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APOV

My lips parted as an involuntary gasp escaped. Wow. Striking. Beautiful. Breath-taking. I don't think there was enough words in the dictionary to describe the stranger in front of me. He has robbed my brain from any normal functions, I couldn't talk, and I couldn't move, all I could do was stare and just about breath. I was frozen as I took in each perfect feature of his. Those grey eyes were as dark as the clouds surrounding us in the forest, but they were filled with anger… or frustration, I couldn't tell. I don't think I could blame him, after all I was sat here unmoving and unresponsive. He arched a perfect brow and continued to stare down at me.

He said something but I couldn't even catch a word, my brain filled to capacity with how perfectly his lips moved whenever he formed a word. He clenched his jaw which only emphasised how sculptured his cheek bones were. My eyes wanted more… my wolf wanted more… I took the rest of him in. He wore a crisp white shirt that was casually rolled up at the sleeves and unbuttoned at the top. It was a snug fit on him which left little to the imagination, his muscles beneath it were flexing and tensing, when he ran his hand through his copper waves. Hmm… I wonder what it would be like to r-

''What the hell is wrong with you?'' He was still pissed but offered an outstretched hand to me. ''Come on, let me help you.'' Oh, so now we are being mister sweet. Well he can stuff that down his throat for all I care. That's all I needed apparently to wake up my disorientated brain back into action.

I rolled my eyes, ''I'm fine.'' I got up and brushed away the snowflakes that were now stuck to my ruined dress. Just great. What else can possibly go wrong today!

Look at him. Malia growled in my head.

''Just leave me alone!'' I shouted.

''Woah there, all you had to do was ask.'' My head snapped up and our eyes met again.

''I wasn't talking to you,'' I was the one to look away first. That stare was intense, it was burning holes in my body.

''Who were you talking to then? It's just me here.'' He asked. I could tell that his anger was slowly disappearing from his voice.

I risked another glance at him. God. How could someone be so attractive? What was it like to be so good looking? I was angry at that. Or maybe I was angry at the fact that my wolf wanted him. Whereas she was angry at the fact that I was denying her. She wanted to mark him. But it was absurd I wasn't going to let that happen not in a million years. ''No one,'' I said through gritted teeth. My anger was getting closer to the surface, I had to rein it in.

I breathed deeply through my nose and sighed when I could feel myself relax slightly. Good. I could do this. I just needed to practice.

He shook his head and raised a questioning eyebrow at me, ''New wolf I take it.'' It wasn't a question; it was a statement. Was I really that easy to read?

Have him. Malia purred inside my head. She was so demanding. So dominant. She knew what she wanted, and it was then that I clicked she was defiantly not a submissive wolf, she would always stand her ground. ''What do you care?'' I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

He smirked, showing off that cute dimple in his left cheek. It made him look less dangerous, almost. ''Feisty I see,'' He simply said and starting to walk off, further into the forest surrounding us.

I frowned. What the- ''Who are you?''

Before I could think, I started following him. My wolf growled her approval. She wanted to be as close to him as was humanly possible. Humanly? I was definitely not a human anymore.

He didn't stop instead he simply carried on. His pace quickening. ''Christian.''

I lengthened my stride so I could catch up with him. ''Why are you here?'' I asked.

He suddenly stopped, turning to face me again. ''Why are you?''

My fists clenched when I remembered why I was here. I nearly lost control at my own celebrations… in front of my entire pack. ''Why do you care?'' I snapped. I didn't even know why I kept being so ill tempered. I just had so much anger swirling inside of me and I didn't know what to do with it? Or how to keep it in tacked? Was it ever going to get easier?

He chuckled. ''Why do you?''

I clenched down on my jaw. Oh, he was pissing me off. ''Just answer the question,''

He widened his stance and grinned, showing a row of perfectly straight white teeth. Of course, his smile was even perfect. Why wouldn't it be? ''It's annoying isn't it?''

I clenched on my jaw harder, I could feel my pulse quickening. ''What is?'' I feigned dumb. I knew exactly what he was referring to, but I wasn't going to show my weakness. I was strong. My wolf agreed. We were defiantly not the runt of the litter.

His grin only got wider, which in return fuelled my irritation. ''The anger. It's not being annoying?''

I shook my head and took half a step back.

''Not even a little bit?'' He bit down on his full luscious lips. Dear god.

He took half a step forward.

I took another step backwards until my back was firmly pressed against a tree behind me.

His lips lifted into a slight smile. ''I can hear your heart hammering against your ribcage. I can hear your shallow breathing as you are desperately trying not to give in. I can almost feel your wolf clawing her way out of you.''

