  Chapter One

  The grass was cold under her feet. The cool night air sweeping through her long chocolate brown hair. She knew the way. She had been this way before, many times. She reached the edge of the lake sooner this time. The reflection of the moon gave the quiet lake a magical glowing effect. She took a step closer and peered into the surface of the water. Staring back at her was her wolf, Aria. Her dark brown fur shimmered on the water. Her brilliant blue eyes seemed to glow. As always, the water next to her reflection began to change. Slowly the face of a wolf as black as night began to take form. She watched as the hauntingly beautiful Emerald green eyes came into view. Those eyes, she was indeed under the spell of those eyes. She knew she would follow them anywhere. They seemed to look into her soul. Without realizing what she was doing, she reached towards the face.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Sky slapped her alarm, hard. Every time she said with a groan, every time. She had that dream many times. Recently, it was becoming more vivid. She was fourteen when she started having the dream years ago. She wondered if her eighteenth birthday approaching was causing it to be more frequent. She did not want to stop having this dream. Those eyes, those emerald, green eyes hypnotized her, and she did not want it to end.

“Come on sleepy head! We are going to be late! Again!” Daphne, Sky’s best friend announced as she jumped on Sky. They had been friends since they were born. They both were born on the same day in the same hospital. They would both turn eighteen in a few days. Their mothers gave birth only a few minutes apart. Sky was older by three minutes. Daphne used this information to decide Sky was the oldest, so she had to be the one to keep them out of trouble. “Sky, Let’s go!” Daphne called through the door.

“I am coming,” Sky answered. She pushed the blanket aside and threw her legs over the edge of her bed. Today was going to be filled with preparations. All the pack members would be preparing for the Mate’s Ball. Her pack, the Moon Storm pack was hosting the ball this year. The Mate’s ball brought the wolves who were eighteen together to try to find their mate. Four packs took part in the ball as well as taking turns hosting it. The packs included the Moon Storm pack, the Eclipse pack, the Lunar Light pack, and the most notorious, the Moon Warriors pack. The Moon Warriors pack was as mysterious as it is notorious. They came to the ball every year but did not become involved in the festivities. They sent their young wolves as well as a few adults to watch over them. This year, the Alpha’s son was turning eighteen. He would be coming to the ball to find his mate and Luna. He was supposed to find his mate before he could become Alpha. The Moon Warriors pack was one of the only packs that had not abandoned the tradition.

“Sky!’ came Daphne’s voice breaking through her thoughts. “I am going to break down the door if you are not out here in two minutes. Evan is waiting for us!”

“OK I am coming!” She put on her favorite pair of faded jean shorts. They hugged her hips and made her feel like she was wearing pjs. She threw on her black sports bra and her favorite pink tank top. Daphne always told her it made her boobs look good. She swept her dark chocolate brown hair into a messy ponytail while opening the door. Daphne was standing there, arm raised, ready to knock again. She put her arm down as she gave her best friend a look.

“Sky, don’t you want to dress up a little? At least change the shoes. Please. For me, your best friend in the whole world,” Daphne asked batting her eyes. “We are going shopping not training.” She let out an exasperated sigh.

“What’s wrong with my boots? I love my combat boots! Plus, what if I need to fight someone while we are out?” giggled Sky.

Daphne gave her a look. “If you were running around in the woods, or running through mud, they would be fine but to go shopping? Please wear heels or at least cute sneakers,” pleaded Daphne. “I know you have your own style, but we are shopping for the Mate’s ball. This is special”. She flashed Sky the same pleading look whenever it came to asking Sky to change something.

“Fine, but you are only getting sneakers. If I were heels out shopping, my feet will fall off.”

“DEAL!” squealed Daphne clapping her hands and smiling excitedly at her best friend. Sky giggled. She never understood why Daphne worried so much about what she wore. Daphne had a superb sense of style. She was taller, 5 foot 8 to be exact, with long perfect legs that went on forever, a slim feminine build with perfect curves where they needed to be, and long wavy blonde hair which gave the illusion she had spent the day at the beach, her hazel eyes were full of mischief and guys could never say no to those eyes. Sky was not as tall. She only stood 5 foot 4. She had always been told she was pretty. Her wavy dark chocolate brown hair fell to her waist. She had high cheek bones, full pouty lips, and an average build. One night Evan said she had roller coaster curves which would make any guy want a ride. He still did not know she had heard him. Her legs were shorter but more muscular than Daphne’s. Her eyes were her best asset. The striking blue color was brighter than a sapphire. When she was born, her mother said, “her eyes are bluer than the sky”. That is how she got her name.

A car horn shattered the silence. Both girls looked at each other and giggled as they ran out the door of Sky’s room. Even was now knocking on the front door. He had grown up with them even though he was a year older. Bounding down the stairs. Daphne reached the door first. Throwing it open to reveal Evan looking suave as usual. “Where’s Sky?” He asked.

“Hello to you too” quipped Daphne.

“I am right here!” squeaked Sky opening the door wider. “Sorry I took so long. Are we all ready to go?”

“Lead the way,” Evan said stepping back from the doorway. He watched Sky walk towards the car. “Close your mouth, you are drooling, again” Daphne snickered. “She still has no idea you like her, but she will if you don’t keep your tongue in your mouth.” Daphne gave him an annoyed look. “Ok, ok, let’s go” he replied pulling the door shut behind him and heading to his black BMW.

Sky was in the front passenger seat; Daphne was in the back right behind her. They were talking about the Mate’s Ball. Evan slid into the driver’s seat and started the car. “To the mall ladies?” he asked as if he didn’t already know they were heading there. He did not wait for an answer backing out of the driveway, her put the car in gear and sped off towards the mall.

It was a short drive to the mall. He parked the car and got out. He ran around to the passenger side of the car. First, he opened Daphne’s door. Then he opened Sky’s door and held out his hand. “Always such a gentleman,” she giggled.

“Why thank you madame,” he said with a faux British accent and his typical sly grin. Sky smiled up at him. Evan was easy on the eyes to say the least. He was 6 foot 4 with a muscular build. He had a body that modeling agencies fought over. His sandy blonde hair fell carelessly in his eyes. His sun kissed skin and dark brown eyes matched perfectly with his strong features. He easily could have been a model. Evan was nineteen and going to the Mate’s Ball again this year. He had gone to last year’s Mate’s Ball when he was eighteen but had failed to find his mate. This was not uncommon. If one mate had not come of age yet, the other mate would have to wait. Usually if the mate had not been found by the time the wolf turned 21, scheduled visits to other packs would be made to look for the mate. The Moon Goddess always gave wolves mates. It was her gift to them. Sky wondered what Evan’s mate would look like. She would be a lucky girl whoever she is.

The piercing Emerald Green eyes from her dream flashed across her mind. Thinking about the Mate’s Ball always made her think of the handsome wolf with those amazing eyes. Was he, her mate? She always believed the dream meant something. She felt a warm hand gently intertwine fingers with her. She looked up at Evan. “Ready Lovey?” he asked gently pulling her towards the mall entrance. Sky giggled looking up at Evan, “yes let’s go.” Evan smiled and gave her a wink.

Daphne had reached the doors first. She was excitedly bouncing back and forth while holding the door open for them. “DRESSES!” We have to find dresses! Once we find the perfect dresses, everything else falls into place.” Sky groaned. Daphne looked good in everything, but Sky was more self-conscious and was never sure if it was right or not. Evan was watching her with a strange look that she could not decipher. He knew what she was thinking. Leaning in close to her, he whispered “Stop worrying, you look amazing in everything.”

He always knew what to say to put her at ease. She was not sure this boutique would have what she was looking for. Suddenly Daphne reappeared with her arms full of gorgeous dresses. “Come on Sky half of these are for you! Let the fun begin!” Daphne’s excitement was contagious. Sky flashed Evan her beautiful smile and skipped off to the changing rooms with Daphne.

Evan was sitting waiting. Suddenly, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. His wolf gave a low growl which resonated deep in his chest. He turned looking out the shop window. His eyes scanned the area before falling on the source of his discomfort, Caleb, Gideon, and Dash. They were from the Moon Warriors pack. Caleb was the son of Alfa Dean Mason. Dash and Gideon had been at the Mate’s Ball last year. Both had failed to find their mates. He recognized Caleb as he bore a striking resemblance to his father. He had already begun to get a reputation as being just as cold and ruthless. Caleb was tall, built, and oozed confidence. He had jet black hair, which accentuated his olive skin, perfectly sculpted, high cheek bones, a strong perfectly chiseled jaw, but what made him stand out the most were his deep-set emerald, green eyes that gave the illusion they were glowing. He got those from his mother, the Luna of Moon warriors’ pack. Luna Cherub was stunning. She had the old-time beauty which could be compared to Marilyn Monroe. She was indeed a classic beauty with eyes that added an extra bit of wow when you looked at her.

Evan had never met Caleb, but Dash and Gideon had been so rude and obnoxious that he assumed Caleb possessed the same demeanor. As the threesome walked, girls stopped to stare, and some turned to follow the trio. Evan couldn’t help but think the girls following them seemed like lost puppies. Maybe they were good looking but looks were not everything.

“What’s wrong?” Sky asked gently touching Evan’s arm. He jumped. “Sorry, I was just… wow,” Evan stammered “You look absolutely stunning.” He could see her blush. She looked breathtaking in the tight fitting black mini dress. The halter top allowed her perfectly sculpted shoulders and arms to show as they moved. It accentuated her petite frame so perfectly that he would have believed it was made especially for her. “I guess you like it?” Sky asked still blushing.

“Yup, I did it again!” Daphne stated as though she was a top fashion pro. “I knew that one would be perfect! And on the first try too! Damn, I am good.” Evan rolled his eyes at her. “Who is that?” she asked looking past Evan into the mall corridor.

Evan turned to look. Caleb had stopped and was now staring at Sky. His friends had stopped too but were busy talking to some swooning girls. Caleb was ignoring all of them but continued staring intently at Sky. He was scanning her body with a hungry look on his face. He licked his bottom lip before taking a few steps towards the shop.

Sky was mesmerized. She could not tear her gaze away from the green-eyed man standing across the corridor from her. “I think you found your dress” Daphne said breaking her trance. “Yes, I think so,” she answered her friend. Looking back where Caleb had been standing, but he was gone.

Sky and Daphne paid for all their things, then as they walked towards Evan, Sky noticed the agitation on his face. He looked like he was ready to attack someone. “Hey, Evan, are you ok?” Sky asked the worry obvious in her voice. He had been very quiet since noticing Caleb watching her. She knew he was very protective of her, but she didn’t think someone looking at her would make him so upset. She worried that he was starting to develop feelings for her. She had thought maybe she was imagining it because he hadn’t found his mate yet. Some wolves dated before finding their mates. Sky was not one of them. She was holding onto all her firsts so she could share them with her Goddess Given mate. Her first kiss, her first time, and her first and only love. She knew it would be worth the wait. Everyone wanted to find their mates. She could never say she didn’t love Evan. She did, a lot. She loved him as her friend and as the big brother she never had. She did not love him the way he seemed to love her. She slowly let out a sigh realizing how hurt he would be when she found her mate.

Chapter 2

“Um, what is wrong with you two? It is supposed to be a fun day, but it feels like someone died. Snap out of it!” Daphne felt as if she was drowning in the backseat. Why couldn’t Sky just stop “waiting for her mate” and be with Evan. Temporary or not, Evan is gorgeous! Just give it up and have fun! Daphne had decided she would not wait any longer. She wasn’t going to sit around wasting her time longing for a mate she didn’t know. She would wait for her mate for the physical aspect but why couldn’t she have fun? She had recently met someone who was charming, handsome, and fun. Most important of all, he is here and here now. She didn’t bother to tell Sky because she didn’t feel like having a lecture about waiting for a mate. She would try to convince her to wait till the ball, give it a chance. “Nope I will not,” Daphne said out loud.

“What won’t you do?” Evan asked raising an eyebrow.

“Oh, um nothing. I was thinking about the ball and if I found my mate, would I leave right away with him.” 

“Oh, ok.” He answered eyeing her suspiciously.

Who was that girl? Why hadn’t he gone over and talked to her? Her chocolate and strawberry smell had paralyzed him where he stood. Could she really be his mate? Who was that guy with her? Was he, her boyfriend? Just the thought made him angry. Those blue eyes of hers called to him. That perfect little body in that tight little dress made his member twitch just thinking about it. He would see her again. He would find her.

As Evan pulled in the driveway, Sky stole a glance at his handsome face. She couldn’t deny that she was attracted to him. They had dropped Daphne off first leaving them to make small talk on the way home. As he put the car in park, Sky felt like something was wrong. “Are you ok?”

Evan looked like he was contemplating something. “I’m ok. Sky if I were your mate, would you be happy about it?”

She knew this was coming. She had felt the shift at the mall when Caleb was watching her. She sighed, “of course I would be happy. You are one of my best friends.” He leaned in tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“I feel the same,” he said leaning closer. “Sky you mean so much to me.” She could feel his warm breath on her cheek. He leaned a bit closer causing their lips to almost touch. She turned away and pretended to look out the window. Sensing the change in her he leaned back in his seat. “I’m sorry,” she muttered looking down at her hands. “You know I am waiting for my mate. I hope it is you, but I need to know first.” She tried to hide the tears threatening to run down her cheeks. She turned opening her door.

“Sky wait, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I guess I felt a little jealous seeing the way Caleb was looking at you today. Sky he is not a good guy. Promise me you will stay away from him.”

“I don’t even know him. Goodnight, Evan,” was all she said as she stood up shutting the door behind her. Walking up the steps, she heard Evan’s car roar as he backed out and sped off down the street. Sneaking in, she could hear her parents in the living room. She quietly went up the stairs to her room. As she dropped her bags on the floor, she couldn’t help but think of Caleb. Something about the way he looked at her made her melt. Just thinking about him was making her core tingle. “What is wrong with me? I am waiting for my mate. Why can’t I stop thinking about Caleb?” As she plopped down on her bed, her thoughts drifted to Evan. They had been friends since they were little pups. She hated hurting him but while he would always have a place in her heart, she just didn’t feel that way about him. He was hoping she was his mate, he would be so happy, but she didn’t think he was. She just didn’t feel it could be.

The mate’s ball is in two days. Two days and he may have his mate. Caleb couldn’t help the restlessness he was feeling. There was something so familiar about her. Her very essence seemed to haunt him. He could not get her out of his head. He was going to talk to her but the future Alpha with her was sending warning glares his way. He did not want a fight with an allied pack. At least that guy seemed protective of her. Thor was on edge more than Caleb. He wanted that girl. He kept whining and telling Caleb to let him go find her.

The recent rouge attacks, the moon approaching its full self, and the Mate’s Ball were all contributing to his unease. He was shorter tempered then usual and felt as if the simplest thing could set him off. “We could go for a run?” Thor suggested. “It would give us a chance to let off some steam.”

“Ok, I think we will.” With that Caleb stripped off his clothes, tossing them on the park bench along his path. Shifting to reveal his huge black as night wolf, Thor. Thor was majestic and quite a sight to behold. His emerald, green eyes glowed against the dark night. Running towards the forest at full speed, his huge paws thundered across the ground. The lake. His solitude. The place where the deep blue eyes that mirrored the sky. Those eyes called to him. It had to be his mate. Why couldn’t he see more then her eyes?

“Maybe she is not eighteen yet. If she isn’t eighteen, the moon goddess would not let us see all of her.” Thor sounded annoyed at having to only see her eyes. He wanted to see the person who possessed those eyes. That girl would be his.

Cherub heard the door slam. She knew he was restless. Being an alfa, he needed his mate. Caleb is her only child. She knew what was at stake for him. More than Caleb did. His wolf Thor needed his mate, the same way her mate had needed her. The mates usually brought out the compassion and the good in an Alpha. Dean, her mate, had always been hardheaded. He was known for being difficult and sometimes ruthless. When he met her, he changed. Yes, he was still stubborn and sometimes downright difficult, but he now had more compassion for others. He had had plenty of girlfriends before meeting her, but he had never slept with any of them. She couldn’t help the pang of jealousy in her chest as she thought about the one who had refused to give up Dean. One she-wolf, Veronica, had refused to accept her as Luna or Dean’s mate. She was obsessed and refused to stop trying to lure Dean to her. She was banished after she was overheard planning to kill Cherub. Banished instead of killed, Cherub thought to herself.

She let out a sigh as she watched her only son, in wolf form, disappear into the trees. She knew girls followed him all over. She knew he had no interest in anyone but his mate. Caleb was more like her in that respect. He did not want to date anyone or be with anyone but his destined mate. He had never dated anyone despite the encouragement from Dash and Gideon. Those two always meant well but sometimes they needed babysitting. She scrunched up her nose at the thought. Dash had always been the wild one, Gideon went along with for the fun of it and to watch him get in trouble. She knew above all they were loyal, honest, and honored Caleb’s authority and position in the pack. She knew Gideon would be a great Beta when the time came and Dash? Well, he will be a great gamma.

He was running so fast across the dew-covered grass that a small mist seemed to follow him. He reached the lake much faster than he expected. Trying to slow his heartbeat, he inched closer to the edge of the water. Please show me my mate. Please. Was it possible to be in love with someone if you have only seen their eyes? Slowly he peered into the mirror like surface of the lake. His eyes looked back at him. His eyes glowing the emerald green that they glowed when he was in wolf form. He wanted to see her eyes, those amazing blue eyes. Where were they tonight? Normally they appeared quickly. His wolf whimpered, maybe they were gone. Maybe they would never see those eyes again, or worse, maybe he had imagined them. Slowly the water next to his image became distorted. Ripples breaking the smooth glass like surface of the lake, gave him hope. Watching anxiously, he smiled to himself as the beautiful sapphire blue eyes began to materialize. This time there was more. Looking back at him was the most beautiful chocolate brown wolf he had ever seen. Her eyes glowing a mystical sapphire blue seemed to make his heart race more. His wolf let out an excited yip and wagged his tail like a whip. Caleb could not remember the last time Thor had been this happy.

“It’s her! It’s our mate!” he howled loudly.

Caleb knew he was right. Her silky fur and dark chocolate color accentuated her eyes. She seemed to call out to his very soul. Slowly, her image began to fade. Caleb echoed Thor’s sadness as they both cried out, “Please don’t go…”

Chapter Three

Sky awoke in a panic. Scanning her room, she found no trace of the black wolf. “Had it really been a dream?” she asked herself. He was so vivid this time. It felt as though he was here in her room with her. She had heard him call out to her, but she could understand what he said. She could feel her heart beating furiously against her chest. She had to find out who he was. She had a feeling he would be important to her.

Caleb reached the pack house around three am. He hadn’t realized how late it was. It was after midnight when he had left. He didn’t know how long he had been sitting at the lake. Shifting back to his human form, he stood naked outside the door. He quietly let himself in. He snuck up the stairs and into his room. He wasn’t worried about being seen naked; he just didn’t want to wake anyone especially his parents. His run had helped relieve some of his restlessness.  It had given him hope which was unexpected. As he lay down in bed, he couldn’t help thinking about the wolf Thor had gone crazy for. Those eyes, he had to meet this wolf. He knew she was special.

Chapter Four

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” came a chorus of voices. Sky jumped as she sat up in bed. As she glanced around at her mother and father, she remembered, today is her eighteenth birthday. She was now an adult. More importantly, she could now recognize her mate.

“Come on sleepy head,” came her mother’s sing song voice. “I made you breakfast!”

Sky grumbled rolling over, “I will be down in a few minutes.”

“Darling, since it is her birthday, let’s give her a few minutes to get up,” her father said putting his hand on her mother’s waist leading her towards the door.

Sky knew she meant well. She understood today would be a difficult day for them. They had longed for a big family with lots of babies. When her mother had conceived Sky, they were both overjoyed. As Isabelle gave birth to Sky, the wall of her uterus tore. The pack doctor left shortly after Sky was born to assist Daphne’s mother in birthing Daphne. When he returned to check on Isabelle, he found she had lost more blood then was normal. Usually, werewolves healed quickly on their own, but Isabelle was not healing. The pack doctor performed emergency surgery to stop the bleeding. He said he had done his best but there was a lot of damage. When Sky was two, her parents tried for more pups. After having no luck, they gave up the idea of any more children.

She knew they were worried. Turning eighteen meant she could find her mate and leave with him. If he was in a different pack, she would go with him. It had once been ordered that the female had to leave and join her mate’s pack. Now, it was left up to the female to decide if that was what she wanted. Sky had made her decision long ago when she had first learned of mates and the mate bond. She knew she would go with her mate. Her parents had always been so protective of her. She knew how much the thought of her leaving scarred them both.

Stretching as she stood up, the midnight black wolf entered her thoughts. He was never far from her mind. She knew she could get lost in those green eyes. She wanted nothing more than to run her fingers through that silky black fur. A strange heat surged through her. She shook her head. What was happening to her? Was she falling for the wolf in her dream? She had to stop thinking about him. Her wolf, Aria, was not helping. The Mate’s Ball is tomorrow. The thought of finding her mate sent a shiver through her. She has been looking forward to meeting her mate forever. What if he hadn’t waited for her? What if he was in love with someone else? Worse still, what if he rejected her? Rejections were rare but they did happen from time to time.

She knew what she was nervous about, the mate’s bond. The mate’s bond had to be consummated to allow the two wolves to full accept their mate. It allowed the Mate’s bond to open a mind link that only the two mates could use to communicate with each other. There was also the marking. The marking was intended to leave a mark on each other to show other wolves they are mated. This allowed the male wolf to know others knew his mate was his and accepted him as her mate. Without consummation, the power of the bond could not be fully recognized. Everyone knew the marking hurt but, it also brought a sense of euphoria. The feeling had been compared to heaven for werewolves. Once completed, the mates’ hearts would be one forever. It is impossible to break the bond. No. What scared her, was a rejection.

She knew she would not reject her mate but what if he felt differently? She had heard rejections were more painful than anything in the world. The rejection would sever the mate’s bond and cause tremendous pain to both wolves. There were stories of wolves dying as a result of rejections. Those that did reject their mates usually suffered the loss and eventually went crazy. She shivered at the thought.

“You worry too much.” Aria’s voice inside her head interrupted her thoughts.

“Aria? How come I can hear you so well?” Sky asked, the shock evident in her voice even to herself.

“When you turned eighteen, it allowed me to be more present. Before that, I could only say words and small phrases.”

Sky was speechless. She had been told her wolf received her full strength on their eighteenth birthday, but she hadn’t completely understood what that meant.

“Anyway,” Aria broke in again, “You worry too much. Our mate will love us and cherish us. Stop thinking we will be rejected.”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKY!” came Daphne’s excited voice.

“And happy birthday to you too!” Sky giggled as she hugged her best friend.

“Let’s go already! I want to celebrate our birthday ALL DAY!” Daphne’s excitement was infectious!

“Ok Let’s go!” Sky knew this maybe the last time they celebrated their birthdays together. If they both met their mates at the Mate’s ball tomorrow night, they could wind up in different packs. While they were not blood sisters, they were just as close if not closer then blood sisters.

Daphne sighed. “Sky, I already told you, stop worrying. We will always celebrate together, no matter what.”

“You’re the best!” Sky giggled, jumping on her friend and squeezing her. They both giggled as they hugged each other.

“Wow, I should have gotten here sooner,” came Evan’s voice from the doorway. Both girls snickered before launching pillows at him.

A few minutes later, they were piling into Evan’s car. As he was backing out, he couldn’t help but notice a strange scent. It smelled like a rogue but, yet, different. As he shifted the car into drive, he didn’t smell it anymore. “Oh well, probably nothing.” He thought.

“You, ok?” Daphne asked from the backseat. Both she and Sky were looking at him waiting for his answer.

“Yeah sorry.” He said putting the car in drive, as they sped off down the street towards downtown and the restaurants.

Chapter Five

They hadn’t noticed her. That was the plan, right? Nobody sees anything until the order was given. That guy, the one driving the car, had he smelled her? Wasn’t it supposed to hide her smell completely? Testing it out was becoming tiresome. She was growing bored. She wanted to be with her pack, not out doing these stupid things. On the other hand, who was that girl? The one with the dark brown hair? Why did she feel like this girl would somehow interfere?

Chapter Six

Evan couldn’t help trying to place that smell. How could something smell like a rogue but, yet, not at the same time.

“What’s wrong?” Sky asked from the passenger seat. “You seem like you have something on your mind.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” he lied. “I was just thinking about the restaurant and if it is good enough for my two best girls,” he said, flashing her his sexy smile.

“It will be fine. You worry too much,” she said returning the smile. She looked at her friend in the backseat before once again watching through the windshield as he drove.

Evan couldn’t help stealing glances at her. ‘She is so beautiful,’ he thought to himself. She was wearing cut-off jean shorts, a blue tight fitting tank top, and a button-down dress shirt that she wore unbuttoned and tied at her waist. She was indeed a classic beauty. “She has no idea how beautiful and adorable she is,” he said to Thaddeus in his mind.

“She is but, not our mate.” Thaddeus responded.

Evan had been hoping for so long that Sky would be his mate. Now that she was eighteen, he would know right? The problem was nothing had changed. He now knew Thaddeus was right. Sky was not his mate. He knew she hadn’t realized it yet, but she would soon enough. Maybe it wouldn’t matter. Maybe she would want him too like he wants her, and their mates wouldn’t matter.

“No. We have to find our mate,” Thaddeus grumbled bringing him back from his current thoughts.

He stole another glance, accidentally catching Sky’s eyes. He flashed her a suave smile before laughing a bit at himself. This made her giggle.

“Nerd,” Daphne quipped, rolling her eyes from the backseat.

A few minutes later, they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Evan hopped out of the car, running around to the other side, he opened Daphne’s door then Sky’s. Holding out his hand to her, “May I Madame?” he asked in his best English Accent.

“Why, thank you good sir,” Sky answered back giggling.

Letting go of Sky’s hand, he shut both doors before turning and stepping in between both girls. Holding out an arm for each one, “Shall we?” he asked in the same British accent. They all laughed as they headed into the restaurant.

Daphne rolled her eyes as she noticed Evan checking out Sky for the umpteenth time today. She didn’t care because she wanted Evan, no. It was because she wanted someone to look at her like that. She couldn’t blame Evan for feeling the way he does about Sky. He had been in love with her since they were in second grade. Evan was a year older than she and Sky, so he had been in third grade. A couple boys were picking on the two of them. Evan saw and stopped the boys. When they realized, Evan was not going to back down, they ran. The three of them had been best friends since.

Sky was shy in comparison to Daphne. Sometimes she wondered if that was what guys were attracted to, the shy girls, the damsel in distress types. As They entered the restaurant, she tried to stop the jealous feeling she felt more than usual lately. After all, they were celebrating their birthdays at their favorite restaurant. They had spent countless nights here. It was their go to spot when they needed to just be together.

Daphne felt a pang of sadness as she realized it was only a few more hours until they could find their mates. I hope we do, but I hope we stay in the same pack. She thought about how much this will change their lives forever. Once they find their mates, they could be separated, mate less, or worse, rejected. It was getting late. She tapped Sky’s shoulder, “Time to go home.”

After they dropped her off, she was sitting in her room, Sky felt like a caged animal. She was restless. She tried to calm herself, but nothing helped. Evan had dropped her off before taking Daphne home. She didn’t want to be home. She wanted to be out, exploring, anything but sitting alone in her room.

“Let’s go for a run!” Aria suggested.

“It’s really late, should we go to bed?” Sky asked feeling a bit uneasy.

“HA! Good luck sleeping when the night is calling to us.” Aria could feel the night calling to her, begging her to run through the darkness as the wind whipped by. “Come on, the fresh air will do us both some good.”

Sky quietly opened her bedroom door. Peering down the dark hallway, she could hear her parents gentle breathing signaling they were sound asleep. Tiptoeing down the stairs, she reached the front door. “Please don’t creak, please don’t creak,” she thought to herself. The night air rushed in like an old friend welcoming her back. She sneaked onto the step closing the door gently behind her. Running across the front yard, she reached the big old oak tree in the corner. She shivered against the chilly air as she stripped her clothes off. As she began to shift, thoughts of her first shift filled her mind. It had been excruciating. Now it was painless as her bones broke and realigned themselves, her canines elongated, and dark chocolate colored fur began covering her naked body offering warmth against the chill night air.

It felt good to be in the night air! Stretching and shaking out her muscles, she could feel the shift in the air. Something was about to happen, something big! “Hey Sky, how ‘bout a swim in the lake?”

“It’s your time. Do what you want,” Sky said from the back of Aria’s mind.

“YAY!” Aria sang as she took off towards the tree line. The wind felt good as it wrapped around her as she ran. Her blue eyes glowing against her fur scanned the forest as she weaved carelessly through the trees. Twisting and turning as she ran; she was enjoying the freedom the night offered. Rounding the next corner, Mirror Lake came into view. Not slowing at all, Aria ran straight at the water’s edge. Pushing off the grassy shore, she laughed as she flew into the air.   As she splashed down into the water, she felt giddy, like a little pup splashing and playing in the water. After a while, Aria walked up on shore. Shaking off the water, she felt sleepy. She found a soft place on the grass and lay down resting her head on her paws. As she began to doze, she smelled it. A delicious scent of peppermint with a hint of pine filled the air. She jumped to her feet ears alert to any sound as her eyes scanned every leaf. Her nose was furiously sniffing, she hoped it would lead her to the source of that delicious smell. Turning her head to look around, she jumped when she heard a twig break. Carefully she approached the spot where the twig had broken. As she got closer, a pair of glowing emerald, green eyes looked back at her.

