacted badly when he told me that Kim was bringing a guy home is an understatement. I was so furious that I almost Changed.

"Sorry, buddy," Nick said as he lounged at the desk which was closer to the door than the bed. I'm pretty sure I could have taken Nick if I wanted to get out but I wouldn't even try. I had already disappointed Nick enough to last me a lifetime. As much as I loved and needed Kim, I would wait until he thought I was ready to come out which would only be when he was certain that I wouldn't kill Alex the moment I saw him. With my wolf so close at hand still, it would be a while before I escaped my comfy cell. The moment I did I would make sure Kim knew exactly how I felt. I wasn't going to hold back, not anymore. The time for that was long over.

Kim POV

Nervously I walked into the house and was surprised when only Antonio came to greet me. I hid my dismay as best as possible but I knew Antonio wasn't fooled. He wouldn't say anything, though, not in front of Alex. Alex, polite and educated guy that he is, addressed my father with "sir" and "Mr." Good thing too because I could see Antonio's wolf closer than normal. I had expected this, though. This was his territory and I was bringing a stranger onto it.

Despite the fact that Alex was not my boyfriend and that we weren't dating at all, Antonio did a full on recon, though I doubt Alex noticed. The questions were easily hidden among the normal chitchat between strangers. As soon as I could I escaped and took Alex to the music room.

"Your dad's a little protective, I see," he said as I sat down at the piano bench. Ah, so he had noticed. He was a smart guy after all, smart enough to have avoided Antonio's gaze while they'd spoke. I just hoped that he was brave enough to withstand the other werewolves.

"Yeah, a bit," I said with a smile. That was technically a lie. He was way more than a bit protective. I looked over at Alex to see his gaze on my chest. When he saw that I'd caught him, he looked flustered, but I just flashed him a smile that would have made Nick proud. It had the desired effect and he came over to sit beside me. Now all I had to do was wait for Reese to come which I knew he would as soon as he heard I was here with someone. Manipulative bitch, I growled to myself. I would never forgive myself if I hurt Alex.

We started working on the duet we were doing in class, but thankfully it wasn't a love song. Before we started working on another duet that I had to sing in class with Addison, I went to the kitchen to grab some snacks and drinks. I was just about to take them back to the music room when Noah and Max walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, beautiful," Noah called as he came over for a hug. I smiled nervously as I embraced him. Damn it, I hadn't expected them to be home so soon. I'd wanted Antonio to at least talk to them before they smelt or saw Alex. "This for us?" he grinned, gesturing to the plate of snacks.

"Um, no, actually—" I was cut off as Alex strode in. As quick as lightning the tension in the air rose up ten notches. Max who was standing beside me and had been about to give me a hug froze instantly. He took a step towards Alex, putting himself between me and the stranger, as Noah moved closer to me. I mentally sighed. Damn werewolves and their territorial instinct. I moved away from my brothers before Max got too close to Alex and stood beside him.

"Noah, Max, this is Alex. Alex, these are my brothers Noah and Max," I said, letting the wolf show through my eyes and telling them to behave. Both of my brothers looked shocked as they took in my position beside Alex. It could be interpreted in a thousand different ways, but what I was making absolutely clear was that he was not to be touched, that he was under my protection. Noah recovered first and smiled, though I could easily see through it. Noah was a bad liar but that's just because he's such a good person. He strode forward and held out a hand to Alex, still smiling to hide his displeasure.

"Nice to meet you," Noah said. I smiled at him as Alex took his hand and shook it. At least I could always count on one of my brothers to be polite. Max, on the other hand, was not even trying to hide his dislike of the situation.

"Likewise," said Alex, letting go of Noah's hand and faced Max moving towards him, but Max just glowered at him, freezing him in place. Alex turned to Noah and then to me confused, and then looked back at Max. I tensed. Damn it, Max, please be good. "Hey," Alex said, trying to get through to him, decidedly ignoring Max's death glare. Max gave him a once-over and then turned to me.

"Does dad know he's in the house?" Max asked sharply, putting a strong emphasis on 'he', completely ignoring Alex and piercing me with his glare. Noah flinched at his tone, but I didn't as much as blink. I had expected this, even if Antonio had spoken to him first, I had expected this. It was just Max being both territorial and protective. Not to mention the fact that he doesn't like strangers, least of all humans. I answered Max making sure that he got a good look at my wolf. Antonio has always told us never to back down from Max or he might regress, something I didn't want to see ever again.

"Yes, he does," I said firmly. Max didn't really seem to care and turned his glare back to Alex. He started fidgeting slightly under Max's glare and I was sure he was starting to see the predator behind his eyes. Noah looked like he was at a loss at what to do. He wasn't very dominant so he was looking over at me, awaiting instructions. Sometimes being more dominant than him and Max was good, I could comfort them and I would do everything in my power to protect them, but I was no leader.

