《The Pack's Nemesis (Quirin's Story)》


 Chapter 1

    Kennedy is the young, intelligent daughter of Alpha Warren and Luna Yara. As the oldest daughter and twin sister to the future Alpha of their pack, she is much admired by their pack and others. Unlike her other sisters, she takes after her mother, spending most of her life in the pack hospital, sitting in on medical sses and watching surgeries from a young age. Now, she is turning eighteen and she hopes to find her mate. For Kennedy, there is only one man for her, the dark and broody Quirin. Alpha Quirin took over his father''s pack at eighteen. After lying empty for ten years, it took a long time to get the pack back into something functional. Once he did, the rogues began to approach him and over time, he''s created a strong, powerful pack of fighters who value strength above all else. While pack wars are rare, it isn''t umon for other packs to attack, wanting the wealth of Quirin''s pack. Quirin has always been drawn to Kennedy. He knows he isn''t the right man for her, but when his wolf recognizes her as his mate on her eighteenth birthday, he''s unable to reject her as he knows he should. Having expected to live his life alone, he knows nothing of being a good mate. The darkness inside of him, the hatred for Kennedy''s father who murdered his, wars with his desire to let Kennedy fill him with her bright, cheerful light. Can Quirin let go of the past? Can Kennedy heal the darkness inside of Quirin and teach his pack that physical strength isn''t the only strength that matters? Or will Quirin''s darkness overpower her light, extinguishing it forever?


    Quirin


    Fucking Jasper is attacking my pack. Again. When is this asshole going to realize that he can''t defeat me. This time, he must have gotten some friends to help him, but they aren''t the scrappy fighters that my warriors and I are. Other than me, my pack is made up solely of rogues, the misfits that the other packs kicked out. Okay, yeah, some of them are dangerous and I have to keep them in line, but they''re deadly, and Jasper needs to learn that no amount of money is worth your life.


    When I imed my father''s pack at eighteen, I learned just how hard he''d worked to ensure my financial stability when I took over the pack. I know a lot of the wars that he fought were to obtain better packnds, easier and cheaper ess to water, electricity, and other necessities. He did it all for me. And now, I am by far, the richest Alpha I''ve ever met. I''m richer than Henry and richer than Warren. You''d never know it to look at me and my pack members. We don''t dress like we''re rich, we don''t strut around like we''re high and mighty like the rich do, but my pack wants for nothing.


    More than anyone, the rogues understand protecting what''s theirs. It''s another reason that I took them all in. They''re fantastic fighters to havested in the wild on their own, which is the primary reason that I allow them into my pack. Not only that, but they also understand the value of protecting what they have. And what they have is this pack, a home, and me as their Alpha.


    I don''t know how fucking Jasper gets away again, but I know that I practically ripped his leg off this time. I''d chase after him and kill him, but I have a birthday party to attend tonight.


    Connor and Kennedy Hill turned eighteen today. Connor will take over the pack from his father, Alpha Warren, who I despise with every bone in my body. I''ve refused to create an alliance with him because the man killed my father. I watched him do it. That memory is burned into my brain and is one of the worst moments of my life.


    My father was a great man. Alpha Harold told me that he was greedy, that he was responsible for most of the pack wars that urred back then. But I know that he did it all for me. My father loved me. I definitely know that. My father loved me more than his own life, giving his life for mine. My mother wasn''t that way. She protected me, but once she realized that I was safe and she lost her status in the pack, she let herself wither away and die. In the end, she loved her status more than she loved me.


    ''Alpha, what should we do with the dead?'' Kier, my Beta asks.


    I look around, pleased that my warriors killed so many of Jasper''s pack or the pack members


    of those he recruited to attack me.


    "Pile them up and dump them outside Jasper''s packnds," I growl.


    Kier smiles. "With pleasure, Alpha."


    "I have to go get ready for this fucking party. Are you good?" I ask.


    He snorts. "That should be fun."


    "An Alpha''s duties never end," I say.


    "Do yourself a favor, Alpha. Find yourself a sweet little pussy to bury yourself in."


    I grunt in response and head up to my room. While I don''t shy away from a woman who wants me, I''ve never fucked anyone in Alpha Warren''s pack. It''s not because I care what he thinks about me. I could give a shit what Warren thinks of me. It''s her. That little witch of a woman who has always seen way too much.


    I climb into the shower, letting the blood and guts wash off of me as I think about her. Kennedy. I''ve watched her grow into a woman who far outshines her mother. Luna Yara is beautiful, no one can deny it. But Kennedy? That girl is something to behold. I guess today she''s technically


    a woman.


    I smile as I think about her. She hates it that I still call her ''pup''. I''ve long since stopped thinking of her as a pup. That ended the first time I woke up, having a wet dream about that beautiful woman. Maybe because of that, I became even more antagonistic about calling her pup when I saw her.


    And her scent, her sweet citrus and mint scent has only gotten stronger and more mouthwatering as she''s gotten older. What hasn''t changed is her watchfulness and her insightfulness. The woman sees everything, far more than she should. And for some reason, her focus seems to be almost entirely on me.


    I should despise it, I should be mad or irritated that she''s constantly watching me, noticing me in ways that others don''t. But from her, I almost crave it. I love that such a beautiful girl, a beautiful woman, watches me.


    I''ve seen the others falling all over themselves to get to her. Kennedy, being Connor''s twin sister and the oldest of the Alpha females in Warren''s pack, is much sought after by other Alphas. I know that even Henry, who has yet to find his mate, wants her. But I''ve seen her ignore their advances just to watch me. I''m not sure that she knows how often I see her watching me, but every time I''m in the room with her, I keep an eye on her, watching her watching me.


    And every time I see her, that golden glow around her, that beautiful light of sweet and delicate inner beauty glows brighter and brighter.


    Part of me hopes that she finds her mate tonight. The other part of me wants to kill anyone whoes close to taking her from me. That partes from Raif, my wolf. He''s been enamored with Kennedy since she was a pup. He''s snubbed every other female we''ve ever seen, and goddess forbid that I talk about taking a chosen mate. He snarls and throws such a tantrum in my head that I can''t sleep, and it makes my head throb until I relent.


    Not that any woman is dumb enough to ept me as her mate. I''m not stupid. I''m an Alpha and women want the prestige of being a Luna. But being mated to me wouldn''t be easy. I''m too dark and eventually, I drag anyone who gets too close to me into the darkness that surrounds me.


    It''s another reason that I hope that Kennedy finds her mate tonight. She deserves better than the darkness that someone like me could give her. I told her years ago that she should be afraid of me, but for some reason, that little pup never heeded my words. A part of me, deep down in my heart, is d that she didn''t.


    I''m distracted as I get out of the shower, so I don''t smell his scent until he barks at me. "What the fuck, Q? You were in a battle today? Why the fuck didn''t you call me?" Henry says, ring at me from across my room.


    I frown. "I''m going to have to tell my patrols to start letting me know when you enter the packnds."


    "They know I''m your brother and don''t change the subject. Your pack smells like blood, death, and war. Why didn''t you call?"


    "Because I didn''t need you. We were fine. Fucking Jasper was after my money again. And let''s be honest, you take a lot more time to get ready for these parties than I do," I say to my best friend and brother. Okay, he''s my only friend.


    He rolls his eyes at me and throws himself on the loveseat in my room. "I don''t take a long time."


    I look at him, realizing that he''s taken a bit longer tonight than he usually does. He''s dressed in an expensive cream-colored linen pant suit that is casual but on him also looks very chic. If I tried that, I''d look like a mob boss trying to pretend I was on holiday at the beach. He crosses a leg over his knee, and I see that he has new loafers to go with the nice linen suit.


    "Did you buy all new clothes for tonight? What the fuck, Henry? Are you hoping that Kennedy is your mate?" I ask joking. I turn to go into my closet to get dressed but when he doesn''t answer me, I turn back. "Are you fucking kidding me?"


    Something dark inside of me threatens to push forward. I love Henry, more than anyone in the world I love this man who is like a brother to me, but at the moment, thinking of him with Kennedy, I''m ready to rip him to shreds.


    "Would that be so bad, Q? She''s gorgeous, she''s smart, she''s about the sweetest woman I''ve ever met... she''d make a good Luna," he says, shrugging and looking away from me. I can tell that he''s seriously hoping that she''s his mate.


    Honestly, he''d be the perfect mate to her. He''s exactly the kind of man that she should end up with. But the thought of her ending up with anyone has Raif thrashing around in my head.


    ''Knock it off,'' I tell my wolf.


    ''I''ll kill him if he touches her.''


    ''No, you won''t. He''s my best friend. She''s nothing but a pretty pup,'' I say, but I know I don''t mean it. She''s one of the few people that can put a warm glow into my dark and angry heart.


    ''Mmhmm, keep telling yourself that,'' Raif says.


    I notice that Henry is watching me, so I do what I always do when I don''t want others paying attention to me. I get snarky. It usually works, except with one little brte with intelligent grey-green eyes.


    "Who knows, maybe Connor is your mate, and you can be his Luna," I say, chuckling as I


    go into the closet.


    "You''re such an asshole, Q. I don''t know I even bothered toe over here to get you."


    "Yeah, why did you?" I ask.


    He looks at me. "I wasn''t sure you''de otherwise."


    Normally, he''d be right. But I can''t miss that little pup''s birthday. I even got her a present. I got


    one for Connor too, but his gift is money. He''s the iing Alpha, so if he''s smart, he''ll put it toward the pack.


    But for Kennedy, I wanted something special. Raif insisted that I get her jewelry, preferably something with a wolf''s head that looks like him. So, I had a wolf''s head made in pewter and onyx, since Raif''s fur is midnight ck, and then I had diamonds put into his eyes, since April is her birth month. I''m nervous to give it to her, but I''m pretty sure, knowing her like I do, that even if she doesn''t like it, she''ll say she does and that she''ll wear it anytime she expects to see


    me.


    I finish getting ready, wearing ck pants and a form fitting ck button-down shirt with ck


    dress shoes. I roll the sleeves up, hating to be this formal.


    "You sure you want to do that?" Henry asks as I roll up my sleeves.


    "Yeah. Why wouldn''t I?" I ask him.


    "Luna Yara and Alpha Kennedy are going to see those marks on you. They''ll know you were


    fighting today."


    I stop and look at my arms. He''s right, they will notice and neither woman will let it go. Dammit!


    I roll my sleeves back down, feeling even more grumpy now than I did before.


    "Are you ready?"


    "I was waiting on you, brother," he says, smiling and pping me on the back as he stands.


    I re at him, then we head down to his car and begin to make our way to the party.

 Chapter 2

    Kennedy


    I watch as my mother prepares the woman on the bed in front of her. Sometimes I get to be in the room, helping by giving her the tools that she needs toplete her surgeries, or stitching up our pack members after she''s done. But since today is my eighteenth birthday, she told me I could assist. It didn''t hurt that I told her that it was the only thing that I wanted for my birthday.


    "When you do a Cesarean section, you have to be careful where and how you cut. You don''t want to cut too deep and risk injuring the pup and you don''t want to cut too high on the mother''s stomach because you could cut the pup," she says, pointing to the area where she wants me to cut.


    Thankfully, it''s Anna who is having a baby today. It''s her fourth pup with her mate, Bet, their oopsie baby thirteen years after the birth of their third pup. It''s why my mother suggested that she have the C-section rather than try to deliver naturally. It''s also why I''m allowed to assist. I''ve grown up around Anna and all of the nurses and doctors in the hospital. I''ve spent every possible minute of my life in this hospital. I love the medical world, love the idea of bing a doctor just like my mother. While the others in my family were sparring and training to be strong warriors, I was here, learning everything I possibly could about medicine, anatomy, and being a surgeon.


    Thankfully, when my mother told Anna that assisting in a surgery was the only thing I wanted for my birthday, she offered to schedule her C-section today. I was a little surprised, but since I''ve stitched up her pups before, and I''ve worked so closely with Anna, she agreed. My mother had me practice cutting on a medical dummy that she and Beta Noelle use in the hospital teaching rooms. I sliced that poor mannequin nearly to pieces I''ve practiced so many times.


    I take a breath and look up at Anna. Her mate is holding her hand and murmuring to her.


    "Focus, Kennedy," my mother says patiently.


    Anna''s eyes sh to me and she winks. "You''ve got this, Kennedy."


    I nod and turn back to her stomach, putting the edge of the scalpel against her stomach where my mother is pointing and, using the pressure that I''ve practiced so many times, I make the incision.


    "Very good, Kennedy. Just a little further. Perfect," she says, and I pull the scalpel away, smiling hugely as I step back to let my mother do the rest. A few minutester, she''s carefully pulling the baby from Anna''s uterus andying her on Anna''s chest.


    "Congrattions, on your baby boy," she says to them.


    I know that Bet is thrilled to be having a boy. Their first three children were girls. I ready myself to assist my mother with closing up Anna''s stomach when she turns to me.


    "Your father and brother are asking about you," she says.


    I look up at the clock and realize that it''s mid-afternoon. I sigh. I really don''t care about the party. The only reason I''m even partially excited is because Alpha Quirin will be here. There are a lot of other Alphas that will be here too, including Alpha Henry, who I like. But the others are just hoping to have an Alpha female for a mate. My sisters would be better options for them. They are all excited about bing Lunas of their own packs. Me? There''s only one man for me. He just happens to be an Alpha as well.


    I fell in love with Alpha Quirin when I was six years old. There was something about him at Alpha Henry''s eighteenth birthday party that drew me to him. I''d watched him all night then followed him outside. I don''t know why I''d felt safe with him that night. But I have every other time I''ve been around him since then. I don''t see him often, not nearly as often as I''d like. But I''ve noticed that he''s not as curt or abrupt with me when I approach him as he is with other people.


    I got my wolf, Echo, on my tenth birthday. That night, at my party, she had agreed that there was something about Alpha Quirin. Maybe because he''s an older Alpha and doesn''t y the stupid games that the others y, or maybe because he refuses to let the other Alphas tease me in any way, but I''ve always seen him as a protector. Others find his quiet, glowering nature offensive, but not me. Unlike Alpha Henry, who is easy going and has lots of friends, you have to work to get on Alpha Quirin''s good side. I''ve only known a couple of people who have earned that privilege and remained there. I count myself as one of the few.


    Over the years, I''ve watched as daring women have approached him during these gatherings. I''ve also watched while he assessed them and took some to bed with him. I''ve tried to determine what it was about those women that made him decide to be with them and not others. I haven''t figured it out yet and maybe he hasn''t either. I''ve never seen him take the same woman to bed more than once at these parties. If they approach him again at another party, he turns them down.


    My mother says the women want him because he''s a challenge. My father says they want him for his wealth. I want him because I want to get past the hard, crusty exterior that he puts up in front of others. Over the years, I''ve had glimpses of the man underneath the armor, and I want him. I want that man, the man that very few, if any, ever get to experience.


    ''Kennedy, are youing? You still have to get ready, and Dad says we can''t start the party until the birthday twins arrive. Connor won''t join the party until you do, so hurry up!'' my sister Wendy says. She''s fifteen and thrilled at the idea of seeing all of the Alphas that will be here tonight.


    ''I''m on my way,'' I say, knowing that I need to get ready. My twin brother, Connor, is officially old enough to take over as Alpha from my father. I know my father is excited to be able to pass the torch of the pack to my brother. I also know that Connor was disappointed when he didn''t smell his mate first thing this morning. She''s not in our pack, but that doesn''t mean that she''s not in another pack. Every eligible male and female Alpha will be at our birthday party tonight, which has my siblings in a tizzy of excitement. It''s an important day for Connor, which makes it an important day for me. My twin is my best friend, and I won''t ruin this party for him.


    "Congrattions," I say to Anna and Bet.


    "Thank you. I have a gift for you even though we won''t be able to join your party tonight. I''ll give it to your mother to give you."


    "You didn''t have to do that," I tell her.


    "Of course we did. You just helped to deliver our baby, didn''t you?" Bet asks


    me.


    I smile. "Well, thank you. I know I''ll love it," I say.


    I head back to the packhouse and spend the next couple of hours getting ready for my party. Because it''s such a big deal, to everyone but me anyway, I have someonee in to do my hair and makeup. The dress I chose for tonight is a greyish-green color, something close to sage but lighter. It was the closest I could find to match my eyes. Alpha Quirin told me once that I have beautiful eyes, so I made a point to highlight them tonight.


    When I look in the mirror, I hardly recognize myself. My hair is half up and half down with sparkling diamond pins and clips holding it in ce. I chose the dress specifically because I want Alpha Quirin to see me as a woman, not as the pup that he always calls me. ''Little Pup''. Ever since that first night that I spoke to him, he''s always called me Little Pup. I would despise the name if it didn''t make me feel somewhat special. No one else gets a pet name from Alpha Quirin.


    The floor length gown is covered in sequins, adding a brightness to the dress. The sleeves are straps that hang off the shoulder and there''s a small train in the back that adds a softness to the overall feel of the gown.


    ''Kennedy, are you ready?'' I hear Connor''s voice in my head.


    ''Yes, where are you?''


    "Outside your door,'' he says, and I can hear theughter in his voice.


    I open the door and see my very handsome brother standing there waiting for me. Where I got my mother''s looks, he looks almost identical to my father. Unlike my father, his dark hair is shoulder-length, and he got my father''s brownish-green eyes, making his eyes darker than mine. He''s wearing a suit that fits him perfectly, enting his broad shoulders and narrow waist. He will have the women at the party drooling over him. They do anyway, but tonight, he looks every bit the Alpha heir that he is.


    "Why, Alpha Connor, how very nice of you to be my escort," I say, smiling at my twin. His tie and cummerbund are a close match to the color of my dress. We''ll look very good walking into our party together.


    He snaps his feet together and gives me a formal bow before extending his arm to me. ¡°How was the surgery? Mom said you were brilliant, as always,¡± he says.


    My brother has always been my biggest supporter with my mother a close second.


    "Oh, it was fantastic, Connor," I say excitedly, making him chuckle.


    "Good. Now remember, no matter what happens today, you will always be my twin and my best friend. I hope that we both find our mates, but if not..."


    "Then we keep looking," I say, knowing how important it is for him.


    "Then we keep looking. But, if we''re both lucky and you end up leaving for your new home soon, never forget that I''m here for you anytime you need me."


    "Thanks, Connor."


    "Now we''d better go before Wendy bursts something in her excitement."


    Iugh as he begins leading me down the stairs. I turn, as I hear the gasps of the people in the room, watching as my brother and I make our way down the stairs. I look around the room, not seeing Alpha Quiring and feeling a stab of disappointment that he''s not here. He was the only one I was hoping to see. The room breaks out in "Happy Birthday!" as we get to the bottom step. From there, we''re separated by the massive number of people who want to say hello and wish us happy birthday.


    I''m about halfway through the room of people when Echo stands up in my head. ''Echo?'' I ask just as I hear a nearly feral snarl behind me and the scent of sandalwood floods my nose.


    I turn and see that the partygoers have separated, leaving a space for me to see Alpha Quirin standing across the room from me, his nose in the air as he drinks in my scent.


    I gasp as he opens his eyes and focuses his intense gaze on me.


    "Mate," his wolf, Raif, growls.


    The entire room has gone quiet and almost as one, all heads turn to stare at me.


    I swallow hard, excitement and desire flooding my system and overwhelming me. Thankfully, Echo has no problem managing these feelings. She''s thrilled.


    "Mate," she purrs.

 Chapter 3

    Quirin


    When Henry and I pulled up to the packhouse, I smelled her before I even opened the door.


    "Quirin, where are you going?" Henry asks as I quickly leap out of the car and make my way to the packhouse. I ignore him. I have to see her. It''s all I can do to keep Raif under control as he pulls me into the packhouse.


    Once inside, the ce is packed and I can''t see her, can''t find her. Raif snarls angrily and the party guests part like the red sea.


    There, across the room from me, is Kennedy. My mate.


    Raif announces it before I can stop him. Part of me is thrilled. There''s always been something about Kennedy that has drawn me in, something that has made me feel protective and even possessive at times. And now, I know why, she''s my fated mate.


    The other part of me knows that the words that I spoke to her all those years ago were urate. ''Men like me are no good for little pups like you.'' I hadn''t been lying. She deserves someone like Henry, or even someone like her brother. Instead, the Moon Goddess has decided to punish her with someone like me. I should reject her, I should set her free, but I know I can''t. I''m much too selfish for that.


    "Mate," she says. I know it''s her wolf who replies to Raif, but watching her sweet mouth say the word that I''ve only dared to dream that she would say to me, makes the possessiveness that I''ve held on to tightly re inside of me.


    It didn''t escape me that everyone, every single person in the room, turned to look at her when I called her my mate. I''m sure they all thought she''d reject me. And maybe she will. If she''s smart, she will.


    ''I refuse to ept it,'' Raif says. ''She''s ours. I want her. I want them both.''


    Raif has wanted Echo from the moment he first saw her. Of course, back then she was much too young for me or him to do anything. I''d always felt the pull to this little pup, but once she had her wolf, the pull had be even stronger.


    I stare at her across the room, not moving as I watch her big grey-green eyes go wide. I realize that her dress brings out the color of those eyes, making them stand out against her pale skin and dark brown hair.


    ''Stop making our mate think we don''t want her,'' Raif growls before literally pushing me forward. Rather than stopping and looking like a fool, I slowly walk up to Kennedy. Some might call it a prowl, the predator hunting his prey. But since the prey looks eager to be captured, I''m not sure it''s an urate assessment.


    "Happy Birthday, Little Pup," I say to her and instantly I get the response I expected. Her lips press together but before she cane back with some smart retort, I wrap my arm around her and pull her against me, pressing my lips to hers.


    Her submission is instant, and it makes me hard as I press myself against her, devouring her. I''m not gentle with the kiss, growling possessively as I take her mouth and finally get to taste her for the first time. Her citrus and mint scent tastes better than any dream that I ever had of her. My mouth waters and my desire to shred her clothes and make her mine right now is almost overwhelming.


    When I finally pull back I look at her, my mate.


    "We''re leaving," I growl.


    "What?" she asks, frowning while still looking dazed. I love that dazed look on her face.


    "Alpha Quirin, it''s Kennedy''s birthday. The party has just begun. Surely you don''t intend to take her away from her party already."


    I don''t have to turn to know that it''s Alpha Connor who is speaking. The man looks exactly like his father and for that alone, I despise him. But he''s Kennedy''s twin and I know that she considers him her best friend. It''s the only reason I don''t kill him for trying to keep me from taking my mate.


    "There are too many unmated Alphas in this room for my liking," I growl, never looking away from my mate.


    "No one is stupid enough to try and take your mate from you, Q. Everyone saw that the two of you are mates. Let her have her birthday party." Thates from Henry. He''se up behind me and is speaking softly.


    "Of course they won''t. I would kill anyone who touches her," I growl loudly, making sure every Alpha here knows that she''s mine.


    "Alpha Quirin." This time it''s the sweet voice of Luna Yara. She, like Henry, is one of the few people in this world that I would never ignore or hurt. "We worked very hard to have a nice party for our twins. Would you please reconsider your need to take Kennedy from us so soon?"


    I realize that, through all of this, my mate hasn''t said a word. "What do you want, Kennedy?" I see the instant happiness that I used her name, rather than calling her Little Pup.


    "I want to be with you," she says and it''s like she''s turned her beacon of light on me, pushing away all my darkness. Such is the power that this little wolf, barely an adult, has over me.


    "We should stay and celebrate you. But we''re leaving tonight," I tell her.


    "Okay."


    "Okay," I say, finally pulling my eyes away from her. I turn to the room and see that everyone is staring at us. "Well, is this a party or what?" I growl.


    The music starts again and I move to stand behind my mate, ring at any unmarked male who even looks this way. Otherse up to wish my mate happy birthday, but they quickly move away.


    "Alpha Quirin, it is customary in this pack that the first dance on a birthday goes to the mother or father of the birthday boy or girl. I''m assuming, since you are well aware of this tradition, that you have no problem with me dancing with my daughter," Alpha Warren says.


    His hand is already extended to Kennedy, and I see that Connor and Luna Yara are also about to step out onto the dance floor. They''re just waiting for me.


    Kennedy looks up at me, as if it''s my decision. I guess everyone here knows that I have no problem fighting them if I don''t like what''s going on.


    "It''s tradition, right?" I ask her.


    "Right,¡± she says and turns to me, taking my hand. "Don''t disappear on me."


    "I''m not going anywhere," I say. It''s meant as a threat but rather than the fear that


    it should cause in her, I get her mega-watt smile. That smile has always fascinated me. How can one person be so happy?


    I watch as her father leads her onto the dance floor and the two of them begin to move around the dance floor, easily and gracefully. I''m content to watch her gliding across the floor, but my best friend and brother has other ns. "Stop being such a prick, Q."


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about," I say obstinately.


    "Of course you do. You''re not stupid. Stopping ruining this night for her."


    "I''m not ruining anything for her. I asked what she wanted, and she said she wanted to be with me. I have no intention of letting any of these lecherous men get close to what''s mine."


    "Do you count me as one of those lecherous men?" he growls, but I hear the hurt behind it.


    I turn and look at him. "I know you wanted her. But she''s mine. Maybe I don''t deserve her, but I can''t let her go. If you can respect that, then we''re good. If you can''t, then we have a problem."


    He turns and looks at me. "That will very much depend on how you treat her, Quirin. If you mistreat her..."


    "Then what, Henry?" I ask.


    "Let''s not find out, okay. And for the record, I''m insulted that you would think that wouldn''t respect the mate bond. Anyone''s mate bond," he says, walking out onto the dance floor and asking my mate to dance.


    I see Kennedy look over at me, as if once again questioning if it''s okay for her to dance with someone else. Am I that overbearing? Probably.


    "What are you doing, Quirin?"


    "About what, Luna Farrah,¡± I say sighing. There are maybe five people in this world that I care about. Four of them have approached me tonight. Well, technically, I approached Kennedy, but the other three, Henry, Luna Yara, and now Luna Farrah, have approached me on Kennedy''s behalf. I''m wondering when Alpha Harold will approach me.


    "This is her night, Quirin," she says. I''m not surprised that the massive aura that


    I''m pushing out to keep people away isn''t keeping Luna Farrah away. It never did.


    "And I''m letting her have it," I quip.


    "Letting her. What an interesting way to phrase it. How kind of you to LET her have her birthday party," she growls softly.


    I sigh. "You know I hate these things."


    "And I know that if you love someone, that it doesn''t matter what YOU want, Quirin. And if you can''t love that girl the way that she deserves, then reject her. It will hurt her now, but she''ll thank youter."


    "She''s mine," I growl, low enough that no one else will overhear.


    "Then make sure you treat her like that means something, Quirin. She''s a sweet girl, smart and loving. If you intend to stay mated to her, then don''t you dare take that away from her."


    She walks off just as Alpha Harold walks up to Kennedy. He looks over at me and it''s obvious that he''s daring me to question his intentions with my mate. I don''t. He has his own mate and I lived with them long enough to know that he loves Luna Farrah with all of his heart.


    What no one else seems to realize is that I love Kennedy with all of my heart. I just don''t show it the way that others do.

 Chapter 4

    Kennedy


    Every time someone asks me to dance, I take the opportunity to look over at Quirin. First, I was surprised by his possessiveness of me and I''m afraid to do something that will make him think that I don''t want him. I do want him. I always have. But second, I''m afraid he''ll run. It''s not that he''s a fearful man, well at least not usually. But I''ve been watching my mate for years and I know that when ites to emotions, he''s not very good at handling them.


    "Luna Kennedy, how do you feel about being mated to my adopted son," Alpha Harold asks as we dance.


    "I''m very happy about it, Alpha," I tell him truthfully.


    "Hmmm, not many women would say that. My son isn''t an easy man to get close to."


    "I''ve never found it that difficult."


    "No, I guess you haven''t. Have you ever been to his pack, Luna?" I love that he keeps calling me Luna. Until Quirin called me mate, I was an Alpha, but now, being a Luna means that I''ve found the man I love. I can''t wait until his mark is on my neck and mine is on his so I can show everyone that he is mine.


    "No, I haven''t, Alpha. You have though, right?"


    "Yes. I''ll warn you, Kennedy, Quirin''s pack is different. His pack is made up of previous rogues, scrappy individuals who are used to fighting for what they have and what they want. You''re a strong woman, Kennedy. It will a take a strong woman to make her way in a pack like that."


    "I''ll do my very best, Alpha," I tell him.


    "I''m sure you will," he says just before his eyes shift to look over my head. A momentter I feel heat at my back and smell his sandalwood scent.


    "Are you going to let me dance with my mate, father?"


    "I was just warming her up for you, Quirin. Luna Kennedy, I do hope to see you soon."


    "Thank you, Alpha," I say to him and then turn to my mate.


    He looks at me a moment, his eyebrow going up in the arrogant way that he has. Personally, I''ve always found it extremely sexy.


    "I didn''t know you danced, Alpha Quirin," I say as he takes me in his arms.


    "I''ve never had anyone I was interested in dancing with before, Little Pup," he says. I ignore the ''pup'' part and revel in the thought that he wants to dance with


    me.


    He begins to expertly move me around the floor. "Where did you learn to dance like this, Alpha?" I ask him.


    He looks at me. "Quirin, Kennedy. If we''re going to be mated, we should be more familiar, don''t you think?"


    I smile at him and even though he doesn''t smile, I watch his eyes soften.


    "Where did you learn to dance, Quirin?"


    "My mother, mostly. My father said that Alphas needed to know how to dance so we could y the mate game, searching for our mate, finding her, wooing her, all of that."


    "Since you''ve searched for and found me, is this a game to you?" I ask him. "Or are you wooing me?"


    "I was never good at ying games, Little Pup. I am who I am. I don''t have time for frivolous things like ying games," he says and there''s something in his tone, something that makes me think he''s trying to warn me off of him. It won''t work. "So, you''re wooing me then?" I ask.


    He looks down at me and the intense look in his eyes takes my breath away.


    "I''m going to make you mine tonight, Kennedy. There will be no going back, no second chances. After tonight, you will be mine forever. You will belong to me. You should think about that before we leave here tonight. Because once my mark is on you, I will never allow you to leave me."


    "Well, once my mark is on you, I''ll never allow you to leave me either. So perhaps you should be the one thinking about things before we leave tonight," I say indignantly, my tone expressing my aggravation with his words.


    I''m rewarded with one of his rare smiles. "I''ve done nothing BUT think about it since Raif called you our mate."


    "You''re questioning if you want me as a mate?" I ask quietly.


    His face bes more serious. "Do you remember what I said to you that night


    in the garden on Henry''s eighteenth birthday?"


    "You said men like you are no good for little pups like me. But I disagree."


    I can see the surprise on his face. I''m not sure if it''s because I remembered or because I disagree with him.


    "And do you remember what you said to me after that?" he asks.


    "I said I''m not afraid of you." I remember that night as if it were yesterday. I''ve


    relived it a thousand times in my mind and in my dreams.


    "And you never have been, have you, Little Pup?"


    "No."


    "Why is that? Others are terrified of me. Most people won''t evene close enough to speak to me. But not you. Never you. You always made a point ofing over to talk to me, didn''t you?"


    "You don''t scare me. You never did," I tell him honestly.


    I''m not sure what he would have said, but at that moment, my father begins tapping a ss. He calls Connor and I to the front of the room, wishing us a happy birthday and announcing my brother''s Alpha ceremony in one week.


    "Alpha Quirin, I do hope that you and Kennedy will be here to see her twin take his ce as Alpha of the pack," my father says.


    I know of the animosity between my father and my mate. It''s been there all of my life, and I know why the animosity is there. The only difference is the perspective


    of the man telling the story. I see Quirin ready to decline, but I refuse to miss such a momentous asion for my brother.


    "Of course we''ll be here, father," I say before Quirin can decline.


    "Excellent," he says, not giving Quirin a chance to overrule me. "Now, your mother and I have gifts for the two of you."


    He turns and my mother joins him, handing him a box beforeing to me and handing me a box.


    "Oh mother, you didn''t have to," I say.


    "You''re my daughter. And now, it feels even more important since you''re going to be leaving and starting your own life," she says, with tears in her eyes.


    I hug her, long enough that I hear the ohhs and ahhs from the others gathered around. I''m sure it''s about my brother''s watch. I''ve seen it already and I know it cost a fortune. It''s a rare, very expensive watch that my father felt my brother should have.


    "Thank you, father. Thank you, mother," he says, putting the watch on.


    "Your turn, Kennedy," my father says.


    I smile, looking over at Quirin. I see something like regret on his face, but I''m not sure why he''d be regretful of whatever my parents got me.


    I open the box and it''s a gorgeous diamond ne. "Oh, it''s so beautiful!" I say.


    "Let me put it on you," my mother says. "I knew it would go perfectly with your dress," she says. When it''s sped, I turn and hug her.


    "Thank you!" Then I go to my father and hug him as well. "Thank you!"


    "Of course. Let''s have some cake!" he says, tucking me against his side as he announces cake to the room.


    "Listen, Kennedy. Before you leave, I wanted to tell you ... " my father begins.


    "Kennedy, let''s go have some cake and then we need to think about leaving," Quirin says,ing up behind me. I can feel the tension between the two men, and I can also tell that my father doesn''t want to let me go. He doesn''t trust Quirin to take care of me.


    I pull away from my father. There is no choice for me. Quirin has always been the man I''ve wanted. He is my mate. I''m an Alpha wolf and I love a challenge just like any Alpha. I know that things between me and Quirin won''t always be easy, but I know that there is no one else for me.


    "Yes, Quirin, let''s go get some cake." I take his hand and lead him away from my parents.


    It''s only about an hourter, when Quirin tells me that I need to go pack my things. "Since we''re apparentlying back in a week, just bring what you need for now. I''ll make ns to get a truck and we can bring everything else back next week when we''re here."


    "Okay,¡± I say, starting to get nervous. "I won''t take too long."


    I find my mother, and ask her to help me, before heading upstairs to pack up my


    life. I''m ready to move and leave this pack and my family behind me, ready to start my new life with Quirin, wherever that may lead.

 Chapter 5

    It isn''t until I get to my room that it hits me. My entire life is about to change:


    "Sweetheart, are you okay with this? You can say no. You don''t even have to ept Alpha Quirin as your mate, although, I''m pretty sure that you are happy about being mated to him," my mother says,ing to stand in front of me. "I''ve always loved him, mother," I


    say.


    "I know. I''ve watched you watch him all your life.


    "You have?"


    kind of a mother would I be if I see what others don''t, but I don''t see my own "What kind of a doctor would I be? Wha children. You have always been very dedicated and very driven, Kennedy. You knew from a very early age that you wanted to be a doctor and you''ve never wavered from that. You knew from very early age that you wanted Alpha Quirin, and you''ve never wavered from that either. He''s a tough nut to crack, but if ever there was a nutcracker in this family, it''s you, Kennedy," she says, making meugh. I feel tears pricking my eyes.


    ¡°You''ll have a hard road in front of you. But if you want this, if you really want this, then I know you''ll prevail. MY daughter doesn''t fail. She knows what she wants and she goes for it, no matter how hard the road gets, no matter how long it takes, no matter how much effort she has to put in. She will prevail. So, I''ll ask you again. Is this what you want, Kennedy?"


    "Yes. Yes, he''s what I want. Alpha Harold said that his pack is very different than ours, but... Quirin is very different than father."


    "Yes, he is. I know you''ve seen it in him. I''ve seen it too on rare asions, but there is a softer side to Alpha Quirin. Find that side of him. Make him be that person with you. If you can do that, if he can do that, then I think that the two of you can be happy."


    "Thanks, Mom."


    She pulls back but doesn''t let me go. "If at any time things get too rough, you change your mind for any reason..."


    "I won''t."


    ¡°I know, but I have to say this anyway. It''s what your father wanted to say to you before. You always have a father will always keep you safe, even if it means going against Alpha Quirin."


    "There''s enough animosity between them, Mother. I would never do that, not to Dad or Quirin."


    "Just know, if you ever need us, we''ll be here for you."


    ce here. Your


    "Okay. Nowe on, before Quirin decides we need to leave and I have nothing packed. You know how he hates these types of events."


    "I do," she says, turning to grab my suitcase. "I also know that he''s never missed one where you were the person being celebrated," she says.


    "He''s never missed any," I say distractedly as I look around trying to decide what I want to take with me and beginning to put things in my own small-suitcase.


    "Kennedy, how many of your sister''s and brother''s birthday parties has Alpha Quirin attended?"


    I frown. "He was invited to those?"


    "Every one of them. Just like he was always invited to yours and Connor''s


    "I just assumed he was invited to ours because of Connor being the Alpha heir.¡±


    She shakes her head. "He was invited to all of them. But yours at the only ones lie ever attended, and I don''t think it''s because he was trying to create a bond with Connor."


    I think about that, feeling something warm blossom inside me. Maybe Quirin felt the same pull to me that I felt to him. I know I''m much younger than he is, but maybe....


    "Kennedy, there''s something else I want to disctiss with you," my mother says.. 1 turn and look at her.


    "Tonight, Alpha Quirin will make you his. It''s a wonderful time, sometimes. You''ve been in the hospital long enough that you''ve heard of women who said their first time was good and others who said it was horribly painful. I don''t know what Alpha Quirin''s experience is with women..."


    "I know he''s been with other women," I interrupt.


    "But how many of those women were virgins, Kennedy?" she ask patiently, and I blush.


    "I don''t know what Alpha Harold and Luna Farrah have told him about a woman''s first time and I can''t see Alpha Quirin beingfortable enough to sit through that conversation. So you need to be prepared to make him slow down, take his time with you, so that you don''t tear too badly. If he takes his time, the pain isn''t too bad, and the pleasure makes it worth it. Don''t be surprised if you bleed even the first couple of times, that''s normal. Just try to talk to him first. Try to get him to take it slow the first couple of times. Once your body adjusts and the two of you find what the other likes, it will get better."


    I nod.


    ''Your mate is getting antsy, Ken, my brother''s says in my head.


    "I need to go, Mother."


    The


    "I know," she says, pushing my folded clothes down into the suitcase. "I''m going to miss you. I don''t know what I''ll do everyday without you in the hospital with me," she says, and I hear her voice catch.


    "I''m going to miss you, too," I say, feeling the tears burning my eyes again. She opens her arms and I rush into them.


    you hear me?" she says fiercely. "You be the best friggin doctor any pack has ever seen! Do


    I nod. "I''ve had the best role model in the world!"


    "And when you start taking sses, make sure your on-sites are here. I want to


    see how you''re progressing."


    "Okay," I say, hugging her tightly.


    ¥é¥é


    We grab my suitcases, one for clothes and one for toiletries and I take a final look


    around the room. I''d packed a picture of my family and one that I had from a birthday party years ago that had Quirin in it, That picture had been in pride of ce on my dresser for years.


    When we get downstairs, my brothers and sisters, father, and Quirin are waiting for me. I''m not sure if my father told the others to continue with the party, or if they just didn''t realize that I was leaving. That''s okay, now that I''ve found my mate, the Alphas in the room will be looking for their next possible Luna. My sister, Wendy, should be thrilled. She''s the next oldest Alpha female and will be getting a lot of attention the rest of the evening.


    As we step off thest stair, my father and Quirin step forward to take the suitcase out of my hand. I watch my father grit his teeth but step back, acknowledging that Quirin, as my mate, is now responsible for taking care of me.


    10:49 vrea, Jan TO


    I go around and hug my sisters and brothers, saving Connor for ast. ''You know


    you always have a home here, Ken, he says


    in the mind link.


    I do. Thank you. I''ll see you next week.


    My father hugs me tightly, much longer than normal, almost as he''s afraid to let


    me go.


    "I love you," he says.


    "I love you, too."


    "Are you ready?" Quirin asks me.


    "Yes."


    We walk out to my car.


    "What about your car?" I ask him.


    "Henry drove, so I don''t have a car," he says, putting my suitcases in the trunk as I open my door. I feel the heat of his body at my back as I look at my family once more.


    "Alpha Quirin, I''m trusting you to take care of my daughter," my mother says.


    If he wasn''t standing so close, I''m not sure I''d have noticed the shift in my mate. I know that if those words hade from my father, they would have made Quirin angry. But from my mother...


    "I''ll take care of her, Luna." He says it with absolute sincerity, and I see my father and brother rx.


    I turn and look up at the man that will be wearing my markter tonight.


    "We''ll take care of each other."


    I wave onest time and then get into the passenger seat of my car. Quirin gets


    into the driver''s side, and we pull away fro the packhouse and my family, the only home I''ve ever known.


    I take a deep breath and look at the road ahead. No matter whates my way, I know I can handle it.

 Chapter 6

    Quirin


    While Kennedy was upstairs with her mother, I took the opportunity to give Connor his birthday present. I haven''t given. Kennedy hers yet. I almost don''t want to. Her parents gave her a diamond ne and it looks beautiful on her. My wolf''s head ne looks like a trinket inparison.


    ''I want her wearing my face around her neck,'' Raif growls.


    ''I know. I''ll give it to herter,'' I say. I know Raif won''t allow me to go without giving her our gift, but I''m not giving it to her here in front of everyone. I don''t want to see the sneering looks of the other Alphas. I''m sure their gifts were all expensive. I''d prefer to throw them all away and if any of them are inappropriate, I will. I didn''t spend as much money on Kennedy as I could have. Instead, I gave her something that matters to me and Raif. Hopefully, she''ll understand and appreciate the gesture.


    ''Of course she will,'' Raif says confidently. I''m not so confident.


    "Alpha Quirin, this is extremely generous," Connor says. His gift was purely about money and making a statement about my wealth. As the iing Alpha to this pack, I wanted him to know that I''m powerful in more ways than one.


    "You''re going to be Alpha. Every Alpha could use a start-up fund


    "I... thank you," he says.


    I nod and step away, letting others approach him. Alpha Warren gives me the keys to Kennedy''s car looking like he wants to say something, but wisely chooses to stay quiet. I take the keys and begin to pack the car with her birthday gifts.


    "Dad says we have to help you since Kennedy got so many gifts," Wade, her youngest brother and one of the other set of


    says as hees out carrying several boxes. Right behind him is Yorick, alsoden with gifts.


    "How many presents does she have?" l''ask, wondering if her car is going to be big enough for everything.


    "My sister is well loved by everyone. They all wanted to do something nice for her," Yorick says, as if warning me that I''d better do something nice for his sister. He''s the next oldest son and at sixteen, he''s already got the build of a strong Alpha. He, like Connor, looks just like his father, only he has the grey-green eyes of Luna Yara and Kennedy.


    By the time Kennedyes back downstairs after packing her things, I''m ready to go. If one more person tries to warn me about not being good enough for Kennedy, telling me that I''d better make sure that I''m worthy of her, or any other type of warning, I may have to kill someone. I already know that I''m not good enough for her. I know she deserves better, but I can''t seem to stop myself from epting the undeserving gift that the Moon Goddess has given me.


    When I see her walking down the stairs, everything in me calms. She didn''t try to run; she didn''t change her mind about me while she was upstairs with her mother. I can tell that she''s been crying, but I''ll ask her about that when we''re gone from here. Right now, I''m practically desperate to get her away from all these unmated Alphas and make her mine


    When I step forward to take her bag, her ather does the same. I don''t back down. Kennedy is mine now. Mine to protect and mine to love, even if my love is different from what she''s used to.


    There may be only one person in this world that could give me another warning about Kennedy without me losing my shit. Luna Yara doesn''t exactly warn me though. No, her words are much more powerful to`me. She said she''s putting her trust in me to care for her daughter. The woman who saved my life several years ago is trusting me to care for her daughter like she cared for me. I can''t promise her that I''ll do that. I''m not the same kind of person that Luna Yara is, all glowly and bright. But I do tell her that I will take care of Kennedy, and I will. I will always keep her safe.


    When we get in the car and pull away, I see her watching her family in the rearview mirror and I hear her sigh. I know her father and brother are worried about her. I get it. I''m not exactly friendly with either of them. But just like I would never hurt Luna Yara, I would never, ever hurt Kennedy:


    "What''s on your mind, Little Pup?" I ask her.


    She huffs. "I''ll be d when I give you a pup and you can call them Little Pup instead of me," she grumbles.


    1¼Ò65%•þ


    the


    1 don''t think she understands the tremendous impact that her simple words have on me. I''ve gone years without finding my mate, had basically given up on ever finding her, much less having a pup or heir. When I realized she was my mate tonight, I''d been so overwhelmed with Raif''s pride and possessiveness that pups hadn''t even entered my mind. But now... thought of having little Kennedys running around our packhouse, having a son, my own heir, has me struggling to breathe. Kennedy has just casually handed me a future I never expected to have. The beauty and glow of a future that I don''t know how toprehend or ept. So, my response to her is probably a little sharper than intended.


    "You''ll always be my Little Pup."


    She huffs again. "I''m an adult, you know?"


    "Were you yesterday?" I counter.


    She looks out the window and I feel bad for antagonizing her. I just....I can''t get my hopes up for a future that I may never have and I one that I definitely don''t deserve. Darkness doesn''t get to live in such bright light.


    "Tell me about your pack," she says, changing the subject and surprising me.


    "Our pack now," I say. I want her to ept that she''s mine. That makes her the Luna of our pack. I''ll have to figure out when we can have that ceremony. I''m sure her family will want to attend and while I could give a shit about her father, I would never disrespect Luna Yara that way. I also know it would upset Kennedy to have a ceremony like that without her family in attendance.


    I frown, thinking about the Luna ceremony. I don''t even know what a Luna ceremony is supposed to be like. I''ve never been to one, never had the inclination to go to one. I''m assuming it''s a big deal, but in my pack, we don''t do celebrations like that. We''re fighters. We fight and we celebrate winning and defeating our enemies, that''s it. Because my pack members havee to me over time, I never even had an official Alpha ceremony. I''ve just taken in the rogues as they''vee, had them ept me as their Alpha individually or in small groups and that''s


    it.


    I look over at Kennedy''s dress. It''s a beautiful dress, as bright and shiny as she is. She''ll want a bright and shiny Luna ceremony, I''m sure. I''ll have to talk to Farrah. Maybe she can help me. I wonder how the pack will respond to something like that. I guess it doesn''t matter. I''ll do what Kennedy wants so she can feel like a Luna in her own pack.


    "What do you want to know about them?" I ask her.


    "How many pack members do you ... do we have?" she asks, and I smile at her change in words. I nce over at her when she sees me smiling, I get her beautiful answering smile.


    "One hundred and thirteen. One hundred and fourteen once you ept me as your Alpha, which we''ll do tonight," I tell her. "That''s separate from marking and mating, right?" she asks, timidly.


    "Yes," I say, suddenly realizing that my mate is most likely a virgin Shit! While I''m thrilled that no man has ever touched her, I''ve never been with a virgin before. Intentionally only had sex with women who were older, usually had their own pups and weren''t looking to have one of mine so they could try to force me into a mate bond. That''s not to say I haven''t had my share of Alpha females, probably hoping for a chosen mate bond. But I never slept with a woman more than once and I always used protection. I never wanted them getting attached and never wanted to worry that I had heirs running around that I may or may not know about. I refused to be forced into a mate bond, and I''d never met anyone that I was interested in binding myself to, until tonight.


    "Our pack is a pack of fighters. Every one of them, except me, was a rogue. Although I guess, technically, I was rogue at one time too. They all know how to fight. They all know how to win. They understand the value of protecting what is important to them and us, and that''s our pack."


    She''s just about to say something when we pull up to the gate. I hold up my hand, telling her to wait as I roll down the


    65%


    window.


    "Alpha..." the guard cuts off, seeing Kennedy beside me.


    "Did I miss anything?" I ask.


    "No Alpha, it''s stayed quiet since the attack."


    "Good. Let Beta Kier know that I''ve returned."


    "Yes, Alpha," he says and Iroll up the window and begin driving to the packhouse.


    "When were you attacked?" Kennedy asks as I look around, assessing our borders. Now that Kennedy is here, I need to make sure there are no weaknesses in our defenses.


    "Earlier today," I say, distractedly.


    "WHAT?" she yells.


    "What?" I ask her.


    "You were attacked earlier today, and you didn''t say anything?" she asks, her mouth dropping open. "Are you okay? Are you injured?"


    "I''m sure Raif has healed me by now, Little Pup. You don''t need to worry about me. I''m a strong Alpha and Raif is a strong wolf. But if it will make you feel better, you can look me over yourself when we get to our room," I purr.


    I''m thrilled that Kennedy is worried about me. Very few people in this world have ever worried about me. Since my parents'' deaths, it''s mostly been Alpha Harald, Luna Farrah, and Henry. But knowing that Kennedy is worried about me, not just worried that I''m injured, makes something inside me feel warm and cared for. It''s like her light is shining inside me, and because this feeling is so unusual and so breathtaking, I flirt with her by asking if she wants to look me over in our bedroom. Our bedroom.


    Kennedy, however, doesn''t seem to understand the implications of what I''m asking.


    "Yes. I very much want to look you over and make sure that Raif is healing you,¡±


    she says spiritedly, her eyes already searching my body as if she''ll suddenly see some injury she missed this evening.


    When we pull up to the packhouse, Kier is waiting for me. When he sees Kennedy, he raises an eyebrow.


    "Wee home, Alpha. How was the party?"


    "Festive,¡± I say, putting my hand on Kennedy''s back and guiding her up the stairs. "Have some warriors take everything in the car up to my room," I say.


    I see Kennedy looking at me as if she expects me to introduce her to my Beta. I''d


    rather introduce her to the entire pack all at once, so I step inside, just as several warriors head our way.


    "Wee back, Alpha. Who''s the peach?"

 Chapter 7

    Kennedy


    I''m distracted by the fact that Quirin was in a battle today before he arrived at my party. I had been disappointed when I didn''t see him at first, and it was because he had been fighting.


    Those thoughts are still rolling through my head, reassessing every move he made tonight. When we were dancing, I didn''t notice anything off. I didn''t realize that he might have been injured Some doctor-in-training I am.


    When I first stepped out of the car, I immediately sensed the difference in the feel of this pack. Where my family''s pack feels weing, this pack has a definite feeling of unweeness. They don''t like outsiders here. I wonder if Quirin ever has anyone here to visit. Alpha Harold has been here, as have Luna Farrah and Henry, but I don''t believe that anyone in our family or our pack has ever been invited to Quirin''s pack.


    "Wee home, Alpha. How was the party?" a man asks, I''m assuming this is Beta Kier. He''s looking at me like I''m one of Quirin''s one-night stands. I expect Quirin to introduce me, but instead he tells his Beta to have everything sent up to his room. Since he was clear that this is OUR pack, I''m wondering if he''s nning on the two of us having separate rooms. My parents always shared a room. Always. I can''t imagine not sharing a room with him.


    I''m still not sure what it means that he hasn''t introduced me to his Beta when the warriors walk up and one, in particr, looks me over like he thinks he''ll get his chance with me after Quirin is done with me.


    "Who''s the peach?" he asks.


    Faster than a viper''s strike, Quirin has the man by his throat and off his feet. The man''s eyes go wide as Quirin growls a low, angry growl that is somehow more menacing than a snarl because of its controlled fury. It promises a slow, painful death from someone capable of such violence, and someone who revels in it.


    "That ''peach'' is your future Luna," he growls. I hear the gasps and then the judgmental looks from the warriors and even the Beta. I realize that while I''m dressed in a bright sparkly dress with diamonds around my neck, everyone here is dressed in utilitarian clothing, all browns, cks, and dark greys. I stand out like a sore thumb. The only thing that would have made me more of a ''peach'' is if my dress was the color of the fruit.


    I reach out and put my hand on Quirin''s arm. "He didn''t know who I was, Quirin. You haven''t introduced me yet. I''m sure he thought I was another one of your one-night stands," I say, watching as the man''s face begins to turn an ugly purplish color. I also notice that my mate''s arm isn''t even shaking with the effort of holding this veryrge man off the ground.


    "Excuse me?" he asks, looking at me as if he''s surprised that I know this.


    I just raise an eyebrow at him, daring him to deny it. He shakes his head and turns back to the man who is still struggling to breathe in his hand.


    "Your lucky your new Luna hasn''t taken offense and is willing to give you another chance, ter. But if you ever disrespect my mate again, I''ll kill you," he says. Rather than letting him go, he moves his arm,,basically setting ter aside while still holding him off the floor as he looks at the room that has gone deathly quiet.


    "This is Kennedy Hill, your new Luna," he announces to the room.


    "Hill? As in the daughter of Alpha Warren Hill?" someone asks.


    "That''s correct," he says. If it''s possible, the looks I''m getting be even more judgmental and definitely more disturbing. Apparently, Quirin''s dislike for my father is well known in this pack.


    18K 79%


    "She''s also the daughter of Lana Yara Hill,¡± he rifies as if that will make a difference. Based on the looks I''m getting, it doesn''t.


    He finally turns to ter, setting him on the ground. "Now apologize to your Luria.¡±


    He releases his throat and ter sucks in a breath. "Sorry, Luna, he grumbles.


    I can tell that he''s not happy about having to apologize to me. I''m not sure if that has more to do with the public embarrassment or because I am my father''s daughter.


    "Apology epted." I say quietly. I''ve never felt so ufortable in my life. I''m pretty sure that this is the worst possible first impression that I could have made on my new pack.


    Quirin turns to his Beta. "Kier is there anything pressing?"


    "No, Alpha."


    "I''m going to give my mate a tour of the packhouse and then we''ll be in my room. After the car is unpacked, I don''t want to be disturbed unless we''re attacked."


    "Yes, Alpha, Beta Kier and the warriets say, continuing outside to get my things. "Yes, Alpha, Beta Kier and the warriets sa


    "Come on. I''ll give you a quick tour," he


    says to me.


    "Maybe I should change," I say, feeling very overdressed.


    "We won''t be long," he says, taking my hand and beginning to lead me around the packhouse.


    My level of difort only increases with every room we enter as people stare, looking me over 8 if assessing my worth and finding mecking. I try to pay attention to what Quirin is saying, but I''m distracted.


    "Kennedy," he says insistently, as if he''s said my name several times and I haven''t responded.


    "What?"


    "I said, is there anything else you''d like to see tonight? The is unpacked,


    ? car


    "Oh, sure. That''s fine." Anything to get me out of the limelight.


    1, we can head upstairs now."


    He leads me to the stairs, and I realize that everyone is standing around and openly staring.


    "Goodnight," I say.


    Quirin looks at me, then at everyone else. "Goodnight everyone he says sternly. His tone has everyone scattering.


    "Will you be in warrior training tomorrow, Alpha, or should I n to run it?" Kier asks him.


    He looks at me for a long moment. "I''m not sure. n to run it just in case."


    "Will do. Sleep well," he says but not before I see the smile on his face.


    I blush, suddenly realizing that the entire packhouse knows what we''re about to


    do. Is that why everyone was staring at me? Quirin leads me up the stairs to the Alpha floor.


    10:30 Mon, Jan 20 G *


    "Are you putting me in my own room?" I ask him, wondering about his word choice earlier.


    "Why the hell would I do that? You''re my mate. You sleep in my bed."


    Wouldn''t that make it our bed?" I ask him.


    He looks down at me and I get that glimpse of a smile from him, Yes, our bed. Come on, I had food sent up for us. You didn''t cat anything tonight. I want to talk


    to you, and I want you to ept me as your Alpha. Then we can move on to other things"


    When he opens the door, his scent surrounds me like a warm nket. My eyes


    roll closed and I gasp as my head falls back and I breathe in his scent as liquid heat goes straight to my core


    I hear a very possessive growl and open my eyes, struggling to get the


    unexpected desire under control.


    "Your room smells really good," 1 pant, trying hard not to moan.


    He strokes a finger down my exposed throat, before leaning in and gently kissing


    my neck. My entire body shivers with need and desire.


    He growls again as he kisses my throat, his arms going around me. I rx, holding on to him and letting him have my submission as Echo loudly purrs her agreement at our submission and his attention. His body is hard, sculpted muscle against mine, evidence of his strength. When he pulls back, he nips at my throat, epting my submission before releasing


    1. me.


    "You are a temptress," he says, his eyes narrowing.


    "I''m your temptress, now," I say, kiting my lip.


    "Yes, you are,¡± he growls again.


    "Come. You need to eat. And we really do need to talk. But first, I want you to ept me as your Alpha."


    I nod.


    "Do you know the words?"


    "I do. Do you have a knife?" I ask him.


    He extends a w, letting it hover over his hand.


    "I, Alpha Kennedy Hill, ept you, Alpha Quirin Harris, as my mate and Alpha," I say. His gaze holds mine as he slices the palm of his hand and holds it out to me.


    I take his hand in both of mine, looking down to see that the wound is already healing. Raif is just as strong as Quirin look up and hold his gaze as I lick the blood, and a momentter I feel the link to my old pack snap, and my mental connection to Quirin snap into ce.


    As well as I thought I knew Quirin, I''m still not prepared for the emotions inside of him. His mind is strong, just like his body and his wolf. But it''s cold, hard, and dark, like the sharp edge of a sword. If I''m not careful, that sharp de could cut


    me to pieces.


    I wonder if this is what Quirin meant all those years ago when he told me that I should be afraid of him. He''s lethal, my mate, not just physically, but also mentally.


    TU.30 Mon, Jan 20

 Chapter 8

    Quirin


    I don''t remember ever being this nervous in my life. I''m trying to push it down by acting rxed and maintaining a calm demeanor in front of the pack. But inside, my stomach is twisting in knots. I knew I''d always been drawn to Kennedy, always enjoyed her presence more than nearly anyone else in my life. But now, I get to make her mine. This sweet, beautiful woman is mine. And I''m terrified that I''m going to lose control tonight and tear her apart.


    When she says goodnight to the pack, I look around, suddenly realizing that everyone is watching us. I don''t know if it''s the surprise that I''ve returned with their Luna or if they feel my own unease, but I don''t like worrying that anyone in my pack is thinking of challenging me for my Alpha position or my mate. Thankfully when I bark my own goodnight to them, they scatter like ants.


    I have no idea where Kennedy got the idea that we were going to have separate rooms. My parents did but I have no desire to sleep in a room that doesn''t smell like Kennedy. Maybe because my parents weren''t fated mates it was different for them. But I want her body pressed up against mine every night. I want to wake up with her citrus and mint scent in my nose every morning. So, there''s no way in hell I''m agreeing to separate rooms.


    As soon as we walked into my room, our room, her entire body responded. I was already struggling with mine and Raif''s desire for her, but the moment she moaned, I lost the battle. Raif growled possessively while my cock went so hard I thought it might crack. Then she let her head fall back and all I wanted to do was sink my canines into her pretty little neck and bury myself in her warth, wet heat.


    I thought for sure when I ran my finger down her throat, she''d regain her senses. Not only did she not stop submitting to me, but she and Echo seemed perfectly happy to do it. I had nearly gotten carried away kissing her neck. I have to keep reminding myself that my mate is a virgin. I can''t press her against the wall and bury my cock inside her like I''m desperate to do. I pull back before I lose control of myself and Raif and do what I''m trying so hard not to do- tear her apart. Temptress indeed. She has no idea how tempting she is and the danger she''s putting herself in by stoking the fire that is already burning inside me.


    Thankfully, I ordered food up to our room. I need some time and space from Kennedy so I can get control of myself. I''ve never had any trouble being in absolute control, but right now, I feel like Kennedy is taking everyst ounce of it. The other thing I''m desperate to do is hear her thoughts. I need to know that she wants to be here, that she isn''t afraid of me. I don''t care if the rest of the fucking world fears me, but I don''t want Kennedy to ever fear me. So, I have her agree to ept me as her Alpha before we eat. I need to know that she understands exactly what marking and mating entails and that she''s truly ready for this. If she''s not, I''ll have to put Raif and my cock on ice until she is, but I''ll do it. I don''t want her to fear me because I pushed her too far, too fast.


    As soon as she says the words and licks my blood, it''s like the sun bursts through the clouds pushing my darkness aside and epassing me in her warm glow. Kennedy isn''t like me. She doesn''t hide her thoughts or her emotions keeping them under tight control. Instead, I can feel her love for me, spreading throughout my mind and body. I can feel that she''s loved me for years. This sweet woman fell in love with an angry, dark man when she was still a young girl. She''s always loved me. Only me. The thought both thrills me and terrifies me. The small part of my brain that was willing to let her go if she told me she didn''t want me dissolves. No one else can ever bask in the loving glow of this woman. That pleasure, that bliss, is reserved for me and me alone.


    I feel her shock when her bright light sts through my darkness. She knew I was dark, but unless you''re inside my head, you''d never know just how dark. Even now, I''m not showing her everything about me. There are still shadows where her light is shining. But she''s finally getting a good understanding of who I really am.


    I sense the first hint of fear in her, and I don''t like it. She told me years ago that she wasn''t afraid of me and she never has been. Not once, until now.


    TU JU


    1


    I reach out and stroke her cheek. "You don''t ever need to fear in Kennedy. I will nevery a hand on you in anger. I will never let anyone hurt you. I know I''m not what you''re used to But you''ve gone your entire life not being afraid of me. Don''t start now. Please," I say.


    There are very few things in life that are worth pleading for in my opinion. But Kennedy''s trust in me is definitely one of


    them.


    "I know you would never hurt me,¡± she says, and I feel her push her fear away, trusting that I''m still the man she''s always known. I am, she just didn''t know me as well as she will by tomorrow.


    "Let''s get some food and you can tell me what those tears were about carlier," I say, taking her hand and leading her to the table.


    "What tears?" she asks. I can tell she doesn''t think I know that she was crying when she packed her things at her pack. "When you came down the stairs with your mother and your bags, you''d been crying. What were those tears about?" I pull the domes off the two tes of food and hand one to her, waiting for her


    answer.


    She pushes her food around for a moment before answering, but I can hear her putting her answer together in her head before she speaks. I realize that she''s moderating her response for me. She doesn''t want me to know how sad she was to leave her family, especially the times she used to spend with her mother.


    "Honesty, Kennedy. I wantplete honesty between us. I don''t ever want to worry that you''re keeping things from me, and I want you to know that I''ll always tell you the truth, even if it''s a truth that you don''t want to hear."


    She nods and swallows hard. I can feel her emotionsing back to the surface, the sadness.


    "It was hard leaving. Everything and everyone that I''ve ever known lives in that pack. My bedroom my family, my friends, my life, it was all there. And now, I''m starting over in a ce where I don''t know anyone. I''m not yet a Luna, but I am your mate. I don''t know what you or the pack expects of me. I already think I made a bad impression..."


    "How so?" I ask, genuinely confused.


    She frowns at me. ¡°Quirin, you nearly killed one of your pack members over me before we even stepped foot in the packhouse. And then, well, just look at me," she says, gesturing at the beautiful dress she''s wearing. I get a glimpse of her thoughts, that she''d gotten this dress specifically for me because of ament I made about her eyes. But then it shifts to thinking it was a bad idea and that I must think that she''s nothing more than a silly, stupid girl.


    "Kennedy, I''ve done nothing BUT look at you from the moment your party guests got out of my way and I could see you. You''re the most beautiful woman I''ve ever seen and that dress... that dress ents your eyes perfectly. I love your eyes. I always have. They''re a beautiful shade of green. I''ve barely been able to tear my eyes away from you all night."


    It''s the truth, the honest truth that I promised her. But I wasn''t expecting her response or my desire to make her respond like that all the time. I swear I felt her give her heart to me even more than before. I''m already bing addicted to her gentle sweetness and love..


    "I don''t want you to feel lonely here. I won''t say you don''t have to be careful. We do get attacked periodically but there is no ce that is off limits to you on the packnds. In addition, I''m sure you''ll make friends here. It will just take time."


    I can see and feel that she doesn''t believe me. But Kennedy is an outgoing young woman. I''m sure she''ll make friends, and she and Echo can explore the packnds. I think my packnds are beautiful, and I''ve expanded them since I''ve been Alpha to include ake and more recently an overhang that looks out over a valley. That was more for providing protection on that border, but it happens to have a beautiful overlook as well.


    10:30 Mon, Jan 20GE.


    1 tap her te with my fork, encouraging her to eat.


    3


    She pushes her food around and if I wasn''t so focused on her thoughts that I''d have missed it. She''s hiding something from me, something that is upsetting her. "Kennedy?" I ask her.


    She looks at me and shakes her head, unwilling to tell me.


    "Honesty, remember?" I ask her. Whatever it is, I can''t make it right if I don''t know what it is..


    "It''s nothing."


    "If it were nothing, then you''d have no problem telling me what it is."


    She looks up at me and narrows her eyes at me. "Are you always his invasive in your pack''s minds?" she asks.


    "No. For the most part, I don''t care what they''re thinking as long as they remain true to me and the pack. But with you, I want to know everything that you''re thinking, what you''re feeling, especially right now since we''ve just found out that we''re mates. There''s a lot for you to process, a lot to take in, and a lot that is changing in your life very quickly. It''s important to me to know that you''re.okay, tonight especially because of what tonight means," I tell her.


    She blushes a beautiful shade of pink, before sighing and setting her fork down.


    "Why didn''t you get me a birthday gift? You get me one every year. I always look forward to them. But you didn''t get me a gift this year and I was just wondering why you didn''t," she says.


    I can feel her hurt. She thinks it wasn''t important enough for me to get her a gift, which couldn''t be farther from the truth.


    I get up from the table and go to where I dropped my jacket when we came in. I


    pull the box out and look at it then turn. I told her we''d be honest, so I will be.


    "I didn''t think you''d like it after wh


    your parents got you," I say


    She stares at the box in my hands. "You did get me a gift?"


    "Of course I did. It''s your birthday. Your eighteenth birthday. That''s a special birthday," I say softly, handing her the box. "I''m sorry it''s not... well, open it," I say shrugging.


    She unwraps the box and opens it, staring at the ne that I had made especially for her. I feel the swell of emotions in her and I''m so d that I waited until she epted me as her Alpha for her to open this gift. Otherwise, I might not have believed how much this ne means to her.


    When she looks up at me, there are tears in her eyes and I can see that Echo has pushed forward. "Is this Raif?"


    I smile, as Raif pushes forward, both of us pleased that she realized what it is.


    "Yes, my little mate, that is me. I wanted to see you wearing my head around your neck," Raif tells them.


    "He was very insistent about it," I say to her, watching as she strokes her thumb over it.


    "Is there a reason you chose diamonds for the eyes?" she asks.


    "It''s your birthstone, and it went well with the onyx and pewter of Raif''s head," I


    say as she looks up at me.


    10:31 Mon, Jan 20G.


    "You know my birthstone?"


    "I know everything there is to know about you, Little Pup," I say, smiling when I


    feel her aggravation about the name.


    It''s not exactly true. I don''t know everything there is to know about her. Not yet anyway. But by tomorrow, there won''t be a single part of her mind or body that I


    won''t know intimately.


    1


    Send gift


    AD


    No Ads


    EFELEYK<0000 10

 Chapter 9

    Kennedy


    "Will you put it on me?" I ask, barely able to drag my eyes away from the


    ne. Kaif wanted his image around my neck, even before he knew that he was my mate. It would be one thing for him and Quirin to have gotten this for me if they''d known I was their mate. But not knowing, if I had been mated to someone else, that person would never have wanted me to wear another man''s wolf around my neck.


    I''m not sure what it means, except, maybe Quirin or Raif was feeling the mate bond before today.


    When he doesn''t answer, I look up to see him frowning.


    "It''ll get tangled in the ne that your parents got you," he says.


    "I''ll take that one off," I say, getting up and walking over to where he''s sitting. I sit


    on the edge of his chair and wait for him to remove the ne.


    When his fingers graze over the back of my neck to unhook the sp, I gasp at the sensations that run through me. It''s like an electric jolt that goes straight to my core making me ache in ways I''m unfamiliar with.


    ''I bet he knows how to ease that ache," Echo purrs in my head.


    I''m sure he does. He''s not the novice that I am when ites to this type of intimacy.


    "Stand up," he says, his voice deeper than normal. I do as he says and then he stands behind me. I wait and then shiver again when I feel his warm lips press against my spine. The diamond ne that my parents gave me slides down one side of my neck and I capture it before hereleases the other side.


    "Here," I say, my voice barely above a whisper as I hand him the ne he got


    me.


    His fingers slide around my neck and liquid heat begins to pool deep inside me. "We need to talk," he says softly.


    I nod and turn, looking up at him. His low, possessive growl is all the confirmation


    I need that Raif looks good on my neck. Quirin reaches up to rub his thumb over the pendant.


    "What do you know of the mating process, Kennedy?" he asks me, his eyes moving up to mine.


    "I know that your penis will go into my vagina and that I will most likely tear and bleed, possibly for a couple days. I kno that if you go slow, it makes it easier on me. I know that while you''re inside me, you''ll also insert your canines into my neck, and I''ll do the same with you. Our wolves will inject the other with their venom, changing our scents andbining them so that I smell like you and you smell like me."


    "That''s a very clinical response to something that is anything but clinical," he says, beginning to pull thebs and pins from my hair.


    1


    0


    "I''m not a gentle man, Kennedy. I don''t know how to be gentle. I don''t want to hurt you and I''m d you know that this first time will hurt. But I''ve never been with a virgin before. I''m used to being able to be as rough as I want with my partner. I''m going to try to make this first time good for you, but you need to know that going slow, and being gentle aren''t who I am. Unlike other times for me, I''m struggling to maintain control of myself and Raif. That''s never happened to me before, so I need you to tell me if I hurt you. I don''t want this to hurt, but I''m not sure how we canplete our bond without hurting you."..


    "I understand," I say, thrilled that he''s saying that this time is different for him. I''m d to know that I''m making him lose control. I know my emotions feel unmanageable and the more he touches me, the more I feel like I''m spiraling out of control.


    "I don''t think you do, not yet anyway," he says, putting the pins side and running


    his fingers through my hair. It gets stuck because of the hairspray used to keep it in ce.


    "I have a brush..."


    He holds me as I start to move to my bag. "Before you get it, let''s take this dress off. I want you to befortable being naked in front of me. I think that will make things easier."


    1 nod, feeling nervous excitement in my stomach. I''m d I didn''t eat much. I''m not sure it would have digested well if I had. I turn and hold my hair aside while he slowly unzips my dress. The feel of his fingers sliding down my back has me practically panting.


    "I love how responsive you are to me," he says, kissing my shoulder.


    "I like the way you touch me," I say emboldened by his request for us to always be honest.


    I''m wearing a simple white strapless bra with matching bikini bottoms. When he slides the dress down my body, I step out of it, and then turn around, unable to meet his gaze. I know that most werewolves are used to nudity. Most of my family is, being the warriors that they are. But I''m not a warrior. I''ve spent all of my life in the hospital with my mother, learning how to care for others. So, I''m unused to being naked in front of others, especially the man who I''ve loved all my life.


    He slides a finger under my chin and tilts my head up so I''m forced to look him in the eye. Then he takes his time, looking over my body while I blush brightly.


    "You''re beautiful. But I already knew that. Get your brush, I''ll brush your hair while you adjust to wearing so little around me," he says, releasing my chin.


    "What about you? Are you going to take your clothes off too?" I ask. "Would you like me to?"


    I nod.


    "Alright. Go get your brush," he says. I go to my bag and while I search for my brush, I hear him removing his clothes. I find my brush and take a deep breath before turning back to him. Rather than leaving his underwear, or boxers, or whatever he wears under his pants on, he''s naked and very, very aroused.


    "Oh," I say, unable to pull my eyes away from hisrge, erect penis. It so muchrger than I thought it would be.


    "Kennedy," he says and when I look at him, he crooks his finger at me.


    I walk over and hand him the brush.


    "Turn around."


    I do and he begins brushing out my hair. I can feel the heat of his body against my back, and I''m close enough that I can feel his hard length against my backside.


    When he''s done, he runs his fingers through my hair with one hand and the other


    I feel at my back a moment before my bra falls away.


    "Lean back against me," he says.


    I do as he says and his handse around to my breasts, cupping them and


    teasing my nipples making heat drip between my thighs.


    He growls softly, sniffing the air as the scent of my arousal fills the room.


    "I love the way you smell," he says, pulling my hair away from my neck before


    kissing it while still teasing my nipples.


    "Quirin," I gasp.


    "Mmmm, you can say that all night."


    I nod. "Yes, Quirin."


    His growl deepens and he slides his hands over my stomach and inside my panties. Then he pulls away, sliding them down my body. I step out of them and he drops them beside us before returning to stand behind me.


    One hand returns to my breast while the other slides down my stomach and between my soaked lower lips. He growls louder and he presses his body against mine. "Damn Kennedy, you''re so fucking wet for me."


    "Yes, Quirin," I gasp, because he seems to like that.


    He begins rubbing circles over my clit while teasing my nipple. I begin panting, my body shivering with the pleasure he''s giving me.


    "Hold on to me," he says.


    I reach up, grabbing on to his strong, muscr arms, holding tightly as my body begins to quiver, Aising to the peak of pleasure where I feel like I might shatter.


    His arms are tight against me, holding me to him. When the orgasm rips through me, I cling to him, my body jerking from the pleasure.


    "Yes, Quirin!" I yell, my eyes close tight as my body explodes with pleasure. I can hear Quirin growling in my ear, feel the vibrations of his growl through my body as he helps me to ride out the orgasm and slowly bring me back down.


    "Now it''s time to make you mine," he growls, scooping me into his arms and carrying me to the bed.


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift


    No Ads

 Chapter 10

    Quirin


    When she gave me her clinical overview of what she expects sex and marking to be, there was one part of her words that I''ve been holding on to. The slower I go, the easier it is for her.


    It''s been my mantra since she said it. I''ve been drilling it into my own head and Kaif''s as well. He''s not any gentler than I am. I''ve warned her but I don''t like the idea of her tearing and bleeding and she seemed so passive.about it, as if pain during sex, or at least this first time, is normal.


    But then she had to start saying, ''Yes, Quirin'', as if those words weren''t the words I''ve heard in my wet dreams for thest year or longer. Only I had no idea how sweet my name would sounding from her mouth.


    I wanted her to feel good, to know that I can make her feel good and fuck, her body responds to my touch unlike anything I''ve ever experienced with another woman. Her sweet surrender to me, leaning against me and holding on to me while I made here in my arms has been my undoing.


    I need her and I need her now.


    I carry her to the bed, pulling the nkets down andying her in my bed. I''m so hard it''s almost painful having listened to and felt hering in my arms.


    There is no fear in her. I smell nothing but her citrus and mint scent and it''s making my head spin with need and desire. I crawl over top of her, nudging her legs apart. My canines have alreadye out, I''m so desperate to make her mine.


    "I can''t kiss you. I''ll cut your lips," tell her as I settle myself between her thighs, so warm and inviting. When the tip of my cock slides through her soaking wet heat, I groan out loud.


    "I need you to say it, Kennedy. Say you want me to make you mine."


    "Make me yours, Quirin, and I''ll make you mine," she says, lifting her neck for me and blowing away thest of my restraint.


    I thrust forward, sliding into her wet heat, filling her as I grip the bed sheets beside her. Pure, raw pleasure unlike anything I''ve ever felt in my life fills me, like the sun is shining inside me and sting away all my darkness like a beacon. I lift my head to the ceiling, roaring as my body shoots off with an orgasm so strong that I feel like I might ck out.


    I growl, sliding in and out of her, unused to such warmth, such ecstasy, as I continue toe. My cock stays hard and I lean my head against Kennedy''s, licking the spot on her neck where my mark will go. I can feel Raif''s venom already dripping from my canines, as desperate to make her ours as I am.


    "MINE!" I snarl and sink my canines into her marking spot. I hear her sweet moan a moment before her body mps down on mine, the walls of her pussy milking my cock and making mee again.


    I continue thrusting, unable to stop as my body jerks with pleasure and release.


    "I love you, Quirin," her sweet voice says a moment before Echo sinks her canines into our marking spot.


    I didn''t think the pleasure I was feeling could get any more intense. But when I feel the mate bond snap into ce, feel Kennedy''s emotions, her pride and happiness at me being hers, her love and adoration for me, only me, it has my body shooting off again.


    I roar again, but this time, the sound is muted by my mouth against her neck as Raif continues to greedily flood her system


    Chapter III


    with his venom. Echo is doing the same and both of our bodies continue to contract with pleasure.


    I have no idea how long we stay like this, the venom of our wolves keeping both of us on this orgasmic high.


    79%0


    When we both finally start toe down, I slide my canines out of her neck, much more gently than I sank them in. Raif licks the spot on her neck, having to go over it several times to seal the wounds after tugging against her skin and flesh with the force of my orgasms.


    1 pant, holding still until Echo pulls her canines out of me, licking my wound closed. It isn''t until I lift my head away from her neck that I smell it. The saltiness of tears.


    I lift up quickly to look at her and I can see that her face is streaked with tears. I''d been so self-absorbed with at being in her light, feeling it surrounding me, that I hadn''t even noticed that I''d been hurting her. "Kennedy..." I begin, and she smiles at me. Smiles, like I didn''t just lose control during her first time. "I..."


    And then I smell it. Blood.


    Now that the tion of being inside her is wearing off, I can feel the pain inside her.


    "I hurt you, I say.


    "It''s okay..."


    my own tion


    "No, it''s not!" I growl. I start to pull out of her roughly, only to stop when she hisses


    in pain. I can feel how sore she is


    I slow my pace, unable to look at her as I pull myself out of her. I knew she deserved better than me. She deserved for her first time to special, not something like this, like an animal ravaging her body.


    "I told you I didn''t know how to be gentle," I growl, furious with myself and Raif for causing her this level of pain.


    "Quirin, it''s okay. I knew it would hurt..."


    She stops


    when I growl again. Now that I''ve slid out of her, I can see that the sheet beneath her is covered in blood. She tore and then I just kept plowing into her like the fucking savage that I am. The darkness that usually surrounds me returns. Only this time, it feels so much darker after having been in the glow of her light.


    I practically leap off of her.


    "Quirin?"


    I can''t look at her. She''s still bleeding, even now.


    "Let''s get you into a bath," I say, turning away from her. I hear her start to get up. Just stay there. I''ll get it ready for you," I say to her without turning to look at her.


    I go into the bathroom and turn on the water in the tub, making sure that it''s warm, but not too hot. I turn, looking at myself in the mirror, not recognizing the man there. How did I lose control like that? How did I not realize I was hurting her? I''m terrified to open the bond and feel her emotions. I can only imagine the regret that she''s feeling for epting me as her mate. I can''t take that right now and can''t face that level of rejection after what I just experienced. So I leave the bond closed. Raif is silent, also feeling the regret of hurting our mate. He''s as much to me as I am. We both lost control.


    When the tub is mostly filled, I shut off the water and turn. It''s only then that I realize that Kennedy''s blood is coating my cock, my cock that is still partially hard because her scent is all over me. I hurt her, tore her, plowed into her, and my body


    von, Jan zu


    still wants more. What kind of an animal am I?


    The worst kind.


    1 get a washcloth and quickly wash the blood off me. Then I go back out into the bedroom and see Kennedy lying right where I left her. Only now, she''s pulled a sheet over her body to over herself. I''m sure she feels vulnerable. I practically ripped her in half.


    Carefully, as gently as I possibly can, I pull the sheet back and lift her into my


    arms.


    "Let''s get you into the bath," I say. I begin walking to the bathroom, unwilling to meet her gaze as she tries to catch mine.


    102


    "I''ll heal, Quirin. I''m an Alpha female. Echo is a strong wolf. I''ll heal. I knew this was to be expect..."


    Her words cut off as I lower her into the tub, and she hisses with the pain of the water touching her sensitive body. I can feel the spike of pain in her, feel it through the Alpha connection-even though I''ve got my side of the mate bond closed off. That''s how sore she is, how much I hurt her.


    "You soak, I''ll be right back," I say, walking out to the bedroom and stripping the sheets off the bed. I can''t stand the thought of ever using these sheets again, the sheets where I tore my little mate apart.


    I walk out of the room to the banister, looking down over the pack. There are a lot of smirks from my pack members. I''m sure everyone heard my roar of pleasure. It makes me sick to think that I was so caught up in my own pleasure that I didn''t realize how much I was hurting her.


    "Burn these!" I say, tossing the sheets down to the main floor. My tone has the smirks disappearing. "Send someone up to put new sheets on the bed. NOW!" Imand. My anger at myself tainting my tone.


    "Yes, Alpha!"


    I go back into my room, looking around. I quickly pick Kennedy''s dress off the floor where I left it in a crumpled heap. I move her diamond ne to the nightstand so she can put it awayter and then I collect her undergarments, not wanting my omegas to see them.


    When they knock on the door, I let them in and then return to the bathroom to check on Kennedy. She''s got a washcloth and is gently cleaning herself, the blood turning the water pink.


    "Here, let me put fresh water in the tub," I say, pulling the plug and turning the faucets back on.


    "Who was at the door?" she asks.


    "I have them changing the sheets. I don''t want you sleeping in your own blood."


    "Okay,¡± she says, and I can tell she''s trying to understand my emotions. I doubt she could. Even I''m struggling with the level of self-loathing I''m feeling right now.


    I don''t want to taint her beautiful sunshine with my darkness.


    I grab a towel and help her to stand when she''s done, then I wrap her in it and carry her back to our bedroom where the bed has been made with clean sheets. I


    hate that they don''t smell like her, but hopefully they will by tomorrow.


    I carefullyy her down, drying her off before setting the towel aside.


    "Do you want something to wear?"


    When she doesn''t answer, I''m forced to look at her.


    TUOT


    "Not if you''re going to keep me warm," she says softly.


    It''s the very least I can do, so I nod, then walk around to the other side of the bed.


    I crawl in beside her, pulling the nkets up over us and then wrapping myself


    around her to keep her warm.


    "Good night, Quirin," she says softly.


    "Good night, Little Pup." Iy awake long after she falls asleep in my arms.


    In the early morning hours, I make a decision. I won''t have sex with Kennedy again until I''m sure that I can control my emotions around her. Until then, Raif and


    I will just have to suffer..


    1


    ô~

 Chapter 11

    Kennedy


    I wake up alone. At first, I''m disoriented, not recognizing the room I''m in. Then, it alles back to me. My birthday, Quirin, returning to his pack,pleting our bond.


    I smile, shifting and feeling the soreness that still lingers between my thighs. I knew my first time would hurt. I''ve worked in the hospital, been around my mother talking to young she-wolves all my life. So, I knew there would be pain. What I hadn''t expected was the intense pleasure of that woulde first from Raif''s venom, and then from feeling Quirin''s emotions.


    I''d felt his awe, his pride, his pleasure at being mated to me, at being inside me. I''d felt his desperate need to make me his. I''d also felt that he doesn''t feel worthy of having me for a mate and his guilt at what he considers selfishness by iming me. If that makes him selfish, I guess we both are.


    Yes. I''d felt the sting of my body tearing when he''d first entered me. But after that, the pleasure that shot through my entire body was so strong, that I didn''t even remember the pain and definitely didn''t know that I was bleeding.


    I don''t know if everyone has continual orgasms; long, strong, powerful pleasure bombs that just continue to explode in your body, making you feel almost separated from your physical self. It was the most intense, pleasurable experience I''ve ever had.


    Until it wasn''t.


    I think at first it was because of the pain, but then it was because of the beauty of our I hadn''t realized that I was cryin mating. I''d struggled to grasp the pure ecstasy of connecting to Quirin and Raif. It was so beautiful, so intense, that the tears had continued to drip down my


    I think the tears could have been exined away, but then Quirin smelled the blood and that''s when his mind had closed off


    to me. I''d felt the anger, the darkness inside of him flooding back in, and he''d shut me out, not letting me feel it.


    I wanted to talk to him, to tell him


    I was okay, but he would barely look at me. Hopefully, we can talk today and I can


    let him know that I''m healing. Echo is a strong wolf. She and I were both prepared for this.


    "You''ll bepletely healed by tomorro


    can make us feel, I''m all for it,'' Echo


    says.


    at thetest. But if Quirin and Raif want to show us again tonight how good they


    I close my eyes and stretch, thinking about experiencing that incredible high again.


    ''It was worth tearing to feel that, don''t you think Echo?'' I ask her


    ght to feel that. But once we''re used to him being inside us can you


    ''Beyond worth it. I''d be willing to tear like that every night imagine how much better it will be?'' she asks me,


    mor


    I can''t, but that just means that he should be inside me often. That way, I''ll adjust


    to him even faster and then there will be only pleasure.


    I feel something on the pillow beside me and turn, seeing a note from Quirin.


    ''Little Pup,''


    I''m seriously starting to hate that title.


    Maybe he put a little pup inside usst night and we can give him someone else


    to call Little Pup, just like you told him we


    would, Erho says.


    I love my woll. She''s so smart.


    Thank you,'' she smirke.


    1 look back at the note again.


    Little Pup.


    I know you must be sore. I could still smell blood on you this morning, so I didn''t wake you for warrior training. Why don''t you take some time to unpack and get settled in our room and I find youter.


    Yours,


    I rub my thumb over the ''Yours''. He IS mine. I''ve wanted this man for as long as I can remember and now, he''s really, truly


    mine.


    I look back up at thement about ''warrior training. I need to talk to Quirin about that. He mentioned it when we arrivedst night, and I didn''t have a chance to tell him that I haven''t participated in warrior training since I got out of pup ss.


    I know the basics, but I''m not a warrior by any means.


    I decide to shower and wash my hair, anxious to get the residual hairspray out of


    it. I grab my toiletries bag and unpack my things, finding space where I can in the bathroom.


    When I''m done, I look at the room. My bags and my presents are all set against one wall. The gifts remind me of Quirin''s present and I smile, reaching up to sp the pendant of Raif''s image that I''m still wearing around my neck.


    I walk over and open my suitcase, looking for something to wear today. I hear my phone ping and I search for it, not remembering where I left it. I finally find my clutch purse near the loveseat in the bedroom, lying on the floor. I open it and get my phone which I''ll need to charge once I find my charger.


    I open the screen and see a


    ext from Connor.


    Connor: Hello, my twin. I''m checking up on you to see how you''re doing. I know Dad is desperate to hear that you''re okay, but he won''t call. I, on the other hand, have no such qualms about checking on you. How are you? Are you okay? Me: I''m good. Well, better than


    good. I''m a marked and mated woman now.


    Connor: And you''re happy? I know you''ve always wanted Quirin But it''s different loving someone from afar versus giving yourself to them.


    Me: I''m very happy. And I''m excited to see you next weekend.


    Connor: I''m d to hear you''re happy. And speaking of next weekend, thank you for my birthday present. I love it and so does Bosche. Have you opened mine?


    I''d gotten Connor new cufflinks for his Alpha ceremony. I had a jeweler engrave an image of Bosche''s head on them, wanting a gift for both my brother and his wolf.


    Me: I haven''t had a chance yet, but I know I''ll love it. You''re an excellent gift giver.


    Connor: I''m d you''re doing well. I''ll let Dad know so he can stop pacing around the packhouse.


    Me: Love you, bro.


    Connor: Love you too, sis.


    24975%


    1 look in the closet and realize that Quirin uses very little space. Everything he wears is as utilitarian as what I saw the rest of the pack wearing yesterday. I never really thought about it, but as I look through his closet, the man wears nothing other than ck.


    My clothes will be a stark contrast because the only ck outfit I own is a ck evening dress that I didn''t pack to bring this time. He told me to unpack, so I put his things on one side of the closet and hang my things on the other, before searching for a dresser. Here, once again, I move some things around so that I have a drawer to put my undergarments and a couple other items that I don''t hang up.


    When I''m done, I look at my clothes and decide that since it''s spring, I''ll wear a pair of jeans with a bright yellow top and simple sneakers. Then I look at the gifts. There are a lot of them.


    I begin going through them, looking to see who they are from. I don''t care about the ones from the other Alphas, but I set the ones from my brothers and sisters aside. Then I put the rest in the closet before getting my brother''s gift and opening


    it.


    I gasp as I see a brand-new stethoscope. I''ve outgrown the one my mother gave me years ago and this new one is perfect. I can''t wait to try it out.


    I send him a quick text letting him know I love my gift, then look around the room once more. I get my clothing fromst night and hang the dress before finding aundry basket for my undergarments. Once I''m satisfied that everything is put away and the room is tidy, I head downstairs to get something to eat.

 Chapter 12

    Kennedy


    When I get downstairs, I don''t miss the looks from the pack members. Even in jeans, I stand out with my bright yellow top. Oh well, this is who I am.


    "Hello," I say, as I pass the pack members.


    "Hello, Luna," they murmur.


    I don''t see Quirin, but I''m sure he''s got a lot going on. Yesterday was a very busy day for him, between the attack on his pack and finding his mate. He said he''d find me and since he hasn''t, I know he''s busy.


    When I walk into the kitchen, I see one of the pack members talking to an omega. I can smell her fear as he towers over her.


    "Hello," I say, making my presence known. "Is there a problem?" ask, walking to stand next to the omega. The man is obviously a warrior, strong and tall. He has multiple scars on his face and neck, and what I can see of his arms, reminding me that my new pack is made up entirely of rogues who have had to scrape and fight to get what they want.


    The man looks me over, sneering at my attire.


    "No problem, Luna," he says, stepping back. "I''ll see youter, Christy," he says, before turning on his heel and walking out.


    I wait until he''s gone before turning to the woman. "Are you okay?"


    "Yes. Thank you, Luna. I appreciate you standing up for me."


    "Of course. I won''t tolerate any aggression in this pack, especially against omegas."


    "Thanks, Luna. Is there something I get you?" she asks me.


    "I missed breakfast. I was hoping to get something to eat. Is there anything readily avable?" I ask her.


    "I can make you something," she says, looking past me and thinking about what she might be able to make me. She unconsciously lifts her hand to push her hair out of her face and I can see that she''s shaking.


    I reach out and take her hands in mine. "If you''re ever afraid, find me. I won''t let anyone hurt you. I can talk to Quirin..."


    "No! No, please don''t Luna. It''s fine. Arlo can just be overbearing from time to time. All of us rogues had a hard time of it, but some are more rough around the edges than others. I''m sure he didn''t mean anything by it."


    "Whether he did or didn''t, I don''t want my pack members to fear each other. If he continues to bother you, please let me know."


    "Okay, Luna," she says, finally making eye contact before looking away.


    "Okay. Now, what''s easy since we''re in between meals?"


    I stay long enough to eat the quick sandwich she made for me and to make sure that Arlo doesn''t return. Once I feelfortable that he''s noting back and I start getting in the way of lunch preparations, I step out of the kitchen tefore turning back.


    "Hey, Christy? Where''s the pack hospital?" I ask her.


    She gives me directions and head over to the hospital, wanting to see how they run things in this pack.


    When I step in, the ce looks dark and deserted.


    "Hello?" I call out and a womanes out of a back room.


    "Oh, Lama. Are you alright. Do you need medical treatment?" she asks me.


    "No. I just wanted to see how this hospital runspared to how my mother runs hers," I say.


