I glared at Daniel Gonzalez.

He was forever working on my nerves. This time, he had stolen all my pens, so this morning at school I had to ask for a pen from a friend. Naturally, he was denying it, though, I could see he was trying not to laugh as I confronted him.

"I don't understand why you did it. Don't you have enough pens of your own?"

Daniel shrugged. "I do, actually. You shouldn't assume I took your things based on a hunch."

"My hunches are usually correct. You do usually take my things."

With a quick flash of teeth my way, Daniel left the room. I heard his footsteps go up the stairs.

For a minute, I wondered if I should follow him up the stairs to continue our conversation. No doubt, he had gone to see my older brother, Landon. They were friends.

I sighed, there was no point in talking to Daniel, he had just denied taking my pens, anyway.

I looked around the living room, everything was in place for the party.

Today I was officially seventeen.

My best friend, Lacey Turner, waved at me from where she sat on the couch, drinking Coke.

"Are you sure we have enough food? I'm kinda feeling hungry, already."

"Of course, there's enough. We-"

I was interrupted by the doorbell. 

I send Lacey a quick gotta-go gesture and headed for the front door, and opened it.

In the doorway stood my four cousins, Tina, Rebecca, Tracy and Luna Fox.

The sisters all grinned at me and shoved presents into my arms, all of them wishing me a happy birthday.

They slid pass me and not long after that I heard the music come on.

I was still standing with my presents when more kids my age came over. I greeted most of them and then hurriedly went to my bedroom to put down my presents. 

Others has brought me more presents but it was too many to carry all of them in one go.

I took a quick look at myself in my bedroom mirror to make sure I still looked good, then headed back down the stairs.

The party was in full swing. Most of the people here were werewolves but I sensed some normal people as well.

To the side of the room, stood Landon with his friends, he was animatedly telling them some story. Daniel was standing there, too. When he saw my gaze on him, he winked.

I turned away with a huff of annoyance.

The front door opened, letting in a gush of wind and I straightened when I saw a tall, lean boy around my age enter the room.

He was gorgeous, with a mass of curly black hair and amber eyes.

He was different. I immediately knew that. I didn't know why at first, then I realized it, his scent. It smelled musky, chocolatey and had a wild element to it. Like he was more animal than man, he was a weretiger. The only one here.

 He saw me staring at him and made his way towards me, face grim.

My heart thumped in anticipation. 

And then, he was in front of me. "You Lucinda Evans?"

"Call me Lucy," I said, looking at him from underneath my lashes.

"Look," he went on as if I hadn't spoken, "you need to turn down the music, alright? I'm studying."

I blinked. I hadn't expected that, at all. "Er, the party just started and it's Friday, why are you studying on a Friday?"

He looked at me as I had just sprouted horns. "I have to study. I'm in my final year of school."

I smiled at him, and said a little breathily, "why don't you join us tonight. I mean, it is my birthday. I'm sure you can study later."

The guy looked annoyed. "No, thanks. Happy birthday, by the way. I have to go."

With that, he turned on his heel and left.

I stood there, left staring at the now-closed door.

Was that guy for real? It was Friday, for God's sake. He needs to seriously loosen up. I then realized, I hadn't gotten his name. He didn't attend my school, I would've spotted him immediately, now I wondered if I'll ever see him again.

Wait a minute. He had to live close by if he wanted me to turn down the music, right?

I debated momentarily if I should stay and enjoy my party or go after that guy and get him to celebrate with me.

Hmm.

Mind made up, I headed for the front door.

It might sound weird for a human but I followed my nose to track down amber-eyes.

I am a werewolf after all. We had keen senses.

I hadn't gone far, when I spotted amber eyes. 

He was simply across the street, talking to some guys. The conversation looked heated.

Then, before my disbelieving eyes, the guy to his left punched him in the stomach.

Amber eyes doubled over in pain, no doubt winded.

Barely realizing what I was doing, I was across the street in seconds. "Hey," I called out loudly, "what are you doing?"

