Penn was very shaken by the last few minutes in the cafeteria with Alpha Troy and she hardly knew where to look or how to act when they came into the common room. Every eye was on her. The teens looked worried while Beta Lucas and Jules looked merely curious. Penn stopped short and stared wide-eyed at them all.

She realized she should have put some thought into how she would greet them after her rather bewildering encounter with Troy. Yet, she hadn't, and now she was not certain at all what to do. In her haste, coming to a sudden stop, she'd half forgotten that the Alpha was right on her heels. He nearly collided with her but managed to come short of knocking her down.

He stopped himself by grasping her shoulders in both his hands. There was a strange gasp among the teens. They weren't sure how to read the moment. Troy, sensing their alarm, smiled at them, over Penn's head, and in a joking tone said, "I hope you weren't talking about us while we were out of the room."

He winked at them afterwards, as he gave Penn's thin shoulders a final squeeze before trying to releasing them. The same strange pulse of warmth radiated up his arms the moment his hands had made contact with her slender shoulders. The feeling was even stronger this time. Perhaps because both of his hands were making contact with her.

In any case, he found it that much harder to let go of her and walk away from her this time. He had to make a conscious effort to take command of his hands and remove them from her shoulders. It was not an easy task by any means and that rattled him. He'd never felt such a powerful physical magnetism to another wolf in his whole life. Not even to the sweet little omega, Ellie, whom the Moon goddess had given to him as a mate when he was just a young Beta in the pack.

He'd certainly felt a strong bond for his mate. He had a powerful desire to protect her and to treat her with deep tenderness. Sadly, his and her mate bond never developed. The poor, frightened creature rejected him almost as soon as she realized that being his mate would make her Luna of the pack some day. It was a responsibility she felt ill prepared for she told him one night while weeping openly before him in her distress. The memory was still a bit painful.

The sweet girl, just in her late teens at the time, told him flat out that she preferred her quiet life as a relatively unknown omega in the pack to the life of the future Luna. She assured him she would never be happy as his Luna even if she had a decade to prepare for the role, despite what an honour it would be.

Troy had been crushed by the confession. Every pack-wolf lived and breathed for the moment they found their soul mate. It was a precious gift from the Moon goddess herself and not something to be passed over or taken lightly. He could not believe that Ellie sincerely meant to reject him.

So, he tried to persuade her to thoughtfully reconsider her decision. He was so sure that together, with the Moon goddess' blessing, they would make a formidable pair. He had unwavering faith that the Moon goddess had picked the very best match for him and was not the least bit concerned about Ellie's status as an omega or her lack of leadership experience.

The little omega would not be deterred no matter how convincing and persuasive he tried to be. She might have been little in stature and consequence but she had a will of solid iron. Once her mind was made up, no amount of begging and pleading on his part could change it. It broke his heart to think that there was nothing about him that could persuade her to reconsider such a drastic decision.

Though Troy suffered terribly for weeks and months afterwards with a broken heart, he saw that his little mate was happier than she'd ever been. For her, a terrible weight had been lifted from her shoulders. And even as the tender feelings he had for her withered and died in his heart, he realized that she was content, which brought him a small measure of comfort because he still wanted the best for her despite her rejection.

In the few years directly following the severing of their bond, it didn't take him long to realize that he would have ruined her life, in some ways, if he'd insisted on her keeping the bond with him. As the fog of disappointment and hurt lifted from his eyes, it became clear to him that Ellie's sweet spirit would have suffocated and died a silent death if she had been made Luna of the pack.

When he became more acquainted with the rigours of the role of Alpha and Luna, he saw the wisdom in her decision. She had known then what he could not see. She was not built to rule as Luna. It wasn't in her. 

She remained in the pack despite some backlash from the more traditional wolves who thought she had no right to reject the Moon goddess' blessing. Troy had done what he could to watch over her and protect her and her family from any grudges or prejudices in the pack. He was well loved, even before he became Alpha, and the pack was devastated for him when she rejected him. The decision caused her and her family a great deal of hardship initially. But, eventually the pack forgave and she flourished.

His little omega bonded with another omega who had lost his mate during a raid by rogue wolves several years earlier. The two seemed well suited to each other and Troy did not protest the match. By this time he'd come to terms with her decision. He had made peace, as painful as it was, with the knowledge that when he became Alpha he would rule the pack alone. Other Alphas had done it before him. He was confident he could do it too. So, he gave the couple his blessing and no one ever mentioned the matter to him again - not even when he became Alpha.

It was all forgotten now. Quite forgotten. That is, until he touched Penn.

But this feeling was different from the youthful tingling sensations he felt whenever he touched Ellie. Touching Penn was like a slow intoxication that rendered him almost powerless before he even realized what was happening. It was pleasant, subtle and irresistible - like a drug. Here he was, a powerful Alpha with years of practice disciplining his body and his mind, and he could hardly find the will or the physical strength necessary to lift his hands from her shoulders. It was as astonishing as it was both pleasant and worrisome.

