The next few weeks the two of them tried to establish some kind of schedule. She had school and training, they would have dinner unless he was on patrol. She would spend time with Jael and Nix a couple times a week, much to Jael's annoyance. She had dinner with James every weekend, as well as spending time with Saige and her dads. She tried to still find time for her brother when she could. He would sometimes join her and James for dinner. But it was becoming difficult to juggle everyone's expectations. It only got worse when the invitation to Tyler's birthday got there. George was not happy about it. "YOU SERIOUSLY EXPECT ME TO BE OKAY WITH YOU GOING TO THAT ALPHA'S BIRTHDAY?! ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Lia winces as George shouts at her. "He's a friend, and I promised him I'd go before he left," she tries to keep her cool. She refuses to match his temper. One of them has to be the level-headed one. "Before we were even mates." "NOT
James throws open the door to Oliver's office with too much force, and it slams against the wall. "How dare you-" Oliver growls, but the delta slams his fist on the desk, causing the entire thing to rattle. James does not care what he has to say. "I told you last time that if your son laid a hand on my Dahlia again I would not be so kind as to restrain my wolf." James glares at the beta over the desk. Oliver seems to rise to the challenge. "At this moment, she is at Hank Lane's house crying with bruises on her arm. From. George." The delta seethes. His wolf scratched at the surface. "The only reason I am standing here right now instead of hunting George down and making him pay for what he has done is because you and I have been friends for years. But I am losing my patience with that boy of yours, my friend. And I am giving you one last chance, Oliver. Deal with your son before I do! I am going to the Lane house now. I expect George to have learned his lesson by the time
James is surprised to find Luna Mira already there comforting Dahlia. Word must have traveled fast while he was in Oliver's office. "Luna Mira," he greets. "James," she nods. "I was just telling your little Petal that she has every right to be upset. She has every right to cry." The Luna tone is filled with sadness. "But she is so strong and brave." Mira smiles at Lia. "Do not ever let anyone, man or wolf, even your mate, ever take that from you. The goddess, Selene, has not forsaken you, for you are still a child of my pack. One that has made us all so very proud." The Luna takes James' hand and puts Lia's in it. "Some families are what we make of them. The ones we choose to love. The goddess gives these bonds as much as she does the bond of a mate. And this is a bond given by Daphne and Linus. They trusted our delta to protect it. And looking at you n
Dahlia wakes up to shouting. It immediately has her on edge.“That’s Nash,” she says out loud to the quiet room. “James is still here,” Nova mentally adds.“Is that-” Lia starts but stops talking recognizes the other voices. She realizes what is happening. She jumps out of bed and rushes toward the sounds of her brother shouting. “Over my dead body!” Nash shouts as she nears the living room, her pace slowing so she can listen.“Now that a bit much,” Beta Oliver says. “Don’t you think?”“Considering the circumstances, you both are lucky you made it through the door with just him shouting,” James says. “This is his house, and he is protecting his sister.”“She’s my mate,” George growl.“Could have fooled me,” Nash snaps. “I’d be well within my right to snap your neck for what you did!”“I’d like to see you try,” George laughs. “You might be warrior, but I’m a beta.”“Enough! Both of you,” James commands, he glances deeper into the house. Gunnar could hear Lia moving around. The others
George is waiting for her when she gets out of school. "You shouldn't be here," Jael glares at him."I came to apologize," George says. His hands are up to show he means no harm."Doesn't matter. You should-""It's fine, Jael," Lia says, much to her friend's dismay. George doesn't start talking right away. He looks at Jael."Oh, if you think I'm leaving after what you did last time, you can forget it because-""Fine, stay, see if I care," George grunts. He turns to Lia."I'm sorry," George says. "I was angry, and I overreacted. I know you and that alpha were close. And he had feelings for you. If you go there and he decides to do something. Well, he's an alpha. He's stronger and has the backing of his pack. And I wouldn't be there to protect you. To make sure they don't trick you or something.""You think they would risk the peace between both our packs over me?""Yes," he says without hesitation. "You're smart and pretty. Men have done worse for less." "So it's my safety you are w
Tyler hugs Lia and Jael when he sees them."Welcome to the Valor Moon Pack," he grins.They both tell him happy birthday. George clears his throat. "George," Tyler greets, enthusiasm is gone. Lia glares at her mate. "Happy Birthday, Alpha Tyler," George forces a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you," Tyler says. It's a performative formality. Something he was increasingly familiar with as his time as a pack-leading alpha nears. "Come on," the young alpha smiles at his friends. Let me show you around. After a quick tour, Tyler was called away to talk to some of the other guests at his party. George unceremoniously dropped down at the assigned seat at an overly fancy table. Lia rolled her eyes and sat down on her seat beside him. She was Jael had easily made friends with some of Tyler's childhood friends. She got along well with Tyler's future beta, Sam."Could you at least pretend to not be miserable?" she glares at him. "I'm just trying to keep Axel from turning this into a blood-," Ge
"So what is our reward?" George says as they walk towards the Haven River packhouse. She takes his hand and leads him toward the forest. It had become their routine, but Lia had finally agreed to let Nova have her mate any way she wished, short of marking, which was still off the table. she trusted Nova, but she still goes to the farther part of Nova's mind as she shifts. She didn't really want to think about it. She just wanted to close off and zone out. And she does.George is quick to shift. Nova leads Axel playfully deeper into the woods. Nova nuzzles him repeatedly before Axel seems to get the idea. He howls in excitement, and a playful chase begins. Nova eventually lets him catch her. And Axel gets what he has wanted since he first caught their scent. He gets to mate with his goddess-given mate. The wolf was over the moon. As the sun begins to set, they return to their things, dress, and he wal
Lia drops down on Jael's bed."Rise and shine birthday girl," she says. "Your dad says it's time to get up, or you'll be late for school.""Snooze," Jael grumbles, hitting Lia with a pillow.Lia laughs. "Very childish for your 18th birthday. Come on. I have a surprise for you."Lia gets up and hides something behind her back."Fine, I'll get up." She eyes her best friend. "What do you have?"Lia holds a sleek leather jacket that Jael had been eyeing at the store."Shut up!""Never," Lia grins."But this cost like way too much!" Jael stood