Mick was quiet, quieter than ever while we showered. I tried to give him space, sensing his mood was more off than before and feeling guilty about my dream and the thoughts creeping into my mind about his brother, but he insisted I stay with him. I was still washing my hair, scrubbing all the slobber out of it as he stood under the water stream when he pulled me closer to him. I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch as he finished the job for me, rinsing my hair clean, then turning my body to face him.“You okay?” I asked, not knowing what else to say. I could sense his unease and his worry, but didn’t know where it was coming from. His grandma’s chaotic entrance into his bedroom? His return to his pack?.... Or was he sensing my wayward thoughts towards his brother?“Are you okay?” he turned the question around to me, softly stroking my face. “Are you ready to run for the hills after that? The offer still stands. We can still run away. Just you and me.”I smiled shyly. “Your nonna w

“So, son,” pops wiped his mouth to hide his nervousness. “What have you been doing all this time?”Mick scowled. “Does it matter?”There was a nervous tick in the corner of pop’s eye. “I’m just wondering what it was you were doing after leaving home. If it’s something you’re not willing to say, that’s fine.”Mick scoffed. “I was making porn, pop. That’s what I have been doing all this time.”Mom cringed, closing her eyes. Chloe’s smile disappeared as she placed a hand on Mick’s chest. He covered her hand with his, but went on.“I’m actually the number one dick slinger in all charts in the adult film world right now. Haven’t heard of me?”“Mick,” mom whispered, her tone full of disappointment. “How could you?”“It’s pretty easy, ma. I just get my dick hard and start shoving it in each and every way possible and-”“Mick,” Chloe scowled at him. He shut his mouth and sighed, then lifted her hand to kiss it.“I’ve been doing pretty well for myself. I am not trying to impress you anymore or

The pack house as we walked through was full of life. There was a direct route from Mick’s bedroom to the kitchen so I had missed it before, but now that we were walking through the main parts, I was fascinated by the differences between Setting Sun Pack and Fire Moon. Here, warriors and omegas were walking around freely, talking amongst themselves and everyone looked relaxed and happy. The packhouse was well-kept and lovely, with a homey feel. It didn’t feel like the stiff cold packhouse of Fire Moon. The flowers resting in mismatched vases around the rooms were wildflowers, all fresh picked. One even had a bee on the petals of a sunflower.I smiled at the wondrous sight of children running through the foyer, giggling while chasing one another. None of the people around seemed bothered by their presence. Being an orphan of Fire Moon Pack, I knew all too well how coldly children were treated there, especially if they didn’t have parents to protect them from the pack’s harshness. Schoo

“Alright, Luna. It’s all fixed,” an omega man told me as he and his helper wiped up the dust from installing the new door. “Someone will come by tomorrow to fix the paint and stain it, but it will do for now.”“Thanks,” I smiled tightly, not correcting the man again for calling me Luna. It would just fall on deaf ears again.“You take care now, Luna,” he said, righting his baseball cap and walking away with his tool box as the other man carried away all the leftover trash.Someone else had already cleaned up the old door and debris from Nonna this morning before I got back to the bedroom. After learning about Mr. Smith, Miles, his Beta and Gamma started taking action to tighten the security of the pack. I felt like I was just in the way but Mick wanted to stay behind and help. He was bent over Billy, pointing out things I didn't even comprehend on the weird digitalized computer screen. I said I was tired and made the excuse of going to take a nap in his room to get out of there. Both

Chloe POVEmily took me all through the pack; to the hospital first, since it was the closest to the packhouse, and then the warrior’s center, which was located on the other side. We stayed and I got to talk to the trainers at the warrior center for a while. I was surprised to see that the classes were blended, and people were wearing whatever they wanted. Most women were in leggings and sports bras, sparring and boxing with men as well as other women warriors.Beau and Jamie were there, watching intently as a massive trainer demonstrated how to dislocate the joints of a wolf while in human form. I tried to say hi and got a grunt back from both of them. They were enamored with the lesson. They seemed to have missed the aspects of a pack as well.I asked where Boyd was and Beau snorted. “Hell if I know,” was all he said. I just hope Boyd wasn’t causing problems somewhere. Mick and Miles seem stressed enough.I got an offer to come back in the morning to train with the elite team. I as