"If my dad catches you here he's going to rip you to pieces," Max said suddenly with a very wolfish smile. Alex stared at Max for a moment before moving back towards me. Shit. I saw a gleam of triumph in Max's eyes as Alex back downed from him and saw the wolf lurking. That's it.

"Max, that's enough," I said fiercely, trying to channel the inner Alpha we all had. He gave me an all too familiar look, but I kept eye contact and let my wolf come out. Grudgingly he backed down from me. Dominant, indeed. "We'll be in the music room," I said to my brothers, giving Noah a look I knew he would understand. He nodded and I knew that he would not let Max out of his sight until Antonio or someone else showed up to calm him down. I grabbed the drinks and gestured to Alex to grab the plate and we were out of there.

"Sorry about that," I said once we were in the safety of the music room. "My brothers are about as protective as my dad." Alex just shrugged with a small smile playing at his lips.

"No worries. I don't have any siblings so I can't say I know how it feels." I grinned at him. I didn't know how it felt either until I came here. I distantly heard Max tell Noah something about Reese and dad, but I ignored him. Sometime later I heard a commotion ensue upstairs but I dismissed it. I wouldn't leave Alex alone in a house full of territorial werewolves. Unfortunately, though, there are some things he has to do alone.

I waited nervously in the music for Alex to come back from the bathroom. I really hoped he wasn't jumped by any of my brothers—though I'm sure Noah would not do anything. I started fidgeting as I started worrying about Reese. Where was he? I thought he would be home. If he wasn't then this was all for naught.

Suddenly I heard soft murmurs coming from the hallway and it sounded an awful lot like Max. Oh, shit. I ran out of the room and found Max glaring up at Alex who was pressed up against the wall.

"Max," I growled. He instantly stepped back and turned to face me with an innocent little brother look as he crossed his arms over his chest. "What are you doing?" I asked, giving him the benefit of the doubt, though I knew full well what he'd been doing. Max likes to terrorize annoying humans.

"Nada, sólo hablar," he said, telling me that he was doing nothing, just talking. I eyed him suspiciously, but he just shrugged and took off. I went back to the music room with Alex and asked him what had happened.

"Nothing, just chatting with your brother," he said mildly. I let it go, deciding to corner Max later. He'd tell me what had happened even if I had to go full on dominant on him which I did not like doing one bit.

It was late by the time we finished on the second duet and I was starting to get a little anxious at the fact that I had not seen nor heard neither Reese nor Nick during my time here. I followed Alex out to his Ducati and was about to say goodbye when he gave me a soft kiss on the cheek. I froze, my cheeks flushing as I stared at him. Oh damn. Guess I didn't do a good job on the whole not leading him on thing. I really hope no one was looking out the window, though. I gave Alex a small smile which he returned and then hopped onto his bike. I waited for him to take off before going back inside.

Silence greeted me and I could feel the dread building up in the pit of my stomach. Where is everyone? I followed Antonio's most recent scent trail to his study. I knocked and waited for him to admit me, but the door flew open and I found Max in front of me, looking completely pissed. He scowled at me before stalking past me and heading for the stairs. I mentally sighed and walked into the study, closing the door behind me.

"Princess," Antonio said as he stood from his desk and came over to me, embracing me. He held me for a moment before stepping back, holding onto my shoulders as he looked me directly in the eyes. "Are you dating that boy, Kim?" From his tone I knew that he knew that I was not dating him and that he did not like Alex anymore than Max did. Oh god, I hadn't even considered how Alex's presence would upset everyone.

"No, dad. He likes me, but I don't like him, at least not in that way. I'm sorry I brought him here," I said and he instantly pulled me to him. I wouldn't be bringing Alex back here anyway. Abbey's plan had included Reese seeing me with Alex, but I did not want to bring him back here, not when I saw how much it angered everyone and their wolves. Besides, I didn't want to hurt Alex any more than necessary. He was already getting his hopes up despite my warnings.

"It's okay, sweetheart, but just be careful, okay?" he said as I pulled away from him and smiled up at him as I filled with warmth at his concern in me. I gave him a quick hug before going to the kitchen where I found Noah. He smiled as I walked in and asked me about my day once I had started working beside him, preparing dinner. God, I love you, Noah. He was happy as long as you were happy and normally didn't like to interfere in other's people's lives. I really appreciated it in that moment, but I wanted him to start speaking up. After I had talked to Reese I'd make that one of my priorities.

Dinner came and dinner went with no sign of Nick or Reese. No longer able to hide my anxiety, I asked Antonio as we finished dinner, but it was Max who responded.

"Nick had to get him out of the house before he ripped the human's head off," Max said, looking as if he were disappointed. Damn it, now what? Was Reese pissed because he was being protective of his sister or was he being "territorial"? This doubt clouded my brain for the rest of the meal and as soon as it was over, I went up to my room.

