There are at least seven wolves accompanying a group of people, but my eyes follow only one of them.
Lisa.
Whose face is as red as a tomato. Kellan's carrying her like a princess, naked as the day he was born, as if that's the most natural thing in the world.
Despite the humor of the situation, my heart withers at the sight of her. Once-vibrant features are now haggard, black hair limp instead of lustrous. Her tanned skin has grown pale.
At least she's finally here.
She's staring at Kellan like she wants to murder him. Always a good sign.
"Lisa."
Her na on my lips is a bare whisper, but Lisa's head snaps in my direction as her eyes search frantically. Once she sees , her entire face lights up, the redness forgotten as she struggles to escape Kellan's grip.
She fails.
He holds her tighter against his chest and I'm pretty sure he growls at , but I don't give a fuck as I rush forward, ignoring the awkwardness as I hug her while she's in his arms.
"Lisa. Thank fucking God. Are you okay?"
"That's my question—damn it, Kellan, put the fuck down!" She wiggles harder against his grip, clinging to like a toddler. "I want to be with Ava!"
"No."
She growls her own human growl. "Ava, I'm going to stab him in his fucking balls if he doesn't let go."
"No, you won't." But Kellan might mutiny against his alpha if I stay in his space now that he's finally with his mate. "You're just going to have to put up with it for a while."
"I'm not putting up with this shit. Did you know he—" Lisa's mouth snaps closed as she looks around, seeing how many people are surrounding us. "Never mind. We'll talk about that later. In private."
I have no idea when later is going to be. Judging from Kellan's deanor, he might drag her to his lair and never leave.
"Kellan, Lisa needs a little space to adjust." It isn't that I don't sympathize with him—I do—but I can see my best friend's panic.
"No," he says again, setting his jaw.
"You should at least put on so clothes," I try again.
"No," he snaps.
"Yes," she hisses.
Oh, this is going great.
Of all the reunions I ever dread up—well, this wasn't one of them. But now that it's here, it feels so freaking Lisa that I'm giddy. "Bring her to my apartnt and let her decompress for a little bit. Shower. Feel human. Relax.
And then I can explain it all to her." I lay heavy emphasis on the latter half of the sentence, holding eye contact and trying with all my might to appear as authoritative as a Luna should be. "She deserves that, not this caveman wolf act."
He hesitates, scowling as he holds my gaze, and everyone continues to watch in silence. Then he drops the eye contact with a dissatisfied rumble. "As you wish."
Watching his naked behind storm in the direction of my apartnt isn't really a vision I ever wanted in my life, but there you have it.
At least Lisa's back.
The surrounding wolves shift into their own naked forms, and I stare at the sky, assaulted by swinging dingalings in the breeze.
Jesus.
There has to be a better way around this. With all the ti I've spent away from packs lately, it's beco awkward to see naked people again.
"Go get dressed," I order all of them, never realizing how smoothly that cos out of my mouth as I stare at the gnos they've accompanied here.
"Dr. Jonathan Blackwell," the old man announces, holding out a hand. "Pleasure to et you, Luna Ava."
"I'm not—" Biting back my denial, I just smile awkwardly. "Hello, Dr. Blackwell."
"He's been helping the pack for a while," Ryder says, appearing at my elbow like he's materialized out of thin air. "We thought he died in the last ambush. It's good to see you again, Dr. Blackwell. I didn't realize you had the coordinates of the safe haven."
"Yes, yes." The old man nods his head like a bobbing parrot. "It is good to see you still standing, Delta Thorn."
"If it wasn't for your warning, I might not be," he says grimly, and I wonder what all that's about. Ryder turns to politely. "There's an empty cabin to the south side. Shall I set them up there?"
"I—ah, yes?" Flummoxed by the deference, I respond without understanding.
He nods. "Great decision, Luna. Dr. Blackwell, due to the situation, I'm sure you'll understand that there will be guards—"
His voice fades as they walk away, leaving alone in the middle of the field, wondering what the hell just happened.
* * *
I knock on the door of my cottage, half-expecting to hear Lisa's shrieks of outrage. Or, worse, certain sounds of enjoynt.
There's absolutely zero part of that wants to deal with that new-mate situation.
Instead, it swings open to reveal a dejected-looking Kellan, his broad chest bare and jeans slung low on his hips.
"What's wrong?" I ask, though I have a pretty good idea.
Kellan's shoulders slump. "She won't let near her."
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He looks like a lost puppy, all sad eyes and drooping posture. It's almost endearing, if you forget he's usually an intimidating beta wolf.
"Well, if you ca on pretty strong," I say, trying to keep my voice gentle, "it might take a while for her to warm up to you."
A blush creeps up his neck, coloring his cheeks. Oh boy. I can only imagine what he tried.
I can't help but chuckle as I give him a light push out the door. "Why don't you wait outside for a bit? Give her so space. Trust , if you want this to work out, you need to take it slow."
Kellan opens his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. "You can stay nearby, just... not inside. Okay?"
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