    "Well, I''ve heard of your mother and how she runs her hospital. can tell you that we don''t have anything like that here. We don''t even have a real doctor. We''re all rogues. We learned to provide field dressings a long time ago."


    "What about injuries from sparring, dislocations, things like that?¡± I ask, appalled.


    "Well, we just sort of yank the arm back into ce and let our wolves do the rest. Same with broken bones. We set them as best we can and let our wolves heal us. We''re a pretty strong pack and our wolves are used to healing us."


    I''m just about to ask if I can look around to see what supplies they have when I feel Quirin open the mind link.


    ''KENNEDYR


    I physically jump at the urgency in his tone.


    ''What Quirin?''


    ''Where are you? You''re not in our room,'' he barks.


    ''I''m in the pack hospital. Why, what''s wrong?''


    "The hospital? Oh my goddess, are you still bleeding? Are you injured? I shouldn''t


    have left you alone this morning.


    ''Quirin...'' I begin just as he rushes into the hospital.


    He rushes up to me, taking me by the arms and looking me over as if I have some terrible injury that he didn''t know about.


    "Quirin!"


    When he doesn''t look at me, I take his face in my hands.


    "I''m fine. I just wanted to see the hospital."


    "You''re..." he huffs out a breath and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms tightly around me.


    "I''m fine," I say, feeling the relief inside of him as he holds me to him.


    "I was worried when I couldn''t find you," he says. "I went to our bedroom and everything was gone. I thought..."


    &


    "I put everything away, Quirin. I thought you''d like to return to a clean room and


    not have all my things lying around. Did


    even look in the closet?"


    you


    He shakes his head, taking a deep breath. "No, but I guess I should have."


    He steps back looking me over.


    "I''m not injured, Quirin," I say to him.


    1875%0


    "You were still bleeding this morning when I left you. I can still sell the hint of blood


    on you now, Little Pup."


    Ugh! I hate that name.


    1


    "What are you doing here if you aren''t injured?" he asks.


    "I wanted to see how you run your hospitalpared to Mom''s


    "Well, there is noparison. You''re looking at it."


    "Do you mind if I do some work over here? You know I''ve helped my Mom..."


    He shrugs. "Do what you want. If you need anything, let me know."


    "Thanks, Quirin."


    He looks at me with a hint of a smile before it fades away. "Have you eaten?"


    "I did, just before I came over here."


    "Okay, I need to get back to work. Deborah can help you with anything that you need," he says, looking over at the woman was talking to before he came in. I notice that she''s stepped away giving us some privacy.


    "PIIe get you for dinner and then, if you''d like, I''ll take you on a tour of the packnds."


    "I''d love that,¡± I say, smiling up at him.


    He looks at me a moment before leaning down and pressing his lips to mine. "I''ll see youter."


    "Yes, you will," I say, watching him walk away. When he''s gone, I turn back to Deborah.


    "Alright Deborah, why don''t you give me a tour of the pack hospital."

 Chapter 13

    Quirin


    3.79%


    I had a lot of clean up to do after the battle, making sure that the dead from Jasper''s pack were buried and that Kier had taken care of any hostages. We haven''t learned anything new, jus that Jasper wants this pack because we''re wealthy.


    So it had been nearly lunch time when I''d finally told my Beta that 1 needed to check on my mate.


    "How is everything? I mean, I don''t want to pry..." he begins.


    "Then don''t," I say to him. I will never share any intimate moments that I have with Kennedy with anyone. Those are mine. She''s never been with another man and no man will ever know How fucking fantastic it is to be with her. Only I will ever get to experience that.


    "I''m just ... that was a lot of blood, Alpha. You know this pack is made up of rogues, but she''s not and never has been one. I get that she''s an Alpha female, but she''s not tough like we''ve had to be. She''s your mate, that makes her my Luna, so I want to make sure that she''s okay."


    "Maybe it''s time I go check on her then," I say, standing up. I stop on my way to the door. "I know not everyone will want to ept her because she''s Warren Hill''s daughter. I know many of our pack members came from packs where he killed their Alphas, ranked members, and warriors. And I''ve never been quiet about my distaste for my mate''s father. So, I''m sure some pack members will test her. But anyone who doesn''t ept her as their Luna can leave."


    "Understood."


    I leave my Beta and jog up to our room, ready to check on Kennedy. I''ve waited about as long as I can stand it and Raif has been making me more and more antsy the longer I''ve waited.


    The moment I step into our bedroom, my heart sinks.


    She''s gone. She left me. I feel like my entire world just copsed on top of me. I haven''t even had her in my life for 24 hours and I feel devastated that she''s gone. I feel like I can''t breathe.


    She''ll have gone home, to her father who will take her in with no questions asked. He can''t have her. She''s mine. I will tear that pack apart to get her back if I have to.


    ''KENNEDY!'' I scream in my head.


    ''What Quirin?'' her startled response shocks me. She''s nearby.


    I race from our room and down the stairs.


    ''Where are you? You''re not in our room!''


    I catch her scent, realizing she went outside. I begin running. I need to see her, to know that she''s still here. Raif is ready to pull the shift so we can get to her faster if needed.


    When she says she''s in the pack hospital, I feel even worse. I left her this morning and I didn''t even check her. Is she still bleeding? Is she sick? First, I tear her apart, then I leave her injured?


    She''s barely responded to me when I burst through the doors of the pack hospital, looking her over quickly.


    When she finally gets through to me that she''s not injured, I pull her to me, finally feeling like I can breathe again. She didn''t


    4


    leave me. She didn''t run from me. I breathe in her sweet citrus and mint scent, letting it calm both me and Raif.


    "Why are you here?" I don''t really care why she''s here as long as ''s not because I hurt her.


    **:79%E


    When she tells me she wanted to see how this pack hospital runspared to her mother''s I nearlyugh out loud. There is noparison, but if it makes her happy to make changes to the hospital, then she can do whatever the hell she wants. She can knock the whole damn building down and start over for all care. If it makes her happy and it keeps her here with me, I don''t care what she does.


    I doubt anyone in the pack wille to see her. She''s still young and she''s not a doctor, but it will take time for her to rebuild the hospital after it''s basically gone unused for years. This is the one building I never renovated after I returned to my pack. I never had a doctor and the rogu¨¦s are used to taking care of their own injuries, so I never saw the need. I honestly don''t even know what we have and what we don''t have in this building.


    After hearing that she''s eaten and realizing that I once again didn''t take care my mate, I make ns for us to have dinner together. Then, because I want her to be happy here, I offer to show her around the pack. I can take her to the overhang. It''s pretty there, she''ll like that.


    ''Maybe Echo would like to go for a run tonight. I''d like to spend time with my mate too,'' Raif says.


    ''Fine, but no mating her.''


    He whines in my head at that. ''I haven''t gotten to mark her yet?


    I stop, thinking about that. He''s right. He needs to im Echo and she needs to im him. I sigh.


    ''You will NOT lose control again.''


    ''No, I won''t. Neither of us will, ever again,'' he says determinedly. I''m not sure if I believe him. I don''t know if it will be the same when he mates Echo, but if we get that same explosion of pleasure, I don''t think either of us can control ourselves.


    When I walk back into the packhouse, I head straight to the kitchen to get some food.


    "Arlo, leave the omegas alone. It''s lunch time. Do you need more work to do? If lunch iste because of you, I''ll put you on non-stop patrols," I say, walking in and seeing him talking to one of my omegas.


    "Sorry, Alpha. I was just asking what we''re having for dessert tonight," he says, looking at Christy.


    "When they put it out, you''ll know. Go find something to do before I find something for you to do," I say. I re at him until he walks out.


    ¡°Is lunch going to be on time?¡± I ask, turning back to the group.


    "Yes, Alpha," they say.


    "Who helped my mate get something to eat earlier?" I ask, wanting to make sure she ate enough. I''m unused to looking after someone like this, but she''s my mate and I obviously need to do better if I''m going to keep her happy and keep her here.


    "I did, Alpha. I hope that was okay," Christy says.


    "Of course. What did she eat?"


    "I made her a sandwich."


    "Good. Thank you for that," I say, watching her rx. It''s a strange response. I''m


    not an overbearing Alpha, so I''m surprised


    10:53 Wed, Jan 22 G GO


    that she looks uptight.


    79%8


    "She''s your Luna. She can have whatever she wants whenever she wants it. I''ll talk to her about taking over ordering the food. Then you can go directly to her if you need anything in the kitchens."


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "Would you bring me a te when you''re done making lunch?" ask.


    "You can have this one, Alpha," one of my other omegas says.


    I look at the time. "Has any food gone out to the warriors yet?"


    "We''re just about to start taking it out to the dining hall, Alpha. We''re still making food knowing how our warriors eat and knowing that many are still healing after the battle yesterday."


    "Okay, do you have two? Beta Kier will be hungry as well."


    "I made this one for him," one of my omegas says. I raise an eyebrow at her and


    she blushes but doesn''t say anymore.


    I take the tes just as the omegas start piling the food onto trays to carry out to the dining hall.

 Chapter 14

    Quirin


    When I get back to the hallway with where we have our offices, walk into Kier''s office.


    "Looks like you have an admirer," I say, putting the te down front of him. He smiles but doesn''tment


    "How''s our Luna?" he asks instead,


    "Good. I told her she could do whatever she wants to the pack hospital, just so you know. If for some reason I''m not here ..."


    ¡°I''ll make sure she knows that anything she wants to do is okay?" he asks, making sure he understands the level of autonomy I''m giving her.


    "She can level the building and start over if she choo


    to do so


    He looks at me a moment. "You know our warrio


    will nev


    go there."


    I shrug. "Maybe she can look after the pups when they scrape their knees or get splinters in the feet. I don''t care what she does over there, I just want her to be happy."


    "Free rein. Got it. Also, thest of our hostages perished during interrogation while you were checking on Luna Kennedy."


    "You?" I ask, wondering if he lost control and killed ourst remaining hostage. I was hoping to get more information out of him.


    "No, Arlo. Apparently, he went a bit too hard on him."


    Arlo is one of the rogues that is more aggressive than the others. He''s one that I have to keep in line which is why I told him to get out of the kitchen earlier. He''s a fantastic fighter, but that''s partly because he likes to hurt people. I understand that, since I''m the same. But Arlo doesn''t show the same restraint that I do. During sparring matches, most of the injuries to the other warriorse from him. If he had more control of his anger, I''d make him my Lead Warrior, but he''s just shy of feeling like a loose cannon, and I don''t trust himpletely to lead my warriors.


    "No more interrogations by Arlo until I approve it."


    "Well, we''re out of hostages, so until we have more, it''s a moot point."


    I head back to my office and look over the pack''s finances, making sure that we''re still making plenty of money. Since the pack doesn''t spend money frivolously, we have plenty, enough for me to build a new pack hospital, throw an incredible Luna party, and still have money to spare.


    Since I''m thinking of it, I call Luna Farrah.


    "Quirin, I hope everything is okay?" she answers.


    "Yes and no. I need your help."


    I can almost hear her eyebrow raising through the phone line. "You''ve never asked for my help before. What could be so important that you need my help now?"


    Before I can answer, she interrupts. "Oh wait. That''s right. You have a sweet new Luna. How is Alpha Kennedy?"


    "Luna Kennedy," I say, stressing the title, "is doing well. She''s evaluating our crappy pack hospital as we speak."


    "And she''s wearing your mark?"


    "Of course."


    "And you''re wearing hers?"


    "She''s an Alpha female, Farrah. There''s no way she wasn''t going mark me."


    "Good. What can I do for you, Quirin?"


    "I need to n a Luna ceremony. I don''t know the first fucking thing about having a Luna ceremony."


    "Do you want one that is suited to your utilitarian pack, or one that is suited to her?"


    "It''s her ceremony, it should be reflective of her."


    "You know the pack may not like that," she says.


    "I don''t give a fuck if they like it. I''ve already told my Beta that anyone who doesn''t ept her, can leave."


    "Alpha Quirin, you make me proud," she says, and I can hear the pride in her voice. I feel my throat tighten. Farrah is one of a handful of people whose opinion of me matters. No one''s matters more than Kennedy''s, but Farrah and Henry are close seconds. Her saying that she''s proud of me means everything to me. "Thank you, Luna."


    "Now, what do you need, and when do you n to have this party?"


    I spend the next couple of hours talking about the party nning before I finally


    tell her that I don''t care what she does as long as Kennedy will like it. She cane paint my pack pink with little puppies and kittens all over the walls if that''s what will make Kennedy happy.


    "How much money do I have to spend, Quirin?" she asks.


    "Whatever it takes," I tell her.


    She chuckles. "Luckily for you, I won''t take advantage of that, but I will be putting together a party unlike anything you''ve ever seen before."


    "Thanks, Farrah."


    "You can thank me by being the kind of mate that girl deserves," she says,


    "I''m working on it," I tell her.


    We say goodbye and then it''s time for me to go find Kennedy.


    This time when I open the mind link, I can feel the wheels in her mind working overtime.


    Are you about ready for dinner, mate?'' I ask her.


    ''Oh! Yes. I have so much to talk to you about, Quirin.''


    09:53 In Jil


    Okay, I''lle get you.''


    ''I''ll meet you there, she says,


    "Are you smiling?" Kier asks, walking into my office.


    "You know I don''t smile," I grumble.


    "That looked awfully close to a smile."


    "Hey, how do you think the pack will respond to Kennedy''s Luna ceremony?" I ask him.


    He frowns. "What kind of ceremony?"


    "The kind she would want," I say, watching him.


    He whistles low. "I don''t know, Alpha. We''re not really a pack who enjoys frivolous


    parties."


    I nod, knowing he''s right. "Well, we''re going to have one. Farrah is going to put it together. If you hear any grumblings about it, shut that shit down."


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "I''m going to have dinner with Kennedy. You''re wee to join us if you''d like to


    get to know your Luna. Then, I''m going to show her around the pack and Raif wants to run with Echo.",


    "Echo? That''s a pretty name."


    I growl, feeling extremely possessive of my mate.


    Kier raises his hands. "I was just making ament, Alpha. I''m not after your


    mate."


    "That''s good because she''s wearing MY mark and I''ll kill anyone who tries to take her from me."


    "As you said, she''s wearing your mark. Before you go, Alpha. One more question."


    "What''s that?"


    "Are you expecting that Alpha Warren will being for Luna Kennedy''s Luna ceremony?"


    I scrub my hands over my face. "Yes. I''ll have to make an announcement. Anyone who wants to be away during her Luna ceremony will have to ept her as their Luna before they leave. Otherwise, they''re not wee to return."


    He blows out a breath. "I hope she''s worth it Alpha."


    This time it''s Raif who growls and Kier''s wolf, Rowd, lifts his neck in submission.


    "Never doubt for a minute that she''s worth it."


    "Yes, Alpha," he says. Raif holds him there long enough to make his point before releasing him.


    Then I walk out, ready to go

 Chapter 15

    Kennedy


    "How long has it been since anyone has ordered supplies?" I ask Deborah. Everything in this hospital is outdated. I''m not even sure I would know how to use the x-ray machine. It looks like it''s older than I am.


    "We order the basics that we need for pups; bandages, antiseptic asionally some sutures, but that''s about it," Deborah tells me.


    "Okay, I know you said the pack basically lets their wolves heal them, but what aboutbor and delivery? Ultrasound machines, baby heart monitors, that sort of thing?" I ask.


    "Well, it''s like I said before. We''re all used to getting by, so when we''re pregnant, we just deliver our babies."


    "And no one has ever gotten an infection? No one has lost a child because it was a breech birth?"


    "Well, I didn''t say that. We have lost a couple of mothers and pups over the years due to a difficult birth, but mostly, if we lose a pup during pregnancy or delivery, we assume they weren''t strong enough to survive," she tells me.


    That might be the most archaic thing I''ve ever heard.


    "I''m going to talk to Quirin, see about getting some supplies. I mean, what if someone gets really injured in an attack? We have nothing here to treat them with."


    "We have antiseptic and sutures," she says, shrugging. I look at the barren shelves of the storage room. Well, it''s barren except for the hundreds of cobwebs in here and the one shelf that has the most basic medical supplies on it. There''s nothing for a triage kit, nothing for a crash kit. There''s nothing.


    She then walks me around the rooms. Even the beds and gurneys look rusted and old, like they''ll copse if someoneys on them. I''d be afraid to even put a pup on one of these.


    I begin making a mental list of everything we''d need to bring this hospital up to speed. The amount of money it will take will be astronomical. I have no idea how much money Quirin has or is willing to put toward the hospital, but I intend to ask him.


    I feel him open the mind link between us and ask if I''m about ready for dinner. I look at my watch and realize I''ve been going through the hospital all afternoon. Rather than have him walk over here just to walk back, I tell him I''ll meet him there.


    I tell Deborah that I''ll see her tomorrow and then begin walking back to the packhouse. I''m excited for Quirin to show me around the packnds. Just from the short walk between the packhouse and the pack hospital, I can tell that that packnds are gorgeous.


    When I step back inside the packhouse, the difference between what''s been done here and what''s been done at the pack hospital is night and day. Everything here is upgraded. While it is decorated simply, the furniture, paint, and hardware around the packhouse are obviously all newer. Even the kitchen has been upgraded.


    I can hear the sounds of the pack and the smell of fooding from the dining hall, so I make my way there. When I step into the room, looking for Quirin, the entire room goes silent as everyone turns to stare at me.


    "Hello," I say suddenly feeling very self-conscious. If I didn''t know better, I''d say I forgot to put clothes on today, or that I


    was covered in blood.


    mu, Jan


    No one answers, so I look around. "I was looking for Quirin."


    "I''m right here, Kennedy. Did you get any food?" he asks, walking up behind me. "Uh, no. I just got here."


    4.90% 1


    Quirin looks at the room frowning. "What''s everyone staring at If you didn''t hear


    mest night, this Kennedy Hill, and your Luna."


    "Yes, Alpha," they murmur before going back to their meals.


    I sigh and head over to where the food is. "This looks delicious, say to the


    omegas who are bringing out the food.


    "Thank you, Luna."


    my mate


    "What do we have tonight?" I ask, as Quirin grabs a te, handing one to me. He looks surprised that I''m asking, but I know from experience that omegas feel empowered and happy when you recognize and acknowledge them.


    Quirin stands by while I listen to the omegas tell me what they put out for dinner and then I ask who made what so I can make sure to tell themter what a great job they did.


    When they finally go back into the kitchen, I step up, nning to try a little bit of everything.


    "What was that about?" Quirin asks me.


    "Hmmm? Oh, just making sure that we keep our omegas happy, I say, starting to take a little of everything. I look up to see him frowning in the direction that the omegas went.


    "What''s the matter?" I ask him, following his gaze.


    "Nothing," he says, then turns back to me and looking at my te. "Are you hungry?"


    12


    "Yes, but I want to try everything so I can tell them what a great job they''re doing,"


    I say, continuing to take a little of everything.


    "What if you don''t like it?" he asks.


    "I''ll find something positive to say about it. Like this, I don''t particrly care for pork loin, but they did a lovely job of making it look appetizing," I tell him, taking a slice of the pork. And you never know, I might like it."


    He gets quiet while I finish putting food on my te. "Where do you normally sit?" I ask him.


    He shrugs. "Wherever there''s a spot."


    I look around, not seeing anywhere that has two ces.


    "Maybe we can sit outside," I say. He frowns, looking around. "No, we can sit here," he says and leads me to a table where he tells the group to scoot down. The table falls quiet as I sit down and Quirin sits beside me.


    "How is everyone today?" I ask them.


    They all mumble that they''re fine. I force myself to continue smiling. I knew this pack would be different than mine back home, but eventually they''lle around to me. I''m sure they will.


    90%


    "What do all of you do in this pack?" I ask, taking a bite of food and making note that it''s delicious. "Mmm, Quirin, you have to try this," I say, taking my fork and getting a bite for him.


    I hold it out for him, watching him frown as he leans forward to make the bite.


    Then I watch as his face registers surprise. "Hmm, that is good."


    "Susie made that," I tell him, turning back to the table.


    "We run patrols, Luna. We keep the pack safe," one of the warrios says as if this


    is obvious.


    "All of you do?" I ask.


    "That''s right," another warrior says.


    "What did you say about my mate, Luna?" another warrior farther down the table


    asks me.


    "Who''s your mate?" I ask, looking from him to Quirin.


    "Susie is Kelvin''s mate," Quirin says.


    "Oh, I said this beef wellington is fantastic. Maybe the best I''ve ever had," I say, watching as he smiles proudly.


    "My Susie knows how make some good food. I''ll let her know you said so," he says.


    "Oh, I''ll tell her myself," I say, trying a different bite of food.


    "So, what did you think of the pack hospital, Kennedy?" Quirin asks me. I feel the warrior''s eyese back to me.


    "Well, it''s obvious that you haven''t updated it like you did the packhouse when


    you took over here. I''d like to get some things..."


    "Get whatever you want, whatever you think you''ll need."


    I look at him a moment. "Some of the equipment is pretty expensive, Quirin..." I


    begin again.


    "Just get it if you think we need it," he says, cutting me off again,


    I decide to hold that discussion forter when we''re not amongst the others in the


    pack.


    ¡°I''m going to get some of that beef wellington. That was really good,¡± Quirin says


    and goes to get some.


    "So, you''re fixing up the pack hospital?" a warrior asks me.


    "Well, just stocking it I guess," I say.


    "Why?" another warrior asks.


    "Well, Deborah told me that your wolves are all really strong and can heal themselves, but sometimes, a little help goes a long way to healing you faster."


    "But, you''re not a doctor, are you?"


    "Well, no. But I''ve been assisting my mom in the hospital for years and I intend to start going to medical school."


    "Does Alpha know that?" one of the warriors asks me.


    "We haven''t really talked about it."


    "What haven''t we talked about?" Quirin asks, sitting back down again.


    "Me going to medical school."


    He shrugs. "You can if you want. As long as you take online sses. I don''t want you going away to college. Oh, and I told the kitchen omegas that I''d talk to you about doing the ordering for the kitchens. Do you know how to do that?¡±


    "Of course I do," I say. I''m the oldest of my mother''s daughters. She''s the Luna of our pack. My mother may run the pack hospital, but she also handles her Luna duties. I''ve helped her with that for years as well.


    "Excellent. Mmm, and make sure Susie puts this on the menu at least once a week. I can''t believe I''ve never tried it before."


    "Stick with me, Alpha. I''ll teach you things,¡± I say, smiling at my mate. He gives


    me his usual arrogant eyebrow raise with the barest hint of a smile.


    "Are you ready for your tour, Luna?¡±


    "I am," I say, turning to the group. "Thank you all for letting us join you for dinner


    this evening."


    "Bye," they say.


    follow Quirin out the back of the packhouse. He seems distracted as the pack nods or says hello, so I make sure to acknowledge them as we pass.


    ¡°Little Pup, I thought we''d start with seeing the packnds, let our food digest a bit


    and then Raif would really like to run with Echo.


    ''YES!!!'' Echo practically screams in my head.


    Quirin looks at me, that sexy eyebrow raised again. "Even I heard that."


    "She''s as excited to spend time with her mate as I am," I tell him, reaching out to


    hold his hand. He gives me the Quirin equivalent of a smile and brings our joined hands to his mouth, kissing the back of my hand.


    He takes me around the packnds and I was right, they are gorgeous, truly beautiful.


    ''I will definitely be happy here,'' Echo says. I couldn''t agree more.


    When he brings us to the overhang, I gasp at how beautiful it is. The sun is setting


    and it''s like a painter painted the valley below in oranges, yellows, and reds.


    "Oh Quirin, it''s stunning," I say.


    "Yes, you are,¡± he says, and I turn, seeing him watching me. I blush, thinking of


    how fantasticst night was and wondering if maybe he''ll want to do that again tonight.


    "Are you ready for Echo and Raif have their time?" he asks.


    1 nod and begin stripping down, still shy about being naked in front of any mate. I


    shift and look up at Quirin who hasn''t yet shifted. He kneels down, running his


    hands through Echo''s fur, making her purr.


    60 390%


    "You are as beautiful as your human Echo," he says, and she leans against him.


    He kisses the top of her head then leans over to her ear. "But Raif wants to hunt


    his mate. You''d better run, Litle Pup," he growls.


    Echo yips excitedly and takes off. A momentter, we hear Raif''s growl and hear


    hisrge paws hit the earth. Echo turns and we see Raif running after us. He lifts his head to the sky and howls the howl of the hunt.


    Echo lifts her head and howls her challenge back to her mate before pushing herself hard and fast. Raif hunts us for a good hour before he finally captures


    Echo. When he does, he wastes no time in mating her, sinking his teeth into her


    neck.


    Echo howls happily, proud to be marked by her mate and loving the feel of their mating as much as I did. Raif growls possessively, his body jerking with his release before he releases Echo and she takes off again.


    It''s hourster when we finally make our way back to the overhang. Echo is exhausted and sated and rubs herself against Raif, purring loudly. We lie down at the cliff''s edge, looking out at the lights of the city below and before I know it, I''ve


    fallen fast asleep.


    AD


    No Ads

 Chapter 16

    The moment Raif caught Echo and began mating her, I knew where in trouble. That same light, the same warm give the *ame rapturous explosion of pleasure ded through our bolt like it hard when I had mated with Kennedy


    After that, there was no controlling Raif He lost all restraint, griling engrossed in the excitement of the hunt and bliss of the mating. Echo had finally copsed back at the overhang, before I could get Raif under control again.


    Dammit, Raif


    Quirin. 1.


    I know he didn''t mean to lose control anymore than I did, and yet, neither of us has any restraint when ites to feeling the utter joy that being inside our mate brings us.


    We watch as Echo shifts back to her human form. I take control of Raif''s wolf body and walk over, sniffing her. I growl as I smell blood.


    "This is why I said no more mating. Now that you and Echo havepleted your bond, there is no reason to mate until we know we can control ourselves,'' I tell


    him.


    I know he doesn''t like what I''m saying, but he doesn''t like smelling the blood on Kennedy and Echo either, especially knowing that it was caused by us.


    I pull the shift and collect our clothes, getting Kennedy dressed and pulling on my shorts before lifting her and carrying her back to the packhouse.


    When I step out of the forest line, the pack members who are congregated outside stop to look at me.


    ¡°Alpha, is everything okay?" Kier asks, jogging up. He stops when he smells the blood on Kennedy.


    "She''s fine. Tired after Echo and Raif ran all evening."


    "Right," he says, dragging out the word and giving me a look before stepping out of my way. The rest of the pack stares as I


    them. When I get to the back of the packhouse I turn to the pack members who are silently watching me.


    "You all must have heard Raif and Echo running through the packnds. We''re newly mated, our wolvespleted their bond. She''s not dead so you can stop staring at me as if I murdered your Luna," I growl, making all of them jump.


    I spin on my heel and stride inside. The pack members in here quickly skirting out of my way.


    ''Over react much?'' Raif asks.


    ''We made her bleed. Again. It''s no wonder they think we killed her.''


    When I get her back to our room, I carefully strip her down and start a bath. She''s dirty and I want to wash off the blood before I put her to bed. I strip off my shorts once the water is warm and carefully sit in the tub with her in myp. I get the soap and begin bathing her.


    I''ve struggled so much with control, that I haven''t taken the time to look over my mate''s body. She''s lean, as all wolves are, especially Alpha wolves who run a lot, but she''s not as muscr as most warriors are. I rather like that her body is softer than others I''ve seen or been with. Her body fits mine perfectly, softening my hard, rough edges.


    Are we all talking about yen plead buty Railsde


    Trould be snarky with my well, bun what''s the print? He knows as well as know myself


    Two wind Beef Wellington, Itaif says I think sheet dinner tosight, how I never thought I''d like a b of beef surrounded by puff pastry, but dam. It was good. I''d so beenprised when Kennerty feat me the bite of foor! It felt intimate in a way Tin untary detomed to forling. No one has ever fed ne before


    Bever Our rough edges are too sharp for her softness. I don''t think she ever be able to soften those hand lines. She''d only hurt berwolf i she tried. I tell him honestly.


    Raif begins purring as he looks down at our mate. "Echo gave me a good run


    You were running all out in the beginning, weren''t you?'' I ask him.


    Yes, our little mate is fast,'' he says proudly


    But you''re faster, I say.


    I''m not sure I am faster. I just think I have more stamina than she does,'' he says, and I realize he''s right, If he were faster. he''d have at least caught up to her before she''d run full out for an hour. Of course, after he plowed into her like a fucking jackhammer when he caught her the first time, she''d been running injured. She''d gotten slower each time he caught her. allowing him to catch her more quickly until she''d finally copsed, exhausted.


    I''m frustrated all over again at myck of restraint. I''m not the kind of man or Alpha who loses control. I always keep a tight rein on my emotions, but with Kennedy I don''t seem to have any at all.


    I get her out of the bath and dry her off before putting one of my shirts over her head andying her in bed. I''d prefer to leave her naked but since I obviously have no self-control when ites to my mate, I''d rather no risk temptation.


    When I have her snuggled in bed, I go clean up the bathroom, quickly taking my own shower before crawling into bed and wrapping myself around my mate. I may not be willing to have sex with her, but I''m not willing to sleep without her. Last night when I''d finally fallen asleep, it had been the best sleep I ever remembering having in my life. And tonight is no different.


    In the morning, I wake up without an rm as I always do. I look at the clock and see that it''s my usual 4:45am wake up. Just in time to get dressed and head down to warrior training.


    "Wake up, Little Pup. Time for training," I say to her, kissing the side of her head and leaping out of bed to get dressed and brush my teeth.


    "What?" she murmurs, rubbing her eyes and looking around as if confused about how she got here.


    "Echo passed out at the overhang," I say, grabbing my shoes and sitting on the edge of the bed to put them on. "I brought you back and bathed you before putting you to bed. You missed sparring yesterday, but you can''t miss every day. I''ve got to go. I''ll see you down there."


    ¡°Quirin.....¡± she begins. I lean down and kiss her before she can argue.


    "No arguments. I have to go. Don''t fall back to sleep. Training begins in fifteen minutes," I say, then head out.


    I jog down the stairs and head out back seeing most of my warriors already here and starting to warm up.


    At five, I start the warmup. She arriveste, staying in the back but at least she''s here. It will be good for the pack to see her strength and that she''s not dead. Raif rolls his eyes at that snarky thought.


    Since I''m not sure how sore she might be, I decide to put her up against one of my warriors rather than Kier. Kier''s an excellent fighter and he has a lot of restraint, but I want to wait and see just how good Kennedy is before I put him up against her.


    All of my warriors have real-life fighting experience, unlike Kennedy, so I choose one of my younger warriors with less fighting experience to partner with her when


    I divide everyone to groups.


    "Kier, can you monitor the warriors. I''ve never seen


    Kesar. I want to get an idea of how much training she''s had."


    "She''s the daughter of an Alpha. Do you think that''s a fair


    ring for Cameron? He''s not from a ranked family."


    "He''s had real fighting experience. She hasn''t. If she''s better than he is, I''ll switch them out," I tell him.


    "Kennedy," I call out to her and wave her over. "Kennedy, this is Cameron. Cameron, if you haven''t met your Luna, this is Luna Kennedy,¡± I say, introducing them.


    "Hello," Kennedy says, and Cameron nods. I can tell he''s nervous about sparring with her. What surprises me is that I can feel Kennedy''s nervousness too. "Let''s start slow. Kennedy you take defense, Cameron, offense. Ready? Go."


    As soon as I call it, Cameron aggressively goes after Kennedy. She lightly blocks him and then falls backward, Cameron raises an arm tond a hit but I grab his arm, keeping him from touching Kennedy.


    "Kennedy, Cameron''s a good fighter. You don''t need to worry about hurting him," I say, holding out my hand and helping her up. "I''ll make sure he doesn''t get too injured. Just focus on the fight," I tell her.


    "Ready?" I say, waiting until Kennedy to get back in her defensive stance. "Go."


    Once again, Camerones at her hard. This time she ducks away from his punch, but rather than getting a hit on him where he''s wide open, she spins away. I start to get a bad feeling as I watch her and when Cameron goes at her hard again, nearly punching her in the gut, I grab his arm again, staring at Kennedy.


    "Please tell me that your father, the Alpha of his pack, trained his daughter how to fight," I growl, my voice low. I''m working really hard to maintain control of my anger. How the fuck does an Alpha who grew up in a time of war not train his pups to fight?


    "I hate fighting. I always have. After pup training, he let me spend my mornings in the pack hospital with my mother," she says defensively. I can''t tell if she''s defending her father or pleading with me to understand why she can''t fight.


    I close my eyes, working hard to get my anger under control. When I open my eyes, I see her watching me.


    "That''s it for today, Little Pup. Go back inside," I say, my barely controlled anger making my words harsh.


    I''m not sure if it''s my tone, or if she can feel my anger, but she looks like I pped her. If I wasn''t so angry, I''d try to talk to her about it. But instead, I watch her press her lips together tightly and turn, walking away.


    "Find a new partner," I growl at Cameron. I stand there, watching where Kennedy went back into the packhouse.


    "She doesn''t know how to fight?" Kier asks quietly,ing to stand beside me.


    "Apparently not."


    "Shit, Alpha."


    Yeah, this is definitely a pile of steaming hot shit. In a pack full fighters, I have an Alpha mate who doesn''t even know how to defend herself.

 Chapter 17

    Kennedy


    *281%0


    I''ve never been so embarrassed in my life. I cannot believe that Quirin called me a pup in front of his warriors. It was all I could do to not start crying right there in front of everyone. So instead, I did what he said. I turned around and walked back inside.


    I had intended to go to our bedroom and let the tearse, knowing I have some time before he will be done with training, but as I walk in, Susie waves me over. "Luna. Luna, are you okay?" she asks.


    I force my tears back. "Yes, thank you. What can I do for you?"


    "Well, Alpha said we shoulde to you when we need to order food," she says.


    "Of course. Why don''t you show me where you keep your food and how you''re managing the ordering system now."


    We spend the next couple of hours going over everything. The system they''re using is okay, but I prefer mine and after talking it over with them, they like my process as well. I also make sure that I tell every one of them something that I liked about their part of dinnerst night.


    "Alpha Quirin said that he loved your beef wellington, Susie," I say.


    "He''s never tried it before. I make it becase it''s my mate''s favorite."


    "Kelvin, right?" I ask.


    "Yes, that''s him."


    We''ve just about finished up when I hear the warriors starting in from training.


    "I should let you get set up for breakfast. I''ll check in with youter."


    "Thanks, Luna," Susie and several other omegas say to me.


    "Oh, Luna. I made you a breakfast sandwich. I wasn''t sure if you were going to pack hospital again today," Christy says.


    "I''m on my way over there right now," I say. I''m not ready to face the pack or Quirin at the moment. The hospital is where I feelfortable, so that''s where I''m going to go. I know I''ll have to face them eventually, but I need to get past my hurt feelings first.


    I take the sandwich, thanking Christy for making it. As I''m walking out, I hear some of the warriors talking quietly.


    "She really doesn''t know how to fight?" one warrior asks, and my feel my heart drop into my stomach.


    "A fucking Alpha who doesn''t know how to fight. And we''re supposed to ept her as our Luna?" a second warrior says.


    "Do you think he knew before he epted her?" a third warrior says.


    "I doubt it. Why would he want the liability of a pup who can''t fight," the first one says and they all snicker.


    Thear an angry growl. "Knock it off, all of you. Alpha has been very clear. You will ept his mate as your Luna, or you''ll find


    somewhere else to live." I recognize Beta Kier''s angry voice.


    81%


    +23


    I duck out of the packhouse before I hear any more. As I walk to the pack hospital, the tears sting my eyes. I find a ce off the road and duck out of sight, letting my tears fall. I''ve only been here a day and a half, and the warriors already have no respect for me. I understand that respect has to be earned, but now, they''ll be forced to ept me, even if they don''t respect me, or they''ll lose their home.


    Echo whines in my head. It''s as important for her that the pack respects us as it is for me.


    I can feel Quirin pushing against our mind link, probably wanting to know where I am. I keep it closed. I''ve had enough vulnerability for one day.


    I dry my tears and head to the pack hospital. I decide to make a list of everything that we would need to bring this hospital back into the current day and age. We may not be able to afford all of the new machines that we have in my parents'' pack, but we can at least get some things that would be important, such as an ultrasound machine and baby heart monitor. There''s no reason these women should be losing their pups, at least not in the numbers that Deborah said they


    were.


    Since we don''t have aputer system over here and I''m unwilling to go to the packhouse to see if there''s one that I can use, I use my phone to look up the cost of what each item would be.


    "Kennedy," Quirin''s voice is soft, but it still startles me. I was so deep in my thoughts and making my list that I didn''t even hear himing up behind me.


    "Hi, Quirin. What''s up," I say, keeping things casual. I can already feel my throat tightening.


    "The omegas said you didn''te back for lunch, and if I''m not mistaken, your breakfast is sitting on that shelf, uneaten," he says, looking past me.


    I turn and see it sitting there. I''d forgotten all about it. I wouldn''t have been able to swallow it down this morning anyway.


    "Don''t tell Christy. I don''t want to hurt her feelings."


    "You shoulde get something to eat," he says.


    "I''m not hungry," I say. He opens his mouth to say something else and I shove my list into his hands.


    "What''s this?"


    "It''s a list of everything that I think we need for the hospital. It''s a lot, so I''ve put asterisks by the items I think are most important."


    He frowns, ncing at the list before handing it back to me. "I told you, just order what you need."


    He barely even looked at it. All the work I put into this doesn''t even matter to him. How can I order anything if I don''t know what the pack can afford?


    I take it and turn away from him, feeling the tears burning in my eyes again.


    "Kennedy..." he pauses but I don''t turn around.


    "I''m sorry for speaking so harshly to you this morning. I was taken off guard. I was expecting you to be a strong fighter, not untrained."


    "Well, now you know."


    "You should have told me," he says.


    "I tried to before you left this morning, but you said you had to go. I tried to mention it when we first arrived, but you started talking to your gate guard," I tell


    him.


    81%


    (+23)


    I feel his hands on my shoulders and the heat of his body seeping into my back. I


    can smell sweat on him and I wonder what he''s been doing today.


    "Will youe have dinner with me?" he asks.


    "What time is it?"


    "It''s after six o''clock. When I finished afternoon warrior training and realized that you weren''t back, I came looking for you."


    I close my eyes and pull from years of watching my parents handle something difficult. The veryst thing I want to do is walk into that dining hall with all those warriors and their judgmental looks.


    "Of course," I say. Echo gives me her strength, knowing that this will be hard for me. But I''m their Luna and I''m an Alpha female. I''m not going to hide just because they have an issue with me. I''m not going anywhere. They''re going to have to adjust just as much as I am.


    I put the list of items on a shelf and throw the uneaten breakfast sandwich away. Then I walk back to the packhouse with Quirin. The volume of the warriors'' voices lowers significantly as we walk in. I ignore that, looking over the food and asking one of the serving omegas what we''re having and who made what. Once again, I take a little bit of everything and when I look and see an empty table, I''m ready to go sit there but Quirin nods in the direction of Beta Kier.


    "I told Kier we''d sit with him tonight. I''d like the two of you to get to know each other."


    "Alright," I say quietly. Quirin nces at me, a hint of a frown on his face, but he doesn''t say anything as we walk to the table that doesn''t look like it has enough room for two.


    Beta Kier sees using and tells the others to move down. They do, but there isn''t a lot of space and I end up sitting beside Beta Kier and across from Quirin.


    "Hello everyone," I say as I sit.


    "Hello, Luna," they murmur before going back to their conversation. It sounds like they''re talking about their most recent battle with Alpha Jasper''s pack.


    "Luna, how are you settling in?" Beta Kier asks me.


    "Very well, thank you, Beta," I say before someone farther down the table calls out to him, asking if he saw somerge warrior during the battle.


    "That guy! He was huge!" Beta Kier says, returning to the previous conversation.


    I take a bite of the food, struggling to swallow it. I know I should try to engage in the conversation, but I don''t know anything about fighting and they all know it, so I stay quiet.


    ¡°Hey, Little Pup, try this. It''s delicious," Quirin says, holding out his fork with a bite of food on it.


    It feels like thest straw for the day. My fork slides out of my hand, ttering against my te. I''m pretty sure the entire room goes quiet, watching me. Quirin


    is frowning at me like he''s confused about my response.


    VOT


    18481%


    "I think I''m going to go for a run," I say, standing up and walking out the back of


    the packhouse without looking back. I force myse


    to walk to the tree line before stripping down and shifting. Then I let Echo take the lead, but I don''t let her howl her sadness at Quirin once again disrespecting us in front his warriors.

 Chapter 18

    Quirin


    GO


    0488%


    +18


    I watch my mate leave the dining hall and packhouse, still holding the food in my hand. I''d noticed that she was unusually quiet, that my apology hadn''t had the desired effect on her. I''d hoped that maybe joining in with the pack would bring her out a bit, but it seems to have had the opposite effect. It hasn''t even been a week and already my darkness is invading her light.


    I look at her te and realize that she didn''t eat. Again. She hasn''t eaten all day and now she''s out burning off energy. Angry, upset energy if I''m understanding the feelings I''m getting from her. When I''d opened the link through our bond this morning, she''d shut me out and she hasn''t reopened that link. Now, all I have is my Alpha link to her. It''s not as strong as the link through our mate bond but I don''t like being shut off from her.


    I open my link to the patrols, wondering where she''s going.


    "Alpha, is our Luna okay?" one of the omegas asks,ing over and looking at her te still full of food.


    "Can you keep that warm for her. If she''s not back when I''m done, I''ll take it upstairs with me."


    "Yes, Alpha," she says, and takes Kennedy''s te.


    ''Geez! Who was that?'' I hear a patrol say. I tune in, wondering who they are talking about.


    ''Shit, is that our Luna?'' I hear another say.


    ''Fuck, she''s fast!'' another one says. I push into their minds and see my mate running full out, pulling away from my patrols who have increased their speed to try and keep up with her.


    I feel pride in my mate. She may not be a fighter, but she''s an Alpha and she''s fast. I wonder if I can tap into that. I''d seen it briefly when she''d sparred with Cameron this morning, ducking under his jabs. She needs to learn how to defend herself, at least long enough to give herself the chance to get away, because once she''s running, I''m not sure anyone could catch her.


    ''We need to work on her stamina, too,'' Raif says, also worried about our mate''s response to us. ''Do you think she''s feeling this way because...because I lost controlst night? Do you think she''s angry with me?'' he asks.


    ''I think she''s angry at both of us, Raif. I''m just not exactly sure what she''s angry about. We both lost control and not just when we were mating with her. I lost my temper this morning and I did it in front of the warriors.''


    ''We need to fix this. It''s only been a couple of days. We can''t destroy her beautiful light,'' he says, whining in my head.


    "Alpha?" Kier says. I turn and look at him, seeing that everyone at the table is watching me closely. I shake my head. I''m not saying anything. It''s none of their damn business. Kier turns and gets the conversation going again, but I can still feel my warriors watching me.


    Christy walks by again. "Christy, can you keep my food warm as well. I''m going to wait to eat with my mate."


    "Sure thing, Alpha. She''s really great," she says, picking up my te. I turn and focus on her.


    "She is, but what do you mean?"


    Christy smiles. I''m not sure I''ve ever seen my omegas smile. Have they? I really don''t know.


    "She spent a couple of hours with us this morning going over the schedules and food ordering. She''s got a great system and


    20 Sun, Jan 26


    we''re going to start using it," she says.


    "Good. That''s good." I say, just as I hear my patrols again.


    ''Shit, is shepping us?''


    ''Are you fucking kidding me? She''s already run the border and ught us again?''


    Based on the level of energy and frustration emanating from my mate, I''d say she''s going to be out there for a while.


    Raif whines in my head again, wanting to join our mate.


    88%


    ''Not tonight, Buddy. If she wants space from us, we need to give it to her. Let her burn off her frustration and then we can talk to her.''


    I get up from the table, heading to my office. I keep the links open with my patrols and as much as I can with Kennedy. When I feel her wear herself out a little over an hourter, I go get the food that I had the omegas keep warm and I take it to our room. I stay focused on her, sensing that she''s by the overhang. It''s dark now and I''m d that it''s a safe part of the pack. If we''re attacked, she''ll have time to get back to the packhouse and a safe room.


    413


    up


    I set the food down and wait for her It almost feels like she''s resistant to return to me and the thought makes me ache. If she doesn''te soon, I''m going to go get her. I don''t know how to make her happy, but I do know I can''t live without her.


    When I finally feel her returning to the packhouse, I settle a bit, feeling something tight inside me rx. I set up a table with our food so it''s ready when she returns and then I wait.


    It isn''t long before I hear her on the stairwell and then she opens the door to our bedroom. She stops when she sees me, her eyes going to the food and back up to me.


    "What''s this?"


    "You didn''t eat all day. You just burned a serious amount of energy and even if you''re still angry with me, Echo must be hungry."


    She closes the door. "I need to shower."


    "I''ll wait for you," I tell her, watching her carefully. I have no idea how she''s going


    to react. This is not the Kennedy that I''m used to.


    She steps past me and just as she reaches the door to the bathroom, she turns back.


    "Why do you call me a little pup?"


    I frown. "I''ve always called you Little Pup.¡±


    "But I''m not. I''m not a pup anymore, Quirin."


    "I know that Kennedy. But it''s been my name for you for so long, that it''s just what


    I call you."


    "I''m not sure you do know that I''m no longer a pup, Quirin. I''m really not sure that you do," she says, turning and walking into the bathroom. I stare after her, listening to the sound of the water turning on and then her showering herself off.


    I think about her words. I don''t think of her as a pup. I think of her as my mate. The feelings that I have for her are much too intense, too possessive for me to consider her a pup. She''s my mate. Mine. I wouldn''t feel that way if she were still a pup I never felt this way about her when she was a pup. I''ve always been drawn


    to her and that feeling got stronger as she got


    8830


    older, but never the possessiveness that I feel for her now. I would have protected


    her before. He now. I''d kill anyone who tried to hurt her.


    When she steps out of the bathroom, she stops, seeing me standing right where she left me.


    "What are you doing?" she asks.


    "Waiting for you. You didn''t eat and you need to eat. I''m not saying that because I think you''re a pup who needs to be told what to do," I rify. "But you''re my mate and I don''t like you going all day without eating. Especially when I''m pretty sure that it was me who put you off your food today."


    She looks at me, then at the food behind me.


    "You didn''t eat either?" she asks.


    "I waited for you."


    She nods and rubs the towel through her hair before taking it back into the bathroom. I wait while she brushes out her long hair, thenes to sit down. I pull the chair out for her and push it in as she sits.


    "Thank you," she says.


    I sit across from her and remove the domes from the food. She stares


    at it


    for


    a moment.


    "Which one did you say was good?" she asks, looking up at me. For the first time since she walked out of the dining hall tonight, I feel like I can breathe.


    "This one," I say, stabbing a bite of the chicken with my fork and holding it out for


    her. This time, she leans forward and takes the bite of food, humming her agreement as she chews.


    "Arianna made this. I''ll make sure to tell her it''s excellent."


    "Christy said you worked with them this morning to set up a new system for ordering food? That''s great," I tell her.


    The rest of dinner, we keep things light, talking about her new system with the omegas. I tell her that I''ll give her thepany information that we order our food from so she can order directly from them. I''m thankful to be able to take this off my list of things that I need to do for the pack. It''s not hard, but it is time consuming.


    When we''re done, I put our tes outside our room, letting the evening omegas know that they cane get them and then I go shower. When I return to the room, Kennedy is asleep in our bed.


    I curl


    up around her, thankful to have her in my arms and hoping that I don''t screw things up again tomorrow.

 Chapter 19

    Kennedy


    "Kennedy, wake up," I hear Quirin''s voice.


    I open my eyes and see him sitting beside me on the bed. "Listen, I know training didn''t go well with you yesterday. I understand you haven''t really received any training, but I''d like to at least work on your defensive skills. I''d like to know that you can defend yourself if we''re attacked. Echo is really fast and that gives you the upper hand if something were to happen. But if someone got to you, you''d need to be able to get away from them in order to run or at least fight them off so you could run. I''d feel better knowing that you had some knowledge and skills in that area, but I don''t want to train you in front of the other warriors, not right now anyway. Are you okay with that?"


    "I have no problem learning defensive skills, Quirin. I''ve just never been a fighter. It''s not who I am," I tell him.


    "I understand," he says, then looks away. "Well, no, I don''t really, but if you''re against fighting, then at least let me train you on defensive maneuvers so I know you can protect yourself if something happens and I''m not around to protect you."


    I think about what I overheard the other warriors saying yesterday. "I don''t want to be a liability to you or the pack, Quirin."


    ¡°You''re not a liability, Kennedy. I just need to know that you can protect yourself, okay? Maybe this evening after dinner we can spend some time away from the others and we can start practicing."


    "I''d like that."


    "I would too," he says, smiling his Quirin smile and leaning over to kiss me. I wrap my arms around him, but much too soon, he''s pulling away. "I have to go."


    "Okay," I say, watching him leave.


    When he does, I get up and shower, ready to start my day. He told me I could order whatever I thought we needed for the hospital and since I have no idea what we can afford, I''ll put in an order for what I think is most critical and see if it goes through.


    As I walk downstairs, I smell the scent of fearing from one of the hallways.


    "Leave me alone, Arlo." It sounds like Christy.


    "Don''t be like that, Christy. I saw you looking at me. I know you want me."


    "Let go of me," she says, and I stride into the hallway.


    "Is there a problem?" I ask. I can see that he''s got her cornered in the hallway.


    "No problem. Christy and I were just talking, weren''t we, Christy" "Shouldn''t you be in warrior training, Arlo?" I ask, stepping up beside Christy. Arlo turns and looks at me, sneering. "Mind your own business, pup."


    Before I can respond, there''s a snarl from the other end of the hallway. "You''d better watch your fucking mouth, Arlo. Don''t you dare disrespect your Luna," Beta Kier snarls.


    He looks me up and down and snorts, as if he doesn''t ept me as his Luna. I''m sure he doesn''t but at the moment, I don''t


    care. I have no intention of letting him or anyone intimidate angiher member of my pack.


    "Get your fucking ass outside. NOW!" Beta Kier snaps.


    2006


    He steps away, but not before giving me an angry look. I don''t budge. I may not know how to fight, but I''m still an Alpha female and I refuse to back down or show fear.


    When he''s gone, Beta Kier walks over. "Are you okay, Luna?"


    "I''m fine. Christy, are you okay?"


    "Yes. Thank you, Luna."


    I look at Beta Kier. "Did you need something, Beta?¡±


    "No, Luna. I came looking for Arlo when he didn''t show up for training. Are you sure you''re alright?"


    "I''m fine. We''re fine. Thank you."


    He nods and heads back outside. I turn to Christy. "Are you sure you''re okay?"


    She nods. "Thank you for stepping in, Luna."


    "I don''t agree with our pack members intimidating or hurting each other. We need to make sure that you stay safe, Christy."


    spend some time talking to her about ways that she can keep herself away from Arlo and to let me know if he continues to bother her. I know she said she didn''t want me telling Quirin, but I''m concerned about Arlo''s intention with Christy. She''s an omega and could never fight against him if he tried to force himself on her.


    I walk her back to the kitchen, checking to make sure that everything is running


    smoothly before turning to find Arianna.


    "Arianna," I say, stopping when she jumps.


    "Yes, Luna?" she squeaks.


    "Are you alright?" I ask her. The other omegas around us begin giggling.


    I look behind her and see that she''s working on a beautiful cake that looks like it''s


    meant for one person.


    "Is it someone''s birthday?" I ask her.


    "She''s got her eye on someone, Luna," one of the other omegas says, making Arianna blush.


    "Anyone I know?" I ask and they all burst into giggles again.


    ¡°Please, Luna. Don''t say anything. I like to make him nice dishes and he seems to really like them."


    "I won''t say a word. It''s beautiful. Oh, and your chicken dishst night was


    delicious. Even Alpha Quirinmented on it."


    "Thanks, Luna," she says, blushing again.


    Ipliment the other omegas on dinner, then head over to the hospital.


    "Oh, Luna you''re back again." Deborah says to me.


    "Hi, Deborah, Yes, I have ns for this hospital. I''m going to put in an order for supplies today.


    "Oh. Do you think we''ll need them?" she asks, obviously skeptic


    "I''m only going to order the things that I think we absolutely need," I tell her.


    I begin putting together an order form, surprised when Christyrings me a sandwich.


    *Alpha said we were to make sure you ate lunch today,"


    saysmiling at me.


    88%


    "Oh, that was sweet of him. No problems with Arlo after training


    ¡°No, Luna. He apparently had a meeting with Alpha and Beta, and he''s got extra patrol duty now."


    "Good. Stay alert and like I said, if he continues to bother you, let me know."


    "I will, Luna. Thank you."


    I''ve nearly finalized my list when I hear someone calling out in the front of the hospital.


    "Hello? Lurra Kennedy?"


    I step out of the room I''ve been working in and see Susie holding a young pup who is crying and clinging to her.


    "What do we have here?" I ask, walking over.


    "Luna, can you help us? I saw Deborah in the packhouse, and she said you were here," she says, obviously very concerned for her pup. It looks like he''s stepped, on a stick that has punctured his foot.


    "I think we can do that," I say, looking around. I''m not putting him on one of those creaky hospital beds in case it can''t hold his weight. Instead, I take him from Susie and carry him to the counter."


    "What''s your name?" I ask him.


    "Samuel, Luna."


    "Samuel, you stay right here while I get what I need. Will you do that for me?"


    He nods and I turn to make sure that Susie is standing close. Thankfully, Deborah


    has kept the hospital stocked with items. needed for pup injuries. There''s a fairly new pair of tweezers, a sharp scalpel, antiseptic, and bandages.


    I grab what I need and walk back out, pulling a chair over so I can sit at the height


    of Samuel''s foot.


    I set my items down beside him and sit.


    "I''m just going to take a look at what we''ve got here, okay Samuel?"


    He nods.


    "How did you get this stick in your foot?"


    "I was running through the woods," he says.


    "You were running barefoot after your father and I both told you not to," Susie


    scolds him.


    88%


    "Your parents are right, Samuel. Until you have a wolf, you''ll have to heal slowly.


    I''ll get this pic of wood out of your foot, but it will be sore for a couple of days


    and you''ll have to keep puting antiseptic on it so it doesn''t get infected," I tell him.


    "Is it going to hurt?" he asks me, big tears hanging on to his long eyshes.


    "Your father is a warrior, right?" I ask him.


    "He is! He''s a strong warrior too. Everyone says so."


    "Well then, I''m guessing that the son of a strong warrior won''t have too much of a hard time with me removing this and putting some antiseptic on it. It will hurt, but I''ll bet you''re tough enough to take it. Are you ready?" I ask him. Susie takes his hand, and after slicing the smallest possible amount of his skin, I use the tweezers to carefully pull the stick out of his foot. Samuel hisses, his foot jerking as I tug it out.


    "Look at the size of it," I say,ying therge splinter on his leg as I look at his foot which is now bleeding.


    "Samuel! You''re lucky it didn''t go all the way through your foot! Next time, wear your shoes!" Susie scolds him.


    "Yes, momma. Am I done now?" he asks me.


    "Not quite yet. I need to wash it off and make sure there aren''t any more pieces of wood in your foot before I bandage it up," I tell him.


    I gently press around his foot and not feeling any more splinters. I wash it off and pour the antiseptic on it. Then I wrap it up and stand.


    "There! Good as new!" I tell him.,


    "Thanks, Luna," he says, throwing his arms around me. Iugh, picking him up off


    the counter.


    "You''re very wee. Now, I''m sending your mother back with some more antiseptic. You''ll want to put it on twice a day and if you see any redness, swelling, or if it doesn''t seem to be healing,e back and see me," I tell Susie.


    "Thanks, Luna," she says. "Come on, Samuel. Let''s go."


    "Bye, Luna. Thanks!" he says, waving as they walk out.


    I take a deep breath feeling good about something for the first time in days.

 Chapter 20

    Quirin


    +23


    When Kier went inside at the beginning of warrior training, I knew someone was missing. Most days I start training and he makes sure that everyone got their asses out of bed toe to training. So, I wasn''t surprised when he went inside to collect the stragglers. I was, however, surprised, when it was Arlo who came out. He''s one of the few that loves warrior training. He loves the opportunity to hit someone, so he''s neverte.


    ''We have a problem, Alpha,'' Kier says in the mind-link, joining me at the front of the group as I take them through the warm


    1. up.


    ''What''s that?''


    ''I caught him mouthing off to Luna,'' he tells me.


    Raif growls angrily and everyone''s head snaps to me.


    ''Is Kennedy okay?''


    ''Yes. She said she was and it didn''t look like he touched her. There was something with one of the omegas, but I''m not sure what that was about. She may have been with our Luna when Arlo approached them, but I''m not sure.''


    "Arlo you''re with me today," I bark out loud. He res at Kier, but nods.


    I proceed to spend the next two hours kicking the shit out of him. He''s a good fighter, but he''s not an Alpha. "Alpha, is there a problem?" ter, his brother, asks at the end of training, seeing how badly I pummeled Arlo. "Your brother apparently needed a reminder of who your Luna is mated to. I would suggest that anyone who thinks that they can mouth off to their Luna, take note. This is your future if you EVER disrespect my mate."


    "Yes, Alpha," the warriors say. ter reaches out his hand to help Arlo up and I p it away. "He gets up on his own. He thinks he''s better than me, thinks he mouth off to my mate, disrespecting boht of us, then he can be man enough to pick his own ass up off the ground," I snarl.


    I know he''s hurt. I dislocated his shoulder, I heard a rib snap, and he started limping about an hour ago.


    "Get up and get to my office," I tell him, walking away. "Kier!"


    "Right here, Alpha."


    "Grab food for the two of us and join me in my office," I say, moderating my tone. I''m not angry at him. "Also, check in with the omegas and make sure my mate was okay when you left her


    "Will do,¡± he says, walking off to toward the kitchen.


    I reach out in the mind link and gently touch Kennedy''s mind. I can tell she''s busy working through her list for the hospital. I don''t sense any concern or worry, other than what she''s going to order. I''m not sure why she''s worried about it, but I''ll leave her to figure it out. I know nothing about hospital equipment or supplies.


    Once I know she''s okay, I refocus on my ns for Arlo. I''m going to give him two choices and he gets to decide his fate. When he hobbles in, I don''t invite him to sit. I let him stand. Depending on his decision, he may not be here long.


    1879%


    Kier walks in a momentter, sitting a te of food down in front of me. He pulls up a chair and sits at my desk, following along by digging into his breakfast.


    "The way I see it, Arlo, you have two choices. You can leave the pack or you can take extra patrols. You apparently have too much energy if you have time to be disrespectful. Those are your choices. You have five minutes to decide."


    "Alpha..." he begins.


    "If you''re going to make some excuse for what your Beta witnessed, save it. I don''t want to hear it, and it will only encourage me to kick you out of the pack. If that''s your choice, keep talking" I say, my voice as hard as steel.


    "And if you don''t think telling your Luna to''mind her own business and calling her a pup isn''t disrespectful, then I''m sure your Alpha can change your mind," Kier says. I growl again, ring at Arlo.


    "First of all, anything that happens in this pack is as much her business as it is mine. Second, use my pet name for my mate again, and next time, you won''t walk away. That''s MY-name for her. NO ONE uses it but me." It makes me wonder if this was why Kennedy asked me about calling her little pup. I wonder if someone else has called her that name in a derogatory way. I feel very possessive of my nickname for my mate. It''s ALWAYS been my name for her.


    "I''ll take the patrols, Alpha," Arlo says.


    18


    "Are you sure? You disrespect my mate again, and you won''t have a choice. I''ll kill you. Are we clear?"


    "Crystal."


    "Go get some food. You start your extra patrols this afternoon. I suggest you let your wolf start healing you between now and then."


    When he walks out, I turn to Kier. "Tell me what you walked in on earlier," I say.


    He goes through it for me, letting me know what he heard, and that Kennedy didn''t back down, even though Arlo was towering over her in an intimidating stance and basically snarling at her.


    I''m proud of my mate, but this interaction makes me want to work with her even more. If this had been one of Jasper''s warriors, they wouldn''t have stopped at intimidating. They would have taken her or killed her.


    When Kier leaves, I check in with the kitchen omegas to make sure that they send food over for Kennedy if she doesn''te back for lunch. I have a feeling I''m going to have to make sure that food is sent over for her every day. She''s a bit like her mother when she gets involved in something. She loses track of time and forgets to eat. Luna Yara isn''t my


    responsibility, but Kennedy certainly is. I''m going to make sure she stays strong, especially if I''m going to be training her in the evenings.


    This evening, when I reach out to Kennedy, I can feel her happiness. It''s like a ray of fucking sunshine into my soul.


    ''What has my mate so happy?'' I ask her in the mind link.


    I got my first patient,'' she says excitedly.


    ''You did? Who?'' I ask, going through the list of warriors in my mind to try and figure out who went to see her.


    ''Samuel, Susie and Kelvin''s son. He stepped on a stick that went into his foot.


    ''Is he okay? ask.


    "Yes. I told Susie to keep an eye on it and toe back if it looks like it''s getting infected.


    78%


    (+23)


    ''Good. Are you ready for dinner?'' I ask, anxious to see my mate after being away from her all day. Not only that, I want to make sure she''s okay after the ordeal with Arlo and to hopefully see a smile on her face that reflects the mood I''m feeling from her.


    At that moment, there''s a knock on the door and I smell her citrus and mint scent. I''m not sure if it''s me or Raif who pushes me to the door so we can see her. When I do, I''m rewarded with her radiant smile. The one that sts the darkness out of me and makes my dick stand at attention.


    "Yes, I am ready for dinner. And I understand I have you to thank for having lunch sent over."


    "I didn''t want you to miss lunch again," I tell her, stroking my thumb over her lips and tracing the smile.


    "Thank you. That was very kind of you."


    "I''m your mate. I want to always make sure that you are taken care of. Shall we?"


    I ask, holding out my hand.


    "We shall," she says, putting her hand in mine. Tonight, when we walk into the dining hall I can feel the difference in the pack. I''m not sure if word about what happened to Arlo has gotten around or if they are responding to the difference in Kennedy, but either way, the nces that we''re getting feel more positive.


    We get our food and I stand by watching as Kennedy gets the information about tonight''s meal and who made everything. Shepliments certain things as she goes along putting food on her te.


    "What are these pretty little things," I ask, trying to follow Kennedy''s lead. She''s obviously making in-roads with the omegas which means that her approach is important. I want the omegas to know that I appreciate them as well. "Miniature cheesecakes with berrypote, my absolute favorite," Kier says,ing over and snagging several.


    "Is it?" Kennedy asks, much more interested and attentive than I would have thought.


    Kier just nods as he pops one in his mouth. I watch as his eyes roll back into his head. "Compliments to the chef," he mumbles around a mouthful of cheesecake.


    "What about cake, Beta? Do you like cake?" Kennedy asks him.


    "Oh yeah! Ask Alpha. I have a terrible sweet tooth."


    "Yeah, he does,¡± I say, wondering at Kennedy''s interest. I feel an ufortable re of jealousy until I see her look at the omega who is helping to serve the food. The omega looks away blushing. That''s odd.


    "Well, I guess I''ll have to try one then, since my Beta says they''re his favorite. I thought all desserts were his favorite," I say, making the omegaugh.


    "Well done, Arianna," Kennedy says softly, before we move on.


    "What was that about?" I ask her.


    She just smiles and shakes her head at me. Now I''m even more curious but I let it


    go as I find a table that doesn''t include Arlo and have them make space for us. Kennedy puts her te down, saying hello to everyone then lets me know she''ll be right back.


    I watch her walk over to where Kelvin is sitting with his son. Even from here, I can hear Samuel''s squeal as he sees my mate. He leaps into her arms, and she catches him easily. Kelvin gets up, talking to Kennedy while Samuel shows her his


    foot.


    I feel a craving, something deep and visceral in my gut, as I watch my mate holding a pup. I want it to be MY pup that she''s


    78%


    holding. I want her be smiling at our pup while she''s talks to me or our pack


    members.


    When she turns, smiling over at me, that desire takes root. I know that it won''t let


    go and that I''ll do almost anything to make sure that one day, she''s holding my pup in her arms.


    ''We need to figure out how to have sex without hurting her first. Raif says.


    Yeah. There is that.

 Chapter 21

    Kennedy


    After checking on Samuel, who is about as sweet as he can be, I head back to the table with Quirin.


    "Hey Luna, are you nning onpping us again tonight?" someone calls out.


    I turn, frowning? "What?"


    78%


    "We were running patrolsst night when you decided to make all of us feel likezy asses when you passed us three times." I''d been so upset that I hadn''t even been paying attention.


    "Oh. Oh, I''m sorry. I wasn''t trying to make you feel bad. Echo just needed to stretch her legs," I tell him.


    "That''s okay, Luna. It''s just a reminder that we need to push harder to make sure no one gets past our borders. It was pretty impressive," a third patrol member says.


    "Thank you.


    If you ever need anyone to set the pace for you." I begin andugh when they all begin to say "NO" loudly.


    When I turn back, I see Quirin watching me. I''m pretty sure that''s pride twinged with possessiveness on his face. Since he doesn''t keep the link between us open often, I''m not exactly sure


    "Let''s see how the food is tonight," I say, sitting down and starting to cat.


    "Are you really that fast, Luna?" one of the warriors at our table asks me.


    "I''m the fastest one in my family," I say.


    "How did I never know this about you?" Quirin asks me.


    "I was never running away from you, Alpha," I say, and feeling happy and flirtatious, I wink at him.


    This time, I feel a rush of hot desire along with his low rumbling growl of pleasure before he shuts off the link between us again.


    ''We need to do whatever you just did again, Kennedy. It''s been days since our mates have been inside us, Echo says, practically panting with need in my head.


    It has been a while. Most newly mated couples are barely out in public because they can''t keep their hands off of each other. I know we''ve had some issues, but anytime Quirin has touched me, he''s made sure to keep a distance between us since that first night. Even his kiss this morning was sweet and gentle, not like the passionate kiss we shared our first night together.


    ''Well, if he''s going to be training us tonight, perhaps we can take the opportunity to brush against him, maybe straddle him. Or maybe we pull him into the shower with us after we''re all hot and sweaty, Echo purrs in our mind.


    I like all of those ideas, so I''m more excited than I''ve ever been to train when we finish dinner and say goodbye to the others. I nce around and don''t see Arlo anywhere. I''m d, but I still need to make sure that Quirin knows that he might be a problem. I''m not exactly sure what role he expects me to take with the warriors, but he seems to be fine with maintaining the discipline as I assist the omegas and run the packhouse.


    "Do you want to change before we go?" he asks me. I look down and realize that I''m probably not wearing good sparring clothes. Since Quirin was in warrior


    training right before dinner, he''s already dressed appropriately.


    "Yes, give me a few minutes," I say and bound up the stairs.


    78%


    123


    I quickly get dressed and when Ie back downstairs, I see Quirin talking to one of the female warriors in our pack. I''ve watched my mate for a long time, watched how he interacts with she-wolves, so I''m not concerned with how he''s interacting with her. I am, however, concerned about her flirtatiousness with my mate. I can tell she''s using something that happened in training to get my mate to touch her, having him walk her through how to get out of some hold.


    A growl escapes me before I even realize what Echo is going to do.


    "Oh, Luna, I''m so sorry. I was just asking Alpha Quirin to assist me with a new maneuver we learned in training."


    "I see that," I say, fighting Echo''s jealousy and her intense desire to swipe at this she-wolf and shout that Quirin is ours.


    ''He is ours. Stop it, I tell her.


    ''She touched him,'' she growls.


    ''She''s a warrior: I''m sure he touches all of them. You know he wasn''t giving her the look that we''re used to seeing on his face when he''s interested in taking them to bed. So, stop this.


    "That she-wolf needs to know her ce and it is NOT in our mate''s bed, she growls.


    I feel Quirin''s arme around my waist, firmly gripping my hip and pulling me closer to him. I''m not sure if he''s sensing Echo''s anger at this woman or if he''s making sure she doesn''t attack her.


    "I''m afraid that Kennedy and I have ns for this evening. We can go through the maneuver again during training tomorrow," Quirin tells her.


    "Of course, Alpha. Thank you. Bye, Luna"


    He doesn''t release his grip on me until we''re out of the packhouse, then he turns to look at me.


    "What was that about?"


    "Echo didn''t like another she-wolf touching you," I say honestly


    "Echo..." Quirin says, calling her forward.


    "Yes, mate?" she replies in a sultry voice making him smile.


    "Whose mark is this on my neck?"


    She purrs loudly. "Mine!" she says then lifts up on our toes to lick our mark. I can taste the saltiness of his skin, and I can feel his body shiver from her action.


    "Echo, you cannot attack our pack members simply because they are practicing new training methods," he says stroking his knuckles over our cheeks.


    She leans into his touch. "She was flirting with you."


    "Was she?" he asks "I didn''t notice. I was too busy listening to my mateing down the stairs."


    He leam in and gives us one of those chaste kisses before taking my hand. "Now, you''re not getting out of training. It''s important


    I pull Echo back as he leads us away from the p


    turns, dropping my hand.


    78%


    When he''s reached an area where he feels that we can train, he


    "Alright, show me what positions you remember from your and we begin. "Alright, show me what positions you remember from yo


    pup training," he


    Echo was right about one thing, having our mate giving us one-on-one training means that he''s close to us, leaning around us and fixing our form, making sure that I don''t put myself into positions where I might dislocate somthing, those sorts of things.


    I will say this about my mate, he''s not only an excellent fighter, which is apparent


    in his knowledge that he''s teaching me, but he''s also an excellent instructor.


    I swear I can feel his body responding to our closeness just as mine is. I''m struggling to focus on his instructions because his close proximity is very distracting. Add to that, I know my scent is getting stronger the more he touches me and heat pools in my core.


    "Okay, let''s call it a night," he finally says. I''m sweaty from the workout, but that''s not what has my blood racing through my veins and pulsing in my ears. I want my


    mate.


    "Yes, we should go get washed up," I tell him.


    We walk back to the packhouse, and I notice that several people look at us, as if expecting that we''ve been rolling around in the grass outside.


    When we finally get to our room, I turn, expecting Quirin to kiss me. Instead, he moves past me and goes into our closet. I follow him, but almost as if he''s trying to avoid me, he skips out of the closet before I walk in.


    ''Echo?''


    ''Let''s strip down and ask him to join us in the shower,'' she says, as surprised by his distance as I am.


    It''s not easy for me. I''m unused to being naked in front of others. But Quirin is my mate, the man I love, the man who loves me. So I strip down, take a deep breath to calm myself and step out of the closetpletely naked.


    "Quirin, did you want to join me in the shower?" I ask him.


    I watch as he turns, seeing me naked. His eyes go nearly ck with desire and


    his teeth clench so that he doesn''t break a tooth.


    "You go ahead. I''ll be right behind you," he says.


    "Okay,¡± I say, surprised yet again.


    I go into the bathroom, turn on the shower and get in.


    I wash my hair. No Quirin.


    I shave my legs. No Quirin.


    I wash my body. No Quirin.


    tightly that I''m shocked


    Finally, I turn off the water and that''s when hees in, carrying a towel which he


    quickly wraps around me.


    "Did you want to wear one of my shirts again tonight?" he asks.


    +23


    70%1


    +23)


    "Sure,¡± I say, still feeling confused.


    He brings in a shirt and unceremoniously pulls it over my head, helping me to get


    into it. Then he brushes out my hair.


    "Don''t wait for me. I know you''re tired," he says, waiting for me to leave before turning the water on in the shower again.


    I crawl into bed and wait for him. He takes a long time but when he finally


    emerges, he sees me watching him.


    "What are you still doing awake, Little Pup?" he says softly.


    "Waiting for you." I say ignoring the pet name and hoping that he''ll understand


    that I want him.


    "You should be asleep," he says. He turns off the lights, and crawls into bed behind me. He pulls me against him, wrapping himself tightly around me.


    "Goodnight, Kennedy."


    "Goodnight, Quirin,¡± I say.


    I lie there awake for a long time and it finally urs to me. I''m just like all of his


    other one-night stands. He only ever sleeps with a woman once, only this time, he''s stuck with me for life.

 Chapter 22

    Quirin


    It took Kennedy a long time to fall asleepst night. It took me even longer.


    +23)


    The moment Kennedy walked out of the closet naked, it felt like every drop of blood in my body went straight to my dick. It was throbbing so hard that I thought I might explode right there


    It was all I could do to tell Kennedy to go get in the shower. I''d been worried that she mighte over and touch me and it would have been all over from there. I barely have any self-restraint when ites to her anyway and having been in close contact with her, smelling her scent increasing during our sparring session, had not helped me at all.


    Then, I''d had to get myself off in the shower, twice, just to make my dick stop throbbing painfully. All of that was a waste though when I stepped out of the shower and saw her grey-green eyes watching me. She was still awake, waiting for me. I gotten hard again and then struggled to fall asleep, listening to her breathing that took a very long time to even out.


    I''d been pleasantly surprised with her defensive skills during our training session. She''s definitely got Alpha instincts and while she''s not a fighter and not well- trained, she''s got a good foundation.


    I wake up at my usual time, feeling exhausted. Since I showeredst night and I''m just going to get sweaty at training, I grab a pair of shorts and my shoes before getting ready to go downstairs. Rather than just leaving, I walk over to the bed and lean down to kiss Kennedy.


    She surprises me not only by being awake but also by turning her head and capturing my mouth in a kiss. It''s so unexpected that I don''t have time to hold myself or Raif back and before I know it, I''m growling and taking her mouth in a possessive kiss. My arms wrap around her, pulling her to me as I dominate her mouth.


    It isn''t until I hear her sweet whimpers that reality finallyes crashing back down on me. She''s got her legs wrapped around me, the arousal from between her bare thighs soaking my shorts.


    "I have to get to training," I pant.


    "I know. I just wanted to say good morning." Her voice is so swee, and her scent


    is swirling around my head making me dizzy with need and desire.


    "You should go back to sleep," I tell her. She shakes her head.


    "I''m want to order those things I need for the hospital," she says.


    ¡°Good. You do that," I say, setting her back on the bed and forcing myself to turn away from her. ¡°I''ll have them send food over for you at lunchtime, since you don''t seem to remember to eat."


    I''ve just reached the door when she stops me.


    "Quirin, wait. I wanted to talk with you about Arlo."


    I turn to look at her. "Kier told me. I took care of it."


    "I''m worried that..."


    Kennedy, I spoke to Arlo. I gave him the choice of leaving the pack or running extra patrols. He chose patrols. He won''t be bothering you anymore.


    10:28 Thu, Jan 30 of BB:


    84%


    (+23)


    I can tell she''s not quite done with our conversation, but I have to get out of here before I rip her clothes off and bury myself inside her.


    "We''ll talkter," I tell her, before practically racing from the room.


    I use training to get rid of the pent-up energy and sexual frustration I''m feeling and when I go inside for breakfast, I hear that Kennedy has already gone to hospital.


    "Kier, get your food and join me in my office. We need to talk about this weekend,"


    I tell him. As I''m walking to my office, I see Deborah.


    "Deborah, can you take aputer over to the hospital so Kennedy can order what she needs."


    "Yes, Alpha, but do we really need all of those supplies she wants to order?"


    "If Kennedy says we do, then we do," I tell her. I have no idea what Kennedy is ordering, and I really don''t care. I have the money and if yesterday was any indication, the hospital is making her happy.


    "Okay, Alpha," she says.


    When Kieres in, I let him know that we need to discuss Kennedy and I being away this weekend.


    "Alpha Connor is having his Alpha ceremony on Saturday. Kennedy and I will be leaving early enough on Saturday for her to spend some time with her family. Because it''s a big deal, I''m expecting that we''ll spend the night. You''ll be in charge while I''m gone."


    We spend a couple of hours making sure that everything is set. Just before he leaves, I look at him.


    "Maybe I should start sending you to these events, Kier," I say.


    "Why is that?" he asks, lookingpletely unimpressed.


    "You haven''t found your mate yet. Maybe she''s a Beta in one of these packs? Or


    maybe she''s an Alpha, who knows," I say to him.


    "I''m good, Alpha, thanks,¡± he says, walking out before I can ask him any more about it.


    I reach out to the kitchen omegas asking thar.meone


    take Kennedy some lunch when my phone rings. Look at the caller


    ID and pick it up.


    "Hello Farrah, what can I do for you?"


    "I thought it was me who was doing something for you," she says


    "You are correct, as always, Farrah."


    She chuckles. "I am going to see you this weekend, right?¡±


    "It''s Kennedy''s twin''s Alpha ceremony. I''m sure she won''t want to miss it."


    "Good. Now, I''m assuming you''ll be inviting her entire family to her Luna ceremony?"


    "That''s correct."


    "And you''re making arrangements to ensure that no one attacks Alpha Warren or his family, correct?" she asks.


    "I''m sorry, who''s the Alpha of this pack?" I ask sharply. Very few people can get away with speaking to me the way that Farrah is.


    "I have no intention of having anything to do with an attack on that family. Besides the fact that Henry is in an alliance with Alpha Warren and will renew that alliance this weekend with Alpha Connor, Luna Yara saved my life. And because of that, I found Harold, adopted two sons, and finally found happiness in my life that I never expected to have again. That is a debt that I can never repay. So, I will have no part in any act of aggression against their family, whether intentional or unintentional. I trust you, Quirin. If you tell me that you''re making ns to keep his family safe from your pack members who still harbor anger and resentment towards Alpha Warren, then I will ept that," she says, her tone just as sharp as


    mine.


    I''m familiar with Luna Yara''s impact on Farrah''s life. I''ve heard the story and it doesn''t surprise me. In the past, I would never have let my pack hurt Luna Yara by attacking anyone in her family. But now, I have an even bigger reason to ensure Alpha Warren''s safety.


    "I would never allow anyone to disrespect Kennedy that way. This is her home, and they are her family. I am going to offer that any of my pack members who don''t want to be here can leave while her family is here. They will have to ept her as their Luna first,, or they will be unwee to return."


    "Are you going to need more warriors to help patrol your borders during that time?


    I''m sure Henry would be willing to send some of his," she says.


    "I''ll talk to him this weekend when we''re at Connor''s Alpha ceremony."


    "Perfect. Now, let''s get down to business. Here''s what I''ve nned so far..." she begins.


    I spend the next hour talking through Farrah''s ns for Kennedy''s Luna ceremony.


    "You should talk to Luna Yara this weekend about getting a dress for Kennedy."


    A dress? I hadn''t even considered that.


    "Maybe Luna Yara will want to take her daughter shopping," I say appalled at the


    idea of having to find a dress for my mate.


    Farrah chuckles. "Just talk to her. She''ll help you figure it out."


    When we finish, it''s close to time for afternoon warrior training. head outside and


    see Kennedy looking around, squatting down and looking through the grass in an area where pups y.


    I walk over to her and squat down beside her.


    "What are you looking for?" I ask her, not seeing anything.


    "I''m not exactly sure. But when I find it, I''ll let you know," she says.

 Chapter 23

    Kennedy


    Today when I go to the hospital, I begin going over what supplies I would like to have for the hospital versus what I feel is critical or at least necessary. Some things, like a new x-ray machine, are necessary, but based on the cost, I set it aside for now. Hopefully, I can get Quirin to talk to me about the cost of these things and what the pack can afford at some point in the near future.


    I''m pleasantly surprised when Deborahes in with aptop that she said Quirin sent over for me. Since I''d forgotten to ask about one, this is perfect.


    I log in, finding the information on the medical supply store that we use for ordering. When I look back on previous orders, I see that Deborah was right. They only ever order the basics and most of that is in smaller sizes for pups.


    I put in my order, taking a deep breath when I see the cost, and push send. I guess I''ll find outter if Quirin freaks out over the cost.


    Christy brings me lunch again today, letting me know that Quirin once again requested that someone bring me food.


    "Perhaps I should just put in a standing order to have a sandwich ready for me in the morning. That way Quirin won''t have to worry about it. I''m sure he''s got plenty of other things on his mind," I say.


    "I don''t get the impression that he minds, Luna," she says.


    "Everything going okay with you?" I ask her.


    "Yes, Luna. I haven''t seen Arlo. He''s apparently pretty busy."


    "Good. Thank you for bringing this by," I say.


    "You''re wee. Oh, and Susie said that Samuel is doing well. She wanted me to let you know."


    "Great news, thank you."


    I''m just finished eating when I hear the doors to the front of the hospital slide open. Since hardly anyone everes in, I listen.


    "Is Luna here?" a woman asks.


    "Yeah, what''s going on?" Deborah asks her.


    "I''d like to speak to Luna," she says as Ie walking out.


    "Hi there. What can I do for you?" I ask, seeing one of Quirin''s warriors carrying her son. This one is older than yesterday but still under ten, so he doesn''t have his wolf.


    "Hi, Luna. I was talking to Kelvin during training this morning and he said that you really helped Samuel with the stick he got in his foot. I was wondering if you would take a look at Tommy''s knee for me?"


    "Sure, follow me, what''s your name?"


    "I''m Emily, Luna.


    ¡°Hi Emily. Hi, Tommy,¡± I say, holding a door open for them. I can''t use the bed until they arrive, but I can put him on the


    1212 31 Jan 09


    Chaparr 124


    couter whale i crouch in front of him like I did with Serv


    "How old are you, Tommy?"


    "Wow! Getting to big so, what''s wrong 1 koring, or any to put on the over


    "You don''t want him on the bed die aks


    "I don''t trust thone beds, but I''ve ordered some new ones, so if you have toe back in a couple of days, hopefully you''ll have a morefortable ce to st 1 sey, smiling, Tommy is done react, but sinor be''s bere for something to do with him. I''m not surprised


    "Well, he injured his knee several days ago, maybe a week wyp now, but it''s not being, she says.


    1 pull up a chair and sit down in front of him looking at his knee, 1 en bus don''t sell any infection. It''s not a terrible injury but 1 can see that it''s seeping and bleeding ate and notbeding


    "Any fever?" I ask as 1 look over the injury,


    "How did you get this?" I ask him.


    "I was ying, and I fell," he says, shrugging,


    "There''s a pup y area on the right side of the packhouse, Luna I don''t know if you''ve seen it yet"


    "I think I passed it on the way to the woods," I say, "I see it''s seeping, but I don''t see or smell any pussy discharge. Have you seen any signs of infection?"


    "No, Luna. And it hasn''t gotten any worse, it just isn''t getting any better. And when


    I try to scrub it, Tommy says it hurts too much"


    The area around the scrape is red and slightly swollen, but not terribly angry looking. I begin gently pressing around the injury. "Does it hurt if I touch it here?" I ask him.


    "No," he says, watching me.


    "Okay, I''m going to swab the area and also scrape some of the skin and a bit of tissue off your knee, Tommy," I say, looking up at Emily, "I won''t get my microscope until tomorrow, possibly the next day. But I''ll check to see if it''s some sort of bacteria that''s keeping him from healing."


    "Will it hurt?" Tommy asks me.


    "It shouldn''t. But I''m guessing that you''re the son of two strong warriors, am I right?" I ask him.


    "Yes, Luna," he says proudly.


    "Then, I don''t think it will hurt at all," I tell him, standing. "I''ll be right back," I tell Emily.


    When I step out, I look for Deborah. "Do we have any test tubes, or microscope slides, or anything that is sterile that I can put this skin sample in until my equipment arrives?" I ask her.


    "No, Luna, but I can boil some sses for you," she says.


    52%


    +13


    "That will have to do I say, thankful now that I decided to add test tubes to the order. The slidese with the microscope, but I''ll need to order some more.


    We do have swabs and I get a scalpel to scrape the skin. Just as I''m ready to go back in, Deborahes over with two steaming hot sses on a tray. "Here you go, Luna"


    1


    "Thank you," I say, putting my supplies on the tray and taking it from her.


    When I step back inside, Tommy watches me wide-eyed.


    "Okay, let''s start with a swab. This shouldn''t hurt at all, but if it does, let me know."


    I''ve just started rubbing his scraped knee when he hisses and tugs his leg away from me.


    "That hurt?" I ask him and he nods.


    1 look at his knee more closely, not seeing anything that looks like a splinter, but it may be hard to see.


    "Did it feel like a sharp pain, like there''s something in your knee, or a burning pain?" I ask him.


    "It didn''t feel sharp," he says.


    "So, more of a burning pain?"


    "I guess so," he says shrugging


    I put that swab into one of the sses and grab another one. "I''m going to swab


    the other side. Same thing, tell me if it hurts," I tell him.


    Once again, he tugs away.


    "Is this normal, Luna?" Emily asks.


    "I''ve not seen it before. I can talk to my mother about it too, but looking at it under a microscope should help me identify what we''re dealing with," I tell her. "Okay, this time, I''m going to scrape the wound. If this is a bacteria, or something simr that is just on the surface, it will hopefully scrape it off and you''ll start to heal. If that doesn''t help and it''s deeper, then we''ll have to wait to see what it is so I can treat it," I tell Emily before looking at Tommy.


    "This might sting a little, but I need you to hold as still as possible for me. Can you do that?" I ask him.


    "Yes, Luna"


    "Good. How''s your pup traininging along?" I ask him to distract him from what


    I''m doing. Since he''s the son of two warriors, I''m positive that he''s in warrior training for pups.


    As he begins telling me all about it, I carefully scrape the topyer of skin and flesh from his knee. I put that into the second ss and sit back while Tommy continues talking.


    "Are you done?" he asks me, looking at his knee.


    "I am," I tell him.


    "That barely hurt at all," he says.


    14.12 §Ô0, 21 000


    "Good. My goal is to NOT hurt my patients," I tell him as I stand again, setting my things aside.


    52%1


    "I don''t care what anyone else says. I like you, Luna," Tommy says, throwing his


    arms around me. It takes me a minute to respond. I guess the pack doesn''t like


    me.


    I wrap my arms around him. "Well, thank you, Tommy. I like you too," I say,


    "Come on, Tommy. Let''s go," Emily says obviously embarrassed by her son''s words. She takes his hand as I set him down.


    "I''ll let you know when I have some answers, and let me know if it gets any worse," I tell Emily.


    "Thank you, Luna." She starts to walk off, then turns back. "It''s not that we don''t like you, Luna. It''s just, we''re a pack of fighters and we were all pretty shocked to find out that our Luna isn''t a fighter. I guess it will just take some time for all of us to adjust to that," she says.


    I nod. "You know, my mother isn''t a fighter either, but she''s saved so many members of her pack that no one considers her weak. Everyone recognizes that her strengths are different than theirs. They can''t save the lives that my mother can save, and she can''t protect the pack the way that they do. It doesn''t mean she''s not a strong woman. It just means that her strengths lie elsewhere," I say. She nods and turns, walking out of the hospital. Tommy turns and waves at me. I smile and wave back.


    Operation Warriors Warming Up to Me: One down, about a million to go.


    "The patrols were impressed with our speed,'' Echo says, feeling sad.


    ''Correction, they were impressed with YOUR speed. I''m still the Luna who isn''t a warrior.''


    ''What are you going to do?'' she asks me.


    ''I''m going to do what I''m good at. I''m going to figure out why Tommy isn''t healing and go from there,'' I say.


    With that in mind, I say goodbye to Deborah and head over the packhouse, walking around it instead of through it. I want to see if I can figure out if there is


    something on the ground, maybe some sort of nt that is causing Tommy to not be able to heal.


    That''s when Quirines over to me, asking me what I''m doing. Since I don''t really know, that''s what I tell him. He doesn''t seem to like my answer, but I realize that he''s dressed for warrior training. I look behind him and see the pack warriorsing out for afternoon training.


    "If I find it, I''ll let you know," I tell him.


    "Okay. I was thinking tonight that we could switch up your training. How would


    Echo like to run. I''d like to work on your stamina. She''s fast, but she starts to


    wane after an hour. I want her to get stronger, be able to run fast for longer periods of time," he says.


    I can feel Echo''s excitement and beyond being able to run and show off her speed, I can tell that she''s hoping to get Raif to mate her. Maybe then Quirin will


    rx. Maybe Quirin just needs to let Raif''s instincts and the mate bond lead the


    way.


    "That sounds great," I say. "I''ll see you at dinner."


    He leans over and kisses me softly before heading back to warrior training. I take


    a moment to watch my mate as he leads the group through the warmup.


    "Our man is sexy, Echo purrs.


    12:13, 31 Jan MU


    Yes, yes he is.

 Chapter 24

    Kennedy


    I spend some more time looking through the pup y area, not finding anything, so I head back imide. Before dinner, 1 yo upstairs to change into easily removed clothes so that I''m ready for our run after dinner,


    As I''m changing, I realize that I never opened the other gifts from my birthday. I begin pulling them out of the closet and putting them on the bed. I''m not even sure I want them. They''re all from the other Alphas who were invited to my party.


    I open the first one and find somecy, barely-there lingerie. What the


    I quickly shove it back in its box and open the next one. This one is a nude sheer one-piece outfit that has a thong for the bottoms. Uh, no!


    I shove that one back in the box too and open a third. This one is a ck version of basically the same thing, Lingerie.


    I decide that I don''t want to open any more of them and I shove them all back into the corner of the closet. What in the world were those Alphas thinking??


    "They were thinking they wanted to peel those clothes off their potential mate, Echo says.


    ''Can you imagine what it would have been like to open those gifts in front of my family and friends? I ask, mortified.


    I reach up and wrap my hand around the pendant that Quirin gave me. I haven''t taken it off since he put it on me. I look back at the boxes of lingerie. My mate, for all of his faults, knows me better than any of those other Alphas did. Unlike the other gifts, Quirin''s gift was thoughtful, and it was about me. Okay, maybe it was a bit possessive making the ne into Raif''s image, but he knew that diamonds were my birthstone, and he made the eyes from my birthstone.


    ''His gifts have always been thoughtful. That''s why we still have them all,'' she says.


    That reminds me that I never put that picture of him from my birthday up on my nightstand. I get it out and put it up, smiling at his very unhappy face. My mate hates having his picture taken, but he did it for me, because it was my birthday. I remember his unhappiness from that day. It was my fourteenth birthday.


    "Please Quirin, will you be in the picture? It''ll be my birthday present," I had asked.


    "I already got you a birthday present, Little Pup," he said.


    "You can take it back and save it for next year. Pleeeeease!"


    He had rolled his eyes, thene to stand in the picture. Because he did, very few other people were in the picture with me. Connor was, obviously, and so was Henry, and just a few other daring individuals, like Yorick and Wendy. Quirin''s face was a mask of irritation, but I didn''t care. I''ve always loved this picture.


    I set it on my nightstand and smile. I wonder if he''ll remember this. It was four years ago.


    ''Kennedy, where are you?'' Quirin''s voice floats into my mind.


