70 - Kennedy


    It''s official—I''vended myself in what can only be described as the twilight zone. Just yesterday, I was holed up in the packhouse, desperately avoiding everyone. I wasn''t sure who was allowed to speak to me and who might face consequences just for looking my way. Boredom crept in so deeply that I seriously considered getting a portable electric fence to create a bubble of personal space around myself.


    Danny and Be have been so glued to metely that I''m beginning to think we might actually merge into one being. My world has shrunk to nothing more than the short walk between the library and the bathroom. We''ve even shared lunch right here, in this cramped space. Be kindly sparked a small fire in the firece, and though I''m not exactly freezing, the gentle warmth feelsforting. The crackling of the fire provides a soothing background hum that fills the room.


    I nce over my shoulder toward the ck leather couch nestled in the corner of the library. “Don''t you have an actual job to do?" I ask Danny, who''szily flipping through a magazine, humming a tune through his nose that sounds suspiciously like a kazoo. “I thought, as the ''lead warrior,'' you''d be leading something."


    He shrugs, not looking up. "Not when I need to get to know my Luna. I have to understand your habits, your wants, and your needs so we can figure out a better protection n for when you start visiting other territories in the pack."


    I cock an eyebrow at him. "Isn''t that Be''s job? And even if I''m in another part of the pack, I won''t just be holed up in a room reading. The whole point is to actually meet and interact with the pack members, right?" My gaze shifts to Be, who''s buried nose-deep in a book,pletely absorbed.


    Danny snorts. "He''s been stalking you since you arrived, but he can''t give me the kind of intel I need. So, it''s up to me to do the hard work, no matter what activities you choose."


    "Hardbor, my ass," Be mutters, tossing a book at Danny. Danny catches it with lightning-fast reflexes and then winks at me, raising his eyebrows in a cheeky challenge. I have to bite back a smile.


    "Research isn''t really my thing," Danny admits, setting the book down on the coffee table in front of him. “You''re the sexy nerd in this scenario.”


    "Did you just call me sexy?" Be shakes his head with a smirk. "The sooner we find the answers the alpha needs, the sooner Kennedy can be marked and officially inducted into the pack. Personally, I want to know if she''ll be able to mindlink with us once she''s marked. Do you realize how much it''ll drive the boss crazy if you can talk to her without even opening your mouth? And once she''s a full Luna, maybe our mates will finally show up."


    Danny bursts outughing. "I never thought of that!" He snatches the book and starts skimming through the pages.


    I look up from therge, red canvas-bound book resting on myp. "Why would it matter if I''m a full Luna or not?"


    "There''s a pattern we''ve noticed across the various packs we''ve acquired," Be exins. "When the alpha finds and marks his Luna, there''s a surge in matings— especially within the alpha''s core team-even if he hasn''t taken full control yet."


    “Huh. That sounds crazy, but I guess it makes sense. When the leaders thrive, the whole pack prospers." I return to my book, feeling a renewed urgency to uncover some kind of answer.


    "It works both ways, though," Be adds. “We''ve seen alphas without mates go feral. Sometimes it''s because they lost their mate, which hurts both the human and wolf parts of them deeply. Other times, it''s because they never found one, and that longing can drive the wolf crazy. They crave thatpanionship, that bond, and they want to continue their gic line."


    Our serious moment is abruptly broken by Danny''s voice, chanting nonsense as he reads aloud. “I will know all the dirt... can''t wait... going to be so sweet."


    "What is he babbling about? Do you understand him?" I shift to getfortable and make sure I can see Danny clearly with both eyes. He''s a prankster through and through and doesn''t discriminate. The wild gleam in his eyes tells me he''s plotting something, and I probably won''t enjoy being involved.


    "I try to ignore the crazy parts of him," Be says with a sigh. "But remember, you''ll be able to use your Luna Aura to shut him up. You could tell him he''s not allowed to speak for an entire day! Oh Goddess, please let us find something useful soon." I giggle softly as Be dives into his research just as fervently as Danny. A sharp knock interrupts us.


    "Come on in, Robin. You know you don''t have to knock, right?"


    Therge mahogany door slides open silently. Robin steps inside, shivering just a little. "Until I can mindlink, I''ll keep knocking," she replies quietly. Now I''m curious— who scared her so badly?


    "The alpha wants to see you in his office, Luna," she says.


    "You could always just text me," I tease, waving my phone at her. "Do you know


    what he needs? I really want to get through a few more questions today." I lift the heavy book again, determined to find the answers we all need.