I had a hot shower to calm myself down, but it didn't help at all. I just needed to see Reese. I hadn't realized until that moment how much noise my wolf was making. While I'd been with Alex I'd been singing and had been concentrated on my music, so it had been easier to ignore her and my need for Reese. But now the need had me trembling. I needed to see him, not only to make sure that Clay hadn't permanently hurt him, but just to see him, to touch him, to feel him. Abbey was right. Not only was I mated to Reese but I was also in love with him. I had never gone so long without seeing Reese and I knew that this reaction was anything but normal.

I stayed in bed for the rest of the evening only coming out to speak with Max, a conversation that did not end well at all. So I returned to my room successfully losing myself in my book, not even emerging from my room when it was time for supper. I just needed to distract myself from Reese. On the one hand, I wanted and needed to see him, but on the other hand, I didn't. I honestly didn't know how I was going to react when I saw him, but my need for him was scaring me and I mean really scaring me.

Was it normal for me to feel like this towards someone? Was this need, this desire, normal or even healthy? Damn it, I should have asked Abbey. She hadn't seemed at all worried that I was only nineteen and had already found my supposed mate. But I wasn't okay with it, not entirely at least. My mother had had me when she was twenty; my sister four years later by which time my father had already left her. I had never thought that my parents' failed relationship could have affected me so much, but it was. Not only was I scared of how Reese made me feel but I was also scared that even if something happened between us that it wouldn't last.

I knew that Max had found his mate when he was sixteen, but that was different. They were just so obviously meant to be together. Granted, they fought every now and then, but I guess that's just part of a real relationship. I can't say I know what that is since none of my relationships lasted more than a month or the guy started getting angsty about no sex. Still, Max finding his mate so young could mean that this was just a werewolf thing. Finding your mate early in life and then spending the rest of it mated. Somehow that thought did not make me feel any better.

After almost falling asleep with my book in my hands for the third time, I set my alarm clock for an hour earlier tomorrow morning. Until I figured out what I wanted I would have to avoid Reese. I was likely to jump him the moment I saw him and that would not be good. I needed to set my thoughts straight first before I faced him. Damn it. I should have left the whole Alex thing until later, but again I had been afraid of facing Reese with my new found feelings for him, the mating thing I mean. Thinking of Reese, I fell into a deep sleep.

Reese POV

"The blonde over there's checking you out," Nick said as he sipped his beer. I growled softly and sipped my own non-alcoholic drink since that would have only made me have less control over my wolf, though admittedly he was much calmer now despite the crowd.

Nick had brought me straight to the City after Max had gone to my room to inform me that Kim was with some guy named Alex that had a description which fitted the guy that was chasing my Kim. Unable to contain my anger, Nick and Antonio had had to force me out of the house before I killed the human. Now that I was more relaxed I could see that I had overreacted. Just a bit. I knew that if I'd claimed Kim or if I had known she was mine, then I would not have reacted so badly. As it was, though, my reaction can be forgiven.

"She's hot," Nick added, smirking. I sighed loudly. He just didn't get it. Of course I couldn't expect the guy that was used to getting laid by a different girl every weekend—and every couple of days—to understand. And think that just a few months ago that had been me. God, how stupid I'd been.

"Nick, you know that I don't want her or any other girl that isn't Kim," I growled lowly. That just made him grin widely.

"From the way Addison tells it, Kim feels the same way." I stared at him, confused. He just chuckled. "Did you know that this Alex has been chasing her for months now and that only today did she finally say yes? I wonder why," he finished sarcastically. My eyes went wide as I understood. Why didn't I see it sooner? Damn it, I'd waited too long. I wasn't sure if Kim had realized what I felt for her, but that would explain why she had said yes to Alex now and not earlier. She was baiting me, getting me to make my move. She was too unconfident and insecure to make the first move and she was leaving it up to me. Well, then that's exactly what I'll do.

It was almost midnight by the time we got home. I jumped out of the car as soon as Nick put it in park and ran inside, barely stopping to take my shoes and coat off. I was at her door in less than a heart beat—at least that's what it felt like—and was just about to go in when a hand took a hold of my shoulder. I spun around to face Antonio who had a stern look on his face.

"She's sleeping, Reese, and she has classes tomorrow, so don't wake her up," he said firmly, daring me to challenge him. I dropped my gaze and nodded. Damn it. I had no idea if I'd be able to wait until tomorrow. I bid Antonio goodnight and slipped into my mate's room.

