If Regan hadn't been so competitive, I wouldn't be so ordinary and disregarded. Or maybe my mate would have recognized me a little sooner.

"You haven't told me why you're stranded, Aaron. What about your phone? Have you even reached out to your parents?" She pauses and says in a low voice, "is someone in your family trying to get you killed?"

Isn't it wonderful? Everyone in the family wants me dead. And I found my mate in the process of being saved. Should I thank them? "I'll be going back home in three days. I'll get my life back on track soon. You don't have to worry about me." I end the topic and we talk about something else and I'm grateful she understands.

♠ ♠ ♠

During dinner, Leticia spares me no glance as she dish out the cobb salad. She's on her phone as she slowly eats. It's as if she's trying hard not to look at me. I'm tempted to kick her shin and yell, 'notice me, girl!' Her phone keeps dinging and I wonder if she's chatting with Regan. I feel jealousy licking at my insides. My food tastes like candle and I lose my appetite.

I come outside for air but mostly to catch her outside. She isn't out. I still by the porch, waiting. Waiting. Waiting... She doesn't come out. I still wait. No sign of her. She's very upset. I walk inside my room, filled with disappointment and self-hate.

By morning, she wakes earlier than yesterday, and I see her carry Regan's suit jacket on her forearm; his scent from that piece of clothing makes me want to snatch it up from her and tear it to shreds. It is washed and half dried.

"Good morning, Ms. Olsen," I manage.

She shoots me a glance and forces a smile, murmuring, "good morning."

At least, she isn't that upset with me now. I am tempted to ask her questions. Like, why wasn't she out last night? Why is she still carrying Regan's clothing? Should I burn it for her? Instead, I ask, "did you have a good night?"

"I surely did."

With nothing left to say, I mutter an "okay" and leave the sitting room. I watch her through the doorless dining room. She's dropping bowls of porridge she might have made herself.

She yells, "everyone, come over for breakfast." I enter the dining room and sit. She hands me a bowl of porridge, some hard bread and some raspberries.

"You look happy. Any good news?" Mrs. Olsen asks her when she gets to the table and sits. Leticia gives her her servings.

"Oh." She pouts, "is me smiling a problem now?" I like how open and easy she gets with her mother. After spending two days with both mother and daughter, I believe I want to be part of this family too.

"Just asking," Mrs. Olsen shrugs, "I want to be part of the celebration too."

"Hilarious," Leticia says amidst her mother's laughter.

I drink the porridge and I like the taste of it. I imagine myself in my little house with Leticia as my wife, the cubs clambering to be served first. I imagine at least six boys.

♠ ♠ ♠

By the third day, I still can't tell Leticia that I'm her fucking mate and my time here has ended. Mrs. Olsen hands me a velvety Tshirt and a pair of black denim pants, exactly my size. She adds new boots and a belt to the gift.

"I'll miss your company," she tells me, standing by the door which is now wide open. I must have left it ajar.

I buckle my belt and slip into the black boots. "Well, that makes both of us."

"I still can't understand why you youngsters enjoy torturing yourselves so much. Just go tell her before you leave."

"She'll think I'm making it up to stay here some more."

"And if she believes you. Will you stay?"

I laugh.

Leticia walks in on us and kisses her mother's cheek. "Mommy. I'm off for work now." I look away, knowing how strong my body reacts every time she shows a little act of intimacy to someone who isn't me. "Oh, are you leaving now?"

I look at her and sees she staring right at me. "Uh... Yeah. Yeah."

"Should I accompany you?"

"Uh... Yeah."

"Alright. Are you ready to go?"

I look around me. I made the bed. There's nothing I'm leaving behind. I came here with nothing. I wish I'm leaving something. Something to make me come back just to be with her again. Mrs. Olsen waves me off with a sly smile, "just go."

Leticia eyes her. Suspicious is written all over her face. I hold back a laugh. "Thank you, Mrs. Olsen," I give her a warm hug and pull away, holding her elbows, "for everything."

"Anytime," she hiss playfully and I hug her again. I join Leticia outside and we walk forward. I ask her, "are you taking me to my house?"

"Is that a problem?"

"You really don't have to. Wait. You still don't trust me? You still want to know if I'm a Turner, right?"

She smirks, "is that obvious?"

I frown. She wants a glimpse of Regan. I eye the bag in her grip. The blue clothing sticking out makes everything apparent. Why now? If I lie and say Regan isn't my brother, it will only put more distance between us. And if I let her into the mansion, Regan sees her-which I'm sure he will-he will try and get close to her. He may even claim her as his mate. Who knows? I'm stuck in a dilemma. I don't want her to see him.