    I look at the clock and realize it''s dinner time.


    ''On my way,'' I say to him.


    I walk downstairs, saying hello to everyone I pass. The omegas are all very friendly to me. The warriors range from lukewarm to practically hostile, especially ter and his friends. I wonder if he''s still angry about my arrival.


    12:13 F, 31 Jan M


    "Hey," Quirin says softly when I walk up.


    52%


    +13)


    "Hey," I say, and lift up on my toes to kiss him. After seeing that warrior yesterday and not having any kind of intimacy with my mate, I''m feeling a bit possessive. Echo definitely is.


    He doesn''t pull away, but he doesn''t pull me to him like I''ve seen my father do to my mother hundreds of times in my lifetime.


    Tonight when we sit down, I can tell he''s got something on his mind.


    "I want to talk about this weekend. I''m nning to go over to your family''s pack earlier on Saturday for your brother''s Alpha ceremony. I figured that you''d want to spend some time with your family and I''m guessing that they''ll want to see that you''re alive and well," he says drolly.


    "That''s very thoughtful, thank you. And I''m sure they know that I''m alive and well," I say, rolling my eyes.


    "Do you think I should contact them about staying the night? It''ll bete when the party is over and I thought you''d want to have breakfast with them in the morning before we head back," he says.


    I look at my mate for a moment. Who is this man? First, I know the feelings that he has for my father, so staying in my family''s pack will already be a hardship for him. But he also hates parties. I''ve watched him for years putting up with them for as long as he can manage, doing his duty, before ducking out.


    "Are you sure you want to stay the night?" I ask him.


    "Don''t you?" he asks.


    "Well, yes. I would love to see my family and friends."


    "Then, we''ll stay," he says.


    "Thank you. I know that will be tough for you," I say.


    "I''ll manage," he says. "And I''m guessing that you''ll want to invite your family to


    your Luna ceremony, right?"


    The warriors around us suddenly go quiet.


    "Yes," I say, uneasily.


    "I''ll talk to your parents and brother while we''re there," he says, as we finish eating.


    "Maybe we can go outside and walk off dinner before we go for a run," I say, wanting some privacy to discuss this more.


    "Good idea," he says, standing up. "Anyone running patrols tonight?" he asks loudly.


    Several warriors say that they''re in for dinner then going back to patrol duty.


    "Your Luna will be runningps tonight. Try to keep up," he says, with the Quirin equivalent of a grin as he takes my hand and leads me outside. Did he just make a joke?


    I hear some of the patrols groaning while others start asking if Echo is really that fast.


    "Why the frown, Little Pup?" he asks as we walk.


    "Did you really just make a joke?" I ask him.


    52%


    "Nope. I was serious. They need to get faster. Raif does too. But for us, this is more about you gaining stamina. I want to see Echo run for two hours and try to keep up her fast pace. I''m going to have Raif nip her heels when he catches her and she starts to slow down.


    "He has to catch me first," Echo says and now Quirin gives me a rare smile.


    "Oh, he''ll catch you. Never doubt that. It''s just a matter of how long it takes him," he says.


    "Can we go back to my familying for my Luna ceremony?" I ask.


    "What about it?"


    "I''m not sure that''s a good idea. There are a lot of warriors here who me my father for the deaths of their Alphas, mates, and family members."


    "It''s not ideal, Kennedy, but I know this is an important asion and I want it to be right for you. Once we know that they will definitely be there and for how long, I''ll let the pack know that they can leave if they want. I won''t allow any aggression toward your family while they''re in the pack. But anyone who leaves because they don''t want to be around your father will have to ept you as their Luna before they go."


    "But this is their home, Quirin," I say.


    He stops and looks at me. "Are you going to chose them over your family?"


    I open my mouth to answer, but nothinges out. This pack is my family now,


    but I don''t want that to mean that it excludes my biological family.


    "If you have a better solution, I''m all ears. It''s the only one I''vee up with. They don''t have to leave forever, just a couple of days. And depending on how many we''re talking about, I can ask Henry to put them up overnight so they aren''t out in the wilderness."


    "I''ll think about it," I say.


    "Let me know what youe up with," I say. "Now, is Echo ready?"


    "Yes I am, mate," she purrs at him, making him smile again.


    I strip off my clothes, then shift. Once again, Quirin waits for me, then runs his


    strong fingers through her fur, making her shiver.


    He chuckles and stands. "Run, beautiful," Raif growls.


    Echo takes off, racing to the border, then turning left to begin her run around the packnds.


    Almost as if he had a timer, I feel her starting to slow down after an hour. We''ve run the packnds four times, passing the patrols each time. It isn''t long before I feel Raif catching us.


    ''Keep running, Echo,'' I say, encouraging my wolf. She continues to push hard, the muscles in her legs straining after two moreps. More and more frequently, we feel Raif nipping at her heels. At first, she was able to pull away, but as the muscles in her legs get more tired, she struggles to keep ahead of him.


    By the time we finish two moreps, she copses where we left our clothes.


    We''re both exhausted from her hard run.


    I feel Quirin''s hands in her fur again. "Shift back for me, beautiful."


    When she does, she whines from the pain in her muscles shifting. I feel him pull a


    shirt over my head and then I''m in his


    arms.


    "I''ve got you, Little Pup." He presses his lips to the side of my head. "This is why


    we need to practice. You need more


    stamina."


    I nod, too tired to speak. I''m asleep before he gets back to the packhouse.

 Chapter 25

    Quirin


    I may have had a hidden reason for running Echo into the ground tonight. After trying to maintain control over myself with Kennedy walking out of our closet naked, then telling me she waned up for mest night, I''m not sure I have enough restraint to hold on if she did it again.


    Thankfully, my n worked and Raif was right. After an hour, she began to slow and after another thirty minutes, she was struggling to keep ahead of us.


    ''We can practice that a few times a week. As an Alpha wolf, Echo will get stronger quickly,'' Raif says as we carry her into the back of the packhouse.


    Kieres striding up, looking at her. "Is our Luna okay?"


    "Yeah, we wore her out working on her stamina,¡± I tell him.


    "You know, there are better ways to work on her stamina," he says, grinning at


    me.


    I grunt and push past him.


    I carry her upstairs and start a bath. I know she''s out, but she worked hard tonight and her muscles will be sore tomorrow. I turn the water on as hot as I think she can take it then put Epsom salts into the tub. Then I pull my shorts off and carefully pull my shirt over her head before turning off the water and sliding into the tub.


    Her sweet citrus and mint scent blends into the menthol scent of the Epson salts. I lean back,ying her in front of me and letting her head fall back on my shoulder. I look down and see her beautiful body. That,bined with her sweet scent has me rock hard. Something I''m bing very ustomed to. No amount of cold showers or jacking off seems to help. My body only wants my mate.


    I bathe her, gritting my teeth as I rub the washcloth over her body. Then I close my eyes and lean back, letting the Epsom salt work on her muscles until the water gets cold. When it does, pull her back into my arms and stand. I dry her off, then pull one of my clean shirts over her head before putting her to bed. I take a moment to brush the hair out of her face.


    ''She''s perfect,'' Raif says softly.


    ''Yes, she is. I''m d she''s starting to seem happier. And I''m d he pack is taking their pups to see her, although, I''m still interested to know what today was all about,'' I say.


    I turn, seeing that she''s put a picture beside her bed. Hot jealousy flows through me when I see her on her fourteenth birthday sandwiched between her brother and Henry. Is she harboring a secret crush on him? He can''t have her. She''s mine. She''s wearing my mark.


    I run my finger over the picture of her. Even then, her light shone brighter than everyone around her. She should have been mated to Henry. He''d have been a better mate to her than I can be I''m trying but I know I''m screwing some things up. With Henry, I have no doubt that it would have been effortless. The two of them are so easy-going, so filled with light, that it would have been easy.


    But for whatever reason, the Moon Goddess decided that this bright light of a woman should be mine. I set the picture back on the nightstand. I hope the Moon Goddess knows what she''s doing, because if my mate is harboring some inner love for Henry, brother or no, I may have to kill him.


    Those dark thoughts follow me to bed as I pull Kennedy to me, wrapping my body around her. Jealousy isn''t an emotion


    12:41 Sat, Feb 1 a G


    +13)


    I''m familiar with. I''ve never cared if a woman that I slept with slept with someone else. It didn''t matter. Even when they tried to unt it in front of me, tried to make me jealous, it didnt work. Those women were a release; an hour, a night, but nothing more. None of them had the light shining around them that my mate does. None of them could ever make me feel the things that Kennedy does. None of them has ever pushed the darkness away so that I felt lighter than air.


    I stare at the picture of Henry for hours before I''m finally able to fall asleep. But even in sleep, my dreams don''t let me rest. I watch Henry, holding Kenndy is his arms, telling her that he loves her. Kennedy, her stomachrge with Henry''s pup smiling up at him. Kennedyughing with a pup that looks like Henry, not me.


    When I finally wake up, I''m full of anxious energy, frustrated and angry that she''s put that picture out in the open as if she''s unting her feelings for him in front of


    me.


    I get ready for warrior training, knowing that today is going to be a rough one for my warriors. But before I leave, I have to know. I have to know if she''s really in love with him. I don''t know what I''ll do if she is, but I have to know.


    "Kennedy. Kennedy, wake up."


    "Hmmm?" she mumbles sleepily.


    "Kennedy, wake up. I need to ask you something."


    She opens her eyes and shifts her body so she''s on her back looking up at me.


    "Oh, I smell good. What is that?" she asks, sniffing her arm.


    salts. I was worried you''d be sore today after all that runningst night. Kennedy..."


    e shifts around. "It worked great, Quirin. I''m not sore at all," she says, smiling up at me.


    I close my eyes. I don''t know if I can go back to the darkness that was my life


    before she came into it. I take a deep breath and just ask her.


    "Kennedy, why do you have a picture of Henry on your nightstand?"


    She frowns. "What?"


    "This picture," I say, pointing at it. "It''s of Henry. Why is it on your nightstand?"


    She sits up, and looks at it, still frowning. "It''s not of Henry. It''s of you. It''s the only picture I have of you. I had to beg you to be in that picture. I wanted it to just be you and me, but I knew you''d never agree to that. And I was right, you never did, no matter how many birthdays I asked you to. But that one, I finally got you to get in a picture," she says, looking at me. The vice grip in my heart rxes.


    "Why would I have a picture of Henry on my nightstand? He''s not my mate."


    I look back at the picture, then at my mate, feeling like I can breathe again after not being able to all night. I sit down on the bed beside her.


    "You''re right. We should have a picture of just the two of us, one that can rece this one. Maybe we can get one taken this weekend? What do you say?" I ask


    her.


    "Do you mean it? After all these years, you''re finally willing to have a picture with just you and me in it?" she asks excitedly.


    "Well, it would have been weird if I had taken a picture with you before you were an adult,¡± I say, trying to cover myplete and total over reaction to this picture. "But yes. I don''t want to see another man''s picture on your nightstand. I 12:41 Sat, Feb 1 G.


    3


    +13


    want it to be us, so we''ll take one this weekend at your brother''s Alpha ceremony. Would you like that?"


    She leans forward, getting close enough that her nose rubs against mine and I can feel her breath on my lips. "I would love that she whispers.


    I close the distance between us, taking her mouth in a possessive dominant kiss. I plunge my tongue into her mouth, reiming it and her as mine after spending a horrible night wondering if she truly is.


    Goddess, I want to bury myself so deep inside her that she''ll never forgot that she''s mine, never forget whose mark is on her neck. But I know that I have no control right now. Even though she''s melted against me, and I can smell the scent


    of her arousal getting stronger in the air, I refuse to hurt her again.


    I pull back, pressing my forehead against hers as I catch my breath. "This weekend. It''s a date."


    "It''s a date," she says.


    I stand and walk to the door.


    "Oh, Quirin. I ordered some medical supplies yesterday, did you see ite through?" she asks.


    "Kier handles all purchase orders, but I''m sure there wasn''t any problem. If there is, let me know."


    I stop at the door, turning to look at her, sitting in MY bed, wearing MY t-shirt, her


    lips puffy from MY kiss, her hair from MY hands running through it.


    She''s never looked more gorgeous.


    messy


    I smile at her before walking out and jogging down the stairs, before thest bit of control I have over myself snaps and I return to my bed and bury myself deep inside her like my mind, body, and soul are craving.

 Chapter 26

    Kennedy


    I''ve juste downstairs, still feeling disappointed that Quirin didn''t finish what I tried to start this morning, when one of the omegases up letting me know that my medical shipment has arrived.


    "That was fast. Tell them I''ll meet them at the hospital," I say, knowing I ordered a lot.


    Christy shoves a breakfast sandwich into my hand as I walk out and the rest of my morning is spent organizing and putting away the supplies that I ordered. I''m pleasantly surprised that everything that I ordered was approved.


    The only thing that I didn''t get was the microscope which is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I sigh, wishing I could look at Tommy''s tissue samples, but it will have to wait until I get back from Connor''s Alpha ceremony.


    The afternoon is spent organizing the two rooms that I decided to put in order so that if any more pupse in, they can actually sit on the beds instead of the


    counters.


    When I finish for the day, I head back to the packhouse. I need to pack for this weekend, making sure that I have everything for Connor''s Alpha ceremony and that I make a list of what I''ll need to bring back.


    When I go back up to our room, I realize that there really isn''t any room for my furniture. We already have plenty of dresser space that can amodate my things here, except maybe a dresser that I could put in the closet, something to hide those birthday unmentionables until I can dispose of them. After Quirin''s weird response to the picture with him and Henry in it, I wouldn''t want him to go nuts seeing lingerie that another man bought for me.


    The rest of the evening is much the same as our other nights. I have dinner with Quirin and the pack, and check in on Tommy who is starting to heal.


    "Luna, I don''t know what you did, but it''s already working," Emily tells me showing me Tommy''s knee.


    "I''m not sure I did anything, but I''m d that he''s healing. The microscope didn''te today so when we get back after being away this weekend, I''ll check to see what it looks like. Hopefully, though, it will continue to heal and we won''t have to worry about it." I tell her, looking over the wound on his knee and seeing that it really is healing.


    I''ve just turned to go sit down when Samuel calls out to me.


    "Luna, look!" He rushes over and I notice that he''s not limping at all.


    "It looks like you''re healing as well," I say to him, picking him up and putting him on my hip.


    "Almostpletely healed," he says. I look down seeing that he''s wearing shoes.


    "And I see that you''re wearing shoes now. I''m sure your parents are happy about that," I tell him as Kelvines walking


    over.


    "Yes, we are,¡± he says, taking Samuel from me. "Thanks again, Luna."


    I shrug. "I didn''t do much. I just pulled a big splinter out of his foot."


    After dinner, Quirin takes me out to spar with me. Once again, Echo and I take every opportunity to brush up against him but even though he seems to be affected, he still didn''t shower with us and still didn''t do anything after he showered. He just crawled into bed behind me.


    The next morning, we''re up early as usual. Quirin goes to warrior training and I go to the hospital, making sure everything


    29%


    is in order before we leave. I know it''s only a couple of days, but if something happens, I want to know that Deborah can handle it. After breakfast, we pack up the car and make our way back to my family''s pack.


    "You look pretty excited, Little Pup," Quirin says as he drives.


    "I''ve never been away from my family this long. It will be so good to see them," I say.


    "Did you get your brother something for this ceremony?" he asks me.


    "I did. It''s in my room back home. I got him a bourbon ss etched with Alpha Connor and today''s date," I tell him.


    "Your room back home?" he asks.


    I shake my head. ¡°My old room, I mean.¡±


    When we arrive at the gates, I''m practically bouncing in my seat. I lean over


    Quirin to say hi to the guard. He smiles at me. "Wee back, Alpha Kennedy."


    "Luna Kennedy," Quirin says, stressing my title as his mate.


    "My apologies, Alpha, Luna. Wee home."


    "Thanks, Christopher," I say, and put my hand on Quirin''s thigh before he can growl at the man.


    "It''s just habit, Quirin," I say as he pulls away.


    "This isn''t your home anymore," he grumbles.


    "It was for a very long time. Rx, this pack is my family. And no offense, they like


    me a whole lot more than our pack does," I say, a bit irritably.


    When we pull up to the packhouse, I see my family waiting for me. As soon as


    Quirin puts the car in park, I leap out rushing over to my family.


    My dad catches me first, wrapping me in his warm, strong embrace.


    "Wee home, Ken," he murmurs.


    "Thanks Dad, but it''s not my home anymore," I whisper back.


    Next I turn to my mother, hugging her tightly. "That''s a nice mate mark you have there, Kennedy," she says.


    ¡°Thanks Mom,¡± I say before turning to my twin. He swings me around, making meugh, but I know my twin. He''s nervous. "You''re ready for this. You were born for it," I say to him quietly as I hear my mother greeting Quirin.


    "Thanks, Ken," he says to me.


    I hug the rest of my siblings, listening as they tell me everything that I''ve missed in thest week, which is mostly preparing for Connor''s ceremony tonight.


    Quirin grabs our overnight bags, while my family pulls me into the packhouse. All of our pack members stop what they are doing to hug me and wee me back.


    I spend the rest of the morning and afternoon talking to my family and the pack.


    *29%


    Over lunch, Quirin brings up my Luna ceremony next week.


    "You''re all invited, of course," he says.


    My father looks at him and then at me, but it''s my mother who speaks.


    ¡°Alpha Quirin, I know there is a lot of animosity in your pack toward my mate and most likely my family. I am unwilling to put my family at risk. If you tell me that my mate and family will be safe in your pack, I will believe you. However, if you do not believe that they will be safe on your packnds, I cane by myself," she says, making my father growl.


    "Luna, I will be meeting with my pack this week and ensuring the safety of not only you, but of your entire family. You can rest assured that no one in my pack will harm you. If they so much as say a disrespectful word to any of you, they will answer to me," Quirin growls. "As much like today is about Alpha Connor, Kennedy''s Luna ceremony will be about her."


    "Then we''ll be there," my father says, smiling at me. "I wouldn''t miss my daughter taking her ce in her own pack anyway. Wild horses couldn''t keep me away, much less a pack of wolves," he says making me smile.


    "I''ll make arrangements for all of you to stay the night, unless you feel the need to return home right away, Alpha Connor," Quirin says. He''s being so perfect.


    "Thank you, but the pack is pretty settled, so I think I can be away for one night. If that changes, I''ll let you know."

 Chapter 27

    Kennedy


    After lunch, Connor and my father go off to talk, probably about the ceremony tonight. My mother, Quirin, and I head up to my room to pack the rest of my things.


    "I looked aroundst night and I don''t think I need to take much. Quirin has plenty of furniture, so I just want to take one of my smaller dressers," I tell my mother.


    As I pack up my things, Quirin takes them to the truck we brought. When I''m done, I look around the space that was my bedroom for eighteen years and realize that it no longer feels like home. Home is where Quirin is, and he was never here.


    After we''re done, I shower and start getting ready for my brother''s ceremony. I''m not sure where Quirin went, but hees in just as I finish getting ready.


    "You look stunning, Kennedy,¡± he says,ing over stroking his fingers over my cheek. "Absolutely stunning."


    I wrap my arms around his waist. "Can you believe it was one week ago that you called me mate?" I ask him.


    "So much has changed in one week, Little Pup," he says.


    "My entire life has changed," I whisper.


    "Both of our lives did," he says, leaning in to kiss me. I hold him, trying to tell him without words that I want him, that I miss our intimacy. When he pulls away, I''m not sure that he understood.


    "You know, we could recreate our mating night here tonight," I tell him. I watch his eyes go wide with something close to fear in them, but that makes no sense.


    "Little Pup, your father and I have a very tenuous truce going right now. Let''s not push it by mating a couple of rooms away from him," he says, kissing my nose before walking into the bathroom.


    I feel the tears prick my eyes at his words. My father knows that I''m mated. He wouldn''t care if Quirin and I were together. This feels like an excuse. An excuse that just reinforces what I thought before. Quirin''s had me once, and that''s all it will ever be for him.


    I go downstairs to greet the guests for my brother''s ceremony. Most of the Alphas from our birthday are back, but this time when they see my mark, they keep their distance.


    However, when Alpha Henry arrives, he doesn''t bother keeping his distance. Hees right up and hugs me. "How''s Quirin treating you? Are you doing okay over there?"


    "Things are great," I say, forcing a smile. Henry''s eyes narrow, but he doesn''t say anything more.


    Soon after that, Betas Franklin and Savannah arrive, along with their children. "Madison, Happy Birthday. You look beautiful," I say to her. She''s Franklin and Savannah''s oldest child and she just turned eighteen.


    "Thank you! I didn''t find my mate in my pack, so I''m hoping to find him here tonight," she says excitedly.


    "Good luck. There are a lot of Alphas here," I say to her.


    My brother stayed upstairs, waiting to make a grand entrance into his party. When my mother announces that it''s time,


    15:13 Sun, 2 Feb R


    everyone begins making their way outside. Since the ceremony will only be for my brother to take his ce as Alpha, there are no chairs. The ceremony will be short and then there will be a party afterward.


    We''ve all just gotten outside when I hear a possessive snarl behind me. I''d know the sound of my brother''s wolf, Bosche, anywhere. I feel Quirin''s arm go around my waist, ready to pull me out of the way if something is wrong.


    Everyone turns, seeing my brother standing at the doorway, his chest heaving and his nostrils red. Almost as one, everyone steps back, leaving a clear line of sight between my brother and Madison.


    "Mate," she says smiling as her eyes fill with tears.


    "Mate," he growls and stalks over to her, pulling her to him and taking her mouth in a passionate, possessive kiss.


    My heart twinges and I look away. I already know the kind of rtionship that Connor and Madison will have. My brother is just like my father. He will openly adore Madison for anyone and everyone to see. He will im her publicly, kissing her and expressing his love for her as often as she''ll let him. And there is no doubt in my mind that they''ll have a pup within the year. Unlike my mate, my brother won''t be able to get enough of his mate.


    I watch as Connor asks Madison to join him on stage. She can''t take her ce as the pack''s Luna yet, she''s not marked. But I know without a doubt that she will be tonight. My brother and I have always liked Madison and I''m happy for both of them. She looks as thrilled as he does to be mated to him and she stands by his side, proudly watching him as he takes his oath as Alpha of the pack.


    She''s the first one to swear her loyalty to him, and then, one by one, the pack goes up to pledge their allegiance to my brother.


    Afterward, he brings her over to our parents and then to me, introducing her as his mate and future Luna.


    "We''ll have to figure out timeframes, Maddie. Kennedy''s Luna ceremony is next weekend. I really want to attend," he tells her.


    "You don''t have to make any decisions tonight, Alpha Connor," I say, smiling at my brother. "You''ve had a very busy night and it''s no where near over yet," I say, making Madison blush. ¡°I''m so happy for both of you."


    I stand with Quirin, talking to my previous pack members, watching as my brother steals kisses from Madison every chance he gets. Sheughs and blushes, but


    she kisses him back. Each time, pain shoots through my heart. Finally, I can''t take


    any


    more.


    "Let''s go home, Quirin," I say to him.


    "What? Why? What''s going on, Little Pup?" he asks me.


    I shake my head. "I just want to go home." I know I won''t be able to stand by and watch my brother dote on Madison tomorrow. They have what I want, and I want


    to be happy for them, but I can''t. Not right now when I feel so raw inside.


    I quickly go over to say goodnight to my parents, letting them know that we''re leaving.


    "I have some things that I have to do at the hospital tomorrow and now that Connor is mated, well, he won''t being down before I had to leave anyway. I''ll see you both next weekend," I say, cutting them off before they can ask me any questions.


    "Are you sure, Ken?" my father asks.


    "Yeah, Dad. It was great seeing you, all of you. I''ll see you soon," I say, turning and nearly running into Quirin.


    "Alpha, Luna, it was nice seeing you. I guess we''re leaving," he says, still watching me closely.


    15:13


    29%


    The drive back to our pack is quiet. I can tell that Quirin wants to ask me what''s wrong, but I refuse to look at him. I stare out the window, fighting my tears.


    When we get home, Quirin turns off the car. "Kennedy..." he begins, but I get out and walk to the packhouse.


    "Ken..." he begins, but stops as we step inside. The tension in the packhouse is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. I look over and see Beta Kier and several warriors standing up against Arlo, ter, and several other warriors.


    Quirin growls menacingly, stalking toward them. "Is there a problem?" he asks. "I don''t know. Arlo, is there a problem?" Kier growls.

 Chapter 28

    Kier


    I was one of the original members of Quirin''s pack. When I approached him about living on his packnds, the scars of the bear attack that he''d sustained were still healing. Twelve yearster, you can still see the silver lines all over his chest where that bear nearly shredded him. He has never said it, but Alpha Henry tells everyone that Alpha Quirin saved his life that day, putting his own life at risk to save his best friend. That''s the kind of man Alpha Quirin is.


    After I''d been here awhile, helping him to rebuild this pack, I''d asked him about it, about how he survived the attack. He''d told me how Luna Yara had saved his life and that, because of that, he could never get the revenge that he wanted on Alpha Warren for killing his father. That same night, I''d opened up to him and told him how my father was an abusive alcoholic and one day I got tired of being his punching bag so I left.


    We bonded over our blood, sweat, and tears from rebuilding this pack together from the ground up. Once the pack started to grow and he realized that he couldn''t manage it alone, he asked me to be his Beta. He took me in when I had nowhere to go,


    he gave me a home and a position in the pack and for that, he has my undying loyalty. I will never betray my Alpha, and I will never allow anyone else to betray him either.


    I''ve managed this pack multiple times when Alpha Quirin is away. He usually doesn''t stay overnight, but there have been times, such as Alpha Henry''s eighteenth birthday when he does. I''ve never before had any problems when he''s been away. But I''ve also never felt the tension in the pack that I''ve been feeling since Luna Kennedy arrived. So, I''m not surprised when Arlo begins mouthing off at dinner.


    "How the fuck are we supposed to ept a Luna who can''t even fight? What the hell kind of bullshit is that?" He''s been getting progressively louder as the evening has worn on and I know he''s still pissed off about the extra patrols he''s had to


    run.


    "Knock it off, Arlo. She''s your Luna. If you don''t like it, you can leave. Alpha already gave you that chance and you chose to stay. Stop mouthing off. You made your choice," I tell him before addressing the entire pack.


    "Alpha is going to make an official announcement this week before her ceremony. Anyone who wants to leave, can leave. No one''s forcing you to stay," I tell them.


    "This is MY fucking home. She''s the intruder here," he growls.


    "This is your home because Alpha Quirin allows you to live here. She''s your Luna. That makes this her home too and believe me when I tell you, Alpha will choose her over your sorry ass," I tell him.


    "Maybe Alpha''s getting soft. He used to hate Alpha Warren and now he''s inviting him to our fucking pack? For what? What are we, are party pack now?"


    I make note of the warriors who are nodding in agreement. These are the ones we''ll have to watch out for. I''m not afraid of Arlo. He''s a good fighter, but he relies solely on his strength to win a fight. He''s not an intelligent fighter. I am. So is Alpha Quirin.


    "Maybe it''s time for a change in leadership," he growls.


    The chair I was sitting in ms into the wall behind me with the force of my anger as I stand. "You think you can take me Arlo?"


    "You''re nothing more than Quirin''s bitch," he says, looking me up and down as if assessing my weaknesses. I don''t have any. Not where he''s concerned.


    I only have one weakness and she better be in the fucking kitchen staying out of the way. There are two reasons I haven''t told anyone that she''s my mate. The first is because she came from a terrible pack. Her abuse rivaled my own, except she was an omega and wasn''t strong enough to defend herself. She was terrified when she realized that I was her mate, but I swore that I would take things as slowly as she wanted. And I have, even though it kills me not to im her. The second is, I


    don''t want to put a target on her back. Until she''s ready to open ept me as her mate and her ce as the Beta female in this pack, I''m not going to say a word to anyone.


    I''m about to respond to Arlo when I hear Alpha Quirin''s snarl behind me. He isn''t supposed to be home, so something must have happened.


    "Is there a problem?" he snarls, walking up to stand beside me. I''d been so focused on Arlo that I hadn''t realized that other warriors hade to stand beside me, a clear division in our pack.


    "I don''t know. Arlo, is there a problem?" I taunt him. He was full of himself a moment ago when he thought he had the entire night to get reinforcements and try to take me down and take over the pack before Quirin got back. Now that he''s here, Arlo is back pedaling quickly.


    "No problem," he growls.


    "No, no problem at all. He just basically said it was time for new leadership," I say. I''m not about to let him get away with his bullshit and undermining my Alpha.


    I expect the roar of anger thates from Quirin. He''s a true Alpha and I think our pack sometimes forgets just how strong he is. It''s moments like this, when his aura pushes out and he forces the submission of everyone around him that they remember.


    As his Beta, I''m not immune, but unlike the warriors in front of us, I''m not forced to my knees. Quirin directs his anger on the group that stood against me, but all of us have lifted our necks in submission.


    "You think you can be Alpha, Arlo? You think you can take me? You and your little posse wouldn''t have gotten past Kier. There''s a reason I chose him as my Beta. You obviously haven''t learned your lesson yet," Alpha Quirin growls. "Throw him in the cells. He can think about his future for a week while he rots down there."


    Some of the warriors behind me move around us, their necks stretching even higher as they get into the path of Quirin''s angry aura. But they grab Arlo and begin dragging him to the cells.


    "Arlo!" he says, still holding the others in ce. "If you don''t want the cells, I''ll be happy to remove your head from your body. You fight these warriors, you cause injury to any of them, and I''ll kill you. You had the choice to leave, you chose to stay and now you''re causing problems. This is yourst chance."


    Arlo nods and they continue dragging him away.


    "The rest of you have two choices. You can join Arlo in the cells for a week, or you can run double patrols starting tonight. I''ll even give you a third choice. Pack up your shit and get off my packnds. You have one minute to decide," he snarls. Unanimously, they choose double patrols.


    "Then get your asses outside and start running. If I hear that any of you aren''t pulling your weight, you can join Arlo in the cells."


    "Yes, Alpha," they murmur.


    "Damn, I''m going to getzy not having to run patrols for a week. Whatever will I do with all that time? Maybe it''s time to give Susie another pup," Kelvin says smirking at the group as they head outside. He was one of the warriors standing behind


    1. me.


    As he turns, I fall into step with Alpha Quirin. "Is it wise to leave Arlo alive? That''s twice that he''s gone against you and our


    Luna."


    He turns, looking in the direction of the cells. "Probably not, but I have a bigger issue to deal with right now." This time, he looks up the stairs to the Alpha floor.


    72%


    412)


    "I''m assuming something happened?" I ask.


    ¡°Yeah, Ljust don''t know what. But I''m going to find out,¡± he says, before jogging


    up the stairs. He stops and turns to me. "You''re good?"


    "I''m good," I say.


    The moment he''s out of sight, I go looking for her.


    I''m almost to the kitchen when I smell her soft, soothing scent. Lavender and chamomile. She pulls me into a dark hallway, and I smile as she looks over my body as if I might have an injury.


    "I''m d you stayed away from that," I tell her.


    "I was so scared, so scared that you''d get hurt," she says. I can smell her fear and the salt of her tears.


    "Were you worried about me, Arianna?" I say, softly brushing a tear off her cheek.


    She nods, looking up at me with her soft, chocte brown eyes.


    "Can I kiss you?" I whisper.


    She nods again and I lean down, gently and carefully caressing her lips with mine


    until I''m lost in her scent and her taste and her body melts against mine.


    Óî

 Chapter 29

    Quirin


    The entire ride home, Kennedy mentally shut me out. I don''t know if it''s as hard for her as it is for me. I pretty much keep the link between us closed all the time and she''s never said anything about it. But for me, it feels like tortur¨¦.


    I can smell the salt of her tears, see her quickly brushing away any evidence of her sadness and by the time we get back to the pack, I can''t take it anymore. I have no idea what''s wrong and it''s killing me. I can''t fix it, I can''t make her happy, if I don''t know what''s making her unhappy.


    Unfortunately, we walk into the Arlo shitshow. Just the fact that several warriors are standing up against Kier has me seeing red. It''s not just Arlo. Now he''s got his brother and some others joining in his rebellion.


    Kier is right, I probably should have just killed him for being insubordinate, sent a message to the entire pack about what happens when you challenge me or my Beta, but my focus is on Kennedy. I need to know what''s going on with her and what happened to make the light in my little mate go out. Arlo can rot for all I care. Kennedy is more important.


    When I get upstairs, she''s leaning against the wall, looking out over the back of our packnds. She''s changed out of her dress and her hair is down.


    "Everything okay?" she asks, barely turning her head to look at me.


    I close the door. "If you mean about Arlo, then yeah. He''s been dealt with. If you mean about you, then no, Kennedy Everything is not okay."


    "It''s fine, Quirin," she says, turning and walking to the bed. "It''ste. You need to be up early for warrior training.¡± Her voice is so sad that it''s breaking my heart.


    "Kennedy, what happened tonight? Everything was fine and then it wasn''t. I''d be worried that someone said something to you, but I was with you all night. And you''ve shut me out. Something must be wrong if you''ve closed off your mind to me," I


    say.


    She turns and gives me a look of total disbelief. ¡°Are you kidding me right now? You NEVER open your mind to me, Quirin. Never! I have no idea what you''re thinking, what you''re feeling, whether you''re having a shitty day or if something incredible happens. I never have a single clue about what''s going on with you. I have to wait for you to tell me."


    She stops, shaking her head. "It''s fine, Quirin. I just...I finally came to terms with reality tonight, that''s all." "What reality are you talking about, Kennedy?" I say slowly, feeling like she''s slipping through my fingers.


    "That I''m just like all the others," she says, her voice breaking and her eyes filling with tears.


    I take a step toward her and she looks away from me.


    "What others? What are you talking about, Little Pup?" I ask, getting a sick feeling in my gut.


    She makes a sound that''s halfugh, half sob before she looks at me. "I''m just another of your one night stands, only your mark is on my neck. You must feel so strangled being stuck with me," she says as the tears begin to trek down her face.


    I feel nausea roiling in my stomach at her words. "What the fuck are you talking about, Kennedy? You''re my mate. You''re not some woman I use for release and then walk away."


    "Aren''t I? Why won''t you touch me Quirin? I watched my brother and Madison tonight. They couldn''t stop touching and kissing. That won''t change tomorrow. If anything it will only increase and yet, I can barely get you to kiss me and when you do, it''s for only the briefest of moments and then you pull away.


    I close my eyes, trying to get hold of my emotions. I feel like I''m on the verge of losing control again.


    "You think I don''t want you?" I ask quietly.


    "I know you don''t. Mates can hardly ever keep their hands off of each other, but you barely touch me."


    Before I''m consciously aware of what I''m doing, I''ve grabbed Kennedy around the waist and pressed her against the wall. "You think I don''t want to touch you? All I want to do all fuckingy long is bury myself in your sweet heat, Kennedy. You drive me fucking insane," I growl.


    "Then why? Why won''t you touch me? Why won''t you be with me?" she asks as her tears continue to slide down her cheeks.


    "Because, Kennedy," I say through gritted teeth, trying hard to hold on thest little bit of control I have left. "Being inside you, marking you, connecting with you was the most exquisite feeling I''ve ever experienced. Being with you was like fucking nirvana. I swear I touched the Moon Goddess'' realm when I was inside you Kennedy. I lost control, I lost myself inside you, and I hurt you. I wasn''t gentle with you. I wanted to be, but... I lost control and I''ve been trying to gain control over myself and my body when I''m around you, but I can''t. I don''t want to hurt you, Kennedy. I never want to hurt you," I say, my voice pleading with her to understand.


    "You not touching me, not treating me like your mate, hurts me so much more than any pain I had when you were inside me," she says softly.


    And what is left of my restraint snaps. I smash my mouth against hers, devouring her, possessing her in the way that I''ve needed to since our first night together.


    Her legs wrap around me and her arms tighten around my neck as I push off the wall and carry her to the bed.


    I sit her on the edge of the bed and rip the nightshirt she''s wearing down the front. I slide my hands down her body, cupping her breasts and stroking her nipples. She gasps, her head falling back. I growl possessively before leaning in to lick and suck on her neck, sucking my mark into my mouth and loving the sound of her moan as her citrus and mint scent begins to permeate the air around us.


    "Lie back," I growl. She does as I ask, watching me. I run my hands over her body, my own body shivering with my need for her, my dick throbbing in my pants.


    "I never again want to hear you say that you''re like the others. You are nothing like them, Kennedy. You are my everything I close my mind off to you because you are everything that is bright and beautiful in this world and I am not. I don''t want to taint your beauty with my anger and resentment. I know you felt my darkness. You shouldn''t have to deal with that."


    "It''s part of who you are, Quirin. I love you. I love every part of you, even the darkness. It''s made you the man you are and the man you are, is the man that is perfect for me. You were made for me, just as I was made for you," she says.


    I watch my fingers as they slide through her soaked pussy lips, looking back up when I hear her gasp.


    "I told you before that I don''t know how to be gentle. But I''ll try. I''ll try to be gentle, Kennedy."


    She sits up, taking my face in her hands. "I was made for you. I can take whatever you give me. Don''t hold back, Quirin. I want it all. I want your love, your fire, your passion, and your darkness. Give it all to me," she says softly. My eyes sting with the tears thate from hearing her words.


    I gently push her back on the bed and resume my examination of her body, my fingers gliding over her soft skin as I listen to her sweet sounds of pleasure. "Please Quirin," she moans, her breathsing in ragged pants.


    "I want to taste you, Kennedy. Open your legs for me," I say. Maybe if I can make


    here like this, it won''t be so bad if I lose control again.


    72%


    +13)


    She lets her knees fall to the bed, watching me as I remain standing beside the bed. I lean over, taking a deep breath of her sweet scent before taking my first taste of her arousal.


    "Fuck you taste so sweet," I growl, beforetching onto her clit, swirling my tongue to capture her arousal.


    She begins whimpering my name as her hand grips onto my hair I growl, sliding my hands under her ass and holding her pussy against my mouth as I devour her.


    Her first orgasmes fast and hard, her arousal soaking my face. I slide a finger inside her, feeling how tight she still is. I make here again before sliding a second finger in. I pull off her clit, using my fingers to make here as I watch her fall apart in front of me.


    "Quirin!" she cries as her inner walls pulse around my fingers.


    When shees down, I pull my fingers out of her, quickly stripping off my


    clothes before tugging her to the edge of the bed and lining myself at her entrance. My own breaths areing in ragged session as I prepare myself to get lost inside her again.


    "Everything, Quirin. Give me everything," she growls.


    I roar as I thrust inside of her, once again feeling the ecstasy of being inside her slick, wet heat. I feel my caninese out, both Raif and I needing to remind our mate that she belongs to us.


    She arches on the bed in front of me as I hold her thighs, unable to slow my brutal pace. I hope she knew what she was asking for when she told me to give her everything because she''s getting it.


    Just as I feel her inner walls mp down on my cock, I lean over her, sinking my canines into her marking spot, reiming her as mine.


    She screams, pussy grabbing onto my cock like a vice grip just before I feel her canines sink into my neck.


    And there it is again, fucking nirvana. I roar against her neck as her light, her shining brightness, sts away my darkness leaving me feeling light as air and happier than I ever thought possible.


    My orgasm goes on and on and when I finallye down, I pull my canines from her neck and she pulls hers from mine. I slide out of her and move her up on the bed, crawling beside her and pulling her against me.


    "I can smell blood," I say, feeling the darkness start to seep back in.


    She ces her hand on my cheek, forcing me to look at her. "I may bleed a couple more times, but the more we have sex, the more my body will adjust to you and then I won''t bleed any more. Echo says she''ll have me healed in no time. Don''t pull away from me again, Quirin. I wanted this. I want you. That hasn''t changed."


    I lean down and kiss her nose. "I love you so much, Little Pup."


    She pulls back and looks at me, smiling.


    "What?" I ask.


    "That''s the first time you''ve ever said that


    you


    love me."


    I frown. "Are you sure?"


    "I am absolutely positive," she says confidently.


    "Well, it won''t be thest," I tell her as she snuggles up against me


    "Good, because I love you too, Quirin."

 Chapter 30

    Kennedy


    I wake up, still wrapped in Quirin''s arms, lying on his chest. It''s unusual because he''s always up before me, headed to warrior training. I smile, thinking ofst night when Quirin finally let go. I know he wanted to try and be as gentle as possible, but I knew the minute his control snapped. Now that I know that loves me and wants me, I feel empowered that I''m the one who can make this man lose control.


    It was a lot. He is a strong, powerful man and when that power is thrusting inside your body, it''s a lot to take in. But like I said, I was made for him. I took everything he gave me and embraced it. So did Echo. She was purring happily before I fell asleep.


    ''We should try to convince him to bete for warrior training,'' Echo says in my head. I run my fingers over his chest. It''s covered with the scars of his bear attack. This is the first time that I''ve really had a chance to look at him and enjoy the man who is my mate.


    ''Isn''t he alreadyte?'' I ask, unwilling to turn and look at the clock.


    ''Not quite yet,'' she purrs as I slide my hand down his hard stomach, tracing my fingers over the ridges of muscles. Just as my fingers touch his adonis belt, he gasps, jerking awake, his hand covering mine and stopping my teasing.


    "What are you doing, Little Pup?" he asks, his voice deep and gravelly with sleep. "Seeing if you''re awake," I say, kissing his chest.


    "Did you have something in mind?" he asks.


    I nod. "I wanted to start the day like we ended yesterday," I say, blushing at my boldness.


    His eyes are still half-closed, but he smiles a sexy smile. "Aren''t you a naughty little pup."


    "You know I''m not a pup anymore, right?" I ask.


    "No, you are not a pup, but you''ll always be MY Little Pup. So why don''t you slide on top of me and take what you want like the Alpha female you are,¡± he suggests.


    I sit up and look at his body, not exactly sure what I''m supposed to do.


    "Straddle me," he says, pushing the nkets down so I can see that he obviously likes this idea.


    I bite my lip and do what he says. His handse to my hips and his thumbs rub against my hip bones. "In this position, you control the movement. You''re in charge. Slide onto my length and do what feels go to you,¡± he says softly.


    "What about you?"


    "Oh, anything you do is going to feel good to me, don''t worry."


    I smile and lean forward, kissing him. In this position, I can even control the kiss. He shifts underneath me while we''re kissing and then I feel the tip of his hard length slide against my wet entrance. He groans as I sit up, gasping at the feel of him as I slowly take him in.


    I slide up and down a couple of times, getting used to the feel of him stretching me and sliding deeper than before. When I''m finally seated all the way on him, I look down at him.


    13:57 Tue, 4 FebR.


    "How does that feel, Little Pup," he asks, his eyes nearly ck with desire. "Incredible," I gasp.


    "You''re not too sore?" he asks me.


    74%


    I shake my head, grinding my hips against his. He holds my hips then pushes his up, going as deep as he can. I whimper at the feel of him.


    Then he settles back down, watching me. "Ride me, Little Pup. Make yourselfe while I watch you," he says.


    I begin to ride, slowly getting my rhythm while his hands move over my body, cupping my breasts and stroking over my nipples, bringing them to hard peaks. "Oh, Quirin. This feels really good," I moan.


    "Maybe we should have started in this position," he growls. "I definitely like the view."


    I can feel the orgasm building, feel my body tightening around him. I begin moving faster, putting my hands on his chest so I can ride him harder until I cry out as I feel my body explode. Quirin''s handse to my hips, forcing me to ride out my


    orgasm.


    When I finally start toe down, I look at him. "You didn''te,"


    "Not yet. You''re not done, are you?" he asks, a glint of challenge in his


    This.


    Say, disappointed.


    I slowly shake my head, and sit up, taking him deep again. This time as I start to ride, his thumb goes to my clit, pressing against it, letting my movements direct the pressure and speed of his thumb.


    I throw my head back, knowing I''m going toe again quickly.


    "You are so fucking beautiful, Kennedy," he growls.


    This time when Ie, he grabs my hips, thrusting into me a few more times before I feel the hot jets of his cum spraying my insides. I copse onto his chest, both of us panting as his armse around me.


    "We are definitely doing that again,¡± I say.


    It takes a moment and then his chest starts to bounce with me bouncing on him. I


    look up and realize for the first time in my life, Quirin isughing.


    "Quirin?" I ask, not sure if I should be happy or worried that he''sughing.


    "Oh, Kennedy," he says, pressing a kiss to my lips. "I''m creating a monster. Pretty


    soon you''ll be demanding sex from me at all hours of the day."


    I rest my chin on my hand, watching the happiness that I''ve never seen on


    "Is that aint?" I ask him, smiling back at him.


    Quirin''s face before.


    "Not even a little," he says, abruptly flipping our positions so he''sying


    on


    of me. Since he never slid out of me, I feel


    his length going hard inside me, stretching me again.


    "You think


    you have another one in you?" he asks me.


    "I definitely do," I say, reveling in the feeling when, once again, my mate loses all


    control inside of me, sending my body into


    74%


    orgasmic bliss, before roaring his own release and copsing beside me. Henry POV


    I had really wanted Kennedy to be my mate. She''s perfect in so many ways, and neither Quirin nor I had been able to find our mates in any of the packs that we''ve visited. So, I had hoped, knowing that it was a possibility that she would be mated to another Alpha, one closer to her age. It had never urred to me that she''d be mated to Quirin. Maybe it should have. The two have always shared a strange bond, with him being nicer to her than almost anyone else and her openly adoring my dark and grumpy brother.


    I love my brother, I really do. But when he''d taken Kennedy home the night of her birthday, I''d worried about how she would integrate into his pack, and into Quirin''s life. I''ve kept my distance, not wanting to overstep, but I was anxious to see her at Connor''s Alpha Ceremony, just to witness with my own two eyes that she really was doing well.


    When I''d seen her, I''d known instantly that things weren''t good. Kennedy has always been a shining light of happiness and kindness. The light hadn''t gone out in a week, but it was significantly dimmed. Even being around her family wasn''t bringing out the usual brightness that surrounds her.


    And then they''d left. I could tell from watching Alpha Warren and Luna Yara that their departure was unexpected. It was all I could do to not go after them and punch my brother for making a mess of his mate bond.


    I stayed the night, waiting to see Alpha Connor this morning and sign our new alliance agreement. We''ve been working together for years while his father taught him how to be an Alpha just like mine did. I anticipate that the transition of our alliance will be as seamless as it was when I became Alpha of my pack.


    I realized that Connor didn''t know his sister left the night before. Granted, he was busy enjoying his new mate and showing her off to everyone and then spending most of the night marking and mating if his level of exhaustion is any indication. I could tell that he was disappointed that she didn''t say goodbye, and when he asked, his parents said they didn''t know what caused them to leavest night. Well, I do and it''s time I confront my brother. He needs to realize that he''s going to have to change if he''s going to make this bond work. He doesn''t get to be the crabby, angry, dark person he''s been since I''ve known him. I warned him not to ept her if he couldn''t be a good mate to her, and he didn''t listen. Well, he''s going to listen now.


    As usual when I pull up to the gates, I''m allowed into the pack with no questions asked. It''s the same when Quirines to my pack, even if his visits continue to be very infrequent.


    It''ste morning and I expect to find my brother in his office. I stride into the packhouse ready to go head-to-head with him when I see him skipping down the stairs.


    Skipping? He looks... happy.


    "Hey, Henry! What are you doing here? Did we miss somethingst night?"


    Is he smiling?


    "Hey, I wanted to..." I cut off as Kennedyes skipping down the steps behind


    him, looking much brighter and happier than she didst night. What the fuck is going on?


    "Hey Henry! Oh, Quirin, that reminds me. We didn''t get our picture takenst night," she says. I watch as Quirin pulls her against his body, smiling down at her. Yep, that''s definitely a smile, or at least Quirin''s equivalent of a smile.


    "No, we didn''t, and we definitely need to rece that picture in our bedroom," he growls. I watch as she bites her lip, staring at Quirin with tant love and adoration in her eyes.


    "Just remember, noints," she says, grinning mischievously at him before skipping out of his grasp. He growls a low,


    possessive growl at her, making her smile even bigger.


    "Not one," he says, watching her as she turns and says goodbye to me before


    heading out of the packhouse. When he can no longer see her, he turns back to


    me.


    "Sorry. Did you need to talk about something?"


    "Ahh, no, apparently not."

 Chapter 31

    Quirin


    XI 88%


    +13


    This is the best fucking morning I think I''ve ever had in my life. After realizing that I can actually be with Kennedy, that she actually wants to be with me, wants the intimacy that I was denying both of us, I''d allowed myself to bask in glow of her bright light.


    It was fucking nirvana, and I can''t wait to have her again.


    "Christy, your Luna left without eating. Can you make sure she gets some food?" I ask one of my kitchen omegas.


    "Sure thing, Alpha. Do you want me to have someone send in some food for you and Alpha Henry as well?"


    "That would be fantastic," I say, noticing Christy frowning at me. I guess I am acting strangely. I feel great!


    "Alpha, we missed you at warrior training today," Kier says as he walks up, smirking at me.


    "I was busy."


    "Are you nning to be ''busy'' every morning?"


    "As many as possible," I say, unwilling to let his teasing get to me. I''m flying too high right now for anyone to bring me down.


    "Hello, Alpha Henry. What brings you to our pack today?" Kier asks him.


    "Yeah, wh.


    does bring you here?" I ask him, nodding for him to follow me to my office.


    "I was worried when you left earlyst night. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay."


    "Everything is perfect," I say, sitting in my chair.


    "You need to stop smiling. You''re freaking me out," he says, giving me the same look that Christy was giving me. "Well, since you''re here, I''d like to talk to you about Kennedy''s Luna ceremony next weekend."


    "What about it?"


    "You how many of my pack members feel about Alpha Warren."


    "I do."


    "Well, he and his family will being for Kennedy''s Luna ceremony. I''m going to make an announcement that anyone who doesn''t feel that they can remain civil during the time that her family is on packnds can leave. I''m guessing they''ll be here two maybe three days."


    "Right. I''m nning on being here with Dad and Farrah as well," he says.


    "Right. But I was wondering, depending on how many and who choses to leave, if


    I could offer for them toe stay in your pack while they''re here,¡± I say.


    I watch my brother flip the switch from brother to Alpha. "How many do you think we are talking about?"


    "It could be as many as fifty, some are families with pups," I tell him.


    Dreame-Read Romance...


    Open


    12:30 Wed, 5 Feb MMC


    He whistles low, "I''m not sure I can house that many, be they can steep on my pack bands if they''d like. I''ll find a ce for the families with pups, but if they''re young singles orples, deepang cxwide for a tight or two shouldn''t be a problem


    "What?"


    "Do you think it''s a good idea to give them the choice of leading I mean, can''t you put fyre your Pighvamand to force them to behave?" he asks,


    ¡°I could. But I don''t want any animosity before, during, or alter the ceremony. Add


    to that, Farrah is doing the party nning and creating a Kennedy-appropriate tema ceremony and it''s just better if they''re given the option to leave if they


    want to"


    "Kennedy-appropriate. You mean with lots of food, music, and dancing?" he asks incredulously


    "Well, yeah. This is her day, I want it to be special for her?


    "You think your pack members are going to dancer


    "No, but she will. Her family will. Your family will. I''ll dance with her. The others can stand around and eat and talk," I say. "Are you going to let me dance with your mate?" he asks, grinning I think of that darn picture on her nightstand.


    "No" 1 say forcefully, making himugh. "She''s got three sisters you can dance with though," I say, making the smile drop off


    his face.


    "Wendy is the oldest and she''s half my age?


    "She''s will a good dancer, I say, narrowing my eyes at my brother. "You''re starting to consider taking a chosen mate, aren''t you?"


    "I''m thirty years old, Quirin. Kennedy was my best shot at finding my mate and for some reason, the Moon Goddess thought YOU would be good for her?


    "Jealousy doesn''t be you, brother," I grow at him.


    He leans forward. "The difference between you and me, Quirin, is that you never expected to have a mate. I did. I''ve always wanted her. What did I do that I don''t deserve a mater


    "You do deserve a mate, Henry. Of course you do. Believe me, if the Moon Goddess gave ME a mate, then she definitely has a n for you. I don''t know what it is, and two weeks ago, I would have told you somethingpletely different. But I''m telling you now, wait for her. She''ll be worth it," I say seriously. He stumps back in his chair, waring up at the ceiling I can''t help but tease him a little.


    "You should dance with Wendy this weekend. Who knows, in three years, maybe she''ll announce you as her mate," I say, fighting a smile.


    "You''re not funny, Quirin, he grows at me


    "You''re a year younger than me. She''s three years younger than Kennedy. It''s not that much more of an age difference than What Kennedy and I have. And there are other ranked she wolvesing of age between now and then. You and I are sort of an in-between generation. There aren''t a lot of the wolves our age. They''re all about ten years or so younger than we are."


    He shrugs, "1 qu


    214


    Dreamme-Read Romance..


    Open


    12:39 Wed, 5 Feb M M


    "Give it some more time, Henry. You can thank me after you find her."


    He shakes his head at me. "Since when did you start giving advice?"


    "Since I found my mate, I guess."


    "Being mated to Kennedy looks good on you," he says seriously.


    <5-88%


    "We still have some things to work through, I''m sure, but one step at a time. Her Luna ceremony will be the next step."


    "I''m heading back to my pack. Let me know how many want toe stay. We''ll figure it out," he says as he stands.


    "Thanks, Henry," I say, walking him out.


    "Keep doing whatever you''re doing with Kennedy. It was good to see her smiling


    this morning."


    I wave, watching him leave before turning toward the hospital. It was good seeing her smile. I think I''ll go try to put a smile on her face again.


    I walk into the hospital and look around. There are boxes of supplies in various stages of being unpacked. I lift my nose in the air and follow my mate''s scent to a room in the back of the hospital. There, I see her reading what looks like instructions to a microscope.


    She''s so engrossed that she jumps when I wrap my arms around her.


    "What are you doing?" I murmur, nibbling on her ear.


    "Trying to figure out how to put this together. What are you doing here?" she asks,


    turning her head to look at me.


    "Notining," I purr.


    "Is that so?" she asks, and I feel her ass press back against me.


    "Mmmm, are you sore from this morning?"


    "No," she says breathily as I slide my hands under her shirt.


    "Want to try something new?" I ask, sucking her earlobe into my mouth.


    "Yes," she gasps as my hands push her bra up and begin teasing her nipples. "Quirin," she moans.


    "I love how you say my name, all needy and breathy. Did you want me inside you?"


    "Yes," she pants.


    I look at the counter in front of her, seeing that it''s covered with parts. I turn her to another counter and begin undoing her pants. ¡°Hands on the counter," I say, smiling when she eagerlyplies.


    I push her pants down, undoing my own before standing behind her and gently pushing her forward.


    "Arch your back," I say, growling when I see her glistening lips, just begging for my touch.


    I slide my fingers between her folds. She''s soaked.


    "Have you been thinking about me?" I ask her as I slide my tip through her slick


    heat.


    12:40 Wed, 5 Feb MMO


    "Yes," she says, looking at me over her shoulder.


    "And what were thinking?" I ask as I slowly slide inside her.


    "How good you feel inside me," she moans.


    "What do you


    think of this position?" I ask as she arches even more to take me deeper and I


    fight to keep my pace slow.


    "It feels good," she moans. Her eyes are nearly ck when she looks at me


    again.


    "You don''t have to be gentle, Quirin. I was made for you."


    88%


    "Fuck, Kennedy," I growl. I was barely holding on, trying to make sure she wasn''t sore. But her permission, her request for me to let go was all I needed. I grab her hips and begin thrusting, feeling her light shining brightly inside me.


    "You feel so fucking good, Kennedy!" I say, letting go and thrusting hard and fast as I feel her light shining brighter and brighter.


    "Yes, Quirin! Yes!" she screams, her inner walls mping down on me tightly as I continue to thrust, pushing her through her orgasm and into a second one before I finally let myself release deep inside her, roaring once again at the pleasure she brings me.


    When my head finally clears, I lean over my mate who isying on the counter,


    panting as much as I am. I kiss her shoulder and lean my forehead between her shoulder des.


    "We should do that again soon, too," she says through her pants.


    I burst outughing, wrapping my arms around her and holding her as I bask in


    beautiful light.


    "Oh goddess, how I love you, Kennedy."


    She begins purring. "I love you too, Quirin."


    +13

 Chapter 32

    Kennedy


    .68%


    I feel like Quirin and I have leaped over a hurdle. Just the fact that he came to find me, to show me how much he wanted me, feels like a feat in and of itself.


    ''And it didn''t even hurt this time,'' Echo purrs. No, it didn''t, it just felt good.


    ''We needed to adjust to him and now we have,'' she says, stretching in my mind like a damn cat.


    Between her and the tingles that I''m still feeling in my body, I''m struggling to figure out this damn microscope. It was slow before Quirin came and distracted me in the best possible way, but now... I give up. There''s no way I can focus on this.


    So, instead, I spend the rest of the afternoon putting thest of the supplies away and making sure that everything is organized in a way that I can get to it quickly if necessary.


    "Wow, Luna, I''ve never seen so much stuff in here," Deborah says, walking in.


    "Well, I doubt we''ll need to rece most of it for a while, but it''s good to have it on hand if we need it," I tell her.


    "Do you know how to use all this stuff?" she asks, walking into the storage room and looking around.


    "Yeah. I learned how to use it while I was taking sses and most of this I have practical knowledge of having been in my mother''s teaching hospital all my life." She turns and looks at me before looking at the items that I''ve put away.


    "What sses taught you to use these things?" she asks.


    ¡°Well, I double majored in biology and chemistry. Both are key foundations for the medical and veterinarian degrees that I want to get."


    She turns and looks at me, frowning.


    "What?" I ask.


    "You double majored?"


    "Yes."


    "Didn''t you just turn eighteen?"


    "Yes, but I took the college courses while I was in high school. Well, some I took before. It would have been a lot to do that and my high school sses all at once."


    "You double majored in college courses before you graduated high school?" she asks me slowly as if making sure she understands what I''m saying.


    "Well, yes. I mean, I know it sounds hard, but I grew up in my mother''s teaching hospital. I''ve been listening to the same. sses and lectures since I was six. I mean really, it isn''t a big deal that I passed my first college test at ten I''d heard the same. lectures, watched the same videos, and participated in the sses for four years by then. By the time I was thirteen, I could pretty much recite the sses and the passages from the book verbatim."


    11


    +13


    "How old were you when you passed your first college course?" she asks me.


    68%1


    "Fourteen. The math stuff was harder, and the chemistry too because what they teach in college builds on what you learn in high school, so those courses I didn''t pass until I fifteen and sixteen. But the biology ones were great, and I was able to start passing those sses early on."


    ¡°Uh huh,¡± she says, still staring at me. It''s making me a bit ufortable, so I turn back to the supplies.


    "All of that to say that I know how to use this equipment. I''ll know how to use the microscope once I figure out how to put it together."


    "It didn''te assembled?" she asks.


    "It was cheaper to buy it this way and since I was purchasing so many things, I thought I''d try to save the pack some money."


    "Uh huh,¡± she says again, still frowning.


    "Sooooo, did you have any thoughts about how I''ve got things put away in here?"


    I ask, still not sure I understand why she''s staring at me.


    She shakes her head and looks around. "No, it seems very organized."


    "Okay, good."


    "I''m going to head back to the packhouse. It''s getting close to dinner time."


    "Okay, see youter."


    She stops at the door. "You''re not at all what I expected Luna," she says. "Is that good?" I ask.


    "Yeah, it is," she says, smiling at me before heading out,


    I''m not sure Deborah counts as a warrior, but I''m chalking that up to getting my second warrior on my side.


    I look at the time and realize I''ve still got a couple of hours before Quirin is done with warrior training, so I go back to the microscope. Now that Echo has settled and my body has stopped humming with pleasure, it''s easier for me to focus and put the pieces together.


    When it''s finally put together, I go get the samples I took from Tommy''s knee. I dab the swab with saline and then smear it on the slide before putting it under the microscope. I see the usual microorganisms that you''d expect to find on the skin, along with some bacteria that you''d expect, especially with a young pup who skinned his knee. There''s no infection, but... what is that?


    When I can''t figure it out, I take one of the scraping samples that I got off of his skin. This time when I put it under the microscope, there''s more of the trace elements that I didn''t recognize.


    What the hell? Why would there be traces of silver on that pup''s knee?


    ''Kennedy, where are you?'' Quirin''s voice floats into my mind.


    I look at the time and realize that warrior training just ended.


    I''m at the hospital. I''ll head over now.''


    +13)


    68%


    13


    I look at the slide one more time before putting everything away I head over to the packhouse, distracted with my thoughts of how this could happen. Is it intentional? Is it some sort of contamination on the packnds that we need to handle immediately? Is it only on the pup yground and if so, do other pups have simr injuries that aren''t healing?


    When I walk into the packhouse, Quirines jogging over, a rare smile on his face. "Hey gorgeous. Everything okay?" he asks, leaning in to kiss me.


    I take a moment to enjoy the kiss, rxing against him and feeling my body already responding to him.


    He growls softly as he pulls away. "Did you have a nice day?"


    "Well, this Alpha came by and distracted me for a while, but I managed to get some work done," I tease.


    "Hopefully it was a good distraction," he says, taking my hand and leading me back toward the dining hall.


    "The best. Hey, listen, I want to talk to you about something. I...


    My words cut off as the howls of rm go up around the pack.


    "Son of a fucking bitch!" Quirin snarls as the packhouse rushes into action.


    "Get to a safe room, Kennedy," he growls as he rushes toward the doors. "Quirin, I can help..."


    "NOW Kennedy! Get to a safe room!" he barks before shifting and racing out the door.


    I stare after him until I feel someone tugging on my arm. "Come on, Luna. We need to get in a safe room."


    I turn and see Susie holding Samuel in her arms, pulling me toward a safe room. I look around and see the omegas and the young mothers getting their pups into


    safe rooms.


    "GO! I''m right behind you!" I say. I don''t have the full pack link yet, so I''m not sure


    if anyone is taking the lead to make sure everyone is in a safe room.


    I can hear the sounds of the fighting getting closer outside as I hear a safe room door m and lock across the hall.


    "Luna, please!" Susie


    says


    behind me.


    "Is anyone elseing?" I shout above the chaos as I hear another safe room


    door m shut and lock.


    I step back, ready to close the door when I hear someone cry ou


    "HOLD THE DOOR!"


    a young mother says, her newborn clutched to her chest.


    I wait until she''s inside before mming the door shut and throwing the lock. I turn


    and look at the scared faces surrounding me. It''s been years since I was in a safe room. In my family''s pack, warriors cover the hospital if there''s an attack so the medical staff can treat the injured.


    There I have a purpose. Here, the scent of fear feels like it''s about to choke me.

 Chapter 33

    Quirin


    I''ve been excited to see Kennedy all day. I''ve never been so distracted, so


    desperate to be with someone. But her love, her light, just fills me with happiness and I want more of it.


    ''I definitely want more of it,'' Raif purrs in my head.


    "Tonight. Tonight we can take our time, explore her body and then bask in her light again?


    ''We need to take Echo out again. This time when I catch her, I''ll be mating her, Raif says, growling possessively.


    ''You realize that''s counter-productive to what we''re trying to aplish, right? She''s not going to run hard if you''re just going to mate her every time you catch her,'' I tell him.


    ''I have a feeling my little Alpha mate will want me to work for it,'' he purrs.


    Warrior training seemed to go on and on and I was almost disappointed when Kennedy wasn''t waiting for me when I got done. I could tell when I reached out that she was distracted, trying to work through something. Since she''s in the hospital, I have no idea what could be so distracting, but it doesn''t matter. The moment I smell her sweet citrus and mint scent, I have to taste her.


    I have a moment to enjoy her teasing me about distracting her today when the rms go up.


    ALPHA JASPER IS ATTACKING!'' my patrols yell in the pack link.


    ''ALPHA BROGAN IS ATTACKING TOO!'' I hear another group of patrols say.


    ''I''ll take Brogan,'' Kier says as I turn to Kennedy and tell her to get to a safe room. She''s not a fighter and I don''t want her anywhere near these warriors. They''ll kill her without a second thought, especially if they know that she''s my mate.


    I don''t have time to argue with her and I need her in a fucking safe room, so I don''t have to worry about her getting killed. So, before she can argue, I tell her to get in a safe room and then I race outside, shifting as I go, letting Raif take the lead.


    I leap over our warriors as they fight. I don''t see any of my men and women who look like they''re struggling so I keep focused, searching for Jasper. It''s only been a week. I''m surprised that he''s recovered enough to attack again, but maybe that''s why he''s recruited Brogan to attack us too.


    When I find him, he''s taking on two of my warriors and slicingrge gashes into both of their bodies.


    Raif snarls, leaping on him and snapping his teeth at him. We only get fur, but he shakes his head violently, tearing the fur before his teeth rip out of him. Raif spins, meeting Jasper''s wolf head on as the two of them scratch and snap at each other. Jasper''s a good fighter. He fights dirty like I do, which is why we''ve struggled to defeat him when he''s attacked us in the past.


    We''ve been fighting for a while when I hear the howl of retreat go up.


    ''Brogan''s retreating,'' Kier says, just as Jasper pulls away from me and howls his own retreat. I chase him, following him off our packnds, but there are too many of them,ing from all directions and I don''t want to get caught, surrounded and unable to defend myself against so many attacking wolves.


    I howl the end of the battle and our victory as I return to the pack.


    ''Kennedy?'' I say, reaching out to make sure she''s okay.


    09:2 gat, & Fet


    it safe toe out?'' she asks.


    92%1


    ''Yes,'' I say, feeling exhausted. Jasper picked a good time to attack, right after two hours of warrior training and before we could eat. I''m tired but I need to check on the pack.


    I''ll go to the hospital. Send anyone who needs to be treated,'' she says.


    I don''t have the heart to tell her that no one is going to go to the hospital. I''m sure she can stitch up my warriors, but they''d rather eat and get some sleep while letting their wolves heal them than go get treated at the hospital.


    could go see her,'' Raif says.


    need to make sure we don''t have any warriors whose injuries are too bad. If they are, I''ll send them over to Kennedy. I on''t know what she can do, but we''ll see. I didn''t feel any links break, but I want to check in with Kier and see how it went with Brogan.


    When I get back to the packhouse, my Beta looks like shit and I tell him so.


    "You should see the other guy," he says, making meugh.


    He and I go around checking our pack members, making sure that no one is too


    terribly injured before sending them in to get food and rest.


    When I finally get to our room, I see that Kennedy isn''t back yet.


    ''We should go see her,'' Raif says.


    ''Let''s shower first, and if she''s not back by then, we''ll go get her,'' I say, stepping into the hot shower and letting the heat of the water soak into my sore, tired body.


    Kier POV


    That Alpha nearly kicked my ass. He''s a strong bastard, I''ll give him that. My body aches as I go through the pack, making sure that everyone is okay and when Alpha says that he''s heading upstairs to shower, I go find Arianna.


    I mind linked her the moment the call came up that we were under attack telling her to get to a safe room. Then I''d checked to make sure she was actually in one, and when the other packs retreated and the packnds were clear, I''d reached out letting her know that it was safe toe out.


    I find her in the kitchen working hard to put food back out for the warriors to eat. We''re all used to being sore and injured after a battle but I know that smelling her gentle, calming scent will help Rowd heal me faster.


    When I see her, her eyes widen and she sets her tter of food down, rushing over to me. I know I shouldn''t, I''m covered in blood, but I pull her to me with the arm that isn''t aching and bury my face in her hair.


    "You''re injured," she says, pulling back and looking me over. I haven''t looked at myself. I just know that I hurt all over.


    "I''m okay. Being with you helps," I say smiling.


    "Luna''s at the hospital. You should go see her," she says.


    "I''m fine, Arianna. Really."


    She looks up at me, her lips trembling. "Please. Will you go for me? I''ll go with you," she says, her eyes welling with tears.


    "Shhh, Arianna..."


    09:43 Sat, 8 Feb


    "Please, Kier."


    "Alright. I''ll go."


    "Give me one second. I''ll go with you," she says, bolting back into the kitchen. I hear her telling one of the other omegas that she needs to help someone and then she''s back. I notice that she didn''t tell them that it was me. I''m not sure if that''s because she isn''t yet ready to let everyone know what she is to me, or if she didn''t want to make it look like I was injured.


    We walk over to the hospital together, avoiding the main road. I may be willing to do this for my mate, but that doesn''t


    an that I want the others to see me. They might get the wrong impression that my wolf isn''t able to heal me, which isn''t


    ase. Rowd is still a strong and capable Beta wolf.


    en we walk in, I''m not surprised that I''m the only one here.


    "Beta Kier," Luna Kennedy says walking up to me quickly, looking me over in a way that makes her look like she knows what the fuck she''s doing. It actually makes her seem more mature than her eighteen years.


    "Can you help him, Luna?" Arianna asks, her voice still trembling.


    "Of course I can. Come on back."


    "I really don''t think this is necessary, Luna. Rowd will heal me overnight," I say, following her to a room. I notice that there''s a new table in this room, one of the ones that she ordered and I approved.


    Luna Kennedy turns and looks at me. "Beta Kier, is there a reason you want to make your wolf work harder than he needs to?"


    The question takes me off guard. "Well ... no."


    "Good, then sit on the table and let me look you over," she says, taking a towel


    and draping it over myp when I sit.


    ''I like her,'' Rowd says approvingly.


    "Your shoulder''s dislocated," she says.


    "Yes, Rowd is healing the gash on my leg before getting to the shoulder."


    She puts on some gloves and leans over my leg, looking at the wound.


    "Is it healing, Rowd?" she asks my wolf.


    "Yes, Luna," he answers, watching her curiously.


    "Okay, that''s good. I''m going to take a swab anyway," she says. I have no idea what she''s talking about, but okay.


    She finishes looking me over, evaluating all of the gashes that I have. "Stay put, I''ll be right back."


    When she steps out, Ariannaes to stand in front of me. "Thank you for doing this for me."


    I gently stroke her cheek. "I would do just about anything for you, and not just because you make the best desserts I''ve ever tasted in my life," I say, making her


    When Luna Kennedy walks back in, I let my hand drop. I notice that my Luna


    sees the gesture, but doesn''t say anything and for once, Arianna doesn''t seem


    skittish that someone saw us together. Interesting.


    "Rowd, you''re still healing the gash on our leg?" she asks him.


    09:43 Sat, 8 Feb


    "Yes, Luna," he tells her.


    "Okay, I''m going to swab these, and stitch up the other ones. Then I''m going to


    put your shoulder back into ce, Beta. If after all of that the gash on your leg isn''t healed, I''ll stitch it up too."


    I watch her as she swabs all of my gashes, including the one on my leg. Then she begins cleaning my wounds and stitching them up.


    "Those are some clean stitches, Luna," I say, impressed with how quickly and confidently she''s closing up the gashes.


    "I''ve been stitching up warriors since I was ten, Beta. I''m pretty adept at it now,"


    she says, ncing up at me.


    "Ten?" Arianna asks. I''m just as surprised as she is.


    "You know my mother runs a teaching hospital, right? Our warriors didn''t mind me


    practicing on them. And my mother is a great instructor."


    "She''s a great doctor too, from what Alpha Quirin says," I say.


    "She is. I hope to be as good a doctor as her one day," she says.


    Almost before I''m ready, she tells me to lie down so she can put my shoulder back


    into ce.


    "Rowd, don''t fight against me. I need both of you to rx and let me manipte your arm," she says.


    I close my eyes and take a breath. Dislocations always hurt going back in, even when Rowd does it. Arianna takes my free hand and squeezes it. "Ready, Beta?" Luna Kennedy asks.


    When I nod, she moves my arm. I grit my teeth against the pain, fighting to keep my arm rxed. I hear and feel it pop back into ce.


    "Alright, Rowd, it''s all yours now," she tells him, moving to the gash on my thigh. "How about I just finish closing this up for- you?" she asks, looking up at me. "Thank you, Luna," Rowd replies. She smiles and within a few minutes, I''m done. "There you go. Rowd should have you back to normal by tomorrow morning."


    I realize that he''s already healing me faster because the wounds are closed. ¡°Thanks, Luna. I appreciate it," I tell her.


    "Any time. Let me know if you have any problems or if you think one of them is


    getting infected," she says.


    "I will."


    As we walk out, I turn and look back at Luna Kennedy as she cleans up the room.


    I''m not sure our Alpha realizes just how lucky we are to have her here.

 Chapter 34

    Kennedy


    After finishing up with Beta Kier, I realize that no one else ising to the hospital. Whether they don''t think I''m capable of helping them or they just don''t trust me, I''m not sure. What hurts the most is that even Quirin didn''te. He could lead by example, show the pack that I can help to heal them, but it seems that while we may have made some improvements in the bedroom, he still thinks of me as that little pup.


    When I walk into the packhouse, I stop, seeing people milling around, burning off the residual tension of the battle. I can smell the injuries on them, smell the blood and seeping wounds that their wolves are having to slowly heal. I feel frustrated tears prick at my eyes. Would it be so terrible to let someone help them?


    "Hey, there you are. I was justing to check on you," Quirin says, skipping down the stairs. He''s freshly showered, his hair still wet and the scent of soap still clinging to his skin.


    "I just got back," I say softly.


    He gives me a pained look. "No one came to the hospital, I''m guessing."


    "Why didn''t you? I can tell you have injuries."


    "Raif is a strong wolf, Kennedy. He can heal me. The others, the warriors in this pack, their wolves are strong too."


    So, it''s not the warriors, it''s my mate. He doesn''t have faith in me, so the pack doesn''t either. I can''t imagine what it took for Arianna to get Kier toe to the hospital tonight. Or maybe he just listens to his mate, unlike mine.


    I step past him, feeling too vulnerable to argue right now.


    "Did you eat?" he asks.


    "I''m good," I say.


    ¡°I''m going to get some food. I can bring you something,¡± he says.


    "No, I''m fine," I say. My stomach is in knots, and I know anything I put in my mouth will just get stuck in my throat.


    I make my way upstairs, feeling the weight of Quirin''s stare at my back. I don''t look at him, not trusting myself not to burst into tears. That would just confirm what he already suspects that I''m just a little pup. When I get to our room, I shower quickly and crawl into bed. I''m too hurt to want to be with Quirin tonight.


    When I hear the door open and close, I don''t move, keeping my eyes closed. I hear him stop and I know he''s looking at me, but I still don''t open my eyes. I hear him sigh, then move to the other side of the bed and crawl in behind me. He pulls me against his body and murmurs that he loves me before falling into a deep sleep.


    Sleep takes much longer to find me. I have no idea how to win the respect of the pack when my own mate doesn''t seem to respect me.


    In the morning, I feel him get up and get ready for warrior training. Before he leaves, hees over and sits on the bed. "Kennedy, time to get up. I''m headed to warrior training," he says softly.


    "Okay. How are you feeling this morning?" I ask him, unable to help myself. Did Raif really heal him over night? "Almost as good as new. Like I said, Raif is a strong wolf, Little Pup."


    78%


    "Yeah, I guess so."


    He frowns but presses a kiss to my lips. "Are you still upset about yesterday?"


    I shrug. "I just wish you had at leaste to see me, Quirin. Maybe then the others would too."


    "Or maybe they''d see me as weak, Kennedy and begin challenging me. An Alpha always has to look strong to his pack."


    "My father..." I begin.


    "That''s different. Your mother is a doctor. You will be too one day. And I know you''ll be just as great as your mother is, probably even better, knowing you. Look,


    I have to go. We can talk more about thister if you want."


    +13


    "Okay," I say, feeling even more frustrated with my mate. He has no idea what I''m capable of. He''s just assuming that I don''t know what I''m doing.


    After he leaves, I get up and head over to the hospital. "Luna, don''t forget your breakfast!" Christy calls out to me as I''m walking out.


    "Thanks, Christy. Are you all doing okay after yesterday?"


    "Yes, thank you, Luna. We''ll need to order more food today or tomorrow for your Luna ceremony though."


    "Let''s n on doing that tomorrow. I have something I want to take care of at the hospital today and I want to take as much time as you and the others need to talk through the order," I tell her.


    "Okay, Luna. I''ll let the others know and we''ll start putting together a list of what we think we need."


    "Perfect," I say, and turn to head out.


    "Hey Luna," Beta Kier says, jogging up.


    "Beta Kier, how are you feeling this morning?" I ask him.


    ¡°Fantastic, Luna," he says before his voice changes to Rowd''s. "Thanks to you.


    Both of us feel great this morning. I''m not even tired."


    "That''s great news. I''m so happy I could help," I say to him.


    "Next time, I''ll be the first in line," Kier says smiling.


    "Let''s hope there''s not a next time," I say.


    "Unfortunately, you can bet there will be, Luna. Gotta go, I was just getting the stragglers rounded up for training."


    "Have a good workout, Beta."


    He turns and grins at me. "I''m pretty sure mine will be better than anyone else''s, except maybe our Alpha."


    I doubt that, but as I head to the hospital I feel a little bit better.


    ''One at a time is better than none,'' Echo says encouragingly.


    "Very true,'' I say as I step into the hospital. I want to look at the blood samples


    that I took from Beta Kier. If his samples have silver in them as well, then we definitely have a problem.


    11:30n, 9 EebOA.


    78%


    I say hello to Deborah and then go to get the samples that I tookst night. I carefully drip saline on the swab and swipe it onto the microscope slide. When I put it under the microscope, there is no evidence of silver. I set that one aside and look at the others. Beta Kier had four gashes, and I have four swabs.


    Not one of them has silver in them.


    1 sit back, huffing out a sigh. What does this mean? Is it only on the pup yground? Is it maybe just a contaminated area of the packnds?


    I have a lot of questions and no answers.

 Chapter 35

    Kennedy


    As I sit, I hear the doors to the hospital slide open. Thinking maybe it''s Quirin, I stay put. I''m not in the mood for a repeat of yesterday, but maybe we can finally talk about what I found on Tommy''s leg.


    "Luna? There''s someone here to see you," Deborah calls out.


    I step out, seeing Emily and another warrior. He does not look happy to be here.


    "Luna, could we talk to you please, in private?" Emily asks.


    "Of course,e this way," I say, leading them to one of the new rooms that I''ve


    set up.


    "Oh, you got the new table you mentioned," she


    Says.


    "I did. How can I help you?" I ask. The man is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.


    "Luna, this is my mate, Lane. I''ve asked him, well begged him really, toe see you,¡± she says, looking at her mate.


    "What seems to be the problem, Lane."


    "There''s no problem, Luna," he says.


    "Lane, please!" Emily pleads.


    He huffs, pushing off the wall. "It just needs more time to heal, Emily. Derion will heal the wound but the attack yesterday didn''t help."


    "Why don''t you have a seat and let me take a look," I say.


    He huffs again. "It''s on my thigh."


    "Okay, you can remove your pants and then lie down so I can take a look at it," I tell him as I pull on some gloves. I also grah some swabs to check this wound for silver as well.


    I look at the wound that looks partially healed. "You said you got thisst night?" I ask, carefully looking at the wound.


    When he doesn''t answer, I look up and see his lips are pressed tightly together. He refuses to make eye contact with me. When I look at Emily, she looks like she''s about to smack her mate.


    "No, Luna. He got itst week. It''s from the attack on the day of your birthday, the day that our Alpha realized you were his mate."


    "You got this wound eight days ago and it hasn''t healed yet?" I ask.


    He nods.


    "How''s your wolf?"


    "I''m strong, Luna," Derion says.


    "Then why aren''t you healing, Derion?"


    "I''m... not sure," he says, obviously ufortable that he''s unable to heal his human.


    "He''s a great wolf. He''ll heal me eventually," Lane says defensively.


    "I didn''t say he wasn''t a great wolf. I''m sure he is," I say, seeing something that catches my eye.


    "I''m going to take a swab of this wound. Do you have any others?" I ask him. "Yes," he grumbles.


    "Are they also from a week ago?" I ask.


    "No, they''re fromst night, two of them haven''t yet healed."


    "Let me swab those, too." I take swabs of all three wounds then look at them.


    "Wait here for me. I''ll be back in just a moment," I say.


    "Is everything okay, Luna?" Deborah asks me.


    "Yes. Everything''s good, thank you."


    I go to the microscope and rub the swabs on the slides. All three have silver in them.


    78%


    I sit back again, thinking. This is the same family with silver in their body, but the father got the wounds during a battle and the pup got it ying on the yground.


    ''Quirin, can you pleasee to the hospital?''


    ''Is everything okay?''


    ''Yes, but I need to speak with you,'' I tell him.


    I swear I hear him sigh through the mind link. ''Okay. I''ll be right there.


    I ignore the sigh and go back to the room.


    "I''m going to clean these wounds, scrape them like I did with Tommy''s knee," I


    say.


    "Okay," Lane says, frowning at me.


    "It may sting," I tell him, getting a bowl to collect the tissue.


    "That''s fine," he says and I''m pretty sure he won''t even hiss as I scrape this open, raw wounds.


    "The first battle was against Alpha Jasper''s pack, right?" I ask while I work.


    "Yes, Luna."


    "Andst night, there were two Alphas who attacked, Alpha Jasper and Alpha Brogan, right?"


    "That''s right," he says.


    "Whose pack did you fight againstst night?" I ask.


    413


    "Alpha Jasper''s" he says, watching me


    "Do you know who Beta Kier fought again?" I ask, wondering if I''m finally on to something,


    "He fought against Alpha Brogan, although apparently you fixed him up so well that he kicked out meer soday, welding Alpha''s," he says, making me smile. That shouldn''t make me happy, but it does.


    When I finish, I put my finger in the bloody goo, feeling the sting of the silver. Shirt 1 was night


    I hear Quirin walking down the hall and the door opens. "Hey, Kennedy, what''s Lane? What''s gringo be as stepping


    in


    "You called Alpha? That''s just fucking great! Nothing''s wrong Alpha," Lane says angrily, starting to get up. I''ve had about as much of these damn warriors as I''m willing to take


    "LAY YOUR ASS BACK DOWN UNTIL I TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN GET UP I say, unintentionally using my Alphamand, startling everyone in the room.


    "Yes, Luna," he says quietly, his neck up in submission.


    "Quirin," I say, directing my attention to him. "Lane has a wound that isn''t healing."I begin, but he cuts me off


    "Give it time, Kennedy. It''s only been one night..."


    "Will you for once stop disregarding everything that I say and just LISTEN to me?


    I''m telling you that this will NOT beal on its own," I snap.


    I can tell that he''s not happy with my tone, but I don''t care. I''m tired of him


    discounting everything that I say.


    "What do I need to hear, Kennedy," he says slowly, as if trying to hold on to his patience. Yeah, well, get in line.


    "Put your finger in this," I say, holding the bloody goo out in front of him. I watch as his lip curls in disgust


    "You want me to touch that?"


    Okay, maybe it''s petty, but I''m still pretty aggravated with him.


    "Afraid of a little blood, Alpha?" I say, my tone challenging. His eyes narrow and the tension in the room ratchets to an ufortable level if Emily''s and Lane''s submission is any indication. I, however, am unfazed by his aura. Without taking his eyes off of me, he steps forward and sticks his finger in the goo. The moment he does, he hisses, yanking his finger out of the bowl.


    "What the fuck? What is that?"


    "That''s what I''ve been trying to tell you," I say to him, feeling quite pleased with myself. "Your warrior''s wound isced in


    silver."


    "Silver? Luna, I''d know if I had silver in my system," Lane says. Now that Quirin''s angry aura has receded, he and Emily have lowered their chins.


    I look at Emily. "This is what I found on Tommy''s knee. His wound wasced with silver dust, that''s why it wasn''t healing." "But how? We don''t have any silver, not anywhere in the pack," she says, and looks at Quirin.


    "When Beta Kier was herest night, I swabbed his wounds. He didn''t have any silver in his wounds. But he also didn''t fight


    78%


    (13)


    Alpha Jasper, Warrior Lane did, during both battles. I''m not positive, but I think that Alpha Jasper is coating his pack''s ws with silver powder before they attack. Some of that silver dust is getting onto the packnds. That would exin how it got onto Tommy''s knee and how it got in Warrior Lane''s wound" ¡°For what purpose?¡± Quirin asks, frowning at the goo as if it''s an enemy. "I''m guessing he''s attacked multiple times and obviously never won. So, he had toe up with a way to defeat you from the inside out. He''s slowly weakening the pack, Quirin. Since none of your warriors use the pack hospital, their wounds won''t heal. And since none of them want to be considered weak, they wouldn''t tell you that they weren''t healing, would they? And every time he attacks, he''s putting more and more silver into your warriors'' systems. Eventually, he will defeat you."

 Chapter 36

    Quirin


    I was annoyed early this morning. First, I knew Kennedy was upsetst night about no one going to the pack hospital. It''s the first time she''s been in bed and acted like she was asleep. She''s a terrible faker and while I knew we should probably talk, I was exhausted after the battle and rather than starting an argument, I just went to sleep.


    I knew she was still upset about it this morning, but the reality is that this pack has been taking care of itself for a very long time. We''re strong and we''ve gotten on just fine. And as much as I know that Kennedy wants to be like her mother, she''s not there yet. She will be, I know she will, but she has several years to go.


    Then when we started warrior training, Kier had been bouncing around like he hadn''t fought in the battle yesterday like the rest of us.


    "What is with you? How do you have so much energy this morning?" I finally snapped at him.


    "Luna helped me to healst night. I''m surprised she didn''t insist on healing you as well," he said casually, taking down another warrior.


    "What do you mean she healed you?" When did that happen? Kennedy didn''t mention anything about healing Kierst night.


    "While you were showering, I guess. Anyway, she made a good point. Why make Rowd work harder than he has to when she can help him heal faster? And she did. He and I both got a great night''s sleepst night and I feel good as new this morning."


    Jealousy had red until Raif reminded me that it was my fault that we hadn''t gone to see our mate. Our Beta chose to see her and he''s obviously the only one based on him being the only person who seemspletely fine this morning. I can almost feel the pack''s questioning stares as they look from me to Kier, wondering why their Beta went to see their Luna and I didn''t.


    I was still fuming over it, especially since Raif still has an injury that he hasn''t healed on me yet, when Kennedy called me to the hospital. I''m pretty sure she''s going to argue with me about noting by therest night and if it makes her feel better I''ll have her look at the injury that Raif is still healing. Her point to Kier was valid. Why weaken my wolf when I don''t have


    1. to.


    I was shocked to find one of my warriors in the hospital who was obviously not happy about being there. In an effort to support him and let him know that I don''t consider him weak for being there, I tried to tell Kennedy that he would heal. And that was when my mate snapped.


    In all the years I''ve known her, I''ve never heard Kennedy use her Alphamand. That was the first shock. It''s possible she has in her family''s pack, but somehow, I doubt it. The second was her angrily cutting me off and telling me to listen to her. I listen to her. I even came over here with the intention of listening to her. But the final shock and aggravation was when she openly challenged me in front of our warriors. As sexy as it is to see her showing her strength, I don''t appreciate her doing it so publicly. And while the idea of sticking my finger into some disgusting, bloody mess, seems useless and gross, I''m not going to back down from a challenge, even if ites from my mate.


    The instant my finger touched it, I felt the burn. All aggravation at Kennedy''s challenge went out the window. She found this in Lane''s wound? And when did she treat their pup, Tommy? She never mentioned that.


    ''Are you sure? Maybe that''s what you haven''t been listening to,'' Raif says, watching our mate carefully.


    ¡°Okay, back up a minute. You treated Tommy and found that he had silver in his wound?" I ask.


    "Well, I didn''t know it at first. I had to wait for the microscope to get here. Remember when I was at the pup y area and


    09:37 Wed,


    you asked what I was looking for?"


    "Well, I was trying to see if there was any sort of mold or fungus that could exin his scrape not healing. At the time, I didn''t realize that it would help, but I scraped his skin so I could examine it under the microscope when it arrived. I must have scraped the silver off of his skin because he was able to heal after I did that"


    "That''s right" Emily says, nodding "His wound haspletely healed, which is why I insisted that Lanee see Luna"


    "How did you know what to look for?" I ask ber


    "Well, I didn''t, but when I saw the silver from Tommy''s swab, I started wondering how it got there, Like I said, I swabbed Beta Kier''s injuries, and he had no silver in them. So, I was thinking that maybe it was specific to the y area or some contaminated part of the packnds. But when Warrior Lane arrived and told me that he had an injury that has been open for over a week, I knew it had to be the same cause, and I was right?"


    My mind is going in all different directions. What Kennedy is saying makes sense, Jasper hasn''t been able to get the upper hand on us in a fight, but it hasn''t stopped him. Andtely, he has been attacking more frequently. If he''s slowly poisoning the pack with silver, it will weaken us. And without treatment, Kennedy is right. We will eventually lose to him.


    Have her check the wound that I can''t heal, Raif says,


    "I have a wound I want you to swab," I say and watch as she presses her lips together tightly. I know she''s angry that I didn''t seek her assistance before, but I am now. "And then, I''d like to see what you''re looking at."


    "You mean under the microscope?" she asks.


    "Yes,"


    She nods curtly before starting to walk out,


    "Am I allowed to get up now, Luna?" Lane asks her.


    "You can sit up, but you can''t leave yet. I want to make sure I got all the silver out


    of your wounds and then I''ll stitch you up she says.


    "That''s not nec..." he begins but cuts off when she turns around to re at him. "Yes, Luna."


    I follow her out of the room and into the next room. It''s set up exactly the same as the room we were just in. Everything in here looks new. I guess these are the items that she purchased.


    "I need ess to your wound. Where is it?" she asks briskly, pulling on gloves.


    "My hip."


    "Pull off your shorts and get on the table," she says.


    "I can stand."


    She turns and looks at me, the challenge still on her face. I have to fight hard not to smile. Damn she''s sexy.


    "Do you want my help or not. If not, stop wasting my time. Warrior Lane needs my assistance," she snaps.


    I step forward, getting in her space. She doesn''t back down. "I asked for your help, didn''t I?"


    5380%


    created that you great bare silver in your wound which is why Raif isn''t healing you. If you hade to mest ng Trail have rund i them and we could have not only had this discussion, but also Raif could have healed WAD AND WANE WA be suger tod


    Yes Fear Lers quite a bit strange wody than the rest of us"


    Vell a less were apprecates me. On the table, Alpha or I''m leaving


    AD


    send gift

 Chapter 37

    Quirin


    This is definitely a side of Kennedy that I''m not used to seeing. I step back and pull off my divorts, getting on the table,


    "You didn''t mention seeing Beta Kierst night when you returned to the packhouse" I say, watching as she looks at the


    wound.


    "Would it have mattered? You still wouldn''t have asked me to look at your wounds. You were quite clear about Raft being strong enough to heal you. Your arrogance and the arrogance of this pack is astounding"


    "My arrogance?" I ask, biting off a hiss as she begins scraping the wound. She looks at the scraping, tilting it in the lig before nodding and putting the scrapings in a ss cylinder. That looks new too. I frown, how did she know she would pr


    these things?