I found her lying in the middle of her bed with a book beside her held firmly in one of her hands. Carefully I extracted the book—some romantic novel she was fond of—and set it on her bedside table. I slipped out of my shirt and then settled in next to her, wincing slightly at the ache in my side. Clay had done a lot of damage and some of it had already healed, but I still hurt in a lot. Her face was turned to me, though she was lying on her back, so I could see the rise and fall of her chest. Before I could stop myself I let a hand trail down from her neck all the way down to her hip, taking in all of her curves. I leaned down and gently kissed her neck, like I knew she liked it, my control already beginning to slip.

"Reese," she groaned softly. I froze with my lips still attached to her sensitive skin and waited. Seconds later I heard her slow breathing continue as if it hadn't been interrupted. So she was still sleeping. Knowing that she was either dreaming about me or related the kiss on her neck to me did indescribable things to my body. I pulled away from her as the need to force her awake with a kiss she wasn't likely to forget hit me.

I had to obey Antonio. I could not wake her, no matter how much I wanted to. Antonio had forgiven me for the Mark incident and my latest outburst and I did not want to give him another reason to be pissed at me so soon. I settled into the bed beside my mate, making sure that I wasn't in contact with her body, and allowed myself to bask in her silent presence. Tomorrow she was going to know exactly what I felt for her, what my wolf had done, how much I needed her and just how badly I desired her.

Kim POV

I groaned and rolled towards the edge of my bed as the sounds of Bon Jovi's It's My Life filled my room, but I found that I was unable to move. I stopped moving, the music still playing in the background, and inhaled deeply. Reese. Oh, shit. So much for setting the alarm early. With my back to him as he held me from around the waist, I turned the alarm off and waited. Oh god, oh god, oh god. What do I do?

"Morning," I heard from behind me. I closed my eyes as I felt him move closer to me. His arms wrapped tighter against me as his body pressed against my back, my heart pumping a hundred miles per hour. I tried not to move as anxiety and uncertainty rose. Why was he here? Did he only want me as his sister or as his "mate"? Damn, damn, damn. I hadn't anticipated this and I had no idea what to say. "Kim, what's wrong? Kim?" his voice sounded about as anxious as I felt. Oh god, I can't take it anymore.

Without warning, I pulled his arm away from my body in one rough move and jumped off the bed, running for the bathroom and slamming the door behind me as soon as I was inside, locking it. I turned the shower on, shed my night gown and jumped in without waiting for it to warm up. Reese pounded on the door, telling me to open up or come out, that he needed to talk to me. I ignored him and eventually I heard Antonio take him away.

God, I was so afraid. He made me feel so good when I was with him. His scent and his presence calmed me like nothing else. I loved him. I was mated to him. I wanted him. I needed him. I desired him. All I wanted was him. He was my wolf mate. And I was nineteen. Could I really feel all of that, could I really have found the supposed love of my life and only be nineteen? What if he didn't want me, then what? Even if he did want me it wouldn't be the same. He would eventually leave me, like my father left my mother, like my grandfather had left my grandma. I knew that true love existed somewhere but it had never existed in my family. Even my uncle was divorced.

I tried to clear my head, but it was pointless. I eventually hopped out of the shower, got dressed, towel dried my hair and ran. I ran out of my room, ignoring Nick's call for me to wait a moment as I sprinted past the kitchen and into the garage. It's not that I didn't want to talk to him, but if I stopped, Reese would be by my side in less than a heartbeat and I couldn't see him. Not yet. Within seconds I was in my car and out of Sorrentino Estate. I stopped in town to grab breakfast and then sped all the way to the City.

Thankfully I had rehearsal today so I wouldn't be coming home until late. The academy had another show at the end of this month, but it was a special show. Only its Julliard applicants were to perform to win extra points for their applications or something like that. Addison was helping me of course. Still, rehearsal meant that I still had at least another nine hours before I faced Reese. I had nine hours to decide if I went through with everything.

Reese had said that he wanted to speak with me. I can only imagine that it was to tell me why Nick had been forced to get him out of the house. He had been beyond pissed and had been about to rip off Alex's head Max had said. But why had he been pissed? That was the question. Did I want to know the answer? Yes and no. I needed to know how he felt towards me, but then that left me with another question. Could I accept that my wolf had mated me without my realising it? Elena had mentioned the wolf mating meant a stronger relationship, more soulful I think she had said when I'd been training. Should I talk to her about this? No. This was something I needed to figure out on my own.

So many fears and uncertainties filled me that it felt like nine hours would not be enough to figure it all out. Would he run when I told him that my wolf had mated me to him? Would he accept it or would he push me away, forcing me to leave the house out of humiliation? Should he accept it and want me in return, could I be with him knowing that my wolf was mated to him and his wasn't to me? If so then how long could our relationship last? Was it worth it? Even if for some reason it all worked out, then I still had the big question. Could I accept and embrace what my wolf had done?

Despite all my doubts there was one thing that was clear. I needed him and I have no idea what would happen to me if I didn't have him. That thought alone scared me. Nine hours. I had nine hours to figure it all out, if I even could.