Who did he think he was?! How dare he! How dare he analyse me like that!

I took a confident step forward, pushing myself away from the tree. I looked him straight in the eyes, which were only filled with humour. ''You don't know me!'' I shouted in his face. My voice echoing loudly around the deathly silence of the forest. The sudden outburst of mine caused a few birds, that were sitting on the branches above us, to fly away.

Christian, on the other hand. Didn't even flinch and his smile was firmly in place. ''It doesn't exactly take a genius to figure out that you suck at controlling your anger.''

He kept poking my nerve, and he didn't even care, not even an inch. I clenched my fists harder. I was fighting the urge to punch him. ''Again, you don't know anything about me.'' This time I growled.

He cooked his head to the side, as if he was examining me, ''I remember what it was like, to want to give in, and let the wolf take hold. I was always thinking how much easier it would be to just give in and let the wolf take hold when I first became a new wolf. He was ruthless. Never giving me a break'' he paused and then carried on, ''It's always so easy to just give in,'' Christian was looking at me, but he was miles away. Lost in thought.

''You… don't… know… anything,'' I spelled it out to him.

He licked his lips. ''You are in denial''

Stop it! Malia barked loudly.

That was when I lost it. I lashed out at the stranger in front of me. I pushed at his chest with all my strength causing him to lose his balance. I took him completely by surprise as he stumbled backwards. Using the few seconds of his disorientation, I went in for the punch. I reared back and swung at him but didn't even make it halfway when his hand caught my fist mid action. Fuelled only my determination, I swung my other arm at him. But even my wolf speed wasn't going to catch him off guard. Not this time. He caught that fist too.

And before I knew it, I was pushed against the tree, with my wrists pinned above my head. I was breathing heavily, my nostrils flaring. ''Get off me!'' I screamed in his face. It was only than that I realised how much taller he was then me. He had to be at least six feet tall, the top of my head barely reaching his chin. His muscular thighs were on either side of me, the material of his black jeans rubbed against my bare legs.

My wolf was stunned. She was wary. But most of all she was fascinated by the wolf in front of her. She stopped growling and instead pricked her ears forwards. Listening… waiting for his next move.

I on the other hand wasn't planning on doing any more listening let alone waiting. I struggled with all my might against his grip. It was useless. His hand was wrapped around both my wrists like a band of steel, not moving a single inch. ''Let go of me,'' I could feel my eyes flashing wolf.

''Relax,'' he breathed out a heavy sigh.

I laughed in his face. ''I don't do as I am told, I am a dominant wolf.''

''Oh, I know that alright,''

It was me grinning this time. ''Good… now get off me.'' I tried moving again but once again I couldn't. He only flexed his hand and the grip got tighter.

He shocked me again when he leaned down. His head right next to my ear. ''I know how it works… I am not new to this… unlike you. Everybody knows that you have to earn the submission of a dominant wolf.'' He breathed down my neck, causing me to swallow loudly. ''You can't take… you have to show them that you a worthy…'' he continued. I had to clench my eyes shut. I had to do something, anything to try to shut him out but he was just right there.

''Ana!'' I could hear a distant shout. Kate. ''Ana!'' I turned my head to the left, in the direction of Kate's voice and in that moment of distraction I felt a sudden gush of wind and when I turned my head back, I was alone. I was still leaning against the bark of the tree and I still had my arms above my head. What the hell was that?

I blinked twice and slowly peeled myself away from the tree. I did a full three-sixty turn as I once again reassessed my surroundings. I was indeed alone. The only reminder I had of him… was my still shaky and erratic breathing making its way past my parted lips. Yes, I for sure did not imagine that. It was real… whatever it was…

Find him!

My wolf was pacing and looking in every direction, as if trying to desperately find him. It was ridiculous.

''Ana! Where are you!'' Kate's voice appeared louder this time. She had to be close.

''I am here, Kate!'' I shouted back and just as I did, I could see her coming around the corner.

She ran up to me, colliding with me as she took me in for a hug. ''I am fine,'' I managed to stay.

''Thank goodness you are! I was getting worried. It's been a little while and you haven't shown so I decided to come find you myself.'' She pulled away from me and assessed me at arm's length. I could see the worry in her eyes slowly drifting away. ''We need to change that dress before we go back,'' Kate and I both looked down, at the ruined red fabric that was holding on for dear life by a few pieces of strings.

I smiled but it was a forced smile, ''Yeah, we need to sort that out.''

