had been used to doing things her own way, and so had Kyle. Neither of them was particularly adept at listening to the other. If they couldn't overcome this hurdle, their relationship would be extremely rocky. She knew that healthy relationships thrive on compromise.
It wasn't that she didn't want to listen to him. She simply wanted him to consider her opinions. When she was in the witch's house, he, Ethan, and Anthony had all been in her mind, and they had collaborated. They had listened to her, and she had listened to them. "What the hell?" she exclaimed suddenly, and Kyle's head lifted from her lap. He watched her for a moment, his expression tense, before noticing the confusion on her face. "What is it, love?" he asked, his tone laced with concern. "In the witch's house, I felt Ethan and Anthony press into my mind. They gave me directions and worked with me," she paused for a moment, carefully considering what she was about to say next. "I was stilThe room burst into applause when Kyle said he thought they should go.'So we have to be vocal in agreeing with one another?' Rosette questioned into his mind.'As much as we can be, until they believe we are strong and stable. Otherwise, we may have someone try to challenge us,' he said back to her.'You could best any challenger,' she thought confidently.'I could and I have before,' he answered, 'but the challenges are stressful for the pack. They fear their leaders may be replaced at a moment's notice. They become restless. It is not a healthy atmosphere.'Kyle looked calmly out over his pack in the dining room, and Rosette took his hand. They sat silently watching them for several long moments."What's a celebration entail?" Dee asked, breaking the silence at the table."Running, fucking, eating, and dancing," Rosette told her succinctly."Humans allowed?" she asked."I'll carry you there, Dee," Will said, pulling her in for a kiss.
"So everything is fixed?" Rosette asked, smiling, "No more spells, no more source magic, doesn't that mean the problems are all gone."Kyle grinned paternally and looked down at her. 'Do you mean,' he sent into her head, 'are we fixed? That is an entirely different problem.'He sighed and inclined his head towards the few warriors still in the infirmary. 'They do not trust us,' he said. 'They think we are ill-fitted as an Alpha pair. None would dare say this to me directly, but they have been brazen enough to tell Ethan.'Rosette sighed and shook her head. There had to be a way to fix this. Kyle had worked too hard to create a strong pack to just have it destroyed in one night.The rest of the morning was odd. Rosette tried to agree with Kyle about everything and anything. Honestly, she felt like a parrot saying whatever he did. Her hands rested over him, and when he moved, she went with him. Finally, he rolled his eyes and looked at her.'It won't work, lov
Kyle stood as a man, eyeing Rosette curiously. The other women who had dragged back their kills were circling their men, eager to celebrate their prowess. Rosette wanted to bathe."Can you catch me before I make it to the water, love?" Kyle taunted, backing away.Rosette tilted her head and watched him for a moment. Was he giving her the option to get in the water and wash off first?He bolted for the water as a man, and Rosette took off after him. Chasing him in her wolf form wasn't appealing if he wasn't running in that form, so she shifted.She tackled him as he reached the water's edge, and they splashed into the lake together. They tussled in the shallow water, and Rosette ended up dirtier than when she started. Kyle landed on top of her, pinning her hands."I think I win," he laughed, kissing a less muddy spot on her cheek. "I get to wash you."Kyle picked her up and carried her deeper into the lake. His large hands soothed over every inch of her
"Well," Donna said awkwardly, "you said they could...be close, and April really wanted to. Rick took her into the woods to a quieter place. He wanted it to be private, in case she got scared and they had to stop. He thought it would be too much, with everyone around."Anthony interrupted, "I told the kid, Rick, a nice place. It's somewhere not real close to the festivities. Most of us wouldn't go that far, so no one will bother them."Kyle shrugged and motioned for the ball, which they threw to him. They joined the game for several minutes before wandering out of the water and onto the beach.Rosette walked with Kyle, heading towards the cooking fires. The Omegas tending the meat were all sweating and working very hard. She felt bad for them; everyone else was having a good time. She had to ask Kyle about it."Service to the pack, my love," he told her. "They will enjoy the festivities later, but this is their duty to the family."Katrina bounced up beside them, her usual whirlwind of
"Don't call the pack with a howl," Rosette pleaded, her voice a hushed whisper as she remained on her knees. "The rogues are unaware of our knowledge. Let them believe we're in the dark."Kyle, his jaw clenched, responded in a low growl, "Shift. Everyone here, shift now. Spread the word quietly."The pack, a silent audience, watched them intently. Those who understood the command shifted, their forms morphing into wolves, while the rest followed suit, mimicking the actions of their packmates.Rosette heard Kyle's voice, clear and commanding, ordering the warriors to take up strategic positions around the pack. He then reached into her mind, his thoughts merging with hers and with Rick's, a silent telepathic connection."Which way and when?" Kyle inquired."They seemed to be heading north, sir. Last I saw them was about thirty minutes ago," Rick replied."No better directions?" Kyle pressed, his voice laced with urgency."I didn't want to get caught, sir. I wanted to get back to you an
