Hi guys! Here's the latest chapter. Go easy on me cause I'm trying to get back into the groove of writing FF after a decade. It's a bit of a slow one but lots of drama up ahead!

...

It had been a week since Aiden pretty much apologised his way out of the apartment, with Jacob following close behind, and neither had spoken to me since. Seth on the other hand wouldn't stop speaking, or at least grovelling for my forgiveness, like today, over breakfast.

Between me and the Alpha, this kid's years are numbered.

I tuned back to hear his apology for the millionth time, which over the week had almost become a whiney background noise, as I absentmindedly stirred the contents of the bowl.

"... And I didn't know you guys were like doing stuff. I thought you were on a date. I'm sorry ok? Jake said I should..."

That snapped me out of my reverie and I turned around hurriedly, pancake mix sloshing dangerously in the bowl in my hand.

"Jake said you should what exactly?"

This was brand new information. Seth had taken all the blame so far, and the silent treatment was killing him. I realised it gave me a sadistic thrill to see him suffer.

Good. Little beta cock blocker.

Seth looked both happy and terrified to get a response from me after so long. A week of curt greetings and being waved away from possible reconciliations must have been grating on his nerves to give up his Alpha like that.

Silly pup. Tell me what you know.

"J- Jake said to bring Aiden up to where you guys were. But I didn't know that he was trying to ruin anything"

Liar

I thumped the bowl on the table and started on the lowest setting of menace in my voice.

"Jake...said... What... Now?"

"Bella you know I can't say no to an order."

"SO YOU TWO DID THIS ON PURPOSE?"

"Bella... Please calm down. It's only because..." Seth stopped abruptly.

"BECAUSE WHAT? YOUR ALPHA IS A POSSESSIVE FREAK WHO WANTS TO HAVE THE CAKE AND EAT IT TOO? SO I CAN BE ONE OF HIS BIMBO CONQUESTS TO LORD IT OVER EDWARD?"

"Bella..."

I suddenly felt more deflated than a bouncy castle with a stiletto sticking out of it.

"He got what he wanted. Whoop de doo, " I said quietly.

"Believe me, that's not what he wa..."

Seth stared at the counter, unable to go on. I wondered if it was wolf voodoo or if he actually didn't know how Jake felt about me, about us. That kid was the worst liar this side of the universe.

"You don't have to defend him Seth." With a sudden rush of sympathy, I placed my hand on his warm one and briefly considered using his palm to cook the pancakes before realising the possible health risks we would be taking.

Palmcakes... Snort

"I'm not... defending him. It's just complicated." he muttered .

"I know. I just want him to be happy. Without the guilt you know. And when he imprints..."

Seth raised his head quickly, looking like he had a million things to say before shaking his head.

Frankly, I didn't want to hear what he had to say anyway.

"You know what? Let's just have some breakfast. I hate us being in a funk and you wolf boys are just... dumb".

"Jeez, thanks Bells. I feel so special right now."

We grinned at each other simultaneously and in a few minutes he was inhaling a stack of pancakes that he had suffocated in syrup.

"Mmm... Sho good... Bellsh... Sshlove... Pancakesh..."

I swatted the back of his head.

Filthy animals.

"Thanks for breakfast!" Seth dropped a quick kiss on the top of my head before heading for the door. I hmmmmed in response.

"You know, you'd make a horrible shape shifter" he called back.

"Why's that?"

"With a temper like that Bells, you'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe every week. If Paul wasn't already taken, I'd say the two of you were a match made in heaven."

My shoe thumped the rapidly closing door and I heard him guffaw right outside.

Laugh it up puppy. I'd watch what I eat from now on if I were you.

...

I saw Aiden talking to the Director at work and raised a sheepish hand to wave hello. It was the first time I'd seen him since the "incident". He took one look and scurried away faster than a sewer rat with a half eaten bag of Cheetos. I wonder how bad it looked when he walked in on us. Surely nothing that would require a brain bleach or therapy...just an overgrown human and a potential date getting it on in a super fancy closet.

OK... Short term therapy.

And what was worse, he didn't look particularly disgusted. He looked...scared.

Strange. What in the world had Seth told him? Were we announced beforehand like a pair of performing seals?

Mating seals. Shut up brain.

Or worse, did Aiden somehow find out about the weirdo wolf business? Nah, Seth would have fessed up by now and Jake would never endanger the pack over some weird macho rivalry.

Pfffft... As if he was jealous.

...

"Has Aiden spoken to you yet?"

"No. He looks shell shocked if I'm even halfway close to him. I guess I really blew it with him."

I had spent the whole day trying to come up with ways to apologise and all of my reasoning just sounded... dumb.

I got lost in the closet... In your own place?

I forgot about our date... but my roommate didn't.

I thought it was you... but more tan and taller and feral

I tripped and fell on his...

Yeah... Nah.

"Oh and Leah wants to talk to you", Seth dumped and aside while sprinting up the stairs.

"Leah? Whatever the hell for?"

My questions were answered with a slamming door and I really didn't want to walk in on his "video chats" with Mia. Once was definitely enough.

While I shook my head to get those images out, the phone started buzzing angrily in my pocket. I answered the unknown number like a girl alone in a horror movie.

Would it be so hard to just text?

"Bella it's Leah. Are you home? I've got a bottle of Tequila and a problem"

Crap... what now?

...

Uh oh, Leah's coming! And what's her problem? Also, if the Alpha orders a cockblock, Bella really should have gotten the hint by now. Sigh. Anyhoo, Thanks for all the support so far! Again, my apologies if this chapter sucks. I'll try harder, I promise!

Lots of love and Pancakes,

IlegalWL