Chapter Seven

Thor couldn’t help it. Caleb said they should wait for the ball, but his instincts told him she was near. He had done something he swore he would never do. He forcefully took over. He knew this was a step toward losing all control, but he knew if he found her, she would be the one to fix it all. He would no longer feel like he was missing a piece. He would be able to be the wolf Caleb needed. Now running full speed towards the lake, he knew he was right. The heavenly scent of chocolate and strawberries was doing indescribable things to him. He had been on his way to the Moon Storm Pack for the Mate’s ball. He crossed into their territory and had changed direction to head North towards the lake instead of south towards the town. He had gone to the lake quite often despite the distance. It was there that he had encountered the sapphire blue eyes which called to him. The night he saw the wolf who belonged to those eyes appear on the surface of the lake, he knew he had to see her, had to meet her, had to make her his. Now running towards her scent, he could not stop, He would not stop.

As he approached the lake, the scent got stronger. She is here, our mate, that scent, it’s her!

“Don’t you dare scare her,” Caleb warned Thor.

Using his wolf stealth, Thor quietly crept into the bushes near the lake. He was downwind from the lake so his scent would not alert anyone to his presence. As he peered out through the thick green leaves, he saw the most gorgeous wolf snoozing on the shore. Her dark fur was gleaming in the moonlight giving her a sense of light emanating from her. Droplets of water added to the illusion making her seem like she was bathing in the moonlight. Sniffing the air, he nearly leapt at her when he realized the scent was coming from her! “MATE! MATE! MATE!” Thor yelled at Caleb. Before he could stop himself, he took a step breaking a twig with a crack that sounded like thunder in the silence. He froze.

She jumped up looking around to see who was nearby. She could smell a very feint scent of peppermint and pine. She didn’t know why but she wanted to find the source of that scent. Following her nose, she crept towards the bushes. The moonlight cast the bushes in a strange glow. Shadows dances as the breeze caused the branches to sway. She crept closer inch by inch.

Thor wanted to leap out. He wanted to talk to her, to mate her, to mark her.

“Don’t you dare.” Caleb warned. “I will take control right now if you do.”

Concentrating on his mate again, Thor jumped when he looked into the glowing sapphire eyes of his mate.

Aria couldn’t look away. She felt like she was in a trance. She was mesmerized by those eyes. Those eyes that felt as though they were looking into her soul. The eyes that are connected to the heavenly scent, the eyes of her mate. Still watching, she took a couple steps back. As the wolf stepped out of the brush, Aria gasped. It was the black wolf from their dreams! But how could that be?

Before she realized it, she heard her shaky voice ask, “who are you?”

He didn’t answer, instead he stepped closer. She heard him take a deep breath inhaling her scent. She did the same.

As she looked into his eyes, she said “I know who you are, I am yours and you are mine. You are my mate.”

“Yes” he answered. I am Thor and you are mine.”

Aria was speechless. She did not belong to anybody, but she knew she wanted to be his. “If I am yours, then you are mine.”

“Yes, I am yours too,” Thor was doing all he could to keep control.

“Shift. We want to see your human form,” Aria said sounding a bit more in control.

“Mine wants to see you in human form too,” Thor answered.

“Wait, I want to stay with you,” Aria whimpered.

Thor smirked. “I want to stay with you too. Once we are mated and marked, we will be able to talk through the mate link. That way when our people are in control, you and I can talk all we want. It is like our pack link but only mates can use this connection,” Thor explained. “I will go behind this tree to shift, you go over behind that tree.”

As she went behind the tree, Aria giggled. “What’s so funny?” Sky asked.

“We only brought sweatpants and a t-shirt!”

“Oh Goddess,” Sky groaned as she surveyed herself. Of course, she would be wearing sweats and a t-shirt to meet her mate. Maybe she should start taking some of Daphne’s advice. A gentle breeze carried a whiff of her mate’s scent to her nostrils. All her worry faded away. She couldn’t help it, that scent made her want to grab him, kiss him, mate with him, and mark him. Make him hers forever. She felt a sudden warmth between her legs. ‘Oh Goddess,’ she thought to herself, ‘What is wrong with me?’

“Um… So… I am coming out naked. I didn’t grab anything to change.” He called to her.

Oh, that voice, it sent a shiver down her body. How could a voice make her feel like that? Wait, did he just say he was coming out naked?

“Yes, he did!” Aria giggled from the back of Sky’s mind.

Being naked in front of each other was not a big deal for werewolves. On the other hand, meeting your mate for the first time naked, that was a big deal. Stepping carefully out from behind the tree, she nearly fainted. Standing in front of her, completely nude, was Caleb Mason, soon to be Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack. He is her mate?

“He is gorgeous,” Sky said to Aria.

“I know,” she snickered.

Sky couldn’t help but stare. His washboard abs, perfectly sculpted body, and his devastatingly handsome face, memorized her. He could make the girls swoon with one look. The chiseled jaw line, perfect cheek bones, kissable lips, kissable neck. His green eyes accentuated his tanned skin and jet-black hair. ‘Goddess I want to run my fingers through that hair’ What is she thinking! ‘What is wrong with me?’ she thought to herself.

“My name is Sky. You are Caleb Mason, right?” She didn’t need an answer, she already knew who he was. She had seen him at the mall. “You are my mate.” She thought it sounded more like a question.

“You are mine; I am your mate.” His voice sent tingles running down her arms. “You are beautiful,” he said sounding like he was out of breath.

Sky couldn’t help herself. She wanted to jump on him right now. She wanted to touch him, kiss him, mate with him, and mark him. ‘Wait, did I really just think that?’ Hearing him tell her she is beautiful made her insides melt. She wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in his arms as they consummated their bond. She knew if he rejected her, she would die. She had never been more drawn to anyone or anything in her life. She knew she could never reject him.

As if he heard her thoughts, he spoke. “I Caleb Mason of the Moon Warrior’s pack accept you Sky as my mate and Luna.”

Before she knew what was happening, her own voice answered, “I Sky Masters of the Moon Storm pack, accept you Caleb Mason as my mate and future Alpha.”

Standing there staring at her mate, Sky wanted to know what kissing him would feel like.

He could smell her arousal. He wanted to make her his forever so nobody could try and take her from him. He heard his voice accept her as his mate, and to his surprise, her voice did the same. It was getting late. He didn’t want to scare her by saying he would not leave without her but, he knew he could not watch her leave without him even for a moment. He could feel his rock-hard member twitching in response to her smell. He was holding back from mating and marking her right here. He knew she had noticed him standing at attention. Why hadn’t he grabbed his backpack? He usually put it on, so it was with him when he shifted. “This is your fault,” he groaned at Thor.

Nakedness was part of being a wolf. Shifting meant being nude before and after. Many wolves did not bother to bring clothes if they shifted. It wasn’t until recently that the younger generations began finding ways to bring clothing with them.

Sky watched him closely. He was so cute worrying about being nude in front of her. She took a few steps closer. She couldn’t help herself. It was as if he was a flame and she a moth, drawn to him without a care in the world. His eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight.

Caleb watched her carefully as she slowly made her way towards him. She stopped a few feet from him. He wanted to reach out to her, he wanted to touch her. He wanted to feel her in his arms as he kissed her.

She knew she would not reject him. She knew it before ever laying eyes on him. The relief she felt knowing he would not reject her, allowed her to release the years of worry she had felt. He was made for her and she for him. The Moon Goddess did not make mistakes. In one motion, Caleb closed the gap between them. As he put his arms around her, sparks raced down her skin. He felt her shiver at the intimate sensation.

“I have been waiting a long time for you,” he whispered in her ear.

The Next Day…

Sky woke up worried. Was he here? Did she really find her mate last night? It was then she felt it. A heavy arm draped across her mid-section. His scent filling her senses with joy. It was all real! She had found him, and he was here, in her house, in her room, in her bed! They hadn’t done anything but talk last night. She was still wearing her old t shirt and sweats. She had given Caleb a pair of her father’s basketball shorts. She had snuck him up the stairs and into her room. She had given him a towel before sneaking into her parents’ room to get him some shorts. She had felt a sense of disappointment as he put the shorts on. She rolled over carefully and inhaled his scent. Peppermint and pine.

She hadn’t been sure what to do. She didn’t want to leave without him. After walking and talking, they ended up on her front steps. He offered to go to his hotel, but she asked him to stay. She had just found him; she didn’t want him to go. He was going to sleep on the couch as he didn’t want her to be nervous. They had sat on her bed talking for hours, that is where they both fell asleep.

She brushed a few loose strands of hair away from his face. He woke up catching her gaze. He flashed her his handsome smile, “Good morning, my beautiful girl.”

“Good morning handsome mate,” she answered sleep still evident in her voice.

She heard footsteps outside her door signaling her parents were up, or so she thought. Her door burst open revealing Evan. He froze at the sight before him. A low warning growl came from deep in his chest. His canines began to elongate as did his claws.

“Evan! Stop!” Sky shrieked jumping to her feet.

From behind her, Caleb’s own growl answered Evan’s. His sounded more dangerous, more ferocious. His eyes were turning a deeper green. Thor was scratching at the surface. “Let me out! I’ll kill him!” he thundered.

“Evan! Stop!” Sky shrieked. “He is my mate!” She put her hand on Caleb’s arm to calm him. The small bristles of fur along his muscles scratched her smooth skin. She could feel him tense with every passing second.

“Enough!” boomed a voice from the hall. They both stopped surprised at the power in the voice.

“Daddy!” Sky yelled.

“Evan, downstairs now! I will sort this out.” Lee Masters is Beta to Alpha Jake. He was known to be fair but tough. He was not happy to have been woken up by two males growling in his beloved daughter’s bedroom. “Sky, what is going on here?” He asked, annoyance still evident in his voice.

“Daddy, I found my mate! Last night! Aria and I were restless, so I shifted and went for a run. Aria wanted to swim so we headed to mirror lake. Caleb stumbled upon us and, well, Daddy he’s, my mate. I have already accepted him, and he has accepted me!” She was nervous but the excitement in her eyes made them sparkle. Her father smiled.

“Well now, my little girl has found her mate. Caleb, congratulations. You better make sure you take good care of my daughter.”

“I will. I will cherish her always.” Caleb replied looking at Sky.

“Lee Masters, get out of the way.” Isabelle Masters, Sky’s mother had been standing there listening this whole time. “My baby has found her mate!” Lee stepped aside letting his wife in. Sky was still sitting on her bed holding Caleb’s arm. “Caleb Mason, you are Sky’s mate?”

“Yes, I am,” he said proudly.

“That means she will be Luna of the Moon’s Warriors Pack? Oh Goddess! My baby a Luna!” she chirped excitedly.

“Um, can we get up maybe? This is a bit awkward,” Sky sighed.

“Oh yes, of course. Lee, you go talk to Evan. I will give you two a minute and then we must talk. Caleb, I want to know all about you.”

Evan couldn’t fathom what he was hearing. How could his beloved Sky be mated to Caleb Mason? No. No he would not let this happen. He would not allow Sky to leave with him. After all, she was a part of the Moon Storm Pack, and he would be the alpha of this pack soon enough. He would try to convince her to reject Caleb and choose him instead. Then if the time came, he would reject his mate and choose Sky.

“Evan, sit down, you are wearing a hole in my floor,” Lee said with the sarcasm heavy in his tone.

Evan hadn’t realized he was pacing again. It was becoming a habit of his.

“Lee, Caleb cannot be her mate. He is no good for her.” Evan was desperate. Maybe Lee could help convince Sky to reject Caleb.

“Evan, I understand you have feelings for Sky. You want what is best for her. Trying to find a way to have her reject her mate, is only going to push her away. You cannot ask her to reject him. The Moon Goddess knows what she is doing.”

“I can’t accept him being her mate, he doesn’t deserve her.” 

“Evan, be her friend. Protect her that way. If you try and come between Sky and Caleb, she will resent you. Believe in Sky and your friendship.”

The front door flew open revealing Daphne. “Hey, what did I miss? She asked, plopping down on the couch noticing the stares from Lee and Evan.

“I think we will let Sky tell you. For now, keep Evan company, he needs a friend.” With that Lee strode into the kitchen.

“Ok Evan, spill. What happened?”

Evan sighed. “I came over a little early. I thought I could hang out with Sky, and we could talk. I went upstairs like always to wake her up, and Caleb Mason was asleep in her bed!”

“So, if he was asleep in her bed, where was Sky?”

“Daphne, she was in the bed too! I damn near lost it! We both started snarling and then Lee showed up and kicked me out. Caleb stayed. Sky says he is her mate! That can’t be! I am supposed to be her mate!”

“Evan, Sky turned 18. If you were her mate, you would have known by now. That means you aren’t her mate. She starred at him for a moment as he began to realize what she meant. “I’m sorry Evan.” Daphne knew Evan had feelings for Sky but hadn’t realized just how deep those feelings were.

Evan stood still. “I did know. I figured it out yesterday but, I had hoped it would change, that maybe I missed it. I love her. I don’t know how to let her go.”

“Evan, she was never yours to lose,” Daphne said softly.

“Maybe she was never mine but, she shouldn’t have to deal with that ego inflated jackass as her mate,” Evan’s eyes were beginning to glow, signaling his wolf Thaddeus, was close to the surface.

“Evan, you have never met Caleb. Just because Gideon and Dash acted like morons doesn’t mean that Caleb is like that too,” Daphne tried to reason with him. “Evan, you know as well as I do, the Moon Goddess does not make mistakes. If she put Sky and Caleb together, there is a reason.” Daphne hoped he would understand but, she knew Evan was not one to walk away from something he wanted and that something is Sky.

“Tell Sky I will call her later. For now, I have to leave before I do something I regret,” with that Evan stormed out slamming the door behind him.

Daphne sighed. He will be ok, I hope.

Eight

‘My mom was sitting on my bed talking about her excitement of me finding my mate. My father just had to separate my mate and my best friend from fighting in my bedroom. ‘What is happening? And how did this all happen so fast? Why was Evan here so early anyway? Why didn’t he knock? He is my friend but, he can’t just barge into my bedroom.’ All these thoughts were running circles in her mind. Caleb’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Yes, my mother will be Luna for a bit longer until Sky and I are ready to take over as Alpha and Luna,” he was saying.

Wait, why is he explaining this? “Mom, why are you asking all these questions? I think Caleb and I would like a minute please.”

“Oh, of course sweetheart, I will be downstairs if you need me.” With that Isabelle got up and left closing the door behind her.

The sudden silence left Sky feeling a bit lost in her own room. A soothing voice pierced the silence.

“Baby Girl? Are you ok?” Caleb sounded genuinely worried.

“I’m ok. I am so sorry about all of this. I don’t know why Evan just barged in, and then threatened to attack you! I am so sorry! I would understand if you changed your mind.” She felt as though her heart was breaking. She already had feelings for him. This rejection will really hurt.

The silence that followed was deafening. Sky could not bring herself to look at him. Finally, Caleb spoke. “Baby Girl, are you saying you think I will reject you because your friend got mad? I would never do that! Never! I respect that he was trying to protect you. I would never reject you. Never. I need you; I want you, and I already love you.”

Sky burst into tears. “Thank Goddess! I couldn’t bear the thought of you rejecting me! I already love you too!” With that, she threw herself into his arms. He wrapped his strong arms around her, looking into her blue eyes, he leaned down and kissed her. His mouth covered hers, his lips were soft. His tongue pressed against her lips begging for entrance. As she parted her lips slightly, he thrust his tongue into her mouth exploring every bit as their tongues danced together. Sparks flew down her skin wherever he touched her. As he deepened the kiss, she began to feel as though she was losing control of her body. She didn’t care. She wanted him, she needed him.

“Sky! Hurry up!” Daphne’s voice broke the tension.

Breaking away, she tried to slow her breathing. She didn’t want to stop. She wanted to keep kissing him. She could tell he felt the same. His eyes were a dark shade of Emerald green. She couldn’t help it. She pressed her lips against his again. He kissed her back with a hunger she returned.

Her bedroom door flew open to reveal a very surprised Daphne. “Oh, my Goddess! What did I interrupt?” Daphne giggled, her cheeks turning bright red. She looked away sheepishly.

“Ugh…Why doesn’t anybody knock?” Sky grumbled standing up and walking to her closet. She was mad and embarrassed. Why did everyone think they could just come into her room without her permission. Sure, they had always been allowed to before, but now she had her mate. 

“Sky, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you weren’t alone,” Daphne started to explain. “I really didn’t mean to make you mad.”

“I am not mad at you! I’m just kind of in shock. My Dad had to throw Evan out of my room for trying to fight Caleb, my mother was in here sitting on the bed with me and Caleb “talking”, and I still don’t know how Caleb and I ended up sleeping in my bed, together.”

“Um, maybe I should go out so you two can talk.” Caleb said standing up. Daphne couldn’t help but stare. His perfectly sculpted arms and shoulders, washboard abs, and the basketball shorts he was wearing hanging loosely around his toned hips.

“Wow, he is perfect,” Daphne said with a dreamy voice. She was practically drooling.

A low growl caused her to freeze. Sky was watching her closely with dangerous eyes. “Mine”.

“Sky, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it,” Daphne tried to explain.

Sky snapped out of it realizing how scared her friend was. “I’m sorry Daph. I know you would never try anything with Caleb. I don’t know what just came over me.”

“I do,” they both looked at Caleb waiting for an explanation. “I am your mate, but we are not mated or marked yet. That means Thor and Aria are going to be extremely protective against anyone they think is showing interest in their mate. It’s kind of what they do.”

“It makes sense,” Sky looked as though she may cry.

“Sky, it’s ok. I am sure when I find my mate, I will be the same way. Don’t worry. By the way, you sounded way scary. It was totally awesome!” Both girls giggled.

Caleb excused himself and headed into the bathroom. He remembered where it was from last night. He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Gideon.

“Hey man! Where ya been? We thought you met some hottie and forgot about the mate thing for a bit, if ya know what I mean.”

“Gideon, you are a dog.” Caleb grumbled.

“Actually, I am a wolf.” Gideon replied with an obvious sarcasm.

“Can you please bring me a change of clothes, and my car?”

“I guess, why don’t you just come here? Me and Dash are at the pack house. There is a ton of females here.”

Caleb was getting annoyed. Using his alpha voice, “Gideon I want my car and my clothes in 20 minutes. I will send you the address.”

“Yes Alpha, sorry sir,” Gideon was confused. Caleb didn’t usually alpha tone him. Something big must have happened. Could he have met his mate? Gideon chuckled to himself. “Nah.” The mate’s ball isn’t till tonight.

Sitting down on her bed, Sky sighed as she rested her head in her hands. “Daph, I am embarrassed. First Evan shows up early and barges into my room. Then, he starts threatening Caleb. My Dad has to come in and practically drag Evan out. Add to it my mother coming in, sitting down on the bed with me and Caleb, and talking away about me becoming Luna and how excited she is. Caleb probably wishes I wasn’t his mate.” Tears began welling up in her eyes. Daphne could not stand to see her best friend cry.

“Sky, I am sure he doesn’t think that. He is your mate. From what I have seen, he is very happy about that.”

“Baby Girl, I would never wish you weren’t my mate.” Caleb’s voice made them both jump.

“I didn’t hear you come in.”

“Yeah, sorry, I finished my phone call and I wanted to check on you. You have had a crazy few hours.”

“I think I am a bit overwhelmed.”

“A bit?” Daphne asked sarcastically. “I’d say THAT is an understatement.”

“I am having my car and a change of clothes brought here. They should be arriving any minute. Let me take you and your friends out to breakfast. My treat.”

“You don’t have to.”

“Baby Girl, I know I don’t have to. I want to. I think you need it.” The way he was looking at her made her feel as though he would move the moon and the stars if it made her happy. What really amazed her, is she knew she would do the same for him.

“Caleb, I am sorry. I know you would never reject me. I just felt so overwhelmed and nervous and angry at Evan, do you forgive me?”

“Baby Girl, I can’t forgive you.”

“WHAT!” Daphne yelled.

“Hang on,” Caleb said casting a sideways glace at Daphne. “What I was trying to say is, there is nothing to forgive.”

“Oh Ok, now it makes sense,” Daphne was listening with the intent of defending her friend no matter what or who had something bad to say.

“Hey Daph?” Sky began.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Do you think Caleb and I could have a little privacy, please?” Sky asked hopefully.

“What? Oh, yeah, sorry. I’m going.”

Daphne stood up and walked out. Sky closed the door behind her. “I’m sorry. She means well.”

“Baby Girl, your friends and family are very protective of you, it tells me just how amazing you are. It shows you will be an amazing and caring Luna. My pack needs a Luna who will look after them, comfort them, help them, and in return, they will protect you with their lives. The Luna is the heart and soul of the pack. You, Baby Girl, will be the best Luna any pack has ever seen.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her into a warm embrace. As she looked up into his eyes, she felt as though nothing could stop them when they are together.

The doorbell rang interrupting their moment. “That must be my clothes and my car,” Caleb released her as he turned to the door. “Come on Baby Girl, time to meet the Beta and Gamma.

He couldn’t believe it was real. He had spent the night snuggled up with his mate. The image he had seen so many times in the lake of those sapphire blue eyes, really was his mate. The morning had been a little chaotic but, he couldn’t help but think how cute Sky looked when she was embarrassed. He smiled to himself at the thought of her. Her arms wrapped around him, his lips pressed against hers, she is perfect. He had changed into his typical jeans and a black t-shirt which clung to his muscles. He stood there for a moment, looking at himself in the mirror, he felt as though it was a dream. A loud knock on the bathroom door, caused him to groan.

“Caleb! Come on man, how long you got to stay in there? Some of us are hungry!”

Typical Dash, food, and girls. Caleb smirked to himself imagining the girl who was strong enough and brave enough to tame that one.

“Alright, I’m done,” he said as he opened the door.

Standing there, grinning like a child in a candy shop, stood his gamma Dash.

“Ok, tell me! How does it feel to have, you know, mated? How many times did you mate? Details! I want details!”

“Really? First of all, we didn’t yet, and second, when we do, I won’t be telling you.”
“Awww! come on! I promise I won’t say anything!”

“No.” Caleb replied in a tone letting Dash know he meant it. “Come on, we will wait for the girls.”

“Wait, girls? As in, there is more than one?”

“Sky and her friend. They are getting ready in Sky’s room. Oh, and don’t even think about it,” Caleb said giving him a sideways glance. “I mean it.”

Sitting on the sofa, Sky’s parents were watching Dash.

“Lee and Isabelle Masters, this is my Gamma Dash,” Caleb introduced him.

“Yes, we met. Briefly.” Lee answered skepticism evident on his face.

It was not a new thing. Most people did not think Dash would be a good Gamma or be loyal when they first met him. Dash always seemed so flighty and carefree. The serious side of Dash is equally intense. He can be serious in a moment and then back to fun loving Dash. Caleb knew this well as they had grown up together.

Waiting for Sky gave Caleb a chance to think of everything that had happened in the last few hours. He had found his mate; they had agreed they would not reject each other. Then he had gone to her house, fell asleep in her bed, woken up to another wolf growling at him, met her father because he came in to throw the other wolf out, then her mother came in. She started talking about becoming a Luna. Then she started talking about the mating and marking process, what would happen once it was completed, and then started talking about grand pups. No wonder Sky had wanted a minute with her friend.

“Caleb? You, ok?” Sky’s worried voice broke through his thoughts. 

“Yeah, sorry, I am starving. Are you both ready?”

A knock on the door signaled Gideon’s arrival. “Finally,” Daphne said with a scowl. “Now we can go. I am dying of starvation here!” As she opened the door, the smell of cinnamon and sugar hit her hard. ‘What is that heavenly smell?’ she asked herself. It was coming from the young wolf standing at the door. He was frozen just staring at her. “MATE, MATE, MATE!” Daphne’s wolf Sydney yelled in Daphne’s mind.

“Mine.” Gideon said without blinking. “You are mine. You smell like cotton candy.” Without another word, he stepped forward grabbing Daphne’s hand.

To everyone’s surprise, Daphne leaned in and kissed him. He returned the kiss and the two just stood there kissing.

“Ok, ok, break it up you two.” Caleb stepped between them. Everyone was speechless. Caleb and Sky, Daphne and Gideon, this meant the two girls could stay together! Sky was ecstatic!

“Daphne! I am so happy for you!” Sky hugged her friend. A few minutes later, they were all getting into Caleb’s car. He backed out of the driveway and sped off towards Sky’s favorite diner.  Daphne and Gideon were staring at each other as if they may disappear if they looked away.

 Sky looked deep in thought. Caleb put his hand on hers and gently rubbed his thumb along the side of her hand. “Are you sure you are ok Baby Girl? I can turn around if you want.”

“What? Oh, no I am fine. I was thinking about Evan.”

Caleb’s hair bristled as Sky said his name. “Are you worried he may do something?”

“No, I just don’t want to lose my friend. We grew up together. We have been like family for so long. I can’t imagine him not being a part of my life.” She looked so sad.

“I don’t think you will lose him. I think he just needs some space. I know I would need space if I found out I wasn’t your mate.” Her cheeks turned bright red. “You are so cute when you get embarrassed.”  He glanced over at her. Her cheeks were getting redder.

When they reached the restaurant, Caleb parked and helped her out of the car. Gideon, Daphne, and Dash hoped out of the backseat. As they walked in, Dash stopped sniffing the air. “Does anybody else smell that?”

“Smell what?” Caleb asked still walking towards the door.

“I guess it’s because I’m starving. Forget it, let’s go eat.”

Nine

Not good. This is not good. He found his mate. The timeline was now much shorter. The plan would have to happen much quicker than the original plan allowed. Damn it. It would not be good when she had to tell the boss. Nope, not good. They had planned in case this became necessary, after all the mate’s ball is tonight. The issue is once they mate and mark each other, things get a lot more difficult. They would be able to track each other through the mate link. Not to mention, the link was so powerful that without killing one it would be impossible to break.

Chapter Ten

He couldn’t shake the feeling something was off. He should be relaxed, happy, not feeling worried and anxious. Sitting next to Sky should make him calm. Looking out the window towards his car, he thought he saw someone run from behind it. “Hey, I will be right back, I need to make a call.” He didn’t want to alarm anyone but, this was becoming more and more often that he felt as though someone, or something was nearby. As he reached his car, he saw small footprints leading away. He knew they belonged to whoever he saw run from behind his car. He didn’t want to alarm anyone yet. He would speak to his father about this.

Sky was watching him from the window of the diner. She could see the worry spread across his handsome face. She didn’t want to believe the thoughts of doubt running through her mind. ‘Did he really have to make a call? Why didn’t he just call from inside? Maybe he was calling his girlfriend.’

“Sky,” Aria interrupted from the back of her mind. “Stop. He doesn’t have anyone. He doesn’t want anyone but us. Stop thinking you are not enough.”

“But are you sure?” She asked silently.

“YES! He is our mate! He loves us! Stop doubting yourself.”

As Caleb took his seat next to her, he gently squeezed her hand. “Are you ok, Baby Girl? You look upset.” He genuinely looked concerned.

“Yes, I was thinking about the mate’s ball,” she lied. “I am not a great dancer.”

He flashed a brilliant smile at her. “You will be great. Besides, if anybody is watching you, I will rip them apart.” He chuckled a bit. “I am kidding. Sort of.”

When they had all finished, they headed back to Sky’s house. When they pulled in the drive, Daphne, Gideon following like a lost puppy, headed to her house down a couple houses from Sky’s. Dash took off in wolf form leaving Sky and Caleb alone. As she unlocked the door, a text came in from her mother. ‘We had to go help setup for tonight. See you there!’ 

All the pack members helped setup for the ball. The young wolves attending did not because it was supposed to be a surprise to see the decorated ballroom when they walked in. The adults claimed it was part of the magic.

As she opened the door, she felt the sparks as Caleb gently placed his hand on the small of her back. She smiled knowing he was with her. “Are you thirsty?” she asked, unsure what to do. She had always been a bit awkward. She thought she would have grown out of it by now. At least she had hoped so.

“Baby Girl, sit with me, we can finally talk some more.” As she neared the couch, he grabbed her hand pulling her on to his lap. “Much better,” he said burying his face in the crook of her neck. His hot breath was sending shivers down her spine. “You smell so good,” his husky voice said as it began doing things to her. She sat up looking into his eyes. His hand snaked up, pulling her lips to meet his. His kiss was gentle at first, slowly, they got rougher as an insatiable hunger took over. His tongue once again begging for entrance. As she parted her lips, she felt his tongue slip past. She could feel the dampness forming in her core.

Suddenly, she was thrown to the floor as a ferocious growl filled the room. Her eyes went wide as Evan stood with his hands holding Caleb by the throat. “Evan stop! Let go!” she screamed at him. Without warning, Caleb threw Evan across the room as his fangs began to elongate. “Stop! Caleb don’t hurt him! Evan, leave!” Sky stepped between them. “Both of you stop!” Neither moved, afraid to hurt her.

“Evan, what is wrong with you!” Sky shouted angrily. “He is my mate. You will have to accept that! You promised you would not interfere if you were not my mate! If you can’t do that, then we can’t be friends!”

“Sky, I,” Evan tried.

“Don’t. Just go,” Sky said tears streaming down her face.

“I really thought,” he tried again.

“No, you didn’t think. Get out. I will talk to you when you have cooled off.” Her eyes were now the color of the sky during a storm. He knew better then to argue when they looked like that.

He stood up, shooting Caleb one last look, he walked out slamming the door behind him.

