"What happened?" Kal asked, breaking the silence after half an hour of driving.
He had guessed that Greyson didn't want to talk, judging by his furious expression.
"Rogue," Greyson spat, the name sounding like poison. "On her fucking birthday, of all days."
"What did he do? All I heard was Indianna screaming, and then you mind-linked me to drive," Kal said.
"He sent her texts."
"How did he even get her number?" Kal gasped.
"I don't know," Greyson snapped. "I don't want to think about it. I just want Indie to have a nice time away."
Kal nodded, and Greyson sighed as he looked down at Indianna. Her cheeks were puffy and red from crying. She was shaking in her sleep and looked sickly pale.
"She'll get distracted when we reach Janson's pack. She'll be fine."
"She's tough," Kal nodded.
Greyson murmured in agreement and turned his attention back to his mate.
"We're entering Janson's territory now," Kal said after a few hours of driving.
Greyson nodded and gently shook Indianna awake. She rubbed her eyes and shifted until her head was resting on Greyson's shoulder.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Sorry about earlier," she said quietly. "I don't know what happened. I just freaked out."
"Don't apologise," Greyson said and traced circles across Indianna's palm with his thumb. "You had every right to react the way you did."
"Sorry about hitting you," Indianna whispered.
"I said don't apologise," Greyson replied and wiped away a tear that had fallen down Indianna's cheek. "I want you to relax while we're here. Enjoy your birthday. Forget about Rogue."
"That's harder than it sounds—"
"Try," Greyson begged.
Indianna looked up at him. She took a deep breath and nodded.
Greyson smiled slightly and kissed her.
"We're here!" Kal announced.
Indianna pulled away from Greyson and looked out of the window. The location reminded her of the pack house back home, although this pack house didn't seem quite as grand.
A guy with light-brown hair walked out of the house as Greyson and Indianna got out of the car.
Greyson kept a protective arm around Indianna until they reached the guy. He then gave him a manly hug.
"Greyson!" the guy said happily. "How are things?"
"Janson," Greyson said as the two men pulled apart. "Things are about as well as they can be."
"Is everything all right?" Janson wondered.
The two men were good friends, and Janson could tell that Greyson was angry. He looked at Indianna, who had clearly been crying.
"Indie just got a little upset in the car," Greyson said, not wanting to mention Rogue in front of her.
As soon as Indianna glanced away, Greyson mouthed Rogue. Janson immediately understood.
"She's fine."
Indianna took a deep breath and nodded, shyly smiling at Janson.
"Hello," she said quietly.
Greyson smirked at her shy side. Recently, Indianna had become much more confident. She was slowly talking to more pack members and felt at ease back home, but the new environment had brought out her shyness again.
"Janson, meet my mate, Indianna. Indie, this is Janson," Greyson said. "She's shy around new people."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Indianna," Janson said, smiling kindly. "Greyson has told me all about you."
Indianna looked up at Greyson and raised her eyebrows.
"He has?"
Greyson smirked.
They were joined by Kal, Ace and Oscar, another pack member.
"Kal," Janson nodded. "Ace, Oscar. Good to see you guys again."
"Alpha Janson," Ace said respectfully.
"And you," Janson replied.
"Where's Ian?" Kal wondered.
"Ian is currently dealing with my mate," Janson said with a sigh.
"How is she?" Greyson wondered.
"A freaking nightmare," Janson muttered. "Come in first. I'll get someone to take your bags to your rooms later."
Janson turned on his heel, and the others followed him into the pack house. Greyson, Kal and Ace had been there many times and knew the way.
Janson led them through the house and into the lounge.
The guys made themselves at home immediately, sitting down on the couches and spreading out.
Indianna sat beside Greyson, who wrapped his arm around her waist.
Greyson, how old is he? Indianna wondered.
The same age as me. Eighteen, Greyson replied.
He looks older, Indianna commented. Then again, so do you.
"I hope you guys got here safely," Janson said as he took a seat on the same couch as Greyson and Indianna.
"Apart from a minor disturbance, we were fine," Greyson nodded.
"Indianna, I wanted to thank you for coming all the way down here on your birthday," Janson said. "You have no idea how much it means to me that you're willing to talk to my mate and—"
"Wait," Indianna said sternly.
Greyson arched an eyebrow, surprised by her boldness.
"Before you continue, I hope you know that I will not manipulate your mate in any way, and I will not force the idea of mates upon her. I'll happily talk to her about my feelings for Greyson and show her that we're happy, but if she's against being with you, I won't challenge her about it. It's her choice."
Greyson smirked at Indianna.
Spoken like a true Luna.
