Aella's dream that night was populated by nightmares. She tossed and turned on the bed as different confusing images invaded her dreams. The picture she had seen when cleaning up the room seemed to be the center of her nightmares, in particular the tattoo on Logan's mother's hand.

It tugged at her memory like a forgotten heirloom, turning her sweet dreams into nightmares. She couldn't pinpoint why the tattoo was coming back over and over again to her, but it kept waking her up and ruining her sleep

She woke up suddenly to the cheerful chirping of birds and groaned tiredly. She turned and checked the time, realizing that it was still quite early in the morning. She hadn't had much sleep because of the nightmares and all she wanted was to go back to bed. But she knew the horn signaling the beginning of the day would soon be blown anyway, so it would be pointless to go back to sleep.

She stretched fully, then stood up from bed, shuffling towards the bathroom. On her way, she glanced at the vanity mirror and grimaced at her reflection. She was still in Logan's hoodie, but she had pulled off the pants. Her hair looked suitable for a bird's nest, and her eyes were puffy from lack of sleep.

She walked over to the bathroom for a quick hot bath, then re-wore the hoodie. She checked herself out in the mirror and decided against tying her hair up in a ponytail. She wasn't one to put herself in restrictions like ponytails. She let down her hair so it flowed down her shoulders, then she left the bathroom to go out. 

When she got out of the room, she picked up the book she had been reading the day before and settled on the couch, ready to continue her reading. She looked up suddenly as a thought occurred to her and dropped the book, moving uncertainly towards the door.

She got to the door and placed her hand slowly on the doorknob, turning it. She realised that the door of the room wasn't locked. She jiggled it experimentally and smiled slyly when she realised that it opened easily. She peered out of the room and looked left and right. The guards were not at the door and nobody was in the corridor either. She tiptoed out of the room and closed the door securely behind her. 

The absence of the guards and the unlocking of the door meant that her messing up the room had hit a nerve with Logan. She smiled, knowing that Logan would give her some breathing space now. She walked out of the Alpha's wing and padded down the large staircase. The whole pack house was silent. It was as though everyone had gone out. The only person she ran into was a maid who was doing the dishes in the kitchen.

"Hello." She called to the maid. "Where's everyone? I cannot find the alpha or anyone else in the house."

"The alpha is in the gym." The maid replied, curtseying respectfully "Others are outside."

"All right, thank you." Aella replied and walked toward the front door. She threw open the door and walked outside, closing her eyes as the sun hit her face. It was a mild sun, due to the fact that there had been snow for the past two weeks, but Aella took her time to enjoy it. It had been two days since she came out last, and she did not realize how much she had missed the outdoors. She was a wild wolf; she could not stay locked up for too long without driving herself crazy.

She opened her eyes and looked around contentedly. The grounds around the pack house were fraught with activities on one side.

Suddenly she felt someone hit her shoulder harshly and she stumbled forward, trying to regain her footing. She looked back, ready to give an angry retort, and saw that the person who had hit her was none other than Kylie.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The woman said in an exaggerated sweet voice, batting her eyelids. "I did not see you there."

"I'm sure you didn't," Aella muttered under her breath, dusting her body.

Kylie eyed her warily "I'm sorry, did you say something?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Carry on now." Aella said, returning the exaggerated sweetness.

Kylie started to walk forward, then stopped, turning back to look at Aella again. She peered at the hoodie that Aella was wearing and said:

"Wait. Isn't that the Alpha's hoodie?"

Aella looked down at herself "Yeah. And?"

Kylie shrugged dramatically "Nothing much. Just that I've seen the alpha wear that exact hoodie. You know," she added, "One night I spent in his room."

Aella knew exactly what the other woman was trying to do by adding that last statement. She squared her shoulders confidently and looked into Kylie's eyes. "I don't see how that's my business. Whatever you and the alpha have done in the past will stay in the past, where it belongs. Only a desperate" she poked Kylie's chest "lover would hang on to forgotten memories."

Kylie scoffed "You think you're something, don't you? Walking around the place with your head held high, thinking you are someone important because they call you The White Wolf. Logan will use you and toss you aside like you're nothing, trust me. You might think you're one of us now, but you are nothing but an outsider."

Aella knew that Kylie had a thing for the alpha. She should have known since that last encounter she had with the woman. But she wasn't one to tremble in fear before another person. She wasn't brought up that way. "Oh, haven't you heard?" She countered. 

Kylie rolled her eyes and folded her arms with disinterest "Heard what?"

"You're looking at the alpha's mate," Aella replied. "Logan imprinted on me the day I was found at the border."

The expression melted from Kylie's face and she stared at Aella with obvious shock "He what?"

"Oh yes he did, baby girl. Get used to it." Aella had never felt satisfaction at besting someone like she did now. Her wolf was literally jumping around and cheering her on.

Kylie unfolded her arms and narrowed her eyes. Aella could clearly see how her statement had hit a nerve. "You bitch! I know you're lying."

"You could ask him yourself if you think I am. He will certainly be happy that you are poking your busy nose in his personal business." Aella said with venom in her voice "Now listen to me." She growled into her face. "You will address me with respect from now on. I will be the future Luna, and you should pick your words around me if we are to be friends. Do you understand? Keep your filthy claws away from my mate."

Kylie's mouth hung open as Aella walked away with that last statement. She knew how strong a mating bond is and also knew that only death could separate the alpha from his newly found mate. She watched Aella's retreating back, wondering how the imprinting had happened. It must have come as an unwanted shock to the alpha, she knew. He had always told everyone who cared to hear that finding a mate was not on his agenda. And now, the presence of this new Luna was going to change a lot of things.

Aella on the other hand was feeling happy as she walked away. She had finally put the bitch in her place. The she-wolf was no match for her sharp mouth. She hated people who walked around trying to bring down other people, and she hoped that this new information would finally shut Kylie up.