I watched. I watched quietly as the boy I loved kissed someone else. Not just anyone else either. He was kissing her… the girl I fought with every day both verbally and physically. The girl who had almost killed me and vice versa. Derrick, my mate, the boy I was supposed to be with for both of our entire lives, was kissing my biggest enemy liza.

She's been my enemy since we were in school together. We used to be friends but then she decided that being popular was better. After that, she's done everything she could to make my life hell. After school I didn't see her for years. Not until I found out what I was, a werewolf. Then I had to learn how to deal with it, control it, and so I was sent here. It sucked, but our past wasn't the only reason we were enemies. It was also because after she found out who my mate was she just HAD to be with him. Obviously, since he knew her longer and knew her family he chose to be with her. It also didn't help that he was trying to be with her before I came along either.

My mate, my Derrick, had short dark hair and brown, almost black, eyes. He was a head taller than me and looked like a stereotypical bad boy. leather jacket, all black clothes, black boots, even a blood red collar. He, however, did not act like one. He's an absolute sweetheart, yes I believe that even though he is breaking me into a million pieces. I usually call him Night, because of his hair and eye's and stuff, and his best friend is day. You'll figure out why later. He also happens to be the alpha of the pack that I was sent to learn from…. talk about irony.

The girl he was currently with was a snobby bitch. Her name was liza. My nickname for her is lies a lot, because that's what she does. She's your typical preppy highschool cheerleader. Although none of us went to school. She had dyed blond hair and green eyes. She wore shirts that showed her chest even though she had absolutely nothing there.

So now all I could do was stand here and wonder why? Why would the goddess give me a mate who not only doesn't want me to the point of being with her but also one that didn't even give me a chance? Why was I the one who had to hurt? Why did I have to be tested yet again?

"Hey! Mellissa! Come look at this!" I frowned but turned to see Susan over by a shop window pointing at a mannequin.

Susan is Derrick's younger sister and my best friend. She is a loving, sweet, gentle girl who doesn't like fighting at all. Which is why I don't know how she gets along with liza. She has the same hair color as her brother but her eyes are more of a honey brown. All of her friends call her Sue because she prefers it that way.

"The top would look awesome on you but you don't like leggings." As I said this I walked over to where she was standing and she rolled her eyes at me.

"I meant for you. I think it would look amazing on you." I looked from her to the clothes and back to her.

"I would love to have that outfit but I don't have the money to buy it." She was about to say something but before she could a loud and obnoxious voice came from behind us.

"Not to mention she'd have to lose weight before it would fit. I don't think these stores have plus size clothes but I did see a thrift store down a couple of blocks. You could try there." My hands balled up and Sue frowned already knowing what was coming.

"As if you're one to talk. You're bigger than me! Besides, the only thing I need in a plus size is my bra. Because, unlike you, I was blessed with a big chest while you have nothing." Sue sighed and hung her head when I finished talking while I crossed my arms.

"Excuse Me!" She started to growl at me and  Since I was used to her attacking me, my instincts kicked in. I swung around to face her and growled back, daring her to attack me. Of course, though, as soon as it started he ended it.

"Enough! Both of you Stop! Now!" Surprisingly, to me at least, he kept his glare on her the entire time. However Sue didn't look shocked at all, just relieved. You see, for wolves when a fight breaks out you protect the one you care about most, It's instinct. So him watching her ment he was protecting me and the small things like that are why I force myself to stay around and deal with her.

"Whatever." she growled at us. Then she turned around and walked away. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'd apologize for the fight but she's the one who started it this time. However I am sorry for upsetting you Derrick." He shook his head and turned to look at me.

"It's not your fault. like you said, she started it. You just finished it. Although, it would've been better if you had just ignored her." I frowned and looked away from him.

"She needs to cool it, honestly, both of you do. It sucks having to be in the middle of my two closest friends when they fight." I closed my eyes when she said that. It hurt knowing that I was part of the reason they got upset.