"Shy, eh?" Janson chuckled. "I understand you, Indianna."
Indianna nodded and then went quiet, edging closer to Greyson.
"That's all," she muttered.
Greyson laughed.
"So, Jan, where is this mate I've heard so much about?" Greyson wondered.
"Locked in her room," Janson tutted. "Refusing to come out. She tried running away yesterday. Again."
"Why?" Indianna wondered.
"She hates the idea of mates," Janson explained. "She's human, so the bond doesn't affect her as strongly as it does a werewolf. It will take much longer for it to grow into what you and Greyson feel for each other.
"Her family are werewolves, so she's aware of our world, but she refused to accept it while growing up. All she wants is to live a normal human life, free from werewolves. I'm sure you can imagine how happy she was when she found out we were mates."
There was a yell from somewhere upstairs, followed by a loud bang. Indianna jumped, her sensitive hearing picking up the noise easily.
"Piss off, you ugly dog!" a female voice yelled.
Her insults slowly became clearer.
"Put me down, now! I'll kill you, you freak! Ian, I will rip your—"
A man with strawberry-blond hair walked into the room, carrying the screaming girl over his shoulder. He suddenly dropped her onto the couch beside Janson, cutting off her final sentence.
She scrambled up, but Janson grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his side.
The girl glared at him before her eyes darted around the room. They narrowed when she saw the strangers, and she finally looked at Greyson and Indianna.
She had grown up in the werewolf world, even though she had tried to hide from it, and she knew who the Alpha sitting nearby was. She had heard stories about his pack.
They were strong, powerful and dangerous.
She had heard that Greyson was a mean, horrible man. She hadn't expected him to look so young and relaxed.
The girl looked at Indianna and frowned, wondering how she could feel so comfortable in the presence of a monster.
"Thank you, Ian," Janson smiled.
His next sentence was cut off by Kal's laughter.
"Ugly dog?" Kal snorted as he stood up. He hugged Ian and clapped him on the back.
"Indianna, Ian is my Beta," Janson explained. "And Kal's cousin."
"Pleasure to meet you, Luna," Ian smiled and bowed his head respectfully.
Indianna wasn't sure how to react, so she simply smiled awkwardly and nodded.
It was still strange thinking of herself as a Luna.
"Don't take it personally, man," Greyson smirked and teasingly nudged Indianna. "She isn't good around new people."
"I think she's finally comfortable with me now," Kal grinned. "It's my charm, I'm sure."
"Yeah, that's definitely what it is," Ian laughed and sat down beside Kal.
Indianna chuckled and looked at Janson's mate. She was pretty, with long blonde hair and chocolate-brown eyes. She didn't look much older than Indianna, and one thing was clear:
She didn't want to be there.
"Janson," Indianna said quietly. "I don't think your mate is very comfortable."
The girl looked at Indianna and frowned.
"I think she'd appreciate being surrounded by fewer people," Indianna continued. "Considering she wasn't exactly brought here by choice."
Indianna could see Janson's mate looking at her curiously, wondering whose side she was on.
"Kal, Ace, Oscar," Greyson said. "Piss off."
"Please," Indianna added, rolling her eyes at Greyson.
Kal chuckled and dramatically pulled himself off the couch.
"I can tell when we're not needed," he said and looked at Janson. "Have you got any food?"
Janson nodded.
"Ian will show you."
Ian led the way, and soon only Greyson and Indianna remained with Janson and his mate.
"So," Greyson said. "I'm assuming by the glares your mate is sending me that she knows who I am."
"Olivia," Janson snapped. "Learn some respect."
"Why should I respect a monster?" Olivia shrugged.
Greyson stiffened.
"Olivia, I'm not in the mood to be insulted," Greyson warned. "Either speak respectfully or keep your mouth shut."
Olivia looked taken aback and swallowed, but said nothing.
"Olivia, this is Greyson and his mate, Indianna," Janson said. "If you're anything other than nice to them, I won't be happy. Greyson, Indianna, this is my mate, Olivia."
"Pleasure," Greyson said sarcastically.
Greyson, be nice! Indianna scolded. She clearly doesn't want to be here. You can't blame her for acting like that.
She called me a monster, sugar, Greyson growled.
All she's heard are stories, Indianna said. Prove her wrong.
Indianna smiled kindly at Olivia.
"So, Olivia, I hear you're quite the troublesome mate," Greyson said.
"I hear you're quite the murderer," Olivia shot back.
Indianna grabbed Greyson's hand when he tensed.
"Touched a nerve?" Olivia asked.
Indianna frowned at Olivia.