She flags down a taxi and we hop in. "Turner Street, please," she says and the taxi moves. We utter no words to each other throughout the ride. She suddenly finds the city of country M more appealing than I am. The taxi stops by the fence. We climb down and she pays the fare. The taxi zooms off.

"Holy shit, you're really Alpha Regan's brother." She grins, "though, you look nothing like him."

That joke does nothing to calm the turmoil bubbling in my stomach. The gates slid open and we're welcomed in a mini town; a flurry of activities overwhelming her. She is gaping at everything and everywhere including the servants who are working. I cringe in embarrassment. "Now, you've seen where I live. You can go to work now."

She shakes her head defiantly. "Not until I give Alpha Regan his suit jacket back."

I sigh and keep walking. We arrive before the entrance of the house and I sight Regan along with his beta, coming out, heading towards us. I curse under my breath. Regan has his hands clasped behind his back and he has his face down, listening to his beta talk. As if on instinct, he looks up. The surprise etched on his face makes me livid. I must admit, I'm worried his good looks might start to affect Leticia.

"Alpha Regan," I hear Leticia whisper. There's so much sweetness in her voice. Too much sweetness.

It irks me to see Leticia employing a fawning look on her face and I want to wipe it off. I want her to look at me like that. Like I matter and nothing else...

Regan eyes her. There's a mischievous glint in his eyes. We ride up the stairs and come face to face with him and his beta, Nathan. Regan smiles widely, "brother. Where the hell have you been? We are all worried about your safety."

"I have been nearby."

"Nearby? And you just couldn't mindlink? Mom is sick with worry. The company has gone haywire with you missing-"

"I'm back now, aren't I?"

"That's no excuse." I turn to Leticia and she looks awkward as if she isn't meant to be here. Regan follows my line of sight. "Leticia?" Jealousy course through my veins like blood. She even told him her name.

"You gave me your suit jacket days before at my workplace... Remember? I washed it and dried it. I dropped by with him to return it. Thank you for your kind gesture, Alpha Regan." She proffers the suit jacket with both her hands.

"Is that so?" He eyes her with a look I can't explain, shoving his hands in his pockets. With me, he always stands tall but now, with her, he's... strange. "You keep it."

I see the smile on Leticia's face vanish Instantly. I can imagine the thoughts running in her head. Why won't he take it? Did I taint it somehow? Does he hated me? She voices, "what?"

"It's a gift. Use it to remember me by. I mean. People do forget me sometimes..."

I want to bite him. Maul him until he's just a skeletal figure. What did he even mean? Remember me by? What? Why would he want he want her to remember him? Who the hell does he think he is-

"I won't forget you. At least, your kindness." She flashes him a smile that makes me rage and she retracts her arms. "Oh well. If you don't need it. I'll keep it." I want to grab her shoulders and yell, 'I'm your mate, Leticia. Not this bastard here. So don't smile at him like he's the love of your life. Only I deserve that smile. How should I make you understand that?'

"Leticia, how do you know my brother?"

I want to answer but she beats me to it, "oh. We're just friends."

"Friends..." He says this like he can't accept it. Just like I can't accept it either. "How did you meet?"

"We met in the woods when I was taking my usual laps."

"Oh. In the woods."

I turn to Leticia and smile, "if there's nothing else, I think you should leave for work now. You're running late."

She glares at me, then nudges me and mutter, "can't you see I'm in the middle of a conversation with the Alpha? If I just leave, I'd be disrespecting him."

"You're late for work, Leticia."

"Leave me alone."

She sneers at me and turns to look at Regan, the sneer replaced with a big smile. "Well. I'll be off to work now, Alpha Regan." She bows.

Regan follows her movements. I don't like how's his eyes stick on her. He's ogling at her. "Let me take you to work. Brother," He eyes me, "you don't mind, do you?" Leticia turns to me and I don't like the look she gives me next. She can't be serious. Does she want me to push her to my little brother? Does she like him? I shake my head and smile, "nope. I don't mind."

"Okay." He takes out the keys to his new Ford Mustang and I see Leticia's face brighten in excitement. He leads her to the garage and without a word, she follows him. I grit my teeth and enter the building in a huff.

Mother is hanging by the hallway to my room. "Aaron. I was so worried. What-"

I sidestep her and enter my room without a word to her.

Leticia's POV:

I must be a lucky bitch, meeting Regan Turner twice in one week, getting his suit jacket and shoes as a gifts from him, riding in his Ford Mustang... I smile as he goes to open the door for me, "oh. You didn't-"

He gestures inside the sleek car, "ladies first."

