*Mike* I was laying on my bed lost in my thoughts of Abby when a knock came to the door. Percy mewed and jumped down from the bed and ran to the door. Another slight tap resounded, and I answered. “Come in.” The door slowly opened, and Mariah’s head peeped through. “Hi! I was told to come and get you!” Sitting up quickly I glanced at the clock on the wall. I was late! I must have fallen asleep! “Goddess, I am so sorry!” I quickly grabbed the shoes that were left for me and pulled them on. “I don’t know what happened, please forgive me!” “No worries.” Mariah said calmly. “It happens.” She was short, standing about 5 foot tall, and her shoulder length hair was dyed a deep red and pulled back to the nape of her neck. Beside her was a taller man, about 5 foot 9 but he was bulky, his shoulders were broad, and his arms were crossed. His hair was cut in a buzz, giving him a more intimidating demeanor. “This is Brian, by the way. He is coming with us for extra protection.” “Nic
*Mike* *One month later* “Hey Mike, can you grab those packs of bacon and get them started?” Mariah asked me as she started to toast some bread. Inside the kitchen, many of us were working on the lunch shift, fixing BLT’s and hand cut fries. “Sure, are we frying it again or oven baking?” I asked as I checked the time on my watch. “Baking, we can get more done in less time.” She answered. “Plus, we need the fryers for the potatoes.” We worked in a comfortable silence, completing our work quickly and efficiently while the members of the pack started to collect their food. “Perfect!” One of the other kitchen workers said as the last of the hungry pack members collected their food and we started to eat ourselves. “Since Mike and the others showed up it seems we get through the service faster and faster!” “Well of course.” Mariah smiled. “BLTs were his idea. Simple, quick, and easy to mass produce! Out of all the services lunch should be the easiest. And I hate to admit it, but
“Luna...” I started before immediately looking down at the floor. “Ni-nice to meet you, Luna.” “You as well, Michael.” I heard her say. “But you don’t have to study the floor so intently.” Slowly I tried to look up, but it was hard. Her aura was strong, stronger than the Elder. But that was to be expected, she was the Luna, a higher position than the Elder. “Mom, you’re back early. I thought you were still helping Grandpa....” Abby started. “Not to worry, Dear, we got that problem all straightened out quicker than we expected.” She said in a cheery voice as I felt her enter the room, closing the door behind her. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything...important?” She giggled. “Uh! Mom!” Abby said flustered and I finally diverted my gaze from the floor to her. Her face was flushed a deep red. I heard the Luna sit in the chair across from us and I looked towards the open window behind us. It's not like I was trying to purposely avoid her gaze, but it was like an invisible f
“There’s nothing going on!” I said a little too forcefully as I grabbed the plate. Mariah just looked at me with an amused expression. “I mean it!” “Uh huh. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with it. Whatever ‘it’ is. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Abby.” She sighed. “I mean, like I said he hasn’t talked about his past, and he is probably over 18. What if he finds his mate? What if there are some skeletons hidden deep in his closet? I just want you to be careful.” I sighed. “I know. Just... there is nothing there... really.” “But you want there to be?” “I didn’t say that!” I said as I nearly ran from the kitchen, my face burning. As I hurried out, I could faintly hear Mariah chuckling behind me. Damn it! But... is it true that both her and Brian can tell there is something between me and Mike? If that is true, then who else??? Secrecy is so important now, even though it kills me nearly every night it is to protect Michael... As I got closer to my office I breathed
Overhead, the clouds had started to roll in. The summer weather was starting to change from calm and warm, to windy and unforgiving. As a looming threat started to form everyone underneath the sky almost seemed... oblivious. Too wrapped up in their own struggles to see or predict what would happen in a few short hours. *Wyatt* Finally! The last of the payroll transfers are done! Before I go to start on the accounts payable for the weekly food budget a knock on the door snaps my concentration. “Come in.” I said curtly. The door opens slowly, and Mason comes inside. “Hi. Wyatt... I...” “Beta.” I corrected him. “And what do you want, Mason?” He came in, looking around at once was supposed to be his office, passed down from his dad, and his dad’s dad. But now it wasn’t. It was mine. “I... need help.” He admitted, his head down. “I... know I messed up. I had the world and threw it away.” I remained silent, letting him admit his sins. “But. I want her back. I NEED her back. I d
*Abby* (Years earlier) “Wyatt??? Where are you???” I cried, looking around the darkening yard. The wind was starting to pick up, and my little 9 year old nose wasn’t strong enough yet to find anyone. “Wyatt?!” I cried again. “Come on! This isn’t funny!” I yelled as I ran towards the back of the packhouse where the storage room was. I thought I heard something behind me but as I spun around there was nothing. “Wyatt!!! Alright! You win! Game over, just come out!” My eyes started to fill with tears as the rain started to hit the back of my neck and the sky got even darker. A crash from the storage room startled me. “Hey, that’s not fair!” I cried as I pulled open the door. “We’re not supposed to play in here...” I sighed as I looked around the empty room. “Where...” I gasped as I felt two strong hands push me forward, as I landed hard on the floor, I heard laughter as the door closed behind me. “Hey!” I yelled as I jumped up and went to open the door, only to find it locked. My hea
