I stared straight into his deep blue eyes in wonder. They were so clear and pure, with no imperfections or specs in them at all.

Blushing red roses lay on the table in front of me, wrapped in purple coloured cellophane, with a ribbon strung around it. They were wilting already in the heat, dropping down over my fingers as I fondled the petals gently. It was such a nice gesture. They vivid colours clashed with the blue plaid tablecloth and green placemats.

"Thank you, they are beautiful," I sigh, glancing up at Cyrus. He smiles at me, glad I liked his surprise present. I feel a stab of guilt. He is so eager to please me, and I was still grasping to the fact that I could possibly be worthy of him.

We are sitting near the window of a Café, enjoying iced coffees. The quaint place, decorated with floral patterns and eccentric decor, is full with only an elderly couple, and a lone business man who is discussing something casually with someone over the phone. It was seemingly romantic in some aspects, and felt like we finally had some privacy.

"I'm sorry about the other day," I state blandly. I hadn't meant for Landon to come over, and so obviously scare Cyrus away. He must have been worrying about what had happened that night, especially since I hadn't talked to him for the past three days. I mean, how would you like it if the one you wanted to mate was having dinner with an unmated male, who just so happened to be an Alpha?

I had been too busy dealing with my deranged emotions and clingy parents. I hadn't even met with Landon, who I had hoped hadn't been sitting in our field, waiting for us pretentiously. Then again, a taste of his own medicine wouldn't hurt the Alpha himself.

"What exactly happened?" He asks. He fiddles with the gold ring on his index finger. I couldn't tell what the meaning of it was, but it had some pattern engraved into the expensive chemical. Maybe it had his parents’ names; I was yet to meet them. I didn't even know if he had any siblings.

"Nothing really, it ended up with a massive agreement," I informed him. I wasn't complaining really. I was annoyed, but Landon has stuck up for me, which I would forever be grateful for. Cyrus seemed curious, but I could see the glint of jealousy in his eyes, which was unnecessary till he knew all the details.

Had Landon intended to kiss me? Did I want him to? I mean I have crushed on him all my life, but why now? Why now, when he knows I have finally found someone who may like me more than I like him, which never happens.

"About?" he asked meekly. I fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth.

"You, actually."

He blinked.

"He just doesn't agree with this whole, arranged mating business," I explained. At least that's what I thought was his perspective. Sometimes Landon has a different way of thinking and interpreting information. Like the time I told him I was crushing on someone and he blew up at me for being too young. I was fifteen, he was 16.

"What's it to him?"

He was getting agitated now. He was fiddling with his ring and ringing his hands. I watch him clench his jaw nervously. I hope this didn't ruin everything for us.

"He's my friend, and he cares about me, that's all. I'm sorry if he doesn't agree, I mean I didn't for some time," I breath. I subconsciously slip my hand under the table and cross my fingers, silently praying he wouldn't get mad. I hoped he even saw it from my point of view, and had been thinking the same thing initially.

"So, you regret this?" He asks, his voice so monotone, it scared me. Crap.

I shake my head, feeling strands of hair slip from my braid. I reach across the table and and grab his fist, which was enclosed around a spoon that he had formerly used to stir his drink. I kept my hand on his, my eyes on him till he let he spoon go, allowing it to clatter onto the covered table.

He sighs out in a rush.

"We should just enjoy each other’s company," I state, leaning off my chair and over the table. I didn't care if anyone in the Café was look at this point. I was just about to kiss Cyrus and cancel out all that pointless arguing, when the tinkle of the bell over the front door resounded throughout the small room.

I jumped in surprised, knocking my forehead against Cyrus's, causing him to groan in protest. I sat back, rubbing the point of my skull that got the most impact. It wasn't that it hurt that much, it just gave me a fright.

I looked up to see who had caused this. Walking toward us was a young woman wearing some sort of a grey, well-tailored suit. I could have mistaken her for a man, especially with that foul look on her face, and short, slicked back blonde hair.

Apart from that, she had remarkable eyebrows.

She strode over with an obvious confidence that seemed to resonant over the room, grabbing the attention of the elderly couple, who had been recently complaining about the lack of service they had received. The clicking of her black stilettos only ceased as she stood in front of our table, glaring straight into my eyes.

I've never been the personality to hold eye contact anyway. Only unless reasonable, and this woman could not be deemed reasonable. Not with those yellowy, sharp eagle eyes.

"Althea Francess Duvey. I have been assigned to give you this," she said curtly. Her accent was strong, suggesting she did not originate from this Pack. Let me guess, Discipline Pack. I shiver, thinking about The Pack we are all secretly afraid of, even Landon told me Alpha Dallas isn't someone you would mess with.

A throat clearing noise is what brought my attention back to the table setting. Cyrus looked awfully uncomfortable, as the woman had moved her penetrating gaze over to my companion.

"Who, what?" I sputter, not quite formulating a proper sentence. Her neck snapped back, startling me.

"A handwritten letter from Alpha Landon," she stated firmly, slamming an envelope onto the table. It had the royal wax seal. Bright red, a picture of a closed fist stamped on it, signifying the Power Pack. I reach out and grab the paper, feeling the glossy, almost shimmery finish.

"Our Alpha would like you to respond immediately, and I have been instructed to remain at your side till you reply. I suggest you do so promptly," she snapped in my ear, suddenly closer to my side of the table. So, she was just another one of Landon's slaves. The way she said our Alpha unnerved me.

"Alright then," I breath. With all eyes watching me like a hawk, I peel the envelope open. I feel like it's contents have something incriminating on them. Something that Landon knows will genome in trouble with Cyrus.

Wordlessly, I peel the letter from its confines, and unfold it. To revel five simple, linked words, and one name...

I need to see you.

Landon

He even signed it.

"What's my response supposed to be?" I ask, without even needing to think about it. It was exactly what I knew I was going to say anyway. Cyrus remains silent, maybe brooding deeply in frustration.

"He would evidently like to know if you would accompany him," she said, like I was the dumbest person to walk the face of the Earth. I scrunch the paper up without thinking, and honestly, I enjoyed it thoroughly. I watched her swallow her distain.

"I'm on a date, tell him that," I sass, and Cyrus visibly relaxes. Poor guy, he doesn't want this.

But still, my heart yearns to see him again. I should, I need to. But not now...

"Go please. Tell him I do not want to see him," I reply, brushing her off. She looks shocked briefly, but covers it in mask of indifference. I watch her run on her heels, and leave the way she came.

I let out a sigh of relief and slam my head in the table. That is not someone I would associate with on a daily basis.

***

Coat on my back, boots on my feet, I crunch across the gravel. Too bad I'm too inconspicuous for a flashlight, so the moonlight is the only source of visibility I have. I mean, this is the sixth branch of skidded over, and nearly broken my own back.

Having successfully snuck out my bedroom window, with a little help from a tired Missy, I had started my night mission.

Landon had no idea I was coming, and by this time, he will probably be fast asleep. Either that or he's out partying. Doubt it though, he can't have changed that much from the doe eyed, young man I used to know.

I need to talk to him, clear things out. I don't care if I want welcome into his home, especially by his father. I need to see him.

I can see the gates in the distance, being the only entrance to Landon's estate. He wanted to see me, well here I am.

But suddenly, something clicks beside me. I am flanked by a forest, making everything more nerve raking. I turn my head, staring out into the depths of the greenery. If I had heard correctly, it sounded like the cocking of a gun.

And I was right.

A sudden rush of noise comes from amongst the trees, a swarm of people dressed in black coming for me in all directions.

"Put your hands up and surrender!"