She rushed over to Caleb. “Are you ok?” She asked looking him over as if he was hurt. “I am so sorry, I don’t.”

“Stop,” he said. “You have nothing to apologize for,” he gently reached out, softly touching her cheek. “Are you hurt?” he asked, genuine concern evident on his features.

“I’m fine. I can’t believe Evan would do that. How could he be so jealous? It’s not like I was his girlfriend. We never dated. We were always friends.”

“I think he thought you and him would be more,” Caleb said, a hint of jealousy staining his words.

“I never thought of Evan as more than a friend. I always thought it would be cool if he was my mate but deep down, I knew he wasn’t. I hoped I had imagined his feelings for me, but I guess not.”

“I think once he finds his mate, he will be ok,” Caleb was not used to comforting someone. “I mean, you can’t blame him. You are sweet, sexy, and perfect. How could he not develop feelings for you?”

Sky giggled. “I am not perfect. I have many flaws.”

He simply smiled at her. “If you could see yourself through my eyes, you wouldn’t think so.”

How had Caleb and now Gideon both found their mates? He’s the oldest so why had he not found his mate yet?

Weaving through the trees, he was trying to outrun the betrayal he felt the fates had delt him. He deserved his mate. He should be holding her in his arms right now. Of course, he was happy for Caleb and Gideon, but he felt abandoned. Nobody knew he wanted his mate, his child, his family. Sure, he enjoyed his freedom. He enjoyed the random one-night stands that meant nothing to him. He knew once he had his mate, it would all change. He wanted it to. He would welcome it. He turned around to head back to the Moon Storm pack. The mate’s ball is tonight. Maybe he would finally have his mate.

Chapter Eleven

The Mate’s ball was only a couple hours away. She was alone in her room trying to get ready. Her thoughts kept wondering to Evan. She loved Evan but, not the way he wanted her to. She always thought of him as a big brother, not anything romantic. Recently when Evan suggested they may be mates, she knew he was wrong. Maybe she should have told him then. Maybe it would have stopped him from developing this crush on her. She didn’t want to lose Evan, but she didn’t want him to keep attacking Caleb. She knew Caleb was holding back despite Thor’s attempts to break free. She could see the restraint as his eyes shifted from the normal bright emerald green to the dark glowing emerald green of Thor. She knew he did it for her.

She picked up her phone to check the time. A message had come in. As she opened it, she was surprised to see Evan’s name.

“Sky, I am sorry. I acted like a jealous ass. Can you forgive me? Please?” She smiled as she read it. She quickly typed back; “Of course I forgive you!”  Putting her phone back down, she glanced at herself once more in the mirror. “Let’s do this,” she said to herself.

A little while later, Daphne was standing in Sky’s room. “You look hot!” she squealed. “Caleb is going to go bonkers when he sees you!”

“Do you really think so?” Sky asked sheepishly. “Do you think it’s too short? She asked turning to look at her butt in the mirror.

“Stop worrying! You look gorgeous! Let’s go show them how lucky they are!” Daphne said confidence dripping from her words.

“The rogue attacks in our territory have calmed down some… Wow…” Caleb was speechless. Coming down the stairs was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. Sky was wearing the black halter top minidress he had first seen her in at the mall. The dress hugged her curves making him jealous of the material. Her hair was in a half up with perfectly curled tendrils flowing around her face. She had on black 5-inch stiletto heels and was holding a little black clutch. He felt his member hardening at the sight of her. “You look stunning,” he said taking her hand as she stepped off the last step.

“You don’t look to bad yourself,” she answered scanning him from head to toe. He was wearing a black and white tux complete with shiny black dress shoes. He had cuff links which were shaped like a wolf with emeralds for eyes. She couldn’t help but think of how it would look on the floor. ‘Oh, my goddess! What is wrong with me?’ she thought to herself.

“Mate bond” Aria giggled from the back of her mind. “Besides what girl wouldn’t want to see him nude?”

As if reading her thoughts, Caleb answered “the feeling is mutual Baby Girl.”

“I told you he would love it!” Daphne smirked watching Caleb’s reaction.

“She’s hot,” Dash said as he walked in the room. “You’re a lucky, man” His smirk angering Caleb further.

“You better watch yourself!” Caleb roared. “She’s mine, my mate.” His eyes were glowing as Thor snarled.

Dash instantly turned his head to look at the floor, a submission to show he meant no harm. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I was just joking around.” He kept looking down to make sure Caleb knew he didn’t mean anything.

“Dash let’s go find your mate. Maybe she can teach you some manners.” Caleb was still glaring at him though his voice sounded a little less threatening.

“Where is Gideon? I thought he would be here to escort his mate. Unless I should do it,” Dash joked waggling his eyebrows.

“Only if you want your throat on the floor,” Gideon said from behind him. “Sorry I am late, I had to secure our ride for tonight.” He held out his hand for Daphne who took it eagerly and kissed the top of it. “Your ride my lady,” he joked bowing as he opened the door revealing a black stretch limo.

“Gideon, you out did yourself,” Caleb said slapping his shoulder. “Let’s go everyone. We will be late.”

She felt bad for Dash. He was the oldest of the three, yet he hadn’t found his mate. Maybe the Moon Goddess knew he needed a bit more time. She hoped he would find her tonight at the ball. She knew he must feel at least a bit jealous. She reached over taking Caleb’s hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

“Are you ok?” he asked gently.

“Yes, I’m just a little nervous.” She explained.

He smiled at her sending goosebumps across her skin. She couldn’t wait to be his completely.

As they reached the front of the pack house, the huge stoneface of the building felt a bit more welcoming with the decorations for the ball. The stone steps leading to a huge stone platform were covered in red rose petals. Sky thought about the countless hours she and Evan had spent in the ballroom pretending they were mates at the mate’s ball. She had been looking forward to this for as long as she could remember.

  Alpha Jake and Luna Quinn stood greeting people. Evan stood on the opposite side greeting guests. Caleb helped Sky out of the car as Dash made a beeline for the door. Gideon and Daphne were already greeting the Alpha and Luna. Caleb noticed Evan staring at Sky. He held her hand a bit tighter as he leaned in giving her a quick peck on the lips. She smiled up at him. As they ascended the steps leading up to the door, Evan glared at him. They greeted the Alpha and Luna; Evan took Sky’s hand planting a gentle kiss on it. Sky pulled her hand back as soon as his lips touched it. She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

“Caleb, I apologize for my son, he seems to have forgotten his manners tonight,” Alpha Jake said shooting Evan a warning look.

Caleb brushed it off. “I can understand. After all, my mate is amazing.” He put a strong emphasis on my mate. glaring at Evan, he put his hand gently on the small of her back guiding her inside.

“Alpha Jake and Luna Quinn are my Goddess parents,” she explained. “I have spent so much time in this place. I know all the secret passages, I know all the good hiding spots, and” she paused looking around to make sure no one would hear her, “I know where they hide the good snacks!” She giggled as she watched Caleb’s expression.

“What if I want you for a snack? Do you know a spot?” He asked flashing her a devilish grin.

Her cheeks flushed becoming red, and her heartbeat quickened. ‘How can he do this to me so easily?’ she asked herself.

Once inside, Caleb admired the medieval feel of this pack house. The field stone walls, the windows with their diamond shapes across the glass, stone overhanging above every window and balcony. Inside was a huge welcoming fireplace. Several logs burned giving the foyer a warm cozy feel. Plush black rugs ran down the middle of the white marble floors. The candles lining the walls had been lit casting small circles of light along the floor. The huge crystal chandelier was aglow with at least 200 candles. It made him feel as though he was entering to see a king. The place was breathtaking.

Dash ran up next to Sky. “So, are you two going to play “Damsel in distress” so you can give Caleb a reward?” He laughed at his own joke.

Sky froze, her eyes turning a dark blue as she turned to face him. “I am perfectly capable of rescuing myself. What Caleb and I do is NONE of your BUISNESS,” she growled at him.

He took a couple steps back. “I am sorry, Luna, I meant no disrespect.” He offered her the same submission he had given Caleb earlier. “Please forgive me.”

“You are forgiven, but do not forget your place.” She warned.

As her eyes lightened to their normal color, she realized people were watching her. “Baby girl, that was amazing.” Caleb was beaming.

“Sorry I was just standing up for myself,” she looked a little embarrassed.

“Don’t be embarrassed. You just sounded and acted like a Luna. You are amazing.” He sounded so proud.

As they entered the ballroom, she was excited to see the transformation of the ballroom. The ceiling had been painted a royal blue color with the various stages of the moon encircling the room. There were two majestic looking wolves dancing in the center of the circle. The two wolves were Alpha Boris and Luna Layla who were the original Alpha and Luna of the Moon Storm Pack. They were appointed by the Moon Goddess herself when wolves first came into existence. The walls were a rich burgundy with black trim. Paintings of famous wolves and places lined the walls. The tables lining the dance floor were topped with bouquets of red and white roses, the symbols of love and fertility. Around each bouquet a circle of miniature candles glowed. The dance floor was glowing with multiple spotlights swinging every which way. As an added touch, a huge disco ball hung in the center casting reflections of colorful lights around the floor. Couples were dancing clinging to each other. Those were the wolves who had found their mates tonight. On the other side of the dance floor, a huge group of wolves, girls and guys, were dancing together as though they were in a dance club, not at a ball. The DJ’s booth was located along one end of the dance floor on the huge stage. The DJ was playing fast music with some slow songs mixed in for the couples. They didn’t seem to notice the beat, instead they danced to their own private beat. A young wolf named Wade was the DJ for her pack. He waved as he noticed her. She spotted Daphne and Gideon off on their own grinding together as they kissed.

“Baby Girl, I need to talk to you, alone for a minute,” he suddenly seemed so serious.

“Ok,” she answered nervously. She led him out of the ballroom and down a long corridor to her father’s office. As beta of the pack, he had his office in the pack house. She pushed open the heavy wooden door. Stepping inside, her hands began to tremble with nerves. “Is something wrong?” She asked him.

“Baby Girl, nothing is wrong when I am with you. I want you to know, I love you,” he seemed worried as the words left his lips. He smiled at her before it melted from his face. “I plan on accepting you as my mate in front of everyone here tonight,” he sounded so strange as if he wasn’t sure he should.

“Caleb, what’s going on? I plan on doing the same thing but why do you seem so worried? As if something will prevent it?” Her voice cracked as she tried to keep her emotions from betraying her.

“Baby Girl, I am not trying to scare you. I want you to know, something weird has been happening lately. I have investigators looking into it. What I want you to know is, if I suddenly disappear, please know I did not leave you.”

She stared at him as though he had just told her he saw a ghost. “Why would you disappear?” She stammered trying to understand why he was telling her this.

“I won’t. I just want to make sure you know I will never choose to leave you.” He looked into her eyes pleading for understanding.

“I would never think you left me.” She said looking him directly in the eye. “Caleb, I love you too.”

He closed the distance between them in an instant. He wrapped his arms around her kissing her gently. He couldn’t help himself. She tasted so good. He began running his hands up the length of her back and then down again till he gently rested them on her ass. “I’m sorry for bringing this up tonight he mumbled still kissing her. “I just wanted to make sure you knew,” he couldn’t help it. He wanted her. Here. Now. He didn’t care who was around or could walk in. He wanted to make her his forever.

She put her small hands on his chest gently pushing him away. “Caleb, we have to stop. I can’t do this here. I want our first time to be somewhere other than in my father’s office.” She looked at him her face flushed; her lipstick smudged.

“Baby you don’t know how hard this is to stop. I want you. I want to mark you, to mate you, to become one with you. I won’t be able to stop next time. Thor is becoming restless. He will not wait for much longer.”

She knew he was right. Most wolves mated and marked each other within a couple hours of finding each other. Having Alpha blood made it harder for him to wait. She was happy he waited until the ball so they could officially accept each other in front of everyone. She was suddenly pulled backwards. Hitting a wall of muscle, she was wrapped in Caleb’s warm embrace.

“My Sky. Mine. My mate, my life, my partner,” he whispered resting his chin on her head.

She felt so warm and safe in his arms. She was content being held by him. If only the two of them existed for all of eternity, she would be content.

Kissing the top of her head, “we should head back.” He gently took her hand leading her towards the door.

As they reached the ballroom, the party was going strong. The music began to fade as Alpha Jake’s voice rang out over the speakers. “It is now time to find out who belongs with who. All the couples who have been lucky finding their mates, please make your way to the stage. There were about 25 couples who had found each other tonight. She watched Gideon and Daphne head towards the stage, she saw a couple of other wolves she didn’t know heading that way too. Caleb squeezed her hand, “Are you sure? You don’t have to go up on stage to accept me. I already know you do.”

“It’s fine. I want to.” She didn’t sound very convincing even to herself.

“Please join us in welcoming a very important guest! Caleb Mason! Future Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack! Please join me on stage!” the DJ’s voice boomed making her ears ring.

He looked at Sky. “I don’t have to go. I can stay with you.”

“No, go. It’s part of the tradition.” He kissed her cheek one more time as he headed to the stage. He was watching Sky from his position on stage. His eyes were fixed to hers as if they were having a silent conversation.

“Our first couple of the night, please step forward!” The DJ bellowed into the microphone causing the speakers to crackle. “Daphne and Gideon, do you accept each other as mates?”

“Yes” they answered in unison. One by one the couples were asked if they accepted each other. All of them answered yes. As the final couple left the stage, The DJ asked Caleb to step forward. All the unmated females began yipping and hollering offering to be his mate. “Alpha Caleb, have you found your mate?” the DJ asked with fake theatrics. This was beginning to feel like a cheap gameshow. Sky crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes, I have,” Caleb answered obviously unamused by these antics.

“And who is the lucky wolf who has stolen the heart of our soon to be alpha?” the DJ asked as if it was a huge secret.

“Sky Masters,” Caleb said into the microphone. The room went silent. All eyes turned to her. She could feel her cheeks heating up as she tried to make her way to Caleb. As she climbed the stairs to the stage, she could feel all the eyes in the room on her. Caleb walked to her. He scooped her up into his arms as she buried her face in his neck trying to hide her reddened cheeks.  His voice broke the silence. “I Caleb Mason Accept you Sky Masters as my mate and Luna. Do you Sky Masters accept me as your mate and future Alpha?” It was obvious he was trying to keep her from feeling more embarrassed.

“I do,” she whispered into the microphone. The room broke into loud cheers as everyone clapped and congratulated the couple.

“Thank you all. Now please excuse us. I need a moment with my mate.” The crowd cheered again as he carried her off the stage.

He didn’t stop in the ballroom. He carried her out to the front where they had come in. He sat on the stone wall holding her in his lap. “Baby Girl, you have made me so happy! You have accepted me and that is something I never knew I could have, acceptance for being me.”

She tightened her arms around his neck. “I will love you for you always.”  They sat in silence enjoying each other. She heard a girl giggle, looking towards the sound, she saw Dash leading a pretty blonde down a path towards the forest. She rolled her eyes as she imagined what they were about to do. A few minutes later, a male interrupted their quiet.

“Caleb?”

Why was Evan here now? Was he going to try and take her away? She raised her head looking at him.

“Listen, I didn’t come out here to fight or to try and separate you two. I came to apologize.”

“Evan, I understand why you acted the way you did. I would have too if she wasn’t mine.” Caleb sounded calm despite his rapid heartbeat.

“I was stupid for trying to make her pick me over her actual mate. I’m sorry I judged you before I even met you.”

“Evan, thank you.” Sky replied. “I didn’t want to lose you. You have always been like my big brother.” Sky felt the tears welling up in her eyes.

“I truly am sorry. Watching Caleb carry you across the stage and accept you as his mate, taking such gentle care of you, made me realize you two do belong together. I hope you can forgive me. I would like to have you both as my friends.”             

“Thank you, Evan. I too would like to continue our pack alliance and our friendship.” Caleb was still weary, but he would do this for her. He rested his chin back on her head inhaling her heavenly scent.

“I will leave you two alone,” Evan was trying to hide the sadness in his face as he walked away. He had to let her go. He knew it was the right thing to do. He would rather have her as a friend then not at all. If that meant being friends with Caleb Mason, he would do it for her.

“There is way too many hopefuls she wolves around here and one way too hopeful Evan,” Aria said in her mind. “Let’s take him home and make him ours forever!” she purred. “I want to be mated and marked! I am tired of waiting!”                                                                                     “Please, please can we go now?” Thor whined. “We have accepted her, she has accepted us, time to mark her. I will not be patient much longer.” Thor was getting more and more difficult to control. Caleb knew the only way he would stop is to mate and mark Sky. The two wolves were more than ready but, he didn’t want to push Sky if she wasn’t ready yet.

Sky had excused herself to the restroom. ‘Yeah, we will go as soon as she comes back. We will not do anything until she is ready.’ He began pacing. Had she been gone a long time or was he just imagining it? ‘Let’s check on her,’ Thor urged. He went back inside. There were quite a few drunk wolves hanging around. He sniffed the air catching a slight whiff of her scent. He followed it down a long corridor. Rounding the corner, he let out a deep growl. Sky stood facing a she-wolf who was screaming threats at her. “Caleb is mine! You are not good enough for him!” the strange female screamed. “You haven’t been marked yet! If I kill you, I will mark him as mine!”

“You will never have him!” Sky growled back. “I will kill you before you steal my mate!” Caleb was about to grab the she-wolf as she suddenly lunged forward shifting midair. Before he could react, Sky flew forward, her dress shredding as her chocolate brown fur covered her body. She grabbed the other wolf by the throat, pinning her to the ground. She let out a fierce growl that rivaled some alphas. The other female yelped and lay still. After a second, she rolled to her back turning her head to the side, exposing her arteries. Aria let go taking a couple steps back. Her eyes still a brilliant dark blue color. She let out a last fierce warning growl. The other wolf shifted back into her human form.

“I am sorry Luna, please forgive me. You are his true mate.”  She bowed her head letting Aria know she had won. The other female knew she had lost and would not try again. She backed away before turning and sprinting down the hallway, disappearing into the crowd.

“Aria, Baby Girl, hold on a second,” Caleb said unbuttoning his shirt. “Here, take this. Your dress is a bit, um, torn,” he said pointing to the shredded fabric in a heap behind her. He watched as Aria sniffed the torn dress. She sat down and hung her head. “It’s ok,” he coaxed. “I will buy you another one if you want.” She slowly swished her tail letting him know that made her happy.

Slowly, the fur began to disappear, and Aria became a very nude Sky. Wrapping her in his tux shirt, he couldn’t help his member hardening. She looked so sexy in his shirt. He was trying hard to control his breathing.

“Something wrong?” she asked innocently.

“No. Nothing at all,” he said with a gulp.

She finished buttoning his shirt, which was huge on her tiny frame. Slipping on her heels, she looked at him confused by his expression. “Are you sure you are, ok?” she asked a bit worried.

“Yup,” he answered not sure whose voice had come out of his mouth. He had no idea his voice could hit such a high pitch. “Ehm. Hmm. Eh Ehm,” he cleared his throat. “Are you ready to go Baby Girl?” he asked sounding a bit more like himself.

“I am more than ready,” she replied confidently. “Please just take me home.” Her blue eyes held a confidence he hadn’t seen before.

He scooped her into his arms. He had been given a wing at the packhouse to stay in while in town. It was courtesy given to visiting alphas. The bedroom door was made of a heavy dark oak. He easily held her with one hand while opening the door with the other. The room was huge. It had a majestic stone fireplace which held a welcoming fire making the huge room feel almost cozy. The fluffy white rug emphasized the coziness. Against the wall opposite the fire was a huge canopy bed. He lay her on the bed gently so he could take off the last remaining pieces of tuxedo. Without realizing, she crawled into his lap wrapping her arms around his neck and burring her face in his shoulder. Within minutes, she was asleep. Caleb felt as though he could stay like this forever. The woman he loved, in his arms, sleeping soundly, knowing he would always protect her. He rested his head on top of hers. He had never felt so content before. She calmed him, took away the restlessness he had always felt before. He silently thanked the Moon Goddess for giving her to him. He placed her gently on the bed, she began to stir.

“Caleb, stay with me tonight,” she whispered. “I need you.”

Chapter Twelve

“Boring,” she said aloud to herself. The infamous Mate’s Ball. She had been watching them all night. She never thought of attending a mate’s ball. Besides, she couldn’t find her mate until after this was completed. That wolf though. Goddess did he smell good. Stop thinking about it she scolded herself. This has to be done first. Nothing would stop her from finishing this mission. She was on a mission, a mission that had to be completed. There was no other option. She would get what she needed.

Chapter Thirteen

Her heart broke for Evan. He had not found his mate this year either. Daphne had called to tell her it’s official, she is now mated and marked. The conversation had turned to Evan and his situation after Daphne explained how many pack members were now calling Sky ‘Luna Sky,’ as word spread of her taking down the wolf last night. She felt a sense of pride knowing she had defended her mate. She knew he would never have agreed to go with that bitch, but she had stood her ground and won. She felt a sense of pride she hadn’t felt before. “I guess we can talk more about this later.”

She sighed. Plopping down in a chair, she looked at Caleb still sleeping soundly in bed. She had gotten lucky in finding him. Quietly she tip toed over and sat on the edge of her bed. “I know what I want,’ she told herself.

She lay back on her pillows slowly pulling her feet back under the covers. “Caleb? Are you awake?” She gently rubbed his shoulder.

“I am up, what’s wrong baby girl?”

“Caleb, I want you to mark me. I don’t want to wait anymore. I am ready to be yours completely.”

He was still for a moment. “Are you sure? If I mark you, I will have no choice but to mate you. Thor will not hold back. If we mate, it could either get you pregnant right now, or it could send you into heat. I want you to be really sure.” The way he was looking at her made her choice even more clear.

“I know and I accept whatever happens. I love you, Caleb Mason. I want to be yours completely. I want the world to know I belong to you, and you belong to me.”

Thor howled in his mind, “What are you waiting for?  Mark her! She asked us too!”

He couldn’t resist, he cradled her head in his arms and kissed her. Slowly at first. Soon, a hunger took over. He kissed her deeply, his tongue dancing with hers as it searched every inch of her mouth. She let a small moan escape as his hand came up cupping her breast. Sparks flew along her hardened nipple to somewhere deep within her. He began trailing kisses down her neck and along her collar bone. She was breathing heavily at the sensation.

“Caleb, mark me, please?” she whispered in his ear.

Without warning, he began sucking on her neck where it met her shoulder, the place he would leave his mark. He couldn’t hold back any longer. His canines elongated, and he sunk them into her warm flesh.

Her eyes flew open at the initial pain. She moaned more loudly as the pain turned to exquisite pleasure. She sighed as he pulled his canines out and began gently licking the spot to seal it. “You are mine!” he growled.

She could feel the wetness growing in her core with the sound. She took over, rolling so he ended under her, she began kissing his neck leaving a tantalizing trail of sparks as she went. She made her way from his lips, down his neck, and up towards his neck. She licked the spot she would leave her mark before allowing her canines to be fully exposed. She scraped his skin with the sharp tips causing him to groan in pleasure. Her eyes flashed as she sunk her teeth into his flesh. He groaned loudly as his hands reached up grabbing her ass and pulling her harder against him. She could taste hie sweet blood in her mouth. She pulled her teeth out as she allowed her tongue to glide over the spot sealing it.  She pulled her head back to admire her mark. “You are mine forever.” She smiled so seductively it made him hungry for more.

He crashed his lips against hers as he tugged at the buttons on her shirt. She was still wearing his shirt from last night. He pulled the shirt open revealing her perfect perky breasts. She gasped as he gently squeezed one with his strong hands. He crashed his lips against hers again as his hand slid down to her core. He gently rubbed against her core with his fingers, at the same time, he sucked her nipple into his mouth. She let out a loud moan as the sensations forced her to grab his thick black hair. Circling her nipple with his tongue, he suddenly pulled his mouth away and slipped a finger inside her. “Baby Girl, you are so wet,” he groaned out. She gasped as he started pumping his finger in and out of her. “Do you like that?” he asked. His voice causing her to shiver.

“Caleb,” she moaned out, “Please don’t stop.” She took a deep breath as he plunged his finger deeper into her. Her body suddenly tensed, and she yelled out as waves of pleasure crashed over her. Her orgasm rocked her as he continued pumping.

“That’s a good girl,” he groaned. He removed his finger and began trailing kisses down her body. As he reached her hips, he gave a nibble setting her body on fire again. Planting gentle kisses on her thigh, he forced her legs apart. She gasped with anticipation as he spread open her core. She nearly exploded as he began to lick her sensitive bud. He was making circles around it before he sucked it in to his mouth torturing her with his mouth. “You taste so good,” he moaned still sucking her nub of pleasure. She nearly screamed as another orgasm rocked her. “That’s my good girl,” he breathed. “Are you ready for me?” His eyes were glowing a dark emerald green only matched by hers glowing the deep blue.

“I’m ready,” she whispered still breathless.

“It’s going to hurt.”

She knew it would hurt but she didn’t care. She wanted him inside her. She wanted to feel the pleasure as they moved together as one. “Please, Caleb. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

With those words, he pushed into her. She felt as though she may split in half as her virginity was taken from her and her core stretched to accommodate his manhood. “You, ok?” He asked genuine concern on his handsome face.

“Yessss,” she hissed Her head tilted back. “Please, don’t stop,” she groaned.

He began moving inside her. The sensation turning from pain to pleasure. “She arched against him as he thrust into her in a frenzy of pleasure. “She could feel the pressure building in her body as he pushed deeper into her with every thrust of his powerful hips.

“You are so tight, baby.” His lust filled voice pushed her over the edge. She cried out as her orgasm rocked her body. A deep thrust with a grunt signaled he found his climax too. He collapsed on top of her, their bodies still one.

“Are you ok Baby Girl? Did I hurt you?”

“That was incredible,” she breathed out.

As their breathing slowed, he rolled off her. She felt cold at the loss of him. He rolled over wrapping her in his arms which was starting to feel more like home then her actual home. They feel asleep within minutes.

She woke up to an empty spot where Caleb should have been. Stretching her arm out, his spot was cold telling her he had left a while ago. She sat up looking around the room.

“Good afternoon my beautiful mate,” his voice said in her mind.

“Caleb?” She asked.

“I am bringing up lunch. You were so tired; I didn’t want to wake you.”

She grumbled something incoherent even to her.

“I will be up in a few minutes,” he assured her.

She threw her legs over the side of the bed. As she stood up, her legs felt like jelly. She was sore to say the least. She sighed as she turned to pull the blanket up and stopped as she saw the small spot of blood on the sheets. Memories of this morning came flooding back as she stared at the spot. Despite the soreness, she wanted more.

She slowly made her way to the bathroom, turning the water on, she grabbed a couple towels from the linen closet. She placed them on the sink before stepping into the hot water. The water felt good as it ran down her body. She stood there for what felt like hours thinking about the last few days. When she finished washing, she wrapped a towel around her and walked out into the bedroom.

“Well, that’s a sight I can get used to,” Caleb’s voice caused her to nearly jump out of her skin. The smirk on his face made her chuckle a bit.

“Hi,” she said sounding a bit nervous.

All he could think about is how beautiful she is. His mate. He loved everything about her. Her shyness, the way her cheeks turned red to the tips of her ears when she was embarrassed. She is perfect. He took a couple steps towards before reaching out and brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. He had fallen asleep after their adventures. He couldn’t remember the last time he had slept as well as he did with her in his arms.

“Caleb,” his father’s voice came through the pack link breaking the moment. “You have found your mate, the pack felt it when you marked her, you are needed here. You have avoided your Alpha training for long enough. There is a lot of business that requires your attention.”

He took a deep breath. His father was always so strict. All he wanted was a bit more time with Sky before he had to return to his duties.

“What’s wrong? Where did you go?” she asked looking worried.

He hadn’t realized he had clenched his fists. “I am needed in my pack, he grumbled. “I will understand if you need a little longer to pack before you come with me.

She could see the sadness in his eyes as he said those words. “Caleb, my place is with you. That is where I want to be, by your side. We are now partners, mates, lovers, joined together by the Moon Goddess herself. My home is with you.” A single tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke to his heart.

He wrapped her in an embrace as he silently vowed to love her, cherish her, and if it needed to be done, give up his life for her. He couldn’t imagine not being with her. Strangely, his thoughts shifted to Evan. He understood why he was so infatuated with her and was having such difficulties letting her go.

“She will never be his!” Thor roared in his mind. “I will kill him first!” He hadn’t realized he had tightened his grip around her.

“Are you ok?” she asked pushing him back a tiny bit.

“Yes, Thor just got a little excited,” he shrugged.

“When do we have to leave?” She asked making her way to her bag in the corner of the room.

“Tomorrow morning.” He watched as her body tensed a bit. “Sky, you can stay here for a bit if you need. I will not force you to leave with me.”

She turned, glaring at him. “Caleb, I do not want to stay here. I want to go with you. I will miss my family and my pack, but my life is with you now. My place is with you by your side just as yours is by mine.”

Her words surprised him. She is sounding more like a Luna then his own mother. He grabbed her hand spinning her around to face him. He kissed her as though she may vanish forever.

Caleb tensed at the voice on the other end of the phone, Evan. “So, I will not force you to allow me to remain her friend but, I will not accept no. She deserves to choose her own friends.”

“Evan, I would never tell he3r she had to stop being a friend to anyone.”

‘What!’ Thor roared causing Caleb to flinch in pain. “Are you crazy! You will let an unmated ALPHA around our MATE! Have you lost your mind!’ ‘What if she goes into heat while he is around? He may try to mate her and then I will kill him!’

