Internal Conflict Control

Leon’s POV


After the scene I caused with Alessia, and my behavior in the woods, I would be surprised if Beck isn’t suspicious of me. Who wouldn’t be? If you compare how composed I normally am with how I just reacted to her familiar antics, the difference is night and day.

I sigh heavily and lean onto my steering wheel. *’Even if he was suspicious of you, he trusts that whatever you’re doing is for the good of the pack. Don’t overthink things.’* Jasper speaks softly, the gentle tone in his voice growing rocky in the back of my mind. *’Besides, what you are doing **is** beneficial for the pack. You are securing our Luna, with no interference from miss **bitch face**.’*

I roll my eyes, a cocky grin spreading across my lips as I reply. *’We may not like her, but that doesn’t make it okay to call her that. She was once our **friend.**’* I shake my head and start my engine up, glancing at the front of the pub. *’But… I **do** kinda like when you call her that.’*

Derek stands just outside the entrance, his hands buried deep into each of his pockets, watching me like he has something on his mind.

*’She once was our friend, sure. But she isn’t our friend anymore, if Alessia knew of our mate.. she would wreck all our chances with her. A friend wouldn’t do that.’* Jasper sighs, cutting himself off mid sentence when Derek’s body begins to move. *’Looks like he is coming over here, think of something reasonable to tell him about why you have been sitting here zoned out.’*

I sigh in response, my eyes following Derek as he makes his way to my passenger side door. He knocks on the window, pointing down to the lock.

I roll my eyes again and lay my seat back a bit before unlocking the door. He flops into my passenger seat, “You alright?” He asks as he closes the door.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just uh… thinking.” I shoot him a short answer, trying to keep myself from sighing in defeat. How many times have I sighed today? It’s really starting to feel excessive. My impatience is growing annoying.

“You sure bro? That’s a lot of thinking for *you*.” He laughs a bit, sarcastically, before growing a bit awkward at my empty response.

“Well… I mean i'm not, *not* okay. I think I'm just tired.” I scratch my neck and lean my elbow against my window. “I just have alot going on.”

“Why don’t you come on in and hit some notes, or maybe have a drink? It’s supposed to be a busy night.” He grabs my shoulder with full enthusiasm, ushering me to go inside. The leather on my jacket makes a stretching noise as his hand shakes my shoulder.

“I have plans tonight, I can’t.” I chuckle at his attempt at convincing me to go inside with him, and lean against my driver's side door. I'm supposed to be meeting Octavia tonight, I have a whole surprise date planned for the two of us, ending with a night in the penthouse of the best overnight in town.

“Plans?” He groans with a sour expression. I roll my eyes, unenthusiastic and annoyed.

“Ohhh… wait. I understand.” He grows a cocky grin, cheekily squinting at me. “you’re meeting up with that new little *girlfriend* of yours, aren't you Leon?” He pokes at my arm playfully, his voice taking on a childish sing-songy tone.

“None of your business dude.” I scoff, crossing my arms and shoving him away slightly. “Just make sure it seems like I have been here, the *whole* night. Please?”

“You’re not doing something illegal are you?” He questions, suddenly growing more serious. The expression on his face drops flat, if I wasn’t so emotionally exhausted I would laugh at him.

“No, Derek. I just don’t appreciate the nosey assholes in my family. Nor do I like the idea of them scaring my girlfriend off .” I chuckle, obviously tired of this conversation, debating internally on where I want to take Via to eat. “Besides I just needed to have a few moments of peace before I head out.”

“I understand bro, need anything?” He gestures to the building, and opens his door to step out of the car. With a moment of silence, he bends down and watches me, waiting for my response.

“Yeah…” I sigh, tiredly. “Can you grab my nap bag? It's the green and black gym bag under my desk in the office.”

“Sure thing.” He jogs off towards the building, slamming my passenger door on his way. I wish he would be more gentle with my car. All the rough pounding he does on his drum set probably has his grip more tense.

I packed an emergency bag and kept it in my office, for anytime I needed a break from the chaos at the packhouse. When I can catch a break I sneak away to my fathers penthouse. Sometimes I would binge a new video game, or a netflix show. Others I would write new songs for the band and enjoy the echo off the perfect marble counters.

He barely uses it anyway, it’s main purpose is for his large business meetings or pack parties. The schedule for it is on the hub, so sneaking Octavia in for a night to ourselves should be easy. As long as I make it look like we weren’t there at all- my dad will never know.

Derek Jogs out the front door of the bar, before slipping my bag into the driver's seat. He comes around to my window, leaning in the archway on his elbows.

“If my old man calls, just tell him i'm sleeping on the couch in the breakroom for the night. I don’t want him up my ass.” I groan at the thought of his reaction to my sneaking around with my mate, who *isn’t* Alessia. I wish he would drop the idea of me mating her.

“No problem. Whatever you are doing- just be careful out there tonight Leon. There's been some weird wild dogs around the property the past few nights, some locals think they are ravenous.” He ruffles his hair in a stressed manner as he speaks, flexing his forearm before heading back inside. “Anyway, see you later!”

I chuckle, trying to hold in my odd reaction to his words. Silly Derek, it’s just so *human* of him. He doesn’t even know my world exists, and I’m sure he would flip his top if he did. *Werewolves,* just one of the crazy ‘conspiracies’ that humans have outdone again.

We are seen as some bloodthirsty beasts, and not as people with claws and a little extra hair. Though I’m sure that's just as scary of a thought as the one of a wild hungry dog.

Recently there have been lots of rogue sightings on the border between our land and the human territory. Lots of the patrol guards have seen them lurking close to the edge, but they haven’t tried anything dangerous yet. Probably because they caught wind of the wolf hunter that's been killing folks.

I watched my rear-view mirror as I backed out of the spot I was pulled into, before making my way back out to the main road.

A jittery feeling takes over my chest, making my fingertips tremble.

I’m going to see my mate again.

And not only that, but I’m going to *spend the night with her*.

My heart grew warm at the thought of holding her perfectly proportionate body in my arms all night. I just wanted to feel her skin again, see her eyes.

The thought of her plump, rosey lips near me made my member twitch. I really needed to get myself under control, to take things at her pace.

But…

*I want her so badly.*

One other thought plagued the joy that grew during my drive to the complex. A thought that had the weight to crush me if I fucked up.

I hope she wanted me the same way.









A/N: *Hey readers! I truly apologize for such a large delay in updating. I have been sick multiple times since early december. Recently balancing work, family, and hobbies has been extremely difficult with my limited energy. I do hope to gradually return to our weekly schedule once I am completely better. I hope you all had an amazing holiday and new years season! (;*