Kyle sat for a moment, his mind working, weighing her words. "No," he finally said, his voice hesitant. "Everyone seems to be clinging tightly together, not splintering apart. They seem closer than ever. No one wants to see harm come to the pack."
"Who would be best to try to hack this system?" she asked quietly, her mind already formulating a plan.
"There is a group that everyone teases for their love of electronics. I've heard they are quite good at getting where they are not supposed to on the computer," he said, looking up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
He considered Rosette for a moment, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I enjoy having someone I can talk to," he said, breathing more normally, the tension easing from his shoulders. "It was just me for so long. I never felt I could open myself to anyone completely. I am afraid I have been considered too secretive by my pack. They just couldn't offer me solace and advice when I needed it."
"You are t
"If you're sitting down again, Sarah, I'm assuming this is something complicated," Rosette remarked, her gaze fixed on the healer as she meticulously examined the vials of magic."A source is an ancient concept. The witches believe that with enough time and the application of sufficient magic, a wolf's body can be compelled to yield its secrets. They believed they could tap into the very essence of that werewolf's power," Sarah explained, her voice tinged with a hint of reverence for the ancient practice."Are they holding a wolf captive?" Rosette asked, a wave of horror washing over her. The thought of someone powerful enough to restrain a wolf filled her with a primal fear."No, no," Sarah shook her head, her expression a mixture of concern and frustration. "A source must be willing, completely willing. The witches believe that any restraint on the wolf's part would shatter the spell. There can be no coercion, no trickery involved when dealing with source magi
Kyle's angry voice boomed into her mind, demanding she stop and return. But Rosette kept running. She needed to put distance between him and his pack, to give him space to vent his frustration, to protect them from the potential consequences of his rage. She felt his shift as he took off after her, his powerful wolf form a blur of motion against the backdrop of the forest.In a sprint, Rosette could easily outrun Kyle, but he had far more stamina. She just needed to get him as far away from the pack as possible before he caught her. It was the best she could do for them, to protect them from the potential fallout of his anger."Mate, it's not safe to be doing this. There's source magic that may be lurking in these woods. Stop and come back to the den," Kyle's voice commanded, laced with concern, his words a plea for her to heed his warnings."Catch me if you can," Rosette taunted, her voice a playful challenge as she continued to run, her wolf form a blur of mot
His lips were on hers a second later. Kneeling before her, Kyle cradled her head and nibbled at her lower lip, his touch sending shivers down her spine, his kiss a mixture of tenderness and passion. As the kiss deepened, Rosette moaned into his mouth, her body responding to his touch, her desires rising to meet his.He pushed until she was flat on her back in the long grass, her body yielding to his touch, the soft blades of grass a gentle caress against her skin. At least it didn't tickle this way. As he settled between her thighs, Rosette ran her hands across his back to his buttocks, her fingers tracing the contours of his powerful form, her touch a mixture of exploration and desire. Tilting her hips, she ground against his now straining erection, her body a testament to her longing for him.Kyle took most of his own weight on his arms, his gaze meeting hers, a silent question in his eyes, a silent acknowledgement of their shared desire. Beyond him, she saw the ligh
In desperation, Rosette pressed herself against him, her body seeking his warmth, her touch a desperate plea for him to stop. His chest and neck she covered in kisses, her lips a whirlwind of affection, her touch a mixture of desperation and desire. Between squeals, she murmured affection and promised to let him catch her next time. She would have promised him anything to make him stop; he was making her crazy, his playful torture pushing her to the brink.Kyle took mercy on her finally and laid the innocuous piece of plant down, his touch a gentle release, his amusement waning."You are something to work for," he said into her ear, his voice a low rumble, his words a testament to his desire. "A goal only just a little ahead of me. I enjoy having goals and I always get what I aim for."Despite her absolute dislike of the game, being pressed to Kyle had her wet and weeping for attention. It did not escape his notice, his gaze lingering on her, his senses heighten
A couple of days later as Kyle and Rosette sat in a business meeting with the pack Council that a commotion started in the hall. The voices outside the door were loud and sounded agitated, their tone a mixture of urgency and concern. Rosette recognized the agitated voice from Kyle's growing computer squad and rose from her chair to see what was going on.Outside the door, the kid was in a complete state of panic, talking to the Betas watching the door, his words a mix of frantic energy and fear. He was speaking so quickly that Rosette couldn't understand him at first. She wondered how much caffeine he'd had in the last twenty-four hours, his energy level a testament to his anxiety."Billy," she commanded, her voice firm, her gaze meeting his, "speak slower and talk to me. What happened?""On the computer, we've been looking. You have to see what we found. There are more spells. Lots of places to buy. New spells. Some protect, some hurt. Come look now, please," he said, bouncing up and
Look here," Chris pointed, pulling another ad, his voice a mix of fear and urgency, his finger tracing the screen. "This person is talking about how to use the spell they call 'the destroyer' more effectively. They say it can take out whole lines of advancing wolves."All the kids shuddered visibly, their fear a palpable presence in the room. The pack was watching Roel's wound heal with trepidation, their concern evident. They had never seen anything like what happened to him. The wolves never healed that slowly, his injury a stark reminder of the danger they faced.They all read the ad closely, and their horror grew, their concern deepening with each word. The system they were selling claimed to be very effective, its description a chilling testament to its potential. A sensor tracked when the wolf passed by, and the potion was released from above a set time later. It was all based on mathematics, so it claimed great accuracy, its creators seeking to exploit the laws of nature.The p
Besides the wolves they cared for, there was also a small cadre of human females handed over to them by the warriors. The rogue packs liked to kidnap and use human females to satisfy their sexual urges, their actions a display of their depravity. The women they took in were near destroyed, their bodies bearing the scars of their ordeal.The women were badly damaged, but the Luther pack took them all, their compassion a testament to their humanity. The plan was to heal and eventually change all the women, if they would agree to it, their choice a matter of respect. If they didn't agree to change, death was their only other option, a harsh reality for women that had already suffered, their fate a cruel twist of fate.Once the women were healthy enough, they screamed and railed at them. They wanted to escape and go back to their former lives, their desire for freedom a natural response to their trauma. They swore they would not go to the police or tell anyone about them, but it was a moo
"Are you feeling ignored, mate?" he asked Rosette as she rubbed on him, his voice a mix of concern and amusement."I miss you," Rosette sighed, her voice a mix of longing and sadness.Rosette missed everything they used to do. They barely even had time to run in the woods at night together, their connection a source of comfort. He was busy trying to keep the pack safe, and she was busy caring for the injured, their lives consumed by their responsibilities.Kyle bounced up, and Rosette ended up thrown over his shoulder, her laughter a mix of surprise and delight. She wiggled to free herself, but he just held her tighter, his grip a testament to his affection."You didn't sleep well last night, mate," he told her, his voice a mix of concern and amusement."What does that have to do with anything?" Rosette asked, her voice a mix of playfulness and annoyance."You need more time in bed. Emily," he called as he closed the bedroom doors, "put off
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