I couldn't help but think, not for the first time, that Maybe it would be better for everyone if I just left. I mean yeah knowing that, even if Derrick doesn't want me he still cares, helps to keep me here but that can only go so far. It sucks that our fighting makes it hard on them. Our fights should stay between her and I. They shouldn't have to suffer just because we don't get along.

"So! Wanna go in and look around?" I blinked and looked up at Sue, pulling myself from my thought's.

"Um, no. Sorry, Sue, but I think I'm just going to head out." I shrugged and turned towards the exit, refusing to look at either Sue or Derrick.

"Oh… are you sure? I mean, it looks like they've got a lot of cute outfits." She sounded so hopeful but I didn't want anything else to ruin their day and me staying would just cause more drama and make them hate me more than they already seemed to, I mean Derrick kinda made a point to prove he hated me on a daily basis after all. So I just nodded to her and walked out of the mall.

From there I walked around aimlessly for a while. I went in and out of different stores, grabbed something to eat, and even bought a few things for myself. All while being completely distracted by my thoughts. Then I decided to go visit a friend that I hadn't seen in a few days. He owned the club that we all liked to hang out at and he was really cool, none of the others knew he was my friend either,so that's where I headed.

~~~~~~~~~~TIME LAPSE~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as I got there the bouncer grinned and gave me a giant bear hug. Being friends with the owner also ment I knew almost everyone who worked here. After we pulled away he told me that Andrew, the owner, was up in his office. I thanked him and headed on up already knowing I'd find him hard at work.

Andrew's an amazing businessman. He started out as a bartender and slowly worked his way up. Now he owns at least ten different bars in two different states, most say that's not a lot but he also runs all of them on his own and visits each one regularly. He's a warlock that can change his appearance and right now his hair is a dark blue at the top and crimson at the bottom. He's also decided that he wants amber red eyes today. Thank the goddess that the humans probably think that they're colored contacts.

As I walked through I smiled at the servers I passed and waved at some of the bartenders. They smiled and waved back and some of them squealed my name in excitement.

When I got up to his office he was on the phone but once he saw me he waved me in and pointed at his couch telling me to sit down but I hesitated.

"No. I said two crates. Yes, they're supposed to arrive on Friday before we open. Ya, that'll work I guess. ok. yup. Thank you. Buh bye now." Once he hung up the phone he sighed and started writing something down so I finally walked over and plopped on his couch.

"So, What's going on? Someone messed up an order or something?" He frowned and nodded while looking frustrated and exhausted.

"The new kid I hired to do the restock and lock up forgot to order more Jack Daniel's gold and didn't do the checklist before he locked the doors." I grimaced when he said that last part I knew how important the checklist was.

"Fuck how bad was the next day?" He scrunched up his nose when I asked and I knew it must have been horrendous.

"A fucking shit show. So now I'm going through and fixing his mistakes." I felt bad for him so obviously I decided to help. I did work here as my first job when I got into town.

"Well I can help. I've got nothing else to do. You don't even have to pay me." I smiled at him and I saw the relief that crossed his face as he relaxed back into his chair.

"Are you sure? Obviously I'm gonna pay you but it's still a mess down there. He did a hell of a number. Your OCD is going to want him dead." I rolled my eyes at him.

"I already want someone dead, Andy. Adding another to the list won't hurt. Besides, it'll keep me away from the packhouse for a while at least." He frowned and tilted his head.

"She's starting shit again? Because I can and will ban her from our club. I also know others so we could make it impossible to get in anywhere for her." I laughed as I stood up and walked to his desk to get a clean piece of paper to write on.

"As fun as that sounds, It would be going a bit too far. Remember what happened when we almost killed each other? No one talked to me for weeks." He rolled his eyes and shook his head but I walked out and headed to the cellar to start restocking and get everything straightened up.

As soon as I could see what it looked like I gasped. He wasn't kidding when he said the kid fucked up. I instantly understood why he said I would want to kill the kid. Like what was he thinking?

I groaned and started what was sure to be a hell of a clean up job all before starting with what I needed to do for the list.

Once I was done I sighed in victory. Finally! I finished counting, reorganizing, cleaning and restocking everything. All I had left was the checklist. Thank the goddess. At least I didn't have to do the lock up.