“Yes, I will have her call you when she gets back.”

Thor was clawing at his conscience. ‘No, I won’t allow it!’

“Thor stop,” Caleb said aloud. “I trust her.”

That seemed to make him calm down a bit. ‘I trust her too,’ he finally said relaxing to his spot in the back of Caleb’s conscience. 

He heard her footsteps as she bounded in the room. He had been sitting on the overstuffed leather couch when his phone rang. He had expected it to be his father, but it had been Evan. He sounded so pitiful asking Caleb’s permission to remain Sky’s friend. She didn’t need his permission. They were mated and marked. She had asked him to mark her. They were bound in an unbreakable bond by the Moon Goddess. He knew she would never betray him. Her heat would be an issue if Evan was around when it happened. Sky’s hormones would send any male wolf into a frenzy. They would try to mate with her regardless of his mark on her. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. It was to ensure the species survival. All she-wolves stayed only with their mates until the heat passed. Neither one left the other alone. Thor had set his mind a blaze mentioning someone else mating with his Sky.

He relaxed as he felt soft hands gently rub his shoulders. “I missed you,” she breathed into his ear. Quick as lightning, he reached up grabbing her and pulling her into his lap. She giggled at his antics. He kissed her before telling her he had missed her too. She had gone to see Daphne who was also staying in the pack house with Gideon. She had showed her the mark Caleb left and the two had talked about moving with their mates to their pack. They were both happy to be going together despite the sadness of leaving their homes and families.

“Baby Girl, I spoke to Evan today.” She froze as if someone had turned her to ice.

“Did you tell him we could not remain friends?” She asked sadly. She waited for his reply.

“Baby Girl, look at me,” he said as he gently put his finger under her chin lifting her face to look at him. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes. “Baby, I would never ask you to give up your friend.”

Her eyes lit up as she realized what he said. “You mean, I get to keep my friend?” She threw her arms around his neck nearly chocking him. “Caleb, you are the best!”

“I only have one thing to ask,” he hoped her answer would calm Thor. “If you feel as though you may be going into heat, please stay away from him.”

She stared at him as though he had lost his mind. “The only one I want near me if I go into heat is you.”

He flashed her his sexy smile before kissing her. “I knew you would say that” he smirked.

Had he really agreed to her being friends with an unmated Alpha? He was really willing to do anything for her. The Moon Warriors pack was known for being territorial, strong, and if need be ruthless. He looked over at her sound asleep on the bed beside him. He knew he would kill anyone that tried to take her from him.

He didn’t remember falling asleep. He sat up rubbing the sleep from his eyes. They were leaving for his pack today. He was happy to introduce her to his pack but was not looking forward to being away from her while he trained to take over as Alpha. Once he mated and marked Sky, it set in motion the plan for him to become the Alpha of the Moon Warrior’s Pack. Sky would become the Luna, which meant she had to spend time with his mother to learn all the needed information.

The smell of coffee told him Sky was in the kitchen. He had fallen asleep with his pants on. Grumbling, he got up making his way to the kitchen. AS he pushed open the door, Sky was standing in front of the stove dancing and singing to her music playing through her headphones. He smiled as he watched her cook and dance. She nearly dropped the pan of eggs when she turned around to find him watching her. Her cheeks turned red as she slowly put the pan on the marble counter.

“How long have you been there?” she asked spooning scrambled eggs on to their plates.

“Long enough to see what a good dancer you are,” he smiled.

She could feel the tips of her ears heating up as she blushed again.

The moment was interrupted by the shrill sound of his phone. Looking at the screen, “Sorry, Baby Girl, I have to take this.” He stood up from his seat at the counter. She watched his back disappear behind the door.

She pulled out her phone as she sat down to eat. Daphne had texted her a million times saying how in love she is. Her mother asking her how it felt to be marked. Nothing from Evan. She had hoped his talk with Caleb would have meant he called her. She shrugged as she took a bite of her eggs.

“Daphne and Gideon left for our territory last night. Dash went with them.” Caleb told her while still looking at his phone. “When do you want to go?” he asked, not looking up.

“Sometime next week sounds good,” she said sarcastically trying to draw his attention away from his phone.

“What?” he asked putting his phone down. Seeing the look on her face, he sighed. “Sorry Baby, I got wrapped up in reading texts from my father. It seems there has been more rogue attacks, but they are changing.” He looked genuinely concerned.

They sat eating in silence.

“Why would they be changing unless,” She cringed at the thought.

“Unless what Baby Girl?” he asked with obvious interest.

“Unless they are becoming a pack of their own,” she answered searching his face for a reaction.

“You may be right.”

He finished loading the last of the bags into the car. “Babe,” he called. “I thought you said your mom was going to pack the rest of your stuff and bring it over?”

“She is. This is stuff I need. Essentials.” She flashed him a smile followed by a giggle.

He slammed the trunk hard. Hopefully it stays closed this time. He knew this was hard for her. Leaving everything behind to be with him. He would have understood if she had wanted to stay a little longer.

Her parents, along with Alpha Jake and Luna Quinn had come to say goodbye. “I will miss you,” her mother sobbed as she hugged Sky so tight, she could barely breathe.

Her father stood talking with Caleb. “You better take care of her. If anything happens, Alpha or not, you will have to deal with me.” He half smiled as he shook Caleb’s hand.

“You could always stay,” her mother tried.

“Isabelle, when you met me, would you have stayed?” Lee asked.

“Well, no. Ok, but remember, we will see you in a few weeks once you get settled.” Her mother’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears.

“Stop worrying. I told you, I am fine with leaving now.” She kissed his cheek putting his mind at ease a bit. “Besides, I am ready to meet my new pack, your friends, and your family.” She blew him a kiss as she hopped into the passenger seat. Pulling out of the pack house driveway, she waved to her parents as he shifted the car to drive. They had come to spend some time with them before they left for his pack. “One more advantage to leaving now. When my heat comes, we will be in your territory.”

He looked at her with understanding. Now that she was mated and marked, her heat would arrive within the next couple of weeks. Most females had a month to prepare, because she was mated to an Alpha, she would only have two weeks at most. He felt a bit guilty because he had heard heats can be painful. He would never do anything to cause her pain, but this was nature. They drove for a while before reaching his territory.

“You ready Baby Girl?” 

She simply smiled at him. “I am ready for anything with you by my side.”

He pulled the car into the driveway of what looked like an old stone castle. She marveled at the sheer size. The trim and newer window frames were painted a deep forest green color. The front entrance had huge wooden double doors. The packs had chosen to keep the old buildings throughout the years. They had modernized the inside to give the old stone buildings all the necessities and a luxuries as well. The building had been divided into wings. Pack members usually stayed on the second and third floors. The fourth and fifth floors were divided into living space for the current Alpha and his Luna as well as any children they may have. One wing of the fifth floor had been made into a separate living space for the upcoming Alpha and Luna. Once they had transitioned to the acting Alpha and Luna, the wing was empty again until the cycle began again. The current Alpha and Luna had a home separate from the pack house where they would live once they had retired.

Caleb had moved into the separate wing when he turned sixteen in an effort to give himself some privacy from his parents. His father was very strict and not one to show emotion. His mother on the other hand, made up for it by smothering him. He never got angry at her for it, he knew she meant well. He had enjoyed his time alone in the wing, but it sometimes got lonely.

“Who is that?” Sky asked.

He followed her eyes and was surprised to see not only his mother but his father waiting to greet them. “Those are my parents,” he sounded a bit surprised his mother was joined by his father.

She cocked her head to the side watching him. “I thought you liked your parents?” She asked.

He didn’t answer.

“Hello Father, Hi Mom,” he greeted them. She was curious as to the different greetings.

“Well?” his father began.

“Well, what?” He asked knowing who he was looking for.

“Where is she? Where is this ‘Sky” who has kept my son from his duties for far too long?”

Sky had come up beside Caleb. “Hi, I am Sky Masters. It is nice to meet you Alpha Dean, Luna Cherub.” She held out her hand to shake the Alpha’s hand.

He stared at her for a minute taken aback by her confidence when talking to him. A smile spread slowly across his face. “Come here, give your father-in-law to be a hug!”

Caleb and Cherub both looked at each other, shock on both their faces. Alpha Dean wrapped Sky in a bear hug. Still smiling, he released her before he straightened his clothes, his face losing all the softness it portrayed a minute ago.

“Son.” He said as he looked at Caleb.

“Father,” was his cool reply. “I am going to show Sky where we will be living.” He picked up the bags, hurrying past his parents. His mother looked as though she may cry, his father did not have a trace of emotion on his face.

Sky followed him feeling a bit awkward. As they reached the top of the stairs, he finally spoke, “I’m sorry, Baby Girl. My father and I don’t see eye to eye. He has always been so strict. Growing up, he valued good grades and training victories over family time. He was never one to show affection.” His eyes darkened as he spoke.

She could see the sadness in his eyes. She couldn’t imagine if her father had been that way. “I think he probably meant well,” she didn’t know what she should say.

“I could tell,” she said as he opened the door. She took a few steps inside. The foyer was Magnificent. The floors were polished black marble with veins of silver running through it. The walls were a rich green color. A rail separated the top and bottom. The bottom was a dark wood. The vaulted ceiling gave the room an even bigger feel. Framed paintings lined the wall giving a feeling of being in a museum. The place was like a castle in a fairy tale. “Caleb, this place is amazing,” she said breathlessly.

“Sky, one day you will reign over it with me, side by side,” the way he looked at her gave her goose bumps. As they reached the top of the grand staircase, there were three hallways that spread out in different directions. The one to the right was lined with burning candles. The scent of strawberries welcomed her as he led her down the hallway.

The scent of Caleb greeted her as she entered their wing. The cathedral ceilings made the space seem bigger than it already was. The living room was off to the left. Hardwood floors spread through the entrance way an into the living room. A magnificent spiral staircase went up to a loft style bedroom. Looking around, she marveled at the huge stone fireplace complete with a huge mantel. The kitchen was to the right. The island separated the kitchen from the entrance way. Four bar stools were pushed under the overhang of the island’s marble top. White marble with black veins flowing through was gleaming in the light. The stainless-steel appliances gave the kitchen a professional feel. The hall stretched further down in front of her.

“What’s down there?” she asked her curiosity getting the best of her.

“a Bathroom, and…” he trailed off.

“And what?” she asked raising an eyebrow.

“And rooms for our pups,” blush rose in his cheeks.

She giggled smiling up at him.

“You know what?” he asked a sly grin spreading across his face. “We could go practice making pups.”  She laughed as he grabbed her hand pulling her to him. He scooped her up carrying her up the stairs and into their bedroom.

The room was enormous. The king size bed looked small in the huge space. It had a black comforter and tons of pillows. There was a set of sliding glass doors which opened to a balcony overlooking the surrounding mountains. A massive stone fireplace was along one wall, and three doors were along another. Let me show you this, Caleb opened a door allowing bright light to stream out. “It’s our private bathroom,” he smiled.

She stepped inside marveling at the sparkling white room. It had his and hers sinks, the biggest soaker tub she had ever seen, and a two-person shower which had benches inside. The shower was the focal point of the room. It had tiled walls which gave the illusion of a riverbed. The floor contained tiles which gave a sense of standing in a creek. She was stunned at the utter beauty of it.

“Do you like it?” he asked sounding hopeful.

“I love it. I have never seen anything like it.” She watched a smile creep up his face.

“I am glad,” he whispered.

She stepped out looking at the other two doors. “What’s in there?” she asked curious.

Those are both walk-in closets.

“Caleb, this is amazing,” she said smiling.

He didn’t answer, closing the distance between them, he pulled her into him kissing her gently.

They had spent hours “practicing” before falling asleep. The sound of his stomach growling woke him. They hadn’t eaten since leaving her pack house. Glancing at the clock, it was 2 am. Unwrapping himself from Sky, he stood up throwing on a pair of boxers. He stumbled to the door tripping over a discarded suitcase. He grumbled as he turned on the light outside their door. Making his way to the kitchen, his stomach reminding him why he was up. He poured himself a bowl of cereal. He shoveled it down before pouring himself another bowl. He had just put the last spoonful in his mouth when a blood curdling scream nearly knocked him off his stool.

“SKY!” he yelled as he flew down the hall towards their room. He slammed the door open to find Sky sitting up in bed staring at a now broken window.

“Baby Girl! Are you ok?” his panic causing his voice to shake a bit.

“There was a noise,” she stuttered. “It was a tapping on the window. It woke me up.” Her hands were shaking despite his firm grasp. I looked outside to see what it was. I was about to get up when a figure punched the glass. It shattered everywhere.”

Thor was growling trying to get out, “Let me out, I will kill it” He screamed. “It would have hurt her! It would have hurt our mate!”

Before he could think, he jumped up running towards the broken window. Shifting as he jumped through the hole. He sniffed the air. Letting out a loud howl, he alerted the pack to danger. He took off after the scent.

Sky sat there alone looking at the broken window which her mate disappeared through. She felt like a coward for not following him. “Sky?’ “Sky are you in here?” Cherub’s voice broke through the eerie silence.

“I’m here,” she called out into the darkness. She grabbed Caleb’s shirt which had been hastily discarded over the bed post and threw it on. She didn’t want her to see her nude in her sons’ bed.

She heard Cherub’s footsteps as she reached the door. “Are you ok?” She sounded out of breath.

“Yes, something broke the window. Caleb shifted and went after it.”

“Rogues. We aren’t sure what they are after but, there isn’t a lot of them this time.” Cherub put an arm around Sky trying to calm her. “Caleb will be ok. He is a very skilled warrior.” She tried to soothe Sky who was still trembling.

A little while later, Caleb returned to find his mother comforting his mate who was much calmer now.

“Are you hurt?” He asked as he scanned her for any sign of injury. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you alone to go after them.” He sat down on the bed taking her hand in his. He was dirty and had dried blood on his naked torso.

“Caleb, stop.” She said a little more firmly than she meant. “I am fine. I am glad you went after them. I can take care of myself,” she sounded a lot more confident than she felt but she wasn’t a pup who needed protecting and coddling. She was a grown, marked wolf who would be Luna soon. He looked hurt. “I’m sorry,” she said looking down at her hands. “I was scared but, I know you have to protect the pack too. I don’t want you to think you have to stay with me when the pack could be in danger too.” She felt a tear roll down her cheek. She wiped it away so he wouldn’t see it.

“I am going to let you two talk,” Cherub said walking towards the door.

Sky lay back on her pillows feeling like she had not only scared him but hurt him as well. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed lightly.

“Nobody will ever hurt you, Baby Girl. I will always protect you.” He lay down next to her and wrapped himself around her. “I will always keep you safe. I promise.”

She fell asleep wrapped in his warm embrace.

Fourteen

‘Sky, Sky? Wake up.’ Aria couldn’t contain herself much longer. ‘Sky wake up!’ Aria yelled causing Sky to jump.

‘Aria, what do you want?’ she asked sleepily.

‘Today’s the day.’ She said excitedly.

‘The day for what?’ As she realized what Aria was talking about, she sat up, her eyes wide.

“We meet our new pack today,” she whispered to herself.

“What happened?” Caleb sat bolt upright next to her. “What’s wrong baby girl?”

“I realized Aria and I formerly meet our new pack today.” She looked at him wide eyed. “Caleb, what if they hate us?”

“He smiled. “You are so cute, Baby Girl. They will love you. I know they will because I love you.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. He climbed behind her and rubbed her shoulders before placing a trail of kisses across her neck.

His scent enveloped her making her calm. It was one of the things mates could do for each other. She leaned into him, letting his closeness soothe her even more.  She sighed contently as she gently took his hand, trailing kisses along his palm. He leaned down finding her lips. He broke the kiss after a few minutes.

“We need to get going.” They were having breakfast with the pack today. They had decided to let her settle in for a couple days. “They are excited to meet you.”

“I am excited to meet them, but I am still a bit nervous.” “Caleb, do you think they will like me?” She sounded confident despite the nerves she was feeling.

“Baby Girl, they will love you. I know they will.”

“How can you be so sure?” she asked, her voice becoming higher pitched then normal. She had always been shy, making friends was never easy for her. 

“You are strong, smart, beautiful and my mate. You will be their Luna. I promise everything will be fine.”  He led her down to the dining hall. It was a huge room with one wall of windows. The windows offered an amazing view of the mountains. Mirror lake was visible from the dining hall. The trees surrounding the lake appeared as though the lake was framed by nature herself. It was the most amazing sight in the world.

The table was a big horseshoe shape around the boarder of the room. A few smaller tables filled with pups were in the middle. Everyone was laughing and chatting. They all seemed so relaxed.

She looked around as they entered the hall. As the others began noticing their arrival, silence spread throughout. Caleb smiled proudly as they all watched them walk to their seats. His parents both stood up as they approached. His father smiled and hugged Sky before stepping out of the way so his mother could smother her with attention. His father shook Caleb’s hand and offered a friendly smile.

“May I have everyone’s attention please. I would like you all to meet Miss Sky Masters,” his voice echoed through the hall. “As you may know, she is my Son Caleb’s mate. She will be your Luna when my son becomes the official Alpha.”

Loud cheers filled the air! “I told you they would love you,” Caleb whispered in her ear. He smiled reassuringly at his mate.

She stood smiling beside him. “Thank you all for the warm welcome. I look forward to joining your pack as an official member. Now please, eat!” She smiled as the crowd cheered.

She stole a glance at Caleb who was smiling proudly.

As they all sat down, one of the smaller pups approached Sky. “Are you really going to be our Luna one day?” He asked curiously.

“I am,” she replied. “What’s your name?”

“I am Chip. I want to be your mate because you are pretty,” he smiled at her making her blush in front of everyone.

“Well, I already have a mate,” she looked at Caleb who chuckled.

“It’s ok, I will let Alpha Caleb keep you,” he looked a little sad.

“I think you will find a mate who will be even prettier than me,” Sky reassured him.

“Chip!” his father yelled. “Leave your Luna alone and eat.”

“Yes dad,” he sulked climbing out of Sky’s lap.

She waved and smiled at him as he went back to his seat.

Caleb had been watching her with the little pup. He watched with wonder at how she talked with him and was able to soothe him. ‘She is a natural’ he thought to himself. She will be a great mother and Luna.

“Caleb, Honey,” his mother’s voice broke in drawing his attention. “I have been meaning to talk to you,” Cherub began quietly. “You need to be sure you keep an eye on Sky. When you marked her, some of your blood mixed with hers and hers with yours. This completed the mate bond which made you both stronger, faster, and heightened all of your senses.”

“Mom, I know all of this,” Caleb said looking at her with an odd expression.

“Honey, my point is, your blood is alpha blood. That means Sky has some alpha blood flowing in her veins now too. This can throw her into heat a lot faster then if you were not an Alpha.”

“How much sooner do you think it could be?” he asked looking a little worried.

“It’s hard to say for sure but it could happen in as few as a few days to as long as a couple weeks,” Cherub looked at Sky hoping the girl had more time to adjust before heat came.

A while later, Caleb was showing Sky around the pack territory. She knew it was bigger than her pack’s, but she had not realized how much bigger it was. The surrounding mountains gave the illusion of a well-guarded secret. The meadow was filled with wildflowers which looked as though they had been meticulously planned to form the picturesque landscape. She breathed in the cool afternoon air. It felt as though she had stepped into the pages of a fairy tale. Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at Caleb.

“It’s beautiful. This whole place is beautiful.” She Smiled.

After exploring the territory for a while, they headed back to the pack house. “We are having dinner with my parents tonight. The pack will be there, but I don’t want you to feel nervous.” He watched her face.

She simply smiled. “Caleb, I am excited to see them again. I feel as though they are accepting me. I am going to change,” she said as she headed up to their bedroom.

He smiled proudly. “They are Baby Girl.”

“Do you think I am underdressed?” she asked feeling a bit self- conscious.

“You look beautiful.” He could feel her worry. Little did she know what she was doing to him in that outfit. Her tight jean skirt with the frayed edges and black camisole top were highlighting her curves, she looked so sexy. He was holding back from telling her they were staying here and keeping her to himself.

As they entered the dining hall, Sky felt her nerves begin to calm a bit. She walked proudly holding Caleb’s hand. His parents stood welcoming them to the table. She greeted them and took her seat next to Caleb.

Sky could feel them watching her. She felt a bit strange but didn’t want to alert Caleb or anyone else. She had started feeling a bit warmer when they returned from their tour earlier. She could feel eyes fixed on her. ‘What is happening?’ she thought as she tried to ignore the stares. A growl unlike any she had ever heard caused an eerie silence to sweep through the usually loud room. Caleb was on his feet, his eyes glowing the deep emerald green of Thor.

“Stay away! She’s MINE!” Thor roared.

The male wolves sitting around the table were staring at Sky unblinking.

“Caleb, get Sky out of here Now!” His mother’s Luna tone made him do what she said. Without a word, he picked up Sky and bolted out of the hall. He raced up the stairs and into their private wing locking the door behind him. He placed her gently on the sofa.

“SO HOT!” Sky was practically panting. “Caleb, I am so hot!” She pulled off her shirt and stood up pulling down her skirt, she was now standing in her bra and panties. “Caleb, do something! I think I am going to burst into flames!”

He took a couple steps closer. He was losing any control he had left. The lustful way she was watching him, the pheromones from her heat, and the stormy blue color her eyes were turning made him feel as though he could see nothing but her. “I know what will help,” his husky voice sent a tingle through her body. He leaned down cupping her chin with his hands. He kissed her gently at first. As he kissed her, a hunger took over. A hunger for each other, a hunger to be one. He plunged his tongue deep into her mouth eliciting a moan from her. She ran her nails up and down his back as she pulled him deeper to her. He grazed her bottom lip with his teeth making her moan again. As their tongues danced, Sky could feel her soaked core throbbing for him. She knew only he could ever satisfy her.

“Caleb,” she breathed heavily, “I need you now, Please,” she barely recognized her own voice.

He stepped back looking at her. Without a word, he scooped her up and headed into the bedroom. He placed her gently on their bed. Sitting on the edge, she looked up at him. His eyes were glowing the brilliant emerald green she had come to love. She reached up placing her hand on his cheek. He grabbed it kissing. He began trailing kisses down her palm to her wrist, her wrist to her elbow, up to her shoulder, and across her collar bone. As he reached her neck, she let out a loud moan of anticipation. He began circling her mark with his tongue. She whimpered as she pushed her neck into him. Without warning, he nibbled her mark before licking and sucking on it causing her to cry out with pleasure. He wrapped his arms around her to her back. He undid her bra with one hand as he held her neck against his mouth with the other. She felt her bra slide down as he slid the straps down her arms before tossing it to the floor. He slid up kissing his way to her mouth as he once again explored with his tongue. He slid his hand down gently cupping her breast, she gasped at the sensation as he caressed her breast before he pinched her nipple between his fingers. He began kissing his way down her neck to her chest. She nearly screamed as he sucked her erect nipple into his mouth. She moaned loudly as his tongue began swirling around her nipple causing her core to throb harder. She ran her fingers through his silky black hair before grabbing a handful. Caleb released her nipple from his hungry mouth before standing to pull his shirt off. Sky reached out undoing his pants. His hard cock slapped against his abs as she pulled his boxers with his pants down to his ankles. He smiled at her as she stared at her mate in all his glory.

“Do you like what you see, Baby Girl?” he asked smirking in his sexy way.

He bent down finding her mouth with his. She reached up wrapping her arms around his neck before pulling him down on top of her. Her reached a hand down to the area between her legs. Feeling the dampness through her panties, he slid the thin material aside. He groaned as he felt her wet folds. She let out a loud moan as he slid two fingers into her throbbing core. As he began slowly pumping his fingers in and out of her, she instinctively began moving her hips. He lowered his head licking her mark again causing her to buck her hips as he continued his teasing.

“Caleb, please!” She cried out feeling the pressure building as he quickened the pace.

She cried out moaning and writhing beneath him as she began to tremble with her building pleasure. As she reached her climax, her body trembled as her core clenched around his fingers. She screamed out in utter pleasure, her eyes rolling back in her head.

“Caleb, I want you, please. Please take me.”

Without another word, her panties were ripped off, Caleb pushed her legs apart before positioning himself between her legs. She could feel his tip rubbing against her now soaked entrance. She lifted her hips forcing him deep inside her. Caleb groaned as he felt her around him. He thrust himself deeper into her causing her to shriek with pleasure. He began thrusting deep in and out of her. She was moaning at every movement, “Don’t stop,” she cried out. The familiar pressure building faster then before.

He could tell she was close. He began thrusting harder and faster giving her what she needed. As she found her release, her walls clenched around him, causing him to reach his own release spilling his seed deep within her.

Caleb collapsed on top of her still breathing heavily. “Are you ok?” he asked worried he may have hurt her.

She was breathing heavily too but managed to squeak out “yes.” “I feel so much better,” she still felt hotter than usual but at least now she didn’t feel as though she would burst into flames.

Caleb rolled off her, pulling himself out of her at the same time. She felt sleepy as he pulled her to him, wrapping her in his strong arms. She felt content as they both drifted off to sleep.

She awoke a few hours later. “Not again,” she said to herself. “Too hot.” She unwrapped herself from Caleb who groaned before pulling the blanket up. She was still nude from their love making. She tipped toed into the bathroom not wanting to wake him up. “No need for both of us to be awake and uncomfortable.” She reached into the shower turning on the cold water. As she stepped in, the cool water caused steam to rise from her skin. She could feel her body temperature cooling a bit but not like it had when she was with Caleb. His kisses had soothed her, his thrusting had… “What is wrong with me?” she asked herself. The thoughts made her body heat up again. She groaned as she shut off the water, “no point since it’s not helping,” she sighed stepping out on to the cold marble floor. She wrapped herself in a towel before walking to the overstuffed chair in the corner of their bedroom.

She began dozing a bit, but the heat was too much for her. She couldn’t help it, she needed him now. She tip toed to where Caleb was sound asleep. Gently shaking him, she whispered, “Caleb, wake up, I need you.”

Five days, it has been five days. Caleb was surprised to find he had woken up on his own. He had gotten used to Sky waking him up every few hours. He sat up looking around for her. “Sky? Baby, where are you?” he called feeling his stomach drop. He threw the blanket off, as he jumped up. ‘Where is she, what about her heat?’ He sprinted out the door and down the stairs. He froze as a male voice reached his ears. ‘A male here? While she’s in heat!’ He could feel Thor scratching trying to get out and shred this intruding male. Without hesitation, Caleb grabbed the male by his throat pinning him to the wall.

“Caleb!” Sky shrieked, “Let him go!”

“Did he touch you?” Caleb’s voice was harsh as he spoke.

“Caleb! You are hurting Gideon!” Sky was staring wide eyed at the scene before her.

Hearing Gideon’s name, Caleb dropped him.

“Good morning to you too boss,” Gideon stammered rubbing his already bruising neck.

Caleb looked between Sky and Gideon. “What about your heat? He better not have.”

“Caleb!” Sky yelled angrily. “My heat ended last night. I called Daphne to tell her it was finally over. Gideon had business to discuss with you, so I invited them over for breakfast.” Her eyes were glowing the stormy blue which he loved so much.

“I I’m sorry. I heard a male and thought you were still in heat. I had to protect you.”

She glared at him a bit longer before her face softened. “I made a huge breakfast for all of us, why don’t you go put some clothes on so we can eat.”

He looked down at his naked body. He didn’t realize he had almost killed his Beta, naked.

“Or don’t,” Gideon said finally standing up from the floor. “I don’t care as long as you don’t choke me again.”

“What did I miss?” Daphne asked coming into the living room from the bathroom. She glanced at Caleb standing there nude while her mate was standing rubbing his throat which was turning a funny yellow color as his wolf heeled the bruises.

“A show of unnecessary male dominance,” Sky explained annoyance heavy in her tone. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

A little while later, Sky was snuggled up in Caleb’s embrace. Everyone had left after breakfast giving them a chance to talk. “I didn’t realize you had gone out of heat,” he tried to explain.

“Caleb, I know. I am not mad. I am going to take a shower though.” She pushed herself off the bed, flashing him a smile.

He watched her as she sauntered into the bathroom. “I guess it’s time to get back to reality,” he sighed as he rolled over, reaching for his phone. He had a lot of text messages and missed calls, four from Dash, six from Gideon, and ten from his mother. There was another number he didn’t recognize. He pushed the voicemail button on his phone and listened to his messages. Most of them were about pack business. When he heard the voice in his last message, he couldn’t help chuckling to himself.

“CALEB! If you hurt my best friend, I will Kill you. By the way, it’s Daphne,” with that she hung up.

He smiled to himself as he placed his phone back on the table. Her friends are very protective of her, he thought to himself. He found it comforting to know if something happened to him, she would have people around her to watch over her. He knew someone had been following him recently. He normally would not be disturbed by this but, this time, whoever it was, has found a way to mask their scent. This was always thought to be impossible.

“Caleb?” Sky’s gentle voice broke through his thoughts, “where did you go?” She was watching him carefully, worry stretched across her beautiful face.

“I was just thinking about what an amazing mate I have,” he smirked hoping she wouldn’t realize he was hiding something. He had only told Gideon and Dash about his feeling. They had chalked it up to him finding his mate and being overly protective. “Let’s go have lunch with the pack. Then, we have to get back to training for our positions in the pack.”

She hadn’t thought about the training under the current Luna she would do to prepare for becoming the Luna herself. She felt a pang of worry as she thought about the Lunas she knew. They were all so strong, so compassionate. They were amazing. She tried to push away the doubt at her own ability to be Luna.