    "Yes, it''s arrogant to force your wolves to do all the work of healing you when you could help them. You expect them to liger and then expect them to heal you and your wolves do it without anyint. But you, as the human, could help them and you refuse because of your own arrogance," she says, stepping away, "Put your shorts on and follow me,¡± she says sharply, barely looking at me. The anger in her is palpable,


    Raif pushes forward, gently grabbing her arm. "Thank you for helping to heal me, little mate,"


    I watch her features soften as she looks at us. "You shouldn''t have to do all the work, Raif. Try to convince him next time that I can help.¡±


    He leans forward and presses our forehead to hers. I watch her close her eyes and take a deep breath.


    "Come on. I''ll show you what I''m looking at," she says, her tone softer.


    ''You heard our mate. Next time, I''m dragging your ass over here, Raif says to me, ''Fine. She obviously likes you more than me right now.


    ''Maybe because I listen and appreciate what she''s doing. You''re just arguing with her.


    I follow her across the hospital, nodding at Deborah who looks ufortable having so many people in the hospital. On the other side of the hospital, where I found Kennedy yesterday, she has a small workstation set up. The microscope is sitting in the center of a counter with a chair neatly tucked underneath it.


    She pulls out the chair and points. "Have a seat. This will take a moment." Instead of sitting, I watch her as she walks about the room, pulling out small ss tes and swiping the scrapings across them. She tilts it in her hands and then nods again before putting it under the microscope. Then, she looks through the lens, moving the knob on the side of the microscope before stepping back.


    "There you go,'' she says. I frown but step forward and look at the slide.


    I have no idea what I''m looking at, but... "What''s that moving?" I say, looking at her and feeling revulsion that something''s alive in my wound.


    "Bacteria. You don''t have as much as Lane had, but his injury was over a week old, as I said. Raif has done a good job so far of keeping the wound clean, but that would have changed over time. With warrior training, running, pretty much anything and everything you do allows bacteria to get into an open wound," she says.


    09:37 Wed, 12 Feb


    I frown and sit as I look back at the slide, watching the nasty little blob squirm around. ¡°Is that what I''m supposed to be looking at?¡±


    "No. Do you see what looks like little crystals?"


    "Yeah, there''s a lot of those," I say, looking at them. They''re almost pretty.


    "That''s silver," she says.


    "WHAT?" I ask, looking up at her, then back at the slide. "That''s..."


    I stare at all the silver she scraped off my wound, then sit back, thinking. ¡°So, Raif would never have been able to heal that wound?"


    "Probably not. I mean, if you''d gotten in there with a scrub brush maybe, but you would also have run the risk of pushing the silver farther into your body instead of scraping it out like I just did."


    I narrow my eyes as I think it through. "But not everyone has silver in their bodies. You said Kier didn''t and you checked multiple wounds on him, right?" I ask.


    "That''s correct. I think, again I''m not sure, but if I''m right about them putting silver on their ws where it wouldn''t hurt them and there is silver on the ground, then some of it is rubbing off during the battle. While it''s not an immediate danger, it is contaminating our packnds. Tommy''s a perfect example, and I''m going to guess that he''s not the only one."


    "How do you know all of this?¡± I ask, waving at the microscope.


    "It''s a cross between biology and chemistry."


    I frown. "They taught you this in your high school sses?" I never learned any of


    this, but then, I didn''t care to learn it either.


    "No, not like this. I got most of this in my college level sses."


    I turn and look at her.


    "When did you take college sses, Little Pup?"


    She huffs at me. "I''ve been taking college sses for years, Quirin. I have undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry."


    I feel pride swell in my chest at my mate. How did I not know this about her?


    "You just graduated high school, and you already have two undergraduate degrees?"


    She crosses her arms over her chest. "Yes."


    She says it like she doesn''t expect me to believe her.


    I stand, stepping up to her, stroking my fingers over her cheek. "I''ve been severely


    underestimating you, haven''t I?" I ask quietly.


    She nods and I can smell the saltiness of tears that she''s fighting.


    "I''m sorry," I say, and her eyes snap up to mine, obviously surprised by my apology.


    "I will work harder to not underestimate you again and I will strive to listen when you talk to me," I say.


    07.30


    55


    "Thank you," she says, leaning into my caress.


    I lean in and kiss her gently, slowly deepening the kiss, but pulling away before it turns into something else.


    "How about you finish with Lane and then we''ll go addrew the pack together. If there are others with wounds that aren''t healing, they''ll need toe get their wounds cleaned out so they can heal."


    "I can stitch your wound up too," she says.


    "Already healed, thanks to you, little mate," Raif says to her.


    As if she doesn''t believe him, she reaches around me and pulls my shorts down


    to look at the now-healed wound


    "I mean, if you''d rather make Lane and Emily wait while I make you scream." I say, teasingly.


    She looks up at me, her eyes wide, before looking down at the growing evidence of my attraction to her.


    "I have work to do," she squeaks, pulling up my shorts and stepping around me. She stops and looks back at me. Tze, though, I''ll take you up on that offer."


    "It''s a date," I say, falling into step beside her as we walk back to the room where Lane is waiting. When we walk in, I can already tell that his wounds are healing.


    "I think one still has silver in it," Derion, Lane''s wolf, tells her. She finishes cleaning it out and then stitches him up. I wait while she cleans up the room and herself and then extend my hand to her.


    "Ready to address the pack?"


    "Let''s do it," she says, taking my hand.


    I still need to figure out what I''m going to do about Jasper and about the silver on


    our packnds, but it feels good to have Kennedy happy with me again.

 Chapter 38

    Kennedy


    I feel like Quirin is finally starting to recognize that I''m not just some silly little pup, but I''m actually an intelligera wor that can help the pack. At least, it feels that way. He apologized, which was totally unexpected but very much appreciated


    When we walk into the packhouse, I take a deep breath. I''m guessing that this conversation isn''t going to go over well. This pack is very arrogant. I wasn''t joking when I called Quirin that earlier. That''s all it is, arrogance that the human sits hack and leaves the brunt of the work to their wolf.


    "It looks like we''re on a mission," Beta Kier says, walking up to us. "Anything I need to know about?"


    Yeah, Kennedy has found silver in two of our pack member''s wounds. Since she didn''t find any in your wounds, she believes, and I''m inclined to agree, that this is Jasper''s doing."


    "How would that even work?" he asks me.


    I give him the quick version of my suspicions as we walk into the dining hall.


    "Everyone, listen up. I have two announcements," Quirin begins. Two?


    "First, I intended to announce thisst night, but obviously we were attacked. Everyone knows that this weekend is Kennedy''s Luna ceremony. For those of you who don''t know, her family will be here and will be staying one to two nights. I have no intention of allowing anyone to cause problems this weekend. This is Kennedy''s weekend, and you will respect that If you do not believe that you can be civil and respect Kennedy''s family and my guests this weekend, you may leave the pack for the weekend. However, you will be required to ept Kennedy as your Luna before you leave, or you will not be allowed back in the pack."


    This is so not the way to start the conversation about me finding the silver powder. If anything, this is going to make the pack members feel put off and unwilling to let me help them.


    "Where would we go? Back out to the wilderness?" someone asks and I sigh. They''re already nning on leaving.


    "I''ve spoken to Alpha Henry and he is willing to take in anyone wanting to leave during the days that we celebrate Kennedy officially bing our Luna. He cannot guarantee that he''ll have rooms for all of you, but you would be wee to sleep on his packnds where you would be safe."


    I feel nearly all eyes turn to look at me. At this rate, it''ll just be my family and Henry''s at my Luna ceremony. Great. I wish Quirin had mentioned this to me before. And when did he and Henry even have time to talk about this?


    ''Probably when he was here the other day,'' Echo says distractedly, watching the pack members. I can feel that she''s upset that so many of our pack members seem to want to leave. It''s just another reminder that they don''t respect us.


    "If you have any questions about that,e see me or Beta Kier. The second announcement is that your Luna has found something that impacts all of us. Kennedy, do you want to exin it?" he asks me.


    I go through the process of how I found the silver, first on the pup and then on Warrior Lane without mentioning any names. I tell them my suspicions about the silver powder and let them know that if any of them have wounds that their wolves can''t heal, they need to see me for medical attention.


    "So, does anyone have wounds that need to be treated by Kennedy?"


    I''m not surprised when no one says yes. Once again, this pack has be too arrogant.


    86%


    "No one?" he asks again. When no one responds, he nods. "Okay then." He turns to leave, but I''m not done.


    1


    "Just a moment," I say and Quirin turns to look at me. "Show of hands, how many


    of you fought against Alpha Jasper or his pack members inst night''s battle?"


    I wait as everyone looks at each other.


    "I know I wasn''t the only one," Quirin growls and people slowly begin raising their hands.


    "Everyone who fought against Alpha Jasper or his pack, stand up please," I say, receiving a lot of grumbles.


    Quirin''s angry growl shuts them off and they begin to stand. Along with my mother''s interest in medicine, I inherited her ability to sniff out infection. I''m sure there will be others, those like Lane, but for now, this will do.


    1 begin walking around sniffing each of the warriors who is standing.


    "What are you doing, Luna?" Beta Kier asks. He''s still standing by Quirin. Quirin


    is standing with his arms crossed, watching me intently. I hold up a finger, telling him to give me a minute.


    When I''m done, I return to the front of the room. "Every one of you who is standing and many who aren''t, have wounds that are bing infected. I will tell you what I told your Alpha earlier tonight. It is arrogance that allows you to sit there, making your wolves suffer and probably feel like they are letting you down because they can''t heal you. You are weakening yourselves and this pack from the inside out because of your arrogance."


    "No offense, Luna, but how could you possibly know that we have open wounds. If we got them yesterday, they wouldn''t be infected yet," a warrior says to me.


    I give him my best fake smile. "Why don''t you pull up your shirt so we can see your stomach and let''s talk about it," I say, watching the smirk fall off his face. "Or you," I say pointing to another warrior, "take off your pants and let''s look at that leg. Or you, let''s see your shoulder, or you," I say, pointing to the warrior who has multiple wounds, some of them infected. "Take your pick, you have three, back, arm, and thigh. Anyone else want to question my nose?"


    "Lift up your shirt, Terrance," Quirin says.


    He presses his lips together and pulls up his shirt, exposing the wound that is covered in bandages but is obviously seeping through.


    "Son of a bitch! After everything your Luna just said, no one thought it was important to say that they have injuries that aren''t healing? Are you trying to get yourselves and you pack members killed?"


    I desperately want to call Quirin out, letting him know that he''s exactly the same, but I don''t. I''ve already challenged him once today in front of his pack members.


    "Every one of you better get your asses to the pack hospital. Tonight! Anyone that isn''t standing and has a wound that isn''t healing better get their ass to the pack hospital tonight as well. Anyone who has a pup with a wound that isn''t healing, get them to the pack hospital. Anyone who doesn''t, will answer to me," Quirin barks.


    "Yes, Alpha," the group says.


    "Well, I guess I''d better get back to the hospital. Sounds like I''m going to have a busy night," I say.


    "Is this what you were doing earlier today, Luna?" Deborah asks me from across the room.


    "Yes. I needed to confirm my suspicions, and I have."


    "I''lle help you, if you''d like," she says.


    4:86%


    "That would be great. When you''re done, head over," I tell her.


    "You need to eat something too, Kennedy. You''re not a machine," Quirin says.


    I look at the dinner options and none of them are things that I can eat easily with my hands.


    "I can make you a sandwich, Luna," Susie says.


    "That would be great, thank you."


    "I''lle check on you in a bit, Kennedy. I need to talk to Kier about how we''re going to handle this and what we''re going to do to make sure our packnds aren''t contaminated with silver."


    I get my sandwich from Susie and head over to the pack hospital. The first few warriors toe through not only acted aggravated to be there, but also asked if they could ept me as their Luna while they were there. As upsetting as it was, I agreed.


    When the warrior with three injuries came in, he actually thanked me. "My wolf was getting nervous that there was something wrong with him," the warrior, Leo, tells me.


    "There''s nothing wrong with him. Next time, don''t wait until it gets this bad. I don''t bite," I tell him.


    "Thank you, Luna," his wolf says to me.


    "What''s your name, Warrior?" I ask him.


    "Javier, Luna."


    "Javier, don''t me yourself next time. Tell your human to get his butt over here to see me," I say as I finish stitching him


    1. up.


    "Yes, Luna," Javier says.


    I turn as I pull off my gloves. "Did you want to ept me as your Luna now, so


    you can n to be away from the pack this weekend?" I ask him.


    When he doesn''t answer right away, I turn to look at him. I see Leo is having a conversation with Javier.


    "Luna, do you mind if I think about it?" he asks.


    "No, that''s fine,¡± I say. He''s the first one who needed more than a couple of seconds to decide, so I''ll take it.


    The next patient is a patrol member, Randall.


    "I didn''t know what was going on, Luna, but I think the reason my hands and feet


    are burned is because we''re running over silver on our patrol runs," he tells me.


    I look at his hands, then carefully scrape them before doing the same for his feet. "Give me a few minutes, will you?" I ask him.


    "Sure thing, Luna," he says, smiling at me. I think he might be the first warrior who has smiled at me.


    When I put the skin scrapings under the microscope, it''s definitely silver.


    ''Quirin, the patrol routes have silver on them. They''re burning our patrols'' paws and it''s causing blisters and making their 3/5


    09.30 wed, i


    hands and feet raw,''


    ''Since when?" he asks. I walk back into the room and ask Randall how long he''s


    noticed this problem.


    "Honestly, it''s been a couple of weeks, maybe a month. At first it was just a little bit. I thought maybe Ridley and I were just out of practice with running, but then it started getting worse and hurting more and Ridley couldn''t heal me. When you mentioned the silver tonight, I thought I should have it checked out."


    "Well, you were right, Randall. It''s silver."


    Two to four weeks, Quirin,'' I tell him in the mind link.


    ''Son of a bitch,'' he growls before closing the mind link.


    "Can you fix it, Luna?" Ridley asks, pushing forward.


    "It will sting, but I''ll scrape it off and you let me know if you can heal it." I start with


    his hands and then move to his feet, carefully scraping them until they bleed. By


    the time I get to the second foot, his first hand is already healed.


    "How does that feel, Ridley?" I ask him.


    "Great, Luna. I''ll have us healed by morning."


    "Good! You may have toe in every day you have patrols for a while until


    Quirin and Beta Kier figure out what they''re going to do."


    "No problem. I''m just d we could get it fixed. Ridley was starting to get depressed thinking he was letting me down," Randall says.


    "You''re doing a great job, Ridley. You both are. Ahh, did you want to ept me as your Luna while you''re here?"


    "Are you kidding? And miss the party? Hell no! I''m excited to have you as our Luna. I think you''re exactly what this pack has been needing. I look forward to epting you as my Luna along with everyone else this weekend."


    "Well, I''m not sure how many will be there," I say to him.


    He looks at me, his face bing serious. "Give it time, Luna. You said it yourself, we''re an arrogant group of people. They''ll see it eventually. I saw it when you and Echo passed us over and over when you were running. You may not know how to fight, but you can run faster than any wolf I''ve ever seen. And don''t get me started on your sense of smell," he says, making meugh. "Thanks, Randall," I say, feeling better.


    "Thank you, Luna. I guess I''ll be seeing you again soon."


    "Anytime," I say as he walks out. I take a moment to breathe and collect myself. Tonight has been stressful for a lot of reasons, but that conversation reminded me of my purpose and my resolve to earn the respect of this pack, one warrior at a


    time.


    "That''s three,'' Echo says.

 Chapter 39

    Quirin


    "I can''t believe our fucking warriors. They just sat there, not expecting that they needed to go to see Kennedy to get treatment," I say as Kier and I walk into my office. When he doesn''t reply, I look at him. His lips are pressed tightly together.


    "Just say it," I tell him, crossing my arms over my chest.


    He shrugs. "I didn''t see you therest night, Alpha. Packs follow their leader, they follow your example. If you don''t trust your mate to treat you, why would they trust her to treat them."


    "I can''t afford to look weak to the pack," I growl.


    "Well, then, neither can they. Personally, I had a great time kicking everyone''s ass in training this morning, so I hope no one goes to see her next time. Then I can get in and out, get a good night''s sleep and still kick ass the next day.


    "Why did you go see her? I wouldn''t have expected you to go either."


    I watch as he looks away from me. "Someone said my gashes looked bad, so I said I''d have Luna look at them."


    "You got someone on the side, Kier?" I ask him. I''ve never known him to be shy about telling me that he''s slept with one of our she-wolves. But now he''s being vague.


    He doesn''t answer, just looks at me.


    "Well, I hope she got to enjoy your healthy body," I say, turning to sit in my chair. "Now, what are your thoughts on this silver contamination?"


    "This is a real problem, Alpha, especially if it''s impacting our pups. If Luna is right, then we have silver all over the packnds."


    I look at my hand, letting Raif extend his ws. They''re long, but not when you consider the contamination of the packnds.


    "How many warriors do you think he attacks us with each time?" I ask, staring at my hand.


    "Fifty to a hundred," Kier says.


    "And some of that silver is getting into our pack members, but the rest is rubbing off all over the packnds. Even a little bit could cause problems, especially for the pups. No matter what we do to try and clean it up, the problem will continue until Jasper and his pack are dealt with."


    "You want to attack him directly?" Kier asks.


    "I don''t know. If he''s got silver powder sitting around, it could be worse for us. I think we need to figure out where he''s keeping it, then we can decide how to get rid of it," I say.


    "If he''s storing it, we could spread it around his packnds. You know, break open bags or open containers and dump it out." "I like that idea. Let''s get some scouts out to Jasper''s pack and see if we can find where he''s hiding his silver," I say. "Has Alpha Henry said anything about wounds not healing because of silver?"


    "No, but I''ll ask him and Alphas Warren and Connor this weekend if they''ve had any issues. I''m guessing that Jasper is just


    nce


    Open


    after us for our money so the others wouldn''t be getting attacked by him.


    ''Quirin, the patrol routes have silver on them, Kennedy says in the mind link, making me growl. I don''t miss the edge to her voice, making me wonder if she''s tired from treating so many warriors.


    I look at Kier while I wait for her response, "Our patrols have silver burns on their hands and feet"


    "And no one said anything?" he asks, throwing his hands in the air.


    I snarl again when I get her response. "Two to four weeks? What the actual fuck? We''ve been dealing with this for a month and no one thought to say anything?"


    "I guess it''s a good thing you found your mate when you did, Alpha. Otherwise, we may never have realized that this was going on," Kier says and I realize he''s right. My warriors obviously weren''t saying, anything, and I wouldn''t have said a word about my wound not healing either.


    "Well, she did find it and we know now, so let''s get this shit figured out. Send out some scouts. I want eyes on Jasper''s pack 24/7 now. We need to find that silver and get rid of it, then we can focus on cleaning out our packnds."


    "I''m on it."


    Jasper POV


    "What was the point of that attack, Jasper?" Brogan growls. I pull the phone away from my car until he''s done.


    "I needed ess to his pack, Brogan, and he''s too strong for just my pack members. We''ve been attacking him almost weeklytely trying to weaken them." "You said this was about money. How much money?" he asks.


    "My Beta''s been fucking some human girl who works at the bank. Through her, he''s found out that Quirin is loaded."


    "How loaded?" he asks. This is tricky. While I need Brogan, I have no intention of going in 50/50 with him. My pack has been the one fighting every week. I''m the one infecting his pack with silver powder. My Beta is the one who got the intel. A best, I''m willing to go 70/30. I mean he is fighting but only because I told him it was worth it.


    "Millions," I tell him. It''s actually billions but this will cause less argumentter when I finally get my hands on Quirin''s money.


    "And if we take him out we''re splitting the money?" he asks.


    "I''m not sure a 50/50 split is fair, Brogan. I''ve been fighting with him for longer, I


    got the intel, but yeah, I''m willing to split the money."


    "Sixty-forty," he says.


    "Eighty-twenty," I counter.


    "Seventy-thirty," he counters back.


    "Done."


    "Done. You have a deal. When are we attacking again?"


    "When can you be ready? I hear he is having some celebration this weekend, a Luna ceremony I believe. We could attack before or after, but I wouldn''t attack during. My scouts say that Alpha Henry and Alpha Connor will both be there," I say.


    09:38 Wed, 12 Feb


    "Who is his Luna?"


    "One of Alpha Warren''s brats. The oldest female," I say.


    86%


    "Kennedy. She''s a ripe little peach. You''re not nning to kill her too, are you?" he asks. I could give a shit about the she-wolf.


    "Why, do you want her?" I ask, joking.


    "Yeah, I fucking do, so don''t let your pack kill her. Two Alphas against three. We could probably take them," he says.


    What a fucking idiot.


    "Let''s not push our luck. Before or after her ceremony?" I ask.


    "My pack needs to heal. I don''t know what they''ve got on their packnds, but it burned my warriors'' wolves'' paws." "Yeah, we have the same problem," I tell him, although I know how the silver is getting on the packnds. "So, after it is.¡± "Sounds good. Talk soon."


    I hang up, thinking. Maybe I should consider taking the Kennedy girl as a mate. If


    I kill Quirin, then Alpha Connor isn''t likely toe after me if his twin sister is mated to me. She''ll already be weak from losing one mate. Losing a second could kill her.


    Yeah, I like that idea. Of course, if Quirin''s put her on the bank ount ...


    ''Darius,'' I call in the mind link.


    ''Yes, Alpha.''


    ''When are you fucking that human girl again?'' I ask him.


    ''The one from the bank?'' he asks.


    ''You fuck a lot of human girls, Darius?'' I ask him.


    ''No, they have shit for stamina. One fucking orgasm and she''s passing out on me.


    ''Well, go give her another orgasm and find out what you can about Quirin''s bank ount.''


    He sighs heavily. "The things I do for this pack.''


    "Shut the fuck up and don''t get her pregnant. I''m not bringing a human into the pack.''


    ''Neither am I. That''s why I alwayse in her mouth,'' he smirks.


    ''Whatever, just find out what you can.''


    ''I''ll let you know tomorrow what I find out. Anything in particr I need to look


    into?''


    ''Yeah. Find out if he added his new Luna to the bank ount. Her life could depend on the answer.

 Chapter 40

    Kennedy


    After a grueling evening of scraping injuries and cleaning out silver from wounds, I felt exhausted.


    When thest warrior left, I checked with Deborah and told her to head to bed. I have no idea howte it is, I just know that I''m exhausted. I finish cleaning up and check the room Deborah was working in before walking out to the main entrance. I''m turning off lights as I go, barely able to keep myself standing when I smell him.


    "You look exhausted."


    I look up and see my mate in the dim light of the waiting room.


    "What are you doing here?" I ask.


    "Waiting for you. I thought you''d be done earlier but when I got here, there were still several warriors who needed to be


    seen."


    "A lot of them came in tonight. I was surprised, but d," I tell him.


    His eyes narrow and he takes my hand, pulling it to him and looking at my palm. "Why do you have a wound that isn''t healed?"


    I shrug, not sure I can talk about it without breaking down. I''m too tired right now.


    He looks at me, then back at my hand before pulling it to his lips and kissing it. "Some of the warriors epted you as their Luna because they don''t n to be here this weekend?"


    I nod, feeling myself losing the battle with my tears. Suddenly, Quirin scoops me into his arms.


    "Someone has worn herself out today," he says. I nod and lean against his chest.


    "Thank you for healing the pack," he says as he turns to carry me out of the hospital. I lean over and turn off thest of the lights before curling up against him again.


    "You''re wee. I''m just d they came. There were too many of them that had injuries, injuries that were getting infected and not healing. Too many of your pack''s wolves were beating themselves up, overworking themselves to try and heal a wound that was never going to heal without medical attention."


    He stops and after a moment, I look at him. He has lifted his face to the night sky. His eyes are closed and he''s just breathing in the air.


    "Is everything okay?"


    He gives me a half grin before looking down at me. "I don''t think I''ve ever stopped to enjoy quiet moments like this," he


    says.


    I realize that it is very quiet. It must be veryte if the pack is quiet and only the patrols are running. The moon is high and it''s a cool night. It would be perfect if I wasn''t exhausted.


    "It is a nice night," I say, resting my head against his shoulder.


    He presses a kiss to my forehead. "You know I love you, right Little Pup?"


    14:22 Fri, 14 Feb


    I nod. I do know. "I just wish you realized that I wasn''t a little pup anymore," I say.


    70%


    He chuckles as he begins to walk again. "Kennedy, I never would have had sex with you if I thought of you as a pup. Believe me. I may not be perfect, but pups are off limits, always have been. It''s just my name for you, Kennedy. That''s all.¡±


    I close my eyes, wondering if that''s true.


    The next thing I know, I feel like I''m in water. I jolt, but Quirin''s strong arms hold me steady.


    "Easy, Little Pup. I''m just washing off the scent of the pack. I thought you''d sleep better if you smelled like you and me," Quirin says. I''m so tired that all I can do is nod before falling back to sleep.


    Much, much too soon, Quirin is shaking me awake.


    "Kennedy. Kennedy!"


    "What?" I ask groggily.


    "Baby, you need to get up. You need to eat something this morning." Thest thing I feel like doing is eating. My stomach feels like it might revolt.


    "I''ll eat when you''re done with warrior training," I say. "Kennedy, it''s seven o''clock. I''ve already finished warrior training." "What?" I ask, forcing my eyes to open before they fall closed again.


    "I let you sleep in, but you were still sound asleep when I got back. You need to get up and get some food. And Susie says they need you to help them order food for this weekend."


    "Oh, right. The Luna ceremony. Maybe we should just skip it, Quirin. Almost all of the warriors told me they were leaving anyway. If they''ve already epted me, what''s the point of having a stupid ceremony?"


    "Hey, that''s not you. Open your eyes and look at me, Kennedy," he says, stroking my cheek.


    When I force my eyes open, I see Quirin frowning down at me. "This is important. It''s important to you and to me. You''re my mate. You are this pack''s Luna. The pack doesn''t have an issue with you, Kennedy, they have an issue with your father."


    "You realize that''s like saying that they don''t have an issue with you, Quirin, they just have an issue with me? He''s my father. I''m their Luna. Whatever beef they have with my father they should get over it. How many years has it been, Quirin?"


    "It''s not that easy, Kennedy," he growls, standing up.


    "It is if you actually try," I say, getting up and walking into the bathroom. I close the door so I don''t have to continue this conversation. I''m still exhausted and I''m still hurt that so many warriors want to leave this weekend.


    Echo is quiet in my head as I get ready and I know that she''s feeling the pain of


    so many warriors leaving the pack as well. When I step out of the bathroom, I expect Quirin to be gone, but he''s sitting on the bed waiting for me.


    "Kennedy..."


    "I don''t want to fight, Quirin. I''m tired and I have a lot to do before this weekend.


    Let''s just go," I say, heading for the door.


    "I want to train with you tonight," he says.


    1622 $4,16 Fe


    11


    1 11 "kww say, moure where $ges the energy for that, but find it somewhere


    be we get to the bottom of the airs, 1 see several warriors standing around. They have no reason to be standing here unless they ** waiting for me or Quiru Since all of them epted or as their Lutast night, I expect that they are here for Quin. 1 byw to walk past them, leaving Quirin to deal with whatever this is. "Low, cond we have a word please?" one of the warriors acks. I stop and turn to huma


    He smiles. "You''re our Luna, figher


    1 take a deep breath. "I guess so


    I watch as his wolf pushes forward. 1 suddenly remember that this is Terrance. He''s the one who challenged mest night and had the path on his stomach "Lama, you may not remember, but my name is Lonan, Terrance''s wolf begins. "I remember you, Lonen" I tell him.


    "My buman and I had a long talkst night. I was ashamed that he epted you as our Luna and didn''t n to stay for your ceremony, You beded was, even though we disrespected you. I had started to feel like I wasn''t worthy of being a wolf spirit for a fijner as strong, as my human, but now I realize that it wasn''t me at all. I feel so much stronger today because of you. 1 don''t know how to thank you Luna, but if you can forgive my human for his actions, we''d like to stay for your ceremony this weekend," Loman says,


    I feel Echo push forward and before I have a chance to respond, she does. "You did disrespect us, both of us. While I was offended, my human hurt. Pat the still worked tirelessly to help every single warrior and pup that came into the pack hospitalst night. Many people underestimate my human. You would be wise not to do it again"


    I watch as not only Lonan, but every warrior standing in the hallway exposes their necks in submission.


    "Terrance, I won''t force you to stay. But if you choose to stay for the ceremony, I would be d to have you," I tell him.


    "Thank you, Luna. You called us arrogantst night and I see now that it''s exactly what I was. I wasn''t listening to my wolf. You''ve not only healed him, you''ve helped us reconnect in a way that we needed to."


    "Good. It''s never easy when a human and their wolf are on the outs," I say.


    "No, it isn''t. Today, for the first time in a long time, I feel like Lonan and I are finally back on the same page. Thank you for your forgiveness, I won''t disrespect you again."


    "We all feel the same way, Luna," a warrior says.


    "Yeah. All of us are stronger today because of you. All of us, humans and wolves,


    know that we have you to thank for healing us and making us stronger," another warrior says.


    ¡°All of us would like to stay for your Luna ceremony, if you will have us Luna,¡± a


    third warrior says.


    1 look at the group. There are about fifteen of them.


    ''It''s more than we had this morning, Ken, Echo says to me.


    Yeah, I guess we''re doing something right, I tell her.


    14:22 Fri, 14 Feb


    "I would love it if all of you stayed for the ceremony this weekend."


    "Thank you, Luna."


    "Thank you."


    70%


    "Thank you for your forgiveness," they say, as one by one, they lift their necks and


    head to whatever tasks they have today.


    "That''s eighteen now, Kennedy, Echo says, keeping track of how many warriors


    we have on our side. It''s more than I would have hoped for and more than I expected.


    Suddenly, I don''t feel quite so tired any more.


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift

 Chapter 41

    Quirin


    10


    Kiss


    70%


    I feel like the darkness is moving in on me again. It feels like nothing that I say to Kennedy is right. I''m trying to be understanding, but she needs to understand that her father killed people, people that were important to the members of this pack. You don''t just get over that, no matter how many years it''s been.


    I wasn''t surprised that so many of our warriors had asked to ept her as their Luna early. I was, however, surprised to see them waiting for her when we came downstairs. I hadn''t realized that my pack members were starting to have problems with their wolves. Or actually, that the wolves were starting to feel ipetent.


    ''I would have eventually felt that way too,'' Raif says, watching the warriors talk to Kennedy. ''Since the silver was weak enough that we didn''t realize that''s what was impacting our ability to heal, I can understand why the wolves were starting to second guess themselves. It would definitely put a wedge in the rtionship because no matter what you would have said, I''d have felt your disappointment, anger, or frustration that I couldn''t heal you. When you share a consciousness, you can''t hide those things.


    I wait, nodding to the warriors as they walk away. My mate turns without another word and starts walking toward the kitchen.


    "Kennedy..."


    She stops and turns to look at me, taking a deep breath as if steeling herself for a blow.


    "I don''t want to fight either. I love you. Get some food and have good day."


    "You too," she says.


    Kier and I send out the scouts jo start watching Jasper''s pack. I really want to know where he''s keeping this silver powder and I love Kier''s idea to spread it around his pack. After that, he and I start working to find ways to clean up our packnds. While I know we can''t clean itpletely until we eliminate the source, I need to have an area that is clear for Kennedy''s Luna ceremony this weekend.


    That night, I had nned to let Echo run, but I could tell that Kennedy was still exhausted. I heard that several more warriors went to see her today. I''m d about that. While I wanted to be with my mate, to make her feel good and to find a way to connect with her again, she was too tired, so instead, I wrapped myself around her. She was asleep almost instantly.


    The next day was much the same, except this time, Kennedy was up early with


    me.


    "I need to order more supplies for the hospital, Quirin. I used a lot to clean up the wounds of the warriors."


    "Kennedy, I''ve told you that you can order whatever you need. I''ve told Kier to push it through. If you have any problems with that, just let me know."


    "Okay," she says, but frowns.


    When we get downstairs, there are more warriors waiting to apologize to her and ask if they can stay for the weekend.


    She graciously epts their apologies and then goes about her day.


    Later in the day, boxes started arriving. When I get the notification from my gate patrols, I frown.


    ''Kier, did you order a bunch of stuff?'' I ask him in the mind link.


    14:22 Fri, 14 Feb @


    Na Alpha


    "Did Kennedy?


    10


    $370%H


    No. She ordered less than I thought she would have after treating so many warriors. But I didn''t question it. Why? What''s going on?"


    There''s a delivery. The gate guard said it was arge truck,'' I say, standing and heading to the front of the packhouse.


    Kier joins me and just as I see therge truck headed this way, my cell phone rings.


    I quickly look at the caller ID and answer.


    "Hey, Farrah


    ¡°Quirin, the first delivery of my decorations for Kennedy''s Luna ceremony have just arrived. Did you get them?"


    "This is a delivery of decorations? Farrah, what the hell did you buy?"


    You told me that money was not object, Quirin. I took you at our word."


    "What is all this shit?" I ask as the delivery truck backs up and the delivery guys


    get out, sliding the back door up into the roof of the truck.


    "Holy shit," Kier says.


    *Farrah, where am I putting all of this?"


    "Put it in your conference room. You never use it anyway, since you don''t have allies except for Henry."


    I ignore her jab and watch as the guys start unloading the boxes.


    The conference room?" Kier asks, having heard Farrah.


    "Yeah, I sigh. "Farrah, what am I doing with all of this?"


    "YOU are storing it. Luna Yara and I are going to set it all up."


    "Fine. It''s here, you can check that off your to-do list."


    "Oh no, Quirin. There are two more deliveriesing. See you tomorrow!" she says in a much too cheerful tone.


    Two more? What the actual fuck?


    By the time afternoon warrior traininges around, I have a headache. Since my mind is still trying to figure out how to make things better with my mate and dealing with the multiple deliveries that have arrived today, I''m in no mood for training. However, I get another shock when we start training. My warriors are stronger. I can feel it and when I look at Kier, I see that he can feel it too.


    Raif begins purring in our mind. Our mate did this.


    For the first time in a while, I have to actually focus in warrior training. He''s right, the pack is getting stronger and the only thing that''s changed is Kennedy''s intervention.


    When we finish warrior training. I head inside and I''m surprised to see Kennedy waiting for me.


    Fri, 14 Feb


    "Hey, can we talk for a minute?" she asks me.


    "Yeah, what''s up?"


    270%


    "I was wondering what you''re nning to do about the silver in the packnds during my Luna ceremony. I don''t want people getting hurt and each day I''m spending a lot of time scraping your patrols hands and feet to get the silver off of them."


    "Is there still a lot?" I ask, wondering just how much silver is in my packnds.


    "No, it''s bing less, but that doesn''t mean that I want them to stoping in. And it doesn''t mean that I don''t want to make sure that my family and our guests don''t get silver on them while they''re here. My sisters and brothers are all underage except for Connor. Wade and Yvonne only got their wolvesst year, Quirin. They aren''t strong yet and silver could cause all sorts of problems for them and for the others."


    "We won''t have time to clean up the area for your Luna ceremony, Kennedy, but we will be able toy fake grass down. The bigger issue is going to be letting their wolves out to run. You and I have pretty much avoided the silver when we''ve run..."


    "I wash my hands all the time. I noticed the stinging, but didn''t think much of it until I found silver in Tommy''s wound. Now I know why my hands and feet were tender."


    "Right. I think the best thing to do is to be let them know that it''s not safe to run around the pack. They won''t be here too long so hopefully it will be okay. If the really want to run, I''ll let them know that they need to see you immediately afterward. Does that work?"


    "Yeah, that works," she says.


    "And there''s one more thing we need to discuss."


    "What''s that?"


    "Arlo."


    "What about him?"


    "He''s done his time in the cells for disrespecting you. I don''t want anything to mar your day, Kennedy, so I''m going to release him and tell him he needs to leave the


    packnds until Monday."


    "Quirin, I don''t think that''s a good idea."


    "Kennedy, he''s done his time. Do you really want him here over the weekend?¡±


    "No, it''s just..."


    "Look," I say, taking her hands. "If it wasn''t your Luna ceremony, he''d be released.


    He''s done his time, Kennedy. I can''t hold him indefinitely and I can''t hold him just because it''s your Luna ceremony. As an Alpha, I have to be fair. Do you understand?"


    I can tell she doesn''t agree with me, and while I know that she''s much more intelligent when ites to running the pack hospital than I gave her credit for, I''m still the Alpha of this pack and I''ve been in my position for a very long time. She may know medicine, but I know how to run a pack.


    "I understand, Quirin. But I''m putting it on record that I don''t agree with you."


    "Duly noted," I say. Then I smile at her. "Now, can we get some food? I want to make sure we have everything ready for your family when they arrive tomorrow and I''m going to let the pack know that anyone who wants to leave needs to be gone by


    14:22 Fri, 14 Feb


    9am."


    She nods, obviously still not in agreement with me. "Okay,"


    "Okay. Oh and by the way, you should see the amount of decorations that Farrah bought."


    "What? Why?"


    "Because it''s your Luna ceremony. Why else?" I say, taking her hand and leading her over to the food.


    I have no idea what Farrah has nned, I just know that in two days, this amazing woman will officially be the Luna of my pack and I can''t wait.


    Kennedy


    89%


    +13


    I''m not sure how I feel about bing this pack''s Luna. On the one hand, I feel like the pack, or at least some of the pack members, are starting to trust me and believe in me. On the other hand, I still have a mate who says he''ll try to listen to me but doesn''t.


    I don''t give a crap about how Arlo treats me. I can handle him. But I worry about Christy and I worry about him being let out before my Luna ceremony. What if he tries to hurt someone that I love, someone in my family? I don''t see Arlo being the kind of man who forgives and forgets. Of course, my mate doesn''t seem to be that kind of man either, but I trust him to keep the peace for me.


    I''ve been pleasantly surprised that several warriors changed their mind about leaving and this morning, while I expected that many would leave, it wasn''t as many as I thought. Some who hadn''te to speak with me had decided to stay on their own. It felt like each warrior who decided to stay was a win for me. Warren stood at my side while Arlo and his brother ter both epted me as


    their Luna before they took off. From what Quirin said, most of the pack was going to Henry''s pack. At least I know they will be safe. I hate that they refuse to stay, but I can''t force them and I won''t. And if they are going to leave, I''d rather know


    that they are safe. At least no one decided to leave the pack permanently. I''ll take that as a win as well.


    After thewarriors leave, I rush to the pack hospital, making sure everything is in order knowing that my mother will want to see what I''ve done here. Then, I go


    back to the packhouse to make sure that the rooms for my family and Henry''s family are in order. As the current Alphas, my brother and Henry will both have rooms on the Alpha floor. Since all of the other rooms up here are vacant, there''s no problem with that. We''re also putting my parents on this floor along with Alpha


    Harold and Luna Farrah. My sisters and brothers are going to stay on the Beta floor with Kier.


    I check all of the rooms, making sure they have everything that my family and our guests will need, and I smile when I see the flowers that I requested we order. Since I know my mother loves flowers, I had Christy order flowers for all of the


    rooms. My brothers probably won''t even notice, but my sisters will, and my mother definitely will.


    Once I feel that everything is in order, I head back to my room to shower and get ready to greet our guests. They should be arriving early this afternoon, and I know


    that Quirin wants to talk with them right away about the silver on our packnds so they know not to stray too far from the packhouse.


    I''m just getting out of the shower when Quirin walks in. I expected him to be a bit


    broody because my father ising, but he surprises me with his Quirin''s half


    smile.


    "I can feel your excitement Little Pup. Are you happy to have your family here?"


    "I am! I''m disappointed that we won''t be able to show them around, or at least not everywhere, but I''m really excited for them to see our pack. And ... I''m happy that more warriors stayed than I expected," I say honestly.


    "Me too. I know that was bothering you and I don''t like to see my Little Pup to


    frown."


    "You''re not going to call me Little Pup during my Luna ceremony, are you?" I ask him, narrowing my eyes at him.


    ¡°No. I realized when Arlo called you pup that the pack has never heard my pet name for you. So, we''ll keep it just between us, agreed?" "Hmmm, as long as you realize that I''m not a little pup, Quirin," I say.


    As quick as a snake, he reaches out and tugs the towel off my body, his eyes darkening.


    Mon.


    X89%


    ¡°This is not the body of a pup. This is the body of a grown woman. My woman. My mate,¡± he purrs, reaching out to stroke his fingers over my nipples. As if my body


    is proving his point, my nipples instantly respond to his touch, hardening into tight


    peaks and sending heat straight south.


    *13)


    "Quirin, my family will be here soon," I say breathily. It''s been days since we''ve been together. Between the warriors needing to get the silver out of their wounds,


    my argument with Quirin, and long days for both of us, we just haven''t had time to


    be together.


    "I know they will be. I want them to smell me on you," he says, leaning in to run his nose over my jaw and breathing deeply.


    "What about you? Do you want my scent on you?" I ask, running my hands up his chest.


    "Always," he says, turning me to face the mirror.


    "Quirin?" I ask. This is new.


    "You should see how beautiful you are when youe undone for me, Kennedy."


    I blush as his handse around and begin teasing my nipples. I press myself back against him, feeling his hard length under his clothes. "Shouldn''t you be naked too?" I ask, my head falling back against him.


    "I will be. I have to fight to maintain control when I''m with you, Kennedy. You know


    that. And I want you to see how beautiful you look when you get lost in my touch,"


    he says, his eyes, focused on his fingers and my breasts. "Don''t close your eyes," he murmurs. I hadn''t even realized I''d closed them.


    I open them, looking into his fiercely possessive gaze as he growls softly behind


    me, adding to the raging heat already flowing through my body.


    He slides one hand down my stomach to my slick wet heat as his other hand


    wraps more tightly around me, moving to the other nipple. It feels like he''s holding


    me in his embrace as he slowly brings me to the point where I will shatter in his


    arms.


    He growls when his fingers slide through my soaked lips.


    "Quirin,¡± I moan as his fingers begin working in circles around


    my


    clit.


    "You''re so fucking wet, Kennedy. So fucking ready for me. But I want you to see


    yourself. I want you to see how fucking gorgeous you are when youe for me,"


    he growls, the fingers on my clit moving more quickly.


    My body begins to shake as I get closer to my orgasm.


    "Open your eyes, Kennedy," he growls when I close them again.


    I open my eyes, seeing a woman who barely looks like me as the orgasm rips


    through me. I cry out, grabbing onto his arms trying to hold myself together. His body seems to wrap around me as he holds me while my body jerks. "Look how fucking beautiful you are," he growls.


    I''ve just started toe down when he pulls away, quickly stripping off his clothes


    before he''s behind me again. "Hands on the sink," hemands, his voice a deep growl of desire. When Iply, he lines himself at my entrance and grabs my hips, bottoming out


    inside me in one thrust. I''m not sure what it''s like for others, but I love that my


    mate loses control when we''re together. He''s so tightly controlled about


    12:13 Mon, 17 Feb


    89%


    +13


    everything else in his life, but not here when he''s with me. With me, he can''t


    maintain that careful control that he keeps with the pack. With me, it''s raw need and desire and I love it.


    This time, he doesn''t have to tell me to watch. He grabs my hips and begins thrusting into me, his control obviously on the verge of snapping.


    "It always feels so fucking good being inside you Kennedy. So fucking good," he


    growls and I watch as he lifts his head as if basking in the feel of being inside me. It makes me feel powerful that my strong mate wants me so desperately. "I need you toe for me, Kennedy," he growls, his eyes snapping back to mine.


    I bend forward even more, arching my back and taking him deeper as I feel my


    body climbing back up the peak.


    "Yes, Quirin," I say as he continues growling behind me, maintaining his punishing


    pace.


    "Yes," he growls just as my orgasm rips through me. I cry out, watching as he lifts


    his head to the ceiling and roars his own release, pushing both of us through the


    orgasm until he copses over top of me, both of us panting.


    "Okay, you might think I''m beautiful when Ie, but you''re really sexy when you


    him.


    He bursts outughing, the sound warming my heart. I watch in the mirror as he


    presses his forehead against my back while heughs.


    ¡°Oh, goddess I love you, Kennedy,¡± he says, kissing my spine at the nape of my


    neck and sending a fresh wave of shivers through my body.


    "I love you too, Quirin."


    He looks at me in the mirror. "I know we still have a lot of things to work through,


    Kennedy. But I''m so happy you''re officially taking your ce as Luna of our pack this weekend."


    "Me too," I say. He''s right, we do have a lot to work through still, but I know one


    thing. I love this man with all my heart. I always have.


    And I am my mother''s daughter, so I know I can find a way for us toe


    together, to work together as the leaders of a pack should.


    Quirin


    I know the next few days are going to be difficult for me. For Kennedy, I need to


    be pleasant and even weing to Alpha Warren and Alpha Connor. But the way


    I''ve been feeling, the darkness starting to settle back into my mind and body, I knew it was going to be hard for me.


    However, the moment I saw Kennedy get out of the shower, I knew what I needed. I need her light, her shining brightness to push the darkness away, It was fun watching my mate watch herself and sexy as fuck to watch here undone. I know how beautiful she is when shees, but I wanted her to see it too. I hadn''t expected her to tell me that it was sexy when I came. I don''t know what it looks like to her, but to me, it''s like my body is sted with her light, warm and loving. My darkness is yed by the bright knights of her light. It''s fucking nirvana every time I''m inside her.


    It''s been a few days since we''ve been together, and I almost forget how light I feel after I''m with her. It''s like the weight of everything that pushes down on me is


    sted away and I feel lighter than air. I don''t know how she does it, but this woman...she is incredible,


    After sliding out of her, I jump into the shower, surprised when she joins me. "Didn''t you just shower?" I ask, looking over her body again. If I''d thought about it the first time we were together, I''d have realized that she''s not a warrior. She''s lean and muscr in the way that an Alpha who runs a lot would be, but not the way a warrior would be.


    "I did, but you made a mess and I need to wash it off of me," she says, grabbing


    a washcloth and beginning to wash between her thighs.


    "I made a mess?" I ask, sliding my fingers over her nipples and watching as they respond to my touch. I love that.


    "Yes you did," she says, her tone changing to something more breathy and needy. When I gently tug on her nipples, she


    moans.


    "Quirin, we don''t have time," she says, but she leans her head back. "You''re already a mess," I say, lifting her up and pressing her against the shower


    wall. She''s right that we don''t have a lot of time, but I know it doesn''t take me any


    time at all toe when I''m inside her and if she isn''t too sore, I can probably bring her up and over again quickly.


    I thrust inside her, watching her as I feel her body responding to me instantly. I smile, taking her mouth and her moans as I bring both of us up and over again.


    Then, I kiss her neck before setting her on her feet and chuckle when she


    wobbles.


    "If I fall in front of my family, it''s your fault," she says, ring at me. "I will happily exin to your father and brother how I fucked you over the sink


    and then in the shower to make your legs wobbly," I say, expecting her angry look.


    I''d never tell them anything. What I have with Kennedy is all mine. I''ll never share


    it with anyone, but the


    threat is well aimed as I knew it would be.


    "You..." she growls, her eyes narrowing. Then she stops and tilts her head at me.


    "Are you


    teasing me?"


    "I don''t know, am I?" I say, backing up into the spray of water and watching her.


    I''m surprised when I see her eyes go nearly ck with desire. Now it''s my turn to


    tilt my head at her.


    12:13 Mon, 17 Feb


    ? 1%


    +13


    "You are amazingly sexy all the time. But damn, Quirin. When you smile, really


    smile like that?" She shakes her head. "Maybe it''s a good thing you don''t smile a


    lot. I''d have to beat back the she-wolves and you''d be lucky if I let you out of bed.


    Ever."


    I didn''t realize I was smiling. I was just enjoying my mate. But this time, I do know


    that I''m smiling. It''s a very naughty smile and I know it. "Did you want me to buy you some handcuffs so you can keep me locked to your


    bed, little mate? I know I''d enjoy using them on you," I say, watching her mouth


    drop open. I have to hold back my smile when I see her mouth set with


    determination.


    "Maybe I''ll buy my own and surprise you some day." *I look forward to it. Now, you''d better hurry. The gate guards just let your family


    through."


    That gets her moving. She''s out of the shower and the bathroom before I can grab


    the washcloth. I quickly wash myself and then get dressed before jogging down


    the stairs to stand beside Kennedy as we greet her family. I look around at the pack members when I get to the bottom floor, making sure


    that no one seems tense or ready to do something to threaten her family and


    when I''m sure that it''s safe, I step outside. "You''re bouncing on the balls of your feet, Little Pup." "They''re here!" she says excitedly. They pull up in arge SUV. Alpha Connor,


    Alpha Warren, and Luna Yara''s guard, Bradley, all step out first. I watch as the three of them face different directions, sniffing the air as if expecting an attack. "Seriously, Dad? Do you think Quirin or I would allow anyone to attack the family?"


    Kennedy scolds her father. "Hey Bradley. Did you bring Trena and the kids?" "I did, little Alpha."


    "She''s a Luna now," I correct automatically.


    His eyes


    sh up to me. "Of course."


    "Alpha Warren, Alpha Connor, wee to our pack," I say, walking down the


    stairs. "Kennedy is very excited to have her family here," I say, smiling at my mate


    who has thrown herself into her twins'' arms.


    "So I see," Connor says, smiling at his twin.


    "I told you that there was nothing to worry about, Warren. I''m sure Alpha Quirin


    has ensured our safety while we''re here," Luna Yara says, stepping out of the


    SUV.


    "I absolutely have, Luna. I will not allow anything to mar this weekend for


    Kennedy."


    "Of course you wouldn''t," she says, smiling at me and cupping my cheek like a


    proud mother. I always feel like my heart softens a little when Luna Yara is


    around.


    "There is one thing that we do need to discuss and I''m afraid we need to do it as


    soon as


    you get settled."


    "Is there a problem?" Alpha Connor asks, instantly in Alpha mode.


    ¡°I''m afraid so, but it can wait until after we get your things into your rooms. I know


    Kennedy is excited to show you around the packhouse," I begin.


    "And hopefully the pack hospital?¡± Luna Yara asks her daughter as the rest of the brood begins piling out of the car.


    "Of course," Kennedy says. I greet the others as they get out, Kennedy


    introducing me to Bradley and Trena''s two children, one boy, one girl. Then, Kennedy and I walk everyone inside.


    "Wow, it''s so ... umm... different here," Wendy says, looking around. "Different how?" I ask, looking around. "Oh, well..." she begins then looks like she doesn''t know what to say.


    "No flowers," Luna Madison says, and Wendy looks gratefully at her.


    "That must be it!" Wendy says.


    1 notice that Alpha Warren, Alpha Connor, and Bradley are all looking around


    again as if expecting an attack at any moment. "Do we get to see your packnds?" Yorick asks, also looking around. Yana and


    the younger twins are whispering and pointing as they walk in.


    "I''m afraid not. That is what I need to speak to your father and brother about once


    you get settled." From the corner of my eye, I see both men''s eyes zero in on me.


    ''Alpha, Alpha Henry has arrived along with Alpha Harold and Luna Farrah,'' my gate patrol says in the mind link.


    ''Thank you?


    "Kennedy, Henry is here with Harold and Farrah. Do you want to show your family


    where they are staying, and I''ll greet them?" I ask.


    "I can take them," Kier says, jogging up. "Hey everyone."


    "Thanks Kier," Kennedy tells him.


    "When


    they''re settled, bring Alpha Warren and Alpha Connor to my office. I''ll have


    Henry and Harold join us


    as well."


    I extend my hand to Kennedy. "I''ll see you in a few minutes," she says to her


    family before taking my hand.


    "While they''re meeting, you can give me a tour of the pack hospital," Luna Yara


    says.


    "Okay," Kennedy says, happily.


    We walk outside and I can feel Kennedy''s happiness that her family is here. "You


    don''t have to wait with me. It''s just Henry, Harold, and Farrah," I tell her.


    She frowns up at me. "They''re your family. You were here to greet my family and


    I''m the Luna of the pack. I should be here to greet them."


    I wrap my arm around her shoulders and kiss the top of her head. "I''m d you


    are."


    The moment Henry gets out of the car, he frowns at me. "Oh goddess, you''re


    smiling again. What is wrong with you? Kennedy, is this your influence?"


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about. Quirin always smiles like this," she says,


    teasing


    my brother.


    He gives me a look. "Really?"


    I just shrug and hug Farrah. "Hello, Farrah."


    "Hello, my son. You look well. Better than you didst weekend." "Some things have been resolved sincest weekend," I tell her. She pulls back


    and looks at me in the way that very few can, as if she''s looking into my soul.


    "But not everything," she says, more as a statement than a question. "We''re working on it."


    "I''m d to hear it''s a ''we'' and not a ''me'' that is working on it," she says. I just


    shake my head.


    I wee Alpha Harold, letting Henry know he''s in the room he''s usually in when


    he stays here.


    "I''ll show you to your room, then I''d like to speak with both of you," I say to Harold


    and Henry. "Alphas Warren and Connor will be joining us as well."


    When we walk back in, the soundsing from the floors above us already


    sound chaotic. I can hear someone running through the halls, there''sughter,


    and loud


    talking.


    It''s going to be a long couple of days.


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift

 Chapter 44

    Kennedy


    When we walk upstairs to show Harold and Farrah to their room my sisters and brothers have already taken over the Beta floor.


    "Oh, Kier, I''m so sorry," I say watching them act in a normal way for them, but in a very rambunctious way in this pack.


    "Are you kidding? It''s great!" he says. "I never hadughter like this is my first pack and we don''t have it here. It''s ... loud, but good."


    "Alpha Henry!" my sisters and brothers cry all racing over to hug him until they see Harold and Farrah. ¡°Alpha Harrold! Luna Farrah!" Then they divide and conquer, rushing to give all of them hugs. Henry ruffles their hair, while Harold and Farrah ask them questions about their life and what''s been going on with them since theyst talked.


    "Aww, Henry! I just brushed my hair! What if my mate is in this pack and this is the first impression I make on him," my sister Wendy whines, smoothing out the hair that Henry just ruffled.


    "If your mate is in this pack, neither of you will know it for three more years, Wendy. And if anyone in this pack thinks that they can tell you otherwise to try and get you into their bed, there will be a line of men, myself included, to remind them that you are not to be touched," he says seriously.


    "As if anyone in this pack would want us anyway, Wen. They all hate us here. You saw how Dad and Connor acted when we arrived," my sister Yana says to her.


    Almost as one, Henry, Harold, and Farrah turn to look at Quirin and I. I nce at him and shrug. "They weren''t entirely sure that things were going to be safe. But they are. We''ve made sure of it. Quirin has been very clear with the pack, haven''t you?" I ask him.


    "No one would dare do anything to disrupt your Luna ceremony he says confidently.


    "So, that''s not what we need to talk about?" Harold says as we make our way up to the Alpha floor. It''s much quieter here. "No. I wish it was that simple. But this is


    a muchrger conversation," he says. When we get upstairs, I realize that my parents, Connor, and Madison are all still here.


    "I''ll admit I''m intrigued and a bit concerned. If you''re worried, there is obviously something to worrying out of his room.


    about," my


    father says


    "There is. Let me get Harold and Farrah settled and then we can meet," Quirin says.


    "Are you ready to take me to the pack hospital, Kennedy?" my mother asks. "Absolutely."


    "Since we''re not allowed to walk around the packnds yet, do you mind if Ie with you," Madison asks.


    "We''re not allowed on the packnds?" Henry asks, as he, Harold and Farrah turn to look at Quirin.


    "It''s what we''re going to talk about. As a matter of fact, Kennedy is the one who found it. You should ask her about it while you tour the hospital, Luna Yara," Quirin says, smiling down at me proudly. It feels like my heart might burst from his praise. I had no idea how important it was for me to feel like he believed in me and was proud of me.


    *Well, I''m not at all surprised. My daughter is a brilliant young woman and will make an incredible doctor someday soon," my mother says, easily giving me her praise.


    "She is her mother''s daughter, after all," my father says proudly wrapping his arm around my mother as he smiles at me.


    "Luma Farrah, why don''t you get settled and we''ll head over to the pack hospital," I say.


    "I''m just going to drop off my bag. The one ce in Quirin''s pack that I''ve never seen is the hospital."


    "Well, they didn''t use it before I arrived," I say.


    My mother is instantly alert. "Who treated their wounds? You are attacked by other packs, are you not?" my mother asks, looking from me to Quirin.


    "As I told Kennedy when she first arrived, my pack is made up of previous rogues. They had to learn to treat themselves in order to survive. They''re only just starting to go see Kennedy in the hospital," he tells her.


    "I see," my mother says and this time, her eyes are on me. "Well, let''s get going, shall we?"


    As we walk downstairs, Susie and Christy rush over to us. "We hope your rooms are okay," they say, looking at our guests. "Oh, they''re perfect and the flowers are lovely!" my mother says. thought the same! Whose idea were the flowers?" Madison asks.


    "Oh, that was our Luna''s. She wanted everyone to feel at home. If there''s anything that you need while we''re here, please let us know," Susie says.


    "Actually, I should probably start looking through the decorations for tomorrow. Luna Madison, would you mind helping me while Luna Yara goes to visit the pack hospital?" Farrah says.


    "Twist my arm!" Madison says excitedly, making me chuckle. I watch as Luna Farrah takes charge, like the previous Luna she is, as she and Madison walk off together.


    "Is it bad that I''m d it''s just you and me, Ken?" my mother asks, sliding her arm through mine.


    "No. I''m kind of d too," I whisper to her as we walk outside.


    "The feel of this pack is very different, Kennedy. How are you doing here?"


    I wave at a warrior, who nods at us as we pass.


    "It''s been an adjustment. Not having a medical team here, they didn''t recognize the value that I can bring to the pack. Some of them still don''t. They expected Quirin''s mate to be a warrior, and of course, I''m not that," I tell her honestly.


    "You are strong and powerful in other ways, Kennedy. And don''t get me started on how smart you are," she says.


    "Thanks Mom. I didn''t realize that Quirin didn''t know that I''d already double majored," I tell her.


    "How would he? You''ve only ever seen him on rare asions over the years."


    She stops and looks around. "Do you want to tell me what happenedst weekend at your brother''s Alpha ceremony? You left early."


    1 blush brightly, but if there is anyone I can talk to about this, it my mother.


    "Quirin and I were having ... intimacy issues.


    "I see. Are they medical issues? Or something else?" she asks me


    4.68%


    I sigh. "I tore the first night, the night of my birthday. He, ummm well, he lost control and well, I bled a lot. It scared him. He didn''t want to hurt me and even though I told him it was to be expected, he was refusing to be with me again."


    "Did you heal?"


    "Of course. Echo healed me in a day, but he refused to touch me Well, until that night. I was struggling watching Connor and Maddy touch each other and watching Connor steal kisses from her every chance he could get. I knew Quirin wouldn''t be outwardly affectionate like Dad or Connor, but I didn''t think that it would be so hard to get him to be with me. I used him of making me into one of his one-night stands," I tell her.


    I''m surprised when I see a smile spread across her face. "Good for you! And apparently that worked," she says and turns to keep walking.


    "Yes, it did," I say.


    "Stupid Alphas who underestimate their mates," she mumbles. I smile. I miss my mother''s mumblings.


    "So things have gotten better in that department? I mean, you smell very strongly of him, so I''m guessing those issues are resolved?" she asks as we walk into the hospital.


    "Yes, they are," I tell her as I introduce her to Deborah. My mother begins asking her about her medical history, training, and other questions she normally asks anyone in her hospital. I can tell that Deborah is a bit overwhelmed by my mother, but for the most part, she holds her own.


    "Has anyonee in, Deborah?" I ask her.


    "Not today, Luna," she says.


    I nod and begin by showing my mother the two rooms that I''ve put together to see patients. While she looks them over, nodding her head in approval, I tell her about finding the silver in the warriors'' wounds.


    "They couldn''t feel it?" she asks shocked.


    "No. Even Tommy, the pup who had it in his wound, didn''t say it hurt like it should.


    It was only when his mom was trying to wash out the wound that he said it hurt. In hindsight, that was probably a good thing because when I scraped it, it took the silver off and he started to heal."


    "Are the rest of the rooms the same?" she asks as we step out of the second


    room.


    "No, not yet. I''m slowly making updates and changes to the hospital. I don''t want


    to cause undue stress to the pack''s finances, so I''ve just ordered what I thought was critical."


    She frowns at me, but nods. "I''m assuming you have a microscope if you found the silver?"


    "Yes. It''s in the room that I''ve set up as my office and it''s next to the supply room."


    "Is your supply room set up like mine is?" she asks as we walk to the other side


    of the hospital.


    "Yes," I say, smiling.


    I take her to the storage room first. "What is that archaic piece of equipment?" she


    asks.


    "That''s the x-ray machine that was here when I got here."


    She turns and looks at me. "And you didn''t rece it?"


    68%1


    "I''m trying to be fiscally responsible, Mom. They had NO obstetric equipment. Since Deborah told me that they lose pups and sometimes the mothers, I prioritized those items. You know the x-ray machine in our pack is like $60,000? I priced it. I mean, I don''t need top of the line since we''re not a teaching hospital, but a lower end version that I''d want is still around $30,000." "And Quirin said you couldn''t afford it?" she asks, watching me carefully.


    "He told me to order whatever I needed, but he didn''t give me a budget and Mom,


    when I say they had nothing, I mean they had nothing! They had gauze and band aids for the pups. That''s about it," I say as she looks around, going through the supply room.


    "Well, I''d say you have the essentials here but maybe talk to Quirin about the x- ray machine. Does this one even work?" she asks.


    "It does, otherwise, I would have gotten one. But it''s weak. It''s not great. But it''ll


    do for now." The thought of trying to get Quirin to listen to me about medical equipment has my eye twitching. I struggle to get him to listen to me about everyday things, much less the medical equipment he doesn''t even think we need.


    "Well, it''s your pack. I''m not going to tell you how to run it and as you said, the warriors here are just starting toe to see you. I''m d they did or they still be getting weak. Now show me what you found when you took the skin samples," she says excitedly.


    It''s so great working with my mother again. I feel like everything inside me that I didn''t know was unsettled, just settled again.


    We spend another hour talking through what I''ve found and I exin to her about the silver on the packnds.


    "Oh that damn Alpha. He reminds me of Brady! Stupid Alphas who can''t be happy with what they have," she mumbles to herself.


    "I take it Jasper hasn''t battled against our pack since I left?" I ask her.


    "No, but if he does, I''ll make sure to check for silver contamination. I certainly don''t want any pack members and especially not the pups getting silver in their bodies."


    I smile, staring at my mother. When she realizes that I haven''t answered her, she looks at me before smiling and opening


    her arms.


    "It''s so good to have you here, Mom," I say as we embrace.


    "I''m always here, whenever you need me, Kennedy. But I''m so proud of you. I


    knew this would be hard, but you''re doing a great job."


    "Thanks, Mom."

 Chapter 45

    Warren


    I''ve never been to Quirin''s pack. I''ve never been invited toe for a visit, a meeting, a battle, nothing. When we stepped out of the car, I wasn''t sure what to expect. Now that I''ve gotten a taste for the feel of this pack, I''m even more worried about


    anything BUT likeable. But being here, I realize just my daughter. I know she''s always liked Quirin, which is odd, siner he what a struggle it must be for her.


    I''m not sure how I feel about their scents being so strong on each other. On the one hand, I''m d that they seem to be getting along together. After barely smelling them on each otherst weekend, I was concerned. On the other hand, she''s my little girl and I''m struggling toe to terms with the fact that she''s now a grown woman.


    Quirin has always been closed off, a dark, depressed man. But seeing him now, he seems almost happy. Well, as happy as a man like Quirin can be. I''m pretty sure he actually smiled, or it seemed like he smiled. It was the closest thing that I''ve ever seen to a smile on his face. My daughter, on the other hand, seems much more muted than I''m used to her being.


    I''ll be anxious to get Yara''s assessment of our daughter after spending time with her today. I don''t get the impression that she wants to leave or to reject Quirin, but if she does, I''ll do everything in my power to get her away from him.


    It suddenly dawns on me that I don''t have the force of the pack behind me any longer. I mean, I probably do, but effective six days ago, my son took over as Alpha. The pack is his, it''s no longer mine. It would be up to him if he would choose to use the pack''s resources to protect his sister.


    As I walk into Quirin''s office, I remember all those years ago when Yara saved my leg. At the time, I''d had no idea what I would do or who I was if I wasn''t an Alpha. Today, while I definitely have more titles such as mate and father, no longer being the Alpha to a strong pack makes me feel uneasy in my own skin. I haven''t had to ask anyone for assistance to protect my family. I always knew I had the pack for that. Now, however, that choice would be Connor''s. I expect that he would choose to protect his sister, even if it meant going to war with Quirin, but it would be his choice and I would be bound to ept it.


    As we sit in Quirin''s office, my son turns and frowns at me. He must feel the tension in me, the struggle within myself that I no longer know who I am. My life is changing and it''s going to take me more than a week to adjust to that. Maybe I''ll take some time to talk to Harold while we''re here to see how he managed it. Henry''s been Alpha of their pack for over a decade and somehow, Harold adjusted.


    I shake my head at Connor, letting him know that we can talkter. I''m thankful that I''ve raised him to the kind of Alpha that I was, but it''s a bit unnerving to be on the receiving end of an Alpha who is monitoring your emotions and is concerned about them. That was my job for so long that it feels strangeing from someone other than Yara.


    "So, as I mentioned to Luna Yara before, it was Kennedy who figured out what was happening. And while I can''t confirm that she''spletely urate in her assessment, I''d bet a substantial amount of money on the fact that she''s right," Quirin begins.


    "You''d win that bet," Connor says without hesitation. "My sister is smart and intuitive. So, what did she figure out?"


    I have to fight a smile of pride. My son has taken to his role of Alpha as if he was made for it, and I guess he was. It makes me feel like I did a good job preparing him for his role and to be the amazing Alpha that I know he will be.


    ''You did a great job, Dad, and thanks,'' his voice floats into my mind. I refocus on Quirin.


    "Alpha Jasper has been using silver powder to injure my pack members and weaken my pack," Quirin says.


    "Son of a bitch! What an asshole! He''s not strong enough to defeat you in a fair fight, so he has to resort to weakening you from the inside?" Henry asks.


    "Hold up. You said Kennedy figured it out. Didn''t your warriors know that they had silver poisoning or at least had silver in their bodies?" I ask.


    He turns and looks at me. They did not. The powder was fine enough that it was coating the wounds and keeping them from healing but not enough that they felt more than the injury Iself.


    "And your pack doesn''t go to the hospital when they''re injured?" Connor asks, remembering what Quirin said to Yara upstairs.


    "That''s correct," he says.


    "So, how did she find it?" Harold asks him.


    "Through a pup. He was injured and the injury wasn''t healing."


    "How did a pup get injured during a battle?" I ask, concerned that they aren''t even using their safe rooms.


    "Not during a battle. It happened on our pup yground. Kennelly figured this out too. If Jasper and his pack are putting this powder on their ws, some of that silver is getting onto my packnds. My packnds are contaminated with silver. That''s why you can''t walk around."-


    "Holy shit. What are you going to do? Even if you clean it up, it will just be there again when he attacks again," Henry says. "True. Beta Kier and I," he says, nodding at his Beta, "have sent scouts to Jasper''s pack. We need to eliminate the silver at the source."


    "What are you going to do once you find it?" Connor asks.


    Quirin gives another half-smile and looks at his Beta.


    "I like the idea of spreading it around Jasper''s packnds, giving them a taste of their own medicine," Kier says.


    "They could have pups that would get injured, just like yours," Connor says, looking thoughtful. Then he shrugs. "What if we just attack him."


    "We thought of that. But I''m worried that they could make us even weaker if we were on their territory and they have a lot of silver. They could use it on us and weaken us during the battle It''s a risk I''m not willing to take," Quirin says. I have to admit, not having spent a lot of time with Quirin over the years, I''m impressed by his ability to analyze the situation and make a decision that is right for his pack.


    "So, what''s your n and how can we help?" I ask, ncing at Connor, thankful that he seems willing to assist.


    "We''re going to find his supply of silver and then eliminate it. But I don''t know the first thing about cleaning up


    else?" contaminated soil. Does anyone


    "I do, actually," I say. "I was just reading about a new approach to removing heavy metals from soil. It''s some chemical process that draws the metal out of the soil during a filtering process. It''s expensive..."


    "Money isn''t an issue," Quirin says. I already knew that. I knew Quinton was wealthy before he died. If I''d been so inclined, I could havee here and taken everything that I could find and kept his money for myself. But greed is what got Quinton killed and I never cared about the money. My mate, my family, and my pack were the most important things to me.


    "If you''re interested, I''ll get the information and send it over to you," I tell him.


    "Thank you," he says. I can tell he feels like he''s going to choke on the words, but he''s being more friendly to me than I had expected.


    Spending your early days of retirement with some light reading Warren?" Harold says, jokingly.


    "Something like that," I say, recognizing that he knows that I''m struggling with the transition of no longer having a full-time job while my mate still does. Chaptern


    that steam the Lana cern to the area where politie ding and having fee after party safe Eunos Farrah is probably on their right now earring to eat up the trovy des


    * Did antibial turf dosen cord of the wr where we have the evening. That area will be safe Beta Rier


    "What about your patride" Const Rete


    "They have to are Kennedy aber then shah She clean they sans feet as they will heat the wounds get no fue to


    short much while they''re running, they have to eer het before the rat that. But as for it''s pura light fisting on the ground. nothing the wolves can''t handle. If you have


    any other ideas for how to clean up our parknds. I''m all eare But I wonde appreciate the information that you have. Alphs Warrens he cares me


    "Happy to provide it" I say.


    "Well, unless you all have anything else, we can move to the dining hall. I know that Kennedy has worked with our omegas to create a feast for tonight and while I don''t want anyone walking around the packnds, we can sit our back and enjoy the cool night air after dinner."


    "Thank you. Alpha Quirin," I say as we stand. Harold and Henry walk out ahead of us and Connor turris to Quirin.


    "How are things going with my sister?"


    "My personal rtionship with your sister is none of your business, Alpha. But I''m sure you''ve realized that my pack is nothing like yours. It''s been an adjustment for her and the pack, but I think they''re starting toe around. It''s hard to resist Kennedy," he says, a small smile on his face.


    "As I said before, she is her mother''s daughter," I say. Almost as if I''ve conjured them, Yara and Kennedy walk into the packhouse,ughing.


    I step up to Yara, having missed her already. "Did you have a nice time?"


    "Kennedy is doing a great job, not that I''m surprised," Yara says, smiling at our daughter.


    Kennedy goes to stand beside Quirin. He doesn''t put his arm around her, but I see his hands twitching like he wants to. "It was like being back home. Mom and I just fell into our old patterns of talking about issues and working through them." "You''ll have to tell me all about itter, Kennedy," Quirin says to her.


    This time, I see it. I see the love that he has for my daughter shining in his eyes. Quirin may not know how to show love to Kennedy, his father wasn''t the kind of man who did either, but he absolutely loves my daughter.


    I just hope that it''s enough for her.

 Chapter 46

    After returning to the packhouse, I watched my daughter and Quirin. I know my mate struggles with him being Kennedy''s mate. He and Quirin have never had a good rtionship. I''m no sure they ever will. But as long as they can be civil to each other for Kennedy''s sake, that''s all that matters to me.


    My rtionship with Quirin is different than Warren''s. He''s always been much more kind and gentle with me than he has been with Warren. I have no doubt that it''s because he feels indebted to me for saving his life, but it''s given me an insight into a side of Quirin that not many people see. There is a kindness, a desire to please, and I believe, a deep-seated need to love and be loved in side of Quirin. I think he has the ability to live, but I also believe that he didn''t have the best role model for a father. The man was willing to give up his chosen mite and Luna to take me as his Luna. There is no one in the world that could ever take my ce in Warren''s life, heart, or be. So, while I understand that Quirin has the ability to love, I also know that he doesn''t have an understanding of how to truly show that love to someone, not even his mate.


    It''s good to see my children all together again. I know it''s only been two weeks since Kennedy left us, but it feels like forever. So much has happened in those two weeks. Kennedy moved out Connor found his mate and has now taken his ce as Alpha of our pack. My mate is struggling to figure out where he ts now that he''s not the leader of a pack and he''s also still struggling with how the Moon Goddess chose Kennedy as Quirin''s mate.


    I watch Quirin while my children tease each other, tormenting Kennedy by telling Quirin embarrassing stories about her childhood, not that there are many. But sisters and brothers always seem to know these things and love to tell them to anyone who will listen.


    One thing I realize as the evening goes on is that even though hes a bit older than Kennedy and has been the Alpha of his pack for years, he''s still emotionally very immature. I guess that makes sense. He never had any siblings, he lost both of his parents when he was still a pup, and the only friend that he''s ever had that I know of is Henry. He hasn''t had a lot of opportunities to learn how to build emotional rtionships. In times like this, that bes very clear.


    The difference between Quirin and Henry couldn''t be more obvious. Henryughs and teases as if he''s part of our family, while Quirin sits outside the group, watching, looking after Kennedy, but only participating at the most minimal level.


    "Oh,e on, Quirin! That was funny!" Wendy whines, after telling a story about Kennedy that had everyoneughing except Quirin.


    "I refuse tough at my mate''s expense," he says seriously.


    Spoken like a true mate.


    Quirin''s head snaps to me and I look at Warren. "Did I say that out loud?"


    "Yes, my love, you certainly did. I''m so d you never changed," he says, taking


    my hand and pulling it to his lips for a kiss. Since I recognize the fire in my mate''s eyes, I turn to the group.


    "Don''t stay upte. Don''t harass Alpha Quirin, his pack, Alpha Harold, Luna Farrah, or Beta Kier," I say to my pups.


    "I notice she left you out, Henry," Yorick says to him.


    "Yeah, I guess it''s open season on Henry!" Yvonne, my youngest daughter squeals.


    "Yeah! Get him!" her twin Wade says, and the two of them leap at Henry.


    "Henry, I can add you to the list," I say as I stand.


    "Nah! These two obviously need a reminder, of what happens when they poke the Alpha!" Henry says, standing with one pup under each arm.


    "It''s about time they started poking another Alpha," Connor says standing and helping Madison to her feet. I look between


    10.28 Fri, Feb 21 F


    my oldest twins, wondering which one will give me a grandbaby first.


    +13


    Warren and I say goodnight and head to our room. When we get there, I think about my conversation with Kennedy today as we begin getting ready for bed.


    "Warren, didn''t you say that Quirin was wealthy?" I ask him.


    "Yeah, really rich. He gave Connor one hundred thousand dor for his birthday," he asks.


    I stop


    and look at my mate, shocked. "He did? Why?"


    Warren shrugs in the casual, sexy way that he has that still make my heart skip a beat and heat rush to my core.


    "Connor and I talked about it. We both think that it was Quirin''s way of letting him know that he''s powerful in more ways than one. Remember, when he wrote that check, he didn''t know that he and Kennedy were mates. He may not have done it if he had."


    I think about that, and Warren tilts his head at me, walking over and pulling me against him. "Why do you ask?"


    "Why do you think Kennedy doesn''t know that? She told me today that she didn''t order an x-ray machine for the pack when the one they have is probably older than I am. It costs a third of what he gave Connor for his birthday."


    I slide my arms around his neck, and he presses his lips to my forehead as he thinks.


    "One thing I realized today is that Quirin really loves Kennedy. I know you and I have differing opinions about him, but I wasn''t sure that he was capable of love. However, I saw it in his eyes whenever he looked at her today and I believe that it''s real. But he didn''t have a great role model when it came to mates. I mean, look at how easily Quinton was willing to toss Yasmin aside to get to you."


    "I had that same thought today, but that doesn''t mean that he wouldn''t tell her that they can afford anything she wants to buy for the hospital," I say.


    He smiles at me and I feel the sh of the memory in his mind. "You remember how you used to joke with me that I didn''t know the definition of ''discussion"?


    "Oh, that wasn''t a joke. I was very serious and I''m so thankful that we now have a library in the educational side of the hospital in case I ever have to look up that or any other word for you," I say, making my mateugh, like I knew he would. "Goddess, I love you, Yara. My point is, I don''t think Quirin knows the definition ofmunication."


    "Do you think I should say something to her?"


    He sighs, his hands beginning to roam over my naked body while he considers. "No. Yesterday my answer would probably have been different. Yesterday, I didn''t know that Quirin could love her as much as he does. I think they have to figure it out for themselves, Yara. If anyone else had told me that it was a bad idea to erase your records from that human university you were attending when we met, I never would have listened. But when you said it, I had no choice but to listen. I hope, I think, they''ll find their way together. But they are both still struggling to figure out who they are in this new dynamic. My confident daughter has lost some of her confidence," he says, looking sad.


    "She''s getting it back. Slowly, but it wille."


    "Of course it will. She is her mother''s daughter, after all," he says his eyes darkening as his thumbs stroke over my nipples. I let my head fall back, giving my mate the submission that I know he loves.


    He growls and begins nibbling on my neck.


    "I was surprised that you didn''t send Bradley to watch over me at the hospital," I


    say, my voice bing breathless as my mate begins stoking the fire inside my


    body.


    67%


    +13


    "I had him watch our pups. I was worried about the pack, but he said they kept their distance except some omegas who brought them some food they were very nice and talked about how great Kennedy is."


    He


    That makes me smile.


    "Are we done talking now?" he growls.


    "Yes," I breathe softly.


    "Good because there are other things I want to do with my mouth," he says,


    before lifting me up and carrying me to the bed.


    My mate still has an insatiable appetite for me, even after neen years and seven pups. And I''m so thankful because I know that I will never, ever be able to


    get enough of this man.


    AD


    Comment

 Chapter 47

    Quirin


    I have no idea what to make of Kennedy''s family. They harassed her relentlessly


    all evening long. I would have stepped in. but no one seemed bothered by it, not even Kennedy. I mean, she didn''t


    130


    herself, but she gave it back as much as she got. Even Henry seemed to seem to like hearing the embarrassing stories about


    problem including him in their teasing.


    enjoy the bantering and Kennedy''s siblings had no


    I wonder if this is what a family, a real family is supposed to feel ike. I have no doubt that if anyone attacked any one of them, they''d give their lives for each other, even the youngest two. But they have no problem attacking each other verbally andughing at each other''s expense. I''ll admit, there were some pretty funny stories, but I refused tough at my mate, no matter how much she didn''t seem to mind the othersughing her.


    After watching Henry run around with a younger twin under each arm, holding them sideways and bouncing them until they were squealing at dog whistle pitch, I wonder if this is what Kennedy expects our lives to be with our pups. There''s definitely love in this family, and that love includes Harold, Farrah, and Henry.


    My life never looked like this. Not only was I an only child, but my father was always very busy. He made time for me, sure. He told me he loved me every day. He never withheld love and affection from me, but he didn''t spend time with me like I see Alpha Warren and Alpha Harold spending with their children


    And my mother, well, let''s just say that she expected us to represent ourselves as the perfect family. There was never any rambunctious behavior. I was to act like the Alpha heir that I was represent the pack, her, and my father at all times and never act out. It makes me wonder what my life would have been like if I''d had a sister or brother to rough-house with. While Henry is an only child as well, he''s always been rxed, never acting like he felt the need to present himself as an Alpha, or at least not every minute of every day.


    As Kennedy and I say goodnight, Farrah pulls me aside.


    "Are you okay? This was a lot for you," she says.


    "Is this how all families are?" I ask.


    She shrugs. "Not all of them. But personally, I think the Hills represent a loving family. They pretty much think of Henry as their oldest brother, so he''s included in that bond which is why they torment him just as much as they torment each other. None of it is meant in a mean way. It''s good sibling fun, something you never had."


    "Henry didn''t either," I say.


    "Yes and no. He allowed himself to get to know the Hills in a way that you never did. Which is probably why they consider him an older brother but not you. They did try to include you tonight, but you kept yourself out of the inner circle. Maybe someday you''ll feelfortable enough to let them pull you into their inner circle."


    "I don''t think I could ever be that carefree," I say, frowning and watching Henry hold up the twins so they can say goodnight to Kennedy.


    "It isn''t about whether or not you could be that carefree, Quirin. It''s about whether


    or not you''ll allow yourself to be that way. Think about it," she says, before walking over to Harold and taking his hand.


    When Kennedyes over to me, I take her hand and lead her to our room. When w¨¨ get there, she turns to me.


    "You were very quiet tonight. I know they''re a lot to take in. I noticed the pack kept their distance," she says.


    "That probably had more to do with Bradley''s looming presence then the pack members themselves."


    "Well, I know it was probably hard for you, but I appreciate you hanging in there tonight. I''ve missed my family," she says, walking over and smiling up at me.


    672


    I pull her into my arms, looking down at her. "Did you really se rat''s leg and nurse it back to health?" I ask, referencing something that Wendy said earlier. "Well, to be fair, I thought it was a really big mouse," she says, making me smile at her. I watch her eyes track to my lips and she begins to bite her bottom lip. The sight makes me growl and reach up and pull her lip from her teeth. The sweet scent of her arousal begins to permeate the air around us.


    "Your parents are right down the hall, Kennedy. Did you want to risk them hearing you screaming my name?"


    "I''m pretty sure my parents won''t hear anything but each other, Quirin," she says, sliding her hands over my chest.


    I slide my hand into her hair and take her mouth in a dominant kiss. She''s been smiling andughing all night and I''m nearly desperate for a fix of her golden light. I move her backward as I devour her mouth, using my free hand to rip her clothes


    off of her before sitting her on the edge of the bed andying her down.


    I quickly strip off my clothes before rubbing my hands over her body. Then I grab her thighs and tug her to the edge of the bed as I press the tip of my aching cock at her entrance. "Don''tin to me tomorrow if your father questions you about our night," I growl before bottoming out inside her.


    Her cry of pleasure is music to my ears. I''m so thankful that she doesn''t bleed anymore and that she seems to love taking everything that I give her. I feel her light pressing against my darkness as it always does, pushing it away and making me feel so fucking light and happy.


    I pull her legs up, so they''reying against my chest, nibbling on the instep of her feet while I thrust inside her, loving the way her body feels fluttering around me until I bring her over the edge of bliss.


    "You''re mine, aren''t you, Kennedy?" I growl.


    "Yes, Quirin," she moans as I push her through the orgasm, feeling another oneing on quickly.


    "Say it," I growl, watching her as her hands grip the sheets. "Say you''re mine!" "I''m yours. I''m yours, Quirin."


    "Fucking right you are," I say, my thrustsing harder and faster, pushing her over the edge again until her light sts around me, nearly blinding me as I find the exquisite pleasure that only Kennedy gives me.


    I hold us there while our bodies jerk with aftershocks, then I kiss my way down her leg before leaning over and kissing her. "Tomorrow night at this time, you''ll be my Luna. You will be mine in every way possible," I say, stroking the damp hair away from her face.


    "I already am, Quirin," she says, her fingers stroking over my face, brushing over my lips.


    "I want you bound to me in every way possible, Kennedy. I meant what I said. You''re mine. Only mine."


    "And you, my Alpha, are all mine. Only mine," she says, pulling me in for another kiss and wrapping her legs around me. I lift her up and crawl onto the bed before flipping onto my back.


    "My Luna should take what she wants," I say, before watching her find her pleasure while she rides me. When we''ve bothe again, she copses on top of me and we fall asleep just like that.


    The next morning, I get up as usual, ready for warrior training. I kiss Kennedy, waking her up.


    "You have a busy day ahead of you, my mate. You''d better get up and make sure everything is ready for breakfast for your family."


    ¡°For my family and our pack, Quirin. I''m their Luna, which means I''m just as responsible for the pack as you are," she says. I sit on the bed and take her mouth in a dirty, possessive kiss.


    When I pull back, she looks at me, searching my face. "This is really important to you, isn''t it?"


    "I told youst night, Kennedy. I want you bound to me in every way possible. You are mine, no one can ever take you from


    me


    She smiles, sitting up and pressing her lips to mine. "No one ever could, Quirin. I''ve been yours for a long time. Longer than the two weeks since you called me your mate."


    I kiss her again before grunting and pulling away from her. "You are a naughty siren calling me back to bed."


    "I can''t help it. I like the way you feel inside me," she says, making me fucking hard.


    "A VERY naughty siren," I say, standing and listening to the swee sound of herughter as I head downstairs for training.


    I probably shouldn''t be surprised, but I am when I find Kennedys entire family, Henry, and Harold all ready to train. The only one missing is Luna Yara. Even Luna Madison and Farrah are here to train.


    Kier and I stand at the front of the group. "Alright, we have some new faces today.


    Let''s show them how we fight in this pack," I say to my warriors and begin the


    training.

 Chapter 48

    Kennedy


    38%


    When Quirin got up for warrior training, I quickly showered and got dressed before going downstairs to help the omegas get ready for breakfast. I know they''re nervous having so many Alphas in the pack, which I''m guessing has never happened before. So, I want to make sure they arefortable and help out if they need it.


    We''ve just finished putting the food out when everyone startsing inside.


    "Dad, are you limping?" I ask him. Everyone else is chattering happily as they walk in.


    "Apparently I''m out of shape," he says as my mother walks over to him, quickly assessing his injury.


    "Arric?" she asks, running her fingers over my father''s hip.


    "I''m fine, my mate. It seems like this old wolf still has some new tricks to learn," he


    answers.


    "Don''t think your dad didn''t get in his punches. Man, I wasn''t expecting to work so hard today!" Lane says, walking up behind him and pping my father on the shoulder.


    "One of the best workouts I''ve had in a long time," my father says, smiling at him.


    Well, that''s unexpected.


    "Me too. Your pack has apletely different fighting style than what we have, Ken. It''s pretty awesome! I feel like I''m back in pup school learning how to fight all over again," Connor says. He''s at least not limping.


    "You''re not the only one. Your brother is deadly," Kelvin says to me walking in with Connor.


    "At least you didn''t get tag-teamed by the killer twins," Terrance says, smiling at my youngest siblings.


    I notice not all of the warriors are interacting with my family, but quite a few of them are. I wonder if Quirin and Kier chose the ones they knew would get along well with my family to spar with them today.


    "I want a rematch tomorrow," Yorick says, walking in with Leo.


    "If you''d battled against me a week ago, I would never have won. Your sister got me all patched up and now I''m stronger than ever," Leo says. He''s the one who had three different injuries that have now all healed.


    "Yeah, she and Mom are great at that. You''re lucky to have her," he says, winking at me.


    As everyone walks in, I see my mother assessing them just as I am. I''m assessing more than injuries though. I''m watching to see how the pack is interacting with them. I have no doubt that Quirin was careful during sparring. He''s been very clear that. nothing is to mar today for me and so far, everything seems to be going well.


    It isn''t until Bradleyes limping in that I step forward. However, Trena beats me to him.


    "Getting a bit old for sparring with wolves half your age, aren''t you love?"


    "Apparently," he grumbles, pulling her to him. "Are you going to kiss it and make it better?"


    She chuckles. "If it''s not healed after breakfast, I will."


    "Did you hear that, Den. Don''t be healing me," he says to his wolf as he leans in to kiss him mate.


    "What''s for breakfast?" Baron, Trena and Bradley''s oldest asks as hees in.


    Sun, 23 Feb


    "Anything you want," Christy says cheerfully.


    "There''s plenty of food. Help yourselves. My omegas need to start working on dinner tonight, so it''s self-serve this morning,¡± I announce.


    Quirin walks in,ing straight over to kiss me.


    "Everyone seems in good spirits," I say softly.


    "We had a good, hard training session this morning. I expect that it will be the same tomorrow," he says, watching as everyone begins making their way to get food.


    "Good. No problems?" I ask.


    38%


    He turns his attention to me. "I told you that I won''t allow anyone to ruin today for you, my Luna, and I won''t. Everything is fine. It was a hard training session, but it was good."


    I sit with my family during breakfast and listen to them talking about the sparring session. Several of our warriors sit with us and there''s a lot of easy discussion and banter back and forth. Emily and Tommy join us, since Lane is sitting with us. Tommy begins telling my mother about how I fixed his knee.


    "I''m not surprised. My daughter was excellent in my hospital. I already miss her."


    "I didn''t think you were a doctor yet," Emily says, frowning at me.


    "I''m not, but my mother''s hospital has been my second home for as long as I can remember," I say, as my mother smiles proudly at me.


    After breakfast, Luna Farrah, Wendy, and Madison go off to finish setting up for tonight. I''ve been told that it''s their surprise for me, so I''m not allowed to see it until tonight.


    However, my mother asks me to join her and together we walk to her room.


    "Did Quirin tell you he asked me to pick out a dress for you?" she asks me.


    "No, he didn''t and honestly, with everything going on, I didn''t even think about it. I was nning to wear one of the dresses I already have."


    "Well, now you don''t have to," she says, as we enter her room. "By the way, the flowers are lovely. Thank you so much. I know you did that for me."


    "I wanted you to feel at home. I know Dad''s a bit nervous, but hopefully he''s starting to rx now."


    ¡°He is. Your mate is doing everything possible to make tonight special for you and that means a lot to your father and to me. Let''s take a look at the dress. I hope you like it. I chose it with you in mind," she says, leading me to the closet.


    "Then I''m sure I''ll love it!" I say, knowing that my mother knows me very well. When she pulls out the dress, I know I''m right.


    "Oh, Mom, it''s beautiful!" It''s a floor-length, A-line, one shoulder dress with a thick banded waist in dark green. It will bring out the color of my eyes and is youthful, but elegant at the same time.


    "Let''s try it on and make sure it fits," she says. She helps me get into it and then she stands behind me as we look in the


    mirror in her room.


    "Look at how grown up you are, I''m so proud of you, my sweet daughter," she says, wrapping her arms around my


    shoulders.


    15:06 Sun, 23 Feb DO


    "Thanks, Mom," I say, feeling tears threaten.


    <38%


    "Now, you''ll get ready in here, so Quirin doesn''t see you until you walk out. Did you want your father to walk you out to the stage?" she asks.


    "Yes."


    "Good. He was hoping you''d want him too. Your sisters also wanted to help you get ready and you know how good Wendy is with hair, so I told her and Yana that they coulde help."


    "Of course."


    The rest of the afternoon is spent with my mother and sisters. Even Yvonne came


    in to join us and, on her way, to get ready, Madison came in to see me too. It wasn''t until my father came in that the others finally left to go get ready.


    Before she leaves, my mother kisses me and my father and then heads downstairs.


    When I stand and look at my father, I see a hint of tears in his eyes.


