I gulped the fresh air and let the breeze cool my heated skin.

"What the hell was that about?" Maya murmured, referring to my uncontrollable body parts.

I shrugged, "I have no idea. Can't really blame me though, he is smoking hot."

"You're right there." Maya smirked, "And a nice ass."

I scoffed, "You mean, he is an ass."

"Well well well, if it isn't Lola. Never thought I'd see your face again." A cocky voice called out.

I grimaced as Ethan made his way up to me. Ethan didn't seem to change at all. He still had that lanky build with hints of muscle, and his blonde slicked back hair. He looked just as sleazy as ever.

"Ethan, so good to see you." I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes at his stupid smirk.

I walked away and groaned as he followed.

"Your legs are too short. There's no escaping me." Ethan smirked proudly and I stifled a gag.

"Unfortunately." I mumbled. I remembered very clearly his smug look when Tyler found his mate and left me in the dust. He was always encouraging Tyler to go out and try new girls. Thinking back on it, Tyler probably did cheat on me. Not that it mattered anymore.

Ethan smirked, walking much too close to me.

"So how're you doing since the whole Tyler thing? Kind of embarrassing, huh?" His mocking tone made my blood boil and I came to a halt.

"Listen here," I growled, taking a step closer. "It's been a year. And entire f**king year. Now back the hell off before I knock your teeth out." I spat.

I turned on my heel and left Ethan's annoying face in the dust.

"Ooh, she's still feisty." I heard his voice call out, and I flipped him the bird as I walked away.

"Still annoying as ever, isn't he?" Breyona rolled her eyes, making me jump. I had been so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed her standing there.

"Insufferable. I feel awful for his future mate." I rolled my eyes, refusing to glance in his direction.

Breyona gave me a small smile, "So, where are you headed?"

"Oh, I'm just going home." I shrugged, glancing at her. I couldn't help the guilt that swirled around me when I thought of her.

What kind of best friend drops you for an asshole boyfriend?

"My house is on the way. Mind if I walk with you?" She smiled.

"Not at all." I was kind of surprised, but I knew I needed to apologize for what had happened between us.

"Look, I'm sorry okay? You know I'm not good with apologies, but I'm sorry for being the worst friend ever." I frowned.

Judging from the look on her face, I definitely caught her by surprise.

"I forgave you when I found out what happened between you and Tyler." She shrugged as if it were no big deal.

That was always one of my favorite things about Breyona. She never made a big deal out of things, and she wasn't one for drama or gossip.

It su*ked at the time, but I honestly feel lucky." I scoffed, trying to imagine myself as Tyler's Luna.

Breyona chuckled, "As mean as this may sound, losing Tyler was the best thing that ever happened to you. You were always way too good for him."

"Well, thank you for that." I elbowed her side and gave her a playful smile.

For once, the thought of leaving and going back to grandma's wasn't so appealing. With Tyler gone, I felt like I could actually start over here. The only thing that would've made it better was my Mom. The thought send a sharp pang running through me.

"So, fill me in. What has life been like since I left?" I asked, and listened intently as she gave me a run down.

Breyona told me how her older sister and finally found her mate in a neighboring pack and was currently pregnant with her first child. Only a handful of our pack members actually died in the fight, my mom included. Alpha Asher was quick to end the fighting once our side surrendered, and once he realized our Alpha had abandoned them. I hadn't realized before, but some part of me blamed Alpha Asher for the death of my Mom. I knew it wasn't directly his fault, but the blame was still there. The rest of the blame I placed directly on Tyler's shoulders.

"So, are you excited to find your mate?" I smirked at her, watching a light blush fill her cheeks.

She shrugged, "I'm not pressed about it." I could tell there was something she wasn't telling me, but I let it slide for now.

"So what have you been up to?" She quickly changed the subject.

I have her the very short rundown of what my year consisted of. While it sounded boring, it had been the best year of my short life.

"So does that mean you can kick all of our asses now?" Breyona chuckled, referring to the intensive training I went through for a year.

I giggled, "I'd sure like to think so."

"You held up against Alpha Asher pretty well." She shrugged.

"You think so? Sean said the same." I frowned. Did getting punched and kicked over a hundred times classify as good fighting?

Breyona shuddered, "Yeah, that's actually really good. Alpha Asher fights like a damn monster, I've never seen anything like it."

"Yeah, neither have I." I shook my head, wondering if Alpha Asher was on some kind of magical werewolf steroids or something. As far as I knew nothing like that existed, but I still wondered.

