The street dealers, when questioned or paid, often gave up information. Kyle was sure at least one of them would know who had the source. The witches were disjointed in some ways and tightly knit in others. The wolves were sure there was someone out there with the information they needed.
"Back when there were rogue packs," Anthony said, "we started to notice the dealers scatter when we got close. I'm afraid there are still dealers out there; they are just hiding from us. They seemed to know the difference between human and wolf or pack from rogue."Rosette snorted involuntarily, and everyone in the room looked at her, their gazes a mix of curiosity and amusement."You don't look human," Rosette shrugged, "and your security team looks like security."Anthony and the rest of the warriors were built and carried themselves with a military stance. Even the women that were part of the security team moved with the grace and confidence of trained killers. It would be di"Do you know what a strip club is, Roel?" Rosette asked, her voice a mix of amusement and concern."No, Luna," he said, scanning the dimly lit parking lot and low dingy building, his gaze a mix of curiosity and apprehension."It's a place where human women dance in little to no clothing. They are supposed to just dance, but in some places the women have sex with men for money. This place is like that. The women in here will approach you to see if you want to see them dance or have sex," Rosette told him, her voice a mix of explanation and warning."What should I say?" he asked, his voice a mix of nervousness and curiosity."I'm guessing Cindy may be a dancer. Tell them you want a dance from her. We'll see where that gets us," Rosette answered, her voice a mix of confidence and determination.She'd forgotten about the wires Roel and she were wearing. She heard Kyle's sultry voice invade her mind.'How exactly do you know about these types of clubs?' he a
Rosette pulled the truck into a shadowy alley, her gaze fixed on the van parked further down, where Kyle, her steadfast companion, awaited her. Roel, ever the impulsive one, had already bolted towards the van, his steps a blur of frantic energy. He reached the van in a flash, his knees hitting the pavement as he threw himself at Kyle's feet, his voice a desperate plea for mercy. Rosette's heart ached for the big man, who had endured a torrent of hardship and sorrow.By the time Rosette reached them, Roel was still kneeling, his head bowed, his shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. Her gaze fell upon his face, etched with a mixture of despair and desperation, and a pang of sympathy shot through her. His eyes, normally filled with a spark of life, were now dull and lifeless, reflecting the depths of his anguish. When he finally turned towards Rosette, his voice choked with emotion, the sight of his brokenness shattered her own composure."Please, Rosette," he pleaded, his
Rosette and Kyle remained parked, their van a silent observer to the unfolding scene. Jupiter, her voice laced with frustration, spoke, "Well, I'm not strong like you. I can't go work construction. There are only so many jobs I can get that pay cash under the table," she huffed. "I want to earn my keep, too.""Speaking of," one of the males said, his voice a casual drawl, "there's a guy promised us one hundred cash each to come and work the graveyard shift for him on the new road construction. We took the offer. It'll make a long day, but we need the money.""You just got home," Juniper said plaintively, her voice edged with concern, "and you look exhausted. Can't you just not go tonight. I'll work an extra couple of shifts at the club and make up for it.""Sorry, sis," another voice said, his tone laced with a hint of resignation, "it's hard to find work with the packs cracking down. We'll be home by dawn. Just lock the door and be safe, okay? Don't let anyone in."
Rosette delved into Kyle's mind, witnessing his internal struggle. These kids had fled a horrific tragedy, and he had no desire to harm them in the first place. The fact that one of them was destined to be mated to a member of his pack made him even less inclined to cause them any pain.However, Kyle didn't want to risk endangering the pack by welcoming unpredictable renegades."Emily," Rosette said softly, "please remember protocol. We don't know these boys. Apologize for interrupting your Alpha.""I'm sorry, Alpha Luther," Emily said, "please don't hurt him. You have to understand, I need him. Please, let me keep him."Kyle ran a hand through his hair and addressed Rosette through their bond.'We shouldn't hurt a pack member's pre-determined mate. If these boys are who I think they are, I'm letting them stay as full members. We've got the cameras in the den now. We could literally watch everything they did. Do you agree with me?' he asked.'I don't sense these are dangerous renegade
"We don't want to harm her," Kyle said, "I would like to question her, though. Can you tell us where she went? We were watching your trailer. One of your neighbors alerted her we were nearby, and she ran.""No, sir, I don't know where she went," the boy said shaking his head."Keep looking for the girl," Kyle ordered Ethan. "Absolutely no harm is to come to her in our care.""Yes sir, Alpha Luther, we'll keep on it," Ethan said, striding out of the room."Tell me your names," Kyle demanded."Joseph," the boy said and then pointed to the other boys introducing them as Brett, Michael, and Rick."You are the acting Alpha in your pack, Joseph?" Kyle asked."Yes, sir, I guess I am," the boy nodded."I would like to do this right. We will meet in the circle, and we will battle. When I win, I lay claim to all of you," Kyle said, "including the female.""And what if I win?" Joseph asked, puffing out his chest.The Betas in the room all snickered a little."You've never fought a true Alpha, ki
Rosette snuggled with Kyle and thought about Roel. Part of her hoped he really had found a mate, and part of her hoped he hadn't. It was going to be hard either way.The healer was at their door the next morning with the glass from the strip joint."No spells," she guaranteed them, "although they might want to invest in a dishwasher. I don't think this thing has ever really been cleaned."Rosette balked, thinking she had drank out of a glass just like that one."You have a superior immune system now, love," Kyle reminded her when he caught the look on her face.Kyle and Rosette went to the security center and watched the videos from overnight. Brett had stayed with Emily's family. He had not left their quarters, no surprise there. Joseph and the others stayed in a room for unmated wolves. One of them had been out checking out a different part of the den all night."The only thing they did that was questionable was take a bunch of food from the kitchen," the security chief told them. "
Rosette and the boys talked for a while after they got off the phone. During the light conversation, she noticed Rick's stutter had returned with a vengeance; it had almost disappeared this morning. She wondered about it, but didn't ask for fear it would embarrass him. After the meeting, she took Rick and headed for the infirmary while Kyle dealt with things upstairs. Rosette wasn't wrong about Rick. He had a sixth sense about dealing with people. He was an excellent listener and knew how to speak to people that had been hurt. As the days passed, Rosette came to trust Rick completely with the injured women. He spent most days watching over them. It was a big relief for her not to worry over whether they were with someone that would scare them. Rick listened to the survivors; they told him all their stories. It was like they'd known him their entire lives. His capacity to really appreciate someone's position was awe-inspiring. Rosette knew he must be counselin
The boys explained Dee was a human. She had been burglarizing a fifth-story condo and fallen. She caught herself, but her grip was slipping. They had been in the alley below, and Juniper had begged them to help. Joseph climbed the building and lowered her to safety."You told her you were werewolves?!" Rosette accused, getting irritated along with her mate."No, ma'm," Rick said, "she knew what we were. Dee knows all about things she shouldn't know about: werewolves, magic, just about anything. She taught us a lot about how to survive. We helped her steal for about a couple of years, and then Joseph said we should stop. He thought it wasn't a good way to earn money."Kyle and Rosette both commended Joseph on his good judgment. Stealing was certainly a bad way to make a living. It was nice to see that when he was Alpha, he had his pack's best interest at heart."She's gone straight now, I've heard," Brett told them. "She came into some money and bought a semi-truc
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