“Kitten?” I asked as I opened the door to the darkened room. “Where are you?” I closed the door quietly behind me and locked it before placing the key on a small table next to the couch. Immediately the intense smell of Abby filled my nostrils, making me slightly dizzy. Looking around, my eyesight eventually focused to the darkness. The room I was in was obviously a living room, with a large TV on one side of the wall with a couch and oversized recliner chairs facing it. Stepping over the strewn cat toys I started to walk in deeper. “Where are you?” I asked again, passing a small kitchenette... there was an empty wine glass sitting on the counter by the sink. Going further I reach a large bedroom. I freeze. This place... I’ve been here before... Slowly my head turns to the side looking for the giant windows I remember from my dream. Yes! There they are! What is going on?! Am I going insane??? “The two dollar tour...” I muttered to myself as I recalled the dream I had. The dre
*Mike* The bottom floor was chaos. Abby was in front of me as we went downstairs, people were rushing around and panicking. Glancing around there were huge gash marks on the walls, and dark red splashes of dried blood streaked the once white walls. The smell of blood was overwhelming, and an unmistakable smell of pepper was mixed in. Some of the doors on this floor were also marked with a giant bloody X. My heart pounded as I soon realized these were all the rooms of my friends! Where are they?! Are they okay?! In front of me Abby started to growl, I could feel her anger seeping through our bond, and an overwhelming protective urge began to radiate from her. “Oh, my goddess!!! MIKE!!!” I heard a sob from the side and felt a hug almost immediately. “Thank the goddess you are okay!!!” Emily cried as her and Stacey surrounded me. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” “Why was your link blocked? Are you hurt?!” Stacey began to look over me. “I’m fine.” I reassured them. “What
*Mike* The bottom floor was chaos. Abby was in front of me as we went downstairs, people were rushing around and panicking. Glancing around there were huge gash marks on the walls, and dark red splashes of dried blood streaked the once white walls. The smell of blood was overwhelming, and an unmistakable smell of pepper was mixed in. Some of the doors on this floor were also marked with a giant bloody X. My heart pounded as I soon realized these were all the rooms of my friends! Where are they?! Are they okay?! In front of me Abby started to growl, I could feel her anger seeping through our bond, and an overwhelming protective urge began to radiate from her. “Oh, my goddess!!! MIKE!!!” I heard a sob from the side and felt a hug almost immediately. “Thank the goddess you are okay!!!” Emily cried as her and Stacey surrounded me. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you!” “Why was your link blocked? Are you hurt?!” Stacey began to look over me. “I’m fine.” I reassured them. “What
“Kitten?” I asked as I opened the door to the darkened room. “Where are you?” I closed the door quietly behind me and locked it before placing the key on a small table next to the couch. Immediately the intense smell of Abby filled my nostrils, making me slightly dizzy. Looking around, my eyesight eventually focused to the darkness. The room I was in was obviously a living room, with a large TV on one side of the wall with a couch and oversized recliner chairs facing it. Stepping over the strewn cat toys I started to walk in deeper. “Where are you?” I asked again, passing a small kitchenette... there was an empty wine glass sitting on the counter by the sink. Going further I reach a large bedroom. I freeze. This place... I’ve been here before... Slowly my head turns to the side looking for the giant windows I remember from my dream. Yes! There they are! What is going on?! Am I going insane??? “The two dollar tour...” I muttered to myself as I recalled the dream I had. The dre
*Abby* (Years earlier) “Wyatt??? Where are you???” I cried, looking around the darkening yard. The wind was starting to pick up, and my little 9 year old nose wasn’t strong enough yet to find anyone. “Wyatt?!” I cried again. “Come on! This isn’t funny!” I yelled as I ran towards the back of the packhouse where the storage room was. I thought I heard something behind me but as I spun around there was nothing. “Wyatt!!! Alright! You win! Game over, just come out!” My eyes started to fill with tears as the rain started to hit the back of my neck and the sky got even darker. A crash from the storage room startled me. “Hey, that’s not fair!” I cried as I pulled open the door. “We’re not supposed to play in here...” I sighed as I looked around the empty room. “Where...” I gasped as I felt two strong hands push me forward, as I landed hard on the floor, I heard laughter as the door closed behind me. “Hey!” I yelled as I jumped up and went to open the door, only to find it locked. My hea