"Did you see Chelsea earlier at training?" Breyona snorted, gauging my reaction on my old friend.

My eyes widened, "Chelsea was in training? I hadn't even seen her." I shrugged, thinking back on my old friend.

"Yup, she's obsessed with Alpha Asher." Breyona rolled her eyes, "She hasn't changed at all."

Her words made me feel funny for some reason.

"She really hasn't," I frowned, "She was always obsessed with Tyler."

"She wants to be Luna." Breyona shook her head.

I shuddered at the thought of Chelsea becoming Luna, "That would be wonderful." I said sarcastically.

Breyona chuckled, "Even the old you would've made a better Luna than her."

I gave her a smirk, "Why thank you for that, but I'm done with Alpha's." I shook my head.

"Are you sure about that?" Breyona giggled, "What was up with you and Alpha Asher?"

I shrugged, "I just piss him off. He wants me to be obedient." I rolled my eyes. I may be a werewolf, but I'm not a damn dog. Lola the Golden Retriever had a good ring to it, but I think I'd look better as a Husky.

"I'm surprised he hasn't killed you yet." Breyona shook her head at my stupidity.

I shrugged, "The guy's like 6'3 and almost 200lbs, he probably just doesn't see me as a threat."

"That's true," Breyona snorted. "You looked like a kid when you trained with him." She cackled.

"Not everyone can be 5'8' with long legs, ma'am." I grumbled at her, but a smile quickly formed on my face when Breyona struck a pose.

"If you keep complimenting me like that I'm gonna start thinking you're my mate." She cackled and I could stifle my giggles.

Breyona invited herself over for dinner at my house, and I didn't mind one bit. Breyona had met my grandma a handful of times when we were kids and she loved the woman. Grandma loved Breyona's honesty and bluntness. Grandma always said Breyona and I were practically sisters with the way we act.

We all sat around the table and ate the dinner grandma had made. Dad was looking so much better, his skin wasn't translucent like it had been.

Sean teased me for being stuck with Alpha Asher again while my dad feared for my safety. I tried to assure him Alpha Asher wouldn't kill me, but he didn't buy it. I kept my disobedient behavior towards our Alpha quiet. The last thing I needed was Dad and Sean finding out. They'd think I had some kind of death wish.

Brianna and I made plans Sunday to hang out and maybe grab some lunch at the cafe in town.

I rolled into bed after dinner sore as all hell. While it was only 7 p.m. I wanted a head start on going to bed. I was looking forward to sleeping my Saturday morning away.

I realized the full extent of my bad luck when an annoyingly attractive voice rang out in my head.

"Lola, report to my office at 9 a.m." Alpha Asher's rough voice spoke through the mind-link.

"Come on, Alpha." I groaned, "It'll be Saturday."

"9 a.m, Lola." His rough voice growled and ended the mind-link.

I grumbled and turned over in bed, and let sleep claim me.

Saturday would've been so much easier if I had just remembered to set a damn alarm.

I rolled over in bed with a sleepy moan. I was having the most wonderful dream that involved several under dressed men, one of which may or may not have resembled Alpha Asher. I didn't care about the details.

My eyes fluttered open and a my sleepy yawn filled the air. That had been the best night of sleep I had in a long while.

The events of yesterday had yet to catch up with me as I sat up in bed and stretched. Just as I was about to stand up from the bed, my eyes darted to a figure in the corner of my room.

"What the hell!" I gasped, looking into the furious face of Alpha Asher.

He was sitting in the corner of the room on a navy love seat my Dad had gotten me when I was thirteen.

"You talk in your sleep." He spoke, his tone calm while his eyes continued to burn. He looked at me strangely and I wondered what I had said in my sleep.

I didn't have to glance down to know that my nips had stiffened against my tank top. I wasn't wearing a bra, not that I needed to. Who sleeps in a bra?

I snak*d my hands up to cover my bre*sts as I glared at Alpha Asher. I was grateful I managed to fall asleep in a pair of sweats instead of my typical pair of underwear.

Alpha Asher looked good. Being furious only made him hotter. He wore a simple black button down shirt, but the sleeves were rolled up, exposing his muscular forearms.

I sputtered, at a loss for words. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" I gasped, I could feel my face turning red.

His face remained flat whilst his golden flecked eyes burned with fury, "9 a.m, Lola." He repeated those familiar words and I felt my body stiffen as I remembered last nights events.