I enter and he shuts the door and I try to steady my breathing. Why is he being this nice? Isn't he supposed to be domineering and charming? Isn't he supposed to be out of my reach? Why do I get to receive such attention from him? He enters and starts the engine and it roars like luxury itself. I try not to appear significant lest he may find me annoying and throw me out.

"So, Leticia Brigham?"

My stomach knots. "It's Leticia Olsen."

He laughs, "ah. Why did I think it was Brigham? I must be crazy confusing a beautiful woman's name like this." My face burns and I look away from him. "Leticia. My friend is throwing a huge party this weekend. Would you come if I asked you to?"

"Yes!" I say, more eager than I should be and I clear my throat, saying "Yes" very slowly.

"Great. The dress color for the party is white. I'd be more than happy to see you there."

"But, I don't know the venue-"

"You know my home now, don't you?"

"Alright. I'll come to your house."

"And I'll take you there."

"Deal."

"Deal." He smiles at me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. I smile back, wondering if he smiles so happily to everyone like this. He stops short before the car store and he hands me a black laminated business card. "My personal number. Call me before you come to my house."

I nod and take the card. I climb down and wave at him. He waves back with his beautiful smile and drives off.

"I'll be darned," Augustine Chords say behind me and I spin. He has a mop in his hand and he is frozen mid air, his eyes and mouth wide in astonishment."Was that who I think it is?"

"Yep." I shrug, heading inside, "even I can't believe it."

"How did you even meet him?"

Nicole walks out and says, "last week. They actually met last week and he even bought her shoes."

Augustine cackles, "how did Regan notice you? Did you pluck a star or something?"

I frown at him. "Ars you implying that someone of my caliber can't get Regan Turner's attention?"

"Well," he smacks his lips, "Yes."

"Fuck you," I swear and barge inside, Augustine laughing like a maniac behind me.

♣ ♣ ♣

I wake up to the noise of my ringtone -Mavin Gaye's classic and I go unplug my phone from the socket. It's an unknown number. I still pick up anyway, anticipating Regan's voice.

"Sorry for calling so late at night. I just wanted to hear your voice."

I recognize the voice immediately. "Aaron Turner."

"You call my name so distantly-"

"Should I call you baby?"

"Maybe."

"Fuck you." The sleep has disappeared from my eyes and I curse at him life my life depends on it.

Instead of retorting back, he chuckles and says, "I missed you too. Did you miss me?"

"How the hell did you get my number?"

"Your mother gave it to me."

"Of course," I scoff, feeling the urge to barge into my mom's room and give her a piece of my mind.

"Uh... A business partner is throwing his party this weekend. Do you want to come with me?"

"Yeah. I have plans."

"Oh. Okay..." He says, breathes deeply, releasing it as he says, "then, I won't waste much of your time. Goodnight."

I hang up and toss my phone somewhere.

♣ ♣ ♣

Saturday comes very quickly and I'm dressed for the party. White maxi dress and white heels to match-The ones Regan got me. I sit on my bed, fiddling with the business card, wondering if I should call him or not. I don't want to come off as desperate or anything. Scratch it. I call him and he takes time before picking up, his lazy voice coming through the receiver and I feel my stomach knot.

"Hello. Who's this?"

"It's Leticia Olsen." I swallow. "Do you still remember-"

"Of course. I remember Leticia. Are you already at my house?"

"Not yet. In fact, " I say, springing up. "I'm on my way. I'll be there in a minute."

I hear him chuckle and the phone beeps. I see he's hung up. I smile and pick my pear-studded purse. I meet Mommy outside.

Her eyebrows inch upwards as she eyes me from head to toes, "are you going somewhere?"

"Uh... A party."

Her brows could shoot out her head any minute, "you're going to a party?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No. I'm very happy for you. " She starts pushing me out the house. "Go. Go have fun."

I take a taxi to the Turner mansion. When I get there, I see Aaron outside, about to enter a red Bugatti Veyron. He sees me and freezes,then, shut the door and starts heading straight towards me.

Regan appears with his mother, the Luna. He sights me and I smile. "Leticia," he yells.

Aaron stops walking and turns, staring at Regan.

Regan is approaching me. He looks dashing in his white three-piece suit. The jacket is barely buttoned and the white shirt beneath is has three buttons spared revealing his sparsely hairy chest. When he reaches to me, he grabs my wrist and yanks me into his embrace. A gasp escapes my mouth and my eyes widen as I stare at his neck. I see Aaron walk to his car, enter and slam the door and drive. I pull myself from Regan's embrace the moment Aaron drives past us. A khaki colored Ferrari roll up to where Regan and I are standing. The driver gets out and hands the keys to Regan and bows, hurrying away.

