Chapter 1

Ariana's POV

"Ariana, we're heading home." Daisy shouted as she and the rest of the gang headed towards the parking lot.

"Give me a sec, I have to pee." I shouted back, hurrying to the restroom as fast as I could. I couldn't wait till I got home, I'd already been holding it during cheerleading practice.

I rushed in and pulled open the first stall, freezing as my eyes locked on the scene before me. Logan, the Alpha's son, and Vivian, the leader of the cheerleading squad, were having sex. I'd been in such a rush that I didn't hear the moans they'd been making before I entered.

"Fuck." He cursed, detangling himself from Vivian, covering up. Vivian did the same and flashed me a glare, which snapped me back to my senses. I let go of the door, spinning on my heels to get out of here. But before I could take two steps, Vivian's voice stopped me.

"You bitch." She spat. "You were following us, weren't you?"

Following them? Why on earth would I do that? "I wasn't." I defended myself.

"Liar. Are you jealous that I have what you can never dream of having?" She sneered.

Is she delusional? I wondered.

She stepped in front of me, blocking my escape. "Listen here, bitch. Not a word of this to anyone, or you're going to regret it."

I nodded, not because I was afraid of her threats. No. But because I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Who would I tell anyway? What they have going on is none of my business.

If they chose to hurt their mates before they found them, it's their problem. But I couldn't believe that Logan would do this. I knew he was no saint, but to risk disrespecting his mate and our future Luna, I mentally shook my head. His mother would be so disappointed.

"You got that?" She hissed, reaching out to thump my head, but Logan stopped her.

"That's enough, Vivian. I'm sure she got it."

She pouted her lips. "But babe, I want to make sure she understands."

"Go to the car." He dismissed her. "I'll take care of it."

Vivian obeys, leaving us alone.

"You don't need to repeat yourself. Not a word." I made a sign of zipping my mouth. "I got it."

He nods and steps closer to me. "Good. Because I'd hate to have to fuck up your life if you try to screw me over."

My eyes widen at his words. Was he... threatening me?

"Are we clear?" He raises a brow, waiting for my answer.

I nod.

"Talk." He demands.

"Crystal clear." I croak out.

He leaves, and I'm left wondering what the hell I just got myself into.

^^^

"What do you think?" Georgina, our Luna, asks as I take a bite of the chocolate cookie we made for my shifting ceremony this weekend.

I moaned as the flavor burst on my tongue. "Delicious," I said while chewing.

She chuckled. "Good. I want everything to be perfect."

"You don't have to go to so much trouble just for me." I said, placing the cookie on a plate.

"Of course I have to. You're like a daughter to me."

I smiled, my heart swelling at her kindness. I worked for Georgina during the summer as her secretary, and we just clicked. Even though she was the Luna, I never felt intimidated by her.

I stood up from the bar stool and pulled her in for a hug, letting her warmth envelop me. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, dear." She said, wrapping her arms around me. The moment was interrupted by her first son, Logan.

"Logan, what a pleasant surprise." She said, holding out her arms to him. "Come give mama a hug."

I pulled back and pretended to be busy as mother and son embraced.

"I never see you nowadays. Busy protecting the pack, I take it." She cupped his cheeks, placing a kiss on his forehead.

"Yeah," he said absentmindedly. "Mind if I talk to your assistant for a sec?" He asked.

"Ariana is not my assistant anymore, but sure. I'll just make sure the cookies are ready."

Logan grabs my arm and pulls me out of the kitchen to the hallway. He makes sure Georgina can't hear us and stops abruptly. I stumble as he lets me go, placing a hand above my head on the wall behind me.

"What game are you playing?" He asks, his jaw locked.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, rubbing my arm.

"Don't play with me." He snaps. "What are you doing with my mom after I explicitly warned you to keep your mouth shut?"

"You threatened me." I bite back.

He sighs. "So what, is this your way of getting back at me? You want revenge?"

I shake my head. "Look, Logan, I get that this is important to you, but that doesn't justify you acting like an asshole right now. I agreed to keep your secret, but you can't just manhandle me and threaten me anyhow you like."

He looks at me suspiciously, like he doesn't believe me.

"You think I'd want to hurt your mother like that? We both know how disappointed she'd be if she found out."

"Disappointed?" We both froze as we heard Georgina ask. "If I found out about what?"

If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under with the look Logan gave me.

Shit! Did I say that so loud?