Mel stormed into the house, nostrils flaring. Her normally quiet footsteps echoed loudly against the hardwood floor. Every movement filled with anger. She reached the gigantic living room, where the rest of the pack quietly sat. Seeing them produced an instant calming effect. As usual. Being around her siblings always soothed her frail nerves. Provided they weren't the cause of her frustration. Saint typed nonchalantly on his laptop. Curious but willing to wait for answers. Their youngest sister Zen sat cross legged on the couch, reading one of her novels. From the looks of the cover, she was back in her romance stage. Mel couldn't help but blush at the sight of the embracing couple. Sensing the spike in heart rate, she pulled her nose out of the book and looked at the older girl. She raised her eyebrows, signaling her question.

"Where's Hana?" Mel asked, thinking of the first thing that came to mind.

"Apparently there was a bit of wolfsbane on the edge of the property. Guess which of our often unlucky sisters found it?" Zen answered. Concern flickered in Mel's eyes.

"Crap, is she all right?" No longer needing to force a distraction. The younger girl gave a smile and quick node.

"It wasn't bad. Her body is taking care of it, she's just really tired. Went to sleep about two hours ago. She'll be good as new in the morning. Well, later morning." Zen laughed glancing at the clock on the wall. It was already 2 A.M. Mel gave a sigh of relief, glad this day wasn't going to get worse. Other footsteps echoed down the hall, stopping behind her. Zen looked over to her other sisters. She looked at Sapphire. "She's in your room recuperating." The other girl nodded and raced upstairs to watch over her most precious pack member.

"Well this day just got more interesting." Ruby quipped. Zen looked up at her other sister.

"Speaking of that, how did the meeting go? You guys figure out a plan?" She ventured hopefully. For months, she had been the one Mel leaned on. The only one she could allow displays of so called weakness. The others wouldn't turn on her; she just didn't want to worry them. Zen gave her alpha an encouraging smile. She was one of the most perceptive at reading emotions, far better at it then her older sisters. Which is why Mel allowed her in to the private world of pain and worry. Why try to hide what was going to be seen anyway?

"Actually we did." Ruby answered, stepping around the brunette and plopping on the other couch. The flurry of tapping halted, meaning Saint was no longer typing onto his computer. Even though his eyes never left the screen, it was obvious where his attention lay.

"Cool. What was it?" Zen was excited. Finally, a ray of hope was shining. No matter how small. Yet the obvious anger at her leader's entrance was unexpected. If everything had gone so well, why was she reacting like that?

"Tonight we're gonna watch over his betas while him and Mel mate." She said intentionally keeping her tone even. Still, the humor couldn't be entirely contained. Mel glared at the girl. A look that was promptly ignored.

"Oh." Zen replied, turning back to her book.

"Ok, everyone you have a big day later on. Time for bed." Mel announced. Groans echoed in the room, but all complied. Ruby and Zen were plodding up the stairs as Saint closed down his computer. Folding the computer, he got up from the recliner. Walking towards the stairs, he halted right next to her.

"Sounds more like you have a big day." He chuckled. His laughter only increased at the low growl rumbling in her chest. With that, he went up to his room, leaving the girl blushing almost painfully.

"Here." Mel said, handing the thick pile of chains to Zen. The girl's long black hair was tied in a ponytail. Trying to keep it from getting in the way. Ruby had promised they would watch Derek's pack. Wanting to minimize possible damage, Sapphire insisted on bringing their own restraining equipment. Having had so many young werewolves in the house, the list was rather extensive.

"So what exactly is going on tonight? Sapphire said something about watching that other alpha's pack. " Hana said grabbing another heavy box.

"Him and Mel are gonna mate tonight." The youngest member replied bluntly. For just an instant, Hana's eyes went wide. It dropped quickly when she noticed her alpha's rigid stance. Zen was the therapist. She was the brick wall that pretended to never see her alpha falter. Still, the new revelation was a bit too much of a shock to the system.

"You sure you're ok to do this?" Mel asked, taking the box out of her hands. Hana rolled her eyes and grabbed another box, the two of them walking out to the car.

"I'm fine. Ready to give 110%." She joked putting the box in. The corners of Mel's lips turned up in a faint smile, before loading up her own cargo. Hana looked at the practically full back. She threw a glance at the other girl. "You really think we are gonna need all this?"

"Only one of the three is in control, and apparently the last time they were chained up, they broke the equipment." Mel answered, eliciting an understanding nod from the other girl. They walked back inside to get whatever else Sapphire had dictated might be needed. Had to hand it to the girl, she was very thorough. Thought through every possibility. Which is why Mel was trusting her in this decision. Hopefully the same rigorous planning had been applied, and not just some battle fatigue induced mistake. The girl shook the thought from her mind, knowing Sapphire would never do something like that. She grabbed one of the last boxes and started walking back to the car. Only to have her path blocked. The smirk was wide on Ruby's face as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ruby inquired.