“Stop,” Caleb’s firm tone shook her from her thoughts. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” she asked staring at him.

“Don’t doubt yourself,” his warm smile melted away any trace of her doubts. “You are my mate, given to me by the Moon Goddess herself. You are more than I could have ever imagined. You will be the Luna the pack needs, that I need.” His green eyes watched her as she listened to his words.

His mother’s voice broke the moment as it shattered his concentration.

“Caleb Mason!” she boomed through the pack link. “Bring my beautiful daughter in law to be down to lunch. You have had her to yourself long enough!”

“We are coming down now,” he grumbled. “Come on Baby Girl, we are being beckoned to lunch.”

Sky smiled at his annoyance. “Better they like me then hate me, right?” she smirked.

A few minutes later, they were walking into the dining room. Lots of pack members were sitting eating and talking. A loud voice boomed over all the conversations, “Sky my dear, come give this old wolf a hug!” Alpha Dean was standing watching them walk towards them.

“Hello Father. Hi Mom,” Caleb said as they reached his parents.

“Sky, give this old alpha a hug,” Alpha Dean smiled, ignoring his son.

“Hello Dear,” Cherub greeted Caleb, “Sky, come give Mom a hug.”

Sky awkwardly hugged them both before stepping closer to Caleb, who took her hand calming her.

Caleb looked confused at the show of affection from his father. His mother had always been one to be affectionate and offer hugs but his father? No, not him. He glanced at Sky who was watching his expression. He smiled trying to hide his own confusion. “So, are you two, ok?” Caleb asked unable to resist his urge to know why.

“Yes, of course we are dear!” Cherub chirped. “We are really excited! After all, Sky maybe carrying our grand pup!”  She smiled at them both obviously excited for the possibility.

Caleb felt his breath hitch in his throat. He had thought about this, but he hadn’t thought it could be this soon. Of course, it could! His mate had gone into heat, and they had mated plenty of times. He looked at Sky, all the color had drained from her face.

“Sky? Baby Girl, are you alright? I think you should sit down; you don’t look like you feel well.” Caleb was trying to calm her. She was frozen in place. He stepped behind her, putting his hands on her shoulders. She jumped at his touch. “Baby girl, did I hurt you?”

Sky spun around looking into his eyes. He looked worried as if his touch had caused her pain. Her heart broke realizing she had caused him to fear touching her. “I, I’m fine.” She stammered. “I knew it was a possibility but, I hadn’t thought about it being a real possibility until just now.” She looked up at him to find the worry gone and excitement in its place.

“Baby Girl, you are adorable,” He pulled her into his arms as he planted a kiss on her forehead.

She ate quietly stealing glances around the room. Caleb was watching her nervously as if she may take off running at any second. Loud voices cut through the awkwardness as everyone turned to see who was making such a racket. The couple entering the dining room brought a smile to Sky’s face.

“No, Elijah for a boy, Elaina for a girl.” Daphne did not miss a beat as she strode in not looking back at her mate who was looking quite exasperated.

“You are wrong this time, if it is a boy, Dane. If it’s a girl, Daphne of course.” Gideon seemed determined to be right.

“Sorry, but no,” Daphne said brushing her hair over her shoulder. “I love you, but you are wrong. Again.” She tossed a glance at Gideon who looked as though he knew he was losing.

“The names I picked out are the best choices, after all, they are close to your name.”

Daphne snorted as though he had made a silly joke. She seemed to notice they were not alone anymore. She smiled sweetly, “Sorry, we were having a debate over baby names,” she flashed a look at Gideon who had come up beside her.

“Oh, my Goddess! Daph! Are you pregnant?” Sky asked excitedly.

“No!” Daphne giggled as if she knew a joke no one else knew. “We are talking about baby names for you!”

Sky choked on her water. “Please, excuse me everyone, I need a minute.” She stood up, rushing from the room.

Caleb stood to go after her as he felt a gentle hand on his arm.

“Let her have a minute, she needs it sometimes.” Daphne was still holding his arm.

Caleb knew Daphne was right, but he wanted to go to her, to comfort her. He felt useless. Did she not want to have pups with him?

Sky felt horrible. She had run out of the room like a scared child instead of being the strong Luna she was supposed to be. She had walked to the pack hospital without realizing it. As she stepped inside, a friendly voice greeted her.

“Hello Luna, what brings you in today?” Doctor Scala asked waiting for her reply.

“I need a test,” she said shyly. “I need to know if I am carrying Caleb’s pup.” She looked up to see a knowing smile on the doctor’s face.

“Of course, Luna.”

She watched as he turned and headed down a long hallway. He returned a few minutes later with a small box in his hands.

“Would you like to take it now?” he asked stretching out his hand to her.

“I would rather take it on my own,” she asked watching his expression. “I just feel like I want to know first,” she smiled trying to hide her nervousness.

He handed her the box without another word.

She grabbed it as if it was a shocking secret, one she did not want the world to know. She muttered a thank you as she ran out the door heading towards the pack house. As she climbed the stairs to their wing, she felt a pang of worry. What if she was pregnant? How would Caleb react? Worse yet, what if she is not pregnant and could not conceive? Caleb needed an heir as the Alpha of the strongest pack. He would have to mate with someone who could give him an heir if she could not.

Just the thought of another she wolf carrying his pup made her heart break. “Sky, stop. You will be fine. They will love us no matter what. They would never agree to have a pup with anyone else. Sky, listen.” Aria was trying to soothe Sky.

“What if we can’t give them an heir? What if they have to have a pup with someone else so they can have an heir?” Sky couldn’t help the tears from falling.

“Sky,” Aria tried again. “Sky, you don’t have to worry, we are going to give them an heir.”

Sky looked down at her own body as if it had suddenly been invaded. “You mean, we are?”

“Yes!” Aria purred; I have been trying to tell you, “We are having a pup!” Aria said excitement making her voice sound squeaky. “Sky, Sky are you ok?”

15

She didn’t know how long she sat there. She just rubbed her belly as she let the information soak into her. “A pup,” she whispered. “We are having a pup.” She heard the door open; Caleb’s scent became stronger as he walked towards their bedroom.

“Sky? Sky are you in here?” he called.

“I’m here,” she called back, not wanting him to worry anymore.

He sat down on the bathroom floor behind her, wrapping his arms gently around her.

“Are you ok Baby Girl?” he asked. “I’m sorry about what happened.”

She felt his body tense as he apologized. “Caleb, you have nothing to be sorry for, I am the one who should apologize. I am going to be the Luna; they want to be sure you will have an heir.” Her tears were stinging the back of her eyes.

“Baby Girl, that doesn’t matter. You matter. I love you. I want you to be ok.” They should not have done that.” His eyes began to glow the brilliant emerald green she loved so much. “Baby Girl,” he said sitting down and pulling her into his lap, “No matter what, you are mine and I am yours. If you are having our pup, or not having our pup, that will never change. You are the piece of my soul that has been missing. I will never stop loving you.”

She looked at him teary eyed, she leaned in kissing his lips gently. She knew in that moment; he would never do anything to hurt her. He is hers now and forever.

16

“Mother, why can’t we just take his mate’s pup? Why must I have his pup? What if I find my mate and we have our own pup?”

Her mother slapped her hard. “I have spent my life turning you into the most feared alpha female ever. I have built you a strong pack. You must do this for me This pack will have its rightful heir, an heir with strong bloodlines, an heir to give me my long-awaited revenge. My love and his whore mate will pay for stealing my place as Luna! They will regret what they did to me! Be ready daughter, the time to strike approaches!”

17

All he wanted was to get home to Sky. Everyone had to take shifts of patrolling the boarder, tonight happened to be his night. He couldn’t help it, he missed her. Two weeks had passed since her heat ended. A few more days and they would find out if they were having a pup. He hoped they were. He wanted pups, having pups with Sky would solidify their bond further.  Something told him they were having a pup. She had been very tired the last couple days and her emotions had seemed a bit up and down. She had told him her emotions were driving her crazy. He smiled to himself as he envisioned a miniature Sky running around.

He froze. The unmistakable scent of Sky filled his senses. Why is she all the way out here? He sniffed the air; the intoxicating scent of chocolate and strawberries was moving away from him. Why was she going further into the woods? He sniffed again, “Sky!” He shifted and took off in the direction of her scent, panic driving him faster, blood had mixed with her scent.

Her scent led him to a clearing, he looked around in a panic. “Where could she be!” It seemed to be coming from a rotting log in the center of the clearing. He jumped to the other side, his eyes landing on the source, Sky’s bloodied shirt. He reached for it as he felt something sharp pierce his side. He stumbled for a moment, his vision blurred, “Sky,” he whispered as he crumpled lifelessly to the ground.

“Caleb!” Sky screamed. She sat up looking around her room for him. He had gone out on patrol; he must not have come back yet. Her clothes were soaked with sweat. She tried to brush the sweat soaked hair from her face. She looked at her clock, 2:49 a.m. He should have been home by now. His patrol shift ended at midnight. She could feel the panic rising within her. She tried to link him through their mate link. Nothing. She screamed through the mate link, “Caleb! Answer me!” Nothing. It was as though he didn’t exist anymore. She knew he was alive because she would have felt the pain of the bond breaking if he wasn’t. “Caleb!” Her own voice broke through the silent darkness.

“Sky? Are you ok? What’s wrong?” Daphne’s said as she charged into the room. “What happened?”

“It’s Caleb, he’s not answering me! He was supposed to be home hours ago and now I can’t even link him.” Tears poured down her face. She had to find him.

Daphne’s eyes seemed to take on a far away look. Moments later, Gideon appeared. “Any sign of him?” he asked, although he knew there hadn’t been.

Sky was in hysterics. “No, nothing. We have to find him,” she sobbed. “I need him, this little one needs him,” she was gently rubbing her abdomen.

Daphne and Gideon both looked at each other as they realized what she had said. “Oh. My. Goddess!! You’re pregnant!!!” Daphne screeched unable to contain her excitement at the news. Gideon stood silently his mouth hanging open in a weird mix of shock and excitement.

“Does Caleb know?” Dash had suddenly appeared in the doorway, his voice causing them all to jump.

“When did you get here?” Daphne asked angrily.

“You could have told us you were coming, where have you been anyway?” Gideon frowned.

“Caleb’s missing, of course I am going to be here,” he quipped. “I was busy, “visiting a friend”,” he smirked.

“You are a pig,” Daphne said not trying to hide the disgust in her voice.

“Ok, ok, break it up you two,” Gideon broke in ending the squabble before it could begin.

“All I meant was if Caleb knew she’s Prego, maybe he shut down the link so he could go clear his head,” he shrugged.

“He didn’t know,” Sky said casting an icy glare his way.

“Hey, I’m sorry. I only meant maybe he needed a few minutes to himself to adjust to the idea of becoming a father.”

“Dash, you should shut up.” Gideon’s face reflected the shock everyone else felt as his suggestion.

“Listen, I am sorry Sky, I didn’t mean anything.” He felt bad for saying anything. He liked Sky and was worried about Caleb too.

“He didn’t know because I hadn’t told him yet. We were going to see the pack doctor in a few days to officially find out together.” Sky sobbed harder as she thought about their pup. “I have known I was pregnant since the day after my heat ended. Aria told me.” She looked around at their faces. I wanted to tell him but, I was scared. We have to find him!”

“Sky, we will find him,” Gideon said. “You need to stay here and keep yourself and that little one safe. He will never forgive us if we don’t protect you both. The pack needs you both. I am going to help you use the pack link, so you know what is being said, with your permission.” She nodded her head agreeing. He held out his hand touching her temple gently. His eyes glazed over as he opened the link. “I need all trackers, warriors, and pack members to the meeting hall in the pack house now! We need to begin a search, Caleb is missing!” Gideon’s voice boomed sounding almost like an alpha. He came from a long line of Beta wolves known for their authority during an emergency.

“WHAT?! The angry voice of Alpha Dean boomed through the pack link. “Why wasn’t I informed of this immediately?!” he yelled making everyone flinch. “Where is Sky? She had BETTER be safe!”

“Alpha, we just found out too. Please come to the meeting hall, we need your guidance.” Gideon took his hand from Sky’s temple, “please Sky, stay here. I can’t let anything happen to you. Daphne, my love, please stay with her.” He blew a kiss her way before heading out with Dash to meet the others.

When she was sure they had left, Sky looked at Daphne. “We have to find him! I can’t just sit here!” She had stopped crying; her face now held a look of sheer determination.

“Sky, I promised to stay here with you and keep you safe,” Daphne was not going to let her leave alone.

Sky smiled. “I guess you are going with me.”

“Ok but, we have to be careful. I think we should take someone with us.”

“NO!” Sky cried. Nobody will agree to go with us without telling Alpha and Gideon where we are going.”

“Somebody will, Evan.” Daphne smiled a knowing smile. “He will do anything to help you.”

She hadn’t spoken to him since the night of the mate’s ball. She missed him. They had been friends for so long. “Ok, please call him.”

“Ok, thank you Evan. We will see you soon.” Daphne hung up. She turned looking at Sky who was wearing holes in the floor pacing by the windows. “He will be here soon. Gideon already informed the pack that he will be coming and has permission to enter the territory.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Does Gideon know what we are planning?”

“Of course not! He would not have granted permission if he did,” she flashed Sky a sly smile. “Evan isn’t going to tell them either. Let’s try and get a little rest until Evan gets here.”

Sky walked over, laying down on the bed. Caleb’s scent still clung to the sheets offering her a small bit of comfort. She felt the bed dip as Daphne lay down next to her. She wrapped her arms around Sky. “No matter what, we will always be here for you. You are my sister.”

Sky felt a small comfort having Daphne with her. At least she didn’t feel quite so alone. She dozed a bit here and there but never for very long. She had dozed off again when the slamming door made her nearly fall off the bed.

“Sky?” a familiar voice called in the darkness.

Daphne had somehow stayed asleep. Silent sobs coming from her. “Evan? Evan you’re here!” Sky cried. She reached out her arms to him. He came over to her, without warning, she grabbed his hands pulling him to her and hugging him tightly. “You came!” she said through the tears now pouring down her face.

“Of course, I came. You may not be my mate but, I love you. You will always be my friend. Anytime you need me, I will be there,” he said as he hugged her tighter. He inhaled her scent. “Sky, why do you smell different?” He studied her shocked face. “Oh, my Goddess! You’re pregnant!” His face flashed shock, confusion, and happiness?

She studied his face, “Evan, say something.”

A broad smile stretched across his face. “I am going to be an uncle!” he exclaimed happily. “Let’s go find the MIA daddy. He needs to be here for you and your pup.”

“Evan, he doesn’t know yet. We were going to go to the pack doctor to find out together. I found out because Aria told me.” She looked down wringing her hands together as if she had done something wrong.

“Ok, in that case, let’s go find the clueless MIA daddy.”

18

She stood staring at him. He looked so much like his father. There was some of that bitch Cherub in there too. Ugh… she hated Cherub. Not only had she stolen Dean from her but, she had stolen her chance at becoming a powerful Luna. Now what Cherub, I have your precious son! She laughed bitterly at the thought, excited her plan was working. He will provide my daughter with the heir she deserves, then my place of power in the pack will be restored. My daughter will forever be the most powerful female alpha ever. She chuckled as she sauntered away, her plan was working.

19

Even with those red swollen eyes, her hair a mess, and wearing her favorite pair of loose pajama pants, Sky is still gorgeous. How had Caleb gotten to be her mate? They had mated and marked each other as her pretty neck now displayed his mark. ‘She should have been mine,’ he thought to himself. Caleb would pull something like this, he gets her pregnant and takes off, leaving her alone. Bastard.

She stood up hugging him again. “I am so glad you came. I missed you,” she smiled up at him. Without realizing it, he leaned down kissing the top of her head. She pushed him away. “Evan, I. Please don’t. I’m sorry, maybe you should go,” She stammered taking a few steps back.

“Sky, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I was only trying to make you feel better. You know, how a big brother would with his little sister.” He knew he was lying to her. He still wanted her, even now. “Goddess, what is wrong with me?’ he asked himself. She is mated, marked, and carrying her mate’s pup.

“I’m sorry, I know you would never try anything,” she looked down at her hands.

“No, Sky, I’m sorry,” Evan felt the guilt rising within him.

“Ok you two, get over it and let’s go,” Daphne was sitting on the edge of the bed. “We need to get going if this is going to work.”

Sky stretched trying to calm her nerves. Quietly heading down the stairs to the main kitchen, she listened for anything warning of someone downstairs. They didn’t have much time before daylight would have the pack coming down for breakfast.

“Pick me up by the old oak tree in ten minutes,” before either of them could answer, she slipped out the backdoor disappearing into the darkness.

“I am linking Gideon. I’m going to tell him Sky looked herself in her room so you and me are going to look for Caleb.” She felt bad for lying to her mate but, Sky was desperate. Her eyes glazed over taking on that faraway look when using the mate link or the pack link.

“Gideon, have you found anything?” she asked through the link.

“We found out how they were able to lure him away. One of Sky’s shirts was found in the clearing next to the boarder, with blood on it. We followed Caleb’s tracks here. It looks like he was knocked out somehow and then dragged across the border. He seems to have been put in a car and driven further north into “no man’s land,” he sounded worried.

“Isn’t that towards the female alpha’s territory?” Daphne had heard about her. She was known for being ruthless. Many thought she had formed her pack by joining together the rogues. No one had believed this could have been possible. To unite the rogues was a seemingly impossible task.

“Yes Babe, it is,” Gideon sounded different. His normal fun, confident tone was replaced by a somber tone.

‘What would that she wolf want with Caleb anyway?’

“Babe, where is Sky?” Gideon asked through the mate’s link. 

“Oh, um, Sky is well, she locked herself in her room. She said she needed to rest. Me and Evan are joining in the search while she sleeps.” Daphne’s heart hurt as she lied to her mate. She wanted to help Sky too. She felt torn. If the pack knew Sky was out looking, they would bring her back. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust her, they wanted to keep her safe. They would do that for Caleb. They would keep her safe no matter the danger it may put them in.

A few minutes later, they reached the tree. “Sky? Sky?”

“I’m here,” she whispered just loud enough for them to hear. She climbed in the jeep, “let’s go before anyone sees us.” Evan sped away heading north.

20

“Sky? Sky! Come back, why are you leaving me?” Her voice sounded strange to him, her laugh too. Why was she walking away? Didn’t she hear him? Better yet, why couldn’t he smell her usual scent of chocolate and strawberries? Sniffing the air, he could only smell rancid fruit and rotten eggs. Rogues. He tried to sit up; his body felt heavy. ‘Why am I so weak?’

“Naughty wolfie, you are supposed to be asleep,” a different female voice this time.

“Please, where is Sky? I need my mate.” He tried in vain to sit up once again. This time he felt the silver burning his skin as he pulled against the heavy chains.

“Easy wolfie, you have to be alive so we can mate.”

“Mate? No! I will never mate with you!” He could hear Thor whimper as he tried to free himself again. Something sharp stabbed into his side, burning as it entered his skin. “No! Please, stop!” His vision became more blurred as he felt the burning spread through out his body. “Please, I need Sky, please,” he asked as he slipped into darkness.

‘The mate bond must be stronger than I imagined,’ Scarlett thought as she watched him slip into a deep sleep once again. Even though he was chained with silver chains and being injected with small doses of silver to knock him out, he still thought of his mate. He must truly love her.

She had dreamed of finding her mate since she was a pup. Her mother had found her true mate, he was Scarlett’s father. Her mother had mated with him before rejecting him. She claimed she could never love anyone but Alpha Dean Mason. Her mother had belonged to the Moon Warriors pack before she was banished to the life of a rogue. She had fallen in love with Dean, and he claimed he loved her. He had agreed to make her his mate and Luna. She hadn’t loved him of course; she had wanted to be Luna so she could eventually kill Dean and rule the pack. Scarlett sighed remembering how her mother’s eyes grew huge at the mention of power.

A few months later, they both had been forced by their parents to attend the mate’s ball. Dean’s mother had told him he had to find the mate that was sent to him by the Moon goddess. Dean had argued but lost in the end. Dean had promised to reject his mate and make her mother his mate and Luna. As fate would have it, he did meet his true mate that night. Cherub, Caleb’s mother. She was a cute little blonde with big emerald, green eyes and a voice that seemed to hypnotize Dean. At that moment, he forgot about anyone but Cherub.

Her mother had left early as she had no intentions of finding her true mate. She waited for Dean to come but he never appeared. A few days passed and her mother grew worried. She went to the pack house to find him. As she entered, she was met with stares from other wolves. Some sympathetic and others amused. She knocked on his door. When he opened the door, she instantly felt the anger and hatred fill her heart. There on his neck, was the fresh mate’s mark of Cherub.

She lunged at him screaming she would kill them both. She was dragged away by the pack warriors. Dean tried to talk to her a few days later but, she refused to accept Cherub as her Luna. She renounced her allegiance to the pack and was banished by Dean to forever live the life of a rogue.

Her mother always swore her revenge. Scarlett wanted to help avenge her as a child but, as she grew, she wished it could be forgotten. Scarlett was a good Alpha. Her people loved and respected her, and she was known as a fierce Alpha female. She had the reputation within her pack of being strong and fair. She had wanted to speak with the bordering packs to attend the mate’s ball. When her mother heard of this, she forbade it, telling Scarlett a mate would make her weak. She knew she wanted an heir but to get an heir this way is not how she pictured it.

21

“Hold on! I am going to try to lose them!” Evan turned the wheel causing the Jeep to go up on two wheels. As he turned the wheel back, another rogue hurled himself at the speeding vehicle. Evan turned the wheel again this time causing the jeep to roll. Sky jumped as she felt it going over. She shifted in mid air allowing Aria to land gracefully on all fours. A moment later, Evan’s wolf Thaddeus ran up along side her followed closely by Sydney, Daphne’s wolf. “Sky! Are you ok? Is the pup, ok?” Evan’s voice came through the pack link. She had not become an official member of the Moon warrior’s pack which meant she could still use the Moon Storm pack link.

“Yes, we are both fine but,” her voice trailed off as they followed her gaze to a growing number of rogues staring hungrily at them. These were not normal Rogues. They smelled different, and they seemed to have been trained. How could that be?

Rogues hadn’t been a problem for a long time for any of the packs. One day, some rogues attacked the Moon Warriors pack and the attacks have been becoming more frequent.

Aria’s eyes turned the deep stormy blue signaling she was ready to fight. Thaddeus and Sydney leaped in front of her, teeth barred. “Aria go!” Evan yelled through the pack link. “You have to protect you and your pup!”

With those words, Aria turned and took off into the woods. As her paws flew over the wet forest floor, she could hear wolves running behind her. She darted between trees and around bushes trying to avoid them. She stopped suddenly, turning to face her pursuers. She stood growling, poised to attack.

Much to her surprise, they too stopped. One shifted to human form before speaking. “Come with us if you want him back alive,” he growled. “The Alpha wants a word.” With that, he shifted back. The other two waited as the one who spoke signaled for her to follow. She followed a few feet behind. The other two wolves flanked her keeping her in the middle making it harder to run if she felt the need. Suddenly the one in the lead took off at a dead run. Aria followed, pushing herself to keep up.

She needed to stop soon. They had been running for a couple of hours. She could feel her muscles trembling as the other wolves came to stop in front of a clearing. In the middle sat a long-abandoned cabin. There was not a window which was unbroken. The door looked as though it would fall if a slight breeze brushed against it. The stairs were rotted, and a couple boards were missing.

The one who had led them here shifted back to his human form. He looked at her, “Shift,” he ordered. She did as she was told. She felt vulnerable standing naked in front of three male wolves she did not know. He reached over grabbing a t-shirt from the cabin steps. “Put it on,” he said. She didn’t hesitate. It was a simple black t-shirt which covered her to mid-thigh. She was glad to be covered. “Wait here,” he said in his deep voice as he disappeared inside the cabin.

A minute later, a woman with black hair, wearing a black dress and cloak appeared on the steps. She looked Sky up and down. She smiled “You must be Sky,” she asked stepping a bit closer. “Your mate will not stop talking about you.”

Sky lunged forward before someone grabbed her, slamming her to the ground, hard. “Gentle, after all, we may need her.”

“What do you mean “need me?” Sky asked trying to free her hands which were pinned to the ground.

“My daughter is supposed to mate with Caleb as my pack needs a strong heir. She has since refused to follow the plan.” She chuckled as she watched the anger building up in Sky’s face.

“You can’t do that! He is my mate! He will never agree to that!” She screamed fighting to get loose. Her cheek stung and her eye felt as if it would fly out as a strong hand slapped her hard. She could taste blood in her mouth. She could feel her claws and fangs elongating, Aria wanted to take over, to shred this bitch.

She threw her head back laughing as she watched Sky’s horrified reaction. “Now, what I need from you is, your pup.”

“My, pup?” Sky stammered.

“Yes. Your pup you are carrying. The pup you made with Caleb. That pup will be the heir to my pack. Unless, of course, I can finally get my daughter to mate with Caleb giving me a true heir.”

“I will never give you, my pup!” Sky screamed!
“I knew you’d say that. I will take it if need be.” She flashed her evil smile. “That is why Caleb will be staying with me until my daughter successfully mates with him, or your pup is born.”

Sky pulled herself free, shifting as she lunged at this monster, she sunk her teeth deep into her shoulder.

“Boss!” the other three wolves shouted! They jumped on Sky pulling her off and throwing her to the ground. She landed hard with a thud.

“Careful you idiots! We need that pup!” she shrieked getting to her feet.

Aria jumped to her feet despite the pain in her shoulder. She took off running back towards her territory. She could hear them coming after her. They were big had strength, but she had speed. She tore through the brush, branches grabbing at her fur. “Hang on little one, Mommy will protect you,” she whispered.

22

Gideon rubbed his neck as he listened to his mate and soon to be Alpha Evan explain Sky had disappeared too. “Explain again why you lied to me, went behind my back and snuck Sky out and then lost her as you fled rogues looking for Caleb?” His eyes were glowing amber as he tried to keep from losing control. Not only would his father be disappointed in him, but he had to go tell Alpha Dean.

“Gideon!” Dash yelled through the pack link. “Sky is heading your way. She was being pursued. We killed two but kept the third for questioning,” Dash said through the pack link.

“Sky is coming this way,” Gideon informed the wolves around them. Have the pack doctor standing by.” They had setup a command post to help expedite the search. He could hear the sound of running paws as he caught a glimpse of a wolf heading directly to them.

“Sky!” Daphne yelled running to meet her friend, Evan running to keep up.

Aria shifted back to human form. “Daphne, I need to talk to Gideon and whoever is in charge.” She was out of breath and shaking from running.

Evan took off his t-shirt handing it to Sky. “You need some water and to have the pack doctor check on you and the pup,” Evan said forgetting there were others around. The command post went silent. All the wolves turned to stare at her.

Gideon broke the silence. “Sky, did you find Caleb? Do you know where he is?” Sky was holding on to Daphne, afraid to trust her own body.

‘Back off man!” Evan growled. “Can’t you see she needs water and to rest!” he snapped. With that, he scooped her up heading to the pack house. Gideon followed with Daphne.

The pack doctor was checking over Sky and the pup. Gideon and Daphne stood outside waiting. “I’m sorry,” Daphne said suddenly. “I was trying to help her. She would not have stayed in the house waiting while everyone else searched. She loves him and wants to find him.” Daphne watched his expression soften. “She would have done the same for me if it was you missing.”

Gideon wrapped his arms around her. He couldn’t stand to see her cry. “I know she would. I am not upset that you did that. I am upset that you didn’t trust me enough to let me help. I could have helped you both.” He looked into her eyes. “I am your mate. I would have helped you.”

Daphne felt worse hearing those words.  Not only had she gone against what he asked, she had not trusted her own mate to let him help her. In the process, she had hurt him.

“Don’t cry beautiful,” Gideon said wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Let’s go talk to Sky and find out what happened.

23

Sky. Why did she keep leaving him? Why was he being injected? Someone was doing this. His mind was so foggy. He tried to force himself to focus. Two voices now. A guy and a woman, but who? Guards? That voice, it came back. What is it saying? It’s talking about Sky. Did it hurt her? ‘Focus,’ he told himself. It was saying it met Sky! No! No stay away from her! Don’t touch her!

“What’s that? Mumbling again. You know I can’t understand you when you mumble.” Veronica looked at Caleb with disgust.

“Mom, leave him alone. Bally and Jacques were feeding him. Get out so he can have his nutrients,” Scarlett was tiring of her mother’s plan. She had no intentions of mating with Caleb. “He must be very strong if he can even mumble with how much silver is in his body.” Most wolves were paralyzed when injected with silver. They would heal once the injections stopped but, Caleb was still able to mumble and attempt to sit up.

“Fine. Feed your pet.” Turning back to Caleb she whispered, “Don’t be sad, you will see her very soon.”

“Not Sky, please not Sky,” he mumbled as another needle sank into his arm. His last thought was of her smile before he lost consciousness again.

“Mother, why didn’t you bring her back here when you had her?” Scarlett asked as they walked down the long corridor back to the pack house.

“I would have daughter but, once again, our “help” proved incompetent.

“But Mother, I thought you would have injected her with silver.” Scarlett’s mocking tone was meant to anger her mother. She had enough of this plan, this revenge her mother wanted. She wanted to reunite with the pack her father was a part of and reestablish herself as a member of the long-forgotten Luna guard bloodline. It was an ancient bloodline, one which flowed through her veins.

