"Hi, Cadie!" I smiled sweetly at my friend, who looked ready to murder me. "Isn't it a fine night?"

A low, but powerful growl echoed off the walls of the huge office, but I didn't turn, not even to see where the delicious aroma of cake was coming from. Cayden helped me up, or rather forced me up when he saw that I wasn't making a move to stand up. He tried to shield me from the person from where the growl emitted, but in vain.

I felt a powerful, tantalizing aura making its way across the room and towards me. All my senses were on high alert, and the fine hair on my arms and unshaven legs had started to rise up due to the electric feel.

He was my mate; he had to be. I had heard stories about the maddening power of the mate bond, and there was no explanation for the way I was feeling. From my peripheral vision, I saw Cayden come to stand in front of me, and along with him, other Silver Eclipse pack members surged forward, causing the male werewolf to growl again.

He certainly had a way with words.

"Let him come," I told Cayden, putting a hand on his shoulder to assure him of my confidence. He reluctantly moved away but didn't go far. My possible mate didn't seem to like my buddy-behavior with Cayden and finally uttered a single word.

"Move!" Cayden's eyes flashed black for the second time in a night. The anonymous male's voice was so smooth. There was no other way to describe it. I think Cayden finally caught on to what was happening before him; a mate bond was a dangerous thing to mess with, so he took a careful step aside, still close enough in case he needed to protect me.

The man who finally came within my line of sight with no obstruction was absolutely, heartbreakingly gorgeous. He had dark hair that was similar to my own, perfect lips, and a straight nose that no other male could match (though I think that's the bond's doing). His silvery grey eyes confirmed what I had already guessed; he was my mate, and he was beautiful.

"You're beautiful," he put his hand forward, presumably to tenderly stroke my cheek, or choke me to death for disturbing his meeting, but I put a hand up.

"Don't touch me," I backed away. "Not till I allow it."

"I can't touch what's mine?" He asked me, confused.

"Yours?" It was my turn to be confused.

"You deny the mate bond?" I wasn't great at reading emotions, but I could see that he was angry and a little disappointed at my resistance. If he was looking for an obedient little mate, he was in for a rude awakening.

"I don't. But I'm not an inanimate object," I explained.

"That wasn't my implication," he tilted his head at me curiously, searching for something. But what? "You're a rogue?"

"I am."

"But yet you are living here?" He could probably smell the pack land on me; a strong alpha could usually pick up pack scents well.

"Perhaps we can talk about this in private?" I felt uncomfortable discussing our mate bond in front of the Silver Eclipse pack members and his guards. He gave a look towards a tall man who nodded and walked away with the rest of his people following.

"Cayden?" I asked my friend for a silent favor, and though he still looked worried for me, he knew that mates rarely could harm their significant others.

"I'll be right outside. Harm her, and be rest assured there will be blood spilt," Cayden warned the man in front of me, who gave him a menacing glare. I could see that he was barely controlling his anger towards my best friend, so I nodded quickly and closed the door.

"Don't mind him, he's just protective." The man nodded, his full concentration focused on me.

Once the room was empty, I felt the nervous energy inside me explode. My still nameless mate looked like he was in deep thought, and the awkwardness was starting to rise.

"So what's your name?" I was tired of thinking of my mate as the nameless handsome alpha, so I finally decided to ask him.

"Arden Jackson, Alpha of the Sangre Leikos pack." Oh, no. I felt my eyes widen at the name. Cayden' jittery behavior in the morning and extra careful behavior around his impending arrival now made complete sense, as he was one of the strongest Alphas with a reputation that wasn't the kindest.

I always made sure to steer clear of his pack's boundary lines when out in the wild, as the tales of his ruthlessness and unforgiving behavior were known even by the newest of rogues. He hated us. Absolutely loathed us.

"You hate rogues." I noticed the way his fists clenched together tightly, and then unclenched almost as quickly.

"What's your name?" He asked me instead of replying to my question.

"Miraclemarie."

"That's a pretty name."

"Thanks, I know." I did a playful hair flip before I realized who I was with. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize. A mate tends to show off her best qualities and assets in her mate's presence." I almost laughed at the seriousness with which he said that.

"I'm not trying to impress you." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"It's unconsciously done." He said, and for the first time, I saw him smile. It was barely there, but it was worth catching.

"I'm amazing, I ooze awesomeness, I don't need to explain myself to you." I narrowed my eyes at my mate. I thought mates were supposed to be loving and hopelessly in love!

"Well, you are going to be stuck with me for a long time; I think it's time you start."

"Call me." Felicity had been hugging me, or rather resting her chin on my shoulder for the last five minutes, murmuring instructions into my ear and telling me random things she had heard about my mate. I don't know why because the only thing it did was make me more guarded around him. I did not want to be tied to a tree upside down.

"I will," I said for the hundredth time, rolling my eyes and patting her back sympathetically. Despite multiple goodbyes before, Patty didn't make this one any shorter. Janine had already taken her turn before as she knew Felicity was a time hog.