"Getting ready to set things up for Derek's pack?" The answer fell from her lips, sounding more of a question than she would have liked. The smirk grew wider as Ruby snatched the box away.

"No you're not. We are going to set things up. You are going to stay here and get ready for your date." She said with the widest smile possible.

"It's not a date." Mel huffed annoyed.

"Oh honey, giving it up without even going on a date. Tsk, you don't want to get a reputation as a slut do you?" Ruby said with a laugh, turning and walking away quickly. Leaving the other girl to stare after her. "I also got you a present. It's on your bed!" The redhead's shout echoed into the space just before the door slammed. A key turned in the lock, signaling to Mel she was already being abandoned. With a sigh, she wandered up the stairs.

"Oh fuck no." Mel hissed as she caught sight of the abomination on top of her bed. A blue silk nightie. Snatching the article off the bed, she glared at it. Dark blue lace adorned the cups, but the material was so sheer it would hide nothing. Looking back at the bed, she noticed the lace panties the teddy had been hiding. Naturally they were black. She grabbed it, then threw both articles into her closet. She picked up one of her own outfits and went to take a shower. Plotting about all the ways she was going to kill her sister when she got back.

"Ok, so you get some sort of power boost through this?" Boyd asked. He was curious to learn all about his new culture, especially this new tidbit.

"Yeah. In our kind, bonds mean power. And this is one of the most powerful." Derek responded.

"I looked through that book the blue haired girl had last night and it said something about the bonded pair being together for life."

"Werewolves mate for life. Only taking another if their partner dies." The alpha was about to turn away when he noticed the reluctance on the other's face. "Something wrong?"

"Well, the notes said that it's a very rare bond. I don't understand how it can make you so powerful, yet so many avoid it." He tried to phrase his thoughts correctly. Derek looked at the guy, impressed by his observations. He would definitely be one hell of a wolf. Once he got control of course.

"I'll let you in on the big secret. It's a powerful bond, but it is also one of the riskiest. Only those that are really in love will chance it. But they are doing it more as a commitment than for power." He turned to get back to the preparations. Most of their restraints had been damaged and he needed to see what could be scrounged up.

"But if you're just using it for the power, isn't that kind of cheating?" Boyd couldn't stop the question from spilling out. The other guy turned back and looked at him.

"Humans have been pairing up for power for centuries." He said with a smirk. Before another word was said, heavy footsteps pounded on the staircase. All four hid behind something, ready to pounce at the first sign of the intruders. The air was thick with tension as the footsteps grew closer.

"You guys should really get a lock or something." The familiar voice called down, and the tension faded. Almost like it had never been. All in hiding crept out to meet the visitors.

"The least you could do is knock." Isaac laughed as the redhead walked down, carrying a box. He looked on curiously as Sapphire, Hana, Zen, and Saint followed behind. Each one was loaded with cargo, Saint carrying two large boxes stacked on top of each other. "That's a bunch of crap you got there."

"I like to be prepared." Sapphire said, directing the others on where to place the boxes. She glanced around, sizing up the spot. Picking what might be the best places to hold two out of their mind wolves. Saint set the two boxes down, and straightened up. Running his fingers through short spiked silver white hair.

"Well aren't you a tasty little morsel." Erica fawned, walking over to the new male. He was tall, with flawless fair skin and hazel eyes. Muscles rippled beneath his cloths. She ran a finger down his arm, smiling seductively.

"Honey, you're really barking up the wrong tree." He answered. Looking past her, he threw a wink at Isaac. Both were taken aback as he turned to speak with his sisters.

"So, you want to introduce me to your friends?" Derek interrupted the comical scene. Even he had to admit the look on Erica's face was priceless. Sapphire paid no attention, still focusing on what would work best. Ruby stepped over to him.

"Sorry, forgot our manners for a moment." She pointed out the members as she spoke. "That's Hana, Zen, and Saint."

"Saint?" Derek cocked an eyebrow at the unusual name. The guy stepped forward.

"It's a nickname. Real name is Louis. You know, like St. Louis. Their idea of a joke." He answered, gesturing to his sisters.

"I have a feeling I'm missing some vital information for that to make sense." The alpha guessed. Saint nodded, a quick flash of sadness passing through his face. He locked eyes with the shorter male.

"Yup. A really big piece. But I think we are gonna save the interview until tomorrow." He said.

"Tomorrow?" The cocky smile adorning the tall male's face would have made Derek proud.

"We're family then." Saint laughed moving back to help with the set up.

"Speaking of family, where is your alpha?" Boyd inquired.

"Our fearless leader is at home getting ready for the big night." Ruby said with a laugh.

