Parker

"What do you mean, Cold Ones!?" Rylan asks.

Once again, we've called a meeting of the Alphas to figure out how to solve a problem no one knew we had. After the attack of the Cold Ones, Kohl decided to keep the pack in the dark until a plan has been established. The others have flocked to the meeting, primarily because attacks have begun to happen to the packs around us.

Rylan, once again, fights what he already suspects. I'm beginning to think he'll always be contrary to us. Itui, Nia and William have returned, bringing two more Alphas this time. One is from a pack called Cold Water and the other is from the Desert Wolf Pack.

The Cold Water Pack are called so because they are situated by a large lake that is notoriously cold all year. The Alpha from that pack is named Norse. Norse appears to be Gaius' age, his mid-forties. He is large and muscular, like wolves tend to be. I'm oddly surprised that he has freckles covering his nose as well as short chestnut hair.

The Desert Wolf Pack is represented by Mideon, a Native American wolf with long raven hair and copper skin. His disposition seems a bit more serious than the rest but he has been more than agreeable. He has a touch of heterochromia. His heterochromia mixes a very dark brown with a very light brown, almost golden.

The two seem familiar with our pack and are particularly interested in me. I don't blame them. Most wolves seem very confused in my presence. My smell is overwhelming, I'm told. The other wolves seem to handle it much better than Mideon and Norse.

Kohl has noticed and doesn't seem especially pleased. I take the time to silently remind him that we have other concerns at the moment, like the adult wolf throwing a tantrum in his office.

"The Cold Ones are a myth." Rylan argues, "We're believing in myths now?"

"Like Demi-Gods?" Mideon asks. His eyes flicker to me before returning to Rylan, "Or werewolves? What about sorcerers?"

"I agree," Itui interjects, "We've established that no other creature would drain blood from their victim. The rogues have also retreated from most of the civilized packs. Witches don't usually attack werewolves for no reason."

"If this is true, how are we supposed combat something we know nothing about?" Rylan asks.

"How about agreeing and then working together? Not wasting our time arguing the obvious." Norse adds.

"I really like him." I whisper to Kohl.

"Gentleman," Nia interrupts, "Can we agree that we are facing a threat we've never faced? The question is what we do now."

Mideon stares at me again, "You two have been quiet, what do you have to say?" He asks.

"We're at a loss for words, honestly." Kohl says, "We just understand the weight of this. Parker met them in the woods."

"With your siblings, one of which was the attacker previously, correct?" William asks, "Are we to trust him now? We could have two problems."

"Three." I say with a nod, "If McKennon was a threat, we'd have three. Ania is still a very big threat."

"My brother is not a threat." Kohl agrees.

"He has agreed to help?" Nia asks.

"Not exactly," I say chancing a look to Kohl. He looks anxious and I look around at them, "Let's just say he has a stake in this."

"What about you? Are the rumors true about you?" Norse asks, "Are you a Demi-God?"

I take a deep breath, "Yes." I say simply.

"Can you expound on that response?" Norse asks.

"I don't know what it means. I don't know what potential power I have. I'm fast, strong and I have pretty good senses."

"You also have an...overwhelming scent. You know that, correct?" Mideon asks, "Is everyone else having trouble with that?"

"My mate's scent is not the question." Kohl says with a small growl, "My brother is also not the enemy here."

"Anymore." William says.

"You have seen one, Parker. What were they like?" Nia asks.

"Graceful. Haunting. They're incredibly strong, incredibly fast and they aren't bothered by you or me." I explain, "They're scary."

"Did they say what they wanted?" Rylan asks with a knowing expression.

"Does it matter?" Kohl shoots back quickly, "They're attacking us. We have to stop them."

"I hate to say this, but it's a fair question." Mideon questions, "What did they say?"

"They want me." I say before Kohl can speak. The other Alphas stare at me with wide eyes. I cross my hands behind my back and shuffle my feet, "Who doesn't, right?"