The guy had the nerve to punch amber eyes again, ignoring me.

The other guy just stood there, expression stony.

I pushed the guy away from amber eyes, the guy stumbled back. I now had his attention.

"Just what the hell do you think you doing?" The guy thundered.

I lifted my chin, looking him squarely in the eyes. "I can ask you the same thing."

"Stay out of this," the guy growled, looking murderous. 

"Go away," amber eyes ground out, eyes on me now.

I sniffed at that. "Leave," I told the guy who had punched amber eyes, "before I call the police."

The guy who had had the stony expression was glaring at amber eyes now. "Is this another one of your squeezes, eh? Don't you have any shame? How do you think Heather will feel about this?"

Amber eyes straightened at last, he must have healed. Weres tended to heal fast. "I'm sorry about everything," amber eyes told the guys, as if he hadn't been assaulted. "I swear it's all a misunderstanding. And," he nodded at me, "I don't know her. She's just a neighbor."

Neighbor? I racked my brain trying to remember if anyone in the neighborhood had moved out of their house recently. None came to mind. And who was Heather?

The guys had ugly expressions on their faces now. They looked at each other, and then seemed to nod at each other; clearly they had come to some understanding telepathicly. All Weres could do that.

"Don't come near Stellenbosch," stone-face told amber eyes in threatening tones, "you won't like what happens."

With a quick glare at me, the two walked over to a parked Jeep, got in and rode off.

"Thank God they gone," I said brightly to amber eyes who was scowling at me. "So what's your name?"

"Do you always interfer in things that don't concern you?" 

"Hello, have you forgotten you were assaulted? Why the heck did you even apologize to that guy, you were the victim!"

"Don't bother me again," amber eyes said through gritted teeth.

And then he walked over to the house next to mine and disappeared inside.

I stared after him in disbelief. Really? Not even a thank you for defending him? This guy was beyond whack...and I still didn't know his name!

The next morning, I woke up determined and a little hung over. I know, I know, I'm underage but come on, you only live once and all that.

I got up, a little sluggishly, and went to my closet. What could I wear to make amber eyes notice me? No, not that top, not that pair of jeans...wait, why not that. 

I held up the red dress and studied it critically. Was it too short? Or too sunny for autumn? Doesn't matter, I'm wearing it.

After my morning routine (showering and dressing) I headed outside.

I sniffed. Amber eyes wasn't home. Perfect. 

I headed over to his place, our neighbor Aunt Lorraine Oppenheimer's -no relation me, I called her aunt out of respect for her- house, really 

I rang the doorbell. I heard Aunt Lorraine call for me to enter. 

I went inside and headed over to the kitchen, she was usually in there baking.

Today was no different, she had made a chocolate cake. And was busy making another.

"Morning, Aunt Lorraine."

"Morning, sweetie. What brings you over so early?"

"I want to know who the new guy is?" I said honestly.

"Ah," Aunt Lorraine said, eyes twinkling. "So you saw him, eh?"

I nodded and waited for her to continue.

"He's my nephew, Matthew. He's living with me temporarily while his parents finalize their divorce."

"Oh," I said, taken aback. No wonder the guy was so grumpy. "How's he holding up."

Aunt Lorraine shrugged lightly. "Hard to say. He keeps so much inside. He went to Stellenbosch, to go see some friends. About a misunderstanding, he said. He-"

"Gotta go," I yelled, sprinting out the door over to my house. I headed for Landon's bedroom. I knocked hastily.

"What?" I heard Landon groan. 

I opened the door. "You have to come with me."

"Go away," Landon muttered, "I'm still sleeping."

"You don't understand," I said, going over to Landon's bed and pulling the bedsheets off him. "Someone is going to get beat up, we have to go stop it."

Landon tried to swipe the bedsheets back but missed. "Give those back."

"DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?"

"Good God, woman! Keep it down!"

"Come on, Landon. Please." 

"It's Saturday! I'm trying to sleep in. Party last night, remember?"