"Olivia, can we talk?" Indianna asked softly. "Just us two?"
"Indie," Greyson said with a shake of his head.
"Alone," Indianna added, looking at Olivia.
Indianna started to stand. Olivia narrowed her eyes but nodded.
"Sugar—"
"Greyson, catch up with Janson and let us talk," Indianna said sternly.
She gently traced his cheek with her thumb.
"Okay?"
Greyson clenched his jaw and sent Olivia a cold look, but nodded.
"Is there somewhere private we can go?" Indianna asked.
Olivia nodded and led the way out of the room.
"Don't try escaping, Olivia!" Greyson called as the girls left. "In case you didn't realise, my mate is a werewolf and can easily catch you."
Olivia stumbled to a halt and stared at Indianna in shock.
"You? A werewolf?"
"I wasn't exactly overjoyed when I found out," Indianna mumbled.
"You're a girl."
"I am," Indianna nodded.
Olivia led them outside into the warm sunlight. They took a seat on a bench outside the pack house, and Olivia turned towards Indianna.
"How is that possible? Girls rarely shift!"
"I guess I'm rare, then," Indianna said quietly.
"Your mate is a monster," Olivia stated matter-of-factly.
Indianna raised her eyebrows at Olivia's bluntness.
"I'm sorry... what?"
"Haven't you heard the stories about him and his pack?" Olivia asked.
"No. And his pack are lovely."
Olivia snorted.
"They're renowned around the world for the ruthless killing of innocent werewolves. He's a cold-hearted, cold-blooded monster."
Indianna thought back to when Greyson had told her that he had killed. He had said he had only killed rogues to protect his pack.
She believed him.
Greyson was a dick. He was an asshole, and he wasn't always nice, but he wasn't a monster.
"He's not a cold-blooded killer," Indianna said. "You've heard stories, but that doesn't mean they're true."
"He's got you trapped," Olivia sighed. "You'd believe anything he told you."
"No," Indianna frowned. "I'm not trapped, and I most certainly wouldn't believe everything he tells me. It's quite the opposite, actually. We disagree a lot."
Olivia didn't seem to believe her.
"What have you got against mates?" Indianna asked. "Why don't you want to be with Janson?"
"I don't want my love life chosen for me. I want to choose who I spend the rest of my life with. I want to choose my lover, my other half—the person I'll love forever."
"Have you considered that the person you currently hate might be that person?" Indianna asked softly.
Alarm flashed in Olivia's eyes, and she shook her head.
"No, that won't happen. I could never lo—No. I refuse."
"Why are you scared of falling for him?" Indianna asked.
"I'm not!"
"You're like an open book," Indianna said honestly. "You're worried you're going to fall for him."
"I don't want to."
"You're mates," Indianna shrugged. "There's no denying the attraction between mates."
"It's not as strong for me. I'm human. The bond doesn't always have a strong effect on humans straight away," Olivia said quietly. "I hope it stays that way."
"I think we both know that you know it isn't going to happen," Indianna said.
"Stop talking to me," Olivia said harshly.
Usually, Olivia's abrupt manner would have offended Indianna, but she could read her easily.
"You're not a mean person," Indianna said. "You're just being rude to make people leave you alone. I know you don't mean it."
"Janson brought you here to manipulate me into falling for him. It won't happen. You may have fallen for it with Greyson, but I refuse," Olivia said stubbornly.
"Olivia, I agreed to come here, but I made it clear that I wouldn't force the idea of mates on you. I didn't want to be Greyson's mate when I first found out about werewolves. I know how it feels to be forced into a situation you want nothing more than to run from.
"I said I would talk to you about Greyson and me, explain what we've been through and be honest with you. Olivia, if you really don't want to be Janson's mate, I won't object. It's your choice in the end."
Olivia slowly began to break down in front of Indianna. Tears formed in her eyes, and her tough demeanour began to shatter.
"I just want a normal life. I've grown up around werewolves, and I don't want to live in this world! I just want to be a normal human!"
Olivia started crying silently.
"I don't want a mate. I don't want anything tying me to this world!"
Indianna didn't know what to do. She wasn't good with people crying, especially girls she hardly knew.
After a few moments of hesitation, Indianna hugged Olivia and gave her a shoulder to cry on.
Literally.
"I'm sorry for being a bitch to your mate," Olivia whimpered. "I just don't want to be here, and I take it out on everyone around me!"
"Let it out," Indianna said soothingly as she rubbed Olivia's back.
Even though Indianna felt extremely awkward, she was glad she had something else to focus on.
Rogue was constantly in the back of her mind. It was like a noose was always hanging around her neck, and she didn't know when she was going to fall—or be shoved.