I let my eyes flicker to the alarm clock by my bed and went wide eyed when I looked at the time. 11 a.m.

"We're in deep sh*t." Maya muttered sleepily.

I should feel frightened right? I've been pissing off the deadliest Alpha for three days now, and yet I was still alive.

As if Alpha Asher could read my mind, he stood from his seat in the corner and walked towards me.

I kept my face blank, my eyes taking in every inch of him. He took his time approaching me, like a wolf stalking it's kill.

"You couldn't set a simple alarm, Lola?" Alpha Asher's voice was hard, and I tried not to be mesmerized by the golden flakes in his eyes.

I wasn't sure why I was so unable to control my mouth around him. Even with the hairs on my body standing on end, I only felt one thing. Excitement.

"Um, I forgot?" I bit my lip sheepishly.

"We're dead." Maya groaned, "You and your big mouth killed us."

"So dramatic, Maya." I rolled my eyes at her.

A startled squeal left my lips as Alpha Asher shoved me against my bedroom wall. The pictures hanging on the wall rattled with the impact. His rough hands yanked my arms down and away from my bre*sts, but his eyes never left my own

Something had to be wrong with me. Instead of feeling afraid, I felt angry. If he thought he could man handle me into obedience, he had another thing coming.

"You are testing my f**king patience, Lola." Alpha Asher growled. His eyes had become completely gold and I stared into their depths unwavering.

He towered over me as I was trapped against the wall. His earthy cologne scent was everywhere. It wasn't that it didn't smell good, it was just really strong.

My heart nearly stopped in my chest when I felt his giant hand wrap around my throat. I stubbornly kept my eyes on his. There was no way in hell I was going to submit.

Naturally, Maya squirmed at my defiance. It was against her nature to disobey her Alpha.

"This is your last chance, Lola." Alpha Asher growled. His hot breath fanned my face and his fingers exuded the smallest amount of pressure against the soft flesh of my neck.

Any control I had over my body wavered. I could feel my hard nips pressing against him and gritted my teeth as a new sensation formed between my legs.

My insides churned at the thought of him being able to smell my arousal. I told myself it was only natural that I was attracted to him. He was breathtakingly gorgeous and an Alpha. She-wolves were naturally attracted to the strongest of our species.

His golden eyes conveyed no emotion other than anger as he looked down at me.

I didn't fight it when a smirk formed on my lips.

I let my eyes widen in mock fear, "My last chance, huh?"

Alpha Asher leaned his face into mine, his furious eyes locked on my own. His lips were only inches away and I resisted the insane urge to look down at them.

"Next time you will be punished, and I will not be gentle. Remember that the next time you disobey me." Alpha Asher growled, sending a wave of excitement down my spine.

I almost felt disappointed when he pulled away and opened my bedroom door.

"You start patrol Monday. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Report at the southwest base. Do not be late." His voice was deadly calm, and my bedroom door clicked shut quietly.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. My mind was churning.

I chalked my arousal up to Alpha Asher's god-like looks. Something within me was attracted to the thought of being punished by Alpha Asher.

I shook the dirty thoughts from my head and hopped in the shower. Once I was finally dressed I came downstairs. The smell of my grandma's lavender pancakes wafted around the house. I know it sounds weird, but lavender is amazing in just about anything.

"What did Alpha Asher need you for?" My dad frowned, "Strange that he came all the way over here."

"Um, well.." I trailed off, wondering if I should lie. "He kind of told me to report to his office this morning, and I didn't." I smiled sheepishly at my Dad's outraged expression.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed, Lola?" My Dad nearly shouted.

"It was just a misunderstanding," I shrugged. "I forgot to set an alarm."

"Was he angry with you? Did he hurt you?" My Dad bombarded me with questions. No way I was going to tell him the truth about what happened in my room.

"He was angry, but he didn't hurt me." I shrugged. I could practically feel his hand still wrapped around my neck.

My dad let out a weary sigh, "You need to be more careful, Lola."

I nodded, "I know Dad. I will, I promise." I added for his benefit.

My grandma shot me a sly smirk and I wondered what that was about.

Sean came downstairs shortly after, and he too had asked why Alpha Asher had come for a visit.

He was just as amused as Dad was.

I ended up stopping by the local coffee shop after breakfast, craving one of the Iced Mocha's they were famous for. When Breyona and I were still best-friends, we would come here at least three times a week.

