ABIGAIL

The rest of the journey would take a few hours, or so she’d been told.

Beta Logan was driving again, and Abby was in the back seat with the alpha, keeping her eyes closed. She was hoping she’d be able to sleep, but mostly she was just embarrassed she’d allowed his purr to comfort her.

By wolf law, she shouldn’t be afforded anything past basic needs, so Alpha Roman definitely shouldn’t be treating her this well. She just didn’t understand this new pack and their rules…

The smell of the border made her sit straight up, startling the alpha, who jumped in his seat.

“My apologies, Alpha.” She bared her neck to him. “I smelled the pack.”

Logan pulled the car over, and the rest of the caravan followed behind. Abby could hear howls in the distance. The alpha was home, and it was being announced to the pack.

She peered over at Roman. “May I ask your rules on modesty and shifting for females?”

“We have bins in the woods with basics for both males and females. If you wish, we can open the doors so you can disrobe between them. We’ll have a female stationed with clothes for you when we get closer.

“How was it in your pack?”

“No modesty rules for warriors. But I assure you, I’ll adhere to Luko pack rules.”

“No need, do whatever makes you comfortable. And that makes a lot of sense. Logan, talk to Rye about this. We can make some changes.”

He turned back to her and rumbled in appreciation. “And thank you for asking about our customs. I’ll go first and meet you in the woods.”

ROMAN

Roman stepped out of the SUV, glad to be free of the enclosed space, and strode into the woods, where he disrobed and shifted, leaving his things for Logan to collect.

Then his wolf turned to wait for Abby.

She stepped out of the vehicle and immediately pulled off her clothes, folding them neatly before taking off in a sprint then shifting midair.

His wolf stomped his feet and shook out his fur as he watched her.

She was beautiful and sleek. She looked like a warrior, and she knew it.

ABIGAIL

She shook out her inky black fur and stretched her legs. Putting her nose to the air, she sniffed, first to one side and then the other, as she established the pack border.

When several of the other males shifted behind her, she tucked her tail and jumped forward at the noises, growling involuntarily but immediately chattering after to show them she meant no harm.

She heard a rustle and wheeled around to see the alpha emerge from the trees. She chuffed and lowered her belly to the ground in submission.

The alpha’s wolf was twice the size of the others. Everything about him was massive: his jaws, his chest, his paws. His fur was black as night, but gold swirled in the undercoat like galaxies of stars.

His golden eyes glowed as he approached her and nipped her on the ear, showing his dominance.

She whined in acknowledgment, her tail thumping, and he nudged her gently with his muzzle.

ROMAN

As soon as Abby’s wolf got to her feet, Roman’s wolf took off running and chuffed for her to join him. She caught up quickly, running beside him while the others fell into their normal formation to the sides and the back.

He was impressed with her speed. She was keeping up with him, but he knew she could do more.

When they emerged from the trees into open land, he barked at her and fell back, and she dropped her head and took off at top speed, her wolf snarling and snapping with joy.

He linked with Gamma Rye.

“Rye, clock her next time we train.”

“I can see her from the hill. She’s impressive. Go get her, big boy.”

Roman’s wolf kicked into chase mode, and he surged toward her, his powerful paws churning up the earth as he ran. He was soon right behind her as she raced across the grassy field.

He nipped her tail, and she yelped then growled lightly, recognizing he was playing. With a burst of speed, he passed by her, and she took off after him, nipping his tail in return.

ABIGAIL

After running for several minutes, the alpha began to decrease the pace, and she matched him. They were nearing pack lands; she could feel more wolves.

They slowed to a trot and eventually stopped by the edge of a wooded area.

A man and a woman stepped out of the trees, each carrying some clothes, as the other wolves began to arrive.

Abby’s wolf whined and pressed her belly to the ground, but the alpha trotted off into the woods, followed by the man. Then the woman turned and walked back into the woods in a different direction.

The warriors went into the woods as well.

When Alpha Roman came back a few minutes later, in human form and fully dressed, he looked at her and frowned.

“Your wolf is beautiful,” he said slowly. “Thank you for running with me.”

She thumped her tail and exhaled a burst of air from her muzzle.

“Shit! I’m sorry, Abby, I didn’t realize you were waiting for permission. Go into the woods and shift. Rye’s mate, Bell, is waiting for you. She has your clothes.”

She chuffed her thanks before trotting into the woods and following Bell’s scent to where the woman waited for her.

Abby shifted quickly, already missing her wolf senses. As a wolf, she could run, hunt, and be free of her memories of betrayal. But in her human form, her heart ached.

Bell held out her clothes.

“Thank you,” Abby said quietly.

Bell gave her a solemn but kind smile and a nod. “Welcome to Pack Luko.”

Abby felt a pang at her words. They were pack members now, and that meant family. A ~new~ family. Abby just hoped the Moon Goddess was watching out for her and would help her adjust to this new life.

“I’ll give you a few minutes to finish up,” Bell said and then left her there.

ROMAN

His gamma greeted his mate as she came out of the woods, then turned to Roman. “Sir…”

“Yes, Rye?”

“Is she an alpha female?”

Roman paused before replying. “No, why?”

“I can feel…I don’t know, a power from her wolf.”

“I know. We need to have a pack meeting after I see the Oracle.”

Bell stepped forward and cleared her throat. “Welcome home, Alpha Roman.”

“Thank you, Bell. I appreciate your help in getting our new pack member’s residence in order.”

“My pleasure, sir. Yours is ready as well.” She paused. “If I may?”

“Speak, Bell.”

“I feel her power too. As soon as I saw her shift, I knew she was different. It also appears that she’s captured the attention of your warriors.” Bell pointed over his shoulder, and Roman turned.

Dressed in the clothes Bell had given her, Abby was standing at the edge of the woods looking out over the pack lands and the houses that dotted the hillside. Numerous sets of eyes were on her.

He growled a warning for his men to stop staring, and they began to disperse.

“Abby!” he called out to her. “Come meet my gamma and his mate.”

She bowed her head. “Yes, Alpha.”

Both Rye and Bell raised their eyebrows—probably expecting less poise from a rejected mate.

He chuckled. “They trained her to be a luna for seven years.”

“How old is she?” Rye asked.

“Twenty-one.”

“Just a baby,” Bell murmured as Abby approached. “And she was rejected?”

“More than that.” He stood up straight when Abby walked up, surprising them with his formality, but they followed his lead and both straightened as well.

“Abby, this is my gamma, Rye, and his mate, Bell.”

“Yes, Alpha.” She greeted them with brief eye contact and repeated their names, then stepped back and lowered her head.

“Abby…relax.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“The cars are ready to take us the rest of the way home. Bell will help you get settled in.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

ABIGAIL

As Abby followed the three of them to the car, pressure flared at the base of her skull, hitting so fast and so hard that she stumbled.

Then a surge of anger came roaring into her head, making her drop to her knees.

“RETURN, ABIGAIL!”