"They would like you? That's all?" Rylan asks.

"We don't know why. A Demi-God in the hands of vampires could spell more trouble for us." Itui expresses.

"Or—"

"Finish that sentence and I'll knock you on your ass." Kohl says angrily.

I grab Kohl's arm as he moves towards Rylan. The two growl at each other. I push myself in front of him and push my hands underneath his sleeves. Our skin connects and a cooling feeling tingles in waves under my fingertips. Kohl takes a deep breath and I smile at him.

"Rylan. He is my mate." Kohl frowns, "We cannot give in to them. We must fight."

"My apologies. It was not my intent to offend you or your mate." Rylan says, "We will find a way. I will consult with our Elders to see what I can find out. I suggest everyone does."

"As will we." Nia nods.

"In the meantime, we must inform our packs. They must be protected above all." Norse says, "We'll be in contact."

"As will we." Mideon says as he exits with Norse.

Kohl escorts the others out, leaving me in his office. I sigh as I lean on his desk. I can't help but feel wholly responsible for all of this. I exhale as I instinctually put my head in my hands. It feels simple in the way Rylan said it. Give them what they want.

Give up myself for the packs.

"Rylan is such an asshole." Eliza says as she comes to sit beside me. She runs her hand through her dark hair and stares over at me, "I have to wonder who in their right mind actually likes him. Besides his wife. She's a saint because I'd have murdered him in his sleep."

"Is one person worth all of this, though? The pack was fine before I got here." I say with a shrug, "I mean, granted, it wasn't anywhere near as fun."

"Had you not been here, the Rogues would have still attacked us." Eliza contends.

I think to myself. Mickey would still have attacked and who knows how that would have ended up without my intervention. I doubt Mickey would be here with his family now. Mickey isn't pushing for a reunion, but he wants it. I can read him.

"Speaking of Rogues, you're part of the Ashwood family now," Eliza says slowly. I stare at her. She sighs, "How long do you think McKennon will stay? Having him here is a liability."

"A liability? I know he's a little rough around the edges but he's doing better." I say thoughtfully, "Everyone deserves a second chance."

"Didn't he try to kill you...twice?" She asks.

I know Eliza has a point. I can understand why she's hesitant to be around Mickey. I can understand everyone's reluctance. He led more than one attack against the pack. He turned on his own family. To be fair, his family turned on him first.

"He's damaged. He's a very broken person. We all are, his cracks are just exaggerated." I say more to myself, "He doesn't know how to deal with his pain."

"Wow! Is that the Luna bursting out of your body? No wonder the Moon Goddess chose you."

I laugh softly.

"Is it hard? Being Luna, that is." Eliza asks, "Having everyone watch you, depending on you. Being the second in command. You're a human, so it's—is it scary?"

"Every day." I nod, "But the thing is, the love of my life is the Alpha. I don't get to say no. And I've never really been afraid of a challenge."

"You're a strange human."

"Even among humans, trust me."

"Luna, I hope I'm not overstepping but the pack would go to war for you. You're not getting rid of us that easy." Eliza says patting me on the shoulder, "Keep your head up."

I thank her as she leaves me standing in my spot. Eliza is rarely around me for any other reason than to be my bodyguard, much like Akari, but when I speak to her, I understand why she's well-respected in the pack.

Kohl & Mickey

Kohl left the meeting to consult with the Elders. The discussion was long and difficult to have. His reign as Alpha has been wrought with challenges but vampires were never in the job description. It seems only right for his mate to be the guiding light for all of this weird shit.

Gaius believes the scouts need to be more vigilant, especially as it seems the vampires can disappear into the shadows. Kohl also asked Faust to provide protective wards against them. It will be an opportunity to pump Faust for information about our mate bond as well as the vampires. He seems to be adept at supernatural topics.

A trying day leads Kohl into his office. The moment he walks in, he smells Mickey's scent in the air. He also smells marijuana. Kohl ignores it and walks over to a small cart of alcohol at the far end of the room. He quickly makes a small glass of whiskey before addressing Mickey.