After about thirty minutes, me and Kate managed to sneak back into the house without anyone noticing us. I quickly showered, redone my make-up and hair and put on another dress. My emergency if everything else fails, black pencil dress. I accessorised it with my red Prada sandal heels. I took a deep breath in before I left my room. I had to face the music again. I had to go downstairs and pretend that the last hour never happened, I had to be my normal self. I had to stick to the story I reminded myself for the tenth time at least, ever since I existed the shower.

I spilled a drink on my dress so had to go change.

I spilled a drink on my dress so had to go change.

I repeated it twenty times more. Rehearing it in my brain so that I was ready when someone asked me why I changed my dress. Kate said she would back me up. It was the perfect explanation, I just had to lie, and it better be a believable lie. I exhaled a shaky breath. I was feeling terrible as I knew I would be breaking one of the pack's promises. My father's voice, like a mantra, on a loop in my head was reminding me ''We always say the truth no matter what.'' We said it in our oath. We made the promise to ourselves and to everyone in the pack. I wasn't just breaking the oath I was breaking the pack's trust in me.

You are the alpha's daughter.

My wolf was right. I was the alpha's daughter and I was going to survive this. No one would ever know that I lost control. No one would ever know about what happened in the woods. And most importantly no one would know that I almost cracked and let the wolf take hold. I will make anyone who asks, believe my lie. Besides it was only a little white lie.

I straightened and finally gathered the courage I had left to exit my room and make my way back downstairs. My legs trembled with every step, I had to hold onto the rail as I made my way downstairs. My chest felt unbearably tight and I had to force air into my already overworked lungs. I felt like I was choking, almost fighting for every breath to enter me. By the time I reached the bottom of the stairs I honestly thought I was going to pass out. Our living room no longer felt spacious like it always did, it felt too small. Crowded. And it wasn't because it was filled by all these people.

I started to fidget with the belt around my waist as I took the time to collect my thoughts again. All I had to do was nod and smile, I could do that. If I could do it an hour ago, I most certainly could do this again. I willed my legs to move as I walked through the living room. I smiled at everyone I walked past, and it was a confident smile and it appeared almost naturally by the time, I made it to the kitchen.

''There you are!'' Alec. I closed my eyes briefly before turning around and opening them again.

I plastered on another smile. ''Hey, everything alright?''

He frowned, ''Yeah… actually I was meant to ask you that. I haven't been able to find you for ages. I thought maybe something happened. I was beginning to get worried.''

My heart ached. Even though he was my cheeky brother he always looked out for me. My heart ached further when I knew that I had no other option but to lie to him. I was far from OK.

''All good, just had to change my dress as I spilled a drink on myself.'' I murmured. ''You know me always being clumsy.'' I almost winced at how naturally that lie made its way out. I felt terrible. I didn't want to lie to my brother, but I just needed time and if the lie was the only way to buy myself time… then so be it.

He looked me up and down as if he was dissecting me one section at a time. I could feel my palms beginning to sweat the longer he remained silent and unmoving in front of me. ''Okay. Well as long as you are sure…''

I smiled wider, ''Yes, just enjoying the celebrations. Maybe a little too much,''

He glared at me, ''Hmm. I see.''

He for sure did not believe me, I could just tell, but all I did was smile sweetly up at him.

''I better go see, dad.'' I needed to leave before he could call me out on my lie.

''OK, well I guess I'll see you round.''

''Yeah…'' I let my voice drift off as I turned my back on my brother. God, I was a terrible person.

I wasn't paying attention where I was going. All I knew was that I had to get away from my brother before I was going to have a proper melt down in front of him. My emotions where flying all over the place. I was feeling indescribable amount of sadness, I wanted to cry so hard. I wanted to cry until nothing was left inside of me. I wanted to feel numb. I could feel tears of frustration pilling inside my eyes, but I refused to allow them to fall. I held onto the anger, an emotion that I knew I could handle right now.

''Darling! There you are,'' my father's voice caused a violent shiver to run down me. I wasn't strong enough to face him right now. I was walking on really thin ice and it was cracking right beneath my feet. ''Sweetie?'' I jumped when his hand rested on my right shoulder. I could barely feel the reassuring squeeze he always did.

When I didn't make any attempt to interact with him, he made his way around me, until he was facing me. ''Anastasia? You look really pale. Why don't you sit down,'' My father started to guide me towards a seat at the dining table.

Stop telling me what to do! Malia piped up. She snapped her teeth at my dad. Everyone needs to just stop assuming that they know me! Or know what I am feeling! Or know what I want! Malia clearly has had enough. She was on edge ever since Christian left me in the forest. She started howling loudly inside my head.

Ow! My head! I crouched down and my hands flew to my temples, massaging them. Malia, stop!