"Hey! Beautiful! Some guy is up here asking about you!" I sighed. I soooo didn't want to deal with drunk people tonight.

"OK! Be up in a minute!" After I called that to her I heard the door shut.

I quickly wrote down the last few numbers I needed to then push the crate back into it's slot. Then I stood up, put the clipboard on the hook and headed upstairs. Once I locked the door I put the key back around my neck and headed to the waitress that had called to me.

"Hey! lea! Where's the guy you said was looking for me?" She smiled at me and pointed to a table as she took off in the opposite direction. It was definitely packed right now that's for sure.

When I turned around to look at the table she pointed to I was surprised. Sitting casually in a chair drinking and texting was Derrick. The surprising part is that he was alone and looked different somehow. Liza wasn't clinging to his arm like a tick. Slowly I walked over to him curious as to what was going on.

"I see you lost your dog." He looked up as I walked up to his table. He rolled his eyes and shrugged as he put his phone away.

"Yeah. I left her with my brother. He said he'd watch her for me." I rolled my eyes and chuckled. He knew what I meant when I said that but he was turning it into something nicer. I knew he would. Then I noticed something. His collar that he was always wearing, usually he had a red one but right now it was green.

"What's up with the different collar? You've never changed it before." He raised his hand up and chuckled nervously.

"Oh nothing. Just thought I would try something different. You know what they say. Change is good for the soul." He smiled and I cocked my eyebrow at him.

"Ok, if you say so. So what did you need? I figured if you went through all the trouble of getting away from her and having someone get me then you must need something pretty urgently." For some reason he frowned at me when I said that.

"Says who? Maybe I just wanted to talk with my mate." It was my turn to frown. He only called me his mate when he really needed me to agree to something.

"OK, what is it? You don't call me your mate normally so it's something big. Plus you look worried. Are you wanting me to leave or something?" His eyes got giant and he jumped out of his seat. He looked terrified and that shocked me more than anything.

"What!? No! I don't want you to go anywhere!" I jumped slightly. I was not expecting that.

"Um, OK. What are you so worried about then?" I tilted my head and he took a few breaths in order to calm down.

"Sorry for yelling. It's just… I know we haven't talked much since before. Actually, we haven't talked at all since then. We're hardly around one another let alone talk." He sighed and held his hand out towards the empty seat in front of him.

"Um, first…. that's because you're always with her and I prefer to not piss everyone off more than I already do. Second, I promised a friend I'd do a few things downstairs and I'm only halfway done. So I can't sit and talk right now. Sorry." I turned around to head back downstairs but he grabbed my arm before I could walk too far away.

"Do you think they would mind if I went with you? I won't touch anything. I promise." I frowned. Honestly I didn't think Andrew would care but I'd feel much better if I asked first. So I pulled out my phone and messaged him.

"I'm texting the club owner to see. If he's OK with it then we can go." He smiled and nodded, relaxing as I spoke. It was obvious that he thought I wouldn't want to talk to him. I felt bad about that. I mean he's still my mate, even if he's making a bad decision, I still care about him.

"So do you work here normally? I've never seen you work here before, and we're all here a lot." I rolled my eyes at him.

"No. I used to, when I first got into town, years back. But not since you guys found me when I got lost. Tonight is only because a worker messed up badly in the cellar." As I finished talking my phone went off.

"Oh. So you're just helping tonight? You're not planning on leaving, right? You're still living at the packhouse with us? You're coming home?" I looked up at him in surprise. He sounded so very worried and that made me smile sadly at him.

"No. I'm not leaving Derrick. I'm just helping a friend. Which, by the way, he said you could be down there. I just have to keep an eye on you so nothing comes up missing." He chuckled and I smiled.

"OK, good. Lead the way. My mate." I blushed lightly when he said that. I soooooooo wasn't used to him calling me that, but we turned and headed to the cellar.

I smiled and waved to the waitress and bartenders and ignored the whistles from drunk men and women. Derrick however was not happy with all the attention I was getting in here and stayed tense until we were in the stairwell heading down to the cellar.

"So what did you want to talk about? since, now, I know what you were worried about." We'd just gotten to the bottom of the stairs when I started talking.

