Chapter 5:

Joey's P.O.V.

I hadn't seen anyone but my uncle and aunt for over a year now. I missed Kira and Luke so much and everyday the pain of being rejected grew. The bond between me and my mate had fallen weak. I could still tell when he reached out with his mind looking for me but I had a permanent block up. I only had 3 months left until senior year. Though I wouldn't be returning for 7 months.

Hannah or as I call her Nanny has been training me to be the next Alpha. She pushes me harder than anyone ever had. I could tell that she believed in me more than anyone and I always strived to be the best I could.

It was dinner time and it was just Nanny and I yet again. "Can I call Kira or Luke?" I asked and Nanny looked at me. "You know you can't. Not until school gets out in 2 days." I groaned.

"I wish it was Summer and they could come up here and I could actually have a new face around here. " Nanny made a face and put her hand over her heart and pretended to look hurt "is my face not good enough for you?" I giggled "oh sweet Nanny your too good for me. Your stunning beauty is breathtaking. I could die just looking at you your so breathtaking. " I said overly dramatic and we both burst into laughing and she lightly punched my arm.

"Oh hush kid. Or you'll have a pop quiz tomorrow." I stuck my tongue out at her and rolled my eyes. "I'll do dishes tonight if you let me call them a day early. " I was pleading and I knew it but I didn't care I missed them so much. Nanny sighed "Add in an extra 20 laps in the lake and you have yourself a deal." I squealed and ran and hugged her in a bone crushing hug. "I love you! I love you! I love you!" She laughed, "Joey honey there's a thing called oxygen. I kinda need it to live. " I giggled and let her go then went and did the dishes.

I went to bed early and got up even earlier and did all my school work and training. Then I did the extra 20 laps and raced Nanny back to the cabin. I won though she probably let me though I didn't care I was too happy.

Still sopping wet I ran through the cabin to my room stark naked and Nanny just rolled her eyes and stayed in wolf form until she got to her door then shifted and slipped inside.

By the time she came back out I was sitting on the counter already on the phone with Kira who had practically died of excitement when she heard my voice we made plans and she and Luke would come out here the moment they got out of school tomorrow and stay with me and Nanny at the cabin. When I finally had for off the phone so Kira could call Luke an tell him Nanny was already making dinner. Sitting there I felt helpless because she shooed me away and told me to take a shower and get dressed in something other than ripped sweats and a ratty T-shirt.

I sighed and walked upstairs distracted by the excitement of seeing my friends again my guard slipped and I accidentally let Blake in. 'Oh Joey I'm so sorry. ' I gasped as his voice invaded my mind and quickly shut him out. It all happened so fast he hadn't even realized that they had even been connected for the shortest amount of time. I groaned and muttered "Why is he thinking about me?" I pulled off my dirty clothing and hopped into the hot shower the water drummed against my muscle and I felt like I was in heaven.

After about 45 minutes I had returned downstairs just in time to set the table. "Just 2?" I asked and she nodded then set the hot food on the table. Shepard's Pie. My favorite.

My spirit instantly perked up and I dug into my first plate and practically wolfed it all down in 5 minutes. "Thanks Nanny. " I grinned at her and started filling my plate for a second helping. I did the dishes again that night just for good measures an I knew it would kill time until my friends got to come up. Uncle Logan and Aunt Lily were bringing them up at dinner time.

We were having burgers and hotdogs with French fries. Nanny ha me exhausted by dinner. I had ran 20 miles taken 2 final exams and swam 50 laps today. I was bum tuckered out. As I stood there in the shower I heard the sound of a car pulling up.

I grinned excitement fueled my energy an I quickly finished, dried and dressed then throwing my blonde hair up into a messy bun I ran downstairs an jumped into Kira's and Luke's arms. "I missed you guys so much!!" I exclaimed giving them bone crushing hugs which they both returned with the same strength. Then I hugged Uncle Logan and Aunt Lily.

Once all the hugging stopped we all sat together and stuffed ourselves until all the found was gone. Then the three of us teenagers disappeared downstairs into the cellar where we played some foozeball and had the stereo blaring so the adults couldn't hear us. "So what's been happening while I've been away?"

Kira of course was the first to speak. 'I know you don't like it when I say his name so he-who-shall-not-be-named is still an ass but he's not so bad he's always miserable and sad and keeps asking and asking if we knew where you were. "

I stared at her. "We'll I can't wait until graduation cuz when I get announced as Uncle Logan's successor I can't wait to see his face.

Luke grinned "Just think in 7 months you'll get to be with us everyday again."

Kira grinned and stated matter of factly "Actually it's 6 months and 10 days."

I just chuckled and rolled my eyes. Just then Uncle Logan yelled down to us. "Your Aunt and I are leaving come say good bye we'll be back in a month to get your friends. " I quickly ran up the stairs taking them 3 at a time and hugged my uncle. "Thank you. I live you guys so much. " half way though my sentence I had gone to my aunt and hugged her. Grinning an walking then to their car I felt him prodding at my mind trying to reach me.

Once my aunt and uncle pulled away I let him in. My voice was cold and bitter 'What?!' I could feel his surprise and his relief and I waited. Suddenly I felt him press into my mind further. He was looking through my eyes and thoughts. I was confused then I realized he was trying to find me and I shut him out instantly.

The moment I ha let him in my wolf had gotten excited an happy for the slightest moment. Then she just fell back into sadness when I had blocked him out again. I soothed her as I walked back to my friends. She was use to the sadness he caused us and pushed it away faster this time and I was proud of her.

This next month was going to be amazing. I had my two best friends in the whole wide world and no stupid populars to bother us.