But she didn't. Her howling only got louder and more persistent.

''Ana? Baby, talk to me… what's wrong?'' My father's voice was so gentle and if this was any other time it would sooth me in seconds, but this was here and now. The ice cracked further. My eyes flashed wolf. It was the second time today. I was slipping. No! I couldn't let that happen!

Malia looked at my dad, who was now crouching down next to me. She was pissed at the fact she couldn't see Christian; she was pissed at the fact that he acted as if he knew us but now, she was pissed at the fact that my dad was telling me I should sit down. She took it as an order. Even though all my father was doing was looking after me and was simply worried.

Malia, stop!

Come on, Ana, snap at him! Stand up to him! The first eighteen years of your life all you have been doing is listening and doing exactly as he told you. Not now! Not anymore.

I knew it was wrong to listen to what Malia was telling me. I knew she was running on uncontrollable amount of anger. I also knew that she wanted me to just stop fighting with her. Maybe if I gave in a tiny bit she would finally stop and allow me to sit in the driver seat again.

Malia smirked and licked her lips. Snap… at… him…. You aren't daddy's little girl anymore.

Well she was right there. I was no longer little. Another crack formed on the ice.

My eyes flashed wolf for the third time but I didn't even think about wanting to stop them flashing. I let them glow stronger. ''Leave me alone,'' I stood up and looked down at my dad, who was still crouching.

Confusion but then annoyance appeared in his eyes. I knew I overstepped the mark, whenever someone's eyes flashed wolf at the alpha it was challenge. I wasn't challenging my own father, but I was simply letting him know that I wanted him to leave me alone. Maybe I didn't have to be so bold about it, but it was done now and there was nothing I could do to take it back.

Good girl. You are in charge.

My father shook his head in shock and slowly got off the floor and straightened to his full height. At six foot two he was easily taller than me, but I wasn't intimidated, not this time. ''Darling, all I asked was whether everything is OK and then when you looked a little pale, I thought it was best for you to sit down,'' He frowned. I knew he was restraining himself, if it was anyone else from the pack, he would be demanding an apology.

''And all I said was for you to leave me alone,'' I tilted my chin up.

''Anastasia, sit down for a bit and calm down, OK?''

I laughed, ''Calm down? I am calm,''

Malia was almost jumping up in joy. Being fuelled by my bratty behaviour towards my father.

He ran his fingers through his hair, something he did out of habit whenever someone was testing his patience. ''Loose the attitude,'' he was breaking, and I sort of liked it. Malia was only adding wood to the fire that was burning inside of me.

More, Angel. More! She snarled.

''And what if I don't…'' I clicked my tongue and took a step towards him. I could see more and more people turning their heads to witness the back and forth interaction between the alpha and his daughter. It only made me want to push my father over the edge further.

''What are you trying to do, Anastasia?'' He was looking at me suspiciously, with his arms crossed over his chest. Come on! Stop playing! ''Do you need a minute alone in you room? Away from all this?''

The ice cracked ''I am not a little girl anymore! I don't need to be sent for a time out!'' I yelled.

''Darling, do you want to go into my office and talk?'' he offered, and I knew why. I could tell that the quietness grew around us as more and more guest stopped to listen. But I didn't care.

''Stop telling me what to do!'' I wasn't in charge of my actions anymore. It was Malia. I pushed with my wolf strength at my father's shoulders. ''Leave me alone!'' I howled.

It happened quicker than I could register what was actually happening. One minute I was standing in front of my dad the next I was pinned against the wall. Fight! Get him off of you! Malia continued to snap her jaw at my dad. His hand was wrapped around my throat and I was clawing at him but each scratch I created on his arm did nothing to remove his hand of my neck. He looked murderous. I had just enough room to swallow. His eyes were glowing bright red. ''Back down!'' he roared with his alpha voice. His claws were resting against my carotid artery, all he had to do was apply a little bit more pressure and he would pierce it. I knew he wouldn't do it I was his daughter after all, but my wolf was terrified for her life. He was doing this on purpose. He knew my wolf would do anything to stay alive and at this exact moment she had to back down to achieve that.

Malia whined and ducked her head down. Her tail between her legs. An act of submission.

His gaze softened but his eyes were still flashing red. Almost daring my wolf to try it again. She licked her lips and whimpered. ''You have a very dominant wolf, sweetie. You need to control her.'' Satisfied that my wolf wasn't going to test his anymore, my dad finally released me.

''I am sorry, dad,'' It's all I could say. I was confused. A few moments before it felt like my body wasn't my own, Malia took charge of it.

My father nodded and stormed off.

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