“I would have but she is already carrying his pup!” she roared backhanding Scarlett. “If you would just mate with him, we wouldn’t need her!”

Scarlett rubbed her reddening cheek. “I would have mother but, that would leave our pack vulnerable while I am carrying a pup.”

“Yes, I suppose you have a point.” She turned to Scarlett, “our plan is working. Soon daughter we will rule over all wolves!”

24

“Yes, for the last time, I am sure that is what they said.” Sky was lying in bed explaining her encounter again. She had been going over every detail for hours now.

“So just tell us one last time,” Gideon coaxed aware of the look his mate was giving him.

“She said I would have to get pregnant with Caleb’s pup so they could take it as their heir. If that didn’t happen, then her daughter would mate with Caleb to give them an heir.” She let out an annoyed sigh. “How much longer do I have to stay in bed?” Sky asked the pack doctor who was packing up his things.

“I would like for you to stay in bed for a couple of days but, you should be fine within a few hours. Please Luna, rest. For the pup’s sake.”

Sky rolled to her side feeling the frustration build within her.

“Are you sure there is nothing else? Something tiny that you maybe forgetting?” Gideon asked for the hundredth time.

“NO! Nothing!” she snapped.

“Ok, that’s enough,” Evan said standing up and ushering everyone out.

Turning back to Sky, “Are you ok? I know this is hard for you.”

“I just want him back,” she cried letting the tears of frustration and sadness flow.

“Sky, they found the cabin/” he said pulling a chair up next to her bed. “They had set it on fire. There was no sign of Caleb anywhere.” He reached over taking her hand gently.

Sky pulled her hand away. Covering her face, she sobbed harder.

“Sky? Sky are you alright?” Cherub’s voice floated in from the other side of the door.

“Please, come in,” Sky asked her voice shaking with her tears.

Evan stood up. “I will let you two talk. I will be on the sofa if you need anything.” He walked out closing the door gently behind him.

“Oh honey, don’t cry,” Cherub hugged Sky. “We will find him.” She helped Sky get comfortable before sitting down and rubbing her back. She had almost fallen asleep when the door burst open as Dash flew into the room. “We have a name!” he shouted. “The name of that alpha female is Scarlett, Scarlett Heeler!”

“No,” Cherub shrieked covering her mouth with her hands. “It can’t be!”

“Who is that?” Evan asked walking in.

“That last name, is the last name of the she wolf who tried to kill me! Veronica Heeler. She was exiled from the pack after that. She must have had a daughter.” Cherub had suddenly gone pale. “She was in love with Dean and thought she would be Luna. When Dean met me, his actual mate, she would not accept it. She claimed she was his true mate and the real Luna of the Moon Warriors pack. She vowed to never accept me as her Luna. A few months later, she tried to kill me when she found out I was pregnant with Caleb.” She could feel the anger bubbling inside her as she thought of the woman who tried to kill them both. “We had kept tabs on her incase she ever tried to come back. One day, she seemed to have fallen off the face of the Earth. We had not heard anything from her until now.” She shook her head slowly. “I should have killed her when I had the chance.”

“It isn’t clear if she is indeed the one holding Caleb,” Dash tried to soothe her. “Apparently, her daughter is the one who is supposed to mate with Caleb. At least that used to be the plan. Now it seems they have decided to take Sky’s pup instead. Once the pup is born, they are planning to kill Caleb and Sky.”

Sky had stopped crying as she listened. A look of sheer determination on her face. “No one will hurt my child or my mate. I will rip both their throats out.” She wrapped her arms protectively around her middle. “Don’t worry little one, Mommy will protect you.”

“Sky?” Cherub asked a look of shock on her face. “Are you pregnant?”

She froze. She had assumed everyone knew by now. “Yes,” she whispered looking down at her belly. I found out the day my heat ended. I didn’t tell him because I needed some time to get used to it. Then he disappeared!” She swallowed forcing back the tears.

Cherub smiled pulling Sky into her arms. “Baby! I am so happy for you!” She held Sky as if she was the last connection to her son.

After everyone had gone, Sky lay awake in bed. There were now guards posted outside her door. There had been no sign of Caleb still. ‘Where could he be?’ She asked herself. She had tried to fall asleep but with the fading scent of Caleb, all she could do was try to think of where he could be. She finally fell into a fitful sleep; she woke up dripping with sweat. “Mirror lake!” How could she have forgotten? Mirror lake had shown Caleb his mate before they had met, maybe now, it could show her where her mate is.

Mirror lake was rumored to have been enchanted by the Moon Goddess herself. Legend says it helped the Moon Goddess find her mate when he would hide behind the clouds. She knew it was a long shot, but she had to try. Tomorrow night, she would sneak out, alone. She rolled over trying to rest. ‘Caleb my love, where are you?’ was her last thought as sleep finally came.

25

How long had he been out? He had no idea how much time had passed. He had been moved into a room with silver walls. He had tried to break through, but he was still weak from all the silver and wolfsbane they had injected him with. Thor was alive but very weak. They were lucky to be alive. They had stopped injecting him when he was moved in here. He stood up pacing around his cell. He heard the familiar sound of footsteps. They stopped outside his door. A small slot was opened, and a tray of food was pushed in. At least he now got to eat food. He needed to get out of here. He needed Sky. She maybe pregnant! He felt his heart ache at the thought of missing the birth of his pup. He had to find away out of here and back to Sky.

26

The day passed slowly. She had tried to keep herself calm. Daphne and Evan had been hovering around her all day. She had remembered seeing a change of clothes in the closet that belonged to a cook. On an extra long trip to the bathroom, she had climbed out the widow, climbed down and grabbed the clothes from where she had stashed them in the bushes. She had held them in her teeth as she climbed back up the drainpipe into her bathroom. Daphne was banging on the door, pleading with her to open it. She hid the rope ladder behind the cleaning supplies under the sink, before splashing her face with water and pinching her cheeks to look like she had been crying. She reached for the doorknob just as she heard the key being inserted into the lock. She took a step back as the lock clicked and the door opened revealing a very worried Daphne.

“Oh Sky, come here,” Daphne hugged Sky to her. “It will be ok. We will find him.”

Sky felt the guilt rise like a bubble in her stomach. She felt bad hiding this from all of them but, after last time, she knew none of them would let her try. As afternoon faded to night, Sky was restless. She waited until just before midnight telling everyone she was going to bed.  She lay in her bed to hear the silence before getting up and heading into the bathroom. She thought through the day. She had marked off spots with markers after they had been searched. There was still no trace of Caleb. She grew surer she was making the right choice. He couldn’t have just vanished!

She changed into clothes she had stolen from the cook’s closet. She had hoped they would help mask her scent. Listening one last time, everything seemed quiet. She could hear the guards talking quietly, their muffled voices the only sound. She opened the widow, looking down for any signs of the night patrol. She pulled her hair up into a bun before stuffing a hat on her head. She glanced around the room one last time before placing a hand on her stomach. “Ok little one, let’s go get your Daddy back.” With that she sat down on the windowsill swinging her legs out first. She stood up flattening herself against the wall as she slid against the stone exterior. The ledge she was standing on did not leave room for her to walk. Sliding her hand over, she was relieved to feel the drainpipe. She held on to it before setting her foot on top of a bracket used to secure it to the building. She began climbing down. When she reached the ground, she darted across the lawn to a nearby tree. She looked around for anyone who may have seen her. When she felt it was clear, she darted to the tree line, she had stashed a bag in the hole inside a huge old oak tree. She reached in grabbing it before stripping off her clothes and shifting.

“I can sense Thor.” Aria could feel the relief wash over them. “He is weak but, he is alive.” Aria turned and took off full speed in the direction of Mirror Lake.

“Aria, be careful, our pup.” Sky reminded her.

“Our pup is strong. She will be fine.”

“She?” Sky asked excitedly. “We are having a daughter?”

“Yes,” Aria replied. “A very powerful and special daughter.”

With Aria’s speed and determination, they reached the lake faster then they had before. Aria walked to the edge of the water. She whimpered as only her reflection looked back. She took a few steps into the water. She felt tears sting her eyes as nothing changed. As her tears fell into the water, the ripples they made began swirling faster and faster. Aria’s heart soared as Thor came into focus. His stunning green eyes staring back at her. Aria looked up at the moon. ‘Please Goddess of the Moon, please show me where he is. I have to save him. My daughter and I need him. Please,’ She silently asked the Moon Goddess.

Gazing back into the water, Aria watched in amazement as Caleb appeared. He seemed to be in some sort of silver cell. He looked so sad. The ripples began to swirl again, faster they swirled. This time the image was of an old factory building. A sign read Crimson Pack House. A pack house?

“WHAT!” Alpha Dean roared, shaking the walls. “How can she be gone?”

Gideon was speechless. Daphne stepped forward. “Alpha, I have known Sky since birth. She is strong, determined, and will do what she deems necessary. I know I have not become an official pack member yet but, I am Gideon’s mate. I have watched Gideon in action since Caleb’s disappearance, Gideon and Dash are excellent leaders. It is not their fault Sky has disappeared. She is unstoppable when she feels something has to be done.”

Cherub was watching Dean’s expression spoke, “Dean, Sky has to be smart, strong, and determined since she is Caleb’s mate. If she wasn’t all of those things, she wouldn’t be his mate.” She gently took his hand and began rubbing circles with her thumb on top of it, soothing the enraged Alpha.

“I suppose you are right. My son would not have a weak mate.” He let out an exasperated sigh, “We have to find them both.”

“Alpha,” Evan began, “I am going to go scout the area, as Sky’s future alpha until she joins your pack, I can still mind link her. I am going to try and reach her. Either one of us can still link Daphne.”

“You go, Daphne will stay with Gideon until Sky is found. This way, you can share what you find with us.” Alpha Dean seemed to have calmed a bit. “Everyone, back to finding my son and his mate NOW!”

27

‘How long have I been here? I have to get out.’ He was looking at the bars. His hands were burned from trying to bend the bars enough to fit through. They were made of steel and covered with silver. His wolf strength could bend them no problem but, the silver zapped his strength as soon as he touched them. Thor was still weak from the injections of Silver and Wolfsbane. How can I get out of here? I am an alpha! He put his head in his hands. He felt hopeless. How can he be trapped in here? He stood up pacing along the walls. “Goddess, I have to get out of here!” He punched the wall, hard. The old cement cracked under his strength. He looked down as he felt the warm blood trickle down his knuckles. He heard a key click in the lock. The old door leading to his cell creaked open. He smelled her. But how? He knew she couldn’t be here. ‘I must be going insane’. Then he smelled it again, the unmistakable scent of chocolate and strawberries. No, he wasn’t imagining it. The guard smells like Sky! Oh Goddess! They have her! They have Sky! Caleb roared in anger as he thought of her locked up in here. As the guard came closer, the scent got stronger. He felt the intoxicating feeling her scent gave him. Then he smelled it, mold. Mold, wet dirt, and blood? NO! What have they done to her? The guard opened the slot and slid his tray inside. Quick as lightning strikes, Caleb grabbed the guard’s hand, he let go as the familiar sparks creeped up his arm. Only his mate could cause those sparks. “Sky?” he stammered. “Sky is it really you?” He looked up at the guard and gasped as a pair of beautiful sapphire eyes stared back at him.

“Yes my love, it’s me.” She let the tears fall down her face. She had found him.

“How? How did you find me?” he asked still not sure it was real. “Where is the rest of the pack?”

“Shhhh, I will explain it all later. I am supposed to bring you your food and then bring you to the pack doctor for a shot. The shot will, um, “wake you up” so she can mate with you.”

“What! No! I am mated to you!” Caleb stammered. “I only want you.”

“Shhhh, Baby I know. The food is poisoned. Don’t actually eat it. It is laced with tranquilizers to knock you out. I am supposed to get you on the gurney and take you down to the hospital. The second shot will make you think there is a female in heat. This way, she could mate with you. She knew with the tranquilizers that you would think it’s me. Caleb stared in disbelief.

“Why would someone do this? To me? To anyone?” he couldn’t believe this could be happening.

“Baby, I promise, I will explain it all later. Right now, we have to get you on a gurney so we can get you out of here.”

“Sky, how did you get in here? Why hasn’t the pack come in yet?”

“It’s just me. Nobody knows where we are. When I found out where you are, I ran here as fast as I could. I can’t explain anymore right now. The drug should have taken effect by now. The other guard will come check if we don’t go.” She pulled a key out of her cloak; she unlocked the door. As she stepped inside, a radio screeched severing the silence.

“Bally! Where are you?” came a gruff voice.

The voice which answered sent chills down his spine. Gone was Sky’s sweet voice and in its place was a strange mixture of Aria and Sky. It sounded almost evil and very screechy.  “That’s my girl! Our mate is amazing!” Thor chirped from the back of Caleb’s mind. “Aria is helping deepen Sky’s voice while using some wolf howl to sound screechy. It’s amazing. I have never heard of any wolfs being able to balance their human and wolf side enough to be able to function as one. It is impossible for most wolves. Not fully shifting but not being completely in human form either. Usually, one or the other takes over. Goddess do I love her.” Thor was oozing with pride.

Caleb lay down on the gurney. Sky pulled the sheet up over his face. AS she wheeled him out of his cell, down the hall, and to the heavy door.

A few moments later, a gruff male voice ordered her to stop. “Name and Rank.”

“Bally, nurse assistant to Dr. Beastrom,” the strange voice of Sky and Aria answered.

“Purpose and prisoner name.”

“Caleb Mason, going to Dr. Beastrom, Alpha Scarlett’s orders.

“You may continue,” the voice said.

Sky began pushing him along the bumpy path again. Caleb was trying to stay calm and still, but he wanted nothing more than to attack all these wolves.

“Almost there,” she whispered. He only heard her because of his wolf hearing.

He heard automatic doors open and the sterile smell of a hospital wafted into his nostrils. A few more doors later, they came to a stop. He heard her walk over and close the door.

She pulled the sheet off, “Ok babe, take your clothes off.”

“Um, What?” he asked smirking.

She rolled her eyes, “Take them off, and put these on. She handed him clothes that stunk. There was a pair of black sweatpants and a cloak with a hood like hers. As he stood there naked, she began covering him with a disgusting mix of dirt, moldy stuff, and old blood. When she was done, he slipped on the clothes she had given him. She turned around and opened a closet door. In the closet stood a mannequin. She pulled it out and placed it on the gurney. She then stuffed his clothes around it.

“They are not giving you your shots until pack chores are over. You will be lying in a room for a couple hours by yourself. As long as you “smell” like you, nobody will bother to check. By that time, we will be away from here.”

“Sky, how am I getting out of here without anyone noticing me?”

She smiled as she reached over pulling his hood over his head. He nearly jumped as a mask covered his face.

“Nobody will question you with that mask. It belongs to a mute wolf with a huge scar across his face. Scarlett’s mother said he was so ugly that he had to wear a mask when ever he left his room,” she explained it as if it was common knowledge. “He is Bally’s mate.”

“Where are they now?” he asked.

“Dead.” Caleb, stop asking questions and let’s get out of here. They will know something’s wrong when I don’t show up for duties.”

They checked the gurney one last time before leaving the same way they came.

“Bally! Why are you late?” a different male voice asked. “Oh, never mind, I see you have useless with you. You need to give up on him, reject him. Who cares if he is your mate, I can make you happier than he ever could.”

Caleb could barely contain his anger as this male spoke.

“Oh, Bruce, you know you are far too weak for me. Come on Terrance, let’s go.” Sky said in the strange voice.”

Bruce watched as she sauntered away. Once they were far enough away, she pulled her radio from her cloak. “Bally and Terrance chores complete. Heading out for a run. Bally out.”

Another voice answered “10-4. Report by 5 a.m. for chore assignments.”

“10-4” Sky answered in the screechy voice. Putting the radio in her pocket again, she looked at Caleb. “Let’s go.”

He was in awe of what he had witnessed. His beautiful mate had just rescued him without anyone knowing what happened. She had found away to mimic someone else’s voice. She had found a way to impersonate someone and have a pack believe she was that person. On top of that, she had figured out how to have them walk away together with nobody noticing.

“Caleb?” Sky’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Is Thor strong enough to shift?”

“Now that Aria is here, yes. He can use some of her strength to help him.”

Once they were a distance away, they stripped off their clothes. He took in her naked body dirt and all as if it were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. His eyes came to rest on a small bump protruding from her normally flat tummy. He looked deep into her eyes. “Sky? Are you pregnant? Are we having a pup?” His eyes scanned her face.

She could feel the blush rising up her face. She looked down at the ground as she sheepishly answered, “Yes, we are having a pup.” As she looked up at him, she noticed tears in her Alpha’s eyes. “Caleb are you mad?” she asked feeling her stomach begin to do flips.

“Mad? Of course not!” This time he looked stunned. “Baby Girl, I’m not mad, I’m happy! I love you so much. Having a pup with you is the greatest thing to happen to me.” He pulled her chin up with his thumb before crashing his lips on hers.

When she broke the kiss, he groaned, disappointed. “Babe, I would love to but right now, we have to go.” With that she shifted revealing Aria.

Thor was practically screaming in his mind, “let me out!” he yelled. In a split second, Caleb’s huge majestic black wolf stood watching Aria. He walked over touching his nose to hers. He nuzzled her obviously excited.

“We have to go,’ Aria said through the mate’s link. She turned taking off in the direction of the pack territory.

28

Three weeks. Three weeks! Caleb had disappeared three weeks ago. Sky had disappeared two weeks ago. The entire pack had been searching around the clock. She herself has not slept. She was beginning to think they may not come back. The pack was filled with worry and despair. Nobody could figure out how Sky had managed to shimmy down a drainpipe and disappear with all the wolves searching. How was it even possible?

She sighed as she sat up gazing out the window. She heard a distant howl. One of the pack warriors shouted through the pack link “Alpha Caleb, Luna Sky, they’re back!!” Cherub jumped up running out the door. As she ran down the stairs, the pack was roaring with cheers and excitement. Pushing her way to the gathering crowd, she watched as Caleb wearing black basketball shorts, and Sky wearing a long black t-shirt emerged from the forest, surrounded by cheering pack warriors. She ran to her son wrapping her arms around his neck. Still holding his hand, Sky smiled as mother and son were reunited. She turned to Sky, “thank you,” she whispered as she wrapped Sky in an embrace. She felt Sky’s little baby bump press against her. She looked at Caleb who smiled proudly at her.

“Sky!” familiar voices yelled running up behind Cherub were Sky’s parents.

“Mom! Dad!” She cried as they hugged in a warm embrace. She felt more people as Daphne and Evan joined the hug. When they finally let go, Sky looked at her parents who were looking at her tiny baby bump.

“My baby is back, and I’m going to be a grandma!” her mom shrieked excitedly.

Caleb was beaming with pride as he watched the woman crying with her mother. Not only had she been the one who found him, but she devised a plan and rescued him. She did all this while being pregnant. He couldn’t help the cheesy grin plastered to his face. He was in awe of her. She is the smartest, bravest, strongest, and most beautiful being he had ever met and she is all his.

Thundering paws broke through his thoughts, Alpha Dean shifted as he reached the edge of the trees. He didn’t say a word, instead he grabbed his son hugging him as if he may disappear. Letting go, he turned to Sky who was wrapped in her father’s arms.

“May I?” he asked.

“Of course,” Sky’s father said moving over a bit allowing Alpha Dean to hug her.

As he hugged her, he whispered “thank you for saving my son.” Sky simply hugged him tighter.

After he released her, Evan hugged her tight to him. “I thought I had lost you.”

Caleb was trying to keep Thor from attacking Evan.

Daphne grabbed Sky spinning her around, “don’t ever do that to us again!” She yelled through tears.

As everyone began to calm a bit, Alpha Dean, wearing sweatpants now, came over. “Sky, you are going to have to explain how you were able to sneak past my patrols, find Caleb, and rescue him, all by yourself.”

“She will but first, a shower,” Caleb said taking in their filthy appearances.

“Sounds like Heaven,” She answered smiling.

29

“How could you let this happen?” Veronica screamed at her daughter. “You are turning out to be useless just like your father! This was our chance to get revenge! To get a strong, powerful heir! You let it slip through your fingers! We could have been the most powerful pack ever!”

Scarlett was staring angrily at her mother. “His mate is stronger than we thought. She tricked all of us, even you. We don’t need an heir from Caleb, once I find my mate, my heir will be more powerful than any of bastard child.”

“No, you stupid girl! It has to be an heir from Alpha Dean’s son!” Veronica never tolerated failure. Now, this she-wolf had infiltrated her pack and ruined all of her plans. Pack members who failed were killed. Bally and Terrence had found that out, but her own daughter? She couldn’t kill her, she needed her, for now.

30

Lying in bed with Sky felt like he had never been gone. She let out a sigh as though she had read his thoughts. She was lying with her head on his chest, tracing his muscles with her fingers. “Are you ok?” he asked suddenly worried. “We didn’t hurt the baby, did we?” They had made love a lot after showering.

“I am fine and so is the baby.” She snuggled back into him. “I am so happy, I missed this so much.”

“Baby Girl?”

“Mmm?”

“How long was I gone?” He wasn’t sure how long he had been kept from her.

“Three weeks. You were gone for three long weeks,” she answered studying his face.

“That means you are a little over a month pregnant?” he asked nervously.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “A little bit over a month.”

“That means we are going to be parents in a few months.” Caleb put his hand on her tummy. “Hi Angel, I am your Daddy. I can’t wait to meet you. I love you already.” He knew he would die for this tiny pup growing inside Sky. He would die for either of them. He leaned down kissing Sky’s forehead. “I love you,” he said.

“I love you too,” she whispered as she fell asleep.

He knew he had to let her go. She was in love with Caleb. To his surprise, Caleb truly loved her too. He would remain friends with her. He would keep the alliance between their packs. It hurt to know she would never be his, never love him in the way he loved her. He had fallen for her all those years ago when he first saw her. Now, he had to let her go. Let he go love someone else. He could feel his heart breaking. He would leave tonight while everyone was sleeping. He couldn’t bring himself to say goodbye.

She awoke with a start. Rolling over, she wrapped her arms around Caleb, his scent soothing her.

“Baby Girl, are you ok? Is the pup, ok?” He was suddenly wide awake.

She giggled. “We are fine. I had a strange dream.”

“Come here, Baby Girl.” He untangled himself from Sky’s arms and instead wrapped himself around her. “I will keep you both safe, I promise.” She closed her eyes feeling safe in the arms of her love.

She woke up still wrapped in his arms. The sun was up this time. She reached for her phone. Checking the time, she sat straight up in bed. “Caleb, wake up! It’s afternoon!”

He sat up slowly rubbing his eyes. “We deserve some extra time after our last few weeks. I will have the kitchen staff send up some coffee and food. We can stay in bed all day.”

Sky giggled at his hopeful expression. “Babe, that sounds amazing but, we have to meet with our warriors and the others. I have to explain how I found you and we have to figure out how they got my shirt.”

A bit later, they walked hand in hand into the conference room. Everyone was discussing how this could have happened.

“Well, look who decided to join us,” Alpha Dean smiled as Caleb and Sky walked in. “Welcome back, Alpha Caleb and Luna Sky.”

Caleb stopped, looking at his father. He smiled proudly back at him. It was a sign of respect for the current Alpha to address his son as Alpha. This was how the current Alpha showed the pack he intended to accept the new Alpha and Luna. Caleb was honored to hear those words from his father, his Alpha. Caleb bowed his head to show respect.

“Please, everyone please take their seats.” Alpha Dean was back to his normal self. “As you all know, our future Luna was used to kidnap our son, and your future alpha, Caleb. To bring everyone up to speed, Caleb was out, performing his patrol duties, he caught Sky’s scent which was mixed with the scent of fresh blood. He responded as any mate and alpha would, he tracked the scent to save his love. The wolf who took Caleb was able to disguise their scent. We have not found a way this is possible. We know they were able to steal Sky’s shirt from the bedroom she and Caleb share. This cannot happen again to any wolf. We must prevent anyone from infiltrating our pack again,” He looked around the room, “we have one more reason to tighten our security, Caleb, if you will please join me.” Caleb stood up walking over to his father.

He cleared his throat, “as you all know, I have recently found my mate.” Cheers erupted around the room. “Thank you,” he smiled. “I want to share with you, Sky and I are expecting a pup!” Another round of cheers spread around the room; the news was shared through the pack link as more howls of joy came from various places. “Thank you everyone.” Caleb could see Sky’s face turning the cute shade of pink as she listened to the pack celebrate their news.

A few minutes later, Alpha Dean’s voice silenced the cheers. Excited For the news of Sky and Caleb’s pup, everyone listened with renewed determination to protect their Luna. “As we were discussing, we need to increase our patrols from 8 at a time to 16 at a time. Our two best warriors, Vincent and Murdock, are to protect Sky. They are to follow her 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Nothing is to happen to Sky or my grand pup. Sh is never to be alone or far from you two.” Alpha Dean was looking at them as though they were tasked with the ultimate mission.

“Keep her safe when I am attending to pack duties and patrol duties, but do not forget she is mine.” Caleb’s eyes were glowing.

Sky felt a shiver at the power rolling off Caleb in waves. The intensity of his stare sent chills up her spine, ‘Goddess do I want him.’ She shook the thoughts from her mind. “Do I get a say in any of this? I know I need guards but, I refuse to feel like a prisoner. If I am with Caleb, or my trusted friends, do they have to be there too?” She could feel the anger bubbling up. She refused to just accept this.

Caleb’s eyes returned to the gentleness he held for her. “We can have Daphne be your shadow as well. Of course, when you are with me, you do not need the guards around. They do not need to constantly be in the same room with you. They can stand outside the door. We will also post guards all along the perimeter of the packhouse.”

“Thank you, my love,” relief washed over Sky.

“Sky, my dear, could you please tell us how it came to be that you not only were able to elude my pack and disappear but, you managed to find Caleb and brought him back to us.”

All eyes turned to her. “Well, when we couldn’t find even a trace of him after a week, I made up my mind to find him myself. Before I met Caleb, I began having these vivid dreams of him. Unknown to me, he was visiting the lake because it was showing him me. It showed us our wolves. I thought since it had done that, maybe it could show me where he was being held. I made a plan and waited until it was quiet. I then climbed down the drainpipe. I had stolen clothes from the kitchen to mask my scent. I quietly snuck across the lawn and to the Oak tree where I had stashed my clothes. I shifted and took off to Mirror Lake. When I reached the lake, nothing happened at first. I was in wolf form, so Aria stepped into the water and asked the Moon Goddess to show her where he was. We saw him in a cell. Then a sign appeared that read “Blood Moon Packhouse.” I could see how weak he was. I didn’t think about anything else; I just took off towards Blood Moon territory. When I got there, there was an older female wolf standing with two other wolves. She was yelling at them about leaving their post. She said this would be their last chance. When she left, I heard the female say this was their chance to be free of her. The two then stripped off their clothing, shifted, and took off into the woods. Once I was sure they were a safe distance away, I took their clothes. I put the girl’s on and put the other set in a hiding place for when I found Caleb. There was a radio in the pocket of the cloak. I turned it on and could hear them communicating through it. I figured out that because they were not an actual pack, they did not have a mind link. I waited until I heard them announce role call. They called each wolf by name. When they said the name “Bally,” there was no response. They called it again a couple times before I said “here”. They asked if Terrance was with me, so I took a chance and replied yes. The voice that came out of me was strange even to my own ears. Aria had helped me. We had achieved combining our voices. I found out the older she- wolf’s daughter Scarlett trusted Bally and often requested her to accompany her with missions. Scarlett is the alpha female we have been hearing about. I convinced Scarlett to put Caleb in the silver cell instead of injecting him with silver and wolfsbane. Because of this, she began letting me bring him his food. I was careful not to alert him at first, until I figured out a way to get him out of there. I knew he was weakened from the injections. The night Caleb discovered it was me, I knew I had no choice. They were going to inject him with a serum to make his manhood hard. The next injection would make him believe there was an in-heat female, me, in front of him. They were going to have him mate with Scarlett.  I couldn’t let that happen. I was tasked with wheeling him into the pack hospital. That night, I revealed myself to him. I told him about the poison in the food, and I had him lie still on the gurney. I then wheeled him to the pack hospital where I had everything setup for our escape. Once we were on the outskirts, we shifted and came back here.”

She looked around at the astonished faces staring at her.

“Sky, how long had you been there before this escape?” Alpha Dean asked sounding as if he was still in shock.

“I was in that compound “working” as one of them for over a week before I was able to free my love.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. “I tried every day but, it was difficult. Veronica Heeler had formed this pack of rogues before handing the reins over to her daughter. Her daughter was supposed to mate with Caleb as revenge against you both, and to give their pack a worthy heir. She thought that would get her “power and title” back. She claims Luna Cherub stole her mate and her position in this pack. Scarlett is against this; she doesn’t want to mate with Caleb. She wants to find her true mate. She told me, well, “Bally” that she has found her mate. Scarlett trusted Bally in the same way I trust Daphne. It was easy for me to become her. Bally never showed her real face in respect for her mate. Scarlett convinced her mother to steal my pup instead.” The entire room gasped at her words. “Scarlett convinced her mother that the pack would be weak while she was pregnant.”  She took a deep breath. “Veronica is pure evil,” Sky said.

“Baby Girl, are you ok?” Caleb looked worried. He could see the tension on her face as she recounted the events. “I think Sky needs a rest,” with that, the two guards stood. Caleb scooped her up bridal style and headed for the door.