It took almost an hour to get everything set up the way Sapphire wanted it. She was very particular and it didn't take long for Derek's pack to see why she was second in command of her own. Ruby, Zen, Hana, and Saint raced back and forth, following her instructions. Two of the strongest pillars had been selected. Thick chain wrapped around each. Two choke collars were attached to the thickest chains. Saint tugged at both, then gave a nod. Sapphire grabbed Boyd and Erica, pulled them to the area. With a snap of the fingers, the others went to work. Wrists were bound with the metal, and collars clipped tightly around throats.

"What the hell are you doing?" Erica practically shouted, straining at the metal holding her in place.

"Good. Keep it up." Sapphire said, watching her move. The gaze was intense, and she jotted down a few notes in the spiral she had been holding. The blond stopped and looked at the other girl. The blue haired beta sighed. "This is the only way to test if they will work tonight. Speaking of tonight. Ruby." Sapphire called her sister's name again, finally eliciting a response. She had been so wrapped up in watching the blond struggle, she had forgotten about everything else. With a nod she stepped away from the chains and wandered over to Derek.

"Phone please." She said holding out her hand. Derek gave her a confused look. She returned an impatient one. They were locked in a standoff, and he got the distinct impression she wasn't going to back down. With a sigh, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the phone. Ruby snatched it out of his hand with a quick thanks. Her fingers were a flurry of movement as she typed something in. After a few minutes, she handed it back. "There. Now you have all our numbers, and I took the liberty of putting our house on your map. That's some pretty sensitive info there so try not to lose it."

Derek nodded and slipped the phone back into his pocket. It was close to sunset, and it would probably be a good idea to head out. Get this done with as quickly as possible and get back to help keep his betas restrained. Checking to make sure he had his keys, he walked towards the stairs.

"Hey Derek!" Saint called. Derek looked back. Ruby had wandered to her pack sibling's side, and the two were staring at him. He momentarily wandered if he should cringe at the sudden gleeful smile on the betas' faces. Especially when the grin widened as their eyes dipped to his crotch. "Please try not to break our sister." They said in unison. The room exploded in silent giggles and scoffs. Shaking his head, the alpha raced up the stairs. Eager to get away from the heckling.

"Under a pale blue sky, you never felt so cold. Another sleepless night. How could you ever let go?" Mel sang, enjoying the feel of hot water sliding down her skin. As per habit, her mp3 was hooked into one of several speakers throughout the house. However, she made a point to crank up the volume and made no attempts to stifle her singing. With a pack of five betas, not to mention her grandfather, alone time was a luxury seldom given. This was probably the only time in years she could just enjoy singing in the shower without disturbing anyone. After almost an hour, the water temperature began to drop. She turned off the shower, and dried off with one of the nice fluffy towels her grandfather insisted on getting. Bits of lint always stuck to the user's skin, but the wonderful feeling of having such softness rub against one's flesh made the minor inconvenience worth it. Feeling content and clean, she took her time dressing. Then moved on to brushing her teeth. The sweet mint taste was very strong, even after she rinsed the gel out. Snatching her mp3 from the speaker, she went downstairs. Just as she reached the foot of the staircase, she heard the familiar song playing from her phone. A text. But the object was nowhere to be found. Locking onto the sound, she discovered it buried in the couch cushions. The irritating object was unlocked, revealing a text from Sapphire. Reading the update her second in command had sent, she jumped when the song played again. This time, the text was from Ruby.

He just left. You have to tell us how it goes tomorrow. Me and Saint have a bet. Saint says you'll probably be fine. My money is on him being big enough to break you. We can buy something for your soreness in the morning. Luv ya.

Mel blushed at the bluntness, her happy mood now soured. Enjoying her time of privacy, she had forgotten the reason why she was getting it. The reminder of the alpha male brought a scowl to her face. But it was more to do with the situation than him. With a sigh, she forced all unpleasant thoughts away. The last time she hesitated, it cost one pack member his life, and damn near cost another two theirs. She couldn't afford that mistake again. Even if it meant binding herself to a stranger. Moving to one of the other stereo systems, she hooked her mp3 up. He would be here in half an hour tops. This was shaping up to be one of the most awkward nights of her life, and she needed to relax enough to forget about what was to come. She turned on her favorite playlist and let herself sink into the music. Moving her body to the intro, belting out the words as they played. "You can't quit until you try. You can't live until you die. You can't learn to tell the truth until you learn to lie!" Immersing herself in the song was the only thing keeping her from bolting out the door and making a break for the woods.

