"Once a year, your body will prepare itself to become pregnant," Kyle explained, his voice a soothing balm against her skin. "It happens during the winter for us. My understanding of the human anatomy is vague, but I believe you are used to being fertile once a month. Am I correct?""Yes, you are correct, but I can only get pregnant once a year?" Rosette asked, turning to look at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "You know, it feels like I want to get pregnant now. And why will I not go into etrus until next year?""You can only get pregnant once a year, and it probably won't happen this year. Your body is still too new to this. What was the other question you asked?" he said, fiddling with a strand of her hair, his touch a gentle caress."It wasn't really a question, but I have this all-consuming desire for you. It feels like I want to be pregnant," she told him, her voice laced with a raw honesty."The wolf in you knows this is the right time of year fo
"Rosette, relax, and I will show you," Kyle said, sounding a little exasperated, his voice tinged with a hint of impatience.When the next wave of sensation came, Rosette didn't fight it. She felt Kyle, a profound connection that transcended the boundaries of their individual beings. It was as if she was Kyle, experiencing his world through his senses, feeling his heartbeat thrumming against her back, the warmth of his body a comforting pressure against hers. His need to be inside her was overwhelming, a primal urge that resonated deep within her soul. As he moved to fill her, she heard herself growl, a sound of pure pleasure that echoed through the forest.She wanted to feel him completely, to surrender to his control, but she wasn't sure how to ask for more than he was already giving. Her body was trapped to the ground beneath him, her limbs tangled in a blissful surrender. Kyle's teeth grazed the scruff at the back of her neck, pulling lightly, sending a jolt of pleasure through he
It struck Rosette that this was the most time she and Kyle had ever spent alone together. They melded so well, a natural harmony that surprised her. They hadn't had a honeymoon, not even a proper date. Their relationship had simply sprung into existence, a whirlwind of passion and instinct, but it felt solid, a foundation built on a shared understanding that transcended words.As they ran back towards the den, Rosette contemplated their relationship, a sense of contentment washing over her. Kyle seemed lost in his own thoughts, a quiet intensity that she found strangely comforting. The silence between them was comfortable, a shared understanding that needed no words.Suddenly, Kyle came to a screeching halt, his wolf form a blur of black against the green backdrop of the forest. Rosette followed suit, her senses alert. He was eyeing the ground around them suspiciously, his ears pricked, his tail raised in warning. She watched as he bared his fangs, a low growl rising i
A human man stood in one corner of the room. He saw Rosette and threw a liquid towards her, chanting a spell. She dodged the liquid with her usual speed, but Anthony hadn't seen it coming, and it hit him full in the face.Rosette heard the thud as Anthony dropped unconscious to the ground. She listened intently and still heard his steady heartbeat; he wasn't dead. She turned her attention back to the room, and it was empty. A window was open, and she could see the wolves and the man running from the den in separate directions.As she leaped out the window, Rosette opened her connection to Kyle back up. She told him what had happened, keeping a sightline to the wolves with her Omegas."Stay in the den," he ordered her, his voice a rumble of concern in her mind. But her feet never stopped moving. She heard him sending a team to go after her.Her wolf didn't like ignoring her mate, the Alpha male, but she would just have to get over it. There was no way she
Rosette barked at Kyle loudly, her voice a sharp, insistent sound that cut through the air. He woke up a little, his eyes fluttering open, then starting to shut again, his body heavy with exhaustion."Get up," she ordered, nudging his backside with her nose. "We are going back to the den. Get up, or I will have them carry you like a baby. Do you want that?" she threatened, her voice laced with a playful edge.The threat seemed effective, and Kyle rose to his feet unsteadily, his movements slow and labored. They made their way slowly back to the den, Rosette pushing, yipping, and nipping to keep him moving. Kyle passed out once they made it into the front doors, falling heavily down on the marble floor, his wolf form a dark, inert form against the polished surface. He went sound asleep.A large silver wolf approached, eyeing Kyle. Rosette recognized Ethan and was glad to see him."Ethan, we stay on alert until Alpha Kyle wakes up. Do we have an accurate co
"If you start to feel sick, you will go to her right away. That is an order, Roel," Rosette said, turning her attention back to the dead man, her gaze fixed on the lifeless form.She heard Roel's happy response in her mind, but her attention was now on the corpse before her. He absolutely reeked. It was like he had rolled through a cemetery to get here. She'd never been so displeased to have a wolf's sense of smell.His arm flopped out when she touched it with her nose, and suddenly she understood. Track marks ran up and down his forearm, a grim testament to a life of addiction. She nudged his mouth open and saw the yellowed remains of his teeth, a further indication of his self-destructive habits."Can witches get addicted to the same things humans do?" Rosette asked Ethan, her curiosity insatiable."Any of us could," Ethan told her. "We all have a part of us that is human. With us, I know that such a thing would be possible, but the quantities needed wo
Rosette's conversation with Ethan was abruptly interrupted by a hair-raising howl that echoed from the depths of the den. She felt Kyle's presence push into her mind, a surge of concern and urgency as he quickly checked her for injuries. Despite his careful examination, she still jumped when his outraged voice boomed into her mind, demanding to be let out of his cell. He threatened to tear the door down, his frustration and anger palpable.Shifting into her hybrid form, Rosette grabbed the key from the table and bolted downstairs, Ethan hot on her heels. "Kyle, be patient, I'm coming," she called out to him, her voice a soothing counterpoint to his mounting rage.All she received in response was a torrent of anger. He was furious, frustrated by his sudden incapacitation and the subsequent sleep. His pack needed him, and he hadn't been able to protect them. The fact that the rogues had managed to do this to him was infuriating.As they reached the basement, Roset
"Oh, I've gotten plenty fast over the years. Although, having seen you move, I probably should have had Alpha Kyle hold you down. I doubt I'd manage to get out of your way quickly enough," Sarah said, a slight frown marring her features. "I would have stopped her, Sarah. I wouldn't let my mate hurt you," Kyle promised, his voice a low rumble, his gaze fixed on Rosette."Thank you, Alpha Kyle. You know, Madam Alpha, maybe next time you won't go running after the attackers yourself, but I doubt it," Sarah smiled, putting her tools away. She didn't notice the dark look on Kyle's face or she probably would have stopped talking. "The mothers downstairs all think you are their new hero. All the work to help poor Emily, going after Leidy and Sarah when you saw them with the rogues. They can't stop singing your praises," she laughed.Ethan approached cautiously from the side, correctly interpreting Kyle's body language."They are ready when you are, sir," Ethan said for
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