As we walked throughout the pack house, Izzy remained unnaturally quiet. I knew she was still thinking about what had happened up in my room. As we entered the kitchen I saw Ryan sitting at the counter, a book in one hand and a spoon in the other. Asher had mentioned that Ryan was spending a lot more time at the pack house since his father's death. The young boy turned to greet us as we approached where he sat.

"Alpha." He nodded his head at me and then looked at Izzy. She still didn't say anything but did offer him a small smile and a quick wave.

"Ryan, how are you doing?" I won't lie, the small distraction Ryan offered from the silence that had seemed to take over since we had left my room was very welcomed. The boy put down his book, The Moon Goddess: The Facts and Myths. It was a book I was familiar with. It seemed to be a book most wolves read at some point or another, mostly newly mated wolves. It wasn't surprising that they would want to know how mates were chosen or why. The truth was the book didn't offer any of those answers. It was more a book on the ancient Greek god, Artimus. Whether she was even this so-called moon goddess was debatable.

"I'm doing good, though my mom is driving me crazy," he said.

"That's no surprise. She just lost her mate and your all she has left." I explained. "She is going to need you to get through this. Trust me it is not an easy thing, losing the person you thought you would spend the rest of your life with."

He nodded, looking a little guilty. It was a lot of responsibility on him, being the man of the family, helping his mom with her loss and trying to start his life as a young man, but I had no doubt Ryan would manage it gracefully.

"Thanks, Alpha. I should probably go spend some time with her before I leave to go visit Lucy." He shoved his book into his back pocket, place his bowl and spoon in the sink and took off.

"You're a good alpha," Izzy commented once Ryan was gone. I looked at her and shook my head.

"No, not really, Ryan is a good kid and just needs a little guidance."

"And your there giving it to him. My dad was never like that, not even with his own children. With him, it wasn't about values and family. It was always what could we offer to make the pack stronger, bigger. Yeah, he made sure everyone had what they needed but never really connected with his pack members." Izzy spoke sullenly.

"I haven't been much of a leader. For the last three years, Griffin has been bearing most of the responsibility. Only just recently have I really taken back my role, and only cause the situation forced me to. Izzy hopped onto to counter, her legs dangling off the edge.

"Logan, your too hard on yourself. Yes, you stepped away, but what alpha wouldn't having loss what you did? The point is you came back when they needed you and your still trying to do what's best for them." The things Izzy was saying had me question if she was really as young as I thought she was.

"How old are?"

"What?" She asked at my off hand question.

"How old are you?" I asked again. "It just dawned on me, I don't even know the most basic things a mate should know." Izzy blushed at the word mate.

"I'm twenty." Not even old enough to drink. Boy, did I feel old. And then she asked the question I knew was coming but still hoped wouldn't. "Why? How old are you?"

"Old," was all I uttered. Olivia had been only two years older than me, and here I was eight years her senior. Izzy let out a small giggle.

"No, really how old are you? You can't be more than what? Twenty-four?" She guessed. With a small gesture to go higher, Izzy continued to guess. "Twenty-five? Tell me you're not in your thirties." She said as if the thought was unbearable.

"Nearly, I'm twenty-eight."

"Oh well, that's not that bad. You're only a little old." she joked. I walked up to her, placing my body between her legs.

"Well, thank goodness I'm only a little old. That must make Griffin really old." This had Izzy full out laughing. I took this opportunity to begin playfully kissing and nipping at her neck. Her legs tightened against my sides, as her laughter came to an abrupt end.

"Eh Hem, um... Alpha you have a visitor," Asher's voice came from behind me. Pulling away with a groan, I turned fully ready to lay into my delta for interrupting, only to be stopped by the sight of the person standing just behind him.

"Mom?" Izzy said both shocked and embarrassed. I could feel the back of neck heating up as I stepped from between her daughter's legs.

"Hello, Isabella. I see you're doing well."