Music blasted from the stereo, drowning out the sound of the engine. It was some old rock song, but Derek paid little attention. His mind drifted between the music, occasional glance at the map, and thoughts that alternated between pleasant and rage inducing. He tried to keep his mind on how much this would help his pack. The insane power boost he was going to get. But dark memories kept assaulting his mind, flooding all trains of thought with reminisce of the past. Her. The woman who could no longer remember her natural hair color. The woman with one of the most dazzling smiles. Beautiful. Seductive. Sociopathic. Seduced him, and made him feel love and loved. Tricked him into her bed, then used her new found knowledge to destroy his family. Pulled the rug out from under him in the cruelest way possible. No trace of remorse to the destruction she rained down on a 15 year old. The hopefully rotting in hell bitch of a hunter Kate. But it wasn't just the immediate damage. The sudden loss of family and home that caused his bitterness. It was the far more reaching implications that succeeded in stealing whatever had remained. The only other true survivor had been his sister. They had always been close. That whore even managed to destroy that bond. Subdued by guilt in the role he played in the fire, Derek had never told admitted his relationship. Just carried the knowledge inside, allowing it to fester. Worry constantly lit her eyes as she felt him pull away. She had always been his emotional outlet, but she probably assumed he was in mourning and just needed time to process everything. At first, she had been content to move them out of state. Salvage what was left of their family and try to start over. But he hadn't let them. He was always a popular kid, especially with the ladies. One of the biggest players Beacon Heights had ever seen. At his new school, he made no attempts at friendship. Simply sat alone, away from the others. A lot of the female students swooned at the handsome brooding new kid, but he rejected every single one. The thought of touching another human after her sickened him.

Even years later the idea produced occasional knots in his stomach. And that was one of the main reasons he had remained celibate these past six years. Erica had made a few attempts at seduction, each one being rebuffed. After the fourth attempt, he finally sat her down for a long overdue talk. It was a long and awkward explanation on why an alpha did not casually screw one of their betas. For morale reasons, he chose not to elaborate that taking a mate was fine, but he had no interest in that level of commitment to her. A long frustrated sigh escaped his lips. His mind was 100% dead set against any serious sexual contact. But his body never seemed to get the memo. Six long years of fighting powerful and frustrating urges. Self-gratifying when they became too painful to bear. He turned down a street, saw a tiny box in the distance. The house where his new mate waited. The universe always balances things out. The thought drifted into his mind. A saying his mother was fond of. It brought a small smile to his face. For a moment, he indulged in the idea of what his "balance" would be. He fell in love with something truly corrupted, and lost every bit of flesh and blood in the crossfire. Gone were the hugs and smiles. Gone was the comfort of his childhood home. Hell, even he had technically died in that fire. The person he became bore no resemblance to the one he was. And in exchange, the universe dumps Mel in his lap. She was a fellow wolf, and as she would be bound to him after tonight, would never betray him. In a way, she was truly a safe partner. He scoffed at the thought. In exchange for everything he once was, he gets a one night stand.

He pulled up to the house, just as the sun was dipping below the horizon. It was a rather magnificent structure. Two stories, with a wide porch in front. A twinge of sadness stirred in his heart. It was very similar to how his home had once been. Pushing the thoughts aside, he turned off the car and got out. Closing the door, he looked into the rear view mirror. Took a moment to fix his hair and check his teeth. Then practiced his sexy smirk that had melted a hundred girl's hearts. Satisfied, he straightened out his leather jacket, and walked confidently to the house. The music that had drifted from the house vanished the moment he stepped onto the porch. He pressed the doorbell, and heard the chime echo throughout the house. He was a guest after all, and it would be much too rude to simply barge in. Footsteps approached and for a moment he wondered what would be on the other side. Erica had favored impossibly short skirts and deep cleavage blouses during her attempts. The last time, the one that prompted the talk, rose petals had actually been sprinkled in a trail. Would similar preparations have been made? The door opened jarring him from the thoughts. Mel stood in the doorway, and for a brief moment, a bit of disappointment welled up. She wore loose black gym shorts and a dark green t-shirt. The shirt had a figure in a full red body suit and mask, staring out into the world. Above the picture, the word Deadpool was written in black. The disappointment vanished on a second less cursory look of his companion. Not a trace of makeup adorned her face, but still she was exceptionally beautiful. Flawless fair skin with bright turquoise eyes and a beaming smile. Though her clothes were old and tomboyish, they couldn't hide the figure within. Long toned legs climbed up to barely concealed hips. His eyes rose further and settled on the two perky mounds that seemed to strain against the slightly fraying fabric.

"He's one of my favorite comic book characters." Mel said, pulling him out of his reverie. "I noticed you checking out my shirt." A slightly uncertain look was on her face as the words left her lips. The innocence in her assumption brought a small smile to his face. It was almost cute.

"Is that so?" He leaned against the doorframe and gave her his famous sexy smirk. It kept him out of trouble so many times. Female teachers giving him a pass on infractions, girls forgiving him for his wandering ways, even the cop allowing herself to be charmed so they could get Isaac. Perhaps it was time he used it to get into a little trouble. He had no problem understanding their pairing was one of necessity. Of convenience. But just because they weren't actual lovers, didn't mean he couldn't rock her world. She looked at him a moment, a strangely adorable awkward smile on her face.

"So." He leaned in slightly closer. "Are you gonna invite me in?"