“Guards accompany Sky and Caleb to their suite. Make sure nothing happens to them,” Alpha Dean shot them a warning glance.

Once everyone had left, Cherub stood up, “Dean, what should we do?” He could hear the fear in Cherub’s voice.

“We must protect out Grand pup. We must protect all of them.” He walked over wrapping his arms around Cherub. I should have killed her that night. Exiling her did nothing but allow her anger to grow.”

“Darling, you did what you thought was right. You had no idea she would be capable of something like this.”

“Cherub, can you ever forgive me? I have caused you so much pain. The night she tried to kill you; I should have killed her. I could see the rage in her eyes, but I thought once she left, she would find her mate, join his pack, and forget about us.”
“Dean, you forget, I am the one who asked you to spare her. I took pity on her and felt she deserved a chance. We were both wrong and now our child is suffering the consequences of our decision.”

“My Grand pup will be protected; Veronica will die as she should have all those years ago.”

31

Watching him sleep sent tingles up her spine. He was magnificent. Her mate! Her true mate! He offered the chance for a better life; one she had hoped for since she was a pup. She wanted to stay with him forever. She loved him. They had mated and marked each other in a heated moment of passion. She didn’t care that she now bore his mark. To her it was a promise of safety.

She had returned to her pack not long after. She knew going into heat was a risk now that they had mated and marked each other. She had been right. A week later, she felt her heat beginning. She had linked her mate through the mate’s link. He had snuck away from his pack to come be with her. They had spent a passion filled week together. When he left to go back, she had felt the loss more then she imagined she would. At that moment she stopped denying the need for normal pack life she had fought against for so many years.

She had to find away to join his pack. To be with him. She knew he was a high-ranking member in his pack, but she had been a rogue since birth. Her father was a member of an established pack which meant they would extend an invitation to her. Her father, she hadn’t thought about him in so long. She missed him.

She knew in that moment she would need help, but who would help her? A rogue with a murderous mother? Sky. Sky would help her. She needed Sky.

32

“You are amazing. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to be your mate,” Caleb was sitting with Sky on the sofa, she had fallen asleep in his arms “You are so strong, so fierce. I love you my beautiful mate.” She had saved him, an Alpha. He was truly amazed by her. She had done all of this while carrying their pup.

She began to stir in his arms. “Baby Girl, wake up,” he coaxed gently. “We have to leave for the doctor soon.”

She stretched as she opened her eyes. “Ok, I guess you are right.” Her baby bump had grown a lot in the last couple weeks. She wolves were able to give birth within four to five months, alphas’ mates were able to give birth sooner then that due to the alpha blood in their pups.

He kissed the top of her head before untangling himself from her. He had wanted to stay like that all day. Snuggled up watching movies with his Sky.

She looked at her phone, “Babe, we have a few hours before we have to be there.” She knew he was excited, but she did not feel like leaving just yet.

He came back into the room, “I know we are early but, I want to get there so we don’t miss our appointment.”

“We will be three hours early,” she wanted to just stay snuggled under her blanket on the sofa.

Without warning, he scooped her up and spun her around. “Come on Baby Girl, we will find out if we are having a son or a daughter!”

She stretched up wrapping her arms around his neck. She crashed her lips onto his mark and started sucking on it. She could feel him tense at the sensation. “Do we still have to go right now?” she asked seductively.

“Nope, we have time.” With that he bounded up the stairs with her in his arms.

A few hours later, they were leaving the doctor’s office. “A daughter, we are having a daughter!” Caleb was ecstatic. A daughter, he hoped she would look just like Sky.

He paused turning to look back at her, “Are you ok?”

She smiled at him. “Yes, I am ok. I am enjoying watching your excitement. I have to tell you something, I knew we were having a daughter. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to have that moment with you.” She watched his expression.

“Baby Girl, I understand. You wanted the couple’s moment. After what we have been through, I do not blame you. Either way, we are having a daughter!” He paused and seemed lost in thought. “I thought of a name, for our daughter.” His eyes looked so hopeful.

“Tell me what it is,” she coaxed him.

“Rayne. I think her name should be Rayne.”

She looked at him, “I like that. I believe you just named our daughter.” She smiled as a stray tear ran down her cheek. She was so happy. “Aria said she will be a strong and powerful girl. I think the rain is strong and powerful. It comes no matter what is happening, and it is strong enough to cleanse the Earth.” She jumped at him throwing her arms around his neck. “I love you, Caleb.” She kissed him as though her very life depended upon it.

He kissed her back as he ran his fingers through her hair. “I love you too Baby Girl.”

“Why won’t he answer his phone? He probably hates me.” Sky plopped down next to Daphne.

“He doesn’t hate you; the problem is he loves you,” Daphne could tell she was hurting. Sky had never wanted to hurt Evan, she always wanted him around. The three of them had always been together before the girls found their mates. Daphne felt a pang of guilt as she had never told Sky Evan had been in love with her.

Sky looked as though she may burst into tears. Her emotions had been all over the place lately. The doctor said it was normal for someone in her stage of pregnancy. “Daph, why won’t he answer?”

Daphne sighed, “he won’t answer because he is letting you go.”

“What do you mean?” Sky asked as though Daphne had spoken in a foreign language. “Why would Evan let me go?”

“Sky, he is in love with you. He has always been in love with you.” Daphne blurted out.

Sky looked at her friend, “I know,” Sky replied.

“You know?” Daphne was confused.

“Yes, I have always known,” Sky rubbed her swollen belly. “I had hoped he would find his mate at the same time I did. I thought that would lessen the blow. I told him not to love me, not until we found out if we were mates.”

Evan had left the night she and Caleb returned. He never said goodbye, never even told them he was leaving. He had always been her friend and protector. She hoped this was not the end. “I don’t want to let him go.”

“Let go of who?” a familiar voice asked.

“Evan? Evan! You are here!” Sky couldn’t believe he was here, standing in front of her. She jumped up and hugged him. “I am so happy you came back.”

“I had to come back. Caleb called and told me you have been so upset about me leaving. I couldn’t leave you like that.” He looked at the floor. “I’m sorry Sky, I thought the best thing I could do would be to leave you alone. I felt like I needed to let you go to move on. I see now that I was wrong. I could never forget about you. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Of course, I can!” she hugged him again.

“Glad to see you two made up,” Caleb was leaning against the door watching. “Baby Girl, I hope you aren’t mad that I didn’t tell you I called him.”

“Mad? Of course not! Thank you, Babe! You gave me my friend back!” Sky ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck she pulled him to her, kissing him.

33

Her heart hurt being away from him. She wanted to run, to be with him. Why couldn’t she find the strength to walk away from her mother? Her mark had stayed her secret so far. She dreaded her mother finding out. She would tell her how stupid she is, what a waste mates are.

She rubbed her belly, “we will be ok little boy. We will be with your daddy soon enough.”

Thankfully, her baby was not yet noticeable. She stood waiting for him. She knew he would come.

“Scarlett,” his voice sent shivers up her body. “Are you ok? Is the baby, ok?”

“We are both ok. I need your help.”

“Anything,” he said.

“I need you to get me to Sky. I need to talk to her, to explain everything.”

“I don’t know if that is possible, she is under guard all the time. Not to mention Caleb.”

“Please,” she looked at him begging with her eyes. “I need to talk to her. She will help me. The girl is brilliant.”

34

‘Are you crazy?” Thor roared pacing in Caleb’s mind. “Not only did you call the wolf who is in love with our mate, but you invited him here? Now he is standing here hugging our pregnant mate. Have you completely lost your mind?’

‘I want her to be happy, to know we trust her. You trust her, don’t you?’

‘Yes, of course I do. I love her.’ Thor lay down whimpering. “I want to keep her safe, always.’

He sat at his desk going over spreadsheets. A knock on the door broke his concentration. “Come in,” he called. The door opened as Dash stepped inside. “Hey, Dash, how are you?”

“Caleb, I need to talk to you. I found my mate.”

“Congrats Dash! I’m happy for you! Where is she? I want to meet her.”

“That’s what I came to talk to you about, she is a rogue.”

“A rogue?” Caleb asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yes. I know the rule is all rogues are to be killed but, she is my mate. Her father is still a part of a pack.  She grew up never knowing who her father was until recently. Her mother rejected him after mating with him. He is a member of a very prominent pack, our pack.”

“Who is he?” Caleb asked curiously.

“I’m not sure, she didn’t tell me. Caleb, my mate is Scarlett, the daughter of your kidnapper.”

Caleb’s eyes grew wide, “Dash, you better be joking. Not only had she kidnapped him, threatened to take their pup, and tried to force him to mate with her but, she now wants them to trust her?”

“Caleb, please, I am not joking. I understand why you would not trust her but, Caleb, she’s carrying my pup.” Dash was silent as he watched Caleb’s face change from anger to an understanding. “Caleb, I know I am asking a lot, but I need you to trust me.”

“Dash you are my gamma; I do trust you. How can you ask this of me after all she has done? We will go talk to Sky; I want to know how she feels about this.

Thor was scratching at the surface, “gamma or not, how dare he ask this of us! She will hurt our mate, our pup.” Thor wanted nothing more than to attack him right now.

Dash could see the watched his eyes begin to glow telling him Thor wanted control. “Caleb, I would never ask this of you if I thought she would endanger any of you. She needs help to escape her mother. Please, Caleb, give her a chance to prove she is not evil.”

Sitting on the sofa with her friends felt like home to Sky. She had missed this. One thing would make it better, Caleb. Snuggled in his arms, surrounded by their friends, would make this moment perfect. She knew he would have to start working again but, she missed him when he left. He had to get some work done in his office. He was preparing to become Alpha soon.

The movie was almost over when she heard the door open. As if he had heard her thoughts, Caleb strode into the room followed by Dash.

“Hey, Dash, where have you been?” Daphne asked sounding like an investigator trying to catch someone in a lie.

“Hey Baby Girl,” Caleb greeted her as he planted a kiss on her forehead. “How are you and our pup? Do you need anything?”

“We just need you,” Sky answered stretching out her arms inviting him to snuggle. “Are you ok?” she asked noticing he seemed to be on edge.

“I need to talk to you; somethings have been brought to my attention.” His unease caused her stomach to feel as though butterflies were flying around it. “It involves Dash and his mate.” All eyes turned to Dash who looked as though he wanted to hide.

Pulling herself off the sofa, she took Caleb’s hand. “Let’s go talk,” she said rubbing the back of his hand to calm him. She led him up to their bedroom, closing the door she watched his tense face. “What happened Caleb? Why is it bad that Dash found his mate?” Her voice reflecting the worry she felt.

“Dash found his mate, which is good. She is carrying his pup too,” he watched her face change to sheer happiness.

“That’s amazing! I am so happy for him! We will have a new pack member soon! Who is she? I would love to meet her,” Sky was genuinely happy for Dash.

“Well, she is none other than Scarlett,” Caleb watched helplessly as her face darkened at the mention of that name.

The news made her blood run cold through her body and she shivered in response. “How can that be? How can they possibly be mates? How did he even find her?”

“He had gone out for a run when he noticed a strange scent. Cam instantly recognized it as his mate. He followed the scent to a black wolf with a streak of red on her head. Sure enough, Cam yelled “Mate!” Before Dash could do anything, the two wolves marked and mated. When they shifted to human form, Dash did not realize she was the one who had helped keep me prisoner. She went into heat almost immediately and is now carrying his pup.”

She sat there in silence. How could this be? How could fate be this cruel? That evil creature the mate to someone as loyal and fun loving, as Dash? To make matters more difficult, she is already pregnant? Sky felt like her heart may beat out of her chest. A knock on the door made her jump.

“Caleb, there is a couple of our warriors here?” Daphne said curiosity heavy in her tone. “They said they have what you asked for. Dash is with them right now.”

Sky was shocked. “You brought her here already? Before warning me?”

Caleb looked down at his feet. “I thought it would take longer for them to find her. She was standing on the boarder waiting for them. She willingly came with them and let them secure her. Baby Girl, I will find a way to deal with this. I will have them take her to the prison. I will not have you more stressed while you are pregnant. You have been through enough as have I.”

“No,” Sky sounded more determined then ever. “If I am going to be Luna, I must learn to deal with difficult situations without you shielding me from them. I have to be strong for my Alpha and for my pack. I have to face this head on.”

Caleb’s face lit up with pride. “You are amazing, Baby Girl!” He leaned over kissing her gently. “Let’s go face this together.” Taking her hand, they walked back down together.

The room was silent. Dash had filled everyone in while they were upstairs talking. Dash waited to hear Sky’s decision. He was grateful Caleb had listened and agreed to give him a chance if Sky agreed. That was something Alpha Dean would never have done. “Sky, please don’t be mad at me,” he looked down.

“Dash, I could never be mad at you because you found your mate, regardless of who she is. You did not go out and pick her, she was chosen for you. You are a good and loyal pack member and gamma; this leads me to believe Scarlett can not be all that bad. The Moon Goddess would not give you a purely evil mate.” Sky’s words were sincere, Scarlett can’t be completely evil.

Dash could feel tears stinging the back of his eyes. Nobody had ever seen the real him so easily. He had tried to be the tough, fearless, playboy that didn’t need anyone to know how he really felt. He understood why Sky is Caleb’s perfect mate. Together, they will rule with love and fairness. It would be a welcomed change.

35

“Wow, who died?” Gideon asked walking in. He glanced at Caleb who nodded in return. Evan understood that nod. The warriors from his pack and Caleb’s pack were on their way with Scarlett.

Dash knew she was nearby. He could feel her. She had agreed to Caleb’s rules as a way to show her sincerity. She wanted a normal life. She was tired of the rogue way. Her “pack” had started becoming a bit more like a pack but, it was not the same. She had agreed to allow the guards to take her into custody providing they did not harm her or her pup. She had gone to the meeting point earlier then needed and waited patiently for the guards to appear. Evan had sent guards too as his pack had a treaty with Caleb’s pack. She followed them without any issue.

“Sky, Baby, are you ready?” Caleb’s voice soothing her a bit as she knew he would protect her if need be.

“I am.” Her mind was racing, her heart felt as though it would burst from her chest. ‘I can do this,’ she told herself. She heard the knock on the door. She’s here.

‘Mate! Our mate is here!’ Cam could hardly contain himself. He wanted control. He wanted to hold her, to love her, to tell him he loves her.

‘Be patient,’ Dash was trying to reassure him. As the door opened, the lavender scent of his mate filled his senses nearly driving him crazy. As she was led into the large room, Dash was doing all he could to keep Cam from attacking the guards who were holding his pregnant mate. “Scarlett? Are you ok? Is the pup, ok?”

She smiled at him, “we are both fine. They have kept their word.”

Dash felt someone watching him. He turned to find Sky watching him with curious eyes. Her face said she understood how he felt when Scarlett was brought in. She had protectively covered her belly with her hands but slowly, they were beginning to trail down towards her sides. She turned her gaze to Scarlett who looked at Dash and then back to Sky.

Sky’s own voice sounded foreign to her. “Why? Why did you take him? Why did you take my mate?” Her eyes reflected the power in her voice. The deep stormy blue color was glowing unusually bright.

“Luna, I am sorry. I stand before you here today begging your forgiveness.” She sounded so sincere. “I was blindly loyal to my mother. I didn’t question her truth or motives. I followed her in hopes of seeing the truth she had spoken of my entire life. I see now I should have questioned her. I should have been able to see the lies she was spreading. She had lied to my father, telling him she loved him, and she lied to me. She had told me Caleb’s mother tried to kill her, that she had drugged Alpha Dean with silver and wolfsbane, forcibly marking and mating with him. When I found my mate, he told me the truth. I knew I could believe it because the mate’s bond is so strong. He would never lie to me.” She looked at Dash with so much love and hope. “I did not believe in the mate’s bond. My mother had convinced me Alpha Dean was her true mate. I believed I was helping my mother save Alpha Dean.”

“She is crazy!” Cherub’s voice made them all jump. “How could she lie to everyone? Her own daughter? She rejected her mate and still thought she could become Luna by mating her daughter to my son like some piece of trash.”

“Mom, when did you get here?” Caleb asked surprise to see both his parents standing there. His father had been expected, but he didn’t realize his mother would want to be here too.

She looked at Scarlett, “you poor girl, I am sorry she did this to you. A mother is supposed to love her children not use them.” Cherub’s eyes were shinning with tears.

“You must be Cherub, and that would make you Alpha Dean?” Scarlett was looking at them both as if they would suddenly attack and kill her. She could not believe this tiny little blonde standing beside the towering Alpha Dean was the woman her mother tried to kill. She could not have subdued Alpha Dean. The Alpha emitted strength and power, it seemed to flow from him like a stream flows down a mountain. “I am sorry, I should not have fallen for her lies. As an alpha myself, I know it is not easy to trick us. I should have seen through her deceits. I am sorry for my part in this plan.”

Sky had been listening and watching every move. She could tell Scarlett was being sincere. Her body language, the way she spoke, and the fact she made eye contact, showed she was telling the truth. ‘Sky, her wolf, Jade, says it is all true. She even submitted to me and asked for our forgiveness,’ Aria explained. For an Alpha wolf to apologize and submit, meant it was the truth and there would be no further danger.

“I believe her,” Sky surprised everyone with her words.

“Baby Girl?” Caleb asked not sure if he imagined it. “Did you say you believe her?” he asked.

“You do?” Dash couldn’t contain his happiness. “Thank you, Luna Sky, thank you!”

“DASH!” Caleb roared, “you need to give her a minute.” Sky was staring wide eyed at him as if he had lost his mind. “She needs to figure out what that means. Sky was watching all of them with a hand on her very pregnant belly.

“I need to sit down.” She had been feeling pains on and off all day. She chalked it up to stress. She held on to Caleb’s hand as he helped her sit down on the sofa.

“Baby Girl, are you ok, should I get the pack doctor?” He sounded so worried.

“I’m fine, just a few cramps. It happens with pregnancy.” She tried to convince herself as well as Caleb. “Scarlett, I need you to prove your loyalty.”

“I will do what it takes to prove to you I am not her.” For the first time, Scarlett sounded hopeful.

“I want you to help us defeat your mother. I do not want you to harm her, I want to ensure she can not do anything like this again. I want to take away her ability to harm anyone again.”

“Luna Sky, I will be honored to help you, to prove my allegiance to the Moon Warriors pack. I am truly sorry for my role in all of this, if I had known the truth, I would not have helped her. Everything she told me was a lie. She needs to be stopped. She will try to kill my mate and my pup if she finds out about them. I have to protect them.” She could no longer hold back her tears. It had been years since she cried, she was seven. Her mother had told her how she banished her father forever to the life of a rogue. All the years of lies, anger, broken promises came flooding from her eyes. She didn’t try to stop them, she let the sobs come.

Warm arms wrapped around her blanketing her in comfort and genuine concern. She had never felt those things before. She held on as if she may float away with her tears. She had no idea how long she sobbed into the shoulder of the person holding her as she cried for all the wrongs she had done. She had assumed it was Cherub holding her, her face echoed her surprise as she looked into the blue eyes of Luna Sky. “Why?” she sniffed, “why would you comfort me when I took Caleb and kept him away from you for all that time?”

She wiped her tears; I realize it was not you. A daughter’s love for her mother is a strong force. I can understand why you wanted to help your mother.” Sky’s voice sounded strange. It had found the power of a true Luna. “We in the Moon Warrior’s pack, will give you a chance to redeem yourself. However, if you betray the trust, we are extending to you, not even your mate will be able to protect you.” Sky’s eyes glowed a bright blue when she said these last words.

“Sky, this is your decision? You are sure it is the one you want to make?” Caleb knew it was. “If you need,”

“No,” she cut him off.  “This is the choice I am making. I am trusting our gamma. I believe she will help. If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility.”

“Luna Sky?” Dash asked.

She looked up at Dash, “Yes?”

“Thank you for trusting me and giving my mate a second chance.”

“Don’t let me down Dash, I know you won’t.”  Sky took Caleb’s hand giving it a gentle squeeze, “I believe it is your turn to speak, My Love.”

“Dash, you are my Gamma, I have absolute trust in you. Scarlett is your mate. The Moon Goddess has put you together for reasons unbeknown to us. My beautiful Luna has agreed to give Scarlett a second chance. As the next Alpha of this pack, I am giving you my approval to allow Scarlett a chance and opportunity to join our pack, provided she proves her loyalty. Let it be known, any betrayal and not even you will be able to protect her.”

Evan was looking between all of them, “As future Alpha of the Moon Storm pack, I also agree on behalf of my pack, to follow Luna Sky’s direction.”

Alpha Dean and Luna Cherub had been quiet. “As Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack, I too agree with Luna Sky. Luna Cherub spoke next, “I agree with Luna Sky. I want to allow her to have a chance to rejoin her pack. We want to thank Evan and the Moon Storm pack for their continued alliance and for his personal support.”

Daphne and Gideon shared a smile before announcing they too agreed with Sky.

“Guards, you may release her,” Alpha Dean announced.

As soon as the chains dropped to the floor, she ran to Dash wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed him, “I have missed you so much!” She turned facing the others, “I will never forget what you have done for me. I do not know how I will ever repay your kindness. I have to ask for one thing, please don’t harm my pack. They are in the dark as I was. They are good and kind, they only ever wanted a place to belong, a place to be accepted.”

“Spoken like a true Alpha,” Caleb was impressed. She asked for her pack’s safety instead of hers or her mother’s. “Once we have dealt with your mother, all members of your pack will be welcome to join the Moon Warriors pack. That is, of course, if it is your plan to stay here and become a member yourself?”

“Thank you Alpha, I had hoped to stay here and become an official member of this pack. I do not want to be without my mate, I know he would go with me to my pack, but I feel as though I would be happier here with him, of course, that is if he wants me to stay?” Scarlett looked at Dash as she said the last part.

“She’s staying!” Dash yelled excitedly. He scooped Scarlett into his arms twirling her around happily.

“The matter is settled.” Alpha Dean said. “I have an announcement to make, tomorrow will be a very special day for our pack, Luna Cherub and I have arranged a very special event. Our son and future Alpha Caleb Mason, will welcome officially into our pack, his mate and future Luna, Sky Masters.” Everyone clapped and cheered. “We have arranged for their wedding to take place at the same time.” The cheers got louder.

A shriek caused everyone to look at Daphne, “Sky! We have to find you a dress!” 

“May I come too?” Luna Cherub asked.

“Don’t forget about me!”

“Mom?” Sky was shocked to see her mother and father standing by the door.

“Surprise!” Alpha Dean shouted, “You couldn’t become an official member without your parents here.” He was smiling from ear to ear.

“Scarlett? Would you like to come too?” Sky asked.

“I will stay here, I have not seen my mate in a while,” She looked at Dash smiling.

36

It was strange waking up without Sky. He hated it. He wished Daphne had not insisted they spend the night apart, “The room can’t see the bride until the ceremony,” he snorted. They were already mated and marked; the wedding was just an excuse for a party. The most important part of today, will be Sky officially joining the pack.

Time ticked by slowly today. He had tried to do some work but had not been very successful. He returned a few phone calls, not matter how hard he tried, his mind wandered. He thought about the first time he had seen Sky, beautiful, sexy, smart, strong, and his. He would spend the rest of his life keeping her safe and happy. ‘When the little one comes, I will be complete,’ he thought to himself.

A knock on the door interrupted hi thoughts.

“Hey Buddy, you hangin’ in there?” Gideon asked looking in from the doorway.

“Yeah, I just want to see her,” Caleb looked like a lost puppy.

“It’s about time to go.”

“Hey, I hope you didn’t think I was staying out of this,” Dash’s face appeared in the doorway as well.

“You can come in, I won’t bite,” Caleb chuckled. “Where’s your mate?” he asked expecting Scarlett to be with him.

“She is with your mother. Luna Cherub offered to sit with her and answered questions about what really happened,” Dash couldn’t hide the worry in his voice. “I just hope she doesn’t get too stressed out, it’s not good for the pup.”

“Well, I’ll be damned, look who’s growing up!” Gideon said smiling sarcastically at Dash.

“Daddy Dash,” who’d have thought, Caleb smirked. “Gideon, it’s your turn now!” Caleb looked at him, his eyes gleaming with laughter.

“Actually, Daphne is pregnant,” he let out a breath. “Don’t tell her, I told you. We were supposed to wait. Anyway, she had her heat while you and Sky were, you know, not home. We were going to wait until after the ceremonies to tell anyone.”

Dash and Caleb looked at each other, “Welcome to the Daddy club!” they cheered in unison.

Evan had heard them from outside the door. He was asked to bring them down to the clearing where the ceremony would take place. He felt a pang of jealousy in his chest as he thought of how it would feel to have a mate and a child. He sighed as he knocked, “Ok boys, we are all needed in our places or else Luna Cherub and Daphne will murder us. Caleb, there is a gorgeous woman waiting for you,” he flashed him a genuine smile. He had finally accepted Sky belonged with Caleb. He was happy for them. He only hoped he would be lucky enough to find his mate and feel the way these two do about each other.

As they reached the clearing, Caleb took his place next to his father and Gideon. His father would perform the wedding ceremony but first, Caleb would perform the joining ceremony. He couldn’t wait to see Sky. As the music began playing, he watched the entrance to the clearing. He saw her enter, he looked up meeting her eyes. It felt as though they were the only two there despite the large crowd. She looked gorgeous. She was wearing a white flowing gown. The dress was the epitome of a princess dress. It had light blue beading which made her eyes pop. It flowed out in the back creating an exquisite train which trailed a few feet behind her as she walked. Her dark chocolate covered hair was done in a half up with a tiara covered in diamonds. The perfectly curled tendrils fell gracefully around her face. She held a simple blue rose bouquet. Her father stood next to her. She had her arm through his and he was patting her hand. She glanced over seeing tears form in his eyes which he quickly wiped away.

“Are you ready Princess?” he asked, kissing her hand gently.

“Yes Daddy, I love you,” she smiled at him.

They walked through the clearing together. As they reached Caleb, her father whispered, “take care of her,” as he placed her hand in Caleb’s. He kissed her cheek before turning to walk to his place beside his wife.

 Caleb smiled as he looked into Sky’s eyes. “You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you,” she replied, a slight blush visible under her makeup.

Alpha Dean stood up. He was wearing the official ceremonial robes. “Welcome one and all, we are about to begin. Please take your seats. Caleb, please begin.”

Caleb kissed her hand. “Sky Masters, we are here today to officially welcome you into the Moon Warriors pack. Is it your intentions to join this pack?”

“Yes, I wish to pledge my loyalty, honor and respect to the Moon Warriors Pack.” She answered happily.

“Do you swear to be loyal to the moon warriors pack, to never betray the pack, and to protect the pack?”

“I do,” she answered.

“Do you agree to accept me as your Alpha and mate?” he asked?

“Her heart fluttered in her chest.”

“Yes, my love,” she answered.

He smiled at her. His father handed him the ceremonial dagger. It had a wooden handle with a gold ribbon around it. The blade was thin and had sapphires on one side and emeralds on the other. Caleb pulled the blade along his palm making a cut which bled instantly. The blood began dripping from his hand. “Sky?” he asked holding out his nonbleeding hand for hers. She stretched out her hand to him. He did the same to hers. Her blood flowed down her palm. He took his bleeding hand and pressed it to hers. She felt her pack link to the Moon Storm pack break, like a stick over a knee. Almost instantly, she could hear in her mind the congratulations from all her new pack members. As the voices grew louder, she had to shut off the link.

“Sky, you are now an official member and future Luna of the Moon Warriors pack!” The crowd erupted into cheers.

Alpha Dean stood up, taking a few steps to stand in front. “We will now join Caleb and Sky in matrimony!” The cheers grew louder. After a few minutes, Alpha Dean’s voice boomed, “Please, everyone, take your seats. We will now begin the marriage ceremony.”

As they said their vows and I do’s, Rayne began kicking. Sky put her hand on her belly, “She is kicking. Our little girl is happy too.” She was gently rubbing her belly.

As the others stood to begin heading to the pack house, Alpha Dean’s voice made them all freeze. “We are not quite done. Luna Cherub and I have a very special announcement to make.” Everyone sat back down. Caleb and Sky looked at his parents, confusion evident on their faces. “Luna Cherub, will you please join me, my love.” He held his hand out for her to take. As she reached his side, he spoke. “Luna Cherub and I have agreed, it is time to pass our titles, acting Alpha and Luna to our son and daughter, Caleb and Sky Mason.” Gasps were heard around the clearing and were quickly followed by happy howls and cheers. Caleb and Sky looked at each other, shock on both their faces.

A moment of silence passed before Caleb Spoke. “Father, Sky and I will be honored to become acting Luna and Alpha. We thank you both for the honor and faith you have bestowed upon us this day.”

“I Alpha Dean, hereby give my title of Alpha to my son, Caleb Mason. He has proven to be a leader of honor and respect. He has shown his courage and dedication to his pack.”

“I, Caleb Mason accept with great thanks and respect the title of Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack.” With those words, Caleb was encircled in a green light frozen in time for a moment. As the glowing stopped, he lifted his shirt to reveal the Alpha’s mark on his upper right chest.

Luna Cherub stepped forward next. “Are you ready?” She asked Sky.

“Yes Luna,” she replied bowing her head in respect. Luna Cherub smiled at her.

“I, Luna Cherub of the Moon Warriors pack do hereby give my title of Luna to my amazing daughter, Sky. She has proven to be fearless, honorable, and most importantly, loving. She will always be loyal to her pack and my son, her mate and Alpha, Caleb Mason.”