Overhead, the clouds had started to roll in. The summer weather was starting to change from calm and warm, to windy and unforgiving. As a looming threat started to form everyone underneath the sky almost seemed... oblivious. Too wrapped up in their own struggles to see or predict what would happen in a few short hours. *Wyatt* Finally! The last of the payroll transfers are done! Before I go to start on the accounts payable for the weekly food budget a knock on the door snaps my concentration. “Come in.” I said curtly. The door opens slowly, and Mason comes inside. “Hi. Wyatt... I...” “Beta.” I corrected him. “And what do you want, Mason?” He came in, looking around at once was supposed to be his office, passed down from his dad, and his dad’s dad. But now it wasn’t. It was mine. “I... need help.” He admitted, his head down. “I... know I messed up. I had the world and threw it away.” I remained silent, letting him admit his sins. “But. I want her back. I NEED her back. I d
“There’s nothing going on!” I said a little too forcefully as I grabbed the plate. Mariah just looked at me with an amused expression. “I mean it!” “Uh huh. Like I said, there’s nothing wrong with it. Whatever ‘it’ is. I just don’t want to see you get hurt, Abby.” She sighed. “I mean, like I said he hasn’t talked about his past, and he is probably over 18. What if he finds his mate? What if there are some skeletons hidden deep in his closet? I just want you to be careful.” I sighed. “I know. Just... there is nothing there... really.” “But you want there to be?” “I didn’t say that!” I said as I nearly ran from the kitchen, my face burning. As I hurried out, I could faintly hear Mariah chuckling behind me. Damn it! But... is it true that both her and Brian can tell there is something between me and Mike? If that is true, then who else??? Secrecy is so important now, even though it kills me nearly every night it is to protect Michael... As I got closer to my office I breathed
“Luna...” I started before immediately looking down at the floor. “Ni-nice to meet you, Luna.” “You as well, Michael.” I heard her say. “But you don’t have to study the floor so intently.” Slowly I tried to look up, but it was hard. Her aura was strong, stronger than the Elder. But that was to be expected, she was the Luna, a higher position than the Elder. “Mom, you’re back early. I thought you were still helping Grandpa....” Abby started. “Not to worry, Dear, we got that problem all straightened out quicker than we expected.” She said in a cheery voice as I felt her enter the room, closing the door behind her. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything...important?” She giggled. “Uh! Mom!” Abby said flustered and I finally diverted my gaze from the floor to her. Her face was flushed a deep red. I heard the Luna sit in the chair across from us and I looked towards the open window behind us. It's not like I was trying to purposely avoid her gaze, but it was like an invisible f
*Mike* *One month later* “Hey Mike, can you grab those packs of bacon and get them started?” Mariah asked me as she started to toast some bread. Inside the kitchen, many of us were working on the lunch shift, fixing BLT’s and hand cut fries. “Sure, are we frying it again or oven baking?” I asked as I checked the time on my watch. “Baking, we can get more done in less time.” She answered. “Plus, we need the fryers for the potatoes.” We worked in a comfortable silence, completing our work quickly and efficiently while the members of the pack started to collect their food. “Perfect!” One of the other kitchen workers said as the last of the hungry pack members collected their food and we started to eat ourselves. “Since Mike and the others showed up it seems we get through the service faster and faster!” “Well of course.” Mariah smiled. “BLTs were his idea. Simple, quick, and easy to mass produce! Out of all the services lunch should be the easiest. And I hate to admit it, but
*Mike* I was laying on my bed lost in my thoughts of Abby when a knock came to the door. Percy mewed and jumped down from the bed and ran to the door. Another slight tap resounded, and I answered. “Come in.” The door slowly opened, and Mariah’s head peeped through. “Hi! I was told to come and get you!” Sitting up quickly I glanced at the clock on the wall. I was late! I must have fallen asleep! “Goddess, I am so sorry!” I quickly grabbed the shoes that were left for me and pulled them on. “I don’t know what happened, please forgive me!” “No worries.” Mariah said calmly. “It happens.” She was short, standing about 5 foot tall, and her shoulder length hair was dyed a deep red and pulled back to the nape of her neck. Beside her was a taller man, about 5 foot 9 but he was bulky, his shoulders were broad, and his arms were crossed. His hair was cut in a buzz, giving him a more intimidating demeanor. “This is Brian, by the way. He is coming with us for extra protection.” “Nic
*Mike* Finally, Trevor released my hand. “But I’m holding you up, go and get your food, we will save a seat for you.” He smiled, but his eyes darted to behind me, where Mason and Jay were standing. His smile dropped slightly. “Did you two forget training this morning? Gamma Scott was upset.” Jay scoffed. “Whatever, I’ll do double tomorrow.” “Double? If you have that energy, you can do triple.” I turned to look at Angie who was standing behind them with her arms crossed. “And report to Tracker Training tonight as well.” “What??? You can’t do that!!!” He growled, his face turning red. “Yes, she can. And she did.” Stuart glared back at him. “Or, if you prefer, we can take it to Alpha. Again.” Mason’s eyes lit up for a split second before it was gone. “Um, I don’t think Abby needs to be...” “Alpha Abigail.” Stuart corrected. “That is her name. Remember it.” Jay rolled his eyes again before huffing. “Whatever.” He growled before walking around them, still glaring. “I mean, y