And Troy felt equal parts relieved and soul-sick when he finally let go of her shoulders. He was glad he was able to resist the urge to cling to her longer. That assured him that he had not lost his senses altogether. But, the moment he let go of her he had a hollow feeling in his heart caused by the physical separation. Part of him felt desperate to reach out and reconnect with her - to feel that soothing, pulsating heat flow from her to him. 

The desire was so severe that it was painful and this worried him. How was it possible that some poor pack cast-off, strong as she was, could have such a profound affect on him through something as simple as skin to skin contact? It was a total mystery to him and he felt both thrilled by this overwhelming desire to embrace her and more than a little unsettled too.

What would the pack elders have to say? Would they know what this was? Would they be pleased or would they counsel him to send her away? If they did, could he? Troy felt confused and uncertain. This was not something he was going to be able to address on his own. He was going to have to seek their wisdom even if he knew he might not like what they had to tell him.

He just had to remember, in moments like this when he was torn with indecision, that the pack was his priority no matter what. Feelings were fleeting. Even feelings as powerful as the kind created between soul mates could be broken and later forgotten. He understood that, after the bond with Ellie had been severed. So, no matter how drawn he felt to Penn, the feeling, like the bond, would pass. However, his pack's health and well being was always going to be a constant in his life.

It was with thoughts of his pack and their needs at the forefront of his mind that he finally managed to get control of himself and walk around Penn. As he passed by her he looked down and made eye contact with her. She looked even more bewildered then before. Troy was comforted to know that these strange feelings and sensations may not be one-sided.

Somehow the thought gave him a surge of courage and he produced for her a reassuring smile despite his inner turmoil. She did not return the smile. She just stared wide-eyed at him seemingly frozen to the spot. He felt a sudden and unexpected tenderness for her. He found her vulnerability endearing.

Not wanting to prolong her distress, Troy turned his eyes to Lucas and Jules, who were watching him like two starved hawks. He gave them a tight smile.  He knew that they would be on him like bears on a bee hive the moment the three of them exited the basement. Troy was not looking forward to the interrogation he knew was coming.

The moment he approached the couch, where Lucas and Jules sat, the teens swarmed Penn. He turned to watch, for a moment, as they crowded around her with obvious concern. It was heartwarming to see just how much she meant to them and how they worried for her. Troy turned his attention back to Lucas and Jules though to give the teens and Penn a little privacy.

Penn, still too startled to do much more than stare straight ahead, let the pups hug her, touch her, and ply her with lots of softly spoken questions about what the Alpha had said to her. They wanted to know if he was mad? Was he going to send her away? Would he punish her? Penn just shook her head 'no' to all their questions.

The teens weren't satisfied though. They wanted some guarantees that everything really was fine. They did not want to wake in the morning and find she'd been kicked out while they slept.

Penn didn't blame them. In fact, she was flattered and moved by their devotion. They hadn't always felt this strongly - this positively - about her.

She smiled affectionately at them now as they told her they would speak to Alpha Troy on her behalf if necessary. Suddenly she felt very proud of them. Their parents would be so pleased to know that their pups were kindhearted and were willing to stand up, even to an Alpha, for those they believed in.

Penn couldn't help but wish, just for a moment, that these pups had been around when she'd been exiled from her pack all those years ago. It would have been so comforting knowing someone cared for her in those dark days.

As it was, her own parents turned a blind eye and her brothers were silent when Alpha Carson took her before the pack, stripped her of her name and dignity, and then exiled her to a life in the wilds. But, perhaps, these children, back then, would have turned a blind eye like the rest. Penn sighed and pushed the old memories away. They were still so painful after all this time.

"What makes you think he was going to kick me out?" Penn asked the teens after they had settled down a little. No one had spoken a word all day about the morning's altercation. She was surprised by their rather ardent concern.

It was Cassidy who spoke up and explained. "While you were with Alpha Troy, uncle and aunt asked us all kinds of questions about what happened this morning. They didn't say much, but we put it together and figured out that your conversation with Cook Carmen had ..." Here she paused looking for the right words before finishing off with, "... caused a stir."

Penn smiled to herself thinking how diplomatic and careful Cassidy was. She would make a fine Luna some day. Lara would be proud of the girl.

As she considered what Cassidy had just shared, Penn realized that the evening had been a tag-team effort. The alpha had separated her from the pups to get her side and Beta Lucas had asked the pups for their account of the morning's event while she and the Alpha were gone.

She wasn't the least bit sure how she felt about this. She gave the children a rueful smile before admitting to them, "I think your Alpha is wise and slow to jump to conclusions - even about a rogue like me. These are good qualities in any Alpha. He isn't going to send me away just yet," she told them with quiet assurance. 