“I, Sky Mason accept with honor and respect the title of Luna of the Moon Warriors pack.” As she finished speaking, she was encircled in a brilliant blue light. As the glowing faded, the Luna’s mark appeared on her right shoulder.

“As Alpha of the Moon Warriors pack, I thank you all for your trust and loyalty. I do believe it is time for cake!” As he said those words, the clearing erupted in loud cheers! They headed through the clearing and to the pack house.

The reception was being held in the massive ballroom. Sky had planned on staying in her dress but had decided more comfortable clothing would be better. Rayne must have felt the excitement because she was moving like crazy. Rayne could be born at any time. Since she has alpha blood, she grows much faster than a normal pup.

“Baby Girl, Mrs. Mason, how are you feeling? Do you need to rest? I am sure our guests would understand.” He couldn’t help but worry. Sky had gotten a bit winded.

“Yes, I think I need to sit down with you for a bit.”

“Say no more,” He scooped her up into his arms. He carried her through the doors and into the sitting room across the hall. He shut the doors to give them some privacy. She stretched out her hands for him to come sit with her. He sat next to her and put his arm around her. She lay down putting her feet up on the arm of the sofa and her head in his lap.

She had felt so tired the last few days. She didn’t feel any different, if Rayne was coming, wouldn’t she feel different? She felt better lying down snuggled up with Caleb. She fell asleep quickly. He stroked her hair as she slept. He couldn’t help but worry. She is his world. She and their pup. She began to stir, “Oh, Caleb, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. How long was I out?”

“You slept for a little less then an hour. Do you want to go upstairs? You can lie down in bed?” He could not hide his worry.

“I feel better now. I think I just got overwhelmed. I would like to go celebrate some more with our pack,” she smiled at him trying to hide her own worry.

He cocked an eyebrow at her, “are you sure you are up for it?”

“Yes, I really want to.”

“We can do that but. Promise me you will tell me if you need to rest again.” He gave her a look asking with his eyes.

“I promise,” she smiled sweetly.

A minute later, they walked back into the ballroom. The music was pumping, people were dancing all around the room.

“There you are!” Dash shouted above the music. “What did you do, sneak off for some alone time?” he waggled his eyebrows at Caleb.

“Babe don’t tease them,” Scarlett scolded him as she gently held his arm. “Congrats to both of you. Thank you for allowing me to take part in the celebration.” She flashed them both a smile.

“Of course, you are welcome, you are going to be a part of this pack,” Sky smiled happily at her. “You will always be a part of our lives. As dash’s mate, and a member of this pack, you will always belong with us.” Sky spoke with such sincerity there was no room for any questions.

Scarlett was left speechless. This girl is truly amazing. She had never known someone could be capable of such sincere forgiveness.

“Please, enjoy the party,” Caleb said motioning towards the party. Sky waved over her shoulder as Caleb steered her towards a sitting area where Daphne and Gideon were sitting. “Are you ok Baby Girl?” he asked watching her as though she may break at any second.

“Yes, I am fine but. I am really hungry,” she admitted.

“You sit, I will get you some food.” With that he walked away towards the buffet.

“Hey Sky, how are you feeling,” Daphne asked.
“I am ok, I feel a bit weird but, I am good.” She finished her sentence as a twinge of pain shot across her belly. She tried to hide the shock and pain that flashed across her face. She gently placed her hand on her belly.

“Sky? Is something wrong?” Daphne looked concerned.

“No, nothings wrong. I just have a bit of indigestion.” She sounded as though she was trying to convince herself as well. She had been getting the pains on and off for the past few days. She hadn’t told anyone because she did not want everyone to worry about her. She could go into labor at any time. She was over three months which meant Rayne could be born without any issues. Sky knew it wouldn’t be long until she had her little girl. Rayne would make her life complete.

37

The hours had flown by. The party was winding down. Everyone had danced, eaten, and enjoyed one of the biggest celebrations this pack had ever had. As they walked up the stairs together, she felt another pain. This one hurt more. She let out a long breath.

Caleb froze. “Sky, my love, are you in pain? Do you need the doctor?” 

“I am fine. I just felt a little pain,” her voice sounded shaky even to her. She couldn’t hide the tears in her eyes.

Without another word, He picked her up bridal style. Turning, he flew down the stairs using his wolf speed. As he ran, he mind linked the pack doctor, “pack hospital NOW! Something’s wrong with Sky!”

“I will meet you there,” Doctor Moss answered immediately.

“Caleb swung the door to the pack house open; the rain began pouring in through the open door. Grabbing a coat from the coat rack, he threw it over Sky before dashing out into the rain.

“Agh, it hurts!” She couldn’t help but cry out. The sharp pain felt as though she was being squeezed from the inside. The pain began to subside. As they reached the hospital, another pain, more intense, came. Her eyes began to glow the beautiful sapphire blue signaling Aria was helping. At that moment she realized Rayne had decided to make her way into the world tonight. She is really in labor. “Caleb, Rayne is coming,” she said through clenched teeth as another pain began to grow. As the pack hospital came into view, she felt a pop sensation from within her. Caleb seemed to have heard it.

“Baby Girl how are you doing?” he asked charging through the doors of the hospital. “DOC!” Caleb yelled, “Where are you? The pup is coming! Doctor Moss!”

“Caleb, I’m here. Bring the Luna in this room.”

As Caleb entered the room, Sky marveled at the sheer size of it. It would be their own private room. No one would be allowed to enter without permission from Caleb himself, or permission from Sky. The room was beautifully decorated with pretty green walls and cream-colored trim. The privacy curtain matched the walls perfectly. Even the ceiling was decorated. The tiles were painted to look like the sky on a warm summer’s day. It felt more like a luxury spa then a hospital.

As Caleb gently placed her on the bed, another pain, more intense than any before, wracked her body. Sky felt a warm liquid run down her leg. She couldn’t help it, she was scared, in pain, and now soaked.

“Oh, my Goddess! My water broke!” she gasped. She knew she would soon be holding her pup in her arms. The pains were becoming more intense. Aria was absorbing as much of them as she could, but Sky would have to feel it too. She tried to remember the breathing techniques she had learned from the doctor. It wasn’t helping.

She felt another one coming. She grit her teeth trying to contain the scream building in her throat. She couldn’t help it, “it hurts!” she yelled, “it hurts so bad!” She didn’t realize she was gripping Caleb’s hands hard enough to cut off the circulation.

“Sky,” Doctor Moss spoke, “Caleb is going to undress you and help you into a gown. Then we can check you, with Alpha’s permission of course, to see how far along you are. I am guessing you are pretty close to giving birth.” He then left the room giving them privacy.

“Ok Baby Girl, arms up.” He gently pulled her shirt over her head. He then pulled back the blanket and peeled off her soaked pants. He put some bed pads from the cupboard under her to make her a bit more comfortable. He helped her slip the gown over her arms with the opening in the back to help keep her covered. Sky lay back on the bed. The doctor knocked asking permission before entering. “With Alpha’s permission, I can check you to see how long you have until your pup is here.” Doctor Moss waited for Caleb’s permission before approaching Sky. Male wolves are extremely protective of their mates, especially if they are in pain. Alpha wolves can be very dangerous for any other male.

“You can check,” Caleb said, his green eyes glowing to warn the doctor Thor is watching.

As the doctor began to check, Sky’s eyes began to glow blue. ‘Relax now Sky, I am going to take more of the pain away,’ Aria explained.

When the doctor finished his exam, he took off his gloves as he announced it would only be a couple more hours. “I will be back in a while to check on you,” he said bowing his head in respect as he left.

“Baby Girl, are you doing ok? The pain seems to be better.” He had been concerned when her eyes began to glow as the doc checked her.

“I’m ok, Aria is helping by taking more of the pain. I am so tired.” She looked at him, her hair wet with sweat. “I just want to meet our pup.”

Caleb leaned down gently kissing her hand. “I love you Baby Girl, now and forever.”

She smiled at him as she closed her eyes. She was concentrating on the rain hitting the windows. A loud clap of thunder made her jump. ‘I must have dozed off,” she realized as she tried to focus her eyes. It was dark in the room, a bright flash of lightening followed by a loud crack of thunder made her jump again. “Agh!” She couldn’t help but let out a yelp. She felt the familiar warm, strong hands holding hers. “Caleb,” she whispered looking at him.

“I am right here, Baby Girl, how are you feeling? Aria took over all the pain for a while so you could rest.”

“Oh,” a sharp pain followed by an undeniable urge to push forced Sky back to reality. “The pup is coming right now!” She couldn’t stop herself; her body took over knowing what to do. She began pushing.

“Doctor Moss! The pup is coming!” Caleb yelled at the door. No response. “Doctor Moss, can’t you hear me? The pup is coming!” Caleb yelled louder this time.

“He can’t hear you,” a creepy female voice said. It almost sounded like it was mixed with the sound a snake makes. Another flash of lightning followed by a huge clap of thunder illuminated the room.

Caleb recognized that voice, “YOU! Stay away. I will rip your throat out with my bare hands!” Caleb growled dangerously.

“She’s coming! She’s coming now!” Sky spoke through gritted teeth. She let out a howl of pain. “Caleb, protect our daughter, protect Rayne!” Sky shrieked.

“Don’t worry, Rayne will be fine, too bad about her parents though,” the voice said.

“NO!” Caleb roared, he lept at the door as he shifted. The figure took off down the corridor with Caleb following close behind, leaving Sky alone in her room.

Scarlett had been restless all night. She couldn’t shake the feeling something is very wrong. The storm raging outside making her more uneasy. She got out of bed and began pacing. “Dash, Dash wake up. Something is wrong.”

“What? Are you ok? Is the pup, ok?” Dash asked sitting straight up, wide awake now.

“The pup and I are fine, this is something else.”

“I will link Caleb and make sure everything is ok.” As Dash’s eyes got the familiar faraway look, her anxiety grew.

Dash suddenly jumped out of bed, Sky is having the pup, she is alone in her room, the doctor is missing, and Caleb is after someone who is trying to take Rayne!” Dash shouted. He got the far away look again. Within minutes, the noise of the storm was echoed by howls of war.

38

The howls of war were greeted by rogues pouring in, crashing through the brush.

Evan’s voice echoed through the house, “we have to get to Sky, she is having her pup and she is alone. Caleb is fighting, and rogues are invading!” He paused for a moment as he linked his father, “Send warriors, the Moon Warriors are under attack!”

“I have to get to her!” Daphne yelled, “She is my sister!” She flung the door open and disappeared into the darkness.

 “Daphne, wait!” Gideon yelled trying to catch up with her.

“Gideon, Evan, what the hell is going on? Scarlett took off and I can’t find her!”

Daphne heard Dash’s words, ‘I knew we couldn’t trust her,’ Daphne thought to herself. As she ran, two rogues blocked her path. Without stopping, she shifted, her wolf Sydney running faster towards the pack hospital.

“Oh, Goddess, she is almost here!” She was alone, the storm raging on outside. She could feel the turmoil of her pack as they fought against the rogues.

“Sky?” a familiar voice called.

“In here,” she yelled, “please hurry, I need help!”

Scarlett ran towards the sound of Sky’s voice. She could smell blood but also the faint scent of a new wolf.

“Sky? Are you in here?” Scarlett asked as she opened the curtain.

“Oh, my Goddess!” She could not believe what she was seeing. Sky was sitting on the bed, soaked with sweat, holding a brand-new baby girl, the umbilical cord still attached. The pup had just been born. Sky had managed to deliver her pup, completely alone, in the middle of an attack on her pack.

“Scarlett, is that you?” Sky whispered, still trying to catch her breath. “Scarlett, can you please grab a towel and a blanket?” Sky sounded as though she could fall asleep at any moment.

Scarlett grabbed a couple towels, a diaper, and a couple of blankets. “Sky, did you deliver her alone? Where is the doctor? Where is Caleb?” Scarlett could not imagine having her pup completely alone. She was in awe of Sky’s strength. This girl, this woman, is utterly amazing. She knew she would never meet anyone as strong as Sky. “Let me help you,” Scarlett said. She opened the drawers in the little cart. She found the clamps used for the umbilical cord as well as the scissors they used to cut through it. “Luna, may I,” she asked showing Sky the items.

“Yes, please. Then We can diaper her and wrap her up comfortably. Sky said a bit louder this time.

Once she had cut the cord, she helped Sky wipe Rayne off with the soft towels. They put a diaper on her, and wrapped her in warm, pink blankets. Scarlett felt the warm tears roll silently down her cheek.

Sky shifted Rayne to her other side and held out her hand to Scarlett. She simply said, “thank you.”

Scarlett sobbed as she heard those words. “Sky, I am begging your forgiveness.” I am truly sorry for all the wrong I have done to you and Caleb,” the sobs got harder.

“Scarlett, I forgive you.” She sounded much more like herself. Aria was healing her faster than a normal wolf.

Scarlett dropped to her knees as sobs shook her body. “Thank you, Luna,” Scarlett said still holding Sky’s hand. “Sky, I wish to honor you with the Luna’s pledge, if you will accept me,” Scarlett was watching Sky hopefully.

“I will accept your Luna’s Pledge if you are sure you want to do this. It is an unbreakable bond as you know.”

Scarlett’s eyes turned the reddish amber color signaling Jade was in agreeance. “I Scarlett Heeler, pledge my loyalty and respect to Luna Sky Mason of the Moon Warriors pack. I promise to protect her and guard her and her children from all enemies wishing them harm. I will, without failure or hesitation give my life so they may live. This is my Luna Pledge.” Scarlett was on her knees with her head bowed and still clinging to Sky’s hand. This pledge is the highest honor a wolf can give to their Luna. The pledge can only be spoken with absolute honesty, trust, and respect. It is impossible to break as it is sealed by the Moon Goddess.

Sky was stunned to receive such an honor. She had never dreamed of anyone honoring her in such a way. Scarlett had threatened her mate and her child, yet here she was pledging the Luna Pledge to Sky. “I Sky Mason, Luna of the Moon Warriors pack, accept your Luna Pledge Scarlett Heeler.” As she said those words, a bright white light flowed from between there hands. When it had gone, they two wolves looked at their palms. A small “sls” was in the center of each one. This was the true mark of the Luna Pledge. The letters stood for Scarlett Luna Sky. From her arms, a tiny little cry began. “I think she approves,” Sky smiled.

The sound of thundering paws came from the corridor. Scarlett jumped to her feet, “I will protect you, Luna.”

The sound stopped abruptly. “Sky!” Cherub’s frantic voice broke the silence. “Sky, where are you!” Cherub turned the corner into Sky’s room. “You!” she shrieked as her eyes met Scarlett, “get away from her now!”

“Luna Cherub, please stop! She will not hurt us. She swore the Luna Pledge to us. She helped me.”

Cherub was in awe. She had been Luna for years yet, nobody had ever sworn the Luna Pledge to her. Sky truly is special, she thought to herself. “Where is Caleb? Where is Doctor. Moss?

Sky burst into tears. “There was a woman, she wanted to kill me, and Caleb then take Rayne.”

A low growl filled the room, “my mother,” Scarlett growled. “She must be here.”

“Caleb!” Cherub yelled! “I have to find my son!” She raced out the door.

“Luna, I can stop the rogues. They are my pack. They are loyal to me.” Scarlett knew they would listen to her. She turned and shifted before heading out the door.

“Well Rayne, it is just you and me now. Let’s go find your Daddy.” She placed Rayne on the bed gently. Holding onto the bed for support, she stood up. Her legs felt a bit strange, but she could at least stand. She reached the closet by the head of her bed, opening the door, she pulled a clean blanket from inside. She wrapped it around herself before picking up Rayne. She turned and slowly headed out the door in the same direction Cherub had gone.

39

When Scarlett reached the front steps of the hospital, she was shocked at the bloody scene in front of her. Her pack was fighting the very pack she had agreed to join. Her eyes glazed over as she attempted the pack link. It had worked before; it was now her only chance. “Blood Moon pack, STOP!” She yelled through the pack link. “As your Alpha, I order you to stop.” A strange silence spread across the land as all the wolves stopped fighting. “I was never in danger from this pack. I have found my mate. I am having his pup. My mother lied to you as she did to me. As your Alpha, I have decided to join our pack with the Moon Warriors pack. Alpha Caleb and Luna Sky have agreed to offer all of us a place in the pack.”

Ten rogues had encircled the four of them. They were growling and snarling as they waited to attack. Evan knew this was bad. He was injured, he was healing but still bleeding and limping. Gideon and Dash were both bloodied as well. Daphne on the other hand was completely unscathed. She had taken down eight rogues on her own before jumping into the circle with them. Her wolf, Sydney, is as brutal as she is beautiful.

“On my word, we attack, Gideon said through the link. Dash nodded in agreement as did Daphne. Evan nodded his understanding despite not being in the mind link. “One. Two. Thr… What the?” As they watched in astonishment, the ten rogues stopped circling and lay down on the ground putting their heads in their paws. It was not only a show of surrender but a show of submission as well.

“Moon Warriors pack do not fight or hurt them. They have been ordered to surrender by their Alpha Scarlett, who has sworn the Luna Pledge to me. They will be allowed to join our pack if they so choose.” Sky’s voice through the pack link gave a sense of peace to the pack. “All will be explained soon.”

The rain was still pouring down as the storm continued through the dark. “We have to get to the pack hospital. She could still be in danger,” Evan had to see her before he could believe she is safe. They all took off in the direction of the pack hospital. The place was silent and completely dark. The only light coming from the small emergency lights in the corridors. They had to use their wolf vision to see where things were. They reached a hallway leading up a flight of stairs. Evan sniffed the air. He caught a whiff of Sky’s scent. “This way,” he said heading up to the second floor. As they reached the top of the stairs, he could hear quiet footsteps from down the hall in front of them. He took a step but froze abruptly, he had heard the tiniest little cry.

40

“Why? Why do you want to hurt us? Sky and I have done nothing to you!” Caleb dodged to the left as Veronica scratched at him again. The lightning flashed against the silver claws attached to her fingers. She held a silver dagger in the other hand. She would be no match for him if it wasn’t for those. She swiped at him again with the dagger.

He jumped at her trying to knock her to the ground. She whipped around grazing his shoulder with the silver claws. He had to be careful. A well-placed stab with either could pierce his heart and kill him. The rain was pouring down, soaking them, and causing everything to become slippery.

Veronica charged at him again, swinging wildly with the dagger and the claws. She swiped at his chest. He dodged just as she struck at him again. He leapt up on to a vent pipe to avoid being slashed. The dagger sliced his arm, burning as it went releasing a trail of blood. She smiled as she watched the blood. She lunged at him with her dagger outstretched. He jumped to the edge of the roof to avoid her. He jumped from the edge straight at her, his foot connecting hard with her side, he could hear the crack as some of her ribs broke. She shrieked as she fell. He tried to knock the dagger from her hand as she tried to stand back up. The dagger flew as his hand collided with hers. She only had her claws left. He couldn’t tell how they were connected to her fingers without hurting her.

He jumped up onto the vent again, landing another kick to her back. She stumbled but as Caleb jumped at her again, she grabbed his leg forcing him to the ground. He fell hard. As his head hit the gravel roof, he could feel the warm blood mixing with the cool water from the rain.

Veronica laughed, a crazed look in her eyes, she jumped on him. He grabbed her wrists as she tried to plunge the claws into his chest, his vision was blurring as he tried to keep from passing out from his injury. She took advantage of his weakened state, the claws were getting closer. Caleb struggled against her. He felt the warm blood splatter across his face and chest as the tip of her silver dagger stuck out of her chest. She shrieked as she realized what had happened. Her face distorted as a strange green smoke began to pour from her. Her eyes darkened as the life left her body. He pushed her to the side as he sat up looking into the eyes of his mother.

“Caleb, my son, are you injured?” she began scanning him looking for any sign of injuries. Thor had managed to heal most of them.

“Mom, how did you find me?” he asked.

“I followed your scent. A mother will always protect her child no matter their age. When I saw Veronica on top of you, I grabbed the dagger from the ground and stabbed her. She should have been delt with years ago.”

“Thank you for saving me, I have to get back to Sky, she is having Rayne!”

“Darling, she had Rayne,” Cherub watched his face change to confusion. “Congratulations son, you are a Daddy.”

41

“She’s dead, my mother is dead.” Scarlett felt it when she died. It had to be done. Her mother had let revenge consume her. Her pack had assembled in front of the pack hospital. They watched in silence as she shifted silently. She sat down on the steps letting out a long mournful howl. The pack members followed her lead. To her surprise, members of the Moon Warriors pack joined them. They hung their heads in sorrow for their lost pack member.

They sat there in silence for a while. Scarlett felt Dash come up beside her. She shifted, followed by the rest of her pack. “As alpha of the Blood Moon pack, I hear by relinquish my position to Alpha Caleb Mason. He has proven to be trustworthy, fair, and a brave Alpha. I have entered the Luna’s Pledge with the Luna of the Pack, Sky Mason. My mate in the Gamma of this pack. Alpha Caleb has agreed to allow any member of our pack to join his pack. It is your choice. I will be joining the pack on the next full moon.” As she finished her speech, she felt Dash’s strong arms wrap around her. She turned burying her face in his shoulder as she cried. “Please, take me to Sky,” she whispered. He scooped her up and headed into the hospital.

42

Sky sat on the sofa surrounded by Evan, Daphne, and Gideon. They had found her trying to reach the roof in an attempt to help Caleb. Evan had carried her and Rayne into a room. He had held Rayne as Daphne helped Sky get clean and put on comfy clothes. She now sat on the bed feeding Rayne. Evan fell in love with Rayne the minute he saw her. He was proud when Sky introduced him to Rayne as Uncle Evan.

The most beautiful sight greeted him as he entered the room, his beautiful mate sat holding their precious daughter.

“Caleb!” Sky shrieked happily; tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

He crossed the room to her, “Sky, Baby Girl, I am so sorry,” he began.

“Sh. You have nothing to be sorry for,” she said as she smiled up at him. “Thank Goddess you are ok, I have someone who wants to meet her Daddy.” He looked at the little pup in her arms, she opened her tiny eyes and looked at him. He was amazed to see she had one stormy blue colored eye, and one emerald, green colored eye. He looked at Sky who smiled knowingly at him. “She is special,” she simply said as she handed Rayne to Caleb.

He couldn’t help it; tears ran down his face. “She’s perfect,” he said as he kissed his daughter’s tiny forehead. He looked up at Sky. “She is perfect, just like her mother,” he smiled. He had his family. He knew he would protect them with his life.

As he snuggled on the bed with his mate and his baby, Caleb began to doze. A knock on the door made him jump. He looked around remembering what happened. “Who is there?” Caleb bellowed sounding intimidating to everyone in the room.

“It’s me,” Dash called through the door.

Caleb stood up, still holding Rayne, “You can enter,” he said sounding much more like himself. He watched as Dash carried Scarlett into the room, soft sobs coming from the fragile looking woman in his arms.

“Bring her to me,” Sky said with a worried expression.

“Yes, Luna,” Dash gently sat her in the chair next to Sky.

“Scarlett?” Sky asked holding out her hand to her. Scarlett placed her hand in Sky’s. She felt the calming energy form Sky soothe her some. “Scarlett, are you alright? I am so sorry about your mother. I can’t imagine what you are going through right now. Just know, I as well as the pack, will support you.”

“Luna, I am crying for my mother but, I am crying because my pack and I, we are finally free.” Scarlett sobbed harder with the realization she would not be forced to carry out her mother’s evil plans anymore. “We have been forced to carry out her evil plans for so long, I can even possibly meet my father.” Her eyes showed sadness but also hope. She had never felt the true bonds of family and love. She knew Dash would teach her about love and he would accept her father for her.

“Scarlett,” Sky’s gentle voice pulling her out of her own mind. “The pack will support you; we will accept your father. I have no doubt.

43

A few weeks later.

“Rayne is such a good baby,” Sky said to Daphne and Scarlett. The three of them were sitting in Sky’s living room. “I hope your babies are as good as she is.” The three of them were snuggled together on the couch watching rom coms. Sky had made Daphne and Scarlett her official advisors which meant they got to spend all their time together. Their movie nights had become the norm while Caleb, Gideon, and Dash went out for their patrols. Security had become an even bigger priority with the birth of Rayne.

“I hope my pup has two different colored eyes too,” Daphne said as she stared lovingly at Rayne, who was sound asleep in her arms.

“Maybe you will be surprised,” Sky said, “I was,” she remembered the moment she saw Rayne for the first time. She knew those eyes meant she is very special. She smirked as she remembered how they made her jump when they glowed for the first time. They both glowed brighter than hers or Caleb’s.

“Earth to Sky,” Daphne giggled, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, sorry. I have been tired since becoming a mom and the official Luna.”

“Is Caleb slacking off?” quipped Scarlett. “If he is just tell me, I will kick his ass into shape.” They all shared a giggle.

A knock on the door caused Daphne and Scarlett to jump, “Are you expecting someone?” Daphne asked.

“I am,” Sky said jumping up and sprinting to the door. A guard stepped in front of her.

“Please Luna, allow me.” He opened the door revealing Evan and a shy looking girl with sandy blonde hair and a pretty face which reminded Sky of an elf from a storybook.

“Hey! How’s my three best friends?” Evan smiled as he stepped around the guard into the room. “I have someone I would like you to meet. This is my mate, Maria.”

“That’s amazing! Congrats to you both!” All three friends were genuinely happy for him. Sky had known he found his mate. He had called to tell her before he even told his parents. He told her he was sorry, sorry for not understanding the mate bond and for expecting her to reject Caleb for him. She had told him she forgave him. She told Evan to bring Maria over so they could all meet her.

“Welcome to the mated club, finally!” Daphne laughed at her own words. “So, Evan, how long until she’s in the expectant Mommy’s club?” Daphne smirked, rubbing her own round belly.

“Daph, are you ever subtle?” Scarlett asked rolling her eyes.

Evan laughed, “Actually, she is already a member of that club.” He looked at Maria who looked a little embarrassed. She is due in a couple months.

“Wow,” Daphne quipped, you don’t waste time.

“Daph,” Sky warned. Maria, it is nice to meet you, I am Luna Sky, but just Sky is ok.” She smiled a welcoming smile.

“I have heard of your bravery,” Maria said. “It is an honor to meet you.”

They all sat down talking together. Before long, Maria was part of the group.

44

Patrol was finally over. Tonight, had felt longer than last time. Then again, anytime away from Sky and Rayne felt like an eternity. He had wanted a family for as long as he can remember. Now that he had his family, he wanted to be with them always.

He knew Evan had arrived at the pack house with his mate, one of the wolves on patrol had informed him Alpha Evan had crossed the boarder a couple hours ago. He had come to discuss business and to introduce his mate.

As he reached the pack house, the soft glow of the lights from inside, gave a warm, welcoming feeling. Laughter filled his ears as he pulled open the door. He headed towards the stairs leading to his private quarters. Welcome back alpha, how was patrol alpha, nice to see you alpha, came the greetings from pack members he passed. He greeted them all on his way by.

He was barefoot and in just basketball shorts, he wanted to put on his favorite flannel pants and snuggle up with his love. As he reached the door, he could hear her voice from inside. He opened the door to be greeted by the best welcome ever.

“Hi Daddy, we missed you!” Sky said as she held Rayne in her arms. Caleb could see her cute little face. He leaned down kissing her tiny cheek.

“Hi, Baby Girl, I missed you both,” he leaned in kissing her gently. “Give me our baby,” he smiled. Sky gently lay Rayne in his arms.

“Hey now, going for another already?” Daphne joked.

“Hi everyone,” Caleb said giving Daphne a sarcastic glance.

“How has she been tonight?” He asked a tiny bit of concern on his face.

“She has been missing her Daddy,” Sky said sweetly.

His heart felt full as he held his baby. “My Baby Girl.”

Epilogue

‘Almost, almost,’ “GOTCHA!” Rayne yelled as she leapt out of the brush grabbing Caleb’s leg.

“Hi Baby,” he smiled as he picked her up.

“Daddy, when can I go out on patrol with you? I just caught you again!”  She asked batting her eyes hoping her father would finally say yes.

“You need to grow a little more first,” he said kissing her forehead.

Rayne was now three years old. She was growing so fast. She had Sky’s features and Caleb’s jet-black hair. Her eyes were different from any other wolf. They had stayed one blue and one green. Doctor Moss said it meant she would have great abilities.

“Caleb, she is not going to give in.”

The sight of her still made his heart sing. “Hi Baby Girl,” he pulled her into a hug before pressing his lips to hers. She was pregnant with their third child, a boy. Their son, Triton, was almost two. As she looked at Caleb with her familiar “you know I am right,” look, he couldn’t help but think she looked more beautiful then ever.

“She is strong, smart, and stubborn. She is going to keep showing off her skills until you let her go,” she smiled making his heartbeat faster.

“Well, maybe when Uncle Gideon and Uncle Dash come with me again. Until then, you will have to wait,” he explained to her.

“Not Fair,” Rayne cried. They just had more pups. What do they need more pups for anyway?” She looked so cute when she pouted. “I will never get to go on patrol!” she wined, crossing her arms over her chest. “Besides, why do they need so many pups anyway? Jacob, Nash, Carly, and Claire are enough. They don’t need three! I already had to beat up Jacob and Nash, they were picking on Carly and Claire, so I dealt with it.” she smiled.

“Rayne, that is not the way an Alpha deals with everything. Try using your words first,” Caleb explained, again.

“Auntie Scarlett said, “sometimes you have to show who’s boss,” Rayne huffed.

Caleb smirked at her, “you will be an amazing Alpha one day, Baby Girl.”