"Ah, sure." She answered, stepping aside to let him pass. He walked through the threshold of her home. She turned and led him into the house. He glanced over her figure, admiring the curves. The scent of water and light flora soap drifted off of her. Her hair was still a bit damp, probably stepped out of the shower a few minutes before. For once in his life, Derek actually felt a bit self-conscious. Considering he had just spent a good part of the last hour moving around heavy boxes, beads of sweat had rebelliously latched onto his shirt. "You can take your jacket off if you're too hot." Her words increased the feelings of self-consciousness. He did not enjoy the sensation.

He found distraction by examining the place. A few decorations adorned the light blue grey walls. Paintings, mirrors, sketches. A large place, but its simplicity gave it a nice homey feel. Very reminiscent of his own. Her bare feet made no noise as she walked across the dark hardwood floor. He tossed his jacket on one of the couches, briefly wondered if they would do the coupling here. She turned to him, eyes lowered.

"Would you like a drink or something?"

"I'm good." He purred, stepping closer to her, tone low and soft. She took a half step back, and he couldn't suppress the light chuckle at her skittishness. What had happened to the ultra-confident alpha he had met yesterday? So sure of herself she barged into a strange pack's den to broker a deal. Taken his hand to calm him when his fight or flight mode was almost turned on Erica. Now she couldn't look him in the eye, kept a bit of distance. Acting like a subservient beta. She bit the corner of her lip nervously. For a moment, he questioned how he could have missed how attractive she was.

"Follow me." She said quickly, turning and practically running up the stairs. Almost like she was fleeing. He followed swiftly, in pursuit of his escaping prey. They passed by so many doors, until she practically jumped into one. He had the distinct impression of her wanting to slam it behind her. Rather than waiting to see if his gut was right, he followed her in. The room was spacious, a king sized bed dominated the back area. He found her sitting atop the dark blue comforter. Feet dangling off the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the floor. He looked around the room. Photographs and artwork adorned the walls. Without a word, he sat down next to her. Their thighs touched, and she hopped off the bed. Mel walked to her desk.

"You mind if I listen to music?" She asked, keeping her eyes focused on the stereo in front of her. He gave his approval. Sapphire's mp3 was already plugged in. Probably forgot it when she practiced her dance the other day. They had similar taste in music, so Mel opted not to retrieve her own. Flipping through, she settled on a playlist. As the music started, she went back to the bed. Sitting as far away from him as she could manage. Swaying slightly as she lost herself in the music, she almost succeeded in forgetting about her guest. Almost. Despite knowing the necessity of what was to come, she didn't want to think about it. She clenched her eyes shut. Derek took his boots and socks off, pushing them under the bed. Trying to get comfortable. It looked like he might be in for a bit of a wait.

"So take your hand in mind, it's ours tonight. This is a rebel love song." She sang under her breath. Feeling somewhat relaxed, she made the mistake of opening her eyes. He was looking at her curiously. The thought hit her that the song could be considered romantic. A little weird for their present circumstance. She jumped up and pressed next. She was so nervous her fingers fumbled and she accidently fast-forwarded to midway through the next song.

"This is our fate. I'm yours." The sound drifted over the room. A blush creeping across her face, she fumbled to change it. Made the same mistake.

"Crazy on you. I wanna go crazy crazy on you." Mel growled at the sound system. This was not the playlist she had picked. She disconnected the mp3 and flipped it over, revealing the carved R in the corner. Ruby's music player. The two were exact duplicates, except for the different initials carved in them. There was no reason for it to be in her room, let alone plugged in. More than likely another one of Ruby's ideas. Mel dropped it on the desk.

"Well it seems even my trusty music player has chosen to add to my humiliation." She said with a laugh as she dropped once more on the corner of the bed. She looked over at Derek, only to find him several feet closer. She tried to put more distance between them, and felt herself falling off the bed. He caught her arm and pulled her back up. And closer to him. She felt the rough material of his jeans on the skin of her thigh as he tightly held her arm. Pale green eyes gazed intently into her own, and it took all she had not to turn away. She was an alpha damn it, and she needed to start acting like it.

"Why are you doing that?" He asked, pulling her somehow closer. He just kept staring, trying to figure out an answer.

"Doing what?"

"Moving away." He said bluntly, calling her on her tactics.

"In case you haven't noticed, this isn't exactly a normal social call." He seemed taken aback by her answer, letting go of her arm. For a moment, Mel thought he looked slightly offended, but pushed it aside. Even if he was, she was just being honest. "I've never done this kind of thing before and there isn't exactly werewolf mating for dummies."

Derek was a bit confused. He was not used to a female being unresponsive to his advances. He tried again, played up his charm. But the more he tried, the more she seemed shy away. Even now, her eyes gleamed with defiance rather than lust.