"No, you won't! You'll be too busy making gorgeous babies with your gorgeous mate in your gorgeous home with fabulous pack mates!" She whined.

"Woah, who said anything about staying there? Aren't you getting a little carried away?" I asked her with a smile.

"He's your mate." She stated the obvious.

"I know that."

"You aren't planning on staying with him?" She looked shocked. Janine, who was picking blades of grass from the ground, stood up and looked at me shaking her head.

"Did you mention that little detail to him?" Janine asked me.

"I don't see the need to." I shrugged. "I'll check out the scene, maybe stay a month till my leg heals and go out again."

"But he's your mate and haven't you heard? Your home is where your heart is!" Patty exclaimed.

"This is my home." I pointed out to her. "I love you, Jules, and Cayden more than anyone in this world, but that doesn't mean I stay here, do I?"

"I'm afraid that's not how a mate bond works, Miracle." Jules interrupted. "I know how much you want to preserve your wild spirit, but he's your mate, and an Alpha, nonetheless. He won't let you out of his sight for long."

I pondered over that for a short while, simultaneously thinking about how little Jules and Patty really knew about me. Cayden and his parents were the only ones who knew my true reasons for continuing to stay a rogue despite their readiness at accepting me as a part of their loving pack.

A mate bond was strong, but surely Alpha Jackson would understand my reasons. If not, then too bad. I made a mental note to remind myself to bring up this topic as soon as possible, as being on the receiving end of a well-known temper wasn't a part of my bucket list.

"We'll see," I replied, pursing my lips. From my peripheral vision, I could see Alpha Jackson standing close enough to see me, but far enough to give me enough privacy to say my goodbyes.

His rigid posture and flickering eyes made a small smile slide onto my face. He probably felt my state, for at the exact moment that I looked at his face, his eyes met mine. He nodded once and started to make his way towards me.

Jules and Felicity were still talking about me, so I quietly murmured "Alpha alert" under my breath, which caused them to shut up instantaneously.

"Are you ready to leave?" He asked in a gruff voice. I was tempted to pull his cheeks and coo at him, but I had a feeling that he wouldn't appreciate the gesture. Instead, I patted his arm awkwardly.

"Just a minute. Where is Cayden?" I asked Jules. She was about to reply, but I heard Cayden running up to me with sweat dripping down his face.

"Sorry I was late, there were a few things I had to do," he said, smiling.

"What's more important than telling me goodbye?" I asked him with a pout.

"Getting you this." He waved a dusty box in the air that looked pretty old.

"What's that?" I asked curiously while ideas popped into my head, some of them normal and others rather absurd.

"Something that Dad told me to give you when you found your mate." I felt tears well up in my eyes when I heard Cayden talk about his father, who I came to love as my own despite the rarity with which I met him.

Last year, in a rogue attack, Henry passed away, and his wife died of depression a few weeks later. That's when I truly felt like an orphan. Henry and Margo had hearts of gold, and when I received the news, it was too late as they had already been buried and I couldn't say goodbye.

I took the box in my hand gingerly and opened it to see the contents inside.

There was a white gold necklace and a letter. I kept the letter in my jacket pocket to read later privately and removed the necklace.

It was a locket, and when I opened the pendant, there was a picture of Henry, Margo, Cayden, Pat, Jules, and I on one side, all of us laughing. It was clicked a year before they died, and I wasn't sure how they actually got so many people to fit in such a tiny frame. The other side was empty.

I held it out to Cayden, who placed it on my neck. I heard low growls coming from my mate, but I ignored it and hugged Cayden tightly.

Arden came to my side and gave another, more forceful growl, and Cayden reluctantly let go of me.

"Take care."

"I love all of you!" I said one last time. I rolled my eyes at my own theatrics; it wasn't like it was the last time I was seeing them, but it sure felt like it.

"We love you too." Arden growled again.

"Oh, shut up!" I told him annoyed and made my way towards the black Prado that was parked a little distance from where we were standing. I opened the back door and got in, waiting for Arden to get in, but I was surprised to see him holding open the door for someone who I was presuming was supposed to be me.

"Sorry." I sheepishly rubbed my neck. "I don't think people do that anymore."

"First impressions matter, Little Rogue." He smirked and got into the car finally. The door closed, and we started our journey towards his pack, a place I could finally strike off my list.

"Hey!" I shouted, my anger bubbling at the surface, ready to unleash its fiery torrent. Arden abruptly pulled away from the girl, who seemed visibly shocked and bewildered by the sudden outburst. He turned to me with a tense expression, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and unease.

"Miraclemarie," he began, but I held up a hand to silence him. The hurt and anger that had swelled within me demanded expression, and I was in no mood to listen to his explanations just yet.

"You're telling me this is your best friend or sister? Is this how you greet family? In front of your mate?" My voice was sharp with indignation, a burning anger lacing every word I spoke. I couldn't believe what I had just witnessed, and I was determined to make both of them understand the gravity of their actions.