"I thought I told you to stop smoking weed on the pack lands." Kohl says taking a sip of his whiskey.

"It's legal in the human world. Surely we're better than humans." Mickey says behind Kohl.

Kohl turns to see Mickey stand. Mickey stands with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Kohl is reminded of a teenage Mickey. It's all very nostalgic for a moment. It almost makes Kohl forget that Mickey attacked everyone in the pack, including their Mother, Father and their mate.

Even thinking about Parker being 'their' mate causes a spasm.

"Don't really care." Kohl says eyeing his brother, "You do know sooner or later, if you decide to stay, you'll have to do something other than suck up oxygen."

"I'm part of the royal family."

"Are you?" Kohl asks, "Do you think that constitutes being a bum? Do you think we don't contribute?"

"You? Sure. You're the mighty Alpha. Cassie and Gaius are...wait, what do they do?" Mickey asks as Kohl drinks the rest of his drink. Mickey laughs, "Let's not forget our dutiful Luna! Making the pack lands safer for the peasants."

Kohl laughs, "So, that's why you're here?" He asks.

"No, I came to taunt you. He's just a byproduct." Mickey says, "You do know he made a move on me, right?"

"I know." Kohl says with a sigh, "I told him to come to you and I smelled you on him, specifically his clothes and lips. Since you didn't touch any other part of his body, I assume you threatened him. I thought I warned you—"

"He used his scent on me."

"Yeah, he's pesky like that." Kohl nods.

"And then he kissed me. Out of the blue."

"Was it out of the blue?" Kohl asks, "We both know what a mate bond means. It means that he's drawn to you and you're drawn to him. Just like I am."

"It really eats you up, huh?"

"No," Kohl says with annoyance, "It pisses me off. You really don't deserve his attention nor forgiveness but he's got a bond with you. He's also not a wolf like us. He doesn't hold a grudge. Not long enough."

"You may be right. I don't deserve him. But the Moon Goddess seemed to think so."

"Why are you antagonizing me? Do you want me to kill you?" Kohl asks, "Listen to me, my mate is your mate. Not by choice but here we are. I, as a wolf and as an Alpha, have to respect the will of the Goddess. I don't, however, have to accept your insolent behavior. Is this about winning? About finally getting something I have?"

"A little."

"He saved you when he had no reason to. He's been accommodating to you."

"He punched me in the face."

"And kissed you. In the face."

"He's a human."

"And somehow, I doubt that means much to you right now." Kohl frowns, "Listen, I'm not here to talk you into mating with our mate. If I had the will, I'd forbid it. But I don't. So, I'm going to put my energy into being supportive for my mate and my pack."

"Here's the thing...I don't want to share a mate with you. If I want him, I'll take him completely."

Kohl sits his glass down on the desk and glares at the younger Ashwood. The two of them seem to have come to an impasse. Mickey has clearly stated his intention. Kohl wondered how long it would be before Mickey finally said what he came to say.

Mickey wants Parker to himself. It'll never happen.

"I'm going to be very honest with you, Mick. I'm tired. I'm very much aching to take your head off but it would hurt my mate. It would hurt my family. It would hurt my hand. So, I'm going to just let you live this time. Never threaten me where my mate is concerned." Kohl frowns, "While you were trying to kill him, I was falling in love with him. While you were plotting your sick little revenge, I was kissing him and mating with him. You are second to me, yet again."

"Smug bastard." Mickey laughs, "Careful, Kohl, if I'm as bad as you say I am, I'd probably be more than happy to thin the herd."

Kohl watches as Mickey crosses the room and exits. Kohl's body is trembling with anger. Mickey is baiting him. He can deal with Mickey baiting him but he can't deal with the threat of his mate being stolen away from him. It makes his blood boil.

One thing is certain: Mickey doesn't have the balls.