"So what do you want to do?" The question tumbled out and he wasn't exactly unhappy it had been. His usual play of charm and seduction didn't seem to have much of a chance of working. She cocked her head to the side, and nibbled at the corner of her lip. Something he was figuring out was a thinking gesture.

"I'd like to talk for a bit." She finally answered. "You know, just get a little more comfortable before we go to the physical stuff." Their eyes stayed locked and he moved slightly closer. Mel felt her heartbeat increase a bit. She realized she knew almost nothing about the man in her house. In her bedroom. All alone, with no one to call for help. She briefly wondered how used to being turned down he was. With his looks and how smooth he had been, probably not at all. Panic filled her and she racked her brains. Trying to remember her lessons. Did a mating count if it was rape?

"Sounds fair." He finally answered. The words broke the distressing thought spiral Mel had fallen into. He gave her a strange look and she was grateful he couldn't look in her brain. He would definitely be offended at being thought of as a rapist. They sat in silence, neither knowing how to start the conversation. Derek hunched over, arms on top of legs. Looking down, he noticed a rounded piece of metal. Something was oddly familiar, so he scooped it up. Examining the piece, a spike of anger shot through him. It was an old pendent. Uneven edges and a wolf in the center. Just like the one the Argent's wore. He had done a bit of research and the pendant was one all hunter families wore. All had the same basic shape, same wolf. But the second symbol varied from family to family. This one had a sword in place of the star.

"I hope your pack tortured the bastard who owned this." He growled.

"You really hate hunters." Mel answered. Genuine curiosity about the guy next to her peaked. It was normal for a wolf to hate hunters. But that level was a bit unusual.

"They are fucking evil, and I really hope the bastard this belonged to died a slow painful death."

"I hope you don't really feel that way." The softness in her voice startled him and he looked up.

"Why?" She grabbed the pendent from his open hand, allowing her fingers to graze against his palm. The first contact she had initiated all evening. He straightened up and looked into her eyes. The sorrow in them was overwhelming.

"Because its mine." A sad smile played across her lips. "A gift from my mother."

"Um, I didn't. I mean." He tried to speak, his normal eloquence faltering.

"It's fine." She said with a slightly less sad smile. "It was the old Romeo and Juliet joke. She was the daughter in a long line of hunters. Was tracking one of the many bad beasties. A lone Strix attacked. My dad saved her. Her family kept to the code, they only hunt the monsters. So instead of hunting him, she actually became his ally. Well one thing led to another, and here I am. Ta da." An obviously fake laugh followed her attempted joke. Derek could hear the pain. The grief. Her hand was still outstretched, the metal gleaming in the light. She stared at the trinket, almost like she was expecting it to vanish. He placed his hand on top. Felt the metal dig into his palm as he laced his fingers with hers. She threw him a tiny smile, appreciating the touch. It was soothing rather than sexual, and that was why she accepted it. He had asked a few questions to her pack. Found out her father was dead. And her orphan status was a bit recent. It would be best to change topics.

"So, when am I going to meet grandpa wolf?" He asked in an attempt to distract. She gave him a confused look, before a look of understanding lit in her eyes. A genuine smile lit her face.

"My pack lives with my grandpa. My maternal grandfather." She emphasized the word.

"Ah…" Once again he found himself speechless. She couldn't help but giggle.

"His family believes in the code. To scrap it is unthinkable. A blasphemy to hunting. He has nothing against werewolves, or anything else that isn't a killer. Which is why he had no problem when my parents married. Or when he helped to raise me. " He sat there for a moment, processing the situation. So many of the hunters he had dealt with were disgusting pieces of filth. Then again, any population is bound to have its dredges.

"So, when am I going to meet your hunter grandpa?" He rephrased the question.

"Well he went to one of those movie marathons they do at the old theater. So probably not until the morning."

"Ok. Wait." A very compromising thought occurred to him. A situation he really didn't want to deal with. "Does he suspect what we're doing?"

"Nah. He doesn't suspect anything." He breathed a sigh of relief. "He knows."

"What?" A slight look of panic flashed across his face. Almost as a reflex he dropped her hand. Moved away the tiniest bit. Mel laughed at the male alpha's reaction.

"A hunter has left the safety of his base on a full moon. And he isn't hunting." She smiled, thinking of the look on her grandfather's reaction when he was told of the plan. Muttered don't want to know then walked out of the room shaking his head.

"Uh…What's his thoughts? You know on this whole plan?" The jitters in his stomach were getting worse. He really had no desire to go head to head with a hunter related to his mate. That was a complete no win scenario. He would get badly hurt. Or less hurt but still have to deal with a pissed off female. His thoughts were interrupted as she continued the conversation.

"He says it's pretty smart. Proud of me for the sacrifice that I'm making."

"Sacrifice? I'm not bad at it." Derek said almost huffily. Sounding very insulted. Mel laughed at the slight pout on his face, shaking her head at his thought process.

