"Did you really just crack a joke?" Kennedy interrupted before I could finish my insult, as I tugged her around to the back side of my desk. I couldn''t stand the thought of her sitting in her own chair beside me. "I never thought you had it in you." She let out a soft giggle as I settled her onto myp, and Josh nced up, locking eyes with her and offering a rare, genuine smile.


    That small moment of defending me had himpletely captivated as well. My entire team adored her, even though they''d barely spent any time with her yet. Something I was determined to fix.


    "I want you to know, Luna, that I''m actually quite a funny guy," I said, trying to sound confident.


    She smirked yfully. "Keep telling yourself that, and maybe everything will be just fine." She shifted slightly on my leg, prompting me to squeeze her hip gently to stop her-otherwise, I wouldn''t be able to stand and walk away from here. "So, what''s on the agenda for today?" She nced over her shoulder at me, curiosity sparkling in


    her eyes.


    Josh smiled at how easily she changed the subject. "We have a few close visits lined up. We try to check in on at least two areas each month.


    The pack is nearing five thousand members now. Our main priorities are training, so every section of the pack is prepared if we ever need them. Then there are the hospitals, for obvious reasons, and the schools. Many of our warriors need a safe ce for their pups during long duties, so all the schools in our territory have dorms to amodate them. It''s a lot of effort, but it''s absolutely worth it.”


    I chimed in, waking myputer from sleep mode. "And then there are our projects that generate ie. With so many pack members to care for, we try to keep the revenue steady through building projects and by continuing whatever ventures the pack had before we brought them in. Most have something going, but a few either don''t want to work or can''t.


    Changing that victim mentality is a real challenge. We distribute resources as best we can. I''m really looking forward to you joining me at the monthly meetings-it''ll make those sessions far more bearable. Some former leaders aren''t so bad, but there are always a few who seem to make things difficult on purpose. Still self- centered, entitled jerks, even though they lost their pack to me.”


    For two hours, Josh and I reviewed ns, requests, notices, and updates. Kennedy asked questions to rify points and spotted gaps we hadn''t noticed before. She was genuinely invested, excited to be involved. I don''t think I''ve ever seen another Luna so engaged in this side of pack business—except maybe my mother.


    But perhaps I''m just biased. Most of this is behind-the-scenes work; maybe more Lunas are involved, but what we usually see is the party nning and event organizing. I don''t knock it—I see what Robin does for me—but she''s my employee and gets paid to do it. I don''t believe it should be a Luna''s main focus.


    When we finally wrapped up and prepared to leave, a wave of nervousness washed over me. Josh had gone to ready the cars, but Kennedy and I hadn''t even stepped out of my office yet. I wondered if this anxiety would always be part of me, or if it was just PTSD from when we first moved her here. The very thought of putting Kennedy in a car and taking her away from the safety of the packhouse made my heart pound fiercely in my chest. She couldn''t get hurt-never again. We''d just gotten her healthy. I knew it was my fault, but finally having her by my side made the idea of something happening during travel physically sickening.


    "Hey. Hey! What''s wrong? What happened? One minute you were smiling, now you''re mmy." Kennedy stood in front of me, and I barely noticed when she shifted positions. "I didn''t think werewolves could get mmy." She smiled at her own joke, but I couldn''t return it.


    “I..... I... Uh... Just give me a moment.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, running my fingers through my hair. I needed to calm down. I couldn''t keep her here forever, and we weren''t going far. The whole team would be with us. It would be fine. I just had to keep repeating that mantra.


    Then I felt a gentle tingling sensation, starting at my scalp and trickling down my spine. Her fingernails were softly scratching my head.


    "Please, tell me. Be honest. No half-truths-I want to help."


    I took a deep breath, weighing what I could or should say.


    "The whole truth..." She tugged my hair lightly, making sure I understood she was serious. It was as if she could read my mind.


    Another breath. "The truth? I''m scared. Every time you travel in a group, whether by car or running, you''ve been attacked. I can''t stop worrying. The track record isn''t great."


    She let out a shortugh, then whispered, "But all those times, you weren''t with me." I looked up at her, stunned. How had I resisted this for so long? I pulled her close, resting my cheek against her stomach, holding her tightly. She wrapped her arms around me.


    "You are the difference."


    I don''t deserve her. That''s my greatest fear. The more I get to know her, the closer I be. And I know, deep down, I don''t deserve her.