The van was almost to the trees when Kyle made his decision. "Destroy a tire on each van and get back up on the hill. Stay away from them."Rosette struck like a snake, clawing the tires on the driver's side. She moved so fast she was just a white blur with claws. Quickly, she darted up the hill.Anthony and his group joined her near the top, closing ranks around her silently. They had no other reinforcements, so they just waited.The rogues jumped out of the disabled vans. Several tried to bring the Omegas they had kidnapped with them. The girls knew they were close and continued to fight as best they could.Rosette wanted to help them, to run down the hill and slay the monsters that had kidnapped her pack. But she waited for Kyle. He was right; she would lose this fight.Anthony seemed to sense her distress and comforted her softly. "The girls will be fine," he said, "the rest of the pack will get here in time." Rosette hoped he was right.The rogues regrou
Rosette walked beside Kyle, growling at every stray leaf that blew past them. Despite his reassurances, she was still agitated, struggling to regain her composure. The warriors instinctively kept their distance, sensing her unpredictable mood. Kyle noticed her distress but didn't try to force her to calm down."Get Dee's truck," he instructed Ethan. "Have one of the men from the docks drive it down here and pick up the remains. I'm sure one of them knows how to handle a semi. We'll take the remains to the circle and burn them.""Dee doesn't own the trailer," Rosette argued, her voice laced with frustration. "Whoever she was hauling for would own the trailer part. We can't use it to transport dead bodies."Her thoughts were jumbled, her frustration simmering. She felt agitated, craving a release, even if it meant picking a fight with Kyle."Shift," Kyle commanded, turning to face her. "We will speak in our human form."Kyle shifted, standing before her, waiting. R
Rosette walked to the passenger side of the truck and slid into the seat as Dee climbed in on her side. They locked the doors and waited.They sat, feeling the truck shift and sway as the back was loaded. A wolf stood outside Rosette's door, guarding it, and she could see the same arrangement on Dee's side."He's a controlling prick," Dee fumed, staring straight ahead. "I've taken care of myself for a long damn time. I don't need to be treated like a child.""He'll get a little better once you've been changed," Rosette offered, trying to soothe Dee's frustration.Rosette knew how Dee felt. Kyle had initially come across as smothering in his protectiveness. It had taken some getting used to. She decided to change the subject, as this discussion was only going to aggravate Dee further."The boys said you came into money and started trucking. What happened that made you start doing this for a living?" Rosette asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a different di
other girls slowly came to after Dee. April woke next, stretching like a cat, despite the pole lodged between her thighs. Juniper woke up last. She winced, moving her leg, and Rosette was concerned. "Where does it hurt?" Rosette asked her, touching over her previously injured leg. "My thigh, Luna," she said, pointing. "It's not the break. I think it's just a cramp." Lucas reached down with his big hands and started to massage the area she had gestured to. Once the area loosened, he sat her up like the other girls. All three sat facing out with their legs spread over their mates. The men whispered soothing words in their women's ears. All except Will, who kept telling his mate to stop twisting on his lap. 'Mate,' Kyle sent into Rosette's mind, 'we must greet Dee first and then the other two girls. Once we are done, the pack will go, but not before.' Rosette shifted the form of the wolf and approached Dee. She was being held with an arm across her chest by Will. Rosette approached
"Dom," Marybella chastised, "that is so inappropriate." At least the conversation had distracted Marybella from being afraid. Down in the circle, Will had finally moved between his mate's thighs. He knelt down and spread her lower lips wide with his fingers. He took one lick up her slit, and she moaned loudly. A second lick, and her legs were quivering on either side of his head. Will stood up briskly and stepped so he stood between her knees. He leaned over her body and spoke into her ear. Rosette saw her hand drift between her legs, but Will stopped her and spoke sharply. "No mate, you must come around my cock. The other girls are not ready. You cannot touch yourself, or this will start much too quickly," he said, probably louder than he meant to. "Bet she's got a hair trigger," Dominick laughed, and Kyle joined him. Two new figures settled in the grass beside them, and Rosette recognized the scent. Ethan and Shana had joined them. "I saw them in the gym when Dee finished tra
April is going to do it," Marybella pleaded, pointing. "I'm strong enough. I can do this too." "You are a fighter and a survivor," Dominick told her, "but no." "I love you, Dom," she said, looking at her friends and searching for one of them to support her. "I know it means a lot to do this in the circle. We can get through this together." "It's just a ceremony, Marybella, and it's not necessary for me," Dominick stated. Rosette was unsure of the situation. In her efforts to become a better Luna, she had been spending less time in the infirmary. If Marybella was facing difficulties, she was unaware. "Dominick," Rosette said. "Tell me why you are so opposed to this." Rosette had to admit, Dominick seemed annoyed by her question. He probably thought she was going to try to force him to participate in the ceremony with Marybella. However, the opposite was true; she wasn't sure it was a good idea for any of their human companions who had experienced trauma. A public changing ceremo