"Not the sex itself. After. We met yesterday, and tomorrow we are going to be bound for life. Like an arranged marriage except death is literally the only way out."

"Oh."

"You still want to do this?" Mel asked, wanting to confirm. This was a big decision, and she knew they were rushing into it. But time was of the essence. If he answered no, they had just enough time to gather forces, maybe get a few more pack members if need be. Part of her was really hoping he would say no. Let her out of this entire nightmare.

"The answer is still yes." He replied, dashing her hopes. But a larger part of her was happy. Even though this was in fact a nightmare, it was still the best plan. It would keep her family safe, and if she had to be whored out in the process, so be it.

"So…Should we start?" She was taken aback by his reaction. Almost the moment the words were out of her mouth, he stood from the bed. In what had to be half a second his shirt was over his head and on the floor. Belt unbuckled and jeans already at ankles. She just looked at him. With a sheepish laugh, he sat down.

"That was a little too eager, wasn't it?" He looked at her.

"Just a little." He found himself laughing with her at the answer. It was kind of nice. She pushed his shoulder forward a little, and he felt fingertips tracing the pattern on his back. "Your triskele is beautiful. You mind?" She pulled her hand away a bit, realizing how rude she was. But the male alpha just laughed.

"Considering why I'm here, it would be a dick move not to let you." She smiled at his answer, touching the ink. "Do you have yours yet?"

"Yeah." Like the pendant was a sign of a hunter, the triskele was a custom in the wolf world. After maturity, a born wolf would have the symbol etched somewhere on their body. A constant reminder how fluid and fickle life could be. Like the pendent, it was a way to identify one of their own kind. He turned towards her. She pulled up the fabric on her left leg, revealing the spirals tattooed on her high upper thigh. Hidden from the world. It was his turn to examine, and a blush spread across her face as his fingers touched, so light it was like a feather. Her heart sped up as his fingers brushed gently against her skin. They were helping each other out. This mating was to form an alliance, was practically a business transaction. Still, he felt a sense of obligation. She was to be his permanently, and he wanted her to enjoy it. If all it took was taking things a little slow, he could do that. He brushed his palm against her thigh, caressing the fair skin. Out of his peripheral he saw the blush creep across her cheeks, and he could smell pheromones go crazy. The girl was aroused. Her heart was racing, but it was impossible to tell if it was from embarrassment or being turned on.

Leaning over, he placed a kiss on her racing pulse. His hand moved up her thigh, slipping beneath the material as he kissed her jaw line. His fingers wrapped around her hip and his thumb brushed against the fabric of her panties. She froze at the touch. He kissed her cheek before moving onto her lips, hoping to relax her. His other hand cupped her cheek, holding her in place as he assaulted her lips. Her rigid body loosened, and he took the opportunity to let his thumb explore. His years of experience worked in his favor, and he quickly found her most sensitive area. Her thighs parted as he played, and his lips moved back to her neck. Mel let out a small moan, and slammed her hand against her mouth. She felt so embarrassed. He moved back, and looked at her. Wondering why she was stifling her sounds of enjoyment. He mentally shrugged the thought away. He placed his hand on her shoulder, and gently pushed her down. Her eyes were nervous, but she made no attempts at resistance. He stepped out of his jeans as he crawled on top, his boxers the only article of clothing on his body.

He was on top of her, lips pressing hard to her own. A few whimpers escaped as he grinded into her. She felt every inch of hard muscle against her, including the hard length hidden just beneath his boxers. For a brief moment, she wondered what it was going to be like. Her thoughts where interrupted when his lips moved to her throat. He kept going down, kissing her chest and stomach through the fabric. As he moved down, his fingers slipped beneath the waistband of her shorts and panties. In one tug he had them on the floor. He pulled the shirt up a bit, and kissed the now revealed flesh. He lifted the shirt higher, mouth following the trail. His incredibly nibble fingers slipped under her and unhooked her bra. A low moan escaped as his mouth closed around one of her nipples. Her breathing hitched and all she could think of was how could anything feel so incredible. She felt the cold on her chest as the heat of his mouth vanished. He tugged at the shirt, pulling it over her head. He was less gentle with the bra, tearing it off. His lips crushed hers, silencing her attempts at protest.

"You ready?" She felt his breath waft across skin as he spoke into her ear. The air was thick with the scent of her arousal, juices dripping down her thighs. It was a very rhetorical question. Still, he waited for her nod of confirmation. He flipped her onto her stomach. Lifted her hips to give him easier access. A tingle went down her spine as he kissed her back. Satisfied that she was prepared, he allowed himself to spring out of the slit in his boxers. She buried her face in the pillow. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her onto his throbbing cock. Sinking into her passage.

"OW! Fuck! Fuck! STOP!" She screamed, every word punctuated by a smack on his thigh. He ignored the powerful sting in his leg. And the red handprint that appeared.

"What's wrong?"