Olivia cried for a few more minutes, mumbling incoherent sentences and sniffling.
"Olivia," Indianna said softly. "Let's start over. Forget about mates for now and just focus on you and me. Yeah?"
Olivia wiped her puffy eyes and nodded.
"Yeah," she whispered.
"I'm Indianna," Indianna said with a small smile. "My friends call me Indie."
"It's lovely to meet you, Indie. I'm Olivia," Olivia said before laughing. "I feel like an idiot."
Indianna smiled.
"I won't tell if you don't."
Olivia's expression turned bitter.
"Who am I going to tell?" she asked softly before shaking her head. "Sorry, I—"
"It's fine," Indianna said. "So, Olivia, tell me about yourself."
Olivia Jones was eighteen years old. She had grown up surrounded by werewolves. Her father and older brother were both shifters, while she and her mother were human.
Olivia loved her father and brother, but she had never fully accepted that they were werewolves. She craved a normal human life, and that was what she planned to have.
She wanted to graduate high school, go to college and explore the world alone.
Without werewolves.
She didn't want to be tied to a pack or stuck in the town where she had grown up.
It explained why she felt so strongly against Janson when she found out they were mates. With half of her family being werewolves, she had no choice but to move in with Janson.
And she hated it.
She hated having no choice. She felt helpless and isolated herself from the one person who was meant to be there for her. This, in turn, made Janson angry. He wanted a mate who would accept him and love him.
Olivia had never even given him a chance.
Once Olivia had told her story, it was time for Indianna to reveal hers.
Starting with the attack when she was a child, Indianna told Olivia about moving to America and meeting Greyson. She used some less-than-pleasant words to describe him at first.
She told Olivia about finding out about werewolves, learning about Rogue, discovering that she was a werewolf and finding out that she was Greyson's mate.
"We've argued," Indianna said. "And, to be honest, it sucks that every fibre in my body urges me to forgive him when we do. But Greyson cares for me. He's saved my life, and I... I love him. I never thought I would, but we're mates for a reason, I guess. We're meant for each other."
Olivia nervously chewed on her nails.
"I can't imagine ever feeling that way towards Janson. I'm scared to. Indie, I can tell that you're head over heels for Greyson. You're in love with him."
"It's not that obvious?" Indianna gasped.
Olivia chuckled.
"It is. And you keep touching your mark."
Indianna quickly placed her hands in her lap and blushed.
"Olivia, maybe you can't imagine it because you've never given Janson a chance. All you've known of him is him keeping you here against your will, and that sucks. But it would be different if you gave him a chance."
"I don't want to," Olivia admitted.
"You don't want to fall for him," Indianna said.
Olivia nodded.
"All I can suggest is that you give him a chance. Stop trying to run away twenty-four-seven and focus on getting to know him. I know you don't want to fall for him, but he's your mate, and I promise you that if you stay here, you will fall for him. It's inevitable.
"If you keep trying to run away and eventually succeed, you might meet someone you feel strongly for, but it will never compare to what you could have with Janson."
"I thought you said you wouldn't manipulate me into wanting a mate," Olivia said quietly.
"I said I'd tell you the truth and be honest. I am. I won't argue if you say you hate his guts and never want to be near him," Indianna said.
Olivia was quiet, and Indianna couldn't help but smirk.
"You aren't going to say that, are you?"
Olivia shook her head.
"So you're going to give him a chance?" Indianna asked.
"No," Olivia said, a plan forming in her head. "He's going to earn his chance."
"Wait, so you're going to stop trying to run away?"
"You sound shocked," Olivia said. "I thought that was what you wanted."
"I didn't actually think I'd be any help," Indianna admitted.
Olivia laughed.
"And I want you to be with Janson by your own choice."
"When I decide what I want, it will be my own choice," Olivia nodded. "You were right. I never got to know him. I focused all my time on planning how to get away. I was being selfish. He never did anything wrong to me, but I acted like a bitch. No one deserves that treatment.
"I know when to admit I'm wrong, but it doesn't mean I'm not going to make life difficult for him."
Indianna laughed.
"I've not known you for long, and even I could have guessed that."
"Greyson better be treating you right," Olivia said suddenly. "A girl like you deserves better than good."
"A girl like me?"
"You're nice, Indianna. There's something about you, but I had no problem opening up to you. You're special. Not many people are kind these days.
"You deserve happiness. From what I've heard about Greyson, I worry that he can't give you that."
"Rumours," Indianna said. "I don't want to hear them, but Greyson isn't cruel."
"To the people he cares about," Olivia said quietly.
Then she smiled.