I grabbed the clipboard and started going through the checklist. You see it's super important because the checklist tells how much of everything there is. Along with who grabbed what and how much money there is, specifically, for the workers. No we can't get into the safe either. It has an electronic counter on top.

"Just wanted to see if you were OK. After her actions today, I just needed to make sure. I… I don't want to lose you more than I already have." I blinked as I slowly took in what he said. Then I started blushing again.

"W... Well… um, it takes a lot more than someone calling me fat to make me leave. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, how she thinks of me doesn't matter." I shrugged and he relaxed. A small smile graced his lips.

"Good. At least I don't have to worry too much about you leaving me… I mean us." I couldn't help but smile at his mistake While he blushed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"So is that the only reason you came here or did you want to talk about something else?" He shifted on his feet and shrugged.

"Actually, I realized we don't know anything about each other and I want to get to know you more. I mean, we're mates. We should know everything. But because of… everything, we've not been able to." He frowned and so did I. That had been bothering me ever since we'd met. So why was he just now bringing this up?

"Well I don't mind but why do you want to know now? You said before that you just want to pretend that nothing had happened." He flinched slightly when I brought that up. I wonder what's going on with him?

"I know. I'm so sorry for saying that. At the time I was just… overly freaked? I don't know. But I really do want to get to know you. Especially after the scare of thinking you had left." I blinked in shock and cocked my eyebrow. He wasn't usually worried about me leaving.

"What scare?" I made it short and simple but apparently the question threw him off.

"When we got back and you weren't there. We thought you had left. Your door was locked and you didn't answer when Sue knocked so we got worried and I decided to track your scent." I blinked once again. This time in confusion but I didn't tell him why. I just played a long while continuing the checklist.

"OK. Not used to you being so worried but, I like it. At least you're giving me a shot now." I smiled back at him and he smiled sadly at me. This was just getting weird.

After that he just asked weird questions. Just little things like my favorite movies, TV shows, foods, what I didn't like, what I was allergic to, things like that. It was just, very weird. Through the whole thing I answered honestly and we just talked about little things like that until I finished with what I was doing.

"So… would you mind if we kind of made this, like, a weekly thing or something?" He asked as we were walking back up the stairs. I looked at him once again and shrugged.

"As long as you can manage to get away from her. I like to come here on Fridays usually. Sometimes on Wednesdays if I know I won't be able to make it on Friday." He beamed happily at me.

"That's fine. I'll figure out a way to get away from her on Friday then." I smiled at him and nodded.

"We probably shouldn't go back at the same time. you should head out, I'm gonna go take this to the owner then talk to some of the others. I'll head back after that." He nodded in agreement, said later and walked away.

I stood there for a minute biting my cheek. Something was wrong with what just happened. I knew it but, also, I couldn't be 100%. He looked like him and acted kind of like him, obviously not completely, but it didn't feel like him. Plus he refused to look me in the eye the entire time. I sighed and headed up to Andrew's office with a frown.

"I take it the talk didn't go well." I looked at him as I sat the clipboard down and took my seat on the couch.

"It's not that. it's just… Weird." He tilted his head In question and I sighed.

"He looked and sounded fine but he acted kind of off. Plus it didn't feel like I was talking to Derrick. He also wouldn't look me in the eye. Something was off, I just don't know what. It's driving me crazy. He chuckled at me once I'd finished talking.

"It's adorable, you already know what it feels like to talk to him without having said more than a few words every now and then to him." I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"You don't believe me do you?" He shook his head.

"That is not what I meant. If it bothers you so much then talk to him about it when you get back." I sighed and bit my lip.

"What if I'm just being paranoid though? I don't want to upset him further." He rolled his eyes and started working again.

"Only one way to find out. Unless you want to go crazy trying to figure it out on your own." I glared at him for that comment and he just smirked at me.

"fine! But I'm blaming you if he gets upset over this." He snickered.

"Good luck with that." I huffed, walked out, and slowly but surely made my way out of the club and headed to the pack house