"It fucking hurts is what's wrong." She bit his head off, not even trying to hide the growl. He started pulling out, eliciting a fresh hiss of pain from her. He stopped moving, not quite sure how to proceed. The metallic scent was overwhelming. Looking down, he saw the red droplets trickling down her thighs.

"You were a virgin?" The question slipped out before he could stop it.

"What the hell did you think I meant when I said I've never done this before?" Voice still gruff, but smoothing out as the pain slowly faded. They sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity.

"Does that count?" He asked, finally breaking the stillness of the room. Mel felt very uncomfortable in the current position, unable to see her surroundings or partners body language. She also didn't like how exposed she was.

"I don't know." She admitted. Her father and grandfather had been very uncomfortable with the lessons involving sex, so had glossed over the topic. A lot. But something told her it hadn't. "I don't think so."

"Should I keep going then?"

"We already went this far." She replied with a slight chuckle. She felt him slip out entirely, then cried out in surprise as she was flipped onto her back.

"This position is supposed to be the best for the first time. Not as painful." He explained. She nodded. His gaze was too intense and she turned her head to stare at the lamp on her nightstand.

"Don't do that." He demanded, turning her head back. Her eyes flashed her confusion. "I don't want to feel like I'm raping you."

"Sorry." She mumbled. Their eyes locked. He held her gaze as he slipped back in. She grimaced as once again her walls were stretched. But it wasn't as bad as the first time. He waited for her body to adjust, then gave an experimental thrust. A gasp of pleasure escaped as he plunged into her. Pleased with her reaction, he began in earnest.

Mel gripped the sheets, knuckles turning white. Every thrust felt good. Really good. He definitely knew what he was doing. She bit her lip to stifle moans, trying focus on what was going to be happening these next few days. She hoped he would finish soon, completing their bond. It was so humiliating. Grabbing the sheets to keep her hands off his gorgeous body. Almost biting her lip off to keep from screaming his name. Maybe she wouldn't feel so awkward about her reactions if this had been a love mating. Or at least done with someone not a stranger. He gyrated his hips, and a fresh wave of pleasure crashed down on her. Mel cried out and grabbed his shoulders in response. Opening her eyes, she found him still looking at her. She dropped her hands back to the mattress, a deep blush on her face.

"S..S…So…Sorry." She stuttered, finding it difficult to talk with him still thrusting into her.

"Hold onto me if you want. I want you to enjoy this." He smirked, thrusting hard. She relaxed a tiny bit. Wrapped her arms around him. Her legs crossed over his hips, pulling him deeper inside. He picked up the pace. She seemed to be enjoying it much more. Maybe she just needed permission. He silently laughed at the thought. He soon grew distracted by the more appealing task of watching her reactions. She was drenched, her juices running down her thighs and into the mattress. Small moans escaped from her throat as he ravaged her.

"Derek." Mel panted softly as she felt him plunge deeper. Her body was overheating but right now all she cared about was the feel of him inside her. Her heels dug into his hips as she pulled his cock deeper inside. She begged him to go faster, feeling the heat build. He complied happily. Grabbing her hand, he intertwined their fingers, desperately craving the comfort of that tiny gesture. She smiled up at him. Their eyes stayed locked as he mercilessly pounded into her. The heat was building and it felt like she was on fire. She cried out in pleasure. Screamed his name to the heavens as she climaxed. He was a stranger and this was simply an alliance. But right now all she cared about was the crescendo of pleasure exploding throughout her body. He kept thrusting, drawing out the sensation as much as possible. When her cries died down, he finally allowed himself to join her. She felt the warmth of his seed as he released inside her.

Their breathing was ragged as they recuperated from the pairing. He nuzzled her shoulder, waiting for his body heat to return to normal. Mel stared at the ceiling. Their hands were still joined and she absentmindedly rubbed her thumb over his hand in small circles. She thought about the many discussions her pack had on sex. All the speculation and story swapping. Ruby detailing how awesome an orgasm was. How it rippled through your body, flooding it with pleasure until you couldn't take it anymore. Mel always thought it had to have been an exaggeration. Now she knew it wasn't.

"Um. Maybe we should do it again." She found herself saying. His head shot up from her shoulder, and he stared at her with customary overly intense gaze. She looked away, feeling self-conscious. She was about to retract her statement when he kissed her. Nipping her lip and forcing his tongue into her mouth. After a few seconds, he pulled away.

"Yeah, we should probably make sure it worked." He grinned at her. His eyes flashed red, hers went green in response. Their beast sides emerged to join in the fun. Pulling out, he flipped her over to their first position. She was about to protest, remembering the pain it caused. "Trust me." He whispered in her ear. She tried to argue. Without warning he plunged in. Her words of protest were quickly replaced with a moan. Her eyes flashed green as the alpha claimed her. The light of the moon cascaded in through the window. Beaming down on the two now joined wolves.