I sipped my coffee and nearly moaned at the taste. The only thing lacking at grandma's little cottage was the short supply of coffee.

I nearly spat out my coffee when I heard a nasal laugh call out behind me. I turned around and locked eyes with Chelsea.

She definitely looked the same, and I wondered if anyone had actually changed around here. Her skin was still as tan as ever, and her sandy blonde hair reached down to her collar bones.

She didn't seem surprised to see me, and I remembered she was in training with the rest of us.

A mean smirk formed on her face as she walked up to me, a dark haired girl clinging at her side.

"Lola, never thought I'd see you again." She smiled cruelly. The dark haired girl at her side snickered.

I smirked at the two of them and shrugged, "Well, I'm back."

"Whatever. I'd say welcome back and all that sh*t, but I really don't care." She shrugged. I couldn't believe I was ever friends with her.

I snorted, "Good to see some things never change."

Her fake smile became mean in an instant and like a startled cat she lashed out. "That makes one of us. Everything's changed for you though, hasn't it? No longer the Alpha's favorite. Thank god you didn't become Luna. Goddess only knows how I managed to put up with you."

I rolled my eyes, "Changed for the better you mean. I don't need to be with an Alpha to know my worth. That's something you should try and live by." I turned around and headed back to the towns square.

Ignoring the stares of some of the people around town, I walked into the towns center and sat down on a bench. I sipped my coffee and let my eyes wander over the large fountain in the middle of the square.

From afar this town looks quaint and normal, if only the humans knew what really lived here.

As always, my peace was interrupted.

"Hey, Lola." Ethan's c**ky voice called out.

I rolled my eyes and began to stand from the bench.

"Aw c'mon Lola. You don't have to leave. Can't we just have a normal conversation?' Ethan frowned.

I gave him a scrutinizing look. Ethan wasn't one for normal conversations.

"Sure, whatever. But the minute you get all douche-like, I’m leaving." I shrugged, but definitely didn't let my guard down.

"Aw you know I was just playing about yesterday." Ethan teased, and I rolled my eyes.

His blonde hair wasn't slicked back in it's normal style, it sat tousled on his head. Sure, Ethan was a fairly attractive guy. He could almost be called hot, but all of that faded away once you got to know his personality.

"Sure you were." I muttered, sipping on my coffee.

Ethan plopped down on the bench next to me and leaned back. I gave him a 'what the f**k' look when he let his arm rest on the bench behind me.

"So, what've you been up to this past year." He shot me a smirk.

"Went to my grandma's, trained and graduated high-school." I shrugged.

Ethan frowned, "Y'know, Tyler was actually distraught when he heard you left. He tried to figure out where you went, but your folks wouldn't tell him anything."

That small shriveled part of my heart that once loved Tyler squeezed at what Ethan had said, but my mind knew better. Tyler tossed me away like trash and his friends did the same. It was pathetic irony that Tyler tossed his own pack away as well.

I rolled my eyes at Ethan, "Look, I genuinely don't care. I don't see how that's hard to understand."

I could feel someone's eyes on me and looked around to find the source. I locked eyes with Alpha Asher, who stood across the town's square talking to a couple men. I assumed the men weren't new additions to his pack due to the scars that littered their body.

Was everyone in Alpha Asher's pack so scary looking?

Ethan's voice pulled my eyes away from Alpha Asher's.

Ethan leaned closer to me, invading my personal space. Invading someone's personal space was an Ethan specialty.

"So you've really moved on, huh?" Ethan asked, his eyes roaming my face as though he were searching for something.

I shrugged, "Yep."

"Y'know, I never said this before but I always kind of liked you." Ethan gave me a lopsided smile.

"Ethan, you say that to every girl." I looked at him with a straight face.

Ethan acted like I wounded him, "I mean it with you though. You're gorgeous and you have a s*xy body." I resisted the urge to gag.

I officially had enough of this conversation.

"Goodbye, Ethan." I said sweetly, standing from the bench to walk away. I glanced over at Alpha Asher and felt a smug pang roll through me as I caught him looking.

Ethan muttered something under his breath loud enough for me to hear.

"You never played this hard to get with Tyler."

"Did he really just say that?" Maya growled in my head.

I could feel Maya try to push herself forward, and I reacted on instinct.

I dumped my poor Iced Mocha down Ethan's head. Maya howled with laughter while I mourned the loss of my coffee.

"f**k you, Ethan." I gave him once last sweet smile.

I could feel Alpha Asher's eyes on my back as I walked away.