Rosette sat with Kyle in a pack meeting, reflecting on the past couple of weeks. It had taken her a long time, but she was finally embracing her role as Luna. Meetings were a routine part of her responsibilities, so she attended them diligently. When necessary, she knew when and how to administer punishment. Overall, she was becoming more adept at this way of life. Despite the adjustments, life remained chaotic. Rick and April had just returned from visiting the rescued humans in every pack. The reports they brought back indicated a significant positive impact. Juniper had completed Roel's healing process, and there was no longer any trace of the loner he had once been. She refused to let him dwell on the past and kept him busy by keeping up with her. They had become dynamic and active members of the pack. Marybella had returned to her profession of forensic accounting, but with a twist. The pack accumulated a substantial amount of wealth and held onto it for too long. It needed to
didn't seem possible. Marybella was soft with generous curves. She didn't seem like a rough and tumble type of girl. Tracking was grueling work and only attracted the toughest in the pack. Rosette would have thought the same for the human equivalent."I am...I mean I was a forensic accountant," she told Dom, pushing her glasses up her nose slightly. "People try to hide their money, it was my job to know where it went. I was the best in my department."Dom took her hand and led her to a small sofa off to the side. "Tell me how you did that," he said, very interested.Luckily, the rest of the afternoon was boring. Rosette didn't think she could stand another scene like Dom nearly caused. When the meeting was over, she was thrilled.Walking with Kyle toward the circle later that night, Rosette spoke to him about new concerns she'd realized.'Cedric's pack members were picking on Rick. It's not safe to send him around, they may try to hurt him,' she sent to Kyle thr
"If you're good," he whispered when she stopped for a breath, "I'll give you back the knife I took from your room."That did it. Marybella lashed out at his larger frame, seeking to drag her nails down his cheeks. Chuckling, Dom quickly restrained her arms behind her back and hauled her body against his in one swift motion.The Betas in the room started to close in, and Rosette waved them off. Dom's reputation was as a lethal fighter. To try to take Marybella from him would lead to a giant brawl. She wanted this done peacefully.Dom's eyes never left the face of the woman he held. He seemed oblivious to the commotion he was causing in the room as he spoke to her."When I heard about the unfortunate death, I feared for your safety, sweet. I removed anything from your room that could be harmful," he said softly."You had no right," she said, struggling against him and pressing her chest into his. "It is mine, for my protection. I can't sleep without it.""You s
The Betas who had witnessed the scene remained motionless, simply staring at Rosette. She politely excused herself and calmly walked out of the room.Kyle and Cedric were watching from one side as the Beta dusted himself off. His eyes glowed fiercely as he stood up. The wall behind him was destroyed, the small decorative table he'd landed on demolished. He eyed Rosette warily.Rosette came to a stop in front of him and addressed him as coolly as she could. "I believe we have a difference of opinion. How far you would like to take this difference of opinion is up to you."The man straightened his outfit and bowed his head slightly to her. "Luna, I apologize if I offended you. I will watch my tongue when talking with your pack in the future.""Lovely," Rosette said, turning to Cedric and Kyle. "Cedric, please educate your pack members. I don't tolerate disrespect in my home, and I'd hate to have to replace any more wallboard."Kyle looked at Rosette appreciatively. They'd have to talk a
Rosette smiled, her eyes sparkling as she read the new social security card and driver's license Kyle had pulled from his desk. "Rosette Anne Luther?" she questioned.Of course, he'd changed her name to match his."I believe," Kyle explained, "that it is appropriate in human society for the woman to take her mate's name. I'm sorry you can't keep your own name in the middle as women usually do. It would be too obvious.""Thank you, Kyle," Rosette said, hugging him tightly. She kissed his mouth tenderly, holding his jaw."You taste like candy," he marveled, dipping down to capture her lips again. "I like it."They curled up in the bed, cuddling for the afternoon. Feeling guilty about simply lying in bed with her mate, Rosette offered him sex, but he declined."This is not about me wanting to bed you," Kyle whispered into her ear. "This is about comfort. While your presence arouses me, your sadness sobers it. Let us just be here together for a little while."As they lay there, Rosette ta
One woman had been pacing quietly by the window; Rosette feared she would jump if the window was open. Kyle told her the Betas outside the door would not let her get that far. If they heard it open, they would enter, or Rick would stop her."Are vampires real?" she asked quietly."Does it matter?" Rick asked. "Did you know about werewolves? In five minutes, won't another mythical creature permeate your senses, and you will be terrified of that one? I beg you to accept your lives have changed. The only way to deal with it is to stay with us; we can help you, protect you, and guide you."It continued for hours. The women went round and round with Rick until they each came to the same conclusion. They were not the same; their worlds had changed, and they could never go back to the way it was.The women sat around the room in huddled piles. Some clung to each other; some sat by themselves. Rick circulated the room and touched each of them. When none of them recoiled from him, he went to t