Nina

I could feel the anger rolling off of Raff in waves when I told him I was going on a date, but strangely I wasn’t scared. Still seeing him that angry upset me, and I felt as though I needed to calm him down, I just didn’t know how to.
“Oh hush, you were planning to reject me anyway, but it seems you are having second thoughts? Even still this is not a date like you are thinking.” I say building my courage to say the last part. “I will be going with my beta Derek.” I said with disdain hoping he would understand it wasn’t a date, more of just two friends going out, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. I instantly saw his eyes go black, and before I could think he jumped out the window. I hadn’t even realized it was open.. I saw him run across the roof and jump off. I instantly panicked.
*“That idiot we are on the fourth floor!”* I shouted at Valarie with concern before running to the window.
*“Relax, he will be fine.”* She said as I reached the window just in time to see him stick the landing. I was stunned, and didn’t know how to react. Most wolves would have been seriously hurt, but he barely missed a step as he stood up and ran into the tree line.
*“But...how?!”* I asked, still freaking out.
*“He is strong like us, more so than you realize.”* Valerie's response was an enigma that I wanted to figure out.
*“Wait, what is that supposed to mean?”* I was genuinely confused, and overly curious to know what she ment.
“...” No answer.
*“Wow thanks for the answer, you’re so helpful. So glad we could talk.”* I said sarcastically knowing I wasn’t going to get a response. I sighed before walking out the door to go back to the office. It was 4:30. I still had an hour before dinner, and three hours worth of work to do. Plus now I had to go find Raff. I informed Derek I would be going to the woods for a bit, for him to watch over the pack. He was still my mate, and would always be my top priority. When I opened the front door I took off running till I hit the treeline. I stopped at a tree, and took off my clothes before I shifted. I double checked that they were in a pile at the base of the trunk before I sniffed the air. It wasn’t long before I caught his scent, and took off at a sprint. I followed his trail now knowing exactly where he would be. As I reached the clearing his scent got stronger, so I began to slow down. I reached the lake to find Raff in his human form swimming around in the water. This was my favorite spot. Most left it alone so I could have a place to relax. I never went swimming though because the water had leeches.
*“You know there are leeches in that water.”* I sent him with a giggle. His eyes shot up alarmed as he raced to the edge and climbed out. I couldn’t control my laughter as he started frantically trying to get the leeches off. When he was finished I was still laughing, which sounded strange in my wolf form. He huffed and looked up at me annoyed. Which made me tilt my head to the side out of curiosity wondering what he was looking at me for. In my wolf form I am about 6’3” tall head to paw, so I was looking him in the eye.
“I am naked.” Was his only response. I instantly felt my cheeks heat up, and felt mortified. *I didn’t know you could blush in wolf form!* I thought in a panic while turning my back to Raff. I hear shuffling before I hear him speak.
“I didn’t know you could blush in wolf form” I hear an amused tone in his voice that makes me growl in annoyance. Knowing he is right though I growl louder.
*“I didn’t either”* I admit to him angrily. I hear a chuckle, and he says he is decent before I turn around to see him in a pair of boxers. “Are you better now?” I ask genuinely worried as to why he came out here in the first place. I see his eyes darken and his mood sours.
“Yeah a little” he admits. I sigh internally thanking god. An idea comes to mind that might make him feel even better.
*“Do you want to run back together?”* I ask him. When I do I see something close to horror cross his face before he bursts out.
“No! Why would you think I would want to run with you?!” He says with a hint of disgust in his voice. This takes me aback, and I instantly feel stabbing pains in my heart. With this I turn around and run back to the pack house, not waiting for him, and needing my two best friends. I get to the tree I left my clothes at, and quickly get dressed before running to the pack house. I smelled both Grey and Derek in Derek’s bedroom. It didn’t dawn on me to wonder why they were both in there when I burst through the door to see Grey sitting on Derek’s lap. Both of them were shirtless, and they were kissing. I instantly knew what I had interrupted, and quickly shut the door, and walked away leaving the horrified faces behind as I huffed. Heading to the last place I could think of to be myself. As I opened the doors to the library I heard both Grey and Derek running down the hall calling my name. I ignored them, shutting the door and locking it behind me, and letting out a breath of relief. I needed time to be by myself, and just think. I take a deep breath and smell the old books bringing a small smile to my face. That was one of my favorite smells ever, right behind the way Raff smelled, like honey and vanilla. I closed my eyes taking in the smell that always seemed like home to me, and relaxing instantly. I slowly opened my eyes looking around, and found a corner to go sit in surrounded by books. I took a seat there, and just let myself feel everything I had been holding back the past few days. Tears flowed from my eyes like a river as I hugged myself. When the image of Grey and Derek flashed in my mind again.