    "You know, when Quirin first called you mate, I was ready to kill him for you. If you had said you didn''t want to be mat him and he had refused your rejection, I would have put the full force of the pack behind you to keep you safe and away from him. But, my dear, sweet daughter, you have reminded me that the Moon Goddess doesn''t make mistakes. You are here for a reason, and while I think that the two of you still have some things to work through, I can already see the impact that your presence is having here. I didn''t like letting you leave with him on your birthday. I didn''t know what to expect when I brought my family, my entire world, to this unknown pack yesterday. But what I didn''t expect to see was how much Quirin loves you. I can already see the change in him from being mated to you. And it''s a good change. You may be the only reason that I''m here right now, that your family is here in this pack for the first time ever, but that speaks volumes about his love for you, Kennedy. I''ve offered my help with the silver on your packnds, and he''s agreed to let me find information for him. That''s a huge step that he never would have taken if he hadn''t been mated to you."


    I feel my own tears threatening to spill over as I listen to my father''s words.


    "Many people have underestimated your mother in our life together. It''s a mistake. She''s one of the strongest women I''ve ever met. And you, Kennedy, are more her daughter than any of your siblings. You have an inner strength that others don''t always see, and they underestimate you because of it. But you are my daughter too, which means there is a fighter inside you. That fight will be what ultimately wins this pack over, Kennedy."


    He smiles at me, stepping forward and taking my hands. ¡°I guess what I''m saying is that I''m so proud of you. Don''t let this pack get you down. You will win them over because you are not the kind of woman who gives up or lets others win. You are strong, you arepassionate, and tonight you will take your ce as a leader of this pack. You are going to do great things in your life, Kennedy and I''m so d that I get to be here to see it."


    ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± I say through my tears. He gently reaches up and brushes my tears away before pressing a kiss to my forehead.


    "Ready to take your ce as this pack''s Luna?" he asks, holding out his arm to


    me.


    "Ready," I say, feeling much more ready now.

 Chapter 49

    Quirin


    I watch as Kennerly walks out of the back of the packhorse. I have Kier and Henry standing on the stage with me. The pack will rmit their loyalty to me and Kier today while epting Kennedy as their Luna, and Henry will preside over the ceremony which gives me the chance to just focus on how witterly gorgeous my mate is


    Farrah went all out as I knew she would. The entire area looks perfect for my mare. There is some sort of gary gold material draped around the area that is covered with the artificial turf, making me everyone knows where it''s safe to walk There are twinkling lights and flowers draped everywhere giving the area a magical feel.


    The green dress that Kennedy is wearing fits her perfectly, falling to her feet is a soft, flowing skirt. No skin-tight, short showy dresses for my mate. Nope, this dress is elegant and ssy, just like she is


    I growl a low, possessive growl as I watch her walk toward me. Her eyes never leave mine as her father guides her to the stage. When they get close, I walk over and extend my hand, taking hers and helping her up the stage


    "Thank you. Alpha." I say to Alpha Warren


    Thank you, Alpha," he says, emphasizing that he''s thanking me. I''m not sure why he''s thanking me. I haven''t done anything


    I only let the exchange distract me for a moment, before I refocus on the woman in front of me. She''s about to bind herself to the in thest possible way that she can. I don''t know why I want her tied to me in every way possible. I guess there''s still a part of me that''s afraid of losing her. But tonight, she will ept her role as my mate, as a Luzna, and as a leader of this pack


    I walk her to the center of the stage and tum, holding both of her hands in mine as Henry steps up beside and between us.


    "Wee pack members, family, and guests" Henry begins.


    I can''t take my eyes off of Kennedy. Her eyes, usually a grayer color, are the exact color of the-dress, as if her eyes felt the need to blend perfectly. Her hair is in an elegant bun at the nape of her neck, but there are pieces of her hair that are down. giving it a softer look. There''s baby''s breath in an arc at the top of the bun. The only reason I know it''s baby''s breath is because it is, quite possibly, the stupidest name I''ve ever heard for a flower. However, while it may have a dumb name, it adds a perfect touch to my mate.


    I watch as Kennedy begins smiling at me. Her lips are twitching as if she''s trying to keep fromughing. I frown until I hear Henry saying my name as if he''s been trying to get my attention.


    "What?" I ask him.


    "I need your hand so I can slice your palm. Do you think you can let go of our mate long enough for me to get your blood in the cup?" he asks, raising an eyebrow at me.


    I hear the snickering from the pack members and probably Kennedy''s siblings. I give Henry a look and reluctantly pull my hand away from Kennedy''s, before returning my gaze to hers.


    "Do you, Alpha Quirin, ept Kennedy Hill as your mate and Luna? Do you agree to ce her above all others, letting her lead at your side?" Henry says.


    "I do"


    He slices my hand and tilts it, letting it drip in the cup, but I still don''t take my eyes off Kennedy.


    "Do you, Alpha Kennedy, ept Alpha Warren as your mate and Alpha. Do you agree to ce him above all others and lead at his side as the Luna of this pack?"


    "I do," she says and this time when her lips quiver, it''s because of the emotion behind her words.


    Tue, 25 Feb


    ζ¡Ý80%


    Henry hands her the goblet and I watch as she sips my blood, feeling the bond between us strengthening. I can feel the heat of my possessiveness, my need to show everyone here that she''s mine, so I lean in, taking her mouth in a dominant, possessive kiss.


    "Uh, Quirin, there''s more to the ceremony. Perhaps you can wait to finish thister. After the party. In private. Henry says drolly.


    Kennedy gasps, obviously having forgotten that we''re in front of not only our pack, but her entire family as well.


    "Yes, let''s continue," I say, pulling back just enough that I can still nuzzle her nose with mine, but our lips are no longer touching.


    "I''ll need your hand again, Quirin.¡± Henry says softly enough that only those of us on the stage can hear. I give him my hand, not moving away from Kennedy.


    He slices it again, letting it drip in the cup, before asking Kennedy for hers. I know the moment he slices her palm. She hisses softly and I smell her blood. As soon as Henry releases her hand, I pull it to my mouth and lick the wound closed.


    "Did you want me to ept our Luna, Alpha, or are you just going to stare at her all night?" Kier asks.


    "We can do both," I say, pulling away just enough for Kier toe forward and ept Kennedy as his Luna. After that. I''m forced to step back, but I don''t release her hand as one by one, the packes forward to ept her as their Luna.


    I watch as she smiles at certain warriors, specifically those that had previously epted her and then apologized and asked to be allowed to stay. I also recognize that none of these warriors hesitates or scoffs at epting her as their Luna.


    I nce at Bradley. Alpha Warren made sure that his mate was protected even though she wasn''t a warrior. Perhaps I should consider doing the same for my mate. Although, unlike Luna Yara, Kennedy goes into the safe room during attacks. Something to think about.


    Once all of the pack members havee forward and epted Kennedy as their Luna, pledging themselves to me, her, Kier, and the pack, it''s time for the celebration to begin. I''m not sure who, but someone turns on music and I watch as pack members begin dancing with their pups and mates. Even Kier pulls an omega onto the dance floor, dancing around with her.


    I''m not sure what it is, but there''s a different feel in the pack tonight. It''s almost as if they''re rxed. It''s not something I''m used to feeling from my pack. I wonder if it''s because they now have their Luna or if possibly, it''s because only the ones who truly ept her are here.


    Kennedy as she dances with her younger twine


    "You know, when you asked me to officiate Kennedy''s Luna ceremony, I didn''t realize it was because I was going to have to keep you focused," Henry says,ing up to me. I''m standing off to the side of the makeshift dance floor, watching


    Wade and Yvonne. She''s holding hands with each of them and spinning them in circles before pulling them in and pushing them out in what looks like Kennedy''s way of teaching them to dance. Alpha Wa is dancing with Yana, Alpha Harold


    is dancing with Suzie and Samuel, her son, and Luna Farrah is dancing with Yorick. Connor is dancing with his mate and he has the same possessive look in his eyes that I know I''ve had in mine all night.


    "I''d apologize for bing mesmerized by my mate, but I''m not at all sorry. She''s


    a beautiful woman and now she''s tied herself to me in every way possible."


    "You know the words of the Luna ceremony are more than just words, right?" he asks me, taking a sip of his drink.


    "What do you mean?" I ask him.


    "I mean, you''re used to putting your pack first, Quirin. Now, you have a mate, a Luna. You have to put her first. ''ce her above all others'', that''s what you said you would do. That''s a shift, my friend. I hope you''re prepared to make it," he says, before setting down his drink and walking over to ask Wendy to dance.


    I watch as Kennedy''s family slowly branches out to my pack. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, they are moving into positions so that they are dancing with my pack members. Maybe the pack, or those that are here, are starting to ept


    012


    Alpha Warren and Kennedy''s family since no one denies anyone a dance.


    "How are you doing, Quirin?" Farrah asks,ing over to stand with me. She''s breathing heavily after her dance with Yorick.


    I turn and look at her, dragging my eyes away from Kennedy. "Did that young Alpha wear you out, Farrah?"


    She smiles at me. "I''m not as young as I used to be, Quirin."


    "To answer your question, I''m good now that my mate is officially my Luna"


    80%


    +23


    "Good. I think her family is surprised at how much you love her, but I''m not," she says, turning her attention on me. "You have more to give than you think, Quirin. You are the only one who holds yourself back."


    "I do that with good reason, Farrah. She''s always deserved better than me. I''m selfish enough to take what the Moon Goddess gave me, but that doesn''t mean that I can''t try to keep her away from my darkness," I tell her.


    "You know, I used to agree with you. But I will tell you this, the love of a mate is stronger than you realize. You know I understand darkness more than most. You know my history, you know how dark I became. But Harold''s love pushed all that away. Don''t underestimate the power of the mate bond. And don''t underestimate our Moon Goddess. She knows what she''s doing, even if we don''t."


    I smile at the woman who has be my surrogate mother, the woman who arguably knows me better than anyone. "Would you like to dance?"


    "I thought you''d never ask. And, by the way, you look even more attractive when you smile. That is also the power of the mate bond," she says, taking my hand.


    It''ste by the time everyone starts to go to bed. While I''m desperate to be with Kennedy, I know this day is a very special one and I know that it''s important for her to spend time with the pack and her family.


    When I finally get her to our bedroom, I strip her, desperate to be inside her. I''m not sure if she''s as desperate for me, or if she''s bing ustomed to my desperation, but she epts me with open arms. As always, I lose myself inside her light, finding my nirvana in her warm, wet heat and her sweet moans. I pound into her until I feel her body contracting around mine and then I let go, roaring as I always do with the strength of the orgasm that rips through me when Ie inside her.


    When we''re done and I copse beside her, I pull her to me, kissing the top of her head.


    "Good night, my Luna."


    "Good night, my Alpha," she says, pressing a kiss against my chest.


    I feel like my eyes have just closed when the howls of rm go up around the


    pack, alerting us to an attack.


    AD

 Chapter 50

    Kennedy


    This is the second time that the howls of rm have gone up since I arrived at this park. The third since my birthday. Back at home, we rarely had anyone attack our pack, maybe three times in my life. But now, it seems that Quirin''s pack is always


    under attack


    "Get to a safe room, Kennedy, Quirin says, leaping out of bed and throwing our door open before leaping over the banister and shifting on his way to the first floor. My father, brother, Henry, Alpha Harold, and Farrah follow right behind them.


    I quickly get dressed and rush outside to see my mother and Madison rushing down the hall.


    "Madison?" I ask. She''s a warrior, used to fighting, so I''m surprised that she''s stayed behind.


    "Connor is worried that I might be pregnant and if there''s silver powder..."


    "It could injure the pup. Good thinking," my mother says.


    "Come on, I''ll show you where the safe rooms are. We can get the twins and Yana on our way downstairs," I say. I know that Yorick and most likely Wendy will have shifted and will be racing out to fight. They are required to stay close to my father and brother since they''re both still underage, but they''re both excellent fighters.


    As we race to the second floor, Yana, Yvonne, and Wade all rush toward us. "Follow me," I say, leading the way to the closest safe room.


    "Did your brother and sister go with your father and Connor?" my mother asks. The three of them look at each other and shrug.


    "I''ll check to make sure the floor is clear," Madison says, rushing back to the Beta floor.


    When we get downstairs, I make sure that everyone is getting into a safe room. "Madison, look after my pups for me," my mother says, and I turn to her.


    "You know I will, Luna," Madison says rushing back up to us.


    "Mom, you have to get into a safe room, too!" I say to her.


    My mother turns, giving me the most arrogant look I''ve ever seen on her face. "I am a doctor, Kennedy. I do not hide in safe rooms while warriors need treatment. I thought I had raised you to do the same."


    "I... You''re right, let''s go."


    "We''reing!" I hear Trena yell. She''s carrying one pup, and Bradley is carrying the other. They''re about Yana''s age and while they have their wolves, they aren''t old enough to fight yet. Even Wendy is a bit young, especially with the silver around the pack.


    "Here, look after your mother and sister," Bradley says to his son, Baron, before turning to my mother and L. "I''m with you."


    I turn, making sure the first two safe room doors are closed and locked. "Safe room three door is closing!" I yell. When no one else yells for us to wait, I turn to Madison and nod.


    "SAFE ROOM THREE DOOR IS CLOSED!" she announces, holding the door one more minute before shutting it with a bang and throwing the lock.


    "Let''s go," my mother says.


    Chaps (31


    Me jag news to the teagiral and my mother begin asking me and what i fase newly for merge in


    "The pack don''t cons to the fospital, Mom. I haven''t made any triage nych kie few the mud of marting


    die weders all and in


    Nodderdy. No sulley pushes in from of us, shifting in Derian and raking denn? The two begin fighting and after pulling armd, scratching and biting each other, Den get hold of the eatery wolf''s throat, ripping it out. The wolf goes limp and Dn, arts at its mamera longer before diffing hack in Barley


    We need to get inside. We need to make sure there In''t any silver in your wome," I say to him. Beafley is limping as we jog the rest of the way to the hospital


    Ti tart on the kits" Thegin.


    "No. You know what you''re looking for with the silver. You check Bradley and I''ll start making kits," my mom says, turning to where my storage room is


    "Quirin.'' I call, pushing the mind link open when I feel that he''s not in a heated fight.


    Kennedy What''s wrong?


    Is this jasper again"


    Jasper and Brogan, why?


    ''I need to check the warriors for silver''


    It''s quiet for a moment. "Tell me you''re in a fucking safe room, Kennedy,'' he growls.


    "We''ll talkter. Send anyone who has injuries to the hospital. They''ll need to be cleaned of silver, I say, closing the mind link but not before I hear his snarl of anger.


    Okay Bradley, on the table," I say, pointing to the table in one of the two rooms I


    have ready for medical treatment. When he''s there, I clean the wound, looking at


    it.


    "Den, can you heal this?"


    "No, Luna," he says.


    "Okay. Let''s get the silver out."


    Wendy POV


    I made sure my father had already shifted before I shifted and raced into the fight. With the threat of silver on the packnds and on the attacking wolves ws, I wasn''t sure that he''d let me fight. But they''re down warriors in this pack because not everyone was willing to stay with our family being here, so they need everyone they can get to fight.


    Wendy, what are you doing out here? Connor barks in the mind link. He''s my Alpha now, so his connection to me is as strong as my father''s.


    Fighting to protect my family and my sister''s pack, just like you, Yorick, and Dad


    are.


    ''Dad, did you know Wendy was out here?'' he barks again, opening the mind link


    to my father as well. I can feel both of them fighting hard.


    ''Wendy, you aren''t beside me. Are you near Connor or Yorick?''


    I look around, not seeing my family, but seeing Kier close by.


    11:24 Wed, 26 Feb


    ''I see Beta Kier


    Stay close to him, Connor says, just as I hear his wolf, Bosche, yelp then snarl. The mind link snaps closed as Connor focuses on his fight.


    I''ve just turned to get closer to Kier when a wolf leaps onto my back. I''m an Alpha wolf, so I''mrge, but I''m still growing, and this wolf isrger than I am. I''m guessing he''s a Beta. A well-trained Beta in his prime. He begins snapping at me and I duck away from his teeth. He may be a good fighter, but I''m fast, not as fast as Kennedy, but faster than my father and all my brothers. I use that to my advantage as my father has taught me, sliding underneath the Beta''s jaws and swiping at his chest.


    He snarls, turning to swipe at me. He catches Dasha, my wolf, on her ribcage, his ws going deep and slicing around to my stomach. She yelps, stumbling to the side. The Beta doesn''t hesitate, he leaps and I have a moment of pure terror that I''m going to die. Everything slows down and I see the wolf, my blood dripping from his ws, saliva dripping from his mouth as it opens to mp down on my neck.


    ''DAD!" I yell in the mind link, already knowing it''s toote.


    ''WENDY! he yells back just as a huge brown wolf leaps over me, snapping his jaws onto my attacker''s neck. He thrashes his head and I hear the snap of a neck as therge wolf steps backward, carefully putting his body over mine protectively as he looks around, making sure no one is going to attack.


    I get his scent a moment before he shifts.


    Henry?


    "Let me see the wound, Dasha," he says, carefully running his fingers through her


    fur.


    ''WENDY!'' my father yells again.


    ''Henry''s here, Dad. He saved me.''


    ''Get to the hospital. Don''t you dare leave until this is done.


    ''Yes, Dad.''


    "Wendy, I need you to shift for me. It''ll be easier for me to see your wounds and


    how bad they are," Henry says calmly. His voice is calm, but his eyes are tracking everywhere as I shift.


    "Shit. We need to get you to your mom and Kennedy. Come on," he says, scooping me into his arms. He''s about to stand when another wolf leaps at us. Henry puts me back down, ready to shift when another huge ck wolf leaps over both of us and takes out the attacking wolf.


    "Thanks, Raif,¡± Henry says, scooping me back up. The wolfes over and sniffs me quickly then looks at Henry.


    "I know. I''m taking her to the hospital," Henry says.


    The wolf, Quirin''s wolf, chuffs before leaping back into the battle.


    As he begins running with me in his arms, he continues looking everywhere,


    ducking around the battles that are going on around us.


    "Dasha, can you heal the wound?" he asks, not looking at us.


    "No, Alpha."


    "Silver. We need to get it out of your body. You''re still a pup. It will affect you more


    than the adults. Is it as deep as it looks?" he asks, and this time he looks down at


    me, his lips pressing together tightly.


    "It''s deep," I say to him.


    He nods. "Your mom and Kennedy will know what to do Try to press your bele a


    dry the best, be seps


    I nod, starting to feel woozy, "Wendy! Stay awake" he says, pulling my bly


    motorby w


    ?


    "I... I feel dizzy," I say, barely able to hold my head up


    "Lean against me," he says through gritted teeth, "shut is proude beton workly


    sweet me down change and he must shift back into Tyrus because 1 text for even


    my body and 17bw''s get attack.


    and the word me tek pod withel


    But I feel so lightheaded, I can''t stay awake and thest thing, I war is the


    wedding and waysing of thing was bet the world around me goes dark


    ÊÐ


    AD


    Comment

 Chapter 51

    "I thought you said you''d been attacking them weekly?" I bark at Jasper as I wash my hands again. What the fuck froes Qu¨¦ris have on his packnds?


    "We have been. You and I just attacked themst week. And I didn''t know her whole fucking family was going to be deme. I thought it would just be Henry and Connor. I wasn''t expecting Warren, the second son and Harold"


    "I swear if you''re yanking my chain about this money." I growl, although it''s not just about the money now. I saw het. Kennedy. She''s even more ripe than I remember.


    The other thing I realized is that, unlike most of her family, she''s not a fighter. The guard had waned fighting and the and her mother stood back and watched. Any fighter would have jumped in and helped him fight. That just means it will be easier for me to get her and keep her once I have my hands on her.


    "Look, he''s loaded, okay. The only reason they seemed so strong was because there were five Alphas fighting well. technically six, but my Beta took out the young girl. Then, Henry had to jump in and kill him Jasper growds.


    "Took her out?" I ask. Why the fuck would a Beta go after a young girl, even if she is an Alpha? It sounds like he was a coward to me. I''d have kicked my Beta''s ass if he''d wasted his talent fighting against a pup. That must have been the same guy who was fucking the human woman. Sounds like hecked confidence and needed to boost his ego by dominating humans and pups. Why wouldn''t he have left her for a warrior or just ignored her altogether. Even if Alpha Warren is her father, de second daughter can''t be older than fifteen. Good riddance as far as I''m concerned. That Beta was a waste.


    "Yeah, sliced her good. He was about to kill her when Henry jumped him."


    "I''m guessing this means that you won''t be able to attack his pack again any time soon?" I ask, disappointed. I''ve sent scouts to watch and see when Kennedy''s family leaves. Once they do, I''ll be ready to attack again. I can''t wait to sink my teeth that ripe little peach.


    "Actually, I may be getting some inside intel soon," he says, his tone taunting. He loves feeling like he''s in charge.


    "Oh?" I ask, keeping my tone light.


    ¡°Yeah. Well, I did find out that Alpha Quirin put his Luna on the bank ount, so she''ll either help us get the moory or have to die. But it seems that not everyone is happy that Quirin allowed his Luna''s family toe to their pack. Looks Fie this person is looking for a change in leadership and since I''m willing to assist." he says, letting the rest of the sentence hang in the air.


    "When will you know if you get real intel?" I ask him. Knowing that Kennedy is on the bank ount just changed everything for me. If I get her, I don''t need Jasper. I get the peach and the money.


    "Should beter this week," he says.


    "Let me know what you find out," I say and hang up.


    If Quirin has a traitor, that will help us get into the packnds. If this person is willing to take out their Alpha, even better. Once Quirin is gone, I''ll kill Jasper, then Kennedy and the money are all mine.


    Quirin POV


    I''ve been fuming ever since I found out that Kennedy wasn''t in a safe room. What the hell was she thinking?


    I''d been fighting Jasper and Raif had taken a swipe from his ws. I knew without needing Kennedy to tell me that I had


    silver in the wound. Raif confirmed it when he said he couldn''t heal the wound. Raif was rolling back to his feet when we''d seen Henry, shifted and holding Wendy in his arms, about to get attacked.


    600


    I''d seen red, nearly the same color of red that I''d seen when I found out Kennedy wasn''t in the safe room. Before Henry could move, I leaped over him, taking out the attacker. Then I''d turned, wondering what was wrong with Wendy


    My heart had stuttered when I realized that she was bleeding. The only reason that her wolf wouldn''t heal her is if she hart silver in her wounds. I had a moment of pure terror when I realized that this could easily be my mate


    When Henry had taken off with Wendy towards the pack hospital, I''d resumed fighting, but I couldn''t get the image of Kennedy lying on the ground and bleeding out because Echo couldn''t heal her out of my head.


    As soon as I hear the howls of retreat, I order Kier to make sure they get off our packnds and I race to the hospital. I have to see her. I have to know that she''s okay.


    I smell the blood before I get to the hospital, and I hear Luna Yara before I get inside.


    "WENDY!" Luna Yara''s voice is panicked.


    I walk inside and see Deborah putting something over Wendy''s mouth, Luna Yara''s hands and forearms are covered in her daughter''s blood as she presses something against her wounds. I''ve never seen Luna Yara like this. She''s always the epitome of calm and collected. This time, it''s my mate who remains calm.


    "Mom. Mom, look at me!" she says sharply.


    When Luna Yara does, Kennedy holds her gaze with quiet confidence. "What''s the rule in our hospital?"


    "No one dies," Luna Yara says, grasping onto the words like they are a lifeline. "That''s right. I need you to trust me, Mom. Let me take care of her. I won''t let her die."


    I''m surprised when Luna Yara nods, stepping back.


    "Get yourself together, Mom. There are warriors here who need assistance. You focus on them, I''ll focus on Wendy. If I need you, I''ll call you."


    Luna Yara nods again and I watch my mate wheel her sister down the hall to the room she treated Lane in.


    Her eyes find mine and she looks over my body quickly.


    ''Have my mom take a look at you,'' she says in the mind link, her voice somber as she steps into the room.


    I stare for a moment longer after the door closes, then step up to Luna Yara. "Luna, why don''t you sit down for a moment. Kennedy will look after Wendy."


    She doesn''t respond, still staring at the door where one daughter is trying to save the life of the other. I wrap my arm around her shoulders, ready to lead her to a chair when Alpha Warren and Alpha Connor race into the hospital.


    "Warren," she says, losing the battle with her tears. In an instant, she''s in his arm and he''s holding her tightly.


    "What happened?" Connor asks me.


    I look around and see Henry looking shell-shocked, his body covered in blood. He''s staring down the hall where Kennedy wheeled Wendy. I walk over, crouching in front of where''s he''s sitting.


    "What happened, Henry?" I ask him gently.


    "We got attacked on the way to the hospital. I didn''t have a choice. I had set her down and fight. The whole time I could smell her bleeding out. Oh goddess, Quirin, she''s just a pup," he says.


    11:24 Wed, 26 Feb


    "Look at me. Look at me, Henry." I wait until he turns his tormented gaze to me


    "You did what you needed to do. She''s here and alive because of your."


    His eyes shift up and behind me: "I''m so sorry, Connor."


    97%


    "Quirin''s right. She''s alive because of you. She shouldn''t have been on that battlefield to begin with and when she''s healthy enough, I''m going to kick her ass," Connor says.


    "You''ll have to get in line," Warren growls. He''s still holding his mate, but she''s pulling herself together and wiping her eyes.


    "Okay, Kennedy left me in charge out here, so I''m going to make her proud by taking care of your wounds while she''s working on Wendy. Quirin, you have some gashes on you."


    "Take care of my pack first, please, Luna." I say to her, standing up from where I was crouching in front of Henry. "And maybe Henry. I''m not sure how much of this is Wendy''s and how much is his."


    "I''m okay, Luna," he says, his grief at nearly losing Wendy still obvious in his


    voice.


    She steps forward and takes his face in her hands. "Thank you for saving my daughter''s life."


    "I hope I did," he says, his voice getting thick.


    "I needed the reminder myself, but my daughter''s right. No one dies in our hospitals."


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift

 Chapter 52

    Kier POV


    +13)


    "You''re injured again," Arianna says, looking me over. Her hands are gently skirting over my body as if she''s using her fingers to check what her eyes are seeing. Since my body is starting to respond, even with the pain that I''m in, I grab her hands and pull them to my chest.


    "Rowd says he can''t heal some of these wounds, so I need to go see Kennedy," I say, expecting her to step aside, or maybe to encourage me to go. Instead, she stands there, her eyes focused on my chest.


    "Arianna? What''s going on in that head of yours?"


    She doesn''t answer and when I smell the salt of tears, I tilt her head up to look at me. "What is it?" I ask gently.


    "I''m so afraid," she says, her voice shaking with her attempt to control her


    emotions.


    "Afraid of what, baby?" I ask and gently swipe the tear that begins to fall down her cheek.


    "Of losing you in one of these attacks," she whispers.


    "Hey. Hey," I say, pulling her against me. I know I''m naked and dirty from the battle, but I don''t like her crying.


    She wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly. "What if I wake up one day and you''re not here and I wasted all this time?" she asks.


    I feel like my heart stutters. What is she saying.


    "I don''t think I could forgive myself. You''ve been nothing but kind and patient with me. I know you''re a good man and I''m letting my fear of my past keep me from finding happiness with you."


    I can''t tell if she''s trying to tell me that she''s going to reject me or if she''s going to say she''s ready to move forward with our rtionship. I hold my breath as she pulls back, looking up at me.


    "Maybe... maybe we could spend some time together once Luna''s family is gone and it''s quieter on your floor," she says. I feel the tension inside me easing.


    "I would like that," I say.


    "Yeah?"


    "I would like it a lot," I tell her, leaning down to gently press my lips against hers. I feel her body tense, then rx as she leans against me. I deepen the kiss, slowly enjoying her scent and her taste. I don''t kiss her as long as I''d like, partly because I''m filthy and injured and partly because I don''t want to scare her. She''s agreed to spend more time with me and I want her to continue to feelfortable doing that. I won''t push her past her ownfort zone. I don''t know everything that happened to her, but I know it wasn''t good.


    "You need to get to the hospital, Beta. Did you need me to assist you," she asks, smiling up at me. She hasn''t pulled away from me, and I count that as a win.


    "I definitely could use your assistance," I say, tucking her against my side and heading out of the packhouse toward the hospital.


    Kennedy POV


    I''m not sure how many times I''ve reminded my sister that no one dies in my hospital. She''s testing every bit of medical knowledge I have, which isn''t nearly as much as my mother''s, but I knew her panic would only cause things to spiral out of control. One of the very first things I learned in my mother''s hospital was to remain calm. If you aren''t calm, you make mistakes and my mother would never have forgiven herself if Wendy died because of something she did or didn''t do.


    67%


    I''d sent Deborah out to get blood from my family. Wendy didn''t have enough after bleeding out and since I couldn''t stop the bleeding until I got the silver out, her blood levels became dangerously low.


    I''d shown Deborah how to start the blood transfusion when she returned. My sister''s heart rate had dropped dangerously low, low enough that Echo could barely hear it. By then, I had two of the four gashes cleaned out. Because I needed to hurry, I used steri-strips to hold the gashes together while I kept working.


    As the blood began making its way into her body, the wounds started bleeding again but her heartbeat became strong enough that we could hear it. Once I had thest gash cleaned, I began stitching up her deep wounds. The wolf''s ws had gone deep enough to crack three ribs, slice her spleen, and nick her stomach, which means her recovery will be difficult until her wolf, Dasha, recovers and can heal her.


    I carefully stitched her stomach, then her spleen before closing thest two gashes. The ribs will Have to heal on their own since there''s no good way to set those bones or if there is, I''m not that advanced in my medical knowledge. I''ll talk to my mother about that and make sure there isn''t anything more than I can do.


    When I''m done, I have Deborah help me to wrap Wendy''s chest and abdomen, securing the ribs and holding the stitched wounds together to help them heal.


    When I finally step back, monitoring her vital signs, my entire body aches. I''m exhausted. I''ve never been the one to save a life like this. My mother was always there, and she did the brunt of the work, her or Beta Noelle.


    I tell Deborah to go get some sleep then I look at my sister''s pale face. I brush the hair away from her head and kiss her forehead before leaning down to her ear.


    "You fight hard to survive. You hear me? Don''t you dare be the only person we lose in a hospital. I''m going to let Mom and Dade in. I''m sure they''ll stay overnight. You won''t be alone, Wendy, so you and Dasha focus on getting your strength back. I love you, sis," I say before standing up and after checking her once more, I pull off my gloves and the blood soaked surgical gown that I''m wearing as I walk out of the room.


    The moment the door opens, everyone in the waiting room stands - my parents, all my siblings, Madison, Alpha Henry, Alpha Harold, Luna Farrah, and when my eyes meet Quirin''s, my lips begin to tremble.


    "She''s stable."


    My father takes a step forward, but when Quirin opens his arms, I walk into them. I love my father, but it''s my mate that I want right now.


    "You are in so much trouble, Little Pup," he whispers into my ear as he wraps his arms around me. I nod, unable to care that he''s upset with me right now. I let his scent calm me but before the fatigue settles into my bones and I copse, I turn to my mother, giving her the medical version of what I did with Wendy. Quirin wraps his arms around me from behind, holding me steady when I start to sway.


    She asks specific questions before nodding. "Go get some rest, Kennedy. You did very well."


    I nod and turn, ready to walk back but Quirin scoops me up into his arms.


    "You''re dead on your feet, Little Pup," he murmurs.


    "Did mom clean out your wounds?" I ask, leaning my head against his chest.


    "She took care of the rest of the pack, including me. Everyone had some silver on them, whether it was on their hands and feet or in their wounds. She was great," he says chuckling.


    "What''s funny?" I ask.


    "Does your mother always talk to herself?" he asks.


    "Yes."


    1025 Thu, 27 Feb


    27Feb-


    1


    1.


    "She''s apparently not happy with theck of supplies in our hospital"


    "I tried to tell her that no onees to the hospital," I murmur.


    "Well, they''reing now, so you''d better make sure you have what we need, Jasper and Progan attacked upon, probably thinking we were weak from the silver. They got quite a surprise when they realized we''re all at full strength again, thanks to you."


    I feel the change in air when we walk into the packhouse which is unusually quiet. My eyes are closed and I don''t have the energy to open them.


    "What time is it?" I ask.


    "It''s about two in the morning. You were in surgery for hours."


    I nod. "I almost lost her several times," I say, tears beginning to leak past my


    eyelids.


    "But you didn''t. Your father is right about one thing. You are your mother''s daughter," he says, presing his lips to my head.


    "And that''s a good thing, since you don''t like my father," I mumble, my brain unwilling to stay awake.


    "Go to sleep. I''m going to bathe you and put you to bed, Little Pup"


    I heard him turn on the water, but I never even feel him put me in the tub.


    1


    AD


    cent

 Chapter 53

    Quirin


    84%


    I knew Wendy must have been badly injured for Henry to be so distraught and for Luna Yara to have lost her carefully maintained control. But I had no idea that my mate would be able to save her. I was sure she would try, but I didn''t know that she would be in surgery for eight fucking hours and somehow manage to save her sister''s life.


    I''ve once again managed to underestimate my mate. I don''t know how I keep doing it, but here I am. Again.


    As I carefully strip off her clothes, I think about what she said, that I don''t like her father. Alpha Warren and Alpha Connor didn''t hesitate to answer the call of attack. Alpha Warrennded on the first floor immediately after I did. Yorick and Kier had leaped at the same time I did and I''d had to twist mid-air to avoid colliding with them. Their family didn''t hesitate to enter the fight, even though this isn''t their battle, and they nearly lost their daughter because of it. I''m not sure how to feel about them protecting my pack as if it were there own.


    +13


    I''d stood aside in the hospital, watching as Luna Yara took care of my pack members. Alpha Warren had consoled his pups, the twins and Yana, while my mate worked on her sister and Connor sat with Madison. When Harold and Farrah arrived, they sat on either side of Henry, trying to console him and let him know that he did everything possible to protect and save Wendy.


    Yana eventually began helping her mother, while Warren held his youngest daughter who couldn''t seem to stop crying. Both twins eventually fell asleep, exhausted.


    I''d distracted myself by listening to Luna Yara''s murmurings about ridiculous Alphas who are too stupid and cowardly to fight their own battles and have to use silver to try and weaken another pack. She went on to say how my pack is utterly ridiculous not to use one of the best up anding doctors that she''s ever had the pleasure of meeting, just because they''re stubborn and used to be rogues. Then she talked about theck of supplies in our hospital and how we need to stock this hospital properly. Finally, she mumbled about how smart her daughter is to have found the silver, and how she needs to remember to tell Kennedy how proud she is of her, especially knowing how hard she''s working to save Wendy.


    The entire time she was mumbling, my pack members kept frowning at her and looking at me. I''d just shake my head, telling them to leave it. It was obvious that she wasn''t talking to anyone other than herself.


    I''d watched Arianna help Kier walk in and then watched him charm Luna Yara while she treated him.


    Finally, when thest of my pack members, Luna Yara''s family, Harold, Henry, and Farrah had been treated, she looked at


    1. me.


    "You''re up next, Alpha."


    After she asked Raif if he was healthy and if he thought he couldn''t heal me because of silver powder, I''d listened to her murmuring about me. She talked about what she considers myck of confidence in myself, always chasing the ghost of my father and trying to fill his shoes when I don''t need to because I''m my own person and doing a much better job than my father ever did. I don''t know why it''s easy to listen to her, easier to hear what she''s saying than it is to hear others. Maybe because she doesn''t realize she''s saying it out loud or maybe because everything she sayses from a ce of kindness. Her words impacted me, made me feel vulnerable. I AM trying to live up to my father''s expectations and since I don''t truly know what those expectations are, I feel like I never quite meet them.


    Somewhere during all of this, Deborah hade out saying she needed blood. Luna Yara had immediately pinpointed which of her children and her mate had Wendy''s blood type. Henry asked if he was a match and was told that he was, but that he needed the silver out of his body before giving blood. As soon as she cleared him, he went to Deborah and put out his arm. I''m pretty sure he''d have let her drain him dry if it meant saving Wendy.


    I was not a blood donor match for Wendy, but Luna Yara told me that I''m a match for Kennedy if I never needed to know


    that.


    After that, it had been a waiting game.


    I finish bathing Kennedy, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. She''s been through so much since she came to my packs wrap a towel around her and carefully pick her up. I don''t often have time to just hold my mate unless we''re in bed and minutes away from falling asleep. And as exhausted as I am, I know that I should get some deep. Bant instead, I just wand there, holding her and looking at my mate''s sweet face.


    I smile as she snuggles closer to me, pressing her face into my chest and breathing in my scent. Voen in her sleep, the wants to be close to me. I have no idea what I did to deserve a woman like Kennedy, but I''m so d that I did,


    1 press a kiss to her forehead and take her back to our bedroom. I pull one of my shirts over her head and settle her in bed before stripping down and climbing in behind her. I''m thankful now that the hospital has showers, but I noticed that was not part of the hospital that Kennedy upgraded. I''ll talk to Kier and have him order shampoo and shower gel containers for the showers as well as getting our guys in there to retile the ce. If we''re going to need medical attention every time paper attacks, my warriors will want to shower while they wait to be treated.


    I crawl into bed behind my mate and pull her against me, burying, my face in her hair. "I love you, Kennedy, I say, before joining her in a deep, exhausted sleep. Henry POV


    I can''t sleep. I keep seeing Wendy in my arms, bleeding out. I can smell the scent of her blood while I was fighting against that warrior. It shouldn''t have taken me so long to kill him, but I was standing over her body, trying to protect her in case someone snuck up behind us while I was fighting. Her skin had be so pale when I was finally able to pick her up and race to the hospital that I was sure that she was dead.


    The moment Luna Yara saw her and lost her calm demeanor, I knew it was as bad as I thought.


    I''d sat in that waiting room, feeling helpless, waiting for Kennedy toe out and say that Wendy hadn''t made it. I''d been relieved when Kennedy said she was stable and I thought I could finally get some sleep, but I can''t get those images out of my head. I can''t stop thinking about her pale, much-too-cool skin against my body.


    I finally give up and get dressed. I have to see her. I have to know that she''s still alive and fighting to survive. I''m pretty sure I''d have heard the mournful howls of Alpha Warren and Luna Yara if she''d passed away overnight, but I won''t be able to rest until I see her with my own eyes and know for sure that she''s safe.


    I make my way back to the hospital. There are very few people around. Nearly everyone fought after a long night of celebration and the entire pack is exhausted and healing from their wounds.


    When I get to Wendy''s room, both Alpha Warren and Luna Yara have their heads on the bed. They are on opposite sides of Wendy, each holding one of her hands. When the door opens, Alpha Warren''s head snaps up.


    "Henry, is everything okay?"


    "I just came to check on her," I say, as Luna Yara sleepily looks up at me.


    "Oh, Henry. That''s so kind of you. She hasn''t woken up but she''s remained stable all night," Luna Yara says.


    "If you want to go get some breakfast, shower, change, whatever, I''ll stay with her," I say.


    "Are you sure, Henry? Yara and I can take turns going to shower," Warren says. "I''m sure, Alpha. I''d be happy to do it," I say.


    They both lean in to kiss Wendy''s head, telling her they''ll be back soon, before heading out. I take the closest seat, the one Luna Yara was sitting in and take Wendy''s hand in mine.


    I pull her hand to my cheek and take a deep breath, finally feeling like I can rx. She''s alive. She''s still fighting.


    I kiss the back of her hand and carefullyy it back down, keeping her hand in mine as I do.


    "I don''t know if you can hear me, Wendy, but I''m right here"


    Iy my head down beside her hand and I''ve just started in fall weleep when I feel


    her body work and demode


    My head snaps up and I watch her eyes Blutter open, I stand up, gently pushing


    her hur ow of her tere


    "Wendy! Oh my goddess, Wendy. You had me so scared!"


    "Henry?" she says sofily, her voice cracking.


    "I''m right here," I say, looking around. "Here, let me get you some water"


    "I feel awful," she says, her eyes filling with tears as I grab the water. There''s a


    wraw in it and 1 p serie


    "Do you remember what happened, I ask as she sips.


    She nods. "You saved me," she says as she releases the straw,


    "I was terrified that I was going to lose you," I whisper,


    "You''re too strong for that. You would never let me die" she smiles, but it fades


    quickly as pain return Werture.


    "I''ll go get your mother," I say, only getting one step away before she stops me


    "Don''t leave me, Henry, Please don''t leave me," she pleads, her voice bing, panicked,


    I turn back and take her hand again, leaning over her to look in her eyes, "Okay, I won''t go anywhere?


    She breaths out a sigh of relief. "Thank you"


    I mind link my Dad, letting him know that I need Luna Yara back at the hospital. Once he tells me that he''ll find her and send her over, I lean against the bed,


    "Why can''t I hear Dasha?" she asks, her lips trembling.


    "Shhh, I''ll tell you what I know. But you almost died. I wasn''t kidding when I said you scared me to death. Until your mom gets here and can give you something for the pain, just rx. Dasha has to heal too. But you''re a strong Alpha female. I''m sure she''ll be back before you know it."

 Chapter 54

    Kennedy


    I slept untilte in the morning the next day. Surprisingly, so did Quirin. Or at least,


    he was still in bed when I woke up. The moment I stirred, I felt his lips press


    against the top of my head. "Did you sleep well, Little Pup?"


    I shift. My body is still sore as the memory ofst night returns to me.


    "Wendy..." I say, starting to get out of bed.


    "She''s awake. Kier told me that Henry went to stay with her while your parents came to get some food and before they''d finished eating, Alpha Harold came to get your mom, letting her know that Wendy was awake."


    I feel him press his lips to my head again. It''s so unusual for my active mate to just lie here in bed with me that I assume we''re about to have the ''talk'' of me not going to the safe room.


    "You scared the shit out of me yesterday," he says softly. "When I realized that you weren''t in a safe room, that you were exposed to the fighting, I struggled to focus on the fight. And then, I saw Wendy in Henry''s arms. She was awake but had already been shed across her chest and abdomen."


    He stops and I wait for him to continue.


    45


    "She looks enough like you that I had a terrible moment of absolute fear. And then, I couldn''t stop fighting to make sure you were safe. But the thought of losing you, Kennedy... it terrified me. I know I''m not perfect. I know you deserve better than a mate like me, but I can''t lose you, Kennedy. I can''t," he says, his voice getting tight.


    I turn over in his arms to face him. "I''m right here, Quirin. I''m not going anywhere."


    He looks down at me, his teeth clenched tightly, and I can see the war in his eyes. "I know you''re going to tell me that you have to be in the hospital during battles, aren''t you?"


    "You saw why I have to be there, Quirin. If my mother and I had been in a safe room, Wendy would have died."


    "While I don''t agree that a pup her age should have been in the fight to begin with, I also know that our pack is suffering with this silver powder, so I know it''s


    important for you to be there. I don''t want our pack members dying, Kennedy. But,


    I can''t lose you. So I''m going to give you a short list of warriors that I trust to


    protect you and you''ll pick the one you''re mostfortable having as your guard."


    I look down at his chest, trying to collect my thoughts.


    "Kennedy," he growls, reaching up to tilt my chin to look at him. "This is not negotiable."


    "I don''t have a problem having a guard, Quirin. But... well, do you think anyone would really want that job?"


    "What are you talking about?"


    "It''s a shit job, Quirin."


    "I dare you to say that to Bradley," he says, his Quirin crooked smileing out. I gently smack his chest.


    "I don''t mean because it''s not a worthy job. It''s just..." I shrug. "Connor''s pack loves my mother. Our pack... doesn''t love me the same way."


    He looks at me thoughtfully for a moment. "In any pack, the Luna guard is an honored position, whether she''s a warrior or not. She''s too important, YOU''RE too important, to leave unprotected. Even Farrah has a guard when Harold isn''t around. And while I know that not every person in this pack has learned to respect you and you may have had a tough start to your


    09:15 Sat, 1 Mar #


    time here, you''re winning over the pack quickly."


    "You think so?" I ask. I hope he means it.


    "Kennedy, I know you were busy during your Luna ceremony party, dancing with your friends and family, but the pack had a great time. They were dancing, talking with your family, and enjoying themselves in a way that I''m not used to seeing. The pack is changing because of you. They are getting stronger, because of you. They are learning what it means to have a Luna who heals them, in more ways than one."


    That makes me smile. I hope he''s right. "Who''s on your short-list?"


    "Lane, Leo, Terrance, and Randall." They''re all warriors who stayed for my Luna ceremony and all warriors who I''ve healed.


    "Can I think about it?" I ask.


    "Don''t take too long to think about it. I have no intention of feeling fear like I felt yesterday ever again, Kennedy."


    "Okay."


    "Now, there''s one more thing. Your mother said our hospital isn''t stocked well. I''m not sure why you didn''t order what you thought we needed, but put in the request to Kier. I''ll make sure he puts it through."


    I frown again. "Quirin, I need a budget. Some of these items that I''d like to upgrade are expensive."


    He looks at me. "How expensive?"


    "Well, the x-ray machine that my mother said looked older than her, would cost us at least $30,000. I could get one that''s cheaper, but it wouldn''t bemercial grade which is what we should have considering the training and battles that we have as werewolves."


    He looks at me like I''m crazy. "Little Pup, you realize that our pack has money, right?"


    "Well, obviously. I mean, we never run out of food or have to worry about water or electricity, or things like that. But I don''t want to bankrupt the pack to get an x-ray machine. The one that''s here works and when we can afford it, I''ll get a new one. And, if we can''t ever afford it, I''ll make do or I''ll get a cheaper one."


    He throws off the covers and stands. "Come on."


    "What? Where are we going?" I ask.


    "I don''t even know how you didn''t know this about our pack. I mean, how is that even possible? Everyone knows," he says. I think he''s talking to me, but since I''m used to my mother talking to herself, it sounds more like that.


    Suddenly, he stops and looks at me. "Why do you think Jasper is attacking our pack?"


    I shrug. "To take over thend and umte our warriors making his pack stronger."


    He stares at me a moment, then shakes his head.


    "Get dressed, Kennedy."


    I do and then Quirin leads me downstairs. We run into Kier and Arianna on the stairs. Based on her blush, I''d say they were kissing a moment ago. I wink at her. "This looks serious," Kier says, watching us.


    "I just found out that Kennedy didn''t purchase what we needed for the hospital because she''s afraid of bankrupting the pack."


    09:16 Sat, 1 Mar


    "Seriously?" he asks


    "Why is me being fiscally responsible and not bankrupting the pack such a surprise?" I ask as we get to the first floor.


    "You''re going to bankrupt the pack? How?" Terrance asks.


    "No, I''m not? That''s what I''m saying. That''s why I haven''t purchased the equipment for the hospital," I insist, getting irritated.


    "Is that why your mother wasining about us not having everything a hospital needs while she was fixing us upst night?" Lane asks, walking up.


    "I''ll talk to her. She knows you don''t use the hospital here like they do in her pack." I say as Quirin continues to lead me toward his office.


    "Alpha Terrance asks.


    "I''m handling it." Quirin says.


    "Handling what? There''s nothing to handle Quirin. If I can''t order more supplies right now, I won''t. I just need you to give me a budget." I say as we walk into his office.


    He walks to his chair and pulls me into hisp, his arms wrapping on either side of me to hold me steady while he pulls hisptop over and begins typing.


    "Our pack has investments in multiple things, Kennedy. My father started some of these investments before I was born and he diversified until his death," he says as he pulls up some borate spreadsheet.


    Then he leans forward, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Do you see this number right here?" he asks.


    "Yes."


    That''s how much money this pack is worth, Kennedy. Your $30,000 x-ray machine won''t even make a dent in this."


    I stare at the number on the screen.


    "That''s a lot of zeros."


    I feel him chuckle behind me.


    "Yes, it is."


    "Wait. THAT''S why Jasper is after our pack?"


    "This pack is extremely wealthy, Kennedy. We are, by far, the wealthiest pack in the region, possibly the country. We could live off the interest that this money makes every month and never even touch the principal, and most months I have extra to reinvest."


    I''m still gaping at all those zeros when he turns his head and looks at me. "You really didn''t know?"


    I shake my head. "How would I know?"


    "I thought maybe your father would have told you."


    I shake my head. "Connor might know, but I was never involved in the finances of


    our pack. I just knew that Mom''s school brought money into the pack, and we never had to worry about feeding our pack members."


    He wraps his arms around me, holding me tightly and pressing another kiss to my head.


    09:16 Sat, 1 Mar


    ON


    93%


    ¡°?


    think 1


    might


    sonichone


    love you


    even


    because


    you


    loved me


    without


    knowing


    how


    wealthy f


    was.


    he says


    softly.


    1


    turn and


    look


    at him. "I


    wouldn''t


    have


    cared


    if this was the


    poorest pack


    in


    the region


    or the


    country.


    would still have


    wanted to be your mate, Quirin."


    ¤Î


    A5

 Chapter 55

    Quirin


    I need to be inside my mate. I know her family is here, I know that this might be a little more than she expects, but knowing that she had no idea how wealthy this pack is, hearing her say that she would have wanted me even if I was poor, the fear of losing her that I experienced yesterday, it''s allbining into an uncontroble, desperate need for her.


    I stand, setting her on her feet then I go to the door and lock it before turning around to look at her.


    "Quirin?"


    "I need you, Kennedy. I need you right now," I say and even I can hear the desperation in my voice.


    She looks around. "Where?"


    growl, happiness bubbling up inside me. I can already feel the darkness inside me quivering in expectation of her light. She doesn''t care that I''m desperate for her, she''s just na?ve as to where and how I''ll take her in my office.


    I watch her grey-green eyes darken as I prowl toward her. Instead of telling her, I walk to her, turning her in front of me then pushing her forward.


    "Hands on my desk," I say softly. I can already smell the scent of her arousal. Thankfully when we hurriedly got dressed, she pulled a dress on. I can feel her nervousness as I take my hands and slide them up her thighs, pushing her dress up to her waist. I pull the panties down, helping her to step out of them and giving myself a perfect view of her glistening lips.


    "Do you think you can be quiet, Kennedy," I ask, my voice still soft.


    She shakes her head. "No."


    I pull my shirt over my head and hand it to her. "Use this to muffle your


    screams."


    She takes my shirt and presses it to her face.


    "Arch your back. Give me the ess I want," I say.


    She doesn''t hesitate. She arches and I moan at the sight of how wet she is, how good she smells and when I lick my tongue over her sweet pussy, I tug her hips back, desperate to taste more of her sweetness.


    She yips in surprise, then presses my shirt against her mouth as I use my tongue to tease her. Fuck she tastes good. I growl against her clit, feeling a wave of possessiveness. I could have lost her yesterday. I could have lost this taste, this scent, this feeling of bliss that is already starting to fill me. There is only one person who has ever made me feel like this and I could have lost her.


    in," she whimpers against my shirt.


    When her body explodes, Ip up her sweet arousal as it drips onto my tongue.


    When I stand behind her, I quickly pull my pants down. "Don''t ever put yourself in danger again, Kennedy," I growl, grabbing her hips and bottoming out inside her in one thrust.


    "I need you in my life. Do you understand?" I continue growling as I begin thrusting at the hard, rough pace I always use when I''ve lost control.


    "Yes. YES!" she pants.


    I reach down and wrap my hand around her throat, pulling her up while holding her hip with my other hand as I continue my punishing pace.


    "Do you understand how important you are to me, Kennedy? Do you understand that if anything ever happened to you, I would lose my mind. I would burn this world and everyone in it to the ground if I ever lost you. Do you understand?" I growl against her ear.


    "Yes. Yes," she whimpers, and I feel her inner walls fluttering around me.


    I keep my hand around her throat, my thumb rubbing against her jaw and neck.


    Her head is back against my shoulder, lifting her throat and giving me her


    submission. I''m not sure if she knows that I need it, or if it''s because she''s perfect for me, but it''s exactly what I need.


    "I love you so fucking much, Kennedy. So fucking much," biting down on her throat.


    She reaches out blindly, grabbing my shirt off the desk and pressing it against her mouth.


    "You like it when I tell you I love you?" I ask, my voice deep and possessive.


    "Yes."


    "Then you''d bettere when I tell you that I fucking love you,¡± I say, her body mping down on me as I continue thrusting into her. She presses the shirt tightly against her mouth as she screams.


    "Every part of me loves every part of you, Kennedy," I say, biting her earlobe as her body continues contracting around me.


    "And I fucking love being inside you. You feel so fucking good," I say as I feel the light spreading through me. "So fucking good," I growl as my own orgasm rips through me.


    I bite down on her neck, my own roar of pleasure muffled against her throat as our bodies jerk together, her sweet pussy drawing me deeper as her light explodes inside me, pushing away the darkness of yesterday''s battle.


    When reality finallyes flooding back into me, I pull my teeth out of her neck.


    "Did I hurt you?" I ask her. I''m always too rough with her. I try not to be, but I lose myself when I''m inside her.


    "No," she says as I lick the wounds of my bite mark closed. I rub my nose over her neck, wrapping the hand that was around her throat around her waist.


    "I really do love, with everything in me," I say to her.


    "I love you too, Quirin," she says, turning to smile at me.


    When I pull out of her, I go to the bathroom and get a washcloth washing myself off, then rinsing it in warm water before going out to where she''s standing. I kneel down in front of her, putting her hand on my shoulder to help her steady herself as I lift her leg and clean between her thighs.


    I look up at her and smile. "Do you want to hear something interesting?"


    She raises her eyebrow at me, smiling. "You want to taste me again?"


    "I definitely do, and if your family wasn''t here and probably looking for you, I


    would. But no, it''s not that."


    "What do you want to tell me?"


    "If anything ever happens to me, all that money goes to you."


    I watch as the smile drops off her face and something close to fear reces it. "What? Why? Quirin, I wouldn''t begin to know what to do with all that money." "Kier would help you. So would your father and Connor, I''m sure. You''d be responsible for taking care of the pack, Kennedy,


    so I made you the beneficiary of everything."


    "Quirin..."


    "Kennedy," I say, pulling her to me as I stay kneeling. I press my lips to her stomach, looking up at her. "Even if you weren''t my mate and Luna, you''d be the perfect person to leave that money to, BECAUSE you don''t want it. It means you won''t squander the money and leave the pack destitute."


    She slides her fingers into my hair, sending shivers through my body. "How about, nothing happens to you, and you keep doing whatever you do with that money. That way, I can stick to what I know, which is the hospital, and you can stick to what you know, which is managing this pack.¡±


    "Deal," I say. "Now, Kier''s been trying to get my attention, so I''m guessing someone in your family is looking for you. Let''s get dressed and go find them."


    I help her step into her panties, pulling them up as I stand, then I take another moment to kiss her.


    "You''re going to order what we need for the hospital now?" I ask her.


    She chuckles. "Yes,"


    "Good," I say, grabbing my shirt and pulling it over my head. It''s wrinkled and damp where Kennedy was screaming into it, but it smells like her and I love that. When we step out of the office, we nearly run into Alpha Warren and Luna Yara.


    "Oh, there you are," Luna Yara says.


    Alpha Warren just raises an eyebrow at his daughter before looking at me. While I can feel Kennedy''s embarrassment at her parents catching us just after having been together, I feel no such embarrassment. She''s my mate, I''m her lover, and they should both understand that.


    "Did you need''something?" she squeaks.


    "Wendy


    Wants to speak with you. She''s doing very well and I''m sure you want to check in with her."


    "Yes. Yes, I do. I''ll see youter, Quirin," she says, stepping away from me quickly. Her cheeks are a beautiful shade of pink.


    "Count on it. And don''t forget what we talked about."


    She turns and looks at me over her shoulder and nods.


    I look at Alpha Warren. "We''d like to stay another day and let Wendy heal a bit more, if that''s okay," he says.


    "I already told the pack members who went to stay at Henry''s not to return until I spoke to them. You can stay as long as Wendy needs to."


    "Thank you," he says, turning to leave.


    "Alpha Warren." He stops and turns to look at me.


    "I''ll speak with Alpha Connor, but I wanted to thank you personally for helping with


    the battle yesterday. Having so many Alphas on our side made things much easier and, well, I know it came at great personal expense to you and your family. I appreciate you helping to protect our pack, even if it was for Kennedy''s sake."


    He turns all the way around to face me. "You''re wee and it wasn''t solely for Kennedy''s sake. You''ve never agreed to having an alliance, but I''ve never considered you my enemy either. If you ever need assistance, all you have to do is ask, Alpha."


    I nod and watch as he turns and walks away to catch up with his mate and daughter. I wonder if he knows that I''ve always considered him my enemy.

 Chapter 56

    Wody Hertrud whichsen night the hopes of what he was ever about was airprised that Heary ales wanted in spend time with her chang the Bein went when Alpha Fruslit and Lurer Farrah returned


    moj and Madian reumail to the port de ce day we well und Faveal needing male mire that everything was in weder, and Trick chene to return with them. The following day, my parents carefully packed Wendy innis the ear and f hugged mu binily grabie


    "Next time I''m here, I hope to see a full functional biopal'' my mother quid amiling. She auf & callest about my conversation with Quirin he hugged me telling me the


    nation is very impietant in a rtionship. Eknow she'' right Now I just need to convince my miste that he asks to lie to me of course, my mothery shif me that I need to dra better job ofmunicating as well. I guess Quirin and I both have work to des


    Later that night the others returned back to the park. The feeling in the pack fe different now. What had begun to feel calm and rxed, now feels strained. There seems to be a division between the pack members, those who have epted me and those who haven''t


    I know Quirin feel it too, but since no one has outwardly said anything against me, he hasn''t disciplined anyone. I ordered what I needed for the hospital, excited when Quirin told me that everything had been approved and ordered. He wanted to make sure that I knew that I hadn''t overspent the pack''s money. Although how that would be possible with all those zeros in our bank ount is beyond me, but I''m d to know that it didn''t impact our pack''s financial situation.


    He also got the pack warriors to start tearing out the old showers in the hospital and retiling them. Beta Kier ordered shower gel and shampoo dispensers that will be sealed into the walls and can easily be filled by omegas when needed. After speaking to him, we decided to ordermercial size vats of the shampoo and shower gel, so that we have plenty on hand to refill the dispensers.


    "You want to tell me what''s going on with you and Arianna?" I finally ask him. I''ve caught the two of them spending more time together recently but neither of them have made an official announcement about being mates.


    I watch the smile he tries to hide spread across his face. "You figured out that she''s my mate?"


    "That was pretty obvious. She makes you special food every single day."


    He shrugs. "Not obvious to most people. Even Alpha Quirin doesn''t know. But, well, she came from a pack that mistreated her, I''ve been giving her time to adjust to being mated to me so that she wouldn''t reject me outright. I don''t care that she''s an omega. I think she''s fantastic. After thest battle, she wanted to spend more time with me. She''s been sneaking into my room at night. Nothing is happening, but we both sleep better when she''s by my side."


    "Is there anything I can do to help her feel morefortable?" I ask.


    "I don''t think so, Luna. You haven''t had the life that most of us have had. A sexual rtionship is terrifying for her. One day, when I know who hurt her, I will hunt them down and kill them," he growls.


    "You have my full support, not that you need it," he says.


    "It''s good to know that I have it, Luna," he says, just as we hear a crash and snarling.


    We both race to where the warriors are working on the bathroom.


    "What the fuck is going on in here?" Kier demands as we watch ter, his fists clenched and his chest heaving. Lane is getting up off the floor. Both men have blooding from their busted lips, although both are already healing.


    I realize the warriors are in two groups facing off against each other. The side with ter and the others who left the pack and the side with Lane and the ones who remained.


    wfire Kie Junches hion In be fare back the Himed


    Aida sign forward and ire auole menaries, phasetiree Farmerly betweew me aud Arlis fim mrprised when the overallfire


    ou''ve already been warned about disrespecting can Luns, Arlo. Are you really ready to take on your Alpha?"


    Tuhar to know the armwy to that an oil Quirine voice says behinwl me I burn and we him slowly bridine imto the root: Tve known Quirin all my life. I''ve seen the way others avoid him because of the dangerous aura that he gives off. But I''ve never felt the menacing wave that is rolling off of him right now. For the first time in my life, I understand why so many people are afraid of my mate.


    I watch as Arlo steps back, his neck raising in submission.


    "Anyone else?" Quirin snarls. His focus is on the side of the room with the warriors who left the pack during my Luna ceremony. He must also realize that the others were protecting me. Every one of the warriors he''s focusing on raises their neck in submission.


    "No, Alpha," they mumble.


    "Since you all seem to be so interested in causing problems, you must have too much time and energy. You all," he says, pointing to the group with Lane, "are all excused from this project. The rest of you will finish this bathroom by the end of the week as you were previously instructed, and you will also continue your patrols as scheduled. If, after that, you still have anything to say about my mate and your Luna, then I suggest you bring it to me and we''ll discuss it." The way he says ''discuss'' makes me think that anything they have to say about me would end up with them looking like ter who is still out cold on the floor.


    "Lane, Kelvin, get this piece of shit to the cells. I''ll deal with himter," Quirin says. "Do you want me to take a look at him first, Quirin,¡± I ask him, knowing that he''s probably suffered a minor concussion from the punch Kier gave him.


    Quirin gives me a side eye nce and I swear I see him sigh, like he thinks I''m being too nice by asking if I can help the man who just made derogatory statements about me.


    "No, Kennedy. He doesn''t deserve your care. But Warrior Lane, if your mouth isn''t healed by the time you get ter to the cells,e see your Luna."


    "Yes, Alpha," he says, smiling at me as he passes me dragging ter by one arm with Kelvin dragging him by the other.


    Quirin stands looking at the group. "Well, get back to work," he barks, before extending his arm to me. "Kennedy," he says, his tone more gentle.


    I move to his side and his armes around me. When we step out of the bathroom area, he turns to Kier. "Did I miss anything else?"


    "No" he says, looking behind him. ¡°But tensions keep getting higher. I think Arlo and ter are the instigators, but I


    been able to catch them until now. ter didn''t even pretend that what he said wasn''t derogatory."


    Quirin teens down and presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Have you decided


    on who you want to be your Luna Guard, Kennedy


    "I was going to talk to them first and see if they were interested," I say.


    He nods. "Who''s your top choice**


    "Besides me, of course," Kier says teasingly.


    "Besides you, and even before today, I was thinking of Lane."


    "A good choice. I''ll talk to him and have hime see you. I don''t want you here alone with this group."


    "I can put some patrols around here. Alpha. Make sure there are others who are close in case they start something." Kier


    ay''s


    "Do it. I''m going to talk to these guys individually, let them know they''re skating on thin ice and that I won''t tolerate disrespect. I didn''t want to start throwing people out of the pack, but I will if I have to. And if Arlo or ter open their mouths again, I''ll make an example out of them," Quirin says.


    been able to catch them until now. ter didn''t even pretend that what he said wasn''t derogatory."


    Quirin leans down and presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Have you decided


    on who you want to be your Luna Guard, Kennedy?"


    "I was going to talk to them first and see if they were interested," I say.


    He nods. "Who''s your top choice?"


    "Besides me, of course," Kier says teasingly.


    "Besides you, and even before today, I was thinking of Lane."


    "A good choice. I''ll talk to him and have hime see you. I don''t want you here alone with this group."


    "I can put some patrols around here, Alpha. Make sure there are others who are close in case they start something," Kier


    says.


    "Do it. I''m going to talk to these guys individually, let them know they''re skating on thin ice and that I won''t tolerate disrespect. I didn''t want to start throwing people out of the pack, but I will if I have to. And if Arlo or ter open their mouths again, I''ll make an example out of them," Quirin says.

 Chapter 57

    Quirin


    I was intending to have lunch with Kennedy, but instead I walked into the Arlo and ter shitshow. If Arlo had made a move on Kier or anyone else, I would have killed him. As it is, it took everything in me to not kill ter. I''m going to give myself time before going down to the cells because I''m ready to kill him. I heard what he said before Kier knocked him out and I was seeing red. He''s truly lucky that my mate was there to help calm me or I might have killed the entire group. I don''t fucking care if I have a pack of three as long as those three are people who care about my mate.


    "Christopher!" I bark. I''ve been sitting in my office trying to control my emotions and my fury so I didn''t start killing everyone. Holding on to Kennedy as we walked out of the pack hospital had served two goals for me. It has helped to calm the fury inside me and it had ensured that she was safe and away from those who apparently don''t realize that they will respect her as their Luna or they can leave.


    Christopher walks in and looks at me. I can see the line of warriors behind him.


    "Close the door."


    When he does, he turns back to me.


    "Come here."


    He walks over to my desk and I stand. He immediately shows me and Raif his neck.


    "You want to tell me what the fuck happened today?"


    "Alpha, there was an altercation between ter and Lane."


    "Uh huh, and which side were you on?" I ask him, my eyes narrowing, daring him to lie to me.


    "Alpha, I was not on a side. I was to the left of ter working on the tiles when the altercation began."


    I begin pacing in front of him, my hands behind my back. I''m sping them so I don''t punch him like Kier punched ter.


    "I don''t remember seeing you at the Luna ceremony this weekend."


    "No, Alpha. I went to Apha Henry''s pack."


    "Did you now?" I ask.


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "And why is that?" I ask, stopping right in front of him. I''m pretty sure I hear his


    neck creak with his effort to raise it even higher.


    "Alpha, we were given the option to leave and so I did."


    I lean forward, putting my face in his. "Why?" I snarl..


    Sweat breaks out on this forehead while his eyes look anywhere but at me.


    "I ... I didn''t have any respect for Luna Kennedy."


    "Didn''t or don''t?" I snarl.


    "Didn''t. But I heard about what she''s done and... I see that the others have gained respect for her."


    08:44 Mon, 3 Mar


    "Are you following Arlo''s lead, Christopher?"


    "His lead, Alpha?" he asks, as if I don''t know who the ringleader is of this group.


    I let Raif push out his aura, and watch Christopher try hard to stay on his feet as his wolf yelps in pain and panic.


    "I''m sorry, Alpha. It won''t happen again. I swear it!" he says.


    "Let me exin to you what will happen if I ever find out that you disrespected your Luna again. I will put you on your knees in front of this pack and I will remove your head from your shoulders. If you do not think that you can live with her as your Luna, get the fuck out of my pack! 1 will not allow ANYONE to disrespect her. Do you understand me?" I snarl as he drops to his knees.


    "Yes, Alpha."


    I let him go and spend the rest of the afternoon having basically the same conversation with the warriors who were siding with Arlo against Lane and the others who did remain in the pack.


    I save Arlo forst. I have Kier bring him in and the two of us face him together. "Do you like living here, Arlo?" I ask him.


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "Are you sure? Becausetely I''m questioning whether or not you really do." "Yes, Alpha. This is my home."


    "Why''d you leave during your Luna''s Luna Ceremony, Arlo?" Kier asks him.


    "Alpha gave us the choice and we were told that nothing was going to impede Luna''s day. I have a problem with her father. He killed my father when he attacked Alpha Brady''s pack. Out of respect for our Alpha, I left so there would be no problem with me and Alpha Warren."


    "Out of respect for your Alpha. But what about the respect for your Luna? Alpha Jasper and Alpha Brogan both attacked while you were gone. You weren''t here to help, but Alpha Warren was. Alpha Connor was. The younger Alpha Yorick and Luna''s younger sister, Alpha Wendy, all helped to fight and protect this pack. But not you, you weren''t here, were you."


    "I would have helped if I had been. Like I said, this is my home," he says. ¡°The posse that you were trying to create, whether it was to overthrow me or to try something against your Luna, is done. I''ve warned them all and I''ve already warned you that if anyone disrespects Kennedy in any way ever again, there will be no option to leave. I will remove your head from your body in front of the rest of the pack and make an example of you. You and your brother are VERY lucky that I didn''t do that earlier today. If you ever challenge your Beta again, you better be ready to lose your head. In front of you and him, I''m telling you now that he has full authority to kill you if you ever pull that shit again. I''ll be telling ter the same thing. If you like your head where it is, get your shit together. There will not be another chance. Are we clear, Arlo?"


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "Get out of my office. You have patrols to run."


    He turns and walks to the door. "Can I see ter?"


    "Not until I''ve spoken to him and not without a guard present."


    He nods and walks out.


    "What do you think?" I ask Kier.


    Chapter 15%


    "I think he''s had too many chances"


    "That was thest one. If he goes again you, me, Kennedy, or anyone else in this pack, kill him. If you get any whitt that he''s trying to turn the pack against us, kill


    him."


    "Yes, Alpha. When are you going to speak to ter?" Kier asks


    "Is he awake?"


    "I''m not sure. I was pissed and I hit him pretty hard"


    "He can sit overnight. I''ll talk to him tomorrow."


    "Yes, Alpha," Kier says, walking out.


    If I had known then what I know now, I would have killed Arlo and ter then and


    there.


    Arlo POV


    "What are you going to do?" ter asks me quietly through the bars of his cell. We''re careful to make sure that the guards


    can''t hear us.


    "I''m going to let Jasper know how he can get that bitch. If Alpha Quirin hadn''t let himself get weak, I never would have gone to that Alpha, but ever since he brought that bitch into our pack, he''s changed. If Jasper kills him, fine. If not, he''ll still deal with her. And he''s agreed to cut us in on the profity of this pack. You know how wealthy Alpha Quirin is. Before, I didn''t care because we were strong, and he could rte to us. But now, he''s gone soft, and I won''t allow anyone like that to lead me. He doesn''t deserve the title of Alpha."


    "I''ve still got several days in here. If you do anything before I''m out, you''ll have to break me out," he says.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll make sure you''re out. The others are afraid Alpha will kill them, but I know they despise her as much as we do, so they''ll turn when the time


    "When I''m out, you know I''ve got your back."


    "I know you do, brother. And when this is done, we''ll be rich."


    I grip his shoulder as Terrance walks over. "Time to go, Arlo."


    "I''lle back and see you tomorrow," I say to ter.


    He nods and I climb the stairs out of the cells. I re at the hospital. That fucking ce. We''ve been working nearly fifteen- hour days to get that done and still run our patrols daily. But today, we finally got it finished, just like Alpha requested. As I watch, I see her heading to the hospital. It looks like she''s got food in her hands. I smile, walking towards the hospital. When I step in, the lights are dim. Kennedy hasn''t been here alone since the day they put ter in the cells. "Luna? Luna, are you here? I brought you some dinner."


    I quietly make my way to the ce where we''ve been retiling the showers. I stand


    in the shadows as I watch her. Talk about a peach. She''s been ripe for the picking for a while now.


    When she turns, she doesn''t immediately see me. She takes two steps and must catch my scent. She stops and the scent of fear spikes in the space.


    "Hello, Christy," I say.


    The te of food in her hands tters to the floor, smashing and sending food everywhere.

 Chapter 58

    **Slight Trigger Warning References to sexual abuse


    Kennedy


    Ever since my Luna ceremony and my discussion with Quirin, I feel like things have gotten better in our rtionship. Our bond feels stronger and while he still keeps his mind mostly closed off to me, he''s much more affectionate at night when it''s just the two of us. Well, he''s be quite affectionate in the mornings too, waking me before warrior training in the best possible way.


    This morning is no different. My body is humming with the pleasure that only Quirin can give me. I love knowing that he tries so hard to maintain control but eventually, that carefully held control snaps and his thrusts inside me be hard and rough. I love every minute of it. I''ve even started trying to find ways to make him lose control faster. He doesn''t treat me like I''m breakable or delicate when he loses control. He takes me in the hard, rough way that is all Quirin


    So, when I nip at his throat and I feel his body quiver as his control begins to break, I smile and ignore the warning tone when he says my name. Instead, I bite down more firmly until he''s pinning me to the bed underneath him, pulling my legs up to take him deeper and giving me everything he has to give.


    I love feeling the walls and the bed shake with his roar of pleasure as my body mps around his and his body responds, shooting the warm jets of his cum into my body.


    "You are going to be the death of me, Little Pup," he growls, and I giggle underneath him.


    "You think that''s funny?" he asks, lifting up to look at my face.


    "What a beautiful death it would be. It''s not the worst way to go out," I say, running


    my fingers over his chiseled features. I know it''s what gives him the broody, dangerous look that most see. For me, it''s the look of my handsome mate, especially when his eyes are soft like they are now.


    "Hmm, I''m not ready to leave this world or you, just yet," he says, running his nose over my jaw and making my body flutter around him again.


    His deep growl of happiness reverberates through me as he lifts his head and looks at the clock.


    "I don''t have time for another round. Save that thought forter."


    He slides out of me and gets up, heading for the shower. I turn on my side and prop my head on my hand as I watch him make his way to the bathroom.


    "What are you staring at?" he asks, not looking back.


    "Your fantastic ass," I say, unashamed that I''m ogling my mate.


    Now he turns and looks at me, smiling a rare smile before shaking his head and walking into the bathroom.


    I hop out of bed and follow him. When I step into the shower, he washes the soap off his face and looks at me.


    "You''re ying a dangerous game, Little Pup," he growls softly.


    "I''ve never been afraid of you, Quirin," I tell him, sliding my hands over his chest.


    "I''ve created a monster, haven''t I?"


    "Are youining?" I ask, looking up at him through myshes.


    "Don''t say I didn''t warn you," he growls before lifting me up and pressing me against the shower wall as he thrusts inside me.


    4 Mar


    85


    I wrap my arms and legs around him, lifting my neck to him as he plunges into to me over and over again. He bites down on my neck, his arms on either side of me against the wall as he maintains his punishing pace while I take everything that he''s giving me.


    "You''d better fuckinge, Little Pup. I want to feel that tight pussy clenching around me while I empty myself inside you." he growls and his voice is so raw, so visceral that my body instantly responds.


    "Oh, you''re such a good fucking mate,¡± he growls his body jerking as he loses control. He grabs my hips thrusting into me two more times before he ps one hand against the wall, roaring his release again.


    1 purr against his throat, proud that I''ve once again made my mate lose control with me.


    He shakes his head against my neck. "You''re right about one thing," he pants, "What''s that?" I ask, my own breaths stilling in ragged session.


    "If I die like this, it would so be worth it," he says, making meugh. "Now, you naughty girl, I need to go kick some warrior ass. I''ll see you tonight?" "You know it."


    "Good," he says, pulling out of me and kissing my nose before quickly washing himself off and getting out of the shower.


    I take more time, washing my hair and body before finally getting ready to go to the hospital. When I''m done, I head downstairs to get something to eat before heading to work.


    "Luna, have you seen Christy? She hasn''t shown up this morning and she isn''t in her room," Arianna says.


    "I''m justing downstairs. Has anyone seen her?" I ask.


    "No, Luna, not since yesterday," Susie says.


    "Maybe she brought me breakfast early this morning, thinking I''d be at the hospital by now. When you find her, let me know," I tell them, grabbing a breakfast sandwich and heading to the hospital.


    My thoughts turn back to Quirin and this morning and how I feel like maybe, just maybe we''ve turned a corner in our rtionship.


    Now that the hospital showers areplete, Lane doesn''t have to stick with me at all hours. Quirin agreed that he could return to warrior training this morning


    before joining me at the hospital. I smile remembering our meeting.


    "You know Quirin wants me to have a personal guard, right Lane?¡± "Yes, Luna."


    "I know it''s not very exciting, but I was wondering if you would like the position. You can say no, of course. I wouldn''t hold it against you," I''d said.


    He''d frowned at me. "Luna, you realize that the Luna Guard is a highly respected position in the pack, right? It''s basically at the same level as a Beta, maybe even a bit higher. I would be honored to be your Luna Guard."


    That had made me smile and I''ve found Lane to be a wonderfulpanion. He helped me to unpack the medical supplies as they arrive and he asked me questions about my education and knowledge of the medical field. In the few days since he''s taken on his new role, he and I have be what I would consider friends.


    When I walk into the hospital, I see that another shipment arrived. I squeal a little when I see my new x-ray machine is among the other supplies here.


    I begin to walk back to the storage room ready to make room for my new machine when the smell hits me. Blood.


    13:03 Tue, 4 Mar G M


    Echo lifts our nose in the air and I race to where I can smell it. When I get to the brand new showers, I stop dead in my tracks. There, slumped against the wall, is Christy and she''s covered in blood.


    85%1


    "Christy!" I say, racing toward her. She''s got a ck eye, fingerprints around her throat, and blood in various stages of drying between her legs.


    "I''ve got you. I''ve got you," I say as I carefully slide one arm around her waist and the other under her knees.


    She begins sobbing. "Luna."


    "I''m here. I''m here," I say, moving as fast as I can to get her to one of the rooms. I''ve just walked out when Deborah walks into the hospital, her eyes going wide.


    "What happened?" she asks.


    I''m pretty sure I know.


    "Christy needs medical attention. I need you to get these items from the storage room and meet me in Room Two," I say to her.


    When I get her there, I put her on the bed. She continues to hold herself in a ball


    as if the pain of stretching out is too much for her.


    "Who did this to you, Christy?"


    Her mournful cry breaks my heart.


    "Was it Arlo?" I ask softly and she nods.


    "Why didn''t you link me?" I ask her as I remove what''s left of her clothes.


    "He threatened to kill you if I did." Her voice is raspy, whether because he forced himself into her mouth or because he damaged her voice box while squeezing her neck, possibly both.


    Rage unlike anything I''ve ever felt before boils inside me, but I shove it down. There will be timeter for me to unleash my fury. Right now, Christy needs me. "I''m going to take care of you, Christy," I say, gently taking her face in my hands as Deborahes in with everything I need. "Do you trust me?"


    She nods. "Don''t leave me alone. I don''t want to be alone."


    "I won''t. I promise. I''m going to put you under because I need to operate on you, okay? You''re bleeding internally and I need to stitch up your wounds. But I won''t leave you and if I have to step out, I''ll leave Deborah with you, okay?" I stay in her line of sight, my eyes focused on hers, and my voice calm, hoping that it will help her to stay calm.


    "Luna, do you want me to put the IV in?" Deborah asks.


    "We''re going to put you under now, Christy, but I''ll make sure you''re never alone, okay?"


    "I''m so sorry, Luna," she says, the tears streaking past her temples.


    "You have nothing to be sorry for, Christy. I''m sorry that I wasn''t here to protect you," I say to her as her eyes begin to droop.


    I brush her hair away from her face and once her body goes ck, I beginying her out on the bed.


    "Luna, tell me that she wasn''t..." Deborah begins, looking up at me with tears in her eyes.


    "We don''t have time for tears right now, Deborah. We need to save her life. She''s been bleeding out all night."


    13:03 Tue, 4 Mar


    Deborah takes a deep breath and nods, pulling her tears back.


    "Let''s get her washed off. I need to know what we''re dealing with," I say.


    "LUNA!" Lane says with an urgency to his voice that let''s me know he smelled the


    blood.


    "Start washing her body," I say to Deborah, walking out of the room.


    "Lane, I''m right here," I say and hees running from the showers, looking me


    over as if unsure if that was my blood.


    "What happened? Whose blood is that?"


    "Christy''s. I have to get into surgery."


    "I''ll let Alpha know," he begins.


    "NO!" I snarl, "I will handle this when I''m done."


    I''m not sure what he sees in my eyes or feels in my aura, but he nods. "Yes, Luna.


    What can I do to help?"


    "If you want to unpack those boxes, you can. If I need you for anything else, I''ll let you know."


    I turn, walking back into the room to save this sweet girl.

 Chapter 59

    Quirin


    Life is about as perfect as it could be. Well, besides still needing to treat our packnds to get rid of the silver and dealing with ter who is set to get out of the cells tomorrow, my life is better than I ever thought it could be. And it''s all thanks to that little mate of mine.


    True to his word, Alpha Warren sent me some information on how I could treat our packnds to eliminate the silver. I''d looked it over and while he was right about it being expensive, it looks like it would work. Now it''s more about disposing of Jasper''s silver powder supply and then starting the long, arduous job of clearing the silver from mynd.


    When my scouts return, letting me know that they think they''ve found Jasper''s supply. I''m even more excited.


    "Where is it?" I ask.


    "He''s got this barn looking structure on his packnds. We were able to sneak in and get to the barn. It looks like they have the silver powderid out in enclosed trays. I''m guessing that they bring them when thee to attack and then the pack members shift and step in it," one scout says.


    "Yeah, they have these on the wall. I''m guessing they put them on before they step in the silver to protect the pads of the wolves'' paws,¡± another scout says, tossing something that looks like a fingerless glove for a wolf onto my desk.


    I pick it up and hiss as I feel the residual silver on the glove. "I''d say you''re right. Good work. So what we really need to do is start a fire and let that silverbust in the barn," I say.


    "I didn''t think silver was mmable," Kier says. I wanted him to be part of this conversation so we can decide on our next


    steps.


    "It isn''t in solid form, but it is in powder form. I''m guessing Jasper didn''t think about that," I say, giving him a vicious smile.


    "Well, I think it''s about time that Jasper got a taste of his own medicine," Kier says.


    I look at my scouts. "Take the night off. Your Beta and I will decide how we want to proceed."


    "Thank you, Alpha," they say before walking out.


    "Did you want to talk about this now or after dinner?" Kier asks.


    I look at the time. "After dinner. We need to get to warrior training."


    We finish afternoon warrior training and head inside as the food begins toe


    out. I look around, expecting to see Kennedy, but she''s not back yet.


    "I''m going to take a shower before Kennedy arrives," I tell Kier, turning to go upstairs.


    I stop dead in my tracks as my mate walks in, fury and power unlike anything I''ve ever felt before are rolling off of her in


    waves.


    "Where the fuck is he?" she snarls.


    "Kennedy, what happened," I ask her. In all the years I''ve known her, I''ve never, ever seen Kennedy this angry before. I didn''t know that she even possessed this level of fury. What I feeling from her is my level of dark fury. It''s so far from her bright light that I feel a trickle of fear slither down my spine. It''s not fear of her, it''s fear that I was right and my darkness has


    taken her over.


    She ignores me and walks into the dining hall. ¡°You,¡± she snarls. Every single warrior in the room yelps with the strength of her anger, all of their necks rising in submission.


    85%


    "You raped that girl. You knew she didn''t want you, but you just wouldn''t take no for an answer," she snarls at Arlo.


    What the fuck?


    "Is that what she told you? She''s lying. She wanted it," he says. Somehow, even in the submissive state that Echo is demanding, he sounds cocky. I notice that Kier is also submitting to her and even Raif feels the power of her anger and Alphamand, although he''s refusing to submit to her under these conditions. However, the omegas in the room are unaffected, as is Lane. She''s excluding them from her anger. I look at him and he gives me a look that tells me that he''s sorry for not telling me, but he was following Kennedy''s order.


    "Who?" I ask him.


    The omega, Christy. It''s bad, Alpha. Really bad. Luna''s been stitching her up for hours.


    I clench my fists, furious that anyone felt they could hurt another pack member like this.


    "You left her to die! She nearly bled out overnight," she snarls.


    "Everyone knows virgins bleed like stuck pigs. You sure did. We all saw the sheets the night Alpha brought you home," he growls. Echo instantly pushes her aura more strongly over him as Raif snarls at his mention of that first night. The few warriors who were standing on their feet fall to their knees.


    I hadn''t realized that when I''d wanted to get rid of the evidence of the pain I''d caused Kennedy that the entire pack would have witnessed it, but apparently they did.


    "Is this what you wanted? Is this the kind of Luna you want? The kind who is mean and cruel and hateful? Well, you''ve got her now! Don''t tell me none of you knew. Someone knew and no one, not one of you did anything to help that girl. I''ve never been so ashamed to be a part of a pack. A pack who doesn''t even care enough to protect their own. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. I''m certainly ashamed of you and ashamed to call myself the Luna of a pack like this."


    "Kennedy," I say, trying to get hold of the situation. However, she spins around, her fury now directed at me. She ps her hand against my chest with enough power that I rock back on my heels and have to fight not to step back.


    "You''re just as much to me for not listening to me when I warned you. Maybe if you started recognizing that I''m an intelligent, grown woman rather than the little pup you''re so fond of calling me, this wouldn''t have happened," she snarls. I can feel that Echo is just as angry at us as Kennedy is.


    I feel the tension inside me growing as wave after wave of her fury rolls over me. She spins back around, facing the pack.


    "You all think you''re so strong and that''s all that matters? You think my omegas are less than you just because they aren''t warriors? Well, I''d like to see you survive without my omegas taking care of all of you. You think you''re so fantastic, then you


    and I ar can fucking fend for yourselves. Effective immediately, my omegas on strike. You can rot for all I care. And don''t even think about leaving this packhouse


    a mess. If you do, my omegas won''t being back at all."


    She spins back around to confront me and I brace myself.


    "I want him gone, Quirin. I want him gone or so help me..." her. I won''t.


    ??


    Fear, unlike anything I''ve ever felt in my life fills me. I can''t lose


    "I want him gone," she says, spinning on her feet and walking out. "Omegas, you''re with me."


    As soon as she steps out of the room, everyone breathes a sigh of relief, their necksing back to normal. I watch her as she walks away.


    "Get him outside," I snarl.


    "You can''t be serious! I told you she wanted it! I didn''t do anything wrong!" Arlo yells.


    "Get the fuck up, Arlo, and shut your fucking mouth before I do it for you," Kier says.


    I stare at the ce where Kennedy left, feeling an emptiness in the space that she hase to fill in my life. She did warn me. She specifically told me that she wanted to go on record that she didn''t trust Arlo and I didn''t listen. And now, I may


    lose her because of it.


    I turn and stride outside where Arlo is still shouting about how he didn''t do anything wrong, I walk up and backhand him so hard that it knocks him to the ground.


    I grab him by his hair and yank him into a kneeling position in front of me.


    "You were warned, Arlo. I gave you more chances than I ever should have. Kennedy is right, I''m as much to me for what happened to Christy as you are. For your crimes against Christy, your Luna, and your pack, I sentence you to


    death."


    Arlo continues to yell as I lift my hand, Raif extending his ws and in one swoop, I slice his head from his body. Then I turn to the pack who has congregated to see what I would do,


    "Anyone who knew that Arlo was nning to force Christy into having sex with him, step forward," I say, putting the full force of my Alphamand behind it. Three men step forward. "Anyone who knew what he''d done, step forward," I snarl.


    Two of the three step forward again.


    "Please, Alpha. Please," they begin but I extend both arms and swipe their heads off at the same time.


    The one remaining man stands, shivering in fear. "Your life is now in your Luna''s hands. If she says she doesn''t trust you, then I don''t trust you," I say, looking around at the pack members standing speechless.


    "Ever since I brought my mate home, I have put this pack above her. That ends today. I will never again second guess my mate''s impressions of anyone in this pack. If my mate doesn''t like you, I don''t like you. If my mate doesn''t trust you, I don''t trust you. If my mate wants you gone, you''re out. If anyone dares to ever speak against her again, I''ll kill you. I haven''t had my priorities in the right order, but that changes today. Believe me when I tell you that I''m willing to lose every single one of you if it means that she stays with me. No one is more important to me than her and it''s time that I started showing her that. Every one of us will be the type of pack member that she is proud of or you can find somewhere else to live."


    I turn and look at Kier. "Take him to the cells. Once Kennedy gives her verdict


    about you, David, you''ll either be released or I''ll kill you," I say, my voice devoid of


    emotion.


    I walk inside, wash my hands, and head over to the hospital. I need to try and talk


    to my mate. I somehow need to apologize for not heeding her words and for


    letting one of my pack members suffer because of it.


    Ìï


    AD


    Comment

 Chapter 60

    ter


    I''d beenying on the bed in my cell when I felt it, my brother''s death.


    I snarled, rushing to the cell bars. "What the fuck just happened?"


    I''d heard amotion above us and the two guards who were watching me raced upstairs. Down here, we only have small windows at the ceiling to let in just enough light to make you remember how much you hate the dank, dark area of the cells. It''s barely enough space to hear what''s going on above you,


    No one answered my question because no one was here. Then, I''d felt two more tethers snap, friends of mine. Their deaths hade at the exact same time. Are we under attack? No one sounded the rm and Arlo said that Jasper was waiting to attack until he gave him some information on Kennedy,


    But now, my brother is dead, and I don''t have a fucking clue what''s going on.


    I stand there, waiting for someone toe tell me what happened to Arlo, seething in my fury. If Jasper betrayed us, I''ll k him.


    When the door finally opens, I''m shocked to see David being dragged down the stairs and thrown into a cell.


    "What the fuck is going on? What happened to my brother?" I snarl,


    Beta Kieres to the front of my cell. "Your brother was warned. He was told not to disrespect our Luna or this pack and he didn''t listen. Now he''s paid the price. If I were you, ter, I''d be very careful. Your life is hanging by a thread"


    Since I know Kier is true to Quirin, I don''t bother asking him any more questions. I stand back and wait until he and the other guards walk out, then I turn to David. "What the fuck happened?" I growl low enough that the guards can''t hear us. "Arlo finally got to Christy. Luna Kennedy found her and went ballistic," he says, making me scoff.


    "Who the fuck cares, Kennedy''s a fucking peach.¡±


    "No, ter. You weren''t there. Even Arlo was submitting to her, that''s how powerful her aura was."


    That gives me pause. As soon as Arlo and I got far enough away from the pack, we both renounced Kennedy as our Luna. He shouldn''t have had to submit to her.


    "Are you sure he wasn''t faking it?" I say.


    "She had the entire pack on their knees, ter. She''s stronger than she looks and when she''s mad? Holy Mother Moon Goddess. Even Beta Kier was submitting to her."


    "What about Alpha Quirin?" I ask.


    "No, but you could tell that he was affected. She''s as strong as he is, possibly even stronger, at least when she''s furious like she was."


    "Christy''s a fucking omega. Who gives a fuck if Arlo had sex with her?"


    "You know how Arlo is. He was rough with her. Apparently, she nearly bled to death."


    "FUCK!" I say, beginning to pace. I knew Arlo had a thing for that omega. I never understood why. She''s pretty, yeah, but she wasn''t worth losing your life over.


    Wed, 5 Mar


    "Why are you in here?" I ask, turning back to him.


    "Alpha says that from now on, whatever Luna Kennedy says, goes. Apparently she warned him about Arlo and he didn''t listen. It sounded like she might try to leave him..."


    "Good," I interrupt.


    "No, not good," David insists. Alpha says that he''s willing to lose all of us to keep her. And from now on, if she doesn''t like you, neither does he. We were all in that fucking bathroom the day that you and Lane got into it. She knows which side we


    were on."


    "Don''t go flipping on me,¡± I snarl at him.


    "I''m not losing my life for you, ter. It''s not worth it. I didn''t have any respect for her before because I didn''t realize how powerful she is, but now? Fuck, I bet she could put Jasper on his knees if Alpha Quirin gave her a chance."


    "She can''t possibly be that strong," I say.


    Trust me, she is."


    I pace some more, thinking. "What about Joe and Ben? Why were they killed?"


    ¡°After Alpha killed Arlo, he pushed his Alphamand out, telling us to step forward if we knew about Arlo''s infatuation with Christy. Then he wanted to know who knew that he''d fucked her. I didn''t know until Luna walked in, but they did. Because they did and didn''t say anything, Alpha killed them."