He looked torn, caught between the need to explain and the pressure to maintain appearances. I didn't give him a chance to speak, though. My temper flared, and I turned to the girl, my eyes ablaze with fury.

"And you! Who do you think you are, wrapping yourself around my mate and kissing him like you own him?" My voice was dripping with a seething rage that I couldn't control. The crowd surrounding us had fallen into stunned silence, their attention now fully focused on the unfolding drama.

The tension in the air was palpable, and Arden finally stepped between us, his face reflecting the internal conflict he was grappling with. "Miracle, let's not make a scene."

"A scene? You think this is about making a scene?" I shot back, my anger unabated. "This is about respect and boundaries." I could feel my wolf pushing to the surface, her growls echoing in my mind, ready to defend her territory.

The girl, realizing the gravity of her mistake, backed away, stammering an apology. "I-I'm sorry, I thought... I mean, we've been close for a long time."

"That's not the point," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "He's my mate, and you should show some respect." My words were a fierce reminder of the boundaries that had been crossed, and I wasn't about to let it slide.

Arden sighed, still clearly torn between his responsibilities as a pack leader and the situation at hand. "I understand. Let's go inside and discuss this privately."

I followed him into the pack house, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. This was not the introduction to pack life I had expected, and Arden had some explaining to do. I was in no mood to be lenient, especially considering the consequences of their thoughtless actions.

As we entered the pack house, I couldn't help but notice the eyes of everyone in the room shifting from their alpha and his lover to me. Some of them widened in realization, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Inside, something snapped. My wolf and I had a similar idea, and it was a dangerous one. Faster than the speed of light, I caught the girl's neck in my hand, her delicate-looking body suspended in the air. The surge of power and energy coursing through my veins was an exhilarating confirmation that my wolf and I were on the same page. It did strike me, however, that if blame and punishment were to be meted out, it should have been directed at my dear mate. Yet, it was my wolf's unbridled fury that sought to harm the girl who had made the first move.

The room fell into stunned silence once more as they witnessed the sheer strength and force of my anger. My eyes bore into the girl's, my grip on her neck unforgiving, as I contemplated the consequences of her actions.

Arden's voice, laced with urgency and concern, finally broke through the tense atmosphere. "Miracle, let her go."

My gaze remained locked with the girl's, my fingers tightening around her throat, a wordless warning of the consequences of crossing the boundaries that should never have been tested.

Arden's tone grew more urgent. "Miracle, please, she's just a friend, and I should have been more clear. Let her go."

The girl's face had turned a shade of pale fear as she struggled to breathe, her eyes wide with terror. I had made my point, and my wolf had exacted the vengeance she sought. With great reluctance, I released my grip on the girl's neck, allowing her to crumple to the ground, gasping for air. My anger still pulsed through me, but I had made my point clear.

Arden rushed to the girl's side, helping her to her feet and ensuring she was alright. His expression was a mix of relief and gratitude as he turned to me. "Thank you for letting her go. I'll explain everything, I promise."

I took a step back, my anger slowly receding, replaced by a deep sense of unease and confusion. I had reacted with a level of aggression I had never before exhibited, and it left me shaken. My wolf, however, remained unapologetic, her instincts having guided our actions.

As the tension in the room began to ease, Arden motioned for everyone to disperse, and the onlookers gradually left the area, leaving us alone. We retreated to a more private space within the pack house, where Arden finally began to explain.

"Miracle, I should have been clearer with my boundaries. Alaina is a friend from our past, and I should have made it known that our relationship is strictly platonic now. I didn't expect her to react that way, and I deeply regret the pain she's caused you."

My anger had subsided, but I still felt the sting of betrayal. "Arden, you know how important our bond is to me. I need to know that you're committed to this relationship and that you won't let anyone jeopardize it."

He nodded, his expression sincere. "I am committed to you, Miracle, and I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. Alaina won't be a problem anymore. I promise."

We spent the next several hours discussing the situation and working through our feelings. Arden assured me that he would set clear boundaries with Alaina and that he understood the importance of maintaining the integrity of our relationship.

As time passed, the initial fury and shock of the incident began to wane. While I couldn't deny that the situation had revealed a vulnerability in our relationship, it also served as a catalyst for open communication and a deeper understanding of our needs and expectations.

In the days that followed, Arden followed through on his promise, taking the necessary steps to ensure that Alaina understood the boundaries of their friendship and the sanctity of our bond. It was a challenging process, but it brought us closer as a couple, and it forced us to confront any potential threats to our relationship head-on.

Ultimately, our bond grew stronger, and we emerged from the ordeal with a renewed commitment to each other. The incident had served as a powerful reminder that, in the world of the pack, trust, communication, and respect were the cornerstones of a successful and lasting mate bond.

Over time, Alaina, too, came to understand the gravity of her actions and the impact they had on our relationship. She took steps to make amends, both with Arden and me, and we gradually allowed her back into our lives.