A gentle, tingling sensation brushes softly across my cheek, stirring me from my thoughts. I don''t open my eyes right away—I want to hold onto the feeling a little longer. "That''s nice, Little Lamb," I murmur, "but yesterday was rough. Give me another hour, please."


    A small, cheerful giggle breaks through my reverie. Turning my head, I spot Emily sitting up in her bed, her eyes sparkling brightly in the dim light of the room. "Why do you call her amb?” she asks with a yful frown. “She''s not amb, silly Alpha!” She covers her mouth to stifle anotherugh. I nce toward her mother and Kennedy, noticing the same eager curiosity shining in their eyes. All three silently demand the truth.


    "Well, my little ninja,” I say, smiling at the nickname I''ve given her, "your Luna once tried to run away from me. She was clever-hid her scent just like you did. I had to send my wolf after her, and she''d never seen him before."


    Emily''s eyes widen in amazement. "Your wolf is so big! Were you scared, Luna?” she asks, turning to Kennedy with innocent wonder.


    Kennedy shrugs, a small smile tugging at her lips. "At first, yeah. I didn''t know who was chasing me. But when I realized it was the alpha, I wasn''t scared anymore."


    Emily''s admiration is clear. "Wow! You''re so brave."


    I cut in before Kennedy''s pride swells any further, noticing the mischievous glint in her eyes. "She tried calling me the big bad wolf, so I told her she was a littlemb for the alpha to chase. And somehow, that nickname stuck." I shrug, leaving out the yful undertones of that exchange.


    "But wouldn''t that make her Little Red Riding Hood if you''re the big bad wolf?" Emily puzzles aloud, trying to follow my logic.


    "Technically, yes," I admit, "but that''s a mouthful. Plus, when I caught her, she was trembling like a littlemb. ‘Little Lamb'' just sounds better." I wink, and she giggles again. “Now, since both of you are wide awake and teasing me, can I assume it''s okay to take my Luna home?"


    "I was not shaking, and yes, we''ve been cleared to leave," Kennedy says firmly, swatting my arm yfully. "That''s why I was trying to wake you up, butthead."


    Emily gasps, "Luna, you said a bad word! That''s not nice!"


    I grin and scoop Kennedy up over my shoulder before she can react. "You''re right, Miss Emily. I''m taking her home, and we''re going to have a serious talk about her choice of words.” Both Emily''s mom and Kennedy chuckle at my mock sternness, but I don''t mind. I just want my mate all to myself.


    Without hesitation, I stride past everyone in the hospital, heading straight for the exit. No one is going to argue with me.


    "Ryker! Put me down! She can''t see us anymore-I can walk," Kennedy protests, squirming on my shoulder.


    "Not a chance," I reply, enjoying the bounce as I shift my shoulder. "I have some questions for you, and after saving a pup, everyone''s going to want your attention. This way, they''ll leave you alone."


    I carry her past the hospital staff and the bustlingmon area, back toward my office.


    As much as I crave taking her upstairs, throwing her on the bed, and sleeping the day away, there''s something I need to understand first-how she managed to track Emily with no scent and barely any trace.


    Inside my office, I close the door behind us and settle into the chair behind my desk. Pulling Kennedy to straddle myp, I face her directly. "How did you track her? I have to know. All the wolves struggled, but you followed a trail only you could see.”


    She smiles, a hint of pride in her eyes. "It''s not that impressive, really. I''m human—1 don''t have all your heightened senses.


    Even before you get your wolves, your senses are sharper. Running around with Jeremiah, Ben, Tommy, and Jason, I had to adapt to keep up. I trained harder to be stronger and faster.


    Our delta is an excellent tracker, and he taught me, just like I teach the pups. The beta and gamma caught on and started giving me assignments." Her eyes soften as she drifts into a memory. "It used to drive the guys crazy.


    One weekend, when Jer left for the Alpha''s meeting, I had a tracking assignment. I was so mad because they basically locked me in the house with the guys. They wouldn''t let me train in the woods since Jer and Uncle James were gone." She rubs her face, a wry smile appearing.


    “That must be an alpha thing. You all think you''re the only ones who can protect us delicate females." She looks me straight in the eye, raising an eyebrow.


    "No," I say firmly, "it''s because even they know you''re special. And you are, Kennedy." She scoffs, but I don''t let her dodge thepliment.


    "You are special—not just because you''re my mate, or because you''ve been chosen


    as a Luna while still human. You are special.


    The way the pack talks about you is incredible. They love you. They''ve loved you from the start.


    You came in and refused to be intimidated. Everything you do is for the betterment of the pack and all its members


    . And you don''t want recognition or thanks. You''ve made friends with the entire packhouse staff.


    I heard a young wolf named Cindy only changes things if you approve first. My mother won''t even listen to me sometimes. I''ve never felt so useless.” Iugh softly, and she smiles back.


    Taking a deep breath, I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and cup her cheek gently. "I don''t know if you realize what you told me yesterday, but I do love you, Kennedy. I don''t know exactly when it happened, but it did. And there''s no way you''re getting rid of me now."