    "What the fuck? For a girl?" I growl.


    "You''re not listening to me, ter. Something snapped inside of Alpha. When he said he didn''t care if he lost all of us if it meant keeping Luna Kennedy, he meant it. We all felt it."


    I begin pacing again. I need to get out of here. I need to figure out how to get rid of that bitch. We wanted her gone before but now, she''s the reason my brother is dead. Since it wasn''t Jasper and I know he wants her, I need to find a way to get out so I can tell him how capture her. Arlo and I had already been talking about it. We''d figured out the perfect spot for Jasper to grab her. It won''t be easy, but if Alpha Jasper really wants her, he''ll make it work.


    Now I just need to figure out how to get out of this pack with my head still attached to my shoulders.


    Quirin POV


    When I walk into the hospital, all of the omegas and Lane are standing or sitting in the waiting room.


    "Uh, Alpha, Luna said no ranked members were allowed in here right now," Lane says.


    "Good, make sure no one elsees in. Where is she?" I ask. I know she doesn''t want to see me and besides needing to speak with Kennedy, Christy is my pack member too. I let her down and I need to see for myself just how bad she is.


    I watch Lane''s eyes go unfocused and I wait. A momentter, Kennedyes


    out.


    "What do you want, Quirin?" she asks, the angry fire in her is still burning hot.


    "I want to see Christy."


    "She''s asleep. I''ll tell her you stopped by."


    "No. I''m her Alpha and I want to see her."


    She snarls at me, and I see Echo pushing forward. Raif does as well.


    +13)


    1


    Wed, 5 Mar


    04%


    "I do not wish to fight you mate. Christy and her wolf, Sanjana, are our pack members. Yes, we let them down. We did not protect them as we should, but we can''t make that right if you don''t let us," Raif says, trying to calm our mates.


    +13)


    She stares at us for several long moments. "Don''t wake her up," she snaps, before turning on her heel and walking down the


    hall.


    I nod at Lane and follow my mate. When I walk into the room, Raif immediately starts growling, but I cut him off. Kennedy said not to wake Christy up and I''m not going to. Her eye looks swollen shut, I can see the fingerprints on her throat from here, and I can smell the blood and antiseptic from where Kennedy stitched her


    up.


    I walk over to the bed and brush her hair away from her face. She looks so fragile.


    I lean forward and kiss her forehead.


    "I''m sorry I didn''t protect you like I should have. I promise, it will never happen again," I say to her softly. I have no idea if she can hear me, but I hope that my presence helps her.


    "Has her wolf gone silent? Is that why she''s not healing?" I ask Kennedy.


    "I have to assume so. I didn''t have much time to talk with her and her voice was raspy when she did try to speak."


    I nod. "When are youing back to the packhouse?"


    "I don''t know. I promised Christy that I wouldn''t leave her alone and I don''t intend to break that promise."


    "What about the omegas in the waiting room. Some of them have families, pups that need them."


    "They''re free to go whenever they want to, but if you, Beta Kier, or any of those warriors asks them to lift a finger to help with anything, I will rip you or them apart," she growls softly.


    I nod again. "Understood. Kennedy..."


    "Whatever it is you want to say, Quirin, I don''t want to hear it. I don''t have the energy or the inclination to hear anything that mighte out of your mouth right now."


    I nod again. "I''ll be waiting for you when you''re ready," I say and turn to walk out. I''m not surprised when she doesn''t follow me, but the hollow feeling that filled me


    when she walked out of the packhouse earlier stays with me.


    When I walk back to the waiting room, I look at Lane. "Show me."


    He seems to understand that I need to see where Arlo hurt Christy. He takes me back to the bathroom, the brand-fucking- new bathroom that now has blood smeared all over the floor.


    "We''ll clean this up, Alpha," Susie says. Several of the omegas followed us in here.


    "No. Your Luna was very clear that none of you are to do anything until she gives the okay. You are able to return to your families when you''re ready and I doubt Luna meant that you can''t feed your pups, but don''t let her catch you doing anything for your mates if they''re warriors. She won''t hesitate to dress them down and I won''t stand in her way."


    "Yes, Alpha," they say.


    I stare at the blood for a few moments longer. The weight of my actions and decisions that were in direct contrast to Kennedy''s lies heavy on my shoulders as


    I stare at the evidence of Christy''s pain.


    Without another word, I turn and head back to the packhouse. Not surprisingly,


    Kier is waiting for me. "How is she?"


    "Which she? Your Luna or Christy?" I ask, gesturing for him to follow me.


    "Both."


    "Christy is in bad shape. Her wolf is silent, which isn''t surprising but it means that she''ll be sporting that ck eye and the


    Wed, 5 Mar


    fingerprints on her throat for a while," I say. I''m not surprised when Rowd snarls,


    just as angry as Raif was.


    "Where are we going?" he asks as I head to the cells.


    "Her blood is all over that bathroom. There''s no way that ter didn''t know that


    Arlo nned to force Christy into something. He was in the cells when she was attacked, but he and David knew what Arlo intended and they didn''t say anything. Therefore, they can clean up the mess. Also, Kennedy was very clear that anyone who has an omega help them with anything will answer to her, so be warned."


    "Noted."


    I walk into the cells and gesture for Terrance and Randall to join us.


    "Our brand-new bathroom is covered in blood. Since you assholes knew what


    Arlo was nning to do, you get to clean it up," I say, turning to Kier. "If they so much as blink wrong, kill them," I say, turning and walking out.


    I need to shower and go back to the hospital. If my mate is sleeping there, then so


    am I.


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift


    No Ads

 Chapter 61

    Kennedy


    I''ve just sat down andid my head on the side of Christy''s bed when there is amotion out in the waiting room. I step out of the room quickly to see Beta Kier, Terrance, and Randall walk in with David and ter.


    "What are they doing here?" I snarl. As exhausted as I am, I do not want anyone who was associated with Arlo in this hospital.


    "Alpha wanted them to clean up the bathroom, Luna," Kier says.


    "Take them around back. I don''t want them in my hospital."


    ter scoffs and begins to turn, however, I step forward.


    "Problem, ter?" I snarl, letting Echo push forward. I push the full force of my Alpha aura on him and watch him fall to his knees as his neck lifts in submission. Shock registers on his face as I prowl toward him.


    "I''m guessing you knew what that sick brother of yours intended to do to that poor girl, didn''t you, ter?"


    "I was in the cells, Luna. I didn''t have any part in it," he chokes out, his throat fully exposed to me.


    "But you did know he wanted her, didn''t you? You knew what he nned to do?" I ask, standing in front of him and watching as sweat begins to pour down his face.


    "Yes," he spits out, unable to lie with my aura pushing against him.


    "This is MY hospital. These are MY omegas. I will not tolerate anyone mistreating my omegas and if I say you are not allowed in my hospital, then you''d better get your pathetic ass out before I get really angry."


    "Yes, Luna," he says..


    "Well, you heard her. Get the fuck out!" Quirin snaps from his ce at the door.


    "Take them around back," Kier says, yanking David toward the door.


    I stand there, watching as they walk out.


    "I told you. You never fucking listen,¡± I hear David whisper to ter as he''s hauled outside.


    I stand there until they''re gone, then I look at Quirin.


    "Did you need something?" I''m exhausted, and angry, and hurt. My eyes feel dry and hot and my body aches from being in surgery for hours. I should probably care more that Quirin is here, but I can''t muster the energy for him right now.


    "If you''re sleeping here, so am I," he says.


    I don''t bother to acknowledge him, I just turn and walk back to Christy''s room,ying my head down on the bed and finally letting the tears that have wanted toe for hourse.


    I must fall asleep because the next thing I know, Deborah is gently rubbing my back.


    "Luna. Luna, why don''t you go get a shower and get something to eat. I''ll stay with Christy."


    I lift my head off the bed and shift my body, hearing multiple joints crack from the terrible position I slept in. I crack my neck and stand, not feeling any more rested than I didst night.


    70


    +13


    "Did they clean the bathroom?" I ask her.


    "You''ll smell it when you walk out. Apparently, they were told to get every spot of blood off the tile and out of the grout. They used a lot of bleach," she says, taking the seat I was sitting in.


    I look over Christy''s vital signs, checking the recordings from overnight before finally stepping outside.


    I''m a bit surprised to see that Quirin is gone, but there''s nothingfortable about sleeping in waiting room chairs.


    I turn to walk out of the electronic doors and see something taped to the door. I frown and pull the note off the door.


    ''Kennedy,


    I needed to go deal with something. You were still asleep, and I didn''t want to wake you. If you don''te for breakfast, I''ll bring you some food, but you should get a shower and change your clothes. Once Christy wakes up, I''m sure you''ll be very busy. There are some other things we need to talk about, but those can wait.


    With all my love,


    Your mate, Quirin''


    I stare at the note, not sure how to feel about it. On the one hand, it makes me feel better knowing that he stayed all night. He''s the Alpha and even if I wasn''t here, Christy needed someone here for her. But the ''With all my love'' part is throwing me. That doesn''t sound like Quirin at all.


    I realize I''m not only not hungry, but my stomach feels nauseous. I can''t remember thest time I did eat. I step outside and the moment I do, the smell of poorly cooked food waifs my way from the packhouse. There''s something about the smell of the greasy food that makes my stomach churn and I turn, racing back inside until I get to the new bathroom where I find a toilet and dry heave the bile in my stomach.


    I was already feeling tired, but the violence of my vomiting has my hands shaking as I rinse out my mouth. The thought of, walking into the packhouse with that smell nearly sends me back into the toilet. My next thought makes me even sadder. Christy was always the one who brought me food when I hadn''t eaten. She was the one who would make sure that I didn''t miss a meal if I lost track of time or forgot to grab breakfast on the way over here.


    I lean over the sink, trying to calm the turmoil that is building up inside me. It''s difficult since I can''t take a deep breath because of the burning scent of bleach all around me. I look into the mirror, seeing that my eyes look as haunted as I feel.


    ''Echo, tell me we''re not pregnant.''


    She''s quiet long enough that I know that I have to take a test. Thankfully, it''s something that I purchased in the first round of medical supplies. I go to my office and get the pee test, and also a syringe to draw my blood. If Echo can''t say withplete certainty that I''m not pregnant, then I want to make damn sure that I


    am.


    I go back to the bathroom and pee on the stick, then carry it back to my office and draw my blood while I wait for the first


    results.


    When I look back at the stick, my eyes fill with tears. I don''t know if I''m happy that I''m going to have a baby or if I''m devastated that it''s happening right now. Of all the times for me to find out I''m pregnant, it had to be when things are at their absolute worst between me and Quirin.


    I shove the stick in my desk drawer and set the blood to process. I''ve just decided


    to deal with the nasty smell and go get myself some crackers and some clothes to change into, when I hear someone yelling for me.


    "Luna! Luna, please help us!"


    I rush out to the waiting room to see Terrance carrying a very pregnant woman. She''s groaning and is in obvious pain.


    "Luna, I know you''re angry at all of us, but please, please help my mate," he begs. The scent of his fear is almost as strong as


    the scent of her hormones.


    I grab my stethoscope from the front desk and rush over to her. "What''s your name?" I ask her.


    "Lillian, Luna," she groans.


    "Follow me, Terrance," I say, rushing her into Room One. Deborah pops her head out of Room Two.


    "What''s going on?"


    "I''ve got this, you stay with Christy in case she wakes up." I say, holding the door


    as Terrance takes his groaning mate into the room and carefullyys her on the


    bed.


    "I need to get some equipment. How long have you been inbor?" I ask her.


    "All night. I was on guard duty and when I got to our room, she was already inbor. She wanted to deliver outside, but the baby hasn''te and now she''s started to bleed. I can smell it," Terrance says. I can smell it too.


    "Okay, I''ll be right back. Try to help her breathe, and Terrance, you need to stay calm."


    He nods. "Yes, Luna."


    I rush to the storage room, getting everything that I''ll need, including the heart monitors, epidural, and ultrasound machine. I''m so thankful I purchased this equipment. My ability to save Lillian and her baby''s life will depend on it. On my way out, I grab my phone. Depending on what happens, I''ll need my mom to walk me through this.


    AS

 Chapter 62

    Kennedy


    When I walk back into the room, I begin asking Lillian questions about how long she''s been inbor, if she''s had any pre- natal care, and if she''s lost any pups during pregnancy or delivery before.


    "This is our first pup, Luna. If you can''t save them both, please save my mate. I''ll give her another pup, but I don''t want to lose her, Terrance says.


    "My goal is to save them both," I say, as I put the IV in Lillian''s arm and get the drip started before turning to set up the ultrasound machine.


    "Alright, let''s see what we''ve got. Lillian, I know you''re in a lot of pain, but I need to try and see what''s going on." Terrance holds her hand while she grits her teeth through the pain.


    As soon as I begin running the wand over her stomach, I know what the problem is.


    "Your baby is breech. You''ll never be able to deliver him in this position," I say, running the wand around her stomach to make sure that he hasn''t ruptured the uterus. Everything looks to be intact, he''s just not in the right position to give birth.


    "Him? Did you say we''re having a boy?" she asks me.


    "Yes, you''re going to have a boy. So, right now, I need you to sit up for me, Lillian. Terrance, you''ll help hold her steady. I''m going to give you an epidural. It''s going to numb you from the waist down and then I''m going to deliver your son."


    I''ve inserted epidurals before, but never without my mother or Noelle watching to make sure I did it right.


    "Terrance, pull my phone out of my back pocket,¡± I say, turning enough for him to pull it out for me. Heys it on the bed.


    "Siri, call Mom,¡± I say, and look at Lillian. ¡°Deep breath, Lillian. Take a real deep breath for me. I''m going to numb the area and then I''m going to insert the needle for the epidural." I hear her hiss as I numb the area.


    "Okay, I need you to take another deep breath for me and this time, I''m going to insert the catheter when you exhale, and then we can start the epidural. It will take fifteen to thirty minutes to take effect, but you should start feeling the effects in a few minutes. Okay. Deep breath," I say.


    While she breathes in, I look at the phone. It went to voicemail.


    As she exhales, I slide the needle into her spinal column, before putting the catheter in, then I tape it to her body before helping Terrance to get her to lie down. Then, I turn on the anesthetic and pull off my gloves, calling my mother again.


    "I''ll be right back. Try to rx while this takes effect. You should start getting some relief from the pain soon," I say.


    It goes to voicemail again. I look at the time. It''s still early in the morning. She could be sleeping, but more likely, my father skipped warrior training and is keeping my mother busy. I dial her number again, stepping out of the room.


    She answers right before it goes to voicemail. She''s panting and brushing her sweaty hair out of her face.


    "Kennedy, is everything alright?"


    "No Mom, I need your help. Tell Dad I''m sorry, but I need you."


    "Kennedy, what''s wrong?" I hear my father''s deep voice in the background and I know I was right about interrupting them.


    "It''s mom I need," I say. She begins moving quickly, I''m assuming out of bed.


    "Tell me what it is," she says.


    I tell her about Lillian and her breech baby.


    ¡°Epidural?¡± she asks, quickly getting dressed,


    "It''s in," I say, looking at the clock on the wall. "It''s been nearly fifteen minutes." +13)


    "Okay, here''s what you''re going to do. You''re going to put me on speakerphone and video. I want to see her ultrasound and I need to see her"


    "Okay," I say, feeling relived that my mom is here to help me. I walk back inside and look at Lillian.


    "How are you feeling?" I ask her.


    "Better, but notpletely numb yet."


    "That''s normal. I have my mom on the phone. I''m going to put her on


    speakerphone and video so she can walk me through how to help you. You know my mother is a world-ss doctor, right?"


    "We''ve heard," Terrance says.


    I turn back to my phone and turn on the video and speaker. I introduce my mother


    to Terrance and Lillian and she let''s them know that they are going to be just fine.


    "Did my daughter tell you that we have a rule in our hospitals?" she asks and I smile, even with my nervousness.


    "No," Lillian says, looking at me.


    "No one dies in our hospital. It''s kind of a thing with us," I tell her.


    "That''s a good thing," Lillian says.


    I turn and begin telling my mother everything I know about Lillian''sbor, showing


    her the ultrasound images and how the baby is seated in the uterus.


    "Okay, let''s test the feeling in her stomach and legs," my mother says.


    "Terrance, can you hold the phone while I do this?" I ask.


    Hees over and takes the phone while I begin pressing a needle against


    Lillian''s skin. When she doesn''t respond, I know we''re ready.


    "Lillian, are you familiar with a Cesarean section?" I ask her.


    "You''re going to cut my stomach open, right?" she asks.


    "Yes, and I''m going to get your son out that way."


    "Terrance," she says, with fear in her voice.


    "Uh..." he says, trying to figure out how to be there for his mate and hold the phone at the same time.


    ''Quirin, I need you in the hospital right now, I say, opening the mind link and closing it again right away.


    I grab a sheet, expecting it to take Quirin a few minutes to get here, but he must have been in the waiting room because he walks in before I can even get the sheet up to block Lillian''s view.


    "What can I do?" he asks.


    "Terrance, give Quirin the phone," I say, cing the sheet in between me and Terrance and Lillian.


    08:36 Fri, 7 Mar BB.


    * € 70%@


    "Quirin, Mom is going to help me with this procedure. I need you to make sure the can see what I''m doing to the can guide me," I say, barely looking at him. I squeeze my hands together, willing the shaking from earlier to stop, and I take a deep


    breath.


    "You''ve got this, Kennedy. You''ve done it before, first a few weeks ago with Anna. You can do it again. I haveplete faith in you," my mother says confidently.


    I nod, my mother''s words grounding me as I open my eyes and grab the scalpel.


    My mother guides me through the process of cutting into Lillian''s stomach. I use Quirin to help me with the retractor in open the skin and miscle around her abdomen and then I carefully slice into her uterus, following my mother''s calm directives.


    When I pull the baby boy out of Lillian''s womb, I feel tears begin streaking down my cheeks.


    "Kennedy, take the baby and begin the process of removing the fluid from his nose and throat. Quirin, show me the heart monitor so I can check on Lillian," my mother says.


    I take the baby and suck the mucus and fluid out of his nose and mouth and begin rubbing him roughly until he begins to cry angrily. Then I wash him off and wrap him up before taking him back to Lillian and Terrance.


    "Congrattions. You have a baby boy." I say.


    Iy him in Lillian''s arms and return to her lower body so I can sew her back up. Again, my mother walks me through the process, making sure that I do it right and after I put in thest stitch and tape up the incision, I feel like I might copse. "Quirin, when is thest time my daughter ate?" she asks, apparently seeing me and realizing that my hands aren''t as steady as they should be.


    "It''s been much too long, Luna," he says, watching me.


    "Let''s make sure mom and baby are doing well, then you need to take care of your mate, Alpha."


    "Yes, ma''am," he says.


    I take the phone and he pulls the sheet away. Mom and I make sure that Lillian is able to nurse and Quirin finds a bass somewhere. Lillian is asleep before I leave the room and Quirin brings in a cot for Terrance to sleep on if he chooses


    to.


    I walk out of the room, feeling like a zombie walking through a fog when Terrance rushes out of the room behind us. "Luna. Luna, I can''t thank you enough. I''m forever in your debt. Please, I know you''re angry at the pack and we deserve your anger, but many of us have seen the benefit that you bring to our pack. There are many of us who love and admire you, Luna. I just wanted you to know that."


    I nod. "Thanks, Terrance."


    I wait until he''s back in the room with Lillian and his son before I turn to walk out. I really need that shower now.


    Before I realize what''s happening, Quirin scoops me into his arms.


    "What are you doing?" I ask weakly, leaning my head against his chest, not having the strength to argue with him about carrying me.


    "I''m following your mother''s orders. She''s right, you need to eat. I''ve never seen your hands shake before Kennedy and you''re dead on your feet. You''ve been going non-stop for two days. I know you''re still furious with me, but I''m not going to let you fall on your face because you don''t want me touching you. You can yell


    at me when you''re strong again."


    I nod. "I am still mad at you."


    "I know, and you have every right to be angry with me. I was wrong and you were


    right. But I will love you and I''m going to take care of you. Get some sleep."


    I nod again and thankfully, I''m asleep before we get to the packhouse and the


    hideous scent of burning food


    Ìï

 Chapter 63

    Quirin


    I didn''t want to leave the hospital and Kennedy this morning, but when I heard that ter was missing. I woke Kier and we went hunting. I''m not sure how the fuck he got out but when I return to the hospitalter and realize that Terrance is there with his wife who is struggling to deliver their baby, I wonder if he was distracted and didn''t lock the door properly at the end of his shift.


    David was no help, swearing that he didn''t see anything because he was asleep. I used my Alphamand to make sure that he was telling the truth and he was.


    ter attacked the guards on duty, knocking them out before racing off. Kier and I tracked ter to our border, then continued on, following his trail to see if he stopped anywhere. We tracked him for about an hour before deciding to return to the pack. I don''t like it that ter is gone, but he must have known that I was going to kill him. He and Arlo were very close. There''s no way he wouldn''t have known or tried to help cover up what happened to Christy if he hadn''t been in the cells at the time. He''d already be dead if I wasn''t focused on trying to fix things with Kennedy.


    When I got back to the hospital, I realized what was going on. I heard my mate, sounding exhausted, talking to her mother on the phone.


    I sat in the waiting room and mind linked Susie.


    ''Yes, Alpha?''


    ''When''s thest time anyone saw my mate eat?''


    She was in surgery all day yesterday and she fell asleep beside Christy before she could get any foodst night.


    ''Yesterday morning, Alpha.


    Shit and she''s about to go into surgery again from the sound of it. I''m just about to ask Susie to bring something for Kennedy to eat when Kennedy opens the link between us, barking that she needs me.


    I''m up and moving in an instant and I see the surprise on her face when I walk in faster than she expects. I quickly assess what is happening and take the phone from Terrance. Then I watch, fascinated as my mate follows her mother''s instructions and saves Lillian and her pup. I''m so fucking impressed with my mate. She just keeps surprising me, making me realize how much I''ve underestimated her.


    It''s not until she''s covering Lillian''s stitches that I see her hands begin to shake. The adrenaline in her system is wearing off and now theck of food and probablyck of sleep are making themselves known.


    I''m not surprised when Luna Yara realizes that her daughter is struggling too. She''s been focused on her this entire time, making sure that she knew how to save our pack members.


    After Lillian is settled, I''m about to follow Kennedy out of the room when Terrance rushes forward. I listen while he thanks Kennedy for saving his mate and pup. I can tell that his words are genuine and that he means what he''s saying about the pack starting to love and admire her.


    As I scoop her into my arms, I think about that. I''ve never felt quite so disconnected from my pack as I do now. Or perhaps, I''ve always been this disconnected, but it''s taken Kennedy''s involvement to help me see that I may not be as good of an Alpha as I thought I was. I didn''t know what happened to Christy. I didn''t even feel it. And Arlo using Kennedy as a threat should have given Christy more incentive to link me or Kier, but she didn''t. That tells me that my omegas either don''t trust me to protect them, or don''t trust me to listen to them.


    I look down at Kennedy, passed out in my arms. Listening is definitely not something I do well, just ask my mate.


    "How is she?¡± Kier asks, walking over. I''d mind linked him that I was helping Kennedy with surgery and to cover any pack


    issues.


    "Exhausted. What the fuck is that smell?*


    "Leo started a fire again. None of know how to cook, Alpha"


    "How the hell did a pack full of rogues survive in the wild? I growl softly so I don''t wake Kennedy


    "We hunted in wolf form. If we cooked anything it was on an open fire, not a kitchen stove. It either isn''t cooked enough. it''s burned. I had to order new pots and pans afterst night''s debacle"


    "Well then, it sounds like Kennedy''s lesson is well aimed."


    "It is."


    "Do me a favor, make sure someone is with Christy at all times. She is afraid of being alone and after what happened, I don''t me her. Talk to Susie and Arianna and find out who her friends are, make sure someone is with her until she wakes up When she does, I want to know right away,"


    "Yes, Alpha. How''s Lillian?"


    "She and her pup survived, thanks to Kennedy. Let''s talk to Deborah and Lane. If they know how Kennedy wanted the hospital set up, let''s do that for her while she''s asleep."


    "What do you want to do with David?"


    *Keep him in the cells for now."


    "And ter? What are we doing about him?"


    "Increase the patrols. I don''t trust him. Have you felt your tether to him break?" I ask him.


    "Yeah, it was while you were in surgery with Luna," he says.


    I reach out, feeling for the bond to ter and realize that it''s been severed.


    "How did I not feel that?" I wonder out loud, feeling even more like I''m disconnected from my pack.


    "You were in surgery and you''re worried about your mate. You''re putting her first, right? So, one tether snapping might not have registered as being that important,¡± he says, but I know that it should have. It makes me wonder if the connections that with have with all my pack members is weak. I need to fix that as well.


    "When all of this is done, we''re having a rmitment ceremony. I need to make sure that every one of our pack members is fully vested in this pack. If they aren''t I want them out."


    "Yes Alpha. Along those lines, what do you want to do with the silver in Jasper''s pack."


    "We need a n. I just need to focus on Kennedy right now. She needs sleep and once she wakes up, she needs to eat," I say, flinching. "Is there anything in the packhouse that she can eat?"


    "I''ll ask Arianna to make her a sandwich or something. If she''s mad about it, she can yell at me," he says.


    "Nah, she can yell at me. I''m the one saying she needs food that is edible."


    I turn, looking at my mate as I carry her upstairs. Her scent is covered with


    antiseptic, the smell of Lillian, Lillian''s blood, and their son. Underneath that is the scent of Christy and her surgery and then underneath that, I can just barely smell


    my


    mate.


    When I get her upstairs, I strip off her clothes and start a warm bath. I carefully wash the scent of everything and everyone off of her but mine and her scent. I like


    it much better when she only smells like the two of us.


    Waving de aymay Alionen the straprinco Mills an aniller againing


    We any the many that any donie than I love you" Imamur soulily. I Been Sent sody


    on me though is early afternoon 1 at asleep hesite


    Ah film, so I shall I low her send to th


    nga auding around with prained books on the fares.


    I was to it and leas doses itoring the way her body tenses at my presence I would never publicize our mate


    st she''s ready.


    "Cocking" I say, watching as Randall drops a pan, sending some indistinguishable meat flying all over the kitchen before cursing loudly


    "That''s a cooking Susie says, watching her mate, Kelvin, as he too tries to cook


    "Can we please help them. It''s painful to watch," another omega says.


    1 think about our Luna''s words. "She said you were on strike, and she threatened


    us if anyone asked for your help, but she didn''t say anything about you offering your help," I rify,


    "Oh, thank the goddess! Kelvin, turn that before it starts to burn and turn the heat to low," Susie says and Kelvin begins doing what the says,


    Cameron, the presta goes in AFTER the water starts to boil, Arianna says.


    "Really? Should I take it out?"


    "No, dump it and start over, several omegas say as they start directing the warriors to add spices, stop adding spices, or whatever else they aren''t doing


    right.


    "Thankfully, I have someone who snuck me some foodst night,¡± I murmur. Arianna gives me a side-eye nce and smiles but doesn''t say anything,


    "Did you need something, Beta?" one of the omegas asks me, but now, all of them are focused on the warriors, helping them to make something that will be close to an edible meal for tonight.


    "Two things. Alpha wants a sandwich made for Luna. She hasn''t eaten and he wants something she can eat. He said he''s willing to take her wrath for going against her wishes," I say.


    "We''ve already made her a couple of things," Arianna says without looking at me, before giving another instruction to Cameron. They seem to have focused on one or two warriors and are helping their designated warrior to cook. "When we realized that she wasn''t eating, we started setting aside small meals so she can eat as she gets hungry," Susie says, telling Kelvin to take the pan of meat off the burner and put it into the oven.


    "Then oven?" he asks, turning to look at her like she''s crazy. She just looks at him, raising an eyebrow.


    "What''s your problemn, Kelvin? Put it in the fucking oven. I''m starving. I want something that I can actually choke down tonight," Randall growls.


    Chapter in


    Hanger makes people reary and other then when Alpes around spreading town trastom, exerperiping f everyone else berept me, of courer. My mate looked after me, pui like die w


    "What''s the second thing. Betal" Ariana weke me as Pantall tunches elexing Wie pan and tordre cred fox windo umega immediately begins telling him what to do


    "Luna''s out, possibly for the rest of the night?


    "Are Warrior Lillian and her baby, okay?" Arianna wake, this time she does took


    me


    "Yes, she saved Lillian and their baby" I say and everyone stops and looks


    "She did?" Bandall aske


    at


    "That''s what Alpha said and he was there, so he would know, hayway, she wants


    to make sure that Christy isn''t ever alone. I need to know who her friends are so I can ask them to take shifts sitting, with her this afternoon and overnight. Deborah has been there all day, but..."


    "We''ll make sure she''s never alone, Beta" Susie says, and they all turn to look at


    me.


    "She''s friends with all of us, one omega says.


    "She''s always so sweet, I know she''d do the same for us another says,


    "We''ll take care of her" Arianna says.


    I nod, "Let me know if you need anything at all. Alpha is with Luna while she gets


    some much needed sleep"


    I walk out of the kitchen. I''m only a few steps away when I feel her tug on my arm.


    I turn, quickly looking around before taking Arianna in my arms and kissing her with everything in me.


    Alpha isn''t the only one upset by what happened to Christy. I''m the Beta of this pack. It is just as much my responsibility to know what''s going on as it is his. What


    if it had been Arianna? What if someone hurt her and I didn''t know until it was too


    When I finally pull back, she looks at me, searching my eyes.


    "I''m right here," she says, putting her hands on my cheeks.


    I nod, pressing my forehead against hers.


    "I''lle see you tonight, if that''s okay."


    "I always want you with me, Arianna. If you don''t know that by now, I''m doing


    something wrong."


    "Then I''ll see you tonight."


    I kiss her once more, pushing all of my love for her into the kiss, before finally releasing her and getting back to work. We


    hat hap


    nee


    inyone


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift


    No Ads

 Chapter 64

    Kennedy


    I wake up alone, in my bedroom. I listen, but don''t hear Quirin anywhere in our room. I notice that it''s dark outside and I must have slept through the afternoon into the evening. When I sit up, I see that I''m in Quirin''s t-shirt. As frustrated as I am with him, I can''t help but smile. He''s taking care of me, even though I''m angry and even though I''ve pushed him away. It''s the side of Quirin that no one else sees, the side that only I ever get to see. The soft side of Quirin.


    Damn, I can already feel my heart softening toward him.


    I look down and rub my stomach. We need to have a conversation very soon about this pup I''m carrying. I have no idea if that will make things worse between us, but Quirin has a right to know.


    I sigh, getting out of bed. I feel weak and nauseous, but I know I need to eat something. It''s been almost two days since I''ve eaten and now I know I''m eating for two. I brush my hair, putting it in a messy bun, brush my teeth, wash my face and get dressed. I don''t feel back to normal, but I do feel better.


    When I open the door to the bedroom, I can smell the food. It doesn''t smell as bad as it did earlier which is good. I make my way to the kitchen and see the omegas standing around looking anxious.


    "How are you feeling, Luna?" Susie asks me as another omega goes to the fridge and pulls out some small bites of food. I don''t know how they know it''s what I need, but I''m grateful.


    "Weak. I need food. Thank you so much," I say, taking a bite of a cracker. My stomach immediately begins growling and I take another bite, adding a slice of cheese this time.


    "Can we please go back to work, Luna?" Arianna asks me.


    "It''s been awful watching them try to figure out how to cook," another omega says.


    I look around, frowning. "They didn''t exactly leave the kitchen clean, did they?"


    "Well, Luna, if we had gone to warrior training, you wouldn''t have expected us to take down a warrior in our first couple of days, right?¡± Susie asks me.


    "They did the best they knew how to do. It''s not like they''ve ever done this before," another omega says.


    I look at them and they''re all nodding. I.smile, ducking my head. "Thank you,¡± I say.


    "For what?" Arianna asks.


    "For reminding me that I''m not the mean, awful, uncaring Luna that they thought they wanted. Strengthes in all shapes and sizes, not just in how strong of a punch you can throw. I hope the pack has at least learned that lesson in thest couple of days," I say.


    "Oh, I''m pretty sure they have," Susie says. "They were really hungry tonight."


    ¡°So can we, Luna? Can we please make food that''s edible. It''s been so painful to watch them."


    "Yes. I''ll go tell them that you''re ready to get back to work," I say. Rather than walking out, I open my arms and they alle to hug me.


    "I love you all. Please, please, if anyone is ever harassing you, if anyone threatens to hurt you, I don''t care what they say they will do to me, you link me right away. I will be there. I will make sure that nothing like what happened to Christy happens again."


    "Thank you, Luna."


    16:25 Sat, 8 Mar M


    "We love you too, Luna."


    ?? 42%


    +13


    They all murmur something simr and I hold everyone in the hug for a moment before heading to the dining hall.


    I''m not sure if they want to see the warriors'' reactions, or if they are showing solidarity, but they all follow me into the dining hall. The room goes quiet and for the first time ever, it feels like the pack is scared of me.


    "What''s going on?" I ask the omegas quietly.


    "Alpha told them that if you don''t like them, he doesn''t like them," Susie says.


    "And if you want them gone, they''re out of the pack," Arianna says.


    "They''re all afraid that you don''t like them and that they''ll get kicked out of the pack, Luna."


    I take a deep breath, seeing Quirin walk in from the back of the room. Hees to stand beside me, but he doesn''t say anything. I turn my focus to the pack.


    "I don''t dislike any of you. I know I said some very harsh things the other day and in some ways, I meant everything I said. You all do not act like a pack should. A pack should be an extension of your family. I know you love your mates and your pups, but you should love your pack almost as much and you don''t. You all act as though you are individuals living in a group setting. But that''s not what this is. A pack should be a family. We should all love each other, take care of each other, protect each other from anyone who would harm someone in this pack, even if that person is part of this pack. That is what a pack should be. That is the kind of pack that I want to be a Luna of. I want you all to recognize that everyone in this pack has strengths. Do not assume that my kindness is weakness. It is not. Others may not have physical strength, but their strengths may be the foundation that allows you, as warriors, to be the strong fighters that you are. You shouldn''t look down on the omegas because they aren''t fighters. You should recognize that without them, you don''t eat. And if you don''t eat, you get weak and you''re no good to anyone."


    I turn and look at my omegas, who all look like they are standing proudly at attention. "Your pack members, the omegas, reminded me that I am not the hardcore Luna that you all thought you wanted. I am, at heart, a kind, loving person. But I will not tolerate the abuse of anyone in my pack. I don''t care how old you are or what your rtionship is to the person, you don''t hurt your family and everyone here is family. That is what I want. That is what I expect. And you can thank your omegas for practically begging me to allow them to cook for you again," I say, getting a lot of sighs of relief and ''yes''ments from around the room.


    "I require that you rise the level of my expectation. This pack needs to change, and it starts at the top," I say, looking at Quirin. He nods, looking and acting like we are inplete agreement.


    "So that is what I want. I want this pack to start acting like a family. And if your omegas are willing, they can cook you something that is more easily digested than whatever it is that you cooked for tonight."


    "Thank you,


    Luna!"


    "We won''t let you down, Luna."


    "We promise that we''ll make you proud, Luna," the warriors say. Their tone remains muted, but I can feel their determination to make me proud.


    I turn and look at Quirin.


    "Did you eat?" he asks before I can say anything.


    "A little."


    "Eat some more. Are you going to check on Christy? The omegas made sure that


    she was never alone," he says. I turn and smile at them as they make their way


    back to the kitchen, already talking about what they can make quickly.


    "I need to make sure that she''s okay."


    16:25 Sat, 8 Mar M


    "Are youing back here tonight? Or should I n to sleep in the hospital


    again?"


    "I''lle back here."


    He nods. "We need to talk, but it can wait until you''ve had food and checked on


    Christy."


    I nod. "Thank you, for bathing me and putting me to bed."


    "You''re wee. You''re my mate. I love you, even if you''re angry with me."


    $ 0 42%-


    +13


    I walk to him and let him wrap me in his arms. I take a deep breath. I don''t know what he needs to tell me, but I know what I need to tell him.


    "We''ll talk when I get back."


    When I step back, he takes my hands. "Let me know if you need anything."


    I nod and start to walk out, only to have Susie push some food in my hands. "I know you probably don''t want to eat, but just take bites as you can, Luna," she says.


    When I get to the hospital, I find Deborah sitting with Christy.


    "How is she doing?" I ask, going to look at her vitals during the time I was asleep. "She hasn''t woken up yet, Luna. How are you doing?" she asks me.


    I nod. "I need to eat and regain my strength, but ... I''m better now," I say, taking a


    bite of the sandwich Susie gave me. Peanut butter and jelly. It''s perfect.


    I feel Deborahe up behind me and wrap her arms around me. "We really do love you, Luna. I didn''t realize how much we needed you in this pack, but we do. Thank you for not giving up on us," she says.


    I press my hands against hers. "I''m not really one to give up. As much as I am my mother''s daughter, I still have quite a bit of my father in me," I say.


    "Oh, we know. That angry show of power you gave the warriors after what happened to Christy reminded everyone in the pack that you are a true Alpha female. But, you''re also one of the most loving and caring women I''ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I''ve watched you treat and heal pups and warriors alike. It''s made me want to be a better nurse. I ... I even signed up for one of the


    sses at your brother''s pack so I can attend your mother''s ss."


    I turn and look at her. "You did?"


    She nods. "Do you think that''s stupid?"


    "Absolutely not! I hope you like it and take more sses. I need all the help I can


    get around here."


    She smiles and hugs me again. "Thanks, Luna."


    "Anytime," I say before stepping back. "So, Christy is stable, how is Lillian?"


    "Also stable Luna. She''s been getting stronger throughout the afternoon and evening and I did what I always see you do and asked her wolf how she was doing. She said she was getting stronger and is healing Lillian." "That''s great! Well done, Deborah. Who is staying with Christy tonight? I told Quirin that I would go talk with himter."


    "We have a rotation. Don''t worry, Christy won''t wake up alone."


    "Thank you and please make sure you alert me the minute she wakes up. Even if


    I''m asleep, I want toe check on her."


    16:25 Sat, 8 Mar MD.


    "Yes, Luna."


    I check on Lillian who is doing very well and then on her son, who they named


    Titus. He is also doing very well.


    "I''lle see you in the morning and if all goes well overnight, I''ll release you first


    thing."


    "Thank you, Luna.¡±


    Once again, Terrance follows me out of the room.


    +13


    "Luna, I heard what you said to the other warriors. I want you to know that I think you''re right. None of us came from packs that were good or treated each other as family. Here, we''ve just created a pack that was simr to what we knew. We aren''t a family, but we''re willing to learn. Hopefully, you''re willing to teach us?" he


    says.


    "If you''re willing to learn, I''m willing to teach," I tell him.


    "Thanks, Luna. I''m looking forward to seeing what this pack will be with your guidance."


    I feel better as I walk out of the pack hospital. However, I need to prepare myself for my conversation with Quirin. So, rather than going straight back to the packhouse I carefully make my way to the overhang. It''s one of the first ces that Quirin brought me when I arrived here and I''ve taken every possible opportunity toe here to rx and think when I''ve had time.


    I sit, looking out over the lights in the city far away. The moon is shining brightly


    and the stars are painting the sky. It''s very quiet out here, far away from the packhouse.


    I close my eyes, taking a deep breath and that''s when I hear it, the scoffing sound


    of something on the sheer face of the overhang.


    ''KENNEDY RUN!'' Echo screams in my head, ready to pull the shift just as several


    hooded figures leap over the edge of the cliff. They grab me and one of them ps something over my mouth.


    I try to open the mind link to Quirin, but it''s closed as usual. As I breathe in the


    sweet smelling liquid on the cloth covering my nose and mouth, I''m not strong enough to push it open.


    "Hello, Luna. We finally meet. I''m Alpha Jasper and you''reing with me."


    It''s thest thing I see and hear before the chloroform pulls me under.


    Ìï


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift


    No Ads

 Chapter 65

    It starts at the top That''s what Kennedy had said to the pack and she''d looked at me, basically letting me know that it''s not just our warriors that need to change, that I need to change as well.


    I''ve never really thought of the pack as a family, I mean, I spent enough years in Alpha Harold''s pack that I probably should have, I saw the love that the pack members had for Harold and for Henry, but since I didn''t have a pack at the time, I didn''t take much notice. I didn''t realize the value and importance of a pack being a family, Hell, I don''t even recognize the value of family at all, or at least I didn''t before Kennedy. Even my own mother chose to let herself wither away and die rather than be a mother to me, to be a family to me.


    Of course, Kennedy''s more than just family to me. She''s everything to me. If she wants this pack to be a family, then we will. I don''t know how to do that, but I''m sure that she does, and I''ll follow her lead.


    When Lanees to ask about someone watching, Kennedy, something inside me tightens. I''d expected Kennedy back by now, but I also know that she would take her time if Christy is awake and she''d also want to check on Lillian and their


    son.


    That feeling inside my gut only gets tighter when Lane links me that Kennedy isn''t in the hospital. I immediately try to link her, opening up the link between us and I get nothing. Absolutely nothing.


    I''m up and moving before I tell Lane that I''ll meet him there. I quickly make my way through the packhouse.


    "Alpha, what''s going on?" Kier asks, jogging over from where he''d been standing by the kitchen.


    "I''m not sure, I can''t reach Kennedy," I say as we get to the back of the packhouse. I leap off the back patio and begin running to the overhang. I lift my nose in the air, searching for my mate''s scent just as I hear Rowd, Kier''s wolf, begin running behind me.


    ''I can''t reach her either, Alpha, Kier says in the mind link. ''Wasn''t she at the hospital?''


    ''Lane went to check on her and she''s not there. She''s been gone for a while ording to Deborah''


    I wake up alone, in my bedroom. I listen, but don''t hear Quirin anywhere in our room. I notice that it''s dark outside and I must have slept through the afternoon into the evening. When I sit up, I see that I''m in Quirin''s t-shirt. As frustrated as I am with him, I can''t help but smile. He''s taking care of me, even though I''m angry and even though I''ve pushed him away. It''s the side of Quirin that no one else sees, the side that only I ever get to see. The soft side of Quirin.


    Damn, I can already feel my heart softening toward him.


    I look down and rub my stomach. We need to have a conversation very soon about this pup I''m carrying. I have no idea if that will make things worse between us, but Quirin has a right to know.


    I sigh, getting out of bed. I feel weak and nauseous, but I know I need to eat something. It''s been almost two days since I''ve eaten and now I know I''m eating for two. I brush my hair, putting it in a messy bun, brush my teeth, wash my face and get dressed. I don''t feel back to normal, but I do feel better.


    When I open the door to the bedroom, I can smell the food. It doesn''t smell as bad as it did earlier which is good. I make my way to the kitchen and see the omegas standing around looking anxious.


    "How are you feeling, Luna?" Susie asks me as another omega goes to the fridge and pulls out some small bites of food. I don''t know how they know it''s what I need, but I''m grateful.


    "Weak. I need food. Thank you so much," I say, taking a bite of a cracker. My stomach immediately begins growling and I take another bite, adding a slice of cheese this time.


    "Can we please go back to work, Luna?" Arianna asks me.

 Chapter 66

    Quirin


    It starts at the top That''s what Kennedy had said to the pack and she''d looked at me, basically letting me know that it''s not just our warriors that need to change, that I need to change as well.


    I''ve never really thought of the pack as a family, I mean, I spent enough years in Alpha Harold''s pack that I probably should have, I saw the love that the pack members had for Harold and for Henry, but since I didn''t have a pack at the time, I didn''t take much notice. I didn''t realize the value and importance of a pack being a family, Hell, I don''t even recognize the value of family at all, or at least I didn''t before Kennedy. Even my own mother chose to let herself wither away and die rather than be a mother to me, to be a family to me.


    Of course, Kennedy''s more than just family to me. She''s everything to me. If she wants this pack to be a family, then we will. I don''t know how to do that, but I''m sure that she does, and I''ll follow her lead.


    When Lanees to ask about someone watching, Kennedy, something inside me tightens. I''d expected Kennedy back by now, but I also know that she would take her time if Christy is awake and she''d also want to check on Lillian and their son.


    That feeling inside my gut only gets tighter when Lane links me that Kennedy isn''t in the hospital. I immediately try to link her, opening up the link between us and I get nothing. Absolutely nothing.


    I''m up and moving before I tell Lane that I''ll meet him there. I quickly make my way through the packhouse.


    "Alpha, what''s going on?" Kier asks, jogging over from where he''d been standing by the kitchen.


    "I''m not sure, I can''t reach Kennedy," I say as we get to the back of the packhouse. I leap off the back patio and begin running to the overhang. I lift my nose in the air, searching for my mate''s scent just as I hear Rowd, Kier''s wolf, begin running behind me.


    ''I can''t reach her either, Alpha, Kier says in the mind link. ''Wasn''t she at the hospital?''


    ''Lane went to check on her and she''s not there. She''s been gone for a while ording to Deborah''


    I ignore the burn of the silver from my packnds as I hurriedly make my way to the overhang. I catch Kennedy''s scent and push harder. And then, I smell him. Jasper and several of his warriors.


    ''What the fuck? How did he get on our packnds?'' Kier asks, as Raif snarls angrily.


    We race over to where Kennedy''s scent is strongest. She was sitting here, probably looking out over the world. She loves to do that. I sniff around trying to figure out how Jasper got to her, but I only smell his scent around and in front of Kennedy''s.


    I follow the scent to the cliff''s edge and that''s when I smell it. He climbed the fucking cliff. I don''t know how he would have even thought to do that unless... ter.


    ''ALL WARRIORS REPORT TO THE PACKHOUSE NOW!'' I bellow in the mind link as I begin racing back to the packhouse.


    When I get there, I shift quickly and turn to Kier. "Update the group. Split them up. I need warriors to stay here and protect our pack and others toe with us."


    "Where are you going?" he asks me.


    "To get reinforcements. Jasper''s about to find out just what happens when someone fucks with me," I snarl and rush to my office. I grab my phone and pick it up, searching for the number that was given to me years ago. I''ve never once dialed this number, never thought I would, but I''m willing to beg for help if it means finding my mate.


    I push the button to connect the call.


    "Alpha Quirin, is everything alright?" Alpha Warren answers.


    11:21 Sun, 9 Mar


    "Alpha, I need your help. It''s..."


    He doesn''t let me finish. "Whatever you need, Alpha Quirin. All you ever needed to do was ask."


    80%


    Something twists inside me, something I don''t fully understand and don''t have time to figure out right now. I need to find


    my mate.


    "Kennedy''s been taken."


    He snarls almost as viciously as I did.


    "I''ll get Connor and the pack. We''ll be there soon," he growls before hanging up.


    Next I call Henry as I walk back out to the main packhouse. Everyone is exuding nervous, anxious energy.


    "Q what''s up? It''ste."


    "Kennedy''s been taken. I need your help."


    I hear him moving around, probably getting out of bed. "Did you call Connor?"


    "I called Warren. They''reing too."


    "I be there as soon as possible."


    "Thank you," I say, hanging up.


    "Listen up!" I say to the pack, and I let them know this isn''t just a rescue mission. This is a seek, find, and destroy mission.


    "Jasper is mine. Kill as many of his warriors as you can take out. His pack is done, effective now."


    "Yes, Alpha!"


    "Kier, pick someone to stay behind that we trust who can direct the others once they get here."


    "Terrance, you stay. You have a vested interested in protecting this pack right now." Kier says immediately.


    "Yes Beta. I won''t let you down. Just bring our Luna home."


    "I intend to," I snarl before leaping and racing off with the assigned warriors and Kier following behind me.


    Jasper is already going to suffer, but if he so much asys a finger on my mate, he will suffer for a very, very long time before I let him die.


    Warren POV


    "I''ming with you," my mate says as I rush to get ready.


    "Yara..." I don''t want her anywhere near whatever problems wee across.


    "Our daughter will need me and so will her pack members. I will not let her down, Warren," she says in the tone that I know means it''s useless to argue with her. So, instead, I wake up my son.


    ''Connor, your sister''s been taken."


    "Which sister?" he asks, his groggy voice going sharp with focus.


    "Kennedy. I need the pack ...'' I don''t get any further before I hear Bosche''s howl, waking the pack for battle.


    11:21 Sun, 9 Mar


    I stop, startled that he acted so quickly.


    ''Where are we going?'' he growls.


    ''Quirin''s pack. They''ll direct us from there,'' I say.


    ''Meet in the packhouse. I''ll see you in a minute.''


    My mate''s soft hands cup my face. "He is his father''s son. You didn''t expect


    anything less from him, did you?"


    "I..." I stop, my throat getting tight. "I guess I''m still struggling with not being in


    charge."


    º¬80%


    +23


    In my conversation with Harold, he''d told me that it takes time. ''You don''t let go of decades of being in charge overnight, he''d said. I guess I still need more time. "Are you ready?" I ask her. Yara and I moved out of the packhouse when Connor took over as Alpha. He and Madison needed space and he didn''t need me or his siblings under his feet while he started his new life. Yorick, being sixteen, had stayed on the Alpha floor in his room, but I''d moved my other children and Yara to a house on the packnds close by.


    "Dad?" Wendy asks as we step out of our bedroom.


    "You stay here. There''s no way I''m letting you get hurt again, youngdy."


    "What''s going on?" Yana asks,ing out of her room.


    "Your sister has been taken. We''re going to get her back," I say.


    "Dad!" Wendy begins and I know she wants to help.


    "I need you to look after your brother and sisters. Connor ising with us and


    I''m guessing Yorick will too. If we''re gone too long, go stay at the packhouse with Madison," Yara tells Wendy.


    "Okay, Mom, but... let us know she''s okay."


    "We will,¡± she says, before we both quickly strip and shift. When we get to the packhouse, everyone is already there. "Ready Dad?" Connor asks. I see Yorick is also here, ready to go find his sister.


    "Let''s do this," I say, leaping as Arric pulls the shift and racing to find my daughter.


    AD


    Comment

 Chapter 67

    Jasper


    79%


    Getting this girl down the cliff was a lot harder than getting up there. I probably should have ounted for that a bit more, but I didn''t. Once ter told me how to sneak onto the packnds, I came right away, bringing some of my strongest warriors and I''d hit the jackpot. I hadn''t expected her toe to me. ter said the patrols didn''te out this way, so I had intended to climb into the packnds and sneak to the hospital where she apparently spends most of her time. However, when opportunity knocks, I always open the door.


    After repelling down the cliff face, I stop to look at the girl. She was dead weight and repelling with over a hundred pounds slung over your shoulder isn''t easy. I''d mmed into the cliff several times when my body had begun to spin. When I look her over, I can see that she''s got some bumps and scratches on her head, back, and arms. She''s bleeding a lot from the head wounds, but she''s still breathing, and her heart is still beating, so she''ll live.


    Rather than heading back to my pack, where Quirin is sure to show up and my warriors will be waiting, I head to Brogan''s pack. I didn''t tell him I was going after the girl, but I''m sure he''ll be thrilled. Now, we can move forward with killing Quirin and taking over his pack and finances.


    I shift quickly, having my warriors strap the girl to my back before we take off, running quickly. I''m surprised that I don''t hear the howls go up at Quirin''s pack. I heard one howl, but then nothing. Down here in the valley, I should have been able to hear it. Have they just not realized that she''s gone yet? Not knowing makes me uneasy, so I push harder to get to Brogan''s pack.


    When I get close, I howl my approach. Brogan''s patrols meet me at the border and then let me and my warriors through. I rush to the packhouse and Brogan is waiting for me.


    "You fucking kidnapped her?" he growls as I rush up.


    I growl in return and shift, letting her body slide to the ground as my human body stands.


    "Yeah, Brogan. We talked about this," I say.


    "Tell me that Quirin is dead. Tell me that you didn''t take his Luna and leave him alive," he says.


    "Look, we needed a way to get to her and I found it," I growl. He''s starting to piss me off. We agreed to getting the little bitch.


    "I had a way that included killing Quirin! You told me that you weren''t ready to attack yet. Now, he''s going to bring not only his entire pack, but also Alpha Connor''s and Alpha Henry''s! And you thought bringing her HERE was a good idea? Or are you just smart enough to realize that he''s going to kill you for taking her and you needed somece to dump her? Get her off my packnds before he rains hell and fury on my pack!"


    "What the fuck is wrong with you? You said you wanted the money. You said you would help me! You agreed with us taking the girl," I yell, pointing to her body that is still lifeless at my feet.


    "The girl is an ALPHA, you asshole. She has a very powerful twin brother, a very powerful father, and very powerful friends. And that doesn''t include her fucking powerful mate!" he screams. "I agreed to taking her once her mate was dead! Get her off my packnds, now!!!"


    "Fuck you, you coward. I took all the risk. You know Quirin is going to go to my pack first. MY pack is ready for him! He may already be dead, we don''t know."


    "YOUR pack can''t defeat him in his own territory with a surprise attack. Are you hearing what I''m telling you? It''s not just going to be his pack after us. There will be at least three packs raining down on your warriors. You''ll be lucky if your pack isn''t decimated when you get back!" he screams before reaching down and grabbing the girl''s arm. "Now get her off my pack


    ¡°No fucking way! I''m not taking her back out into the wilderness where I''ll be exposed and unprotected!" I say, grabbing her other arm and trying to yank her out of his grasp.


    16:02 Mon, 10 Mar MM


    "This isn''t your pack! Get her out of here!" he demands, trying to yank her away from me again.


    "No!" I yell, yanking back.


    At that moment, she twists, pulling out of both of our grasp, shifting quickly, and racing away.


    "GET HER!"


    Quirin POV


    79%


    My warriors are fast, but I''m pushing hard to get to my mate. I''m going straight to Jasper''s pack and anyone who gets in my way will meet their end.


    It starts about a mile outside of his pack border. Warriors begin attacking me and Raif either wounds them enough to get them off of us, or he kills them before continuing on. More and more areing and they''re slowing me down until Kier''s wolf, Rowd, jumps into the fight and the two of us begin moving forward again. However, it isn''t until my warriors catch up that I can begin to move more quickly to find Kennedy.


    Inside the packnds, it''s much the same with warriors attacking us, but now, they have my warriors to contend with too. I don''t stay to fight, my goal is to find Kennedy. I''m already worried because I don''t smell her scent anywhere around here.


    When I get to the packhouse, I shift. A wolf leaps at me, and I grab him by the throat, ripping it out before dropping him on the floor and continuing to move forward.


    "KENNEDY!" I yell. I feel sick to my stomach. I''m pretty sure she''s not here, and if she''s not, she could be anywhere,


    Kieres in behind me grabbing another wolf and snapping his neck.


    "Get those safe room doors open," Imand before running up the stairs.


    safer well, b


    "KENNEDY!" I yell, banging open door after door on the Alpha hallway and finding the rooms empty. As I race to the Beta floor, I hear Kier mming something heavy against the safe room doors. I''m on the Gamma floor checking rooms when I hear the safe room door start to give and the people inside begin screaming in fear.


    I can feel the darkness taking over, the ck anger of hatred at this pack that took my mate. I slowly make my way downstairs ready to kill everyst one of them.


    My warriors rip the safe room door off its hinges as I walk up. The scent of fear is so thick in the air that it nearly chokes me.


    As I walk up, Kier steps back. "Search the rest of the packhouse. See if she''s been here," I say, my voice deadly calm as I stare at Jasper''s pack members.


    "Yes, Alpha," he says. I''m not sure what he sees on my face, but he looks at me for a long moment before going in search of Kennedy.


    I stretch my fingers, looking over the group. "I''m going to ask you one time and one time only. If you don''t answer me, I''m going to begin killing you. Where is my mate?" I ask.


    They all start crying. Young mothers clutch their pups more tightly. "We don''t know. We swear!"


    "Wrong answer," I snarl, lifting my hand and letting Raif extend his ws. They scream and try to cover their heads or the heads of their pups, but just as I begin my sweeping motion to kill the first one, a hand stops me.


    "No, Quirin. We don''t kill innocents," Alpha Warren says. I snarl at him, yanking my hand out of his grip.


    "They are part of Jasper''s pack. He came for what''s mine. They die too."


    "Is that what Kennedy would want? When we find her, and we will find her, will she be okay that you killed innocents because of her?" he asks me. "Remember, it''s only because I don''t kill innocents that you are alive today. I didn''t know then


    20% Mon, 10 Ma


    MM


    79%


    that I was saving my daughter''s mate. But just as you were not to me for your father''s actions, neither are they to me for the actions of their Alpha."


    I think of my mate''s face, the disappointment that I know would be there if she found out I killed omegas and pups because of her. I''ve disappointed my mate enough, more than enough.


    "Alpha, she''s not here," Kier says, rushing back to where we''re standing.


    I look around. Alpha Warren and Alpha Connor are watching me closely.


    "You deal with them. I need to find my mate," I say them before turning and nearly running into my brother.


    "I''ming with you," he says and I nod.


    "Where are you going?" Connor asks.


    "Brogan has attacked my pack with Jasper multiple times. If anyone knew of


    Jasper''s ns, it would be him. Kelvin!"


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "While we''re here, burn that shack where he''s keeping that fucking silver power


    down," I growl.


    "We can do that too," Alpha Connor says. "And then we''ll join you."


    I nod then turn to my warriors.


    "Let''s go!" I say before Raif leaps and pulls the shift.

 Chapter 68

    Kennedy


    When I wake up, my head is throbbing. I''m ufortable and when I try to open my eyes, blood drips into them. People are yelling around me and it''s making my head hurt even worse..


    ''Echo''


    I''m here. I''m weak, but I''m here.


    ''Do you know where we are?''


    By the smell of the two arguing over us, they''re Alphas, no one we know. I''m guessing this is one of their packs. One is Alpha Jasper, the Alpha who took us."


    "Tell me that Quirin is dead. Tell me that you didn''t take his Luna and leave him alive," one of the Alphas snarls.


    ECHO! Echo, we have to get out of here! We have to warn Quirin!'' A ball of fear knots in my gut. No matter how upset or angry I am at Quirin, I still love him. I won''t let anyone kill him.


    ''Echo, can you shift?'' I ask her.


    ''If it means saving our mate, I will.'' I know what she''s saying. She''s saying that she would exhaust herself, force herself into exhausted silence to save our mate.


    ''I have no intention of losing you either, Echo,'' I say fiercely.


    "Then let''s try to get to Quirin quickly. If I go silent, just know that I''ll do everything in my power to get back to you!


    ''I love you, Echo, and so do Quirin and Raif. They won''t let you go either,'' I say, just as my arm is yanked by one of the Alphas. It hurts and I realize that I''m injured in more ces than just my head. Echo is taking a huge risk by shifting, but we have to get out of here and I''m not fast enough on two feet.


    ''Don''t heal me. If we get to Quirin, Mom will take care of me. Save your strength to run,'' I say, just as my other arm is yanked but the second Alpha.


    ''Are you ready, Echo?'' I say, knowing I''m going to have to push my strength into her to help her get out of here with the injuries we have.


    ''Yes. Ready?.... NOW!'' she yells in my head.


    I yank my arms out of the Alphas'' grasps and leap, trusting my wolf to pull the shift. It''s painful, but shends on her paws and takes off, running hard and fast.


    "GET HER!" I hear one of the Alphas say before hearing two sets of heavy Alpha paws join the warriors in the pack around me that have all turned to try and capture me.


    I hear the howl of the hunt from one of the Alphas, I''m assuming the one whose pack this is, because suddenly, there are warriorsing from every direction trying to capture us.


    I open my mind, needing to try to connect with someone, anyone, to let them know where I am. As I reach out in my mind, Echo ducks and leaps over the warriors trying to capture us. When one gets too close, she kicks them with her back paw, slicing her ws across their face.


    I refocus on the area ahead of us, seeing that the patrols have collected together ready to tackle Echo when she gets too close. She quickly looks behind us and not seeing anyone close on our right side, she lowers her head and runs full-out toward the patrols. At the veryst minute, she twists agilely to the side, skirting around them as they all push forward trying


    to tackle her.


    I hear their snarls of frustration as they turn and join the hunt. As we run, I''m thankful for Quirin''s endurance training with Echo and I. She''s stronger than she was when we moved to his pack a few weeks ago and now, that strength is helping her to run while injured.


    I''m trusting Echo to know her way home and to keep us ahead of the warriors that are after us. I''m not sure how long we''ve been running when I feel a flicker in the mind link. Itch onto it, knowing that as soon as we''re close enough, I can call for help.


    I feel the person on the other endtch on to the link as well, as if both of us are desperate to make contact. Whoever it is, they must know who I am and that I was taken.


    It''s only a few more minutes when I feel the link snap into ce and his voice booms into my mind.


    ''KENNEDY!


    ''Quirin,'' I say, my voice shaking in the mind link.


    I''ming for you, Kennedy.'' I hear Raif howl in the distance, and Echo turns to run toward him.


    ''I got away, but Echo''s weak. They want to kill you, Quirin. You need to be careful,'' I tell him. ''We had to make sure you knew.


    ''We are not so easy to kill. Hang on, my mate. Don''t leave me,'' Raif croons at Echo. I feel Quirin and Raif wrap themselves mentally around me and Echo, holding on to us and giving us the strength that they can through the mind link. I can feel Echo''s strength starting to wane, the fatigue of the chloroform and the injuries starting to slow her down. But then, we see him, our fierce mate, running right toward us. Only it''s not just him. I see our warriors and Henry and his pack members as well.


    ''Stay low,'' Quirin says but now his voice is a snarly growl and I know he sees the Alphas behind me. ''Get her to Luna Yara!'' he says as he leaps over Echo. Knowing that we''re safe, she copses, pulling the shift back to our human form.


    I feel our pack members running past me, just close enough that I can feel their fur brush against my body. It''s as if they''re letting me know that they are here and I''m safe. I have no idea who he told to take me to my mother until Beta Kier kneels down beside me.


    "I''ve got you, Luna," he says. I hear horrible snarling and snapping behind me, but Echo has faded and I''m only moments behind her.


    ''Be safe,'' I say in the mind link, hoping Quirin heard me as Kier lifts me into his arms and begins rushing me to my mother.


    Quirin POV


    The moment I saw Echo, I felt the darkness consume me. She''s covered in blood, which means that Kennedy has multiple injuries that are still bleeding. She was already weak before Jasper took her, but now she''s been injured and drugged and Echo isn''t strong enough to heal her.


    I knew when she told me that they had to make sure I knew that Jasper and Brogan wanted me dead, that Echo was putting her life at risk, at risk to save me.


    ''Raif!'' I said, feeling panicked. I can''t lose my mate and I know that Raif can''t lose his. Kennedy will be devastated without her wolf.


    When he wraps himself around her mind, I know it''s to hold on to her. He will fight to keep her here with us. I don''t care how long it takes for her toe back, as long as she does.


    When I tell her to stay low, it''s because I''ve locked eyes on Jasper. He will not get away this time. I also tell Kier to get her to Luna Yara. Her mother will help save both of my mates. She may be the only one who can. I would have preferred to have Henry take her, but I don''t have a mind link with him, and I know he''s ready to take on Brogan while I deal with Jasper.


    I don''t give Jasper a second to attack. Raif barrels him over, mping down on his back leg and snapping it before turning


    back to attack.


    Be safe, my mate''s sweet voice floats in my mind before the connection ends. I know she''s unconscious, but I hold on to the link between us, needing to know that my mates are okay. Even as she''s falling unconscious, she''s thinking about me.


    That just makes what Jasper did that much more infuriating. He almost took that from me. He tried to take my mate from me and if he thinks for one minute that he''s going to kill me and take her, he is very, very wrong.


    Raif leaps, his teeth sinking into Jasper''s wolf''s back. He''s smart enough and we''ve fought enough that he drops, but Raif''s teeth still sink into his fur and skin and when he yanks his head side to side, we rip a hole in Jasper''s wolf''s flesh.


    He howls in pain, but Raif and I are relentless. The possibility of losing Kennedy and Echo is still heavy in our minds and hearts and the darkness, the fury that only my mate can abolish, surrounds me.


    Raif is on him again, grabbing hold of an ear and shredding it before snapping his jaws in flesh and ripping a huge chunk out. Raif breaks one of his front legs, then shes his back nk, our ws snagging on his bones before Raif yanks harder, dislocating his hip and pulling the bone outside of his body.


    Jasper''s wolf whimpers, unable to stand as Raif prowls around him, snarling and snapping, periodically biting or scratching him. Finally, his wolf pulls the shift, forcing Jasper back into his human form. He screams from the pain of it then looks at


    1. me.


    "Please. Please have mercy."


    Raif lets me pull the shift and I stand, towering over Jasper. "You tried to take what was mine. You tried to take the only good thing that has ever happened to me in my life. You tried to take the light that pushes away my darkness. But she''s not here now, and there''s no one who can push this darkness away, so there will no mercy."


    I look at the group of warriors surrounding me. Most of Brogan''s warriors are dead, but some have been left alive. "Let this be a lesson to anyone whoes for my mate. I will hunt you down and there will never be mercy. She is mine. She is my everything. Without her, you are left with this," I say, gesturing to my body that is covered in Jasper''s blood like some macabre horror movie. "You are left with the monster inside me."


    I turn and lift my leg, snarling at Jasper before mming my foot into his face, killing him instantly.


    "Anyone else?" I snarl.


    "Alpha Quirin. Your mate needs you. We''ll clean this up. Go be with your mate," Alpha Warren says, taking a step toward me. He''s treating me like I''m a cornered animal and I probably seem like one. I haven''t felt this level of anger and hatred since... well, not since I watched my father get murdered in front of me. And maybe not even then.


    "Quirin, go to Kennedy. She needs you," Henry says, watching me carefully.


    He''s never seen me like this. No one has. This is me engulfed in my darkness. This is me without Kennedy''s light that heals. me and makes me human. This is the person that I am without her.


    "Yara''s in your pack. That''s where Kennedy will be. You need to go to her," Alpha Warren says.


    Without a word, I shift and race home to make sure that my mate has survived. I''ve never truly understood how important Luna Yara''s words were that no one dies in her hospital. But now, I''m trusting that she has not only saved Kennedy,


    but Echo as well.

 Chapter 69

    Yara


    When Beta Kier raced into the hospital carrying a bloody and unconscious Kennedy, my heart tightened. This is twice my daughters'' lives have been at risk, only this time, there is no one else to save her but me.


    "Bring her in here," I tell him, rushing into one of the surgery rooms. Now that she''s gotten more supplies, I feel confident that I have what I need to treat anyone who walks through those doors.


    "Tell me what happened," I say as I begin looking her over. She''s bleeding from multiple head wounds and other ces on her body. Echo must be weak if she''s not healing her.


    "I''m not exactly sure, Luna. We went to Jasper''s pack and he wasn''t there. We searched everywhere but Jasper hadn''t taken her there. While Alphas Warren and Connor dealt with the people in the safe rooms, we raced to Alpha Brogan''s pack."


    I''m surprised that Quirin left the innocents alive. His father never did.


    "He wasn''t going to, but your mate intervened. I''m d he did. I didn''t like the idea of killing omegas and pups," he says, making me realize I spoke out loud.


    "Kennedy wouldn''t have liked that either."


    "That''s what Alpha Warren told him and it worked. So, we raced to Alpha Brogan''s pack and about halfway there, Alpha asked if any of us were getting a faint link. Maybe it''s because they''re mates, or because he''s an Alpha, but it took us longer to realize that we were close enough to Luna Kennedy to pick up the mind link. When we did, we realized she had gotten away from the others and was being hunted by both Alphas and Alpha Brogan''s warriors."


    "My daughter is fast," I say, wondering how Echo even managed to shift with the injuries I''m seeing. She would have had to pull on all her strength to do so. Between that and the injuries that aren''t healing, I''m sure Echo has gone silent. ''Annika, we''re not letting our daughters die on us.''


    I feel my wolf reaching out in the mind link, searching for even the faintest link to Echo. When she finds it, she mentally


    ''Our daughters aren''t going anywhere,'' she growls softly. I let her focus on Echo while I focus on Kennedy.


    "What of Alpha Jasper?" I ask.


    "Alpha was attacking him when I left," Kier says.


    "And Alpha Brogan?" I ask as I wash thergest gash that Kennedy has before starting to stitch her up.


    "Alpha Henry was going after him. You''re going to save her, right Luna? You''re not going to let our Luna die, right?¡±


    "I have a rule in my hospital, Beta. No one dies. I''ve never lost anyone and I don''t intend to start with my own daughter."


    I watch as he breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank you. She''s been everything that this pack has needed and more. None of use from good packs, obviously we were all rogues when we came to Alpha Quirin, but she''s showing us what it means to be a pack, to be a family. I''m not sure I''ve ever seen or felt a pack that was so desperate to please someone before now. Maybe it''s because I''m a Beta and can feel the pack or maybe it''s just your daughter''s influence, but it''s pretty incredible to


    watch."


    I think I like this Beta.


    "Thank you, I like you too, Luna," he says. Shit! I spoke out loud again. Usually Warren is around to intercede with my mumblings, but right now, it''s just Beta Kier and 1.


    46%


    14:14 Thu, 13 Mar OM


    I''ve just gotten the worst of the injuries stitched up, attached monitors to her, and


    put an IV into Kennedy''s arm when Kier''s head snaps up.


    "What is it?" I ask him.


    "Alpha''s back. He''s on his way here."


    I nod and it''s only a few momentster when Quirin walks in, covered in blood with a dark, heavy aura rolling off of him.


    "Alpha Quirin, you should use the new showers that you had installed here. You smell like blood and death. Kennedy doesn''t need to wake up and worry about you. She needs to focus on her own healing," I tell him.


    "You need to save Echo too. She pushed herself too hard so that they could warn me that Alphas Jasper and Brogan wanted to kill me. She was willing to give her life to save me. You have to save her," he says, his voice breaking.


    I stop, turning to look at him. "And I am. Annika has already connected to the tether of her mind. When Warren, Connor, and Yorick arrive, I''ll have them do the same. I''d be surprised if you haven''t already done so, but as your pack returns, they could connect and hold on to her as well. It will help give Echo strength and help Kennedy to heal."


    He nods but doesn''t move.


    "Alpha Quirin." I wait until he pulls his eyes away from Kennedy. "Go shower, then you cane and hold her hand if you''d like."


    He nods again. "When she wakes up, I want her to know that I''m here for her."


    "Go shower. I''m going to finish stitching up her wounds and draw some blood. Then, it''s mostly just waiting."


    "Come on, Alpha. I''ll show you where the towels are and as the warriorse home, I''ll have them connect with our Luna to help keep her strong," Kier says. Yeah, I really like that Beta.


    Both men look over at me and I press my lips together. I did it again.


    I''ve finished stitching up all of Kennedy''s wounds, adding antibiotics to her IV drip since Echo is silent, and I''m drawing blood when Quirin walks back in, clean and dressed.


    He pulls a chair over and takes Kennedy''s hand. "The others just arrived. I sent them to the showers, but the pack should be connecting to Kennedy, holding on to her and to Echo," he says.


    "Do you know if she ever ate?" I ask him. I''ve never seen Kennedy''s hands shake like I saw when she was doing the C-section for her pack member.


    "She barely ate anything. She didn''t have time, Luna," he says, his eyes never leaving Kennedy.


    "I think that''s part of the problem here. I''m running her blood work now to see if she''s deficient in anything and if she is, I''ll add those supplements to her IV line. It''s good that she stocked the hospital. And it''s good that the two of you talked," I tell him, leaning over to grip his forearm.


    "I can''t lose her," he says, his eyes filling with tears and his voice thick with emotion.


    "You, more than most, know the rule in my hospital, Quirin."


    He looks up at me, the anger in his eyes from before has turned to devastation,


    grief, and fear.


    "I''m trusting you, Luna. I''m trusting you to save her, to save both of them."


    There''s a knock at the door and Warren looks in the room.


    Thu, 13 Mar


    "Is it okay if Ie in?"


    I turn and look at Quirin. Kennedy is his mate. It''s up to him.


    "Yes, Alpha. She''s your daughter." Quirin says, not looking away from her,


    "I''ll be right back. I''m going to go check on her bloodwork," I tell them, stopping to


    wrap my arms around my mate,


    Are you okay?'' I ask him in the mind link.


    His face is buried in my neck, so I know that he''s trying to gain control of his emotions.


    46%


    For the first time. I see why so many Alphas are afraid of Quirin. I saw what he''s capable of, what he did to Jasper. He didn''t just kill him, Yara, he tortured him, made him suffer, made him beg for death before he finally gave it to him. I understood his fury, I felt that way with Simon when he took you. I let the pack torture him because he hurt you. But I''ve never seen it in action. I''ve never seen another Alpha toy with someone they are furious with, someone they want to suffer. Thank the goddess that men like he and I have women like you and Kennedy,"


    I hold my mate, letting him breathe in my scent until he finally pulls away,


    "I''ve attached my mind to her, even though it''s a shallow link. Connor and Yorick have done the same. There are a lot of people in the waiting room holding on to our daughter,¡± he tells me.


    "Are you surprised? She was always loved by everyone. She is the best of both of us," I tell him, cupping his cheek. "Let me go check her bloodwork. I''ll be right back," I tell him.


    Several people stop me on my way to get her bloodwork results, asking if she''s okay. I spend a few minutes with each of them, letting them know that she''s weak, but she''s stable.


    When I get to her office. I pull up the report. I''m not surprised to see that my


    daughter is deficient in many things. I grab a pen and then pull open drawers to


    get something to write on so I can make sure I don''t forget anything that I need for


    her.


    When I open a drawer in her desk, I see it. I read the results then put the information back before getting what I need.


    I shake my head as I make my way back to her room. I begin injecting the different drugs and nutrients that she needs to help her heal and make her stronger. I cannot believe with everything that we''ve talked about recently that she never once mentioned that she''s having a pup. She and I are going to have to have a serious conversation about that.


    "What did you say?" Quirin asks. When I look up, his eyes are intent on mine. I


    turn and look at my mate. "What did I say?" I ask him.


    He raises an eyebrow. "Something about a pup?"


    I turn and look at Quirin. He looks shocked.


    "You didn''t know?" I ask.


    He''


    "No


    adness

 Chapter 70

    Quirin


    A pup? I''m going to be a father? It''s the next thought that makes my stomach twist into knots. Why didn''t she tell me? Is she so angry with me that she''s not happy that she''s having my pup? Is she ...


    The thought of her wanting to leave me nearly makes me vomit.


    ''Let''s wait until she wakes up. Our mate has been through a lot. She and Echo aren''t just healing themselves. They''re also growing a pup. Our pup. I''m sure that the pregnancy is also making it harder for the two of them to heal. Echo would be using her strength to protect our pup, I''m sure it,'' Raif says diplomatically.


    He''s right. Our mate would make sure that her pup, our pup, was safe and healthy. It makes Echo''s willingness to sacrifice herself for me even harder to bear. This woman and her wolf were willing to give me everything, everyst part of themselves to protect me. I always knew I didn''t deserve her.


    ''Then let''s make sure we DO deserve her, because she is going to have our baby and she is going to make one hell of a fantastic mother, Raif growls.


    "How far along is she?" I ask Luna Yara.


    "Not far. I found the results of her blood test. She must have only just realized that she was pregnant. It may also be why she wasn''t eating. I know she was busy, but women in the early stages of pregnancy can have nausea or an aversion to the smells of certain foods. It will probably be a week or less before you can start smelling the pup on her now that you know to look for it. Either her scent will be stronger or your scent on her will be stronger, depending on whether she''s having a girl or a boy," she says.


    "Are you okay, Quirin? Finding out you''re going to be a father for the first time can be a lot to take in," Alpha Warren asks me gently.


    I nod, looking at my mate. Kennedy has made me face a lot of hard truths about myself, about the person, Alpha, and mate that I am. I have a lot of shorings, and she''s always epted those things about me. But now, it''s time for me to step up, to be the man and the mate that she deserves and the Alpha that she expects me to be so that I can be the father that our child needs me to be.


    I stand, pulling her hand to my lips and kissing it. "I need to let my pack know that she''s stable for now. I know they''re all out there, waiting to get news about her. Will you stay with her, Luna, until I return?"


    "Of course, Quirin. Everything is going to be okay," she says. This woman, who glows almost as brightly as her daughter, has always been able to see past my tough exterior into the softer side of me. Her and Kennedy both.


    "Thank you, Luna. For everything."


    I walk to the door and Alpha Warren holds it open for me. When I step out to the waiting room, he follows me and stands off to the side with his sons. It looks like the entire pack is here. Everyone turns to look at me and I realize that Alpha Harold and Luna Farrah are here as well, sitting with Henry. They''re here to support me as they have been since they day they took me under their wing.


    "Kennedy is stable," I say and it feels like the entire room breaths a sigh of relief. "She still has a long way to go. Echo put herself a great risk to escape and try to warn me that Alphas Jasper and Brogan wanted to kill me."


    The pack growls at that, and so does Henry. I look at him. "Brogan?"


    "Dead."


    I look at Warren and Connor. "Their packs?"


    "We''ve offered for them to join any of our packs. Not surprisingly, Alpha Jasper''s pack members chose mine and Henry''s


    46%


    packs," Connor says. I haven''t spent a lot of time with the man, but I can tell that he''s a lot like Kennedy. His strength is more outward where hers is internal, but he''s a powerful Alpha.


    I turn and look back at my pack members. "Your Luna has said a lot of thingstely. She''s given all of us some hard truths that we need to face about ourselves and this pack. But I will tell you this, she requires us to rise to the level of her expectations and we will do that. We will be the pack that she is proud to lead, to be the Luna of. We will do that for her and we will do it for each other. I have just as much growing to do as all of you. But she''s worth it. This pack is worth it. I think she will be proud of all of you when she wakes up. You either protected our packnds or you hunted down our enemies to get our Luna back. You worked together and you protected each other. Maybe for the first time ever, we acted like a pack should. If not, I''m sure she''ll tell us what we did wrong and we''ll fix it,¡± I say and hear several chuckles around the


    room.


    "Go get some rest. Kennedy''s going to need some time to heal and for Echo to regain her strength. Get some food, keep yourselves healthy and strong and if you need anything, I''ll be here and Beta Kier will be avable."


    "When can we see her, Alpha?" one of the omegas asks.


    "Not until she wakes up," I tell her.


    "Is it okay if we wait here when we''re not busy? Just in case she wakes up? We want her to know that we love her and we''re here for her."


    I look around and see all of my pack members nodding in agreement. It seems I''m not the only one who loves basking in my mate''s light.


    "I think she would really appreciate that, as long as you look after yourselves and each other," I say to them.


    There are several other things that I need to do, but the most pressing is one that I can do right now.


    I turn to the man who I have hated most of my life, the man I''ve never done anything but reject and scoff at, but who has never once treated me the same way.


    "Alpha Warren, may I speak to you in private please?"


    "Of course."


    I turn back to my family, the ones who epted me as a brother and son from the moment they took me in. "Will you all wait until I''m done?"


    "We''re not going anywhere, Quirin," Farrah says to me. As always, she''s one of the very few people who understands me, who knows what I need without me asking.


    I nod, then lead Alpha Warren to the opposite side of the hospital from where Kennedy is. Her scent is strong here and I know from the couple of times I''ve been here, that this is where she spends her time when she''s not treating


    someone.


    1 gesture for Alpha Warren to sit at a table. He walks around, but when he sees me standing, he remains standing as well. I put my hands in my pockets, unable to meet his gaze.


    "Kennedy would tell you that I''m not very good at listening." I smile sardonically, thinking of her frustration and anger when I haven''t listened to her. "She''d be right. I''ve never been very good at listening."


    I finally meet his gaze. "All those years ago, I wasn''t listening when you told me about my father. I wasn''t ready to hear what you had to say or to believe you when you told me you gave him an honorable death. But after what happened in thest couple of days, I realize that it''s exactly what you did. You gave him a death that was probably more honorable than he deserved. I wasn''t willing to listen to you then, but I''m willing to listen to you now, if you''re willing to talk to me."


    "I''m willing to tell you anything that you want to know, Quirin, and I''ll answer any questions that you may have," he says.

 Chapter 71

    Quirin


    "What do you want to know, Quirin?" Alpha Warren asks me.


    "All of it, I guess. You said my father was after Luna Yara?" I ask.


    "Not at first," he says and sighs. "You know, the day I killed him, I told your father that if he had been a different man, he and I could have been friends. Maybe that''s why I''ve tried so hard to have a rtionship with you. You''re enough like your father that you and I have a lot inmon but you''re different enough that we''ve never been at odds like your father and I were. For all of the money that your father had, and I know it was a lot even back then, he always wanted more. What he had was never enough for him. It was pure greed, nothing more. He didn''t need mynds, but he wanted them. He didn''t need Yara, he had your mother. But he wanted her because he recognized that her strength would make him stronger."


    I nod. ¡°I remember talking to him about that. He said you were getting stronger, that you were threatening our livelihood. But what he really meant was that you might have be stronger than he was, right?"


    "I think so. He was in an alliance with two other Alphas and their packs were attacking mine nearly every day. All three of them wanted Yara..."


    "All three?" I ask. I had two after Kennedy and that nearly made me feral.


    "There was actually a fourth. Simon. He didn''t want her for power. He was just obsessed with her."


    "I would have killed them all," I growl.


    "I did. Your father had the most honorable death of all of them. Simon wasn''t so lucky," he snarls.


    "Why did you give my father an honorable death? If he was after Luna Yara, why did you make his death quick and easy?"


    "There were multiple reasons. The biggest was because he traded his life for yours. That was the honorable thing to do. I''ve said it before and I''ll say it again now while we''re talking. I think the only person that your father loved in this world, was you. I remember hearing from my Beta that your father offered to trade his life for yours, not your mother''s. Charlie, that was my Beta, is the one who asked about your mother."


    "I remember that too. From my child''s perspective, I wanted to save my father, to do whatever I could to keep him from dying." I say, remember that awful time in my life.


    "You realize now, you could never have saved him and he would never have let you, right?" he asks me.


    "Yeah. It didn''t make it any easier back then," I say and then, I ask the question that has bothered me for years. "Why did you celebrate his death?"


    He frowns. "I didn''t. I was devastated. I hated killing your father."


    I look at him. "I was there. The day you killed my father, I was there. I snuck out while my mom was sleeping and made my way to your pack. I''d watched as flowers were delivered all day. I watched you bring him outside and kill him while your pack prepared for a party. And then I''d watched while your pack members howled happily at his death."


    "I didn''t know you were there. If I had, I wouldn''t have killed him in front of you. No wonder you''ve always hated me," he says absently, frowning as his eyes go unfocused.


    "I''m sure the pack howled their triumph. They loved Yara even then. It''s very much like what you see in your pack now and how they feel about Kennedy. But the flowers..." he says, obviously trying to remember back to that time.


    "We weren''t celebrating your father''s death, we were celebrating Yara''s return. Simon had kidnapped her and she was home. We''d also just decided on our Gamina and we were celebrating having aplete leadership team in the pack. It was a happy time for us, but not because I killed your father, or not explicitly. It was more about the pack''s Luna being safe and


    Thu, 13 Mar


    our pack being whole again."


    "I always thought you were celebrating his death," I say quietly.


    46%


    "No. had a lot of respect for your father. In a lot of ways, he was a good man, a good Alpha. He let greed eat at him and it made him into the person that ultimately got him killed."


    "Thank you for talking to me," I say to him.


    "Can I ask you a question?" he asks me.


    I shrug. "I guess we''re kind of being friends, right?"


    He smiles a huge smile that I''ve seen Kennedy smile over the years. "I hope so,"


    he says before bing serious again. "Why didn''t you know that Kennedy was being taken? How did you not feel it in the mind link?"


    I look down, feeling like I disappointed Kennedy once again because I didn''t hear her when she was taken.


    "You saw me. You saw what I did to Jasper," I say, looking up at him. "That''s who I am. That''s the person that I am inside. Your daughter ... she''s one of the few that has not only never been afraid of the darkness inside me, but she''s able to push it away. But her soul is too beautiful, too bright, to feel that ugliness inside me. So, I keep the link between us closed, to protect her."


    "You keep it closed?" he asks, looking shocked.


    "Yes. I''ve always known that Kennedy deserved a better mate than me, someone like Henry perhaps. But just because she got stuck with me and I wasn''t strong enough to deny the gift that was given to me, it doesn''t mean that she has to suffer with my darkness."


    He looks at me for a long moment. "I don''t think you''re a dark person, Quirin. You carry your darkness like a penance, like a cloak that you wrap yourself in. But you underestimate my daughter''s strength. I''d bet that Kennedy''s brightness, her light, is much stronger than your darkness. Open yourself to her and let yourself be happy. Surrender to her in a way that you would never surrender to another person. Believe me, she will give you more in return than you could ever imagine. And I''d be surprised if her light didn''t epass you all the time. For me, I don''t know how I''d go through the day without being connected to Yara," he says smiling.


    "She murmurs in her mind just like she does out loud, and I love every single minute of it. I wouldn''t give it up for anything. The Moon Goddess mated you to my daughter for a reason. Maybe that reason is because she''s supposed to push this feeling of darkness away from you. It will never go awaypletely. Believe me, it will always be there. If someonees for her or your family, that darkness will rise to the surface like an avenging angel. But there''s no reason why you should have to live under that cloud of unhappiness. Open yourself to her. Let her love you the way that I know she wants to. You deserve to enjoy this life, Quirin. Stop punishing yourself. Stop holding yourself responsible for your father''s death. He made his choice. You were a pup. There was nothing you could do to save him and he wouldn''t have wanted you to anyway. You''re going to be a father. Believe me when I tell you it changes you. You will love that pup with everything in you and you will love your mate even more than you do now. I know you don''t think it''s possible, but when you realize that she''s given you the earth, the moon, the stars, and the sun, you will somehow love her more than you do today. So give her what she wants, what she needs. Give yourself totally andpletely to her. And when you do, she will give you the world. And then, you have to forgive yourself, Quirin. You have to let go of your hate."


    I feel the emotions welling up inside me, years and years of emotions bubbling to the surface. Alpha Warren stands and I struggle to get my emotions in check, but rather than walking out, he opens his arms to me.


    "Can I give you a hug?"


    1 stand, the tears burning in my eyes and I nod. His arms wrap around me, and it alles flowing out of me, nearly twenty years of anger, hate, guilt, and frustration. I cling to him as my body feels like it''s falling apart, like I''m shattering into pieces and the only thing holding me together is Alpha Warren''s arms around


    me.


    "I''ve got you," he says softly while I sob uncontrobly.


    15


    Thu, 13 Mar


    46%


    I have no idea how long I cry, but when I finally pull away from him, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. He looks around, finding a box of tissues and while I dry my eyes and blow my nose, I realize that he is drying his eyes too.


    "How do you feel?" he finally asks me.


    "Better," I tell him.


    "Good. Let''s go check on the others and then go see how your mate is doing"


    When we walk back into the waiting room, there are a small number of warriors and omegas, but most everyone is sleeping now. No one got much sleep in thest twenty-four to forty-eight hours.


    I see my family, and Farrah looks at me with understanding in her eyes. I walk


    over to her and without saying a word, I pull her into my arms.


    "Thank you, mother," I say to her, and I feel her body jerk at my words.


    "For what?"


    I pull back and look at her. "I''ve never thanked you for being the woman who was


    more like a mother to me than my own mother ever was. I''m going to be making some changes in my life and I hope that one of them is being able to call you mother."


    I watch her lips tremble. "From the first day I met you, you have always been my


    son. I would be proud if you called me


    mother."


    I nod, pulling her back into our hug and holding her until both of our emotions are


    back in check. Then, I turn and look at Alpha Connor.


    "So, are you still interested in that alliance?" I ask him.


    His smile is huge, the same smile his father and Kennedy share.


    "I thought you''d never ask."

 Chapter 72

    Kennedy


    As I wake, I realize several things at once. First, it''s like there''s a tight hold on my mind, like the entire pack is holding on to me. Second, Echo is silent. And third, for the first time that I can remember, Quirin''s mind is open to me.


    ''You''re awake,'' his voice floats into my mind.


    ''What''s going on?'' I ask, shifting and realizing that I feel still.


    What do you remember?'' he asks softly.


    I try to focus my mind, try to remember what happened. I was captured. I was injured. I ran ... ¡°Echo!" I say out loud, terrified that I''ve lost my wolf.


    "Shhh. I''m right here," Quirin says from beside me. "Raif, your family, and the pack all have a tight hold on Echo. No one is letting her go. We''re all giving her the strength she needs to heal. Your mom says she exhausted herself and that you were both very weak...


    He stops and I turn to look at him. He looks awful. His eyes are red-rimmed and haunted looking, his face has at least a day''s worth of growth on it, and his clothes are wrinkled as if he''s been sleeping in them.


    "How long have I been unconscious?" I ask.


    "Two days."


    I reach my hand out to him. He takes it quickly and pulls it to his lips. Then, more gently than anyone who knows my mate would believe, he lifts me out of bed and into hisp, careful of the wiresing out of me.


    "You scared me Little Pu... Little Mate."


    I smile at him, snuggling against him. "You can call me Little Pup. I sort of feel like one right now."


    His eyes are intent on mine. "I can''t though, can I? You''ve been keeping secrets from me." I can see the hurt in his eyes, but my mind doesn''t want to work. Why can''t he call me Little Pup?


    "Is this because I yelled at you? I''m sorry if I hurt your feelings...¡± I begin, but he shakes his head.


    "That''s not why, Kennedy."


    I frown, forcing my mind to focus and understand what he''s trying to tell me. Keeping secrets? What secret... and then it hits me. My hands fly to my stomach.


    "Are they okay? Is our pup okay?" I ask. If something was wrong with our pup and Echo was silent, I could have lost him or her.


    "Your mother has been working overtime to make sure that she saves the three most important beings in my life - you, Echo, and our pup. You, however, are in so much trouble for keeping this from me."


    "I didn''t mean to. It all happened in the middle of everything else. I actually nned to tell you the night we were supposed to talk. That''s what I wanted to talk about. It''s why I went to the overhang. I wasn''t sure how you''d feel about me being pregnant so soon and with the problems between us, but I wasn''t going to keep it from you. I would never hide your child from you, Quirin, no matter how upset or angry I am with you."


    I realize that I can feel the worry inside his mind. His fear wasn''t that I would keep our child from him. He thought I was nning to leave him.


    14-15 Thu, 13 Mar


    46%


    "I would never leave you. You are my mate, my love, my life. I was angry with you, yes. I want things to change, definitely. I don''t want what happened to Christy to happen to anyone ever again. But I would never leave you."


    He presses his lips to my head and wraps his arms more tightly around me. "Thank you for that."


    I lean against him, frowning when he doesn''t close off the mind link. Curious, I begin to enter his mind, wondering why he''s suddenly so willing to keep the link open. I feel his body tense, but rather than shutting his mind down, he opens it wide for me, giving me free ess to him.