"It's a good thing he loves you, then."
When Indianna walked back into the lounge, Greyson immediately turned towards her.
"You were gone a while."
"We had a lot to talk about," Indianna said and glanced at Janson, who seemed worried.
"Where's Olivia?"
"She went to shower," Indianna told him.
"I need to get someone to guard her—"
"No," Indianna said softly.
Greyson grabbed Indianna around the waist when she neared the couch and pulled her onto his lap.
After elbowing Greyson in the ribs and getting comfortable, she looked at Janson.
"You don't. She won't run."
Janson looked at Indianna with wide eyes.
"What did you say to her?"
Indianna shrugged.
"She won't be planning to run for a while. She's willing to give you a chance."
Janson's eyes lit up.
"She is?"
"Well... she's willing to let you earn your chance."
Janson frowned, and Indianna chuckled slightly.
"You've got a lot of work to do."
"Thank you," Janson said sincerely.
Indianna smiled.
"That's okay, but if she decides she doesn't want to be mates later on, don't expect me to come and try to change her mind. I've done my part."
Janson nodded.
"Isn't my mate amazing?" Greyson said smugly.
He ran his fingers through Indianna's hair, gently held the back of her head and turned her to face him.
He kissed Indianna briefly, considering that Janson was sitting beside them, but it still caused butterflies that made Indianna crave more.
Indianna was feeling happy. She had bonded with Olivia, hopefully played Cupid, and hadn't stressed about Rogue while talking to her.
It took one small movement from Greyson to ruin it and bring the horrible memories back.
Greyson stiffened when he ran his fingers over the scar on Indianna's neck. He swore and looked at her.
She had gone tense and shifted away from him.
The claw wound had healed, but it had left a horrible scar, and Indianna panicked whenever Greyson touched it.
The slightest pressure reminded her of Rogue slamming his claws into her neck and the painful procedure Doc had performed to remove the splintered claws embedded in her skin.
"Sugar—"
Indianna slapped Greyson's hand away and quickly stood up from his lap.
"I... Don't touch me," she muttered as a shiver ran down her body.
She suddenly felt dirty as she remembered all the scars Rogue had given her.
Another reminder of who you belong to.
Indianna stumbled over to an armchair and sat down, scratching at the scar on her wrist.
Greyson watched every move she made but remained in his seat. He knew she needed space. Rogue had nearly killed her for a second time, and the scar would always remind her of that.
It was still very fresh in Indianna's memory.
Janson caught Greyson's eye and frowned. His eyes asked the question, so he didn't need to say it aloud.
Indianna wasn't looking at them. She was staring at the floor, trying to forget about Rogue, but it wasn't working.
"Rogue," Greyson mouthed before shaking his head, silently telling Janson not to ask anything else.
Greyson watched as Indianna slowly reached up and lightly touched the back of her neck. His heart broke when she flinched and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Um... Greyson!" Ace called as he walked into the room, followed by Kal, Oscar and Ian. "There's a delivery."
Greyson raised an uninterested eyebrow.
"And that concerns me because?"
"It's for Indie," Kal blurted.
Indianna's head snapped up as she looked at the box in Kal's hands.
A distinctive smell filled the room, and Indianna's hand flew to her mouth in horror.
"N-No," she whispered.
"Kal, get it out of here," Greyson ordered as Indianna jumped up and ran towards Kal.
"Wait!" she said frantically.
Greyson shot up from his seat and caught Indianna around the waist, stopping her a metre away from Kal.
"Open it!"
"Get out of here!" Greyson ordered.
"No! I have to know!" Indianna begged.
Kal nodded at Greyson and started to retreat.
"Sugar, look at me," Greyson said softly but sternly.
Indianna swallowed and looked up at him.
"Sorry," she whispered.
She suddenly threw her knee up and struck Greyson between the legs.
His grip loosened, and he doubled over in pain.
Indianna broke free and ran towards Kal, ripping the lid off the box before he could pull it away.
Greyson grabbed Indianna again and pulled her back, but she had already seen the contents.
She felt numb as Greyson held her firmly against his chest and spoke to her, trying to gain her attention.
"Indie, look at me," Greyson begged. "Indianna, listen! Shit, sugar, please look at me!"
Indianna stared at Greyson's chest, and her eyes began to water.
The image of Cassie's head was already etched into her memory, and now there was this.
She knew she had chosen to look inside the box, but she wished she hadn't.
The image of Cassie's heart would be forever engraved in her mind.
Cassie's heart with a bow on top.
Indianna could imagine Rogue grinning, pleased with his sick gesture.
Happy birthday, Indianna.