This went on for about ten minutes -with me begging and him trying to get me to leave him alone- before Landon gave up.

Fifteen minutes later, after Landon had showered and eaten a quick breakfast, we were on the road.

"So where is this guy, again?"

"I don't know."

"What?"  Landon nearly totalled the car in front of him in disbelief. "You said you had a plan!"

"I didn't say I know where he is precisely. I do know he's in Stellenbosch, though," I added at Landon's bugging eyes.

Landon made a show of studying the road in front of him. The disbelief on his face not quite leaving. "Does this guy have a name? You do have a name, right?"

"Yes," I said with some relief, glad I had some information. "He's name is Matthew, he is Aunt Lorraine's nephew."

"So how are we supposed to find this guy?"

I patted my nose. "I have his scent."

"You saying you going to sniff this guy out? In Stellenbosch? Stellenbosch isn't exactly small."

"I know. But you might be able to find him, too. He's a weretiger."

Landon raised an eyebrow. "I hope he has permission to be in our territory."

For a moment, I thought that over. "Don't you think Ray would've gone crazy if Matthew hadn't asked permission?"

Ray was out Alpha. He had briefly made an appearance last night at the party to wish me. 

"Right," Landon replied. "So what's the plan?"

"We check if Matthew is alright. If he is, we go back home, if not...you are the muscle. Let's hope Matthew isn't hurr."

After that, the ride to Stellenbosch was quiet. 

When we reached Stellenbosch, I immediately picked up on Matthew's scent.

Landon could smell the weretiger, too.

We came to stop in a parking lot.

And there they were, Matthew and the two guys from last night. And with them, was a girl around my age.

Around the four of them, was a small crowd. No doubt to watch the confrontation. Things were heated again.

I pointed out Matthew to Landon and we got out of Landon's Toyota.

Then punches were thrown and soon, the three guys were at. But it was two against one.

Landon got involved then and soon, the fighting stopped.

The girl spoke up. "I didn't mean for this to happen, Matthew. I'm sorry.'

Matthew shook his head. "It's fine, Heather. These two just like looking for trouble."

"I-" the guy who punched Matthew last night started.

"Enough," Heather said fiercely. "Matt did nothing wrong."

The guy looked like he wanted to argue but chose to keep his mouth shut.

Stone-face was eyeing Landon. "Who is this guy?"

"My brother, Landon," I said. They turned to look at me.

"What are you doing here?" Matthew sounded exasperated.

"Making sure you okay."

"I don't even know you."

"Doesn't matter. I don't like bullies," I said with a pointed look at the two guys who had ganged up on Matthew.

For a moment, no one said anything and slowly the crowd dispersed.

"You sure Matthew didn't hurt you?" Stone-face finally asked Heather.

Heather rolled her eyes. "Yes. Now let's go. And don't bother Matthew again, jeez."

With one final look at Matthew, Heather and the guys took off.

We stood looking at each other.

Then I asked Matthew, "are those guys going to leave you alone now?"

Matthew shrugged. "I think so. Having Heather here had helped."

"What was the fighting about, anyway?"

Matthew sighed. "Tate and Ryan didn't like me breaking up with Heather. They are her brothers. They thought I had dumped Heather for some other girl. Which isn't the case. Like I had said last night, it was simply a misunderstanding. I have some girls as friends and they felt I was spending too much time with one of them. So they thought I was cheating."

"Did you cheat?"

Matthew looked at Landon. "Is she always this nosy?"

Landon thew up his hands. "Try living with her."

"Hey!" I protested in mock anger.

The two boys grinned.

Then, Landon said, "Let's go home."

I nodded at him. "Seems everything has been sorted out. Let's go."

We turned to leave but Matthew said, "Lucinda, Landon, thanks for helping me out. I really appreciate it."

I grinned. "No problem, neighbor."

Landon just shrugged.

Matthew suddenly seemed to not be able to look me in the eyes. "So... Lucinda... would you like to go watch a movie some time?"

I smiled.

The End.