    I feel tears prick in my eyes. It feels like eptance, eptance of me and our bond.


    ''It was never about not epting you, Little Mate. It was about protecting you. But a wise man recently reminded me that I tend to underestimate you and that your light, your inner beauty, is so much stronger than my darkness, he says in my mind.


    "You talked to my dad?" I''m so surprised that I ask out loud as I sit up to look at him.


    "Yes, I did."


    I look at him a moment and realizing that he''s not going to shut me out, I snuggle against him, smiling when Raif begins purring at me. I tentatively begin going through his conversation with my father, gasping when I get to the most painful part of that conversation for him.


    You saw him kill your father?'' I can feel him wanting to close his mind, wanting to protect me from that information, but he fights to keep it open.


    I follow the thread of that thought to original one, the one he''s buried deep in his psyche, the one where thirteen-year-old Quirin watched my father kill his. In his mind, I wrap my arms around that teenage boy and hold him, rocking him to help ease the pain of what he saw. Then, I open my mind, letting my love for Quirin flow into his mind.


    I feel his body jerk, hear his gasp of surprise, but I don''t stop. My powerful mate can take everything that I give him and it''s time for him to feel the power of my love for him.


    "Fuck, Kennedy," he gasps, his head pressed against mine. I reach up, cupping his face in my hand as I continue to pour my love into him. I let my love spread through him, filling him, touching every part of his mind.


    "You''re going to wear yourself out," he says, panting as if we''ve just made love for hours.


    "Loving you has never taken any energy on my part, Quirin. It''s like breathing. It justes naturally."


    He pulls his head back and gently leans in to kiss me. ''I love you so much,'' he says in the mind link.


    "Do you know when you stole my heart?" he asks out loud when we pull apart.


    I smile, liking this side of Quirin. "My eighteenth birthday?"


    He shakes his head. "It was long before then."


    "It was?"


    "Mmhmm. You were a little pup, and I didn''t know that we would be mates. I just thought maybe your father had some witch in his bloodlines and that you had bewitched me," he says, making meugh as he runs his nose against mine. "Try again," he says, watching me as I think.


    I think back to all the times that I saw Quirin over the years. It wasn''t often, only


    on special asions, usually my birthdays or Henry''s. And then it hits me.


    "That night in the garden? Henry''s eighteenth birthday?" I ask.


    14:15 Thu, 13 Mar o m M


    46%


    "That''s the one. The one where you came searching for me. You were so small,


    but so confident. And fearless. You''ve always


    been fearless."


    "I wouldn''t say I''m fearless. I''ve just never been afraid of you, Quirin."


    He looks at me, stroking my cheek. "Alphas quake in their shoes at my ferocity, Kennedy. Even Henry was taken aback at the level of violence that I used when I killed Jasper. But not you. You''ve never once shown an ounce of fear towards me."


    "You''ve never given me a reason to be afraid of you," I say softly, watching him. "Tell me about Jasper."


    I watch as his face transforms from the gentle man who loves me to the frightening man that other Alphas fear.


    "He hurt you. He tried to take you from me. No one will ever take you from me. If I


    had known that you were carrying our pup... well, he might still be alive, suffering for what he did."


    "There was another Alpha," I tell him.


    "Brogan. Henry killed him."


    "How did Jasper know how to get to me?" I ask.


    "It had to be ter and that''s what I wanted to talk to you about that night. I was going to warn you that he''d gotten away. I think it was Terrance that didn''t lock the cell properly that night, but when I realized his mate was having a roughbor, I couldn''t really me him. The other guards should have checked and they obviously didn''t. They got extra patrols to remind them that when we have a person in our cells, you can never be too cautious."


    "So where is ter?" I ask.


    "I don''t know. I have warriors out looking for him now."


    "Oh, I bet they love that. Out hunting one of their own for me," I say, knowing that


    they will probably hate me even more than they already do because of this.


    Quirin tilts his head at me. "They volunteered, Kennedy."


    That surprises me. "Volunteered? Why?"


    He begins stroking my cheek again. "Don''t you feel it? The change in the pack? They''re all worried about you. They all wanted to know that you were safe. When you first came in, every warrior and omega not on shift was in that waiting room. Now, there''s always a steady stream of them and there''s probably even more since they will have felt you waking up. They wanted you to know that they love you and I told them you''d be proud of them for how they helped search for you while also protecting the pack."


    I stare at him, shocked.


    "The pack has fallen in love with you, Kennedy, just as I have. They want to


    please you, make you happy, and we all want to be the kind of pack that you''re proud of. That includes me. But I''ll need your help. I don''t know much about being a family, but I want to learn. I want to make sure that our pups never wonder what family should feel like. Will you help me? Will you help our pack be a pack that you can proud to call yours?"


    "I love you so much," I say, feeling my emotions welling up in my eyes. "Of course


    I will help our pack to be the family that it should be."


    "Good. Now get some rest. You need to get stronger so Echo cane back. I''ll be right here when you wake up.¡±


    He shifts me in his arms so I can snuggle against him morefortably. When I''m settled, he kisses my head, his arms securely wrapped around me.


    "I''m surprised you didn''t ask me how I knew you were pregnant," he says softly,


    his lips still pressed against my head.


    14:15 Thu, 13 Mar we M


    46%


    "Oh, I know how you found out. My mother mumbled it, didn''t she?" I ask. I know


    my mother well. I''ve worked with her for years. The woman can''t keep a secret to save her life.


    My mate''s body begins bouncing with hisughter. "She didn''t even realize she''d said it."


    "She never does


    "Get some sleep. When you wake up again, it will be time to eat. Your mom has


    been giving you all kinds of stuff in your IV, but you and our pup need something more solid in your system."


    I''m still tired enough that Raif''s purring and my mate''s warmth put me back to


    sleep very quickly.


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift


    No Ads

 Chapter 73

    Arianna


    We all felt Luna''s consciousness when she woke up. What we didn''t feel was her wolf''s.


    "Do you think she''ll get her wolf back, Kier?" I had gone to seek him out, needing reassurance. I know he''s working hard, keeping the pack safe while Alpha Quirin is with Luna Kennedy in the hospital. So, I brought him some food. It was a good excuse to go see him.


    As busy as he is and as exhausted as he looks, he stops what he''s doing toe pull me into a hug.


    "I trust Luna Yara and she says Luna Kennedy''s wolf wille back, so we''re all going to believe that," he says, wrapping his arms around me. I feel him sigh as he breathes in my scent. I wrap my arms around him and hold him, letting him take strength from the mate bond.


    "What do you have nned for today?" he asks.


    "I thought I''d go see Christy. I don''t know if I can help her, but I have some understanding of what she went through,¡± I tell


    him.


    I''m surprised when he smiles at me, gently running his hand over my hair.


    "What is that look for?" I ask.


    "You act like a Beta female, even though you haven''t epted the position yet."


    I blow out a breath. "I think the position is even more scary than being mated to you," I say.


    "Hopefully the idea of being mated to me isn''t as scary as it used to be," he says, his voice hopeful.


    I shake my head no. Then I run my fingers through his hair, smiling when he leans into my touch and closes his eyes. "You may very well be the most patient man I''ve ever met."


    He opens his eyes and looks at me. "If having you as my mate is the prize, I can be patient for as long as is necessary."


    Damn. He''s such a good man and he deserves a woman who isn''t tainted like I am, but he doesn''t care what happened to me in my previous pack. He just wants to love me.


    "I got pretty lucky when the Moon Goddess paired me with you,¡± I say.


    "I feel pretty damn lucky too," he says, leaning down to kiss me softly.


    Because I trust him and because I know he needs it, I lean into him, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. He does, his arms wrapping more tightly around me, but he doesn''t rush the kiss. It''s soft and gentle and so very sweet that it brings tears


    my eyes.


    When he finally pulls back, he wipes the tears from my cheeks.


    "You know, if you cry when I kiss you, I''m going to take it personally."


    Iugh, looking down at his chest. "It''s because you make me feel so special. You make me feel things that I never thought I would ever feel with someone. But I do with you," I say, looking up at him.


    "Good, because you are special. You''re special to me."


    We hold each other a bit longer, before he kisses the top of my head. "What did my sweet mate bring me for lunch?"


    "I made you some meatloaf and mashed potatoes."


    "Is it YOUR meatloaf recipe?" he asks excitedly.


    "As if I would bring you someone else''s," I tease.


    "Ahh, I can''t wait. If you go to the hospital, let me know how Luna Kennedy is doing."


    "I will. Eat some food. And uh... I''lle see you tonight."


    "I''ll wait up for you," he says, smiling. He walks me to the door and watches me as


    I walk down the hall. His sweet gesture makes me smile and I wonder if it''s finally


    time, time to agree to let Beta Kier mark me as his mate officially.


    I think about that as I walk to the pack hospital. When I arrive, I see several warriors and omegas sitting in the waiting room, hoping to see our Luna. "Any news?" I ask.


    "She woke up, talked to Alpha Quirin, then fell back to sleep. This time she''s sleeping like she''s supposed to be ording to Luna Yara," Susie says to me.


    I turn, going in search of Luna Yara.


    "You can''t see her. Alpha Quirin is keeping her quiet for now," Susie says.


    "I was going to go sit with Christy," I tell her.


    "Oh," she says, then waves me over, away from the other warriors in the room. They nce at us, curious what she''s doing, but they don''t say anything.


    "Leo''s with her," she says when we''re far enough away.


    "What? Why?" I ask. All of the omegas know that he rejected her. We all had to cover her shifts while she suffered from the broken mate bond. It''s a lot harder for omegas than it is for others and Christy suffered for days before she was able toe back to work.


    "I don''t know but Luna Yara has allowed it, so there''s not much I can do about it," she tells me.


    I nod. "I''m going to go see Christy and Leo can go screw himself for all I care." Susie smiles, trying not tough, but fails. "That''s actually pretty impossible, but thanks for that mental image."


    I smile then turn to head down the hall to Christy''s room.


    When I get to the room, I knock lightly before stepping in, not waiting for a response or to be let in. Leo is sitting beside the bed, holding Christy''s hand.


    "Hey Arianna," she says as I walk in. It''s hard to see her like this. She still has bruising around her mouth and throat. I feel the bile trying toe up but I push it back down.


    "Hey Christy. I wanted toe see you," I say, turning to Leo. "Why don''t you take a break. I''ll stay with her."


    Before he can answer, Christy looks at him. "You should go. I''ll be fine."


    I can tell he resistant to leave her but I step forward. "She''ll be fine, Leo. Luna Yara is around here somewhere. If something happens to Christy, I''ll make sure to go get her," I say, giving him no possible way out of leaving without an argument. If he does, I''ll link Kier toe order him away. I won''t have him upsetting Christy any more than she already is.


    "Okay, but I won''t be far," he says, leaning over to kiss her forehead.


    She gives him a small smile before he walks to the door and steps out. I wait until he''s gone, then turn back to her.


    "How are you?" I know it''s a dumb question. I''m sure she''s not okay, but I want to know if Leo is making it better or worse by being here.


    She shrugs, the motion looking like it takes a lot of effort as her eyes fill with tears and she sniffles.


    I hurriedly walk to the bed and take her hand. "I''m right here, I know that only


    does so much, but you''re not alone. How are you healing?" I ask her.


    "Slowly. Sanjana is still silent. Luna Yara said that''s to be expected, but..."


    "It makes you feel lonelier," I say and she nods.


    "What''s with Leo? Do you want me to have Beta Kier tell him to stay away?" I ask her.


    She surprises me by shaking her head no. "He''s been really sweet. He said that Luna Kennedy has made him and all of the pack realize that strengthes in multiple ways. He said..." she looks down, plucking at the nket that''sying over her. "He said he made a mistake and he wants me as his mate now. But, how do I do that? He didn''t want me before because I was weak and I''m even weaker now," she says.


    I lean forward so she sees how serious I am. "Maybe you are at this moment, but


    you won''t always be weak. You survived, you''ll get stronger."


    "You don''t know that," she says, looking away. I take a deep breath.


    "Actually, I do. It''s why I ran from my pack before.


    "What do you mean?" she asks.


    I tell her about my past, about the abuse that I suffered, and how my own wolf


    went silent for a long time.


    "Is that why you won''t ept Beta Kier as your mate?" she asks me, surprising


    me.


    "How did you know?" I ask her.


    She gives me a look. "Oh, please. You make him something special to eat every day. He''s the only one who wasn''t starving when we weren''t allowed to cook and there''s been more than one time when someone tried to find you in the evenings and you weren''t anywhere to be found. It took me a bit, but I eventually realized that when you weren''t around, neither was he."


    "He''s been willing to take the time I needed to let me get used to having a mate, to the idea of being intimate with someone consensually for the first time in my life. If I''m being honest, it''s terrifying. But he''s so patient and he''s such good man and Beta," I say.


    "He is. Maybe it''s time you gave him a chance," she says.


    I look at her and smile. "You know, I came here to support you and to help you find some peace with what happened to you. I didn''t expect you to be the one supporting me."


    "Leo said that Luna Kennedy told everyone that she expects this pack to act like a family. Family supports each other, right? At least, that''s what they should do. That''s what Luna Kennedy''s family does. So, I''m just trying to follow Luna''s orders and treat you like family, like a sister that I love."


    I feel tears prick my eyes. "Oh Christy, you are so special," I tell her, knowing how much it meant to me to hear Kier s. earlier. I lean over her bed and hug her. "I will be here for you every step of the way. I will stay with you at night if you''re afraid. I''ll be there if you have nightmares. I''ll find a way to kick Leo''s ass if you want him gone," I say making her huff augh. "I''ll be the best sister you could have ever asked for."


    "And maybe someday soon you''ll be the best Beta female any pack has ever seen?" she asks me.


    "Maybe. Do you need anything while I''m here? I can hear Leo clomping around in the hallway wanting toe back in


    "No, I''m good. He fed me and keeps asking if I need water or to go the bathroom. That was embarrassing, He refused to


    leave me after carrying me to the toilet, telling me that he could smell the blood on me. It stung to pee and when I hissed at the pain, he was right there, holding my hands. His wolf, Javier, even purred at me to help me get through the pain. It was pretty sweet."


    "Good. Well, I''ll be back and Susie is outside right now, We''re all trading off, waiting for Luna to wake up for good so we can tell her how much we love her


    and how d we are that she''s back"


    "I need to thank her. She saved my life."


    "I''m pretty sure that you surviving will be all the thanks she needs. Get some


    sleep. I''ll let Leo back in and I''ll see you soon....


    sister."


    She smiles at that. It''s a small smile, but I''ll take it. "See you soon, sister."


    I step outside and before Leo can walk back into the room, I stick my finger in his face. "Listen up. You hurt her again, I will bring the wrath of the omegas down on you. I will tell Luna Kennedy what you did and if I have to, I''ll tell Beta Kier, Luna Yara, Alpha Warren, and anyone else that will listen what you did. So you better make sure that if you want her, that you mean it. Because if you screw up again, it''s your life on the line."


    "I''m not going to hurt her again. I told her I made a mistake and I want to fix it. I know it will take some time, but I want to make it right," he says.


    "See that you do," I say, turning to stride away.


    I have my own things to make right. Christy is right. It''s time for me to take my


    ce at my mate''s side and as a ranked member of this pack.

 Chapter 74

    Quirin


    "She''s still asleep?" Luna Yara asks,ing into the room.


    "Yeah, I think she''s starting to wake up. Her mind is feeling a bit more active," I say, looking down at my mate who is still sleeping in myp. I didn''t want to move her and I knew that she''d sleep better in my arms, and well, I just needed to hold her.


    "I think she might be a bit toofortable. She needs to wake up to cat," Yara says, smiling as shees over to check her daughter.


    I look up at the woman who changed the path of my life so many years ago. "Thank you for saving her life."


    She smiles at me. "You never have to thank me for saving a life. It''s what I do, and it''s what Kennedy does. We''re both very good at it, but I think that when she''s finished with medical school, she''ll be better at it than I am."


    I ignore the part about not needing to thank her. Luna Yara has always been very humble about the significance of what she does. She saves lives and by saving one medically, she saves so many others by keeping mates healthy and strong and pups with their parents.


    "I''m not sure I ever properly thanked you for saving my life all those years ago," I say.


    She stops and tilts her head, looking at me. "What''s this about, Quirin."


    "You changed the course of my life, Luna. You made all of this possible for me. It''s no secret that I''ve never liked your mate, well, until very recently," I say, making her smile. "I hated him. I wanted to kill him. I was consumed with hurting him the way he hurt me. I was willing to destroy everyone that he loved so that he felt the pain I felt,¡± I say, looking down.


    "I''m not proud of that. I realize now it would have meant losing everything that I have in my life. It would have meant losing my mate and the life that she''s giving me. I was an angry young man who was ready to die, but you wouldn''t let me go, even knowing the animosity that I felt for Alpha Warren, you wouldn''t let me die."


    She shrugs as if what she did is no big deal. "No one dies in my hospital." I watch her, having learned that she thinks through a lot of what she says before she says it or at least mumbles it.


    "You were a very angry young man. You had a lot to be angry about. You lost your father, you lost your pack, and then you lost your mother, all in those very formidable teenage years. That was a lot for anyone toe to terms with, but even harder for an Alpha heir. I''ve always believed that love heals more wounds than I ever could. I always believed that some day love would heal you too. I just didn''t realize that that love woulde from my daughter. But I''m d it did. Kennedy has always been drawn to you, Quirin. As Alphas, maybe you both felt the pull to each other long before the mate bond kicked in, who knows. What I do know is that my daughter loves with every ounce of her being. She loves like Warren loves, with no hesitation or restraint. It''s a heady thing being loved by someone like that, and very hard to resist.".


    "Impossible to resist," I chuckle. She smiles again, looking at Kennedy.


    "She will give you everything, but she will also expect the same from you. As someone who is loved by a man who gives me everything I could ever want in this world and so much more, I will tell you that you will feel like you get much more out of the rtionship than she does. But that''s okay, as long as you continue to give her everything that you are. That''s all she wants. Just everything," she says, making both of us chuckle. "And even if you don''t feel like your everything is enough for her, she will and that''s what matters."


    "Thank


    you for giving me a second chance at life, a chance to be the man and mate that Kennedy deserves."


    "No one dies in Mom''s hospital," Kennedy says sleepily.


    "There she is," Luna Yara says, as I press my lips to the side of my mate''s head.


    76%


    "Did you sleep well?" I ask her.


    "I''m warm, safe, and surrounded by my mate''s sandalwood scent. I slept great, but I really have to pee," she says.


    "Let me unhook you and then Quirin can take you to the bathroom, Luna Yara says.


    I carry her to the bathroom, helping her stay steady while she goes to the


    bathroom then standing behind her to hold her steady while she washes her hands. I can feel her in my mind, her mind like little butterfly wings gently moving around.


    "You''ve kept your mind open to me," she says, her surprise obvious.


    "I told you I was going to. I''m not going to close it off to you again, not ever."


    As weak as she is, she still smiles her brilliant fucking smile at me. Luna Yara was right. I''ll never feel like I''m good enough for her, but as long as I''m giving her what she wants, every-damn-thing, then I''ll ept that she thinks I''m good enough.


    She turns, lifting her cool hand to my face. "You are perfect for me." "Thank the goddess for that. Because I''m not sure I could live without you. Now, you need to feed my mate and my pup," I say, scooping her into my arms.


    "...ridiculous mates who think they aren''t worthy. He''s the strongest, most powerful Alpha in the region, maybe the world and he doesn''t feel good enough for my daughter. Seriously, what does it take for a man to realize that he''s perfect just the way he is? If he were different, he wouldn''t be perfect for my daughter, would he?" Luna Yara is mumbling to herself when we walk out of the bathroom. ''See, even Mom knows you''re perfect for me," Kennedy says smugly in the mind link.


    Luna Yara turns, obviously having no idea that she was talking out loud to herself about me. "Kennedy, how are you feeling? Any nausea?"


    "Yeah, I feel pretty gross actually."


    ¡°That''s not surprising. You haven''t eaten in days and you may have morning sickness on top of it. I had Deborah bring some crackers for you. You''ll want to make sure that you keep food on your stomach even when you feel nauseous. It will help. Once you feel a bit better, I''ve got some broth ready for you too. We''ll take it slow today, but I''d like you to try and eat every couple of hours, and nibble on the crackers as much as you can," she tells her, handing her a packet of crackers.


    I can feel my mate''s nausea through the bond and Raif begins purring at her, trying to help calm her stomach.


    "Thanks, Raif," Kennedy says as I sit, keeping her in myp. "What about you? When did youst eat?"


    My mate is so sweet, always thinking of others. "I didn''t want to make your stomach feel any worse and I didn''t want to leave you, so I''ll eat once you''re back in bed, or when Luna Yara says you can leave."


    "Any mental flickering from Echo yet?" Luna Yara asks her.


    "Not yet," she says, and Raif''s purring increases as we feel her sadness and fear of losing her wolf.


    "I''m not surprised. You''re still very weak and with the pup, she''ll be working overtime to heal herself and protect the t You focus on getting stronger and that will help her get stronger too.


    Luna Yara agrees that Kennedy will be morefortable in her own room at the packhouse and after forcing me to go eat, and assuring me that she won''t leave until she feels that Kennedy is strong enough, she unhooks Kennedy from the IV and gives her clearance to leave.


    I help her get showered and dressed in the hospital, and by the time we''re done, she''s too weak to walk. I scoop her back into my arms, ready to take her to see the pack.


    "Can we stop and see Christy first?" she asks me


    "Of course," I tell her, walking her out of the room and into the room next to hers.


    I''m surprised when Leo is the one sitting with Christy.


    "Hey, Christy."


    "Luna! Oh, I''m so d that you''re better. Do you get to leave the hospital?" Christy asks her.


    "Yes, but I''m on bedrest until Mom says I cane off. What about you? Mom says she''s keeping you overnight again. How are you healing?" Kennedy asks


    her.


    She looks at Leo and then back at Kennedy.


    "Do you want Leo to leave while we talk, Christy?" I ask her, not sure what that look meant. I frown, picking up a thought in Kennedy''s mind.


    ''They''re mates? Christy turned eighteen months ago. They would have known before now, I tell Kennedy in the mind link.


    I can feel my mate watching Leo, studying the interactions between him and Christy.


    "That doesn''t mean he epted her. He would have considered an omega a weak mate, she says.


    "It''s okay with me if he stays. It''s not like I have a lot of secrets right now. Everyone knows what happened to me," she says sadly.


    "And it should never have happened in the first ce, Christy. I''m sorry I let you down. It won''t happen again," I tell her. There''s power behind my words, but I force my aura to stay gentle in front of her.


    "I should have trusted you to help me, Alpha. I''m sorry I didn''t."


    "You have nothing to be sorry for. But in the future, if you have any concerns at all, with anyone, let me or your Luna know."


    She nods, then tells Kennedy about how she''s feeling better but that her wolf is still silent.


    "Mine is too," Kennedy tells her and somehow that seems to make Christy feel better that her own wolf is still silent. "Mom says we have to make ourselves strong so our wolves can get stronger. So you need to do whatever you can to get stronger. And if there''s any concern that someone is impeding that healing process, I will send Alpha Quirin to get them until I''m strong enough to do it myself," she says, looking pointedly at Leo.


    "I''ll make sure I don''t do anything to impede her healing, Luna. I just want to


    help."


    "Make sure that you do, Leo," she says firmly. I have to fight my smile.


    My mate may not be back to full strength, but she''s back.

 Chapter 75

    Kennedy


    I don''t like feeling weak, I hate that Echo is silent, but I''m loving every minute of being inside Quirin''s mind. His mind is just like he is, rough and rugged on the outside, but soft and gentle underneath, or at least it is towards me. And I like that a lot too. Now that I''m in his head, I can feel the difference in how he feels about me and how he feels about others, even our pack members. He loves them, in his Quirin way, but his love for me is all-epassing.


    ''I like having you in my mind. I didn''t think I would, but it''s like walking through a meadow on a sunny day. It feels like the birds are singing, the bees are buzzing and butterflies are fluttering around, he says in the mind link.


    I smile up at my mate. My mate who apparently makes Alpha quake in their shoes, but tells me my mind feels like something out of a Disney movie.


    ''If you tell anyone, I''ll deny it,'' he grumbles.


    ''Your secret is safe with me, my love,'' I say, watching his sexy Quirin smile spread across his face. He''d been focusing on carrying me out to the waiting room, but


    his gaze turns to me.


    ''You think I''m sexy?''


    ''Is that really a question?''


    ''Yeah, I guess it is.''


    ''You''re the sexiest man I''ve ever met in my life. All that dark, broodiness that bes raging passion when we''re together is so hot I can barely wait to have you inside me again,'' I tell him honestly.


    He stops walking, leaning forward to take my mouth in a passionate kiss.


    ''I can''t wait to be inside your body and your mind at the same time. As great as it always feels to be inside you, I bet it will feel even better, and I''m not even sure how that will be possible.''


    I moan softly as he continues to kiss me. ''I can''t wait either.''


    When he finally pulls back, he smiles at me. "Let''s get you healthy first. We both know I lose control when I''m with you and I won''t risk hurting you or our pup," he says out loud but quietly.


    "Does the pack know?"


    "Not yet. I wanted you to be with me when we tell them. I''m going to make sure they know that I will be even more protective of you now," he says.


    ¡°Does that mean that you''re not going to let me out of your sight?" I ask, pressing my face against his throat.


    "When you''re not in my sight, you''ll be with Lane or another guard. I realized that one isn''t enough. You need at least two, preferably three. So you need to think about who you want on guard duty. And you should know that Lane feels as guilty as I do that Jasper got to you."


    "It wasn''t his fault," I say as we walk into the waiting room. Everything else that I was going to say stops as those in the waiting room all stand.


    "Hi, Luna."


    "We''re so d you''re okay, Luna."


    "We love you, Luna."


    I d


    48


    Everyone who is here says something to me, carefully approaching me. I''m not sure if that has more to do with Quirin''s protective aura, their concern that I won''t ept them, or just concern for my healing. Whatever it is, they slowly approach until I reach out one hand. They take it, one by one, and I squeeze their hands, telling them that I appreciate them being here:


    When we finally begin making our way to the packhouse, we have an entourage following us. I look over Quirin''s shoulder, talking to our pack members and catching up on what I''ve missed while I''ve been in the hospital.


    "What happened with Lillian and her pup?" I ask Quirin.


    "Your mother released them. She''s checked on them once or twice, but mother and baby are doing very well. I believe Lillian''s wolf has already healed her, but your mother wants her to take it easy for a couple more days. They should be at the packhouse," he says.


    As we approach, Beta Kieres out to greet us. "Luna, it''s so good to have you back."


    "It''s good to be back, Beta."


    I feel the funny thought flicker through Quirin''s mind and I smile, looking at Kier. "So, my mom likes you. Well done, Beta."


    He smiles. "She''s mumbled it a couple of times."


    "If it came out of her mouth, whether she meant to say it to not, it''s true," I tell him.


    When we step inside the packhouse, everyone gets quiet, pushing forward until Quirin growls softly, warning them not to crowd me. He walks me through the crowd and I say hello to everyone, once again extending my hand to squeeze each of theirs, letting them know that I''m okay and that I ept them. Lillian and Terrance are there and I get to officially meet their son.


    When we get to the omegas, I look at Quirin.


    ''I want to hug them,'' I tell him in the mind link.


    ''Fine, but I''m not putting you down,'' he says.


    Susiees to me first. When she takes my hand, I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.


    "Oh, Luna! We were so worried about you," she says, beginning to cry.


    It''s like that with all of them. They all cry as I hug them, and I know it''s as


    important for them to hug me as it is for me to hug them.


    "We love you so much, Luna. We''re so happy to have you back," Arianna says, as she hugs me.


    After my pack, my family is waiting and they also give me a hug.


    "It''s good to see you awake, sis," Connor says, then looks at Quirin. "Did you tell her?"


    "Not yet."


    I frown and I''m about to ask, when the image of Connor and Quirin signing an alliancees into Quirin''s head.


    Now it''s my turn to cry. "You entered an alliance with Connor?" I whisper.


    "I did. It''s time for things to change and as my very intelligent Luna once told me, that change starts with leadership."


    He turns to address the pack. "We have so much to be thankful for. Our Luna is getting stronger and is home with us. We, as a pack, have a long way to go to make our Luna proud of us, but I''ve already started making some of those changes. As your Luna said, I have entered into an alliance with her brother, Alpha Connor. That will strengthen the alliance that we already


    93%


    have with Alpha Henry as they are in an alliance as well. I know many of you have strong feelings about Alpha Warren. Any animosity between our pack and his ends today. If you have concerns or need to talk about it, let me know. I have had my own conversation with Alpha Warren to get the answers that I needed about what happened so many years ago. I''m sure that Alpha Warren would be willing to discuss your concerns as well, if you are willing to listen." Quirin says, turning to look at my father. He nods, his eyes taking in our pack members around the room. Through Quirin, I can feel that there are some that aren''t thrilled with our alliance. Quirin makes a mental note of those individuals and I can feel that he ns to talk


    themter.


    "We will make our Luna proud of us. We will do whatever it takes to make her proud to be the Luna of this pack. My earlierments about putting her first haven''t changed," he says.


    I''ve been watching him intently while


    he talked to the pack. He''s such a natural leader and he''s a good one in many ways..but this is the longest speech Ive ever heard him make and through the bond, I can feel that it''s the most important one to him that he''s ever made to the pack. He truly intends to make this pack a pack that I''m proud to lead. I feel like my heart might burst with love for this man.


    He doesn''t look away from the pack, but he leans over to kiss the side of my head, acknowledging my thoughts.


    "I will never again second guess my mate''s intuition about what''s going on in this pack. So you''d better make sure that you never give her a reason to doubt you. Now, your Luna needs to rest. I can feel her fading on me," he says, smiling at me. "Any questions before I take her upstairs?"


    "Umm, it''s not a question, but can I make an announcement?" Arianna asks, looking around and blushing brightly.


    "Of course, Arianna," Quirin says.


    . She sps her hands together, her knuckles turning white as she takes a deep breath, then looks up at Kier. I smile, already


    knowing what she''s about to do.


    "I''ve known that I was Beta Kier''s mate since the day I arrived here. We, all of us,


    havee from bad situations and I was terrified to find my mate, so terrified that I almost left the pack. But Beta Kier asked me to give him a chance. He said he was willing to take whatever time I needed to get to know him and he''s done just that. So, in front of the entire pack, I wanted to let everyone know that I ept you as my mate, Kier. And if you still want me ..."


    She doesn''t finish before she''s in his arms and his mouth is on hers. The entire pack begins howling and pping happily.


    ''You knew?'' Quirin asks in the mind link as I sniffle through happy tears.


    I look at him. ''You didn''t?''


    He shakes his head slowly. "You never cease to amaze me, Little Mate. Come on, let''s get you upstairs. I have a feeling our Beta couple is going to be busy tonight."


    He walks me up to the happy couple. "Congrattions!" I say, seeing that Kier''s eyes are bright with unshed tears.


    "Thank you, Luna. Thank you so much," he says, holding Arianna against his side.


    As we walk away, I hear the sounds of the pack congratting Kier and Arianna. I lean my head against Quirin''s chest. The pack in ndy starting to fool different, in a very good wo


    AD


    Comment

 Chapter 76

    Kier


    When Arianna said she had an announcement, my heart stopped. My mate isn''t one to stand in front of people and speak much less the entire pack. So I knew it was important.


    When she turned to look at me, I could barely breathe. I was terrified that I''d miss something or misunderstand something that she was saying. Then, she said she epted me. She said the words that I''ve been waiting to hear for over a year. She wants me. I can''t even believe she thought she had to ask if I still wanted her.


    I probably shouldn''t have kissed her like that in front of everyone, but thankfully, she didn''t seem to notice that the entire pack began cheering for us.


    When I finally dragged myself away from the kiss, I brushed the tears off of Arianna''s cheeks. "I have wanted you from the moment I first smelled yourvender and chamomile scent. From the moment that I firstid eyes on you, there has never been anyone else for me."


    I kissed her again, more quickly this time as I could feel the pack pushing in to congratte us. First was Alpha Quirin and Luna Kennedy. Since Luna already knew about us, she just smiled her knowing smile and congratted us.


    ''We''ll talk moreter. I need to get Kennedy settled, but I can''t believe you kept this from me, Alpha Quirin said in the mind link.


    I wasn''t willing to do anything that would scare Arianna away, and my Alpha can be one hell of a scary man, sometimes without even trying.


    After he took Luna Kennedy upstairs, the pack congratted us. I kept Arianna tucked against me, partly because I''m desperate to touch her now that everyone knows that we''re mates, but partly because I know this is a lot for her and I don''t want her to feel overwhelmed. Even Luna''s family and Henry congratted us.


    We''ve just made the rounds when Alpha Quirin returns.


    "Is my daughter asleep, Alpha?" Luna Yara asks.


    "She is, Luna. She''s restingfortably now," he says, before turning to me. "Take the night off. Go be with your mate."


    I look at Arianna, desperately wanting toplete our bond now that she''s epted me, but I know that the pack needs a leader and Alpha Quirin still needs to be with Luna Kennedy.


    "Alpha, I know Luna needs you ..."


    "Kier, one thing I''ve learned through all of this, is that you never put anyone above your mate. Kennedy is in the packhouse. I''ll know if she wakes up. Luna Yara is here if I need her. Go be with your mate. You''ve waited a long time for this day. Go enjoy it," he says.


    "Thank you, Alpha," I say, turning to Arianna. "Will youe with me?"


    She nods, looking shy and embarrassed. I take her hand and lead her upstairs. Most of the pack wish us goodnight as we go. It''s strange feeling the difference in the pack. A year ago, I''d probably have been scoffed at for taking an omega as a mate and she might have had warriors try to bully her. I wouldn''t have allowed it, but men like Arlo and ter would have gotten their jabs in when I wasn''t around. Now, however, the pack feels like they not only ept our bond, but are d that we''ve finallye together.


    When we get to my room, I can feel her hesitation. I know tonight, if we canplete our bond, will be difficult for Arianna. I''m willing to take whatever time she needs. She''s epted me. That''s the most important thing.


    "Thank you for epting me," I say, shoving my hands in my pockets as we both stand in my bedroom.


    10:46 Mon, 17 Mar


    "Thank you for being so patient with me,¡± she says,


    "What made you finally decide?" I ask, curious to know why now. What did I do right that made her finally see that I''m a good enough man for her to ept?


    "I''ve been thinking about it for a while, thinking about how kind, loving, and caring you are, not just with me, but with the entire pack. And then, when I was talking to Christy yesterday, it just clicked for me. There''s no reason for me to keep waiting. What am I waiting for? I love being with you. I feel safe with you. When something upsets me, it''s you that I seek out to help me feel better. I hope it''s okay that I told the entire pack" she says.


    As she''s been talking, I''ve slowly moved closer to her, wanting her in my arms again.


    "I love that you imed me in front of the pack. I love that you feel safe with me and that youe find me when you''re upset, I want to be everything for you. I want everything with you," I say, wrapping my arm around her waist and pressing her against me, while running my fingers over her cheek and into her hair. "I love you and no matter what happens tonight, I want you with me forever."


    She frowns. "What do you mean, no matter what happens tonight?"


    "I know it might be too much for you toplete our bond. I want you to know right now that I understand and it''s okay if you aren''tfortable with that."


    She reaches up, taking my face in her hands. "I do want that. I want your mark on my neck so I can proudly show off that my mate is the amazing Beta Kier. I want our pack and the world to know that I''m yours and you''re mine," she says, making Rowd growl possessively.


    "You ARE mine, whether my mark is on you or not. But I will be much happier when my mark is on your pretty neck," I tell her.


    As desperate as I am for her, I take my time, kissing her and slowly stripping her blouse and bra off of her. We''ve shared some intimacy, kissing and touching, but I''ve never pushed it, never wanted to give her a reason to not trust me.


    I kiss my way down her neck and chest before kneeling in front of her, taking off her shoes, then slowly pulling her pants and panties down. I slide my hands up her thighs, taking a deep breath of hervender and chamomile scent, the scent that makes my head spin and my heart settle.


    She slides her fingers into my hair, watching me as I breathe in her scent. I lean forward, kissing the spot where her thighse together.


    "I''ll be back for more of youter," I growl softly, before kissing my way back up her body as she chuckles at me.


    I slide my hands over her backside and up her back as I kiss my way up her stomach to her breasts. I wrap my arms around her, leaning her back as I suck first one, then the other nipple into my mouth, slowly swirling my tongue in circles until her nipples are hard peaks and her moans of pleasure are filling my ears.


    "You''re wearing too many clothes," she whimpers, her eyes still closed.


    I hold her with one arm, pulling my shirt over my head with the other, unwilling to stop touching her. I''ve had my shirt off before with her, but that''s as far as we''ve gone.


    I carefully reach down, picking her up bridal style and carrying her to the bed, pressing my lips to hers as Iy her down. I kick off my own shoes, then lie down beside her, gently stroking my fingers over her body as we kiss. When I feel her body. shiver, I pull back and look at her.


    "Are you cold?"


    She shakes her head no. "Actually, I feel very warm."


    I prop my head on my hand, looking down at her. "You''re so beautiful," I tell her, while I let my fingers run over her body. "How are you doing? Is this okay?" I ask, looking back up at her.


    10:46 Mon, 17 Mar


    She smiles at me. "It would be better if you were naked ton"


    Her chocte brown eyes are full of trust and love


    "I don''t want to scare you Again, if anything is too much, we''ll stop"


    She nods again and I reluctantly leave her to get off the bed and strip off my pants and boxers. Her eyes widen and I catch the faint hint of fear in her scent when she sees my cock standing at attention, so I don''t move. I wait for her to tell me if this is too much


    Finally, her eyes meet mine and she taps the bed beside her. "Are youing back to bed?


    I smile and crawl beside her again, returning to my previous position of being on my side with my head propped on my hand while looking at her body and skimming my hands over her.


    When I slide my hand over her stomach, she slowly spreads her legs for me. I look back at her face. Her breathing has hitched, but I''m not sure if that''s with excitement or fear, maybe a little of both.


    I hold her gaze as I slide my hand over the apex of her thighs, feeling her wet heat. I moan at the feel of her, wet for me even with her nervousness about tonight.


    She gasps as I slide my fingers on either side of her clit, putting just enough pressure to make her feel good. I know from our previous conversations that she''s never had an orgasm, has no idea how good sex should feel. So I take my time, rubbing my fingers over her clit as I watch her face, seeing what she likes and doesn''t like.


    Because she''s pressed against me, I can feel her body tensing, feel her responding to my touch. When she cries out in pleasure, her face looking shocked at the feeling of her first orgasm, I growl possessively. This is the first of many orgasms that I''ll give her in our life together. Her orgasms, all of them, belong to me. Just me.


    I lean down and kiss her, gently bringing her down before I sit up to look at her again, checking to make sure that she''s okay.


    "Are


    are we done?" she asks. She''s so sweet and so shy.


    "Oh, my beautiful little mate, we''re just getting started."


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift

 Chapter 77

    Arianna


    I knew Kier would take his time. I knew he''d told me that being intimate was supposed to feel good, but I''d never guessed that it would feel THAT good. I was shocked when the heat that was building in my core like a hot furnace, exploded in my body. I had grabbed on to Kier''s body, holding him as my own body felt like it was shattering into millions of pieces.


    Then he''d kissed me and slowly helped my body piece itself together again. After that, what was left?


    Apparently, there''s more. A lot more.


    I know he''s watching me to make sure I''m okay with everything he''s doing, but I also get the impression that he likes my body, likes watching how I''m reacting to his touch.


    "Did you like that?"


    "That was..." What do I say? There are no words for what that was. No words that


    I know anyway.


    He smiles, as if he understands the feelings that I''m incapable of putting into words.


    "Can I make youe again?" Is he asking my permission or is asking me if my body will respond. The answer to the first question is yes, and I''m pretty sure the answer to the second is too, so that''s what I tell him.


    "Thank you," he says, turning to watch his hand.


    "Oh no, thank you," I say and he looks back at me with his easy, sexy smile. Then he leans down to kiss me as his hand shdes between my thighs. I don''t remember ever feeling so wet before. I''m pretty sure that''s a good thing.


    I gasp when I feel his fingers pressing against my entrance. He lifts his head, watching me carefully. "Remember, if it''s too much, you just need to tell me."


    "Okay," I say. It''s scary for me. The times I was forced to have sex, it hurt. But when Kier''s finger slides inside me, it doesn''t hurt at all. Instead, it actually feels pretty good.


    "How is that?" he asks.


    "That doesn''t hurt," I say, watching his eyebrow go up.


    "Does it feel good though?" he asks.


    "Umm, yes." It does feel good. That heat from before is already building inside me again.


    He leans forward, sucking my nipple into his mouth and doing that thing where his tongue swirls around, making the heat


    in my body ignite. Without thinking I press my hips up, begging for him to ease the growing ache inside me.


    He growls approvingly, sending waves of pleasure through me and I feel a second finger slide inside me.


    "Oh goddess," I moan.


    He pulls off of my nipple looking up at me. "Hold on to me," he says. His voice is deeper than I''ve ever heard it, and I can - Rowd shining in his eyes. My wolf, Leiana, pushes forward as well.


    I slide one hand into his hair, while the other grips his shoulder as he sucks my other nipple into his mouth.


    "Kier," I say, my voice trembling with the pleasure that he''s giving me. He growls again and I can tell that he likes hearing me say his name.


    10:45 Mon, 17 Mar


    I press my hips against his hand again, needing more


    "Yes, Yes," I moan as that feeling, the uing explosion, bilde und he prese over the age and roy beby danere again


    "Kiert" Lory mit, my hands grabbing his hair and squeezing his holder, sing him as my how white re w through my body.


    I feel tears beginning to leak down the side of my face as 1 let my mate bring me pleasure unlike anything I''ve ever fete in my life.


    He either senses the change in me or smells the salt of my tears because he paths off of my breast, his fingers stoggeng immediately.


    "Did I hurt you?" he asks, his voice full of concern.


    I can''t answer, so I just shake my head no. I''m not even sure why I''m crying, it''s just that I never thought I could feel something like this with another person. I never knew that this is what it was supposed to feel like.


    He slides his fingers out of me and pulls me into his arms. "I''ve got you. I''m right here. I''m not going anywhere?


    He kisses my tears away, nuzzling his nose in my hair, kissing, my cheeks, my nove, my eyes, and my lips until I finally getr my emotions under control.


    "Maybe we should stop for tonight," he says.


    "No. No! I don''t want to stop," I say, scrambling to sit up and taking his face in my hands.


    "Arianna, it''s okay...


    "No, you don''t understand. I''m not crying because I''m scared or because it hurt. I''m crying because it felt so good."


    He brushes his hand over my hair, thinking about what I said. "Are you sure, Arianna. I''m more than happy to curl up with you and go to sleep.¡±


    "No. I really want to continue. I want your mark on my neck. You''re so perfect. I don''t want to let anyone think that they could take you away from me."


    "No one could ever take me from you, Arianna. That''s not a reason to push yourself into something you''re not ready for."


    I take a breath and hold his face in my hands. "I want toplete our bond. I want you to show me, just like you have been, that what happens between us is nothing but pleasure. I want to wake up tomorrow with your mark on my neck and leave the past where it belongs, in the past. I don''t want to wait to start my future, our future, any longer."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Positive," I say without an ounce of doubt in my voice, my heart, or my soul.


    I hear and feel that deep, rumbling growl again and my eyes roll back in my head. Even sitting on hisp like this, the sound is making my body heat.


    "Can I taste you?"


    I frown. "Taste me?"


    "Yes," he says,ying me back down and shifting his body so he settles between


    my legs. "Here," he says, a finger sliding from my clit to my wet entrance.


    "You want to taste me?"


    Mon,


    Mar


    "You smell fucking delicious. My mouth has been watering for this taste for a long time. Is that okay? Can I taste you?" he asks, his dark eyes look up at me from between my legs. Why is that so sexy?


    "Yes," I say, not exactly sure what I''m agreeing to, but I''m really d that I did when his warm tongue licks a line from my entrance to my clit.


    His moan of pleasure turns to a possessive growl as he sucks my clit into his mouth. He licks and sucks, sliding his hands under my backside and pressing me more tightly against his mouth.


    I begin chanting his name as once again, my body heats. Now I know what to expect. Now I know that I''m going to explode and that my mate will carefully hold me together until I''m back to normal.


    1


    After the first orgasm, I expected him to stop, but instead, he continued teasing my clit, sliding his fingers inside me again. This time when my orgasm ripped through me, I could feel my body contracting around his fingers. He must have too because he growled again causing another spike in my orgasm.


    When I came down the second time, I looked down at him. His eyes were nearly ck as he looked up at me.


    "You taste so delicious, I don''t want to stop. Is that okay?"


    I nod my head and the roller coaster of pleasure starts again. I loose track of how many times Kier makes mee before he finally pulls away and begins kissing his way up my body.


    "You taste so sweet. I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did," he says, making meugh. I can smell myself on his face and when he kisses me, I can taste myself on his tongue.


    "Are you ready for me to make you mine, Arianna?" he asks, watching me as he lines himself at my entrance.


    I feel fear trying to raise its ugly head, but I push it down. Kier has shown me nothing but pleasure for hours, and I don''t expect that to change now.


    When I nod, he slowly and gently slides inside me, filling me and stretching me as he pulls out, then slides deeper.


    "Arianna," he breathes my name like prayer. His forehead is pressed against mine and while I''m fighting to keep my demons at bay, he''s struggling to maintain his careful control so he doesn''t hurt me.


    "Kier," I whisper as his body presses tightly against mine and he holds still. I fill full in a way that I never have before. It feels so good to have him inside me.


    "Are you okay?" he asks, his voice sounding chocked. His body is quivering with his carefully maintained control.


    "I''d be better if you started to move," I tell him. My mate has done nothing but bring me pleasure all night. Now, it''s my turn to let him find his release. He''srge and I feel the slight sting as he stretches me, but it''s worth it. He''s worth it.


    He continues his slow movements, pulling one of my legs up and somehow sliding even deeper inside me. "You are so beautiful, and you are all mine." "Yes, I am. And you, Beta, are all mine," I tell him.


    When I can''t take his slow movement any longer, needing more friction, more of him, I begin moving my hips to press against his. He seems to know what I need and his thrusts starting faster.


    "Kier, I love you," I say, feeling the sting in my gums as my canines start to extend. Leiana is ready to mark her mate.


    "And I love you," he lisps, his canines already extended.


    I turn my head, giving him the ess he desires. He sucks the skin of my neck


    into his mouth, careful not to puncture my skin as he softens it. Then he carefully slides his canines into my neck.


    Mon,


    (+40


    The intensity of my orgasm is so powerful that I feel like I''m going to pass out. Before I let that happen, I sink my canines into his neck. His blood fills my mouth and his power as a Beta flows into my body, energizing me, and pushing my orgasm to new heights.


    His body jerks and he roars against my neck as he finds his own release, just as the mate bond snaps into ce, Love, admiration, passion, respect, and gratitude flow from Kier through the bond. I feel my tears start again as I feel the strength of his love for me and I open myself to him, letting him feel how proud I am to be his mate, how much I appreciate the care he''s taken with me, and how much I love and adore him.


    I don''t know how long our wolves push their venom into each other, changing our scents so that theybine and mingle together, but when he finally pulls his canines from my neck and his body from mine, he copses behind me, pulling me against his body.


    "You''ve made me the happiest man in the world, Arianna," he says,


    I press my body against his, intertwining our fingers, and smiling happily,


    "And you have made me the happiest woman in the world, my mate."


    AD

 Chapter 78

    Quirin


    I spent some time celebrating Kier''s and Arianna''s mate bond with the pack, a celebration that continued even after they went upstairs. The pack is excited and happy. It''s such a different feeling, something I''m so unused to that I feel a bit lost without Kennedy here to help me navigate through it.


    "I need to head home tomorrow, Alpha Quirin. Now that I know my sister is safe, I need to return to my pack. But I''m only a phone call away if you ever need me or the pack. I''d also like you to know that you have an open invitation to my pack. Not only are you my sister''s mate, but now we''re allies. You''re wee any time," Connor says.


    "Thank you. When things settle, maybe I can bring Kennedy for a visit. A real one this time. I think she''d like that," I say.


    "Are you going toe visit me too, Q? Maybe for more than a day?" Henry asks.


    "Yeah, yeah, we''lle see you, too. I need to deal with ter and Kennedy needs to heal. And I also need to figure out how to clean my packnds. It was a problem before, but now that Kennedy''s is pregnant, I have no intention of letting anything put my pup at risk."


    "Did you get the information that I sent you on that?" Alpha Warren asks.


    "I did. You''re right, it''s expensive, which isn''t the biggest issue. It''s the time it will take to clear thends. It looks like it will work, but I just need to find time and men to do it," I tell him.


    "I''m willing to stay and take that on for you, if you''ll ept my assistance," Alpha Warren says.


    "You want to help me clean out my packnds?" I ask. It''s going to be an arduous task and very time-consuming.


    He smiles looking at Connor. The two share a knowing look. "I''ve been struggling with stepping down as Alpha. After so many years of running a pack, I feel a little lost. I''ve been trying to find something to take up my time and give me some purpose and this would do it, but it would mean that Yara and I would be here a lot and so would our younger pups. I know that''s a lot, but in return, I would handle the silver clean up. I''d make sure it was safe for you and your pack, and I could report to you as often as you''d like on the progress or any problems that arise."


    It''s more than I would have ever asked for and it means I can focus on other things while he manages that for me. I know I can trust him, not only because he''s Kennedy''s father, but he''s an Alpha who understands the need to protect his pack.


    ¡°Having you here longer would make Kennedy very happy," I say, thinking of her excitement at having her family here. "And it would give the pack an opportunity to get to know you in a different way. It would give them time toe to terms with what happened all those years ago and if they can''t, then I''ll know that they need to find a new pack. My Gamma floor is empty. I never assigned anyone to the Gamma position because the pack was so small that Kier and I were able to manage it on our own. Lately, I''ve been reconsidering that, but for now, that floor is vacant and avable for you and your family, if that works for you."


    ¡°That would be fantastic. And if you do select a Gamma, my family and I can move to any rooms that are close together," he


    says.


    "You know Quirin, Mom and Dad have their own house on our packnds. Before I took over as Alpha, Dad recognized that Madison and I would need the Alpha floor for ourselves and our pups. It gave Dad some distance from the pack, but I think it also gives them their own space. If they''re going to being and going between our packs, it might be worthwhile for you to allow them to build their own house here, if you''re willing," Connor says.


    I look at Alpha Warren. "Would you like that? That way you''d have our own space and you and your family could lea Our things here instead of constantly living out of suitcases."


    Luna Yara reaches out to put a hand on Warren''s arm. "I could help Kennedy with her medical school from here, so she doesn''t have to travel to our pack. It would make it easier with a small pup and I could go back and forth if you had to stay here," she says, then turns to me. "That''s a very generous offer, Alpha Quirin."


    92%


    I shrug, as always, feeling embarrassed by her praise.


    "Alpha Warren would be working hard to get this pack safe again. I think his offer is more generous than mine. But just know, we don''t have a lot of pups in this pack. We have some, but Yana, Wade, and Yvonne won''t have as many pups here to hang out with. We don''t have any older teenagers yet, so there would be no one here for Wendy and Yorick, I say,


    "It would be good for the younger ones to see how other packs run. There''s no guarantee that they will stay in Connor''s pack, especially my daughters once they find their mates. Knowing how different packs operate can only help them as they get older. And Yorick and Wendy are old enough that they can stay in Connor''s pack if they choose to, or onlye here for short periods of time," Alpha Warren says.


    "We can look around the packnds tomorrow. We can begin our assessment of where the silver has the highest concentration while we look to see if there is an area that you''d like to build a house. The only ce that''s off limits is the overhang. That''s Kennedy''s favorite part of the pack and I want it to remain open for her, although I need to set up some security measures to make sure no one else ever sneaks up that cliff face," I say.


    "I can help you with that too," Warren says excitedly. I watch Luna Yara smile at him. I''m sure she can feel his happiness and excitement at having a job again. I''m guessing she was worried about him and now, that worry is easing. This will make my mate happy and Luna Yara happy. It''s a win-win for me.


    "I''m going to check in with my patrols and then go be with Kennedy. Let''s meet tomorrow after I have Kennedy settled and fed and we can begin our walk around the packnds," I tell him, standing.


    Warren stands too. "Thank you, Alpha Quirin."


    I look at him a moment, making a decision that I never thought I would. "We''re family, Alpha Warren. You should call me Quirin. That goes for you too, Luna, and you Alpha Connor."


    "About fucking time," Henry mumbles. I give him a look, but he doesn''t look repentant at all.


    Suddenly, Luna Yara wraps her arms around me in a happy embrace. "I always wanted more children. My mate told me no, but now I have another son."


    Somehow, her words and her love feel so much like a mother''s, that I wrap my arms around her and let her hold me. She and Farrah have a different way of mothering, but both are very effective.


    "I''ve never told you no about pups or anything else in our life together, Yara." I can''t see him, but I hear the exasperation in Warren''s voice.


    When she pulls back, Luna Yara has the naughtiest grin I''ve ever seen on her face. "Good, because maybe I do want another pup," she says.


    Connor barks out augh. "You walked right into that one, Dad."


    "We''ll talk,¡± Warren says,ing to wrap his arm around his mate''s waist. "And as for what you said, Quirin, yes, we''re family. So please, call me Warren."


    I say goodnight to everyone, then check on the patrols, making sure they''re all running smoothly and have no concerns. I let them know that they need to wake me if there''s a problem and leave Kier alone tonight, before heading to my room.


    When I step in, I take a deep breath of Kennedy''s citrus and mint scent. Between our arguments, the issues with Christy and Lillian, and then her abduction, her scent in our bedroom had gotten weak. Now, it''s strong again and I smile, quickly stripping out of my clothes and climbing into bed with my mate, pulling her against me and loving the way to snuggles into my embrace, even in her sleep.


    "I love you, Kennedy," I say, before falling into my own deep, peaceful sleep.

 Chapter 79

    Kennedy


    I wake up warm andfortable, with Quirin''s sandalwood scent surrounding me.


    I feel a slight fluttering in my mind and I know that Echo is fighting toe back to


    me.


    ''Heal yourself, Echo. I''ll be here when you get back. I love you,'' I say in our mind. I know my wolf, she won''t stop fighting But hopefully she can hear me and knowing that I can feel her trying will help her to feel better. I can still feel the pack holding on to her, helping her to find her way back.


    The next thing I feel is Quirin''s mind. I smile, loving that it''s still open to me. Right now, it''s quiet with his sleep, although, images of ter, the packnds, and me are shing on repeat.


    Those are the things he''s most worried about, Raif says, purring in my mind but loud enough that I can feel the vibration against my body.


    ''Don''t wake Quirin, Raif. He needs his sleep,'' I scold him.


    ''What I need is for my mate to be healthy. How are you feeling, Little Pup? Sorry, I''m still half asleep. How are you feeling, Little Mate?'' he asks me in the mind link. Now that his mind is open to me, I can feel that his pet name for me is just that, a pet name. He doesn''t consider me a pup any longer. But I can also feel that he''s not going to call me that any more, especially since...


    "Really?" I ask out loud.


    His hand slides over my still-t stomach. "My Little Pup''s pup," he says, and I feel his lips that are pressed against my should spread into a smile. He kisses my shoulder. "And your stomach isn''t as t as it used to be. Our pup is growing."


    I put my hand over his and sure enough, my stomach isn''t quite as t.


    "So, how are you feeling? Raif says he''s getting a hint of Echo returning," he says.


    "Yes, she''s fluttering around in there, trying to find her way back to me. I know she will. She''s a strong, wonderful wolf."


    "Just like her human. It still feels like you''re weak. Do you feel weak?" he asks.


    "Yes, but I want a shower. I''ll have Mom help me..."


    "Excuse me?" he says, lifting his head and looking at me. "You''re MY mate. I will take care of you."


    "But, I saw what''s worrying you, Quirin. You have a lot of work to do, and..." "Nothing is more important than you, Kennedy. Nothing. I am your mate. I will take care of you. Your mother can help, but you are my responsibility. Being mine means you''re mine to love, mine to cherish, mine to protect, and mine to take care of. I haven''t been a great mate to you, and I''m sure I''ll screw it up again in the future, but I''m going to try to be the man you want and need me to be, Kennedy." I turn my head to look at him. His eyes, always intense, are burning with his determination and love for me.


    "You already are everything that I need and want you to be, Quirin. You''re you. That''s what I''ve always wanted," I say, rolling over to face him. I put my hand on his cheek and open my own mind wider, letting my love for him flow through the bond.


    He gasps like he did thest time, closing his eyes and letting my love fill him. "Goddess, your love feels so good, so beautiful, so pure," he whispers.


    I lift my head and press my lips to his. "My love for you IS pure. Even if we''re arguing, even if I''m angry with you, I still love you like this," I tell him.


    "I wish we could stay like this all day, but we both could use a shower. I want your mom to look you over and check our pup and I have a meeting with your father this morning. Oh, and Connor and Henry are leaving, I''m not sure you''re up to saying goodbye, but I wanted to give you the option."


    "Let''s see how I feel after the shower," I tell him.


    He scoops me up and carries me into the bathroom, setting me down before leaning into the shower to turn on the water, While he does that, he continues to hold on to my waist, making sure I''m steady on my feet. I can''t help but smile at my big strong mate being so gentle with me.


    "What is that look?" he says, standing in front of me and helping me pull the shirt he put on mest night over my head.


    I slide my hands over his bare chest, loving the feel of his body shivering at my touch.


    "I thought a lot about you being the father of my pups over the years," I tell him and he goes very still. "I''ll adn I wasn''t sure what that would look like. I sort of figured that you''d treat our pups like you treat me and the rare few people in this world that you love and respect. But I wasn''t sure how you''d respond if they made you angry or did something that disappointed you. Now I know that I was right about you and how you''ll be as a father."


    "What were you right about?" he asks softly and I can tell that this, my opinion of him being a father, is very important to


    him.


    "You''ll be just as kind and gentle with them as you''ve always been with me. Even when I was younger, you were firm with me, but you were never harsh," I slide my hands up and around his neck as I smile up at him. "I think that''s exactly the kind of father you will be. The perfect father for our pups, firm but kind and loving."


    "Do you know that before you, I never expected to have pups? Well, I never expected to have a mate, so pups didn''t even enter into my mind. I''ve never really liked pups, presentpany excluded," he says, making meugh. "They''re loud and defiant and distracting. But ever since Raif called you mate, I''ve had a deep desire to have a pup with you."


    "Just one?"


    He raises an eyebrow at me. "How many did you want? You''re not going to be like your mother, are you?"


    "What if I am?" I ask, teasing.


    "Then I''ll tell you what your father told herst night. We''ll talk."


    Iugh again. "You do realize that ny-nine percent of the time, their ''talks'' end up with my mother getting her way right?"


    "Yeah, I figured, which means you may be getting another brother or sister soon." "Seriously?"


    "Seriously. So, how many? I need to mentally prepare for this."


    "At least two, preferably a boy and a girl."


    "Two I can handle," he says. "Seven I don''t know."


    "How about we start with one?" I ask.


    "Perfect, just like you,¡± he says, kissing my nose and helping me into the shower. While he washes my hair and helps me to bathe, he tells me about his conversation with my father.


    "He''s going to stay? They both are?" I ask, shocked.


    "Yep. They''re going to stay, the rest of your siblings will probably be joining them,


    at least the three youngest. Connor gave


    me the great idea of building them their own house on the parknds and that way they cane and go they want or need to. They can leave clothes here or decorate it however they want. I''m sure they''ll be back and forth a lex Year mentioned helping you with school.." he stops, looking down at me. He med feed the strong, surge of emotions that I''m feeling through the bond.


    "Did I do something wrong?"


    I slowly shake my head. "You really are the most wonderful man in the world," I say feeling a tear drip down my cheek "Thank you" I say, throwing my arms around him and pressing my lips and body against his


    I send the love that I''m feeling for him through the bond, the intensity of it making more tears streak down my cheeks. Ffis possessive growl rumbles through my body as he presses me against the shower wall. His kiss bes demanding, possessive, and the growling never stops, as if he can''t get enough of my love for him.


    "Fuck, Kennedy! I love the way you love me," he pants when he finally pulls back. "You''re not strong enough yet for me to show you just how fucking fantastic it is for me to feel that from you. But when you are, just know, I won''t be holding back. I''m going to give you everything, just as you are giving me everything," he says, his voice still growly and deep and oh so sexy.


    "I hope that timees soon," I tell him.


    "It can''te soon enough," he says, taking my mouth again in a passionate, possessive kiss that leaves as both breathless and aching for more.

 Chapter 80

    Quirin


    Even though my mate isn''t strong enough yet for us to have sex, just having her love in my mind makes me feel like I''m walking on air.


    After our shower, she was feeling tired, so I put her back to bed and let her know I''d say goodbye to her brother and Henry for her.


    "I can send Connor up to say goodbye if you''d like," I say, pulling the nkets over her. "And I''ll let your mother know that she cane up whenever she''s ready."


    "I''ll text Connor. He''ll understand. Tell them both I hope to see them again very soon," she says. I press my lips to her forehead just as there''s a knock at the door.


    "That will be your breakfast," I say, walking to the door.


    I smell her before I open the door. "And apparently, your mother is as anxious to check on you and I am to have her check on you," I say, opening the door to Luna Yara.


    "I caught your omegas making Kennedy''s breakfast and thought I''d join her while you and Warren talk," she says. I step aside and let her in. She stops and tilts her cheek up to me.


    I frown and look at Kennedy. "She wants you to kiss her cheek. She would have kissed yours if her hands weren''t full."


    "Oh," I say, leaning over and kissing her cheek.


    "Have a nice day, Quirin, and don''t worry about Kennedy. I''ll make sure she''s fine," she says briskly as she walks toward the bed.


    ''She considers you her son now, Quirin. You''ll have to get used to kissing her cheek, Kennedy says in the mind link. She''s smiling at me, feeling my confusion, surprise, and the bit of pleasure I feel at having a second mother figure in my life


    now.


    Luna Yara turns and looks at me. "Did you need something, Quirin?"


    "No. Y-you have a good day too," I stutter as I step out of the room.


    "He is such a dear," she says as I close the door. I''m not sure if she''s talking to herself or Kennedy. Either way, I''m confident that no one has ever said that about me before.


    When I get downstairs, I see Connor and Warren standing by the front door. "How''s Kennedy?" Connor asks.


    "She''s doing alright, but she''s too weak toe say goodbye."


    "That''s fine, I''ll check on herter," he says.


    "I hope it''s okay that Yara went up to your room. She was anxious to check on Kennedy and your pup," Warren says.


    "I was anxious for her to check on them. I''d just gotten her back to bed after a shower, so it was perfect timing."


    "Well, I''m off. Let''s stay in touch. If you need anything at all, please let me know," Connor says.


    Warren and I walk him out, waiting until he''s pulling down the drive. Just as I turn to go back inside, Henry walks out.


    "So, I''m going to start seeing more of you around, right Q?"


    TO:C


    20 Ma


    91%0


    I look at the man who epted me as a brother from the moment we met all those years ago. He never harbored any resentment that his father took me in and trained me to be an Alpha. He never cared that I was dark and broody. He never pushed me away even though I tried to push him away many times. He''s been there for me at every dark point in my life, standing beside me, a beacon of light and support.


    Without a word, I pull him into a hug.


    "Seriously, Q, I''m really starting to worry about you and all this lovey-dovey shit,"


    he says, making meugh as his arms wrap around me.


    "I love you, my brother," I say, not letting go. His arms tighten around me.


    "I love you too, brother," he says sincerely.


    When we pull apart, he grabs the bags he dropped on the ground and heads to his car.


    "You know, if you keep that shit up, people are going to start thinking that you''re leaving Kennedy for me," he says, smirking at me as he tosses his bags into the bag of his car. I shake my head at him.


    "Luna Quirin. It''s got a nice ring to it, don''t you think?" he asks, his face creased with a big fucking smile.


    "Get the fuck out of here," I say as heughs.


    "We''ll talk soon," he says before getting in his car and driving off.


    This time I make it back inside just in time to hear a lot ofmotion in the kitchen. I turn and head that way, walking into a bunch of omegas hugging and my Beta smiling proudly at his mate.


    "Let''s see it," I say, walking up to him. He turns, not even needing to pull his shirt away from his neck. He''s got his shirt and his mate mark disyed proudly. "Very nice."


    "Yeah. It''s good, better than good," he says.


    "Congrattions, Arianna," I say.


    "Thank you so much, Alpha. I feel so silly having waited so long. Kier is so perfect," she says, smiling at him.


    open


    "Once Kennedy is stronger and you''re more settled, the two of you can talk about your duties as a Beta female, but my mate is a very intelligent woman. I''m guessing she''ll put you in charge of the kitchen."


    "Do you think so? I was already getting nervous about what it means to be a Beta,


    but that would be perfect. I already know everything about the kitchen."


    "When you two talk, make sure you let her know how you''re feeling. She''ll probably already have figured that out too, but it''s good to have openmunication from the beginning. Take it from me who has had to learn that lesson the hard way."


    "Thanks, Alpha."


    I turn, ready to go find Alpha Warren. He must havee back in while Henry and I were talking outside. Instead, I find Terrance, Randall, Leo, and several other warriors waiting to talk to me.


    "Alpha, may we have a moment of your time?" Terrance asks.


    "Absolutely. Let''s go to my office."


    "Alpha, wait!" Susie says behind me. She rushes up with several breakfast sandwiches in her hand. "You didn''t eat breakfast."


    I look down at the sandwiches. "Thanks, Susie." I''d gotten used to making sure that Kennedy had something to eat, but I''ve never had anyone make sure that I''ve eaten, not in a very, very long time.


    20 Mar AM


    "You''re wee, Alpha,¡± she says happily, turning to go back to the kitchen.


    It''s like the entire feel of the pack has changed overnight, changed for the better. When we get to my office, I gesture for the men to sit while I unwrap my first sandwich.


    "What''s on your mind?" I ask, casually leaning against my desk as I face them.


    I watch them all look at each other and then Terrance, who seems to have taken the lead, speaks.


    0.91%?


    "Alpha, we can see and feel the changes that are happening in the pack. We all respected you as our Alpha before, but now this pack feels different. For the better!" he rifies as I raise an eyebrow. I wasn''t sure what direction he was about to take this conversation.


    +63


    "We know that Luna Kennedy has a lot to do with that and," he turns and gestures to the others. "we''ve all talked about it between us. We like the changes that are happening in the pack. We like the feel that you and Luna Kennedy are bringing to the pack. There''s a confidence that we didn''t have before. Beta Arianna is a perfect example. I''m not sure she would have feltfortable epting Beta Kier if things hadn''t changed like they have," he says.


    I finish the first sandwich and wipe my mouth. "Where are we going with this conversation, Terrance?"


    He looks at the others and then turns back to me. "We''d like to have a conversation with Alpha Warren, and we''d like for you to sit in with us. If you''re willing to forgive what happened, then the least we can do is listen to what he has


    to say and make up our own minds."


    "When do you want to meet with him?" I ask. I''m thrilled that some of my best


    warriors and staunchest haters of Alpha Warren are willing to sit down and hear


    him out.


    "As soon as possible," he says and the others nod.


    "How about right now?"


    AD


    Comment


    Send gift

 Chapter 81

    Warren


    I''m excited to get started with Quirin this morning. Not only is it good to feel needed, but I want to nurture the new rtionship that we have. I''ll tread lightly, I don''t want to do anything to disrupt the new bond that we''ve created. But I want him to know that he''s family now and that''s important to me, it means something to me.


    I stepped away when Quirin and Henry were saying goodbye, and I''d seen Beta Kier and Beta Arianna descending the stairs together.


    "Congrattions! I hope you''ll be as happy as Yara and I are," I said, smiling when Arianna blushed sweetly.


    "Thank you, Alpha," she said.


    I''d watched them walk into the kitchen and heard the squeals of excitement from her friends as Arianna showed off her mate mark.


    I waited patiently for Quirin and saw him turn to see what was going on in the kitchen, then saw his pack members ask to speak to him. It''s difficult not having my own tasks to do, but I know that it''s important as an Alpha to meet with your pack members when they ask for your time. So, I turn, looking out the back windows of Quirin and Kennedy''s pack thinking through the possibilities of how we can begin to clean up the packnds. It''s going to take a lot of time and energy, which excites me. I need to feel needed again.


    "Alpha Warren," Quirin says from behind me.


    I turn and smile at him. "I thought we agreed that I was just Warren to you."


    He smiles, something I''ve never seen him do unless Kennedy was nearby. "Warren, my pack members would like to speak with you. They want to take you up on your offer to talk to them like you talked to me. Are you still willing to meet with them?" he asks.


    "Absolutely," I say, stepping forward.


    "Thank you. Let''s meet in my office. My warriors are already there," he says.


    When we step in, I see about ten warriors, male and female, waiting to meet with me.


    "Good morning, everyone," I say as I step in. They have all pulled up chairs and are facing Quirin''s desk.


    "Would you like a chair, Warren?" he asks me.


    "Yes, thank you." He grabs a chair for me and I pull it in front of his desk, facing the group. Quirin leans against his desk rather than sitting. I''m not surprised that he doesn''t sit. Quirin has always been full of energy. It rolls off of him in waves, although that energy has a decidedly more positive feel to it since he''s been mated to my daughter.


    "Alpha Warren has agreed to speak with all of you. I will remind you that he is your Luna''s father and as such, I expect you all to remain respectful during this meeting and afterward," Quirin tells them.


    "Yes, Alpha," they say, then turn to me.


    I lean forward, putting my elbows on my knees, more or less putting myself at their level and hoping to make them fec more open to talking and hearing what I have to say.


    "First, I''m assuming that all of you lost someone in the wars during the time when


    I was Alpha and was fighting against the other Alphas. Is that a correct assumption?" I ask.


    I watch as they all nod or quietly agree with me.


    10:31 Fri, 21 Mar


    "Anyone from Alpha Brady''s pack?" I ask, a few hands go up.


    "Alpha Thomas?" Only one hand,


    "Alpha Simon?" Multiple hands.


    "Alpha Quinton?" A couple of hands.


    "Did I miss anyone?" I ask. Everyone looks around, but no one else raises their hand.


    90%


    I sit back and scrub my face. "You''re all younger than I am, closer to Alpha Quirin''s age so you might not realize that things were different back then. Wars were constant. My pack was being attacked nearly every day. My warriors were dying, whether from battles or from battle wounds that were improperly treated by the shit doctor I had before I found Yara"


    The memory of those dark times fills my mind. That is, until my mate pushes her sweet consciousness into mine, wrapping around me like she''s holding my hand in a unified presence to push the painful memories away.


    "Those were very dark times. As an Alpha, you never want to see good men and women die, and especially for no good reason. No good reason that I could see anyway. Alpha Quinton wanted my packnds. He entered an alliance with Alpha Brady and Alpha Thomas to attack me repeatedly and it was slowly working. My pack was dying."


    "Then I found Yara," I say and smile. "She changed everything for me. She came into my life and immediately began healing me and my pack. She is so damn good at what she does that my pack started getting stronger right away."


    I watch as they all look at each other. "Just like Kennedy has done for us," Quirin says and they nod.


    "Well, your pack is strong, she just made you stronger. Mine was dying out. We were riddled with infection, had wounds that didn''t have time to heal, we were fighting with fevers and barely mended bones or poorly set bones that fractured again easily..." I shrug. "I only tell you this so you understand what it was like. It was a dark time for all of the packs. But then, Yara arrived and it quickly became apparent that she was the reason that my pack was getting stronger very quickly. That''s when the Alphas starteding for my mate," I say, and Arric growls in my chest.


    "When I was finally strong enough to go on the offensive and start attacking instead of waiting to be attacked, I did. I created an alliance with Alpha Harold, and we began working together against the other packs." I hold up a hand, looking at the ones from Simon''s pack. "I''ll get to Simon in a moment. The reasons for my attack on him are different."


    "We took out Alpha Thomas'' pack first. We thought we collected everyone who wasn''t a warrior at the time to bring them back to my pack, but we obviously missed at least one," I say gesturing to the woman who said she was from Thomas'' pack.


    "My father was a warrior. His death killed my mother before we made it to the safe room. I was afraid, so I hid."


    I nod. "How old were you?"


    "Twelve."


    "That had to be terrifying for you," I say gently.


    She nods and I see her fighting her tears.


    "I''m sorry you had to go through that. I''m sure you didn''t know that you''d be safeing to my pack. Most of the women that we brought back had been taken against their will from Alpha Harold''s pack.


    actually how I convinced Alpha


    Harold that I wanted an et


    When I found out that the


    women


    were from his pack, that they''d been forced into mate bonds with Thomas'' warriors, Harold and I worked together to return them to their home. His Luna, Farrah, was one women. She can corroborate what I''ve said, if you don''t believe me."


    "I think ... I think maybe my mother was one of those women. She despised my father."


    hose


    "You must have been very strong to have survived on your own for so long," I say


    to her before refocusing on the others.


    10:31 Fri, 21 Mar


    "Alpha Quinton and Alpha Brady wanted my mate. But it was Simon who took


    her," I say, and they gasp.


    I look at them. "You didn''t know?" They all look at each other and shake their


    heads.


    "Yara came from Simon''s pack. Did you know that Simon killed his own father


    when he realized that Solomon had hidden Yara from him?"


    "What? That''s not what we were told," one of the men says.


    "I''m sure it''s not. Patricide, especially when the Alpha was loved by his pack, isn''t


    exactly the way to get the get the pack to follow you."


    "How do you know he killed Alpha Solomon?" another warrior asks.


    "He told me so himself."


    They all look at each other. "He told our warriors you did it. He said that''s why


    they had to attack your pack."


    "I had no reason to kill Alpha Solomon. Unlike the other Alphas, he didn''t attack unless someone attacked him first. As I''ve already said, my pack was dying. I had enough wars to fight without trying to kill an Alpha who wasn''t attacking me. Simon lied to you because he wanted Yara. He was obsessed with her. I''m guessing that obsession started early which is why Alpha Solomon tried to protect my mate by sending her off to college and not telling anyone where she was."


    I feel Yara''s presence in my mind again, strong and sure as I remember that terrible time.


    "He kidnapped Yara and took her into hiding, letting his warriors lead me and my warriors back to your pack. That''s when we attacked. He had my mate. If you saw what your If Alpha did to Alpha Jasper, then you have an idea of the fury that I felt when we attacked your pack. He betrayed you and honestly, I didn''t care what happened to any of you at that time. I only wanted to find my mate. But once I did and I knew she was safe, I sent my Gammas back to bring anyone into our pack who wanted a home. Many of those people still live in my pack, or in Alpha Harold''s. Again, you can talk to them and verify what I''ve said," I tell them.


    "But I know that many chose not to


    join our packs. That was the same in Brady''s pack as well. I wasn''t willing to have another Alpha out there who woulde for my mate. Just like Alpha Quirin didn''t leave Alpha Brogan alive, I couldn''t leave Alpha Brady alive. Once we''d taken down


    the warriors, the offer toe to either my pack or Alpha Harold''s was made to everyone. I didn''t like parents with young children going rogue, but I didn''t want to force anyone into a pack where they didn''t


    want to live either," I say, shrugging.


    "You''re saying our parents chose to go rogue? It wasn''t because you forced it on


    them?" a warrior asks.


    "I hated the idea of anyone choosing to go rogue, but I hated seeing parents with


    young children making that choice the most," I say honestly.


    Everyone looks around at each other.


    "What other questions do you have for Alpha Warren? It sounds like he was able


    to clear up a lot of lies and assumptions that you may have had about him," Quirin


    says.


    When no one has any questions, I stand. "Thank you for letting me speak to you


    and tell you my side of what happened all those years ago," I say. The other stands as well.


    ¡°Alpha Warren, I may only be speaking for myself, but thank you for taking the time to clear things up for me. I ... I''ve been harboring a lot of hatred for you that was misdirected because of what Alpha Simon told us," a warrior says.


    "I feel the same."


    "I do as well."


    "Thank you, Alpha."


    90%


    From the nods in the room, it seems like maybe all of Quirin''s warriors have a


    better understanding of what happened and why I attacked their packs. Hopefully that knowledge will help those old wounds to heal.


    "I''m going to be here for a while, helping to clean the silver off of your packnds.


    If you ever have any questions, please know that I''m happy to speak with you," I tell them.


    53


    "On that note, Alpha Warren and I are going to start looking over the packnds to see when and how we need to get the silver out of the ground and make our pack safe again. If you need to speak to meter, I''ll make time to speak with you and as Alpha Warren said, he''s willing to speak with you as well. Being mated to your Luna has taught me thatmunication is very important. It''s something all of us need to work on, myself included," Quirin tells them.


    When I step out of Quirin''s office, Yara is there, waiting for me. I walk up to her


    and pull her into my arms, holding her and breathing in her scent.


    I thought you might want to remind yourself that I''m right here, safe,'' she says in


    the mind link.


    As always, my mate knows exactly what I need.


    Comment


    Ìï


    AD


    Send gift

 Chapter 82

    Kennedy


    After Quirin left, my mother got me settled while mumbling about my mate. Then, she finally focused on me.


    "How are you feeling? Anything from Echo?"


    "A bit of fluttering, but not much. She''s still weak and so am 1," I tell her.


    "You lost a lot of blood, so that''s to be expected. Plus, I''m sure Echo is being a good momma wolf and making sure your pup stays safe and strong."


    I swallow the bite of food and look at my mother. "Speaking of pups, what''s this I hear about you wanting another one?"


    She smiles, obviously thinking about whatever she and Dad talked aboutst night.


    "Your father made a good point when we spokest night. Very soon, you''ll have a pup and I''m guessing Connor and Madison will as well. So, rather than having my own pup to focus on, I''ll focus on yours and being the best possible grandmother ever! Can you imagine if you both have twins??" she asks excitedly.


    I was on the verge of telling her that of course she''ll be the best grandmother ever. She''s the best mother ever, but then ....


    "Did you say, twins?"


    "Well, yes, sweetheart. I had two sets of twins, and you are part of one of those sets. Granted, I think maybe I produced a lot of eggs because, well, your father practically made me desperate to have his pups. But still, twins tend to be gic and as intense as your mate is in life, I can only imagine what he''s like when it''s just the two of you."


    I know I''m blushing profusely. "Mom..." I grumble.


    "Don''t ''Mom'' me. I know passion when I see it. And you, my daughter, would want and expect the same passion in your mate bond that I have in mine," she says. Rather than answer her, I shove some more food in my mouth.


    "He is excited about being a father," I say when I swallow my food.


    "From what your father tells me, Quinton loved Quirin. He might have been the only person who Alpha Quinton ever truly loved in this life. So, I''m not surprised that he''s excited about being a father. I expect that with your guidance, he''ll make a wonderful father."


    "You seem very confident about Quirin."


    My mother''s eyes get a far away look in them. "He''s had a very hard life. But unlike his father, he loves his mate with everything in him. I believe that''s Harold and Henry''s influence on him. He wants to be a better man for you, and I know from experience that a man who loves his mate like that, will do everything in his power to not let her down. So, yes, I''m very confident that Quirin will be the man, mate, and father that you want him to be."


    "Can I tell you a secret?" I ask her conspiratorially.


    "I love secrets," she says excitedly leaning forward as if someone might overhear


    us.


    "He''s so different when it''s just the two of us. He can be so gentle and kind, so unlike what others see in him."


    "That''s love, baby girl. And like I said, that man loves you more than anything in this world."


    "I really like it. I really like that I''m the only one who gets to see that side of him. It''s as if that part of him is only for me."


    She takes my hand, squeezing it. "It is. I get a different side of your father when it''s just the two of us. You and I are not fighters. I could nevere close to defeating your father in a sparring match, nor would I ever bother to try. But when it''s just us, he will submit to me," she says, making me gasp.


    She nods, smiling as her eyes go unfocused. "It''s not all the time, and I don''t ever push it, but he does it of his own free will. He gives himself to mepletely and there is nothing more precious to me in this world than that."


    It makes me wonder if Quirin would ever submit to me. I might be able to force it,


    but I wouldn''t want to. Like my mother. I''d want my mate to submit because he loves me and wants to give himself to me. When I''m stronger, I''ll have to test that


    "Now..." she begins and stops, her head tilting to the side.


    "What is it?" I ask.


    "Your father is meeting with your pack''s warriors. He''s telling them about the past," she says.


    "Is he okay? Do you need to go?" I ask her.


    Her eyes narrow and her fingers twitch as if she''s desperate to reach out and touch my father.


    "No, I''ll wait until he''s finished. This is important, Kennedy," she says refocusing on me. "Your pack is listening to your father for the first time."


    I reach out, finding Quirin''s mind open to me. Through him, I see what my mother


    is talking about. In our mind, Quirin pulls me into his arms, holding me while I listen in.


    "Did you want to sit outside for a little while? Get some fresh air?" she asks. She''s a bit distracted, just like I am, both of us focused on the conversation going on downstairs.


    "Yes," I say, knowing it will be good for Echo, but it will also give me a chance to get a feel for how the pack is feeling, especially after this conversation with my father.


    She moves the now-empty tray of food and then helps me to get dressed before scooping me into her arms to carry me downstairs.


    "I can walk, Mom."


    "I''m not facing your mate if you fall on my watch. I told him I''d look after you and I intend to."


    "How long do you think it will be before we''ll know if I''m having twins?" I ask her.


    "Well, it depends on when you got pregnant, but I''d say no more than a week. We''ll do an ultrasound in a couple of days to see if we can get any images of your pup or pups."


    When we get downstairs, Arianna rushes over to me along with several of the omegas.


    "Luna, how are you feeling?"


    "I''m still weak, but feeling better. How are you, Arianna? Do I get to see your mate mark?"


    She smiles and pulls her shirt aside.


    "Ohhh, nice!" my mom and I say together.


    "Alpha said that once you''re stronger, we can talk about my responsibilities as a Beta. I hope it''s okay, but since you''re stil. healing, I sort of took over the kitchen duties."


    "I think that''s perfect. If you have any questions, let me know. I''m going to sit outside for a bit, let the fresh air and sunshine help Echo to heal," I tell them.


    I''ll get you a nket. Luna Susor says


    look around, not seeing Christy. "Is Christy still in the hospital


    Yes, but I n to release her today. She''s not ready to go back to work just yet, but she''ll heal better here with her friends nearby my mom SZY


    "LUNA" Lane exims rushing over. "Oh, Lana. Tim so sorry that I wasn''t there to protect you and keep you safe. I understand if you don''t trust me to be your guard any bogen...


    Lane, what are you talking about?"


    "I was sleeping when you were taken. I didn''t do my job protecting you


    7 didn''t wake you up because you''d beem aake as many hours as I had. You needed sleep just as much as I did. Of course, I still want you as my guard. I trust you and I like working with you." I sell him.


    Are you sure. Lana?"


    I''m positive. I SIX


    "Okay then. I''m reporting for duty. I''ll take my Luma Luma Yara," he says, taking


    me out of my mother''s arms. "Where are we going


    "Outside, but this really is embarrassing. I can walk


    If Luna Yara says you get carried, Luna, you get carried" he says, walking me toward the back of the packhouse.


    "Kennedy?" Mom calls from behind me.


    Lane turns so I can talk to her. I join you in a bit. I''m going to wait and talk to your father?"


    Okay, Mom," I say as Lane carries me out to the back patio. He looks around just as Susiees out with a nket.


    "How about partial son Lunz Like right here," he says, finding a spot where the sun is blocked by some nts, but the sunlight still makes its way through That looks perfect." I say and be carefully sets me in the chair, then steps back to let Susie put the nket over myp.


    "Luna, if you don''t mind. I''d like to talk to you about the other guards. Alpha said he wanted a couple more so we can rotate out now that you''re pregnant. I think that''s a great idea since I can''t be there every minute of every day."


    "Who would you choose to be part of the Luna guard?" I ask him.


    *Well, the shortlist would include Terrance and Leo, but if Randall and Christopher


    can get their head''s out of their asses about your father, I''d add them to the list


    too."


    "I think they''re talking to him right now," I tell him.


    "They are. They''re a bit younger than


    I am, so they didn''t understand everything that was happening. I mean, we''ve been attacked. We''ve had pack members die and we''ve killed pack members. I''m not saying


    I like it, but it''s what happens in


    times of war.


    "They lost loved ones. When you''re young, I think you need someone to me for


    that loss. What pack did youe from?" I ask


    "None of the ones around here, but I


    lost my father too. This wasn''t the only region that had a lot of fighting Anyway, hope they figure it out.


    Some of those warriors are ne


    very strong and would make good tuna guards and protectors for you and your pup."


    I feel him before I see him and I turn, smiling up at my mate as he strides over to


    see me. He''s so graceful, so sexy, even when he walks. I feel my body humming with my desire for him.


    Lane, seeing my mate headed this way, nods and steps back.


    "How did it go?" I ask him as he scoops me into his arms and sits, pulling me into


    hisp. I notice Lane raise an eyebrow before smiling and turning away.


    "I think it went really well. They, like me, finally listened to what your father had to say. He was able to clear up some lies and mistruths that they were holding on to all this time, jus like I was," he says, pressing his lips to the side of my head. "My mate was right, astm realizing you usually are, that it starts at the top. I need to do a


    better job of leading this pack, of creating a family environment and tight-knit group of individuals that not only care about each other, but also listen to each other," he says.


    "What?" I ask, pretending I hadn''t been listening to him.


    He smiles, growling softly. "Did you need for me to whisper it in your car,


    Kennedy?"


    My whole body shivers and I''m about to respond when howls of excitement go up


    from the patrols.


    Quirin is on his feet in an instance, carefully putting me back in the chair. "Stay


    with her," hemands Lane.


    "Quirin, what is it?" I ask him.


    He turns and the sweet, sexy smile from a moment ago is now a hard, menacing


    smile.


    "They found ter."

 Chapter 83: Kennedys Decision

    Quirin


    As soon as I knew Kennedy wasfortable and safe, I stripped off my clothes and leaped off the patio. About halfway to where my patrols had announced that my trackers had ter, Kier joined me.


    ''I can''t wait to find out where they found him,'' he says.


    ''I can''t wait to see his face when he realizes that we know what he did. You know


    he thinks we don''t know about his part in all of this,'' I tell him.


    ''What are you going to do with him?'' Kier asks.


    ''I haven''t decided yet.'' I growl as I feel the silver burning Raif''s paws. I''m pissed off all over again at Jasper.


    When we get there, I shift and walk up to ter who is on his knees in front of the patrols.


    "What''s the meaning of this? I left. I wasn''t bothering you. I rejected you and this pack, so why the fuck did you drag me back here?" he snarls. I re down at him, and I can see the fear behind the bluster. I can also see that my trackers weren''t exactly gentle with him while dragging him home.


    "Not bothering me...


    Hmmm," I say, turning to look at Kier. "Did he bother you?"


    "Yeah, I sure as fuck was bothered."


    "Mmm," I agree, nodding and acting like I''m thinking through both men''s statements.


    "How about you, Terrance. Were you bothered?"


    "Yeah, I was fucking bothered," he growls.


    "Hmmm, was anyone else bothered?" I ask. Everyone agrees, or growls angrily at ter.


    "What the fuck is your problem? What did I do to you?"


    "What did you do to me?" I ask slowly as if thinking it through. "Well, now, let''s see. You betrayed your pack and therefore me, as your Alpha. You conspired with Jasper to kidnap your previous Luna and my mate, you conspired to kidnap my pup, even though you probably didn''t know she was pregnant. Even I didn''t know she was pregnant at the time," I say as if I''ll give him that little bit of grace. ¡°But, if you hadn''t connived with Jasper to kidnap Kennedy, you wouldn''t have inadvertently kidnapped my pup so... yeah, I''m holding you ountable for that too. Did I miss anything?" I ask, looking at Kier.


    "He protected his rapist brother," he growls.


    "Oh right. You not only betrayed your pack by betraying their Luna, you betrayed them by being an asshole who doesn''t treat his fellow pack members with respect, therefore disrespecting me as their Alpha."


    "I didn''t have anything to do with Kennedy''s kidnapping," he yells. With a quick p, Raif rakes his ws across ter''s face.


    "That''s Luna Kennedy to you. Show some fucking respect for once," I growl.


    "I didn''t do anything," he snarls, pping his hand against his face, the blood seeping through his fingers.


    "Funny, that''s not what Jasper said."


    "He lied."


    "Well, he''s dead now, so I guess we''ll never know. Where did you find him?" I ask my trackers.


    "Skulking around Alpha Jasper''s packnds," one of the trackers says, smirking because this just adds more weight that ter is lying.


    "Oh so you DO know he''s dead. That makes this much easier," I say. "You''re a traitor and you''re here to pay your dues for participating in the kidnapping and attempted murder of my mate," I say, my voice dripping with false patience. "Brogan wasn''t going to kill her!" he yells before suddenly realizing what he said.


    I squat down in front of him, my fury barely held in check.


    "What was he going to do with her, then, hmmm?¡±


    "H-How would I know?" he asks, his tone much less confident.


    ¡°How did Jasper know that Kennedy''s favorite spot in the pack was the overhang, and that it was the only part of the pack that wasn''t patrolled? Who would have known that?" I ask, looking up at Kier.


    "Only one of our pack members would have known that," he says.


    "Correct. Of course, that''s changed now. I can''t have crazy Alphas rock climbing their way into my pack. So, the question is... what do I do with you?" I say, standing back up.


    "Oh, here''s an idea, let''s drag him through our silver infested packnds. He was so friendly with Jasper who contaminated ournds that you must be okay with silver, right ter?¡± I ask, turning and starting to walk back.


    I hear him fighting the warriors


    ra


    before I hear a very strong kick to his gut. That would be Kier. He has


    ????


    almost as much reason to hate ter as I do. It could very easily. have been Arianna that Arlo targeted, or even ter. I''m sure it was only a matter of time before ter followed in his brother''s raping footsteps.


    As the trackers drag ter across the packnds, the pack''s warriorse running out, surrounding us and yipping in excitement. I walk ahead of them, thinking through my decision. When wee out of the forest fine, I see Kennedy still sitting in the chair where I left her. She''s sitting up, obviously hearing the nearly feral excitement from the


    pack. On one side of her, Lane is standing guard, and on the other, her father is standing, guarding both her and Luna Yara who is standing partially behind him and partially behind Kennedy''s chair.


    The energying from the pack is emotionally charged, bordering on mob mentality. The pack has rallied behind Kennedy and I, and they see ter as the betrayer who was responsible for taking their Luna, the woman who has brought so much to our pack, away from them.