*They're together, and they didn’t even tell me!* I screamed in my head as horrible thoughts came to my mind along the lines of them not trusting me, and me not being good enough for their trust. I looked at my watch and saw it was almost 5:30. I quickly wiped my eyes knowing I didn’t have time to cry, and remembering the celebration tonight we would have a feast. Then a large party would be held for both adults and teenagers, so everyone can have fun. I like to think of myself as a good alpha. I am a teenager too, so I understand those adult set up parties are boring, so I make sure they can have fun. We get alcohol (nobody drives, and everyone is watched closely by the guards), and we give the adults their space. I had to be alpha, I didn’t have time to cry. I quickly exited the library, and made it to the dining room just in time for dinner.
“Thank you all for coming.” I fake a smile as I speak. “We are all here to celebrate Theo and Tess being mates. As usual we will have dinner, and we will have parties tonight. I remind everyone who will be drinking tonight teenager or adult to please be careful, and mindful of one another. Now let's enjoy and celebrate.” I said in my alpha voice with a smile on my face. As soon as I took my seat Derek mind liked me sitting right next to me.
*“Nina please. Let us explain”* He pleaded I instantly got annoyed.
*“Not now. Either later, or on the date tomorrow”* I sent this to both of them, and saw Grey get a very angry look on his face. I looked to my left, deciding to ignore them, and saw Raff was watching me.
*“What?”* I asked coldly not wanting to deal with him. He just started eating as if nothing had happened. The rest of the night was a blur of going between parties, fake smiling, and friendly talks.
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The next day I woke up, and began getting ready for the date when I got a message from my mother that read that they had landed, were doing ok, and enjoying themselves. I smiled to myself thinking of how much I loved my parents. I sent back a quick message saying okay I hope they have fun, and that I love them. I got back to getting ready. I decided on a simple light purple dress with dark purple flowers. It went down to just above my knees, and had a little poof flowing from the waist down. After that I did my hair straight. Fully straightened it want to just below my butt. I did my makeup a little dark to match the dress in colors. For shoes I went with a pair of simple black flats, because I hated heals. By the time I was ready It was 11. We were supposed to leave at 12, so I figured we could eat lunch before we left. I still had some stuff to inform Raff about before We left, and since I had time I figured I could tell him now. I made my way down the hall to my office , and knocked before entering, and finding it empty. I walk over to my desk to find a note.

*Nina,
I know you asked me to help with your alpha duties, but I regret to inform you that will not be happening. I never wanted to stay here, or be with you. I cannot formally reject you, but I hope you understand. Me and Niel will not be present, we apologize for missing training, but I cannot bear to be around you at the moment. I never wanted a mate, or the alpha position, and you are trying to force me into both. I wish both you and your wolf the best, and hope you to be a great alpha. From what I have already seen you are. For now I will just support you from the sidelines.
-Raff and Niel*
My eyes were wide while I read the letter, and I noticed a tear slip onto the paper. I was on my way to Raff’s bedroom when I saw I didn’t have time before lunch. I went down hoping to see him, but true to his word he was not there. After we ate Derek, Grey, and I went to the mall. The car ride was silent, and I was still upset about the note. While we were at the mall we acted like nothing had happened, and we were just the three friends we had always been. When dinner came Grey was the first to speak.
“Nina,” he started. I looked at him seriously.
“WE ARE MATES!” Derek blurted out of the blue. My eyes went wide from shock, then I wondered why they never told me. “We didn’t tell you, because we didn’t want things to change.” He continued before I could ask.
“How long have y’all known?” I ask my accent coming out a little. It happens when I get upset. They give each other a worried look before Grey answers regretfully.
“3 months” I was about to start yelling when I got a mind link from someone in the pack.
*"Alpha, there is a rogue on the lands. We can’t catch it. It’s too fast! It has killed two already!"* My eyes shot up to Derek and Grey as I stood up, already turning around to leave, and only saying one word.
“Rogues.”