The children looked from Penn to each other and after exchanging a few nods between them they began to smile and lose their tense expressions. They had truly been worried for her, but maybe they needed to give their new Alpha more credit.

"Now," Penn said in a clear voice with a small mischievous smile, "isn't it time for you to go to bed?"

There was a corporate groan of displeasure. They had quite forgotten about the hour in all the excitement.

In a gentler tone Penn added, "I think an early night would be wise, don't you?"

They all nodded their agreement. Half of them were ready for bed that very moment now that they were sure to see Penn in the morning. One by one the teens said their goodnights to Alpha Troy, Beta Lucas and his mate, Jules.

Penn watched them with a slight smile on her face. They were such polite and well mannered pups. Again, she thought their parents would be very pleased with how they conducted themselves in this new pack. She was certain that they did the defunct Griffin pack proud. 

Once they were gone though, Penn's smile faded because she was left to face the Alpha, the First Beta and his wife all alone. She wasn't sure she was ready for more social interactions of any kind – good or bad – without the buffer of the pups.

An awkward and uncomfortable silence grew in the room as Penn stood off to one side and faced the other three adults who were standing by the couches and looking directly at her. It was Jules, who had the sense to break the terrible awkwardness by approaching Penn with her hands outstretched.

Penn wasn't sure what the woman was about to do, but she did not sense any hostility from her. So, Penn waited anxiously until the woman, who was similar in age, reached out and took Penn's hands in her own. She surprised Penn further by complimenting her straight away saying, "You are so good with the kids. They listen to you and don't give you any trouble at all. I'm really impressed."

Jules smiled warmly at Penn as she pulled her over to the couches and indicated they should sit down. Penn followed her lead and sat, but she  still did not feel at all at ease. What did the these three want with her? What was their interest in her now that the morning's situation had been sort of settled?

She watched Troy and Lucas sit down in two plush chairs they dragged toward the couch. Penn felt a little pinned in but tried not to let that bother her. She had to keep reminding herself that they were not hostile, and they probably didn't mean her any harm, right now.

The next thing Penn knew it was a game of 20 questions and she was the star of the hour. The three of them plied her with all kinds of personal questions such as how old she was, where she had come from, how she had ended up leaving her pack, and how did the now deceased Luna of the Griffin pack come to entrust her with the orphans during a full on war with Codax the Killer. They called this 'getting to know her better'.

Penn hardly knew how to respond and gave them the briefest possible answers. She was sure the answers were not very satisfying, but she was not prepared to tell them every little detail. She hardly knew them, and it was likely they would send her packing any time now. So, she was a little guarded, but who wouldn't be in these strange circumstances.

Penn could hardly wait for the night to end. She felt emotionally exhausted and physically spent despite everyone's 'good intentions'.

Penn longed for the safety and solitude of her wolf-form as the company tarried. And she was never so glad to be left alone as when her three interrogators finally gave up and excused themselves for the night. No sooner had they slipped through the doors to the first floor of the pack house, then Penn escaped outside to catch a few quiet moments in the chilly air on the patio.

The fresh air, cold as it was on her bare arms and legs, was refreshing. And the stillness of the night soothed her ruffled soul. She remained, quietly walking around the backyard, for the better part of an hour before the cold drove her inside. By the time she returned she felt more grounded - more like her usual self.

She hadn't figured anything out. She hadn't come to any helpful conclusions. She had no solutions to her increasingly mixed feelings about the pups, the pack and now the Alpha. But, soaking up the rays of the moon always rejuvenated her and brought her frazzled mind some peace.  The moon never failed to comfort her.

Penn slipped out of her powder-blue dress and into her PJ's almost as soon as she entered back into the basement suite. She grabbed a throw off the back of the couch and made herself comfortable there for the night. Sleep came easy, which was a relief because Penn knew she was in desperate need of a good night's rest. There was nothing like a sound slumber to help her re-set her inner equilibrium.

In the darkness of the night, as she settled down peacefully on the couch, the last thoughts to roam through her mind were not of the pups but of Alpha Troy's last words to her in the cafeteria that night. She heard his voice in her head saying over and over again, 'I believe you, Penn'  and it nearly brought her to tears all over again.

It was startling how one simple statement could have such a huge impact on her state of mind. Despite how peculiar their encounter had been that night, it was those words that Penn was sure she would remember for the rest of her life. They were like a feast for her starved soul.

She imagined, as she drifted off to sleep, that when she was back on her own again, and this time with the Griffin orphans and Orthos pack was just an old dream, she would think on the Alpha's words, which had been so sincerely delivered, and let them feed her in her solitude.

Penn slept more soundly that night then any other night in the decade since she'd been expelled from her pack, and she felt strangely at ease in the basement suite the following morning. It was as refreshing as it was unexpected and Penn enjoyed these feelings as long as she was able.