    As I walk up, my eyes lock on Kennedy. I feel her in my mind, recognizing that I''m barely holding on to my rage at what ter did, at his role in nearly taking her away from me. She carefully pushes herself to her feet and waits for me toe to her.


    When I get to the patio, she opens her arms, and I walk into them holding her close.


    "I''m right here," she says softly. "Your pup and I are safe."


    "And you''re going to stay that way," I growl.


    "Of course we are. I have the biggest, baddest, strongest Alpha in the world as a mate and I know he will protect us," she says. I hear Warren grunt beside me, disgruntled that Kennedy put me above him in strength.


    I pull back and look at her, stroking my fingers over her cheek. "I want to kill him. I want to make him suffer like he made me suffer, like you suffered. But I know that you might not want that. If you tell me you want me to give him a quick death, I "will," I tell her.


    I watch the surprise on her face, then she nces over my shoulder at ter who


    is still on his knees, although now his legs and knees are bleeding from being dragged over the silver in the packnds.


    "If I may make a suggestion," Warren says. Kennedy and I both look at him but he''s watching the pack''s pacing and yipping behind me. When he finally turns, he looks at Kennedy, then at me.


    "When I had someone who betrayed my pack, I had a simr dilemma. Obviously, Yara doesn''t like violence, and Kennedy is simr, but I felt as you do, Quirin, that justice needed to be served."


    "What did you do, Dad?" Kennedy asks him.


    I watch as Warren smiles a menacing smile that I''ve never seen on his face before. It reminds me that Warren was a fighter for many years and survived multiple wars, many of them all at once. He is a strong warrior, a strong Alpha, and one that would never tolerate someone hurting those he loves.


    "I let the pack have him," he says.


    I turn, looking at the rabid


    excitementing from my pack and I know that what they would do to him would be worse than


    anything that I did. I would torture him, make him suffer, yes. But they will toy with him, keep him alive, give him hope that he can escape before dragging him back. It would also give them a sense of unity, bonding over protecting each other.


    "I took Yara inside and let them do what they felt needed to be done. ter didn''t


    just betray you and Kennedy, he betrayed the entire pack," he says.


    I turn and look back at Kennedy. "What do you think? Could you live with that?"


    I can feel her struggle to ept what will happen to ter, but I also feel her anger that he had a role in putting our pup at risk.


    "Yes, I can live with that," she says.


    I hear ter scream ''NO'', but it''s drowned out by the howls of excitement from


    the pack. "Kennedy, why don''t you and Quirine to the hospital. We can see if an ultrasound will pick anything up while the pack ... deals with this,¡± Yara says.


    I turn and look at Kier. ''Make sure we''re away before you let them begin,'' I say in


    the mind link.


    ''Yes, Alpha.''


    "Do you mind if Ie with you? I doubt we''ll be looking over the packnds today," Warren says.


    I look at Kennedy, wanting her thoughts. She shrugs. "Sure thing, Dad. It''s your grandpup."


    "I expect all of you toe to the pack hospital to have your wolf''s paws or your


    hands and feet cleaned of silver when you''re done," Luna Yara says loudly


    enough for everyone to hear.


    "Yes, Luna," they say.


    We''ve just reached the hospital when the sound of excited growls, howls, and yips


    begins behind the packhouse.

 Chapter 84: An Alphas Love

    Christy


    I was woken by the sounds of the pack''s excitement. The feeling in the pack made me nervous and scared and I suddenly felt vulnerable and alone. Tears began streaking down my cheeks as fear began to overwhelm me.


    "Hey. Are you in pain? What''s the matter?" Deborah asks me. She''s the one sitting with me today.


    "What''s going on? Are we under attack?"


    "No, I''m not sure exactly what''s going on. I can find out if you want me to," she says, but I shake my head quickly.


    "Don''t leave me. Please don''t leave me," I say to her.


    "I''m right here. You''re safe," she says soothingly. I''m not sure I''ll ever feel safe again. Every time I close my eyes, I see him. I''m back in that bathroom with Arlo, terrified, dominated, and abused. Luna Yara said I could go back to the packhouse today, but I''m not sure that will be any better. What will the pack say to me? How will they look at me?


    I hear the doors to the pack hospital open and Deborah goes to look into the hallway.


    "Oh, hello Alphas, hello Lunas," she says.


    "Kennedy, go with your mother. I''m going to check on Christy," I hear Alpha say. Luna Yara pokes her head into the room first.


    "I''m going to get my daughter settled, then I''ll be back to check on you," she says, then her gaze focuses on me and she steps into the room. "Christy?"


    I feel my lips trembling as tears begin running down my cheeks again. "What''s going on?" I ask.


    "I''ve got this Luna. Go help Kennedy and I''ll be in soon," Alpha says, stepping in behind her.


    Luna Yara steps back out and Alpha nods at Deborah to join her. When he walks to the bed, a feeling of calm protectiveness washes over me. He wipes the tears from my cheeks then pulls up a chair, taking my hand in his.


    "What has you frightened, Christy?" he asks gently. I''ve never heard Alpha speak so softly before.


    "What''s going on, Alpha? The pack feels ... I don''t what they feel like," I tell him.


    "The trackers found ter. They are angry and they want him to pay for what he did to Kennedy and to you."


    "To me?" I ask. Why would the pack care about what happened to me? And ter may be Arlo''s brother, but he was in the cells when Arlo attacked me.


    "Luna Kennedy may have let the pack know how very angry and disappointed she was that no one protected you, Christy. That includes me. I should have known what was going on. You should have feltfortableing to me, to know that I would have protected you. The fact that you didn''t tells me everything I need to know about how poorly I was running this pack."


    "Oh no, Alpha ..." I begin, but he holds up a finger.


    "If you had feltfortableing to me, none of this would have happened. Things are changing quickly in this pack, Christy. I know you''ve been in the hospital recovering, but when you return to the packhouse, you''ll feel the difference. Anyone who is not on board with those changes will be required to leave the pack. Anyone who feels scared or threatened by any pack member needs to feelfortableing to me, Beta Kier, or Luna Kennedy," he says, then smiles.


    "Did you hear that Arianna epted Kier and they''ve now marked and mated?" he asks me.


    "She did it?" I ask, excited for my friend.


    "She did, and the pack couldn''t be happier about it."


    "Really?"


    "Really. Kennedy has taught all of us a lot about the different kinds of strength that our pack members bring to the pack. The warriors got a firsthand look at how much we underestimate our omegas when Kennedy put the omegas on strike and we had to cook for ourselves."


    I''d heard from the other omegas how difficult it was to sit back and watch the warriors burn meal after meal.


    "We''re bing a family, Christy. It''s the way our pack should have been run from the beginning, but none of us, including me, had a good family life to pull from. Kennedy did, and she''s leading us into a new way of thinking and living. I don''t want you to be afraid. I know you have a lot to work through but know that I am here for you. Kennedy is here for you. Betas Kier and Arianna are here for you. Your friends are here for you and the warriors are here for you too. You are not alone. You are safe and you are loved."


    I feel the tearsing again but for a different reason this time. I nod as he reaches up and brushes the tears from my cheeks again, as if I''m a child and he''s


    a loving father. It''s the safest and most loved I''ve felt since I lost my parents.


    "Hey, Christy ..." Leo says, walking in. He stops abruptly, seeing Alpha Quirin. "What''s going on? Why are you crying? Are you in pain?" he asks rushing over to the bed.


    "Leo, what are you doing here?" Alpha asks him, his voice more stern than it was with me.


    Leo looks me over quickly before turning to Alpha Quirin. Then he stands up straight to answer him.


    "Christy is my mate, Alpha. I rejected her when she turned eighteen because I thought she was too weak to be my mate. Luna has helped me to realize that I made a big mistake, and strengthes in all different ways I''ve asked Christy for a


    second chance, and I''ve been trying to show her that I really do want her as my mate and that I love her very much," he says, as if he''s a cadet addressing his drill sergeant.


    Alpha narrows his eyes at Leo a moment then turns to me. "And how do you feel


    about that, Christy?"


    Leo nces down at me but he doesn''t move from his position.


    "I''m not sure. I told Leo that if he if didn''t want me before because I was weak, then he definitely wouldn''t want me now because I''m even weaker," I say honestly.


    "That''s temporary. Look at you. Luna Yara says you''re ready to go back to the packhouse already. You''re so strong, Christy. I was just too stupid and blind to see it," Leo says, taking my other hand and practically begging me with his eyes to believe him.


    "Well, it sounds like the two of you have a lot to work through. Leo, do not push her past her limits. You made a mistake and you will give her the time she needs to decidei she is willing to give you a second chance or not. If she decides she isn''t willing to give you another chance, you will ept her decision. If she agrees to give you a chance, you will go at her pace. Are we clear?"


    "Yes, Alpha."


    Alpha Quirin turns to me. "If at any point, Leo makes you ufortable, pushes you more than you''re ready for, or doesn''t listen to your boundaries, you tell me,''


    he says, turning to Leo. "And you will answer to me."


    "Yes, Alpha. I won''t make the same mistake again. I promise."


    "Promise her, not me. She''s your mate. A gift from the Moon Goddess herself and you chose to throw that away. If Christy gives you a second chance, you better thank her for the opportunity to love her every day for the rest of our life, and you''d better show her with your actions that you mean it," he says standing.


    "Yes, Alpha."


    "Remember, Christy. If you need anything at all, ever, I''m here for you," he says, holding my gaze so I know he means it.


    "Thank you, Alpha."


    We don''t say anything until he walks out the door, then Leo turns to me.


    "I promise you, Christy, if you give me a second chance, I will be the best mate I can possibly be for you. I don''t want you to feel like you need to go to Alpha if you need something. I want you toe to me. If you''re scared, if you''re hurt, if you''re happy, I want to be the first person you think of to share that with," he says.


    I look down at our sped hands then frown. "You''re bleeding."


    He shrugs. "They found ter. Alpha let us have him. I punched him several times


    for you. But then I realized that what I really wanted was to be here making sure that you are okay. I was worried that the excitement of the pack had scared you."


    "It did. But then Alpha came in to talk to me," I say.


    "I should havee sooner. I''m


    sorry. I''m not perfect, Christy, and I''m sure I''ll make mistakes, but I truly do want to be the best mate I can be for you. I wanted to kill ter for having anything at all to do with what happened to you, but making sure you were okay was more important," he says, then smiles at me. "If you say that pummeling him is more important, I''ll dly go back out there and continue using him as a punching bag," he says, making me smile.


    "I''d rather you stay here with me."


    "Then here is where I''ll stay. As long as you want me to be here," he says softly.


    "You look tired. Why don''t you get some rest. I won''t go anywhere. You seem to sleep better when I''m here."


    I nod. When he''s here, he somehow manages to keep the nightmares at bay.


    I close my eyes. I''m just starting to fall asleep when I feel Leo''s warm lips press against my forehead. "I love you, Christy," he says, barely above a whisper.


    His words send warmth spreading through my body and I fall into a calm, peaceful sleep.

 Chapter 85: Shock

    Kennedy


    "What''s going on with Christy, Mom?" I ask as she gets me strapped up.


    "I''m not sure, but if I had to guess, I''d say the feeling of your pack is scaring her. I smelled her fear when I stepped into the room, but not having a mind link with her, I can''t say where it''sing from."


    I connect with Quirin''s mind, listening to him talk with Christy. He''s being so gentle with her. I send love and pride through the bond, so he knows I appreciate what he''s doing. I can tell that even though he''s talking to Christy and still paying attention to what''s going on with me, he''s also focusing on the pack and what''s happening with ter. My mate is so perfect.


    "Okay, I''m set here. Once Quirin returns, we''ll get started," my mom says.


    "I really hope we can see our pup. That would be so exciting," I say.


    "We''re not sure how far along you are, so just don''t get your hopes up too much. If nothing else, we should be able to get a heartbeat. Actually, let''s get the heartbeat monitor wrapped around you now. I''ll still wait to turn it on until Quirines in. I want him to hear his pup''s heartbeat the same time you do," she says.


    I know that Quirin can feel my excitement and I can feel that he''s getting excited too. He''s also very nervous, which is sweet.


    "Was Dad nervous when he found out you were pregnant?" I ask her.


    She smiles. "He was so excited. I only had the heartbeat at first. He listened to it over and over, yed it on repeat that first night while we slept. I didn''t know until I had the ultrasound that there were actually two heartbeats in there. It''s not always easy to find the second one, especially if you don''t know to look for it. Then, I told him we were having twins in front of the pack. He was about to go to war with Brady and I wanted to make sure he knew he had a family to return to. He went a bit crazy at first. He actually started mumbling to himself. It was pretty funny."


    "Dad was mumbling? I''ve never heard him do that before, only you."


    "He only does it when he''s really stressed out. I''ve only heard him do it a few times. Both times he found out we were having twins," she saysughing, "and maybe one or two other times when he was worried about you kids. It''s pretty rare. Your father is as tough as theye."


    Dad''s pretty awesome, but personally, I think my mate is tougher than Dad.


    I immediately hear Raif purring in my mind, listening in. I hear Quirin warning Leo


    to be careful with Christy before hees into our room.


    "How is our sweet Christy?" I ask him as he walks over to kiss me.


    "Better now, I think. I''ll check on her again after she moves back to the


    packhouse. The energy in the pack was scaring her. Did you know Leo was her mate and he rejected her?" he asks me.


    I just raise an eyebrow at him.


    "Right. Of course you did," he says, leaning over the bed to kiss me again. "What is all of this?" he asks, gesturing to the equipment Mom brought in for the heart monitor and ultrasound.


    "This is so we can hear your baby''s heartbeat. Knowing how much Warren liked hearing our pups'' heartbeats, I thought you''d like to hear it when Kennedy did for the first time. Even if we can''t see anything on the ultrasound, we''ll be able to hear the heartbeat."


    He reaches out and takes my hand, squeezing it. He doesn''t say anything, staring at the equipment. Through the bond, I can feel his nervousness ratchet up along with his excitement.


    "Do you want a chair, Quirin?" I ask him. Mom turns and looks at him, but he shakes his head.


    "No, I want to stand."


    She smiles at us. "Are you ready?"


    I look at my mate and smile before nodding. Mom flips a switch and suddenly we


    can hear the whooshing sound of a heartbeat.


    I squeeze Quirin''s hand, realizing that he''s stopped breathing.


    "That''s our pup?" he asks, his voice so soft I almost can''t hear him over the sound of our baby''s heartbeat. His emotions are getting stronger, swirling around inside him, and I swear I feel his heart, nearly ready to burst with excitement. I know mine is.


    "That''s your pup," my mom says distractedly, looking at the monitor.


    "Mom?" I ask her.


    She shakes her head, but she''s frowning when she turns back to me. "Let''s see if


    we can get an image of this little pup," she says.


    "What''s wrong, Kennedy?" Quirin asks, looking from me to my mom.


    I raise a finger, letting him know to wait. My mother should start mumbling any


    minute and she doesn''t disappoint me


    "Better to be sure. No sense causing chaos if I''m wrong."


    Quirin looks at me, frowning. ''Chaos?'' he asks in the mind link.


    I shrug, but I have an idea of what


    my mother is talking about. We just had the conversation about twins this morning. I''m guessing my mother is seeing a second heartbeat on the monitor but before she


    stress that Dad was inat


    throws Quirin into the same level of he


    found out he was having twins, she wants to be sure.


    ¡°Okay, Quirin, for your knowledge and understanding, this is a ultrasound machine. I won''t bore you with the medical jargon, but basically, the wand sends sound waves into Kennedy''s body and when they bounce against something, it creates an image of what that is on the screen."


    "So, I''ll be able to see our pup?" he asks, getting more excited and more nervous.


    "Well, it won''t be exactly what you''re used to, Quirin. But if our pup is far enough along, then yes, if Mom can get the right angle, we could see the head, the heart beating, and maybe a stomach. Our little pup is just arge peanut at this point," I tell him.


    "Peanut, I like that. My Little Peanut," he says, smiling. His eyes never leave the ultrasound monitor.


    Mom rubs the goo over my stomach and then begins rubbing the wand over my small baby bump. She rubs it around, pushing it into my stomach, then clicks a button.


    "See right there, Quirin? That lighter area? That''s your pup''s heart," she says.


    He turns and looks at me, tears in his eyes. "That''s our pup''s heart," he says, his voice strangled with the intensity of the emotions he''s feeling.


    I hold his face and kiss him, letting our love and emotions swirl between us. I''m


    not surprised when I feel my mother continuing to move the wand around. I''m sure she''s looking for that second heartbeat.


    "Holy Mother Moon Goddess! No wonder Echo is still weak," my mother mumbles and I pull away from the kiss quickly.


    "Mother?" I ask.


    A momentter, there''s a knock at the door and my father steps in.


    "Mother? What''s going on?" I ask, getting nervous.


    "I asked your father toe in, just in case Quirin needs some support," she


    says.


    "Support? For what?" he asks, frowning at my mother then at my father who moves to stand beside him.


    My father puts a hand on his shoulder. "I''m right here. Everything is going to be okay," he says.


    I look back at my mother. "Is this about our discussion earlier? About twins?" "Twins? What about twins? We''re having twins?" Quirin asks, and his voice is getting a bit higher and he''s talking really fast. Okay, so maybe mom was right to have dade in.


    I reach out and take my mate''s hand, but I focus on my mother.


    "Not twins," she says, her gaze intense on mine. She reaches out to take my hand.


    "Triplets?" I ask, my own voice getting softer as the possibility of having not two but three pups at once starts to settle on me.


    "Triplets? That''s three right?" Quirin asks in rapid session. His emotions are pinging inside of him like a pinball machine that''s being yed by an expert. I not sure he''s breathing or blinking at this point, but I''m still focused on my mother.


    She slowly shakes her head no.


    "You''re pregnant with quadruplets," she says slowly, her eyes staying focused on


    me.


    "Quad... quad... quad is four, right?


    Four? Four? We have four pups? You


    have four pups inside you? That''s more than one peanut. I have a family of five? I ... I ...¡± I turn just in time to see my mate''s eyes roll back


    into his head and his body begins to drop to the floor. Thankfully, my father catches him.


    I stare as my father swings Quirin into his arms and carries him to a chair.


    "Kennedy, are you okay?" my mom asks.


    "I ... I honestly don''t know, Mom. Four? Are you sure?"


    She turns and points to the heartbeat monitor. There are four lines on the


    machine, showing different heartbeats.


    She turns back to me smiling. ¡°I knew your mate was passionate. But damn, my


    daughter, I didn''t know he was that passionate."

 Chapter 86: Whats Important

    Quirin


    Ie awake feeling disoriented. Something is wrong, or ... not wrong, just off? Unexpected? What the fuck? I''m never this disoriented. And why is my bed so fucking hard? And where is my mate? I can smell her. She''s nearby.


    I force my eyes to open and immediately wince as the light above me shines in my eyes. Why is there a light above me? Where the fuck am I?


    "There he is." I hear Luna Yara say and a momentter she''s beside me. I know this positioning. I''m in a hospital. Am I still recovering from the bear attack? No, that can''t be right. I didn''t just dream my life, did I?


    "Where''s Kennedy?" I ask, more harshly than is necessary.


    ¡°Bathroom. She''ll be right back. How are you feeling?" she asks me.


    I feel fine, just disoriented.


    "Why am I in the hospital?" I ask, realizing that I don''t feel like I have any injuries, and I''mpletely dressed except for my shoes.


    "What do you remember, Quirin?¡± she asks me in her gentle way.


    "Hey," I hear my mate''s sweet voice. In a quick motion, I''m up and turning to the sound of her voice. I get off the bed and look her over quickly before pulling her into my arms.


    "What''s wrong? Why are we here? Why am I in a hospital bed? I''m not injured." She takes my face in her hands and holds my gaze. "Breathe for me, Quirin."


    I keep my arms around her waist and take a deep breath of her citrus and mint scent, letting it calm the turmoil inside me. What is wrong with me?


    "You passed out, Quirin," she says softly.


    "I ... what? I never pass out."


    "You were a bit ... shocked and maybe overwrought?" she says, watching me.


    Overwrought? I don''t get worked up about anything. The only thing that ever makes me nervous or anxious is Kennedy and how she feels about me. I frown at her. Did we have a fight? No, we wouldn''t be in the hospital if we did. I blink at her while she holds my gaze.


    And then it hits me like a fucking tsunami. I look down at her stomach. "Oh shit."


    "Easy, Quirin. Do I need to call Warren back in here?" Yara asks,ing to put her hand on my shoulder.


    ''Get your fucking shit together! Our mate is pregnant with our pups, pups that we filled her with, and you''re passing out on her!'' Raif growls in my mind.


    I take a deep breath, watching my mate as worry flickers across her face. That, more than anything, makes me calm myself.


    "Four?"


    She nods.


    "Do we know if they''re boys or girls?" Stupid question. It doesn''t fucking matter. Four mouths to feed is two more than my mate can nurse at any one time.


    "Mom says in about a week we should be able to tell. She thinks I''m three to four weeks along."


    "Three to four, but then..." Holy fucking shit! I got her pregnant with four pups on her birthday?


    ''It might have been after you finally stopped holding back on her. We were pretty pent up by then,'' Raif smirks.


    She smiles at me, probably seeing Raif in my eyes.


    "What does Raif say?" she asks.


    "Raif''s pretty proud of the prolific bastard he is," I say and she bursts outughing.


    "Are you going to be okay?" she asks me. I pull her into my arms, holding her to me, careful not to squeeze her too tightly.


    "First, I should be asking you that. Second, as long as I have you, I''ll be perfect. But you know I''m going to need a LOT of help with this. One was exciting but still scary. But, four? Kennedy, what the fuck are we going to do with four?" I ask her.


    "Probably not sleep much. Mom and I were talking while you were unconscious, and we had an idea."


    "How long was I out?" I ask.


    "About an hour," she says.


    I kiss the top of her head. "How do you feel about all of this?"


    ¡°Terrified, excited. Mostly I was worried about how you would respond. I know it''s


    a lot and you said you never expected to have pups, and now, you''re going to have an entire family in about four months."


    "What about Echo? What about you? Are you physically able to carry this many pups, Kennedy? Do I need to worry about losing you? Losing them?The idea of losing my pups, pups. only just learned I have, already makes me feel nauseous. I may be terrified of them, but I want them. I want all four of them. And the thought of losing my mate...


    I turn, looking for Luna Yara, but I realize she stepped out to give us some privacy.


    I scoop Kennedy up and put her on the bed before rushing to the door. Luna Yara


    is right outside, talking to Warren.


    "Can we talk to you?"


    "Of course, Quirin. I was just giving you a few moments alone," she says, walking toward me. I look at Warren.


    "Thank you for being here for me."


    "That''s what family is for, Quirin. And when everything else finally hits you, don''t worry. Yara and I will be around to help you. You don''t have to figure this out on your own."


    I don''t know what he''s talking about, but I nod and step back into the room, focusing on Yara.


    "What about Echo? Is Kennedy in danger of losing our pups? Is she able to carry our pups to term while Echo is silent?" I ask her.


    "So, I believe, and Annika agrees, that poor Echo is working herself too hard trying to protect four pups while she''s still healing herself. I do believe that she''ll get strong enough to return and I''ve talked to Kennedy about what I think you and Raif can do to help here forward."


    I reach out and take Kennedy''s hand. "We''ll do whatever we need to do to make sure Kennedy and our pups are safe."


    "I know you will. You''re a wonderful mate. And obviously a very passionate one,"


    she says. I frown as her lips twitch like I missed some sort of joke. When I look at Kennedy, she''s shaking her head at her mother.


    "It''s a good thing that I''ll be here for a while. I intend to put Kennedy on bedrest soon, especially if Echo doesn''te back at full strength. While believe that Echo is probably using her strength to protect the pups, I don''t want to risk Kennedy getting injured and being unable to heal. You''re a tall woman, Kennedy, and an Alpha female, but four pups is a lot. Two was a lot for me. Four will be even harder, especially since it''s your first time giving birth. I want to set up a special delivery room just for Kennedy, but we may have to do a Cesarian section if your pups aren''t in a good alignment to deliver. We can talk more about that as the pregnancy progresses, but I want you to be aware of some of the


    things that I''m thinking about and


    will be monitoring for in the future."


    "Whatever you need, no matter the cost, do it. I want my mate and my pups safe and healthy," I say.


    "Okay. I''ll keep you informed and I''ll want to see Kennedy at least once a week. For now, you can go. Warren''s been listening to your pack. He thinks they''ve moved to northwest quadrant of your packnds, so it should be fine for you to return to the packhouse safely."


    I''d forgotten about ter. He''s nothing, not even worth the pack''s time or energy. Kennedy is everything. I lean forward and kiss her, pouring all of my love for her, all of my passion as Yara put it, behind the kiss. I don''t pull away until she whimpering and clinging to me.


    "I want to tell the pack. And we need to get more guards for you. And we need to talk about your thoughts on how we can manage four pups. And we need ... oh, holy mother Moon Goddess. We need EVERYTHING!"


    "Dad said he''ll help. And he will. I think he''s pretty excited. Plus, I know Yana and Yvonne will want to help babysit, maybe Wendy too. But my idea was more permanent."


    I stroke her cheeks, thinking about how wonderful my life is, how much it has changed in such a short amount of time and how much it will continue to change in the future. All for the better.


    "What''s your idea?"


    Since I need to touch her, I lean forward, rubbing my face against hers as Raif


    pushes forward.


    tip


    I i


    ver


    "What do you think of making Christy our full-time nanny? It would give her a strong ce in the pack and an important role. I thought it might help her to gain some confidence and maybe help heal. She''ll spend her days on the Alpha floor in the beginning, giving her a sense of safety when she


    her to


    returns to the pack. We can even make up a room for her at the end of


    the hall if she wants it temporarily."


    Of course my mate has the perfect solution, not only to help us with our pups, but


    also to help our pack member.


    "Have I mentioned how perfect you are? How much I love you? How much I want you?¡± I growl, making her giggle.


    ¡°I''m pretty sure the pack is going to realize just how much you want me when we tell them I''m having quadruplets."


    "You know, I''ve heard that when your mate is pregnant with a girl, her scent gets


    even stronger. I fucking hope at least one of these pups is a girl and if so, you''d better be prepared for your greedy mate who can''t get enough of you."


    I smile as her scent spikes, and she wraps her legs around me. I lift her off the


    table, still rubbing my face against hers.


    "Are you ready to tell the pack? Because after that, we''re going to fucking celebrate. If you thought I was passionate before, you haven''t seen anything yet."


    "I am definitely ready to celebrate," she says, nipping at my chin.


    I reach out in the mind link to Kier.


    ''Alpha, is everything okay?''


    ''What''s going on with ter?''


    ''I''m not sure if the pack was just really angry and venting their frustration on him,


    or if he was weaker than I thought, but he''s not going tost much longer.''


    ''Good, tell the pack I have an important announcement. Finish him off and have them wash up. Meet us in the packhouse in thirty minutes.''


    It quiet a moment and then he''s back. ''Do you mind if we toss him off the overhang? It was the warriors'' idea. A bit of justice since that''s where Jasper got Luna.''


    ''Fine by me. Thirty minutes.''


    ''See you then,'' he says.


    I take my mate''s mouth again, knowing I have a few extra minutes before heading


    to the packhouse.


    Off in the distance, I hear the scream of terror as ter goes flying over the overhang, but I ignore it. Everything that is important in my life is right here.

 Chapter 87: Loves Intensity

    Kennedy


    As Quirin carries me back to the packhouse, I open my mind to him and Raif, and also to Echo.


    ''Echo, if you can hear me, we love you. We know you''re taking care of our babies and being the excellent mother that you are. But Raif is here, Quirin is here. They will help protect our babies. You need to get strong, my wolf. I miss you,'' I tell her.


    Raif begins purring in both our mind and out loud. I can feel Echo fluttering in my mind, responding to the gentle call of her mate. This is what Mom told me to try. Echo will want to please her mate, to be with him again, so having Raif in my mind and helping Echo connect to him may help to strengthen her.


    ''I''m willing to take as much time as my mate needs to help her gain her strength again,'' Raif says. "I already knew she''d be the perfect mother to my pups, and she hasn''t disappointed me. But you need your strength, my love. I want to feel you in my mind too,'' he says to her.


    I can almost feel Echoying down in my mind, her own soft purr feels like hummingbird wings fluttering against my consciousness. In my mind, I watch as Raif gets as close to her as he can, then he tooys down, watching over his mate like a sentinel.


    When we step inside the packhouse, it looks like the entire pack is waiting for us.


    "Wee home, Luna."


    "It''s good to have you back, Luna."


    "We love you, Luna."


    I smile, feeling the happiness and positive energy in the pack. "Thank you. It''s good to be home."


    Kier steps up with Arianna right behind him.


    "ter?" Quirin asks him.


    "I sent warriors to make sure he''s dead and to dispose of the body."


    "Good," he says, turning to address the pack.


    "Thank you all for getting here on short notice. And thank you to those of you who were dealing with the ter garbage for ending things quicker than you were expecting. I ...¡± he begins looking down at me. "We have some very important and exciting news for you. As all of you have undoubtedly noticed, the feeling of the pack is changing. We have our Luna to thank for that. She is turning this pack into what it should have always been - a family," he says, watching me as he speaks. I can feel his pride and love for me flowing through our bond.


    "And now, our family is growing," he says, and I hear the gasps around the room. The she-wolves in the room already know what Quirin is about to say, or at least part of it. He sets me on my feet in front of him, wrapping his hands protectively over my stomach.


    "Our Luna is pregnant," he says and the pack responds instantly, cheering and howling excitedly.


    Quirin raises a hand, waiting for everyone to get quiet.


    "Pregnant with quadruplets," he says and it''s like the air just got sucked out of the room. Their shock at his statement is like a wave rolling around the room. "We believe this is why Echo is still silent, although Raif and I have been able to feel her consciousness very softly in Kennedy''s mind.


    "Oh please, please can I be the one to tell Alpha Henry?" Kier asks, looking practically giddy.


    I don''t have to see him to know that Quirin gives him a dirty look before turning back to the pack.


    "You all need to be aware that Kennedy will most likely have to go on bedrest at some point and I will be overbearing in my protectiveness of her."


    I tilt my head to look up at my mate. "When were you ever underbearing, my love?"


    He gives me a yful growl as the pack snickers around us.


    "Lane," he says, looking up.


    "Right here, Alpha," he says, stepping forward.


    "I need your top three names for Luna Guard by tomorrow morning. From now on,


    I want two guards on Kennedy at all times."


    It''s excessive, but I don''t bother arguing. It will help Quirin feel morefortable and eventually, the guards will just be sitting outside my bedroom trying not to die of boredom.


    ¡°Luna and I already started talking about that, Alpha. I''ll have my list ready for you."


    "Good. Now, I intend to celebrate my uing family with my mate tonight, but if the pack would like to celebrate this fantastic news, start nning a party. Work with Betas Arianna and Kier," he says, scooping me back into his arms.


    He turns and carries me upstairs, not saying much until we get to the Alpha floor.


    "Tomorrow, I need you to talk to David for me. He''s been waiting in the cells for your verdict on him. I won''t expose you and our pups to that environment, but I''d like to deal with thatst open end of Arto''s betrayal. I want to start our life with a clean te. I want everything in life that you''re willing to give me, Kennedy. I want all the happiness, all the sunshine, all the love and light that you bring to me and I don''t want anything to get in the way of that."


    I reach up and stroke his cheek. "You mentioned something about giving me


    everything that you have to give, of not holding back?"


    "Do you think you can take it?" he asks softly.


    "I was made for you, Quirin. I can anything and everything you have to give me,


    just as you can take everything that I have to give you."


    We step into our room and heys me on the bed. "Thank the goddess I can''t get you anymore pregnant than you already are," he says, then jerks back. "I can''t, right?" he asks, looking terrified.


    Iugh. "No, you can''t."


    "Then yes, love of my life, I''m going to give you everything that I have, everything that I am."


    Our first time is very much like


    always, with Quirin making mee


    and then losing control when he''s


    inside me. ''This time, however, our


    minds are linked. I can sense the way he feels like I st his darkness


    out of him, leaving him with the


    feeling of exquisite happiness that he''s only ever felt with me.


    However, he doesn''t stop there. Maybe it''s because we''re mentally bonded but even after his powerful orgasm, he stays hard. And this time, he takes his time.


    His kiss, while still passionate, is slow and deep. His movements inside me remain controlled, slow and steady, driving me to the brink of bliss before pushing me over. The happiness inside of both of us, the pleasure that we''re giving each other swirls around us and it''s the most


    intense feeling I''ve ever felt in my


    life.


    I feel tears streaming down my face as I hold onto Quirin, needing an anchor. His


    own arms wrap tightly around me, but he doesn''t stop. The pleasure, the happiness, the intensity of our love wraps around us just as our bodies are wrapped around each other.


    ''I love you, Kennedy. I''ve always loved you. You are my everything. My life. My love. My future. My family.''


    His words send a fresh wave of tears streaming down my cheeks and all I can do send wave after wave of love through the bond as I shatter in his arms. Much, muchter, we finally pull apart, separating our bodies but keeping our minds wrapped around each other. Heys beside me, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms around me.


    "I will never, ever get enough of basking in your love, Kennedy," he says. It''s the calmest I''ve ever heard my mate. There''s no edge to his voice, no intensity, just rxed happiness.


    "That''s good, Quirin, because I intend to love you for the rest of my life."


    I feel his smile as he presses a kiss to my shoulder, and we fall into a deep sleep


    together.


    In the morning, I wake, still feeling emotionally exhausted afterst night, but somehow also feeling energized. Quirin''s love has that effect on me.


    ''Good morning, my human,'' a very weak sounding Echo says in my head.


    ''You''re back!''


    ''Yes. Quirin and Raif''s love strengthened me enough to bring me back.''


    I add that to the long list of reasons of why I love my mate.

 Chapter 88: Lunas Verdict

    Quirin


    I meant what I said to Kennedy. I could live forever in her beautiful mind,


    surrounded by her love and light. Opening myself to her has made the tightness that has always constricted my heart snap. I feel free, light, and oh so happy. It''s an unfamiliar feeling, but one that I want to feel forever.


    Waking up with her warm, soft body tucked against mine, her sleepy consciousness in my head is the best way to wake up. That is, until Raif and I hear Echo''s weak voice. If I''d been standing up, I think Raif would have tossed me to the ground in his excitement to get to his mate. But as rough as he was with me, he''s nothing but gentle with her. In our shared mind space, he carefully walks to his mate andys beside her, curling himself around her protectively. She licks his face briefly beforeying her head back down. Raif begins purring at her and she sighs contentedly.


    "She''s back," Kennedy whispers and I can hear the teary happiness in her voice.


    "Yes, she is. She''s a strong wolf," I say, just holding her. "Four. I still can''t believe it."


    "We have a lot to do before they arrive. But I know Mom and Dad will help, and so will the others," she says.


    "I''m sure the pack will too, once they get over their shock," I say, smiling. I''m d I wasn''t the only one rendered speechless with the news.


    "So, tell me about David," she says. I get up, carrying her to the shower as I tell her about my conversation with David, how he knew about Arlo''s obsession with Christy, and how I told him that I would leave his fate in her hands.


    "No pressure," she says sarcastically, staring up at me.


    "If it were up to me, he''d be dead," I tell her honestly. "This, your meeting with him,


    is his only chance to survive. I''m doing this for you, not him. If you don''t want to meet with him, he''ll be dead before breakfast is over."


    "I thought we decided stress wasn''t a good thing for me right now," she says, looking nervous.


    I cup her face in my hands and tilt her head to look at me. "All I need to know is if you believe him. If you do, if you trust that he can live in the same pack as Christy and our other vulnerable omegas, he lives. If you don''t, then I''m the one who decides his fate. All I need to know from you is if you believe him."


    I know my mate isn''t a warrior. She''s a healer. Killing or being responsible for


    death is hard for her, which makes her a perfect bnce for me. I don''t care about killing. She''s be the conscience of my actions.


    "Okay. I''ll meet with him," she says, just like I knew she would.


    ¡°Good, then after breakfast, I''m finally going to walk the packnds with your father and then we need to start thinking of how to structure our floor for babies and speak to Christy about being our nanny."


    "I can do that. I think Mom released herst night, so she should be around this morning."


    "Do you need to eat something or do you want to talk to David first?" I ask, watching her. I''ve noticed that while we were showering and getting dressed, the feeling inside her was changing, turning towards nausea.


    "Maybe just some crackers and club soda or ginger ale."


    "Okay, we''ll stop by the kitchen. I''d prefer to meet with him outside. I''m guessing he hasn''t showered in a while and I don''t want his scent making you any more nauseous or stinking up our packhouse," I say, scooping her into my arms. I''m careful not to move too quickly, but I have to hold still when her hand goes to her mouth. She swallows hard a couple of times before nodding.


    I carefully carry her downstairs and straight to the kitchen.


    "Luna!" Susie starts, then stops. "Crackers!" she says, rushing to the pantry. She grabs a sleeve of crackers and opens them, handing them to Kennedy.


    "Do we have club soda or ginger ale?" I ask.


    "We have both. Which do you prefer, Luna?"


    "The soda is good," she says.


    "I''ll have some sent up to your room too, Luna. It''s better to eat first thing in the morning. It helps."


    "Thanks, Susie. Is Christy here this morning?" Kennedy asks.


    ¡°She is, Luna. She''s in the back. She asked to stay in the kitchen today and Beta Arianna put her on stocking duty," she says, looking behind her. "She made sure it was easy duty, but it gives her something to do," she whispers.


    "Will you let her know I''d like to speak with her after breakfast?" Kennedy asks.


    ¡°I will Luna. It''s so good to have you back," Susie says, squeezing Kennedy''s free hand before getting back to breakfast preparation.


    ''Kier, bring David to the back patio,'' I say in the mind link.


    ''Yes, Alpha.''


    "Susie, can we get a nket as well? Kennedy is going to be outside for a few minutes and I don''t want her getting cold," I say.


    "I''m fine, Quirin," she says, looking up at me as she nibbles on her crackers.


    "And you''ll be better with a nket," I say, kissing her nose.


    She shakes her head as we walk outside. Rather than putting her in a chair like I''d intended, I sit and get her settled in myp just as Susie brings out the nket. I tuck it around her and have just gotten her settled when Kier brings David out.


    "Luna, I''m so d you''re okay," he says. "I swear I didn''t know anything about ter working with Alpha Jasper and Alpha Brogan to kidnap you,¡± he says immediately.


    "Well, that''s good to know," she says, watching him. "But you did know about Arlo, didn''t you?"


    He looks down. "I knew he was had a thing for Christy, yes Luna. I didn''t know he''d attacked her, I swear."


    "And what if you had, David? Would you have done anything?" she asks him. Through her, I feel Echo paying attention. She''s not strong enough to push forward, but she''s listening in, making her own judgements about David.


    He looks down at his sped hands. "I''ve had a long time to think about that, Luna''don''t know if I would have said anything at first, but do know wouldn''t have let her bleed out overnight. I wouldn''t have let her die or nearly die like that." When he looks up, his eyes look truthful and distraught with his part of this deception.


    "And now? What would you do now, if that situation presented itself to you, David? What would you do if another warrior, another friend, took an interest in an


    omega or another warrior who did not want his or her attention?"


    "I would let Beta Kier or Alpha Quirin know right away," he says.


    "Would you protect them? Would you stand up to a friend who was harassing a packmate?"


    "Yes, Luna. I intend to do a better job of choosing my friends in the future. But if the choice came to siding with a friend who was hurting a pack member or protecting that pack member, I would choose to protect our pack member. I''ve felt the difference in the pack, even down in the cells. It''s a good change; one I


    want to be a part of. I just want a chance to prove that I can do better," he says.


    Kennedy stares at him for a long moment, deciding if she believes him or not.


    Then she turns to me.


    ''Can we demote him for a few months? Make him work to regain his warrior status?'' she asks in the mind link.


    I raise an eyebrow at her. ''You want to make him an omega?''


    ''Yes. I want him to see just how hard our omegas work and why they''re worth the


    protection of our warriors,'' she says.


    I smile. I truly love this woman.


    I turn to David, the smile falling away.


    "Warrior David, your Luna has


    decided to give you a chance to prove yourself," I say and watch as his relief makes him slump. "However, you will be demoted until such time as you have proven yourself as being worthy of the status of warrior in this pack," I say and watch Kier smile. He obviously approves.


    "Demoted? You mean, I''ll be an omega?" he asks, looking shocked.


    "That''s correct."


    "I don''t know how to be an omega," he says.


    "Then I guess you''ll learn. It''s the only way you can work yourself back into


    warrior status. Or, we can just end your life now and be done with it," I say, making my voice hard as steel.


    His back goes ramrod straight. "No! No, I''ll do it. I''ll do whatever it takes to prove myself to you, Alpha."


    "It''s not me you have to prove yourself to, David. You have to prove yourself to your Luna and your pack. Now, go get showered. It''s nearly time for breakfast and


    I''m sure Beta Arianna needs more hands to wash dishes."


    "Yes, Alpha. Thank you, Luna. I won''t let you down."


    "See that you don''t, David," she says, watching him walk away.


    When he''s gone, I turn to Kennedy. "How''s your stomach?"


    "Settling," she says just as my phone rings. I pull it out of my back pocket and see


    that it''s Henry.


    "Good morning, Henry," I say, smiling as Kennedy snuggles against me.


    ¡°I


    guess it is a good morning. Four? Damn Q. Maybe try spending a few minutes


    OUTSIDE of your bedroom," my brother taunts.


    I''m going to kill Kier.

 Chapter 89: Nanny Position

    Kennedy


    "Hi Henry," I say, hearing Quirin growling low in his chest at Henry''s teasing.


    "Ah, shit. I''m not interrupting you two in bed, am I?" I hear him ask, although I''m pretty sure he snickered. He''s obviously enjoying himself.


    "Do you really think I would have answered the fucking phone if I was in bed with my mate?"


    "You might have, if you were worried about me," he says.


    "Did you call just to harass me?" Quirin asks.


    "Well, mostly yes, but I did call to check on Kennedy," he says.


    "My mate is perfectly fine. Her mother is here to make sure that her pregnancy


    and delivery are going well and Echo made her reappearance again this morning," he says, smiling down at me.


    "That''s awesome, Kennedy. I''m so d to hear that. But really, I was calling to make sure you have a safe word."


    "A safe word?" I ask and Quirin starts growling, louder this time.


    "Yeah, you know, in case Quirin keeps you locked to the bed because of his voracious need for you and you can''t get away even to use the bathroom. We need a safe word so I know when to call in the calvary toe help you." I can tell Henry is having to work really hard to keep fromughing.


    "Alpha Henry, maybe I like it when my mate ties me to bed and has his wicked way with me," I purr, making Quirin''s eyes snap to me. ¡°I mean, I''m proud to be carrying four of my mate''s pups and thrilled that everyone knows just how much my mate wants me."


    I watch Quirin''s slow smile, the smile that is only for me.


    "Damn Kennedy! I had no idea Quirin was going to rub off on you like this."


    "I thought you understood how these things worked, Henry. I wouldn''t be pregnant


    if he hadn''t rubbed off inside me,¡± I say, watching my mate''s grin get wider and wider.


    "What the fuck is happening? I feel like I''m in some alternate universe where Quirin is all sweet and lovey and you, Kennedy are now the hardcore one."


    "Love will do that to you Henry," I say, watching and feeling my mate''s happiness. ¡°Talkter, Henry. I need to go practice putting pups in my mate. I obviously am not up to par if I only gave her four," he says, growling possessively at me.


    "You need to consider the safe word, Kennedy!" Henry yells through the phone as Quirin disconnects, making meugh.


    "Is family always that annoying?" he asks me, his eyes dark with possessive pride.


    "Not always. Sometimes they''re great and other times you want to kill them," I tell him.


    "That describes my feelings toward Henry to a tee."


    He leans in to kiss me and I''m sure that he would have carried me back upstairs if


    my father hadn''t interrupted us with his throat clearing.


    "Did you want to look over the packnds, Quirin?¡±


    Quirin growls, but pulls back. "We''ll pick this upter," he says.


    "I''m holding you to that, Alpha," I tell him.


    "Let me know how it goes with Christy."


    "I will," I say as he stands and sets me on my feet. He kisses me again before


    walking to where my father is waiting for him.


    "Quirin," I call as they turn to walk off.


    He turns back to me. "I love you."


    His smile that is only for me returns. "And I love you."


    I smile and then look at my father. "Love you too, Dad."


    "Oh good, you did see me standing here," he says, winking at me. "Love you,


    Ken," he says before they walk off.


    I turn and make my way inside, headed back to the kitchen.


    When I arrive, I hear Arianna and Susie talking to Christy.


    "It''s okay, Christy. No one''s going to hurt you. He''s gone," Arianna says. I can smell the salty scent of tears as I walk in. The three of them are sitting at a small table at the edge of the kitchen that they use to take breaks or just get off their feet during the day. But right now, Arianna and Susie are focused on holding Christy''s hands and talking to her.


    "Hey, can I join this party?" I ask softly.


    Christy''s head snaps up and I can see the tears streaming down her cheeks.


    "She just got a bit scared, Luna," Arianna says.


    "I think that''s understandable. You''ve been through a lot, Christy. It''s going to take time to work through that. That''s part of the reason I wanted to talk to you," I say, taking Susie''s seat when she moves so I can get closer to Christy. I take the hand that Susie was holding as she pulls up another chair.


    "I can work, Luna. I swear I can. Please don''t take this away from me," she pleads.


    "Shhh," I say, running my hand over her hair like I''ve seen my mother do with the omegas in our pack when they get upset. Then I cup her cheek and brush away her tears as she leans into my touch.


    "I''m sorry I''m crying," she whispers.


    "No apologies are needed, Christy. And I won''t take this away from you, if you want it. But I have a proposition for you, one that I hope you will seriously think about."


    She lifts her head out of my hand and looks at me.


    "What''s that Luna?"


    "Well, I''m sure you''ve heard that I have quite a few babies growing in here," I say, rubbing my stomach.


    She smiles. "I did hear. Congrattions."


    "Thank you. Quirin and I are very


    excited about it but also


    overwhelmed with the idea of our family of two growing to a family of six very rapidly. At some point, my mother will have to put me on bedrest and I won''t be able to do much to prepare for our little ones'' arrival. And then, we''ll have four little mouths to feed, four sets of diapers to change, and somehow Quirin will still have to run the pack and I''ll still have to run the hospital.¡±


    Arianna looks from me to Christy and back again. "What are saying, Luna?" she


    asks.


    "I need a nanny, Christy. And I want it to be you," I say, watching as her eyes go


    wide.


    "Me?"


    "Yes. I think you''d be very good with


    young pups and, if you''re feeling


    unsafe in the pack, Quirin and I are


    willing to move you to the Alpha


    floor


    you can be closer to the


    nov


    pups while you regain your confidence at being around pack members again. It will give you a sense of security and safety that you might not be feeling right now, and it would be a huge help to me and Quirin."


    "Christy, you''d be perfect for that job," Susie says. "You''re always so good with the pups."


    Her lips tremble as she looks at me. "I would feel safe up there with you and Alpha."


    "Well, I''m pretty sure that Quirin isn''t


    going to let me help with things like setting up the nursery, so, when you''re ready, let me know. We can move you to the end of the hallso Quirin and I don''t bother youdt will mean that Leo can''te see you any time he wants though. I don''t know if that matters to you, but it''s something to consider. You can always keep your room and then spend your days on the Alpha floor with me and then with me and the pups when they arrive. As I said, think about it. We can try it with you spending your days up there, and if that''s works, great. If not, we can move you to the Alpha floor," I tell her.


    She looks at me a moment, then throws her arms around me.


    "Thank you so much, Luna."


    "You''re wee, Christy. We all love you here. There will always be a ce for


    you in this pack. I just want to make sure that you have the space and time to heal, both mentally and physically."


    "I don''t need to think about it, Luna. I''d be proud to be your nanny. I will think


    about whether or not I want to live on the Alpha floor though. That''s a bit intimidating."


    "It''spletely up to you and there''s no pressure either way," I tell her.


    "When do I start?" she asks.


    "How about tomorrow? I need to see my mother today and I''m still gaining my strength. But Echo is back, so hopefully by tomorrow, Quirin will agree to letting


    me walk on my own," I say, making all three womenugh.


    "He loves you, Luna," Arianna says.


    "Yes, he does."


    When I turn to leave, I see Lane standing at the edge of the kitchen waiting for


    me. Behind him are Terrance, Leo, and Randall.


    "Luna, do you have a moment?" he asks me.


    "Of course, Lane," I say and watch Leo wink at Christy.


    We step out of the kitchen and I turn to Lane. "Luna, these are the men that I


    would like to consider as your Luna Guard. Terrance is a strong fighter and after a rocky start, I believe that he''s proven his loyalty to you."


    I look at Terrance and nod. "How do you feel about being assigned to me and


    most likely four pups?¡± I ask him.


    "I''d be honored, Luna."


    "You know Leo and you know he''s making changes that are in line with the way


    our pack is now run and will continue to run in the future," Lane says, presenting


    Leo next.


    "Christy?" I call, turning to look at her.


    She walks over, looking between me and the other warriors. "Yes, Luna."


    "How would you feel about Leo bing part of the Luna Guard?" I ask her. Her eyes go wide again.


    "That''s not my decision to make," she says.


    "As my nanny, you will be spending nearly as much time with my Luna Guard as I


    am. I believe that you should have a say in who bes part of my Guard," I tell


    her.


    "Nanny? Oh, Christy! That''s perfect for you," Leo gushes, making her blush. "Congrattions!"


    "Yes, congrattions," the others say.


    "Thank you," she says and looks down, sping her hands in a nervous gesture.


    "I would be okay with it," she says softly.


    "Leo, you''re in. Randall, why don''t you tell me why you''re interested in being part


    of the Luna Guard," I say, not waiting for Lane.


    "I''ve made a lot of mistakes, trusted the wrong people in my life. But having you


    as our Luna, having your family here, is changing things for the better and is helping me realize that what I thought was normal in a pack all those years ago,


    isn''t. I spent a lot of years hating your father. Now, I''d like to make amends for that hate by protecting his daughter and my Luna."


    I don''t take my eyes off of him. "What do you think, Christy?"


    "Warrior Randall is a strong warrior, but he''s never once been mean or cruel to


    any of the omegas. I think you can trust him."


    "You''re in, Randall. Now, I already sort of epted Terrance. Any concerns


    there?" I ask her, turning my attention to Terrance. He raises an eyebrow, watching Christy, but doesn''t say anything.


    "No. He''s very protective of his mate and his new pup, so I think that having him


    as a Luna Guard would be good. I think he''d protect your pups just like he protects his own."


    "Good, you''re still in, Terrance."


    "Thank you, I think," he says.


    "What about me?" Lane asks.


    "You''ve already passed,¡± I say smiling. ¡°But just so we''re all in agreement, any


    issues with Lane, Christy?"


    "No, Luna, other than his mate is pregnant again, so I''m guessing he''ll want some


    time off around the time your pups are delivered," she says and we all look at her.


    "How did you know that? We haven''t told anyone yet," Lane says. Christy smiles and shrugs. "Omegas know things." "Oh Christy, you and I are going to get along perfectly!" I say.

 Chapter 90: Gender Reveal

    Quirin


    Alpha Warren and I had walked the packnds, testing the soil, finding the spots where there is the heaviest concentration of silver and the areas that are most important to clean up. He and I came up with a n based on the most heavily trafficked areas in the pack, the ces were pups were likely to be, and then the heaviest concentration of silver.


    He began working on it right away, and I''ve never been so happy to have Warren in my pack. With everything going on, I need to be focused on Kennedy and my pups, not worrying about Jasper''s silver contamination.


    However, Warren did tell me that he and Yara would like a house of their own. So we found a spot where the two of them wanted to build and added that the first part of clean up so we can break ground on their home. Until then, they are on our Gamma floor.


    I can''t say I''m getting used to the noise that constantly seems toe from that floor, but I will say that it feels like good practice for me.


    Today, however, Kennedy and I are going to her ultrasound. I can''t wait. I''m so excited to see my pups and find out how many boys I''m having. I''m excited about the girls too, of course, but I''m an older Alpha and I need an heir. Although, after seeing Warren''s struggles, maybe I shouldn''t rush retirement.


    As I go to find Kennedy, I smile thinking of the possibility of having a couple of girls that look like her running around. We might even have some of our pups who prefer medicine over fighting. I''ve learned to be okay with that, as long as it''s not my first-born son. And I realize quickly that I''d better keep that opinion to myself too. My mate will hand me my ass if she thinks that I''m not going to let our pups decide their own future.


    I find Kennedy on our floor working with Christy painting the nursery. She''s not on bedrest yet and as long as she''s not on adder or step-stool, I''m perfectly fine with her painting. I notice that her guards today are Leo and Terrance and Leo is the one up on thedder, painting up by the ceiling. Apparently he doesn''t want his mate on adder or step-stool just yet either.


    When I get there, my mate turns to me. ''You know I heard those thoughts, right?'' she asks in the mind link, raising an eyebrow at me.


    Since I keep my mind open to her all the time, I was more hoping that she was too busy to be paying attention.


    ''Don''t you always pay attention to everything that''s going on in my head, Quirin?'' she asks, again in the mind link.


    ''That''s different, your mind is a beautiful ce.''


    ''And your mind is a very structured, very regimented ce, but no less beautiful to me.''


    I smile, walking over to her and opens her mind even more, letting her golden light flow through me. I lean down and take her in my arms as my mouth finds hers. Her arms go around me and as always, she gives herself to me freely.


    I had been surprised the other night when we''d been having our marathon sex fest that seems to be a nightly thing now when she reversed our positions. She''d had a tentative look on her face, something I rarely see on Kennedy''s face and never when its just the two of us. Then, she''d leaned down, nuzzling my throat.


    I''d gone nearly rigid, knowing what she was asking. I''ve never submitted to anyone since my father died, not even Alpha Harold. I epted him as my Alpha, but I never submitted. However, I knew that if this is what Kennedy needs and wants in our rtionship, it''s what I''ll give her. Nothing is more important than she is.


    Raif and I had growled softly, but we''d done it, lifted our chin and submitted to our mate. Rather than feeling powerless, I''d felt her pride and love sting into me. It was so unexpected that I''de instantly, the orgasm shocking me with its strength as she''d gently nipped my throat, epting my submission while my body jerked underneath her.


    And something about that moment had pushed the darkness awaypletely. It hasn''t been back, even when Kennedy isn''t actively in my head. That''s not to say that I don''t get angry or frustrated, I do. But now it doesn''t feel like a heavy, dark nket covering my mind. It''s an emotion that I manage, control, and deal with before moving on.


    I hear several throats clearing around us, but I ignore them.


    "Alpha this isn''t your bedroom. We can leave if you need us to," I hear Leo saying, and I feel Kennedy''s lips curve into a smile.


    "We have important things to do Alpha. Maybe we can celebrateter," she says. "We are definitely celebratingter."


    I smile, taking her hand in mine and leading her out of the room.


    I asked Warren what I could do to thank him for his help and to thank Luna Yara


    for saving my mate. At first he''d said there was no need to thank them, but when I pushed, he''d gotten a very mischievous smile on his face.


    "You could fill your packhouse with flowers."


    "Really?"


    "Oh yeah, my mate LOVES flowers and whatever she doesn''t put in our bedroom, you can give to the pack."


    So, I ordered hundreds of flowers. The best part was that my mate loved them too, something I didn''t know about her. The second best part was watching Luna Yara stomp up to her mate and me him for the flowers. Even after he tried to pawn it off on me, she knew whose idea it was. She''d thanked me while still ring at her mate who just smiled a big cheshire cat grin at her.


    The pack ended up loving them too. I noticed several warriors snagging a rose here or a carnation there and giving them to the person they love or were trying to woo into bed.


    As we walk through the forest of flowers and out the packhouse door, I let the feel


    of the pack flow through me. I can''t get over how different, how much better, it feels here.


    I pull my mate''s hand to my mouth and kiss it.


    "It''s not me, you know," Kennedy says.


    "It is you. You made these changes," I tell her


    "It starts at the top Quirin. You had to change for the pack to change."


    "I changed because of you. I became a better man because of you. I wanted to be worthy of you as my mate and in doing so, I''ve be a better Alpha, too."


    She stops, pulling me to a stop as well. She reaches up, cupping my cheek. "And you are going to be the most amazing father to our pups, even your daughters." "Yeah. If they look and act like you, I''m doomed. But who knows, maybe we''ll end up with four boys," I say excitedly.


    "Well, you know what happens then?" she says, beginning to walk again.


    "What?"


    She tilts her head, giving me a sly smile. "You have to give me another pup. I said I wanted one of each, so if we have four boys, you''ll have to give me another one and hope it''s a girl."


    I swear I feel the blood drain from my face. Five? I''d have five pups.


    "Let''s make sure we have both then so we can be done," I say as we walk into the hospital.


    Luna Yara is waiting for us. "Ready for your big day? I''m sure we''ll be able to see at least a couple of your pups to determine if you''re having boys or girls and we''ll be able to determine if you have any identical twins in there."


    "What''s the difference?" I ask.


    "Identical twin''se from one egg that splits. Fraternal twins are two separate eggs and have their own centa. It''s rare for an egg to split more than once, but that can happen too. So, we''ll see what we can see," she says, as she leads us into what I''m now calling the Kennedy suite.


    Luna Yara started getting this room ready for Kennedy the moment she told us we were having four pups. I''m sure there''s more to do, but it''s


    already set up in a coby


    with a chair for me. Yara delivering four pups will take a long time if Kennedy is able to deliver naturally and now that Echo is back, we''re hoping she can. So, she wanted to make sure I have an


    opportunity to sit if I feel a bit


    lightheaded.


    I help Kennedy get in her gown and onto the table as Yara prepares the ultrasound machine.


    She gets us settled so we can all see the monitor and then turns it on. Almost immediately I see a heart beating.


    "Well, that little pup likes to be seen," she says, as she begins moving the wand all around Kennedy''s stomach. I look between Yara and Kennedy and I can see that both of them seem to understand what''s on the screen, but I have no clue.


    "What are we looking at?" I ask Kennedy.


    "Right now, mom''s looking to see how many centas we have so we know if we''re having identical twins," she says distractedly.


    "Well, Warren will certainly be pleased to know that it wasn''t ack of passion that gave our daughter so many pups and me so few," Yara mumbles.


    "Few? You have seven pups," I say, frowning at her. She turns and looks at us.


    "Oh, did I say that out loud?" she asks chuckling. "Since I said that Kennedy''s pups were a result of your level of passion, Warren has felt the need to remind me just how passionate of a man he is. I don''t mind, but this will make him feel better."


    "What will make him feel better?" I ask, not wanting to think about what Warren, Yara, and passion mean when said in the same sentence.


    "Only two centas, Mom?" Kennedy asks.


    "That''s all I see," she says and I look at Kennedy who smiles up at me.


    "We''re having two sets of twins. Two sets of identical twins."


    "You fertilized two eggs, Quirin, and then those eggs split, giving you four instead


    of two, like me and Harper."


    "Harper?" I ask.


    "Oh, did you not know? Connor and Harper are pregnant as well. Noelle did the ultrasound on her yesterday. They''re having twins."


    "Oh, that''s so exciting! Our pups will be the same age!" Kennedy says.


    ¡°Yeah, and because they''re rted, I won''t have to worry if Connor has boys and I have any girls," I say, already wondering which of my pack members will be having boys that I''ll have to watch out for.


    Kennedy smiles up at me and squeezes my hand.


    "Okay, so this will make things a bit


    easier I hope. Since we know you''re having two sets of identical twins, we only need to see the gender of two of them, one from each centa sac. If one is a girl, they''ll


    both be girls and the same if one is a boy."


    "Two of each would be perfect!" I say, feeling the excitement growing inside me.


    "Let''s start with this little one who seems happy to show him or herself off," Yara


    says, moving the wand back to where she started. "A good heartbeat, already starting to develop well, and ... it''s a girl."


    I smile, looking at Kennedy. "We''re having two girls!"


    "Let''s just see if we can see her twin," she says, moving the wand down


    Kennedy''s side and pushing against her belly that I swear has grown in thest


    week.


    "Another steady heartbeat and this one also looks like she''s developing well," she says. "Okay, let''s look at your other set of twins."


    She moves the wand around to the other side of Kennedy''s stomach, checking


    her positioning and moving it more.


    ...


    "Another good heartbeat, developing well, and oh, this one is shy. I can''t get a good look, let''s see if we can get to the other twin," she says, moving the wand again.


    "Ahh, four strong heartbeats. Oh, and there we are, it''s a ... oh goodness," she says looking up at Kennedy, then at me.


    "What? What''s goodness? What?" I ask in rapid fire session, looking between Kennedy and Yara.


    "It looks like you''re going to have four girls, Quirin," Luna Yara says slowly.


    Girls. Four girls. FOUR! GIRLS!


    I think I hear Kennedy somewhere in the background, or maybe it''s in my head,


    I''m not sure. Four girls. I''m having four girls. Oh goddess!


    I''m not exactly sure when I started swaying, but I feel something soft shoved


    under my head a moment before it hits the floor and I pass out again.

 Chapter 91: Bed Rest

    Kennedy


    I watch as my mate sits on the edge of the bed, patiently smiling at me. He''s rubbing my belly that is huge with four pups. There''s so little space in my stomach that you can see their butts or heads or sometimes their feet when they kick out because there''s just not enough room in there.


    My little stomach-extenders obviously love their father more than they love me because they stop shifting around so he can touch them. Raif is purring loud enough to practically bring down the rafters in our bedroom and somehow my pups don''t seem to care that I''m the one who is just as ufortable as they are.


    Echo hasn''t gotten any stronger during my pregnancy and I''m not surprised. As soon as my Alpha pups started getting too jammed up in my stomach, they started kicking; kicking my dder, kicking my kidneys, and kicking my ribs, sometimes hard enough to crack them. Obviously at least one of them has her father''s strength.


    ''What can we do to help you?'' Quirin asks in my mind so I can hear him over Raif''s rumbling purr.


    ''Put me out of my misery?''


    Okay, I''m grumpy. I''ve been on bedrest since the first cracked rib nearly two months ago. Quirin or my guards have to carry me to the bathroom, which is mortifying. I tried to walk myself when Lane was here, practically snarling at him to get away from me, telling him that I could walk myself. But my bnce is off from having so manyrge pups and I almost fell. After that, there was no argument. I wouldn''t have anyway once I realized I''m so unbnced that I''m putting my pups at risk, but Quirin gave them the Alphamand to carry me anywhere that takes me off the bed.


    He didn''t say a word to me, just came in giving me the angriest look he''s ever given me in my life and I''d burst into tears. He''s been careful not to look at me like that again. My mate is one hell of a fighter, but he''s no match for my tears. The day after that altercation, Farrah arrived and since then, she and Christy have been my constantpanions. Christy isn''t strong enough to carry me, but Farrah is.


    ''Maybe today is the day that we''ll get to meet our daughters,'' he says.


    For thest two weeks, my mother has insisted on seeing me every day and every day, she says I can wait another day unless my pups decide to make an entrance on their own. But so far, they haven''t made that decision. You''d think as ufortable as they are, that they''d find a way to get out of there. But no, they seem perfectly happy kicking their mother to death and making her wolf weak because she has to heal her constantly.


    ''I''m not that weak,'' Echo says. Her voice IS stronger than it was, but she''s still quiet more than I would like in my head.


    ''You''re not at full strength either,'' I say to her.


    ''I''m protecting our pups. With four, that''s a full-time job. Once they''re born, you may wish that they were back in your stomach,'' she says and I swear she''s chuckling at me. I''d say something snappish to her, but since she''s working harder than I am to look after our pups, I keep my mouth shut and thoughts to myself.


    "Let''s hope so,¡± I say to Quirin. "I''m ready to tell mother to induce me. I''m tired of not being able to find one singlefortable position and if you didn''t already know, the only ce I can sleep is in yourp and even then I have to shift around all the time. We were supposed to be getting sleep now since we won''t be getting any for what, like eighteen years?" I ask.


    "Have I told you today how much I love you?" he asks, ignoring my griping. "Only once," I grumble.


    His smile gets wider as he leans in. "I love you, I love you, I love you," he says, each time kissing a different part of my face; my eyes, my nose, my jaw, the spot under my ear, and then finally my lips.


    Desire res inside me. That hasn''t changed and for Quirin, this pregnancy has been even harder. He said my scent is so strong it''s like I''m constantly in heat. At first it was great. He couldn''te anywhere near me without have to be inside me. Our nighttime love fests went even longer most nights. But then, I started getting really tired and he stopped taking me as often. We tried different positions, but eventually, being on my side and even riding him became too difficult because of my difort. The only position that works at all is if he has me bent over, his arms supporting the weight of our pups while he''s inside me. I don''t get the rough Quirin and I miss him. I love the gentle love making and I love how long he canst, but I want my mate to let go and give me everything again, but he hasn''t done that since I went on bedrest.


    "As soon as these pups are out, I want the full force of my mate back," I say when he pulls away.


    "Do you want the gentle side of your


    mate before we go see your mother?" he asks and I nod. The shift in position does feel good. briefly shifting the weight of my pups from my back to my stomach and with Quirin''s hands supporting them, it makes it possible for me to enjoy having him inside me. It''s not the mind-blowing orgasms that I had before with Quirin, but it does help to take off the grumpy edge of my attitude for a few hours. Quirin, on the other hand, says hees much more frequently because my scent is so strong.


    "Goddess, you still feel so gooding on my cock, Kennedy," he growls from behind me before exploding inside me again.


    After he helps me to wash off, he carries me downstairs. I say good morning to the omegas as they hand me some small things that I can eat when I can. There''s not a lot of room for food with four nearly full-term pups in my stomach.


    "Hi Luna. I was going to finish washing baby clothes and putting them into the dressers this morning. Is there anything else you need from me?" Christy asks.


    "I don''t think so, Christy. Thank you."


    Christy has been a goddess-sent gift. She has done everything I needed, spent time with me every day helping to alleviate my boredom and making sure that the guards or Farrah came to get me every twenty minutes to pee.


    "Good luck, Luna," Arianna says, walking out and rubbing her own belly that isrge with Kier''s pup. She only has one and I envy how small her stomach ispared to mine.


    "Thank you, Arianna. Are you feeling okay?" I ask her.


    "Yep. I''d say I''m a bit ufortable, but considering thepany, I''ll keep that to myself," she says smiling.


    She''s another goddess-sent gift. She''s taken over the kitchens and since I went on bedrest, shees to my room and we talk through the day and what needs to be aplished. It didn''t take her long to start running the packhouse like a well-oiled machine. I have no doubt that once I do have these pups, everything will be taken care of until I can get back to work.


    "Good luck, Kennedy," Farrah says,ing out of the kitchen, wiping her hands. "Thanks, Farrah."


    "What are you doing, Mom?" Quirin asks her.


    "Teaching these omegas how to make my cinnamon rolls," she says smiling as she walks over, kissing first me on the cheek, then Quirin, smile realizing how easy it is for him now. When my mate makes a decision, he''s all in. So when he finally epted that he had family, he just epted it. I''m pretty sure Farrah cried the first time he called her mom, and she still gets teary-eyed about it sometimes, but it''s all good.


    "Hey sweetheart. Off to see your mother?" my father asks, walking up. He''s been such a huge help cleaning out the packnds. I understand there is still a lot to do, but the pup yground and the area right behind the packhouse were some of the first that were cleared. He''s also cleared the area where he and Mom wanted to build their house. The whole family has helped to build it along with our pack members which has been something that I''ve at least gotten to hear about every afternoon when Wendy, Yana, and Yvonnee to see me.


    "Yep, wish me luck,¡± I say as he kisses the side of my head and grips Quirin''s shoulder as he moves past.


    "Anything I need to know about today?" Quirin asks.


    "If Kennedy doesn''t have my grand-pups today,e find me. Kier''s meeting me


    in an hour, so if you''re done, I''ll show you both where I''m at with everything."


    "Sounds good," Quirin says and turns to walk to the hospital.

 Chapter 92: Delivery

    Kennedy


    Raif continues to purr as we walk to the hospital, and I lean my head on Quirin''s shoulder.


    "Are you scared?" I ask him quietly.


    "Terrified. As excited as I am to meet our daughters, I''ve only felt fear like this once before in my life and that''s when you were taken."


    I chuckle, but the movement sends a jolt of pain through my stomach so I stop.


    Quirin presses a kiss to the side of my head as we walk into the hospital and straight to what he calls the ''Kennedy Suite''. I will say, Mom is absolutely prepared for my babies to arrive. There are four basss, waiting to be filled, arger than normal counter with multiple areas to bathe, measure, and weigh my little ones and all the equipment mom thinks we might need in case any of our pups or I go into distress during delivery.


    Quirin and I are very familiar with the procedure of me getting checked, so he hooks up the heart monitors over my stomach while mom prepares to check me. This might be my favorite part of the day, watching Quirin as he sets the heart monitors and smiles wider and wider as each of his pup''s heart beats begin echoing in the room.


    Momes over and looks at the heart monitor, then turns to look at where the monitors are on my stomach before turning back.


    "I think today''s the day," she murmurs.


    / still.


    "What''s that, Mom?" I ask as Quirin goes very


    "This little one


    starting to show signs of distress. I think it''s time to induce you,


    Kennedy," she says.


    I look at Quirin. "No fainting."


    He shakes his head rapidly. "Is that definite, Yara?" he asks her.


    "Yep, I''ve already got what I need to induce Kennedy''sbor right here," she says.


    Quirin opens the pack link. ''Attention everyone! Today is delivery day! Follow the protocol we''ve discussed.''


    I hear lots of excitement and ''good lucks'' before he shuts the link down.


    "What type of protocol?" I ask him.


    "Just making sure the pack runs smoothly in my absence, and that your family gets notified," he says.


    "I already notified them," Mom says.


    It''s hours and lots of contractionster before my mother finally tells me that I can begin to push. She''s been watching the heart monitor as closely as we have. One of my baby''s heart beats has fluctuated between strong and weak and I''ve been getting progressively nervous about it.


    When it''s finally time, Farrah and Deborah join my mom to help manage so many babies. I can tell that Quirin is stressed. He''s trying to block it out, but I''ve learned the signs with him fainting on me twice.


    ¡°So help me goddess if you faint on me Quirin ...,¡± I growl as I push.


    "I''m right here. I''m right here," he says, but he''s talking in that rapid fire way that he has before he passes out.


    "Breathe, son," Farrah says,ing over to put her hand on his shoulder.


    I re at him. "You do realize that I''m the one delivering these babies, right? All you have to fucking do is stay upright!" I snap at him.


    "There''s the head. Look at all that hair. I''m guessing this one will look like you, Quirin," my mother says calmly. "One more hard push, Kennedy, and your first little girl will be here," she says.


    I, however, watch the blood drain from my mate''s face as he looks down at my mother. Since I can feel the pressure of my baby between my legs, I''m guessing he''s seeing our daughter partially in and partially out of my body.


    I growl at him again, snapping his attention to me.


    "One more hard push," he says, but his eyes are wide and he''s not blinking. His throat, however, is working overtime, like there''s something stuck in it that he can''t quite swallow.


    When the next contraction hits, I go back to focusing on pushing. I feel the swish of a small body slide out of me and I lie back, panting.


    "You''re doing great, Kennedy," Farrah says as Deborahes to take our daughter.


    "Why isn''t she crying?" I ask, already feeling exhausted.


    Quirin looks at me and I feel his fear ratchet up at my question.


    "Give it a minute," my mother says calmly. My contractions don''t stop and just as I hear my baby start to cry, I push again. It''s only a couple of minutes and a few hard pushes


    before the next baby a pushes


    "That''s the first set of twins," my mother says.


    "Before your contractions start again, Luna, wanted to show you your baby girl," Deborah says, walking over with girl number one. Quirin and I have all four names, but we wanted to see them firstI''m hoping one set of twins looks like me and the other looks like him. Looking at my first-born daughter, I know my mother was right and this set will look just like Quirin. I wonder if she''s been the rib-cracker in my stomach.


    Deborah turns to Quirin. "Want to hold your daughter, Alpha?" she asks him.


    His eyes go wide, but there''s a softness there too and tears.


    He nods his head and puts out his arms. "I don''t know what to do."


    Deborah helps him get our daughter into his arms. I narrow my eyes as I watch him sway.


    "Quirin, so help me goddess, if you pass out with our daughter in your arms, as soon as Echo is back, I''ll have to rip you limb from limb," I growl as my contractions start again.


    "How about sitting down, Alpha," Deborah says, bringing over the chair that Mom made sure was in here for Quirin.


    It''s about twenty minutester


    before my third daughter is delivered and by then; Quirin is holding our


    first two daughters, looking like meto


    deer i headlights as Raif purrs at them, keeping them calm until I can nurse them or they can get a bottle.


    Only one daughter left. The one with the erratic heartbeat. I''m exhausted but seeing her little heartbeat bumping up and down makes me focus. Deborahes to take our first two pups from Quirin, as she and Farrah give them bottles while Quirin holds our third pup.


    "Why isn''t her heartbeat stabilizing?" he asks quietly.


    "Delivery is stressful for the mother and the babies and she''s been dealing with Kennedy''s contractions for hours," my mother says as I begin to push again.


    "And there''s our problem?" she says.


    "What? What problem?" I ask.


    Quirin stands and his eyes go wide again.


    "Farrah,e take this baby," he says.


    "What''s wrong? What is it?" I ask.


    "The cord is wrapped around her neck," my mother says. "Don''t push until I tell


    you too."


    "Quirin?¡± I say, and he sps my hand, watching as my mother removes the cord from around my daughter''s neck.


    "Alright, Kennedy, push," she says.


    I do, feeling Raif pushing his strength and energy into me to help me through my


    fatigue.


    When she finally slides out, it''s my mother who takes her over to the area that was set up to bathe and check them.


    "Why isn''t she crying?" I ask.


    No one answers.


    "Mother, why isn''t she crying?" I say, my voice bing nearly hysterical.


    "There she is," my mother mumbles a moment before I hear the sweet sounds of


    my fourth daughter''s very powerful lungs.


    "You did it," Quirin says, and I burst into tears as he holds me.

 Epilogue 1: Family

    Quirin


    Two Years Later


    I sigh with happiness, or actually, Raif sighs with happiness as wey on the back patio with our four daughters. Just as Kennedy had hoped, there was one set of twins that looked like me and one that looked like her. We''d named them ordingly with the ones who looked like me being named Quinlee and Qui and the twins who look like my beautiful mate named Kaylee and Kendra. What we didn''t know is how deceptive looks can be. The daughters who carry my looks are sweet and gentle like their mother. The ones who look like Kennedy have my little hellion personality.


    Currently, all four of them are surrounding Raif in one way or another. I''ve decided that Kendra, who was the one with the cord around her neck, was Kennedy''s little rib-kicker while she was in utero. She''s currently on Raif''s back, kicking him as hard as she can, telling him to giddy-up. Instead of getting up, he lifts his head and shakes, forcing her to hold on tight as she squeals in delight.


    ¡°No, Daddy!" Qui says, taking Raif''s face and pulling it back down to the ground.


    "Those are some beautiful ribbons you''re putting into Raif''s fur, Qui," Kier says, barely able to contain hisughter.


    I growl softly at him so I don''t startle my daughters.


    "No growlies, Daddy!" Quinlee says from the other side of Raif''s head. She takes his head, looking us in the eye before putting her forehead against his massive head. My wolf, as much of a sucker for my daughters as I am, begins purring at her, poking her with his nose and making her giggle. It''s the sweetest sound in the world. Well, the sweetest sound next to my mate''s moans when I''m making her


    "Do you need some help, Alpha?" Christy asks from where she''s sitting and rocking one of my other babies. After Kennedy had the quadruplets, she and I knew we needed time to adjust. Echo came back quickly after they were born, which was good because even with Christy, even with our wolves giving us energy and strength, Kennedy and I were exhausted every minute of every day. We intended to wait a year, but I still can''t seem to get enough of my mate, so about six months after the quads were born, Kennedy got pregnant again, this time with twins. I was so excited. I knew I just HAD to get boys this time.


    Kennedy stillughs uncontrobly whenever ites up in conversation. I''m not sure what the look was on my face when Yara told me we were having girls again, but I know I had that same feeling I had both times when I passed out. Shock. Fear. Disbelief. And a huge dose of protectiveness. The shock has worn off, but the rest are regr emotions in my daily life.


    Six. I have six daughters. I''ve somehow gone from being the most feared Alpha on the to being a girl dad ... with ribbons in his wolf''s fur.


    Raif turns his head as little as possible so he doesn''t disrupt the girls who are decorating his fur to look at Christy, except Kaylee is in the way whipping Raif''s tail around like a weapon. Or maybe she''s trying to pull it off, I''m not exactly sure.


    I''m about to tell her that I''m all good, when the most beautiful woman in the world walks outside, holding my son. It took three tries, but I finally got my heir. Because each pregnancy was smaller than thest, Kennedy had an easier time, not needing bedrest with either of thest two pregnancies.


    She walks out, smiling down at me, her eyes filled with warmth and the heat of her never-ending desire for me.


    "Alright, girls, time for lunch," she says. Quinlee and Qui both kiss Raif, Kendra slides off our back like she''s been riding wolves her whole life, which I guess she has, and Kaylee gives Raif''s tail one final yank before letting go and joining her sisters by Kennedy.


    "Mommy, we need to give Harry a kiss," Qui says. Kennedy squats down so the girls can all kiss their brother. I wasn''t sure what to name our son. I wanted it to be meaningful and as always, it was Kennedy who came up with the idea. She suggested we name him after both of my fathers, so we did. Harold Quinton came into the world just five months ago.


    "Take Amelia and Killian with you. Beta Arianna will be out with your lunch in just a minute," she tells them as she stands. Amelia and Killian are Kier''s pups and Arianna is pregnant again.


    Raif stands, shaking out his fur before I pull the shift. Since Kier is still smirking at me, I''m guessing the ribbons didn''t fall out during the shift. I pull on a pair of shorts before looking over at my mother.


    "Are you doing okay with K, mother?" I ask. She raises an eyebrow at me.


    "Do I look like I''m having a hard time?" K, one of my one-year-old twins, is sound asleep in her arms and Farrah looks perfectly content to continue rocking her in thefortable afternoon sunlight.


    "Alpha, if you want to take Quiana, I''ll go sit with others while they eat," Christy says.


    I give her a look. "You stay there. Someone will bring you some food."


    It took her almost a year to agree to ept Leo as her mate. It was nearly nine months after that when she announced her pregnancy. And now, her stomach isrge with her pup. I already know that she''s struggling to keep up with my little hellions, but thankfully we have grandparents to help with that.


    Speaking of...


    "Where are my little buttercups?" Warren asks, walking out of the packhouse.


    "Grandpa!" All four of my daughters say, rushing into his arms. He expertly swings Kendra onto his back, then lifts Kaylee in one arm and Quinlee and Qui in the other.


    "Did I hear there''s food? Because I''m so hungry," he growls thest part, making my daughters squeal in delight.


    I walk over to my mate, leaning down to kiss her before taking Harry from her. She''s just finished nursing him, so he smells like me, but with a milky version of Kennedy''s citrus and mint scent on him.


    "Maybe I''ll have to eat little Alpha pups if there isn''t enough food for me!" Warren says, Arric still growling yfully at the girls.


    "There''s lots of food, grandpa!" Qui says, holding him around the neck.


    I had been so overwhelmed when the quads first came along, but Warren was a natural with them. I guess having seven of his own, he had learned how to manage. I''d watched him and learned how to be a better father and spend time with all of my pups, giving them together time but also alone time when they need


    it.


    When they get to the table, Quinlee calls over to Kier''s pups. "Ame. Killy. Come sit with me,¡± she says, patting the empty bench seats beside her.


    "And me," Qui says.


    Warren pulls Kendra around to hisp as Arianna and Susie bring trays of food out for us to eat.


    "You''d better have saved us some food," Wade says,ing out with his twin, Yvonne and their older sister, Yana. He kisses the top of Kaylee''s head before sitting beside her.


    Connor had been right about building a house for them here. They split their time between our packs and it just makes it easier for them toe and go, especially for Yara who ended up building an educational center in our hospital so she could work out of either pack. Kennedy has started taking sses, but it''s slow since she has seven pups all two and under. But my mate is somehow making it work, because she''s perfect.


    It took more than a year, but Warren got all the silver out of our packnds. He worked tirelessly until it was done. By then the quads were old enough to be mobile and Kennedy had just had the twins, so he started helping Christy by taking the older girls out during the day for little ''excursions'' as he called them. Kaylee and Kendra enjoy it the most, while Quinlee and Qui prefer to spend time with Grandma Yara in the pack hospital. At first, I was worried about it, worried that they might see too much violence, but Kennedy assured me that it''s exactly what she used to do.


    "They''ll see it eventually Quirin. It''s better for them to understand that it''s not something to get rmed over. It''s something to assess and treat," she''d said and having learned to trust my mate, I let it go. The girls love it and flourish with the extra time they get to spend not only with Grandma Yara, but also with Kennedy while they''re at the hospital.


    "When are we heading to Connor''s pack?" Harold asks,ing out to join us. He kisses his grandson before sitting down to join the others.


    "Yara and I are going tonight. We want to be there in the morning to wish Yorick a happy birthday," Warren says.


    Yorick is turning eighteen. I''m not sure what his ns are. He''s the second son and since Connor already has a Beta, there''s no real ce for him in the pack. Kennedy says Connor''s trying to convince him to stay and help him run the pack, but she doesn''t think he''s going to.


    "How are the Double K triple threats?" Wade asks, looking at Kaylee and Kendra.


    "Threatening!" Kendra says, forking up some food and eating it while Warren eats around her.


    "Are we gonna sparter?" Wade asks, looking like he''s excited about sparring with his two-year-old nieces.


    "We''ll take you down, Uncle Wade!" Kaylee says.


    "We''ll see. I''ve been practicing with your Dad," he says, as if this makes him a huge threat. Then he looks up at me and smirks. "Although, he doesn''t look very threatening right now."


    I lift my hand up to pull the ribbons out of my hair, but Qui''s sweet voice stops


    me.


    "No, Daddy! We worked so hard to make Raif pretty."


    "Raif was VERY pretty," Kier says. I growl as he walks by, but I keep it soft, since Harry is sleeping in my arms.


    "You did a wonderful job, girls. Raif was beautiful. But then again, he always has been," Kennedy says, looking at me over the table filled with our family. Family. This is what Kennedy has given me. This is the life that I never knew I wanted or needed but now that I have it, I could never live without it again. The darkness is gone. Once I let Kennedy in, it never returned and now, I have seven more shining bright lights of love and happiness that my darkness can''t evene close to snuffing out.


    I look at my mate, letting my love for her flow through the bond.


    ''I love you so much, Kennedy.'' I say in the mind link.


    She walks around the table, watching me with dark eyes that promise another


    marathon love fest tonight.


    ''You are the only man I''ve ever loved my entire life, Quirin. You, and only you.''


    I lean down to kiss my mate, as deep as I dare with my son in my arms before I


    pull away.


    ''Tonight, I''ll show you just how much I love you,'' I say in the mind link.


    ''I can''t wait,'' she says.


    "Mommy, Daddy,e eat!" Quinlee says.


    I kiss my mate''s head and lead her to the table, joining our family as we enjoy our


    life and love together.

 Epilogue 2: Life Plans

    Yorick


    ''Smell anything, Thad?'' I ask my wolf. I''m still in bed on this, my eighteenth birthday. I didn''t expect that my mate would be here, there''s nothing for me here in this pack, but I figured I''d better make sure.


    ''I would have smelled herst night if she was here,'' he says.


    That''s true. I guess she could be in Kennedy''s pack, but somehow, I doubt it. I''ve known for a while that my ce wasn''t in either of my older siblings'' packs. I''m an Alpha wolf with an older brother who has taken over our pack. My father''s Beta and his mate have a son who has already taken over as my brother''s Beta and the same is true for our Gamma. There''s no ce, no position for me in Connor''s pack.


    I could probably petition Quirin for is Gamma position. He''s been talking about needing to fill it and now that his life is full of pups, he needs the help, but it''s not what I want.


    ''We''ve made our decision,'' Thad says.


    We have, we just haven''t told anyone yet. I''m not sure how they will react and I''m not sure what it will mean for me in the future, but I know Dad and Connor will be surprised.


    Part of me wishes that I had my sister''s penchant for medicine. Then, at least, I''d have a ce here. I could work to take over my mother''s position as Lead Doctor at our pack hospital, but I''m a fighter. I much prefer being in hand-to-handbat than sitting and reading a book. Honestly, if it weren''t for Kennedy, I probably wouldn''t have passed half of my sses. It''s not that I''m stupid, it''s that I have zero attention span when I''m uninterested in something and things like algebra, chemistry, and physics hold absolutely no interest for me at all.


    "You''re an excellent fighter, Yorick. You know there will always be a ce for you in this pack. I could use someone like you to train our warriors," Connor said and has said to me several times over thest year. I know he wants me to stay, wants me to feel like I fit in, but I don''t. Not here. Not in HIS pack. And I know I never will. I''ll always be the younger brother that Connor is finding a position for in his pack. But I want to find my own ce, my own way in the world.


    I sigh and roll out of bed, quickly getting dressed before going out to warrior training. This and the afternoon training are my favorite parts of the day. There won''t be any afternoon training since we''re celebrating my birthday, so I don''t want to miss this morning.


    My mother and father returned to the packst night and when I walk downstairs, my father greets me.


    "Ready for me to finally let loose now that you''re an adult?" he asks, giving him a grin that is nearly identical to mine. Connor and I both look very much like our father.


    "Because you''ve been holding back?" I ask him.


    He shrugs. "Maybe I''ll wait one more day. It IS your birthday, after all."


    "The best present you could give me is a challenge, Dad," I say as we walk outside.


    "Ouch! Are you saying I don''t challenge you on the sparring field?"


    "You do, but Quirin''s fighting style is very different than yours and I find it to be a bit more effective," I say. Quirin has no problem fighting dirty. He''s an excellent fighter, even iftely he''s been fighting with glitter, clips, and ribbons in his hair. My nieces love to decorate Raif and he''s very patient with them. My Dad was the same when my sisters were younger.


    "I''ll have you know, my son, that over thest couple of months while I''ve been in Quirin''s pack, I''ve been training with him too, so you might be surprised at what I throw at you today," my father says.


    As we walk out, the pack members all wish me happy birthday. Connor is at the front of the warriors and when he sees me, he ps his hands together and rubs them, watching me with a glint in his eyes like he''s some sort of mad scientist.


    "So, who gets the first shot at the birthday boy?" he grins.


    Two hourster, I''m sweaty and feeling much more rxed after taking down my father, which did take longer than normal, finally calling a draw with Connor, and then taking on Wendy. She''s a year younger than me and another excellent fighter. My battle with her was tough, but she still fights with too much emotion. Once she''s riled up, she starts making mistakes. I also think the battle from a couple of years ago where she nearly lost her life gets into her head and makes her freeze up when she''s sparring. I know Dad and Connor are working with her on it, but over two yearster, she''s still struggling to ovee her fear.


    Friends and family arrive throughout the day, and early in the afternoon I make my escape to my room so I can get ready for the party tonight. I walk to my dresser and pull out the letter that arrivedst week.


    "You have been epted at this year''s Warrior Academy. Congrattions! You are among the elite who have been chosen."


    I take a deep breath. This is the announcement that I will be making tonight, the one my brother and father will be shocked to hear.


    I shower and get dressed and when I step out of my room, Wendy is just stepping


    out of hers. I raise an eyebrow at her. I''ve noticed a pattern over the past couple


    of years. Wendy always dresses up more when a certain Alpha who saved her lifees to visit.


    She stops, blushing and struggling to hold my gaze.


    I arch my eyebrow even more as I notice the hint of applied blush on her cheeks and the swipes of mascara on her eyshes.


    "Shut up!" she growls.


    "I didn''t say a word," I say, grinning even harder.


    "You didn''t say them out loud, but I know what you were thinking in that pea-sized brain of yours." she whisper yells at me.


    "Do you? What was this pea-sized brain thinking, exactly?" I ask taunting her. She probably does know, but I doubt she''s willing to confess it.


    She raises her chin. "It''s your birthday. I''m your sister. I should dress ordingly."


    "That''s not what I was thinking," I tell her. The applied blush is no match for the deep shade of red her cheeks are turning now.


    Instead of continuing to tease her, I offer her my arm. "How about you escort the birthday boy downstairs?"


    She takes my arm and as we begin to make our way down the hall, she looks up at me. "Thanks, Yorick."


    "You''ll know next year for sure, little sister. I know you want it to be him, but you have to prepare yourself that it might not be."


    I won''t be around this year to look after her. Connor is busy with his pack, mate, and increasing number of pups. Mom and Dad go back and forth between packs and seem to have more and more grandpups every day to keep them upied, not to mention Yana and the younger twins. Without me, Wendy will be on her own to deal with her infatuation for Alpha Henry.


    "How did you know?" she asks, looking up at me.


    "Anyone who is paying attention knows, Wendy. You''re not exactly subtle." "What if he takes a chosen mate before a turn eighteen?" she asks, her voice getting tight.


    I turn and look at my sister. "Everything will be as it should be. I know you hope that things will work out for you the way they did for Kennedy, and maybe they will. But you need to prepare yourself for the possibility that they won''t."


    Her eyes narrow as she searches my face. "Why does it sound like you''re not going to be around to catch me if I fall?"


    I look around quickly to make sure we''re alone. ¡°I''m making an announcement tonight. I''ve made my decision about what I want to do," I say, passing the letter to her. She reads it quickly, her eyes going wide.


    "Oh Yorick! I''m so proud of you. And so pissed! I''m going to miss you so much!" she says, throwing her arms around my neck.


    "I''m going to miss you too, and I don''t want toe back and find my sister''s heart is crushed because she didn''t protect it. Will you do that for me, Wen? Will you protect your heart, at least until you know for sure."


    She nods against my neck. "I will," she whispers.


    "Okay,e on then. Time for me to face whatever Dad and Connor are going to say about my decision."


    "It''s not their choice, is it Yorick? You''re a grown man, an Alpha who needs to make his own way in this world. They may not like it, but they''ll still be proud of you," she says.


    Of all my siblings, Wendy and I are the closest. Maybe it''s because we''re close in age, or maybe it''s because we''re not twins that we ended up bing so close, but I already know that I''m going to miss Wendy the most out of all of my family.


    "You''d better write me. All the time!" she whispers as we begin to make our way down the stairs.


    "Yeah, because that''s something I love to do," I say dryly.


    "Do it anyway. I''ll protect my heart, if you write to me. Deal?" she whispers as everyone turns to look up at us and begins singing Happy Birthday.


    "Deal."


    **This story will continue in The Pack''s Alpha, Yorick''s story.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!