"Leticia. Shall we?" He gestures to the car. He goes to open the door and I enter. As he ser the gear on reverse. The Luna's eyes rests on me and I feel hostility in her gaze.

Regan's friend is rich as him. The venue is a luxurious villa with a clear swimming pool full of half-assed people. More people are clustered around the house, all dressed in every fabric with the color white. The corbels walls are sticking out like architectural art. We bypass a security guard who bows at Regan and enter the huge hall. People are hovering over tables, clutching half filled wine glasses in their fingertips.

"Let me introduce you to my friend. Sting."

"Sting," I mutter the word, the name familiar.

Regan grabs my wrist and pulls me into the VIP area. We stop short before Sting-an average height tanned man with sunken bloodshot eyes, maybe due to alcohol. He's dressed in a white windbreaker and pants. He smiles when he see Regan and they hug. "Who's this damsel beside you?"

"She's a friend. Leticia Brigham."

I choke on my spit and smile trying not to curse Regan right here. How many times do I have to say Leticia Olsen for him to remember?

"Leticia Brigham," Sting hugs me like I am his girlfriend and kisses the back of my hand. I squirm. He turns to Regan, loosing the polite smile, "Regan, a few minutes of your time? We have business."

Regan turns to me, "mingle with people. Treat yourself to some wine or beer. I'll join you in a short while."

"Alright," I say and walk away. I go to the bar. The bartender-a very young human mixes drinks like she has a degree in mixology. "Martini, please," I say when she eyes me for me order. She nods in response and slides a wine glass to my scrutiny, pouring drink after drink. Someone joins me, our elbows grazing. I sniff his scent. Aaron Turner. He gazes at me with an accusing look.

"You didn't tell me you'd be coming with my brother."

That's why. I smile. I never imagined he's this petty. "Should I apologize for coming to the party with your brother?"

His jaw clenched. "You should have at least told me."

"Why does it bother you so much?"

"Why?" He glares at me, a flash of anger crossing his darkening green eyes. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it around the rim of his glasses and chugs on beer instead. "Nevermind," he says, "I'll just give you time."

"Time for what?"

He just smiles and walks away. I stare at his back. My head, a complete mess.

"Ma'am, your martini," she passes me a full wine glass of golden brown martini drink and I take a swig, eyes sweeping across the crowd, the thumping bass messing with my beating heart. What is messing with my heart even more? Aaron Turner dancing with some shrew. He casts mean glance and my eyes stay glued on his every move. His hands running on the girls body. Her inviting gaze resting on his... For some reason, it doesn't sit well with me.

"What are you looking at?" Regan yanks from away from staring and pulls me closely to him.

I stare into his hazel orbs, "nothing."

He follows my line of sight and see Aaron, his hands gripping the shrew's bouncing ass. "Oh," he smirks and turns to face me. "Do you wanna dance?"

I glance at Aaron and back at Regan. Feeling very vindictive, I grab his shoulders and say, "Yes." He leads me to the dancefloor, thankfully far from Aaron and his shrew. A new electro music plays and it's just my favorite. I smirk and amusement flashes on Regan's face. I twist my body and let it away to the music. Regan is very supportive, going with my every move, watching me, awe etched on his face.

When the song ends, I finish with a split and I hear screaming around me. I snap out of the moment and look around me. People are staring at me. I squeeze my eyes in embarrassment. Ronnie, you could have warned me... I rise to my feet and see my maxi dress had ripped, exposing one fair thigh. I look at Regan and apologize. He must be so embarrassed of me right now. "I'm sorry I got carried away and-"

He places a finger on my mouth and shakes his head. "You were so cool just now."

My eyes widen, "really?"

"And your dress?" He reaches out for me and pulls me close. I can perceive his scent. It's nothing ordinary. He's just as I had hoped he'd be. He sighs, "even beautiful. You're so beautiful, Leticia." His eyes rest on my lips. Before I can conjure up a word, he leans down and claims my mouth like it's his. I gasp in his mouth and give him the chance to explore my tongue, my teeth. The warmth of him mingles with mine and his hands go from my waist to my ass and he's gripping them tightly that I melt into him. His scent is something that I haven't gotten used to-I want it entrenched in the back of my mind. However, before I can explore him, he wrenches his lips from mine and I open my eyes to see Aaron snatching him and knocking him straight to the floor.